Pine Wood Derby Time

This past Wednesday was Zayne's first pinewood derby. For weeks the excitement for the upcoming event was felt as he worked with his daddy to create the perfect pine rolling machine. Not one family was tardy for the grand race, not even those of us who find it difficult to get to church on time. Young scouts arrived carefully carrying their wheeled pride in their arms. As the races progressed it became apparent that most of the fathers had as much invested in those cars as their sons. I suggested that the fathers have their own pine wood derby to fully fulfill their boyish sides. The car that Zayne (and Dan) designed and made took 3rd and 2nd place.

Dan & Uncle John making final wieght adjustments.

Poodle Freaks

Many of you know we love our poodles, but hopefully we have not gotten too weird with them . . . yet. We gave Butty his first Continental Clip last Saturday. Yes, that is the fluffy, sissy cut that you think of when you think of Poodles. Knowing that some of you love Butty also I thought you'd get a kick out the following pictures. Those are dreads on the top of his head.










Benroyal Dreaming of Chocolate (Mojo) retired from the show ring. Two years in a row at #2 nationally is not bad. There was a family party to celebrate the shearing of his coat. His new look amuses me, fluffy on all six ends. He looks like Cleo from "Clifford the Big Red Dog" but not lavender colored. (I am blogging about my dogs' hairstyles. We are freaks). In Mojo's whole life he has never been free to run, bush wack and get muddy as he is now allowed. Its like he has two years of pent up wild dog in him. He loves to crash through the bushes down by the river. He still has not jumped in the James.

Knee Update

Good news or bad news first? Lets end on a good note so . . . I am having surgery again on my knee February 11 to clean things up and to repair my meniscus. The meniscus was stitched up in the last operation. Why is it not now still stitched you ask? "It's a mystery," the doc says. This whole knee thing is taking months longer than I expected and I miss my lifestyle. However, it has given my empathy for other people's physical limitations, be them large or small.

Onto the good; my ACL is looking and feeling really good. It is so wondrous to be back on my bike again. I am still a slow poky, but that's okay. The wind can blow on my face, birds can bid me "good day," and I can kid myself that it is exercise.

A side effect from the knee situation is that my children have become home bakes. They'd rather stay home and read then bike outside. Are these my children? I need to do some serious reprogramming.

Here's a picture of our new time line.

Back in the Saddle Again

I lost the last crutch on Friday, but the excitement of that loss was overshadowed by the news that my meniscus is not healing right. Tomorrow I am getting another MRI. We are guessing Dr. Laughran will have to do another arthroscopic surgery. Good news is that I got on my MTB Saturday. IT FELT SO GOOD! The song "Back in the Saddle Again" keeps going through my head. Joshi and Zayne like the fact that I am slower than they are and I avoid hills.

On the anniversary of the "not" adoption and our puppies' birthday I had a date with Dan. When I planned it earlier that week I did not realize the significance of the calendar date until the day of. The kids were invited to sleep over at some friends' home and we were alone. Weird. I really appreciated that quiet and together time while those memories came back. We went to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and our bill was over $150! Its a good thing the Park City Radiologists generously gave Dan a gift certificate when he passed his oral boards last summer. It was crazy to see that amount on a ticket for two. We are so cheap! But, the steak was really good and having a waiter only serve our table was ideal. A hint if you ever go there; order the steak, skip all sides and get dessert.