ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL????

My nephew is playing football and I finally made it to a game. Here are some pics from that game yesterday. Sadly, they got beat, but they played hard. He is #17.



That's my brother-in-law there on the left. He helps coach.

Just Some Random Pics Take 9-22-07

View from my hotel @ the Beach

Here are a few pics from the hotel. These were taken this morning before we headed out to come home. It was so beautiful - made it hard to come home.
Hope you enjoy.

Beach Weekend - MS Bike Ride (Warning - Quite Long - sorry)

Well, I am home safe and sound from my bike ride @ that beach. My cousin, Sherry Cooper went with me. We left Friday morning and had a good drive down to Myrtle Beach. We stopped in Conway to see her brother, Mike.
After we found the hotel and got checked in, we headed back out to Broadway @ The Beach to check out all the festivities and get checked in. Sherry was there as my support! We ate dinner @ the dinner tent there. It was really pretty good. There was different pastas and salad.
I met a fellow Wachovian and I think he took pitty on me. I'm clueless about stuff. When we got back to the hotel, he checked over my bike and put air in my tires, etc. This was really nice of him and I really appreciate it.
I got up Saturday morning @ 6am and got my bike loaded back up and headed out to Broadway to check in and get ready to ride. I headed out with the 75 mile riders. I think we peddled out about 8am. Somewhere around that time. Of course about the time we started the rain started. Not bad though and then it stopped as we got into the ride. I made it the first rest stop about 6.5-7 miles in. Got off, stretched, drank some gatorade had some orange slices, and back on the bike. No sooner did I start peddling again that the rain started pouring! I was soaked. Oh well. It was still fun. Made it to the next rest stop and it had stopped raining. Got off stretched, walked around, drank, snacks.... and back on the road. Turned the corner and there was the BIG hill/bridge into Conway! OMG! I just put my head down and peddled slowly up the hill - I MADE IT! I was really excited about that. I don't remember how much farther I got before I felt something that didn't feel right and heard this sound. Flat tire! Just my luck! I was so upset! I was only about 18 miles or so into the ride and thought I was done! Thankfully my flat was in an area where there were sidewalks. I got off and waited on the sidewalk for Sag support. They finally got there, picked me up and took me down to the next rest stop, where thankfully there were bike shop people set up and they were able to replace my tire! AWESOME! I was really excited about that b/c I thought I was done for the day and maybe the weekend! So, while they fixed my tire, I had some snacks and gatorade and then I headed back out on the road again. This time it was REALLY busy. I don't remember what road/highway it was. I was by myself, just peddling and praying the cars didn't get too close. Finally I made it to the 4th rest stop. Somewhere out in "no-whereville". ha/ha Again the same - I had my bike checked over and had some gatorade, ate some oranges, bathroom break. I was feeling really good. I could handle this. Stopping every so many miles with a chance to get off and move around, stretch, etc. Yes, I could do this.
Okay, so I get back on my bike and start heading further into "no-whereville" and I get chased by my first (and only) dog. Yep. BIG BLACK dog, barking fiercely! Oh my! Y'all know I love dogs, but he was really kinda scary. I think I just kinda closed my eyes and kept on peddling hoping he wouldn't come out into the road! He stopped! Whew! Close one. So there I am all alone just peddling. My back side was really starting to not feel so good and my tail bone was KILLING me! I would try to stand up and stretch, etc. I was still thinking I could make the 75 miles, but my body starting screaming....NOOOOOOOOoooo! ha/ha! My feet started cramping and I thought, "uh-oh". I finally saw way off in the distance something that looked like it might be the rest stop (#5). I was like just get to that point. Hopefully that's the next rest stop. And YES it was! I stopped, grabbed some lunch and drink, took a bathroom break and I noticed there was a truck getting loaded up with bikes and a big luxury bus. Hmmm. I better go ahead and listen to my aching bones and call it a day. It was 37 miles! woo-hoo! I was disappointed, but excited too! That's the most I've ever ridden. I went and got on that air conditioned bus and waited for some more riders to trickle in (that's right! I was NOT the last one to make it into that rest stop!). Then we finally headed out back to Broadway. I was still feeling pretty good and felt that I could ride the next day and was fully planning on it. My shoes were still squishy wet from the rain. I would have to sit them out on the balcony to dry out.
I loaded my bike up, and headed back to the hotel to shower, etc. Sherry was sitting out on the beach so I joined her for a few minutes and then we came in to get ready to go eat.
Well, by the time we left to go eat, I was really starting to feel some pain. After dinner, I had to stop and get some Icy Hot! I've just about gone through the whole tube! ha/ha!
I'm sorry to say that I was not able to make it out to the ride Sunday morning. There was just no way I could lift my leg over my bike or put my rear end down on the seat!
Nope, wasn't happening! I headed up to the hot tubs @ the hotel Sunday afternoon and soaked and soaked! It felt really good! I am feeling better, but I still have some pain. It was worth it though. This was really an awesome event! I think there were close to or over 2,000 riders!
I do hope to be able to ride again next year and hopefully can make it further. Thanks to all of you for your support, whether financial or prayers. It is very much appreciated!
I wish I had some pictures, but I was afraid to try and carry my camera with me. Hopefully there will be some uploaded to the MS website soon.
This was really alot of fun. Thanks again y'all!

