Why I Love Today

2 Reasons........

1.  It is Cameron's last day of clinical here.....

And last day of clinical....EVER!!!  We plan on celebrating when he gets home!!

One more month of school, and he will officially be DONE!!!

It's been a long road.

May 6th is the big day!!!!

2.  It's Race Day!!

Today is stage 2 of the San Dimas Stage Race in California. Tayler is the 4th one back, in her stealth red "Terminator" glasses. (This pic is from Merco....but you get the idea.)  Wish I was there to cheer her on! All 4 of the parental units are headed to Redlands next weekend to watch her race before she heads to Europe for the Spring Classics.

It's looking sunny outside, perhaps I will head out for a ride on Flosser.  

But if the wind picks up, Mother Nature and I will have words!

Hooray for today and SPRING BREAK!!!!

Life's Challenges

I created this blog back in the day as a means to keep family and friends informed on the happenings in our lives.  While it has done this, and done it well, it has also become a means for me to sort through a lot of challenges in life.  I find writing relaxing, and very calming.  And in all honesty, I need all the calming outlets I can have right now.

When they say "When it rains, it pours", they truly mean it.  While this year has brought me a lot of personal triumphs, it has also brought several trials.  Life is hard, and takes many unexpected courses.  I hate to say that I have always had the "oh, it will never happen to me" mentality, but I have.  While I have been faced with rocky roads in the past, part of me has always been slightly in denial.

Well, I am adult now (gasp!), and can no longer be in denial about the curve balls life throws at me.  

Luckily, I have the best support group around to help me through all of these "super fun times".

First, and foremost.....this handsome guy.

Anyone who knows Cameron, loves Cameron.  While he is so busy with school and work, he is always there to listen, cry with me, pick me up, and make me laugh.  He is truly my best friend, and I so appreciate his patience with me, and at times, my crazy emotions.  Love you babe!  Here is to the future!

Second, my other best friend........my sister.

While she is off traveling the world, and making a name for herself in the cycling world, I know I can always count on her to listen and offer sound advice.  While I am the "older" sister, and am supposed to be the one who offers her advice, she is usually the one offering me advice.  For that, I am her biggest fan!  Literally!!

Third, my parental units........

Mom and Wes

Dad and Cort

These 4 are my biggest fans, and are always there to support me in decisions, cheer for me from the sidelines (figuratively, since I am not the most athletic fish in the sea), as well as offer me 4 more shoulders to cry on.  I love all of you so much!!  Thank you for being my parents and being 4 more "rocks" that I need.  I hope in the upcoming months, I can help be your "rocks".

Fourth, my in-laws.

Greg and Karine

A lot of people complain about their in-laws.  I love mine.  The accepted me into their family and love me like I am one of their own.  I know that I can always count on them to help Cameron and I with anything we might need.  They always know when I need something, even if it's just someone to talk to.  I love you guys!!

Lastly, my girls.

Liz, Jaynann, Kim, and Stacy

(Now THAT is a blast from the past!)

We've been through a lot together!  Weddings, babies (well, I guess only one baby, but I am sure there will me more in the future), cancer, college, careers, and more!  These girls are my "sisters" and I love each of them as if they were my "real" sisters.  Regardless of where life takes us, the 5 of us will always be friends.  Someday, I hope to roll around in my jazzy, causing all kinds of trouble with these girls.  

Today, I am facing life square in the face.  I refuse to run away from life's curve balls anymore.  As of today, I am going to face them head-on.  If I get hit, I get hit.  I will just have to pick myself up, dust myself off, and get back in the game.

Lessons Learned.....

So, today I took this little lady on a ride.....

This is Flossie, the mountain bike that my cycling sister is letting me use to increase my fitness, and give me some variety in my exercise.  Secretly, I think she is trying to turn me into a crazy cycler like her!  I was going to ride to Greg and Karine's later tonight to dinner, but it looked like it was going to rain so I decided to ride earlier.  Well, on this first "real" ride (not just around my apartment complex) I learned some valuable lessons about riding a bike.

1.  Eat Before Riding Flossie

This morning I had some toast and 2 poached eggs for breakfast.  Well, that was not nearly enough to get me through the morning and my ride, so I crashed (not literally) on my way home.  So, I learned I MUST eat before I ride or my body will give out on me and my legs will turn to jello and refuse to pedal!  Just experienced what that feels like, I now have a greater respect for my sister riding more than 100 miles at LOTOJA without food or water, after her slacker feeders failed to meet her at the feeds zones TWICE!

2.  Take Water When Riding Flossie

Duh!  Right?  Well, I didn't.  I had fully intended to, but the bottle on Flossie was a little nasty, and slightly rusty, so I opted to leave without proper hydration.  I go to the gym all the time without water and survive...why not out riding my bike?  Bad idea.....another item that led to my burn out.

3.  Head Wind = Death

Why I chose to go for a ride when it was super windy, and to start riding while I had a tail wind, is beyond me.  I think I lost some brain cells in my sleep last night.  I went North on the Jordan River Parkway from my house to about 59th south, and decided to head back home.  The ride there was great, my butt didn't hurt (thanks to my squishy-butt pants), and I was feeling pretty good.  Then, I turned around and I knew I was in trouble.  For seasoned riders, the wind probably wouldn't have been an issue.  But, since I haven't been on a bike for  YEARS it was not.  I wanted to die.  I actually had to get off and walk for a few minutes until the wind died down.  

But, I finally made it home.  I am sure many of the other Parkway cyclers, and runners had a good laugh watching me make a fool of myself coming home.  

To recover from my ride from.....well, you know where.....I am currently eating this with a spoon.

And it is mighty delicious.  

I'm wishing I had an apple to dip in it.  

Then I would be in heaven.  

Seriously, if you like peanut butter (and mind you, I really don't) you have GOT to try some of this (and no, this is not a shameless plug for Tayler's team sponsor).  It's just delightful!  The White Chocolate Wonderful is my fav, but the Cinnamon Raisin Swirl is a close second.

On a completely unrelated note, I wish I had gone to see her last night.....

I would have loved to glitter myself out and dance my rear off to some Gaga.

Tis the Season......

For cycling!!!

The first race of the season for my favorite cyclist, my sister sue, began this week in California at the Merco Credit Union Cycling Classic.  I have been religiously checking my twitter account today for updates on the final stage on the race.

My favorite part if the race.......

Going into today's stage Tayler wears the Young Rider Jersey!!

And, this happy text I got from her yesterday.......

"Best crit of my life!!!!  I worked on the front for the team and was in the lead out for the sprint, just drilled it for the last two laps to string it out!!  Coryn got second to Ina which is awesome!!  And we kept the yellow (leaders jersey)!!  Amanda is in the sprinter jersey so I'm in the young rider jersey! :)"

Wish I was there to cheer her on!!

Keep you fingers crossed for a strong finish for the team!!

Support the team here!