Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Dog Swimming



Last year Scott & I were thinking that we would have enough time to go mountain biking at the cabin over the 4th of July so we brought our bikes. Apparently that was wishful thinking because we didn't get close to it but on the transport home my break broke. Well the rest of the summer was busy and we didn't fix it.

This past week my wonderful fiance fixed my bike and last night we were finally able to go for a ride. We decided to take captain since he usually does a evening ride with B, Scott's brother. Scott lives about a block away from the Jordan River Parkway and the International Peace Gardens so we rode our bikes over there. It was great riding through the gardens and seeing all the families out and brides getting their photos taken. Captain was exhausted so we decided to go over to the river and let him get a drink. As he did that he jumped into the river and cooled down (the one time that I don't bring my camera I need it). We got him out and went on another ride further south on the parkway.

We took another break to let him catch his breath. He wanted to get in the river but the bank of the river wasn't gradual but a steep drop off. So we walked over to a dock that was down closer to the river and the next thing we know Captain has leaped into the water and started swimming! I don't think he was even ready to not have ground to touch but we had to do the panic pull out of the water. He smelled so bad we had to give him a bath once we got home. I think next time we go for a ride I think I am going to suggest that we don't take him so we can go further on the trail. ;)

On another swimming front I have gone to my swimming class 5 times now. It has been great getting back into the water and actually getting some laps done. Right now I can get about 2500 yards done in the 50 minutes that we can swim. I hope to improve that amount as I start getting onto faster times but for now I am very proud of what I've accomplished in 5 sessions and being out of the pool for 6+ years. (BTW: I have already lost some weight in these practices-so wedding here I come!!)

Sunday, June 27, 2010

2 weeks later

It has been two weeks since I last posted. It has been a roller coaster the past couple of weeks and I am slowly getting over loosing Goldie two weeks ago. I have stayed busy and tried not to be home because every time I turn a corner something reminds me of her. This is unfortunate for Grammie because I am not home like I probably should be and she is the one suffering from that. My goal is to be home more over the next couple of weeks so that will be promising.


Since my last post I have stayed busy. Last weekend was my Birthday and it was a great weekend. I spent the morning at my parents with my mom who had surgery on her meniscus the day before. I then went to a wedding reception for one of the professors in the the Department and then my wonderful fiance surprised me with a night at the Embassy Suites where he had chocolate covered raspberries, champagne (2 kinds!), cookies from my favorite cookie place, and a new iPod Shuffle. In addition to that he treated me to dinner at a new teppanyaki place that was a block away!! I was (and still am) the most spoiled girl out there!!

This next week is exciting because I have my first wedding dress fitting and I am going to Portland with Scott to go to one of my good College friends wedding. It should be a great time seeing the sites and catching up with all my pledge sisters. Of course you will hear all about that in the next posting...

Monday, June 14, 2010

Baby Girl


Today I am having to grasp the quote of "people come in and out of your life for a reason" and I am not sure why this friend had to leave right now. The friend that I am referring to is my Miniature Dachshund Goldie. Sadly, I made the hardest decision of my life in deciding to let her go to a better place. 

To make a long story short yesterday morning she went down to the yard and was fine. Then all of the sudden Grandma hears her yelp and go out and she can't use her back left leg. I actually stayed over at Scott's place Saturday night so she calls me and I come over and get her. At the ER the diagnosis was given that she had been paralized (from a bulging/ruptured disk in her back). 

The diagnosis was not good at all. We had two options the first was to have surgery but it would be very expensive and it wouldn't guarantee that she would be fine after it. We opted to put her on steroids/pain med's and get a second opinion from our regular vet. After talking to her today she would never live a life that she had before. With this news it is only fair to her to let her go.

This brings us back to the quote. I am still trying to figure out what was Baby Girls purpose for her life with me. Gram says that she was here to fulfill the 'void' I had before I got involved with Kappa and Scott. I agree with her initial purpose but my issue comes into play with why did she have to leave. We are about to join "families" this fall and I was looking forward to living with Scott, Captain, & Goldie. I guess we will be starting a new chapter in life without Baby Girl but she will always be loved. 

So with great sadness (not to mention how many tears have occurred over the past 2 days), Goodbye Baby Girl, Do-dot, Freddy, but the best name of them all- Goldie. We will miss you!

Here are some memory photos of Goldie....

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Well I did it!

Yep, I officially have gone and joined a group to go swimming. The University has a thing called "Peak Academy" that is offered to faculty & staff. They offer various activities and classes that you can sign up for. Well today I wanted to look and see if they were offering any dance classes (for the wedding) and I found that they have a group that swims every Monday and Wednesday from 5:10-6:00pm. So I have signed up and starting Monday (I wanted to today but I didn't have a swim suit) I am going to be working out. I am SO EXCITED to get back into a training so in 4 months when I am in my wedding dress I am going to look even better. ;)

Monday, June 7, 2010

Oh Summer....


... how have I missed you!

I think summer has been my most favorite season. Why? Well its because its warm, you can go hiking, swimming, boating, and tons of other things.

One of the biggest summer memories is going to the Salt Lake Country Club pool as a little kid and stay there until mom would pick us up at noon or even later. I was one of those kids who was the 'pool bum' and wouldn't go home willingly. I always had green hair (since I was blonder beyond blond) and probably slept in a swim suit more than my pajamas. Of course this swimming moved to bigger things-- going from swimming in the country club league, year round, high school & college-- and I have a lot of fond memories of pools in general.

Since I graduated college I have taken a break from lap swimming but I now know that things are looking right to get back into the pool and do laps. Now don't get me wrong I have been in the pool on and off since I got done but its been more of a casual float than actually working out. Like tonight, mom came over and we 'floated' in the pool for an hour. There is something about being in a pool that helps me relax.  So my new idea is joining the University Gym's and jump into the pools and start lap swimming. I just need to get the motivation to get up Wednesday early mornings to get to the pool before work. That will be the ultimate goal...