Smilin4Sugar

Review ~ Lorna Jane

2014-09-06T22:29:00.000-07:00

Through the wonderful network of SweatPink, I have been blessed to get to experience things and meet people that I might not normally meet. If you are not familiar with the SweatPink network, I recommend checking it out. It's life changing.

One of the things that I got to participate in was the grand opening of the Lorna Jane store in downtown Seattle. If you have never heard of Lorna Jane here is a brief blip from their website:

"At the forefront of the movement since 1989 is Founder and Active Living Advocate, Lorna Jane Clarkson. Since sewing her first one-off design in Brisbane, Australia, Lorna has transformed her fashion sensibility into a world-leading Activewear brand"

I made my way to the store which is located in Westlake Center in the heart of Seattle. By luck, I entered on the correct side of the mall and the Lorna Jane Store was on the first floor. I was first impressed with how bright and cheery it was.

I was greeted by friendly staff and a couple of local vendors handing out samples. I was able to roam around browsing with out being smothered but there was adequate knowledgeable staff to answer any questions I had.

I saw a bunch of fun inspirational shirts like this one:

As I walked around, I met Leslie (I hope that's her name because sometimes I forget) the store manager. She was enthusiastic, vivacious and knowledgeable. We chatted about the history of Lorna Jane and the impact the active lifestyle has had in her life. While chatting I spotted this:

At the back of the store. I learned that this Lorna Jane store is what's called a living room store (again, I hope I'm quoting correctly).

Basically, what I took away from that was that you can go to the store and try out fitness classes. Just like the comfort of your living room. Whoa, fun and free!

There are lots of good things coming for this location and the Lorna Jane brand.

I found these things plus put lots on my wish list:

I was given a $50 gift certificate to spend the night of the opening for the purpose of a review. All opinions are my own.

I look forward to really embracing the active lifestyle that is at the heart of Lorna Jane & the SweatPink network.

Please check out http://lornajane.com/ to learn more. The website is packed with information.

Vega Sport Review

2014-07-07T21:46:00.000-07:00

I got the opportunity to be a part of a review for Vega's #FuelYourBetter. I tried the Vega Sport pre-workout energizer. From their website VEGA:

Get in the zone with energy to burn. The ingredients in each serving of Pre-Workout Energizer

Provide immediate and sustained energy from plant-based ingredients

Increase endurance, aerobic and anaerobic capacity

Enhance mental focus

100 mg of caffeine from yerba mate and green tea

Medium chain triglycerides (MCTs)

Devil’s claw

Panax ginseng

Turmeric

It has 70 calories per serving and one packet should be mixed with 8 oz of water.

Sports a unique blend of 12 synergistic plant-based performance-improving ingredients, including :

Drink 20 minutes before a high-intensity workout or training session lasting more than 30 minutes.

I received the Acai Berry flavor and was excited to try it out.

I decided to try it first while at work since the package states mental focus. I mixed the packet in water and it took some time for it to disolve.

I was pleasantly surprised at the taste. While it's a little bland, it has no bitterness or bad after taste. After I got past expecting it to be sweet and over powering, I enjoyed this little plant based drink. It did help me stay focused at work and I gave it a thumbs up.

The next day I decided that I would do the same and share a packet with my sister to try as she was packing for a move and needed a little extra umph. We both had great results. She said "it was a little bland but it gave me a ton of energy, without making me feel jittery."

I agree, I had a good level of energy but never felt jittery. I also never felt the crash like I have on some other energy supplements.

Now for the "real" test....how did it fuel me for exercise?

This week I started the C25k program and used the Vega Sport pre-workout energizer. I was stoked with the results! I completed all 3 days of week 1, which I haven't been able to do before.

I felt great before, during and after the sessions. One day I even jogged a whole extra interval. I was so proud of myself.

I love Vega Sport!

How do you #fuelyourbetter?

*I received samples of Vega Sport Pre-workout energizer free of charge. The opinions stated are my own.

