'Scuse Me, While I Kiss the Sky

Here are some pics that will give you cause to look up.

Oh, weekend. How I'm looking forward to you...

Today it is cold and rainy here in East central Iowa. Tonight The Guy and I will eat the lasagna I made last night with bread and salad and wine and hopefully watch Boogie Nights. I haven't seen it in at least 10 years.

Tomorrow we don't have many plans. It's supposed to be cold and rainy again, so it could be a good day to get things done around the house and run some errands. In the evening, The Guy and I are going out for dinner at The Tuscan Moon in Kalona. It's been a while since we've been there.

Here is a nest of bikes.

On Sunday morning I will do the first 5K of the season. We might go out for breakfast after the run and we're loosely planning an afternoon bike ride if the weather permits.

How about you all? Will things be looking up for you this weekend?

If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out.

So, we went to The Guy's bike race last night and it was fun. It was in a town that was predominantly Amish or Mennonite, so there were many horse and buggies to contend with.

Here is The Guy getting ready to race.

We brought my bike with, so I rode around the country roads and took pics while I waited for the racers to come back into sight.

In the end, The Guy had a mechanical malfunction, so he wasn't able to finish the race. It was too bad, but we were still able to drive off into the sunset for Mexican food and margaritas after all was said and done.

I Don't Believe In Peter Pan, Frankenstein or Superman

The Guy and I - all bike geared-out.

So, the guy has a bike race tonight. There is a beginner women's race and The Guy asked me if I wanted to try it. I'm definitely interested, but I want to watch it a few times first, because I'm cautious and I hate not knowing what I'm doing in a thing.

I guess my friend Stacy was right when she told me I wasn't the kind of person who could watch people racing and having fun, without wanting to try it myself. Right now, I think my first bike race will be in June. Eek!

When I Look Out My Window. Many Sights to See

I don't have a lot to say today, so here is a picture of some sheep in a field. It is Spring here in Iowa and there are lambs and calves aplenty. We startled tons of them by riding our bikes past. I really do love Iowa...No matter what anyone else says about this state.

Do you love the state you're in?

The Heart is a Bloom. Shoots Up Through the Stony Ground.

The boys riding behind the corn statue.

So, I'm a broken record, but man what a great weekend I just had. Friday night with The Guy was amazing. The Guy was already setting up the internet by the time I got home. I made some halibut breaded in panko and parmesan cheese and then fried, toasted almond rice pilaf, Greek salad and then bought some kalamata olive bread at the Co-op. We drank some wine and then had a wonderful talk.

Bry finding a way into our friend S.'s house.

On Saturday, I ran some errands and then The Guy and I got ready to ride. We met our friend Bry and his friend Timmer and rode our bikes to Riverside, Iowa - the future home of James Tiberius Kirk. It was a beautiful day for a ride and even though we had to ride over a few gravel roads, we had a great ride.

We stopped at a place called Murphy's to eat and drink a beer and then off to our friend, S.'s house to check out the progress he's making in all of his renovations. He was at work, so we went in and amused ourselves.

Here is the guy busting Bry's balls...Or something like that.

Bry decided it would be a great idea if we moved S.'s stuff all around to different places in his house and then we setup dorky photo shots with some of the tools. Thank god we're all stuck in second grade, or we wouldn't be so easily amused.

The Guy riding down an Iowa road.

We rode home and found a great cemetery in a town called Sharon Center. We stopped there and sat on the loveseat swing thingy and enjoyed the perfect weather, before we headed to Kalona and back to Iowa City.

Me all blissed-out on the ride.

We stopped at the Dublin once we were back in town to see S. and show him the pic of Bry throwing a brick through his window. Yeah. We thought he'd appreciate that. Then The Guy and I were exhausted. We rode home and ordered a pizza for us and cheesy bread sticks for Stinky (her fave). We watched Breaking Away finally. Of course, I dozed off a couple of times in the movie. That's how you know I'm tired - if a hot 70's Dennis Quaid couldn't keep me awake, nothing could.

The guy and friends - cat napping.

