We Love you and will miss you Laurie!

(Julie writing this one)

Laura Ellen Hull Creameans

April 4, 1967-August 24, 2008

The sun goddess who so loved Hawaii. Herman and Laurie's dream to move there was stemmed from our wonderful Kona/Maui trip just 2 short yrs ago.

Today will undoubtedly be one of the hardest days of my life, and no doubt many others who will be at her funeral.

She will be firmly and gently missed by the love of her life Herman and her daughter Maddison (20), Mary Ellen, Erik and I, and all her extended family and very close friends. She lived life to the fullest. We look back and with so many events she was in a position to say "I'm glad I did", instead of "I wish I would have". No regrets.

The 24th was 3 yrs and 1 day after her dad's passing. She, Erik and Mary Ellen were all bedside for that life changing yet peaceful event. Laurie died of a Massive heart attack at 12:15 am on Sunday surrounded by friends at a hospital in northern IL.

We will always love you and miss you Laurie. The memories will last a life time.

A: Monday Morning Soreness

Q: What do you get a day after completing the Pigman Half-Iron Triathlon?

The thought of working from home definitely crossed my mind today, but I figured I could get my butt to the office and see if anyone notices my tender walking. No one has noticed yet…mostly because I’ve only left my chair a handful of times. Each time just as slow and labored as the first.

Well, another “successful” triathlon season is officially under my belt. For me, it was a busy season (6-tri’s and 1 du). I didn’t have the year over year improvement I had hoped for, but I’m starting to learn more about biking…mostly, that to get better, you need to put in the miles. HOTL was the first race that I would see a “target” up ahead and chase it down. Doing that gave me my best bike average and didn’t hurt my run at all.

Those that know me, know that I am averse to large doses of self-induced pain. That’s not good when you’re trying to improve any of the three disciplines. One of my goals for next year (dare I put it out there) is to worry less about the around the house stuff and really put a focus on improving at least a couple of disciplines. It will be quite an adjustment (boohoo, I know) but watching some of our friends hit another fitness level is really inspiring.

Gone are the days of hair-plugs and root-canals (aka excuses for not working out)!!
Gone are the days of worrying about missing an unimportant show on the tube of boob!!
Gone are the days of skipping a swim workout…well maybe not totally gone…

What to do now with all the spare time?

Probably continue training with Julie through IMFL. I mean, what else am I going to do? Yard work? Bah!! We are in a moderate drought here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes and the yard is basically straw, so yard work is down to just weeding and that is very over-rated.

Congrats to everyone on a complete or nearly complete season!! To those of you with events to come, good luck. I’ll try to snap some cool pics of you.

-E

Family comes together

The inevitable time came for my Grandma Sundeen. I loved her laugh. I enherited bunions from her. She was on this earth for 87+ yrs.

My mom and aunt were bedside when she took her last breath. "It was an honor and Peaceful" my mom said. All 6 kids came home. My 2 cousins were here too. Group dynamics on this side of the family can be sketchy, but not this time. It was the foundation of family love that kept the fun in the air. Pool time and cranium were a couple of highlights.

It was the first time in 8 months I would see my dad. But, as hurt as I have felt over the family's breakup, these moments are reminders as to how precious life is. A healthy spirit will embrace forgiveness. I don't have to understand. I accept that. it was a beatiful sunday that we enjoyed to the fullest. My brother Doug, wife Ann and 2.5 yr old son Rowan flew in for the funeral and family gathering.

Rowan loved "air drying". He is one special and bright kid. With two gifted and wonderful parents, a darling kid is expressing great character.

Many special memories. Yes it was an unfortunate gathering, but we celebrated gradma's life to it's fullest - being with eachother.

Live, laugh and love like there is no tomorrow.

Peace, Julie