Today I called my little sister (dare I mention I did that while at work) and was discussing the outcome of the court case with her. We were discussing forgiveness...not necessarily being like "hey it's all okay, we're cool...no big deal" but rather forgiveness from the point of view that there isn't a rage left inside of us that we are able to move on with our lives and not think about it daily...
She said I need to get to the point of forgiving him because it's what God expects...I replied that I am aware that forgiveness is necessary...yet, I can't seem to wrap that around myself....
she went on to say that if I were to die on my way home from work (nice huh?) that she doesn't think I'd be held accountable for not getting to the point of forgiveness yet, especially since I've spent a great deal of time stressing about this and praying about it, but rather that it's understandable to be angry and to need time to get to forgiving.
Since when did my baby sister get a) religious and 2) good at giving advice? lol!
It was what I needed to hear...made me feel a little more at peace.
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I kept getting asked today if I was okay....apparently everyone thinks if I'm quiet that something must be wrong lol...I need to work on being quiet more often I guess! What can I say other than.....me and my big mouth :o)~
I've considered giving up speaking during lent but I'd probably totally screw that up!
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Tomorrow's forecast is calling for rain/snow...should be a fun ride into work! I'm hoping for an easy ride in and out. I have to teach the baptism class tomorrow night. Which is good...being involved at church makes me feel better about everything else...makes me feel closer even if I'm struggling with things. So, I think it's o.k. to pray for decent riding weather. I don't want all my books for class to get soaked.
I'm considering leaving work early tomorrow and heading down to the Catholic Book Store to pick up something...not sure what...but I'll know when I see it. Whenever I'm struggling I go spend money LOL! Usually on my bike or on books....bad habit? Maybe...but I always feel much better afterwards...and that's what it's all about heehee!
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Is anyone else as painfully aware as I am today of how close it is to Christmas and yet I have no shopping accomplished...or not enough to make it worth discussing? Oh man, it's gonna be a bad scene if I don't get in gear on this one!!!
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All right everyone, thanks for stopping by, thanks for reading and please leave comments.
Happy and Safe Riding my friends!
A blog about my exploits on my bike, my adventures with my camera, my life of rock and roll concerts, my 4 kids, and just about any other topic I think worth talking about.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Almost had a freak out this morning.
The other day my husband picked me up from work...my bike was loaded into the back of my pick up truck....today he took my truck to work...and as I was brushing my teeth the thought crossed my mind that he had driven off with my bike in the truck....and then the thought "How the heck am I getting to work today." The thought of walking the almost 5 miles really had my heart racing.
I called him on his cell phone and he apparently knew exactly why I'd be calling him because he answered the phone "Open the front door, it's right there."
WHEW!!! What luck!
Thanking God and Bob this morning!!!
32 degrees today....looking for a high of 35 degrees...I guess it might be a little chilly this morning. Throwing an extra layer on between the biking shorts and the sweatpants this morning.
Happy and Safe Riding Folks!!!
I called him on his cell phone and he apparently knew exactly why I'd be calling him because he answered the phone "Open the front door, it's right there."
WHEW!!! What luck!
Thanking God and Bob this morning!!!
32 degrees today....looking for a high of 35 degrees...I guess it might be a little chilly this morning. Throwing an extra layer on between the biking shorts and the sweatpants this morning.
Happy and Safe Riding Folks!!!
Monday, November 26, 2007
GUILTY!!!!
Today he plead guilty!
It means the end of the monthly and bimonthly courthouse appearances. However, it means the beginning of the healing process for the people involved.
Personally, I hope his life is pure hell from this moment on.
He will be a lifetime registrant on the Sex Offender Registry, that's aside from all the other terms of his plea! This means someone else might be able to keep their child from being hurt!
It means the end of the monthly and bimonthly courthouse appearances. However, it means the beginning of the healing process for the people involved.
Personally, I hope his life is pure hell from this moment on.
He will be a lifetime registrant on the Sex Offender Registry, that's aside from all the other terms of his plea! This means someone else might be able to keep their child from being hurt!
Yet another court date....
Today we go to court again. Please keep your fingers crossed or say a little prayer that he takes the plea so that we can move on as best we can. Moving on isn't really possible until 'justice' is served...I say it like that because anyone who hurts one of my children or any child for that matter really isn't worth the air that they breathe! He's done this to at least 3 people now, and I can't help but think I should have caught on to it before it ever happened to my baby! Freakin Bastard! I hope he takes the plea today...which doesn't include jail time unfortunately!
I'm mad at him, I'm mad at my sister in law who could have prevented it, I'm mad at my mother in law who had the nerve to call me at work and tell me that I should still let him see my boys! I'm just all around mad...mad doesn't really describe it...inside I'm raging and wish I could take out that rage on him...but I know better, I know that I have to let our judicial system do the punishing...unfortunately it's not much of a punishment. One confession on our answering machine and one video taped by the police and he doesn't have to go to jail...He's a piece of crap!
I pray about this alot because I just can't quite seem to find forgiveness in my heart. I can forgive someone who hurts me, but hurting my children is not an option and it's not forgivable. He wanted to buy us off..."what do you want from me?" he asked....I want you to go kill yourself like you said you wanted to do in your confession on my answering machine...how's that for an answer?
Okay I'm off...gotta take the kids to school then head out.
Safe and Happy riding my friends!
I'm mad at him, I'm mad at my sister in law who could have prevented it, I'm mad at my mother in law who had the nerve to call me at work and tell me that I should still let him see my boys! I'm just all around mad...mad doesn't really describe it...inside I'm raging and wish I could take out that rage on him...but I know better, I know that I have to let our judicial system do the punishing...unfortunately it's not much of a punishment. One confession on our answering machine and one video taped by the police and he doesn't have to go to jail...He's a piece of crap!
I pray about this alot because I just can't quite seem to find forgiveness in my heart. I can forgive someone who hurts me, but hurting my children is not an option and it's not forgivable. He wanted to buy us off..."what do you want from me?" he asked....I want you to go kill yourself like you said you wanted to do in your confession on my answering machine...how's that for an answer?
Okay I'm off...gotta take the kids to school then head out.
Safe and Happy riding my friends!
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Lovely Day
This morning I got up early and headed into work. Have I ever mentioned that I really don't like working on Sunday's? It seems totally against everything from when I was growing up. Sunday was a day to go to church and then spend with your family. However, life isn't always ideal...so I went to work. I drove today because I knew I had to stop at the store to pick up a bunch of stuff for the taco dinner I was making tonight.
I was the weekend manager today and came in to find that someone had called off from the kitchen...so I helped them serve the resident's their breakfast and their lunch. While doing this I found out that the other weekend managers do not do this. Let me say two things about that...
1. as a manager it is our job to make sure things go smoothly...carrying out a plate of food for a resident is not brain surgery and every single manager is capable of doing this...so I find it really sad that they don't.
2. If I ever again hear a manager claim to "help" out the short staffed kitchen I'm going to ask exactly how it is that they helped out because pouring coffee and tea is really not helping out...the C.N.A.'s are supposed to do that if the kitchen is short staffed anyway....so that's not taking a load off the kitchen...and I'm going to point that out..this especially brings to mind a certain manager who always claims that she helps out the kitchen....the head cook and the head waiter said she's never even come in to see if they were okay or not.
Moving on...I heard from our old buddy Scott today who we haven't really seen for over a year because he is in the military and has been gone. Anyway he came over to eat tacos with us tonight. That was a nice and unexpected visit. I've missed him a lot...we've been friends with him for 20 years now....OKAY....THAT MAKES ME FEEL OLD! YIKES!
Anyway, that's about it...not too much happening!
Safe and Happy riding folks...I'm off work tomorrow so probably won't ride because I have to be at the church at 9 a.m. for a class and then will be heading to court to see if this lousy bastard will plead guilty and take his punishment instead of dragging this on longer --- although I have a feeling that he will do exactly the opposite and not take the plea bargain that was offered instead trying to get it continued until December (after Christmas) so that he can spend the holidays with his wife, her kids and grandkids....not that anyone should allow him to be around children...but that's our wonderful justice system....2 confessions both taped and he gets to drag this out for over a year! Okay sorry I'm done....It gets me a little worked up that's all.
Seriously folks, that's it for tonight. Safe and happy riding!
I was the weekend manager today and came in to find that someone had called off from the kitchen...so I helped them serve the resident's their breakfast and their lunch. While doing this I found out that the other weekend managers do not do this. Let me say two things about that...
1. as a manager it is our job to make sure things go smoothly...carrying out a plate of food for a resident is not brain surgery and every single manager is capable of doing this...so I find it really sad that they don't.
2. If I ever again hear a manager claim to "help" out the short staffed kitchen I'm going to ask exactly how it is that they helped out because pouring coffee and tea is really not helping out...the C.N.A.'s are supposed to do that if the kitchen is short staffed anyway....so that's not taking a load off the kitchen...and I'm going to point that out..this especially brings to mind a certain manager who always claims that she helps out the kitchen....the head cook and the head waiter said she's never even come in to see if they were okay or not.
Moving on...I heard from our old buddy Scott today who we haven't really seen for over a year because he is in the military and has been gone. Anyway he came over to eat tacos with us tonight. That was a nice and unexpected visit. I've missed him a lot...we've been friends with him for 20 years now....OKAY....THAT MAKES ME FEEL OLD! YIKES!
Anyway, that's about it...not too much happening!
Safe and Happy riding folks...I'm off work tomorrow so probably won't ride because I have to be at the church at 9 a.m. for a class and then will be heading to court to see if this lousy bastard will plead guilty and take his punishment instead of dragging this on longer --- although I have a feeling that he will do exactly the opposite and not take the plea bargain that was offered instead trying to get it continued until December (after Christmas) so that he can spend the holidays with his wife, her kids and grandkids....not that anyone should allow him to be around children...but that's our wonderful justice system....2 confessions both taped and he gets to drag this out for over a year! Okay sorry I'm done....It gets me a little worked up that's all.
Seriously folks, that's it for tonight. Safe and happy riding!
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Gorgeous Ride into work today
Well I had to work today...booo....lol just kidding. I guess it was about time for my lazy butt to get back here considering I was off for 3 day straight.
The ride in was absolutely gorgeous and I managed to ride in pretty fast...even with a headwind...guess I am getting stronger. Or maybe all those days of rest did me some good.
Haven't gotten a Christmas Tree yet but do plan on doing so tomorrow. I'll also head out to mass at 6 P.m. with the kids.
My stomach hasn't been feeling too good since yesterday afternoon. So, I'm getting ready to chow on some homemade chicken noodle soup. Bob said he will pick me up tonight instead of me having to ride home...which is fine...because it will be dark and I get a little nervous insome spots on the route, plus like I said my stomach is feeling a little out of wack.
Okay, that's it for now, although as I sit here for the next 8.5 hours something else might come to might so I might blog again!
Happy and Safe Riding Folks!!!
The ride in was absolutely gorgeous and I managed to ride in pretty fast...even with a headwind...guess I am getting stronger. Or maybe all those days of rest did me some good.
Haven't gotten a Christmas Tree yet but do plan on doing so tomorrow. I'll also head out to mass at 6 P.m. with the kids.
My stomach hasn't been feeling too good since yesterday afternoon. So, I'm getting ready to chow on some homemade chicken noodle soup. Bob said he will pick me up tonight instead of me having to ride home...which is fine...because it will be dark and I get a little nervous insome spots on the route, plus like I said my stomach is feeling a little out of wack.
