Getting some Exercise.....

Well, I have recently started riding my bike to work in the mornings. After stepping on the scale and gradually seeing the numbers rise, I decided that I needed to get a little more exercise. I really don't care for going on walks, and running is even worse. I also don't care for working out to a video (ie. Tae Bo, Biggest Loser Workout etc...). And I am totally not motivated enough to go to a gym. The one type of exercise that I actually enjoy is riding my bike. So, a couple weeks ago I decided that I would start riding my bike to work in the mornings.

The direct trip to work is only about .5 miles and an extremely easy ride, so instead I decided to take a round about way to work. The trip that I take has a fairly steep hill, and some other gradual hills with a little bit of downhill coasting. My guess is that it is about 2 miles. It is not a long bike ride by any stretch of the imagination, but it gets my heart beating and gets me some exercise.

By riding my bike I have discovered a few things:

1. I am totally out of shape. Even the small hills seem to kick my butt. They make me pant like a dog and grimace as though I am in extreme pain. I can only imagine what people think when they drive by me and see me. I am sure some laugh, and I am sure others feel sorry for me. Hopefully as time goes by this will get easier, but for right now that short ride is messing me up.

2. Even though the ride is tough and I seem a little tired after I get off the bike, overall I have more energy throughout the day. It is amazing what a little exercise can do for your energy level. It really doesn't seem to make sense that I expend energy and in return I am more energized, but that is how it works. I could lay on the couch sleeping all day and still be sleepy, or I can get out and get some exercise and be energized.

3. I should have done this long ago. Riding my bike, getting the exercise and realizing how it makes me feel good has made me realize that I should have done this long ago. I should have had more initiative to get out and ride my bike years ago. Perhaps if I had done so I would be so out of shape now, I wouldn't be panting like a dog or grimacing in apparent pain. Perhaps if I would have started this years ago this would be even more enjoyable for me.

So, there it is. I have begun what will probably be a lifelong regimen of exercise in riding my bike. In the future, as this 2 mile ride becomes easier, I will be changing things up a little bit. Perhaps I will share my accomplishments with you. For those of you that know Morenci, you know that there are some pretty killer hills in Morenci. Some day I will conquer those hills and I will let you know how it goes.

The weather is BEAUTIFUL!

It is no surprise to most that I am excited about this beautiful weather we have been having lately. The Winter and Spring were, well.... interesting this year in Arizona. This was the wettest Winter/Spring that I have experienced in the almost 7 years I have lived here. It seemed like every weekend it was cold and rainy. All the rain, cold weather, and gray days really put a damper on my mood. But the last 2 weeks have been Sunny and Warm.

I am excited about this weather for many reasons:

1. My Garden has been tilled and planted. I still have a few things to plant to finish off the garden, but it is mostly completed.

2. I get to watch things grow. It is exciting to me to see things grow. My Apricot tree has apricots and that is exciting. The lettuce and radishes in my garden have sprouted, that is exciting. The miniature rose bush is getting very full and starting to bud, that is exciting. Watching things grow is exciting.

3. I can get other work done outside, like mowing the lawn. Call me crazy, but I actually enjoy doing yard work. When the yard looks nice, I can take pride in that accomplishment. It also gives me a mental break from anything else that may be going on.

4. I can ride my bike again. It has been a while since I got out and rode my bike, but I have decided now is the time to get some exercise. I started riding my bike to work last week. This week has been hard because I have been transporting Keaton back and forth to School, but I plan on getting back on my bike later this week.

5. I can play with the kids outside. I don't do this as much as I should, but I do enjoy getting outside with the kids. The kids got a Power Wheels for Christmas this past year, and it is fun to walk with them while they drive the car around the block.

6. The beautiful weather puts me in a good mood. The sun is a wonderful thing. Not only does it give us light and warmth, but it also improves our mood. I find that getting outside and just letting the sun hit my face for a few minutes improves my mood significantly.

7. Sun-tan. I love it when Tracy has a little bit of a sun-tan on her face. It just accentuates her beauty and makes me appreciate the sunshine.

SO, what are some of your reasons for being excited about AWESOME weather? Leave me a comment and let me know.

Quotes from Easter Weekend

I just wanted to share with you a few quotes from this weekend. Some of the things that really stuck out in my mind.

• "I look forward to this every year" - at Easterfest.
• "I see you do this for the community every year, this is great." - at Easterfest
• "My Kids had a BLAST!" - at Easterfest

• "You almost, almost made me cry" - at Easter Service
• "Singing the Old Rugged Cross brought tears to my eyes" - at Easter Service