tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64757038511257516082024-02-20T01:51:49.869-05:00Smoke TrainingI smoked over a pack a day for 15 years and got really overweight. Now I'm an endurance junkie with lots of marathons, century rides, half and full ironmans, and ultramarathons under my belt. Check back often to watch the progress from smoking 26.2 cigarettes a day to running 26.2 miles, or from Iron Lung to Ironman.Carolina Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834384961037080805noreply@blogger.comBlogger857125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475703851125751608.post-18689286102636747082022-01-24T00:31:00.003-05:002022-01-24T00:31:30.299-05:00What Happened in 2021<p> It's hard to tell if 2021 was better or worse than 2020. And since I haven't written anything here since the pandemic started - Jan 2020 last post - there's a lot of comparison to get through.</p><p>Pandemic aside, I finished the porch, herniated the L5-S1 disc in my back that required surgery to repair, and bought some land in Boone to build a house on so I can AirBnB it. The surgeon said I would never be able to run again, but the physical therapist said I would. Now, a year and a half later, I am actually running some again, but only maybe 3x a week at most and nothing long yet. And I still haven't broken ground on the new house, but Kelley did convince me to hire a mason instead of pouring the foundation myself after hurting my back pouring concrete. All of this around the lockdowns, and the pandemic, waiting on the vaccine, and the election. </p><p>2021 started better (after Jan 6 of course), we all got vaxxed in the spring as soon as we could and I got to spend time with my family again visiting them in Greenville some. In August, my parents celebrated their 50th anniversary, then the kids started back to school in 9th and 11 grade. It's so nice to have them both in high school, and yet so hard to believe that Ella graduates in only a year and a half. Kelley also went back to grad school, she got into the Marriage and Family Therapy program at App State and started in August. She finished the first semester with straight A's, and they did actually still have her on academic probation from her first attempt at grad school when we met at App State back in 1996. So she's doing a little better this time around. We bought a townhouse in Banner Elk so she'd have a place to stay locally while attending classes, and I absolutely love having a place in the mountains again. The land is great, and eventually (hopefully in 2022) I will actually break ground and start building my house there. But this townhouse really brings a great local connection. </p><p>The holidays started getting rough. My dad's health has been declining, first by Parkinson's disease that he's had for several years, then diabetes which he doesn't manage very well. Right before thanksgiving, they found pancreatic cancer. The surgery was not successful, and he's not going to get strong enough again to try chemo or anything, so this is terminal. He turns 75 in May, which is still pretty young for a cancer patient, and we all hope he'll make it to his birthday. Everyone, including Dad, is at peace with it, but it is still something incredibly difficult that I know we're having to get through. </p><p>Also, I changed jobs a few times. After 4.5 years I left my tech lead role at a great company for an architect role at another fantastic company. It turned out to be not so much of an architect role as a developer position, so I only lasted about 6 months there. I also finished grad school with an MBA in Finance while I was there, with the objective of getting a management role at a financial company. Instead, I got a management role with a small consulting firm, which turned out to be absolutely awful. I had some reservations about getting into consulting again, and I don't know why I just couldn't handle the stress of a small operation like that anymore. It was awful. So I got out of there after a few months and did end up managing a team of software developers for one of the largest financial companies in the US and is really is everything I was looking for. Such a cool company, I have a great team of developers, and the work is interesting. I am planning to stay there until I retire in about another 6-10 years. Single dad-ing it while Kelley was in the mountains 4 days a week was really hard while I was at the consulting firm, and much easier now. <br /></p><p>Christmas was kind of tough as Dad was in and out of the hospital. Now I'm trying to get down there as often as I can to spend time with him while he's coherent. The kids had a good time though. </p><p>Also, I started an LLC for my woodworking business. I got to build some great furniture last year, my instagram (@flynnstagram3000) has all of those pictures. <br /></p><p>Pictures? Sure. Here's from the 50th anniversary and Christmas at least.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUoB1Sp88BM-D2tl1K4BsOBHdhKLr73HHAHChblUZsaX4LY9iJ4ih11rfNrBujrUd53fUtEmQalQBz3mQuLcKKF2V4Y17v-hJMMtN7TNYh_XE3tjkvnj_dP3wdNvGzRvkl7m0R0aYLOXmV_uDahcgpj8zCU4LnUiodCvBNDpyBsSp615gDsEpiDlQz=s1024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUoB1Sp88BM-D2tl1K4BsOBHdhKLr73HHAHChblUZsaX4LY9iJ4ih11rfNrBujrUd53fUtEmQalQBz3mQuLcKKF2V4Y17v-hJMMtN7TNYh_XE3tjkvnj_dP3wdNvGzRvkl7m0R0aYLOXmV_uDahcgpj8zCU4LnUiodCvBNDpyBsSp615gDsEpiDlQz=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMT0MdKcj3X65sbeGo2fPzssrGHPukV6mmdAMgSkxeVb7O5lwJ4MeGsRIJUMH15-BayJw9xcWRxe23UMBFxVzvPTovm5Yenig1N9xW79qhTcVSjZRPeQVu1OASvHjwry75QzYiLBVjzAMUDiKmyz6dwxy2QbF-ExJeC-IFqN93EcagBa5f-iB6GZ1i=s1024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMT0MdKcj3X65sbeGo2fPzssrGHPukV6mmdAMgSkxeVb7O5lwJ4MeGsRIJUMH15-BayJw9xcWRxe23UMBFxVzvPTovm5Yenig1N9xW79qhTcVSjZRPeQVu1OASvHjwry75QzYiLBVjzAMUDiKmyz6dwxy2QbF-ExJeC-IFqN93EcagBa5f-iB6GZ1i=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgu5Fq8aJn0GGJPWxgB3HXOeYBG3W8ai-JqAsOKJkDfAghOFzvUi858B3WMcwakHn3dahAPsX8Xu_zNL4gTny2T4qxtAPMJwQ398Hzq5v0HCpnOpKhosUnRg1junf19A1D08rvzBt5TxwDaXWJCx37_x91B0CNhvEYKQyScnMyDneBBXoQzSt9mu1rS=s1024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgu5Fq8aJn0GGJPWxgB3HXOeYBG3W8ai-JqAsOKJkDfAghOFzvUi858B3WMcwakHn3dahAPsX8Xu_zNL4gTny2T4qxtAPMJwQ398Hzq5v0HCpnOpKhosUnRg1junf19A1D08rvzBt5TxwDaXWJCx37_x91B0CNhvEYKQyScnMyDneBBXoQzSt9mu1rS=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>My kids came out of the pandemic looking like grown-ass adults. The little girl is Michael's kid and those curls are Morgan's first kid. His incredible wife gave birth in early Jan 2022 to their second boy, we are so thrilled. I haven't gotten my hands on that new baby yet but we're all super excited.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWQfacjbhw6KcDlCvaWy32pnUl6w_vqsTBp2whcGbjLctc0BbsiJAVnzHPajee2AtDAMetetoFk0jyePaYrYSKfZOk2DXMEUpQsOxdFLQYJv5KlvhJ7hUYJy4Y5mRw1NQDoUtSiuqdi1EDkKPMy5DtxZmyxbVqJqWErT6qndoBIB-jRjDJvtE9D3HZ=s1024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWQfacjbhw6KcDlCvaWy32pnUl6w_vqsTBp2whcGbjLctc0BbsiJAVnzHPajee2AtDAMetetoFk0jyePaYrYSKfZOk2DXMEUpQsOxdFLQYJv5KlvhJ7hUYJy4Y5mRw1NQDoUtSiuqdi1EDkKPMy5DtxZmyxbVqJqWErT6qndoBIB-jRjDJvtE9D3HZ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ella is visiting colleges already! This is at Lees-McRae in Banner Elk<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgljXP9OSsdW6kXtJjENjDJA0llE2FRvJK-B6n497cyplphO5ByoO7kjZ-D8baZ8DxBesA7Bv86ZpTnRq36SH9Q0eCmjGiGFvTYI89l9uNitMNOJmbUbwMcgw42JMFB6HMYmhUmKyUKp93hP3ZQzmd2f9p91n0ngBV4h2nNMg7BsyISGJE368zuYd6f=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgljXP9OSsdW6kXtJjENjDJA0llE2FRvJK-B6n497cyplphO5ByoO7kjZ-D8baZ8DxBesA7Bv86ZpTnRq36SH9Q0eCmjGiGFvTYI89l9uNitMNOJmbUbwMcgw42JMFB6HMYmhUmKyUKp93hP3ZQzmd2f9p91n0ngBV4h2nNMg7BsyISGJE368zuYd6f=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I built a kayak. It's super cool<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilLDYPzX6hPRTofSCzvdroSXrgTKkp8phq8Suh_0aHTGBDGm6Qjj3ppX6PX7YTeeEffzCHOdVEKfXs00XJq6USv9mUSF3u2WJJ-t2kR5H2QbQRZzXKHBxH8Pc-wTODcTUsE15rzlGVveIaCmpt86YUBsg_fc0uH0CAJ75jAGeIgQSlaLnEIrTObs3k=s1024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilLDYPzX6hPRTofSCzvdroSXrgTKkp8phq8Suh_0aHTGBDGm6Qjj3ppX6PX7YTeeEffzCHOdVEKfXs00XJq6USv9mUSF3u2WJJ-t2kR5H2QbQRZzXKHBxH8Pc-wTODcTUsE15rzlGVveIaCmpt86YUBsg_fc0uH0CAJ75jAGeIgQSlaLnEIrTObs3k=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">July 4 at Sugar Mountain<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJ4jZulABDIIPhB-RBmRBuYkV-Fp0oEAu9wchO1DZ1aHO_QD2YzvJlOnyyipvOfniXDQRzosAdQbTYOcTcagNKtammJtwMv9RA-GTH9SEBqclH8x4WzY6Gg4xrOO4pWG2ZIsGrkO77mbaRf2X3JR6PQjkNRVvQ4KAA4Dkl4lE3He33O61YrzP20VCY=s1024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="576" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJ4jZulABDIIPhB-RBmRBuYkV-Fp0oEAu9wchO1DZ1aHO_QD2YzvJlOnyyipvOfniXDQRzosAdQbTYOcTcagNKtammJtwMv9RA-GTH9SEBqclH8x4WzY6Gg4xrOO4pWG2ZIsGrkO77mbaRf2X3JR6PQjkNRVvQ4KAA4Dkl4lE3He33O61YrzP20VCY=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First day of school!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjL3trX9MpuFydfRzfbG5WBbI722DknQTEWJLf-izswGuExDkQLpeJ0V4uhwvMtjykBzTZ8QJKk2jFm2kpCCaHJuHfERlOOLes1O9JnlIUY1SJ3PF4o-B5yqa6jNd8iCbJx-IxLf05su1U8Kp7-Rs6fJqnPuRgXEmpCF_LVUQx0MUNg8tBMi9CwX-jF=s1024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="576" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjL3trX9MpuFydfRzfbG5WBbI722DknQTEWJLf-izswGuExDkQLpeJ0V4uhwvMtjykBzTZ8QJKk2jFm2kpCCaHJuHfERlOOLes1O9JnlIUY1SJ3PF4o-B5yqa6jNd8iCbJx-IxLf05su1U8Kp7-Rs6fJqnPuRgXEmpCF_LVUQx0MUNg8tBMi9CwX-jF=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First day of school!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYggPtNacR_scJM5rkXmekZ5piUJ4rcm-7l_Xale7CHWmFd-sdH7PFf6PilQu8ZEUXG_YrFQQF4BhaSoru3Hr6Fk0vMDubcfP47Uwuc8zlwMy9ph4hUNjV_WgShTNETNAUN7BghxIvpkHnmLydRrEEPrMAsrck0FgfJoumpXe7OQvpZtVAyRODwOIT=s1024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYggPtNacR_scJM5rkXmekZ5piUJ4rcm-7l_Xale7CHWmFd-sdH7PFf6PilQu8ZEUXG_YrFQQF4BhaSoru3Hr6Fk0vMDubcfP47Uwuc8zlwMy9ph4hUNjV_WgShTNETNAUN7BghxIvpkHnmLydRrEEPrMAsrck0FgfJoumpXe7OQvpZtVAyRODwOIT=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas in Raleigh<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghsmyDk9_f7fPSGjzDoOa46q0GqCFh_dBxgm_0JQnou7iIc8WBygfhyjiRXAQZeohlGdN99BFk0HHTgxv6Q23yFij26CDdEKHrG30RKBGNWn7R-OuXG54lReikXGEsYxFz_lpEPJ_XTFQ36HjIYjxKxa5Q2sC0VpUcqAba5ZU5cVvel0w0SlCFMx3k=s1024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghsmyDk9_f7fPSGjzDoOa46q0GqCFh_dBxgm_0JQnou7iIc8WBygfhyjiRXAQZeohlGdN99BFk0HHTgxv6Q23yFij26CDdEKHrG30RKBGNWn7R-OuXG54lReikXGEsYxFz_lpEPJ_XTFQ36HjIYjxKxa5Q2sC0VpUcqAba5ZU5cVvel0w0SlCFMx3k=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All of the grandkids in Greenville<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKWCl1z8HUc7Atfx3grITWPBhtVP11d4Pm6HgzJtI-2F6_p4fBX-7Dx_JeGhiFZTlSv0bQ85KSRmKMz2sg4Uqjhu0hgrBGq3B9mtdYkZXDwYH44uVClQfVbalw6tJFd7SnspFOZMmFL-6CcS0rOnJLAf2xYiqXSOMroBO8bFHO8_si84smIsQbD6t2=s1024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiKWCl1z8HUc7Atfx3grITWPBhtVP11d4Pm6HgzJtI-2F6_p4fBX-7Dx_JeGhiFZTlSv0bQ85KSRmKMz2sg4Uqjhu0hgrBGq3B9mtdYkZXDwYH44uVClQfVbalw6tJFd7SnspFOZMmFL-6CcS0rOnJLAf2xYiqXSOMroBO8bFHO8_si84smIsQbD6t2=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morgan's family<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVJ2V_vuAqv8mHs37j8GRXn1Vf-D2eso-NLmA_HPrj5P-jkCzVrgccQD0E-ODt56ieVwQtRQcR0JybIvMUbKgsY136-x7TtL0cMmFBVh5F4XMmFSc8GAFG2l4L9GRViDUoDEDVYRXNZASPQYqNmy8p51ignHZskt1sOZvqdwMFVMHlmls94mJ8nxvj=s1024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVJ2V_vuAqv8mHs37j8GRXn1Vf-D2eso-NLmA_HPrj5P-jkCzVrgccQD0E-ODt56ieVwQtRQcR0JybIvMUbKgsY136-x7TtL0cMmFBVh5F4XMmFSc8GAFG2l4L9GRViDUoDEDVYRXNZASPQYqNmy8p51ignHZskt1sOZvqdwMFVMHlmls94mJ8nxvj=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael's family<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTYUCaycoHojxVZkFH6j8Oc_Uil7VHzL_0350c1PX86bQ_Um3frbSkLu4sJP1pBuNv2ZH6gT-btUFxLIlASgJhJ4woTatYVoMnaCssGSwu8P5ChJ9SyobYev6qhTsFoiWvJKX6jvaQAMsXsMW8_OIKCD95mzcuNWeoknZi4S0QzhM3KiWpw5EuUAUY=s1024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTYUCaycoHojxVZkFH6j8Oc_Uil7VHzL_0350c1PX86bQ_Um3frbSkLu4sJP1pBuNv2ZH6gT-btUFxLIlASgJhJ4woTatYVoMnaCssGSwu8P5ChJ9SyobYev6qhTsFoiWvJKX6jvaQAMsXsMW8_OIKCD95mzcuNWeoknZi4S0QzhM3KiWpw5EuUAUY=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Family<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDiwFnvyL7e6eG8iuG2HIo4aGkFoJf5vFL245vpXduHU23KnOWvB9NrcWBesoxraBpwMDZpcUXzii4DQs1DHB41heWTmNgQJZcBxytmrBLh-CRnLsQiNDa0f6WiCtMjufxIe37EtrPXAt121lavspSIPB6yjiN8cNXqL_bAM8y0xxKtM6WGnQGJ-f7=s1024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDiwFnvyL7e6eG8iuG2HIo4aGkFoJf5vFL245vpXduHU23KnOWvB9NrcWBesoxraBpwMDZpcUXzii4DQs1DHB41heWTmNgQJZcBxytmrBLh-CRnLsQiNDa0f6WiCtMjufxIe37EtrPXAt121lavspSIPB6yjiN8cNXqL_bAM8y0xxKtM6WGnQGJ-f7=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ponder the track suit - I'm entering a new phase of dad level comfort<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiG5HX-ODNDaFwJ9QTUdOoKCO6fOHcXEnwF4VzoJaaqG76ySW9T_gJ58Kg06Mkt-oDctbuAWn3ngNh4I7LVePxA8tVTRykejtqsd4l4_79d232lTFklvhc-HxP20p4IxFIHjFvu-UUvhRU967qpDgGpUECkNVdNyypmw9JHLYtQlM1SyTnUyscuKpX_=s1024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiG5HX-ODNDaFwJ9QTUdOoKCO6fOHcXEnwF4VzoJaaqG76ySW9T_gJ58Kg06Mkt-oDctbuAWn3ngNh4I7LVePxA8tVTRykejtqsd4l4_79d232lTFklvhc-HxP20p4IxFIHjFvu-UUvhRU967qpDgGpUECkNVdNyypmw9JHLYtQlM1SyTnUyscuKpX_=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My brothers - Morgan, Michael, and me<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Maybe I'll write another post in a couple more years. Thanks for catching up with me!<br /></p><p><br /></p>Carolina Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834384961037080805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475703851125751608.post-16181571150741421122021-01-07T00:45:00.001-05:002021-01-08T00:25:04.024-05:00Holiday Wrapup<p> This Christmas was totally 2020. The kids had a good time, all of our travel was gone, none of the big family celebrations happened. I did make it down to Greenville for one day just to spend a few hours with my parents - it was the first time I'd seen them since last Christmas. We got our tree on a day trip to Boone, it was really pretty. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieHMOQomsbKuuZBMYsN29WXH0tooCbsLhZffDlFWtLjNC7A9_LSYoZuMY9GiGpmpUfjEKyyfofCDk5AO0sn0cd61E8Dz_X-CYGTHZQvLevrsbKo12WhI0sWYP-gn1Q2XrBBeKLiJ9-rM/s750/ER3lRPEX0AIMUVW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieHMOQomsbKuuZBMYsN29WXH0tooCbsLhZffDlFWtLjNC7A9_LSYoZuMY9GiGpmpUfjEKyyfofCDk5AO0sn0cd61E8Dz_X-CYGTHZQvLevrsbKo12WhI0sWYP-gn1Q2XrBBeKLiJ9-rM/s320/ER3lRPEX0AIMUVW.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">too cute not to share, but this was not how our holiday went down<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslU_V0i1nqqiykIoeKju7eo-wcCJSyI4RBVUilLRZpC3wi6ZSnPDcTrywrxllsPX0F09HCV2TA_2BDU_MF7LEnPF-q87KEbhyphenhyphen5m_KWA_rZMA6c_aYmqnAlroM00hQRXE4VtjKFalS6F8/s1024/IMG_20201114_185235.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslU_V0i1nqqiykIoeKju7eo-wcCJSyI4RBVUilLRZpC3wi6ZSnPDcTrywrxllsPX0F09HCV2TA_2BDU_MF7LEnPF-q87KEbhyphenhyphen5m_KWA_rZMA6c_aYmqnAlroM00hQRXE4VtjKFalS6F8/w640-h360/IMG_20201114_185235.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglX4WH7nZE3X0SVIaTcKacnbT8sKsqKYIvX6TC1iCZoIXIetXTCjgYwXRDLcVqdp0u5AwT5ru80wJy9WuauqhKtkHil6cWTixE8-ejZPSi1zUF9IA5GKBUyyFlgHkbJ0JMKzE3nV1Sfqc/s1024/IMG_20201122_170711.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglX4WH7nZE3X0SVIaTcKacnbT8sKsqKYIvX6TC1iCZoIXIetXTCjgYwXRDLcVqdp0u5AwT5ru80wJy9WuauqhKtkHil6cWTixE8-ejZPSi1zUF9IA5GKBUyyFlgHkbJ0JMKzE3nV1Sfqc/w225-h400/IMG_20201122_170711.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WQb_WXi9yi88Y_FtBxruLmcCcrHhAH7t8xUabJ7-NzpnVD3pNWTdccPn8ldCPRIppBciGwH6WmHPpHAsnYsZnIi7eeK8zUOXIjfpHrd__TjyOs0cgYteOCc7jCjSlMAHMEGBuSe0vX0/s1024/IMG_20201122_170721.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WQb_WXi9yi88Y_FtBxruLmcCcrHhAH7t8xUabJ7-NzpnVD3pNWTdccPn8ldCPRIppBciGwH6WmHPpHAsnYsZnIi7eeK8zUOXIjfpHrd__TjyOs0cgYteOCc7jCjSlMAHMEGBuSe0vX0/w640-h360/IMG_20201122_170721.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The farm where we got our tree<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbTnodgz_axhF29HAm0rXw3nVtLpUxqRk6u5uK1Q8dM1brFu2jDHXxRo6opZ18Q43QbMz6PegSOdI044dfQbOP81xsjs_JrVnJcOCL7pm3llymlWLI_P6Bx3Zz9FvglH0YW3IAIDPr4g/s1024/IMG_20201123_195251.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbTnodgz_axhF29HAm0rXw3nVtLpUxqRk6u5uK1Q8dM1brFu2jDHXxRo6opZ18Q43QbMz6PegSOdI044dfQbOP81xsjs_JrVnJcOCL7pm3llymlWLI_P6Bx3Zz9FvglH0YW3IAIDPr4g/w225-h400/IMG_20201123_195251.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ready for some presents<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3A4nmpedhglI5DvEXsJ-eu17TS1bPziBiuGFpZjlPAwO5a4CuxIL23jk0oxM5seyu8SYD0AvZu2oUx11drKU7mUAPFD2Ncb4G0t04pO095yTKfQgsgJ26H6cBYW-kVgV4vnbTkU-igMw/s2048/IMG_20201127_132506.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3A4nmpedhglI5DvEXsJ-eu17TS1bPziBiuGFpZjlPAwO5a4CuxIL23jk0oxM5seyu8SYD0AvZu2oUx11drKU7mUAPFD2Ncb4G0t04pO095yTKfQgsgJ26H6cBYW-kVgV4vnbTkU-igMw/w640-h360/IMG_20201127_132506.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a fun time in Boone on a day trip<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwr77X9Sf8CdEypmTbNAgYJH8xDQaxh0s3c7Uz0DmZGy78YddcyIZnkX4xOUm9pzRYyhHUgQdnhUQwPrZ82anySfRcfelSQbSYL9oI8NlmE8tpEM5g3STsHWG90mqAoTUhhpB13sHtrr0/s1024/IMG_20201203_183101.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwr77X9Sf8CdEypmTbNAgYJH8xDQaxh0s3c7Uz0DmZGy78YddcyIZnkX4xOUm9pzRYyhHUgQdnhUQwPrZ82anySfRcfelSQbSYL9oI8NlmE8tpEM5g3STsHWG90mqAoTUhhpB13sHtrr0/w640-h360/IMG_20201203_183101.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We all had on our App State sweatshirts<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The reason we've been making so many day trips to Boone recently - we bought some land up there! 1.09 acres of raw dirt is now ours, paid for in cash. We closed on the 21st, and Lena and I made a trip up there just before that to check out our dirt, thinking we had clear traveling from the snow. Instead, we got this:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvUIS_s7wfox57tM2zD_U_pffXoPAgkM7aa9fsm757JIKN_2ZJQQrsWgrDnTv9Iun5obmIPZ28sHFI8ADwyBafPT5gTGWdqTG1kf96uJn2aAWqdnHrvssDOdBamy5Oo8-V7Zibk71XNM/s1024/IMG_20201218_150436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvUIS_s7wfox57tM2zD_U_pffXoPAgkM7aa9fsm757JIKN_2ZJQQrsWgrDnTv9Iun5obmIPZ28sHFI8ADwyBafPT5gTGWdqTG1kf96uJn2aAWqdnHrvssDOdBamy5Oo8-V7Zibk71XNM/w640-h360/IMG_20201218_150436.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's our dirt!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQs0wzLIDnjPg3Nbv6XJ4Bo3Z_6CV68ShMuExfjm_tuRV_IL1k3wD3sX-j8NQMUjLmYfcUt_-TqTwLE6ej4wnpzVcxPKxT-DbNAvrSfS8hqNUJcJHT3nhSaXoZVOCSWQNibML-aExzvs/s1024/IMG_20201218_150555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQs0wzLIDnjPg3Nbv6XJ4Bo3Z_6CV68ShMuExfjm_tuRV_IL1k3wD3sX-j8NQMUjLmYfcUt_-TqTwLE6ej4wnpzVcxPKxT-DbNAvrSfS8hqNUJcJHT3nhSaXoZVOCSWQNibML-aExzvs/w640-h360/IMG_20201218_150555.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was cold. She didn't think she needed a jacket when we left the house.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFBEhHt5NsbpnILNj1wYcylVw4HcvvNOQOwewWUCimhgtj1nvbg68qN4_G3AXVlbSG0cXQK3omzADqJFfSojMPGNHv4Ndbk_o5jFVl1pqFrYIUqaAbkX1o7WrHd-YKgPIJy4Dg7075Ys/s1024/IMG_20201218_151108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFBEhHt5NsbpnILNj1wYcylVw4HcvvNOQOwewWUCimhgtj1nvbg68qN4_G3AXVlbSG0cXQK3omzADqJFfSojMPGNHv4Ndbk_o5jFVl1pqFrYIUqaAbkX1o7WrHd-YKgPIJy4Dg7075Ys/w640-h360/IMG_20201218_151108.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool tree on the next lot<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>For actual Christmas it was very different, the first Christmas day ever we didn't have to travel. We did get to pull together an outside, social distanced gathering with Kelley's sister and father. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhlvYCsJmjY4vpCZ5gQgGr5Zgh2Tj5ej_Qf8xlZQq43YoFaDID4cGyuvUd_CEyUNMU6bnlkrjBOO3T48RvCSFTNex0UqoXUVu-F8SzHoctx8RlAIcILavtxVttZNf4uae6Qdk76e9WYk/s1024/IMG_20201225_083219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhlvYCsJmjY4vpCZ5gQgGr5Zgh2Tj5ej_Qf8xlZQq43YoFaDID4cGyuvUd_CEyUNMU6bnlkrjBOO3T48RvCSFTNex0UqoXUVu-F8SzHoctx8RlAIcILavtxVttZNf4uae6Qdk76e9WYk/w640-h360/IMG_20201225_083219.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6fLo0Plq5d3fHRpGmy6Uk2WTGMwj0SmnbZHQ4VP_gdNBTOX9Ds3h9zAm5FwjTpvYd3TeOcP3wyzTHE6J-82XX472KG0wMNTC39WsfUo13LOVm2_yxbt-pd5yBVv8VWI0WuMxBPpUNGY/s1024/IMG_20201225_135059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6fLo0Plq5d3fHRpGmy6Uk2WTGMwj0SmnbZHQ4VP_gdNBTOX9Ds3h9zAm5FwjTpvYd3TeOcP3wyzTHE6J-82XX472KG0wMNTC39WsfUo13LOVm2_yxbt-pd5yBVv8VWI0WuMxBPpUNGY/w640-h360/IMG_20201225_135059.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCeWoPtlTU-TGjPt8hbVFiZj6pWC19s15QXyvGvlf0niGi_bLolO8x0Fy6PY7v30YhfM3MGUMUcj7ONd_fTKgSPjk6uvmicbT1ii31I1_d6FpzLBPpU9AAEd95Oo4yH9_Ath5zKb_O-k/s1024/IMG_20201225_141155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCeWoPtlTU-TGjPt8hbVFiZj6pWC19s15QXyvGvlf0niGi_bLolO8x0Fy6PY7v30YhfM3MGUMUcj7ONd_fTKgSPjk6uvmicbT1ii31I1_d6FpzLBPpU9AAEd95Oo4yH9_Ath5zKb_O-k/w640-h360/IMG_20201225_141155.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a nice setup for some outdoor Christmas<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-kQFpOtP3Mqn81zHz7pFczxzlKfz8Eq2fJhSA4-0LvTACWXTk72oX2zxhkET1WVNxM2wZdFkbceYDXCcdGx0YpCjIP4cnq4dv2MUW_jq_tmeJ8zBl4xywaoPLxvSZu6nEfKIYLzUR-s/s1024/IMG_20201225_141203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-kQFpOtP3Mqn81zHz7pFczxzlKfz8Eq2fJhSA4-0LvTACWXTk72oX2zxhkET1WVNxM2wZdFkbceYDXCcdGx0YpCjIP4cnq4dv2MUW_jq_tmeJ8zBl4xywaoPLxvSZu6nEfKIYLzUR-s/w640-h360/IMG_20201225_141203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTwCFQlgoNJ1bCssckNh33nWAmo50cG15BIL4of8-wQQLFy5cGVetnjDqJiPlnWDn7nXh6s7W29rLo6JVec3nWtOjQ8YEru4lk2BvnbcA2e469yRMt1DCmLvleCWI2EO9yeubZGAb-6g/s1024/IMG_20201225_141215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTwCFQlgoNJ1bCssckNh33nWAmo50cG15BIL4of8-wQQLFy5cGVetnjDqJiPlnWDn7nXh6s7W29rLo6JVec3nWtOjQ8YEru4lk2BvnbcA2e469yRMt1DCmLvleCWI2EO9yeubZGAb-6g/w640-h360/IMG_20201225_141215.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tDt3eiWv86CMwkMLL0CGe-mWk_3b9l9bWYk01ej6WSTvj9xNcNypsD-uVT4WGHiT6oI2cgJVIQT_veCaWgByn2-WCkl5DU_0OZKhXUDqmBKfAZVMMFeJi9dy99qaG5zNxYGuOqWP850/s1024/IMG_20201225_160919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tDt3eiWv86CMwkMLL0CGe-mWk_3b9l9bWYk01ej6WSTvj9xNcNypsD-uVT4WGHiT6oI2cgJVIQT_veCaWgByn2-WCkl5DU_0OZKhXUDqmBKfAZVMMFeJi9dy99qaG5zNxYGuOqWP850/w640-h360/IMG_20201225_160919.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJ6rInbCItt75P5AWEk3l7CEHYGgT2dSQ9nEq91bmn4cMe5YfZOHpWgcKa4pPfStWCLXUoR2Qb7Gvt1yy7W2ezVZ9LBNqbZMuktwdsmbz0UGyV4wMRZml7rvkCRAOC_ugpZfQsR23BTU/s1024/IMG_20201225_160923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJ6rInbCItt75P5AWEk3l7CEHYGgT2dSQ9nEq91bmn4cMe5YfZOHpWgcKa4pPfStWCLXUoR2Qb7Gvt1yy7W2ezVZ9LBNqbZMuktwdsmbz0UGyV4wMRZml7rvkCRAOC_ugpZfQsR23BTU/w640-h360/IMG_20201225_160923.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOcZpdWlZHOkOZg2DJQOw9-F-usM-m05eG6vAUqQgLEICLb5frVQU3IfiXIMzsRgidGu2fK6FNi2ZwXBlBIsJBjhsZ7RnvVn5urr33k5vX37lu5IzbGWtVGC52Mph5W1mi14RRKI8qCI/s1024/IMG_20201225_160932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOcZpdWlZHOkOZg2DJQOw9-F-usM-m05eG6vAUqQgLEICLb5frVQU3IfiXIMzsRgidGu2fK6FNi2ZwXBlBIsJBjhsZ7RnvVn5urr33k5vX37lu5IzbGWtVGC52Mph5W1mi14RRKI8qCI/w640-h360/IMG_20201225_160932.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was cold, but that blanket is fire<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIB9VrUqgkkSwJwAet977658ddz-RMAHLfLtJrCQpay2nE7fjDy9eqiiF-FattVE3NcXnvrI7rP8SBR03525N3T9pg3VWPEZtEr-QIvJAqIR0_fILqXPq1YcUVtZO9cjrpoi7tADlW3_Y/s1024/IMG_20201225_161519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIB9VrUqgkkSwJwAet977658ddz-RMAHLfLtJrCQpay2nE7fjDy9eqiiF-FattVE3NcXnvrI7rP8SBR03525N3T9pg3VWPEZtEr-QIvJAqIR0_fILqXPq1YcUVtZO9cjrpoi7tADlW3_Y/w640-h360/IMG_20201225_161519.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a selfie<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FnsXWF8CxBcZFsvY_eO_XyhalenuEaxqWEmi3Zlluz7h0cXVJLgoc2GACp1BA2t3DVSdzcZzIa4XLi-w6TNBUnSHtQofijfxThp-cu53Gv444EBCNC-7SljKHMCY3a8buAd_WmU8BWA/s1024/IMG_20201225_161532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FnsXWF8CxBcZFsvY_eO_XyhalenuEaxqWEmi3Zlluz7h0cXVJLgoc2GACp1BA2t3DVSdzcZzIa4XLi-w6TNBUnSHtQofijfxThp-cu53Gv444EBCNC-7SljKHMCY3a8buAd_WmU8BWA/w640-h360/IMG_20201225_161532.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Telling the kids I was just taking a selfie<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Then the Sunday after Christmas, I went down by myself to visit my parents. It was the first time I had seen them in person since last Christmas, which was strange and incredibly difficult. We stayed outside, but still got to have some semblance of a normal holiday gathering. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapTR1gc6r4tCW5ffGpU6fQYcXlJKyVMr7T88NPFGzKTp_1amL04AFD9wT9fqt0KtTEvw2WERUsQTqOOQ306KJMGYkuRWlPsVxAdqGszVWYaIdPAxVvc1B5hkPTLw5IL136qB8uzEB4PM/s1024/IMG_3105..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapTR1gc6r4tCW5ffGpU6fQYcXlJKyVMr7T88NPFGzKTp_1amL04AFD9wT9fqt0KtTEvw2WERUsQTqOOQ306KJMGYkuRWlPsVxAdqGszVWYaIdPAxVvc1B5hkPTLw5IL136qB8uzEB4PM/w640-h480/IMG_3105..jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dad and his 3 sons<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavkl8aJCkyRAiaR86KbD_ByS-tZnUUD9m8nZKeqtdBOctMu_qmjdL8ocP_LvoS0IUcJioWLHuhwT5zlABj4lURRjIdjek_jyruRlAga0QWUOQgDvRlCpHQhzCVvmudfRVFg9sFzERpKA/s1024/IMG_20201227_130544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavkl8aJCkyRAiaR86KbD_ByS-tZnUUD9m8nZKeqtdBOctMu_qmjdL8ocP_LvoS0IUcJioWLHuhwT5zlABj4lURRjIdjek_jyruRlAga0QWUOQgDvRlCpHQhzCVvmudfRVFg9sFzERpKA/w640-h360/IMG_20201227_130544.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4zF_O9I7X_yM8ZUpkks4W4rRbFOSUV8yfngE8WMKjIBsAVhLnFVjjKyG_OZo4SVen4tZv_Gg7WbYmqPQOVvE3ezC6KMJsJNqiqyiumz_6XF3Mm3AWEhZo1WoTttQ5zHmEAFJPsmGPpU/s1024/IMG_20201227_130555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4zF_O9I7X_yM8ZUpkks4W4rRbFOSUV8yfngE8WMKjIBsAVhLnFVjjKyG_OZo4SVen4tZv_Gg7WbYmqPQOVvE3ezC6KMJsJNqiqyiumz_6XF3Mm3AWEhZo1WoTttQ5zHmEAFJPsmGPpU/w640-h360/IMG_20201227_130555.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Z6NXY8IOWQTagwnH2AJoMLN3vcRxCiLqkuEuPGzq6IwsUSwRVT4_W9GLann9AdcocRataPUfY_HN_be-kpWrj8AWrBe3FoMGsA0cmF-U48VNXiGJjgtcxDJCjG7_TEDjVRNSL64Cfec/s1024/IMG_20201227_131213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Z6NXY8IOWQTagwnH2AJoMLN3vcRxCiLqkuEuPGzq6IwsUSwRVT4_W9GLann9AdcocRataPUfY_HN_be-kpWrj8AWrBe3FoMGsA0cmF-U48VNXiGJjgtcxDJCjG7_TEDjVRNSL64Cfec/w225-h400/IMG_20201227_131213.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sweet nephew Archie<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtMMiJ9t5mNrL3JNoAyE5QbYfZY61tooF_d8WdpSssOr_ua-CJdGVGt-GsEf_2NUS5pO-rPYyz8TOOiygPGCAFwuD7iOIZsQE8GRegLg2UoQ3OV_iqnv2D_gaCRHgf3-Byhsoo-ukhjI/s1024/IMG_20201227_131233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtMMiJ9t5mNrL3JNoAyE5QbYfZY61tooF_d8WdpSssOr_ua-CJdGVGt-GsEf_2NUS5pO-rPYyz8TOOiygPGCAFwuD7iOIZsQE8GRegLg2UoQ3OV_iqnv2D_gaCRHgf3-Byhsoo-ukhjI/w225-h400/IMG_20201227_131233.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZodesXGp7ZpV4TFm6Eog5C-n-n8ahaPF6g1iTcmEhm8px3O1sCy2qrIgGWdV_5SnSbYVaz3FLnsFMSHbjsSrDdqXN5IPTF2KR5uhMcfkXduK-a4Wt5Q5qr4QFMdbS_mPDl2L0KzPQr2Q/s1024/IMG_20201227_132903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZodesXGp7ZpV4TFm6Eog5C-n-n8ahaPF6g1iTcmEhm8px3O1sCy2qrIgGWdV_5SnSbYVaz3FLnsFMSHbjsSrDdqXN5IPTF2KR5uhMcfkXduK-a4Wt5Q5qr4QFMdbS_mPDl2L0KzPQr2Q/w640-h360/IMG_20201227_132903.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytQ59Z5zOaUa7hyphenhyphen5rckVx9rK6oLxsic0eras_w-0cx-RvOj0EBMyrz2_09BQfMl2UIzMsbkW4uwwuZxFz7NO-rVDO_qHfPc4xd5SWM_OF_W4Njxhtgp7dTjHOLe-fMt2ZP0nmbhCNvOw/s1024/IMG_20201227_132911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytQ59Z5zOaUa7hyphenhyphen5rckVx9rK6oLxsic0eras_w-0cx-RvOj0EBMyrz2_09BQfMl2UIzMsbkW4uwwuZxFz7NO-rVDO_qHfPc4xd5SWM_OF_W4Njxhtgp7dTjHOLe-fMt2ZP0nmbhCNvOw/w640-h360/IMG_20201227_132911.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMEQBbbRkHbyRSsmDi0_ggVN5iu7DHi2aryHms0Ty8HszLh7cImfgIfkvwynW49ctt2a9Nw_sQGk2Xyt3TAwSO94BuS1CD4rWMYAem8XiaJ_RRZEGxjG1OYNs8Jvu6mijvoQeKUkWJ4s/s1024/IMG_20201227_135611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMEQBbbRkHbyRSsmDi0_ggVN5iu7DHi2aryHms0Ty8HszLh7cImfgIfkvwynW49ctt2a9Nw_sQGk2Xyt3TAwSO94BuS1CD4rWMYAem8XiaJ_RRZEGxjG1OYNs8Jvu6mijvoQeKUkWJ4s/w640-h360/IMG_20201227_135611.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZm2YZTcywC3qcUzhE68KX7xTQ5cwoSu3CPUOMBjGOuBRkyIPQE40icCVIkXiRHqyS0z9AMVPQVM9IiEM6UYHFuzzl5jScoBPJYMBVsrlehoxBuX8mz7suE-23wk3BgPR85U4ytbGt8Y/s1024/IMG_20201227_135617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZm2YZTcywC3qcUzhE68KX7xTQ5cwoSu3CPUOMBjGOuBRkyIPQE40icCVIkXiRHqyS0z9AMVPQVM9IiEM6UYHFuzzl5jScoBPJYMBVsrlehoxBuX8mz7suE-23wk3BgPR85U4ytbGt8Y/w640-h360/IMG_20201227_135617.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>and that was our holiday!<br /></p>Carolina Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834384961037080805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475703851125751608.post-43710487358327392362020-10-25T17:44:00.006-04:002020-10-25T17:44:43.513-04:00Recent picture update<p> Just so you know we still exist, here's some proof of life (if you can call it life in the middle of a pandemic and election season). We're all doing pretty good. I'm 6 weeks post back surgery, so I can finally lift more than 10 lbs again. Kids are finishing their first quarter of the school year in the virtual academy, looks like the entire 8th and 10th grades are going to be online. Kelley is kicking ass and taking names, as usual.