Thanksgiving 2012

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My favorite Thanksgiving food...and let's be honest all time food....mashed potatoes.

My husband and I switch off years to spend Thanksgiving with our families.  This is his year and the first time I will be at a "traditional family" Thanksgiving.  The only year I've gone it wasn't at the house it normally was.  That person had a cat and Brad and I had to leave early.  Since I am extremely allergic.

But that is not what this post is about.   This is the top 3 of what I am thankful for this year.  Besides mashed potatoes.

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 1.  My Husband 

My husband is pretty awesome.  He is always trying to make my world a better place.  He is the calm glue to my scattered randomness.  What impresses other women about him is that he helps cook and clean, and will pack my lunch for me in the morning.  What should impress them is what that says about him.  My husband loves me, respects me, and wants me to be happy.  He wakes up everyday and asks himself how he can be a better partner, and then he does it.  I can't ask for more than that.

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 2.  Good Health

I know everyone says this, but last year was crappy crappy. 3 surgeries, limited mobility, a horrifying glimpse into what bad health, and it's ramifications on everyone, really is.

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3.  My Job

I have a job that pays a livable wage, a boss that stays out of my hair, and work that I enjoy.  I haven't always been so lucky and I know that things won't always be this way.  I am going to be grateful for it while I have it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope your mashed potatoes are delicious and the memories that you make with your family are precious.

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The Opportunist (Love Me With Lies)

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Loved, loved this book.   Go read Gone Girl and then read this immediately following for a total mind bend.

What I didn't like first.  The title and cover imply that the main character is bad.  (upon reflection this is a really great title) She shares her guilt about some unnamed big bad and what a horrible person she is.  She is not.   Then near the end, she does something with good motivation and intentions the other character acts all betrayed all over again, and she takes that guilt even though she did it for him.  That really bothered me.

This is a book about deeply flawed people, the binds of love and the scars it leaves.  It's a testimony on loving oneself before you can truly love another.  A warning tale of what love can do with you, to you and make of you.

There are twists, turns and intrigue.  There is violence and sex.  There is love.

Everyone in this book will do/has done something unforgivable.  You still root for them, you will cry for them, and most importantly you see yourself in them.  Their failings are yours, their sins are yours, and their hopes are yours.

4/5 on this one.  

It's only not a 5 because I feel like the main character is unfairly singled out as the loan antagonist. And still get upset.

New Gym

For $35 a month, there were things that I put up with at my old gym.  Eternally broken equipment and toilets, crappy hours, empty spray bottles, no paper towels.  Then there were the "typical" gym things.  Like guys doing one rep and wandering around for 15 minutes.  But they were using that machine, so don't touch it.  Most of the people at my old gym were there to socialize.  My husband and I would walk in, stay for 45-60 minutes, do our cardio or our weight circuit, and leave.  We were among the few that ever left.  The same people that were there when we walked in would be there when we walked out. 

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The new gym is about $47 a month with annual fees.  I have been there three times.  The con's are that I seem to be to short for a lot of the equipment.  I tried to talk to someone about it last night but it was late and she couldn't leave the desk.  So I need to get someone to show me what I am doing wrong or show me an alternative.  That has me frustrated.  BUT the rest is AMAZING.  I've gotten on the hydro massage bed every time I go, and it is the best thing ever.  There are chair massages, red light therapy and tanning.  Lines upon lines of cardio equipment and open 24 hours.  The best thing is, all three times I've gone, everyone is there to work out.  No one is wandering around and chatting.  No one is staring at themselves in the mirror.  There is no clanging or screaming.  Everyone is on a machine burning calories.  It is a great environment. 

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Going to a new gym makes me more excited to go over the winter, and it definitely helps the motivation.  Sure, I may not want to go to the gym, but if I do I can get a hydro massage.  You have to love incentives.

