Dirty Picasso Ride

2,012 Reasons

2012-01-01T11:34:00.001-05:00

Wow. I keep coming up with great reasons not to blog. The best one is... Why blog when so many people have moved from blogging to most instant gratification through texts, feeds, status updates. Then I remember why I started blogging in the first place... It's all about recording things that I do and things I like. Why yes, it's all about me!? Happy 2012, it WILL snow, right?Still a very bare land in northern lower Michigan. Forecast is yelling 10-20" by Tuesday... We shall see. The new Table of Truth is ready!

No. Thank. You.

2011-12-26T13:24:00.001-05:00

Traveling home after a weekend of feasting on seasonal treats & drinks, this was my welcome at a gas station pit stop. Seriously? I wouldn't step on that thing for FREE today.

And how about this Michigan weather? Hoping to see snow by the time Traverse City is within sight. This green/brown and 40's business is getting to be a little frightening. What will become of the water level of lakes and streams if we don't get any significant snowfall?! How on the world will I hibernate...junk out on Netflix... and have days off work???? I live for at least a couple of freebie days each winter. Ugh.

On a slightly heavier note. Yes, that was a very obvious dig at my thighs... I've lost some area around the abdomen, but the quads are reluctant. I'm getting the message from them that it's going to take a running routine. So, here is the plan:
Monday - run at TBD or elliptical
Tuesday - spin at YY
Wednesday - Kettlebells
Thursday - home spin or off
Friday - elliptical or run
Saturday - bells or snowshoe, ski
Sunday - off

Awesome. I just remembered how effective elliptical machines are for my thigh redistribution program.. (TRdP)...AND I can read, listen to music, and work on core balance/strength at the same time. BONUS: they are near my work and I have a 3 month prepaid membership I discovered during the last move.

See ya layer size X thighs.

There's an APP for THAT?!

2011-12-24T09:51:00.001-05:00

I had no idea. Seriously. It all happened so fast. I dislocated my shoulder just in time to spend my summer in love with an iPhone. We ran together on trails listening to MGMT and we swooned over Adorable Things on Pinterest. We kicked Facebook out of our life in the fall and reinstated it just in time for Thanksgiving.

Yes, my iPhone and I fell hard for each other but Blogger was never far from my thoughts. I knew my last post was the dreaded Casey Anthony post. What in the world ever happened to that media madness?! Hmm... So, I opted out of blogging because I ran last summer and really hung our by myself whilst the friends rode away. Ugh. Talk about pain. Severe mental anguish set in by September and so did about 25 extra pounds. Give or take 10. :-)

I have apps for Ikea, Pinterest, Netflix, class dojo, Sirius xm, pandora, Paypal, instagram..... Yah, until THIS day, I didn't know my blog was so easily accessible and editable!

My update is my gift to you...Merry Christmas. :-)

p.s. I fell in love with something yesterday. Not the cat. I'm always in love with my Willow boy. That nau coat! That Fossil purse! and how about that edible evergreen?!

p.p.s. Adding photos is easy, placing them, not so much.

Guilt-Free?

2011-07-07T13:55:00.002-04:00

I read the jailhouse letters...
Listened to trial coverage on XM...
Read several timelines...

Yah, I pretty much followed this one due to the extreme unbelievability factor. I rarely get so wrapped up in things like this... Normally I'm innocently junking out on Say Yes to the Dress. I know, I admitted that. Maybe I AM still under the influence of pain meds??? So, I get that there wasn't the right kind of HARD, aka physical evidence, to link her to her little girl's death... but, really. What a scandal. So many lies, so many unanswered questions. I can't imagine the burden she will carry for the rest of her life. For her sake, I hope the defense was correct in telling us that it was an ACCIDENTAL drowning and she freaked out...resulting in a string of lies. Still, the jailhouse letters did not indicate remorse. Her actions during the 31 days after the death did not indicate any emotional trauma. Some of the best actors live amongst us?

Sling Shot

2011-07-07T13:17:00.003-04:00

Notice anything different? No? Well, this is the first photo from the newest camera in the fleet of 3. The Olympus Stylus TOUGH. Thought that would be a great idea since it is supposed to be pretty bomb-proof. Now, the old camera was a great guy, unfortunately a little large and probably far more options that a non-camera buff like me needed to have in my hands, pack, purse, ... yah.

I haven't played with the features too much. Tough to do that with 1 good arm to work with... more on that in a moment. Next week is little E's last dance class. No more sitting at the center junking out on FB for me on Tuesday afternoon.

Speaking of E... here is a night shot G took at the 4th fireworks in FeeFee La'Key. Never heard of it? So many haven't, best kept secret in northern Michigan. ;) What ya don't see is the flame/sword juggler performing for the children. That was scary, cool, scary.. and I just couldn't believe the small town allowed that in such a crowded space? Yikes. Seriously. Maybe I'm just more protecting and more "Safety Patrol" when on the injured list?

Waiting for the parade of firetrucks, police cars, tractors... yep, best kept secret I tell ya! You will know my shots, I'm always in a sitting position... more on that... in a moment.

Some small child snatched the camera from my good arm and snapped some shots. Tootsie Rolls were definitely the theme of the day's parade.

Oooo.... nice.

My personal favorite. Not many turned out so .. jagged. Nice Glen. Nice.

Just love the color and streaks.

It's like hot lava in the sky!

Oh, hi there. 1 week ago I was sitting at G's in a slouchy-coma. Who knew he walked into the room and was fiddling with the camera? So, this is me on the first morning-AFTER my bike bucked me off. My shoulder popped out of it's socket when I hit the ground. Not happy about that. That walk, that wait, that x-ray tech! Holy cow... how many times did I have to tell them my pain was a 10+!? Seriously, worst pain of my life, but happy it didn't break. Happy I'm no longer in the Tylenol 3 coma of last week/weekend, and so happy I am sling-freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee as of today! woo hoo! Also, so thankful for the good riding buddies who walked with me, let me say some fancy words without scoffing, laughed at the looks of my screwed up arm/shoulder.. good times.

Can I mention I'm a little happy I won't be playing softball again this summer? ;) Too bad I also have to wait for the trails... paved roads are coming up. I think I'll be ready next week. In the meantime, I'm counting my good fotune on a clover & so thankful for the healing capability of the human body. Amazing.

p.s. I also like washing my hair with 2 hands, snuggling The Willow, opening a container WHILE holding it at the SAME time!?, buttoning my clothes without working up a sweat, turning doorknobs, pulling on socks, ... just wait until I grab the steering wheel with both hands later today AND engaged the turn signal without having to completely let go of the wheel! Awesome!

Tower of Power

2011-06-28T10:16:00.005-04:00

As soon as I catch up with this thing, I'm behind! Speaking of behind, I've been sitting on mine for a long time this morning. It is SOOOO cold & drizzly today. I just don't feel like moving. Soon the little E will be here and her crazy dog too, or maybe not. It's dance day for E and for me it is read-a-book for 3 hours while waiting for her, or hit the spin bike/recumbent/elliptical. What in the world do I choose!?

Times are busy without being too busy. Having 10-12 solid, full weeks off leaves a person with a lot of time to NOT be busy but a need to feel BUSY. Ok, that probably didn't make sense. What I'm saying is, I have guilt over NOT having a million things to do at this very moment. However I do have things that MUST be done before September and some before this weekend. Check it out!

Before July 1st:
mop floors
clean bathroom
sort through clothing
minor grocery shopping
pick up contacts
doc appointment
softball game
3 bike rides

Not bad huh? I don't think so, but when there is the possibility of just... snuggling The Willow cat instead, all of those items seem a bit much! :)

Before September 1st
Replace the trim in the house that I took down last summer
Purchase a few books for the classroom
Sort files 1 last time - sift through really carefully!
Toss in a couple of races, some tours, some camping, some __________.
Visit a couple of friends I usually only see during the summer.

There ya have it. The MUST do list. Pathetic huh? Well, since the sun is down, and the Willow is warm, you know where I'm heading! Lists can wait.

p.s. I did pick strawberries yesterday... 10 bags of frozen delights await the long winter and 6 containers of freezer jam. And to think I was beginning to label myself as LAZY????

Funny.

p.p.s. G bought a new camera for us. I would like to just say for ME.. because I'm really the one who has to have control over it at all times. It is truly hard for me to let go of that control. yep, so ... my point is this --- SOOON, I will not have to recycle old photos & SOOOON I will show you some interesting things like... The Willow Whisker Collection '11, Ali's Bad Hair Day #142, and Rain Damage in Northern Lower Michigan. Stay tuned, and close. Very close.

Sorry, just on more p.p.p.s. I TOTALLY could have shot that power up to the top like G if only I didn't have to sausage myself into that confining black downy vest. Why you say? Why did I sausage myself? Well, that's for me to know and for you to never find out. Have a lovely day.

Rained OUT

2011-06-22T18:45:00.003-04:00

and i opened the door...

this is SO much better than playing softball tonight...

yes, boots do not float when filled with water...

submerged

drenched

playtime

I drank the water!!!

Celtic Day in town K

2011-06-21T18:30:00.004-04:00

That's what it was... well, at least at the DANCE room/arena/place/studio? yah, the little E put on a sparkly dress (ok, not really - it was better than that! It was MJC!) and learned moves for 2.5 hours before putting on the parent/aunt show. How proud I was . How coordinated she was ... for real. No wonder she beats me all day long at Dance Revolution or whatever that is called these days. Ugh... I really should be more coordinated.. right?

p.s. Would cycling shoes be considered.. "street shoes?"

p.p.s. 1.5 hours on the elliptical/recumbent gym bike = HOW DO I DO THAT ALL WINTER!?

p.p.p.s. Did you know that Matilda Jane Clothing is a company created by my long ago college friend who happens to be one of the most ridiculous - nicest individuals I have ever met? Did I mention she is crazy fun and can mew like a cat... I think she stopped calling me by name for a while and just "meowed" for me (Ali-cat) when she'd call. Quite normal...really.

Concrete Business

2011-06-20T10:22:00.004-04:00

Things have been a little crazy around here. Not saying that crazy isn't relatively normal for me....
Riding has been back-burnered for sorting files for school.. yah, it's over... but, I feel like I'm drowning in the need to GET RID OF THINGS.

So, we decided on an impromptu touring ride over the weekend which started with this insane sight! Yikes, I was nauseated just watching this guy paint... we could even hear the lines TWANG once in a while. eek.

BOB loaded with a few essentials for an overnight stay in Mackinac City.

Just after mentioning I'd like to see some wildlife, this guy shows up! Lucky!

Just so you know, these are the BEST arm COOLERS ever. No need to worry about sun damage & the sleeves actually cool the skin as you ride. Unreal... still don't get it, but certinaly LOVE them.

Our little joke.. yah, had to hit the 'bear' store for swimgear... which wasn't a good idea. Enough about that.

Ready to feast at the DIXIE... where carving in tables appears to be encouraged! Nice.

Mark made.... still feeling very destructive.

Some Lake Huron beach relaxing after a fine meal...

Morning prep for the ride back... continental style. It was the best thing this sprawling hotel with water park had going for it. True.

Hai! It's another turtle. I am a turtle LOVER from way back.

So, I rode the parking lot for .5 miles and maybe spun my front week for a couple of tenths get to see the 130.

All in all.. a refreshing weekend. I needed the brain break, long miles, and time with my boy. Too bad for me he chose HER in the end.

Happy Father's day to his poppa who I am certain will greatly appreciate this priceless beauty!

:)

Swamped.

2011-06-01T17:30:00.002-04:00

That's all she wrote.

Delightful

2011-05-18T21:36:00.005-04:00

The weekend after my dad's birthday and the weekend before my mom's birthday was quite a delight... especially when prepping to tear into a fallen log with a chainsaw (him, not ME)... I called, "STOP".. "don't move".. it was the wild mushroom. Quickly plucking each from the earth only to discover little means for transporting them the 10..12..14 miles on bike. Thank goodness for 4 water bottles. We slugged down one... or 2... I poured out half of another leaving HIM with 3/4 for the remainder of the ride and myself with.. ZILCH. Yes, I chose to clear trail for several hours sans fluid all for the sake of a morel dinner. :) Thank goodness it was a slow moving ride.. made slower by my inability to focus on the task at hand ... yah, I wasn't the picture of happy trail-clearer girl. ho hum.. next time. Promise. I'll try to LOVE hauling fat logs ... heaving large limbs... listening to the obnoxious saw... yah, I'll be smiling baby. :)

So, due to a dreary Saturday filled with drizzle, DRIZZLE, and more Drrriiiizzle... we opted to camp out at the staff house. THE staff house was only built in the 30's by the CCC. Who doesn't love THAT kind of retro? Dang.. I miss the smell of that place.. it was so familiar. I think it took me back to my early days of camping in the big old dorm on the shores of Lake Charlevoix.

My favorite place to be with my favorite things (bikes)... and human.

Timber!!! So impressssive, isn't it?
The dark brown DNR quality is just classic.

"Dusty" the elk overseeing things.. making sure the housemates don't get too rowdy in the wee hours around the table..

Yah, that shelf was pure beauty to me. Seriously, I think I spied a deer skull, bear skull, turtle shell, leg bones (animal, i think?) ha.. and other little forest creatures.

The huge chandelier... didn't get a great photo. Rats. It was amazing and about 5' in diameter!

Over my shoulder to the back yard.. where the lovely river filled with fresh fish flows... we spend so much time on bikes in this forest that we forget about the other sports available!

Did you know that I love maps!? I do.. it's true. Map Love.

The runway to the bunkroom... 20 in total.. huge timber.. impossible to budge bunks covered in dust. Forgiven.

From inside the bunkhouse... all up to code. Nice touch. AND, that door on the right takes a girl straight to the bathroom. How's that for a bed + bath?

The grand table room. This room really could use a larger table... at least it is round? What I would do if I could spend a few days at this place...

Massive fireplace with local rocks... and Dusty. Just realized I forgot to photo the fire grates... made from railroad irons/ties? and ornately shaped. Handicraft like that is just not something you see... love it.

That's right. I'm talking to... YOU!

xoxo

Single & 29

2011-05-10T20:18:00.004-04:00

Showing off my trophy!

Lucky me for the # & the boy. Love his silly head.

The "mud" part of the race.. not so popular on a 50F day.

Teammate Molly & fellow winner-winner with our trophies.

