Will it rain or will it go? On another note...Class Reunion. Shall I do the Laurel Classic race?

***I am trying to get this around for being outside from dark to dark at the Shenandoah 100 this Labor Day weekend as a "volunteer of sorts" with my daughter. Right now there is a flash flood watch and there is going to be heavy rain Friday. I guess we won't be doing the North River trail, because one has to cross it a dozen times. Everything is coming at me like a baseball, between here there and everywhere. I hope it all turns out well for Chris Scott. I do not know how he keeps his -"It will be ok". As of Monday, he had 350 riders registered for the race. It will be a hoot***
***MONTOURSVILLE CLASS OF 1981" will be having a 25 YR class reunion***One of my classmates has taken the lead in organizing something for us. The Original gal decided she didn't want to do it anymore so never contacted anyone to take over or ask for help - so it goes bye & bye. Luckily Andy organized a group and is donating his workplace postage meter and copier to get the invitations out to classmates. Finally got "THE untouchable LIST"(unseen for 25 yrs of the class, some of my friends need updated. It would also be nice if one had email addresses of classmates - let's get updated! I have asked for this list over the reunions since the beginning of time. Enough rant.
***My son & daughter want to do the Laurel Classic MTB race next weekend. My son seemed upset when I said I didn't think I would do it. I have been riding the road bike in ill frequency and not trails since we did the small one with Dagny weeks ago. He said. "it is only 11 miles, only 3 more than the Cat Classic...You can do it!" I dunno...another thing fo the thought locker! Six weeks ago a guy at the gym was training for the Laurel Classic and said we should get a team together for it. I mulled and murmured! Why didn't I jump on the idea and start getting in action? Lazy crazy scared butt feel like a turd in comparison to others.

This week's coincidences

I am doing this for myself because there are times things happen or have occured when I think about them. Some are so small that they go by the wayside. I told myself I was going to keep track of some. This year I had so many of them.

1. Ryan Daniels - died May 24, 2006 and was Kelsi's friend. I had a feeling he was going to die this year. I read an obituary in January that was a Ryan and thought for a moment it was him. When I was reading about this ped accident, I knew it was him. I was thinking about him last weekend and was wondering how his parents were doing. Their names never rang a bell with me in the Lewisburg area. I was driving through Milton and I must have past the sign a tons of times. It said, Richard Daniels Podiatrist. OMG, that is Ryan's father because Kelsi said Ryan's father was near Milton. Then on Wednesday, I was reading the local paper online and Rickie Freedman was going to be a speaker on Reiki at Evangelical Hospital - his mom. Weird all this week.
2. Accident Rt 45 - AL came home early Thurs. morning and said there was an accident that had the road closed down. It was near Four Bells Church. I have seen several accidents at this intersection and near the homes along the road. Kelsi has friends that live at & others visit the one home. She has requested to go to many times with some friends this summer. I had a weird feeling everytime she asks to go with a friend (each time we were not able to take her ourselves). I do not let her ride with her friends(except BF). Do you know why she couldn't go ? "There are a lot of accidents near there and people are flying up the road and you crest the hill and they can't stop." While lying in bed after AL came home I was thinking I hope it wasn't any of Kelsi's friend going to "this house". Rt 45 is heavily traveled by people all over. Well it turns out it was Kelsi's friend and he landed in his parents yard. I bet he will wear his seat belt from now on! Of course, I had to say to Kelsi - Why is it I won't let you ride with friends to Nadar's house?
http://www.dailyitem.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060824/NEWS/608240327
3. While at work Wed, my supervisor & I needed to call to headquarters. I made the comment the individual we needed to talk to was on vacation this week - I said it jokingly. We called and the person's voice mail stated she was indeed on vaction and would not return until next Monday.
and many more................

College Bound Child ~ Come On!

My daughter Kelsi & I are trying to plan college visitations. She missed the SATs in the spring (she said she did not know) so she has two scheduled in the fall. If she would have had them done she could have gone to these schools and had the application fees waived and on the spot acceptance. Boy, she is not organized and I feel like a hounder all summer & little gets done. I was so excited planning for college, filling out all the info getting ready from SATs, information, being a dork at the library week after week, applying to colleges, financial aid, ets. etc. At home growing up, if you did not do something yourself, it was not going to get done Kelsi has to be booted right along, such a struggle. I think she rather be on the phone for hours, errr. Yes, she really wants to go...even jumping to the doctorate right now!

Current College choices:
James Madison University
Mercyhurst University
Edinboro University of PA
Indiana University of PA
Penn State University

Happy 15th Birfday ZTR!

