Long time, no blog . . .

So I have the shoes, I have the cleats, I have the pedals . . . all courtesy of my cousin Taylor and her pops, my uncle Bob. Now all I need to do is to install them and learn how to use them which I am sure will prove to be no small feat. I am fairly coordinated but it usually takes awhile for me to learn how to pull it together. So look for me to have some scraped up knees and mainly be riding in my driveway at least for this week.

I went for a run this AM which was fantastic, about 3.5 miles. It's beyond words beautiful today. I'm not much of a runner but boy I feel good now. I see how folks get addicted to running. I signed up for my first 5K in June and so I figure I ought to throw some cross training in so that I can make it the full distance . . . how many miles are in a 5K again? My anti-metric brain can't make the automatic conversion. What is that formula again . . . isn't something multiplied by 5/8ths or is that converting C to F. My poor math and science teachers would be disgusted.

Alright, I need to be outside during weather like this so I should sign off for now. Who knows, in Indiana, it could be snowing next week so we should enjoy this while we can. Of course, I'm going to be in ATL,GA this time next week for a conference so what do I care?

Still Spinning My Wheels

So no more new road miles since I last posted. I went to Spinning a couple of times last week - Wednesday and Saturday and did cross training on my other days (except for Thursday which is usually my day off and Sunday which was Easter). Brian came with me both times and again last night and because of the nasty rainy weather, I'll be riding indoors yet again today.

We got to the gym early last night, so that I could be sure that we'd get good bikes and more importanty the good seats (some of them leave me sore after class) and so I spent some time lifting weights before class. I lifted legs and then felt like I was going to stomp right through the pedals when class started . . . whoops.

My uncle has the pedals for the bike. HOORAY! So that means I need to get cleats and a pair of shoes. I'm very excited about graduating into big girl pedals and shoes.

In other news, we're on a great streak of keeping our house clean. I am no Holly Homemaker and so this is no small feat. Now if only I could get myself to focus on my thesis. And yet in further news, we're surviving on one car right now which meant I got to go to court with B today (first time, if you can believe that, in his practicing for 4 yrs. that I have). The Breeze is still in the shop from B's wreck last week.

And Snap Cold it Did

After an 80+ degree day on Monday, there was snow yesterday and freezing temps again today. I cannot believe it. I'm dying for the weather to be consistent enough that I can get in more outdoor workouts. So yesterday, it was back to spinning . . . which was ok since Kim is my favorite instructor for spinning @ Bally. AND, Brian has been going to spinning with me upon occasion which he did yesterday. I think I'll make him a cyclist yet. Tuesday we had planned to do the same but B got in a bit of a fender bender. He's totally fine (a little sore in the back) but the Breeze has no bumper and went into the shop today. It could have been much worse, so we're thankful that it wasn't that big of a deal.

Rolling along

Nice easy 19 mile ride this evening. Beautiful weather, a little buggy (I think at one pt. there was one in my teeth, my eye, my nose, and quite possibly my ear), new helmet that fits well, forgot my sunglasses and sunblock though (ARGH!). I was a little slower than last year but this is the first of my longish rides so I suppose I shouldn't be too critical. I thought I'd better take advantage of the beautiful weather since it's going to snap cold again tomorrow . . . ah, springtime in Indiana.

Julie's Wedding, Nov 06.

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For the first time in 40 years . . .

Go Thunderbirds! Win Regionals.

And the journey begins again . . .

Mark your calendars ladies and gentleman, the 2007 RAIN ride is only 131 days away. It's time for Cherie to start training again and I don't mean just spinning classes. With a break in the weather coming toward the end of the week, I'm looking forward to hitting the pavement (hopefully not literally since it's been awhile). I have longingly looked out the window @ spinning enough. I have driven my regular riding path one too many times. I am so ready to strap on my helmet, gear up and log in the miles. So I'm thinking by Thursday or Friday, I can have the tires aired up and everything tweaked and ready to go. Time to get rolling.

The News From . . .

So you might remember from ancient posts that I greatly enjoy the comic musings of Garrison Keillor and especially the "News from Lake Wobegon." Anyway, because of a post on Relevant Magazine's website, I found out that you can subscribe to the News from Lake Wobegon for free on iTunes. I immediately went and signed up for the Podcast (Relevant has a great weekly Podcast, too). I'm looking forward to a weekly chuckle since I rarely am near the radio when A Prairie Home Companion is on and I don't have time to go to the website weekly.