Okay, that's it for now, although as I sit here for the next 8.5 hours something else might come to might so I might blog again!
Happy and Safe Riding Folks!!!
Friday, November 23, 2007
Thanksgiving is over...life moves forward
I'm thankful that Thanksgiving Is over! It was fun. Everyone came, ate, laughed, and had fun. My cousins and I seem to have mended our past problems...or at least we have all realized that the things that happened when we were very young (teens and early twenties) are far behind us and we should just put it all aside.
The house is still in pretty good shape. No major spills, accidents, or breaks. The dogs did well with all the people, no scotch guard required!
I have a massive headache today though...ugh! I'm happy to be off work today because I needed a day to sit at home and do very little.
I did have a nasty wake up last night/early this morning. Cody came into my room vomiting...all over my pretty pink robe even. I'm not sure what the problem was, I'm sure he ate too many cookies or something as I wasn't able to keep an eye on them, the food and the guests constantly. So, I gave him a bath and everything needed to be washed. UGH! Nothing like doing that in the early morning hours.
Might have to go pick up a Christmas tree this weekend. I'm on shifts both tomorrow and Sunday! HURRAY!
The house is still in pretty good shape. No major spills, accidents, or breaks. The dogs did well with all the people, no scotch guard required!
I have a massive headache today though...ugh! I'm happy to be off work today because I needed a day to sit at home and do very little.
I did have a nasty wake up last night/early this morning. Cody came into my room vomiting...all over my pretty pink robe even. I'm not sure what the problem was, I'm sure he ate too many cookies or something as I wasn't able to keep an eye on them, the food and the guests constantly. So, I gave him a bath and everything needed to be washed. UGH! Nothing like doing that in the early morning hours.
Might have to go pick up a Christmas tree this weekend. I'm on shifts both tomorrow and Sunday! HURRAY!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Still working :(
I had forgotten that I promised one of my receptionists that I'd cover the shift tonight for her since it was her birthday. So....here I sit. At this point I'm exhausted. I've been here since 8:30 a.m. it's now 7:30 a.m. I didn't take a lunch because I was busy...and now I just want to lie down in my bed and sleep.
What's really going to happen though is....I'm going to get off work in 35 minutes, walk in back, change into my biking clothes. Throw all my junk into the plastic garbage bag I keep in my backpack for rainy days then grab my bike out of the maintenance room, turn on my head and tail lights to blinking mode so that with all the fog and rain the crazy people on the road will be able to see me. Then I'm biking the 5 miles to my casa. Where I will walk in, change my wet clothes and be bombarded by my children and husband....probably before I even manage to get my wet clothes peeled off my body!
I will then go do whatever needs to be done for the little people, let the dogs out and head to bed. At 4:00 a.m. I'll wake up, make coffee and Bob's lunch, take him to work so that I can keep my truck (engine to the jeep is still torn apart in my garage...water pump problem). I will come back home and start cleaning, stopping long enough to make breakfast for the kids. I will clean until 9a.m. then run to the store to exchange the 20 lb birds I bought for smaller ones because Bob says they will fry better. I will then return to my happy abode and continue cleaning, in a futile effort to impress my family with my housekeeping skills. Which in reality will turn into some stupid thing that I forgot to do being the one thing they notice! :(
I haven't felt too well most of the day either. Stomach and head hurt. 30 minutes to go....they might find me asleep with my head on the desk in the morning if this time doesn't pass a little faster. Everyone is out of the building except the night staff and the residents...so there's no activity up here to keep me occupied.
Oh, I almost forgot because my mind is ready to shut down for the day....There was an email that ended up in my mail box today regarding an avid cyclist who was involved in an accident and died. She had a pretty amazing story and had really overcome some pretty big obstacles in her life. She started an organization that did a lot to promote awareness about brain injuries. Anyway...if you are interested in reading anything about her here is a link to the website the email sent me to.
http://www.charlotte.com/112/story/330074.html
It was pretty interesting and that page has a link to her personal website. Intersting read.
Folks be safe out there...be aware of those around you...slow down, put your cell phones down (we all got through life just fine before they were invented)....we all want to get home at the end of our day to be with our families! Help make that happen!
Happy and Safe Riding!
What's really going to happen though is....I'm going to get off work in 35 minutes, walk in back, change into my biking clothes. Throw all my junk into the plastic garbage bag I keep in my backpack for rainy days then grab my bike out of the maintenance room, turn on my head and tail lights to blinking mode so that with all the fog and rain the crazy people on the road will be able to see me. Then I'm biking the 5 miles to my casa. Where I will walk in, change my wet clothes and be bombarded by my children and husband....probably before I even manage to get my wet clothes peeled off my body!
I will then go do whatever needs to be done for the little people, let the dogs out and head to bed. At 4:00 a.m. I'll wake up, make coffee and Bob's lunch, take him to work so that I can keep my truck (engine to the jeep is still torn apart in my garage...water pump problem). I will come back home and start cleaning, stopping long enough to make breakfast for the kids. I will clean until 9a.m. then run to the store to exchange the 20 lb birds I bought for smaller ones because Bob says they will fry better. I will then return to my happy abode and continue cleaning, in a futile effort to impress my family with my housekeeping skills. Which in reality will turn into some stupid thing that I forgot to do being the one thing they notice! :(
I haven't felt too well most of the day either. Stomach and head hurt. 30 minutes to go....they might find me asleep with my head on the desk in the morning if this time doesn't pass a little faster. Everyone is out of the building except the night staff and the residents...so there's no activity up here to keep me occupied.
Oh, I almost forgot because my mind is ready to shut down for the day....There was an email that ended up in my mail box today regarding an avid cyclist who was involved in an accident and died. She had a pretty amazing story and had really overcome some pretty big obstacles in her life. She started an organization that did a lot to promote awareness about brain injuries. Anyway...if you are interested in reading anything about her here is a link to the website the email sent me to.
http://www.charlotte.com/112/story/330074.html
It was pretty interesting and that page has a link to her personal website. Intersting read.
Folks be safe out there...be aware of those around you...slow down, put your cell phones down (we all got through life just fine before they were invented)....we all want to get home at the end of our day to be with our families! Help make that happen!
Happy and Safe Riding!
Last work day until saturday and other stuff.
Okay, I am really JUMPING FOR JOY today...I don't have to work again after today's shift until Saturday!!! That is so fabulous!
Unfortunately the forecast is calling for rain/snow mixtures over the next few days. I'm hoping not or hoping I can get out before it really starts.
Yesterdays ride in was damp but the ride home was foggy and wet...oh well, I pushed hard, rode fast and felt great when I got home.
Tonight I have to return the turkeys I bought....because I bought them too big...my husband says they won't fit in the fryer...what the heck??? I didn't know you could buy too big of a turkey. So I have to go exchange them for smaller turkeys! :)
I'm hoping Gail will work reception tonight otherwise I'll be there till 8 p.m. but either way it will be okay....
All right, I better run....it's already 6 a.m. YIKES! Been messing around online looking at other people's blog sites....lol
Have a great day everyone!
Happy and Safe Riding!!
Unfortunately the forecast is calling for rain/snow mixtures over the next few days. I'm hoping not or hoping I can get out before it really starts.
Yesterdays ride in was damp but the ride home was foggy and wet...oh well, I pushed hard, rode fast and felt great when I got home.
Tonight I have to return the turkeys I bought....because I bought them too big...my husband says they won't fit in the fryer...what the heck??? I didn't know you could buy too big of a turkey. So I have to go exchange them for smaller turkeys! :)
I'm hoping Gail will work reception tonight otherwise I'll be there till 8 p.m. but either way it will be okay....
All right, I better run....it's already 6 a.m. YIKES! Been messing around online looking at other people's blog sites....lol
Have a great day everyone!
Happy and Safe Riding!!
Technical Help Needed
So, my sister and I are trying to plan mom's surprise 60th birthday party. Since since lives in North Carolina and I live in Hellinois...(just kidding) it's become a bit of an issue getting information back and forth in a timely manner.
I found Microsoft onenote to be a nice program to use to organize everything however, I have no idea how to set it up so she can see this file too....can I set up her computer and mine so that they can share it?
I looked at websites to host it and it can get pretty expensive plus it is only needed until March.
Any Ideas??? Anyone??? I'd really appreciate it! Thanks for the help!
I found Microsoft onenote to be a nice program to use to organize everything however, I have no idea how to set it up so she can see this file too....can I set up her computer and mine so that they can share it?
I looked at websites to host it and it can get pretty expensive plus it is only needed until March.
Any Ideas??? Anyone??? I'd really appreciate it! Thanks for the help!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
You've been Favred!!!!
The title to this posting was a sign I saw held up during the Packers victory today!
Thought it was pretty fun and wanted to share it with everyone!!!!
Go Pack!
Thought it was pretty fun and wanted to share it with everyone!!!!
Go Pack!
Baking, Working, Sleeping
Good Morning!!!!
It's a beautful morning, even if it's a little chilly at 31 degrees!
I haven't written much in the past couple days. It's been busy around here.
Friday was our Administrators last day. We all went out after work and even though I left early I hear the party got close to being out of hand.
Saturday was as usual cleaning day. I cleaned pretty much from the time I woke up until 3 p.m. when my mom came over and we started baking stuff.
We baked about 8 loafs of Pumpkin Bread. I have 3 double batches of Chocolate Chip Cookie dough made up and in the freezer to bake today when I get home from work because baking all the pumpkin bread kept the oven busy yesterday.
Bob worked all day and came home, hit the couch and never moved again. At 4:00 a.m. when I got up to head to work he was still lying there asleep!
THe twins slept in my room with me. Gaven and my mom slept on the window seat. I'm sure they are all still sleeping while I've been busting my butt at work trying to get all my stuff in order for the week.
It's going to be a short week for me as I have Wednesday, Thursday and Friday off. Bob has to work on Friday though so I may end up coming in early in the morning and working a few hours. We'll see, it depends on how exhausted I am from Thanksgiving and the ensuing cleanup!
Missy and I are planning mom's 60th birthday party. I've got the place reserved for March 15th. So there's one thing off my list. Missy is in charge of all the invitations getting out...I just have to get her some of the addresses.
Hopefully the family from Portugal can make it, or atleast some of them will be able to.
Well, I think that's about it, my brain is still only half firing this morning as I'm running on a lack of sleep and a lack of caffeine since I can't stomach the gravy, I mean coffee they make in this building (yep, it's that thick....like gravy and well it's just a bit much for me). lol!
Have a great day everyone. I'm not biking until tomorrow!
Happy and Safe riding!
It's a beautful morning, even if it's a little chilly at 31 degrees!
I haven't written much in the past couple days. It's been busy around here.
Friday was our Administrators last day. We all went out after work and even though I left early I hear the party got close to being out of hand.
Saturday was as usual cleaning day. I cleaned pretty much from the time I woke up until 3 p.m. when my mom came over and we started baking stuff.
We baked about 8 loafs of Pumpkin Bread. I have 3 double batches of Chocolate Chip Cookie dough made up and in the freezer to bake today when I get home from work because baking all the pumpkin bread kept the oven busy yesterday.
Bob worked all day and came home, hit the couch and never moved again. At 4:00 a.m. when I got up to head to work he was still lying there asleep!
THe twins slept in my room with me. Gaven and my mom slept on the window seat. I'm sure they are all still sleeping while I've been busting my butt at work trying to get all my stuff in order for the week.
