I did my last batch of phone calls this morning for LIB's Train the Trainer classes. Whew. I have another month of work for ATA (formerly CBF) which means life is still going to be insanely busy for awhile. I have not had a day off in...I have no idea. I worked a health fair Saturday morning for ATA and then covered events Sat. and Sunday afternoon for the local paper. I was sort of sad to have missed Flatlandia's race. Christopher is enthralled in SpongeBob at the moment so I thought I'd take a minute to finally update this blog.
Tom switched the handle bars on my road bike to Salsa Poco's. I love those bars. I picked up another pair (with my wonderful ATA discount) for my cross bike as well as some cool-colored grip tape for the cross bike. I keep checking chicrosscup.com and WCA to see if they have the cross schedules up yet.
I did make it out about a week ago for a mountainbike ride. Only my second of the year. I rode from home, taking part of the multi-track loop at Swallow Cliff so I only got to do the Canal Trail but it was so nice to be on dirt again. I saw lots of people that day including Ben leading a huge group.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Arrgh!
First, before I rant, Happy Easter to everyone! I had to go through the line for the Easter Bunny three times to get that photo. Christopher would squat and bark at the bunny, try to beat the bunny with his blanket and try to brush the bunny's fur with his brush. But, he would not sit on the bunny's lap or even stand in front of the bunny. I had to grab him and then tickle him to make him smile.People are complete idiots. Two of the candidates were a man who was a teacher and then a principal for the district who is now retired and a superintendent for a different district who is retiring in June. Both seem like very intelligent guys and I think it's great they are willing to give up their time to serve on the school board (you don't get any type of pay or stipend to be a board member). I'm sure you know where I'm going with this --neither received enough votes. This woman who seems to be a complete idiot was the top vote getter. Flipping channels, we came across the meet the candidates thing on the cable access channel. Seriously, she is an utter imbecile. I'm just totally disgusted right now.
Things are still insanely busy. I'm making lots of phone calls to tell people about a class LIB is doing and still doing 15 hours a week for the other bike group besides covering meetings here and there for the local paper. I really, really need a spring break. Unfortunately, being self-employed means no spring breaks or vacation days. It'll get much easier after June 1 -- I keep telling myself.
I just did a tentative race schedule and it's depressing that it seems to have mainly road stuff on it. I'd much rather be racing in dirt but the road races are a lot closer and neither Tom or I can see Christopher handling the long trek to WORS races or Christopher actually letting me warm up. Who knows, maybe all this roadie stuff might actually make me faster. = )
I'll be doing a Fix a Flat workshop at My Bike in Tinley Park on Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. if anyone is bored. No throwing things though. = )
Friday, March 20, 2009
I'm not dead, I just feel like I'm on my way
Everything has been insanely busy -- which I keep telling myself is a good thing. I've heard about way too many people losing jobs lately. So, the fact that I have way, way too much work to do I'm sure is enviable. And, I only have to survive until June 1. But, I'm still not sure how I'm going to survive with my sanity until then.
Christopher has really been doing well on his bike without pedals. Last year, he would not even ride it. He kept pointing to where pedals would be and saying "On." Now, he's cruising around and lifting up both feet so he can coast. He just needs a little more practice, and a little bit nicer weather, and I think we may be able to start trying to get the training wheels off his little Trek.
Christopher has really been doing well on his bike without pedals. Last year, he would not even ride it. He kept pointing to where pedals would be and saying "On." Now, he's cruising around and lifting up both feet so he can coast. He just needs a little more practice, and a little bit nicer weather, and I think we may be able to start trying to get the training wheels off his little Trek.
His vocabularly is really jumping lately. He said something today like "I drink my milk. I'm thirsty" and I was in absolute shock. I'd like to say I'm a wonderful mom but it's really the preschool. The preschool had to call me on Wednesday to pick him up as he had a fever. He'd been really tired on Tuesday but I thought it was just being tired and didn't even take his temperature. So, I guess I won't being getting the best mother medal any time soon. Too bad -- Christopher really likes playing with medals. = )
I'm happy the weather is getting nicer and I can get more riding done outside. I went to the Kenosha training race last Sunday. It was a really slow pace but I was actually able to stay with the pack the whole time so I was happy. I was second for the Cat. 4's (out of a whopping three) but I think I was 5th overall. My final sprint sucked. Tom did well too and actually took 5th for the Cat. 5.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Insanely busy
Last weekend, we bought Christopher a new bathing suit. He's in a water babies class and he's been wearing a suit for 12-month-olds. It actually still kind of fits. The new one is a 2T and is almost like pants. He got to pick it out and, obviously, really likes it. He took the tag off himself and next thing I knew he was running around like the above photo -- a flannel pajama top, swim trunks and snow boots. Fashion designer is probably not going to be a future career for him.I don't know how often I'll be posting. It's been insanely busy and will likely continue through the end of May. It's mainly job-related so the extra cash will be nice to help pay off mine & Tom's bikes. You can see Tom's bike in the background behind Christopher.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
First race report of the year
(photo courtesy of the Glinka's)I did an indoor time trial on Sunday. I had the new road bike -- which I'll post a photo of once they get me the right seat and this hideous white one is off of it. The time trial did not go well. I was a minute slower than my goal. But, I had a cold most of last week and I just wasn't mentally there.
