PEACE OF THE HOLIDAY TO YOU

 

HELLO EVERYONE AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

My favorite song by the Beatles is Let It Be, and though it isn't really a Christmas song, when it came on my ipod during my run this morning, it seemed like a perfect sentiment for the season especially this year when the economy is what it is and there is so much unrest in the world. Wishing you all peace and happiness this season and all through the year. 

Beatles Let it be Lyrics:
When I find myself in times of trouble 
Mother Mary comes to me 
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be. 
And in my hour of darkness 
She is standing right in front of me 
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be. 
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be. 
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be. 

And when the broken hearted people 
Living in the world agree, 
There will be an answer, let it be. 
For though they may be parted there is 
Still a chance that they will see 
There will be an answer, let it be. 

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be. Yeah 
There will be an answer, let it be. 
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be. 
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be. 
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be. 
There will be an answer, let it be. 

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be. 
There will be an answer, let it be. 
And when the night is cloudy, 
There is still a light that shines on me, 
Shine on until tomorrow, let it be. 
I wake up to the sound of music 
Mother Mary comes to me 
There will be no sorrow, let it be. 
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be. 
There will be no sorrow, let it be. 
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be. 
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be....

HO, HO, NO!

Happy Holidays Everyone! Hope you are all enjoying the season of peace and love. You all have probably taken a day or two to trim the tree and place some twinkle lights in your windows, bushes, or yards. Some well placed decorations provide a bit of joy for everyone. 

But what happens when something goes wrong in the execution of a decorating idea? Something doesn't get translated properly from the idea the decorator has in mind to the end result. Tasteful can become gawdy or trashy with one too many missteps in the decorating tango. Oooo, aaahhh, how cute/sweet/beautiful/elegant, can suddenly become, "what the heck were they thinking?", or even worse, "OMG, look at the winner of the trashiest light display."

For the past few years, my holiday season commute to work has been transformed from mundane to ghastly because of the Christmas display assembled in one of the yards along the route. Check out the picture below and judge for yourself! I ask you, is this (A) Jolly old elf, or (B) Creepy pedophile Santa? 

                                       

I was Run-ning-g!

Although it has nearly been a month since Marathon day, it seems like just yesterday my feet felt like someone was taking a hammer to them with each step I took. Yes, it seems like only a few days since I could not prevent the "ow, Ow, OWW" from escaping my lips as I lowered myself down the stairs each day. Why sure I can still remember the feeling of complete exhaustion as I finally crossed the finish line over 5 hours after beginning. Not a very fun run this year. An injury preventing adequate training was the culprit. 

As a runner you want each race to be better than the last. As a mere mortal, or at least someone not of Kenyan descent, that doesn't always happen. Injuries, weather or just an "off" day can all torpedo your dreams of a PR (personal record). At over 5 hours, I also did not meet my goal of 10 minutes or less per mile. So, of course this means I will need to run another marathon. I am sure by the time the next marathon day arrives, I will have forgotten all about the pain and suffering of the last one. Hmm, that sounds like some of the comments I have heard about women when they decide to have a second child! Below are a few pics from the route of my 5th "child". 

Okay, gotta run!

Happy Holidays and all that Stuff

So, I have been told by several people that no new posting has been added to the blog in a while. Can you blame me? It is the holiday season for crying out loud! So much to do, hanging stockings, stringing up the twinkle lights, trimming trees, making eggnog, writing out holiday greeting cards, shopping, wrapping, baking, visiting family, watching holiday classic movies, etc., etc.  And let's not forget to add in some time to catch whatever bug is going around in the community. It just doesn't leave much time to blog and make it entertaining too. So, a little break was in order. Jake Pohick was right. It is a lot of pressure to keep up a blog and have it be entertaining for the readers. 

Okay, here is a little something new for you. The boys were trying to help me get more into the Christmas spirit this weekend. A couple of clowns, they are. Here are a few of the pics from their efforts. Enjoy!

Plea Reached in Toy Murders!

The Richmond Canine Police Department announced today that accused toy killer Fuego the Terrible and prosecutors have reached a plea agreement. "In the interests of the public, we have entered into a plea agreement with Mr. Fuego the Terrible," said Chief of Special Crimes Unit for the Richmond Canine Police, Mocha Dopolis.

Poncho Feline-Villa, aka the Cat, the notorious killer who recently escaped prison, is still on the loose. Feline-Villa was convicted in the murders of a dozen birds, including two Doves at a wedding, abandonment of her kittens, trespassing, and assault of three cats. She has also been connected to a string of cat burglaries, although she has not been officially charged. According to sources, Fuego the Terrible has had dealings with Feline-Villa, knows how the Cat thinks and operates. Additionally, Fuego the Terrible's extreme speed and maneuverability in wooded areas, were integral to the plea arrangement. 

Fuego the Terrible will assist law enforcement authorities in hunting down the Cat and bringing her to justice.  In exchange for his assistance, the charges against him will be reduced to assault. Sentencing will be held after the capture of the Cat, or in the spring, whichever occurs first. 

