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!!!!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
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!!!!!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
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!
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!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
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??
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??
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
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.
Monday, February 25, 2008
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.
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.
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