Happy New Year!!!

Can't wait for 2009 to be over with. We have had some bad luck this year and hopefully 2010 will be full of blessings.

Have a safe and Happy 2010!

The Austs

Keep reminding myself....

To be upset over what you don't have is to waste what you do have.

RIP Dodge Dakota

John and I will miss the truck - not sure what we will get next! On 12/2, over a week ago, John couldn't stop in enough time and ran into another SUV during rush hour on the Paseo Bridge (boy, I'm sure it caused a huge backup!). Long story short everyone is fine and it could have been worse. My dad is kind to let us borrow his truck! Since we got snow and the truck isn't four wheel drive (John's wasn't either) it's pretty humorous to see John try to get out of the drive way. For about 4-5 years we have been storing these 45 pound free weights in our garage (there's about 10 of them) - I've lost all hope of John getting rid of them, but they did come in handy to add more weight to the truck.

Boulevard Tour

Saturday we got invited to go on the Boulevard Tour with Megan and Alex. John had been there before but it was my firs time. If you ever get the chance you need to do the tour- great time and you can sample the beer after the tour. WARNING- you do need to book well in advance!

Thanks Megan and Alex for inviting us!!

http://www.blvdbeer.com/unfilteredwheat.htm

KU vs. NE

John and I went to our first KU football game at Lawrence. The McGinnis's invited us to join them watching Nebraska play (Got to tailgate before the game and had VIP parking ). Which we couldn't complain we had great tickets - 50yardline, 23 rows up. I will admit, it was the only time I will ever cheer for Nebraska. Being down here in KC with tons of KU fans wears on you! Weather was good and not too cold - John did end up buying me a hot chocolate.

It was kind of funny I thought that the game was at Arrowhead - I had no idea why we had to leave so early and I told John my concerns on how we were going to meet Trevor and get the tickets. Arrowhead was big and Trevor would have to walk really far so we could get the parking pass...

Happy Halloween!

Cabo with the 175 pound pumpkin
Out with the dogs at "Dog-tober"Fest

We have been busy with dog events, birthday parties etc. This weekend we had John's event and had Addy's birthday and I went for a girls weekend! Crazy! I'm so glad for my family and extended family! I miss my girlfriends and I wish we lived closer so we can get together more often. Can't wait for Megan's wedding in August! It will be SO much FUN!!!

For Jared and Susan...

You left a dying plant ...Take a look at this! Boy, do I have a green thumb! John still doesn't think so. Miss you guys and I hope you are staying warm in Boston!

Pray for Ernie

John's dad is back in the hostipal-- Please pray for him!!

Day at the Dog Park (ok, a couple of hours)

We met Henry's owner, Debbi, at the Dog park so she could visit Henry. It was good to see her- hopefully we can see her more often.

Henry and his owner Debbi
John and Mr. C

Cabo and Me

Road Trip to Chicago!!!

We went to Chicago for John's cousin's wedding. We left on Friday morning and got to Chicago around 10:30pm ONLY because we shopped and then took I-80 instead of I-88. We ended up in Indiana... WHICH was only 15 miles from Theresa's. I think we have learned our lesson to PRINT and MAP out where we are going. Just getting in the car and going REALLY isn't healthy for our marriage- Well, at least we can live on the wild side!
We had a great time at the Vance wedding - it was beautiful and we had a GREAT time at the reception! Thank you to Marco and Theresa for being GREAT host!

Michele and Chris and US!

John and Me

Me before the LONG drive (John hated the new hub cap I bought)

John smiling before the drive (Are we REALLY driving to Chicago!)

ISU vs Iowa

This weekend is the big event- the only game that matters.

Update on John's dad- he's doing WONDERFUL!!!

Send your Prayers

John 's dad, Ernie, is in the hospital and scheduled for a triple bi-pass on Monday afternoon. The doctor said he is a walking time bomb with 90% and 95% blockage so he will be staying in the hospital because of the risk. Please pray for him that he has a speedy recovery!

We love you Ernie and we are thinking of you!
xxxoo's

Can you Tri?

