Archive for May 2011

Last week I was lucky enough to spend time in southern Missouri and witness my good friend, Jesse Beck, get married.  I met some very friendly, good ole’ people and learned the meaning of southern hospitality. My favorite moments included Fuzzy’s bait and booze store where the slogan reads, “If you cant catch a fish at least you can catch a buzz.” Of course I had to buy a t shirt with a line like that (and then along with Ty Brown and Craig R wear them to the wedding)! Next came the lady working at Joes Diner and Gas station who introduced me to a fried gizzard. I’m still not sure what this is but I ate it anyway and loved it. I think you could just about fry anything.

Jesse quickly showed me the ropes and his peculiar ways in Peculiar, MO. My second day began with a trip to Lowes where Jesse promptly invited the check out lady to his wedding. We spent the afternoon filling a keg (which he had empty in his house for some reason), picking up a mower and tables, then heading down to the Beck family farm.

The fun/work continued in good ole’ Osceaola where I learned to set up a wedding tent and build a dance floor. We spend the evening fishing (southern style), shooting guns and making beans for the big day. I learned that you don’t always need a fishing rod, dynaminte works much faster. Jesse’s dad also brought out his pride and joy, a gun called ‘The Judge.”

Peyton, Hunter, Craig R., and Ty Brown joined us Friday for the festivities. After several days of rain, the clouds parted and the sun came out for the wedding day. As you can see in the pictures, Craig and I decided to take a shopping trip to Wal-Mart and purchase matching outfits.

I am pretty sure we pulled it off spectacularly! I discovered just how much I love Wal-Mart when the entire outfit cost less than $30. That’s my kind of shopping!

The best part of the weekend was hanging with some great friends and new adopted family! People always ask me would you do the show again. Well, this weekend was a prime example of why I would.  The friendships are more than I ever imagined and it led me to Peyton. You can’t ask for more than great friends and true love.

I flew out of Kansas City Sunday afternoon just before the tornado hit Joplin, MO. I want to give a shout out to the people of this wonderful state. You are all on my mind right now. I loved my visit because of how friendly and welcoming you are. If you haven’t been to this area of the country, take a trip and say hello to Fuzzy for me.

So this past weekend on May 7th myself and 15,000 other insane people took to the steep, cold slopes of Mt Snow in Vermont for a 10 mile obstacle laden course for a great cause The Wounded Warrior Project.

It was easily the toughest thing I have ever pushed my body through and this is coming from someone who has run and finished a marathon (NYC in 2003).

Luckily enough I had some great teammates by my side and was helped along by fellow Mudders along the way. The fearsome fivesome pictured above finished the course in 3 hours 26 minutes…..sound slow…..I beg to differ!!!! We came out of the race bruised, battered, shivering cold, and yes muddy but still smiling after all the mountain and Tough Mudder organizers could throw at us.

We made some great friends out of this run and are already planning on the next one. It really helps to have something to train towards and people to help you along the way. I highly recommend it. If anyone wants to join my team I will be running the Falmouth Road Race in August for CCALS so start the training!!!