All good things. ..

(this blog)... must come to an end.  And so it goes. ... over and out.

Back at It

Well, all the distance running and some bad genes have combined again to trash my back. One of my discs (L2-L3) has disintegrated to little more than crumbs. Of course muscles, nerves and skeletal infrastructure are battling for world dominance while the rest of my aging body struggles to perform simple tasks like getting out of bed, putting on socks, getting in and out of cars, walking up and down steps, sitting, and standing.

Bone on bone. With the help of aggressive physical therapy, I will be able to resume all activities. Until then, progress will be slow.  Pain is relative.

Speaking of back.... In all likelihood Smelly will transfer from KU to the University of Iowa - an upgrade. She's baAack!

Three years after spinal fusion, Maggot completed her first marathon. She carried two titanium rods, several pins, and near perfect posture just over 26 miles on Chicago roads!   In true Maggot fashion, I think she finished 4th in her Under 16 age group.

I guess there's no looking back.  Happy Halloween, and so it goes...

Tired dogs

The hounds seem to rule the roost.  A dog's life.  And so it goes...

Leading the Way: Don’t forget the personal touch

Leading the Way: Don’t forget the personal touch - My latest submission to Business 380.

Free Treats

At our previous address we put a box out front for the "walkers by".  We finally got this mounted in front of 2209 Harvest Circle. The traffic is not as great,  but over time,  I'm sure we'll have loyalists.

Today was a handyman day. Had to get some biscuit cutters mounted into cutting blocks to include pumpkins,  dradels, menorahs, and stars of David. Holiday dog biscuits.   Makes me wonder if we should make Kosher dog treats, and if we make them,  would we sell them to Yippish customers?

ike's soccer team lost two games today,  but the Hawkeye won!  Would rather be running a half marathon or perhaps a marathon.  Hot day to run... hope maybe a few spinkles helped cool off those that did run.

Shop tomorrow. ... and so it goes. ..

Phase III

Framing, electrical, and drywall. ... done.   Next up: mud and tape followed by paint then carpet. Last but not least trim.

It's taken longer that I would have liked,  but it looks good. 

Labor Day. .. a good day to labor.

New friends

The twins went to Ike's old school, and played on one of his early baseball teams.  As it turns out, they moved and now live two blocks away.  Here they are at the bus stop, the first day of school.

Basement drywall gets done today. Hawkeye's play today in 90 degree temps.  Is rather be hanging rock.

At some point, someone will have to travel to Cedar Falls to pick up or fugitive dog. Now that our most recent crisis has passed, Buddha can come home under very tight security.

Looking ahead. .. three trips to DSM to recruit and work. Teaching goes into full swing.

Started training this week in prep for a marathon in October? One more week of base, then intense speed work   and up-tempo work.  Maybe some hills or, more positively labeled inclines. 

Steady as she goes with patience,  endurance, and eyes on the goal. .. And so it goes...

Winds of Change

Things are finally hunkering down into a quiet hmmm... kids in school, students back on campus, and Woofables ramping up for the soon-to-arrive fall holidays.  In ultra distance running this would be called steady as she goes. 

Don't eat too much or too little. Stay hydrated. Don't be a hero and think you can win it all if you pick up your pace. Always remember that in a matter of minutes things can change, and all the best plans of mice and men can experience a reversal of fortune (a stolen phrase from competitive eating).

All I know in late miles of a long run, a wall awaits. This wall of doom, is crushing and demoralizing. It can take an abled body person down for the count.   For me, the running wall is between miles 70 and 80.  I've been halted in my tracks, dropped once, and managed to forge through three times.

Lately, I've been thinking about this Wall. I suppose like any obstacles in life there are things we can do to barrel through and get results.  One thing for sure, if you wait for it, the wall will rend you helpless. The best thing to do is to take charge of the situation and manage the obstacles before they manage/ruin you.

With that in mind, there are three mantras that I've used and am rolling them around my head:  Beware the chair (meaning don't sit down, or you'll never get back up). Keep moving forward no matter what (inertia can be hard to gain once you start moving). Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.... and it won't hurt much more if you continue to jog. Then REPEAT!

