Saturday, August 23, 2008

Twenty Days?

Looks like it's been twenty days since my last post - ugh!
It's not like nothing exciting has happened - it has! - life has been going at its usual warped and chaotic speed.

I'm still training for the Twin Cities marathon in October, but that will be the last thing on my calendar. Yes, that means I am not doing Ironman Florida. Here are my top two reasons:

1). Money. I know I already spent the $500-ish on the registration fee. But I still can't see spending an additional $2000 on airport parking, bike fare, airfare, condo, rental car, etc. Bob's in real estate and if you haven't picked up a newpaper in the last year... :-(

Fortunately there are still a number of people that want million dollar (+/-) custom homes, but business is down about 50%. Seeing that I prioritize private school, staying at home, NOT tapping into our retirement money or the kids' college funds... you get the picture. I just think it would be silly to NOT tighten the budget belt.
2). I have done IM Florida twice already. And I love it! And I would like to do it again soon, but just not this year.

I know there are several people that I will miss terribly by not going, but it just is what it is, and I can't swing it.

On another note, Bob's sister Joan passed away rather unexpectedly on the 15th. She had had a liver transplant several years ago. It is quite common for the anti-rejection drugs that organ recipients take, to can cause cancer. That is what happened to Joan, and she kept it to herself for a long time. Bob's and Joan's nephew Adam is heading back to Iraq for a second tour and she didn't want everyone at his going-away party to know how sick she was. She fooled everyone, and it wasn't more than a month between her Oscar-worthy "I feel great" performance at Adam's party and her passing. She had cancer in her brain, spine, throat, liver, and pancreas. Her kidneys shut down and within a week we said goodbye to her. She will be missed very much. At her funeral, she had several friends that she's been friends with since they were all 17 and 18 and were rooming together. It says a lot about a person to have such longevity (45 years!) in friendships. Her family loved her; and no one ever heard her say an unkind word about anyone - ever. She was a good person and a kind soul who loved to laugh, and had a special affinity for children. Most importantly, she knew her savior.

Anyway, that's the important stuff. I will hopefully blog again soon, and I am so sorry that I will miss those of you who are doing IM Florida!

23 comments:

Unknown said...

Sorry for your loss.

Sounds like you have your priorities figured out.

IronTriTim said...

Sorry I won't get to see you again in Florida, heres hoping the market can pick up again soon and we can all get back to just worrying about racing :-)

Michele said...

sorry to hear about you SIL she sounds like she was a very strong person.

hate you won't be in Florida :( was looking forward to seeing you again.

Iron Girl Nyhus said...

Sorry to hear about Bob's sister. Sounds like a great person and friend - just like you :)

TJ said...

Very sorry for your family's loss.
Hope to see you at IMFL next year.

Fe-lady said...

Sorry to hear about your sister in law and your no-go at IM Florida this year.

Why do the people that are so kind and nice and wonderful and giving...leave us?

Not fair.

The Young Family said...

Sorry for the loss, she sounds like a true friend, someone that will truly be missed.

Market here is pretty scary - "they" say it should pick up this year. Who is "they"?? I have no clue.... but I will take good news!

Em

SWTrigal said...

So sorry for your loss..very sad indeed.Life is so short..
Disappointment for you having to pull out of IMFL. But there will always be another IM! Maybe the RD will put your money towards next year given the situation?

Carrie said...

Sorry to hear of the passing of your sister-in-law.

tri-mama said...

That's so sad about Bob's sister, I'm sorry for your loss.

Spokane Al said...

It sounds like your plate has been full since your last post. I am sorry about your friend and my thoughts and prayers will keep her and you in mind.

Afternoon Tea With Oranges said...

Oh Jenny, so sorry about Bob's sister. What a nice person she must have been.

I totally understand about Florida, girl. Gotta keep the priorities straight. But that doesn't mean that I won't miss you!

the Dread Pirate Rackham said...

sorry to hear about your sister in law. good to hear you're still there.

yeah, it makes sense to back off on IMFLA. Let me know what you're cooking for next year, we're making noises about doing a group IM and I sure would love to race with you!

Steve Stenzel said...

Sorry to hear about Bob's sister.

Cy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cy said...

Hi Jenny-Yes, we've missed you in blogland, but it sounds like you've been busy. I'm so sorry to hear about Joan, but it sounds like this quote would suit her perfectly...
“It is not the years in your life but the life in your years that counts”

I had to put this on my blog yesterday...E's sister suddenly passed this weekend. So sad.

Cliff said...

I am sad to hear your loss. As someone who had a liver transplant 17 years ago, it is rare to have a transpalnt and it is sad to hear cancer taking over the life.

I will keep her families and love ones in my prayers.

TRI-ROB said...

Ya know girly... you're one smart cookie.

And that's all I gots to say about that.

Breathe...

Marci said...

Sorry to hear about your loss... and as far as Florida goes... there are several more Ironmans to come :)

juliemac said...

THere will be plenty of more IM's......we know that!!
Sometimes, we must make those hard choices!! Shoot.

So sorry to hear about Joan, sounds like she was quite an inspirational person.

Tracy said...

oh I'm so sorry Jenny, please take care, and take your time...

Gabriella Opaz said...

Jenny, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. But on the other hand, it doesn't sound as if she suffered for too long, and for that, I am relieved.

It's interesting to me that we tend to think and chat more about those who have passed away rather than while they are alive. When my grandmother passed, I remember how often i spoke of her lovely disposition, the lessons she taught me and her deep and undying love for anything that breathed. Yet, while she was alive, I tended to share far less of her existence, because I assumed she'd be around forever.

That said, thank you very much for the reminder that I need to share more not only with the people I care about in my life now, but to also share their lives with others. Easy to forget the simple lessons, isn't it :-)

TRI-ROB said...

HEY!
YOU!
What the HELL???
What's goin on with you!

Keep....

Breathing...