HOW DO YOU FEEL?

Hello everyone and happy almost summer time to you all!

The weather has been so nice here…today is supposed to be 81°!!!  Never mind that the rest of the week they’re calling for rain and clouds…oh well…I have flowers out front and we’ve been biking fools lately…Ryan had his first race this past weekend in Blackfoot, ID…he did great…finished second out of 8 handcyclists…we had a great time!  Back in the saddle…we went for another ride last evening…Ryan made it up a HUGE hill that used to really give him a run for his money…not quite effortless but getting there….I’m so proud of him…

Isagenix model after 26.2 mile handcycle race...finishing 2nd!!!

So after my last post of “putting it all out there” bikini pics I was asked by numerous people what the heck I’d really been up to….working out like a fiend and loving every minute of it and I started using Isagenix which is a nutritional rebalancing and cellular cleansing product…I started using it in October of last year and just recently have been getting my feet wet with the business aspect of Isagenix…I will tell you too that I haven’t lost a ton of weight (13 pounds) and I’ve gotten a bit of grief about “you don’t need to lose weight...why are you doing that?”...I disagree…we all have a couple of pounds we’d like to lose and although I’ve only lost 13 pounds I’m holding steady at 120-123#...I know I’ve added quite a bit of muscle to my 5’4” frame…I am quite a healthy weight and I feel fabulous…I started using Isagenix initially NOT to lose weight but to see if it would help me recover faster from working out…I hit a plateau and had no energy, felt sluggish…even during my warm ups I felt like I had no fuel in the engine (I had already changed my diet drastically to the Paleo way of eating and was being probably 80-90% strict with it)…a bunch of people at my gym were starting to use it so I thought...why not?  They will give you your money back if you aren’t satisfied in the first 30 days so what did I have to lose?  Well almost immediately…like in the first week I noticed a huge difference….I went from feeling totally sluggish and working out 3 days a week to now being able to work out 4-5 sometimes 6 times a week (twice a day some days when I have time) and I don’t have that sluggish/tired feeling…now you might be saying…you’re crazy and why would I want to work out that much…I understand that we each have different goals and yours might not be to be at the gym 5 times a week…but think of the energy you’d have just to function in your daily life if you were getting nutritionally dense food and cleansing your body of all the “junk and toxins”…I will be honest… I am certainly trying to grow my business with Isagenix but more importantly I LOVE their products and I would LOVE for everyone to know how it feels to feel good…please email, comment on this blog, visit my Isagenix website (jrigard.isagenix.com)…please contact me if you’d like to chat…we’re heading into summer and wouldn’t it be great to feel a little lighter and have a little more energy?  And by the way…if weight loss is your goal…it can totally be achieved using Isagenix products…check out the testimonials on www.crossfitbozeman.com for just a few examples….AMAZING! 

What Are You Proud Of?

I know you’re probably thinking…”what the heck…we hear nothing from Ryan and Jenn for over 6 months and now two posts in less than a week?!”  I know, I know…it’s either all or nothing from the Rigards…..but something has happened…something really good and I’m super excited to share it with you guys…not to toot my own horn but maybe to inspire those of you who are having trouble getting started or to provide continued encouragement for those of you who have maybe already started your journey….

To start my story let me back up first…all the way to college…the first attempt….I admit…I drank quite a bit of beer and didn’t lead the healthiest lifestyle…actually let me go even farther back…middle school and high school…I have a ZERO athletic background and I was literally a “drama queen”…I had a great time with acting and performing but compared to sports this isn’t a very physically demanding activity...and somehow I always had some sort of “ailments” each time we had to run the mile or do anything too demanding in P.E.…

