They Did it Themselves Wedding

So it's been forevs since I updated my blog. I'm sure all 3 of my readers have had no idea what to do with themselves. Anyway I just wanted to devote a blog to Roni and Dave Palmer (weird not putting Whipple) and their wedding. Roni and Sister Whipple made everything for the wedding. Roni saw something she liked and Sis Whipple just kept saying, "I can make that!" I loved being around them during the whole wedding process just because it made them happy and then I was happy. Crafting is contagious! The wedding day was BEAUTIFUL and Roni made a gorgeous bride!! And to make everything even sweeter, she was featured on a wedding blog! But here are a few pics!!

If there is one thing the Whipples know, it's how to throw a party!!! We had such a blast at the wedding. Carolyn and I just kept walking around to different stations, eatin' a lil' of this and a lil' of that, dancing with Kelsie (who was definitely missed!), or hanging out in the Photo Booth.....so fun! The best part was the big send off with Sparklers. Loved it!!!

My Birthday Wish List

T'was my birthday yesterday, and while I would have loved to have made a fabulous post...the stomach flu put me in a sh*&6% mood, and I was in no state to think happy thoughts.

Alas....

Old french music playing at sunrise with fresh bread baking in the oven.
Rain, windows open, and chocolate covered strawberries in bed.
A New York City rooftop dinner in the candle light.
The saxophone playing in the Subway late at night.
Costumes to go to the movies...just for fun.
A red sequin dress from the 80s to wear to dinner.
A stare to start hysterical laughter.
A day at Disneyland...or 3.
Dancing in the living room then going for a picnic dinner.
Holding hands on holy ground.
A game of badminton in gladiator sweat bands.
Watching my favorite shows with cheese, grapes, and veggies.
Juicy steak with cous cous, and topping it off with a DQ dipped cone.
Seeing a musical that makes my heart pound and my stomach flutter with butterflies.
A completely unexpected gift.
Django Reinhardt music playing at a farmers market in France.

I DID IT!

Well it was two weeks ago, but I finally got a few pictures back from my 5k!!!! It was an amazing experience and I love my new found LOVE for being outside or inside playing and running. I'm hiking the Grand Canyon with Heidi in a few weeks!

I will never forget how terrified I was right before my race and I just had to let the words of my (amazing!!) home teacher and friend, Kurt, really sink into my brain. "Just start off slow and steady." I ran about 10 paces when I heard, "GO SASHA!" I looked up and there was Kurt cheering me on!! I couldn't believe it! I was at the base of Mt. Lemmon and it was 7am! But he was there. I made it to mile one. Wow. Then mile TWO and my lungs were doing great! And then at 2.3 or so I was really feeling it. I ran through this forest and I could see people up ahead to direct us....when I got closer I realized it was another cheering squad for me. Jessica K and Heidi were jumping up and down for me. I nearly started crying when I saw them because I was so happy they were there and I needed that so badly. Then I realized that trying to hold back tears was closing my throat and I quickly stopped. I HAD TO FINISH! They drove ahead to meet me for my last 10th of a mile. Because I had three amazing friends there I was able to finish that race. I couldn't have done it without them. They have no idea what that act of service has done for me, but it will affect me for the rest of my life. I never knew I could be so lucky.

Oh this 5k of mine

So, some of you know that I've been training for three weeks or so for a 5k that's THIS Saturday. I'm pumped, yet nervous. It's been going pretty well, and my knees are doing good. (The occasional freak out, but nothing I can't handle) However, my lungs are another story. Those b_ _ _ards like to give out at about mile 2. So I've been going the gym everyday this week to try and just push my body further. I usually run there from the tute, work out an hour, and then run back. If I can build up stamina, I should be fine! 4 days and counting!!!! AhHHAHHAHahahahahhhhh!!

PS going to the rec at 6 or 6:30am is weird, but I totally love it. It really starts off my day well, and I'm hoping to keep this habit up through the summer!!! (Providing I get a job there, because I'm gonna pay extra to use it...let's be real)

Never Said

What would you do?

The day will come and

You'll wonder,

where did I go?

How long did it take

You to notice

Where I've been?

Anywhere, but there.

I found myself fighting and fighting,

Then starving for what I couldn't have.

Selfish? Yes, but I wanted not to be.

I tried.

I gave and wanted equal in return,

But I knew that

Wasn't possible.

I settled for some, but the

Eggshells crumpled.

Completely.

I was running towards it all,

But then saw that you

Couldn't care.

I ran passed it, and wondered

Will you notice

I'm not there?

You are not sad, but

Distracted.

You feel my steps taking me

Farther and farther away

With each beat of your heart,

But can you tell

What is missing?

I am.

I already miss you

But I don't know how to turn around.

Everything has disappeared, except

The road.

I don't know where it's taking me.

Knees to the floor

I hope

You'll be somewhere along the way.

I can not be afraid of loss...

But may I ask,

What would you do?

My Uncle Murphy is Getting Married!!

