YUM!!
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Saturday
What a LONG week at work, glad it's over. Surgery is on Tuesday, won't know the time until Monday afternoon. Had my pre-op appt, found out this is going to be a bit more intense than I was expecting. There are 3 bones in my shoulder that need to be reshaped. I will come home with a pain pump in my shoulder, best way to handle the pain, they tell me. I will take it out myself in 3 days and "don't be freaked out, but the tube in about 6 inches into your shoulder joint (I didn't think my shoulder was that big)" So I am not to be suprised when there is 6 inches of tube to pull out. They assure me it won't hurt at all, just feel strange. I will also have a big cryobrace on my shoulder/arm,with cold water flowing through it. Hmmm, how does that work?? Told me I probably won't sleep for the 1st 3 days because all this will be so uncomfortable. Then will go in after a week and get stitches removed and start physical therapy. After all that, dr tells me it will be about 3 months before I feel normal again....3 MONTHS!!!!!!!!!! I was going off the 1st appointment when the dr said it was an easy surgery, only 3 holes and about 1 to 1 1/2 hour long unless he finds soft tissue damage which would change things, but that is not expected. So I have figured out it is an easy surgery for HIM, a long recovery for ME. Sigh. But the end results will be worth it, dr assures me. I am a little concerned about being put to sleep, who knows what could happen...although I remember the Seinfeld show where Jerry goes to the dentist,is put under and wakes up to the female assistant and the dentist buttoning up thier clothing and his shirt is mysteriously untucked, so I laugh about it. I just don't like the thought of being that drugged, what if I didn't come out of it....ugh...stop thinking like that!! I did want to ride in the Clean Air ride, 120 miles round trip, which will be in early May, but due to my shoulder, I don't think I will be ready for it. I have never ridden that far as I really would need to train for it and I just can't tell if I would be ready for that, so I will aim for it next year.
It's snowing today, not nice big fluffy flakes but small, hard icy things. Doesn't look like it will accumulate much, but probably will make everything pretty slick. bleck. I am looking forward to summer.
I have been looking at a way to transport more bikes in the back of my truck without removing the wheels. I have a RecRac (www.recrac.com) right now, works great, but the bike spacer or add a bike whatever's are garbage. broke the 1st time we used them. My road bike is light enough to use just 1 of them but mountain bikes really need both of them. Even if I bought another pair, that's just 2 bikes. So I am looking at maybe getting my husband to build one like this PVC one, but I'm not sure how strong it would be or how secure. We go over some pretty rough terrain to get to where we ride, bikes sway around if not secured tightly. I also like this Sportworks Insta-gater but it is a bit pricey. Sportworks has been taken over by Thule.
I probably won't post again until after surgery, wish me luck!
It's snowing today, not nice big fluffy flakes but small, hard icy things. Doesn't look like it will accumulate much, but probably will make everything pretty slick. bleck. I am looking forward to summer.
I have been looking at a way to transport more bikes in the back of my truck without removing the wheels. I have a RecRac (www.recrac.com) right now, works great, but the bike spacer or add a bike whatever's are garbage. broke the 1st time we used them. My road bike is light enough to use just 1 of them but mountain bikes really need both of them. Even if I bought another pair, that's just 2 bikes. So I am looking at maybe getting my husband to build one like this PVC one, but I'm not sure how strong it would be or how secure. We go over some pretty rough terrain to get to where we ride, bikes sway around if not secured tightly. I also like this Sportworks Insta-gater but it is a bit pricey. Sportworks has been taken over by Thule.
I probably won't post again until after surgery, wish me luck!
Monday, February 20, 2006
Cranky
I am just cranky feeling deep inside. I hate that. I try to stay away from people when I feel like this because I just don't like the negative vibes I'm putting off and I'm sure no one else does. So on this sunny beautiful morning, which is too icy to ride except the boring flat route around my little town, I have been comtemplating why I'm feeling this way. Maybe if I get it out I will feel better.
It started Thursday afternoon. I was supposed to get off work at 3:30. I work a "flex" schedule which means I work extented hours during most days and every other week it works out to getting off at 3:30 on Thursdays and every other Friday off. My phone rang about 3:15, I answered it. It was a client, VERY drunk. He's homeless and has other issues besides being a drunk and homeless but generally friendly and young. A guy he was hanging/drinking with ripped off all of his food for the month, so he's looking at 12 days with no food. Only thing I can do is refer him to food banks, but they are streached pretty thin right now and there is a real possibility of turning him away because he's soo drunk. Then he tells me in graphic detail about how he is going to stick a knife in the throat of the guy who took his food. OK, so now we are on a different level of discussion. Then he starts going on about killing himself. Aww shit. He has a few ways of doing it, from walking out onto a busy road and getting splattered to the knife. I tell him I'm going to have him talk to a friend of mine, in reality the head of the office. I write a note that said exactly "client very drunk, talking about hurting other's and himself" flag down a co-working walking past my office to take to the supervisor. I'm thinking they will call the cops to pick him up until he sobers up, that way he will at least have a warm place and food for a day or so, or they would hospitalize him for 72 hrs in the psych ward to get him through this crisis. Anyway, I finally am able to switch his call to the supervisor after getting him to promise me he will not hang up and will talk with her. Then I try to breath again. I'm a calm person, can't remember the last time I outwardly became freaked (on the inside is a different story). I walk down past the supervisor's office and she's talking quite loudly and forcefully. I hung out until the call was finished and the supervisor came to me telling me she told him to call the local mental health agency, etc etc. Turns out she got the wrong information as it trickled down and she thought he was threatening to kill ME!!! Ohhh, not good. I hope he did. I would have called the cops at least for a welfare check but we have "procedures" to follow. The guy was desperate, needed help, reached out. Well, when it comes down to it, it's all out of my hands, I'm powerless.