Ok…back to college and the beer drinking…I know I’m not alone in the beer drinking/unhealthy living a college freshman quickly adjusts too…I adjusted to it quicker than I did my class schedule…sorry Mom and Dad…my point in this parental confession being that I still had NO push towards being healthy or getting “fit”…dating Mr. Rigard definitely added the concept of activity to my life though he absolutely loves bringing up that each time he would invite me to join him at the gym I would respond by saying….”the gym?  Why?”…obviously that attitude has changed and evolved over the years…Ryan taught me how to mountain bike and even though he didn’t find it very “exciting” we did a lot of hiking and backpacking together…we even spent our honeymoon in Moab, UT mountain biking and camping…

I have to mention the most ironic and unhealthiest part of all of this was none other than …nursing school…completely unhealthy for me and probably many students who survive the process…the stress…the little time you think you have for exercising…eating whatever and eating it on-the-go…I honestly have never “struggled” with my weight but I would say the second attempt at college and being in nursing school was by far the “unhealthiest” I have ever been…we joke that making it through Ryan’s accident and then nursing school has totally sealed the deal on our relationship…nothing can break those bonds! 

As big of a turning point that Ryan’s accident was in all the obvious ways…it was also a turning point in the respect that I had a new perspective on taking care of myself….I knew I needed to take care of myself so I could take care of Ryan…and in the beginning it was hard to envision what life was going to look like…how much help if any was he going to need from me?…I wanted to be able to do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING he needed me to do…I didn’t want to have to depend on any other person…friend, family or stranger to help me accomplish those things…it was like I was possessed by some need to PROVE my ability to take care of Ryan in each and every way…well if you know us now that whole concept of Ryan needing help has been completely blown out of the water…and I am SO thankful…not that I’m glad he doesn’t need my help…I’m just so glad he’s INDEPENDENT…Ryan definitely needs me and I definitely need him but not in the ways I was anticipating….I think Ryan has maintained his activity level…albeit it is different than before but the quantity of activity hasn’t decreased…my activity on the other hand has certainly increased by leaps and bounds…it started with running when we returned home from Craig hospital…I ran my first 10k then my first ½ marathon then another 10k…then another ½ marathon…remember…this is all from a girl who was always “sick” each time she was asked to run a single mile...with the encouragement from the most amazing husband, family and friends I have kept at it…I joined a local commercial gym…got comfortable doing “my thing” there and was ok at showing up 2-3 times a week…the only problem being that I didn’t always know what “my thing” was and I wasn’t seeing tons of results…another problem being I didn’t know what I wanted those “results” to be…get “in shape” is a pretty vague goal…eventually I switched gyms via a kind gift from my in-laws…yes they say gym memberships are NOT nice gifts but in my situation it was one of the best gifts I have ever received…I’ve told them before and I’ll tell them again…thanks Dick and Karen…your generosity has literally helped me find myself…I’m sure I’ve mentioned it before, but I now belong to a Crossfit gym and I have changed in so many ways…my body has physically changed but I’ve mentally changed too…Ryan says I’m more confident and outgoing…I’m happier and less stressed…I know that surviving September 15, 2006 was the hardest thing I’ve done  up to this point in my life…pairing that survival skill with my new found “me” I admit that sometimes I feel unstoppable in the sense that I can walk into an unfamiliar situation and face it with confidence and know without a doubt I will make it through…as I sit in front of this computer…writing this to you…I’ve contemplated NOT sharing pictures of my so called “transformation” that has taken place over the past year…but if I don’t share them, then I’m not living up to my claim of being “fearless”…

 So…here I am…I am better now than I have ever been…I’ve competed in a couple of competitions…I’ve met wonderful people…I’m part of an amazing team…I have two amazing trainers…I’m strong and I want to be EVEN stronger…so this is my journey…I’ve incorporated exercise…I’ve significantly changed my diet…I’ve changed my lifestyle and I’ve finally started to see those results I’ve been searching for… 

                     February 2011                                          April 2012

                     February 2011                                          April 2012

                     February 2011                                          April 2012

I want to encourage each and every one of you that want to make those changes for yourself that you CAN DO IT!!!  You can do ANYTHING you set your mind to doing…I feel so good and so happy at this place in my life…this feeling is a gift and I wish the same for everyone reading this…thanks always for all the love and support…Ryan and I are doing so great right now…I welcome you to join Ryan and I in our quest to simply be our best each and every day…whatever that is to you…you won’t regret it and I BELIEVE you can do it…go get your dream!