Part of Team 2011

So... you KNOW I'm far above & beyond 29 but I am single again... well, I always have been but this time with 29er wheels. Yep, dismantling of the geared bike took place a couple of weeks ago & now I'm racing it singlespeed and LOVING it. My first race was last weekend & it initially appeared that I'd be the only female on ss. Thank goodness another was on the roster the night before and one more registered day-of race! Whew.. some competition. Well... I was actually competing in my head against the girls on gears in the expert field. Last year, in the small field, I placed 2nd. This year I knew that was not going to be the case with some of the big, LOCAL roadie-girl names signing up. Oh well... all about year-to-year improvident, or something like that.

So, it was a fast & very fun race. The temps were in the 50's and perfect by my standard for racing. I wore shorts with light knickers over the top, toe covers, head warmer for my ears & chilly day cycling gloves. It worked out GREAT.. Oh, I had thin arm warmers with my team jersey. Perfecto!

I don't like race reports in 2011 any better than the previous 4..5 years, SO, I won't bore you with details but will say this... GLEN will NOT catch me again. Darn, he started 6 minutes back & caught me within the final 15 minutes of the race. When he found me spinning my brains out on the flat back-stretch.. he simply said, "oh hai." Nice huh? Well, I took that as an opportunity to draft him for a couple/few? miles until my legs said they just could not keep that RPM.

Definitely time to move up a notch in back... 34/18 for MSB 2011... looks like 34/17 for the remainder of the summer unless I find some combo I like better. Looking for and finding that perfect place... does it exist?

So, in the end I would up on the top notch of the podium with my 2 ss competitors standing near but far off in the time standings. Feeling hopeful that I made the right choice going ss.

The most rewarding part was finishing up as 5th overall in the women's field against some pretty seriously road women. Yippy!

p.s. Glen hauled in his group... top 10 outta almost 200 (I think?) yah, he's starting strong.

Are You Kidding Me!?

2011-05-05T15:57:00.004-04:00

So, I worked my finagling skills to the bone to make a deal for 1/2 day off this week and today was IT! I was to drive south to pick up my new steel forkety-fork from Mr. Quiring. BUT, that was all bamboozled from the start = my late plan of action... spelling bee... yah, stuff!

So, I made an alternate plan for my 1/2 day off that included morel hunting with my poppa-daddio after abandoning my school children. Scratch that. I didn't abandon.. I simply left them with a very vivacious lady who was teaching them French when she was supposed to be starting a math lesson. Ok, maybe she was developing rapport? ho.hum.. after giggling outside the door for several minutes with a colleague or 2... I had to leave the scene and get on with my FREE 1/2 day!

What to do.... Well, the morel plan tanked when my dad informed me there would not be enough time if he was to pick up the little E and L from school today. Yep, that is important for sure. Dread the thought of 2 of the cutest children I know sitting in an after-school program while I fill mesh bag after mesh bag after mesh bag with the scrumptious morel.... hmm Now WHY couldn't he just leave them at school a little longer today!??

After 3 .. make that 4 calls with G, who is on the road as I type to northern Michigan... It was fate that I would have plenty of time to junk out on the royal wedding before tonight's final ride before my first RACE of the season!! whoo hoo? (can't seem to break that habit)

That's right. I watched it from the start to the finale! Big hats, Big Choir, Big Pomp, Big Circumstances... or not. Yah, I know many don't see the point, but I have been a "Royalist" (learned that word on BBC) since the early 80's... when I was born uhh... or not.

Here are some other fabulous finds for my 1/2 day off! Did you really think I'd spend time cleaning my house? Planting flowers? Putting away piles of laundry? Unpacking countless packs, bags... ??? Swabbing down a very dirty bike... or CAR???? Clearing out that closet that I promised to do SO many times since last August??? ha ha ... no sir, I have FAR too much to do... too much to worry about than that business.

Stop motion tranquilizes me and then I fall in love.. & feel like I could die and then the feeling starts all over and over and over again... why is it so hard to imagine a girl... a woman... loving the Royals?

A SHORT LOVE STORY IN STOP MOTION from Carlos Lascano on Vimeo.

Talking Dirty

2011-05-01T18:11:00.004-04:00

Let's start with a pristine white pussy kat who is trying to wake his sleepy eyes. Isn't he simply ageless? Hard to believe he's going to be 12 years old.. he doesn't look a day over 6.75 years. Love that deaf boy!

Onward.... off for some weekend trailwork at the most scenic, quiet beauty area that lower Michigan has to offer.

But first.. we had to get past the Big Bear Nightmare!?!? Who does this sort of thing. It was apparently a market at some point in time. Right after this photo we stopped at the everything-but-the-kitchen-sink gas station...

...only to discover that the Vibe wouldn't come outta park once the engine was on. Confusing... well, we discovered the small pull-along trailer blew a tail light fuse on the Vibe = FIND FUSE & Replace. MUCH easier said than done. It took 2 phone calls and reading/rereading/reinspecting under the steering wheel area to find the little fuse box. ugh.

Thank goodness we were at the HAVE EVERYTHING station. Fuses were easily purchased after running back for 6 cents... ;)

The naughty blown fuse..... #1 of 2 that would be blown during the next 3o minutes.

Finally at our little home away from home... table of goods set: map, water, snack bars, lights, pump, peanuts, disposable items.... dirt.

One group of pals had it a little better than those of us in the little tents. Someday.. someday.. maybe.

Jon showing his splitting maul skillz. The week of NON stop rain left all firewood soggy to the core. I ended up getting some splitting lessons after Saturday's ride.. let me tell ya how much dirt I struck.. wow. So tough to hoist, release, AIM?!

G all set to get a little dirty on the trail. He hauled the chainsaw pack while I hauled the 100 oz water pack that included pretty much everything EXCEPT A MAP. (inside joke) We really didn't NEED a map.. it's just a matter of following blue dots for HOURS... but, I really like the comfort a map provides. Truly I do. Next to water, matches.. a MAP is where it's at for me.

The Dirty Picasso Ride 26" ss looking relaxed after the day's festivities. Notice my bottle still full? yah, I hardly exerted myself due to SO much hiking the bike along through the woods to clear debris from the long winter. We cleaned about 12 miles in 5-6 hours... yah, it's a wilderness around there...slow going and scenic!

This is Willow. Willow the Trail Dog. Female, black, sense of hearing in tact, and a canine. THE Willow's total opposite. What a good girl to tag with her owner, Tom, for the 15 miles of trail clearing. She was one wiped out pup back at the campfire that night.

Speaking of fire.. here is the preferred method for drying wood prior to burning. The downfall was it blocked the heat from deeply penetrating cold bodies hovering around the fire. Did I mention it was in the high 20's F on Friday night? Saturday was better but I did go to bed prepared with tank top, t-shirt, thermal #1, fleecy layer, zipper hoodie, soft shell jacket, & topped with my down vest. NO JOKE. I slept in that and didn't move an inch Saturday.. woke around 8a.m. fresh as ... well.. NOT so fresh. Rather dirty actually... but warm. :)

So, I'm hoping to show off my maul skills in the next post along with a big announcement about some 29" bike milling around this place who has decided to shed some weight and an owner who is just a little hesitant but a whole lot excited about this change.

Time for that shower.

For Easter... bunnies...

2011-04-21T21:28:00.001-04:00

If ya know what I mean...

Say it in Llama...

2011-04-21T16:59:00.002-04:00

...because llamas make everything better!

http://llamafont.com/

I wish to write in llama all day long.

p.s.

2011-04-18T23:10:00.007-04:00

Optimal Henry Ford Museum restroom shot...
love restroom lighting, fixtures, & calmness.

On a happy note?

First singletrack ride of the year happened tonight... and guess what?

I, yes... ME... I was mashing it out (I know.. trying to cure myself of the mashing stuff) in big ring for 3/4 of the ride before realizing I was IN THE BIG RING! I mean, I shifted to what I THOUGHT was middle while huffing up a hill that was getting the best of my lungs only to discover... I had ANOTHER smaller gear!?! Dang, that was a sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet moment.

I mean,
I went from feeling like...
WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY LEGS ...??
Why can't I get my SPIN on?
WHY did I EAT that MOOMER'S ice cream to death all winter long!??
WHY did kettlebells add this insane (ha ha) muscle mass to my quads that feel like boat anchors!??
Why are those guys riding right away from me!?? (well, I ask that one a lot.. big, middle..small.. yah)

TO

HOLY CANNOLI! I might be in better shape* than I thought!?

Ohhh yes, thank you to life's little pleasures & grandiose realizations on a toe numbing, lung aching, nose dripping... FREEZING cold ride.

*Better Shape: Relative term.... relative to the number of Netflix reality series I watched this winter enjoying Moomer's raspberry ice-cream with chocolate pieces minus the number of hours I led spinning & swung kettlebells. Factor in a really horrendous spring of outdoor riding... Yah, I am thinking I am doing ok.

-----------------------------------
Note to SELF:

Dearest Ali,

This officially marks the 2nd time you have big-ringed it during a "spring" (spring in quotations because I still don't believe that it is spring) training ride THIS year. Remember the first time? You were trying to kill that seriously long hill with G and you thought you were going to puke or throw your bike into the ditch? The SNOWY ditch? Well, you really need to learn your lesson... or at the very least, learn to read that little window indicator. Yah, get your eyes examined. ASAP.

Truly & Honestly,
Self
--------------------------------
So, when I realized my fatal mistake...(I say fatal because trying to blast up serious hills in a big ring doesn't agree with the legs.....especially early season, especially early in the ride....) WELL, I laughed inside (between gasps of inhaled cold air, of course, which was working on cementing my soft lung tissues into nasty, snarly mess o' congealed material).

Hardy har har... take that you .. YOU extra 10 pounds! ok... 12 pounds? 12.75? ... be nice.

:)

Duck... Duck...

2011-04-18T22:35:00.006-04:00

Turkeys! Oh boy... I think they're heading south.... Winter Storm on the way. I keep checking the date... middle of April? Yep. Below freezing at night? Yep. Several inches of snow in the forecast? You bet. Cha.

Wasn't it just last week that E had her "brother" in the sled on a sunny spring day!? No..no.. don't let his terrorized face fool you. He is ALL about pleasing his sister... kayaking in the yard-pond, rides in Barbie Jeep, strollering... he's ALL IN!

Wasn't a week ago that I took a little detour on my way to the local grotesserie (huh? What's wrong with THAT word?) to spy on the lake as the ice thinned right on out???

Then this happened? But I remained optimistic.

I spring cleaned the garage... well, 50% of it while my deaf boy basked in the glory of sun-warmed cardboard boxes.... marking his territory, drooling all over his pretty SHEDDING. SPRING. COAT! yes, I am feeling irritable.

Signs of spring were in abundance... the 3-wheeller with basket atop the Escort...

Small animals stashes found in beer bottles ......... yes sir, that is one GRAINY beer. The G-boy has a little garage clean-up. :)

Children sledding on the dirty remains of snow-hills in front of the public educational-enhancement center. (Yah, I like to fancy-up the names of common establishments... call it cure-for-winter-blues... and pure lunacy.)

Little girls with spotty-stained shirts cracking eggs on THE Table of Truth!???? Oh, now that was just ...smelly!!! It actually got much worse when she used her hands to PAINT the table with eggs (ROTTEN) as it dribbled over the edges. Of course I DIDN'T allow this!? They were for the composting area aka FIELD region, and when I scurried off to fetch the garden hose I returned to see her painting and laughing manically.... Winter is tough on children too... 'round these parts.

Even the President was out and about... getting all fired up about campground hoppin' all summer long... sorry Mr. President.

It shall be another week of THIS... before you get any of that spring business.

Humpfff!

One More Thing

2011-04-14T21:10:00.002-04:00

I am considering a pedicure this weekend.... it would be my first ever. My family always said, "you have your dad's feet." Not a cool thing when you are a cool girl in high school... right? So, I've had foot issues my entire life as a girl... too wide feet, too ugly toes, tooooo callousy soles... the L I S T goes on for..E V E R. So, getting a pedi treatment would mean.... anxiety. But, I think I'm ready. I almost did it last summer, but missed due to a last minute call to go for a ride. yep... speaking of rides. I would absolutely love toes painted like in this photo.. but seriously? They would last 1 ride... like 10 pedal strokes before my cycling shoes did that fancy-pants job right in. AND, how about the length of those nails? Talk about cycling shoe FIT issues? geez... to be a girl.

Just Curious

2011-04-14T19:09:00.005-04:00

Here's the scoop.

I have some things on my mind. To some, these things may be considered pure JUNK thoughts. Things I really shouldn't concern myself over... however, it seems the only way to rid myself of these thoughts is to purge them onto this post. So, here we go. Please considering responding to one or more of the itemized thoughts. They aren't in any particular order... but are definitely taking up some valuable brain space & I could really use some assistance in freeing up some space. Thx.

Where can I find some pussy willow branches??? I had some in my bathroom looking lovely, but The Willow decided to chew them to lovely pieces. I originally found them in a little shop for sale as a bundle.

If I decide to have pink flamingoes in my yard... is that too popular in a retro-sense? Would you judge me if I left them out in the snowy season? Do you wish to have a pink flamingo in your yard? Do the flamingos come in various "grades" of cheapness? I mean, would someone driving by know I bought "cheap" flamingos vs. a HIGH-END variety?? And, why isn't it flaminGOES? This Firefox dealio keeps correcting my spelling ... see? There it goes again... what's the dealio?

I bought 3 skirts in the same exact style but different colors 2 weeks ago. I told my students (2nd graders, remember?) to expect to see a LOT of that particular skirt and not to mention the fact that I repeat the wearing every week. So, my attire would go like this:

Monday: black skirt
Tuesday: dark demin sailor trousers
Wednesday: dark brown skirt
Thursday: (choice between gray skirt or favorite fine wale cords or..??)
Friday: Jean-day (even though I'm not a big fan of jeans)

So, the next week, I'd rotate it by one day. Thursday would be Monday, Monday would be Tuesday,... etc.

What do you think? As long as I change up shoes, tights, & shirts... does it matter?

I don't get Greek yogurt. Not a fan of the FONT used on the containers & not a fan of the dry taste. Wait, I think I mentioned this before... right? You DO remember THAT post... right? HUH? Well, how about this. I recipe in BHG (That's "Better Homes AND Gardens for you non-motherly types) that called for adding it as a topping to a little lemon curd delight. You DO remember my love affair with lemon curd? Yah, Andrea does.... dang, might have to get that girl a ticket to town just so she bestows gift of lemon curd upon the house. Even the CAT likes it. Yes, Willow. And NO, I am not into Andrea just for her lemon curd giftability. (WTH.. why isn't THAT a word???)

