Happy Halloween Blog!

So I risk ultimate humiliation wearing my bike cloths to work. They don't really um, flatter my hips! I dressed up like a mountain biker, complete with injuries!



And of course my Trek!


Everyone kept asking me to ride in the office. Um, no. There are no mountains, stumps, switchbacks, and no trees for me to hit so why?

I had a ton of fun painting fake blood and bruises and dirt all over me & giving myself a shiner! Best of all, I'm dressed to hit the trail right after work so I can't wait. Have to take advantage of the daylight while I have it. Boo night rides. I need a second light. More on that tomorrow.

Happy Halloween!
I just realized....I don't have any candy at home for the kiddos!! Ugh.  I guess I will pick some up after I get off the trail. Is it wrong that I am buying something I won't eat?  Maybe suckers.

Simply,
Laura




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Tuesday Blog: Weight Watchers Week One

First this is not going to be my normal Tuesday blog I just have nothing I can thing of to write about today.

Second, I have never eaten so many apples or bananas in my life! I think that is probably good. 😄

I realized something about myself, I am a boring dieter. I tend to eat the same foods over and over because I am lazy and because when you have multiple servings of something it just makes sense to eat until it is gone. My diet is basic. Grilled chicken, Perdue Low Breading Nuggets, salads, apples, pears, bananas, carrots, broccoli, peanut butter and Special K popcorn chips. That's my treat once in a blue moon. Not exciting but it gets the job done.

My sweet treat is coffee or a little Nutella mixed in sugar free whipped topping. I like to tell myself there is some redeeming quality there.  My only problem is that I don't always get the points in but I just bank them in my head for the end of the week when I am sure to have a drink or several.  This helps a lot when I have a bottle of wine like I did Saturday!  No harm, No foul!

Weight lost: 3 pounds.
Workouts last week: lots of mountain biking, a little weight lifting and some walking and jogging. I'm trying to branch out!

Happy Tuesday!


Simply,
Laura


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Monday Blog Update: Bikes and Boys...yep!

First I want to say yay Irish!!!



Okay, with that out of the way, I hope everyone had a great weekend. I spent most of my non-football watching time either walking and running (Friday) or riding (Saturday and Sunday). My legs are shot. I really need to take the day off from leg work but I may ride tonight anyway. Listening to your body is hard when you want to do something and your body is tired. The diet is going really well but more on that later.

Thursday will be my 3 month mountain biking anniversary! I can't believe it has only been 3 months. I have come such a long way and have so much more to accomplish but I love the feeling I have when I ride. I love the fact that sometimes I do something that impresses even me on two wheels. I hope that everyone has something they find this fun. It is truly awesome to just have fun without any complications!

This morning was cold and I just wanted to stay in bed and snuggle. There were two problems with this plan, first it was Monday and second I was alone. Normally, only the Monday part sucks but being alone this morning was total suck! Is it wrong that I want it all? Is it wrong that I am not willing to settle for being someone's backup plan? Is it wrong that I really believe I deserve someone who not only thinks I am special but treats me that way? Is it wrong that right or wrong, age matters to me? I really am flattered that all these younger men are interested in me but honestly, I don't want to be a cougar. I am picky. I thought once or twice I found someone awesome, actually, I probably did but timing is everything and mine stinks. Take that for what it's worth. Anyway, enough sitting around and being alone. Time to reassess my thoughts on these younger men....or maybe I will just ride my bike!

Simply,
Laura





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It's Ok Thursday Blog Update

I would link up with Neely and Amber but it is just too difficult from my phone. You get the idea.

It's ok:

-that I am now obsessed with this custom built bike company (Black Sheep) I read about on DORBA today. They make the most beautiful bikes I have ever seen. They build each custom and it takes months. In other words, they cost a sweet penny.


But man are they pretty!


-that I have started to hate seeing rain. It never fails to fall when I have a ride scheduled. Like, today!

-that I am blogging from my doctors office again. I need a rescue inhaler for my asthma so I can live with the cold air.

-that I love sleep. Who doesn't?

-that I am totally in love with my iPhone. I was truly afraid I would hate it. I may never leave again! The battery is awesome and this comes from a woman who never had any battery on her droid & carried 3 back-up batteries!

-that everyone is giving me crap about Notre Dame this week. When you love two schools and those two are two of the most hated schools you live with the jealousy. Is it my fault I was born a good(ish) Catholic girl in Indiana and grew up with the Irish? Is it my fault people hate the University of Texas where I went to school? No and no!

