Working on the BIG ride!

As of this afternoon

It is 147 days,

7 hours, 26 minutes and 30 seconds

until Thursday, May 24, 2007

at 5:00:00 AM (UTC time)

River 2 River ride for

Arkansas Children's Hospital

Current time is
2006-12-27 21:33:30 UTC

The day after

It's the day after Christmas. Ok, it was a strange (and stressful) Christmas that I would prefer not to repeat. There were some great moments but there were a few moments that sent me into "quite mode". But it will work itself out, always does.

Ok for the funner side of the holiday! Christmas eve was spent doing yard work for the afternoon. Not really anything else going on other than staring at the TV and I've done that enough already this year. Beside, TV + sofa = food and weight gain. At least for me it does.
I came in and got cleaned up and tinkered around a bit. There was a massive amount of food spread out. There is now a semi-massive amount of food in our fridge that no one will eat. Tomorrow is trash day so maybe it will all fall out into the trash can. HA!

Christmas morning was nice. Weather was rain and just warm enough to keep it from snow. We exchanged gifts and headed south to see my family. We got there and there was more "other" family than my own. Mom and Dad have an open door policy when it comes to celebrations so there are always extra's. And you want to hear something that's always be freaky to me? No matter who shows up, my mom always has a gift for them under the tree and I never see her put them there. Serious. So here's this guest family visiting and they are all adults. There are 4 of them. 3 guys and a girl. There were gifts for all. No, not cans of peanuts but stuff like mock turtle necks and stuff like that?!!! I swear she's really Mrs. Claus.

I did get to spend a few moments with Dad talking Christmas and we had some laughs. He was telling me one time about when my little sis and I were little that we both got bikes and he snuck them all the way to my grandmothers in AL (6 hours away). Put the things together in AL, took the things apart for the trip home, put the things together again once we got back to AR. Yep, I think he is "Dad of the Year" too. We laughed about the time we all went (Mom, Dad, 4 sisters and me) to AL and we ALLLL got a stomach flu. It was not the least bit funny then but it was a hoot yesterday.

Today on the way to work there were no cars! Some of the parking lots were empty! It's been a very quite day here in the office. So quite and so caught up that I'm blogging.

I did head over to the fitness center for lunch and then ate a sandwich at my desk. Just a hand full of folks over there today but I suspect next week it will be a mad house! The first of the year always brings the "good intentions" members back. Actually it's nice to have some different folks around and the noise level goes back up. Not sure what the mental attachment is to noise and working out but the louder the better!

I have begun really looking at my 2007 goals and one of my best friends sent me an email for a pact that we had to cut our finger and sign in blood (and lots of sweat). I was honored that he sent the pact to me. I'm not sure if he wants any of it public so I'll not release name, rank and serial number on him. But you know who you are and you a great friend to me man!

One of the other goals I have is to be a part of Men's Fraternity ( http://www.mensfraternity.com/ ). We will be doing this on Wednesday nights at our church. I've not been to church on Wednesday night in at least a year, maybe more.

Take care and more later...

Christmas Eve

Got up and went to early service and Em and Sean went with me. Terri's folks are in town and wanted to go to late service but I was assigned prayer so I had to go on. Our church is sort of funny sometimes about Christmas which it seems are church of Christs are sort of like that. Like someone said, "Y'all haven't quite figured it out yet have ya?" Usually we have Christmas songs but this morning we had a different song leader and he was about as gung ho about Christmas as the grinch. Not a signle Christmas song. Greg did a great job with his preaching. Upbeat and Christmasy.

After church Em and I stopped by Sonic for breakfast junk food! I even drank a regular coke. Oh man, the burn was good! HA!

The afternoon was spent raking leaves in the back yard. Honesty, I have the biggest pile of leaves in the front that I've ever seen. I dumped them off the retaining wall. I'm telling ya, it's huge! I'll post a photo later since it's already too dark to shoot. The back yard looks pretty dandy if I say so myself. There wasn't anything going on this afternoon so I just wanted to stay busy and it would keep me from being sofa spud! When I walked in after cleaning the yard the inlaws were here and cooking away. I know I won't have any trouble not over eating because I spotted chicken and dressing (no thanks!) and sweet taters (yuck).

Tyler should be getting here about 6 so we'll eat and exchange gifts with Terri's family. The crowd usually dies out by about 9 or so. I have everything wrapped so command center is set for pre-dawn action!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Dog gone wild!

