I have been making a list of various songs for Cheryl's training runs. Now that I finally have the tech and the time, I took a few moments ( About 2 hours! Which flew by!) to assemble a few songs that we might enjoy. The motivation is there for both of us. For me, I won't have to constantly think of a topic for conversation to help the miles pass by faster. For her, She will no longer have to hear my destroy one of her favorite songs as I try to sing it while out of breath.
And no Snow or Ice!
#1 Running song.
We got the usual ones. Mostly Rocky songs and a few other common ones we hear at the races. I could not get the #1 running song.... Don't Stop Me Now by Queen. ( An AWESOME SONG!) But while making the list, I found this!
Florence and the Machine the Dog Days are Over. This song has haunted me ever since I first heard it. I first thought it was a Chrissie Hynde song from the Pretenders. The voices have a similar ring to them. But FINALLY I have a name and title and an opportunity to hear it without a noisy bar or Expo to compete with it. So enjoy this song. It starts slow and picks up...wait for it and enjoy!
Don't let the warmer weather fool you! Wind and rain are sometimes worse than extreme cold. And that is why it was essential that Cheryl run at least 7 miles today.
Cheryl is excited!
I like to call it "Practicing being Miserable". The theory, in the Army anyway, was to practice being as miserable as possible so when actual war began... you would think it was a walk in the park. This kind of thinking impresses Cheryl, so Cheryl likes to practice this philosophy in civilian life. Hence while everyone else is relaxing on this holiday, we are busy exerting energy for no real good reason other than it keeps us thoroughly miserable to enjoy the rest of the day. End Explanation.
West Chester Wind Block
So, as mentioned before, it has warmed up and been raining most the night with fairly strong winds. We thought that the combination of rain and wind would be pretty extreme, so Cheryl offered an unfixed mileage this morning. I could feel the wind rock the car and see the constant rain hitting the windshield and thought that 1-3 miles...maybe.
Bundled for rain and FUN!
As we parked and set up, the small sheltered town of West Chester made it almost seem pleasant. The rain let up a touch and the wind was not all that bad. Lets run!
Couple of things....the wind was to our backs on the way out. Small note for people who may not know this...if you run with the wind at your back, it will seem like there is no wind at all! The same for the rain.
The Full Bike Riding Experience
About 2.5 miles out, we left the limited shelter of trees and were running out into the corn fields. The wind was noticeably stronger, and Cheryl suggested we turn around. By this time, the trail was thoroughly swampy. Riding a bike in thick mud is like riding in quicksand! Add in that the sideways rain and head wind were now hitting us full tilt and you may understand why I was not able to keep up with her.
Nice to know Cheryl will not stay behind to help me.
It is good to know that Cheryl will abandon me if a horde of zombies or space aliens are chasing us. That way I don't have to worry that my sacrifice will not be in vain. Nothing irritates me more than the hero who stays behind to "slow down the enemy" only to have his death be in vain when the heroine comes back because she "loves" him. So sappy.
The feeling of Biking in deep mud.
So, I must admire how she left me to the wind and rain and mud as she trotted off back to the car... never once pausing to look back to check if I was OK. At one point, I actually jumped off my bike and ran along side it because it was faster! The mud was so thick, it looked like I was plowing a field instead of riding.
In the end, I ran/bikes/swam/squished about 5 miles while Cheryl ran about 6.5. You see, she forgot I had the keys to the car. So she came back... not for me, mind you! But for the only means of escaping the rain and wind. I can't help but feel a little Schadenfreude.
Kindle Fire Tablet
Christmas has been much better ever since. Cheryl got a tablet to replace her aging laptop.
Simple instructions.
So simple, Only I can translate.
I noticed that it was nice that the manufacturers of the tablet assume it's customers can not read. That must be the reason for these instructions. Unfortunately, Cheryl does not understand "picture language" and so I had to translate. There are advantages to being raised by Cavemen after all.
Shop wall BEFORE
Shop wall AFTER
I got to put the new shelves up. I was feeling so positive after that run and thought I would be able to get more up, but alas.... I was able to only finish one to completion.
(Those doors are real time consumers.) There is no rush, and I'll have plenty of time later in the week.
Hope everyone is having a Great Christmas. With a little luck, the warmer temps and wind will dry out the place a bit. Even so, I think the trail will be off limits until then.
So here is a little pep to cheer you up on these rainy windy days. Enjoy Leigh Nash. And Blue Skies!
So you may have heard that the Santa Hustle was cancelled after that extreme cold front moved through last week. Well! The race folks felt so bad about it that they mailed her stuff and information for her to complete a "virtual" Half-Marathon on her own. With a break in the weather today, we chose Christmas Eve because this way I could pretend that this was my Christmas Present.... so I would not have to get anything else. Not that I ever have any money anyway.
Time to dress up for the Race
Bearded lady looks Super Sexy!
We started out at the Kewash trail. Cheryl put on the required hat and beard and prepared for the start. I sang the national Anthem. (most of it anyway) And Cheryl made the horn sound and launched off.
Beard didn't last long
Now it rotated to the back!
I have to say, this was a GREAT half marathon for me as a spectator and photographer. I could easily find Cheryl in the crowd. I also volunteered to be a race pacer AND a race official. It was an easy gig...since I was the only one around.
Cheryl at the front of the pack!
She is Still first at the half way point.
The path started out snowy but became muddy late in the race. I met her at the turn around and eventually met her at the finish. It was almost like being beside her the entire way.
