Family Holiday!

Well..where to start....it has been a whirlwind, but isnt it always?

The xmas week got off to a good start but as many of you midwesterners know it had the added element of SNOW STORM. Actually it was pretty tame and other than the fact that my little old volvo has such low clearance that i couldnt even get out of the garage thursday morning ( had ot go meet the sisters Mairs for some pool fun..) it all worked out since i could bring Rich to work and then use his car.

So cookies were made, homemade caramel rolls were made, workouts were done, etc...

My parents have Xmas eve every year and so this year 36 strong we served up the usual suspects of many cheesy casseroles, lots of great salad in a wooden bowl that weighs about as much as my nephew, and then the Beef Tenderloin.

For those of you that like it rare, you are invited. We ( my dad) struggles each year with the proper temp of the oven and each year the thing is quivering when it is DONE. Ha! I think next year we are having honeybaked ham! Less stress and less general anxiety over the DONE-ness of the beef. a lovely meal no matter what and all with cousins and nephews and neices..all in all we had 10 boys ( 8 under the age of 16) and finally a little gal ( kaia, who is almost a year!) and all my cousins and aunts and uncles. My uncle Geordie now uses a walker and came in the back since there are fewer stairs. He came right in ( carrying the walker! LOL) and walked by my brother and said "Get me a beer!" We are so glad he came to visit with all of us!

In addition we had the lovely Heide and my nephew ( her son) Chippy. Chippy was sadly banned from FB before he left from Houston and was most ecstatic to have a wall charger lent to him bc he left his at home. "tant pis" is all Heide had to say. And last night he broke the FB ban and now has double fines ( but tells me it was worth it. ) Whoa to be in 6th grade and in love.

I asked "why didnt you just call her?" "aunt Julia, it was 2 in the morning. Plus her dad took her phone away." hmm...I am thinking my life in 6th grade was pretty nice without an answerwing machine and without a computer!

Rich and I got into the holiday spirit hanging in the kitchen. It was time to pull out the Norwegian Sweater!

Here is the midnight FB'er with my dad:) His Gran daddy.

Ruby and her favorite gift. it Squeeks of course.

Xmas day came way too soon and Rich and i both got in a short workout, me running in balmy 36 degree weather and near rain. Other than the plows nearly drenching me and some added shovel time it was a great way to get outside. Rich got an early gift from Coach Troy ( and me) and started his ascent of Mt. Lemmon on Xmas morning. He didnt quite get to Windy pass but was excited to feel the road:) And off to brunch back at my parents. WE picked up my other sister since her Volvo was too low to get thru the deep wet snow as well.
Norwegian Sweater # 2.
Chippy tried out Aunt Elizabeth's snowshoes and showed why he is a True Texan.
Tennis shoes and no socks.

My brother's boys came over and busted into the Xmas tree area. and the pace of the morning accelerated tenfold. All good,they are both well behaved and really really make Xmas fun for me since i dont have kids. I love to see how excited they are while still trying to keep it simple.

Here is Will with his top picks of the day.

A Golden Retriever Webkin and Yes, ladies and Gents, a disco globe. I guess in his class they had a new years eve party and the teacher had a rotationg disco globe. My brother was relieved he didnt want any tight spandex pants or Dancing with the Stars DVD's. Yet.
Rich got what he always wanted from my brother and sister in law.

A Pony.

And from me. a New wheel. I have had a disc for a year and i think plans to bury me in the TT's next summer. So i had to get him one with a nice note saying:

"I love you Merry Xmas.

BRING IT." HAAHAHA ...i didnt but you know i was thinking it:)

Chuck went on the fridge and I wont make any more comments on that one.
And just so you dont think that Rich and I only spoil ourselves...my 82+ YO dad got back in the action as well. My dad used to ride his bike all over MSP to my tennis matches. He had a Brown Schwinn 3 speed. I am not sure he thinks he needs 21 speeds but I know he is going to love this bike. No toe cages so he can get his feet down fast, but as long as he is still playing tennis he has the reaction time and the H-Eye coordination to ride this bad boy around the hood to the Y and to coffee! Cant wait for the snow to melt dad!
And just bc i love this, it is the top of the tree. Ok it isnt a star and hopefully you arent offended that we give Golden's the top of the tree status. it is just too much fun to not share it!

