by Sarah | Aug 1, 2012 | All About Denver, All About Me
I lived in Maryland for a brief year back in 2000. It turned out to be a glorious year where I found myself in New York City for the first time in my life.
And went back 5 more times (each time to see CATS before it closed, but I digress).
I loved being that close to NYC without actually being in NYC.
During my year there I had a friend come to visit. We would go to NYC together and then just spend the rest of the week hanging out. We had a great time, and as always happens the time came for her to return home.
I packed up 2 year old Denver and my friend in the car and we went to the airport to prepare for the flight.
Everything went smooth and we ended up at the airport way ahead of schedule (keeping in mind this is pre-9/11). So we checked her bags and walked through the airport. Along the way to her gate sat a ‘playground’ of sorts for the kids. STuff to climb on and in, a miniature playground-type plane to climb through, other random items I can’t even remember.
Just a little out of the way area with wide open space and exits.
We sent him playing in the toy area and sat down on the ground, our backs pressed against a large pillar so we had a clear view of the whole play area. We chatted, laughed, reminisced over our time in NYC.
And then.
Denver disappeared.
No one came and snatched him, though people stood nearby, no one stepped into the play area.
He didn’t run away to make us chase him down the hall.
He just disappeared.
Poof.
My heart seized into a tight ball, I called for him. Denver, the good boy, always answered my calls.
Nothing.
Panic poured through my veins, my heart pounding a rapid cadence in my chest.
I rose to my feet on shaky legs, needing the support of that pillar to even make it.
Words clogged in my throat as I called for Denver again, frantic notes raising my pitch. A couple of heads turned our way, no one moved to help.
I gripped the pillar, unable to move my feet, this time screaming his name, searching every inch of the open area.
Finally my legs moved without my push to do so, racing through the play area. I ducked to peek into every nook, every cranny.
Hands shaking, stomach turning, sweat and tears clinging to my forehead and cheeks.
And found him.
Hiding and playing inside the pretend plane.
Happy as a clam.
Oblivious to my terror.
Never before that moment had I felt more like a mother…and less of a failure.
In truth he was “missing” for all of 30 seconds, and he was only feet away from me…but I have never been more scared.
And I hope to never have that feeling ever again in my life. I hope none of you ever do either.
by Sarah | Jul 20, 2012 | 45 before 45, All About Erik, All About Indiana, All About Me, Blogging Life, Bucket List, Indy Geek Girls, The Reluctant Hoosier
[flickr id=”7604254726″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]Ever since the Super Bowl back in January all anyone in Indiana can talk about is the zip line. I never stepped one foot in Super Bowl Village – but I wished I had just for the zip line.
About two months ago I found out about Go Ape! Right in my own backyard here on the West Side, inside Eagle Creek Park, is a place where you can zip line, do Tarzan Swings, and just climb through the trees like a monkey. You can really Go Ape!
So I rounded up some friends, my husband, a few of their husbands, and we swallowed our fears, strapped on a harness, and climbed.
Did I say fear? Yeah, fear.
After the “bunny hill” courses that are only a few feet off the ground – you climb and climb. High up off the ground you make your way through 5 courses of increasing difficulty – and as a bonus every course ends with the zip line.
I admittedly screamed at every one.
Out of pure joy.
[flickr id=”7604174320″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”right”] The last three courses have options for your routes. You can do “moderate” or “difficult” on course 3 – and on courses 4 & 5 you have your option of “Difficult” or “Extreme”.
I chose the difficult routes because I wanted to challenge myself. After all, I am wiping this sucker off my 45X45 list (“Do something daring”) – because it scared me. Holy cow am I glad I did. Knowing that I challenged myself, conquered my fear, and took the leap (literally on the Tarzan Swing) makes me feel strong and empowered.
[flickr id=”7604240872″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”] The whole course left us feeling strong and empowered. Even my husband – who is terrified of heights, bridges, and couldn’t do the last Tarzan Swing (seriously, frightening stuff there) made his way through the course and felt so proud of himself for it – not that he’d do it again. ;).
It was a great ‘day date’ activity for us. It is an amazing team building activity too. Spending our time encouraging each other and cheering each other on (or is that daring each other?) to get through these courses cementing our bond of friendship.
[flickrset id=”72157630653559754″ thumbnail=”square” photos=”” overlay=”false” size=”small”]
We all left swearing to do it again.
