DCCC (Door County Century...Cops.)

It was a gorgeous Sunday, mid morning with no breeze but the slight chill of early fall in the air.  I was up EARLY to do my first bike century ride in Door County and had already pushed through ~57 of the 100 miles.  

It was a gorgeous Sunday, until the county sheriff pulled me over.  I ran a stop sign. Well, actually I burned through the stop sign (with at least 5 of my 2 wheeled companions). Then it transformed into a hilarious Sunday. REALLY, who gets pulled over on their BIKE, during an organized ride?!?!?

It was a hilarious Sunday, and I had to fight back the smirks and giggles and keep a solemn face while waiting behind the cop car to learn my punishment (which was fortunately just a warning.

It was a HILARIOUS Sunday.

River Kayaking, Attempt 1

Me, trying to surf the wave!

Nicole and Ericka running Cathedral Falls

Today I was initiated.  It's an odd tradition, but one that proves I survived my first white water kayaking run down the Red River.  I proved successful at wet exits, attempted to eddy and ride the wave, was able to haul my gear, and am NOT afraid of flipping.  Not too bad for my maiden voyage in open water EVER in my boat (...or on a river in a kayak)! This is absolutely going to earn more of my time,  PLUS I get to hang out w/ my brother.  Not a bad gig, a right of passage that is complete after 3 hours of kayaking and one long shot of brandy straight from the maple syrup container.  I'm in.

Rick & me at the paddlers finish

No longer LOST!

If you want to go winter camping, you need a good coat.   If you want to go XC skiing at night, you need a good coat.  If you want to forget you have a terrible voice and go Christmas caroling, you need a good coat.  If you want to NOT buy a wind breaker and a spring jacket, you can get a good North Face and have a good coat for all of the aforementioned activities, and for spring  and fall outdoor adventures too.

Today's news:  my "good coat" is no longer MIA. Tara - you rock my  world.

Hehehehe, as excited  as I am to have it back, I  can't feel bad at ALL about not being able to use it until next year!  Yesterday's 25 mile bike ride keeps  me pumped  for our early spring.  In fact, my last few weeks I've been snowboarding, wake boarding, and biking. Not a bad life.

Toasting

Some people have boring grandparents. quiet grandparents. grandparents they never knew or who never wanted to know them.  I am lucky to have been gifted with talkative, animated, and OLD grandparents.  This  weekend I went to hang out for Easter and we decided to go out for dinner.   Below you will see our toast - to family, health, and ridiculousness.  Grandpa is 94, Grandma is 90, and they are both absolutely drinking beer.  This Easter I drank with my grandparents, and they loved it. Huh, that's something.

Mountain Bliss

My lips are dry, my nose is peeling - this is the small price for a bonding weekend between me, my snowboard, and the Rockies. As suspected, even spring boarding in mash potato snow out west beats the icy treachery of the midwest. Black diamonds. Hot tubs. Nature EvERyWhErE. Please remind me, why do I live in Wisconsin?

High of 73*

Yes, my bike is already moved into the back of my car.
Yes, the tires are pumped up (and so am I).
Yes, I work from home tomorrow and will hit the road over my lunch hour.

To fuel the spring fever, here is some inspiration from famous and noteworthy bikers:

• Life is like riding a bicycle - in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving. ~Albert Einstein 
• Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride. ~John F. Kennedy
• Get a bicycle. You will not regret it if you live. ~Mark Twain

Brilliant Mr. Twain, brilliant.

Valentine's Day SURPRISE!

Three huge cheers for my lovely roomie who just got ENGAGED!  What's the boy like you want to know?  Well, he plays banjo, he buys cheesecake, and he snowplows our driveway - don't tell me there are more redeeming qualities than that (hahaha, oh yeah, and he adores her!!!). 

Naturally, I shared this exciting news with the kid I'm nannying, who will henceforth be called the ANK for Anonymous Nannied Kid,  after I found out.  Here's the conversation that followed...RIDICULOUS.

Katie: Guess what, my roomie got engaged yesterday!
ANK: Awe cool, can I go to the wedding?
Katie: Dude, actually you don't even know them.
ANK: Right, but I could go with YOU.
Katie: Ha, by that time I plan to have some special guy who is notably OLDER THAN SEVENTEEN in my life.
ANK: Katie, come ON, by then I'll be EIGHTEEN.
Katie: **smirks** You are absurd.

The good news? His mom smiled when I texted her the story.  The better news? I think that proves he doesn't mind having me at the house.  The best news? He gave up immediately and started trying to convince me (again) that I should date his cousin.  Did I mention this kid makes me laugh? ABSURD.

Goodbye muffintops (...hello Atkins)

What do you do when you're lifelong friends with a 5'10 Amazon Goddess?  Simple - you shake the hesitancy out of her, rally the troops, and break down the barriers so she can apply for cycle 19 of America's Next Top Model. Here's what's in the mix for my gorgeous girl Shan in the next 30 days!

• Carbs? Hahahahahahahahahaha, a thing of the past!
• Photo shoot. DUH
• Crazy long application - I give you question 52 of 72:  When was the last time you hit, punched, kicked, or threw something in anger? Please provide details.
• 3 minute video including her best runway walk - Break a leg!

 It can be done - wish us luck!

She had style, she had flair… she was there!

Less than two months back from my Caribbean escapade and already I’m bored with snow-less WI.  What would most single 20 something girls do in my situation? Go shopping.  Watch TV.  Get a puppy.  Since when do I ever fall into the mold?  Instead, I got a Jimmy.  

Welcome to the whirlwind life of KJ the Nanny.  I clean. I make dirt cake. I pretend like I don’t see the forgotten bag lunches piling up in the passenger seat of his car. I laugh a LOT.