Below is last year but i just love the picture of my sisters. I am so lucky to have sisters and I wish Heide lived here, not Houston.

Puerto Vallarta, 2008

We were going to go to mexico in january 2010. But we are going to the Mayo Clinic instead.

Christmas was good, and 2010 is going to be wonderful, healthy and I am so thankful for all my friends and family! Thank you!!

Its starting to look a lot like Christmas....

She is going to need a name...but for now she is resting comfortably in the pine scent of the Christmas tree...

My shopping list

What's wrong with this picture on a friday at 5pm?

Nothing other than I am going to a party in about 1.5 hours and I used indeliable ink.

I always write things on my hands. Always have, always will.

So with a bit of luck and some tough love to my already dry skin we were back in business.

So while my better half was still strutting in front of the mirror getting ready ( Ok who out there is ready before their spouse's or partners? come clean. I was giving him a hard time bc why does it always seem that the women get a bad rap for being the ones who take a long time to get ready??) He did have a bow tie so i gave him some extra time ( 5 min) for that:)

I killed time pretending to pose for some fashionista magazine, but instead just realized how MN pale we all are. The red jacket is awesome. It was my mom's and has a matching skirt. Totally Audrey Hepburn. Other than my mom is 5 foot 8 and neither of us is petite and brunette nor do we smoke those long cigarette things and say "Dahling."

So we were off to the annual Snowball party at the St Paul Hotel. Some friends started this event about 10 + years ago bc our parents used to always have Black tie events at the holidays and they wanted to start a tradition. It is a really fun event and the hosts are so gracious to keep on doing it year after year. But my has it grown!

Tho the party goes till 1 am we like to have a nice dinner at the St Paul Grill and then get to the party by 9pm so we can actually talk to people and not have to yell. That lasts until about 10 pm when i start to yawn, my feet start to hurt and i cant hear myself talk. Last night we were home by 11. Not that it wasnt fun, it was, friday nights are rough tho and Rich works a long week so by friday night our norma MO is movie and pizza or something easy like that.

I did take it upon my self to have the annual martini. OH it was good. I am glad i only had one. The 2nd one doesnt feel so good in the middle of the night. But the martini, coupled with a lovely tuna dinner hit the spot. Here we are leaving the grill. Looks like my speedo bikini top is a bit visible. oops. There is a funny story to that dress but lets just say this: It is a speedo type cross back. And a high neck in front. Only thing is that when i tried it on at the store I loved it. and the salesperson said " You have it on backwards." SERIOUSLY? People wear this thing with the speedo cross back in the front? not me. Super comfy cashmere. I like it backwards!

Happy holidays everyone.

Pink Glove Video

A co worker just sent this to me. Awesome!
I will think of this as I walk the halls at Mayo in a few weeks!

Dork

This is what you look like after you take all your top garmets off. And yes I wore this to work last week UNDER my work clothing.

What to do when it is snowing..and some advice for Roger.

What about think about what to do when it is NOT snowing. Now really I do like winter, sort of. I have grown to like it less and less mostly bc I really do not like being cold. I think that one of the most empowering moments I had in my entire life was when I realized that I could actually turn the heat up at our house. When i grew up we used to wear down vests and hats around. IT was just how it was. Nobody really grumbled ( I am sure i did) but when you are young you just adapt. I do remember studying under quilts in bed. My parents still live in the house ( fondly called THE COLD HOUSE) and really it is cold. Big old Victorian house, that is cold in the summer even, so that is one plus. I think It was when I was living at home AFTER college, so yes this really is some arrested development in my growth and ability to take risks I would say. And finally my mom and I said "To heck with it..lets turn the heat up."

BEEP

BEEP

BEEP

Wow. That was easy. And it actually warmed up. A little.

So now that I am in a house where the heat is on, and the house is a bit newer I am realizing alot of what i didnt like about winter was being cold and to live here I have a blank check when it comes to buying things that help me stay warm. This means workout gear and chemical heaters. I dont feel like I have to save those puppies, bc If I have a 1-2 hour ride with warm hands and toes ( or actually they are never warm, they are always GETTING COLDER...the chemical heaters just make it a bit more comfortable) it is worth it. AND....

