Cat Classic Race ~ One more time!

It was a cool, sunny day. The kids & I raced again at the Logue Farm, north of Montoursville. At times I asked myself - "what the heck are you doing?"
It is always nice to see Nancy & Ray of VisitPa, met Matt Ferrari

(SS #1 winner). Thanks for the encouragement !
There was a team who was from Drexel U. next to us. This group despite their challenges were out for a load of barfing fun. One sported an old rigid Huffy with flat pedals. Winner Chris Eatough was a real shocker to show at this kinda local showing! Z kept saying he thought he saw him. I swear I saw Harlan with his huge sunglasses and plaid capris chit chatting. Thanks to those who lapped me and spurred encouraging words.

Kelsi got 1st & only. I got 2nd in my small field. Zachary had a huge group of under 19 hormone boys.

Charity Ride ~ Bike for Bob

Bike for Bob went well again this year. The ride through the rolling hills of Union & Northumberland Counties was wonderful. At registration, we were shown where proceeds are going...a look at the blue print for the future 5 mile River Walk Trail along the Susquehanna River & PA Canal. My kids rode on.... Dag & I started out quite well...because our time seemed to be fairly good or at least better than last year. Good thing good ole Dr D. came cruising on by to help us out with our pictures
Primal Tri Man !



Here we go again! So glad there is one who likes to get out !

Z on my Ole Fuji (I found 5 snail letters from 25 yrs ago making some sort of reference to it)from college days!


He caught Dag & I trying to take pics with the cows!
What a duo! The leader Dr D. made his presence after surgery cancelled pace lead! Aaah! See you in a couple of weeks! Always a pleasure...................

Oh my ...sigh ahhhhhhhhhhhh

Al & I went to our traditional 20 yrs plus Stoneware Auction. The prices over the years have gone astronomical. Majority of the first 25 items never hit below $1,000. The first item went for $20,000, which is below, but there was a 10% premium added on to the price plus tax if applicable.!!! We bought the Blind Pig!!! A pygg jar(misread by a potter as a pig) was a container made out of clay & was used for storage of salt, wine, monies, etc.

Later, Dag (thanks for the push call) & I were able to sneak in a shy 20 miler. Actually it does not take up too much time. It makes you feel soooo much better - mentally, physically - combined with the knowledge of gross weather over the next 48 hrs. The snow better quit inching its way down south into central PA. Wishful hope; April 21 - 29 is looking good with sunshine peaks & 60's!!

Grandpa "the mafia thing" has died

My dad called today to let me know his father had died. He had a "do not resuscitate" on his will. I debated about going down for the funeral but I have been sick and next week is a bad training week for me at work. I feel bad though because they were always upset & gave the guilt trip for not going to Florida to see them. Over the years I stopped writing as much. I was reminded to get a nice arrangement for the funeral home. Of course, I will have to foot the bill and not split with my brother - I am the oldest in the family. I think I will try online at FTD. My (step but married for 50+yrs) grandmother is in denial....."No, No, No, he can't be dead, he is still warm - he's alive!" She is pure Italian and maybe more dramatic.

What is proper etiquette? Do I still send her a card & flowers at home, despite getting a spray for the funeral home. I don't know.
There was a lot I wanted to know from my grandfather. I think he had stuff to hide in the shady past. Now no one really knows...I have tried to say stuff to my dad but not much said or denied in return. No wonder my dad is a lost dysfunction. There is a mafia person in jail with the same spelling as my grandfather's first name & last (my dad's has an extra l)& same ties to living areas in PA & FL. There are some other weird things but afraid to say. For example, the kids (my dad & aunt) lived with an aunt near Beech Creek while the parents conducted their lives in Philadelphia around 1950. One night during a bad snow storm my grandmother(dad was 7)insisted for a strong reason to get home to see the kids - she got home but suffocated in her sleep. Her death certificate said she had epilepsy but.............. Also my grandfather and all his siblings owned hotels in New Jersey. How does one rise as a child of an Ellis Island immigrant to own hotels?
My grandpa threatened my husband at our rehearsal dinner. He pulled him aside and said that,"If you do not take care of her, I will have to do the mafia thing to you". To this day, Al says, he was not joking.

