Will it? Or won't it?

Today's supposed to be the day we close on one of my listings that I've been working feverishly over the past 6+ months to put together.

I've logged countless hours on this property. . . . .had many "counseling talks" with both buyer and seller. . . . . sent about 50 trees worth of paperwork to the bank on behalf of both buyer and seller. . . . .been yelled at a number of times by a number of parties for things beyond my control. . . . shed a few tears of frustration, anger and eventually pity. . . . .sent probably 50 e-mails to buyer, seller, buyer's lender and seller's lender. . . . spent hundreds of dollars of my OWN money trying to get the buyer and seller on the same page. . . . . sat down with my office manager, had conversations with our corporate attorney, and chatted through problems with my fellow colleagues. . . . . .all leading up to today, the "big" day.

At 8:33am, we're still uncertain if we'll be able to close this puppy at 3:30 today. If we do, we're home free and I'm finally "rid" of this tremendous time & energy drainer of a headache. . . . . .and I'll be popping a bottle of champagne to celebrate my new found freedom. If we don't. . . . . .I'm out a lot of time & money and we go back to the drawing board in the hopes we can salvage something before the property is sold at a sheriff's sale next month. . . . .and I'll be pouring a strong beverage to drown my sorrows in this evening.

I'll keep you all posted.

Rock Cut

Well, three words. . . . .I'm NOT ready.

That's what I have to say about the WORS season this year. I know I'm not alone because there are a LOT of people feeling the same way. . . .but a nice long 2 hour race reminds you of your weaknesses and smacks you in the face with them. Perhaps this will be one year I "train into shape" like the majority of people do, but that's fine. I'm still having fun, and so what if I'm not where I want to be in my "training"? I finished today. . . .I didn't go over the bars, I didn't even FALL. . . . .and I rode most of the logs. Good enough.

There were a number of WORS people there today. . . . .so while the pain level seemed quite a bit higher than I've become accustomed to in this "off" season. . . .I felt right at home with all my peeps.

I really have no idea how I finished in the overall, because we're so spoiled with WORS and seeing our results so quickly. . . .but I do know I thought I was going to DIE on the first lap while I felt like I could WALK my bike faster on the second lap. The funny thing is there was only about 3 1/2 minutes difference between the 2 laps for me. Funny how painful that time over "LT" can be especially in the beginning of the season.

I also forgot how to ride for most of the race. . . .which I knew would be the case. Thankfully it wasn't a very technical course (other than the log piles) so I at least had a chance to get back to some of the basics. Now I should be able to shine at Iola. Yes. . . .shine. That's what I'll do. Now I just have to undo the damage these 2 back to back race days have done to my muscles. They are ANGRY. But I have a WHOLE week. . . . I should be fine.

WELL. . . . . .

What beautiful weather today! It was so nice, I didn't even mind getting my a$$ handed to me in the Cat 4 women's race at Whitnall Park. With (apparently) 4 laps to go a "bell" was rang (rung?), leading half the women to believe we were on our last lap. So off they went. . . . .well, of course I had to follow. . . . .put it all out there, rounded the corner, climbed the last hill, only to see 3 LAPS TO GO. Nice. At that point I was fried. . . . so I needed a bit of a "rest" to be able to finish. Needless to say, my finish wasn't so good. But then again, the Cat 4 women seem just a little faster now. . . . .or am I getting slower? Hmmm. . . . . .

Tomorrow's Rock Cut. We'll see if that goes better. At least it's a mountain bike race, so if nothing else, I'll have a blast while I'm "killing myself". Sweet. I hope Athena is ready cuz we're gonna hit it HARD. Let's see those Cat 4 Roadie women try and take me on there. I'll give them a run for their money. Ok, enough talking smack. I'm starting to sound like my peeps now. . . . .

Out.

What's out there?

Ever wonder what's out there. . . . . .what's next?

Yeah. It was that kind of day.

Random Thoughts. . . . . . .

Looking through "old" pictures today. . . . just thinking.

Thinking about what a dork this guy is. . . . . .and how much fun I seem to have with him.

Thinking about how many pictures I have of this guy looking like a dork when he's not even drunk. . . . . . . . .

Thinking about how he married this chick who almost stayed behind on vacation to live in Tennessee.

Thinking about how cute these two are as "BFF's". . . . . .although they haven't talked since the trip. . . . . .

Thinking about my dog and how old she is. . . . .how much she loves our truck. . . . .and how little time she has left on this earth.

Thinking about this girl and how much I'm missing her while she's off having fun on "vacation".

Thinking of this girl and how she puts a smile on your face just being around her. . . . . .plus her clothes fit me (almost) which is an added bonus.

Thinking about why this snow man was drinking in my yard when I got back from vacation.

Thinking about how much fun I have with my cousin when I see her. . . . .and wishing I saw her more.

