Today's the day the new appliances are delivered. A new refrigerator and a new washer (I can't find the link, as I don't remember which model is is!). I'm most excited about the refrigerator. . .it's the one I wanted. The washer is Bill's. He actually likes laundry.
I can't wait to get a glass of water out of the door on the refrigerator later today.
It's pretty sad when you're super excited about new appliances. . . . . .I think we need a little more excitement in our lives. . . . .
Friday, June 30, 2006
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Having trouble sleeping?
I thought this article was interesting, since I struggle with a good night's sleep often. I guess the number one thing is getting rid of stress. . . . .hhmmm. . . .how does one do that exactly?
Monday, June 26, 2006
The Boy's Toys
Bill got a new toy. . . . . .a gas powered hedge trimmer. Here are just a couple of the REALLY IMPORTANT rules the manual printed (seriously).
1) Scare away small animals so they cannot be injured (with a picture of a frog).
2) Do not use your hedge trimmer during other people's rest periods (with a picture of a bed).
Just remember that kids. Safety first. They should have labeled it the manual for DUMMIES.
1) Scare away small animals so they cannot be injured (with a picture of a frog).
2) Do not use your hedge trimmer during other people's rest periods (with a picture of a bed).
Just remember that kids. Safety first. They should have labeled it the manual for DUMMIES.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
The Weekend
Saturday was the 3 hour at Crystal Ridge. Lots of fun. Once again I forgot how to ride, and went back to being a citizen racer my first lap. Need more practice on the tight single track. SS Amy and I tooled around for a few laps. . . .annoying everyone around us being "girls" and chit chatting during our laps. 3 laps together and her back was bothering her, so I dug in solo for the 4th lap and called it a day. Squirt (aka Minigoat) tried to squeak 5 laps out, but missed the cut off by a few minutes. Somehow it didn't matter though. . . .since she smoked all the other gals anyway. Wrap the night up with some Mexican food, and what seems like a wonderful Saturday had me up a good part of the evening with stomach cramps. So much for sleeping.
5:45am came early this morning, as I think I had JUST fallen asleep! We rolled out of bed to get to Newburg for the River Valley ride. I signed up for 56, but my riding partner slept in and decided not to ride. . . . .PUNK. . . .so I decided on the 42 so I could ride with The Virgin and The General. Many laughs were had as always and the MOON even came out. Imagine that! In the middle of the day! Wrap the day up with a power nap and some dinner at the Texas Roadhouse (or so is the plan) and it ends up being not so bad of a weekend. Now if that stupid shooting pain down my leg would just go away so I could stand up like a normal person and not like someone who just crapped their pants, it would be heaven.
5:45am came early this morning, as I think I had JUST fallen asleep! We rolled out of bed to get to Newburg for the River Valley ride. I signed up for 56, but my riding partner slept in and decided not to ride. . . . .PUNK. . . .so I decided on the 42 so I could ride with The Virgin and The General. Many laughs were had as always and the MOON even came out. Imagine that! In the middle of the day! Wrap the day up with a power nap and some dinner at the Texas Roadhouse (or so is the plan) and it ends up being not so bad of a weekend. Now if that stupid shooting pain down my leg would just go away so I could stand up like a normal person and not like someone who just crapped their pants, it would be heaven.
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Friday, June 23, 2006
Crystal Ridge HERE WE COME!!!
Alright, I'm in. I talked to my "girls" and we're in for the 3 hour at Crystal Ridge. I hope it's dry. That course is so much fun. I remember when it used to scare me.
Sunday is the Riveredge River Valley Bike Ride. If the body takes Saturday's ride well, SS Amy and I are going to tear it up with all the recreational riders doing either the 42 mile or the 56 mile ride. Maybe we'll ride incognito and wear the t-shirts they give you. . . . . . we'll fit in with CK and the JW Speaker group that way. . . . . nah, we look WAY cooler in our team gear. Don't 'cha think?
Sunday is the Riveredge River Valley Bike Ride. If the body takes Saturday's ride well, SS Amy and I are going to tear it up with all the recreational riders doing either the 42 mile or the 56 mile ride. Maybe we'll ride incognito and wear the t-shirts they give you. . . . . . we'll fit in with CK and the JW Speaker group that way. . . . . nah, we look WAY cooler in our team gear. Don't 'cha think?
