2 posts in one day

Another shot because I am bored as crap.  I need a good book, but I can't find one.  My brother in law has literally given me a stack of about 10 books, but I just can't break into one of them.  I seriously need a new one fast.  

Yep, I am on Spring Break and I am on a computer.  All day I worked at the bike shop AGAIN.  It is fine though because being a Knox County teacher means I only get paid once a month.  It is so nice to have the extra moola to look forward to to helping out during the month.  Especially when I have time off from teaching.  Time off = more time to spend money.  Exactly why I have been anxious to work all I can during spring break. 

 I did the same exact thing last year too.  I need to be in there anyways so I can learn about all the new stuff going on with Trek and Fisher.  Plus, it is FUN working with adults instead of being around the very hormonal 6th graders all day long.  At this point of the school year, they have all pretty much clued me out.  The boys that used to not know girls existed are not showing signs of "AH-HAAAAA...girlssssss"....and a lot of the girls who looked like innocent little girls at the beginning of the school year are now wearing more make-up than I wore to my own wedding or prom (I probably should wear more, but it kind of conflicts with my time).  

The rain just kept on coming today.  It got sunny at one point, but then there were very nice ominous clouds approaching from the west again.  The south needs it so badly, but I need so badly to get out to Haw Ridge again.  I got to last week, but having the flat and the stupid crash resulted in fewer time riding than I had planned.  I need more time out there!!! SOON!!!!

My 1st Tuesday night shop ride of the year!

Spring Break is going excellent! I worked at the bike shop all day yesterday and then did the Tuesday night shop ride!


Last night was my first Tuesday night shop ride of the season. Luckily my friend Rebecca Falls was on the ride and a new gal to town Missy. Unfortunately due to available light, we had to go up and over Everett Road. Yuck. Huge hill at around mile 15 that totally broke up the group. Rebecca and I were just a bit behind Missy going up the hill and got over and almost caught up with her and another guy when Rebecca flatted. It was fine though, we had a good time riding in together. It was fun riding with the "A" group up until Everett too. They go so fast and it is always such a smooth ride. It is my favorite road ride to do. I always like getting back to the parking lot to hear all the smack talk afterwards. It is usually always SUPER HARD and FAST. I am looking forward to more daylight so we don't have to shorten our normal 42 mile course and go up Everett.


Anywho, my dad is cleaning out his house as he remodels a bit and while I was over there Monday just happened upon a very nice antique bench. My dad and Joyce (my stepmom) soon realized that they really did not need the bench to collect crap on at the bottom of their stairs, so they gave it to us. It is a beauty. There is a stamp on it that may date it to 1893. I am going to have to see what my dad says. It came from an old train station I think. Anyway, he matches all the other antiques in our pool room (the pool table @ 1920 and the France poster @ 1910). THANKS DAD! WE LOVE YOU!!!!! It fits perfectly!!!

08' SPRING BREAK has begun...

I mentioned earlier that I would upload my shots from my camera at some point. Now that I have a week off and it is too cold to be outside this morning, I am finally in the "cold room" to upload. My hands, feet, and nose are cold now, but the shots are in the system. I also finally uploaded my disc of France 05' photos onto this computer as well. Yeah, we are a bit behind sometimes.

Here is one shot for now. For some reason blogger is going extremely slow this morning and I just don't have the patience to wait. I am the queen of taking self portraits, so here you go. I tried to upload a new shot of Smap and my bloody elbow, but they wouldn't go. I will try again later.

It is turning out to be a BEAUTIFUL day in K-town!

TTFN!

A very nice Sunday with Smap

Noah's birthday party was a blast last night.  I can't believe how big he is now.  He is just so cute wondering around the house following his dog and just hanging out.  Fun times.  It was fun seeing Hanna and Josh Reed too. Hanna is like 5-6 months preggo with a little boy.  There is surely something in the water.  Smap's brother Jay and his wife are also expecting in June.  They are not finding out the sex of their baby, so it will be an exciting day when Leslie goes into labor.  I will be an auntie!  I can't wait.  

Smap and I got up this morning and were entirely domestic until like 3 p.m.  Smap worked outside and affixed his solar panels to our roof ("Klampet style" Smap says) and he mowed the yard all the while I folded mountains of clothes and put them all away.  I also made a good trip to the recycle place.  