SweatPink

2014-04-10T23:18:00.001-07:00

I had been on twitter for sometime when I started to notice hashtags...ok, I might have been a little late to the game. I noticed a lot of people I follow using #sweatpink and #fitapproach. I was intrigued and decided to do some reading. Check it out here: http://www.fitapproach.com/

On the site, they state their mission:

OUR MISSION

We believe that kicking ass is best done in pretty shoes. We’ve learned that real women sweat, and sweat hard. We know that assertiveness, strength, and ambition are the ultimate feminine qualities. We concede that sometimes it takes hours to get ready, but we’re also no strangers to just rolling out of bed and going. We’re convinced that we run faster in pink shoelaces. We believe in pushing ourselves, and we believe in giving ourselves a break, too. We’re all about the rush of endorphins and the thrill of the challenge. We’re all for looking great and feeling even better. We’re committed to finding our best fit, and making it stick.

Sweat Pink with us.

Ummmmm hello...I want to push myself and I want to encourage other to love who they are while striving to be better and if I can do this while wearing pink shoelaces.....whoa, I want to sweatpink too!

I am tickled pink to say....

I love the support this community gives and I'm excited to be a part of it.

Happy Medium...

2014-04-09T21:43:00.001-07:00

In life we are lead to believe there is a happy medium. A place where everything is good and well balanced. In other words "perfect". Well I'm not sure I believe it's possible.

Don't get me wrong I believe in happiness, bliss and love. All the gooey things in life. But I don't know that there's actually a happy medium for me. Before you jump me for being negative, hear me out.

I'm happy for the most part but I'm always looking for ways to improve. I'm not settling for happy medium. I want to be on the heavy side of the happy scale. I want to be better than I was yesterday. I want to challenge myself and those around me to be the person they want to be (unless you're a legitimate scary stalker, I don't challenge that :) )

With that said I'm looking for ways to challenge myself, mentally and physically.

One of my biggest challenges has been not taking care of me. I spend more time building up others than I do on my own foundation.

I've decided that in 2014...I'm going to take better care of me and build up myself while continuing to build those up around me.

I will make time to do the things I love and will embrace getting to know me on a new level.

I saw this quote on Pinterest ❤️

http://pinterest.com/pin/284149057713548977/

My hope for you is that you take time for you. Love yourself, so you can truly love others.

Ps. I hope you find your happy medium

ENERGYbits

2014-04-08T00:42:00.001-07:00

HTTPS://ENERGYbits.com. Last year when my mom was ill, I had the opportunity to try ENERGYbits for the first time. I had heard about them on twitter and figured what the heck. I knew I was going to be extra tired, stressed and couldn't risk getting sick.

After I received my sample, I was hooked. The product is amazing and they are a wealth of knowledge and information to anyone wanting to know more.

I continued to use ENERGYbits through my personal stress. I also used them pre walk and pre-OCR to give me the extra umph without the jittery side affects.

Once hooked I decided that I should help spread the word and what better way then through the brand ambassador program!

YEEEEE...I'm a brand ambassador

I used them throughout my first half marathon in December 2013 and felt pretty good considering I just walked 13.1 miles

I'm a huge fan of ENERGYbits and believe they can give you the energy you need on a day to day basis. I take them almost every day to give me a little extra energy at work. I also take Recoverybits post work out & daily.

An added bonus to having more energy is I've noticed a decrease in headaches/migraines. Anyone that knows me will attest to what a relief that has been.

If you are looking to add a healthy food to your diet and are wondering about the health benefits of algae, please check out ENERGYbits.com You can use code smilin4sugar during check out for 20% off your order.

Blogging....I kinda suck at it

2014-04-08T00:25:00.001-07:00

I realize that I haven't written here since August 2013. I'm pretty sure I suck at blogging. I have lots of great ideas and things I want to write about...but I lack the follow through to write them. So what gives?

Without all the excuses and blah blah. I think I've been struggling to stay positive and haven't wanted to write about negative things, so I haven't written at all.

Which is sad in fact because I've had some really positive things in my life. So while I'm going to attempt to not focus on negative (it may sneak in there) I am going to try to be more consistent in my blogging adventure.

Stay tuned!

