Naked Lip

I haven't blogged in a while. Not sure why, perhaps it is because I've been so freaking busy, or perhaps it is just because I haven't had anything good to say. Hmmm... well, either way, here's an update:

I rode on Wednesday with Chris, Erik, and Steve at Marshall Mesa. It's amazing how quickly our Wednesday group has dwindled now that it is "fall". No girls are coming at this point in the year -- I think the inevitable night riding keeps some away, I also think we've entered a busy time of the year when it's simply easier to not go ride. I haven't been great at riding myself, getting over this cold has put me back to riding once a week and I can't wait to get back into it. Night riding or not, I still look forward to our Wednesday rides and hate the thought of missing them. This week we rode a trail closer to our house and ended up being the only ones at our post-ride dinner. During the ride I wore a small version of the sun on my head which made the issue of night riding almost non-existent. It's amazing what a little wattage can do to your outlook when it gets dark. I could actually see the trail! We ended up riding almost 20 miles. Going from basically no riding for the past three weeks to 20 miles was a surprisingly easy task and that made me feel good about my base fitness. I must not have lost too much fitness with the four pounds that I lost while being sick... now I'm just a lighter-weight version of myself -- haha.

(bug spray + Mesa dirt = excellent way to fake 'n bake tan)

This weekend was one of those lovely one-day weekends. I had a mandatory science training on Friday night and all day on Saturday. Booooo. It was incredibly borring but at least I'll get paid for it in November. I'll never say no to an extra $200. Between my trainings and Chris's tour-de-front-range this weekend, we realized we hadn't really seen each other too much since Thursday. So we spent the day together after a VERY early morning hair appointment in Boulder. We had two breakfasts, one at Starbucks and one at Panera. We bummed around some mountaineering store in Boulder and then came home to get my work done, clean up the house, and relax on the couch. Today I became 3-0 in Fantasy Football, beating out my own mother. Last week I creamed the TMom, and beat out my sister's family the week before. Poor Chris is at the bottom of the Fantasy Football barrel -- looks likes he should stick to bikes. Turns out my strategy is awesome -- pick people who have weird names (i.e. T.J Houshmandzadeh).

Anyway, a whole day together lead down to the basement where the closet got gutted and we got distracted by "old" stuff. We looked through old pictures, some of when we first met, some before we met. We decided we were (are?) huge dorks and it's a miracle either one of us fell for the other one. Our kids are going to make such fun of those pictures one day ("Mommy, why did Daddy have yellow hair? He looks silly"). In the spirit of dorky pictures, we decided to have a little fun with the camera tonight. Digital allows us to delete those terrible pictures, so what fun will the kids have one day always looking at pictures where the smile is just right? We created some new material tonight with some stick-on mustaches. Enjoy future children and mean-spirited friends... hehehe...




(notice the new haircut -- after having the same style since I was 18, I decided to go for a change -- not too drastic, but different at least)

(Turbo has a mustache here but he's currently trying to eat it)

Happy new week!

Lungs of steel

Lots of things to update. Of course the most important first.

I rode yesterday. If you call riding leaving a lung on the trail in between hike-a-biking and pedaling straight into rocks. Yeah, the ride wasn't pretty. I've been sick with a chest/head cold for a solid week and a half and it is a SLOW moving sickness. Luckily I'm starting to not feel like I'm going to die, so I wanted to get out of the house and ride for a change. It wasn't pretty. My legs felt pretty good and I sure had the heart for riding, but my lungs and bike handling skills didn't exactly match up. I felt like I'd never ridden a bike before. The tiniest of rocks would throw me off balance and make me get off and walk. The only time I made any sort of decent move was up a little waterbar and that was only because there was a cuteish guy standing at the top looking at me like I wouldn't be able to make it. So of course I had to prove him wrong :) I think he ended up impressed and gave me some nice encouragement. I rode 2.5 miles up Lookout Mountain and then decided to skip the last push to the top in favor of riding part way down the road and then back on the trail to the car. Riding alone in the dusk/darkishness was entertaining. I saw a bird in the middle of the trail that wouldn't move so I stopped and started to think about how to get it to move when someone came up behind me and asked if they could pass. I must've jumped about 10 feet thinking it was a talking bear. I also hit a sandy spot going slowly, paniced and grabbed the breaks, almost had a fairly spectacular slow speed crash but saved it and then had shaking legs that wouldn't calm down the rest of the ride down. Good news is I got to wear my cute new jersey for the first time! Yay!