Took my son to the orthopeadic dr on Friday. He is "loose-jointed" which is a genetic thing, like baby's and toddlers who are very flexible and then tighten up as they grow older. He is still "loose" which is causing the kneecap dislocation. The more it dislocates, the more things loosen up = bad! So he is in a full leg brace. the idea is to totally immobilize his leg for 1 month so things can basically atrophy and shrink up, like when someone becomes paralyzed the everything shrinks and draws in. So hockey is out. That really is a bummer, this is his 1st year, he really enjoys it and has been steadly improving. His team was to head up north to Fairbanks for the State Tournement and now he is out. AHHHHGGGGGG! I talked to the coach, they will still let him go and dress out and sit the bench. I asked the doctor if this could wait until after the tourny in mid-march, dr said no or there is chance of real damage which requires really nasty surgery and this type of surgery on a growning 14 yr old boy would really be bad and probably would need follow up surgeries as he grows. OK, got that message loud and clear. Besides, my son says he's not skating well because he is afraid of hurting his knee. It's pretty awful when it dislocates and the more it comes out, the easier it is to come out. My nephew commented that he's notices my son is holding back also.
So my son is a peg-leg and trying to get out of his chores - :). He tried to clean up his bike yesterday but got frustrated at not being able to crouch down so I took over. He was just smearing around the gunk anyway. He way over-lub'd everything so it was all really dirty and gunky. I got it almost shiny looking and gave a nice lub and grease job, as much as I know how to do anyway. I keep telling him that sometimes less is more but he really needed to basically strip it all and start over. Shifts way better now. I sure could use a work stand, I had the bike upside down, trying to shift it with my toes, balance it against my head (took the seat post out to drain any water that got in there) and other contortions. All of this in 5 degree windchill. BRRR! Sometimes I wish I could chuck the 9 to 5 and become a bike wrench!! I have BIG dreams!!!!!!! HA
Ok, I feel a little better. I'm done :)
It started Thursday afternoon. I was supposed to get off work at 3:30. I work a "flex" schedule which means I work extented hours during most days and every other week it works out to getting off at 3:30 on Thursdays and every other Friday off. My phone rang about 3:15, I answered it. It was a client, VERY drunk. He's homeless and has other issues besides being a drunk and homeless but generally friendly and young. A guy he was hanging/drinking with ripped off all of his food for the month, so he's looking at 12 days with no food. Only thing I can do is refer him to food banks, but they are streached pretty thin right now and there is a real possibility of turning him away because he's soo drunk. Then he tells me in graphic detail about how he is going to stick a knife in the throat of the guy who took his food. OK, so now we are on a different level of discussion. Then he starts going on about killing himself. Aww shit. He has a few ways of doing it, from walking out onto a busy road and getting splattered to the knife. I tell him I'm going to have him talk to a friend of mine, in reality the head of the office. I write a note that said exactly "client very drunk, talking about hurting other's and himself" flag down a co-working walking past my office to take to the supervisor. I'm thinking they will call the cops to pick him up until he sobers up, that way he will at least have a warm place and food for a day or so, or they would hospitalize him for 72 hrs in the psych ward to get him through this crisis. Anyway, I finally am able to switch his call to the supervisor after getting him to promise me he will not hang up and will talk with her. Then I try to breath again. I'm a calm person, can't remember the last time I outwardly became freaked (on the inside is a different story). I walk down past the supervisor's office and she's talking quite loudly and forcefully. I hung out until the call was finished and the supervisor came to me telling me she told him to call the local mental health agency, etc etc. Turns out she got the wrong information as it trickled down and she thought he was threatening to kill ME!!! Ohhh, not good. I hope he did. I would have called the cops at least for a welfare check but we have "procedures" to follow. The guy was desperate, needed help, reached out. Well, when it comes down to it, it's all out of my hands, I'm powerless.
Took my son to the orthopeadic dr on Friday. He is "loose-jointed" which is a genetic thing, like baby's and toddlers who are very flexible and then tighten up as they grow older. He is still "loose" which is causing the kneecap dislocation. The more it dislocates, the more things loosen up = bad! So he is in a full leg brace. the idea is to totally immobilize his leg for 1 month so things can basically atrophy and shrink up, like when someone becomes paralyzed the everything shrinks and draws in. So hockey is out. That really is a bummer, this is his 1st year, he really enjoys it and has been steadly improving. His team was to head up north to Fairbanks for the State Tournement and now he is out. AHHHHGGGGGG! I talked to the coach, they will still let him go and dress out and sit the bench. I asked the doctor if this could wait until after the tourny in mid-march, dr said no or there is chance of real damage which requires really nasty surgery and this type of surgery on a growning 14 yr old boy would really be bad and probably would need follow up surgeries as he grows. OK, got that message loud and clear. Besides, my son says he's not skating well because he is afraid of hurting his knee. It's pretty awful when it dislocates and the more it comes out, the easier it is to come out. My nephew commented that he's notices my son is holding back also.
So my son is a peg-leg and trying to get out of his chores - :). He tried to clean up his bike yesterday but got frustrated at not being able to crouch down so I took over. He was just smearing around the gunk anyway. He way over-lub'd everything so it was all really dirty and gunky. I got it almost shiny looking and gave a nice lub and grease job, as much as I know how to do anyway. I keep telling him that sometimes less is more but he really needed to basically strip it all and start over. Shifts way better now. I sure could use a work stand, I had the bike upside down, trying to shift it with my toes, balance it against my head (took the seat post out to drain any water that got in there) and other contortions. All of this in 5 degree windchill. BRRR! Sometimes I wish I could chuck the 9 to 5 and become a bike wrench!! I have BIG dreams!!!!!!! HA
Ok, I feel a little better. I'm done :)
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Winter or Summer - It's NEITHER!
