I thought I had fallen onto a new music group but after looking at their site online, I guess they've been around for while. Mercy Me is an awesome Christian group. We sing a few of their songs in church and they just seem to hit like a ton of lead. I'll be on bike ride with my MP3 player going and God With Us comes on and I find myself in tears. Their songs are so powerful. When you really think about it, why would such a powerful God waste his time on us? As crappy of a people that we have turned out to be. It's just got a to be a daily heartbreak for Him. To see how many of us have turned our backs on him and turned towards our own versions of what is right and wrong. I found a cool video of them singing U2's Where the Streets have No Name. I would just love to have the fire for Christ that these guys have.
I hope you'll take the time to listen to some of their stuff. It's OSSM!!!! Oh ya, I Can Only Imagine is another good one.
Enjoy
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Life Coming Back to Normal
It's been a real good week. Little League is over so my evenings are free. I've got sort of a new focus on riding, and the funny thing is, I'm enjoying being at work. In fact, I'm loving it. Really for no certain reason except that I don't feel rushed. I'm not riding as much right now and that's ok. It's not the racing season that I had originally planned but, again I feel good about it. In fact after looking at the remaining races for the year, it doesn't look like I'll make any of them. I got in a 90 minute ride this morning which was a great way to start the day. My wife has been riding most mornings so that leaves me with mostly evenings. Since she's the pregnant one and her time on the bike is going to be limited, I figured it best to let her go when she can.
I'm not being a total slacker though. I signed up for the Colorado Rocky Mountain Tour today. I've done the Bicycle Tour of Colorado for several years and have really enjoyed it. The CRMT is only in it's second year so I'm not sure what to expect but the route looks great. So for now, my only goal is to be in shape for the tour. I feel a bit selfish going by myself but, a part of me thinks it's important to take a break from everyday life. This will actually be the first time I've been away from my family for any length of time, in I believe 7 years.
It's nice not having anything on my plate per say. School starts super early this year, I believe it's the first week of August. So my goal for July is just to spend as much time with my wife and boys as I can. We're going to park our camp trailer up at Horseshoe Lake for the month of July. It's about a 40 minute drive from our house but with gas prices the way they are, it will be a nice convenient way to get away.
I guess that's about it for now.
Thanks for Reading.
I'm not being a total slacker though. I signed up for the Colorado Rocky Mountain Tour today. I've done the Bicycle Tour of Colorado for several years and have really enjoyed it. The CRMT is only in it's second year so I'm not sure what to expect but the route looks great. So for now, my only goal is to be in shape for the tour. I feel a bit selfish going by myself but, a part of me thinks it's important to take a break from everyday life. This will actually be the first time I've been away from my family for any length of time, in I believe 7 years.
It's nice not having anything on my plate per say. School starts super early this year, I believe it's the first week of August. So my goal for July is just to spend as much time with my wife and boys as I can. We're going to park our camp trailer up at Horseshoe Lake for the month of July. It's about a 40 minute drive from our house but with gas prices the way they are, it will be a nice convenient way to get away.
I guess that's about it for now.
Thanks for Reading.
Monday, June 23, 2008
The Kid Has a Road Bike
I have been looking all over for a road bike for my nine year old. Everywhere I looked seemed to be out of stock. Then about a month ago the owner of our local bike shop called to let me know that he opened an account with Felt. This is one of the few companies that makes a 24 inch road bike. He didn't even have to talk me into it, I ordered it right then and there. It's such a cool little bike. My son loves it. It doesn't have top of the line components so the shifting is a bit rough but for now it will do. Last weekend was my sons first "long" ride. He did 20 miles. It wasn't a fast 20 but he did it with no complaints at all of being tired. In fact when we got home he told me that he wanted to go farther on the next ride. So this Saturday he added 10 miles to his earlier 20. We rode from our house to McNary with is a total of 30 miles round trip. Again, he didn't complain once about being tired, but I could tell when we got home that he was pretty tuckered out.
Here's Ryan at the entrance to McNary. This town was booming when I was kid but is now a town with very little left.
This is an old barn on the way to McNary that I've been wanting to get a picture of but have never had my camera.
Here's Ryan at the small store in McNary. Anticipating the 15 mile ride back home.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Back On The Bike
It's been about 3 weeks since I've ridden and it was a nice break. After the cancellation of the IronHorse I felt a little burned out. Not to mention my back was creating havoc with my legs. I've since started seeing an awesome chiropractor and he's got me feeling pretty good again.
