I AM AN IRONMAN!

16:17:48...

Race Report to follow, of course....

LIFE IS GOOD!

LiveSTRONG!!

Last Minute Details

Well Sunshine* (my road bike) is as clean as she can be. Her gears are so shiny that they look brand new and she is as quiet as a mouse and running as smooth as a Gazelle...

My saddlebag is full of fresh tubes and CO2 cartridges and my bento box is ready for filling.




Attached to my Bento Box is a new addition, a guardian angel given to me by Team Z-mate Leanne: "Here is a Guardian Angel to watch over you ~ Put it on your Jersey or Saddlebag ~ Guaranteed to Pull You Through!!"

I decided that I wanted to have my Guardian Angel someplace where I could see him/her so I can remember all the Teammates and Friends who are with me in spirit....Thank You Leanne!

In terms of "race day motivation" only one other thing is on my bike and that is the "Bike Sticker" from IM USA. I moved it from my bike stem to my aero bars the day after the race in July as a VISUAL REMINDER that no matter what happens in future races, I must not give up, I just need to find a way to keep going.


Grommette is completely unimpressed with the piles of clothes and gear and has been making angry faces and sitting on stuff all evening in an attempt to "interrupt" the packing efforts. Meanwhile Wallace has been downstairs verbally harassing Jim. This is typical cat behavior when it become evident that we are going somewhere soon.

There's not much left to do but get a good night's sleep, wake up and swim in AM, run to the bank, load up the Element and get on the open road to Wilmington, NC.

Beach2Battleship Race Day is just 48 hours away...Life is Good!!

Winston, Lance and Me ...

I have several inspirational quote magnets. Some have been gifts from loved one (my mom, my sisters...) and others have been gifts to myself.

When my Ironman journey first started, my sister Heather gave me this magnet...it sits on my desk right next to my monthly Team Z training schedule and has provided me with plenty of motivation.

The first magnet that I bought for myself turned out to be a little "prophetic." Ironman USA was just a few months away when I bought this magnet ... It spoke to me then without my knowing why but it would comfort me later, when I needed it most.


Upon returning home from IM USA, still in talks with my husband, coach, family and friends (and anybody who would listen to me for a few minutes....), I found myself at Borders. I love books and I love book stores. They have provided me much comfort over the years and when I am down or need to recharge, I will often just spend hours browsing the book stores.

It was in Borders, the week after IM USA when I found these magnets...



Now I know the context of these quotes come from a different situation entirely (World War II and the bomb raids on London) I was drawn to them instantly. This is my "frame of reference" and my "state of mind." This has been what has kept me in the pool and on my bike and on the road, running mile after mile for the last 16 weeks.

Because we all have both voices in our heads, the quiet voices that calm us and ease of through the pain of disappointment and allow us to say "I will try again tomorrow" and the loud, strong voices that reach out when we need it and tell us "Never Never Never Give Up."

In the midst of my own "Ironman Fever", I am reminded daily that my own "fitness goal" is something I am choosing to do - A fight that I willingly took on.

I have friends and teammates who are in the fight for their lives right now. Who are living in "Hell" via Cancer. I can not take away their pain, I can not help them make the tough decisions on what treatment to try next, and truthfully, I feel a little selfish even comparing Ironman to Cancer but I have traveled that path so I do have a point of reference.

When it all comes down to it, Winston Churchill has a good point...and so does a fellow cancer survivor and former triathlete by the name of Lance Armstrong...

Cancer or Ironman...."If you going through hell, keep going..." and "Live STRONG!"

Taper...6 days to race day.

Happy Halloween!!

featuring Wallace & Grommette...

Demons and Angels...

Excuse me, where is the wardrobe lady?

Unfazed by Wings...

A closeup of her lovely costume...

I wanna be a Cowboy, baby...

Go ahead, make my day...

Did somebody say "OUT"?...

So angelic she glows!

Do you really want the neighborhood cats to see this?

Where Fear and Dream Collide...

Above is the quote on a towel that I bought at the IRONMAN USA gear tent 2 days before the race. The Quote is great and the towel is Yellow and Black and that screamed "LiveSTRONG" to me so into the pile of stuff for purchase it went. At the time that I bought it; I thought I understood what this quote meant.

I really didn't understand at all...

That moment when "Fear and Dreams Collide" is NOW.

14 days until I toe the line once again in my quest for the 140.6 miles that equals an "Ironman" distance triathlon.

