grumbling and not grumbling

Well, apparently Windy has a defective front tire that won't stay inflated. Grumble.

On the non-grumbling side of life, I scored some large plant pots for cheap and I loaded up on a bunch of herb plants to fill them up with. Rosemary, Mexican Tarragon, Oregano, Lavender, and a couple of others. I also picked up a bunch of Swiss Chard plants. I love the way it looks and I so want to like it, since it's so darn good for you. But...I think it tastes like...dirt. I can't stand it. Actually, I had it once in a restaurant, cooked with bacon and it was delicious. I've tried to recreate the recipe and it still tastes like dirt. With bacon.  I'll keep trying though.

Fingers are crossed that the townhouse association will give us permission to re-do the backyard again. We've spent a ton of money trying to get grass to grow back there but it fails every year. Not one house on our side of the court has grass, they've all put in decks so I'm pretty sure that grass just won't grow there. We want to make it more of a stony patio situation which will enable us to use it more and give the dogs more space. (The mud pit has been fenced off from them in a pathetic attempt to spare the grass) I had to resubmit the plans with some spiffy CAD drawings. Hopefully this will pass muster with them.

If they give the go ahead, then I can also install a pull up bar - I mean a trellis, disguised as a pull up bar. Which will mean I can start working on my pull ups and using my set of rings. Like this:

Power Clean and Ring Pushups - CrossFit Oldtown

CROSSFIT LONDON UK.RING MUSCLE UP LEG ACTION

Introducing.....

Introducing my brand new bike. Her name is Windy.

I was really doubtful that I'd still be able to ride. You know, the old adage "it's just like riding a bicycle!" I was sure it wouldn't apply to me, because I am a unique snowflake. :-) Well, a few minutes of floundering around in the parking lot and I was zipping around the neighborhood like an old pro, like a little kid. What a blast. I loved the feeling of freedom and wind in my face. I loved the feeling of my body moving - not effortlessly, but rather with a nice, sustained effort.

I did also pick up a helmet, never used one of those when I was a kid and I wasn't happy that my Big Guy was so insistent that I get one. I was sure I'd look and feel like a dork. I got over that pretty fast - after all, I'd look and feel like a dork if I cracked my skull open.

I picked up a bike rack, which totally didn't fit this style of bike., It was enough to get Windy home from the store but it was a scary ride. Apparently you need an adapter to fit this type of bike on a standard rack. I have one on order so I can use the car rack so I take her for rides along the Henry Hudson Trail.

I also got a bell for Windy. Why? Just because.

Quick update

Just a quick update -  the tonsillitis is clearing up. I'm actually happy that all I got was plain old penicillin, not some super antibiotic.  I'm still laying off they gym for now since my ear is still feeling funky from the tonsils being inflamed.
Tomorrow the Big Guy and I will be attending a local body building contest. Fun! I love taking photos at these shows.
Sunday I will hopefully be shopping for a bicycle! Hurray for me! I have my heart set of a cruiser type bike. Very retro looking, not to mention a nice (wide!!!) comfortable seat. If I'm lucky I'll be able to find one that meets my specs and my budget.

Egg Coupon

One of those rare paleo foods coupons is available.


Last week was a rough one. This week I have tonsillitis! Oy, I am off to the Dr. this afternoon to get some antibiotics. I haven't needed any of them in over 2 years, so I am bummed out that I got sick. However, I am not at all surprised since there was such a large quantity of low spirits in the past 10 days.

Spanky

We lost a friend and family member this week. One of the strongest and gentlest men I have ever known. Brave and so proud of who and what he was. A man I was proud to call a brother, or a sister, depending on what shoes he was wearing at any given moment. In boots or in heels, Spanky was the very definition of a beautiful spirit.

Obituary from the Asbury Park Press.
Mark F. Bialous

AGE: 44 • Neptune

Mark F. Bialous, 44, of Neptune, passed away Tuesday, April 5, 2011, at his home of complications due to esophageal cancer. He was surrounded by his family and friends. Affectionately known as "Spanky", Mark was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. and has resided in the Asbury Park area for many years. A licensed practical nurse, Mark had worked in the Monmouth County Correctional Facility and was Pharmaceutical Manager for the last three years. In 2008, he earned the title of Mr. NJ Leather. He was also a friend of Bill W.

Mark was predeceased by his mother, Viola; and his father, Henry. He is survived by his brother, Henry "Hank" Bialous of Lindenwold; his sister-in-law, Linda (Mini Mom) Bialous; and his external family of choice.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, April 9 in Buckley Funeral Home, 509 Second Ave., Asbury Park. A Memorial Celebration will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mark's name may be made to the Foodbank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties or a charity of your choice.

Words are worse than Sticks and Stones

Words are worse than Sticks and Stones

$1.00 off sunbutter coupon

It's pretty rare that there's ever a coupon for a Paleo type food, but here's a link to a good one! It's a PDF, so you can print as many as you need. The expiration is October 2011.
We go through about a jar every 10 days here as we are on a mass gain crusade for the Big Guy. (I, on the other hand, have to keep the sunbutter to a dull roar since I'm on a leaning out crusade myself. Sunbutter is like delicious pasty crack cocaine to me.)

Melicious has a recipe for Sunshine Sauce that rocks and makes me not long for Thai Peanut Sauce so much...

Sunshine Sauce

The coupon is here.