John and I did our triathlon together this weekend-Jackson Country Tri at Longview Lake. Yes, John did beat me BUT I got 3rd in my age division. Granted there wasn't too many ladies in my age category but still I get a medal. That's pretty great in my book. I think I will continue to do longer tri's because we all know I'm not a sprinter- my Grandpa Pontious said it the best when I was in cc and track in high school- It doesn't matter if Julie does the 2 miler or the 800 her pace is the same.
John and I didn't see each other until I got to mile 1 of my run and he was at mile 4! he was in the first heat of the swim and I was in heat 4- he cheered me on when I had a mile left to go.

What will be our next race?? Should we do a longer tri? How about a Half Iron Man together? Ummmm. Maybe not!

Jack Jack

Is that Cabo? No, it's Jack- Jack!!

Utah to Boston

Our good friends Jared and Susan plus Jackson (their 1 1/2 yr old son) stopped by this weekend to visit us. Well, they are on their way from Utah to their new home -Boston!! We know Kansas City isn't really on the way, but they love us so much they had to stop (HAHHA!). Hopefully, John and I will make a visit to Boston to visit them! We never made it out to Utah, but we did make it to Florida with them.

Good luck with the drive this week!

Hot pink handle bars....

My bike was stolen this weekend while in Omaha visiting Michele and Chris (John's sister). Our bikes were in the truck and somewhere between midnight and 6AM my bike was taken- John's bike was untouched. I told him it's because my bike is cooler.
We had a bike race/event today so I used Michele's bike, which didn't last too long because the tires were old. I didn't even bike 1 mile and the back tire exploded. The cops that were volunteering in the intersection gave me a hard time about the bike. I then had to report to them about my bike being stolen (like they could help me)..... oh, how I will miss my hot pink handle bars. I told John that I felt bad for the bike - who knows what has happened to it now.

Pool fun at Uncle Jeff's.....

My nieces Ava and Addy are having some fun with Grandma Meyer at Uncle Jeff's!

My tri

The morning started off with a thunder storm but it cleared off and was a great day for a race. Cool- not too hot! I had a great time with the swim- it was about time. I took some advice from the lady next to me... calm your breathing before you get in the water!! What great/simple advice!! Still training for the next big event- John and I will be doing the Jackson County Tri at Longview Lake. Hopefully, his shoulder will get better!!

Wish me luck!

My tri is on Saturday which is my favorite race that I have done (ok, I've only done one other tri and it was basically rained out). Over 700 women are doing the event this year- wish me luck! 500 swim/10m bike/3m run - John keeps on telling me that I need to pass as many people on the bike and run! Swimming in the lake is by far my (least) favorite thing to do.

RAGBRAI virgin

John is off to do ragbrai this week and I joined him from Emerson to Corning which was enough for me. I saw everything you can imagine on this bike ride-barely there clothed women, underwear over biking gear,a guy dressed as a keg (how do you ride a bike as that?). It was pretty crowded and you had to always be on the watch.... which reminds me.

I was riding with John and Brad when all of a sudden the bikers in front of me pointed to he ground. John and Brad knew what to do... I was confused--- I didn't see anything in front of me. All of a sudden my whole body was vibrating! You know when you are in a car and get almost to a stop sign? Yes, it does feel a lot different when you are on a bike! I learned my lesson and avoided anymore of those (r U m B L e S t R i p S).

Sounds like John is having a good time and enjoying himself. He did fall off his bike and hurt his shoulder. He said he iced it and it is pretty sore, but it's fine. Thank goodness! John teased me that he couldn't afford me all week on the trip. I'm a sucker for all the vendors (t-shirts, jewelry etc.), I have to support all the Iowans!

John & JD's Big Adventure

John and our brother in law JD (Sarah's husband) went on a little adventure down the 'mighty' Missouri River on Sunday. It took them 3-4 hours to go from Parkville, MO to just pass the Paseo Bridge. I wonder what John will think of next?

No A.C = No Fun

Seems like this summer has been full of things not working. First. It was our AC in our house that decided to go out. Not a big deal because it was nothing too major.. and now our car's AC is out. It wouldn't be so bad if I wasn't quoted over $1,000 to get it fixed. YES!! I'm not kidding!! My car isn't worth $1,300 so why would I spend that much? One word. Sweat.
Yesterday I got home from work and I looked like I just got done working out. So, I have had to be clever in thinking of ways to cool off on the way home. What would you do? Well, I sit on a ice pack. Yes, that's what I do. Weird? Crazy? Let's see you drive a car with no AC in KC's traffic.
We do plan on taking the car up to Shenandoah when we are back in a week. I think we might be able to get it fixed and then I think it's time for a different car. I'm trying to get John to get a small SUV but he says if it doesn't get 30 mpg we aren't getting it.