Home to sleep, eat, bathroom.....................Aaah

This past weekend was nice to get out with my friend Dag. She always has a good time up her sleeve. She takes fabulous band (awesome tunes)pictures, which some are on her TwistedUterus blog. She even got a pic of me with my tongue hanging out. At least she did not blog the one on flickr with the bite of food! I am really getting to enjoy the air guitar men who stand on the sideline and try to figure them out.
Every night has been late for me, because the kids are involved in the school musical & track. Son volunteered for the 3200m & got 2nd place in his first track meet at my ole alma mater!!

I have been trying to utilize my time around the area so I don't have to drive home and then drive back (40 minutes driving time). It is just too many miles for one day. I usually get to the school with an hour & half to spare. Sometime times I sleep, I eat, I read. Oh so tiring when I get to bed at midnight. Sometimes I have to fit in a track meet for my son, two kids dentist appts, dr for me, dr for son and drive them back to school and find some food to eat in the car. Oh yeah I fit in hours at work. This will go on through Saturday then thank goodness it sis over.
One night I was home because I have been having a bout of a pot of coffee coming out of my butt uncontrollably. The doctor said it was viral gastroenteritis and gave me some gas & diarrhea med. I also found out that my self diagnosis (docs hate this - one thing I missed out in life was to be a doc) of my hip pain was correct of Trochanteric Bursitis. I can't stop what I am doing so....so maybe I will have to go to my Ortho surgeon for an injection. It usually goes away with exercise but I have had this for a month.
What can I say...Later!

Out in the Snow!

I must give a big thanks to my friend Dag. Here are her photos from the adventure!
This snow time may not have happened without the nudge of Dag & sunshine rays because it was windy & cold. There was almost a foot of new snow. It turned out to be a beautiful day between the mountainous ridges of the tri-county area of Snyder, Centre & Union County. We ventured out to the old railroad grade west of Cherry Run. This area is so peaceful that it brings on an errieness. We had to open up our arm pit vents on our jackets for a cool advantage to our sweat.
It was a real joy to have the experience of trying out her snowshoes while she used her cross country skiis. Some of the downed trees on the path caused us to contort our bodies and work with nature on the ground.
We were out about two hours & it was quite worthwhile!


Glad to have the Boooot. I only have a small blister where my sock must have bunched in the heel area of my boot. I would love to get a pair of snowshoes but would it be worth it for me because it seems I have been shying away from cold winter outdoor activities.

Ninja with bamboo swords eeeyawh!

Dork hats galore!


Mission Accomplished!

March Snow is Raging In

I received a call earlier in the week from friend Twisted Uterus to go to the north for a bike ride & brunch at a local brewery on Sunday . I think this was spurred by the lovely weather we had on Monday & Tuesday - the birds & bees & the coconut trees. This has changed the outlook to SNOW forecast for today (started) with up to ten inches by midnight & snow showers through Sunday. She has offered her snowshoes while she uses her CC skiis. Shall I grasped this new activity? It may be worth a try, because I have a tinge of excite "DO IT"!

ATTITUDE

The following was given to the whole club by my Fencing Instructor who is 80 years old. He really, really believes is true I guess he is the elder wise man to know.

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding, the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is ten percent what happens to me and ninety percent how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our ATTITUDES!"
Dr Charles Swindoll

(: Sick Monday Snow :)

Yah know what? I decided to stay home today. I haven't stayed home because of a illness in years & years. I usually drag myself to the dedication of work but today a combo of things make it ideal.

1. I have a crappy cold.
2. I need to work attached to my supervisor's shoulder for 8 hours & I do not think he would appreciate a hacking, snot nosed girl with a pile of used tissues necessary to catch the dripping trail, then running to get rid of goobers.
3. It snowed, so I probably would have to back up the girl who doesn't feel like coming to work in the snow & then I have to have a crappy day doing 2 people's jobs and busting my butt. This is a big reason I stayed home Valentine's Day. No one appreciates it.