Sunday was another busy, but wonderful day. We got up and ate French toast before The Guy cleaned the back gutters and I raked the front yard. Stinky blew off her friends to hang out with me, while the guy tried to ride his bike in ridiculously high winds and then he went grocery shopping and ran errands. Of course, Stinky wanted to go to the mall. It wasn't the way I would have chosen to spend a couple of hours on a beautiful day, but I was just happy to spend them with Stinky at all.

Stinky went off with her friends and I came home and ran my 6 mile route. The Guy and I both did a few household chores and then went to The Mill for dinner and a nice walk around town, before I dropped him off to play pool with Bry and I went home to watch Picnic at Hanging Rock.

Now, I'm getting some rest at work, finally. I would gladly give up rest for such a great and busy weekend, though.

The lean and hungry Type

Bracing myself for the weekend.

Well, kids. It's the weekend again...And this one I'm starting with my tax return in my account. Hurray! It's one hell of a good way to start the weekend. We don't have internet at home yet, because we were all busy last night and no one had time to install it. I'm sure we'll get it up and running sometime this weekend.

The plan tonight is to go home and chill. I may or may not run, but I'll definitely make some halibut breaded in panko and parmesan cheese, with rice pilaf, veggies bread and salad. I'm hoping some wine will be consumed and then a movie watched. (according to my sentence structure it will all be very passively done)

Saturday morning we'll run errands and then at noon we're riding our bikes to Riverside, eating at a place called Murphy's and then riding back home. For the first time in a while, we don't have any social obligations on Saturday evening...And that's just fine with me.

I'm not sure what I'll do on Sunday. I have to buy a lawn mower at Sears, for sure, but everything else is pretty weather dependent. If the rain holds off, I'm assuming I'll run and ride.

How about you, blogging buddies? Will you be running, riding or getting refunds?

I'm Happy. Hope You're Happy Too

Here is a path to a bridge.

I don't have much to write about today. The weather is warming up finally and that makes me happy. I had a good swim this morning, and that made me happy. Other than a little self-imposed stress, (I know. I'm always my own worst enemy) my world is lovely. I hope yours is too.

One Thing Can Lead to Another, It Doesn't Take Any Sacrifice

Here is a series of photos of The Guy draped in orange cat. It's a good look for him don't you think?

So, it looks like our Qwest modem and everything will be here tomorrow by 5. I hope it works. It would be so nice to have working internet and be able to stream Netflix again. I'll keep you posted on that.


Stinky feels a lot better today. She said her Spanish teacher actually yelled at her for missing class those two days. I told her to tell her teacher that she was puking that whole time and then I asked Stinky if she wanted me to go beat up her Spanish teacher for her...Because I'm going to win the "Mom of the Year" award.

Toot Toot, Hey, Beep Beep

So, kids. Stinky got a bad stomach flu last night. Poor thing. I think she's feeling better now, but last night was pretty rough.

Today will just be a little photo expose' that some friends and I did when we were out at the bachelorette party. We saw this funky backdrop and decided it would be perfect for mocking senior pictures, but of course, we just cracked ourselves up by making them more and more raunchy. So, soon we were taking senior photos at reform school. Anyway, Here they are. Enjoy... Or not.

Ride Like the Wind to be Free Again

Archie putting the bike box to good use.

Okay kids. My internet was screwy all weekend...Again. I'm ending my internet relationship with Mediacom and hooking up with Qwest instead. I'll let you know how that works. They won't have it hooked up until the 7th. So, blogging might be even more sketchy this week. Who knew that was possible.

So, here is a quick little pictorial of my weekend. My bike came on Friday and The Guy was so good about putting it all together and having me sit on it and readjusting everything for me. How great is he? Then since we couldn't watch a Netflix streaming movie, because we had no internet, we saw Pirate Radio instead.

On Saturday, we did some things around the house, ran errands and then went on a 30 mile bike ride to a town called Windham. My bike was so much fun to ride and made me very, very happy.
We stopped at a little tavern in town and ate some greasy food and drank a beer before we rode the rest of the way home.

Then we were off getting ready for the bachelorette/bachelor parties we were going to. Stinky babysat for some friends who were also going to the parties.

