To the left, To the left

The Koz

Koz is doing great and his lump/bump was not cancerous! We are so happy and so relieved

He had a big play day today with his buddies!

The Race

It was a beautiful morning!

This and the rest of my pictures were snapped on the blackberry...I once again managed to leave the house without the camera.

As I mentioned my plan was to just run, and I did...slowly. It was a small race and by far the prettiest race I have run this year. It was an out and back and most of the time the reservoir was on one side and the mountains were on the other.

I was surprised how much I enjoyed not worrying about my watch or having the ipod in my ears. Before the race I wondered what I would think about the entire time. Then, before the race started, the race director told us that, at the split the 10k would go to the right and the 5K would go to the left....mmmm to the left to the left...and Beyonce stayed in my head the entire time.

I only stopped three times for a short walk...but I like I said I was running pretty slow. Reason being the bottom (anterior) part of both of my knee caps hurt each time my foot hit the pavement. It was my slowest race by far, a little over 37 minutes.

As usual I had my pit crew on hand. We ended up hanging out for a while because the race actually blocked the road down the mountain.

But...we did not wait long enough. I ended up getting third in my age group! There were only three of us...but I still placed :)! We will have to wait and see if they send me the 3rd place trophy in the mail.

And, you know me...had to get the pancakes. I told Scott to surprise me, as long as there were pancakes, and we went to Aretha Frankenstein's...Yum-O!

Momo and Beer Over Dirt

After breakfast I went home and made Momo's banana bread WITH peanut butter chips. THE BEST banana bread. I am becoming a blogging baker...I recently made Kathleen's blueberry coffee cake too.Let's just say the co-workers have been living me lately.

Then we went over to the Beerfest in town. My parent's had the boat at the dock and we hung out there for most of the evening.

And as the morning started with a beautiful sunrise it ended with a beautiful sunset.

Take Care,

Molly

You must not know 'bout me

You must not know 'bout me

-Beyonce

Everybody gets high, everybody gets low These are the days when anything goes

Catching Up

The Koz

Poor Kozmo has had another issue. He went in to get some dental work done and I mentioned that I wanted the vet to take a look at a bump on his chest. Well, it turned out that she is worried it might be a tumor and they took it off and sent it off to get biopsied. Poor Koz...

The Diet

Diet, what diet?

The fact of the matter is that I know what I need to do...I just need to do it.

I think that I was looking for a quick fix (aren't we all) and it was not happening fast enough for me. Then the lack of progress made me feel like a failure, which in turn made me make angry and frustrated (i.e. bad) food decisions.

So the new plan is this...there is no plan. As I said, I know what I need to do and I just need to do it. Everything in moderation baby!

The Exercise

My knees have really been bothering me lately.

I decided yesterday that one reason might be my shoes. I went today and got some new shoes and then headed to the gym. I immediately realized that the cushioning and stability of my old shoes was shot b/c the new shoes really felt zipped up.

I have been doing a lot of elliptical and a lot of circuits on the treadmill...5 minute run, 5 minute walk on an incline for 40-50 minutes.

My next goal...I need to get stretching back into the routine...I felt really tight the last two weeks.

The Race

I have a race next Saturday. I had high hopes of finishing on or around 30 minutes but I think that I need to let that go. The last two weeks I have done very little running...only in intervals.

That being said this race is paid for and I am actually really looking forward to it. The race is on Raccoon Mountain and should be a new and different experience.

So, the new goal for the race is to go naked, electronically naked that is. I am not going to take the watch or (gasp) the ipod. I am going to go out there and just run, enjoy the view and have fun!

The Meds

One of the reasons I have not posted a lot is that I am having a bit of a struggle off of the medications. The physical symptoms have returned and haunt me a good part of every day. I have been plugging along...and stopping to think about how I am doing or how I am feeling is dangerous.

I have better days, today is a better day, and I hold those close. I have to allow myself to believe that in time most days will be better days.

The Rest in Pictures

Everyday is a winding road
I get a little bit closer
Everyday is a faded sign
I get a little bit closer to feeling fine
-Sheryl Crow

Now every heart has a blind side, Where it learns how to improvise

Thanks to everyone for their words of support and understanding.

Part of my frustration with the whole weight loss thing was that I was, for those two weeks, tracking what I ate very carefully. I was counting crackers and washing measuring cups nightly. WW online has a points tracker and everything that went into my mouth went on the points tracker. I skipped dessert, did not have a glass of wine, was hungry and felt like I had NO energy and it got me no where!

