Remodel 5

We're getting really close to being finished with the downstairs. The bathroom has been tiled, the walls have been primed, the trim and doors are up and the new window has been installed.

Next week the bathroom will be grouted, the walls will be painted, the vanity and bathroom fixtures will be installed as well as the garage cabinets.

Things are looking good and we seem to be on track for completion.

Pictures - Bedroom, hallway (linen closet) and bathroom

Remodel 4

It was a week of dry walling. From hanging, to mudding, to drying, to sanding. Next up, the painter (see samples below). I'm having a hard time finding the right colour for the bathroom - greens to the right. The babies room is all set - two colours in the middle and the bedroom and hallways are in the light beige colour scheme - colours to the left. Again, I could use my sisters help with this one. Oh well, back to the colour board.

Welcome to our remodel



Bathroom

Bedroom

Bedroom

Remodel 3

Our insulation is now in. For all those Jamaicans out there, that means that the place will be nice and warm in the winter and it makes the place amazingly quiet. Plus, it should help save us some money on our electrical bill. With the insulation in olace the rooms actually look like rooms. Next week, the Sheetrock will go up and I can check out my paint samples.

30-Weeks

Can you imagine I only have 10 more weeks to go. The little person inside of me likes to move around mainly in the mornings and late evenings. It's been fun watching my belly move in all sorts of directions. We've been told by the majority of people in the states that it's a boy and when we were home, in Jamaica, we were told by the majority that it's a girl. Tim's guess is a puppy. Only the big guy and possibly my doctor knows what we're having.

No doubt I am getting bigger, I have put on about 19lbs which means I'm on track to put on about 30lbs by the end of this pregnancy. The required amount of weight is 25-30lbs so I'm feeling okay with where I'm at. At the beginning of the pregnancy I didn't want to be around sugar. All of a sudden, I'm craving it worse than ever before. This is something I'm going to be watching over these final two months.

To think that I'm approaching my 8th month, it has certainly started to slow itself down and with my sleep pattern and back aches, I was hoping this was going to be the fast part.

I promise to post a picture, so if you get here before I do, check back later.

Remodel 2b

The deck is complete. Yeah, one project down about 50 more to go. Martin has done a wonderful job with it. We weren't sure about the colour but it turned out really nicely. The deck can now hold more than one without feeling like it's going to collapse...party!

Check out the electrical work in Remodel 2a

Remodel 2a

The following are pictures of pure confusion. It's a big job, the entire downstairs is being rewired. We even had to move the panel on the outside of the house. The first picture shows some of the plumbing - red tube for hot water and blue tube for cold water.

Hot and cold water for the washing machine and sink

Don't ask me, I just hope somebody knows what's going on

Our new panel

Remodel 2

It's been a crazy week at the house. We've moved the furnace, which left us without heat for one night - the night it snowed. We've also retrofitted the house for earthquakes, it was the perfect day to be at work. I heard the noise was unbelievable. The new deck is on it's way, as I said the weather took a turn and so that came to a halt and the pipes for the return or waste are in and have been covered again by concrete. Oh I forgot, Tim added a job, he wanted to have his garage finished so that was also ripped out this week.

Next week the electrician comes in to move the panel, rewire the house and clean up the electrical mess everywhere. The tile guy, sheet rock guy and carpet guy should be coming in to give us quotes and the plumber will also be here to put in all of the water lines.

Tim and I have been spending our weekends going to home improvement stores looking at ideas and pretty much making some choices. The good news is that we found our bathroom sinks, I love them. There is so much to be done and I pray that we have these folks out of here by the end of April.

Our deck, a work in progress

The garage, waste line in and covered

The bathroom waste lines

Remodel 1a

I come home everyday to see something new. It's amazing to watch our ideas move from conversation to drawings and now construction. I'm now starting to make choices and that's been a little scary for me. I know what I like and I know what I don't like, the problem is that all the things that I like don't necessarily look good together. However, I have had my personal consultant, Lisa, close by - thank God for the phone!

I came home on Monday and our deck was gone.

By Wednesday there was framing for our new deck already put in

We are changing all of the plumbing in the house,

this is a big job and so far

Terry our plumber is doing a great job

This is piping for the new bathroom in the basement

Remodel 1

View from bottom of stairs, bedroom in back, bathroom to right

Inside bedroom with walk in closet, bathroom in left corner

Inside bathroom, bedroom in back

Dust Everywhere

Our weekend was all about clearing out our basement and garage and by 3pm on Sunday evening we were happy to see our last large piece of furniture go into storage.