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Captain makes his debut
Doesn't he look happy?!?
Sweet.
Meanwhile we're living "In the Ghetto". . . . . ."In the Ghetto". . . . . . . .
Monday, June 19, 2006
Kewaunee
Saturday preride - I LOVED the course. Perfect for me. Lots of "technical" twists & turns, short & steep hills, perfect. The first preride lap went so well I went out for a second. Apparently I had my head up my butt on the second lap because I bit the dirt TWICE. On flat, non-technical stuff none-the-less. Duh. Nice battle wounds. . . .figured I'd worked it out of my system so I SHOULD stay upright on Sunday. . . . . .
Saturday night. . . .we listened to the rain hit the roof of the camper thinking "a little rain is ok, a lot is NOT".
Sunday morning - we packed up and got to the course. . . . it was STILL raining. Not a good thing. Watched the citizen riders coming through the ATV trail, not pretty. Tried to do a warm up, shortest one yet - NOT enough. Lined up on the start line, heard we were doing the citizen lap, was bummed because that cut out all the stuff I REALLY liked. Oh well.
Don yelled Goooooooo and we took off. Hit the mud ATV trail, hit the first turn, girls down everywhere. I of course announce "don't grab your front brake", as I KNOW that puts you down in mud. . . . .and then I must have done it myself. Down I go. I got a good slider off that one. Round a few more corners, carnage EVERYWHERE, not only girls, but a BUNCH of sport guys. Once again I did a power slide. This time it wasn't as fun. I was getting just a LITTLE annoyed that I couldn't keep the bike upright.
FINALLY make our way out of the ATV trail and onto the course. Once again, carnage everywhere. Every 20 feet there were people pulling off to pull mud out of their tires. I think I passed about 35 men & women the first lap just by riding with the mud on my bike. When we got to the single track, we couldn't even ride it. Some of it was unrideable (the first lap), and almost everyone was walking. I kicked the cyclocross skills into action and started running. Yeah, that was good on the slipped disk. It did get me up to 4th place in the women, where I remained until part way into the 3rd lap. Then it all hit the shitter. My back was KILLING me. My cleats were SOOOOO full of mud I couldn't clip in to save my life, no matter HOW hard i tried to kick the mud out. I learned I do not know hot to pedal without being clipped in, and I use my hamstrings about 85% MORE without being clipped in. The hamstrings are connected to the glutes, which are connected to the back, which is where my bulging disk is, so I had no choice but to take it down a notch unless I wanted to be carried out of there. Slipped back to 9th, rode it out, wanted to cry, felt like someone beat me with a stick. I'm such a girl.
I'm in physical therapy. . . hopefully that will help the "issues" and I'll come back stronger REAL soon. Kuddos to Tammi who took 5th overall. I wish the body would have let me hang with you. Maybe next time.
And where the hell did the Captain - BILL NIGH - pull that race out of?!? First in age, 18th overall. Dude, you should ride like that just a little more often. . . . . .obviously you can do it!! Sweet. CK had issues, not feeling good, bad tire choice, ended up being the cheering section. And how about the General? Nice job man. We'll work on the "FINISH" and "LAP" signs so you don't make the same mistake and miss the FINISH chute again. Too bad.
Saturday night. . . .we listened to the rain hit the roof of the camper thinking "a little rain is ok, a lot is NOT".
Sunday morning - we packed up and got to the course. . . . it was STILL raining. Not a good thing. Watched the citizen riders coming through the ATV trail, not pretty. Tried to do a warm up, shortest one yet - NOT enough. Lined up on the start line, heard we were doing the citizen lap, was bummed because that cut out all the stuff I REALLY liked. Oh well.
Don yelled Goooooooo and we took off. Hit the mud ATV trail, hit the first turn, girls down everywhere. I of course announce "don't grab your front brake", as I KNOW that puts you down in mud. . . . .and then I must have done it myself. Down I go. I got a good slider off that one. Round a few more corners, carnage EVERYWHERE, not only girls, but a BUNCH of sport guys. Once again I did a power slide. This time it wasn't as fun. I was getting just a LITTLE annoyed that I couldn't keep the bike upright.
