Halloween Ride

This year we decided to do something different for Halloween. A few years ago we switched from going trick or treating to passing out candy. My son got older & Halloween took on a new face. We made a tradition of getting pumpkins and having a carving contest every year. We set the pumpkins out front and passed out candy to all the kiddos trick or treating. We asked the kids and parents which pumpkin they liked most and secretly tallied them for a winner.

Fake carveable pumpkins my team made @ work.
They are so creative. One made a barbie sticking out and the pumpkin said 12:01 am for Cinderella.
The bat won the contest.
(black cat courtesy of neighbor)

 This year we began a new tradition, a Halloween ride. We rode around the neighborhood to see all the houses done up in true Halloween style. It was fun to be out and about and to see all the little ones running around in their costumes. I especially love the parents that get dressed up too. True family fun.

There were a few houses that really went all out. The neighbors on the corner created a small tunnel for the kids to go thru to get there candy. I loved the bright skeleton on the other house. We really enjoyed our ride and will probably do it again. We can take candy on our ride to hand out next time.

I would love to hear how you spent your Halloween.

A Taste of Fall for Halloween

These last few days the weather has been fabulous! When I first moved to Florida you could almost guarantee a cool night by the time Halloween rolled around. The last few years it has stayed warm just about all year. I live here for a reason, same reason as most Florida transients, to get away from the freezing cold and snow. That doesn't mean I don't enjoy a little cool down around the holidays. In fact, I look forward to fire pit nights, scarves, hats, and boots.

It's a little warmer today than it has been the last few days and my favorite weather gal, Megan, says it will be warmer this weekend. At least I got a few days of fall weather for Halloween.

Happy Halloween!

Sunday Fun Day On The Trails

When the hubby asked if I wanted to spend our Sunday fun day riding at the park I was a bit apprehensive. That last ride was fun but scary in a not so good way. I am so glad we went back out today. I stayed off the inner tree covered trails and on the wider multi-use trails. It was a lot of fun. There are some sugary sand spots where bike "drifting" is a blast! Along the ride we found a beautiful spot for a break.

Oh my gosh!! Is that how dorky we look getting our drink on during a ride. Hahahaha! We saw a lot of horses out and hikers with their dogs. It was a gorgeous day! The breeze was fantastic! We rode around the park twice then I snagged some sunshine while Jason went on a harder trail. When he got back we went by the in-laws and rode around the neighborhood. My mother in law just got her bike fixed and is going to start riding with us so some 'hood test rides are a necessity. That and a new seat, her current one is terrible and let's face it...a place you want to be comfy.

It was a great day of riding with 1430 calories burned. I'll take it. Watching our laps and intervals improve will be so satisfying. In fact, I am enjoying it so much I invested in a road bike. I will use it to teach the girls (dogs) to run along side a bike and to tool around the area. Fl living rocks!!

My Fitness Fail ...

Or success depending on how you look at it. This past weekend I went for my first official trail ride. I've owned my mountain bike for several years but until recently the hubs only had a BMX so we stayed on the roads while riding together. Now that we both have mbikes we are taking on trail riding. 

My 1st Trail Ride

We rode with a friend of ours who rides often. We counted on DMB to be our guide, funny little story..we got lost!!

DMB insisted on meeting at the Alafia River State Park by 8:30 am. On a weekday, no problem but on a Saturday, you get this...

"Are you serious? The sun isn't even up yet!"

Easy fix, a cup or two of coffee and I am feeling a bit more ready for this exciting adventure.

We made it on time, unloaded the bikes and got ready to roll...

Me and the hubs in our silly gear!

      Me and DMB

The plan was to ride the "Easy Loop" which is a beginner trail. We got going and were having a great time. The weather was just right. The swamp lands offered a canopy of trees to keep us shaded and the trails weren't too bad despite some recent rain. There was a section of the park closed due to flooding. Once you get back in the woods it is easy to get lost. 

Tip: There is room at every sign to pull off the trail, check your map, and take your intended route. Take the time to do this so you don't get stuck on a trail you may not be ready for. I speak from experience!

Here is a copy of the map. Remember, we were only planning to do the "green" Easy Loop.

We had no problem sticking to the green "Sand Pine" but after that is where we went wrong..

We ended up on Rock Garden.

The blue wasn't too bad and if I could have breathed at this point it would have been a lot of fun. Unfortunately for me, I am allergic to all the wonders of Florida. Being in a swamp land, heavily breathing in all those wonderful and earthy things gave me a heck of a time. I wasn't prepared for this aspect of my ride. Next time I will be dosed up on histamine blockers with inhaler in tow.

Aside from giving the hubs the scare of his life, he thought I was going to pass out and stop breathing, we had such a great time. He said he would see something coming up and think "oh she is going to wipe out and I am going to laugh" and then I would make it. I laughed... he has no idea how insanely competitive I am. Even being unable to breathe, I finished! I had to walk a few times to get the oxygen I needed but dang it...I am NOT a quitter..I finished.