I feel a little bit lost in that area at the moment. I am going to let me mind continue to work through it and figure out what I am going to do by Monday.

The beach was great. I had a fabulous time and I ate and drank wine and swam and ran and walked and caught up with family and read in the hammock (discovered a new author, Daniel Silva...I read Secret Servant in three days (fast for me) and it was goooood!) and felt fine.

My cousins live in Nags Head, NC and own this great restaurant, Tortuga's Lie. In addition to outfitting us in their awesome T Shirts they always bring me a sense of calm and a sense of purpose. I walked away wondering if I was simply wondering too much!

My big accomplishments of the trip were running twice (I thought Chattanooga was hot) and swimming a mile in the ocean. The ocean swim took another brick out of my mental wall...boy did I want to quit...but I didn't and I lived to tell about it.

Being without the meds is getting a little tough. I forgot what it is like to have my mind be on overdrive 24/7. I am not sleeping well b/c I can not stop thinking. But when I slow down and try to relax the bad thoughts creep in and I tend to rev back up again to avoid them. Oh, what a vicious cycle.

I got up and worked out this morning. I had not gone yet this week. early morning meetings and a lack of motivation kept me in bed. I am going to run/walk tomorrow (30minute run and 20 minute walk on an incline) and do elliptical and weights Saturday and run OUTSIDE Sunday.

Thanks for listening to me ramble!
Take Care,
Molly

Now all of these voices
And all of these noises
With all their illusions of choices
They've come to my door
With one dozen roses
The imitation of good faith
-The Wallflowers

I'm a loser baby so why don't you kill me

What do you do when you get on the scale after two weeks of healthy eating and early morning exercise and STILL see no weight loss...

I do not know what YOU do...

But I...

eat two tubs of weight watchers ice cream
three WW toffee bars
cry
drink a big glass of cheap Pinot Gris
feel sorry for myself
and refuse to workout the next morning

I think I managed to eradicate every mentally and physically healthy aspect of my life in about 12 hours.

I really need an attitude adjustment...if the beach can't do it I fear I am a lost cause.

Take Care,
Molly

can't write if ya' can't relate,
trade the cash for the beef for the body for the hate,
and my time is a piece of wax, fallen on a termite,who's chokin' on the
splinters
-Beck

I'm talking here to me alone

Monday was a BAD day! After Saturday's uplifting post I got on the scale Monday morning and I had lost NOTHING! YUCK! I had a real pity party most of the day. In hind sight the pity party (and maybe the lack of weight loss) was probably due to (monthly) circumstances out of my control, if you know what I mean.

Still managed another good week of workouts:

Monday: 40 minutes Elliptical

Tuesday: 3miles...building and then declining intervals
Mile 1: 12:13
Mile 2: 11:09
Mile 3: 12:06

Thursday: 30 minutes Elliptical and 20 minutes lifting (arms)

Friday: 30 minute run (2.5 miles) and 20 minutes walk on incline

I am especially proud of two things so far this week. How about that second mile on Tuesday..looking good...and I ran the entire three miles without stopping! And this morning I managed to get up and get to the gym at 5:15 (usually get there at 5:45) b/c I had an early meeting this morning.

In other news from last week:

Tuesday was a big day in our city. Volkswagen decided to locate their new US production plant in Chattanooga. This is a project that the hubby has had on his radar for a while. He works in Economic and Community Development for the State. I have spent most of the week really enjoying being a proud wife!

Meds, or lack there of, this week has been up and down. The beginning of this week was tough and I had thoughts of calling the head shrinker and yelling...PROZAC, PLEASE...NOW! Today, on the other hand, has been one of the best days in a while. I KNOW these up and downs will happen for a while and I need to ride the waves!

Food this week has been good too. I am starting to appreciate food as fuel and the taste as an added benefit...(that being said I did stuff myself at Carrabba's tonight so you can scratch that!).

Tomorrow I am going to a 9:30 spin class (if I can get in, I am on a (cheap) restricted membership at the gym which means I can not make a reservation) and Sunday I am planning on running and lifting.

Tomorrow is a pretty busy day...a brunch lingerie shower, dropping in on my sister and the boys at the park and a 50th birthday party for Scott's uncle. Sunday is Kate's 4th birthday party!

The little ones are growing up!

Probably post something Monday or Tuesday...hoping to be posting about a weight lost. I hope to leave for the beach Wednesday night with a good mindset about putting a bathing suit on Thursday morning!

