The Ride

I think I mentioned in one of my previous posts that I received a new bike for Christmas. When I asked for it, both my mom and dad looked at me as if I were crazy, but I really wanted one so it went on my list. My justification at the time was that we lived on a very busy street and my two children were ALWAYS begging to ride around the block. That made me extremely nervous. When I was their age, I was gone for hours at the time in the neighborhood and in the woods, but times are so different now. I like to be able to look out the window and see my babies. Since I was really nervous about it, I would never let them go unless they were in a pack of 3 or 4 children and not just 2. I guess that just made me feel safer but not completely. That is when I decided that I would get a bike and ride with them.

Christmas came and upon walking into mom and dad's it was immediately know that my request had been accepted. My bike was wrapped in a big Christmas "trash bag". I was so excited. We took it home and Doug immediately adjusted the handlebars and the seat for me. I couldn't wait to ride it but it was dark and cold. Well, it has remained cold and I have really not had the chance to take the kids on a bike ride yet...until last night.

When did it become so painful to ride a bike? Now I know that it has been years since I have flown through my grandparent's yard on my bright blue Good Vibrations bicycle, but has it really been that long? Am I really that out of shape? My knees were in pain. My calves were screaming at me. What in the world was I thinking. Emily and Chandler were flying past me, standing up peddling and swerving all over the road. I was scared to death. People would drive by us and wave, but I couldn't wave back. If I even thought about lifting my arm, I felt like I was gonna fall right over! By the time we got home, 15 minutes later, I was out of breath, my legs were numb, and my hinney, oh my hinney...there are no words!

Since my diet began 3 weeks ago, I have been exercising on the Wii Fit and walking a little bit. The exercise has slowed lately due to sickness and just the fact that I tend to be a little lazy, but now I am even more determined!!! I am going to master this bike! I am gonna show it who's boss and I am not going to let it defeat me. I will ride for longer than 15 minutes without feeling like dying once I hit the driveway. Lance Armstrong, watch out!!!!

The Black Sister

Oh, for the love of a dog! So many say "oh, it's just a dog, get over it", but she was not just a dog, she was my black sister. We lost our dear sweet Winnie in August and the wounds are healing, but very slowly. Not a day goes by that I don't think about her. Winnie was priviledged. She never wanted for a thing for she had more than any dog could ever know to want. Multiple yum-yums (or YY's for short) a day, a toy basket and only the best chair in the house. As a puppy, she was spunky and playful. She helped mom with the newspaper every morning and was always doing yardwork with dad. Every so often, I got a phone call from Mom saying that my Black Sister wanted to talk to me and yes, sitting in front of everyone at work, I would talk to Winnie on the phone and yes, sometimes she would talk back. Embarassed, maybe at first, but I just think the ones that laughed were just jealous that their furbabies didn't call them during the day.

As Winnie got older, she got wider and greyer but still ever so loving. Winnie's only drawback was her "gator" mouth! You didn't dare get your fingers near her big pearly whites when there was a YY or any type of food between them. Her "gator" mouth was only fitting, since she was a HUGE Florida Gator fan. She was always dressed in her gator attire, collar and bandana, as well as her gator leash. Sure makes a Sissy proud!

Winnie was well known throughout the Houston Woods subdivision. She wandered the streets visiting from house to house. We tried once to keep her in the yard, but the invisible fence had nothing on Miss Winnie. She would sit at the edge of the yard contemplating and building her courage up. Finally, one mad dash, a loud yelp and she was gone! Not once did she dash the invisible fence to come back home though. She always waited for someone to come take her collar off and let her in. She was pretty smart. I wish I could thank everyone in the neighborhood for being so kind to her and watching for her as they drove to and from their homes everyday. She wasn't the only dog that took "daily constitutionals" around the neighborhood, but I think she was the most regular.

Winnie had a best friend, Beau. Beau lives two doors down at the Williams' home. He came down everyday at the same time to play with Winnie. The would play in the yard, go for walks, and I would assume, just chit chat. Beau liked YY's too. He would wander in the house and out if the door was open, but was always polite. I think Winnie's death has been really tough for Beau. Talking to dad the other day, Beau still comes to the house regularly, but only on Sundays. He will come walking up on the back porch, still waiting on his YY and then lay down and rest. I'd like to think he lays there thinking of all the fun he had with our Winnie and how he misses her so much. We know how much he misses her, because we miss her too!

Mom and Dad's house will never be the same without Winnie. I really just cannot remember a time when she wasn't there. There is a definite void. It is a lot quieter and the presence of black hair everywhere is gone. There are no little toenails tapping on the hardwood floor or her ever so excited bark when she's standing at the pantry door waiting on a treat. She is missed greatly, but her memory will live on. In our hearts and in the hearts of those that has the pleasure of knowing and loving her too. I even think Elton, the bird, misses her, but he is a completely different post!

Thank you, Winnie, for the memories! We love you!