8/2/11 Inked!

Today was the day. The last day I will have two feet that look the same and the first day that I will have two feet that look different. I got a tattoo this afternoon. I was planning on going by myself since I had no idea who I would ask to come with me and just sit there for an hour. But Erin offered to come with me and drive me home so I didn’t have to be alone and so that I wouldn’t have to use my foot to drive. What a great friend! So I went to the shop and saw what Jeff had designed. I thought it looked good so he stenciled it on. They use medical ink on a piece of paper. He put something on my foot to help the ink transfer. I don’t know if it was just water or if it was a gel of some kind. He made sure everything was lined up just the right way before he stuck it on. I looked in the mirror to give it a final ok and then he got to work. Erin took some pictures of me while I was getting it done. He probably thought we were lame. The tattooing on the bone hurt a lot with my ankle bone being the worst. But the funny thing was that as soon as he lifted up the needle the pain went away. So at least there isn’t anything residual and it only lasted one hour. I did ok. I think it looks very pretty and I’m excited to have it. Jeff did a great job designing in based on what I told him I was looking for as a concept. And I’m glad it only lasted an hour.

I am thankful for my new tattoo.

kk

8/1/11 See Jane Run

Today I was able to get two runs in. I’m still training for the Hood to Coast relay that happens later this month and I need to start decreasing the time between my runs so I have an idea of what it will feel like to not have much rest. It doesn’t feel good, I can tell you that. But I did it and I didn’t throw up. I count that as a win.

I am thankful I got two runs in today.

kk

7/31/11 Owen

Today we went back to the park for the memorial service for the people in our family who have passed away and allow time for people to share memories of them. Mom led the service and we “sang” some song in Finnish. Then it was off to Ballard to visit with my dear friend Jennifer and her daughter Eloise and meet her newborn son, Owen. Jason and I visited with Jennifer while she held a sleeping Owen and Ethan read to Eloise. It was very nice to see her and her kids. I like Miss. Eloise a lot. We have fun playing. We were able to visit for about an hour before they had to get home for nap time. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to see them on this trip.

I am thankful for my visit with Jennifer, Eloise, and getting to meet Owen.

kk

7/30/11 Malen Family Reunion

Last night Ethan and I went to my grandparent’s house for pizza and sing-a-long for part one of the family reunion weekend. Jason arrived after driving up from filming so we all got to be there. Today was fun in the park day. We went to the rhododendron park over by my aunt and uncle’s house where we had the reunion the last time. We ate food and played lawn games. We had our photos taken and I think this year we didn’t have any crying kids which is pretty good. Then we got to do the scavenger hunt which was very fun. Mom, Barb, Ethan, Jason, and I were all on a team. We did not win, unfortunately, but we had a lot of fun running around. Then we drove to the church for dinner and auction. I came away with some fantastic socks from Nordstrom. Ethan won some of the kid’s auction items. He got a wooden train whistle and a remote control truck thing without the control so it just pushes around. He had a lot of fun. He definitely liked eating the m&m’s that were put out on the tables. He went around and got people’s autographs in his autograph book and played basketball with Jason outside while I was trying to win those socks! It was a long day for both of them (especially to hang out with someone else’s family for the first time for a full day) and they were pretty tired by the time we left but it was a very fun day all around.

I am thankful for my fun day at the family reunion.

kk

7/29/11 Gas Works

Jason left last night to head back home to Portland so that he could get up super early this morning to be on set for Leverage. I am glad that he is shooting the episode, but wish he could be here playing with me and Ethan. We had a day of fun planned. We went to Gas Works Park and watched sea planes land on the lake. We hiked to the top of a hill and played with the sundial. We took videos of each other acting as newscasters and sent them to Jason. Then we headed to the Troll under the Freemont Bridge. We ate lunch, and cupcakes, in Ballard and then walked to the park and played in the water. Then we went to the locks and watched the boats come in and looked at the fish ladder. We did a lot of playing and walking around and Ethan's feet were tired by the end of our day so we headed back to the hotel to rest before heading over to grandma and grandpa's. We went to the hotel pool last night but didn't have time to go again today. all in all we had a fun day.

I am thankful I got to go to Gas Works park and look at the beautiful city of Seattle.

kk

7/28/11 Pike Place Market

Today Jason, Ethan, and I drove to Seattle to get there a day early so we could explore Seattle before the family reunion this weekend. We had a good drive and arrived in downtown Seattle at the Pike Place Market for lunch. We watched them throw fish and looked at the beautiful flowers and interesting fruits, vegetables, and hand-made pastas. We watched a magician perform some tricks that blew Ethan away. We ate some Greek food in the park and watched the ferries crossing the water. We walked down to the waterfront and had some chowder in a sourdough bread bowl. We looked out at the mountains and water and boats and had a great time. We even went to the Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe and looked at the mummies and goofy stuff they had. And we found some interstate bingo car games that I bought for the car ride home. It was a gorgeous day and the sights were breathtaking. I am so glad that I could share my "home town" with them.

I am thankful for our day around Pike Place.

kk

7/27/11 EK

When we were younger, Erika and I were the best of friends. Yes, mom was teaching her how to say "no" to me since she would do whatever I asked her to do. But I didn't order her around like a slave. We played a lot. Mom would overhear Erika laughing a lot and then yell at me to leave her alone and Erika would have to tell her that we were playing and I wasn't bothering her. Man did I get a bad rap.

Anyway, we used to stand in the bathroom and watch ourselves in the mirror as I manipulated her hands to do all sorts of funny things like brush her hair or rub her face. We used to pass notes between our rooms and deliver them as the postal service. We played school and store. We made my room into one giant fort and spent the night on the floor. One of the times we had the most fun was when my dad had left a bag of his camping gear at our house. I'm not sure why or where he was but Erika and I had a photo shoot. We dressed in a bunch of his different camo gear and set up campsites in our backyard and pretended to be exploring the wilderness.

Today is Erika's birthday and I am very thankful for her.

kk