It's a sprint to the finish!
So fast she lost the beard AND the hat!
Cheryl had a pretty good race. Even though she turned in a rather disappointing time, she managed to come in first not only in her age group; but also in her Gender and OVERALL. I should point out that sweeping the categories is much easier when you are the only one in the race.
Final stats. Overall place: 1 out of 1 runner(s)
Age group: 1st out of 1 female runner(s) age 40-45
Gender place: 1st out of 1 Female runner(s)
She set a new PR for Virtual Half-Marathon.
The Santa Hustle Official Finishers Medal
She looks happy.
But she is still happy with her medal. This medal completes 2016 and ties 2015 for overall medals achieved. Even though 2016 was a rather dud running year, most of those medals were gained in the fall and early winter. Perhaps 2017 will offer better terms in the running world. Boston will be a big boost... so here's to hoping!
Time for Christmas Pizza!
Super thin crust is a challenge to handle
After the run, we whipped up a Christmas Pizza and pigged it down! Nothing like a pizza with seafood on it. Salmon, shrimp, pineapple, and Sarana peppers. Lots of Cheese and Broccoli.
Unless you use a fork....
like civilized people.
Cheryl has figured out how to make the pizza crust paper thin. The catch is to cut the pizza in small sections. I found eating with a fork works well.
IKEA build time
Kitchen BEFORE
Cheryl does the heavy lifting.
And finally, I put one of the numerous IKEA furniture pieces together. I'm getting pretty good at these. I didn't even need the instructions! I also put it together in a record time and with no "miscalculations". In other words, everything fit together nicely. Cheryl baked cookies and moved the new piece into place.
Task complete.
Kitchen AFTER.
There is still a few items left to put together in the shop. Perhaps we will take a stab at that tomorrow. For now, I plan on being a bum for the remainder of the evening.... and possibly having a slice of Cheesecake or Pumpkin pie. ( or maybe both!)
Cookie Baking Time!
Hope everyone is having a wonderfully Merry Christmas. Things look pretty good so far. Only a few Stockings trickle in, but Cheryl says we won't work on them until after the weekend. (Not really any point with the Post Office closed until Monday. So looks like some more lazy time for us. I could use a week of sleep, I think. Cheryl says she feels the same way. We shall see.
Today was one of the last days for stockings....again.
Somehow, we continue to sell them. Cheryl has posted a message on the front page and on purchases that tell people they will not get their stocking by Christmas. We feel confident that they will understand.... Hopefully. In the mean time, we sewed up 9 stockings this morning. They might make it to their destination on time. It really is up to the Post office. But off they go.... Cheryl took a few pictures of some of the "custom" .( I know, we do not do custom orders right now... right?) and then we were off to run.
Cheryl wanted to run the hills today. This is Loads of fun as the weather is slightly warmer than it has been. This causes chubby, out-of-shape, overdressed people... on bikes, to overheat while climbing them. Not to mention the challenge of taking pictures while coasting down hill.
Wanna see what taking pictures looks like from my point of view?
The last thing I remember seeing.....
Something like this:
Then I saw a bright light!
Cheryl doing her best Rocky impression.
After celebrating in the parking lot, Cheryl and I went to Menhards to pick up some junk. ( I don't even remember what it was supposed to be!) While there, I noticed the two speed Dremel tool was on sale for $30!
Last year at this time, I was forced to purchase an impostor "rotary tool" for the same price because Dremels were almost $60! ( even more for the "fancy" ones) I chose poorly...even though I KNEW BETTER!
Dremel vs "Performax" Dremel is worth it.... but wait for a sale.
Now I'm not a paid spokesman for Dremel Tools. But I know the difference that you can NOT tell from the packaging. Namely, the vibrations and quality.
Dremels run smoothly and quietly. They are lighter and vibrate less than the competition. They are the BEST for what they do. (which is almost everything!) The Cheaper Impostors spin as fast, but feel and sound like they are about to EXPLODE in your hand. They spin hot, overheat, melt, and burn out much faster than a Dremel tool. I have not used the cheap impostor but a twice, fearing I could break apart as it reached peak RPMs and send shrapnel to sever my fingers! Rotary tools are Awfully handy when you need to sharpen or cut or drill something. But if you are afraid to use them, then they simply take up space in our toolbox. Better to buy the more expensive Dremel tool .... (but only when it goes on sale.)
Before the Make-over
Assembling the shelves with doors.
Hanging with the new White with Doors IKEA shelves.
We arrived home mid afternoon and I took a small stab at refurbishing the shop. Cheryl still has big plans and time is still in short supply, but I have been chipping away at the "easy stuff". Here are some before and after pics of the IKEA shelving makeover.
(Those doors are real time consumers.) There is no rush, and I'll have plenty of time later in the week. 
Today was one of the last days for stockings....again. 
Somehow, we continue to sell them. Cheryl has posted a message on the front page and on purchases that tell people they will not get their stocking by Christmas. We feel confident that they will understand.... Hopefully.
In the mean time, we sewed up 9 stockings this morning. They might make it to their destination on time. It really is up to the Post office. But off they go.... Cheryl took a few pictures of some of the "custom" .( I know, we do not do custom orders right now... right?) and then we were off to run.
Cheryl wanted to run the hills today. This is Loads of fun as the weather is slightly warmer than it has been. This causes chubby, out-of-shape, overdressed people... on bikes, to overheat while climbing them. Not to mention the challenge of taking pictures while coasting down hill. 
