Alrighty then . Been there done that but this one is gonna set an example of things and the way they go. I will continue to train and set my sights on another tourney but sad to say no matter how you work and prepare for something there is always a possibilty as in this case that it will all be for nothing accept to continue for the next one. Yes doing the right thing hurts sometimes and I practice what I preach. Early yesterday morning I had to make the decision to abort the plans to attend due to time contraint responsibilties with family "dog" and financial situations both in the positive and the negative. We have recently aquired a white American Bulldog that upon the checkup at the vet is gonna need the heartworm treatment in full. She is young and a very good risk investment wise which didnt matter to me . We took the responsibility knowing that consessions might surface. Heartworm treatments vary in price according to how long you would like the pet to live, I have learned and I dont do things that way. It is either maximum protection or I should have not got involved . Thank god for credit lol. This one will run just under 600 dollars and entales a month of one or the other of us being with the animal all the time to keep her calm. Reason being that when the worms in the heart die you want them to disperse through the lungs one or two at a time and if she was to run and jump around they could all flush and kill her on the spot.Then there is the treatment of the babies in the blood stream "microfylaria" not sure on spelling..They must die as well. This is probably the main reason I chose to bump the tourney but we could have waited another 2 weeks before the treatment. Still the cost has to be absorbed. I have also begun my studys for my Microsoft Certifications and they are not free so I have commited to around 400 dollars for the first two tests involving that and I have the first test on the 2nd of February. This was the second factor to consider due to the fact that the tourney is about 600 miles one way from my house. When I travel this way the only way I can do it is to rent a vehicle and then there is gas and room and entry and food. My wife and I cannot even think about getting through a tournament like this for under car=140 room=120 gas=100+ entry=25x2=50 +food=100 or 150 "TOTAL=500 to 550. It is just the way of things and with the financials like they are and my wife having some possible positive side scheduling dollars at work around the date it was only clear what the decision should be. I was really hyped to go and support my friends in South Carolina "Kevin Hicklin" but I know they will understand my situation completley. It sounds like its gonna be a real great event. If anyone wonders I am still gonna maintain the training in a mirrored fashion on what has been written in the past weeks but I have to devote more time to work and class and the protection of the added family member. I can now go back more on my diet to drop off from 220 which I am very close to and maintain my weight back at a more natural state of 210 . I was pushing the carbs way up to keep the strength as high as possible and it was showing . I believe that this process and now trimming back to my normal weight will promote even more strength when I drop off because that is a natural way of things in healing. I will pick some more topics next week perhaps updates on my testing and certification and plans for the next tourney with a listing of all we have to choose from within short distances but even after the dog has been cured it is a new consideration on boarding while we travel because I wouldnt allow the animal to be watched in any other surrounding that professional. Good Luck to anyone who is going to the Palmetto Classic and if I dont make any further events that far north I will see you all at the National Championships just north of Cincinatti OH. on the second of June at Kings Island >Paramount. rememeber it isnt always easy to do the right thing however it is the only thing to do. take care