Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Donna now stands about 6'2"-6'3"
Donna now owns two pairs of shoes that have her about 1"-2" taller than me. Hopefully she doesn't plan to wear these footies with them all the time.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Remember that $385 bike repair because of chain neglect? It's now a $500 repair because I ended up needing a new cassette as well. Ouch!
Back in the office after a few weeks of jury duty. Feels weird, but good weird.
Back in the office after a few weeks of jury duty. Feels weird, but good weird.
Originally uploaded by BroAndDonna
Friday, November 26, 2010
THE MOST PRODUCTIVE BLACK FRIDAY I'VE EVER HAD
I can't remember the last time that I wasn't working on black Friday. After Donna left for work, I decided to run an errand and ended up finding such great sales, I started Christmas shopping. Five stores later (& $300 in savings) I realized I was done with Donna's birthday and Christmas shopping. I also realized it's terribly easy to shop for a woman who never wants to spend any money on herself.
HOW MANY MILES DOES IT TAKE TO BURN OFF A THANKSGIVING FEAST?
We were back on the trails again today, trying to recover from some of the damage we did yesterday at the dinner table. In the shade, there's a bit of a chill in the air but in the sun, it feels great.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
THE PATH LESS TRAVELED
After abandoning today's ride, I opted for a different way home - a path/trail that I have (for some reason) never tried. Turns out it was a great trail and while it wasn't the lengthiest of trails, it was tight and narrow and had lots of ups and downs & side to sides - a few perfect ingredients for a great trail.
ANOTHER AFTERNOON ON THE TRAILS
Hopping on the mountain bike when you've got turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, peas and dinner rolls in your belly probably isn't the best idea. Regardless, once Donna walked out the door for work, I really didn't have any better options. About half way into the ride, a serious lack of motivation and a bad case of missing-Donna prompted me to turn around a head home.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
THEY CAME PACKAGED THIS WAY, HONEST. 11 IS A BAKER'S DOZEN, RIGHT?
THEY CAME PACKAGED THIS WAY, HONEST. 11 IS A BAKER'S DOZEN, RIGHT?
Originally uploaded by BroAndDonna
Think Donna will buy it?
NO WAY WAS THE WHOLE THING GONNA MAKE IT TO TOMORROW
Donna got an early start on our Thanksgiving meal by preparing a pumpkin pie today. Concerned that it wasn't absolutely perfect, she asked... well, demanded... ok, insisted that I try a piece tonight to make sure it's all that we were expecting.
A HALLWAY AT THE JUSTICE CENTER WITH WHICH I'VE BECOME FAR TOO FAMILIAR
A HALLWAY AT THE JUSTICE CENTER WITH WHICH I'VE BECOME FAR TOO FAMILIAR
Originally uploaded by BroAndDonna
So as a juror, this hallway has become a home away from home - where I wait every morning for the bailiff to call us in, where I take my morning and afternoon 15-20 minute break, and where I wait to be called after our lunch break.
The oddest part is that to get to the cafeteria, then back in to the justice center, you have to pass through security, so I generally pass on picking up snacks or beverages during breaks - leaving me to the confines of the hallway.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE
If I don't look happy, it's because... well, I'm not. Since a full day of jury duty wasn't enough excitement for me, I decided to spend a few wonderful hours in the office. As stressful as the job can be, being back in the office makes me realize how much I enjoy my job - well, at least in comparison to jury duty. Summary of the day: out the door at 8am and home for dinner around 9pm. Fortunately, I get to do it again tomorrow.
Monday, November 22, 2010
THE HIGHLIGHT OF TODAY'S JURY DUTY
Heading out the door this morning at 8am was no treat, given Donna was off work and home for the day. However, come noon, guess who was outside the justice center waiting to take me to lunch? The icing on the cake was that it was a typical 90-minute lunch break - though those 90 minutes flew by faster than any 30 minutes in the courtroom.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
My co-workers better watch out - or at least start treating me a little better.
My co-workers better watch out - or at least start treating me a little better.
Originally uploaded by BroAndDonna
Nothing's better than a hot bowl of wonton soup after a chilly 'cross ride.
Nothing's better than a hot bowl of wonton soup after a chilly 'cross ride.
Originally uploaded by BroAndDonna
Saturday, November 20, 2010
STORMY SKIES MAKE FOR A BEAUTIFUL EVENING
Not long after our morning ride, it stopped raining, and it really never rained again over the course of the entire day. One upside of the storm might have been being able to take a rare ride in the rain, but the storm aftermath made for some beautiful skies as strong winds appeared the blow the clouds out of the county.
After stopping in the office for a bit, I decided to take the back roads home so I could enjoy the scenery.
After stopping in the office for a bit, I decided to take the back roads home so I could enjoy the scenery.
A NICE CHANGE IN SCENERY
We've grown so accustom to blue, sunny skies that it's easy to forget just how beautiful a rainy day can be, especially in the mountains. The dense fog and clouds sweep down and cover the peaks of the mountains and all the colors of the earth turn vibrant and saturated. We had absolutely no regrets about riding in the rain today and will be keeping our rain gear handy for the winter months, when less-than-favorable conditions are a little more common.
BRING IT ON, MOTHER NATURE
I was less-than-inspired this morning when I looked out the window only to see strong winds blowing the trees around and a pretty heavy rain soaking the earth. Given I've been on jury duty all week and unable to ride, with the exception of last night, I had really been hoping to get out today.
A few moments later Donna and I were reflecting on our years in Oregon, realizing we would have killed for a day like this in November. Ten minutes later we have dug out our rain gear (from storage) and were getting ready for a ride.
A few moments later Donna and I were reflecting on our years in Oregon, realizing we would have killed for a day like this in November. Ten minutes later we have dug out our rain gear (from storage) and were getting ready for a ride.
Friday, November 19, 2010
The chocolate wafers arrived from Wilbur Chocolate (in Lititz, PA) today, which can mean only one thing...... Donna is getting ready to start making Christmas cookies (99.9% of which will be consumed outside of our home.)
Despite the rain that was falling during my drive home from jury duty on Friday, I was able to squeeze in a nice (but cold) ride tonight. It felt soooo good to blow off some steam and de-stress. And not a drop of rain the whole time! This is the view from the ridge line above Newbury Park.
I could get used to these 90-minute lunch breaks
Since being on jury duty, I've had 90 minutes every day for lunch. What a treat. Normally I consider even 60 minutes to be a blessing. Not only do I have time to sit down and eat lunch at a normal pace, but then it's off to Starbuck's for a latte and some wifi time on the iPad.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
A $385 bike(s) repair bill serves as a great reminder to keep close tabs on your bike chain
A $385 bike(s) repair bill serves as a great reminder to keep close tabs on your bike chain
Originally uploaded by BroAndDonna
So both of our mtn bikes went into the shop (I really don't have the time anymore for home repairs) where they confirmed the chains were overdue for replacement, so overdue that we had to not only purchase new chains, but three new chainrings as well. Fortunately, the cassettes survived.
Turns out, I also needed new brake pads (front and rear) and Donna needed a new back tire and some new cables. So there you have it... $385.00!!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Donna, somehow disillusioned into thinking she's a 1940's homemaker from a Norman Rockwell painting (as opposed to a working wife of today) is already stressing about the perfect holiday meals for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year.
I never complain about 5 o'clock traffic, because I've never seen it! If you actually get out of work at 5pm, I think you deserve so sit in this.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
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