"SUPER" Weekend

This weekend was non-stop! Saturday morning (early), I ran 14 miles - after not running as much as I needed to during the week, this proved to be a pretty comfortable run. I was a little surprised at how resilient my body was to that distance; thank goodness it didn't let me down!

Saturday night was Shallen's boyfriend's Court Warming (he attends Park Hill High School, just down the road from our house). Matt and his friend came by to pick up Shallen and her friend Annie to go to the dance about 5pm. Of course, we got our fill of pictures and I had to make Matt feel a little uncomfortable - it's a Dad's job! Annie's mom came by to pick up her things when she asked, "What time will you be bringing the girls home?" Matt and his friend looked puzzled, so I helped them out, "Have them home by 1am!" It's all I said and they seemed to agree - like they had a choice?????

After the kids left, Steph and I settled in on the couch with the fire going and a movie in the DVD player - We Are Marshall! Interesting...I opened a Collection Call Center for Sprint in that town about six years ago and stayed in the hotel right across the street from the Diner that all the people gathered in on the movie. They still have all the newspaper articles framed and hanging on the walls from the crash back in 1970. It was interesting seeing all the streets in the movie and knowing that I walked (and ran) on a number of them when I was out there.

Sunday, we did a little work around the house after church and went to see a few "new homes" from the KC Star not too far from us - we also went to see the model plan for the home we want to build after the kids are away at college and the military - we're still trying to decide if we want to tell them where we're moving?!?!

Of course, we watched the Super Bowl! It was fairly obvious right away that the Patriots we're going to have their hands full when the Offensive line couldn't protect Brady and Manning had all day to view the field before firing a pass to his receivers. I truely think the Giant's defense made the difference in that game and gave New York the win. Had they not pressured Brady like they did, I think the outcome would have been very different - the Patriot's would have had their Perfect season! And how about Belichick - to have walked off the field with 1 second remaining on the game clock, even after the Ref told him the game wasn't over; what a wonderful example of unsportsmanlike conduct for our kids to view. I understand he hated losing, but he's suppose to be the leader and set an example - he did...but it was the wrong kind! Seeing Eli win - he truely comes from one of the greatest NFL families!

Snow...Part II

Once again, predictions were made from the weather communitie, that we were to receive a couple of inches of snow - that's when the disagreements began.

Depending upon your favorite news forcast, we could receive between 1-3 inches, 2-5 inches, or it could miss us altogether. Snow started in Overland Park around 9:30, blew pretty well for about 30 minutes, then left as quickly as it showed up - and the sun came out! It appeared that we were finished for the day and side-stepped another storm.

About 2pm, the snow started up again. At first, it was a flake here and there. After about 30 minutes, it picked up a little more and kept a steady pace for my drive home. It's a little after 8pm now and the wind and snow are still blowing - not a lot of accumulation, but cold enough to justify me starting a nice fire. Of course, it doesn't take much to convince me that a fire is necessary...one reason why I love the winter time.

My running has really suffered this week. I have another 12-16 I'm suppose to put in on Saturday morning - that may become a max of 12...we'll see how I feel. Temps are suppose to be back in the 40's this weekend - I'm definitely ready for some HOT weather!

Blowing Snow in KC

Yesterday when I ran, the wind was blowing out of the Southwest and we had temperatures in the 60's. This morning when we left for work, we had a few rain showers move through the area, but the temps were still in the mid-50's.

As I was listening in on a meeting, I was daydreaming and looking out the window to see snow slowly falling. In a matter of minutes, the breeze changed direction and the snow started blowing hard out of the Northwest and the temperature is now in the mid-20's...Welcome to Kansas City!

We're not expecting much accumulation, but it's definately a sign that we're still in the winter months here. My running schedule calls for 5 miles of hills today (speed training) - I'm going to have to get very inventive with this one. One nice thing about the snow - it's great to watch from the comfort of a warm room!

Stephan's Dog

Stephan's dog, Kylie, was found to have a lunp under the skin a year or so ago. We took her to the Vet and was told that since it was not sore to the touch and the size was not increasing, he felt this was not a big issue.

