Wednesday, May 18, 2011
A short intermission ...
I haven't been good about this blog ... my apologies. I have a lot in my schedule right now so will be taking a hiatus until September. I hope y'all have a good summer!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Where are the nuts?
It started with my b-i-l, Doug, posing the question in early December: Where are the nuts?
Growing up there were some Christmas staples that were at every home: Christmas ribbon candy; sweet pickled onions; gherkins; and NUTS! All the usual suspects: walnuts; brazil nuts; filberts; almonds; and pecans.
Everyone had them and, surprisingly, no one was allergic to them.
Nuts are actually in season during Christmas so that's probably why they were at everyone's home.
Personally, I've always had them. I still have the metal nutcrackers and meat extractors my Doodie gave me when I first moved out on my own.
I guess with allergy scares they are one of those things that are almost long forgotten ...
Growing up there were some Christmas staples that were at every home: Christmas ribbon candy; sweet pickled onions; gherkins; and NUTS! All the usual suspects: walnuts; brazil nuts; filberts; almonds; and pecans.
Everyone had them and, surprisingly, no one was allergic to them.
Personally, I've always had them. I still have the metal nutcrackers and meat extractors my Doodie gave me when I first moved out on my own.
I guess with allergy scares they are one of those things that are almost long forgotten ...
Monday, January 10, 2011
Resolutions and Revolutions
Happy New Year y’all!
Every year, like a few people, I make a resolution or two. This year one of my resolutions involves revolutions.
I will get stronger on the bike!
I will get faster on the bike!
I will get pancakes at the RTCC pit stops!
Just you wait, I will do this! I will not let the hill from the bottom of Bellingham to the top of the world defeat me!
That, quite naturally, involves other resolutions that are too boring to even bother discussing.
Of course, faster, like everything else, is purely subjective. I will never catch those speed demons on Team Finn but I will not be just the old lady anymore (even if I have to recruit people older than me!).
And last year (oh, so long ago now after a week off work) I took on the challenge of being a pilot/guide for a blind athlete who also wants to do triathlons.
Everyone, meet Shawn! (Don’t you just LOVE digital photography – I never have to be in a picture!)
How does my resolution for more revolutions and volunteering with BC Blind Sports come together?
Shawn and I went for our first tandem bike ride on January 2. What a way to stick to a resolution! Shawn casually mentioned that she’d like to do the RTCC (she didn’t know that I had participated). Her mother had been diagnosed with colon cancer last year and she really wanted to contribute to the battle. She wondered if I would mind helping her out and being her pilot. The whole time she is talking about this I am thinking to myself, wow, this girl is really fast on the bike (she is 17 years younger and I will take advantage of that) and the scenery is flying by. No time to stop and smell the roses!
But ... but, slow down, I wanna take pictures I tell her. It’s a beautiful day, I say! Nope, no time to slow down in Shawn’s world.
Shawn is highly competitive. Shawn is uber-competitive. Shawn has competed, I find out, in the Athens paralympic games, as a cyclist. GULP! Yes, as a cyclist ... placing 6th. Shawn plays on the National GoalBall team. Shawn is a former competitive swimmer.
JUST SHOOT ME NOW! We’re not even playing in the same sandbox!
I was telling one of my bosses (a former Olympian himself) and he, ever so optimistic, says “well, you’ll be the eyes and she can be the legs”!
So, how do a non-competitor and an paralympian come together??? Train together??? Have fun together???
I can say we had a lot of fun out there. A few wrinkles to work out and finessing on the bike to be done. She may drop me like a hot potato to train with someone much faster but I’m gonna make the most of it while I have the opportunity and, I’m confident, there is a reason we were put together. The idea that you actually stop every 30K or so and take a break and refuel is a concept she questioned.
Every year, like a few people, I make a resolution or two. This year one of my resolutions involves revolutions.
I will get stronger on the bike!
I will get faster on the bike!
I will get pancakes at the RTCC pit stops!
Just you wait, I will do this! I will not let the hill from the bottom of Bellingham to the top of the world defeat me!
That, quite naturally, involves other resolutions that are too boring to even bother discussing.
Of course, faster, like everything else, is purely subjective. I will never catch those speed demons on Team Finn but I will not be just the old lady anymore (even if I have to recruit people older than me!).
And last year (oh, so long ago now after a week off work) I took on the challenge of being a pilot/guide for a blind athlete who also wants to do triathlons.
Everyone, meet Shawn! (Don’t you just LOVE digital photography – I never have to be in a picture!)
