Short & Sweet

My computer had a problem last night and I was up ‘til the wee hours repairing it with a butter knife. Don’t ask – just know my computer works perfectly once again... At 7 o'clock this morning, a huge bright red Dodge Ram with dualies, pulling a 40 foot travel trailer, decided to pull-in to the site next to our and take about 30 minutes to position the trailer. We were choking from the diesel fumes and very upset about the noise at such an early hour. Dave couldn’t go back to sleep, so he started the coffee and left for a run. I must have dozed back off, because at 9 a.m. I swear I could hear Matt Centrowitz yelling, “Terry, you lazy bum, get out of bed”. So I did get up and get dressed, but by the time I came out of the bedroom, Matt had gone. Maybe it was a dream?

DT and I went to breakfast, and then took the shuttle over to the track. The meet was very short and sweet today, so the crowds were intense. Jackie Joyner-Kersey did not make the long jump team, so that was a bit of a disappointment – but the competition was fun to watch. The US will be represented by Gabe Jennings, Michael Stember and Jason Pyrah in the 1500 meter. Jennings and Stember attend Stanford University. The women’s 1500 meter team will be Regina Jacobs, Suzy Hamilton and Marla Runyan. Gee, guess what? Michael Johnson won the 400 meter final. He runs so smoothly, it doesn’t even look like he is working!

When the meet was over, 23,000 people stood up and left the stadium at the same time. It was like cows being herded out to pasture. It took us over 30 minutes to leave the stadium – sardine style! Steve and Gina were taking their car to their house, followed by Lisa in the toad and we were to take the shuttle bus back to Goldie. We all needed to get beautiful for a family party in Modesto. Our plans failed. Steve and Gina (who left 5 minutes earlier and had parked at the exit – genius!) were back to their house before we could get out of the stadium We were 300th in line for the shuttle bus – which would have been fine IF they actually had a bus or two lined up – but there wasn’t a bus in sight. We waited for 30 minutes and not one bus showed up. Then my cell phone rang and it was Lisa – still stuck in the parking lot traffic. We left the line and went over to find Lisa – always thinking, Lisa had her party dress in the car – and hopped in the toad and made it back to Goldie. By the time Steve left his house to pick us up, we three had showered and were ready for the drive to Modesto. Seriously, the lack of organization and planning is really putting a damper on the Trials experience.

Quityerbitchin.

The party in Modesto was WONDERFUL! It was so nice to get all the family together – this is an extremely small family, yet we can rarely get so many of us together. Lydiabelle had a huge spread of food, a lovely garden, the weather was perfect and there is a baby to fuss over! Here is a photo of Dave’s Aunt Lydiabelle and his Mom, Virginia – just back from their 18-day Panama Canal Cruise:

Sisters: Lydiabelle & Mom


The Grandkids table: Erin, Alison (Brian’s girlfriend), Brian, Lisa and Meghan


Cousin Rob with his baby, Robbie