Last week, Stephan found another lump and had some real concern. You see, he's had Kylie since he was in 4th grade and even named her after his girl friend at the time (I warned him, it was a bad idea - he just wouldn't listen). Upon my coaxing, he took her into the Vet again and a biopsy was performed on one of the lumps; luckily, it just turned out to be fatty tissue.

I added 14 miles to my January total when I put in the miles Saturday morning in an older part of Kansas City. As a matter of fact, we ran right past Muriel & Ewing Kauffman's old place (owner's of the KC Royals, before their death). My old doctor used to live across the street from them and since my mom worked in his office, we went to a Christmas party there one year.

It was in the 20's on Saturday, but not much breeze - turned out to be a great day for a run! Sunday was a pretty lazy day...Steph and I went out for some breakfast and I worked on the Master bathroom (finishing the trim and painting). It was very productive. The other bathroom is next!

Good Weekend...Busy, but Good!

As always, we tend to have a lot going on during the weekend - more than usual lately. Saturday morning I braved the cold and went for a short run (1st, it was in the single digits and 2nd, I usually run farther with a group) of about 8 miles. I decided upon the Lincoln Marathon in early May. A few runners I know have said it's a pretty flat course that's fast...hopefully, I'll be fast enough to qualify for Boston with this marathon.
I went out and picked up Stephan following the run and we had a good time hanging out Saturday night. Now that Stephan and Shallen can both drive the stick (my truck is a manual transmission), they took turns driving the other one around all day. We still have ice on our street...Stephan found out first hand just how well my truck does in snow & ice - that was a beauty of a 360 in front of our house!
Sunday, we went over to Steph's mom's for lunch. Steph's brother Dave, from Springfield was up; he had an interview with the TV station up in St. Joe on Monday - so when there's an opportunity to get everyone together, we're happy to oblige. Dave's daughter Molly came up with him and stayed the night - she's really a great kid; we love having her around. I took Stephan back home so he could work on his car the next day - No School, Martin Luther King Day!
Today is my mom's birthday, so last night Steph, Shallen, Stephan and I took her out to Red Lobster...her favorite restaurant. The food was good, the conversation was great. I think mom really enjoys seeing the grandkids and spending a little time with her oldest son (she kind of likes her daughter-in-law as well).
Today, over lunch, I ran an easy 6 miles and plan to do about the same all week. I'll keep you all up to date on my progress for the Lincoln Marathon. Have a great day!

Go MU!

Just a quick hit for my good buddy Paul who grew up in the area and now lives in Tennessee: Found in The Kansas City Star today, was an article on MU being the national champion for 2007.

According to the Anderson & Hester College Football Computer rankings - a component of the BCS ranking system - Missouri is the national champion for the 2007 season. The same computer rankings listed Kansas at No. 2, .005 points behind the Tigers. The slimmest of differences between the 12-2 Tigers and the 12-1 Jayhawks was apparently Missouri's victory over the Jayhawks and a stronger strength of schedule.

Atleast Mizzou made it atop of one computer ranking! Great year Tigers, we look forward to next year!

Let It Snow...

Yesterday started out with rain followed with the promise of snow by evening rush hour - Perfect! This turned out to be one time the weathermen had it all figured out, or atleast it was a good guess. As I sat outside Applebee's Corporate waiting for Steph at 5pm, I watched the rain turn to snow before my eyes. I am always impressed with the little things that God has created for us to experience.
Shallen was home from school sick and now feeling much better after getting rid of most of it that we called her on our way home and told her to be prepared when we pulled up in the driveway to come out and go with us for some dinner.
We decided to pickup and take home from Applebee's (go figure)! We wanted to be home to watch the second night of the auditions for American Idol. This is the only part of this show I like...when people who have absolutely no talent, yet think they are the next Carrie Underwood, will step up on stage and be devastated when three people tell them the truth about their chances to ever record a song or be a big star - not gonna happen!
I woke up about 3:45 this morning and couldn't go back to sleep. After getting up, I figured out why. I am still just a big kid at heart. I went immediately to the living room window and looked at the street light where snow flakes were magnified as the wind blew them from one side of the street to the other. I love the snow...especially, from the warmth of my living room in my shorts. Waking up and driving to work in a winter wonderland, especially in a 4-wheel-drive vehicle is great!
Everybody, enjoy your day and see where God touches your environment - be amazed!