The Keeper Of Lost Causes: The Firt Department Q Novel

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I bought this based on the suggestion of people in a reading group at my work, they gave rave reviews calling it a great detective novel.  The first thing I want to say about the The Keeper of Lost Causes is the author is from Denmark.  You will find some of the names, transportation scenarios, and money references much less jarring of you have read the Girl With a Dragon Tattoo or another Scandinavian author.  This was a detective story. A story about a damaged man and the ways he is coping with the damage.  He is not looking for redemption, but he is good at what he does, when he is not to busy being damaged. 

That was not what made this an interesting read for me.  Honestly, most of the scenes with the main character Carl Mørck I could have skipped.  He didn't interest me, his struggle didn't interest me, his lack of redeeming qualities  did not interest me.  In fact, if it wasn't for the victim, I probably would have stopped reading this book.

The chapters involving the victim were what kept me glued to the pages.  I liked her.  Her story, her psychology, what her life was.  Her story, was the best part of this book.  

I don't know if I will pick up another Department Q novel.  It did not draw me in and make me care.  The times it did were so different from the times it didn't, that the contrast made me view the entire book in a worse light than I might have other wise.

3/5

Happiness is the little things 11.9.12

1.  Video Games

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Seriously love RPG's.  I played Dragon Age I at least 6 times ( 30 hour game) I've played Dragon Age II, 4 times ( 40 hour game) Fable II so many times I can't tell you ( much shorter game) and Fable III 3 or 4 times.  I am kind of an addictive personality and an escapist.  Ok, I am totally an addictive personality and an escapist.  It's more interactive than reading or TV.  People who don't read or play video games only get to live one life. I have lived hundreds.  When you do all of the really sad nerd math up there you will realize why we don't have cable. 

2.  Indoor Cycling

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Yet another opportunity to reveal to you my oddities.  I love working out.  We had our hardest class yet on Monday and I was walking out talking about how much fun I had.  Other people were crying.  It's all about pacing yourself people!

3.  Carmel Apple Spice from StarBucks

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Just like drinking apple pie.  Don't let the picture fool you.  You have to order this VENTI or it does not taste as amazing as it can be.  I hate coffee with a fiery passion.  Yet somehow I am a gold card holder at Starbucks.  Figure that one out.  I started the whole card system for the free soy.  But they recently took that perk away.  Let's not forget I have to avoid soy now as well.  Maybe these will keep me at Gold Card status.

4.  Democracy

 

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I discovered during this election that I truly love democracy.  I was listening to people talk about how they would throw away their spouses absentee ballot if the knew they had voted for the other party.  Between conversations like that and some of the other craziness going on, it made me realize what a great country we live in.  We can choose our leaders.  As flawed and damaged as our system is, at the end of the day We The People have a voice.  And of you are even tempted to throw away someone else's vote you do not believe in democracy or America.  Being part of the democratic process is an honor, and a thrill.  That also means accepting the vote of the majority, even if you do not agree.

5.  Jonathan Apples

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I love tart and sour.  I know the world loves the Honey Crisp but not I.  Give me a half green, half red, tart, fleshy Jonathan Apple.  Which reminds me, I need to go buy another batch at the Farmer before they are out.

What's been getting you through the day?

Lucy Guardino FBI Thrillers

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I LOVED the first book.  I had never downloaded a Kindle book on my phone to read until I was reading Snake Skin.  CJ Lyons interweaves various first person narratives through out the book.  You want to keep turning to learn more about whichever character she is throwing at you next.  I don't like the main character, Lucy.  The author tries very hard to make sure you understand her, but I don't like her.  While the subject matter was dark I found the most disturbing scenes to be the one where it appeared she was systematically trying to tear her family apart.  I believe I bought this for under $3 on my Kindle and it was well worth it.

4/5

 

 

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Blood Stained was not the novel that Snake Skins was.  I found the subject matter far more depressing, and the new characters, especially the ones allowed first person narratives, far less interesting.  One of the things I liked the least, and a pet peeve of mine,  is as the reader, you know what is going on long before Lucy does.  For example, the entire book.  The other main first person perspective is transparent.  While the author never tells you what is going on behind his view, you know what's coming.  And you know it is sad.  Unless you are bored this winter skip this one.  I am looking forward to the third book which will be released soon, but the second book was forgettable.

