Delaware Power Classic 2010

DELAWARE POWER CLASSIC 2010 took place this past weekend. I can honestly say it was the best one yet! OSX Fitness in Newport DE and proprietor Steve Oldham welcomed us with open arms. The venue is perfect for a powerlifting meet, as both sides of the building have oversized garage doors that open. The weather was perfect! The crowd was huge. We had 43 lifters, and many big lifts. It was alot of work on my part, but I wouldn't trade putting these meets together for anything! Results can be found here:

http://www.apa-wpa.com/2010MeetResults/DPC2010RESULTS.pdf

Pictures and videos can be found here:

http://sode.smugmug.com/Sports/DE-APA

Hank Stoklosa - how do we ever thank you for all of your work taking the pix and video??!!!

Dynamo Club Powerlifting- I love you guys! Thank you also to Kathy Fields, Derek Hill, Len Walker, Julie Trincia, 4G's Catering, Steve Pulcinella and Iron Sport Gym, Rob Haas and Sussex Fence, the list goes on, and especially THANK YOU to Steve Oldham of OSX Fitness - !!! Can't wait til November 13 for the next meet - same place - be there!!!

I now own a monolift, yes I do...but instead of housing it in my garage to rust, I have sent it up to IronSport Gym in Glenolden PA. I want it to be used, and I know there aren't any other monolifts in the area. So if you are a Powerlifter in the DE, PA, NJ, MD area and want to train on a monolift - IronSport Gym now has one!!!

April 30

I officially fell apart - i hve been nursing what seems to be a left bicep tendon strain, and probably a bit of a tear. I haven't trained in a month! I'm going batty, but I have been busy focusing on the upcoming Delaware Power Classic (May 08) and some other non-training related issues. I have started training a Special Olympian for the DE Special Olympics in June.
Robert has participated for the past few years, and I think we can get him up to benching and deadlifting both with new PR's.

Last week I played announcer at the Pennsylvania State Boys' Powerlifting Championships.
It was a huge meet. I was very impressed with the athletes and thier enthusiasm. The meet was well expedited. They had 4 platforms of lifters all competing at once, so my guess is there were at least 100 lifters if not more. It was held at Glen Mills Schools in Glen Mills, PA - a gorgeous, rolling and lush campus dotted with beautiful old stone buildings.

NO - I am not giving up bodybuilding!!! Hah - how many people read that statement of me being currently "sick" of it and misconstrued that statement????
My plans have to change again due to the injury, but I'm not going anywhere. I will probably be sidelined for 3 - 4 more weeks. It sucks, but this is what happens when you know you need to back off, but don't.

Absent

I am living in absentia....pardon my invisibility, but nothing is happening. I am on mandatory hiatus from training, due to severe overtraining, and strained biceps tendon, and God-awful leg pain that has returned not only in a vengenace, but double-fold. Boo! Boo-Hoo!!!

I am about sick of bodybuilding - I don't even want to go there, just leave it at that I am powerlifting this year. Period. Exclamation mark! I know I'll lose my national qualification if I don't compete this year, but who the heck cares. Not I. I'll get it back next year, no doubts, no worries.
One cannot excel at both of these sports simultaneously. Key word = excel. I love my strength. I want to be strong. I have powerful goals this year. Stay tuned.

Another No Go :(

I had been preparing for the IPA DE State Championships next weekend, March 13th. Of course, as per usual, something always happens to me that prevents me from making it to the platform. No change in that status quo -
This time the meet was cancelled due to lack of entries. Woe is me, I feel I was well prepared. My bench and deadlift were on. My squat has been up and down, but I would have at least been able to do one. My legs are starting to give me a bit of problem again, but I think I can nip it by going back to an every other week squatting regimen.
I went in on bench day and did my planned opener, 285. Went up smooth and quick. Decided on 305 for a second - I have pushed 305 legitamately several times before, but I must say, this one was the best I have ever done. Smooth and quick. That was it. What the third attempt will be remains to be decided on meet day (whenever THAT shall happen again! ).

