In love with CSS

Porqoui, you may ask? CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) has made my life easier by organizing the back end and enhancing the front end of my designs. It is better than a pair of Spanks and a Victoria Secret Miraculous Push Up Bra! To all you fellow geeks, meet me the ladies room and I will tell you how knowing the secrets of CSS will rock your world.

Don’t even get me started on JavaScript ;-)

Breast Cancer? - Work It Out

Why do we strap on our supportive bras and pull on our moisture wicking workout wear in the early hours of the morning or the end of a long workday? Why do we ride, walk, run, or swim to the accelerated rhythm of our hearts and lungs? Because we want to look good, feel better, and live longer. Reason enough, but new studies show that exercise may also have a significant impact on certain types of breast cancer.

My reasons for exercising became more specific when my mom was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer after 12 years of remission. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer again, I started wondering if I was doing enough to protect myself. 

I soon discovered that eighty percent of all breast cancers are fueled by estrogen and exercise is a natural way to reduce your estrogen levels, as well as reducing other hormones and growth factors that can cause breast cells to turn into cancer. This research is great news! I am physically active which I now know is a great benefit in preventing breast cancer, but it is also a relief to know that it is not too late for women to reap the benefits of exercise when battling breast cancer. 

According to Brian Sprague, research assistant at UWCCC," A woman's hormone levels naturally fluctuate throughout her life, and we have found that exercise likely offers protection against breast cancer regardless of a woman's stage in life. The take-home message for women should be that it is never too late to begin exercising." 

Dr. Michelle Holmes, of Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, reports in her research that breast cancer survivors who spent three to five hours each week (or about half an hour a day) doing exercise had the best survival rates.

Now step away from the computer and go get some exercise, because I want all of you to be healthy and happy!

Never Lose The Desire

I wrote this poem in honor of my mom. Even though she continues to lead a life filled with laughter and love despite financial struggles and heart breaking losses, my hope is that one day no one will have to endure the hardship of breast cancer.

"Never lose the desire

to work up a sweat

or enjoy a lazy day.

Never lose the desire

to eat healthy

or indulge a craving.

Never lose the desire

to laugh out loud

or reflect quietly.

Never lose the desire

for simplicity

or the quest for knowledge.

Never lose the desire

to fight for what's right

or make peace when it's time.

Never lose the desire

to love openly

or care deeply.

Never lose the desire

to live."

Work is not just a job.

Random Thoughts - When I came back to work after my vacation, I found myself in a real funk. What I thought was just a vacation hangover has turned into a self-examination of what "work" means to me. 

First, let me say that I am very grateful to have a job in these stressful economic times. But, despite my best efforts, I want more than just a J-O-B. Don't get me wrong, I don't need fortune or fame (though that would be really cool!), I just want to be a part of something bigger than a paycheck and to be appreciated for the work that I do.

Companies and employees thrive when there is a mutual commitment to making the "relationship" work. Yes, I know that I am sounding like a Kaiser Permanente "Thrive" commercial which, by the way, is a great concept when it is not getting lost in the machine.

So what would make me content or, dare I say, happy in my working life? 

* Having the ability to be creative, not only in a design aspect but also in a "How can we make this work." way.

* Being productive. I hate watching the clock. I consider it a waste of my time as well as yours.

* Having a great group of people to work with. Fortunately, I do have right now :-)

* Learning new things. The world of technology today intrigues my inner/outer geek. 

* Earning a living wage instead of a surviving wage.

Too much to ask? I am keeping hope alive. 

Big weekend for music :-)

Music Notes -  I gotta tell ya, Sonoma County rocks when it comes to serving up lots and lots of great music! The house remained a mess and the bike collected dust because I stuffed myself to the gills with our local music scene this weekend.

Friday, after work, Henry and I headed straight to Hanna Winery to listen to St. Peterbilt. Who knew there were that many songs about trucking? Of course ya gotta throw in some Johnny Cash tunes when you have a deep, twangy voice like Paul Riley's.

On Saturday, we worked up a sweat (it was in the high 90's after all) to some incredible music at Earle Fest.  James McMurtry and Dave Alvin & the Guilty Women were awesome as expected but the real surprise was The Belleville Outfit! Now, I am a huge fan of a sexy upright bass and a great horn section, but this gal, Phoebe Hunt, played the violin as well as she sang, beautifully :-) The other great thing about this band was their eclectic style. Henry said "Now that is one CD that I could listen to all the way through and not get bored with." I wholeheartedly agree.

Cycle Oregon, The Aftermath

First, I would like to thank Henry for getting me through Cycle Oregon safe and, for the most part, sound.

The bicycling accident in May had nothing to do with cars, bad riding conditions, or human error; it was the proverbial "Freak Accident". However, it not only left me with very little time to train, it left my confidence thoroughly shaken and stirred!

B.A. -  I easily tucked in, grabbed the drops and followed Henrys move on sweeping descents.  

A.A  - I would constantly remind Henry that I was scared and to GO SLOW. Occasionally, I would just have a good old fashioned girly cry.

Cycle Oregon was a week long dose of immersion therapy and I survived it. I re-taught myself how to relax, improved my reflexes, and just let go of all the worry. If you don't already know, constant worrying doesn't do you a damn bit of good and sure sucks the fun out of a beautiful ride!

Cycle Oregon, Day 7 continued

Bike Babble - 4 miles to the finish and we get a flat! CRAP, CRAP, CRAP. Henry quickly changes the tire, races to the finish, pulls up to the beer and wine tent and says, "Honey, why don't you get yourself a bottle of wine, and I'll take care of the luggage". Either he really loves me or he is tired of hearing me whimper and groan - probably both. Nothing a bottle of Eola Hills Pinot Noir can't fix, or at least numb:-) 

While I was recovering in the beer and wine tent, I overheard a guy talking to one of his friends, "Dude, I was trying to draft behind this tandem that was screaming down the mountain but I just couldn't keep up!" "What color was the tandem?" I couldn't help but ask. He replied, "It was an orange Co-Motion." I just smiled and said, "Yea, I saw you in my rear view mirror." HA! Whatever we lack on the climb we more than make up for on the descent baby!

Oh and check this out. We met a another tandem couple from Sebastopol at the beer and wine tent. They have ridden all 23 Cycle Oregon rides!