My new K/1 class is going very well. I'm having a blast with the little kindergarteners and the 1st graders seemed to have matured a bit with the responsibility of "setting a good example". It's a challenge for sure, but I'm really loving it. Here's my funny story for the day:

Today I was reading a book and this little guy (who is classically entertaining in so many ways including his mohawk and super thick glasses) interrupts and the following conversation occurs (the kid is Y)
Y: When I grow up I'm not going to read books. Actually, I'm not going to read nothing.
Me: Oh yeah? What are you going to do when you grow up?
Y: I want to sit around and eat and play video games all day.
Me: Well, what are you going to do to make money? What will be your job?
Y: (pauses for a second) I'm going to make statues.
Me: (didn't expect that one -- usually it's a fireman or power ranger) Hmmm, well, when you get people to tell you what they want you to make, you'll have to read the note.
Y: They can just tell me.
Me: What about your video games? When you get a new video game you'll have to read the instructions right?
Y: I get new video games and I don't have to read the directions now.
Me: Well, people aren't as smart when they get older.
Y: Hmmm.


Hehehe. I met my match :D

New Beginnings?

I just want to point out that right now I'm wearing a sweatshirt, bundled in a blanket, and so cold that I just had to close all windows and doors in the house. Fall is a'comin!
***********************
Off to a new week of work. Should be quite interesting with lots of good blogging material. Due to the kindergarten class being up to 35 kids right now, there's a VERY good chance that, as of Tuesdayish, I will no longer be a 1st grade teacher but instead I'll be a K/1 teacher (again!).

Having done it before, I 'won' the opportunity to teach a K/1 and give the other English 1st grade teacher some of my kids (including, yes, the very apple of my eye that has been making the first three weeks of school harder than imaginably possible) so that I would have room to fit 9+ new kinders.

It's not *official* yet, but rather just a very good possibility. I, of course, am all for the opportunity to give the apple of my eye to a different teacher (although she is probably also going to end up in a separate school in the end), I've done a K/1 with great success in the past, and LOVE Kindergarteners in general... sooooooo... it could be a good change. It also is going to pose many more problems and complications (like, I'm not sure how I'm going to be teaching math being the only K/1 teacher, hmmmm). So we'll see.

Good thing I'm good at rolling with the punches.

"You'd never take a walk with me"

So, first things first. I haven't been to work in two days because I'm still sick. I think I'm slowly getting better, but I still have a hacking cough and can't stand up for more than two minutes without being out of breath and lightheaded. It's amazing how you can go from the peak of your fitness to barely able to walk up the stairs in two short weeks. Good thing I love being a teacher because it sure takes a toll on your mental and physical health -- especially this time of year.

The weather is feeling downright fallish today and it makes me have a serious itch to go ride. Chris is out doing that right now and I'm incredibly envious. A chill road ride with a clear view of the Flatirons, taking in the scenery and fresh air sounds heavenly. Heal, Marni, heal.

To make myself feel better for being at home I've done three things. 1) I did the strenuous task of whipping up some brownies for dessert tonight -- yumm! 2) I did some prep work for some delicious parm/rosemary pork chops for dinner -- double yummmm! 3) Downloaded the latest P!nk CD.

#1 and #2 are very me. #3 is not so much. Let me explain.

Buying a new CD, even through i-tunes, brings me back to the days of being a teenager. I'd get a few extra bucks, go to the Best Buy in the Probe, look at the CD section FOREVER and finally land on the one CD I wanted. I'd play it over and over and over again until about 3 weeks later when it'd land in a pile with the other CDs I used to play over and over and over again. It didn't happen that often, but it made driving anywhere exciting for the next few days knowing you'd get to listen to it.

Now-a-days I download the music, rarely burn it on to a CD, so therefore rarely hear it in my car. But it does make mundane tasks like cleaning or cooking more fun because I can play the music off the computer. Hence the reason I did the brownies and pork chops chores tonight despite feeling pretty crappy. I rarely download CDs -- maybe one every six months -- so when I do, it feels like a guilty pleasure.

Also, P!nk isn't exactly my normal selection. Due to the XM in my car, I've expanded my music tastes. I heard a few P!nk songs I liked, and luckily they are all on the same CD. Hence the purchase. The point of it all is still coming.

