tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-173476982011-04-21T18:02:17.954-07:00It's MY midlife crisis, thank you very much.Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1661100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-79490263996661679832007-09-12T09:17:00.000-07:002007-09-12T10:00:43.601-07:00

I was late. I'm always late, even when I arrive 20 minutes early. Don't ask how that's even possible. I arrived at the Back-to-School night just in time to miss out on the sugar and nitrates, having chosen instead to prep myself by gulping down a glass of wine with dinner (who's anxious??) and hit the Starbucks on the way (must be an alert nervous semi-drunk). The announcement went off: Time for

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-53303456131159623142007-09-12T08:39:00.000-07:002007-09-12T09:16:51.224-07:00

Two nights ago I went to my oldest son's freshman version of high school Back-to-School night. This would be my first Back-to-School night ever as the parent of a high schooler. Let it be known that I'm just now getting over the exhaustion-- both mental and physical-- of it all.To recap, the evening's order of operations went like this:* Child writes down school schedule.* Parent arrives at

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-67868487886155818952007-09-10T12:12:00.001-07:002007-09-10T12:12:04.876-07:00

DSC_0227 Originally uploaded by girlmonkey Trev started high school a couple weeks ago. His demeanor is so upbeat.

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-49497209344160969052007-09-05T16:36:00.000-07:002007-09-05T16:45:45.882-07:00

I can so totally tell I am the first person to ever use that witticism.Check it.

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-58400397158431784792007-07-23T14:51:00.000-07:002007-07-23T14:52:36.998-07:00

I don't like the man.I didn't need to know anything about his colon.

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-91556398710515579642007-07-10T16:03:00.000-07:002007-07-10T16:11:08.800-07:00

First:"Asked at a June 10, 2004 news conference if he stood by his pledge to fire anyone found to have leaked Plame's name, Bush answered, 'Yes. And that's up to the U.S. attorney to find the facts.'"MSNBC, July 19, 2005Next:"President Bush said yesterday that he will fire anyone in the administration found to have committed a crime in the leaking of a CIA operative's name, creating a higher

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-51031543651682965072007-07-09T14:51:00.000-07:002007-07-09T15:02:28.605-07:00

This past weekend I went and took my photo for my new Costco card. I look like a bugged-eyed old lady meth head. The photo is all grainy and my jaw is all angly and weird... it's alien in its inhuman representation of me.I look like an apple doll.Seriously, I just know that someday I will be abducted or somehow disappear in some kind of strange accident, and the only photo of me available will

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-85103212225301861592007-04-30T09:19:00.000-07:002007-04-30T09:57:59.614-07:00

My beautiful baby girl turned 4 over the weekend. We ate princess cake and she got princess presents, and it was a pink, princess gathering. And she acted like a princess, in all ways...sigh.In recent weeks I've been mentally preparing for the change. I would no longer be the mother of a 3 year old. As time marches forward, she inches upward. Her vocabulary, like my waistline, expanding ever

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-14229020412528512052007-04-19T14:30:00.001-07:002007-04-19T14:30:59.750-07:00

HAHAHA!! Originally uploaded by girlm0nkey.

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-61863580287881581462007-04-18T15:43:00.001-07:002007-04-18T15:43:27.605-07:00

WRAAAWRR!! Monster Princess! Originally uploaded by girlm0nkey.

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-14183735323139360642007-03-27T15:49:00.001-07:002007-03-27T15:49:48.103-07:00

Me and my monkeys Originally uploaded by girlm0nkey.

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-47490395703781400452007-03-09T14:49:00.000-08:002007-03-09T14:50:39.032-08:00

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-56344502766481321652007-02-28T21:08:00.001-08:002007-02-28T21:08:15.096-08:00

RUN! Originally uploaded by girlm0nkey. Sydney runs toward Magicalland.

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-12322361485536951802007-02-27T17:13:00.001-08:002007-02-27T17:13:00.987-08:00

Wow-- they dress up nice Originally uploaded by girlm0nkey. I was glancing at pics from Christmas and lingered over this one. Ahhhh, those BOYS! They are all getting older. Faster. I thought it was cute how they all lined up.

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-22114441208412205712007-02-27T17:08:00.001-08:002007-02-27T17:08:15.961-08:00

Morning ghost Originally uploaded by girlm0nkey. Sometimes in the morning, we hear the haunting wails of a frightening ghost-- "whooooo, WhOOOOOOO!" The small ghost enters the room, much to our amazed gasps of quaking fear, only to tear off her likeness and exposing the entire episode as a charade. Andwow, do we feel silly!Sometimes her likeness is in the form of a cushy baby blanket. In

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-3879155721214078522007-01-30T22:39:00.000-08:002007-01-30T22:52:04.575-08:00

I think my mind's eye is a very dangerous, selective thing.I got an e-mail today from an old friend who updated me on her life and the lives of everyone we knew in drama school. Everyone who had kids; everyone who is happily married; everyone who has wonderful jobs doing wonderful things in wonderful places.My brain reads these items and processes them as a friend should. It glories in the

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-21648191465719234782007-01-30T22:36:00.000-08:002007-01-30T22:38:32.653-08:00

I'm sure of it.Not just the holidays-- I blame my laziness in every way. All that exercise last year taught me only that I can eat whatever I want in whatever quantities I choose. Only, if I stop exercising, I get fat.mmmm....fat.