The demolition has begun. That's right folks for all that have not heard, we are finishing our basement and adding a bathroom. Once that is complete we will be moving out of the upstairs to lift our carpet and expose hardwood floors, finish our attic and replace all of the plumbing in the upstairs bathroom.

Needless to say we have dust everywhere and I wish my creative sister, Lisa, was here to help me with tile, paint, tub choices. I will post pictures to show the progress.

Surprise!

Tim and I just returned from our two week trip to Miami and Jamaica. We couldn't write about it before we left because of the 4 maybe 5 people that read my blog my mother is one of them and our trip home was a surprise for her. Mummy turned 75 on February 2nd and my sisters and I planned a celebration in her honour.

We spent two days in Miami visiting with family and friends. My cousins even threw us a baby shower to celebrate the wee one. On January 25th, along with my cousin Mari and my Aunt Gem from Miami we headed to Jamaica for about 8 days. Upon our arrival we surprised mummy at her office. We told her that we were having a shower for me on the Sunday. However, we surprised her with a birthday party. Other aspects of our trip included a family trip to the beach, time spent with the neice and nephews, a tour of the Bob Marley Museum, dinner with good friends and a yup a shower for Tim and I which included more of my closest friends.

Share in the fun by checking out our pictures, click here.

Winter Wonderland

We had more snow last night. The roads were just beginning to get back to normal and we get hit once again. It's been really cold in Seattle, an unusual winter. However, I must say that I have enjoyed the beautiful white powder on the ground.

My sister-in-law, Mary Jo, lives in Fall City and she's been enjoying 10" of snow since last week. Cross country skiing and snow shoeing around her property - FUN!

Happy New Year Everyone!

Here's the belly at 20+ weeks.

I know it's all about the baby so all you get to see for the first picture is di big belly. Wishing you all the best for the New Year. May all of your dreams come true.

Click here for Christmas Eve pictures with the Dugaw Family

To All of My Family and Friends

May your home be filled with many blessings.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

It's Like A Good Novel

Tuesday of this week I had the privilege of replacing all of my camera equipment. It was certainly a weird experience spending that much money at one time and not having to worry about how I was going to pay for it. My goal, not to go over the cheque amount that the insurance company gave us. I was successful and I am extremely pleased with my new equipment.

Well, the next day I get a phone call at work from a stranger that asks me if I lost a camera and he knows who has it. Are you kidding me. I ask him how he knows it's mine and he says that the guy tried to sell it to him and while looking through the manual a receipt for a photography course fell out with my name on it. He took the receipt without this other guy noticing and googled me. That's right folks, you too can be googled...scary. Anyhow he realized that this was some expensive s**t so he felt it was only the right thing to do.

I called Tim, we called his brother the lawyer and he advised us to call the police and our insurance company. After calling our kind stranger back he was willing to give us not only the guys name but his phone number and where he hangs out. Once we got the police involved they went to the guys house but he wasn't home. Not sure where things are at the moment the one thing we've learnt is that there are still good people out there that will do the right thing.

As for my new equipment, if they retrieve the old stuff they have given me two choices. I can return the new stuff and keep the old stuff OR I can keep the new stuff and the old stuff will then be owned by the insurance company. Not knowing what this guy has done to my old equipment, I think I will stick to my new purchases.

19-Weeks (5 months)

It's an exciting time of the pregnancy. You have your energy fully back, you are now showing, although you are at the point where someone could think that you've just put on weight and you start to feel things that everyone that has had a baby or two says is your baby moving. Okay folks, whatever you say.

The only difference with me is that I don't have a great appetite. I have cravings for a certain type of food every once in a while, and I get what I want, but most of the time I'm not always sure what will taste good or what I feel for.

I don't have pictures to show, you know with the camera gone, although the good news is that I can replace ALL of my equipment and that's what good insurance does for you.

Merry Christmas!