I downloaded the CD and heard a new song that I really liked. I tend to stay out of political discussions -- or any discussion that pits core beliefs against core beliefs -- as a personal choice. I don't mind other people having them. I don't really mind listening to them, I'm just not a fan of participating. I don't really have that ability to not take things personally. I think I missed that crucial step in growing up. To me, everything is personal. It's a flaw and a positive characteristic at the same time. It's what makes me a good teacher and a bad teacher. Eeeenyway, if you're not a huge fan of Mr. Bush in Washington, you might enjoy P!nk's "Dear Mr. President" song featuring the Indigo Girls. I may be a little late to the party, but it shows some serious professional, for lack of a better word, balls to be willing to put out a song like that -- it is a tasteful criticism of some things going on. I'll leave it at that.

Ooooh! Brownies are beeping! YUM!

Climb that mountain

Today I am sick. I woke up Sunday morning not feeling well, spent Monday feeling terrible, woke up Tuesday morning thinking I'd turned the corner so I went to work, and now I'm sidelined (Tuesday night) on the couch feeling like there is a rock on my chest and an elephant in my sinuses. Lovely. There's a good chance I won't be going to work tomorrow.

If I don't go to work, I won't be able to go on our Wednesday night ride. If I don't go on our Wednesday night bike ride, I won't be able to wear my cute new Twin Six "Queen of the Mountains" jersey that Chris bought me. Sad.

Anyway, before getting sick we had a great weekend with Chris's mom and sister in town. Here are a few pictures from our climb up Mt. Sherman. HUGE props to the flatlanders who overcame some altitude issues to summit their first 14er! You guys are awesome!





And now the best picture of all. Here's Chris and I if we stop doing anything active and eat nothing but twinkies for the rest of our lives.

Chris will probably make a good write-up of the climb in the next few days -- he's good at that. If I'm stuck on the couch with this darn cough tomorrow, maybe I'll post more of a narrative myself.

Adios.

Another phrase I never thought I'd have to say...

"Butts are not used to turn off lights"

Yep. Came out of my mouth. Teaching has to be the most hillarious profession in the world. Despite all of the stress swirling around my room right now, they are, in fact, still five and six year olds. Thank goodness for that.

Season Wrap-Up

Race miles in 2006: 5
Podiums: None. Actually, in that race, I got last in my class -- an anti-podium.

Race miles in 2007 (April 1 - August 31): 147.3
Podiums: 3. Two race podiums and an overall series podium.

Mmm, yeah.

I've say I've kicked it up a notch.

Yesterday I finished the Winter Park series. I raced a race that, apparently, has been ranked in the top 5 mountain bike races in the world. Armstrong even did this race in '99 (A LOT faster than me). King of the Rockies proved to be a challenge, but rather than stressing about this race, I just went out and had a good time. At one point in the race, I had a song stuck in my head and actually broke out a little dance while riding. In retrospect, I should've raced a little harder. I should've had more of a killer instinct and tried to podium one last time for the season (afterall, Chris will be making me move to Sport instead of Beginner next year, so it'll probably be a while before I have another legitimate chance at placing in the top 3). I knew I had 2nd place for the series pretty locked up (although 3rd made a heck of a showing and ended up tying me for 2nd -- good for her, but I'm still not convinced she didn't cheat). Instead of rushing, I enjoyed the ride -- all 25ish miles of it. Honestly, with more and different food, and more water, I feel like I could've ridden even more (I can say that because I didn't have to).

The first part of the race was fine -- a downhillish section on dirt road -- I let most of the pack go and then would ride up to one girl, draft for a second, then slingshot up to the next. I was having fun playing with some tactics Chris has been teaching me on the road. Could I have hammered and gone a little faster? Probably. I played a little with gearing -- what would happen if I shifted up to the big ring? What would happen if I spun faster/slower? It was fun. I smiled and tried to talk to girls as I passed them and then get a big kick out of the nasty look they'd give me for sounding so chipper. I played that game through the whole race and it was, at least, very entertaining to me. Most girls get bitter when they sit on a bike seat. I'm not sure what that's all about.

The first climb was nice -- steady but not technical, long but not steep. I got into a rhythm and hung on to the wheel of the girl who ultimately got 2nd for the race. I should've stuck with her, or passed her when I knew I could climb faster than the pace she was setting. When the hill flattened out, she was gone. It probably would've been an interesting race had I passed her at the base of the climb like I wanted to. Oh well. Lesson learned for another year.

The first downhill was fun -- I had warned Jeanie that it could be "dangerously fast", and her husband ultimately ended up eating it on that descent and breaking his collarbone into pieces. Poor guy. I guess I read that hill right.