Since almost everyone else in the world including my training partner Rob went out to the Arnold Classic this weekend, I travelled up to IronSport Gym to train deadlifts with my good friend Steve Pulcinella. I knew my dead would be decent, having pulled a good 370 x 8 a few weeks back. It is hard for me to jump out of the car after driving for 2 hours and feel like training at all, much less pulling, but it went much better than I expected. First you have the awesome atmosphere of a real hardcore gym, an ATHLETE'S gym. Then there was a small group of guys on another platform doing deadlifts as well. (yes - several real lifting platforms!) When I go back and look at these videos I can see and still feel my sluggishness, but they were good and I still had "a little left in the tank"....
Steve filmed these :
first a 405 x 4. I should have stopped at one or 2, but I was "caught in the moment" .http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHvr38sbOzk

Then a 440 x 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LwinyIgBAs

I have been training recently at times off a 100 lb plate, and I think that is really helping my initial pull off of the floor putting more leg drive into it, however I am also not putting my back into it now as quickly. If I can do that again a little faster - hah! Look out world!!! . Actually, I havent done all that much pulling in the past year, so I am happy to have the strength back up to where it was last year - FINALLY! That bodybuilding stuff just saps me!!!

Steve popped off a nice 675. He has a shoulder injury, hence the double overhand grip and straps. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbunPzKrb3M

I will be "deloading" this week - was going to anyway because of the meet, but now just because I NEED to. I feel just this side of a train wreck. I have another meet in mind to prepare for in the not too distant future. I just need to keep from falling apart.

No Snow is Good Snow

I'm not sure it really has anything to do with the mandatory "rest" I have been subjected to, but whatever - last night was a really good bench night. I popped 4 really good 280's up. I've done 4 before, but they weren't nearly as nice as these. I actually surprised myself. The snowy cold and dampness was definitely making me feel like I was never going to warm up. My first working set,250, felt heavy and I felt sluggish. For some unrational reason I decided to go with 280 even though I thought that one was going to be a struggle and voila - I guess I did warm up enough. 4 easy breezy beautiful reps. Then 230 for 11. My weight - 170 lbs. I've been doing less volume with the focus being on strength now instead of aesthetically building. Our second movement was flyes - 3 sets.

We have been doing this exercise for our shoulders that I like/hate. I don't know if it has a name, and I haven't yet figgered what to call it. You stick the end of the barbell in the corner, and the plates on the other end. You push up against the wall using delt "hoist".... holy moley - they work my shoulders like nothing else ever has. It is like doing real work, as opposed to a machine that fabricates motion, if that makes sense. Just one deltoid exercise, but this one was more than sufficient for trashing our shoulders.

My back is not sore from shoveling, but only because I don't own a snow shovel - HAH!!! I went out Monday searching for one at various stores, but the lesson here is Supply and Demand - don't go looking for something when everybody else needs it too. I could not find one anywhere. So I let a couple of strapping young fellows that knocked on my door shovel part of my driveway, yet I still have to wade through the snow to get to my car from my door. High steppin' cardio ?

Blizzard Be Gone

Here I sit during the second blizzard this week! Third snow storm in 2 and a half weeks.

Ok, you mid-westernerers and northerners tell us we Mid-Atlantic babies are whining, but it isnt just snow. These are actually full fledged "Nor'easters" coupled with snow. 60 mph gusts of wind - you'd be whining too. We aren't used to t here on the lovely Delmarva Peninsula. I think I got off with a mere 20" or so total. It's hard to tell I can't see out the window right now!!

Training - besides the gym being closed alot because of the weather, I had some personal issues keep me out of the gym for a week or so... however, typically I don't rest much from the gym unless it is forced rest, and by cracky this forced rest has done me good! My muscles look really big and full right now.