Yes, my dog ate packet of expresso Hammer gel! She was running around like a crazy hyena!! The packet of laying on the bed with my riding stuff while I was doing chores because I was going to ride after I got finished. I kept noticing that Sadie would run to the front of the house where I was then run back. Then run to the front and run back. Repeat that sentence over and over. I kept thinking she was trying to tell me something. Maybe she was trying to tell on herself. Anyway I walked to the back of the house and the was some paper in the floor and my first thought was, "Oh great, she got into the bathroom trash again." I just sort of sighed and reached down to pick up the paper and tried to figure out what it was then I realized it and looked over on the bed to see my Hammer Gel gone and it was 4x caffine expresso! I finished my work as fast as I could, put Sadie out and busted out the door. I have no idea how much running she did in the backyard but I wasn't going to be there when the fuse got to the end and she shoots up into the sky like Willie and roadrunner cartoons. Acme rocket was the picture I had in mind!

I stopped by the bike shop to load up with more and ran into Jbar. We yakked a minute and he was out the door and so was I. Fully loaded with new packets of gel. I headed on down to the river and rode the north side, over and the LR side some, River mountain road and Ft Roots. It was really quite out. Also when I parked the bank said it was 61. Not so back afterall. But as I sat there putting gear on I was noticing that it sure was a cold 61. I added more clothes. It was a cool ride and then as always once I got to the LR side and was riding in the shadow of the hills it was cold. I think there may have been 5 groups of folks on the bridge. The wind and the cool air may be slowing the crowd.

As I came home I drove up North Hills and s-t-o-p!!! Traffic was backed up big time. Folks blocking 2 intersections in a row. The guy in front of me saw a lady about to pull out in the insetion and block us for yet another light and he actually pulled out partly to block her from blocking us. She laid on her horn and he turned around and did the same back. I thought it was going to get ugly! The car next to me was college looking kids and they were laughing and laughing. I started laughing as well.

We finally go through the light and a car cut off the man in front of me. I could see him "gesturing" and what does she do? Stops real fast and that really fired him up! But she gets what she deserves because when she did that another lady flew by and cut her off in front of her. Then the light changes to red and stopped us all. I just knew someone was going to lay on the horn again or worse... get out. The light must have been just what was needed because from then on they all drove merry!

There is a island where all the boats hang out on Sunday afternoons in the summer. If you look close you can see an American flag. And yes, those are sea gulls on the island.

This is as you start to drop down River Mountain Road. Just to the right of the fence is an interstate.

This is how far down they dug to make River Mtn road. Cool looking isn't it?

LR skyline from Ft Roots.

Big concert tonight... let the holiday begin!!!

Terri and I will be meeting my friend Gary and his date for the night at the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert. What a great way to kick off the holiday! Today is last day of work, the weather is clearing up and an awesome concert tonight! I saw the show last year and I was sick as a dog and still thought it was great.

I've been reading a lot of training blogs lately and it seems most are coming back to life. The off season sort of slows everyone down a bit and I've read both sides of the training fence. Some say winter is the time to kick it in and really work hard and others say to turn it down a couple of notches. I think many will begin to start thinking of the coming year while we are off for holiday. I know I'm going to. I plan to look at my training schedule, get my mind going that direction, pass on those stupid fried and sweet crap. Man, I hate that stuff! Last night my daughter and I was nagging at each other a bit and she had bought her boyfriend a pizza (we weren't nagging about that) and I walked into the kitchen grabbed a piece and ate it. I had no reason at all to do that. Dumb thing... just dumb. Tonight won't be hard because I will be at the concert and away from food.

I've gotten several emails about "what are you doing over the holiday? Where are you riding?" Well, I'm still in the, "I'm not sure" cycle. Here's the plan I think I have tomorrow.
1) Up and to Starbucks early for latte and cinnamon chip scone
2) Wrap all the crap I've bought
3) Bike ride
4) Party over at T&J's house

I also got "tagged" but this one is different. The funny thing was that I had just read a blog and the blogger was doing this very thing.

Here's the tag:
Find a book closest to you
Name the author and book
turn to page 123
Tell everyone what the first 3 sentences say.

It would have been some Human Resources manual but I just cleaned off my desk earlier.
Title: Heft on Wheels
Author: Mike Magnuson

At 6:00 a.m., September 15, an hour before dawn and the start of the 2002 Bridge to Bridge Incredible Cycling Challenge. I do know something. I know that rain is falling on my head.

Funny isn't it that it would be something about bridge to bridge and I'm training for river to river... Life has a funny way of putting things infront of you huh?!

Take care!

Y'all won't believe this!

We had a lunch today and look what I was presented with...

It was a vote in deal. I was really speechless! REALLY!!!! Makes ya just wanna eat a bunch of cookies don't it! HA!

Serious, this was a huge honor for me and just what I needed as the true training for my May ride kicks in after the holidays.