For anyone who is going to use the chemical hand warmers...if you dont use them for 4-5 hours they can be reused. Put them in a baggie and get all the air out and seal it up really tight. I only do this if I know i have a shorter ride bc I dont want to risk them running out of JUICE mid ride. The toe and foot warmers are not that great IMO but they do help make your toes go numb and maybe that is better than frostbite.

Since at some point i need to figure out my 2010 plans I will post a few options and anyone that has advice, or thoughts on potential races feel free to advise....

January U of MN swim meet, where Jen will have me swim every event including a relay, even if i dont have anyone to swim a relay with.

February: Hope it isnt leap year bc 28 days is long enough.

March: Tucson Tri camp. Followed by extended camp at Rich's mom's in Green Valley.

April: Lonestar 70.3 ( maybe) end of April. Sister Heide lives in Houston so this is a likely race but I am too chicken to sign up since i cant imagine riding my bike on a trainer for 4 hours to get ready for this.

May: ? Wait for the snow to be gone. SAD. SAD. SAD. Go visit Kari and Kate if this is the case.

June: Kansas 70.3 That yellow brick road was too enticing.

July: Minneman on July 4th, local fun sprint that Rich may do:)

Perhaps Qualify for AG NATZ at a race in Iowa. I was hoping there was a qualie in MN so i wouldnt have to drive and sleep in Iowa. Sorry, I just would rather race closer to home. So that is a big maybe.

August: Firehouse 50 TT and Best of Both Road Race ( run) the next day. I can only dream winning another trophy as big as me, so that my nephews can each have one and no fighting over the 2009 BOB trophy.

Sept: Go volunteer and sign up for IMOO with some other people. KATE?! Have nightmares about this already, well not nightmares, but some nights when i struggle to run 6 miles that day I say "AM I INSANE?"

Perhaps AG NATZ?

Oct : TCM 10 Miler.

November: Be super happy I am not racing in November. Hats off to anyone who really wants to race in November but in all truth, Ick. I am struggling to get thru October and riding my bike in the fall is FAR more exciting to me than trying to get into OW and trying to Stay On It this late. I would like to go to Clearwater, but I realized the only reason i wanted to go to Clearwater was bc everyone else goes ( well not everyone) but it would be nice to say I have DONE IT. But really it sounds like i would be happier just doing a race for the right reasons for me. Not bc I feel left out!

I am also interested in the Rev 3 races, but living in MN its obvious that most of the races are well over 8 hours from me. Driving is preferred, travel on the airlines with the bikes just annoys me. Delta/NWA.com just is evil when it comes to STEALING our money. I get all worked up thinking about my hometown airline. Yes how nice you are. ...NOT.

I have lots of other ideas, but I like to think that I am young to this sport. I will have one more year in the 40-44 ag, and then will age up to 45-49 so who says that 45-49 cant be super fun and full of new adventures as well. All you peeps who are so dreading 40....well..that is another post for another day. My life took so many GREAT turns when i turned 40 and I am so much happier and fufilled than my 30's that I am excited for you gals!

Hope I am not snowed in wednesday, I still have my trainer bike at the condo and I have some other stuff to do! Drive safe all you midwesterners and cant wait to post some snowy bike pics~!

PS: Many of you know of my respect/awe and admiration ( OK OBSESSION) with The FED.

Some of you may not know that Tiger, A-Rod, and the Fed are in Gillette Commercials together and also Tiger has flown in to watch Roger play some of his bigger matches. I just have a few words for Roger: DONT DO IT. Stay true to Marika and stay true to me. :) Otherwise your picture is coming OFF the refrigerator!

Whoville

So I have been thinking alot lately about Who-Ville and little Cindy LooHoo. Random, sort of and sort of not. Of course the holiday season is here and who cant admit that they love seeing the favorites:

The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

Rudolph the Red nosed Reindeer

Frosty the Snowman

There is drama, good character development, and the good guys win and Christmas happens.

So why Cindy Loo Hoo?

