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!
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.
Monday, December 29, 2008
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!
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!
Friday, December 26, 2008
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.
He's working today - so I'll bake him some of his favorite Chocolate Chip cookies today.
Too much ice to ride.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
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 :)
***************************************************************
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!
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 :)
***************************************************************
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!
Monday, December 22, 2008
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!
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!
Friday, December 19, 2008
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!
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!
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