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImNDoL6noV9VLRTlWMvjjZ2hRHqymm7QVF1LYM-oy79Szllf8eANa8-hnhu5pdoWjmFtVoMSv6HXo7TIjCA1o7Wfh4PyFEsALbd9tQxZl2CEODMht0AcH6xV_kCYm_NST-GaxaHvVzJ8/s800/IMG_20200820_200335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImNDoL6noV9VLRTlWMvjjZ2hRHqymm7QVF1LYM-oy79Szllf8eANa8-hnhu5pdoWjmFtVoMSv6HXo7TIjCA1o7Wfh4PyFEsALbd9tQxZl2CEODMht0AcH6xV_kCYm_NST-GaxaHvVzJ8/w640-h360/IMG_20200820_200335.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelley putting in the last of the landscape lighting<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXL6HcgKcPJcEodewkBl0YYJxhOgNVTJb4GJRqeSJlSQnJ03m_AUPjZAmm3-Cym5tvG-yzcuU1PYV5VDno6Oey-3qYhg7BZiJ_UfFDDPIIRxvJ8rylHg98iXeBsGMKLmQTUOPRLsBTEM/s800/IMG_20200820_201106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXL6HcgKcPJcEodewkBl0YYJxhOgNVTJb4GJRqeSJlSQnJ03m_AUPjZAmm3-Cym5tvG-yzcuU1PYV5VDno6Oey-3qYhg7BZiJ_UfFDDPIIRxvJ8rylHg98iXeBsGMKLmQTUOPRLsBTEM/w640-h360/IMG_20200820_201106.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished product of which is a well lit front yard<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhV9gtcEESgLxfvUnjuSe-GYvVEOmDLDbo2jw0aq8mrcIa53ZUYr1E0HaKW-a16AUGXCsCDsj-RvUaRk5N2DTqae6vQq3LiPPceSSD6cFTEOLjNOqx9WGt7JefbEcZrMzByvaAoa0q5N4/s800/IMG_20200820_201156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhV9gtcEESgLxfvUnjuSe-GYvVEOmDLDbo2jw0aq8mrcIa53ZUYr1E0HaKW-a16AUGXCsCDsj-RvUaRk5N2DTqae6vQq3LiPPceSSD6cFTEOLjNOqx9WGt7JefbEcZrMzByvaAoa0q5N4/w640-h360/IMG_20200820_201156.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She added the lights on the right side of the steps to finish it off<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2L61ZCC1w4MDRrcB-nD7hp9kJ-Gp2anol5ACpypUQma44ny2W6fyIbFINOHrC_c5MD0BCzxkQg7sAkB2r6Cozgjh8oHIEi4OQ00kuiHcxfPNdsnybaa1lIlKuzD4TJn76bFJ-rhdjpuQ/s800/IMG_20200829_214524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2L61ZCC1w4MDRrcB-nD7hp9kJ-Gp2anol5ACpypUQma44ny2W6fyIbFINOHrC_c5MD0BCzxkQg7sAkB2r6Cozgjh8oHIEi4OQ00kuiHcxfPNdsnybaa1lIlKuzD4TJn76bFJ-rhdjpuQ/w640-h360/IMG_20200829_214524.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The volume of meds that I have to take while my back was out and for the arthritis<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCSYb4hGHeS3zGWKC2PoNgFWLmq_Rvy1FMqhYxQWf9khX-2RpQzDHt3MLFHYCSqvhJ64__0hiuMPVyxqyiXzh9jXD5jppPPHGvi4lz1Pef0oOtqM5pXpjLEuQlmWm2XCY2n7kFWsLWq74/s800/IMG_20200903_155717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCSYb4hGHeS3zGWKC2PoNgFWLmq_Rvy1FMqhYxQWf9khX-2RpQzDHt3MLFHYCSqvhJ64__0hiuMPVyxqyiXzh9jXD5jppPPHGvi4lz1Pef0oOtqM5pXpjLEuQlmWm2XCY2n7kFWsLWq74/w640-h360/IMG_20200903_155717.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evangeline the cat is quite comfortable on the new bean bag body pillow<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_E10fsBjL_OntWRcRHgpsRCVtDjtTsgCagI-Lk5SSGeJp5y5cu0REbrarSxHfCH7dlTULqdFWgXUh2GbSovIwj5cT4iOAdOH_M62ZMToeoUS7HfjyqbnJ4vIdhzF_EwItV4DPMuE5cOM/s800/IMG_20200905_155811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_E10fsBjL_OntWRcRHgpsRCVtDjtTsgCagI-Lk5SSGeJp5y5cu0REbrarSxHfCH7dlTULqdFWgXUh2GbSovIwj5cT4iOAdOH_M62ZMToeoUS7HfjyqbnJ4vIdhzF_EwItV4DPMuE5cOM/w225-h400/IMG_20200905_155811.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got a new laz-y-boy recliner, super excited about that<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHbRJCbMcGyVCUDJNK9ogquR4Cw8IGRDOjQfbAF0xteTnvs0E9mrBH7U_7nf8u7ErDuoY5A44naH_4TIQkEcyItOBxBCZ22iq3AYF6J6Do357AOa9EJiFUBoCiMILbLHnMGvRRbBj68s/s800/IMG_20200927_194329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHbRJCbMcGyVCUDJNK9ogquR4Cw8IGRDOjQfbAF0xteTnvs0E9mrBH7U_7nf8u7ErDuoY5A44naH_4TIQkEcyItOBxBCZ22iq3AYF6J6Do357AOa9EJiFUBoCiMILbLHnMGvRRbBj68s/w225-h400/IMG_20200927_194329.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graduation day picture from my last day of grad school<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgw5oMZVZ6p0p-Mht0YdGZLHKHVXwlKpiVKjXPUJWE2Gr9nKU5-yeYmEkx5qJNW9otZ2cPtjBCZTC74jAEkRFcSyT7jQBUuJlaxRFoJL9x9cMLbFNJHE4EyH-m6Gl1sgnpn0jJiD40pI/s800/IMG_20200928_192937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgw5oMZVZ6p0p-Mht0YdGZLHKHVXwlKpiVKjXPUJWE2Gr9nKU5-yeYmEkx5qJNW9otZ2cPtjBCZTC74jAEkRFcSyT7jQBUuJlaxRFoJL9x9cMLbFNJHE4EyH-m6Gl1sgnpn0jJiD40pI/w300-h400/IMG_20200928_192937.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found one of these mugs from a business I used to own back in SC<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_M7voyTgu4QIldx9m0vaW8uBhYY6t9LYov98EPL5Zo7bQPyDXj9S-mYTFDJIpoKh-Zcc_IAMT4UmgrFdQFBO5ztA-qytKradxGgxA9Zn346cgQSHZhSubGKuU4YBCoawyEh2azpPwqs4/s800/IMG_20201005_185136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_M7voyTgu4QIldx9m0vaW8uBhYY6t9LYov98EPL5Zo7bQPyDXj9S-mYTFDJIpoKh-Zcc_IAMT4UmgrFdQFBO5ztA-qytKradxGgxA9Zn346cgQSHZhSubGKuU4YBCoawyEh2azpPwqs4/w640-h360/IMG_20201005_185136.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bunk beds with a climbing wall, slide, and drawers I built and sold<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEk64V4EgSfDRqu260UVUU7MSniMXN19_bWENFcH_gsSwp5Edo5SWp8Q13DreGjJB_bzI92jeOCWlkd7huNYbwnH2t53H9kFSZWYh3bCvyw3YyqAEjdXmZw-gVnMBTWQv-1hfhqnd53xs/s1024/IMG_20201019_180558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEk64V4EgSfDRqu260UVUU7MSniMXN19_bWENFcH_gsSwp5Edo5SWp8Q13DreGjJB_bzI92jeOCWlkd7huNYbwnH2t53H9kFSZWYh3bCvyw3YyqAEjdXmZw-gVnMBTWQv-1hfhqnd53xs/w640-h360/IMG_20201019_180558.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All of us at the state fair - it was only food this year<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha01cDvK8Z7-KZCyqGjyfRNhEtFJul_zIYqoTqAxTvNGFm9axODzIEAi8m7tTZrCWKl2obnLmeSNDtYu6U0tkeP3ByEEkJ29HK4zC4_4ZoyBgIEH8Dcm99jX8OGrFoieqZQzjLi1RCDh0/s1024/IMG_20201024_114942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha01cDvK8Z7-KZCyqGjyfRNhEtFJul_zIYqoTqAxTvNGFm9axODzIEAi8m7tTZrCWKl2obnLmeSNDtYu6U0tkeP3ByEEkJ29HK4zC4_4ZoyBgIEH8Dcm99jX8OGrFoieqZQzjLi1RCDh0/w640-h360/IMG_20201024_114942.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was my first hanging couch, installed for a customer. Turned out really cool<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjE4-U4I3Nmm3SR2R_wBVTCCRvWJWw6EKr9Y0Qp9jtN286fhtRpG5jPD0SnE2DP6E-V55kUv75OOOojE4w3DKCP3ReYQuRi_bKSWKJ2uzUEcK9wF_iU9oGoedh_vbeoWYnI0Ch7sRk_-k/s1024/IMG_20201024_175506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjE4-U4I3Nmm3SR2R_wBVTCCRvWJWw6EKr9Y0Qp9jtN286fhtRpG5jPD0SnE2DP6E-V55kUv75OOOojE4w3DKCP3ReYQuRi_bKSWKJ2uzUEcK9wF_iU9oGoedh_vbeoWYnI0Ch7sRk_-k/w640-h360/IMG_20201024_175506.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carving pumpkins for Halloween<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Carolina Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834384961037080805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475703851125751608.post-28739101489940151362020-10-05T00:36:00.002-04:002020-10-05T00:36:46.010-04:00Well Recovery<p> I had the back surgery 3 weeks ago, a microdiscectomy to remove a chunk of disc between the L5/S1 vertebrae. As predicted, as soon as that chunk of disc was removed the pressure came off of that nerve and the pain went away! This is very good! I still have a noticeable muscle atrophy in my left calf, and I can't bend over or lift more than 10 lbs, so this is still a bit frustrating. </p><p>The good news is that I finally finished grad school! Actually the last day of class is Oct 11 and they will mail me the diploma in December, but I finished all of the coursework. My shiny new degree is an MBA in Finance and I'm graduating cum laude (I finished undergrad thankya laude)</p><p>So now I feel good and have lots more free time but still can't do anything. It is what it is, I guess!<br /></p>Carolina Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834384961037080805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475703851125751608.post-32682563503399204372020-09-08T00:37:00.002-04:002020-09-08T00:37:29.598-04:00I'm Done, Time for you to have fun<p> Everyone is going to claim that 2020 has been a total dumpster fire, but I really didn't expect this. I have to hang up my running shoes for good this time. I had a pretty good spring, no races or any structured training, but I got some miles in. I also poured a concrete sidewalk, tons of other landscaping around the new front porch, sold a bunch of woodworking projects, it was a blast. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtFPvf8hyphenhyphenNNqM161WXWN2rCKEKTk4NMCzR4xshErf2dg8YELsojY6LH90Mx_25oNG_4-ZSSyIxdp8seJUyTaVg4P_Rc08SWVyLQxy_EM8Y9qvF3crF3hrDOszfeSCs0EOZC326S9p-2E/s800/IMG_20200411_135650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtFPvf8hyphenhyphenNNqM161WXWN2rCKEKTk4NMCzR4xshErf2dg8YELsojY6LH90Mx_25oNG_4-ZSSyIxdp8seJUyTaVg4P_Rc08SWVyLQxy_EM8Y9qvF3crF3hrDOszfeSCs0EOZC326S9p-2E/w281-h500/IMG_20200411_135650.jpg" width="281" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happily running downtown<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Memorial day weekend I poured some concrete, then got the tiller out to grade and de-weed the entire front yard. Spread some grass seed and cover it with straw, building the lawn I always wanted. In the process, I herniated my L5/S1 disc, pinching off a chunk of the disc that then lodged into the left sciatic nerve cavity causing excruciating pain shooting down my left leg. It rendered me unable to sit upright, but I could still stand for about 15 minutes and lay down prone. </p><p>Treatment started at the chiropractor. He said if it didn't help, I should see the family doc for a dosepack of prednisone, and if that didn't help to see an orthopedist. Chiro didn't help, prednisone didn't help, ortho ordered an MRI that found the actual problem.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYl0vGuk5gqCMPyaKLqQry1mdrwZU0Ag9gU1yZDc7g-uH_CzFgHF1vqaTPRB7DnuItH6_0ZbwN0w8j2CAP8XlHTuJVXJcRSxxfxa8s2YH91f7nn2ifbK0Vs5kARi1FZkOCOMK6pSE_J5I/s1024/IMG_20200714_160358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYl0vGuk5gqCMPyaKLqQry1mdrwZU0Ag9gU1yZDc7g-uH_CzFgHF1vqaTPRB7DnuItH6_0ZbwN0w8j2CAP8XlHTuJVXJcRSxxfxa8s2YH91f7nn2ifbK0Vs5kARi1FZkOCOMK6pSE_J5I/w625-h351/IMG_20200714_160358.jpg" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MRI printouts<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The MRI showed the pinched disc, and where the chunk was hitting the nerve. That's what the pencils are pointing at. Ortho gave me some diclofenac and a serious anti-inflammatory to help control the nerve damage and pain. Then I started getting acupuncture as well, and that really did clear up the symptoms.</p><p>Really, that all took about 5 weeks before I got any relief. Acupuncture and the nerve drug had cleared up all of the symptoms. So most of June and July I was down. The reference material all says that if the nerve damage takes longer than about 2 weeks to clear up the effects could be permanent. </p><p>Nerve damage doesn't heal very fast, even after the pain goes away. Damaged nerves don't send the appropriate signals to muscles when you want to train or perform basic tasks. There is already a visible muscle atrophy, my left calf is significantly, noticably, smaller than my right. The muscle definition isn't there, and my left leg won't perform the way it used to, even if there is no pain.</p><p>My hatred of summer is well documented, I have a very low tolerance for heat. I always thought this was all in my head, everyone felt as bad about the heat as I did. Well turns out that's not true either. My acupuncturist has some herbs that are supposed to cool me down! This sounded great. The second day I was on the herbs, I walked outside with Kelley. She said it felt exactly the same as the day before, I thought it felt 20* cooler! This was amazing. Unfortunately, that was the only day I actually felt any different. Stayed on the herbs for a few more weeks but still had my SAD kick in hard with the heat, it was just a brutal summer. And this:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHm04juWYyWKKhz07nd_b8WkVK3i46QMm8gzVZ5AvKMvFBUPbVvFH0oUKocVADeyOq2ER6xDSZ84X5k2NLCWL9NzQXRMxxVbsfTa_OxksacNInzvuVe8P7NiDl0fSjrUAyfTH_Nc_tBY/s800/IMG_20200730_194839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHm04juWYyWKKhz07nd_b8WkVK3i46QMm8gzVZ5AvKMvFBUPbVvFH0oUKocVADeyOq2ER6xDSZ84X5k2NLCWL9NzQXRMxxVbsfTa_OxksacNInzvuVe8P7NiDl0fSjrUAyfTH_Nc_tBY/w625-h351/IMG_20200730_194839.jpg" width="625" /></a></div><br /><p>Ladies glisten. Ella doesn't even have her hair pulled back! They barely broke a sweat. We walked about 30 minutes and I sweat through my shirt so hard I had to take a shower when we got back home. They were not affected like I was. Incredible. What a tough summer.</p><p>Then the bottom fell out 3 weeks ago. I was feeling great, went back to the ortho for the final follow up, told him I felt 95% better and got the all clear from him to resume normal activities but no running. That was on a Tuesday. The following Saturday I cut the grass and spread some mulch, and that night the nerve problem came roaring back in a way that I couldn't fathom. </p><p>I've never felt pain like that before. I couldn't really lay down prone in a comfortable way, but it was the most tolerable. I couldn't stand long enough to do anything. I could only walk about 10 steps. I was on the couch for a long time. It was so bad, I could usually walk the 10 steps from the couch to the bathroom, but couldn't stand up long enough to pee and couldn't always walk back. My left leg just wouldn't support my body weight, the muscle just wouldn't respond. </p><p>This lasted for 10 days. First I went to the urgent care at the ortho, they called in some Oxycodone and got me another appointment with the same ortho that just gave the all clear a week before. He ordered another MRI that I had the following Saturday. The Wednesday after that I started to feel some relief, but didn't believe it. Friday I got the call to schedule this surgery. So this upcoming Friday September 11th I'm going under the knife to get this chunk of disc removed. </p><p>So at this point I had 5 weeks of pain, 3 weeks of getting better, then 3 more weeks of absolutely unbearable pain that even oxy couldn't help. I was only sleeping 1-2 hours a night on the couch, working from the couch in between forced sleep from the oxy, and doing grad school from the couch. Stumble from the couch to the bathroom, cry on the bathroom floor after attempting to walk back. </p><p>After the surgery the pain should be gone, but the nerve damage is likely permanent. Running marathons on a weak left leg is just not possible. So I'm done. I have to be done. Maybe next year I'll be able to walk a few miles, but marathons are just not going to happen and that's what I really enjoy. Need to come up with a new 50 state challenge too. </p><p>2020 sucks. Here's some other pictures of the family, just to end on a high note. I turned 45 back in July, the kids both leveled up again (they are loving the online school this year, 8th and 10th grade), so enjoy</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI42_Stknzskp0KuJ2FWPT9plm_DtUbquEk8nKuBMfUD1qnIwyuS5YiDDCqKELeFFFkNtW0EKbt2xDmVvfjTVj2X9De4X-Dlpjwnzh_phZFuKs31nrGx1Gs32TedABkQI3MR9V4693edw/s800/IMG_20200621_182013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI42_Stknzskp0KuJ2FWPT9plm_DtUbquEk8nKuBMfUD1qnIwyuS5YiDDCqKELeFFFkNtW0EKbt2xDmVvfjTVj2X9De4X-Dlpjwnzh_phZFuKs31nrGx1Gs32TedABkQI3MR9V4693edw/w625-h351/IMG_20200621_182013.jpg" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Father's day 2020<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEFJInWTHPIYW8AuJExSNNNjEb7R5QSvaBLi1bj51Rac4UcJP1FbwO1ARylE42x8epf0RuH649DjDl-sup9m6AshifCKwSyrWFkRzzEoUCveVt9wZJfb09a2rRzWTyv2rI7jEerD44Kjo/s800/IMG_20200624_194445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEFJInWTHPIYW8AuJExSNNNjEb7R5QSvaBLi1bj51Rac4UcJP1FbwO1ARylE42x8epf0RuH649DjDl-sup9m6AshifCKwSyrWFkRzzEoUCveVt9wZJfb09a2rRzWTyv2rI7jEerD44Kjo/w281-h500/IMG_20200624_194445.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pXqVCDv5InCyWOx_V2_PSJQfGK7BeAmTEMk6AjIlY7KqIGtlleHeJQHxPOEaOU77vQveNddP8elw_82_5u63Ct2fIOyC7c2YoJNrkmKk-O55b2MVobOCPIrdZ90u96mf2zuXMRlanyI/s800/IMG_20200628_142449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pXqVCDv5InCyWOx_V2_PSJQfGK7BeAmTEMk6AjIlY7KqIGtlleHeJQHxPOEaOU77vQveNddP8elw_82_5u63Ct2fIOyC7c2YoJNrkmKk-O55b2MVobOCPIrdZ90u96mf2zuXMRlanyI/w281-h500/IMG_20200628_142449.jpg" width="281" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My absurdly hot saint of a wife<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9KomSbweLJW-_FBmj05zcRs8N8-lS_-IJP-RjaeX5_hMBx3uKnPks8BxXpjsqUttigjZDUifrBx5IlWXS7p_xSZcDNlBQwkhzSoWQBByXmoYnU_o-R2KjvF3VOYb83skIsFQntZe3_o/s800/IMG_20200707_203232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9KomSbweLJW-_FBmj05zcRs8N8-lS_-IJP-RjaeX5_hMBx3uKnPks8BxXpjsqUttigjZDUifrBx5IlWXS7p_xSZcDNlBQwkhzSoWQBByXmoYnU_o-R2KjvF3VOYb83skIsFQntZe3_o/w281-h500/IMG_20200707_203232.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxiuowG6PGRc9TZMNuCE-fcjPMZQPMDfX79uKJzkZwtcBTRkytXtLByxskcJuOBS9_jmDcDEUayKnKWXHVNOVETY9t-XOxw9BwbH7WGvuwS0MiK8WJCTGp8VoDS-gLAWAC7xMMx5a2CGs/s800/IMG_20200712_180746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxiuowG6PGRc9TZMNuCE-fcjPMZQPMDfX79uKJzkZwtcBTRkytXtLByxskcJuOBS9_jmDcDEUayKnKWXHVNOVETY9t-XOxw9BwbH7WGvuwS0MiK8WJCTGp8VoDS-gLAWAC7xMMx5a2CGs/w281-h500/IMG_20200712_180746.jpg" width="281" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did get outside a little bit to work some<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVumaHsWGL1_YaR3YoAa-J5IP2tC6v86Ix73qEKE0FddYdKA7KoX62Cro8Q94OwyUH9yWQ-WYe0j7GZ9oleo0EoFtI9VP_CDwOcVH_o2lP28ibbARsiDQRRq_UuwlSAR_JeHSPRrfMAb0/s800/IMG_20200815_172001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVumaHsWGL1_YaR3YoAa-J5IP2tC6v86Ix73qEKE0FddYdKA7KoX62Cro8Q94OwyUH9yWQ-WYe0j7GZ9oleo0EoFtI9VP_CDwOcVH_o2lP28ibbARsiDQRRq_UuwlSAR_JeHSPRrfMAb0/w225-h400/IMG_20200815_172001.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy I finished my Real Estate class<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQAPNh53RpokNNauWelMBuzCoKVUV2d4kv_wKHh4D3QWhYKfLFpQJo1814LGaWBShuwGbyaIy4WJacCYy2UOFl1c9c-hSi7A-gABNkBKsd85Evw_ufqhdMdbu-7NI0XKBFtN5b60kv1U/s2048/IMG_20200817_093412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQAPNh53RpokNNauWelMBuzCoKVUV2d4kv_wKHh4D3QWhYKfLFpQJo1814LGaWBShuwGbyaIy4WJacCYy2UOFl1c9c-hSi7A-gABNkBKsd85Evw_ufqhdMdbu-7NI0XKBFtN5b60kv1U/w281-h500/IMG_20200817_093412.jpg" width="281" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First day of 8th and 10th grade<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Carolina Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834384961037080805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475703851125751608.post-3101419315167188182020-04-05T23:49:00.000-04:002020-04-05T23:49:09.585-04:00Social DistancingWe're all handling this pandemic pretty well. The girls are getting a break from school just like they used to get with a track out. I can easily work from home, and my grad school has always been online so absolutely nothing has changed for me. Stay home! Practice social distancing!<br />
<br />
This is not a problem for us. We can't even get the kids to socialize with us in person. What is hard for us is not going shopping regularly; the grocery store shelves are empty, I can't just go to Lowe's for supplies, that's all crazy.<br />
<br />
I will share a couple of pictures from before the pandemic took over.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4ZBs62SgOvkfnVnzyWLjkN9Em2OOSjv19apeMvbgTHQFGzLaBJXRGt6NpdT_X_x1Vf7SxvenhrjfJYHuvfQqoGO_r5jAr1AFrbfQBlMMsh5_-cmpQNy7S1KbDXdVSABhHhCul2LwaPE/s1600/IMG_20200208_145330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4ZBs62SgOvkfnVnzyWLjkN9Em2OOSjv19apeMvbgTHQFGzLaBJXRGt6NpdT_X_x1Vf7SxvenhrjfJYHuvfQqoGO_r5jAr1AFrbfQBlMMsh5_-cmpQNy7S1KbDXdVSABhHhCul2LwaPE/s640/IMG_20200208_145330.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm standing on top of a quad bunk bed setup that I built. I was taller than the power line into the house!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqaOxIMv89dOPHi3oNnbZnxRH0zZEYp6FxMFK8-Qqqe6UQKKSCae_9Lq8o8zEY9KOhhfmZGzi-Fik8I2hJJZT1534hTob2psA_74SbFqW414xQomhMKO3m7T_7EgbCkBWqya4xffbb8zo/s1600/IMG_20200215_140524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqaOxIMv89dOPHi3oNnbZnxRH0zZEYp6FxMFK8-Qqqe6UQKKSCae_9Lq8o8zEY9KOhhfmZGzi-Fik8I2hJJZT1534hTob2psA_74SbFqW414xQomhMKO3m7T_7EgbCkBWqya4xffbb8zo/s640/IMG_20200215_140524.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got a night out at the coast with the family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEqt5dKcXmQ8kLfhv1vVxK_OtuJWaSp9BSfyFRVruRCyhz1etAKpGyhvQX32UXkMbnC3_V7qBn6cZsvXb0hvsMHEw7Nx2ls4ZwgoV0uAELs-g3hMJsIi1PJ8cJPkbjoTNIo7SI_tse6Q/s1600/IMG_20200215_170932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEqt5dKcXmQ8kLfhv1vVxK_OtuJWaSp9BSfyFRVruRCyhz1etAKpGyhvQX32UXkMbnC3_V7qBn6cZsvXb0hvsMHEw7Nx2ls4ZwgoV0uAELs-g3hMJsIi1PJ8cJPkbjoTNIo7SI_tse6Q/s640/IMG_20200215_170932.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a really fun trip</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkpmiIhfQM9gJCKH1Rngcu_Q3ewBed2BE3PPtGGAZuWxupSNfAG6OZkuaQqr4CHuuM4yn7zdIFNrKRk3uBQiGu8hMqzKGDriRn62XBU5G8ASjvtR0ka-4BzzJZroUbQRZVWixWS877jY/s1600/IMG_20200219_214450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkpmiIhfQM9gJCKH1Rngcu_Q3ewBed2BE3PPtGGAZuWxupSNfAG6OZkuaQqr4CHuuM4yn7zdIFNrKRk3uBQiGu8hMqzKGDriRn62XBU5G8ASjvtR0ka-4BzzJZroUbQRZVWixWS877jY/s640/IMG_20200219_214450.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had a sunset picture featured on the local news!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqibS7cUmHtFcE5hHDpZZ1HOdwGl7nzevbWB2B-KliFZObjvh0MBiTD6oT9J6goMo2orA1coDfENkQp9FFkzXpK-Vx_R2Q7jBi5JV_QMGfO4REfGqSI38brfJNe3uR4KSTn42KCjHhtpw/s1600/IMG_20200403_182651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqibS7cUmHtFcE5hHDpZZ1HOdwGl7nzevbWB2B-KliFZObjvh0MBiTD6oT9J6goMo2orA1coDfENkQp9FFkzXpK-Vx_R2Q7jBi5JV_QMGfO4REfGqSI38brfJNe3uR4KSTn42KCjHhtpw/s640/IMG_20200403_182651.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">proper social distancing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7bqsPUVLIemLuOTbYWY-tN-WVHTJbsmOLtI7vy90wV5dECGhHO2govJ5m2At_WzEMSCf9OgsRgv64XmCNl0eeT5F_AIgFSMRuPnmreCTNrO8cBEnpO6LaB_mLmUnrlJkltyc_qLePX4/s1600/IMG_20200302_085903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7bqsPUVLIemLuOTbYWY-tN-WVHTJbsmOLtI7vy90wV5dECGhHO2govJ5m2At_WzEMSCf9OgsRgv64XmCNl0eeT5F_AIgFSMRuPnmreCTNrO8cBEnpO6LaB_mLmUnrlJkltyc_qLePX4/s640/IMG_20200302_085903.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lena had her teeth pulled</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGhN9HsxXcpamaaWRX_vc6doNw9uvK5sx_bTEag76D9nDmam7dbZLExq80hx5FHQk650WrTXMU9qs2xriApvU7aBlDv1OlZkuWH4hcrqZEMQlwofUshzorDyNpY1y2r9W3H7zGrHsoUQ/s1600/IMG_20200302_125401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGhN9HsxXcpamaaWRX_vc6doNw9uvK5sx_bTEag76D9nDmam7dbZLExq80hx5FHQk650WrTXMU9qs2xriApvU7aBlDv1OlZkuWH4hcrqZEMQlwofUshzorDyNpY1y2r9W3H7zGrHsoUQ/s640/IMG_20200302_125401.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">then got braces!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQfjl43MgwnGIAEsAxyZq4Y8770dGCV93poyQxoINiOLcMfni6Hio3jTV0vxFdbmXTMKIUOqPP8HogIe9iJScGGn69frG1IjZbBJ4Ht3e8KvHi9BfuGj_fiSSEhGjT93h3Ta6A3ui3Iw/s1600/IMG_20200302_182206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQfjl43MgwnGIAEsAxyZq4Y8770dGCV93poyQxoINiOLcMfni6Hio3jTV0vxFdbmXTMKIUOqPP8HogIe9iJScGGn69frG1IjZbBJ4Ht3e8KvHi9BfuGj_fiSSEhGjT93h3Ta6A3ui3Iw/s640/IMG_20200302_182206.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They both have braces right there!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrHAn_c5g2bV4fHvb9iuAaetLiUqx1YkNWiF4hRQQJ9zCpW8tWbCdN6Nu8CQGgdOTkHVHV7wll2TSvF0QNkBDuHz2q_uGrZG8NTKp_xq5DCFPLms0GNNmX5w9HZb2qbfXxAQPh96QxA4/s1600/IMG_20200309_184125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrHAn_c5g2bV4fHvb9iuAaetLiUqx1YkNWiF4hRQQJ9zCpW8tWbCdN6Nu8CQGgdOTkHVHV7wll2TSvF0QNkBDuHz2q_uGrZG8NTKp_xq5DCFPLms0GNNmX5w9HZb2qbfXxAQPh96QxA4/s640/IMG_20200309_184125.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got everybody hanging out on the porch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikT4Ql6fpT8FUAvi-jD5KMyIBhhUASpNox-i2Aq_S4TM5vKWEExClK9LwJhLxuQdjW6SfXkARfoECEOUSQq9MVbnwhkBr6Zt5Aqmw49PWaKK1NkR2ofurvycyrhx-5VooLWypHwTONSc0/s1600/IMG_20200314_202214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikT4Ql6fpT8FUAvi-jD5KMyIBhhUASpNox-i2Aq_S4TM5vKWEExClK9LwJhLxuQdjW6SfXkARfoECEOUSQq9MVbnwhkBr6Zt5Aqmw49PWaKK1NkR2ofurvycyrhx-5VooLWypHwTONSc0/s640/IMG_20200314_202214.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">then Lena got blue hair!? what is that?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EZB6Rn9N5O9KiqrbnZu5QGXPgW-rx-kRg772084U5paL9cG5dPh_KovsIeDaUT8nMWNfiMVnBLmAFlhe5wBPlwm-MlzW6Si7lLc59MiGIrNKDj2qkbeZPBX2rOGVr0_9QgsMD1SPMgo/s1600/IMG_20200320_102442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EZB6Rn9N5O9KiqrbnZu5QGXPgW-rx-kRg772084U5paL9cG5dPh_KovsIeDaUT8nMWNfiMVnBLmAFlhe5wBPlwm-MlzW6Si7lLc59MiGIrNKDj2qkbeZPBX2rOGVr0_9QgsMD1SPMgo/s640/IMG_20200320_102442.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had a gray beard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZyN4RmtOoblZlHoeZ5-dcBC8HzQ4NOtQ6jUSfyUis54i_swV87zm7u24jmeeAuNB35ZYN94PrAHcgnfzxDUkBJ51wbaD_NMg-RiSm2X7lXQ0MyYYmKdEAFTKVenRe2xIvxGQ4XvaNec/s1600/IMG_20200320_110158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZyN4RmtOoblZlHoeZ5-dcBC8HzQ4NOtQ6jUSfyUis54i_swV87zm7u24jmeeAuNB35ZYN94PrAHcgnfzxDUkBJ51wbaD_NMg-RiSm2X7lXQ0MyYYmKdEAFTKVenRe2xIvxGQ4XvaNec/s640/IMG_20200320_110158.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then there was none. I never realized how much I touch my face. This was instant regret, I started growing it back 3 days later</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfu1kiHZDUmrkj-5xD7N8wzfKzhPW2hn8yVV8NMWDpvNlQbBbXxu8cldNAAQgbx-sBtK0qTfMBpQuycTbKfxwsHaEtkJZQKY4qr3QeXhjiazTB-su3MaBP7rgl7wopxuRg3Ylqwnc3iw/s1600/IMG_20200401_095643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfu1kiHZDUmrkj-5xD7N8wzfKzhPW2hn8yVV8NMWDpvNlQbBbXxu8cldNAAQgbx-sBtK0qTfMBpQuycTbKfxwsHaEtkJZQKY4qr3QeXhjiazTB-su3MaBP7rgl7wopxuRg3Ylqwnc3iw/s640/IMG_20200401_095643.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ella's smile</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-58yXfLYzrYZE2BUXkISWwGOgx7J6Bewf1KHd5LA1mFmuwuCUMEVgylk5LB9hqAAXPpZ1ZipyueyiP_s3gyB4MJA8Cuch2uYLpJWBM3A6shFHdcEnNPpm6rXyhuP_Hwf7p1VMXeWRts/s1600/IMG_20200401_122838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-58yXfLYzrYZE2BUXkISWwGOgx7J6Bewf1KHd5LA1mFmuwuCUMEVgylk5LB9hqAAXPpZ1ZipyueyiP_s3gyB4MJA8Cuch2uYLpJWBM3A6shFHdcEnNPpm6rXyhuP_Hwf7p1VMXeWRts/s640/IMG_20200401_122838.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now with less metal! Her braces are off!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So Lena got her braces put on, then went with blue hair, then Ella got her braces off. Crazy! I've been doing a ton of woodworking. And we're starting to landscape the front yard. I want to get the hardscape in before it gets too hot, we've already had a few 90* days and I am not mentally prepared for another super hot summer.<br />
<br />
Stay safe out there. There's a lot of scary stuff with the coronavirus right now. Controlling the spread is the key. How long do you think it will last? The hardest part for me is not being able to plan or travel. Here's an idea. I finish grad school on Oct 4, and there is a marathon in Kona, HI on Nov 7. Since the airline industry is in the toilet right now flights are actually affordable - around $400 compared to the $1400 flights that I usually find. I think a week in Hawaii and a marathon is a fantastic way to celebrate finishing the MBA than with a week in paradise. Does this seem rational at all?Carolina Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834384961037080805noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475703851125751608.post-36608635758808975122020-02-01T01:26:00.003-05:002020-02-01T01:26:34.657-05:00A Running DecadeYes I'm writing a New Year's post on the last day of January. 2019 is in the past, it had some ups, and some downs (literally, falling), and while it wasn't the best year, it certainly wasn't the worst. I'm just glad it's in the books and over now. And with this being the end of a decade, and since I've been blogging and running and triathloning the entire decade, I thought it would be a good time to recap the whole decade.<br />
<br />
<b>2010</b><br />
This was a pre-ironman year where the main focus was to cover each distance to prepare for an actual ironman year. I finished another full marathon, my first century ride, and a handful of other triathlons & shorter stuff. 10 races all together. <br />
Swim: 72,676 yards<br />
Bike: 1779.4 miles<br />
Run: 524.65 miles<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3UbfyqHSaHo7ZZI5mRd0DyvgkEfP82PlhOYzwuPi4K_B7f1hlC1aOyDhvXOBg6M5cXChSjWrn1dE8iYajsx0378FrD96kvVm57BajNGkPNKO20b3SHII7buNF2DsGoEix0bYhpoe5ns/s1600/DSC_7348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="426" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3UbfyqHSaHo7ZZI5mRd0DyvgkEfP82PlhOYzwuPi4K_B7f1hlC1aOyDhvXOBg6M5cXChSjWrn1dE8iYajsx0378FrD96kvVm57BajNGkPNKO20b3SHII7buNF2DsGoEix0bYhpoe5ns/s400/DSC_7348.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
This was also the year that I finished my 2nd half iron, we moved to Raleigh and bought the house that we still live in, and Ella started kindergarten. Quite a fun and pivotal year.<br />
<br />
<b>2011</b><br />
This was the year I turned iron. Because I was in Ironman training for the first time, I took an "anything goes" approach to racing while still following a strict training plan for Ironman Florida.<br />
Swim: 143,585 yards<br />
Bike: 3135.9 miles<br />
