What Is Happening?

The weather around here has been crazy. I posted about the massive hail storm (that damaged the car), there has been rain, winds, and just plain hot humid days. All of this is very strange for the high desert where we live. Night before last was one of the works lightning/thunder/wind storms we have in years. And then yesterday it hailed again - and the hail just hung around in my garden for the rest of the night.

There was an article a while back about global warming and sun spots. Actually there has been some pretty interesting new research into it - and with this new system it predicts heating and cooling cycles. It predicts our weather right now. Darn it - does this mean I need to just not fix the car and wait for all the hail storms to finish?? And why wont I be around for the next ice age? I'd really like to see that!

When Biking Inside.

I was suppose to go for a bike ride yesterday with the ladies. My bike was having issue though and Mike couldn't get to fixing it until after work (he only found the problem when he was putting the bike on top of the car :(). Anyway - after he fixed it I tested out my new trainer. Thirty minutes was some of the hardest biking I've ever done. I'm amazed at how a trainer will kick your butt but biking outdoors wont. I guess it has to do with the fact that you can't coast or stop.
This is the trainer (not rollers - I hate those things).


On another note I've decide that today is Twinky Tuesday. Just an FYI - eat a Twinky today!

A Cats Dream.

It is odd to find Bend passed out asleep. When I asked him what he was dreaming about - it turns out he was dreaming about a Bird Tree (a tree with birds hanging off of it .. that are there for the picking ... like a fruit tree).





I guess his wish - has just come true.

Fauxoasis.

Mike and I are trying to finish up back yard projects - before fall comes. I know, great plans and yet getting stuff done is tough with work and life in general. We finally replaced the umbrella that broke during a wind storm a while back and put a nice outdoor rug down. We also finished off the side of the garden and I moved rough tomato plants. It is currently stormy out - so I hope the rain helps the plants come back to life.

Car Damage

We took the FJ down to Santa Fe to have the damage accessed. Look like it will take 2 weeks to fix :(. After that Mike and I got dinner at The Flying Star Cafe. Oh goodness I love that place!!!

Welcome To The Real World

You might be wondering - how are things going now that you have returned from AZ. Well work is crazy (loads going on), we got a new cleaning lady this week (who is fantastic), Bend got new medication (trying to heal up his poor little kidney), and my garden is growing very fast with all the rain.



While in Arizona a British man asked me, "Are you a hooker or a shagger?" I had no idea how to answer this question. I said, "Can I be neither." Mike was standing to me dumbfounded when another British guy says, "You didn't understand him. Are you a huger or a shaker, as in greetings."

First time to ever be asked if I'm a hooker though.

Weekend At Home.

This was a long awaited weekend. It seems like forever since we spent a weekend at home and relaxed. I'm not sure how many of you out there watch the Tour - but after each race the riders get massages and a body wrap. Mike needed one this past weekend. I think he looks more like a taco than a wrap.


The humming birds have been going crazy these days. I guess they know that fall will be here before they know it - and are trying to keep full bellies. I believe we are going to start doing more yard work next weekend. I'll take photos and post.

Summer Fruit.

The fruit trees are finally producing again. Birds have been all over the apple tree. I think I'll slowly pick all the apples over the next few weeks.

Arizona Time.

P7160093
Originally uploaded by RocketGirl*

I'm testing posting from flickr to my blog directly. I hope this comes through okay. This is a video of my father playing piano last week.

Love My Garmin 405.

I finally got the software put back onto the home laptop (it was killed when we had to replace the hard drive). I can now keep track of all of my runs and rides. Today's bike ride looks like this (1038 feet of elevation gain total).

Ah - vacations end.

We are back on the road. It is 4am and currently 90 degrees. This is a very hot place. I have a bunch of fun photos to post and will do so when I get home. Last night we had dinner with my dad and saw a dead havalina on the road (it was pretty sad).


I did not get all the work I wanted to done on this trip. But it was great to hang out with my dad and relax a bit!

Respect Their Authority.

Humans are very interesting creatures. This photo was taken last night at the hotel where every night at 5:30 they have free shots of tequila. What do free shots of tequila mean? Even most people who don't drink show up for something FREE. Weather they enjoy it or not - aren't you suppose to rush for something FREE?



It was 111 degrees yesterday. Even with sunblock and sitting under an umbrella at the pool I got a bit of sun. I believe it was the few times I walked to the bathroom and also radiating off the concrete.

Finally I read this article and found it fascinating. I always knew that my cats were controlling me - now I have scientific proof!

Arizona Day 1.

Well we hung out by the pool, drank, ate and relaxed in the 108 degree sun. Mike got a bit of color (I sat with a large hat and under an umbrella). I'm getting a little bit of work done and thinking about hitting the pool. There was a fantastic green bug hanging out during the free 5:30 tequila toast. We had to play with him a little.

Arizona.

It is currently 102 degres outside. We are just getting to the hotel. At our last stop though there was a 24 flavor soft serve place. I got watermelon flavored!

Road Trip.

We are currently in the car driving out to Arizona. It isn't often that I get up at 3 in the morning. But this morning we are behind the wheel early and drinking coffe like it is going out of style.

Courtney is taking care of the cats - and we are testing out a new diet for them. I hope that they don't injure her (while demanding more food).

UFC 100

Saturday night is for fighting!

Lavender in Summer

Summer Rains Cause...

A large cactis in bloom!

Fourth of July BBQ.

Sunday Rains.

Early this morning there was a down pour mixed with lightning and thunder. The cats were scared enough they wanted to snuggle in bed. This afternoon while driving up to LA it is dumping rain and hail pretty hard. Ah - summer in the high desert!

Happy 4th of July

Bend's Ultrasound.

We just had another ultrasound for Bend and his left kidney and bladder are perfect. She did find a tiny (1 mm) crystal in his right kidney. He also got his tummy and sides shaved - but I'm sure that will just be his summer look!!

Back Home.

We finally got home and had a restful night in our own bed. There is really something to be said for this. The cats are all wigged out and have been fighting all night. As a matter of fact Methow was kicking the crap out of Bend when he ran across my face and gave me a nice scratch. Awe - the joys of cat ownership (although I'm sure they would say that they are not owned!).

While in Nashville we went to the Grand Ole Opry (which was a very fun experience). We saw a 4'11" guy named Jimmy Dickens (who told jokes and sang some pretty old country).

Traveling From Nashville.

We are on our way home from the APS conference in Nashville. It was a very fun trip and we both really had a good time (even with all the meetings). Mike was getting over jet-lag and has only been home 1 day in the past 3 weeks ... We are both pretty anxious to get home.

On another note Bend is going in for an ultrasound again tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed!