Goodbye 2008

I think my body accidentally flipped and has gone nocturnal. Yes, by accident, from the complete lack of sun this month in Michigan. I guess it's been a record snowfall and the bleakest December to date. How depressing! I couldn't sleep until 1am last night and then I woke up at 4am and kept tossing and turning. I finally decided to get up when I began writing emails and coverletters... in my head. (Does anyone else do that??? It always seems so clear that I swear I should write it down at that time.) Then, I was up until 8am and decided to try to go back to bed to no avail as this is New Year's Eve, afterall.

Christmas was busy as usual with the various family parties and visits. We did the usual - open presents at home in the morning, go to the In-Laws at noon and then see my Family at night. This year, they decided to come down and visit us which was a nice change, although a little loony! My In-Laws got me hooked on doing Fondue (the hot oil kind) so I decided to try that Christmas night for my Family.


I was really proud of this - yay! for fancy carrots and endive!


Let's just say it was a little more chaotic than I imagined. Patience has never been a strong trait of ours and Fondue requires a bit of that. Plus, there's the whole delegation and control part. I think there were a couple, almost, skewered fingers and a few too many 'cooks in the kitchen' - pun intended...if you follow me. But we made it - experience gained.

Barry claiming that the sleeping bag was too narrow (duh, it's a mummy).


I thought this one was funny. (Barry trying to sabotage my training...I see how it is.)


I'm looking forward to 2009 as a year of change (wow, so political) and travel (the good kind). I'm really hoping to make some solid career decisions this year, waste less time, and race more. Hmm...I guess that was easy... needless to say, I think work and wasting time have gone hand in hand recently. So let's focus on the positive.

I'm really getting excited for our snowboard trip coming up in less than a month...especially now that Barry opened his gift. I just added more single leg squats to my strength training routine so I don't look like a complete idiot on camera. Barry's took another approach to training and left at 7am Saturday morning to purchase this and this. I haven't decided if he's crazy or really smart.

Also, I'm happy to say, I officially can begin attempting to jog or run on my bum leg. I'm going to be taking it very slow to see how it feels. Yesterday, I managed a walk-run with mainly walking by the lake. Don't let me fool you, I have been spending a copious amount of time on the darntrainer (yes, it's one word now). But, there's something about moving my body through space that I really like. Although, it felt pretty clumsy, I was happy. ...hoping my leg feels the same way.

Happy New Year to everyone!

Also, remember the Velo City ride tomorrow in Holland: 1/01 @ 1pm

Cabin Fever

There's only so many times I can reorganize my favorite links on my computer, read and re-read blogs, reorganize my closet, clean the sinks, or be on Facebook. I've pretty much exhausted everything - even did a little online job searching which, sorry folks, there's not a whole lot going on. Given the time of year and this igloo environment, we're out in the cold (pun intended). I, pretty much, have not left the house for 4 full days besides a family Christmas party Saturday night and to shovel our driveway...4 times - I think I'm actually starting to lose it. I finally got out to spin class but that was only about 10 miles away at the local gym. But I did converse with others besides my Husband who's probably sick of me whinning about how I want to go skate ski and how we don't live in Colorado. [sigh].

Tomorrow I'm busting out of my funk and going to visit another gym uptown for another spin class (darn blizzard) and do some last minute Christmas shopping (more for something to do than anything else). Also, to see what kind of deals I can find now that it's T-3 days away.



<----------------I'm excited for this to open soon! I'm hoping it'll be just as cool as the one that closed a few doors down. I'm glad they are doing bike delivery too!






As pictures are blogs greatest accessories, I leave you with a picture of Barry helping our friend, Chad with this snowplowing business. I think Chad got about 6 hours of sleep total all weekend.

Stuck in an igloo...

Ok, what's worse than being stuck in an igloo? - being stuck in an igloo with talking gingerbread men.