FINALLY make our way out of the ATV trail and onto the course. Once again, carnage everywhere. Every 20 feet there were people pulling off to pull mud out of their tires. I think I passed about 35 men & women the first lap just by riding with the mud on my bike. When we got to the single track, we couldn't even ride it. Some of it was unrideable (the first lap), and almost everyone was walking. I kicked the cyclocross skills into action and started running. Yeah, that was good on the slipped disk. It did get me up to 4th place in the women, where I remained until part way into the 3rd lap. Then it all hit the shitter. My back was KILLING me. My cleats were SOOOOO full of mud I couldn't clip in to save my life, no matter HOW hard i tried to kick the mud out. I learned I do not know hot to pedal without being clipped in, and I use my hamstrings about 85% MORE without being clipped in. The hamstrings are connected to the glutes, which are connected to the back, which is where my bulging disk is, so I had no choice but to take it down a notch unless I wanted to be carried out of there. Slipped back to 9th, rode it out, wanted to cry, felt like someone beat me with a stick. I'm such a girl.
I'm in physical therapy. . . hopefully that will help the "issues" and I'll come back stronger REAL soon. Kuddos to Tammi who took 5th overall. I wish the body would have let me hang with you. Maybe next time.
And where the hell did the Captain - BILL NIGH - pull that race out of?!? First in age, 18th overall. Dude, you should ride like that just a little more often. . . . . .obviously you can do it!! Sweet. CK had issues, not feeling good, bad tire choice, ended up being the cheering section. And how about the General? Nice job man. We'll work on the "FINISH" and "LAP" signs so you don't make the same mistake and miss the FINISH chute again. Too bad.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Squirt's B-day
Well, I was waiting for my fellow riders to send me the picture we took to capture the moment on Sunday. . . . .but I don't have it yet. . . . .
Sunday was Lori's birthday. That's right 29. And still spry enough to hit on the waiter at La Chimenea, and leave her phone number for him. You go girl.
Rode Beechwood tonight. They made a few fun changes from last year. I think it took me like ALL night to ride one freakin' lap. Cool stuff. I can't wait to take the month of July off and ride there every day.
Sunday was Lori's birthday. That's right 29. And still spry enough to hit on the waiter at La Chimenea, and leave her phone number for him. You go girl.
Rode Beechwood tonight. They made a few fun changes from last year. I think it took me like ALL night to ride one freakin' lap. Cool stuff. I can't wait to take the month of July off and ride there every day.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
How much was mine?!?
Today I found out I'm a tad bit claustrophobic.
I also decided to race the 3 hour at Muir and found out the body wasn't really liking that option. Somehow I had 3 somewhat consistent laps with plenty of TIME for a 4th, but the legs, butt & back said "I don't think so". So I pulled out with 47 minutes to go. . . . .and took 2nd. I wouldn't have caught the #1 gal, she was fast. . . .she deserved it.
Then we hit Famous Daves to replenish. Me, Captain, General, Virgin, and JL (who we'll have to come up with a better nick name for). We had the GARBAGE can platter (of course) and for the record. . . .that IS enough for 5. You don't need the sampler plate as well. I think we spent as much in alcoholic beverages as we did on the garbage platter. It literally took the Virgin 20 minutes and 3 attempts with a calculator to figure our totals. And then we each charged them separately. . . .I think our waiter loved us. I'm pretty sure we were there longer than I raced today. . . . .and I think it was even a little more fun.
The General came up with a new drink (consisting of chicken carcasses & other unusual stuff). . . .and some blonde babe with big hooters tried to sit at our table and tell us about the Indy Car race on TV until her 13 year old child snatched her away. Too bad because I think she was just about to try the "new drink".
Well, tomorrow's a new day. It's also Squirt's birthday. I think she's 29? Yeah that's right, cuz she's only 2 years older than SS Amy, who's finally 27. Squirt (aka "minigoat") ditched the 'rents for us. Sweet.
I also decided to race the 3 hour at Muir and found out the body wasn't really liking that option. Somehow I had 3 somewhat consistent laps with plenty of TIME for a 4th, but the legs, butt & back said "I don't think so". So I pulled out with 47 minutes to go. . . . .and took 2nd. I wouldn't have caught the #1 gal, she was fast. . . .she deserved it.
