Stupid dentist...

Not sure what I hate worse, being in pain, or paying $460 to be in pain. I'm impressed with the technology advances over the past two years in the dentistry business. Some very cool stuff that our nice, new dentist was willing to show off. I'm baffled that they can make these awesome digital x-rays that immediately show up on a laptop screen and can blow up as big as they want, yet they still have to use the crappy technology of that hard square thing being shoved into your mouth to get them. No cavities, just losing bone in my jaw so they had to pump it full of some crap to stop that. I am so freaking sick of being in pain and paying for other people to make it worse before it gets better. I guess this is what happens when you're an "adult". Can I go back to being a kid? Little Critter looks so happy to be at the dentist because a) he is going to get some sweet prize at the end or b) his mommy is paying the bill or c) his dentist is some goofy looking bunny and there's a frog on the floor or d) all of the above. Hmmm...

Novemburrrrr

Went to the Dr for visit #2 yesterday -- went well. More popping and cracking and not-so-subtle jabs at my lack of butt muscles. Whatever he's been doing seems to work, my back is slowly getting better and I'm not in constant pain like before. I asked him if riding my bike would further injure my back... and as soon as he said no, I got excited to get back to being slightly active. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE laying around on the couch doing nothing just as much as the next girl, but when you HAVE to do it, it sucks. So...

Tonight I hopped on the road bike that's been taunting me on the trainer for the last two weeks and rode for an hour. We watched "Super Size Me" which quickly motivated me to ride an hour instead of my previously scheduled 20 minutes. I'm not a fan of McDonalds (it must be 10 years since my last McDonalds) but I enjoy the occasional Wendys. The movie was great, finally a movie that lived up to the hype. Very entertaining and enjoyable. Especially as I rode the trainer next to Chris on the rollers. Makes you feel like a very fit and skinny person. Score. No back pain during or after the ride -- I'm finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Except...

It's freaking cold outside and currently snowing fairly hard (even though Chris scoffs at calling this a "storm"). I'm secretly doing my snow dance, but am not getting my hopes up. Some people hope for snow for the skiing. Others hope for snow for the beauty. I hope for snow for a snowday just as I have done for the past 19 years. Unfortunately, living in Colorado makes the "big wigs" resist EVER giving a snow day, as I've only had maybe 2 in my entire life. In conclusion...

I am not looking forward to scraping off the car in the morning (Scott -- that jab is intended for you, not because I really care, but mostly because I'm jealous that I'm not heading off to Hawaii). So cold in the mornings :( Especially with no mittens because Turbo ate one :( Want to send me to Hawaii yet? Damn. Can't say I didn't try...

[anyone notice that we were talking about transitions in writing today? Yes, I'm that cool]

I am thankful for...

- Sweet, wonderful hubby who is still moving around fairly well (ah-hem) considering he's ridden 5 zillion miles on his bike in the past year

- Adorable dog who thinks he's a human and sleeps next to me with his head on Chris's pillow

- My family who, despite their moments of pure insanity, are still always good for a stomach cramping laugh at the dinner table

- My house and everything in it (especially my cool new bike even though I haven't been able to ride it in a few weeks)

- 600 mg Ibuprofin and some muscle relaxant with a big name -- they make my day a little less painful

- My wonderful friends who, despite their tendency to be flaky once in a while, are the best at challenging me to make it through a bike ride without crying or are good for teacher-time that generally includes all of the following in one shape or form: wine, avocado, and chocoalte

- My sweet little kids at work, they've faced more in their 5 or 6 years than I've faced in my 24 and yet they always smile and giggle and think farts are hillarious

- My tasty pumpkin pie that mom made just for us to take home -- complete with spray whipped cream and everything

- My knitting. It's fun and productive and I've made some good friends doing it.

- My health -- things could be much worse

- Everyone that leaves comments on my blog and makes me feel loved :)

Happy Feet!

Friday night we went and saw Happy Feet. So cute! I've officially decided that I now want a pet penguin...








Open Letter to the lady at the Happy Feet movie on Friday night:

You look like a very nice lady. I'm happy that you were out taking your three teenage daughters to a movie. It's nice that they consider you cool enough to go to a movie with on a Friday night; however, I have a bone to pick with you...