2/5

October to November

October was quite a month.  I have lots of blogs in the draft folder that I wrote, but none that I was able to publish.  I hate it when bloggers say that.  I can tell you this, I will hit publish eventually.

My October fitness minutes were minimal.  I did a lot of walking dirt trails and paved trails but zero riding.  My Endomondo screen shot for October would look pretty pathetic if I shared it with you.

It is November, and it is cold.  My husband and I don't like coffee so we drink a lot of hit tea and hot chocolate.

I had a migraine for three weeks, that was fun.  I've decided it was the soy in the new vitamin I was taking.  I was in denial about that for...well....three weeks.  I had done a lot of research and had chosen a food based highly rated and well reviewed product.  I even bought it from Whole Foods.  Once I decided denial wasn't doing anything for my migraine, I stopped taking it. Life has been much better since then.  Now I need to start all over with my research and find a food based vitamin with NO SOY.  Ugh.

I've started indoor cycling at work 2 days a week with a group of my co-workers.  It's been 1 week and a lot of fun so far.

Yesterday I went for a 45 degree, 14 mile bike ride.  It was further on a different side of my path then I have gone before.  I took the hybrid with the wider tires and it was a nice adventure.  I think I will be riding it more in the winter than I did in the summer.

My aunt bought me cycling tights as an early Christmas present and they are awesome.  I wore only those ( not lined) and my bike shorts and my legs were not cold and did not feel the wind at all.  I highly suggest getting yourself a pair.  I tired to wear a neck gator but I felt like I was choking so I took it off.  I might try to stretch it out before I wear it again, or just buy a face mask.  We shall see how dedicated I am to cold weather riding.

I have read a multiple books I want to post reviews for and I am halfway through a favorites post.

Tampons

(Not for the weak of stomach.  Or heart.  Or the easily offended. Or if you don't like period talk. Or blood talk.)

Why is it women only talk about periods and not the products that get us through it?  Contrary to commercials I have never had an in depth conversation with my friends regarding cardboard, plastic or no applicator LET ALONE brand names.

Before this week, I had not had a period in 4 years.  I changed birth controls on Tuesday.  Hell hath no fury like a uterus that has had crap in storage for 4 years.  That is a long time to be out of the feminine hygiene products game.  My reintroduction into it was unexpected.  I hit up another woman for a tampon and off to the bathroom I went.  Holy sh!t snacks. (I am totally obsessed with Archer, if I hadn't mentioned that yet).

Why cardboard?  I know the environment blah blah and I don't care.  Why cardboard?  I would rather go OB applicator-less than use cardboard.  Maybe it's just my motor skills or something, but asking me to  use a cardboard applicator is like asking to disarm a bomb with greasy hands, underwater, to save sharks.  It stresses me out and makes everyone else uncomfortable.

Super Triple Mega Absorbency.  Shouldn't you just be at home sitting on the toilet if you need a tampon this big?  I don't think I have the right insides for those things.  I also haven't bled a lot since puberty, so maybe it's me, not the tampon.

Tampax Pearls. I tried these, and I hate them.  I don't appreciate my tampon falling apart inside me.  I do not believe that couple of strings braided together means more protection. Does the tampon itself really have to be that long?  Cuz I really don't think so.  Why are woman still buying these?  They were crappy and uncomfortable 4 years ago and they are crappy and uncomfortable now.  Who are you other women with your cardboard and Tampax and why are you doing this to your selves?

After work I took myself out to the drug store to buy the brands that I am comfortable with when it comes to the whole bleeding for 7 days and not dying thing.

The pads section at least looked like we have reached a consensus about the most comfortable route but the tampons are still a freak show.

I always used Kotex tampons.  If you had a period in the last four years you would know that Kotex lost their damn minds and decided that tampons should be a fashion statement.  The covers are all varying pretty colors, the applicators are all pretty colors with designs on them.  A reminder that your period should be discrete and colored with pretty paper, apparently.  As off put as I was by the new packaging they still seemed to be the best alternative to the aforementioned Tampax.  I bought a discreet black box with the pretty pretty colors inside and took it home.

