February Sunshine Daydreaming

First, I should start with Valentine's day.  We aren't that big on the day itself, at least not in the way the marketplace would like us to be.  Besides, Shelly had to work late, so I left her a tealight surprise on the sidewalk when she got home.

Still, not much riding.  Kinda worried with the Lake Hope road race opener less than a month away.  Finally sneaked out at lunch yesterday for a ride.  It was 28*F out, but with the sun it felt more like 29*F.

No time for updates.

Finally feeling mostly better (no more headaches).  Very little riding and have not run since Dec 24.  Took Ethan to an OU hockey game, have not been to one for a very long time.

Did celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary a couple weeks ago.  A winter storm put the brakes on plans to travel, so we just ate our way around S.E. Ohio visiting Lake Hope Lodge, Fluff Bakery, and Casa Nueava.  Followed this by making Shelly's favorite, manicotti and chocolate mousse.

Winter is for gravel roads.

OU Club hockey with Ethan.  I remember when the glass was chainlink. OLD.

Outside new Lodge at Lake Hope

Inside new Lodge at Lake Hope

Biscuits and gravy at Fluff Bakery

Papas 'y chili at Casa Nueva

Stuffed mushroom manicotti at casa Doug.

Getting a load of stone to help the driveway survive the weekly S.E. Ohio spring thaw.

The New Year

I had hoped to be able to write about all the things I accomplished last year, all the riding I did over break, and the grand plans for this coming year, but as it happens, life happens.

I am still fighting whatever hit me on Christmas Eve.  Though I have not had any more migraines (4 in 8 days was enough!) I am still dizzy, ears hurt, neck hurts, headaches, and I keep loosing sensation in my right hand.  I am a week into a two week round of antibiotics which always upset my stomach   That on top of not being able to sleep well as my head pounds when I lay down, I am feeling rough.  I did manage one trainer ride over the weekend, only to get so dizzy afterwards I had to sit down.

Stats for the year are unimpressive: 2086 miles and 142 hours (that includes running and biking).

At least I got to take Ethan to our annual Christmas break basketball game.  OU pounded Marshal.

 

Christmas Break

Beard Fest 2012: One of our guys at work had the great idea to grow beards from October 1 through Christmas break.  I think all but two of the folks in the picture shaved within a couple days of the photo.

Our office closed from Christmas through New Years.  I had hoped to list all the great stuff I did while on break, instead, I had a rash of migraine headaches with the first one on Christmas Eve.  The doctor told me today that this is the most common time of the year for them likely due to all the turmoil and stress of the holidays.  Anyway, only a couple of short runs in the snow and a trainer ride, not very exciting.  The weather was festive though.  We got around 5 inches of snow which made for some picturesque views.

Finally on New Years eve we decided to go to Lake Hope State Park as the new lodge had recently opened.  We got there only to find that they were doing a special New Year's Eve buffet instead of their regular menu, so we headed to Athens for a wonderful diner at Salam.  I have yet to have bad food or bad service there and this was no exception.

Happy new year all, time to get ready for the spring race season.

 

 

Halloween to Christmas - Overdue Updates

Been a long time since I last updated.  The last couple months have continued to be busy ones.  So busy, it even wore out Brock apparently.  Did a XC run on Veteran's day at the Ridges in memory of my brother.  It has been 7 years since he was killed.  Made a couple trips to Cleveland for work.  Managed a couple long lunch rides while the weather was still dry (it is too dark to ride after work).  Had 22 people at our house for Thanksgiving and shot some clay targets after lunch.  Ethan shot well but left a good bruise on his cheek.  He followed this with his first deer kill (a nice doe, hunting with Shelly's dad, not sure who was prouder).  He followed that up with a concussion during a basketball scrimmage and he was out for two weeks (missing a full week of school).  Played bass for the church's Christmas production.  Now, I am trying to get a couple of final things done before the Christmas break.

Funny, Michael says to us during dinner a couple nights ago: "seems like all  you do is plan, cook, take care of Brock, and work".  Observant.  At least I go to the Donkey early Wednesday for coffee.  Uptown Athens is sure nice (when the students are gone).

Merry Christmas all,

 

 

 

 

 

Summer/winter. Where did fall go?

What a difference a few days make.  Last week temperatures were in the 80's, almost hot really.  I managed a trail ride on Thursday for a longish lunch.  Picked up 2 ton of crushed limestone on my way home Friday to fix a couple spots in the driveway (a consequence of a steep, stoned driveway and a teenage driver).  Then the rains came.  Shelly and Ethan went to the varsity boys district final soccer game Saturday so Brock and I hung out at home.  We were playing in the basement when Brock found some artificial flowers.  He proclaimed "fuffies for mommy" (fuffies are flowers), and in a heartbeat the boy was up the stairs and out the front door.  I caught him on the front porch waiting for mommy to get home.  Today we got up to snow/cold/wind.  Not a lot, maybe an inch of wet snow, 32 degrees and a high wind advisory.  I stopped at Starbucks to get a cup of coffee and the customer before me turns and says "Al Gore told us this was going to happen".  Yep.

 

 

 

 

A good day for a birthday.

Another year has now come and gone.  Instead of getting sentimental about the time passing or depressed about my age, I went riding.  Or, at least tried.  Did 10 miles on Friday after lunch until it started to rain on me.  Spent the evening at my folks for dad's birthday.

Rode the MTB Saturday after switching back to my rigid fork (the suspension forks has some bad stiction and needs a repair).  As I was almost to the trail, it rained good and continued on and off for an hour.  The trails were in good shape though.  Made it 13 miles before hearing BRRAAPP!  No idea what I hit but it knocked the bead off the rim and I got to walk another mile with the bike on my shoulder to get out of the woods.

 

Sunday was another story.  It was sunny, warm (in the 60's) though a bit breezy.  I got out in the afternoon and made a loop around Lake Alma.  Finished up right at 50 miles for the day.  Followed the ride with a fire, playing outside, some potatoes, peppers, onions, and kielbasa wrapped up and cooked on the coals. Shelly even made me a batch of peanut butter cookies!  It was a good day for a birthday.

 

It was windy yesterday.  I did head out at lunch for a run and by the time I hit 3 miles, I was done.  6 hours of riding in three days had my legs shot.  Got home last night and could hardly see the driveway for all the leaves that came down.  Today started with a bit of rain and a motorcycle ride to Donkey for coffee before work.