Good Gravy

You just knew this would happen ...

Today, C2 had a friend over to play. They were upstairs giggling away.

The phone rings. I say "Hello."

"This is Officer XXX from the Police department."

"Hello officer."

"We just got a 911 call from this number. We heard two little girls giggling."

Are you kidding me?

"They were very polite. They said It's nice to meet you."

At least one life lesson has stuck.

The police department had to send someone out, which was probably good because the office could tell C2 in person/help me reinforce it's NOT OK to call 911 to chat with the police.

The officer left. C2 then says to me, "But I was going to call Dxxxx." (The ex-boyfriend.)

Perhaps 911 was the better choice.

Back in the saddle again

I finally got the chance to get on my cycle today. This was my first ride since the LUNA Chix debacle bike ride I did a few weeks back. Today, I participated in the Mass Bike Bike Festival. It was hotter than Hades, but I had a great time.

The festival offered rides ranging from 6 miles to 50+ miles. I opted for a 24-mile ride, titled "Tour de Lincoln". The ride was led by Bruce Lederer, who heads Bike Rides for Ordinary People.

It was a great time.

I continue to be amazed at how many great people I've met on my bicycle. Today was no exception. The fellow riders couldn't be more friendly and supportive, even though the temperature was 10 gazillion degrees.

This particular ride wasn't as hilly as the LUNA Chix ride, but still a lot of fun.

After the ride, Redbones hosted a BBQ for the riders. Yummy!

I had a great time, but definitely was happy to get home and get a shower.

Speaking of back in the saddle, I've been trying to spend more time trolling online for a date.

I had been emailing a gentleman via eHarmony who seemed nice. He had kids, was a middle school teacher, etc.

Today, I got a rejection. "I'm not ready for the next step."

Well, I'm not looking to marry you either, pal! I was more disappointed than I expected, though. I'm still optimistic the man of my dreams is out there.

Exhausted!

Why is it so tiring getting ready for a long-deserved vacation?

Maybe because I'm packing for four people?

I spent the better part of today getting us organized. You would think I was out on my bicycle all day. I am beat!

Rant over. Carry on.

It's a small world after all ...

You know it's a small world when ...

...you go on match.com and you see your ex-husband's profile.

Blech, blech, blech!

Please tell me this online dating thing is going to get easier!

In sickness and in health??!!

I never cease to be amazed at the difference between men and women when it comes to being sick.

For example: I drop the kids off with Mr. Exq., and he tells me he has an infection in his knee, has a oh-so-slight fever, so he's not sure he'll be able to take the kids for the whole weekend.

WTF? Do you want me to call the Whaaaa-mublance?

I guess I have little patience with the woe-was-me story when it comes to feeling under the weather. After all, I've watched my kids when I had pneumonia, after surgery last summer, when I endured strep throat, while the stomach bug descimated our house. So, a 100-degree fever and the need for a couple Advil doesn't phase me one bloody bit.

This revelation should not be breaking news. When Mr. Exq. had even the slightest cold, he was in bed for a day or two, watching Saturday Night Live reruns, and looking for someone to wipe his nose and deliver chicken soup.

And, it's not just Mr. Exq. Many of my buddies have husbands/SOs that morph into little kids the minute they don't feel well.

Sometimes I really believe women truly are the stronger sex. In sickness and in health.

10 Things I Will Never Do Again...

From Ten on Tuesday:

10 things I'll NEVER do again:

1. Do a tequila shot with a live worm inside. Once is definitely enough!
2. Go back to high school.
3. Date a man who is separated but not yet divorced. Perhaps my experience with the ex-boyfriend has jaded me on this one. I want to become involved with someone who has as little baggage as possible. (If I cave on this "Never" feel free to call me out.)
4. Drink Everclear.
5. Move! They will need to carry me out of here in a box.
6. Fail to take care of myself. I need care and feeding too.
7. Get hooked on daytime soaps. Hours and hours of my life I will never get back.
8. Have Cingular as my wireless carrier.
9. Go through pregnancy/childbirth. I'm done having kids.
10. Live somewhere without central air. (Since I'm never moving again this should be easy!)

Going in Debt ... for the PET??!!

Today, I had to take the dog in for his vaccines and well-examination. Nothing wrong with my dog, other than he gained eight pounds and needs to start eating lower fat food. (Not eating the cat's food and the kids' dinners would also help.)

So, we go out to the reception area and wait for the bill. I about had a heart attack when they told me the total: $270.

Yes. $270.

For what??!! The exam, kennel cough, distemper, heart worm test, heart worm pills, Front Line, and probably lunch for the entire office.

I know pets can bring a lot to one's life, but damn! That's like two weeks' worth of food for me and the kids.

Unfortunately, if you ever want to leave home without your pet, s/he's gotta have their shots. If you want to board the dog, they need to have current vaccinations. FrontLine must be applied. Your hands are tied.

Boarding is a whole other big-ticket issue. To go away for a week, you can easily spend more than $100 on pet care. Instead of those old-school savings accounts you opened for Christmas spending, you should open one for your vacation to the Cape where you can't bring the dog.

That's my rant for the day. What's on your mind?

Being a Turtle

Well, this isn't really me (I clean up much better!), but sometimes, in the race of life, it's OK to be a turtle. Indulge me.

This morning, I got up and did a 25-mile bicycle ride with the LUNA Chix. The email I received said "all levels welcome. No one will be dropped."

Allrighty then. I was awake this morning in time to make the start, so I did.

I pulled into the parking lot to meet the other riders. I'm driving my Biohazard, with my hybrid bike from the 1990s on the back.

I see the other women. All in great shape, with their sparkling road bikes. (I must say they were all very nice.)

I almost turned the van around. But then I remembered, life is about showing up. I showed up. And, I'm not going to get in shape, or become a stronger cycler, hanging at home watching the Food Network. So I introduced myself, and off we went.

We hadn't been on our bikes two minutes when I felt hot. It was 700+degrees outside. And we hit a hill almost immediately. I'm in pretty decent shape but hills are a total bitch!

But, I stayed the course.

We were maybe five miles from the end when the heat really started getting to me. I was well-hydrated, but this was the hilliest ride I'd done. It was hot. And, there were a few more hills ahead.

Stephanie, the sweep, talked me through the rest of the ride. I climbed up those last hills oh-so-slowly. I was hot (did I mention it was 700 degrees out?). I needed water. I considered hitchhiking back to Belmont. My entire body hurt, and sweat was stinging my eyes, and I could have used more water, and it was 700 degrees outside and I was on black asphalt.

But, I stayed the course! I finished the ride!

Sometimes it's not necessarily about how fast you complete something. It's that you complete it--period. Today I was a turtle, and that was OK. I still achieved my goal, which was to finish the ride without 911 being called.

So, this evening, I slathered aloe vera gel on my sunburned face and arms, FlexAll on my sore quadriceps, and ate pasta for dinner. And I didn't feel the least bit guilty.