It's going to be a short week for me as I have Wednesday, Thursday and Friday off. Bob has to work on Friday though so I may end up coming in early in the morning and working a few hours. We'll see, it depends on how exhausted I am from Thanksgiving and the ensuing cleanup!
Missy and I are planning mom's 60th birthday party. I've got the place reserved for March 15th. So there's one thing off my list. Missy is in charge of all the invitations getting out...I just have to get her some of the addresses.
Hopefully the family from Portugal can make it, or atleast some of them will be able to.
Well, I think that's about it, my brain is still only half firing this morning as I'm running on a lack of sleep and a lack of caffeine since I can't stomach the gravy, I mean coffee they make in this building (yep, it's that thick....like gravy and well it's just a bit much for me). lol!
Have a great day everyone. I'm not biking until tomorrow!
Happy and Safe riding!
Thursday, November 15, 2007
A Few 5:20 a.m. thoughts.
Bob had to leave for work at 4:30 A.M. today. That of course meant me getting up at 4 a.m. to make coffee and a lunch for him.
When he left I jumped on the treadmill and ran a mile...okay only a mile but dang my legs feel cashed...sprinted the last .10 of it.
This treadmill business brings me to the realization that no matter how much I bike, I can still cash my legs running. I had been running 2 miles a day prior to taking up (hard core) biking this summer. I figured it was a good time to get back into running now that the cold weather is upon us and I won't be taking many Saturday or Sunday morning long rides.
I also did crunches...hate those things. Think tomorrow I'll do one of THE FIRM workouts and maybe not run. Gonna try to keep switching it up so that I can fend off boredom from indoor workouts for as long as possible.
I think I need to buy some heavier weights for working out at home. I have 5 lb dumbbells and that's just not enough for an upper body workout.
Let's see....what else? I'm hoping Mary B. will work the front desk today because there's so much stuff I need to get done.
I'm going to stay at work till it's time to leave for parent teacher conferences. Then bike over so that I look super sexy in my sweatpants which have been custom sewn for a better biking experience! LOL!
Jennifer and I were discussing poetry for some reason yesterday...oh yeah, because I said I'd rather stick my head in an oven and inhale fumes than sit at the front desk for 8 hours a day....really being tied to a desk is not the job for me! She laughed and said who the hell would do that? I replied Sylvia Plath...which led to a discussion about her poetry, which I find deep, dark and twisted....probably the reason I love it so much! Jennifer really doesn't know much about her poetry so I'm taking her book 'Arial' in to work today to give her.
This led me to pull out my own personal notebook of poetry when I got home. I'm considering looking into how to get a book of poetry published. I've got an entire notebook filled with poems...so we'll see....If anyone has such information please pass it on and save me some time on research. I'd appreciate it.
That's about it. I'm having one more cup of Folgers before I jump in the shower and start getting little cuties up....
Oh wait...another thought. I failed to mention that yesterday was the visitation for a girl who was a C.N.A. at Bethany. 2 months ago she was having shoulder pain. The doctor found that she had tumors all over her lungs and I'm not sure where else. She was only 26 years old. She has 3 little kids who will never get to spend anymore time with their mommy and don't get to make any more memories with her.
That really knocked me around emotionally. I look at my kids and can't imagine how much pain she must have gone through knowing that she was going to die and didn't have much time left with them and how much pain they must be feeling now!
It was one of those God reaching down and slapping me on the head saying "hey pay attention and be grateful."
So my parting thought for the day is:
Savor each moment we are given with our families, with our children because we never know when the last time that we can look at them and enjoy them will be.
God Bless!
Happy and Safe Riding Folks!
When he left I jumped on the treadmill and ran a mile...okay only a mile but dang my legs feel cashed...sprinted the last .10 of it.
This treadmill business brings me to the realization that no matter how much I bike, I can still cash my legs running. I had been running 2 miles a day prior to taking up (hard core) biking this summer. I figured it was a good time to get back into running now that the cold weather is upon us and I won't be taking many Saturday or Sunday morning long rides.
I also did crunches...hate those things. Think tomorrow I'll do one of THE FIRM workouts and maybe not run. Gonna try to keep switching it up so that I can fend off boredom from indoor workouts for as long as possible.
I think I need to buy some heavier weights for working out at home. I have 5 lb dumbbells and that's just not enough for an upper body workout.
Let's see....what else? I'm hoping Mary B. will work the front desk today because there's so much stuff I need to get done.
I'm going to stay at work till it's time to leave for parent teacher conferences. Then bike over so that I look super sexy in my sweatpants which have been custom sewn for a better biking experience! LOL!
Jennifer and I were discussing poetry for some reason yesterday...oh yeah, because I said I'd rather stick my head in an oven and inhale fumes than sit at the front desk for 8 hours a day....really being tied to a desk is not the job for me! She laughed and said who the hell would do that? I replied Sylvia Plath...which led to a discussion about her poetry, which I find deep, dark and twisted....probably the reason I love it so much! Jennifer really doesn't know much about her poetry so I'm taking her book 'Arial' in to work today to give her.
This led me to pull out my own personal notebook of poetry when I got home. I'm considering looking into how to get a book of poetry published. I've got an entire notebook filled with poems...so we'll see....If anyone has such information please pass it on and save me some time on research. I'd appreciate it.
That's about it. I'm having one more cup of Folgers before I jump in the shower and start getting little cuties up....
Oh wait...another thought. I failed to mention that yesterday was the visitation for a girl who was a C.N.A. at Bethany. 2 months ago she was having shoulder pain. The doctor found that she had tumors all over her lungs and I'm not sure where else. She was only 26 years old. She has 3 little kids who will never get to spend anymore time with their mommy and don't get to make any more memories with her.
That really knocked me around emotionally. I look at my kids and can't imagine how much pain she must have gone through knowing that she was going to die and didn't have much time left with them and how much pain they must be feeling now!
It was one of those God reaching down and slapping me on the head saying "hey pay attention and be grateful."
So my parting thought for the day is:
Savor each moment we are given with our families, with our children because we never know when the last time that we can look at them and enjoy them will be.
God Bless!
Happy and Safe Riding Folks!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Sensor, working the desk, blah blah blah
Most of you who know me are aware that working the front desk when Gail is not at work really drives me nuts! I hate it!
However, when I have to work the desk and things go well, shrug, it's not so bad!
I had a lot of work that didn't get done today because I need my computer and my file cabinet etc in order to do it. Instead I was at Gail's desk...so I checked my email. Did the AP stuff that I could, read the newspaper, joked around with people. So all in all, not a bad day!
Ran over to the LBS after work picked up my new sensor. HURRAY!
Was a windy commute home.. gusts of up to 35 mph...still managed to do 14-15 mph while riding into the wind...:) (most of the time).
Other than that it's good. I'm going to go make dinner. Happy day! :)
Safe and Happy riding all!
However, when I have to work the desk and things go well, shrug, it's not so bad!
I had a lot of work that didn't get done today because I need my computer and my file cabinet etc in order to do it. Instead I was at Gail's desk...so I checked my email. Did the AP stuff that I could, read the newspaper, joked around with people. So all in all, not a bad day!
Ran over to the LBS after work picked up my new sensor. HURRAY!
Was a windy commute home.. gusts of up to 35 mph...still managed to do 14-15 mph while riding into the wind...:) (most of the time).
Other than that it's good. I'm going to go make dinner. Happy day! :)
Safe and Happy riding all!
Work, People who are more stubborn than I am...etc.
Good morning everyone!
It looks like a beautiful day out before the cold and rainy weather sets in this weekend.
Yesterday we had some MAJOR drama at work! It was certainly interesting, a little sad and ridiculous but interesting non the less.
Gail, our receptionist, was having a "spell" as she calls them. She was Dizzy, her left eye was droopy, she couldn't stand up and walk and then she started drooling. We work in Health Care. So of course, our D.O.N. , A.D.O.N., Medicare Nurse Manager, and outgoing Administrator, and incoming Administrator were there. Checking her blood pressure and so on. At one point I believe they said her blood pressure was 210/160. Okay that's just insane! So, they tell her she needs to get over to the doctor. She refuses. They offer to call her husband, she tells them not to. They say well Gail you can't work like this. She says "FINE, I'll Walk Home."
Of course they aren't going to let her walk home! Finally they call 911. The paramedics get there and she refuses their help! So, they make her sign off that she's refusing treatment. She doesn't understand why ...I guess (I walked away because listening to someone act like that is just too much for me!) the paramedic tells her she has to sign the form because she's obviously got a medical condition and if she refuses to let him help her and she ends up with more problems later he can lose his license. She finally signs it. As he walks out he says "we'll see you again when you're on the floor!" Ok, that's kind of funny....I mean...good for him for telling her the truth of it. We told her repeatedly she was showing signs of actively stroking. She still refused. Finally they called her husband. He's considerably younger than her and she made him take her home.
The drama continued later when they called her to tell her she has to have a medical release before she comes back to work. She was PISSED!
So, guess who's working the front desk today....Ding, ding , ding, yep it's me!
I have a meeting at lunch time though and I will be leaving for it and they can kiss off if they don't like it! Someone else can come and work the desk! I'm leaving for a lunch!
I tried to call Gail last night after I was home, Sabas (her husband) answered the phone, said she was sleeping, which was probably bullshit. I told him that I wanted to see how she was ...he said she was fine and resting. He was very short and so I'm assuming she was right there and pissed at all of us!
Personally, I think she's being dumb. She has high blood pressure, probably diabetes and could probably get everything under control but doesn't want to see a doctor and have a diagnosis. But, it's America, and she's just as free to seek medical treatment as she is to refuse it.
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Moving on from the Gail drama.
Tonight I have to go to the church for a volunteer training program. That should be fun. I'm debating whether I should stay at work until it's time to head over to the church or whether I should come home and feed the 5 mouths first.
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I got a super sweet message from my best friend on here yesterday. She's been my best friend since Kindergarten so it was nice to hear from her. We really don't get to see each other as much as we'd like, but she lives about 150 miles from us..and with the kids (7 between the two of us) and work and all that stuff like LIFE, it makes it hard to get together. Anyway, she read my blog, and left me a sweet message that made me feel much better! I love you too Kay! and I miss the hell outta ya!
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Parent Teacher Conferences are tomorrow. Fun times. Starting at 6:00 p.m. 3 boys, 3 teachers. I swear I really want to yell about how much homework they have and how much of it needs parent involvement. I honestly do not have time to get everything done at night. I get home between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m. most nights, I have to fix dinner, feed the people, clean up from dinner, this is about a 2 - 2.5 hour ordeal. Then I have to help with homework...which we try to start while I'm cooking dinner...but which always overflows into the later evening. Now Gaven has a research project due on December 19th....could we pick a worse time of year to do a research project? I am teaching a class on Wednesday nights....so homework on Wednesday nights will be hit or miss.
For all you teachers who might read this I don't mean to sound like an ungrateful jerk however....
1. I am not a teacher because I don't have the patience.
2. You have my child for 7.5 hours per day....teach them what they need to know!
3. I am not in school- I should not have to spend my evening doing homework! Half of the instructions that come home I need a darn tutor to understand!
4. If you are unable to teach my children in 7.5 hours a day what they need to know (my kids are in 2nd and 4th grade) then perhaps you need to rethink your career choice!