Thinking about this guy and how much fun he can be when he stops worrying about what everyone else is thinking and just has fun for himself.

These are just a few of the things running through my mind today.

Does it really matter?

So now they think "some prisoners executed by lethal injection in the United States may be conscious and in pain before they die of suffocation, University of Miami researchers say in a study that concludes drugs do not work as intended."

I'm not saying I'm for or against the death penalty. . . . . .but let's remember why are these people on death row in the first place. Is it because they're wonderful, peaceful, contributing members of society?

Yeah. I don't think so.

Shut Up!

Some days you just want to say "SHUT UP!".

I don't like deep water.

Yeah, see, it COULD be worse. This is TOTALLY why I don't like deep water.

It could be worse

So what if it's Monday. So what if it's rainy, gloomy & cooler. . . .with cooler temps predicted for the week. So what if I my body feels like I got hit by a truck today. I guess it could always be worse.

I managed to get a somewhat long road ride in yesterday (by myself). About 2:45, although my average speed ended up less than 16mph. It was SOOOO windy at times I could swear I was going BACKWARDS instead of forwards. The alcohol purging out of my body from Saturday night didn't help either. That's enough of THAT for a while now. Can't train SERIOUSLY when you've got a hangover and feel like crap. . . . .I know some people can, but I can't. I actually shed a few tears on my ride trying to wish myself back home, back to the couch, back out of the wind drinking a big glass of water. It didn't work. But I made it home. . . . . .with no "issues", unlike the boys who got 3 flats between the 2 of them.

Then we FINALLY headed out to shoot pistols last night. . . . . .finally "Shooter" lives up to her nickname. It was fun. Although I wasn't "good enough" to sink one into the center of the bulls eye. . . . . .but I guess that's why they don't call ME "Shooter".

Yes, our outfits are interchangable. . . . . . .almost.

Team Picture

Our team ride and picture were yesterday. Perfect weather. . . . .if not almost a little HOT.
A fun time seemed to be had by all. A bit more time to ride would have been nice. . . . .but sometimes when you get people together time just flies chatting and stuff.

Today offers up a road ride in solitude. No one's in for riding with me. . . .which is kind of sad because right now I'm needing the motivation of riding with others to be able to drag my butt to the bike. I guess we'll see how "self-motivating" I can be today. It's gonna be tough. . . . despite the beautiful day. For some strange reason I can think of 50 things I'd rather be doing today, than riding by myself. But if I don't ride. . . .I don't get better. . . . and I'll be "moody". Then I'll REALLY spend time alone.

Out.

Cute

A Saturday hike in North Carolina

This year's trip to North Carolina produced cooler temperatures than we were used to having on vacation. . . . .but we made the best of it.

After waking to a ground full of snow Saturday morning, and hearing that the Blue Ridge Parkway was closed (as many sections of the road ice up) some of us decided to make Saturday a Hiking day and take advantage of the numerous hiking trails along the ridge.

The scenery was beautiful, including lots of snow and icicles. Although we enjoyed the beauty nature had bestowed on us. . . . . .we openly hoped for warmer temps throughout the day.

We even took some time to stop and pose for a group picture.

The Women. . . . . . . .

Our hike was about 2 hours. . . . . .and I actually wore my heart rate monitor to see what my HR was. I was in "endurance" the whole time. . . . . .with a heart rate comparable to an endurance bike ride. Sometimes it's fun to do "other training". I can't stick to a rigid plan 100% of the time and be happy. Variety is good.

Is YOUR head stuck in a glass?

Ever feel like this??

I think coming back from vacation has me feeling like I have my head stuck in a glass. My mind is still riding the mountain bike trails of North Carolina. . . . .hoping I don't fall off the ridge and plummet down into the ravine and hurt myself.

The start of the WORS season is less than 3 weeks away and I sympathize with DANO in the respect that I don't feel ready. Riding in North Carolina reminded me that I do indeed have SKILLS. . . . and it got me psyched up to jump into another year of WORS and hopefully complete a FULL season without too many issues. . . . . .but it also showed me that I'm really, not ready yet.

Top that feeling off with the rainy weather we've had. . . . .the sore muscles I still have from the trip. . . . .the uncertain real estate transactions I've got in the works. . . . .and going from being "trapped" in a cabin with 10 people to the solitude of an entire 2400+ sq foot house ALONE (except for the 2 dogs and of course the Captain when he arrives home in the evening) and it makes for a bit of adjustment.

In light of the "mental & emotional" adjustments needed this week, I've decided to stack another recovery week in the plan. What the heck. My week in NC was a pretty good load. . . I might as well reap the benefits of that week by letting the muscles recover and build themselves stronger. Hopefully the weekend will make for better riding weather with friends.