Run: 1100.01 miles<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVMqTtbDSJstPBD4zsjSWj9blZbn-qKqP37tFoVQJbNs6GJLYgYK8SpS64vdfJhe0c2wFHFAH3LSLm4FlVfEHnnQt70W8JWD8TObRBijfKxvI3dQDV7wvsNNZrk_hD3NQ62UFQ1mT028/s1600/DSC_0463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVMqTtbDSJstPBD4zsjSWj9blZbn-qKqP37tFoVQJbNs6GJLYgYK8SpS64vdfJhe0c2wFHFAH3LSLm4FlVfEHnnQt70W8JWD8TObRBijfKxvI3dQDV7wvsNNZrk_hD3NQ62UFQ1mT028/s400/DSC_0463.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
The training plan produced a massive amount of miles. I ran a half marathon every month and got faster most of the time including a 1:37 PR in December. I finished 17 races total from a 23:43 5k to the 13:06:24 ironman finish. This was a pivotal year!<br />
<br />
<b>2012</b><br />
Post-Ironman, this year was anything goes. I ran my first ultramarathon, a 40 miler in Georgia.<br />
Swim: 138,450 yards<br />
Bike: 1591.5 miles<br />
Run: 765.3 miles<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-DQ8j9KYvDiMEZuCb4D2VCRdKq-3e0NVK84Dk7ALMt1fwDV0jeKahCtPq1Ips3avqv9kK0DvYAF2hVCuPwTdPq5n7pkiMDoajAsgV5LKOZySNQ9whV3U_nRwxp8Fd3wJL-Q8kchz55c/s1600/DSC_1570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-DQ8j9KYvDiMEZuCb4D2VCRdKq-3e0NVK84Dk7ALMt1fwDV0jeKahCtPq1Ips3avqv9kK0DvYAF2hVCuPwTdPq5n7pkiMDoajAsgV5LKOZySNQ9whV3U_nRwxp8Fd3wJL-Q8kchz55c/s400/DSC_1570.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I finished 27 races this year. After making it through Ironman I figured I could do anything, so I did. Kelley and I both qualified for the Marathon Maniacs doing 3 fulls in 65 days, we also both did a Grand Prix series with a bunch of 5k's, some tri's, it was a great year.<br />
<br />
<b>2013</b><br />
After the ultra, I was ready to get back to Ironman. This year I was really focused on getting faster on the bike. Spoiler alert: it didn't work, I still sucked at biking. But I put in almost 4000 miles trying to get there, and totally ruined my desire to ride.<br />
Swim: 210,220 yards<br />
Bike: 3869 miles<br />
Run: 847.8 miles<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqiXbG5ANlOR8tn3iK1mzzezD2GxGwIOTbswv0d6kHkYw67K5viY8cUthE5yWwtNqySqYCPdVnmAZpGzygR_XAgWYtSstLZlZKcqaSbEY3azBk2s9ZHoGsjemrlQcli3Y8GkHVQHQRIMk/s1600/DSC_3823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqiXbG5ANlOR8tn3iK1mzzezD2GxGwIOTbswv0d6kHkYw67K5viY8cUthE5yWwtNqySqYCPdVnmAZpGzygR_XAgWYtSstLZlZKcqaSbEY3azBk2s9ZHoGsjemrlQcli3Y8GkHVQHQRIMk/s400/DSC_3823.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
This year I did the Cast Iron club, where training & racing miles totaled more than 30 ironman triathlon distances on the year. B2B was the ironman of choice, also did the first Ironman Raleigh on a really hot day. This was a pivotal year with lots of ups and downs, I really thought I could get faster on the bike. I still finished 12 races.<br />
<br />
<b>2014</b><br />
We also started a milestone Dave Ramsey year from March 2013 to March 2014, paying off $140k in debts over that time. We're still debt free, but I was ready to travel again. So this years Ironman was Rev3 Cedar Point in Ohio, we went to a Cleveland Indians game the day after the race, it was an amazing trip.<br />
Swim: 231,500 yards<br />
Bike: 2170 miles<br />
Run: 1227 miles<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAE2wI_0os-TtPwnM0K6Zsnx_tB1qPwJRnKSqwT1nt7xB2xe9K4yfKEWHZkIxVBUwq2AmqD5G319eDDYh-NgUnbGjEoHfdsaIHn4GfJZ2ivXFHT659-GbaYZqVAUD-Xjxl9bssbI2sRxg/s1600/DSC_4835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAE2wI_0os-TtPwnM0K6Zsnx_tB1qPwJRnKSqwT1nt7xB2xe9K4yfKEWHZkIxVBUwq2AmqD5G319eDDYh-NgUnbGjEoHfdsaIHn4GfJZ2ivXFHT659-GbaYZqVAUD-Xjxl9bssbI2sRxg/s400/DSC_4835.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Done with Ironmans</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was amazing to get back over 1000 miles running on the year, and I used that fitness to carry me through ironman. I knew that was going to be my last one, people who really love Ironman tend to stop after 3 for some reason but I knew I would. I was totally burned out on the bike after 2013. I still got in 3 marathons and 2 ultras, plus a few shorter races only 11 in total.<br />
<br />
<b>2015</b><br />
This was the beginning of the end, really. I turned 40 and my body started falling apart. Hey, that's what is supposed to happen right? Running Ironmans really made me want to grow a beard and run more trail ultras. So I did.<br />
Swim: 376,810 yards<br />
Bike: 292 miles<br />
Run: 1057.8 miles <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcLGFNir5gehvPOhH38JWEU2tomj_l28vAKJCu4FQTh32uka3PylyvrbsjEmxs9TyjUyKaumPjXAT99kj87hLYG4_ba24EhEXlACgee8W28A49bC9DMlF2aiAyU9FrXDuKMNeLKYaoYs/s1600/WP_20150103_006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="471" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcLGFNir5gehvPOhH38JWEU2tomj_l28vAKJCu4FQTh32uka3PylyvrbsjEmxs9TyjUyKaumPjXAT99kj87hLYG4_ba24EhEXlACgee8W28A49bC9DMlF2aiAyU9FrXDuKMNeLKYaoYs/s400/WP_20150103_006.jpg" width="293" /></a></div>
<br />
Yeah only 292 miles on the bike? After almost 4000 miles a couple of years earlier? That sounds right. 13 races, one sprint triathlon, I decided to go for the "marathon in all 50 states" goal and knocked out marathons in Minnesota and Maryland, ran a beer mile, you name it. And I turned 40.<br />
<br />
<b>2016</b><br />
Generally, this was one of the worst years ever. Athletically, it had ups and downs. I finished my first 50 miler in San Diego and had a wonderful time in California. I competed in the Umstead 100 after volunteering and pacing there for several years and bailed after 75 miles.<br />
Swim: 199,150 yards<br />
Bike: 82 miles<br />
Run: 1179 miles<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-sfYakdsC8QgvBkz4Ffkl3FOvF1_h39qzssDDazLSGOJ3rpNd8SzQCBe4HEnXTnikV0zZzYbxuegZKctEMCDKNP2OJl7wHeetE29VdOAY6LHVn5r0cK6E27MAWXOVhBQbsjIWF0IVcU/s1600/12936744_1134831326529133_3484355213236530972_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="637" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-sfYakdsC8QgvBkz4Ffkl3FOvF1_h39qzssDDazLSGOJ3rpNd8SzQCBe4HEnXTnikV0zZzYbxuegZKctEMCDKNP2OJl7wHeetE29VdOAY6LHVn5r0cK6E27MAWXOVhBQbsjIWF0IVcU/s400/12936744_1134831326529133_3484355213236530972_n.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
10 races including the Umstead, I turned 41, finished the year with a 50k and 2 marathons in october and destroyed my foot in the process. Some people are still upset that I didn't go back and swim the last 850 yards to hit an even 200k. I did one sprint tri, and took the job that I still have at LexisNexis.<br />
<br />
<b>2017</b><br />
This was a tough year, coming off of the injury. I planned on doing 12 marathons in 12 months starting with the last 3 races last year so I was pretty bummed about missing my spring marathons. I actually had no marathons this year, first time since I started running that I didn't marathon at all.<br />
Swim: 276,505 yards<br />
Bike: 240 miles<br />
Run: 237.4 miles <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK4ePeezUv4_xj48QvO7rBbeo3uV55Psz-rRu7zfv_2eK5Z5mppUhz4xnieY8Q9pkRrFTQIeydyl7QEnfJyaRRAFqddNX3Z8LTse0HYW8YamkwtbDXGJt_u06p-AKS0EsFGNhIj-dNezI/s1600/WP_20170321_18_25_28_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="360" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK4ePeezUv4_xj48QvO7rBbeo3uV55Psz-rRu7zfv_2eK5Z5mppUhz4xnieY8Q9pkRrFTQIeydyl7QEnfJyaRRAFqddNX3Z8LTse0HYW8YamkwtbDXGJt_u06p-AKS0EsFGNhIj-dNezI/s400/WP_20170321_18_25_28_Pro.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
I did 7 races total, a half marathon, a 10k, and 5 open water swim races. Going from 1147 miles of running to 237 miles this year was really tough. there were lots of giant beers, and I also gained a lot of weight. None of that helped. But I did really love all of that time in the water.<br />
<br />
<b>2018</b><br />
Really, I was back into woodworking and not doing much this year. I started building boats in 2017, and finished 2018 by starting an MBA program. So...<br />
Swim: 65,926 yards<br />
Bike: 57.5 miles<br />
Run: 471 miles<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdz1CsWk1vzTf1V9HaTTI8oP83UtXKgprpeXm8IfoUEPr44G-cINqAQ9YU4XkcgrWw1YpQwYCBDGNymLKMgR_vCWDTiNSuuaQZfVY_y0x3fmPaFVwsEhJaGM7iHwXwLhwvffxcujie2mg/s1600/WP_20180120_15_04_37_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="360" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdz1CsWk1vzTf1V9HaTTI8oP83UtXKgprpeXm8IfoUEPr44G-cINqAQ9YU4XkcgrWw1YpQwYCBDGNymLKMgR_vCWDTiNSuuaQZfVY_y0x3fmPaFVwsEhJaGM7iHwXwLhwvffxcujie2mg/s400/WP_20180120_15_04_37_Pro.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
I only did 3 races. Arthritis forced me to drop my beloved masters swim team. I was able to run some, I took 4th place overall in a 5k and did full marathons in Delaware and Colorado. the beard got more gray, and I got my last tattoo (probably). Starting grad school and a heavy work load both took a toll mentally.<br />
<br />
<b>2019</b><br />
This really was a decent year. All I was really committed to was to be a good student, and I finished 5 classes in grad school.<br />
Swim: 4000 yards<br />
Bike: 33.5 miles<br />
Run: 425 miles<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hkJNY94gHLoUKLyI4G7e-FrhrENYbaVgVA_WvpoBctTuKeAITsZkfcdm4_IBaNHwqP-S2ETpgZy5TyyXYf3zFUdu9_Eyk9tt6Q7hkOdaPhJpWosVVvBkXcadv97477VMeDyPywaVpzI/s1600/IMG_20190829_155806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hkJNY94gHLoUKLyI4G7e-FrhrENYbaVgVA_WvpoBctTuKeAITsZkfcdm4_IBaNHwqP-S2ETpgZy5TyyXYf3zFUdu9_Eyk9tt6Q7hkOdaPhJpWosVVvBkXcadv97477VMeDyPywaVpzI/s400/IMG_20190829_155806.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
I finished 2 races and DNS'd 4 more. Grew my hair out pretty long and then cut it off again. My goals for the year:<br />
Grad School - pass my classes. Success! I had 4 A's and a B<br />
Oregon - fail. Had a wonderful trip, did not marathon<br />
Tennessee - fail. Didn't even make the trip<br />
Run 800 miles - fail. 425 and I'm pretty happy about that.<br />
Finish the porch - Success! I did finish building my front porch and it turned out fantastic.<br />
<br />
Also, I established a running streak of 2 miles a day for 75 days in a row. pretty happy about that. This was also the only year that I didn't shave the beard over the summer.<br />
<br />
<b>2020</b><br />
Goals for 2020? I'm having a tough time coming up with anything real.<br />
500 miles running?<br />
Marathon in 2 more states?<br />
Finish grad school. Classes wrap up Oct 4<br />
<br />
So far the only race I'm registered for is a 24 hour ultra at the end of october, it felt like a good way to celebrate finishing grad school. No trips planned yet, but I think Idaho and Kentucky should be the next states I shoot for.<br />
<br />
Cheers to a great decade!Carolina Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834384961037080805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475703851125751608.post-60354056647808290572020-01-05T23:58:00.000-05:002020-01-05T23:58:15.146-05:002019 Turkey TrotAnd now, in "hey, I'm super late" news, I'm finally writing up the turkey trot, and it will be brief. The <a href="https://app.racereach.com/event/inside-out-sports-turkey-trot/details" target="_blank">Inside-Out Sports 8k Turkey Trot</a> is a thanksgiving day race that's been going on for several years. I ran it in 2012, finishing in 36:11 and setting a 5 mile PR. This year was going to be a bit slower to say the least...<br />
<br />
Thanksgiving turned out to be a fantastic holiday this year. We stayed in Raleigh instead of going to SC and decided to have a laid back approach. So Kelley and I both signed up for this race to kick things off. Actually she got rather upset with me because she forgot it was an 8k instead of a 5k and she's only been training for around 3 miles, oops.<br />
<br />
This was actually the first time this year I've made it to a running race. It felt great to be among peers again, and I was surprised I didn't see more friends - there were plenty of familiar pictures showing up on facebook later<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbbVHRRTIGF9ZB2Z7-11XL8cam6nJykbgPrhdxos402rdZuBH7MTzHpQnRJu9NyUSdh3duMtSLB5nUSRem1g9uhsP4YoxKFrah4kQth26JKImfkL6wWPOZ-y-uLL4i9jxpXf6IuQNUBY/s1600/IMG_20191128_085232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbbVHRRTIGF9ZB2Z7-11XL8cam6nJykbgPrhdxos402rdZuBH7MTzHpQnRJu9NyUSdh3duMtSLB5nUSRem1g9uhsP4YoxKFrah4kQth26JKImfkL6wWPOZ-y-uLL4i9jxpXf6IuQNUBY/s400/IMG_20191128_085232.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big crowd!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPTlYqZUbu9RM0CCqzOk10aIGM62sSGiXGN7rOL57d1waa_047DoCkjX3LFznWhhoUUQKYqFFf4XnTx5b67VbPwSMCCtomU_-OwCyuu0_MGUVc7RXKBpsqKLLfJlXx-pOQEyyMPqEQb0/s1600/IMG_20191128_085249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPTlYqZUbu9RM0CCqzOk10aIGM62sSGiXGN7rOL57d1waa_047DoCkjX3LFznWhhoUUQKYqFFf4XnTx5b67VbPwSMCCtomU_-OwCyuu0_MGUVc7RXKBpsqKLLfJlXx-pOQEyyMPqEQb0/s400/IMG_20191128_085249.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're ready to roll!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Something about this course is fantastic. I don't know what it is, but I end up turning up great times here. My training has been churning out 10 minute miles all year long. Somehow I finished this one in only 46:32, finishing 32nd in my age group out of 47, 278/473 men and 416/958 overall. This is a pretty big crowd for a 5 mile race.<br />
<br />
Kelley finished just a couple of minutes behind me, 51:45, good enough for 34/57 age group, 251/485 women, and 596/958 overall. She had a blast too<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gi9zAf-Tbn6UpesNbAg1W0ONQRNeEGZDcQtWqv5Vu20S8_xzmX_hRxnwhrn-kdInkR_YEVCe2liObBN5F9gdTdNZn_L6Gb38ngp6LZ2NEuloxovtZxL1UESa5BE83iTNNX7Yqw4Diik/s1600/IMG_20191128_095758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gi9zAf-Tbn6UpesNbAg1W0ONQRNeEGZDcQtWqv5Vu20S8_xzmX_hRxnwhrn-kdInkR_YEVCe2liObBN5F9gdTdNZn_L6Gb38ngp6LZ2NEuloxovtZxL1UESa5BE83iTNNX7Yqw4Diik/s400/IMG_20191128_095758.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">at the finish line!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYQC_uS-_hN4aQqirXnONp_QfikjOanQv9gOH327IXyHLX3MKIj-GgLYg-xdx2qYbrqZFWL_l0cvGHNDhcAuOImTaP1R0FcsAvJQuJIWUF_OYxOI-lEFP_N5F8nkZCWRjYUmbo5AY9bE/s1600/IMG_20191128_101618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYQC_uS-_hN4aQqirXnONp_QfikjOanQv9gOH327IXyHLX3MKIj-GgLYg-xdx2qYbrqZFWL_l0cvGHNDhcAuOImTaP1R0FcsAvJQuJIWUF_OYxOI-lEFP_N5F8nkZCWRjYUmbo5AY9bE/s400/IMG_20191128_101618.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the giant turkey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After the race we got to watch football all day, and the parade. Then we hosted dinner in the evening with lots of family. Carolina Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834384961037080805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475703851125751608.post-40161991679904385752019-11-18T23:32:00.001-05:002019-11-18T23:32:23.087-05:00The Break and the StreakYeah, but the break and the steak would have rhymed<br />
<br />
I took one class session off from grad school to do other stuff and totally blew all of the athletic endeavors. Literally, registered for four races - a marathon, a 12 hour ultra, a swim race, and a 4 mile octoberfest run - and competed in exactly zero of them.Yes it is frustrating, the marathons were my chance to knock out the new states this year. I really should have gone to the swim race, I think I'm just done with those. I had several friends there who told me it was a great day to be in the water, but I had to be up working until about 1 am the day before and just didn't want to get up at 6 to make it to the race on time.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTg3uunsWNKLlGdgndMiX7FoCGtAsNGB2ZyFrYhBS7xM7PdOWy4QyQAYTT7TYoDIeDKeTaBGn6PmoLQLEEv8s3-dR9oNnadHHp8ZqoQAp-ju4JnOmY22PEYB_wblavhrZveMxVr8oGUNU/s1600/D9EvguPWsAAVIH4.jpg+large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTg3uunsWNKLlGdgndMiX7FoCGtAsNGB2ZyFrYhBS7xM7PdOWy4QyQAYTT7TYoDIeDKeTaBGn6PmoLQLEEv8s3-dR9oNnadHHp8ZqoQAp-ju4JnOmY22PEYB_wblavhrZveMxVr8oGUNU/s400/D9EvguPWsAAVIH4.jpg+large.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So it takes a reset. There has been other stuff going on. I opened an Etsy store and put out a Craigslist ad to sell the beds, and that's going really well. So far I've sold 2 sets of bunk beds and a loft from CL.<br />
<br />
Also I started a running streak - as of today (11/18) it's at 40 days and exactly 100 miles. I'm doing at least 2 miles a day, every day. No idea how long it will last - my original goal was 10 days, then a month. Next goal may be the first of the year? It's getting hard to figure out how I'm going to get everything done.<br />
<br />
Grad school is back with a Business Law class. Not only is it really boring, but it takes a lot of time. Really this class gives me a whole new respect for people who went to law school. Every day I learn a new way to get sued or break the law. The only way to stay safe is to never do anything, ever. As an empath, I totally sympathize with people who need lawyers. When I worked in PC repair the jobs would be pretty quiet until somebody else was having the worst day of their week (or month, or year). Everybody that needs a lawyer for any reason is scared, or protective, or otherwise having their worst day. Totally could not do it.<br />
<br />
The family is staying busy too. Evil Genius got her ears pierced, overcoming a fear that she's had for a long time:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZPZnnYamjxX22aC5bIopWa1QjCPVkNelqkBFm6pOnY6uMm0kBtH9IIYYZXfrxNgLGbS4ZbBDkNADJFK8YMUHYl4LKfbTw9rpYqzFvClse2d0_ymLr9EBabGKdGEDNZqINOdpPC_FiHk/s1600/IMG_20190913_192037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZPZnnYamjxX22aC5bIopWa1QjCPVkNelqkBFm6pOnY6uMm0kBtH9IIYYZXfrxNgLGbS4ZbBDkNADJFK8YMUHYl4LKfbTw9rpYqzFvClse2d0_ymLr9EBabGKdGEDNZqINOdpPC_FiHk/s400/IMG_20190913_192037.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
Ella WON a poetry contest at the high school. For all grades, as a freshman, a 50 word poem contest, and she took the grand prize of the whole thing. Unreal. I mean, the grand prize was a $10 gift card but it's still an amazing accomplishment.<br />
<br />
The State Fair came and went. This year we had the unreal luck of having huge traffic problems. It was so bad this year that both Saturday's we were able to charge people to park in our yard! 10 years at this house and that has never happened before.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZuMyX3UESFaBFFbNWtm-ray0HPT9F9BQ-u8eJt2ObvfluXlVGXYWSqBlwroaAoF2XHRUzpmq_y8XplBQcQUzQkkV7OHxqC1lgAYnIkAEKPTFDizYVOktoezoNZT2KbLKuYWKwHJCMZjk/s1600/IMG_20191026_180936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZuMyX3UESFaBFFbNWtm-ray0HPT9F9BQ-u8eJt2ObvfluXlVGXYWSqBlwroaAoF2XHRUzpmq_y8XplBQcQUzQkkV7OHxqC1lgAYnIkAEKPTFDizYVOktoezoNZT2KbLKuYWKwHJCMZjk/s400/IMG_20191026_180936.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's a full yard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Also I finally finished installing these shelves in EG's room, and she got bangs, then green hair, now it's pink!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPL7tEmKrKNVcItd-ItcNUS3gDAo5He8xo9El_FjYnx9ZSHKAcq2t-gxMZO0qzHBdcYr0tZBmYXwRMAAnjk3L2Q3tv1j8eRfewbnvv9WnvfjUphhFMH2b0cyyXom5y7wjW7wxbzU4PBBE/s1600/IMG_20191018_180738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPL7tEmKrKNVcItd-ItcNUS3gDAo5He8xo9El_FjYnx9ZSHKAcq2t-gxMZO0qzHBdcYr0tZBmYXwRMAAnjk3L2Q3tv1j8eRfewbnvv9WnvfjUphhFMH2b0cyyXom5y7wjW7wxbzU4PBBE/s400/IMG_20191018_180738.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool floating shelves I built for her</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyPXxao46z1KK9FEvwiimNbvi8cndLLVL4v4ODsZmjQmah3_EQsxh58kvqIJ_q6UaIEhw4Z3c5gVvwEmmYV84TyptkgVE5LSD6a1UkJeaNjyHNA61hWJYs91oYJU_MlMN655v4cV7jzg/s1600/IMG_20191103_151039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyPXxao46z1KK9FEvwiimNbvi8cndLLVL4v4ODsZmjQmah3_EQsxh58kvqIJ_q6UaIEhw4Z3c5gVvwEmmYV84TyptkgVE5LSD6a1UkJeaNjyHNA61hWJYs91oYJU_MlMN655v4cV7jzg/s400/IMG_20191103_151039.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green hair with some old friends. We didn't know the boy had green hair too when we met up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYNfSkhxcO17blsELMwkGpW8D9bTb18x_cBQil9RdP4N3l0m-vPbX1B7Ofjcz-vxavB8uqK0mbifKU2QIwNCq3QfYg7V1xWsARBu1RdMXYl5UJqJ_-8dWQIFe5HerHjcMlVuw3hMNUsE/s1600/IMG_20191117_180039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYNfSkhxcO17blsELMwkGpW8D9bTb18x_cBQil9RdP4N3l0m-vPbX1B7Ofjcz-vxavB8uqK0mbifKU2QIwNCq3QfYg7V1xWsARBu1RdMXYl5UJqJ_-8dWQIFe5HerHjcMlVuw3hMNUsE/s400/IMG_20191117_180039.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EG is now pink haired</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I also got to speak at Ella's school. The high school brings in STEM speakers periodically, and I volunteered to come talk tech, education, how I got into the IT industry, and how we do so much cool shit at the company I work for now. It was a blast!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkb-Uty3qLWGadpjlY0gAWRYTZsewm5Lqn0K9CnhMnL8raBHxzHZZr0wAPc-lMR5_BwkSoeA5RugcJeSiWgHMN9yGBlMKWHv-j0e-b7feY93whdsVIGDfkTxBaWU4XHV9wlUw7B4eIsU/s1600/IMG_20191105_124207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkb-Uty3qLWGadpjlY0gAWRYTZsewm5Lqn0K9CnhMnL8raBHxzHZZr0wAPc-lMR5_BwkSoeA5RugcJeSiWgHMN9yGBlMKWHv-j0e-b7feY93whdsVIGDfkTxBaWU4XHV9wlUw7B4eIsU/s400/IMG_20191105_124207.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me with Ella at the high school</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So I really don't know how I'm going to get everything done, and it's pretty stressful. I have been running early in the mornings, but now it's in the 30's here and/or raining every morning so that's out. I'm going to come home some over lunch this week for woodworking. Mother Nature's worst joke is that the one time of year it's actually pleasant to be outside now, it gets dark at 5:30. I have to build these beds & stuff outside, built a new deck for it and everything. I'm going to try going to work early, building beds over lunch, leaving early, run as soon as I get home then woodwork until dark, then dinner and 4 hours of grad school. And that's every day until thanksgiving. I'm grateful for being busy, but this is getting hectic.<br />
<br />
I'll leave you with some of the cool projects I've been building.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmC_GKZIM7BbUNvChNUw8TtZ0tBah7PSVAhexhaFvto3bMG2x6IVYCpgNoWfPayadPz8SCNbexKPNPm8CY69J3NQJxSHBuWPLrlZ64B2-OvGWcE9a-A0x2MuCxkDp2VPG6Db1ATWQGDk/s1600/IMG_20191006_163227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmC_GKZIM7BbUNvChNUw8TtZ0tBah7PSVAhexhaFvto3bMG2x6IVYCpgNoWfPayadPz8SCNbexKPNPm8CY69J3NQJxSHBuWPLrlZ64B2-OvGWcE9a-A0x2MuCxkDp2VPG6Db1ATWQGDk/s400/IMG_20191006_163227.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those shelves laid out on the 8' x 12' deck I built just to assemble & finish furniture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhJqw3WIyxPbu7FTucRr0EEXlFYCQKjYN7WzZ0PTViUw38YOFX5puwqsR0nRU7A6Zumh1RrVRekkEM4Gi2CJpxP51ADMUZ91A0bolPZUOcmsuuvAJ0rxOaxuWY850Qn_JmcUyzaQ2jjM/s1600/IMG_20191026_112914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhJqw3WIyxPbu7FTucRr0EEXlFYCQKjYN7WzZ0PTViUw38YOFX5puwqsR0nRU7A6Zumh1RrVRekkEM4Gi2CJpxP51ADMUZ91A0bolPZUOcmsuuvAJ0rxOaxuWY850Qn_JmcUyzaQ2jjM/s400/IMG_20191026_112914.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The state fair</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OP4tvG7rrAFJhG9NkvcfNJ3XGFD9IYA0DXUT3OISdD24PdLIISP6uym389Jh3Vfn9ygGdH6OkbhsUHJvHR-acZLWyckiYpmakDqNMjqKUqWjxPScuxjoNhjEqG3WlDkyOGaNW6L0AOk/s1600/IMG_20191026_112922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OP4tvG7rrAFJhG9NkvcfNJ3XGFD9IYA0DXUT3OISdD24PdLIISP6uym389Jh3Vfn9ygGdH6OkbhsUHJvHR-acZLWyckiYpmakDqNMjqKUqWjxPScuxjoNhjEqG3WlDkyOGaNW6L0AOk/s400/IMG_20191026_112922.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I ran by the state fair - this is always one of my favorite runs of the year</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bOZoReMOoUdd3GtUdAERjuyTAPZ2SH4c53Ia6RFPHss2u42JBOZMiD5JzEwbW5qewV7LiJiFSJLz_-NrNAK33aVmFuf6CEzqPWm75KUCd4AaXOnJTGAUfWBkldTbFFjexrHOqVtOc9s/s1600/IMG_20191026_170342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2bOZoReMOoUdd3GtUdAERjuyTAPZ2SH4c53Ia6RFPHss2u42JBOZMiD5JzEwbW5qewV7LiJiFSJLz_-NrNAK33aVmFuf6CEzqPWm75KUCd4AaXOnJTGAUfWBkldTbFFjexrHOqVtOc9s/s400/IMG_20191026_170342.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got a visit from my good friend Alison as she walked over to the fair</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuP7rIlmbYB87uDQh-3oc4um2pa6nbG-4OtuWw-oeNr7eh_-z8iBOKIHL_FsuW4aVuRpVjePtG-mUUoS5WhBhlvGIzEeTogvlx-iu1LNnGxFvg90EX-9LrjDl_S5EcP8N5ATHiUCjA_XY/s1600/IMG_20191027_135121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuP7rIlmbYB87uDQh-3oc4um2pa6nbG-4OtuWw-oeNr7eh_-z8iBOKIHL_FsuW4aVuRpVjePtG-mUUoS5WhBhlvGIzEeTogvlx-iu1LNnGxFvg90EX-9LrjDl_S5EcP8N5ATHiUCjA_XY/s400/IMG_20191027_135121.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a charcuterie board currently for sale in the Etsy shop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Q7YCoBTkc76T-9U2G72a3h6lxhyphenhyphenpIH1N-NFCZzKdGToH2dqltziDPTTfzP-BTGIUhCY-CDK3Kt-t1Ezoo_o0cPtMuyTEiWGAQ4Uaqub-uLIlNExjfzJFS9PGhVvl7q3JGFqYKRPh_oE/s1600/IMG_20191027_135129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Q7YCoBTkc76T-9U2G72a3h6lxhyphenhyphenpIH1N-NFCZzKdGToH2dqltziDPTTfzP-BTGIUhCY-CDK3Kt-t1Ezoo_o0cPtMuyTEiWGAQ4Uaqub-uLIlNExjfzJFS9PGhVvl7q3JGFqYKRPh_oE/s400/IMG_20191027_135129.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bottom of the board. It's cherry & walnut</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgK7sHzPMAW_Pl4QiifzYCgvBt5zuu2tMPKJl0eW7_Jvsk6blqV12WyhcWdURcNFDKtXq2SMRFAE6RTW_W5_gjlbxl301mgoGYvLAqV8srh1Lv1hxZOhHi7ShLZT-_c6laoZ_Hs65S-w/s1600/IMG_20191027_181841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgK7sHzPMAW_Pl4QiifzYCgvBt5zuu2tMPKJl0eW7_Jvsk6blqV12WyhcWdURcNFDKtXq2SMRFAE6RTW_W5_gjlbxl301mgoGYvLAqV8srh1Lv1hxZOhHi7ShLZT-_c6laoZ_Hs65S-w/s400/IMG_20191027_181841.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A twin over full size bunk bed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfS5DF7Glru8Z6JlKbcSSiM6US2hpzE7hLDuqlr2TuX0MAWqN07u6Xg4iKf8CcK5MsuQq_nyR9rxiR62BjBrVE2Qc2j0Egy4oVTfrzSZqfbdK4VC48ySMteRIzKT7b1aEx7NDRp12NVc/s1600/IMG_20191029_180745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfS5DF7Glru8Z6JlKbcSSiM6US2hpzE7hLDuqlr2TuX0MAWqN07u6Xg4iKf8CcK5MsuQq_nyR9rxiR62BjBrVE2Qc2j0Egy4oVTfrzSZqfbdK4VC48ySMteRIzKT7b1aEx7NDRp12NVc/s400/IMG_20191029_180745.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made this cool table for the front porch from a slab of stump I cut off from my front yard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bKbbOe8G20us8X3eagaHT4R_MtcjXUfzVXeWnfKh845ZQ11cxL7AV4tuv5xR591ZHibIWkkr87vB_XD9mMdAqN516VY3wIbHSmO51BtXRpWdD1jNGOXZ-AryeZOVgeEvVUBP3iTywZE/s1600/IMG_20191101_123735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bKbbOe8G20us8X3eagaHT4R_MtcjXUfzVXeWnfKh845ZQ11cxL7AV4tuv5xR591ZHibIWkkr87vB_XD9mMdAqN516VY3wIbHSmO51BtXRpWdD1jNGOXZ-AryeZOVgeEvVUBP3iTywZE/s400/IMG_20191101_123735.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super nice cherry box I made for a client's wedding present. The finger joints are a nice touch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwMxrOGyli4jwoGWIcTE2B7HLe5_7yO8NRQmmU1l6ODQDQfm3BwtjFOB2LzGlIRhUUaEQX2nRriszVOgunbR0VMOKX9WjTHVAjiKlO6qpEqFg1g9AsRoluuQxWE9oxfGkSAlpBHPVJaw/s1600/IMG_20191106_195104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwMxrOGyli4jwoGWIcTE2B7HLe5_7yO8NRQmmU1l6ODQDQfm3BwtjFOB2LzGlIRhUUaEQX2nRriszVOgunbR0VMOKX9WjTHVAjiKlO6qpEqFg1g9AsRoluuQxWE9oxfGkSAlpBHPVJaw/s400/IMG_20191106_195104.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slides! Used a boat epoxy on the surface of the slides for 2 of the bunk beds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3eoPQbmqkyj8w2hI_QJDoF3zwuLFutd3m42ZG0uc9umXhzXfR9sRYf47CQYFHKV7fOl6BAwDYMV3vOZ7WA7jTmMGFuyRvwf5cMiPyjHFl_yHY6ZKWmtPTtSP97TKC_OcLo1YiCGVrKWo/s1600/IMG_20191114_192320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3eoPQbmqkyj8w2hI_QJDoF3zwuLFutd3m42ZG0uc9umXhzXfR9sRYf47CQYFHKV7fOl6BAwDYMV3vOZ7WA7jTmMGFuyRvwf5cMiPyjHFl_yHY6ZKWmtPTtSP97TKC_OcLo1YiCGVrKWo/s400/IMG_20191114_192320.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">oh yeah, we had our anniversary! 21 years of marriage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdATJdm5A9PRBekvbdOsQkddfPQw6aZgyks813J7NVPSnUfzM0pKR3tVJqghU_DKDDUxTg742ZjKrgwj0W2jF0m7ML4dbwyeuegmXyB3l2CeLplSL1vU77nahmstYalapaRYDEtgaHjg/s1600/IMG_20191114_201249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdATJdm5A9PRBekvbdOsQkddfPQw6aZgyks813J7NVPSnUfzM0pKR3tVJqghU_DKDDUxTg742ZjKrgwj0W2jF0m7ML4dbwyeuegmXyB3l2CeLplSL1vU77nahmstYalapaRYDEtgaHjg/s400/IMG_20191114_201249.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture deserves its own post. I commissioned a local artist to draw Kelley as an anime superhero</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXQxuNQSGH74EoPRs-3vokEEHplzRDhWBi7zTVuN4x13TQvsHMBEioMdOtdg7ChohO0UPhDVHrbUD4ggl4evINNJt3UpOSJuOy3Wnat-WYH1k3Lav9kZcWzitpsFbqP5EyfajEfr9yeU/s1600/IMG_20191115_135731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXQxuNQSGH74EoPRs-3vokEEHplzRDhWBi7zTVuN4x13TQvsHMBEioMdOtdg7ChohO0UPhDVHrbUD4ggl4evINNJt3UpOSJuOy3Wnat-WYH1k3Lav9kZcWzitpsFbqP5EyfajEfr9yeU/s400/IMG_20191115_135731.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also built a trundle to go under EG's bed since we're going to have company this year for the holidays</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