Happy Feet is a PG movie and we went to the 9:30 showing. Needless to say, by the time you came in around 9:00, the theater was virtually empty. My husband and I had choosen some seats in the front half of the theater because he's gimpy and can't walk up and down stairs so good at the moment. The theater must have a capacity of 300 people or so. There must have been roughly 30 people in the theater at the time that you and your three lovely daughters got there.

All sounds great, right?

Here's my beef: Chris and I were enjoying our smuggled outside food when you decided to come sit RIGHT next to me. Not one seat away like any normal human being with a sense of personal space would, but instead, right next to me. You cozied up, stole the arm rest, and decided this was your place in the theater. Wait. I'm confused... with 250 seats open (and this is being conservative) you had to sit right next to me. What was the deal? Chris and I found it hillarious because everytime we go to the movies, someone decides to sit very close to us or right in front of us, despite the numerous other empty seats in the theater.

I understand that if the movies are packed, it's ok and totally necessary to sit directly next to someone. In that case, I welcome you to sit next to me. I'm a fairly passive person and will even allow you to hog our shared arm rest. I won't elbow you in the head until you pass out and then take your tasty $5 M&Ms while stealing the arm rest back -- I understand the dangers in the world, I am a good person to sit next to. I'm pretty decent looking, I don't usually smell bad when I go to the movies, I'm skinny and don't spill over into your seat. I'm cool. I understand. I appreciate your kindness -- however, if there are 250 seats in a theater, you don't sit right next to someone. Leave that one seat for personal space. Please. I'm sorry if I was rude when Chris and I slyly scoot over a seat as the theater got dark -- you just creeped me out.

Next time you go to movie, please just assume the person you are going to sit RIGHT next to is going to smell or fart or snore or do something else annoying. Give yourself and the other person a break and make some room.

Thank you.

Frustration

Back is freaking killing me.
Pukes number 6 and 7 on the year in my class and it's only November.
Need to talk husband into taking up something like painting.
Exhausted but can't sleep.

Lovely.

A comment on "Kick It"

This was a comment I typed up in response to Chris's "Kick It" blog and his dad's subsequent comment/letter to me... I typed it up and realized that's a really long comment. So I spun it off into my own blog. Woohoo!


Chris, you are talented. I trust you in these crazy races. Although I, and the rest of your family, don't get whole-heartedly psyched about sending you out into the abyss of races that you want to do... we do all believe in you. I will always be here when you get back and I will always do my best to not cry hysterically every time you think of a fun new one to try. You have an adventurous personality, and I love that about you. I see you research on the internet ALL THE TIME on ways to keep yourself safe and healthy on the races that you always promise me are "not this year!" We wouldn't be your family if we didn't try to discourage you from anything that might harm you. I, for one, would love to get one of those little kid leashes and stick it on you and carry you around with me at all times and call you my squishy. That would be schweeeeeeeeeeeeeet. Unfortunately you're an adult sized human being and they don't make those yet. I guess I could always try Turbo's shock collar though!

Todd, I have to remind you that you took credit for his craziness and thus, I blame you :)I wish I had the veto power that you bestowed upon me. If I did have the power, you bet I would probably veto a few of these freezing races, but the truth is, I guess would rather he do them and get them out of his system rather than have the desire build up and then he wants to do Everest or something (or at least that's what I tell myself). Everest is a no. I told him he can do Everest if we all die before he does... And the biking up Everest thing is funny because we JUST had a conversation that included Chris saying "I'd like to do Everest with a bike approach" -- haha. At that point I think I either gave him an inappropriate finger or some other equally awesome verbal reply. My trick is to take it day-by-day and be happy that today is not the day that I send him into the freezing wilderness or the burning sand. Or sniper fire. Whatever comes first.

Dave, Scott, Erik, Bill, and all other random bikers that read his blog...seriously, stop encouraging him :)

Chris, don't get discouraged. You rock. We all know it. We all just secretly wish we were as cool as you. In fact, you are Becky's hero.

I love you all and goodnight.

"Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em"

I consider myself a fairly intelligent and somewhat talented person. When I was little, I got bored of watching my brothers fumble around trying to learn how to ride bikes so I went next door, got a bike from a friend, and rode up on it and everyone was stunned that I could teach myself to ride a bike in 2 minutes when it had taken my siblings months... I used to play piano decently by ear until my parents got me some creepy piano teacher and I refused to touch a piano after that... I was on the Deans List through high school and graduated with honors... I was the only one of my siblings to graduate college in 4 years (basically with two degrees), and that was staying an extra semester so I wouldn't have to slam myself the rest of the time... I've learned to rock climb, mountain bike, fix cars, race cars and knit... I had secured a great teaching job, was married, bought a house, and had a dog by the time I was 23... BUT...

I also do the stupidest stuff -- I screw up EasyMac (everytime I make it)... I screw up Shake and Pour Pancakes (add water, shake, pour -- not that difficult)... and I manage to hurt myself taking a nap on the couch. It's been a painful day. Time for more Advil and more staying in one position and not moving. How can a generally smart person be such an idiot sometimes? Hmmm...

"You work at a smile and you go for a ride"

I've been riding my cool new bike almost every night, chasing the sunset and trying to squeeze every last moment out of the light. Chris and I have been riding over to the dirt trail right by our house (we picked the best place to live) and just practicing basic mountain biking skills. I love getting to do the same stupid bump over and over and over again because I actually feel successful and feel like I am making some progress. It's a nice way to burn off a little steam at the end of the day, while at the same time spending time with the best husband in the world and getting to ride your favorite bike in the world. Here are some pics from our ride the other night (with Chris taking a few moments out of trucking along on "Fatty Plugsko" to take a few pics)

Off to the knitting store (Shuttles Spindles and Skeins in Boulder -- the best knitting shop EVER) to get some longer size 8 needles for my baby sweater. I finished the back and now am going to be working on the two front sides and then the sleeves and then the hood. We'll see how it all comes together. It's cute and teeny tiny (for 3-6 month old), and I'm super excited to put it in my stash for a future baby. The stash is growing and now we just need a baby to put in the cute knit-wear :) I hope that this time next year I'll have a good excuse to eat even more Turkey at Thanksgiving. Yum, turkey...

Blooby!

Here's the newest member of the quickly growing and greatly overpopulated bike stable in our house. Yesterday Chris bought me my very first mountain bike that was actually bought for me. After riding a hand-me-down bike from my brother for a few years, we finally found my new Trek Fuel EX 7 WSD. My sweet hubby decided I needed a bike that fits me and is actually made for a girl :)

Life is a Highway

It's been a long time since I have posted. Life has felt like a highway lately, speeding by but I've at least gotten a glimpse of some beautiful scenary out the windows along the way.


School is flying by. Conferences are next week -- I feel like school just started. My class has its challenging days, but I am starting to love each kid for their individual querks and personalities. I have one kid who is the biggest suck up I've ever met -- he constantly tells me "nice glasses" or "nice hair" or "nice shoes". At least twice a day he will say "thanks for saying thanks" and we get in this never ending circle of "no, thank you". He drives me crazy but I look forward to his comments every day. I have a little guy that, EVERY single morning, asks me if he can read books out of the green bucket. Every morning I say 'of course' and he responds with "yes!" as if he thought I was going to say no. I've yet to figure out what's so special about the green bucket. My special ed kid that couldn't draw or write anything but circles has started writing random letters. I nearly cried when he showed me his writing on Tuesday -- I couldn't believe he made that much progress. I must be doing something right somewhere in the chaos and stress of the days that whiz past.


I am, once again, so proud of Chris. We packed up the car and headed down to Moab for a beautiful weekend in the desert. Forcast showed 70's for the whole weekend when I checked before leaving work on Thursday. Friday was beautiful.
Saturday morning we woke up to rain and it turned out to be a record setting "perfect storm" that cancelled his 24 hour race after just 9 hours.
He was hauling and doing better that I ever expected him to do. He felt awesome, looked awesome, and rode awesome despite the terrential downpour that was slowly washing out the trail, the campsite, and the road that was the only way out of the valley we were in.





As a crew we had Chris's dad, friends Scott and Melissa and Dave.

I didn't ever know that I could have such a good time standing out in the rain. From trying for a good solid hour to start a fire with wet wood and some USA Today to stringing up 4 tarps between the tent and two cars to only end up creating a six inch square of dry haven -- we had a blast.
I loved watching Chris roll in with a bike full of mud and then watching the boys try to "clean" it before his next lap. It was a muddy, mucky mess, but well worth the trip and Chris ended up in 16th-ish!
I know that with a longer race he would've done even better, but wow. 16th for a world-class race. Damn. The kid is awesome.


Funny thing, I was about to type what a wonderful dog Turbo is because he was all snuggled up on my legs in a pitiful attempt to get my lemonade, but then he made a big stretch and wacked me in the face with his paw, splitting open my lip. Great. Life gives you lemonade and your dog gives you a split lip. Thanks Turb.

Smile and laugh along the highway that your life takes you on. It is short. It is muddy. It can disapointingly cancel a race you've trained for all year after a few short hours. It gives you students that ask questions like "what if I don't listen to adults and get in the car with a stranger, what do I do then?" It can split your lip when you are thinking it is really cute. Life is funny -- laugh at it while you have a chance. I hope you have someone to smile with at the end of a hard day.

Ay Vomito!

That's right. Vomito. I feel this will be the defining quote for my year: Ay Vomito! I did the math, and after today's puker, I have averaged one puker for every 4 days of school. In the words of Ricky Ricardo, ayayayayay.

AY VOMITO!

I really do avoid political conversations...

Take this story the way you want; however, after a long week of work, I had some pretty hillarious conspiracy stories swirling around my head by the time I got home:

I was driving home from work today and two cars, at separate parts of the commute, both merged into me making me slam on my brakes. These two cars had one thing in common. Both had identical "W '04" stickers on the back.

Hmmm...

Wedding frenzy

This weekend was the last of the crazy family wedding frenzy. Our immediate family is now officially all married off, with the next to probably be my niece who is 10 years old. Hopefully we have a while! My brother Scott got married this weekend in a BEAUTIFUL wedding. The weather held off -- it was freezing cold for us bridesmaids but the bride seemed to stay plenty warm and the guests had giant heaters warming them. The ceremony and reception were beautiful and a lot of fun (minus the scary moment of my aunt finding my 87 year old grandma in a side room blue from choking on a piece of chicken -- thankfully some nice man gave her the heimlich twice and she was ok -- scary!). I saw people I hadn't seen since high school and I loved getting to see a bunch of my extended family in from Michigan.

Here is a picture of Chris and I at the reception...

Scott and Betsy during the wedding...

A good time was had by all!

Watch what you say!

I think as adults we don't always think about the fact that kids are going to believe anything and everything we say. I had a kid (one of my more advanced 1st graders) with a mosquito bite raise his hand and tell me "my mom works in the crazy house. She said she got a new patient who got a mosquito bite and she itched it so much that now she's in the crazy house. Make sure you don't itch your mosquito bites too much or it drives you crazy." I don't know if the mom intended for her son to believe this but he believed it with every ounce of his being. It worked, he wouldn't itch his mosquito bites and he would warn others not to, but man did this kid believe that story was true. I wonder what I've said in the past that kids have believed... hmmm...

When it rains, it pours

This has been an interesting weeked (but then again, when is a weekend not interesting to me?).
Last week ended with 4 kids throwing up either in my classroom or in the hall. I was down to 14 kids with the ones who had either puked in class or were already home sick. I spent Friday hoping that I wouldn't be next, and luckily, I've escaped the vomitting wrath so far. I feel sorry for the little ones puking all over, they are so cute and so sad when they get sick. I'm loving my class, they are going to be a fun and entertaining group.
On Friday night, our friends Erik and Michelle got married. It was a beautiful ceremony. They were supposed to get married outside which made me worried when it had been pouring rain all day. Luckily the rain let up and allowed the ceremony to be held outside with only a short delay. They looked very happy and it was all beautiful. I'm very happy for both of them and yes, jealous that they are in Hawaii for the next week. On the way home from the wedding I stopped to get gas in my mom's car while Chris filled up the Element a few gas things down. I got back in the car, saw some creepy guy walking towards the station, instinctually locked the doors (thanks to my drivers' ed teacher who always said to lock the doors even before you put on your seatbelt) and the creepy guy proceded to try to get in my car. He pounded on the window and tried to door handle and I slammed on the gas and squeeled away. I spent the next 30 minutes driving to my parents' house in complete shock. I was scared to death and crying hysterically/hyperventilating the whole way home. I needed Chris but my parents were the ones who sat and calmed me down when I got there. All I needed was a hug, and you can always count on your parents for that. Call me a baby or an overreacter, but it was, by far, one of the scariest moments of my life. I don't know if it was some drunk kid or some creep ball out for a good time, but either way, I thank God for the advice of my drivers ed teacher. That's a first for me, very very very scary and I'm sure it will make me paranoid for a long time.
Yesterday I woke up to pieces of ziplock bag on the floor -- turns out that my lovely golden turbo had decided to eat an entire plastic bag full of stickers. A year or so back, he ate a plastic bag of chocolate chip cookies. Back then, we rushed him to the vet, they made him throw up the bag, and told us that any later and he would've needed surgery. This time I freaked out, took him to the vet, and now he is on a Metamucil diet to make the stickers and bag "slide" through him. Eww. Yesterday was also spent in a marital tiff but ended with a tasty dinner at Pei Wei's near our old apartment. It's owned by P.F. Chang's but is faster and cheaper -- one of my new favorite places to eat. Today I got to use this miraculous floor scrubber contraption to revitalize our nasty kitchen floor. The thing has magical powers -- how it can take our ugly ugly floor and make it actually look decent is beyond me. I've been able to veg on the couch and get some knitting done while watching some cheesy movies that I haven't seen in a while. Next weekend is my brother's wedding and I'm very excited! I'm hoping they get the same weather luck that Erik and Michelle had -- Scott and Betsy's wedding is planned for outside and the weather people are forecasting terrential downpours for three days surrounding the wedding.
I wonder if next weekend will prove to be as interesting as this weekend... hmmm, I sure hope not...