It's about 37 degrees outside, which is just cruddy for riding trails at this time. I went to a local trail this morning, knowing it would be a bit icy, but it was almost unrideable. All the nicely goomed trails have turned into pure, wet, ice. No snow or ice except where the trails were packed down. It may just be rider error, but I could NOT make it up any hills because it is just glare wet ice. This trail goes down a ways, I had to take the easy trail and turn around when I finally came to a steep hill that I just couldn't get up. Rear tire just spun, no matter how much of my weight I put back there. finally had to go back the way I came. Hit some snowy area I thought would be a little better but it was too soft, front wheel didn't want to roll. Frustrating. I really want to put my new bike to the test, but conditions just aren't allowing it right now. I can tell, however, that the decreased weight, suspension and fit to me is going to make a HUGE difference in my riding. I just didn't know what I was missing. I'm not looking forward to missing 2 months of real riding while recovering from shoulder surgery (which has been moved up to 2/28). Sigh...I wish it would just warm up and get winter over with, or come back and then be going by the time I'm ready to ride again.
I'm bummed, cycling between sad and mad. **** will NOT ride with me, DOESN'T understand the new bike when I have other bikes(road and hardtail), doesn't want to hear that my frickin body HURTS with MS and arthritis/lupus and a softer, lighter ride will help keep me going further and longer. I'm 38 years old and sometimes move like I'm 80. My reality is not pretty and I don't want to it as an excuse but there is truth in it. But the good thing about riding is it is an independent sport-I will not stop. I want soo badly to be strong and healthy, biking is part of it. Some of the things he says, I just don't know where they come from...Enough bitching - sorry.
Got a waterbottle holder put on my Juliana today. I tried the camelback but don't really like the extra weight on my back. I've learned how to keep water from freezing pretty well and my shell has a inner pocket for a waterbottle but its not really comfortable.
Good luck to all the Susitna 50/100 milers today. It's so warm/soft and icey out, hope they do well. www.Susitna100.com
My drink of the day will be tequila shots
I'm bummed, cycling between sad and mad. **** will NOT ride with me, DOESN'T understand the new bike when I have other bikes(road and hardtail), doesn't want to hear that my frickin body HURTS with MS and arthritis/lupus and a softer, lighter ride will help keep me going further and longer. I'm 38 years old and sometimes move like I'm 80. My reality is not pretty and I don't want to it as an excuse but there is truth in it. But the good thing about riding is it is an independent sport-I will not stop. I want soo badly to be strong and healthy, biking is part of it. Some of the things he says, I just don't know where they come from...Enough bitching - sorry.
Got a waterbottle holder put on my Juliana today. I tried the camelback but don't really like the extra weight on my back. I've learned how to keep water from freezing pretty well and my shell has a inner pocket for a waterbottle but its not really comfortable.
Good luck to all the Susitna 50/100 milers today. It's so warm/soft and icey out, hope they do well. www.Susitna100.com
My drink of the day will be tequila shots
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
JULIANA IS HERE!
My baby, my new Santa Cruz Juliana is here! Bike guy was waiting for large frame but Santa Cruz is having some problems so large frame never showed. I am right in the middle of a large and medium, the medium have better reach for me but I have to have the seatpost up almost to max extention - long legs. Bike guy was going back and forth because he would have to build up the bars so there wouldn't be too much of a downward slope from the seat to the bars. With the problems getting the large, we just went ahead with the medium. Bike guy though I might think the cockpit feels too small but it's just right as far as I can tell so far. He said he would let me exchange the frame to a large if it didn't work out, at no additional cost, as long as there wasn't any damage to it. Pretty cool guy, that bike guy.
I took it for a test ride, oh my, does that bike feel good....ahhh. I got a little over confident, I'm used to my studded tires but was going pretty good with the Hutchinson Pythons that he put on until I tried climbing a SMALL hill and the bike slid out from under me. I landed on my butt but the bike is sooo light and there is soo much clearance that I was able to keep it from hitting the ground! I had him put my Nokian studded tires on. He "tsk, tsk's" me, adds weight you know, but keeps me off the ground!!
The suspension is REALLY nice. I just had no idea, never been on a full suspension before.
Here are the specs:
Shimano XT drivetrain
Shimano XL hydo disk brakes
carbon fiber seat post and bars
hand built Mavic wheels with Shimano XT hubs
Hutchinson Python tires, not currently on it, have my Nokian studded on it
Ugly heavy platform pedals on it currently, Bike guy is loaning them to me until better weather, then I will go clipless - maybe!
The bike is prettier with the Hutchinson tires and the shiny pedals he had on it before, it will be that way again when the ice is gone. I am a HAPPY GIRL! Happy Valentine's to ME!
I took it for a test ride, oh my, does that bike feel good....ahhh. I got a little over confident, I'm used to my studded tires but was going pretty good with the Hutchinson Pythons that he put on until I tried climbing a SMALL hill and the bike slid out from under me. I landed on my butt but the bike is sooo light and there is soo much clearance that I was able to keep it from hitting the ground! I had him put my Nokian studded tires on. He "tsk, tsk's" me, adds weight you know, but keeps me off the ground!!
The suspension is REALLY nice. I just had no idea, never been on a full suspension before.
