I figured that it’s about time for me to post an update on this crazy bike commuting that I’ve been doing for about six weeks now. On one hand, I can’t believe it’s been six weeks. On the other, it seems like I’ve been doing it forever. If you have no idea what the heck I’m talking about, you can bring yourself up to speed by reading this. The good news: I have enjoyed the scenery, the sounds, and even some of the smells. I have discovered the joys of riding with an actual cadence. I have committed myself to doing this and have allowed only rain and a 1:30…
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Ballroom Dancing Week 4: Smooth Is Overrated
We missed our Ballroom Dancing Lesson, Week 3 last Tuesday due to the Lacrosse Banquet, so it was off to Week 4 last night. After having such a nice little pre-class review on Week 2 with our instructor’s assistant, we made sure to arrive on time for the review of what we missed last week, which was the Rumba. Not this one: It was the Rumba, not the Roomba. The Rumba is one of the Latin dances that actually works alot like the waltz, with its “slow-quick-quick” steps. We actually picked it right up in the first 15 minutes of the 30-minute review. It was really fun. We were feeling…
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I’ve Got a Hot Date With An Old Bag on Monday.
That’s it. I’ve decided I’ve had it. Or, to put it in the more dramatic way (my family is used to this), “I’ve given all I can give.” YES, I actually said that once, in the company of family members, out of total and complete despair. (Julie will verify.) This time? Gas prices. I’m done. Starting Monday, I will be riding my bike more. How much more? Alot. Which is not saying much. You would think that, as a Tiara-wearing Spin Princess, I would be an avid bicycle rider, outside in nature and stuff. Wrong-o. Although I enjoy the occasional leisurely bike ride with the family, in the neighborhood and…
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Ballroom Dancing Week Two: The Dancers’ Mutiny
We attended our second Ballroom Dancing lesson last night. To get yourself up to speed on the first week’s “disastrous” lesson, click here. I am happy to report that Week 2 went way, way better than Week 1. I was not looking forward to it in the least, because I was anxiety-ridden about who I was going to have to dance with, but I got into the car nonetheless, without Jim having to drag me by my hair. Jim ended up getting the bad cold I’ve had, so on the way there we schemed to not switch partners, you know, to keep everyone else healthy. Yeah, that’s the ticket. We…
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There’s Only One Day Each Year On Which My Family Uses LSD.
Continuing on with my posting frenzy of the past couple of days, I have to share what the four of us did on Sunday! We hauled our butts out of bed at 4:30 a.m. and headed to Chicago (the fifteen-year-old drove…and did well!) for “Bike the Drive”, an annual bicycle event which is, as of last year, our family’s tradition. On this morning, Lake Shore Drive (or, LSD) gets closed off to automobiles from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., which is a big deal because it’s one of the major downtown roads, and it gets swarmed with people on their bikes. It’s a 30-mile ride, starting in Grant Park and…
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Reason #41 For Wearing a Tiara*
I finally did it. I did what I have been “threatening” to do for weeks now. I wore my tiara while I was teaching my spin class last night. (Go Wednesday!) I had been telling the class about how I am a tiara-wearing girl, and that I think it’s important to be a Princess now and then, and suddenly two weeks ago, Linda (or “Wednesday”, as I call her–click “Go Wednesday” above to read about it) brought me the most adorable pair of tiara spin socks: I subbed two classes yesterday morning for my friend Diane and although I always look forward to Wednesday night because it’s my favorite class,…
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The Aftermath of a Great Day: It’s a Good Thing!
I hope everybody out there had a lovely Mother’s Day! I had a fine day; thanks for asking. As is customary, I got four cards: one from Jim, one from each of the kids (they picked out those musical Hallmark cards: SO CUTE!), and one from Roxie. I may have to scan the card that Roxie “picked out” and post it tomorrow; Jim is hilarious. Although I had to teach my religious school class in the morning—meaning no leisurely breakfast in bed—the rest of the day was fabulously low-key, which is just what I needed. We went to see “Baby Mama”, which is a cute movie but not riproaringly hilarious…
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You Spin Me Right Round, Baby Right Round…
For optimal enjoyment, click “play” before you start reading. Unless you can’t read and enjoy music at the same time. I received an e-mail a while back from one of my lovely readers, asking about spinning/group cycling. She was considering taking some classes and wanted to know what she should (or would want to) know ahead of time. When I replied to her, it occurred to me that there might be other people out there who might be able to use the information, so I decided to edit my e-mail a bit and post the 4-1-1 here. If you have never tried a class before but always wanted to–or maybe…
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I Was Wearing Deoderant, Honest!
Dear L.K., I just have to send you a little apology letter. I know that you don’t read my blog and, in fact, you probably don’t even know that I have a blog, but I will feel better after typing this and, as we all know, it’s all about Me. We’ve known each other since our 13-year-old boys were in preschool together and we made those birthday party rounds back in the day. I have always found myself drawn to you because you are a lovely, lovely person and really fun to talk to. I always found it adorable that, back then, you let your son name your new Labrador…
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Go Tina, Go!
I just wanted to give a shout-out and ask you all to keep your fingers crossed… Shirley’s daughter, Tina T. takes my group cycling classes when she can. The first time I saw her, I thought, “WOW, she is ‘cut’!” This girl is super-fit and clearly an athlete. As I got to know her, I found out that she plays basketball and also coaches for a local high school girl’s team. She is very focused, very “together”, and I really, really enjoy when she makes it to my class. A little more than a week ago, we found out at the healthclub that Tina got an invitation to try out…