When i got married I assumed I would change my name. I have no regrets. But at the same time It is weird and somewhat sad to me to lose my middle name AND my last name. When I went to change my license the guy had to literally WALK ME THRU each part saying:

"Ok now write your OLD name..."

"Now sign your NEW name..."

I was shaking, it was very confusing. Yesterday I went to Social Security and I wasnt shaking. So I think i am getting the hang of this and feel a bit less like I am in Whoville?

Today when i changed my FB name I all the sudden thought "OMG, what if someone cant find me?" And on FB of all places! Lol. Of course someone not finding me on FB is hardly my first worry, but it does make me sad that all my peeps who used to call me MAIRS, wont do that anymore. And if i ever wanted to get a butt name on my tri gear it is for sure now going to be JULIA. That is ok, actually.

But in some ways this is fine. I am happy with my new name and obviously more than happy with WHY I have that new name. And as i have gone from being mis-pronounced as

MEYERs or MEIRS or MAVIS ( it is MAIRS but pronounced like the planet MARS)

to

WEEESBECKER ( it is pronounced WEYEsbecker) it is all fine.

So even if i feel a bit lost like Lucy LooHoo I know who i am.

One funny name change story is that I had to change my USAT name. They wanted a faxed copy of my marriage license. The more i thought about it I suppose I could have said my name is now "Laura Bennett" or "Jennifer Harrison" hahaha. Nope no funny stuff here.

So Why the New Hampshire granite statue in this post?

Well since i am on a tangent anyways...

Dr. Seuss went to Dartmouth. Which made me think of this saying. And did you SoCal peeps know that Theodore Geisel also lived in La Jolla up until his death? Fascinating I know.

What's up?

When Kari emailed me today saying "What's up?" I had to send her the honest answer. At that moment, my front trainer wheel was up. 6 inchs to be exact. And i was finishing my first trainer ride of the year. One hour. Hills. And it wasnt fun. Actually it would have been fun if i hadnt started back to strength yesterday. ( see Marit) Wow. Who would have known that doing lunges, smith machine, and some leg press, all at about 50-75% of the weight I used to do, would put me in the hurt locker. I mean it isnt even 48 hours. Oh yea, good things to come. Great.

So what else is up? Kinda boring after all the great honeymoon pics. But here goes, in no particular order:

-Thanksgiving was great. Lots of good food and company. won a pie. Dont really like pie all that much, so next year I am going to ask if they will bring along cool whip/ or reddi-whip. I like that. Then someone else can have the pie.

-Work is good. Busy. I am starting to teach a balance class for my seniors and I am so excited. They all think they arent "Good enough" to take the class. So we have some learning to do on "That is why you are taking the class."

-MN weather has been SPLENDID. I mean is it really 32 out? and no wind? Well things are brewing and according to the forecast the party is over. Bleck. just means I get to suffer a bit more outside, break out the LAKE winter boots and all the chemical heat warmers. But ya know. I am still riding outside, if the windchill is too low then no, but gotta get out.

- Beets. I love them. There are so many pretty colors in them, I got a kind that when you cut it it looked like a candy cane. I roast them with some sea salt and olive oil, and they are ranking up there with the roasted Kale. Sadly I could eat an entire plate of each of these which leads to...

-Both Rich and I have had stomach aches at night. Not sure why, but likely do to the above.

He has to watch what he is eating and not eat too many veggies/fiber. But he can eat pudding, and lots of satiey ( fat) and he is still losing weight. Sounds lovely, but in all honesty it is bc he isnt absorbing all the nutrients/Kcals so it is just how it is. Me, on the other hand, I am absorbing it for him. ha!

-December will be good. Lots to be thankful for and lots to look forward to.

St John Pictures

Here is a start..I hope to get a video up soon if i can figure it out. Rich has been putting together a fantastic slideshow. Everytime i watch it i get relaxed and also laugh so hard i nearly wet my pants. He took a video on his Iphone and I, of course, made some funny editorial comments.

( You know, it is good to THINK your own jokes are funny)

Maine Lobster is still good, but this is easier to eat. No claws. Weird. Those little guys must have some other self defense mechanism or maybe in the Carribean they dont need it.