I still have abs at 171 - 172 !!! And veins in my arms and shoulder striations...My

strength has been up and down because of the time off and the drain of the personal issues, but I foresee it going in the right direction once again rapidly - UP!!!

We did dealdift the other night, that of which I really have done very little of lately. I did them off a 3" block, 370 for 5 - all resets. I have no clue what that would translate into off the floor. I really like pulling out of a deficit position. It feels good in the hamstrings and glutes. Today WOULD HAVE been chest day....grooooan. It's just turned into nap day. ZZZZZZZZ

January 18 2010

I am training. I am just quiet. Things are going well, for the most part. I really want to get to a meet to compete before I fall apart or get too old.

Rob Haas is a great training partner. Even though we don't always do the same exercises. he is always good for motivation and I like training with him.

I attended a very informative bench press clinic the other day at IronSport Gym in Glenolden PA. Shawn Lattimer really knows his benching. Shawn benched a perfect 875 at one of my meets a couple of years ago.

I picked up a couple of good tips, let's see if I can translate them into my own benching program!

Still hanging with a low 300's max bench.

Enter Stranger

I will tell you what happens. It is that I miss a few postings, and it gets so overwhelming when I think of all of the things I need to catch up on. Then I postpone my blog for "just one more day". 2 months later, here I am.
I will just begin fresh again, and not worry about the old news. Maybe some of it will work its way into my blog here and there.

It is so exciting to be able to squat again! I am still working on learning a new technique, but as of last week I think I finally nailed what works for me. Still climbing back up in the weight, but dedinitely I am getting there. I am still using sleeves only for reminder of leg and knee positioning. Every time I try wraps these days it becomes a disaster. Somehow I will need to reincorporate knee wraps, but for now is without.
One of the adjustments I have to be aware of is keeping the bar positioned in the proper place on my back. I keep wanting to sneak it up higher, which will throw me out of alignment and place the stress on my back ,throw me forward, and disallow the depth I am striving for.



That is a 370 x 3 .
I have been training recently with my friend Rob Haas, who is proving to be a great training partner!

So Happy Holidays.

I was just sitting here thinking that last year I made resolutions for the first time in many years. They didn't workout very well. I am contemplating trying one for this coming year or not.... I haven't decided yet.

November 01

Time is just slipping, not even flying.
Training has been absolutely right on track, with the exception of re-twinging my knee (yes I made up that word). My chiro says it feels strong, but the meniscus tells me other things.. :(. I did squat an easy 440 a couple of weeks ago, but then silly me I went and did a set of roman chair squats...not a good idea to do after squatting. So I'm resting my knee.
I had to change my foot placement because of the knee pain, but, lo and behold, putting my feet back the way they used to be proves to give me more stability, hence more TORQUE! So I benched a 300 the other night, on a tired and lazy night. Went up good, but GW says I am still sinking wayyyyy to deep in my chest. So he says to do one more. OK, I'm game, let me go to the ladies room first. Whilst I am gone he sneaks 5 more pounds on the bar, 305. Didnt tell me.
I concentrated on touching and not sinking the bar, and it went up easy as pie,mooth as silk, pretty as a bench can be.... coulda woulda done another rep, but I'm saving my energy for..... :)

Aches and Pains

Squatting update -
I put up a very good 410 the other day, no knee wraps! My knee was a bit angry with me, but not too terrible My chiropractor said it felt really good when I went in for my weekly visit, so I'm not going to get too worried about it, not yet anyway. I just can't get bounce out of the wraps because I deescend way too slow. They actually hinder my performance at this point.
I benched 300 for 2 reps last night. It was a bad performance day, at that. I was all stiff and tight from this terrible front of bad weather that has moved in, along with being in the car all day and going to my Uncle Bill's funeral (we miss you Uncle Bill! ). So 300 for 2 is more than I could have hoped for.
My body is certainly reminding me of the difference between powerlifting and bodybuilding. I am sore, I ache, I am stiff....and I can't wait to go back for another dose, lol!!!