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-45335718449286635672007-01-21T21:42:00.000-08:002007-01-21T22:03:55.175-08:00

Tonight I'm sleeping with six super hot, single chicks, right here, right under the same roof where my young, impressionable 11 and 13 year old boys are sleeping. Only I can guarantee that in my bed, there won't be much sleep, if you know what I'm saying.No?Let me explain.My toddler has developed an intense love of anything pink, pony-ish, ultra feminine, or princess related. Occasionally this

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-45219737078197600932007-01-21T21:41:00.000-08:002007-01-21T21:42:44.821-08:00

I read the book The alchemist over the weekend. Incredibly inspiring. Highly reccommend it.

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-24831990317811195742007-01-08T22:38:00.000-08:002007-01-08T22:41:21.899-08:00

I realized that my boys are growing older. Moreover, my sweet, wonderful boys are and always have been human beings and they grow older and onward. They have friends and influences that are not me. Logically I've always known this, but it seems that viscerally, I am just now coming to get my arms around it.My boys, my wonderful, sweet, innocent boys...they are really not so innocent. It is the

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1160876638111319362006-10-14T18:24:00.000-07:002006-10-16T11:00:34.886-07:00

I came home from work Thursday simply exhausted. Busy doesn't even begin to describe it. E-mail, meetings, systems breakdowns, customer complaints, more meetings, pop-ins, phone calls, more customer complaints and a mad dash to get my single mother ass over to the school to pick up one kid, across town to get another and home to make sure the last made it back, safe and sound. Then off to the

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1158781596450182772006-09-20T12:30:00.000-07:002006-09-20T12:46:36.846-07:00

The house on North Dolores has been sold. Nine more on my list.

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1157993258457134762006-09-11T09:47:00.000-07:002006-09-11T13:36:58.433-07:00

It appears that the escrow on our house closes this Friday. Over the weekend we found a home to rent-- brand new, still in the same school district. We are all really excited!CHECK IT OUT!

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1156970541245004472006-08-30T12:44:00.000-07:002006-08-30T13:42:39.713-07:00

I am 36 years old. I have 3 children that I raise that actually came right out of my body. Three of them, at different times in my adult life. I have 2 dogs that I feed and bathe and take care of in the most general sense, oh and a cat-- all 5 of whom live with me. I am, for all intents and purposes, a grown woman. GROWN. As in big. As in responsible. As in I no longer ask my mom if I can have a

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1156290075620819482006-08-22T16:39:00.000-07:002006-08-22T16:41:15.620-07:00

Syd went camping with her daddy last weekend. She's a champ!

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1156285160046578262006-08-22T16:29:00.000-07:002006-08-22T16:37:48.753-07:00

Last year I started my summer with a top ten list. I made a list of all the things I wanted to accomplish inside that ten-week period, and ended up knocking seven off the list. Pretty impressive.I made no written list this year. No, this year I was too chicken to face only a 70% success rate after committing something to the written word. I did, however, have a pretty front-end heavy mental list

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1156203295715680252006-08-21T16:27:00.000-07:002006-08-21T16:34:55.726-07:00

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1155930194641005582006-08-18T12:42:00.000-07:002006-08-18T12:43:14.653-07:00

So funny.

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1154123181136698222006-07-28T13:48:00.000-07:002006-07-29T11:49:09.236-07:00

Syddo and I have been hanging out together pretty much nonstop since last Sunday, and I have to say, I don't think I have been the best of company. First, I am highly distractable--I like cheese where did I put that thing oh it's in the kitchen wow this room is dirty why did I come in here? OH! Look! Cheese-- and Syd finds that highly annoying. I know because she starts doing things she knows not

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1154063070788212242006-07-27T21:39:00.001-07:002006-07-27T22:05:08.806-07:00

Remember that from college? Get Drunk Thursday? Your roommates and random friends would get together at some local watering hole, all geared up to take the weekend by storm a whole day ahead of schedule. In news, Get Drunk Thursday would be called the walk-up to Friday Night Buffoonery. Over time, Twisted Tuesday was the walk-up to Wasted Wednesday's walk-up of Get Drunk Thursday, at which point

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1153604876406530232006-07-22T14:24:00.000-07:002006-07-22T14:49:37.893-07:00

I am alone in this falling-apart house of mine, alone for the first time in as long as I can remember. There are no peals of laughter from wrestling children; no television blaring in the background; no stereo crooning; no over-long whether-or-not-someone-may-or-may-not-but-probably-not-but-would-it-uhm-be-alright questions meandering my way. Neither are there bedrooms awaiting cleaning nor

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1153552252123586302006-07-22T00:09:00.000-07:002006-07-22T00:10:52.123-07:00

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1152716783530119822006-07-12T08:01:00.000-07:002006-07-12T08:06:29.490-07:00

See? We WERE there.

