The Messicks Encore

This is a little late, but I hate to miss an opportunity to put a shout-out to my best cousins, the Messicks. Holly and Danny arrived mid week the last week of June for a Cubs vs. Tigers game (that's baseball, for all you non-sports fans) and some of that Rutherford je ne sais quoi. The following weekend we headed to Chicagoland for a family reunion.

The visits were riddled with parallels. They arrived in Detroit making excellent time; we arrived in Chicago in record time! We weren't home to greet them when they arrived; they were able to return the favor upon our arrival. (You get the picture.)

We always have ridiculous fun with the Messicks. Now we just need to figure out how to hang out more often. Is a move in order?

Before and After

Since I was no longer wasting time running while in a cast, I decided to take on some home improvement tasks (which I'm just getting around to photographing and uploading). I was lucky enough to inherit my grandparents dressers. I loved the lines, but was not happy with the finish or the hardware until now! The whole project took about a week, including drying time. The dressers needed to be painted three times and have one coat of stain (wiping it on and off immediately). What a huge improvement it's made for our room! The white dressers really pop against the chocolate walls now, rather than looking blah and blending in.

The Tillerman 2004

Public service announcement: If you have any of this, and I mean ANY, listen closely. Go down to your cellar, grab the offending bottles and a friend, pull the cork and guzzle. My beloved Tillerman has lost its nose, its dark fruit/smooth tannin/ pleasant mouth feel and turned into a disappointing sip. You still can drink it (and should, based on how much you likely paid for a bottle), but it's not what it once had been that made me fall hot and heavy over heels for the 2004 Tillerman.

Eight Days without a Cast

It's been eight days so far since I've had my cast removed. Not a day goes by when I am not thankful for being able to take a shower without the plastic bag that leaked anyway, and having to summon Chris for my every need. (It's funny how his hearing waned as we approached the six week mark of my injury.) I had my last checkup yesterday, and am cleared for activity, as long as it doesn't hurt. Orthotics have been ordered and I'm on my way back to running...well, sort of.

I walked a mile today with Chris and Elvis, albeit very slowly. I only experienced one shooting pain on our way back at the corner of Nine Mile and Woodward. (No that this detail matters, but I thought I'd set the scene.) Considering what my foot had been through, I think that's pretty good. Miraculously, I was able to shake it and make it home, relatively unscathed. I know my body is working hard at building bone and new synapses, and my new found patience (wishful thinking here---bear with me) will serve me well.

This isn't Goode

Well, it's been decided, I've not been chosen for the Really Goode Job. It goes without saying that I'm disappointed as clearly my video was the best, but it's OK. It won't deter me from drinking wine and writing about it, sharing the good grape with friends, and growing my love affair with the vine. If anything, it makes me more interested in learning more about wine and strong-arming everyone I know in joining me.

June Snippets

I've got lots of good stuff and thought I'd separate it into little snippets rather that the long paragraph form with which this blog has become so accustomed. Bear with me as I jump along a bit, as they're in order of excitement/immediacy:

I've never been so excited that it's June 22 in my life! TOMORROW I get my cast off. After six weeks of agony, hobbling around and near helplessness, I think it's about time. I'll be going straight from the podiatrist to the pedicurist to work some magic on my neglected toes.

Last night while limping around at Meijer in the wine section, Chris and I came across a bottle of Murphy-Goode Cab which we quickly napped. It's a 2004 (read: GREAT year for Napa Cab) and I believe that it could quite possibly be an omen. Guess I'll find out in a few days whether I'm selected.

Tonight Chris and I are going a wine tasting at the Franklin Grill with my parents. We have no idea what we'll be tasting, but are hoping we can come home with some new summer wines! Aren't we all sick of drinking the same varietals over the BBQ? UGH!

Our tenants are tentatively paying their rent today. WOO HOO!

Danny and Holly are rolling in on Wed. for a quick Rutherford fix/Cubs vs. Tigers game. My other side of the family will be represented too with Uncle Pete (one of the three Chris and I have between us), Aunt Mary and cousin (and fellow Chicago Marathoner) Jo. Hopefully we can also get in some time with our two coolest nieces ever, Catherine (20 months) and Grace (three weeks).

Elvis got a bath today and THANK GOD! After his stint at the Strut Your Mutt at the Franklin 5K, he's been more than a little ripe. Chris said he got a little hot and began strutting his muttly self through the driveway drain offs along the road. It may have cooled him off but boy did it make him a mess! Summer molting season has officially started.

A Really Goode Job

Hi everyone!

Have you heard about the Really Goode Job? It's a six month temporary position at Murphy-Goode Winery in Healdsburg, CA. The winery is looking for an enthusiastic wine lover with a knowledge of social media. The responsibilities include:

* Living in a gorgeous house in scenic Healdsburg (where I ran one of my too many races last year)
* Twitter/Facebook/You Tube/etc. about Murphy-Goode
* Seek out great picnic spots
* Highlight whatever other fun finds I stumble across
* Make a wine with the wine maker to commemorate my visit

Oh...and it pays $10,000 a month! Think this sounds like a good idea? As much as I hate to be the bearer of bad news, if you're reading this right now, it's likely too late to apply (the deadline is tonight at midnight). Eveyone is invited to come visit me if I'm selected! Here's the video I submitted as my application: