How'd It Get To Be Friday Already...Wasn't It Just September??

I logged on this morning and realized that my last post was on Monday and now it's Friday.

Yikes!

Andrew informed me that it is now only 5 days until Christmas. I don't even remember September or October!

Most of the presents are wrapped. Most of the shopping is done. The folks are in town and the rest of the family arrives tomorrow.

Little Stephen has never seen snow and we have a good chance of some tomorrow afternoon. Hope he has a coat!

I can't promise a post in the next few days so...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Girl Power

There are some ladies in my life for whom I am so grateful!

Kimmy, my little sis. The first one I call. The one I need when it's really scary.

My Wonderful Mom. She holds the story of where I come from. Essential to help me interpret the world around me, to guide and protect me.

Barb my stepmom extraordinaire. Not only do I love her...I also like her very much. She has pulled two families together and made one.

Gina, my other sister. Funny, sassy, smart. How lucky am I....

Donna, my BFF. The one who knows too much. She reads me like a book. Tells me when I'm wrong and loves me anyway.

Jody, my friend forever. She will always know me. We were children together, we were teenagers together, we were young women together, we will grow old together.

Bec, the sister of my heart. You amaze me.

Virginia and Mary Jane. How lucky am I to have both of my grandmothers! I love you both so much.

Kelli, my fire girl. She gets it. In a way no one else ever can.

Tina and Stacy, my soul sisters. When they get a break from being mommies we pick right up where we left off.

Junie B. My dear friend in the fight of her life. Hang in there girl! I've got your back.

Cindy, Beth and Kathy. The gals of team June. Oh boy...who knew. Thank god for all of you!

And last but in no way least....my lovies Maggie and Rescue. To the rest of the world you are just dogs but to me you are my breath and life. Thank you for loving me and making me laugh.

Some Days Are Harder Than Others

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;

Enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;

That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him forever in the next.

Amen.

I Know We're Kinda Past The KU/MU Thing...But This Was Too Funny

Four football fans go rock climbing one afternoon,
a Nebraska fan, an Oklahoma fan, a Kansas fan, and a Mizzou fan.

They had been arguing all the way up the mountain about who among them was the most die-hardfan.

Upon reaching the top of the mountain, the Nebraska fan proclaimed to the other three, "THIS IS FOR THE HUSKERS!" and promptly threw himself off the mountain as a form of sacrifice, screaming "GO BIG RED!" as he fell to his death.

Not to be outdone, the Oklahoma fan jumped up and shouted, "THIS IS FOR THE SOONERS!" and threw himself off the mountain.

Refusing to be outdone by the Nebraska and Oklahoma fans, the Kansas fan rose to his feet and yelled at the top of his lungs, "THIS IS FOR THE KANSAS JAYHAWKS!" and without hesitation pushed the Mizzou fan off the mountain.

We've Been Elfing...

This is the kind of ridiculous thing my family emails around this time of year.
Instead of emailing it I'll let you click on the link if you'd like. It takes it a minute to load.

If you like it let me know and I'll send you the link to the Bates family...now that one's funny! Or maybe my folks...something about Dad dancing in an elf suit...

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1315543643

Spunky Bastard

My good friend June had brain surgery yesterday.

It's such a powerful sentence. Surgery. On her brain. Your brain is what makes you...you. It's where we store our memories, our beliefs, our likes, dislikes, everything.

8 hour surgery.

When I walked into the ICU this morning she was sitting in a chair, drinking coffee and reading the newspaper.

Crazy.

She's not fixed. She won't live forever...but then none of us will, will we?
But she was reading and drinking coffee. I was so tired I didn't even make any coffee and I couldn't focus enough to read the paper. Crazy.

You know, after the surgery. When everyone was so relieved and so tired and so sad about the things that the neurosurgeon told us. There was a lot of hugging. And some crying. I wanted so badly to hug and say "she's gonna be okay", "it's gonna be okay". And it will be. Really. Actually. But I just hugged.

And then there she was. With the paper.

What ever the coming months bring I know she will continue to amaze me.