Dress compliments of KO. Too bad I spilled all over it and now it's mine.

Kidding. Thanks KATE!!!

The Donkey's arent buying what I have to say "Come here little pretty.."

My friend Molly gave me this suit. Thanks Molly!
Rich sporting his Kiwami tri suit.

Perfect for snorkling.

And yes...perhaps Jen has a new client? hmm...I think he is bored watching me. Why not just do one himself? Yes yes yes!!!

Before I get to the St John coverage.....

Mr. And Mrs. Weisbecker

P.S our wedding night we didnt get much food. So i ordered a pizza.

"we would like a BBQ chicken pizza for pick up...name?...Mairs...M-A-I-R-S."

Ooops. Rich laughed then made me sign the tabs on the honeymoon so i could practice my new name.
Cupcake Tree, courtesy of my fabulous sister in law..locals....she is too good to be true.

I have her contact on my FB page!
Vows
The First Light ( Rich's TT team) family. Those are KYLE's hands on my shoulder, this guy is 6 foot 8. Great person to ride with ( behind).
Rings

And soon i will write about adventures like this:

We were swimming, actually Rich was snorkleing and i was just swimming. We saw this sailboat and i saw the bike. We were pretty deep so I popped out ( easy to do in salt water) and Rich snapped me with the Cannondale in the background. And you can see the ship's owner hanging out in the water too!

Dum Dum De Dum: Where we have been, Where we are going

First a few photos: Where we have been..

KO thank you.
This is the bruising you get when they give you 2x day heparin shots for more than 2 weeks. Man he is still sore from those. The only good news about the bed rest was his clavicle healed. Hee, little joys!

Ok that "dum dum de dum" was my "sing along" to Mendehlson's Wedding March. Which by the way I am not using.

This is my dress. And my head piece.

Ok it isnt really, but how fun would that have been? Even tho it looks like an asymmetric curtain and a pigeon on her head. Only in New York, I am guessing.

Ok I have been watching too much Arrested Development, pigeons, magicians, and Gob, pronounced JOBE...ok ok either you get it or you dont.

Damie you didnt miss it:)

Tonight starts the festitivities as my parents have a family "grownup" party and some family is shipping in today.

Friday brings a pool swim, some coffee time for the ladies and the rehearsal. haha I need that. I already thought that the bridesmaids came in after me. Oops.

We are combining a 50th party for my parents with a Groom's dinner on friday.

Then saturday, a run or maybe a bike, then there is some makeup and hair where i have been promised i wont look like Tammy Faye.

I love this phone conversation with the hair person:

Me: "So do you want me to arrive with clean hair, wet hair...??"

Hair person: " Well what do you normally do with your hair in the morning."

Me: Blank space, dead phone..." Brush it?"

Hair person: sensing my confusion..." So you put in the PRODUCT and then....???."

Me: " I dont usually use product...."

Hair person: " So you just blow dry it and....." she is trying so hard to help me...I can sense her pain.

Me: " Nope never blow dry it...so how about if i just come in with hair that isnt squeeky clean?"

Hair person, thinking "HELP HER..." YES THAT IS FINE.

Maybe i do need a dead pigeon in my hair

But then the Goal Event ( A RACE) is at 4:30. Reception will be a bit different than we had planned but still super fun. No worries.

We leave for the honeymoon monday!

Once again i cant say enough thanks to all my friends, family, those i dont even know who prayed for us or sent vibes in whatever spiritual or non spiritual manner suits you.

Today at a work meeting a scripture was used to describe Pace: The Gift to Run Your Race.

It was our all staff meeting and an author named Larry Julian spoke. He has three fantastic books out: GOD IS MY CEO, GOD IS MY SUCCESS, and GOD IS MY COACH ( along with Jen)

www.larryjulian.com

I really think that you all ( in addition to Beth!) will enjoy these books!

"Let us throw off everything that hinders...,and let us run with perseverence the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1

Now when we define perseverence-moving forward despite obstacles and disturbances- we get new insight into these words and how they apply to us. Whether you apply this to a Triathlon ( winds, cold, you feel like crap, you are slow, you have PMS) or you apply this to life ( your fiance is diagnosed with cancer, you have a sick child, you have an injury, you lost all your $ in your 401k)

We have all perservered and now it is time to rejoice and celebrate!