This is my second go-around this year and the questions are flying through my head every day...

- Did I do enough?

- Have I got my nutrition plan down?

- Have I kept my fitness up without wearing my body down even more by doing another 16 week of Ironman training?

- Will I be successful this time around?

- Will I be able to turn off the voices or "change the channel" in my mind when the time comes?

- Am I ready for the transition from Bike to Run?

- What am I going to do when my mind screams "STOP, NO MORE, IT'S JUST A RACE...."

I have been spending my quiet time at night before I got to bed, methodically answering these questions. The "physical" questions have been easy to answer. My training has shown me ride after long ride that I have the pace and the strength to handle this course. My race experience at ChesepeakeMan AquaVelo showed me that I can handle a very rough swim, get out of the water and keep myself on track with nutrition and pace - on a windy day - and come in to t2 with time to spare. Brick workouts show that I can run well off the bike - maybe not fast but steady and still running (or jogging if you prefer based on my 12 minute mile pace).

But what am I going to do when my mind screams "STOP, NO MORE, IT'S JUST A RACE..."

When my sub-consciousness is screaming to be heard, begging me to quit, reasoning with me to be sensible it will have to be ME who steps up and takes over to shut down the inner voices, to take the focus off the pain, to keep my pace strong and steady.

When that moment comes; this time when my FEARS and DREAMS collide...THIS TIME, I will embrace the FEAR (failure, too fat, too slow, not good enough) and push aside the DREAMS and FOCUS ON GETTING TO THE NEXT MILE because I have done the hard work, I am strong enough and I have what it takes...

I have what it takes to finish this distance.

Come what may...

Life is Good. LiveSTRONG!

A Gift Not Taken Lightly...

If you train long enough, you'll have the privilege to enjoy a "perfect workout" They don't come often and there is nothing "predictable" or "timely" about them but when the perfect run (or ride or swim or race) happens, it is transformative.

There wasn't anything "special" about today's workout. 50 minutes of Zone 2 Running, just another workout in the B2B IronMan Taper. But today all the pieces fell into place: 50F and clear blue skies with just enough of a breeze to ripple the waters of the Potomac River and make it seem like the sun was dancing on the surface of the Jefferson Memorial/Tidal Basin...

(photo credit J. Morrison)

The pace was effortless... no aches, no pains, no weary muscles, no overwhelming thoughts, problems or emotions to deal with.

Just me...out for an easy run.

4.28 miles to remind me that all this training has made a difference....That I am STRONG, BEAUTIFUL, POWERFUL and ALIVE. No worries about what "size" I wear or what "pace" I run or what "distance" I cover...

Just a precious gift, from my Body to my Soul...

Life is Good! LiveSTRONG!

A FULL Weekend...

Team CANCER to 5K - Fall 2009

PRE-RACE

Congratulations to the CANCER to 5K Fall 2009 Team on their great day at the United Way 5K in Baltimore on Saturday! Everybody had a good race and one of our runners saw a PR finishing a solid 45 second under her goal-time!

There were plenty of smiles and no rain until after they finished running!

Holly & Heather before the Baltimore Marathon start.

Congratulations go out to my sister Heather, for training for, starting and finishing the 2009 Baltimore Marathon. While she had a really hard race experience (you can read a first-person account of the race on her BLOG), she took it all in stride and did what she needed to do to finish the day.

Running with the 4:15 pace group,

Heather (front, Team FIGHT shirt) was looking strong!

I know because I got to see her on the course

and she said to me "I feel great!" as we high-fived.

Regardless of her finish time, I look upon Heather's entire Marathon Journey as a huge success and an altogether different kind of Personal Record.

My sister trained over the last 9-months for this marathon, under the following conditions:

• after giving birth to her second son
• while taking care of 2 boys (2 year old and a newborn)
• while sharing house-hold duties with her significant other Rich (who also works full time...of course)
• while going back to college, full-time
• and holding down 2 jobs
• she also raised $700.00 for the Ulman Cancer Fund and TEAM FIGHT!

I find my sister's accomplishments very inspiring and I know how hard she worked to find balance and yet still run several races and train consistently for 9-months. I know how hard it is to have *bad race day* and I was never more proud of her than on Saturday. She could have quit but she never stopped moving. She kept on FIGHTING and at the end of the race day, she was already finding the "silver linings" in the bad race experience and recalling the "fun moments" before things went bad. These are the experiences that will continue to make her a strong, better racer as she gets older!

