Because I Can...

Like most people, I have a list of things I'd like to do in my lifetime. Some of those things are personal challenges that I feel I need to mentally and sometimes physically conquer. Back in April I was feeling tired and bored with my routine. Rowing wasn't really helping me keep off the unwanted pounds that kept creeping on. It was getting harder to invest the 4 hours per day I needed for sculling (driving, rowing and boat maintenance).

One morning, while walking the dog I was lamenting how I had let myself go. I got home and was just about to pitch the flyer on my front door in the trash—and then I saw it— "Cave Creek Adventure Boot Camp for Women". I thought to myself "Man do I NEED boot camp". So I looked up the website and the next thing I know I'm heading to 4 weeks of 5:30 a.m. workouts. That very first day I realized that although I thought I was in shape... I really wasn't. What I learned over the course of the first 4 weeks was that I am capable of doing more than I ever thought I could and the physical improvement in just four weeks was amazing.

Four months later I'm still going to boot camp 3 mornings a week and have found a fellow boot camper, Heidi, to run with 2 days out of the week. We're now training to for the Tucson Marathon on December 7.

It will be my first marathon and for Heidi it will be her 5th marathon. We'll also be accompanied by a two boot camp relay teams. The relay teams split the course amongst 4 people. Some of these gals, including Jodi—our boot camp trainer—are using the Tucson marathon as prep for the PF Chang's marathon in January. Heidi and I have a jump on the training so we should be ready in December to go the full distance. We'll have the benefit of having some other boot campers there to help cheer us through the last grueling miles.

From time to time, I'll blog about how training is going. I'll have a "shoe" follow up as I test my 3rd pair of running shoes on a couple runs this week. We did a 10 mile run last weekend and I'm learning a thing or two about the right gear.

And for those of you that haven't seen me for a few months...I can tell you that boot camp really changed me. Both physically and mentally. I'm quite a bit lighter and my muscles are taking shapes that are pleasing. Mentally, I feel tougher and I try never to say "I can't do that". Instead I plagiarize the Nike saying "Just Do It".

Kobi's New Bed

Kobi has been sleeping on the hard floor because the cats keep taking over his stuffed bed and I think its just too hot. I wanted him to have a cool place to lay down that still supported his joints. I found this Coolaroo bed online. It's just high enough to get him off the floor and give him support as well as make it easy for him to get on and off. I think he likes it!

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.

Kobi's Not So Great Day...

My dog Kobi has always acted younger than his age. He's 13.5 (He may be 14 but I think 13.5 sounds better) and for a bigger dog that's getting up there. He's has a pretty pampered life and still loves his walks, herding his cats and running out to scare off a bunny or squirrel in the yard. I'm optimistic that he has at least a couple of quality years left...so at the advice of my vet, I had his teeth cleaned—and while they were doing that—they removed 4 lumps that were in his armpit area. Eventually those lumps were going to be an issue with movement. Not to mention, it was important to know exactly what those lumps were.

The verdict was no cancer. The lumps were lipomas, which are common in older dogs. That's good news. I was also lucky that he had no tooth fractures, infections or dental issues other than a nice coat of tartar that got removed. His teeth are now all shiny and white. He has the teeth of a puppy now.

That being said, the bad part is that it's just harder for an old dog to bounce back from anesthesia and drugs. He was pretty pathetic when I brought him home yesterday. He would cry and whimper when Matt or I were not in immediate proximity to him and he couldn't stand on his own—letting out big yelps when we tried to move him. We finally got him to the bedroom and on a thick rug so he wasn't laying on the hard floor. I woke up at 1:30 a.m. when I heard his collar shake and looked over to see him sitting up and then he rearranged himself to be more comfortable. This morning he got up on his own and is now walking around pretty good. He took a nice drink from the his water dish (I put ice cubes in his water—he loves that) and snarfed down a little doggy sausage. That's always a good sign. He follows me from room to room and lies down somewhere between where Matt is and where I am, so he can watch his people.

I know I'm going to be quite pathetic when I have to say good-bye to my buddy... but that won't be for a few years now.

