Summer 2011

Alex started summer camp "The Game of Village" in Nelson yesterday and I received positive reviews! She is headed into 5 weeks of creating a village with 15 other kids on an acre of land. The create a "peep" and build a town, which as I understand it includes democratically plotting the land, claiming a homestead and establishing government, including rules and infastructure. What a cool thing, making being a community member seem like fun play. Maybe we'll have a chance!

I'm riding 150 miles in two weeks for Cystic Fibrosis, been training hard actually feel ready for once! My girlfriends, Deb, Katie, Carol and Heather all rode 75 miles on Monday and besides being incredibly hot, I think we were rockstars!

Steve is getting his new crusier this week. He is pretty excited about that!

The Training begins....officially

I have been gearing up for my big endeavor since the beginning of February, however, my training schedule actually starts tomorrow, March 1st. Tomorrow I am scheduled to ride 8 miles. I'm so excited that today I rode for 2 hours and made it 27.69 miles. It was shear agony! Tomorrow will be a breeze, unless, of course my rear is so sore that 8 miles will feel like 80...and still that would leave another 20 miles to complete.

Again...I ask myself, what have I done?

Love you,
trish

Fundraiser kickoff...

My girlfriends and I had a jewelry party today to kick off our fundraising for Diabetes. We had a great turnout, approximately 30 people in my house today. My girlfriend, Katy, sells Silpada jewelry and is going to donate all her commissions from the sales to the ride in May. I'm excited and terrified all at once. I think to myself, this is such a cool think and then OMG What have I done???

We took suggestions for our team name and it was unanimous, we are the Cycling Sista's.

Grams and Gramps called me Friday night to find out about the ride and say how cool they thought it was, boy does that make me feel good. Greg sent Diane to the jewelry party and told her to spend as much money as she wanted as it was going to a great cause and they want to support me! I am blessed to have such a supportive family.

My Life

Well it certainly has been a while. My friend OB has reminded me that it is important to share even if it is remotely! I miss you all who follow this blog.

What has happened? Well we barely survived the imfamous power outage in NH which is now old news since Kentucky suffered a harrowing 4 day power outage in the last week. We were out of power in Greenfield for 9 days (but that was only after Trish hunted the PSNH guys down - found that the foreman was Steve's uncle) and low and behold we had power that day). Good thing cause I tell ya, Trish without a regular shower is like Bonzo the Clown on Big Top day!!! The hair, it was just EVERYWHERE!!!!

My sweet Steve, he was/is working double time between the "State of Emergency" and budget season. But he never falters, he just snores louder!

My adorable (but not for long child) Alexandra, is skiing like the wind. Amazing! Three lessons into the season and I watched her fly over every jump on the green/easy run Sunday like a pro! So fun to watch such a confident child. She started snowshoe club this morning at 8:00 (nothing like a little excersie before school). She is getting ready to get back to tennis next month. She tolerates school and has good friends. Life is good for the 3rd grader! Next month 9 years old!!!!!
She wants a Star Wars party theme! Imagine that.

Me. Well I may have bitten off the biggest challenge of my life. I have decided to ride my first "Century". A 100 mile bike ride. On May 31, 2009 I will ride my first 100 mile bike ride to raise money for Diabetes in honor of my father, grandfather and aunt. My dear friends Michelle Klint and Annette Taylor will ride with me as a team. We have not picked a team name yet, so if you have any suggestions I'd love to hear them. When we get into the full swing of things I hope you can throw me a couple bucks. It's a great cause and a huge challenge but I'm totally excited! I've had a passion for riding my whole life. I think this is a fitting cause since Dad bought me my first "real" bike, which I will actually ride for this challenge. I love my Dad, I don't know how he keeps it under control, but I will not be the next Goff to suffer this disease. I rode 14 miles today and it wiped me out but I still have 4 months to prepare!!! God help me, PLEASE!

I love you all. Be well and stay safe, for now....love trish

Sky Ventures Birthday

This was my birthday adventure with Steve & Alex. It was so cool!

Thankful

I had an experience yesterday that stopped me in my tracks. I am often so focused on what I WANT I forget how blessed I am. God has blessed me in many ways, just to breathe forget about having a brand new beautiful home. I met a family yesterday who have very little (they're not going to go sky diving for their birthday) they are not driving a new car, their house is a camper, any heat they have will go right out the window this winter, they have 3 children to feed! It is their reality, they are good people just in a different place.

I received this from a friend today and it was so fitting to my thoughts today I wanted to share it with you that I love!

"Do not ask the Lord to guide your footstep if you're not willing to move your feet!!

I am thankful:

For the wife who says it's hot dogs tonight, because she is home with me, and not out with someone else.

For the husband who is on the sofa being a couch potato, because he is home
with me and not out at the bars.

For the teenager who is complaining about doing dishes because it means she
is at home, not on the streets.

For the taxes I pay because it means I am employed.

For the mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded
by friends.

For the clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough
to eat.

For my shadow that watches me work because it means I am out in the
sunshine.

For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that
need fixing because it means I have a home.

For all the complaining I hear about the government because it means we
have freedom of speech.

For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it
means I am capable of walking and I have been blessed with transportation.

For my HUGE heating bill because it means I am warm.

For the lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means I can
hear.

For the pile of laundry and ironing because it means I have clothes to
wear.

For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I
have been capable of working hard.

For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means I
am alive.

And finally, for too much e-mail because it means I have friends who are
thinking of me.

Live well, Laugh often, & Love with all of your heart."

I know we all have our personal strife's, please take a moment to really be reminded of your blessings, start with I love you! Remember there is no other blessing more important than love. If you can love, you can live. Isn't it interesting how caught up we can be in the "big" things in life?

I simply love you all and thank you for loving me back!

trish

Thanks for all the calls yesterday. I had a very nice birthday. We had dinner with Mom and Dad Saturday night, cake was the highlight.

Sunday, Steve and Alex took me to Sky Ventures in Nashua, NH and we experienced the exhileration of flight (simulated skydiving in a wind tunnel) IT WAS AWESOME! check this out, they have a wind tunnell inside which can produce wind up to 200 miles per hour! With the help of a flight instructor, you get to fly! We each had 2 minutes and it was WORTH IT! I cannot wait to go back.

Hope you all have a wonderful day. As soon as I get pictures, I will post them for you!

love trish