35-mile bike-a-thon for St. Jude

In August 2005 I participated in a 35-mile bike ride for St. Jude. I had not been on a bike since Junior High. The last half was quite fun and easy since it was all downhill(down a mountain) but I was in tears quite often during the first half which was flat. It is not a good idea to ride a bike for 35 miles when you haven't been on one in years. I was terribly sore and wouldn't have made it if my dear sister-in-law didn't stick with me and encourage me along the way. Though I am still extremely out of shape I hope to participate again this year. Here are a few pictures from the ride.
Taking a break on a bridge about 8 miles into the ride.
A rooster looking for handout's at one of the check points.
One of the many views along the trail. The last half of the ride was down a mountain.
After the bike ride was over. I was very sore for the rest of the day.

Book Review--1776

I should have made the resolution to read more non-fiction sooner. I admit I was doubtful that this book would be enjoyable to read and dreaded even opening the first page. There's something about historical novels that make you remember your boring and drawn out High school History Classes. But to my surprise this book was neither boring or drawn out.

David McCullough does an excellent job at capturing the readers interest by showing the frailities and human side of our nations founding fathers. He brings General Washington to a level equal to our own. We feel Washington's pain, his despair and his undaunting will to push ever onward even through bitter defeat.

"The outcome seemed little short of a miracle" is an all too true ending for a book that takes us through one humiliating defeat through another. The Americans were drastically outnumbered and lacking in leadership yet they managed to miraculously earn a victory over the British only days before the new year, a victory that would turn the tide of the Revolution.

An engaging read for all, 1776 is sure to be a breath of fresh air in a subject many think of as boring.

Birthday Surprises

It seems I was bound and determined to ruin all my birthday surprises. Yesterday morning my son yelled at me as I walked through the living room and told me to go back to bed. He was painting me a surpirse birthday card and I ruined the surprise by waking up.

Then last night during the young women's activity I left the room to get some chocolate for the girls from the library. As I rounded the corner here comes my daughter and the Young Women's President carrying a cake. My daughter yells "look mom its your cake" while the Young Women's President tells me to go back to the room. Yet another birthday surprised ruined. The cake was good though. Angelfood cake topped with strawberries and blueberries. YUM.

The YW president walked me out as I got ready to go and as I approached the car I could tell my kids were hiding behind it. I figured they were just playing hide and seek but as I got closer though I noticed the car looked weird. Then all the Young women, my kids, and the leaders yelled "SURPRISE!". Finally a surprise I didn't ruin. Here is the surprise: