Kissin' Cousins

The saga of the Kissin' Cousins continues...

Cousin Stacey and Darling Jane came for a visit last week. Our days consisted of scrapbooking, Chick-fil-A, scrapbooking, a trip to the scrapbook store, and well... more scrapbooking.

And as for those cute little children of ours... we just let them play, and play they did!!

But here's the deal.

That Carson and that Jane.

They seriously have the most amazing relationship I know.

They are cousins.

They are friends.

They respect each other.

They take toys from each other.

They make each other laugh.

They make each other laugh hysterically.

The conversation went something like this:

CARSON: You pooped in your pants!!

Baaahhhhhhahahahahahahahahah

JANE: No, you pooped in your pants!!!

Bawaaaaahhhhhhahahahahahahahahah!!

CARSON: Brady pooped in his pants!!

Hahahahahaaaaaahahahahahaa!!

JANE: Carson, you pooped in your pants!!

Baaahhhhhaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahaha!!

You get the idea... But really, this conversation and constant laughter went on for no less than 30 minutes.

They LOVE each other.

Newman the Dog

There once was a dog named NewMAN,

Who lived an the city of San Fran.

He was a beautiful black lab,

Whose laid back demeanour was quite fab.

His home on top of a hill in Ashbury Heights,

With an amazing view of the big city lights.

While Brian was in the Big Apple, and Jen at work all day,

In bed with me, Newman did lay.

We left Newman at home while we went to give support,

To Grace who was having back surgery of some sort.

Good new is, the surgery went well,

As for her recovery, only time will tell.

Back to the house to check on the dog,

We took sweet Newman for a walk in the fog.

A trip to the park so Newman could poop,

We waited and waited, ready to scoop.

This is when it became quite apparent,

That Steve wanted to be his honorary Godparent.

Unfortunately our stay had come to an end,

Letters of love we hope Newman will send.

We promise to visit again real soon,

Because of that darn Sports Basement I do swoon.

So until next time, my furry little chum,

Far away kisses from your Goddaddy and Mum.

Shaver Lake Triathlon

It has been a few days now since I completed in my very first triathlon. The experience was amazing to say the least. I will try to tell you about it via the ever popular "TOP 10" format!!

TOP TEN BEST THINGS ABOUT THE SHAVER TRI...

1. SHAVER LAKE: We arrived in beautiful Shaver Lake the day before the event. We took this extra time to ride the 12 mile bike course, get acclimated to the 5,500 feet elevation, brave the chilling mountain temperatures, and camp out in a tent.

2. SIERRA MULTISPORT PRODUCTIONS: aka: Faron and Heleen Reed - It was an honor getting to know Faron and Heleen. The two of them take it upon themselves to put on these events. They are both amazing individuals and triathletes that have competed in several Ironman competitions including the world championship in Kona. Steve and I were fortunate to be able to help Faron and Heleen with the set up. While working along side of them, I was able to gain inspiration from their knowledge and experience. During the event, they were right there cheering me on. And their encouragement was just the motivation I needed to finish the race!!

2 1/2: THE T-SHIRTS: Heleen and Faron would be disappointed if they knew I blogged about the event and neglected to mention the amazing, thick, long sleeve, colored, hold their shape when you wash them t-shirts that we received for participating in the event. I will wear mine with pride.

I just realized that my pictures don't really correlate to my top ten list. Please just deal with it and forgive me. But notice this cute picture of our Steve's and my transition station. He set it up all nice and cute for us. I know, sweet, right? Well, it was sweet right up until some girl set up her station right in between ours!!

3. SET UP: We were privileged with the opportunity to help set up for the event. It was fun to learn just a bit of what it takes to put together an event like this. Helping set up made me feel more than just a competitor IN the event, it made me feel as though I was a part OF the event.

4. MY HUSBAND: I think my favorite part of this whole experience was being able to compete along side of my wonderful husband. (Well not along side the whole time, he finished a whole 15 minutes before me with a 1:22:55. Way to go Steve!!)

5. 400 YARD SWIM: This, my friends, was probably the hardest part. I practiced for months swimming in a pool, but nothing compares to an open water swim. It was a deep water start. The water was cold. Really cold. Neither Steve nor I wore wet suits. I swam. I gasped for air. I dog paddled. I gasped for more air. I floated on my back. Gasped yet again for air and then swam some more. The best part of the whole race was when I was able to touch ground, knowing the swim part was over. I then hurried to the transition area.

6. 12 MILE BIKE: Next up was the Bike. I was excited. This was my strongest part. My legs were jello. I peddled and peddled. 6 miles UP and 6 miles back down. It was also my favorite part.

7. 3 MILE RUN: Then there was the run. At this point my feet were completely numb. Seriously, I could not feel them AT ALL. I had to stop for a second just to let the blood circulate to my toes. I continued to run. Then I walked. Then I ran. Then I walked. (you see the trend). Then I realized, if I just run, I will finished this a lot sooner, and I ran.... Right to the FINISH!!

8. TAKING IT EASY: Every one's advice was to just take it slow. That is what I did. I took it slow. And I finished. But I feel that I may have taken it almost too slow. I finished at 1:37:01. Would have liked to have been under an hour and a half. But hey, I finished!!!

