The goal has been met....

Today I hit my goal of 2500 miles on the bike for 2008.

I also have commuted to work 165 times this year. Not as good as I had hoped. I had been hoping to get 200 commutes in this year but due to some rather uncomfortable injuries I did not manage to get that accomplished. Live and learn.

Goals for next year are set. Will talk about those later...because right now I think I'm going to go have a cup of Folgers and a piece of that kick ass banana bread that I baked while talking to Greg yesterday!

I'm doing a happy dance! That was cutting it way too close - gonna have to figure out how many miles per month I need to hit in order to meet my goal so that I can breathe a little easier at this time in '09!

Happy Riding!

My dear Gregory...

I talked to Gregory yesterday. Okay, calling him Gregory is weird because he'll always be my Greg! The person who taught me so much about just living in the moment and loving what has been given to you.

It was the first time I've talked to him in....FOREVER. At least 9 years - maybe longer!

We used to rollerblade through Sinnissippi Park in Rockford and take breaks to smoke - for the purpose of recharging our batteries! LOL!

Since then we've both come a long way. Both of us have stopped smoking. We have both at some point gotten into running (him much more than me!) Now we have both gotten into cycling.
I love it! I hope to go to Madison and meet up with him sometime soon.

We talked for almost 2 hours...I could have talked longer but my mom was on her way over and I needed to get the food cooked.

I hope we don't lose touch again - he's so amazing and dynamic!

Sometimes we lose touch with people and it's the best thing that could happen - other times we lose touch and a part of our lives seem to be missing. Greg certainly fits into the latter category!

Safe Riding my friends - temps are supposed to hit 40 F today - so as soon as the sun rises I'm off to get those last 10 miles in so that I can reach my goal mileage for 2008. After today (barring all forseeable problems and many unforseeable ones) I'll have 2500 miles in for the year which is my goal!
...as my friends at the bike shop would say - Keep the rubberside down!

Happy Birthday

...to my hubby! He's gettin' old. He's gettin' grey. He creaks and pops when he walks, but I still love him and wouldn't trade him in on one of those younger, sexier models.

He's working today - so I'll bake him some of his favorite Chocolate Chip cookies today.

Too much ice to ride.

Trek Women

For the past year or so I've kept up with the Trek website. They are currently taking applications for the Trek Women. As anyone who rides with me or is on bikejournal following me knows, I ride a Trek 1000 WSD. So, I thought, eh what the heck and wrote out my essay. I had to tweak it a few times because the website kept telling me I was over the 500 word limit even though my Microsoft Word was telling me I was under...
So, here is my essay...for your enjoyment. I'm sure many people will apply and many people are much wittier than I am, but what the heck - I tried :)
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I ride because it brings me joy and freedom that I can only get while riding my bike. I ride to find peace and quiet from my hectic life as the mother of four children. Riding has become my passion.
I grew up in an extremely abusive home. I found that riding my bike gave me freedom. I could get on my bike and escape the insanity of my home. When I was on my bike I could lose myself in the joy of riding, the speed I could attain. I could simply ride and be safe, if only for a little while. After moving out of that house I stopped riding except for occasionally. Soon I gave my bike to my brother, got married, and started having kids.
Fast forward eight years. My husband and I had four children, the last two were twins who were born 3 months premature. The first few years of their lives I barely left the house except for going to doctor appointments. I had very little time for myself and found myself a bit depressed. My neighbor invited me to join her on her morning bike rides. I did. We would ride about 2.5 miles a day. We both had mountain bikes and would ride on a road by our house. I began to lose weight but more importantly I remembered just how much I loved being on a bike! One day some guy on a road bike, decked out in spandex flew past me. My competitive spirit kicked in and I knew I needed to buy a road bike.
I bought a Trek 1000 WSD and rode it on the ‘Biking with Beanzie’ ride. I rode 46 miles that day. It was the most exhilarating thing I had done in years.
It’s been 3 years now since I bought that bike. The first year I had it I didn’t log my miles, I just rode. The second year I did a lot of riding, including commuting to and from work. I had set a goal of 1500 miles last year and rode that plus a couple hundred extra miles. This year I have ridden 2500 miles.
My children have seen that not only am I a mother who loves them but also a woman who has found something she loves and finds time to do it. There are many reasons that I ride but they all come back to one simple and elemental thing; riding is something that I love, and doing what I love brings me joy!