System shock and shake

It was "let's see how you're doing" day at the fitness center. The trainer I use at the fitness center for core training wanted to do an eval as well as change up the routine. My arms are still shaking. I have only had to do gym time 2-3 days a week plus riding a couple but now it seems to be bumping up. I'll be in the gym 5 days a week and on the bike 2 as well as throwing in the spin classes here and there. I remember as I trained for my last big ride it turned into a 7 day a week program and I really enjoyed it and it just became a part of my life. I suspect I will start riding my bike to work again as the mornings get a little lighter, which they will start to do on December 22! I know that's a stretch but I hate the short days and add a cloudy short day and it's even worse.

Anyway, today was all upper body drills. By the end I didn't know if I could live through it. My arms were shaking like crazy. Was told to give it two weeks and that what we did today was "system shock". Oh it was shock alright. It was really funny though because when I went to the locker room I was so glad I was the only one in there because if anyone would have seen me reaching into my locker for my shirt they would have been concerned. I could barely lift my arm. I'm really looking forward to getting back in the shape I should be in and maybe...just maybe... I can ride with the big dawgs once again!

Take care!

Pushing away the plate

It's not often that I push away a plate of Corky's BBQ but I did just that tonight. Terri was in Hot Springs with her mom shopping so Em picked me up after work and we stopped by Corky's for dinner. I had the sandwich and fries and could only eat half. Em was eating and said, "Dad, I can't eat anymore." It was a touchdown moment because right at that moment I realized I was full. I know I know... you don't leave Corky's on your plate but I was full too.

Work was good today. Stayed busy and even though one of my vendors stopped by with a huge 3 stacked box of candies and cookies, I passed and didn't eat the stuff. Boy, you could tell it was Christmas time in my office. My VP's office is 2 doors down from mine and she cranked up the tunes on her computer this morning and I could hear several folks down there laughing and talking.

I would have been down there too but was finishing up a report for one of the directors I recruit for. She asked for a "spy" report. Those are reports where we go out on the web and watch discussion boards, blogs or anything else that might give us an inside track. It's really called competetive intel. I enjoy doing them because I get to jump all over the web.

I suspect the week will grow quiter and quiter. I have big hopes that the rain will come and go by Friday morning so I can be outside. We'll be at Trans- Sib concert on Thursday night and then to a friend's house for a party on Friday night and then family from Saturday to Monday. Busy busy!

Wanna watch something wild (bicycle...guys...I'm talking bicycle here! Gee!)

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoID=558456953

Take care!

Would this be the last day of summer.. . again?

Just a cool shot of the bridge I park under

Dbar? Maybe? I think that's her. She flew by too fast.

The curvy road that's so fun to ride

Now would this be the last day of summer... again? We've had the most awesome weather for a week now! The next few days we'll see rain coming in then the temps will go back to regular Arkie weather. 50's and 30's. Check out the bank time and temp at my starting point... 71 degrees!

Since the weather was so nice the afternoon riding was a game called "dodge the runners and other bikes". Yes, it was that busy, especially the bike bridge.

I got down to the river after church and lunch at Dixie Cafe (hey, just a salad!) and even wiped out the MP3 player and loaded in almost all new tunes. Still had a few favorites but added a bunch that I had no idea who or what kind of music. I loaded off some of Emmy's list. Good stuff! I rode a bit then climbed Ft Roots. I was really feeling stronger today then I'd felt in a month or so. Stayed in the big ring (yes, little gear of the big ring but still). I looped through then started heading down and such as the sun would rise, the fast girls slow guys group was heading up. I said howdy to many on the way down. Man, I wanted to turn around and ride but I had several things I wanted to do during this ride and I'd just see them for a few moments before I'd have to drop off. I wanted to do some hill work, which I did. I read the clubs website where they did some monster climbs today. They were all looking VERY strong as I spotted them several times throughout the afternoon.

Last week when Mark M. and I were riding I spotted a sign that I told myself I was going to get a photo of it. I thought this was a hoot! $5.00 per car but hey, if you can sqeeze 15 or more in, they have to charge you 10 bucks! Ya know those big ole SUV's can hold a lot of kiddos these days... I guess!

Anyway, I seemed to be riding almost the same route as the club but I was a tad bit head. Not faster, just ahead. I circled Burn's Park then came back around again to stop for some photos of the cover bridge and a shot of the curving road. One of the things I was hoping to do is get on the other side of the covered bridge and shoot as much as I could when they came by. They would be going through it but right past the entrance. If I was on the other side I could shoot through it and it would have the Tour de France sort of look to it. I waited a few minutes but no bikes. And as it always happens, just as I got back out on the road, here they all came. It would have been such a great shoot because it was a big peleton riding. I stopped on the side of the road and snapped a few. They are so-so shots but I posted anyway. I knew after they past they would be heading to the big hills and I'd not see them for awhile.