Sweet Corn... Get your Sweet Corn

Guess who ate 10 ears of corn in two days? John?? Noooo. I hate to admit it but it was Me. Yes, I love sweet corn and it's even better when I get my families sweet corn from Iowa! I think I'm done for the year now though. Sarah and JD you better get over here fast before I eat your bags of corn :)

65 mile bike ride.....

For those that are confused no, I wasn't on the back of John's bike - he doesn't own a motorcycle (John don't get any ideas!). John and I rode our bicycles in the Tour de Lakes in Lee Summit, Mo on Saturday which was very hot and hilly (95+ degrees). It was my first time riding that far and my first time in clip-less pedals. I know it probably wasn't the smartest thing to do as there was about 1,000 riders... but I didn't fall once. I did almost fall down a hill with the bike though as I was trying to go up a VERY STEEP hill. I panicked and got my left shoe out as I started to fall to my right; at the last second I got my foot out (I walked up the rest of that hill only to meet John and Brad asking me if 'Ms. Walker' needed any help). We started at 7AM and got done at 1pm- the hotter it got the longer it took us. One day of that was enough for me - I have no idea how John does that day after day on ragbrai.

Don't do Drugs. Do Triathlons.

John's big triathlon was this weekend. He did REALLY well and he felt great after the event! Watching the race gave me some much needed MOTIVATION!! If I'm going to beat John I need to kick it in gear.

Next Saturday we are biking 62 miles in the Tour De Lakes in Kansas City. I personally have never been on a bike for that long. I hope I can last! Maybe it will rain and I can get out of it?

Missing dog... and we didn't even know it.

Last night about 3am our neighbor (Stephanie) rings our doorbell and yells into our house- Is anyone there? I was fast asleep upstairs and John fell asleep on the couch (what else is new?) he gets up and goes he door. Stephanie probably thought he was drunk- when John gets up from being asleep he's like a Zombie! Well, apparently, our front door was opened and Henry was over at their house barking at their front door to get in. Henry can't really see or hear. We have no idea what happened which is weird and scary. We went all over our house to make sure no one was hiding in our house. We thank Stephanie for coming over to bring back Henry. And no, Cabo didn't get out just Henry which is even weirder.

Funny Conversation between Julie and John...
John: Who brought Henry over to our house?
Julie: It was Stephanie
John: Are you sure?
Julie:Yes, don't you remember talking to her?
John: Yes, but it was dark and you know how I am when I first get up. Plus my contacts were stuck to my eyes
Julie: Oh, brother!

7 Years of Marriage Bliss!!

Today is our 7th Wedding Anniversary!! I can't believe how fast time has gone by! Seems like yesterday we were celebrating with our families.

Bring It

John has a Triathlon in about 20 days and he needs some prayers for his training. You would think if you hadn't trained for a race you would just drop out. Well, not him. I have to stress over if he finishes the swim, then I have to worry about if he crashes on his bike. AND then the run!!

In August we will be competing in the Longview Lake Tri together (Olympic distance). I have been talking trash to him for quite sometime to make him start to train so he doesn't get beaten by his wife. I told him that I don't care if it's by a minute or a second it still counts. Last race that I beat John in was the Drake Relays Half Marathon a couple years ago (yes, John I don't forget). I believe John's training schedule consisted of girl scout cookies and the couch. Bring it on John- you are going to get beaten by a girl!

10 Things I will miss about being unemployed

1. Not knowing what day it is
2. Ironing John's clothes in the morning
3. Taking walks with Cabo and Henry
4. Staying up late
5. Filing unemployment weekly claims
6. Wearing workout clothes and a pony tail every day
7. Getting calls from John asking what I did all day
8. People telling me they are sorry after they hear I got laid off
9. No make-up
10. Hanging out with my sister and her kids

I start my new job tomorrow!

Materpeice... well almost

I made this a long time ago but I wanted to post it. It was my first time baking a lemon meringue pie and boy, does it look good. Too bad it cracked and my niece ate the meringue off before we could cut into it.

Golden Rule: Never leave pies out in plain sight until it's time for dessert!
(Henry got into one and Veronica got into another)

Pictures from vacation....