After all, it’s in our own backyard and a combination of fun, adrenaline pumping, and an intense workout. Best of all? It’s $55 a person – and it takes you at least three hours to get through the full course. For teens it’s only $35, but you are responsible for them and limited to how many you can chaperone (Age limit of 10, height limit of 55″).
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*Disclaimer: Me & 10 of my friends were given free tickets for the day by Go Ape. All the fun I had and my opinions are all my own.
by Sarah | Jul 19, 2012 | 45 before 45, All About Me, Blogging Life, Get Fit - Or Kill Myself - Whatever Comes First, Indy Geek Girls, Story of Me
[flickr id=”7598819772″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]*Showing off my new haircut. HUGE change here – took off 8-10 inches, people. Loving it!
Yesterday I turned 36. I’ve realized in recent months that I always demure “30-something” when referring to my age; and maybe it’s my new haircut, maybe it’s the events of the past year, or maybe I’m just growing up – but I realized I don’t like that I do that.
I need to own my age.
After all, my teenage years sucked. My 20’s were short-lived as I got pregnant right before my 21st birthday and had to become responsible for a young life that wasn’t my own. I became a mother three times in my twenties, a wife once. I bought a house, went into debt and started the isolation of a mom of very young special needs children.
Now I’m 36.
While we’ve had our struggles in our marriage (2 brief separations), Erik and I are finally reaching a new level of communication and cooperation. After 10 years my marriage is growing into a much stronger and powerful force.
My children’s needs and demands on my time have eased into a comfortable realm. While I still struggle with the demands on my time, and probably always will, there is now a level of relaxation in there. We’re “used to” the struggle and know how to power through it.
My 30’s have seen my return to my love of writing, I’ve found myself published, and I’ve written several novels that are either ready or almost ready to put out into the world to find a home.
While my 30’s have also seen me enter menopause (thanks to my emergency hysterectomy), and the failure of my body to maintain shape as I gave into the comfort of SAHM-hood…My later 30’s are seeing me return to exercise. My progress is slow and I fail, but I am working toward being strong & healthy again. Getting in shape is more important than the number on the scale, and I’m feeling the changes as they happen.
The best part of my 30’s has been the reintroduction of friendships – of a LIFE – into my life. My “fake” online friends have become real. I finally got to meet my BFF Jess in person a couple of years ago, and she’s returned the favor by coming here. Thanks to this blog (also started at the cusp of my 30’s) I’ve found a community of bloggers here in Indiana that are beyond comprehension in their awesomeness. We support each other, we help each other – and most importantly, we find ways to get together and develop that community in person. Girls nights, major events, smaller day trips. They are a real and present force in my life now.
I am 36.
I am in the prime of my life and proud of it.
by Sarah | Jul 12, 2012 | 45 before 45, All About Me, Blogging Life, Bucket List
2012 is proving to be a year for me to Kick the Bucket…List.
So far, just this year, I have crossed off 6 items & I’m poised to cross off one more this week, and at least two more by September. Granted this is technically my 45X45 list – but I’m thrilled with my progress this year.
My favorite item that I crossed off is the all important #3. Seeing my name in print. And look at that…in print!
Without even realizing it, I’m putting myself out there and doing more things – and I’m crossing things off the bucket list without even realizing that they’re there! Of course, some of those achievements are thanks to my peeps…the local blogging community is great for putting things out there for me to hop on board with!
So 2 years after creating my 45X45 list and with 9 years left I’m 20% through it. Now I just have to figure out what I want to cross of next year! For that matter, I’d love to repeat a couple of them (like the blog conference – loved that…want to do it again!).
So what should I do next – that I haven’t already planned to do?
For that matter…what isn’t on my list that you think should be? Should I move my “done” stuff to the side and add in new challenges?
by Sarah | Jul 1, 2012 | All About Indiana, All About Me, Blogging Life, Community, Indy Geek Girls
For approximate forever I’ve been wanting to see Cirque du Soleil. So when Emily hosted a giveaway I ran over to sign up to enter.
I literally bounced around in my seat when I got the email telling me I won.
My wonderful husband Erik was a no-go on tickets. For some reason the man has something against men in spandex. Me? I have no such qualms – but I needed a date.
Of course the first person I asked was the person I told I would ask if I won – Casey. Then, to give us a proper ‘girls night’, Emily’s husband backed out to leave room for Shireen – and our party was complete.