crap I can't believe I didn't lead with "it's our 21st wedding anniversary" - you can tell I'm slipping. Carolina Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834384961037080805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475703851125751608.post-58551741435734967922019-09-29T00:23:00.000-04:002019-09-29T00:23:41.490-04:00No MarathonsWell big surprise, it looks like I'm not going to get in any marathons this year. Getting old sucks. Since my first marathon in 2009, I've done at least one each year except for the injury-ridden 2017. Grad school takes up a shitload of time, and since I fell off of my roof back in June I really didn't have time to train much for these. The 2019 marathons were supposed to include the Boring Marathon in Boring, Oregon and the Dirt Circuit 12 hour just north of Knoxville, Tennessee. Not even trying to run anything local this year with all of the grad school and woodworking stuff going on, just knock out the fly-to and drive-to states and keep studying. I have logged a grand total of 18 miles in July, August, and September in training.<br />
<br />
I still made the trip to Oregon anyway with Ella and my Mom so I'll picture dump about that. Still bailed on the Tennessee trip though. We flew to Oregon on a thursday, and the flight got in about 1 pm so we decided to do downtown then. Luckily, we found a Duck Store so I could get Kelley her hoodie and it was pretty easy to walk around downtown. We hit Voodoo doughnuts too, and Powell's City of Books. Downtown was actually pretty dirty and there was lots of homeless people, it was by far the least impressive part of the trip. We did get to have dinner with <a href="https://amycissell.com/" target="_blank">Amy Cissell</a> that night at a wonderful brewery. Meeting her finally was amazing, we've been friends for over a decade.<br />
<br />
Friday we went hiking east of Portland, saw all of the massive waterfalls and even went across the Columbia river to Washington State, just to say we were there. Went to the packet pickup anyway, I've paid for 2 registrations for this same race, I was getting the t-shirt anyway. Saturday we went to the coast. Oswald West state park was really cool, hiked past a mountain stream that leads to a cool cove beach, it was Ella's first time seeing the pacific ocean. Cannon Beach was the next town up, that was really fun. I would love to get a week there with friends. Then we finished the coast trip at Seaside, but it was just as tacky as Myrtle Beach. Very disappointing. The drive to the coast was a big surprise, we had to get through some serious mountains with beautiful forest.<br />
<br />
Sunday was supposed to be race day, but it was supposed to rain. My choice became to walk for 7 hours in the rain or go to the zoo. If it wasn't supposed to rain all day I would have walked the marathon, but the weather and my already tired feet made the decision for me. After the zoo we drove through the suburbs some and found more ice cream. Portland is a really cool place if you can avoid downtown. It was in the high 90's the whole time in Raleigh, but temps were barely above 70* the whole time in the PNW. And it didn't feel like there was any humidity. So comfortable! We flew back on Monday and that was all.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXcuchHYQHNQUmfxCrhO6bJJ28rPtQLyOUzZYzDCFPFFcW4z_6NBshDjNwbJ2R1xslR5_Gf3OSjq2M_7tc-_bhOAMULPDLiwboOC4737NnQx6w3rw-McB8vocLWS0uvSQeRNTuqJ62yI/s1600/IMG_20190919_115043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXcuchHYQHNQUmfxCrhO6bJJ28rPtQLyOUzZYzDCFPFFcW4z_6NBshDjNwbJ2R1xslR5_Gf3OSjq2M_7tc-_bhOAMULPDLiwboOC4737NnQx6w3rw-McB8vocLWS0uvSQeRNTuqJ62yI/s400/IMG_20190919_115043.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ella's first flight!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftwqtC2di3rS0Q-6nPrK6ogXbBkUYUo0yMy_WBt0S7keVcP4h1OVkHGichXwDdSCyCldpyAGjuMd0dQMxOjIPoLIshkrMm4WMco8U4DkBcdWEIYmvJLekKFyXTawTiR_t2sjIplInKRQ/s1600/IMG_20190919_130006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftwqtC2di3rS0Q-6nPrK6ogXbBkUYUo0yMy_WBt0S7keVcP4h1OVkHGichXwDdSCyCldpyAGjuMd0dQMxOjIPoLIshkrMm4WMco8U4DkBcdWEIYmvJLekKFyXTawTiR_t2sjIplInKRQ/s400/IMG_20190919_130006.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the Phoenix airport. That is some serious sunshine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8lAnkR-2iXR71QNB8HqnY28PQFcwfGPJXuoMcRHLfd_NcnrY_d9qvky6hG7JvjfIgfH_niNfqdRwMN3colsCv_Qul43vsYKHeGKxUbc0VLYQc-p177YZeKjg8ePDTo98aS24YGYMxCM/s1600/IMG_20190919_135743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8lAnkR-2iXR71QNB8HqnY28PQFcwfGPJXuoMcRHLfd_NcnrY_d9qvky6hG7JvjfIgfH_niNfqdRwMN3colsCv_Qul43vsYKHeGKxUbc0VLYQc-p177YZeKjg8ePDTo98aS24YGYMxCM/s400/IMG_20190919_135743.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the grand canyon from the plane - first time I've seen it</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Gn5ygREM8YVtkmpW1nNQI_PYCWGWOXNjHxr7oOO4P59DqNKl45w9yXLefECjlCjVrVcy9uxljj5W1zI7rJsTI7wS72tBzM5cx2RezLPXNDlhND5l220CoKqbmcCyS3q7j0RS7H9Esko/s1600/IMG_20190919_174858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Gn5ygREM8YVtkmpW1nNQI_PYCWGWOXNjHxr7oOO4P59DqNKl45w9yXLefECjlCjVrVcy9uxljj5W1zI7rJsTI7wS72tBzM5cx2RezLPXNDlhND5l220CoKqbmcCyS3q7j0RS7H9Esko/s400/IMG_20190919_174858.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Duck Store!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwsddIdQh3rdAwdUVaeBNouTwf5DpCafISQsTGiPSYvisJTVXkqUJ5Q6-s5b5MJuU0dJbvRR-O-7X0lWAsLJKOjxaBQXFbDgv5uVsecZOqvOZcwtzY-WKDPuDSe8FrJer0TB8pKQiYdU/s1600/IMG_20190919_174948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwsddIdQh3rdAwdUVaeBNouTwf5DpCafISQsTGiPSYvisJTVXkqUJ5Q6-s5b5MJuU0dJbvRR-O-7X0lWAsLJKOjxaBQXFbDgv5uVsecZOqvOZcwtzY-WKDPuDSe8FrJer0TB8pKQiYdU/s400/IMG_20190919_174948.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love U of Oregon football so this place was a dream</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFplQFyLIAIRxLcT-VjTaGY7YW6Jvg48YDGS6Gxqe37gf80kGRRo__X22IFoLZU93yje7WAZwcHyTByfx4ZZZi-avBx_q6TTSjkGfm2KR6bC7zfM-QqQGXUYKuRQkSFme6Lm1vOpn1rQ/s1600/IMG_20190919_181337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFplQFyLIAIRxLcT-VjTaGY7YW6Jvg48YDGS6Gxqe37gf80kGRRo__X22IFoLZU93yje7WAZwcHyTByfx4ZZZi-avBx_q6TTSjkGfm2KR6bC7zfM-QqQGXUYKuRQkSFme6Lm1vOpn1rQ/s400/IMG_20190919_181337.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Voodoo Doughnuts!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0QFBgaNVbrSkN-yAQy9KM3YZXIcJR_iYXixObzedasVGpKCvhjh0aOd5RHVayNvHLlvP1wzn2GNmclva-H4Z8f9Btg4peSVfKbsdUzWFagphLJ5cwanwt-Xe4uiukaiIE1PLl-4ro0Y/s1600/IMG_20190919_184143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0QFBgaNVbrSkN-yAQy9KM3YZXIcJR_iYXixObzedasVGpKCvhjh0aOd5RHVayNvHLlvP1wzn2GNmclva-H4Z8f9Btg4peSVfKbsdUzWFagphLJ5cwanwt-Xe4uiukaiIE1PLl-4ro0Y/s400/IMG_20190919_184143.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Powell's City of Books!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDcOV0c7eNt4o1ivZFdk_esgKzp5SGWQBrrIHLarsgwUmoBfnQFdXgPoM6AwMxd7LQqBqm9tZm6vVwBeIMefScbG_S_6K9m_It5Qfoqw6S6h9CH48RdNomvyzQDmpDlvxw2xcU_JguIg/s1600/IMG_20190919_222229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDcOV0c7eNt4o1ivZFdk_esgKzp5SGWQBrrIHLarsgwUmoBfnQFdXgPoM6AwMxd7LQqBqm9tZm6vVwBeIMefScbG_S_6K9m_It5Qfoqw6S6h9CH48RdNomvyzQDmpDlvxw2xcU_JguIg/s400/IMG_20190919_222229.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I FINALLY GOT ME SOME CISSELL!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQj2QZViqOa70BCLSalkXS76O7Q3rrg4xmbRn-2K-Iz09gOpvNnnXZLnCL7qIS-QA7OihrnIAU9Yfy8bZb-52bape5HcMRZ6wpMvF1UA6LntMCU52ACgoxSYKmsaP_9Ozzgq7da7CQ2k/s1600/IMG_20190920_093232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQj2QZViqOa70BCLSalkXS76O7Q3rrg4xmbRn-2K-Iz09gOpvNnnXZLnCL7qIS-QA7OihrnIAU9Yfy8bZb-52bape5HcMRZ6wpMvF1UA6LntMCU52ACgoxSYKmsaP_9Ozzgq7da7CQ2k/s400/IMG_20190920_093232.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friday, looking over the Columbia River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMUrPrQ_Dpy-ZV9K8s3OTB1vtPpQ3N5KfpkOXf5SM8A9vLCb5gZ-yD6nMXvMSYiRSDkqd0wLS9sY2nFY2BqN9cybmOxgdiQCHbo7ZMzh12dsbIoW1yGkjB6HdEOmP35TIkLqGZlTTj7Y/s1600/IMG_20190920_094106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUMUrPrQ_Dpy-ZV9K8s3OTB1vtPpQ3N5KfpkOXf5SM8A9vLCb5gZ-yD6nMXvMSYiRSDkqd0wLS9sY2nFY2BqN9cybmOxgdiQCHbo7ZMzh12dsbIoW1yGkjB6HdEOmP35TIkLqGZlTTj7Y/s400/IMG_20190920_094106.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HXOOVr4QfIue13jVjbWE8zZBxCEG1yi7aqoHZ4Ie-9i6ALitoKXT4GbY3ArUxfJWHbtJy-7m-iZ0oU556zraqnmvgv27JulhTLct50cQ5Xc5ol7ZYcsN07lafK869e5Sgd0oyMPF9AY/s1600/IMG_20190920_100507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HXOOVr4QfIue13jVjbWE8zZBxCEG1yi7aqoHZ4Ie-9i6ALitoKXT4GbY3ArUxfJWHbtJy-7m-iZ0oU556zraqnmvgv27JulhTLct50cQ5Xc5ol7ZYcsN07lafK869e5Sgd0oyMPF9AY/s400/IMG_20190920_100507.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's a big tree!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-nWLmDjWjWPw-R9kMxBjkTaOZQ7A8C-SXzOE_cjfXFD3V8wgnUt5ZFefdChC6PLJSh0-q6-dejZoMYsBJuGxj7pkn1yiVlLrISJr-dAe_bVB-cgvyn2sF2I_Cj8BFq-kp9P8bCHFoGXc/s1600/IMG_20190920_100700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-nWLmDjWjWPw-R9kMxBjkTaOZQ7A8C-SXzOE_cjfXFD3V8wgnUt5ZFefdChC6PLJSh0-q6-dejZoMYsBJuGxj7pkn1yiVlLrISJr-dAe_bVB-cgvyn2sF2I_Cj8BFq-kp9P8bCHFoGXc/s400/IMG_20190920_100700.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And that's a 200 foot waterfall!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSATBHyDPcCxLplHjIE0UTuVNZSqjzMehIg5XqMFhs1nkVDS6MVKXpJRHhGYTRYeFjXt0R9ilxTa8bY6XHgR0PqELw7GYDnLmBHDFgYIXXVFoI5k3X5Ddm5NyuBhD2ZuR3xW5miwyCGk/s1600/IMG_20190920_100717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSATBHyDPcCxLplHjIE0UTuVNZSqjzMehIg5XqMFhs1nkVDS6MVKXpJRHhGYTRYeFjXt0R9ilxTa8bY6XHgR0PqELw7GYDnLmBHDFgYIXXVFoI5k3X5Ddm5NyuBhD2ZuR3xW5miwyCGk/s400/IMG_20190920_100717.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmuv54mFnumh9CfowbJhk1OlvlZ5WiXVXF4F0CHUmGyTn5xZ-zcHUFdA5ZqJahFBDgZ-VdjAvXpC2Lz5nbnnbFiepO_Gbdz7N87jldYlhpBuMTBHteTq7pOjHkoKK9er96lXqQWIxE5TY/s1600/IMG_20190920_101048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmuv54mFnumh9CfowbJhk1OlvlZ5WiXVXF4F0CHUmGyTn5xZ-zcHUFdA5ZqJahFBDgZ-VdjAvXpC2Lz5nbnnbFiepO_Gbdz7N87jldYlhpBuMTBHteTq7pOjHkoKK9er96lXqQWIxE5TY/s400/IMG_20190920_101048.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ella is king of the rock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ah0GytPmPHfXEAGLrMOycpqP68XwirWOrxBjQ5tYkeoEdMRahzclVnV2v3L0SL-fRDpdkY0Fl0iV-jixNtfAM3Fjqv8WWqjh1z2O7Bti65RkpAnTzoyE8OH8_0HuWxFaF9C6hh0A40E/s1600/IMG_20190920_102755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ah0GytPmPHfXEAGLrMOycpqP68XwirWOrxBjQ5tYkeoEdMRahzclVnV2v3L0SL-fRDpdkY0Fl0iV-jixNtfAM3Fjqv8WWqjh1z2O7Bti65RkpAnTzoyE8OH8_0HuWxFaF9C6hh0A40E/s400/IMG_20190920_102755.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSFOltmJKG4o1fQ-HQQRUwuy1FqmrmtvIyYcx7fl5txPBVVE23XmRLkYgzwJ8pkp8vYOtAr1e2Bhyc4Z0uaOaVVPwctEESjj3brErHc-xc9Kk6GtwjiQt9aRFz9Z8xMVzpvyNgZ7SZpQ/s1600/IMG_20190920_102928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSFOltmJKG4o1fQ-HQQRUwuy1FqmrmtvIyYcx7fl5txPBVVE23XmRLkYgzwJ8pkp8vYOtAr1e2Bhyc4Z0uaOaVVPwctEESjj3brErHc-xc9Kk6GtwjiQt9aRFz9Z8xMVzpvyNgZ7SZpQ/s400/IMG_20190920_102928.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another quite large waterfall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hG8HHSBQvm6G2FlFN0nnEnfxU3PBGDbDeNOsdTW3RGNs61z5KDpd_tPW_F4LEPN7w32-o863KCd_6bTDSx6b3XSY_Wo8WmxKsxcPsupaDPWaH4HMLLXnZBRg5WOYpejc4OlIdDoHLbg/s1600/IMG_20190920_103342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hG8HHSBQvm6G2FlFN0nnEnfxU3PBGDbDeNOsdTW3RGNs61z5KDpd_tPW_F4LEPN7w32-o863KCd_6bTDSx6b3XSY_Wo8WmxKsxcPsupaDPWaH4HMLLXnZBRg5WOYpejc4OlIdDoHLbg/s400/IMG_20190920_103342.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCP0pcye7LfM3uPEFt6GDfGhgSvaUgyUlZPjSbH00LY6Zr4C3dMe3RJU2qyfMZ0SF6i8Lyd249wdyjO-ERopwFKvrZRvc2yb0qzURy1vpK3-fh9OqA2ztzBqg1RiFfmkl64vcKvsVTU8M/s1600/IMG_20190920_110043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCP0pcye7LfM3uPEFt6GDfGhgSvaUgyUlZPjSbH00LY6Zr4C3dMe3RJU2qyfMZ0SF6i8Lyd249wdyjO-ERopwFKvrZRvc2yb0qzURy1vpK3-fh9OqA2ztzBqg1RiFfmkl64vcKvsVTU8M/s400/IMG_20190920_110043.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Multnomah Falls is 620 feet of pure amazement</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbQIR-aYlHLlzxzF3OpSjujNc9Jnx1qI4afpVE8evLYUFQkVr-1z7kh5klHowFdu0pCe2Xasl_rVkcZpjIgtgTjh0nO_cAfHiSFYIhp3fLDC_P8XoCmPuYlUta70P9LeQEA93PlN9R2c/s1600/IMG_20190920_110729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbQIR-aYlHLlzxzF3OpSjujNc9Jnx1qI4afpVE8evLYUFQkVr-1z7kh5klHowFdu0pCe2Xasl_rVkcZpjIgtgTjh0nO_cAfHiSFYIhp3fLDC_P8XoCmPuYlUta70P9LeQEA93PlN9R2c/s400/IMG_20190920_110729.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiklHLomoP61ulZIt0hVnskIJBnY_z4DVYo1mecgJP23QppcT8wBgEUqDli7LgJ9sdCy1IXlk3VsBxP726OdZrnA6YuMkr1W_g-qJrScgh8BRr5dv_PmNv7oFe8Gn1NQhgU9HghajmcPIw/s1600/IMG_20190920_110904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiklHLomoP61ulZIt0hVnskIJBnY_z4DVYo1mecgJP23QppcT8wBgEUqDli7LgJ9sdCy1IXlk3VsBxP726OdZrnA6YuMkr1W_g-qJrScgh8BRr5dv_PmNv7oFe8Gn1NQhgU9HghajmcPIw/s400/IMG_20190920_110904.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We hiked up to the bridge in the first Multnomah falls picture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvU6AybT8ZTxJc2Jfa7DKROnhkVdCHoMpHzSJU8BEf_vbFOsrggigRExHmxdbi7n4x7TmCGGgN-VxPtSneqMQvb1EWH74ZJSs1EXTifWy59frUVTx3it02UnLK3qUdJYB1WgZ6tsl5D8/s1600/IMG_20190920_130802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvU6AybT8ZTxJc2Jfa7DKROnhkVdCHoMpHzSJU8BEf_vbFOsrggigRExHmxdbi7n4x7TmCGGgN-VxPtSneqMQvb1EWH74ZJSs1EXTifWy59frUVTx3it02UnLK3qUdJYB1WgZ6tsl5D8/s400/IMG_20190920_130802.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8i2nT8kNQ554aueZd97S9hKB1NfyILpGYHgFNtf-U92Fk0uP97D3bRu15ianzRt027Dp4tGw9s7ALPlfviNoG1MV8ru7BZjsjrt8fh35A8mkO_cS5GcQ3h4pjB0J1vWV367a5iDHlumI/s1600/IMG_20190920_130826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8i2nT8kNQ554aueZd97S9hKB1NfyILpGYHgFNtf-U92Fk0uP97D3bRu15ianzRt027Dp4tGw9s7ALPlfviNoG1MV8ru7BZjsjrt8fh35A8mkO_cS5GcQ3h4pjB0J1vWV367a5iDHlumI/s400/IMG_20190920_130826.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to throw Ella into the falls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjz3nXpMKzHrltPtutTk-3pvS10mu0x1aGmzfiYKIl4SEv9a8d6XA9MnNRwt5-sWjjtgON2dOihzhDSrJYAm9SeREd7coVov95YXP8_8jLYuPFDd60ukJZFNHDGPBrbTZwB0ndlJdt98/s1600/IMG_20190920_150239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjz3nXpMKzHrltPtutTk-3pvS10mu0x1aGmzfiYKIl4SEv9a8d6XA9MnNRwt5-sWjjtgON2dOihzhDSrJYAm9SeREd7coVov95YXP8_8jLYuPFDd60ukJZFNHDGPBrbTZwB0ndlJdt98/s400/IMG_20190920_150239.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Columbia river from the Washington side of that bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRP_T5Qo23FQ3ajnjo9-syl8LFX5QzIoRwNq5d316DFu8NayRwQUbpQe-dr8SByc5reqgL5JrBirthVFg6O8rVLpcZO0j3bXWVnq0Z2Ny5ocG2NtqvDo3o5ENNpbRixHYxi5suKC-27Q/s1600/IMG_20190920_162355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRP_T5Qo23FQ3ajnjo9-syl8LFX5QzIoRwNq5d316DFu8NayRwQUbpQe-dr8SByc5reqgL5JrBirthVFg6O8rVLpcZO0j3bXWVnq0Z2Ny5ocG2NtqvDo3o5ENNpbRixHYxi5suKC-27Q/s400/IMG_20190920_162355.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Boring Brewery! Packet pickup for the marathon included a free beer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPt-WnNDnox5VOkXSsHMkRqP1SrdcpaTghpw0XMTeLQs9dmLyVy7CZ2rKmrZwzLFb4WAVrRpKgtIqRwVqSBRjt_pbL3gwJhhr804xSCZoimLTyqDwxzZqSy6rzonQe1TppMsomopqmqew/s1600/IMG_20190921_110157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPt-WnNDnox5VOkXSsHMkRqP1SrdcpaTghpw0XMTeLQs9dmLyVy7CZ2rKmrZwzLFb4WAVrRpKgtIqRwVqSBRjt_pbL3gwJhhr804xSCZoimLTyqDwxzZqSy6rzonQe1TppMsomopqmqew/s400/IMG_20190921_110157.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ella's first time seeing the pacific ocean - it's back there</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuph3M_U0tSqEswjabhjbzQUd6hDYDNICzqCV2OfLtKkABHXDQVUOk_ADOiMvlRzetrReH_6qmltkz9gKWYRfDjD4aFj31QB0889YkuY4F2Jtu7haJzJARwZUqz_ihL4o7LmPAVE8CglY/s1600/IMG_20190921_112631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuph3M_U0tSqEswjabhjbzQUd6hDYDNICzqCV2OfLtKkABHXDQVUOk_ADOiMvlRzetrReH_6qmltkz9gKWYRfDjD4aFj31QB0889YkuY4F2Jtu7haJzJARwZUqz_ihL4o7LmPAVE8CglY/s400/IMG_20190921_112631.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now that's a big tree!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitL7GZmEvC5X1Vh3c_r02gK3ki1xkMpfypoZ82KpfIPM9Q_MM7w2i9-5IM_hfAtWjZ1MPcct7ZRNZUiZZZyNZS8RLIBnCX0vXJUONT4B2IPW98Q_MGTT5urMxmrW86THL3PuDetehCa1E/s1600/IMG_20190921_113646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitL7GZmEvC5X1Vh3c_r02gK3ki1xkMpfypoZ82KpfIPM9Q_MM7w2i9-5IM_hfAtWjZ1MPcct7ZRNZUiZZZyNZS8RLIBnCX0vXJUONT4B2IPW98Q_MGTT5urMxmrW86THL3PuDetehCa1E/s400/IMG_20190921_113646.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oswald West State Park hike to the beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_oP33gdA6zIm6Y0C7eVwSQ9mk8pCNP4SK9W6hyphenhyphenteK5hHV1ai4mJKGiLpO8CvYqhil24cNZzPX0UVSKcYMHtzJlnXayWIzXARLLR-30OsOAvcHNckCsjezu42f9jki-c1IT9vgjQX79U/s1600/IMG_20190921_113736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_oP33gdA6zIm6Y0C7eVwSQ9mk8pCNP4SK9W6hyphenhyphenteK5hHV1ai4mJKGiLpO8CvYqhil24cNZzPX0UVSKcYMHtzJlnXayWIzXARLLR-30OsOAvcHNckCsjezu42f9jki-c1IT9vgjQX79U/s400/IMG_20190921_113736.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGcBJ_6QOj5DL4_F91cHbjzuS8bAIwQ2GeFyswHmfXFBgdp_y1mOXdXcYDG8oQ36am51U7eCu8Hctv1YQLXbYmVS9rKbGKr2KNiSb4xjQ7J2-4DPnFK3ELIhZqkBxaF3D090PqdskE4U/s1600/IMG_20190921_114441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSGcBJ_6QOj5DL4_F91cHbjzuS8bAIwQ2GeFyswHmfXFBgdp_y1mOXdXcYDG8oQ36am51U7eCu8Hctv1YQLXbYmVS9rKbGKr2KNiSb4xjQ7J2-4DPnFK3ELIhZqkBxaF3D090PqdskE4U/s400/IMG_20190921_114441.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All of our feet in the pacific ocean</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0pU0yWFyrQTPEt1jp-lpEe756bAfqnzEeQ00HHYibke0h8W6jyoSzwSp1WGEFLBk_N_lGd1nKJ336qj453ahAbyJB3hjGthdNRrAzphyphenhyphenWol81wewatRNoM0YXDm_QEtP7QC955FjCaU/s1600/IMG_20190921_114639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0pU0yWFyrQTPEt1jp-lpEe756bAfqnzEeQ00HHYibke0h8W6jyoSzwSp1WGEFLBk_N_lGd1nKJ336qj453ahAbyJB3hjGthdNRrAzphyphenhyphenWol81wewatRNoM0YXDm_QEtP7QC955FjCaU/s400/IMG_20190921_114639.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8aRX3NXvN9cgw62vheDvlgykYIPP1POW3rm_uU3oLwM_2y-yADQLMwqcOeSfkhU6Xhn4BdhnyM6Pem3BpyDm_pud-iOO7OQchYlf4DDkfMljHr51TBXmJgqUmqr40CCPSj8oZZd528mk/s1600/IMG_20190921_114744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8aRX3NXvN9cgw62vheDvlgykYIPP1POW3rm_uU3oLwM_2y-yADQLMwqcOeSfkhU6Xhn4BdhnyM6Pem3BpyDm_pud-iOO7OQchYlf4DDkfMljHr51TBXmJgqUmqr40CCPSj8oZZd528mk/s400/IMG_20190921_114744.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPh6H-AV2kkiG8KByHMH1ZE8o8F5DhwC6wsvGsSr0gBY_oFLBNSzpzY97s262huIs3utRaKRYsjpnHqtD4xtxR6GzZObK8jPSGEdu8K4XCAbtm2240QP4muvEm-p_4JqbHP8a7EicfcA8/s1600/IMG_20190921_142556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="800" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPh6H-AV2kkiG8KByHMH1ZE8o8F5DhwC6wsvGsSr0gBY_oFLBNSzpzY97s262huIs3utRaKRYsjpnHqtD4xtxR6GzZObK8jPSGEdu8K4XCAbtm2240QP4muvEm-p_4JqbHP8a7EicfcA8/s400/IMG_20190921_142556.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a screw & brew!They put a beer garden inside of a hardware store in Cannon Beach. amazing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOO-lVbxd7U39hysL88HUeBZN7wTqdTQs_cyIHSQn1m90NRR2mgF68W19d1qmwo81cNe70x2oOXEjahUk-8Uzfd_UrbuL8io3DQrnGOuCwocs8KTlilA7P46FSYbvi1bsF5ri2bGcK8dM/s1600/IMG_20190921_144756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOO-lVbxd7U39hysL88HUeBZN7wTqdTQs_cyIHSQn1m90NRR2mgF68W19d1qmwo81cNe70x2oOXEjahUk-8Uzfd_UrbuL8io3DQrnGOuCwocs8KTlilA7P46FSYbvi1bsF5ri2bGcK8dM/s400/IMG_20190921_144756.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4NM-cKQVnovz8NjSDkSLFMaYPHH2LdkOgIOdBT5RON5U5L_fLlzov3eErV7eDcrB9v-Ixhh0FaAWL2HnMHm_3IlFeu_MXdzlpoKsxHrgX7oUXPE8BDReC2h5MsHVxKy-CYqO4sSc3mU/s1600/IMG_20190921_150340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4NM-cKQVnovz8NjSDkSLFMaYPHH2LdkOgIOdBT5RON5U5L_fLlzov3eErV7eDcrB9v-Ixhh0FaAWL2HnMHm_3IlFeu_MXdzlpoKsxHrgX7oUXPE8BDReC2h5MsHVxKy-CYqO4sSc3mU/s400/IMG_20190921_150340.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ella in this tidal pool</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQybABWwhZBhF1WQmWjLfqYS5igPTH09fqerX8gDv_NpCUUh0ozkpWI3o8A_rV7ni4_0jNBUOYDyNb64OajAmfe1CBwDDAA6YhJKC0ZKuuWUnue5vfZOqZmZ6wOguHCjhphJmXSErkUA/s1600/IMG_20190921_150551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQybABWwhZBhF1WQmWjLfqYS5igPTH09fqerX8gDv_NpCUUh0ozkpWI3o8A_rV7ni4_0jNBUOYDyNb64OajAmfe1CBwDDAA6YhJKC0ZKuuWUnue5vfZOqZmZ6wOguHCjhphJmXSErkUA/s400/IMG_20190921_150551.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was the only guy on the beach without a shirt on</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCux8l3OX4udGypKYhxY89QBp2ud4mnWR5gZabrJpF1MsJF47fpbKPWq67rG_lzXQj9RsFivuwjHe8LjEypO4qPZGcV44GdxiOxvlLF6dI3ezpvyPQLKBtnxbASLJnfosTStnpfsyi85k/s1600/IMG_20190921_150609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCux8l3OX4udGypKYhxY89QBp2ud4mnWR5gZabrJpF1MsJF47fpbKPWq67rG_lzXQj9RsFivuwjHe8LjEypO4qPZGcV44GdxiOxvlLF6dI3ezpvyPQLKBtnxbASLJnfosTStnpfsyi85k/s400/IMG_20190921_150609.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom got in the tidal pool too</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzo00gI67-7YQ_j2xBOjrli0LlgFeWZBwoQ2IO5kg1Sbu-BkfvBfnlmGJJz8safZSPFMPaJjMqkqWwDQxa-lyneArP_kHnTTSHEOYzA9CtctCIyA6HWwoisoYrph_OLiiC7iQ86xP_50/s1600/IMG_20190921_154112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzo00gI67-7YQ_j2xBOjrli0LlgFeWZBwoQ2IO5kg1Sbu-BkfvBfnlmGJJz8safZSPFMPaJjMqkqWwDQxa-lyneArP_kHnTTSHEOYzA9CtctCIyA6HWwoisoYrph_OLiiC7iQ86xP_50/s400/IMG_20190921_154112.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice cream. yes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCzcgoQPdQNRNCAjkRS3s64z6lrkeIkLMbG-ShQFHlolXQGC3S_zmzfb3KwQc1sQDGDi_CzDunITZyLDCFf3qB34xpYRUbWMcEcRFDgid-u5aPTzaigC0xWZ9b5pSsUz8LgMFoAF3kSg/s1600/IMG_20190921_165647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCzcgoQPdQNRNCAjkRS3s64z6lrkeIkLMbG-ShQFHlolXQGC3S_zmzfb3KwQc1sQDGDi_CzDunITZyLDCFf3qB34xpYRUbWMcEcRFDgid-u5aPTzaigC0xWZ9b5pSsUz8LgMFoAF3kSg/s400/IMG_20190921_165647.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seaside. I think these people were all drunk.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqgESD9cC1j24bwPr7MRxebFrEMjoEnJdL5Tr8whwKeN44Nw4L7qMONqm84Y-InmSmBsoTg04AijVz6fGQc0stdmccQiWUJ9X2T4BQ8QNV9Vcm96IF9dbQjqXI1tP6SL8Py1FOTYBN7o/s1600/IMG_20190921_171202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqgESD9cC1j24bwPr7MRxebFrEMjoEnJdL5Tr8whwKeN44Nw4L7qMONqm84Y-InmSmBsoTg04AijVz6fGQc0stdmccQiWUJ9X2T4BQ8QNV9Vcm96IF9dbQjqXI1tP6SL8Py1FOTYBN7o/s400/IMG_20190921_171202.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ella did not want to leave Seaside</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUGcXEpO4az-oFCvyYmHmJe1SRP1n-q6taohFjYlSzkEPLVHWbENID1qQZXfN2R6uJU23QcoPzZf1JtituQZfKA6J29h0HNPPErbPq0bNWW7bVDVO1lT7En5Hm2NmvT170SQLFmQdTpw/s1600/IMG_20190922_115503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUGcXEpO4az-oFCvyYmHmJe1SRP1n-q6taohFjYlSzkEPLVHWbENID1qQZXfN2R6uJU23QcoPzZf1JtituQZfKA6J29h0HNPPErbPq0bNWW7bVDVO1lT7En5Hm2NmvT170SQLFmQdTpw/s400/IMG_20190922_115503.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the zoo, she got into an eagle's nest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2jWIBnPWV4dlIbyusVkG44dpVyQR1RZjFn9axNBnTe9eLKAbzXPMxXaZijn4fQtgWCYiZVVmgoOHi1nxe_55jZgopUk1NLKv3n_skNbfQfoEiALt_1YrdD8wF3-wpEh2XYyT_75dsqY/s1600/IMG_20190922_122136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2jWIBnPWV4dlIbyusVkG44dpVyQR1RZjFn9axNBnTe9eLKAbzXPMxXaZijn4fQtgWCYiZVVmgoOHi1nxe_55jZgopUk1NLKv3n_skNbfQfoEiALt_1YrdD8wF3-wpEh2XYyT_75dsqY/s400/IMG_20190922_122136.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got to pet a cougar (it's behind glass)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4rLr8h-NgoU4lA8Sc7fwY4G8xJWf-UO2J1_nLg4Dolb0OwoEMMIjcZy0KmTFALojKolwoOuIbDbXKY3hyphenhyphenKRmdsamFONGou_4s_ui4Z_WzsDS3XMIVOYC8YNbugaScflbOeeXEDQg7HE/s1600/IMG_20190922_123143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4rLr8h-NgoU4lA8Sc7fwY4G8xJWf-UO2J1_nLg4Dolb0OwoEMMIjcZy0KmTFALojKolwoOuIbDbXKY3hyphenhyphenKRmdsamFONGou_4s_ui4Z_WzsDS3XMIVOYC8YNbugaScflbOeeXEDQg7HE/s400/IMG_20190922_123143.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She rode a horse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6am5SqJlp8au17uHDvTj6QsZPQJU21I_647vWN1snVdvPPb6zBIho_9AHDCWgHjP2WZFT7Znuu0V63hCEuqLDzi4Ci_HiVFhuC7IkjFJT1j2VNW-vLHFCj9bqDWpHufPpYphMGEnh78w/s1600/IMG_20190922_132921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6am5SqJlp8au17uHDvTj6QsZPQJU21I_647vWN1snVdvPPb6zBIho_9AHDCWgHjP2WZFT7Znuu0V63hCEuqLDzi4Ci_HiVFhuC7IkjFJT1j2VNW-vLHFCj9bqDWpHufPpYphMGEnh78w/s400/IMG_20190922_132921.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and I got eaten by a lion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhezYIFSDK-nGhH33xirlkUIm0MsLdqOuwP1gw4g4ackGUyh4uRj9cFVybHGSwlZdpG4tURYoBEkhUelpvVWE0vc4isfpq7BgM2OBm-ClCA_YyrKCgdNpk-Il782J8K2fvCsYRhEH_iqq8/s1600/IMG_20190922_184749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhezYIFSDK-nGhH33xirlkUIm0MsLdqOuwP1gw4g4ackGUyh4uRj9cFVybHGSwlZdpG4tURYoBEkhUelpvVWE0vc4isfpq7BgM2OBm-ClCA_YyrKCgdNpk-Il782J8K2fvCsYRhEH_iqq8/s400/IMG_20190922_184749.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then she got a german pancake as big as her head</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuGjP_5l4N-ktF5QwOfwAAjb7Y3yTPdxAnDtMf6xsSwjzHIMthgaX3F-xRxQECLangMJOEcyfVa7Y3Ato94zoW8Rtib2zO2MYFcG97rmxzKe6mayly1RIjqIeuE7hndPJc3EEPHuAf6s/s1600/IMG_20190923_074125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="753" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuGjP_5l4N-ktF5QwOfwAAjb7Y3yTPdxAnDtMf6xsSwjzHIMthgaX3F-xRxQECLangMJOEcyfVa7Y3Ato94zoW8Rtib2zO2MYFcG97rmxzKe6mayly1RIjqIeuE7hndPJc3EEPHuAf6s/s400/IMG_20190923_074125.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">flying home past Mount Hood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This really was a fantastic trip, even if I was bummed about not running the marathon. I wanted to meet friends, see the waterfalls, hike some trails, see the big trees, and hang at the coast. I got to see the cool side of the pacific northwest. Carolina Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834384961037080805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475703851125751608.post-24709646038606722192019-09-04T23:22:00.001-04:002019-09-04T23:25:01.505-04:00First day of SchoolSemi-wordless Wednesday post<br />
<br />
First day of 7th and 9th grade. I cannot believe we have one in high school already<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1zL6Ipx2piEC0EZ1D039j_jgyGKwtmzg7wOZt4lRoirM1-koRkl2Z-MZa8XlgZICP8S76WD-4eVX4jg2FTXZnoYLBqGS6sVDaCtiIiPcRTsCg6mTapnYP7Us8KIVd-WPqhVYZPYMMG4/s1600/DSC_7280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC1zL6Ipx2piEC0EZ1D039j_jgyGKwtmzg7wOZt4lRoirM1-koRkl2Z-MZa8XlgZICP8S76WD-4eVX4jg2FTXZnoYLBqGS6sVDaCtiIiPcRTsCg6mTapnYP7Us8KIVd-WPqhVYZPYMMG4/s640/DSC_7280.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy is terrified</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The neatest thing about school might be Ella's notebook. She printed a sticker of our old dog taking a shit in the yard and put it on the front. This kid's humor - wow<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAljcD_qPXP_Wtk9Ns0cbiN5fNZSWdVh4rQbAHkOPSrmQJerUljGxJg53XW5u8GpVQZpm4nybwNR_drReTUyUDYmsJ8t8aczhqurxj7KxhOaNjxMq_QA1HowHAYQXYh_Ofv8Ke9AakKPk/s1600/IMG_20190825_172954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAljcD_qPXP_Wtk9Ns0cbiN5fNZSWdVh4rQbAHkOPSrmQJerUljGxJg53XW5u8GpVQZpm4nybwNR_drReTUyUDYmsJ8t8aczhqurxj7KxhOaNjxMq_QA1HowHAYQXYh_Ofv8Ke9AakKPk/s400/IMG_20190825_172954.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
I got a haircut recently, it was the first one in quite a while. Think this was the longest my hair has gotten since college. It looked pretty good but was driving me crazy in my face all the time.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTuUoAZ8mOOipU5kK50q0sNac9zQUB6f0wbn8Ne80P2Og2i4zgHJKxCVfNfJb2lo0552fAUmvYlZJaYA821YA5fgE_1zU_j5CSZqu7-0TdafuMYgLYehw4j-nSHP09H2zOA3hfqxPnl_0/s1600/IMG_20190829_155806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTuUoAZ8mOOipU5kK50q0sNac9zQUB6f0wbn8Ne80P2Og2i4zgHJKxCVfNfJb2lo0552fAUmvYlZJaYA821YA5fgE_1zU_j5CSZqu7-0TdafuMYgLYehw4j-nSHP09H2zOA3hfqxPnl_0/s400/IMG_20190829_155806.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaq_rheiUEYUDyS9yssJQi7gAslleil4QpjZuyAdW6NwDYsLdslUzNyVXsLD8PW6sVK6nq3igBrmOAR_F7Pd0n-rBzwSC8SRbyzHGhC_WtxiEWMBFUcGA5EFzCzhyQSxCEg9m6cNo02Zg/s1600/IMG_20190829_163858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaq_rheiUEYUDyS9yssJQi7gAslleil4QpjZuyAdW6NwDYsLdslUzNyVXsLD8PW6sVK6nq3igBrmOAR_F7Pd0n-rBzwSC8SRbyzHGhC_WtxiEWMBFUcGA5EFzCzhyQSxCEg9m6cNo02Zg/s400/IMG_20190829_163858.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
