Note to Self...

Therapy visit = good.


Blue and white wide stripes = BAD!

The Barber Shop Pole look is not a good one on me.

Kids and Kritters

Are you looking for a way to help someone less fortunate than you this holiday season? Ricochet aka "Santa Paws" is here with some great ideas!


We just made our donation - a little something for the kids, and a little something for the kritters. Can you spare a little something for kids and/or kritters in need? Please click here to make a donation of your own. Remember, is it better to give than receive, and it sure makes your heart feel good!

High Fives

Every once in a while, it's good to do a little refresher course....


J, J, H & K needed a little refresher on their high-fives. Pickle was happy to oblige.

Harley knows just what to do!
So does Kona.

Jack never forgets what it takes to get a treat.

And then there is Jill....who just sits there and looks pretty.

Harley says "If Jill won't to it, I'll take her treat!" Smart girl indeed!

One more for the road Kona.

Guy-liner? No complaint here...a new crush of the week.

When did it become acceptable for men to where eyeliner? Don't get me wrong...I'm not complaining, but rather just asking the question. I guess I really hadn't noticed it too much, until recently.

Oh sure, there was Kurt Cobain in the early 90's. He doesn't look bad...

I'm sure it goes a lot further back than him...

In recent memory, I've noticed it on Johnny Depp in the Pirate of the Caribbean movies, Johnny wears it very well....

Russell Brand, not a favorite of mine. Jared Leto, he kinda looks greasy...

and Marilyn Manson, who just is a freak-show all around...Yesterday I saw "Burlesque" with Cher, Christina Aguilera, and Cam Gigandet. Cam Gigandet played James (the bad vampire) in Twilight. Cam plays one of the male leads, Jack, in "Burlesque." Cam wears a lot of eyeliner as Jack. Cam can carry off the guyliner with the best of them. Me likey Cam...

Look out Brad, and Robert Downey...there's a new man in Sue's site...and he looks great with or without fangs and/or eyeliner. Ladies, and some of you men out there, if you've seen "Burlesque" you know what I mean. I'd love a Famous Amos cookie please...

Christmas Flash Mob!

I saw this early this morning, as I was sitting on my couch, feeling depressed over not feeling well enough to join my crazy Christmas shopping friends this morning for a traditional Black Friday Shopping Frenzy. (My knee is still in sad shape from the 3 Day walk...)

It lifted my spirits, and I hope it will do the same for you.

Welcome Home!

Borrowed from a local radio station...

This picture says it all. “This is what makes me want to come home alive”, said one Marine. “I’ve got a lot to lose”. Marines and sailors with 1st Battalion 11th Marine Regiment just got home from Afghanistan. After months of waiting and worrying, homecoming night finally happened late Tuesday when the 1/11 arrived at Camp Pendleton after a seven-month deployment.

I'm sure this family had a very happy Thanksgiving, and they certainly deserve it!

God Bless our Military!

Thankful

I have so much to be thankful for this year, it's hard to know where to start.



I actually woke up this morning thinking about how blessed I've been in the past year. Yes, it was a tough year in many respects. Hubby lost his job very unexpectedly in early June, my Dad was very sick this summer and we weren't even sure if he would be around to celebrate Thanksgiving with us. Other things came up out of the blue and smacked us in the face, reminding us that life is fragile, and we only have so much control over what happens. The trials and tribulations of life are hard to get through sometimes, but they are just that: life. Things happen, our paths change unexpectedly, we lose dear friends and things we love, new things come into our lives and we learn to cope, rearrange, compensate, and go on.


We need to remind ourselves to be thankful for everyday, no matter what. We never know what tomorrow may bring, and there are no guarantees.


So, on that note, and in no particular order, here are some of the many, many things I am thankful for this year.

• My family, the most incredibly supportive family a person could ever ask for.


• My dogs - the best non-human companions there are. They share their unconditional love with me, fill my day with giggles, love (and fur) and can bring a smile to my face when all else fails.