AUGUST 21st

Many new possessions - WWII books, WWII paraphernalia(don't know what all are), Sette Flopack Hydration System, water cages, bike tool, stash sack, lycra shorts(since his have disappeared), pump, Bi-pod and many, many, more things.................
I made him Beef Pot Pie with triple batch of dough and a Texas Sheet Cake for his desires!

Blinded by the Light

It is that time of the year for blinding sun at Sundown. Use caution when driving west and the sun is at eye level. I was on my bike heading westward into the sun & could not see in front of me despite having sunglasses for 5 miles. It was a horrible dark tunnel feeling. I didn't want to think of the car drivers at my backside................................

Squirrel Nut Zippers?

BIKE RIDE - Check pic of us HIGH FIVE! http://twisteduterus.livejournal.com/#entry_258872
a Went for a nice ride with Dagny and my skids, Kelsi & Zachary yesterday outback of Harry John. Yes -Whoa Hah! I made the little slightly rocky descent that I have been walking down since my last knee surgery 1 1/2 yrs ago - I really wanted to get over this compulse weird thingy. I do not know why but I would go half way down, stop my momentum and fall over on my shoulder and hit a monster ant hill at least three previous times. I slide my hoochy back and kept thinking let go of the brakes and zoom. Great for Dag she made it behind be - I couldn't let a chain reaction happen either. Half way through Zachary wanted to ride home - I think it was the 4.5 mile descent going 28 mph on gravel rode. He picked up 10 extra miles on us and was home 30 minutes before us.
************************************************************************************
PARADE FAIR TIME
On the way home had to drive through parade watchers because the the Fireman's/West End Fair parade was starting in five minutes. I asked Kelsi if she wanted to go and get candy loot so off we went back to town on our bikes. We went to her friend Jamie's house and got chairs to sit in. The kids weren't going after the candy like an attach of ants on picnic food. I had to pick up a lot of it and distribute, which = big LYCRA bendovers for all! I did through some in for moi.

Nympho & the Union County Fair

Hatching of a Cicada..............Nympho!


Went to the West End Union County Fair - Yea Hah!
Kelsi won a few prizes $$ for her artwork, as well as Dag with her various mammals of pottery. I think her pieces of art were appropriate for the fair! Great Job - I have to get a light under my arse and get some $$. The art side of me hasn't been out in a while. I could enter a restoration of woodwork or a self made item. Duane Miller did a great job on restoring a canoe and got Top Show prize in the Restoration Woodwork.

I will probably go back another evening for the entertainment of the area's people that come out of the woodwork!

Wilderness 101 ~ Coburn,PA ~ W101

Wrapped up another family volunteer session at the Wilderness 101 (3 days for me)! I live for this every year. My husband & son do the grilling. This year Zachary did a lot of riding between #5 and Coburn - Of course he wants to do the race next year. Kelsi kept track of riders up check list. Whatever happened to Ray Crew - DNS? He was there Friday night volunteering. Met DirtRag Max - excellent fella - found out he knows my bestest college friend Jen Shuster in Pittsburgh (small world). Glad to have Dagny back volunteering - #5 aid station rules - she even provided some XM 70's music. There were quite a few others I was looking for that ended up on the huge list of DNFs - heat? mechanicals? Majority of riders were looking good when they came into #5, not as many laggers, and a few crampers.
This is quite an organized production of Chris Scott. The riders, friends I have met year after year, & Chris's family are absolutely wonderful. This felt like a different group of riders than normal - many new. I think there was at least a handful of riders who usually attend did not make it. WooHoo, 1st place went to Harlan Price who seemed to be stuck in 2nd place at several races the last year or so. I was so glad to meet Kerry Combs. I hope to venture in Rothrock State Park at her suggestion. Word can't say enough..........The riders "Light Up My Life You give Me Hope"(isn't that a song?)

My pictures: http://www.photoworks.com/photo-sharing/shareSignin.jsp?shareCode=A90CE42C949&cp=ems_shr_alb_pml&cb=PW

Check out additional W101 pictures taken by Dagny:
http://twisteduterus.livejournal.com/#entry_255723

Site and Results:
http://www.mtntouring.com/mountain/htm/home/page_home.htm

Registration Wilderness 101 Race Prep

On Wednesday, Chris started his venture up to Central PA loaded to the hilt with everything necessary to run the Wilderness 101. I am still not sure what will be in store for Saturday ~ whatever! Later this afternoon through evening is registration and filling aid station containers. Hug! Ride a little while there and help out.

I am going to get pumped after I have my coffee and nurse my Sierra. No total fall overs last night ~ compensating. Yes, the Vet thinks she has Vestibular Syndrome but needs to see her Monday to give her scripts for motion sickness and prednisone.