My Mom

2013-08-23T18:22:00.000-07:00

My mom had been sick for sometime. I think that our family was partially in denial that such a strong woman could be sick and partially we didn't really know how sick she was. She would tell us little snippets of information but she had a way of doing it where it didn't seem all that bad.

March 2013

In March of this year I went to the doctor with my mom. Hearing from a doctor how sick she was actually made me sick. At that point my mom had COPD and stage 4 emphysema, there is no cure for that. The doctor explained that there were not many treatment options, actually our only option left was hospice. With our focus shifting from prolonging life to making sure she was as comfortable as possible during the transition.
We left the doctors office and she asked me how I was feeling, and I responded with "I'm fucking angry". That was the truth, I was angry. I wrote about how I felt cheated and angry previously, you can find that post here Cheated and Angry.

Over the next few months we talked a lot about what was going to happen and I watched the strongest woman I know get sicker and sicker. We joked about death and other things that many people would find not appropriate for the situation (and I am totally fine with this). We debated about ghosts vs. spirits, heaven and other random topics. What was coming still wasn't "real".

In May I stopped by my parents house on my way to a mud run and my mom asked me "do you want to be here when I die?" I responded with "Are you serious? What kind of question is that?" and we left it at that for a few days. My mom had expressed that she didn't want anyone to be around when she passed, and I then expressed how I didn't think I could live with myself if I wasn't there. But in the back of my head it still wasn't real.

June and July she continued to decline. We talked almost everyday on the phone and I came out to see her. She was dying and there was nothing I could do but standby and watch. She had asked me several months ago to put together a slide show for at her memorial. I agreed, then she said she wanted me to do it before she died, so she would know what we were watching. I was in shock and I told her exactly how morbid I thought that was. I put it off as long as I could, I think in my mind if I did it, it was real. My mom was going to die.

I kept coming up with reasons why not to do it and why she couldn't die "yet". We talked about death candidly. I expressed my anger, hurt and fear. Then we sat down and started listening to songs. She picked out ones she liked and decided which ones she wanted in her slideshow. I finally finished the "rough" draft of the slide show in July. We watched it together, and I cried. She told me there was no reason to cry, as she would be waiting for me in heaven.

My mom took a turn for the worse at the beginning of August, a few days after she celebrated 36 years being married to my dad. I got the call and immediately rushed to her. For the next few weeks, it was up and down. We knew she was dying, and we struggled to be ok with it. I spent every moment I could with her and it never felt like enough. I was exhausted, upset and I was still angry. I knew it was close to the end and she tried to remain strong for us right up until the end.

On August 21, 2013 at 9:40pm my mom passed away. She died peacefully at home with my dad, her brother and myself by her side.

Over the past few months, I became closer to my mom then I had been in a lot of years. I will forever be thankful for that. There is nothing as precious as time. Hug your loved ones and don't let a day go by that they don't know how much you care.

Life

2013-08-23T17:00:00.002-07:00

So life has gotten in the way...or not really. I have just not had the heart to write.

I hope to change that over the course of the next few months and have some topics already in mind. For example, I have a few race reviews. Also, a few product reviews. And there will probably be some more posts about death and dying, as this is how I am going to heal and get through the loss of my mom.

Cheated and Angry

2013-07-08T22:49:00.001-07:00

I understand that death is a natural part of the life cycle and that we will all eventually die. Some die early in life and others live to be old people...we all do in fact die. My mom always says in life you have no control over being born or dying. Logically, I can wrap my brain around it and I do understand. It doesn't make me feel better or comforted.

As I struggle with the fact that I am losing my mom, I realize I'm a basket of emotions. I'm angry, really angry...like I think I need to find a healthy way to expend the anger so it doesn't consume me. I sat trying to figure out why I was so angry...everyone else in my family seems more upset then angry. Then it hit me...I'm angry because I feel cheated!

On my moms side of the family the women tend to live long lives....surpassing spouses and sometimes children. In 1994 for example we had 6 generations of women. In 1995, when my daughter was born we had 5.

