Purling Sprite

The farthest I have ever Gone!

I changed my long run days to Tuesdays as I will be going riding/cycling on Saturdays and I know that my legs cannot handle a long run and a long cycling on the same day (I am a wimp!).

Stats:

Distance: 12 miles

Time: 124minutes

Fluids: 30oz (Refilled at the Milville Park)

Weather: Sunny but not too hot--around 60 degrees. Wore SPF80 on my face and arms...safe is the word.

Ran alone with my iPod to keep me company. I love this town! It is perfect for outdoor activities. The mountains, the quiet neighborhoods...just divine for the run.

I felt really great all during the run, I was going a good pace, my legs didn't cramp. My shins didn't hurt and when they did all I had to do was change the way I was stepping and the bothersome ache went away.

Change to implement: If I am going to wear a tank must put vaseline under my arms! I got chaffed due to my chubbette arms! Dude, no fun!

On the Road Again...

When the sun shines and the kids are out on a sleep-over, what do we do? We take out the bicycles! Saturday morning met us with a beautiful sunny day, a little chilly but not so chilly to deter us from climbing on our bikes and going out for a little ride. A group of eight roadies got together in our cul de sac ready for a morning of adventure. Checking tires, pumping some air into the tubes, checking shoes and filling up water bottles is part of the routine. It is a moment that I really enjoy as we are all together and the excitement of the upcoming ride just passes like electricity from one to another until it converges and it explodes as we roll out for the day's ride. 

25 miles out and about, despite the nice bright sun, the day was still a bit chilly, especially for our hands and ears. Hubby and I had our "winter" cycling gloves on but we were still freezing! At one point, it got so bad that Momber and I drafted off each other so that we could keep each other warm by finding the "sweet spot" which is usually a little warmer. It worked like a charm! A few minutes behind there drafting off and getting warmer was enough to keep us happy. Heck, we were on our bikes we were definitely happy. All eight of us were stoked just to be out there cycling away...even if we were little icicles!

Our little ride took us out on a route out to Mendon, which happens to be also the very first route that I went on last year on my very first ride ever. The specific route has a little hill entering the Mendon town and I remember last year I had such a hard time climbing it. I remember clearly, how Jo and Dom made it to the top with hardly any effort and I kept swerving from side to side trying to make it up...huffing and puffing, I finally made it up. However, this year it was a lot different, first of all, the hill is not really a hill, it is more like a little bump on the road, and if you just pedal and stop swerving from side to side it is actually pretty easy to go up it. A year sure makes a huge difference!  Also where before I was about 10-15 minutes behind everyone, this time, I was right behind...and by golly at times I wasn't the last one! I have improved...I am so happy!

Hubby pointed out that I actually keep a really good cadence, my problem stems from not knowing how to  shift and also the fact that my seat was too low, he raised it already and hopefully this will make a difference on the next ride. At times, we were right next to each other and I kept pedaling and pedaling but not moving while he only pedal a couple of times and moved quite farther than I did--not fair!! I must learn how to shift! It is a bit difficult for me due to the triple composition of my bike (Specialized Ruby Comp) and the fact that I have zero knowledge of how a bike works. But, I'll learn as I go on...so much too learn, so little time!

In the afternoon, when the kids came home from their sleep-over at uncles, we planted the garden and then I went out for a little 6 mile run and had yummy Chinese food for dinner..that's what I call a perfect Saturday at the Phelps' corner.

Last of the Cotton Destash

It is time to face the facts, I have way too much yarn and I am not knitting it fast enough. Not to mention, every Spring I have this crazy idea that I want to clean my stash room and have a clean page (sorta).

All yarn has been kept in a smoke-free, pet-free environment.

Terms:

• Paypal only.
• Price includes shipping within the US via Priority Mail.
• Drop me a note if interested, with subject line: Yarn Destash

Cotton Yarns First: All Blue Sky Alpacas Dyed Cotton

Description from Blue Sky Alpacas website:

Weight: 100 grams
Approx: 150 yds / 137 meters
Needle Size: 7–9 US / 4.5–5.5 mm
Gauge: 4–5 sts per inch
*A suggested gauge only. Works beautifully with large or small needles.

 

Blue Sky Alpacas Dyed Cotton

Color 616: Sky

Quantity: 12 hanks

Price: $99..includes shipping within the US

Working Hard or Hardly Working?