How Sweet it is . . .

Fourth and Final

Numero 3

Christ Follower vs. Christian Vol. 2

Christ Follower vs. Christian

Be prepared for a series of these . . .

It's my Birthday, It's my Rant

It's my 30th birthday and now I must blog on a random string of unconnected thoughts, goals, and questions for you to ponder. And begin . .

• In the Midwest, politicians are often accused of going "Washington." I wonder what they are accused of in the DC representative district. Perhaps going "federal." Here is my favorite attack ad right now, and perhaps of all time. Be sure you have the volume up. More thoughts on this after you watch it.
• What pronoun do you use for an antecedent of a person who is changing genders?
  Ever feel like something's been around your entire life? That's the way I felt about Mr. Food. I always remember that guy being on WTWO (worst television station ever, IMHO) when I was growing up and I see him almost daily on WTHR now. Recently, I discovered he's been on the air for 30 years. I guess he has been around my entire life.
  
• I have a 30 tiara that I will be wearing the majority of the next two days (Woot, woot Miss Mindy). Today's activities include but are not limited to: doing dishes, doing laundry, making beds, general cleaning, going to the gym and working out like a prize fighter (HAVE to if I'm going to eat as much cake as I plan on eating!), going to the mall (although I'm not sure why as I have NO money), fixing dinner, and going to Life Group (thank God it's not THIS Life Group).
  
• Ok, so in the Baron Hill/Mike Sodrel ad referenced above, shouldn't as much be said about hiring little kids to say, "hit the hooker with the tire iron" for political gain as playing violent video games? Perhaps it's one of those actors who's really a woman (ala Bart Simpson)?
  
• In a recent post title on one of my blogs (scroll down if you want to see the post), I made reference to a quotation ("Time flies like an arrow, but fruit flies like bananas.") I did not realize was Groucho Marx's intellectual property or I would have accredited him so. Instead, I thought it was just a humorous maxim. My apologies to Mr. Marx even though Karl is my favorite of his brothers.
  
• Did you know that if there is a gap between children of 5 years or greater, the birth order starts over again? (HT: BTB)
  
• Alas, I did not make it to my goal of 30 by 30. I am satisfied with my accomplishment of 27 though. Numbers I feel greatly more important - 3 sets of 12 push ups (the REAL kind, no girly crap here).
  
• Speaking of, in my physical world, I plan on owning 30, making it even better than 29 which was pretty awesome for me.
  
• In my intellectual world (aka my MENTAL world), I MUST finish my thesis this year before it kills me.
  
• I would enjoy some kudos on my MySpace Blog. No one ever gives me kudos (or comments for that matter). Yes, I am whining.
  
• The final installment of A Series of Unfortunate Eventswas fantastic. I am still mulling it over 2 weeks after reading it. Read the entire series so we may discuss.
  
• I composed this entire blog and then promptly deleted it, forcing me to realize that I am 30 and perhaps not as computer savvy as I would like to be.