I promised Rich no blog or FB on the honeymoon so ..signing off for a few weeks!

This is for Michelle. You cant read my lips but i am saying HTFU:) You cant see it but MY OCEAN ...The Mighthy Mississippi...is calm and lovely to my left. Marit would be out there rowing. I know my sister was!

Ruby says hi. She is sporting the ribbon from a Williams Sonoma gift box and actually seems quite pleased with it!

St Johns, US VI

Hi everyone. I almost dont want to ask this but i am giving you all a chance to tell me the TOP TEN things to do on St Johns and also St Thomas. I am most interested in whether any of you have been there and if you have swum open water. Do i need to watch out for weird jelly fish and things like that? I know there is alot of good snorkling so I am sure the water is good for the most part.

So...post away. And you dont have to post 10 things, but one or two if you have thoughts!

Thanks!!

And yea honeymoon...we are going!

Progress

Well after many ups and downs this last week and especially saturday...we are back on track.

The TPN ( total perenteral nutrition) and the NG ( naso gastric) tube came out. The IV is still hanging around since he had 24 hours of severe dehydration. But overall he is doing so much better. The food is still not settling too well and even tho he knows he has to try to eat real food, after the 3-4 day stint of eating->blockage->throw up its hard to make yourself eat.
FYI if i lost some of you just take it as this...he had a block in his small intestine near the Ileum so the digested food just backed up. How awful. And fortunately his body has stopped producing so much fluid and we think the "twist" in his bowel is now unkinked. That is what the delay is.
A surgery like this has a huge risk of dehydration and we saw that first hand friday night into saturday when is already low BP dropped to 80. Crap.

So here we go, body...lets do it this time!!! GO RICH!!!

As for the update on what really annoys me...I think that I have another one. Running by ipoded runners or riders ( which is even worse) and they act all startled like it is my fault I startled them. Um HELLO. You are the one with the headset on! It isnt like i should have to run with a megaphone!

Getting a flat saturday, then having the car not start really was the point where I surrendered and just cried. Now I have peroneal tendonitis in my left leg from pushing my bike up hills in my cleats to get a ride home. And yes I had a spare but i couldnt get the staple out of the tire for the life of me that sucker was in there for good. At 32 degrees and 8am I had no fingers after 10 minutes.

Ok then...we have to thank the cast of Arrested Development for keeping us laughing this week. I cant wait for the movie. If You havent seen this series go get it. Watch it from the beginning...It is well worth it! Your dysfunctional family will seem pretty normal after this series!

Ya know what really bugs me...

Random post here:

You know what really bugs me....

-When there are ENFORCERS in the left lane that will only go 64mph when the speed limit is 65. I mean really? I want to go 69 or 70, let me thru!

-That i actually bought the DREAMGIRLS cd, omg that is a bad CD. There is one song worth listening to. I must have been bonking or crazy when i paid good $ for that one. I put it in the CD player with all this driving and was like "who bought this?" Oh. Me.

-A nice October day ( finally ) and i realize our October has been the coldest on record. It bugs me that all my friends are trying to train for Clearwater and they are likely doing an 8 hour day today to make up for all the lost time.

-I think i need to start up the humidifier.

-The heat cycles on and off so randomly in this room it is like a sauna then it is like an ice box.

-I have been banned from my trainer. ( haha kidding, actually this is fine but it makes getting outsided to ride a chore)

-Seeing Marion Gaborik Killing it with the Islanders when he was "Injured" all last season with the WILD. Um ok, yea.

-I already used the "Coffee rant" so i guess i had better lay off Starbucks and Caribou. I am actually wanting to approach then each for a sponsorship...or better yet one each year. See if there is a direct correlation between which cup o joe i drink and how i do at races. I bet Elf, Mary and a few others...?? would like to be a part of this controlled ( NOT) experiment.

-That the action movies available at the hospital are all PG 13 or so they seem, no blood and guns, AND that the TV Shows available are all DORA or Hannah Montana. Now...I have a soft spot for Dora. My lovely adoreable Nephew WILL's first words?

