Golden Rainbow

We had a casual Golden Retriever Meetup yesterday for anyone that was looking for something to do during the long 4 day weekend. I put the information out to my group about 2 weeks ago, and figured I'd have a handful of people show up. I know most people have a lot going on around the holidays, and honestly I didn't expect many to show.

Boy, was I pleasantly surprised! We had nearly 60 members and their dogs show! It was great! Just a fun romp in the park, followed up by lunch at a dog friendly food court within walking distance.
For our group picture this time we tried to line up in "color" order. It was tougher than I thought it would be, but we did manage to get an OK picture. Next week our group will participate in the La Jolla Christmas parade. With all of the dogs in jingle bell collars and holiday garb, it outta be a hoot!

No, it's not your eyes, this picture is blurry!

While out shopping...

...we ran across this. Right there, in the "Juicy" store, a (what I'm assuming was fake) goat head, mounted on the wall, wearing pearls, earrings, a pillbox hat and lipstick.

Can someone please tell me what in the heck this has to do with anything holiday related? Pretty bizarre if you ask me....

So Very Thankful

On this chilly Thanksgiving Day I wanted to take a couple of moments to really think about the things I am most thankful for. This year, there are so very, very many things I can think of, so I will list only 10, rather than listing each and every one.

1. I am so very thankful for the health of my parents.


2. I am so very thankful for my loving Hubby and beautiful children.


3. I am incredibly thankful that in this tough economy Hubby was able to find an excellent new job, after having lost his at the end of September.


4. I am thankful for my old friends, who continue to shower me with love and support when I most need it.


5. I am thankful for the new friends I have made this year, those that have begun to weave themselves into the fabric of my world and make my life richer.


6. I am thankful for the generosity and kindness of strangers, that was so evident to me during this past weekend at the 3 Day Walk.


7. I am thankful for the opportunities I have to help other people, whether it be to offer them support, a place to come for comfort or relaxation, or whatever they need.


8. I am thankful that my children are learning the importance of helping others.


9. I am thankful for my constant companions, my dogs. My life is so full of laughter and unconditional love (and fur) because of them. They have truly enriched my life.


10. Lastly, I am thankful that I don't have to cook today. My Mom is cooking our Thanksgiving Feast today, and a feast it will be. Best part is that they live only 2 miles away, and even though I don't have to cook, we'll have left-overs for later. Who can knock that!

I hope this day finds you happy, and hopeful for a wonderful holiday season. Happy, Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

Harley is thankful for a warm place to take a long, winter nap...

Lovely!

Kona, Jack, Harley & Jill

Ah, I love the smell of puppies
freshly groomed. I'd better enjoy
it while it lasts...with this bunch
it won't last long!They do look
pristine though, don't they?

The 3 Day in pictures

The 3 Day is DONE!

WE DID IT! Our team, "60 Miles for our Melons" finished! The 2008 San Diego Susan G. Komen 3 Day 60 Mile Breast Cancer Walk is history. Shirley and I walked EVERY. SINGLE. STEP! Bear had to take a couple of very short breaks due to some super nasty blisters, (her blisters had blisters - how nasty is that!?!) But we all stepped across the finish line together, arm in arm. IT. WAS. INCREDIBLE! Throngs of supporters, deafening applause, and cheering...if that doesn't make you feel like a rock star, nothing will.

The experience this year was fantastic! Overwhelming to say the least. I've got tons of pictures that I've got to go through, and then I'll post a slide show. I want to share as many images from this as I can. It truly was a life changing event. Something I will remember for the rest of my life.

Huge thanks to all of my family and friends that gave up part of or all of the last 3 days to support our team. Without your love and support we could not have gotten through it. You are appreciated more than words can say. We love you all!

Here are just a couple of my favorite pictures from yesterday. I'll post more as soon as I can.

This gentleman was having the time of his life!

Our support crew - the "Melon Patch" - they were the BEST!

Finally at the finish line with our Moms!

Day 3 - DONE!

We've dumped the walking shoes for the slippers.

