Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Just a few pics from last year. Jessi I couldn't find one of you:( Sorry it must not be on the comp. yet I know it is on a disc somewhere I'll add as I go. Enjoy Pics blog follows after.Wow what an amazing snowfall we've had! I was in Seattle for the first of it and it makes you appreciate people who are not affraid to drive in the snow. I could not believe people just parking their cars on I5 and walking back!Then the intelligence of people driving around barracades and trying to get on the freeway after it was blocked off and my favorite people not willing to walk back but, hey they have a great idea driving backwards on the freeway to get off!!! Oh, the calamity, I sat at my hotel room working on my computer and watching reports from Spokane and the Seattle area on tv. Luckily I had gone to IKEA the night before and bought a few snacks. I took a few things from the breakfast bar in the am too. So, I would not have to be on the streets with people driving with their slick tires on??? Any more than I needed to because I had to return my rental car that day as well. I also had a cheese ball I had made for our office party that did not happen and some trisquits. I had a small party in my room by myself after a brief workout and had a few crackers and 4 pieces of my dark chocolate candy bar from IKEA.I was trying to decide if I needed to leave a day early but, all indications showed no way of catching a flight. So, I sat tight and went to the airport 2 1/2 hours early to check in thinking that's enough time. Yea, bearly I stood in line after pre-check in for over an hour and then security checkin was even longer. Thank goodness my flight hopme was delayed by an hour. Needless to say I made it home and the drive in was so much fun!!! I love driving in snow. So, I help[ed the guys with shoveling and I made a labrynth of sorts in the backyard for the two big dogs, Huney and Cara. It had twists turns and dead ends. Boy did they like being able to get out and run! Then Sunday I awoke to bronchittis! Geesh is this enough or what. So, I missed another Morning with Martin due to illness! Oh well. So it knocked me on my keester and I limped through the Christmas eve baking freenzy. I only did maybe 1/3 of what I usually do and some people missed out on Teddy Bear breads and cookies but, all understood and I did get some things done. We went out and looked at lights Christmas eve and came home. I still had all of Jay's stuff to wrap. So, I set in and finished at midnight. I was pretty wipped. But, Santa made a visit and we had a great low key day. Lots of gifts and surprises.I hope this is not a downer to read but, I just have been able to do a thing. So, thought I'd catch you all up and say Merry Christmas late and a Happy New Year to all! 2009 is going to be interesting. I have decided I will not be doing the Polar Plunge for the first time in 6 years. I just don't think my health is worth it. I have 5 MONTHS to IRONMAN!!! I'm freaking out a bit because right now I'm not ready. But, I know I will be as soon as I can breathe when I run without coughing up a lung lol....This New Year is bringing a lot of change for many many people I know. It will be and adventure from start to finish. A new African American President and First Family! Ryan graduates from High School! Jay and I are doing our first IM event and the list goes on and on......May this New Year bring Happiness and Joy but, most of all Health and safety for all of us and my friends know from which I speak/write. I look forward to new relationships arising, old friendships solidified and growing, progress and growth for each of us and our country, the never ending endevour of educating of ourselves, finding our fortitude and strength in one another, finding strength and speed in places we never imagined, accomplishing goals and finding new hights in which to reach for but, most importantly Peace and Safety for our world an end to a long fought battle and the bringing home of our young men and women and the not so young as well who have sacrificed themselves so we would remain free of tyrants and people so caught up in themselves that they forgot to be thankful for what it is that they have not what it is that they do not have.I am blessed to have a body to exercise with that will allow me to do the things I desire, and remind me that all that I desire to do can I do without work and time. Patience is not an easy thing but, I learn more and more about it as I grow. Thank you to all my family especially Jay, 21 years of being together!!! I can't believe it babe where did it all go? It's only been ten years I swear! Ryan you are a constant joy and bright light in my life, I am so happy with your progress and your persistance about virtues and friendships and relationships that you uphold despite what pressure there is for you to do things you shouldn't, I can't believe you will be 18 in less than a month! It was not that long ago that we brought you home and you fell asleep on my chest and I thought this would last forever and low and behold you grew up! You little stinker:) I look forward to continue watching you grow in leaps and bounds, I know you will find your path just believe in yourself, To my friends in Tri-Fusion and beyond thank you for your constant support and love. I hope I can give it back to you ten fold! Look out world Here we come!!!