Pure genius.  I don't care what they decide to do with their boxes or colors in the future.  As long as they continue to make plastic applicators exactly the way they are now, I will continue to buy them.  There was no bomb and no sharks.  I was in and out of the bathroom in record time and with 0 frustration.  Once placed Kotex does not get oddly longer like Tampax nor does it fall apart.  They just get wider, which I appreciate.

I realize there are Diva cups and other solutions besides pads and tampons out there.  I did try a cup once, and I don't have the cervix for it.  I may try a different brand in the future if the whole "being a woman" thing continues.

 For now, I am going to stick with my Always pads and my Kotex tampons.  I will avoid bumming from other women's stash at all cost. 

It Is Always Something

This was written on my phone as I could not together the strength to write it on my laptop. it is always something isn't it? Either I had to go down 62 flights of stairs for work or I have a cold or my long as well the or any other number of things.
 
When it is not something I am to busy being lazy to do the things I should be doing. then something happens like now. I finally got a cold from 1 of my Germ  infested coworkers. I have no energy and my nose will not stop running. I know that this is just the beginning and the cold monster is looming.

This post is really not to complain about being sick however. this post is to complain about my lack of doing things when I am perfectly capable of doing them. Then something happens like 1 of the many things mentioned above and all I can think about is all the things I could be doing if I could actually pull myself up off the couch.

Why can't I get my act together? I need to figure out some ways to motivate myself to be an adult when I get home from work. Other than forcing myself to exercise which I've gotten fairly good at this year. I guess I could try the same kind of system to force myself to clean and do other adult things.

I am not sure what exactly but I'm sure there's something.
so there you have it. my pity party/ pep talk to myself.

Self: get better and be an adult!
I hope I am better in time for my 50 mile ride on Saturday. ugh.

The Corpse-Rat King

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What isn't intriguing about this title?  Or the cover for that matter.  The Corpse-Rat King is about a corpse rat, con man, and all around scuzzy guy with no redeeming qualities.  He finds himself dead, and with the promise of life being restored, goes in pursuit of a king for the dead.  Going in pursuit implies that he went right out and did what was asked of him.  He did not.  He ran, he hid and he connived, all of the things that he did best while he was truly alive.  Some reviews say he did not evolve during the book.  That they started the book not liking him, and they ended the book not liking him.  I don't know that you are ever suppose to like him, but that doesn't mean that he doesn't evolve as a character.  It took his death to make him find the humanity that he was capable of, and it was a long journey.  Corpse-Rat was a bit to wordy with descriptions for my liking, but that is my only real complaint. $4.80 on Kindle, and completely worth it.

3/5 

Stairs, Commuting and Pain

On Friday we had an evacuation drill at work.  I work on a very high floor.  I've never actually completed the drill and I decided that this year I would do it.  How hard could it be?  I can go on a 30 mile bike ride and maintain 15 mph.  What was going down some stairs? 

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Never again.  Unless the building is actually on fire, never, ever again.  My legs are still cramping, still hurt, and I am barely mobile.  Ugh.

Regardless of my hobbling I decided to carry on with my plan to map the commute from my house to work via bike on Saturday.  My aunt's came with me and we really didn't have any issues until we got  into downtown.  Columbus is a mess right now.  Nearly every highway is shut down or has construction.  Apparently the same goes for the bike trails.  We were detoured off of the bike path and through random parts of the city.   The detour signs were neither consistent nor helpful.  We mostly ended up where we were going by smell.

After lunch at North Market we headed back out for the return trip.  Instead of trying to weave our way back through the no mans land we entered by we took Google's suggestion and headed straight up a main street.  It was a more direct route to the bike trail, and less miles.  However, it is a Main street, while not to scary on a Saturday afternoon, Monday at rush hour would be an entirely different story.