I have to remember Bald Eagle maps for the riders from DCNR and some other stuff that keeps leaking from my head.

Canine Relapse ~ Vestibular Syndrome

Well yesterday I was bawling of the thought of having the Vet euthanize Sierra. I have made the decision to have the Vet come to the house if it comes to this. My husband did speak to the Vet yesterday about straps and Sleepytime. I am feeling better today since finding Vestibular Syndrome. It says that many dogs are euthanized because of this syndrome's severity and rapid onset I hope I don't insult anyone trying to self diagnose my dog. I will call the office today to see if I can give her anything and what to do. Difficult walking and keeping balance and laying in one spot. Her problems progressed to head tilt, REM eyes, not eating, drunken balance and difficulty eating. I started thinking that it was affecting both legs so it had to be something else besides the fatty tumor. All the symptoms are what she has and one should wait up to 72 hrs before seeing improvement or for testing. This Syndrome can take weeks for recovery - of course if it is just an inflammation of nerves or inner ear and not a brain tumor. She was not eating yesterday, but last evening she was eating and drinking from our hand. In order to go outside, I have a cloth LL Bean log carrier to put under her to guide her scared shaky body outside. I am told that dogs can learn to compensate and lead a normal life. I am praying this is temporary passing geriatric event. I had to sleep downstairs with her because she would somehow attempt(too dangerous) to get upstairs to be with me to sleep. She did get hit in the head by a rock one time by f***ing kids(don't let me get a hold them/probably same ones breaking windows in area & an elderly woman was hurt) in a truck which Sierra ended up in the emergency room - maybe this had some kind of haunting effect.

Melancholy apprehension ~ Sierra ~ Geriatric Dog

When I got home last last night, Sierra went to her food dish and almost fell over - caught by the wall. I took her out side and realize she could not walk on her leg with the big giant fatty tumor. Each step made her fall over to the other side and sometimes go to the ground. She did not wimper. Sierra knew she couldn't move, so I coaxed her to pee and we would come out later to poop. I had to help her to the house and made her lay down. Anxiety filled my head what if she needs to be put to LALA land! I have to go out of town this morning for work so I had anxiety galore. Do I call they vet to have her LALA'd off hours??? I wish her Vet came to the house. DO I cremate or take her body home? It would be much more relaxing for me and her. She is my side kick shadow & buddy at home. Then all of a sudden it disappeared and she was her usual self with the huge tumor. She was able to come to bed and come back downstairs. Zachary thinks she kinked something because she tries to get up really fast when I come home from work - like a bullet to the door.

I have to think more on what to do when we have to do it but so sad! She is really happy and active this morning. Flucky thingy last night!
This morning rubbing her back...

Bladder Colon Twistola Nervosis

Don't know if there is such a word...but for the next week it will be occuring in my body. Chris Scott called to organize the aid station setups - Oh no ~ no wonder woman Jen! I will be there Friday PM helping with Registration & Aid Station food along with my kids. I am scared to death because he has me going to three aid stations to setup and get the troops rallied during the Wilderness 101 held in Coburn. This is all fine and I am pumped. I want to do a good job but I need organization and maps, ideas are rifting through my brain - figure out where in Timbuktu -without getting lost. I hope TwistedUterus can help me out. I have to call or stop by for her ideas busy today - Kelsi's Birthday and riding to an auction outside of Laurelton. I know Dag wants station #5 and Kelsi will assist her. I know I will be there for a couple of hrs in the afternoon and then later to wind down #5. We need to supply these 101 mile riders with support, desires, and smiles! Wilderness101 & SM100 riders, & Chris Scott make my life tick.

The body functions are almost as bad as my first race. What if I have to pee or poop in the middle of no where!?

Happy 17th Birthday Kelsi ~ I Love You!

Spay & Neuter ~ Crisis of Unwanted Animals

http://www.brightlion.com/InHope/InHope.aspx

Please spay or neiter your pet. When friends & family get new pets, make sure they take the step early in a pet's life and be responsible. There are so many unwanted pets cause by human ignorance and no excuse!

Your pet is your companion to raise for it's lifetime with you and never think of it as a disposible commodity.

My pets will always have a spot of comfort and love at my house....

Why Coincidences in our lives?

Everyone has had a strange coincidence at some time in their lifetime. I have had so many lately. that it is errie. As far as I know there is no explanation. I think I should start keeping an area for them, because they fade from our memory bank, despite being absolutely strange and complex. Some are to the point of being more than a random chance when these happen.

