Observe silence tonight at 7pm Eastern

Our family is saddened by the news of 9 fallen firefighters in South Carolina. Our prayers are with the families and coworkers of their fire departement. Tonight at 7pm eastern (5 pm local time), please join us and firefighter families around the world in a minute of silent respect for those who have died.

Last Call By Jim Martinez:
My father was fireman. He drove a big red truck, and when he'd go to work each day he'd say, "Mother wish me luck." Then Dad would not come home again 'till sometime the next day. But the thing that bothered me the most was the thing's some folks would say, "A fireman's life is easy, he eats and sleeps and plays, and sometimes he wont fight a fire for days and days." When I first heard these words I was too young to understand but I knew when people had trouble Dad was there to lend a hand.
Then my father went to work one day and kissed us all goodbye but little did we realizes that night we all would cry. My father lost his life that night when the floor gave way below and I'd wondered why he'd risk his life for someone he did not know. But now I truly realize the greatest gift a man can give is to lay his life upon the line so that someone else might live. So as we go from day to day and we pray to God above, say a prayer for your local fireman. He may save the one's you love.

She's so Victorious!!

Today we are celebrating a big win in our household. Chloe competed in her first Kids Of Steel Triathlon and was triumphant. She took second place in her age group and one was one of only a handful of seven year olds to attempt all three legs of the race solo.

She swam, she biked, she ran her butt off and in the end it was all worth it. We were so excited when they announced her name at the awards ceremony. This achievement has definitely boosted her confidence and will carry her into more races and bigger challenges. We are very proud of her for working so hard, setting goals and trying her best!!

I love this picture of her, a very tired but extremely happy girl tasting the sweetness of success for the first time!! Conquering Kids of Steel today and winning Ironmans tomorrow!!

Aerobics Barbie & Other Gym Atrocities

Last night an annoying incident at the gym inspired me to post this list of gym & work out pet peeves....

1. Aerobics Barbies (aka Gym Bimbos) - we've all seen them before. There they stand perfectly groomed & made up, in an utterly coordinated Lululemon outfit. They roam around the gym in pairs or groups of three and never seem to break a sweat. They are a giggling, ditsy, pain in the ass. Always getting in the way of serious gym goers.

2.Muscle Bound Morons - these are the male counter part to the ladies. They over work their pecs and biceps training only for appearance & ignoring functional fitness. My personal favorite about this group is when they spend endless minutes of their time at the gym flexing and admiring themselves in the mirror. These modern day Narcissus's' make me want to puke.

3.Snails pace treadmill hogs - self explanatory. If you're strolling along at 2.5 - 3.0 pace you're not really having a work out. This is about 10 times more annoying when they are hogging all the circulation fans too. Get the hell out of the way so I can actually do something.

4.Wannabe Trainers - these are the worst offenders of the bunch. Believe it or not personal training is a skilled profession and it's just insulting that there are some people out there who think they are on the same level as people who have actual kinesiology & physical education degrees after reading a few magazine articles and books. If your so called personal trainer looks like they could use a few laps around the yard themselves then I would take any advice they give with a huge grain of salt. Chances are they don't know their ass from their elbow. Another good indicator is if they have to sneak into the local gym to "train" their clients. Real trainers have jobs at these facilities and are well respected in the fitness community.

5.Cell phone & textaholics - NO ONE is so important & busy that they need to be on their phone during a workout. Even George Bush sends his calls to voice mail so he can train.

6.People that don't wipe down the machines when they're done. - sweat is a bodily fluid & yes bacteria & germs & even some seriously harmful diseases can be transmitted through sweat. If you're too lazy to spend 30 seconds using a spray bottle or sanitary wipe go train in a barn (if the cows will let you).

Wasn't that a party!

Last night Brad actually managed to surprise me by throwing an early birthday party for me. All of the major players were there including the Rack Pack girls, our neighbors & friends from the fire department. It was great to relax & enjoy our new hot tub in the company of so many cool folks. Plus I also acquired enough bottles of wine to last the whole summer. (Thanks everyone)

As I made my way around the yard visiting with all of my friends and accepting many well wishes I couldn't help thinking...... 30 isn't so bad, especially when I have so many awesome people to share it with!