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Having a Birthday Ball

I know there are many that view birthdays as a nuisance, unavoidable reminders that we are constantly growing older and inching toward senility at a steady rate. While I acknowledge that I too am aging every day, I don’t see the point in mourning the inevitable. That’s why I choose to see birthdays as a celebration of life rather than just another step toward the grave.

This was the amazing cake my friend Robyn made.
The amazing cake my friend Robyn made
Big Max getting a few wallyball pointers
Big Max getting a few wallyball pointers
My sister-in-law Simone chilling
My sister-in-law Simone chilling

Since Jason shares my take on birthdays and my enthusiasm for revelry, that sweet boy planned a splendid birthday party in my honor. The festivities were held at My Noah’s, a business that rents rooms for such activities. Jason rented two rooms: a wallyball court and a combo ping pong/billiards room. These rooms were connected, making meandering easy. It was a great party! I enjoyed hanging with all my buddies and challenging them to wallyball and ping pong. (I’m far too horrible at pool to represent even a meager challenge in that department.) The wallyball competition was fierce, my swollen wrist and hand can attest to that, but I had a marvelous time. Thanks to all of you who attended and thanks to my awesome husband for scheming up the event!

The Reeds catching some pong
The Reeds catching some pong
Greg the paddle king
Greg the paddle king
Cindy and Wee
Cindy and Wee
Tom and Aimee
Tom and Aimee

It was a great way to commemorate another year of life! After all, I may be one more year older but it was a year full of grand adventures, good friends, and joyous memories; so what do I have to complain about?

Me and Jas
Me and Jas
Some of the boys...no that
Some of the boys...no that's not a chubby girl on the end, that's my brother with some sort of fancy baby pouch.
Me and Robyn with the fantastic cake she made
Me and Robyn with the fantastic cake she made
Rachel July 6, 2009 No Comments

Ankle Update 10.0

Saturday marked ten months out from my ankle surgery and I celebrated by running in my first race since the procedure. Although this race was just a local 5K, I am still excited to say that my ankle performed beautifully. I had no ankle pain during the event and very little swelling afterwards.

Jeremy ran this race with us. It was his first race ever. Way to go Jer!
Jeremy, Jason's brother, ran this race with us. It was his first race ever. Way to go Jer!

I tried playing outdoor soccer a few weeks ago for the first time since the slice-n-dice and my ankle did not fare as well. Running on the field’s uneven ground caused considerable pain and I was swollen and stiff for days. I guess I shouldn’t have been too surprised since this activity was what caused my injury in the first place but I was hoping that jumping back into soccer would be a nearly pain free experience at this point.  After my disappointing soccer restart I was thrilled that I did not have similar frustrations from running the 5K.

Although my ankle behaved like a pro during the race, my good foot had some objections. It still needs some help adjusting to its new lifestyle. It doesn’t tolerate the orthotics I am now required to wear very well. It fell asleep during the event, something it does periodically when I go running. This made me feel like I was dragging a lead block, instead of a minuscule foot, for the last two miles of the race. I’m going to have to figure out a way to make righty a little happier with his orthotic buddy. But even with that slight foot malfunction, I was extremely pleased with my body’s cooperation in general. I’m so glad that my ankle has decided that running is an acceptable activity.

Our ragtag group at the finish line
Our ragtag group at the finish line

My ankle’s running tolerance has spurred a new plan of madness. I am in the process of trying to organize a team to run the Red Rock Relay in September. This 181 mile, 24 hour, relay race runs through some of the prettiest country in Utah. It starts in Cedar Breaks, goes through Zions National Park, and ends up in St. George just outside of Snow Canyon. Gorgeous! While I realize this relay falls into the “crazy Rachel plan” category, I am quite enamored at the prospect of it. I hope I can get a team sorted out. By the way, if any of you friends feel up to a little insanity let me know; I’d love to have you on my crew. Let the lunacy begin!

Rachel July 1, 2009 2 Comments

Fatten Up Your Fathers

Jason is not a father, nor do we have any plans to change that anytime in the near future. (So don‘t get any ideas people- this isn’t one of those “special announcement” posts.)

Jason’s lack of offspring, however, didn’t stop me from spoiling him a bit on Father’s Day. I know some of you are thinking right now that a man without any kids has no business getting any kind of special treatment on Father’s Day. But before you come to that conclusion let’s review the facts:  1. I enjoy spoiling my husband immensely and any reason to do so, no matter how lame, is good enough of an excuse for me. 2. Jason wasn’t exactly an angelic child, quite the opposite actually. He was constantly into all sorts of mischief, from hotwiring dirt bikes to breaking into classmates’ homes. So if karma has anything to do with the outcome of the universe we will probably have the worse behaved children on the planet. In which case, Jason deserves a few anticipatory Father’s Day celebrations before his brood put him through hell.

This picture doesn't really do the Bananas Foster French Toast justice. Yum!
This picture doesn't really do the Bananas Foster French Toast justice. Yum!

So, in honor of Jason, and all his kid-less glory, I made a tasty, extremely fattening, Father’s Day breakfast that included a Baked Gruyere and Sausage Omelet and Bananas Foster French Toast. I used a whole carton of eggs and more heavy cream than I care to remember preparing this hearty breakfast. But hey, Father’s Day only comes around once a year, right? One wouldn’t want to miss such a wonderful opportunity to clog the arteries of the man you love, even if he isn’t a father yet by any definition of the word. It’s probably a good thing though I don’t cook decadent food like this on a regular basis, or that sweet man of mine might not live long enough to ever become a father.

The Baked Sausage and Gruyere Omelet was also delish!
The Baked Sausage and Gruyere Omelet was also delish. Gruyere makes anything taste fantastic!
Rachel June 24, 2009 2 Comments
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