I headed on over the big bridge to the LR side and climbed River Mtn but I forgot to take photos. As I was heading back down I spotted on of the mountain goats (Patrick) climbing. I yelled at him that he was looking strong today and he was. Then I saw one of the best sights of all today! We have a new junior rider and her name's Lauren and she was learning the climb. It's a tough climb for a new rider but she was already half way up when I saw her. Her mom was climbing with her. I've never met Lauren but I realized who she was when saw Mom Jenny with her so I called out that she was doing awesome! I suspect there will be stories as spring comes around with her smoking the climbs.

Afterwards, I climbed Overlook for my 3rd climb of the day. The route is actually what we called Triple Bypass. The route the club was on was the Ironman or some variation of it. On the way back down I pulled over and snapped some shots from half way. You know the shots of the bridge and you can see those million dollars houses up on the ridge? Well, I was up on that ridge shooting off of it. By the way, I saw some very fine autos coming and going up there. Most waved even!

So it's really be the perfect weekend. Lots of family time. Oh yeah, Terri's folks arrived from FL late this afternoon so we had a packed house until just minutes ago. It will be packed several times this week.

Take care!

The BEST Christmas gift!

4 generations of family girls. Sherry, Melissa, Elliot, Mom

Daddy Ryan with Keaton

Barbie with Elliot


Mommy Melissa with Keaton

Mom and Dad

Saturday was just a good day! Woke up and hit Starbucks then got busy with stuff around the house. Knock out chores and then got a good long ride in. Got home, cleaned up and in the car heading to a family gathering. I was about to get to see my new great neice and nephew for the first time and see Ryan and Melissa for the first time in a long time. I was excited! My mom and sis have the same birthday so that was as good excuse as any to get together. Awww, these little tykes are cute! Keaton had on one of those one piece baby things and it said, "Am I really related to all these people?" It probably should have said, "Dad, you're joking right? Not them!" HA! We all ate and had a good time. I kept my food in check big time and no desert. I confess I did eat a couple of tamales when I got home but it was because I was really hungry.

Alright, I know you are wondering about the best Christmas gift. While we were at my sisters house Sherry and Barbie had ended up on the front porch swing. The evening temps were just right for front porch family talking that only the south can provide. I walked outside telling someone who was leaving good night and ended up out on the front porch to. Minutes later it was just Sherry, Barbie and myself. We talked about family and laughed and a family secret was told to me. Oh yes, it was a biggie!! REAL biggie but but unless you're family, it wouldn't be a be deal. Sort of like a family secrect receipe... it'll stay in the family. They were telling me other stuff that I didn't know. My stomach hurt from laughing so hard. A little bit later, Cat (another sis) was out there with us and we were only missing one sister, who wasn't able to come down due to other committments. For the first time in I can't tell you, I was alone with just my sisters and it was priceless. I mean truely priceless. We talked about family, the future, the past. Who's where and what are they doing. With the warm evening temps and my family surrounding me, I was happier than I had been in a long time. It was just one of those live in the moment sort of deals and . . . it was the best Christmas gift of all. Love you sistas!

Stop making excuses

Stop making excuses. That's my motto of the day. I had my gym clothes and my lunch pale of things I could eat today. Drinking my water... then there are several, "Hey Geo, I brought cake." "Hey Geo, a vendor just sent candy...it's good!" Next thing I know, I'm having just a couple of things. Then it's about 10:30 and I get an email wanting to go to lunch later. I should say no but I've not been out to lunch with my bud's in a couple of weeks. I toss it to the wind and we end up at Sonic. We go just to see the Running Man. It's a guy that runs fast with a tray of orders. It's awesome to watch. I order my usual Sonic fare of corn dog, tots and small coke. I eat the corn dog, the tots become a guilt item. I'm finding myself throwing them in the bag. I can't eat fried stuff anymore. It just doesn't taste that good.

While we are eating J-Catch asked me if I saw Biggest Loser last night. I had. He was laughing and said he watched it too while he was eating a pizza. He ate a whole pizza. Then he laughed and said "Then I ate 4 bowls of soup." I'm blown away. Dude, that's a massive amount of food. He is active and has a full gym in his home but man, that's still a lot of food! HA!

