Give Me your Best Shot Friday! GOLF

WE went to the driving range in Hadley yesterday.  Steve is an amazing golfer.  Since we have been together he hasn't focused on his golf game as much because we go to running races on the weekends, and waterskiing on the boat seems to keep us so busy golf has taken a back seat.  But we have been a few times, I played at the Phoenician when we were in Arizona, and we played with Alex in Clifton Park, NY.  Steve has played a few times with friends, but that is about it.  It is one thing that we have on the list and really want to try and fit into our lives at some point.  Until then, we try to get out to the driving range.  I bought some beautiful Callaway Clubs for myself and a set of clubs for Schuyler, hoping he would get into playing as well.  My golf bag and golf shoes are just adorable!  It is funny, but that was really fun to pick out --- they have such great stuff for women.

I love to SMASH the ball.  Steve was pretty amazed, but then again my athletic talent and strength -- along with my stick and ball skills translated well when I held a golf club.  It is truly a joy to get all lined up, understand the mechanics and hit the "sweet spot" and watch that little ball sail into the sky!  Steve is an amazing coach.  As an engineer he sees the mechanics of the swing and replicates it in himself, he studies the top golfers like Ben Hogan --- and has truly become an amazing golfer.  His skill in hitting the ball is a beauty to watch.  :)  And I love to take his photo so he can see each part of the golf swing and analyze back at the house later.  :)

Here are my favorite shots from yesterday.  I saw this Sweet Shot Friday challenge and thought this golf outing was perfect for entry.  Hope you do too!  Enjoy the photos and please leave me a note if you stop by!

I love my clubs! 

My gorgeous husband --- he is so amazing!  This is my #1 choice for BEST SHOT!

I thought this would be a great macro shot - or a great ad for LUXE balls from Wilson -- love the pink!

Love my SIGG!  I got Steve a black one so we can be "bride & groom" - Always.

And me - for in the photo Friday --- I really like this one of me and my golf clubs.  :)  

To see more "best shots" go to:

Also sharing my golf photo for in the photo Fridays - a great blog hop to meet new bloggers - 

go here to join in on the fun!

And another linky to see other blogs ---- always fun to connect on Fridays.  

You never know what you might find!

Link to Friendly Friday

"The Crazy Bike Adventure!"

It was a beautiful day - - we put off going on a bike ride as we did our daily chores, working outside on the landscaping, vacuuming and Schuyler playing with legos and helping with his chores too. We finished the lawn and weeding and now were finally free to go out on the bike path that went goes from Belchertown to Northampton ( 25 mile round trip). We loaded the bikes in the back of the truck and off we went. Schuyler has not ridden his bike much this summer as we haven't had much of a full day to get outside, but today was so nice and we set aside the time... I got him some new bike gloves from Pearlizumi on our trip up there for the mountain run and he was so excited to get on his bike. We parked the truck got our bikes ready and off we went on the path. Schuyler was doing so well managing the balance on his bike (the bigger challenge was to stay focused!) Only one crash our final desination before turn around was the ice cream stand in Hadley - - once we got to that point we found the shop had closed down. So - - next decision was if we wanted to go to Northampton where the boat is parked and there is another shop. After looking at the clock and Schuyler's desire for ice cream moved us forward. We got to Hadley common and looked to the sky where you could see the dark clouds rolling in... hmmm ... should we keep going or turn around. I, myself hate thunderstorms with a passion and we had battled a few of recent on the boat, so I pushed to turn around and then get ice cream at Cindy's in Granby. "OK" said the boys and we headed back along the path.

