My new ride

I have had my new Honda Element for 2 days now. I really, really, like it. It is fun to drive, but it is super comfortable. I love that it is so sporty, yet the interior feels very plush.

I have a full navigation system (I don't even know how to use is yet, but it's cool!), a removable cooler between the front seats, a leather wrapped steering wheel with controls for the radio on it, a back up camera (it doesn't work so well in the rain - trust me), and the rear seats flip up out of the way for full doggie access. I like that the doors open 90 degrees with the rear door opening toward the back of the car. I like the clam shell rear door. It opens with a short tailgate that the pups can easily jump on to get in the truck. And, I absolutely adore the color!!! It is so vibrant, so warm, and so me!! I have even personalized it already. Bill gave me two chrome features for the truck - a Georgia Bulldawg mascot and a silhouette of a dog. I also bought myself a sticker that says Peace, Love, and Running.

I just want to so for a ride now!!

It Can Only Get Better

Well, 2009 didn't exactly start the way I had hoped it would.

I ate a lunch of tacos at my desk on December 31. I started feeling poorly not too soon after that lunch. But, I had work to do, and I worked through it (until 5:30 I may add). Finally, it was time to leave and enjoy the start of a brand new year.

We met our friends at their place for a trip to a local restaurant. We were going to enjoy a six course meal with a live band, party favors, and a champagne toast at midnight. I made it through the appetizer course with no problem. The soup was very good. Things started getting worse when the salad was brought to the table. By the time that was finished, I asked the waitress to please pack my entree in a to go box. Unfortunately, it was too late to keep the secret from the rest of my party, especially when I had to leave the table at the sight and smell of their dinners.

We left the restaurant shortly thereafter. After dropping off our friends, I had to ask Bill to pull over to the side of the road where I left the dinner I was able to eat (Maggy - sound like someone you know? I think I was channeling Mom!) We made it home at about 11:00 pm.

I was upset at letting our friends down and wasting money on a big dinner I could not eat. Luckily, I felt much better after our pit stop by the road. In the end, we lay in our bed with Misty and Lily and watched the ball drop from Times Square.

It was not the way I had planned to ring in the New Year, but I was with my family - the person and the canines I love the most. It wasn't ideal, but it was pretty nice.

My List - A Year in Review

At some point this year, my dear husband came up with an idea that we (meaning our close friends and us-6 people) should come up with a list of 50 things we want to do before we die. He thought it would be a good idea for us to compare the things on our lists, and then we would have an idea what we could do as a group. The idea never really took off, but I did write my own list. I came up with 34 things so far on the list. I have crossed 5 things off that list to date.

This year I ran a half marathon. Actually, I ran two half marathons. I am already signed up to run two more in 2009 as well as a 20k. Will running a marathon make my list now? Yes, I think it might.

I also accomplished a triathlon this year. As of yesterday, I am an official member of The USA Triathlon Association. I see more tris in my future...

Take a yoga class has been completed many, many times this year. I have truly enjoyed my Yoga for Athletes class this year with Sage Rountree (see her blog in my favorites list) and I will continue to be a student of hers for long after 2009 ends.

We did adopt a shelter dog this year (well, actually 2 of them!) It was an unexpected thing this year, but it is something I am so glad we did. Misty and Lily are not perfect, but they make me smile and fill my heart with love every single day (just like hubby does).

I fired a gun this year. I can say it was my least favorite item on the list. I am glad I did it, but I don't think guns are for me. I don't know, maybe it is something I need to try again.

Well, that's 5 things, but the year isn't quite over yet. Tonight, I will drink 2 beers at the Flying Saucer. With those two drinks finished, I will have completed the 200 I need to earn a plate on the wall. By tomorrow morning, #23 should also be crossed off the list.

And a Very Merry Christmas to all!!

Merry Christmas, everyone!! What a whirlwind these last 2 days have been.

Tuesday was my first day off work (woo hoo - off for 6 days!) and the main day to get stuff done. We shopped for the last minutes gifts (Target was having computer problems and could not take credit cards - can you believe it?!?!) and groceries for Christmas Eve.

