Fall: BRING IT!

Can you believe summer is coming to an end?
We've had a really great summer this year, it was nice to only be working a tiny bit, we got a fair bit of stuff done in the yard, we had a wonderful break at the cabin, got to see several friends for the first time in years... it was a great couple of months.

And now, as I do every year at this time, I am ready to welcome September and the good things about it. I am always reminded at this point in the summer how I am such an "all or nothing" person, and how unproductive I am when I lose momentum. So, I'm kinda looking forward to getting some things done because I'll be back in routine again! That's the plan, anyway!!

But one of the things I'm really happy about this summer is that I've been able to come back really well from my back injury in June and I'm running about 7K at this point. I have to say, I'm pretty darn proud of myself for keeping my running up over the summer, although it was a pretty easy routine with the slow re-building, but I was pretty faithfully running 3 times a week for July & August. I certainly didn't do that last summer!

So, I have 3 running goals this fall... and I'm inviting you to be a part of it!

1) RUN FOR THE CURE, SEPT 30! I'm running with my Sole Sisters team for the 5K.
2) With RUN FOR THE CURE, I'd like to raise $150... if you'd like to be a part of this event by sponsoring me, that would be awesome! Just click on the link on the right side of this page, that should bring to you my profile on the Run for the Cure site. Thank for joining me in this important cause!
3) OKANAGAN MARATHON - 10K... That's October 7th and will be the true test of my running recovery!!

For anyone who's interested in starting running or getting back into it, our Sole Sisters group is meeting on Saturday am's at 7, Bliss bakery in Peachland. Everyone is welcome and we're having a bit of a "kick-off" day on Saturday, Sept 8th--if you've been toying with the idea... this is a great group to find encouragement and inspiration!

ENJOY YOUR LAST WEEK OF AUGUST!

Why We're So Happy Mark Married Cara...

My brother Mark and his lovely wife, Cara, are off to Italy in a few weeks. They've been taking Italian lessons for the last several months in preparation and having a great time. There are a million reasons why we love Cara. When I heard this little tidbit last weekend, I was once again reminded how important she is to our family.

Number One Italian Phrases they can pronouce flawlessly:

Cara: "I have need of a doctor who speaks English."

Mark: "I have need of my tambourine."

'nuf said?

It's Official:

After 10 days of being away, staying at the homes (or cabins) of some of our best friends, being fed & entertained and licenced to RELAX--no to-do lists, no obligations, no attention paid to the clock... we have become the laziest people on earth.

We had such a great time with Joel's brother & family at their awesome cabin (two bathrooms, dishwasher & dial-up)... and even though the weather was pretty crappy, we had such a great time, got on our manditory "Patti & Nathan vacation schedule", which is staying up until 2am playing games and then sleeping until 10 or so. The cousins had a blast playing together and got in as much wakeboarding as the weather would allow. Thanks sooooo much "Nathans'" for another incredible week of being made to feel very at home in your home-away-from-home!!

After a week at the cabin we made our way to Calgary for two nights and stayed with the Taubensees for some good catching up/tennis/IKEA/settlers/eating -- they do a mean B & B! We were also so happy to visit the church they have helped start... even in summer mode, we could cleary see that this is a group of people who are, and intend to continue to, living lives of love and truth in Calgary. It was awesome to be there and get to see what we'd been hearing about -- I'm so excited for what God is and will do through this group of servants in their community. Dan & Cathy & girls... we love you like crazy and are "with you" in the adventures ahead, whatever they may be!

Another highlight--a visit with the Birkby family... good friends from way back in Joel's "Coopers & Lybrand" days... the last time we saw this great couple was at their wedding 7 years ago... after which they headed to Bermuda for 6 years and have gone through cancer & 2 kids since we'd seen them last. So great to connect with them, visit their gorgeous home in Calgary, see their beautiful babes, and hang out with a friend who's never strayed far from my thoughts in all these years! Love ya guys!

So, now we're home, sitting on "the deck" with our respective laptops, ready for a sudoku match, facing a day that is a blank slate---SUCH A RARITY! I'm so happy to have Joel here at home, without the pressure to be "trying to get stuff done"---except beat me at Sudoku... which is highly unlikely!

OH! We also celebrated our 15th anniversary at the cabin... it was a very memorable day... starting with a tea and muffin from the "WAYCUP CAFE" --- Wabamun's finest coffee establishment... and then, well, it kind of went downhill from there--- basically I got to visit my mom-in-law while Joel played volleyball. I hear this will all be made up to me sometime this week. I'll keep you posted.

My Boys...

a little fun in the backyard today...