Saying, "Good-bye" to a dear old friend.

I think that every pet owner wishes that they would live forever. Unfortunately, we can't stop time. Yesterday Amber took a final swim with her buddy, Todd. Today he finished his journey. He is very much loved, and will be missed.

Marching in the West Paris Memorial Day Parade

This afternoon we celebrated all 3 of them!

25k Finishers!

This morning these amazing friends ran the 25k course at the Trail Running Festival at Pineland Farms.

The consensus: it was fun, but NOT easy!!

Cani-cross 5k at Pineland Farms

Amber & I competed in the cani-cross 5k during the Salomon Trail Running Festival at Pineland Farms this morning. I love this picture that my son captured of us just after we crossed the finish line. Yes, we spent 50 minutes out on that tough course, as opposed to the 34 minutes it took us last year. If we look like a 'hot mess', that's because we were! It was over 80 degrees Farenheit, which is way hotter than Amber likes it. So, we took our time and found as much water as we could in the woods. Amber found a spring that she could immerse herself in, as well as several muddy puddles on the side of the trail. The management here was prepared throughout the event with hoses and buckets full of cold water to drink or sponge onto your dog, so she is as wet as she is muddy! Amber remembered this race and did a great job navigating during the crowded, crazy start. She also remembered that hill that she pulled me up last year - this year she backed off the leash, and left me to my own devises! No way was she pulling me in this heat!! We chatted and laughed with lots of other 'competitors', and had a great time running this race again!

Today's Lunch View

I'm lying flat on my back, soaking up the sun, and thoroughly enjoying my 2nd rest day this week. I took 2 because tomorrow I will need every ounce of energy that I can possibly squeeze out of my muscles!

Tech Awards for Both!

They've both been working hard (and having fun!) in their Pre-Engineering class this year and it's nice to see those efforts rewarded. I'm so proud of both of them for their work in robotics building a drone!

Naptime

Phi Beta Kappa Award Recepient

They're growing fast!

They're finally big enough to venture outdoors!!

Tri-Town Rescue 5k

We had such a great time at this race! I ran with Amber.  She spent the first 1/2 mile dragging me along and trying to keep up with the boys! That's hard work, so when she saw this mud hole, she just had to wallow in it...

Fortunately, late on we also found some water for her to swim in and get cleaned up. She was a happy girl and we had a good run.

Big brother WON the event with the time of 20:02.

Younger brother also placed - 4th overall and 1st in his age group! It's the first time he's ever won anything at a race, so he was pretty psyched!!

Then, they brought out the free pizza!  Woohoo!!

WE RUN FOR FOOD!!

Working hard in the heat!

Snow Falls Gorge

This morning I climbed down into the gorge to get a different angle on the falls, and discovered you can't see the big falls from down there. Oh well. You know what I did discover? When you're down there you can't hear the roar of the traffic over the roar of the river! And that is a BIG improvement.

Wild Columbine

Finish Line Charge

I've written about it before - the kid comes down to the finish line like a freight train and there is no stopping him. I know that he's regaining his confidence because that final charge is back!

Learning Life Skills

We changed the headlights too. It's not a 'padiddle' anymore!

Hebron Hawk Trail Race

He came in 2nd this morning, at a tough trail race that was 4.5 miles, instead of the advertised 3.1 miles. I love that he made sure to high-five (well, low-five, I guess) this kid on his way to the finish line! 

Go #11

Since he's graduating from high school, this is his last season playing lacrosse, so I wanted to be sure to catch a game. We drove down today to watch him play, and enjoyed a fierce game, albeit a loss for his team. Oh well. It was fun anyway!

Meanwhile his cousins & siblings were having a little fun at his expense...

Fortunately, he was a good sport about it!

I'm so proud of this group of cousins!

Tonight the oldest graduated from High School and we're all so excited for him! He has a very bright future ahead of him, and we can't wait to see what he will accomplish. He knows that he will always have this supportive group behind him!

Surprise!

Look at what the boys did while I was out this evening! They disassembled and removed my old bed, and not only assembled my new bed, but placed it and made it up with bedding!!  I am blown away by their efforts (I'm didn't know they even knew how to make a bed! I guess my lessons have sunk in, although they never make their own beds.) to make their mother happy because they knew this change was important to me. I have the best sons!

Tasty Brew

Our local microbrewery announced Mr. Grumpypants, an oatmeal stout made with chocolate and coffee a few weeks ago, and I've been anxious to try it, but haven't had a chance to stop by. I did today, and it did not disappoint. It was well worth the wait, but I hope that I won't have to wait so long for the next one!

In with the new!

Out with the old...

Soaking up sunshine...

I found a new favorite spot on Little Pennesseewassee Pond in Waterford. A smooth rock that faces East towards the morning sun! I soaked up as much as I could before heading to the office.

Doin' what she loves!

This evening we enjoyed another wonderful concert performed by the Bonny Eagle Select Chorus! They are sooooo talented.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

And to me too...I got to spend it with my boys!

Happy 4th birthday, Amber!

He's back!

He had a great race today in the mile - 5:06.35. You could see his confidence and strength increasing as he ran away from his competitors and ran better than he has so far this season. It was incredibly heartwarming to see how happy his coach and friends were for him! They know as well as I do that he has been struggling to get back to feeling good on the track. I love how encouraging & supportive they are!

Best lawn mower ever!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Lake Pennesseewassee (Norway Lake)

Cooper is in Yak Heaven!

It's time to start!

Here we go...I've signed up for my next half-marathon - the Mount Desert Island Half on October 16th. That gives me 24 weeks to train.
I used this 12 week beginner program to prepare for running Niagara Falls and that went well for my first half. MDI is a much more difficult course (hilly) though,  so my plan is to complete this 12 week program and then move up to the next level and do that 12 week program before running the race. Barring accidents or injuries, I will be strong & ready!
I'm posting this here because some people have told me that they're curious about what it takes to complete such a challenge. If anyone would like to join me, let me know. Or follow along - I'll be posting updates as l go!
If I can do this, ANYONE can. For me, it's not about winning, placing, or beating anyone else. (Although the people who actually race have all my admiration!) It's about enjoying a beautiful course (Hello? Coast of Maine?!) while visiting with friends, getting fresh air and exercise, and challenging myself to get out there and finish that 13.1 miles, whether I run, walk, skip, or crawl!
This program is written by Hal Higdon and can be found on his website, along with lots of useful, common sense information regarding running. http://www.halhigdon.com

Letting go...

Lily is still out there calling, but her grumpy wooly buddy is not here. His dreams were bigger than my little farm. He is headed to Georgia, and listing with a casting agency - he wants to be on the big screen! You can watch for him at Animal Casting Atlanta.

Good luck Cooper!

Seriously though, a huge thank you to our friend Cassidy for her help with this difficult decision. I'm confident that he is headed to a great new home (It actually sounds fantastic!) per your recommendation. Given the circumstances I couldn't ask for anything more!