I shoveled the snow so the kids could get to the bus stop area. It snowed about 4 inches which was more than I thought we were to have over night. I skipped Spinning this AM but I think I should go to Fencing class since I missed last week with the kids being sick.

I found this site that you can look at local TOPO maps on different scales - it has lured me in for over an hour. This is giving me some ideas of some mtb riding or hiking for a nice day.

Zone Out

I went out last night with my friend DaTwistedUterus to The Towne Tavern - see her pictures & from last night . I debated because I was not feeling well but on the other hand I needed to get out after the last few days & I wanted to see her friends The Blind Chitlin Kahunas. These guys were truly great if you like blues. Her friend Joel the drummer is the brother of a "brief childhood encounter friend" of mine. I also saw him 27 yrs ago play for the Sue Bloom Band in Williamsport. Whoa feel old! Dag takes unique artistic pictures of the band with her massive black stallion of a camera. Variety of folk from college age to who knows at the bar. I sure hope the one guy in the red North Face jacket made it home - struggle wobble back & forth walk 15 ft to the door. I had to get a shower when I got home. I can't believe I used to get in bed after a night out smelling like the pits of smokers staleness. Light a fire under my butt I'll have to do it again.

The Pits of Disrespect

One night this week my kids verbally attacked me. I love my kids but this week they are so disrespectful of me that it makes me sad. They say that I don't do anything for them which I do everything I can and maybe too much. I ask them again and again to do things for weeks & weeks - maybe I should start screaming & insist on instantaneous results. I don't let them do anything. I let them participate as much as possible within my power. I only have so much $$$ & time.
I have made small mumbles on other things through the week when someone from home calls me at work & by the time Friday came around, I was glad to hear my supervisor say, "How would your family ever survive without you?" I said I don't think they can. On Tuesday I said, I feel like leaving home sometimes because things can't get done without asking about "where's the milk?" This has led to the comment I made Friday to my husband. I have requested dish help or put away clean clothes & does not get done. Only small things. I still have to clean out the cat poop & litter because no one else will do it. TP roll. I am a nag if I ask. My family does not know what a real B**** is like. There are people so demanding that something has to be done right away or it is a crisis. I tend to be lax.
Recent comments I have heard of other relatives or co workers.
"It's not my job to shovel the snow"
"I don't do yard work"
"My car needs an oil change and it is up to my husband to take care of my car"
"I want him to take me out to eat"
"I don't want to cook"
"He needs to fix the ceiling TODAY!"
"I stand at the kids lockers and make sure they take all the books home"
"I make the teachers email the homework to me and the kids have to sit for at least an hour doing work"
"My kids do chores every day"

Whoa - my family doesn't know how good they have it. I was brought up to be self sufficient and don't rely on others to get things done. I think some individuals are spoiled brats!
Ranting a bit....
My morale is really low & sad. I was always taught to show respect & appreciate what people do for you. I rarely get a thanks.I think I have lost something.......

Does my cut need stitches?

I was trying to see what the bottom bracket looked like on my Johnny G Spinner Pro Bike. Freaking 43lb flywheel started taking off at the same time my finger was getting sucked slowly into the bracket Once those pedals start going with centrifugal acceleration you can't stop it. I could not get my other arm around to stop the spin. It went a revolution or so with my finger stuck. There was blood gushing a trail everywhere in the house and on me - crap there's a gap across the palm side bend in my index finger. I can move it so no tendon damage. My son immediately got the first aid supplies & eagerly wrapped me up. I put a bra on because I thoughts were to the ER. Dang! It is cold & I want to stay home and do not feel like driving 45 RT miles & who knows how much time we'll be there. The bandage wrap was totally saturated again within five minutes. We were getting ready to go to the ER & I said, "Let's check it out again". It was starting to close a smidgin, but still bloody. I am not going.....I will be at the gym at the hospital in the AM if I decide otherwise. Do I need stitches? NO

VD exchange of words:
Him: "Happy Valentines Day"
Moi: "Happy Valentines Day"
Him: "I didn't buy you anything"
Moi: "Fine....I didn't buy you anything either"
End...

