This is my fitness diary, so this post might be   a little bit of a diversion.   We went to Garths family reunion in Saskatoon on the weekend.  Many of these people were virtual strangers to me, but it was very apparent that they loved him.  And he mingled and chatted in a way that I have never seen.  It was beautiful, and also sad that it took 20 years for me to see it.  And it merited a little note here.  There is something special about the love of family. Cherish it.  And get as much of it as you can.

We just wrapped on a vacation to COUPLES .... and it was such an amazing rest. We are not really much for "adventure vacations" per se. We already really enjoy our life/lives and aren't looking to a vacation to fill it up with parties, thrills or physical exertion. A real vacation for us is a rest. Not just the lack of daily obligations, but almost a mandate to just "chill out already". Garth already has that down pat, but I struggle. It would be easy for me to find stuff to fill the time. And for some, that might be just what the doctor ordered, but for me; a good vacation is a serious reboot; complete with some time just being....being. Still. Quiet. Sometimes listening to music, or reading. Or a walk. But mostly just a nice slow crawl, a slower pace in the brain, and a release of "need to be doing" for my heart.

And I sit here on our patio for the last 1/2 hour before leaving, feeling grateful for this opportunity, and equally thankful for the life we return to. There is not even a hint of wistfulness about leaving.

All of this leaves me feeling immensely blessed and grateful.

We ease back in tomorrow. Laundry. I'll go to the gym and train. Then back to work on Thursday; full steam ahead.

My meet is around 14 weeks out. I have a whole cycle to work through, and hypertrophy starts tomorrow. I am eager for the work, for the inevitable progress, for the opportunity to practice. For the endorphins. :)

And work is really humming. I love the product and it's shaping up to be a fun and challenging 2017.

Lucky girl.

I know this is a fitness diary/blog... but in my defense, I refer to the picture.     I wrote that in a little notebook given to me by Killian.    Another place for thoughts;  and this was the very first thought I wrote.  "Fit for what?" 

I went on to write a number of things I wanted to be "fit for".    And looking at them... they aren't about lifting, or the gym; they are about LIFE.  The word enthusiasm came up alot. 

And I really feel great, and the Mavens are a part of that LIFE, of that enthusiasm. 

So cheers to the Mavens;  Debbie, Jessica and Natalie.  Thank you for your contributions to my life, my health, my happiness.