The clouds began to roll in and the wind started to blow the trees - - we realized the wind was coming in and the clouds were getting darker. Before you knew it the rain was coming down in sheets... Schuyler was scared and I frankly was trying to keep the pace to get him moving faster toward the shelter and take the mind off his fear of the thunder. It was the wind that made it worse, blowing the trees and then "crash!" down in front of the bike path a tree fell - - Steve was the calming nature behind rallying Schuyler and I found my way and took the bikes over the top of that tree - - we continued... rain, wind, thunder and lightning were in the sky. We pedaled faster and faster... CRASH!!! another tree slammed into the ground in front of me, I looked back to see that S&S were ok and with wide eyes looked at Steve and said "what now?!" - he in a calm manner said climb around it - - I went down into the gutter and found an opening to climb over the base through branches... Schuyler followed and I tossed the bikes over the tree with all my adrenaline... it was crazy. Schuyler was really pretty scared and that scared me more than maybe I would be as we kept pedaling faster to get to the tunnel where we would be safe. Finally we made it there. Schuyler was soaking wet, as all of us were, but he was shivering, so we huddled together to get him warm. We waited until the storm passed for the most part before we headed out (about 15 minutes or so....). Some people were out walking and riding on their way home too. We saw a police man checking the weather without any fear in his eyes... so it was ok. We got on our bikes and the more we pedaled we were able to stay warm. It was another 4-5 miles to the truck so we kept on going. Schuyler became an amazing bike rider dodging in and out of branches and jumping over small trees, Steve was amazed. : )

We made it back - there was one last tree to get through, which is the picture i posted here. We were so happy to be in the heat of the truck - - we went home, had a hot shower, Schuyler had a hot bath and we went out to ice cream as promised at Cindys! : ) Schuyler kept saying "this is the worsted day of my life" because of his fear, but we have turned that around to him appreciated the adventure of the survival tale being out in the crazy weather!

1. In the tunnel, undercover for safety
2. Schuyler taking photos right before we turned around (I love that pic!)
3. The last tree we climbed over and through that crazy day!

Imogene Pass Run in Teluride

I promised to share this tshirt with Annie at Mt. Snow as she makes the design for the end of the year devo tshirt, so I am posting it on the blog as it reminded me of this adventure of a race!

The Imogene Pass Run (IPR) is a 17.1 mile point-to-point mountain race within the western San Juan mountains of Colorado, run along a route which connects the towns of Ouray (7810 ft.) and Telluride (8820 ft.) by way of 13,120 foot Imogene Pass.

On the website you can read about what it takes to do this run being so uphill, at that high elevation and then down the mountain slamming against the ground with all your soul...

In 98 when I ran the race, it was drizzling rain at the start, but warm, as we climbed the rocky trail to the top the field thinned out and then the Z path up the mountain separated the stronger runners one by one. I have to go back and see my results, but I remember being SO cold with the sleet and freezing rain at the top that I was afraid of hypothermia and as I ran down the backside I was warmer and warmer to finish with a smile. This run is just as difficult as a marathon with the push all the way to the top and really saw a lot of folks in pain from running the downhill too... an accomplishment I will remember and as you can see I will keep the tshirt FOREVER!

Oh yes - I searched my results from 1998 and I was 62nd overall and 16th in my age group of 30-39. There were more than 500 runners that year and now the race has grown to more than 1500 runners! Hopefully someday we will return to Telluride to run this one again!

Images from Jackal Hut April 2007

Backcountry with Jana, Dahl & Aaron last year has yet to be blogged, but recently I have been thinking about these images and framing for our home here in Belchertown. The view was just amazing from the hut and the darker sky were taken just before sun down on the first night we were there. Jana had a trip scheduled for this year too and I contemplated joining in, bringing my true love for the experience - - but with the craziness of getting use to this new and fabulous life, I opted out. Since then Jana and Dahl have married and are expecting their first baby, so I think the trip is off this year. Can't wait to do this again - the peace and the beauty, along with the great skiing make each run a memory in itself. One must experience the 5000 foot climb, the overnight with no running water or fridge - the hike with skins each run to explore more, with the shovels and beepers in case of avalanche. It was a great trip!

More to come (promise)

My List

Last year I got together with my mom friends and we had a ladies night, drinking wine, sharing memories of our lives, looking at our values and those things we might want to accomplish in our lifetime. Sharon hosted the party and it was an amazing night of self actualization. We all wrote our life goals of things, places, family goals, possessions, charities, sports, travel, etc.