Here are the specs:
Shimano XT drivetrain
Shimano XL hydo disk brakes
carbon fiber seat post and bars
hand built Mavic wheels with Shimano XT hubs
Hutchinson Python tires, not currently on it, have my Nokian studded on it
Ugly heavy platform pedals on it currently, Bike guy is loaning them to me until better weather, then I will go clipless - maybe!
The bike is prettier with the Hutchinson tires and the shiny pedals he had on it before, it will be that way again when the ice is gone. I am a HAPPY GIRL! Happy Valentine's to ME!
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Sunday, February 05, 2006
The End
Surfing the net today, found that Lance Armstrong and Cheryl Crow have split up. Hmmm.
I totally respect Lance's cycling skills but always have been just so/so in my opinion of him. I never really knew much about him but started reading articles in Runner's World which were written by Kristin (?) Armstrong, his ex-wife and mother of his kids. Her 1st column talked about her carrying around her "bags of sadness" and how running became a positive way of handling it. It was a very real article, there also was no Lance bashing in it. It was an article written by a women who loved her husband. I always have secretly wished they would get back together. Of course I have no idea about the reality of their lives, maybe they are better apart and the kids also. Only they know.
I totally respect Lance's cycling skills but always have been just so/so in my opinion of him. I never really knew much about him but started reading articles in Runner's World which were written by Kristin (?) Armstrong, his ex-wife and mother of his kids. Her 1st column talked about her carrying around her "bags of sadness" and how running became a positive way of handling it. It was a very real article, there also was no Lance bashing in it. It was an article written by a women who loved her husband. I always have secretly wished they would get back together. Of course I have no idea about the reality of their lives, maybe they are better apart and the kids also. Only they know.
Saturday, February 04, 2006
No, I'm not drunk!
Shoulder surgery scheduled for 03/02/06. I will not be able to ride for awhile, so I went to the bike shop and bought a Cyclops fluid trainer. As I was looking around the shop, I ran into a rack of waterbottle holders and whatnots. Bike Guy says "Are you drunk or something??" Ok, I'm not the MOST graceful person but not exactly stumbling round like a drunk. He's just giving me a hard time. I blow it off. The truth of it is MS, which pisses me off. It's this dark shadow that comes up and smacks me sometimes. Sometimes hard, sometimes just little reminders like yesterday, when my balance and coordination are just a bit off. I was tempted to tell Bike Guy the truth, but based on past experience, found that most people feel pretty bad after making a comment like that then finding out the real problem.
Anyway, I'm sort of regretting spending the money on the trainer, it's pretty expensive. We are also still waiting for the large Santa Cruz Juliana frame. Bike Guy really wants to make sure which frame size I need, either medium or large. He is thinking I will need the large. He actually said I'm on the tall side for a girl. I never thought I was tall, just average at 5'6". I wouldn't mind being an inch or 2 taller.
I couldn't get yesterdays pictures to load, even after 3 tries, so I will try it in this post. It's still cold here, about 10 below zero F.
Anyway, I'm sort of regretting spending the money on the trainer, it's pretty expensive. We are also still waiting for the large Santa Cruz Juliana frame. Bike Guy really wants to make sure which frame size I need, either medium or large. He is thinking I will need the large. He actually said I'm on the tall side for a girl. I never thought I was tall, just average at 5'6". I wouldn't mind being an inch or 2 taller.
I couldn't get yesterdays pictures to load, even after 3 tries, so I will try it in this post. It's still cold here, about 10 below zero F.
Friday, February 03, 2006
Wishing for Summer/ Drink of the day: Vodka Gimlet
Finally have a day off work-Woohoo! I was sleeping in this morning when the phone rang. Just 1 time, then nothing. Enough to wake me up, then I couldn't get back to sleep so I drug myself out of bed. So the phone rings again about an hour later, just 1 time...and again just now, just 1 time. This is getting old. Stop it!!
We have a phone number that is simular to a family out here who seems to have a pretty DRAMA filled life. You wouldn't believe some of the things they say when we pick up the phone. One of the ladies in this family has the same name as I do. I picked up the phone one day and someone was screaming "Michelle!! He's on his way to jail again!!! They took him away!!!!!!!!!" I'm going "What??? WHO????? OH MY GOD, WHATS GOING ON!!!!!!" The lady goes "YOU KNOW WHATS GOING ON, **** (the guy's name) IS ARRESTED FOR WHAT HE DID!!!!!" Then I had to tell the lady she had the wrong number! She didn't believe me at 1st, it was rather sad. Sortly after that, my husband picks up the phone and a teenage girl is screaming into it all sort of unmentionable things, appearently she got pregnant and the father is one of the guys in this family, who was denying he was the father. The girl would scream, hang up, call back, say stuff like you wouldn't believe, husband would tell her again she had the wrong #. This went on for about 5 calls before I answered the phone and told her to stop. Those are just little samples. I'm glad that is not my life. I've never met any of this family, but I know WAY too much about their personal lives..ugh.
Been lazy the last week, no riding. The temps have been too cold anyway. 20 below doesn't do it for me for riding. I was at the grocery store a few nights ago after work, saw a guy pull up on a Specialized bike with a SID fork. I have seen his bike around a few times and would have liked to chat with him, but couldn't find him after he went into the store, I was still parking. Went to the bike shop yesterday, still waiting for the large Juliana frame to come in. Bike guy is getting in all his new 2006 stock and bikes so he's pretty busy. I hate to bug him, he's a one-man show there, but he always tells me it's no problem. He will call Santa Cruz today for an update. I go there soo much if I wasn't buying a bike, bike guy would probably charge me admission, ha!! Ahh well, there's worse places to hang, not that I really hang out there, just like to "window shop".