I went to see Beck in concert with Spoon and Cage the Elephant with my swim buddy Tom. Great show!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQlaT4hYWFK4bR-S4Byz3jW1E2OSgRuFsex5PEBNUP_NWac93Y-XOOsC_Fvi3U7-EcbDszRleddcQQ6k-bgybBx6DpKIV45kwPVQiCWGV5fi5kPswnhx62pQuniiWtdXrpe7RU-ZUrl4/s1600/IMG_20190824_184051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQlaT4hYWFK4bR-S4Byz3jW1E2OSgRuFsex5PEBNUP_NWac93Y-XOOsC_Fvi3U7-EcbDszRleddcQQ6k-bgybBx6DpKIV45kwPVQiCWGV5fi5kPswnhx62pQuniiWtdXrpe7RU-ZUrl4/s400/IMG_20190824_184051.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Finally, I finished building a live edge pine slab table and a hanging daybed for the front porch. These were both great woodworking projects. The porch is finally done, and this is what I had in mind when I wanted to start building it:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4WYDwLDK0oFr4jD2l9osuHZWR5WWklMFJ-IJt2qAaUmkzjXghlT9W2smsExV2AjjaFxJobBgSe6udbIpqlti_83kQ_EPjkxPvYWtF28kpOIKnIpuLJReG_SuMN_Qwz3TIdEXh4touX4/s1600/IMG_20190903_191739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi4WYDwLDK0oFr4jD2l9osuHZWR5WWklMFJ-IJt2qAaUmkzjXghlT9W2smsExV2AjjaFxJobBgSe6udbIpqlti_83kQ_EPjkxPvYWtF28kpOIKnIpuLJReG_SuMN_Qwz3TIdEXh4touX4/s400/IMG_20190903_191739.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2IV5GczPal6AGUiv1eByvg4Uo4rnURThkKsulC6JOC8iYHMdpxEDrZC1z1fWG6DR0t0FN5M2udKadni_iUviBzYSp2E5Vjnl7msmPCMJwviYr8QfC1UzCSGeAaMn7C_dsnpYHsjfcysA/s1600/IMG_20190903_191918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2IV5GczPal6AGUiv1eByvg4Uo4rnURThkKsulC6JOC8iYHMdpxEDrZC1z1fWG6DR0t0FN5M2udKadni_iUviBzYSp2E5Vjnl7msmPCMJwviYr8QfC1UzCSGeAaMn7C_dsnpYHsjfcysA/s400/IMG_20190903_191918.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMFDOOI8W9jHxpMAl7ULSWXtuE-RAC6syKBbpvprsAbrzhkhoxLSPG7lxAIl1C7RQm55X8KZ_sInDF9lDVSIZFFt7iqSSROMORqK46ybxr8NuJK2L5q3R1wunO-e8xVCOFQpNluJJHfc/s1600/IMG_20190903_193625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMFDOOI8W9jHxpMAl7ULSWXtuE-RAC6syKBbpvprsAbrzhkhoxLSPG7lxAIl1C7RQm55X8KZ_sInDF9lDVSIZFFt7iqSSROMORqK46ybxr8NuJK2L5q3R1wunO-e8xVCOFQpNluJJHfc/s400/IMG_20190903_193625.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Rock on. We made it through another summer. My SAD was pretty rough this year, it was a hot one in NC. But fall is almost here, I'm taking a few weeks off from grad school, we're going to Oregon soon, and I will eventually actually run again.Carolina Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834384961037080805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475703851125751608.post-73163111689215606662019-08-18T23:58:00.001-04:002019-08-18T23:58:52.948-04:00More Birthdays, Less RunningFirst, this years marathons are coming up. Since falling off of my roof (Father's Day weekend) I have run exactly 2 miles. The next marathon is only 5 weeks away. I can't wait for the trip to Portland Oregon to see friends (that means you <a href="https://amycissell.com/" target="_blank">Amy</a>) and some hiking to see the big trees and the beauty of Oregonian nature. I'm leaning towards canceling the Tennessee trip the following weekend. All I've done for that is register for the race, no hotel or anything booked yet.<br />
<br />
This is the dilemma. Since there has been no actual training for about the last 2 months I should only attempt one of these at most. Boring marathon (OR) has no time limit but is a traditional road marathon out and back course. If I only run 8 miles out of the 26.2 and walk the rest and can mentally accept a 7+ hour finish time that could be ok. The state is done. On the other hand, Tennessee has a 12 hour race where I run a 3 mile loop until I hit the marathon distance. No shame in sitting down for half an hour of stuffing my ultra loving face in between laps, as soon as I get enough laps done to clear marathon distance I can head back to Raleigh. TN has the higher chance of success through trails and timing, but OR has the added logistical difficulty. It's much harder to make another trip to Oregon when I'm better trained.<br />
<br />
So let's try a little training for starters. Best idea might be to not attempt either marathon.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, since the last time I actually posted anything, Ella and I both had birthdays, we had the July 4th holiday here in the states, and it has generally been a long, hot, depressing summer. My SAD has been running pretty high this year. One of the bright spots has been the birth of my nephew. My brother Morgan and his wife had their first kid, a boy. It is the first boy born to our generation, so they insisted on him being the next John Flynn, like me, my dad, his dad, and his dad. Such an honor. but they are calling him by the middle name. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif67bDCFPA-u11lk4K5ELEZVZ-KNwlBhHuS03OEiAIez2qqK1gzyWLiTyQoZvLqJzPRNmNcyzaGht3x7Qj7HWNvAjBCAJqcHSJ5VYoE9GvfiJX80GbQYjGSJbcjPNXtbIHqEsc1snojsI/s1600/IMG_20190613_191454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif67bDCFPA-u11lk4K5ELEZVZ-KNwlBhHuS03OEiAIez2qqK1gzyWLiTyQoZvLqJzPRNmNcyzaGht3x7Qj7HWNvAjBCAJqcHSJ5VYoE9GvfiJX80GbQYjGSJbcjPNXtbIHqEsc1snojsI/s400/IMG_20190613_191454.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hair is getting big</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAKqX8rX8e89IpUyu9KKG4bWOmM0_y9vA1b8a-NKzv2Z_7Oy50OQYP6liF7ON3a5ne4dn-m1-kJn3l7JLlKDl4GRp_kj6itnM6JFmsnosttxjCvVb_RHfwPMruXwqgVqUOJAb5-UM0nQ/s1600/IMG_20190615_180335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAKqX8rX8e89IpUyu9KKG4bWOmM0_y9vA1b8a-NKzv2Z_7Oy50OQYP6liF7ON3a5ne4dn-m1-kJn3l7JLlKDl4GRp_kj6itnM6JFmsnosttxjCvVb_RHfwPMruXwqgVqUOJAb5-UM0nQ/s400/IMG_20190615_180335.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out on the new front porch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoasKYdD65Vg29lbdUDw2QHduvgWp7MF7XaWtaXchPGpZx06mpc7_aQnytGelAdxefFCzKxTFc6AKHMtx9HlhHhTrs-lRlCTHPeRSDoIFmRFAM49swuNB2B-zxGhdb92AwHqT3C2S7GZM/s1600/IMG_20190615_180343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoasKYdD65Vg29lbdUDw2QHduvgWp7MF7XaWtaXchPGpZx06mpc7_aQnytGelAdxefFCzKxTFc6AKHMtx9HlhHhTrs-lRlCTHPeRSDoIFmRFAM49swuNB2B-zxGhdb92AwHqT3C2S7GZM/s400/IMG_20190615_180343.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Ella on the new front porch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnSAie4DEGnoMs-9BDUPClb0MSh-jjvmDO-9d1P9CvKcNhqaWhzThZJTGYMb0I2S4b9fvYdeOZCmNh8rRDSfrC5NIc_W9jS1lbH4sEfhmvZtAGKNQM1-GySVGIXGapIr1QtbBflBav44/s1600/IMG_20190624_191756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnSAie4DEGnoMs-9BDUPClb0MSh-jjvmDO-9d1P9CvKcNhqaWhzThZJTGYMb0I2S4b9fvYdeOZCmNh8rRDSfrC5NIc_W9jS1lbH4sEfhmvZtAGKNQM1-GySVGIXGapIr1QtbBflBav44/s400/IMG_20190624_191756.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ella's birthday</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzfrbQ6lRqecdYxPT25BOmrvA4iUR7jHNj6yuo0wwNL1dqC7ZZLKro2VpzK-L4-4-GR66KBY7VJVH1FFgkD8F55lVeeXnIGH_flFoTOoJMz2cme-IqaMHGywtKwtQaRLbK-fn0qovsbQ/s1600/IMG_20190624_192954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzfrbQ6lRqecdYxPT25BOmrvA4iUR7jHNj6yuo0wwNL1dqC7ZZLKro2VpzK-L4-4-GR66KBY7VJVH1FFgkD8F55lVeeXnIGH_flFoTOoJMz2cme-IqaMHGywtKwtQaRLbK-fn0qovsbQ/s400/IMG_20190624_192954.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a blanket that looks like a burrito</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkxvw6MOiwPaATzP7gVYPkLUE0d_s71i3SJR5bSBSdHRbZJ0W8JtRnUs1rqxWKvKlnVMlg6EOL49_xEFcHLLyCnmcl2a84StRfGe6yA7cVRbPDU2Gb23hIHl7uNS9RsXlVI5imX3TtYw/s1600/IMG_20190630_201304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkxvw6MOiwPaATzP7gVYPkLUE0d_s71i3SJR5bSBSdHRbZJ0W8JtRnUs1rqxWKvKlnVMlg6EOL49_xEFcHLLyCnmcl2a84StRfGe6yA7cVRbPDU2Gb23hIHl7uNS9RsXlVI5imX3TtYw/s400/IMG_20190630_201304.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSe_b66lhPt080SLcs7lbV9eB8eLi9nwefjI5caKrnK2WB2wpW8SfTUE82x84EyA9sJqPR7A60y_maYJ-wXSY4-uVZv8je_TxB9oPA6PIhPRL-dsTMFe88WhdQpr8A0K-6RcDRpjwLbR4/s1600/IMG_20190703_170952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSe_b66lhPt080SLcs7lbV9eB8eLi9nwefjI5caKrnK2WB2wpW8SfTUE82x84EyA9sJqPR7A60y_maYJ-wXSY4-uVZv8je_TxB9oPA6PIhPRL-dsTMFe88WhdQpr8A0K-6RcDRpjwLbR4/s400/IMG_20190703_170952.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found this gem in a box. Where my nerds at? I can fix your PC</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpfnxw5AiyySToUec6O2VTUP12ovA8za7Io7smjFo46zR4MeHZgni6pOheF1bsZ05MdBix8KFKfGE6drcO-ynWYTbZBtomhAT7pHw01T3bju-pVWMkxT6MDx9a-SgHceVU0yRVczpCNo/s1600/IMG_20190704_171502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpfnxw5AiyySToUec6O2VTUP12ovA8za7Io7smjFo46zR4MeHZgni6pOheF1bsZ05MdBix8KFKfGE6drcO-ynWYTbZBtomhAT7pHw01T3bju-pVWMkxT6MDx9a-SgHceVU0yRVczpCNo/s400/IMG_20190704_171502.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4th of July hanging out on the front porch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiy8gl2ayJb1Ojv58qKoiBMjnlROzDY8pTusO0IwhYIn4OfhbMcAnaW8jPhU4dnnBA-fT5XYr2NBxm6gZWlUKfENcuCSMX7TDUtE3dVaNk_89jiw0eVKs-E26zu3uf4xuFjYKUmx3uGmk/s1600/IMG_20190707_191723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiy8gl2ayJb1Ojv58qKoiBMjnlROzDY8pTusO0IwhYIn4OfhbMcAnaW8jPhU4dnnBA-fT5XYr2NBxm6gZWlUKfENcuCSMX7TDUtE3dVaNk_89jiw0eVKs-E26zu3uf4xuFjYKUmx3uGmk/s400/IMG_20190707_191723.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dwight Schrute earrings for my birthday</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEt5em05Io81qKkJ8R8WapUrFVrHax6xie6BPw3qvnrrb4NfDA0SozVXEoLe8i-H_LyjJmSxGPHPVvQv-aOFR5caXC7gpdoS4374Dpr9RAAAkWbFWvPidSaelw_BLf4hPO4ZdHMg0C08/s1600/IMG_20190707_192013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEt5em05Io81qKkJ8R8WapUrFVrHax6xie6BPw3qvnrrb4NfDA0SozVXEoLe8i-H_LyjJmSxGPHPVvQv-aOFR5caXC7gpdoS4374Dpr9RAAAkWbFWvPidSaelw_BLf4hPO4ZdHMg0C08/s400/IMG_20190707_192013.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik64uiftW2nJSoSngLoNzpkR_rirFou_2oSH-cY0d1KA63TaSlviGVUTlRnK_SD4OXHaTElRBad8lV7Fci6J4Qv3SiOsG9IAOmyfdcdHYEdcWab4VrEOFxrVF5qYI_LeJzF1S2Abn20Ro/s1600/IMG_20190720_135911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik64uiftW2nJSoSngLoNzpkR_rirFou_2oSH-cY0d1KA63TaSlviGVUTlRnK_SD4OXHaTElRBad8lV7Fci6J4Qv3SiOsG9IAOmyfdcdHYEdcWab4VrEOFxrVF5qYI_LeJzF1S2Abn20Ro/s400/IMG_20190720_135911.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out with Super Pregnant Martha</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh074RgdEd3zJrwACpk2gGH4GmWUQxxQOnb_glLoICI7-jUslVGj6saNB3pkbhyphenhyphenJDSoUpewObPadhRj3YUsDA8aJDahisVrM0xh_pUA8ct03qL23kxjGD72t3c1Rq2PjLev9qaVTWVHKvM/s1600/IMG_20190727_170822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh074RgdEd3zJrwACpk2gGH4GmWUQxxQOnb_glLoICI7-jUslVGj6saNB3pkbhyphenhyphenJDSoUpewObPadhRj3YUsDA8aJDahisVrM0xh_pUA8ct03qL23kxjGD72t3c1Rq2PjLev9qaVTWVHKvM/s400/IMG_20190727_170822.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the gym, I kept getting funny looks. Can't imagine why?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzmXJ75hwT4pPtlDBQ5FhblnbPib73MzC_vRcXKXB4YyZx-RUaz2Bwi-WQFsw9codw2Z3hlZjv1fDJnapdbdav0-twSHVyBivfN9zdpjaUWEN-MItCFfsgFRA9rVIAxxIbq7dzYcQ7PY/s1600/IMG_20190803_121456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzmXJ75hwT4pPtlDBQ5FhblnbPib73MzC_vRcXKXB4YyZx-RUaz2Bwi-WQFsw9codw2Z3hlZjv1fDJnapdbdav0-twSHVyBivfN9zdpjaUWEN-MItCFfsgFRA9rVIAxxIbq7dzYcQ7PY/s400/IMG_20190803_121456.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The three living John Flynn's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7xUbuNATOn80MrcQVGixZUXzYC006VAg5TkAysVkZbn6remg_SIZnfd4c4biZBocKUuRcv3x7i7GCvCMbZsXAh1uDGxsAeHyQBHBrZGfouu1Nrpb_lTmZoVcK7LvH7w1FhHKVa1vHgs/s1600/IMG_20190803_121737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7xUbuNATOn80MrcQVGixZUXzYC006VAg5TkAysVkZbn6remg_SIZnfd4c4biZBocKUuRcv3x7i7GCvCMbZsXAh1uDGxsAeHyQBHBrZGfouu1Nrpb_lTmZoVcK7LvH7w1FhHKVa1vHgs/s400/IMG_20190803_121737.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My ladies with the new cousin/nephew</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBCH8_AL3gDdDnzNpd_4287vi67qCSB74Hlq9Y7Lh_rwxOUuX4d-2r-tnNZAreWMxzHsdWi_lqFrPshrC8ExCkIrXVBM-20GLLiHZKVuN2__skzM97Pr_t7ca9Eu87Tx01fTgY9RIexU/s1600/IPTribe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="764" data-original-width="1359" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBCH8_AL3gDdDnzNpd_4287vi67qCSB74Hlq9Y7Lh_rwxOUuX4d-2r-tnNZAreWMxzHsdWi_lqFrPshrC8ExCkIrXVBM-20GLLiHZKVuN2__skzM97Pr_t7ca9Eu87Tx01fTgY9RIexU/s400/IPTribe.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lena's indian princess tribe - we recently got together</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One other thing that seems hard to believe. My kids have one week of summer vacation left, then Ella starts high school. Still not really sure how that happened! They are starting 7th and 9th grade, only 4 more years until college. woahCarolina Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834384961037080805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475703851125751608.post-34363561034573470102019-06-19T00:05:00.001-04:002019-06-19T00:05:45.907-04:00These are the DaysFirst, I did get to the Orthopedist on Monday, x-rays show that nothing was broken in my leg but there was some tenderness. They want an MRI to see if there is any tearing of the muscle or ligaments that connect right behind the knee. I got a knee brace, I'm wearing an ankle brace too just to be safe. It's harder getting around so I'm taking everything slow and generally trying to fight the mental fatigue that my body is falling apart. Falling off of the roof is a major trauma, and it could have been much worse.<br />
<br />
This time of year, the days are upon us and I am way behind in posting family photos. First, we had Mothers Day<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RMowaVRbhAKJWTMbbtHvpiIgjTiyLSmMIFS0J79P0YJEScyky2UkRv6EiRheP88IBo6ZU8PwbIKHFpEJm5Y9UO9M-EfTrW0Tn_FTWyET1AVV26ZB90XUDQPJTnz_sWyfmDr9hUklxxQ/s1600/IMG_20190512_144253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RMowaVRbhAKJWTMbbtHvpiIgjTiyLSmMIFS0J79P0YJEScyky2UkRv6EiRheP88IBo6ZU8PwbIKHFpEJm5Y9UO9M-EfTrW0Tn_FTWyET1AVV26ZB90XUDQPJTnz_sWyfmDr9hUklxxQ/s400/IMG_20190512_144253.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with my youngest niece</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30kLsNY52cvQdFOBwV_XincKVVzY7CdP62WtWuNCrzOh2jmcY4pg7RHUaShSvkZH5yN7bDbvM4PnWT51QeeE8wQ1Inox_DlDvQBzSR8Y4IJicAqrhkTrdrUMwuzx6-YTMductKwgtvvE/s1600/IMG_20190512_202250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30kLsNY52cvQdFOBwV_XincKVVzY7CdP62WtWuNCrzOh2jmcY4pg7RHUaShSvkZH5yN7bDbvM4PnWT51QeeE8wQ1Inox_DlDvQBzSR8Y4IJicAqrhkTrdrUMwuzx6-YTMductKwgtvvE/s400/IMG_20190512_202250.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwP1uwyGNTLQtLDWTjbc-IbDOeBTqiXmzgQ7XelrO61DzqZIOSZci6Hoa97MjN77zky_xtG4XDnDAxVSUzfozmsJvwColQOHRczxwZ4BgcU_a0dEIhX5BTwBu0gEMO7QbYvhoon-Cr5k/s1600/IMG_20190512_202311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwP1uwyGNTLQtLDWTjbc-IbDOeBTqiXmzgQ7XelrO61DzqZIOSZci6Hoa97MjN77zky_xtG4XDnDAxVSUzfozmsJvwColQOHRczxwZ4BgcU_a0dEIhX5BTwBu0gEMO7QbYvhoon-Cr5k/s400/IMG_20190512_202311.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and back home - Kelley, Ella, Evil Genius, and Neena</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Neena moved back to SC. After 3 years of living primarily in Raleigh near us, she sold her condo here and moved back permanently into the lake house that she's always had in South Carolina. We hated to see her go, especially now that we don't have a guest room anymore. After we loaded the uhaul, drove the 5 hours down to Lake Murray, then unloaded the next day, we drove up to greenville to see my parents on Mothers day. Hence the picture with my niece. Neena came back to Raleigh with us for the closing a few days later, then eventually EG's birthday! She turned 12, and I don't think I got any pictures from my phone.<br />
<br />
Kelley and I had a nice getaway. One of my fraternity brothers opened a brewery about an hour outside of town, so we stopped in to see him on opening day, and then went on to Boone for the night. It was nice to get away, even if only for a short time.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjrGVwlMdXFWw50KMZlpwulk3Cvyi4MTItu2F5qUKiCq6AeGfh5vwUlxZRaujvokJAiqqXVuCDA6T6p3rVsk71h7cYg2cpqNnCIMQIV1ADGa4o6JCyexDFT-NwNZixxvPDHOUV1KF-kI/s1600/IMG_20190518_153649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCjrGVwlMdXFWw50KMZlpwulk3Cvyi4MTItu2F5qUKiCq6AeGfh5vwUlxZRaujvokJAiqqXVuCDA6T6p3rVsk71h7cYg2cpqNnCIMQIV1ADGa4o6JCyexDFT-NwNZixxvPDHOUV1KF-kI/s400/IMG_20190518_153649.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside Bright Penny</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHaHRp6ed0t0UpLo_pcXqOTLgMhU5iBCEYkUd35moXyG9QtfAojFLkBa4mX-Fvd8vxSQyxoACkBK-sQTQz3j3uW1e6XuylFsFurIl6XuR4Bip0c2pxM8cjUiTdlhDjAJUvS0W8UKFk_cE/s1600/IMG_20190518_161935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHaHRp6ed0t0UpLo_pcXqOTLgMhU5iBCEYkUd35moXyG9QtfAojFLkBa4mX-Fvd8vxSQyxoACkBK-sQTQz3j3uW1e6XuylFsFurIl6XuR4Bip0c2pxM8cjUiTdlhDjAJUvS0W8UKFk_cE/s400/IMG_20190518_161935.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got a hat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2W8OeZW_2r3WTK8WOKz4Tu7kIcDWl9K_Eq3z_L0jAvs0nMAEujdkDk8wdwUCEgKdFypsGjX8pMvKOLGmIBl7-9pjhWryWhqyoIuXWkzjV5vZMI2m0WV5kEGlvx4m_TQLIF7MJK_TtruY/s1600/IMG_20190518_175842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2W8OeZW_2r3WTK8WOKz4Tu7kIcDWl9K_Eq3z_L0jAvs0nMAEujdkDk8wdwUCEgKdFypsGjX8pMvKOLGmIBl7-9pjhWryWhqyoIuXWkzjV5vZMI2m0WV5kEGlvx4m_TQLIF7MJK_TtruY/s400/IMG_20190518_175842.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelley driving my drunk ass up the mountain. Note the super cool reading glasses hanging from my rear view mirror</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/brightpennybrewing/" target="_blank">Bright Penny Brewing is a beautiful place</a>, I hope the small town of Mebane is enough to support such a venture for a long time.<br />
<br />
also noteworthy, I got no pictures of the mountains. The car said it was 95* when we left Raleigh, and 69* when we got to Boone. The next day it was the same story, 65* when we left Boone around noon, and 93* when we got back to Raleigh. it was a beautiful trip.<br />
<br />
Next, I got an unexpected visitor at the office<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8B4dJEih1y8szL0hpUYNlDyRTAT29Wc-3U8-9g1SZ9rbUpsgTw088x3QPfqDhBHQk0_2gVL-rDNhfcrAAsYoKhFDTkU2wby2Lbmqh_rTjeN2KpUgKI_cfDlbo4rMLfhQmE3asIqG2zuA/s1600/IMG_20190529_135908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8B4dJEih1y8szL0hpUYNlDyRTAT29Wc-3U8-9g1SZ9rbUpsgTw088x3QPfqDhBHQk0_2gVL-rDNhfcrAAsYoKhFDTkU2wby2Lbmqh_rTjeN2KpUgKI_cfDlbo4rMLfhQmE3asIqG2zuA/s400/IMG_20190529_135908.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This tiny baby deer got separated from her momma, I hope she found her again. A deer this small on campus at NC State university won't last too long, but it sure was cute!<br />
<br />
Ella had her 8th grade graduation and semi-formal. This is terrifying, I have a high school kid now. But the dress she wore to the dance was adorable<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAS3zBk1Bp7KiVXsS_CtMoCxPi6Mr-WB9eZpbBvrp-0zpzDkh1BRORTTOghyphenhyphenjtcbln00FWi5TJ5SkTWq0DtaMQ9yvfZPwEEuQqa01RjZH1y_QT5qex9f6fS3Aco7r3Jk36h_Yoa28Y1Ck/s1600/IMG_20190531_172436_STEREO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAS3zBk1Bp7KiVXsS_CtMoCxPi6Mr-WB9eZpbBvrp-0zpzDkh1BRORTTOghyphenhyphenjtcbln00FWi5TJ5SkTWq0DtaMQ9yvfZPwEEuQqa01RjZH1y_QT5qex9f6fS3Aco7r3Jk36h_Yoa28Y1Ck/s400/IMG_20190531_172436_STEREO.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She looks like an actual adult now</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8X74to5PBXJfv4q35O1jVpRYfBp7xWGR_H9FA_goWwbH_qPrfchBmSQSIyStvPsDsYpFzjgMLhum6kRQaIuvFz_-o_GIiApXPp1ORVNhYnUwJ9Zc5RdlkpK5E6FWdyWwyNrh3-sb5z4E/s1600/IMG_20190531_172648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8X74to5PBXJfv4q35O1jVpRYfBp7xWGR_H9FA_goWwbH_qPrfchBmSQSIyStvPsDsYpFzjgMLhum6kRQaIuvFz_-o_GIiApXPp1ORVNhYnUwJ9Zc5RdlkpK5E6FWdyWwyNrh3-sb5z4E/s400/IMG_20190531_172648.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">EG's outfit was cute too</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgho5BxVmioCuxHOWE_vfZJasf5iHLZocy5Pzdn-WO94z0pR2maWAyomQuCFO6IILiwsRUCYdoB0cpMY8F8YYgUKxVuwjhf6LkkosnNMqI_zkDxCbAsQ0xXKp5zA0BfIi6-FT6AlZ5WBGU/s1600/IMG_20190604_080109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgho5BxVmioCuxHOWE_vfZJasf5iHLZocy5Pzdn-WO94z0pR2maWAyomQuCFO6IILiwsRUCYdoB0cpMY8F8YYgUKxVuwjhf6LkkosnNMqI_zkDxCbAsQ0xXKp5zA0BfIi6-FT6AlZ5WBGU/s400/IMG_20190604_080109.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelley and I at graduation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCHa88OsbqufKDyNndJRdmbPodgTvvwj6pMyh104_paxeNrORAa6giprrcQpxCoBrREJS79iCcOJqjoM5M421R2rjX3gNHzh_aoeK7o7qJlZax0ewqy8nUFL-qC16XsCXvWk2KLNZt8w/s1600/IMG_20190604_084038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCHa88OsbqufKDyNndJRdmbPodgTvvwj6pMyh104_paxeNrORAa6giprrcQpxCoBrREJS79iCcOJqjoM5M421R2rjX3gNHzh_aoeK7o7qJlZax0ewqy8nUFL-qC16XsCXvWk2KLNZt8w/s400/IMG_20190604_084038.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ella walking across the stage during the ceremony</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So this is completely terrifying. Only 4 more years before I have to start paying for her college and it will just be the three of us at home. High school sports. High school BOYS! She's about to turn 14, that's only one more year until she's driving. This feels like a roller coaster that just started going downhill and is really picking up speed. That was a day!<br />
<br />
The last day to note was Fathers Day this past Sunday. I really wanted to get down to SC to be with my dad on Fathers Day, but it just didn't work out. Kelley's sister came up to visit us for the weekend, and I got to spend plenty of time with my girls. Of course, I got the annual picture with them on the couch.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0csNcLbyG2rebRCjgoE44izX14cnU3xu7UWogeJDeQW_hKZZfw6fejEqJlX2lBrzGeinc5E7mFVlDoZjY69dUJ_g-ZNmPDqhjs9tD6fB7nYYgD7WDLDcWDodrc1e9MIi3RX1k64aHnuc/s1600/IMG_20190616_190207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0csNcLbyG2rebRCjgoE44izX14cnU3xu7UWogeJDeQW_hKZZfw6fejEqJlX2lBrzGeinc5E7mFVlDoZjY69dUJ_g-ZNmPDqhjs9tD6fB7nYYgD7WDLDcWDodrc1e9MIi3RX1k64aHnuc/s400/IMG_20190616_190207.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They are growing up so fast, I am so proud and love them very very much</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The best way to wrap up this picture heavy post may actually be more pictures. Here's some random other stuff I've got in the photo bag<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fg4DMUcuUXlhWxZGJaJGDFebo_tiBd7TtKoCzqiy8rI51VIOUp3xIBsbauFCiB0YWV9Vnwt_SYKi6ySUYYrX-FVDk-Ue4NDg7AZDydnwx6j4t52469liwyddPWOeqCPpfSxrgpM-OjU/s1600/IMG_20190505_120215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fg4DMUcuUXlhWxZGJaJGDFebo_tiBd7TtKoCzqiy8rI51VIOUp3xIBsbauFCiB0YWV9Vnwt_SYKi6ySUYYrX-FVDk-Ue4NDg7AZDydnwx6j4t52469liwyddPWOeqCPpfSxrgpM-OjU/s400/IMG_20190505_120215.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out on one of the long runs at the NC Capital building</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgny2J65ObgjfaeJ0TJZFn7pqgIZ2EHzY_yVjUQF1n5TBonESG4ioNDqH2ePcyIzRsSfjPbi9gS4qHAhIffPOx6wuTcHGuxb47rQ1Dv_39iomJgj0GlYHRQBdOv2O-hmi44xmU1Wc3f7cQ/s1600/IMG_20190524_144736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgny2J65ObgjfaeJ0TJZFn7pqgIZ2EHzY_yVjUQF1n5TBonESG4ioNDqH2ePcyIzRsSfjPbi9gS4qHAhIffPOx6wuTcHGuxb47rQ1Dv_39iomJgj0GlYHRQBdOv2O-hmi44xmU1Wc3f7cQ/s400/IMG_20190524_144736.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My hair was angry that day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVP_rLZ6GPudeSrXJMSNmBrXLgE8c3CqUpaoabR1b-r-e4CimNZb-QKetit-MHvNKbGkYBFHMfPaPEcArPs7vGN7J8S3kDkx1kiqXw2yTIZJ6C9BGN-TvrYFfG-Fli_Pp4o8ZiyEL10w/s1600/IMG_20190531_235739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVP_rLZ6GPudeSrXJMSNmBrXLgE8c3CqUpaoabR1b-r-e4CimNZb-QKetit-MHvNKbGkYBFHMfPaPEcArPs7vGN7J8S3kDkx1kiqXw2yTIZJ6C9BGN-TvrYFfG-Fli_Pp4o8ZiyEL10w/s400/IMG_20190531_235739.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes my hair is growing longer on purpose. Not sure how long I want it to get, but it's hitting ponytail length now</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPMOdCIAeoRf3HhyphenhyphenL9L6rXrvo5GegzNR0OaK2aPOFv6m6xU3zHXowl1wK_esgIYdf2lUUsoxCjbyI8vh9EwHYf5WX3BO04XlBNXuwaEWzB6uN0izBVdiDJBB1xne1JRhOvUMadb9fcaA/s1600/IMG_20190604_171947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMPMOdCIAeoRf3HhyphenhyphenL9L6rXrvo5GegzNR0OaK2aPOFv6m6xU3zHXowl1wK_esgIYdf2lUUsoxCjbyI8vh9EwHYf5WX3BO04XlBNXuwaEWzB6uN0izBVdiDJBB1xne1JRhOvUMadb9fcaA/s400/IMG_20190604_171947.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Evil Genius on the porch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsQHu-8wILDdRNNZf1AZAYc7yOONewJNRYOEcKzun_NnY7pkIxckC1aBWB6SOQwfQQF76rkDbaap8iKyhBMqPB4JUp1Ibs3PlHX4NBboMnrOZbo8-dX2G9gaZe8I1VAq56gNJSLNUO1A/s1600/IMG_20190604_172038_STEREO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsQHu-8wILDdRNNZf1AZAYc7yOONewJNRYOEcKzun_NnY7pkIxckC1aBWB6SOQwfQQF76rkDbaap8iKyhBMqPB4JUp1Ibs3PlHX4NBboMnrOZbo8-dX2G9gaZe8I1VAq56gNJSLNUO1A/s400/IMG_20190604_172038_STEREO.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holy shit my wife is hot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtm6LUoPKo0mKE3z2LWxt2D5GHd3qL4j0uH_fGNnRPV7BTYna0TnBuN7TuPeEyNusqDay9CLMy_dqGIBLf1zT3Sy2zrn2sh-fGHBdMWFM0tySm3s-rSkGWWBz_f43H2M-eCN7QZGM18I/s1600/IMG_20190617_084618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTtm6LUoPKo0mKE3z2LWxt2D5GHd3qL4j0uH_fGNnRPV7BTYna0TnBuN7TuPeEyNusqDay9CLMy_dqGIBLf1zT3Sy2zrn2sh-fGHBdMWFM0tySm3s-rSkGWWBz_f43H2M-eCN7QZGM18I/s400/IMG_20190617_084618.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The offending wall along with all of the stuff that I managed to avoid when I fell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PpdmyhWlpoNYdeZd29TZK-CiwusAn03euMjncsVMN58oekybH-VaUa4OkMGuackUhqS6yZi6PT5b_lBgDSjaeg0vmhuluNn9Efb7WQDHCmks47JD76B4qYBEzEPWjRgl1QtvLd9NhlM/s1600/IMG_20190617_183239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PpdmyhWlpoNYdeZd29TZK-CiwusAn03euMjncsVMN58oekybH-VaUa4OkMGuackUhqS6yZi6PT5b_lBgDSjaeg0vmhuluNn9Efb7WQDHCmks47JD76B4qYBEzEPWjRgl1QtvLd9NhlM/s400/IMG_20190617_183239.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new fashion accessory</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The wall - All of that lumber and shingles are full of exposed nails. If I had fallen to the right of the ladder I would have landed on that. The ladder was over that hose pipe reel, I could have landed on that. Another 6" to the left and I would have landed on that big pile of rocks. There are stumps from azaleas and boxwoods next to the path, I landed inside of them. Since I spun around to land facing the yard I didn't hit that window ledge on the way down - that could have been really painful. I did get that gutter repaired today. Scary stuff, I got really lucky.Carolina Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834384961037080805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475703851125751608.post-78401645848713233622019-06-17T00:02:00.002-04:002019-06-17T00:02:56.653-04:00Shut down for a whileRunning has been difficult for the last few months, really below the knees. I got in a 13 mile long run, marathon training is in full swing. Then I limped for the next 2 weeks. Got home from work on a wednesday and it was only 73* outside, so I got in a quick 4 miles. Limped around after that for 2 more weeks. There's just no way to feel good anymore, it seems.<br />
<br />
I'm almost finished with this front porch project. I finished the cedar on the front side, and had a bird nest in the roof framing. The little baby birds finally flew the nest on Friday, so I could go ahead and finish the ceiling this weekend. Run trim around that, paint the whole thing, install the ceiling fans and I'm done. I just have to fix this pesky roof leak on the last cool day in Raleigh before the summer heat sets in.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErgFCQp38gsspNX4Hex0W_PHQ0E6P_JloshhlplvkptuQa8meleSghJQ2F1ZK8g7bHLViV2O4bFqtwFVjh1bg7jesk1au6RaFFnVWrkYyx6MMEo5a11ae0e-vQP8yxdX5Uqkcsqb7-zs/s1600/IMG_20190614_180744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErgFCQp38gsspNX4Hex0W_PHQ0E6P_JloshhlplvkptuQa8meleSghJQ2F1ZK8g7bHLViV2O4bFqtwFVjh1bg7jesk1au6RaFFnVWrkYyx6MMEo5a11ae0e-vQP8yxdX5Uqkcsqb7-zs/s400/IMG_20190614_180744.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy to be done with that cedar siding</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I got up to the roof and ripped off all of the problematic area of shingles where I was getting the leaking. Then I got rid of the framing. So now there are a lot of tools on the roof, and I need to start measuring to install new framing members.<br />
<br />
More tools in hand, I get up to the top of the ladder and get my hands on the shingles. That's when the ladder shifted underneath me. I tried to grab onto the gutter as I was going down, so now I have to repair the gutter too. That spun me around, so I landed on a pile of rocks & bricks with my back to the wall. I remember thinking that I needed to land soft on bent knees, and crumple into the ground to soften the blow. It's an 11' high wall, I'm 6' tall, so I really only fell about 5 feet down, but that was plenty to do some damage.<br />
<br />
Kelley was working in the yard so she saw the whole thing. The kids were drawing on the porch. How strange that after building this entire porch by myself the entire family gets to witness me seriously injuring myself. Kelley came running, she saw the whole thing and said that my left leg hit first and bent in a way that knees are not supposed to bend. It kind of crumbled under me.<br />
<br />
Kelley spotted some scrapes on my right hand & wrist, and bandaged them on the ground. I gently moved off of the rocks onto a softer surface before trying to stand. After a while the adrenaline rush went down and I was able to get a valid assessment of what was wrong. It didn't feel like my leg was broken so I did try to stand and walk back inside. After ice and rest for the afternoon I was able to gimp around some.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgopdGw_PEdLAmPj89f2Eim0nj4-zTfOptulqwRrfyp9MHA3aCgoMB43rBrhvETyAA47okjooeA-tT3R1GdQb-F9ejAfo7WClVyBFU0Y_vCMBWRoS7P6bPyJyTKIlhu7O4NZ_BYv68oPhg/s1600/IMG_20190615_192423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgopdGw_PEdLAmPj89f2Eim0nj4-zTfOptulqwRrfyp9MHA3aCgoMB43rBrhvETyAA47okjooeA-tT3R1GdQb-F9ejAfo7WClVyBFU0Y_vCMBWRoS7P6bPyJyTKIlhu7O4NZ_BYv68oPhg/s400/IMG_20190615_192423.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The offending gutter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The pain starts behind my knee on the outside back of the leg, and runs down towards the heel. No clue if it's muscle or tendon, will require PT or a cast or a knee brace. I know I won't be able to run for a long time. My September marathons are probably shot. Tomorrow I'm going to call the orthopedist if this pain persists. If it is muscular, rest may be all that is required. Falling off of a roof is no joke, I'm usually resistant to these treatments but I could have some real hidden damage here. This is pretty scary.<br />
<br />
