Dana Burland

Wahoo! Big, BIG home projects are going on over here. We’re replacing almost all the flooring on the main level of our house, which spiraled to include new bathroom vanities, which spiraled to include a backsplash replacement, which opened the door for new under cabinet lighting, which is absolutely positively where the list needs to end (but will it?!). The carpet and tile will turn to luxury vinyl plank. The vanities will become newer versions. The new backsplash will be small, marble herringbone tiles. Future State:    Right now just about everything is gone. We’re down to the subfloors and drywall. Layers of design choices past have been unearthed. Little surprises have bubbled up and needed resolve. It’s all been par for the home construction course. C has been excited by the work– WHAT?! A big garbage trailer on the driveway!? WHAT?! They threw our bathroom sink away!? When I explained to him his room was staying the same, but I needed to borrow a little space to st...

Waving hello to you from under a heated blanket with chlorine wet hair and perma-sore legs. There’s been a lot of swimming, biking and running going on in my world lately. I’m training for a triathlon! I’m just entering week 3 of an 8 week training plan, and feeling the burn for sure. I decided my 35th birthday gift to myself would be registration for the sprint event of the Grand Rapids Triathlon. I first, and last, did this event in 2016 . Six years and two kids ago for anyone counting. (I’m definitely counting.) I’ve been in need of a good personal challenge. Maybe a bit in need of visiting the pre-kid version of myself, too, and remembering I’m no less capable, strong, determined and excited in 2022 than I was in 2016. Training so far is going… swimmingly! (Sorry) It’s a lot, for sure. I’ll swim for about 45 minutes, either over lunch break on a day I’m working from home or during nap time on weekends. I’ll bike for 45-60+ minutes–sometimes at 5am at the YMCA, sometimes ou...