Here is the introduction from My50.com:
Have you ever promised yourself you would learn to play an instrument, test drive a Ferrari, or simply tidy the garage? Well don't put them off any longer. With My50 you can make a list of things to do before you die - your life ambitions, goals and targets. In addition to your list of things to do, you can list your lifetime achievements and build up a history of your life successes and accomplishments.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE SITE

My50.com list:
Scuba-dive - Great Barrier Reef
Visit Paris
Climb a mountain - Mt. Everest
Christmas in New York
Go to a sporting event (Horse racing)
Do a parachute jump
Learn something new
Serenade someone
Be happy
Try ice climbing
See the Niagara Falls
Swim with dolphins
Go on a detoxing weekend
Learn a new language - or perfect an old one (French)

Go naked - this one I chose from the site (pretty great description and I couldn't help myself): Let's clear one thing up from the start, there's nothing wrong with being naked! You won't see other animals parading around in jeans and a T-shirt, and we're only animals too, right? OK, we admit, arriving at work naked as the day you were born may be frowned upon, as would displaying your own buns in your local supermarket. We're not suggesting anything as daring as this however. Try stripping off somewhere a little more excluded like a quiet field or beach and for a short time feel totally liberated as you run and swing in the fresh air as nature intended. Go naked, and get back in touch with nature.


MORE from my List made last November:

Sports:
Qualify for Worlds (US Triathlon Championships)
Qualify for Alcatraz
Qualify for 70.3 National Championships
Qualify for Olympic Trials (marathons)
Rank Top Ten New England Master (running)
Rank Top Ten National Master (triathlon - 70.3)
Enduro Race - (one per year)
Race in Hawaii Ironman - before I am 50 (maybe before I am 45))
Compete in Master Water Skiing

Ski Education:
PSIA level 3
Direct Ski School program
US Ski Demo Team

Places I NEED to ski:
NH: Waterville, Cannon,
VT: Mt. Snow
ME: Sunday River, Sugarloaf
Italian Alps
BC / Whistler
California: Heavenly, Mammoth, Tahoe, Squaw
CO: Aspen, Telluride

Posessions: Own a mountain home in CO

Photography: Set up my website, get liscensed (DONE), Build portfolio, Get published in major magazines

Music: Piano lessons (pick up from my 8 yrs as a kid), Guitar, Perform on stage again vocals, Become a children's music performer

Education (general): Massage, Master's degree, Ballroom Dancing

I feel pretty great about my list! It feels good to think about all the great things that are left to do in life. Gives motivation to live life to the fullest and feeling good about who you are and what your goals are in life.