I pity the Age Groupers that come up again my sister as the years go on...they have no idea what lies under that friendly smile and funny demeanor!

What else went on this weekend? Oh just a long run and and 120-mile bike ride - just the last big volume workouts in prep for Beach2 Battleship Full Triathlon and Ironman Race #2 for 2009.

It's OFFICIAL: Let the TAPER BEGIN!

Life is Good! LiveSTRONG!

ANOTHER RACE DAY IS NEARLY HERE!

GO TEAM CANCER TO 5K!

This season we have a small group of folks heading up to the United Way 5K in Baltimore, MD as part of the Baltimore Running Festival (Marathon, Half Marathon, Relay and 5K).

I've got the Medals ready!

I wonder how many "Holly, do you think I could train for a half marathon?" questions I will get?

OF COURSE YOU CAN! (so can YOU, my dear readers/lurkers...)

5K is just the start!

Incidentally, I will definitely be sticking around to watch my sister, Heather, finish her 3rd Marathon! Endurance Sports Addiction definitely runs in my family! LOL

GO HEATHER GO!

Life is Good! LiveSTRONG!

Long Brick....CHECK

(Author's Note: In the sport of TRIATHLON, a transition workout that involves two of the three sports - SWIM/BIKE or BIKE/RUN is commonly referred to as a BRICK workout. Most triathletes will tell you that this is because your legs commonly feel as heavy as "bricks" when you transition from the Bike to the Run. Another RANDOM TRI fact for you!)

After recovering from last weekend's AquaVelo with one rest day, I got back to the workouts as scheduled this week for Beach2Battleship and was a little worried that after two weeks without any significant bike/run bricks that this weekends "4-hour Bike/2-hour Run" would just suck.

I am so happy to say that I was so wrong!

I slept in a little Sunday morning and rolled out of the house at about 8AM to drive down to the local park to start my BRICK from a place where there was less temptation to stay in the house once my bike was finished. I rolled out of the park at 8:30AM. The plan was two hours out on the flat to rolling multi-use bike trails (very little use early on Sunday mornings) and then turn around and head back to the car.

There was lots of headwind on the ride out to Reston, VA. So much headwind that I ended up negative splitting the second half of the ride by 20 minutes and was forced to pass my car and head out in the neighborhood for another 6 miles. 4 hours - 56 miles done.

I got back to the car, hit the Garmin's lap button, put the bike back in the car and jogged over to the restroom to change (Simulated T2 Tent) then back to the car to leave the bike clothes and grab my fuel belt. Out of T2 in 10:00...

The RUN is what I was dreading. Two hours that I honestly thought was going to be a "slog" based on how my legs felt on Saturday morning after an easy 5K with my Cancer to 5K group and following my mid-day 5K on Friday. So I just started out nice and easy, keeping my feet under my shoulders, quick turn-over, classic "triathlon shuffle" that always seems to let me ease into my pace at TRI races. I stuck to 5/1 run/walk intervals and the minutes and miles just flew by. I chose to run only with water and had 4 endurolytes and a GU at the 1-hour point. Turned around at Mile Marker 3 (3 miles from Mount Vernon) and headed back in the direction of the car. (almost Mile Marker 8)

9.75 miles in 2:00 hours - 12:30ish pace. NOT BAD AT ALL!

I was honestly stunned at the RUN pace I was able to maintain after a 56 mile Bike. I didn't see that coming - especially not in Zone 2.

How was my nutrition on the bike? I went with the same "formula" of 2 bottles of Infinate, 1 bottle of Water and small snacks at the top of each hour (which worked well at AquaVelo) and it worked perfectly in getting me onto the run with no issues. I then transitioned to Water to sip and a GU and 4 Enduralytes at the One-Hour point to kept everything "status quo."

I feel like I am finding what works for me, in terms of nutrition, that is a great relief.

Long BRICK in the bank. One more long weekend ahead with a 16-18 mile Run and 120 mile Bike and then Taper #2 for me this year...

Life is Good! LiveSTRONG!

10/2

What does LiveSTRONG mean to you?

Happy LiveSTRONG day!

To find a LiveSTRONG event near you CLICK HERE

Are you a swimmer, biker, runner, triathlete?

Do something amazing on LiveSTRONG Day in 2010

GO HALF FULL!

