Exciting update

Tow-Mader is happy and healthy and my very first tomato is turning red as I type. I believe it should be ready in the next few days. Will update you on how yummy it tasted after I eat it! I had the pleasure of tasting the ceremonial Almena tomato from my brother's plant on Father's Day and it was delish.

Tribute to a Champion

Warning: The following blog is completely sentimental and will definitely result in a difficulty reading due to tears welling up in your eyes. If you find you have no tears, and thus no difficulty... you are dead inside and should speak to someone about that!!!

I want to share with you an inspirational story.

Yesterday, my oldest brother became one of my heroes. He is a husband, a father of three, works full time, oh, and in his spare time, he trains and participates in triathlons. Two years ago, he wowed us all after completing his first full ironman in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho. To make the accomplishment that much greater, he finished in 11 hours and 37 minutes. (For all of you who are not impressed for lack of knowledge in this arena... be impressed). I was sure that this was just the start of great finishes, with the Kona Coast no longer a dream. He would make it his reality.

A little over a year ago, however, there was a change in the momentum. A routine blood test revealed elevated levels for two enzymes in his liver. What exactly does that mean? The quick medical answer is that somewhere down the road, present or past, the liver was getting damaged. Over a year of weekly blood tests followed, a liver biopsy, and more than I can even recount. But how did this affect the person? His training was cut, races were cancelled, and his passion was put on hold.

Cut to Sunday, June 24, 2007. Given a clean bill of health, normal enzyme levels (with the occasional spikes which caused us all to fear a relapse), and a race three months prior where a personal best left us all in amazement, he was set to complete his second full distance ironman triathlon. He returned to Coeur D'Alene. I can only imagine the thoughts running through his head. I imagine he was thinking about last year, when at the last minute he pulled out of the competition and was introduced to the position of spectator. I can only imagine those thoughts were going through his head, because they were going through mine.

I kept myself constantly updated on the status of the race by telephone and internet. And as the times were posted for each segment of the race, I knew this would be a special day. Not only was he participating in something that only a year ago he didn't know if he would ever participate in again... He was KICKING ASS!!!

Let me sum it up for you:

• Total time= 10 hours 22 minutes (I've been known to sleep for that many consecutive hours... not exercise)
• He finished 79th out of over 2600 people
• He finished 18th out of the 344 people in his age group (the most difficult age group)*

But those are just the numbers. Think of the determination he has, which no one can measure using a time clock. I can't think of one instance in my life which has challenged me the way he has been challenged. But if that should ever change, I hope I have the strength, the drive, and the heart to persevere like my brother did.

Steve, you are awesome. I cannot begin to express with words how proud I am of you. You are such an amazing example of just how tough the human spirit can be. I wish I could have been there to hug you as you crossed that finish line. I will definitely be there for the next one.

To any of you going through tough times or know someone in need of encouragement, tell them this story. We all need a hero to look up to.

*Exact age kept secret as he is still my older brother and can still kick my butt. Plus, given the fact that he ran 26 miles yesterday, I don't think I can out-run him, even with his legs being tired.

Too much of a good thing

My name is RyCra and I'm a workaholic.

Okay, so maybe not a complete workaholic, but I suffer from a disease which most people see as a good trait. However, this trait can be a bad trait when it starts to affect your life in an adverse way. Ladies and Gentlemen... I suffer from a good work ethic.

Now, I know what you are saying, "But thats a good thing, right?" Yes, I agree, it is a good thing. I pride myself on be a good worker, caring when others don't seem to, and always putting my best effort in whenever work is concerned. But today I am sick and I am still at work. I notified my scheduler and asked if my afternoon could be rescheduled and to my surprise, it was. But then I found myself apologizing for being sick. What is wrong with me? Its not like I'm ditching work to go lay on the beach (ooh, but that does sound good). I am legitimately sick. Body aches and everything! So why do I feel badly?

And it doesn't end with sick days. I feel bad asking for vacation time too. I know I shouldn't feel this way. After all, companies wouldn't give sick days and vacation time if they didn't expect you to use them. I deserve a vacation, I know this, but I fear asking for this time off like you wouldn't believe. This goes beyond a good work ethic, this is a sickness. And the problem is, its hereditary. I am definitely my father's daughter in this case.

How do I break this trend? Maybe I will spend my afternoon in bed contemplating this behavior. No, I will probably sleep. And can I mention how much it sucks that it is bright and sunny out today. Why couldn't I have been sick two days ago when it was gray and gloomy, as sick days are meant to be. Such is the irony* of my life.

Sickie signing out!

*Clearly using the Alanis definition of irony.

A good start

I have always wanted to be one of those people who have beautiful plants in their home, a well maintained garden full of fruits and vegetables mine for the eating. But up until this point, every living thing that has entered my home, putting it's livelihood in MY hands, has met with an untimely end (this includes beta fish....I miss you Jay and Watkins).

BUT NOW, I have successfully maintained a real live tomato plant. True, it has only been five days, but I think I am primed for a record breaking relationship with this plant. There is special meaning in this plant. It is an actual cutting from my grandfather's plants in Kansas. After he passed away last fall, all of us decided one of the best memories was Grandpa in the garden. So we all have our own tomato plants direct from Kansas. I have one tomato almost ready and two tiny buds in the making.

I plan on doing monthly updates on the plant on the blog. I figure this will make me accountable to others for the life of this plant. So you guys can at least count on a blog once a month. However, should you not hear from me in a couple months, lets just assume I had to take a little trip to the local nursery to find my plant's twin. But I don't think that will be necessary.

Long live Tow-Mader!