"I am just glad to be helping the police bring a real criminal to justice. While I am sure I would have been exonerated of all charges, now is not the time to bargain for petty privileges when there is a true killer on the lose. I will use all my efforts to bring the Cat in," Mr. Fuego the Terrible said in a prepared statement. 

CAPTURED!

The crime spree has ended, the suspected culprit is behind bars tonight. Fuego the Terror has been captured and is awaiting trial on three charges of toy murder, three charges of attempted toy murder and one charge of stealing food. Bail was denied and trial is set for the spring.

Annual Costume Run

The Richmond Sportsbackers Marathon Training Team held its annual costume run this Sunday. Tradition is that on the last group run before the Marathon, runners dress up in costume and run the last 8 miles together. (It is a little late for Halloween this year, but no matter, it is still fun to run the streets of Richmond looking like overgrown trick-or-treaters). The Monty Python gang consisted of two gents from merry ol' England who entertained everyone with a song about Camelot and Spamalot, which was quite funny. One of them claimed that all Englishmen are thesbians. Who knew? The only rule was that you had to be able to run in your costume for the 8 miles.  DJ ran as the Runa(long)way bride. Costume was completed by a home made LiveStrong garter.

The Spine - Your own personal superpower!

As most of you know, DJ has been a fan of Chiropractic care since the very first snap of her neck immediately removed her ongoing headaches. Nothing like getting straightened out after overdoing it, being stressed out or just going through life. 

It is amazing that we can identify so many possible effects on the body that the misalignment of just one spinal vertebrae or disc can cause. Here are just a few of the possible effects that can be caused by misalignment:

Neck area - headaches, nervousness, insomnia, head colds, high blood pressure, sinus trouble, allergies, acne, laryngitis, hoarseness, bursitis. 

Mid-back - asthma, shortness of breath, functional heart conditions, pneumonia, influenza, gall bladder conditions, poor circulation, indigestion, heartburn, ulcers, low resistance to colds, chronic tiredness, gas pains, allergies.

Lower back - constipation, diarrhea, cramps, varicose veins, bladder troubles, irregular periods, bed wetting, change of life symptoms, knee pains, sciatica, backaches, poor circulation in the legs, swollen ankles

Pelvis - low back pain, hemorrhoids, pain at end of spine on sitting. 

Wow! It seems impossible that someone merely putting your bones back where they belong could take care of so many ills, aches, pains, etc. But, they say the body is designed to heal itself. Sometimes it just needs a little help or a jump start. 

You are never too young or too old to get a chiropractic adjustment. It helps the body heal itself. It alleviates pain and other systems. And, it seems to make you taller too! Well, okay maybe that is just because you stand up straighter.  

Add a therapeutic massage to your adjustment and you can almost leap tall buildings in a single bound! 

Next time you have some pain in your back or get a headache, or are just feeling run down, consider a visit to your friendly neighborhood chiropractor. It might surprise you how much better you will feel with a little snap, crackle and pop in your life. 

Check out the site below for more information. Chiropractic cannot prevent every condition or cure all of your problems. I am convinced though, that it definitely improves your quality of life. 

http://www.healthscout.com/ency/68/171/main.html

Who will you vote for next week?

William F. Buckley, III, George Will, Colin Powell, and DJ and the Boys. Could all of these great minds be wrong, or is there something to this Obama guy? 

DJ, the political black sheep of the family, has always leaned slightly to the left. So, supporting a Democrat like Obama wasn't much of a stretch. Mocha likes Ralph Nader, but seeing the writing on the wall, this practical Weimeraner has gotten behind Obama as well.  While Fuego likes the name Obama, because it is fun to sing the name game to, he told me he likes old people and ladies who talk funny more, so he has jumped on the McCain - Palin train. I don't think he really understands the whole election thing very well. 

We have all seen the 24 hour news and political pundits spin the stories of the day to the benefit of their candidates. The discussions, arguments and all out battles could go on forever with no one changing anyone else's mind. So, what do we do?

VOTE! 

Whoever you are planning to support, just do it! 

Get out there and pull that lever, push that chad, or color in that oval with a number 2 pencil. However your voting place counts your vote, make sure it is there to count. 

If it rains, put on your rain slicker or grab your umbrella!

If it is cold, put on an extra jacket.

If you are afraid it will be crowded bring along a snack, your ipod or a book to read. 

If you are stressed out from work, fight your way through the rush hour traffic. 

Earn your "I voted" sticker. 

People all over the world literally have to risk life and limb to exercise their right to vote. We just have to manage our time to get there before the polls close. 

.....and if you forget, or don't have time or decide it isn't worth the trouble, complaints about the actions of the winner will fall on deaf ears.  

Oh yeah, just one more thing......

GO OBAMA!!!! YES WE CAN!!!!!!!

Life is tough for doggies at casa de DJ