First snowshoe of season in Breckenridge!!

I just spent a week in Denver with Darci, babysitting while she went to an interview with an upstart home health care company started by Bronco's offensive lineman, Mark Harris.  We'll see what happens there!! On Thursday Barb called to tell me there had been a 12" snowfall in Breckenridge so I drove over and we had an amazing snowshoe morning traversing "little mountain" in pristine snow!! 
While in Denver I went to three very intense spinning classes at 24 Hour Fitness.  I also lifted weights and did lots of stretching. Then I spent a half day at REI researching equipment for Kilimanjaroo.  All of the employees who waited on me asked me what I was using the equipment for.  When I told them it was for a Kilimanjaroo climb next year they said "I guess you are working out fairly intensely"!!!  It made my heart skip a beat and question my current workout program. I promptly went to my computer and paid for and signed up for a training package at the Breckenridge Rec Center for next summer!!!  Whew, I have next summer partially taken care of.  The plan is to climb one organized fourteener a week in Breck in addition to other hikes and of course, Barb and I cycle nearly every other day. 
Today, we rode with about 20 others in the Clock Tower group to Constantino's enjoying a 37 degree start temperature.  Tomorrow and Monday will be spinning and lifting weights and Monday, on my birthday, I will be going to Phoenix to spend Thanksgiving with very dear friends, Bill and Leone.  I can't believe I forgot it was my birthday when I bought the airline ticket!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My last task before I head out to dinner is to send an invitation for my Christmas cycling open house on Saturday, December 4th.  My kids surprised me and decorated my columns in front of my house like candy canes.  What a festive look and it certainly sets the stage for our open house!!!!!  I have great children and grandchildren for which I am very thankful!!!

Chihuly Sculpture Garden & Sat.Bike ride to I Hop-40 miles, 11/6/2010

Got back from Chicago Friday evening.  It was great to be with Leone and her 89 year old mother, Maxine.  Maxine chose a visit to the Frederick Meijer sculpture gardens in Grand Rapids featuring amazing outdoor Chihuly sculptures. 
34 degrees was a  chilly start for the Saturday bike ride.  Triflex biking pants, booties, and a balaclava did the trick.  Today, Sunday, the sermon was on the importance of daily prayer.  "Prayer is to our souls like breathing is to our bodies".  Adam spoke of persistence in prayer and praying the same thing over and over as we don't know "when or if" the answer will come.  God's will is not always our will!!  I know intercessary prayer works!!  But I am always amazed at the spiritual energy that is released and how it plays a part in the healing process.  How do we get rid of pain and anxiety??  Adam reminds us to give thanks for the good things and the blessings in our life!! 
Tomorrow morning I lift weights on my own, row, stretch and swim at the gym.  Since we have another nice day, Barb and I are walking at the Arboretum. 

Driveing to Muskegon-using I-pad

I am using Leone's Ipad for the first time &
love it!!!!! How cool is this?? To be on the road & on the Internet on a device larger my I phone & smaller & lighter than my laptop. I will have to get an I pad!!!!!!! We should be in Muskegon in three hours. No exercise t day, but did yoga stretches this morning.

11/2/2010-In Chicago today

Yesterday, we did our usual Tuesday ride; Barb & I left home at 7 am in the dark & met Gary and Bob.  We rode to PV, then to Belton for a great breakfast and home for around 40-45 miles.  It was 42 degrees when we left and a beautiful sunny 55 as we returned home.  Great Ride!! 

Today I am in Chicago and always enjoy staying in Leone's Victorian two flat.  We are headed to Muskegon, Michigan to visit Maxine, her elderly mother.  I have promised for several years I would come to visit.  I am bringing her several bags of my homemade granola which she really seems to love. 

On my way to cycling Halloween party!!

11/1/2010- To Chicago tomorrow!

It is so hard to write in this once a week.  Forget every day!!!  The  main purpose of this blog, suggested by Michelle, was to keep a diary of my experience getting ready for Kilimanjaro, and to monitor my level of physical activity.  Since returning from Denver on 10/24, we have managed to bike three times a week, averaging 130 miles a week.  I have resumed swimming and weight lifting 2-3 times a week  with an occasional class of yoga.  I would love to do yoga twice a week and feel wonderful when I do!!!!

 Because Nickson, our Kilimanjaro guide, was in Denver two weeks ago,   we were fortunate to have a five hour dinner/meeting with Nickson in Silverthorn on Monday, October  18th.  The rest of that week was spent with Darci and I laying her bathroom floor, covering old ceramic tile.  It now is
b e a u t i f u l!!!  But I never want to do another project on my knees!!!!!!!!!!!!!! On Thursday, 10/21 my van arrived with Michelle, Nikki, and Barb bringing the best of Barb and Marlene's garage sale shopping to prepare for Darci and Greg's "extreme home makeover".  The transformation in two days was utterly amazing!!  In the midst of organizing closets and decorating, we attended Nikki's Figure Competition in Denver.  She won third in her division and second in the open!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Way to go Nikki!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Back to KC on Michelle's birthday, Sunday, 10/24.  This last week was a gorgeous week for Autumn biking and enjoying nature.  I try to skip exercise on Sunday's, except for yoga after church.  Sunday evening I went to a biking chili halloween party dressed as a generic rock star.  I may(????) upload a picture.  Today, Monday, 11/1/2010, I lifted weights, rowed, stretched, skipped swimming and walked the trails at Sh Miss Park with Barb and Annie.  I could listen to Annie tell stories all day!!  She is very descriptive and so funny!! Tomorrow, after biking to PV and Grandview, I fly to Chicago.  I have promised Leone's mother, Maxine, for over a year that I would come to visit her in Muskegon, MI.  Tomorrow is the day.  Because she loves my granola, Kolton and I made my granola tonight and I have filled up my suitcase with three big bags.  My 10 year old grandson, Kolton asked if he could help me.  I reminded him he could not tell anyone about my "secret granola recipe"!!??  He replied:  "you can trust me, grandma"!!

Michelle suggested at 10 pm tonight, (my bedtime), that I buy my own domain.  Under her tutelage I went to godaddy.com and paid $11 to do just that.  Bob did a few things and now I can type my name, marlenedebruyn.com, and it will go to this blog, the name of which I could not remember before.  I am constantly amazed at these tools!!!!!!!!!!!!