That's what Grandpa Phelps would say. My boys are putting their heart into our little garden spot. What was once a mound of dirt, it is now becoming the little corner that will provide fresh vegetables for our family during the Summer months. As the economy gets worse and worse and prices just keep going up, we are putting an extra emphasis on our little garden patch.

When we moved into the house, we didn't have a spot for a garden, the entire back yard was landscaped which was nice, except for the fact that hubby grew up having a garden and I have gotten it my head that we need to be a little self-sufficient. Consequently, we started planning a way to get a garden. In one of the backyard corners, we had a huge downhill that was a pain to mow, then new neighbors moved to a house behind ours and they started to dig a hole to extend their basement patio, divine! The dirt they were getting rid off was what we needed, so we moved it over to our downhill corner and thus our garden patch was born.

When we moved the dirt last year, we didn't have a chance to plant a garden as it was a bit late in the year, but this year we have started a little early and whenever the weather permits, hubby goes out there and works on spreading the dirt and getting the dirt ready for planting. We have Grandpa's tiller and we are almost ready to to plant...now if the weather cooperates this Saturday we will be planting peas.

Besides getting a little bit of produce from our garden patch, I have seen that the best part of it all is the relationship that hubby and Wonderboy are building. Wonderboy eagerly waits for dad to come home so that they can work together on the garden. With a little shovel and "normal" side shovel, side by side they work. If bricks need to be moved to build the retaining wall, Wonderboy puts his muscle, heart, and soul into the job and brings daddy a brick. Hubby always talks about the lessons he learned while helping his Dad work on the garden, my dream is that one day my son has the same type of memories about his time with Dad.

The retaining wall that they boys are building is sure cute! We are going to plant the peas and beans around the outer edge so we do not have to bend down to pick them, pretty neat (hubby thought of that). My farmer boy is sure happy working on his garden...now we just need a cow in the backyard and a few chickens and we can definitely be self-sufficient...alright, not really!

More pictures of our garden patch...little Benny is happily dancing around moving her tush for the pictures. I'll have more pictures of the finished project by next week...the wall is almost complete, 40 more bricks and we should be set.

Out of the blue into sunny skies

I am soooo psyched, I had to share. The day started out really crummy...dull, grey, and just wet and nasty, then everything changed, about one hour ago, the sun came out to greet us all. There is very little wind, toasty sun caressing us with its lovely rays....do you know what this means? I am taking my bike out for its first ride of the season! I am so thrilled! I wish I could go right now but I need hubby home to watch the monkeys.....soooooo tickled pink I am! Is it 6:30pm yet?

Woohooo! I am back from my ride! It was a beautiful short little ride. It felt so great! There was this little hill and I just went up it and gave it all I had....it was fantastic! For a moment there I felt like Queen of the world!

I am in such better shape than last year, I am by no means super fast nor fast but I am a little faster than last year and I wasn't winded (like last year). It felt really, really great to be doing so much better than last year. My spinning class definitely has paid off. At one point, on the flat I was pedaling and I was going 21mph....never before have I been able to do that on a flat...maximum 15 but never 21! Of course, the trick is keeping it up for long periods of time.

Must do's before next ride:

1. Get a little mirror for my helmet. I have a hard time looking back so a mirror will help. I will look dorky but it is better dorky than road kill!

2. Put my biking shoes together (meaning, Sam puts the clips on my shoes). My sneakers kept slipping off and it was cumbersome getting back on track after slippage.

It was a superb, awesome, fantastico, fabuloso ride!

Wednesday: Inspirational Quote

“Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.”

My wheels turning: It reminds me of the turtle and the hare story. Many times, I think of being on the right track and yet I am not really progressing. I can adapt this quote to my religious life, my personal life, and my exercise.What do you gather from the quote? Find a quote that inspires you this day and post it on your blog. I am going to make Wednesday, Inspirational Quote day on my blog. Keeping the positve energy going around.

Quote: Brought to you by SparkPeople.com

Loom Destash: All Proceeds go to the MS foundation

ALL SOLD

12" long, Fine Gauge Knitting Board (Double sided rake) can be used as a dishcloth rake. Each side has 44 pegs.

Specs:

• Nylon pegs
• Birch base

I have 12 All sold of these, ready to ship.

Condition: New

Price: $25 includes shipping within the US

Terms: make a donation to the MS Foundation, to Sam's page in the amount above.

Email me if interested in the item.

