40 days....

For millions of Catholics around the world, today marks the beginning of the Lenten Season. 40 days of preparation until Easter. As many know, there is a custom or tradition to give up something for Lent. Sweets, Alcohol, Meat, and other vices or bad habits.

Most years, I tend to "start" something, rather than to "stop" something. Like starting being
nicer for 40 days. To smiling more for 40 days. This year, I'm going more traditional. Since the last Chicago marathon, a number of factors have contributed to some weight gain. So this Lent, I'm going to dig deep and try to shed the close to 10 lbs that have seemingly appeared overnight.

I'm not going to blame stress, or job lose, eating to much, or getting adjusted to two kids, or lack of exercise, or even on my belief that I've had a metabolism shift. Rather, I'm just going to attempt to change my thinking and try to get back to where I want to be weight wise. That is close to 10 lbs in 40 days. I'm realistic in knowing that honest weight lose doesn't occur that quickly, so just getting close will be considered a success. To visually show my progress. I've placed a new "Weight Loss Ticker" at the top of the blog.

So what are doing for lent?

More progress...

It has been a number of weeks since any progress was made on the basement. I guess looking for a job can do that to you. That said. Now at the beginning of the 3rd week of my new gig, I started up some work again. To be honest, I was procrastinating since it was sanding, striping, priming, and (not yet started) painting the old rusted baseboard heating units. It was and is an ugly job, but its the next step needed to be done before I can start any framing. With a little persistence, perhaps I'll have them painted an installed within a week. Then it will be "hammer time".

More to come...
Peace

E-Squared - Tales from the Backseat (Baby Sister? Huh)

Maybe its just another fun, make you smile "Tale fro the Backseat"

This past week E1 asked about his Baby Sister. At first I wasn't sure what he was saying so I asked again. Sure enough, in his broken/still learning almost 4yr old English, out came the words "Baby Sister". He know E2 is is "Baby brother".

Oddly enough a number of E1 preschool teachers have approaches us asking about the Baby Sister that E1 keeps talking about. As if we were withholding a secret.

Alas, there is no baby sister. At least not yet. Perhaps one Day the Lord will Bless us with one. Until then, it still puts a smile on my face to know that E1 is interested in and telling people about his "Baby Sister".

Peace

Change is a comin...

A number of small (or maybe no so small) changes are being inacted on the blog. I've removed the Event links section, and replaced that with countdown timers and links to the 2009 Event schedule.

I've shifted the Destination Addis Ababa up to front and Center. I was looking for a bar or line slider type of widget, rather than a mileage ticker, but I've not found anything cool yet. Something similar to the Adoption countdown bar we used once before.

Most importantly, you'll see that the Team World Vision First Giving sponsorship link is up and active. The Sponsorship page still needs a little work, but its functioning. You can check it out at http://www.firstgiving.com/twollnik2009 Its a terrible economy, I certainly recognize that. But if its bad for us, just think of all those that were already in need. How much worse it much be for them.

So my suggestion? Shop at Aldi for a week or two, and put the savings towards a charitable cause. Of course, I'd love to have you sponsor me, but the idea is that there are others in greater need than ourselves.

Happiness is...

I received a much appreciated, and very funny belated birthday card yesterday. So good, I thought I would share it with y'all

It read..

Happiness is like peeing in your pants. Everyone can see it, but only you can fell its warmth.

The inside inscription read: It's your birthday. Let your happiness show. During my run this morning, I guess I had the opportunity to "Let my happiness show", instead I opted for the bathroom at the forest preserve.

How do you let your happiness show?

Peace

It has begun..

After some delays, some planning, and discussions, the initial 2009 event calendar is in the books. This past weekend, I registered for some running and some triathlon events.

First in line is the Great Western 1/2 Marathon in early May.
Next comes the Batavia Triathlon in mid June.
Following that is the Copperman Triathlon in Early August
Next comes the Accenture Chicago Triathlon in Late August
One week later is the Batavia 1/2 Madness 13.1 in early September
I close out the year with the Chicago Marathon in October.

I must admit that I'm a bit excited to get back into the triathlons after taking 2008 off. I considered long and hard about signing up for the 1/2 ironman triathlon. In the end, I thought that might be best if it were a 2010 goal.

So in the coming weeks, look not only for some updates on the basement remodel, but on training updates. Of particular fun should be my first foray back into the swimming pool after taking more than 1 year off from swimming.

So that's my early 2009 updates.. I've got a long road ahead, but I'm excited about it!

Peace