I Seem to Lean On Old Familiar Ways

Here are my lilacs.

I keep hoping for a little relaxation, and that's what I get...Just a little relaxation. Of course, it's mostly my fault. There are so many things I want to do and train for, I create a world for me that holds way too much to do. I suppose, that must mean it's the kind of world I want to live in then, huh?

Here are the flowers Thr Guy bought me for Mother's Day. I love flowers.

Last night I rode home as quickly as possible and drove over the that woman's house to mow her lawn. Then zipped back home. When I got there, The Guy was already raking the backyard and was starting on cleaning up the garden. I called for pizza and then mowed our front yard until the pizza guy came. We ate and watched 2 Andy Griffith episodes with Coadster. We did go out on the porch for about a half hour, but then Stinky called, wanting a ride home from work and I bought some groceries while I was there.

So, while it was only a little relaxing, at least we were able to work it in.

Just Like Children Sleepin'. We Could Dream This Night Away

Sure, the cold rain can suck for humans, but it sure makes the world look pretty.

So, we went on our Monday Night Ride last night and it was lovely. It was a bit chilly on the way back, but the almost full moon more than made up for it.

Tonight I will mow lawns again, but then I hope to do some porch sittin', full moon lookin' at and take in an Andy Griffith episode or two. I figure I need to give myself some relaxation time after last weekend...

It's the Thought That Moves You Upwards

The Guy and I giving Bry some birthday love.

So, Blogger was an asshole and wouldn't let me post for a couple of days. Which means, this will be as brief a post as I can write, with as much stuff as I have to fill it with...

Okay. Another whirlwind weekend. Friday I worked a half day. I ran when I got off and then it rained and rained. The girls and I went and bought garden stuff, but didn't have time to plant it all. The Guy and I made dinner and went out for a couple of drinks for our friend Bry's birthday, but were home and in bed by 10:30.

We got up and got ready on Saturday morning and headed to a small town called Farrar for a bike race. It was a cold, rainy day, but it was an interesting race. Then we had to tear home.

We got home in time for The Guy to get some stuff from the store and me to clean and us both to cook, before Bry, his girlfriend and our friend Timmer came over for a birthday BBQ. Bry's girlfriend brought steak and pasta salad and this strawberry shortcake thing with homemade whipped cream that was amazing. We grilled salmon and made salad and friend potatoes.

After that, we stopped down at George's to have exactly one beer and say happy birthday to our friend, D. I was super exhausted, so I had to go home.

I went running, early on Sunday morning. Then The Guy went out and bought bagels. It was Coadster's 19th birthday, so her boyfriend was here all weekend. We gave her her birthday gifts and then The Guy and I headed to Des Moines for a criterium at the state fairgrounds, I had never seen him race a crit before, and it was pretty damn cool. When he was done, we headed back home again and got ready for Coadster's birthday dinner.

Coadster loves Red Lobster, so that's where we went. We all ate a ridiculous amount of food, then Stinky went to her youth group, Coadster spent time with her boyfriend before he went back home, The Guy went to play pool with Bry and I rode my bike for a quick hour. I went down a hilly route and tried to work on getting faster uphills. I think I'll need to keep working....

She Is Like a Cat in the Dark and Then She is the Darkness

Here is a weird, covered staircase on the side of a building in Riverside. Ia.

So, last night was very warm. I mowed that woman's lawn and then came home and mowed my own lawn. I came into the house all stinky and sweaty (sexy....Or not) and The Guy and I made tuna melts and salad for dinner and sat around the table talking with Coadster.

I picked up Stinky from work and then The Guy and I sat out on the screened-in porch and drank beer and talked for almost two hours. Sure, I had laundry and chores and whatever else I could be doing, but there was nothing else I would rather do.

There was a nice breeze, and the cats came out and sat with us and we had a great talk...And guess what? That's right. All that other stuff was still waiting for me when I came in the house. I'm sure I'll feel like taking care of it tonight...

This Heat has Got Right Out of Hand

It is supposed to get up to 90 degrees here in Iowa. I love hot weather, so I'm saying, "Finally!" I have (get) to mow a lawn or two after work, so ask me later if I'm still saying that...