Merry Christmas....

Christmas Morning in the Croom house. The kids were up early...Even though they didn't hit their beds until about 11 p.m.

Everyone was happy. Now I'm waiting for my lemon cake to come out of the oven.

Cold as can be outside - hoping for a warm up so I can get those last 10 miles in on the bike before the end of the year.

Happy Riding!

Sub-zero Temps...

are keeping me off the bike. I could ride if I had to. I don't have to so I haven't. I know that's a bit wussy on my part - but dang! It's frigid out there.

I haven't had a good long ride (25+) miles since the weather turned good and cold. I need to be on the bike. I've gained 4 lbs in the past month! wth? I think it's all those chocolate chip cookies and loaves of banana bread I've baked!
The extra four pounds is making me feel almost lethargic! I am more tired than I can remember being in a long time. I wasn't this tired after my century ride with John this summer and that was brutal on me b.c of how my knee felt. Anyway, I'm losing it.

I need to move to warmer climates. With Brendon and Cody getting this latest dx from the cardiologist I think warmer climates would do them some good too - I mean - they can't be outside when it's below 32 degrees outside...seems to me that means they shouldn't live someplace that for 4-5 months out of the year temps are below that.

Maybe Tutera has room for me in one of their Texas facilities - or Louisiana...I don't think we have any in Florida though:( EIther way I'm tired of the cold and tired of being tired. Downloaded a new Yoga video - gonna do that in a bit...see how that goes - even though a nap sounds so much better right now!

Happy Riding!

Follow up on School buses and 16 year olds!

Okay, brief update on the two previous discussed situations...

1. School busing situation - the girl from the district did call me and tell me that they would pick up ALL 3 boys! Hurray!

2. 16 year old still thinks I'm the meanest person in the universe! Oh well. Life goes on...
- I do want to mention that a little ass kissing on her part would be nice but seeing that she is my daughter with my stubborn streak perhaps she's not of the mind to brown nose it! Apparently not because after working 14 hours today I came home to her on the couch with her pajama's and robe on and the house only partly in order - the part that was in order is pretty much what I had put in order last night.
Tomorrow she and her brothers will have a long list of items to finish before I get home from work.

Speaking of work - one of my night/weekend receptionists was in the hospital last week - this week her doctor did not release her - today I talked to her - she's not able to come back I find out...UGH! So, I covered tonights shift. Tomorrow I will cover the 8-2 shift - I'll be going in earlier than that to do my own work that can't be done while sitting at the reception desk. Sunday I got lucky and Gail agreed to work the desk for me. Gail is the daytime receptionist who is 60 some years old. She's one of those people who can be nice as pie or mean as hell! Usually she's nice to me - sometimes though she's very mean...when she's mean I just cut her off from all of my baked goods until she starts being nice again! It usually doesn't take too long before she sweetens back up again! lol!

My boss comes back to work tomorrow. If I hear her complain about a single thing that isn't done or not done properly while she's gone I'm going to tell her that from now on when she goes on vacation I'll do her deposits for her and the daily census and the rest of it she can fix when she gets back since I do such a piss poor job! She's a perfectionist (I mean so far over the top that she can't even stand to be around herself sometimes)...so I'll never do it well enough; but I will make her aware that if she doesn't like how I do it she can just do it all herself when she gets back and that way it's to her satisfaction! :) Which really is just a way of saying shut up and be happy someone tried to do some of it and alleviate the overload when you get back!

That being said I'm done venting for the night. I think I cursed a few times in this post - sorry if that offends anyone. I once in a while can be a potty mouth!

