Some More Cold

I've been so extremely busy and I havent been able to blog. I'm fixin to leave on a long cycling ride... whooo hoooo!!!

Alaska:
We got to ride an old rickety train through the mountains while we were in Skagway. (fun fun) It was beautiful... but i'm not too hip on going over old bridges and narrow passages high in the mountains!

Here's our train:


See... it's so gorgeous!





This little lady would give you a tour all around Skagway for a teeny tiny fee of $20 each. Richard and I didnt go, but C & P and my mom did. They found out that you can't buy land to build homes or businesses. Pretty much the only way you can buy a house there is if you know someone and they specifically will sell it to you, or you are left a house by death or some other way of inheriting. All the land is National Park territory or Indian Burial ground or something and if a house does come up sale, the price is astronomical! $300k or a little shack. So, when people have to go there to work, they can't afford a house and can't build, so they pitch tents or stay in travel trailers 'out back'. I should have gotten a picture of that... because we passed 'out back' on the train and they do! They have to live like bums almost. So sad.

No Easy Entry

Let me begin with... there is so much I want to share about Alaska and Canada but there is so much information and such little time and I don't know where to begin! I'll just jump right in somewhere and hopefully in the end it will come together. Kind of like a senior term paper.

The scenery is amazing. It's almost therapeutic. Like a fish tank almost! This is me looking at the mountains as we pass... heading to Juneau, Alaska.


The guys took a tram up the side of the mountain and here's a shot of Juneau from the top. Did you know that Juneau isn't accessible by auto? You can only get to this city by boat! My cousins used to live here too!!!


Now, here in Oklahoma the "Red Dog" is something totally different! Only Richard and I giggled when we saw the "Red Dog" on the corner. Thank God the kids didnt understand the funny!


Again, looking down on Juneau from the top of the mountain. This mountain also is home to a local lake and a favorite of all the kiddos. The locals hike this mountain and go fishing here!


Another view of Juneau. It's so beautiful. While shopping I got to chatting with one of the girls that was working in a shop and learned she was from Texas! I asked "WHY" would you ever move from Texas to Alaska and Juneau at that!? It's only accessible by boat! She said she had gone there on a visit (friend or sister) and she loved it, so she went back for a 6 week visit and decided to stay. She'd been in Alaska for about 8 years now. It's nice... but I like being able to drive in and out of my city :)

Belated 4th

Happy 4th of July yesterday! Here are a few pics from our night. We went to a little cookout at a friends house... set off some of our own fireworks and watched all those around us.

Cruising Through

I'm back!

I'm not sure where to start in telling my travel story. I'm glad to be home though. It was fun to go, but it sure is a long trip and having so many time changes and traveling with your entire family plus being surrounded by so many Asian people who have no consideration for your personal space... wears on your last nerve. Grant, you'd love the Alaskan Cruise. They announced that there were 85 different nationalities on the ship and I bet 70% of the people were Asian.

The absolute best part of the trip was cruising Glacier Bay. Those big chunks of ice are amazing and alot bigger than you'd ever imagine. We were fortunate enough to watch huge chunks of ice falling into the ocean - they say they move 6 feet a day. At first we heard what sounded like a huge clap of thunder, and then you see 'dust' on the side of the glacier and then you see it hit the water and then you feel the ripples of waves. The environmentalist that was brought to the ship to describe and explain everything to us, said that the big piece that fell (that we saw) was the biggest he'd seen while doing these tours and none had moved a ship like this one had. It was so exciting. The water is smooth and calm and a murky green/gray color. We were in a huge glass of liquid refreshment with ice cubes.

I've got more to write later but i'm still diggin through hundreds of pictures. Here's a few!

On Break

I'm taking a break from packing... we're fixing to head north! Canada will never be the same once we're done with it! hehehe

Here are a few pictures that Richard took of baby Z and I the weekend I did Red River Roadkill. We'd walked down to the water to check it out and daddy snapped some good pics of us!




If I don't talk to you before I left for the trip... I'll talk to you afterwards. I'm sure I'll have alot to share!

