One is the loneliest number…

that you’ll ever know, “Feels like the first time…”, “The longest journey begins with a single step!”, “All good things must come to an end”, “That is a tasty burger!”

Those were all potential subjects for this blog entry.  You see, after calling the streak a “non-issue” in my life any more, I put the streak to rest on Saturday.  Sarah was out of town, my mom was here, the kids were crazy, we had tons of fun but when that was all over, it was raining and 44 degrees outside.   The basement was cold and dark and outside was cold dark and wet.  I just said WTF… and you know what, I was okay with it!  I then, on a semi-calculated “risk” type thing, took sunday off too.  Again, Sarah out of town, mom… we went to the Circus and little-bit (Max) was feisty all day.  You know what, it’s all okay!  It actually renewed my interest in riding today and I rode at lunch.  It was warm, sunny, mildly breezy and fun.  My head still feels a “spot warm” from the ride!  Good stuff.  My only regret is that I did it for52 days, but I didn’t do a “full month”.  I missed January by 1 day, and only 22 days in February.  Oh well, maybe next time.

Now, for the semi good news.  I was feeling frisky today so I turned the screws a bit and really got myself moving.  Not so fast so I scared myself or anything, but fast enough that I felt like maybe I will be able to go fast this season.  That will be fun.  Then again, at this point in life I am oddly obsessed with getting a mountain bike.   I can’t explain it, but a couple of my co-workers have a spare one they want me to ride with them.  Might be fun.

OH… and while I am rambling, we are doing a biggest loser at work.  11 pounds this week!  Now, I did stack the deck a bit, but I had cheeseburgers, bbq and mexican this weekend, so I am pleased.  I was really quite shocked when I saw the number.  Overall, I am really 2 pounds ligher, I think.. we will see tomorrow morning.  Regardless, I worked out, lost weight, ate healthy… it’s a good day.

I love it when a plan comes together!

When I decided to lose my truck, I came up with a plan.  Small car, better gas, rack to safely carry my bike… easy on, easy off… both wheels stay on.  Okay, all good.  I like this.  That was nearly 2 months ago.  Today I was able to execute my plan.  I packed up my stuff, put my bike on my Thule Rack, went to work and at lunch, suited up and got ready… off I went!  It was a good ride.  I rode from work, through this little park to “Columns Drive”.  It’s a semi-lame road as it’s the ONLY road in the country with a 4 foot wide shoulder and a LAW that says you cant ride 2 abreast on the shoulder.  Lame… but I was riding by myself so I didn’t have to worry so much about this law.   I did 3 “laps” of Columns, then went back.  Nothing terribly exciting, but it was RIDING on the ROAD again!  I enjoyed that.

Sarah got me the COOLEST picture book for Valentines day!  It’s all pictures of our trip to san fran.  Ultimately, we have tons of photos and thats cool, but man… having a little book is neat!  Thanks, babe!  I love it!

The dynamic duo

Tuesdays are a rough day.   I have a meeting at 7:00 am, I have to get out of the house early, so I get the kids up a bit earlier.  They are ready when I leave, basically.  Max got bored so he brought me a book.  I had to get on my way to work so I said “Derek, read this to Max!”  Well, Max was a bit resistant but ultimately, it all worked out.

Kind of crazy … just the whole thing.  Derek can read 2nd and 3rd grade books, Max loves books now, but doesn’t alway like to take them in sequentially.  Page 1, 3, 2 9, 4….  He has fun with it!

The cuteness of this picture actually almost makes up for Max waking up for 2 hours in the middle of the night.  I look forward to the teenage years when they sleep all the time!  Don’t mention driving or dating, I told Derek he could have a girlfriend when he turned 31.

Build-a-bear

.

Derek has been saving his money for a long time. He has made some money doing chores, he has made some for being good, got some gifts here and there… whatever, he had $45 and wanted to go to Build-a-bear. Tiz all good! He got a cool Shreck doll he named “Webster”. Odd, yes. But alright none the less.

Max got his first semi-memorable trip to build-a-bear in. He got a ghost doll. It was adorable. He picked it out, went through the process. It was fun for everybody. Maybe if I get bored, i will tell you about our chilis-bad-experience, part II. We are up to 2 trips to chilis, both with an issue. $40 in coupons and a free meal too. All we want is a pleasant dining experience. Is that too much to ask for?

Max being Max!

Just watch the video! It’s great!

Reading…

Whenever Grandma comes she brings books. It started w/Derek, now Max! Well, Derek and Sarah headed out to sewing class, Max and I went to dinner w/Grandma. Upon return, Max entertained us for a while, then it was time to sleep. He got his bath and then it was time for BOOKS! I couldn’t resist running to get the camera! Max loves his books. It was so adorable!

Derek had a GREAT time at sewing class! He made a really cool ‘Cars’ pillow. I am trying to figure out how I can get a hold of that thing for my trip this weekend. It fits great under my neck, good size and everything! He did say he would share! He apparently sewed it all up himself. Cut it out, sewed it with a machine, then stuffed it and sewed the hole shut! A great job!

Max ‘Armstrong’ Patton

We had just gotten home from the grocery store. I was putting away groceries and Derek was brining them in. I turn around and what do I see? Max, carrying a 12 pack of soda around! He picked it up a few times, we had some photographic issues but ultimately, the little man put up the big weight! Well, big weight if you haven’t hit your second birthday yet!

Monkey Joes

We found this really cool place called Monkey Joe’s. Both Max and Derek both LOVE the place. It’s indoors, air conditioned and has TONS of the big bouncers. The kids play, parents can relax and stuff. They have free wireless for geeks (like me). It’s a blast.

I will warn you, if you are a bigger person (adult), be careful on the slides! They are WICKED fast and you can get burned! The spots on your elbows take days, even weeks to heal!

My new riding partner!

Spending a summer working in a bike shop does have some advantages. One of them was “EP” or employee purchase on bicycles. Can you believe that I worked there all summer and didn’t get a new bike for myself?

I did get Sarah a bike. I picked her up a Trek 1600 WSD (Women’s Specific Design). We have tricked it out in all the latest in pink gadgets! It’s quite girly! The cool thing is that Sarah has been riding at least once a week since we got her the bike. She has also been working/running in the morning and her fitness is coming along nicely. It’s fun to go riding with her! She went from being afraid to stand up to attacking me up hills. I better be careful or I might end up chasing her up a mountain or something crazy!

Biking with Derek – Bikestock!

So at the beginning of the summer, Derek and I decided we were going to do the big Bikestock ride up in Mt Airy, North Carolina. This would prove to be a big challenge for us. One of the biggest challenges we encountered… the HILLS! Yeah, we had been riding a lot, but our safest riding in Georgia is on the ever wonderful Silver Comet trail. The trail is known for many things, but ultimately, not for it’s hills. Wow… this ride kicked our keesters!

The next big challenge was kind of specific to Derek. Just about EVERY ride the little guy has ever been on has been an out-and-back type ride. We do them all the time. Well, we were at about mile 25, maybe 30 of this super long ride when Derek asked me “When are we going to go back?” He didn’t realize we were ALMOST DONE! He thought we still had to turn around and ride all the way back! Yikes… poor guy! Once we got that all sorted out, Turbo was BACK!