Seriously, they are calling my name. I finally had to wrap them up in piles and put names on them (Sally, Tom, whoever) just so I didn't eat them. Ugh...why do I torture myself. They are sooo good especially with some hot coffee. I think I sat around drinking coffee and listening to Christmas music for a good 3 hours this morning. I can't leave either as we just got 10 inches of snow and who wants to drive in that. I finally broke down and turned up the heat and put down the coffee.

Thankfully next week, I'm officially on vacation so no more babysitting my computer all day! Yes - so hopefully lots of XC skiing and some outdoor riding (my trainer will thank me). I need to figure out my riding plan for '09 as well. I'm not sure if I want to get back into XC racing or do more 6 hours or a 100 or two. I definitely want to do one of these and maybe one on the road as well. I'm sponsorless currently due to my racing hiatus this past year... so I'm not sure if I'll be able upgrade any of my parts or bikes for that matter. Santa???

I need to download a few new movies or podcasts because this trainer crap is getting old. There's an outdoor ride tomorrow and I'm crossing my fingers it's not cancelled...this girl needs some fresh air.

Edit: I officially have a stomach ache from too many 'men'.

wrapping presents

It is week 5 of my 6-8 week stress fracture layoff. I'm finally able to do quite a bit without any pain.

Saturday -
30 mins. on trainer
20 mins. on treadmill
20 mins. on elliptical
10 mins. on stairmill
15 mins. in pool

This week I'm planning to stick with spinning, pilates, skate skiing (if the weather will cooperate) and the pool. Next week, week 6, I'm planning on doing some consistent walking and spinning. Week 7-8, I may incorporate a possible jog mixed into some extended walking to give my leg the first test of healing.

On Saturday, despite the nasty freezing rain/snow - we went to see the latest Warren Miller film - Children of Winter. The film even had a segment on the downhill mtn. biking culture @ Whistler which was nice addition to all the white fluffy snow coverage. It helped to get us pretty excited for our trip coming up January to here! My colleague just sent me an article about their latest gondola that connects the two mountains. It'll save us time waiting at the base and get us more powder time. It's been 6 years since the first time we were there so I'm excited to see what it's like now.

Last night we had some friends over (including our friends who own this great GR restaurant) but what do you make friends who make some of the best food in West Michigan? Veggies of course. Yum...and as Master Chef Chad says, 'Nature's Candy'.


I've been really trying to eat healthy recently (despite the large consumption of wine last night), not only to help my leg heal but also to keep away any and all germs - also, to offset all the cookies and sweets at all these darn Christmas parties. I have a huge sweet tooth so it's not easy but I'm hoping the extra fruits/veggies we bought grocery shopping yesterday will help counteract it, especially as I'm planning on making many fAntabulous gingerbread cookies tomorrow with my friend, Blair.


Ok, off to spin class - let's hope the plow trucks are out tonight.

Tagged

Tagged again...I had to check on my last tagging so I don't repeat myself.
List 6 random things about yourself that most people do not know, then tag more people and post their links. Danielle tagged me so here I go:

1) When it comes to things I care about, I'm a huge overachiever and try to do WAY too much all the time. I get a little obsessive about the things I enjoy... running, biking, cooking, following blogs... I can't get enough. But, I always try to squeeze everything in and end up stressing myself out. Example numero one - my job and my hobbies. I'm constantly traveling for work but despite the lack of sleep and stressful environment, I still think I can be a nationally competitive athlete. Example numero two, someone asks me to bring a dessert to a function....most normal people would be like, 'I'll grab a box of brownies, mix it up, and throw it in the oven'. No, not I - I research my food blogs I follow for something that sounds delish and spend about an hour deciding on it and then 30 mins. trying to make something from scratch, all while we should be leaving. I blame this partially on genetics.

2) I graduated from college magna cum laude in 3.5 years including spending a semester in France (French Alps) and spending 8 weeks in an intensive summer school program. I wanted to get done quickly but now I wish I could go back and drag it out a bit longer.