Start New 2007 Year!

Zachary, Kelsi & I joined forces yesterday with our friend Dag to venture 26 miles to the mountain lake Halfway Dam in Bald Eagle State Forest for the 4th Fanny Brrr Benefit Ride And Polar Bear Plunge In Memory of Bennett Sterling & benefit The Blue Butterfly Fund

We made it to the front page of the local paper:

http://www.dailyitem.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070102/NEWS/701020307

Also, Dag's blog, with guest speaker recap:

http://twisteduterus.livejournal.com/#entry_288741

Brrr we dipped

Ray Adams of VisitPa.com mountain bike team & Nancy

Chad on his GF 29er


We were awarded the Famous Finger Cookie by Dag for our accomplishment & good time had by all.

Head on back the chilly foggy ride back almost 15miles in damp clothes Brrrrrrrrrrr!

Artful Calming Bliss

Artwork by AK-47
This is Aaron Kent. Click on the title or visit his site http://www.aaronkent.org/. He is a very talented & diverse artist. He is a mountain biker & probably quite wild because he had knee & shin apparatus on his body the last I saw him. I had met him a few years ago during the Wilderness 101. Kelsi & I thought both Aaron and his friend John were really super and down to earth. Of course, they did not know what a whoopie pie was..but I did make them eat part of one. I think John wrote an article about the episode & nutrients in his dreds, but I have been unable to find.

For some odd reason, I really love this photo of him. It is blissful. Ahhh I makes me think about the New Year. I would love to find one of his Projects - 10 1/2. I wonder if I can buy one. Once I found huge one (unknown who the owner had been) across the street from my workplace. People would go peek at it and then the cops came and took it away. Was it part of a Project?

Happy Birthday to Me & Happy New Years Eve!

Another day older.............My husband actually said happy birthday this AM & went back to sleep(under my breathe I said thanks for remembering). My mom came to visit last evening for 4 hrs which is unusual to occur. She usually comes for 1 hr & has to leave for more important things. She brought food & primroses. Al's parents got me a holly. Dirt Rag forums send me a happy birthday (probably automated but it is fine). Hmmm.......my day at times comes and goes without one Happy Birthday. Oh well......I guess this year is the year for HB. New Year's Eve was here before me.


Edit: Thanks for the tons of Happy Birthdays!

Merry Christmas to All!

Merry Christmas Car Breakdown

Montoursville Holiday Family Gathering - We met at my mom's and caravaned full tilt with gifts and drinks galore because we had reservations at an eatery in Muncy before going to Kyle's house. As I was driving up Fairfield Rd to get on the beltway, something went curclunk and dead power, so I pulled off the road. My one brothers called to say "hurry up" because he was going 50 in a 65. My other brother backed down the ramp and my mom was behind us. Crapola the timing belt was off and suspect a pulley to have broken off. There was four of us and car full of junk. I guess I have to take matters in my hand and call AAA - at least I have a crowd of people around my vehicle. We couldn't have been more fortunate with daylight, decent weather, other people to provide transport shuttle to go to our meal, vehicle left for Al so he had trans after car was towed, and a wonderful Saturday local tow truck man Bieber who went to another call then worked on our car so we would have it by dark...Wahooo and still enjoy opening gifts without worrying! Things couldn't have worked out better! This is one great Christmas gift!

This is my neice Kira in her Bumbo Baby Sitter - Leave her and the Bumbo chair will take care of her!:)

This is my neice Kasidy with her evil doll with malfunctioning eyes that open & close randomly and makes her cry because it doesn't work for her.

