In honor of Halloween (one of my favorite holidays), I've added virtual pumpkin carving to get you all in the holiday/fall spirit. Check out this link for some Halloween warm-up! http://www.cubpack81.com/images/carve_pumpkin.swf
Jett and Hercules Part Three
This is much more fun to watch if you get all three together but I haven't figured out how to do that yet.
Answering Jenni's Tag
If any of you have read Jenni's blog (and by the way, do check out Jett boxing...it's hilarious), she tagged Eddie and I to answer a group of questions so here's mine.
What was I doing 10 years ago: I was one month out of my biking accident and was wearing all my hardware (body and neck brace affectionately called “the turtle”). I was taking 2-3 hour walks daily because there wasn't anything else I could do. Sitting at home staring at walls just didn't seem like a viable option. I was in a bit of a state since I wasn't sure how my recovery would progress and if I would return to my profession or previous lifestyle. The answer to both was “yes” and in my mind even stronger.
What was I doing 5 years ago: I finished yoga teacher training, ran the Paris Marathon then spent several days in London with friends and visiting Carly, Joey and kids. The next year I ran the NYC marathon (I told you I was stronger) and experienced Greenwich Village at Halloween. Now THAT was interesting. And speaking of NYC, has anyone heard from GK and Susanna?
What was I doing 1 year ago: I ran the Big Sur Marathon and was dealing with the death of my friend, Brian. Big Sur has always been a special place for me. It's such a spectacular coastline and the conditions were perfect. To run surrounded by such beautiful sights of nature, to think of family, friends, life, etc and to be alone (with several thousand other runners) in my thoughts was very therapeutic. Because Big Sur is so hilly, you're advised to add 20 minutes to your regular marathon time... I shaved off 10! Grandma went with me and waited at the finish line for me. She later told me that she prayed for me the whole way because she was sure I was going to have a heart attack. She was surprised when I came in laughing and talking to people near me. Maybe her prayers shaved off 10 minutes?????
What was I doing yesterday: I realize I'm about to sound like a freak: I worked from 7:00 a.m. to 2:30. After work I went swimming (as many of you know I'm training for my first triathlon- 3 weeks away). 20 minutes into my swim, I decided that I really didn't want to get up early the next day to run 9 miles with my club in the morning rain so I got out of the pool, got into my running clothes and ran 9 miles. After my first mile some raindrops fell and by the second mile it was a constant rain for the remaining one hour and 10 minutes. Between the rain and Yom Kippur (this is L.A.) the streets and beach strand were fairly empty which made for an incredibly pleasant run. Rain running is exhilarating to me as long as it's not freezing and my shoes are relatively dry.
5 snacks I like too much: ice cream, chocolate (always some in my fridge), mini-cupcakes (my new obsession; equal frosting to cake... perfect), salt and vinegar potato chips, sticky toffee pudding.
5 locations I'd run away to: I'm hoping to discover Jenni's location this spring (Cinque Terre in Italy... it's on my list). For now I'll keep it to places I know: NYC, San Francisco, Big Sur, Yellowstone /Tetons.
5 bad habits: ice cream, chocolate, mini cup cakes, salt and vinegar chips, sticky toffee pudding.
5 things I like to do: Sunset beach walks, trail runs in the mountains, reading Jenni, Eddie and Kristy/Jeremy's blogs, talking to my family, making dinner for friends/family.
5 TV shows I like: CBS Sunday Morning, Daily Show/Colbert Report, Sex and The City (yeah, I know, but it's the single womans anthem), The Office (yea Jenni... how about Dwight Schroot?) and My Name Is Earl (though lately the shows have been a bit over the top).
5 things I hate: The weigh-in scale (it tells me about the snacks I love), traffic in Los Angeles, doing my business accounts, balancing checking accounts, and the last that I won't mention directly... let's just say I'm looking forward to 2008.
5 biggest joys at the moment: Making deposits :-), reading Eddie, Jenni, Jeremy/Kristy's blogs, getting emails from Madison, talking to my family, and (hopefully) surviving the Hermosa Beach Triathlon (specifically the swim portion). Mom can pray for me for that one and I'll take all others as well!!!!!
Jett and Hercules
for all you who have been waiting to see Jett and our dog Hercules boxing I managed to get part one of a three part series on Youtube but messed up somewhere trying to get it on the blog. I am hoping that the second and third installments will be on the blog but you can go to Youtube, type in the search Tigger, Hercules and you should see Jetts face. Enjoy
In The Meantime...
I have been crazy busy lately and haven't had time to post. To tide things over I've posted this picture that Gordon sent me of a lake in Bavaria. It's name is Risser Lake (or Risser See in German)
Emma Lisa Newbold- Pictures
Carline and I went to the hospital and I took some pictures with my cell phone of Emma. I'll try to get more soon.
The lights in the hospital room make her look a little yellow. 
How do you keep the bow on? Staple gun. (just kidding)