For the past several years we have had a solid 4. My great-great grandmother was 100 when she passed. My great grandmother was in her 80's when she passed. And my grandmother is in her 80's and still very much a part of our lives. Then we get to my mom, who is on hospice and likely will not make it to her 62nd birthday in October.

I feel cheated. I want more time!

My best friend said today "you could have 1000 years and you would still want more time". That is the truth.

Don't get me wrong, I do not want my mom to suffer. She is at peace with the path she's on, and I'm along for the ride.

I am angry and I feel unbelievably cheated. I love her unconditionally.

Death & Dying

2013-06-28T00:05:00.001-07:00

I took a class in college called Death & Dying, or something like that. It feels like a million years or at least a lifetime ago. The professor talked about how death is a natural part of the life cycle and how it is one thing in life we will all experience. He also talked about how the hardest deaths to deal with would be that of a parent, a child or a spouse (significant other).

At the time I was a new mom, had a set of parents and a significant other. I remember thinking how difficult it would be to lose any of them. Oi vey, I couldn't even bare to think about it let alone discuss it with near strangers.

One of the discussions was in theory if you had the choice between your loved one dying unexpectedly or expectedly, which would you choose?

I remember thinking about it and since I had to choose one or the other I chose expectedly. I figured I would want to know that they would be dying. I thought that would be easier. That way I would have time to spend and the opportunity to say whatever I felt needed to be said.

Well, some years later....I want to kick myself for thinking it would be easier.

Knowing that your loved one is dying and there is nothing you can do....SUCKS!

Watching your loved one go from a feisty, strong and independent person to one that can't walk down a hall with out being winded....SUCKS!

Sure I get to say all the things I think I need to say. And I do get time, that an unexpected death would not afford. But I also get to see pain and suffering. The body shutting down slowly and my loved one giving up the fight!

Quite honestly....it SUCKS!

Pictured is not my dying loved one, but it is their favorite flower.

Basically for me dealing with the dying process is a roller coaster ride. One minute I'm ok and want my loved ones suffering to end. The next I'm angry as all get out and want to scream and yell.

I was told recently that once your loved one passes, no amount of crying will bring them back. So make sure you love them while they're here. I COMPLETELY agree with this.

However, it still SUCKS!!

April Recap

2013-05-05T19:43:00.001-07:00

So April was my best month ever with 98.7 fitness miles. I am pretty happy with it.

I rewarded myself with a new tattoo. I got the word "relax". All of my tattoos have personal meaning and this one is no different. I often get so involved in "life" that I forget to relax and enjoy it. So that is my reminder.

May brings some pretty exciting changes in my life. I started a new job on May 1, in the field I went to college for. I reconnected (outside of Facebook) with some ladies from high school. We have a Mud Run coming up on May 18th. And lastly but most preciously my one and only daughter will be 18.

Chin up, Chest out & Attack

Ravensdale Cemetery

2013-04-26T00:07:00.001-07:00

This one is near to my heart, though this was my first visit. I grew up out in Ravensdale and had looked for the cemetery a few times through the years....never with any success.

During my teenage years there were talks of parties and satanic worships there...but I never actually figured out where.

A few months ago I read an article about it on www.ghosttownsofwashington.com and searched it on www.findagrave.com. Both which are websites I frequent and enjoy immensely.

Finally, this last Sunday I found it. I was both saddened and in awe. The cemetery lies a little off the road in the middle of a newer housing development. From the road you would have no idea there was a cemetery back there.

Findagrave states there are 39 interments buried there, though that seems to be of debate. There are graves but no recognizable names. A sign at the talks of how the cemetery was looted in the 1960's and the headstones were scattered throughout the town. It also talks of the mine explosion in 1915 which pretty much was a catalyst in the collapse of the town.

It was a peaceful setting, though unkept and forgotten by most.

Hot Chocolate 15k/5k

2013-04-10T00:59:00.001-07:00

I was both nervous and excited to do this 5k. I mean, who wouldn't get excited for hot chocolate and chocolate fondue? I was pumped.