Take Care,
Molly

Take your instinct by the reins
Your better best to rearrange
What we want and what we need
Has been confused, been confused
-REM

Oh, Feelin' maybe he'll see a little better, set a days, ooh yeah

This has been a LONG week. Just about EVERY night this week I had some sort of meeting or event or fundraiser to go to. For this reason I am especially proud of the fact that I stuck to my plan and I got all my workouts in! Especially since I have been tired and had a tingle in my throat all week... that feeling I was about to get sick...I am hoping the 10 hours of sleep I got last night, and 10 I plan tonight, might fight it off.

Workouts:

Monday: 40 minutes on the Elliptical

Tuesday: 3 miles...4 minute run (5.0) 1 minute walk (4.0)
Mile 1: 12:17
Mile 2: 12: 31
Mile 3: 12:14

Wednesday: 20 minute Elliptical and 15 minute swim

Thursday: 20 minute run...1.6 miles and 30 minutes weights

Saturday: 30 minute run...2.5 miles and 20 minutes Elliptical

The only day that did not go quite as well as planned was Wednesday. I forgot my goggles and Scott was in the pool while I was on the Elliptical so he was kinda goofing off by the time I got to the pool...these two things left me less focused than I usually am.

WW going well. Staying on point with my points this week.

I am VERY proud of my runs this week. On Wednesday I ran 20 minutes straight and today I ran 30 minutes straight. I am learning to push through that mental wall and that little voice that tells me to stop before my body actually does.

I have felt pretty balanced with my meds this week. I did find out that my new head shrinker, that I was just beginning to trust, is moving...we did not really talk about what happens next. I am not sure if I need to find someone else or if she will recommend someone.

In other happy news my parents have offered to fly me to the beach this year. This is an annual trip that I did not get to take last year b/c of the campaign. Scott will not be able to go with me, which makes me sad; but, I know I will have a great time!

Take Care,
Molly

Even flow, thoughts arrive like butterflies
Oh, he don't know, so he chases them away
Someday yet, he'll begin his life again, yeah
Oh, whispering hands, gently lead him away
-Pearl Jam

But the air outside so soft is saying everything

First things first...the promised Greenbrier pictures...

The trip was wonderful...full of lost of food, family and fun.

We had a great time at cooking school...

Even when Dad got repeated lectures for taking his knife to the grill.

My Dad surprised my Mom the night of her birthday dinner and arranged for her brother to drive down from DC to visit for a while!

We rode horses...

and went bowling...

And Scott did falconry and

shot little clay things.

Finally we have to include the silly picture to close it down.

It was a great trip...I could have stayed...

This weeks workouts were pretty good!

last Saturday: run/walk 40 minutes

Monday: 50 minutes Elliptical

Tuesday: run/walk 40 minutes

Wednesday: 20 minute Elliptical and 20 minute swim

Friday: 1 hour walk

Saturday: 1 hour walk

This has been a pretty busy week.

Monday Scott's brother and sister in law had their second child Mattie:

Aunt Molly now has 2 nieces and 2 nephews!


Thursday night we gathered on the Hall Ass II to grill out and watch fireworks...the Lookouts baseball team on one side of the river and the Pops in the Park n the other side of the river!






Friday we went to Uncle Kit and Aunt Fran's for Kit's famous ribs. Scott only ate 19 ribs this year!

Saturday I helped throw a baby shower for my friend Michelle (middle).

And today I hosted a Mary Kay party. My sister's brother and sister in law are in town and her sister in law, Julie is a MK director. After the party we had dinner on the Hall Ass with my parents.

Given everything that has gone on this week I am relatively proud of my eating habits. I have not followed my weight watchers points to a "T" but I did remain mindful of what I was eating and how much I was eating.

This week was also a little touch and go with the meds. I had a few really tough days as I continued to lower my dose. As of Friday I am off of my Lamictal. I presume that there will be a couple more bumpy days to come.

This weeks plan:

Monday: 50 minute Elliptical

Tuesday: 40 minute run

Wednesday: 20 minute Elliptical/20 minute swim

Thursday: 20 minute run/20 minute weights

Saturday: 40 minute run

Sunday: Spinning

***************************UPDATE*******************

Weekly weigh in this (Monday) morning - 2 pounds lost.

Finally on the right track!

Take Care,
Molly

Though the air speaks of all well never be
It wont trouble me
-Toad the Wet Sprocket

My hump, my hump, my hump, my lovely little lumps

Matt "the Bullet" tagged me forever ago so here we go!

1- How would you describe your running 10 years ago?