Ride safe! The roads are getting icy! I saw one other soul braving the snow on a bike! God love the "icebikers"...it takes a rare breed...I'm glad to be among them! Only 3 weeks till the Madison Bike Swap! Hurray!

The Mind of a 16 Year old....

My daughter (above mentioned 16 year old) has always struggled with math. She refuses to listen to any advice and won't consider doing more problems in order to figure out the math...

Okay...so rewind to August -
Mother/Daughter Conversation:

Mother: Cass, I know that you have struggled in a subject or two in the past, particularly math; however, this year do not bring home an 'F' at any point.

Daughter: (something along the lines of) :begrudgingly: that's so unfair you know I suck at math.

Mother: Yes, I know you struggle, I did as well, but you're a smart girl and I know you can keep the grade up. If you don't you will find yourself grounded or lose access to the cell phone and /or computer.

Fast Forward to Monday:
Midterm grades were received in the mail...

Band 'A'
English 'A'
Etc, etc, all A's until......
GEOMETRY 'F'

Conversation Monday Night:

Mother: Cass, come have a seat on the couch; we need to talk.

Daughter: Plopping down on couch - "What?"

Mother: Midterm grades are in and you have an 'F' in Geometry. What did we say would happen if you brought home an F.

Daughter: OMG are you kidding me? You know I'm bad at math - besides I just aced a test this week so it's not an F anymore.

Mother: Oh good - well, in that case bring me a note from your teacher or have them send me an email telling me you're above an F and you will be allowed to use the computer again. (mother had decided that since it was a midterm grade and not a semester grade that being grounded from the computer was punishment enough).

Daughter: Are you freaking kidding?

Mother: Not at all.

Daughter: I can't use the computer until I bring a note from my teacher? (there was a slight tone of panic in her voice at this point).

Mother: Absolutely.

Daughter: But my teacher is out of town until after the new year.

Mother: Well it looks like you are off the computer until school starts again then!

Daughter: ::Stomping up the stairs::: That is a bunch of crap!

Mother: Wait a minute: Be aware that if you do get on the computer you will be grounded from leaving the house for the entire Christmas break!

Daughter: Oh My Gosh!!! This is so unfair.

Fast forward to the following evening:

Mother jumps online and checks out myspace...sure enough daughter has uploaded pictures that day....hhhmmm...

Daughter gets home from band or acappela practice.

Mother: Cass, I just told you yesterday that you were grounded from the computer and yet today you uploaded pics to your myspace.

Daughter: I haven't been online.

Mother: Cass, it shows that you signed in to myspace today - updated your status and loaded pics.

Daughter: That wasn't me. That was Jen. She told me she loaded pics and asked if I wanted them...I told her I did but was grounded from the computer so I gave her my username and pw and had her load them onto my page for me.

MOther: Nice try at getting around me on a loophole/technicality...however, you are now grounded for the entire Christmas Break!

MOther walked away to hear a "OH MY GOSH! THIS IS CRAP! from Daughter.

Today>............................

Daughter: Mom, I know I'm grounded but Zak bought those tickets for me and Em to go with him to Chicago on the 22nd.

Mother: Well, maybe Zak can find another friend to go with Emily and him.

Daughter: Are you kidding me (notice she says this alot - like some mantra hoping that something won't come true)...?

Mother: Absolutely not. I told you that you were grounded from the computer - you chose to completely ignore me, knowing the consequences would mean you would not be going to Chicago as planned.

Daughter: ....Tears start ROLLING.... Oh my God...that's so unfair mom. He spent his money on that and it was his christmas present to me and Em...

Mother: Well, I'm sorry you didn't respect either of us enough to follow the rules as they were set before you. You made a choice and now you live with the consequences.

Daughter: BAWLING...This is so unfair!!! I didn't get on the computer.

MOther: Well, as a smart 16 year old, you should have checked with me to see if that was an acceptable thing to do- surely you've known me long enough ....(here mother points out that she's been living with her mother for 16 years and knows how she thinks) to know that I wouldn't think that was okay.