I have an uneasy feeling a Wall looms near, so here we go:  Beware the chair; Keep moving forward no matter what; pain is inevitable.... and so it goes....

Fall Ball '13

Fall Ball! That is the smile of a 10-year-old who ended his drought against 13-year-olds with an RBI single to help his team pull away from a 6-6 tie in the final inning of the game. There is joy in Muddville tonight!

Make Room

So the Maggot's room is coming along nicely.  All drywall will be up by the end of the week!  Whew.

Residency week for 1st and 2nd year EMBA students is done and schedules should be settling into something more normalized and predictable.  Welcome relieve after a very chaotic summer.

Beaner officially started classes today at KU. Maggie and Addy are already swamped with activities and studying for a range of AP and Honors classess at West High.

Big Dawg really likes his new school and teachers.

Summer heat finally arrived just when
I start ramping up for 26.2 miles of bandit running in Oct. Ugh.  So hot the ICCSD schools are on early release.

And so it goes. ...

First Day

I suppose I could say this was the first day of the rest of our lives, but that might be too dramatic.

So how about the first day of class for the delinquents?  Big Dawg, Chalupa, Peanut, and Beaner (in abstentia).

So they're off like a herd of turtles, or scholars. .. I sometimes get turtles and scholars confused. Meanwhile IC EMBA students (1st and 2nd years) enter day three.

Soon, a new normal will beset out house. Just a bit lonelier I suppose.  Easy come, but not so easy it goes.  And so it goes. ..

Day two. .

Second day of residency week went smoother than the first. But somehow along the way, I think I ate something bad. 
Maybe a good night's sleep will help?  But for now, this cat is in very, very sad shape. That's what I get, I suppose.

Please forgive me. .. for not posting a picture with this one.  And so it goes. .. sigh. .. :(

EMBA Banquet

You know when Iowa City's population is about to double in size when the Exec MBA students begin Residency Week.  While our students are orienting, and I'm various stages of business simulation excersizes, the rest of the world is defending on campus to load kids into residence halls, apartments, and rental houses. Let the games begin!

Maggot, Batty, and Ick begin Iowa City/Coralville schools tomorrow.  Th error summers are over. 

Next up: prep to teach E-commerce Strategies starting next Tuesday.  In two weeks, the cadence for the next several months will be established. And so it goes...

They grow up fast

Just moved Ellie into her house at KU. Only one minor incident:  her box spring matress flew off the top of the van only eight miles into the journey from Iowa City.  

For the record, I was not the one who strapped it down. 

Thankfully, no one was behind us. After recovery efforts, it was determined the box spring was unsalvageable. 

As luck would have it, a mattress store in Lawrence was having a going-out-of-business sale.  We scored a new box spring without missing a beat. 

Maggie made it back to IC from camp.  Sidetrack is in MN with Big Dawg for a couple of days. I should arrive back by 11:00 pm if I don't stop between here and there?

Sigh. . "Eleven hours in a tin can, Lord there's got to be a better way." P. Townsend

And so it goes. . .

Worse things can happen

I got to spend the afternoon participating in the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commrce Golf outing. My partner was None other than Jim T. From HRB. We did better than last year,  not two over past was not quite enough to bring home the bacon.

Tomorrow, Lawrence, KS or bust for Beaner and me. Twin Cities or bust for Sidetrack, Gumpa and Ick, and Coralville for Maggie. The coming and goings . . . Crazy.

Sunday,  I'm in the shop baking biscuits.  Monday, Two different EMBA classes begin respective residency weeks. A busy time of year.

A week from today, the population of Iowa City will double. How it's it possible to be lonely in a crowd?   And so it goes. .. and so it goes. ...

Summer in Iowa City

Summer evening in downtown Iowa City. There is nothing like it.  Ten days before the population doubles and all he'll break loose.  The lull before the storm.

Ellie leaves Saturday for KS with Padre. Gumpa, and Big Dawg head north with Sidetrack. Maggot gets back from camp.  And Batty will hold down the first with the help of dogs, cats, birds,  and a fish.

And so it goes. ..

Fall Ball '13

Practice for fall ball. Ike is now an Oriole turning the double play. And so it goes. ..

