Bike transformation

Life consists of 2 boys.  My bike.  And a very comfy bed.  That's right still super nannyin' it up while training on my bike as much as possible--that's after I hand over the kids to their parents with a smile at 5pm every day.

Started riding with bags today.  20 lbs of weights in there to help me train.  This is INSANITY!  Try telling people you're riding a bicycle to Iowa when they're out riding more miles a day than you.

Before Jorge and Hector

After Jorge and Hector!

Feel like there's a chance this can actually be done now.  Can confidently say that without the help of my new Puerto Rican friends Jorge and Hector at REI, I would have been laid up on the side of some road in the middle of nowhere Oklahoma kicking my bike.  But now.............feel like its my birthday (actually it's my bestie's bday today. Shout out to ANNA!!! Happy 26 chica!).

Friday night LIVE music

My first experience at a pre-kindergarten graduation.  Consider it an 'ab' workout as they sang in Spanish, danced like trees and accepted diplomas for being 4!

Hitchhiking

That's right.  Already hitched a ride and the Dallas-Iowa bike ride hasn't started.  Found myself north of Lake Lewisville, huge lake that has over 185 miles of shoreline, plopped down in the northern Dallas suburbs.  Turns out......there aren't many bridges to cross it.  

Bike route hit a detour.  Next thing I know I'm climbing hills on a 2 lane (one lane each way) road as Texas trucks are barreling past me.  Head into grocery store.  They do not serve cold Gatorades.  Figures.  Money gets stuck in machine.  Make small talk with people in store for directions to Coppell (suburb, 25 miles south!) and nice architect/biker short wearer man offers me a ride in his Texas truck across the only bridge around.  Good ole I35!  No way I was crossing that on a two wheel self propelled bike.

Hindsight on the weekend.....Hitching rides is going to become a new favorite hobby of mine as I lose my way up north!  And, butt is sore!

REI reimbursement

Bought my trusty Salomon shoes for the Central America trip.  Wore, tore and beat them down on volcanoes and such.   When originally purchased the salesman told me I could bring them back within the year and get a refund if anything happened to them.

So, holes, tears and all; off we went to REI last night to see if the shoes (unwearable) were refundable.  Guy at the counter is taking his time, diligently looking up the type of shoe it is, my membership number and the amount he can give in store credit.  While I'm on the other side of the counter.  Crossing my fingers for $60, while I paid $90 new.  Hoping, really trying to will my positive thoughts to the computer screen that he was looking at.

He looks up, smiles.  I'm feeling good, secretly pumped, loving REI at this moment, Saloman shoes too.  Then the news.  I'm already feeling it, it's gotta be good.  He says "we can give you $6.83 in store credit."  I look, in disbelief.  "Can you say that again?"  He smiles "we can give you $6.83 cents in store credit."  Tail between my legs.  Ok, REI, you win.  I kept the unwearable shoes!

Moral of the story:  Can't trade volcanoes for a new pair of bike shorts!

Catch of the day

Oh how my big moments have changed since returning to the US.  Today's life changing moment was shared with Zach (2) and Ginger (dog).

Story goes like this:   Dog needs to go outside.  Dog starts chasing baby rabbit.  I run, rescue half stunned/half chewed on rabbit.   Zach falls in love with rabbit.  Pets it.  Loves it.  Then, requests his release to the world to- go see his mommy.