Finding Time and the "flu"

So, we went to our first ever " Evening with Martin"! I forgot how hard it is being in the pool with others swimming around you and waves crashing in as you breathe. It was sooo much fun. We were so tired. Then about 2:30 Friday morning I started the throwing up and sittin on the pot ritual of the dreaded flu. It came on like gang busters and held until Sunday. Tummy is still quezzy but, that's life.We will be going again this Thursday at the Valley OZ. Can't wait!I love the feeling after a hard swim and how your body just gets relaxed and happy and tired all at once. My arms were screaming at me but, that's part of the fun. and I learned how to do a proper breast stroke. That only took a life-time to learn but, hey it's never too late to learn a new stroke.Our family loves this time of season and it's so steeped in tradition. I love it. We're a bit behind the decorating scene because of my illness last weekend. But, we will get stuff out this weekend and enjoy it.We have our new training schedule and have our bike trainers and cross training built in. Bummer part is no Phoenix. Jay's still hurt and can't get in to see a doctor until the end of January for that dang leg. He's struggling a bit but, he's strong and determined and I know his get up and go will kick it in to gear real soon.I head back to Seattle next week for 2 1/2 days wed eve till early fri. am. Christmas parties with the new office staff and trying not to offend others by not taking goodies is hard. I explain but, then it feels like I'm bragging and I feel bad because I don't want to send a mixed message to the new relationships I'm developing. Oh the fun that ensues. I hope this blog finds you all well and happy. Falling into your family traditions and holiday moods. May the joy of this season bring you all happiness and reflections of joy and comfort for all that you hold dear and for all those we miss that have moved on from our time here with them.I am so thankful for our home and our jobs and the stability it provides us in this time of instability and ever changing economy. The love of my guys and my pupoles (dogs) and my mom and friends. This year has been a whirl wind of change and growth in all ways. I can hardly wait for the snow!!! I hope we get 3 ft!!!! I love playing in it and sledding sounds like so much fun. I will leave you with a small reflection of two stories in my life with snow and my guys.1). Jay and I had been married 1 1/2 years so Dec.1989. I had been laid-off from my job at a local cafeteria where I was a line cook and dishwasher. Jay too was laid-off and we were spending every waking moment together. It was a dream we'd stay up late at night reading or playing Nintendo usually Mario Brothers. The snow had been falling and we were watching it come down. It was late or early depending on how you looked at it. 1200 midnight. The snow was falling in big fluffy flakes and we were living in an older neighborhood on the south hill. The snow was fluffy and white and the sky cleared with the moon shinning Britte through the tree limbs in the front of our apartment complex ( a house turned into apartments with 5 tenants.) we lived upstairs and it had a loft area that we used as an extra room. It wasn't finished but, it worked well for friends that wanted to stay the night. Our living room was two bedrooms that had been joined together it was moderate in size. Jay and I had our First ever Christmas tree (our first Christmas we went to his folks so we decided not to have one, That has not happened since) this tree was a charlie Browne look a-like. It was so sparse and we had to wire it to the wall to keep our 2 kittens from knocking it over. There were some old ornaments and lights that really should not have been on a tree. We stopped to look outside and we both looked at each other and smiled; it was a race to see who could get their shoes on first and to run down the stairs to the big old porch! When we got outside the smell of fresh snow and cold air wafted our faces and filled our senses. I don't know who threw the first snow ball but, I remember getting white washed and making snow angels. Giggling in the front yard like delighted little kids. Hearing the snow crunch as we walked, laying on our backs looking in the sky, holding hands and enjoying a sweet tender kiss in our snow illuminated background and neighborhood. I'm sure we woke a neighbor or two but, no one complained and I will never forget that night.2). Jay and I had move to Clarkston and we had ALWAYS made sure to have a standing arrangement with our boss. The First snow of the season was a day when we both called off from work and kept Ryan home from pre-school or school and played all day. We were living on Reservoir Rd in the Heights. Ryan was 4 and full of life. We had received our first snow and as dutiful parents we called off from work and I stayed home from school. We went in and woke Ryan up and went and played in our yard in our pj's and when we started to get cold we came back in and had hot chocolate and pancakes for breakfast then we took Ryan to a park in Lewiston to sled. We were their a good three hours running and playing on the best hill we could find. The next day I had a test at school to finish up for the winter break. I went and picked Ryan up at pre-school and when we got home we made snowballs and played some more. Jay was going to be home after work and I had a crazy idea. Ryan and I made a bunch of snowballs and hid them behind the shrubs in our front yard. When we thought he was going to be home we went outside and hid. It must not have been 10 minutes or less and Jay pulled into the driveway. I was having to keep Ryan quiet he was trying not to giggle so daddy wouldn't hear us. WE had come up with a signal which I don't recall but, as Jay was walking the path to the house Ryan and I ambushed him with snowballs and we got whitewashed.... recurring theme here. We all laughed for hours then our neighbors joined in a little. What great memories I love this stuff you can't make things up like this ya know.Have a great week I'll try to keep things up better before Christmas. Happy Holidays!