An Open-Mic Proposal

Early in July, David and I found out that his brother was ready to propose and it came with a plan. He wanted to propose while singing a song at an open-mic night on an upcoming Friday. Luckily a nearby coffee shop was having an open mic-night in two weeks, and so we set the date. We contacted the coffee shop so that we had a set spot, and then started practicing. He picked the song "Pistol" by Dustin Kensrue, and we decided that David would sing verse 1, I sing verse 2, and Dustin sings verse 3 where there is a line, "Darling, will you please wear this ring."

While the music was coming together, my brother-in-law asked if I could get a manicure with his future wife (she had chipped red and blue nails from the 4th of July). Since I normally don't get manicures I thought i'd need to slip it with another activity so it'd seem like a full out girls night instead of just, "Hey. You need a manicure." So, I suggested that we have a night of movies and mani's. The movies worked but not the mani! I ended up getting her to come over to our house for the movie and mani, which in a way was even better because we also ended up getting thai food and baking cookies! I successfully gave her a beautiful manicure only to find out an hour before the proposal that she took it off, because it smudged. Whew, well at least it was better than chipping patriotic nails! ;)

The time of our set came. Prior to us were guitars, mandolins, ukelele's, and even a bongo. There was a lot of people there and not just for us. Since we had time for only 3 songs and one would be a cover, we decided to make them all covers. We opened with "Rivers and Roads" by The Head and the Heart leading into "Pistol" and in celebration finished with the song "Sea of Love" by Phil Phillips.  When we started singing Pistol everything seemed normal. David played guitar, his brother played bass, and I was singing, but then Dustin started singing. His future-wife's face was priceless. She had no idea what was happening, but was really wondering why in the world he was singing. And when he put down his bass, pulled out a small box and walked over to her she was in a speechless state of shock. He got down on one knee and proposed. Everyone in the coffee shop was cheering them on and probably in total shock too.

She said yes, and never lost that smile.

Here's a video of the big moment:

Post by Dustin Smith.

Big Foot 10k Trail Run

Zooey, David, & Me at the finish line!

For the past few years, I have dreamed about someday participating in Big Foot State Park's sprint tri. I knew I had the running down, I knew I had the biking, it really was just the swimming I wasn't sure that I had down. As I was daydreaming and looking at Big Foot's website, I noticed that for the first time they had a 5k/10k trail run! I immediately booked a spot, and I'm proud to say I completed my first 10k trail run in June (yes, I know this post is late...).

The 10k was a great day for a run too. It happened to be the day after my husband's last day of grad school! So we celebrated by me running and spending the day out and about in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin (close by to Big Foot).

The run itself was challenging. It had been raining/sprinkling so it was sort of like a mud run in spots. There was grass, trail, dirt, mud, and hills.

Me & my girlfriends

The 5k was one loop and the 10k was two loops. Two of my girlfriends started the run with me. One was running the 5k (only one lap for her) and the other ran with her husband at one point. So I had split off from my friends, but I wanted to see how well I could do with my own pace. At one point a woman began running next to me. She greeted me and asked if it was ok if she runs with me (she thought I had a good pace). So we started running together and we both inspired each other. Sometimes I'd tell her that she's doing great and sometimes she'd tell me, "Come on! Keep up!" During the run, I found out that this was her first 10k trail run and she just turned 56 years old. What an inspiration! Right before the finish line was a big dirty mud covered hill that you just pushed through and sprinted to the line. As I was sprinting to the finish, I could hear my husband rooting for me and my little Zooey ringing a RAM Racing bell! I finished, I could breathe, and I was greeted with a friendly staff "good job" and a delicious bag of snacks and drink!

Looking back, this is a run that I'd like to race again. I'd also still like to someday participate in their sprint tri, but I'm simply happy that I finished my first 10k trail run! I'm hooked on trails now! :)

A Month of Many Hats

Looking back at this month, I realized that I've worn many hats. Besides being a wife, mother, children's librarian, and MiddleCoast artist; I've also been teaching art to kids at our local community college and a local art studio. The art teaching positions, however are/were just for the summer, and so I can get back to a more normal flow of life starting next Friday!

I'm hoping that after the classes are over I'll be able to keep up with my more normal MiddleCoastMommy posts!

Enjoy your July! XOXOX

A favorite photo of the month-Zooey sits in the middle

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A Year of Hairstyles

For the longest time people have always joked that every time they see me I have a different look or hairstyle. Yes, I do admit that I change my look or hairstyle quite often! I've always had fun switching up my looks whether it's color, cut, or style.

So just for fun here's a look at some styles I've done this past year! Do you have a favorite? :)

October 2013

December 2013

Late Winter 2014

March 2014

May 2014

Current (July 2014)

4th of July

Hope everyone had a lovely 4th of July filled with family, friends, good food and drinks!

Full Lotus

Full Lotus

Take a little time every day to relax and meditate even if it's a quick shower or walk around the block. Feel your breath travel through your body. Breathe starting from the crown of your head through your whole body and down to your toes. Let your breath wash through your body like a wave. Imagine the oxygen cleansing every inch of you, bringing purity and peace.

If you have time, the easy seated pose is a good start, and if you want more of a hip opening challenge try a half lotus or full lotus seating position.

Enjoy your TGIF yoga!

Namaste XOXO, MiddleCoastMommy