Two Teefin Bwoy

So last night I had the worst night ever. I was leaving work yesterday evening at around 4:45pm to go to a Family Forum for the YMCA, I was in charge of taking pictures. When I got to my car I realized that I had forgotten my purse inside so I placed my camera bag in the car shut the door and ran in to get my handbag. I was in the branch for no more than 3-minutes. I use the bathroom, I got my bag and I was out the door- no dilly dallying. When I got back to my car well, I think you must all know where I am going from here. My camera bag was gone. I thought I was in the middle of some cruel joke, I kinda wish I was. My heart began to race and I began to search the area like a mad woman. It was gone, it was time to call 911. We later found out that a members car window had been punched in, nothing was taken from his car.

The contents of that bag was worth over $8,000. It had been 3-years of me accumulating every piece of equipment that I own. It was with great care and serious thought that each piece was purchased and that is what was of value to me.

So the sad news is that I will not have the opportunity to capture the events over the Christmas season and it also means that I must put a hault on my portfolio. It does NOT mean that I plan on giving up on my photography, it's just given me the fuel to continue what I love to do and to really address the subjects that I am passionate about.

Have a wonderful Christmas and be safe.
Walk Good!

Snow in the City

Too lazy to get the flash

It began in the morning as a light dusting of snow or what the weather man calls a trace however, by 5:00pm we ended up with about 1" of snow fall. Ever since I moved to Seattle we get at least one day of snow in the city during the winter season and I like it. It was early this year so we may get another one later on. Hey man, we don't have to worry about shovelling it on a daily basis so the change is nice.



With a substancial snow fall comes a beautiful white layer on our lawn and trees, giggling kids, snowmen, snow angels and SNOWBALL FIGHTS. Along with the 14 kids in our neighbourhood, Tim and Scott, our neighbour, were the two biggest kids out there. While the kids were outside having fun I was inside, warm and cozy trimming our tree. Tis the season..
Happy holidays everyone.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is not a holiday that we celebrate in Jamaica so, for me it's been a time I have had to embrace in my adult life. In the 7-years that I have lived in the United States, I've celebrated Thanksgiving in Miami, Boston and Seattle and each year I have been welcomed with open arms by family and friends.

I have thought about the people that have no where to go, the people that are either homeless, have no friends or family in the area (because of a move) or the people that have chosen to be alone. This year I have a dear friend that has been working extremely hard at school and work and has done exactly that, she has chosen to be alone for the holiday. I was worried that she needed that time to be with her family and she reminded me that this was a great opportunity for her to take a well deserved break and enjoy a day off - that she is thankful for. For my friend at work that has recently moved to Seattle and has no where to go with her fiance, she has reminded me of the importance of volunteering and the need in our communities to feed the homeless. Well then, I guess they do have somewhere to go after all.

So to all of you out there, no matter what you have chosen to do this holiday, no matter where you are from be thankful, be thankful for it all. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I Guess The Picture Says It All...

Red Haired Dreadlocks Baby

Well, not everything. We made the official announcement about 2-weeks ago, but I am happy to make this announcement on my blog. I am pregnant and currently 13.5-weeks along. The due date was originally May 19th but after today's ultrasound we were given a due date of May 11th. I just have to say that this calculating of how many weeks I am and when the due date is tends to be a little off and some what confusing so as far as I'm concerned the wee one will choose to come when he/she is ready.

So far I've been feeling really good. No morning sickness but felt nauseated most mornings while on my Montana trip. I have been extremely tired and require at least an hour nap in the middle of my day and I haven't noticed any major or should I say specific cravings apart from always wanting carbs. Getting into a regular exercise routine has had it's challenges since I returned from Missoula so I am trying to get my body out (even in the rain) for at least a 2-4 mile walk each day. I will probably add swimming to my workout as the weather continues to change.

This is an exciting time for Tim and I and we are looking forward to sharing more photos and updates on the wee one with all of our family and friends.

Happy Halloween

I know I have not posted in a long time. It's just been one of those weeks where I don't have a lot to talk about. I can tell you that we had a fun Halloween with the kids in our neighbourhood. It was a cold night but that didn't seem to stop them from gathering enough candy to last them an entire year. My favorite costume for the night was the little boy dressed as a candy corn...adorable, sorry I didn't take a picture.

I hope you all had a safe and fun night.

Any Given Sunday

Yesterdays game should've been a win but instead it was a really disappointing loss. Our offence was off and our defense, which is tough, was just not playing well. The worst part of the game was losing the man himself Matt Hasselbeck (our quarterback), I have a feeling he may be out for the season. Not sure what his injuries are but he is the glue that holds that team together.