Long weekend, long post

This was a much needed long weekend away from work. The beginning of school is hard, new, fun, but stressful. I'm happy with my cute new class of Kinders and 1st graders. I have some challenging little ones but, on the whole, they are a good group. This new position brings with it much more stress and less flexibility and fun. It's hard to be part of a new program and feel at least partially responsible for its success or failure. I think I'm still too young to feel that stress in my career right now, but I'm running with it and trying to make the best of it. It all comes down to the kids anyway. No matter what I teach, I am partially responsible for their success or failure. Just part of the job and I like that part. Tomorrow I start my new after school tutoring program for a group of five 2nd and 3rd graders in the dual language program. I'm a little nervous about that, but happy to have quit job #2 to be able to do this. Better money and I get to help out kids that really need it instead of kids whose parents can afford to pay $50/hour for a professional tutoring program. In other news...

I went riding with the group on Wednesday. New trail, new friends, great time. Almost decided to divorce Chris after the ride went well into the dark, but luckily I love him and quickly forgave him when he bought me tasty dinner afterwards. Got to meet and ride with Scott's new girlfriend, Melissa. It was refreshing to finally have a girl my speed to ride with and we had a great time. She was a lot of fun and definetely a keeper for Scott.

Me doing my ride/walk/complaining bit at the end...
Me looking a little happier at the beginning of the trail. Deep thoughts, hmmm...
Scott and Dave. Nice glasses Scott, I think those are meant for your eyeballs...

I've been working on some new knitting. Jenny at work graciously taught me how to purl and now I'm making a great ribbed scarf. It's requires much more thinking than a regular knitted scarf but it looks a lot cooler. We're even thinking about starting a monthly knitting group at Starbucks after work. The blurry picture isn't so good but shows the ribbing...


This weekend was relaxing and fun. I had a friend's bachelorette party here Saturday night. It was interesting and fun. I was happy that the stripper didn't show up because I was a little wary of some strange guy stripping in my house. Today we decided to go up to Boulder and ride the mountain bike trail that Chris took me on a few years ago as my first ride in 8 years. Back then, I cried and yelled and couldn't believe he took me on such a horrible trail. This year I had a blast and took some risks and went faster than usual. I thought I was going to eat dirt a few times but stayed up, so that was good. I cruised the 3.2 mile trail in 30 minutes and had a good Chris-and-Marni ride. It's been a while since it's just been the two of us on a trail that challenges me.


Off to another week of school. We have two upcoming weekends of weddings and a bunch of family coming into town in two weeks for my brother's wedding. I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone and getting to know my cousin's almost-hubby. Hopefully this week I'll feel less exhausted than I did the last two weeks or I'll be visiting the doctor to make sure there's nothing physically wrong. Hmmm...

Writers Block

After sitting in front of a blank blogger screen for five minutes, I've decided to give the quick photo diary of latest knitting projects as well as saying I did survive my first day of school. More details to come as I give the crazy little ones a few days to calm down before complaining too much...

