I treated the end of 2008 like many other people I know: I heartily flipped it off, bid it a 'good riddance' and kicked it's ass out the door. I thought that stinkin' year would never end. Now that it's over, it's time to shed the skin and start anew.

After a several-month layoff I've dusted off my running shoes and will begin using them for their intended purpose rather than just having people gawk at their sheer size.

I love running and the quiet and alone time that comes with it, so to ensure that I get some quality 'me' time, and lots of it, I signed up for 2 half marathons in 2009. Both are in CT, one is in April and one is in October. I am open to running more, hopefully in between those two to keep me going through the summer. I saw one advertised just today for one in June...so I may sign up for that one too.

All this is ramping up for my goal of running two full marathons in 2010. I'd like to run Boston in April via a charity (since I'm a goofy looking slowpoke who couldn't qualify for Boston if my life depended on it) and then the Honolulu Marathon in December when we go there to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. So if I get into Boston with a charity, be prepared to be hit up by me for money. A lot.

Tonight was my first run, which I actually attempted this morning. I got up at 4:30 to hit the pavement, but found our driveway covered in a sheet of ice. Let's just say it didn't go so well.

Picture Brian Boitano in the height of his career, skating gracefully and flawlessly to his Gold medal win in the '88 Olympics. Got it? Now add about 50 lbs around the gut and a foot in height. Oh yeah, and take away any athletic prowess whatsoever. That was me this morning. It was about as far away from the Tano Triple Lutz as you could get. In fact, I would call it the 'Don you fat putz'. I nearly broke my neck as i quite embarrassingly slid across the driveway flapping my gangly arms like a spastic freakishly-tall penguin.

I made another attempt at it tonight and it went much more smoothly. I completed 2 miles without any problems but am glad to get that first run over with, as it's always the hardest one. I can't believe that just one year ago I had completed a marathon, yet here I am tonight with tired legs after a mere 2 mile slog. But I will be able to get those longer distances back under my belt in no time and will soon enough be able to do them again without much of an effort. I really am looking forward to my future runs.

To avoid running the risk of revocation of my man-card, I need to clarify that I had to Google "famous male figure skaters" to come up with Brian Boitano's name. I haven't the foggiest about anything relating to ice skating...I could have easily put in Christopher Bowman's name in there, as he was "Bowman the Showman"...but he wasn't made fun of mercilessly on South Park.

-------------------------------------------

Not only has our family gotten over the death of Aloe our fish, but we have replaced his place in our lives with a, well, an alive fish. Just a few days later the kids and I went to Petco and picked up another betta. He's a blue and black fellow that goes by the name of...are you ready for this?.....'Sank'. No shit, that's his name. Ian thought up that name all by himself and it still makes me laugh several weeks later. Hopefully he'll fare better than Aloe did.

------------------------------------------

Christmas has come and gone and we're happy about it. Although the holidays are a fun time, and we had a BLAST, it's good to get back to normalcy. Don't get me wrong, we loved all the places we went to and people we saw. But Ian got, shall we say "jaded". We'd go to a party or even just somewhere there was Christmas decorations and he'd expect presents. Or he'd see a box wrapped up and ask if it was for him. And God forbid he saw pressents that he knew was for him: he'd pester the shit out of us or the gift-giver until he could open it. And then if it was something he didn't specifically want he wouldn't hide his disappointment.

I know it can be chalked off as typical 4 yr old behavior, but it doesn't make it any easier to accept or any less uncomfortable when he acts that ungracious in front of someone who took the time and energy to get something for him.

----------------------------------------

We just got back from a visit with my brother and sister in law and their family. We took the train to PA as our kids suck in the car and we figured it would make for a happier event if they weren't lashed to their carseats.

This proved to be worth it as there were several trips to the cafe car and bathroom. It was a 4.5hr ride down there and the kids got sick of the train at about the 4 hr,10min mark so it was perfect timing. It took a lot longer on the way home, but it was mostly due to planned delays. The kids were much crankier and less tolerant of the train, so it was more painful...but I still think it was a good way to travel.

We had a fun time while we were down there. Ian and Leah got to spend lots of quality time with their cousins Paige & Shane and everyone got along surprisingly well! There were only a few major meltdowns, but for being together for nearly 6 whole days in a row without much separation I'd call that a success!

Ian has already found a new furry best friend. At Paige & Shane's house is a 3 month old kitten named "Midnight". This is the most tolerant, laid back cat you ever saw....Ian spent the majority of his day chasing that cat down and carrying him around. He DESPERATELY wants to get a new cat, preferably that one. He asked for one for his birthday, so we have quite awhile to decide if that's something we want to do. Although maybe we'd be better off getting Sank a playmate.

----------------------------------

I have more to tell but nothing earth shattering and it's entirely too late, so this is where I end it.

Until next time, don't forget to put on clean underwear.