Thursday, January 7, 2010

Oh, Winter Is Fun

Despite the extreme cold, doesn't this little guy look joyful?

Wow, driving home tonight after work was brutal. Blowing snow, snow drifts,colder temperatures, slippery roads….yup, we are in the heart of winter.

When I finally arrived home, I felt that big relief. Ahhhhhh, I’m home.

It’s hard not to be a couch potato in wintery weather. Does a couch, a blanket and a laptop (in my lap) in front of the TV count as a “couch potato.”?



Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Imposter!

Hope you enjoy a little bit of color….I am certainly enjoying it!

I caught an imposter today….HA!



For several years I’ve been saying to myself that there are two women book reps that frequently call me at work wanting me to buy business type books for my library collections. These two women have an an unusual East coast accent that sounds incredible similar.



To make a long story short, I’ve been dealing with a woman named, “Paula” who happens to work for a New York book company. Now make sure you say Paula out loud with a New Jersey/New York accent.



But I also deal with a woman named Janeen, who frequently calls and also sells business type books.



Well, Paula called me again today at work for the millionth time.



I kindly said “no, I’m not interested.”



Then, three hours later the woman named Janeen calls, from the same book company and asks me if I am interested in the same books that Paula just talked about.



A big hugh “Hahaaaaaaa” went off in my head.



Before I knew it, I blurted into the phone…..”say, you sound just like Paula.”



The woman named Janeen quickly started sputtering on the other end of the phone and gave me a very nervous laugh.



“Oh, really, isn’t that something” Janeen spurts out. So I guess you don’t need any books today?



HA…….after all these years I finally put two and two together.



Paula & Janeen are the same people!



Ok, I think that’s pretty low….impostering yourself to be a second person.



Geez!



Well, at least I got a good laugh this afternoon. Sometimes you just gotta laugh at people and their actions.



I can’t wait for Paula or Janeen to call me again. I think I could have a little fun with this. Grrrrrrrrrrr.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Just Wanna Fly Away



At this time of the year I just wish I could be a bird and fly away to a warmer climate…..one that is more gentle on the body & soul.



Spent the day just blowing and blowing my nose at work. My sinuses are telling me they do not like the cold dry air outside, and certainly not the warm dry air inside.



Tried to revive myself by going to the fitness center after work. Worked out on the virtual bike and then did some weight training. Whoo hoo!



Single digits still dominate our weather outlook…..guess I’ll keep blowing my nose!

Monday, January 4, 2010

Monday Night Spin


Now this is what I call a spinning workout! Courtesy of flickr.com



I had a full spin class tonight, which seems to be the trend now. I think it’s due to the holiday sweets guilt thing going on! Like last year, I’m seeing an influcts of new people at the fitness center. My usual showed up tonight, plus one newbie.



I recently changed my spinning play-list to a faster RPM’s type workout, which seems to be going quite well for getting people to pick up the pace. To keep the heart rate up there, I’m not giving my class participants much time in between songs to lower their cadence or heart rates. I really want them to utilize the 50 minute spin class.



Warm up….blast off…..that’s how I like to think of my spin classes!



I give my class guidance and encouragement, but will not scream wildly at my class. I think it’s the cyclist in me. I’ve been to former spin classes where the instructor screams loudly and intimidates everyone to think they have to work until they puke.



Spinning can be fun with the right instructor, the appropriate play-list, safe spinning moves and a good attitude.



Yes, I still miss my trail rides on the Red Cedar River, my bicycle commutes to work, our long journeys to Southern Wisconsin, our Tainter Lake route and mostly just hoping on the bike to ride the country roads of Northwest Wisconsin.



But, spring will be here in four months…..it’s worth the wait.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

I Bet You Didn't Know I Have an Outdoor Cat!

Another non-motivated day…..well kind of I guess.



Despite the 18 below temperature early this morning, I managed to make my way to church and prepare the coffee and communion platters for our Sunday service.



After that, my usual run-into-Wal-Mart for a few quick supplies.



Then back home to finish working on my sewing project.



New Year’s is the end of my holidays/vacation days, and now we go into a long stretch of no holidays until Memorial Day.



Bring on winter and some warmer temperatures please!

Saturday, January 2, 2010

When It's Subzero Outside You........

Random photo I took for no particular reason!

When the high temperature of the day is 1 degrees below zero, you just:

wanna stay in your soft pajamas until mid afternoon

dig out the down comforter and place it on your bed

drink hot liquid all day

re-organize & vacuum the cobwebs

do loads of laundry

catch up on all your blog reading

watch a funny movie

talk to someone special on the phone

play silly with your favorite pet

re-hem your momma's pants (they are almost done mom!)

cook a fried fish dinner

It's now 8 below zero so I think I'll go to bed! Maybe tomorrow I will step outside and do something really physical....or maybe not.


Friday, January 1, 2010

Today's theme.......

Today's theme could only be described as cold, sunshine and crisp snow.

At this time of the year most of the rivers around here are iced over with a fresh coating of fluffy snow. You know, I caught myself doing that cold run/walk thing again every time I was outdoors. There's something about single digit temperatures with a north wind that makes my body moves quickly.
Bike man and I spent the day away from home. Had some obligations to take care of and then it was off to the city to buy some new, super warm gloves for cycling.
Ended our day dining out at a new sport bar & grill. Enjoyed a delicious Italian beef sandwich, complete with au jus and sweet potato fries.....yummmmm. Also enjoyed a nice warm cup of Jack Daniels Tennessee Mud. See recipe below. Stay warm my Midwest friends.
Jack Daniels Tennessee Mud
Start with a 1/2 cup of black coffee. Add a shot of Jack Daniels Bourbon whisky & a small shot of Amaretto. Add some half & half and top off with more black coffee. Ahhhhhh.....enjoy the nice warm soothing sensation of a body warming drink. Just what you need for subzero temperatures.
What's your favorite winter drink to warm the body & soul?