Sunny Blow

I had off yesterday since I am not allowed off after Christmas so I have to fit days in to others schedules to use or lose them up. As I was getting ready, Mr Tarcole buries himself for camp out in the bathroom while we do the morning ritual.
It was a beautiful 58 degree day but the wind gusts were a bit much. Hoping to avoid the gusts, I thought the little valley from Cherry Run - Poe Paddy tunnel - Havice Valley Rd would be safe. This whole area of remote forest, cabins, creeks and mountains had any eerie silence at this time of year. I saw no one not even a car on the forest rd. The tunnel always scare the crapola out of me, because there is an area that you cannot see anything. I had vision of someone scaring me and I would pee my bike shorts. I had to be brave. This did happen one time and I flipped out on the juvenile and the whole valley of summer tourists probably heard me. I did a short climb up Havice Valley Rd and was quite proud of myself. I had to turn around and save Havice Valley for another day because I had to get back for Kelsi pickup and head to the gym. She has decided to join the gym. I really don't know how this is going to work out with getting her from school to the gym and my work. It is hard enough fitting myself in to the schedule of my own life. So if anyone is going from Mbg to Lwbg at 3:15 PM please pick her up! She wants to ride her bike the ten miles but the roads are scary at that time. I was wrong the gusts were blowing from all directions, except the usual north west.

INSPIRATIONs in life.
Wonderful Racing Pictures!
VELOPHOTOS.NET
by Kevin Dillard

Will I learn not to wear undies?

Yesterday, the family went to Williamsport to meet with my Mom, stepfather, brothers, Keith & Kyle & his spouse and skidren at the Genetti for brunch. This is one of the greatest food feasts we enjoy. It was a beautiful day when we got home so Kelsi & I quickly got changed and went for the typical 10 mile loop. It was cool outside and I got this wicked idea that IF I WEAR UNDERWEAR WITH MY CYCLE SHORTS I COULD WEAR THEM FOR SPINNING ON TUESDAY, because of little sweat factor. I also get this uneasy feeling of being so close to my lycra padding. Also, I feel weird with no undies. Hit about 6 miles and my hoochie had abrasion. I have been scorned by Dagny for doing this but I can't stop it. Today walking & on the toilet relief are ouchy............

REMEMBER!
"Cycling shorts are always worn with no underwear. Underwear, even synthetic wicking underwear, creates seams and a vapor barrier that traps heat, bacteria and perspiration against the skin. Natural fiber underwear is a Petri dish for bacteria and friction to form. Cycling shorts are designed to be worn without any underwear, whether you are male or female".

Bah! Bloody Moody Holiday Season is approaching!

~I am in a mood today & no one is home until late. I even went to the gym for 2 hours to try and release. I want to get shopping over with for my own children and not two dozen other children & people between my family and the in-law side. I feel like I am shut off mode. I hate shopping unless I go to TJ Maxx or Target. It is a chore to shop and I really hate it. Am I selfish...I just don't have the money to spread around. Also, some of the kids get whatever they want and throw the gift aside. In-law family is unable to come to grips with drawing names. They feel offended if there are no gifts. Al can buy for his family this year. Bah humbug! I just want to kick back and relax with a few cheerful holiday drinks!
~Yesterday, I was at Penn State all day on a campus tour with Kelsi, who is dragging her feet. I wish I had a cattle prod. The # 1 crime on campus is the theft of bicycle seats. As we were leaving, we saw a cheapo bike with no seat. Somewhere there is a grave yard of seats with posts. Then stopped by Mt Nittany Wheelworks to check out bikes for Zachary. It was nice seeing and talking to Jim and Frank after several months with each sporting a beard, look alikes to GI Joe & Abe Lincoln. They are talking about getting a race together called the Stupid 50 in May, which will be majority tough trails for 50 miles in a figure 8. Of course, Chris may come up, which they are hoping he will help out planning.
~I was invited to a party in the evening and as I going out the door, I decided to stay home. I figured it was probably the safest thing to do. I have so many things coming at me and I feel overwhelmed. I feel like running away from everything but no where to go or just be by myself. What do I mean, majority of the time I am by myself!

Sanity Gain with Goals

I will put off the Cervical Discectomy & Fusion for as long as possible. I guess it is Fright & Flight. I scares the crap out (literally gives me IBS) of me but I have to keep pushing to get away from it. I am thrashing ideas & goals for myself in 2007. This is how I have to deal with my stresses in my life, including having a dying brother. I am thrashing around taking myself up to the next level. I have a Personal Trainer application on my desk at work for ponderment. I don't know if I can do it but I need to try. I wish I had someone to go at it with me and shoot for something. Dedicated volunteers ? There was a middle aged woman on the treadmill at the gym with her jiggly heiny & thighs in front of me who is going to run a marathon in 6 months. Can I do one of Chris's 100 mile races? This is what we all need to keep going like the pink energizer bunny with a fresh set of batteries.