Well with that all said I kept thinking that we were now out of Superbowl contention until I heard on the radio that we were in this exact position last year. We're not out yet...watch out for the Seahawks folks, we will fight back and fight hard.

I'm Back!

Wow, two long weeks away from home. I missed my husband, I missed my bed and I missed the opportunity to cook good meals everynight. With all of that said, I have to tell you that it was all worth it because it was two fantastic weeks of intense photography. I learnt so much and I've come back with an appreciation for this art that I never had before.

Rocky Mountain School of Photography has given me the confidence to really start taking serious pictures. It also showed me that I am a good photographer, I have a good eye and I'm now even more technically sound.

What will I do next, well I'm working on that and the moment things start to happen you will all be the first to know about it. Let's just say there will be a show in my future.

My Love For Photography

I was 15-years old when I picked up my first camera and when it came to what I wanted to be when I grew up, professional photography was number two on the list under professional beach volleyball player.

Well, it's now twenty years later and one year ago I had made the decision that I ither needed to get back to the beach or take my photography to the next level. With my husbands support I have decided to do the latter.

Beginning on Saturday I will be attending the Rocky Mountain School of Photography in Missoula, Montana for two weeks. I'm not expecting to come back a professional but I am expecting the dream to become even more alive.

I'm not sure how much blogging I will be doing but I do look forward to sharing my experience with all of you.

It Was Wicked

I celebrated my 35th birthday yesterday and it was Wicked. That's right Tim and I had a lovely dinner at Volterra in Ballard and then headed off to the Broadway Musical Wicked - The untold story of the witches of OZ. I haven't read the book, but was told by someone in the audience that had, that they did a really good job of putting the story on stage in 3-hours. We laughed, we cried and the performers were fantastic. The two leads were actually natives of Washington, one was originally form Olympia and the other from Bellevue. There is talent in these parts I tell ya.

I had 5 birthday cards, 16 phone calls, 5 people serenade me, 1 email and one handsome man give me at least 4 big kisses. Just like every other birthday that I have it all feels the same but I will tell you that I never imagined myself at 35. I never imagined I would be married to this wonderful man and we'd be living in this beautiful city. I just never imagined 35, what a wonderful experience!

Thank you family and friends for making my birthday special, I love you all.

2-Night Campout

September 8th-10th Tim, Paul (Tim's brother) and I went on a really fun trip to Mt Adams. Our first night was spent at Horseshoe Lake. In the morning we headed up to High Camp just below the Adams Glacier, what a beautiful hike.

I'm enjoying and becoming much more comfortable with these overnight campouts. I had a little anxiety with the first one we did but I think the more I do the more I learn. I'm telling you folks, knowledge is power! More pictures

Not Much Going On

We didn't do very much this weekend, it was nice. We've had such a busy summer that taking a break was well deserved.

Hope you all had a wonderful Labor Day.

Happy Birthday RoseMarie

RoseMarie was celebrating her 40th birthday and it was party hats for everyone. If you missed the event, I am happy to present - Hats, Hats and More Hats.

My First Backpacking Trip

Heading out for our big weekend

Good Morning
Tim and I have been talking about going backpacking for a long time, we finally did it. Although I have been sworn to secrecy as to our location (it was so beautiful we don't want anyone else to go there), I can tell you that it is in the Mt St. Helens area and you can see Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams and Mount Hood - AMAZING!

This trip was long overdue, we got to use our brand new tent, which we just love, and Tim got to finally use his new bag (which didn't work so well). The hike was 6-miles to the lake and it took us about 4-hours with a lunch break, many breaks to admire the views and rest for Tim's back. Coming back it only took us about 2-hours 45-min.

For my first overnight in the wilderness I was a little nervous about bears and other wildlife I do not encounter everyday. Thankfully our only little friends were a chipmunk and some birds. Tim was happy to swim in the buff and at night there was a peace that I never hear in the city.

Check out the pictures, they tell it all.

A Weekend of Celebrations

On August 12th 2006 there was a lot going on. My mummy and daddy would've been celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary. My friend Lauren was married. We celebrated Bills life and laid him to rest in Toledo, WA and on August 13th we wished Elli and Dianne an early happy birthday.