Then we hit Famous Daves to replenish. Me, Captain, General, Virgin, and JL (who we'll have to come up with a better nick name for). We had the GARBAGE can platter (of course) and for the record. . . .that IS enough for 5. You don't need the sampler plate as well. I think we spent as much in alcoholic beverages as we did on the garbage platter. It literally took the Virgin 20 minutes and 3 attempts with a calculator to figure our totals. And then we each charged them separately. . . .I think our waiter loved us. I'm pretty sure we were there longer than I raced today. . . . .and I think it was even a little more fun.
The General came up with a new drink (consisting of chicken carcasses & other unusual stuff). . . .and some blonde babe with big hooters tried to sit at our table and tell us about the Indy Car race on TV until her 13 year old child snatched her away. Too bad because I think she was just about to try the "new drink".
Well, tomorrow's a new day. It's also Squirt's birthday. I think she's 29? Yeah that's right, cuz she's only 2 years older than SS Amy, who's finally 27. Squirt (aka "minigoat") ditched the 'rents for us. Sweet.
Friday, June 09, 2006
A beautiful day
Yesterday I finaly got on the bike (first time since the race). Just an easy endurance ride on the road, but it's exactly what the doctor ordered. While my quads and hamstrings are still not cooperating 100%, the body actually felt pretty good. 1:55 in the saddle, low heart rate, with the wind blowing in my face, the sunshine kissing my skin, all the beautiful aromas of summer. . . .except those dead animals. . . . .what more could one ask for? How can anyone even suggest I stay OFF my bike? If they think that's even a possibility. . . .they don't know me very well.
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Back to the doctor
I'm reaching the end of my limits in being able to have the patience to deal with this "sciatica". I've tried the doctor, the massage therapist and the chiropractor and STILL have the pain just as steady and as often as the day it started.
It's worse about 4-6 hours after an intense workout, as proven getting out of the truck in Oshkosh for Mexican with the "the gang". One foot on the ground, one body slumped onto the seat in pain as the other leg gave out.
Saturday I go for an MRI and then off to physical therapy. If they tell me I can't ride my bike, I'll tell them to check me straight into the mental institution. Then I'll call mountaingoat for some of his "drugs"and ride anyway.
It's worse about 4-6 hours after an intense workout, as proven getting out of the truck in Oshkosh for Mexican with the "the gang". One foot on the ground, one body slumped onto the seat in pain as the other leg gave out.
Saturday I go for an MRI and then off to physical therapy. If they tell me I can't ride my bike, I'll tell them to check me straight into the mental institution. Then I'll call mountaingoat for some of his "drugs"and ride anyway.
Monday, June 05, 2006
Wausau
Well, the weekend was an interesting one to say the least. First off, let's give a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Bill, Kevin Plato, and Colleen Lemke today. Three "special" people. . .one "special" day. Congrats for making it another year!
Saturday's pre-ride was fabulous. SS Amy and I tore it up and I truly felt like I remembered how to ride my bike, for the first time this year. I was one with Phoenix (my bike). In fact we went back to catch the single track we missed on the lead lap and Bill, Beans and "the Dreamy A.J. Ettmayer" rode with us. Bill was on my tail when he announced I was picking some very nice lines and I was riding very well. My response? "Well Bill, I don't SUCK anymore!" And it's true. I don't. . . . . .or so I thought. . . .
Sunday's plan was to get out there on the leadout (which typically HURTS me) and get into the single track in the top 5. It's astonishing how many of the sport women can't ride that stuff. One screw up and it would be all over for me. I busted butt to get up there and suck a wheel and sure enough, going into the Hoe chi men trail, I was in about 4th. Sure enough, biff from the girl in front of me, biff for me, 6 sport girls on my tail. . .they all fly by. My confidence was shattered, my heart rate was skyrocketing and all I could do was try to run it out until I could hop on again.
After that, Mistake after mistake had me ready to pull off and DNF at the end of lap 1, but then I thought that single track is fun. . .I should tough it out and ride to ride. My endurance is 10,000 times better than last year. . .maybe this time I COULD take some gals at the end. Who knows?