Some of you know that I have a good friend who will be having surgery tomorrow...just wanted to ask for a few extra prayers from those of you who are the praying kind.

That the surgeon's hands will be steady and accurate.

That she will not lose anything that makes her...her.

That we will have a clear picture of the situation post surgery.

That her family will find comfort during this very scary time.

That her friends will be the kind of friends she needs.

That she will come through the surgery without complication, recover quickly and not have a long hospital stay.

I feel like I could go on and on and on....Please just say an extra prayer.

Jenn and the Jackson....Three

We started kindergarten basketball yesterday, oye!

Poor little guys, they had absolutely no idea what was happening and just between you and me...neither did I.

We have an hour and they introduce a skill to the four teams all practicing in the gym. Then we practice for about 25 minutes and then they play a little 'game'.

Yes...we played a GAME on the first day...with five year olds.

It was not pretty.

I will just look forward to the end of our little season when we can marvel at how much they've learned. Please lord, let them learn...

I have nine little guys on my team...I have a Brian, a Grant, a Parker, an Austin, of course my Andrew, a Jack...and THREE Jacksons! When in doubt yell "Jackson"...bound to get someone's attention!

Speaking of attention I was very pleased with their ability to pay attention and follow instructions. Most of my eighth grade boys had difficulty with that. It's a nice change.

'Tis the season...

26,088 done.

173,912 to go.

January 19, 2008. 7pm Next...

(Kimmy sent me this...he he...GO HAWKS!!!)

It's very fragile...this life we have.
Cherish it and never take it for granted.
Spend time with those you love and tell them often.
Don't waste time on the things you have no control over.
Live, Laugh, Love...just like all those sappy signs say.

(and pray a little for a good friend of mine who is facing something life changing and also for my fire brother Mike and his family. Mike died suddenly Wednesday morning.)

Happy Turkey Day!!

Realize how lucky we are and be thankful for our friends, families and this amazing beautiful world we live in.

(recycle a little tomorrow)

China Free?

So, I started the Christmas shopping yesterday. Just a few hours.

I have these crazy, wonderful, little people in my life and most of my efforts seem to be to find something great for them.

And we all know that every day they are recalling some new toy, made in China, that does some awful, harmful thing to kids.

So I thought, 'okay, no toys...I'll get 'em books. Books are good...educational, yada, yada, yada.'

Every book I picked up WAS MADE IN CHINA!!!!!!

Now what do I do?

('nuff said)

Happy Veteran's Day

To all the men and women who have served in our military, keeping us safe, here at home and overseas.

All of my grandfathers, the ones I knew and the ones I didn't, GGpa's Johnson and Bradley, Gpa's Johnson and Petty.

And to Mud and Ed and Glenn and Chad and Janet and Kris W and Charlie and Steve H and the other Steve H and to all the others I missed.

And especially Tim who is over there now. Come home safe.

So What Exactly Do I Do?

(This is not a picture of me but a picture of the guys I work with. The FF in the red helmet is a captain and the FF in the yellow helmet is a driver or a firefighter. Note that his helmet is a dirty yellow not bright yellow. This tells us that he is not a brand new FF)

Mud has requested an explanation of what exactly it is that I do...

On our department there are three grades of FF in the station and several grades of chiefs in administration.

Firefighter-in the first year (or longer if you annoy someone) you are referred to as a 'rookie'. After that you are called a 'backend guy'. This grade is the FF who rides on the back of the fire truck, is responsible for catching the plug (hooking the hose up to the fire hydrant) and then going in to attack the fire with the Captain. On average one will spend 6-8 years in this position however there are FF who choose not to promote and will spend an entire career on the backend. Often you will hear this grade referred to as 'the best grade on the job'. You have no real responsibilities, the chiefs don't yell at you and you get to see a lot of fire. Experienced backend guys will 'ride out of title' meaning if the driver or captain is off they will fill that job for the shift.

Driver-some departments call this grade an 'engineer' or a 'lieutenant'. It is just what it sounds like. As a driver this FF responsibilities are to get the crew to the call safely and maintain and operate anything on the firetruck and in the captain's absence fill the role of captain.

