Another one in the new kit.

Me in my new team kit.

Home sick

I'm home sick today. I started getting a sore throat yesterday, which got progressively worse as the day went on. I went to bed early and just slept horribly. Finally, at 4:30 am I decided I would not go to work (have to leave for work at 5:30), so I called my boss and said I wouldn't be in. I ended up sleeping in until noon, which gave me about 13 hours of sleep. Guess I needed it. Hopefully this is just a short thing. I hate being sick.

Bowling and shopping

Ted and I went bowling last night. We invited other people from the area, but no one else showed up, which was kind of a bummer. We still had fun, though. I bombed my first game, only getting a 74. Even the little kid next to me, who was consistently dropping his ball onto the lane, scored higher than I did. Thankfully, I rebounded a bit on my 2nd game, getting a 116. We followed that up with a visit to the local wine bar, which is a place we should really go to more often.

I am not a shopper in any way, and never have been, so I really only go when I have a specific need. With two weddings coming up in the next few months, I found myself needing a dress, so I dragged myself to the mall today and finally found a couple that will work. I bought both, deciding to return whichever one I end up liking less. At one point today, I was wandering around Macy's, browsing and talking on the phone, when I realized I was looking at dresses in the plus-sized section. Oops. My mom (on the other end of the line) proceeded to tell me that I should not be allowed to go shopping by myself.

I committed to doing Nature Valley (http://naturevalleygrandprix.com/) again this season. It's not really my type of race because it doesn't have many climbs, but it was a really good experience last year. I will again be going with Eric Lynch's group. I just need to make sure that I ride more near the front of the pack, rather than way at the pack like I usually do. I'm way too wussy.

I'm off to finish my martini.

Pazza's newest habit.

weekend update

Ted and I had a good trip to Seattle last weekend, getting to hang out with Ted's sister, Corrina, and her two kids, Teagan and Cooper. Corrina's husband, Tait, has been out of town for work, so I think she was glad to have some adult conversation.

We did a group ride with the Broadmark team on Saturday, which just made me realize how nice the riding in the Pullman area is. We are spoiled here with the open roads, lack of traffic, and variety of terrain. There are some things about Pullman I will not miss when I leave, but I will miss the riding for sure.

We also managed to meet up with Tammie. She was staying with Dan and Denise, who lived in Pullman a few years ago too. Tammie, Dan, Ted, and I all raced collegiately together, so it was fun to see everyone.

I'll be riding for a team out of Spokane this year. It's really more of a club than a team, but it should work out pretty well. The site is here: www.emdesports.com

Gretel attacking me.

Valentine's cake for Ted.

Cake, a facial, and more

So, Valentine's Day was a few days ago, which really is not a biggie for me, but I do love the excuse to make a cake. This year's cake for Ted was a chocolate layer cake with cinnamon chocolate mousse between, along with kirsch and cherry preserves. It was iced with a chai tea-infused ganache, and I topped it with a freehand white chocolate heart. I think it turned out pretty well, though I eventually want to try using fondant to decorate a cake.

Ted gave me a gift certificate for a salon here in Pullman. They do facials and spa treatments, neither of which I have ever had before. I think I'm going to go for the full facial, which I think will be quite a treat. Ted insists that I not wait for a "special occasion" to get it done, so I think I'll call next week to schedule an appointment. Fun!

We're heading to Seattle tomorrow for several reasons. Ted's new bike and clothing are in, so he'll get to pick that stuff up. Along that note, I think we're going to do a group ride with his team on Saturday. It's only supposed to be in the 30s, so I think all the "west siders" will be complaining up a storm. We, on the other hand, are used to cold temps. We'll stay at Ted's sister's house and it's always good to see them. I'm very excited because my good friend Tammie is visiting Seattle for the weekend from Chicago. I haven't seen her since she left Pullman, which was over a year ago, so it will be great to see her. She always is good for numerous funny stories, as the craziest things seem to happen to her.

Ted and I visited Mom and Dad last weekend, along with their new "baby," Gretel, a miniature Schnauzer puppy, who is quite easy to rile up and loves to play. Well, that's all from here for now. I just got back from lifting weights and I can feel my muscles quivering. I am so disproportionate - my upper body can't lift much at all, but my legs can lift what many of the meathead guys at the rec center are lifting. I guess Rusty's days of calling me T-Rex weren't theat unfounded.

Pazza looking out the window.

First entry

So, I've decided to join all of the other people out there who have blogs. I have no idea how often I will write, or if it will be at all interesting, but I will update now and then. It's not such a nice day here in Pullman - gray, light flurries, and 35 degrees. I don't like this time of year when the weather changes so quickly and dramatically; the past week was sunny, mostly dry, and in the upper 40s, and now it's cold.

Some of you know about my kitten, Pazza (pronounced pot-za), who is my new baby (relatively speaking since I've had her for a few months now). I'm completely smitten with her. I still crave a puppy, but Pazza definitely cuts down on that void. Here's a photo of her (above).