The Humphries

Friday Night Fights-Installment 1

2010-07-31T12:38:00.001-07:00

The streets of Gaffney were turned into a race course on Friday night. Check out what happened at our company blog. www.twoupsports.blogspot.com

FOOD ART

2010-07-22T05:33:00.001-07:00

So I decided to make some cupcakes. These are chocolate cupcakes with chocolate buttercream on one and brown sugar cream cheese on the other. They turned out so yummy.

It is funny though. I love making them but have no desire to eat more than one. That is good I guess. No worries about getting fat from them.

THINGS TO PONDER - #4

2010-07-19T09:05:00.000-07:00

The bicycle is a curious vehicle. Its passenger is its engine.
-John Howard

LAZY DAYS!

2010-07-17T18:19:00.000-07:00

This weekend while Bruce was away at a race Kolbie and I decided we would make a cake. It turned our really good and we made it from scratch. No box mixes for us. The icing was also from scratch. Since I have done this a little before I tried to help him do some of the piping. It turned out cute for his first cake.

TWO UP SPORTS

2010-07-17T18:12:00.000-07:00

Our business Two Up Sports made it in the news this week. To check out our article on our first official event go to our blog at www.twoupsports.blogspot.com.

THING TO PONDER - #3

2010-07-14T05:40:00.000-07:00

My Things to Ponder are going along with bicycling this month in tribute to the Tour De France.

It would not be at all strange if history came to the conclusion that the perfection of the bicycle was the greatest incident of the nineteenth century. - Author Unknown.

THINGS TO PONDER - #2

2010-07-13T05:57:00.000-07:00

Life is like riding a bicycle - in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving.

Albert Einstein

THINGS TO PONDER - #1

2010-07-12T03:33:00.000-07:00

"Two roads diverged in the middle of my life,
I heard a wise many say
I took the road less traveled by
And that's made the difference every night and every day"

Larry Norman (with apologies to Robert Frost)

New Blog!!!

2010-07-10T14:19:00.001-07:00

Well I know I haven't been blogging lately and I will have to get better at that. Anyway, we have another blog. This one is for our business. Follow us as we venture out into the world of race promotions and other adventures. We will see how this turns out. Keeping our fingers crossed. The new blog is www.twoupsports.blogspot.com. Check us out.

HAS IT REALLY BEEN THAT LONG.

2010-04-15T10:36:00.000-07:00

Wow. Time really does go fast. It has been a while since I have posted. So much has kept us busy. We had Thanksgiving this past year on vacation in Florida. It was awesome. Christmas was great this year too.

Kolbie has started private Art lessons and that has been a real treat for him and for us. I will have to post a picture of his first artwork soon. He also has had some artwork displayed at the Art Expo here in town.

Bruce has started racing again this year. We haven't been with him quite as much but he knows we are still supporting him from home.

Well the weather has warmed up and it means school will be out soon also. Can't wait. Bring on Summer.

A NIP IN THE AIR

2009-10-04T07:26:00.000-07:00

So it is finally fall. I have been looking forward to this all summer. This is my favorite time of the year. It is cool in the mornings and warm in the afternoon but not hot. It is also a sign that we are getting closer to vacation. We have been counting down the days.

We have been a little busy over the last few weekends but nothing major. We went to Bridge to Bridge on the 20th. That was an experience. It was cold, rainy, foggy and just out right NASTY. We got up to the road to go to Grandfather Mountain and my check engine light came on in my car. Bad sign. I started to panic and really didn't know what I was gonna do because Bruce thought I would be at the top with dry clothes and I had no cell service to call up to the top to let some of the others that we had met up with know that I couldn't make it. We eventually did get on a shuttle and go up. It was super Nasty at the top. Wind factored into all the other stuff. It was a rough day but Bruce made it to the top first and we made it home.

AT A LOSS FOR WORDS.

2009-09-17T12:28:00.000-07:00

http://www2.wspa.com/spa/news/local/article/community_pays_tribute_to_fallen_marine/26924/

THE NEMESIS WAS CONQUERED!

2009-08-29T16:28:00.000-07:00

Today was the SC State Road Race Championships and Bruce has not been racing but he did want to do this one so we decided to. He could do the Master 30+ or the Pro 1/2. He left it up to us to decide so Kolbie decided he would rather go early in the morning instead of spend the whole day there so we went for the Masters 30+. Well it worked. This year was Bruce's year. He and Charlie Brown got off in a break that stuck from lap 1 and they came across the line 1st and 2nd. Bruce took the State Title. This course has been a total pain for him. He has come every year and left disappointed. It worked for him this year though. He has been rested and there was no pressure. He gets to go the US PRO Championships tomorrow and have his jersey and medal presented to him on the stage. COOL.

BACK TO SCHOOL!

2009-08-21T16:24:00.000-07:00

This was the first week back to school. It went great. Kolbie really likes his teacher and she is not one to give a lot of homework so that is great. Of course the week started with Algebra but what would the week be without a little something to blow your mind. I am wondering did we skip third grade and go straight to high school. I really don't remember ALGEBRA in the 3rd grade. Weren't we still potty training then. I really had to take myself back to the earlier years. Spelling words are a little longer and harder this year too. Kolbie also got accepted into the Project Goal program this year so that will be a little different. Not sure what every state calls it but it is also called the Gifted and Talented program. He will be doing accelerated math and science during this time each day. It kind of scared me at first because I didn't realize it counts for a grade on his report card but when the teacher explained it a little more it seems like something he will do well with and really enjoy. He is very excited and the fact that he is only 1 of 5 in the third grade to get into the program and more so the only one in his class is an acheivement.

I was really dreading the back to school thing but I think this will be a good year. It makes the work week go by faster when you are having to do the school routine but it also makes me realize that it just seems like yesterday that we were taking him to kindergarten and now it is 3rd grade. Also I have noticed that he doesn't want mom to give him a kiss in front of the school anymore cause that aint COOL. OH TO BE YOUNG AGAIN.

FELT A LITTLE MELLOW!!!

2009-08-15T07:31:00.001-07:00

Bruce took the day off yesterday and of course he pulled his neck so I had to take him to the chiropractor and while we were over there we decided to stop by and eat at one of out favorite restaurants. MELLOW MUSHROOM. We sat out on the patio and it was so nice. The temps were probably in the low 80's and there was a slight breeze. We had hummus and pita chips and then Kolbie and I shared a pizza while Bruce had a salad. He would need to just eat a salad after the beer he put down. It was huge. Very dark. Kolbie found this a little amusing. Bruce has never drank anything other than water around Kolbie. Kolbie is getting older now so I would imagine it wouldn't be quite such a big deal anymore. We have never drank around him. It was funny though. The food and the atmosphere was great. There was a point where we had a group of flies that tried to join us. They could have stayed at home.

AND SO IT MUST COME TO AN END

2009-08-12T10:16:00.001-07:00

This is our last week of summer. School will start back on Monday. We took Kolbie to see Aliens in the Attic this past weekend. I have to say I was not really wanting to see it but it was a very cute movie. Kolbie really enjoyed it so that is really all that mattered anyway.

It was very hot this past weekend. Upper 90's if not low 100's everyday. There was one point on Monday when I went to get in my car from work and the thermometer said 105. SIZZLING.

This was after we left the movie Saturday evening.

Today I am at home with him because he has a stomach bug. What a way to end the summer. I am hoping that this is only a 24 hour thing. Bruce has planned to take the day off on Friday and spend with him and I would hate for him to be sick.

This year I plan to be more prepared for each day but still "huh" I sigh because I know:

THE RAT RACE BEGINS ON MONDAY!!!

The Weekend

2009-08-04T15:05:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was a typical weekend for us except that we had to go and do a little school shopping. It is so hard to believe that Kolbie will be in the 3rd grade. I am so not prepared for this. I feel like I am going back as well. I have heard that 3rd grade is hard and I am really not looking forward to it.

This past week Bruce did something really different. He was one of the models for a photo shoot for EVOLE MALE. This is a store in downtown Greenville. A friend of his was the photographer. Check him out at www.gabriellancephotography.com. Hopefully he will be posting some of the pics soon. Anyway they had an event at Sasafrass so we decided Saturday evening we would go there before we did the school shopping. Kolbie and I shared scallops wrapped with bacon over a bed of grits and Bruce had salmon over grits. Now I have to say that the grits were a little different than what I expected but it wasn't bad. The scallops were to die for. I highly recommend it.

All in all it was a pretty uneventful weekend. Very relaxing.

Kolbies 8th birthday

2009-07-18T13:25:00.000-07:00

Kolbie wanted to go to Kanpai Tokyo for his 8th birthday back in April. No party just family time. Gotta love that. He is mastering the chop sticks.

A LITTLE SAFER

2009-07-11T09:43:00.001-07:00

If you follow the news in the US you will have noticed that our little town here in South Carolina had better week. The guy who has been committing the murders around here was found. Unfortunately he was killed. We would have liked to know why he picked out little town. Either way it is over but it does make everyone a little more aware of the craziness in the world. We just thought we were somehow immune to it around here. WE WERE WRONG.

ASKING FOR PRAYERS

2009-07-03T06:57:00.000-07:00

We live in a small town. Nothing much really ever happens but this week there have been 4 murders and we are a little on edge. The have deteremined that it is a serial killer on the loose. The most recent murder was a local business owner. His 15 year old daughter was with him and was also shot but is in critical condition at a local hospital. The suspect is still on the loose. Please be praying for our community. We need this person found. Paranoia has set in. It is leading to sleepless nights and caution in a little town were we have felt safe.

So we finally did it!!!!

2009-07-01T03:29:00.001-07:00

As some of you may know we took a little time off from racing to get our few remaining debts gone so all we would have would be the house. Well we are coming right along with that but we also had to get another vehicle. This was a part of the plan also. We finally did this week. We found a really good deal on a used Lexus IS300. Bruce has considered this his car and he will be driving it. I have finally gotten my Camry back after 5 years and really glad for that. The little car I was driving got me to where I needed to go but wasn't the best in the world. He had no radio and the air worked but would suck the life out the car when you used it. Needless to say after Bruce driving the Camry on the highway everyday for 5 years and us doing some traveling to races in it, it needs a little work done but it is finally back in my hands.

As for our debt payoff we are doing good with that and Bruce has been actually doing a couple of races/rides around here. We did however get hit with having to buy a bicycle because the team he was on decided they wanted theirs back now instead of at the end of the season. That is okay though. He will have his own now and not have to worry about it so much. It only set us back a month on what we had scheduled for the payoff plan so it wasn't too bad. We are now looking forward to the next thing to be paid off and our trip to Florida for Thanksgiving. No worrying about who is bringing what to Thanksgiving dinner. Sandy Beaches here we come.

Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen

2009-06-27T07:20:00.000-07:00

We went last night to see this movie. AWESOME. I liked the first movie but I have to say I think the second is my favorite. The special effects in this one were great. The Transformers were definetely bigger also. I would have to say that Chevrolet got plenty of plugs from this movie also. The new camaro was sweet, but the Corvette in there was out of this world. NO PUN INTENDED. My favotire care however was the little green one. It resembled a smart car but it was a Chevrolet. Definetely gonna have to get me one of those. I can see me scooting arounhd town in it.