So, I don't like to talk on the phone. Is it still called a telephone if it's a cell phone? I call it my "cellular device". That's how anti-CELL PHONE I am. I don't like to text, I don't like to take calls, I don't like to send calls. Occasionally I look through my contacts to see who I might call if I ever so desire to make a call. I usually stop looking when I get to the C's. Anyone else with me here? I just told a "friend" the other day when he asked how late he could call... uhh I said... I mean I "texted", "8ish gotta chill after that hour :)" AND yes, that is exactly how it looked. I hate myself every single time I succomb to that idiotic SMILE thing. I've tried different versions: (: =) :-) They all make me wanna drown my cell phone... on accident of course... and then not have any time to replace it. Anyone still with me? So, on a totally random note, or maybe not? I don't know how to type a ZERO in my cell phone. My hours are always like... 8ish or uhmm "in 2o minutes." Yah, I use the letter 'o' for zero. I mean for '0'. Ok, I quit. See why I can't stand cellular devices? Maybe a SmartyPants phone is for me? Then I could blog from the teacher's LOUNGE.

Speaking of LOUNGE. I have never felt it was a lounging place. I mean, it is a SCARF your food down stopover while reading the pile of mail from a mail cubby, fielding questions from a constant stream of people passing through, filling out IEP paperwork and questionnaire about how a particular student interacts with puzzles, friends, lunch, paper towel dispensers, etc. Ok, it may sound like I don't really like that sort of paperwork... yah, ok THAT IS TRUE. But, seriously. Today's 100 questions (no joke) were written for a child between the ages of 4-21. WHAT!? One size fits all mentality on those puppies leaves me scratching my head and doing A LOT of guessing. At least today's form had a little default box entitled (I guessed). AWESOME!!! After handing over to the school psych, I admitted to guessing on MANY others that I didn't check the box, she TOTALLY understood. I only can hope she understands the apricot vinaigrette splatters...

So, I have this purring pussycat sitting next to my keyboard and it's heading towards 8pm. Time to shoot this off into publishing land so I can get my house tidied, laundry rolling, and a little leftover time for cat snuggling. I'll be back with more very soon since I only hit the TIP of my iceberg... err brain on this one.

nightnight.

AND sincerely,

Ali

p.s. I can't stand that I typed "Thx" in that first paragraph. I considered deleting it, but maybe that is who I really am? Thx.

Spring Break Beach - northern version

2011-03-30T15:43:00.003-04:00

Whistle Walk...Watch it here!

2011-03-30T15:22:00.006-04:00

This is how I saw myself... a bundled shadow of happiness.

This is how I saw one of my favorite stretches of Lake Michigan beach... littered with rocks, a skiff of snow, and beautiful crashing waves.

A little ice in the mix to remind us that winter is always looming... Ok, maybe that was an evil thing for me to say...

The Boy wore his rubber boots and I was jealous. Well, at least I didn't have to put my hands in the water to fetch pretty stones for anyone... thanks G!

There were plenty lurking on-shore... and soon became pocket weights.

Oooo...

The lolly-gagger with the lovely dunes beautifying the moment... oh, and THAT SUN!!!

It was an absolutely beautiful late afternoon for a long, leisurely stroll along the beach.

Very few people.... more dogs than people.... more rocks than people.. more beauty than I can digest.

So, things got a little silly on the walk back...

And, I never miss an opportunity to show my muscles.... yes, those are real.

	She & Him - Gonna Get Along Without You Now .mp3

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

Now, sit back and enjoy a little tune: Please enjoy the SHE & HIM version above... or OUR rendition below... I highly recommend our whistling version. We practiced it for HOURS!

Yah, you try to whistle and walk along a chilly beach... just try it. By the way, can you tell my part from HIS part? Dang, we could have been much better if I could have got the laughter under control. Loved that beach walk'n.

Willow's Welcome

2011-03-29T12:36:00.003-04:00

Who doesn't like a deaf-cat welcome???

Wanna Know the Truth?

2011-03-23T15:35:00.003-04:00

I love fries & shakes. I love foamy Shamrock shakes. I also love Fudge Rounds & rainbow sherbet. Sure, I like a tasty salad with some fruity vinaigrette. But do I get all dreamy in my head over it? No. Never. Thanks, but I'd rather have a corn-dog with spicy mustard. Or, a oozing brownie fresh from the oven served up on a tiny plate with a teeny fork.

No, there isn't any point to this. Just thinking of things that make me really happy inside on this blustry day. Seriously, this snow has to end. As I sit here preparing for parent conferences tomorrow (12-8)...ugh. I think of things that make me giddy inside... food happens to be one of those things. Other things? Hmm.. a great movie while snuggling on Millie the Sofa with the one I adore - Willow. ha. Ok, and G. I also enjoy long walks along Lake Mich... gah! I enjoy fast rides on sweet bikes with cool friends during long summery evenings! I like Little Debbie. I like watermelon in March & pomegranates in December. I like hot showers even though they make my skin crack and itch like mad by February. I like Ikea with all it's cliche and overwhelming-ness. I like being 1 of a NUMBER. I like the State Theater bathroom tile and cool step-flush toilets. I like napping in my car on a sunny day. I like making lists that go nowhere in particular. I like the prospect of a perfect new ____________. I like cat snores coming from the window basket & the quiet of my house while my keys click-click away with thoughts pouring from my annoyed mind. This snow has to go. Looking forward to spring break/mental break. Looking forward to time with my loves, tall straws, sushi, painted toes, filed fingernails, and a sunny disposition that will surely follow.

Unwelcome Sight

2011-03-23T12:09:00.005-04:00

Disheveled Willow Kat resisting the outdoor world today.

The Fortune Kitty waves goodbye to the small taste of spring this morning. Unreal. Wasn't it just last evening that I rode my first 14 outdoor miles of the year on the silly cross bike? With G? yah, what is going on here!?

SNOW DAY! That's what. All the schools shut down due to some serious wind/freezing rain..snow.. winter mix that fell after midnight. We had a CLEAR deck going on. Honest! I almost posted a photo the other day, maybe I did? Ugh. Well, it's gone now! So much for hoping to RAKE the yard over spring break that starts Friday at 11:30 a.m. SHARP. grrr

Scene of the crime just moments ago...

Left evidence everywhere!

I'm not touching THAT today.. hibernation. report cards. Netflix. That's what's up today. The end. Hope your world is merry & bright.

Vamos!

2011-03-18T18:52:00.002-04:00

Well, here we go. I'm going to dig through my outdoor cycling clothing in a few minutes. It's been a LONG time since November, but don't think I've been sitting on my tired booty! No sir... it's been a steady diet of leading spin 2x/week mixed with kettlebell workouts at least 2x/week. Not sure where that has me where outdoor cycling fitness is concerned?

This is what I DO know.. Ready?
I am the strongest I have ever been in my entire life. I can crunch a million times on an incline bench with heavily weighted balls without breaking a sweat... almost. ;) G & I enjoy play-punching each other in the abs for fun... no joke... try it sometime? I can lift a computer monitor and twirl it on one finger... only reccommend doing with old ones just in case the finger gives out. I can bust out the thighs of any pair of size 6 pants (doh!) and I pretty much can't wear 75% of my shirts without slicing them a little in the arm due to some increase in the bicep. Crap! Not exactly what I was going for....but, now that I'm here, I guess I need to work on slimming the frame while maintaining strength.

When it comes to endurance... I'm darn good at the 1 hour all out GO-fest on a spin bike. Yep.. even while occasionally giving orders to the humans in front of me. Sure I sweat... but I seem to have it going on for an hour. Is that enough? No. No Ali, you should have been putting in some longer indoor rides.

My bikes will feel lighter this year... right? I mean, I'm stronger... wonder what it will be like to hit the hills? I honestly haven't weighed myself in months. I'm terrified of what this extra BELL training has done to me. Last year at the first race I remember feeling like a slug after a winter of kickboxing... no spin. Just some huge Jillian kickboxing routine. Well, I have to believe I'm ahead of that. Gotta be.. right?

I will find out soon enough.. next Saturday is the day. I anticipate it with both excitement and fear. Sorta like how Willow feels when I approach him with a camera... don't you just love his paw placement? Adorable. Today I told my students they were acting like Willow.... ;) They get it when I say it this time of year... he's deaf & some days... so are they.

Bye.

p.s. What if my cycling jerseys don't fit my new biceps?
p.p.s. What if my bike frame winces at my new weight?
p.p.s. What if I just stop saying yes to Moomer's raspberry truffle ice cream???

The answers are so easy to come up with... it's the equation... the equation that gets me.

Spring Fever.. & Colds & Pneumonia...

2011-03-17T20:29:00.003-04:00

It's spelling practice... it's a balancing act... it's how NOT to be a scaredy-cat kid in 2011! Love that girl! As for my brother... well, him too even though he is a "nerd." :)

Medical Update

2011-03-17T20:26:00.001-04:00

1 Airborne
2 Motrin
1 diet Squirt heavy with ice + straw
1 nose smothered in VICKS
1 box of Puffs Plus with VICKS infused (WHO KNEW?? My mom did!! That's WHO!!)
1 thermometer reading 100.2 up from 98.2 a couple of hours ago.

STOP.

March Madness

2011-03-17T18:56:00.007-04:00

Remember that LAST post I mustered up the energy to create for ONE commenter to this blog? Just to let THAT ONE person know I was alive & semi-well? Well, I finished up by saying I'd post photos of my first outdoor ride of twenty-eleven... or something like that. Maybe I'm just feveric (sp?) (word?) and ... never-mind. Well, it didn't happen. Hasn't happened. See that snow? That happened on the day that was supposed to be my inaugural outdoor cycling day of 2011. If you are thinking, "what a weanie...not biking in the little skiff of snow??" Well, let me tell ya, snow warrior, if you had frozen extremity issues like me, you wouldn't think about it either. Not EVEN tempting, nope. I can't cope due to a medical issue. Hey, I can't even stay warm enough in my classroom... walking down the hallway. Yah, I sit here in a wool hat, heat at 74 and a blanket wrapped around my body. Thank goodness there are kettles to swing and bikes to spin and Netflix to WATCH!! Why am I even explaining myself to you? ... No, it's not because I care.

Look at that lovely child & over-grown Bichon! Well, that sweet girl-face was sick on this day... lucky for her, the virus jumped into my system *cough cough*...

Did you know this was still around? Seriously... I haven't looked AROUND the property since.. ummm November uhmm November.... 11th? I must say I was pretty excited to see it, hoping the Bro will let us take it for a spring excursion on the back 40/60/80/100.. whatever.

Speaking of excursions. I was summoned to the outdoors via snowballs pelting my front window this evening to photograph a girl in my kayak. Make that girl AND Bichon in my kayak.

Hoofin' it across the yard-pond so daddy could give another push!

We interrupt this posting to present to you... the unique formula of 17 vitamins & nutrients.. created by a second grade school teacher!! yah, yah... just do your job.

So, why do all the children in Northern LP of Michigan have colds? Why have I had 5-6 kids out each day this week? HMMMm..mm...mmmMMMmm... This looks innocent enough? ... sorta... that crazed laugh indicates there is WATER to board across.. Weee haaaaa!!! That's daddio helping the youngster along... don't worry, no 6 year olds, aunts, or Bichons were harmed in this reckless act of spring madness.

Willow is pissed... no one told him it warmed up! What's this? No snow on the table of truth? Huh? feathers on the mat from November.. uhh October??? Yah buddy, you have some spring cleaning to do too!

p.s. I will forever love Taco Bell's fiesta bowls... RIP.

p.s.s. I double-hate basketball and the fact I entitled this post, "March Madness." Shame on me. Shame on me.

While I'm Here...

2011-03-08T19:41:00.003-05:00

To do list:
Meeting + Bells on Wed
Doc on Thurs + newsletter night
Hair cut on Friday
Gram date on Saturday + pharmacy

Pack:
shoes
boots
jacket

maint:
tires
car washed
my toes
ring

need:
new shoes/boots
blades

I'm on a roll... REMINDERS:
LA Ink
Girl + Bike
Spelling BEE

Take Note

2011-03-08T18:22:00.007-05:00

Someone noticed it's been about 2 months since I last selected, "New Post."

What can I say... I've been busy, REAL busy. Photographing chainsaws & bait.

I call it ... going to the Pet Shop. I like visiting the pet shop after breakfast on Saturday mornings. That's right. A big fat dose of Kettlebells, a killer breakfast, and a walk to the pet shop aka bait shop. Delightful way to spend a wintry day.

We see this sort of thing at the breakfast joint. Seriously, it the best breakfast spot in town and it's totally on the fringe of the city & the owners are super cool to chat with. I think G likes it because I'm a cranky morning person... we go the breakfast cafe and he can chat with the owners who adore him and I can bury myself in a newspaper while chugging the green tea and thinking about tv vacations.

I also think about the silly antics that we have experineced the past couple of months. Not ALL have been good, but even the bad have not been without their fair-share of amusing times... Over the River and Through the Woods comes to mind... as does, this moment at the hotdog shop around 11pm one night. WHAT was that. No, it wasn't Mardis Gras season.

Do you know her? Well... we're pretty much in the same boat. I don't know.. KNOW her.. but her plucking (?) on that big instrument was magical. Not Charlie Sheen magical.. but the real deal.. MAGICAL. I really need to figure out who they were... it was too crowded, too crowded.. too crowded ... to remember much of anything except for the beer spilling all over my coat and THAT bellyache! Wow.

So, the rest of my winter has been all about this book.. not that I know what that book is about... who has time to read!? Yep, I'm in a meeting overload frenzy and I write this LOUD AND CLEAR so that this summer when I'm cat-napping in the sun, I'll be certain to EXTRA appreciate the laissez faire attitude I'll be sporting.

So, there was this boat on property.. with what appears to be a little girl and her little dog too. STRANDED. Don't jump, E!!

This was a random found on my camera... OHHH wait! It just struck me. Remember my frozen pizza errors?? The plastic cooked to the emergency pizza durin THE GREAT post-drink famine of 2010? This is G's cheese. That's paper on G's cheese... yep, those are bite marks. Mmm fibre!

Synchronized skiing. This didn't happen nearly as much as I had planned. Oh hum.. I found a new love.. KETTLEBELLS and let me tell ya what they are doing to my body. Well, maybe another time. Right now I am too busy feeding my body.