We had our first Monday Night Ride and it was a lot of fun. It went a lot later than normal and The Guy and I were both pretty beat by the time we got home. Tonight, we're making a huge point to stay home and relax. Ahhhhh.


The swarmer termites are back in our house. Coadster texted me, freaking out and said they were everywhere and Archie was eating them. Lovely. Well, at least he's getting his protein. I put a call into the pest control people but haven't heard back yet. It's a damn good thing I'm persistent.

Hoilday! Celebrate!

Woo hoo! Prom is over. (this photo of Stinky and her friends is stolen from our local newspaper)

Coadster with a friend on one of her last days of living in a dorm.

Oh lord, but every weekend seems to be getting busier and busier.

On Friday, The Guy's friend, Jen came to visit. Stinky suggested we have dinner at Blackstone where Stinky's friend works and we did and it was nice. Her friend comped us dessert even. We got home around 10 and went to bed.

The church where we rode to in Holcomb, Ia.

On Saturday we woke up early. I went to Ames to pick Coadster up from college, The Guy went to a bike race, Stinky went to decorate for prom and Jen went to her grandparent's house in another town. Coadster was pretty prepared, so it didn't take long to get her out of her dorm and head back to Iowa City.

When I got home, The Guy had sushi and flowers for me (early Mother's Day) and had our bikes all ready to go on a ride. How great is that? We rode about 40 miles and then made it back for me to take Stinky's prom pictures. All the kids cleaned-up so nicely.

Coadster and I got home and we ate a pizza and watched Sunshine Cleaning. I really like that movie.

On Sunday. The Guy and I got up early again and his friend Jen came back for a morning bike ride. We did another 30 miles and she was really impressed with how beautiful the countryside was where we rode. We got back around noon.

Stinky was getting home just as we were putting our bikes away. She said she felt awake enough to go to a late lunch with us.

So, The Guy and my girls took The Guy's mom to a nice brunch in Oxford Iowa. Stinky started to fade during her steak and eggs, so Coadster had a great time poking her and waking her up from time to time. Yes, we are all easily amused.


We got back from brunch and went for a nice long walk with The Guy's mom. Stinky went upstairs to bed, but the rest of us followed the bike path behind our house for 3 1/2 miles.

Then The Guy took his mom home and went with his friend Bry to play pool, Stinky went to her youth group meeting and Coadster and I stayed home and watched Black Swan. Nothing like that movie to make me seem like the perfect mom.

I hope you all had a happy Mother's Day...No matter what kind of mutha you are.

I Know This Much is True

Here is something that appeared under our back staircase at work yesterday. It's still there today. I'm curious to see how long it "sticks" around.

So, last night turned out very, very well. I stopped at the Co-op on my way home and then got home and went running. The Guy did a little hanging out on the back porch with the cats, then he came in and tidied up the kitchen and cleaned the bathroom.

I started cooking when I got home from running. I made spicy peanut noodles, and roasted garlic and Miso soup and The Guy made salad and we had sour dough bread from the Co-op. G. and our friend Sara came over and we laughed our asses off and flipped each other shit for a few hours before we remembered it was a school night and had to go to bed.


We have a cubicle at work that we made our "happy place". We can go there when we need a time-out. We put up a tropical beach scene poster and one of the students brought in this dancing hula girl. Nice.

Tonight, I'm supposed to meet my friend E. to run. I'm a little on the migrainey side, so we'll see how that goes. I just took my meds and I'm waiting for them to kick-in. I haven't had a bad mirgraine in quite some time, so I've been happy about that. Apparently, I can't go forever, though.

You Can't Always Get What You Want

Here are some things that look like hay rolls, but aren't.

So, today it is finally nice out. Which is good, it just makes me antsy to be outside. There are so many different ways I could be playing today. Instead, I'll have to wait until after work and make up for lost time then. Sigh, sigh, sigh.

Don't worry about me. I'll just be sitting here, pining for my bicycle.

I Thought That I Heard You Sing

I found a morel mushroom in my backyard last night. it's not anywhere near is big as the one I found last year, but they say it will be a bad year for them here because the ground isn't quite warm enough. I'll definitely take what I can get though. I love morels.

Just two things today.