I dont' think I've mentioned that we have cows. 2 of the females are expecting and we have 3 young bulls. I never have been around cows before, it's interesting to see their individual personalities. Some are a friendly as a dog and act like one, follow you around, lick you, etc. The oldest cow is a brat, she's a bully. I call her T-Bone every once in a while to remind her of what could happen....:) Here's a picture of one of our cows from this last summer, he has a rainbow behind her.
I have been looking at other pictures from this summer, sigh. Makes me long to see green again. Hope you enjoy looking at them. The eagle was taken at our cabin in the wilderness. That's my dog, he's a smiler. Sort of scares people until we tell them that he is SMILING. That's me on the back deck of our wilderness cabin. We snowmachine (or snowMOBILE) for you non-Alaskans, to the cabin in the winter, have to hire a float or "bush" plane to get there in the summer.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------DRINK OF THE DAY: VODKA GIMLET
This is one of my favorite drinks. My dad would drink them when I was little and he would give me just the tiniest sip. I rediscovered them as an adult while dining at the Club Paris in Anchorage - really good food there, make reservations well in advance to get a table.
2 parts quality Vodka (Grey Goose is my favorite)
1 part Rose's Lime juice cordial
1 tsp sugar syrup (3 parts warm water to 1 part sugar, disovle sugar, let cool before using)
Place 3 ice cubes in cocktail shaker, add vodka, Rose's and sugar syrup. Shake well and strain into your favorite cocktail glass.
Can also be used with Gin instead of Vodka. Potent so be careful, Enjoy!!
We have a phone number that is simular to a family out here who seems to have a pretty DRAMA filled life. You wouldn't believe some of the things they say when we pick up the phone. One of the ladies in this family has the same name as I do. I picked up the phone one day and someone was screaming "Michelle!! He's on his way to jail again!!! They took him away!!!!!!!!!" I'm going "What??? WHO????? OH MY GOD, WHATS GOING ON!!!!!!" The lady goes "YOU KNOW WHATS GOING ON, **** (the guy's name) IS ARRESTED FOR WHAT HE DID!!!!!" Then I had to tell the lady she had the wrong number! She didn't believe me at 1st, it was rather sad. Sortly after that, my husband picks up the phone and a teenage girl is screaming into it all sort of unmentionable things, appearently she got pregnant and the father is one of the guys in this family, who was denying he was the father. The girl would scream, hang up, call back, say stuff like you wouldn't believe, husband would tell her again she had the wrong #. This went on for about 5 calls before I answered the phone and told her to stop. Those are just little samples. I'm glad that is not my life. I've never met any of this family, but I know WAY too much about their personal lives..ugh.
Been lazy the last week, no riding. The temps have been too cold anyway. 20 below doesn't do it for me for riding. I was at the grocery store a few nights ago after work, saw a guy pull up on a Specialized bike with a SID fork. I have seen his bike around a few times and would have liked to chat with him, but couldn't find him after he went into the store, I was still parking. Went to the bike shop yesterday, still waiting for the large Juliana frame to come in. Bike guy is getting in all his new 2006 stock and bikes so he's pretty busy. I hate to bug him, he's a one-man show there, but he always tells me it's no problem. He will call Santa Cruz today for an update. I go there soo much if I wasn't buying a bike, bike guy would probably charge me admission, ha!! Ahh well, there's worse places to hang, not that I really hang out there, just like to "window shop".
I dont' think I've mentioned that we have cows. 2 of the females are expecting and we have 3 young bulls. I never have been around cows before, it's interesting to see their individual personalities. Some are a friendly as a dog and act like one, follow you around, lick you, etc. The oldest cow is a brat, she's a bully. I call her T-Bone every once in a while to remind her of what could happen....:) Here's a picture of one of our cows from this last summer, he has a rainbow behind her.
I have been looking at other pictures from this summer, sigh. Makes me long to see green again. Hope you enjoy looking at them. The eagle was taken at our cabin in the wilderness. That's my dog, he's a smiler. Sort of scares people until we tell them that he is SMILING. That's me on the back deck of our wilderness cabin. We snowmachine (or snowMOBILE) for you non-Alaskans, to the cabin in the winter, have to hire a float or "bush" plane to get there in the summer.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------DRINK OF THE DAY: VODKA GIMLET
This is one of my favorite drinks. My dad would drink them when I was little and he would give me just the tiniest sip. I rediscovered them as an adult while dining at the Club Paris in Anchorage - really good food there, make reservations well in advance to get a table.
2 parts quality Vodka (Grey Goose is my favorite)
1 part Rose's Lime juice cordial
1 tsp sugar syrup (3 parts warm water to 1 part sugar, disovle sugar, let cool before using)
Place 3 ice cubes in cocktail shaker, add vodka, Rose's and sugar syrup. Shake well and strain into your favorite cocktail glass.
Can also be used with Gin instead of Vodka. Potent so be careful, Enjoy!!
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Drink of the Day - Duck Fart!!
This is a layered shot drink, so you need a shot glass. Its a good cold weather drink, warms you up quickly! This is a drink unique to Alaska, check out the story at this link
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/7321378p-7233339c.html
Fill shot glass 1/3rd full of Kahlua
Next, use a spoon, touch it to the inside edge of the glass and carefully poor Baileys or other Irish Cream on top of the Kahlua
using the same technique, top with Crown Royal
you should now have 3 nice layers in the shot glass
now drink in one gulp - Another sweet drink but a good one!!
