It’s been a very long time since my
last post…There have been many life events and issues that have got in the way
of the blog the last 6+ weeks. Maybe a little something more thought provoking next post...this one will be a news update.
As a short summary…
My FIL passed away On Nov 3rd. Pop will always be remembered as the happiest
man on earth. Always a kind word, a
friendly smile and encouragement for family, friend or stranger.
I then had a major extensive outage
at work that kept me busy for 18 straight days.
The chaos was incredible to say the least but we have the best team of
guys at 4CPL! I am so fortunate to be
part of such an amazing crew of guys and work with them on such major projects
and for extensive hours and challenging circumstances. They are a family to me…A fun dysfunctional
one but one I would never want to trade.
At the end of that down we were all very tired and fully spent from long
hours, trying meetings and ongoing schedule challenges but we are a closer
bunch now for living through it together.
As the saying goes, those who experience a certain degree of suffering
together create lasting friendships.
The new tank installed after 18 chaotic days and some of the crew of a lifetime!
(Yes - We eat pizza A LOT...hence I need to run!)
My
laptop was upgraded to the new OS and that has turned into a completely
separate ordeal on its own. The upgrade
was supposed to include saving all my files and restoring them to the same
locations after the upgrade…well that never happened! Enough said on that topic!
Over
this space of time we have had heated automatic watering installed at the
farm. It too came with some issues
from contractors but they are now functional and in use. Erla gives the single bowl a test. Papa Bear has helped clear up the mess from
the barn yard and pastures. Still more
work to do in the spring but it’s at least passable and a path to #1 is mucky
clay free.
This
beauty found her way into my heart. The farm welcomed Tigger! She will be staying mostly in the house for
the winter and then we may let her venture outside as an indoor / outdoor cat
for the spring and summer.
Erla
had a bit of a hiatus from work during the extended outage. But we have got back to schooling now and
are having fun with the pedestal. She
got all 4 feet on this time; after some convincing! Not able to get her 4 feet on when I am
mounted yet but we are getting closer!
We
have also enjoyed some late fall and early winter rides through the back 40.
Nothing
new to report on Stewy…he’s still a handful!
Maybe will measure him in the next week to see if he has grown
again. He certainly is filling out and
the bone in his legs is getting thicker.
Still all legs tho!
Spent the weekend with these women. These are my life
long friends from grade school. These are friends that cannot see
each other or talk to each other in months and pick up right where we left off
the next time we see each other. I am so lucky to have these
wonderful childhood friends and I never for one second take how much they
offer me in support and genuine love for granted. Love you girls
from the bottom of my heart. xo
Running
has been on going throughout the last many weeks. A couple of half marathons, two Santa runs,
an Elf run and the Boxing Day 10 Miler.
Theresa and I have kept fit and sane because of our choice to run. What great adventures and heartfelt conversations we have had on
course…Thank you Theresa for always being there. No one left behind! Xo
Niagara
Falls Half - Brutal cold wet weather, but bettered my PR in the half marathon.
Kit pick up day was much nicer than race day!!
Road
to Hope Half – Beautiful weather for this one and Theresa and I stayed
together to finish together. This
journey in life is about who it’s with.
Hamilton
Santa Run with North Shore Learn to Run crew – Great finishes for the LTR
runners! I bettered my time from last
year in just over 24 minutes and ended up 1s in my age group!
Burlington
Santa Run – Ended up second in my age group at this one.
Santa
Shuffle – Elf run with Theresa supporting the Salvation Army. Loved this course on the Dundas section of
the rail trail.
Boxing
Day 10 Miler – Ran off the turkey coma and a first for me on course, Theresa
and I ran past a beaver that was 3 feet from us!!!
Have
had some great runs with friends on Saturday mornings with NSR. Looking forward to continuing the Around the
Bay training with the crew over the winter.
...Because running with friends when it’s cold and dark sure makes it a lot
more fun!
The
LTR group that I was helping coach also finished up for the fall session. The crew only lost one runner from the
start. This is a pic from Grad night
5K. So proud of this bunch for making
this commitment to themselves for better health. Three Cheers!
Now
we reach Christmas!
Mom
surprised me while I was on the shutdown and decorated the entire outside of
the farm. Here are just a FEW of the
beautiful arrangements that she put together throughout the farm. Love the horse heads at the gate! AND the added touch of joy that the pots to
the entrance to the arena add. Thank
you so very much mom….they are all
beautiful and much appreciated.
Xo
Christmas
dinner was at the farm again this year.
The family feasted on turkey…both conventional and one from the smoker!