Happy Spring!

Greetings friends and loved ones!!! 

Well, my delayed update was even more delayed...I really have no good excuse to give you either....we've been busy but I'm not sure doing what....nothing out of the ordinary....today is finally a lazy day....both on our computers, drinking coffee, picking on Harles....we may head for a bike ride in a bit but it's kinda cold....we shall see...in the meantime, I will do my best to update you on the past few months....

August marked our 5th wedding anniversary...I can't believe we've been married for over 5 years already...I'm so thankful that I continue to feel like a newly wed so much of the time....I lucked out with Mr. Rigard

In September Ryan competed in two Marathon handcycling events....the first one was in Pocatello, ID and was really fun for him....a fast course with lots of downhill...the second one was in Billings, MT...not as much downhill but he still had a good time...he finished both of them in under an hour and a half....he says he had more fun during the Billings race as "I wasn't freezing my **s off" the whole ride....so eloquent isn't he? 

He's cold, not sad....I promise :)

Love this one of Dick cheering Ryan on :)

October we spent getting in a few more rides before the snow came and before we knew it, November was already upon us...we spent Thanksgiving in SLC with Garrett & Sarah which, of course, was a blast....we miss those guys more than we'd like to admit :)  Love you both if you're reading this! 

December Ryan had a work trip to Seattle and for Christmas we headed to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands....what a great trip that was!  Dick, Karen, my Mom and Dad, Garrett, Sarah and Ryan and I  went...it was so relaxing and such a great trip....I was sad when it came to an end...we explored, snorkeled (Ryan too), ate, drank, relaxed in the sun and in the shade and enjoyed everything about the amazing villa we rented...it was great! 

January was spent getting back into the swing of "normal" after the holidays...I'm sure you can all relate to this....Ryan started skiing in January as well...he had a great season this year...I think he continues to surprise himself w/each new season on the mountain....our friend Pete moved back to town with his family this past summer so it was great to have him enjoy the ski season with Ry....

February was a landmark month as I crossed over to the dark side by turning 30! Just kidding....I can't imagine going back to my early 20's so I have great expectations for what the thirties will bring! Ryan assures me they are just fine :) Garrett, Sarah and Dick all joined us in Bozeman for a visit this month....as usual it was a fun time and VERY entertaining....time to meet up with everyone again! I had my first Crossfit Competition in Missoula the beginning of February....it was so nerve wracking but it was SO much fun...I have a great team and we had a lot of fun together...can't wait for the next one!

March brought with it the Run to the Pub which I talked my brother into doing as well as a bunch of friends....that a great time as well...easy to run a 10k when you know there's beer at the end :)  Ryan continued to shred the gnar in Big Sky and Bridger Bowl....I had the Crossfit Open Competition for 5 weeks starting in February and ending in March...I'm really happy with how I did and it gave me great information and a solid baseline to compare myself to next year...I have lots of work to do in the meantime! 

What a handsome brother!

Now we are already into the middle of April...ski season came to a close but never fear, Mr. Rigard has already switched gears and is readying himself for bike season.  We made it out for one ride already, hopefully another one this afternoon and he's signed up for a couple of races this summer...the first one is the middle of May...keep you posted on that...I promise!

Over and out for now as Ryan says yes, we are going for a ride...despite the ominous clouds in the sky...have a great week and I promise to be better at posting!

Jenn

Update coming soon....



Lameshur Bay, St. John, Christmas 2011



Time for an Update!

Hello All!

I owe each and every one of you a deep and sincere apology for our month + silence!  I am SORRY!!!  We’ve been so BUSY!!!  I will attempt to update you as succinctly as possible….

