Spandex

My Junior year in college SUU commissioned a piece called "Tensile Involvement" from the Nikolais Company in NYC. There was a lot of hoopla about this piece and what a privilege it was to be able to have it performed at SUU. All of the majors and minors were excited and anxious to audition for the dance as it only required 10 dancers. I was among the excited and anxious and actually made the piece as a soloist. I was ecstatic to be performing in one of the most famous modern dance pieces in all of dance history. I had the first solo which required a lot of strength, as I had to hold these giant elastic bands while others were dancing with them. My solo was actually originally performed by a man (a very beautiful man for that matter). In my joy and elation I neglected to think of what the costuming would be, a world famous dance had to have a cool costume, right? The costume was in fact cool for those who weigh ummmm let's see 110pds. Silly me, I forgot somewhere along the way that unlike myself, dancers are thin, duh. So when I was presented with my skin tight, spandex, see through, canary yellow, lycra unitard, I cried. Yes, I cried, wept, heaved, sobbed, and sobbed some more. I remember declaring that spandex was evil and had no purpose on this earth. Diet pills, diet coke, and a protein diet could not save me from the inevitable curdling fat that would bounce on my butt and thighs as I did this fancy second position foot vibratory move. I was doomed and yet, I was so thrilled that I was selected to have this opportunity. In addition to the tightness of the unitard, I mentioned that it was also see through. Two pairs of body tights could not save my body from peering through the yellow. Regardless of how I felt the dance was amazing! Nine years and a different hobby later I must eat my words. I declared without a question in my mind that there was no purpose in this world for Spandex. I swore that it was evil and should be burned along with the people who discovered it. Well, I am wrong. In all of my acquired infinite wisdom I am now grateful for spandex, it has a purpose which it serves with dignity and grace. Chaffing! It is true, spandex keeps you from chaffing. As I was doing a 14 mile run I was thinking about how great my inner thighs felt and why they felt so good, when the answer came to me like a bolt of lightening "It's the Spandex." Yepper, 9 years ago I would have rather died than be seen doing anything in spandex, now I jog for hours on end wearing nothing but a shirt and a pair of black shiny lycra biker shorts (much to family's embarrassment). I don't even care about how many drivers I gross out with my bouncing, wiggling, jiggling, curds of flubber. In fact I hope they say as they drive on by "You go girl, at least your doing something about it." Isn't it too bad that we don't appreciate our bodies while they are young. Now I display my "brain" (the blubbery wad of stretched out skin that hangs after having a baby) under a pair of biker shorts for all the driving world to see, and care not one bit about it. Tensile taught me a lot about myself, however, running has taught me that I could do something that I didn't think was possible and not care what I looked like or what those watching thought about how I looked. If you happen to drive past while I'm out getting my jiggle on, honk and I'll wave with a big spandex smile on my face. I am not in the video posted, this video is from the movie "The Company."

The Company

Bob Ross Would Be Proud

Yes, I am one of those cruel mothers who says, "if it was good enough for me, it's good enough for you." Such was the case with sponge curlers. I figured that since I am now grown and suffer zero mental repercussions from wearing hair curlers, I will inflict this same ancient method of torture on Adessa. The older you get the more painful it is to look beautiful so she better get used to having a little pain now (I don't even want to have to tell her what plucking or waxing feels like). Starting from the bottom to the top we have photographed the total Bob Ross transformation. I think we did him proud. Truthfully, she looked beautiful, like a little nymph. She has this little face (which a lady at the McDonald's playground told me looked like a Whoo's you know, from Whooville) that just pokes out through this fabulous puff of hair. So so cute. She was thrilled that it was Easter, that the bunny visited her, that she got to find and gather eggs, but most importantly that she got to wear her princess Snow White dress. Such a hoot. We hope everyone else had a glorious Easter. My religious diatribe is yet to come I will leave you waiting in suspense for that one.