P.S. Good luck and best wishes to Posse :) He's having a new baby boy on Friday!!!

Sunday

Happy Father's Day!

Fare Thee Well

It is with great sadness that I report the end of my blogging career. Health issues have reared their ugly head and all my efforts and energy will need to focus there. I appreciate all of you and have enjoyed taking a peek into your diverse lives over this past three years. I hope to continue reading your blogs and wish you the best in all your endeavors. Mz Kerbear will hopefully continue to keep you abreast of the events surrounding her life with her terrific hubby and precious Baby Z. Please feel free to stay in touch via email. Ironically, my addy is mzblogger@hotmail.com.

hugs and kisses,

circe

Follow up to the story

Ok.. since i'm not watching that horrid movie, it gives me the chance to post some pics.
Here's Sheri and I at the butt crack of dawn. Actually, i'm not sure it was dawn yet. We were fixing our oatmeal and loading up to get to register for our ride.


Our group skipping off to the cars after we'd finished our ride and grabbed some lunch.


A few of the guys that we ride with... and they are all smiles after we finish! They are an awesome group!


The most beautiful baby at the lake. Love the fishing hat!

Edit to Previous Post

I am not watching that shit.

I'll have nightmares!

I walked in on a scene where my Will is screamed at by some freak of nature and I'm not watching that. I'll have nightmares.

So, i'm going to work on my pictures.

It's Raining Men!

I have been so neglectful of this blog... and even worse at catching up on my fellow bloggers sites. *begging forgiveness*

I have been seriously so busy with all our summer activities and the job and trying to train my bike butt. I have been able to sneak a few peaks at some of the posts... i'm trying to stay in the loop!

Sheri and I rode in the Red River Roadkill bike ride this past weekend. After doing Tour de Meers, the 30mph wind and winding hills around Lake Murray were nothing! We pumped those miles out like pros and were greeted with applause and whistles and we pedaled into the station at the finish line.

I'll see what pictures I have to post from there too.

We made a weekend of it and camped out at the lake... I have awesome pics of me and baby Z! My sweet hubby got some great pictures. He is so good about taking us out and doing photo shoots ;) I'll share those soon too. Right now the guys are all in the back room watching a Will Smith movie... so I gotta go. I love Will!

Photo Opportunity

I made the front page of the Sunday Oklahoman... the Destinations section!

I got out of bed this morning and headed to check my email and there sat a message from one of my sweet little friends that read..

I opened the Sunday paper and who do I see leading the pack of bikers, Kerry and Sheri.....Great Job!! I am impressed!!! I know it was hot and muggy that day. You will have to get the paper and have the article framed!! Oh, and I love the pink that you have on....

WHAT!? What paper!? I raced to the corner store and there on the front page was a little blip about Tour de Meers last weekend so I knew that's what she had to be talking about. I bought the paper and raced out to the MM to check it out. Sure enough, a huge picture of me and Sheri leading a pack up the side of the mountain. Our first ride/race and we made the paper :) I'll see if I can get it scanned in and share the pic.

My Sweet Bloggin Partner

Big Hugs and Kisses to you, Circe!!! I hope you have a wonderful weekend! I miss you!

Bull Bait

While I am enjoying this abbreviated workweek, I can’t help but feel the day is dragging along interminably. *sigh* Oh, and our internet will be shut down at 4p for "maintenance." Great.

