Hello There!

It's me again.
Things are moving along and things are good.

Not much new to report except the fact I gave up eating sweets two weeks ago, I start stair training tomorrow, and I'm setting up my apartment to be able to make more work in it.
I moved out one of my sofas and set up a work table.

Tomorrow I am going to watch a bike race with my camp friends.

I've submitted work to a few shows and I am waiting to hear back...

I think that's about it...

Be nice to each other.

Not Dead

Howdy people...

I'm still kicking around, Not a ton to report but things are going well.

I have no complaints and I am keeping busy with work, teaching a bit, and being creative.

I no longer feel the need to complain about things - it does me no good.

I am not feeling the need to post a lot updates so they will be sporadic.

I don't have a lot to rant about which is good.

I'm sitting here on the sofa waiting for some soup to heat up (I actually am making it from scratch).

yay.

I made it home. I'm back. I'm tired.

Just a quick check in.

I arrived home safely last Wednesday night and started back at work on Monday.

Overall it hasn't been too bad but I'm looking forward to the weekend.

I don't have much to report other than I am slowly unpacking my things and trying to get into the swing of working on my drawings. I worked a little bit during lunch so that's good. I just need to finish unpacking. Hopefully by next week I will not be so tired when I get home in the evenings.

This weekend I have a wedding to attend which will be fun.
it's being held at camp - it's a camp person getting hitched... it will be super fun. I get to deliver the cake because my friend Bonnie is making it.

What else... I only gained 5.4 pounds while I was gone. I am having a bit of trouble getting back into the swing of healthy eating but I am doing my best.

I think I may end up going to bed early tonight. I just can't seem to get enough sleep. I mean I am technically getting enough I am just pooped.

Eventually I will get back into the swing of things, I usually do.

Laundry day

I am coming to you from the Johnson laundromat. 

It has become a ritual to do my laundry on Sunday mornings. I suppose it's as close as I'm going to get to going to church while I'm here. 

Last night we went to karaoke. It was really busy so I only sang a few times. It was fun and I may have to venture out to find a karaoke place when I get back home. 

I have started thinking about my return trip and planning out my route.  I have made one reservation on airbnb for next Friday in Syracuse New York. Other than that I'm flying by the seat of my pants. I am contemplating going from Chicago up to Minneapolis and across North Dakota to get back. That would take one state off my "states I've never been to" list. I had contemplated going through Canada but I think border crossings on Labor Day weekend might be a bit much. 

Overall I am pleased with my time here. I started out doing one type of work but it has morphed its way into screenprinting/drawing. There's just something about the repetition and pattern which is compelling me.  I think I may use the work as a ground for my drawings.  

I don't know, the jury is still out.  

Let me see if I can post some photos for you all...

I'm drafting this on my iPad so I'm not sure how it will work. 

Still Alive

I suppose you all might have assumed that I had gone and pulled a Thelma and Louise type thing.

I have not.

I can't remember the last time I posted but it may have been when I was back in Seattle.. I'm not sure.

All I can say is that I am having the best time ever. Time is passing at the perfect pace, not too fast or too slow. There is a sense of calm and easiness to it which is appealing. I am not looking to make a certain amount of work,  do a certain amount of social things, eat a certain amount things... it's okay. I am doing exactly what I need to be doing and I like it.

Yesterday I got a few messages from home saying that I was missed. I think a few people are worried that I may not come back. don't worry - I will return.

Here are some photos.

Okay, I would post photos but they didn't download from my phone... screw it.

Check out Jeneratorroadtrip for updates

I have started a new blog for my roadtrip
it's jeneratorroadtrip.

I may post here - but it's unlikey. I've been camping at KOA campgrounds and internet is spotty...

I'm having a good time though!

Nerves.

well, it turns out that I am turning into my mom.  I was awake a bit past 4am... I lingered in bed for a while and then decided to get up and do some dishes.

My apartment is a disaster area. I am trying to pull things out that I want to take with me on the road and it's not an easy task. I know it will all get done, it just doesn't seem like I am going to have any free time to make it happen.

I got my car back last night - somehow they managed to bend the hood hinge and put a dent in it (the hood). Luckily it was all taken care of and washed to boot (they also vacuumed the interior which was nice). It's the cleanest it's been since I've owned it.

Overall I'm feeling good, but a little stressed out about finances. Things keep popping up that are taking money... I'm not exactly sure how I'm going to pay for my rent in September, but I'm sure it will all work out in the end. I just know that I have to do this. I think once I get on the road everything will work out.

I just have to remember to breathe and keep making art.

I'm awake, I might as well post.