July…

After enjoying all the festivities in Red Lodge after the 4^th we headed home, crammed in a little work, some biking then rendezvoused with Garrett & Sarah in Chicago….we had a fabulous time seeing the sites, being directed or rather misdirected by Adam, Ryan and Garretts cousin…thanks Adam!  We took in a Cubs game at Wrigley Field, saw a comedy show at the Second City Comedy Club (where many of the SNL greats got their start), ate “real” Chicago pizza at Lou Malnatis Pizzeria (paleo diet…out the door!), explored Millennium Park and were wowed by Adams vocal skills as seen at the Blue Frog Bar & Grill…..suffice it to say…we had a BLAST!  Side note…Chicago was by far the most handicap accessible city/place we’ve been to.  Thank you city of Chicago for making our trip even EASIER! 



94th Floor of the John Hancock Observatory



Wrigley Field!!!

 

"The Bean" & the four musketeers at Millennium Park



July not only brought the glamour of Chicago, but the mud of Billings….I joined fellow gym members and convinced my dear friend Ann to wallow in the mud for the 5k Dirty Dash….we had so much fun….yes…it took days to get all the mud out…of everywhere…too much information?  Enough said….

Will totally do this again!

August….

5 years of wedded bliss rang in on the 11^th….we enjoyed a delicious dinner at the Gallatin River Lodge (thank you Dick & Karen).  Not to get all mushy mushy (I’m the first one turned off by mushy stuff and Ryan is not Mr. Romance) but I have to say that I couldn’t be happier and I couldn’t possibly be luckier…I’m glad the stars aligned, my friends ditched me, I had too much to drink and dancing on a table seemed like a good idea….Mr. Rigard was watching and the rest is history….

5 years of nothing but adventure!

Ryan and I became an Aunt & Uncle….my brother Adam and his wife Diana welcomed the most beautiful, most perfect baby girl whom we were instantly SO in love with.  Aunt Kitten & Uncle Tiger Warrior love you Adriana! 

September….

Finally to the current month and an update that I am SO excited to share with you….guess what Ryan did in 1 hour 29 minutes….????  Finished his first marathon!  Dick, Garrett, Sarah and I cheered and cheered as he crossed the finish line of the Pocatello Marathon this past Saturday the 3^rd.  He did SO great!  Everything went pretty well but we definitely learned some things for next time (which will be the Montana Marathon later this month).  Great job to all the competitors!  You guys and gals are FANTASTIC! 

Almost there...see the proud Dad in the gray jacket?

Watch out Lance...3 wheels are better than 2

 

A little cold and handsome as ever..



The first 4 finishers!!!

Last update….as some of you know, I joined a Crossfit Gym the beginning of February and have absolutely been LOVING it.  On the 17^th I will be doing a workout called Fight Gone Bad…it is a Fundraiser for Special Operations Warrior Foundation (Green Berets, 75^th Ranger Regiment, 160^th Aviation Regiment, Small Boat Teams, Navy Seals, Air Force Combat Controllers, Marine Corps, etc.), Camp Patriot (for disabled veterans) and the Infant Swimming Resource.  If you feel so inclined to donate or want to learn more, please visit my fundraising page at the following link.  

I think I’ve said enough….at least for now…again, sorry I’ve been such a slacker blogger….summer is short here in Montana and we’ve been enjoying each and every moment on the go and outside that we can….hope you all are well!

Jenn

5th Annual Ryan Rigard Golf Outing

Hello again!

Well I'm on call for work right now....putting me on a short leash from the house but providing me with ample time to do all the updates on this blog that I need to....what luck for all of us!

Last post, I alluded to the 4th of July and the Ryan Rigard Golf Outing...since we're still waiting on the few pictures from my Mom...this post will focus on the golf outing...

How It All Began...

Ryan was injured September 15, 2006....shortly after his accident Laurie McDonald, Tim Holland, Jay Barber, Kathy Egan and others from Rich's (Ryans Dad) office approached Rich with the idea of of having a golf tournament to assist our situation financially.  The first year all the funds raised went to help with Ryans medical expenses.  Since that second year, all the funds raised have gone to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation to aide in spinal cord research.