2 Days Down, One to Go!

We survived Day 2 of the 3 Day walk! We were on the road for exactly 9 hours today. Started walking at 6:45am, walked through the finish line at 3:45pm. We were walkers number 1760, 1761 & 1762! That's not shabby considering there are 4,600 walking! We came in ahead of nearly 2,900 other people? Incredible! The pedometer says 22.12 miles. My feet say more like 100 miles. But it's all good! Tomorrow will be awesome!

The end of day 2 - yeah!

One of our "crew cars" - our friends ROCK!

One of coolest shirts I've seen out there so far.

Super quick...

We survived the first day of the 3 Day walk. My pedometer says 23.34 miles, which translates to 54809 steps - but no blisters, yet. We started walking at 7:30am. We got to camp at 5:00pm. Our pace was slow because there are SO many people walking - nearly 5,000!

I am....

Wiped out.

Totally pooped.

But proud.

Only 2 more days to go.

Butterflies are swarming...

...in my

stomach.

11 hours

until the

walk starts...

I'll try to post

something tomorrow evening

if I'm not totally exhausted,

but don't hold your breath. I'm

wiped out just thinking about it!

Anticipation...

I woke up at 4:41am this morning. My body was in bed, but my brain was on the walk. Exciting and nerve wracking all at the same time. The anticipation of getting underway is getting to me. I can't believe that I will be out on the route in less than 24 hours.

Speaking of 24 hours...in the last 24 hours I've gotten word of two more women I know that have been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Unbelievable. Horrible. Down right shitty. My heart goes out to them both. I am adding them to the long list of people I will be thinking of as I walk - my Mom, a 22 year survivor, my Aunt Evelyn, Matt's Mom, Dave's Mom, Lisa Miller, Deborah, Alisa's Mom, Bear's co-worker Renee, just to name a few...

Kookie Kona

Kona is a silly dog, with his own unique personality and quirks. Ever since he was a wee little pup he has enjoyed the pool, and specifically playing with the warm water inlet. He loves to sit on the stairs and splash at the warm water coming into the pool from the solar panels. He'll paw at it, bite at it and stick his face right down into it. Sometimes I think he needs a snorkel!

Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen

This is the obstacle course known as my kitchen. Each and every time I am doing anything in the kitchen (even if it's just dishes) I have the whole parade of pups joining me. They are such funny creatures, aren't they...always hopeful that a juicy morsel of something will come flying their way...which, of course, never happens...(oh,who am I trying to kid!)

Chunky Legs in Motion - Part Neun (That's Deutsch for 9...)

We reached another milestone today. Our last training walk. Our last jaunt around the lake for a 5 miler. It felt good...and a little melancholy. Oh sure, the lake will be there for future walks, lazy afternoon strolls with the dogs, leisurely wandering...but it won't be the same. We won't face it with the same intensity of the training walks. No longer will we worry about keeping our pace under our 20 minute mile mark (we completed our 5 mile walk in exactly 93 minutes, which was a whole 7 minutes under our goal, thank you very much) or worry, as we walk, about the longer training walks ahead of us. The next 2 days will be rest days (which means go about your regular daily tasks, but don't add any long mileage) and then at approximately 7:00am on Friday the 21st, our real challenge begins. I am ready. I can do this. (I know if I keep telling myself that, it will help...) I did it 2 years ago with a bad foot, and this is just going to be a repeat performance, hopefully minus the blisters.

We finally got our team shirts tonight, just a few minutes ago they were dropped off. They came out pretty cute. I think our "crew" of husbands and friends are going to look great in them - cheering us along the route, giving us fresh supplies of smiles and encouragement. The 3 Day production is very well organized and every couple of miles they have food, drinks, medical supplies,restrooms, etc., but none of that makes up for the encouragement from a familiar face.

The next couple of days I will be busy with the dogs and my regular household stuff, but my mind will be thinking of the adventure that lies ahead of me....the one that started way back in February with a single step as I registered for the walk...and will end this Sunday evening with a million memories.

Goof balls

The dogs are full of piss and vinegar this morning. Harley and Kona are especially enjoying each other's company. This is what they've been doing all morning...(and then, of course, Jack has to put his 2 cents in...)

