Happy Birthday America.

We're ready to celebrate our independence.



If I had back all the money I've spent on beer, I'd spend it on beer.

Biker Chick

*knock, knock*

Who's there?

ADHD.

ADHD who?

Hey wanna go ride bikes?


Yes, I do indeed want to go ride bikes.


At some point in the past few months, I decided that running, softball, drinking and broomball were not giving me enough opportunities at self injury. We did a lot of research and some test riding at all the local bike shops before ending up with this beauty:



And then we took it for an inaugural spin.



Don't worry, I put a helmet on before actually attempting to pedal.

I should note the memory of my inaugral bike ride when I was 7 years old and got a bike for my birthday. The fancy kind with streamers coming out of the handlebars. And I took it out for a spin wearing my birthday dress and favorite tights - the ones covered in colorful hearts. And I bit it maybe 1 minute into that ride. My favorite tights and knees did not fare so well.

So with that memory fresh in my mind, off we went. Andy borrowed a road bike from a coworker, and although he ran into a slight snafu with the chain, we had a fairly uneventful 20 miler. By uneventful, I mean that when we returned home there were no torn tights and nobody was bleeding.

And in our family, we have the very low standard of "not bleeding = success."

Hopefully I have many more successful bike rides in my future.

But I won't be wearing any of my favorite heart colored tights though, just in case.

Cat for Sale

A Thursday morning haiku for you.

Because I'm oh so poetic.

Awoken at night
Mount Wrigley is erupting
Cat puke on my foot

Hope your night was more pleasant than mine.

The Year of the Midas

It's about the time I realize the Fourth of July is coming up that I figure I should post what happened on the last holiday I only half wrote about. Here are events that happened:

Losers without sweet, barely functioning RV's pitched tents in Tent City.



Andy hooked up his jockey box to dispense his homemade beer.



Facts: That is a Jason Giambi bobblehead we got for free when we went to an A's game that time we were in San Francisco after hiking Yosemite. The Schlitz bottle was purchased for 25 cents the week prior at a garage sale.

Frisbee golf was played.



I only played half a game, because I am possibly the worst frisbee thrower that ever lived ever. When I start to lose track of my score I usually just wander back to the fire and drink my beer because that takes way less thought and effort.

The youngest person in attendance discovered she could pretend Toby was a horse. She proceeded to pretend he was a horse most of the rest of the weekend.



Toby's brain: Is that a wall? I should probably bark at it. Is someone climbing on me and squealing? I guess I'll just lay here.

Cornhole was played.



A basketball game broke out.



Acceptable defense in Engabasketball: Tackling and biting.

A softball game happened too.



Note to self: When running to first base, beware of any 115 pound dogs running at your kneecaps. You will be taken out and you will be bruised.

Andy set new fashion highs.





There was a dance party. On top of King Midas.



In summary, a good time was had by all.

Now, since this post is already longer than my usual total number of posts in one month combined, I'll give the short and low on what happened with the Midas on the way back:

We couldn't start it. After 45 minutes of tinkering, it started.

We decided our best option was to not turn it off the rest of the trip. Yes, even while getting gas.

King Midas had plans of his own and turned off at a rest stop all by himself.

We traded beers for bolts with some guy in the parking lot to repair the Midas.

We had to give him the beers discretely so his kids wouldn't see.

After about 90 minutes we were on the road again and made it safely home.

Engamorial Day 2011: The Year of the Midas

Almost Healthy

Yesterday I decided I wanted to take in the lovely weather and save my run for after work.

Then Andy tempted me to go to Founders instead.

I held strong and went on my run.

Healthy success.

Then I got home and decided I was thirsty.

So we went to Founders and had a beer.

Then we went to Brewery Vivant and had another beer.

Then we went to Green Well and had another beer.

Healthy fail.

Special in a Special Way

Oh, hey Toby, Good Morning.



That's a really normal position you seem to be sleeping in.



Looks super comfy.



Which reminds me, have I told you lately how special I think you are?



Because I think you are a very, very special dog.

R V There Yet?

Andy's father got an old motorhome to fix up. And when I say old, I mean old. A 1976 GMC Midas to be exact.

Andy has been helping to get it ready for our annual roadtrip to Engadine for Engamorial Day weekend.

As you can see I did my part to make it better using black electric tape.

On Thursday evening, we set off on the 7 hour journey with a planned overnight halfway up. Gordie helped provide emotional support for the driver and also served as a copilot.



"I'm here for you Dad."



"Road ahead looks good. Stay the course."

Toby did . . . um . . . Toby stuff.



"HI! I'm a dog! I like treats! Is this thing moving? Oh HI! I'm a dog!! This house is fast."

Bonnie, the Proctor dog, helped fill the driver's seat when needed.



"Nobody better mess with me when I'm behind the wheel."

The four humans being transported helped Andy drive by drinking beer and playing Euchre and being loud. Teenagers take note: Distracting the driver is fun and safe! Bonus points if beer is involved!



We only had one breakdown on the way up when King Midas wouldn't start. Andy got all super-mechanic like and shook some wires to fix it, and after an hour wait, was able to get the King going. After that, it was smooth sailing over Mighty Mac and to her final resting spot.





And when I say "final resting spot" you have no idea how accurate that statement almost became. More on the happenings of the weekend and the lack of happenings in the engine of the Midas to come.