IF YOU HAVE A FAVORITE DRINK, PLEASE PUT SHARE IT IN THE COMMENTS!! I might try your drink and give you a review here on my blog!!
http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/7321378p-7233339c.html
Fill shot glass 1/3rd full of Kahlua
Next, use a spoon, touch it to the inside edge of the glass and carefully poor Baileys or other Irish Cream on top of the Kahlua
using the same technique, top with Crown Royal
you should now have 3 nice layers in the shot glass
now drink in one gulp - Another sweet drink but a good one!!
IF YOU HAVE A FAVORITE DRINK, PLEASE PUT SHARE IT IN THE COMMENTS!! I might try your drink and give you a review here on my blog!!
I'm a WINNER!!!!!!!!!!!
I'M A WINNER!!! I was the 1st person to guess what an 80 tooth chain ring was used for. VELOTRON trainer. It was a tough one, could not have done it without the hints. Im a contest freak, I once went amost 2 years without ever buying coffee because I kept winning this radio coffee contest. The only reason I don't win now is my work hours changed so I can't play anymore! My 1st guess was a custom built bike for basketball player Yao Ming. At 7'6", you think a bigger chainring would be needed but I guess he would actually only need longer cranks. check out http://www.cyclelicio.us/ THANKS Richard!!
I had a GREAT dream last night. Still makes me smile. If only dreams could be reality...
It's COLD outside, been around 24 below 0 F. Too cold to be outside for long. Just last week it was 33 degrees warmer at 9 above.
I've started running and working out again. I am starting all over basically since it has been soo long. I have lost all my endurance and a lot of strength. I'm starting out running 2 min/walking 2 min for total of 30 minutes. I want to faster this year so I've also increased the speed a bit. Got to teach my legs to move faster. I don't think I will be doing as many 5k races this summer. I think my shoulder is going to put me out of commission for any harder training and I also will probably be on one of my bikes more. I really enjoy my road bike, I like just getting on and going FAST (fast is a subjective topic, fast to me may not be fast to you but we are talking about ME at the moment!) Also, I really have never ridden with anyone so I don't have anything to compare myself with. Back to the subject. I like getting on my road bike and just riding at a good steady pace and long. I pick a bike path that doesn't have too many driveways or roads to cross over so I can just ride and not stop to look for traffic. This means I have to go to a different town to ride. No places like that here in my little town. It also means I head into a weird part of the area, strange people. I always let someone know where I'm riding and carry my cell phone, but it's still sort of creepy sometimes. Last time I rode through this area, there was a guy walking in the woods along the path with a big black sweatjacket and big hood pulled over his head. I went past him as fast as I could. Then I started hearing gunshots. Don't know if it was this person or from somewhere else in the woods but it just is not normal.
I had a GREAT dream last night. Still makes me smile. If only dreams could be reality...
It's COLD outside, been around 24 below 0 F. Too cold to be outside for long. Just last week it was 33 degrees warmer at 9 above.
I've started running and working out again. I am starting all over basically since it has been soo long. I have lost all my endurance and a lot of strength. I'm starting out running 2 min/walking 2 min for total of 30 minutes. I want to faster this year so I've also increased the speed a bit. Got to teach my legs to move faster. I don't think I will be doing as many 5k races this summer. I think my shoulder is going to put me out of commission for any harder training and I also will probably be on one of my bikes more. I really enjoy my road bike, I like just getting on and going FAST (fast is a subjective topic, fast to me may not be fast to you but we are talking about ME at the moment!) Also, I really have never ridden with anyone so I don't have anything to compare myself with. Back to the subject. I like getting on my road bike and just riding at a good steady pace and long. I pick a bike path that doesn't have too many driveways or roads to cross over so I can just ride and not stop to look for traffic. This means I have to go to a different town to ride. No places like that here in my little town. It also means I head into a weird part of the area, strange people. I always let someone know where I'm riding and carry my cell phone, but it's still sort of creepy sometimes. Last time I rode through this area, there was a guy walking in the woods along the path with a big black sweatjacket and big hood pulled over his head. I went past him as fast as I could. Then I started hearing gunshots. Don't know if it was this person or from somewhere else in the woods but it just is not normal.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Wining
Kicking back with a glass of Merlot, don't feel like whippin up a cocktail tonight.
Damn shoulder hurts more than it did before seeing the Dr. Maybe it is from him having me lay on my back, him pushing down hard on the top of my shoulder while pulling up on my elbow. As weird as it sounds, it actually felt better in that position but I'm paying for it now.
-5 degrees today, too dark to ride by the time I got home, too dangerous also because the people who live down the road just WILL NOT STOP at the STOP SIGN, blast through it at 40 miles per hr. Makes me mad........I otta SMACK them.
Here's a pic of my ride yesterday. Was looking over summer pics, warm weather will be nice but I'm not REALLY complaining...
Sunday, January 22, 2006
AIR HOLES
Had a good ride today. Temp was about 5 degrees F. Had some fresh snow that was hard to ride in so I went on the road. Bought a new shell at REI - Switchback. Waterproof, Windproof, breathable, pit zips, and on sale. Got it for $120 off reg price, woohoo! Just the shell, already have stuff to wear under it. So this is what I wore today:
Switchback shell
Sporthill soft shell
Mountain Hardwear long sleeve top
long sleeve tech top
Sporthill XC pants
generic longjohn type base
cycling short
heavy generic wool socks
hiking boots
balaclava, helmet, Novara windproof cycling gloves.
CliMitts (also knows as pogies, Moose Mitts) are what really kept my hand perfectly warm.
Got my bike light mounted and it's great. Even in daylight, people in cars just don't seem to "see" someone on a bike so every little bit helps.
Have to go back to work tomorrow, darn.