On a lighter note, today is Fathers Day. I hate that we didn't get to go down to SC to see my dad today. He had a very bad car accident last weekend and spent a few days unconscious in the hospital. Then today he fell down the stairs, just rolled into a ball and took a bad hit to his ankle. Parkinsons and diabetes is really kicking him hard right now. Ok so that's not a lighter note. But mom & dad don't need the four of us underfoot while he's recovering like that. I got to spend plenty of time with Kelley and my girls!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50QMgC2s7QpBwQJqCbxlqx0W9qVsYcwwIJHw9THEqWqo1zyO5r7UFE-3osJUnfzoLogDSeSW5qeGufu0qb5r6IL8V9vxPT-I3IshIGbFRiTMXst867dojjHYFXSLUDbHeskcgkHtq2zw/s1600/IMG_20190616_190204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50QMgC2s7QpBwQJqCbxlqx0W9qVsYcwwIJHw9THEqWqo1zyO5r7UFE-3osJUnfzoLogDSeSW5qeGufu0qb5r6IL8V9vxPT-I3IshIGbFRiTMXst867dojjHYFXSLUDbHeskcgkHtq2zw/s640/IMG_20190616_190204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Carolina Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834384961037080805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475703851125751608.post-56320094032980398662019-05-29T17:26:00.000-04:002019-05-29T17:26:02.198-04:00an actual swim race!My friends are a bad influence. I haven't swam on the RAM team for a year. Literally, it was last May when the arthritis got so bad that I couldn't finish a practice and decided to drop the team. Well, this may they came around again and talked me into signing up for the <a href="https://fsseries.com/event/jordan-lake-open-water-challenge/" target="_blank">Jordan Lake Open Water Challenge</a> at the last minute. This is the first race in the local swim series here and I've done this race several times. It's usually early enough in the year to require a wetsuit, but this year the water temp was around 72* so I opted to go only speedo.<br />
<br />
Really this was a social event for me. Yes I came and I swam and I totally expected to spend the rest of the day in the fetal position on the couch crying in pain. But the cool part was getting to see some friends that I hadn't been able to to hang out with for a while.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioummQb82QcSIDxpi-ThaNDhzHq6UYVrIOlS5DbVMh9o8dsOqt6VRvxPGIs1CjqDUmlVIPx8ns2YpAdfTTfLi7f876FpdZKNF5qjqUWzklL5Gs79XyVUa7hQTZ5SqlhkR9mpktI37QteI/s1600/IMG_20190504_074539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioummQb82QcSIDxpi-ThaNDhzHq6UYVrIOlS5DbVMh9o8dsOqt6VRvxPGIs1CjqDUmlVIPx8ns2YpAdfTTfLi7f876FpdZKNF5qjqUWzklL5Gs79XyVUa7hQTZ5SqlhkR9mpktI37QteI/s400/IMG_20190504_074539.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful day to be in the water</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-n8kLvZasc7FroWpPDQVR3qow3l2E-WkKTCZU95vd0bsXmCZnLxzRXOD0jkqzMwX918hcpOUUbUT23mWBsI4nIjNhqWezvQDvrTk3Kb9TdpHB3Y_HI3DukrRHpeoH2s1aFkwv0hURsw/s1600/IMG_20190504_074542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-n8kLvZasc7FroWpPDQVR3qow3l2E-WkKTCZU95vd0bsXmCZnLxzRXOD0jkqzMwX918hcpOUUbUT23mWBsI4nIjNhqWezvQDvrTk3Kb9TdpHB3Y_HI3DukrRHpeoH2s1aFkwv0hURsw/s400/IMG_20190504_074542.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It wasn't a huge crowd this year! Daniel is a coworker and in my age group, this was his first open water swim race. The course was a bit short this year, which worked to my advantage. I've taken age group awards at this race before, but it's really hard. Daniel took 2nd place in his first race! Those RAM practices are really paying off for him.<br />
<br />
My only hope was to get out there and not end up with horrible pain. I was able to hold my stroke for the entire course, didn't really end up with any joint pain, and finished the 1 mile course (for a 1.2 mile race - hey it was short) in 38 minutes. My previous slowest time was around 34 minutes when it was 1.2 or 1.3 miles, so that was hard to accept. I finished 6/7 in my age group, Daniel took 2nd<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhToQQbUADNOgFB00COD7gZMnwWXCE2lBZgMeqPLgIz7qjzBrvhzHerQkyC1XjyyjR2ZyWtLLVjo4IZMsV9rVm126UsQthfp59mKDqdWpqKrq6yJebW1tDUWcHLM50psEKjmaJjqNfLZTM/s1600/IMG_20190504_091211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhToQQbUADNOgFB00COD7gZMnwWXCE2lBZgMeqPLgIz7qjzBrvhzHerQkyC1XjyyjR2ZyWtLLVjo4IZMsV9rVm126UsQthfp59mKDqdWpqKrq6yJebW1tDUWcHLM50psEKjmaJjqNfLZTM/s640/IMG_20190504_091211.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Lisa, Rebecca (Kristen's sister), Jennifer, Tom, and Kristen the RAM coach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOf1mpOkhfQuDL_HmxHgtHoc7FN12aQW4Jq-xClK6lPNYd5Vn2LQVsTlbmeqIkEIYfTOR-j7dXebzbyTRU2tPltBEE0YOePPz8zaxRbeTlWAMEJ2iALOztIDewGeCrPg-sPfp34ZDZBDI/s1600/IMG_20190504_091314_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOf1mpOkhfQuDL_HmxHgtHoc7FN12aQW4Jq-xClK6lPNYd5Vn2LQVsTlbmeqIkEIYfTOR-j7dXebzbyTRU2tPltBEE0YOePPz8zaxRbeTlWAMEJ2iALOztIDewGeCrPg-sPfp34ZDZBDI/s640/IMG_20190504_091314_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole RAM crew L-R - Tom, Amy, me, Jennifer (coworker), Daniel (coworker), Rebecca, Jen, Coach Kristen, Chris, Lisa, and Barker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This was a large crew of friends from the RAM team. It felt amazing just to be out there competing again, and having fun with old friends. I also ran into some other surprising friends, one of whom had recently lost 45 lbs and it took me a minute to recognize him. For a social event, this was wonderful. For a race, my performance was disappointing, but I was glad to just be out there again. Carolina Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834384961037080805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475703851125751608.post-91957616529378016512019-05-26T16:55:00.000-04:002019-05-26T16:55:00.870-04:00Umstead 2019So I've been a bit lazy in blogging lately. My good friend Tammy Massie talked me into pacing Umstead 100 again, and I actually did it this year. After only 1 lap, I was in a lot of pain and ready to get home.<br />
<br />
Showing up at Umstead is always a good time. I got there about an hour before Tammy finished the lap with our friend Susan. I ran into so many friends, including an old coworker who actually finished the 100 last year! Now Merrit is training for Western States - insane.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXUm-dF31uXFfR4OR6aAgKlXZopvg_7-oeEYDcRLbxPHCsOcaGVRmWSzTfFLHUjRJjP2-oIiF6cTXkaMxdQwaqNA5AVRC-vT_HbAGx6FczQntJpQ6qsFjS6R9Mclne89mJ9-AiwSDp-o/s1600/IMG_20190406_215925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXUm-dF31uXFfR4OR6aAgKlXZopvg_7-oeEYDcRLbxPHCsOcaGVRmWSzTfFLHUjRJjP2-oIiF6cTXkaMxdQwaqNA5AVRC-vT_HbAGx6FczQntJpQ6qsFjS6R9Mclne89mJ9-AiwSDp-o/s400/IMG_20190406_215925.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsdhSIL-dPacZf2fk4hr033amS_O99Dsi1SaymHt_3Rskso5tfkCnfUijO4TxBij_-YTj8z7ZOPDRRyVbz7KyoL7N6kpbQBsCvY9krrUrXhqGTAYLStBIWotBn6UiPJo9JDQExOgtt4I/s1600/IMG_20190406_223720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsdhSIL-dPacZf2fk4hr033amS_O99Dsi1SaymHt_3Rskso5tfkCnfUijO4TxBij_-YTj8z7ZOPDRRyVbz7KyoL7N6kpbQBsCvY9krrUrXhqGTAYLStBIWotBn6UiPJo9JDQExOgtt4I/s400/IMG_20190406_223720.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Merrit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFtUJ3kHjLvs8hPPLJUsBt7YKVThI89jjrez6nC0lz5_YkJrIhyphenhyphenw6dPXF_BTlLkNqHn2_U5yX_CaYN7GcSzKObhYRyqsc0ucBiiALJZlnL1svFvd-6nlM-OPSckB7nDHvT1ZzhkEZ23Q/s1600/IMG_20190406_223729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFtUJ3kHjLvs8hPPLJUsBt7YKVThI89jjrez6nC0lz5_YkJrIhyphenhyphenw6dPXF_BTlLkNqHn2_U5yX_CaYN7GcSzKObhYRyqsc0ucBiiALJZlnL1svFvd-6nlM-OPSckB7nDHvT1ZzhkEZ23Q/s400/IMG_20190406_223729.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Tammy before we got out there</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Susan also convinced another runner to go out with us, so I got to meet a new friend. Kim turned out to be a blast to run through the woods with. The 3 of us hit the trail about 10:30 pm, and finished the lap around 3 am. I was pretty good for about 10 miles then the arthritis really kicked in and my hands swole up pretty bad. Once again, spending time with friends in the woods is the best part of this race, the running part was pretty unpleasant.<br />
<br />
Now here's some other random pics that I've been holding on to<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ESKbFRzTeb2U0SAMBZgYjeVFuvpe1GFa37ie9WrXbZLKpv43SP7v665n5wb1YRENit_HpLhzpvZOwmDiTKLwoCaIWoOOExbmYUjvoHSoOvPlnmGgC__7pqzJiAC3xnMmVnJ0PSS-PC4/s1600/IMG_20190320_171044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ESKbFRzTeb2U0SAMBZgYjeVFuvpe1GFa37ie9WrXbZLKpv43SP7v665n5wb1YRENit_HpLhzpvZOwmDiTKLwoCaIWoOOExbmYUjvoHSoOvPlnmGgC__7pqzJiAC3xnMmVnJ0PSS-PC4/s400/IMG_20190320_171044.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelley in the kitchen. Really I was just testing out the camera on a new phone</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglanPlJ0Wm6bo9m2D0HDrJzndHe8xUFrXHJ3EQMuV-q9_7go6WMq9DViQZdYjUX2T9dnjKXtDAK-deC27zmNisqsEHtg6uD-a8_cJpwDFGDUGuuuX83qRyRLJbTnFdurLIyWoqA_DCFD4/s1600/IMG_20190320_171122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglanPlJ0Wm6bo9m2D0HDrJzndHe8xUFrXHJ3EQMuV-q9_7go6WMq9DViQZdYjUX2T9dnjKXtDAK-deC27zmNisqsEHtg6uD-a8_cJpwDFGDUGuuuX83qRyRLJbTnFdurLIyWoqA_DCFD4/s400/IMG_20190320_171122.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDj9J4Jb1yStt0u9RylniKeh1iuVtL3hBp9nFr1amxFdPGLXd9jg6JXeJxhf1w5wsdQzWIF_Xs1Agyxl0oqCtXz99yW-wbJQfT1EG-hIORX2_uWWhHa4Zf9rQDRXyollBvfLN_iC-0lvI/s1600/IMG_20190321_140015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDj9J4Jb1yStt0u9RylniKeh1iuVtL3hBp9nFr1amxFdPGLXd9jg6JXeJxhf1w5wsdQzWIF_Xs1Agyxl0oqCtXz99yW-wbJQfT1EG-hIORX2_uWWhHa4Zf9rQDRXyollBvfLN_iC-0lvI/s400/IMG_20190321_140015.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">selfie at work</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICFxWY4kQ4LYmigTeSYofN6ydeN7uMnsxNMV9XEKJ3GbuIMUbaXV5VDljg_yBok-6PlUKQQopZ_eth4vzf7hgNjOMY-ctkeW6m-OrnEOkERvTulVqoiA0TiZFmy6oxB3kLFwN1UWsSnw/s1600/IMG_20190323_172611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICFxWY4kQ4LYmigTeSYofN6ydeN7uMnsxNMV9XEKJ3GbuIMUbaXV5VDljg_yBok-6PlUKQQopZ_eth4vzf7hgNjOMY-ctkeW6m-OrnEOkERvTulVqoiA0TiZFmy6oxB3kLFwN1UWsSnw/s400/IMG_20190323_172611.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">selfie at home</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsNZeAVr2Ce2i4InwZFtPpNUebiWftid9VNLuZuhFOOeJmuWEswaWLJgzzo6eVSugMbBz1yzwuxHY_X4KijUATREEyQ_6DvESwmJjiRpC5ceip8kJziwXHZKHauAecXXpWEuhjYcNlNo/s1600/IMG_20190325_173324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsNZeAVr2Ce2i4InwZFtPpNUebiWftid9VNLuZuhFOOeJmuWEswaWLJgzzo6eVSugMbBz1yzwuxHY_X4KijUATREEyQ_6DvESwmJjiRpC5ceip8kJziwXHZKHauAecXXpWEuhjYcNlNo/s400/IMG_20190325_173324.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids were surprised that I got a skull phone case. I'm surprised my belly has gotten to this size</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0XV1-h1Bk2he80XJr-3OTq-PVcINME1DCEQDVHSNo9cvR7hcUTuhiBCvWfz3a4sPmBkcbtUdfpwj5r7UaVRCk4HvzQOnDPT_Hwm9iISlHY71TxkR6WSqRXMPfuQ5wC1peIOxu0aN8EM/s1600/IMG_20190327_170054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0XV1-h1Bk2he80XJr-3OTq-PVcINME1DCEQDVHSNo9cvR7hcUTuhiBCvWfz3a4sPmBkcbtUdfpwj5r7UaVRCk4HvzQOnDPT_Hwm9iISlHY71TxkR6WSqRXMPfuQ5wC1peIOxu0aN8EM/s400/IMG_20190327_170054.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">selfie in the car. My hair is getting longer!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So yeah, I'm still carrying around this big belly and a lot of pain when I run. Fun times. But I did get into a swim race (next post)Carolina Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834384961037080805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475703851125751608.post-9682030298257757962019-03-11T23:33:00.002-04:002019-03-11T23:33:34.383-04:00Back on the horseWow, I haven't posted anything here since January! That feels wrong, but I also haven't been doing much training recently either. That's the good news, marathon training has begun again in earnest already. This years' marathons are on consecutive weekends in September, the Boring Marathon in Oregon and a 12 hour race outside of Knoxville. So one training cycle should be good for both states.<br />
<br />
September is still a long ways off, so I'm starting with some base building. For the first 6 weeks, the long run is only 5 miles. I've got to build some kind of base for weekly/monthly miles before trying to ramp up the distance. In February I had 32.5 miles total, which does exceed the 30 mile month streak I had been putting up.<br />
<br />
and yet those 170 mile months don't seem like so long ago....<br />
<br />
it will come back. it has to come back. Right now it all hurts. and I really do love base building.<br />
<br />
Some recent family updates too - Morgan's wife is pregnant with their first kid and we are all very excited for them. It's a boy and will be the next John Flynn after Michael and I had nothing but girls. I got to chaperone my first field trip. Ella and I with about 100 other 8th graders got to go up to Boone to visit Grandfather Mountain and Linville Cavern. It was a trip. And I finished the masonry on my front porch recently. Woodworking should wind down when it's time for marathon training to really ramp up. And grad school is going well - I got an A in corporate finance, supposedly the hardest course in the entire program.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ZxJIgf2AN3hHNWP8FyJJglb_HuLNbB5uuqjCG5eRszuN1DWZe3wAvLRUYJ1cjGbyqOm-tO3qp3ohfgZpBQQGDm9nqOJXCnW_tUL7AQy-WUwwT54O0QohHa2I2hoCFSCsjIkUMQ7cqX8/s1600/WP_20190131_17_39_17_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="451" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ZxJIgf2AN3hHNWP8FyJJglb_HuLNbB5uuqjCG5eRszuN1DWZe3wAvLRUYJ1cjGbyqOm-tO3qp3ohfgZpBQQGDm9nqOJXCnW_tUL7AQy-WUwwT54O0QohHa2I2hoCFSCsjIkUMQ7cqX8/s400/WP_20190131_17_39_17_Pro.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Framing the roof rim - this is totally safe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAr43ci73UEqodpK9E2i-YRYnbM2A8aB7-LfFdj33uo6_V00eVIfRSrmiwFuns3f7k6J99_2n6qhBFnIyETaFb_29xm4mgjiRKUmQIP_3yI7O4Sk9Y1w1yDelgLYZRELlv4aGqzNYEtXc/s1600/WP_20190201_17_28_40_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAr43ci73UEqodpK9E2i-YRYnbM2A8aB7-LfFdj33uo6_V00eVIfRSrmiwFuns3f7k6J99_2n6qhBFnIyETaFb_29xm4mgjiRKUmQIP_3yI7O4Sk9Y1w1yDelgLYZRELlv4aGqzNYEtXc/s400/WP_20190201_17_28_40_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last brick column is as tall as I am!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDe5z-lwAPw7Cr4ZjoGeEaWT-ampCY81DLVAmX4ed1xbufLSYMk8d3_PWVSBV5v7nfGe47VTlMKhKJ1KTcWrSLskBjXscdodw82GnSjAK1qQKC66EwvOatkOAXyoM7khcKM39wDZdtIk/s1600/WP_20190201_17_29_01_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDe5z-lwAPw7Cr4ZjoGeEaWT-ampCY81DLVAmX4ed1xbufLSYMk8d3_PWVSBV5v7nfGe47VTlMKhKJ1KTcWrSLskBjXscdodw82GnSjAK1qQKC66EwvOatkOAXyoM7khcKM39wDZdtIk/s400/WP_20190201_17_29_01_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice sunset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFFk0zfUGRrLDznKVR85c9ezjcvjJqVfeAIy1J644zMoswjmLTNT3yqtO7tMvPs8QtApI1v1QwPIelTf5ZGJjyZH0ZnJVaPAPdHyGUqmpdQfisUIx_Sa289LDGDB5SgRQJdm5GFhLRpY/s1600/WP_20190202_12_00_57_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="449" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFFk0zfUGRrLDznKVR85c9ezjcvjJqVfeAIy1J644zMoswjmLTNT3yqtO7tMvPs8QtApI1v1QwPIelTf5ZGJjyZH0ZnJVaPAPdHyGUqmpdQfisUIx_Sa289LDGDB5SgRQJdm5GFhLRpY/s400/WP_20190202_12_00_57_Pro.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ella is insane</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNv3IbXIbLtSk3Frxw50LlppXZdEKlSXt79yyLSmWGE2DMQ6Z0NJHEYryzaV973OoEATLKw4kKrYZr1FQmEzhIgOmFohECZFfK7h7w8ojLEa1TyKzAi_noFWc6t7qt9tLf2sdTqBSees/s1600/WP_20190307_10_09_50_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNv3IbXIbLtSk3Frxw50LlppXZdEKlSXt79yyLSmWGE2DMQ6Z0NJHEYryzaV973OoEATLKw4kKrYZr1FQmEzhIgOmFohECZFfK7h7w8ojLEa1TyKzAi_noFWc6t7qt9tLf2sdTqBSees/s400/WP_20190307_10_09_50_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside of Linville Cavern</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotT06MtKaZV5TQ6THAbQ4ORuj_Ow8LSyZnldCunUix4N1VGtnZpxgdfYaQcSdbL_YGkoxC2EguhD0iG1MtuaaN5KRMIcw7hnMFZ3onqLlDSiNAtLJGQwceSpK_XZ6v7hby5G2vhFIk10/s1600/WP_20190307_13_51_26_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotT06MtKaZV5TQ6THAbQ4ORuj_Ow8LSyZnldCunUix4N1VGtnZpxgdfYaQcSdbL_YGkoxC2EguhD0iG1MtuaaN5KRMIcw7hnMFZ3onqLlDSiNAtLJGQwceSpK_XZ6v7hby5G2vhFIk10/s400/WP_20190307_13_51_26_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the swinging bridge at Grandfather</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1RVsVJv1A3jk1P5IpZhx0pWcPlgZAO3r_cHVdx3mv53foNkL2NDD7bcHqAg2aAi_4E0MtOgaHF_y5AjIFqlYk9bi2fdjTyXQSBymoeYHkYHnUF6kSQBeozb-ogvQSA_ZvGC6g8PprhE/s1600/WP_20190307_13_52_10_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1RVsVJv1A3jk1P5IpZhx0pWcPlgZAO3r_cHVdx3mv53foNkL2NDD7bcHqAg2aAi_4E0MtOgaHF_y5AjIFqlYk9bi2fdjTyXQSBymoeYHkYHnUF6kSQBeozb-ogvQSA_ZvGC6g8PprhE/s400/WP_20190307_13_52_10_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRrYcruKUKFzgfSq_RqlanSO7IagtccwhLqtCpzuEM_c_ZvjP2wgxLp1hsi_xmNDOEierbjWQrFhabmlix5ntLo-I16oKAtv9wLSOhJY2fTZQD306GmuOQdIypcjwY5eYY2JhRI8L8HA/s1600/WP_20190310_17_51_13_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="451" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRrYcruKUKFzgfSq_RqlanSO7IagtccwhLqtCpzuEM_c_ZvjP2wgxLp1hsi_xmNDOEierbjWQrFhabmlix5ntLo-I16oKAtv9wLSOhJY2fTZQD306GmuOQdIypcjwY5eYY2JhRI8L8HA/s400/WP_20190310_17_51_13_Pro.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a little practice roof I built over the driveway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCH_zVNELnzgQOWjzPDyE64k_tRry4SDC8bCZjsHoEg9z7yw4ovuRlXrUKUukX1zUJC7993k_1L4i9dPut14VToOYIT002FT80svnMDnZkb-qxvUKXRXkaQlLC1Tebm2mZSP3z5q2-ukc/s1600/WP_20190310_17_51_55_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCH_zVNELnzgQOWjzPDyE64k_tRry4SDC8bCZjsHoEg9z7yw4ovuRlXrUKUukX1zUJC7993k_1L4i9dPut14VToOYIT002FT80svnMDnZkb-qxvUKXRXkaQlLC1Tebm2mZSP3z5q2-ukc/s400/WP_20190310_17_51_55_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front porch is coming along really well too</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Carolina Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834384961037080805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475703851125751608.post-43856848020977826162019-01-13T23:22:00.001-05:002019-01-13T23:22:29.734-05:002019 is here!So how did 2018 turn out?<br />
<br />
Swim: 65,926 yards (37.45 miles)<br />
Bike: 57.5 miles<br />
Run: 471.3 miles, 2 marathons, 1 5k<br />
Strength training: 6 times<br />
Yoga: 6 times<br />
<br />
Overall, 2018 was not a bad year. I got promoted at work, started grad school at UNC-W, finished 2 marathons in 2 new states, and had surgery to repair a umbilical hernia. The kids got good grades, they are both in middle school now, and happy wife, happy life.<br />
<br />
But the disappointing parts. Arthritis forced me out of the RAM swim team in May, so I stopped adding to that swim total on 5/25. Arthritis also kept me off of the yoga mat, every time I tried it ended in tears after less than a minute. Joint pain sucks. My weight maxed out at 220.4 lbs, low point was 202 lbs. So I was over 200 lbs for the entire year, compared to the 177 lb average from 2015. I spent most of my Ironman training days around 170 lbs. So to be over 200 for the entire year is still shocking. It also meant what little running I was able to accomplish was slow and cumbersome, usually painful.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HgwJu1jHDwN7IE0rjrCP7x8Oe51_FP0v78adbylF71WrAIKEpBED7uYaPXy4Sat0e00ziNvnoM0fg-UP6sLyGoS3Ds8PK4e-16m7qscfioGqLQ6gnT_oMimGpdA3kU-kzg6swcXdtto/s1600/DRKXs8XVAAA6OD4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="893" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HgwJu1jHDwN7IE0rjrCP7x8Oe51_FP0v78adbylF71WrAIKEpBED7uYaPXy4Sat0e00ziNvnoM0fg-UP6sLyGoS3Ds8PK4e-16m7qscfioGqLQ6gnT_oMimGpdA3kU-kzg6swcXdtto/s400/DRKXs8XVAAA6OD4.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wrong on a whole lot of levels?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My <a href="http://trainingsmoker.blogspot.com/2018/01/new-year-new-something.html" target="_blank">goals for 2018</a>:<br />
1. Run 800 miles - fail<br />
This wasn't really because of an injury. The arthritis sucks, but I also had surgery, and tons of stress related problems. I took care of the marathons in the spring so I didn't have anything to train for during the fall. Plus grad school takes up a TON of time. So I just didn't get in as many miles as I wanted. 471 is just over halfway there. <br />
<br />
2. Delaware - Success!<br />
Ran the marathon at Trap Pond, fun race, fun trip with my sweetheart.<br />
<br />
3. Colorado - Success!<br />
This was an amazing trip, beautiful race, and I can't imagine a better way to knock CO from the state list. And now I can't wait to go back.<br />
<br />
4. Get under 200 lbs - fail<br />
yeah. above. I came close, 202. After the surgery I really tried the weight loss phase setup that I used to do before starting ironman training. But I couldn't put in the time for workouts, and after a few weeks the stress really got to me so I started gaining again.<br />
<br />
So I was 2-2, and that's not good enough. 2018 was still on the positive side of the arch, but I can do better than that.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEP7Twbt1tidHJqA2eo4UpORwW0pUDHnV_4uUIaqOYvtyurbN2v9eHelie0hkHLJlvOvT_7031h2D8UYz9kg3DmnQAUwn8CwGL6C780wwGsbaxFGDKrEt74ETV6Ci-2-IPDB-pb8Izwk/s1600/7bc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="532" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxEP7Twbt1tidHJqA2eo4UpORwW0pUDHnV_4uUIaqOYvtyurbN2v9eHelie0hkHLJlvOvT_7031h2D8UYz9kg3DmnQAUwn8CwGL6C780wwGsbaxFGDKrEt74ETV6Ci-2-IPDB-pb8Izwk/s400/7bc.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halfway there!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
2019 Goals<br />
Since 2018 was racked with stress and change, without actually changing much. I need to channel that into some actual change in my approach to the year.<br />
<br />
1. Grad school - pass my classes<br />
Setting this as the first goal because I'm not going to graduate until 2020 and it is the most important non-work activity going on right now.<br />
<br />
2. Oregon - I'm registered for the Boring Marathon outside of Portland<br />
<br />
3. Tennessee - I've been holding out on marathoning in TN just in case I wanted to do another Ironman (Chattanooga). That's never going to happen, so I've registered for a 12 hour race outside of Knoxville the weekend after I get back from Oregon. I like the 12 hour option to *either* get really slow laps to finish marathon distance or get in my first ultra in a few years if I'm feeling good.<br />
<br />
4. Run 800 miles on the year<br />
<br />
5. Finish the front porch<br />
I'm in the middle of a project to rebuild the front porch. Finish it safely. After that, I will be able to get in more mileage and should be able to hit 800 or 1000 (super secret goal) for the year. Here's the current progress on the project:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSCkp62b7GEHElPh9jlD6379zcuE1GpWEzPm56yH5B90BaUS_2fT9J1VfbcQWUGKr2f22-TJvFhVBqV7bsP6yXkOx6a4PlNnUD8yN52KEZmK31SOkIo-xHORTGUU2lcYY3nixtIBrgWc/s1600/WP_20190111_08_31_28_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSCkp62b7GEHElPh9jlD6379zcuE1GpWEzPm56yH5B90BaUS_2fT9J1VfbcQWUGKr2f22-TJvFhVBqV7bsP6yXkOx6a4PlNnUD8yN52KEZmK31SOkIo-xHORTGUU2lcYY3nixtIBrgWc/s640/WP_20190111_08_31_28_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The front porch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
That's most of the brickwork on the left side. Still have a couple of stairs to go, 2 more courses on the left wall, then the entire right half of the front, a 3rd column, and the right side of the brickwork. Then stand up a rim and build a gable roof over the whole dang thing. Should be done in the spring, just in time to landscape the front yard.<br />
<br />
I'm putting every spare minute into the porch, especially until grad school starts back up on MLK day.<br />
<br />
6 De-stress some<br />
Running injuries got me back into some major woodworking projects in 2017, now obviously I'm still really deep into projects and loving it. Work stress rose pretty good last year, especially the 2nd half of the year. Combine that with starting the MBA program (which is never stressful, right?) and that means I'm not setting a weight goal for this year. Just try to manage the stress. Running really helps. Hitting milestones on the porch project really helps. Hitting milestones on the work project really helps. I'm waiting for my next work project to kick in as well, likely that will spin up over the summer and lead into work over the fall.<br />
<br />
Stress and workload both have a dramatic effect on bodyweight. I can eat better and move more, sure, but keeping stress at bay is really going to be the key to maintaining some decent weight.<br />
<br />
Cheers to a happy and light 2019!Carolina Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834384961037080805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475703851125751608.post-5899051863258178752018-12-29T01:03:00.001-05:002018-12-29T01:03:12.671-05:00Happy HolidaysToday, 12/28, marks 11 years since I stopped smoking. I totally missed the 10 year anniversary of the blog back in August, but I certainly don't miss lighting up anymore. Although I do still get cravings sometimes. It's never easy. I ran 4 miles today to celebrate the accomplishment. <br />
<br />
And since we're just on the other side of Christmas I wanted to share some pictures from the holidays.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1rN2mA2EasH1RML53oH3gMAlfDk6Ic7T9odzWIm_0IO1H7bvMkskyG5fMs-rQ00mzmnJIduxp8_SukbsLEtT1BSVqpb6ZSuLpdvp41x5Cj9OlSs6HBEVTTJojy5atJ736FCf74ZbCo8/s1600/WP_20181126_19_42_09_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1rN2mA2EasH1RML53oH3gMAlfDk6Ic7T9odzWIm_0IO1H7bvMkskyG5fMs-rQ00mzmnJIduxp8_SukbsLEtT1BSVqpb6ZSuLpdvp41x5Cj9OlSs6HBEVTTJojy5atJ736FCf74ZbCo8/s400/WP_20181126_19_42_09_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lena's gotten a bit peckish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Evil Genius didn't want to pose for the family picture in front of our Christmas tree, so we had to use a skeleton stand-in. The skeleton ended up being buried under our new front porch.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-44F9bMFL_IeBQZ9VAkFY4sGc4ShlquFAImu8zRYHfb5az7jcJEtQ7fTNdy5_cDgOTGU5JPPlTA7A6377mao-gHmvMTfTnM5A6buKwNPASnL6TUGfqJ9dD9HMOxOHfZD5vrxXAqfOqk/s1600/WP_20181126_19_37_27_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="451" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-44F9bMFL_IeBQZ9VAkFY4sGc4ShlquFAImu8zRYHfb5az7jcJEtQ7fTNdy5_cDgOTGU5JPPlTA7A6377mao-gHmvMTfTnM5A6buKwNPASnL6TUGfqJ9dD9HMOxOHfZD5vrxXAqfOqk/s400/WP_20181126_19_37_27_Pro.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is a pretty tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here's a couple of interesting pictures. I was working on the porch in shorts & a t-shirt on Dec 7, then we got a rare snowfall on Dec 8, about 4"!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5k5ZMRJc6R_H7AKv-spiRi3rrVux0F2hlW9nOohK7Fd19fudvR0iSLg8JSHF0Os8bBq73CgOPm9MiwhhrYKKUcUJknQQ0dIEzkBg-o7mlzDa8MYR0-JeUj6deh9Mf4sWi4JSQQGEHM_A/s1600/WP_20181207_15_07_31_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5k5ZMRJc6R_H7AKv-spiRi3rrVux0F2hlW9nOohK7Fd19fudvR0iSLg8JSHF0Os8bBq73CgOPm9MiwhhrYKKUcUJknQQ0dIEzkBg-o7mlzDa8MYR0-JeUj6deh9Mf4sWi4JSQQGEHM_A/s400/WP_20181207_15_07_31_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pouring concrete on a sunny day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMjwxSiVLdnZmM5H_fd3Aq65XtFV4iy-62cbMqz3Ah1CCDBy1LtUUX26ANdeo3MAg2Led-WMZgRtI0cWZaFpGNm4LT9zYvQAClqvEywv26AKAOwb9KNTKXYqbdMRn94WFJSe7hbgH1cF0/s1600/WP_20181209_10_51_37_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMjwxSiVLdnZmM5H_fd3Aq65XtFV4iy-62cbMqz3Ah1CCDBy1LtUUX26ANdeo3MAg2Led-WMZgRtI0cWZaFpGNm4LT9zYvQAClqvEywv26AKAOwb9KNTKXYqbdMRn94WFJSe7hbgH1cF0/s400/WP_20181209_10_51_37_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And tons of snow the next day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVz4jHF_4HwEM3L8faKR-1GPxFTmN2OtryvVsZIia_X-EFbh4nUoUL-X-LqyLZ_bGWV-CP71pu3olFsSZ4HW0nZ8_Lg2u72GxMwPE3pSTOtDwvTFxt_AF5sBpcPZuUjDGRNgXxgN66e98/s1600/WP_20181209_17_48_05_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVz4jHF_4HwEM3L8faKR-1GPxFTmN2OtryvVsZIia_X-EFbh4nUoUL-X-LqyLZ_bGWV-CP71pu3olFsSZ4HW0nZ8_Lg2u72GxMwPE3pSTOtDwvTFxt_AF5sBpcPZuUjDGRNgXxgN66e98/s400/WP_20181209_17_48_05_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids walked with me to get Chinese food in the snow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbypN4wDDRXiTc0SAFkhl8PvX-lhiIx-albVU5mQ-W6cN-O-PSgTa7GkWisRjWiRxbSFZWk4rjqOa-KJHjyAr38Luus6t1LBZPmA7f9rFCgKmThemTSiXUie9Yje5NbF7yQinAwyZzEs/s1600/WP_20181216_14_39_58_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbypN4wDDRXiTc0SAFkhl8PvX-lhiIx-albVU5mQ-W6cN-O-PSgTa7GkWisRjWiRxbSFZWk4rjqOa-KJHjyAr38Luus6t1LBZPmA7f9rFCgKmThemTSiXUie9Yje5NbF7yQinAwyZzEs/s400/WP_20181216_14_39_58_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And we got to go to a Hurricanes hockey game</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Work gave me a really nice thank-you gift for taking on an extra project - 4 tickets to a Carolina Hurricanes and a VIP parking pass. We got a suite, all the food was included, plenty of drinks, the kids had a blast. and the Canes won big!<br />
<br />
So for Christmas this year we had a wild ride. We started with Kelley's dad's side of the family on Christmas Eve. I didn't get any pictures, but it was a big crowd. My kids were the youngest people there, which has never happened before, and the family who has been hosting since I started going to this thing 20 years ago said this was the last year they were hosting. So next year our Christmas Eve plans might open up.<br />