Bike The Bluff
The first annual Bike the Bluff road race was held on Saturday. It was two laps through the towns of Lakeside and Show Low totalling about 34 miles. It wasn't a sanctioned race but it brought some pretty fast riders to our little town. Having not ridden and considering the leg pain I had been having, my goal was to hang with the lead pack through the first lap. Suprisingly I held on through the whole thing and ended up 9th out of I believe 89 riders. It was a short race but we average 25 mph for the 34 miles and it was a warm 90 degrees. I was amazed at how many riders (including myself) cramped on the last little climb to the finish. It was a nice motivator to get me back in the saddle.
The Commuting Begins
Little League is over and my "freedom" begins once again. At $4.00 a gallon, I'm going to see how many days (before it snows) I can ride to work. I'm amazed at how many trucks I still see hot rodding down the road, though I am seeing more Toyota Prius' than ever before. The only down side to riding my bike (not really) is that I usually stop at the drive thru coffee place to get my daily Chai Latte, my sugar fix for the day.
Expecting
Well my wife and I found out a few weeks ago that we are expecting our third (and final :) ) child. The only downside is that we live in a 2 bedroom house. We like our 1 acre which is becoming scarce around here so we're planning on building an addition in the very near future. Now we just have to figure out a way to pay for it. God will provide. I'll just keep it in prayer and not worry about it.
Pull my Butt out of the Gutter
I've noticed lately that I haven't been the cheerful self that I usually am. No particular reason, just busy and tired (who isn't). I need to start practicing what I preach. God has been truly good to me so I need to just enjoy everything going on around me. I'm blessed with a super family, a great business, awesome friends........... I've got to quit taking life so seriously. Have fun!!!!! Smile!!!! Go fishing!!!!!!
The stress of life will always be there. Don't dwell on it. I'm not a drinker but my wife said there was beer in the fridge. A good way to end a long day. See ya.
Bike The Bluff
The first annual Bike the Bluff road race was held on Saturday. It was two laps through the towns of Lakeside and Show Low totalling about 34 miles. It wasn't a sanctioned race but it brought some pretty fast riders to our little town. Having not ridden and considering the leg pain I had been having, my goal was to hang with the lead pack through the first lap. Suprisingly I held on through the whole thing and ended up 9th out of I believe 89 riders. It was a short race but we average 25 mph for the 34 miles and it was a warm 90 degrees. I was amazed at how many riders (including myself) cramped on the last little climb to the finish. It was a nice motivator to get me back in the saddle.
The Commuting Begins
Little League is over and my "freedom" begins once again. At $4.00 a gallon, I'm going to see how many days (before it snows) I can ride to work. I'm amazed at how many trucks I still see hot rodding down the road, though I am seeing more Toyota Prius' than ever before. The only down side to riding my bike (not really) is that I usually stop at the drive thru coffee place to get my daily Chai Latte, my sugar fix for the day.
Expecting
Well my wife and I found out a few weeks ago that we are expecting our third (and final :) ) child. The only downside is that we live in a 2 bedroom house. We like our 1 acre which is becoming scarce around here so we're planning on building an addition in the very near future. Now we just have to figure out a way to pay for it. God will provide. I'll just keep it in prayer and not worry about it.
Pull my Butt out of the Gutter
I've noticed lately that I haven't been the cheerful self that I usually am. No particular reason, just busy and tired (who isn't). I need to start practicing what I preach. God has been truly good to me so I need to just enjoy everything going on around me. I'm blessed with a super family, a great business, awesome friends........... I've got to quit taking life so seriously. Have fun!!!!! Smile!!!! Go fishing!!!!!!
The stress of life will always be there. Don't dwell on it. I'm not a drinker but my wife said there was beer in the fridge. A good way to end a long day. See ya.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Cherish the Time
I realize I write about this subject every so often, but in this line of work you see and meet a lot of special people. As you probably know I own a small Durable Medical Equipment company. We supply people with things such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, crutches, oxygen, etc.
Anyway, a few weeks ago we set up this elderly lady with home oxygen. She and her husband were super nice to talk to. They moved here once they retired and were just enjoying their time together.
I initally met the wife when I met her upon her discharge from the hospital. She didn't look too sick and I didn't think she would need our services for very long. After we meet our patients at the hospital we meet them at their homes to set up a stationary oxygen unit for their homes. After doing this I thought we would hear from them a few weeks later to come pick up our equipment.