-that I am afraid to turn on sports radio because whenever I do another local player somehow ends up out this week. Dirk, Sean, Delonte! Enough already!!!

-that now that the Yankees and Cardinals are out of the World Series I don't care who wins. Just hurry so it will be next season!


That's it for this week. What's ok with you?

Simply,
Laura





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Oh How Pinteresting Wednesday

I found myself obsessed with kissing last night. No idea why. It's a good thing to like, I think!




Ah, Rhett Butler!



This is just funny and kind of true. Once you have been single for so long, it's almost pointless to not be. For the right man I would give up but he isn't here.,,,yet.


Yes I have a Mountain bike board. This is kind of my dream next bike. It's a little pricy but I love it! Full suspension, 29er. So pretty!
Trek Lush SL.



I totally get this! Decorating with bikes seems logical! I'm thinking of doing something like this myself! I actually keep Skye in the house. She doesn't belong in a garage with bugs!



Yep!


This is simple fact!



This is truth. Just be happy, it's a choice!



I believe we all have the power to change the ending.



I am going to be this little old lady!


Ha!



Love!



I try to make this happen!




Finally to Lance: no matter what, there are those of us who just want to thank you for the $500 million you have helped raise for cancer research. As someone who has lost way too much to cancer, for me, you will always be a champion.



Simply,
Laura



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Blog Update: Groovy Tuesday

I decided to make some serious changes last week. After losing about 80 pounds I have been stuck all summer gaining and losing the same 10 pounds.

The truth is, I have gotten lazy. I quit tracking my food. I spent a lot of time eating ballpark food because I wasn't prepared and I found myself hungry at times where I either didn't have anything healthy or I just felt like chick-fil-a or worse, a burger. Now, I know that losing weight is 80% what you put in your mouth and I am pretty active. I usually get at least 5 hours of activity in a week or more. Becoming a mountain bike addict helps a lot! It never feels like working out because it is so fun! It is a tough workout, don't misunderstand me but so much stinking fun!

So I decided to join Weight Watchers last Friday. I knew this would make me be more careful plus I really like the idea of eating lots of fruits and veggies to satisfy my hunger. It's almost like a game. I just started this points program and it takes a little getting use to plus on days where I ride for an hour and a half or two hours there is just no way to eat all those extra points. I'm banking them for a margarita someday!

So Sunday I decided to hunt down a Weight Watchers friendly something sweet. I love sweets! Ice cream is my favorite but I also love anything chocolate. I am a big fan of fruit cobblers so I was really excited to find a recipe that included stuff I already have.




This is a mixed berry cobbler and it is really pretty good. It uses one vanilla cake mix, 24 oz of frozen berries, and a can of diet sprite. Basically you dump the berries in a pan, cover with the cake, pour the sprite all over the top and bake at 350 degrees for 30-ish minutes. Next time I make it I will try with a sugar free cake but I didn't have that at home. As it is, it's only 4 points per serving. Yum!

Okay, y'all wish me luck! I'm not sure how much I will blog about this but I will think about maybe adding the Fitness Friday back.

Here are a couple photos I took as I was leaving Northshore Monday night. This is from the parking lot and actually overlooks the boat dock. Sharing because I thought it was a pretty sunset!








Happy Tuesday!

Simply,
Laura



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Mobile Monday Blog Update

The week has been a blur!




Tuesday was breakfast at Denny's thanks to the Rangers with my team at work.






There was Northshore and Horseshoe because you know there is always some Bike riding although I didn't really take much photo-wise.




I totally felt this way when everyone suddenly decided to get political last week!






Totally stole this from Twitter. Love this so I saved it. Yu Darvish & Elvis Andrus! I think it came from Yu.





This is how I feel now that baseball is over!


It's Monday again. I really need to think about a vacation. Haven't had much since I came back from medical leave & I am getting ready now!!



Make it a great week!

Simply,
Laura



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It's Ok Thursday

Finally it's Thursday! It's been a week!
I am sitting in the doctors office now waiting to get some better stuff for poison Ivy/Oak because my right arm is now all pink and itchy on one side and driving my crazy plus it is now on the left too. If it doesn't really spread I don't understand why it has spread but whatever. It's not really ok but I am trying because I know it will go away, someday.

It's totally ok that I am obsessed with iPhone covers ever since my new phone arrived. I spent a lot of time last night browsing and these are some of my favorites:

Every girl loves her shoes!


