• Home
  • Blog
  • CBD
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Balancing Today

Learning To Balance It All

  • Ashley’s Life
  • Around DC
  • Motherhood
  • Self Care
  • Work-Life Balance
  • Fitness and Workouts
  • Weight Loss

in Travel

A Rainy Gameday

Saturday Recap

After rolling out of bed this morning at 8AM, I joined Neal and his parents for breakfast at a new restaurant in town.   I had ever intention of going for a run this morning, but when my alarm went off at 6:30AM I had a terrible headache.  I’m sure the run would have done me good, but I took some advil and slept a little longer.

The restaurant we went to had just about largest breakfast menu I’d ever seen, but I knew I’d need something hearty to tie me over for the University of Iowa vs. Tennessee Tech football game.  For breakfast I ordered a vegetable and ham scramble which included mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, and ham.  Instead of toast I ordered an English muffin on the side, which was delicious!  With a hearty breakfast an a few cups of coffee in my belly, I was ready to hit the road with Neal.

Now I knew there was a chance of rain today, but Neal and I weren’t expecting severe thunderstorms and downpours.  It was pouring when we hit the road… which wasn’t ideal for an football game.

When Neal and I arrived in Iowa City, there were swarms of people walking towards the stadium in their ponchos.  There were also plenty of people braving the elements and just wearing their hawkeye attire. We were in an absolute downpour on our way to the stadium and it continued as we found our seats.

As the rains let up towards the end of the second quarter, I snapped a few quick pictures of Kinnick Stadium.  I love watching Iowa games each weekend, but there’s just something special about being at the game with Neal.  To hear the cheers, to see the crowds, and to watch the swarms of people in black and gold is just thrilling… and Neal is always super happy.

We made it through half time without any rain, but within minutes of the third quarter starting the rains returned.  Now we thought it was pouring in the first half, but nothing will compare to the rain that came down during the third quarter.  The rain was cold and it hit you like a paint ball.  The stadium also became very dark and I just knew a serve thunderstorm was upon us.  About 10 minutes later the referees called for a delay of game due to lightening, so we headed to the stadium concourse.

Neal and I waited out the rain for about 40 minutes before deciding to head on home.  Although we wanted to see the last quarter, we were soaking wet and I was freezing.

Iowa did resume play about 30 minutes later and beat Tennessee Tech 34-7!!  Although the rain wasn’t ideal, it was a really fun game and Iowa looked great!  I also had a wonderful time with Neal and really treasured that time with him.

Sunday Funday

Tomorrow is our last full day in Iowa and although I hope to relax, I do have a little to do list…

  1. 3 mile run with Neal
  2. Graduate homework
  3. Workout planning for next week
  4. Meal planning for next week
  5. Organize graduate work for next week

Thrilling, I know, but I’ll feel so much better going into the week if I have everything organized.

I hope everyone has a great Sunday!

Is there anything y’all would like me to blog about now that you’ve been able to get to know me a little bit?

Related Posts

  • Black Friday FootballBlack Friday Football
  • Adventures in Los AngelesAdventures in Los Angeles
  • Whirlwind in NebraskaWhirlwind in Nebraska
  • DowntimeDowntime
  • An Impulse Trip to CharlottesvilleAn Impulse Trip to Charlottesville
« A Proud Hawkeye!
First Taste of Fall »

let’s connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Categories

Archives

More about Ashley

I'm Ashley, a full-time working mom who lives in the Washington, DC area. Balancing Today is all about learning to balance family, work, wellness, and most of all, life's simple joys! Read More!

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Looking for something?

Start a side business for YOU! Start a side busin Start a side business for YOU! Start a side  business to invest in YOURSELF! Start a side business to make YOUR own money! Start a side business because YOU want the joy that comes from helping others! 

Investing in yourself and joining Green Compass could truly be the best decision you ever make for yourself. Is it normal to be scared, nervous, and even insecure before starting a side business? 100%! What I can reassure you is that I’m going to help you every step of the way! You will have a mentor, a friend, a business partner, and a cheerleader from the moment you message me! 