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1152055726192377782006-07-04T16:27:00.000-07:002006-07-04T16:28:46.206-07:00

So much to say, so little time... The Peru trip posts will begin in the next few days, al;ong with photos and perhaps a few site changes as well. Stay tuned!

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1151198168460695632006-06-24T17:54:00.000-07:002006-06-24T18:18:39.143-07:00

Greetings and salutations from Cusco! The boys and I found an internet room, and this is our wacky treat at the end of our long, adventure-filled days. For about 30 cents American, we can play on the internet for about an hour. HOW COOL IS THAT???I'll tell you: VERY.And so here I am. We just finished one of the most incredible meals ever, complete with capuccino and creme brulee, and now I sit

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1150329668736236232006-06-10T19:00:00.000-07:002006-06-14T17:01:08.736-07:00

$8 million raised for AIDS research & relief.105 miles, our longest day.45 miles, our shortest day.12 camp set-ups and downs.7 days.585 miles.1,840 riders.2 tired legs.1 blue bike.I would like to extend a hearty thank you to all who helped make this ride a reality. Thank you to those who donated to my ride. Thank you Tri-Sports Bikes for making sure I was set with my needs, and for helping me to

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1150329636520374202006-06-09T17:00:00.000-07:002006-06-14T17:00:36.523-07:00

Day six began as a cold, foggy Lompoc morning. Riders were tired, sleepy, and finally showing outright symptoms of a feeling we were all warned about on Orientation Day. "You've been told about the many mixed emotions you will experience on this ride. Eurphoria, sadness, deep pride," said the announcer. "But I'm here to tell you about one emotion that no one ever talks about. A feeling that

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1150329592563363742006-06-08T20:59:00.000-07:002006-06-14T16:59:52.566-07:00

Whispered conversations stir me from my sleep. A giggle floats past. Once again my conscious mind becomes aware of the sonorous boom from the tent to my left . It rumbles low and deep, and is soon joined by a craggy, nasaly honk three tents behind me. Then a third camper joins in, all unbeknownst. Snoring in stereo. Such is the nightlife in my purple tent city. The folks that run the AIDS

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1150329533030702232006-06-08T16:58:00.000-07:002006-06-16T09:51:43.060-07:00

Day 5 on the ride is "Red Dress Day," as we pass through Santa Maria and head into Lompoc. Years ago the day began as "Dress in Red Day," with the thought that as riders streamed down the road, their collective line would resemble one, long red ribbon. Over time fashionistas transcended the bland.

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1150329470740223472006-06-07T17:17:00.000-07:002006-06-14T16:57:50.756-07:00

Quadruple shot 16oz vanilla latte. This pretty much tells you how the ride is going today. Note the use of the present tense: IS GOING. It is after 5:00, and we're still 15 miles out from camp. That is partially my fault: I needed the java in order to continue. We've been riding since about 7:30 this morning and we're going to cover a little over 95 miles by the time we hit camp. Today's

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1150221173346116452006-06-07T10:50:00.000-07:002006-06-13T10:52:53.346-07:00

Riders pump tires, snack, stretch and all around prepare for the 1,000 foot climb up the section known as "The Evil Twins." The hill is apparently broken into two sections. Just as you're done cursing the first part, around the bend rests his evil twin.

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1150220908225706642006-06-06T22:13:00.000-07:002006-06-13T10:48:28.323-07:00

I hear him long before I see him, but more than curiosity, I search out this big Meatloaf look-alike with the beads, cowboy hat, pony tail, lab coat and purple skirt because I NEED him. I need him like I've needed no other man in my life. More accurately, I need the power he wields and I'm willing to walk awkwardly over 200 feet in my cycling shoes to get it. He stands with an air of comfortable

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1150218758319917172006-06-05T22:11:00.000-07:002006-06-13T10:12:38.340-07:00

Today's ride was 105 miles. It was by far the longest ride I've ever done, and I think, if not for this communique, I would be off in dreamland. We rode from Santa Cruz to King City, two towns likely never otherwise associated, if not for this sentence. Having done all my training out near Auberry Road and Millerton Lake in the Fresno area, I'd like to point out that I have become somewhat of