The Willow is doing well... (thanks for asking). He hangs around helping with report cards. Snuggles on the heated blanket. Begs to get under the covers for some midnight spooning. That's my crazy-good feline. Do you know he is stretching well into his post-first-decade of life? Oh how fun it would be to take The W to the pet shop!!!!!!!!!!!!?

Well, my face healed. This is my basked look after a lengthy snowshoe in some post-hole snow for miles and miles and miles. All I could think of what how those wacky snow bikers in the Iditatrail do that!! Check out my frozen hair.. salty strands of ice. My face was on fire for 2 days after this.. the burn of cold + sun about did it in for a round 2 of fire-face. Whew.

So, all-in-all... life is fabulous. Good food in my life.. some new friends, new summer plans involving FINDING A JOB... an amazing new appreciation for my stellar parents... several races registrations are paid through November, and so very much more. Other things haven't changed... I feel like a target is on my back as a teacher. My lunches are frozen-microwavable messes, my toenail continues to want to dig its way back into my skin, my TO DO list is enormous... my house/classroom/car are NEVER clean at the same time, I live out of a very large backpack, and the list goes on....

oh, thank goodness for Benadryl and it's amazing ability to knock me to sleep sans itching night after night. Maybe someday I'll tell you about THAT fiasco... for now, you can just imagine an ongoing case of poison ivy in the midst of winter and an itchy wool sweater rubbing that raw itch day after day. That pretty much sums up my moments.

See ya in May.

Joke.

Tomorrow I ride a bike. My bike. OUTDOORS. Just wait. I will photograph the event & might event post the smile on my face after 3.5 months of indoor spinning with my own music torturing me..day after day.. after day.. after.... gah.

Contact

2011-01-15T15:23:00.003-05:00

There was a rose bush in the neighbor's yard where I grew up on lovely Lakeshore... yah, that rose bush hurt when taking the corner too fast by the garage in a summertime bike race with bare feet! It also hurt to snag a thigh on its prickly self while running past in a swimsuit with a red-hot inner-tube necklace. Dang, that bush was out to get me I'm sure. It had a mossy bed all around its base & I loved to hang-out near it. Maybe because it was just part the boundary of our property/lot... or maybe because it felt safe & secluded there. hmm Maybe because I was always looking for baby turtles near it? Yep, found 2 tiny snappers there one day. Feistiest & cutest little things EVER! So, I did a secret thing, the first of many secret things I did on our BIG corner lot...

I stuck 2 stickers to the "trunk" of that bush and I cared for those things...weekly at first, then monthly... then I suppose we moved. I had to put tape over them to keep them on. The stickers became a bracelet for the bush.. the bush started to grow out of the stickers eventually, but I promised to keep them on, NEVER letting them fall to the ground or lose contact with that bush.

What am I talking about... well, I think I am experiencing a deep sense of lost-contact with myself. It could certainly be cabin fever... but don't worry, I am not about to go all SHINING here... no, not quite that bad.

Finding my ground through diet A&W mixed with Faygo sparkly water.. on the rocks, of course. Later.

Great Endings

2010-12-31T11:37:00.005-05:00

	Girls - The End Of The World .mp3

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

My boy in a trance takes over the electric throw any chance he gets... and it's not because it is warm... questions? Don't ask.

The Table of Truth ...uncovered. This IS depressing.

Snow fleas taking over the ski grooves.

...and taking over my skin.

Speaking of skin. I had a chemical peel thanks to Stridex cleansing pads. So much for trying to effectively remove the excess oils after working out. Only my skin has been removed and I've been unable to smile for days out of fear it may crack.

My favorite 6 year old with the cutest red nose waiting for chickadees to land.

My favorite 37 year old... ahem...

Hi. This is my face on fire on a chilly day. Notice the stone-look? Yah, I'm telling you, I was afraid to blink or swallow.

Now that's a sled'n hill, kids! And THAT, my friends, is a northern Michigan staple ... Carhart!

Hello, my love. My orange-straw deliciousness in an icy glass. I will be seeing much more of you in 2011. Hugs n kisses, me.

Blurry Breathing

2010-12-15T22:54:00.003-05:00

Ok, almost there! Wow, time is flying. My little 2nd grade chickens are growing super fast! They are SO polite and a real pleasure to hang with each day! We are great friends! Thanks to them and the low-stress conditions this year, I am just now experiencing my first cold and I don't even think it's going to get the VERY best of me. In other news, this spin leading biz is super fun except when the political grinch-daddios hop in the way! Kettle-belling is loads of ... fun. work. diversion! Who would have ever thought hoisting and swinging heavy things could be SO much fun!? Seriously, need to go grab a morsel to eat before bed or else this cold might capture me and my spin legs won't be ready for 6am! woo hoo.... off to the races.

Mesmerizing

2010-12-10T20:41:00.003-05:00

After 10..11..12 days of zero posts about my ______________ life, this is all I've got!? Yep, that's is right. Brain is toast, legs are toast, and my stomach WANTS toast or something!? Too tired to get up to eat, plug in my cell phone that is beeping at me, use the bathroom, and far too tired to let the knocking person into my locked house! HA HA HA ... ;)

p.s. I'm ummm leading? spinning classes 2x week. If you are local (unlikely) and reading this ... come spin with meeeeee!!!

Every Day

2010-11-30T17:18:00.004-05:00

I snatched this from this blog. He is a GR guy who seems to really know his stuff. Worth checking some of his posts... seriously. Anyway, can't stand how much I love this... Lose, Find, Break, Create, & Be. Love it.

every day

every day lose something. Lose a fear, a prejudice, an assumption. Lose yourself in a task. Lose yourself in a moment. Lose yourself to something that is bigger then yourself. Lose the gut. Lose the lazy mind. Lose the apathetic spirit.

every day find something. Find the courage, the desire, the compassion. Find something worthy to spend your life on. Find a moment that you love. Find laughter. Find the faith.

every day break something. Break a habit. Break a barrier. Break the silence. Break whatever keeps you from leaping, from flying, from soaring. Break through.

every day create something. Create art. Create a new way. Create the person you would like to be. Create a wish. Create a smile. Create something that has never existed and will never exsist if you don't act. Create.

every day be something. Be a person that can be relied on. Be someone's anchor. Be someone's sail. Be a friend. Be a student and a teacher. Be something you never thought you could be. Be less. Be more. Be yourself.

every day.

p.s. Who really has time for this??? Really? The organ behind my abs calls me to the cheesecake which results in increased gym time = more sleep needed = always behind because I never have enough hours in the day!

I Like American Music

2010-11-29T20:09:00.002-05:00

So, in a moment of spontaneity, we danced in crazy loops & circles until someone fell down. Very hilarious and very much a bad time since I had to use the potty place. Yep, bad news indeed. So, tomorrow is early morning spin and the list is compiled for good amounts of up and out and sit back and spin. Love early morning spinning with good people and amazing American music!

p.s.

2010-11-28T17:52:00.000-05:00

That cheesecake in the fridge? Yah, it won't stop taunting me.

Falling Water

2010-11-28T17:01:00.007-05:00

Something is amiss in northern lower... the sky isn't precipitating but I am. In fact, I perspire in a serious way about 5 days a week. This is my official time of paying my August/September/October dues. You know what I'm saying? Maybe not? Well, it doesn't matter so much, just know that I'm almost fitting back into those clothes that were dormant for so very long. phew.

So, how do I say this? umm... it isn't easy for me to vocalize my WANTS... but, in this case, I'm just going for it. I have 2 at this moment. Two. Simple enough? Here they are in no particular order of WANT:

Lego Architecture - FallingWater. Seriously, that would keep my mind happy for a good long while.

Wired Magazine - subscription. Let me explain. I am growing quite ill reading up on belly fat, latest trend in healthy eating, the miracle fix for flat hair, and the ____ that fits EVERY body type. Seriously, give me CONTENT and make it WIRED.

Ok, now that my 2 wants are out on the table, let's talk needs. NEEDS!

I need some motivation to use a camera again. Wait, I need motivation to download/sort/upload photos. I have NONE. Zip. Zero & Zilch. I could tell you the reason why, but it would break your heart, I'd start crying all over again, and then this post would never make it to the blog like so many others over the past few weeks. Yep, I write, save'em and forget them all because I don't have the photos.

Oh, photos I have, but photos don't see the light of day... or the light outside the memory card that stays locked inside the digital plastic box-space. For instance, I know I have a sneaky shot of The Willow trying to knock his cat food can from the top shelf of the fridge, but his paw is actually about to make contact with a rolly-polly pomegranite instead! I also have some photos of spectacular 2nd grade goodness... awh, they are SO good to me this year and bestow the more remarkable 2nd grade gifts & goodies upon my life..soul..heart. I'm pretty sure there is a collection of photos taken from that final race of the season as well... but, that was a bit of a finale to a long 3 months and I'm quite ok with letting them rest in silence for several more months.

So, where do I go from here? That question has been haunting me all day long. I have started to watch several movies, but can't find one that suits my mood. I have snacked on various leftovers from Thanksgiving, but still can't find one food that really hits the spot. I have attempted to clean the house from top to bottom, but get wrapped up in thinking about all I need to do for work, quit, and find myself sitting at my computer wondering... where do I go from here. Clean the computer files, photo files, paper files... closet? desk drawers? ugh!

It's not like I am in a really bad space, just a space of flux... no snow, no real sun & warmth, and nothing much on the horizon except waking early, spinning, working, working, resting, repeating. Seriously. I need Legos, Wired, and some sense of direction. I suppose I need a goal before planning direction. hm... things to think about while I try to decide on a movie!

p.s. Some dark chocolate would really help matters right about now & thx for listening. 'night.

Can you see me!?

2010-11-14T13:45:00.002-05:00

What in the world.... I thought my world went Alice in Wonderland style??? Is it really tiny in this space or what? Wow.. time to make some changes.

Ok, I'm back. Was it just me? I am so confused.

Here's to Bad Math

2010-11-01T18:08:00.002-04:00

Well... here we go. The final days before that final mountain bike race of 2010. Not that I had that many this year. And we all know about that horrible day in early August... yah, and I didn't finish the Boyne Marathon, didn't start Peak2Peak due to lack of motivation. Oh and the heat, the excuses... the PURE LACK of motivation. Wait, I did have one early season success - big fat 2nd at Mud, Sweat, & Beers. Why didn't I blog about THAT? My one bright moment of the year to never be documented. Would it be wrong to post-date a success story??? Goodness.

Ok, let's not totally beat up on Ali. Boy, next year certainly does need to be different. This Nike ad might be my mental ticket to a change in poor mental clarity and bad math. Time to get a move on and make some new memories. Here's to 6am gym dates... welcome change.

Dead Ringer

2010-10-26T18:47:00.006-04:00

So what, it's not bling-Y.

It's not exactly ug-LY... is it?

It is ART-y... in my eyes. :)

and fills a need...

Oh, it also has a tendency to snag my clothes... thank you very much or gawking.

How 'bout that song?!?!

3 Good

2010-10-23T14:48:00.003-04:00

We All Fall Down

2010-10-23T11:43:00.003-04:00

It is a constant reminder of what I am not ready for... not just the race, the riding, the trail concentration or lack thereof... Lost in quietness in a safe location is where I've been & where I tend to stay. Burying myself in work so the realness doesn't sting quite so much.

Looking for that one piece of my mind that will give me the kick to crack out of the current state and strive for more... much more. Hi Andrea. :)

Looking back is easy & harsh... definitely NOT where I should take myself but so very easy and at-hand...

Beautiful things in pain....

... missing.

Still looking for the right move... with a huge dose of serious change of direction.

Slim Ambition

2010-10-17T16:26:00.002-04:00

Did you know that I DNS to a race? Recently? Like, just YESterDAY? Well, technically... I SHOWED (see photos below) only I didn't show up with a bike. In fact, the night before I was sure to consume 3ish glasses of wine in order to be certain I wouldn't attempt to race. That is exactly what I did. Pretty sneaky of my mind to play that little trick on my body? Yah, that mind is one wild egg! :) So, I showed up and tried to convince several folks to donate to the Kalkaska Connector. If you don't know about it and ride the Iceman/trails around TC... PLEASE take a peak at this site and consider helping out.

Where was I? Oh, at the races. I gave up my comfy chair in the fall sunshine for a position along the course with cowbells & partner in cHime, Matt from Grand Traverse Land Conservancy. Pretty hilarious time cheering riders... gently and NOT SO gently urging them up that slick little patch of grassy knoll. Good times ringside in the bright-bright sunlight.

The only time I had a urge to race was when I saw the Marilyn whizzzz by... funny that she was feeling like cowbellin' when she saw me? :) Guess we should have swapped spots. She said she missed seeing me/riding with me in the race. She doesn't realize how slow I have become... silly her. I will have to show her what I mean in a few weeks. Ouch!

So, my mind is already on next season. Changes in the coming week will be REtold on this blog. I have at least 2 for you... maybe even a third if I'm lucky!

Yes Santa, there is a miracle on my mind & hoping it will visit my street with a little help from my friends - mind + body.

Oh, I have ambition... in the form of wanting to grow longer hair... thanks Andrea for the awesome... photo?

Of wanting to locate my lost cowbell...

Of...... wanting to know what HE is thinking...

Of... getting in touch with more of that creamy tomato soup in sty-ROW-foam cup!

And... I really want to learn to chill like that cool fella who is pretty much trying to show his dominance over the human species (especially Andrea) when he pulls this little stunt. El Tigre!

Cracked Theme Song

2010-10-11T17:42:00.005-04:00

Click here if you care to hear it just ONE more time because I promise it is NOT going to continue. Yes, I DO sing it to myself ALL day long lately and never take its advice. How can I when I am completely head over ... & feeling like the rug was pulled out so quickly and silently but yet... it really wasn't AT all, NOT at all, no sir.

So, I'm ready to climb back up that ladder because the pit is NOT a pretty place to be & I know exactly where I want to be and deserve to be. Oh yes. Determination is my new middle name.

And when and IF I have a chance at that ladder that I want...REALLY want... ABSOLUTELY need in the most UN-needy sort of way... I am SO on it. You bet your bottom dollar there will be NO hesitation. Wish me luck because I've really never had it and if there ever was a time.. THIS IS IT.

In the meantime, if you're looking for a crack in my surface... some of you know that surface and think there isn't a crack... WELL, there is a HUGE one pouring right now... spewing out salty liquid several million times a day. You won't miss it, believe me. I won't miss it when its sealed back up with big FAT kiss. Off to find a really huge bandage in the meantime. Where is that CAT!?

xoxo stronger. each. day. me.