Some more SAVAGEMAN Photos...

My husband looking fierce and strong on the bike course... and he's all mine!

Life is GOOD!

RR: ChesepeakeMan Ultra AquaVelo

ChesepeakeMan Ultra AquaVelo - Cambridge, MD
2.4 mile SWIM / 112 mile BIKE

10:04:16 (9:56:16 - personal Garmin 310XT time)

Overall 10:04:16 - which I admit kind of frustrates me because my Garmin time on the bike was faster AND I thought I came in at 4:56PM so if the race clock started at 7AM how the heck is that possible? Under 10 hours would make me very happy, I was hoping for more like 9-9:30 but the swim took away any chance of that.

I am now wondering if I forgot to turn off "auto pause" on the BIKE leg of the Garmin because that 10 minute discrepancy would account for port-o-potty stops on the bike. (Yes Debi B., I am a woosey city girl still! LOL!). I guess in this case, I just need to remember that I finished and well under the 5:30PM cut off (5:15 for B2B is kinda close) and had a solid day, solid nutrition, great day for doing the "mental work" that needs to get done for an long day at Beach2Battleship.

SWIM: 2:10:23 - chip (same as Garmin)

That was the worst swim conditions I have EVER been in and even after 2.4 miles of that, I still know that I'm not allowed to ever bitch about a rough swim because I watched IM Florida in 2006 and *those were real waves" compared to what I as in on Saturday. With that disclaimer, swimming in chop and against the tide will quickly show you how weak you stroke is. I got stung by one jelly fish, on my left foot - my pinkie toe went tingly then numb for a while but other than that I managed to make my way through both laps. On the second lap I was getting a lot of encouragement from a volunteer on a paddle board. I assume as I was in the back of the swim pack, they were keeping a close eye on the last few swimmers. When I would stop to sight, which was more often on the second lap (and was more effective at helping me stay on line) he would yell out "Nice work, keep it strong."

One Question: Does ingesting briny water count as electrolyte loading? LOL

T1: 8:40:55 (same as Garmin)

I really improved on my T1 from IM USA (10:59) and I am sure that had to do with paring down my Bike Bag because that transition time included stopping at the Port-O-Potty and reading a quick note on my bike from Nancy saying she only did one lap of the swim and was heading out on the bike. I was bummed to hear her swim went badly, thought "Well "Joe gets his scrapple now..." and thought that since she was over an hour ahead of me, I wouldn't see her on the bike at all.

BIKE: 7:45:14 - 14.4 mph average (7:36:49 Garmin - 14.6 mph)

The first 6 miles of the bike were a wonderful strong taiwind which I think really benefited me because it allowed me to settle into the ride and get calm and centered. I took a GU in the first 10 minutes with some water and then waited 10 minutes to start drinking my Infinit. Then about every 45-60 minutes, I would have a GU or some banana for the first 64 miles. Conditions from Mile 5-68 were pretty much 80% headwinds/crosswinds with some 20 mph gusts and 20% tailwinds with over cast skies. I hop scotched back and forth with several women who were having a rough day. One of whom talked about stopping at the high school and not doing the second lap. I told her not to decide until she was at the school, that things could get better but later I saw her at the finish and she said she stopped as the High School after the first lap, she just didn't have it in her to deal with more wind.

Around Mile 50-60, I found myself really getting angry and frustrated by the windy conditions and the seemingly endless first bike loop. I knew I needed to change my attitude and I tried to tell myself "This is a BAD PATCH, you have these in Ironman" but that logic wasn't helping much. So I thought back to the night before and I took a cue from Nancy's 6-year-old daughter, Catherine, who the night before was working on an art project and singing "Sing a Song" by the Carpenters. That was one of my favorite songs as a little girl so I figured "What the h*ll, I might as well sing..." And so I sang all the lyrics I could remember of that song, out loud, as I rolled on down the road in my aero bars.

IT WORKED! Totally redirected my mind and from that point on, I would sing whenever I felt the inner bitching begin.

