Way. Too. Early.

I'm at DIA again.
Waiting to board my plane.
I've been up since 3:30am,
I realize that's insane.
I still have an hour and half,
before i'm allowed to board.
I'm so tired right now,
Please help me Lord.
I think I'll quit writing now.
As this is just nonsense.
I must quit the rhyming now,
before I begin to wince.
the end.

Peggy-ed!!!

As I've stated in a previous post, I've been working with a trainer at the YMCA. Her name is Peggy and I absolutely love her. She makes me feel like I can do ANYTHING. However, during our Tuesday training sessions...when all is said and done...I normally feel exhausted and pushed to the limit; all while feeling extremely accomplished, amazing and strong. I've referred to these days as being "Peggy-ed". It's a new term at the Y, as a handful of other employee's have jumped on board and are working with Peggy now. We have our own support group and warn each other when Peggy is feeling "inspired"; because on those days you need to look out. No one is meeting with Peggy this week but me, so I was fortunate enough to be the first to workout to one of her newest inspirations.

Here's a peek into my Tuesday's with Peggy. (Thankfully she mixes it up so I don't get bored. And thankfully so I don't have to run 12 flights of stairs every time. Boo!!)

Warm up: 1 mile jog/walk on the track

Core Routine for Today (straight through, no breaks!):
Step 1: 10 chest/bench presses (weight 55 lbs.)
Step 2: Repeat step 1, then add 10 Squats
Step 3: Repeat steps 1 & 2, then add 25 jumping jacks
Step 4: Repeat steps 1 - 3, then add 10 wide lat pull downs (weight 60 lbs.)
Step 5: Repeat steps 1 - 4, then add 1 minute plank
Step 6: Repeat steps 1 - 5, then add 10 burpees
Step 7: Repeat steps 1 - 6, then add 30 second side planks (right & left)
Step 8: Repeat steps 1 - 7, then add 12 arm rows (25 lbs)
Step 9: Repeat steps 1 - 8, then add 15 calf raises (70 lbs.)
Step 10: Repeat steps 1 - 9, then add 10 dead lifts (25 lbs.)

Which basically equals...
~ 100 chest presses
~ 90 squats
~ 200 jumping jacks
~ 70 lat pull downs
~ 6 mintues of planks
~ 50 burpees
~ 2 minutes of side planks
~ 36 rows
~ 30 calf raises
~ 10 dead lifts

Then throw in some abs, some stretching and end with encouraging words from Peggy. Afterwards you attempt to walk yourself to the locker room and hope that you don't pass out dead in the middle of the shower.

Needless to say....I am enjoying every single bit of it.

Everly: O Holy Night

I love my super sweet and talented friend Amber Sweeney.
I love that Bethany Joy Galleoti.
I love their band, beautifully named, Everly.
I love their Christmas album "Fireside" which you can get on iTunes or CDbaby.

Go get it now.

recent conversation

Jason: What's up Rae, Rae? You're not your usual self these days.
Raelynn: Eh, (insert long pause here) I think I'm broken.
Jason: You're not broken, you're slightly sprained.
Raelynn: Oh, okay. (insert contemplative pause here) I'm glad we got that settled.

Nostalgia: Ba de ya - say that you remember

Tonight, after Glee, I spent this evening baking cookies and listening to Earth, Wind and Fire, the Temptations and many other of my Motown favorites. Music has always been my stress relief. I love ALL types of music. Coming from a large family as mine, we all have different tastes in music. Which, fortunately for me, has given me an incredible eclectic mix of music to enjoy 24/7. Ever since I was an adorable wee child....I remember my dad and I would put on his records and then I would sing and dance around the house. I normally would have him in hysterics as I would do the Motown steps as if I were a Pip, Temptation or Four Top. I've always been quite the entertainer.

Tonight I'm wishing my dad was with me here in Colorado because I would put on a show for him for old time's sake just to see him smile like he used to. I loved my dad's laugh. It brings me joy just thinking about it. So...The last few days I've had "September" in my head by Earth, Wind and Fire. What's a girl to do? Well, I'll tell you. Tonight I put the music on, baked cookies and danced around my house. Obviously, Tasia is not home tonight. I have to introduce this side of me to her in baby steps. I'm not sure she's ready to dance around the house with me yet. Kate was a pro at it. Kate gets me and my ways. Of course, Kate is a lot like me. After all, we did devise a song about a wacky religion we created, with Jamie McGowan's help, called the Norma's. As well as, songs about Spam and other randomness. (Man, I miss Jamie & Kate!) And with Matthew B we expressed our love for green beans in many a facebook video. Plus, Matthew would dance with me around the house or wherever we felt the need to express ourself in such a manner. So, see, I'm not sure Tasia is ready for this quite yet.