In 1997 I played on the Varsity Soccer team at UTC. I played the second half of the season with braces on both of my knees. My coach called me a running target. My Q Angle was so bad that there was nothing to do but put me in the braces. I had to be at PT at 6:00 every morning to get my IT bands stretched and the knots in my quads worked on...it was a pain!!!!

After that season, in 1998, I quit and shortly there after I had surgery on both of my knees (bilateral release). Needless to say I was not running. I was 22 and my metabolism was such that I was still eating whatever I wanted with no side effects (in my lovely lady lumps) so the need to work out (and I deserved a break (by god), I had been working out since I was 8), did not seem that important.

2-What is your best and worst run/race experience?

Best: My first race
I had no idea what I was doing. I had no expectations. I had no goals. I just wanted to see what a race was like. And I did good!

Worst: not there yet
I say that because I truly believe that I am still learning what it means to race (or do you ever really stop?). I have done three 5Ks this year that have all been 5+ minutes slower than my first (and best) race. But in each of these races I learned something...to pace myself, to prepare and how to work through pain. So, I can not say that I have had a worst race.

3. Why do you run?

What you gon' do with all that junk?
All that junk inside your trunk?

No really (well...yea, really) I run b/c I need to compete. Until 1998 my life consisted of soccer, swimming, basketball or rowing. Every sport has a goal...an event...something to work toward...and my mind is wired that way.

Should I be running...probably not...would I get up at 5:30 if there was not a race on the schedule August 23rd...probably not. THAT is why I run.


4- What is the best or worst piece of advice you've been given about running?

Best: Recently Bill reminded me how to get rid of my side stitches (to only exhale on the foot plant on the side of the stitch).

Worst: None...I love all the advice I get because it means so much to me.

5- Tell us something surprising about yourself that not many people would know.

I like (gasp) the treadmill.

I tag...whomever would like to be tagged (I think I have read this on just about everyone's blog!)!

Take Care,
Molly

You don't want no drama,
No, no drama, no, no, no, no drama
-Black Eyes Peas

And in this moment it feels so right

SO....I am off of facebook for a moment....and the excitement is fading (or is this denial slipping into the 12 step program?).

My rehab took place in White Sulphur Springs West Virginia at a lovely little place called the Greenbrier. In actuality we visited this little slice of heaven for my Mom's birthday. It was an amazing trip and one that I will not soon forget.

We did cooking class, rode horses, swam in the indoor and outdoor pools, went to the spa, visited the bunker (cool story, check it out) and ate and ate and ate.

I will post pics soon but right now I need to submit myself for a reality check.

In the past two weeks I have forgotten about weight watchers, ignored my workout schedule and I have been completely and utterly self conscious.

The Greenbrier is an AWESOME place. I loved almost every second of it. The seconds I did not love were those when a skinny mother of two walked by in her short shorts, tank top and visor with a coffee in her hand, a tote bag over he shoulder and (in my eyes) the world at her feet.

Needless to say my own perception of myself versus this image was not good. Compounded by the fact that I have not been eating well, I have not been working out and I do not feel good in my clothes.

So, here we go (again). Tomorrow is another day. I am not sure how many times I will let myself get away with saying that...regardless, tomorrow is another day...5:30 workouts, weight watchers portion control and appreciation for the body that God gave me, that carries my crazy brain around all day, will all resume.

Now is time for the tangible. I will loose 15 pounds by the end of August. That is about 2 pounds a week and I KNOW that I can do that. I know that I WILL do that.

On the running front my next scheduled race is August 23rd. My goal...I will say it early and I will say it often... is 30 minutes. I have two months to do it and there is no reason that it can not be done.

So there...everything is on record...and now, let the games begin.

Take Care,
Molly

It's crazy I'm thinking
Just knowing that the world is round
And here I'm dancing on the ground
Am I right side up or upside down
And is this real or am I dreaming
-Dave

6 Word Memoir

Addicted to Facebook

Going to Rehab

Take Care,
Molly

And heal and grow and recreate and raise and nurture

Riverbend 5K Race Report

Thursday morning I laid in bed after the alarm went off and wondered if I should get up and run. I was worried what my frame of mind would be race day if I had another bad run. I decided to get up and find out. I did not take my watch, I did not want to worry about times...only running.

I had a really good run. No side pain, good rhythm and I felt good.

Thursday and Friday I drank water like it was running out. I was NOT going to be dehydrated. Friday night I got to Scott's Gramma's birthday party late so I could eat something at home.