This past long weekend was not without its ups and downs. On Sat, I finally grabbed a few cold ones and saddled up on the riding mower to enjoy the bright sunshine as I chopped down pesky weeds and long grasses. However, this favorite chore of mine was not without drama. A few weeks ago, TBC purchased a young bull that is currently undergoing “hormonal changes”. I don’t know all the technical jargon but suffice to say he’s in the process of becoming a steer and his current job description is alternate mower for the back forty. Making my way around the front of the house proceeded smoothly as I warily kept my distance from the fences. Upon finishing that section TBC suggested I next work on the side front which technically resides in the gated bovine confines. Being a city gal and not having had much interaction with livestock, I was understandably nervous. I repeatedly asked TBC if Mr Moo would keep his distance and not come after me and was given several lukewarm assurances. Assessing the situation with each turn, I realized there was no way out should a confrontation arise except back through the gate as both a barbed wire and an electric fence blocked hasty exits. I finished the section closest to the road but kept turning around to see if I could spot our munching newcomer. He was nowhere in sight as I started on another section. After making about three turns, Mr Bull decided it was time to check out this noisy contraption and its human rider and ambled up to an uncomfortably close distance to yours truly. I came to an abrupt halt and started screaming my head off for TBC to get over here!!! (The neighbors poked their heads out after hearing all the shrieking.) He calmly (and slowly) made his way toward me and motioned for me to shut off the mower whereupon I was informed that if I headed toward Mr Bull, he would run away. Had he chatted with the big fellow earlier and had him pinky swear that said bovine would not harass Mz Circe or chase her around the field as she went about her pleasant pasture chore? I don’t think so!

Letting out what I fervently hoped was a menacing bellow, I gritted my teeth, switched on the power, and resumed my determined trek toward him. And he moved. Not very fast and not very far and in no way scared of little ole me, but he did get out of my way as he resumed eyeballing me from some trees near the bordering fence. And after a while he plodded back down the field to his former resting place way the heck at the back of the property. After I finished and had parked the mower back in the garage, TBC asked me to please not give his bull a heart attack again. Yeah, whatever…

Tour de Meers Ride

Happy Memorial Day!

I've started the weekend celebration by riding 57 hellacious miles on a cycling ride. Surprisingly enough, my bike butt didn't hurt. It was outdone by the 100mph wind, intense 92 degree heat and 41% humidity plus the elevation since we were riding in the ONLY mountains in Okie Land. Tour de Meers should be renamed Ride from Hell.

We set out to ride the 67 miles (the longest route) and about 15 miles into the ride, we rethought that idea... and decided we'd do the 57 miles instead.


Our last 15 took us by the Wind Farm. Here's two of our fellow cyclists pedaling by.


Our 3rd and final rest stop where we scored another banana and ice cold water served with love from our generous host! This guy met us at our bikes with water and filled our water bottles for us. Thank God he did... because the last 15 miles were horrid and hot and for the last 6 or 7 miles we were running out of water and fuel.


At the next stop, 30 miles into the heat, we were doing ok but a little bit of a forced smile for the camera. This stop was out of water and we had to ration our water to the next stop... at 45 miles!


At the first 15 mile stop, we grabbed a banana and O.J. and were still all smiles!

I forgot that you have to upload pictures backwards, but I'm not going to redo them, so sorry for going in reverse! lol

Afterward we finished the ride and made it back to the car... two guys in our group who have ridden for years, told us that it was the worst ride they'd been on (conditions) and if they could have hitched a ride about 30 miles into it, they would have! So we did good. Awesome really!

Puter Parts

I've been in the IT world for many moons and my current job is nothing close to being IT related. Other than we use a PC to work. That's kind of how i wanted it. I was really getting tired of the hassle. Did you know the average IT person changes jobs after being in the field for approximately 7 years... because they experience burnout!? Yep. Its true... I read it somewhere.

Anyways, at my new job... my experience is getting the best of me. Its driving me crazy that the office manager insists on moving the 'guts' from point A to point B. I say "you mean the CPU?" Her: "the guts". UGH!

Then she asks me if I need a UBS plug thing. Me: "you mean USB?" Her: "yeah, that thingy". UGH

We change "the guts" and all the "stuff" that goes with it to different locations and holy cow... the one I connected works... the one they connected "isnt working". The PC, I mean "the guts", is working. There is power. But the internet won't come up. hhhmmmm

They ask "Kerry, is yours working?"
Me: Of course!
Them: This one isn't working. Can you... do you know what's wrong?
One guess what it was. I looked behind "the guts" and sure enough no network cable. I plugged it in and told her to try again.