At special needs, mile 68, I chugged down a Red Bull, grabbed 2 quarters of my PB&Fluff sandwich and a baggie of Pringles. The PB&Fluff just didn't taste good so I tossed them (some raccoon is very happy now!) but the pringles were a nice change of texture and the Red Bull was the perfect pick me up. I was pretty disappointed in my first loop time of over 4:45 and knew that it would be possible to slow down even more in the coming head winds if I didn't do something. I took the 2 miles to snack and then I decided that there was absolutely NO REASON that I couldn't hold my pace at around 15MPH for the next 42 miles if I just stayed relaxed and consistent. So I set about setting specific hour goals - by 3PM I wanted to be at the 85 mile mark, MET IT. By 4PM the goal was 100 miles and the last Porto-Potty/Get water at the last Rest Stop. MET IT...From then on the goal was "IN BY 5PM" According the the watch on my bike, I met that goal at 4:56PM but my finish time says I was over it by 5 minutes - so that last 12 miles took me longer than I had hoped but I was really happy with how I was able to take control of my emotions and pick small goals to focus on.

The following was my song list: "Sing a Song"; "20,20,24 hours to go, I wanna be sedated"; "Burning Down the House"; "Fly like an Eagle" (Inspired by the fact that parts of the course are part of the Eagleman Half bike course), "I wanna be a Rock Star" and "Good Vibrations"...I realized I didn't know very many lyrics but the chorus would work just fine until I got bored and started a new song. LOL

I'm thinking that "20,20,24 hours to go, I wanna be sedated" will be perfect at Beach2Battleship on the run - just insert "26.2 miles to go...I wanna be sedated."

:) Life is Good!

AquaVelo in 9:56:14 - in before 5PM! HARD SWIM - WINDY BIKE -Awsome nutrition & good mental practice!

Getting SAVAGE with Team SHOEMAKER and Team Z!

(Authors Note: I wanted to wait until the race had released all of the photos to see if I could get some shots of Jim and I on the course but they only have a few and I can't wait any longer...I have other posts I want to make and I have got more races coming up...More photos will follow from this race as soon as they are released!)

Team SHOMAKER makes their Triathlon Relay Debut at Savageman Half Ironman 2009

SAVAGEMAN Triathlon Festival

Sunday, September 20, 2009

RELAY - Half Ironman Distance

Team SHOEMAKER: 8:08:57

24 Coed Relay Teams:

21 out of 22 Official COED Relay Finishes

Last year I raced the International Distance of this event and after finishing told my husband that I wanted to do the HALF but only if it was a RELAY because after doing just 2 of the hills on the International (oly) bike course in 2008, I had no desire to experience the "sufferfest" on the bike that is the HALF. So my husband took on the challenge willingly and newlywed (5-months now!) Team SHOEMAKER made it's RELAY debut at Savageman Half.

1.2 mile SWIM (Holly) : 55:03

We swam right into the sun for the first 400 yards or so and that made sighting rather difficult and I had some early issues with my goggles leaking. I was hoping for something around 45 minutes but for the most part it was a beautiful swim around giant inflatable turtles and the SWAN boat. (literally the boat is a giant swan!) There seem to be some chop as we neared the Swan Boat and talking to some other swimmers later confirmed it, that eased my mind a little but I am definitely ready to get this swim time down even lower before the season ends.

T1: 1:57

56 mile BIKE (Jim) : 4:06:22

Jim's overall observation of the 56-mile SAVAGEMAN bike course, "This was worse than Mountains of Misery" a course that Jim has completed twice in the last few years. Mountains of Misery is a course that is a 104 mile hilly century with a final climb of finish with the 5 kilometer, Category 1 climb with an average grade of 11.9%, and sections up to 16%.

For comparison, SAVAGEMAN boasts a bike course of only 56 miles but in that 56 miles include over 5,700 feet of climbing with both long gradual climbs and short, steep pitches. The first 18 and final 10 miles are mostly down hill but the middle 30 miles include 8 climbs with maximum grades of 7-23% and average grades of 4-12%. This is NOT your AVERAGE Half Ironman Bike Course!

Jim did a fantastic time on this challenging course! I am super proud of his effort and was very excited to be heading onto a half Ironman run in the MIDDLE OF THE PACK for a change!

T2:1:16

13.1 mile RUN (Holly): 3:04:21

First of all, folks in the Middle of the Pack are just as encouraging and supportive as the Back of the Pack! Something about "suffering together" makes most triathletes pretty friendly. I think its one of the reason I love the sport. On a hard course, it sucks for everybody so you might as well cheer each other on and make jokes when you can.