I would like to say congratulations to Scott Yard as he has just accepted the position of APA Pennsylvania Chairperson. It is good to know that my comrades are so competent and accomplished!

Iron Sport Gym

Nothing about training is even worth elaborating on this week, except for the fact that I was able to visit with Steve Pulcinella at Iron Sport Gym in Glenolden PA on Friday. I was able to train with Steve and his workout partner, Frank for some deadlifting and back training. My deadlifting sucked. That's all i can say about it, but Steve is awesome and so is the gym. I'd sell my soul to train at a gym like that on a regular basis, I swear I would.

Steve really caters to the serious Iron Athlete - whether it be Powerlifting, Strongman, Bodybuilding, and is one of the very few places anywhere in the USA where you can go to train in Olympic lifting.

If you live anywhere within reasonable driving's distance to IronSport, it is worth the journey - pure Iron Heaven. :)

Steve knows his stuff, too, if you need some training advice or help with any of the Iron sports.

www.Ironsport.com

groooovy

I am always playing catch up here -

I was away at Tank's last week. I did manage to squat up at the Breakfast Club again in New London CT on Sunday. I was feeling extremely tight in the hips and legs from all the driving I did on the trip up and the next day driving us to and fro. I didn't expect much of a workout , but I did manage an EASY 395, could have and should have done 2 reps, and I squatted again without wraps. I'm actually liking the no wrapping. Let's see how far I can get without them....

Tank got to shoot in a commercial that will air during the Superbowl! It's a NutriSystem commercial with Dan Marino and Lawrence taylor and some other notable football players in it.

I did an interview with Ucwmagazine.com lst week. It bores the heck out of me, but if you are interested, the link is www.ucwmagazine.com/katebaird.html . It is about an hour long. Louis Velasquez is a really groovy guy - groovy...love that word. Why does no one use that word any more???

I know - MIA again, I have been. It gets difficult for me to get excited about posting and elaborating on my training when my training isn't exciting me. I have been so slow to recover from the Masters prep - I sure did throw myself through the wringer for that. I have felt my strength brewing and twitching within - but I just haven't been able to get to it! Usually I go in , do one set, and I am tuckered out...
I deadlifted 320 x 10 the other night. I felt more reps in me, but it was just like, man, I'm done, and that was that.
Stupidly I squatted again on Sunday. I know better than to squat so soon after deadlifting, but I am just so darned excited to be able to do it again! I put 320 on my back and I could feel my hips scream NO!!! at me. But I sucked it up and did 8, then 370 for 3, which is no better than last week, but I will consider the overhelming soreness in my hips. That was all I could do.
Switch gears to tonight! Oh, I feel regenerated all of a sudden. I give credit mostly to my mp3 player, and the loud metal playing in my ear helping me to amp up. Our gym plays this awful not even disco music, and you cant gear yourself up to lift big iron with that playing. Soomeone said tomight that it makes him want to go home and lay his clothes out on the bed...lol
Anyhoo, the loud head banging music gave me the groove, and I used it. Benches- 260 x 7, and then an EASY 300 x 1, though I wanted to do another but GW didnt know so he pulled the bar back to help me rack it. Yes indeed, I am almost back!
I found my strength again!!! I need to be careful to keep it.

Recent Summary

OK - been awhile, so let me try to catch younz up in a nutshell.

Training has been good for the most part. The Masters prep really took its toll on my strength this time, and I am still easing back into it, but I am getting there - ALMOST back to where I was. I am still only 160 lbs, abs still in, still have striations in some places, but smoothing out and I need to to perform well.

I haven't deadlifted but very lightly one week since the show. My bench was up to 230 for 7 or 8 the other night - ok, we'll take that. Going to go a bit harder this week on the bench :).