BUT, I digress....Basically, I'm left home alone tonight to my own devices and I've decided to take a walk down memory lane and bake comfort food. It's so healing for the soul. It's been a rough week emotionally for me and I needed to escape and unwind. I believe I accomplished what I was aiming for this evening.



"SEPTEMBER" by Earth, Wind and Fire




And a more creative version that has been circulating around by Pomplamoose




I'll admit that I was dancing as free as the Grandma was in the latter video!! That's right.

Ba duda, ba duda, ba duda, badu
Ba duda, badu, ba duda, badu
Ba duda, badu, baduba

i heart GLEE!!! i really really do.

"i'm stayin', oh i'm stayin'.....and you, and you, and you, you're gonna love me!!"

Blog Catch Up!!

Wow...I've been MIA in the bloggy blog world. It has been awhile, my friends. I'm sure you've been eagerly awaiting for my wit, wisdom and Raelynn-ness.

Hmmm...where to begin? I'll start from newest and go to should have told you many moons ago....

First: I have incredible hair. Yes, vanity is running amuck with me right now. But I just love it. My hair has grown so much and then my favorite hairstylist, Judy Dillon, put these fun layers in my hair that makes my hair tossle and flow ever so fantastically. Sorry people, I'm really lovin' my hair right now. I waited it out and haven't cut it in so long. Normally, my hair gets to a certain length and i'll say, "forget it, let's cut it short!" But over the last year and a half, I've been patiently waiting it out. And trust me, that urge to cut it has been strong. My Native grandma would be so proud of me. She always liked my hair long. (insert tear here)

Second: For thanksgiving I made my first ever from scratch chocolate cake. I rocked it!! I was so nervous and felt so accomplished when all was said and done. It was absolutely fantastic. I can stand true to my FB comment when I said, I'm a baking goddess. Everyone loved it at Thanksgiving dinner.



Third: Went to Utah, again, to hang with friends and to get a little face time with Tiffany B. as I am planning to travel to Italy, Greece and Turkey with her this upcoming summer with the group, "Burn 24/7". I was a little nervous, but after meeting her I can tell that we will get along fabulously and the trip is going to be A-mazing!!! Utah was fabulous. I was able to go to the zoo with Jamie, Jaime, Shannon, Sharon and some fun wee kiddos to see all the cute baby animals. My favorite was the baby giraffe. Of course while in Utah I try to learn some new knitting; this time I learned how to knit a washcloth. But most importantly, I was able to spend time with GREAT friends, bask in Seevinck love and have morning latte's. It doesn't get much better than that.

Fourth: I've been working with a personal trainer the last 5 weeks. Her name is Peggy and I absolutely love her. She is pushing me to do things I never thought I could accomplish. I'm improving every day and each training session gets harder, so I guess that means something. Right?! Well, at least that's what Peggy says. And I must say I am noticing that I am getting stronger, getting more fit, and like I tell the Building Sup. boys at the Y, "I'm a machine!" Of course, these said boys also like to come up to Peggy during my session with her and tell her that I called her a "pushover" or that my workouts were "too easy"!! Which of course, I didn't say. But, I get worked harder nonetheless. I'm lovin' it though. And I'm completely determined. Peggy said that I'm the most determined client she's ever had and that my focus is amazing--she wishes she could teach it to her clients she's had for years. She asked me where I get it and I honestly told her that God had been working in me and revealed to me why discipline was so hard for me. Once I understood, I just started soaring. That lesson I will share with you on the other blog. I'm in the process of articulating my thoughts on that and will be posting it SOON!!

Fifth: Kate moved out. Sad! But Tasia, a friend and co-worker at the Y, moved in. Fun. We painted every inch of the house and it's so super duper cute. I'm lovin' it. But, I'm missing all my Kate surprises. And especially hearing her sing and play her piano in the mornings. I have no one to serenade me anymore.


I guess that's it for now. Other than, I really have "expectation" rising of what's to come. I believe the Lord has a few surprises up His sleeve and has been hinting at them for the last few weeks. Can't wait to see what they are!! I guess you'll have to wait along with me.