Yesterday was the big family day. Bill's parents, both his sisters, and their combined 3 children came over for dinner. It sure is something to have children in your house when you aren't used to it. The little one (1 year old) howled and cried for about 2 hours and 45 minutes. At least he was in a pack and play. Poor kid - I felt really bad for him, nothing seemed to make him happy. The older two boys had a grand time. They played with all of hubby's stuff in his office, and each received a special plane as a gift. We all sat down to dinner (under cooked beef tenderloin that we had to finish cooking in a saute pan - it turned out great, though) and dessert, and did really enjoy the meaning of the season - family. I made a gingerbread cake that rocked for dessert. Soon, everyone was on the way back to grandma and grandpa's house to wait for Santa. Peace returned to our home.

Today, we have relaxed and enjoyed the beauty of Christmas. We walked the pups (it's their first Christmas!) and came home for breakfast. We opened our stocking as is my family tradition before eating some kick butt breakfast casserole and having our coffee. Now, we are getting ready to sit by the tree and open our presents. We scaled back this year, but we will still have fun. I love to surprise hubby with gifts. It is better to give rather than receive.

Later today, we are off to the in-laws for a big traditional Christmas dinner and more gifts and good cheer. It's days like these that make you realize how lucky you are. I am very lucky indeed.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, ONE AND ALL!!!!

It's Beer Wednesday!!

Bill and I are going to The Flying Saucer tonight. We have been to the Sauce many times, but this feels special. I guess it feels so good because we have not been doing it regularly.

Ever since the pups arrived, I don't like to be out multiple times a week. I feel like it is unfair to them if we are gone all the time. Also, they are pretty darn cool, so I like to be around them as much as possible.

It feels like Bill and I are actually grown-ups going out for the evening. I can't wait to get my hands on a nice cold beer. It will be so sweet. I really need to work on my plate - I don't even remember how many I have to go, but I think it is about 30. I will be so glad to kick back and relax with our good friends in our place. I just hope it is as good as I remember.

The Weekend Ahead

Boy, oh, boy, do we have a busy weekend ahead!

Tomorrow morning, I will be running my longest distance ever - 16 miles! I am nervous, but I have been training for this day. I think I will be just fine. I learned a lot last week after suffering from heat exhaustion. I got a little light headed and stopped sweating right after 10 miles last weekend. I will be better prepared tomorrow. I have been hydrating for the past 2 days, and I will be filling my water bottles at every stop tomorrow morning. Bill is also running. He expects to do 10-12 miles.

After the run, Bill may go to a car show. I will likely stay home. If I can move, I should really clean our house because it has been a long time since it has been done. I have not been carrying my weight at home and I need to get some stuff done.

At 4pm, we take the pups to their training class. After class we need to go pick up the packet for Bill's race on Sunday. He is running less mileage Saturday to conserve energy for a triathlon. He will be participating the the UNC Super Sprint for the second year in a row.

So, after Bill's triumphant race on Sunday, we may go to Raleigh to enjoy the beer knurd brunch at The Flying Saucer. We have not been there for a few weeks, and we thought it would be a fun way to get the girls out to socialize. There is a nice deck at The Sauce, and dogs are frequent guests there.

Sunday night we have the concert - Journey, Heart, and Cheap Trick. It should be a great night of music.

So much to do in just 2 short days. Not to worry, we should be able to sleep on the 17th!!

Another Lost

This morning, we received a beautiful note from our neighbors informing us that their dog, Barley, passed away yesterday.

Barley was the sweetest girl. She always had a tail wag for you if she saw you in the yard, no matter how bad she felt. She may have been stiff and sore, but she would get up and wag her tail until you came to her.

I know our friends are hurting. Barley was 14 years old, and they had her since she was a puppy. The dog has been a part of their lives since before they were married.

My only solace is that Barley is not in pain anymore. She is running free and happy with Sammy now. I bet they are chasing each other and enjoying the wonderful treats in Heaven.

There is a wonderful poem about losing pets. It has made me feel better, but it also makes me cry. If you have never seen it, please read The Rainbow Bridge.

So much for best behavior

Well, our dogs seem to be settling in the house. Last night, they were calm and relaxed. We thought that we adopted two chilled out little doggies. Tonight is a whole other ball game.