I highly recommend this movie. It is however long so I don't recommend going for the big drink. You wouln't want to miss any of the show.

Once again time has gone by

2009-06-13T05:44:00.000-07:00

Well again I have let myself get behind on posting. Since I last posted school has gotten out for the summer. NICE!!!! No more rushing around in the morning making sure we are not tardy for the 100th time. Yes we seem to do well at being there a minute late. Anyway Kolbie did get promoted from 2nd to 3rd grade. He finished this school year with all A's. I think I finished with that also be Lord knows second grade homework is a challenge. I am getting reschooled all over again. Math and reading is my strong soot and it just so happens that the same can be said for Kolbie. He recently received the EXCELLENCE IN MATH award from his school. Can you tell I am a proud MOM.

He started the YMCA Summer camp again this year and had only gone 3 days so far but is loving it. He left for Hilton Head Island this past Friday (5th) and will be back today. The first few days of him being gone were nice. I didn't have to rush around or worry about hurrying home from the gym or anything but then that got boring. I can't remember what it was like when he wasn't here. I miss him terribly and really miss his conversation. Few more hours and he will be home. Will I be wishing for another vacation. He will have so much to say!!!!

GABE AND AMANDA'S WEDDING

2009-05-17T05:33:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday (may 9) was Gabe and Amanda's wedding. It was in a castle in Tuckaseegee NC. The rehearsal dinner was Friday night so Bruce and I took a half day off and headed up. We got there and were amazed at how steep the hill was to get to the Castle Ladyhawke. There was no way you could get up it in bad weather. It was beautiful. We saw Todd. He is a friend we have not seen in 3 years. He moved to some place in Georgia and bought a chiropractic practice. He still looks the same.

The wedding on Saturday was really sweet. These guys have been together for 8 years so it is about time they finally made it official. We danced and ate and had a really good time. We enjoyed ourselves and for the first time in the almost 14 years since we have been together we actually danced together. Can you belive that. WHERE HAVE WE BEEN??? RACING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bruce and I decided that we would not stay at the castle like the rest of the wedding party and we got a room at an Inn a few miles down the road. It was really nice and quaint. We just made a weekend of it. Bruce got out and did some riding in the mornings while I got to stay in bed and I tried to catch up on my reading and "ALIAS". It was really relaxing. There was no running to this race or getting up really early to make start time.

I did not get to run or walk while we were there. I have this thing about running or walking when I am in a strange place but when Bruce got back from his ride I did get him to walk to some of the shops nearby so I guess that would count for something.

It was great weekend.

HOW DO YOU BALANCE.......LIFE?

2009-05-04T10:56:00.000-07:00

Bruce and I laid in bed last night and talked about life and racing and debt payoff and we figured out something. THEY DON'T ALL GO TOGETHER! He loves racing but his heart just hasn't been in it this year. We are so close to getting completely out of debt and he knows that. This has been a burden to him since he knows that everything we spend to race could have gotten us one step closer, faster. So today he decided he would just take the year off. I am okay with that. I feel heartbroken for him because I know he loves it but I also know that he loves us more and only wants what is best for us. He is such a good father and wonderful husband. It takes a lot to give up your passion to make sure the ones you love the most are taken care of. THANKS HONEY. We both desperately need to get a new house and this will get us there faster. We also haven't had a true vacation since Kolbie was 18 months old and we have finally decided to do that this year. We are going to Florida and we can't wait (hope the swine flu is gone by then).

It has been great doing the racing scene but I think this time off will be good not just for Bruce but for Kolbie and I as well. I am looking forward to just spending some time with my husband on the weekend and not running to get a number or preparing bottles.

Watch out though we may be back next year and there should be nothing holding him back.

A MEMBER OF THE CULT!!!

2009-04-22T18:11:00.000-07:00

So I have officially become a member of the "cult" to here Gary Kroll say it. He is absolutely right. I have read all the Twilight Saga books and have loved them. The other women in my office have also read or started reading them and are also in love with them. I love sci/fi type books but usually not love stories but these have intrigued me. The first book was TWILIGHT. You could watch the movie and know what was happening in this one. Second is NEW MOON. Wonderful. The movie is coming out in November and my office has decided to have a girls night out. In our case we will probably be the only women there. The rest will be girls who shop in the junior section. SUCKS!!!. I am getting old.

Anyhow, NEW MOON brings to light some new hidden secrets about the characters from TWILIGHT and since I hate to spoil it for others you will just have to read the book to find out. Also will BELLA decide to have Edward turn her to a vampire? Who knows. Guess you will have to join the craze of women over 30 hunting down the books. Believe me they are hard to find.

ECLIPSE is book 3 of this series and is my favorite of all 4. Can't give any hints on this one either. The final book is BREAKING DAWN. This book had so many new characters added that I started to get a little confused but it all came to light at the end.

If you have not join the "CULT", try it. These books are easy reading. I read all of them in a little over week. INSANE since they are over 500 pages each. I have to give it to my husband though. He just allowed me to read and never bothered me or was bothered by me. THANKS HONEY.

Anyway run to the library or Barnes and Noble and give Stephanie Meyers a try. I think you will like them.

CHARLESTON

2009-04-21T04:07:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was the Pivotal Fitness race weekend in Charleston. It was absolutely beautiful down there. Sunny and high 70's. Bruce felt good this weekend so his mood was great. I however was not my happy go lucky self but it had been a hectic week for me so "WHAT DO YOU EXPECT". Anyhow, I did get to finish my book that I have been reading. I have read the 3 books on the Twilight Series that came after Twilight this week. They are great. Highly recommend them.

Catch my next post to see what I thought about each one.

Another Author!!!!