3) I always thought I wanted that 'important' career (hence #2) but I guess I dreamt that it would be about me saving the world (watched too many action movies when I was younger). I even interned with an FBI agent and applied to a FBI internship. But, I somehow landed in Corporate America and I realized quickly that it's not all it's cracked up to be. Now I'm interested in a more rewarding 'job' that really makes a difference.

dialing it down a little...

4) I have never broken any bones (knock on wood) ever before having this stress fracture. It really surprised me that I have a stress fracture and I could be so hard on my body.

5) Speaking of legs, I've always had muscular and larger legs/thighs/butt - I remember being mocked about them in high school as I didn't have the 'skinny' legs of most of my friends. I tell myself it's the source of my power ;)

6) I have this bad obsession with licorice - any kind...red and black. I like scanning the ethnic food stores or world market for unique forms. I think the Panda brand still tops them all.

So there you have it.

Now, I'm tagging:

Old man
Dan Frayer
Ted

This past weekend was birthday weekend...celebrating my Mom's, Barry's, and Mine over 4 days.
I didn't make a huge deal over mine as I think I've been embracing my new age all year long. Can't beat the inevitable...

Friday, we celebrated my Mom's by going out to dinner. Saturday, we had a small party at our house for Barry's in the newly finished basement. Monday night, we celebrated mine at our place with my parents.
Here are a few pics from the weekend.

Here's (headless - whoops) Barry showing off his Birthday present - new Craft windproof pants!

Skate Skiing on Monday


Dinner Monday Night

Barry's signature dish (after much encouragement) - black pepper encrusted Pork tenderloin with a cranberry apple maple syrup reduction

Dessert coffee


Mel pretending she's a present

My Mom and Larrbob

Us examining our present - a modern home book

I am really pumped about this! Backpacking trips are coming soon!

Mel yodeling

Eating sushi with a fork

So I'm going to use this as my metaphor for my life right now (never mind I'm actually sitting here doing it - no chopsticks in the carryout) - so hang with me... Have you actually tried it? It still tastes the same but you can't seem to get it in your mouth without it falling to pieces. Plus, it's just not the same delightful experience. I feel that way recently. I have a good job and all the right pieces in my life but something just doesn't seem right. I'm not enjoying my job right now at all which is probably the biggest downer considering 'they', basically, own my life. With the long working hours and constant traveling, it's starting to wear at my soul, never mind my hobbies. It's just not right - I suppose if I loved it or even semi-enjoyed what I was doing - it would make up for all the time in the sky. And the 'hurry up and wait' thing is just getting old. So, I guess I've started to answer my own questions - time to start some serious thinking...thinking about what I really want to do. Given the state of the economy and job market...might have to wait a bit to make a drastic move. But it's time to start figuring out what will make me happy.

On an upbeat note - I hosted Thanksgiving at my house this year (first time ever actually) for my In-Laws and Barry's Grandma. Everyone at work thought I'd burn the turkey or the house and were pretty shocked to hear that everything went a-okay. I definitely overdid it on the stuffing though! I made so much (2 - 9x13 pans of it + some in the turkey) that I didn't even want to see it after Thursday - the thought made me kinda sick. I made one with sausage and mushrooms which was delish - but realized it was turkey sausage (organic from the co-op at that) but thought it was a little strange to have too many forms of turkey. Besides dabbling at work most of Friday, Saturday, and even Sunday (I even had to stay up til 1:30AM on Sunday night to finish up some work) - I did get out for a nice 2 hour road ride Saturday before the big snow storm. I did these two loops around the gun lake area which involved A LOT of gradual climbing. Just when I thought I was doing really well - Tom, from my the multi-sport group I run with, passed me like I was standing still and he was on a mountain bike! Dang, Shot down!

After several immobile days of working, it felt good tonight to get some blood flowing. Also, looks like I've been tagged...these are always fun but kind of hard at the same time.