Each year more and more golfers have come out and more and more donations have been generously given.  Last year the tournament raised $10,416.00...the most it ever has.  Putting on a show this big is a ton of work so if you like to volunteer...we'll take all the help we can get...check out the flyer below for other ways to get involved.

Ryan and I have yet to make it back to Pennsylvania to join in the festivities though we have Skyped a couple of times...it is evident how much fun you guys are having...keep it up!

We are always so touched to see all of the participants who have dedicated their day to supporting this cause...we thank you all so much for your generosity and kindness these last 5 years...each one of you helps us to continue putting one foot and one hand in front of the other...you help fill our bucket of strength and determination that we carry with us everywhere we go...from the depths of our hearts and the depths of our souls we thank you.

I'm including the golf flyer that is put together every year which includes the annual update that Ryan always writes...if you feel so inclined...grab a club, grab a cart and join in the fun...I am certain you will not be disappointed!



The bike is here!!!

Good morning!

I have SO much to update you all on that I fear it may take multiple posts to do it….for any of you who truly know me…I am borderline neurotic when it comes to organizing things….that includes blog posts…scary I know…

First off, I had wanted to share a puppy picture with you…not our puppy, but my super great and amazing friend Amy and her husband became proud puppy parents not too long ago…I promised I’d post his picture after Harley and Bear got to meet one another….Harley wasn’t quite sure what to do at first but by the end of the visit they both had soggy, crusty heads and were tired and panting….thanks for visiting us! 

Two tired pups!

Next up would be the long awaited news about…..drum roll please…..Ryans new BIKE!!!  It came last Tuesday and sadly we were too busy to get out for a ride until this past weekend.  Let’s just say it’s cool and sleek and my legs have a heck of a time keeping up with Mr. Rigards arms!  I clocked him at 30mph….he was coasting and I was peddling as hard as I could in my lowest gear!  We may need to invest in additional protective equipment….for both of us…. J 

He says the bike is comfortable and really fun....but different…he says it feels like he’s using different muscles and that will just take some getting used to.  He lays down a lot lower on this bike compared to his old one….we both thought the getting on and off would be more of a challenge, but as with everything…he makes it look effortless and easy….I do help but I know he could do it all on his own, no problem. 

We biked in Red Lodge this weekend…I’ll fill you in on all the 4^th of July shenanigans in the next post…that was a shorter ride…it was REALLY hot and I think we both wanted the maiden voyage to be short…make sure he wouldn’t have a sore neck or that his positioning in generally wasn’t going to be problematic.

We got out last night after Ryan got home from work….we took out both handcycles…Ryan on the new one and I manning the old one….we both thought it may be a short little jaunt…(I usually wreck into parked objects or get stuck in gravel when I get on his bike to dink around)….lets just say I was a little leery of getting the thing out into moving traffic.  God must have spared a few angels to watch out for us…as He always does and off we went.  We rode one of our regular loops from the house…a grand total of 9 miles and we had a blast!  It was really, really fun…I told Ryan I’d be interested in riding handcycles on any of the flatter rides we do….

Check out the pictures…I’ll do another post about the 4^th…I need to get some pics from my Mom….we forgot the memory card for our camera….I was so proud that we remembered the camera….apparently I need to remember all the pieces and parts as well!  So…stay tuned for the next episode of Rigarding Our Adventure….featuring 4^th of July and information about the Ryan Rigard Golf Outing!

I call him....Knight Rider

A boy and his dog.

Mr. Muscles

Another chilly weekend

Hello everyone!  Hope you all have been doing well and that June is off to a great start...not a whole lot new to update you on....I've been working, Ryan's been working, we've been trying to bike as much as the weather will allow....Ryans new bike ships today...yeah!....so it should be here next week...both the rides with Eaglemount were cancelled this week due to rain and wind.  We are both VERY ready for some warm weather and sunshine.  It's good for the soul you know....Harley doesn't appreciate being kept indoors either...he gets very bored and gives me those puppy dog eyes...which very easily fill me with guilt....