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1150218018199383352006-06-04T21:59:00.000-07:002006-06-13T10:00:18.223-07:00

Today was on of those amazing, incredible, once-in-a-lifetime days, from the moment I woke up, to this very minute, and counting every second in between. Much like having a baby, despite what others told me I couldn't quite comprehend what the actual experience would be like until I faced the labor. And this, the first day of the AIDS/Lifecycle Ride, was filled with labor by more people than I

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1149385524978009462006-06-03T18:24:00.000-07:002006-06-03T22:45:42.866-07:00

I had every intention of sleeping in until at LEAST 6:30 this morning, given my ridiculous "late packing/inability to fall asleep due to overexcitement" episode last night. It was seriously one of those nights where my mother's voice continually floated up from the past to haunt me."Theresa Lynn! It's twelve o'clock. You have an early day tomorrow. Turn off that light." Much like my high school

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1149314589803243472006-06-02T22:48:00.000-07:002006-06-02T23:04:43.270-07:00

Two days, baby. Two days and the ADVENTURE begins. And I'm finally packing, which I think is a good thing. You know. Because I keep having these fleeting moments of panic, images filled with me arriving at the AIDS ride sans cycling shoes, and suddenly I'm having to go the complete 585 wearing my Tevas. Or worse, arriving at camp at night after that first long day, crawling into my sleeping bag

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1149257410227473352006-06-01T21:44:00.000-07:002006-06-02T07:13:36.530-07:00

I think the hardest part in this whole ride is knowing, right now, right this minute, that in a few days I will be off kilter and out of balance, as I will be desperately missing my children. And there's nothing I can do about it.Its' something I know I will experience, a given like high tide or the full moon. Every May I feel myself bracing for the loss of June, when my boys head to LA to visit

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1149124957302157642006-05-31T18:18:00.000-07:002006-05-31T18:22:37.313-07:00

1) Pack. Just quit avoiding it, start doing it.2) Panic less. It'll be fine. My kids will be fine. My work will be fine. My arse will be fine.3) Praise my 13 year old on making the Honor Roll!!! WHOO HOOO!!!! AMAZING!4) Pry myself loose from the minutia, and try to enjoy these last few days with my kids before they head off on their various summer expeditions... and I, on mine. Gawd I'm going to

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1149083841704519182006-05-30T20:49:00.000-07:002006-05-31T11:05:45.090-07:00

ONE: Several people have asked me what the schedule is going to be over the ride. I have honestly been avoiding knowing what the schedule is, because I am kind of, well, overwhelmed by it. So thanks, inquiring minds, for making me face reality. My eye is twitching. Hope you're happy.The Ride:June 4--Opening Ceremonies: The Cow Palace, to Camp 1 Harvey West Park, Santa Cruz--79.3 milesJune 5--Camp

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1148963808715093632006-05-29T21:29:00.000-07:002006-05-29T21:36:48.733-07:00

Today was a day of organization.It started heavy on the anxiety, and ended with chocolate cupcakes. Suffice it to say, when a woman experiences anxiety, a little chocolate can be a very good thing.Laundry, planning, packing, phone calls, heavy sighs, tunnel vision, Toy Story, many heart-to-heart conversations with my mother, yet another trip to the bike shop and voila! Bedtime and still the

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1148839471814453592006-05-28T10:44:00.000-07:002006-05-28T13:38:45.526-07:00

Today was the day. I woke up this morning, checked my LifeCycle page and saw that I had made my fundraising goal. WHOOO HOOO!!!!I momentarily had this intense surge of excitement mixed with relief, topped off with a major sense of accomplishment. But, again, that was momentary. Because you see, making this goal wasn't something I'd done. Sure, I'd asked, begged, hounded, cajoled-- but when don't

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1148759250425223432006-05-27T12:41:00.000-07:002006-05-27T12:47:30.526-07:00

...to fill my life wiiiiiith lovvvvvvvvve... and headwind.Lots of headwind.Today was one of those sparkling days, crisp and clear; the kind of day that riders dream about. You know, until they get outside and realize that the headwind exists no matter where they face. Oof.So it was a good, tough ride. I did half the miles I intended, but I was a rickshaw driver in said headwind, so I think it had

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1148687363611071392006-05-26T16:41:00.000-07:002006-05-26T16:49:23.623-07:00

There are nine days left before I go a'riding. I need $195 more dollars, which, divided by nine, is$21.67. Also, from Wikipedia:Nine is the highest single-digit number in the decimal system.In the NATO phonetic alphabet, the digit 9 is called "niner".Nine is the number of musicians in a nonet.Nine babies born into a single birth are called nonuplets, although not one baby born into a set of

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1148598774755225412006-05-25T14:53:00.000-07:002006-05-25T16:12:54.813-07:00