An Imperfect 10

2010-10-10T10:13:00.004-04:00

4 weeks off the bike make for some rough times trying to come back to a WIN place mentally & physically. Cross race yesterday was a big MISS... mentally and physically lacking... lacking any motivation. Left me dnf with a drenched face... not from sweat.

A beautiful sunny..blue..clear autumn sky leaves me feeling empty & longing for what used to be & what could have been.

Terrified to hope... afraid of more failure... trying to keep a chin up when everything seems to be beating down.

Peak 2 peak entry on-hand but more desire to ring a cowbell.... Iceman on the horizon with a head full of 49% motivation. Not enough.

Wishing for hot apple cider... pumpkin doughnuts & a best friend...

Let's make it a 10+, soon.

Cycling Cycle

2010-09-09T22:25:00.007-04:00

Well.. it's pretty much far past my Thursday night- school- year bedtime. So, hang in there through this very random & disorienting post about the past month of my life. With me?

I highly recommend the self-portrait shot o' hair-UN-do for those days when you feel you haven't showered in... well.. 2 days!? Wow.. good thing it was dark... and there was a keg... and... the music was good!

Would you believe the girl in the gray is a long lost LSSU chica from the way back dark past!? Oh yah, she's married to the Bicycle Shop owner and we put 2 and 2 together.. or maybe it was 3 and 4 and 10 and 1/2 together....? Anyway, we had a fun time remincsing about my ex husband (for real) and how many years I've known "her" but really didn't know it was "HER"!! Crazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy??? That little guy playing with the band is hers... cute and loves that band dearly!!

So, there was a race... The Logsplitter to be exact and I didn't race. I didn't even help mark the course, BUT... BUT!!! I did help draw the course map. See me on the bridge doing my infamous Ore2Shore handstand/cartwheel? Yah, I can laugh about it now... grrr. Oh hey... let me mention I met a fellow blogger/bike guy? Yep, it was like meeting an old friend.. sorta... well, ok like meeting an old friend you never really met face to face before but know a LOT about.. or you THINK you do... ok, I'm stopping.

ta da!! That's the work of SEVERAL fun people at a VERY late hour.

The race went off quite smoothly for SO many day-of registrations! Wow.. seriously people.... please sign-up in advance (including me!!) that day-of bizz is for the birds and the people who can stand outside for HOURS on a rainy, freezing day without losing feeling in extremities. "I helped with racer registration and timing and all I got was this ridiculous earache!!" Thanks & can't wait until next year. Sorry G for the flack all summer... seriously. I'm a jerk. bye & don't forget who luvs ya! yep, The Willow. :)

See my red hooded jacket thing? I lived in it for 2 days. Seriously... 2 days. No shower. No shower. NO shower!! And I wasn't even sick in bed! I was in public spaces and places. BIG step towards JUST NOT CARING. Better watch that... next thing ya know I'll be stepping out with my towel wrapped 'round my head and The Willow fur stuck to the side of my face from too much evening snuggling with the boy. sorry.. that was too much.
Hi Dave! Yep, he can cowbell with that new cast setup! Word is... he did the 6...12 of Drummond. Fact or Fiction? huh? huh?

The G preps for his first Crit in downtown TC! Loved spectating that race ALL day long!

And the race that followed... these are some top notch guys from City Bike Shop in Tc! Spirited and Serious about bikes!

The adorable Vita prepping for her relay on the most beautiful bike in Tc... so they said! :) I am partial to the DirtyPicassorRide.

Oh, Hi Andrea. ummm My face hurts from pretending to like you. Oh, she is SO onto me!! I am crazy about that girl!

So much so... I risked being stared down by this guy for a photo of his face... JUST for you, Andrea!

Hey, that's my chiropractor running the steps in the Tc Cross race.... he beat out G by just a little bit & that's ok! He's been at it for years and is one fast man!

Giving some loving camera eye to the old buildings at ye olde State Hospital in Tc.

G in his sealskin cycle jersey pre-race. I took this as evidence that he is indeed cute.. even in tight seal-like shirts. (and so matchy-matchy) ;)

Oh, this is from WAY back in August. We went to Royal Oak to catch a viewing of the Tour Divide film.... TOP NOTCH. And this guy is a staple in the area... rides all day...all night.. seriously, if I am doing half of what he is ... NEXT year, I'll be proud. :)

What's a blog entry without my face while driving? It's simply the best place to get REAL world shots of hair, skin, makeup, brow... umm.. COLOR. This is my new color pre-shampooing x30ish. Ok, maybe NOT that much? I really need to find a way to make it last. Those sparkle hairs keep turning up TOO soon!

p.s. E was allowing Barbie to marry Kermit the frog in the backseat.... they ended up with a child, Snoopy.

Who doesn't love a Slim Jim sammy from Big Boy? Love that retro splash in front of my eyes!

oops... back to Ride the Divide film.....

...and Jon looking debonair & distinguished! Am I right???

And here I am ... yah, checking out my hair and snapping photos in the OLD telephone area of the theater. Love old theater spaces!

NOT so in love with that mess.... whoa! Almost forgot how BAD it was before it came together this year! I'm fortunate to have an awesome group of 2nd graders in my midst & an equally amazing student assistant from GVSU working with me... ahh.. life is feeling really good....

Just as soon as I slow down to look around, I'll tell you a lot more!

Big Fun, Little Time for Blogging

2010-09-08T21:02:00.004-04:00

Green Pacman, aka Limey, getting rowdy on a fine Saturday evening with friends, Who Hit John, & fierce rain 'n wind!

Melty

2010-09-05T16:09:00.001-04:00

Hi, it's September now.

2010-09-02T20:15:00.002-04:00

Wow. I can't even move from my desk to Millie the Sofa at this moment in time. I have worked sunup to sundown+ for the past 3 days..4 days? I don't know. All I know right now is that this chair feels like it is consuming my exhausted body & the dirty dishes are consuming the kitchen. Oh, and the porch Pringles are being conquered by someTHING??? I hear it.. but I simply can't move to check it out. Thought it was The Willow, but he's pizza-box'n right now. Man, does that cat ever like to sleep on a pizza box!? Who wouldn't ... ??? Great stale smell... flexy cardboard to keep your fleshy body off the cold countertop tiles? Yah... I am jealous of him.

I have a few pieces of awesome news! Are ya ready?

1. Danielle is my students assistant from GVSU this year and she is TOP NOTCH awesome! Seriously, you just don't get better in personality, work ethic, and social skills... oh, and sincerity than this chica! I am loving her company! For those of you who REALLY know me... know how shocking it is for me to find someone I actually LOVE to be around for extended periods of time. I'm tell'n ya, Danielle is the cat's meow!

2. I rode my SS on Sunday AND on Monday! How 'bout that? And.... I haven't been to the chiro or massage this week, but feel AMAZING! I'm still suffering from mild headaches but the intense back pain has subsided and I feel so much stronger this week! yay! Love how bodies just heal RIGHT up over time!! Proud of my body even though it has put on some pounds. So thankful to be in one fully functioning piece every single day.

3. I have nothing to do this evening except watch the Netflix that arrived.. hoping it is a good one?!? AND, eat popcorn. Well, the popcorn sounds good in theory, but I don't really think I have the strength to stand and pop the corn over the stovetop and that IS the ONLY way to eat the Corn.

Have a fabulous Labor Day weekend and be super ultra safe. All racing / bikes / friends and sixty degree days for me. Next week will kick-off the ALI-IS-CRAZY month of bloggging OR none at all due to serious exhaustion from that back-to-work game. ouch.

p.s. Lemon Curd is the best comfort food ever. Thanks Andrea! It's really helping me FIT into those pants I grew out of this summer!!! ;) ugh.

p.p.s. The best way to eat it is from the tip of a teeny spoon.

Splitt'n Hairs

2010-08-31T23:30:00.005-04:00

I have to be honest.... I didn't want to hangout in Grayling for the Logsplitter race over Labor Day weekend. I really wanted to race Drummond... or go on some GRAND adventure... or maybe just junk out in my disastrous classroom for the weekend. Maybe just some quality time in a swivel chair at Right Brain? hmmm MMM!

Well, it all fell through when...

1) G was roped into presidency of MMBA northern & the race fell in his lap... soon after the whole fest fell in his lap when the "main man" skipped town for work in Arizona! WTF.

2) I fell off that bridge (how did the entire Tc cycling community know about this?) & fear traveling to Drummond to ride for 12 hours... can you imagine the damage I could do in 12 hours? There is a golf course to travel along... a lake... sprinklers, cedar roots, perhaps even a bridge?! AND CART PATHS! The terror of driving over the Big Mac is reason enough to stay in the south.... not to mention the ferry ride to Drummond. goodness me!

3) I convinced friends to come visit for the weekend = camping, roasting, boating opportunity!

4) ... well, it just might be fun to chill out in a chair all day Saturday watching other people do all the work.

Check it out! It's for a good cause... MMBA needs YOU + Me = 2 of us.

Okay, bedtime! My first official day of work begins promptly at 7:45 a.m. ouch!

p.s. Did you guess the GUEST??? Yah, beer + beer + some riding + beer = Di was here! Great times with Di and Andrea. More pictures to come of the fun times with Tc racing, beer, and creepy boys. Yah, I left my name on his shirt... he left his number on a Target ad... I left the Target ad in the bar. ack.

Change

2010-08-27T12:38:00.004-04:00

This was going to be a lighter post but with so much heft around me right now, I couldn't bring myself to do it. Maybe Monday I will amuse you .. retro style. So, I took off for a 2 hour jaunt to Grand Rapids at 9 pm last night to pick up my parents... they had a little plane issue in Chicago and needed some HELP. Love to be able to give back to the 2 people on this planet who have given me everything I've ever needed... seriously. Talk about a warm blanket of a life with them, I've had it made and am so thankful every day. I know I need to tell them, show them more often, it's just not my style to wear my heart on my sleeve ... not that I'm too big for that, it just makes me want to run away... guess I don't like vulnerable because I am so vulnerable?

It is more likely a tendency to fear things.. people leaving. Without getting too heavy on my birthday-day... I just can't imagine the day a parent passes... or The Willow for that matter. That boy is BIG in my life. Last night as I shuttled my parents home from GR we talked all about Alaska... the beauty, how small they felt.. how great it turned out to be despite their SERIOUS hesitation to take a vacation out of fear of things falling apart at home... and how doggone happy they were to be HOME after 12...13 days. It was such sweet sorrow in the most intense way. My mind was spinning with emotion and terror over having to tell them their precious Tommy Kat came up missing between Sunday evening and Monday morning. They never attached to a cat until Tommy came along last year... and he sucked them in BIG... even my dad the seemingly ANTI-CAT guy my entire childhood ate up Tommy's crazy cat ways!!?

So... about 10 miles from home I broke the news. Tough. Lump in my throat and my voice quivering... I simply said that we've had a very stressful week ... and that I have something very difficult to say. They went silent.. especially my dad. Boy, it is too tough to be so much like him... to know the sound of that silence that came over him... to imagine the thoughts... SO..SO..SO.. So hard to hear my own voice say the words... so hard to be in that moment but so thankful they are so level headed, positive, and understanding of how the world ..turns? Still hoping the TK shows up, but not banking on it... left their place at 2am with my mom calling out to the darkness for the precious Tommy Kat. ouch. just plain ouch.

p.s. I still have a sneaky suspicion that my Little Grandma catnapped the TK and is keeping his little tummy happy with unrefrigerated chocolate sauce, chicken from 2005, and silver dollar pancakes.... hopeful & happy that the sun is shining on my birthday even though my mind is buzzing from lack of sleep and my back is screaming from over-manipulation. Happy weekend.

Guess the Guest!

2010-08-26T20:10:00.002-04:00

Hey, Hey! It's my birthday eve and some great things are coming my way!
First... THIS awesome party for my Friday birthday! BEER!? Crossracin'!? & the old TC state hospital!??? Man, I love all those things so much! No, I won't be racing but I will be ringing some mighty big bells!!

This is the NEXT thing... not the 2nd thing because that would imply she is 2nd to the awesome party and she IS NOT! She never paints her own toes... just look at them! I would have cropped my toes right outta that shot! She loves my kitties AND The Willow. She even loves sleeping on Millie. How about that?? Another one is coming too.. but... she will remain UN-named for you because you won't believe who it is!... or maybe you will just find her to be equally unbelievable. I am one lucky birthday girl to have 2 pals + 1 G with me for the weekend of FEST.

It must be said that I'm a little concerned about the weekend... because the LAST time SHE visited... THIS happened. Yep... someone did NOT appreciate my photography skills and told me about it. hahahah Love this town and its people!

Here's to hoping for some UN-cross-eye /sleepy-eyed photos to emerge by the end of the weekend and PLEASE no more bike boys in ditches...Ever! Please? And thanks.

Medium Silver Escape

2010-08-25T16:14:00.003-04:00

Little Red Corvette! How can you not love this version? Heard it on Sirius a couple of times & can't even stand how much I love it. Reminds me of the guy on America's Got Talent right now who has the raspy voice and was suffering from strep... you know who I'm talking about? Well, I do and I can imagine being chilled on the deck with a g&t, tiny lights, and crickets... Oh, sigh! Is summer really going to end?

Version. Speaking of version... My version of this week has been seriously crrrazy. So much so, that G actually wrote down all my appointments for me. Too bad I added ANOTHER today? gee. Hopefully I'm on my way to some sort of workout condition because I'm quickly gaining some extra & it's not too cute!! My pants no longer go to the dryer & I keep trying to suck-it-in but it just won't go in! Too bad I'm constantly hungry out of boredom/frustration (no riding) & feel very lost without hours on the bike each week. darn emotional eater here!

Oh? Was I crying? Whining? I'll stop... time to take some Motrin anyway! Hey, it's my first dose of the day and that's impressive!!

THE WEEK with classroom work & E duty:
Monday - work in classroom..bring E and her friend Em
Tuesday - chiro & work in classroom with E
Wednesday - chiro & gyno & work on school stuff
Thursday- eye doc & hair appt & brow appt ...blah blahblahblah.
Friday - massage, chiro, active release therapy - NO SCHOOL TODAY

Hey! Friday is my birthday! AND, it's a festivity day: Cross racing, beer sampling in Tc!!

Yah, I might be unable to move after Friday's treatment. :) You should see me turn my head! It moves! And I slept on my stomach early this morning! No numbness in right fingers or left foot. wooo hoo! Small/BIG steps feel MEGA-HUGE right now!