 My great ambition to commute to work then is still in the planning stages.  I am waiting for the bike lockers to go in ( SO excited and the basic structures are already up) .  I know I can bike the mileage, even though it is higher than a typical cycling commute.  The one remaining problem is getting in and out of downtown safely.  That is going to take some more research and planning.  I don't believe either of the routes that I tried on Saturday are viable options.  I am okay with the ride in, it would be early enough that traffic wouldn't be a concern yet.  How to get home is the remaining challenge.

Despite my predead legs, and despite my misgivings about work day viability, it was a good day.  We explored parts of the trail that we hadn't been on before, I was able to introduce my aunt to the wonders of North Market, and I put in some more real traffic/road miles.  If you had told me last year that I would voluntarily ride a bike in downtown Columbus the length of High Street, I would have told you that you are out of your mind.  Now I just need to convince myself to do it in work day traffic.  Uh huh.

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Things I am looking forward to

When I am getting down about my weight, work, less daylight or life I find it is easier to face down those things if I have something to look forward to.  Like my next scheduled cycling event

                                                                   

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This one is double edged, as I will be going the FARTHEST I have ever gone at 50 miles.  Also, you cant go 50 miles with out hills.  I hate hills.  What I am I looking forward to?  It's a goal so now I go out and push myself o try to get ready for those 50 miles.  Instead of just riding to ride.  Also, I will be getting through it with my aunt who is better than me at this.  Thirdly, my late Uncle was active in Scouting.  Upon his early, sudden and in now way expected death, the Scouts helped to organize the day of the funeral.  It will be my way of giving back.

Autumn!  I love fall color.  Love, love love.  I hate replacing  my tank tops for hoodies and my flip flops for socks, but it is a sacrifice I am willing to make.  I am also looking forward to gorgeous fall rides.

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Christmas!  The lights, the colors, the joy.  Christmas is my favorite holiday and it has nothing to do with receiving presents.  My personal goal is to not buy some new decoration in every store I go to.  Every time I go to the store.  From now till Christmas.  Even though that is what usually happens.

 

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What happy thought are keeping you going as the light wanes and the weather cools?

Jane Eyre

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I did not understand this book at the beginning. I had a problem suspending disbelief about Jane as a 10 year old expressing herself as an adult.  I also had a hard time reading of her mistreatments in childhood.  In attempt to get myself through it I researched the book a bit and discovered that it has 5 distinct sections.  That helped me when Jane's back story was getting tiresome.  

The third section was amazing, and why this book is a classic.  I had never used the kindle highlight option before reading this book, and I used it, a lot.  I also cried.  I can't remember the last time a book made me cry.  I was reading exactly how I believe love should feel and how it should be expressed.  That made reading this book an intense and self reflective experience.

Like my favorite movies,   I can see reading the "Kelly version" of this book multiple times.  In this case, that means the third section and probably the fifth section, only.

This is a classic novel that is truly worth reading.  Now I can get the 2011 movie with Michael Fassbender off of Netflix with no readers guilt.

4/5 stars.

Happiness Is The Little Things 9.16.12

New bike gear!

Nothing is more motivating then new gear to try out.  It has made me really happy and more enaged with my work outs again.

 You will notice the name brands are all over the board.  There are two reasons for that.  One, amazon is cheaper.  Two, the Cannondale shoe cover were a guilt purchase.

I walked into a bike shop in town and asked if they had any fall/winter gear.  They didn't have any on the floor, but the associate went to the back and dug through boxes and made multiple trips back to me.  Most of the gear wouldn't fit, they had limited sizes and the womens was too small and the mens was to big.  it was all more than I was willing to pay for a single item as I really had a lot of purchases in mind. See pictures above.  One thing interested me however and it was the shoe covers.  I hadn't even know they existed but it made sense.  My bike shoes that I wore all summer allowed air to come through, which was great. Now that it is getting colder what was a benefit will now become frost bite inducing.  So I bought them.  Even though they were not my typical brand.  I figured it was the least I could do after all of the great customer service he provided.