I met the girls at a bar in Mount Vernon - where the bride was from and had a great time. Then we went to a bar in Solon - where the groom was from.

Then we came back to The Dublin and met up with the guys and had a dance party. Yea! it was fun, but I was exhausted and finally went home around midnight.

It was about 80 degrees here on Sunday and it felt great for our bike ride to Hills. it was crazy windy on the way there, when it was against us and way more fun on the way home. There's really nothing like screaming down a hill on old Highway 218 as fast as you can go. It makes up for almost standing still while we peddled against the wind on the way there.

There's Only One Solution to This Life

Here is the Queen Mother waving at me from a junk shop window on my way to work this morning.

Soooo, we missed the UPS guy to get my bike yesterday. We have to sign for it, and he must have stopped by in the half hour where Stinky went to work and before I got home. So, that means I got to go home early today and wait for him. A half day Friday and a new bike? It sounds like a pretty damn good day to me.

The rest of the weekend looks like this: Tonight I'm making the brown sugar glazed salmon with new potatoes fried in olive oil and rosemary, steamed veggies and salad. We'll (and when I say we, I mostly mean The Guy) will put together my bike and hopefully watch some geeky bike movie while doing that.

On Saturday, we'll take care of things in the morning, and then meet our friend Bry and take my bike for its first spin. We'll get home, clean up and then I'll go to a bachelorette party and The Guy will attend the corresponding bachelor party.

I have no idea what I'll do on Sunday. It's supposed to rain, so I'll probably work on house projects and if the sun peaks out at all, I'll try to run or ride or both.

How about you guys? Are you waiting for a bike or getting ready to ride?

If You Don't Answer, I'll Just Ring It Off the Wall

Here is Coadster in college. It seems she hasn't lost her attitude at all...

So, Coadster called me last night. As I've said, I hate to talk on the phone. I have no idea why. I think it has something to do with how socially challenged I am. I can't see the person who is talking and it makes me antsy and babble and then I get distracted by whatever is going on in my house at the time and only half listen, which makes me even more antsy and babbley and it really just isn't my thing. Of course, Coadster loves to talk on the phone and now that she lives somewhere else, talking on the phone is a necessary evil. I'm sure Coadster laughs her ass off after I constantly say, "So, what else is going on?" In order for her to talk more, so I don't have to.

Anyway, Coadster called me yesterday to tell me she gave blood for the first time. She is O negative, (universal donor) so her blood is in demand. Coadster is a HUGE wimp about that kind of thing, so it was even bigger deal that she donated. I'm proud of her.

Stinky is starting to go through that stage that Coadster went through when she got closer to being 18 - the one where she was a self-absorbed pain in the ass. Lord knows, I love them both, but I do have to roll my eyes sometimes. This morning, Stinky and I got into a little spat and she said something to the effect of, "Well, I thought I lived here, so I wouldn't have to...(be more conscientious about whatever)" I informed her that she does live here, but she's not the only person who lives here. So, she did step down and realize she was being hard to take, but we've been having more and more of those special moments lately. At least I've been through it with Coadster before, and I know it's just a phase.

Wiped Out. No Concentration.

Here is a rolling hill.

Well, kids. I don't have much to write about today. Things are good, good, good. Last night I gave plasma while the guy rode his bike. Then we met at home and cooked and ate and drank wine. Then we had a great talk until it was time to pick up Stinky. Sure, it sounds rather mundane, but I like that. I also like that The Guy is as open and honest as he is and we can pretty much talk about anything. It's so refreshing.

Tonight The Guy is going to his mom's house and Stinky will be at her youth group. I will have the house to myself. I plan on running my 6 mile route and then doing a couple of quick cleaning projects. Then I have the option of working on the painting/drawing I want to start, reading my book or watching a movie. I love being presented with those kinds of options.

Too Much Information Driving Me Insane

Here are the shadows of my friend Bry and I.

So, last night The Guy and I decided to go back to spending Monday night the way we used to before we lived together. We met at the Dublin after work for a drink. I get out of work earlier than him and I sat down at an almost empty bar to wait.