So, to get out of the house and go do something despite the weather, we headed to Luther this past weekend in honor of Ryans upcoming birthday and Fathers day for my Dad...Dad and Ryan took a drive up the Beartooth Highway to check out the snow drifts....the pictures I'll attach don't have a point of reference, but if you so choose to believe Mr. Rigard he did say they were probably 15-20' high....brrr...Mom and I stayed home and worked on a surprise...which I'll fill you all in after next week....we ate a delicious halibut dinner...halibut caught by none other than my Dad....yum....my parents recently vacationed in Alaska and were generous enough to share the yummy catch!  Thanks you two!  Saturday evening, we headed into Red Lodge to listen to 10 Foot Tall & 80 Proof at Red Lodge Ales, the local brewery...it good cooler and cooler as the night came on so we headed to Bridge Creek for a nightcap then headed home...

On our way home we stopped in Big Timber and returned a race chair Ryan had borrowed from a friend....he tried it out and I think would have enjoyed it more if it had, had a brake and definitely if he'd had some instruction....he thought it would be a good way to train....he has ambitions of competing in a triathlon at some point...but it just wasn't working out....it was difficult to get into and out of with my assistance so it would have been difficult to get in and out of alone....he is totally independent with his handcycle which of course is more appealing to him....who knows...glad he tried it...we'll pursue it again should it come up....no rush to figure it out by any means...

We managed to get in a short bike ride (10 miles) when we got back to the house....we no sooner pulled into the garage after the ride and the rain/hail started.  We were both quite glad to not have gotten caught in it....Ryan kept a great pace the whole time and we've decided that he should start doing sprints on the handcycle....so next time we can get out together that's the plan....

It took Harles 2 days to recover from his weekend of fun at Grandmas house....my parents have 2 Airedales who are crazy dogs and they were also watching my brothers black lab mutt, Zuke...so 4 of them running around was quite the circus act...

Enjoy the pics and have a great rest of the week....one more thing....I may have mentioned it in the last post, but if I didn't....I set up a feature on this blog (at the top of the page, under the blog title) that you can sign up to receive an email whenever I write a new post....it is very easy....you just click on the link, enter your email address and then you have to open the email it sends you to confirm....then you should receive an email anytime I write....thanks for all of you who check the site!

More later!

Jenny

Greetings All!

Snow on the Beartooth Highway

Looking across the valley from Vista Pointe, Beartooth Highway

May I introduce from L to R....Gus, Harley, Zuke & Lizzie...the motley crew

Out of order, but I thought I'd say "Cheers"!

Memorial Day

Good morning everyone!

Hope you've all been well since we last chatted....Ryan, Harley and I are well...keeping busy as usual...we're both working a bunch....we're trying to bike as much as we can but the weather is making this enjoyable activity difficult to partake in....rain and snow...yes...snow...are still dominating our weather as of late...we did make it for a ride with Eaglemount yesterday evening which was very nice...it was the longest ride so far 14.25 miles and the biggest group of riders so far....5 handcyclists...the more the merrier...the crowd always grows as the weather improves....I'm certain the distance will length as well once Ryan gets his new bike in the next week or so....he's very excited...I'll definitely keep you informed about all that!

Garrett & Sarah came up this past weekend which was fabulous.  It was so great to see them....it had been WAY too long!  We celebrated Garretts bday early...ate dinner out, met friends for drinks, went to a movie, went on a drive, played Wii and laughed a ton.  Thanks you guys for coming.  It was great to see you!

The gang and the snow...at least Harley loved it

It really is the end of May...



  

Are we on to something?

Good morning!