2009-04-12T04:56:00.000-07:00

Hey, this is Kolbie. well to start it off the easter bunny came and brought me some practice golf balls, a bionicle, and a chocolate bunny and some gum. After church I will be going to my nanny's house for lunch. I am excited because I will get to see my three cousins. So now I have to go fix breakfast so I guess i'll talk to you later.

Kolbie out.

HAPPY EASTER

2009-04-12T04:48:00.000-07:00

Well today is Easter. It is one of my absolute favorite holidays. It symbolizes so much. From the rising of Christ to the smell of spring. AND JELLY BEANS. Yes I have an addiction to jelly beans. Any kind. Doesn't matter the flavor they are all my favorite. WEIRD HUH.

It has been really nice here in South Carolina over the last few evenings so Friday night we went out in the field and built a fire and just sat around it. Weeble loved it. It was the first time he didn't shiver. Kolbie just like playing with bamboo. We have lots in the woods and Bruce was just feeling like a man with his fire he built. I was just enjoying the time together. It is not to often that we don't sit around without some form of technology blarring. It was NICE.

Anyway as I said it has been nice. We have been able to sleep with the windows up at night and when you wake in the morning the air is so crisp and refreshing. I love this time of year. Everything seems so clean and the flowers start to bloom. Everything is so green. Gorgeous. Bring on the ZYRTEC. Kolbie will need it.

Kolbie got picked

2009-03-21T10:33:00.000-07:00

Back in October Kolbie had to take some testing for the Gifted and Talented program at his school. He got a letter a couple of weeks ago that said he had passed the first round of testing and he was to be tested for 2 more days. Those two days were this week. We started the week off really bad because he has had some congestion in his head lately and it finally set into his left ear. We went to the dr on Monday morning and got some antibiotics and congestion meds. I was a little worried that he would have problems with the testing that was to be given on Wednesday and Thursday because he was having problems hearing out of that ear but he seemed to do okay. Wednesday was the reading comprehension part of the test. He was so excited when I picked him up from school. He said it was easy. Thursday was the math portion. He said it was a little bit harder but he didn't really worry so much about it. I hope he gets in. This is a great program and I think he will do well in it. He likes things that challenge his mind. They had to send the test to Columbia to be scored so now we wait.

Thing is regardless I was really proud of him because he was 1 of only 6 kids in his school that got approved to go on to the second round of testing. Better yet he was the only one in his class to be asked.

Pre training program

2009-03-21T10:27:00.000-07:00

So this week I could do what I really wanted before I started my 16 week training program. I decided that I would go out a couple of days and walk and then do a couple of days of rotating 1 minute runs and 3 minute walks. This is what has shown me what kind of shape I am in. I did this really well for about 5 rotations. The six and seventh rotation kicked my butt. I felt like I could barely get my legs off the ground to run. And for some odd reason I had to pee really bad. After the seventh time I decided this was enough and I would call it a day. Besides I was only PRACTICING what I would begin to do next week. Afterwards I walked home and Bruce and I did some strength training that was hard considering I had just had my butt kicked by the asphalt. The next day I got up and I was sore but it was great. It was a good kinda sore. I knew that I would be but I also knew that it meant I was on my way to getting back in shape. It has been 8 years coming. Gotta start some time.

A NEW VENTURE

2009-03-16T06:03:00.000-07:00

Well a couple of weeks ago someone said to me that when I get their age I will want to just stay home and watch t.v. That hit me and I thought, no freakin way. So at that point I decided I wanted to do something. I like to bike but I feel so guilty when I am away from Kolbie because Bruce trains so hard I feel one of us needs to be with him. I don't want someone else raising my child. Anyway Kolbie and I decided that we would start running. I have found a local 10k here in July and we have set our sites on that. Well this week I have been starting to train. Kolbie has not felt so well. I didn't realize just by walking how much better I would feel. Before Kolbie came along I stayed in the gym. I loved it and it brought that feeling back these past few weeks. Bruce and I have been doing some strength training at home and that has been nice too. Although he kicks my butt. I think we may venture back into the gym come April though. I will be easier and we will have more there. I will be able to cross train on the spin bikes too.

Anyway the Peach Festival here in July has a 10k, 5k, and 1 mile. I think Kolbie will shoot for the 1 mile and I will shoot for the 10k. I started out walking for the last couple of weeks and am gonna finish that this week. Next week I will start a training program that I found in RUNNER'S WORLD for 8 weeks and then I am gonna do another 8 week program from TRAINING PEAKS that will lead me straight to the 10k. I am bound to stick with this and finish this 10k. I want to accomplish this. It will give me a since of "HECK NO I WON'T BE LIKE YOU" and it will be healthy for me and for Kolbie to.

This will be my first goal. I will finish even if I have to walk across the line and then I will set my sites on to Atlanta (maybe).

Stay tuned.

THE ECONOMY!!!!

2009-03-01T07:12:00.000-08:00

So we have really been hitting it with our debt payoff these last few months. It has really been paying off too. This week has been a little scary for us though. We are so close to having our stuff paid off but this week I wasn't so sure we would be able to continue with that. Bruce's employer has tried to cut corners to avoid having to layoff any workers but it just came to a head this week. Fortunately for now Bruce has not been laid off but he will however be going back to drafting/coordinating. I think this was a blessing for us. He hated estimating. Sunday's were a real pain in the butt around our house. He will get to go back to what he liked to do and keep his job for now. His company has been really good to him so we are blessed there. As for me, the state of South Carolina is in a financial slump right now. The State has decided to cut our local government funding by 1.3 million dollars so that really is going to hurt our county. I was made aware this week that because of this we may have to cut some jobs in our county. We are small and only employ approximately 300 to 400 workers so cutting 40 jobs will hurt and will affect every department. I am unsure if I will get the boot but am hoping not just for insurance reasons. I have state insurance and it is great so it will hurt to lose that. The Treasurer will be fine because she is an elected offical but me being the Deputy Treasurer leaves me at risk because she can do my job also. There is nothing I can do though but wait.