At around 3 p.m. Smap and I finally went for a very nice hilly road ride out of our house.  We got 40 miles.  We stopped in to see my dad, stepmom, her mom, my little bro, and his girlfriend.  My dad has recently remodeled some of the house, so I wanted to check it out.  I also always enjoy riding to the farm to say hello to all the llamas, pigs, dogs, horses, koi, etc.  It is such a fun place to visit.  As we rode home, we ran into our buddy Craig Rogers out riding solo.  We rode w/him for a few miles and he was back to his place pretty much.  It was a fun day in all.  Here are a few apple shots I forced Smap into.  LOVELY.  You can see I also tried to get my pup into the shot, but he really didn't want to cooperate.  He has never been a dog that will pose.  EXCEPT, he did pose in a tie before our wedding.  It was a beautiful silk tie I bought from TJMAXX for him to wear in our wedding.  He lasted 10 minutes in the tie before heading into the pond.  We just had to laugh.  

Rainy Saturday

It was a good thing it rained today because I had to work at the bike shop all day long.  It wasn't too bad though because almost all my faves to work with were there.  It was a busy day in the CBC world of bikes.  Smap cleaned all day long, so I got to come home to a house smelling of vinegar.  We don't like to use chemicals any longer.  We try to be as green as we can.  

Anyway, we are heading over to Brian (1speedbrian) and Tara's for their son Noah's 1st birthday tonight.  Noah is actually a  Saint Patrick Day baby.  Perfect timing 

for a family who loves their beer!  I bought Noah some books.  I am sure he will be ready for a novel next year due to having such intellectual parents :) .    

Tomorrow it is suppose to be sunny and in the fifties.  I hope we get some sort of good ride in.  We will see!  

Here is a shot of me waiting tonight for Smap to get ready to go to the party.  He has been working on fixing the lighting situation in our den.  I am glad I married someone who is so talented in so many areas (electrical, mechanical, cook, cleaner, bike mechanic....etc...).  I have it made :) .

TGIF AND SPRING BREAK!

The day has finally come for another spring break! This school year has really flown by this year. I have no idea why, but I am glad. Last night Smap rode his greenway bike down to market square from the house and I met him to eat sushi at Nama (one of our top sushi places). Unfortunately, we had to wait quite a while for everything including a beer, but we didn't mind. It is just really nice getting downtown.

Wednesday night proved to be a spectacular first Wednesday Haw Ridge ride for the new year. Unfortunately I flatted and had to call Smap to change my flat (my wheel doesn't have quick release and I couldn't loosen up the bolt to get off my rear wheel). After he fixed my flat, we rode together for the rest of the night. It was good except I crashed and got the first taste of blood for the season. I have a good photo, but I forgot to upload my shots. I will do that soon....maybe. It was good getting to the ridge and seeing all of our friends who we see out at the ridge. I love it out there.

This weekend looks wet for Saturday. Maybe we'll get some paddling in soon? Hopefully!
Chaio!

Race shot!

Cool.  This race was hard and I think you can see it on my face.  The gal behind me, Mary Mayhew, was doing her first crit Sunday.  She did AWESOME too.  Her brother took this shot of us coming up the hill in front of the Blount County Court House.  There were a few corners in this race that were VERY sketchy.  I thought I was going down more than a few times due to me taking a wrong line, or someone else taking my same line.  It was an interesting race for me because I really did not know how good of race shape I would be in.  I definitely wasn't in the same shape as the Aaron's pro out there, or Kim Flynn (another pro from Chattanooga).  

I skipped out on the first Tuesday night ride tonight due to lack of energy.  I went out after school yesterday for an "easy" ride and ended up doing a moderate 30 miles on my own.  My students exhausted me as well today, so all I could do was to make it home and take a nap.  Smap and Ippon came home laughing at me for being on the couch.  The weather forecast for the next three days appears to be perfect for riding.  Tomorrow will be the first Wednesday night Haw Ridge ride!  I can't wait.  I have not been there in 3 months!  I haven't been on my single speed either for quite some time.  I do still have my new Fisher full-suspension waiting for me, but I HAVE GOT TO get on my favorite bike, the Rig.  

That is about it for today.  Three more days of school and I am off for a whole week.  After that, it is all down hill at school.  Nine weeks left till summer fun!