I caught up with the next gal in my age class, who I thought was WAY ahead, and she informs me we're 1 & 2 in age (#1 pulled out). I still thought we were back in the 20's for overall. . . .guess we weren't. Suddenly SS Amy is on my tail yelling at me to go faster and giving me a hard time. She's such a slave driver! Well, it was just what I needed. After my "competition" biffed a few more times, I decided enough of this. I can ride this stuff. So I started to pass the next time she was laying across the trail. I couldn't believe it when she said "You're not going to give it to me, are you?". I thought she was joking. Apparently she was not. I SHOULD have said "sure, I'll give it to you. . . .but you have to catch me first". From the rear I hear SS Amy yelling at me to "Gooooooooo Brittany!!!!". So I went. And I never saw my competition again. I rode the lap out like a champ. Now where that was the prior lap, who knows?!?
I guess that just goes to show you that you never know what will happen. A "bad" day for MTB Girl. . . . .1st in age. . .10th overall (minus the single speeders - which is what they post for Sport). I guess I'll take that.
Now if I can just get rid of the sciatic nerve pinch. . . .I'm thinking maybe I can hit that top 5 goal yet.
Saturday's pre-ride was fabulous. SS Amy and I tore it up and I truly felt like I remembered how to ride my bike, for the first time this year. I was one with Phoenix (my bike). In fact we went back to catch the single track we missed on the lead lap and Bill, Beans and "the Dreamy A.J. Ettmayer" rode with us. Bill was on my tail when he announced I was picking some very nice lines and I was riding very well. My response? "Well Bill, I don't SUCK anymore!" And it's true. I don't. . . . . .or so I thought. . . .
Sunday's plan was to get out there on the leadout (which typically HURTS me) and get into the single track in the top 5. It's astonishing how many of the sport women can't ride that stuff. One screw up and it would be all over for me. I busted butt to get up there and suck a wheel and sure enough, going into the Hoe chi men trail, I was in about 4th. Sure enough, biff from the girl in front of me, biff for me, 6 sport girls on my tail. . .they all fly by. My confidence was shattered, my heart rate was skyrocketing and all I could do was try to run it out until I could hop on again.
After that, Mistake after mistake had me ready to pull off and DNF at the end of lap 1, but then I thought that single track is fun. . .I should tough it out and ride to ride. My endurance is 10,000 times better than last year. . .maybe this time I COULD take some gals at the end. Who knows?
I caught up with the next gal in my age class, who I thought was WAY ahead, and she informs me we're 1 & 2 in age (#1 pulled out). I still thought we were back in the 20's for overall. . . .guess we weren't. Suddenly SS Amy is on my tail yelling at me to go faster and giving me a hard time. She's such a slave driver! Well, it was just what I needed. After my "competition" biffed a few more times, I decided enough of this. I can ride this stuff. So I started to pass the next time she was laying across the trail. I couldn't believe it when she said "You're not going to give it to me, are you?". I thought she was joking. Apparently she was not. I SHOULD have said "sure, I'll give it to you. . . .but you have to catch me first". From the rear I hear SS Amy yelling at me to "Gooooooooo Brittany!!!!". So I went. And I never saw my competition again. I rode the lap out like a champ. Now where that was the prior lap, who knows?!?
I guess that just goes to show you that you never know what will happen. A "bad" day for MTB Girl. . . . .1st in age. . .10th overall (minus the single speeders - which is what they post for Sport). I guess I'll take that.
Now if I can just get rid of the sciatic nerve pinch. . . .I'm thinking maybe I can hit that top 5 goal yet.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Clean up of the 12 hour
Clean up last week Sunday, after the 12 hour at New Fane went well. We could have used a few extra people. . . . .we had to steal volunteers from "other" teams. Thanks to SS Amy for ALL the help.
And of course, Ben & Bill. They did work a little harder than this earlier in the day. . . .I guess riding that Gator through the woods was hard work. . . . .
We think our final count was around 128 riders. I guess that's a record. The DNR boys were happy it all went well. They were also happy when I brought them a pouch full of money for all the stickers and trail passes we sold that day! The "head hancho" even asked about next year. Even THEY are looking forward to it.
See you in Wausau (unless you're one of "those people" who are skipping out).
Thursday, June 01, 2006
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