Pooks Canyon

Leah moved in to her college dorm last week. This weekend I clicked on the Leah link in this blog and reminisced about her wit, her chicken hat, and her willingness to choose her own path without bogging down on trifles like what other people think.  Go Leah!  We love you :) This weekend we also moved out of our rental in downtown Chico and into a fifth wheel trailer. It is really cool and weird at the same time. We are only partially "on the way" as we are just staying at the Almond Tree RV Park here in Chico.  We still need to clean out the rental. I get a shiver of joy every time I remember that we are now able to tow all our possessions around with a truck. This kind of lightness has been a dream of mine for almost two decades. Speaking of decades, I'll will complete my fourth one in a few weeks. In retrospect, this decision to hit the road seems too coincidentally timed with my big 4-0. Mid-life crisis? Is this the Cyndi equivalent of buying a Porsche? Everything...

Last year we took a walk around Bruges on Christmas Day with Grandma and Grandpa so we thought this year we would repeat the tradition. Though all the shops were closed, the restaurants and Christmas Markets were hopping. We checked out Markt Square and Simon Stevin Plein. I had a glass of champagne, every one else had waffles. The kids on a ride at the Arcade in Simon Stevin Plein. Jon and Leah in their matching coats. He's still just a baby! At least to me... My other baby looks so grown up! Here she is sporting a new hat and a cup of Warme Tomaten Soep. We decided to put Axel in the Medieval Playpen again, for old time's sake .

This morning Lina, Megan, and I were supposed to ride mountain bikes from my house but the rain and the cold sapped our will to ride. Here is Megan in my living room wondering why she drove up from Denver at 7:30 in the morning. Then Megan mentions she has a gift certificate for Tee and Cakes. I love cupcakes yet have never been, and it's my birthday, so we pile into Megan's car and head downtown. Megan's dog gave me big birthday kisses from the backseat and has surprisingly sweet smelling breath. The strawberry milkshake cupcake on the top tier cries out to me. Lina went with the Hostess style and Megan had the peanut butter. It was a tough decision and we all seemed to enjoy our cakes. We brought back a Red Velvet for Jon. Thanks Lina and Megan for such a fun morning!

Well, I've joined a Cat 4 women's racing team . Yes, that is right, Pooks is back in the pack! My first race will be the Salida Time Trial and Crit - skipping the road race because I have no base and a climbing road race for me would be a bike ride that cost $35. The Team Director and Cat 1 racer, Megan Hottman, mentioned the following product purchases that could help our team. 1) SKINS -- http://www.definedfitnesstraini ng.com/SKINS -- You can see all products available at skins.net but must order through Megan - She'll offer 25% off retail prices. 2) VEMMA -- http://www.myvemma.com/DFT

Can you see the tiny needles in my fingers? Taking a leaf from Leah's book, I crashed my bike into a cactus. Also, got the Power Bars in the car but failed to bring the Power Bars on the ride. Also, accidentally took the loop the book said, and I quote, was for, "some brave souls looking for a rigorous workout." Jon, if you're reading this today, I may be home late.

I love riding bikes, mainly when it is sunny, between 60 and 85 degrees, and preferably not windy. Today I had 2 out of 3, but the wind did blow me home from Eldorado Springs so I didn't mind so much.

A year ago, when planning our move to Belgium, I said to Jon that he needed to take me to Paris for our anniversary. What a man... he did it! So on Tuesday night we drove the 3 hours to Paris and checked into the Hotel Leveque on Rue Cler. It was a good thing we planned to drive because the Paris public transit workers are on strike. This is major because the metro (subway) is generally the efficient, quick first choice of travelers and Parisians alike for navigating Paris. Taxis were highly impacted and a lot of stuff was basically shut down because employees could not get to work. Night one we wandered into a restaurant called "Pasco" and enjoyed risotto (me) and fish and eggplant (him). In France eggplant tastes better because it is called aubergine, mushrooms taste better because they are champignions. Just my opinion. The next day we ate crepes (with champignions) and then went to rent some bikes. Paris has a great self-checkout bicycle rental system, with over 750...

Warning, this is a long video (6 minutes) of us in Paris and may only be suitable for grandmas.

I want some hot Euro jeans! Doesn't everyone - deep down? I went to "Brooklyn" (of all places) where they have lots of cool jeans at fair prices. The shop girl said, "Mag ik u met iets helpen?" To which I replied, "I only speak English." Then she said, "May I help you?" I explained that I was from the United States and that I was looking for some hot Euro jeans though perhaps not using those same words. While helping me the shop girl said, "You don't look like the typical American." Given my outfit consisted of what I put on in a darkened room this morning (see below) for the mere purpose of being clothed at breakfast, I was very flattered: But as I am trying on the jeans I start wondering, what does this mean, I don't look like an American? Does this mean I don't have fluffy blond hair and enormous white teeth? So I say, "I'm curious, what did you mean when you said I don't look like an American? What d...

We hope you're having fun in Las Vegas and wish you a sensational 'cross Vegas!!!!!

Red Delicious (see post below) is fun and we took funky pictures with the built-in cam and "Photo Booth" software .

Here is my toe at the doctor's office waiting to be lidocained and sutured. Yay. I was kicking an ottoman out of the way last night but I accidentally kicked the sharp wooden leg instead of the soft part. Apparently in the Wood vs Toe battle, toe loses.

If you read this Blog, then you have to copy the list to your own Blog and fill in your own answers. (thanks Cyndy K). Tag, you're it! 5 things I was doing 10 years ago. 1. Waddling around 8 months pregnant 2. Coordinating Home Health Care visits for a Home Health Agency 3. Trying to think up a 9 months pregnant Halloween costume 4. Planning my 21st Birthday Party 5. Buying my first home PC and hooking up to Prodigy Internet 5 snacks I enjoy 1. Anything my Aunt Elisabeth sets in front of me 2. Hummus and Pita Chips 3. Carrots and Ranch 4. Popcorn 5. Crackers 5 songs I know all the words to (not that anyone besides Axel would ever want to hear me sing) 1. Norwegian Wood, The Beatles 2. Hotel California, The Eagles 3. 2 Joints, Sublime 4. Bad, Bad Leroy Brown, Jim Croce 5. Jet Airliner, Steve Miller Band 5 things I would do if I was a millionaire 1. Travel the world with my family 2. Buy 2nd homes in Mexico, Manhattan, and San Francisco - and let my friends use them 3. Buy this hou...

This is me before and after. Picture taken same day... The side The back