I healed it!

It's really killing me to watch all this go on. I have worked with the smartest of the smartest guys and this hurts!

OH OH OH! AND she also had to put a shortcut on my desktop so I could get to a document and enter some data. She asked me if I could do it and then just did it for me! UGH! I don't particularly want it on my desktop PLUS if I did... I can do it!

Another girl in my office came from Dell and she handles it alot better than me! Somehow she has the capability to ignore. I tend to lean towards... telling them where to stick it :)

Time Of Our Life

Work and end of school commitments have kept me super busy and I havent had time to blog! *big tears*. I have so much to share... and zero time to share it.

I wrote a $1 million dollar umbrella policy today. Yeah for me!

Baby Z grabs at my sonic cup and loves her sippy cup! She's growing so fast.

Only 5 more weeks til we're headed to Alaska and Canada. I need a vacation...

PLUS I'm in training for a 500 mile cycling ride! How exciting!

More later I hope... but off to work the End Of School Bash!

Cat-astrophe

The renovation in my area is done and as of last Thursday I’m back in my old digs replete with a fresh coat of paint, spiffy new lighting and much needed contemporary office furniture which has been repositioned to make the area more airy and spacious. While this has helped tremendously in that respect and I’ve received very positive comments, my vulnerable back is now viewable from the oversized windows looking out toward the library not to mention the nosy peek those exiting can take at my screen. It’s also easily seen by anyone sauntering down our IT hallway. Privacy? What’s that? Blogging is going to be even more difficult than usual. :(

I recovered from my wisdom tooth extraction nicely, but not before suffering from an extended outbreak of canker sores. Then I caught a cold. And let’s not even discuss all the horrendous bad weather all of Okieville has been dealing with lately. Yeah, it’s been a lovely May so far.

Remember the kitten we adopted from "K" because, bad mother that she is, she ‘didn’t want her anymore’ and dumped her off on us? Well less than three weeks ago, Miss Cami went into heat and we made immediate arrangements for her to be "tutored." Between tests for leukemia and the actual surgery, we shelled out $116. Pre-surgery, they removed her flea collar so the day after she got home I replaced it with an adorable red one sporting a jingly bell. In a massive fit of historical irony, our newly spayed four-legged daughter is MIA. Yep, vanished without a trace. Unbelievable! We have not discovered any flattened black catcakes on the road and she never strayed far from the house so the most logical conclusion is she hopped in the bed of the pickup, fell asleep, and was accidentally taken for a ride Tuesday when TBC went to check on "S"’s dog. We can only assume she got out of the truck and wandered off unbeknownst to TBC and is now calling another location home. Still, you never know. She is one tough little cookie and hopefully will show back up when we least expect it.

Oh Happy Day

Happy Mothers Day!

We are going to a wedding. So, I guess all mothers in this family get skipped over today and will have to celebrate another day.

In the Saddle Again

I truly have Bikers Butt. Saddle Ass. Bruised Bike Butt Bone. Whatever you call it... I have it!

We rode 33 miles today in the flipping wind. For most of our trip "there" the wind was against us. We fought it uphill and downhill. When you go downhill you try to get as much speed as you can to push you up the next hill but today we couldn't get much speed built up because even on the "down" we were fighting the wind. So, the "ups" were HELL. One hill I almost climbed off my bike and walked it up.

We managed to increase our average speed... even with fighting the elements! Yeah!

I read online how to take care of your Saddle Ass. Put like Dr Scholls corn cushions on your Biker Butt the next time you ride, and it will help take pressure off that bone.

LMAO! Yeah, right.

The Wheels go round and round

We rode 27.8 miles yesterday! We could have gone alot farther, but I had to pee like no other... so we came back to the JEEP. I feel bikebutt coming on but we're still hitting the pavement this afternoon. Although cycling is alot of work... especially those darn UP hills, it makes you feel so good and in the end its a fantastic accomplishment! The burn is awesome! Your muscles in your legs and butt ache, but it's a good ache!