Family

Gumpa and kids in front of an Iowa City institution, Paglias Pizza!

Uncle Brinz is coming down today to hang two doors in Maggies emerging room. Meanwhile. .. I'm off to the State Fair to work the Iowa Booth.

And so it goes....

Camp Heart Connection

Boone, Iowa.  Just dropped Maggie and Molly of at Camp Heart Connect. They are first year volunteer counselors for siblings of pediatric oncology patients. There will be a few oncology patients attending as well.

Now to DSM to drop off some Gourmet Dog Treats.

Meanwhile, I'm getting reports from parents moving kids onto campus and into apartments.  Good luck with all that.  It'll be my turn next weekend when I move Beaner back to KU on Saturday.

And so it goes...

Medic!

Thought I was going onto the Des Moines campus after today's luncheon.  Looks like I have other plans.  

I'd like to blame my discomfort on the Republican Congressman's presentation.  He would like to blame it on Obamacare.  The doctor will blame it on two very aggravated compressed disks.

Oh joy of joys. Oh pain of pains. Not sure I'll make this evening's banquet. The drive back to IC will be fun, fun, fun!

I'll simply believe there's an angel on my shoulder who will dish me appropriate crap with a vague hint of sympathy.  That, and some muscle relaxers and pain-killers and I'll be fine. 

Sigh. .. and so it goes. ...

Full House

A full house of bakers and decorators this morning!  Woofables is ramping up for the fall holidays... so all paws in deck. 

Electrician shows up tomorrow to wire Maggie's Room. The inspector shows up Friday to approve the work so I can proceed.  Saturday will be grunt-day work in the basement.

Looks like I'll be in Des Moines all day Sunday for the State Fair (working the University of Iowa booth).  I'll be offering fried EMBA on a stick?  Anyone?  Anyone? Bueller?  And so it goes....

Leadership University

As many of you know, I'm passionate about education and leadership. I just attended a reception for College students enrolled in Leadership University.  This program is sponsored by the Iowa Association of Business and Industry.

If these students are any indication of future leadership in Iowa,  I will sleep easier tonight.  Wow!  An impressive group.

Ready to Ship

After a morning of Boggie Golf, the Go2Dog will spend the afternoon at the shop.  The treats (pictured here) Will be delivered this week.

Back at the hacienda, plants are being re-potted.

Chalupa put in 10 miles with Marpy as they continue their ramp up to Chicago. If any one wants to join me. .. I plan to be a bandit for about 26 if the miles.

Peanut is doing laundry.  Big Dawg is practicing piano and guitar.   Beaner is working.  As Sundays go. .. same ol' same ol'.  And so it goes....

Marcia Wegman...

... is in the house!   Sigh... it's beautiful. And so it goes...

To the dogs

After running errands, I took the grounds to the dog park.  Manna manna at the warring hole. 

Wiring, construction, assembly and of course she rock this afternoon. Oh yeah and some pick up/drop off of delinquents to a different swimming hole.

So what does a father do when he discovers a half finished liter of vodka in his oldest daughter's (19) car?   I'm thinking the car is taken away for a while.  Driving with an open container, underaged possession. It could be a lot worse.

Stay tuned...  Things will go as they go. And so it goes....

Quiet

Tonight. .. peace and quiet.  Beaner is ought with friends.  Ike playing in the front with new friends.  Chalupa in Cedsr Rapids for the night with camp friends.  Sidetrack in MN picking up Peanut and Gumpa.

Me, I'm on the back porch, with a glass of wine, and the screen door closed (to prevent owls from getting in), listening to crickets and dreaming of the possibilities.
After tonight, everyone will be back in the fold, chaos will once again rule,  and so it goes. ... 

Twenty eight

The inclines felt a bit more like hills today. And the only company I enjoyed were a few cardinals, a fawn, and some over-zealous deerflies. Otherwise, not a bad run.

I believe I'd rather be grilling supper, or dinner... or whatever. Or ice cream?

Sidetrack treks North tomorrow in a quest for daughter #2 leaving me and perhaps a delinquent or two to fend for ourselves.