Today was day two of Operation: Bicycle Fit. I wouldn't call it a failure so much as a not-working-out-so-well-as-I'd-like kinda-thing.To begin with, cycling requires the wearing of clothes that fit the sport, which is to say, FORM FITTING clothes. I am not a fan of said clothes, but around mile 7, you stop caring and start thanking GAWD that you aren't sweltering.You wouldn't believe how easy it

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1148512424764398872006-05-24T16:09:00.000-07:002006-05-24T16:13:44.780-07:00

Eleven days out. I took my bike over to be properly fitted, and it's not just me. The guy at the shop was GENIUNELY STUMPED by the oddity that is my body. To wit:If my knees are in line, my arse is uncomfortable.If my arse is in line, my toes go numb.If my arse is comfortable, my shoulder is outta whack.FIVE HUNDRED EIGHTY-FIVE MILES TO GO!I'm only a little bit nervous.It's the anxiety that's

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1148405356989230422006-05-23T10:26:00.000-07:002006-05-23T10:30:57.833-07:00

I had one of those disheartening moments last night, as I went to the gym and learned I weigh a lot a lot more than I thought I did. I mean, like I was 12 pounds off from my guesstimation. Horrendous.That tops my list of craptacular items for the day.On the plus side, only 12 more days to the ride!!! AAANNND a friend sent this hilarious item. Happy Tuesday. Laugh.

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1148342414067546232006-05-22T16:51:00.000-07:002006-05-22T17:00:14.090-07:00

Lucky number 13. In just 13 days, I will be off, riding across this great state. From Wikipedia:"Thirteen is the 6th smallest prime number; the next is seventeen. 13 is the second Wilson prime. 13 is the fifth Mersenne prime exponent, yielding 8191. 13 is also the third lucky prime. 13 is the second star number and the seventh Fibonacci number. As it is an odd-indexed Fibonacci number, it is a

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1147716219297448702006-05-15T11:03:00.000-07:002006-05-15T11:03:39.310-07:00

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1147712144481705592006-05-15T09:54:00.000-07:002006-05-15T09:56:12.966-07:00

... but, of course, not FOX.http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2006/05/federal_source_.html

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1147380256616327232006-05-11T13:28:00.001-07:002006-05-11T13:44:16.630-07:00

Riding along Auberry Road, it's hot, cars whing past me like I'm the road kill I keep cycling past. A dog with his face turned up in a grimace. A snake ready for bootmaking. A wolf with his outsides turned in, and his insides flapping in the wind.Road kill is a part of riding. It's a sad fact of our world, but call it balance. The Zen of the Road: What is alive and travels along the road where

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1145914191263148462006-05-08T23:24:00.000-07:002006-05-11T07:53:20.953-07:00

I am 36 years old. Despite the dreams and declarations of my youth, I am not an important person; which is to say, I have done nothing of great importance whatsoever at any given time in my life, save the birthing of babies. I have, however, worked for important people and in places where people of great import are often located. Such happy circumstances have afforded me the ability to make great

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1146263889825120322006-04-28T15:36:00.000-07:002006-04-28T15:38:09.836-07:00

From the AP Wire: WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office says Rush Limbaugh has been arrested on prescription fraud charges.From my friend:BryanZFresno: the fact that anyone listens to what comes slobbering its way out of his gob makes me quiver.

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1145217510532324692006-04-16T11:56:00.000-07:002006-04-27T15:27:03.686-07:00

Sunday, 16 April, 2006: 0800 hours PST.The house is silent. The start of operations delayed due to middle-of-the-night sleep interruptions (coughing ten-year old, wee-weeing two-year old), I rouse myself by imagining the coffee pot has been set and the delicious brew awaits my glugging. Cruel, cruel hoax... No coffee awaits. Neither do I have a clean house nor a diligent butler named, "Samuel."

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1144908932452828892006-04-12T22:00:00.000-07:002006-04-12T23:26:27.273-07:00

Dear Trevor,Thirteen years ago, almost on this very night, I laid in bed wondering, "Will this pregnancy ever *&%$@# end?!?" You see, I was young-- I'd just turned 23 and had graduated from college the summer before. I still thought the sun and the moon and all the stars rose and set and performed their magical dances all around me. It would be another few days before I realized that I wasn't

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1144703082408502582006-04-10T14:02:00.000-07:002006-04-10T14:04:43.100-07:00

Got this e-mail from a friend. Cracked me up. No idea who wrote it, but I do appreciate the irony.________What You Need To Believe To Be A Republican:1. Jesus loves you, and shares your hatred of homosexuals and Hillary Clinton.2. Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad guy when Bush's daddy made war on him, a good guy when Cheney did business with him, and a bad guy when Bush

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1144632240558231912006-04-09T18:24:00.000-07:002006-04-09T18:24:11.136-07:00

Sleepy pizza face Originally uploaded by girlm0nkey.

