"Full Moon" weeks SUCK

This past Friday was a full moon, and there was certainly in the air this week. My week started off by getting very angry at one of the guys at work. He wanted to take all the girls in the office out to lunch to tell us how much he appreciated all of us and to thank us for helping him out his year. It is impossible because someone has to stay and watch the front desk. So, we asked him if he minded bringing lunch in instead. He agreed, and then asked me to do everything. This is very typical of this guy, he delegates everything...literally. I asked him why did I have to plan my own appreciation lunch, and told him that I didn't feel very appreciated. He said "Well if we would have gone out like I wanted..." BTW - This is all via email, which is very fortunate of my job. Anyways, I told him that you don't say that you are going to do something nice for someone and then ask them to do all of the work for it. He said that he asked me to do it because I had the experience in doing this, and had all the the info already. Then he apologized for inconveniencing me, which was what did him in. I told the girls what he said to me, and we all agreed to boycott his little lunch. We ended up eating lunch with him anyway, but not after all of us letting him know how we felt, and then HE called it in, HE picked it up, and HE served it, just like he should have to begin with.


I also finished my class this week, much to my delight. However I had a long debate with my instructor about the final first. I have never worked so hard to take a test in my life.
My class was online, and all tests and assignments are submitted online. Well, I had finished all of my tests, and had asked my instructor when would the final be available online, because it wasn't on the class website. To sum up, we literally argued back and forth over if the final was there or not. She said it was, but it was not. I even sent screen shots to try to help, and she sent some back. The ones she sent were completely different from anything I have ever seen.
She FINALLY realized that She thought I was in a different class. She apologized, and then told me that since I have taken all of my tests, that I was done. There was no final in my class. She then told me that I was done with the class, and that I had a 97 average. Needless to say I was excited about my grade and that I didn't have to take the final. However, I had been studying for 4 days for a final that I now didn't have to take, so I was also a little mad at the same time.

Next week has got to be better, right?

Holy Crap! Where has the time gone!

Yes, yes, I know... it has been FOREVER since I updated. That's because I have dug a HUGE rut for myself! Sleep, work, study, repeat. That has been my life.

You might notice that "ride" was not in there. This is not a typo. I have not been able to ride hardly at all this quarter, and it totally bites. Especially since I have signed up and paid for a 50 mile mountain bike ride in January! Whereas it is very safe to say that I'm not doing the while 50, I do hope for at least 20-25. I'm fine with half-way, considering that I have not been very active.

Now, the current quarter is almost over, for which I am very grateful! I have had a very hard time this quarter. I am certainly ready for a break.

Well, speaking of, I need to start preparing for my final exam.

Later days!

Taking a breather

I know, I know.... it's been a while since my last post. There really hasn't been much going on worth telling. Work has been hella busy for Dave and I. I have been riding every chance I get, which hasn't been much because of work and hurricanes.

I did get to ride in Thursday night for the first time in almost three weeks. Dave, Diana and I set out on our road bikes and did the Thursday "C+" route, which from my understanding is the normal Thursday route plus the Haneyville hill. It's a good 25 miles, but that day it felt like a lot more because of not riding!

I also got to ride Saturday morning. This time it was a 25 mile loop around Perry, also on the road. I know that some might think I'm loony, but I have actually missed not riding road, so that's why I chose this instead of mountain. Shane and Diana met us at the Welcome Center, and we had a good ride.

Today was church, grocery shopping, yardwork, and laundry. Really exciting stuff!

There is talk of some kind of riding tomorrow, but the jury is still out on what we will actually do.

Biker Chick

Me starting off at the Ice Cream Ramble. Dave took this pic "Dean Thorton" style while we were riding.

Going the Distance

Yesterday was my longest road ride to date. I rode 54 miles! CGC did an Ice Cream Social Ride to William Browns Farm, which is about a mile outside the Montezuma city limits. We started at the Perry Welcome Center, which is across the street from the Fairgrounds. Our first stop was at a cute little shop, deli, and Welcome center in Marshallville called Rosati's Cafe. We met the owner who was so wonderful to us, and talks of breakfast rides have already begun.

Shane was gracious enough to drive his truck and provide support for us. He was also my personal coach. I felt just like a member of the peleton, getting direction, encouragement, and proper motivation from the team car. (The motivation was a beer that he literally dangled at me with 2 miles to go saying "Look what I've got!" from the truck.) He thought that I was pissed off at him for that, but I was grateful. He saw things I needed to correct that I wouldn't have known to do otherwise. I don't think I would have done as well as I did without my coach.