The Lake Willoughby Plunge

Happy New Year!
My first thought is to know that my dad would be very proud of me not only for my committments, but living up to them even in adversity. Despite the weather warnings of sleet and freezing rain, I woke up early and packed to car to drive to northern VT for the "plunge". Had I not sent that fundraising letter and told all my friends, after the crazy new year's party at the Garlands... I really wanted to roll over and stay in my warm bed....
I loaded up Oakley and we hit the road, after weighing the options, I really needed to do this "thing" - if not just out of curiousity, but for my crazy "Indian" roots - this was indeed going to start my new year right. : )
I called Fred on my way to be sure the event wasn't cancelled and he said it really was ok on the roads and the event was at 1 PM. First lesson - I could have slept in a little longer, if I had the right information. At that point I could take my time and drive safe through the slushing, greasy and sometimes frozen roads. A photo journey it became as I took photos in the crazy weather of the scenery and the white caps of the water.
Fred and his number one volunteer arrived about 11:30 in the furniture truck to double as a warm changing area for those that may want to use it. He said most have support that will have blankets and towels ready when they come out of the water. At this time I really am in disbelief that people will show up and "jump", with the parking lot empty and the spitting rain and about 40 mph winds, the white caps seem to be increasing..... They clean out the beach area from the debris of trees and limbs that may have blown in as well as shovel snow from the "sign in" area, which was the warmest place to be, behind the truck that was blocking the cold wind. Fred said that last year the ice was all broken up and a real hazard to clear, they had to lay carpet out on the ice to walk to the "jump" spot and it was definitely tricky! Somehow that didn't make me feel any warmer.. : )
Slowly people start to show up. 50 people signed up and raised money for the American Cancer Society - totalling more than $12,000 - Fred hoped to reach the $20K mark (although he said he would shave his head and really glad he didn't have to shave it on such a cold day...). Everyone stayed in their cars - walked over to hand in their money, waiver and say hi to Fred, only to return to their cars to stay warm. Pretty funny to watch all the differnt folk arrive... One lady in a full length mink - takes off her clothes to show her one piece suit - her husband, signs her in and then escorts her to the water for her "jump". Just amazing, the support that all these people have with them and the smiles ...
At around 12:45 - Fred announces the first wave is ready to go - it is a flury of activity - people taking off their clothes to show their tshirt that is the "wetsuit" provided (branding at its best). People run in the water and dip their bodies in up to their neck and sometimes, just a little more. I stashed my bag with my camera, because Oakley couldn't hold my towel.... I ran with my crocs on and lost one on the way... bummer! I turned back (afraid it would blow away the wind was so strong), put it back on and ran the rest of the way to "jump" and dip my entire body in the cold water. So funny! I smiled the whole way... looking around at all the people joining me - full of life! I grabbed my towel to stay warm and found my way to the truck to change. I asked this lady (a grandmother of the girl who jumped with her) to take my photo in my bikini to "prove" to my friends at home that I did it. : )
Leaving the scene at about 1:15, (the event must have been 1/2 hour tops!) I said thank you to my new friends, said hi to the channel 3 guy who was interviewing Fred for the 6 oclock news and made way to my car to get some warm socks on. Thanks to Fred and his number one volunteer... the people, the flavor of Vermont... it makes my heart warm and I look forward to next year. Jessica has already said she will join me.
Top 3 learnings:
1. You can never be too out of the box, sometimes it just takes a little passion.
2. If you make a committment - stick to it - you never know who is counting on you.
3. You can never be too old, too proud or too rich to do something crazy and make a real difference - not only in your life, but others.
And yes - it was invigorating, life changing and if you can take anything away from my story please try something crazy this year! Make your list and get started today.
~Nancy (aka: Lake Willoughby Jumper 2007)
Check out the photos!
And it is not too late to send me a donation - Fred said I can mail him my collected money. Thank you to Dr. Bob, Paulette and Sharon for your donations!

_____________________
Sometimes you wonder why you do the things you do - or should I say that I wonder why I do the things I DO..... and some days believe it or not I struggle with the day to day aspects of life, ..."can I get it all done"? Then you get a call - a wake up call so to speak - that helps you remember why ....
My friend/collegue Naomi pointed out how she was impressed with my writing and gave me the encouragement to submit my work, so at that point in time I thought I should share my "cute" story as a letter to the editor. Not knowing if it ever got published, I was satified knowing I had shared with at least those in the editing room. : ) I submitted it to the Calendonia Gazette - a small hometown Lyndonville, VT newspaper - - I had gone online and noted that the article written about the plunge was brief and just a copy of what they had written the year before, just with this year's weather and numbers.
In an animated light the other night at dinner I shared with my friends / collegues Peg and Louise all about my Lake Willoughby experience and the people I met and how crazy I felt from the time I woke up until the drive home, with the "people watching" scenerio I in detail below spelled out and shared with so many. When I got into the office the next morning there was a voice mail from Linda. She left her 802 (Vermont) number and a brief message, so I called her first thing - - she was headed out skiing and would love to talk to me and "tell me her story". I then had to ask - "What is this in regards to?" - not knowing this Linda and she acted like she knew me.....
"Well - I am the lady in the 'mink' coat - your article in the paper was so well written I had to call you and tell you my story. That coat is actually 100 years old and made of bear - my dad, rest his soul, would love to know that it was mistaken for mink!" she stated - "I am 75 years old and a cancer survivor and I know how much fighting cancer means to you - I really would like to talk to you more."
I mentioned that I didn't see the article and she is going to send it my way. Thanks again to Fred for sharing my number with this wonderful woman and I will continue the saga with the published story and more on Linda - stay tuned.....
Remember - it isn't WHAT you do every day - it is WHO is affected and the people that are there to benefit from the research, the education, the advocacy and service and believe in our mission. It is the money that we raise, that THEY raise that funds the mission and it is their stories that keeps us going and working as smart and hard as we can to find a cure.
Thank you to all my collegues, friends and volunteers that I meet each day that continue my passion in working for the mission of the American Cancer Society. Have a great day!

