In Memory

It does not seem that long ago that I was writing about having to put Sophie down. In reality it was not that long ago. I am sad at having to do it again. This time for Blackers.



On Monday the 29th I took Blackers to the vet, Bill and I had both noticed that he has not been acting or feeling well. The vet listened to his heart and got a funny look on his face. Blackers heart was not working. An EKG was done and his heart rate would go from 102 to 248 to 150. His heart was failing. I decided to have blood work done to see if it was his kidneys or liver. AS I was waiting for Blackers to be brought back out, i realized that I didnt have a choice. I couldnt afford to pay 2-3 hundred dollars to get an animal cardiologist involved and if it was his kidney or liver, I would not put him through the IV's etc. I could not let him suffer so I made the decision to put him down.

I have not been handling this very well, Blackers was my buddy. He slept with me, met me at the door and was always with me when I was home. I felt like I was failing him. I was letting him down by putting him down. As they were giving him the shot I was telling him how much I loved him and thanked him for all of his companionship and that I would see him again someday. I told him he was going to go and see Charlie and Sophie.

Every time I go to bed I miss him, he would always be there waiting for me. I think that I will have a hard time for a long time. I know he had a good life however it is very difficult.

Blackers thank you for everything, for helping me through so much. I will always love and remember you. I will see you again someday.

with a heavy heart...peace

Hello

It has been a looong time since my last posting...it is amazing how time just gets away from you. The problem is I have a lot to say and nothing to say. Does that make any sense at all. I started my training for my season of tri's the first of January. It was going very well for a while, however since the time change it has been awful. I have just been tired. I know that I do not get enough sleep.

I joined a cycling team this year. All Nine Yards - Pinks. They are a great group of ladies. However I am wondering if that was a good idea for me. I feel pressure, Which I am totally putting on myself, to participate and do well. I want to do well so that I can do the team and sponsors proud. I need to get in the mind set that you do the best that you can and that is all that anyone can ask of you.

I think another thing makes me nervous is riding with a set group. When you go on RAGBRAI you are riding with alot of people yet you are usually only with one or two people, I am so use to riding by myself that when I get in a group setting I get way nervous. JS and I ride very well together, I enjoy my rides with her. I tried one gravel ride with the gravel group and it was a disaster for me. I know that I need to keep going to them however I am finding myself backing away. Making all kinds of excuses. I am finding myself backing away from all of the activities that the Pinks are doing. Like the Wed ladies night at Bike World and the modeling of clothing that evening.

I want to belong just having a hard time at the moment.

On to a lighter subject. I can tell that spring is here. My grass is starting to turn green, the birds are singing and my cats are driving me nuts..:). They have spring fever really bad. I try to open the windows so the ones in the house can get some fresh air. I am mentally planning out my backyard, I am going to replant some grasses and get rid of others. Bill is going to build me some more raised gardens so I can plant some more veggies. Love fresh veggies. Now if i could only have a chicken coop...dont think that would fly in town. :)

I am looking forward to sitting on my deck and just enjoying the weather.

Well that is about all that has been going on with me.

Until next time..PEACE

Must Read..

If you have love for any animal you need to read this article. It will break your heart and make you smile.

5 of my kids

The kids got a fish for christmas. Winston was checking it out.



A catnip induced fight. Looks like Thomas has the upper hand so to speak.



Diva #1 Posom



Diva #2 Spaz



The elder man Blackers

PEACE

The Curtain has closed

The stage is dark, the seats are empty. Costumes have been cleaned and props stored. The Curtain has closed on the Newton Community Theater's production of "Scrooge".

The last 11 days have been a whirlwind, 8 shows in 11 days. I was honored to play the part of Mrs. Cratchet. We had been rehearsing 4 days a week since Sept. Sept and Oct I did not have to be at each practice. November was a different story 4 even 5 days a week.

The show included a cast of 61, ages ranging from 6 to 70. It was a great experience to work with so many different people some I have worked with before, most I had not.

To say that the show was good does not even come close to how great of a show it actually was. We performed 8 shows and for all 8 shows, we were getting standing ovations before the last song was done. At first I didn't quite understand why then someone said to me. "You have one lead character, scrooge, however look at the supporting cast..you have people playing supporting character's that have had the leads in shows before." Then it hit me how incredible this show was.