The rest of the race sorta blends together only with snipets sticking out in my mind. I got growled at something from the trees in the middle of nowhere at some point. That was a little unnerving. I made it through the big water crossing for the first time. In the pre-ride I ate it onto my knee, the next race I got off and ran it, last race I made it 3/4 of the way through then realized I was in too hard of a gear to keep pedaling and had to get off, and this time I made it. Thanks to Michelle for her cheers and support... I think that was the best part of the race. I cleaned the nasty climb up Chainsaw as everyone around me walked it. I disliked the Serenity trail a lot. I spent the entire trail trying to think of the word that "serenity" comes from and could only come up with serentatious -- only to realize at 2am last night that it's simply "serene". It was not serentatious -- or serene -- at all. I hate that trail. I liked the rest.

And so it ended. I came off of Serenity to the trial that leads to the end and saw another racer pop off a different trail and thought I recognized our friend Scott. When I saw Chris I yelled "Is that Scott?" and when he said yes, I put it in the big ring and cranked as hard as possible to catch him before the finish line. Unfortunately, he heard I was in front of him and he put on the gas to catch me. That last push smoked me for good. But it was fun to try.

Turns out I didn't do so hot in comparison to the rest of my group in this particular race -- but knowing that leaves me very hungry for next year. I guess that's a good thing. I did get second overall for the series. Pretty impressive for not wanting to do any of the races. In the middle of this series I found a love for mountain biking. I'm no longer only in it for the delicious food afterwards. I truly love the challenge and the peace that comes with being out on the trail. I am so lucky to have such an amazing husband and great group of friends to ride with on a regular basis.

And now to the obligatory post-season thank yous:

Thank you to Chris for all of your free coaching and never ending support and bicycle maintenance. You've taught me to believe in myself, the bike, and the unknowns that make up the sport.

Thanks to Eric, Scott, Bill, Dave and Mike for always putting up with my slow-butt at the Wednesday night rides. Your encouragement, support, and sense of humor has kept me from quitting this sport on many-a-wednesday. You guys are the best people to ride with in the whole world and I'm lucky to get to tag along.

Thanks to Melissa, Michelle, and Jeanie who have made the Wednesday night rides more fun and social than simply "going for a ride." It's been nice to have girls to ride with for a change -- girls that understand that riding shouldn't just be about the length or intensity of the ride, but the fun factor plays a big role as well.

Thanks to the Feedback team for letting wear your jersey and be an honorary member of your team for the race series.

Well, that's all folks. My bike season is over. I'll still be riding, but no more racing for me until next year unless an opportunity presents itself that I just can't resist.

My goals for 2008?

Let's just say I'm going to be spending some serious time on the trainer this winter -- pregnant or not. I hope to pull out some secret weapons for both Cherry Creek and Winter Park next year. Chris and I want to do a team assault on a 12 or 24 hour at some point -- Plesko family assault involving Dad Plesko as well? I hope so! Talks have been swirling around this house of a Marni-Pugsley possibly in the future. I'm a little nervous of the whole snow-biking idea but, like everything else, I'm sure Chris will find a way to make me like it. There's also talks of a single speed in the future. Also nervous about that, but also think it will be a fun challenge. Overall, lots of great things to look forward to if the pregnant thing doesn't work out. Life right now is good, and I'm taking advantage of it.

Did I mention my kickball league starts on Monday? There should be a whole new crop of funny sports-related stories to share once that gets started... my first attempt at a team 'sport' -- Go Ovulators!

Real

My life right now is very much similar to my car. My car has a rear tire with a nail in it -- not reparable except by full replacement of all four tires. It's had a nail in it for a while. Every morning, Chris and I wake up and he very sweetly pulls out the compressor and airs it up. Every evening after work, the air has slowly slipped out and needs just a little more air the next morning. The cycle repeats and will continue to repeat until the decision is made to spend a lot of money to get new tires. It's only a nagging problem, not quite big enough to warrant immediate attention but too big to simply ignore.

School started yesterday. As much as I'd like to write about how wonderful it is, how perfect the job is, how perfect my kids are, and how perfect I am for teaching them, I can't. I have to be honest because as I tried to think back to last year's first day and couldn't quite remember how it went, if it was this hard, I looked back in my blog and couldn't find much. I'm doing a favor to myself, one year from now, as I look for some comfort that things get better. Cheers to you, me+one year, you survived.

I'll start with the good.

