Spring Training

Here we see Big Dawg fielding some throws by a teammate. He's warming up for his first little league practice. Good form. Knees bent. Eyes are on the ball all the way into his mitt. Wow! Nicely done!

Big Dawg to the Rescue

Ms. Lauren was injured while playing Badminton in our backyard. So Big Dawg chivalrously came to the rescue. Here we see him applying a little TLC and, viola! Back to new!

This past week:

• Buzz was in Des Moines on Wednesday, recruiting students for the EMBA class to begin in Des Moines in January, 2011. Strangely, I was in touch with no fewer than 5 of my elementary classmates for one reason or another. It is truly amazing to have remained in touch after so many years... what great people and life-long friends.
• Speaking of friends, one of our dear friends, Red, scored a contract job with a company in Minnesota and will rent a room in our unsold house, while she's in the area. So we now have two renters!
• Beaner was in DC with her High School Choir. Sounds like she had a great time. She returns home this evening.
• Chalupa was invited to participate in the State Track Meet (not all kids get that honor).
• Peanut had a good, quiet week of fun with friends, soccer, BASIC, school and cookies?
• Sidetrack kept plugging away for her clients and attended a very informative seminar that will help her and her clients grow. She also joined the local Chamber of Commerce as Aleami Marketing. Off to the races I guess.

This is a low mileage week for running... but the streak continues... soon to reach beyond four months. I won't get excited until I reach June. That's when my personal best (July 2) will be in sight.

Chalupa Runs Her First 1500

In her first all-city track meet, Chalupa finished 3rd out of the 7th grade girls, behind two other Northwest JH runners. Her time was just over 6:00, and will improve. It's a different experience racing distance around a track rather than on a cross country course. She'll figure that out. All-in-all, a good day to be on a track.

Hair: an Overrated Vanity

Whacky Day at school. I explained to Chalupa that there was no need for her to dress up... but despite her normal whacky self, she insisted on dressing up and primping her hair.

And now... for the seasonal BEFORE - DURING - AFTER Summer Haircut Pictures:

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER!

All buzzed up with a full summer head. The Big Dawg is Lookin' lean, mean and aero-dynamic.

Two and Ohhhh!

Mickey (left) and Beaner celebrate another victory. This time they beat opponents from Cedar Rapids Washington. Interestingly, had we stayed in Cedar Rapids, there is the distinct possibility Ellie would have played for Wash. All's well that ends well. Congratulations Beaner and Mickey. Keep up the great net play, and continue havin' FUN!

Good Start to the Season

Mickie (left) and Beaner (right) converge to slap rackets after some ferocious net play by Beaner to win the point. Ellie has improved immensely and, according to Mickie, "is so serious during the match." As it turns out, Ellie has a lot of fun at practice, but is all business when the match is on the line. Wow! Who woulda thought. Way to go Beaner on starting your season with a 'W'!

Spring in '10

Spring rains always bring more water than the City Park can handle. Looks like the slow melt and smarter reservoir management by the Corps of Engineers has help avert the sorts of flood waters experienced in '08.

This is the view out our back porch. Seems like a week ago there were patches of brown and the remains of a drift (or two) of snow. Now we have to think about mowing the lawn and planting our garden.

And while spring in Iowa is not as robust as it is in Chapel Hill (Dogwoods, Azalea, Redbuds etc...), it is still a very welcome change from the blisteringly cold winter of winter.

Play Ball!!!

Season opener: Red Sox 9, Yankees 7. This is a good omen for things to come. Go Sox!

Home at last, home at last

After returning from Brazil, I had a few days to recoup while Sidetrack went to the Twin Cities for a client. Shortly after her return home, I was off to Atlanta for 5 days. Now that I'm back I can more regularly update the blog.

While in Brazil I visited a huge open market, the Ipanema Hippie Market (above). This is hosted every Sunday in a park just two blocks off the beach. It was very crowded and they had all sorts of items for sale to include fine leaders, jewelry (cheap as well as nice), clothes, and tourist crap.

After "shopping", I grabbed a bite to eat at a local cafe (above) and then took one final stroll on the beach (below). These will be the lasting images I'll have for the final days in Brazil ... until next year when the EMBA class of 2011 may return.

The conference I attended in Atlanta was very good, but the highlight was my Sunday morning run. While running to Turner Field (home of the Atlanta Braves), I passed Ebenezer Baptist Church and the Martin Luther King Museum. I noticed a group of people over by the tomb of MLK so I jogged over to catch the final prayers for Palm Sunday. It was very moving and very cool.

But now I'm home for a few weeks and digging in for the final push before graduation. Easter has been uneventful (which is nice for a change) and the afternoon will include a run and some gardening. No soccer, and no insane running around . Happy Easter everyone!