Have you seen these two?

The card on the left was received before the mission trip in August. The picture on the right taken on a December bike ride. They make me smile Monday through Friday 7:30AM to 3PM.

What happens when you go where no one has gone before?

Cross country skied where only a deer had walked before. Slow going. Sinking up past my knees. I had a goal in mind. Get to where the tree over hangings the trail. Thought about quitting early. But didn't.

And what happens when you ski where no one has skied before. You grow stronger. Work harder. And leave a trail, easing the return trip, and for others to follow.

To infinity and beyond.

What do you see?

I heard a solitary woodpecker.
I saw two red cardinals flitting among the brush.
I felt great, relaxed. Muscles working together head to toe.
I smelled the crisp cold air.
I tasted the banquet of quiet.

Thank God for snow.

It piles up outside and inside

Last Saturday's storm took us an hour to clear the driveway and cars. Yesterday's delight occupied us, all four, it's awesome having the help of the girls, three hours. It was a great night for shoveling. Not much wind, light fluffy snow, but a lot of it. Very few cars on the road and plows lifting their blades as they passed the driveway. Thank you.

If the girls didn't help I think we would still be out there. Thank you my loves.

Also I believe there is a direct correlation between the amount of snow that falls and the size of the mountain of clothes drying on the rack afterwards. Uncle Mike I wore your hand me down ski pants. Thanks, they worked great.

It certainly is piling up

If you squint...

The snow looks like a monorail. (Laugh) Seriously though, it's snowing just like they promised. This storm did not miraculously veer off out to sea. Power is still on. State of emergency called. No work. No school. No worries. What is a storm?  It's a gift of 24 maybe 36 hours of time at home. To finish projects.  Start new ones.  Read.  Cook.  Even bake.  My today happy to do list is endless.

Do you worry about tomorrows?

Epic storm arriving tonight. Will stay until Wednesday. What are your thoughts? Are you one of the many who will hit the grocery store for eggs, bread, milk, and tp? Or are you always prepared? Somewhat prepared?

We needed coffee filters... Picked up yesterday. A storm without coffee... Unbearable.

New Englanders stay safe. Stay home. Stay warm.

Where did the time go?

My quick summer project is down to the wire in late January. I have to frame it with came. Add the cat eyes. Then apply the finish.

Already thinking of the next project.

Back on the trainer

The roads are icy and snowy. Winter finally arrived. Remembered I own cross county skis and snowshoes. I should make time to head into the woods or rail trail. Still, I'm grateful for the trainer that allows me to cycle, or pretend cycle, in the garage.

The goal of the Boston Brain Tumor Ride 62 miles keeps me focused on training. There is no try; only do. Thank you Yoda.

Unexpected Excellence

A dear friend's son is into cooking. He made Almond Joy ice cream with coconut milk whipped cream. I was visiting for tea and chatting. To catch up. Was handed a lovely dessert. Rich beyond words.

What's at the end of your comfort zone?

For me it's going out socially in large groups, alone. That said, I went out, alone, to the rider meet and greet for the Boston Brain Tumor Ride last night. And what happened? I met Steve. A PhD student in Mechanical Engineering from MIT. But more personally, a first time rider who this past Fall had a tumor removed from his frontal cortex. He is signed up to ride 10 miles... when he admits he probably shouldn't be riding at all.

Talk about living at the end of your comfort zone.
I'm humbled.

Boston Brain Tumor Ride

Prayer in action. Not only on the day, but every training session; the good ones and the slogfests. Please consider sponsoring me.

I'm not quite ready

To plunge back into life and leave the love of the weekend behind. Oh to be greeted by my loving grand nieces and nephew. Joy of joys.

I don't think I will ever be ready.

And Repeat.

We all have our own purpose. Don't let others derail you.

In all my days

I have never been hugged or kissed as much as I was this past weekend. I have never drawn so much. Been used as a seat. Or been run to with such enthusiasm.

I will remember you

She is less than 2. She won't remember our world wind weekend. All the hugs, love and kisses. But we will.

Second Best Weekend

There are times in your life when you know the money, time or effort it takes to pull off an event are so worth it.

The weekend with Pepere before he died so worth it.

And this weekend. The ten hour drive to Virginia Beach for a 33 hour play date. So worth it. The love will carry us home for the return ten.

Can you say road trip?

Sure you can...

I'm a Disney Girl

And I love warm hugs.
No surprise there.

Gem not in the rough

Awesome production
Awesome dinner
Awesome conversations
With my awesome daughters

Now back to our regularly scheduled life

As much as I love the holidays, when 99.999% of the decorations are put away, (We always find a straggler...), and the house seems uncluttered and empty, it's nice to fallback into life's routine. Moving on...

What helps you to be happy?

Interesting question on so many levels.

We forgot to set the alarm.

Over slept this morning. Rush. Rush. Rush.

How many other of life's wake up calls have we missed? What if there isn't enough time to rush about?

How was your day?

Did you laugh?

Today we slow down...

Today we spend at home. Mass. Madrid Bakery. Puttering. Putting away Christmas decorations. Making pea soup. Watching the thermometer. Rumor has it the temperature will reach 30. And then I'm thinking there will be an afternoon bike ride. Outside. Before the Festive 500 challenge my tires never experienced winter's cold roads. What a difference 8 days makes.

How did your day shape up?

I volunteered to help a friend install a new toilet. Two hours max turned into all day event with a lesson on soldering copper pipes. Excellent.

Can you spot the helpful kitty in this picture?

And again

It's not Sunday. I don't work from home. It's Friday. Billing day. Big day. Attention to detail. This day. Every day.

Rise and Shine.

Another Day

Another Dollar

What is your driving force to get up and get going day after day? For work. For life. For health.

What is 2015 looking like?

2015 is shaping up into a year of trying new things, or at least revisiting old ones. On my list:
Horseback riding lessons. Only two. Just for fun.
Glass flame work. One lesson. For fun.
Finally I'll get to the Museum of Fine Arts. I love art.

All because I rode my bike solo in 2014. I can reach out beyond my comfort zone and not only be fine, but enjoy myself.

What can you do?  What will you do?

I love this message

Picked this image up on Facebook. It speaks volumes. I want my daughters to be great moms and great mechanics. It goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway, if I had a son I would want him to be a great dad as well as a great mechanic.

Be Prepared

Installed hurricane strips yesterday. They hold the roof rafters to the top plate of the house.

Not technically required by law, but it pays to be prepared. Even on those agenda items most won't see.

What do you do?

Do you cry because it's over or celebrate because it happened?

Had a phenomenal 11 day stretch of perfect winter cycling weather. And now it looks to be over. The winter we know is coming. The bike is back on the trainer. So happy I rode to Concord yesterday. Best part of the ride was stopping to help a man pick up his newspaper off his driveway. He said, "I don't bend over so good anymore." My reply, "I noticed."

Thanking God for putting me in the right spot at the right time.

The Kids Table

Family Christmas Niece Birthday celebration, and the kids' table was rocking. Love seeing these ladies together. Love listening to them chatter away. They have grown up and are growing up to be fine young ladies.

When you venture outside your comfort zone.

Your comfort zone grows bigger. Prior to last week's Festive 500 challenge I never would have ridden my bike in temperatures much less than 40 degrees. Now 30s are balmy and with enough layers, teens are doable.

Imagine the changes that can take place in the real important areas of your life.

We are so fortunate

That we are able to pet sit. No charge to humans. We collect in cuddles.

Happy New Year!

No more cheese cake for breakfast.