I should start by stating that I am NOT a "real" runner. I am a walker and a beginning wogger (walking and jogging intervals) but I can not run for any substantial distance. This is where the nervous part kicked in. The race coordinators had strict rules that everyone must maintain a 15 minute mile pace (or be rerouted). So my initial goal (after finishing) was to not be rerouted at all.

I woke up at 4 am, anyone that knows me will realize how amazing that is all in itself. I am not a morning person at all. Met up with my partner in crime for the race and headed to Seattle.

It was chilly outside and the corals to start seemed to take forever to cycle through. I started off jogging, I made it a little over a 1/4 mile (personal best) then moved to a brisk walk. I repeated this pattern for the entire 5k. I finished the race with a time of 50 min, 21 seconds. It's not quite a 15 minute mile, but I was NOT rerouted! Success!

The hot chocolate at the end was worth it...Chin up, Chest out & Attack

March Recap

2013-04-10T00:25:00.001-07:00

March was a successful month for me exercise wise. I logged almost 68 miles (a personal best), completed the Seattle Hot Chocolate 5k (without being rerouted...more on that later). I will be doing a race recap separately.

I participated in the "no girly push-ups" challenge and did better than I thought but got hit with a lil depression and fell off at the end.

April is starting strong and I have logged about 15 miles so far. Bought myself some running shoes so I'll be adding more "wogging" this month as well.

Week 3/4-Check in

2013-03-07T00:29:00.001-08:00

The last few weeks have been a real struggle. Some major life changes have taken place and I feel a bit out of sorts. My head has either been up in the clouds daydreaming of backpacking through Europe or in a state of panic.

I've made progress in the challenge, though again not as much as I would like. This seems to be a common theme for me...boo!

Currently, I'm at 8 "real" push-ups. Added to that I am doing counter push-ups and am at 3 sets of 17 (2x a day). I started out at 2 sets of 10 (1x a day), so I feel good about this!

On another plus, I'm averaging over 3 miles a day walking or wogging. I completed the Seattle Hot Chocolate 5k on March 3rd.

Here's to Week 5.

Chin up, Chest out & ATTACK!

Week 2-Check in

2013-02-21T16:00:00.002-08:00

This challenge has been difficult, not only because it is hard. Also, because I seem to be having the worst luck.

Here is the break down: Truck battery died, left me stranded (fun). Broke a tooth (more fun). By Friday of last week I was bitchy and in pain, so I finally went to the dentist. Well my broke tooth was fractured in such a way that they had to do an emergency extraction (sooo much fun).

What that boils down to is I made a ton of excuses as to why I couldn't do the push-ups this week. Yes, I know exercise is a great stress relief. I just wasn't feeling it.

Here is what I did do....2 days of 4 push-ups. Since 4 seems to be my max. Week 3 goal is #6.

I also decided that I need to do something else...since I am getting super frustrated with not improving as fast as I think I should. This week I am adding modified push-ups.

Not "girly" push-ups...counter push-ups. This will help me build some (much needed) upper body strength and I will feel like I am actually making progress. Like the one in the picture, only using my kitchen counter not the wall.

So, let's get out there and DO this. Chin UP, Chest out, and ATTACK!

Week 1-Check in

2013-02-13T11:17:00.002-08:00

SOOOO Week 1, was not what I expected or what I would have liked. Here's the good, the bad and the ugly.

Good-I am up to 4 push-ups (started at 2, so progress).

Bad- I only did the challenge 2 days out of 7 last week. I am lacking some serious motivation and have been dealing with some "new" headaches (that's part of the ugly).

Ugly-My form is something to be desired, and I could probably do more push-ups if I wasn't so intent on doing them right :) I have been dealing with a "new" type of headache. I should say that I have daily headaches and migraines several times a month (I have for years) and I can deal with those. These "new" ones are kicking my rear, I spent more than 48 hours in bed and the rest of the time wishing I was. Trying to figure out where they are coming from, and the only thing that I can think of is that I have been exercising more. HA, isn't exercise supposed to be good for you?

That leads me to Week 2. I keep going back and forth between starting week 2 and redoing week 1. Well since, I am starting tonight I better decide.

The No “Girly” Push-Ups Challenge!