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1144356104421522802006-04-05T18:29:00.000-07:002006-04-06T13:41:44.436-07:00

I've moved, I've gotten a new name.After reading over past posts, I realized that my blog had morphed a bit *away* from being about triathlon training, and *toward* training of in other areas: potty, ettiquette, life in general.girl, because I am one.monkey, in reference to what I do for a living, what I call my children, me in general.You stay classy, blog reader. Thanks for stopping by.

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1144275865403629112006-04-05T17:59:00.000-07:002006-04-10T14:26:00.123-07:00

Instructor: So you do triathlons and you don't know how to freestyle?ME: No.Instructor: What do you do?ME: I sorta sputter and sink.Instructor: I meant what stroke.ME: I do the breast stroke...I think.Instructor: (pause) You.. I ... uhmm... are you serious?ME: Yeah...(I'm in the water now)Instructor: How long have you been doing triathlons?ME: Just this past year.(I take my swim cap and attempt

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1144214307223007462006-04-04T22:17:00.000-07:002006-04-04T22:18:27.236-07:00

I went to bed last night at 9:30 and had a dream about those Dutch wooden shoes.Vivid, detailed dreams.They haunt me.

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1144035623797175752006-04-02T20:18:00.000-07:002006-04-02T20:42:56.886-07:00

Seriously. Another whole month has passed, and I stare with incredulity at the calendar, wondering a) when did March get shorter than February; b) did I just sleep through March, and c) what the hell--I actually sleep?Other realizations:I don't know at what point it was that I ceased caring about the state of my dispicable home, but I have completely reached that point. I actually allowed someone

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1143765703417133522006-03-30T16:35:00.000-08:002006-03-30T16:41:43.443-08:00

Just got a note from the AIDS/LifeCyle:"With just nine (yep-nine!) weeks to go before the big ride in June, we're keeping our fingers crossed that more sunshine comes our way..."GAAAHHHH!!!!!I'm a bit nervous over here. That's nine weeks to get up to speed on the cycle-- which I KNOW I can do-- but moreover, nine weeks to raise $900.That's $100 per week!! (See? I took high school math.)For those

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1143673701218476642006-03-29T07:45:00.000-08:002006-03-29T22:28:52.846-08:00

My dream of hearing these words has changed over time, from having my name immediately appended to the phrase, to the realization that it will likely be my daughter's. I know this because she is seriously one of the greatest dramatic actresses of the modern age.To wit: Last night, as her dad is bringing her home, my barrel of sunshine leaps into my arms, giggly and happy and filled with

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1143605444469555642006-03-28T20:10:00.000-08:002006-03-28T20:10:44.473-08:00

Tonight's sunset Originally uploaded by girlm0nkey.

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1143575474990156332006-03-28T11:51:00.000-08:002006-03-28T11:53:05.670-08:00

The throneOriginally uploaded by girlm0nkey. Proof of previously posted discussion, Lunch Break Notes. (She was watching Clifford, btw.)

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1143523035788427982006-03-27T20:39:00.000-08:002006-03-27T21:19:27.490-08:00

On Saturday a general perusal of Harrison's folder revealed that the fourth grade mission project was upon us. For those out-of-staters, California was originally settled by Native Americans, followed by Mexicans, prospectors, prostitutes, Levi Strauss, and Catholic Missionaries, I think in that order. The missions are a huge part of California History, which is what every able-bodied fourth

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1143313383448889742006-03-25T10:26:00.000-08:002006-03-25T11:09:00.256-08:00

One morning after a good hard cry and eleven hours of sleep, I awake partially refreshed (if not somewhat achy), stumble my way to the kitchen and grumble my way through making coffee... when I realize that my oldest son has grown sixteen inches since his last semi-formal event.What the???Trevor was invited to a mitzvah of some kind (bar or bat... I'm really bad with the jewish nomenclature) ,

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1143265522713800082006-03-24T21:33:00.000-08:002006-03-24T21:45:22.733-08:00

Holy mother of gawd. I got a letter in the mail today saying that the AIDS ride is a mere 12 weeks away.Twelve weeks.I have twelve weeks to get up to riding 100 miles a day. Day after day.My dinner tonight was a handful of hot tamales and a few slices of plastic-wrapped cheese.I'm so stressed out at work my body feels like a giant rock. Everything aches. My neck, my shoulders, my head... I swear

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1143176374478662632006-03-23T23:43:00.000-08:002006-03-25T11:17:01.030-08:00

It has been weeks though it feels like MONTHS since I've sat down and written a "meaningful" blog post (READ: Anything frickin' at all). I woke up this morning, looked at the calendar and thought, "Whaddaya mean it's MARCH?" The spring equinox has come and gone already-- don't even get me started there. I think I have officially entered that stage of life where time moves at warp speed, where one

