Been a while

Sorry, it's been a while but I just haven't felt like I had anything to blog about.....

After Carla passed away, all the usual stuff that I rant or talk about seemed unimportant. I felt like I needed to have a moment of Internet silence or something-it was weird....how do I post some sort of Facebook status about myself after something so horrible happened? So I didn't but like all things life continues back to normal but with a person being changed a bit now from that day forward....

So, of course, I've been riding my bike a good bit and thinking about Carla and all the good times we had(even if there were few) and enjoying the beautiful weather that Colorado has had. I've also been trying to plan this next month or so of training-like when, where, what kind-and I think I've concluded with a trip back to L.A. to get on the track and hopefully some warm weather riding.

The team has posted the racing schedule and it gets ya all excited about the year and the opportunities for greatness to come. Camp is right around the corner and I look forward to meeting all the girls and such....

I've also been doing a couple of group rides with the Colavita club team from New Mexico and have met some really cool and fun people. So the rides have been great and of course the food and camaraderie afterwards has been a barrel o laughs:)

So today is a chill day and I've been cleaning house and getting ready to head out. That's all the news from here for now....until next time...

Warm weather skiing

AHHHH! That's what this guy is saying! Thanks Brandon, for the picture:)

So we made it back from the tumultuous Tucson, actually I think they are rallying together so I correct myself....I had a great time in Tucson w/ my most awesomeness host and hostess, thank you guys! Hope I get to come back and maybe this time actually ride w/ you!

Miller is one happy pooch, when I was unpacking, he got all upset because he thought I was packing again-awww, shame! And thank goodness, it hadn't snowed at all, so no shoveling to park the truck and the roads were entirely clear of snow, so smooth sailing.

On Sunday, it was time to ski again! Whoohoo! I was excited and it was a lot warmer than last time! Last time my nose hairs froze b/c it was like in the teens or something but this time, it was almost 40-nice! I hear of one Minnesotan skiing in a T-shirt in this weather(Missy) and I totally believe it! But again, it was perfect! A good 2hrs and I was toast. Then it was time to do the usually back in town stuff: check the overflowing mail box, stock up on food(now I'm broke), take Miller for a walk.

I noticed that the classic track on the trail had turned purple! What is that all about I asked??! It is because of these tiny bugs(looks like vanilla bean ice cream to me) get pushed down into the snow and so many of them-it turns the snow to a purple color. Gross yet cool!
Just another beautiful view in the woods....

The view from an overlook, this is looking at the San Juan mountains....

Sidenote: New book-Eat, Pray, Love . I finished At Home: A Short History of Private Life two days ago and I highly recommend it!! I learned so much, like why we say "Sleep tight" or where "limelight" came from. And I'm interested in the CD, "Pickin on Coldplay: A Bluegrass Tribute" and for the first time I've watched The Colbert Report-wow that guy is funny!

Have a great day!!!

The Desert Museum

So I had the opportunity to go to the desert museum on one of my easy days and I figured I wouldn't have too many chances to do that, so here are a couple of pictures from the fun....

Since I love having my picture taken with statues.....

Beautiful views....
Hello Mr. Cactus, may I have my picture taken w/ you.....

Alrighty back to work....

Yay SEC

When State isn't in the BIG game(which is most of the time) I pull for the SEC like all other faithful SECers do and last night was no exception-good job Auburn!

I'm having a blast at my friends' house(no names for their protection), the views are amazing, the temperature is almost perfect, the house is BIG and we are all cyclists so mornings have been slow, evenings early and lots of good food.

I hear President Obama is headed to Tucson tomorrow, that should be interesting! I would like to see that but we will see.....

That's about it, I know, not too exciting;)

Crazy stuff

Not really any crazy stuff with me but crazy stuff happening here in Tucson. I'm putting in the mile's and getting my saddle time. Unfortunately crazy folks are shooting congresswomen and innocent bystanders at the grocery store!??? WTF?

So yesterday afternoon I get a phone call from mom, "All I heard was 'shooting', 'Tucson' and 'grocery store' so I just need you to text me or call to let me know you are ok?" Hind sight it is kind of funny that mom associates me with grocery stores:) hehehehe

I'm safe, no where close to that intersection but it is crazy that it happened:(

In other Lauren news(which isn't much).....

Dad sent me some deer meat from my bro's deer-YAY!

And it's official now, I've signed with Colavita/Forno D'Asolo Pro Cycling Team for 2011 and that's about it.....

Happy Sunday:)

Nordic skiing pics

These pictures are from Chicken Creek trail(in between Dolores and Mancos-check out their blog), it is so beautiful and one day we even saw a couple of elk! It really is an amazing place....

I think that day's high temp was 24 and the low that morning was -3 but by the time I finished this ski session, I had sweated so much that my hair that was exposed ended up freezing-funny.

I bet Michelle can make an awesome picture out of this!
Skis on the trail....
I'm not to great at the 'self portraits'
Trailhead.....

In other news......my latest book I'm reading: At Home by Bill Bryson, really good book about the history of the home and all it's rooms plus other facts about life in general that are pretty amazing!

Until next time....

My New Year's Eve

What did I do for New Year's Eve celebration?

1. Go nordic skiing for a couple of hours in freezing cold weather(my nose hairs froze).

2. Take Miller for a walk to the store(him playing in the snow the whole way).

3. Make pizza crust and get all the toppings ready to take to my friends' house.

4. Eat homemade pizza, drink wine and then......sauna!!!!

The fun thing about sitting in 160 degree sauna(yes, that's hot enough for me-Ms. Sweatsalot) is that when you get to hot, you run outside to -3 degree temps and sit in the snow-ahhhhhhhh, nothing like sitting outside in your towel while watching the steam just roll off of you and your friends.

Then you get cold and run back inside and all of a sudden 160 degrees feels all cozy and perfect:)

So I didn't make it till midnight, so what.....as I told everyone last night, "This is probably one of the healthiest NYE parties I've ever been a part of." Thank you to my awesome peeps....

Sauna really takes it out of you, I barely remember the walk home and falling into bed and a sweet slumber! A great way to start the new year.....

Whoa, a little close up!
Yes, the snow is above my head while sitting in a chair....
It's not a bad picture, that's just all the steam coming off everyone:)