Side note about bike shops.  My husband ( and I to a lesser extent) loves comic books.  Sometimes when we walk into comic book shops together I can get a definite OMG it's a girl!  Feeling.  Not for any reason other than I don't think some of the hops are frequented by women unless it's Christmas and they are looking for a gift for their partner.

I get the same feeling in bike shops sometime.  I took a grand tour of Columbus bike shops while price comparing and deciding what to buy.  And I occasionally felt that comic book store vibe.  It's a girl!  And she wants to buy stuff!  I feel this is a failing of bike shops.  Carry womens sizes!

As a side note to the side note,  I find it hard to believe that cycling is a male dominated past time.  It is low impact, practical, social, and burns tons of calories.  Why aren't women cycling?  The cost?  The time commitment?   I don't understand it.

Back to the first side note,

I believe at the heart of every cyclist is an accessories whore.  I see this as another great failing of the bike shop.  I've decided there is a great need for a cycling accessory only store.  Every color, every size, of every wardrobe piece, bike addition and accessory available.  Bike shops have not seemed to catch on yet that I don't want to spend $2000 + on a bike and then not be able to buy matching or coordinating accessories.   I envision a magical place, organized by color and offering XS- 4XL.   With a definite focus on the fact that their are women cyclist, they do have money, and they might want coordinating accessories. In colors other than black.

I am not sure how my Yay stuff!  Post turned into a rant about how I could create the greatest cycling accessory shop ever, but there you have it.

Have you added anything to you workout wardrobe to accommodate the weather change?

There is always an excuse

 Reasons why I did not want to go on a ride tonight:

1.  The tiredness mentioned in my previous post continues.
2.  I was really really sore yesterday and tender today.
3.  I waited to long and only had an hour before sunset.
4.  It looked like rain.

I went anyway.

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I was only able to go out for 30 ish minutes, I forgot my bike computer, and it started raining.  I was riding hard and fast to get the best work out I could and to the beat the darkness and the rain.

I was riding west on the way home.  Riding into the sunset was amazing.  It was the kind of meditation I experience when I am around water.  Even though I was on my bike and going 15 mph the orange sunset still brought a kind on peace and wonderment. 

I wasn't able to take a picture, but this is the general idea...

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Except the sun was much bigger, and I felt much closer.

My point is, I didn't want to go out tonight, and I barely made myself do it.  

Despite that, I was reminded of why cycling is so amazing.

I felt like I was part of nature tonight.

One of the many reasons to get out and ride my bike.

Moments like that make all of the excuses and all of the issues null and void.

If you are going to do something...

Do it right.  Right?

Here is a screen shot of my Edomondo activity for the last 5 weeks.  You can see the steep and steady decline followed by the rally. 





If you count weeks in Endomondo time, a week is Monday- Sunday.  I worked out 5/7 days last week with two work outs on Sunday. I apparently am not screwing around with this come back.






I pulled up the stats an graphs to look a because I am tired. I am freshly back from my Monday morning ride and I need a nap.  "Why am I so tired" I thought to myself.  Luckily for me, I have charts and graphs and spreadsheets to show me why.  Nothing like jumping back into it hard core!  My distances have not been long or fast but I have definitely been consistent.  Tomorrow is back to weights ( this guy )  Which isn't to taxing,

I haven't been sleeping well either.  I keep hoping all of the working out will help me sleep better....but so far, not so much.

My goals for September are:

1. Cycle or cardio 3 days a week.
2. Weight training 2-3 days a week.
3. Keep tracking on Lose it! EVERYDAY. Ugh.
4. Make a appointment with a foot Dr. for my supination

So far, so good according to the charts and graphs.  4 more weeks to go!

Oh and a side effect of rididng every day it's not raining, it getting splashed with mud anyway.  In my case grease from my chain as well.

I am off to take a nap before Labor day cook outs I think  I hope everyone enjoys their holiday!

Magazine Love, Bike Lust and Appreciating Beauty

The last event I signed up for was through Active.com.  They offered a subscription to  Bicycling Magazine .  The usual three months free cancel at anytime blah blah.