I also need to give a special shout out to fellow triathlete Shannon Puphal for her inspiring advice. Thanks!! I really appreciated all the encouraging words from her and everyone that shared their advice.

9. TC3: This is the local triathlon club that Steve and I are members of. 22 members of this club competed in the Shaver Lake Triathlon. Those 22 members were put into a drawing to win a few prizes. Steve won an $25 gift certificate to Sierra Running Co. and I won a $50 gift certificate to Rubber Soul, a local bike shop. Seriously... We scored!!

10. WANTING MORE: Yes, this whole experience left me wanting more. I actually want to do it again!! I want to improve my time. Get under an hour and 30 minutes. The Merced Triathlon is on October 3rd.

I am seriously considering...

7th Anniversary

The day started off as usual.... Screaming children, poopie diapers and coffee overlooking Bass Lake.

Then something miraculous happened..

We left the kids with Nana and Grandpa and treated ourselves to a couples massage at Tenaya Lodge.

{sigh}

It was wonderful to say the least.

We followed up our massages with a little lunch on the patio at Jackalopes, the bar at Tenaya Lodge.

Connie, our waitress was quite chatty. I mentioned to her how I was in love with the French Onion Soup.

She told me that they had recently put it back on the menu.

The conversation after that went something like this:

ME: "Yeah, I know. I am the reason the onion soup is back on the menu."

CONNIE: (questionable look on her face as her eyes rolled). "Oh"

She then headed back into the kitchen.

CONNIE: (to the chef) "Hey, there is some girl on the patio that thinks she is the reason the onion soup is back on the menu."

CHEF: "Is she blond?"

CONNIE: "Yes."

CHEF: "I know who she is!!"

And my friend, the head chef at Tenaya came out to greet us at our table.

Meet Dwayne.

Then Connie arrived at our table a bit later with a chocolate cake in honor of our anniversary.

Little did she know, I am not a fan of chocolate cake.

Let's just say that our service at Tenaya Lodge has NEVER been short of fabulous!!

So, she brought me this amazing goodness on a plate, aka. creme brulee.

Notice, there are 7 dollops of whipped cream topped with 7 blueberries to represent 7 wonderful years with my amazing husband.

I Shall TRI

"But the Rusty Old Engine sighed: "I am so tired. I must rest my weary wheels. I cannot pull even so little a train as yours over the mountain. I can not. I can not. I can not."

Here I sit, a mere 11 days away from the Shaver Lake Triathlon that I am currently signed up to compete in.

I am stressed and lets just say anxiety isn't flattering on me.

When I signed up I thought... "It's only a sprint. I can totally do that. No problem."

This particular sprint triathlon consists of a:

400 yard SWIM

12 mile BIKE

3 mile RUN

I mean seriously, that doesn't sound that bad, does it??

Well, I had quite a rude awakening this past Sunday when I attempted the course at Shaver Lake. The swim is an open water swim in Shaver Lake.

I tried it.

I paniced.

I swam back to shore.

I wanted to vomit.

Then we ran the 3 miles. I almost died.

Completely out of breath. Feeling intimidated, overwhelmed and totally out of shape. Seriously worried that I am not going to be able to do this. Defeat took over my body and I haven't even competed yet.

Since NOT competing is NOT an option and failure is definitely NOT an option, I have to change my attitude.

Then she said, "I think I can. I think I can. I think I can." And she hitched herself to the little train.

Steve and I are doing the triathlon together. Trying to stay motivated and encouraged. Not much time left for training.

Wish us well...

I'm ok with that

I always "shoulda won" but never do.

And I'm ok with that.

Two weeks ago I attended a photography workshop with a photographer who's work I totally admire. The workshop was a little basic for me but it was nice to confirm some of the things I already knew. That is always good in boasting my confidence.

It also was good in that I was able to network with an amazing photographer. That in itself made the workshop totally worth it.

Then there was this photography contest for all the workshop attendees.

I entered.

The competition was stiff. The race was close.

I rallied. Hard. Then my competitive, OCD nature took over and I rallied some more.

(insert drum roll here) And in the end, it was another mom that won the prize of a $150 sitting fee with Captured Moments Photography.

But here's the issue....

When all the votes were tallied and counted, I actually had more votes. Barely. But I did.

A good friend of mine even counted. Seriously, printed the lists, highlighted, eliminated all the duplicate and triplicate votes and counted, double counted then triple counted.

Maybe the actual results were tallied using a different method of counting. I am ok with that. Nothing really I can do.

But the competitiveness in my bones was let down. Of course I wanted to win. I was determined. But it was all in good fun and losing was not THAT big of a deal. Only KINDA a big deal, not only to me but to those who took the time to vote. That is what made me sad.

This friend of mine that was just as invested in the whole process as I was, actually wanted to send an email to inform of the possible miscount.

I mean, really, miscounts have been known to happen. I vaguely recall something about chads in Florida?? Right?

So, I begged her not to. I would have been mortified. I don't want to be petty. I just have to believe that karma will find me.

There was this one other time that I "shoulda won" but didn't. It involved a wet t-shirt contest in Cabo. Um... yep.

Some things are just not meant to be.

And I'm ok with that.