Cute Mike Zito LIVE:

Losing Steam

2010-08-22T12:54:00.008-04:00

Left the rolling hills of the homeplace where the cranes reign in the back-field...

To take up a little tractor action at the annual Buckley Old Engine Show. G encouraged me to be a rule breaker and hop on a little tractor before we left. I am SO not a rule breaker... this is RULE breaking and I was desperately anxious for him to take the freak'n picture.. and QUICK. man, what is wrong with me.

The view from under the pines at the old tractors make their way past the grandstand much to the delight to young, old, & G. :)

Check out that contraption! It could do donuts! Man... that looked very fun.

And this? Well... I have hair plans and it starts with this little chica's 'do.... more on that later this week.

Mega SNOW power!! This gigantic wheel was pumping oil. It's true... wouldn't fib to Y-O-U!

That's a whole lotta cast iron! Amazing enormous contraptions... just make me shake my head and thank goodness I never had to experience a bad back PLUS a field to tend.

I only have THIS to worry about! Dang... Gibby's? Why do you inflict such desire? I am over it... and losing it! 1 full size that is... yep... full clothing size bigger than last August. How do I know? Well, I went shopping Friday and the clothes I bought this year are all 1 size larger... double RATS!

That's an "orchard" model. Why the quotations? well.. because I still don't know what it all means... other than the tractor looks sleek!

So many engines... so little time to stop and gawk. This one is pumping water. Did you know that an engine and motor are 2 different things.. sorta? But, people call them by the same... but the electric motor is not an engine.. or do I have that backwards? G? Anyone? Clarification needed. Now I don't know whether my car has an engine or a motor!!??

My kind of tractor... love old metal toys!

And all the bells and whistles too!!!

Pretty sounds made me hungry for lunch hour...

This made me wonder... why!? Pretty but so not practical...am I right?

Speaking of pretty!!!! What's a Old Engine Show without vintage bikes!!!

Prettttyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

I'll take one!!

I'll take 5!!!! Oh my.... first Gibby's and now ... THIS!? Please stop the torture!

John Deere Grrrreeeen.

Someone likes Cubs.

Doesn't this look carnival... ? Simply scary-big to me!

BIG = that grill! Wow.. I have a new appreciation for Olivers.

First year of the 600N.... I think? Yah, this is me trying to talk tractors.

Ok.. I do know I love this color of the Minneapolis Molines! Yep, right down to the wheel well color (is that what that area is called? I'm serious.) Were these made is MN? I assume so??? Experts? Google??

Classic red beauties all in a row... this is where I got a little camera happy... my back was killing me and G just needed to see "one more!" :)

Time-out.... that reflection is a size larger than last year. Just an FYI to myself.

Thank goodness they were closed up for the night!!!

Too bad I had to walk this field to get to rest! Wow... so much for endurance. I considered taking the shuttle to the car.. seriously? This back business must go away. Believe me... thankful I can walk.. talk... breathe... but, I am simply out of energy for pain.

Looking forward to ice cream with Gram... 6pm sharp. Don't worry.. NSA for me.... with banana on top. Hanging in there, me.

UPDATE

2010-08-18T17:57:00.001-04:00

Mark... may be MATT. Does it matter? I bit him.

London Bridge

2010-08-18T17:39:00.002-04:00

Just arrived home from a tough day at the empty office - aka My Classroom of Chaos. Two things became very apparent to me today ... #1 It is easy to forget ones physical limitations when on 9,000 grams of Motrin but tend to be quickly reminded when trying to move a massive 4-drawer filing cabinet! #2 ... dang, forgot again. You know, I did hit my head but don't feel that is the issue. I think the constant little nagging back pain is interfering with "normal" brain functioning... who knows... this may be for the better!!?? ;)

I'll take a dangerous water drop-off any day!! G is a busy worker bee this evening... happily whistling a little tune while creating a laundry line in the bathroom for hanging cycling clothes.... wanna know the tune? Thought so, it's London Bridge... wanna know the lyrics he's created??? Thought so... "Ali Bridge is falling down..." Yep, that's support!!! Thanks. Can't wait to hear what he comes up with next. Sincerely, Super Fly.

Check out that tractor... apparently it's not a very in-demand tractor but one we had to stop to oogle on the way home.... Someone wants to be a farmer. Farmer in Cycling Clothing. Cyclist in Farmer.... never-mind.

Guess which number plate made it the full 48/50 miles? So, on my way home from the UP the other day I was journaling some thoughts and couldn't get past potential blog titles for the weekend.... it is sick that I think of my blog while watching water striders?.... don't worry, I wasn't wishing for a camera at the moment... but was thinking what I'd SAY to the blog!! Geez... especially now that my mother reads this trash!?

So... here's my brain on pain:

Should have cared more.
Bad day at the office.
I went to O2S and all I got was... this bruise. This hospital id. this trip to the Ishpeming ER.
Bridge Over Troubled Ali
A Cyclist's Water Strider Investigations
3 Billy Goats Gruff?
SuperFly
Freeride Snowmobile Stunt
Cat Skillz
I can fly!!!
Over the Top
Slipperier than a....

It was mentioned that I may have somehow disrupted an Indian burial mound..ground? Yah, I blame that on family camping trips to the UP. What in the world am I going to do if I never race O2S again? ....

Oh.

That's right.

DONCKERS!!!

Let's Back Up

2010-08-17T13:02:00.008-04:00

The Longest un-race Report Ever!

Remember that post about just not caring? Well, I perhaps should have cared just a little tiny bit. True, this race season has been a series of disappointments for me between not-ready, sick stomach, overheating, blisters, .... and now the latest, a magnificent crash on a course that has repeatedly beaten me down over the past few years in one way or another or one more - ok, that last one was a good year, very good year!

It truly got the best of me this year... tossing me right over the sidelines into a gully of muck, water striders, & jagged rocks. Here it is... 4 fine hours in the life of Ali aka Super Fly:

9:30 mention i'd rather be racing 28
9:40 can't find my bike in the mass
9:45 take off
10:15ish? take off #2 off a bridge when wheel slides out after some entrapment?? on a snowmobile bridge
10:15:01 head hits top rail of bridge
10:15:01:01 shoulder hits top rail
10:15:01:02 ali thinks CRAP! i'm outta the race!
10:15:01:03 ali thinks CRAP! i'm going over the bridge!
10:15:01:04 ali grabs top rail and damp gloves can't hold!
10:15:01:04 ali thinks fast & know she must land on feet!
10:15:01:05 ali thinks this is the end...sorry family... love you!
10:15:01:06 ali hits the ground on her feet!
10:15:01:07 ali hears crunching - probably every vertebrae getting an adjustment

Ok, enough of that! My heart is racing and I can't keep up that colon business all day. So, I pretty much relied on my cat-like skillz and landed on my feet far enough from the jagged rock pile to avoid major injury. As I did a mental scan on all body parts and functions (left eye, right eye... etc) I heard some guys asking if I was ok. Well, I really couldn't answer because I pretty much didn't know but assumed things were definitely probably NOT ok... but, I didn't want to freak them out and make them run from me outta fear of having to deal with a freaked out girl who was going to die.

Once they got to me I decided I was going to live & probably might even be able to walk again because I could wiggle my toes. I stayed on my hands/knees for a super long time while I heard talk of ambulances, backboards, cell signals.. broken ankles!? (not me!) and the like...

As I watched the water striders play in the little stream running past I noticed one of my heroes was standing knee deep in MUCK .. dark muck. Oh, his shoes!!!??? ughhhhh He offered his shoulder for me to rest my head and I remember babbling about not wanting to cry but wanting to cry but not wanting to cry because it just sucks and who the hell falls off a bridge!??? yah, pretty much worst case scenario. I was in shock for sure and pretty much bit the nice guy on the shoulder. Still not real sure how that came about.. I think I was checking to see if the situation was really... REAL!? Sorry Chad.. Mark?

Anyway... I walked up the embankment when the EMT guys arrived but they immediately strapped me down when I got to flat land. My trip to the hospital was uneventful except for the flies on my bloodied leg!!?? I kept asking if I had a fly on my leg. HHAHA really, I thought it was weird spinal issues of some sort... I was relieved to know I only had flies licking my wounds. Thanks for the blanket, guys. ;)

So, Ishpeming Bell hospital is new... they were excited to take me into the new parking garage... seriously. I acted very impressed and think I even complimented the driver and well.. said a bunch of other mindless stuff that I'm embarrassed to mention here.... HEY!? I was in shock!

X-rays followed of my hips... spine... no major issues .... THANK GOODNESS! whew and amen!

I was shuttled back to my waiting bed, given Tylenol 3 and told to hit the road. I had the option of wearing scrubs back to the race finish but figured that might freak Glen out. Oh, I forgot to mention that I called every person I knew at the race PLUS some because my phone was running low on power and I was afraid of being left in the UP and the hospital no less!!?? Yah, crazy mind games going on.

Local guy, Don, picked me up at the hospital and was so incredibly nice. He even showed me phone photos of the yurt he lives in and showed me his cool 1970 tandem Schwinn cruiser bike! LOVE!!! This guy was class-act & truly made me feel better about my whole bridge -jumping situation. He reminded me that it was a fluke and that I shouldn't quit riding.. or racing. I did pretty much decide while waiting for the ambulance that race days were over... then again in the hospital I made a list of reasons not to race EVER again... and even told Glen I was done and cited very good reasons for not ever racing... like, I could eat Nutella from the jar all I wanted and suffer NO repercussions for added weight!!! Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

Ok, I'm done for now but will be back in a few weeks I hope to tell you that I'm riding again. In the meantime, this blog will be devoted to appreciating my life as it is... not sweating the small stuff (hate that cliche thing) and thanking those who helped me out in a crazy moment! You guys are the BEST and you will forever be remembered in my mind as the 2 hero guys who saved my day!

p.s. That bridge has some sort of protect matting on it... that I was told they considered taking off pre-race because they knew it was very slick = volunteer Don at that spot. So, they were going to take it off after my accident but decided since most racers went by, they didn't need to... I was assured that it would be safer on that bridge next year. Yah, and that bridge may never see the likes of me again, because O2S is my nemesis... and I am takin' the hint!

Did you hear? The Logsplitter race is Labor Day weekend in Grayling... better check it out 'cause I know the guy putting it together & he is pretty fine.

There we are ... happier days, like umm Thursday.. just hours (36?) before the big stunt!

This is what I look like before I race. See the fear? Yah, this race was no different. I didn't even want to do the 48... I thought maybe the 28 would be ok this year since I've been on home-project overload & barely get outta the house let alone hit the garage to prep a bike for riding. That was then.... This is now...

CURTIS MAYFIELD - SUPERFLY (LIVE)
Uploaded by hushhush112. - Watch more music videos, in HD!

It all started very routinely... reservations at the lovely Brentwood-Budget Host with the MOST in Marquette.... "the rose add class..." Indeed.

The ore dock viewing zone along the shore of thundering Lake Superior...

Butter Jenga at Sweetwater... pre-race linguine, friends, and patience...

Took 4 and fell on the 5th... falling would be the weekend theme... and 5 glasses of water.

Darker gulls in the Marquette area captured my attention. Di, this photo is for you, do you know why???

Sand blasted my skin... clothing... camera .... made me feel alive and ready...

She photographs sand, shells, and silliness on the seashore.

The massive kite of young board-boy heading out into a relatively warm Lake Superior.

Tanker guy scaring me with his balancing act.... I'm so happy he's wearing a helmet.

The little happy cone that was REALLY happy Doncker's was closed on Saturday giving his greedy little cone tummy extra patrons.

Sprinkles!! SMOOOOOOSHED!

Love King Koin... there was one in Neguanee too! I want one. A franchise, please.

They already feasted once... twice? Had to have pizza to wash down the cone.

Lucky for them, they scored a deal and it was far past 4pm.

Jumpers! This was incredibly hard to watch after ... 'the fall.'

Stone studies.

Did someone say.. BRIDGE? ahh the butterflies fly when I hear that word!

Railing! Yikes... another word that needs to be banished!

My heart palpitates when bridge + railing = sentence!!!

The good boy cheered me up Saturday evening....

A card from Willoh's evil cousin...

Speaking of The Willow - he actually resembles his cousin here?

Always wear your helmet... always. always. always. always. please. always.

A grand prize I'd love to give my muck-wading heros - Chad & Mark.

I Should Care

2010-08-10T10:50:00.003-04:00

...but I don't. I care a little bit about my unshowered self on day.. umm 3 with the worker bees around to see the disaster named ME. Well, not exactly TOO much care. Oh, I care... but only about finishing in the same or slightly better time than last year. Yep, that's ALL I care about. Ok, I care about THAT and I care about the status of my school-clothes, school-shoes (the one I left out in the rain the other night)... my school-hands, feet, pale shins... Oy, Is this summer vacation really winding down? Crap. I was supposed to get some color on my legs? Wasn't I going to grow my nails? What about reviving those old metal chairs? Cleaning the little drawers in the safe... taking up more kayaking... eating more whole grains and good proteins... CARDBOARD? Wow... I failed once again at the freezer-to-oven pizza plan...

oh, and that plan to be up by 7a.m. each day? Why does failure keep coming to mind. ... and exhaustion... and not caring... and hungry... and not caring... and too warm... and not caring? WAIT. These cats. I care about these cats. Are you jealous of my litter of cats? Tell me you are and I don't care that you are. Tell me that you aren't and guess what? I don't care!!! :) Simple.

Here's the run-down on the low-down for the week:
2night: Garrison Keillor
2morrow: group ride/meeting
thursday: prepare for the race i may or may not care much about
friday: driving to race & enjoying pasties
saturday: race & try to caresunday: promise to prepare more for next year... next race
monday: ....... hopefully care more and birth this watermelon I've been carrying all summer...

The end.
Hey? Wanna see the new floors? Thanks for amusing me with your interest.

What do you think of those cats? What about that rug? That dust under Millie? That ill lampshade? yah.. I don't really _____________. So there.

Trying to figure out...

2010-07-28T11:13:00.001-04:00

who ruined me?

PostPoned

2010-07-28T10:36:00.007-04:00

My summer vacation has been postponed. My s'more skills are lacking.

I am officially eyeball deep in house maintenance...remodeling projects and my pink sportsbra has finally quit bleeding all over ME and my jerseys! Can you say, HOOOOORRAAAYY!?