1.) The Guy asked Stinky if I burst into flames when I walked into the church for my nephew's First Communion. Then they both had a good laugh. Har har har har har...

Bad, Archie. Bad. Bad,

2.) So, I had a little talk with Coadster about how things will be when she comes back for the Summer. She gets upset if anything changes - unless she's the one who changes them. I just wanted to prepare her for how things will be when she lives in my house as an adult after she's been gone for a year. You know?

I don't really care what time she comes home at night, I'd just like her to let me know where she is for the most part. I told her that I wouldn't be chauffering her around, unless it was convenient for me. She was welcome to ask me for a ride, but not to expect it. She still doesn't have her driver's license. I also told her to put what she wanted on the grocery list, and I'd be happy to get her stuff. She should also feel free to eat whatever I'm making for dinner. However, if she doesn't like or want it, I will not be making a special meal for her. She can just fend for herself. Most importantly, I told her she wouldn't be watching her trashy TV shows in the living room. We'll get cable set up in her bedroom for that, but I really can't take the squawking from the real housewives or the New Jersey Whatevas. At first she tried to protest that, but then her boyfriend stepped in and said, "Thank you. I totally agree, She tries to watch them in my dorm room and they make me crazy." So, Coadster was outvoted, and she agreed to all my other conditions. We'll see how it goes, but I feel like everything runs more smoothly when expectations are known from the git go.

Tides That I Tried to Swim Against

I had a very busy weekend. So, I am giving you a mostly photo post, with me using my words in the simplest way possible.

I got off at noon on Friday and did very many things - like running 6 miles, taking my car to Jiffy Lube and doing some bank business. After The Guy got home, I put the mower together (with some help from The Guy) and mowed the lawn, while he worked on his bike. We made a dinner and I finally tried my hand at making the perfect margarita. It wasn't quite perfect, but it was close.

On Saturday, I drove Stinky to work, then The Guy and I went back to Sharon Center for another bike race. It was good and it was fun. It was also cold, so during the half hour or so it took the guy to circle around, I sat in the car and read Arabian Nights - which is a pretty rough read, unless you're really into violence against women.

Here is my niece, who is going to be who she's going to be...Even with Jesus looking over her shoulder.

Our friend Bry showed up in the afternoon to watch The Guy's last time trial and then he talked us into going to another small town for a beer on our way home.

We went home, ordered a pizza and watched Andy Griffith. During the second episode, we found ourselves both asleep and propped-up against each other on the couch. We decided it was time to go to bed, about fifteen minutes before 9 pm. Once again, we are very, very young. Ahem.

On Sunday morning, I hit the ground running. Stinky and I left the house around 7'ish and made it to my nephew's 1st communion only 5 minutes late. Hey, that's good for me! We didn't have time to go to the brunch after, and headed back to Iowa City. The Guy had another bike race, which I wasn't able to attend.

I got home and dropped Stinky off at her work crew and then headed back on the road toward Ames.

I got to Coadster's last choir concert of the year with 15 minutes to spare. They performed Handel's Messiah. It was beautiful, if not a bit long. I sat with Coadster's boyfriend and had a good talk. I really like him.

After the show, I took Coadster and her boyfriend out for dinner. Then we stopped by her dorm room and carried out a bunch of clothes. She comes home for the Summer next weekend.

After 8 hours of driving and 14 hours away from home, I finally made it back around 9 o'clock. The Guy was out playing pool with Bry and Stinky was at a youth group meeting. It was nice to have an hour or so to myself, before everyone else got home and we all got caught up on each others' days.

40,000 Stars in the Evening

I could give a rat's ass about the royal wedding and I totally poo-poo'ed my co-workers' reception for it in the break room today, but I have to say, I sure didn't mind eating crumpets with cream cheese and homemade violet jelly.

Here is Heidi. Coming for me. Watch out!

This was the post I started on Friday, but never finished. I took a half day off work and got a lot done. I figure I'll just write about it on my lunch break and get back to you.

Too Late, Too Late to Stay Home and Sit Around

Here is a pretty spot where we stopped on our bike ride last weekend.

So, last night was lovely. I ran after work and then The Guy and I made dinner together and had a great talk and watched another Andy Griffith episode. It was the "feminist" one where Ellie runs for city council. It's interesting to see the point of view from back then.