Shawn and I went for our first tandem bike ride on January 2. What a way to stick to a resolution! Shawn casually mentioned that she’d like to do the RTCC (she didn’t know that I had participated). Her mother had been diagnosed with colon cancer last year and she really wanted to contribute to the battle. She wondered if I would mind helping her out and being her pilot. The whole time she is talking about this I am thinking to myself, wow, this girl is really fast on the bike (she is 17 years younger and I will take advantage of that) and the scenery is flying by. No time to stop and smell the roses!
But ... but, slow down, I wanna take pictures I tell her. It’s a beautiful day, I say! Nope, no time to slow down in Shawn’s world.
Shawn is highly competitive. Shawn is uber-competitive. Shawn has competed, I find out, in the Athens paralympic games, as a cyclist. GULP! Yes, as a cyclist ... placing 6th. Shawn plays on the National GoalBall team. Shawn is a former competitive swimmer.
JUST SHOOT ME NOW! We’re not even playing in the same sandbox!
I was telling one of my bosses (a former Olympian himself) and he, ever so optimistic, says “well, you’ll be the eyes and she can be the legs”!
So, how do a non-competitor and an paralympian come together??? Train together??? Have fun together???
I can say we had a lot of fun out there. A few wrinkles to work out and finessing on the bike to be done. She may drop me like a hot potato to train with someone much faster but I’m gonna make the most of it while I have the opportunity and, I’m confident, there is a reason we were put together. The idea that you actually stop every 30K or so and take a break and refuel is a concept she questioned.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Just sayin' ...
The above statement is on my desk calendar for January 2011.
So daring even I can't believe I'm doing it???
I think I'll try losing weight!
It's a thought ...
Just sayin' ...
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
It's that time ...
Everyone has their favourite Christmas movie(s) to watch and mine is Christmas Vacation!
Not to take away from Charlie Brown's Christmas which is the holy grail of all Christmas viewing, but Christmas Vacation makes me laugh every year at the same corny slapstick comedy.
Lyrics to "Christmas Vacation"
It's that time, Christmas time is here
Everybody knows there's not a better time of yearHear that sleigh, Santa's on his way
Hip, Hip Hooray, for Christmas Vacation
Gotta a ton of stuff to celebrate
(jing-a-ling-a-ling-a-ling-ling)Now it's getting closer I can't wait
(jang-a-lang-a-lang-a-lang-lang)
Gonna make this holiday as perfect as can be
Just wait and see this Christmas Vacation
This old house, sure is looking good
Got ourselves the finest snowman in the neighbourhood
Ain't it fun, always on the run
That's how it’s done on Christmas Vacation
Lets all deck the halls and light the lights
(jing-a-ling-a-ling-a-ling-ling)
Get a toasty fire burning bright
(jang-a-lang-a-lang-a-lang-lang)
Give St Nick the warmest welcome that he's ever had
We're so glad it Christmas Vacation
And when the nights are peaceful and serene
We can cuddle up and do our Christmas dreaming
(jing-a-ling-a-ling-a-ling-ling)
(jang-a-lang-a-lang-a-lang-lang)
Peace and joy and love are everywhere
(jing-a-ling-a-ling-a-ling-ling)You can feel the magic in the air
(jang-a-lang-a-lang-a-lang-lang)
Let the spirit of the season carry us away
Hip, Hip Hooray for Christmas Vacation
jingle, jangle, jingle as we go
Let the spirit of the season carry us away
Hip, Hip Hooray for Christmas Vacation
(artwork by Susan Branch and Mary Engelbreit)
I know the "young ones" think Will Farrell and such actors are funny - they don't know funny if you compare them to Chevy Chase, Dan Ackroyd, Eugene Levy and that era of comeday. Now, those guys are funny!
And visions of candy danced ...
If you get a chance to go to the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, this is what you'll see!
This archway, decorated almost entirely of candy is at the entrance to the lounge.
And this is the gingerbread tree at the entrance to the restaurant
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Just sayin' ... Merry Christmas!
I'm not buying into the politically correct Happy Holidays stuff. It's Christmas!
This week there is no one out there buying presents for Ramadan or Hanukkah - they're buying Christmas (or other) presents.
Even if you don't celebrate Christmas, this entire country is getting a day off for Christmas (yes, that's a political hot potato best saved for another rant).
So, you non-celebraters of Christmas, suck it up and deal! When you don't get a free day off, then whinge; not before!
Just sayin' ... Merry Christmas!
This week there is no one out there buying presents for Ramadan or Hanukkah - they're buying Christmas (or other) presents.
Even if you don't celebrate Christmas, this entire country is getting a day off for Christmas (yes, that's a political hot potato best saved for another rant).
So, you non-celebraters of Christmas, suck it up and deal! When you don't get a free day off, then whinge; not before!
Just sayin' ... Merry Christmas!
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