Of this day in a brief note:
1. I was on my way to the gym, thinking if anything happened to my knees again I would be devastated and at wits end. Do not take my passions away....While on the BOSU ball, I did something no so out of ordinary - pain and catch. WTF....I had trouble lifting knee out of shower, into my car, sitting on the toilet was excruciating. Crap poo....then all of a sudden it disappeared after 2 hrs. It must have been a floater of some sort. Was this a test of a higher being?
2. K & I were out for a ride & I had mention to her that I told AK to stop by the house if he ever needed, ie flat tire or whatever while out for a ride. Suddenly, looked up and he was riding toward us and shouted a Hello.....Kelsi said who was that and I told her - she said that is weird because we were talking about him. First of all, this individual has crossed my path three times in the last couple of weeks and why-when I have never seen him before. I did come upon his myspace (I think) last year in some search. He rides for Bucknell and I hope he reaches for his dreams through cycling, AK seems like a really nice fella and hope to chat with him again. Are cyclist magnets to each other?

Bats Bats Everywhere

We have been doing work to our house such as new doors, prepping for a new paint job and various other activities. I think we will need to take time out to make some bat houses. Over the years our property has been host to many colonies of bats. They are hanging everywhere - corners, eaves, chimmneys, foundation of the house and garage. Research for making multi chamber hotels for these creatures will be needed.

Maryland Crabs Anyone ?

Every once in a while over the last many yrs, the family ventures to Havre de Grace, check out the antique shops, the promenade along the ocean








and end with the finale of eating crabs at Price's Seafood

Primitive camping Old Mingle Rd

The Family went camping on top of Old Mingle Rd in the usual spot. It is so fine to sit around a camp fire and sit & eat.
Kelsi rescue from middle of road.

On Monday we went for a bike ride on Old Mingle to Coburn area. Al turned around because he knew he needed enough energy to get back up Old Mingle Rd. The kids went to the Pavilion in Coburn - the last few miles will be a muddy coal mess for the Wilderness 101 if any additional soakings. I paused at Fisherman's Path
to wait for the kids. No show so I ventured up the mountain.
The kids were covered in black mud. I had a wet sweat head from riding up Old Mingle. We had to go home to shower.

Sunday Ride ~ Poe Paddy State Park & around

Bike stroll on the railroad grade Cherry Run

All bridges should look like this rather than steel monsters Poe Valley Rd

Dag & Kelsi in for a dip on one of the explore stops

Into the tunnel Poe Paddy Tunnel of vertigo - we had to manuever around tubers

The road to Poe Valley State Park

On Sunday, Dagny (check her blog)http://twisteduterus.livejournal.com, Kelsi, & I went on a jont from Union Co. to Centre Co. & around Poe Paddy State Park. We went & stopped here, there, where ever............. The tunnel is my worst fear. I think I get vertigo. It was a fine day!

Yard Sale Venture

Rode to Millmont yard sales to see what we could find. Some treasures were found but we had to wear our "finds" home.
I really do not want to do this Fencing demonstration tonight, but I am committed to the Master. I feel like being a lazy butt.
Ride tomorrow with Dag - where oh where shall we go? Neato...Ride the alleys of Mifflinburg? I wonder wonder...............

Barn Fire Union County

On the way home from Northern PA, we came upon a barn fire, it was along Rt 45 West on the south side of the road just before Hartleton. I sure hope all the cows got out safely and no one was hurt. The large barn collapsed and the twisting metal sounded like the Titanic going down. There were several Fire Depts. such as West End, Mifflinburg, New Berlin, Middleburg & Evangelical Paramedics, that came from the East. There was other equipment blocking the road to the West, therefore we had to detour to the Creek Road. Hope all is okay

Dagny wrote about the aftermath since she was called to the scene http://twisteduterus.livejournal.com

MudFaery Wood at the Celtic Fling

Kelsi, Jeremy & I attended the Celtic Fling held at the PA Rennaissance Faire. Our Roby Roy Epee Tournament was cancelled because of the rain. There would be a high risk of electrocution because it was Electric Epee. So we ventured, it is really a neat place with all the vendors. The one that caught my eye every time I went by was The Mud Faery. She had a huge pile of red clay mud and she went to work. She left an impression on me because she was so inspiring. When she was finish she was making all kind of little chirpy, snurtling, suirrling sounds - she was hungry and so cute. Her wings got all muddy as she walked off with her pouch full of donations. A guy went up to her and ask, "Will you come to my house and do this artwork in my front yard?" She guides him to her scroll with the website - http://www.mudfaerywood.com/
Can you imagine? Have a huge party with all your friends, a bonfire, drinks, food, and The Mud Faery doing her sculptures in your yard. Everyone will be fixated on her. Cool!

Beautiful Flowers are Bursting with Sunshine!