I've got a job. I've got a great classroom. I've got a great school. I'm really liking my principal and vice principal and feel like I could go talk to them about anything at any time, which I seriously lacked the last two years. The staff seems nice -- although the crazy hugeness creates an incredible feeling of total isolation. I've got a great teammate (while there's FIVE first grades, only one other that teaches in English so I really consider her my sole teammate)-- she's really fun, easy to talk to, and an overall great and hillarious person. I've got 22 (and growing) really cute first graders. I'm sure once I have a second to get to know them and love them for their quirks, they'll be a fun class. I'll have funny stories eventually. I'm sure I will.

I'll end with the... well... nail in the tire part.

I have an incredibly challenging student. A student that has, in two short days, thrown me in to a deep pool of professional insecurity. The first day was the worst day I've had as a teacher. I didn't know what to do with this kid. There wasn't much background information given to me, and I felt totally lost and frustrated. This student was EVERYWHERE doing EVERYTHING. Halfway through the afternoon, in the middle of class, I almost cried. But didn't. Until I got home at least. As soon as school got out I ran to the special ed teachers and absorbed any piece of advise they could throw my way. I spent the morning taping off areas of the floor, moving tables, doing anything I could to make myself feel a little more prepared. A lot of it worked this morning. I actually got to teach a bit. The afternoon wasn't the best. I guess I should take what I can get. A morning is better than nothing.

Things will be okay eventually. I hope. I've had several staff members in and out of my classroom for various reasons and they all sing the same song: the "How do you not scream and go crazy?" song. Luckily I'm a relatively calm person. I've learned through having some other emotionally disabled kids in my room how to block out the screaming fits. I don't fall for the crocodile tears. I have sympathy for the mental, social, and emotional things that are swirling around this little person... but I've also seen how I can't be a friend to these kids. I have to be strong and stern and not fun. But I feel like I'm depriving the other 21 kids of the teacher I know I can be. A silver lining is going to shine through because of this. One day I'll say that this student taught me more than anyone else in my life. One day I'll be a better person and a better teacher because of this student.

Unfortunately though, One Day is far off, and right now all I have is Tomorrow. Just like our tire, Chris will tirelessly pump me up each morning, give me some hope, wipe my tears, force feed me giant M&Ms between sobs in the kitchen, and love me despite my deflated air at the end of the day. What would I do without him?

One more time: Cheers, me+one year, you survived.

"You tiger now"

A few quick updates...

I'm tiger now.

This was caused by a cleat/pedal full of a mudish substance, giving me a false sense of being clipped in, going down a little technical section standing with weight back, subsequently being bounced off to the right of my bike when said cleat was not actually clipped in to said pedal, and thus... tiger. All I remember is working really hard not to fall down and then dragging my right leg along my front tire somehow. Lovely. Later I fell into a rock and got another lovely case of rock-rash on the front of the same leg. Ouch. There's a nasty little hiding under my red stripes. Rarrrrr.

I'm teacher now. Almost. Kids come monday. My class is now at 24 and still growing. Eek. Here's a picture of my classroom as of yesterday -- although it's already changed slightly.






Had a *fun* adventure to the ER with hubby yesterday to make sure he wasn't going to die of a blood clot. Gee, that was fun. Luckily he's good -- no clot, no dying, no winter full of only riding indoors (that would've made for a LONG winter). I'm glad he's ok. Turbo is too.



Meow.

Unusual Fun

Sometimes the beauty of fun lies in the least fun part of an activity.

Summer is quickly fading and fall is sneakily peeking around the corner.

Add those two statements together and you have our Wednesday night ride up White Ranch.

I've been hearing, for a few years now, stories of White Ranch but I hadn't actually seen it for myself until Wednesday. I had worked it up in my head to be an incredibly steep, loose, single track trail straight up the side of a hill -- going on for miles, surrounded by hissing rattlers, people stopped every few feet gasping for air, grown men crying on the side of the trail with a clif bar in hand and a stick to beat off the snakes in the other.

Somehow, with that picture in my mind, I was psyched to get to finally do it.

I feel like Belcher is a right of passage into the front range mountain biking scene. If you haven't climbed Belcher, you can't call yourself a well-rounded two-wheeler in Denver.

I expected to walk almost the whole thing -- passing those crying men with my own teary eyes. I expected to vow never to return.

When you build something up in your mind to be so terrible, life rarely lives up to those expectations. Good thing. Turns out that while White Ranch had its bad parts -- some loose sections, some steep sections, a not-so-awesome single track loop at the top, a sketchy descent when it's DARK and you have no lights or mysteriously awesome night-vision goggle eyes like Chris -- it was fun. It was challenging. I fell. A lot. I saw my life flash before my eyes as I almost ate it seriously hard core coming down a steep, rocky part in the dark.

