Saying goodby to my best buddy

Today was a hard day. After a lot of great years, we had to put Luke to sleep. He became sick a few months ago but was holding his own and doing well. Unfortunately, he got much worse this weekend and went downhill fast. This morning I knew it was time, when Shawn got home he agreed. We were able to stay with him until the end and for a few minutes after. My heart has a hole but it was the right thing to do.

Week One

This is a big week and it's not really over yet. It's the official start of Ironman training. It really hasn't been long hours of training or anything but to go from zero activity to having workouts everyday (sometimes two a day), is a lot. A funny thing happens to me when I kick-start my body with exercise. I get hungry. Ravenously hungry. My hunger kicked in on Wednesday evening. I think I've been eating ever since. Remember as a kid when Fred and Wilma Flintstone go to the drive-in restaurant and they order the HUGE rack of ribs that tips over their car... I could eat that. And I really don't like ribs (don't get me started on the whole bone-in-meat thing).



I've realized that the next few months are going to be a long, hard road but the end-goal is worth it so I'll suffer in silence (unless of course I vent here, which I will do) and know that I will get through it unscathed. And hopefully with the addition of an ab or two.

Not much else. More to come later. Until then, I'll be planning my next meal.

Welcome to the Twenty Ten.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Christmas was awesome. We spent Christmas in Arkansas and had a blast. And I got an awesome new cookbook which will yield some wonderful meals and I'm sure a few kitchen disasters. As they happen, you will hear. Trust me. I've been known to set off the smoke detectors.

I can't believe it's already January 2010. I'm really not a sentimental person or have emotional attachments to the passage of time but I'm really looking forward to 2010.

Let's just say that 2009 was filled with ups and downs. The ups were awesome. The downs really sucked. And climbing out of life's emotional holes takes a toll on ya. But I'm 'super-Pollyanna' optimistic of what 2010 has in store. Here's what you all will be hearing lots about over the next several months.

IRONMAN!!!

It's hard to believe that Ironman Coeur d' Alene is just 5 months and 25 days away. I remember signing up a year ago. I was sitting on the couch completing the online entry form. Sweating. Sweating so bad my palms were wet. When I hit submit and received the confirmation I thought I was going to have a panic attack. I'm still really nervous. And excited. And anxious. And overwhelmed with what completing that race will require. But I also look forward to crossing the finish line. It's a moment I look forward to and the moment that will get me through all the upcoming early mornings, late nights, long weekend workouts, cold, wind, rain, and persevering for 13, 14+ hours on race day. More to come on that. I promise. Training officially starts January 4. Enjoying the last two days of laziness.

An End to Homelessness
My living situation has been less than ideal this year. But Shawn and I are on our way to building our home. At this point we are waiting on the final financing paperwork and we close in a few weeks. Then the build commences. I promise lots of posts on the house. There will be a zillion things to pick out and I will need thoughts and opinions. Here is the latest concept. There will be some tweaks to the design but nothing major.


I have a few other things to look forward to but I'm keeping them to myself since they are more personal and just things I need to do to become a better friend, companion, and passenger on life's journey.

That's all for now. Happy New Year.