I hear a lot of parents complain about this, but none will actually complain to the teachers because they are all involved in this and that and don't want to ruffle feathers. Well, I'm not those parents. I will ruffle feathers. I should ruffle feathers. Do your job. I don't get to tell my residents that I didn't get their insurance billed so they will need to take it and do it in their room during the night. I have 8 hours to do my job during the day...that's it, end of story!
You want to send homework that's fine...don't have it where they have to read to me for 15 minutes. 15 minutes x 2 kids = 30 minutes of my time. Then there's the math homework which takes another 15 - 30 minutes per kid...15 x3 = 45 minutes. Add it up...I get home and cook, feed them, clean up, and then have to help with homework and still get them ready for tomorrow, and to bed by 8:30 p.m. By the time I get done and put them in bed, I'm ready for bed - because I'm exhausted from doing my job and the teachers job! What a load of crap! Also, do they really think after sitting in boring classes that these kids should have to come home and do more school work. When I get off work I don't want to have to think about the place until I walk back in the door the next morning. That's how kids feel too!
This rant doesn't even mention the time I have to spend driving the 15 year old around to different activities. God forbid we try to go to any events during the week...forget the homework...then if because we had things going on and the kids don't get their homework done they lose "cards" at school and don't get to go to "Responsibility Club" ....YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!
They try to teach these kids responsibility but they aren't responsible themselves...oh lord, get me started.
I'm sure I'll have 3 teachers who despise me before the end of the school year but really.....no wonder so many kids are sick of school before they even hit high school, and no wonder our drop out rate and truancy rates are so high! (okay I admit that also has a lot to do with the parents...but I'm pretty sure I've never heard of so many kids already hating school!)
Jumping off my soap box now.
That's it for now, I'm sure I've bored, angered, or just outright made someone certain that I've lost my bloody mind, so I'll stop for now!
Have a wonderful day all! Safe and Happy Riding!
It looks like a beautiful day out before the cold and rainy weather sets in this weekend.
Yesterday we had some MAJOR drama at work! It was certainly interesting, a little sad and ridiculous but interesting non the less.
Gail, our receptionist, was having a "spell" as she calls them. She was Dizzy, her left eye was droopy, she couldn't stand up and walk and then she started drooling. We work in Health Care. So of course, our D.O.N. , A.D.O.N., Medicare Nurse Manager, and outgoing Administrator, and incoming Administrator were there. Checking her blood pressure and so on. At one point I believe they said her blood pressure was 210/160. Okay that's just insane! So, they tell her she needs to get over to the doctor. She refuses. They offer to call her husband, she tells them not to. They say well Gail you can't work like this. She says "FINE, I'll Walk Home."
Of course they aren't going to let her walk home! Finally they call 911. The paramedics get there and she refuses their help! So, they make her sign off that she's refusing treatment. She doesn't understand why ...I guess (I walked away because listening to someone act like that is just too much for me!) the paramedic tells her she has to sign the form because she's obviously got a medical condition and if she refuses to let him help her and she ends up with more problems later he can lose his license. She finally signs it. As he walks out he says "we'll see you again when you're on the floor!" Ok, that's kind of funny....I mean...good for him for telling her the truth of it. We told her repeatedly she was showing signs of actively stroking. She still refused. Finally they called her husband. He's considerably younger than her and she made him take her home.
The drama continued later when they called her to tell her she has to have a medical release before she comes back to work. She was PISSED!
So, guess who's working the front desk today....Ding, ding , ding, yep it's me!
I have a meeting at lunch time though and I will be leaving for it and they can kiss off if they don't like it! Someone else can come and work the desk! I'm leaving for a lunch!
I tried to call Gail last night after I was home, Sabas (her husband) answered the phone, said she was sleeping, which was probably bullshit. I told him that I wanted to see how she was ...he said she was fine and resting. He was very short and so I'm assuming she was right there and pissed at all of us!
Personally, I think she's being dumb. She has high blood pressure, probably diabetes and could probably get everything under control but doesn't want to see a doctor and have a diagnosis. But, it's America, and she's just as free to seek medical treatment as she is to refuse it.
***********************************************************************************
Moving on from the Gail drama.
Tonight I have to go to the church for a volunteer training program. That should be fun. I'm debating whether I should stay at work until it's time to head over to the church or whether I should come home and feed the 5 mouths first.
************************************************************************************
I got a super sweet message from my best friend on here yesterday. She's been my best friend since Kindergarten so it was nice to hear from her. We really don't get to see each other as much as we'd like, but she lives about 150 miles from us..and with the kids (7 between the two of us) and work and all that stuff like LIFE, it makes it hard to get together. Anyway, she read my blog, and left me a sweet message that made me feel much better! I love you too Kay! and I miss the hell outta ya!
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Parent Teacher Conferences are tomorrow. Fun times. Starting at 6:00 p.m. 3 boys, 3 teachers. I swear I really want to yell about how much homework they have and how much of it needs parent involvement. I honestly do not have time to get everything done at night. I get home between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m. most nights, I have to fix dinner, feed the people, clean up from dinner, this is about a 2 - 2.5 hour ordeal. Then I have to help with homework...which we try to start while I'm cooking dinner...but which always overflows into the later evening. Now Gaven has a research project due on December 19th....could we pick a worse time of year to do a research project? I am teaching a class on Wednesday nights....so homework on Wednesday nights will be hit or miss.
For all you teachers who might read this I don't mean to sound like an ungrateful jerk however....
1. I am not a teacher because I don't have the patience.
2. You have my child for 7.5 hours per day....teach them what they need to know!
3. I am not in school- I should not have to spend my evening doing homework! Half of the instructions that come home I need a darn tutor to understand!
4. If you are unable to teach my children in 7.5 hours a day what they need to know (my kids are in 2nd and 4th grade) then perhaps you need to rethink your career choice!
I hear a lot of parents complain about this, but none will actually complain to the teachers because they are all involved in this and that and don't want to ruffle feathers. Well, I'm not those parents. I will ruffle feathers. I should ruffle feathers. Do your job. I don't get to tell my residents that I didn't get their insurance billed so they will need to take it and do it in their room during the night. I have 8 hours to do my job during the day...that's it, end of story!
You want to send homework that's fine...don't have it where they have to read to me for 15 minutes. 15 minutes x 2 kids = 30 minutes of my time. Then there's the math homework which takes another 15 - 30 minutes per kid...15 x3 = 45 minutes. Add it up...I get home and cook, feed them, clean up, and then have to help with homework and still get them ready for tomorrow, and to bed by 8:30 p.m. By the time I get done and put them in bed, I'm ready for bed - because I'm exhausted from doing my job and the teachers job! What a load of crap! Also, do they really think after sitting in boring classes that these kids should have to come home and do more school work. When I get off work I don't want to have to think about the place until I walk back in the door the next morning. That's how kids feel too!
This rant doesn't even mention the time I have to spend driving the 15 year old around to different activities. God forbid we try to go to any events during the week...forget the homework...then if because we had things going on and the kids don't get their homework done they lose "cards" at school and don't get to go to "Responsibility Club" ....YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!
They try to teach these kids responsibility but they aren't responsible themselves...oh lord, get me started.
I'm sure I'll have 3 teachers who despise me before the end of the school year but really.....no wonder so many kids are sick of school before they even hit high school, and no wonder our drop out rate and truancy rates are so high! (okay I admit that also has a lot to do with the parents...but I'm pretty sure I've never heard of so many kids already hating school!)
Jumping off my soap box now.
That's it for now, I'm sure I've bored, angered, or just outright made someone certain that I've lost my bloody mind, so I'll stop for now!
Have a wonderful day all! Safe and Happy Riding!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
A little Cheer
Yesterday my office phone rings (that annoying beeping ring which means our receptionist sent the call to me....I had been trying to avoid people all day in an effort to further promote my half way decent mood). So I answer the phone "This is Patty, how can I help you?" With a heart full of dread that it would be someone to drive me up the wall.
On the other end I get something to the effect of "You're voice mail had me cracking up. Remote office....(followed by a laugh)"
EXCELLENT....my cousin Nellie (or Nell as she likes to be called...probably b/c it sounds more professional than Nellie...or maybe she doesn't want to be associated with Nellie from Little House on the Prairie anymore, wait...didn't she go by Nell? I'm going to have to check that out lol) who works at a paper in MA. Did I mention it took her almost a week to call me back? She was in her "REMOTE OFFICE" last Tuesday....the voice mail went something like this... I call her...I get her VM..."Hi, you've reached the voice mail of _______ at the _________. Please leave a message as I am either on the phone or away from my desk. If you are calling on Tuesday I am working from a remote office and will be unable to get back to you until Wednesday." Okay...really, how remote could an office be in the middle of MA? It just cracked me up. Thus me leaving an obnoxious message making fun of the remote office thing. (I know, really hard to imagine me being obnoxious).
So we chat, we laugh, we discuss our insane family (believe me I'm not exaggerating....they are all nuts and I think Nell(ie) and I are half way there too)...I had tears streaming down my face at one point and could hardly breathe.
I'm so glad I answered the phone. It put me in a better mood...gave me a good laugh and just all around cheered me up.
She also keeps harassing me about how I should do a charity ride across the country...so that she can tell everyone "that's my crazy cousin." haha nice! I'd ride across the country just to ride...anyone wanna keep my kids for a while so I can set out on that little adventure?
Then when I got home my mother was here with my two nieces...who are totally spoiled rotten...and I love it....cuz I can send them home at the end of a visit LOL! They are sweet...Kenzie is just a little smartass at the age of 3...Ariana hasn't started talking too much yet (probably b/c she can't get a word in with her sister around) so she's still cute and sweet. She laid on Bob's chest when he got home from work and went right to sleep. Very sweet.
That's about it...I've gotta get ready for another day of joy and pleasure.
Safe and Happy Riding Folks and if you see me on the road give me a little wave (not the single fingered one either)!
On the other end I get something to the effect of "You're voice mail had me cracking up. Remote office....(followed by a laugh)"
EXCELLENT....my cousin Nellie (or Nell as she likes to be called...probably b/c it sounds more professional than Nellie...or maybe she doesn't want to be associated with Nellie from Little House on the Prairie anymore, wait...didn't she go by Nell? I'm going to have to check that out lol) who works at a paper in MA. Did I mention it took her almost a week to call me back? She was in her "REMOTE OFFICE" last Tuesday....the voice mail went something like this... I call her...I get her VM..."Hi, you've reached the voice mail of _______ at the _________. Please leave a message as I am either on the phone or away from my desk. If you are calling on Tuesday I am working from a remote office and will be unable to get back to you until Wednesday." Okay...really, how remote could an office be in the middle of MA? It just cracked me up. Thus me leaving an obnoxious message making fun of the remote office thing. (I know, really hard to imagine me being obnoxious).
So we chat, we laugh, we discuss our insane family (believe me I'm not exaggerating....they are all nuts and I think Nell(ie) and I are half way there too)...I had tears streaming down my face at one point and could hardly breathe.
I'm so glad I answered the phone. It put me in a better mood...gave me a good laugh and just all around cheered me up.
She also keeps harassing me about how I should do a charity ride across the country...so that she can tell everyone "that's my crazy cousin." haha nice! I'd ride across the country just to ride...anyone wanna keep my kids for a while so I can set out on that little adventure?
Then when I got home my mother was here with my two nieces...who are totally spoiled rotten...and I love it....cuz I can send them home at the end of a visit LOL! They are sweet...Kenzie is just a little smartass at the age of 3...Ariana hasn't started talking too much yet (probably b/c she can't get a word in with her sister around) so she's still cute and sweet. She laid on Bob's chest when he got home from work and went right to sleep. Very sweet.
