Beau Jackson

I just thought I’d share that ;)

If you follow my blog at all, you may be asking yourself “wasn’t he training for a marathon or some such?  I wonder whatever happened with that?”

And you’d be right, I *was* training for a marathon, and making steady progress.  But the training had to be put on hold for a while.  Why?  Two words: poison f’ing ivy.  Ok, that’s three words, but I it’s important to accentuate how I really feel about poison ivy.  I hate it.  I’m HIGHLY allergic to it.

About a month ago, I came into contact with some somewhere, and ended up with a systemic reaction.  My face broke out, my right eye was nearly swollen shut, I hade it on my legs and torso.  To put it delicately, I had it in other areas that made running unbearable (and no Allena, you don’t need to chime in with the gory details of that!).

I got a shot, and some pills and it has finally cleared to the point that training can resume.  I’m giving myself an official kick-off date for the resumption of training: Monday, July 19.  So watch for running updates next week!

It’s been a crazy couple of weeks.  Last weekend was the Mo-Kan goat show in Sedalia.  Dominic went (he did well, with some goats, ok with others), and one of his doe kids broke her leg.  We’re really not quite sure how, unless she tried to jump out of the pen.  She should heal up ok, but having a goat with a cast on is a pain.

Last Wednesday, Allena broke *her* arm – she slipped on the front porch steps.  It had been raining and she didn’t realize it.  She broke her radius on her left arm, very near the thumb.  She’ll be in a splint for four weeks, and then a short cast for another three weeks or so.

Thus ends the broken bones report.

Today was Elizabeth’s first communion, which went well all things considered.  It was a high Mass, and as it was the feast of Corpus Christi, we had a procession (canopy and everything) afterwards, and Elizabeth got to walk right behind the priest in her communion dress and veil, which was very nice.  The diocese newspaper sent a photographer – maybe she’ll have her picture in the paper?

Before we got to church was a little hectic…we couldn’t find Teresa’s shoes (it’s always Teresa it seems).  We looked for nearly an hour – we ended up buying a new pair.  On the way there, we discovered that we (ahem…I) left the veil for Elizabeth’s dress at home.  Allena called a friend whose little girl had recently made her first communion, and fortunately was able to borrow a veil (whew!).

After we got home from church was…well…”nasty” begins to describe it.  You see, our AC has been out for a while now, and we’ve been leaving the porch door open with a big fan blowing to keep things cool.  Our porch has a gate, so this has been working to keep animals out.  However, we (ahem…I) apparently didn’t get the gate latched.  And the goats pushed the gate open.  And the goats came in the house.  And the goats SHIT ALL OVER THE HOUSE!!!!!  I can only say I’m astounded that they restricted themselves to the floor – it’s amazing that there wasn’t goat shit on the sofas or beds or table or counters, etc.

So right now I’m fairly disgusted.  I suppose with time, I will see the humor, and remember the good parts of today.  For now, I’m glad that it’s over and my daughters communion went well.

As for running – only had one run last week.  Allena’s arm has made things problematic (can’t pick up children well), but we’re getting used to it.  I’ll figure out where I am this week and report again – hopefully with good success – next week.

I was driving to work this morning, and as I neared the parking lot, I was pondering my son’s future.  I was thinking on his college education, and how that would impact his working life.  I then contrasted that with not going to college, and how that would (most likely) let him get out on his own without carrying a truck-load of debt from college loans – a very heavy burden I assure you.  As I neared the parking spot I had picked out, I thought to myself: “so…college, or not?”.  I looked at another car in the lot, and the last part of the license plate said “NOT”.  Coincidence or providence?  Who knows, but I thought it was a strange little coincidence.

Wordle is a site I visit occasionally to waste time.  I did so tonight, and like the results, so I thought I’d share: