Summer's almost here!

Summer is almost here. One week left of school and then B.Emmett and I will get to run together every day.

Today we went five miles and ended at our usual spot, Starbucks. As we meandered through the roads of Gainesville thoughts of summer swirled in my head as signs of summer were all around us.

There was the baby pool that we saw outside of one of the houses that we past by. Our neighbor has his summer flag up and the grass is growing mighty fast.

What I like best about summer is the pace. Things naturally seem to slow down, days get just a bit longer and nothing seems rushed.

There is more time for the kids, swimming, running and relaxing.

B.Emmett seems to sense that summer is almost here as well. His gait was a bit more easy going. His coat glistened in the sun (I gave him a shower yesterday).

Yep, not much to say today except it was a nice, easy going summer kind of run.

I love my dog!

R-Evolution

Today was another attempt to get back into the regular rhythm of running. B.Emmett and I headed out the door a little late and happy to find it still overcast.

We headed north my mind wandering still reflecting abut how much fun I had at the R-Evolution show the night before. I started to think about all the things that made it so unique. What it really all came down to was the people in it.

It is one of the few places in the school where there are performing arts students, band students, athletes, tech crew, etc all in one place with one goal...to put on the most amazing show ever.

 It is such a diverse group that comes together to create a performance like no other. I cannot describe why I like it so much. Part of it is the amazing music but most of it is the amazing students that create it. The only thing I can really say is that it is a PK thing.

Since I was in high school I have loved music and had musically inclined friends. From my travels following the Grateful Dead around the country to Jane's Addiction in a small club in Denver to Metallica to...I have always felt alive listening to music. 

R-Evolution brings me back to my roots. It allows me to remember the things that matter in life.

In my life I have had the privilege of hanging out with a lot of musicians including my wonderfully talented husband. The students in this show are talented to the extreme both musically and creatively.

So as I ran along Newberry road on my way to Starbucks I replayed the concert in my mind laughing out loud at the memory of the video.

At the end of the night after the stage was clear I turned to my husband and said, "I want to go home and see my dog."  

That's where my run ended, R-Evolution memories fading out and the love I feel for B.Emmett flooding in. He's a great dog. It's a doberman thing. If you have hung out with one you know what I mean. I love you B.Emmett!

Hot Days are Here

Okay, I admit it, I like, no I LOVE to sleep in. Well according to B.Emmett my days of sleeping in are over and summer is officially here...hello 5:00am runs...argh.

Saturday I woke up, read in bed and decided that I was officially cured from my sinus infection and could attempt a run. B.Emmett and I headed out the door around 9:00am. Everything seemed like an ordinary run. I felt a bit sluggish coming back from a week off but not too bad. 

After mile one I realized it was hot with a capital "H." I think B.Emmett handled it much better than me. I kept forcing him to cross a four lane road. I was stalking little patches of shade. I am fairly certain that this was just a mental thing to make me feel cooler and that it actually extended the amount of time and distance that we ran.

At the end of the run I promised B.Emmett that I would get up earlier on Sunday. Of course that was before this little thing called chaperoning prom until 12:00am got in the way.

This morning I woke up to the quiet of a kid free home. They were still over at their mimis' and papas' houses from their sleepovers. Who could blame me for wanting to catch a little extra sleep? I mean there are not a lot of kid free mornings so I lounged around in bed.

When I finally got up with intent to run it was 10:00am-oops! Once I explained how sorry I was to B.Emmett we settled on a compromise...two miles (not our usual long Sunday morning run) and a shady route.

Off we trotted and I realized how pathetic it was but I was sore from yesterday's run. B.Emmett on the other hand was just fine and raring to go. It was really fun to go two miles. It passed quickly even in the heat.

My favorite thing was watching B.Emmett drinking water out of a large metal bowl outside Starbucks. He laid right down while he drank with his goofy grin. Moments like these always make me appreciate my running partner just a little more.

I love you B.Emmett!

Mother's Day

Today instead of running we went for a hike with the kids in the San Felasco Hammock. I am still getting over a nasty sinus infection and this just seemed like a much more pleasant option.

Today is mother's day which always makes me appreciative of all the love I have in my life.

It started out with sleeping in and presents in bed.

Then the text messages started to arrive. Some from the girls I coach and others from relatives and friends. I just feel so much love...so much positive energy-yes!

On to our hiking adventure. My family always lets me choose to spend Mother's day any way I want. I decided that it would be nice to start the day with a hike. B.Emmett agreed. We loaded the van with dogs and children headed out for an adventure.

As we hiked two groups quickly separated. First was the boys off and running with dad. They also had their chihuahua in tow.

Next there was the girls with B.Emmett our protector. He takes his job seriously. He loves his littlest girl Soso very much.

The nicest part of the hammock is the things we encounter along the way. We saw a deer which actually paused long enough to give us a chance to really see her.

Back in the car B.Emmett spent the rest of the ride harassing the chihuahua. The chihuahua cannot stand B.Emmett because he is so big. B.Emmett does things like lay down just close enough to invade the chihuahua's personal space. When the chihuahua lets a little rumbling growl escape from his mouth B.Emmett merely yawns and places his head one inch closer to the chihuahua. 

Anyone that has ever lived with a doberman understands that they are born comedians and love to push the limit.

It was a great way to start the day! Happy Mother's Day!

Accidents Happen

Last weekend at pole vault practice B.Emmett sat on a curb and caught the fold of his skin under a chain link fence. It was just a tiny nick so I cleaned it out and went about our week. Long run Sunday etc.

Tuesday I came home from work to find that he had chewed a giant hole in his side which looked pretty gross. My hubby told me to just to clean it out and put a hooded collar on him until it healed. I , on the other hand,  decide to take him to the vet.

$300 and many stitches and staples later he came home. He also had a hooded collar to keep him from chewing on his stitches and staples. No Running for ten days!!!TEN DAYS-yikes!

Night one B.Emmett learns how to play pathetic puppy and stays in bed with mom and dad.

Night two B.Emmett wanders out of the bedroom without his hooded collar on and he chews through his stitches.

I call the vet Friday morning and make an appointment for Saturday morning since we were going to Orlando all day Friday. In his kennel B.Emmett wears his hooded collar all day long-poor baby.

Saturday morning we go to the vet fully expecting to spend a bunch more money. Instead of stitching it up again the vet takes a  look and decides to take the remaining stitches out. He says, "Keep it clean and keep the hooded collar on him. Oh and he can go ahead and run again..."

Always look for the good in the situation: 1. B.Emmett can run 2. He now gets to sleep on the bed instead of in his kennel.

All is well that ends well...