I think she'll return with daughter and father (inlaw) in tow. No worries. ..it's all good.  And so it goes...

Lace 'em up again

I'm getting to be a regular at Rock Creek. It's a terrific and quiet State Park.  Perfect for an early evening run.  If I start by 5:30 p.m., I can be home by 7:30. 

"After the fire, the fire still burns" (P. Townsend),. If that's the case and this serves as a nice cool down from a day of meetings.

It's also a nice way to break up the drive from DSM to IC.

And so it goes.....

Supper

Stir fry chicken, onions, carrots, and broccoli over a bed of carefully seasoned rice.  Enjoy cooking for others... sigh.

And so it goes...

Home sweet home

Maggie's home after four weeks of adventure.  Ten days home, then a week at ontology camp for siblings.

Thursday DSM.

Next weekend is a crap shoot. Friday and most of Saturday I'm solo. Plan to run and install drywall. Based on my near death experience today, I'll need an angel on my shoulder to survive without injury. I've made it this far. .. so believe I'm blessed.

No word from Crazy, but word from Smelopevet is good. Conrats!  Family time is good too. Wish I was there for thy he rock throw and Lutfisk eating contest. I'd be in good company.

Sigh. ... and so it goes.

Rather be running

About 95% of the garage unpacked and put away.  Had to build a large storage shelfing unit in the basement to do it.

Then loaded the first sheets of drywall into the basement. I'll begin hanging this afternoon once I build a deadmans post.

Crazy Pete is well on his way in the 24hr. Tri, while the Smelvelopet crowd have crossed the finish line (congrats and thanks for the updates!).

I'd rather be there than here, but can't control that.  So a drywallin' I go.

And so it goes...

36 years+

Such a great time catching up with some Central Jr. High compadres. Craig E. (third from the left) and I went to preschool (Serendipity) together. Ginger H. (first on right) I've known since second grade... my sister away from my sisters.

The smattering of others are people I bump into around town, exept for John D. Whom I've not seen in 35 years... in from NYC!

Linda M. And Kelly B. joined us later.  Loyal friendships have no boundaries and no time limits. Sigh... never ever forgotten.

And so it goes...

Great Run

Maybe a hair shy of three miles. Beautiful State Park and get this... no hills!!  Just inclines. No aches, no injury, no sweat.  Substance, but no style.  No worries. 

Who needs style anyway?... ok, ok, ok!  I confess, I do.  I need plenty of style. Do they have coaches for that?

No matter. .. it's all good.  Run slow. .. run long. .. run for F*U*N.  And so it goes. ..

Rock Creek.

Yesterday's swim loosened up a few stiff muscles. The move is finally shaking off my bones.

So today I think I'll try a little run. With meetings in DSM, I might not lace em up 'til 7:00. Hopefully trails won't be crowded, and mosquitoes will be asleep.   Sigh. .. it's worth a shot.   And so it goes...

Golph doh!

So Big Dawg had his first golf lesson.  He will shake his baseball swing with time and practice.  He was very frustrated with putting;  welcome to golf.

Got in a short swim today. Not enough to feel accomplished, but better than nothing. 

Chalupa found the Streptacocus Virus in Pittsburgh. Go figure.  Probably the same kind we have in Iowa. Thank goodness for Saint Randy Hausler. Last year it was Beaner.

Word from Peanut. .. all good.

Beaner isn't speaking to me these days.  I'm an oaf and insensitive dad.  Not exactly the words she used. ..but you get the point. 

And that's how is, and so it goes.

The Law Enforcers

Pretending to be royalty, our cats gaze down at their minions from the comfort of their balcony.  That makes me the royal paparazzi.

Got 1O solid hours of sleep last night.  Exhaustion and stress overwhelmed me. I am long overdue to get caught up in sleep, exercise and diet. Slow progress towards work-life balance.

Electrician approved the framing of Chalupa's room.  So it will be wired next week.  She's currently in Pittsburgh.

Peanut is still at camp for two more weeks.  Everyone else is slowly unpacking and lulled into some lazy daze of Summer.