60 Inch, Infinity Rake Extra Small Gauge Spoken

(Makes a flat panel that is about 60 inches in width, depending on yarn and stitch used)

Specs:

• Nylon pegs
• Birch base

I have 1, ready to ship.

Condition: New

Price: $45 includes shipping within the US

Terms: make a donation to the MS foundation to Sam's page in the amount above

Email me if interested in the item.

A Giggle for the Day

Conversations at the Phelps Table

Hubby and I sat down yesterday to plan what we want in our little garden spot. Little Benny was still having her dinner and Wonderboy was downstairs.

Me: So what do we want?

Hubby: Let's plant the potatoes and corn by the shop and let's plant everything else here.

Me: So, we'll have onions, zucchini, peas, green beans, carrots here

Little Benny: Bright eyed and super excited jumps out of her chair really excited and says, I have a great idea!! Let's plant chocolate chips!

Both of us just giggled and explained that chocolate chips do not grow on plants, to which she replied, my pumpkin seed grew, why not chocolate chips!! Gotta love that little one!

What's your personality?

As seen over at the cool kid blog...had to take the test and see what the "experts" think about me. I dunno...Sorka, what do you think? Dlandra....do you think it is accurate? I guess my kids think I am bossy and some of my so-called friends think I am bossy and say the wrong things.  As far as careers go, Hubby said that he could see me as a psychologist...a little nutty and a little weird. But the whole thing of being a "Giver" I dunno.

You Are An ENFJ

The Giver You strive to maintain harmony in relationships, and usually succeed. Articulate and enthusiastic, you are good at making personal connections. Sometimes you idealize relationships too much - and end up being let down. You find the most energy and comfort in social situations ... where you shine. In love, you are very protective and supporting. However, you do need to "feel special" - and it's quite easy for you to get jealous. At work, you are a natural leader. You can help people discover their greatest potential. You would make a good writer, human resources director, or psychologist. How you see yourself: Trusting, idealistic, and expressive When other people don't get you, they see you as: Bossy, inappropriate, and loud

What's Your Personality Type?

Workout day

{Post recycled from Chubbette}

What a fun day! I woke up early due to going to bed early for a change...I was in bed at 10pm! I rarely, if ever go to bed early, unless I am sick in which case I most likely end up falling asleep on the couch and hubby carries me up to bed. Yup, he still does that after 7 years of marriage and inspite of my 20+ pounds that I have put on since we got hitched.

Anyways, I woke up early and felt refreshed. I have wanted to have oatmeal before heading to the gym and the extra 5 minutes allowed me to do just that! As the water boiled, I was able to read some emails and catch up on some news. As the oatmeal "cooked" I put on my bathing suit and kissed hubby good morning and nugged him to get up and work on the looms. Little N was sleeping next to him...that little girl still comes to our bed every night! She just loves to cuddle next to us.

My oatmeal was extra nutritious this morning, after reading an article on Runners World, I decided to give my oatmeal an "umph" by adding some yogurt and strawberries. I enjoyed the yogurt in it, but the strawberries were a bit tart and I didn't enjoy them as much--I will stick to strawberries for my smoothie only.

Workout stats:

Swim: 50 minutes in freestyle/crawl w/ flip turns

Spin: 50 minutes. Climbing day with intervals.

Ab workout: 10 minutes--my abs are still sore from Wednesday's workout

I didn't stay for the toning class today as tomorrow I have a long run and I need an "easy" day before my 10 miler tomorrow.

Note about swimming: Today, I tried a pair  of hand paddles that one of the other swimmer's brought with her. The one lap I did with them was superb! Although it felt that I was swimming with 10 pound weights on each hand, I cruised on the lap after. I can see a huge benefit on having a pair of hand paddles--trim the fat around my arms for sure.

Speaking of fat, as you know, I haven't been able to lose weight despite all my exercise, but I have lost inches all around which definitely shows the great progress I have made. Well, today I jumped on the scale just for kicks and guess what...for the first time in the past 4 years, I am under 130!!! I weighed in at 129. I have finally lost some weight but I feel confident that the weight has been all fat as I have kept my calorie intake high (as much as I eat, I am sure it is high!). I refuse to go on a diet...heck, the whole reason why I exercise is just so that I can eat as many tacos as I want!

Hope your workouts are going okay too.

PS: Don't forget, the Boston Marathon is this weekend...exciting! Wonderboy's soccer coach is running it...his time on the Top of Utah Marathon was 3:04! We told him to be sure to catch up to Lance ;)