That's about it...I've gotta get ready for another day of joy and pleasure.
Safe and Happy Riding Folks and if you see me on the road give me a little wave (not the single fingered one either)!
Monday, November 12, 2007
Nice weather = beautiful commute
It was in the high 50's when I got up this morning and hit 64 degrees by this afternoon when I left work. The commute in and back were beautiful! There was a 40% chance of rain but we never saw it!
Our new administrator started today. I'm not sure what to think of her yet. I just hope she leaves me alone and let's me do my shit! I know a certain someone is already scheming a bit...but that's okay. I'll work through that.
Found out tonight my brothers girlfriend won't be at Thanksgiving this year and she and their two daughters are flying down to her mom's in Florida. Oh well, she'll be here for Christmas.
That's about it...gotta go clean up from dinner and work on the Christmas project I've got going on.
Safe and Happy Riding.
Our new administrator started today. I'm not sure what to think of her yet. I just hope she leaves me alone and let's me do my shit! I know a certain someone is already scheming a bit...but that's okay. I'll work through that.
Found out tonight my brothers girlfriend won't be at Thanksgiving this year and she and their two daughters are flying down to her mom's in Florida. Oh well, she'll be here for Christmas.
That's about it...gotta go clean up from dinner and work on the Christmas project I've got going on.
Safe and Happy Riding.
Better Mood Today
Woke up feeling a little bit better today. I don't seem to be as grouchy! It's supposed to get into the 60's today, it's in the mid 50's right now, which beats the heck out of those cold temps I've been riding in.
40% chance of rain though...keeping my fingers crossed that I don't get any rain while riding!
That's about it...gotta get packed for work!
Today show had a segment on the oil crisis...everyone should start riding their bikes! I promise I've saved so much gas this year it's not even funny! Commute people...and most people around here live within 5 miles of where they work....join me people...jump on a bike!!!!!!!! Pedal your way to health, a cleaner environment and a less oil hungry world!
Safe and Happy Riding Folks!
40% chance of rain though...keeping my fingers crossed that I don't get any rain while riding!
That's about it...gotta get packed for work!
Today show had a segment on the oil crisis...everyone should start riding their bikes! I promise I've saved so much gas this year it's not even funny! Commute people...and most people around here live within 5 miles of where they work....join me people...jump on a bike!!!!!!!! Pedal your way to health, a cleaner environment and a less oil hungry world!
Safe and Happy Riding Folks!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Just noticed something
K...as I was getting ready to log off I noticed that it showed the time I posted it to be a few minutes after 4 p.m....however, it is a little after 6 p.m.
I went in and checked and I'm set to Central time...hhmmmm interesting!
I went in and checked and I'm set to Central time...hhmmmm interesting!
Feeling Grouchy Today
I woke up grouchy today and my mood really hasn't improved at all. I'm trying desperately not to be mean to everyone. I just can't seem to shake it...it's like a big cloud of BLAH! is stuck on me...and nothing I do is making me feel better. What's that all about?
No depression or anything like that in my mental history either! Just my normally nutty self.
I want to scream at everyone...the kids are being loud...but really they are just entertaining themselves...can't yell at them no matter how much I'd like to, because I know I'm just being a mega ________ (you know what).
Even the Green Bay win today didn't make me feel any happier.
It's apparently just a BLAH and UGH kinda day...
Hopefully I will wake up with a better disposition tomorrow. I did put the rack back on my bike (I had taken it off for the club ride ...not for any good reason other than not wanting my sexy trek to look like a commuter bike). That did bring me a moment of joy as I looked at my beautiful bike...but then I turned around to find that the things I had asked my twins to pick up and put in their room had been tossed in the nearest corner that was out of my sight when I had asked them to put it away so I of course went back to being grouchy!
Safe and Happy riding everyone!
No depression or anything like that in my mental history either! Just my normally nutty self.
I want to scream at everyone...the kids are being loud...but really they are just entertaining themselves...can't yell at them no matter how much I'd like to, because I know I'm just being a mega ________ (you know what).
Even the Green Bay win today didn't make me feel any happier.
It's apparently just a BLAH and UGH kinda day...
Hopefully I will wake up with a better disposition tomorrow. I did put the rack back on my bike (I had taken it off for the club ride ...not for any good reason other than not wanting my sexy trek to look like a commuter bike). That did bring me a moment of joy as I looked at my beautiful bike...but then I turned around to find that the things I had asked my twins to pick up and put in their room had been tossed in the nearest corner that was out of my sight when I had asked them to put it away so I of course went back to being grouchy!
Safe and Happy riding everyone!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
End of the Season
I rode with the club today. Last Saturday ride of the year. I guess that some of the fast guys get together on nicer days and ride even in the winter although I can't keep up with them because those are the guys who do 20 mph on the hills...Lord help me but I couldn't keep with them for more than a mile or two!
One of the guys who rode with my group today said he'd be willing to ride with some of us if the weather was nice because he doesn't want to try keeping up with those guys either!
Anyway the ride was good except for the fact that it was really chilly out. I mean I had two pairs of socks on and I still had numb toes! UGH!
I also, after talking to several of the people I rode with this morning, have decided to start looking at commuter specific bikes. I really like the Specialized Globe which I had actually looked at a while ago.
I'm going to go talk to Tobie next week and see what he's going to suggest.
Nothing much other than that. The boys are all watching the new Spiderman movie...hurray!
Nite. Safe, happy and Warm Riding!
One of the guys who rode with my group today said he'd be willing to ride with some of us if the weather was nice because he doesn't want to try keeping up with those guys either!
Anyway the ride was good except for the fact that it was really chilly out. I mean I had two pairs of socks on and I still had numb toes! UGH!
I also, after talking to several of the people I rode with this morning, have decided to start looking at commuter specific bikes. I really like the Specialized Globe which I had actually looked at a while ago.
I'm going to go talk to Tobie next week and see what he's going to suggest.
Nothing much other than that. The boys are all watching the new Spiderman movie...hurray!
Nite. Safe, happy and Warm Riding!
Saturday Ride
Today was the "last" Saturday ride of the year. I have the word LAST in quotations because on nicer Saturdays people start showing up to ride.
It was a good ride. I lost feeling in my toes by about mile 12...which SUCKED! I had 2 pair of socks on too! What the heck? lol was 28 degrees when I left the house...could have something to do with it.
It was a good ride. Lots of fun hanging out at the cafe with everyone. Will miss seeing everyone! Christmas party next month then I don't think I'll see most of the people until next year. :(
It was a good ride. I lost feeling in my toes by about mile 12...which SUCKED! I had 2 pair of socks on too! What the heck? lol was 28 degrees when I left the house...could have something to do with it.
It was a good ride. Lots of fun hanging out at the cafe with everyone. Will miss seeing everyone! Christmas party next month then I don't think I'll see most of the people until next year. :(
Rider featured in local paper, club ride, misc.
Good Morning! It's a lovely 28 degrees outside right now. We are expecting a high of 51! BALMY!
I happened to pick up the Wednesday edition of our local paper this morning as I was walking through the house with my cup of Java. Featured in the Neighbor's section was an article about a guy who teaches at the University here in town. He rides his bike from home to work daily (30 miles each way!) year round. Now that is dedication. He also has done the 200 mile ride in death valley and is ranked 4th among the ultra cyclists (?) not sure if I have the name right of where he is ranked...but, regardless...pretty impressive. I'd love to ride a few miles with him and just chat.
I thought it was pretty cool. It seems like cycling is getting some attention around here lately. In September our local bike shop did a thing where all the employees had their car keys locked up in a display box and they rode everywhere for the month...
Today is the last scheduled Saturday ride of the year for the club, although I hear some people still meet on Saturday's and ride the route. I am riding today since I haven't ridden with the club since my birthday...that was a month and a half ago!
Tomorrow is the last Sunday ride of the year for the group...I'm going to try to ride that one as well...although I've heard it might rain and well, I just don't have the gear to ride in the cold and the rain for long distances. 5 miles to work is one thing...40 miles in the rain when it's under 50 degrees is a whole different ball game...
I bought Gaven some WWE wristbands online last night. The shipping was almost as expensive as the items I bought..what a crock! Stick it in an envelope and I know how much that costs to send! Oh well, he will be all smiles.
Riding my commuter bike today for the club ride because I don't have another bike. My husband won't let me buy my dream bike ...that beautiful Orbea ...either the Diva or the Orca would do...I'd be happy with either...then I could have a bike for commuting and a bike for riding/racing.
The beautiful Diva
The Super Sexy Orca
I'd like to do some races next year...just for giggles.
I'd also like to lose 50 lbs by next year too...but that might just be a giggle to think I can do it. Considering going to the doctor to have him check my thyroid function. After putting a little shy of 1800 miles on the bike this year a person would think I'd have managed to lose a few pounds!!!!
Karen is picking me up at 8 to ride...woohoo! I am excited and breakfast at the Kirkland Cafe is always an adventure in and of itself.
Signing off for now...more later!
Safe and Happy Riding folks!
I happened to pick up the Wednesday edition of our local paper this morning as I was walking through the house with my cup of Java. Featured in the Neighbor's section was an article about a guy who teaches at the University here in town. He rides his bike from home to work daily (30 miles each way!) year round. Now that is dedication. He also has done the 200 mile ride in death valley and is ranked 4th among the ultra cyclists (?) not sure if I have the name right of where he is ranked...but, regardless...pretty impressive. I'd love to ride a few miles with him and just chat.
I thought it was pretty cool. It seems like cycling is getting some attention around here lately. In September our local bike shop did a thing where all the employees had their car keys locked up in a display box and they rode everywhere for the month...
Today is the last scheduled Saturday ride of the year for the club, although I hear some people still meet on Saturday's and ride the route. I am riding today since I haven't ridden with the club since my birthday...that was a month and a half ago!
Tomorrow is the last Sunday ride of the year for the group...I'm going to try to ride that one as well...although I've heard it might rain and well, I just don't have the gear to ride in the cold and the rain for long distances. 5 miles to work is one thing...40 miles in the rain when it's under 50 degrees is a whole different ball game...
I bought Gaven some WWE wristbands online last night. The shipping was almost as expensive as the items I bought..what a crock! Stick it in an envelope and I know how much that costs to send! Oh well, he will be all smiles.
Riding my commuter bike today for the club ride because I don't have another bike. My husband won't let me buy my dream bike ...that beautiful Orbea ...either the Diva or the Orca would do...I'd be happy with either...then I could have a bike for commuting and a bike for riding/racing.
The beautiful Diva
The Super Sexy OrcaI'd like to do some races next year...just for giggles.
I'd also like to lose 50 lbs by next year too...but that might just be a giggle to think I can do it. Considering going to the doctor to have him check my thyroid function. After putting a little shy of 1800 miles on the bike this year a person would think I'd have managed to lose a few pounds!!!!
Karen is picking me up at 8 to ride...woohoo! I am excited and breakfast at the Kirkland Cafe is always an adventure in and of itself.
Signing off for now...more later!
Safe and Happy Riding folks!
Friday, November 9, 2007
Rising at the butt crack of dawn
all righty...it's 4:45 a.m. I've been up 45 minutes now...the java is starting to kick in. I'm going to mess around on the computer a little longer then get ready to jump on my bike and head into work. We'll see this morning just how good that headlight is!
