Irongirl Dinner

Julie, Theresa, and I started the tradition of Irongirl dinners when we were training for our first Ironman back in 2001. Then we did them monthly, now we're lucky if we get one in before the big day! You have no idea the bonding that occurs over the course of 6+ hours together biking. It's always fun to get together to eat and drink something other than power bars and gatorade, and getting together outside of a sports activity also proves to be a motivator and keeps training and racing fun.



Since Theresa and I spent all winter/spring training with "The Brazil Girls," we decided we needed to have an irongirl dinner for them (with Diego as our honorary irongirl) before they left for Ironman Brazil in Florionopolis today (May 25, 2008). Monique, Christine, and Tracey all came over to my house for dinner where we swapped training stories and gave them each a few funny gifts to send them off in style. The hit of the evening was a birthday card Theresa got for Tracey with a hot latin guy named "Paco" on the cover.

Rumor has it Paco accompanied Tracey to Brazil. Looks like he brought her good luck as she had a killer race.

My Next House

I love my current house, but this is my next house.

For 4 years while I was student, and frequently in years since, I have driven to and from Sweet Briar via Rt. 15 which stretches from Orange, VA through Gordonsville, VA to Zion Crossroads, on the way to Charlottesville. And for the entire time I was a student and for several years after graduating, this house, set on 40 acres just outside of Gordonsville, was for sale. I've always loved looking at the house and look forward to passing it every time.



Granted, it's probably not in the best shape. I would guess it's at least 100 years old, and who knows what kind of condition its like on the inside. But I just love looking at it. I think it reminds me of "North and South." And while its not for sale anymore, I figure at some point in the future it will be for sale again and I'm buying it.

The Class of '98 - 10 years later

This past weekend was my 10 year Sweet Briar reunion. All classes that graduated in years ending in 3 or 8 were on campus reliving their college days. I have to say, it seemed like 4 years crammed into 2 days all over again. When I first arrived (after 5 hrs in the car when it shouldn't have been more than 3) I was tired and cranky. I quickly found my classmates sipping margaritas and chatted with a few before we all headed to the "Vixen Den" - a new room off the new, charm-lacking Bistro. There we proceeded to have a class meeting, over more drinks, and call a few parents so that we could break the fundraising participation record held by the Class of 1971.

I have to say, I felt like the first 24 hrs. were like freshman year all over again. I didn't like it and I just wanted to go home. With the exception of Page, my closest Sweet Briar friends couldn't attend reunion. It was good to catch up with my other classmates, but after a few minutes of figuring out where each was and what they were up to, I ran out of things to say!


Our class was in Dew for the weekend, the dorm I lived in sophomore year. It's been renovated since (the bathrooms are a definite improvement) but without all the typical things one fills a dorm room with, it seemed stark, empty and yucky. Thankfully I remembered my flip flops for the shower. Between the hall bathrooms and people coming back late, drunk and making tons of noise, I have to say I am so glad I don't live in a dorm any more! I love my nice, quiet house!


Saturday afternoon however, my mood changed. I went riding! Not a bicycle, but a horse! I have got to get back into lessons! I was a little nervous at first, having checked the box on the registration form indicating that I have been riding regularly this year. Once counts as regularly, doesn't it? It was 75 degrees and sunny and beautiful and I was on a gorgeous chestnut named Bud. I'd forgotten how beautiful Sweet Briar's horses are. They are so spoiled and pampered there. We went for a trail ride across the beautiful wide open fields for about an hour and Bud was perfect the whole time.



Saturday evening was the big event - dinner and dancing. Some of my favorite professors showed up as well as a few additional classmates. I stuffed myself silly and can't believe I have needed to eat anything else this week at all!!


Sunday morning, determining that there was no better setting for a 2 hr Ironman training run/walk, I walked/ran "The Dairy" (a 3 mile loop past the dairy barns and the stable) and some of the hiking trails. It was awesome! I wish I could do all my runs there.

After continuing to stuff myself at breakfast and lunch, I got back in the car to drive home. All in all a good weekend, but I'm not going again without Erikka, Erin, and Kim. :-)

Mittens - Adopted!

After 8 weeks of staying with us, Mittens finally seems to have found her forever home. A friend of Lori's has her on a "foster to adopt" basis, but all seems to be going well, so hopefully the adoption will be permanent shortly. And maybe if I'm lucky, I'll get her back to visit when her new family goes on vacation!

Theresa's Birthday!

Always a good excuse to party! Many thanks to Bob who stood outside in the pouring down rain to grill burgers and chicken for everyone!!

Grandmother's 51st Anniversary of Her 29th Birthday!!

May 12, 2008 was Grandmother's 80th Birthday! We had a great party to celebrate at Janet's house, with many of her friends from Helmsdale Lane. Between the old and more recent family photos we loaded on a digital photo frame for her and the memory book that Lois put together for her, we had a lot of fun remembering times past.