2013-02-05T15:50:00.001-08:00

So I have decided to take part in a challenge, called the No "girly" push-ups challenge. I first heard about it on Twitter and then found it on Alex's blog (Alex tries it out and several others, she was just first).

This morning was Day 1. I am way out of shape and could barely do 2 push ups. Yes, you read that right TWO! I fully understand that 2 is better than 0, but I am still not happy with myself.

Anyone that knows me, knows I am not a morning person...so that fact that I tried this in the morning should say something about how I am dedicated to making changes in my life. I don't know that I will succeed in this challenge of 100 push-ups by the middle of March 2013. But I will succeed in being able to do more than TWO!

I used the website (100 pushups) to determine my level. I am at a 1, which means I can do less than 5 push ups. My goal is to at least be at a 4 by the end of the challenge.

Motivation Monday

2013-02-04T19:23:00.001-08:00

Sometimes motivation comes from a likely source be it a spouse, a family member, a friend or from within yourself. And sometimes it comes from a virtual stranger.

Last week, when I was discussing my lack of motivation a friend in an online group gave me the following advise: Chin up, Chest out & Attack!

At first, I thought it was an odd quote. But the more I repeated it to myself, the more it motivated me. I do in fact feel better when I have my chin up. I see more things around me and simply enjoy more. Chest out...that makes me feel tough, like I can conquer anything that comes my way. Attack the issue!

Everyday since then, I have repeated it. While I have a long way to go to meet my goals, I feel strong enough to chip away at them. There really is something to be said about self assurance.

"Chin up, Chest out & Attack"

Baggage

2013-01-29T11:38:00.000-08:00

(Photo Credit)

A few days ago, I started following a blog by Lea, its called Running For Dummies. She posted a transparency challenge, a what are you afraid of or what do you hesitate for people to know about you. Her post can be found here: Running for dummies

In an effort to better understand myself and why I do things, I decided to step up to this challenge. I think what I am most afraid of is people thinking I am as broken as I think I am.

We all have a history, and we all have baggage. Some physical, some financial and some emotional. I think emotional baggage is the worst of all of them. At the end of the day, I know that it is me that I have to live with. And often times at the end of the day, I don't like who I see in the mirror. I still smile everyday and try to be positive but inwardly I have let my emotional baggage damage me. I am in fact, broken.

In all fairness, I am responsible for my brokenness (well most of it anyway). They say that people that live in glass houses shouldn't throw rocks. I repeatedly, and I do mean repeatedly throw rocks at my own glass house. I constantly, tell myself that I am not pretty enough, skinny enough...blah, blah, blah...I am not enough.

Photo Credit

There are many factors that actually went into me being broken in the first place. The hardest one for me to admit is Domestic Violence. I was one of those people that swore I would never be in a situation like that. I would never tolerate someone to treat me that way. I was wrong! You never really know how you are going to react to a situation until you are in it...and by the time I realized I was in it. I was stuck. My ex was not physically abusive, though at times I wonder if that would have been easier to swallow. Not that I condone physical violence, I just think it might have been easier than the mental racket-ball he played with my head.

The short version of the story goes. We met on a online dating site, talked for several months before meeting in person. He was amazing, kind, gentle and well spoken. Looking back there were red flags, but I wrote them off and believed what he was telling me. Once he asked me to marry him, things changed. He stole my phone, my truck keys...but mostly, he stole my sparkle. I was so afraid of what he would do if I ended things that I kept in contact. Eventually, I did call it off (kinda). I still kept contact, again somehow I felt safer knowing where his mind was. Throw in some breaking my things, and a few gun incidents....and you have protection orders and us going to trial.

He had a record for violent behavior that I had no idea about. And while this incident happened in June 2011, we are still waiting to go to trial. I had high hopes for 2012 being the end of this chapter, it wasn't. I had anticipated starting 2013 "fresh and sparkly" that didn't happen. While we are set for trial this week, I have little faith, it has been pushed out so many times.

So I guess besides people thinking that I am as broken as I think I am, I don't want to be looked at as a victim. I refuse to be his victim. It is a struggle everyday, it causes me to emotionally shut down when things get stressful.

