Woofstock

This past weekend a local outdoor shopping center held an event they creatively named "Woofstock". This was sort of the event to celebrate that this area will now be dog-friendly and allow people to bring pets out shopping with them, and was also a fundraiser to raise money to build a new animal rescue shelter! Basically, there was a 5K run early in the morning and then afterwards there were a bunch of booths set up by local pet stores, animal shelters, rescue groups and other businesses in the shopping center. I had participated in another local run that morning, but Sully and I made it to Woofstock mid-morning to mingle with the dogs and fellow "dog people". The local Weimaraner Rescue was even there - I was tempted to bring home a surprise for the husband!! There was a DJ and treats everywhere (which Sully had no problem seeking out!). Sully's favorite part of the day was the hot dog bowl! There was a big, round ice bucket filled with water. The lady running this "game" would break off a piece of hot dog and drop it in the water. The goal was to get your dog to stick his face into the water (a couple of inches deep, it was up to Sully's eyes!) to fish for the hot dog piece. Apparently, not many other dogs had figured this game out because there was about 2 hot dogs worth of water-logged pieces at the bottom. Well, when it comes to food, Sully can figure out just about anything. And sure enough, before I could tear him away - he's alot stronger than I am - he'd managed to scarf down the entire tub full!! I can't believe I didn't get any pics of this. Oh well, diet will resume tomorrow! It was a lot of fun though and I am excited that Sully can now come shopping with us on these beautiful spring and summer days that we have ahead of us. :)

Sully at Woofstock - prior to the hot dog binge!

Little Miracles!

One of my sister's good friends, whom she has known since high school, had a healthy baby girl on Friday afternoon. Her pregnancy had it's ups and downs, and after thinking she might come early, she ended up needing a little Pitocin-induced persuasion to come out and meet her mom and dad (she was induced about a week after her due date)! She was 6lbs 13oz, 18in long, healthy, and very cute! My sister, another friend, and I went up to the hospital to see mom, dad, grandma, and of course the new baby girl this afternoon. Everyone is doing great. Working as a nurse in the NICU has given me an even greater appreciation of how precious new little ones are. It is truly a miracle to be blessed with a healthy baby!! Congratulations "J" and "G", she is darling!

New mom and baby!

My sis and the new little one!

My turn to hold!!

Smile for your close-up!

Trojan-Eats!

Last night I met a couple of friends that I went to high school with for dinner at a local Mexican food restaurant. These girls still live in town, but we don't get a chance to get together very often; you know, the usual - work, school, family, etc.! This particular restaurant is the same one that we used to meet at on "Taco Tuesdays" when we were in high school. That is where the name "Trojan Eats" came from (high school mascot was the Trojans) - the name doesn't seem quite as clever now, but it has sentimental value I guess!? It wasn't Taco Tuesday this time, but if you can't make Taco Tuesday, what's the next best thing - well, Burrito Monday of course! :) Among the many things talked about was that our 10 year reunion is next summer - hard to believe. Where has the time gone? It was really nice to get together and catch up on what everyone has been up to lately. And I am only partly ashamed to say that it was fun to hear news & gossip that the girls had to share! I hope we can make a habit out of these dinners - we'll have to rely on the planners of the group (you know who you are)!

The girls at Trojan-Eats!

13.1 Miles - We Did It!!

Today a couple of friends and I tackled a 1/2 marathon - that's 13.1 miles!! I was so excited and proud of myself that I finished - and jogged the entire way with a time of 2 hours, 59 seconds (this time is according to my watch that I started when the pack started to move and I started running, I think my "official" time is more like 2 hours, 1 minute something)! I had wanted to do this for a while but didn't think I could, then a friend said she was going to start training for this race and convinced me to do it with her and a friend of hers from school (thanks for the motivation and support "M" and "S"). We have been running our long runs together once and week, and I have to say that without that accountability of running with others I would not have made it!! :) Unfortunately, "M", the one that got the group together in the first place, ended up getting a stress fracture in her foot. She was a fantastic trooper though, and jogged/walked the race anyway. She has already run 2 full marathons in the past though, so she knew what she was in for today!! Way to work through the pain "M". Another friend, "K", decided to do the race 2 days ago - despite the lack of training participation. I applaud her guts to do it and her will power to finish. However, the was sure she was going to be able to clean her house and mow her yard today after the race; no doubt her tone had changed on the way home!! It was a great morning; so much fun to spend time with great friends and enjoy a beautiful spring day (we haven't had very many yet so we felt blessed to have the weather we did!). Crazy to think that I did more today before noon than I usually do in a whole day! I loved it, and am even thinking about doing another 1/2 marathon in June - although I wouldn't ask me tomorrow how I feel about this prospect. Thanks "M", "S", and "K" for a great day, congratulations y'all!!