Sweet, that frees up a couple more hours today with no "significant" ride planned. I think I'll go clean a bit before I have to jump back into work. I guess life is not so bad really.

Crazy?

What else is there to say really?

I guess it's true. I can't fight who I am.

Dateline....

The Weaverville Wabbit Wamble had to be postponed a day due to an unseasonal 3" snowfall the night before the race!

The participants agreed to move the venue to the indoor velodrome. A good time was had by all and Tiny took the purse.

We're BAAAACK

We're back from another year in North Carolina.

It was the coldest year on record we've spent there. . . . .and I would say the second worst weather year, with the year it rained a lot being the worst.

Here's what we woke up to our first day there. . . . . . .

We could have SWORN we were in Wisconsin!

All in all it ended up being another fun year. . . . .with more details to follow. Right now it's time to rest. . . . . . . .eat, drink, & recover.

What?!? It's THURSDAY!!!???!?!?!??

Once again, it feels like winter. Twenty-something degrees. . . . .FREEEEEZING windchills. . . . . .Brrrrrrr.

BUT, I made it to Thursday. Yippee! I didn't think I was going to get here. Now if my transaction problems could only work themselves out without finding me over the next 10 days or so. . . . .that would be awesome. However. . . .I doubt that will happen - BUT it's OK cuz at least I get to go ride my bike. . . . . .A LOT. Hopefully the weather will be nicer in North Carolina than it is here.

Sweet.

Horoscopes. . . . .true?

I find it rather humorous that THIS is/was my horoscope for the day. Yeah, they pegged that one.

************
It may be hard for you to think straight today, dear Cancer. More than likely, your brain is acting out in short, erratic bursts that keep you guessing as to which way to proceed. Avoid mental confusion by taking periodic checks during the day in which you come to center and separate yourself and your feelings from the situation and drama around you. Don't pretend you understand something if you don't. If something doesn't make sense, question it.

Humor

Humor is good today.

One more day to make it through.

One of those days

Ever have one of those days where you just need to vent. . . .talk through some issues with someone who cares, but then you realize no one really understands, much less cares??

It's hard being a ray of sunshine all the time. Sometimes I just want someone to listen to me and pretend they care, ya know? It's not that hard. . . . .I know cuz I do it all the time for everyone else.

I just have to hang in there for a few more days. Then I can ditch the problems of the world on someone else (sorry Jerry).

What a beautiful day - NOT

Wow, what fantastic weather we have today. I can hardly see the neighbor's house there's so much fog & rain. Don't we just LOVE Wisconsin weather??

Thank goodness it's recovery week. Between all the stuff going down at work, the packing pressure for vacation and the wonderful weather outside, it's comforting to know I don't need to worry about riding if I don't want to. I can just rest the "bod".

Our morning is off to a good start here at the Nigh household as we discovered our sump pump went out last night. Now if it wasn't raining cats and dogs today that might not be a problem. . . . .but since we're on the lower end of a hill and the crock is already almost full. . . . . a trip to Menard's to get a new one is definitely in order. Thankfully I got out of putting it in, since I'm already lookin' all nice for work this morning and it really needs to go in this morning yet. So that means the Captain has to go in late so we don't float away. . . . .and stay late so we don't have to eat macc & cheese. I guess that means no ride for him tonight.

NO SOUP FOR YOU!!!!!! ONE YEAR!!! That still cracks me up.

Off to solve the problems of the world. Well. . . . . .at least the "real estate problems" a few of my clients have in their lives. I'm going to have to be everyone's sunshine today. . . . . . or else they'll be crabby. It's ok. I can wear those shoes.

Race Update

Boy, I feel like I've really been neglecting my blog. Between the crazy hours at work, trying to get ready for our NC trip, and still maintaining my training and trying to see my friends, I haven't had a lot of time lately for "down time". That sucks.

Today I did the crit in Sheboygan at Evergreen Park. It was pretty fun. It sprinkled on my race a little bit, and it poured for CK's. Weather was cool. . . . .wet. . . . .and icky. But it's ok. There were 15 girls in the Cat 4 women group, and I managed to finish 4th. Again I pulled for a while. . . . .but today it just seemed easier to be out front when it came to the big downhill. It's MUCH nicer to bitch down the hill and NOT have to hit your breaks. There was one nice uphill which I seemed pretty strong on. For the most part, I'd pass most of the girls with the exception of about 2 who were pretty strong, then again hills have become a stronger point for me in the past couple years.

So now my body is tired, I have a PILE of work to do. . . .LOTS of things to wrap up before departure Thursday night. . . . . .and I haven't even starting packing a thing. On top of that my HR monitor took a crap over the weekend, so now I'll have to factor that into the plans. . . .to go purchase a new one.

That's it for me. Off to return a couple calls, unpack my race crap and then FINALLY relax.