Crazy Pete is one again carrying the mantle of Team Fun, while I remain in absentia. Last week he was trotting 13 miles up a peak in Colorado, this weekend he'll do 24 hours of Tri-Athlon.  Stooopit stuph! Gabba gabba.

DSM in Thursday, then gathering of Central Jr. High friends (for more than 35 years!) for lunch on Friday. .. should be fun. 

Last but not least. .. Chance, our Parakeet, has survived one year!  Portia, is still with us. See?  There is hope. . Just believe and be patient. 

And so it goes. ..

Prisoner

JoAnn is teaching Big Dawg how to play prisoner's solitaire. Hence the picture.

This after a morning on the course with Mr. Tebeau, and the afternoon in the shop.

Tomorrow is in the office with our new coordinator. We're keeping her busy with 40+ Iowa City EMBA students starting in August and 11 (so far) students in Des Moines starting I'm January.

I noticed it's a full moon tonight. .. might be a good for a late night run?  There are always possibilities.

At least that's what I believe.  And so it goes. .. 

Travel

You know with all the travel of my loved ones as of late, I got to wondering why our instincts are so strong to know they arrived safe. Both to the destination and back.

No bizarre flight delays, no roadblocks or dragnets, no "events"?

Secondary to that, did they have a good time and what we're the highlights? Teenaged daughters are mutants.  Sigh...  I guess I'll always wonder.

And so it goes. ..

Jazz in IC

The final push to finish the move is over.  We are back to one mortgage and a lout of unpacking.

Meanwhile. .. Peanut remains in northern MN, for her second of the week's as a counselor in training.  Beaner continues to grab some work at Monica's (local restaurant).

Chalupa arrived home from camp this morning at 12:30, is now in a bus. ..Pittsburgh bound.  This is the annual Pittsburgh Project with St. Andrews church.

Big dog speed by my office yesterday, and I took him out to lunch.  On the way we saw this Jazz Band playing outside of a local jeweler.  Ahhh, is City in the summer... nothing like it. .. not even Vegas!

This week, unpack and organize from the move.  And so it goes. ..

History books

When I rented the U-haul for our first major assent on our move, I remember the guy telling me that cross-town moves are way worse that x-country moves. He was right. 

Just about three weeks later, we finally completed the move. So now, under a half moon, and a cardinal singing in the background, I'm sitting by the side of the pool and am glad the move is done. 

But I can't help feeling a bit sad for all that was lost while in that house. The list includes birds (to many to count), fish, dogs, a cat, and a bit of my sanity.

Somehow I know we're good.  We move on and forward. The adventure continues. .. and oh the vistas we'll see. It would help to win the Lottery to expedite things. Just sayin'.

1309 Goldenrod.... is in the books.  And so it goes...

Brand new

It never goes as smoothly as you want, but progress is being made.  Framing will be complete this week. Maybe electrical this week. Then insolation and... dugn dugn dugn daah... dry wall, mud and tape (ugh).

Monthly Column

I am a regular contributor The Cedar Rapids Gazette's Business 380. Here is a link to this month's submission.

http://thegazette.com/2013/07/14/leading-the-way-12-tips-for-managing-smart/

Don't look now!

When our cat helps us break up Trainers fir Woofables... everybody wins!

Lost and...

... not found yet.  Moving has taken its toll on my car keys and debit card.  Both are MIA. They're probably in a box somewhere, or accidentally tossed. Off the six keys, I was able to get three replaced. Auto security chips make replacing those keys difficult and expensive.  I took a pass on two of those, and they didn't have a key for my bike lock.

I did score a Hawkeye key though. .. and so it goes.

First project done!

With the new location comes a boat-load of new projects.  First and foremost, a kennel so we can get Buddha out of jail. Done!  Buddha comes home tomorrow

Shelving units in the basement for storage. 50% done.

Building s bedroom for Maggie. Pulled the permit and should have the frame work up by the end of the weekend. Next week. .. electrical,  the following week. .. dry wall.  The final week. .. paint and carpet.

After that, I'll expand the garden plot,  and excavate the back yard for a fire pit. Then this fall. .. trees and shrubs. 

New Digs

Well we're just about completely moved in.  Several boxes left to unpack, but that can be done in the next few days.  We are now, officially Coralvillians ... almost sounds biblical, huh?

