Goal!

At the beginning of the year I set a goal to read 40 books this year.  Not long ago, I was "behind" on that goal, but as of today I made it and I still have almost a week left in the year.

Crochet

Many years ago I was given a wonderful gift.  Brian's mom taught me to crochet.  Now if you knew Barbara, you know that she probably crocheted no less than a million miles of yarn and thread in her life.  I doubt there are many people she met that don't have SOMETHING that she crocheted for them.  While I have not crocheted nearly as much as she did - and never will - I still enjoy the craft and carrying on her legacy.  There is something special about creating something from nothing but a skein of yarn. I also enjoy giving away these creations. Here are a couple of my latest projects along with links to the patterns I used.

Elsa hat (modeled by princess Kami)

Elf hat (made two of these for a co-worker's sons)

A Woman with a Reputation

I have a reputation...I am now that crazy lady that rides her bike all over town.  Well maybe that isn't exactly how it is, but I have definitely been noticed.  Yesterday, while eating out with the family, not one but two people came up to the table and commented on seeing me out riding.  I guess if I am going to have a reputation, it could be worse than being the crazy bike lady.

Now for the September numbers...I was so close to hitting 150 miles for the month.  Unfortunately, the last week of the month, I was hit with a nasty case of sinus and allergy crud.  For the first time since I started riding I went four days without riding.  So my total for the month came in at 148.93...so close.  October is going to be much lower.  The shorter days are really cutting into my riding time, but I am enjoying the much cooler weather.  I will continue to ride as much as I can during the week and will try for some longer rides on the weekends.  We will see how that goes.

Marching Band

Let me just say, I am a band geek from way back.  I was in the band when being in the band wasn't cool, especially at Morrilton.  I got the yearbook out a few weeks ago and counted a total of 41 students in band my senior year.  That was for three grades.  I am very proud to say that both of my kids have joined the band.  This is Stephen's first year of high school band, and he loves it.  He has been playing the trumpet since the sixth grade.  Skylar has just started playing in the sixth grade.  She is on trumpet as well for now, but will switch to French horn after Christmas.

I am also proud to say that the band has grown since my high school days.  I would approximate that there are a little over 100 students in the 9th-12th grade high school band.  They sound great and they seem to have a LOT of fun.

Here is a short video of the pre-game entertainment from last night's game.  The band now enters by marching around the entire track and then stands on the track to play the national anthem and the alma mater.  They percussion section then plays several drum cadences while the rest of the band performs "dance" routines.  Like I said, they look like they have so much fun.

In a few weeks, once they are performing their full half-time show, I plan to take a real camera (not my dumb phone) and get some higher quality video.  In the meantime, this short snippet of their "Out of This World" halftime show including the theme from Star Trek and songs from Star Wars will have to do.

August Is In the Books

I can't believe another month has passed already.  August has come and gone.  I managed to break the ten mile mark on a single ride this month.  Only did it once, but that's OK.  Considering that August is typically the hottest month around here, I don't think I did too shabby.   I am definitely looking forward to cooler weather though.  Unfortunately, that also means that the days are getting shorter.  I have noticed the evenings slowly encroaching on my ride time.  I have to leave earlier in order to finish up before it gets too dark.  I don't know what I am going to do this winter when it is dark when I leave for work and dark when I get home.  Longer rides on the weekends I suppose.  But I sure will miss my nightly rides.

August also means that yet another school year has started.  My babies are growing up on me.  Stephen started ninth grade - a freshman in high school.  That is just hard to believe.  So far he seems to like it.  He was pretty excited the first few days, but that has settled down to his usual level of enthusiasm.  Skylar is in sixth grade.  She is doing just fine, but has not seemed overly excited this year.  They are both in band.  Both playing trumpet although Skylar will switch to French horn after the first semester.  Stephen will be marching at all of the football games this year, and he really likes that.

What I Have Learned

Since buying our bikes in late May, I have learned a few things:

• I love riding my bike
• Riding is great exercise
• Eventually the behind does get used to the seat
• Sometimes I feel like I could ride for hours
• Sometimes a short ride is plenty
• I enjoy riding with my family
• I enjoy riding alone
• Getting more exercise does not equal weight loss (very discouraging)
• Long, slow inclines are more tiring than short, steep hills
• Even riding on hot evenings are tolerable with the wind in your face
• Did I mention, I love riding my bike

Here are my totals for the month of July - over 100 miles for the month.  If you had told me when we bought the bikes that I would ride that much, I would have never believed you. Can't wait to see what August brings.

