WELCOME 2009

One of my Christmas presents from Ted was overshoes for showshoeing. They are thick neoprene and are basically mega-gaitors. Today I took them for a spin and was really happy to be wearing them. My feet were warm and dry and happy. But the real reason I was happy was because it was a beautiful snowy day and it was nice to get out and work out some of the New Year's tiredness from being up late and stuff.

Sonja and I snowshoed (sort of ran) for about 2 hours and I was ready to fall over by the time we were done. What an incredibly challenging workout. I'm tired all over, including my trunk which worked hard trying to maintain balance in the uneven snow.

Sonja cools herself off by burrowing in the snow and rolling around. It's prett y cute. When I hook her harness to my waist on a snowy trail she seems to be in doggie heaven.
Gotta get a cheesy self-portrait to prove I was really there.

2008 was a good year for me. I ran 100 miles, which was a very proud accomplishment for me, knocked an hour and a half off my 50 mile time and became an aunt. I took some great trips and had a lot of fun. Sadly, 2008 also marked the 10 year anniversary of my mom's death -- it's hard to believe it's been 10 years since she passed. That's almost a third of my life. However, 2009 will mark 10 years that Ted has been my special friend. It's hard to believe that he's been in my life for 10 years. That's almost a third of my life!!! And truthfully, it just gets better and better.

With each passing year I have found more balance and more happiness. Accordingly, I greet 2009 with open arms and say "bring it on year."