I asked Terri on the drive home this afternoon if she'd not buy any junk food stuff from the store this weekend. I know it's the holidays but I just can't trust myself with certain foods right now. Chips... I can eat my weight in chips. Chocolate... hey, I'll fight you for the stuff. I actually told her truthfully, "I can't be at home by myself and not eat." She laughed until she realized I was serious. I have no idea where this comes from but if I'm at home alone I can find some reason to stroll by the kitchen then some reason to open the fridge. Next thing I know, I've had a couple of cookies, some chocolate milk, some chips, maybe a small bit of leftovers, a couple more chips, a juice glass of Dr. Pepper. It's insane. I don't have this problem in the summer because I'm outside playing.

I have to lose this 14 more pounds by Jan 29th.... let me stop making excuses and stop whinning and get busy..... Geo logging of and working out!!

Those hills

Well we got home and I changed and was out the door on the bike. Made sure the rear blinky was flashing and the headlight was working. Got water and all systems go. Did a quick warm up around the block a couple of times and then into the valley I go. I tried a cople of different routes and then settled into a 6 block loop that sort of looks like the letter "P". Up a long hill and the road loops around to come back midway to the hill I just climbed and there is a steep climb before I get back to the mid point otherwise it's straight up the hill then straight down. I like the up the hill, 'round the bend, up another hill then down to the bottom start point and repeat.

As expected with the warm temps folks were cooking out. Oh man, that was tough! Here I am doing these repeats and I kept passing a house with something very good cooking. I was worn out by the 6th repeat. It was a good feeling to know I where I was physically with training this early in the game.

The date Jan 29, 2007 is fast approaching. That's the real kick off date for the training to start for the River 2 River ride in May. It will be a 16 week training program. I will have a couple of those "ride off to another city" sort of Saturday training rides. So far I've been building on the base miles and core strength training.

I found some new tunes to train to. Ya ever heard of Wolfmother? They have that guitar rock sound. Joker and the Thief is a good tune that will get you moving in your workouts. To me the harder the rock the better I train. Yep, I know some of you are laughing but it's a throw back to my concert days. Maybe mid life crisis... who knows and who cares... it makes me train harder.

Speaking of trainin harder, I have found that I train harder when I train solo. I don't know why that is. I love riding with my buds but sometimes it doesn't happen for me. I find myself trying to ride more like someone else rather than concentrating on my riding and my training. This is not wording the right way but you know what I'm talking about.

Hey by the way, keep the climbers on Mt Hood in your prayers. One is from here and hes is a very good climber from what I've heard and there's a huge storm heading to the mount. Doesn't look good.

Thanks for reading!

Just like McDonalds... I'm loving it!

Just like McDonalds... I'm lovin' it!

It's sunny and 68 degrees in Little Rock this afternoon! YES!!!

Take a look at this forecast for Little Rock! Whoo Hoo!!!

Tonight: Patchy fog after 4am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 41. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Wednesday: Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 68. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 40. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph. Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 45. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. Southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph. Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47. South southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. South wind around 10 mph. Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52. South wind around 10 mph.

Sunday: Partly cloudy, with a high near 68.

**Note to Ironman Wes: Hey man, I'm sending this weather over to Georgia in case you are in the running mood! HA!

Hoping to get out of the office in a moment and get a ride in around the neighborhood for some hill work. Our neighborhood is lit up pretty well and I've trained on the bike at night before so it's no big deal.

Sunday

Yale with the big smile. Remember him from other photos. This guy is a great inspriation to me with my struggle to lose weight. He needs some new jerseys 'cause all of his are sort of saggy.

The State Capitol and Arkansas Children's Hospital from across the river.

The churning water coming through the dam as I was riding over. Notice the seagulls looking for bits of shad and other fish.


Just looking toward Little Rock from the bridge

Looking toward the north at I-430 and Pinnacle Mtn.

Just some cool angle

Jess in the Toyota-United (my favorite team!), Shaw dawg in the black, Rebcecca (mountain climbing do-do head! HA!), Jerry in the Dassult Jet jersey.

David W. He is who I want to be! Super long distance cyclist. Notice the black marks all over the road? That's how fast the Fast Girls take off.

It's just 2 weeks til Christmas eve. Hard to believe.

We went to early service and it's fun to be out by 10! Terri made breakfast pizza for brunch and I was out riding by abut noon. Had the tunes plugged in and enjoying the ride. Plan was to ride along the north side and warm up and head over the bridge to the real club start point. I got over there just as Jenn was giving annoucements. It's really a nice feeling, sort of like the characters on Cheers, when you ride up and everyone knows your name. And you know everyone's name as well. You just know you are among friends. We ride a long and I see a couple of folks jump on their pedals and others sort of follow as the line takes shape. I sat in the back just happy as a loon to be out enjoying the day and the sunshine.