"K", "S", me, and "M" hanging out prior to the race -

bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, but not for long!

It's over! The girls after we had all finished, with our newly earned medals around our necks.

"K" and I on the bus home with medals and nourishment in hand

"M" and I on the bus - glad it's over with, but so glad we did it!

Missing the Husband! :(

So, as most of y'all know the Husband works four weeks on and four weeks off. He has been on aproject in Russia for 2 years now and really enjoys the work he does. The schedule was hard to adjust to when he first started the job, but it is now a part of our lives, just like any other job would be. Besides, I think it would drive us both crazy if he had to wear a suit and sit in a office everyday at work!! At any rate, although we seem to have adjusted to this non-conventional lifestyle, I am not sure our dog, Sully, completely understands the routine. He tends to pout and mope around the house for several days after the Husband leaves; and punishes me by ignoring me and not behaving! Well. . . . the Husband left yesterday and it has come as no surprise that I have not seen Sully for most of the day - until a bit ago when he came into the bedroom where I was reading. He jumped up on the bed, and I told him to "get off". Apparently I really upset him by not allowing him on the bed where I could properly console him. A few minutes later I looked around and found him in our closet, curled up underneath the Husband's close. Quite pathetic (but really cute at the same time) so I couldn't resist taking a pic. We miss you and love you Husband - come home soon and safe!!

Hullabaloo! Caneck! Caneck! - Go Aggies!!

Okay, so for the past couple of days all I have heard is KU this and KU that! I do understand the whole college pride thing, after all, the husband and I both went to Texas A&M and will always bleed marroon. However, it seems as though a lot more Kansas fans have magically appeared around here since they won the National Championship - I mean, without a doubt, be proud of the school you went to, but enough with all this "t-shirt fan" business. If you are going to be a fan, wear that shirt whether they win, lose, or didn't make it to the tournament at all - be there through the good, the bad, and the ugly! So, off my soap box and onto the fact that this increased presence of college excitement has made me realize how removed we are from all our fellow Aggies. We miss going to the games, and participating in all those wonderful Aggie traditions. So, to make us feel more apart of our Aggie background I am adding some additions to the blog. One is a video from the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band half-time performance from the A&M v. tu game this year (by the way, we won for those of you who were wondering!). Another is the music from the Texas Aggie War Hymn. For those of you who have never been to an Aggie football game at Kyle Field, I highly recommend it!! Enjoy :)

Spring Break 2008!

Although the Husband and I are officially beyond our years of spring break fun (I finished nursing school in January) we decided to take part in Spring Break 2008 anyway. Over Easter weekend we went on a ski vacation to the wonderful town of Breckenridge with another couple and had a blast. The husband and I had gone skiing in Breck last year and had so much fun that we wanted to go back. We had a great time skiing for three days, riding the T-bar to an elevation of 12,200 feet, tubing in Keystone, eating at some great restaurants, and just hanging out with some great friends (UNO, Catch Phrase, and Charades are hard to beat, thanks A&M)!! Playing in the winter weather was fun for a few days but we are definitely ready for Spring to get here fast!! Enjoy the pics of the vacation.

I thought y'all might enjoy this first pic. "V" and I went on a spring break ski trip to Keystone in college, I believe in 2001. We took a similar pic when we went to Keystone to go tubing this time to compare to the pic from college. I hope we don't look too much older (or wider!) but I'll let you be the judge!!

Spring Break 2001 Spring Break 2008

In the airport, waiting to head to Break on Easter Sunday (we had booked the flights so early that we didn't realize Easter came so early this year!).

Enjoying a pizza dinner at Downstairs at Eric's in Breck.

"A" and "M" at Eric's

The husband & I at the top of the T-bar (12,200 ft elevation!), wonderful view, great run. The husband really had to talk me into riding up the T-bar. I wasn't sure how I felt about having my skis on the ground the whole way up or the sign that said EXPERT TERRAIN located right next to the T-bar. It ended up not being too bad, and we even went up there the next day too.

"V" and I on the gondola on the way to the tubing hill.

"M" and I picking out our tubes.

The husband and I at the bottom of the tubing hill. So much fun!

Me, "A" and "M" on the conveyor belt lift at the tubing hill.

All of us at our favorite place to eat in Breck!!