I did my part to cheer folks up by wearing the COOLEST RUNNING SKIRT ever! I found the skirt at the IronGirl Columbia Race Expo in August and I instantly knew that I had to have it! It is Black and Neon Green ZEBRA Stripes and just screamed TEAM Z to me! I got more compliments and smiles for wearing that skirt at Savageman from both male and female racers than I could even count and believe me on that race course, we were all looking for any reason to smile.

Do I look SAVAGE enough for you?

(pre-run - photo by Priscilla)

The first loop was pretty good considering the hilly course. I decided since I was on fresh legs after 4 hours since my swim effort, I would run until I needed a walk break and then start my Ironman plan of 5/1 intervals (run/walk). I ran through to the first big climb a little past Mile 1 and took my first 1 minute walk break and then settled into 5/1 pace for the most part. I did make an effort to skip the walk break if I was on a downhill and that worked well for the first lap. I was right on pace for a 2:40 half marathon at the end of the first loop and got some GREAT CHEER from Team Z and Jim as I passed though to start my second loop.

On the first loop, looking STYLISH and STRONG!

I spent the second loop trying really hard to hold onto my 5/1 pace but unfortunately, my legs had other plans and regardless of the WONDERFUL support from Team Z mates on and off the course, I slowed down considerably and only averaged about 1:44 on the second loop.

I did have a MOMENT in the last mile that should have gotten me an "Honorable Mention" for "Best Fall in the Woods on your last Mile" because I took a nice "tuck and role" at Mile 12.5 of the course on a short 10th of mile cut through some woods back to the park. I don't know what I was doing - probably daydreaming about the finish line because one minute I was UP and the next minute I was watching the ground quickly approach.

Thankfully a nice pile of leaves cushioned my fall and I was back UP almost as quickly.

I did manage to answer the elusive question: "If a runner falls in the woods and nobody sees her, does she make a sound?"

The answer is "YES, she says "I'm OK" to nobody...LOL

All in all, it was another great race day and with the proceeds of this amazingly challenging triathlon going to the Nicolay Melanoma Foundation, you can imagine how much this race means to me as a Melanoma cancer survivor.

As long as it is possible, I plan to keep racing Savageman for years to come. Maybe someday I'll even tackle the "HALF" on my own, but for now, I am content to stick to the International distance or a RELAY. I think I will need to be about "lean 150 and nothing but muscle" before I have any business attempting that HALF bike course...and that is still a LONG WAYS away...LOL.

But for now....That's year two of SAVAGEMAN in the books! Team SHOEMAKER is SAVAGE!

ARE YOU SAVAGE ENOUGH?

I challenge you to come out in 2010 and see how SAVAGE you really are!

Life is GOOD! LiveSTRONG!

Another LiveSTRONG Hero...

GO DENNY GO!

Denny finishing STRONG at the Capitol Crescent 5K - June 1, 2008

Thomas and Denny after the finish of their first 5K!

Denny gets a big hug after the Survivor Harbor 7-Miler in June 2009

As you know the Cancer to 5K program has been a blessing for me. After

dealing with cancer it has been great to have the support of a group
that does not sit around. I was not a runner when I joined the cancer
to 5K program and never thought I could run a 5k. Thanks to you Holly,
Arnetta, the support of the rest of the group and of course how patient
Coach Bob has been with me, I was able to finish a couple of 5Ks and
even a 7 mile race. But being able to finish the races is not the only
benefit. Running has also improved my tennis game. Therefore, for all
your support I am dedicating all my matches at my next tennis tournament
to the Cancer to 5K program. I will be playing singles and doubles at
the Capital Classic XVII, scheduled for the weekend of Sept 12.

I will be doing my best to win it for the Cancer to 5K. As with cancer,
"Let's Fight and Win".

Take care,
Denny

----------
From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU DENNY, for taking a chance and joining the CANCER to 5K Team...you know where I will be Saturday afternoon! Tennis Anyone?

GO DENNY GO!

On a day when I could choose to be really grumpy....

I'll focus on things that make me HAPPY....

(in no particular order)

Sisters then...1986...

Sisters now (kinda)...2005...

My darling nephews...

My husband...

Peanut Butter and Jelly, even on your wedding day...

Lolcats...

Team CANCER to 5K...

Ms. Grommette... (Silver Spotted Bengal)

Mr. Wallace Silvertail... (Brown Spotted Bengal)

My darling Bengal Babies!!!

REMEMBER - Life IS Good.

LiveSTRONG!