MS Ride--Century Check!

The most amazing 100 miles ever! Hubby stayed by me the entire time and he pulled me along. During the hills I fell behind and he waited for me at the top and then we continued on together. The first 50 miles went by superfast, at mile 75, I thought to myself that if I had gone for the 75 mile route I would have been done right then and the ride would have been "easy" but going for the full 100 made it a challenge, a good type of challenge.

At mile 68 we had lunch and we met a few friends: Momber, Cannonball and his friend Mike. As we were eating we reflected on the fact that we only had 32 miles left--a piece of cake, we had biked 32 before and we knew we could do it. As we climbed on our bikes after lunch, the five of us took off and I lagged behind a bit and Mike made a comment on overcrowding me and I told him that it wasn't him, it was my shitty skills with the bike. As I explained to him how I just learned to ride a bike last year, he was impressed that I was already road biking. It hit me then that really, I was still like a 5 year old in my cycling skills and I was out there giving it all I had. It kind of made me smile and "dig in" for a little more.

As we approached mile 85, the heat was unbearable to me, due to my lack of skills on the bike, I cannot reach down and grab my water bottle so I had to make hubby stop for a quick drink every 5 miles after mile 85. The stopping not only help me hydrate but we realized that the little break gave me a burst of energy that made us go a little faster. From now on, whenever I do a century again, I am going to schedule stops after reaching mile 80 (every 5 miles or so).

The last ten miles were superb! We were already entering town and I knew we were close but what got me excited was that I looked at my average and I was at 16 mph!!!! I have been able to keep 16mph over short distances of 26 miles but not over a full 100!!! I was excited. I wanted to keep my average that high to the end. I pedaled for all I was worth, the last stretch I was cranking out 19-21mph...then the last train tracks came and with it fear struck me, fear got worse when I saw that there was already a fallen comrade on the side of the tracks surrounded by other cyclists and paramedics. I quickly glanced at the tracks and saw the extreme angle and froze for a millisecond, I glanced at my front tire and the train tracks, the word PERPENDICULAR came into my head and quickly shifted my front wheel. I held on as tight as I could to the handlebars and closed my eyes. I felt the rattle and I was over. I didn't fall. I felt terrible that it wasn't me on the side of the tracks but having been there a few weeks ago, the fear was still too fresh in my mind. After the tracks there was only a mile or two left, full of stop signs. Hubby had gone ahead of me by then, he knew I could do it from there by myself, but I wasn't alone, next to me was a couple wearing Fatty jerseys...I felt inspired being next to them and I felt in good company. I pedaled to the end and reaching the finish line had never felt so good. There were people cheering there for me, for everyone else coming through...people thanking us for riding for the cause.

100 miles. Sam and I together during the entire haul...him there to support me and to pull me along. My best time ever and my best mph ever. I cut about 1-1/2 from my previous Century, and I increased to 16mph.

This ride was the best event I have ever participated on. The support was fantastic. Some of the roads were closed completely to traffic and there were cops at major intersections to help us out. The volunteers at the rest stops were kind, corteous, and helpful---some of them even coming to the bikes to fill up your water bottles with ice and water! But that wasn't it--it was the fact that many of them stopped and said thank you to us for riding. I felt appreciation. At the last rest stop, I told them a huge thank you because without them there to help us out we wouldn't ride--it would be impossible to go 100 miles without some sort of support.

I can't wait for next year's ride!!!

Pictures: coming soon...zazoosh is still developing them. Thanks for sticking by to read the report. 

Book Sale

As you probably have guessed with the Stash Sale and now the book sale, I am selling a lot of my knitting stuff. Now the books are a hard thing to sell as I really like patterns from all of them but the truth is that I usually knit patterns from downloads I buy...rarely do I remember the patterns from the books that I want to knit (I guess I have a short attention span). All books have been kept in a smoke-free and pet-free environment. They are all in superb condition--browsed through a couple of times but that's about it.

