Saturday, June 29, 2013

The day that Tipsy died...

A day I never wanted to see.  The day that I was without my kitty.


She was with me when it was just me and her. She was with me when I got married... twice.  She was with me when I was pregnant, when Liam was a baby.  When we moved (4 different houses).  She was with me for 14 of her 16-1/2 years.

She was my best friend. 

She always seemed to know when I needed her most. 

And now she's gone. 

It's been only a few hours.  I still see her out of the corner of my eye.  My brain is still sure that she is just in the other room somewhere. 

But my heart knows different.  It knows that she is gone and is not coming back.  And it is broken. 

She was and always will be the best kitty ever. 

7lb kitty, 120lb 'Big Dog...notice who is in charge
I have never known another cat to be so loving, so happy to be with people.  If she was within 3 feet of me, she was purring.  Where I was, she was.

Even professed 'cat-haters' were caught petting Tipsy when they thought no one was looking.  She was just that kind of cat. 


We euthanized Tipsy today.  She had oral cancer.  An aggressive mass that went from nothing a couple months ago, to making it almost impossible for her to eat and drink and was starting to make her gag.  She wouldn't let us look at it, it was uncomfortable for her.  When she was asleep, I could catch a glimpse.  After we put her to sleep,  I could see it... I wondered how she had made it this long... the mass was huge. 

We will have other cats, but Tipsy will never be replaced.  


Rest in peace, my pretty girl...walk straight, or not, as you never seemed to know the difference... know that I loved you and always will. 




Thursday, June 13, 2013

Playing Catch-Up...Again

I know it's been a long time since I've updated this, but I just haven't felt like I've had much to talk about.  I'm still not healthy so training has not been very consistent and I often feel more like grumbling about it than anything.  And let's face it, no one wants to read my whining.  Not even me.  So taking a cue from my new coursework, here's what is new and good in my life...

-I have been able to continue some training.  I participated in master swim again this winter and have continued to swim about once a week.  I run intermittently and have managed to maintain some base fitness.  I try hard to focus on what I CAN do rather than what I CAN'T.  I did bail on the marathon I was hoping to run in a couple weeks.  I just haven't been able to do the training.  I am doing my first Olympic triathlon this weekend.  Am I properly trained?  No way.  Can I finish?  Absolutely!  And since there were only 3 women in the Olympic distance last year (all in my age group), I even have a chance to place in my age group  :) 
     ***Last minute update!!! Being the self-proclaimed Queen of Procrastination, of course I took my bike out for the first time today - 2 days before my race. There is a reason the saying is "just like riding a bike"! Had a great little brick and even spent some time in aero. Depending on the wind conditions Saturday, this might be my first race in aero!***
All cleaned up and ready to race!

-I have been taking some online coursework.  In February I started studying through ISSA toward my Personal Trainer certification.  It's self-study and I am about a third of the way through the material.  In March I started studying at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.  At the end of this program, I will be a Certified Holistic Health Coach.  What do these certifications mean for me?  I'm not sure right now.  My first client definitely needs to be myself and I am already working on that.

-GOTRIbal is launching their ActiveBudz app very soon!  Stay tuned and I'll definitely let you know when it does!

-My little man is growing fast!!!  He turned 3 several weeks ago.  His biggest excitement lately was the Toddler Trot at a local race (he is still talking about the race he ran with all his "friends") and making  a trip to the ER to have a couple stitches.  He fell the other day while we were playing/running in the driveway and he busted his lip open.  He was so very brave and I am extrememly proud of him.  Not a tear at the ER, he answered when asked, and even told the doctor 'thank-you'.
Two stitches and one big fat lip.


-The garden is almost all in.  All 5000sqft. of veggie garden plus the flower gardens.  Almost...  All the rain and cool weather has set us back considerably but we are hopeful for a good harvest. 

Liam is a great help in the garden...when he's not stepping on the plants...oops. 

- In early April, I discovered a large tumor in Tipsy's (my cat) mouth.  Because of her age, her poor history with anesthesia, and the location of the tumor, there wasn't much we could do about it.  It has been growing quickly and I count every day that she is still here as a blessing.  She still eats, drinks, grooms and purrs.  When that changes it may be time to reevaluate her time in this world, but for now, I am giving her tons of love and she is returning the favor.  

My beloved Miss T catching some Z's.

All in all, life is good.  We keep pushing the junk aside and celebrating the good in every day (the only way to stay sane when you have a 3-yr old that is prone to drama!)  I hope to have more good updates on training and racing this summer, but time will tell.  I'm not signing up for much in advance - I hate wasted entry fees.  Either way, lots of fun will be had and I'll be back sometime to tell you all about it!