When I'm not working on a home project I'm helping out my brother's family with SOMETHING (errands, alphabetizing... more on that later!). Yah, sometimes the Univega gets a pedal to town for ice cream! Wow, that baby is FEEEEE-ast! Seriously, it might be lining up to race ... serious.

Sometimes I'm swamped with classwork, but that really isn't a big concern. What is a concern is WHO made this web next door!!!???

My summer class is really CAKE.... sorta like evenings around the old place... :)

It's all about using technology in the classroom = pretty much a fun time for me to experience cool apps I never knew about! Oh right, when I do have difficulty? Boy Genius kicks in his brain. I think he was telling the RAT who is boss here.

Let's see....
And THAT is about as far as I can let my mind go because it is a little daunting but each day this place is looking a bit spiffier! How do ya like that Gram of mine? loaf of bread and a hidden ten-spot!? Yah, she thinks she should pay me to take her to the doc... come on Gram... I'm not that miser of a grandson you have! Now to figure out a way to sneak it back into her life... this could be a fun game!? Suggestions welcome.

Randomness... my mom took a day to hangout with me.... her one & only. ;) I say this because my mom finally discovered I have a blog. Yep, all these years and she had no idea. Now I can say really sappy things and smile at the thought of her reading them! Love her. See!? Wasn't that fun!? Oh, the picture is the amazing sign for the home of Unger Studio. He does some crazy-cool stuffio!
Mouse got your tongue!? The boy has brought 2 mice home lately... he MRRROOOWWWS a low grrrowl to let the home-people know he has arrived with dinner - play thing - evening entertainment show. Love that beast of nature.

oh my... she is actually neater than I was last night as I snapped this shot. Those were the biggest marshmallows ...EVER!

And that Millie? She is lovely! I fell asleep on her and bought her 2 pillows - NO-no... not the Barbie pillow or the green guy. What a simply divine 9 dollar find. Can't wait to show you photos. Too bad I didn't take before pictures. Yah, not so good at that, besides, I don't want the memory of the OLD.

OH!

I still ride my bikes too! and he rides the tractor... this is called brush-hogg'n. Yep, knock down all the tall stuff = fun times on the old tractor. Love the sound of a distant tractor in the quiet evening air. Oh, to be a farmer for a moment.

Actually, we've had some awesome-amazing-awfully sandy rides lately! I will just tell you that we choose a leader and GO..go.. GO! Nothing is off-limits and I rarely know where I am ... sometimes I know the county and sometimes not-so-much.

Ore 2 Shore is the next biggie race and nothing much in-between except a fun weekends, work, and some play & cat-napp'n. I still don't have much of a tan going on. What happened to the days of sunning, reading... beach blankets... blow-up toys (ahem) and sticky sun oil + lake Michigan sand? Dang, those were HOT days that I actually don't even miss...thank goodness for that because I have some serious work to do around here, up next:

prep bedroom for paint
paint bedroom
stain bedroom items
finish sanding and staining all that trim
pull up old flooring
putting down underlayment
installing new flooring
replacing ALL of the trim I took off, sanded, restained

Time for work. Thanks for reading & enjoy your day.

Millie's Sofa

2010-07-15T21:55:00.004-04:00

sofa

n sofa [ˈsəufə]

a kind of long seat, stuffed and with a back and arms. We were sitting on the sofa.

guess what i like to do almost as much as riding bikes?

it's close to garage sale-ing...
it involves hotdogs...
it appeals to my creative side...
it involves a number...
it was passed down from my mom to me...

A
U
C
T
I
O
N
S

yep, love estate auctions.... especially the type of auction sales that say, "lots of misc." they always have the box lots. the box lots that contain a brass unicorn standing on its hind legs bellowing towards the rainbow in the sky. the boxes with antique staplers that weigh more than those old rotary phones... and recipe boxes with favorite recipes hand-written and noted and footnoted and blotched with cornstarch, Crisco, and love. how about those boxes with REAL 'silver'ware? i'm smitten for a heavy spoon, knife, fork.... Oh, and the chance stumble upon a Bohemian book which you open up and the title of the essay is ... At the Auction!!??? SERIOUSLY. today was MY day. it's always my day... but today was REALLY my day.

my trip was for my brother and his collection but turned out to be about the green pleather sofa named Millie. millie passed on and left an amazing amount of items behind that her children, grandchildren had no real use for... some find it depressing... i find it not. i like the thought of people like me enjoying the hunt, rummaging through boxes of ecletic belongings while trying to piece together my life.... like... Why did she have moose vertebrate? Are these her cat's whiskers hot glued to a card??? Do you think she had a love affair with scissors? bowling pins? Really? she has a collection of bowling trophies with OTHER people's names on them!??

Yah, that fascinates me... I imagine watching the scene and laughing ... REALLY laughing. Maybe I like to make people laugh. No, I would rather make some cry... not in a sad way... but in a confused way. Stir the emotions and brain until they just cry. hahah joking...sorta.

Ok... I know you're wanting to meet the marvelous Millie... BUT, you have to wait until tomorrow. By the way, did you know that Sean has my camera? Hostage. Not sure what he wants in return... maybe his lungs back after Boyne.

Nightnight.

p.s. Never..EVER call her "couch."

Who.What.Where.

2010-06-29T08:03:00.004-04:00

It's been difficult to find the time to write in this space. I have rediscovered my workaholic tendency this summer. In the past couple of weeks I have completely organized my computer files, school files - all 8 drawers!, recycled a maddening amount of papers, cleaned the house from head-to-toe, created a classroom site & ditched it, created another one & ditched it, and I'm now starting from almost scratch with very little html knowledge and a whole lotta hope & HOPEFULLY LUCK!? If you're reading this and are smart about building a page in Microsoft Expression... please raise your hand! Contact me!? DO SOMETHING!? please. I will need someone very soon. I have questions & cannot find the answers in that little "help" guide button.

Other difficult things have transpired d... maybe for the best in the big picture, but certainly not so good on all those who knew and loved him. A colleague of mine passed last Saturday, a mentally and physically strong battle against pancreatic cancer finally put to rest. He was passionate about cycling & would always ask me about the rides. Solid guy with strong convictions & will be intensely missed by so many .... SO many.

In my time of workism...work-a-holic-ism? I have had a lot of time & space in my head to ponder... NEVER a good thing for a thinker-mind. I have a lot of thoughts, but certainly not the time to write them down here- WEBSITE LOOMING in another window! I've decided to start jotting things on paper. It's been a long long time since I last tried the old-school way of "blogging." I'm looking forward to the pen on paper.... now, I need to find a pen that moves quickly across the paper and is fun to hold. Pen aficionados? HELP! Wait, does this mean I should scan my journal pages & post? hmm.. this may be the start of something... something new.

umm.. What's that?... did I hear an echo? I have a feeling I'm talking to myself.... Let's listen to a song I can't get enough of this morning. It is so speaking to me while I ponder...reflect... panic about losing HTML codes! enjoy.

U2 - Original of the Species

Baby slow down
The end is not as fun as the start
Please stay a child somewhere in your heart

I’ll give you everything you want
Except the thing that you want
You are the first one of your kind

And you feel like no-one before
You steal right under my door
And I kneel ‘cos I want you some more
I want the lot of what you got
And I want nothing that you’re not

Everywhere you go you shout it
You don’t have to be shy about it

Some things you shouldn’t get too good at
Like smiling, crying and celebrity
Some people got way too much confidence baby

I’ll give you everything you want
Except the thing that you want
You are the first one of your kind

And you feel like no-one before
You steal right under my door
I kneel ‘cos I want you some more
I want the lot of what you got
And I want nothing that you’re not

Everywhere you go you shout it
You don’t have to be shy about it, no
And you’ll never be alone
Come on now show your soul
You’ve been keeping your love under control

Everywhere you go you shout it
You don’t have to be shy about it
Everywhere you go you shout it
Oh my my

And you feel like no-one before
You steal right under my door
I kneel ‘cos I want you some more
I want you some more, I want you some more…

Final Word

2010-06-21T01:09:00.001-04:00

100 miles of pain, persistence, and puke.

Check it out! A BIG FAT race report from me... and I don't even LIKE these things. So, if you're going to stop reading after this sentence, I am 100% okay with that!

Excuses: Let's look at Friday. No, let's fall back to Thursday night and my brother's visit bearing BAD news. Apparently my entire family had some version of stomach flu during the week. Was I sick Thursday night when I went to bed? No! Was I sick Friday when I woke up with a list a mile long? YES! So, I slept until noon. Ate some spaghetti and chilled for the rest of the day WITHOUT EATING! On Friday I decided to sleep at home & wake up at 4:30a.m. for the drive down to the LJ. Well, great in theory, not so great considering I slept ALL DAY Friday! I eventually fell asleep between 12:30-1:00. Let's NOT do the math on that sleep number.

Lap 1.: So, I had a mini bagel on the way to LJ and chugged a liter of water thinking hydration is the key. Yah, maybe I should have considered some calories or even a GEL pre-race? I started strong. Felt amazing. Fire in the pedals and in my desire to go beyond just ... a finish. My pal Marilyn announced that she, "finally found me!!" Please note this is the 3rd time she has made that announcement and I have beat her the previous 2 times. So, I knew she'd push it and she did. I also knew that I could beat her in the end. So, I struck back and made her work & dropped her. YAY! I think she was back chattin' with Glen... glen? Thanks! THEN... the WALL. THE WALLLL!!!! I went from feeling like a cheetah to feeling like a slug in exactly 3 seconds flat. No joke..tank was empty & Marilyn surged past me on a smaller hill and I was DONE - physically and mentally all at once! My official 3rd bonk of my riding career. The first ever in a race. Glen eventually discovered me drooling on myself on that nasty switchback past the aid station. He ARF ARFF'd behind me & I snarled. No, I didn't. I couldn't do anything but HATE. I think I said some things I should apologize for and told him to get lost. HEY! I WAS SICK. Don't animals like to be on their own when they're sick? I tried not to watch him disappear, it made it all so much worse.

Ok. That was MISERABLE & depressing. I finished the first lap JUST IN TIME. I was 98% decided my day was OVER and was evening planning on reading material & where I'd rest my weary legs after taking a nap in the woods. No joke. Fortunately for my body, some older dude behind me announced he SAW THE PARKING LOT! Oasis! Paul took my bike. I hugged my legs doubled over in stomach pain. Some super nice wifey gave me antacid tablets and I tried to eat. I only consumed ONE GEL during lap 1 and one bottle of heed.... plus some POISON PERPETUUUMMM.

Lap2: Since my bottles were swapped by Paul and my pack was refilled by nice hound-wife, I decided I should give it another shot? I told Glen that I'd see him when he passed me AGAIN. That thought almost made me go to my car. Anyway, I caught my buddy Dave a few miles in. He was fabulous BREAKS! We joked about our lack of gel and how we probably didn't have enough for the lap... funny huh? About a mile later... GUESS WHAT WE FOUND?????????????????????

A lost GEL FLASK! It was heaven. I braked HARD and didn't even hesitate suckling some stranger's flask.

Ok. Let me say that I killed lap 2. Seriously. I felt amazing and decided that LJ is FUN and life is good and I will not even want to quit after 100 miles! I made a stop at the station to hold up for Dave...since I had "our" flask, it was the right thing to do. He didn't show, I finished with very little physical pain... just mental pain over what COULD HAVE been. Silly mistakes for me... not enough calories...etc. doh!

Lap 3: Quick refills/swaps and took off with Jerry. This lap was a mixed bag of passing out Endurolytes, assisting with mechanical s and partying at the aid station! yah, good times with the gummies & Coke on lap 3... I was hoping to see a hound or 2 show up so I could finish with a pal. That didn't work out. I was left with some guy I'll NOT name who told me about his long history of umm playing-the-field... wife-leaving-for-TN-in-the-a.m. ETC!!! Please do NOT raise your hand if you do the same during races!!! So, I faked a couple of stops to raise a seat-post... check my pack... and he stopped with me. I encouraged him to move along. No, he did NOT move too far along. Nope. So, I pretty much rode with a really uncomfortable guy for far too many miles and that's how it ended... uncomfortable ride with an uncomfortable guy.

Lesson: I did learn from Mr. Uncomfortable that Perpetuuum should not be mixed with real food. So, he also told me about puking through the first lap. I shared with him every time I felt the vomit in my throat. We bonded like that. Yep, and I shared with Glen the Perpetuum story and it seems EVERYONE except for Uncomfortable Guy, Glen, and ALI! knew that Perpetuum + REAL foodies = STOMACH disaster. Oh my. The hard lessons I continue to learn.

p.s. 3 laps is the key! I will definitely be back next year to redeem myself and let my stomach have it! ... in a good way.

p.p.s. My pal Marilyn nailed 6th at 9:18ish? I expect Peak2Peak and Iceman to be super fun this year...not that our 2 second difference after 3 laps of Crystal wasn't GOOD ENOUGH last year?!?! Oh, how I love this game.

Titles

2010-06-19T22:19:00.002-04:00

WARNING: Read with caution. What may sound like a pity party for Ali is really only a party that she is finished and the pain is subsiding.

I had a LOT of time to think about a title for this post today. Here is a partial list. Why partial you ask? Well, I can't remember much EVER... and this day was certainly NO exception. Let's go:

Who do you think you are riding on 3.5 hours of sleep, 500 calories in 24?36 hours? and a passing stomach flu? (Ok, that would be a very long title)

Why did my burp burn my throat?

Do I smell rotten eggs in my mouth?

How many ways can you hate a moment in your life?

If I eat one more GU packet, will I vomit? I hope so.

101 ways to make yourself vomit while riding and NOT get it on your jersey.

Why is my bagel pink? (more on that LATER...not to be missed.)

Do I really need to open my eyes while pushing my bike up a hill?

Oh, did I forget to BRAKE again?

Perpetuuuumm is Poison

Words to describe the day
1 word ... DONE.
2 words ... NEVER again.
3 words ... I hate my life. (yah.. i know, that was 4)

Sure way to stop consuming water that is making your stomach ache? Open bite valve and wash the dirt from legs while riding. What the heck, get the arms and back of neck too!

Thanks to my NEVER BEEN washed pink sports-bra I have"
Ali and the Breast Cancer Awareness Jersey...
Ali and the Breast Cancer Awareness Camel....
Ali and the Breast Cancer Awareness upper arms/torso...
Ali and the Breast Cancer Awareness bagel...

Should I really be resting my head on my saddle while pushing it UP the hill?

Is my stomach going to explode out my belly button?

