Final Updates for 2009

Happy New Year!!!

I've been super busy w/ month end and year end stuff so I'm a wee bit behind in blogging about all the latest happenings since Christmas. The nutshell version of all the latest updates as we close out 2009 are listed as follows:

1. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Mine was very relaxing. I hung out w/ Roxy Ruby (that's my black lab for all you new blog readers visiting tullycrineturtle.blogspot) and I just enjoyed being lazy, watching movies and baking some GF choc chip cookies complete with washing them down w/ a bottle of wine. :) Santa visited both of us leaving me w/ $$ for new running shoes & trail shoes and Roxy got a candy cane rawhide. LIfe is good!

2. On the day before Christmas Eve, 10yr old Calvin (a non-verbal autistic young man) was presented with an AmTryke. This was an absolute heart-warming moment. As most of you know, I've been working hard to get the RDU Friends Chapter of AMBUCS up and running. To be able to present our 1st tryke within the first 6 months of being established is AWESOME. Thank you so very much to all the folks involved and all our sponsors, especially Fergus & Jana Bradley, who helped make Calvin's Christmas one to remember.

FYI: It's never too late to become a member of the RDU Friends Chapter of AMBUCS. Contact me for info. on how to join. It's only $25 a year. The RDU Friends Chapter works to fundraise monies needed to buy AmTrykes (therapeutic tricycles) for those kiddos w/ disabilities who are waiting patiently on the wish list. You can go to http://www.ambucs.com/ to read more about what AMBUCS is and why it's so awesome!!!

Here's some pics of Calvin's tryke and Calvin on his new tryke! (click on the pic for a larger view)

3. I am now @ 8 weeks post surgery. Range of motion is looking good and I'm FINALLY getting to do some strength training. It's still sore @ times but no pain, no gain right?? I'm still unable to lift certain things of course and I can almost wash my own hair again. It will still be a few more weeks till I'm at full range of motion and can start doing such tasks again. Overall, I'm very pleased w/ my progress and my PT's are AWESOME!!! And getting to hang out w/ some of the Canes players @ PT isn't half bad either. :)

4. I'm also now on what I like to call my new "protein partay" nutrional plan due to post surgery weight gain. As I start to ease back into physical activity I hope this will not only help w/ dropping the unwanted pounds, but help me get back in shape including building back up my muscle mass, etc. I am allowed to ride the bike @ the gym so I'm averaging 12 miles per day +. I also continue to trek w/ Roxy Ruby. Generally we get a good 2-3 mile walk in BUT now that I've been released to hit the hiking trails I'm looking forward to hanging out in the woods soon. I'm also now able to do some ab work and lunges. My PT says my goal of being back out on the pitch by summer is very likely as long as the Dr. agrees. We shall see.....

5. HOW BOUT' THEM DAWGS finishing out the season in Shreveport, LA @ the Independce Bowl this past Monday Night where we beat the Aggies. WAHOOOOO!!!! We had a great crew come out to watch the game Monday night. I'm sad to see the season end as our Bulldog meetups are quite rowdy & full of laughter. My dear friends (and my adopted Bulldog family) the Satterfields will be relocating back to the GA area due to work. I am going to miss them soooooo much. BUT I look forward to catching up @ as many games as we can in 2010 "Catholic Center tailgaitin' style" of course. HAHA!

Happy New Year!!!! Be safe and may 2010 bring forth good health, happiness, top notch shenanigan's and me getting to play rugby again!