Here is a picture of my first scarf that I finished (this is the one that magically grew in width for quite a few inches before I sucked it up and ripped out what I could and started over) -- it's a little short but good for my first project:



Here's a picture of my current project -- a "muppet scarf" for my 10 year old niece for Christmas. I think she'll like it:




More projects to come with my new stash of yarn :)

Congratulations!

I want to be the first to congratulate my husband Chris on his awesome finish in the Winter Park Mountain Bike Series. Today was the last race of the series and I, unfortunately, wasn't able to make it to the race because of some bridal shower obligations. This was one of the only bike races I have ever missed and I was eagerly awaiting a phone call to hear how he did. Chris finished this race in 3rd which put him in 2nd place in the expert category overall for the series. He kicked some major butt and made me eat my words from when he was originally registering for the series and trying to decide which category to race in - sport or expert: "honey, you can race in whatever category you want, but don't be too disappointed if you race expert and don't finish well overall." I take it back. Chris, you are awesome, I'm incredibly proud of you, and I was wrong. I'm proud to call my husband one of the top expert mountain bikers in the state. Congratulations.

Last week of freedom

One more week left of summer -- where did the time go? I got some stuff done this summer, but not everything on my to-do list. It's been a good summer: full of adventures and plenty of naps.

I have pushed my own personal limits and enjoyed it (most of the time). I went on a bunch of mountain bike rides with friends. These trips were a lot of fun. I complain about them sometimes, being too hard or wearing me out or not having anyone my speed or gender to ride with, but in the end I wouldn't rather be doing anything else... even nap (see below). I skipped last week's weekly ride due to some really sore legs and tired body from climbing our 14ers and regreted it every moment of the night. I missed getting out and enjoying this great state that we live in, I missed the encouragement from the guys, and I especially missed the tasty food and good company afterwards (especially since they got ice cream this time -- yummm).

I've also taken time to relax and do what I miss the most when I'm in the middle of the craziness that is the school year: nap. I am a huge fan of naps. I think it's a teacher thing, every teacher I've talked to comments about how they will miss their naps. Our awesomeness catches up with us and we all need time to relax and not be in charge of taking care of anything or anyone but ourselves. Naps are the easiest and cheapest way to do that. I feel that teachers, out of any profession, deserve a week at some ocean-side spa every year. Unfortunately, teachers work in a profession that they will never be able to afford such luxury. Maybe the union can get that to be part of our employment package. Spa. Hmmm...

One week left. Today I had the day off of job #2 and actually decided that I'm ready to go back to regular work. I'm tired of being lazy and not motivated to do anything. I miss my little 5 year olds and their funny comments and unconditional love. I miss their little hugs and comments about you being their favorite teacher and daily questions about how you got holes in your socks and how you can have a husband and dog and mom and still live at school. I'm ready to get back. I'm more nervous now than I was last year -- this year I have the pressure of living up to the hype that I'm a great teacher. Yikes. I hope I don't let them down.


On a fun note, this weekend was our 2nd anniversary! Wow, the wedding was two years ago! Sometimes it seems like so long ago and sometimes I can't believe it's already been 2 years. I loved our wedding. It was beautiful and fun and the greatest day of my life so far. I see my brothers and friends getting married and they seem so stressed -- they all have big fancy weddings and showers and bachelorette parties that make mine seem like a backyard bar-b-que, but I wouldn't change what I had for the world. I smiled through the whole thing and didn't once feel the pressure that I see them under.

Now I can focus on talking Chris into babies... :) Photo is of my flashy new pink/red mountain bike shoes that I got as an anniversary present. They're awwwesommmmeee....

A "rockin" good time!

Here is a photo diary of our first 14ers trip! We are SORE today, but proud of our achievement. Enjoy the trip!





























The end of the story: When Chris and I were turning off the highway to get to the trailhead at 3:30 am, we heard an eerily appropriate song on the XM Country station, it was "Mountains" by Lonestar. It goes something like this:

"There are times in life when you've got to crawl, lose your grip, trip and fall; When you can't lean on no one else that's when you find yourself; I've been around and I've noticed that walkin's easy when the road is flat, them danged old hills will get you everytime, yeah the good Lord gave us mountains so we could learn how to climb..."

Hope you find as much inspiration in it as we did :)