I AM SQUATTING AGAIN!!! I started with the bar on week #1, graduated to 135 the next week, then 225, then 275, and have been at 315 for the past 3 weeks. Each week I add a rep. Today I did 320 for 5(no wraps)...it was so fucking hot in the gym this morning- don't think that the air conditioning was on in the back room at all. Everyone was melting, it was horrible. I even got dizzy on my last set because I could not breathe. I did one rep at 370, would have attempted another, but just couldn't muster the air. That's ok, next time... then we did some speed trainng with the blue bands...lol...need some help with this stuff.
My IT band has been so quiet and so good. My right knee, however is off and on problematic, but I amazed how well it holds out for the squatting. I do go to the chiropractor for knee adjustments every other week now. It is getting better.



Tank and I went to Miami a couple of weeks ago for Lisa Gaylord's Fitness Blitz weekend. What a whirlwind trip! Thanks and many hugs to Lisa and Erin Milchman for allowing us to be part of this event, and allowing us to meet so many wonderful and special people whilst we were there.
Both Lisa and Erin are like Energizer Bunnies and they kept us busy but we had so much fun!



I then spent another week in Connecticut with Tank :) I don't think we stopped moving the entire week. I'm still exhausted. We went to a taping of Deal or No Deal while I was there. Thank God I have callouses on my hands already. My hands hurt from clapping so much through 3 tapings of the show.

Tank took me to the Breakfast Club in New London again last week when I was in CT. Those guys are great! They gave me nail bending lessons, and I bent both of my first attempts, probably much to thier surprise! Nail bending is my new hobby :)

I miss you Tank when we aren't together! xoxox

alive

I'm alive - really I am. So much going on, lots to elaborate on. Usually when so much happens I get overwhelmed and keep putting things off, such as I am doing now...
and I am putting off this post until tomorrow - HAH!!! Just checking in to say I have not evaporated.
Stay tuned -

photo by Women's Physique World

Masters Nationals 2009

Dancing and Bending

I just returned from a magical, mystical week in Mystic CT. I went to visit my Tank :)




Here we are at our first foray into ballroom dancing...it is confirmed - I am a klutz! But what a blast we had!




We danced at the Fred Astaire Studio in Mystic.
What a wonderfully warm group of people and oh, how they can dance! Above is Vadim, one of the owners. He and his dance partner gave Tank and I a special private dance performance. It was like magic watching them glide across the dancefloor. They did a Viennesse Waltz that was simply lovely. They will be competing in a week or two - I wish them much luck, they already have the talent!





The other picture, of course is Tank - that is about the only way I can get "light on my feet", lol...


Tank took me to a place they called the Breakfast Club in New London, CT at the home of a fellow named Joe Mugavino. Joe and a group of fellows and gals do not only strongman training there, but also do some specializing in grip strength training. This was most fascinating ! I got all warm and fuzzy watching Joe Retkowski do some nail bending. Joe took what they call a "red nail" 5/16 ", and bent the darned thing like it was a straw. I was extremely impressed. Now I have this hankering to bend things.....























Check that bent nail out!

Above is Tank playing with an Atlas Stone.




I am EASING back into training, so as to avoid injuries and setbacks. It will take several weeks to come back to my normal strength levels, but it is necessary to hold back.

I'm still ripped, but I'm not trying to be. I'm eating all kinds of food, indulging in things I dont usually even consider shoving into my mouth. I honestly think that my body was so depleted that it is soaking whatever it can up to nourish itself, leaving nothing as waste, nor fat. I'm sure sooner or later I'll be plump again.

Rest and Recovery period and my Results of Masters Nationals

What a whirlwind of a weekend in Pittsburgh!!!! I loved just about every minute of the adventure.

This is going to be somewhat of a lengthy posting today. I am feeling quite happy and blessed these days, not just because I placed well in the show, but because I have such special and wonderful people in my life to help get me through it! I want to take some time to thank some of them, who for without thier friendship, support, encouragement, I would not be in this good place I am in right now.

