Remembering a fellow cyclist

This evening as I sat down to read through the emails in my box I noticed several from a lady in my bike club who always sends us updates about what's going on with people in the group.

Unfortunately it was very sad news. A member of our group, Len, who was 37 years old had a heart attack and died.

In a following email there were pictures of him...I hadn't recognized his name, but then again I only joined last spring and rode with the same 6 people almost every ride. There were many I met and talked to for a brief period of time but I don't remember everyone's names.

When I saw the pictures I was so saddened. I remember him, not because we ever even had a conversation, but because he was one of the fast guys (you know the ones that the rest of us look at and wonder how anyone can be that in shape!) - always coming into the restaurant we all meet up at halfway through our Saturday morning ride, sweating like crazy and laughing and joking with everyone.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and to his family! I didn't know him, at least not on a personal level but he was one of us, part of our cycling family...as the email said, We lost one of our best.

A Different View

I mentioned this morning that I was riding into work today...which I did. We had 1.5 inches of snow on the ground. I took my normal route to work including the bike trail, which was totally covered in mostly untouched snow. It was a gorgeous ride, this particular bike trail I take is surrounded by a wooded area so on either side there are trees. There were several different animal tracks in the snow and it was so peaceful and so clean...amazing.

Everyone should slow down, grab a bike and take a stroll, people would get to see things from such a different point of view. I can honestly say that when I used to drive back and forth there was nothing scenic that I noticed about my surroundings - now that I ride all the time, I notice something new and different each day.

My pal the crossing guard was happy to see me and hollered a warning to ride carefully in all that snow! Nice guy! He even noticed my new bike...I know this because I always slow down as I get close to him because he has a lot to say in the few seconds I am riding past him and usually some of it is lost on me since I'm already past him....

Anyway, beautiful day to be on a bike!

Safe and happy riding everyone!

Froggy Friday

Well considering that today is Friday, February 29, 2008 it's a froggy Friday. :o) My attempt at humor! Sorry!

Aside from that. I'm riding the Wingra to work today. It might take me a while to get there as I haven't decided which route to take. There's about 1.5 inches of fresh powder on the ground but it's so gorgeous and it's in the high 20's so I can't resist...plus there's very little wind to speak of. I also need to get in gear to kick up that mileage...as there are only 52 miles on my BikeJournal.com log at this point.

Today is the last day of the month, which means end of month close begins at work. I have to get all my accounts payable out TODAY...I also have to get the Resident Trust Accounts balanced. Should be a busy day - I'm not even sure if I'll be taking a lunch today - there's just too much to do and not enough time in the day.

One last thing before I go, I am on the market for a new (used) vehicle...Since my DH wrecked my truck and now it's all dented up and doesn't quite drive like it should (can't explain it just feels loose) I'm looking to get rid of it on something else, which saddens me a bit. I really loved that truck - it's also 13 years old so I'm not going to get a lot at trade in on it but I need to get something else...soon! I saw a nice Jeep Cherokee in a lot last night so I may take a look Saturday.

Okay, I'm off to get things ready for today - have a good day everyone! Ride Safe!

Baptism class, New Books, & Riding

As I've mentioned before I've been teaching a class at church for kids who need to be baptized. I just finished up another session, but found out I'll have another starting, this one will be to get 2 girls ready to receive communion. I'll not start that until May because they are currently enrolled in another class. So, I'm excited about that. I also found out that we have a list of people who will be taking the RCIC class in the fall.

I picked up two new books yesterday. One is called St. Michael and the Celestial Choir of Angels. The other is a book about Fatima - considering that I'm Portuguese I do know the story of Fatima and what happened there - but I can't say that I've ever read a lot about it.

I also have a romance novel to pick up at Borders - it's one in the series I've been reading this year. Perhaps I'll pick it up tonight.

Considered riding into work this morning but it's -2 (without the wind chill) and I'm still fighting this respiratory infection so breathing could become difficult especially against the wind on some of those hills. Thankfully March is just around the corner and that means the kick off of the riding season.

Okay, I better scram! Have a great day everyone.

Wonderful Wednesday

Good morning everyone. Just as I logged on one of my favorite songs came on the radio...I've heard this song more in the past 2 weeks than I have in the past 10 years...lol.