Daughter: YOu are so unfair to me! This sucks! ::::More bawling::::

Mother: You knew the rules, the consequences for breaking those rules and you chose to break the rules. I'm not arguing about it...there is nothing to argue about. You're grounded for Christmas Break. Keep yelling and carrying on and you will be earning further punishement and extra chores during break.

Daughter: Quieting sniffles and crying. Walks to the bathroom, locks herself in and continues crying for as long as humanly possible to continue crying - most likely while watching herself cry in the mirror to see if she's still cute!
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Let me say - this whole thing sucked! I hate grounding her but honestly I feel like by her totally ignoring the punishment in the first place it was a big "Screw you mom" so....in turn - her plans are now screwed!

Feel free to share thoughts. Not that I'm going to change my mind on this, but I'd love to hear how other people would handle such things.

OKay, safe and happy riding. I'm holed up waiting to see if we get the nasty pounding they are saying we are going to get. 6 -12" expected here.

Will update in the morning on how much snow we've got.

Cardiology Appointment

Brendon saw his cardiologist today. He had an echocardiogram.

His pulmonary artery is a enlarged. Apparently this is something his doctor expected because of the heart condition and the lung condition (the lung condition being that having been born 3 months premature their lungs were not developed - then being on a respirator, even an ocylator, their lungs were damaged and probably never fully recovered). He also gave us a referal to see a pulmonologist. Aside from that he agreed with me that the cold temps (below freezing) cause their lungs to work harder and because of the damage the circulation isn't as good as it should be - because of all of that their hearts are pumping harder trying to get oxygenated blood out. The extra work causes the chest pain - thus the feeling of their hearts being squeezed. (The same thing happened to Cody as well).
The Cardiologist, Dr. S (he's wonderful and has been seeing the boys since they were born), wrote a note saying that both Brendon and Cody need to be bused to school in the winter months and that they are not to be outside in temps under 32 degrees.

I later talked to the school. Gaven their older brother goes to the same school and the school has told me that while they will pull up to the house to pick up the twins they will not pick up Gaven who goes to the same school as them at the same time...I am going to fight that - I mean ARE YOU FREAKIN KIDDING ME??? He has a heart condition too - just hasn't been to the ER yet because of the cold bothering him. So, the girl in transportation agreed to talk to someone to see if they would be able to do that - if not I will go talk to the superintendant. It's too bad my last name isn't Bemis or Pappas - that would get a lot of red tape removed quickly...am I saying that to be an A-hole? Yes and No - but either way I've watched red tape be removed because of a last name in this town within the school district repeatedly while others were never able to remove the same red tape...so I say that with true conviction that I am stating a fact.

4- 8 inches of snow expected - we already have about 5 inches! I wish they would call of school for tomorrow. I'd be off to work early and take the long way into work...cuz that snow is looking oh so fun right now (and I don't even like snow for the most part - but it's calling to me!).

Ride Safe!!!

Illinois Politics?

For anyone who has watched the news lately news that the governor of Illinois was arrested on charges of trying to sell Mr. Obama's Senate seat is not news to you.

Illinois politics can be summed up in one little phrase 'corrupt political machine'. The governor came up in that machine as did many other politicians - including the beloved president to be. It is interesting that so many people don't want to even consider that to make it to the top in a corrupt political machine you have to be just as corrupt as the rest of them - because if they did perhaps they would have to dig a little deeper into certain people's backgrounds.

I am one of those people who can't find it in my heart to get too excited about any politician (of either party) as I personally think that they are all full of it, full of themselves, consider themselves above reproach and in general are only vaguely aware of what 'by the people, for the people' means. When I see politicians being brought down by scandal and crime I can't even pretend to be shocked - it's just one who got caught while many others got away with it.

As the saying goes - it will only get worse before it gets better.

Ride safe!

The Flat Tire Card....