• My friends who put up with my O.C.D., my Halloween craziness, my eccentricities, my control issues and occasional bossiness (especially around Halloween!), my Golden obsession, my 3 Day training schedule, my insecurities, etc.
• My special friends that came out to crew and cheer for me, my team mates and the other 4000 walkers that walked in last week's cold, rainy 3 Day- 60 mile walk. You said you were going to come, you DID come, you stood in the rain, you high-fived hundreds of strangers and helped make their day a little brighter, and you made our days a LOT brighter. You, my dedicated friends, are a very special breed, and I love you all.
• Ibuprofen - in the days since the walk I have been very, very thankful for Ibuprofen.
• Modern technology. Without modern technology I would not have had my Dad with me to share a Thanksgiving dinner with. Kidney dialysis has saved his life, and given him back a quality of life we thought was gone for him. His appetite is back, his humor and wonderful personality is back, and for that we are all extremely thankful!
• My friends at the VA Hospital. They remind me each time I visit just how lucky I am. No matter what kind of a mood I may be in on the way to the VA, I feel better walking through those doors, and as I leave, I am reminded of how blessed I am.
• Love on a Leash - the therapy dog organization Kona and I belong to. LoaL opened up a whole world of service to others for me. I had no idea what I was getting into when I joined, and I am thankful daily for the opportunities it provides me. There is no better feeling than to bring joy to others.
• Trans Siberian Orchestra - I am thankful that you are coming to town and I get to see you.
• The "Black Friday" ads in the paper. Your proved to me, once again, that there is nothing I need to get up for at 3am...oh sure, there are a couple of things that I want...but nothing I need. That's a great feeling. So is sleeping in.
• My blog friends - I am thankful that you take the time out of your busy day to read my gibberish, comment on my posts, and hang in there when I know I must be boring you. I appreciate each and every comment, and visit you make to this lil blog of mine.
• Charlotte what's her name - the recruiter that helped Hubby find and land his new awesome job! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!
• Ron - you have no idea how thankful I am for you and your family! We'd have been lost without you this year. Thank you for helping us to get through some very rough times.

I know I could go on and on, and there are literally thousands of people and things I am grateful for, but I'll stop for now, and get working on some stuff I should get done around the house.

I hope you'll take some time out of your very busy weekend and reflect on what you are thankful for this year as well. After all, isn't that what this time of year is really all about?

With love, and thankfulness to each and everyone of you,

Sue

She's at it again!

Making people feel special, doing what needs to be done...she is amazing, and we are thankful she is our friend! We love you Ricochet!

It gets better - You're amazing just the way you are! from Judy on Vimeo.

By the Numbers

• 3 Days


• 65.93 total miles walked in those 3 days.


• Approximately 4,000 walkers


• Over 10.6 million dollars raised in San Diego alone for the Susan G. Komen Foundation


• Donations made to me for the walk = $3400


• Total "60 Miles for our Melons" team donations = $9513


• 2192 pictures taken between me and my friends and family over the course of the 3 day walk


• 5 pairs of socks worn over those 3 days (by me)


• 3 pairs of shoes worn over those 3 days (by me)


• 9 hours walked in the rain on Saturday.


• 115,000 bananas served to the walkers and crew over the 3 days.


• 2812 was the number I was checked in at the end of day one.


• 2916 was the number I was checked in at the end of day two.


• 1 = the number of blisters on my feet (and it's just a little one!)


• 3= times I've done the 3 day now...


• 2= times I've walked every single step in the 3 day. (The first time I walked, in 2006, I had to get a ride to the top of one of the hills.)


• Familiar faces seen along the route - countless.


• number of pictures taken of Hubby and his "Melon Men" buddies with other women squeezing his melons? WAY to many to count! (Those Melon Men are all over the Internet and FB!)


• The experience of doing the 3 day again, immeasurable.

End of day 1
End of day 2
End of day 3

2010 3 Day Breast Cancer Walk - Day 3

I was too wiped out to do anything yesterday after I got home from finishing the 3 Day, and I took most of today off from doing anything other than icing my knee...but there is so much to share, I just had to start somewhere! Day 3 started off with blue sky - thank goodness! We got a nice early start, and hit the road hoping the sun would hold out. The "Melon Men" got an early start too, and were out on the route early to cheer on the walkers.

We enjoyed the warm weather while we had it...

One of the yucky parts about the 3 day (and probably my only complaint about the event itself) was the wait for porta-potties...when a girl's gotta go, a girl's gotta go!

One thing I can say about having to wait in line though, was that there was always something entertaining to watch. The San Jose Police Bike Patrol was in town again for our event, and these guys are a riot! They can make anything fun, even standing in line!

Before too long, we were back in our rain gear...fun, fun...

What? We knew we'd walked a long way...but this far? Not quite! Ha ha! Each of our pit stops had a unique flair to them. This one was obviously Vegas themed...complete with "Elvis" serving up orange slices and string cheese.
Each day we walked, we had a big hill to face. On day 3 it was Juan Street, coming out of Old Town. I. HATE. JUAN. STREET. I'm just sayin....

Hate it or not, we got to the top! I've got to say it felt AWESOME to walk every step up that...especially as we saw buses full of walkers that opted out of walking up it. It was a sense of accomplishment for sure.

It was a lovely view from the top if I do say so myself.
We see all kinds of people along the way. This older gentleman is one of our favorites. He is out there every year!

Before too long we'd crossed the finish line, and were in the holding area for the closing ceremony.

Making it to the finish was incredible. I think we all felt invincible!

It felt great putting on our victory shirts too!

During closing ceremonies it's a tradition to take off one shoe.

The closing ceremony is a humbling, touching, emotional event, with all of the walkers, all of the crew and all of the survivors that participated in attendance. At times you could hear a pin drop, and other times the hoots and hollering was deafening.
More pictures soon, and a wrap up of the event...thanks for hanging in there and following along with me on this fantastic journey.

