Been awhile

So, it's been a long while since I have posted or written.
Here's a quick run down...most recent to distant memories...
Started a new job at the Y...back in fitness...couldn't be happier, still riding my bike and heading out next week for a four day 200+ mile Texas Hill Country "W(h)ine Tour"...Can't wait. Hay is running cross country and track still and working at the local Home Good's Inc. store...she is busy with school work. She saved money and bought herself a ticket to Georgia to see her friend over winter break. We are looking into college options...YIKES...one more year in high school. She went to Paris and England this summer and then she and G had their best Georgia friends come stay with us for a week....lots of fun
Garrison is still riding his bike to and from school every day. He is in 7th grade and it's a bit tough this year...hard courses and lots of studying. He is in the Tech crew in the junior high drama production...he likes it. He is an awesome kid with a head full of hair...and he continues to have the knack for cracking us up.
Keith is still at Brazo's...while he likes it he is a bit bored...He stays fresh by playing guitar at our get togethers here at the house and at friends house. He loves that. He is also still running...sort of...He and G fish the bayou and had a great time after Hurricane Ike blew through...(speaking of Ike we were w/out power for 4 or 5 days)...not to bad and no damage. Tipper is a joy...she and I walk...not as much as she'd like but every day we head out for a quick jaunt.
We have made some great friends here and enjoy lots of fun get togethers. Lot's of us here in Katy and Houston are "transplants"...I have friends from California, Lousiana, Scotland, England, Canada, New York...the oil ya know...brings them to Houston...and they all end up at the Katy Y...
That's it! In a nutshell...Till next time...

Settlegast loop from the Y

An easy and fast 22 mile loop before work!

From Y

Stratham,Beadle

Settlegast-Winner

723/359

Houston Running

Keith, Hay and I just ran our first 10k in Houston along with 8500 other runners and walkers. You all know I love to run or ride through cities;it's cool, you see things you would never see in a car, and Houston was no different. From the beautiful park like atmostphere by the bayou near the theather district to the view from the "fake hill" in the middle of the race. Other neat sights included the cobbled streets in downtown Houston near Minute Maid Park and the historic Rice building (the building where Texas won it's independence).
The race started near the Bayou, tucked in between the Hard Rock Cafe and the Alley Theater. The Houston University marching band started us off which was neat. The race kicks off the Houston Rodeo and Livetock show...so there were lots of cowboys... this reminded me of Wyoming a bit...it had a Fronteir Days feel to it.
Keith rocked his race...he just amazes me...he has gone from cigarettes and a 6 pack to 6.2miles/10k in a little over 6 months. Hay rocked it as well...she is such an awesome kid. I love her. I did okay too considering I was not really well trained for the event. I finished 16th out of 203, "40 somethings".

Everyone knows it's Wendy!

I started a new job...at the Y...in Member Services...I have decided it's like being the Activity Director on a cruise ship...you know...smile, be nice and meet everyone's needs...sometimes all at once...still, I like it...it suits my personality...after all the song that is my namesake goes something like this: "Who's walking down the streets of the city smiling at everybody she see's...Everyone knows it's Wendy..."...Anyone for Zumba on the Lido deck? See ya in the gym!

Eat, Pray ,Love

Have you read it? "Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I have been reading it since my new friend Phoung gave it to me last week at lunch. I can't put it down... I like how I feel after I have read it...centered and balanced and connected and thoughtful. I love to read and I generally read very fast. This book though, I am enjoying slowly; like a yummy piece of chocolate cake. This is one of those books that really gets you thinking about life, people and God among other things. It's not the kind of thinking that you do quickly though..this book requires slow, luxious and thoughtful pondering.
The author takes a sabbatical of sorts to travel to Italy, India and Indonesia over the course of the year. In Italy she eats, in India she prays and in Indonesia she finds love...I don't yet know if the love she finds is with another,herself or for God;
perhaps all three... and while I am eager to find out I continue reading it slowly; enjoying the scenery.

Sunday afternoon

It's Sunday afternoon. Kids are finishing homework, I am finishing laundry and the checkbook and trying to decide if I want to make dinner or let them all fend for themselves. I think the later is looking pretty good! But, I will let G talk me into making homemade chicken pot pie.
As we do every Sunday we come home from church and run. The total distance is usually dependent on whatever Hay has to run and, her mileage went up so, today we run 4 miles. Most who know me know I would rather ride than run and that I am always grateful for days when running feels good. Being a bit competitive I also like it when I don't get totally smoked by Hay or Keith. Today is no different and I find myself eyeing G enviously on his bike as we all head out! Gratefully, today was a "good" day...I felt good and ran a decent pace(sub 8:30) in front of both Hay and Keith.
It was only after I had finished(still in front of Hay and Keith) that they critiqued my run. The two of them described my form as a cross between a "joint-less, knee-less looking hobble" to something resembling a 40 year old woman on the verge of peeing her pants.They delivered this kind and hilarious critique both verbally and visually...I nearly peed from laughing. Funny thing is...I don't feel like either of those two descriptions when I run; especially if Kayne West's "Stronger" is pumping loudly in my ears; in which case I feel wicked fast and mighty fierce. As I try to reconcile this dilema between reality and the obviously deluded image of myself running Hay convinces me that even hobbled and knee-less I do look fast,...'just in a weird kinda way mom'. Gotta love the honesty of a teenager!

January in Texas

Okay, I love the warm weather...there is no if's,and's or BUTT's about it...check out these pics from a great weekend spent outside, on bike, on foot and in the water.

January in Texas

Remenants of New Years day

So we did New Year's Day Southern Style and had about 18 people at the house for Jambalaya, Ham, Greens, Cornbread and Hoppin John. It was great fun, good people yummy eats.

Remnants of New Year's Day Southern Style

Hallie's Baptism

So, Hallie was Baptized today. The same day, one year later than Keith. Keith was baptized in Lawrenceville at St. Edwards in a solemn yet bueatiful service on the last day of Christmas. The service suited Keith's style; traditional and reverent, etc. Garrison was also Baptized in Lawrenceville at St. Edwards but in June. This service also suited Garrison's style; it was Pentacost and lively,feiry colors were in abundance. And so today, it seemed right that Hay waited to be baptized in Katy. Today was joyful, colorful just like Hay. Amen

Hallie's Baptism