I'll post them as follows: Title-Price.

Shipping will be calculated after you contact me with your zip code. I can ship Media Mail for these to make it cheaper but if you are buying quite a few a Flat Rate box could be cheaper.

The list is long (this is just like 1/2 if not less of the knitting books I have--glutton!)

Contact me at purlingspriteATgmailDOTcom

**SOLD**

• Knit Socks by Betsy Lee McCarthy--$5
• Dream Toys by Claire Garland--$5
• Knit Couture by Gail Downey--$5
• Easy Knitted Socks by Jeanette Trotman--$5
• Unexpected Knitting by Debbie New--$10
• Wrap Style--$10
• Stitch & Bitch the Nation (hardcover) by Debbie Stoller--$5
• the Yarn Girls Guide to Beyond the Basics--$5
• Mason Dixon Knitting--$10
• Handknit Holidays by Melanie Falick--$8
• 220 Projects for Cascade 220 by DAra Tatum--$5
• Viking Patterns for Knitting by Elsebeth Lavold--$5
• Book Nine The Second Viking Knits Collection by Elsebeth Lavold--$5
• Knit Wit by Amy Singer--$5
• Knitting in Plain English by Maggie Righetti--$5
• Modular Knits by Iris Schreier--$5
• Pursenalities by Eva Wichmann--$5
• Simple Knits for Cherished Babies by Erika Knight--$5
• Knitting for Dummies by Pam Allen--$5
• Adorable Knits for Tots by Zoe Mellor--$5

**PENDING PAYMENT**

• **PENDING**-Charmed Knits by Alison Hansel--$5
• **PENDING** Fitted Knits by Stefanie Japel--$10
• **PENDING** A Gathering of Lace by Meg Swansen--$10
• **PENDING** Victorian Lace by Jane Sowerby--$10
• PENDING 150 Knitted Trims by Lesley Stanfield--$5
• PENDING Lace Style-$10

**STILL AVAILABLE**

• Scarf Style-$10
• Easy Knits for Little Kids by Catherine Tough--$5
• I love Knitting by Rachel Henderson--$5
• Weekend Knitting by Melanie Falick--$8
• Vogue Knitting Accessorize-$4
• Heirloom Knits by Judith McLeod-Odell--$8
• New Knits on the Block by Vickie Howell--$5
• Holiday Knits by Sara Lucas--$5
• Bag Style-$10
• Knitting Never Felt Better by Nicky Epstein--$10
• Baby Crochet by Lois Daykin--$5

Stash Sale--more and lots more

I have put it in a gallery of its own. JoSharp SilkRoad, Louet Riverstone, GGH Aspen, Sublime DK and Aran and lots more.

Gallery of Stash Sale

A new home

For the little pets :)

After seeing another of my new little guys give up yesterday, I took the family to PetSmart and we picked up a new habitat for them. We added the water last night to the tank and the instructions said to wait a few hours or even 24 hours before putting the fish in there but this morning when I woke up to go to the gym all of my little fish were in their vase at the very top, 2 of them looked in bad condition so I just switched them to their new tank. 5 hours later, they are all swimming around really happy!

Tank we got: Marineland Eclipse Hex 5

Any of you fish owners out there: do we need to have gravel at the bottom of our tank? How about little plants? Do the little fish need them?

Checking in

Lots going on...nothing exciting: sports camp for Boyo, Ballet for Little Benny, swimming every chance we get. Why so much swimming? I have found out that the combo of water and hot sun puts my kids out for a good 2 hours each afternoon--nap time is sooo grand! As if all these activities wasn't fun enough, we also had a wedding this past Saturday, there was dancing, yummy food, and we came home with some new little pets.

Two days later and they are still swimmingly fine. One of them didn't make it but the others seem to be doing very well. I took the flower out and have been changing the water daily. I hope they survive. Having the little fish around has been fun for me :).

