Rest In Peace, Old Friend

Why these things happen, I don't begin to try and comprehend, but tonight one of my old friends passed away. She was in a car accident very early this morning, and according to witnesses, only a miracle could have saved her - which, unfortunately, did not happen.

I hadn't seen Tara in years, at least 10. Doesn't make it any easier though. You know how you fall out of touch with people? And sometimes you happen to have flashbacks of the good times you had when you were younger, and you tell yourself "I should really stop by and say hi when I am on the block," but you never do, thinking that there's always tomorrow.

There isn't always tomorrow. Not for Tara, anyway.

We weren't the BEST of friends - I was probably closer to her older brother Rob than I was with her. But we were in the same grade throughout elementary, middle and high school. We had the same friends during our school days, and used to play Ringolevio and Ring n' Run at night in the summer time. We grew up together, then, as always happens, grew apart. No helping that.

But Tara never met my daughter, and now she never will. She hadn't seen me since I lost all my weight, and now she never will. She never met my wife, and now she never will. Because there is no tomorrow for her.

So, I guess the lesson here is the old cliche, "Life is too short." Kiss your wife/husband/significant other/daughter/son/cat/dog. Often. You can never tell someone "I Love You" enough. Who gets tired of hearing "I Love You?" Share and spread your love wide and far, and embrace all the love that is given to you. Cuz you never know when your next tomorrow may be your last.

Rest In Peace, Old Friend.

More!

Not much going on, but to satisfy the masses, here's some more pics:

The Dread Pirate Ella

Ella and Mommy at United Skates

Playing with some strange, cold, fluffy white powder.

Grandpa Marty and Ella

Stroller Strides

Today I accompanied my ladies to their weekly workout session, known as "Stroller Strides." I assumed that this consisted of a bunch of mommies and babies strolling around, chatting away, sucking down coffee and watching the babies play for a couple of hours before coming home and telling me how great of a workout it is. When Angela approached me a few weeks ago about a family session, where the daddies were also invited to attend, I told her I would come, thinking it would be a doddle around the mall where I would score some points and a lunch at Cheesecake Factory afterwards.

So, when I arose this morning, I was getting ready to go by putting on my jeans and t-shirt, when Angela tells me I need to wear workout clothes. "HA!" I scoffed! Me, the newly "athletic" guy, he who barely sweats during a 4 mile run, he who works out 4-5x a week, He-Man, need to wear workout clothes to Stroller Strides with a bunch of girls?? "COME ON!" I proclaim! "This is going to be a walk in the park, I don't need to wear workout clothes!"

"Yes, you do. I promise you will be sweating by the end of it."

"WHATEVER, I daresay I shant sweat a drop!" (note the british accent in my writing - I feel british today)

"You are not wearing jeans. NO JEANS!"

"Yes ma'am." I said, fully intending to do as I pleased anyway.

"I bet you that you will sweat during class today."

"You are on!"

"What are we betting for?"

"Lunch at the Cheesecake Factory!" (YES!)

So, I popped on my jogging pants and Thundercats T-shirt (a compromise - marriage is all about it!), and off we went.

I was sweating my balls off within 10 minutes.

These mommas do NOT mess around. The instructor had us trotting around, doing wall-sits, bicep curls, tricep extensions, squats, lunges, pushups and crunches....all while singing the alphabet song and "The Wheels On The Bus." I actually had to go into Old Navy and buy a t-shirt because I was sweating so badly, I didn't want to go to lunch smelling funky.

So, I hereby eat my words and pour much respect upon my wife and all of the Stroller Strides mommas.

Upside down, fully shaven smooch.

Attempting to engineer a new breed of rose - the Guinness Rose.

1-2-3-4-5...6-7-8...NINE!


Do YOUR ears hang low?

Yes!!! YES!!!!!!

OK OK OK

Yes, I KNOW, it has been a while since last writing - sometimes life just gets in the way of blogging - who knew? Anyways, since last writing, what has happened.....um, well, Ella pooped in her potty. I have booked my trip to Nate's wedding in Seattle. My TV is pissing me off, shooting red lines all over the screen. I owe $2800 in taxes this year. And Angela made a splendid whole wheat turkey lasagna for dinner tonight. YUM.Looking forward to a nice run tomorrow....indoors. Which is boring, but temperature controlled. It seems I am always running at the moment. People ask me if I like running. Do I enjoy the act of running? Not particularly, no. At this point, I have no choice but to run. It's like breathing: do I like breathing? Enjoy the act of inhaling and exhaling? Not particularly, but I have to do it. So, on that note....Ella!

Pigtails!...and hairy chest (UGH)!

Probably dancing to "Go Diego Go," her new obsession.

I cannot believe how big my little pumpkin is...

Yes, I am sleeping, and Ella is lounging, chillin' watching TV

Enjoying her new "hat."

"You lookin' at me, punk?"

Doing our best to wean her off that damn pacifier...

Fun with Grandma!

Fueling up before her first space voyage/moon walk.