Two Weeks Of Fun

Mummy and Courtney (my 11yr old neice) visited Tim and I in Seattle. It was non-stop fun. Here's what we did:

July 26th - Arrive in Seattle - Yeah, I can't wait to show them around.
July 27th - Shopping (a part of every Jamaicans trip)
July 28th - Traveled to San Juan Island, Stayed at Juniper Lane (highly recommended), Dinner at Madrona Bar and Grill in Roche Harbor
July 29th - Whale Watching with Captain Carli's Charter, visited the Lavender Farms
July 30th - Returned to Seattle, drove on the famous Chuckanut Drive
July 31st - Woodland Park Zoo with Friends and more shopping
Aug 1st - Courtney went on the climbing wall at the YMCA. Visited the beautiful Japanese Garden and discovered Pike Place Market. Dinner at the Penny's home - thank you!
Aug 2nd - Mount Rainier (Paradise). Courtney and Tim climbed to about 6400-ft and she got to hike through snow.
Aug 3rd - Mummy went shopping. Courtney and I went to Wild Waves/Enchanted Village. Dinner with our friends the Deys - always a good time.
Aug 4th - Tim, Mummy, Courtney and Simon went to Fall City to visit Mary Jo. They had lunch and rode the horse. I was at a training ALL day. We all enjoyed the Mariners Game in the evening.
Aug 5th - We headed to Olympia and spent the weekend with Donna. Marie, Paul, Courtney and Tim swam and drove the boat while Mummy and I did a little more shopping (what can I tell you).
Aug 6th - Enjoyed Eld Inlet. Walked to the cove, swam, drove the boat, taught Courntey how to go clamming, Tim swam across the inlet (about 2-miles) and had lunch with the rest of the Dugaw family. It was a fun weekend.
Aug 7th - Mount St. Helens: Mummy really enjoyed this visit. We had dinner with Paul, Marie and Claire.
Aug 8th - Goodbye Mummy and Courtney, thank you for visiting us. We had a whole lot of fun and we look forward to your next visit. We love you!

Check out the 382 pictures: Album 1, Album 2, Album 3

It Was A Hot One

Thank God for the water and thank God for friends like Tim and Marianne. This was one weekend you didn't want to be anywhere, but near the water. With temperatures in the high 90's Tim and I enjoyed two wonderful days in Allyn.

Take a look at the pictures, it says it all.

I Love and Miss My Friends

The Jamaican Crew

Tim and I had a fantastic time in Dayton, Ohio this weekend and if it wasn't for Sion's wedding, I probably wouldn't have seen this place my dear friend calls home.

It was a joining of two familes that are from two different worlds. It was a reunion of friends that have know each other for over two decades. It was a meeting of new friends. It was an invasion on Ohio by probably the most diverse group of people - Jamaicans, Australians, Brits, the south, east coasters, the NW - we were from all over the globe. With the Appleton Rum and Red Stripe Beer flowing, this session lasted the entire weekend.

Pictures Galore... Album 1, Album 2

Weekend With The Dey Boys

What a fun weekend we had. Tim, Simon, Colin and myself enjoyed the Mariners game on Friday night. On Saturday we went to the park in the morning and tried flying Simon's birthday kite however, it just wouldn't get off the ground. We ended our day at a party on the Lake, running around in circles and playing a little volleyball and paddleball.

It was fun boys, come back again soon.

Our weekend in photos - Check it out!

It Doesn't End Here

I took a week off from training after the race on June 25th, now Tim and I are back at it. The Team in Training group is so driven and encouraged to do a few more races this year. Many of them are stepping it up to do a 1/2 Iron Man. Tim and are working on our Sprint and Olympic distances. There's nothing wrong with perfection. Most groups fizzle out and don't think about doing another race until the next session. It's been a fun group, we meet two to three times a week. We've taken what Wade (our coach) has taught us and kept it going.
Go Team!

The Finish Line

On Sunday, June 25th I competed in the Pacific Crest Olympic Distance Triathlon. It didn't go as well as I had hoped but, I did finish and that's what was important.

I woke up on Sunday morning at about 2:45am with a not so pleasant stomach ache. I think it was partially nerves and partially something I ate the night before. I completed the race on an empty stomach, making it a very difficult race to swim, bike and run. I was also dealing with 98-degree temperatures and an elevation of 4200-ft.