But I liked it.

I want to go back.

Maybe not any time in the super near future.

But I'll be back.

Perhaps with lights next time. Or maybe not. It is, after all, the least fun part of a ride that makes a ride beautiful.

Something old and something new

Three years ago yesterday (8/6/04), this is what Chris and I looked like:


Yesterday (8/6/07), this is what Chris and I looked like:




So much has changed in three years, but at the same time, so much is the same.

Three years ago I wanted to make sure I had the right hair, the right dress, the right cake. Yesterday I wanted to make sure I didn't get blown off a mountain by a storm, I wore 5 layers of tops including three different jackets, and I forgot about the smushed up hostess cupcakes in the bottom of my pack.

Three years ago we got ready for our big event as we watched a storm blow in bringing rain, lightning, thunder, and very dark clouds... the weather threatened our plans to take pictures out in Red Rocks park after the wedding. The weather cleared just in time and we were able to carry out our plans. Yesterday we got ready for our big event and we watched a storm blow in bringing rain and puffy darkish clouds... the weather threatened our plans to climb four 14ers. The weather cleared just in time and we were able to carry out our plans.

Three years ago we stood in front of all of our friends and family and promised to love each other and take care of each other no matter what, for the rest of our lives. Yesterday we stood by ourselves at 14,286 feet and kept that promise.

Happy anniversary Christopher! Life has been an adventure since meeting you six and a half years ago, and I suspect it always will be. Thank you for joining me on the ride.

****
Notice the "nice" weather on the left of my head and the cloud roaring in to the right of my head. I didn't see this cloud coming on the top of Mt. Democrat, I looked down to get Turbo's treat out, looked up, and POOF, we were surrounded.

Yee-haw

Today was Winter Park race #5 out of 6. I'll type up a better race report with a few pictures tomorrow, but for now I can tell you I got 3rd! Last time I got 3rd I was gunning for it and thought I might have it -- today I was SHOCKED. Exciting either way. Another night of sleeping with a medal :)

When it rains, it pours

I can finally breathe.

Tuesday ended up being an incredibly productive day. I interviewed for a job and got it.

Later on Tuesday, I had my appeal hearing for my unemployment claim. They initially denied me based on the fact that I officially "resigned." In the appeal I explained WHY I resigned and made sure to emphasize the fact that I wouldn't have resigned had they not given me my "non-renewal" notice.

Today I found out that I won.

Today Chris and I let out a sigh of relief.

****

Last night our group rode Chimney Gulch -- a trail that goes up Lookout Mountain on mountain bikes. It was hard, for sure. One huge climb up a mountain and then one huge descent back down. Starting the ride with a headache didn't help the cause. My body wasn't feeling the ride, but I managed to make it up without too much complaining. Coming back down, the clouds had rolled in to darken the trail and I'm still sans contacts so I was also riding virtually blind. It was a little sketchy and there was a lot more complaining. I also crashed thinking a rock was a shadow and fell over (slowly) flat on my elbow and knee onto a huge rock. Today the knee is bruised and my shoulder is killing me. Other than that, no major damage. I'm mostly happy that I didn't damage my favorite Marmot wind shirt. That would've been very sad.

So things are good.

Life is coming together very quickly.

p.s -- thanks to Mr. Nice for the picture (only a slightly tipped helmet!). Happy almost-birthday! It was good to see you back on a ride!

p.p.s -- did I mention yet that I'm on a kickball team for the fall with a bunch of friends? It's going to be hillarious. Last night they figured out the team name -- The Ovulators. Hahahahahaha...

WOOHOOOOO

I GOT A JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

About two minutes after posting the last post, the interview from today called back and I got the job! YAY! Instead of waiting until they were finished with interviews tomorrow, they called today so that I "wouldn't get scooped up by another school". FUN! It's nice to be wanted for a change!

WOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

It's a hard-knock life...

I had another interview today.

It was one interview for three separate jobs -- two first grades and a third grade. This interview was actually fun, I seemed to mesh well with the principal and vice principal, and the school seemed to be what I'm looking for. I have a good feeling about this one, but I'll need to wait until tomorrow or Thursday to find out more.

I still haven't heard back from the first job yet. They seem to be taking their sweet time.

At 3:00 I have an appeal hearing for my unemployment claim. I basically need to prove that I resigned because I was being forced out. According to their rules, I should get the benefits; however, knowing that the world is the way that it is, I'm not counting on seeing a penny. At least it has been an interesting experience.