..... ok, the list truly could go on. It was the most dreadful performance ...ride... race EVER. Imagine for a moment a stomach ache while riding that doesn't go away.. EVER! You try to puke to feel better... You try to eat.. You try to NOT get off the bike because you can't stand up... You question another lap. You do another lap. You do ANOTHER lap. It hurts. It hurts so much you can't take a deep breath. It hurts so much that you wonder if you are seeing bunnies on the trail. It hurts and you wonder if you are losing your mind. Or, have you already lost it? Yah, most likely. Yes.

Full report if I can life myself from bed tomorrow. Yah, I don't like race reports... but this is worth the battle. Believe me, you won't want to miss the Breast Cancer Awareness moments... or the burning in my throat.... or the poisoned bottles. Seriously, I can't believe I'm sitting here finding humor in this day.

:) 13th outta 27ish? 28? 29? I'm ok with that considering what I put my completely wrecked body through. Thank you body. Thank you mind for putting up with my heart REALLY wanting to finish this thing... only because I NEVER ever have to do it again.... I have The Patch.

The end.

Twas ALMOST...

2010-06-17T22:17:00.007-04:00

A GO for the Will-Ow. Too bad that cyst came back and the tumor had to go too. My poor boy is wiped OUT tonight. No outdoor play for 10 days & small feedings. awhhhh

My brother was nice enough to send over the feline version of FLOWERS-when-you're-sick... CATNIP baby! Fresh & homegrown!

So, the bladders are cleansed...

The boost is being consumed as I type...

The bladders are cleansed... WAIT! I said that already. How about this... the ice bath was taken... *shiver*

The Amish bread is GRRRrrrrRRR-OW-ing! Can't wait until Sunday! Mmmm recovery food all! day! long!

The flasks are pumped ENORMOUS full and shaken vigorously... oh, and refrigerated after ...nevermind.

The butter is awaiting MASS quantity application. If you think I'm NOT going to look for single servings tomorrow at the bike shop... you are very mistaken. Please, if you ever see me buttering up on the trail... shhh!

The coolers are empty and soon to be filled... ummm mostly with beer. ;)

The bike had its final ride and lube.

The pasta has been consumed...day2.

The boost is WARM AND MURKY!! Blechkkk!

The bladders are cleansed... umm... am I repeating myself?

The list is made.... too bad I already can't read 2 things since I wrote in while in the tub and tubs are wet and my writing is really really poor. Is that a banananana tally at the top? Why... YES, it is.

The Willow has been stitched from the inside ... out. Who knew those vets could do such stitchery???

Now he waits for ... more SLEEP of course.

The shoes are... well, THEY are outside. They completely stunk..stank? stinked? up my car ALL week. Thx.

My bottles are superiorly unmatched but stocked with powdery fuel awaiting h2o.

Dora is doing the breaststroke... WAIT, no no... she's actually hanging out under the towel rack with a bunch of rubber ducks and a gnome cup.

So, This is ALMOST The Night Before Lumberjack and The Magician is visiting.

See you Sunday if I can move.

Actor

2010-06-11T16:39:00.004-04:00

Initially wasn't such a big fan when I saw her as the opening act to Andrew Bird... of course, Andrew Bird is super perfect so anything short of ... umm HIM, is failure. Enjoy.

	St. Vincent - Actor Out Of Work .mp3

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

View it?

	St. Vincent - Save Me From What I Want .mp3

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

And... View it?

Schoooooooool's OUT...

2010-06-11T15:59:00.003-04:00

for the summer!!!

Wow, what a year. I probably didn't mention it on my blog much this year... but I just finished up the most chaotic, rambunctious, pull-my-gray-hair-out year EVER! Seriously. This marked my 10th year teaching either 2nd or 3rd grade and I have never felt at such a loss for what to do to help out some of the children. Oh, I had plans for the academic gaps, but the behaviorial issues? B E Y O N D me! I'm going to now forget about the 09/10 schoolyear and live a happy evening in my little casa eating peanut butter/fudge cookies warm from the over, popcorn, 2 beers, and a delightfully girlie movie ALL BY MY LONESOME! Heaven. HEAVEN is here at home. whew. WHAT a year.

Who doesn't...

2010-06-08T22:34:00.000-04:00

Love this?

Dressing up Young

2010-06-08T22:00:00.004-04:00

	Belle and Sebastian - Dress Up In You .mp3

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

I ate Pokemon Kraft mac 'n cheese tonight...

I attended a comedy show...

I watched a 5 year-old play t-ball in her skinny jeans...

She almost bit her tongue right off...

It was a great day to be young.

Junk Out

2010-06-07T22:24:00.000-04:00

The king's taken back the throne
The useless seed is sown
When they say they're cutting off the phone
I'll tell 'em you're not home

No place to hide
You were fighting as a soldier on their side
You're still a soldier in your mind
Though nothing's on the line

You say it's money that we need
As if we're only mouths to feed
I know no matter what you say
There are some debts you'll never pay

Working for the church
While your family dies
You take what they give you
And you keep it inside
Every spark of friendship and love
Will die without a home
Hear the soldier groan, "We'll go at it alone"

I can taste the fear
Gonna lift me up and take me out of here
Don't wanna fight, don't wanna die
Just wanna hear you cry

Who's gonna throw the very first stone?
Oh! Who's gonna reset the bone?
Walking with your head in a sling
Wanna hear the soldier sing

Working for the Church
While my family dies
Your little baby sister's
Gonna lose her mind
Every spark of friendship and love
Will die without a home
Hear the soldier groan, "We'll go at it alone"

I can taste your fear
It's gonna lift you up and take you out of here
And the bone shall never heal
I care not if you kneel

We can't find you now
But they're gonna get their money back somehow
And when you finally disappear
We'll just say that you were never here

Been working for the church
While your life falls apart
Singing hallelujah with the fear in your heart
Every spark of friendship and love
Will die without a home
Hear the soldier groan, "We'll go at it alone"
Hear the soldier groan, "We'll go at it alone"

Good Day

2010-06-06T19:47:00.009-04:00

	Jukebox the Ghost - Good Day .mp3

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

Another weekend at the High Country Pathway proved to be entertaining. I opted for the 50 miles route of trail rather than MORE or LESS. As usual, the Pigeon River Country was amazingly beautiful with rooty cedar forests, mushroom land, bear territory, elk rubbings, turtle sightings, and ticked off mama grouse. About 20 of us set off Saturday morning with various goals in mind... some for 35 miles, some 50er's, a couple of Super 60's, and a handful of 80 milers. My goal was to test out Perpetum for the upcoming Lumberjack & to feel amazing after 50 some miles of DIFFICULT pedaling terrain - 6mph average tough. So, my goal was met, PLUS some. I got a great, HOT shower... a cool tree frog spying on me IN the shower, laughs with pals, terror with pals, pudding shots with pals, and a really drippy tent Saturday night! I have an enormous cycling hangover and it feels PERFECTLY fine.

That little polliwog guy is what I feel like when I am at the High Country Pathway... small cycling person in BIG forest!

Scene of shelter #1... That Zack is one ingenious guy!

The top scene from atop Rattlesnack hill with around 10 miles to go! woo hoo!

Section 4 lake... scene of a little tidying thanks to ME and JON. Yep, we hauled some crap up after taking in the scene. Dreamy. p.s. Section Four lake sign has been 1/2 devoured by some hungry porky.

Oh, just another tent or 2 going up... which one snored ALL NIGHT???

The dripping tent. Oh boy... time to waterproof that baby! And, was that tick in there waiting for sleep to come?? YiPES, so not pretty to wake to a tick-on-a-back!

This would be .... an overlook. Scenic and a great spot for a first feast!

The Quiring's first look at Section 4 lake.. was hard to get her to move after this... come on girl... SO much more fun to be had at the HCP!

Yah, that is a little spare chamois cream!! The tingly kind to numb the pain, thanks. And spare contacts, nuts, chocolate, GU, matches, tools, whistle... oh, the LIST goes ON! Yah, I get a little nervous being so far out.

Antics with Jon... this was my attempt to balance without falling in... but, I think the water would have felt amazing if I had fallen in? :) Maybe next year.

Just another mossy log... SO many roots and moss to take me down... 3 times in all. My legs are paying the price. Thank goodness school is almost out and the skirt-to-work season is almost over. I think the children are questioning my hobby.

Um.. speaking of slick. That's Zack taking a little unexpected break.

Me + Zack sitting on Rattlesnake Hill... chill'n & awaiting the moment we tear down the other side... campsite bound! Yep, I'm wearing a dry jersey... note for next year: Bring spare gloves/socks/jersey for EVERY drop-car.

Can't get enough of that killer view!

Dang that Jon for stepping into the BEST view of the ride. Geee!

Oh look! Tom spotted some friendly bear marks!!??? HOLY stripes!!

Bruce and Tom inspecting while I was thinking.... LET'S BOOGIE!

Uh huh.. turned around to find... MORE?!? One ticked off Yogi!

Much more mellow creatures hanging around the innards of the tent... drip drip... love the HCP.. LOVE.

Out of Commmisssion.

2010-05-31T20:04:00.004-04:00

My computer is very sick. Dear Facebook, Are YOU responsible for this personal disaster? Yah, I know, with all that is happening in the Gulf, this is HARDLY disastrous. However, it IS painful. I sit at G's computer staring at his FAR AWAY screen & rush through my blog readings, status updates, & general junking out so that he can have HIS "junk" time. phew. See? Right at this moment I'm typing as fast as I can just to get out of his space! Needless to say, you may not see much in the coming week & definitely no time for pictures. What the heck, I've hardy posted pictures lately anyways??? If you want to see photos of Friday's TEAM party, check out Di's blog. She did a fine job capturing my TOO BIG beer smile, my armpit, & bowling ball smooches? Oh my. Thanks for the fun Di! Always fun to hang around that girl. Oh, there was also some Poto trail riding. Yah, that trail was pretty great... the ground was like pavement... hard pack solid minus all that Northern sand & the drops & twists kept me on my toes. Definitely my #1 pick for SE Michigan.

Memorial weekend also conjured up a CLEAN house, family picnic, a very sleepy Willow, and 63 miles of Fliggin's Lake. If you can figure out THAT route, let me know. Not the most beautiful but good times showing Dave the ropes of road riding. He was amazing his first time out on a borrowed bike... I have a feeling he's feeling it tonight & may really be questioning riding with me ever again.

Off to relax before my busy week in 2nd grade! I have some fun up my sleeve for the week & can't wait to get some computer time to share it with you... my 2ish loyal readers. :)

BIG p.s. Thank you to all the soldiers... past & present for giving your time... your lives.

Fire Week

2010-05-28T07:16:00.004-04:00

Why have my last 3 posts revolved around fire? Well, I have 3+ reasons:

Outside temps high 70's = Inside classroom temps of high 90's
Fire in the forests
Fire in my legs from riding
Fire in the boys' bathroom - ugh!!!
Fire on my bug bites
Fire in my belly for Lumberjack!!!
Fire for fun.

I need water.

A Ferocious Week

2010-05-26T19:42:00.010-04:00

	Talking Heads - Burning Down The House .mp3

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

So, when the sky shows an "X"...

...and the bunnies flock to the backyard...

While THE Willow buries his head... in bed...

...and in your morning water glass....

You know it's going to be a crazy week? Well, maybe that was just a coincidence. But, check out that RACK!

No morels in 2010 for me. I wonder if my family kept any from me?? DAd?? DDADDD??

Very happy about this door device and vote that ALL public places & spaces follow this lead. Seriously cool.

Taking notes on a grueling ride that didn't take me more than a couple of miles from home. Yep, love torturing my mind.. definitely makes for a stronger one.... or just crazy-ER?

The tallies in the dirt... marking out the back/forth loop.

The end of construction in sight means a BRIDGE to my friends south of town! THANK goodness! Missed you guys! ;)

And the end of 2nd grade on the horizon means cursive writing in progress... look at that pride! and love. and MISSPELLED STUFF!?

Um... I've been busy. "I spy with my little eye..."

A sleepy Ali en route to her 61 miles of SS Saturday.

First, a chug of water... many chugs. So many that I actually had to use an outhouse!

Prepped for JUST - in - CASE supplies. Money? Not sure why ... maybe thought I could buy an acorn from a squirrel?

The first of many wells my Verifier spotted.

"Smile Pretty for the Camera" Seriously?

The day's bike luggage...

... AND, another well. This one mysteriously started cranking as we rode around it. Yep, this is my awesome back/behind the head photo shot. Too bad you can't see Dave laughing at the antics.

Dave's bike showing off THE WALL's facelift... hmmm NOW they will fit!

And success! SS Saturday was fantastic!

Thank you Dirtypicassoride. You fanciful fun bike!

Arrived home to find a little girl with toadies.

And tiptoes...

And another BIKE for the G-Rahhhhge!?

Oh, and my favorite shorts completely falling off my ... yah, sorry for this shot. Really. I just needed to have this moment documented to remind me to order another pair ASAP!!

Have a good night and REMEMBER... never play with lighters/matches if you are a 2nd grader in a boy's bathroom. Not cool to pretend smoke and toss the remains in the toilet. Seriously... you miss end of the year parties, trips... and well, fun 'n games.

Hot Ride

2010-05-18T20:54:00.004-04:00

	Joaquin Phoenix - Ring Of Fire .mp3

	Found at bee mp3 search engine

Please forgive the Joaquin Phoenix version... I simply have innocent crushes on those boys...past & present.

Today was a smoker. Yep, full blown sun & temps in the ... upper 60's? or did it hit 70's? Whatever it was, it was HOT. We took off on a 45 mile road cruise and soon found ourselves choking down some smoky air. Little did I know we were heading towards a massive forest fire... or 2!? It wasn't until the truck pulled up next to me after I finished my mile hill climb that I got a little freaked out. The kindly, concerned couple mentioned evacuation and that we should turn back... they even offered a ride BACK. Hmm... Well, we didn't panic despite the plume that awaited at the top of the next scenic view was massive. MASSIVE. Ok... 2 or 3 plumes and one was UNWORLDLY. Not sure if it was more like atomic bomb HUGE or monster tornado HUGE. Well, we turned away from the fire & rode off into the hazy distance sheltered by a sun cast in a halo of orange/red ... away from the fires but not away from our minds reeling with wonderment.... what IF this happened near MY house... what IF ... what IF... ugh. Scary thoughts racing and my legs churning with loads of power tonight made me a bit manic. Not the ride of relaxation I hoped for this evening, but definitely a HOT one.

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News Link in case you're curious about the burn area.