The .9-mile swim went fairly well finishing in about 0:29:33. The 28-mile bike ride was beautiful, however it felt more like a leisure ride than a race (I just didn't have it in me to power through those hills). I finished the bike in 1:52:51. And the run, well with my quads cramping and my body lacking nourishment let's just say it was probably the second worst 6-miles I have ever run - the first being the last 6-miles of the Chicago Marathon. I must admit that with 3-miles to go I wouldn't have been able to continue if it wasn't for my wonderful husband. Tim rode a bike and walked beside me to the finish line and it was his encouragement that kept me going. I completed the run in 1:16:53. This gave me an overall time, including my transitions, of 3:46:19.

This race may be over, but I am encouraged to do many more. I think doing triathlons are my new sport of choice. I'll let you know when the next one is.

Thanks again for all of your support. The Leukemia, Lymphoma Society raised over $103,000 with our team - Thank you! I encourage all of you to support Elizabeth.

Let the Races Begin

This is it folks, the moment of truth. Think of me on Sunday morning at 9:00am (pacific daylight time), give me about 4-hours to complete the entire course, I'm shooting for 3.5-hours however finishing will be a bonus. It's a 1.5K Swim, 28mi Bike and 10K Run.

Thanks again for all of your support. Your next update will be on Tuesday.

Soltice Parade

I've lived in Seattle for 3-1/2 years and this was my first time going to the parade. Not so bad since my dear husband has lived here all of his life, except when he moved to Philadelphia, and this was his first time at the parade.

What a fun event and a must see for anyone visiting at this time of the year. It's the beginning of summer and the longest day of the year so why not celebrate with a parade and the annual Dey Soltice party.

Renee's Visit

It's been a fun, filled week with Renee in town. On Monday when she arrived she had the honor to spend her first day watching me put about 25 kids up a climbing wall. Tuesday we headed over to Port Townsend, Wednesday I took her downtown to enjoy Pike Place Market, Thursday Tim and I took her to Mt. St. Helens, our second trip in a month - third trip in a year. On Friday we went back downtown, enjoyed a movie and then went to the Mariners game for some good American fun. On Saturday we spent the entire day in Fremont enjoying the Soltice Parade...lots of naked people to be seen.

She has to go home today and I will miss her. It has been nice having her around.

12 Days to My Big Race

That's right people I have less than two weeks before I swim, bike and run the Olympic distance triathlon in Sunriver, OR. Am I ready, not really but I will be in 12-days...right.

Make final donations at my Team in Training page. Thank you for all of the support you have all given me. I love you and if I don't see you at the finish line, I promise you will hear from me when I get back.

Race Information

Fantastic Website

I have found the best website for runners, bikers and even walkers. It allows runners to map and measure their favorite running routes and then save them to the largest searchable database of running routes in the country. It is done through USA Track and Field.

Anyone that considers themselves a runner will love it. Check it out today.

Sprint Down...Olympic To Go

Tim and I completed the Issaquah Sprint Triathlon on Saturday with our spirits high. We felt we had worked hard and done really well. It was good for me to do this race as a practice run for the big event coming up in Bend, OR. I must admit it seemed to be the perfect distance. To think I will be doing twice the amount in less than 4 weeks.

Tim was thinking about doing the Pacific Crest Tri and he had told me that he would make the decision at the end of the sprint triathlon. His first words to me as he crossed the finish line were, "honey you are on your own". He enjoys racing and competing and I believe he will do another sprint race with me at the end of the summer. It's the 6.2-mile run at the end of an olympic event that doesn't thrill him too much. He loves to swim and bike, running is just not his thing.

Laud it Cold

So I did it, on Wednesday night I went to Luther Burbank on Mercer Island and plunged into Lake Washington. It was my first open water swim wearing my wet suit. It went really well for me. The initial entry took my breath away, literally, then it got much easier. I was alot warmer than I thought I would be and I wasn't as freaked out with not seeing the bottom, as I thought I would be. Hey I'm Jamaican what do you expect.

Our sprint race is tomorrow...wish us luck.

The Unofficial Start Of Summer

People seem to forget the real meaning behind Memorial Day and that includes me. I must admit my weekend did not have anything to do with remembering those that have died in the line of duty. Should I feel guilty about this? I don't know, I'm not sure that I do. Most people seem to have a BBQ or they go to festivals to ring in the unofficial start of summer.