Tom did well though and Christopher and I got to cheer him on when Christopher wasn't racing his own bike. = )
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
my grandfather
Business owner, volunteer fire official dies
January 20, 2009
BY WILLIAM LEE, Staff writer
John D. Oudsteyn, a former Chicago Ridge fire official who helped start the village's volunteer fire department in the 1950s, died suddenly Sunday at his home. He was 89.
Mr. Oudsteyn and his wife, Harriet, moved to Chicago Ridge about 1950, when the village had about 600 residents. For 14 years, Mr. Oudsteyn answered fire calls from his home, racing to a large black telephone hanging from his kitchen wall. Mr. Oudsteyn was named assistant fire chief in 1974.
His wife also was dedicated to public safety, working for the Chicago Ridge Police Department for 35 years and serving as secretary under four police chiefs.
In addition to his work with the fire department, Mr. Oudsteyn was self-employed for many years, installing and repairing wells.
He and several partners purchased All Electric, which sold and serviced pumps and still exists at the same site, 67th Street and Ashland Avenue in Chicago. They opened a second business, Accurate Electric, which remains on 111th Street in Worth.
Mr. Oudsteyn was proud of his service during World War II, for which he received a Purple Heart medal. He fought the Japanese at Okinawa from April through June in 1945. A member of the 1st Battalion, 29th Marines, 6th Marine Division, he also participated in the occupation of China during November 1946.
Born Oct. 24, 1919, in Chicago, Mr. Oudsteyn grew up during the Great Depression, which his family said made him frugal.
"Growing up, my cousins and I were always somewhat both amazed and amused by the shelves in the basement filled with enough food and supplies that it resembled a store," SouthtownStar correspondent Gina Kenny said of her grandfather.
"He faced a lot of challenges during his life - financial as well as physical. He never quit trying," his daughter, Harriet Lynn Welch, said. "Every challenge life threw at him, he kept going."
Mr. Oudsteyn met his wife at a Halloween party, and they were married on Jan. 14, 1939. They were married for 67 years before her death in April 2006.
The couple's love and devotion to each other always was an inspiration to their family and friends. They traveled extensively in the United States, usually in a motor home, and around the world, including China and Australia.
In addition to his daughter, Mr. Oudsteyn is survived by a son, John; a sister, Ruth Sorgenfry; three grandchildren; and a great-grandson. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Schmaedeke Funeral Home, 10701 Harlem Ave., Worth. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Chapel Hill Gardens South Cemetery in Worth.
William Lee can be reached at wlee@southtownstar.com or (708) 633-6747.
January 20, 2009
BY WILLIAM LEE, Staff writer
John D. Oudsteyn, a former Chicago Ridge fire official who helped start the village's volunteer fire department in the 1950s, died suddenly Sunday at his home. He was 89.
Mr. Oudsteyn and his wife, Harriet, moved to Chicago Ridge about 1950, when the village had about 600 residents. For 14 years, Mr. Oudsteyn answered fire calls from his home, racing to a large black telephone hanging from his kitchen wall. Mr. Oudsteyn was named assistant fire chief in 1974.
His wife also was dedicated to public safety, working for the Chicago Ridge Police Department for 35 years and serving as secretary under four police chiefs.
In addition to his work with the fire department, Mr. Oudsteyn was self-employed for many years, installing and repairing wells.
He and several partners purchased All Electric, which sold and serviced pumps and still exists at the same site, 67th Street and Ashland Avenue in Chicago. They opened a second business, Accurate Electric, which remains on 111th Street in Worth.
Mr. Oudsteyn was proud of his service during World War II, for which he received a Purple Heart medal. He fought the Japanese at Okinawa from April through June in 1945. A member of the 1st Battalion, 29th Marines, 6th Marine Division, he also participated in the occupation of China during November 1946.
Born Oct. 24, 1919, in Chicago, Mr. Oudsteyn grew up during the Great Depression, which his family said made him frugal.
"Growing up, my cousins and I were always somewhat both amazed and amused by the shelves in the basement filled with enough food and supplies that it resembled a store," SouthtownStar correspondent Gina Kenny said of her grandfather.
"He faced a lot of challenges during his life - financial as well as physical. He never quit trying," his daughter, Harriet Lynn Welch, said. "Every challenge life threw at him, he kept going."
Mr. Oudsteyn met his wife at a Halloween party, and they were married on Jan. 14, 1939. They were married for 67 years before her death in April 2006.
The couple's love and devotion to each other always was an inspiration to their family and friends. They traveled extensively in the United States, usually in a motor home, and around the world, including China and Australia.
In addition to his daughter, Mr. Oudsteyn is survived by a son, John; a sister, Ruth Sorgenfry; three grandchildren; and a great-grandson. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Schmaedeke Funeral Home, 10701 Harlem Ave., Worth. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Chapel Hill Gardens South Cemetery in Worth.
William Lee can be reached at wlee@southtownstar.com or (708) 633-6747.
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