It was a long road to the Masters this year(in case you DON"T know I placed 3rd in the Over 45 HVW - out of 18 competitors). I started wayyyy back in the end of February on my diet to make it down to the 181's for the IPA power meet, had a whole week to recover ( absolutely NOT enough time) before starting the official diet for the Masters. I lost 41 pounds - weighed in at 148. OMG do I feel the wrath. And no, I shouldn't have benched at the DPC on May 10th, but I HAD to have that 165 lb. raw bench record back.. I was like a blood thirsty dog. If I had tried to do that even a week later I bet I would not have made it. My strength just PLUMMETED back around that point.. It WILL take a while to recover, and I am going to adhere to the mandatory rest. Slow and steady....really, REALLY!!!!

I feel we nailed my conditioning ALMOST to perfection....won't say the one minor thing that may have chiseled me in one extra iota, but yes, nearly perfect. My prep guy knows of what I speak...lol....

And for that near perfect conditioning I thank my prep coach, who believed in me and said that I could hold my own up on that stage, and worked with me through my hypoglycemic adversities and insomniatic psychosis....and my regular psychosis too.... hah!

He has become a true and treasured friend. Even before his agreement to coach me through to this show I knew I had met not only a brilliant individual, but a very giving soul and heck, a really funny guy! (Botox for the laugh lines are in order for NEXT year)

My training partner - George Wilson, who ALWAYS puts my trainng needs and concerns first in the gym. That is because he really CARES. He is the best trainng partner one could ever wish for, and one of the best friends one could ever wish for too. Beth Beitzel, his girlfriend, I give many thanks to as well.

My son, Slater, who just puts up with his mom's passion of "lifting heavy random bars with big round circles on the ends." The poor kid has barely had any homecooked nutritious meals for months...(ok, ok - I just used the diet as an excuse - I hate to cook - HAH!) He is a good kid with tons of musical and artistic talent. I encourage and foster his endeavors, as music is his true essence and passion.Thank you God for blessing me with my son.

Jody Hudson, my friend and business partner, who we lost very suddenly this past November. I miss him terribly. I did see the sign you sent me on the drive to Pittsburgh. I know what it meant. I know you were watching. I know you are proud. Thank you for putting up with my obsessive shennanigans for all those years. Thank you for giving me the time and space.

Jack Osborne, owner of the Training Center in New Castle DE - a fantastic bodybuilder in his own right. Jack has done so much for me over the past 5 years, supporting me in both my bodybuilding AND powerlifting endeavors. I hope to see Jack back up on the stage at the Masters next year once again.

The gang at Midway Fitness, and also the gang at The Firm Fitness Center, both in Rehoboth Beach DE. Always supportive and encouraging. Small compliments on down days always go far to pick me up on hard days in the gym. Marti Spiker -owner of Midway, and Paul Timmons, owner of the Firm - my forever gratitude for your support in both my bodybuilding and powerlifting endeavors. I can be a maniac in the gym, but I try to be a considerate maniac.

Rob Haas - what can I say different that means thank you ..? Yah've been there cheering me on even before I met you. Now, go catch me some more fresh tuna steaks, please, because I can eat them with teriyaki sauce now that I'm not dieting.... BIG MAJOR HUGS to you!

Tony Paradiso - I whined to you alot the past few months, I'm sorry..but you knew where I was coming from. You helped me ALOT on all of those bad days I whined to you. Now I can eat pudding again :)

Bill Jentz , who I thank for his honesty and unique friendship over the past few years. You ALWAYS make me feel like a winner!

Joel Goldberg, always for his kind support , but also for telling me I had absolutely no potential to be a bodybuilder - where do you think some of the extra fire and drive came from big guy????? Hmmm??????

Michele Thorington, a beautiful woman whom I just met and roomed with for 4 days during this event.So kind and helpful,not just to me but to everyone. She competed in the Over 35 and Over 45 Figure Class E. She didnt place as well as she should have, really...she looked great. Really she did. But she will keep her head up and drive forward and use her gut next time and steal the show! I think we shall remain great friends for a long time to come.

