Marley and Me - great book!

I just finished reading the book, Marley and Me, by Philadelphia Inquirer Pennsylvania columnist John Grogan. It was a funny and heartwarming tale about the author's (and his family's) dog. The dog, a yellow lab, wasn't the brightest dog but he sure was lovable. The book was laugh out loud funny in several parts - I burst out in laughter on the plane several times. People must've thought I was crazy. If you've ever had a pet, I think you'll relate to this book, since you undoubtedly experienced moments of loving, and not loving quite as much, that pet or pets. Of course, the end of the book left me in tears (again on the plane, I swear, the woman next to me must've thought I was really nuts), which any pet owner could also relate to. So if my eating/yoga/searching for pleasure recommendation of Eat, Pray, Love didn't do it for you, maybe this one will capture your interest.

On an animal-related note, I'm very proud to report that Ms. Camper (aka, the fatter of our two cats) has lost an astounding 2 pounds since her month of sicknesses. Samba has lost 1 pound, and it's all a result of switching them to the Whole Foods Whole Paws cat food at our vet's recommendation. Their coats are shinier and softer than ever. And, to our delight and occasional dismay (when they wake us at 5:30 am), they have much more energy. Now if only their mommy would find such success in weight loss...

I've been on a better streak lately, not taking a cookie each night at my hotel, hitting the gym (and working out with a trainer who kicked my butt last week) more regularly, and trying to eat better. With the hectic travel schedule, the sub-par fitness center in my hotel, and eating out for every meal when I travel, it's an uphill battle. This is why I've told Markus that our children must have his long, naturally lean physique instead of my short and stout one (which I try to make less stout). :-)

I have my appointment with the sports medicine doctor tomorrow about my feet. I really think I have plantar fasciitis, since the pain in my arches hasn't gone away and in fact, has gotten worse, and it's been around since April. It seems like all of a sudden, my body started getting creaky. I'm only 29 - this isn't supposed to happen yet! AHHHH! I was completely prepared for falling apart at 40, because my mom had a few rough years around that age, when seemingly all of her major systems failed her in one way or another, but not at 30! My knees are popping, my hamstrings ache, and I haven't even been running because of my feet. I'm not whining, I think I'm just in shock that this is happening (like the Bjork lyrick - "this wasn't supposed to happen". Amen, sister!). Needless to say, I'll be glad to get a verdict tomorrow afternoon. God help me if I have to buy some awful "comfort" shoes...no offense to anyone who wears "comfort" shoes, of course, but I just planned on a few more years of cute, and totally bad for your feet, sandals.

Tonight, I returned from a week in Indy (and can't sleep); I found out today that I have to go back next week, and I'll be back the week after that. I'll be glad to be home the weekend of July 4, and to see our friends Sean and Brooke then. It happens every year, but I'm always amazed at how quickly the summer flies by. Until I have more than 3 days per week to spend in my own home, it'll be July! Then it'll be August and time for our vacation to Ireland! Then it'll be our anniversary, and my birthday. And then it'll be Christmas! All in the blink of an eye.

My friend Becky has returned from her travels in India and will be coming over for breakfast tomorrow (well, later this) morning. Afer my doctor's appointment, it's back to B-town to watch my mom's dance studio's annual recital. I'm looking forward to seeing my sister perform; although she was in school mere blocks from me, I wasn't able to attend any of her practices or performances. Since she spent this past year studying dance intensively, I think she'll knock peoples' socks off. She's a great performer (she got all those genes in the family - nothing was evenly distributed in our family. My brother is a good athlete and is extremely mechanically inclined, we girls are soooo not. My sister can outperform most people, I couldn't if my life depended on it. What did I get? Anal retentiveness, obsessive compulsive tendencies, anxiety...all the glamorous stuff. I still wonder what on earth gave Markus the idea that I was a good pick...every now and then he throws me a bone and gives me a reason or two :-) I'll never forget, the first time I met Markus' mom, he looked over at one point and there we both were, sitting on the couch and picking our fingernails. He should've known then it was a bad sign, but Markus has always liked a good challenge; he got a good one with me!

If you're interested in seeing a fun and entertaining dance recital, it's at the high school and starts at 6:30 pm. Happy Father's Day to all the dads!