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1143183125904564612006-03-23T23:00:00.000-08:002006-03-24T00:08:50.090-08:00

Two weeks back I spent the weekend in a small town called, "Solvang." It's this amazing Dutch hamlet on the central coast, near Buellton (of Andersen's Split Pea Soup fame). My friend joked that you needed a passport to gain entry, and I think he was only half-kidding. They actually sell wooden shoes there. And not like smooth, Dr. Scholl style shoes-- I mean actual rough-hewn, splintery wooden

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1143185737046176632006-03-23T22:52:00.000-08:002006-03-25T11:13:52.110-08:00

So my friend and I head on into the wine country, to execute enological edification (done herein only aliteratively, of course).According to my father, wine came from two places: Sonoma County and France, and the latter only sometimes. As he put it,"If you want car parts, you go to Napa. If you want wine, you come to Sonoma." I don't know that my dad even knew they grew grapes in the Central

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1143187487637504182006-03-23T22:49:00.000-08:002006-03-24T00:04:47.650-08:00

In regards to my arse and the continued fear of blistering/chaffing/overall horrendous pain, I just forked over bank for a new saddle. And yes, while it was a lot of money, I've learned so much already: Apparently, the human body has these things called "sit bones" which, oddly enough, are made for "resting one's hide." The sit bones are two pressure points on the rumpus.I finally learned what

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1143146984350890222006-03-23T12:48:00.000-08:002006-03-23T12:49:44.363-08:00

Sydney: Please have juice. Me: How do we ask nicely? Sydney: Please. Me: Sydney, I'll get you juice if you ask me nicely. Sydney: Please. Me: "May I please have juice?" Sydney: Please have juice. Me: May I Sydney: May I Me: please Syndey: please Me: have juice? Sydney: Please have juice.

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1143146881045563732006-03-23T12:09:00.000-08:002006-03-25T11:28:53.220-08:00

I got an e-mail from an old friend of mine, whom I just informed of my marital status. Despite my feelings to the contrary, he informed me that I am not, as I fear, "White Trash," but rather, "White Recyclable."In other news, I've recently learned an open bottle of red wine lasts 3 or so days, and tastes amazingly vinegary after 15.As a side note, vinegar-tasting wine is horrendous and despite

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1142458330501617822006-03-15T12:59:00.000-08:002006-03-15T13:32:10.546-08:00

I did it.I planned.I saved.I got tour books.I shopped online for months for the perfect flight.I DID IT!!!I got tickets-- 3 of them-- for Trevor, Harrison and I to fly out of Los Angeles on June 19 and into Lima, Peru!We're going to the inti raymi festival!We're going to see colorful birds!We're going to touch the waters of the Amazon and walk through the Amazonian Rainforest!I'M GOING TO GO

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1141694081887281102006-03-06T17:14:00.000-08:002006-03-06T17:14:41.896-08:00

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1141276669605364962006-03-01T19:27:00.000-08:002006-03-21T07:52:42.093-08:00

I had one of those days yesterday. One of those days that followed one of those days, and when I stopped to calculate, I'd had several of those days that filled many weeks in a row.When I realized that I just needed a really good cry, and couldn't, I knew I needed some "me" time.The concept of crying to relieve stress is foreign to most men I know. When I say most men, I mean all men except for

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1141226368659074142006-03-01T07:12:00.000-08:002006-03-01T07:19:28.690-08:00

As I walk past my daughter's room, coffee cup in hand, I pause to smile at the peaceful sight before me. My sweet girl has just opened her tired eyes. She strrrrrretches her tiny toddler arms above her head and yawns a deep, sleepy yawn, cozily snuggling further into her comforter. She sees me in her doorway, oozing all the love a parent has to offer and answers my quizzical "Are you waking up,

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1141193993487309892006-02-28T22:01:00.000-08:002006-02-28T22:19:53.503-08:00

REPEATEDLY, in the roof of my mouth, with this:Do you see what these are? These are DRILL BITS. He has many, many shapes and sizes of DRILL BITS that were then subsequently used to grind away at my teeth:This is Mr. Thirsty. No joke. That's his name.He comes and takes out all the spittle and blood. Mmmm!This was my morning. Stabbing pain, numbed face, holes drilled into my teeth. And then I came

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1141152777266498322006-02-28T10:48:00.000-08:002006-02-28T14:59:31.523-08:00

(E-mail to Charity Bowling Participants)"Just an fyi, if you’re on the clock – which I’m sure we’ll all be – there’s no drinking at this event, per (company name withheld) regulations."BryanZFresno: No drinking at the bowling event ... but can we go do some lines behind the bowling alley off a crackwhore's chest before we get started?traciFresno: Well we better!!!traciFresno: if not, I am so