After we got back to the truck, I decided it would be best for me to sit the next trail out. I didn't realize we had done two trails already. I just knew our ride was 3 miles and 45 minutes long. I am looking forward to next time.

As DMB and hubs went to ride the next trail I found a relaxing spot in the back of the truck to rest. Note to self: always leave life jackets in car, they make great pillows.

And of course our dirty proof..

I really enjoyed this ride. Yesterday I found some new parks to ride at over by the beaches. Until next time...

Where is your favorite place to ride?
Do you have any "lost" stories from your own rides?

Misery Loves Company

I've been writing a book that has a lot to do with forgiveness. I'm at a chapter that discusses people who are miserable, how they act differently and how they aren't happy unless everyone is miserable right along with them. I couldn't wait to share this epiphany so here goes...

(No worries - the book entry is much different so it will still be fresh)

Misery loves company! I am sure we all know someone who is miserable in life. The sad thing for these folks is they weren't always like this but some thing, or maybe a few things, didn't go their way in life and they can't see anything but negativity now. It's even worse when they have an enabling friend. You know the one, that loser who doesn't have anything better to do themselves then to fuel the fire! It's so sad really.

Misery is an emotion, plain and simple, and if this emotion is allowed to stick around it begins to change a person. It doesn't have to be that way. Misery is not an ailment, it's not a tangible thing. It's as simple to beat as "seeing the brighter side" and at times even learning from the miserable experience.

I know a few miserable people, unfortunately I work with a few too, and one thing that seems common is they all have this "woe is me" attitude. They take zero responsibility for living in misery. They always find someone else or some place to blame.

Let's look at a miserable person just in case you aren't sure if you are in the company of misery.
*They will find something wrong with EVERYTHING!
*They are rarely appreciative of anything!
*They LOVE to argue with you but they don't see it as arguing because of course that would mean they had to really see themselves the way others do.
*They MUST have the last word!
*On social media sites, when everyone else is posting positive and happy posts Misery is the one who posts something ugly and negative.
*The one who always complains about being sick.
*The one who hides behind faith (a.k.a. the hypocritical Christian) - because a true christian would not conduct themselves in such an appalling manner.
*The one who grasps at straws to 'beat you down' because, let's face it, your success upsets them.

How many of you read the above bullets, shaking your head yes the entire time? Probably most of you - even if you are misery because another aspect of this is the irony that misery is sooooooooo miserable they are in denial. They can't see what they have become.

So, how do you make sure you don't become Misery's company? Here are a few tips:
√ When someone tries to rain on your parade, ask yourself why they are so miserable. Have compassion for the poor soul, then run like hell in the other direction. Misery is never a friend!!
√ If someone tries to bring you down, force yourself to see the brighter side and be sure to verbalize that brighter side to Misery.
√ Avoid arguing with Misery. No matter how ignorant Misery is, misery will never admit to it so there is no point in relinquishing your emotional intelligence to such folk.

A few real life examples:
Misery - usually misery has been through some rough patches in life. They get married numerous times only to be alone again. They think they keep picking the wrong person rather than realizing they are the cause. When they finally do find the love of their life, they can't appreciate it because they are miserable people and accepting love would allow happiness in. They have some health issues. Instead of fighting like a warrior and realizing positivity and strength of mind will help them get thru it, they complain about it not being fair, why me, how am I supposed to overcome this.

As opposed to someone who is not misery:
They've also been through some tough patches in life but instead of letting it take over, they see it as a life challenge or lesson that has made them a better version of themselves.
They see multiple marriages as a learning curve, they were just learning what they didn't want so when the right one came along they were able to appreciate all the wonderful things the person brings to their lives together.
They are suffering from a terrible disease but they never complain about it. They hide their pain and suffering so others don't worry. They see every small improvement as a 'win' instead of focusing on the what they still have to overcome.

I think you guys get it by now. Don't let Misery be your company & watch out for those enablers. They are evil people feeding such negativity. See those enablers need someone to be or feel smaller than them. It feeds their ridiculous need to spark misery in others so they can feel "better than" someone else. They are truly miserable as well but they are so high and mighty they will never realize it. Enablers are also not friends!

If you thought of some people you know that fit the misery mold, run, run, run. You won't change them and they are not a very good person or friend. You won't be missing them. If it's a family member then try to help them see the good in their lives but be careful not to get sucked into their miserable existence. I am thankful for all the trials and tribulations I've experienced in life so far. I am a much better person today for having gone through them. Without the mistakes of my past, I would not be where I am today. Today I am someone who loves my life. Sure, there are things I am working to change, but that's just it..I am working to change them and will be an even better person than I am today. Misery was always a better person "then" not "now".