<br />
Santa came to visit the kids, and left way too many toys & clothes. Kelley's mom and sister came home with us from Biscoe and stayed for all of the festivities. Then Kelley's dad and his wife came by, eventually also our niece Kailiegh and her boyfriend came over as well and stayed for breakfast (or brunch? it was around noon).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqP9u4tzLDEjWoIf7fkiBx7930whIkR3NL1lDIVE-cDT3CN328B0ps0b9LDHQRBoDPk9C8X4pbc152mcxfr5y5pDkxe61YD_mpEsHy9G4OLEU8nrEojtVbelkgLgc9jpVTuFUVBgf30f0/s1600/WP_20181224_22_27_06_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="451" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqP9u4tzLDEjWoIf7fkiBx7930whIkR3NL1lDIVE-cDT3CN328B0ps0b9LDHQRBoDPk9C8X4pbc152mcxfr5y5pDkxe61YD_mpEsHy9G4OLEU8nrEojtVbelkgLgc9jpVTuFUVBgf30f0/s400/WP_20181224_22_27_06_Pro.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girls in their new pajamas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqy0F61uR1vgnslZT0RTd9cXYEPUOWRJC5vCKTfVDNbnstOIJRrTwKTqRO164beUwskVzHI7LdQveySvc1FxZ9VJ8ADBS-hrEyaveERKHDVgUC-fyDhuUKvfKX6iDAhbww1ltrYZvp-yU/s1600/WP_20181225_07_45_03_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqy0F61uR1vgnslZT0RTd9cXYEPUOWRJC5vCKTfVDNbnstOIJRrTwKTqRO164beUwskVzHI7LdQveySvc1FxZ9VJ8ADBS-hrEyaveERKHDVgUC-fyDhuUKvfKX6iDAhbww1ltrYZvp-yU/s400/WP_20181225_07_45_03_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing with the new loot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZquQBIXUl54LVvrBFh6XacuskmJMp3A5Xj5mruFEr_u7ZeXf0XD2PAn_wUC53_9CizvJ66XPoaxw3PKqdOmJT7M4EaEkdHz7jlSqt5VzXqMCxTQOjgpoL00ueJUwlY4uC1-LGmiswgc/s1600/WP_20181225_08_13_11_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZquQBIXUl54LVvrBFh6XacuskmJMp3A5Xj5mruFEr_u7ZeXf0XD2PAn_wUC53_9CizvJ66XPoaxw3PKqdOmJT7M4EaEkdHz7jlSqt5VzXqMCxTQOjgpoL00ueJUwlY4uC1-LGmiswgc/s400/WP_20181225_08_13_11_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelley handing out presents sitting down</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then around 3:30 we got on the road to go see my parents in SC. They had a pretty chill Christmas day, but the day after was quite hectic. My brothers came over for our big breakfast and opened presents. The big reveal was that my youngest brother Morgan and his wife Martha are finally pregnant, after 5 years of infertility treatments! We are all so happy for them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEOp4EZVbX66zltLhfdmjh_fquFWEknYYyJ2mZ8ul5wFMvOWQr-l75dC6vYGBV4bu9YNdvpmGMqMs8JM_gq-zAHxIBQRmMNq17N6XotMp9CsQWik4p1x5CYxxOT9zZrTZdE0tpAbXS5Q/s1600/WP_20181226_10_12_06_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEOp4EZVbX66zltLhfdmjh_fquFWEknYYyJ2mZ8ul5wFMvOWQr-l75dC6vYGBV4bu9YNdvpmGMqMs8JM_gq-zAHxIBQRmMNq17N6XotMp9CsQWik4p1x5CYxxOT9zZrTZdE0tpAbXS5Q/s400/WP_20181226_10_12_06_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbXanATzsz0HcFCTekjI68E1jteexVT0MEwYal2s3dks-8Ju8HY1F6ONMDWFuWYyPLbnDeWU0IeRIWRNnKyNYy4l0FFKpdLNiuTOMuz7U-3rBbEjPfuWaN3mwaRbawHIo0KWhV0E9-c8/s1600/WP_20181226_10_12_23_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbXanATzsz0HcFCTekjI68E1jteexVT0MEwYal2s3dks-8Ju8HY1F6ONMDWFuWYyPLbnDeWU0IeRIWRNnKyNYy4l0FFKpdLNiuTOMuz7U-3rBbEjPfuWaN3mwaRbawHIo0KWhV0E9-c8/s400/WP_20181226_10_12_23_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNeXqsjX4bmOS3r-qNlsYXR8BhjMEOagUTCuQX-6HDd4TGScKf0iqBkh0PgNH6ELkoGHkupwywWdGwcsS-BTIoDYYmQ1lJifeWMWjMW3GW-RhZn2FDD01mVWmDD0sKs58iMTj1MpIQ-Xk/s1600/WP_20181226_10_12_34_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNeXqsjX4bmOS3r-qNlsYXR8BhjMEOagUTCuQX-6HDd4TGScKf0iqBkh0PgNH6ELkoGHkupwywWdGwcsS-BTIoDYYmQ1lJifeWMWjMW3GW-RhZn2FDD01mVWmDD0sKs58iMTj1MpIQ-Xk/s400/WP_20181226_10_12_34_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
And to finish the holidays we had to take family pictures<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6un2STJCTqwBSTL8N9DSn69zv6H7709A2fzkhOjm_A_eS9SeloawJVB7lJShyhqu1nUaMVcUVWQJOdcelRBXiH4_paBdoYYmdzb4pNhdtJYT_xZ_-XJnxsTf3mudCRcOpaxymBQbXK8A/s1600/WP_20181226_12_11_33_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6un2STJCTqwBSTL8N9DSn69zv6H7709A2fzkhOjm_A_eS9SeloawJVB7lJShyhqu1nUaMVcUVWQJOdcelRBXiH4_paBdoYYmdzb4pNhdtJYT_xZ_-XJnxsTf3mudCRcOpaxymBQbXK8A/s400/WP_20181226_12_11_33_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The four of us in our Ugly Christmas Sweaters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9O_BNyLR6BME9CjjyMS9rdWqdQCm2hZrnyIm5ZSg8PuAhhI521YD02oxPGY2S7bTHUCfWM-_46fjrixJA0GHvY-UWOE4ECDz6wZjGEguruN-P-qUoO4Mrf_Tjyqh9QL7SVlbONoGHOc8/s1600/WP_20181226_12_13_26_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9O_BNyLR6BME9CjjyMS9rdWqdQCm2hZrnyIm5ZSg8PuAhhI521YD02oxPGY2S7bTHUCfWM-_46fjrixJA0GHvY-UWOE4ECDz6wZjGEguruN-P-qUoO4Mrf_Tjyqh9QL7SVlbONoGHOc8/s400/WP_20181226_12_13_26_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My parents and the grandkids</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBZPgfiIG3Pn0ECStduMOU-DAIAGKoSvdehPPwO42Mko2yqUqrVzVIORUvDUw3-E91ivvSzLHbYnvTr3Sn5SZFOoboBe7_1bF4ReobbZ1ZEEoyCF8jRomEkcqyAFt5a4zKdQg-dnRK1o/s1600/WP_20181226_12_14_47_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBZPgfiIG3Pn0ECStduMOU-DAIAGKoSvdehPPwO42Mko2yqUqrVzVIORUvDUw3-E91ivvSzLHbYnvTr3Sn5SZFOoboBe7_1bF4ReobbZ1ZEEoyCF8jRomEkcqyAFt5a4zKdQg-dnRK1o/s400/WP_20181226_12_14_47_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm on the right, with my parents and brothers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then all of my mom's family came over later for our big family Christmas. It was fantastic getting to see everyone again, most of those folks I haven't visited with since last Christmas. Again, I didn't get pictures.<br />
<br />
Thursday my God-parents came up from Atlanta to visit with us and a few others who came to the house, with my brother who lives in Los Angeles, his wife, and I got to get my hands on his baby for the first time! Cute little guy was great.<br />
<br />
Then the weather forced our hand a bit so we came on back to Raleigh. Overall we had a wonderful holiday filled with fun times, lots of family togetherness, and love. Hope you had as much fun as we did!Carolina Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834384961037080805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475703851125751608.post-24569238574855652282018-12-09T22:16:00.000-05:002018-12-09T22:16:16.130-05:00The Teen CaveIt's like a man-cave, if man-caves were built for teenage girls. We got this couch that forced a piece of furniture upstairs, which forced us to turn the guest room into something else. Enter the teenager. I had to completely remodel the bathroom up there, she called it "working on her suite". She originally picked the orange color when we moved in 8 years ago, now she wanted it purple. We had to replace the carpet, move the furniture up, and hang a huge TV on the wall.<br />
<br />
We had a recent family vacation in Pigeon Forge, TN, so I took pictures of the teen-cave to show off to the bigger family that doesn't come visit us in Raleigh. Enjoy the tour and some pictures from the vacation.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGIegdcdW5oFEEVhXJGJfTdQ2IqmwYxQZSW9KzPtR3tmF7uCuMnHA6wbIKH_EcBE3w-rlVS8NOeDORlFhA0HHAlI2Ddt7xAOkLfJQgpaPnZkn47YL18y122oZJUi5xrn5BPQgRKyDFiec/s1600/WP_20181108_11_49_42_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="451" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGIegdcdW5oFEEVhXJGJfTdQ2IqmwYxQZSW9KzPtR3tmF7uCuMnHA6wbIKH_EcBE3w-rlVS8NOeDORlFhA0HHAlI2Ddt7xAOkLfJQgpaPnZkn47YL18y122oZJUi5xrn5BPQgRKyDFiec/s400/WP_20181108_11_49_42_Pro.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These stairs used to have carpet on them. I still need to paint the risers, and the treads could use some refinishing too.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKL9eRP7sDDPfWypMhjTbEHNMJ9Bbn2sErvNBGben4c3Vs7CnuWuJ3wDuSAI7gxPrQ8I8v9MNZvzIopeDA4KBCLLmRwPbQpOf-bt7facINkxYjw-nANjg0mb-I9WXpyzOVwBGeIwrJrU8/s1600/WP_20181108_11_49_49_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="451" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKL9eRP7sDDPfWypMhjTbEHNMJ9Bbn2sErvNBGben4c3Vs7CnuWuJ3wDuSAI7gxPrQ8I8v9MNZvzIopeDA4KBCLLmRwPbQpOf-bt7facINkxYjw-nANjg0mb-I9WXpyzOVwBGeIwrJrU8/s400/WP_20181108_11_49_49_Pro.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The landing was hardwood under carpet! Such a pleasant surprise.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9axs8_8SA1VLZnGuk113RsGOVpSqrScJ7NsJWA4NxznAzyutkKcnWS3MzAc8zGpZeYAlPOI2ygaesPdhBiQbqUbEzruh4PU57EI-iU7vdk1ky-vhv0Y2sm2uv78GEyD-LqnJcLPpG8Zs/s1600/WP_20181108_11_50_07_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="451" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9axs8_8SA1VLZnGuk113RsGOVpSqrScJ7NsJWA4NxznAzyutkKcnWS3MzAc8zGpZeYAlPOI2ygaesPdhBiQbqUbEzruh4PU57EI-iU7vdk1ky-vhv0Y2sm2uv78GEyD-LqnJcLPpG8Zs/s400/WP_20181108_11_50_07_Pro.jpg" width="225" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The remodeled bathroom.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On my woodworking blog, I did a whole category for this bathroom remodel. We found that sink on a clearance sale at Lowe's, same with the engineered flooring ($30 and $40, respectively). I also blew open a closet, made those shelves, flushed up the wall, redid the electrical, added the medicine cabinet and 2 lights, made my own shiplap and did the accent wall back there, hung the rest of the drywall... it was quite a mess. But the finished product is really cool. The tiny bathroom up there came out great!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZgKp8Nq_NPOmekFJ_C0tDrRsBPmsjgTIl-_B7UfnT01fdhqockDiGyVbaRhn2mLIwMUDoKDOnC11WTS9nnr3S5ypYBbkZxzyc42gdMrSF9M8dyZxD2Hvu_c3j1XZvr3EKGNxdPryyBE/s1600/WP_20181108_11_50_17_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="451" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHZgKp8Nq_NPOmekFJ_C0tDrRsBPmsjgTIl-_B7UfnT01fdhqockDiGyVbaRhn2mLIwMUDoKDOnC11WTS9nnr3S5ypYBbkZxzyc42gdMrSF9M8dyZxD2Hvu_c3j1XZvr3EKGNxdPryyBE/s400/WP_20181108_11_50_17_Pro.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New carpet, and we moved all of her furniture up there</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2EES3nRBIIPhezXsm5lOdvcdAGbpeBEqzHMR-hRe_2HsunXgdeYYdTIP2eOg38Hqt_NeQCb23R9frxSkG3Qv83nAg0v4JIimn0tOYl69djf7uKRVmmRYRUOydNJ1L9mPiaKzYOEuZHis/s1600/WP_20181108_11_50_36_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="451" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2EES3nRBIIPhezXsm5lOdvcdAGbpeBEqzHMR-hRe_2HsunXgdeYYdTIP2eOg38Hqt_NeQCb23R9frxSkG3Qv83nAg0v4JIimn0tOYl69djf7uKRVmmRYRUOydNJ1L9mPiaKzYOEuZHis/s400/WP_20181108_11_50_36_Pro.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQyAVRS4sp2d9ix5bueGY1JQ7XB3kSrjMYqEEJkFR1Vf_cXrOasW5JMpMw5wCm7wXvqKz_JMdLxtsjMvqwb6F4aVMZNPOTnGY90jhzvn4PNfcci4W7cdmF_SgQ4jz-pQsLqGDnz9IxWE/s1600/WP_20181108_11_51_01_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQyAVRS4sp2d9ix5bueGY1JQ7XB3kSrjMYqEEJkFR1Vf_cXrOasW5JMpMw5wCm7wXvqKz_JMdLxtsjMvqwb6F4aVMZNPOTnGY90jhzvn4PNfcci4W7cdmF_SgQ4jz-pQsLqGDnz9IxWE/s400/WP_20181108_11_51_01_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The double recliner that spurred the whole thing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVJpEEL_TgP6rTU8WfhyphenhyphenWmejp8P2FupA0kUT19RyM2yStHCYX4r1SH8VtgkPGL2nhRq6bb-23yry5qhCj9gtmTLidyYH32aoCCgp3_eGFPoLhFA9BN_wubZprWPD9dZshBXy5aJHwwQ4/s1600/WP_20181108_11_51_15_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVJpEEL_TgP6rTU8WfhyphenhyphenWmejp8P2FupA0kUT19RyM2yStHCYX4r1SH8VtgkPGL2nhRq6bb-23yry5qhCj9gtmTLidyYH32aoCCgp3_eGFPoLhFA9BN_wubZprWPD9dZshBXy5aJHwwQ4/s400/WP_20181108_11_51_15_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The big TV mounted with the playstaion and VR</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji7G76_6zl2FOIEZ5EQ8XgAQgWsdWQgbJwxh6s08Fl3k8c7_DalZtcylYxYjCl6rf6YEfgGv-Lw7djQcGn6xzCs0ruIbdYbK5wt_c5zgyv2t_uqnvbQjwG8Du4MGMBV-zLXYBE0nfuzbk/s1600/WP_20181110_16_49_14_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji7G76_6zl2FOIEZ5EQ8XgAQgWsdWQgbJwxh6s08Fl3k8c7_DalZtcylYxYjCl6rf6YEfgGv-Lw7djQcGn6xzCs0ruIbdYbK5wt_c5zgyv2t_uqnvbQjwG8Du4MGMBV-zLXYBE0nfuzbk/s400/WP_20181110_16_49_14_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole big family on the train at Dollywood</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbbm0HrJvSTxPEasA1RFwoyCsHfq5pmd5-WyEkq4AQPTOLp6WcvnpISc3o9zqBDEgjj9Piuf1uXlhEIO4Dg3Cv1WcNNB7lwdAlF5BWpFtKzfp07RPZvt3kRet2j0QSLjg0Pocm9KsDec/s1600/WP_20181111_09_53_05_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbbm0HrJvSTxPEasA1RFwoyCsHfq5pmd5-WyEkq4AQPTOLp6WcvnpISc3o9zqBDEgjj9Piuf1uXlhEIO4Dg3Cv1WcNNB7lwdAlF5BWpFtKzfp07RPZvt3kRet2j0QSLjg0Pocm9KsDec/s400/WP_20181111_09_53_05_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And out on the deck at the cabin we rented</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hS1mpKlzKUhXAI3D6n_V9NpaEwdXlhnNm43BjB6M9bIWTxhnjAAIKwh2wgbg0nDYfcXk318zRyooniYTzE9FOjQureQHqoy-Ymg3fAJmQICcaFq-6q07Anre7oANbTt2sLJ9Ng5HFvQ/s1600/WP_20181111_09_59_46_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hS1mpKlzKUhXAI3D6n_V9NpaEwdXlhnNm43BjB6M9bIWTxhnjAAIKwh2wgbg0nDYfcXk318zRyooniYTzE9FOjQureQHqoy-Ymg3fAJmQICcaFq-6q07Anre7oANbTt2sLJ9Ng5HFvQ/s400/WP_20181111_09_59_46_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the cabin was really nice</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOeJJ924aGgY5m0RTPS1Tthy-32G_8qQccq1qbHBATyo-PxDQjakEBRXeHIgNJhdZg2zsuT-vKiTZUSQ0STsV-ZD4sL90lgKT0W5es37c86Wxav4HkGUr-qYdswMx2Nd7BbjZNPznEZeE/s1600/WP_20181111_10_52_41_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOeJJ924aGgY5m0RTPS1Tthy-32G_8qQccq1qbHBATyo-PxDQjakEBRXeHIgNJhdZg2zsuT-vKiTZUSQ0STsV-ZD4sL90lgKT0W5es37c86Wxav4HkGUr-qYdswMx2Nd7BbjZNPznEZeE/s400/WP_20181111_10_52_41_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It was a really fun vacation in TN. Morgan made it with his wife, and my parents of course, but Michael had to stay home with a sick kid. I thought the room turned out great, everyone else agreed. This was a great way to setup the holidays.Carolina Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834384961037080805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475703851125751608.post-5633467692966129472018-11-25T23:57:00.002-05:002018-11-25T23:57:57.286-05:00Catching somethingI've got a bug to get back to regular training, not just running when I can or feel like it, because that's almost never. It's never too early to plan for next year, right? I'm going to knock Oregon and Tennessee out of the 50 state list as the only athletic plans out there. I'm already registered for the <a href="http://www.boringmarathon.com/index.html" target="_blank">Boring Marathon</a> in Boring, Oregon outside of Portland. I'm also looking at either the <a href="https://dirtybirdevents.com/The-Dirt-Circuit/" target="_blank">Dirt Circuit</a> (probably), a 12 hour race near Knoxville, or the <a href="https://runsignup.com/Race/TN/Chattanooga/TrashPanda?aflt_token=vkmwDmweQ4iCYn8otSOOnKQ3vCO8buOw" target="_blank">Trash Panda Marathon</a> (raccoons) in Chattanooga. I like the 12 hour because I can rest in between laps, it's a 3 mile loop so I can do 9 loops and call it a day if I want to.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibzaWg3gmITzzhyxVnsjQK2HLUgxSrEfGD5Jg1T4Pkf1HMd1VYm4ju7_j6nShU_jYBX0FqRnDTq9D9rHXb5ewTyYfKPIKqPqJsKD28yTxRbJ3aTpbC-jh82gcq7cKV2xh_4OJLt60lhU/s1600/foodimages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="176" data-original-width="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibzaWg3gmITzzhyxVnsjQK2HLUgxSrEfGD5Jg1T4Pkf1HMd1VYm4ju7_j6nShU_jYBX0FqRnDTq9D9rHXb5ewTyYfKPIKqPqJsKD28yTxRbJ3aTpbC-jh82gcq7cKV2xh_4OJLt60lhU/s1600/foodimages.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Those are both in September of 2019. Plenty of time to train after I finish up some of these projects, and I'm planning on taking that (Fall 1) as my break from grad school anyway. I can only take 5 out of 6 possible class times next year, so that's going to be the skip. Really I'm ready to be done with grad school already. It's take a LOT of time and I kind of hate it. Head down, muddle through, take it one class at a time. I finished the first class already with an 89.75, a quarter point away from an A.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgduUnVJN-IdGvDgDJW2jz-mij7WsA0WaphrlE5gQ8IF47YgSY9OyoWzIBTgSwOE3EHuEZR582vNnKXpkpJlV2QCTrqHCHqh3CjeztjKjUy8kzbi6kjVZSbPy5MgfSyz20GBvov1IDLSOA/s1600/DSYlAqTUQAEqvmJ.jpg+large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="1242" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgduUnVJN-IdGvDgDJW2jz-mij7WsA0WaphrlE5gQ8IF47YgSY9OyoWzIBTgSwOE3EHuEZR582vNnKXpkpJlV2QCTrqHCHqh3CjeztjKjUy8kzbi6kjVZSbPy5MgfSyz20GBvov1IDLSOA/s400/DSYlAqTUQAEqvmJ.jpg+large.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How I really feel about grad school</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Again, I'm so glad the election is over. The blue wave is really nice and seems reasonable, but I really wish Beto had won and Florida didn't fuck up everything again. Mostly just because I despise Ted Cruz and Rick Scott as people as well as for their political propaganda.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-siHhdEg1Cy3V_kOvDrWhyphenhyphenb0lmfqrJTxd0RABASxHhH0YZ7DOzSm3Jo911VUbfwHhHt415Jbqa8sH1xU2kwzwOcdYo8-FmL3k8o__26mX-IP85w3oAzEoKKD2qNwQkmRlcH2QWk_tME/s1600/34418507_10213960729064764_8796747759907504128_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="757" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-siHhdEg1Cy3V_kOvDrWhyphenhyphenb0lmfqrJTxd0RABASxHhH0YZ7DOzSm3Jo911VUbfwHhHt415Jbqa8sH1xU2kwzwOcdYo8-FmL3k8o__26mX-IP85w3oAzEoKKD2qNwQkmRlcH2QWk_tME/s400/34418507_10213960729064764_8796747759907504128_n.jpg" width="315" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I hate Florida</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Final note: it's been so long since I've posted anything here I totally missed the Thanksgiving gratefulness post and the 10 year blog anniversary post. I ate so much over Thanksgiving that I'm not sure I will ever actually be hungry again. Well, at least not until I actually start running. Carolina Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834384961037080805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475703851125751608.post-91154339901491120122018-10-31T07:00:00.000-04:002018-10-31T07:00:06.275-04:00Almost AthleticI got to be near an actual athletic event recently! My friend KC from the RAM team did the Swim the Suck 10.3 mile open water swim race. She asked me to pilot for her, so I hopped in the kayak. No way I'm going to pass up another road trip to Chattanooga! KC and I also got to hang out with her husband Chris, and another couple (Fred & Lisa) made the trip too. Fred swam, Lisa kayaked. I only took pictures while we were on the river, but the entire weekend was filled with craft beer, BBQ, and lots of laughs. Nooga is a really fun town.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2GOHBLSNw75eFmwd_RkSzKcqbSotIzKuTcQoARMqmCDr01HaoDhFGZe-J2zfGLEXXjIBjN3bFlbKrraYsuziN0vMJtehVAWxCavAL4yNVvozNYSA-J7mFJApAu_4YLsYSXGk9h2irJk/s1600/WP_20181012_22_57_40_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2GOHBLSNw75eFmwd_RkSzKcqbSotIzKuTcQoARMqmCDr01HaoDhFGZe-J2zfGLEXXjIBjN3bFlbKrraYsuziN0vMJtehVAWxCavAL4yNVvozNYSA-J7mFJApAu_4YLsYSXGk9h2irJk/s400/WP_20181012_22_57_40_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfie in the house the night before. Feeling it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xzMB9ch5tDi_ruPp1XH0BLnjDhWYcKMvTgGERAgFbe6rpCehF9bY99MR6uHBh-GEkO0b9aPNg_2Umg98nu1qsPL9_Fm-UMEhLIp7kgfvwAL4dONIWOmwMFwkDcmLMWycNGa_vT8TYQA/s1600/WP_20181013_09_07_16_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1xzMB9ch5tDi_ruPp1XH0BLnjDhWYcKMvTgGERAgFbe6rpCehF9bY99MR6uHBh-GEkO0b9aPNg_2Umg98nu1qsPL9_Fm-UMEhLIp7kgfvwAL4dONIWOmwMFwkDcmLMWycNGa_vT8TYQA/s400/WP_20181013_09_07_16_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with KC before the race</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSzvKlTYHL7LFlqL0wBYhtQQ3DnKnGfS0Uo870MHewmxaVjGHIgjDlka4ee-IfwsFargW2Suxd0fCN6ekPye-AoMHod9k1MMfXsgLWmfi1VXbDHfLxhCentGagyad9RRpyqSTCq_d5w8/s1600/WP_20181013_09_14_49_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="449" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSzvKlTYHL7LFlqL0wBYhtQQ3DnKnGfS0Uo870MHewmxaVjGHIgjDlka4ee-IfwsFargW2Suxd0fCN6ekPye-AoMHod9k1MMfXsgLWmfi1VXbDHfLxhCentGagyad9RRpyqSTCq_d5w8/s400/WP_20181013_09_14_49_Pro.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suit up!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaH6w5Wqxxt7NFIb6x_ybkJvljCXcCSwMWgPSNOjcD5PmT8Kl3pdg8K7ITdwI1kPciNN3DrQs_Wir1X5ZO29eeSecvyBXV3ym-X_kmuywOjMg9GaGqshBceLgT6hayDUtZRWnnKpoXYU/s1600/WP_20181013_09_15_08_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaH6w5Wqxxt7NFIb6x_ybkJvljCXcCSwMWgPSNOjcD5PmT8Kl3pdg8K7ITdwI1kPciNN3DrQs_Wir1X5ZO29eeSecvyBXV3ym-X_kmuywOjMg9GaGqshBceLgT6hayDUtZRWnnKpoXYU/s400/WP_20181013_09_15_08_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Tennessee River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMvbiVHUTrNAoOsgQvrHSSq8nA4Hid_Dg7Jahjbe3pKQvgNjGhbBDxS4C3tESXYpwfp97wdB6sfSSEsCLQVmAULpzmW40Tm7jq7j2eTYNv4BKwoXJwFlIvuPWXRvh7KVCnc1HNtTnUw8/s1600/WP_20181013_09_15_12_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMvbiVHUTrNAoOsgQvrHSSq8nA4Hid_Dg7Jahjbe3pKQvgNjGhbBDxS4C3tESXYpwfp97wdB6sfSSEsCLQVmAULpzmW40Tm7jq7j2eTYNv4BKwoXJwFlIvuPWXRvh7KVCnc1HNtTnUw8/s400/WP_20181013_09_15_12_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVULiWzBu9dqAgeeNWOh5j2vJtAnbfOrUpz15l6ea_TAZpORiPpmV-n4Ifobxua2_r0_9BAkL_r2K35Mtr6AuMLPEnnUzhbeN_cKm_Etb1CuqW3c2KDMA_fdK-i4JonUmdgkbpzfBP_ZA/s1600/WP_20181013_09_25_15_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVULiWzBu9dqAgeeNWOh5j2vJtAnbfOrUpz15l6ea_TAZpORiPpmV-n4Ifobxua2_r0_9BAkL_r2K35Mtr6AuMLPEnnUzhbeN_cKm_Etb1CuqW3c2KDMA_fdK-i4JonUmdgkbpzfBP_ZA/s400/WP_20181013_09_25_15_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfie with a girl taking a selfie behind me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Fg6zuDSxKoONtvx2x5AAQAzdDiMcbOvTYukt_S1NwXtfOVHBz2Q4Ik0TP0XN7LxNx_IkbSM3LobPmx8c5nXYgy7mEhbCa1HoCQ0-Z29z2I1cfc0SLAjbW8B0OIXzC2z1N-xjVYxpvBQ/s1600/WP_20181013_09_25_18_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Fg6zuDSxKoONtvx2x5AAQAzdDiMcbOvTYukt_S1NwXtfOVHBz2Q4Ik0TP0XN7LxNx_IkbSM3LobPmx8c5nXYgy7mEhbCa1HoCQ0-Z29z2I1cfc0SLAjbW8B0OIXzC2z1N-xjVYxpvBQ/s400/WP_20181013_09_25_18_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAzuJt-sa8APeQ5pgHZS5I9pLw3hiwT5DzwVEsw_2n8XFQfeik9X5AT-AnJWIpo_dU8vm3Ca8doPkIUG0PYPhvKYYgk6HzLpGI75DO7NcmfGSOqWd_bI2_WHJ17fZc2izuiHb38lXzM0/s1600/WP_20181013_09_52_22_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAzuJt-sa8APeQ5pgHZS5I9pLw3hiwT5DzwVEsw_2n8XFQfeik9X5AT-AnJWIpo_dU8vm3Ca8doPkIUG0PYPhvKYYgk6HzLpGI75DO7NcmfGSOqWd_bI2_WHJ17fZc2izuiHb38lXzM0/s400/WP_20181013_09_52_22_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is actually KC and Fred in the water</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPayshdQc08uCkIU45g2mXYnFVi4NI53yO0wyinr-ZOke5YbgYO5ZoWVSAsLUv7zlYgVWCDZ6k0THjKRxgxcSAS7C545FjN5MWtJCFd7zDDUPsvZ5DbNnJjY2R06DTjajqjwlGPX_8xw4/s1600/WP_20181013_09_52_25_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPayshdQc08uCkIU45g2mXYnFVi4NI53yO0wyinr-ZOke5YbgYO5ZoWVSAsLUv7zlYgVWCDZ6k0THjKRxgxcSAS7C545FjN5MWtJCFd7zDDUPsvZ5DbNnJjY2R06DTjajqjwlGPX_8xw4/s400/WP_20181013_09_52_25_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lisa on pilot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0x42ei8w1UGADnZ02Q2acKYIma5tf2NRYfkuJ6U7vxsS0_7mmmVUOTbkchb-45GRRyU0On_hgklZfhT3HBS6-QQPVkIsLnMAuksOtH1j1MBMtzUu3ZbmtBSW9Cm8lfkJA9OWnMgIMo4/s1600/WP_20181013_10_42_41_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0x42ei8w1UGADnZ02Q2acKYIma5tf2NRYfkuJ6U7vxsS0_7mmmVUOTbkchb-45GRRyU0On_hgklZfhT3HBS6-QQPVkIsLnMAuksOtH1j1MBMtzUu3ZbmtBSW9Cm8lfkJA9OWnMgIMo4/s400/WP_20181013_10_42_41_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good form</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOVppe9-_UbvoVM4K_D0PG50_X0aqLEXy5c8NvAiVsJofZNPksxUCnY3iWTcEdrA450QiggnkjkIeyaAr5cNVQPw0YncG0yvV292rj09qVQEbUZ0LLDQk1hao-NgTmWoN1OSpGZ5lCOA/s1600/WP_20181013_10_42_42_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOVppe9-_UbvoVM4K_D0PG50_X0aqLEXy5c8NvAiVsJofZNPksxUCnY3iWTcEdrA450QiggnkjkIeyaAr5cNVQPw0YncG0yvV292rj09qVQEbUZ0LLDQk1hao-NgTmWoN1OSpGZ5lCOA/s400/WP_20181013_10_42_42_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSerYeXod-b3eEPkuYvW9i3U6mvYvpgGylXUDedeSyrgnX4z9CDpnxuOEqkI-eUnWM5RriIkIN8k3MHwJPv4xvZ-3Yo-o5Y47IHYCyqQ1mDzzGzzCpzeuUeE2sDAHF1WK3mZ3RDziQ2QA/s1600/WP_20181013_10_42_44_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSerYeXod-b3eEPkuYvW9i3U6mvYvpgGylXUDedeSyrgnX4z9CDpnxuOEqkI-eUnWM5RriIkIN8k3MHwJPv4xvZ-3Yo-o5Y47IHYCyqQ1mDzzGzzCpzeuUeE2sDAHF1WK3mZ3RDziQ2QA/s400/WP_20181013_10_42_44_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVlgzwB0hkvhlsQiUNYWPgbGSj_X-OaMOaPsVJI4SOYOsAEn319_ew8xAx8yaTcNE0lFqD2wyO1VgNa5xt9Pf01apnMJoCwbu3BB0-fCRlter-aIku-ob8RGyHOslDXOPTd_beYeK4FA/s1600/WP_20181013_10_42_47_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVlgzwB0hkvhlsQiUNYWPgbGSj_X-OaMOaPsVJI4SOYOsAEn319_ew8xAx8yaTcNE0lFqD2wyO1VgNa5xt9Pf01apnMJoCwbu3BB0-fCRlter-aIku-ob8RGyHOslDXOPTd_beYeK4FA/s400/WP_20181013_10_42_47_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUjo_c1OuWPMLR7ZjLRJhJ9Fhc8UUKCTUevVnhmc8aJK7873EDDveGmJUkGrNPb1ZAGBJ2tqWohEJsSrIWPAhknYdwP6glLK9OIbvZ2gYHYNcUHzwli1HXnDd4LoIDe0L8CioZmNsxvrI/s1600/WP_20181013_12_58_56_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUjo_c1OuWPMLR7ZjLRJhJ9Fhc8UUKCTUevVnhmc8aJK7873EDDveGmJUkGrNPb1ZAGBJ2tqWohEJsSrIWPAhknYdwP6glLK9OIbvZ2gYHYNcUHzwli1HXnDd4LoIDe0L8CioZmNsxvrI/s400/WP_20181013_12_58_56_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vLbgfGmG2B58XIVf8R4D5nqUP0qdB3V3TkiV8kJvwZFt718XZ5VZvaWTyJAIUw8i_spfTWh2zmxTDACGrk3kothu9pMh36O4l0_4cuSPOXOeVkZnPhzjCbGE9iuxeUOPZAz8fpjF4xg/s1600/WP_20181013_12_58_58_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vLbgfGmG2B58XIVf8R4D5nqUP0qdB3V3TkiV8kJvwZFt718XZ5VZvaWTyJAIUw8i_spfTWh2zmxTDACGrk3kothu9pMh36O4l0_4cuSPOXOeVkZnPhzjCbGE9iuxeUOPZAz8fpjF4xg/s400/WP_20181013_12_58_58_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4QkUyBEP7wsDmEj3m7CgpzoZm3TswN6BXBEQoQscZOAF2taoBqD-g8QrZXafkVif0GiFhSGuqvA1brLbq2N8Y6wErDLfp4h89-Ov_TQLlWgb2RNE3bjz2B9a_5_0iHx4ZUpBKhMJVGo/s1600/WP_20181013_12_59_36_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="451" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4QkUyBEP7wsDmEj3m7CgpzoZm3TswN6BXBEQoQscZOAF2taoBqD-g8QrZXafkVif0GiFhSGuqvA1brLbq2N8Y6wErDLfp4h89-Ov_TQLlWgb2RNE3bjz2B9a_5_0iHx4ZUpBKhMJVGo/s400/WP_20181013_12_59_36_Pro.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My view for 4 hours in the water</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9nKSn6vRAER-vrenwqK1sNUnwercEnImzC4YA3cGmeL_Ju5xYQOwK4wfX8rDWQXwbBhMS5hPPPHBgUytojKQ9tHg9SemZ-1mEaYucE5L3HQ5AUJxI_HkgovzEqes1J9Ec3zAK9iW-WQ/s1600/WP_20181013_13_27_08_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9nKSn6vRAER-vrenwqK1sNUnwercEnImzC4YA3cGmeL_Ju5xYQOwK4wfX8rDWQXwbBhMS5hPPPHBgUytojKQ9tHg9SemZ-1mEaYucE5L3HQ5AUJxI_HkgovzEqes1J9Ec3zAK9iW-WQ/s400/WP_20181013_13_27_08_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9clGdiUueWqbp3xVwddYrO1CLGMAcHPh5wor-tdy_bSwVPwbmSRGFcdOJZPKxq3PcHG6IXm6lt80BhCIJVaugEIaiMQ15jH_88iItDIvpYachzhnL8SaVQcCqzAMz1QNSbgc0j4Q684/s1600/WP_20181013_13_27_15_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9clGdiUueWqbp3xVwddYrO1CLGMAcHPh5wor-tdy_bSwVPwbmSRGFcdOJZPKxq3PcHG6IXm6lt80BhCIJVaugEIaiMQ15jH_88iItDIvpYachzhnL8SaVQcCqzAMz1QNSbgc0j4Q684/s400/WP_20181013_13_27_15_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally the clouds starting to break</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWLgga9uJaJzkH3sup-7u8PssKriOcucVcCK4nJvNgFZcZc34onneLJLs1Eq4J9x57p-QAfPV9G6Ix1h_c9PaiJgVmoHgWMinDn0ndk_sBhvLZPKR1MnY6hj_lFrE2OxvQN2IOoT6_LQ/s1600/WP_20181013_13_40_37_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOWLgga9uJaJzkH3sup-7u8PssKriOcucVcCK4nJvNgFZcZc34onneLJLs1Eq4J9x57p-QAfPV9G6Ix1h_c9PaiJgVmoHgWMinDn0ndk_sBhvLZPKR1MnY6hj_lFrE2OxvQN2IOoT6_LQ/s400/WP_20181013_13_40_37_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They had an inflatable cow at the finish line</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOMrpj66TH6zfT2WzxWXvrp-wlUrIgR8GSlMyEM0R35-V6SmnP3ZM5mJEN_V_xvPrWKOizPmEp4ZYMV0SA9ZSGhKP1NOmac_QbYqdjIlHOO6ov7bQtwlxVs5VzOSuHR7HdMMqZ_vqK5g/s1600/WP_20181013_13_40_44_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOMrpj66TH6zfT2WzxWXvrp-wlUrIgR8GSlMyEM0R35-V6SmnP3ZM5mJEN_V_xvPrWKOizPmEp4ZYMV0SA9ZSGhKP1NOmac_QbYqdjIlHOO6ov7bQtwlxVs5VzOSuHR7HdMMqZ_vqK5g/s400/WP_20181013_13_40_44_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">KC and Chris at the finish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEgv6t0mNOpUapZbQJ7LbawJ7o3gE7L9r38Wsesm5pXtLDvDb4twHWtZl35ZG_homsHw_TGilcT3gM1Xr3o0_pqnS8xgn-4eaJ-VWkBM1HzsX58c34QVybVeNtq54cvd6nIm2JFe1mp7s/s1600/WP_20181013_13_40_54_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEgv6t0mNOpUapZbQJ7LbawJ7o3gE7L9r38Wsesm5pXtLDvDb4twHWtZl35ZG_homsHw_TGilcT3gM1Xr3o0_pqnS8xgn-4eaJ-VWkBM1HzsX58c34QVybVeNtq54cvd6nIm2JFe1mp7s/s400/WP_20181013_13_40_54_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we go!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWgBr7eXGu0h9naemHAbLD2cxvFrrxGoJzX2QLOU-Cp0fLX5_E78E0lIAuNoZ3lMTvhgBnmfftaVbFh8mu1tYhriFVZsGIOw-ASGwG3l6orXntV6c3E-rEhvzdnkZB90Nv7PkImgFJIY/s1600/WP_20181013_14_23_16_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="449" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWgBr7eXGu0h9naemHAbLD2cxvFrrxGoJzX2QLOU-Cp0fLX5_E78E0lIAuNoZ3lMTvhgBnmfftaVbFh8mu1tYhriFVZsGIOw-ASGwG3l6orXntV6c3E-rEhvzdnkZB90Nv7PkImgFJIY/s400/WP_20181013_14_23_16_Pro.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
That whole trip was a blast. It really makes me miss swimming open water, swimming long, and swimming on the RAM team. At least I can still run, but it only happens once or twice a week, and usually not longer than 3 miles.<br />
