Orcas -- killer whales

Twins !! Here we are in our wet suited glory.
On me, the P Flex refers to my puny muscles.

The real workout is getting into and out of these snazzy little numbers. exhausting.

Today we did a 1.5 mile swim. We joined Coach Lesley, so there was no leisurely sidestroke or back floating. 42:00 of swimming. We had to alter the route a bit, as an armada of geese were blocking the way at one point. Don't want to mess with them.

Tomorrow we'll go off on a 60 mile ride. Will it never end??? :) We shall do the entire Lake Washington loop. We're heading out early with hopes to be home in time for Brazil - France game. This morning we left with Argentina up 1-0 , figured they had it in the bag. Nope, Germans pickpocketed that bag, tie-ing it up and winning in PK's.

Tour de France starts tomorrow, too. Who shall we root for?? Jan Ullrich? nope... Ivan Basso? nope... Blood dopes. or at least they are "suspected" of such bad behavior. More on this in future postings. wow !

4 weeks to go

This past week has been a "down" week for workouts. What with the colonoscopies, and all. Hard to exercise when you can't eat and then have to flush your bod of all you didn't eat. Hey, it was nuthin.

But today we ran a 10K race. with a 4 mile warm up, of course. Gina and I placed #1 and 2 in our age group in the Pride Race. Gotta love a race with not too many participants. Makes for a good shot at the ribbons.

We did test drive the wetsuits on Friday. This time we entered the water near the American fishermen, who seemed glad to see us. Although, as we got out I gave a wave to one of my Russian guys, and he seemed happy to see us,too.

Tomorrow we are doing a 1 mile swim race here at Green Lake. Should be interesting. A chance to swim hard for that distance (without running into a wall, or a fishing line or a kayak) and with lots of other swimmers thrashing around. Kind of triathlon race start training. Followed by a quick 25 mile bike ride.

Hopefully, we'll be home in time for half of one of the soccer games. Or at least the Mariner game.

Riding Fools

This was from the day AFTER. I think we rode up there.




This is Coach Lesley, from last year's sunny , hot ride.



Well, we went to Lake Chelan to participate in the Century Challenge. a 100 mile bike ride. of course, we were only going to do 60 miles. (Coach did the 100, she's an Ironwoman , we're only Half Ironwomen) We thought it would be good to go to the hot, sunny part of the state for some warm weather training. right. Saturday morning was cloudy and cool. And then it got wet and cold. Oh, and those 60 miles. a bit of elevation was involved. You know it's going to be a hill when the signs are pointing to the ski area. That part was great. That hill was 40 minutes of climbing.

Of course, what goes up, must come down. And I'm sure you're all sick of hearing me whine about going downhill. But please, this was a winding, steep descent. In the pouring rain. Like I trust my brakes in that. and did I mention it was freezing out? Because we do not believe in riding in inclement weather, we don't have the rain gear. We've needed it several times now.
We sped back to the hotel to jump in the hot tub.

But no flat tires. Even tho I was ready !!

So, I shouldn't have dissed the Canadians regarding the World Cup, because the US played like it wasn't in it , either. PPP, pretty poor performance.

Today we watched soccer, rode the bikes indoors for 90:00, HARD. watched another soccer game , then hit the pool for a million laps.

Coupe du Monde

Yes, folks, it's yet another sporting event for some of us to go GAGA about. and spend hours in front of the tellie. At least we'll be spinning on the bikes when we watch.

FIFA World Cup. that's soccer to you Americans and hockey / Stanley Cup lovin Canadians.

I, of course, hate soccer when played at any level other than the World Cup or Olympics. My intro to World Cup was 8 years ago (wow) when I was spending a month on the couch after my achilles tendon surgery. I saw every game. Vive le France and Zinadine Zidane !! les bleus I would have seen every goal, too, except as we all know, those soccer b------s only score when you've finally hobbled on crutches to the bathroom . But my God, those games are exciting. Just because there is no scoring.

Anyway, our soccer LOVING friends in California are way excited. Traci has given me the name of a book, The Thinking Fan's Guide to the World Cup. No, it's not similar to The Idiot's Guide to the W. C.. I've just started, but each country is written about, and I don't think the guys on the team are even mentioned. Well, I've only read about Angola. But it seems depending on the author of each chapter, there will be something historical, sociological, or political, or even hysterical. The appendix, of course, has W.C. stats. But also demographic info on each. I've just noticed that the United States is in the lead in Executions per year. and 18th in Literacy. The Aussies lead the way in that category. Go figger. :) just kidding. I'd comment on where Canada is in one of these categories, but, oh yeah, the book is just about the 32 countries that made it into the tournament. GO OILERS !!!

Those crazed Californians (traci, denise, and annalise) will actually be in Europe for a good portion of the tournament. Ah, yes, to be in Paris, and spend 6 hours a day in front of a tv. A tv chattering away in a foreign language. Have I mentioned Denise Bender who was on the Original U.S.A. womens world cup team ?? Check out my earlier posts for fan fotos.