The other day I stopped in the bike shop on my way home from work. I have used all my extra tubes and thought it best to go get some more considering the luck I've been having in the past month with flats.

Tobie was there (I don't think there's very often I walk in that he's not there) and has started growing chops - okay I think it's funny - but hey whatever floats your boat. Hubby was impressed with them because he seems to be unable to grow them - he tries to blame this on his American Indian heritage - I'm not sure I buy it though.

So, I tell Tobie that I need a couple more tubes, at which point he pulls out a card that's had me quietly chuckling to myself the past two days...okay not just to myself - Ashley in housekeeping who used to race mountain bikes and I laughed as well.
Now, don't get me wrong it's a nice idea - especially as a stocking stuffer as Tobie pointed out to my dear husband. However, the more I have thought about this the more amused I've gotten and perhaps I'm a little slaphappy but - 1. I need to talk Tobie into adding a roadside service with the purchase of this card. I mean fix a flat is a great idea but I still have to get the bike with the flat tire to the bike shop in order for it to get fixed. At which point I'm still stranded on some snow/ice covered road or path with a flat tire and hands that do not want to come out of their cozy George Hincape gloves. However, if they offer roadside assistance I'll buy it up in a heartbeat. Tobie needs to add Perks! Perks are good!
This is really what has had me chuckling...So, I walked out with 2 new tubes. Happy day!

Is it weird that new tubes make me happy? Bob says it is. I however think it's like my happiness at getting a new pen or stationary! It's just how I am.


Madison Bike Swap meet on January 10th. I can't wait! I got some great deals last year and I am going to look for a decent bike for Cassy - she wants to start riding with me and since I do not have permission to go buy myself a new Orbea thus passing down my Trek (mine is blue instead of white as in the link) to her , I need to find her a cheap but decent road bike to ride with us.

Ride safe and stay warm!

Christmas Crafts

Below are some pics of things I've made over the last month or so. These are all gifts that I'm giving away for Christmas. The first pics are of a purse I crocheted for my sister. It is a dark green so it was hard to get a good pic with the camera phone but it is what it is. I love it so much I considered not sending it to her LOL! The others are some dishcloths and dishtowels that I crocheted for gifts. They will be given away as sets. 2 dishcloths with 1 dishtowel. I have also made about 20 more that I've been selling. I'm finishing up a cute purple purse for my kiddo. Plus I just saw this really cool guitar purse that I might make and give to Cassy instead of the purple purse...because it is so cute! Just depends on if I get the time to do it.

CT Scan Results...

came in yesterday - it was a clear scan! WOOHOO!

More tests to follow - still have to figure out why things are happening, but I am very thankful that it was clear.

No flat tire on the ride yesterday.

Rain, sleet and snow today so I'm not riding in...mainly though because Brendon has an appointment for a pulmonology test.

I will not be making 200 commuter rides for the year this year - nor will I make 3000 miles for the year - however, my goal was to reach 2500 miles and I have that in at this point.

Safe Riding.

CT Scan is done...

The CT Scan was a pretty quick procedure - 30 minutes in and out. The iodine they shoot into you for the contrast is an interesting thing. I felt it moving through my arm making it warm while my forearm felt extremely cold...but then the bad feeling started - it seriously felt as if I had just pissed my pants - very concerning..who wants to be that person? Thankfully, the tech had warned me about that particular sensation!

Speaking of the Tech's; those people should go play poker in Vegas. I have never seen tech's who were so straight faced during an entire procedure.

'Mrs. Croom?' This from the tech coming to the door of the waiting room.
"Hi. How are ya?' Me - being totally positive and cheerful.
"Fine, thanks, have you ever had a ct scan before?" The tech again - straight faced with no inflection to her voice
'No, I haven't'
then she went through the whole schpeal. No crack of a smile, no personal talk etc..keep it to the point is apparently their motto.

I'm sure that's the way they are supposed to be but dang - crack a smile. The tech could have atleast said "nice chest" lol .

Anyway - results are expected Monday.