A couple weeks went by and sure enough they called. Only it wasn't the call I was expecting. The husband called to let us know that his wife had passed away. At times like this I become totally speechless. What do you say to a man that has just lost his life parter of more than 50 years.
I went out to his house to pick up the equipment. A trip I was not looking forward to. As I pull in to his driveway, I notice the nice yard, a motorhome, a workshop, a beautiful home with beautiful things. What is a man to do with all this stuff, with no one to share it with? This is when Life is unfair. You spend a lifetime sharing and building a life with someone only for it all to one day come to an end. I realize this is all part of God's plan, but He could have made it a bit easier to deal with. My heart goes out to all of those who have lost a spouse. I remember when my grandfather passed away. My grandma was so lost. It's a tough thing to deal with.
Even with all the hurt involved with loving and losing someone, it's not worth not loving at all. This is just part of the cycle. I think the saying goes, "Tis better to love and lost, than not to have loved at all." It's not easy but I think the joy is far greater than the pain.
Cherish the Moment!!!!!
Anyway, a few weeks ago we set up this elderly lady with home oxygen. She and her husband were super nice to talk to. They moved here once they retired and were just enjoying their time together.
I initally met the wife when I met her upon her discharge from the hospital. She didn't look too sick and I didn't think she would need our services for very long. After we meet our patients at the hospital we meet them at their homes to set up a stationary oxygen unit for their homes. After doing this I thought we would hear from them a few weeks later to come pick up our equipment.
A couple weeks went by and sure enough they called. Only it wasn't the call I was expecting. The husband called to let us know that his wife had passed away. At times like this I become totally speechless. What do you say to a man that has just lost his life parter of more than 50 years.
I went out to his house to pick up the equipment. A trip I was not looking forward to. As I pull in to his driveway, I notice the nice yard, a motorhome, a workshop, a beautiful home with beautiful things. What is a man to do with all this stuff, with no one to share it with? This is when Life is unfair. You spend a lifetime sharing and building a life with someone only for it all to one day come to an end. I realize this is all part of God's plan, but He could have made it a bit easier to deal with. My heart goes out to all of those who have lost a spouse. I remember when my grandfather passed away. My grandma was so lost. It's a tough thing to deal with.
Even with all the hurt involved with loving and losing someone, it's not worth not loving at all. This is just part of the cycle. I think the saying goes, "Tis better to love and lost, than not to have loved at all." It's not easy but I think the joy is far greater than the pain.
Cherish the Moment!!!!!
Falling off the Wagon
Since getting back from the IronHorse, I've ridden a total of two times. One 20 mile ride and one 30 mile ride. We've got our local 1st annual Bike the Bluff race next weekend and I can't really say I'm prepared.
Spending five months preparing for one race is not very smart. I wish I would have found some races to do before the IronHorse. All I can figure is that I'm a little burned out right now. I've been having problems with my lower back lately which has only added to the frustation. I've got two bulgings discs which seem to inflame if I spend a lot of time climbing. They cause my left leg to cramp and tire quickly and so far I haven't found relief.
This is the last week of little league so I'm going to start commuting to work starting on Friday. I can't do it right now as I've got a car full of baseball gear that I have to carry. I'm going to lay off of the serious training for now and just try to enjoy the bike. Don't get me wrong, I'm still going to ride hard, but I'm not going to follow any sort of plan.
My diet has sort of gone to crap and I'm hoping tomorrow to get back to eating good. I can sure feel the difference when I eat better. I've mentioned this before but you really can't look at it as a diet but actually a lifestyle change. I think it will be easier to stick to that way.
Anyway, I think that's about it for now.
Thanks for Reading
Spending five months preparing for one race is not very smart. I wish I would have found some races to do before the IronHorse. All I can figure is that I'm a little burned out right now. I've been having problems with my lower back lately which has only added to the frustation. I've got two bulgings discs which seem to inflame if I spend a lot of time climbing. They cause my left leg to cramp and tire quickly and so far I haven't found relief.
This is the last week of little league so I'm going to start commuting to work starting on Friday. I can't do it right now as I've got a car full of baseball gear that I have to carry. I'm going to lay off of the serious training for now and just try to enjoy the bike. Don't get me wrong, I'm still going to ride hard, but I'm not going to follow any sort of plan.
My diet has sort of gone to crap and I'm hoping tomorrow to get back to eating good. I can sure feel the difference when I eat better. I've mentioned this before but you really can't look at it as a diet but actually a lifestyle change. I think it will be easier to stick to that way.
Anyway, I think that's about it for now.
Thanks for Reading
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