Boundary Stone Bike Ride!!

Hi all!

I'm still alive, still here. Not much has changed since my last post, just the season. Autumn is here, and I am looking forward to halloween! I've got my costume picked out, but I still need to figure out what the kiddo will be....last year, we already had his costume ready to go by now! We might "trick or treat" by bike. I need to figure out a costume theme that works with a Burley Bee...

I've signed up for a couple of road races (the Run for the Badge 5K next weekend, and then The 10K Across the Bay next month). I have barely trained for these at all, but I need something organized to get me going. I have a friend doing both with me, so that should help. I need to get outside more.

Other than that, things are still the same. I miss my dad, living with mom is still awesome. Oh, did I mention I will be an Aunt soon? I will! Liam is getting a cousin. My brother and his wife are expecting a little boy in the New Year. Liam is getting so big. He's walking and running around, generally causing (gentle) chaos wherever he goes.

I did want to mention an upcoming bike ride that I think you might be interested in; I've mentioned it before: The Boundary Stone Bike Ride (sponsored by....surprise! Boundary Stone! ha.).

If you like history (yes) and cycling (yes), than this is the ride for you. On Saturday, 10/22, join a bunch of other history/cycling nerds and bike around the original perimeter of DC, hitting all the old Boundary Stones. Each side of the Diamond is about 15 miles--you can pick how many sides you actually want to ride (I suggest the entire kaboodle).  Plus you get a free beer ticket for the after-party at Boundary Stone (if you have never been there, I HIGHLY recommend. I have never been disappointed. Excellent food, great drinks). I've heard the ride is kinda like the Blair Witch Project, but with less snot.

I would definitely be doing this ride, but unfortunately I signed up to do a Murder Mystery dinner/show on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad on that day. But YOU need to do this ride so I can hear how awesome it was. Please!

Meet at Jones Point Park at 9am, ride departs at 9:30am.  After-party at Boundary Stone starts at 7pm. First 50 registrants get a swag bag & t-shirt (no idea what's in it, but I have a feeling its worth it, if I know Boundary Stone).

Anyway, please do the ride so I can live vicariously through you. And I'll let you know how the train ride goes...

Phoenix Bikes and Gearin' Up Cycles will both be on hand to help with bike issues at the start. And DC Brau will be providing the drink specials. Can't think of a better combo.

Today I turned 37 years old.

Some thoughts on turning 37:

- I miss my father fiercely. If I had known we would only have 36 years together, I....well, I don't know. I just miss him terribly, every single day.

-I am so glad my mother is here. If one positive thing came out of my father dying, it is that my mother lives with me now. It's been over 18 years since I lived with my mom, and I forgot how much I missed it. Especially now that I'm a mom. I'm grateful for every single day.

-My post-partum anxiety is now mostly a bad memory, and I'm off the medication. I think I have some generalized anxiety though. But mostly, I'm ok.

-I have not been taking care of myself. I am out of shape and the heaviest I've ever been in my life. My knees and ankles constantly hurt from the weight on my skeleton. I'm tired and self-conscious all the time. This needs to change. I hate feeling like this. I'm starting a Whole30 soon.

-I did the Police Unity Tour the other week, and I was miserable. For the first time in years, I had to take the sag wagon for a good portion of the trip. This was always the ride that was easy for me--I loved it. Not this time. Turns out that having a baby and severe depression & no training in over a year makes it kinda hard to do a 250+ mile bike ride. WHO KNEW? I will do a more detailed post on this soon, especially on how childbirth changes your body and that you need to get a bike. And other stuff.

-I love living on the island. I miss living in DC sometimes, but it was definitely time to say goodbye.

-Liam is simply amazing. He is sitting next to me right now, playing the clapping game (yes it's 11pm. We took naps for most of the day because he had his 9 month check-up today, which meant vaccinations. Poor lil guy was cranky and out of sorts). I got so lucky with him. He is such a smart, happy, easy-going baby. Watching him grow is fascinating. I just get sad that my dad doesn't get to see this.

Will it ever stop raining? This spring has been so depressing.

Honor Guard at the Police Unity Tour (Day 2)

Clap Clap!

9 months!

First trip to the Mall

This is what he does when Mommy mows the lawn

Mechanical Trailer for the Unity Tour

Hi!