January Riding

So this year has been really warm for January, in the 50s most days except Saturdays, my day off. I have ridden to work every day this year so far, that's 5 to be exact. I hope I can continue.
Hoping for good weather next week as the shop is going to St. George to ride on Monday.

Testa Training

I’m currently running Mad Dog Cycles indoor training studio and working with Max Testa who is the trainer for the BMC cycling team. He trained Cadel Evans who won the 2011 Tour de France. I’m also personally using his training program and hope to see improvement for the 2012 cycling season. LOTOJA number 9 may be in my future.

Renewing Abandoned Skills

Last week I took Jennifer to a framing shop to get one of her paintings framed for Christmas this year.
When I discovered the price to have it matted and framed was almost $400 I decided it was time to dig out my mat cutting and framing skills. I used to cut mats for my husbands art students to help bring in some extra cash. We have a bunch of frames in the basement that my father-in-law made that aren't being used. Yesterday Jennifer and I spent the better part of the day together rounding up supplies at art stores and doing a little Christmas shopping along the way. It was so strange to be in Provo Art and Framing. It was almost like I could call out for Jeff to come look at something or hear him say something about the mat board we were choosing. Jeff and I spent a lot of time together in that store and it brought back so many memories.

We than came home and I proceeded to pull out all of the mat cutting equipment and tools and showed Jennifer how to cut a mat. I had to practice a little but it came back so quickly that it was like I had Ed, my father-in-law and Jeff right there with me reminding me of all of the little necessary steps. After Jennifer went home, I finished putting the paintings together. As I was pushing the glasier points into the back of the frame to hold everything in the screw driver slipped and dug into my finger taking a chunk of skin out. OUCH! I knew it was going to happen, the wood on the smaller frame was a really hard wood and the glasier points didn't want to go in.

They look amazing.

This is a painting that Jennifer did with input from both her grandma and father before they died. It has special meaning and I'm really glad I was able to get it framed for her.



Lilies




Water


Jennifer has her father's talent but she has really worked at it this year. It is not something that just happens. I can see how much she has improved over the last few months. Amelia and Shaunie both have talent as well. I hope someday they will have the time to devote to developing their talent like Jennifer has. I'm sure Jeff and Eneyd are pleased.

Christmas Hike

What a fun evening! We all walked up to the grave site from the gate at the bottom of the hill. They are supposed to lock the gate at dusk but they leave it open much later at Christmas time. The gate was opened tonight but I don't ever dare drive in after dark as I'm afraid I'll get locked in. It is a nice little hike up the hill and it wasn't too cold this year. In the past it has just been me and the girls who have gone up later at night when all the kids are in bed. Tonight everyone came and it was a lot of fun being together.

The Andrew Sisters

The new solar lights were working beautifully on the tree.
One of the grandkids (William) commented that grandpa lives here where all the dead people live.
Max was a little frightened at first walking up the road in the dark but seemed to finally warm up to the idea. Jeffrey squealed and made happy noises the entire time. Lilly and William were happy to walk ahead playing and making shadows in the light from my bike headlight, 700 lumens. Yes, it's as bright as a car headlight.
Jarrett took the picture with his phone but they didn't turn out very good.

Amelia and I went and looked at Christmas lights after for about an hour.

Celebrating Jeff's Birthday

I used to think people who talked to loved ones and left stuff at grave sites were nuts. Guess I'm a little nutty!  After almost eight years it's still tough to be without my wonderful husband. Wish you were here!
 Thanks for the memory,  Jennifer.
Just the 4 of us: Happy Birthday Dad!

We always take a wreath or something to Jeff's grave site on his birthday. The last few years we have taken a small tree and used solar lights. We tried decorating the tree up at the cemetery the first year but it was so cold that we have the kids put the decorations on at home.

These are the Grandkids (according to William) decorating the tree

At the cemetery, Amelia didn't want to be in the pictures but I finally caught her in one.

It was a beautiful day. First year we have all been able to be together on Jeff's Birthday

I love my family!

Finally got it standing up.

Of course I went for a bike ride this afternoon. It was beautiful out, I really needed it. Everyone came over later for cake and ice cream. Jennifer and her family came for dinner and we watched the Art Film and the home video of the kids and Jeff. I'm really glad I made him give me the camera and got him on video. It isn't much but it sure is fun to see him. I can finally make it through the film without crying. The bike ride helped.
Several times before Christmas we will walk up to the cemetery after dark and see the lights glowing on our little tree. Hopefully it won't be too cold this year.

Carbon Bikes Five and Six

 This is a WSD 5.2 Madone that I ordered in March of 2005 but didn't get it until August 5, 2005. It was a great bike but was never really just right. I found out that it was too big for me when I went to "Fit" school in February of 2009. I sold this bike 2010 so I could buy all of my kids bikes.
I really kind of miss all of my old bikes but just haven't had room to keep them all.

WSD 5.2 Madone

I bought my project one in 2009 after going to "Fit" school and learning what size I actually needed.
This is a men's 52 CM and has been the most awesome bike. I have thought about selling it but I don't know if I can actually part with it.

Project One 6.9 Madone

Excess is Necessary

Fourth Bike

  I bought my new Lemond road bike and went for my first ride on it March 21, 2000. This is a Reynolds 853 steel frame, carbon fork bicycle with the world champion colors. It has been an awesome bike. I let Jennifer borrow it for a few years when I got my full carbon bike. I sold said carbon bike in 2010 and bought all my kids and spouses bikes so I could have it back. I now use it for commuting and have added some fenders which I adore. I also use it for training in bad weather.
  I bent the original bars in a crash and couldn't part with them. They now hang in my office with medals and helmets hanging from them.
  After Jeff died I turned to my bike as a way of dealing with life, managing stress and grief. My Lemond has been my trusted companion and has been through a lot with me. I can't see me ever selling it.

Ride the Rockies June 2000



RTR hotel room



Current bike with fenders

Original Lemond Handle bars
put to good use. Old helmets that are cracked or broken.

Christmas 2010 7.2 FX bikes