We stopped for ice cream, and man what ice cream! There is no doubt that it's homemade! Since they grow peaches, I opted for the fresh peach ice cream. That was certainly worth the trip! There were several people who bought peaches and veggies, since Shane was there driving.

The trip back was not as bad as I expected. I was expecting a lot of pain and agony, but I really didn't start to really hurt until 38 miles in. Thankfully for me, right about then the group stopped to wait for everyone to catch up. Unfortunately, they stopped on a turn, so with the advice of Shane, we continued on to the next shady spot. When Dave took off, there was a loud noise form his rear tire. He broke a spoke. We continued until the next place to safely pull off so he could take a look at it. I stopped too, because not only is he my hubby and I wanted to know what was going on with his bike, it gave me an opportunity to stretch my legs. Coach made sure I was okay, told me to keep drinking water, (I wasn't drinking enough earlier), and told me that I was doing a great job. Dave decided that he would ride a few miles on the wheel to see how it did, and if it didn't blow up he would continue on riding. He ended up making it all the way back on the bike.

It was so wonderful to see everyone just riding along talking and enjoying themselves. Several people would come back to the back of the pack where I was and check on me, ask me how I was doing. They would talk to me for a while, and then ride on up the the front.

I made it back in one piece, and I was even able to walk afterwards!

I rode 54 miles, and I had a great time doing it. I can truthfully say that I had a good time on the road bike!

Thanks to everyone who went for a great ride!!!!!

AHHH Vacation!

Last week was a long awaited, and well deserved vacation. My husband and two of our friends took off to Fort Mountain State Park for 6 days of camping and biking goodness.

Fort Mountain State Park is in the North Georgia Mountains, near Dalton and Chatsworth.
At it's summit, the mountain is a little over 2800 feet above sea level. The park is probably about 2700ish feet above sea level. But we didn't know that until we got there.

Our adventure started on Saturday, June 28th, when we met Shane and Diana at 6:00am and headed out on the road. We arrived mid-morning, and had camp set up by lunch time. We snaked bay down the mountain to go shopping. First, we went into Tennessee to fetch some of our favorite beer that sadly we cannot get in our own state. A couple of stops later, and we are stock up ad ready to go. On to the grocery, and snake back up to the mountain.

I do mean snake up and down the mountain! I haven't seen such switchbacks in quite a while. It took me two days to get used to it. I didn't have to take anything for motion sickness, but I was very thankful when the truck stopped.

The next day I learned that I don't do so well with riding in higher altitudes. We were eating breakfast and Shane said that he wanted to get to the top of the mountain before the mist rose. So, we literally finished eating, suited up, and got on the mountain bikes.

The trail was right by the campsite and at the time we thought that was very handy until we saw it. What we saw was a trail carved in to the mountain and was rocky, switchback, and seemed like it was almost straight up. I did not give my system any time at all to digest the bagel that I ate, and I almost lost it a few times.

But I made it to the out look. I walked a lot of it, but I made it. I have to say that the views at the overlooks more than made up for the suffering! The next day, Shane took mercy on me and we decided to hike instead of bike. We hiked all over, and have a great time.

Tuesday Diana got to cross something off of her bucket list - She and Dave and Shane climbed Hogpen! This is a mountain, in fact it is the third highest mountain in the state, and they climbed it on their road bikes!!! I however, wussed out and drove the truck and played SAG for them.

After they conquered the mountain, we took the short drive to Dahlonaga, ate at the Smith House and rambled the downtown area. We were also planning on going to a couple of Shane and Diana's favorite local wineries for wine tasting and buying, so Shane decided to call to make sure they were open. It's a goods thing he did, because they were not open, but since they were there working, and he mentioned that he wanted to buy a case, they were gracious enough to let us come and buy some wine. Then we went back to Dahlonaga and finished hitting the shops.

The next day was sleeping in and checking out a easier mountain bike trail called that Lake Loop, because..well...it went around the lake. It was wonderful, except for the whole altitude making my heart feel like it's going to fly out of my chest like it had been shot out of a cannon thing. I did a lap and a half and decided that I just couldn't do it, much to my severe disappointment. So I headed back to the camper, while I encouraged the others to go on and have fun. And fun they had! They discovered that there was actually some screaming downhills and fun stuff after the hellaicous uphill we found the other day.

We also had fun hanging out, and in the evenings, Shane set up his projection screen and we watched movies. Luckily, they had a pretty secluded campsite, so we didn't bother a soul.

We came home on Thursday, just before the traffic got bad for the 4th.


As said in the movie "Hook" - "That was a great game."

