Where did August go?

It has been a very busy month and I have been MIA! August just ended up being the month of vacation. It started with a trip down south to visit the boyfriend's friends and family followed by some of our own visitors. We found out where we would be moving next fall. I enjoyed some days at the beach, ran my first triathlong, and enjoyed a few more days at the beach. I had a procedure done to see where I stood medically. Things right now seem good. More tests in a few months. We finished the boat renovations and were able to finally get it in the water. I am now comfortable behind the wheel of the boat. Honestly, I'm more comfortable there then being towed behind on a tube, skiis, or kneeboard. Trust or control issues? Take your pick! We've had some family cookouts. More friends in town. And few relaxing days. Alas, all good things must come to and end. I just finished my first week of homework. School has officially started and I'm in crunch mode for graduate school. We will enjoy a relaxing evening with a movie or some games. Then tomorrow it is back to work after my month off. However it is a new day at a new job! School and work will keep me busy, but I won't be running here, there, and everywhere for this. I do LOVE online classes!!!

The summer has certainly flown by! Warm weather, you will be missed but we have alot of wonderful things coming up in the next year. And I'm looking forward to November and Europe!!!

August Visitors

The beginning of August was a busy month. Two days after we returned from our little NC road trip JR greeted our first visitors at the airport, Mike & Jill. I finally met the famous Mike, one of JR's best friend's from college. Most of JR's crazy college stories involved Mike in some aspect. However I learned with age we have all calmed down. There were no crazy nights this trip. A couple of days later Sal & Kelly joined us. JR and I played tour guide through Newport, Boston, Salem, & Fairhaven. Mom and dad joined us in Salem. The cheered us on as I ran my first triathlon. I think dad found some fun in taunting me minutes before the race. Apparently everyone but me knew that the swim was twice as long than I had been initially told. JR said if I was nervous I didn't have to do it. My thought, I just put on this damn wet suit and walked down to the beach with everyone else. I was not about to walk back up and take it off without even entering the water. Definitely a pride thing. The week flew by and as said as we were to see our guests go, we were happy for some quiet time...

Quote of the Day

"I have not cease being fearful, but I have ceased to let fear control me." - Erica Jong

Lucky girl

Having the support of loved ones is the most amazing feeling. My parents were right there this weekend cheering me on as I completed my first triathlon. The boyfriend stayed right by my pokey side as I mosied along through the course. My goal was to finish and I did.

Yesterday was another big day in the life of this girl. In June I found out that those pesky little *C* cells were back. It's nothing new. I've been going through this for 9 years. Yet, tears filled my eyes realizing that the 5 year clock was being rewound. There are also a number of other worries. More procedures = more scar tissue. More scar tissue is never a good thing in that area.

Anyway, the first round of procedures was done yesterday. My mother and the boyfriend were right by my side. I didn't ask them to come. They were just there. My father was waiting when I got home and my brother and sister checked in. Some of my friends called, his parents called, and a couple of his friends called. It really makes this time so much more tolerable. Because there are certainly times when their strength is needed.

Just as the doctor offers a child a lollipop at the end of a good visit, the boyfriend decided that I should have ice cream. There were no arguments from this chickie. At the end of the day, the boyfriend was right there with me. I think, life isn't good. It's really great!

Catching up

It's been a couple of weeks, but we've been busy here in our corner of the world. I've been on the tour de le boyfriend.

The week before last we drove down to NC to visit one of his old college buddies, his sister and then his parents. We also were able to have a quick breakfast with another college friend that was driving through NC on his way to DC. It was really a great trip. We spent time on the lake where the boyfriend tried wake surfing, went hiking at Chimney Rock, and then went to the Biltmore, America's largest home. We did manage to fit in some sleep, and of course there was a lot of eating!

The tour didn't stop there though. We did make it back home for some rest, but the next day other college friends arrived. We hit Newport, Salem, Boston, & Fairhaven for a little site seeing. The first couple headed out on Monday and the other couple left yesterday. I think fun was had by all.

Today, I plan to relax in the sun with a good book. No watch. No cell phone. No plan. My schedule is free for the next week actually because this chickee got a new job. But in keeping with the 11th Commandment, thou shall not discuss thy job on thy blog, I will so no more.

I hope all enjoy their weekend.

The first triathlon

Finding out the swim is twice as long as expected, terrifying! The price on your face, hysterical! It is there, clearly stated on the race website. Swim, .5 miles. However, I had it in my head that the swim was only 400 - 500 yards. That is all that I had trained for. The boyfriend finding out the correct distance the day before thought it would be in my best interest to keep me in the dark. He's right though. I would have been a stress ball the whole day and evening before.

Unfortunately my dad was not kept aware of this detail. In typical family fashion, my dad was poking fun at me. It was then all realized by all that I was not aware of the actual distance. Out comes the camera as the boyfriend approaches. As he confirms the worst, again and again because I kept questioning him, his friend captures the moment. But not being one to give up, I doned the wetsuit and headed to the water! I completed the swim, bike, & run! And I loved it!!! There will be no training this week, but next week I will start back up. I am hoping to do another tri by the end of the season!

NC Road Trip - Aug 06

We had a long weekend coming up so JR suggested that we take a road trip to NC. In 6 short days we'd see Dave in Fayetteville, Aimee in Greeville, and his parents in Charlotte. Dave took us out to his buddy's house on the lake. We spent the day cruising around on the boat with the occaisional stop so we could swim. Aimee prepared a nice dinner for us and then we stepped out for a little night on the town. The last couple of days was spent with JR's parents. I fell in love with Charlotte. We went hiking at Chimney Rock. We shopped in Asheville. We went to the Biltmore. We ate more than humanly possible. By our last day I could barely eat dinner! :) It was a fun trip, but over so quickly. I think we spent as much time driving as we did visiting! While it was fun, we were both ready to get out of the car!!!