March for Babies

Adessa Dawn Talbot was born 2 pds. 12 oz. 15 inches long on September 20th 2005. She quickly lost 6 oz. because her stomach had no capacity to hold food and she obviously had not yet developed her suck. From her head to her rump she was the size of John's hand. Aside from a night on the ventilator and a day on oxygen she was pretty darn healthy. The next six weeks was pretty much a feeder and grower period. The stinker bug has never been an eater which was our biggest battle in going home, she couldn't leave until she could suck, swallow, breathe, and gain weight all at the same time for 24hrs. Babies who came in after her were leaving before her because they had the whole eating thing down. Finally after 6 long weeks she was able to perform this task and almost doubling her birth weight we brought her home at 5 pds. We felt so blessed and learned sooooo many things about babies and preemies, success and loss all in a relatively short period of time. John and I have a success story that we are able to share, however, there are many who have babies that struggle longer and harder and don't have the same success we have had with Adessa. For this reason we have participated with Adessa in the March of Dimes March for Babies. The first year we participated I was able to raise over $1,000.00 for babies. Not just preemies, but all babies. The March for Babies is early in April. You may have seen the bill boards advertising this cause which I always find to be so very touching. If you are interested in donating you can go to the March of Dimes website and make any kind of contribution. We aren't doing the walk this year because of the marathon, but I was able to purchase a cool "Proud Parent of a NICU Graduate" T-shirt. My parents continue to donate, and I encourage anyone of child bearing years to donate because I never thought it would be me, and you just never know when it will be you.

Spring

" Counting Crows" is one of my all time favorite music groups. Their album "August and Everything After" is virtual perfection, I also really love their album "Recovering the Satellites" . One of the songs on this particular album is titled "A Long December" and describes in title how I have felt about this past winter, LONG... It's kind of weird the way you look at the world as you get older. Sunny days when I was little meant running outside and playing at a friends house, now a sunny day means standing in the sunshine letting the sweet rays of Vitamin D pour into my pallid wintry complexion feeling completely rejuvenated when finished. Strange how I find myself yearning for nature, searching for beauty around me, and appreciating all of God's small and great creations. I get butterflies in my stomach when I think of the trees blossoming and I leap for joy when I see my tulips and bleeding hearts poking up through the dirt. I love to step out onto my porch just to breathe in the rich smell of wet concrete and dirt on a rainy day. I grab my camera when I see a great storm cloud or a hot pink sunset. I know that I haven't necessarily changed, but I do think my appreciation for the simple beauties of nature has. I never understood how I could watch "Pride and Prejudice" "Jane Eyre" and "Sense and Sensibility" over and over and over again. Until one day it dawned on me, I love the Scenery in these movies. Anything that has beautiful scenery in it I find myself drawn to watch again and again. Of course the stories are great, but the scenery is rejuvenating. I am grateful everyday to live in the beautiful land of Bountiful. I love running each day and looking to the east seeing the gorgeous mountains or looking to the west to see the lovely lake and wet lands. Life is so fast paced that I am grateful for time each day to observe these simple beauties that seem to heal and rejuvenate my soul.

Indulgence

For those of you who know me know that I love a good deal. In fact, I can't buy anything unless it is on sale and I think I am getting a steal on it. Unfortunately, since I get a good deal on everything I feel entitled to buy more (sick sick girl). Recently our 8yr. old vacuum bit the dust or technically speaking began creating more dust, which meant that it was time to buy a new vacuum. I hate sappy sales people who catch you in a moment of weakness and take advantage of your shopping vulnerability. You can imagine my relief when a decent fellow who knew less about vacuums than myself helped me by saying, "try them all out on this rug and get the one you want." Whew, what relief! I saw the Dyson, tried it, fell in love, and bought it. I will add that it was on sale, however, I would have bought this cadillac of vacuums even if it hadn't been. My first indulgence purchase ever. When I walk into my home my heart leaps for joy when I see those perfectly aligned vacuum stripes. My father is 1st generation American on his mothers side of the family, grandma immigrated from Sweden. Therefore, I am going to stick with the tradition of my Viking ancestors and request to be buried with my most valuable possesions (aka the Dyson) in my arms. This blonde bombshell will be with me for eternity. If you get a chance to ever feed your vacuum indulgence, go Dyson, it will be an affair of a lifetime.