2010 3 Day Breast Cancer Walk - Day 2 Update

Day 2 is done, and what a doozie it was! Non stop rain and wind. It was awesome! What an incredible experience!

We walked 22.30 miles today, 99% of the time we were in the rain, and we are pooped!

Here are just a couple pictures of our day.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

2010 3 Day Breast Cancer Walk - Day 1, part 2

Day one is done! We kicked @ss! We walked a total of 23.84 miles today - and lived to tell about it!

I just wanted to share a couple of quick pictures as I am seriously wiped out and in need of a good night of sleep.

More soon - promise!

One of my favorite saying regarding the 3 Day...
Opening ceremonies.
Heading down to Torrey Pines State Beach and getting ready for the BIG hill!

At the top of Torrey with my "Melon Man."

Walking down into La Jolla, getting ready for lunch.

Cruisin' right along!

The "Melon Patch" at lunch.

Our crazy "Melon Men" - they got a LOT of attention today from the walkers, and ate it up!

What'd I tell ya?

Day one is DONE!
Proof...

More tomorrow!

2010 3 Day Breast Cancer Walk - Day 1, part 1

Ha! Who was I kidding thinking I'd get any sleep? I finally made my way to bed at 11pm and relaxed enough to sleep, just after watching the weather man say that we are expecting rain this weekend. Lots of rain.

Thanks for that.

My alarm was set for 4:15am, and I woke up at 3:06am. So much for a decent amount of sleep. The excitement just got to me I suppose.

I'll update later if I'm not completely exhausted!

Wish me luck, Lord knows I'll need it today - big time!

Down to the Wire...Updated

It's 8:22am...in just about 22 hours I'll start walking in the 3 Day...

So much to do, so little time, and even less desire to get it done.

Sometime today I've got to:

1. Get 3 loads of laundry done - DONE (and most of it is put away...no one is perfect!)
2. Take Kona to a senior center for a therapy visit - DONE (Awesome visit!)
3. Go to Target for poster board, some long pants to walk in, and a rain poncho - DONE
4. Figure out what I am going to prepare for the next 3 nights for dinner - DONE, prepared and in the refrigerator ready to be popped into the oven.
5. Go grocery shopping for #4 above - DONE!
6. Clean and straighten up the house - DONE!
7. Get all of my stuff together - 3 pairs of shoes, 6 pairs of socks, body glide, ibuprofen, water bottles, Propel water, window paint, credentials, visor, lip balm, moleskin for possible blisters, sunglasses, Kleenex, etc., etc.... (Ok, so this one I'm still working on...)
8. Set my alarm clock for 4:15am. - DONE!
9. Get gas in at least 2 cars - DONE!
10. Get cameras charged and ready - DONE!
11. Did I mention set my alarm clock for 4:15AM? Yup, I thought so...

I'm sure there are other things, but I'm starting to stress just thinking about it all...time to stop typing and get going! I'll check in later today. Wish me luck, I think I'm going to need it!

On the way in 8 hours!!

(Nearly) Wordless Wednesday

Stuff I need to bring to the 3 Day....this is just the start.

39 hours until we start walking. Not that I'm counting or anything.

A New Painting Project

It's been a long time since I've painted. Something in oils, something artist. The new guest room I did last week certainly didn't count as anything artist. I've been itching to do something artsy-fartsy.

So, tell me, have you ever heard of Bob Ross? He's the fellow that used to be on PBS making complete paintings in a half hour. He was a white guy with a great, big afro, and he loved to paint "Happy Little Trees." He has been gone for quite some time now, but his products and ideas are still around. He used a "wet on wet" technique. I'm a big fan. I don't have the time or the patience to do an oil painting over weeks or months. I can't exactly knock one out in a half of an hour, but I was able to spare about three hours this morning. I hadn't done a painting like this in over 7 years. I have done several other painting in the past, and one of these days I'll run across the pictures of them and post them...until then, I'll share what I did today.

This is my setup. Blank canvas, chai tea, plenty of newspaper to wipe up spills...
Preparing my palette.
A little dab of each should do for now. Hubby made me this Plexiglas palette years ago and I love it. It has plenty of room for me to mix on.

In the beginning there was the sky, and some water....

...and some sand.

Next came some very rough palm trees.

Adding some detail is always fun.

Yours truly, hard at work. (Thanks to Val for coming over and grabbing my camera!)

The finished product.

It didn't come out exactly as I wanted (the sky and the ocean are too close in color, and the palm fronds don't have enough variation), but overall I was pretty pleased with the results - again, considering I hadn't even looked at my equipment in over 7 years.... I'm going to do this same scene again, on another practice canvas, and when I am happy with the result, I am going to move to a larger canvas and work on a painting for the guest room. I probably won't have time to do anything for a week or two...especially since the 3 Day walk starts THIS FRIDAY! Yowza! But I'm glad I was able to enjoy a little "me" time today and work on my technique.