Oh besides the fish, I also came home with a tray full of croissants, I'm talking about 30 croissants. By Sunday afternoon, only 2 remained! Oi! I need to run about 50 miles to work those off!

Sock Yarn DeStash

All yarns have been kept in a smoke-free and pet-free environment.

Terms: Paypal only Contact me (purlingspriteATgmailDOTcom)

Note:  I will ship within 2 business days after payment clears through Paypal. Thank you.

Only 2 left: Same color but different dyelot. Self-Striping

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Vesper Sock Yarn

Colorway: Love Stinks

400 yards of self striping goodness 80% superwash wool, 20% nylon

Price: $25 includes shipping within the US

Terms: Paypal only Contact me (purlingspriteATgmailDOTcom) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Vesper Sock Yarn

Colorway: Love Stinks (Dyelot 30)

400 yds of self striping goodness 80% superwash wool, 20% nylon

Price: $25 includes shipping within the US

Terms: Paypal only

Contact me (purlingspriteATgmailDOTcom)

Whirlwind!!!

Summer is in full swing and with it, me and my zoomer are all over town.

8am: get shower

8:20am bathe Little Benny

8:40am feed Little Benny and Boyo

8:45am eat in the car and drop off Boyo at Summer Camp

9:00am drop off at Summer Camp

9-9:15am drive to Cache Valley Civic Ballet

9:15: Drop off Little Benny and wait to see if they'll accept her in the class

10am: Little Benny gets out and good news--she is allowed to say!!! Yipppeee!

10-11:30am-drive around town trying to find "little ballerina" clothes for her. All stores are closed. They are only open in the afternoon.

12pm: pick up Boyo from Summer Camp

12:30pm: Arrive home and collapse on the couch. In the background..."Mommy, I am hungry...fix us lunch!!!"

Half the day has gone by and I feel like I have had a full day's of work and I still haven't even gotten to my daily house chores. Oy!!!

Little Benny turns 4 in December but the Ballet classes are only for 4 year olds and up. I went to beg to see if they will let her in. She stayed for the first class to see how she performed--if she followed the instructions they would consider it. She did wonderfully! I was looking through a little hole and it was the most beautiful thing I ever seen--she is so little and she tried so hard to do everything. She is so excited and so happy! I am excited too!!!

Friday Fill-Ins

On the run as we are getting ready for a major garage sale to benefit the Saunders family. We have a garage chuck-full of stuff and more items just keep showing up! We are so excited for the support we are receiving and we are so looking forward to raising lots of funds and to present the check to the Saunders family.

Now for the Fill-Ins:

1. getting a new bike for my son is high up on my bucket list.
2. My favorite quote is "Pain is temporary, it may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever."; it's from Lance Armstrong.
3. Mim inspired me to start blogging.
4. Strawberries are best covered in chocolate.
5. My children and my garden were in the last dream I remember having.
6. The most enjoyable time to go for a walk is when is not too hot, probably in the evening.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to going to Summerfest with hubby, tomorrow my plans include the super-garage sale and a bike ride with my peeps Sunday, I want to go to church and listen to my hubby teach a lesson during Sunday school!

Picture of the week!!! My little boy is truly growing up. He has lost 2 front teeth. Unfortunately for him, he takes after me and his permanent teeth are coming behind his "baby teeth" so he had to go to the dentist's office and have 2 teeth pulled out. He was such a great trooper! He got up early and was all happy about visiting the dentist...he came back crying and so sad...it hurt he said as he cried in my arms. But by mid-day he was happy as nothing else, playing with his new Tongue Window :).

Swap Goodies and A Funny

I took part in Marisol's Kitchen Knits Swap and it was super! My pal Raquel spoiled me rotten! She sent me the most delicious treat...filled with Dulce de Leche--helllooo!!! Let's just say that you cannot only have one! Luvvv them!  Not only did she send me yummy treats to eat right away after opening the package but she included 2 recipes--one for Flautas (my favorites!) and one for Chile Verde...yummmy! These two will definitely get used as we are a hard core Mexican Food eaters in this house. I will try the Chile Verde recipe when my home-grown peppers grow.