Captain-this grade is the highest ranking grade in the station. He is ultimately responsible for everything his crew does. Some captains will move up and fill the Battalion chiefs position when needed.

I am a driver. I spent 10 years as a backend firefighter and really wasn't sure I wanted to move up. I loved my station. I was the highest seniority backend 'guy' so I very rarely rode the backend as there is always a need for an experience FF to ride out of title.

I tested almost two years ago and was promoted to driver about 4 months ago. I spent the last 4 months 'roving', not assigned anywhere and just filling in where needed.

I have just been assigned to station #20. 78th and Kansas Ave. Just south of I-70 on 78th. It is a very small station with guys I enjoy working with. My goal is to return to Station #10 in about a year when the driver of pumper #10 retires. It will be a job I will have to bid and there is not a guarantee that I'll be able to return but...only time will tell.

A Five Star Day

Really...that's what it said today.

So...I've been pooped on, insulted by a rowing club member (who, at one point, I thought was a friend), finally received a station assignment (yeah!), had a maintenance guy expect us to fix the hardwired alarm system in his 4 plex (can you say "get an electrician!"), been sniped at by the same guy I had trouble with last shift, gotten into it with the dispatcher just because I can't understand her...and to top it off just taken care of a young man whose family is completely and totally nuts. (Mom used more foul language trying to explain to us what a great Mom she's been and when grandma tripped over a stick in the yard and fell down...she yelled at her! Sometimes you run these calls and think "Geesh, my family is so sane")

Hope you had a five star day too....

Firestation #20

I have a home!

Ramblings From A Happy and Amazed (or maybe dazed) Jayhawk

so...seriously...9-0?

In football!

Ummm. I'd be pretty psyched if it wasn't so totally,

completely un freaking believable!

Go HAWKS!!!

I'm pretty sure that my entire circle of friends, athletes and coworkers is sick. Including me. Tis the season I guess. Get well my peeps!

I'm going to work backwards through the last week or so.

1. This morning after a struggle over whether or not to call in sick to work (I got my snotty nosed self dressed and came in) we got a call for a car accident.

The accident was very minor with no injuries and we headed south down the highway, turned around and were headed back north towards the station. A car pulls up next to us and begins honking. Looking in the side mirrors we see 3000 (yes 3000) feet of hose laid nicely out on the highway.

The strong north wind had caught the edge of the hose and it just laid out.

Nice.

45 minutes later with the help of an off duty guy from OP Fire (thanks OP Fire guy!) and some snarling between me and one of my guys we were loaded up and again headed north on the highway.

You guessed it...north wind, no hose bed cover, highway speed...this time we caught it before we laid the whole hose bed out.

We now have a very torn and tattered hose bed cover held on to the hose bed with bungee cords we bought at the hardware store. The cover wasn't staying on because of it's condition so the other shift removed it.

We 'un' removed it.

It wasn't even 9am....

2. KCRC traveled to the Frostbite Regatta this past weekend in Wichita Kansas. Contrary to the name the weather was glorious, the racing fun and competitive, the parents, juniors and masters fab as always!

I'll have pics later this week.

3. My good friend Major Ed (Hubby of the Ronneblogger) won a Heart of Health Care nursing award. What a neat event and a great celebration of the nurses that work so hard and take such good care of us.

4. On my birthday (Wednesday) I flew to LA to attend the promotional ceremony for my good friend Glenn as he was promoted to Colonel in the Air Force.

Wow.

As I sat and listened to the introductory speech I realized that my very unassuming, low key buddy was a total Air Force stud. He has held some very important jobs in some areas that are critical to keep us and our military safe. And he will continue to work hard as he commands 'his' units and I expect he will continue to surprise me.

Thanks to Glenn, Becky and the Martin and O'Connor families who welcomed me into their celebration and made me feel like I was part of the family.

Again, pics to come...

Something about this reminds me of the fire department

After every flight, UPS pilots fill out a form, called a “gripe sheet,” which tells mechanics about problems with the aircraft. The mechanics correct the problems; document their repairs on the form, and then pilots review the gripe sheets before the next flight.