Saturday and Sunday are the last two scheduled rides of the year with the club:( I haven't ridden with them much because of working my part time job. However, I will be riding at least one if not both of the days this weekend!
My girlfriend called me yesterday crying. Now first let me explain that only once in the 9 years that we've been good friends have I seen her cry! She's all about logic and keeping her cool. So, yesterday she calls me at work crying...her grandmother is getting worse, she has been in a nursing home for about 2 years now. She had called up to talk to her and her grandmother didn't know who she was at first. I guess health wise she's going downhill fast...the nurses told her they don't think it will be too long now. I feel bad for her, she's trying to keep it together but she was so close to her grandmother I think she's going to be a wreck! Guess all I can do is pray for her and be there when she needs me.
K, that's it. Java hasn't really woken me up yet. I'm gonna go start getting ready for work...the earlier I get there the earlier I can leave today! Hurray!
Safe and happy riding.
Saturday and Sunday are the last two scheduled rides of the year with the club:( I haven't ridden with them much because of working my part time job. However, I will be riding at least one if not both of the days this weekend!
My girlfriend called me yesterday crying. Now first let me explain that only once in the 9 years that we've been good friends have I seen her cry! She's all about logic and keeping her cool. So, yesterday she calls me at work crying...her grandmother is getting worse, she has been in a nursing home for about 2 years now. She had called up to talk to her and her grandmother didn't know who she was at first. I guess health wise she's going downhill fast...the nurses told her they don't think it will be too long now. I feel bad for her, she's trying to keep it together but she was so close to her grandmother I think she's going to be a wreck! Guess all I can do is pray for her and be there when she needs me.
K, that's it. Java hasn't really woken me up yet. I'm gonna go start getting ready for work...the earlier I get there the earlier I can leave today! Hurray!
Safe and happy riding.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
People and their leafblowers
Today riding to work in the morning I was on the bike path. In some areas of the paths you are right at the edge of someone's back yard. So today I hear all this noise and look over expecting to see a lawnmower perhaps...instead a lady is standing underneath a tree...with a leafblower...blowing the leaves away from the tree. Now she has 4 or 5 trees in a row that seem to cut her yard and her neighbors yards from each other. There is grass on both sides so it's not like it's on a walkway or anything. But it just struck me as funny...she was blowing the leaves away from under the tree...
I know some people are fanatical about their yards...but leaves are a part of nature and I just don't see what the need for this is...people have too much time on their hands...I dunno...maybe I'm just being nit picky here with it but honest to goodness...the leaves are beautiful, they are under the tree which is going to continue to lose leaves...thus there will be more leaves on the ground later today, tomorrow and the day after....
There is also the price of gas to consider...c'mon people let's be smart...We are paying over 3 bucks a gallon for gas and you are wasting it on blowing leaves around your yard...now that part of it is just idiotic..and really if she wanted the leaves gone she could have grabbed a rake...I mean really she could use a little exercise and she could have saved a bit of gas...
We Americans ...or should I say you American's...no wait I guess I am born and raised here even if I do stick closely to my Portuguese roots....We Americans are a wasteful bunch! I won't even say that I don't fall in that category too...we all do, but let's make an effort! I was reading someone's blog the other night and he was talking about these types of things...smart man! Some of the stuff he was talking about I had to open a new browser window to google what the heck he was saying but it made good sense..
Silly people! Leave the Leaves alone! :) Save a little gas...use a Rake!
Peace, love, safe and happy riding...
I know some people are fanatical about their yards...but leaves are a part of nature and I just don't see what the need for this is...people have too much time on their hands...I dunno...maybe I'm just being nit picky here with it but honest to goodness...the leaves are beautiful, they are under the tree which is going to continue to lose leaves...thus there will be more leaves on the ground later today, tomorrow and the day after....
There is also the price of gas to consider...c'mon people let's be smart...We are paying over 3 bucks a gallon for gas and you are wasting it on blowing leaves around your yard...now that part of it is just idiotic..and really if she wanted the leaves gone she could have grabbed a rake...I mean really she could use a little exercise and she could have saved a bit of gas...
We Americans ...or should I say you American's...no wait I guess I am born and raised here even if I do stick closely to my Portuguese roots....We Americans are a wasteful bunch! I won't even say that I don't fall in that category too...we all do, but let's make an effort! I was reading someone's blog the other night and he was talking about these types of things...smart man! Some of the stuff he was talking about I had to open a new browser window to google what the heck he was saying but it made good sense..
Silly people! Leave the Leaves alone! :) Save a little gas...use a Rake!
Peace, love, safe and happy riding...
Portugal and other things on my mind.
I am really strongly considering going to Portugal in the late spring with Bob. Not with my mother because it will just be too weird.
So meeting my dad is not the priority. I'd rather hang out with my cousin Ruben and his wife Illiana. They are both awesome people and close to my age so we could actually do stuff together! No kids on this trip just Bob and I.
Meeting my father is not all that important to me. He has chosen to live his life without me in it and having a father in my life at the ripe age of 33 isn't going to change things for me. Needed a dad back when I was a kid...and honestly unless he's going to start being involved ---what's the point?
However, I would like to go to the Acores, see the place my parents are from, see where my Avo' used to live. Go sit by the ocean or on the cliffe's looking out at the ocean. These are the things I long to do. I want to ride my bike around the island and enjoy life from that point of view for a week or two.
I'm going to contact Illiana and see what she thinks...figure out exactly what the cost is going to be...then figure out what to do with the kids while we are gone! LOL!
So, this might not happen this coming spring but hopefully before 2010!
Okay, I may have lied here, there's not much on my mind other than that and the fact that I'm a little tired...thought I was going to go to sleep but that second wind hit and I just couldn't sleep right away! Was back up at 4:30! UGH!
Have a super day! Happy and safe riding my friends!
So meeting my dad is not the priority. I'd rather hang out with my cousin Ruben and his wife Illiana. They are both awesome people and close to my age so we could actually do stuff together! No kids on this trip just Bob and I.
Meeting my father is not all that important to me. He has chosen to live his life without me in it and having a father in my life at the ripe age of 33 isn't going to change things for me. Needed a dad back when I was a kid...and honestly unless he's going to start being involved ---what's the point?
However, I would like to go to the Acores, see the place my parents are from, see where my Avo' used to live. Go sit by the ocean or on the cliffe's looking out at the ocean. These are the things I long to do. I want to ride my bike around the island and enjoy life from that point of view for a week or two.
I'm going to contact Illiana and see what she thinks...figure out exactly what the cost is going to be...then figure out what to do with the kids while we are gone! LOL!
So, this might not happen this coming spring but hopefully before 2010!
Okay, I may have lied here, there's not much on my mind other than that and the fact that I'm a little tired...thought I was going to go to sleep but that second wind hit and I just couldn't sleep right away! Was back up at 4:30! UGH!
Have a super day! Happy and safe riding my friends!
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Religious Ed, IL Dept of Labor, new gear and blah blah blah!
Well I'm teaching the Religious Education class --- actually RCIC which I'm excited about...and a bit nervous! I picked up some material today on my way home. So, I'll be going over that. First meeting is the 28th.
I talked to the people at the Illinois Department of Labor...apparently they can have you do either direct deposit or a prepaid debit card. However, and this is where my company screwed up, they have to make sure that there is a bank where you can go in and use your prepaid debit card to withdraw the entire amount of your pay....Our company did not do this. I didn't actually report them. I asked the guy questions and then went and discussed it with our Administrator. I guess that they are working with one of our local banks to make this happen.
I rode into work today. It was 25 degrees when I left. The sewn up sweatpants worked out well for me. The new (used) coat kept me nice and warm. I had a pair of cycling socks and a pair of regular socks on so my feet were nice and toasty and I had my hat and big fat gloves on...It was a good ride. There was little to no wind, so that was fabulous. I felt like I was flying cuz I wasn't fighting the wind the whole time. The crossing guard thinks I'm insane to still be riding but I love it. The rack worked out nicely as well, and I had more freedom of movement since I didn't have to have that bag on my back. On the way home I got to try out the new headlight. I'm not sure how well I like it, I might need to adjust it because it didn't really light up my path very well although people coming towards me could certainly see me.
Thanksgiving is fast approaching. I still need to pick things up for it...yikes. Gotta get a move on. I'm also going to work on a list of all the things I need to finish before everyone comes over.
Had to pick up Kitty LItter tonight because my sons cat craps all the time...good grief...are they supposed to crap that much? I mean I think the cat has IBS...whew! :)
Okay that's it for now. I think I'm going to be able to go to sleep tonight cuz I'm exhausted. Put on almost 15 more miles tonight. I think I'm right around 1720 miles right now. I'm going to try to do the Sunday ride with the group as it's the last ride of the year (scheduled) for the club...that will give me another 50 miles which would mean I'd only need another 200 miles to get to 200 miles since I still have 2 days of commuting left for the week. I'd love to get in 2000 miles this year! I'd do a big goofy dance! It would be goofy due to my lack of any sort of rhythm when it comes to dancing!
Okay, now that's really it for now. Although if the insomnia thing hits I'll be back (Doing my best imitation of Arnold S. right now). :) Yeah I'm feeling a little goofy tonight!
Nite...happy and safe riding all!
I talked to the people at the Illinois Department of Labor...apparently they can have you do either direct deposit or a prepaid debit card. However, and this is where my company screwed up, they have to make sure that there is a bank where you can go in and use your prepaid debit card to withdraw the entire amount of your pay....Our company did not do this. I didn't actually report them. I asked the guy questions and then went and discussed it with our Administrator. I guess that they are working with one of our local banks to make this happen.
I rode into work today. It was 25 degrees when I left. The sewn up sweatpants worked out well for me. The new (used) coat kept me nice and warm. I had a pair of cycling socks and a pair of regular socks on so my feet were nice and toasty and I had my hat and big fat gloves on...It was a good ride. There was little to no wind, so that was fabulous. I felt like I was flying cuz I wasn't fighting the wind the whole time. The crossing guard thinks I'm insane to still be riding but I love it. The rack worked out nicely as well, and I had more freedom of movement since I didn't have to have that bag on my back. On the way home I got to try out the new headlight. I'm not sure how well I like it, I might need to adjust it because it didn't really light up my path very well although people coming towards me could certainly see me.
Thanksgiving is fast approaching. I still need to pick things up for it...yikes. Gotta get a move on. I'm also going to work on a list of all the things I need to finish before everyone comes over.
Had to pick up Kitty LItter tonight because my sons cat craps all the time...good grief...are they supposed to crap that much? I mean I think the cat has IBS...whew! :)
Okay that's it for now. I think I'm going to be able to go to sleep tonight cuz I'm exhausted. Put on almost 15 more miles tonight. I think I'm right around 1720 miles right now. I'm going to try to do the Sunday ride with the group as it's the last ride of the year (scheduled) for the club...that will give me another 50 miles which would mean I'd only need another 200 miles to get to 200 miles since I still have 2 days of commuting left for the week. I'd love to get in 2000 miles this year! I'd do a big goofy dance! It would be goofy due to my lack of any sort of rhythm when it comes to dancing!
Okay, now that's really it for now. Although if the insomnia thing hits I'll be back (Doing my best imitation of Arnold S. right now). :) Yeah I'm feeling a little goofy tonight!
Nite...happy and safe riding all!
