The Kindness Of Strangers

So I have been training for this race. We have a few problems going into it. 1. We really have no idea what is in store for us. 2. We have a borrowed bike straight from a garage sale with no shocks. Who knew they made a mountain bike with no shocks? 3. My "buddy" hates biking. Hates it. She is terrified! 4. I haven't run since the first week of June. The few times I tried my bursitis hurt too badly so I stopped.

So we have a few strikes against us. One thing that we do have is a sense of adventure. It is that adventurous side of me that has me going out to ride the mountains with a group called "Trail Angels". This great woman started the group almost 10 years ago as her ministry. She is sharing her love for mountain biking with women all over So Cal while at the same time leading by example, and just spreading joy and love for God and Jesus. It is simply a great group of women who took me under their wing on my first ride, taught my about my bike, encouraged me, and took me down some fun hills. Slightly embarrassed by my ghetto bike and lack of funds to buy proper biking equipment, I took what they taught me and have been riding on my own for the past few weeks. But the e-mails have been speaking to me, calling me out and making me crave another ride with the Angels. Today I decided to suck it up and ride with them again. I am so glad I did!

First, I was pushed, hard. It was done with a lot of love and encouragement, but I was pushed. After a nice 4 1/2 mile warm up I went 1/2 mile up hill. Straight up hill. I only stopped once when there was some sand I couldn't get through. I need to practice that. At the top it was decided to go down a hill called "Rock It". I thought they meant "Rocket" as in speed. I am naive. It was as in rocks! Lots of them! I was guided down by someone who saw me ride last time I knew I could handle the challenge. During this time she saw my love for the sport and my (in her words) "natural ability" and decided to give me a bike. Literally. She gave me a $1400 bike that her son outgrew within a few months of buying it. It's my size. It has shocks. It is awesome.

For me this is a big deal. I am a giver. I give and give of myself, my time and all I can afford. I do not receive well. This was hard for me to accept. But when she said it was headed to the Goodwill I drove her home and picked it up. I am incredibly grateful for her generosity. I am so thankful that there are people like her in the World, who sincerely care about others and are willing to give without an expectation of anything in return. Of course I will do something in return, probably in the way of a gift card to the local cycle store I know she goes to.

The Trail Angels are truly Angels. I have enjoyed riding with them, am grateful for their instruction, and love riding with women who do it for the love of the sport, in the spirit of The Lord!

And now that I have a real bike with real equipment, I will be anxious to ride with them again soon!

BTW...My ass is killing me! Uphill is hard!!!

Shhhhhh.....

This is what I did today when I should have been studying.


This isn't me (obviously) but it gives you an idea of how steep the hill was. It was also very rocky!

Sweet Home Indiana

Dude...I am drinking red wine out of a styrofoam cup and eating salad out of a coffee mug. I am in Indiana afterall. I love my Hoosier!!!!

Is Home Really Sweet?

I don't get that Home Sweet Home feeling about going back to where I grew up. This is an arial shot of my High School. It is in a beautiful town nestled in the Foothills. I am heading there tomorrow to watch my nephews play football and then go swimming at my Dad's Country Club. Just saying that makes me cringe. I am not a Country Club person. It is not my style. I am so out of place in this town. I don't get nostalgic when I return, mostly I just feel lonely. Lonely because that is how I felt living there. Maybe I will go deep into why sometime. It has to do with the contradictions that were my childhood.

My friends lived in houses like this...I did not.







My friends families looked like this...mine did not.





My friends drove cars like this...I did not.









I didn't fit in then, and I don't fit in now. For some reason this stupid town still makes me feel like a loser! I am not saying I had a bad childhood. My childhood was colorful, amusing and at times fun! But it was very lonely to go 12 years through school in a small town feeling like an outsider. I was always totally and completely different. Maybe I will explore it someday. For tonight let's just say, I am not looking forward to tomorrow...and it's not just because I hate football!

White Trash

I have a white trash crush on Kid Rock. He is disgusting but there is something about him...

Gina Says...

Gina Says...
...The crazy lady flying down Adams on her bike singing Come On Eileen at the top of her lungs was me
...The crazy lady doing dirt bike jumps while singing All summer Long at the top of her lungs was me
...The crazy lady going across the rickity bridge on her bike singing Life in the Fast Lane at the top of her lungs was me
...The crazy lady zipping through the neighborhood singing Sister Christian at the top of her lungs was me

I think they but some crazy juice in that shot I got in my ass the other day. Something has come over me.

Random Thoughts For The Day

1. Is it wrong that I Googled Raspberry Vodka to see how many carbs/calories and then did a happy dance when I found out I could have 2 drinks, mixed with club soda and only have to vacuum to work off the calories?
2. Is it wrong that when we found out my husband's brother is engaged his first words were "is she pregnant" and mine were "Crap. Guess we are going to Ft. Wayne indiana for our vacation next year".
3. Is it suspicious that while putting away laundry I found a card hubby left for me when he left for his 3 day conference. It wasn't tucked under the pillow for me to see when I crawled into bed after an exhausting day without him. It was staring back at me on top of his t-shirts. Almost like he was saying "you only get to have this sweet card if you are being a good housewife and doing my laundry while I am gone"
4. Is it bad that now that my kids are both in school I find myself wondering "what DO housewives do all day?" I can only cook and clean so much! With them both out of the house all day I actually have been a bit...dare I say it...BORED! I start school next week...that will fix that really quick!
5. Is it bad that I secretly hope they do not accept me as a Daisy Troop leader. I am not into Girl Scouts and their cursed cookies but my daughter has her heart set on me being the leader. I guess I owe it to her but I really hate being in charge of things. I am so relieved to not be coaching this year. i am just ready to be a Mom that supports and cheers! I do not want to be in charge this year.