Technically his name is actually Bob Murphy, and he's not really my uncle. But he was my basketball coach all four years in high school, and still someone I look up to now. There was no one like Murphy, and he is a huge reason my high school experience was as amazing as it was. My class of 2006 actually had Murph from 7th grade on since he moved to the HS Science Dept when we graduated. Then he coached JV Basketball my freshman year, (I was on his team) then he moved to Varsity. He's getting married, FINALLY! And to a FABULOUS woman who is perfect for him!!! The reason I call him Uncle Murph is because he and I just bonded over the years!

Most people don't know that I played A LOT of sports when I was in high school. In fact, so much that I suffered for it. Basketball was where my heart was. The team, the coach, the game, and the reward! There's nothing better than running yourself to the ground (literally) and working so hard to get a loose ball or stealing it from another team. "Play 'til you hear a whistle." And I did. In practice, I tried so hard to make up what I lacked in athleticism, in drive. I couldn't believe that I made Varsity my sophomore year. I was sure it was pity. Then half way through the season I was having a standard melt-down with all the stress, and I went to Murph and I'll never forget what he said to me, "Sash, I was plannin' on you movin' up with me. We both were goin' Varsity." --Here's the team my senior year. A GREAT group of girls, but my Junior year was the be all, end all. Can't find any of those pictures though...

There is nothing like a 6 hour bus ride with all your closest friends, and all the pillows and snacks you could ever want! Our team was so tight! Then my knees were going, and Murphy and I would have meetings to figure out what we could do...ice them, heat them, brace them, realign them, and my least favorite, rest them. It may seem silly. As adults, the natural response is to rest what needs rest. But I just couldn't do that. I couldn't let my team, myself, or my coach down. No one was ever proud the way Murphy was. He saw my struggles (physically, academically, etc) and saw that I let it all go on the court, and he was proud. My parents couldn't make every game, so instead, I looked to the bench for my support. And it was always there.

Then the worst: I needed surgery. Murphy was the first one I called. He knew my knees were bad and that I needed it. Sidenote: I literally couldn't get out of my car or out of bed at times because the pain was so bad. The swelling was so much that I'd have to realign my knee caps once or twice a month because it was like they would float off course. But I didn't ever let my parents see me get out of bed in the middle of the night to saran wrap ice packs to my knees, or the crying hot baths with Epsom Salt, or the Dr.'s appts to adjust my knees. But Murph knew. He's the one that helped get the Cho-Pats (knee braces to keep the tendons and knee caps in place). We met up before I had to go to Vegas to get the surgeries (and throughout that summer as well), and he brought me a present. Above all, he knew my biggest worry: I didn't want to get super fat being in a wheel chair and never be able to run again...LOL bare with me, it was high school. So he got me the book from Oprah's Book Club, French Women Don't Get Fat. We set goals, and I was off. June 25-August 13 I could not bend my legs. Basketball started November 1. I was determined to play. My surgeon told me it was highly unlikely and it would probably take two years. I refused to accept that. I went to every practice, every game, and was on every bus ride.

--posing for a picture at a home game, where we were both about to sit on the bench for the night...

Finally, February came and we made it to state. At the half time of the game before ours I got my medical release. I was under strict "40-40-40 Rule. Sash, we're either up by 40, down by 40, or have 40 seconds left, and then you'll go in. You don't need to be injured for any reason." I started the 4th quarter of the last game of the season...we were down by more than 40. Those dang reservation kids. They're out of the womb and handed a basketball and running shoes. But Murph was again...proud.

--I'm glad I'm a nerd and keep everything. Here's the article written by our JV Coach, Brian, about our state game.

--Finally, Murphy and I at Prom. Again, can't find Junior year...other wise, ALEX ROBIE!!! You and I, both, would be in this picture! :)

The Best Things in Life are Sick

1. I've heard it said that it takes 24 hours for your body to digest and excrete what it takes in. Untrue. I had crab pasta salad for dinner and just had crab in my poop. I looked.

2. I always look at my tissue after I blow my nose. Not that I'll be surprised by what's on there, I'm just curious the shade of green it is. It makes me wonder what I inhaled that day.

3. I feel a little bit proud when I pop a pimple and the nastiness inside lands on the mirror. It's happened 3 times in my life, and I distinctly remember each one. My first pimple-13, a back pimple during basketball-16, and last month.

4. I had one of those did-that-smell-really-just-come-from-me? moments the other day. I was home alone, farted, and then within the minute looked around to see if anyone was there. I was positive someone else had walked in and farted as well because it didn't smell like my brand. It was awful.

5. I tried to spit while running the other night, but apparently I was breathing heavy so when I opened my mouth I accidently created a HUGE spit bubble between my lips that popped against my face. Due to the wind, I definitely felt some land in my hair. I stopped running to spit after that.

6. A part of me think that arm pit smell left in a shirt (that has obviously had deodorant as well) smells good.

7. I think that's it...I'm gonna get back to Fringe now.