Saturday morning I got up at 5:45, had my coffee a Luna bar and a bottle of water.

Around 7:00 Alan picked Scott and I up and we headed down to the race. I was pretty nervous at this point. I was not sure if I was prepared enough, not sure if my side stitches would come back and overall just not sure of myself.

Getting to the race site always calms me. Seeing so many people there, so many ages, so many sizes...seeing all these people really puts me in my place.

So, here us the pre-race shot:

It was nice because it was not too hot and there was a little drizzle going. I thought about last year a lot...this was where I ran my first, and only, 10K. This year was not nearly as crowded as last year. Not sure if it was the weather (it has been really hot here) or maybe the gas prices kept would be travelers away. We got our T-Shirts, our chips and stretched out.

Soon we were headed to the start.




The first mile was good. I decided that I was going to stick to the 4 minute run/1 minute walk no matter how hard it was to stop at the beginning. 4 minutes blew by fast and we were still packed in like sardines, and I did not stop...deciding to stop and walk at 8, and I did. The first mile has the two hardest hills of the race and luckily the second hill fell in line with the second walk break.


Mile 1 : 12:07


I was a little disappointed, but this was still a minute plus faster than what I have been doing on the treadmill since we got back.

Then it hit me..all the side stitches that I have had, to this point, started just past a mile...and there was no sign of a stitch in sight.

The second mile went by really well. The run 4/walk 1 plan was going great and I was really feeling good.

Mile 2: 11:04

Then the trouble began. Right after I hit the second mile marker it hit...yep, the side stitch was back. I was PISSED at that damn thing. I was on track to go 34 minutes...that was all I wanted to do, take 1 minute off my previous time...and the damn thing was back.

When the side stitches have hit in the past I have "tried" to run through them and I have eventually stopped. So, at this point I decided that my goal for the last mile was simply to stay with the 4/1 plan. No matter how slow I had to run I was not going to stop and walk. And that is what I did.

Mile 3.2: 12.51

Here is the finish

So, in retrospect , there is the good and the bad.

The good...a mental victory. When it comes to pain I am a quitter (for lack of a better word). Running through pain, or discomfort for that matter has not been a hurtle that I have overcome and I did yesterday. And the second mile was by far the best I have run this year.

The bad...if I had stuck to my pace I would have come in at 34:41...not hitting 34:00 as I had hoped, but still a PR for the year.

Alan did PR for the year...beating his pace of 41.22 in the Chicamauga Chase



The interesting thing is the "official race results" have me coming in at 35:25 and Alan coming in at 40:03...who knows. I'll stick with my watch/and their clock time.

I think we were both glad to be done...

...and having our post race pancakes.





We did not get a pit crew picture this year...but, as always, lots of love to Momma and Scott who were there for me as always!

******************************UPDATE********************

After talking to Alan last night I have decided to embrace the 35:25 time. Because of all the people and when we actually hit the starting point probably was 30 seconds in. Also, the clock starts when the fist person hits the starting point which explains the clock time!

Take Care
Molly

In times like these
In times like those
What will be will be
And so it goes
And it always goes on and on
...On and on it goes
-Jack Johnson

Made me sad to think it was dead

Well, I officially have a side stitch problem.

Friday

30 minutes on the Elliptical

20 minute swim.

Saturday

off

Sunday

45 minute WALK

Monday

50 minutes yoga

Today

Mile 1: 13:42 3 minute run/2 minute walk (4.8/3.8)

30 minutes on the elliptical

So Sunday I left the house at 7:30 AM to beat the heat and get a run in and the side cramps hit again. They literally make me bend over at the waist...I have NO idea what is going on! So, I walked...tried to pick up to running a couple of times with the same "symptoms" returning.

I was REALLY frustrated Sunday.

This morning...same thing. I was convinced that I was going to MAKE myself get through 3 miles...I got through one and had the man on the treadmill next to me checking on me...got off the treadmill and hit the elliptical. I could feel the presence of the stitch on the elliptical (if that makes sense) but it was not cramping like it did when I ran.

Help...please...race on Saturday!!!

In other news..

I joined Weight Watchers Online. I have to admit that I had a bit of a negative perception of WW. This is going to sound awful, but, I really thought of WW as something only people who had mega pounds to loose joined.

Then Colleen entered the picture and showed me the light. I have been impressed with her success on the program and hope to have the same results.

I want to loose 15 pounds...there were 10 to loose before the cruise and as I have mentioned many times there are now the 5 extra cruise pounds.