For those following the At-Large Dog saga with Pipsqueak and Buddha.  [escaped one time too many and "terrorized" some vocal neighbors in our old location - arrested, and went to "trial" in an administrative hearing].  Buddha will return home on Saturday!  That's the good news. 

Unfortunately, despite all of our best efforts and last minute appeals, we were not granted a stay or any alternative proposed solutions.  She got the "final solution".  Pipsqueak was euthanized as a "vicious and dangerous" dog.

It's been a long strange trip indeed. Who knows what this next chapter will bring (don't answer that!).  And so it goes....

Big Dawg Goes Yard

Mr. Man was invited to the HR Derby for the end of season baseball tournament. He finished second hitting 14 of 14 with three homes.  He is the number two HR slugger,  and #1 hitter! 

Final Weekend

This will be the final weekend of baseball for Big Dawg until Fall Ball.

This will be our final weekend as residents in Iowa City. .. we're moving to neighboring Coralville. Contact me directly if you want our new address.

The fate of our two puppies is in the hands of the city administrator. We feel we were railroaded and blind-sided by the Animal Shelter folks. They are recommending that Pipsqueak be put down, and Buddha be taken away. 80% of the delemma is circumstantial.

We counter proposed that Pip go to a farm (we found two that want her), and Buddha be returned to the family.

Most of the neighbors, while upset with the dogs, were civil.  One neighbor in particular could use regular cocktails of meds with heavy dosages of Ritalin, valium, and anti-imagination drugs for good measure. 

More news as it breaks.  And so it goes. ..

The team

Ok, these are the idiots who I'm running with.  Crazy Legs and Ham

Market to Market

In a 70 mile team run from Jefferson, IA to Des Moines. For of the teammates are complete strangers.  Stay tuned.

Spring - something new

First bonfire of the season.  One of the last in our house at 1309 Goldenrod.  House sold (unintentionally). We're moving.  Probably Coralville. ... closer to the shop; less taxes; more privacy; land for the dogs. Stay tuned. ... and so it goes. ..

River is up

While it all looks good, don't be deceived. We're still in a water deficit. The ground is still frozen so rather than having the ground absorb the water from melting snow, the water becomes runoff into the streams and rivers.

The upside is this is good for the Mississippi River which was dangerously low.

Spring is just around the corner,  and its the time of year that "I'm goin to Carolina in my mind."  Azaleas, Dogwoods, Redbuds, Daffodils, Tulips. ..etc... everything blooms.

Sigh.  And so it goes. ..

Week in review

It was a busy week in la casa de chaos. Two trips to DSM, Peanut's 17th birthday, and a gentle combination of soccer, basketball, track,music lessons, and WOOFABLES.

As you can see from the picture, we hosted our grand opening this week. The chamber of commerce and ambassadors sponsored a ribbon cutting which was very well attended. We made some adjustments to staffing to be better aligned for a year of growth. Other adjustments include a new Twitter Account for the shop @doggietweats.

Crazy Pete has struck again with another hair brained idea. This one might be the dumbest one yet. The goofy runs we did in the upper peninsula Were pretty sooopitt, specially the 5k hill climb. This one is a 24 hour triathlon.

here's how it works: .24 mile swim, 11.2 mile bike, and 2.6 mile run (basically 1/10 of an Ironman). The goal is to complete as many circuits as you can in 24 hours. After the first circuit, you can do the remaining laps however you want in whatever order you want. The catch... The open water swim is only available from 7 a.m. Until 7p.m., then it opens again between 5:30 a.m. to the end of the event, 7:00 a.m. So a person must "bank" swim circuits on the front end, then do thbulk of the biking and running at night.

I figure, three hours of swimming (4 miles), 12 hours of biking (180 miles), and eight hours running (41 miles), for 16 circuits totaling 225 miles. It's aggressive, but doable, stupid, and fun. We'll see. July is a long ways away.

Well, another week awaits. And so it goes...

Consumed

The Boston Red Sox that served me so well over the years, and my sister, is gone. The hounds decided to use it as a chew toy. Bummer