Coming out of the fog

I have to apologize to everyone for not updating in a while, but I promise you, my life has not been that exciting lately. I have yet again fallen into the monotonous rhythm of work, study, class, sleep, repeat. I have been able to sneak in a few rides here and there, but with only two more weeks of school left I am really feeling mentally worn down from it all.

On Memorial Day, the hubby and I went to good ol' Thomson, and rode. I had a pretty good ride, considering I haven't touched the mountain bike in two months. The Sparkley Bike was apparently very upset with me, because it bucked me like a pissed off Bronc at a rodeo! I hit a little spot of sand, and that was all it took. I feel hard onto my left side, and have quite an impressive collection of bruises! I look like I'm polka-dotted! I have bruises up both legs, both knees, up the outside of my left thigh, and the back of my left forearm! My mama always told me if I was going to do something, do it right!!
As a side note, I also made Dan's Illegitimate Child for the first time, too!!!!! YIPPEEE!!

I have gotten to ride road the past two Thursdays. My "coaches" have had mercy on me and have done the C route with me. I have been surprised at how well I have done, considering I really have not been on the bike much at all this quarter. This past Thursday, we did about 21 miles, and averaged 13.7! And that was after falling on the mountain bike Memorial Day!

Flipper stayed with us the last part of the week so that he would have a chance to see the Bills, and be here for the first Wed. night social. I haven't gotten to see him in a while, so it was great to see him and catch up.

We also had part of the crew over for the most amazing dinner Friday night. My compliments to Chef Dave! He grilled chicken, asparagus, and yellow squash. We also had salad, Italian bread with olive oil for dipping, fresh fruit, and the best espresso chocolate truffles! If you went away hungry, it was certainly your own fault!

TO MY PEEPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been extremely consumed with school these past few weeks and I have not been able to ride at all. Much less spend time with my husband and my friends, which by the way ARE THE BEST FRIENDS IN TH ENTIRE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MY FRIENDS stood my me when I was fired..(which reduced me to rubble)...

MY FRIENDS have supported me in every way that friends should have, through new everything...thick and thin...good and bad...

And yes...YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE. and YES I LOVE every one of you... and thank you PWK!!!!

SUCESS!!!!!

I did it! Today was the first day of driving the Mini with no stalls! That's right, I think that I might have the starting from a complete stop down. I can't tell you how much fun that car is to drive, and I know that I haven't even scratched the surface yet!

Well, I have to go and study for my accounting test. Sorry to keep it short and sweet!

Later days!!!!

Tell her what she's won, Johnny...

A NEW CAR!!!!! That's right, my birthday came a few weeks early in the form of a new (to me) car! I have been wanting a Mini Cooper since I saw the one my friends in Atlanta bought one brand new in 2005. I have said since then that I wanted my next car to be a Mini Cooper. They are just so damn cute!!!!

We have been looking at getting me one at the end of the summer this year, but fate intervened. With the birth of their first child last year, those same friends in Atlanta finally made the very painful decision to sell the Mini. It's very hard to get the car seat in and out of it, and if you have ever seen the "backseat", you would understand. Let's just say the the "Friend price" was to good to resist.

We crunched some numbers, and realized that hey, this just might be possible. A call to the bank, and one thing led to another, and last Saturday we went up to Atlanta for the child's first birthday party, and to pick up my new car.

Now for the details. It is a 2005 Mini Cooper S, and yes, the S stands for Supercharged. No slow cars allowed in Big Dave's Hot Rod Speed Shop! The name of the color from the factory is Purple Haze Metallic, and the roof and the mirrors are black. 43,000 miles, one owner, garage kept, and more options than any other car I have ever seen. The only thing it doesn't have that the dealer offered that year is a Navigation system. Other than that it has it all. AND, it's a 6 speed manual transmission!

Now here's a very important part to the story. Before Sunday, I didn't know how to drive a stick shift. That's right kids, I bought a car that I couldn't drive home.

But, Sunday was my first lesson and I got the "Intensive Training/Boot Camp" with Drill Sgt. Sexton. I started in a parking lot doing stop and gos and by the end of the day I was driving down country roads. I even did hill training.

Monday night was lesson 2, and that was traffic training. By the end of the session, Drill Sgt. Sexton and I both agreed that I was okay to drive to work the next day.

Tuesday I drove the Mini all the way in to work, with D riding co-pilot. He decided not to ride, so we carpooled.

Today was my first completely solo driving day. I drove all the way in to work, and then to school, and then to dinner, and back home again all by myself!!!

Now, granted, I'm still getting used to everything. It will take a little while before I'm a pro, but in general, I'm doing pretty damn good!!!

