Sugar

Once upon a time my brothers went for months without sugar in preparation for the state swim meet. As a side affect my Mom, ever the supportive one, began making a lot of food without sugar--at least during this time. So inadvertantly I went without a lot of sugar but never fully without.

By the time that I was on the swim team and swam at state my senior year I had a different coach than Rus and Brent; thus I didn't have to go without sugar. Richard Barnes and I attempted to do it in preparation for state, but I am pretty certain that I didn't make it.

Jen was borderline gestationally diabetic during her pregnancy with Hailey, so to keep everything in line she went off sugar during her last trimester and subsequently lost 10-15 lbs, when normally she would gain 10-15. Which leads me to the following.

Jen has challenged me to go a month without sugar (primarily refined sugar) which also includes corn syrup and any other artificial sweetner. So after two days I am doing okay. I had a slight false start with a nice organic yogurt that had no "sugar" but in its place it had "evaporated cane juice". Last night after a couple quick searches I quickly discovered that it is a slightly less refined version of sugar, so no go. I was really good yogurt.

So I'll keep you updated on how it goes. This is all done as an experiment to see if my body reacts similar to Jen's. Who knows.

Hailey Sue

Over the course of the summer Jen played a good amount of tennis and has taken a couple of students under her tutelage. Jen's lessons were usually in the morning which resulted in Hailey waking up to her "dada" on many occassions.

Hailey finally figured out where Mom was and would regularly go to the window that overlooks the courts or stand by the front door and call for her "Momma" or "Mommee". Eventually she would get out and wander over to the courts.

The funny thing is now whenever Hailey Sue cannot find Jen, she will wander to the tennis courts looking for her, even when Jen isn't there. She has to determine for herself that Jen is not there before she will listen to where you are telling her Jen is.

--Updated 9/15/08 to correct a spelling/grammar error pointed out by Richard.

Thriving Ivory

So while I was driving my son to karate (please pronounce it properly "Kuh-raw-tay") my local radio station 101.9 The End previewed the debut album for the band "Thriving Ivory". For whatever reason I connected with the music--was completely in awe of the sound and music coming from my radio. Can't explain why as the lead singers voice seems to be opposite of what major labels seem to be pushing lately.

Needless to say I went out and bought the album on iTunes. I thoroughly enjoy every song. They have videos up on their site as well as their current single, "Angels on the Moon", to watch and listen to. Hope you enjoy it as I have.