<br />
Last weekend was the NC State Fair. I don't go to the fair, and usually complain about the traffic. But this year the traffic didn't bother me, my commute goes in the other direction now. I do love to run by the fairgrounds while the fair is going on, it's always so nice to see all of the people who come out to the fair. So I went out for an easy 3, and it was cool. and it felt good, and I took my phone so I could always call for a ride home. Then I decided just to keep going towards the capital building, my regular 10 mile route. And funny thing, I never fatigued! Finally I discovered I was too close to getting back to the fairgrounds to call for a ride so I decided to just finish it out. It was the first time in double digits since the marathon in Colorado, and the really I have only hit 5 miles once since then.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAaLfTeQlcNWB5niPUZ6GgUS30Djm89IzGh2G4qmZ0pSc-ac-t4jmRUOCxBOWCG6U-w3vN_ERvTaN2FYSW95trsmC0k0IoOxTYAhRgfRjpLnKErKAejlixnBDTfQixru7J5hCaIXvYBmQ/s1600/WP_20181020_10_14_17_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAaLfTeQlcNWB5niPUZ6GgUS30Djm89IzGh2G4qmZ0pSc-ac-t4jmRUOCxBOWCG6U-w3vN_ERvTaN2FYSW95trsmC0k0IoOxTYAhRgfRjpLnKErKAejlixnBDTfQixru7J5hCaIXvYBmQ/s400/WP_20181020_10_14_17_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Hillsborough St</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgo5kiQhyJrroIbiIM7tJ3t-BywLWuCAVj209h2sdKXy8vhJuxE-pw11U9k8dmk8Ac02ddNlOTeu4qz2rkoW-Zf8Etzbngv0nfgeDp_yChXbRFoY4Hh1nXOCiHvs0oP2cCWhJePqPwSBY/s1600/WP_20181020_10_41_34_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgo5kiQhyJrroIbiIM7tJ3t-BywLWuCAVj209h2sdKXy8vhJuxE-pw11U9k8dmk8Ac02ddNlOTeu4qz2rkoW-Zf8Etzbngv0nfgeDp_yChXbRFoY4Hh1nXOCiHvs0oP2cCWhJePqPwSBY/s400/WP_20181020_10_41_34_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the state capital building</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vOZcLBTs42r1W2syVB4mp1gXtFNGc5S3crIJI5X326_lgSJ-EW_-zIc7OduwAlqbxgHtqG1guZhdjTqbeEqxanIE_GmIFf47t2_y74LWtNA8Y1d8c-T0FQCoduQCfy9sk31rrOStg04/s1600/WP_20181020_10_41_41_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vOZcLBTs42r1W2syVB4mp1gXtFNGc5S3crIJI5X326_lgSJ-EW_-zIc7OduwAlqbxgHtqG1guZhdjTqbeEqxanIE_GmIFf47t2_y74LWtNA8Y1d8c-T0FQCoduQCfy9sk31rrOStg04/s400/WP_20181020_10_41_41_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a farmers market downtown</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_P4CTGthuQ8NxCoVcAdDYJe6tPZtK46OqlpejsoqPl4tspz73S-Ux20NwQq_EdI_Sib0BsUY4E1qkWNvMuRfvOYNoqnREZKqdD08RiYCeeAIcFo55Jk6NCUtLRobYrqz3Opw3z7oLQuw/s1600/WP_20181020_11_25_49_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_P4CTGthuQ8NxCoVcAdDYJe6tPZtK46OqlpejsoqPl4tspz73S-Ux20NwQq_EdI_Sib0BsUY4E1qkWNvMuRfvOYNoqnREZKqdD08RiYCeeAIcFo55Jk6NCUtLRobYrqz3Opw3z7oLQuw/s400/WP_20181020_11_25_49_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the NC State Fair</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So I'm feeling good. When we were in Chattanooga, Chris suggested I try CBD oil to medicinally help with the inflammation. Amazon can't sell that, but I did get some hemp oil. Funny thing is, it really seems like it's working! My hands, wrists, and elbows were in really bad shape for weeks, and I was really debating going back to the rheumatologist because the current meds just weren't working. This hemp oil does seem to be the real deal. We'll have to see how that works out.<br />
<br />
Mentally, I'm only doing ok. Summer lasted way longer than it should have, so now we get absolutely no fall in NC. No leaf colors, they are just dropping. Went overnight from high's in the 90's to high's in the 50's. insane. I'm not ready for the holidays to be here yet. More sleep and less weight would be nice. Road trips and great long runs like this really help! But finishing the porch project would be really nice too. Carolina Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834384961037080805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475703851125751608.post-63202295662195940102018-10-28T23:44:00.000-04:002018-10-28T23:44:02.122-04:001 down 10 to goWell my first class in the MBA program is in the books. No clue what my grade is yet, I'm just glad it's over. This class took a lot of time. I was still able to work in normal life stuff, and we did have a couple of hurricanes blow through that delayed the class by a couple of weeks. 7 weeks down, 70 weeks to go in this program. I really wish I had done this 10 years ago, it sucks trying to do it now. Plus I already know most of this stuff after 15 years working in management. It's not challenging or interesting, but at least it takes a lot of time.<br />
<br />
So this first class (Management - Organizational Behavior) finished on Thursday and the next one (Accounting) starts on Monday. This free weekend I'm loving. But I got to get back on that grind tomorrow. In the meantime, there has been not much running, too much working, and plenty of this:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNXqaTMFxhxgcXG0_D9RjD-ak8czvKFYEJLheh5tUWf9L_OFY3IdERWN3wNmK9wWb52RVf65vql7Ga6sNhsH-vVkoEfq713orOT2ZpLK43yCmgtw3ZZAdsyWb54jThR9H3St1sHdeCOo/s1600/WP_20180825_18_16_38_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="449" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNXqaTMFxhxgcXG0_D9RjD-ak8czvKFYEJLheh5tUWf9L_OFY3IdERWN3wNmK9wWb52RVf65vql7Ga6sNhsH-vVkoEfq713orOT2ZpLK43yCmgtw3ZZAdsyWb54jThR9H3St1sHdeCOo/s400/WP_20180825_18_16_38_Pro.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We do still have the cat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-ZCas_jxOipSBzfDeG7_qQ5AepntdxIns1jbOT0rb_lr0kZ0YQ21vBzT65kzfee8D01s46_TZXgzmdlCSq8b0WAvyUTV495nzEWtSFMNApNcBInIzyROYCQ_CG3JAsCIAxFdfTLSh5Q/s1600/WP_20180923_20_14_54_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="451" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-ZCas_jxOipSBzfDeG7_qQ5AepntdxIns1jbOT0rb_lr0kZ0YQ21vBzT65kzfee8D01s46_TZXgzmdlCSq8b0WAvyUTV495nzEWtSFMNApNcBInIzyROYCQ_CG3JAsCIAxFdfTLSh5Q/s400/WP_20180923_20_14_54_Pro.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids got to go to a concert, here's Evil Genius</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2h4cTzSgdBrW1qoYuhIqTh0iA9qaXz81rdZ1NMjmDtdOqvv6P6gnsY_uVczFjAaJ4djOJAk12NAzQl76kTYWbVXSL-o7pFNoRDXiBVClch5CbWBGEf6Swj22R0JDP9Iu_VDHgk9kg1GM/s1600/WP_20180923_20_25_49_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2h4cTzSgdBrW1qoYuhIqTh0iA9qaXz81rdZ1NMjmDtdOqvv6P6gnsY_uVczFjAaJ4djOJAk12NAzQl76kTYWbVXSL-o7pFNoRDXiBVClch5CbWBGEf6Swj22R0JDP9Iu_VDHgk9kg1GM/s400/WP_20180923_20_25_49_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The concert was my brother Michael opening up for Jump, Little Children in downtown Raleigh</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJobX1gfmuKpgUvUk42B8eps4QXG3S8VKDYb_02NpLl1OJOI9maXNcDBDkgq48yUbIu9gSQ6rX6zXrxiP19z651x_frYT1rsZN1Rbx2oazdVREn9i8jTjUSOSevDky7_mdjVWihccmcA/s1600/WP_20181002_14_48_36_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="449" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJobX1gfmuKpgUvUk42B8eps4QXG3S8VKDYb_02NpLl1OJOI9maXNcDBDkgq48yUbIu9gSQ6rX6zXrxiP19z651x_frYT1rsZN1Rbx2oazdVREn9i8jTjUSOSevDky7_mdjVWihccmcA/s400/WP_20181002_14_48_36_Pro.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beard is coming back</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-7pj4hWyExMqToy4ymLTyLVO1TImhgFO7US92DI5erygda9FM43SkHAUoi3tlTRSiGE8FFR5MaR5EdDOBKUundzwF2OAj1blOmIYqNZ6hR-TD0pCi_q02Y0VMkwJNUy2WqSiLdfZZHM/s1600/WP_20181007_19_45_18_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="451" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-7pj4hWyExMqToy4ymLTyLVO1TImhgFO7US92DI5erygda9FM43SkHAUoi3tlTRSiGE8FFR5MaR5EdDOBKUundzwF2OAj1blOmIYqNZ6hR-TD0pCi_q02Y0VMkwJNUy2WqSiLdfZZHM/s400/WP_20181007_19_45_18_Pro.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm working on the front porch project. Here are my architectural drawings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVeoyDEXO0UFvorYAfO6KJLZZz5ewCwZPkhScmLnEj95vQtYuZ1OvlghlMctaEuqW5Z432w3QNV5C069ET3absRdIaGxTqGp7kcINYdm7_deZHGHnp9FJMTINzLR27NstI0EcTxU0Oj80/s1600/WP_20181010_17_33_01_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="449" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVeoyDEXO0UFvorYAfO6KJLZZz5ewCwZPkhScmLnEj95vQtYuZ1OvlghlMctaEuqW5Z432w3QNV5C069ET3absRdIaGxTqGp7kcINYdm7_deZHGHnp9FJMTINzLR27NstI0EcTxU0Oj80/s400/WP_20181010_17_33_01_Pro.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Digging a ditch for the foundation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82q299JQ2lMDHkqmlsq46Rg8RHx8wFvnXJeElK1aeuo3_pS0igeyK_HR5wHE1lmsMJlyqEsvS4Bzy7pi2q4bhWz4nhJJhI-MFXwEin8rRIO55b67eGxmHA1hwtuB5GudEpT2pel8Oa2U/s1600/WP_20181011_17_57_01_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82q299JQ2lMDHkqmlsq46Rg8RHx8wFvnXJeElK1aeuo3_pS0igeyK_HR5wHE1lmsMJlyqEsvS4Bzy7pi2q4bhWz4nhJJhI-MFXwEin8rRIO55b67eGxmHA1hwtuB5GudEpT2pel8Oa2U/s400/WP_20181011_17_57_01_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The victim of hurricane Michael: the sawhorses holding up my boat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqC9GMa9bgm0V8IWj40NM8JysHge0yW9XDgzW4Bn5Dgh6zOE7cfbaCb6UgJFiLqv7gwviNBdv9NreFNU999Z-G5g5Fh_WJDFKw98bvOYUIC4s2UPqTawAm8HnmjYeKgrhTzxtAkiXcBLk/s1600/WP_20181011_17_57_07_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqC9GMa9bgm0V8IWj40NM8JysHge0yW9XDgzW4Bn5Dgh6zOE7cfbaCb6UgJFiLqv7gwviNBdv9NreFNU999Z-G5g5Fh_WJDFKw98bvOYUIC4s2UPqTawAm8HnmjYeKgrhTzxtAkiXcBLk/s400/WP_20181011_17_57_07_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flooding in the hurricane turned my ditch into a moat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Hurricane Florence came through, and it really wasn't a big deal in Raleigh. We didn't lose power or have any real damage. But it did take me a couple of afternoons picking up limbs and debris from the yard. Hurricane Michael 2 weeks later actually had more of an impact. Tons of rain and wind. I tried to finish the ditch for the porch before the storm hit, turns out I dug it about 8" too deep! I got the boat built up to a point then I've had to wait on supplies to come in. Like, I'm still trying to find the $800 for plywood and epoxy, so I decided to start up this porch project in the meantime. So the boat sat, covered, and the wind was so bad the sawhorses holding up the strongback collapsed. Well, 2 out of the 3 of them fell over. So I rebuilt them this weekend and got everything standing upright again.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOyDeJ7p5SgJWPF3N56Ip3dL8xizVrezMAunspPt2lrb05Z99d5MhodV_6KamGP7OeuFD86rRLngOUTNzkkvx5CwgBvgH7LC7LCHBzxOsMXS9RhwjliLQfrsFdhOTJmdsFdm4hbZO_mzc/s1600/WP_20181027_16_47_24_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOyDeJ7p5SgJWPF3N56Ip3dL8xizVrezMAunspPt2lrb05Z99d5MhodV_6KamGP7OeuFD86rRLngOUTNzkkvx5CwgBvgH7LC7LCHBzxOsMXS9RhwjliLQfrsFdhOTJmdsFdm4hbZO_mzc/s400/WP_20181027_16_47_24_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Eventually I'm going to finish that thing off.<br />
<br />
I've got the bricks and concrete blocks for the porch, and have the foundation poured now. Time to build it up, then floor it, then put up some stairs. Oh yea, and running. I need to do more of that. And I'm still trying to lose some weight, but the stress of grad school isn't helping that. Work just cleared a huge deadline too, so I'm looking forward to the holiday slow-down in the office.<br />
<br />
So that's this chunk of life from down in NC! Carolina Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834384961037080805noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475703851125751608.post-4923854409528081772018-09-15T00:11:00.000-04:002018-09-15T00:11:10.655-04:00Work on WorkWork is going great! I'm a software architect for LexisNexis now, and it's a really cool company and I've gotten a really cool position there. And, what's even more surprising, they seem to really like me. In fact:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3D49NGGcING854Mv5Hg2d_gNVdjQVL-aSfgjQ2kFBeGnKZ66aRoS29D7FaPEgw1EhWzwz9IiRJKQXDyaqqt-7QpmsmN6CphKUnQI8rx_3kDC8a3ftZGJZy_YcPaVsIFMzSC3Cb-o9E3k/s1600/WP_20180808_16_30_09_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3D49NGGcING854Mv5Hg2d_gNVdjQVL-aSfgjQ2kFBeGnKZ66aRoS29D7FaPEgw1EhWzwz9IiRJKQXDyaqqt-7QpmsmN6CphKUnQI8rx_3kDC8a3ftZGJZy_YcPaVsIFMzSC3Cb-o9E3k/s400/WP_20180808_16_30_09_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My award came with a stuffed animal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RNikVFA-UY7Sz3GIOPX2b9FZxPvm8B_nV92sCV3LQini2aIN0dbH4ci_RUmW1M0OVcCnFYg-hgMmoJpnQoH7VrlHThUEzvoke0ObCkDa85ZhLj-u2RD-XkKABwEt5KuWIFB3uZVi4AY/s1600/WP_20180808_16_32_02_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="449" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RNikVFA-UY7Sz3GIOPX2b9FZxPvm8B_nV92sCV3LQini2aIN0dbH4ci_RUmW1M0OVcCnFYg-hgMmoJpnQoH7VrlHThUEzvoke0ObCkDa85ZhLj-u2RD-XkKABwEt5KuWIFB3uZVi4AY/s400/WP_20180808_16_32_02_Pro.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
<br />
Along with about 4 other members of my team, I got an award called "Leader of the Pack". The office is on campus at NC State so a lot of our office stuff is wolfpack themed. I'm the tech lead for the Migration Tools team, so I tell around 20 people how to move a bunch of data around. It's a big team. They are all java developers too, so after 20 years of writing Microsoft code I'm totally in a foreign land here.<br />
<br />
They also give us 2 days each year for volunteer activities. My favorite is volunteering for <a href="http://www.habitat.org/" target="_blank">Habitat for Humanity</a> building houses. If I'm lucky, I get on a framing crew. This time, we were sheeting a roof. I'm very much into construction (if you couldn't tell by <a href="http://ncboatbuilder.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">my woodworking blog</a>) so getting to do this with a crew of my engineers is really fun for me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2t3NWeu_if6h-7Erf7tJ9Ba-PEj-QqW2whsJZAbwOTteAFRbKRWPTynNYuLDKKRdS0o-9WqmIEkcUqZzhQHGdG_AWHm8bm_3nxTKY1NR2Wg74fNmUi9UngJ5pcsyky2IKAmqPhbJgodI/s1600/WP_20180907_13_52_26_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2t3NWeu_if6h-7Erf7tJ9Ba-PEj-QqW2whsJZAbwOTteAFRbKRWPTynNYuLDKKRdS0o-9WqmIEkcUqZzhQHGdG_AWHm8bm_3nxTKY1NR2Wg74fNmUi9UngJ5pcsyky2IKAmqPhbJgodI/s400/WP_20180907_13_52_26_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZRWXkJUDSFRPnJ_qsmegE2w8qvaFvm0lrMn7W9UvJDqDXaBo_HZlOQEbFvS2NjM6Wi2qqW1-g40__6QWlNKim_N4oOYv6kQZrZElnXuzhlYZnW69i0eOrKUlcJdmssLgrcrd69B-nUY/s1600/WP_20180907_13_52_28_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZRWXkJUDSFRPnJ_qsmegE2w8qvaFvm0lrMn7W9UvJDqDXaBo_HZlOQEbFvS2NjM6Wi2qqW1-g40__6QWlNKim_N4oOYv6kQZrZElnXuzhlYZnW69i0eOrKUlcJdmssLgrcrd69B-nUY/s400/WP_20180907_13_52_28_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so much fun with this crew</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The only downside was that it was 102* outside (closer to 120* on top of that roof) and there was no shade in sight. I sweat through my clothes so fast and could not stay hydrated. Mostly I was just grateful that work lets out of of the office to go do such valuable work. It's a real company value at LN.<br />
<br />
They also have tuition reimbursement, and I'm taking advantage of that to start taking some MBA classes at UNC-Wilmington. My first class is called Management, but it's really about organizational behavior. I'm doing ok in there too, and it's pretty interesting. Grades are good, but I've only had quizzes so far. It's 11 classes at 7 weeks each, and so far I'm counting 3 weeks done, 74 to go. Not going to finish until 2020, and as long as I stay with the company for a year after they they will end up paying for most of it. My first day of school picture:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-PwZZADO0tgNKswWlMZaO_oE1mDbgoaCO_GWrRim_yyRpkLlWSfxA503wmSH3m7MFCtwazMf-6CYAKGfmqfAli9WPPZWem6i7UBk3KJTquY-tSt2FAcUmZoTTnAtsnKO1AzhuziLfL4/s1600/WP_20180827_19_43_52_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="451" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-PwZZADO0tgNKswWlMZaO_oE1mDbgoaCO_GWrRim_yyRpkLlWSfxA503wmSH3m7MFCtwazMf-6CYAKGfmqfAli9WPPZWem6i7UBk3KJTquY-tSt2FAcUmZoTTnAtsnKO1AzhuziLfL4/s400/WP_20180827_19_43_52_Pro.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's all online. Laptops are the new backpacks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Again, normally I'm all like<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRKZ9gC-SjIgfcd4AH9cCPPQBnTMPS2saG6Xa5-0-RcfN4wTRDNqYTFc7zlBlN82jgBsNtYyM7pT5U6maLIR1FH7yt-bOIuLLXP0MDvTKrPzW6eKYNbL-ZDki_dqnor9t78h0qeNGqsI/s1600/CwToEM0XgAAtvKd.jpg+large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="906" data-original-width="960" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRKZ9gC-SjIgfcd4AH9cCPPQBnTMPS2saG6Xa5-0-RcfN4wTRDNqYTFc7zlBlN82jgBsNtYyM7pT5U6maLIR1FH7yt-bOIuLLXP0MDvTKrPzW6eKYNbL-ZDki_dqnor9t78h0qeNGqsI/s320/CwToEM0XgAAtvKd.jpg+large.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
But this company is seriously cool.<br />
<br />
Other pictures of the family just so we all know they really exist:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERmQwm_YPUetJgiETRJjp79rbDhALZlUc7ZWStLvmyYVAPuYXZg3TdnNDCcO6zQebPYi_w8wCjCQUfP0itZ3pbSfadt2tY2JVy6s-Z59Y4ZlL1dP0II4HZ3cU2YKVcajzTobshFDl5Pg/s1600/WP_20180818_15_47_38_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERmQwm_YPUetJgiETRJjp79rbDhALZlUc7ZWStLvmyYVAPuYXZg3TdnNDCcO6zQebPYi_w8wCjCQUfP0itZ3pbSfadt2tY2JVy6s-Z59Y4ZlL1dP0II4HZ3cU2YKVcajzTobshFDl5Pg/s400/WP_20180818_15_47_38_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ella and my niece on a recent visit with my parents</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PjdBQEA72-0Sp4AlueHsHVvi_SLeJ4X9-m8EBEoZyxkNv-oCXrN-iE5wIOKrlRTDoHpbVzC1lH8o4dw5saDstf3OphIrsRubBBYRbSgj9Jy2VSlX8tT8uT28bRvmuX0yxFnTuiIjV88/s1600/WP_20180828_18_14_31_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="451" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4PjdBQEA72-0Sp4AlueHsHVvi_SLeJ4X9-m8EBEoZyxkNv-oCXrN-iE5wIOKrlRTDoHpbVzC1lH8o4dw5saDstf3OphIrsRubBBYRbSgj9Jy2VSlX8tT8uT28bRvmuX0yxFnTuiIjV88/s400/WP_20180828_18_14_31_Pro.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids standing in a masonry project I built in the backyard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8-FdwnbRGJ7x7YJC1nti4hzOIra6pLjuWRo5crWV_5eFZafwYVBM3Tihzwzxc1deWhZwHFJUDicxkbhnClXdwFBgyrOK3pw3sESmswoFBFbuUetZTb2zLmhoRTBWbtzC_crrzizDfXU/s1600/WP_20180830_17_39_19_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="451" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8-FdwnbRGJ7x7YJC1nti4hzOIra6pLjuWRo5crWV_5eFZafwYVBM3Tihzwzxc1deWhZwHFJUDicxkbhnClXdwFBgyrOK3pw3sESmswoFBFbuUetZTb2zLmhoRTBWbtzC_crrzizDfXU/s400/WP_20180830_17_39_19_Pro.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evil Genius took a picture of a picture of herself</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2yDriwtjwnHV9-l71tSn6NypzftU4Aep_ZDpmL2wCjHXB8B5ew4bpBQ8uYe3CO_LrRw2bT9ZA556-jYRmMPxqvfpqsZTRO2A7siktdNeS4bn8ns2wuCjwpTVmRW6JPfSFkFI6hr5etE/s1600/WP_20180831_16_31_28_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="451" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2yDriwtjwnHV9-l71tSn6NypzftU4Aep_ZDpmL2wCjHXB8B5ew4bpBQ8uYe3CO_LrRw2bT9ZA556-jYRmMPxqvfpqsZTRO2A7siktdNeS4bn8ns2wuCjwpTVmRW6JPfSFkFI6hr5etE/s400/WP_20180831_16_31_28_Pro.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelley hanging out on the finished masonry project</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So we're all good. Work and school are ok, hurricane Florence is barreling down but mostly went south of us so we're all good in Raleigh with this thing. Just a little rain and some wind, nothing strong. Kids are tracked out, football season is back in swing, and summer is almost over.<br />
Carolina Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834384961037080805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6475703851125751608.post-1524848439881043192018-08-20T00:29:00.000-04:002018-08-20T00:29:55.814-04:00What else is going onSince the surgery, I had to take plenty of time for recovery. It wasn't easy for me to not do anything; I don't deal well with idle hands. No training and don't lift anything heavier than 10 lbs really meant I was making a lot of dick jokes.<br />
<br />
We had already planned on hosting a party for the 4th of July. The city of Raleigh moved the fireworks back to the State Fairgrounds this year, which is practically in our backyard. So we have a bunch of friends over, fill up one of my boats with beer and let what happens happen.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiYReeq_RAzuMKo1WHr8BfOFMPc59ymCDAZNtm5Xlk9giv7Qt_uD0y4movYLS5fjXJ9UCAfFjmTYmfewPLb7YZnpvmJGv1kUFYSpShtkTBqXzM4kWmxTdkf-risp63ydb-O_UfiXL15Y/s1600/WP_20180627_20_31_14_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiYReeq_RAzuMKo1WHr8BfOFMPc59ymCDAZNtm5Xlk9giv7Qt_uD0y4movYLS5fjXJ9UCAfFjmTYmfewPLb7YZnpvmJGv1kUFYSpShtkTBqXzM4kWmxTdkf-risp63ydb-O_UfiXL15Y/s400/WP_20180627_20_31_14_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I hung an extra string of lights before the surgery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_36D6fi4PMf3NGp-Ac-qEVJkO1sPtMQl38JiKj1BNutS63BC_YAjCMKWhybHgdWZVCYjjbOQKK8uzaddb2oSr0XbG9Uefb3qmz5V4Y2FfJPg5xjcie4-VrINC2Re3c6zZWdfpEAb1fBY/s1600/WP_20180704_18_02_15_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_36D6fi4PMf3NGp-Ac-qEVJkO1sPtMQl38JiKj1BNutS63BC_YAjCMKWhybHgdWZVCYjjbOQKK8uzaddb2oSr0XbG9Uefb3qmz5V4Y2FfJPg5xjcie4-VrINC2Re3c6zZWdfpEAb1fBY/s400/WP_20180704_18_02_15_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The little boat has kids drinks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPBZd9QQfsQa99hD044KU2yhyphenhyphenaoRLn3Li4hqkgHrAD8jtcPYyl9m2ZyTWAYPuf_P935jXJhgsO5Y_u5xWVQ7qVTJkNbSIev-pkZbd5zqf7fVKSYfF7-pcvgUQKMHRFml3EwIZdcSnUwg/s1600/WP_20180704_18_08_26_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPBZd9QQfsQa99hD044KU2yhyphenhyphenaoRLn3Li4hqkgHrAD8jtcPYyl9m2ZyTWAYPuf_P935jXJhgsO5Y_u5xWVQ7qVTJkNbSIev-pkZbd5zqf7fVKSYfF7-pcvgUQKMHRFml3EwIZdcSnUwg/s400/WP_20180704_18_08_26_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's proper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjlTxL1-uDDqZwQsOuYK4mpIMuNv22O36DhvmzQNYrIhGXNhOfSB9hDgcOuuevTIurZUNr5N_Qziasz9qy1aVhxWOZ_7HwDtaGXsL-uMeZrEejstWl6X1_arzuyQFROtHh_p7iA02xvs/s1600/WP_20180704_21_32_36_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="800" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjlTxL1-uDDqZwQsOuYK4mpIMuNv22O36DhvmzQNYrIhGXNhOfSB9hDgcOuuevTIurZUNr5N_Qziasz9qy1aVhxWOZ_7HwDtaGXsL-uMeZrEejstWl6X1_arzuyQFROtHh_p7iA02xvs/s400/WP_20180704_21_32_36_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good times with EG at the party</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Only strange thing about the party was that it rained on us twice. After the first time, Kelley said if it rained again we were done with 4th of July parties. It rained again, so I guess this will be the last one. It was a blast, we had about 20 people over including a bunch of kids.<br />
<br />
After that I had a birthday. 43 doesn't suck that much worse than 42 did, so far. I got a "rad dad" shirt<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEL4unktpUAvSFwTtTR__nr3oZKDQauKY6GpiO_YQkLhZa02V2dCDFICsLnmGiDe3TWKxzPjdhAlM6sEy-9ocsc6E7iB4vaZ1f4a27it4-Od78pYg554Xt7FdY4V4APTdN4rkQXUYRxOs/s1600/WP_20180707_20_29_08_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="449" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEL4unktpUAvSFwTtTR__nr3oZKDQauKY6GpiO_YQkLhZa02V2dCDFICsLnmGiDe3TWKxzPjdhAlM6sEy-9ocsc6E7iB4vaZ1f4a27it4-Od78pYg554Xt7FdY4V4APTdN4rkQXUYRxOs/s400/WP_20180707_20_29_08_Pro.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
<br />
And the kids went back to school! When I started the blog right around 10 years ago, they were barely walking. Now they are starting 6th and 8th grade, and the last year we'll have to drive them both to the same school.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDOIY0ai_B_7HGmaUr_Cgxr14aZ9ayCYFZcpTfGXosB8AUNXRstoKA0iHzyHiWlS69UaDDygLizRJsGlNybEhnL-FDp83MHpTjfAVrXVRvYAlUUY8c2kzs0zWybXJ3i5-yir6y_xk7pc/s1600/WP_20180709_06_54_40_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDOIY0ai_B_7HGmaUr_Cgxr14aZ9ayCYFZcpTfGXosB8AUNXRstoKA0iHzyHiWlS69UaDDygLizRJsGlNybEhnL-FDp83MHpTjfAVrXVRvYAlUUY8c2kzs0zWybXJ3i5-yir6y_xk7pc/s400/WP_20180709_06_54_40_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my middle schoolers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next, I got a new tattoo! This one hurt like you wouldn't believe. Almost my most painful tattoo. I wanted it to look like something was buried under my cherry tree. I've had this "skull and rose on the ribs" idea for a long time, so I felt comfortable getting it done now so that I could let it heal while recovering from the surgery instead of running all the time or something. It turned out really good, I think. The artist was slick and had a tender touch.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYdLDOlL7iv2sohBF2S-5Tn2J1lKnFpjb-8EraXiFrB1ZqJrexUlyWwcdC4FCUAreDd-p5Es_K0qtc4s_dd5uuL900ghPpffU5_zHPokPZBUMh83tPnZOXQUk3M3ObmXK0YLGj4kP-l4/s1600/WP_20180717_18_34_00_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="530" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYdLDOlL7iv2sohBF2S-5Tn2J1lKnFpjb-8EraXiFrB1ZqJrexUlyWwcdC4FCUAreDd-p5Es_K0qtc4s_dd5uuL900ghPpffU5_zHPokPZBUMh83tPnZOXQUk3M3ObmXK0YLGj4kP-l4/s400/WP_20180717_18_34_00_Pro.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03dKEuybeX9pH9oV9sE3T9nk7nb9Wo2HfvJwt_Jz1Q-YRVndGTK33XlCyg_vETxzdzUrHd_GhWlznQ_ozcR7_CNzTrT1hHtA9dYuIwF1UPdiX9uJF4fvii-jsLJfa4O8b23uN-uzaFgc/s1600/WP_20180717_18_34_26_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="451" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03dKEuybeX9pH9oV9sE3T9nk7nb9Wo2HfvJwt_Jz1Q-YRVndGTK33XlCyg_vETxzdzUrHd_GhWlznQ_ozcR7_CNzTrT1hHtA9dYuIwF1UPdiX9uJF4fvii-jsLJfa4O8b23uN-uzaFgc/s400/WP_20180717_18_34_26_Pro.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">in the shop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfGOenNgQ9Fbw2RSmZxTS_41zVinOz8_ugOEz35F0iUac68Fgopm_ljaj2qnkULX21C0iH-FjGDLy0u-QCoNRYuvPbiKkANxtKLSBjhD1EpG7uJAYY7mJeWeWhaP-ydaf8Sm9enXREMo/s1600/WP_20180718_08_06_59_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="449" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfGOenNgQ9Fbw2RSmZxTS_41zVinOz8_ugOEz35F0iUac68Fgopm_ljaj2qnkULX21C0iH-FjGDLy0u-QCoNRYuvPbiKkANxtKLSBjhD1EpG7uJAYY7mJeWeWhaP-ydaf8Sm9enXREMo/s400/WP_20180718_08_06_59_Pro.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
<br />
My mom came for a quick visit while there was a quilting convention in town. This was her second trip to Raleigh this year, and we're always appreciative of the time we have together<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcHUIbw_mIpKSv9u6qMxynhwUmxBoKMHkJYern7ps__xFOHBIAGHCJccWT1FyMvoyGSWUlPz3WXiK9SDRhlKqHPZu9guAMgWPskrtRfx9BblEY1_heGREqv4peIYYtdCKsI6hLAbyw9A/s1600/WP_20180720_16_09_13_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcHUIbw_mIpKSv9u6qMxynhwUmxBoKMHkJYern7ps__xFOHBIAGHCJccWT1FyMvoyGSWUlPz3WXiK9SDRhlKqHPZu9guAMgWPskrtRfx9BblEY1_heGREqv4peIYYtdCKsI6hLAbyw9A/s400/WP_20180720_16_09_13_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom loved the patio</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimznPj82-jiBA5g3Q1L_vcMTJkjoLANSfA4luSGZN5bwkssxJsPdioFbw9uh7jeMTyjO9yySb2nQCVk0-qiPxlgVuokZvchrjs0JxUII5-2LGUOqPafa9af_tqEne1z4VLBZGUBteVegE/s1600/WP_20180720_16_09_18_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimznPj82-jiBA5g3Q1L_vcMTJkjoLANSfA4luSGZN5bwkssxJsPdioFbw9uh7jeMTyjO9yySb2nQCVk0-qiPxlgVuokZvchrjs0JxUII5-2LGUOqPafa9af_tqEne1z4VLBZGUBteVegE/s400/WP_20180720_16_09_18_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelley and I have really enjoyed it this summer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBXNYxklz14XnC1nZAI47VItx7GoBvjNrwit1HA0QARbMsqqadYl8QZBecudwMP-cVq_kDfxGA-0aI3hNrB_DBJ34Lcfp_iwxVsh3HcXcRxzKhcaKoMkzigdikp3ADGZZFHRvI-JIVn4/s1600/WP_20180721_09_25_53_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="451" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBXNYxklz14XnC1nZAI47VItx7GoBvjNrwit1HA0QARbMsqqadYl8QZBecudwMP-cVq_kDfxGA-0aI3hNrB_DBJ34Lcfp_iwxVsh3HcXcRxzKhcaKoMkzigdikp3ADGZZFHRvI-JIVn4/s400/WP_20180721_09_25_53_Pro.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids have a great sense of humor with these things</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSXfMIemLywCuBv0U86Z2bA5ENq7c-ehoCKDWMq1ymDDBVmvKF31nkxXKXAx0JoFxtACjLXLWGegcyTvyuOODaqU3sMwkhDNtQGX9PxV6NqkDYhnvI4j6om_KO0PLY8q5KCJliVaOa320/s1600/WP_20180721_10_36_57_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="451" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSXfMIemLywCuBv0U86Z2bA5ENq7c-ehoCKDWMq1ymDDBVmvKF31nkxXKXAx0JoFxtACjLXLWGegcyTvyuOODaqU3sMwkhDNtQGX9PxV6NqkDYhnvI4j6om_KO0PLY8q5KCJliVaOa320/s400/WP_20180721_10_36_57_Pro.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okra, beans, squash and zucchini!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHArBY_bso7JrSGiR_XlS5AAVYT0SxcHujpzhkW8UPzfrcKiWTPb7sfsYUNIkpi4Y3KGeWs8lJNmz14ZZMCaoY8RcC23YzINeGS4DmSc622qWe0F1yMbi_DZtHJEtt2Q3qx7cbDtKanck/s1600/WP_20180721_10_37_15_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHArBY_bso7JrSGiR_XlS5AAVYT0SxcHujpzhkW8UPzfrcKiWTPb7sfsYUNIkpi4Y3KGeWs8lJNmz14ZZMCaoY8RcC23YzINeGS4DmSc622qWe0F1yMbi_DZtHJEtt2Q3qx7cbDtKanck/s400/WP_20180721_10_37_15_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The okra is taller than Kelley!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Finally the garden is really kicking this year. We've been getting more okra, squash, and zucchini than we can handle. Considering most years we don't get much of anything out of the garden this is really fun.<br />
<br />
We've been having a great summer! Carolina Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834384961037080805noreply@blogger.com1