| Hi Family, Friends, and Xanga pals! Its been FOREVER since I last posted. Aaron and still sloooowly but surely renovating the house. Bailey,our puppy, is now one year old! Unfortunately, wedding plans have be slooooow in the making. Our savings were all but eaten up by the folks who sublet our former apartment when we moved into the house in April. Soon after moving in, they stopped paying and then refused to leave. To keep our credit intact, we continued to pay their rent in addition to our mortgage. Now, the lease has expired and they still wont leave. Being that Aaron and I are the actual lease holders, we are being evicted (on paper) along with the squatters. So much for being responsible. I cant tell you what a financial toll this has put on us. When the court proceedings are said and done, the grand total will be over $12,000 that we have lost due to this situation. Going after this money will be a challenge as those liable clearly have no assets. Sadly, I finally came to the conclusion over Christmas that these people saw us coming a mile away. Now, I could go off on a tyrant and explain why these kind of people are what's wrong with society and responsible for what is happening in the economy.... but I won't. Instead, I'll tell you the truth. Yes, things have been extremely tough this year. I never could have imagined how hard things have been this year, but God really has taken care of us. ALL of our "needs" have been provided for. In fact, we even got a few, "wants". Furthermore, we are far luckier than so many right now. Yes, i work in financial services at a Private Equity Firm in Manhattan. I am so very blessed i actually HAVE a job in this economy. Indeed, I am one of four left on my entire floor. One of the things that seemed to slip away this year was racing/running. As most of you know, I've had a maddening love affair with running for the past 4 years. Money primarily, then time, animals, and work have distanced me from my love for quite some time. I miss my involvment in SIAC, my running club, so much. This club gave me a love of this island and a community in which to call home. How can i repay that? November was bittersweet. It was the first time since 2005 that i did not complete the NYC marathon. I deferred my registration in the hopes that i will race (PR) in 2009. Now, I'm not one to believe in coincidence. I believe that everything has a reason or divine purpose. Thus, I ran into some kin i had not seen in probably 6 years over Christmas. The live in VA beach and every year camp out on the beach during the Rock and Roll Marathon on Labor Day. ***Feather. In. Cap.*** Now, I love destination races and have not gone away to race since the 2007 Chicago marathon. This would give me 5 months to train for this race while giving me a place to crash and the chance to catch up with my family. I have to be honest....I am SOOO excited about the idea of training for and running this marathon!!!! It would give me a good base to train for NYC in November while making training less grueling during mascot season as i will have already sufficient cardio vascular levels and stamina. Another plus would be not having to stress about weight so much before the wedding. I can normally eat like a line backer when i am training and not gain a pound... Speaking of weight... Aaron and I are going to be starting weight watchers in Jan. I don't really think that he wants to but he is always such a great support to me. In september and October, I went on Medifast and lost an amazing 17 lbs. I have kept all but three lbs. off over the holidays and could not be happier. Id like to lose a bit more and be a solid 4. (i hover in the 8's right now). Lastly, I'll touch on my Family and Aaron. It was go great to get home over the break and see my brother and his wife, the Show side of the family, and some of the Kifus Klan. I really come from good hearted, and beautiful people. I am so proud to be born of a legacy of hard working immigrant coal miners and steel workers. One thing that has remained constant through the generations (i am third generation born in the U.S.) is our work ethic and principles. There is such beauty and richness in our traditions and heritage. (our food is pretty darn good too!) I'm so happy to share all of this with my future husband, Aaron. He, on more than one occasion, has been referred to as, "my perfect fit." My mother and I both agree that he is my father incarnate. I love him so much. If i were to be broke with anyone in the world, i would choose him again and again. Well, that's my posting. I know it's long over due. Blessings and tidings for a lovely New Year. xoxo Alison |