A rider comes toward us and a few minutes later I see the rider trying to catch up but he never did. We also passed several others. As we got to the Broadway bridge it was a huge good looking group riding over. I stayed in the back since the was a girl on the back and I hate leaving a girl sitting on the back when cars are coming. We all got over the bridge fine and as we are riding along I notice my crew is getting further and further ahead?! Then I realize that the 4 people I'm riding behind aren't us! Oh man, I'm going to have to sprint to catch the tail end of "us". I had turned off the tunes so I was going to need a little musical mind alteration so Ted Nugent's "Fred Bear" is the song of choice. Drink a little water and turn it on. As I turn on to Ft Roots drive I look up and can see the lead pack way way up here. Crud, this will look so bad. I climb hard anyway. 10mph and steady. Come Ted, sing to me man! I spot Jenn up ahead riding and removing her windbreaker like a pro. I finally get caught up to her which was no easy task by any means. We ride on up together.

When we got to Burns Park it ended up being David, Jenn, Rebecca and myself in a little posse, oh I'm sorry groupo. As we started up our next hill I was talking out loud to Santa. I was telling him that a new bike would help me keep up with the pack better. The I started talking about a certain girl in front of me on the hill, of course, no names BUT... anyway I told Santa that she had been really bad this year. Then started laughing and said, I was serious because she just got married not that long ago and newlywed are as bad as it gets! We were all laughing but then it got way way better! As we dropped down the hill Jenn gets up beside Rebecca before she knows she's there and acts like she was going to shove her right off the road. I got so tickled I kept laughing and laughing. Oh man, I love this group. Always a good time! Always!

The rest of the ride was pretty uneventful. The club is now climbing a couple of new hills and they are what separates the men and the boys. I was a boy this week and returned to the car. Hey, don't roll youreyes... I was a manly man last week and rode all the way up and didn't get off, thank you very much! HA! Doc Mark rode back with me as well since he had to go back to south Ark where his medical practice is.

We bid each other farewell at the soccer fields and he headed back over the the LR side while I rode back to the sub. As I was riding I began to feel really strange. Suddenly I had no energy (bonk!) so I just took my time and even dropped down to ride along the river behind the skate park. Sort of sad but it's rare that road bikes drop down there. It's mostly slower riders. I stopped and shot a frame of the hospital across the river. As I rode folks were passing me right and left. Strange feeling! I did do something I haven't done in a while and that was drink a Red Bull before the ride. I knew I needed something today but really thought it was make me ride top notch. Maybe it did the opposite.

When I got home I noticed my clothes really stunk! I mean really bad! Red Bull sweat? Who knows?!

Oh well... I still enjoyed being out and playing!

It took 2 times...

Plan: Wake up, shower, out the door for early Christmas shopping before crowds. Mental note, JC Penny is having another weekened door buster sale. HA! Every weekend is the biggest sale of the year, they say! I think it's a hoot!

Stop #1: WalMart Supercenter to pick up gifts for family my office is sponsoring. Got what was on the list for me to get. Mission accomplished. Noticed lots of folks talking on cell phones... at 7 in the morning? Wonder how many folks were woke up by family members calling to see if Uncle John would like the blue or the black whatever? HA!

Stop#2: The mall... I don't like the mall anymore. I'm a caveman style shopper. I go, sight the goods, bag it and drag it home. Penny's is having the sale no doubt. HA! Now this is funny! Here I am walking through the only 2 stores in the whole mall open. Penny and Sears. The only people in the stores are middle aged guys. I laugh to myself. Are we that bad? None of us have bags.

Stop #3: Starbucks --- ok this stop was worth it! I feel my blood starting to move again.

Back at the house I walk in and no happy dog to greet me?! Wha?! Sadie??? The bathroom door is closed and Em is showering. Thank goodness, I was worried! I talk Em int going back out with me to really shop. I wait an hour for her to get ready. Teen girls... gotta love 'em. We head back to the mall and knock out the whole list! Em knows what everyone wants so it's a simple mission.

We hit all the stores and back home in about and hour and a half. Maybe closer to 2 hours.

Plan #2: Put up the Christmas village before I get grounded! Done!

Plan #3: Clean up leaves... again. Mostly done.

It's been a nice Saturday. Tomorrow we go to a friends house for a Christmas party. The food is all Itilian and homemade! We are making stuff I can't even pronounce.

What a beaut!

WOW! That's about all I know what to say! WOW! This is our bike bridge with Christmas lights on. Thanks to John and Diane for providing the photos. Can't wait to see it in real life! WOW!

Office drama at it's very finest!

What I'm about to write is pure 100% truth and funny as it gets.

