Day 162

Sunday, Sunday...sleeping in Sunday. Sometime this morning I woke up...7-ish, I believe. Normally on Sundays, I wander in around 10am but I actually had plenty to do today so I headed in around 9am, instead. My legs weren't feeling too bad this morning but I was starving. So, before I had my ritualistic bowl of Kashi cereal, I brewed my espresso and had some care package food. Today? Spicy tuna and crackers. I figured the protein was a good idea as muscle repair was in progress, right? It was actually pretty good! However, consuming that with my fine Italian espresso...not so much. I think I'll stick to my espresso only from now on. Once I got into the office, I was quickly aware we had visitors today, one of which was our commander who just flew in. Yep, my fellow ultra-running Marine colonel! I knew right there...our Sunday was not going to be "our" Sunday anymore. Quickly, it felt like any other workday and not the lay-low, minimal-work-hours kind of day. As the day wore on, I got everything done I needed to, picked up my laundry and planned a pre-5pm departure. Before that, though, I called Dorothy back home just before 8am and woke her up! I felt I was safe to call at 7:57am but dangit, I woke her up! (Sorry, Babe!) Shortly thereafter, I grabbed my laundry and headed out to catch a shuttle.

On the way back, I continued to get caught up on my Dave Ramsey podcasts. For those who don't know us or what we've been doing, we began our "debt snowball" on Christmas 2009 with the pursuit of becoming debt free in under 24 months (minus our home, of course). That goal brought forth radical change in our lives as we swore off credit cards, went cash only, and pinky-sweared to hold each other accountable to a budget for the first time in 17 years of marriage. We follow the principles of Dave Ramsey or "Uncle Dave" as many call him. His daily podcasts are great motivation for staying fired up and on course. Well, 24 months is this Christmas but we're going to hit our mark of being debt free by October 7th! That will be about $70,000 which used to be wrapped up in a few credit cards, 2 cars, and a home equity loan. Only the "Evil Equity Loan" remains. (I called it that long ago...it was the largest debt and last to be attacked) So, I'll be returning home to none of that consumer debt and with the next goal of building up about 6 months of living expenses in cash to prevent us from ever going into debt again. After that, we'll re-engage our investments full bore and the mortgage more aggressive than ever before. So anyway...that was my shuttle ride! Uncle Dave!

I got back and quickly jumped on Skype because on the phone, Dorothy mentioned how Tin Man and Scarecrow got those "feathers" in their hair last night. Feathers, eh? Sure enough, Tin Man got a red one and Scarecrow an orange one. I guess they braided them right into their hair (or some other way) and they stay in...showers, combing, brushing...always. This is one of those dad moments where all I can think of to say is "Nice!" but don't really understand it. They love it, friends love it, there's no harm in it, so heck..why not? I just bet Dorothy's mom will LOVE them! :-) (hehehehe!!!)

Not much else tonight to speak of. I read my brother's 50K race report which as very good. It was his first ultra-marathon and marathon, for that matter. He really did a fantastic job. Tonight, I'm going to try and catch the Green Flag of the NASCAR race in Chicago then hit the sack. This is the last full week of September! Saturday of next week is Saturday, October 1st. WOOT!!! So, time to get it moving. Oh yea, my relief e-mailed tonight with some questions. He officially jumped on his Yellow Brick Road today and is about to get his Army uniforms in a few days. "Come on over, brother! I'm waitin' for ya!!!"

Goodnight, everyone.