My weekend didn't include any BBQ's or festivals. What it did include was a 3-mile run around Green Lake, a 2100-yard swim, a 40-mile bike ride and a relaxing weekend with my husband. We didn't do very much and we were both very happy to be doing just that. With 4 prior weekends that were booked solid and the next 4 weekends being booked out of our whoha this was a refreshing time for us both.

Welcome to summer folks...I plan on making it the best one yet.

Another Update

Tim and I will be competing in a sprint triathlon on June 3rd in Issaquah. After that race I will have 22 days until the Pacific Crest Triathlon.

How is my training? Here is the latest: On Saturday we had a multi-brick workout which included a 10-mile bike ride, 2.5-mile run, 10-mile bike ride, 2.5-mile run ending with a 8-mile bike ride, whew, it's just as hard typing it as it was doing it. It was a long training but it felt really good. Monday I had my 2-mile time trial and I was 30-secs off of my best time...YEAH! I'm feeling more and more ready for this race.

I'm only $410 short of my $3,000 goal. If you have not made a contribution to Team in Training do so today. If you have THANK YOU!

Family in Town

It's been quite the weekend and now quite the week. Tim's niece was married on Saturday and so a part of the Canadian crew came out to visit. Tom and Jen are staying with us this week. We enjoyed the wedding on Saturday, spent sunday at Gramee, Mom, Donna (it depends on who she is to you) for Mother's Day and last night we went to watch the Black Eyed Peas. They were good, really good. Today we are heading down to Mt. Saint Helens and the rest of the week is packed with ferry rides, tours under the city of Seattle and horseback riding.

During all of this I must keep up with my training. So Sunday I went for a run, with Tim, and the rest of the week will see me in the pool, on my bike and running. I tell you, there is no rest for the weary.

Training Update

Last week started out with a bang. I went for my usual Monday run at Green Lake, we were doing mainly hills. I was feeling good until my right knee buckled under me. I wasn't in any pain so I kept on running. The following morning I went for a run around my neighbourhood, feeling no pain but having an odd feeling in my knee, it was a pretty good run also. On Tuesday night after a late night meeting my knee was killing me, I was in pain. I had difficulty walking down stairs and it was slightly swollen.

On Wednesday I gave it a rest as well as Thursday. Friday I was heading out of town to Orcas Island and although my knee was feeling good, I was beginning to feel a little stick with flu like symptoms. Saturday I worked all day, walking at least 3-miles around Camp Orkila and on Sunday I had all the faith in the world that I could do a work out but my heal was now giving me trouble....oy vey.

Not a great week of training, I'm hoping this will be my only set back until the big day on June 25th.

Orcas Island

If you come to the great NW it is important that you make your way to the San Juan Islands. Lucky me, once a year I have the opportunity to go to Orcas Island, a place I would like to explore with a little more time. However, every year as a part of my job at the YMCA I get to go to Camp Orkila with our Adventure Guides group. It was a fun experience, as usual, but this year they have added a new chanllenge. It's the giant swing and it is fun, fun fun. Check out the pictures of me on the swing with Lydia, one of the kids in the program. The next time I'm going it alone.

Suiting up for the big ride and Lydia and I hanging out

That's My Timmy

I was looking at Calabash Yard today and realized that I hadn't uploaded a picture in a long time. This was one of my favorites from our weekend with the Moriarity kids. Tim took over the playground and as you can see by the smile on his face, he was a happy little boy. That's my Timmy.

Weekend Continued...

As I had said in my previous blog, Sunday was going to be our day to spend with the Moriarity Kids (Quin and Colin). The kids got to our house around 11am, we sent their parents on their way and then it was our turn to have some fun. Nick, Simon, Colin and Haylie had joined us for the majority of the day.

Our first stop was the Sea Aquarium. After 1-hour of kids faces lit up with smiles we were all hungry and so we headed to The Old Spaghetti Factory for lunch. We ended our evening with the kids at the BF Day school park followed by Gas Works where we met Colin and Quin's parents.

Our evening wasn't over. As Tim and I were driving home we were passing Green Lake Pitch and Putt and decided to play a round of golf on the 9-hole, 3-par course, it was a fun way to end our weekend.