I received my first issue in the mail yesterday, and I LOVE IT.  I was skeptical because I feel like anything I need to know, I have the internet for.  But I've been carrying this magazine around with me everywhere reading it every chance I get.

One of the more unfortunate for me article was titled " Our favorite $2000 road bikes". Their description of Specialized Ruby Elite Apex Compact had me drooling.  It is available in my size, carbon frame and ( apparently) the ideal bike for the rider who rides a lot but does not race.  SWOON.  Oh and let us not forget the Ruby comes in the same color as my Lexa  so all of my accessories can match across bikes!

 

(Source for the Lexa pic) 

To bad I need a bajillion other things, cycling gear and other wise before I consider a new bike.  It is definitely motivation to be more diligent about saving.  Sigh.  Some day Ruby Elite Apex, someday.

Trek posted a great picture on their facebook page today:

Love it!  It reminded me to share this picture with you.  I left late for my ride Thursday and was about 6 miles from home when the sun was setting.  Not great for riding, but it was a good photo opportunity.

That's all for today really.  Magazine love, bike lust, and most of all appreciating beauty.

Deadly Little Secrets

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I picked Deadly Little Secrets up at a used book store on vacation.  I thought it was fiction, and seemed like a indulgent vacation read.  When I got in the car I realized it was a true crime novel because there were picture in it.  You would have thought I would have noticed the quote on the front of the book.  Sometimes, I am special.

I decided to read it, despite the depressing nature of  the book.  Stories are a lot more fun when they aren't about real bad guys.  I couldn't put it down.  I read it on the beach, I read it in the hotel room, I read it by the pool.  

The events were laid out very clearly. Kathryn gave an extensive look into both the husbands and the wifes backgrounds.  it was obvious that she spent a significant amount of time talking to all of the people involved in their lives.  She continually gave the perspective of both sides of the family and of the main players themselves.  The psychology  major in me was thrilled, and watched with mounting horror as all of the past events and all of danger signs led down the inevitable path.

I have one complaint about this book.  The author would latch onto certain family quotes, and use them three or four times.  You would read it again and again and think yes yes you said that before... but it wasn't disruptive.

What humans can do to each other with no remorse is disturbing.  However, if looking into the mind and path of a man who started with assault, landed in the priesthood and ended with murder sounds interesting to you, you should check it out.  Deadly Little Secrets was an enthralling read.

4/5 stars

Which Pony Tail is She Wearing?

What work out I am doing on any given day is easy to read by my hair and clothes.  A high pony tail

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Means I am going to the gym.  This is usually accompanied by capri pants ( that just look like pirate pants because I am short) running shoes and a cotton tank top.

A low pony tail

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Means I am going out on my bike.  I need my hair out of the way and not making my helmet uncomfortable.  I am also wearing bike shorts and a dry weave shirt or tank top and flip flops.  Flip flops are so I can still wander around the house getting my equipment ready with out wearing my bike cleats.  I put those on in the garage.

My dog can always tell which work out I am doing.  She knows for a ride she gets to stay home with my husband for the gym she is headed to her cage.

 

( The Chiuah in question)

Today was a high pony tail kind of day.  Brad has decided that he wants to start weight training again and asked me to go with him.  I love weight training.  Instant results and you get to feel all pumped and tough.

After yesterdays less then stellar, ego destroying, sorry excuse for a bike ride....it felt good to cross train a bit.  I have read articles about good weigh training for cyclists but I kind of went anti most of it.  I ended up avoiding the machines I know I use for cycling and using more of the machines that worked the muscles that I don't use for cycling.  We are going to try to go 2-3 days a week.  That is on top of my riding 3 days a week and possibly taking in a 2 day a week hula dancing class.  Which I need to decide on quick because registration is closing.....

Being the geeks we are we built a spreadsheet to track it and I ran the endomodo app on my phone so it is also logged there.  As the weeks go on I hoping to see consistent progress towards becoming stronger.

Going out for another ride tomorrow, heres hoping I remember my water bottle this time!