Friends

December 1, 2013

Turkey Trot, Hawkeyes Win, A Bet and our Harley Holiday’s

The Weekend in Review

Thursday

Turkey Trot- hosted by the Council Bluffs YMCA.  Thursday morning offered us a high of 28 degrees, and the run took place alongside the Missouri River, including a crossing of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge.  Needless to say it was cold!   My girl, Jessica, ran it with me. 

ImageEven though the wind was in our face, it was still a really neat experience to run across the bridge.  The Bob Kerry Bridge runs across the Missouri River, allowing people to be in Nebraska and Iowa at the same time (what a touristy thing to say).

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The rest of Thanksgiving Day was spent attending three family dinners.  And, sadly, I didn’t take but ONE picture.  Just one!  I guess I was soaking in all the family time.

Dinner 1: Grandpa Goecker’s. 

ImageClint and my Gr’pa shootin’ the shit.

 

Dinner Two:  My mom’s.  My uncle and aunt were in town so we swung by to chat with everyone for a few hours before heading to…

Dinner Three: Clint’s mom’s.  Dinner, cocktails and family time for another few hours.

 

Friday

Hawkeye vs. Husker Game

ImageWe are Hawkeye Supporters in this house!  I don’t call myself a fan, because I don’t follow every last thing the Hawkeye Football Team does, however I always root for the Black and Gold. 

 

ImageHow fun is my Grateful Hawkeye shirt? (and my ridiculous selfie)

 

It was a great game and awesome to see the Hawkeyes take the WIN!

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We had some friends attend the game in Lincoln, so they came up to our house afterwards to celebrate with a few beers.

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I said a few…. ahem….

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A few years ago, Tyree and Clint made a bet on the Husker/Hawkeye Game.  Huskers won, which meant Clint lost and therefore had to wear Tyree’s Husker Shirt for the night.

ImageSexy.

 

Well, paybacks are a B!tch, and apparently this bet is long standing.  Doesn’t Tyree look adorable in this Hawkeye shirt??

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Shenanigans. 

 

Saturday

It started to look like Christmas in the Pirtle household!  I spent the entire day decorating while watching CSI reruns.  It was a PERFECT day.

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My entire tree is Harley Davidson theme. 

Did you expect anything else?  I mean, really.

🙂

 

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I hope you all had a wonderful weekend as well!

Cheers to a great Sunday!

 

November 20, 2013

Beating the Soon-to-Be Winter Blues

Winter is getting ready to show her ugly face here in Nebraska soon.

As in tomorrow, soon. BLAH!!!

Knowing my window of opportunity to ride was quickly closing, I text my girl Tyree yesterday at 3pm and we were on our bikes and in the wind by exactly 4:45pm.

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Impromptu ride…. And soooo worth it. Totally needed that open crisp air in my face. We rode for a while and then made a pit stop at The Rusty Nail for some dinner and a cocktail.

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I chose a mushroom Swiss burger and Tyree had the burrito plate. Warm, delicious and filling. Vodka and sugar free redbull also made its way onto our tabs. Wonder how that happened…

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Perfect little evening if you ask me.

This AM I woke up and whipped up an oatmeal pancake. First time making something like this and I was pretty pleased with how it turned out. I think I will continue to tweak ingredients as I go, but for the first one, I was impressed.

Oatmeal Pancake

1/2 cup oats
1/3 cup egg whites
2 Tbsp. PB2
1 Tbsp. Plain Greek yogurt
1 packet of Stevia

Mix, spread on heated griddle, lightly brown each side, soak in syrup, enjoy!

This recipe was 264 calories, 35 grams carbohydrates, 24 grams protein.

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I have a full day at work today. Hello meetings!!

After work I teach TurboKick at the Y from 4:30-5:15 and then it’s off to In This Moment concert at Sokol with my girl, Tyree!!

Eek!!!

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Have a Great Day, all!!

November 19, 2013

Empowering Others- A Moment of Self-Reflection

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Strong words.  True words.

I have fallen victim to the competitive thoughts.  I think we all have at one time or another.

The key is recognizing these reactions in ourselves and retraining our brain.

Why do we beat ourselves up by comparing ourselves to others?  Why do we have jealous tendencies when someone else is successful?  Why do we focus on being better than them, have better clothes than them, a better career, a fancier car, more friends, skinnier, healthier, better relationships, more followers, more ‘likes’, better, more, better, more….

What a vicious cycle that we have created.

We must stop.  And that all starts from within.

Let’s retrain our brains to be happy for others, celebrate others, be kind, motivate and empower.

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Every smile, every kind word, every acknowledgement and every interaction can completely change the course of someone else’s day.

Be genuine.

Empower

Empowering is a strong word.  Empowering makes the most impact.

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Empowering others is one of the most important acts of kindness.

Empowering others means not criticizing or judging but encouraging and praising.

Empowering others means celebrating others on their progress- no matter how small, no matter what.

Empowering others means praising the struggling student.

Empowering others means allowing the young child to falter in their steps.

Empowering others is encouraging that same young child to try, try again.

Empowering others means curbing your ego.

Empowering others is being genuine to them in person and behind their backs.

Empowering others means smiling.

Empowering others means being GENUINE when asking someone how they are.

Empowering others is listening to their struggles and accomplishments.

Empowering others also means knowing when to only listen and when to offer advice.

Empowering others means giving them the feeling that they are loved.

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Empowering others is contagious

Empowering others also empowers us.

November 15, 2013

Why I Ride

 

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Freedom, self-determination, choice, inspiration, therapy, camaraderie, dad, LOVE, empowerment.
 
 

Freedom– from my thoughts and worries. Nothing is more freeing than the feeling of the wind against my face, an open road and the sound of a Harley.

 

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Self-determination– focus, strength of mind, control
 
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Choice– Freedom of choice.  The choice to take the risk of riding two wheels. A risk that empowers me every time I roll that throttle.
 
 
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Inspiration– To be inspired.  Riding clears the cobwebs and allows for new ideas and sense of purpose.  To inspire others.  Giving women a reason to go out there and do it for themselves.

 

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Therapy– No therapist can give you the kind of peace, serenity or clarity that comes with riding through the countryside, down tree lined roads, over rolling hills and riding into a sunset.
 
 
 
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Camaraderie– Nothing is better than a biker community. You find some of your best and longest lasting friendships among bikers.  They are Family.
 
 
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Dad– Harley Davidson was/is/and always will be my connection to my dad and is the one bond that will never be broken. Dad: Live to Ride~Ride to Live
 
 
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LOVE–  For love.  Love of riding.  Love of life.  Loving Me.  Love for us.
 
 
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Empowerment– With freedom, clarity, focus and determination comes empowerment.  Two wheels and a few miles is sometimes all we need.
 
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