100 Mile Century Ride to Defeat ALS

Today I got a chance to participate in another charity bike ride. The course was a big 100 mile loop around the Napa area. The weather was perfect; blue skies and nice and cool all morning. It didn't really get warm until almost mile 85. This week's ride was much faster than the ride a couple of weeks ago, as we completed the ride in about 5 hours 40 minutes, which included riding a couple of incredibly steep hills, including one at the 85 mile mark.

Our team, CyclePath KPIX Channel 5, sponsored by a local bike shop and the CBS local affiliate, rode in support of a local ALS victim, Kay.

I found out on the weekend that most people, once diagnosed, have about 3-5 years to live typically. Kay has had 7 years. I also heard, rather sadly that she was a top surgeon at a prestigious hospital in Palo Alto, and on her wedding day, she was unable to hold her bouquet. She thought it was a pinched nerve or something, went to the hospital the next day, and had tests run to fin out she had ALS. Very sad.

I have enjoyed riding with the CyclePath / KPIX team, and hopefully we will find some more events in the future.

Dianne the Olympian - NOT

The picture may be a little hard to make out so I thought I come right out and let you know that the foot and giant bag of ice belong to Dianne.

A corporate Ernst and Young "Olympic" event designed to build teamwork turned into a battle for all the older partners trying not to get injured. Dianne, thinking she was 29 or so, vaulted over, under and probably through a huge air filled obstacle. As she exited the structure, it was quickly apparent that her foot was "not quite right". Several minutes later, the ankle started to swell and it became painful to stand on.

Upon her return home, the swelling got worse and a whole lot of icing and nice wine did little to alleviate the pain. Our attempts to humor and otherwise make fun of her also did little to fix the problem, but we did have a good laugh or two.

The next morning she was still in a lot of pain, so off to the doctor she went. The prognosis was a bad sprain, but it was unusual to have a patient hit the roof after touching the affected area. Doctor's orders paraphrased, "take a whole bunch of anti-inflammatories, ice and rest the foot, and if it still really hurts in a week, come on back".

It's now a couple of days later and she appears to be on the road to recovery. As to those other partners suffering from pulled back muscles and other such ailments, we are not so sure.

Conner and Parker Swimming

Last week Conner and Parker started swim lessons. For Conner, this was the beginning of season two. Last year he worked hard on his freestyle stroke and managed to get up and down the (short) pool a couple of times. Hanging out most of the summer saw a decline in swimming skills. Luckily they are coming back pretty quickly, and as you can see in his left hand, is the long awaited ribbon for mastering the free style stroke.

Parker talked all summer about how excited he was to start swimming lessons in the fall. When the day finally arrived, it was, "thanks, but no thanks. Maybe next year will work better for me." With a little pushing a proding by a great instructor, he was in the pool, kicking his feet, blowing bubbles, and otherwise having a great time. Today he earned his first award (if you haven't figured it out from this blog, there are awards every other week or so :) ) and he was totally thrilled to have mastered floating on your back with a little help. We've told him that a little practice and he will be faster than Conner in the spring. Go Parker !

Cubbie Basketball

We finally found a team sport that Parker can join. He has spent the last couple of years following his brother to soccer, baseball and other such sporting events, only to be told he couldn't play. Well, it's Parker's turn now. The town of Danville sponsors basketball lessons for 3 year olds and so we were quick to sign him up. It's totally parent run, but perfect for most of the kids including Parker. At 45 minutes, it's probably 10 minutes too long, but fun is had by all for the first 35 minutes.

I haven't told Parker yet, but his genetics are definately against him for pursuing basketball more than the next couple years. He doesn't seem to care at this point, and it's fun to get out and let him run around and have Conner watch for once.

Conner's First Story of the Greek Gods

In school, they are encouraging kids to write free form and Conner seems to be having a great time telling stories. His first story of Zeus.

one day thir was a linetning palas it had shimaring gold linetig bolts on the sides it was colld Mt. Olimpis it was Zueses pales he was the god of lineting his wife was helen thay had a lot of the gods and godessis and thay had the strogest wepen in the werld it was the master bold the bold was gold it cuud desroe eneyone hoo gets hit by it

Parker Visits Grandma

Friday afternoon was a big day for Parker. He found out a couple days earlier that Grandma was going to pick him up from pre-school just before lunch so that he could be wined and dined and otherwise have a great time with Grandma all afternoon. Bags were backed with swim stuff just in case the weather warmed up a little.

Didn't get all the details except that he can't wait to have another Grandma adventure and making cookies sure was fun.

Never did get in that swim, but I don't think it mattered!

Kira Turns 17 - Yikes!

How can Dianne and I be so young, and have a 17 year old daughter??

Kira had a relaxing day hanging with Mom and the boys. Special treat dinner was Kira's favorite, sushi, from her favorite restaurant, Sakura's. http://www.themenupage.com/sakura.html

A low key birthday party with cake and truffles followed by gifts Kira could truly appreciate; gas cards and car wash coupons. Oh yeah, we paid for her upcoming trip to London over Xmas too :).