Scooter Girl

Time is a funny thing. Like when I turned 29, I could see every sun spot, wrinkle, and dimple of fat scintillating on my body. I felt old, I looked old, and relatively speaking, I am getting old. The other day I was getting a soda and some pretzels at the Seven-11 in West Valley near where I taught Junior High School for 6yrs. There was a guy behind me who seemed like a nice looking gentleman from out of the corner of my eye. He beat me to the door when we had each finished our transactions from neighboring registers, and very ceremoniously threw the door open for me to exit. I smiled and thanked him for the honorable gesture. I was about to my car when this fellow turned around and said to me "Miss Talbot right." I am certain my jaw dropped I replied with a "yep" he nodded, got into his car and drove off. This "guy/gentleman" was a former Jr. High student. Driving, working a job, possibly married, or even the father of something. What has happened? I am not old enough to have 21yr. old former students, aren't I only 21 myself? No, I am not. I am glad that I am not the only person in the world who has look old feel old days. On this particular beautiful day Adessa had aged 10yrs. I swear everytime I looked at her I was looking at a 13yr. old not a nearing 3yr. old. Sooo confident was she on her scooter with her big girl pony tail. I laughed. Here is her super grown up clip and pictures. I hope some of you watching think, "wow, is Adessa that old. I must really be getting up there" ha enjoy your feel old moment.

My Hot Date

Being that I am a girl, I have always had a lot in common with my mother. We are definitely 2 apples off the same tree. Everything one of us loves to do the other loves as well (especially laughing). Needless to say, aside from surpassing my fathers hopes for me by being the first child and least expected to obtain a Bachelors degree we haven't ever had too much in common. The man is a genius, super successful, way competetive. He has never not won anything he has done, no exaggeration. So when I decided to train for the Salt Lake marathon we had an instant connection. I remember watching him finish the St. George marathon when I was a little girl and thinking "one day that will be me". April 19th is that one day. With this being said, I was excited when my dad called me on Thursday night to ask me to accompany him on a date to see a movie that was playing one night only at the Century Theatres called "Spirit of the Marathon". He and I headed off to the show (diet Cokes in hand) excited to get our great seat. Surprisingly, the theatre was packed and most of the people looked like Auschwitz (runners all look skeletal) I was definitely the "big boned" one of the group, but the energy was amazing. The movie started with the history of marathons which involved a man running 26 miles without stopping proclaiming his message and then dying in a heap (this is pretty much what my 15 miler was like on Saturday). In honor of this act we now imitate it (in a way) without dying of course. The movie was inspiring, it included everything from a virgin marathoner to a 70+ yr. old guy who ran his 1st in his 60's. It made me realize that a lot of determination, hard work, and a great attitude can get you anything you want in life no matter your age or past experience. With that being said, when it comes out on DVD I say watch it! My goal is to finish in under 6 hrs. If I can do that I will be happy, what I would love to do is to finish in 4:30 min. This is idealistic, but after watching the 70yr. old hoof along I thought to myself, the impossible is definitely possible.