Never let it be said that ground crews lack a sense of humor. Here are some actual maintenance complaints submitted by UPS ‘ pilots (marked with a P) and the solutions recorded (marked with an S) by maintenance engineers. By the way, UPS is the only major airline that has never, ever, had an accident.

P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.
S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.

P: Test flight OK, except auto-land very rough.
S: Auto-land not installed on this aircraft.

P: Something loose in cockpit
S: Something tightened in cockpit

P: Dead bugs on windshield.
S: Live bugs on back-order.

P: Autopilot in altitude-hold mode produces a 200 feet per minute descent
S: Cannot reproduce problem on ground.

P: Evidence of leak on right main landing gear.
S: Evidence removed.

P: DME volume unbelievably loud.
S: DME volume set to more believable level.

P: Friction locks cause throttle levers to stick.
S: That’s what friction locks are for.

P: IFF inoperative in OFF mode.
S: IFF always inoperative in OFF mode.

P: Suspected crack in windshield.
S: Suspect you’re right

P: Number 3 engine missing.
S: Engine found on right wing after brief search.

P: Aircraft handles funny.
S: Aircraft warned to: straighten up, fly right, and be serious.

P: Target radar hums.
S: Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.

P: Mouse in cockpit.
S: Cat installed.

P: Noise coming from under instrument panel. Sounds like a midget pounding on something with a hammer.
S: Took hammer away from midget.

HOC post is three down...scroll down and take a look. Sorry it took so long.

Beautiful

The DeMauros

A Lot To Catch Up On...Not A Lot Of Time

First is the tale of a boat. Minding it's own business on a trailer. Made a long trip from the midwest only to be crunched less than a mile from the race course. Not a great way to begin our journey.
The wonderful guys at Vespoli loaned the girls a boat, new and almost like the one they were used to rowing.Some pre race jitters...Theirs...
But mostly mine...Off they went.

Like they spend every weekend at the worlds largest head race. They raced very well. Improving the gap between them and the team from Minnestoa by over 30 seconds. Racing at a higher rate and with more intensity then they'd shown all fall.

Post race debriefing.Cutest team on the water! Mollie and I
Elizabeth and Haley
Meghan and Kit
A cozy ride back to the hotel.
The team and one of our Dads...Thanks Tim!Some more great parents, Kathy, Cory, Marty and Pat.

We can't do what we do without you!

One more KCRC athlete competed...Way to go Greg!

Happy Birthday!!!!

Happy, Happy, Happy!!!!
You know who you are...

Results

The Girls race Sunday at 10:26.
You can get realtime results at http://www.hocr.org/results/results.asp.

Some Press

Check out the article on the girls from today's Kansas City Star. A copy is posted on The Ronneblog.

Thanks GB for your never ending support!

And thanks to all of you for always being in our corner.

Today we find our borrowed boat. Elizabeth will attend the coxswain clinic presented by the national team coxswains and then we'll go for a practice row.

And a shout out to all the coaches out there. So many have offered equipment and encouragement. It's a comfort knowing that we have such a large rowing family.

It's Been Quite A Day

We're here. The girls are fed and tucked in.

The day was...well, not exactly without incident.

Started off with my bank running a very large check twice through...think buying two singles....I was 'overdrawn' somewhere in the neighborhood of $2000. They fixed it and my heart rate returned to normal.

There was fog in Boston and storms in between so after an hour delay we sat on the runway for 45 minutes, flew 3 hours to Boston and circled for 30 minutes before we could land and then sat on the runway for another 30 minutes until a gate opened up. But the seats were wide and comfy and they did have those great chocolate chip cookies.

When we landed in Boston I got a call from the guy who trailered our boat (Mike, sit down before reading further and I'll call you with the details). A car cut behind him and took the sterns off of three boats including ours.

So...here I am in Boston not even off the plane yet and we have no boat to race. I was pretty freaked and didn't want the girls to panic so while they stood at baggage claim I started making some phone calls. Talked to some coaches and got the ball rolling on a replacement.