Small Town Syndrome

Not a big fan of internet forwards (thanks for this one Erin) but this made me laugh really hard and be slightly frightened at the same time. If I did not experience this directly, I definitely knew someone who did in high school.
SMALL TOWN SYNDROMEThose who grew up in small towns will laugh when they read this. Those who didn't will be in disbelief.
1) You can name everyone you graduated with.
2) You know what 4-H means.
3) You went to parties at a pasture, barn, gravel pit, or in the middle of a dirt road. On Monday you could always tell who was at the party because the scratches on their legs from running through the woods when the party was busted. (See #6)
4) You used to "drag" Main.
5) You said the "F" word and your parents knew within the hour.
6) You scheduled parties around the schedules of different police officers, because you knew which ones would bust you and which ones wouldn't.
7) You could never buy cigarettes because all the store clerks knew how old you were (and if you were old enough, they'd tell your parents anyhow.)
8) When you did find somebody old enough and brave enough to buy cigarettes, you still had to go out into the country and drive on back roads to smoke them.
9) You knew which section of the ditch you would find the beer your buyer dropped off.
10) It was cool to date somebody from the neighboring town.
11) The whole school went to the same party after graduation.
12) You didn't give directions by street names but rather by references. Turn by Nelson's house, go two blocks to Anderson's, and it's four houses left of the track field.
13) The golf course had only nine holes.
14) You couldn't help but date a friend's ex boyfriend/girlfriend.
15) Your car stayed filthy because of the dirt roads, and you will neverown a dark vehicle for this reason
16) The town next to you was considered "trashy"or "snooty," but was actually just like your town.
17) You referred to anyone with a house newer then 1965 as the rich people.
18) The people in the "big city" dressed funny, and then you picked up the trend two years later.
19) Anyone you wanted could be found at the local gas station, the town bar, or the A&W.
20) You saw at least one friend a week driving a tractor through townor one of your friends driving a grain truck to school occasionally.
21) The Wrestling Coach suggested you haul hay for the summer to get stronger.
22) Directions were given using THE stop light as a reference.
23) When you decided to walk somewhere for exercise, five people would pull over and ask if you wanted a ride.
24) Your teachers called you by your older sibling's names.
25) Your teachers remembered when they taught your parents.
26) You could charge at any local store or write checks without any ID.
27) The closest McDonalds was 25 miles away (or more).
28) The closest mall was over an hour away.
29) It was normal to see an old man riding through town on a riding lawn mower.
30) You've peed in a cornfield.
31) Most people went by a nickname.
32) You laughed your butt off reading this because you know it is true, and you forward it to everyone who may have lived in a small town.

Behold!

Biased

You might not know it, but my hubby has a blog. He doesn't write often but when he does it is rather spectacular. He posted a rather fine piece of writing today, so read it already. Aim High, Vote Lowe (HT: JB).

Seriously?

On a regular basis, I peruse the Women's Health online site (note the sidelink), especially the blogs. Anyway, the following link popped up on the Quick Takes Blog and I couldn't resist also linking it here. It's the newest fitness craze for your home, be sure to launch the demo to completely understand how the equipment works.

Breakfast tip of the day

My mom sent me a neat e-mail forward (does that sentence have a 1950s feel?). Usually I'm not a big fan of forwards. After years of warnings that God will not bless me, bad luck will follow me, and my crush will not marry me, I usually just delete them onsite. So if you ever get a forward from me, read it. It's probably a pretty good one because I don't read many and I even more rarely pass them on. This forward was a recipe for Ziploc Omelets.

Here are the directions.

• Have guests write their names on a quart-size Ziploc freezer bag with permanent marker.
• Crack 2 eggs (large or extra-large) into the quart size Ziploc bag (not more than 2) shake to scramble.
• Put out a variety of ingredients -- cheeses, ham, onion, green pepper, tomato, hash browns, salsa, etc.
• Each guest adds ingredients of choice to his or her bag and shakes.
• Make sure to squeeze the air out of the bag and zip it up.
• Place the bags into rolling, boiling water for exactly 13 minutes.
• You can usually cook 6-8 omelets in a large pot.
• Open the bags and the omelet will roll out easily. Be prepared for everyone to be amazed.

It really works. We've had them several times in our house. I usually make them the night before and then cook them up in the morning when I'm too tired to see straight while I'm making the coffee. I would like to point out these risks. Realize that the majority of this article discusses plastics in the microwave and not in boiling water. Although I'm not sure what the difference is.

A new hobby for the Lowes

OK, so I stumbled across an article in this month's Family Fun, a magazine that I enjoy but would never subscribe to on my own. One of the partners at B's firm read it while she was getting her hair done, thought it was the best thing since sliced bread, and promptly ordered it for me. I digress . . . Anyway, the article was about letterboxing. Anybody heard of this? Well, the article explained that this hobby got its start in the mid 1800s in England and now is popular worldwide, a bit long for a trend to catch on but whatever. It's basically an outdoor treasure hunt, complete with clues and box to find at the end of the trail. You are given a set of easy to follow physical directions to a set location, there you will find a box with a log book and stamp inside, you carry a notebook of your own where you stamp with the stamp found, and you stamp the logbook with a stamp of your own. It's a kissing cousin to the more high tech geocaching, without all of the expense. And here's the great thing, this website lists tons of letterboxes near you! I was surprised at how many were in our area. I definitely think this is something that our family will be doing to enjoy the weather this fall!