Sleep Study

Well, I had my sleep study done last night. I won't find out the results for a couple of weeks though. I was actually really excited, thinking I was going to get a pretty good night's sleep. NOT. I wish I had taken my camera to get a picture of me all "wired" up! I had electrodes all over my head, on my face, my neck, my legs.
I was SO tired and as soon as they turned the lights out I felt like I was wide awake! LOL
But I probably fell asleep within 20 minutes! I don't know if I'll get to see the video, but I'm sure it's a "good" one!
One good thing, I apparently don't stop breathing during my sleep as they didn't have to wake me up to hook me up to the CPAP machine.
I'll post what I find out when I go back to the doctor for the results.
Later.

Trip to Atlanta

So, Steph, Russell, his mom and Maw Maw went to Atlanta this past weekend to catch an Atlanta Braves Game! I think they all had a ball. Here are some pictures from their trip.

Here is a view from thier seats:

And here is one of Steph, Karen and Maw Maw enjoying the game:

I think they all had fun. They road the Marta from the hotel to the game and back. I'm glad they're all home safe and sound though.

MS Bike Ride - Breakaway to the Beach 2007

Well, my BIG bike ride is next weekend! I'm really looking forward to it.
If you haven't had a chance, click on the "donate" link on my blog and go to my MS website to donate to this worthy cause!
I will report on the outcome of my ride and how many miles I actually make it through! :)

I have to go Monday night for a sleep study. I've been feeling really tired and sleepy for a long time (always wanting to sleep), so I went to the doctor and he sent me to a sleep doc.
I've been having to keep a sleep diary. I've been told that I snore. Well, Steph says I do. ha/ha
My dad has sleep apnea and has to sleep with one of those machines.
All I know is that I'm tired of being tired, ya know?

I can't wait to get my scrapbook room finished up so I can start working on pictures again! I have a ton to work on!

I had to go through some pics the other night, looking for a baby picture of Steph for her year book! I still can't believe the girl will be graduating soon! I found some great pictures though that I need to scan and put on here and then I need to scrapbook them.
I just wish I could go back and hold on to her a little longer, ya know?
Those of you with small children, just take a moment and hold them close. They grow up so fast. The years have flown by. I'm so very proud of her and love her so much. We have our "trying" moments though. LOL

Well, I guess that's about all I've got for now. I've got to get in the bed. I can't take any naps tomorrow! I guess so I'll be good and TIRED Monday night for my study! I sure will be!

Here are some more pics from Valle Crucis