Short post this morning, but I wanted to share this link with you all....let me preface this with saying....Ryan and I have had many, many conversations over the last 5 years about our situation and whether or not walking again is in the future or not....although walking again would be a remarkable and miraculous climax to this journey....we have always tried to be realistic and come to terms with how things are for us, right now.  Settling into a "new normal" doesn't have to be permanent, but I think there has to be a good solid check in with reality so one can get through their day and not be disappointed that things didn't change when you crawl into bed at night.  This concept is not unique to our situation and if you've ever had to deal with an obstacle in your life that was less than ideal, you know, at least to an extent, what I'm talking about. 

So....although we've come to terms (on most days) with how things are (for right now)...that doesn't mean we don't still have hope that things could change...if not for Ryan and "us" but for the other and future paraplegic/quadriplegics out there. 

This breakthrough in research is amazing...hats off and thank you to all of those people out there who are working for advances, breakthroughs, changes and making financial contributions to make things like this possible.  None of us know what's in store...we must live each day as best we can...with optimism, a smile and a rooted belief that anything is possible.  Just like I never imagined Ryan and I would be in this situation....I cannot imagine what the future may hold for us.  Our proverbial glass is well over halfway full.  Thanks for helping us get there.

SCI Breakthrough at Christopher and Dana Reeve
Another article

Our wild weekend

HELLO!

How are all of you?  We hope you're coming up with some fun summer plans and enjoying the start of warmer weather!  We've seen the sunlight a little more in the last few days but the gusty winds have made it difficult to be outside...Harley is a big dog yet I've still contemplated getting him a jacket and loading the pockets with rocks....the things we do for our children :)

Enough about the weather, let me update you on our wild weekend in Great Falls, MT...

Two summers ago I was able to take part in a nursing internship in Butte, MT.  There were only nine of us, but for 10 weeks we lived in close quarters, spent almost every moment together thus becoming close, quickly.  One of the girls in the group was getting married this weekend...in Great Falls...so off we drove...

We left Saturday afternoon....Harley had a puppy sleepover at our friends John and Ann's house...he was exhausted last night...evidence that he had a GREAT time....thanks you two for watching him!

It takes close to three hours to get there...I love getting in the car with Ryan and embarking on an adventure...some of the best memories I have of our relationship in its earlier years are of packing the car, driving and enjoying the wind in our hair...I'm so thankful this ultimately hasn't changed...after Ryan was injured there were times that packing the car was not enjoyable.  We had so much more stuff to pack, there was figuring out where we could/couldn't stay and there was the actual job of packing the car.  Wasn't that a boy job?  I did not love that it was now largely my responsibility...it was a job I wanted to give back to Ryan and one he desperately wanted to TAKE back.  So fast forward to the current road trip adventures...we've learned how to pack light and pack fast.  We know we can make any overnight accommodations work, whether or not they're ideal and I no longer mind packing the car.  In fact, packing the car clicks well with my self diagnosed OCD...I can fit all the bags in just the right spots...and packing the car makes me feel tough...girls CAN definitely do boy jobs.  I'm sure Ryan would love to re-assume his old responsibilities, but he makes the best of things and always finds ways to help out when we're getting ready to embark on an adventure...I think we're a damn good team.

Back to Great Falls...the wedding was lovely...short and sweet but lovely all the same...it was fabulous to see a dear friend on her special day...we said our goodbyes after a few hours, checked into our hotel and headed to a much recommended Great Falls hot spot.....The Sip and Dip....what a hilarious place....we sidled up to the bar, ordered up a cocktail and tried to contain our excitement...we were about to see our first, real life mermaid!  Yes, I said it MERMAID!  The wall behind the bar has two large windows that look into a pool...a beautiful mermaid swims past the window, swims through hoops, waves, smiles and poses for pictures...if ANY of you are EVER in Great Falls, MT I highly recommend checking this venue out...if the mermaid wasn't enough, our ears were entertained by the likes of "Piano Pat"....a lovely old gal singing her heart out as her fingers tap dance across the keys of her organ.

Needless to say, we had a great time on our 24 hour adventure....we made it back home, collected our doggie and ended up on the couch...no we are not old, but we don't bounce back like we used to...we watched a fun/heartwarming flick, Legendary, had a miss mash dinner and turned in early.