So, today is a Wonderful Wednesday because it's pay day - which always makes Wednesday wonderful! :)

It's going to be a busy day - I have to work all day,our Regional Business Office person is in the building plus we have a mandatory meeting at 2 p.m. Then I have to leave work shortly after the meeting and go by the Catholic store in town and grab a bunch of Holy Water bottles for the class I teach tonight. Then I need to pick Cass up from Softball practice - get to the church and do my class. I'm not sure what the boys will have for dinner, but hey, there are leftovers so they will manage!

I will not be riding into work today because I have too many things to do and too much stuff to carry around with me!

The snow is cleared off the roads, for the most part and hopefully with March right around the corner that will be the end of the snow!

I've been on the treadmill, worked with the dumbbells and been on the floor doing my 100 crunches this morning. My baby sister will be home in about 3 weeks (for mom's surprise party) and well, I'd like to not look quite so chubby! Especially since my sis is living on the beach, I'm sure she looks phenomenal!
I've lost a few pounds though, thankfully and hopefully by the time she gets here I'll have managed to drop at least 10 lbs.

My to do list for the party is growing to crazy lengths. I am hoping that I can give some of the things to my two brothers to deal with, such as picking up the food from the place we are getting it on the day of the party and helping the D.J. set up while we decorate...etc. I need an assistant LMAO!

Okay, that's it for now 6:13 a.m. I'm going to go jump in the shower, sing a song or two while in there and then get ready for work!

Be safe and be good to each other - life's too short to be hateful!

Driving in a winter wonderland

This morning we awoke to about 5.5 inches of snow. On the way to Rockford the radio station I was listening to was saying we have had more snow now than we had even in 1979...and I remember that winter...that was a lot of dang snow!
The drive to Rockford was horrible....absolutely horrible. There were many cars in the ditch...as well as a mini van on it's side in the ditch and a semi tipped over and it's cargo trailer broken in half. At some points we were doing under 10 mph. It took forever to get there.

Where is "there" you might ask...we had a cardiology appointment for Cody this morning. We have the all clear from the doc (for the most part)...for the next 2 weeks I have to write down any time Cody has chest pains...then at the end of the 2 weeks call his cardiologists office back and let them know how many times..from there they may decide to give him a heart monitor for a period of time to try to isolate what's going on when his chest pains occur.

Anyway, that's about it...have a super day everyone...I'm going to go relax for a bit!

Being Sickly

I haven't posted much lately because I've been very ill - this bug that's going around is a stinker to get rid of. Although I was feeling very well yesterday - enough so to get my housework all finished and make it to Mass...I am not feeling quite as hot this morning. This morning I'm full of phlegm. Gross huh?

I will be commuting into work this morning on the Wingra - the weather has turned warmer and well, once you have the cycling bug it's difficult to get rid of. I recently picked up a pair of G. Hincapie (sp) cycling gloves and a balaclava. I still have not been able to get that commuter rack on the back of my wingra - apparently I need to take it into the bike shop because I'm having a heck of a time.

Tomorrow is Cody's cardiology appointment - I think he's a little freaked out about it. I think also that his twin brother Brendon is feeling a little left out with all the attention Cody has been getting lately...will need to do something special with him this weekend.

A cyclist was killed yesterday in Chicago. Very sad news. No charges have been filed in the death - apparently the group of cyclists were riding and at least this guy ran a red light and went into oncoming traffic. I believe they said he was 29 years old...

Only a few weeks until mom's surprise birthday party - I'm getting excited. I hope we have a great turn out. I need to get on the ball about ordering the food for catering as well as taking Cassy to get the decorations.

Speaking of Cassy - 2 things - today she has softball try-outs. She's nervous. So keep your fingers crossed that she does well. Also, as I've mentioned before she has her drivers permit - and has been driving everyone everywhere....I'm enjoying it. She's a good driver and it's almost like being chauffeured around town.

Okay, I was going to go run 2 miles but with being so full of phlegm today I think I will forgo the run and the exercise altogether since I'll be riding in and don't want to kill myself.

Have a safe and happy day folks!

Maiden Voyage of the Gary Fisher Wingra

I rode in this morning ~ despite the cold temps (20 degrees) with wind gusts of 30 mph. Fun stuff.