That'a Boy!

Busy weekend, but no energy to blog much right now, and I've got to throw something together for dinner or the poor starving beings, known as my teenagers, may self implode and blow away like dust in the wind...

But, I did want to share a couple of my new favorite pictures from the past week. For Kona's first birthday, Auntie Val gave him a rubber Frisbee (and some yummy bully sticks) He loves trotting around the house with the Frisbee in his mouth, and playing games of "keep-away" with the other dogs. He has no interest in trying to catch the Frisbee though, or for that matter, anything else. He'll retrieve it once it has hit the ground, but hasn't figured out the whole "run, jump, grab it in mid air" thing.

Jack, on the other hand, has. His intensity astounds me. What a good boy!

24 paws and fur on the floor!

Our awesome pack!

We are fortunate enough to be enjoying some real summer-like weather for a few days, here smack in the middle of November. We are also fortunate enough to be enjoying the company of some of our very favorite Golden friends. I picked up Harley, my "surrogate" service dog yesterday. She will be staying with us for a few weeks, enjoying a little "off" time from her regular duties, while her Dad spends some time in the hospital. Harley has been a regular visitor with us over the past 3 years, and is like one of the family. She meshes in perfectly with our pack, and it is always a pleasure to have her with us. In addition to Harley being here today, Val, of My Boo Bear, brought her two sweethearts, Joey and Kealani, down for a swim today. The pool was a little cool for my taste (the water is about 72 degrees) - the dogs sure didn't mind though, and the warm air (mid 80's) was perfect. The dogs swam for a solid two hours, and it was a great play date!

Jack, Harley, Jill & Kona

Jack, Harley, Kona, Jill, Joey & Kealani

Good Dog, Bad Dog

We have another birthday in the house... Jack is 5 years old today! Can I get a whoop-whoop! He is such a good boy. Well mannered (most of the time) listens well, a great walker, smart as a whip, never gets into anything he shouldn't, etc. Last night on our evening walk, I even unleashed him and he walked right next to me the whole way home. Hubby was just in front of us with Kona and Jill so Jack and I just followed closely behind, in perfect sync. It was awesome.

Good Dog, Jack!

Kona, on the other hand, is still VERY much a puppy. He gets bored easily, and needs lots of stimulation. Apparently he wasn't too happy when Bear and I went out for a training walk this morning. We've got his favorite digging spot covered up with a large piece of slate, so he had to find something else to occupy his time while we were gone this morning...

Bad Dog, Kona

Veteran's Day

At the end of what was another gorgeous day here in San Diego, I want take a moment to say Thank You to all of the Veterans. It's because of you that we live in the land of the free, and the home of the brave. And we know that freedom is by no means free. Thank you for your service to our country.

Birthday Boys

Kona and his brother Joey are celebrating their first birthday today. We got together for lunch and a play-date at the dog park. What fun! Auntie Val even got Kona some presents!

Through an amateur's eyes - a review of "Role Models"

Good Lord, what was I thinking?

I broke down and took A.J., my 16 year old son to see Role Models today. Thankfully it was just the two of us, as Pickle is out of town for a couple of days with a school group, Bear was at work, and Hubby started his new job today.(Yay!) It was bad enough being there with A.J., laughing nervously at the raunch, and I squirm at the thought of sitting in the theater with both of my "youngsters."

But that's not to say it wasn't funny. Oh, so raunchy, but pretty funny in some parts. The movie stars Seann William Scott, and Paul Rudd, and was rated "R" for many, many reasons...namely the "F" bomb being dropped WAY more times than I could possibly count. Tons of "adult" language - several sets of boobs being flashed (hence some of the nervous laughter) and plenty of drug references.

Some of the very funniest lines came from "Ronnie" a 10 year old kid in the mentor program the two main characters are sentenced to participate in. Ronnie is played by Bobb'e J. Thompson, 12, and his little "tough guy" act is done to perfection. He delivers his dialog with the talent of a seasoned pro, and none of it is clean enough for me to repeat here...

