Catching Up

So... I indicated last night that I've been having some problems with my laptop and my digital camera. I'm still have issues but, lucky for you, where there's a will there's a way!

Over the past few days, Tahoe and Ashley have been getting out and about with their daily walks around the neighborhood. The weather has been unusually warm for this time of year and the days are getting longer so the number of walks that we've been taking in actual daylight has been increasing - yay! Yesterday, Tahoe even participated in his first 5k. (Thanks to Adam at the Boring Runner for hosting the 2nd Annual "Freeze Your Thorns Off" Virtual 5K).

Tahoe - running too fast to capture on film!

Pit stop #9 of #132

So how did Tahoe do? He's a natural! He PR'd with an estimated finish time of 35 minutes (25 minutes running + 10 minutes peeing).  He didn't even work up a sweat! I must admit, at times it was tough to pull him away from the occasional (and evidently) fragrant patch of grass or random animal poo but, in the end, he kept a good pace. And what did Ashley think of Tahoe's race performance?

Oh brother!

Technical Difficulties

Dear readers,

Unfortunately, I have been experiencing technical difficulties with my laptop and my digital camera. Please do stand by... I hope to have these issues resolved this week.

I'll be back soon... I promise!

Blue Monday

Were you feeling down or depressed yesterday?
If you answered "yes," then you may be interested to learn that January 23, 2012 was deemed the most depressing day of the year, according to research conducted by British psychologist Cliff Arnall.

Feeling blue?

So how can one fight the winter doldrums?
According to Tahoe and Ashley, daily walks outside, belly rubs, and games of catch will help you combat the winter blues. In other words, exercise, fresh air, laughter, and friends can help you stay healthy and cheerful during the long winter months. So what are you waiting for? Turn off your computer and get moving!

Broken Heart

Losing a game is heartbreaking. Losing your sense of excellence or worth is a tragedy. ~ Joe Paterno (1926-2012)

Jumping Rope

Back in September, a Japanese dog handler made the Guinness Book of World records for the most jump roping dogs. (Who knew that there was even a record for jump roping dogs?) Uchida Geinousha, who runs the "Super Wan Wan Circus" based in Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan was able to get 13 dogs to jump rope at the same time. Don't believe me? Watch the video below...

Those that know me best will know why this dog story captured my attention... Maybe I can teach Tahoe and Ashley to jump rope. You see, long ago, I was a bit of an aficionado with a jump rope. To this day, I can still do an "Awesome Annie" and "EB cross." I was actually on a jump rope and double dutch team in elementary school, middle school, and high school. Sadly (for you), I don't have any pictures from practices, competitions, and performances to share with you. *Darn-it* But, I do still have a few of the awards that I won. (You'll just have to believe that they are mine and that I didn't buy them off of Ebay).

A couple of awards from competitions

Highest placement that I earned: 5th in the World for Double Dutch

Three-Day Weekend

I love three-day weekends! I hope that you were lucky enough to get today off too.

So how did I spend my time this weekend?

On Saturday, I did a little baking in preparation for a dinner that Brian and I attended with our friends. I experimented with a new recipe I found here. (I highly recommend these brownies - they were scrumptious and easy to make!)

I decided to go on a hike on Sunday... I had to burn off those brownie calories somehow. I walked 14 miles on the Bull Run - Occoquan Trail. The same trail that Brian and I took Tahoe and Ashley on last week. This time though, I started at Bull Run Marina (6.25 miles up on the trail, away from where we were last week). It was a clear and cold day and there were several stretches of the trail that were slippery and muddy. To give you a better sense of what the trail is like, I took pictures at each mile marker...

Start of hike - Bull Run Marina

Trail goes alongside the river for several miles

Mile marker 7 (.75 miles down)

Eek - something lost their skin!

At the ball fields

Mile marker 8

Clear blue sky

Mile marker 9

I didn't know horses could read?!

Mile marker 10

It was cold - these icicles are proof

Hemlock Overlook

No swimming... uh, duh!

Pawprints in the mud

Mile marker 11

Mile marker 12

Mile marker 13

At mile marker 13, I turned around, retraced my steps and headed home. In total, I hiked for 4 hours and 30 minutes. (The picture taking and mud slowed me down a bit.)

As for today, Brian and I attended a Wizards basketball game. Sadly, the Wizards lost (not really surprising given their current record) but, we still enjoyed watching John Wall play, and seeing Ted Leonsis and Gheourghe Muresan. John Wall had a record high of 38 points in the game and Brian got his fill of nachos and all-you-can-eat jalapenos.

On our way to the Verizon Center - they reminded me of Tahoe & Ashley

Brian, in jalapeno heaven!

Wizards & Rockets warm-up

Half-time dancing balloon guys

Snow Flurries!

Big fluffy snowflakes... that's what fell from the sky in our area yesterday afternoon. It didn't amount to much in the way of accumulation (maybe an inch or two) and it didn't stick to the roads or sidewalks. But, the snow did blanket the area, creating beautiful white winter landscape... and a giant snow cone for Ashley.

The scene outside our home

Ashley, eating the snow