When I say that I was spoiled by this swap, I wasn't kidding. Raquel knitted 2 beautiful washclothes for me. They are so beautiful that I do not want to spoil them by washing my face with them...they belong on my front table! She also sent me some Euroflax yarn for some more washclothes and some really cool patterns that I will be trying out soon--probably before my next sporty event. She also sent me something for my kitchen:  a small wooden mortar which both hubby and I were admiring because of the wood work (we are suck dorks!), along with my package came a bottle of spray to use on linens--finally something that I can use when ironing my table runner, I used water last time but this is going to leave it smelling all nice. THANK YOU Raquel! I loved my package! I enjoyed the treat sooooo much...you really can't imagine how much I like those treats! Love them!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now for the funny. I saw this over at my friend's Jo's blog and I have to share it with you all. It brought a huge laugh. But before I post it, I have to say that my hubby has passed most of these "tests" so he is not in hot water (he reads the blog at work so I don't want him thinking that he is in some sort of trouble). If you have a minute, go over to Jo's blog, some jerks stole her bag on Monday and she needs a little pick me up.

Continuing Education Classes for Men

NOTE: DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY AND DIFFICULTY LEVEL OF THEIR CONTENTS, CLASS SIZES WILL BE LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS MAXIMUM.

Class 1
How To Fill Up The Ice Cube Trays--Step by Step, with Slide Presentation.

Class 2
The Toilet Paper Roll--Does It Change Itself? Round Table Discussion.

Class 3
Is It Possible To Urinate Using The Technique Of Lifting The Seat and Avoiding The Floor, Walls and Nearby Bathtub?--Group Practice.

Class 4
Fundamental Differences Between The Laundry Hamper and The Floor--Pictures and Explanatory Graphics.

Class 5
Dinner Dishes--Can They Levitate and Fly Into The Kitchen Sink? Examples on Video.

Class 6
Loss Of Identity--Losing The Remote To Your Significant Other. Help Line Support and Support Groups.

Class 7
Learning How To Find Things--Starting With Looking In The Right Places And Not Turning The House Upside Down While Screaming. Open Forum

Class 8
Health Watch--Bringing Her Flowers Is Not Harmful To Your Health. Graphics and Audio Tapes.

Class 9
Real Men Ask For Directions When Lost--Real Life Testimonials.

Class 10
Is It Genetically Impossible To Sit Quietly While SheParallel Parks? Driving Simulations.

Class 11
Learning to Live--Basic Differences Between Mother and Wife. Online Classes and role-playing

Class 12
How to be the Ideal Shopping Companion. Relaxation Exercises, Meditation and Breathing Techniques.

Class 13
How to Fight Cerebral Atrophy--Remembering Birthdays, Anniversaries and Other Important Dates and Calling When You're Going To Be Late. Cerebral Shock Therapy Sessions and Full Lobotomies Offered.

Class 14
The Stove/Oven--What It Is and How It Is Used. Live Demonstration.

Upon completion of any of the above courses, diplomas will be issued to the survivors.

It is done..Getting Ziggy!

And it is beautiful! I love it! So little, so cute....so perfect. My seaming was not perfect and I had a heck of a time with it, I usually do. Seaming is my least favorite part of a project but wanting to see it finished, I got excited and I sat down to finish it. I can't wait to take it to my friend's house and see what she thinks of it. My neighbor next door, Nish, saw it and requested one for her little one. We picked up yarn already, my stash is vast and it was easy finding something to her liking. It is wonderful to have someone to knit for! I am excited.