And just in case you couldn't tell, I LOVE IT!!!!!

Moving at the speed of life

Not much has been going on lately, other than time passing so quickly that all I can do is hold on and go with it. It does not seem possible that it I have only one week left before the next quarter starts! Sadly, the class I am taking this time is on Mondays and Wednesday, so who knows when I will be able to mountain bike. I'm hoping that I can sneak in some rides on the weekends, and there is always the road bike.

Yesterday was Good Friday, and the wonderful company I work for sees fit to give us the day off. So, I decided to make the most of it. I started off going to my former employer to see about 401K rollover forms. I was a little nervous, since I haven't set foot in the place since I left. But, it was good. I got to see a lot of people I haven't seen in a while. I also got to have lunch with a few of old friends.

From there, it was on to shopping!!! Yes I know, I don't do it often, but since I literally have nothing to wear for Easter to church, it was necessary. I went to two stores, and found a dress as well as some work clothes for myself and Hubby. AND I got some good deals! The shopping gods are pleased.

I wrapped up the day having dinner with the bike gang. There was steak, and wine, and beer, and the best cookies you will ever eat in your life. There was even quality British television. Good food and good friends, who could ask for more?! Well, a dip in the friends' hot tub is a pretty good start. I haven't slept that well in a while!

Spring is a-comin'...

...and with it my desire to ride, ride, ride!!! Sunday was BEAUTIFUL!!! It was sunny, clear, and perfect for a road ride. Dave, Diana, and I started at The Bike Store, and Diana took us out into the back roads of Houston County. We did 30 miles, my longest so far! My average speed was only 11, because I'm having a hard time shifting on the road bike on climbs. There is nothing wrong with the bike, it's all in my head. The shifters on the road bike are completely opposite than the mountain bike. By the time I get into the gear I need to be in, I'm half-way up the climb, and I'm spent. I think that I actually pulled something in my right leg Sunday, and it still hasn't worked itself out yet.

But, all if that "newbie" stuff aside, I think that my 50 mile goal for the Relay for Life in May is doable. "Coach" Dave says that with some training, I will be fine.

Discovering Indian cuisine

The QC Lab manager at work has moved to North Carolina, and yesterday a group of us went to lunch with him to send him off. He happens to be Indian, and he wanted us to experience his native cuisine before he left.

So we met at a place here in Macon. I have never had Indian food in my entire life, and I had no idea what to expect. But, I was excited to try something new.

We all decided that the lunch buffet was the way to go, so we could try different things to see what we liked. To drink, our friend ordered us a traditional drink that was made from fresh mangos. It was very much like a smoothie, and it was delicious.

I don't remember what all the names of the dishes were, but everything was very good. I was surprised to find several dishes were prepared with meat. I thought that traditionally, it was vegetarian. There was chicken, lamb, and I think goat dishes on the full menu, but that day there wasn't ant goat on the buffet.

I have to admit that everything I had was so good!!! I tried several things, and I ate so much I thought that I was going to bust, andPublish Post I can't wait to go back.

Who knows what I'll try next??

Proof

As promised, a few picture of my wounds...


Not bad for a first timer.


I haven't taken any pictures of the new hair yet, but I'll post one as soon as I do.

Episode 1

Hello, and welcome to my new blog! I have been trying to maintain two blogs for a while now. Who has time for that? So, I have decided to start one that ALL of my friends can get to!

Things have been going pretty well so far this year. I'm still getting smaller, I have a got a new do, and I am riding better and stronger than ever. (Pictures to follow I promise!)

A couple of weeks ago,I went out to the local mountain bike trail to take advantage of good weather on a Saturday and I made a breakthrough. I fell down. It was a pretty good fall, too! I scrapped up the outside of my left calf, and bruised up the insides of both my legs from the impact of the bike. Again, I have pics to follow. But, I got back up and after I stopped shaking I got back on the bike and rode. I learned that I can survive a fall. The next week, I fell again. More bruises, and a few more scrapes, but that was it. All of my friends say that this is how I know I'm improving. I'm starting to push myself.

I haven't been on the road bike in quite a while. As a matter of fact, the hubby and I were supposed to do the Biking Bleckley ride this past Saturday, but we both have been sick all week, and were not able to ride. I was disappointed, but not as much as the hubs!

On the school front, I have dropped the class that I was taking this quarter. I have decided that I do not wnat to continue down the Marketing Management path anymore. I'm actually leaning toward Accounting, but haven't made any decisions yet. I'm taking Accounting 101 next quarter, so I'm going to see how it goes and then I'll make a decision over the summer.