Thanks for reading, have a great week and enjoy the photos!


The Mermaid!



Knowing no one but the bride, we entertained ourselves with the infamous iPhone.

  

Kind of a hunky chauffeur...



So much to sniff....so little time...

You called?



Quite the trailblazer at the dog park.



Harley says hello...

Good morning everyone!

It's been a long/busy week since I've written to you...not much interesting news to update you all on...just busy, regular old life stuff...but there are definitely times in my life that I can honestly say I appreciate the routine, mundane activities that make up my day.  You can count on days like this...sometimes "uneventful" is just perfect.  Does anyone agree?  Last week was full of work for Ryan, dinner at night, exercising me, exercising the dog, going to the store, cleaning the house, working the weekend at the hospital....gag if you want after this next comment, but it has to be made...no matter how ordinary my day may be...I ALWAYS look forward to Mr. Rigard coming home at night, sitting at the table, talking about our day, making plans and just being together....I hope each of you has something like that to look forward to in your day. 

We did have our friends John and Ann over for dinner last Wednesday night...I tried out a few new "Paleo" recipes on them...overall it was good...the recipes were very yummy...next time I would perfect the appearance of the meal....hence the reason I'm not sharing any pictures with you today!  Ha ha.  We dined on:  Salisbury Steak, Garlic & Herb Mashed Cauliflower, Bacon & Dill Sweet Potato Salad and Thumbprint Cookies (with medjool date filling) for dessert.  Definitely recipes worth checking out!

Just got back from the gym...it was a grueling workout today...worth it in all ways...but grueling all the same...now that my head is cleared from the weekend at work, I feel able to reflect...I guess I'm feeling "very deep" and "philosophical" today...don't we usually only get this way after one too many beers?  Not that, that's every happened to me or you before...right?  Anyway....I recently took care of a patient who is very, very sick and it struck me how she had only 1 visitor in all the time I cared for her...it made me want to spend more time in her room, doing the little things...even if we weren't having thoughtful conversation, at least I felt I could offer her my physical presence if nothing else...it made me sad and it made me want you all to know that Ryan and I will NEVER stop appreciating all of you and your presence in our lives...in good times and especially during the bad ones...when there aren't the right words to speak, thank you all for just BEING THERE. 

To end on a light note....as I promised....Harley says hello...

My canine philosophical genius...he's the one pondering something deep...

Cloudy with a chance of....snow

Hello everyone!

Well, we made it out for a bike ride...the roads were dry but the clouds came and went...often blocking the warm sunshine we were craving...it was nice to get out together despite the fickle weather.  Ryan tried out his friend Neal's "Force R" handcycle...Ryan applied for and was awarded a grant from the Challenged Athletes Foundation...he's putting it towards a much needed and upgraded handcycle.  The one he's getting is a used "Force R" (see link for a description) but will still be a year newer than the one he rode yesterday.  He was significantly quicker (I stopped to take these pictures and couldn't catch back up to him) which, pun intended, got the gears turning about entering in some races this summer.  I will definately keep you posted on that...

Almost peeling out!

Biking Headwaters State Park near Three Forks, MT

I couldn't catch him at 20 mph!

 
Today was a lazy day...it snowed, then would get nice, then would get cold, then would get windy, then nice again....oh spring time in Montana.  Harley enjoyed a romp at the dog park and we organized the garage...now to get things ready for the work week...Check out some of the yummy things we ate today...guess I wasn't so lazy we didn't eat well :)

Bacon, coconut milk with pureed strawberries, avocado and egg muffins...
yummy breakfast!

Tuna salad with homemade mayo and guacamole on lettuce for dinner.

Presentation is everything...now that I've braved posting some food pictures I hope to make them LOOK beautiful and delicious...check out these links and the blogs that I follow...such yummy, easy, healthy meals! 

Till next time...have a fabulous week everyone!