Tonight I'm planning on giving plasma after work, then coming home to an empty house. The Guy will be at his mom's and Stinky will be at work. I think I will sit in my quiet little cottage and watch a movie. How quaint of me.

I'm So Wired Up. Don't Need No Coffee In My Cup.

Here are some Star Trek Captains hanging above a pool table in Riverside Iowa.

So, I had a hard time sleeping on Monday night. I kept waking up and not being able to fall back to sleep. Since I have so much vacation time saved up, I decided to use a half day of it and go home at noon and nap. I highly recommend it.

I had Stinky call me when she was done with school, so I would wake up and get her and get things done for the rest of my afternoon. I did go donate plasma and I ran after that. I was going to heat up something easy for dinner, but The Guy came home from his bike ride and said he was craving sushi and asked if I'd let him take me out for some. Who was I to say no?

I had a wonderful half day off and was able to sleep well last night. I guess we'll see what tonight brings, but I feel a million times better today than I did at this time yesterday.

Let's all remember to stop, relax and take care of ourselves when we can, okay?

We Could Steal Time. Just for One Day

Me in front of the Sutliff Tavern sign.

Whew! But I'm tired. I think I might finally have worn myself out this weekend.

Friday night The Guy and I made shrimp fajitas and drank some wine and then tried to watch the movie, Dead Man. We got about halfway through before we both started dozing off. It's a good movie...Just a little on the slow side.

The boys hitching up the bikes across from the Harley's.

After going to bed at 10 the night before, I still slept in until after 7. It was a good thing I got so much rest, though. I did a very few things around the house and took Stinky to work before The Guy and I met Bry at the Hamburg Inn. We ate and then headed to The Mill. I'm not sure why went there. A bunch of cyclists met there to start their ride, but we didn't ride with them, because they seemed like they were going to stop at every bar in the world, and we only wanted to stop at a couple of bars.

Bry pointing toward the dangerous bridge.

We rode one hell of a hilly 55 mile bike route around Lake McBride and all the way to the Sutliff Bridge. We did stop at a bar or two and when we got to Sutliff, Bry started playing pool with the locals and we stayed way later than we thought. I was happy because I was able to handle the hills and both The Guy and Bry gave me some great riding tips. We were out so long, that we rode country roads around dusk. It was a little scary watching out for the deer that were bounding around all over the place, but we did get to see a fox too and that was cool.

The bridge - half washed away from the flood a few years ago.

We finally got home around 9, ordered a pizza and ate it while watching an Andy Griffith episode. Yeah. We sure know how to party on a Saturday night, don't we? But I really wouldn't have it any other way.

On Sunday I putzed around a lot and went running. The Guy took my car and got it washed and shop vac'ed the hell out of the inside. I can't believe what a lucky girl I am sometimes.

We went on another ride on Sunday. That one was almost 38 miles. It was lovely. Then The Guy took himself out for a nice dinner and to play pool with Bry, while I had some alone time with Stinky. We went out for breakfast for dinner and then came home and watched the most recent Harry Potter movie.

Needless to say, I am taking the day off from any kind of exercise.

We Wanna Wait, But Here We Go Again

The guy riding down the bucolic stretch of road.

Last night was hectic but very nice. Paul Harding is a great reader and very down to earth and funny and self-deprecating for a Pulitzer Prize winning author. I highly recommend seeing him read...And definitely read Tinkers.

Tonight there will be more thunderstorms, but that's okay. I kind of like staying in and eating, having a glass of wine and watching a movie.

Tomorrow we'll meet our friend Bry at the Hamburg Inn for an early lunch before our 50 mile bike ride to the Sutliffe Bridge and back. I have no idea what we'll do Saturday night, but I have a feeling after the ride, it will involve resting.

How about you all/ Do you have a wild ride planned for the weekend?

Stealing Down a Wrong Way Street

My friend Bry asked me to send him a pic of all of us in a topless pillow fight, except The Guy. he wanted The Guy to wear a parka. so, we took a pic of the opposite of what he wanted.

So, the dinner party was lovely and fun. I made my veggie enchiladas and refried beans and we had chips and de gallo and guac and sour cream and bean dip... And the tequila tasting.