In 2013, I will do the Spartan Sprint (which scares me to death). I will no long throw rocks at my house. I will surround myself with people who build me up, not tear me down. I will focus on building people up as well.

I know that I will never be the same as I was...but I can be better. I WILL BE BETTER.

Black Diamond Cemetery

2012-04-17T14:27:00.000-07:00

Black Diamond's Historic Cemetery is located at 24431 Morgan Street.

The city-owned Black Diamond Cemetery, founded in 1884, sits on Cemetery Hill Road, hidden by a row of trees and marked by a wooden sign erected by local Scouts.

The cemetery has more than 1,200 graves, giving visitors a sense of the cultural diversity and tragedy that existed in Black Diamond when coal mining was at its peak. Tombstones mark graves of residents who came from Wales, Italy, Australia, Russia, Germany and many other countries.

Mayor Howard Botts says a Civil War veteran is buried there, as are many children who died in the early 1900s in epidemics of small pox and the flu. At least half a dozen graves mark those of mine workers who died in explosions in 1902, 1910 and 1915.

The cemetery was added to the National Register of Historic Places in April 2000.

data from http://www.ci.blackdiamond.wa.us/Depts/PubWorks/cemetery.html

My visit took place on February 4, 2012, we were in the area for a benefit dinner. When the dinner was over, it was suggested that we go to the Cemetery. While I didn't have my "good" camera, I couldn't pass up the chance to go!

So my visit to the Black Diamond Cemetery was an interesting one, that is for sure. While it wasn't my first time there (I had gone on field trips there in elementary school), it was my first visit at night. Growing up I heard stories of the cemetery being haunted by miners and such. I fully believe in ghosts and spirits but don't think that I would want to encounter one in the middle of the night.

On this night we encountered a few people who were at the cemetery looking for ghosts, they seemed a bit put off that I was simply there to take pictures. To each their own.

This is one of my favorite marker from the visit. Morgan W. Morgans Born December 9, 1900 and died August 26, 1902. Not even two year years old.

I love the intricate details

A few of the plots have been separated by fencing, it really is amazingly beautiful.

Some of the headstones were slightly overgrown, and seemed to try to hide from attention. These always seem to catch my eye.

I am always partial to the markers that have pictures, though you can barely see the name on this grave. The smiling face catches your eye and demands your attention.

Temperature Lo 41°

While the temperature this time of year is commonly in the 30-40 degree range, typically I wouldn't post what it is, because it is irrelevant. However, in this instance it plays into my odd experience at the cemetery. Like I said earlier, I had attended a benefit dinner earlier and was wearing some awfully uncomfortable shoes. I proceeded to take them off when we got to the cemetery, I walked and took pictures for the better part of an hour.

Strangely, my feet were not cold, not even a little bit. In fact, they were warm to the touch. Anyone that knows me, knows that my feet are ALWAYS freezing. How is it that I could walk around barefoot for nearly an hour and my feet be warm? I should say that my companion on this adventure said his feet were freezing cold. And was surprised that my feet were so warm to the touch.

I have never had an experience like that before, but it was odd.

Honestly, I can't wait to go back to the Black Diamond Cemetery in the day time. It was a great night adventure.

Washington Soldiers Home Cemetery

2011-12-09T10:16:00.001-08:00

I have visited this cemetery several times over the last few years (pictures below will be from various visits). I think it is one of my favorites. It is located outside of Orting, going up the hill towards Graham. It is on the left hand side, not to be confused with the City Cemetery which is further up the hill on the right. Thus locals call this hill, Cemetery hill. I like that on Memorial day and Veteran's day each grave has an American flag placed on it. It is surreal and peaceful. I wander through the markers that seem to salute the American flag at the top of the hill. I wonder what all these soldiers were like and how they fought for our country, so unselfishly. I hope that they find as much peace in their final resting place as I do.

