R.I.P. Chance

It's hard not to love a little Shih Tzu and especially Chance. My Mom and Dad got Chance after losing their first Shih Tzu, Teddy. I kind of brought Teddy to them and they loved him and discovered how much fun the breed's feisty attitude could be. They hand picked Chance and he was a suck-up from the get-go. He soon was the boss of them and where ever they were he was. He particularly liked to be where my Mom was but he his loyalty to her would go out the window if Dad was going somewhere in the truck. He loved truck rides! He also loved his white kitties that slept with him on the couch, eating at the dinner table, and herding his people on the big farm. He was extremely lucky to be a farm dog, and even luckier to be REALLY spoiled farm dog.

Chance all snuggled up with my Dad's jacket on the tractor in winter.

Although I've lived in Arizona throughout Chance's lifetime, I always enjoyed visiting and having him run in my bedroom to wake me up in the morning. He was well mannered, well behaved and lovable. I tend to get attached to my parent's animals because I feel like when I'm there, they are an extension of our family. I also just love animals and especially cute, smart dogs.

Chance passed away in his sleep just two nights ago. My parents really didn't see it coming and so they are really quite a mess losing their beloved little dog. Chance was 12 years old. So again our family has lost a special pet and family member in a short period of time. There is comfort in knowing that he was at his favorite place in the whole wide world when his time came. At home on his farm with his people.

R.I.P. little Shih Tzu. Your canine family is waiting for you in doggie heaven. Zach, Zoe and Kobi will all be happy to see you.

September Updated

Time to get my blog updated. Looks like there was nothing going on in September when in fact, lots went on in September. I'll start off with the quick weekend trip to Michigan for my cousin Katie's wedding day. The wedding was on September 5th. That morning I checked off my marathon training run. It was a nice long run from my parents house to my friend Audrey's house in Onondaga (15 miles). The weather was perfect and I started off at 7:00 a.m. There was a morning mist and the roads are very quiet out in the country. Matt drove ahead of me and took some photos as I progressed towards Leslie where Kayla (Audrey's daughter) met me for the final 8 miles. She's a FAST girl so I told her just to go on ahead. She came back for me for the last few miles. Matt met me at Audrey's and she made us a waffle breakfast (Yummy... Thank You Audrey!)

Here I am turning off of Fitchburg Rd.

This was about 5 miles from my parents house.

More photos on the RC3 Running Club blog.

Then there was the wedding that evening. I was very bad about taking photos this trip. However I did get this very nice photo of the Newlyweds.

Newlyweds Katie & Christopher Wolcott

Matt & I stayed at my Parent's house and the farmhouse I grew up in. I still love that old house with all the big trees, flowers and my Mom's awesome gardens. Matt just loves the sweet corn and he like the donuts that we picked up at Gee Farms to take to the after wedding, gift opening brunch at my Aunt Jill & Uncle Steve's house.

Brother, Alan, took this photo of the farm house that we grew up in.

One of the great things about growing up on a farm was that we were never bored as children. Especially with so many chores and things to explore. My brother and wife, Debbie, took their Grandson, Logan (I guess that makes me his Great Aunt—talk about feeling OLD!). Needless to say, the farm was a big, new world for Logan. He had a blast going on tractor rides, exploring the farm from corner to corner and getting his first up front and personal with the farm sheep.

Logan and my Dad feeding the baby lambs. More photos of Logan, family and farm can be found by clicking here.

The trip to Michigan was the highlight of September. I got home and immediately went on a HOT 16 mile long run the weekend after. It was incredible how difficult that run was after running a cool Michigan morning run. Luckily, those hot mornings are behind us now and I'm enjoying some of the same weather here. Next up, Matt and I are going on a weekend trip to Moab, October 16-19. Matt's going to do some mountain biking with some buddies and I'm going to run the Moab "Other Half Marathon" on October 18th. I'm looking forward to the run as it will be a nice training run with some beautiful scenery. Look for some photos for that soon.

Note: September was a big month for the running club I helped start. RC3 is now an official non-profit and we are a member of the RRCA (Road Runner's Club of America). We're now up to 50 women and still growing! I'm quite proud of all we've accomplished in such a short time. You will see most of my blogging about running by visiting the RC3 Running Club blog.

Farm Life

Going back to the family farm for vacation is not all rest and relaxation. However, it can turn out to be a gratifying experience. Not only did I get fresh vegetables from my Mom's garden, I also got a nice farm work out by helping my Dad unload wagons of hay. My brother Alan was also home for the 4th of July holiday and he got to partake as well.

Here's how it works. My dad drives the tractor with the baler that shoots the bales into the back of the wagon. My brother walked along side picking up the bales that get over shot or under shot. Once the wagon was full, I threw the bales out of the wagon and my Dad picked them with his little bulldozer like tractor and took them into the barn where Alan stacked them. I have to say that my job was a bit "easier" than Alan's as I wasn't inside the dark enclosed barn. He also got to do a couple extra wagons while I was visiting friends.






You can see a bale being "shot" into the wagon in this photo.


The hay before it's cut and dried.

Back At The Farm

I went back to the farm in Michigan to spend Christmas with my parents. It's always a good experience and a reminder of how quickly times goes by when the work day consists of farm chores such as taking care of animals and cutting wood to keep a big old farm house cozy in the winter.


Winter lamb. It's a good thing they have wool coats!


Giving me that sheepish look.


My Dad as a lumberjack.


Mom treating the farm dogs.


Farm dog Zach after getting a "snow" drink.