The Guy helping his ex with the tequila tasting.

We decided 3 - 1 that we liked Don Julio over Patron. Who knew?

Me making my decision.

Tonight I am going running with E. after work, then going to hear Paul Harding (last year's Pulitzer Prize winner) read with my friend K. The Guy is going to his mom's house and Stinky is going to a concert in Cedar Falls. It's weird when we're all out of the house for an evening.

See Him Drink. From a Bottle. See Him Eat. From a Plate.

Here is a photo series of the cats playing hide and seek in the laundry room...Apparently, Archie will never learn.
My post yesterday wasn't about my relationship at all. Sure, The Guy thinks I'm scary (but who doesn't?) But it isn't like one of us wants to get married AT ALL. It was more about how me and my girlfriends laugh about guys in general. You know, just because you express interest in a guy, doesn't mean you want to marry them, but a lot of guys we know seem to think that way. Silly boys.

So, tonight I'm having a small dinner party for me and The Guy, G., my friend S., maybe her boyfriend, maybe E. and The Guy's ex. I'm making Mexican food and we have stuff for margaritas. I'm excited.

Since we have two different kinds of good tequila, The Guy's ex suggested that we do a taste test. So, I wrote to my friend S., and said:

Me: Would you be into doing a tequila tasting with us? I have a blindfold for it and everything. How fun is that?

S.: You had me at blindfold. See you at 7. xoxo

My friends are hilarious.

Imagine All the Girls, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah and the Boys, Ah Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah

Here is a creepy fake owl I saw at a cemetery a couple of weeks ago.

So, we're still watching The Andy Griffith Show and last night it was the one where Andy asked Ellie to a picnic. At first he was all nervous and worried he'd get rejected. Then he decided she was trying to trick him into marrying her and started freaking out. It's funny how a half a century later, guys still do that.

I don't know many women who do that. I would be interested to hear my blogger's thoughts on that phenomenon. What are guys so afraid of? Do they think all women want to steal their souls and if so, do they feel powerless against us?

I love asking deep, philosophical questions inspired by The Andy Griffith Show. Just imagine what I'll come up with once we get to the episodes with Goober in them...

And All the World is Biscuit Shaped. It's Just There for Me to Feed My Face

The Guy and I before the race.

The weather outside was frightful, but this weekend was so delightful...And yes, it did snow on Saturday morning.

On Friday night, we ate our veggie lasagna and bread and salad and drank our wine and watched Boogie Nights and it was cold and rainy outside, but nice and warm and cozy inside. I love those kind of nights.

Here's me trying to kick it in at the end of my race.

Saturday was pretty mellow. We did a few things around the house and had eggs and veggies and potatoes for breakfast. Then in the afternoon, the guy went to lunch with his ex and I went to get a few things for the house. I got some wine glasses, silverware and a table cloth, all very much on sale. As much as I hate to shop, I sure don't mind good deals.


E. and Roger and I after the race. All tired and with bunny ears. Precious.

Since Saturday was the 6 month anniversary of The Guy trying so hard to get out of a date with me, he got hit by a pick-up truck, I thought I'd celebrate it by making him go out on another date with me...I figured he wouldn't try that excuse again. I wined and dined him at the Tuscan Moon in Kalona. It was lovely and wonderful. We drove home and tried to watch a couple of episodes of the first season of The Andy Griffith Show on Netflix streaming. I made it through the first one, and nodded off during the second. Hey. 1 out of 2 ain't bad.

Here's me all done with the race with the water bottle and towel The Guy had all ready and waiting for me.

We woke up early on Sunday to get ready for my race. With a few lapses, (in judgment) I've basically been single for 8 years. I'm used to doing everything for and by myself. I've done several races and they were all fine without anyone around to watch or support...But I have to say, it sure is nice to have help in all of this. The Guy drove me to where I was supposed to be and then parked the car and met me. He held me and E's jackets while we ran, took great pics before, during and after and had water bottles and towels ready for us the minute we were done. I really don't think I could ask for a better boyfriend.

After the race, we went out for a greasy breakfast, then went home and took a nap. In the afternoon, we got up and rode our bikes to Hills and then extended the route a bit past there with our friend Bry. Nice, nice, nice.