This Staircase leads to the back of the Cemetery from Orting Kapowsin Hwy

This is one of my favorite markers

Ghosttowns of Washington also visited this Cemetery. Please see their website, it is one of my favortie reads. Plus they take amazing photo's. http://www.ghosttownsofwashington.com/Orting_Soldiers_Home.html

Calvary Cemetery Sept 2011

2011-12-05T20:12:00.000-08:00

On a beautiful day in September, I left work early and headed to the Cemetery. Just off of I-5 and 74th is Calvary Cemetery & Mausoleum. It is a Catholic cemetery, and it is beautifully maintained. I didn't come armed with my camera, but did manage to take a few with my cell phone camera. Though not the best quality, I love them. I sat for a long time with Sister Mary Anastasia O'Reilly, She passed away Sept 2, 1935. It was her Deathiversary, so I spent extra time. Having a rough day, I cried....I felt like she was there with her hand on my shoulder, embracing me when no one else could.

On this day I also met a man name Jose, he was an older gentleman of spanish descent. He approached me as I was sitting next to the last marker pictured. It had a picture of a mother, holding a young child....I had been sitting there for quite some time. Jose, introduced himself to me and asked if I was there visiting family. I stated that I was there visiting someone's family, I supposed. We talked about how beautiful it was outside and how much he loved his job. He had a similar view on Cemetery's that I do. He told me that I had an amazing aura, I found this odd since I have heard this before (a few times, stories about that will come later). He also said that I had sadness in my eyes, but that I should rest easy because it wouldn't be there forever. I left him to do his job, while I marvelled in his blessing.

The following information is from http://files.usgwarchives.net/wa/pierce/cemeteries/calvary.txt:

This independent Catholic cemetery began in 1905 and was reorganized
in 1933. Some records were destroyed in 1933 but others are still kept
on site. The cemetery is well-maintained and has expanded beyond its
original 34 acres. Adjacent to the cemetery is the Old Tacoma Catholic
Cemetery which is now part of Calvary and is maintained by them.

Sister Mary Anastasia

Yelm Cemetery

2011-12-05T15:23:00.000-08:00

I am not sure when I became fascinated with Cemetery's, perhaps it was on one of my visits to the South. Seeing the Civil War Cemetery's was amazing (look for future posts). I find these final resting places of our ancestors to be calming and relaxing. For me it is cleansing to the soul to be able to walk among the resting places of some amazing people. I always try to imagine what their story is, and what type of person they were. I always try to find someone that has my birthday and someone who its their "deathiversary" or the anniversary of thier death. I sit quietly at their site and enjoy the silence.

I travelled to the Yelm Cemetery Friday November 25th, 2011. I didn't really explore to much. The Cemetery was small, but well maintained. A list of interments can be found on the following site: http://files.usgwarchives.net/wa/thurston/cemeteries/yelm.txt

This was my favorite marker

Divorced.....Not Dying (Originally Posted 03/10/09)

2009-03-10T15:36:00.000-07:00

I am recently divorced and though there are times I feel like dying, I am sure that I will get through this. I would describe marriage as a roller coaster; it has its ups and downs. Often in my marriage I wasn't sure if I was going up while he was going down or vise versa.
I met my now ex-husband in high school, though we both attended the same school district our whole lives. From the beginning it was intense; we fought and made up more times than I could count. Strangely though, I knew he was the one I would marry, from the time of our first date. We married in August 1997, in a small back yard wedding. Our daughter had turned 2 a few months before. Our marriage wasn't perfect; in fact we had lots of issues that eventually led to us signing our divorce papers in August 2008.
Our divorce wasn’t a mean or nasty divorce, and actually neither one us hired an attorney. We worked everything out with each other and filed though an agency so we didn’t even have to make a court appearance. I was ok with the divorce the whole time we talked about it, when we discussed it with our daughter and the family. It was after the signing that I realized divorce sucks. Something happened to me when I signed my name on that dotted line...it was so legal...so FINAL.
I cried for days. I cried driving to work and home from work. I cried in bed. Pretty much everything made me cry. Made me think of him and us, and I would cry. I replayed conversations over and over again. I obsessed about what I could have done differently. While, I still think about it a lot and I cry sometime, I am thankful that we have remained friends. And I am in fact divorced not dying.