Waiting everyday for a call from Bike Guy to measure which frame will be for me, the medium or the large. The bike should be ready by end of February at the latest, which is when my shoulder surgery is. I hope to have it before the surgery so I wall get the chance to ride it a few times.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DRINK OF THE DAY: APPLETINI
This isn't the best recipe for Appletini, I'm still trying to find a better one
1 part quality Vodka
1 part sour apple scnapps
I'm not so sure I like the sour apple. I may experiment with triple sec or sugar syrup.
Switchback shell
Sporthill soft shell
Mountain Hardwear long sleeve top
long sleeve tech top
Sporthill XC pants
generic longjohn type base
cycling short
heavy generic wool socks
hiking boots
balaclava, helmet, Novara windproof cycling gloves.
CliMitts (also knows as pogies, Moose Mitts) are what really kept my hand perfectly warm.
Got my bike light mounted and it's great. Even in daylight, people in cars just don't seem to "see" someone on a bike so every little bit helps.
Have to go back to work tomorrow, darn.
Waiting everyday for a call from Bike Guy to measure which frame will be for me, the medium or the large. The bike should be ready by end of February at the latest, which is when my shoulder surgery is. I hope to have it before the surgery so I wall get the chance to ride it a few times.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DRINK OF THE DAY: APPLETINI
This isn't the best recipe for Appletini, I'm still trying to find a better one
1 part quality Vodka
1 part sour apple scnapps
I'm not so sure I like the sour apple. I may experiment with triple sec or sugar syrup.
Friday, January 20, 2006
Juliana
Chain Driven
Here is a picture of a Juliana. I think the color is correct, not sure. I will post picture of MY BIKE when it's done being built
Blown Shoulder
Had appointment with an orthopedic surgeon today, I have blown shoulder from a fall about 15 years ago. He was a bit suprised the way it pops and snaps. Alway have pain from it but is tolerable with Advil. The problem is after this many years, the damage is progressing, now my collar bone snaps and pops, like cracking knuckles and years of Advil isn't heathy. So time to schedule surgery to shave down the bones so they stop rubbing and to give the rotar cuff time to heal and strengthen the muscles that haven't been used correctly for over a decade. Dr says I should be able to return to light duty work after about 2 weeks, then 6 weeks before any real activity.
I'm a little bummed about that because my Juliana will be ready to ride in that time and I won't be able to use her until I'm healed. Ahh well, just motivation to get better faster I guess.
Was planning to ride today but too tired, too much drama last night that I DON'T need or WANT in my life. A boring, drama free life is a GOOD LIFE.
I'm a little bummed about that because my Juliana will be ready to ride in that time and I won't be able to use her until I'm healed. Ahh well, just motivation to get better faster I guess.
Was planning to ride today but too tired, too much drama last night that I DON'T need or WANT in my life. A boring, drama free life is a GOOD LIFE.
Monday, January 16, 2006
Components
Decided to add pictures today. Here's a pic of me getting ready for a ride and also what it looks like outside today!
My Juliana is in the process of being painted!!! Bike Guy says it should be here in a few weeks. Time to think about components. Hydraulic or mechanical brakes - of course BG (Bike Guy) recommends hydro. I tell him let me research it a bit. He's right, of course. I don't know why I tend to question his judgement, here I am, not even riding for 1 year yet and he's a former world record holder, professional rider and wrench. Who knows more??? I should just bow to him... but his 14 yr old sidekick would laugh at me of course, which is ok because I laugh back at him when he wipes out or breaks a tire lever. Sidekick is a good kid, I like him.
I think I will also go for the intergrated shifter/brakes. It feels a bit weird but BG says I will learn quickly and it will also get me ready for my NEW road bike, which I will need when I GROW UP and turn into a real roadie and leave the "hybrid" roadie behind.
My son has decided he wants a road bike now. I encourage him in this as much as I can because it's a GREAT way to burn off his energy and occupies his time so hopefully he will stay away from all the crap teenagers face today. His dad, however, is semi-supportive (we's divorced and he's only a semi-dad, par for the course) says he will only allow it if our son's grades improve. I'm totally with that but we would have to wait until the end of the school year (june) for final grades before he could get the bike and then however long it take after that to get it built, which I don't think would really be more than a couple of days. My son is an "in the moment" kid, stringing things out for 5 months does nothing for him. It's basically a NO to him. Can't seem to explain it all to him. It's not a NO, just a get your act together and then you will get it. It doesn't help that this "dad" told my son to just "get your GED and join the military". Who says something like that??? My son's grades went into the toilet after that, now the same guy is demanding he gets his grades up or no bike???? Sigh
I should get out and ride today, it's a beautiful day and we FINALLY got some snow!!
Everything is frosty, we had dense fog that froze, it's all ice crystals.
I found this on http://alaskabikeblog.blogspot.com/ bycicles and icicles bog and like it.
“Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think
it has done more to emancipate women
than anything else in the world.
I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman
ride by on a wheel. It gives woman a feeling of freedom
and self-reliance. It makes her feel as if
she were independent. The moment she takes
her seat she knows she can’t get into harm
unless she gets off her bicycle, and away
she goes, the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood.”
—Susan B. Anthony, interviewed by Nellie Bly
New York World, February 2, 1896
If Susan was alive today, I bet she'd be a damn tough mountain biker chick!
DRINK OF THE DAY: SLOW AND COMFORTABLE SCREW
Should have heard the comments I got from the locals at the bar in Whitter Alaska, a SMALL town, when I ordered this drink. I have a girlfriend who loves this drink but will NOT order it for herself, she always makes me order it for her
1 part Southern Comfort
3 parts Orange Juice
top with 1 part Sloe Gin
Serve on the rocks. Sweet drink, adjust portions to your liking.
town in Alaska
Friday, January 13, 2006
Chain Driven
Chain Driven
St. Augustine is blowing up today (volcano). No ash expected here, wind blowing it a different direction.