Dilbert, you know why I thank you... It all turned out ok though in the end. I am so grateful for your kindness.

And most recently the most wonderful man I know - Christopher Annino - TANK - who has enriched my life, my heart, my soul in so many ways. The ONLY person who has ever been able to get me to relax!!! LOL. I wore an extra layer of confidence and self-esteem because of you Chris. Even though you couldn't be there physically, I still held you with me throughout the entire event You can only be described by me as simply the best man that there is on this earth.

XOXOXOXO TANK !!!!

Masters Nationals 2010 - I will be there!

6 days out

Yes - I have purposely been elusive.



We are winding down on the home stretch here. I think this entire process has been 20 weeks, and we are closing in on losing 37 pounds! Holy Bageless mornings !!!!











The only thing that has been hard in this process has been the lack of sleep. That is nothing new for me, as many of you know, but after 6 - 8 weeks without proper rest, anyone who has ever been sleep deprived can tell you - you will do just about ANYTHING to get sleep. And that would usually include getting up to eat something to help me sleep, but NOPE, haven't succumbed to that evil the entire time. At times I have wondered if I was going to make it - but I have, and I will. Perserverance!



Somehow I rested last night. I'm not sure how to act! It feels like I have been reborn! Aaaahhhh!!!

C'mon - admit it - that is one BEEFY BUTT !!!!


I'm almost all packed, and am anxious to go. I will be rooming with a figure competitor named Michele Thorington from Michigan. We have only started to get to know each other but I adore her already! I cannot wait to meet her in person. I hear she is looking ready to do some serious damge to the other women in her class. I know her fire and drive are right on point!! Go Michele!!


I haven't let out publicly who I have worked with for this prep, and I am still not going to. I will say this, however, he has been an EXTREME pleasure to work with, and I feel very blessed to have been given this opportunity not only to work with such a knowleadgeable, funny, intelligent soul, but he has become a dear friend to me. I treasure my friends.


Congratulations to Christopher Annino , who directed a film called The Picture Bowl, which will be shown at the 10th Anniversary Women & Girls Fund Film Festival at the Garde Arts Center in CT on August 06, at 7 pm. Chris, I am so proud of you ! You are the best!

I am going to go practice posing now while I have the energy and good spirits to do so.
See you in Pittsburgh!

3 weeks out

I am talking to a new webmaster and hope to have a new website sometime within the coming months. I know my old site has run its course, and never has worked properly with the like of Firefox and some other browsers. Bear with me.

Here is my new little girl - Cap'n Jazz. She's about 10 weeks old.

She's just a lil' sweetie, she is.

I want to get some things straight here - I am not "chasing" anybody at this competition.

I'm worried only about me. Period. And you know what - I'm not even "worried" about me.

I'm going in looking the way I want to, the way I think I look best. And I WILL be prepared to show my best package, the Kate package. I've still got 3 weeks of work to do, but I'm doing it.

I promise.

I have no idea what I'm looking at here - it was still early in the a.m. I think my eyes hadn't rolled back out of thier sockets yet. : )

4 Weeks Out

This is the group of amazing athletes I was able to meet and watch whilst acting as judge at the Special Olympics of Delaware Powerlifting on June 13th. This was the second year I have taken part in SODE, and again I was very honored to be asked and able to partake in the activities. These guys gave us thier hearts as well as thier athletic talents. Well done ALL !!!!

OK, I'm cranky and I'm tired, but mostly from lack of sleep. If I could only get up and drink a glass of milk or eat a light carbohydrate laden snack I'm sure I could sleep a whole lot better. I admit, I am pure misery on feet these days.

There is nothing I crave so much as 6 straight hours of sleep. Nothing. Not a thing. Nope.

Less than 4 weeks to go and by this time I usually have a very decent base tan, but as the sun seems to have burnt out several months back I'm going to have to just step up the tanning bed frequency. The weather simply has sucked all year.