There was a woman with layered, dyed blonde hair sitting to my left and she told me she was from Fort Dodge and was here staying with a friend of hers in the hospital. She said she had been here for a week and that she missed her grandson...Then she told me she was legally blind...Then she started telling me about her son dying and her subsequent suicide attempt...Then she asked me what my name was.

I'm not sure what it is about me, but I feel like I have the word, "therapist" written on my forehead sometimes.

Birds Singin' in the Sycamore Trees

Here we are at G.'s party. In our world, bunny ears are never not funny.

I know I sound like a broken record, but I had another great weekend. On Friday night the guy and I went out for sushi after work and then picked up Stinky and went home and watched Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant in The Philadelphia Story.

Here is the guy with his game face on, getting to ride his first race since the accident.

On Saturday we got up and got some things done around the house and some errands run. I also got a nice run in, while The Guy was getting stuff at the store.

In the evening, we went to our friend G.'s birthday party at Sam's Pizza. We split a stuffed pizza and had a couple of drinks and then went home around 9. Stinky got home shortly thereafter and we all watched some episodes of Shaun the Sheep together. Both The Guy and Stinky had seen it before, but I hadn't. I liked Wallace and Gromit and Chicken Run, so I wasn't surprised that it was as clever and fun as it was.

Here is the guy kicking ass at the finish line.

On Sunday we got up early so we could head to The Guy's first bike race since the accident. Our friend Bry showed up, which was nice. The Guy ended up placing 2nd in his age groups. That would be impressive if he HADN'T been in an accident where he broke his back and that prevented him from working out on his bike for a few months.

After the race we stopped and ate a late breakfast and then went home and took a nap. We woke up and headed to bike shops to test ride cyclocross bikes. I've been pretty interested in that sport since I saw it last Thanksgiving. I'm thinking about competing in it sometime this Fall. I've talked to my brother and he said he might come down and do one with me too. Anyway, I test rode a couple of bikes, but I'll probably get one on-line from some place that can be hundreds of dollars cheaper than the name brands at the shops. I'll also be able to use the bike as a road bike or for racing if I decide to do that too.

In the evening, The Guy went to play pool with Bry and Stinky went to her youth group thingy. I went to G.'s house for a bit, then came home and watched the movie, The Orphanage. If you haven't seen it and you like really scary horror films - check it out. At one point, Stinky and I were on the couch with Archie lying between us, and we jumped and screamed and Archie went running. Funny.

Fat Bottomed Girls Will Be Riding Them Too

Here is an abandoned farm house. Creepy.

So, last night The Guy's friend was supposed to come down from Minneapolis for dinner. They ended up getting snow there, so she stayed to ski and didn't make it down until 10. Since The Guy already promised Stinky dinner out, he wanted to uphold that and we let her decide where we ate. She chose to go to Pagliais Pizza and we had a lovely meal. The Guy's friend showed up and we talked with her until around midnight. That's pretty damn late on a school night. It was worth it, though. She was really cool and fun to hang out with.

So, now onto the weekend....Tonight the guy and I have decided to just chill out. We're going to probably try and get some sushi and then come home and watch a movie and hit the hay pretty early.

I plan on running and getting a few things done during the day on Saturday. We kicked around the idea of going on a Spring ride with a bike group here, but I think the 36 degree temps and chance of snow is enough to dissuade us. Saturday night we will celebrate our friend G.'s birthday. We probably won't stay out super late, on account of what's going on Sunday morning.

Sunday morning will be The Guy's first cycling race in a year and since his accident. We've heard it will be hilly and it's still supposed to be cold, but I'm still excited to check out the scene. Bicycle racing is so much different than running races in that there is all kinds of strategy to it. It should be pretty interesting.

How about you all? Will you be chilling out this weekend or racing around?

Songs of Desperation, I Played Them For You

Here is a burrito kitten.