Below are a few photos to show his "war wounds". He's on the mend and he'll be back to his daily routine soon.

Lake Tahoe Regatta

Last weekend I rowed with Dave Goldner in the Tahoe Regatta. We rowed a double on the short course (3.75 nautical miles). Last year I did the long course (8.75 nm) in my single and I have to say—that this year the race was a bit more relaxed and enjoyable. Dave and I really didn't have any competition as we were the only flat water double. We had a nice little workout row in one of our favorite places to row.


Meeting before the race.


All the singles heading out to the start for the long course.


Getting ready to head to the start.




My new water shoes that I LOVE. They are so light, comfy, fun and happy. You can get them at Glagla. Never mind the goose bumps on my legs--it was kinda chilly in the a.m.

Bad, Bad, Bad Blogger and more Ireland

Geesh.... I've totally been a bad blog girl. I think I left you all hanging on my last post when I said I was going to post some more photos of Ireland. Well here's a couple more photos of our bus trip to Northern Ireland. Specifically to Giant's Causeway and the coast area we visited. You can read about that by CLICKING HERE

Rope bridge we all had fun crossing to get to more amazing views.


Giant's Causeway

Digging Deep...

When rowing, it's not usually a good thing to bury your oars. For Roz Savage perfect form isn't an option. Even if you don't row, you have to appreciate the tenacity and soul of this chick. Roz has already rowed across the Atlantic and now she's going for the Pacific. Truly an inspiration. May we all find her courage and do remarkable things for mankind and our planet. Godspeed Roz!

Roz Savage Website, Blog, Videos & more

Dublin, Ireland

I try to never turn down an opportunity to travel to places I've never been before. So when my friend Audrey needed a travel buddy to Ireland for her nephew's wedding, I was happy to tag along. Later in the planning phase, her girls Kayla and Sierra were able to miss some school and make the trip. Sierra flew out with us, while Kayla flew out a few days later. Audrey and I took a couple of days at the beginning of the trip to walk all over Dublin while Sierra headed to the country to stay with her cousins.

Below are a few photos from the Dublin part of the trip. More of the rest of the trip to follow later.

I think it's fair to say that we experienced something most people don't in Ireland... continuous SUNNY days! Out of our nine days we had eight with blue skies. Ireland was green and blue which certainly makes Irish eyes smile!


A view from the River Liffey that runs through Dublin.


Audrey was the designated Dublin "Map Girl". I took photos and she found the next stop.


With sunny skies, everyone was out enjoying the good weather. We walked through St. Stephen's Greens where everyone was lounging on the lawns by all the flowers. All the blooming tulips were beautiful.


Audrey in front of Christ's Church Cathedral.


Me in the courtyard of Trinity College.

It's a Two Car Garage Again...

Ok, maybe one and a half. Well, I'm finally driving around in my little car after a year long wait for it's delivery date. I just love it. It's a tiny little car but when you are in it, you FEEL big. Lots of headroom and large front window and sun roof. Needless to say, it's getting lots of attention wherever I go.

My interior photos turned out bad. I'll try to take a few of those later when the sun isn't making harsh shadows and thus some icky photos.

No Brainer...

It seems people my age and older have started freaking out about looking older. Certainly, I could care less what other people think and have found it a bit disturbing how insecure people can be about that stuff. When the whole Botox thing came about, I said to myself "Self, how stupid would it be to actually have a toxin inserted underneath my skin into my body?". After about a nano second of contemplation—I ruled it out as my path to a more youthful appearance. I'm opposed to anything invasive unless it's necessary to prolong or save my life. I've always found it amusing to witness individuals super critical about what they and others eat and then go out and have a toxin injected into their skin.

So my lovely friends (All who do not need any help looking beautiful)—if you were even thinking about Botox or other crap injections (Hmmm... has anybody tested crap as a wrinkle filler? Eeeeeewwww!) —THINK about it. Where is all that stuff going??

Read on and you'll look differently at those cute little lines. If you look hard—those little lines are smiling back at you!

