Belated b-day shout out

I got SO freakin' busy yesterday I didn't have a chance to post a Happy Birthday shout out to Lt Dan.

Happy Belated birthday Lt Dan!

Wow

Yesterday we went to DuPont State Forest. We had been there a few years ago and never found the "GOOD" trails. We found them yesterday. I think that was the most fun I've had on my mountain bike in a LONG time. Wow.



It was a little rainy, and when we got to the top of the slick rock it was very foggy. Probably cuz we were IN the clouds. It was pretty sweet.



Today we went to Trace Ridge. The plan was to do a 3 hour ride, even though it was raining. Well, let's just say April and I did a 3 hour ride. . . . .the rest thought we were dead I guess. They were just about to call Smoky the Bear to come find us. I thought we were dead for sure. We found the trails I recognized, but then also found a bunch of others. I think we were lost for a good hour. It was a little scary. It was the MOST scary when I couldn't feel my feet because it was so flippin' cold. That one took it out of me. I guess it's a good thing it was the last one. Stick a fork in me, I'm DONE.

Time to pack and think about departing tomorrow. I'd rather just take a nap. Uuugh. I hate being out of shape.

It was a wild night at 140 Camby Dr

Yes, it's true

Yes, it's true. My road bike flew off the bike carrier on the way to North Carolina. We were rounding the corner on an off ramp, I heard a noise and Bill said "oh shit, we just lost a bike". Sure enough, it was mine. I don't know how the semi behind us didn't run over it. I think we were lucky that it was on a corner because it flew to the outside of the turn, just where cars couldn't get it. Looks like it just needs some new bar tape (which Bill JUST replaced) and a couple other things got scuffed (seat got ripped, but I think it will be ok).

Beyond that I somehow managed to get the dog wrapped into the gas pump at the gas station - while the gas was pumping, which caused the pump to fly out of the tank and pump gas all over the ground, after catching me, the dog and the side of the truck. The rest of the ride in a gas smelling truck was a good time. Ooops.

But now that we're a couple days into the trip, the "bad" luck is gone. All is going well. No pictures for you. . . .I'm too lazy. It's past my bed time and I'm TIRED. Maybe tomorrow.

Spring? Happy St. Patrick's Day

The gorgeous sun is already poking through the trees. . . . .it's a large orange fireball today, it looks like it's going to provide us with lots of sunshine and warm temps. How nice that will be!

I have too cramped of a schedule to get a ride in today, but I'm sure I'll be able to get Thunder Puppy out for a walk. I think she's already excited. She's running up and down the hallway in her "crazy Gila Monster" mode. It's very hard not to laugh at.

I'm not Irish, but I'm going to attempt to make some corned beef today. Hopefully it will turn out decent. We'll see. If not, I'll just have to make sure there's enough "green beer" to cover the taste up.

Enjoy the weather, enjoy the day. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

My Super Hero

Thanks Rachael

Short sales and foreclosures

I find it interesting that an exploding portion of society is in the predicament of finding themselves not able to make their mortgage payments or owing more than their home is worth.

I find it even more interesting that the government is rolling out this huge bail out program for these people.

Being "in the market" I see a lot of these people day to day. And one of the things that I think most people would find interesting is that not all these people are the "irresponsible, over-buying" personality that they seem to be categorized as. In fact in our area (speaking specifically about Washington County), many of these home owners who are facing foreclosure are "regular people" with 30 year, fixed rate mortgages, in homes worth $250,000 or less, who bought when the market was at it's highest 3-5 years ago and now can't afford to sell because home values have gone down.

Even homeowners who bought $170,000 homes 3-5 years ago, putting 3-5% down can't afford to move because these homes have actually gone DOWN in value. Add to that the costs associated with selling (and yes, there are a lot of them EVEN if you don't use the services of a Real Estate Broker), and these sellers are having to bring money to the table to simply get rid of their house.

Now wouldn't it be better if these people who HAD to move, could move without having to give their house back to the bank as a foreclosure? Before you answer that question, I think one needs to understand how much foreclosures impact THEM personally. Foreclosures cost banks (and taxpayers) a TON of money, and they destroy property values for those of us who DO make our payments.

If your neighbor's house gets foreclosed on, chances are they're going to sell for quite a bit less than what it "should" be worth. That now affects you. When you go to sell your house, people will determine the value of YOUR home based on what your neighbor's house sold for not what your home is actually worth. You've just lost money on YOUR home because your neighbor couldn't make HIS payment and the bank had to foreclose on him.

Sure, there are people out there who were irresponsible with their money, who got themselves into mortgages they couldn't afford and are now looking for an easy way out. . . . .but to say every homeowner who is facing foreclosure or short sale is "irresponsible" is simply not true.

Bad things happen to good people. People lose their jobs, get divorced, death, illness, declining housing values. . . .all of these factors ALSO contribute to the foreclosure rate. It's not ALL irresponsibility.

Interesting

Today's rain gave way to some icy, slushy rain, which is now large snow flakes.

Interesting.

At least the ice coated on the trees looks pretty.

I wish I wouldn't have eaten so much at MJ Stevens. I feel like I need to barf now. Uuugh.

I'm so confused

Ice and snow, freezing rain, more snow, 60 degree day, more snow, more icy rain, warmer temps, snow melting, freezing rain, warm temps, lots of fog, ride outside, cold weather again, snow on deck. What the heck? Wisconsin sure has variety, doesn't it? Although I'd prefer variety of the WARMER type.

Got outside for a ride on Friday, even though Thursday was the nicer day. I learned a little lesson. . . . .when riding outside for the first time in MONTHS, it's probably best to ride by one's self. Especially if you're one of those people without a lot of higher end fitness. Hills are probably better to LIMIT on the first ride out. . . . .at least if you don't want to bury yourself.

The ride was fun, but 2 days later I'm still working the knot out of my shoulder and hoping TODAY I'll be able to ride again. That didn't feel like a ride, it felt like a race. A 2 hour race. And apparently I'm not quite ready to race yet.

I anticipate a lot of rides alone this Spring. . . . . .at least until I get that higher end back again.