Thanks for the well wishes.

Ride Safe!

Flat Tires and CT Scan Scheduled

Yesterday morning I prayed my rosary (I do this every morning - or rather most mornings). Afterwards I was pretty much saying that I was fine with whatever God decides to do as far as all this stuff with me and the doctors and tests goes - whatever he hands me I will handle to the best of my ability and rely on his grace to help me cope with what I don't handle well...

So - I leave for work and a mile or so away from the office have a flat tire (my 3rd this season - which is kind of bogus considering that I only had 1 flat in my previous 2 years of riding). So, I looked up and said "that's wasn't very nice!"

I walked the rest of the way to work - I haven't honed my tire changing skills enough to spend the time changing it when I was that close to the building. SO, Ashlee who used to be a bike mechanic changed it for me once I was at work. Yes, I am aware that is totally wussing out of it but hey - I had lots going on.

Other than that it was a pretty mundane day - in which I didn't get a lot done workwise because I spent so much time on the phone with doctors. My CT scan is scheduled for today, I'll leave work at about 2:30 to head for the hospital. Fingers crossed!

Ride Safe!

DOCTORS, DOCTORS AND MORE DOCTORS

Yesterday was filled with visiting doctors.

We spent many hours in doctors offices yesterday - First Brendon had to be seen by the doctor because of his heart condition. We are going to have to have more tests done at the cardiologists office.

Later in the day I spent almost 2 hours in the doctors office. He asked me if lymphoma runs in the family. I told him I wasn't aware of it if it did but that I don't speak to my father (that's a whole long drawn out issue - not that I wouldn't like to speak to him but daddy dearest has a wife and two sons who are a few years older than I am...so bad scene).

So, he is concerned and wants a CT scan of my chest..to check if I have nodes in my chest...I'm a little confused about the whole thing but will be doing some research. So, I have to call over to the hospital this morning and get that scheduled - he said he wants it done immediately.

He also said if there was any way to contact my father and find out that it would be a good idea...ugh! I called my mom last night - told her the situation and asked her to call, her best friend's husband is friends with my father so however the information gets relayed is fine - I just want an answer. I know that he had 2 sisters who died in their 30's or early 40's but don't know why. So, that information could prove to be important.

So, that's the news on this end. I'm actually pretty calm and collected. I mean, it's not a diagnosis and a lot of things could be a problem that manifests certain other things - so, until I hear for sure I'm just going to stay calm about it all.

We are supposed to get more snow today but I'm riding anyway - if it's too bad when I leave work I'll just have Bob pick me up on his way home.

Happy and Safe riding!

The week wrapped up.

This past week was Thanksgiving. I'm a little jealous of my friend who was able to get a bunch of biking in. I on the other hand got a whole lot of NO biking in.

I did however bake and cook ALOT - Banana bread, Lemon cake, no bake cookies, chocolate chip cookies - and I'm not talking a batch or two - I'm talking about 4 - 5 batches each...crazy!
I'm sure I gained 5 lbs just looking at the food and another 5 from eating it!

Thanksgiving was nice; we spent it over at my Aunt's house.

Sassy Cassy got home from the State Street Thanksgiving Day Parade just in time to eat. She was a TADBIT grouchy from being so tired!

This was the last weekend that my soon to be (I Hope) sister - in-law Stephanie and my niece Ariana were in town - they leave next weekend for Florida until January 7th - my little brother will be leaving 2 weeks after them to go meet them there. So, yesterday we had a big dinner here. Carnita's (oh my gosh - I think Bob ate half his body weight in those) and Italian Beef with all kinds of sides and cakes and cookies etc. It was a good day, except that the Packers lost :(

Yesterday the snow started - we only got about 2 - 2 1/2 inches by this morning. It's very pretty out there - but I do dislike the temps that come with this weather and the crazy people on the roads!

Well, happy riding everyone. Brendon sees the doctors this week; keep your fingers crossed for us - send up a prayer if you remember. Thanks!