Tonight our family drafts our picks for the Berry family Fantasy Football league. I am totally going to win. The family is going down. I know absolutely nothing about the players and I have a feeling I'll be choosing based on how cute their names are. Sad but true. If the players weren't around in the late 90s, I won't know who they are. If you have any suggestions, let me know before 4:00 tonight.

Tomorrow I'm having lunch with some friends from my old school. I'm excited to see them.

I want a job.

no good title today

This weekend we pre-rode the next Winter Park course. It's similar to the last race, only backwards, with a few extra trails thrown into the mix. Luckily I'm a beginner so I don't have to do the extra 6 mile loop that sounds brutal, so that's good. It has A LOT of climbing. A LOT. I think the race will be fun but also really hard. Lots of fire road climbing, a few rooty/rocky climbs to make it hurt even more, and some quick downhills. I'm guessing it won't be my favorite race of the year, but I hope to make it through with a smile.

Chris took this picture, I LOVE IT. Good photographing Chris!

Out with the old...

and in with the, well... hmmm... out with the old.

First off, last night I was told I didn't get the .5 kinder job that I interviewed for. Supposedly they were super impressed though and were going to keep me in mind for future jobs, but they still had to give it to someone already working in the school. Sucks, but I understand. I also know it wasn't the perfect job for me. But I did fall in love with the school itself. Oh well, another day.

Anyway, I have fun pictures to share!

This is when we first bought our house -- take a look at the giant pokey bushes in the front by the for sale sign (I couldn't seem to find a better picture to show than this)

And here is a picture from yesterday -- notice anything ugly and pokey missing?

Pretty exciting! My genius dad came over yesterday, pulled out some serious tools from the back of the car (including some 40ish year old Army tools), and we assaulted the bushes. We still have the stump of one to dig out, and then we'll be finished. My dad is awesome. For being 66 years old, he can sure swing the heck out of an axe. He showed the bushes who was boss and even hauled the remnants of our heavy, old broken statue to the garbage truck. When you are a kid, you think your dad is superman -- capable of superhuman feats of strength and bravery. Luckily for me, I haven't grown out of that phase yet. Thanks for your help dad!

Chris and I haven't quite decided what to replace the ugly bushes with. We are pondering some flowers, or pots of flowers (whichever is easiest to NOT kill), and maybe a small fence to prop the bikes up on. We also plan to get rid of the giant spruce in front of our house one of these days. It will be a slightly larger chore!

Luckily, Chris won a $50 gift certificate to the local garden center from Earth Day at work a while back, so we get to find at least some of our new landscaping for free. For now, we are giggling with joy as we can ride our bikes right out the front door, directly onto the lawn, and out to the street.

This summer seems to be filled with changes. We are getting rid of the 'old' in our lives. Old hobbies, old habits, old ugly paint colors. We are patiently waiting for new. New jobs, new parts, new landscaping, new humans. I'm a patient person but bad at being patient. We're making it though. I'm proud of us.

Undeniable

Interviews are an annoying part of finding a job.

Had an interview yesterday for a 1st grade job and one today for a half time kinder job. I think I did pretty well on both interviews and hope at least something comes out of at least one of them. If not, back to the land of never ending applications.

I realized that as I drive by the exit for my old school on the highway, I am still quite bitter. Probably more bitter than I should be, but still am. It's not right that I'm looking for a job right now. It's not right that teachers much less caring and talented than myself are soon to be getting paid almost double what I'll get anywhere else -- and I care about the kids and would do it for nothing.

But, it is what it is. I'm happy to be getting some interest... no, change that, I'm ECSTATIC to be getting interest. I hate interviews, but I can't complain. I want them.

Ooh, pictures of the booties I knitted! CUTE! (they are for Craig's coming baby -- baby might get some matching items if I get around to it in the next few weeks)

The big 6-0-0

Last night Chris and I dragged ourselves out of the wonderful air conditioning and went on a ride. I know, imagine that. Neither one of us were super motivated, but both of us knew we *should* ride. Luckily the legs felt good and the breeze ended up being nice. Eventually we got away from the cars and had a peaceful excursion on the road. But the big news was that my road bike odometer turned over 600 miles! Wohoo! Ok, so I've had the bike for more than a year and it's only at 600, but it sounds more impressive when you realize that I turned over 200 in a trainer session with Chris and Feedback Jim in December or Januaryish. So I've had about 400 miles this year on the road bike alone... as opposed to last year where I probably didn't have that split between both bikes.