At the hospital we have a fitness challenge and there are about a dozen teams. We have funny names and it's all in good fun. There are several people that wanted to be on my team again this year so I sent out a list of possible team names. A certain area of my department didn't like the names and sent me their own. Well during that time everyone else was voting for the names and it was a big vote for one certain name. It's funny and catchy. So it was a done deal and I sent out the email annoucing the team name. Soon afterwards I get several emails condeming me to the gates of hell for using that name. The trouble makers hated that name. I responded to their email asking them to lighten up a bit and it was for fun and that if it was that big of a deal there are other teams. Silence. Then late this afternoon I get an email from the head wasp telling me to remove all their names from the team that they are going to be on someone elses team! Whoo Woo! Trouble maker and company gone! Now my team is an awesome group of friends that enjoy working hard and laughing a lot! Ya wanna know what the team name is now don't you? It's BODY BY CAKE. A knock off of the infommerical Body by Jake. We'll have a wacky logo and goofy t-shirts. Can't wait.

Ok, on to nicer subjects. I sweated like a pig in July in the gym today. Oh yes, a much nicer subject! HA! I did my core training then upstairs to spin a little. Then the noon spin class came in and they invited me to stay and spin a hard 30 minutes. Ok, I had just finished my real workout plus a moderate spin for 15 minutes. Now I'm supposed to hammer it for 30 with a class. OK! This would be fun! I thought I was going to pass out before we finished. It was a very fast paced sprint spin class today.

This afternoon was the hospital wide Christmas party. At 2pm it looked like a tsumani (sp?) was happening. There were tons of folks walking to the Children's Hall building down the road. It's the hospital event center. I was on the phone talking to a guy that works on the other side of the hospital and I was laughing while talking due to all the people. Anytime you say we're giving away something, they all go nuts!

Tomorrow is Friday and I'm going in for a couple of hours then heading down to Benton to hang out with Dad. I'm looking forward to it. When it's just me and him I usually learn something about the family that I didn't know.

Take care....

Midweek and Biggest Loser

The week has gone by fast so far. Tomorrow I have a meeting from 9 to 10:30 then lunch then a hospital wide Christmas party 2 to 4. Not much work! Sort of has the same feeling as when I was in grade schol and we had an upcoming field trip!

Today was actually a spooky day for me. Terri called and said Em was in the nurses office and had been shocked. Said it wasn't bad but nurse suggested an assessment. No clinics could see her due to all the real sickness going around. After Terri called be for the fourth time I said just bring her on up here to the ER in a crabby sort of way. When I got to the ER they had already taken Em back. They never do that. She was actually in Trauma #2 room. I felt my stomach tighen up big time. I thought to myself, did I really not taken this serious and it's bad? As I walked into the room there were a couple of docs and a nurse already working on her. She was smiling so I felt a huge sense of relief. We went through the quetions drill and they ordered labs and EKG. All came back good. Only follow up was an appointment with our burn doc. Don't panic. She does not have a burn but her arm, especially her hand, is really sore. Tonight she's taking it easyon the sofa watching her favorite gross out show, Criminal Minds.

Right now I'm glued to Biggest Loser. That show is awesome. It just went to a commercial and Erik was up for the weigh in. It shows the looks on the others faces. This is going to be a big weight drop! I'm always inspired by these individuals. There's this one guy on there named Jaron and he's from Arkansas. I think he has lost 97 lbs. Just awesome! I think it comes down to one of those vote off deals and the finanle is next week live. I remember last season when they did the final show and the players where completely different people. Ok commercial is over and Erik lost another 12 lbs for a total of 124 lbs!!! Jaron got voted off but was a great sport about it. They show the contestants saying good by to their trainers. They then show the players returning home after being at the ranch for 3 months. It brings tears to your eyes. Great television! Next week will be even better!

As for my own training. I'd say so so this week. There have been times when I wanted and did eat more then I should have. My coach, Mark, has spoken to some folks and it's suggested I get down to my idea weight soon. I started at 180 and have dropped 6. I need 14 more off and keep it off. Sort of sounds like Jan 29th is the d-day. Hard core training begins. Or at least hard core then I have been. I'm still happy with the www.myfooddairy.com site. I'm in a holiday challenge with other guys from all over the country and the teams are Alpha and Bravo. I'm on Bravo. Lots of encouraging going on. It's a good place to be.

Take care!

Ya gotta stop eating too much and going to bed early!

Just a family photo I forgot Shalyn took last week. By the way, Tyler is a LOT taller than that! He's a lot taller than me.