The Epic Adventure - for girlfriends only!

A story from my girl trip out west to see Sue Logan-Nadeau in Moab. It is mostly in note form, but definitely a fun read. For girlfriends only!

Moab, Utah
Day One:
Flying into Salt Lake City on a Tuesday night – arriving late – finding my way to the Hertz counter (that is another story in and of it self– meeting strangers at the bar in the Atlanta airport – offering me coupons to save me about $50)
So I get my Mercury Capris Sedan – please note for a future reference in this story – head down the road to drive 4 ½ hours to Sue and Roger’s home in Moab. Dark, only 18 wheelers on the road – riding about 75-85 , most of the way there. Driving through Helper – just 30 min outside of Moab was amazing even though it was dark out – you could tell you were in red rock canyon. One point I was so tired I had to pull off I-70 to sleep in the car. I arrived about 4 AM (6 AM – EST) and Sue greeted me at the door and showed me the house briefly and I found my room to be quite inviting and then off to dreamland.

In the morning I see Roger, say hello and we get to chat about his work drilling for natural gas. He is beginning a round of shifts where he is on nights for 7 12 hour days. This new job he is fortunate to be able to come home and sleep rather than be away from home the entire time. They show me their new toys – 2 Yamaha WR250 motocross bikes, and share stories of their rides on all the trails right here in town. A new toy for Sue!
Slick Rock Practice Loop
Sue brings me to her buddies at Rim Cyclery – one block below Main Street. Justin and the boys gear me up with a Specialized Epic – recommended by my bike shop owner friend Fred. The bike has a rear suspension system that only engages when you need it - sweet ride – more to come. Love the green color too! : )
We take the ride up past Lion’s Back and Hell’s Revenge where the Jeeps and other 4 wheel vehicles and motor bikes start their tours. It was amazing to see the vehicles riding up this rock where you could see one wrong move and they were off the ledge.
This is a 2 hour ride to practice riding on Slick Rock. It is a playland out here – roller coaster – so hard to explain – sand and rock, in the dessert – truly amazing scenery of the LaSalle mountains and Arches National Park…. 4000 feet in elevation – very dry and VERY HOT.
We started out – up – new bike, new pedals, new shoes for me – just a little breaking in is needed - - a couple times crashing in the rock, but on the uphills – I was trying to be real careful on the descents, not wanting to see yourself going off into the canyons…. I loosen the pedals using Sue’s tools, seems to be a little better. Today was photo shoot day – we brought my D50 and got some great shots! Mountain shots, rock shots, action shots – and model shots too! We had so much fun climbing and riding. I liken it to a roller coaster ride – absorbing the downhill (trying not to grip for dear life) and then up up up – if you don’t make it you have to push it the rest of the way. Some of the steeps were so steep – hiking it was a test of balance and strength alone.
We went out to the Desert Bistro - - a wonderful dinner overlooking the canyon where the Colorado River flows - - the warm nights of the desert – but nothing compared to the heat of the day…..
Go to bed early thinking about the big ride in the morning.
Day 2 – The BIG ride
Waking up - my body still on Eastern time – head out for my morning run – 500 West up to Kane Creek boulevard – a run that goes by the park where they have set up a course where the "kids" can practice trial skills with their mountain bikes. I pass the farm where the flower pot sculpture wildlife preserve and heads down this canyon and follows the Colorado River. The views are amazing! The red rock cliffs along Moab Rim Trail, Sue says is a one hour power hike to the top. This is a popular spot for jeeps and 4wheelers and motor bikes too. Soggy Bottom campground straight ahead. I turn and go back to McGill getting in my hour of exercise for the morning…
Sue is up – moving a little slow – but ready for our ride on Slick Rock. Roger’s famous words once I expressed an interest to do the ride …. "Be prepared to get your ASS kicked!". Always loving a challenge and although knowing it has been more than 4 years on a serious mountain bike ride – I was truly looking forward to the day! We load up the DaKine water bladders for the backpacks – knowing we will need plenty of water. Food, bananas, and energy bars packed along with my famous pumpkin bread too. Off to the playland! Sue and I were laughing the whole 6 hours – constantly pushing each othe.r
Acquired nicknames: Fancy Nance & Slick Rock Sue

