In other news....

Aside from planting my flowers and sprucing up my backyard...(constant work in progress when there are 4 boys, my 3 + my grandson and three dogs, always in the yard playing...here's what's new:

1. baby shower for an in-law yesterday. Yes...I like her...however, I do not like some of the people in the family who are very quick to be a-holes...you would think after 18 years they'd have gotten over trying to run me out...but I guess they aren't fast learners :o)

2. Gaven went on his Springfield field trip and was totally engrossed and amazed at some of the things he saw & learned...here's hoping this makes him a little more interested in LEARNING in general!

3. Had the meeting for Cody at the school, due to the grade 2 brain bleed he had at birth, his diagnosis of a processing delay due to this brain bleed and his social feelings of awkwardness the school has put into place some "helps" for him for his transition this fall into Jr. High. He will have an assisted study hall, either at the beginning of the day or the end of the day, either way it will allow him to get help with any homework he has. :) The social worker will also be checking in with him often to make sure he is adjusting properly. I am very happy with the elementary school, especially the principal who has always had Cody's best interest at heart.

4. I had my first bike commute to work the other day! Oh my gosh - it felt so great to be back on the bike. 17.3 miles - 18.0 miles depending on which route I take...I took the one that was pretty close to 18 miles. It was amazing, even if still a bit on the chilly side. I rode the Trek since the Wingra is still in the bike shop...the repairs were kind of steep and my finances have been in a valley with all the medical stuff happening with the kids and Bob. But, I hope to have it out of there soon and back on the road for this beautiful commute. There is 1 pretty long hill on the route that I took that really kicked my butt, I hope by the end of summer it doesn't feel like a problem for me.

5. Having picked up the habit of smoking during Bob's cancer diagnosis and treatment was stupid, especially since I had not smoked in 5 years...however, it was stressful and we all do stupid things once in a while. I have again kicked the habit...and am pretty damn happy about that development...as are my kids who keep asking me how many days it's been and high fiving me! :)

6. My hair is black now in case anyone didn't see my pics.

7. Read This is Gonna Hurt - it was a great book, the pictures and the writing are very thought provoking and make one seriously consider and perhaps reconsider their thoughts on beauty and the beauty of those surrounding them...as well as looking into themselves to see what they should be changing...or at least that is the impact it had on me.

8. I have recently picked up my very old Minolta camera and been out taking photos...alot...the cost of printing the film may put a hamper on this. I hope to get (perhaps for my birthday or christmas...hint to my family) a nice and new canon or nikon digital camera with lenses. :o)

9. I treated myself for mother's day ...and bought a 4 pack of tickets to see Motley Crue ! I'm STOKED! I saw them last year and I have to say Vince was disappointing...I know that's probably a crummy thing to say considering the guy is expected to sing every day during a tour and his voice probably hurts and it's likely he was having one of those days when I did see him...but I was pissed...like C'mon pretty boy...Sing to me...I didn't come to watch you put the microphone over the jerks in the first row who payed big bucks to come see you...I'm in these damn lawn seats...getting kicked every time some jackass walks past me stumbling around from a day of excessive drinking and what I really want is for you to make it all better with that sweet little voice of yours...Okay...off my high horse now...Vince has always rubbed me a little wrong, while on the other hand I think Nikki Sixx is AMAZING. :o)

10. It's Mother's day...to all the mother's out there - please have a beautiful, blessed, enjoyable day. Here the sun is shining, my family is still sleeping and my coffee is fresh...taco's at my mother in law's later will be a fun time!

Happy Riding my friends...