I'm a mean

cleaning machine. One of the things that Mom taught me, or perhaps it just rubbed off on me, is to never leave on a trip without first cleaning the house. I did it once and I must say it was really miserable to come home with dirty clothes and suitcases to unpack, turn the key, and walk in to a messy house. It really made me want to turn around and go away again. So, with the Oregon trip looming I am cleaning house and truck today. Sadly it is really outside weather...blue sky, chilly, sunshine; I would prefer to be hanging out there, but must keep my schedule. I do take breaks for an occasional run with the dogs and a mile walk. I also did the WallyWorld run for "stuff" that I need to take along. I tried parking at the very back of the parking lot, but the stalls are so small and I worry about someone dinging up my truck. So it is one of the places that I still use a "blue" spot. Since they have a gazillion and one I don't feel guilty, but it is a bit weird to be training for triathlons and 60 mile walks and using a handicapped spot. What do folks with new cars do when they don't have that option? I guess there are just a lot of door dings, eh?

I got a phone call a few days ago. My tattoo guy wants me to join him at one of the local TV studios for another story/interview. He has had a wild and crazy ride lately; flying here and there pushing his product to the VA and at conventions. I am 150% in support of what he does, so the small inconvenience of these interviews is not a big deal. This one, however, may be a bit different. They want to do an on air tattoo. He will be having his artist put the breast cancer ribbon on the opposite side of the socket from my Koi fish. I had decided that I would have it done after I did the 3-day walk, but we had to bail last year due to my surgery. I guess it will be the added incentive to complete it this year...I will leave the date off until completion. So I guess that means I need to start fund raising. I hate fund raising. I detest fund raising. I want the funds to magically appear. Yes, I know, it ain't going to happen, but one can want it, right?

So I am off to throw the clean clothes into the dryer and clean the kitchen. Then the bathrooms. All is well in my little neck of the woods.

G2

Oh, and another little picture for the continuing saga that is "Things I put on my sister."

Happy Birthday

Baby girl. I am so proud to be your Mom. You've given me a run for my money at times, but somehow we both managed to survive. My life would have less color without that chapter that is you. Thank you for sticking with me and letting me be your Mom. I love you more than life itself.

(Are you ready to do it again...this time beside your Mom?)

G2

Time for a fitting

with a none too pleased dog. This was taken with my cell phone, so I will try for better, and happier, pictures later. (FWIW it is not blue...it is "plum" in honor of my new grandbaby.) With a few modifications Kate will have her new jammies and I will be able to keep a clean dog clean.

Note the sleeping beauty on the couch...

Short legs mean everything ends up on the belly after a walk across a parking lot on a rainy day. Ok, this was a wee bit more than a walk across a parking lot, but you get my drift!

The idea is that this may also help tame an unruly patch of hair. Time will tell. One more thing to pack in the ever growing show bag(s). Five days and counting until I leave for Albany. Lots to do, and little time. For now the house, and couch, comes first.

G2

and the answer is...

I got one of those emails. You know the kind, the question and answer things that so many forward to you. For a change I decided to answer it. Questions like: if you were a color, what would that be? What is your favorite flower?, etc., etc.

I thought I would share some of the answers, in no particular order.

tomatoes (yep, you saw that coming, didn't you?)

diamonds

2/13/10

last week

5am

no

right shoe

dressage

daffodils

Peter the Rabbit

There were many more questions and answers, but it is important that you don't know me too terribly well (in fear you will turn and run quickly the other way), so I will stop there.

G2

Swim class

I am tired, and should sleep well tonight. I learned a lot about myself in my beginners swim class. First, I am dominant on the Left...on the top half of my body. I am Right side dominant on the lower half. So in doing the freestyle swim stroke I am a total klutz trying to breathe on the right side...something I will be working on. Because of the increased strength on the right leg, and the fact that I have no left, it has been determined that I will not use my legs when swimming. Sounds great to me, as it will save them for the bicycle part of the triathlon. It will also save me from constantly having to correct as I veer to the left when I kick. I have spent so much time in the water and have compensated so much for the lack of limb that my freestyle stroke is non existent. I am delighted to have been able to take a class that started at the very beginning. Meeting the other Tri-Babe "beees and wannabees" was also a delight. I am really going to love this venture. Support is the name of the game with these folks. I can't wait until "real" training begins and I can meet the others. There is so very much to learn, and most of it is how to handle my own body mechanics.

For now I am excited for a restful sleep tonight. Whenever I learn something new that involves body dynamics I find that sleeping on the lessons really drives the points home. I will be going to the pool tomorrow to firmly plant it all in my brain. My life just gets better and better as I invite more people and more activities into it. Increased good health is but the icing on the cake.

Thanks to my kids, all three of them, for the drive and the inspiration to not only just hang in, but to do it with the joy that comes from pushing my limits. Soon there will be no limits...thanks, babies.

G2

"Things I put on my sister"

I will start this with a self portrait that this little photographer did. Her description: "I held my breath and crossed my eyes."

And our picture story begins.

Yes, indeedy. The indignity of being a baby sister. The joy of being a big sister. Part one begins right now. (My daughter will be sending me pictures as she gets them; right, dear?)

It all started off innocently enough. Little Plum, without the B, as a princess.

Then it started to get crazier

This is my favorite

Someday, Miss Mimi, little Plum B Minus will get you back...