Hello there.
Things are coming down to the wire when it comes to getting ready for my trip.

I have started getting my suitcases out, and my art supplies in order. I'm not going to take too many things to work with because I want to keep it open for things to develop on their own.

Yesterday I took my car in for a lube, oil, and filter and when I got it back the hood wouldn't close flush to the car so I have to take it back today to get it fixed....  hopefully it's something quick. This is the first time I've ever had any problem with Honda of Seattle. I'm remaining fairly calm about the whole thing. I have a week before I have to drive 3,000 miles right?

This morning at boot camp we are doing fitness testing to see how far we've come. I'm interested in seeing if I've made any gains since I started incorporating TRX into the schedule.

I ordered a TRX system so I can take it with me to Vermont and work on things (and maybe also train people there and make some $$$)... you never know - it will at least be a good workout for me and enable to teach better if I have time to work on the different exercises.

I guess that's all I have to report.

It's going to be a busy weekend getting things in order and I am going to be attending the Richard Sherman Celebrity Softball Game on Sunday courtesy of my new friend Ingrid (from Boot Camp).

I'm also getting my grey streak covered up... that will be good before I go...

Fun Times!

Ch ch ch changes!

Here is what I know!

Yes, I did wake up before 4am and I am okay with the fact that I am turning into my mother.

I am slowly getting my act together to head to Vermont for my residency... along those lines I am going to be leaving the gym I currently teach at (Vision Quest/LA Fitness) and won't return when I get back. I was thinking that this would happen but it's official now. It's like the end of a relationship, you know it has to end but it's not until you actually pull the trigger that you know it's the right thing to do.

I will also be teaching more classes at Tricycle Fitness when I return. Okay, it's only going to be one more class for a total of two but that's nice. I will be able to spend more time on my personal life and artwork etc... I feel really good about it.

I've got a full plate today... I'm heading to ww this morning (I'm sure I've gained weight this week but that's okay...). I started eating wheat again (read cookies here...) and I am gaining weight again. I am still under my goal weight so that is just fine by me.  I'm not eating too much crap which is good. I can't eat too much crap as it doesn't make me feel good. I will then teach my combo cycle/TRX class. After class I will come back to my place and hopefully clean - yes, I know I always say I am going to do this but this time it's for real. I then have a therapy appointment and then a graduation party.

It promises to be a full day - full of fun and time with friends.

Tomorrow I am going to a TRX certification class at the Pro Club Seattle - I want to make sure I look cute - you never know who you might meet. However, I have been told that it will only be women in my class... BOOO!

Last weekend I went on a good date. We went to the driving range and then the pitch and putt golf course at Greenlake. There has even been talk of golfing again when I get back from my cross-country adventure.

I must admit I am feeling much better overall... life is much more even for me than it was earlier in the year. I am very appreciative for what has happened. Would I like to go through it again? Not really, but I think I'm much better equipped to deal with things now than I was... overall it's been good.

okay - I think that's it this morning... yeah, it's only 5:20am... I am sure I am going to crash at 4pm this afternoon... that's okay. I can always go to bed early if I wish...

Changes....

My departure date is quickly approaching...

I sent a message to my supervisor at the club a few weeks ago telling her of my trip and letting her know that I wasn't sure how it all worked - if I would need subs or permanent replacements... I heard back from her yesterday saying that they would have to separate me and then when I came back I should contact her.

I am thinking this is the logical conclusion to my employment there. I've got a lot of things going on and I'd like to have a little more me time.

Everything feels right. That's good.

Because I'm a crazy exerciser/healthy person...

Find your healthy trusted friend in Greatist.

Progress

Today we got an early dismissal which was really nice.

I did a few errands and then walked home. I have been sitting on the sofa for the past few hours catching up on my website, emails, and pretty much doing nothing. I am enjoying it immensely.

I ate bacon, sausage, and corned beef hash for breakfast - it was really good.

That is all.

Well lookee here.

Wouldn't you know it? I've decided to post again.

I must admit my change of routine has been nice. I don't feel as thought I'm complaining all the time - I think at a certain point my writing was just one complaint after another.

What do I know this morning? I know I am going to drag my backside off the sofa in about 10 minutes and get ready for boot camp.

I know that yesterday I started figuring out approximately where I wanted to stop on my road trip to Vermont. I am feeling pretty good about it... now if I could just strike it rich so I wouldn't deplete my savings account to do this... oh well. It will be worth it, I know.

This weekend was fairly low key. I spent a lot of time on Saturday with Zoe. We practiced walking inner wheelchair and eating raspberries off the bushes around the side of my momma's house.