Pattern: Get Ziggy by Anny Purls

Size knitted: 6 months

Yarn: Cashmerino Aran in a grey color

Needles: 7 for the ribbing and 9 for the body

More candid pictures later...hopefully the baby won't mind putting it on for a wee bit. The little one is well...really little. He is only 4 weeks old and he is still so tiny and he is going to be swimming in the little sweater. I hope the days get better so we can take him outside for a picture with his new sweater.

Update: I took it over. She loved it! I feel so proud to be of service to my friends. Around my house, my knits are not really appreciated...I think they got used to them but my friends do love them and cherish them.

I just found out that another really close friend, and running pal, Mo, is expecting a little boy. She requested a baby blanket for the baby and now that I know the gender, I will be able to pick up some yarn and get some knitting done for the wee one...I have til November to finish it...I better get working just in case I get sidetracked.

It appears that the week before a race or a big sporty event I don't do much other than sit down and relax (morning workouts do not count into excessive exercise) so I have tons of time to sit and knit and it appears that it is perfect timing for creating.

 

A Century Under my Belt

How does it feel to bike 100 miles! Awesome! Plain awesome!

I didn't think I was ready but I was...I went the 100 miles, slow and steady and I completed it. I told myself that I wanted to finish by 5pm and I came in at 4:15pm! The day was not really nice...not at all. We got rained on twice, the wind never stopped and it seemed that it was always against us and when it wasn't we were going up hill. We had one major hell hill but I didn't get off my bike, I conquered it to the top!

But what really made my day was three fans that kept following me around. Everytime I felt that I couldn't go anymore (after reaching mile 90, I thought I was going to stop) they were there to support me and to tell me..."Go Mom, Go Mom!"

A great day! Thanks to my family and friends for their support...for believing in me! I can't wait for next year to do it again!

Friday Fill Ins

1. Idle hands are a huge problem for me on Sunday's when I am at church. I can't stand sitting down not doing anything. At home, I either knit or type when I am sitting down. If I have nothing for my hands to do, I get really anxious. I can already see in the future, I am going to have to bring my knitting with me to church...just to survive. Currently, I just grab one of the babies from my friends and that keeps me occupied.

2. I love to be hugged in the shower.

3. My favorite time of the day is when I am outside running.

4. The last tea I drank was Herbal Green Tea.

5. I like to go hiking in the Summer.

6. My mother always said that I have sad eyes.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to dinner and picking up my packet for Little Red RidingHood, tomorrow my plans include riding the Little Red Ridinghood Tour, which I still haven't decided on a distance (36, 46, 62, 80, 104 miles) and Sunday, I want to sleep all day and recuperate from my bike ride!

Getting Ziggy!

The weather around here has been leaving a lot to be desired of all of us around here...for sure those of the cycling community. Where we usually have 70 to 80 degree weather we are still having 30s, 40s, non-stop rain and cloudy sad days. Days like these only make me want to do one thing...sit down and read or knit. Yesterday, I combined both by uploading the Twilight book to my iPod and grabbing the latest Jujubeandlolo pattern, Get Ziggy. Anny has a wonderful style that grabs my attention right away. Her patterns are easy yet she puts just enough of a challenge in them to make them interesting but not obnoxious...with 2 children running around, I can't focus 100% on a chart without one of them always asking me a question.

A few hours after sitting down to knit, I had listen to half the book and I had both back and front done in the 6 mos size! I started the sleeves and I completed one only to realize that I didn't change needles after the ribbing, ack! Overall, the little sweater is coming along beautifully! The pattern is easy, the instructions are clear, and the small cable on the front gives it just a little amount of interest. I am looking forward to finishing it and gifting it to one of my wee little neighbors. Finished pictures hopefully this weekend.

Project Stats

Pattern by Anny Purls: Get Ziggy

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran

Needles: Size 7 and 9 US

Enjoyment level: 10

Fruits of our Labors

Our garden has given us some little fruits! Yesterday while we were playing ball on the backyard, I decided to take a slight look at our little garden spot and I found that what started as little seedlings and then just a show of leaves had a little red bud popping up! See the beauty of our little radishes.

