So much has been going on lately. I feel like I live my life according to colored time blocks on my iPhone. If it's not scheduled, it's just not going to get done. I've even had to start blocking out my schedule for personal things like working out and eating lunch. I don't know how or why life has gotten so busy but here's hoping it slows down soon.
Training is going well. The big training starts 20-weeks prior to the race. My 20-weeks out schedule started February 7. So far it's not bad but no more slacking. Time to get serious. It's hard to leave the house so early, come home 9:00 at night, eat, and get ready to do it all over again. And spending time with Shawn and friends is limited (like right now he's sleeping on the couch next to me but it's the only time we've been together today and he's not even awake for it). All the more reason to make sure we have time together and to make the most of those moments.
Last weekend was an adventure. For Christmas this year I offered my nephews a trip in lieu of gifts they don't really need. I thought a trip would be fun and the memories lasing a lifetime. They decided they wanted to go skiing. They have never been before so not only was this or first trip but it was also a skiing lesson. First off, I haven't been on skis in 15 years. Luckily, it's like riding a bike. In no time at all I was ready for the diamond runs. Both the kids picked it up quick and by the afternoon we were on the intermediate slopes. We did cut it short on Sunday and came home early. It was really cold, started to get windy, and we all had enough by that time.
Last week we also closed on the house. The house on the property will be torn down within in the next week or two. It's already been gutted, utilities disconnected, and the necessary trees toppled. Behold our "new house." The inside is just nasty. It was a rental property for years and looked it.
Shawn and I just locked the exterior elevation this evening. The materials that will be used on the exterior are still TBD but it will be a combination of stucco, wood, and white/light tan-ish color bricks stacked with no grout lines. I'm really excited and like where we've ended up.
Not sure when we can pour the slab. Mother Nature has not been kind so we need to wait for the rain, snow, sleet, and ice to stop long enough for us to pour a slab and start construction.
Lastly, and I'm excited about this, I pack up and head off to Amsterdam this Sunday. The 2010 creative for one of my accounts requires us to shoot on location in Amsterdam. It's going to be super-busy week shooting day and night but hopefully we'll have some down time. I'd like to see the Van Gogh museum and swing by the Ann Frank house. I'll take lots of pics and post them as soon as I can. I was hoping Shawn could get off work and meet me there for a few days but he can't get any time off. I'm sad but will have to have enough fun for both of us.
That's it for now. More to come.