BACK-PACK...seriously.

So as to not sound like I am having a rough day and to be honest I screamed today driving when i saw the 30 miles to Rochester sign..so I am having a rough day...but

You know what really makes me smile:

-Getting outside on the 3rd floor deck with Rich for some sunshine. The security guy was so nice to let us out and when i told him that we really appreciated it bc Rich was going to jump off the edge..

Ha, he did laugh but was a bit less sure that I was stable enough to be wheeling the IV pole.

-My lululemmon clothing that has kept me fashionably comfortable. Plus Rich LOVES my Lulu GROOVE pants! Gotta look sharp for the patient.

-Despite not thinking Farve was a good idea for us, He is really really making MN smile. (along with his receivers and the rest of the team, I know i know.)

-My sister and my parents and my out of town sister ( who by the way just did a race in houston and i want to know what happened..Heide!!! CALL ME!) and my brother and RUBY are just so suppportive and making me food and doing odd errands. THANK YOU! I LOVE YOU ALL!

-The leaves today on my ride were so beautiful. I had a nice ride, that made me smile. Even tho my fingers got a tiny bit cold, but at least they werent ice blocks and I smile when i know that I have yet to use the chemical heaters...man it is going to be a long winter at this rate!

-Rich hasnt thrown up yet today.

-Hopefully he wont.

-When i come back tomorrow I can get more popcorn at the subway level shopping area. It is closed on the weekend and there is this great Corn place that has what they call CHICAGO MIX...Um I thought it was MN mix:) I pick all the cheese and regular corn out. then eat a caramel corn. I think the best ratio is 5-6 cheese/plain to 1 Caramel.

-Time to end this post bc I am smiling at how odd that last paragraph is. Gotta end on a smile.

TGIF

Is it really friday? Wow time flies.

So I was swimming this morning and thinking about all the things I am grateful for:

Rich..I would spend three pages on this so just say RICH.

My wonderful supportive friends and family

Rich's family, soon to be MY family too..legally I mean...so wonderful and supportive as well.

My blogger friends, some of you may think i am stalking you and i dont even know you but I have a bit more time on my hands lately to read all your fun and crazy stories! If I comment about how wimpy you are when it is 45 degrees, dont take it seriously. I just have lost my filter this last week:)

My parents especially who I feel have been so lucky to be in good health for so long. Mom, you had that little run in with Cancer a few years ago but at the ripe age of 77yo you beat that bad boy and are now running strong. Dad, you still amaze me and i think you should still sign up for a 5k and beat all the 50 yo's and win your 80-85 AG. You could SO go to Kona!

My co-workers. I work for a wonderful Non-Profit and my co-workers have just been so wonderful and supportive. I dont go to one site and i pretty much multi-task with different sites and management employees. It is a great job and i appreciate the flexbility it allows me, but i sometimes wonder if i really have a home base since i office from home. I sure found out that I do have a CORE support with my work even if i dont see them from 9-5 everyday.

The staff at Mayo..we call the MD's the three amigos, or the SUITS. This is a teaching hospital so with the lead Surgeon we get the chief resident and the 1st year resident AND the PA. They come in "the suits" and I spend most my time trying to break them and make them laugh. I did try this pre-surgery when i cracked a Steve Carrel 40 YO virgin joke about me waxing Rich's belly. And nobody smiled. But me. Ok save those for POST surgery. Now I have cracked all of them at least once. Gotta have some fun ya know. Everyone here is top notch. I mean that. Nobody wants to be here and from the lead Surgeon to the volunteers that come around to give you hand massages ( yes I am serious) this place is the best. Hands down I would come back here if i had to.

Starbucks versus Caribou. Granted I have cut back and i dont drink alot of coffee to begin with but I have had a direct back to back challenge going on with these two, each is within 1/2 block of the hospital. Now you may have your favorites but to be frank, I would not pick either one of them. Yup I am spoiled by my NINA's coffee and the local indy shops I support.

