So last night, I’m running around the yard, wearing Chad’s big jacket, wildly picking all the blooming daffodils before they get all covered with wet, heavy snow. He thought I was very cute, but couldn’t get the camera out in time before I came in.
We were watching Planet Earth last night, and when I saw the camels of the Gobi desert, I said, "Oh, Bactrians," before the narrator did. And then in the Sahara, I called out, "Dromedaries!" Chad called me such a nerd. Do you think I’m such a nerd?
It was warm enough for bare feet and bubbles.
And Emma was busy clearing out the daffodil beds.
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Today, of course, it is snowing.
SIGH.
They have no idea that it’s supposed to snow this weekend.
So the way it has been lately is: I hate, hate, hate riding my bike for the first 10–12 miles. I feel pokey, slow, heavy, slow, sludgy, slow, and slow, and slow! I can’t think of WHY on earth I think this is a fun thing to do, and I panic. Because I’m going to be doing A LOT of it. Then I hit mile 15, and hey, maybe the wind has changed. I look at the cycle computer. I’m doing 16 miles an hour. It doesn’t hurt anymore, my lungs are no longer burning, and my legs are saying, "hey, we remember how to do this now!" And I finish my ride feeling fast and svelte and triumphant. I just have to get through those first miles! I was completely ready to quit, but I knew I couldn’t. Maybe I should make a sign for my bike: "Wait for it!"
The past few days have been very exciting as far as my fundraising is concerned. First of all, Faith surprised me with a post on her blog about a fundraiser she did over the weekend for me. She had a craft and food party to raise money, and she raised over $130! I didn’t find out until I checked out her blog the other day–what a great friend she is! Then today, I received a check for $500 in the mail from some very dear friends. $500!!!! It was completely unexpected, and it TOTALLY made my day! So I’m up to $2860, and have only $1740 left to raise. My recommitment date is late April, and my goal is to have ALL of my money raised by then. Please consider donating to this cause, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society–it is such a worthy organization. You can donate online by clicking the link to the left. Thanks to everyone for your prayers, finances, support, and encouragement. When I was really hurting the other day on my ride, I imagined different people I love telling me, "You can do this, Ally." It was fun trying to hear their voices in my head, with their inflections and tones. But you know what, it worked.
It was a frabjously beautiful day today. I went for a walk with Heidi on the Towpath, worked in my garden, and even hung laundry out on the line to dry. I got a bit too much sun today, and I already have a lovely tan line across my thighs from my bike shorts. But it’s worth it–I can feel all that vitamin D just coursing through! Well, not really, but it’s nice to think about it.
This guy was sneaking in my rue. He startled me a bit, as he blends in so well. I must confess that I shrieked when I finally noticed him, and I like toads! He wasn’t moving at first, and I was worried he was dead, but he finally hopped along after Chad poked him with a stick.
SUCH A GREAT RETREAT!!!
This beautiful lady is Mary Beth. I am riding my Leukemia & Lymphoma Society ride in her honor, as she is valiantly battling chronic leukemia. She is such a sweet, sweet spirit!
Our care pastor at church passed away this weekend. Remember this 50th Anniversary party that I was privileged to shoot? Well, Jim died unexpectedly sometime Saturday while most of the women of the church were at our annual retreat, including Dawn, his sweet wife. Our hearts are heavy for ourselves, but we know that Jim is face to face with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and in that, we can rejoice!
Love this shot of me and Emma. Little stinker wouldn’t look at me, so I snuck a shot at our reflection in the sliding glass door. I like it better than the full-faced, full-grinned shot she graciously allowed me after about 20 tries.
and I went a little crazy from it the other day, and I completely changed the layout of my craft room. I was griping to Chad about the major problems of the room, and he came in and helped me to see it with fresh eyes. So now, I have a nook in which to work.
So, of course, I have to try it out! I think I’ve finally gotten my creative mojo back. It’s been missing all week.
Meredith sent some pics from Iraq:
Here she is with Blythe, on Saddam’s throne:
Well, my Team in Training team was FINALLY able to ride this morning, even though it was chilly and wet. After only 2 miles, my feet were sloshing about in my shoes, growing numb. I had forgotten how great it is to ride with other people! You can chat along the way, pace yourself with them, try to pass them (or in my case this morning, keep up with them!) and just know that no matter how cold and tired you are, at least you’re not alone! We got rather dirty though.
I took some still-lifes for Linda today, to use in her graphic design portfolio. Ada liked the monkey.
