Hello Hello Hello...I decided to take a look at the old blog, and decided that it would be fun to take up posting again. I do not know how much time I will have but I will try to at least post once a month. Good to be back.

Mom's New Boots

For my mom's birthday it was decided that us girls(4) were going to get her new winter boots. She has two pairs of boots now, she told me that one pair is probaby 50 years old and the other I remember from when I was in high school. That is how old they are. So I decided that mom needed a new pair of boots and she was going to get UGGs. I have a pair and they are awesome at keeping my feet warm.  Mom was not thrilled with this idea, she thought her boots were perfectly fine. That was until this past Thursday. When we go the snow and it was below zero. I was talking to her and she said, I need those boots you want to get me. So Friday I meet her uptown in Pella at Brown's shoe store. Just a little info on mom. She is a bargin shopper and is always looking at prices. So I thought that I would get to the store before her and get the sales people up to date. Basically under NO circumstances was she to see the prices. I walk into the store and she is already there. Luckily they were looking at the wrong boots, saved there. The sales person and I sat her down and started bringing her boots to try on. She finally had it down to two boot. So I had her put a different boot on each foot. After walking around she had made her decision. (this was 20 minutes later and after alot of questions). She picked the ones I was wanting for her to begin with but she needed to choose for herself. They are a beautiful soft brown leather with the UGG shearling inside. She wanted to wear them out of the store so the sales person sprayed them down with sealant for her.

I paid for the boot and the sales person boxed up her old ones and away we went...But wait the price is on the box. So I had the sales person mark out the cost of the boots. Then mom and I went to Smokey Row for lunch. As we were walking, I actually think mom was strutting alittle, mom goes.."these are really warm". I just smiled.

Mom and her new boots.

I called her later and she said that they are two pretty to wear. I informed her that she will wear them everytime she goes out and there is snow on the ground or it is cold. That UGGs are like pearls you need to wear them. I dont know if she believed that but I was worth a try. I stopped out after work and gave the boots another good spraying with the waterproof spray. So Mom is all set for the winter. If history serves she will have her new boots for a long time.

Oh on a side note. She could read the price on the box. I think she got out a magnifying glass to do this but oh well. I think she is excited to have a new pair of boots.

I had fun watching her try on all of them.

Until Next time...PEACE

Getting Rid of Stuff

I have started my simplification project for 2010. Today Bill took 2 huge boxes to goodwill. One contained 42 cookbooks. I enjoy looking at cookbooks but I only use maybe 5 of them. Hopefully someone who will use them can find a good bargin. I have gone through all of the totes on one wall, cleaning them out and labeling them hoping to keep cycling, running, household stuff more organized. I also shredded about 4 bags of old bills etc. It just feels good to get rid of things that are not used or needed.

My next project is going to be to go through all of the dvd, cd etc and put them in order.

Until Next time Peace

2010

Happy New Year! I hope that your holidays were all that you expected and wanted. You can probably tell what my goal is for the year. I want to simplify my life. I think it will take more than a year but I can get a good start. I am going to start going through all of my stuff. If i have not opened it, looked at it, worn it or even knew I had it, it is going out the door.

I believe that you cannot truly be happy if you are worried about the materialistic things in your life. Wearing or owning the "it" name brands. It is a waste of money, time and energy.

So I am going to simplify. I am going to enjoy life more. I am going to try to enjoy working out not make it a chore, I want to enjoy my friends. Maybe I should say I want to simplify and enjoy. :).

So there are my plans for 2010. Simplify and Enjoy.

Peace

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.