Ride Post Mortem

What went right? I made it. YEAH!

What went wrong? I let personal fear of the magnitude of the ride effect me. Instead of riding with excitement, and anticipation, I was riding scared, with fear and chance of failure.

I didn't drink enough on the way to Wachusett and paid for it during the climb. Very slow; thighs burning.

What have I learned? I can do it. Drink and eat more.

Now to find the opportunity to go again and kick that mountain.

Graphic of My Own

Done.

It was hard. But it was doable. And now it's done and we are working algebra problems. Thanks be to God. Thank you boss for letting pedal along with you.

Mount Wachusett - Today.

I'm braver, stronger, smarter... I'm braver, stronger, smarter... Repeat for 77 miles and up and down one mountain. Hail Mary, Full of Grace... Complete.

I must share....

Being away for away week and then having others in the office taking vacation the next week set back my work load. The result: Mistakes. Nothing huge but everything noticeable. Enough to produce the comment, "Usually your a ballerina around here. Why are you tripping over your feet?"

I felt terrible, depressed. What was going on? Everyone makes mistakes, but these were .... Crazy. Silly. Stupid. Costly.

In clearing up my situation, yes I owned all of it, another AP person for a customer was making a error. I explained her confusion and she apologized. And we moved on. Simply.

So that begs my epiphany. How easy it is to gloss over the mistakes of others, but with ourselves, myself, I come down hard?

The resolution is not found in the question: Do they (whoever they are) love me still?

The question is: Do I LOVE MYSELF?

I realized this driving to work, returning to the lion's den, this morning. After pondering a bit, I had my answer.

Do you have yours?

An aside: wicked awesome bike ride the evening. Kicked out 30 miles with ease. Thank God.

People = Value

One of life's keys

First day of school today.

And Today

A slow, breathing in and out 15 mile ride. Cut short by thoughts of work... Maybe I'll squeeze in another ride around dusk. It was a rather long day at work.

Yesterday

Yesterday was a funny day. I nearly fell off my bike, while getting on my bike. The chain fell off three times on my ride and I strained my back when I reached to fixed it the third time. All before 7AM. Still I had a walk in the woods with friends planned for 1, church at 10:30.

Mass. Then took my bike to the shop at noon. No easy feet with a tender back, but it was worth it. The gentleman at Landry's adjusted my derailleur, tightened the cables and lubed my chain. No charge.

The walk, though slow was great and I discovered my back felt normal as long as I was moving. Thank God. I was healing.

Last night after all my deliverables completed I took a back pill and went to bed.

Which leads me to this morning's blessing - a short ride. A ride I thought yesterday would not be happening on my well adjusted bike which rides like a dream. And my back, it's still tender but not nearly as strained as yesterday. Thank God.

Three days and counting

It's been a great summer of early morning rides. In 3 days school starts and my riding window will close.

I will miss them.

Dog Sitting over. I will miss my new BBFs.

Proof Of Fun

My youngest is away at camp this week, Camp Mattakeesett. Love that place. They post pictures each day of the girls having fun. Finally I spied a shot of my love. Miss her.

So. Very. Lucky.

Imagine having the wonderful opportunity to hang out with two great dogs. A favor to friends to watch them. A blessing for us.

Balancing Act

This is the first time in 16 years I've worked for all practical purposes full time. Full time during school is one thing but full time in the summer is a beast. Family must come first.

Facing Our Fears

Snakes were not my favorite, but when friends needed a sitter; we of course said yes. Only to find out that they can be quite interesting and down right sweet.

Growth.

Hello

It's very difficult getting back in the groove of life.

Hitting the ground running

Crazy busy since returning from Oklahoma. Snake sitting, dog sitting, back to school, off to camp shopping all frosted with work. Squeezed in a week's worth of billing in 24 hours. Thankfully doggies are great for stress relief.

There and back again...

What You Do Matters.

Best Part of The Mission Week

Watching these fine young adults. pictured here with our hosts, making a difference. Realizing that what they do matters.

Service with a smile

Feed My Sheep.
Awesome.

The Mega Hilton

This first picture is of my feet and clothes on an upside down trash can in one of the showers here at the Mission House. Not a rail or spare hook to hang my dry clothes while I get washed. First day. What hardship.

Then we went to paint this house... Some inside and my team out. Our accommodations are 1200 star in comparison.

How could we possibly go home unchanged? When can we comeback?