We picked up our rental and promptly got very, very lost. While trying to navigate this crazy town I continued to get phone calls and finally spoke with Dave from Vespoli who will be loaning us a boat to race. A boat like the one the girls are used to rowing.

The very nice concierge from our hotel figured out where we were and talked us out of our lostness.

Then I had a beer. Okay, I had two.

Are You A Chronic Overpacker?

Well...I am.

I really don't understand those people (my stepmother is one of them) who can travel with one pair of black pants, two shirts and a jacket and make it work for an entire week.

First off, I don't have one pair of pants that can take me from Regatta site to dinner out. VERY different activities.

And my jeans...well, I can maybe wear them twice and then they look like I've been in them all week. So that's two (actually 3 'cause I'm wearing a pair on the plane) pairs of jeans.

Now for shirts. When I'm 'working' at a regatta. I'm WORKING. Not the place for anything other than a t-shirt/sweatshirt combo. And trust me they won't be fit to wear again on the trip...I don't even like to have to put them back in my bag to come home. SO that's 3 t-shirts, plus one to sleep in, plus 3 shirts to wear in the evenings when I should look slightly presentable. Total-7 shirts.

Then misc. stuff. Sleep pants, a khaki jacket to wear in the evenings, my rain suit because it WILL rain, two pairs of shoes-slip on clogs to fly in and heavy duty sneakers for regatta time, my big bulky sweatshirt-I'll carry it on, my camera, my laptop, a book, my coaching bag-rolled up in the suitcase.

This trip has an extra burden. I have to take all the boatrigging and coaching things with me, cox box, wrenches, speed coach, boat towel, tape, extra hardware, pitch meter.

Seriously, it looks like I'm moving out.

And I'm only going for a few days.

PS A big THANKS to my little cousin Amanda. She's moving in for the weekend to hang out with my lovies. She'll love on them and I feel very fortunate.

Update From The Head of the Oklahoma

My kids ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

...even my kids that aren't my kids anymore and belong to some college coach.

...and the masters are pretty great too!

Kid Free!

You know...I think I'm a much better coach when I don't travel with kids.
We are competing this weekend at the Head of the Oklahoma Regatta in OK City. A big race at a big venue.

I came in earlier today by myself, got our boats squared away (with a great deal of help from the guys and gals of the KUCrew...Go Hawks!), checked into the hotel, grabbed some dinner and got all my ducks in a row for tomorrow. The kids are traveling with their parents and should arrive around midnight.

Bow numbers are sorted and checked, t-shirts are waiting for the kids in their rooms, my coaching bag doesn't look like a bomb went off and I'm off to bed...before 11:00!!!!!

This is nice...but likely won't be repeated.

Dang.

Today...It's Good To Be A KCK Firefighter

Well, actually it's good most days but today I feel inspired and re energized.

We have a new Fire Chief and New Battalion Chiefs. Everyone is excited about the positive changes that are coming.

October is Fire Prevention month and the second week is inspection week here. We clean the stations top to bottom, scrub the toilets, the kitchens and the rigs. We mop and wax the floors and clean the windows. We attack every cobweb.

Then...on inspection day, we get all gussied up in our clean, pressed uniforms, our shiny black shoes and our ties. The chiefs come by one at a time and visit. They compliment us on the work we've done and we visit about the up coming year.

This inspection was very significant as we got to talk to the 'new guard'.

About 2:00 this afternoon our new fire chief arrived.

He's young. He's smart. He's progressive. He values all of us.

The Chief stayed for about an hour. When he left I felt like going through the training book, catching plugs, driving territory. Working, running, lifting, learning. Doing things that will make me a better leader and a better firefighter.

I was interested to see what he had to say.

I didn't expect to be so inspired.

I'm proud to be a firefighter. I'm proud of my department and I'm proud of the guys I work with. I feel very fortunate to work for this guy.

(and this station is kick ass clean!)

Very Inspirational

My friend Jeremy is the coach for the KU Crew. He sent me this video. It is worth sharing.

Xeno Muller single scull training session Australia 2000

This is some really great video.