Insomnia and other things to blab about
For the past week I've been going to bed around midnight with a lot of tossing, turning and waking up during the night. Then I'm back up at 4:30 a.m. What the heck is that about? I don't like it. Maybe all the biking is just giving me so much energy....I like that Idea much better than I like the idea that I'm getting older and insomnia and other such issues are setting in.
Well no bungee cords means I don't know how I'm sticking my backpack onto my bike rack and holding it there during the commute today...this could be a problem...again, proving that I'm a moron when it comes to bikes. I should have planned this out a bit better and bought the damn bags specifically made to go on the rack...then...my problem would be solved. Although knowing me I'd run into another odd problem.
Yesterday after Bob left for work and as I sat around waiting for the kids to get up I decided that my sweatpants needed some modifications. It's very hard to find pants that are tight on the calf so that they don't billow out while riding...thus causing them to catch on the chain ring, which would then cause me to crash and probably injure myself badly. So, I decide to cut into my pants along the leg, cinch them up and sew them tight. It worked...both legs look the same, they don't look ridiculous, at least not from my biker need perspective...although most of us roadies look ridiculous to the general public I suppose...but I'm good with that. Anyway, I decided that I needed practicality and that it would be wasteful on my part to go spend a hundred bucks on a pair of winter biking pants...(I'm sure I'll kick myself in the pants later for this but for now I'm happy with myself). I can wear my biking shorts underneath which gives me the padding I need to keep my butt from being sore...and I didn't spend a hundred bucks. I think I'll end up buying some long underwear to go along with it. Stayed warm yesterday commuting and it was 32 degrees with 23 mph winds or so. So, I apparently did something right...hurray!
What else? nothing. That's about it. It is currently 27 degrees out....here's hoping it warms up in the next 2 hours.
Have a great day everyone. Thanks for stopping by and reading my blurbs...inconsequential as they are. Happy and Safe riding to ya!
Oh yeah and if you are in Illinois and driving your car...give all of the bikers you see 3 feet of room when passing us...IT'S THE LAW!!!!
Well no bungee cords means I don't know how I'm sticking my backpack onto my bike rack and holding it there during the commute today...this could be a problem...again, proving that I'm a moron when it comes to bikes. I should have planned this out a bit better and bought the damn bags specifically made to go on the rack...then...my problem would be solved. Although knowing me I'd run into another odd problem.
Yesterday after Bob left for work and as I sat around waiting for the kids to get up I decided that my sweatpants needed some modifications. It's very hard to find pants that are tight on the calf so that they don't billow out while riding...thus causing them to catch on the chain ring, which would then cause me to crash and probably injure myself badly. So, I decide to cut into my pants along the leg, cinch them up and sew them tight. It worked...both legs look the same, they don't look ridiculous, at least not from my biker need perspective...although most of us roadies look ridiculous to the general public I suppose...but I'm good with that. Anyway, I decided that I needed practicality and that it would be wasteful on my part to go spend a hundred bucks on a pair of winter biking pants...(I'm sure I'll kick myself in the pants later for this but for now I'm happy with myself). I can wear my biking shorts underneath which gives me the padding I need to keep my butt from being sore...and I didn't spend a hundred bucks. I think I'll end up buying some long underwear to go along with it. Stayed warm yesterday commuting and it was 32 degrees with 23 mph winds or so. So, I apparently did something right...hurray!
What else? nothing. That's about it. It is currently 27 degrees out....here's hoping it warms up in the next 2 hours.
Have a great day everyone. Thanks for stopping by and reading my blurbs...inconsequential as they are. Happy and Safe riding to ya!
Oh yeah and if you are in Illinois and driving your car...give all of the bikers you see 3 feet of room when passing us...IT'S THE LAW!!!!
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Quality Time with Sassy Cassy
Tonight after dinner Cassy and I went to the store. This seems to be some of the only 1 on 1 time that we get some weeks. Anyway, we had a good time. Spent an hour and a half running around the store being silly, laughing and enjoying each other's company.
On the way home I told her how much I enjoy even these little things like going to the store just her and I and she said she really does too....AAWWWW My 15 year old still likes spending time with her mama!
I tried to find bungee cords at Wal-mart but that was a no go! UGH!
On the way home I told her how much I enjoy even these little things like going to the store just her and I and she said she really does too....AAWWWW My 15 year old still likes spending time with her mama!
I tried to find bungee cords at Wal-mart but that was a no go! UGH!
New Gear for the Bike....
So, I rode out to North Central Cyclery today after I left work. Have I ever mentioned how much I love that place! The guys that work there are great and put up with me...I know nothing about bikes except that I love to ride them...I managed to change a tire myself but still I know nothing...I'll give an example of just how bad it is shortly.
I needed a front light so I can see while commuting home...got that. Decided what the heck might as well get that rack too so that I can make my commute easier...we'll see how that works out. I also ordered the sensor for my computer. Logging miles is a pain when I have no sensor...which is why I've been sticking to routes I know so that I can have an accurate log.
Anyway, here's the example of my complete idiocy when it comes to bikes...Tobie takes my bike off the stand and notices that my front hub is loose....so he tightens it for me...now...I had no idea why my tire was loose and why no matter how much I tightened it, it still felt loose to me. He just smiles and fixes it...while I mutter something stupid like "Yeah I noticed that but couldn't figure out why it's not getting tight"....DEE DA DEE! I sound like a moron...think back to high school those kick yourself in the ass moments when you realize just what a dumbass you just sounded like after saying something. That's me in the bike shop. But Thankfully Tobie doesn't tell me what a moron I am or that I shouldn't be riding a bike if I don't know a thing about it. I thank Tobie from the bottom of my heart for putting up with me....
I'll tell you about my loose chain idiot moment some other time.
Anyway, I rode away feeling pretty cool and proud of myself because he gave me kudos for putting in 1700 miles this year (I was actually right at 1700 miles when I came walking into the shop).
So, dork that I am I still felt pretty proud of myself. I still think I have a sexy bike...even if there are newer, sexier looking ones out there. It's kind of like my husband LOL.....I still think he's sexy even if he's a little older, slower, grayer. K..I'm stopping before anyone shows him this and he kicks my butt heehee!
I'm off to make dinner the kids are done with homework and the natives are getting restless folks!
Have a great night....Happy Riding!
I needed a front light so I can see while commuting home...got that. Decided what the heck might as well get that rack too so that I can make my commute easier...we'll see how that works out. I also ordered the sensor for my computer. Logging miles is a pain when I have no sensor...which is why I've been sticking to routes I know so that I can have an accurate log.
Anyway, here's the example of my complete idiocy when it comes to bikes...Tobie takes my bike off the stand and notices that my front hub is loose....so he tightens it for me...now...I had no idea why my tire was loose and why no matter how much I tightened it, it still felt loose to me. He just smiles and fixes it...while I mutter something stupid like "Yeah I noticed that but couldn't figure out why it's not getting tight"....DEE DA DEE! I sound like a moron...think back to high school those kick yourself in the ass moments when you realize just what a dumbass you just sounded like after saying something. That's me in the bike shop. But Thankfully Tobie doesn't tell me what a moron I am or that I shouldn't be riding a bike if I don't know a thing about it. I thank Tobie from the bottom of my heart for putting up with me....
I'll tell you about my loose chain idiot moment some other time.
Anyway, I rode away feeling pretty cool and proud of myself because he gave me kudos for putting in 1700 miles this year (I was actually right at 1700 miles when I came walking into the shop).
So, dork that I am I still felt pretty proud of myself. I still think I have a sexy bike...even if there are newer, sexier looking ones out there. It's kind of like my husband LOL.....I still think he's sexy even if he's a little older, slower, grayer. K..I'm stopping before anyone shows him this and he kicks my butt heehee!
I'm off to make dinner the kids are done with homework and the natives are getting restless folks!
Have a great night....Happy Riding!
Illinois Department of Labor
Our company decided that they are going direct deposit or prepaid debit card for our pay only. The third option is and I quote the corporate people "Go find another job".
After having several CNA's who don't have bank accounts come to me because they are worried I went searching.
1st...with the prepaid cards you use them as a debit card. You can only draw so much money off of them at a time unless you have a bank in which you have an account. Otherwise you are limited to I think $300.00 a day with fees.
2nd...Some of these people, actually many of them, are single mothers. They pay their rent and everything else with this check...if their landlord doesn't accept cc or debit payments they are screwed!
3rd ...From the Illinois Department of Labor website I pulled this up....
Q: Can I be required by company policy to accept direct deposit of my paycheck?
A: NO - An employer must pay each of it's employees his/her wages in a form that he/she may readily convert into cash (without the need of a personal bank account).
Now that doesn't exactly address the paycard issue but without a bank account the wages are not readily available on a paycard....so I think that is an issue...
I'm going to go talk to the administrator today...
As most of you know I take a huge issue with government or any authority people trying to pull the wool over people's eyes. I also take issue with someone trying to force me into giving up my rights. It's not for me an issue of inconvenience at this point--- it just really pisses me off that they are trying to force us to take something that from the sounds of it they can't....and telling us that if we don't comply we don't have a job...what a crock of shit. So, now I'm angry about it...Could be the fact that I'm a Libra and I don't like unfairness. Or it could be that I think all organizations are extremely corrupt. Either way...legal and illegal are pretty black and white in this case.
I am going to call down to the Dept. Of Labor this morning while at the bus stop with the kids...hopefully I can get through pretty quickly and find out for sure.
Anyone know anything about this situation?
After having several CNA's who don't have bank accounts come to me because they are worried I went searching.
1st...with the prepaid cards you use them as a debit card. You can only draw so much money off of them at a time unless you have a bank in which you have an account. Otherwise you are limited to I think $300.00 a day with fees.
2nd...Some of these people, actually many of them, are single mothers. They pay their rent and everything else with this check...if their landlord doesn't accept cc or debit payments they are screwed!
3rd ...From the Illinois Department of Labor website I pulled this up....
Q: Can I be required by company policy to accept direct deposit of my paycheck?
A: NO - An employer must pay each of it's employees his/her wages in a form that he/she may readily convert into cash (without the need of a personal bank account).
Now that doesn't exactly address the paycard issue but without a bank account the wages are not readily available on a paycard....so I think that is an issue...
I'm going to go talk to the administrator today...
As most of you know I take a huge issue with government or any authority people trying to pull the wool over people's eyes. I also take issue with someone trying to force me into giving up my rights. It's not for me an issue of inconvenience at this point--- it just really pisses me off that they are trying to force us to take something that from the sounds of it they can't....and telling us that if we don't comply we don't have a job...what a crock of shit. So, now I'm angry about it...Could be the fact that I'm a Libra and I don't like unfairness. Or it could be that I think all organizations are extremely corrupt. Either way...legal and illegal are pretty black and white in this case.
I am going to call down to the Dept. Of Labor this morning while at the bus stop with the kids...hopefully I can get through pretty quickly and find out for sure.
Anyone know anything about this situation?
Monday, November 5, 2007
Outriding the coming darkness
Super windy commute into work today...holy cow! I about got blown off the road twice on the way in. The gusts got stronger as the day went on...we had steady 20 mph winds with gusts of up to 45 mph...
I left work at about 4:45 p.m. I was riding as fast as I could to beat the darkness which was setting in fast. There is a big need for me to get a light on my bike. Going to leave work a little early tomorrow and go look for one at the local bike shop. Hoping Tobie can hook me up for not too much dough!
Okay, Happy Riding to all my fellow bikers....I'm off to the crochet sites!
