PLANNING

I was looking at my calendar today and I realized I have 5.5 months to get my world together, sort it out, and dispose of the detritus (and there seems to be more detritus than anything else!), if I want to embark on the Epic Bike Ride by the beginning of the year. That is not a lot of time considering I won’t be home all the time (because I have doggies and kitties to take care of) and the huge pile of stuff I have to do. Preparing to leave for about a year is daunting. I have to get my bike and equipment together, I have to get rid of almost everything I own and I have to arrange for storage for the rest and then get it stored. I have to get my truck working so I can use it to store stuff and then sell it.  So, maybe it's time for some lists in order to create order and eliminate panic. Lists are a good way to start a plan, right?

The first item on my mental list was to take my bike down to Recycled Cycles to get shorter pedal cranks to accommodate the wonky knee.  So today I met Trout and my bike down there and it seems the concept of shorter pedal cranks is easier said than done. First, they didn't have any 165 mm cranks in stock, but in addition I'll probably have to get a new bar that attaches the cranks to the cycle and new front cogged gear thingies (as you can see, I don't know the proper terminology) - 3 of them and then pay the labor to get it all changed out and that's probably going to cost about $300 to $400 dollars - money that I don't have.  I'm going to call REI since that's where the bike originally came from, and see if it would be easier to do it there. All in all, very disappointing and dispiriting. I really want to get on the bike and do my daily morning rides and we are in the midst of the best biking weather we get here in Seattle - it doesn't last long, and I'm sitting on my ass trying to figure out how to get it done. It's not like I have all the time in the world.

Well, at least I can start making lists.

BIKE   (Bold = already have)

Shorter pedal cranks

Bike lock

Lights

Front basket

Tire pump

Water bottles

Water bottle cages

Extra tire tubes

Tire repair kit

Bicycle tool (the kind like a Swiss army knife?)

Back wheel fender ( for all-weather riding)

Toe cages?

Panniers (thank you to Ryan, my BH)

Helmet

BICYCLING GEAR

Polarized sunglasses

Short sleeve top (wicking)

Long sleeve top (wicking)

Fleece top

Waterproof windbreaker

Bike shorts

Bike pants

Bike gloves
New Ipod or MP3 player

GET RID OF EVERYTHING!

Furniture - 3 chairs, 3 bookcases, stereo, stereo cabinet, dresser, gazelle freestyle elite, leaded glass cabinet doors, bedside end table/cabinet, small rolling B/F cabinet.

Books

Ironing board and iron

CDs

Tote bags

Lamps

Dishes

Kitchen stuff

Brand new white Kitchenaid mixer still in box

Massage table

Clothes

STORE STUFF!

Art

Tangerine Kitchenaid mixer

Tangerine Kitchenaid blender

Juicer

Sewing machines

Down comforter

TO DO

Fix truck

Sell Truck

Sort, sell, donate, store…

Make route maps

Get references for couchsurfing.com
Get my phone switched to my new Iphone (courtesy of the dazzling Sandi Day) then switch to cheaper service with internet capability 

I know I'm missing a lot here, but I'll use these lists as a starting point and add to them as I need to. What I don't have listed is all the quilts I have in progress that I'd like to finish before I take off. I don't know that I can't finish them all but I'd like to get a few specific ones done. Oy!

DRUG FREE

Great news! I saw my doctor today and I am off the Coumadin! O happy day! (I apologize for excessive exclamation.)  In three or four weeks I'll go back for some routine blood tests and one to check if I have the same genetic mutation for clotting that my mom has.

To celebrate, I stopped for lunch at Which Wich on the Ave. - they are a local sandwich shop that offers a lettuce wrap alternative. Being off the wheat I haven't been there for a sandwich in months, and having limited vegetable options while on Coumadine, I was unable to do the lettuce wrap. It was delicious, and really a treat since I haven't eaten out in so long.

Being off the sugar and wheat has been fairly easy. I have been tempted, but I just say no thanks. I was at a friend's house for 4^th of July and she made a beautiful peach tart (the type of thing that is hardest for me to resist) but I said no thanks.  And one day when I had no food prepared at the house and was rushing off to work, I stopped and got an sandwich because I knew I wouldn't make it until six, but I felt like crap the next day, so, maybe the wheat does affect me and I just never noticed before. The side benefit of this diet change, besides feeling better, is that I've lost 22 lbs. without even trying. My jeans are loose.

Next week I'll get my new, shorter pedal cranks on my bike and I am looking forward to doing a bike ride every morning. I am also looking about my place and seeing how much stuff I need to get rid of - it will almost be a full time job in itself.

Hopefully, my blog entries will become more frequent in the future.  TTFN.