The Painting Crew

Five youth and I set out to see if we could paint the entire outside of a house in one day. We got 3 of the 4 walls completed. Five youth, 2 paint rollers, 4 brushes, 6 hours.

I could not be more proud.

Scenes from the painting front

Yesterday

We worked hard at Kenwood School painting, yard work, meeting the kids and then playing stickball.

Today it will be the same. There is a lot of work to be done there

God Wastes Nothing

May we all be His instruments and more aware of those around us. RIP Mr. Williams.

Local Swimming Hole

It's hot here, very hot. And this is the local swimming establishment. There is a 10 foot dam responsible for that sudden drop off. Great for jumping off of.

A year ago, a week ago, even yesterday morning if you told me we would enjoy swimming under a highway I would have laughed in your face. But today I know it to be true.

What If...

This extension cord running from an electrical pole was your only source of electricity? And you were thankful for having an outhouse. Welcome to the US of A.

Bed Sweet Bed

No stars. No A/C. Well that's not true. The boys and girls bunk rooms have it but the leaders are sleeping in a common room that is not. And the doors to their rooms are closed. It's warm, and muggy.

I'm so looking forward to today's construction / clean up work. Our hostess, Miss Cricket, will be cooking lunch for us. Her home has no indoor plumbing, no running water. Her refrigerator runs off of propane and she has one electrical outlet with one extension cord for her A/C.  And she lives in the United States of America.  Eye and Soul Opening.

Note To Self

  

Stronger than you think.... Service week, I am needed to drive. 

Super Moon Above Some of My Girls

Chaperone mode in full swing. I love this. We are on our way.

In Less Than An Hour

It's 2:15 AM. In less than an hour, a dear friend, coworker and fellow chaperone will pull up to my house bearing a very large cup of black coffee.  (There is a GOD.) We are off to Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweeping down the plains, with 17 youth for a week of service.

I have no idea about our accommodations. Though I do know there is no 2 or 3 or 4 star hotel in my future. Maybe a college dorm, maybe a parish hall. I hoping for a reasonable mattress and a shower, preferably not cold. I hear we get three meals a day. Breakfast, a bag lunch to take to the work site, and dinner served back wherever we are staying.

We are going to work construction, that is a given. But we also might be working in a food pantry, soup kitchen, civic center.  It's all good. It's all ground breaking, as none of us have ever traveled this way before. And I believe it is safe to say, none of us will return the same. For yes, there is a GOD.

Last Bike Ride for a week

Oklahoma service week starts tomorrow. Today's to do list: bike ride, food shop, hair cut: buzz cut, church, last minute packing. Enjoy the ride. It will have to last over a week.

OK LA HO MA. OKLAHOMA!

It's coming. Next week. Service week doing construction in the Cherokee Nation. Tahlequah to be exact. Where a tool belt will be apart of my daily attire. Seventeen youth, three adults putting the basic needs of others first. Can't wait to see what the week after and beyond will be like. For whether we like it or not, admit it or not, we will be changed forever.

So...how did that next ride feel?

Difficult. Slog worthy. But I love it. Legs working. Muscles straining. Breathing hard and heavy. Pushing pushing pushing. And I wonder why do I do this?

For mental and physical health. On a bike there is plenty of time to think.

I love that feeling.

Last night my knee was a bit wonky. Not from riding, but walking about the mall with my girls. We had a great time. Still I thought it best not to ride today. And I love that feeling on an active rest day where half way through the day I find myself almost giddy over the prospects of my next ride.

What. To. Bring.

This summer's vacation I'm on a mission. Seventeen youth. One of three adults. None of my own children. Pray for Us.

Thank you

We had magic band issues on our family vacation. Brian at Hollywood Studios was a huge help in piecing the situation puzzle together. His autograph is stitched over on our Cast Member bag.

Thank you Brian for being Disney Best.

Being Strong Doesn't Mean Your Not Scared

Yesterday's ride rained out. If I ride today I ride alone for both riding buddies are out of town. What if I fall? What if I get a flat or worse into an accident? I admit to being hesitant (scared) but I also know I am strong. And scared or not, I'll ride to beat the incoming storm.

What. Can. I. Do. To. Help.

My motto. My mantra.  

Walking The Line

Part of this week's CSA produce is cherry tomatoes: you pick. How fortunate are we to have this opportunity. To see the fruits of our efforts. But also to appreciate the work of the farmers who hone and manage the crops to such organic beauty.