Running with Sandy

Sandy arrives and everyone is running and hiding.  I was at work in a high rise building and beginning to feel a little queasy  from the swaying of the building, (which I could not feel actually feel, but could hear the building moaning.)  The powers that be decided we could all leave work early and get paid for the remaining hour or so.

Now I always walk to work and had walked that morning in the little rain that was falling at the time.  I got at least 5 offers and even a call from my mom for a ride home.  When I turned them down they all insisted it was no problem and seemed very surprised that I would not want a ride home.  Don't they realize the it is okay to get wet outside and is great to feel the wind in your hair.

So I changed my clothes to something that would help keep me warmer in the rain and headed out.  The rain wasn't that bad and the wind would only occasionally be felt pushing me as I headed up the street.  There were loads of puddles which my five fingers handled nice and I actually started to enjoy running through them and splashing like a little kid.  I did a little hill work and then realized that in all the excitement of running in this great weather I had forgotten to turn on my Garmin.

One interesting thing did occur as I was running down the street.  A lady pulls up next to me with her window rolled down and asks me if I have a cigarette.  Here I am jogging and it is pouring out and I get stopped, not to ask if I need a ride but if I have a cigarette.  People these days are very interesting and I guess I'm one of them.

The Beatitudes = glow in the dark bowling

Some time ago Starry Memorized all of the beatitudes.  As a reward those of her class that memorized all the beatitudes were taken out for a morning of glow in the dark bowling.  I had to attend a district Royal Ranger staff meeting so was not able to go.  She had a great time.

The class paid for shoes and one string, not being sure how many more strings everyone else was coming prepared to bowl I sent her with $12 and got back $3, only due to Jen putting a stop to her frenzied spending at the gumball style toy dispensers.  Though I was very proud that she shared her money with her friend.  They ended up getting two cupcakes and another string of bowling in, so all in all I think the money ended up being well spent.

But this did remind me that I need to start teaching Starry how to spend her money more wisely.  She is not too bad with money, just needs more practice.  So beginning November she will receive $5 (we'll try that amount first), at the beginning of each month to bring to school to spend on hot lunch, ice cream and other items the school usually sells.  I may have to up the amount, but it will hopefully teach her to plan ahead and save her money for what she needs or is important (like ice cream each week).

Dentist Visit

I've always like to post a picture with my blog, but have decided that perhaps that is not working.  So I will attempt to just blog away and add pictures when available.

Starry had a half day of school today with a dentist visit in the afternoon.  I learned that when her teeth formed that a few teeth that came in at the same time did not have a complete coating of enamel.  This is probably caused by a high fever when the teeth were developing.  Now they need a little bit of work to keep them from decaying.  They need to last since they are molars that will not fall out until she is 11 or 12.

Last time she needed a little bit of scrapping she carried on so much the dentist was not able to do the work.  They suggested that we bring her to a specialist who could put her to sleep.  But they agreed to give it another short first.  So we went back and it was a bit of a struggle, but they managed to do what needed to be done.  This time she was a little apprehensive but they managed to do one of the teeth with no problem and was given the option to do another one now and she declined, so we'll just go back next month.

The Passing of a Brother

My brother passed away on Tuesday.  Below is the obituary that will appear in the newspapers tomorrow.

David A. Lemieux, 54, of Raymond, NH died unexpectedly on Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at Mass General Hospital, Boston, MA surrounded by his loving family.  He was born on February 9, 1958 in Manchester, NH a son of Arlene (Chase) Dorr and the late Frank L. Lemieux.  David proudly served his country with the US Air Force.  He was a hard worker and loved working with his hands.  Dave enjoyed being outdoors, skydiving, and spending time with his friends.  He was an avid Motorcyclist who held membership in both the NHMRO (New Hampshire Motorcyclists’ Rights Organization) and AMA (American Motorcycle Association).

            He is survived by his mother Arlene Dorr of Manchester, NH, his girlfriend and co-pilot of 12 years Alexandra Coda of Raymond, three brothers, Donald Fossett of Brookline, NH,  Dana Lemieux of Manchester, and Todd Lemieux of Tewksbury, MA, one sister Lisa Lemieux of Manchester, as well as several nieces and nephews.

            Calling hours will be held on Saturday October 20, 2012 from 2 – 4pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch Street, Derry.  Following cremation, Memorial services will be held on Monday October 22^nd at 3:30pm in Trinity Assembly of God Church, 53 N Main Street, Derry.  Donations may be made in Dave’s memory to NHMRO. To send a condolence or for more information, please visit www.peabodyfuneralhome.com  

NE 100 Highest Complete

New England 100 Highest Mountains - my last one.

It started out nice, but I saw the white on Lafayette on the way in and had a feeling, though I was hoping it was only rime ice.  Not only was the white stuff really snow, but it started to rain/snow, making my glasses useless so I had a very difficult time finding a way through the woods and locating any herd paths.  By the time I got to the top I was very cold, my fingers and toes were numb and I constantly kept monitoring them to make sure I didn't have to turn back. I didn't even open up the canister to sign the register, figured I would just get everything all wet anyways and was not sure how long I afford not to be moving to stay warm.

On the way down I just wanted to get down to a lower, dryer and hopefully warmer elevation as quickly as possible.  Followed the herd path until it turned onto the illegal trail, which was a crazy steep decent that even in my desire to get down, did not seem like a wise way to go.  I found a smaller herd path that lasted a little longer and followed that till it vanished.

I kept trying to turn to the right but mini rock cliffs.  In good weather I would have easily found a way down, but  I had no desire to try and negotiate the steep rocks with limited sight with wet logs and slippery rocks all covered with wet leaves.  I was forced to steer my course a bit more to the left then I desired, but it was quick going.  Finally found a nice logging road that took me in the general direction I wanted to go and allowed me to actually eat a sandwich (first food in three hours) while I continued walking.

Finally came out to the road 1.5 miles from my car.  One the most I have been off in all the other trailless peaks I've done.  But it was the best thing to do the journey was a success so that all that really counts in the end.

On the way home I was really cold.  I cranked the heat and my legs started itching like crazy.  My stomach or abs area felt like I had been doing sit-ups, which I think was due to shivering.  Unfortunately my Garmin got shut off so I'm not sure of the actual mileage.  Total time was about 4.5 hours and that includes the 1.5 mile road walk back to my car.

Next I guess I'll start working on NH 100 highest or whatever else is on the list.  Maybe they will have more trails so Starry can come along with me.