I was able to ride the new bike - my commuter. That really beautiful Gary Fisher Wingra.

The guys at the bike shop did a great job putting everything together for me. It rides like a dream...I need to adjust the seat just a bit for a nice full pedal stroke but other than that it's perfect (except that I can't get the rack on the back because my brackets aren't long enough - will talk to Tobie about this tomorrow and see what he can figure out).

I can tell the difference in the weight....I had to work much harder (maybe it was mostly because of the biting wind...).

Anyway, great ride in... interesting to ride in an upright position instead of being more hunched over like I am on the Trek.

The kids are all home from school today so I'll stay late and get a couple extra hours in because something is bound to happen during the week that will make me have to leave early :)

Stay safe out there...oh yeah and a big fat thanks to the people who passed slowly and even went far out to their left to avoid being too close to me this morning...there was a lot of ice on the roads and although I manged to keep the rubber down I was a bit nervous but everyone was very gracious this morning!

Have a great day everyone!

Oh, on a quick side note....those who know me know that I love history - not just American History either, if anyone has read anything good in this area that they want to recommend please do so as I'm looking for a good read!

Abe Lincoln, Cody and a Wingra

Okay the title doesn't really make sense but it will once you've read this.

Gaven's class had to pick an influential person in History and portray them while giving a speech. Gaven picked Abraham Lincoln. The kids all did a great job with costumes it was fabulous. One girl was Diana Ross, another kid was Elvis, another was Vivaldi. I can't remember what everyone did but those are the ones that really stood out.

He did a great job and I had the pleasure of being in the classroom to watch it. I video taped it which I need to upload but because he speaks so quietly the speech is pretty much not able to be heard. As soon as I upload it I will post it on here.

We had a bit of a scare with Cody, he got to school the other day and was having chest pains, we went to the ER. they contacted his cardiologist after running a lot of tests and they have him scheduled to be seen on February 26th, which seems like a long way out but when you consider that I usually call in February to make sure I can get an appointment in May I think it's a pretty good deal. Until he is cleared he is unable to do any physical activities that would increase his heart rate (running, biking, gym and recess are out!). Poor kid....he hates sitting still...what 7 year old doesn't?

I picked up my Wingra - But I can't get my rack to sit on it right....the attachment piece for the front is not long enough, I'll shoot Tobie and email and see if he has a longer piece he can get for me.

Okay, other than that life is pretty normal. Did I mention Cassy has her drivers permit now? She loves driving and I have to say, she's pretty good at it and I like sitting in the passenger seat relaxing!

Be safe out there!

A Loss of Innocence

As many of you are aware - the shooting on the NIU campus yesterday was literally only a couple of blocks from my house.

The buses bringing home the elementary students was delayed of course....and unfortunately the kids knew before they ever walked in the house that there was a shooting at the university (Apparently a hysterical bus driver had said something over the bus radio and it came over all the buses, which means a lot of very freaked out kids).

So, the talk came...the fears were brought to light. This morning as my daughter was leaving for school I found myself asking if she had minutes on her phone, and if she remembered what to do if some one came into her classroom with a gun....

The same talk occurred with the younger ones, because apparently no one is left untouched.

I grew up in a small town in central Illinois. The only monster I was aware of was my stepfather who hurt me...my town was small, peaceful and safe. It is hard for me to accept that I live in a city where these things happen....not to say they can't and won't happen in a smaller town but it's just sad that innocence is lost...these kids don't know what it is to be carefree because they hear and see things that we never heard as kids. I think it's a sad state of affairs.

7 dead so far, including the shooter.

God Bless! Be safe!

NIU SHOOTING

For any of you who watch the news you have probably heard about the shooting on the NIU campus. This shooting took place only a few blocks from my house.

Everyone was panic stricken and everything was chaotic.

People weren't sure if the gunman was in custody or not, people were scared out of their minds.

The school buses were put on hold until the scene was secured.

It was a very scary thing. As the night has gone on, we are hearing more and more details and the number of people shot and dead has risen even in this past hour.

At this point there are 6 people dead - including the gunman. They have not released names, but please say a prayer tonight, or keep them in your thoughts as well as the families of these people.

It's such a sad thing, people die everyday, but senseless death is always difficult to deal with.

God Bless!