Keep it Between the Lines

My boy is growing up. I can't believe he is old enough to get his permit...and in just 2 short years will be driving alone (well if I let him that is)

58+ Miles

Hiking to the Glory Hole

We didn't let the rain stop our hike to the glory hole.  It was 65 degrees on June 15...who would have ever thought it would have been so pleasant in June.

The Wild Life...

The elk in Boxley on the drive up... 

I think I was being watched.  This family of deer appeared out the front door as we enjoyed our morning coffee.

Getting Moving

Just got this summary from my MapMyWalk account.  It's not a lot, but something is better than nothing.  I didn't start logging until 5/21 - so 7 workouts in 10 days isn't anything to sneeze at. And I actually started to get moving earlier in the month, but alas didn't record all of those miles. More to come...

Signs of Spring

I took a little walk around the yard this afternoon and found a few signs that spring really might actually be here.  Just take a look,

 These beautiful little flowers are the hedge behind our house.  The pink ones below are from a tree in the neighbors yard.

 Skylar picked this dandelion out of the yard.  I know it's a weed, but in my yard there are more of those than grass and flowers.

 The humans aren't the only ones enjoying the spring weather.

Take a good long look at that tulip.  It is the only one in the yard...and just minutes after this picture was taken the kid from down the hill helped himself to it.  Hope he at least gave it to his mom so that she can enjoy it. 

My Baby Boy

is 14 today.  He isn't much of a baby anymore (I have been looking up to him for over a year now).  In fact he is quickly becoming a young man right before my eyes.  We gave him his present last night and I think it was a real "hit."

He is well on his way to becoming a one man band.  He plays guitar and trumpet.  He is teaching himself to play piano.  He has played around with bass some.  He can play the lap steel (which his poppy made for him). And now he has drums.  Who would have thought all those years ago when he pecked out Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on the toy piano that someday, he would play so many instruments?  I am very proud of the young man he is turning out to be - even on the days when he is a typical teenager...

Happy Birthday!!

My Vote Counted

Today I exercised my right to vote (probably the most exercise I have done all year) and by doing so, I reserved my right to complain (assuming the vote doesn't go my way).  After all, if you don't bother to vote, you don't get to complain later!

Here We Go Again

If I have said it once, I had said it a hundred times - I am so ready for spring. This is the view outside my bedroom window this morning. March 3 and 2 inches of sleet. I am over winter. Enough already!

If you know me at all, you know my field of work isn't one with lots of days off this time of year.  Too much to do and time is always running out.  So while most people get to enjoy a snow day at home being lazy, watching movies and drinking hot chocolate, this is what I get to do...

My office away from the office. The commute is short and I get to spend the day with my favorite people (no offense to my co-workers), and it sure beats trying to slip and slide into work, but it would be nice to get to spend the day doing nothing!

Ice Lights

We have had some really wintry weather this year.  Seems like every time we turn around the store shelves are empty of bread, milk and toilet paper...all winter weather necessities.  Of course this is the time of year that unless absolutely necessary, I don't miss work.  That means that when winter weather is in the forecast I do my best to make it to work anyway.  Today was no exception.  Sleet and freezing rain began to fall as I headed to my job.  But thankfully, God was in control and I made it to work with no problems.  I have to say my drive home was gorgeous.  The trees glistened with ice and I wished I had my camera and was able to get some pictures.  Of course by the time I did get home the sun was setting and most of the photo opportunities were gone, but I grabbed the camera anyway and managed to get a couple of shots.  If it weren't for the power outages and unsafe driving conditions, I wouldn't mind getting to see the ice once in a while.  Unfortunately, many people are without power this evening and there are others with broken trees and limbs in their yards and on their homes.

Shed a Little Light on the Subject

My dear husband can be very creative at times.  He recently decided to take the old yard light from his parents' house and convert it to solar and install it in our yard.  He cleaned it, painted it, and bought a solar yard light which he disassembled and installed to convert the light to be wireless.  Now we have this wonderful light illuminating our back yard.  A little old, a little new...and a lot creative!