Random Quotes from the day –
- "YOU are my hero"- Me to Sue & Sue to me
" Look at her – she rocks! – she’s my hero" – same as above
"Fancy SUV ladies" – Random MTN bike shop dude riding around in Slick Rock parking lot
" Got Slick Rock" – Rog
"Be prepared to get your ass kicked!" - Rog
"It kicked us and we kick it – TWICE" = the Slick Rock Chicks
"Friggin’ Shrimp Rock!" – Sue
"That’s no shrimp – that’s a short fat ____" = chicks
Shrimp Rock salute - -
"--- rock" – So incredibly steep you have to sit so far back on the seat that you squeeze the seat post.
"Blood ROCK" – Got me! - Nance
"Damn Sand!" – Pedal, pedal, pedal!- chicks
"Always remember to pee downhill on Slick Rock!"- Slick Sue
Porn Stars – pink taco (what?) – video and camera talk
"We’re ----- good – we rock"- chicks on second loop because we needed it…
"I’m going to ride this last hill if it ------ KILLS me!" – Nance
"Old, fat & out of shape? I don’t think so…" – chicks
"We kick ass – 41 and getting stronger- chicks
5 hours 20 minutes - 20 miles total – not including the parking lot victory lap.
Random Notes –
"Nancy you missed the view" –I was ½ way down the hill, just to turn around and climb back up!
Look – Negro Bill Canyon – Nancy looks and crashes!
Doesn’t this look familiar – ya sure it does ! We rode this 2 hours ago!

When we finally realize we are not on the way back to the trailhead we inquire from a lone (obviously confused) rider as to the quickest way to the parking lot… he tells us we are half way through the loop – so we head toward other cyclists that may have more of a clue. Once confirmed we are lost and only halfway we realize we are on our second lap. Our language is completely in the gutter – Sue is definitely pissed, but we are smiling and laughing as delirium settles in. Headed up one more steep and looking at "friggin shrimp rock" which at this point we don’t enjoy the scenery anymore… this guy on a dirt bike starts to chat with us – shaking his head, but also very impressed. We know we rock, but are completely frustrated with our situation, so much so that all we can do is swear and laugh. : ) they let us borrow their map and helped us realize where we were. Line of the day: "Beer, Men & Band-aids at Finn’s N Things" They went off trail to check on us later that we indeed had followed the right route and we stopped to get their picture before we head down the hill to return the bike before 5!
A group of 5 random "paraphernalia" mountain bikers (including one very large woman) – stand in the intersection that we were dumbfounded that we missed! They were all smiles and obviously were clued in from the cyclists before us that we were on our second loop by mistake. I ask "did you paint that just now?" In big white writing it shows the way to the trailhead. "It still looks wet to me!".
My hands were so sore from gripping the handlebars from fear on the downhill sections that I had to hold the sides at the end. Quite the EPIC adventure! Photos tell the story – we were truly on a high and ready to celebrate! Time to drink! Ride hard – play hard - -
Laughing hysterically – headed down the street to return the bike.
Smiling the WHOLE way – attitude is everything
OW! OW! OW! – Arms rash, left lower leg rash, chain ring tattoo –
The famous Slick Rock Rash:
Showing off the rash at the restaurant to the foreign visitors – I’d show you the rash ------ but that would probably not be right. Bit b the sand, the rock and the tree – not to mention a little sunburn too! OW!
Loving the warm air, the tough ride and knowing the day that we had – I haven’t lost it!

Cheers to us!
"Slick Rock Sue" & me – "Fancy Nance"