A New Reason to Frown
Have Botox, Will Travel

Backyard Wildlife

This time of year we usually have some visitors in the wash area behind our house. A group of Javelinas. I snapped a few pictures of the new tiny additions. Kobi shares his dog food and I threw out some carrots for them. The babies are so tiny and cute.

New Urban Land Maintenance?

On the way for a hike on North Mountain last evening. Matt and I stopped to see the new clean up crew along a busy Cave Creek road. I'm pretty sure my Dad will be surprised. Usually I only see these on the farm when I visit home.

The BIG Bruise....

Sorry kids... I'm so woefully behind on my "e bloggin". I'll try and catch up right after the taxes are done.

In the meantime, I'm posting a few picts from the now infamous snowboard crash in Canada. If you hadn't already heard--Matt (a.k.a. Cricket) landed on a nice bunch of rocks and broke his hip while on the annual snowboard trip. The photos below are supplied by his fellow trip snowboarder, Ed Hager. When I first got the call I was told that it was "a rock". After seeing the photos, I think a "rock" really meant boulders!

This happened almost 3 weeks ago. Although, Matt tested the Canadian healthcare system through 3 days of hospitalization... I think we can all be thankful that he didn't land on his head!

He's made a remarkable recovery. He ditched the crutches after a couple days at home and is now riding his motorcycle, taking rehab walks and getting about without much of a limp. Per the Doctors--he was lucky to have broken his Iliac crest-- which is a non weight bearing bone. Any further down and he would still be in a world of hurt.

Now I know what to do with Sparky...

Sparky is my yellow barn cat that sometimes has WAY too much energy. He climbs up my leg all day long to get me to play with him. Perhaps he needs to go to cat agility...

The Bowl's Always Half Full...

I was practicing with a new lens on my camera today. Matt got it for me for Christmas after reading a Merlin Mann's 43 Folders (now one of my favorite geek "e" sites). The lens is a single focus 50mm. It is great for portrait photos. It actually forces you to be a little more selective and creative with the close shot. Here's one I liked of Sparky doing his favorite thing... eating out of the big kitty food bowl which always seems to have food in it for him. He's an appreciative little Michigan barn kitty.

Wicked Smart....

I saw this Smart Car ad and HAD to put it on the blog. Certainly when I get a Smart car I can feel GOOD about this!

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.

Chopper Dan

My B-I-L Dan used his helicopter to drop a guy off whose dirt bike broke down in a remote area. As there were no flat spots for landing, he had to do a "drop" literally. Check it out.

I'm NOT good about these things...

Ok folks... I have a SIN for which I must confess. It's the "Oh I'll remember to..." one. You know when someone you REALLY want to contact leaves a message on your phone... and then you proceed with deleting BEFORE you've written the number down. You know-- the long lost high school buddy.

Well long lost high school buddy/probably would be more if I hadn't well.... lost your phone number way back when....
I'm REACHING out to you via the web. Google up! You'll find me and if you could just call one more time, I won't be so quick to DELETE!

Oh.... I'm a bad friend. Ok, I'm NOT if you actually touch base with me. Or better yet, REACH for me.

So if you've called--please call again. I really DO want to talk to you.

And if you don't reach me--I'm sending you brainwaves...

"E" or as a slight few may know "Betsy" (Don't even think you can go somewhere with this unless you KNEW me in high school....) is here. I really DO want to talk/see you again.

Makenna Cares...

Here's a pat on the back to my cousin Todd (Steve) and wife Heather for teaching their kids about charity and compassion. Their daughter, Makenna, tossed aside vanity to get her long locks cut off for the Pantene Beautiful Lengths program. This program allows one to donate their beautiful healthy hair to create free wigs for women who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment.

I received her haircut photos in an e-mail and thought that it needed to be blogged and shared. Perhaps you are considering a shorter hairdo, but have been hesitant to see those long strands falling to the floor. You can follow Makenna's lead and give something back and feel good about getting a fun new short style. See the link above for details about the program.

Makenna--AWESOME new hairdo. You GO girl!