~- Hello Daly -~

Who's Really the Smart Cat?

2012-02-19T17:34:00.000-08:00

Havi, our calico cat is really smart. She figured out this Go Cat Go Play-N-Treat toy. Although it is challenging, she's diligent about playing with her new toy because it rewards her by dispensing treats that I've placed inside. Now, instead of being handed treats after meowing and begging me in the kitchen she plays and works for her reward. Our other cat, Elgy, who is sitting motionless in

Week in Review

2012-02-18T16:29:00.000-08:00

During the week, I jog during lunch. Trying to build my speed and endurance to hopefully compete in a series of duathlons. The first one is in June. On weekdays I usually run on the treadmill but on Friday, I ran through a nearby park instead. It's amazing how much time flies and miles go by when you're distracted by the outdoors! At least someone enjoyed the snow and built a snowman...and

Walking In A Winter Wonderland

2012-02-18T15:52:00.000-08:00

When we came back from John's race in Folsom, CA, the sky was clear, sunny, and blue the next day. We took advantage of the gorgeous day and rode our bikes together making a loop around Damonte Ranch. It's a newer and popular neighborhood in Reno with plenty of walking and bike paths. The area is on the opposite side of the foothills in south Reno and terrain is rather flat with beautiful

Season Kickoff with the 2012 Folsom Criterium

2012-02-15T12:28:00.000-08:00

Saturday was the kickoff for John's road bike racing season with a strong start at the Folsom Criterium. Since the race venue was just two hours away, we drove down early Saturday morning to Folsom, CA. I think he felt pretty good that day because he was off the front a few times. Then it was a sprint to the finish and John came in second in the Men's Cat 4 right after his teammate, Mike, who

My Lucky Day

2012-02-11T12:24:00.001-08:00

When was a little girl I use to sit in a field of grass near our house picking through the cluster of clovers in hopes of spotting a lucky four leaf clover. Today must be my day.

Latest Grub

2012-02-09T17:23:00.000-08:00

Since changing our diet to plant-based foods, we seldom have the chance to eat out (I call our meals "the five Ss" but I'll have to share the details in another post). Once in a while it is nice to give the kitchen a break so we have ventured into a few more new-to-us places. One morning John and I stopped at My Favorite Muffin and Bagel Café near downtown Reno for a cup of coffee and, of course

Feline Dysuria

2012-02-09T11:05:00.000-08:00

I took Elgy to the vet this morning. She was having trouble urinating and when she did, it was only a few drops. She doesn't cry or appear to strain when she's using the litter box. John and I noticed her squatting on dirty laundry and at the bottom step of their kitty jungle (I suppose that's how she tells us something is wrong is to show us in plain sight). She'll be at the vet for most of

Hello, Endurance - Are You There?

2012-02-07T20:49:00.000-08:00

Last year I rode 520 miles on my bike in the month of January alone. I didn't realize how many miles that was until I looked at the 74 miles I logged this January. If it weren't for the group ride with the Procrastinating Pedalers on New Year's Day and Saturday rides with my husband, it would have looked like I hung up my bike for good. It's true I haven't gone cycling that much...and even when

By the Campfire

2012-02-03T18:55:00.000-08:00

Come closer...and let me tell you a scary little ghost story.

Morning Walk

2012-02-01T07:44:00.000-08:00

I traded in my $400 annual parking pass to garage my car a little further off campus and either walk or ride a shuttle to the grounds. Or when the weather warms up, I would also have the option to ride my bicycle from home. I've paid more for parking in the past so the cost wasn't my primary motivation for giving up the privilege of parking on campus. It's just that I drive to work and leave

Daily Words

2012-01-10T21:52:00.000-08:00

This caught my eye when I pulled the car into the garage this evening. :)

Sweet Sunday

2012-01-09T21:50:00.000-08:00

Since I rode with John on Saturday, I stayed home the next day to catch up on things at home. Before John went on a training ride with his team, he made us this Beet and Carrot Smoothie (many listed on the page are delicious). Then I made this salad of Avocado with Bell Peppers and Tomatoes for lunch. It's really delicious and tastes like guacamole except with a crunch from the peppers. It

Creative Cat

2012-01-09T21:26:00.000-08:00

I used left over wall paper as a runner for this cabinet in the living room but I think Elgy finishes the look. It's a perfect perching spot for her to look out the window and chirp at birds.