I woke this morning at 4:25 and managed to go back to sleep until 5:08. I was wide awake. man, I hate doing that. No reason for me to wake that early. No real stressors. So I got up and stumbled through the darkness to get my book and glasses and headed to the den. The moon was so big and so bright that it looked like daytime. I admit I really love the pre-dawn time of the morning. It's so peaceful. There are a couple of neighbors that are also early risers because I can see their lights from the den but this morning even they stayed in their nice warm beds. I seemed that it took forever for the sun to wake p as well. We are getting to the shortest day of the year in about 18 days then the days start getting longe again by 1 minute. Seems silly but the short days make me completly nuts!

Work was fine today. Nothing big. At lunch I ran out to the bike shop to take a jersey that belongs on one of our club members and walked out with a new pair of bike shoes! We had struck a deal that I'd take merchandise rather than money for their store jersey. So I got some new shoes.

Now I know I will kick everyone's tail with these lightweight beauties on!

I came home and had a light dinner but Em's boss was in the gourmet fudge making mood so I had to have some fudge. UGH! Why do I do this to myself? So I got back there in the office and did a workout program. Weights and the big red balance ball. It was a nice workout and I could feel the burn. Everytime I felt it I tried to assoicate some of the crap I've eaten. Even with me having my moments of food weakness I've still managed to ahve lost 6 lbs since the Wedensday before Thanksgiving. Tomorrow will be a lunch time workout in the fitness center and Wednesday will be a spin class at lunch. I have to remember to drink more water too. that always seems to help.

weekend wrap up

It was a fun weekend. I got all the lights up outside, got a ride in, etc etc.

Friday night Terri and I went to Shorty Smalls for our Friday night date. It was good. Nice bowl of hot spicy cheese dip that was almost as good as my sister Sherry makes. no one touches her cheese dip. Yes it's a long family recipe and no I won't post it on here. Actually, I don't even know what she does to it. Probably dumps left over expresso grounds in it. A really funny thing happened at Shorty's. I ordered a beer with my dinner. I don't drink very much at all but for some reason it just seemed to go. Well I got carded!! I kid you not! Terri was laughing and I sort of gave the girl that "puppy doesn't understand" look. Am I hearing you right? Mister winked around the eyes, salt and paper hair guy is getting carded??? Tell me that girl didn't want a big tip?!

The other thing that happened that was funny was that Terri has a aunt that is well, different. She's also the aunt that was a subsitute teacher one day and acted a fool in front of Emily. Anyway we were sitting there and we heard all this hooting and yelling from the wait staff about someone having a 50th anniversary and it was them. We sort of keep our head down and sine they were in another room in the place we were safe. We laughed like two little kids.

Saturday I put up the Christmas lights and I had a couple of strands that needed a few light replace. No big deal. Rewind... oh yes it was a big deal! I needed to replace lights in 3 different strands. Guess what, they were 3 different light sizes. The little plug in parts were different on ALL three. I was having a real Chevy Chase Chrstmas Vacation moment out in my front yard. i finally got it all done just in time to go to the Christmas parade.

Terri and I went down to her office and got us a spot and fixed our chairs and got settled in. The parade was good and the weather was perfect for the parade. Freezing cold! Hey, it's a Christmas parade. It's supposed to be cold. Several of the club rode with BACA. They looked great with their Christmas garb on.

After the parade we had about 30 minutes before the fireworks at the state capitol so we ducked into Terri's building and had hot chocolate. I felt like a VIP.

Sunday found us at church that morning for one of the saddest services I've been to. One of the guys that had been with the church for years and years passed away after a long fight with cancer. I don't think I saw a single lady that didn't have a tissue in hand. Many of the guys did as well. Then came the event that pushed everyone over the edge. An annoucement. Last week one of the coaches at CAC was DX'd with cancer. This is a young, what seemed to be healthy man. Saturday he had a massive stroke only one week after Dx'd. As the services were coming to a close one of the men got up and let everyone know that Andrew Brady (Coach Brady) was brain dead and they unhooked the machines. He soon passed. Most of the kids at our church go to CAC. Very sad for all of them.

I had a quick lunch and headed out on my bike. Met up with John and Diane and we then rode to meet the group. We all came together on top of Ft Roots then rode more. We climbed a coupe of new hills and one was a killer. I think I heard someone say 24% grade. Whoa baby! This was the first ride I've seen people get off their bikes and walk up the hill. Yes, it was that steep. Short but steep. I actually managed to stay on my bike and pedal to the top. We actually were on the other side of Ft Roots so we went back down the normal side.

I spotted Tyler at the skate park. Then I saw Shalyn and Zero (my grandson dog). With my helmet and sunglasses on, he wasn't too sure about who I was. But once he did I got the lick to the face.