Another of the kids in the mentor program is "Augie" played by Christopher Mintz-Plasse of "Superbad" fame. Augie is a cape-wearing ubernerd in need of a strong father figure. Augie lives in a fantasy world of Dungeons and Dragons, Elves, magical spells, and such, and acts them out with a group of others in a game called L.A.I.R.E. (Live Action Interactive Roleplay Experience) The game they played was kind of like an "all battle" Renaissance Fair, without the men in kilts. Kilts would have helped. I got the distinct impression that they were trying to dis my peeps from the Ren. Fair...and that's just not cool. People that go to real Renaissance Fairs are WAY cooler than the nerds they portrayed here - this I know from experience...'nuff said on that...

Jane Lynch was a real shining star in this movie - playing the whacked out director of the mentor program. Let's all pray that our children never wind up in a program like the one she was running. She played her part of a recovering drug addict and alcoholic to a "T" and often times had you wondering if she'd taken a quick trip off of her wagon. Her signature line of the movie was "Don't B.S. me, you can't B.S. a B.S'er." I guess you had to be there, but it was darn funny.

The movie was rude, crude, and really raunchy. But I have to tell you, I did laugh out loud, several times, sometimes nervously at being seated with A.J., and sometimes just at the stupidness of the whole thing. If you are wondering about the Kiss picture, well, you'll just have to see the movie to understand that part. I do have a new understanding of their song "Love Gun..." Would I recommend this movie? Certainly not to everyone. For anyone with the sense of humor of a 16 year old boy, you betcha. Keep in mind those "F" bombs though, they come flying from everywhere! My overall rating "C". If you were to ask A.J, he says it's a B+, but remember he's 16.

I love living here....

Chunky legs in motion - part 'Ewalu (that's 8 in Hawaiian - guess where I dreamt I was last night...)

You might notice that I haven't updated my "Chunky Legs in Motion" series in a while. That's because I've been pretty bad with my training lately, and took most of the month of October off from long walks to concentrate on Halloween Party prep. That. Was. Not. A. Good. Idea. I'm going to pay for the decision to be lazy..

The 3 Day walk starts in 12 days. Yesterday my dear friend, and teammate Shirley, and I decided we'd better kick our training back into gear. We got together at 7am and made the short drive to Mission Bay. We'd previously walked as far as 15 miles without more than a couple of minutes break, and did it relatively pain free. Well, let me tell you folks, a couple of weeks makes a HUGE difference. Yesterday we drug our butts 12 miles. The first 6 or so went by relatively easily, but the last half of the walk was a real killer! At times we seriously didn't think we were going to make it. I'm sure it didn't help that it was in the mid 80's by the time we got into a good grove at about 8:00am, and that I'd gotten a total of about 3 hours of sleep the night before. (Lots on my mind, and just couldn't turn my brain off) But let me tell you, it was tough! If there was any doubt that I wasn't physically ready for the walk, this was the proof I was dreading. After debating whether or not we could dig up enough cash out of our fanny packs to get a taxi back to our car, we decided to tough it out and keep walking. We completed our 12 mile training walk, with a couple of short stops, in about 4 1/2 hours. Our feet ached and our legs felt like jello, but we made it.

I woke up today with the intention of going on a short walk...at least that was the intention before my feet actually hit the floor. Everything is sore and stiff, and I think I'll pass on that short walk. Tomorrow is another day, and I don't think letting everything rest today is a bad idea. Probably lazy, but not bad. I'll put in as many miles as I possibly can in the next 11 days, without killing my poor chunky legs and tootsies.

Like I said, the 3 Day, 60 Mile walk starts in 12 days. Plenty of time for me to stock up on mole skin (for the blisters I know I'll have), and Ibuprofen. I'll need lots of both. Wish me strength. I'll need it.

Need a little inspiration?

Give this a look. It knocked my socks off.


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Last of the Halloween 2008 Party Pictures

Ok folks, here they are...the last of the party pictures for this year. Over the last couple of days I've had several people drop off CDs with their pictures and I've done my best to compile them here for you - without being too raunchy...

The Guests - part 3...

Misc. Party Pictures...

The Aftermath...