We will see where we go in the next few months but it doesn't look good for everyone. I just might get the summer off!!!! Things will eventually pick up though. We just have to be patient.

ITS BEEN A WHILE

2009-03-01T07:06:00.000-08:00

I really didn't realize how long it has been since I last posted. Time is flying. Well lets see since I last posted we have started racing season again. Bruce went to Belize on February 12th to do the Valentines Day race there. There was 5 of them that went and Rich Harper ended up winning so that was good for the team. Of course I missed Valentine's Day with him but I wasn't alone. Kolbie and I fixed a really nice meal and watched a movie at home.

We started the Spring Series last weekend in Greenville. It was a little chilly on Saturday and Sunday was brutal so we didn't go that day. We were supposed to go again yesterday but it was decided that it wants to rain on the weekend for some odd reason so we decided to forego Greenville again yesterday. Today we are sitting here waiting for the major snow storm we are supposed to get so yet again we will not be racing today. Oh will SPRING ever get here.

"UNDERWORLD"

2009-01-28T07:48:00.000-08:00

Bruce and I decided that we would have a date night on Saturday. We went to City Range and had a really nice meal and then headed to see Underworld: Rise of the Lycans. I am a huge fan of the Underworld movies and was so looking forward to seeing it. I was however a little skeptical about spending the money to see it at the movie. Usually when a third movie comes out it isn't quite as good. I have to say this has to be my favorite of the 3. It felt more realistic than Underworld or Underworld Evolution. The werewolves were more realistic looking and it takes place before cell phones and guns come into play in the first Underworld. Lucian is seen in a different light than he was in the first 2.

I will definetely be adding this one to my collection when it comes out on DVD. I do have to warn you though. If you don't like scary "BASED ON TRUE STORY" movies try to skip the previews before Underworld: Rise of the Lycans. There was a preview for the movie "The Haunting in Connecticut". It scared the crap out of me. I will not be seeing that one.

24 DAYS AND COUNTING

2009-01-27T08:39:00.001-08:00

The last few months have been so relaxing. No running here and there every weekend. We have been paying off some debt and it has been nice. We have gotten to the big ones and only have a few left. AWESOME.

The time is coming though that relaxation will be a thing of the past and we will begin RACING SEASON 2009. I am hoping this will be a good year. Bruce had good results last year but there are a few key races he really wants to win. Belize being one of them. Rick Kattouff from Kattouff Training has done wonders for him and I think it will really payoff this year.

PROUD OF MYSELF

2009-01-22T05:30:00.000-08:00

So LOST premiered last night and I didn't peek. I am however a big fan of "LIE TO ME" now. I will watch LOST tonight.

COUNTING DOWN

2009-01-18T09:07:00.001-08:00

3 MORE DAYS UNTIL "LOST" PREMIERES FOR THE 5TH SEASON.
YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!

YAY!!! A RELAXING WEEKEND

2009-01-18T08:57:00.000-08:00

So this weekend has been such a long time coming. It sure seemed like this week would never end. It started with the trip the hospital on Sunday (previous post) and then this week has been a week from you know where. Taxes for our county are due without penalty by the 15th of January and it seems that those who were going to pay waited until then. I have worked late all week. There was one night I worked till 7 and then brought some work home with me and worked till 8:30. Bruce hates it when I have to work over. I think he just gets lonely. He usually is on the trainer but I think he still likes having me there even though we don't talk when he is training. Anyway, Saturday was very relaxing. I didn't even get out of my pj the whole day. Sad HUH. It was very cold outside so you really couldn't anyway. I have the day off on Monday for MLK day so I am excited about that. I am going to take these last few weekends of relaxation in because I know that come the middle of February they will come to an end. RACING SEASON!!!!! Gotta love having a cyclist for a husband!

A RELAXING WEEKEND. YEAH RIGHT!!!

2009-01-13T10:09:00.001-08:00

So this past weekend I thought I would relax. I decided that Kolbie and I would go and do a little shopping so we did on Saturday. Very fun. I didn't get to do everything I wanted to on Saturday so we thought we would go back out on Sunday. Just as I was going to walk out the door I got a call on my cell. Didn't recognize the number so I started not to answer it but did anyway. It was Boyd Johnson. As soon as I heard his voice I knew. He said Bruce had went down on their ride over in Greenville. He had hit a cat and took a gainer over the handle bars. The ambulance was on their way and he would be going to Greenville Memorial. I was not panicing yet because I had Kolbie with me and really didn't want to scare Bruce. My first reaction was "How am I gonna get there without calling Bruce's mom." I didn't want to alarm her but I knew that my little red car may not make it. (If you know us you know we don't like car payments and I drive a little old car that gets me to work and home). I called his mom and she gladly took me over there. Lucky for him he had several contusions and abrasions and a cervical strain. Thanks to Bell Helmets for being a sponsor of the team because without it he probably wouldn't be here today. The bad bad bad part was that we had to sit at the hospital for HOURS. Kolbie started getting restless and I was starving. I kept thinking "I sure hope we don't come home with a virus or the flu". Bruce's nutrition coach came over to check on him. That was super. He was very nice.

The Lord was watching over him and us once again. Hope this weekend is a little more relaxing.

NEW TEAMMATE????

2009-01-07T05:15:00.000-08:00

So yesterday when I got home from work Weeble was on the couch and apparently couldn't find his blanket to cover himself with so he pulled on a jersey. He had his head through the armhole but all the more it was still pretty cute. Maybe the team needs a mascot!!! I think he could make a pretty good podium picture.