I’m not sure what I was more excited for – Cirque, or girls night.
For dinner we did Santorini’s with a little OPA!! (i.e. saganaki) thrown in. I shared the Chef’s special with Casey…and if there had been more of the Spanokopita we might have had a throw-down over it – it was that good.
Then it was onto Quidam.
Casey described it as a panic attack brought to life (the first half). While filled with impressive feats of strength and agility – the amount of disturbing images included left us a little disoriented.
The second half by far topped the first, disturbing imagery and all. I absolutely loved it and would go back again – just not to Quidam. I’d pick another show. While I loved all the artistry and amazing acts – I think my favorite was the Clown. He brought in some audience participation and laughs that were needed among floating zombie heads and gaping chest wounds (yes. You read that right).
Then again, my real favorite part of the night was getting out with friends. Laughing and sharing the evening with them. Spending time with people that are like me and share the same interests and struggles. It’s something I don’t think I do often enough. it’s easy to get lost in responsibility – sometimes we need to get lost in laughter with friends to make the rest of it possible.
*~*~*
Photo credit to Cirque du Soleil. We weren’t allowed cameras 😉
by Sarah | Jun 22, 2012 | All About Indiana, All About Kennedy, All About Me, All About Molly, Blogging Life
[flickr id=”7415474854″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”]Yesterday we got to buck routine and head into the Indianapolis Zoo for a special treat. We went to see the Flights of Fancy exhibit with a few bloggy friends & their kids.
For those in the know in Indy…the new Flights of Fancy exhibit replaced the old petting zoo.
I’m here to tell you that it’s miles above the old petting zoo. Miles and miles.
First off, the area is sort of its own little oasis set onto about an acre of land on zoo property. With a concession stand, tables (w/ umbrellas), a little playground, restrooms and – for the mothers – a Nursing Mom’s Nest (which has private feeding areas, changing stations & a chalkboard/books for the siblings).
While we waited for everyone to arrive, Jackie & I felt comfortable sitting at one of the tables while our children played about in the area. No matter whether they were staring into the aviaries, watching the flamingos, or scrambling through the tree-house play area they were never out of our sight line.
[flickr id=”7417292054″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”right”]The Flights of Fancy exhibit hosts three aviaries. First is the Budgies. With one of the tickets (you can purchase at the ticket window right inside the exhibit) you get a seed stick to feed the birds. A tip we were given – go early in the day. When the birds little bellies aren’t full – they are all over the seeds then. And they didn’t disappoint. Hopping onto hands and heads. I got buzzed more than a few times in there! The budgies are adorable, colorful, and hungry little guys first thing.
[flickr id=”7417285584″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”left”] They also have an “Out of Africa” aviary. There’s no feeding here, but lots of birds much closer than in any standard exhibit. After that you get to the Lorikeets. These guys feed on nectar – which you can also get for the cost of a ticket – I was fortunate enough to have someone hand me their leftovers so the kiddos could divulge the feeding of these exceedingly bright birds.
Over all, this area is totally my new favorite place in the zoo. We could have spent all day there – but the kids demanded time in the splash park. A demand we were also happy to acquiesce to.
[flickr id=”7417302996″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”right”] While the kids had their fun cooling off on the splash pad, the mom’s all made time to talk. I got to know Jackie better – finding out we have led similar lives. I got to know Katrina and Veronica too, and expanding your circle of friends is never a bad thing.
Lately the zoo has become our meeting place with other bloggers & I love it for that. It’s a great central location that is kid-friendly and relaxing even on the busiest days. I also learned about some other zoo events I knew nothing about – that I plan to take full advantage of.
Bonus for me? The girls & I got there early, right at opening. Because of that for the first time we got to see the Tiger Forest for what it was meant to be – Tigers in your face.
I’m probably going back next week. Who wants to come with me?
[flickr id=”7417293736″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”none”] [flickr id=”7417290450″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”none”] [flickr id=”7417299848″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”none”] [flickr id=”7417296470″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”true” size=”small” group=”” align=”none”]
*~*~*
*Disclaimer: The zoo provided us w/ free seed sticks for our kids and free tickets to the 4-D adventure movie. My zoo membership & my opinions are all my own.
I lived in Maryland for a brief year back in 2000. It turned out to be a glorious year where I found myself in New York City for the first time in my life.