I had a good swim this morning. The Guy gave me some more pointers and I feel like I'm getting better and better at it every day. Today while I was swimming and trying to implement some of The Guy's suggestions, I started thinking about people being coachable and what that means. When I was a kid, one of my aunts used to try to coach my brother and I on the breathing part of swimming by making us bob up and down in the water until we couldn't take it anymore. Just so you know, not the best way to encourage an interest in swimming. If anything, it made me ever weirder about getting water up my nose.

I was coached for running from the time I was 10...Probably not very well either. When I was having a bad race, my high school coach used to stand on the side of the track, smoking a cigarette and yell, "You stink, Churlita. You stink!" I did have one decent coach in high school - my sprint coach and I can still hear her in my head yelling, "Lift your knees, ladies!" when I am starting to fade at the end of a road race. Pretty good overall advice for anyone who wants to run faster or keep running - lift your knees.

So, as far as me being coachable....I think it depends on the coach and what and how they're telling me to do a thing. I can be obstinate, and certainly my first instinct is to resist whatever advice I'm given. (Why I do that? I have no idea...) But after I have time to let it sink in, I finally try to use the parts I find useful. So, I guess it's a bit conditional...I'm eventually coachable - if I find the coaching helpful and it isn't just someone trying to motivate me by tearing me down. (which never works for me, by the way)

The Guy has been a very helpful coach for me. He doesn't bombard me with info or demand that I do what he says. He just suggests a few things and once he thinks I've mastered them, then he tries a few other things. Today we worked on my stroke and trying not to raise my head so much when I take a breath. This time, I actually tried The Guy's advice right away. Weird. Maybe I'm more coachable than I thought.

Doctor My Eyes Have Seen the Years

Here is The Guy and me. Not the best picture of me, but The Guy looks great.

So, that little writing exercise below does need a lot of work. I wrote it at work, so my brain was being sucked by the beige cubicle walls and it didn't say everything I wanted it to. I wanted it to be a little more about the person I am now too, but under the guise of physically being exposed and how different both physically and mentally I thought I'd be at this age. I guess, overall, I feel really good in both aspects. Because I work-out, in some ways I'm in better shape than I was at 19 (when I never worked-out and ate crappy food and drank too much beer). Emotionally, I'm in way better shape than I was in my twenties. Thank god.

I feel like I need to keep reevaluating this whole aging business to keep it in perspective. Who knows what will happen later, but at 45 years of age, I feel better and am in better shape than I was 20 years ago. If you had told me that would be the case when I was 25, I doubt I would've believed you.

Now, in the interest of talking about what I eat all the time (ha ha, Pamela), I'm building a meal tonight around the frozen somosas we got at Trader Joe's about a month ago. I'm making curried red lentil soup and salad and serving it up with bread and mango chutney. I hope it's as delicious as it sounds.

Picture Yourself When You're Getting On

My friend Bry "helpfully" stretching out my hamstring.

Here are some observations and ponderings from after I went swimming last week:

Locker room.

The youth sucked out of it by Spring Break and the early morning hour.

Older Women,

Naked.

Our faces and bodies bare.

Eyes resting on uncovered bags.

Skin has lost its blush.

Still, all the laps, weights, reps, and stretches preserving most of us pretty well.

After we're all modestly wrapped back up in fabric,

With our faces back "on" and our bags safely hidden under foundations or powders,

I am always left to wonder:

How would my 25 year old self feel seeing my 45 year old self so exposed?

Would I be disappointed or proud of what we had become?

Back On the Chain Gang

Here is me holding my achin' butt after the first part of the ride.

The only bad thing about wonderful weekends, is that they have to end. Although, they are fun while they last and we always have the memories...

This weekend was lovely. On Friday night The Guy and I ate fish tacos and drank our white russians and watched The Big Lebowsky. it was some good, dorky fun.

This what was got once we reached Oxford. Yum.

We woke up fairly early on Saturday. Stinky worked at 7. The Guy and I had a nice breakfast of eggs with sauteed shitake mushrooms, red onions, green pepper, garlic and swiss cheese. I served it with wheat toast and cut-up bananas with raspberry preserves drizzled on them. After we ate, we worked on changing out a few of the storm windows for screens. Of course, that meant cleaning screens and washing windows, but it's kind of nice to be able to see out of them now.