A Letter To My Lovies

(I did not write this letter. It was sent to me in an email by my friend Mike, a lurker here and proud dad of Soloman and BB. He got it from his sister...)

Dear Dogs of Mine,

It seems that lately things have gotten a smidge slack around here. I feel it is time to remind you of the rules that heretofore we have operated under. You are both cute dogs, but your continued cuteness in no way negates our previous agreement. Let me remind you of a few details of this agreement.

1. In exchange for room and board, you are to guard the kingdom. That would be guarding the kingdom from any and all bad guys, robbers, serial killers, etc. Feel free to bark maniacally at any of those that should appear in the yard. Guarding the kingdom does NOT include barking maniacally at bunnies, squirrels, cows, sheep and invisible things that only you can see, especially between the hours of 5am (when I stumble out of bed to let you out) and 8am (when I actually have to be out of bed to get to work).(And let me take a moment here to remind you that the pizza guy is a potential bad guy. He is not your friend. Just because he come s bearing food does not allow him free and easy access to the kingdom. He is potentially way more dangerous than the bunnies that you threaten to tear limb from limb.)

2. All of the stuff that lives in the toy basket is yours. Everything else is mine. Yours includes squeaky balls, random bones, partially unstuffed stuffed animals and chew ropes. Mine includes any and all shoes on the floor (especially the expensive leather ones), underwear that missed the hamper, bras, socks, dishtowels, the remote, the cell phone, the legs of my grandmother's antique chair and the vacuum. Did I mention shoes? ALL the shoes are mine. They come in pairs, not quads, for a reason.

3. The cat gets to sleep on the bed. You do not. You each weigh 50 pounds. The cat weighs 12. You sleep smack dab in the middle of the bed with all four feet spread out covering approximately 12 square feet apiece. The cat sleeps in a neat little ball covering about 2 square feet. The cat does not bring fleas into the house. You do. You, dogs, will never be allowed to sleep on the bed. Quit sneaking up when you think I'm not looking. Your 50 pounds of dogginess negates your stealth superpowers. I know you are up there!!

4. Speaking of the cat- when he hunkers down into that little mound, lays his ears back, squints his eyes and growls way back in his chest, HE IS NOT A HAPPY KITTY. Leave him alone. He does not want to play with you. What he wants to do is poke your eyes out and shred the skin around your face. He can do that, you know. Five of his 6 ends are really sharp and pointy. He has previously shown very little restraint. Clearly he enjoys smacking you upside the head with a paw full of claws. Do not aggravate him. When he takes your head off after you have cornered him, I will let him. You have been forewarned.

5. The cat is mean. He will lead you down a path to destruction. He likes to tear around the house winding you up. He does this knowingly and intentionally. When you chase him, I will only yell at you for careening into walls and furniture. He knows this. Quit falling for it.

6. If you find something in the garbage can, assume that I intend for it to be there. Plastic tampon shells are not chew toys. Don't eat them.

7. Also not for doggy consumption- anything you find in the litter box. This is why you no longer get to kiss me.

8. You are allowed to sleep on the furniture. You are not allowed to eat the furniture.

9. Yes, I have to leave every day to go to work. No, you cannot go with me. That's why there are two of you, so you can entertain each other. The cat gets to stay in the house. You both have to stay outside while I'm gone. The cat does not chew things up. You do. Quit whining about it. Your porch is air-conditioned. It's just like inside the house minus the sofa. If you'd quit chewing up dog beds, it would be just like inside the house. You have made your own proverbial bed by destroying two very expensive dog cushions.

10. I have opposable thumbs. This is why I get to be in charge. I can open cans, doors, and bags of treats. I am the only one in the house that can operate the hose sprayer. I'm also the only one with a driver's license and a car. I win. Being cute is no match for opposable thumbs.While I in no way wish to suppress your rightful dogginess, I feel that these very simple guidelines will allow us to continue to co-exist in peaceful harmony.

Please know though, that should you choose to continue in willful violation of these rules, I WILL PUT THE CAT IN CHARGE. He has just been itching for a position in management.