I guess I feel like a loser with no friends. I feel so inferior when I get dreams.

Don't be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams.Author Unknown

Which is:

A goal is a dream with a deadline.
Napoleon Hill

Therefore:

Life is an Adventure
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable.
Helen Keller

Waging wars against my body

Went to the Orthopaedic surgeon for my chronic intensity neck which has gotten worse over the years,triple billfolded in the wash this past Spring. I have been working my *^@#&$^*@ ass off getting the knees back after the surgeries and was afraid to go for my neck for months. It is a war I have with myself body mechanic blowouts to lymph wackyos, sure screw me some more!
The doctor walked in the room and said, "I hope you don't mind me looking at you but your smile looks just like my younger sister, you really resemble her." I was afraid to tell him he looked like my cousin who is a Podiatrist right down to the nose. Blood who knows, I don't want to know.
I had an Xray and the damage was confirmed. He could see what was wrong right away without ordering an MRI. I have severe Disc Degeneration Disease with prolapse on C2,C3,C4. I need to have an Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion.



I am not ready to have a fused dick neck! I'll have to deal with the neurological problems & pain for a while longer. Wage war with myself - drugs, alchohol & exercise like a "Wild Woman". We discussed - I will wait until I am in intolerable pain because I will lose ROM and this creeps me out. He rattled off a list of sports and things I should not do anymore - I drifted into a foggy tunnel and did not hear about a minute of what he was saying for fear of taking away my escape from body wars. YES, I CAN STILL DO BIKING & FENCING! I think this is because he rides bike himself & had the operation when he was 42. If you take away biking, I think it would be quite catastrophic to my life. This is my escape from pains in my body and things in life. He said when I decide, then he will order an MRI to see what additional problems may be going on besides the initial one above.. My exercise & activities have paid off for me. I do not have to go to physical therapy, because I have strength which is what is preventing muscle loss from this condition and he could tell. He thanked me for working out and maintaining an active lifestyle rather than the sedentary lifestyle of most patients, as we went out the door.

An emotional arousal not acted upon during the day to quell the arousal becomes a dream - Joe Griffin

Since I have not been able to fit in outdoor rides for the longest period of time since last winter. I think I am having withdrawal. Usually my dreams are really wacky and off the wall weird, but I have been riding a bike every day this week in my night time lala land. The one this morning I was climbing up a stoney rock trail and thought I was going to have to walk but I hammered and went up with ease. I gotta get out & ride ride ride and not just spin inside!

I guess this falls under one psychologists interpretation of dreams.

The expectation fulfilment theory of dreams - Joe Griffin, Psychologist

Griffin's expectation fulfilment theory of dreams states that:

1. Dreams are metaphorical translations of waking expectations.
2. Expectations which cause emotional arousal that is not acted upon during the day to quell the arousal, become dreams during sleep.
3. Dreaming deactivates that emotional arousal by completing the expectation pattern metaphorically, freeing the brain to respond afresh to each new day.

Eagles Mere Road Trip

Kelsi, Al & I went up to Eagles Mere to get away from the house. It was too cold to paint in the morning. We had to do a drive-by of my stepfather's cottage and hike around Eagles Mere Lake. This was my old hang out in the summertime years ago. Today I was really into the boat houses around the Lake & not the huge beautiful cottage mansions.












One time, many years ago, I was sled riding down an icey curvy EM road that parallels the famous Tobbogan Slide. I had to maneuver in order to avoid hitting the dock post before going out on the ice covered EM Lake. Well one time, I was out of control and I hit the dock post with my neck. Of course, I ended up in Geisinger Medical Centerfor a week. Oh well, that is probably why I am the way I am. I really hate sled riding.