G2

Off to the big city

First a little plum relief...no bee

I have a lunch date with a friend. Sometimes it is important to drive away from my little piece of paradise and head right into the storm that I call Seattle. I grew up in the area and drove into the big city often; during my illness phase it was at often several times a week for hyperbaric treatment or trips to the trauma center. For a time I commuted through the city for work. Now, however, having lived here for eight years and having recovered physically, I find it very hard to drive there. Horns honk, fingers flail, cars cut in and out. I feel old. No longer am I comfortable zipping around on the motorcycle over there. I feel old. Often times I drive with my little blue "handicapped" placard hanging on the mirror. Does it give me a bit of extra space? That is my hope.

The other day I was driving out to check out a boarding facility. To get there I drove through a small reservation area. I noticed a police car parked in the normal radar spot and continued on. Soon I saw him following me. No big deal, I know I was doing nothing wrong. After about a mile or two the lights came on. Again, no big deal, right? "Do you know you have a tail light out?" sigh. I asked if it was the right side and he said it was. I told him I had thought I had fixed it, but apparently not. another sigh. "May I see your license and registration?" Of course. Proof of insurance? Not quite so easy. I have an expired card in there...the new one must be in the pile of mail on the table. ARGHH! So I begin a somewhat frantic search for it in all the nooks and crannies of my purse and the truck. However, I had failed to mention one teeny tiny thing. I have a CCP and likely he saw that as I was searching through all my cards. (I was not carrying that day, by the way.) He left to go to his car and call in the license and registration, or so I thought, as I continued my quest for my insurance card, which by then I was pretty sure was in an envelope on the dining room table. It wasn't until he came back and told me to be sure to get it into the car and wished me a good day, and I him, that I realized that there were now two more cars behind me. With all the mess that has gone on with police in the past four months I can hardly blame the guy for calling in help. So my lesson has been learned and I will mention the permit right away. I know if I am carrying that I need to tell them immediately and reveal the weapon, but didn't think about the permit possibly causing a bit of a stir. Then again, it comes back to the fact that since all was on the legal up and up, does that not put me in a safer category? Or could I become the psycho elderly lady that becomes violent when pulled over? At any rate I do feel bad for possibly unnerving the poor officer. So, I stopped at the auto parts store and replaced another bulb and I went home and found my insurance card.

Now I need to decide what to "wear" to the big city. The trip is further complicated by the fact that I am stopping to check out a bike on CraigsList. I will give the youngest a call and see if he is available...I would prefer to be armed with my tall handsome son today, I think.

So off I go. It's 9am, and I have been up for four hours. Is it lunch time yet?

G2

25 years

That is how long it has been.

This is a no-brainer for you, but absolutely gigantic for me.

Last week I was shopping. As I was crossing the parking lot, traffic was approaching. Without a second thought (then) I jogged across the traffic lane. Just a quick little jog. Maybe twenty steps. About ten seconds later I realized what I had done. It has been twenty five years since I was able to do that. And I had not even thought; I just reacted and did it! I entered that store with the biggest grin on my face.

My normal is becoming so much more normal. Then again, when is the last time you shed tears after breaking into a short jog? I am such a sap...

G2

It couldn't have happened to nicer people

The Portland dog show. Saturday. Bred By Exhibitor class...yep that favored class of mine (to watch). Two beautiful young cardigan girls take the first and second slot. Samhain bred and exhibited. Sired by the double blue "Casper." Callie continues on for the five point major by taking WB.

Congrats, Mark and Kim...and yes, that order was on purpose as I hear that Mark "let" Kim take his girl in while he struggled with her's. (It must've been a wee little struggle if she came in right behind her sister!) Wonderful news to wake to this fine morning. Yes, indeed!

G2

The week in review

It is hard to believe it is Friday. It really messes me up when Monday is not a real Monday. Why? I haven't a clue, but it does.

This has been a crazy week. I had a full calendar, perhaps because there were only four days this week! So I got nothing done around the house and it is looking a bit scary. I have really had issues with Kate this week, and am desperately in need of carpet cleaning yet again. Last night the pups had their yearly check-ups, and it was revealed why Miss Kate was having accidents again. We had spent Wednesday evening at class and she had a wonderful time with all the puppies that had shown up. Kate adores puppies...bar none. All went well and we headed home as usual. No big deal following the biggest class I have ever been to.

Fast forward to last night, a whopping 24 hours later. We got to the appointment a bit early and my best way of keeping the diva in check is to hold her on my lap. She so wanted to go visit everyone, so up she came. The dogs were weighed and I was quite pleased that Henry has maintained the exact same weight for two years. I guess I have the correct feeding amount and schedule. Kate gained a bit, which was good. She is still well within the standard at 31.2 pounds. She is changing and building muscle, so I am happy. However, when we got into the exam room and the vet came in I noticed that she was, as my aunt used to say, "in a delicate way." She is asleep behind me and is wearing her diaper. Happily she will be back to her normal self come the Albany show on Valentines day.

Yesterday I also tagged along on an appointment at Children's for the two grand girls of my daughter. They have eczema, and it was a recheck. I dare someone to try to convince me that my kids' father's skin issues are not eczema. He can self diagnose all he wants, but they are physician diagnosed and it all looks pretty darn familiar. Hopefully they will outgrow it, or at least be able to keep it in check with the knowledge gained. I have a love/hate relationship with Children's Hospital. I am so glad it is available in the area, but I really dislike teaching hospitals, and bad memories haunt me at Children's. Enough said about that!

This weekend is looking crazy, but so far, knock wood, next week looks a bit quieter.

With that said I am off to the post office and then back to do some yard work. Come on Spring!!!

G2