Lights, Camera, Action

2012-01-09T21:14:00.000-08:00

Elgy: Cat Book End in Training When I came through the door this evening, John was hanging lights. Finally the strings of white bulbs are off the floor and on the wall. You'll have to forgive the mess. I left my bag and things all around when I got home. Elgy: Princess on the Pillow The lights provide just enough illumination for when we watch movies. It was a lot of work. Good work

Goals

2012-01-04T09:18:00.000-08:00

“The best opportunities in life are the ones we create. Goal setting provides for you the opportunity to create an extraordinary life." -Gary Blair

A Teeny Tiny Project

2012-01-02T15:55:00.001-08:00

I'm a visual learner and somtimes need visual cues so I tend to spread those things out...to help remind of the items that need tending to like...projects! Now John is the tidy person in our family and "clutter" bugs him so he HAS to do something about it. I suspect these string of lights will be off the floor and on the wall where they should be. ;) Mission complete (and I can check this

My husband is THE Sandwich King

2012-01-02T13:28:00.001-08:00

Egg White Separating Contest

2012-01-01T21:42:00.000-08:00

John has been doing almost all of the cooking since we moved to Reno so he's in the kitchen quite often (he's actually a pretty good cook!). The other day he mentioned that he discovered a better way to separate the egg whites from the yolk by shaking it and allowing the white to seep through the cracked shell of the egg. I thought he was on to something with his idea so I dared him to compete in

New Year's Day Ride with Pedalers

2012-01-01T21:00:00.000-08:00

I had a GREAT 27-mile bike ride this afternoon with the Procrastinating Pedalers. We rode West of Reno through Mogul to Verdi and back. The route meandered by the Truckee River, skimmed along the California stateline and looped near Boomtown before we back tracked towards our meeting place. Except for our conversations, everything was so quiet around us with very little traffic which I took

Farewell 2011

2012-01-01T11:00:00.000-08:00

My last journal entry for the year was to answer the question, "What was my most cherished memory of the year?". It's tough to single out one particular memory as I look back upon the year. Starting with the New Year's Day bike ride, dinners with friends, my first road bike race and I went on to compete in two more, watching John cross the finish line first in a road race (he'll never forget),

Paying It Forward

2011-12-31T23:16:00.000-08:00

I year ago I made a pact to give a gift (whether it is to a stranger or to a friend) that is handmade by me sometime in the year of 2011. The gift is not an exchange but paid forward to the first person who responded to my post when I made the promise. I just finished my project today and it's all wrapped up and ready to go in the mail. The bow will probably be crushed in the mail. That too,

Best Friends

2011-12-30T19:34:00.000-08:00

John sent these photos today. There are two cat beds by the office window which looks out to the front of the house but they like to cuddle together. Near the bay window of the kitchen, they hang out together on their cat gym and observe the golfers and birds in the back yard. Even though there are three levels to the cat gym, they perch together on one. Either they are best friends or

Rancho San Rafael Park

2011-12-29T21:38:00.000-08:00

During lunch my co-worker and I took a brisk walk to the Rancho San Rafael Park across the street. It was a nice day and so there were others enjoying the outdoors...families and people walking their dogs. It is here that the annual hot air balloon race takes place and so I look forward to seeing that in person this coming year. From one of the hilltops, I can see all the peaks of the

What Motivates You to Change?

2011-12-28T10:15:00.000-08:00

Change is hard and sometimes the fear of moving forward is what keeps us where we are. Then I read that, "[...] true change happens when the fear of staying where you are finally overshadows the fear of moving forward." Source: Daily Worth (http://s.tt/12Xmd) What change will you make today?

One Tank

2011-12-20T19:53:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow it will be a full month since the last time I filled up the gas tank of my car (which was November 21) and there is still some fuel left. My drive to work is five miles each way on surface streets. Sometimes I take the freeway which is about 9 miles one-way because the route isn't direct. Now that I am off from work for several days, I won't be driving my car for a while. Nice.