Valentines Conspiracy Theory

Hi my name is ASHLEY and I am a sugarholic. For those of you who thought Valentines Day was a holiday designed to express love and appreciation for the people you most value in your lives, I hate to tell you that you have been tricked. Valentines Day was actually a holiday created by Dentists and Weight Watchers to increase their business. I jest not! It isn't "single awareness day" or "hate my horrible life day" oh no, it is gain 5 pds. and get 5 cavities day. Ever been to your Dentist on Valentines? I guarentee he is smiling, just like the nice receptionist who hears the register ringing as you walk through the door of weight watchers the day after Valentines when you can barely cinch up the waist of your pants. Oh yes, it is a scheme to make money and damage self-esteem. Speaking of damaging self-esteem, as previously stated I am a sugarholic, always have been and probably always will be. My addiction to sugar is so bad that the last time I was in New York City I had to go to "Dylan's" candy store. for those of you who are exceptionally observant the Statue of Liberty behind me is made out of "Jelly Bellies." It is true, I had my picture taken next to a jelly bean portrait of Lady Liberty. If that isn't a hopeless cause, I don't know what is. With that in mind I am going to open my own sugar rehab center called the "Sweet Retreat." Yep, we'll strip your diet of sugars, you'll sweat and shake, hallucinate, blame your parents, draw your self portrait, befriend other sugar freaks like yourself, learn how to eat sugars in moderation, and then we'll send you back out into the world only to revert back to your old ways after a couple of successful months. But so is life, we win some and we lose some, or in my case we gain some and we lose some. With that being said, I hope everyone had a glorious Valentines Day and didn't make their dentists wallet quite as fat as I made Dr. Flynn's.

"Just a minute!!!" These 3 little words are going to be the death of me. I have no one to blame but myself, Adessa had to have picked it up from somewhere and since I am home all day long with her it would have to be me. No wait, I am going to blame John. "Just a minute" sounds like a very fatherly response doesn't it? At any rate, the days of Adessa running right to me when I call her name have ended and a new day of "Wait", "Just a Minute", or the option of not answering at all until I panick have begun. I must say that Heavenly Father made them cute so you wouldn't rip them to pieces when they boss you around, spit at you, and tell you "Five Minutes" (which is your time-out). Adessa has never had a 5 minute time-out in her life, but it seems to be the number of minutes she feels her parents deserve. BOSSY... I must say I prefer the bossy to cry and cling to you thing, regardless, they are both exhausting and both hilarious at times. I have to try really hard to supress the urge to laugh when she starts telling off strangers at the grocery store when they look at or try to talk to her. Sometimes she is sweet as sugar to strangers and sometimes she turns red in the face telling them off. GIRLS! Speaking of girls, when I went to get Addie up from her nap I found her jammies clad in a different fashion than the manner in which I put her to bed. Maybe she'll become a fashion designer for Brittany Spears when she grows up. I think she has great potential. Hmmmm, Doctor or Designer? I am not quite sure. I better go with Designer so when she is a teenager and decides to defy us she'll choose the opposite of what we want for her. O.K. blah blah blah Happy belated Groundhog Day to all. The Holiday that doesn't matter at all because we still officially have 6 more horrible weeks of winter left shadow or not. Fortunately we'll have sunshine for my 13mile run Saturday. Hooray!!

Christmas Eve 2007

Christmas eve was spent as usual at Grandma Gucci and Crappa Pearson's house. We had a super fun evening munching, laughing, and playing. We always spend the night and SantaClaus visits Adessa there (if she is good of course). Santa brought Addie a pink kitchen and a princess clock. I know, what 2yr. old on this planet wants a princess clock? My child. We then went over to Nana and Poppa's house for Christmas dinner and more presents. We had a lot of fun with all of our family and friends from Hawaii, California, New Mexico, and Texas. Thanks everyone for a great Holiday.

Welcome

Hello to all our friends and family!! We are finally hopping on the blogging bandwagon, better late than never right? Here is just a quick family overview: John is just about finished with his MBA from California State University which means we are heading to California in May to see him walk and to go to Disneyland to celebrate, I am still training for the marathon and successfully completed my first double digit run this training season not without aches and pains though, and Adessa is amazing, her elocution skills are out of this world, who would have ever thought I would have a child that is a talker (ha ha).. Enjoy our little family blog site.