Am I sad that it is over, yes, Am I tired and ready for a break, oh yes. I do not think we could have done another show most of the cast were getting colds and losing their voices.

It is hard to believe that it is almost Christmas. I have not started Christmas shopping, I need to get that done sometime this week. I actually am having a hard time getting motivated to shop.





My stage husband was Gary Kopsa. The question I was most asked was "Are you 2 really married"? The statement I heard the most to me.."I didnt know that you could sing". Surprise! :)Click HERE for more Pictures of the shows. Sorry they uploaded out of order.

I am sad that it is over however it is time to move on. After Christmas I will start my triathlon training again.


CREATING SCROOGE:
I helped make Lonnie who is 39 into a 60 year old looking Mr. Scrooge. It was alot of fun.



Lonnie as Lonnie



Lonnie as Mr. Scrooge

Click Here to see how it was done, I enjoy make up not the kind that makes you pretty but the special effects stuff.

Click Here for Final cast party Pictures. Over look the hair I had a fake bun and to make it work they pretty much plastered my hair with hair products..ickky..:)

It is Monday and I have had a day to reflect and I miss my Cratchet family. I know that I will see them around. I feel like I did after doing the Hy-Vee Tri. I have put in so much time on this project, That now that it is over I am lost. "What do I do now?" I need to just relax and rest up spring is coming..I just got the entry form for BRRR..hard to believe that Brrr is just around the corner.

I wish you all Happy Holiday and Peace on Earth!

PEACE

In Memory

It was a sad day at the Goodman household, I had to have our Sophie put to sleep. She has been fighting a thyroid issue for years. Lately she has not been able to make it to the kitty litter and her back legs were starting to give out.

I do not now for sure how old Sophie was, she showed up the fall of 1996(I think that is the right year) and has been a part of our family since. If I had to guess I would say she was 13-15 years old.

Her nickname was Toto. I will miss Toto but I know that she is in a better place. I told her that where she was going she would be young again and could play with all of the other kitties, like she use to.

This has been A very difficult day for me, I do not like making these decisions, It just breaks my heart. I know there are alot of people who do not understand the bond between humans and animals but believe me it is a very strong bond. I am glad that I had the strength to be talking to her and petting her as she passed away. I have always said, my cats have been good friends to me and I will be with them to the end no matter how hard it is. The other cats knew something was going on, they have not left myside all day and for that I am greatful.

Toto thank you for being there for me, it was a pleasure taking care of you all of these years. I will see you again someday! Love you.

PEACE

Bikers have big hearts...Triathlons are not just for healthy people

When I say that I am a cyclist alot of times I get the "oh you are one of THOSE people". I have not quite figure out what THOSE people do however if that is what a cyclist does then yes I am one of "THOSE" people. I dont think that "NON THOSE PEOPLE" really understand what "THOSE PEOPLE" are all about. Most of them are very caring people. So as I find things in my reading or internet searching. I am going to mention some of "THOSE" people with big hearts.

One of "THOSE" is Robbie, Oakley Rob, RVS he has many names. I have known Rob a long time. I met him through Bill. His Nickname at the time was Baby Burf..make your own joke there.

What really caught my attention was this year when I was e-mailing him about some glasses and he said that he was doing the Hy Vee Tri as a team. I though great, however It was not just a three man team it was a 4 man team. The way I understand is Rob has a friend that has Noonan's disease, and he wanted to do a Triathlon. So Robbie and 2 other friends. Said ok we will do this tri with you. So they set up a team. I know the swimmer was Greg Allen. Greg is acutally from Pella and 3 years ahead of me in school. The runner was Rich Newkirk.

How I got to thinking about this again was I was talking to Rob at a cross race and asked him if they were going to do more tri's. He said that they told his friend that they would do 1 to 2 tri's a year. Hy Vee was not just a one time deal. I was looking thru the Hy Vee pics and came across the ones below..



They say that a picture is worth a 1000 words. Look at his face, it is pure joy.



Alot of times I will get into the oh woest me mind set, then I see pics like the ones above and realize how lucky I am. To Be healthy and to know people like Rob.

PEACE.