I joined Saturday...but consider that I REALLY started yesterday (more below). As expected I am realizing that my portions were really out of whack! I have rediscovered the feeling of being hungry (in a good way) over the last two days.

Last weekend was filled with a lot of fun on my parent's boat, The Hall Ass II (yes that is really the name...in reference to my father's company Hall and Associates) at Riverbend.

Friday night was the Black Crows, Saturday night was Anthony Hamilton and Sunday was America with our local orchestra. Lots of food and drink were enjoyed by all!

It was really hot, but everyone had a really good time, even Koz:

One final note...one of our fellow bloggers is in Baghdad, Iraq on assignment. Please keep Bill in your thoughts and prayers. You might check his blog every now and again...he has updated once from Iraq and is still running!

Take Care,
Molly

After two days in the desert sun

My skin began to turn red

After three days in the desert fun

I was looking at a river bed

-America

Molly and Scott's Great Adventure Part 4

The final chapter...

After Motor on our last night on the ship we were treated to a farewell dinner including (the traditional) Baked Alaska:

We stayed up late, drank too much, danced with the Australians and had a great time!

The next morning (tough due to the activities of the night before!) we got up and got off the ship (in Koper) and were greeted by Goran (who would lead us on our "land tour") and taken to our first hotel, in Portoroz. This hotel was VERY nice!

We got there too early to check in so we checked emails and went and checked out the spa. Scott (who was getting his first massage EVER) and I both signed up for a massage later in the afternoon. I really wanted to do a mud wrap too but there was not an appointment in time to meet Goran later that evening.

After we checked in our room, got our massages (very average) we met Goran and took a short trip to Piran.

I really liked Piran. It was a small port town that had an Italian charm. Below is our guide, Goran and the two folks who traveled with us (also sat at our table on the trip). Goran grew up in Piran, so one of the coolest things was that every other person that we came upon stopped and said Hi to Goran.

We walked up to a beautiful Catholic church that was being renovated after damage in the war. This church also gave us this beautiful view.

Another great picture from Piran.

After our trip to Piran we were treated to a "seafood feast". I had a caprice salad and pasta...not in the mood for seafood! Scott tried the Halibut and everyone else had prawns.

Goran was a sailor/fisherman when he was younger and this restaurant was owned by a very good friend of his (who he scolded for not cooking the pasta correctly.)

The next day our first stop was back in Koper. While we were in Piran Goran wanted to take us to a place that makes salt chocolate. Salt has a very rich history in Piran. Families would leave and go to harvest salt for 5 months a yeas. The place in Piran was closed and so we went back to Koper to go to a salt chocolate store. We picked up some salt chocolate but the neatest part of the store was that they literally had wine pumps...like gas pumps...where anyone can purchase wine by the gallon!

We then headed to the Postojna Caves. These caves were pretty cool, a lot of stalagmites and stalactites. It was also very cold. This is the only picture...it was against Slovinian law to take pictures inside the caves:We went around for about an hour in these caves and although they were pretty cool (literally and figuratively) I would have been fine with 30 minutes.

Next we headed to the Predjama Castle. I was not very focused on this castle b/c I was very car sick. I was sandwiched in the back of the care, Goran was driving his stick aggressively and we were traveling up winding roads. The only thing that I absorbed was that the prince was killed by a bullet while sitting on the toilet.

After being given the front seat, and subjecting Scott to the sandwich we headed to Ljubljana. This is where we got our first, clear view of the Julian Alps.

Ljubljana was another beautiful, Italian style city. We did not spent a lot of time there. We ate another "small"lunch of giant pizzas and walked the city a little bit.

In the back of this picture you can see one of the three bridges that come together at either side of the city. This is another example of the new, post war architecture.

And then we were off to Bled. After we settled in, in another nice hotel, we went out to have our Austrian feast. Check out this "platter for two" that Scott and I shared. Under all the meat (2 pork chops, several Cevapcici, two hamburger and two veal kabobs) war fries for five and a few scattered veggies n the side. We also had a very good apple strudel for dessert.

The first stop in Lake Bled was the castle on the Lake. This was a really neat place, beautiful views and out best views of the Alps.

Next we took a boat ride out to the church in the middle of the lake.

I have to say that Bled was my FAVORITE. I sat still and wrote in my journal for two hours this afternoon...and if you know me well you know how unusual this is! If anyone is looking for the perfect honeymoon destination...this is it.

As you can tell, we had a wonderful time. I can not imagine anything that would have made the trip better. This was truly the trip of a life time!

Take Care,
Molly