First game tomorrow morning. USA vs. Czech Republic on Monday morning. check your local listings.

omigod, i just found the world cup web site. There's a page on each of the 736 players. I'm sure you'll hear about some of them. I've already seen a photo album of players' wives or girlfriends. An unbelievable number of these guys are dating models. who'd a thunk it? It's as if they were NBA or PGA or baseball stars !

gotta go !

Fixing Flats

On Saturday we had a brief lesson from Coach Lesley on how to change a flat tire on our bikes. It was a it of a fiasco for me. I figured if I ever get a flat in a race, I might as well chuck it. (the race and the bike) Or Pick the bike up and run it in.. Does that count ?? Gina had no problems, as it brought back how she used to change flats on her bike, as a kid. I can say with some certainty that I never had a flat tire as a kid. Am hoping that luck carries over and thru adulthood.

But, yesterday, with no tutors to pitch in and help, I sat in the back yard and practiced. I think I've got the part about getting the tire off the rim and the tube out, and a new one in. Now, I've got to work on the "quick release" of the whole wheel from the frame, and "quickly" putting it back on. And for sure, there is nothing quick about it. YET !

Of course, doing this all in the middle of a race with soaring heart rates, and adrenaline rushing, and on the side of the road, will be a totally different scene. And for sure there won't be a cold beer there once I am successful.

But I shall give it more practice.

And we now are the owners of new, full wetsuits. We are pro's. We hope to give them a trial swim this weekend. I'm sure there will be photos .

And tomorrow I will run 8 miles. A new mileage high for my running. Am I happy or what?

Oh, Yeah, THE M A S S !!!

I think I had sent a few of these pic's in an email, then forget when posting all to the blog. ooops.

You knew I had more

But really, I think I am done uploading photos.. and the coffee is gone.

But we couldn't let Janelle off scot free from the Blog.......
love those Croc's.

Too much cake, Ash.


G'day , mate


Enough of the JJ photos, I'm going to take a picture of me-self.


How many times did you watch the laser show?

Where in the World is Wendy ?

Oh, she was there. Just ask Jabba the Hut. (an admirer at the pool). Or ask Lee, "Mommy, can I have one more chocolate?" "one more"

No sunburns when you swim at night.


The choir, but where's Wendy? or should I say, where's the church? I can joke, W. , cuz as the driver of the Paloozer wagon, I got lost, too.

Yes, you knew this one would be blog material.


Hey, let's see the "where's the tennis ball" trick, AGAIN.


Did we have fun, or what ???

The Headliner

Presenting the star of the show .... JJ.
A drum roll, please............................ ok, enough of that.

Father, Father


Another Gina sighting.


Food, Father

Sisters (not nuns), Father


Family, Father, (what's so funny?)

Mother of the Priest

How about a round of applause for Aunt Louise, the Hostess with the Most-ess . What a great job she did the whole week. Thanks for everything.

Thanks for keeping the Christmas tree up all year.
A good excuse for a party.


Do you remember the song...?


Mom, I'm going pro as a guitar player.
I'm gonna make it big right here in on the Boulder Hwy. in Fabulous Las Vegas.


SHURE...


I'll get back to the chores after just one more pretzel.

Slots, in Vegas ??

For sure she was there.
Looking for her? Check out the aisle seat of a row of the penny slots.


Jennifer checks in to ask what time Mass is (was).

Official participant in the Mass.


Only their hairdressers know for sure...


Relaxing in the Marilyn F. Young art gallery, with the artist.
Not long and they'll both be in the T. P. (Townsley Position)

Irish lasses looking fabulous !!!!

I'd Like to Make a Toast

Ashley got the champagne flowing. And then the toasts to Father JJ came, with an outpouring of love and memories. Oh, and a history lesson of the Holy Famliy parish. Thanks Monsignor.
But really, thank you Ash.

Uncle Herman

The Professor


Pria, the adoring niece

Joe, the childhood buddy

Ashley highly recommends the Napa bubbles
over the French stuff. We concurred.

Gina makes the rounds

Somehow Gina ended up in a lot of photos. Next time you'll know to sit next to her, for sure inclusion in the blog.
And you know she j u s t L U V S the attention. right.


The New Yawkers - Dyan, Herman and Gina



Gina and Dorothy looking sharp for Monday Mass.


Slots, Aunt Louise, and Gina are ready to hit the machines.


Cousin Mike and Gina. and some headless guy.


Wendy and Gina...
Wendy, you should have drunk all that OJ, ... and saved the slacks.

Family from Afar

Now that I've got the hang of multiple photos per posting I can do some more reunion stuff. Warning.... I have a full pot of coffee to work with. Here are some of the gang who travelled quite a distance to celebrate with JJ.


Ljoiussee, Patty and Dorothy enjoy
post dinner drinks, thanks to Slots who finally won some spending $.

Aunt Mary, Margaret, and Marilyn (Slots)
enjoy the post breakfast OJ.


The Scwhalls are plotting
how to get some more of that delish - ious egg dish.


Joe and Carrie appear to be
paying attention, but really they are checking out the photos
on their digital camera.


Settling in for
the big Monday Mass.