Little Lily is an instigator. She loved to pounce on Misty. They will go at it and wrestle each other like crazy. They are good about it. They don't really run, but just jump on each other. They have done that several times tonight. We introduced them to their new back yard, and they went at it. They were running and wrestling all over the place. The wrestling continued inside, then a nap, and then more wrestling. We thought they were burnt out, but they started up again. Poor Bill is exhausted, so he and Lily are in the master bedroom. Misty is here with me as I type. We hope breaking them up will allow them to relax a bit. I don't need much sleep, but I sure hope I don't wake up to wrestling at 3 am.

And Then There Were Four

So much has changed in the 5 days since my last post.

When I last wrote, I was still devastated by the loss of Sammy. Things have gotten better. Sammy came home last Thursday. We placed her ashes in her room, on the bed she loved. It seemed that everything cam full circle. Bill and I cried as we sat on the bed with her, but we slept through the night that night. We have been sleeping well ever since. Now, we can remember Sammy with good memories and no more tears.

The house has been so empty, that we decided we wanted to adopt another dog. We looked on line at the local animal shelter and saw many great dogs. We tossed around the idea, but still wondered if it was too soon and if we were cheapening Samantha's memory. We decided to visit the shelter on Monday.

I am happy to report that our visit to the SPCA of Wake County was a wonderful success. The facility was wonderful, and so were the volunteers. We had great dealings with the people in the kennels and the adoption counselors. We just didn't know if we should move forward.

I am happy to report that we now have 2 dogs living under our roof with us. Misty is a 2 year old German Shepard mix, and Lily is a 9 month old lab mix. The girls arrived today, and Bill and I have been amazed at how wonderful they have been so far. They have adjusted to their forever home very well. We will all sleep well tonight.

Mamma Mia! What a weekend...

So, this weekend was our fall back weekend. We gained an hour on Sunday, so why does it feel like this weekend was so short??

Bill and I had dinner with friends on Friday. I had attended a show with my office mate that evening that featured hand made glass. The artist blows the glass, then makes jewelry, decorative balls, or vases. I got a lovely pair of earrings that are silver with clear and frosted glass. After the show, we met up for dinner. It was nice to be able to do something with my colleague outside of work. She and her husband invited us to their home after dinner. It was nice to see her house after we have spent many hours talking about design and decorating.

On Saturday, Bill, Samantha, and I went to a charity dog walk. We did a 2 mile fun walk and raised money for The Animal Protection Society. It was a lovely weekend, so it was great to be outside. We even won this huge outdoor dog bed in a raffle. We think we are going to donate it back to the APS. Saturday evening, we went to see the play "Mamma Mia!". The musical is based on the songs of ABBA. I loved it!! I think "Dancing Queen" is one of my all time favorite songs. Bill said he would have preferred a musical based on the works of AC/DC. We went to The Sauce after the play for a few beers, so I think he was OK.

Sunday went by so quickly, I can't even tell you what we did. We did watch the movie "The Number 23". It was strange, but I liked it. Jim Carrey is kind of cool when he is not being an over the top clown.

The weekend went by too quickly. When is the next one?

Marbury: 'Dogfighting is a sport'

Needless to say, when I saw this headline from the AP in my sports section this morning, I was pretty miffed. How could anyone claim dogfighting is a sport?

Stephon Marbury of the New York Knicks defended Michael Vick in his dogfighting case. Of course, if you read the article, the quote was taken just a little bit out of context. Marbury actually said, "You know, from what I hear, dogfighting is a sport." Still, who the heck is Marbury talking to? Members of the Coalition for Dog Massacre? Sport Watchers for Canine Blood?

I'm sorry, but watching two dogs fight to the death is not a sport. It is mean, sadistic, and cruel. There is no way around it. Training animals to go after one another and teaching them to be aggressive is wrong. It is sick and perverted. It has absolutely nothing to do with sportsmanship. I, for one, hope that Mr. Vick has many years in prison to think about what he has done. And if he has to fight to the death with a fellow inmate named Chainsaw in the prison yard, that's fine by me. After all, it's just a sport.