Bought a bike light today :)
May sell my road bike to a friend. Bike Guy says he will give me a loaner bike until my friend pays me off and I can get another one. He really is a nice guy.
Alone this week. Have been sick, am starting to feel better. I may go for a run/ride tomorrow. It's COLD outside, I will use my pogies for sure.
Going to make myself a Lemon Drop cocktail tonight, yep, I'm drinking alone....Hmmm. Just one.
Heres the recipe for Lemon Drop:
Lemon Drop
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ingredients
2 oz. Vodka
1 oz. Triple Sec
fill Lemon Juice
Directions:
Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Sugar Rim is optional, garnish with lemon twist.
Drink Type: Cocktail
Glass Type: Cocktail Glass
Enjoy!!!
St. Augustine is blowing up today (volcano). No ash expected here, wind blowing it a different direction.
Bought a bike light today :)
May sell my road bike to a friend. Bike Guy says he will give me a loaner bike until my friend pays me off and I can get another one. He really is a nice guy.
Alone this week. Have been sick, am starting to feel better. I may go for a run/ride tomorrow. It's COLD outside, I will use my pogies for sure.
Going to make myself a Lemon Drop cocktail tonight, yep, I'm drinking alone....Hmmm. Just one.
Heres the recipe for Lemon Drop:
Lemon Drop
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ingredients
2 oz. Vodka
1 oz. Triple Sec
fill Lemon Juice
Directions:
Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Sugar Rim is optional, garnish with lemon twist.
Drink Type: Cocktail
Glass Type: Cocktail Glass
Enjoy!!!
Friday, January 06, 2006
Changed my title
This used to be Running from the Monster, and was started to vent about Multiple sclerosis: MS is a monster that follows me around. Sometimes it's a silent stalker, lurking in the background, sometimes it growls and sometimes it catches up to me and smacks me in the face. I'm tired of that and just want it to be fun, happy or anything else except that. I want it to be about good friends, good drinks, good music, good life. Dr. said my last 3 blood tests are indicating lupus also. NO way! NO,NO,NO. It's just too much sometimes and I just want to purge it from my life. If I ignore it, will it go away??
Where's my bike? I'm going for a ride........
Where's my bike? I'm going for a ride........
Priorities
Merry Christmas and New Year! New bike on order, custom built Santa Cruz Juliana, don't want to mention the $ it will cost by the time it's all done. It will have the Magic Touch, makes everything feel good....MMM. Full suspension...I want that bike to take me to only imagined places. My family thinks I'm crazy. My mom is threatening an intervention, like they do with drug addicts. Hey, just think of it as a big, giant Prozac pill!!
Went riding at Hatcher's Pass on the ski trails, got stopped by a lot of people (actually only guys talked to me about my bike - am I a freak? A girl who wants to ride the mountains all year round??) Nokian studded tires, disk brakes, etc. It was HARD going up the slopes, but coming down was great! The trails were groomed and packed, so riding was pretty easy, no real soft spots. Beautiful day, fresh air, snow, nothing better except it would have been nice to have a riding buddy. Just can't find anyone in my world who will do it with me except a couple of 14 year old boys. I suspect they ride with me because I'm the only one who will TAKE them riding! As soon as they get their driver's licenses, I'm doomed, HA! I AM a freak, aren't I?
Just got a call from my DR. I had an MRI on my shoulder a few weeks ago, I almost FREAKED out in that stupid machine, not because of claustrophobia, but because I get vertigo and couldn't tell if I was laying flat or tipping over backwards. This is a side effect of the ear surgeries I had a few years ago and a head cold. ANYWAY, turns out I have an inpengment of the blakdufgourta eorhho thoweir or in English, partial tear of the tendon and boney impengment of the nerve. So I think this is basically a rotor cuff tear and start of bone spur?? Being referred to an orthopedic dr. for further evaluation. I have had this injury for 16 years now. So guess what the 1st thing I think of is?? If I have surgery, how long will it be before I can RIDE or RUN???
Priorities - I KNOW what is important and what's not!
Went riding at Hatcher's Pass on the ski trails, got stopped by a lot of people (actually only guys talked to me about my bike - am I a freak? A girl who wants to ride the mountains all year round??) Nokian studded tires, disk brakes, etc. It was HARD going up the slopes, but coming down was great! The trails were groomed and packed, so riding was pretty easy, no real soft spots. Beautiful day, fresh air, snow, nothing better except it would have been nice to have a riding buddy. Just can't find anyone in my world who will do it with me except a couple of 14 year old boys. I suspect they ride with me because I'm the only one who will TAKE them riding! As soon as they get their driver's licenses, I'm doomed, HA! I AM a freak, aren't I?
Just got a call from my DR. I had an MRI on my shoulder a few weeks ago, I almost FREAKED out in that stupid machine, not because of claustrophobia, but because I get vertigo and couldn't tell if I was laying flat or tipping over backwards. This is a side effect of the ear surgeries I had a few years ago and a head cold. ANYWAY, turns out I have an inpengment of the blakdufgourta eorhho thoweir or in English, partial tear of the tendon and boney impengment of the nerve. So I think this is basically a rotor cuff tear and start of bone spur?? Being referred to an orthopedic dr. for further evaluation. I have had this injury for 16 years now. So guess what the 1st thing I think of is?? If I have surgery, how long will it be before I can RIDE or RUN???
Priorities - I KNOW what is important and what's not!
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