The radishes were Boyo's special garden project and he was super happy to finally see his work come to fruition. He is just faking eating it with the dirt but once washed he ate one of them all by himself! The radishes were sweet, juicy, and tender. Yummy!

Ay Caramba!

Sometimes, I wonder what in heck I do all day? Really...my to-do list is really, really short and all I have done today is...laundry 4, 5, 6 loads!!! And I am still folding away! Ay Caramba!

Looking things on the bright side: at least I have clean clothes to fold and I didn't have to wash them by hand! Oi! I need help in this household upkeep business.

Update: I have conquered the mountains of laundry! I still need to put it away but it is folded. I managed to vacuum the downstairs but when I was almost done by vacuum died! Stupid thing keeps doing that all the time, so I called my neighbor and she lent me her beautiful and joyful and sucker upper Dyson! I have never before vacuumed happier in my life! That Dyson can suck things up and clean up in a jiffy! I think it is time to trade in!

Baby Animals Outing

Last month, we took the kiddos to our annual Baby Animals outing. Visiting the Heritage Center is always one of my favorite things to do in the Spring. Usually, we have sunny skies and warm temperatures, around 70 degrees, this time around though, it was still cold, there was snow patches here and there making some of the activities just plain uncomfortable to do. Despite the cold weather, we packed up the kids and we headed out to our little outing.

In the 6 years or so that I have been a Mom, I have come to realize that children love animals. No matter the animal, children just seem to want to touch them and pet them. My children just love to hold the little critters--from rabbits to horses and even nasties like worms and slugs! No slugs or worms this time around though, but they did find a chubby little Rabbit and a gorgeous miniature horse. I have told Sam many times that if we ever have money coming out of our ears and enough land that I would like a few miniature horses...they are just gorgeous.

The activity of the day: a pony ride! The children look forward to this event all year long! Each year they get to ride a pony twice, once during Baby Animal Days and their second time during the local fair. I have been on a horse once in my lifetime and I have always imagined what it would have been to ride one as a child...my children won't have to.

The day overall was a lot of fun. The children enjoyed petting the little critters and I enjoyed seeing them full of joy. We are all looking forward to next year's already...hopefully the weather will be a bit warmer than this year.

Winners: MS Fundraiser

It is time to announce our contest winners for our MS Fundraiser! We have raised quite a bit of funds hubby and I. Hubby has raised $350 and I have raised $500! Between the two of us, we have $850 all because of your generosity! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am very sure the MS Foundation is grateful also for your generosity. Now without further delay, let's announce the winners (winners chosen with the coolest tool ever...random generator).

1st Prize winner gets the Petal Hardgreaves Kit, enough yardage to knit the size Large.

Our winner for this fantabulous prize is.....Jessica (KnitFit Jessica). Jessica, please drop me a note and I'll have this fantabulous prize on its way to you!

2nd Prize winner gets 2 skeins of gorgeous handyed sock yarn by Morgan from knitfrontandback. The winner is.....Margery Cavins. Margery, please drop me a note and we'll have this yummy yarn on its way to you.

3rd Prize winner gets a kit of 2 oz roving by Morgan from knitfrontandback. The winner is....Barbara Janzen. Barbara...drop me a little note and we'll have Morgan fix you up a little roving for some gorgeous yarn.

4th Prize winner gets the brand new and useful Yarn Ball Winder! Our winner for this fabulous prize is.....Jeannette Pirkle.

This wraps up the prizes for the MS Fundraiser up to date!!! Thank you, thank you all!

We still have one more month and I am gathering up a few more prizes. We already have an Infinity Board giveaway coming up and I am gathering some yummy yarn too! Any donations from this point on to June 27th will be entered to win the new prizes. I'll post the new prizes tomorrow...so exciting! Thank you everyone.

Donate here or here and help us reach higher!