Yesterday I was supposed to meet up with my friend Tim for a walk but I didn't hear back from him in time so we are rescheduling it for next weekend... I was also supposed to be meeting to go over the evaluations from the retreat I helped lead last weekend.. but that was postponed too... actually it was the first weekend that I wasn't highly scheduled and it was nice.

I taught my first combo cycle/trx class and it went just fine. I have signed up for TRX certification on the 13th so I will have many more moves for people - I am looking forward to it.

Okay, I just got a message from my friend Deb so I want to go check in with her.

Stay tuned - you never know, it might be a two post week!

I bet you thought I was dead.

I am still around, just extremely busy.

The bad news first.

Last Saturday my momma had to put Stinky to sleep. She wasn't able to stay upright and her back legs quit working. I was not really surprised, but I am happy she stayed with us as long as she did.

I was in Idaho last weekend so I didn't get to say goodbye, but I did she her the Thursday before so it was not as bad as it could have been.

I will miss her little puppy dog face.

Last weekend I helped direct a Young Adult Retreat on Lake Coeur d'Alene. It's with the same church denomination I counsel at every year. I had a really good time and I think it went really well.

I spent a lot of time at the camp when I was growing up and I had a bunch of flashback while I was there... mostly of my dad and setting off fireworks on the fourth of july... it was good to touch into those memories.

I have been really busy teaching - I am going to get certified to teach TRX classes next month, and I'm going to start teaching them this weekend... aye aye aye... it's just another opportunity to enlarge my arsenal of teaching opportunities...

I still have to get my act together for Vermont... four weeks from Friday is my scheduled leave date. I am guessing I will get everything done in time...

I think that's all I have to report.

I am sad about Stinky, but other than that things are going well.

Senior Prom

Yes. This is my senior prom, 1985.

What you don't see in this photo is a full leg brace and the ire I had in my heart for my then boyfriend Trevor Gong.

He went to his prom the night before with someone else.

I will admit that I was a bit strong willed back then (not much has changed). He didn't actually ask me to his prom. He just assumed I would go with him. So when it came around to it I said I guess I wasn't going. He showed me.

ahhhhh... to be young and not as wise as we could be...

I also had an asymmetrical mullet going on...

I'm sure I would totally rock my prom if I went today. I am much more sure of myself and my style is much better.

Friday night exhaustion..

Life has been full.

I am exhausted.

I am sitting on the sofa until 9pm and then I will go to bed.

This weekend is going to be busy...  Graduation Parties, Teaching, Bridal Showers, crap... too much to do, too little time. I haven't even read last weeks Sunday paper!

I really can't type too much...  I am a zombie.

What I know today.

Hi there people.
I am spending the night with the puppy dogs tonight so I thought I would update you all on things.

At lest a few of them.

I am happy to report that I am feeling really good. I think I've mentioned it before but things are looking up. I am spending time doing things that I like to do, not wasting time on things that give me grief, and finding that when I focus on gratitude and the good things that good things come my way.

The other Jen Towner used to talk about the book "The Secret" and I used to ridicule her but she's probably right... However, I WILL NEVER READ THE BOOK.

You get more good with good than you do with bad.

Here are a few good things that have happened recently.

I took Zoe into the back yard this afternoon and suspended her back legs in her harness. We walked around for a while. One of the best parts of that is that she was wagging her tail... it must be nice for her to get out like that.

My mom is in Corvallis for the day, back tomorrow. My aunt's husband died earlier in the week and the service was this afternoon. I'm teaching at Tricycle Fitness so I couldn't' go down. It's always good to spend time with the girls. It also gives me a chance to do laundry without paying for it!

Another good thing - I started taking a TRX class this week. I thought I liked boot camp? I like TRX too. I am intending to get certified to teach the classes so that would be a plus (more opportunity to work out and earn money at the same time!).

Next good thing? I was contacted to schedule an interview to be part of the Artist Mentor Pool for the new Low Residency MFA program at SAIC (where I went to school). I am going to think positively about it all... it's nice to get the interview - luckily I got my hair done today so I will look good via Skype next week!

Tomorrow I am heading down to Olympia to attend my nephew's dance recital. I am looking forward it. It takes me back to when I had dance recitals. Those were the good days - dancing, wearing costumes, having a good time.

Overall this weekend is going well and there is still one more day!

I guess that's it for now.

Yay.

Quick Check In!

Things are going well. I have started teaching at a new club - Tricycle Fitness on 80th and 15th NE.
I took my first TRX Class this morning. OUCH!

I am getting things lined up for Vermont.

I feel good!

Jen Towner Karaoke

Jen Towner Colonial Wig Planking