I left work at about 4:45 p.m. I was riding as fast as I could to beat the darkness which was setting in fast. There is a big need for me to get a light on my bike. Going to leave work a little early tomorrow and go look for one at the local bike shop. Hoping Tobie can hook me up for not too much dough!
Okay, Happy Riding to all my fellow bikers....I'm off to the crochet sites!
Nothing like waking up before the Roosters!
This morning I was awake at 4 a.m. I know we just had the time change, but usually my butt is dragging until 6 a.m. Don't know what that's all about.
I should jump on the treadmill but I really hate my treadmill, it's just not as comfortable to use as the one at the YMCA...plus I'm afraid of falling off of this one.
However, I've got to do something, as the days get shorter and the winter sets in I'm prone to gaining weight and believe me that is just not necessary! During moments like this I really really miss my pre-pregnancy body! Size 0...yeah that's right a size 0! Even my body after the first two but before the twins would work...I was only a size 8!
Anyway, sorry for the whining..so, I need to do something and am looking into different things for the winter. My sis who lives in North Carolina has taken up running, and when she comes to visit I'd like to be able to go running with her, but this treadmill scares me folks...keeping my eye out for a different kind...
Other than that it seems like it's going to be a pretty nice day (I know this because I walked outside to get my bike out of the truck and it's pretty mild for this time of year).
I have to go to St. Charles today for a meeting about changes to Medicaid policy for Nursing Home Residents who need transportation....fun and interesting stuff (SNORE).
I had a decent week on the bike, not like I had in the summer but decent for the time of year and considering I didn't ride on Saturday or Sunday. 54.89 miles. Not too bad for just commuting.
If I get a true commuter bike I think I might also buy one of those trailers for pulling kids but instead of using it for that I would just hook that baby up, and head to the grocery store. Then I could load grocery's into that instead of driving. That would be fantastic!!!
Have I mentioned that I'm having Thanksgiving for my whole family here at my house? I'm stressing about this. Even my cousins are coming! YIKES! I think the dogs are going to be in the game room while dinner is served because being the big spoiled babies that they are they will sit right by the table waiting for droppings! I get paid this week so I'm going to go buy all the stuff I need for food etc. Also I need to buy peanut oil so that Bob can deep fry those turkeys!
Oh, quick note I saw the NE vs. Ind game...congrats to my buddy MidnightRider I believe I read in one of his posts that he's a NE fan.
My brother and I were fighting about basketball this weekend. Here's the deal...I loved NBA basketball for years. I was a huge Lakers fan...mainly because of Magic Johnson, who I have a signed picture of.
My brother thinks Michael Jordon is the best player of all time...I concede maybe he is....but...I stopped watching basketball a couple years ago...right after ARTEST jumped into the stands and started hitting fans! I thought it was terribly irresponsible of the commissioner of the NBA to allow him to come back and play at all. I wrote a letter to him stating just that...and explaining that I would lose my job, and the ability to ever work in health care for hitting anyone...and I made a much smaller wage than Mr. ARTEST. I also explained that until the NBA actually got rid of these snot nosed, irresponsible, hot tempered, foul mouthed players when they act out like that (towards bystanders, and fans...I honestly don't care if they pummel each other on the court) that I would no longer watch NBA basketball at all. I have stuck to my end of the bargain! Just stopped watching it all together. I couldn't even tell you who has won Title's since then...because I flip past it on the tv, or in the newspaper or wherever it's being discussed. My brother thinks I'm an idiot and that my stance makes me "NOT A TRUE FAN" I disagree....I think it shows only that I'm a stubborn woman who sticks to the threats that I make. Opinions anyone?
I also still think Magic Johnson was the best player!
I would much rather watch College basketball and considering that I live in a college town I can go to games with my family for under 30 bucks! Those kids play because they love the game...or because they have to to keep their full ride scholarships, either way they aren't really paid for it so they play with heart...and their attitudes are better than those guys who are young and in the NBA...My biggest point is that there are way too many punks running around who don't show any RESPECT....or as my husband says ...you can take the person out of the ghetto but you can't take the ghetto outta the person....yeah that about sums it up!
And before anyone says anything I think M. Vick should never be allowed to play in the NFL again either...again, you can take the person outta the ghetto.....you know the rest!
So thats my whining and ranting for the morning.
I should jump on the treadmill but I really hate my treadmill, it's just not as comfortable to use as the one at the YMCA...plus I'm afraid of falling off of this one.
However, I've got to do something, as the days get shorter and the winter sets in I'm prone to gaining weight and believe me that is just not necessary! During moments like this I really really miss my pre-pregnancy body! Size 0...yeah that's right a size 0! Even my body after the first two but before the twins would work...I was only a size 8!
Anyway, sorry for the whining..so, I need to do something and am looking into different things for the winter. My sis who lives in North Carolina has taken up running, and when she comes to visit I'd like to be able to go running with her, but this treadmill scares me folks...keeping my eye out for a different kind...
Other than that it seems like it's going to be a pretty nice day (I know this because I walked outside to get my bike out of the truck and it's pretty mild for this time of year).
I have to go to St. Charles today for a meeting about changes to Medicaid policy for Nursing Home Residents who need transportation....fun and interesting stuff (SNORE).
I had a decent week on the bike, not like I had in the summer but decent for the time of year and considering I didn't ride on Saturday or Sunday. 54.89 miles. Not too bad for just commuting.
If I get a true commuter bike I think I might also buy one of those trailers for pulling kids but instead of using it for that I would just hook that baby up, and head to the grocery store. Then I could load grocery's into that instead of driving. That would be fantastic!!!
Have I mentioned that I'm having Thanksgiving for my whole family here at my house? I'm stressing about this. Even my cousins are coming! YIKES! I think the dogs are going to be in the game room while dinner is served because being the big spoiled babies that they are they will sit right by the table waiting for droppings! I get paid this week so I'm going to go buy all the stuff I need for food etc. Also I need to buy peanut oil so that Bob can deep fry those turkeys!
Oh, quick note I saw the NE vs. Ind game...congrats to my buddy MidnightRider I believe I read in one of his posts that he's a NE fan.
My brother and I were fighting about basketball this weekend. Here's the deal...I loved NBA basketball for years. I was a huge Lakers fan...mainly because of Magic Johnson, who I have a signed picture of.
My brother thinks Michael Jordon is the best player of all time...I concede maybe he is....but...I stopped watching basketball a couple years ago...right after ARTEST jumped into the stands and started hitting fans! I thought it was terribly irresponsible of the commissioner of the NBA to allow him to come back and play at all. I wrote a letter to him stating just that...and explaining that I would lose my job, and the ability to ever work in health care for hitting anyone...and I made a much smaller wage than Mr. ARTEST. I also explained that until the NBA actually got rid of these snot nosed, irresponsible, hot tempered, foul mouthed players when they act out like that (towards bystanders, and fans...I honestly don't care if they pummel each other on the court) that I would no longer watch NBA basketball at all. I have stuck to my end of the bargain! Just stopped watching it all together. I couldn't even tell you who has won Title's since then...because I flip past it on the tv, or in the newspaper or wherever it's being discussed. My brother thinks I'm an idiot and that my stance makes me "NOT A TRUE FAN" I disagree....I think it shows only that I'm a stubborn woman who sticks to the threats that I make. Opinions anyone?
I also still think Magic Johnson was the best player!
I would much rather watch College basketball and considering that I live in a college town I can go to games with my family for under 30 bucks! Those kids play because they love the game...or because they have to to keep their full ride scholarships, either way they aren't really paid for it so they play with heart...and their attitudes are better than those guys who are young and in the NBA...My biggest point is that there are way too many punks running around who don't show any RESPECT....or as my husband says ...you can take the person out of the ghetto but you can't take the ghetto outta the person....yeah that about sums it up!
And before anyone says anything I think M. Vick should never be allowed to play in the NFL again either...again, you can take the person outta the ghetto.....you know the rest!
So thats my whining and ranting for the morning.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
BBBBRRRRRR
Clocks were turned back this morning at 2 a.m. Did you remember? I changed em once I woke up.
I went to take the dogs outside and oh my gosh....it was cold!!! 33 Degrees! Holy Cow it was bbbrrrr! :)
I may have to get the fireplace going!
Sunday is laundry day...I despise doing laundry...I know that's ridiculous considering how people used to have to do laundry and how I just have to walk to the basement and switch loads...it's more the folding and sorting and putting away of laundry that I hate. There are a hundred things I'd rather do...including cleaning my bathrooms rather than do laundry.
I don't think I'm going riding today. I'm going to stay inside my nice warm house. It will be cold again tomorrow morning and I'll ride into work then.
Okay that's it for now. I'm going to go start laundry, bake some chocolate chip cookies for Bob and the kids and maybe do some crocheting !
I went to take the dogs outside and oh my gosh....it was cold!!! 33 Degrees! Holy Cow it was bbbrrrr! :)
I may have to get the fireplace going!
Sunday is laundry day...I despise doing laundry...I know that's ridiculous considering how people used to have to do laundry and how I just have to walk to the basement and switch loads...it's more the folding and sorting and putting away of laundry that I hate. There are a hundred things I'd rather do...including cleaning my bathrooms rather than do laundry.
I don't think I'm going riding today. I'm going to stay inside my nice warm house. It will be cold again tomorrow morning and I'll ride into work then.
Okay that's it for now. I'm going to go start laundry, bake some chocolate chip cookies for Bob and the kids and maybe do some crocheting !
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Church Stuff
I got a call yesterday from the girl at my parish who handles all religious education for the children. She wanted to know if I was still interested in teaching the R.C.I.C. program, which I am...so I met with her today, I think she got a kick out of me walking in in biking gear with my helmet in my hands.
Anyway, I need to call the lady tomorrow who's children will be in my class. I'm excited about this. Hopefully I do a good job and don't botch things up!
Anyway, more to come about that once I get all that going.
Anyway, I need to call the lady tomorrow who's children will be in my class. I'm excited about this. Hopefully I do a good job and don't botch things up!
Anyway, more to come about that once I get all that going.
Visitors
Well, my best friend is coming up to visit this weekend and is dropping her husband off at my house for about a week. He's looking for work, there really isn't any work in or around my hometown so he's going to look up here.
I wouldn't mind having her live nearby...that would mean I could see my best friend more than once or twice a year.
So, we'll see how that works out. I just have to remember I can't go walking through the house early in the morning in my bra and underwear. :)
I wouldn't mind having her live nearby...that would mean I could see my best friend more than once or twice a year.
So, we'll see how that works out. I just have to remember I can't go walking through the house early in the morning in my bra and underwear. :)
Trick or Treating
Last night the kids got home from school and had to wait on Bob to get home. We went to our old neighborhood to Trick or Treat because our neighborhood is one street with just a few houses on it (cul - de - sac) and the rest of the area is apartments and college kids. So we headed over to the old neighborhood once Bob got home.
They had a blast. After about an hour they decided that they had enough candy and would rather go home...(as I child I assure you we never asked to go home!).
We stopped by mom's work and let her see them in costume. She loved it and the other beauticians all got a kick out of them as well.
Now it's time to take down the scary decorations and get decorated for the family Thanksgiving...I'll write more about this later.
They had a blast. After about an hour they decided that they had enough candy and would rather go home...(as I child I assure you we never asked to go home!).
We stopped by mom's work and let her see them in costume. She loved it and the other beauticians all got a kick out of them as well.
Now it's time to take down the scary decorations and get decorated for the family Thanksgiving...I'll write more about this later.
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