We then loaded up the car and headed to The Guy's storage space to get his tandem bike. We rode to Oxford and it was an interesting experience riding that far on the tandem. I had to learn to pay attention to starts and stops and pedaling at the same pace. I think it went pretty well. We ate at Augusta restaurant. It was started by a couple displaced after Katrina and it had a good mix of food. I had the shrimp po'boy sandwich, that I thought was a tad dry, but tasty none the less. The Guy had a catfish reuben, and I thought that was excellent. We also split some lobster bisque that was very nice.

We hopped back on the bike and headed home. It was a long ride for my first time out this year, but it felt great. The guy and I had our jammies on by 7 and watched The Crazies. We thought it was going to be the newer one, but it was the George Romero original from 1973. It was actually, a happy accident. I was glad we saw it.

The Guy getting ready to cross the street to the restaurant.

On Sunday we got up and got a few more things done. I bought bagels that we ate with cream cheese and smoked trout. Stinky went to church and then to a volley ball tournament. I cleaned the hell out of the bathroom, while The Guy worked on some other projects.

At around noon, The Guy met his ex for lunch and Stinky and I hung out and got groceries together. I dropped Stinky off at home and she went running and I met The Guy at the pool for a swim and a steam.

In the evening, G. came over and ate tostadas with us and told us about her weekend. All in all, a great Sunday evening.

One of the many positive influences The Guy has had on us, is waking up earlier in the morning. This morning, Stinky and I and The Guy actually sat down and ate breakfast together. I know it sounds weird, but Stinky and I almost never do that on a week day. It was so pleasant, I'm thinking we might actually have to make a habit of it.

I Ain't Wasting No More Time

I thought you all would appreciate a cat photo-less post today. So, this was outside a junk store on my way home from work. I thought it was appropriate for the upcoming weekend.

last night was nice and mellow. The Guy went to spend some time with his mom and Stinky was at work. I took the alone time to give plasma (I'm no longer anemic. Yea!) and be all domestic. It was good to relax last night so I could get ready for the weekend.

Tonight The Guy and I are having fish tacos with some spicy slaw, refried bean, salsa and guac for dinner. Then we're making white Russians and watching The Big Lebowski. It's been a while since I've seen it, so I'm pretty excited.

Tomorrow we'll probably get some things done, but then we're going to take The Guy's tandem (two person) bike out on a 50 mile ride to Oxford and back. Once we're in Oxford, we'll eat at the Cajun fusion restaurant there before heading back. I hope I'm in good enough shape to make the trek.

I'm not sure what's going on for Sunday. It's supposed to rain for at least part of the day. I hope it stops for a bit so I can get a run in and The Guy can get a harder bike ride in.

How about you, the blogging community? Will you be watching The Dude or riding bikes with The Guy this weekend?

I Just Had to Trust Imagination

As promised - my catnip PSA. Here is Archie climbing all over the guy to get to the dangling things on the ceiling fan.

Here are Archie and Heidi completely straight and sober.

Here is Heidi eating catnip.

Here is Heidi huffing catnip.

Here is Heidi feeling the effects.

Here are our cats on catnip. Any questions?

Senses Working Overtime

Our friend Bry turning the laser on himself. When cat toys go bad...

Last night was nice and mellow. I tried to give plasma but my iron levels were too low. Damn.

I went to get stuff to make soup for dinner tonight and then got home and reheated and dressed-up leftovers while The Guy messed around with his car and cleaned things up around the house.

After dinner we decided to provide ourselves with entertainment by giving the cats some catnip. Archie had never had it before and holy hell! He loved it. He ate it and rolled around in it and went plumb loco for it. We laughed our asses off watching the two cats half-heartedly fighting each other over the catnip by swiping at each other with their paws, but while still lying down. I did take some pics, but forgot to bring the camera to work to upload them. Hopefully, I'll get them up tomorrow.

Tonight our friend G. is coming over for dinner. She won't get here until a little after 7, so I'll get a run in first. I'm making potato leek soup, salad and bread. Stinky loves this meal, so she even agreed to grace us with her presence. Nice.