CHRISTMAS

2008-12-30T16:24:00.001-08:00

This year was the best Christmas I believe we have had. We spent Christmas Eve with my parents and sisters and then we got up on Christmas morning, saw what Santa brought and went and visited Bruce's grandparents and went to the movies. Christmas morning was a lot of fun. Kolbie got up at around 7:00. He was so sweet. I am not sure what time he woke up but he didn't won't to wake us up so he laid in the bed until we got up. When I got up to let Weeble out he came running in there and said "I didn't think you were ever gonna get up". Then when it was time to open what Santa had brought he was more concerned that Bruce and I open what he had bought for us. His school runs a Santa shop every year so that the kids can buy for their parents. I received a nice little jewelry box and Bruce got a small concrete truck. Kolbie even wrapped the gifts hisself. He was very sweet.

He opened his gifts and was very pleased with what he got. He didn't want much this year. Just a couple of games for his PSP and some legos. He got lots of them. He and Bruce spent just about the whole day putting them together.

We thought we would start a tradition of going to the movies to see whatever new movie was coming out. We had a choice of BEDTIME STORIES or MARLEY AND ME. Kolbie and I decided we would rather see Bedtime Stories so we did. It was very cute. We then came home and I had Friday off from work so we just spent the rest of the weekend doing nothing.

Bruce is off from work until the 5th so he gets to stay home with Kolbie for this week. They will have a good time. We were also given money from my parents for Christmas and I have yet to decide what I want to do with mine. Bruce on the other had jumped right on the chance to purchase a new 2008 Cannondale CAAD 9 from a rep that he met up with. Great deal. Maybe after the season starts back and they get their Gary Fishers I can borrow it from him since I sold mine. We will have to see. All in all the Christmas season was great this year and unlike past years I was sad to see it go. We now look forward to the new year and what it may hold for us.

Christmas with the Humphries

2008-12-22T07:27:00.000-08:00

Saturday evening Bruce's parents and his brother and girlfriend met us at Longhorn in Gastonia for Christmas dinner. We had a really good time. The meal was very good and the wait wasn't tooooo bad. We usually don't wait anywhere and we haven't eaten out in a while since Bruce has been working with Rick Kattouf on his nutrition. The fellowship was great. We don't get to go out with his Chris and Hailey usually so we had a really good time. It was so much more fun that cooking dinner and having to clean afterwards and Bruce and I each got Chocolate and a Starbucks gift card. That is great. The good thing is they are reloadable. I may have to do that often seeing as Bruce keeps them in business. Kolbie ending up with a sketch pad and sketching set. That was such a good idea for him. He really likes to draw and I can tell he will be a little artist like Bruce. All in all it was just a good night with family.

Pet Smart

2008-12-15T06:45:00.000-08:00

So I took Bruce to Spartanburg to meet up with Alan Tripp on Saturday so they could go to Greenville to do the WBL. Before that we stopped at Starbucks in town and ran into Shane and his wife. Weird. We don't usually see teammates in our town. After I went and picked Kolbie up from his sleep over. He looked like death warmed over. Zach's mom says that the boys didn't go to sleep until 12:30. That is real late for Kolbie. He was so tired.

We decided we had to go back to Spartanburg and pick up Bruce so we would go to Pet Smart and have Weeble's nails trimmed. Weeble loved it. He has been before but it has been a long time. He rode in the buggy and checked out the other dogs and birds. We were gonna have his picture made with Santa but I couldn't bring myself to do it when we found out it was a woman dressed up like Santa. I know that sounds weird but I just have never seen a woman Santa and Kolbie thought that was really weird also.

GROWING UP

2008-12-12T13:19:00.000-08:00

Today Kolbie is going to a sleep over at a school friends home. I was very nervous about letting him stay at someone else's house. Too many crazies in the world. The mom called and talk to me and that made me feel a lot better. I think he will enjoy it. It just makes me see that he is growing up so fast. It just seems like yesterday when they told me I had a 9lb 7 oz baby. Now he is going to friend's houses, tomorrow he will be going off to college. GOSH!!!!! Get out the tissue.

THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD

2008-12-09T15:44:00.000-08:00

With all the hustle and bustle of Christmas we often forget what the TRUE meaning is!!!!

Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2:2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 2:3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 2:5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with Child. 2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the LORD came upon them, and the glory of the LORD shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the LORD. 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 2:15.

CHRISTMAS GIVING

2008-12-09T06:44:00.000-08:00

Have you ever thought about how you give at Christmas. Is it to the Salvation Army, The local Children's Home or even some other expecting organization. These people know every year that people will give. Our local Children's Home gets so much from every church. Do we forget that their are foster parents out there that are raising someone else's child. ANYWAY, the reason for this blog is because I was told a story yesterday that really touch my heart.

One of my co-workers daughter works 2 jobs here in town. One of them happens to be a local restaurant where she is a waitress. On Saturday evening she had a large party to come in. She did her job and being the good waitress she is, she interacted with them on a personal level. They got her name and introduced her to a nice guy at their table. As they left she came back to clean their table and they handed her an envelope and told her "MERRY CHRISTMAS". She went back to the kitchen and proceeded to open this envelope. In it was $847.00. She actually hit the floor. She was in shock and began to cry. She collected herself and went back to the table to find out what was going on. One of the customers told her that every year this local church sunday school class takes up money and at Christmas time they go to a restaurant and whomever their waitress/waiter is they present them this as a Christmas gift.