But that being said I only drink espresso and i dont do the foofy drinks. So head to head on the capps..both places seem to think that a dry capp means "oh just dont fill it up as high"

NO this should mean you actually have to make foam. And this means that you actually have to HOLD the pitcher and not just WEDGE itunder the foam head and let it scald and make a high pitched scream. I did cave and order a pumpkin pie latte the other day when i was feeling a bit like I wanted to shop :) ( hahaha, i dont like to shop) and it was good till i got to the place where the sweetener had settled. BLECK. then it tasted like melted candy corn with HFCS mixed in. I am going back to the Jasmine Tea for now, and then back to my tried and true espresso or cold press from my indy shops at home.

Ok that was a coffee rant, wasnt it. But i guess I am thankful for them, in a sick sorta way:)

Thankful for... continues now:

Sun, it came out today.

Jen, for giving me workouts to help make me feel normal and reminding me that i met all my goals this summer so i need to get my head in THIS game..Rich's game and take care of myself too.

My own bed. The cot in this room was awful.

KO, for the swimsuit and the ongoing support.

My own health. I would be lying if i didnt say that this has been hard. I think you kinda buck up and get thru it and rely on the IAMSTRONG...motto but at some point i think i have had a few little pressure releasing quakes and hope that there isnt THE BIG ONE...waiting to come. ( ok seismic jokes may not be funny to those of you living on a fault line...New Madrid is next to go, so San Andreas can relax)

And I am getting too longwinded so time to sign off.

Rich is having a rough day and we hope that once he is past the 72 hour mark things will be better. ( FYI..inflammation peaks at 72 hours so if you crash your bike or have some sort of acute injury..just know day3 isnt gonna be good, but after that you will be better) He is back on NPO ( no food by mouth) and we have to get him rehydrated bc his insides are kicking out too much fluid. He is walking fine, not resting much bc of all the pokes, but I keep telling him how lucky we are that we came here for a 2nd opinion. Thank GOD!

Thanks for reading my hodge podge and for all you folks that are not wanting to ride outside when it is 45, buck up and get out there for a bit...then finish it off inside...:)

Tuesday update

Quick update.

Rich came thru his surgery around noon and out of recovery around 3pm. The surgeon was quite pleased and said it went very well. Nothing out of the ordinary. We await a few more path reports on the nodes but for now..he is clear. Lots of healing to come, and then another procedure/surgey in 3 months but we are blessed and thankful for the care we have received thus far. Keep the prayers coming!

Is it really here?

Winter, that is.

Congrats to all the Kona finishers, the Chicago Marathoners and to all those in the Midwest that have had snow and flurries this weekend. We should get a finisher medal for having the courage to get out of bed.

I have been really sore still after that 1o miler. I was emailing around about what supplements to take and all that and have come to the conclusion that i just need to rest and not worry about it. Deep rest. That isnt something I am too experienced with. When I played tennis all the time you didnt really need DEEP rest. So when Jen said NO TRAINER in October I knew she meant it! And yes It did snow while i was riding today!

So what else is new...?

Rich's daughter is running the Chicago Marathon today and I have not heard yet how it went for her! I hope she had a a memorable race and I am really proud of her no matter what! Horray Emily!

The Twins really bummed me out last week and tonight I will hope they can rally against those Yankees!

Ok signing off for now. More next week from Mayo!

More pics and nervous energy

So I have more pics. I am not usually this into posting pics of myself but it is my blog and maybe bc it seems like racing pics mean I have a bit of control It makes me feel better to recall these efforts. Not that they were fully enjoyable..But actually they were in that weird odd way that we all can relate to.

This one below totally shows what my sister calls Julia's HYENG face. Can you see that i am totally focused on that red mat and actually am truly in the pain locker. And so glad to be done. I think this is the closest i came to hurling on a run. Luckily my Gel stayed put.

And in all this madness of real life I found this picture. Why, you ask, did she post this?

Well in the midst of the fruit basket of life being turned upside down I cancelled alot of wedding things...florist, reception, music, and the invites have not been sent. We thought about sending an "Unsave the date" card. Haha. But what i didnt cancel....is my highlight and cut appt.

I mean IF IF IF we can still get married in November there is NO WAY I am wearing my hair in the long winter dishwater blonde mop. I mean a girl has to put her foot down sometime.

The hair will look good and ya know. F Cancer. No way I am cancelling that hair appt!