Yummy Chocolate Cupcakes!


I wish this one didn't feel so masculine because it is perfect!


I think I may get this because I just love it!


And this! My babies!


There will be a baseball one sometime!


Will always believe in LIVESTRONG because cancer sucks!


Ok so it's ok that I want a different cover for every day of the week, right?

It's ok I didn't buy any either. I have a lovely navy and lime green Otter Defender that is protecting my iPhone from me!

It's ok that soon I want to take a weekend and do nothing and talk to nobody, isn't it?

It's ok that I love the song "A Little Bit Stronger" by Sara Evans and listen to it every morning even though nobody has broken my heart because I still feel like I am stronger every single day.

It's ok that it is really hard for me to spell ok without spelling it okay?

It's ok that I have to stop and think still about the difference between then and than but have no problem with to, too, and two and if I use the wrong one it is a typo which drives me nuts!

It's also ok that I still try to see the best in people and want to believe in the good they did and not get wrapped up the negative always. Call me silly if you want but in the end, I believe it is the good that matters.

Simply,
Laura



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Tuesday Blog: Can You be too Independent?

    Being single isn't easy but you get used to not having a plus one to take to parties and being the odd woman out at the dinner table on holidays.  Aside from that, it isn't really a big deal most of the time.  I never really thought it was. 

Today at breakfast we were talking about biking and one of my co-workers asked me what I would do if I was involved with someone who wanted me to give it up.  I said without missing a beat, give him up.  I can't imagine why any man would ask me to give up mountain biking.  It isn't like I am hurting anyone.  I love it.  I have more fun doing it than anything I have ever done....ever! She said that some men don't like women to be so independent.   For all their faults, this has never been the experience I have had with any of the men I have known and for that, I am very grateful.  A certain amount of being taken care of is nice.  A little help here and there.  Telling me what to do is not something that has ever gone over well for anyone who has known me.  Ask my mother. 

So, would I compromise? Of course, I would. I would be willing to reduce my activities to spend more time doing things together and I would expect the same from him.  I would not give up mountain biking or baseball.  I don't expect him to give up everything for me either.  I don't expect him to want to do everything with me although honestly, how could he not when I am so super awesome?  Just kidding.

I really was amazed that apparently there are men who expect women to do what they say today, in this day and age. Maybe I am too independent but I won't apologize for it.  Maybe I have been alone too long.  I can't change that.  Really, I am at the point now where I am just me.  Like it or not.  Be with me or don't.   I have too many trails to hit and too many baseball games to go to and I will do it with my friends or alone or with a guy who likes me just as I am.

Simply,
Laura



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Mobile Monday: Return to Northshore!

Okay, here is what is on my phone this week:


If you missed my first trip to Northshore you can go back and read the experience here:
http://dachsiedoodles.blogspot.com/2012/08/blog-update-it-okay-thursday-adventures.html

Saturday we got to ride Northshore again and I can't tell you how much I have been looking forward to this since I saw it on the Wheel Women schedule.  I had something to prove to myself.  I haven't been riding that long but I feel like I have come a long way since that night when I made so many silly mistakes.  I am not a fast rider.  I am not a super skilled rider yet.  I can ride things I never thought I would.  I am not afraid to challenge myself.  I try not to let the trail get in my head. 









We started out at a different part of the park from where I rode last summer.  I have to say this trail is amazingly beautiful.  The lake, the wildlife.  The trail is also really fun and there are some really nice climbs that kind of kick your bottom!



My favorite part of the day was when we were stopped at a road and this deer crossed.  An SUV was approaching so we got the driver's attention to make sure he saw the deer.  He stopped and as he did, the deer turned around and went back to get her baby and usher her safely across.  It was simply the sweetest thing any of us had seen in a long time.  What do you want from a group of women?



Saturday was the Red River Shootout.  I went to Texas.  Texas didn't play too well.  That about covers that. 

Sunday was Cowboys football.  I tried.  The Cowboys kind of tried.  That about covers that.



Finally, I woke up this morning and found this itchy stuff on my arm. I hate Poison Oak.I think this is courtesy of Northshore.  I went to Wallgreens at lunch and talked to the Pharmacist and he told me to get the 1% Hydrocortisone creme. Hopefully, I caught it soon enough.  I just wish I didn't itch everwhere now.  I know it is psychological but I want to scratch!!!

Simply,
Laura
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