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1141089005098738692006-02-27T17:15:00.000-08:002006-02-27T20:10:20.293-08:00

Tonight is Monday night.I made a crockpot chicken.I will...... probably do some laundry....possibly ruminate over recent changes in my physical appearance.... likely be scolded by the Empress of All.... likely scold the ne'er do homeworkers of the house....maybe do a little vacuuming. Mmmaaaybe....maybe, maybe, MAYBE bathe a dog or two....definitely drag the trash out to the curb.This is my life,

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1140916409456476202006-02-25T16:57:00.000-08:002006-02-25T17:13:29.466-08:00

I was reading the newspaper today-- something that every good citizen should do daily-- where I came upon the following nubbin:"Riding for the first-year Toyota-United team, Haedo completed the 130.7-mile stage — longest of the tour — in 4 hours, 41 minutes, 2 seconds. That's a little more than 24 mph." I rode everything above that century mark today-- which is to say, approximately 30+ miles--

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1140732807949353082006-02-23T14:13:00.000-08:002006-02-23T14:14:03.540-08:00

Apparently I am composed entirely of Snickers Minis and Cheetos.

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1140684031810189702006-02-23T00:40:00.000-08:002006-02-23T07:57:07.240-08:00

My friend, like many of my friends, is amazing. She is witty and stylish; she is smart and curious; she is wise and passionate and clever, and oh yeah-- she's 13.And my friend can swim 100 laps.In water.This is what I hear-- second-hand-- and I believe it to be true. It might be a slight exaggeration. Maybe it's 75 laps; maybe it's 35. Here's my point: SHE'S 13 FRICKIN' YEARS OLD and she can SWIM

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1140587689047262552006-02-21T21:40:00.000-08:002006-02-21T22:07:11.986-08:00

Brace yourselves, for what I am about to tell you will at first be exceedingly painful, causing you to weep openly and then, over time, slip into a silent, slack-jawed haze. Gawd knows that's what happened to me at any rate.Alas, I give you the truth: I did not win the Mega Millions lottery. I KNOW! How sucktacular is THAT?In fact, not only did I NOT win, I only got one number correct. Clearly,

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1140588064254883632006-02-21T21:30:00.000-08:002006-02-22T13:20:21.906-08:00

"Dear Ms. Schock:Thank you for contacting me regarding recent reports of domestic spying. I appreciate the opportunity to review your comments on this important issue.On December 16, 2005, the New York Times reported that President Bush had repeatedly authorized the National Security Agency (NSA) to eavesdrop on American citizens and others without the necessary approvals from Foreign

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1140502448505501252006-02-20T21:49:00.000-08:002006-02-20T22:14:08.743-08:00

What is with the lying about the brushing of the teeth?It doesn't take a genius to notice the quarter-inch of cheese-like film enveloping your incisors, so why lie? When I ask you, "Have you brushed your teeth?" and you grow quiet, do you honestly believe that the brilliance of your silence will throw me so completely that it will halt my investigative techniques? Do you think that by holding

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1140390916990221602006-02-19T15:13:00.000-08:002006-02-20T23:23:23.910-08:00

It was two years ago, almost on this very day, that I was awakened by the phone call that would forever change my life.I had spent the entirety of the night before performing calisthenics with my then ten-month old daughter. She was teething and couldn’t sleep; I would get up, nurse her, get gnawed on, stumble back to bed and crash. Twelve o’clock; one fifteen; two thirty-five. And so went my

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1140387388759242432006-02-19T13:58:00.000-08:002006-02-19T14:17:39.073-08:00

I got each of the kids a small, heart shaped box of See's Candy for Valentine's Day. I don't know if it was because she didn't want the candy, or because it was out of her reach, or because it was our of her reach AND slyly hidden under some old junk mail, but as of yesterday afternoon, Sydney had yet to open her box.As I stared at it-- hormones raging, mind you, screaming for chocolate the

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1140310847045842062006-02-18T16:59:00.000-08:002006-02-18T17:00:47.060-08:00

February 16, 2006Ms. Traci SchockXXXX North XXXXX AvenueFresno, California XXXXXXDear Ms. Schock: Thank you for writing to me about recentrevelations that the United States Government hasengaged in domestic electronic eavesdropping withoutappropriate legal authority. I welcome the opportunity torespond. On February 6th, the Senate Judiciary Committeeheld the first of a series of hearings

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17347698.post-1140071288646502172006-02-15T22:26:00.000-08:002006-02-15T22:28:08.656-08:00

Avoid saying, "uhm." Say it once, I understand. Twice, eh-- it happens. Five-hundred-sixty-two times? Shoot me.

Traci @ www.herdingsquirrels.comnoreply@blogger.com2