In other news, I have an interview on Friday with a school in Denver Public Schools. Whether I get the job or not (it's a .5 kinder position), I'm happy to say I at least got an interview. It's about time. I haven't interviewed in a while, so I hope I can keep it together ok. At least I'll be going into this one with some teaching experience under my belt, whereas I just had to b.s a bunch of stuff before. Wish me luck!

Tomorrow is Green Mountain with the Wednesday group. I hope my throat is feeling better and I hope the mean old men on the Harleys don't harass us again. I guess I'll put Lakewood police on speed dial this time.

"I am what I am and I am what I'm not"

While racing this weekend I tried to figure out why I like it.

I'm a nervous wreck before, unable to enjoy even the best of hugs from the Mr.

I'm a tired sloppy mess that night and the entire next day.

It's not cheap.

Racing and training takes up a good amount of time, even for a jobless beginner like me. Hence the STILL unfinished kitchen and only partially torn down front bushes.

I wake up each morning and for the first ten minutes, I feel like my body has aged 40 years.

Sure, once in a while it's a very rewarding experience, but at least for me, it's generally been a little disappointing.

The inevitable weight loss is cool, if you're trying to do that sort of thing, which I'm not. I've lost about 6 pounds since the time trial series started in April. Not a lot for most people, but for me it seems huge. I feel like I eat ALL THE TIME to keep up with the calories I'm burning by riding every day. Ok, so that's not a negative. I like to eat. Actually, I love any excuse to eat more often.

I digress.

The morning before the race this weekend I racked my brain trying to figure out how I got sucked into all of this. I loved being a spectator at these events when just Chris was racing. It's fun to people watch. It's relaxing to sit in beautiful mountain locations with nothing but a dog, an i-pod, and a book that never gets read or knitting that never gets knit.

About an hour into the two hour race I figured it out. I looked down at my watch and the stop watch said 29 minutes and 42 seconds. I was suffering. My legs hurt and felt really weak. Since they felt so weak I couldn't stand up on the downhills for more than five seconds without them shaking uncontrollably. So I sat. Because I sat my back and booty were killing me. When I saw 29 minutes and 42 seconds I started to cry. Literally. I guess, in retrospect, had I been feeling better and saw 29 minutes at that point in the course I would've probably passed out from joy. But no. Freaking suffering, wanting to finish, and I wasn't even a quarter of the way through it.

Then something magical happened.

I used my brain.

Yeah, imagine that. I guess that's why we wear helmets to protect it. So we can use it once in a while instead of depending on technology.

I looked down at my watch about a minute later.

29.42

Hmmm.

Ah yes, the watch had stopped. I must've hit the stop button with my wrist on one of the downhills at the start of the race. I checked the clock on my bike computer. I was a little more than an hour done. Sweeeeeeeeet. I looked around, made sure no one could hear my thoughts or see my useless tears, and smiled. Duh.

Back to why I've decided I like racing.

Shortly after that little incident, I was still suffering. Things were still hurting. But on one particular uphill, I realized that I hadn't THOUGHT in a while. Sure, I'd thought about where to put my front wheel. Thought about what was coming up next. Thought about where the competition was, who I'd passed, who had passed me and I needed to find and crush. I'd thought about how I was glad I didn't make it over the front of my bars when the front wheel stopped abruptly on a rock and it sent me into a suspended moment in the air, balancing between *almost crash* and *bad crash into a tree on my face*.

But I hadn't actually thought.

I didn't think about finding a job. I didn't think about what to have for dinner and how to pay for it. I didn't think about babies, patio furniture, furry floors, torn couches, or unfinished projects.

Ok, I thought about how to get a cold Sprite. But that was fleeting and it sounded good.

I think that's why I've started to really like racing. It's just me and my lack of important thoughts.

When I'm racing I'm not Mrs. Plesko or Marni or Marlene or wifey. I'm "Berry" when I'm hurting and tired. I'm "Plesko" at the end when I think I've earned the name.

Saturday wasn't an awesome race. I got 4th. 5 minutes out of 3rd place. I made up a solid 2 or 3 minutes in a crazy pedaling rage in the last two miles to the finish line out of a simple desire to see Chris and to lay flat. My legs and lungs felt like junk from mile 1.

But after 18.8 jarring, sitting, painful miles I finished.

No bling this week, but I loved it.

Congratulations to my amazingly talented husband who pulled out 3rd. I am so incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful person to spend my life with, and a wonderful coach to go riding with. I hear your voice and advice in my head more than I hear my own thoughts. For you, I make cake.