Walk For Justice

My trainer (I've been seeing her for about 6 weeks) advised me to volunteer at a triathlon so that next year I might want to do it. I associate even thinking of doing a triathlon as a very negative experience. The last time I tried to do one and in all the training and making sure I was doing the right stuff for my body - my doctor advised me to have my gallbladder removed, which resulted in some minor complications (but made me unable to keep up with my swimming training) and then we also moved - and that about broke my heart. Seeing this triathlon I think I can finally put those memories behind me and hopefully move forward to completing one for my 45th b-day, instead of my 40th (as previously planned).

I had never been to a triathlon and it was truly an amazing experience. I was placed along the run portion (which is also the last) - at a point where folks were just starting that leg - or just ending it. It was amazing to see all the different folks who did the race. How determined they were. It became obvious to me that how in shape you are has nothing to do with being able to do a triathlon - it is your determination. It also made me realize that Slade and I could and should do a run this fall. I found this, Walk For Justice, I found it thru our church (First Universalist, a Unitarian church).

So in just two weeks he and I will run a 2 mile race. Then I hope we will find a 5k to do in the spring. Today I did walking/running training for 1 mile - it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Thank you Kitty & Christina for the reference of the couch25k site. I have downloaded their 9 week training and my trainer loves it and I think will be passing it along to other new runners.

more recent oldies ...

Graham - our trash retrieving hero!



It was I don't remember how many years ago - 3? The Chicago cousins were there (O'd, Liz, Urris, Alex, Wes & Liam) and my sister and family (Christina, Chet, Catie & Becky), I think my parents were there as well.

A bunch of us were down at the dock (freezing!) and we saw a beer can floating in the lake. We all talked about how horrible it was and who was going to retrieve it? The moans all said it was too cold. Graham became our hero as he declared that he would go on the expedition to retrieve the trash.



Of course he received a proper hero's welcome!

California

What a great trip to California we all just had.

Seby, Zane & I arrived last Monday and stayed at a local hotel as all the rooms were taken at the Melnarik's. It was actually quite fun to have a swimming pool at our disposal. I have to admit I only used the gym once at our first hotel (stayed there 3 nights), then we moved to a different hotel once Slade, Cody & Graham arrived (they are high maintenance and needed a nicer hotel). Again, the pool was awesome - and this one was indoors and warm enough for the Hocia's to join us!

How fun it was to visit with my siblings. How much we have all matured.





We were able to see Dominick and his family - Lisa, Declan & Elta - what a treat to invite ourselves over to their home for brunch. All we had to do was bring our big family and two bottles of champagne.





The the big event - my parent's 50th Wedding Anniversary Party.




There was a wonderful pasta dinner at Paul & Miriam's the night before the big party. It was a great way to get some extra time with family we seem to hardly see!



I was even able to convince Cody, Graham & Slade to help sing a song to my parents at the party.

Look what I found while filing?

From Slade's days long ago working on the CBOE.

kids, what kids?

I'm kid-free and husband-free.

Cody & Graham are both in Chicago and Sebastian & Zane are at Camp Ihduhapi until Friday.

Really I'm missing my honey. So, of course I downloaded my pics from our recent trip to Chicago.

We had such a great time seeing old friends and also falling in love again with Chicago.

80? Seriously?

Yep, that's my mom. Giving Zane a piggyback ride home from eating out at Christo's (our favorite Greek restaurant). She must of done it several blocks. Happy Birthday Mom! And soon she will celebrate her 50th Wedding Annsy! She and my daddy.

They have set us wonderful examples of how to be a loving couple. Thank you!

No picture taking?

I just downloaded photos and can't believe what little I have to show for the life we have been leading this summer. I have NO pictures from our week up at the lake house for 4th of July - well except for some videos of Wes, Cody, Graham, Liam, Seby & Zane taking turns driving the toy tractor down the boat launch and whipping it around to a stop - all with inches to spare before they each either fall off the side of the launch, roll over, or just slide straight into the lake. It turns out these were just examples of what I was afraid they would end up doing, yet they never fell. I did make Zane go and put on a bike helmet, and EVERYONE teased me for it. I like his cute face and we had too recently already taken him to the ER for stitches from a pocket knife cut.

We had Liam come stay with us for the past two weeks and last week Seby, Zane & I drove Liam back to Chicago. I also had to go to a hearing for some building infractions we had on the Chicago apartments. Luckily we are all finished with that and hopefully they won't bug us for a while. If they do I have a few neighbors to point out.

I requested that we have dinner at Reza's our last night in Chicago - an old favorite of ours from when we lived in Andersonville in Chicago. Yum. It was still yummy and Reza is still greeting everyone at the door, with many of the same wait staff. Here are some pics of Seby & Zane devouring a new favorite dessert we had after our very large meal.




They each were able to fit 7 of these tasty treats into their already full tummy's. Zane was in a trance on the drive home. Sitting next to him I was a little worried he was going to throw up on me - and in Liz & O'd new car! But he didn't. Just food coma.

Zane HAD to get in a visit to the Lincoln Park Zoo - and who wouldn't love to do that? It is the best Zoo in the WORLD!



The next day Liz, Liam, Seby, Zane & I drove up to the lake house for a quick weekend. Slade, Cody & Graham drove up from Mlsp in our old Suburban - which we left at the lake house as our emergency car. We are so isolated at the lake house and Slade goes thru cars like crazy - there is always a car that can find a home at the lake house. Alex & Od drove up as well. It was lovely to spend the weekend together, even if it was quick. Driving there we saw the most amazing fog. We stopped and took some pics minutes away from the house. The kids also saw a porcupine climbing up a tree.





Yesterday morning we dropped off Seby at REI for his 3 hour drive to Camp Warren for TWO WEEKS! We had to stop at Target to pick him up a stuffed animal, as he realized he left he beloved Bear in his bed.



Enough updating, now I must go to a class at the Y.

last photo i imported to iphoto

Really, this is the last photo i imported. i sent it to slade in an email with four other photos as possible photos for his facebook pic. Cody and Graham have been giving him a hard time about NOT having a photo.

In this pic, Slade is a senior in high school. We are not dating yet, but we have known each other for a couple years. I believe I have already set him up with and counseled several girlfriends of his at this point. I think I am working at Solutions in SF. I remember he and Dominick came over to the city one night and we went and saw Maud in a play. At this point Slade is on his 3rd car (I think) - a black Camaro. On the drive home some low-riders were trying to get Slade to race - I remember they were egging him on while we were still on the bridge, then once we got off Slade opened up the car. It was sweet. He also dropped back his speed and made it clear that he would not race, but speeding in a fun car is - well, fun. It is for that reason alone that I don't think he should buy another one (Camaro) now - one that our two sons would drive and do something similar in, I'm sure.

I made Cody drive my BMW the other day. He drove it just a few blocks, we picked up Graham then he asked me to drive home. On the drive home he said "This car seems like it would be easy and fun to go fast." Probably NOT the right car for the new driver to use. Probably a good call on his part to be clear that he doesn't want to drive it.

Liam is visiting us from Chicago. I'm sorry to say I have no photos. I have been a bad Aunt. It has been fun having a fifth child, and honestly feels just natural with our flow. We hope he comes back soon!