If additional income would help you, let’s talk. If a community of friends would help you, let’s talk. 

Take a leap! I’m here for YOU!!
One thing on my heart is to start each week with a One thing on my heart is to start each week with a reading. To take a few moments to sit, to take weight off my shoulders, and to focus on my root, heart, and crown. 

Crown Card (top) represents the part of me that wants to reach beyond myself. It can give you an idea of how to serve others✨The Stone - “The stone tethers us to Earth, helping to ground and connect us to stillness, quiet, and peace. 

Heart Card (middle) represents what is currently residing in my heart and tells of deep longing, calling, or conflict✨The Prayer - “Prayer leads us beyond our ego. We are in a state of prayer any time we are not the center of our own thoughts.”

Root Card (bottom) represents my grounding and current state✨The Shaman - “This card reminds us that the force of healing is ultimately not our own. We must shape it and share it with the world.”
Starting the week off with some fresh flowers. The Starting the week off with some fresh flowers. They bring me joy, make me happy, and bring life to my desk. Is there something you do for your work space/home environment that brings you joy each week?
Today I created a vision board!! More on Balancing Today I created a vision board!! More on BalancingToday.com
Woof, what a weird, sad, depressing, and confusing Woof, what a weird, sad, depressing, and confusing first week of the year. 

To focus on the good, I took care of myself this week. I did multiple meditations, took time to be outside, made realistic to do lists, established boundaries to give myself space, celebrated my daughter’s thriving in their first week back to virtual learning post break, and focused on the things I love. 

One moment I treasure each work day are those first 15 minutes. I look out the window, drink my coffee, and make a list of everything on my mind (Brain Dump). It gives me clarity, focus, and just a moment for ME. Before meetings, before projects, before serving others, I take a moment for ME! 

What did you do for YOU this week?
A quick walk between meetings on this “winter/no A quick walk between meetings on this “winter/not winter” day. Who else is ready for snow!?!
One thing on my heart is to start each week with a One thing on my heart is to start each week with a reading. To take a few moments to sit, to take weight off my shoulders, and to focus on my root, heart, and crown. 

Crown Card (top) represents the part of me that wants to reach beyond myself. It can give you an idea of how to serve others✨The Desert - embrace discomfort to tap into potential energy. 

Heart Card (middle) represents what is currently residing in my heart and tells of deep longing, calling, or conflict✨The Flame - A desire to reignite a fire inside no matter how harshly the winds blow.

Root Card (bottom) represents my grounding and current state✨The Hunter - Focused and energized. On a mission!
Last January I just felt awful. Seasonal depressio Last January I just felt awful. Seasonal depression was on the horizon, there weren’t things to look forward to, and little did I know a global pandemic was around the corner. I keep saying 2020 was the year I needed to turn things around, and I mean it. I found CBD, which helped my anxiety/stress/depression, I was blessed with more time with my family, I moved more, and I lost weight. It has been really good for me to open up to my needs and to allow change to happen. I continue to work on being MY best self, which is a battle as I’ve spent so much of my life trying to be better for others. It’s a shift I’m here for! Really looking forward to today and the days ahead.
A fresh start. One of the many reasons I love new A fresh start. One of the many reasons I love new years. Today I opened my new (and first) Archetypes deck, which brought lots of joy. I started with an interview, getting to know the deck, and then did a reading for 2021. I’ve always loved Tarot cards and knew I wanted my own (thanks, Neal!). This is The Wild Unknown Archetypes Deck and it’s just beautiful ❤️
I am so thankful for this year. The lessons learne I am so thankful for this year. The lessons learned, the challenges, and the great slow down. I needed this year and I do not want to go back to the life I had before March 13, 2020. I continue to pray that my family and friends around the globe remain healthy and that we’ll see each other again soon. I will never take them or our time together for granted again. 2021, let’s go!

Copyright © 2017 · Balancing Today is running the Genesis Framework using the Market theme and is powered by Accelerated WP.