4-30-14

Me: This was my day: a lot of couch time, icing my arm (notice the See's Candies ice pack!?) & watching TV. We have quite a few shows recorded so now I can catch up. Some friends stopped over to visit & brought yummy snacks. I am managing the hand pain with Advil only. It's not taking away all the pain but am afraid to use pain medication since it causes vomiting (lucky me). Healing is happening & that's a good thing!

4-29-14

Me: Surgery went well! The doctor was pleased (he talked to Bob by phone) and that makes me glad. However, the pain meds didn't go so well as I had a very rough evening vomiting (3x). So thankful to Heidi and her daughter for taking good care of me post surgery. Heidi brought me home and they got me through the nausea and tucked in bed. Good night. 

4-28-14

Me: Family pow-wow on the trail this evening.

Tomorrow morning Bob heads to work in Los Angles and I head to surgery in Mesa. I met with the surgeon today (I like him) and he's ready to put my thumb back together. I'm ready too! I check-in at 11:30am with surgery scheduled for 1:45pm.

4-27-14

Me: Bob and I stayed in Prescott last night and went downtown this morning to watch the pros race the Whiskey 50 (the same course that we amateurs did (or tried) yesterday. What a different day! Blue skies and pleasant cool temperatures. Motorcycle leading out the women's field.

And here go the pro men. This event brings in the top mountain bikers in the country. They are so fast and it was fun to watch.

After the start we drove to a couple course locations to cheer. Here goes our pro friend, Kata. Looking good girlfriend!

Our pro friend, Beth pushing hard through the pine trees.

Here are the top 3 pro women about 30 miles into the race. It was a tight race between 6 of them.

And here's the finish of the women's field. A sprint finish with the Prescott hometown girl, Chloe winning! She's in blue with her hands up, the 2nd place finisher right behind her and Chloe's husband excitedly yelling for his wife's sprint victory. Very cool photo taken by the Prescott Daily Courier newspaper.

4-26-14

Me: The Whiskey 50 mountain bike race & my birthday!!

My Facebook post here describes my morning...

Chose to spend my birthday morning doing a bike race in freezing rain & snow. The Whiskey 50 conditions were outrageous and for me it was too much to take. I turned around when I felt hypothermic and could no longer use my frozen fingers. Traversed back on some single track and found a cabin where some lovely people took me in and warmed me up by their fire. Thank you, "snow angels!" My husband picked me up later with the truck but first joined me and my new friends for hot chocolate. Memorable birthday so far! Think we'll find a nice cafe' for dinner and watch the snow flakes fall outside the window on APRIL 26!  Thank you all for your birthday wishes!

The Whisky 50 started at 7:30am in heavy rain.

We thought we were dressed for the elements and started the race feeling prepared for the 50 miles ahead.

But the rain turned to snow and the temperature dropped...a LOT!

I was in decent race position when I couldn't deal with the weather conditions anymore. I was soaked and shivering. My fingers so frozen that I couldn't use them. I pulled off the trail and made the decision to turn back. Bob wasn't far behind me so when he saw that I was going to quit, he agreed it was wise. We both backtracked the trail along with about 30 others who were feeling just as miserable.  

We got a ways down the trail but with 5 more miles still to ride to town I couldn't go any further. I was desperate for warmth and that's when we knocked on a cabin. Those folks were amazing and took me in! While I sat by their fire Bob continued by bike to get the car. He later told me that was the coldest he's ever been on the bike as he and others struggled to return. 

Locals in trucks rescued riders in various areas across the mountain. It actually was serious with racers getting hypothermic. 24 degrees, high winds, rain, snow & sleet that was painful to your face. While a large number of riders had to be pulled from the course there was a surprisingly good number of racers who completed the whole 50 mile route (WOW, they are tough!). Congratulations to ALL of them. No matter their time...just to survive that is winning!!
(race photos by friend, Kathy)

The rest of the day was a blast! After we threw our dirty clothes in the hotel room and took a long hot shower we spent the afternoon downtown. It was really fun having drinks on the balcony over The Palace with a nice view of the finish line.

Friends Robyn and Kata joined us on the balcony too. Later Bob and I had a yummy steak dinner at Murphy's. It was an epic birthday!  Bob and I have no regrets starting or quitting the race today. It was the right choice for us. Special thanks to my awesome husband who took such good care of me today. He's always looking out for me and I'm so happy we get to enjoy the good, the bad, and the crazy stuff together. Love you, honey!

4-25-14

Me: Carbo loading in Prescott, AZ. Bob and I are racing the Whiskey 50 tomorrow (on my birthday!). It's a really fun event but a few things are putting a damper on this year's race. The forecast tomorrow is COLD (32 degrees at the start and 40 degrees for a high) plus RAINY. On top of that my thumb injury  (result of my bike crash 3 weeks ago) is going to need tendon surgery next week. :-(  My doctor rigged up a brace so I can race tomorrow. Still have to be careful & I will. Wish us luck!

4-24-14

 Me: Yesterday's pic of cute Riley.

These two are pretty cute too.

4-23-14

Me: Harley's haircut.

With the temperatures rising Harley was eager to get her summer shave. It shows off her cute spots.

And her funny black stripe down her back.

Kavan was excited to walk Harley the skunk.

"So, do you like my new hairdo?!"

Harley

4-22-14

Martin: Qantas flight on its way from Sydney Airport.

Me: We finally got our old (& free) door hung up as my closet door. Found the roller track hardware on-line at a discount and James put it all together. Still plan to have James take out the original white closet doors & then dry wall behind where the this door is shown in the photo. That will finish it off for when I slide the door to the right. Gonna keep my eye out for a funky door knob too.

 Bob & James put this Costco shed together. It's not as huge as it looks in this pic but big enough to store our recycle & trash bins. We are going to put it by our front wall and it will be a nice way to hide those ugly garbage cans!

Harley giving us the hint that we should take her out to play frisbee. Ok, Harley...we get it. Let's go!

4-21-14

Me: Dancing with the Stars is my Monday night must watch!

Favorite pair: Meryl & Max.

4-20-14

Martin: :-)

 Me: Heading out to Easter service at Hope Church.

At Carol & Paul's for Easter dinner. It was a lovely time with everyone who could make it. I think we were a group of 19. Hope you all had a wonderful Easter celebration!

HE IS RISEN! 

PS: I ate too many chocolate Easter eggs. :-/

4-19-14

Martin: About the biggest Easter egg we had in the house this year. Not like the good old days.

Me: Heidi's lamb cake. Well, this is how her cake looked when she took it out of the oven. She sent me this photo by text and when I saw it on my phone it was hard to make out just what it was. At first glance it looked like a dead deer. Then I saw her words...

Heidi, "Making a lamb cake. Afraid to take top off - he had a blow out in the oven!"
Me, "That is hilarious!!! Poor lamb."
Heidi, "I suck so bad."
Me, "No u don't. The lamb does."
Heidi, "I think I can fix it with frosting - ALOT."
Me, "A real lot!! :-) "

A little later...

Heidi, "Artist at work. He is missing an ear."
Heidi, "He is missing a nose."
Me, "I have faith in your ability!"
Heidi "Little lamb named Van Gogh."

Me, "Nice save. Van Gogh is super cute!"

4-18-14

Me: Mountain biking with friends in the morning!

Cool temps and cool sky.

Picked up my NEW bike in the afternoon!

Specialized Fate.

Sunset walk in the evening!

Bob is feeling better. Yeah.

It was a good "Good Friday"!

4-17-14

Me: Happiness is our garden roses blooming. I love bringing some in the house to enjoy! My birthday is soon and I wish for Bob to plant me more rose bushes!