Much thanks,
The Human

The Unseen Elements Of Coaching

I woke up this morning at 6am thinking about all the stuff that needed to be done for the next 3 regattas...gave up trying to go back to sleep, got up and made some coffee.

At the computer a 6:30 and worked solid until 11am.

Figuring costs for Masters and Juniors for The Head of the Oklahoma (OKC).

Posting and emailing costs to parents and for masters. Figuring out and confirming or adjusting hotel reservations.

Coming up with a plan for boat transport to Lawrence.

Figuring costs for The Head of the Charles (HOC)

Tyring to sort out hotel reservations for HOC...the Marriott folks are wonderful! and very, very patient.

Planning the HOC trip.

Making Reservations for Frostbite...

Doesn't look like much when I write it all down but it sure took a long time!!

So...it's not all megaphones and coaching launches...there sure seems to be a lot of administrative work.

Now I'm off to Kindergarten. Volunteering in Andrew's class for the first time today!!!

Have a great weekend.

Racing Season

Sorry for the infrequent posting but we are deep into the fall regatta season.

Raced last weekend in Des Moines. Everyone did great and even without Laura and Margaret things went smoothly.

This weekend is an off weekend and then we have OK City, Head Of The Charles and Frostbite...

Then basketball season starts with AJ playing 3 on 3.

Posting will be...sporadic...but meaningful...I hope.

Happy 40ish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You know who you are.

26 Things My Dog Is Afraid Of

1. Thunderstorms
2. Fireworks
3. Big Trucks
4. The Vacuum Cleaner
5. Hairdryers
6. Bicycles
7. Balloons
8. Parades
9. Chainsaws
10. Skateboards
11. Lawnmowers
12. Weedeaters
13. My Cell Phone
14. The Microwave
15. Jet Skis
16. Wooden Docks
17. Baths
18. Fly Swaters
19. Computer Printers
20. Camera Flashes
21. Tornado Sirens
22. The UPS Guy (or maybe she wants to eat him...it's hard to tell)
23. Blenders
24. Coffee Grinders
25. The Basement
26. And some unnamed thing tonight which may keep us both up all night.

The "New" Gang

This is what it looks like when the people you've been friends with since

you were children...have children.

(from left-Brenner, Pierce, Sam, Riley, Cohen, Jessica, Carter, Ashley and Kendall)

They ate every hot dog I cooked and most of the Popsicle's.

My Fence Project

This project has kept me busy for a few days...of course, I don't have any before pictures but...

Next...the front yard. Sigh...

Tour Of Missouri

I got a chance to see some world class cycling right here in KC. I saw the Tour Of Missouri as the riders rode west on 45 highway, crossing I-435 and then I met a friend in Parkville and watched them scream through on their way back to the Plaza.

Very Cool!!!

Here they are coming towards me as I stand on the I-435 overpass

looking east at 45 Highway.

It was a quick blur and they were by...fast.

I've always been amazed at the things the support teams do while

hanging out the window of a car!Here is the long line of team cars. We saw more of them than we did of the riders. A guy standing next to me remarked "I sure wouldn't go all the way to France to see that".

Here is the beginning of the big group as they come around the corner in Parkville.

I think that's George Hincapie there in the middle. (He's my favorite)
They zipped around the corner and were gone.

WOW!

ARGHHHHHHH

That's all really.

(oh yeah, the kids got in to the Head Of The Charles in Boston in October...YEAH!!!!!)

It's Only Been A Week...

Thanks to those of you who check back in hope that I'll post something already!

Just a few quick Tuesday thoughts:

1. Happy Birthday to my little sister - You are one of many great things that happened on September 11...don't let them take your day away.

2. God Bless this great country we live in. I love her with all her faults.

3. When you give your kid a new antibiotic, sleep lightly that first night. We ran a little guy the other night with a severe allergic reaction to a new antibiotic.

4. Trying to get 9 high school students to complete a task is a bit like training cats.

5. seems like there was more but I need to get showered and outta here...Petty Girls Do Lunch.

Why My Sister May Not Let Me Take My Nephews Anywhere Again...