New sport for all those mothers out there - Extreme Ironing

To learn more, check out this website: http://www.extremeironing.com/index.php

Joe, American

This guy is AWESOME. Too bad our presidential candidates don't listen. Perhaps they should, as Jeff Foxworthy says, "Take that car key out of your ear."

Because He Loves Me

Mark loves me.
He really does.

So, I ride a motorcycle. I have ridden a motorcycle for over two years now. I originally got my motorcycle because of various reasons. But, I love it. Last year, I hung out with my motorcycle buddies almost all summer. We even did a four-day ride to Yellowstone.

When Mark and I first started dating, he told me that my riding a motorcycle was okay with him. I told him that not riding a motorcycle was okay with me. (Though, it seems like all my family and friends are concerned with his lack of motorcycle history.)

But, Mark did something to impress me. And everyone else. Because he's soooooooo awesome.

Mark took a motorcycle class.

He took it on August 4 - 7. He left work early and didn't get home until about nine o'clock each day. He had two days in a classroom setting talking about the mechanics of motorcycle riding and motorcycle safety. He also had two days at a parking lot, on a bike.

I went to the riding course on Thursday (his last night) and spied on him. I wanted pictures to prove he took the class. He's so awesome....

Yesterday he went to the DMV and officially got his motorcycle learner's permit. He's been riding my motorcycle and Jarom's motorcycle to practice for the riding test--so he'll be entirely official.

Let me clarify. I past the riding test already, and can be endorsed up to 649 cc, but because of the new stupid law, if I want to be fully endorsed for any size motorcycle, I have to pass the test on a bike larger than 650cc. So, I am using Jarom's bike to take the riding retest.

Yah, he's incredible.
He is soooooooooo awesome.
What a catch.
*sigh*

I Am Not a Hypochondriac

I hiked Mt. Timanogos on July 25. My knees killed on the way down the mountain, especially my left knee. It turns out I really do have something wrong with my knees.

I went to the doctor on Friday (exactly two weeks from the hike) and described everything that happened, described how my knees were before, and since the hike.

He thinks that I have PFP (patello-femoral pain). My patella is not in the right place (centered), and therefore, it is causing me some pain. (Though it is not as extreme as pictured above, that is just to show the concept.) I'm going to go to physical therapy to see if I can learn how to correct it.

He told me that my vastus medialis is either not triggering when it's supposed to and/or it is too weak compared to the other three of my quadriceps. The vastus medialis is the muscle that holds the patella in the center of the knee.

He told me that this condition is often found in women because their legs don't go straight down, they go down at an angle. This angle is because of how our pelvis spreads out when we hit puberty.

Any way, yah...so, it wasn't my imagination that something was wrong. And, I'm glad it's not worse than this.

Pete's Dragon, "I Love You Too"

This is a great tune that both Andrea & I love. It is one of our wedding songs.

Iron Giant - one of the greatest unknown cartoons

I saw this one on the Disney Channel many years ago, and loved it. Here is the ending to remind those that have seen it.

Diet Questions Answered

Q: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true?

A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?

A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?

A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?

A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?

A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?

A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!!.... Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?

A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Is chocolate bad for me?

A: Are you crazy? HELLO Cocoa beans! Another vegetable!!! It's the best feel-good food around!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Is swimming good for your figure?

A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?

A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape!

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.

And remember: 'Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming 'WOO HOO! What a Ride'

AND......

For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

CONCLUSION

Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

This was posted at www.cougarboard.com and Andrea and I both thought it was great

Taking a Chance

On Friday, Mark and I decided to take a chance. We thought we would go camping--without reservations.

Here's the low-down. Apparently, making a reservation at a campground is almost a necessity. We didn't know this. What we did know is that when you make a reservation, it has to be for two days. We didn't want to camp two nights because we wanted to be home for church on Sunday. Hence, taking a chance.

We drove past Park City, into Oakley, and then up Weber Canyon. Our destination was Smith and Morehouse Reservoir. There is a campground on the north side and the south side of the reservoir.

We checked out the north campground first. Smith & Morehouse has 34 spots--all 34 were reserved and/or occupied. Then we checked out the south campground. Ledgefork has 73 spots--all but 1 were reserved and/or occupied. We just happened to get there at the right time.

In fact, when the camp hosts came around to get our money, they told us the campers had just up and left--suddenly. They told us that if we had got there five minutes earlier, the campers might have still been there. If we had got there five minutes later, someone else would have snatched up that spot. It was destiny.

The previous campers had left us a stack of wood--and a burning fire. Well, smoldering. But, the flames lit up without any persuasion. I'm glad we didn't have to go wood hunting. Or pay for it (since the camp hosts have wood for $6). There was just enough for our little fire for the night and the next morning--and plenty enough for us to play around in. Only you can prevent forest fires!

We quickly set up our tent so we could fix dinner and play games. While we were setting up our tent, our neighbor came over bearing four foil dinners. She said, "We made extra foil dinners, would you like one, or two?" We were surprised, and very grateful. We took one each. Mark tossed them in the fire and we continued putting our tent up.

I taught Mark how to put up our tent. He likes it. And, it's plenty big for us to grow with--whenever that happens.

Too many minutes later, we attended to our free meals--only to find them charred beyond all recognition. I tried to eat mine, but it was no use. Oh well.... :-D heheheheheh..........

Good thing we had our planned dinner to fill our bellies: steaks and jello.

We played Scrabble and Mark (as usual) kicked my behind. We played Think-it - Link-it (a word game). We roasted marshmallows and had smores. And, we goggled at the expanse of beautiful stars blanketing our campground. The sky was stunning. Mark said he saw an asteroid. Sweet!

The next morning, we had cereal and graham crackers for breakfast. Then we took down the tent and played more games. We played one of the fastest games of War known to man--perhaps three minutes. I won. Then we played a second game of War that was also quick. I won that one too.

We also just sat and talked as we poked at our little fire. It was so relaxing. *sigh* (Part of our conversation was about what we could do--like walk down by the lake. But, we were too lazy. Ha!)

Mark picked me some pretty flowers. Probably just as sweet as the flowers themselves, was Mark’s comment, “I picked these for you. [grin] Don’t worry—you don’t have to keep them.” I love flowers—but I think they would have quickly died—even on the short ride home. So, instead of taking them home with us, I just took this picture. Mark’s the best! I am one lucky woman.

We ate hot dogs and plums for lunch before heading down the mountain.

It was a great break from routine--and it was good to get all smelly. Mark's a good camping buddy. And, I'm so glad we took that chance! Woohoo!!!!