On top of this they gave her a 30 dollar tip. She offered to pay their bill or something to repay them but all they wanted was a simple thanks. She was so blown away. She had some doctors appointments that needed to be made and really needed to buy new glasses, so this will help. This was a local church blessing someone else through their giving. These people had been giving what was in their pocket each week. Their blessing was bestoyed on someone else. The young lady has planned to Pay this forward in some way. The blessing will continue on.

Even those of us who didn't receive the money got a blessing from it. All to often we get wrapped up in giving to those charities but we forget that their are people in need who never ask for help and probably never will. They work hard on a daily basis and just get by, but sometimes and unexpected envelope can change their lives in so many ways. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND MAY WE ALL BE BLESSED THIS YEAR SO THAT WE MAY BLESS SOMEONE ELSE.

ANNUAL NIGHT OUT.

2008-12-08T10:34:00.000-08:00

So this past Saturday Bruce and I decided we would have our annual Christmas night out together. We normally do this every year. We go and do some Christmas shopping (always for Kolbie) and then we go to eat at a nice restaurant. This year was alot of fun. We went to Toys R Us and to Khols. We only go a little shopping done but we always love buying for Kolbie every year. We are like kids in a candy store. We then went to City Range and had a really nice meal. We got to sit right beside the fireplace so we were so toasty and the meal was excellent. When we left there we decided since we didn't have Kolbie we would go and see a movie that wasn't put out by Walt Disney so we opted for "Four Christmases". Hilarioius. We laughed so hard. It wasn't as funny as we thought it would be but we still busted a gut several times.

It was a great evening with my loving husband.

YUM YUM

2008-12-08T10:32:00.000-08:00

So this past weekend we decided that we would decorate a gingerbread house. We had a few gumballs to put on it. Bruce left us some. It turned out really nice. Kolbie got completely crazy with the candy. He is now wanting to eat it. That would be a bad day. ALL THAT SUGAR.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2008-11-27T10:31:00.001-08:00

So, today is Thanksgiving. I have so much to be thankful for. A wonderful husband, a beautiful child and a roof over my head. Also with so many people out of work we are blessed with a job this year.

We prepared a meal for just the 3 of us this year and it wasn't bad at all. I hope this year to come will afford us to be as blessed as we have been so far. Happy Thanksgiving.

Now looking forward to Christmas.!!!!!!!!!!!!

TRANS-SIBERIAN FUN

2008-11-24T05:28:00.000-08:00

So yesterday my sister and I took Kolbie and my niece to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. It was an awesome show. The lighting was spectacular and the music was great. I guess my absolute favorite part was when the electric guitar and the fiddle battled and the drum solo. Kolbie has told me that he wants a set of drums and this absolutely made it worse. He was amazed by the whole show. He loved the fire and the lasers and and the fireworks at the end. This was his first concert. He has never been to one before. He also enjoyed the fact that we were all the way at the top of the place. Freaked me out but he loved it. It did help with the smoke though. We didn't get chocked out by that.

We had a great time. I want to take Bruce next year. He would have enjoyed it. I highly recommend this show if you can go.

GOOD BYE MADDIE

2008-11-18T06:26:00.000-08:00

Well our youngest dog went on to be with Jesus this morning. It was sad but I am glad that it is over. She has been sick for about a week. I hated to watch her dying. Kolbie did great. He was so understanding about the whole situation. Funny how kids adapt.

"DIY"

2008-11-10T11:00:00.000-08:00

Well this past week we decided that we would have our toliet worked on because it had been leaking and while we were at it we would take up the flooring that was there and replace it. EASY right???? Not so. When we pulled up the flooring it was absolutely rotted under the toliet area and a good peace away from the toliet. Our easy fix was turning into a bathroom renovation. We decided we would go ahead and put in a new toliet, sink, and vanity. So far we have put in a new floor (SUBFLOOR INCLUDED) and replaced some of the drywall. This is a picture of the floor that we have gotten in. More pics to come when we finish the project. So much for a weekend of relaxing. We are definetely not WEEKEND WARRIORS.

MY LITTLE BOOKWORM

2008-11-07T07:04:00.000-08:00

God did not bless me with a purely athletic child. I think that he knew that I could only take so much with an athletic husband so instead he gave me Kolbie the Bookworm. We recently had Parent Teacher Conferences at school and he got a really good report. They base their reading level on a Dominie Scale, (not sure is that is spelled right), and he is a 10A. This means he is a second grader reading at a 3rd to 4th grade level. His math skills were also above average. As you can see from the picture he loves to read and his nose is often in a book. He is currently into the Spiderwick Chronicles. Football, Baseball, or even Soccer, I don't think so. Occasionally he likes to do a cycling event but most of the time he curls up with a good book.

A LITTLE SOMETHING FROM "DAVE"

2008-11-06T10:27:00.000-08:00

So I frequently go on www.daveramsey.com for a little inspiration with our debt freedom plan and this is what was on his site today. I found it very intriging.

The 10 Cannots
By William J. H. Boetcker(wrongfully attributed to Abraham Lincoln)

*You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
*You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
*You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich.
*You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
*You cannot build character and courage by taking away man's initiative and independence.
*You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
*You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
*You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
*You cannot establish security on borrowed money.
*You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they will not do for themselves.

Very inciteful!!!!

"I VOTED"

2008-11-04T07:12:00.000-08:00

So I got up early this morning to be at the polls at 7:00. Got there shortly after and it was already lined up out in the parking lot. I thought oh well I should go ahead. It won't get any better. It took about 1 hour and 30 minutes but "I VOTED".

CHANGING OUR FAMILY TREE!!!!!!!

2008-11-03T09:14:00.001-08:00

So this year during racing season Bruce and I decided that we wanted to get completely out of debt and owe no one. We discussed our options and decided that we would race a little less next year and really focus on paying off everything we owe so that we could focus on racing a little more later.

We decided that we would start this once racing season was over this year, so that is exactly what we did. Racing season ended for us on October 12th this year and we decided we would get on with the plan from there. I am excited to say that we paid off the most annoying bill we have had so far this past Friday. A Halloween present to ourselves. If we stick to our plan and no major events happen we should have our house (the last debt) paid off in 4 years. That is only 8 years into our loan. Something to look forward to. After that we are taking a trip. Maybe DisneyWorld or the Tour de France.

So why did I call this CHANGING OUR FAMILY TREE. Because I don't want Kolbie to ever be burdened by the mistakes his parents made. I want him to know that you can have what you want without paying for it for 5 years and that you can do whatever you want without hoping it pays enough to pay everyone else. True happiness comes from living life to the fullest and not from material possession that you can't take with you anyway. Happiness is doing what you love and not what you have to. That is called a JOB. If changing my family tree works as I know that it will then my JOB will soon be less burdensome and maybe a little fulfilling.

2008-11-01T05:31:00.000-07:00

TRICK OR TREAT

So yesterday was Halloween and we decided we would do our yearly go to the mall tradition. This works out great because Bruce and I get to shop a little while we let Kolbie fill his basket with cavity creating sweets. Thank goodness he is not a big candy fanatic. Anyway as I said in my previous post, yesterday was my sisters birthday and some of her friends were throwing her a birthday party so she asked me if my nephew ( her middle child, she has 3) could stay with us, so of course we thought it would be great for Kolbie to have a friend to trick or treat with. They had a blast. I am not sure what Kolbie was but he had a green skull face and Lane was Ironman. There were some creepy gouls and goblins out. In Gaffney some of them weren't even wearing a costume and would scare the pants off you. Kolbie wasn't too scared since he had a friend and most of the ghouls and goblins were the same size as him.

We didn't stay long. They were ready to come home about 30 minutes in and that is exactly what we did. They hit the couch and crashed. Both probably had a big day at school since they had parties and all. They were both up early this morning. 6:24 to be exact. WHAT!!!!. As I am posting this they are running a muck through my house screaming and laughing. It is okay though, Kolbie is having a blast and that is all that matters.

2008-10-31T05:08:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!!

So today is my sister 29th birthday. She is planning a big day and I hope that she has a absolutely magnificient day.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTER. LOVE YOU.

2008-10-30T17:06:00.000-07:00

PUMPKIN ANYONE!!!!!!

It is the eve of Halloween and we have had a pumpkin on the doorstep for a couple of weeks now. Kolbie has been really bugging Bruce to either paint or carve it so since racing season is over and Bruce has some time on his hands he decided to put his artistic skills to work. Once he got started he really got into it. It looked really good. I was really impressed. We put a candle in it and put it back out on the steps and when it got really dark out it looked really great. A real Picasso!!!!!

2008-10-26T10:51:00.000-07:00

EDUCATIONAL FUN!!!!!!

So racing season is officially over so we decided that we would take a day to do something fun. I was checking out some things to do on the internet the other day and found where the SC State Museum was hosting a Halloween Extravagana. According to the forecast it was going to rain so we decided a day indoors would be just the thing for us. Bruce left the house about 8 Saturday morning and decided he would ride his bike as far as he could get to Columbia before I caught him. Well Kolbie and I got caught up in a movie ("My Dog Skip") which was a great movie, and we got a later start than that. We left the house about 10:15 and ventured out on the same route that Bruce was taken. We finally caught up with him on a lone road about 15 miles from Columbia. So I guess he had rode about 65 miles. We pulled over at this run down convenience store so that he could change. Needless to say no one in this town had seen a guy changing clothes outside before. We got some of the weirdest looks.

We got to Columbia, grabbed a bite to eat and headed to the museum

Well they had it all decorated for Halloween. There was gouls and goblins hanging from everywhere. Kolbie was really scared of them. There was a guy walking around as a dead person carrying his head. He was really cool but absolutely terrified Kolbie and even manage to come around a corner and scare me a few times.

Kolbie was very fascinated with all the different things to see in the museum aside from Halloween stuff. They had this really cool scavenger hunt going on where you had to answer questions about different things from Space Exploration to Funeral procession of slaves. Once you got finished you could go and get a prize. He really enjoyed that also. Bruce was a little bored but he was so sweet to take Kolbie.

We had a good time and we didn't have to be rushed or anything. We just got to spend the day together.

2008-10-24T16:14:00.000-07:00

LET ME INTRODUCE......
The Humphries consist of more than me, Bruce, and Kolbie. We also have 2 other members of our family. First let me introduce......

WEEBLE

Notice that he is a proud supporter of the Hincapie/Coca-Cola cycling team.

He is the oldest at almost 10. He is our special baby. He has been with us for years.

Next allow me to introduce........

Maddie

She just showed up on our doorstep one day about 3 years ago and has been with us ever since. She is spoiled rotten and definetely a jealous dog. She doesn't like to share me with anyone.

ELECTRIC FUN

2008-10-24T11:26:00.001-07:00

Okay so Bruce's mom invited us to go to her work (Broad River Electric Coop) for a Fall Festival. Kolbie had a really good time. Unfortunately I could not hold my eyes open in the picture. Not sure when we picked up the little green monster.

2008-10-24T10:46:00.000-07:00

Kolbie got the Great Grizzly award at school recently. This award was given to the child in his class who demonstrated the most responsibility. We were very pleased with him. He didn't even know he was going to get it. Total Surprise

Trying this out

2008-10-24T10:17:00.000-07:00

Okay, so everyone out there seems to have a blog now a days. So I decided I would start one for our family. We will see how this works out.