Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Heather

How is school going for everyone?

10 comments:

Kuoppala and Inlaws said...

Sorry, I tried to post this to the Grand kids blog, but being as it didn't work, parents can answer. haha.

Kuoppala and Inlaws said...

Heather - how about you tell us how biking is going for you? To everyone else, Heather has become a bike-a-holic - she's putting on some serious mileage. e.

Kuoppala and Inlaws said...

I wish I lived up there so I could go biking with you Heather! I don't have a bike, but a lot of times I wish I did! What a great way to get in shape! Keep it up:)
Jenny

Kuoppala and Inlaws said...

My biking has been a lot of fun.

As a challenge from Kate to the outdoor club, I volunteered for the Great River Energy Ride down the Mesabi Trail. I didn't bike. I sat in my chair and pointed the direction for people (all ages, all sizes) to go. Well, too many people asked me if I'd biked, what my favorite part of the trail was, and so, I figured that I'd better bike the trail. Thanks to Liz, Kate, Laurie, Tristan, Kathy, and Lorrie J. the biking thing has been awesome.

I started biking on the 19th of August. (Liz is letting me use her bike) Thus far, I've biked 183 miles. I averaged it out last night: 15 miles per day for the days I biked and 9 miles per day calendar wise counting the days I didn't bike. I think the 9 miles is a more accurate statement because after the 1st weekend, I was a bit sore and lazy during the following week. My goal now is to do 6 miles at least per day. I didn't do that on Tuesday, but we did 14 yesterday. I've lost 15 pounds since we started biking. I only have 85 pounds left to go (HaHa). The other goal is to have 250 miles biked in one month so by the 19th, I'll have 250+ miles in.

I have not yet biked the whole Mesabi Trail, but we can finish it in one trip and we are planning when we will do that. I will have it done this fall. I've biked from Giants Ridge where the trail starts to Mountain Iron and then Ironworld to Grand Rapids. I'm only missing the part of Mt. Iron to Ironworld. I have to do the trail around Ely Lake too (that's not part of the Mesabi Trail), but Liz already has a plan mapped out and now we just have to figure out a day that works. There is another trail from Aurora to Hoyt Lakes and I want to have that done by the time snow flies.

So, if anyone would like to go for a bike ride, I'm willing to go. Shawn doesn't like when I travel a lot to bike, so the 'cities and AZ may be a bit out of the question.

Me, Liz, and Lorrie J. plan to bike to Brainerd next September, so I'm in training. I have to figure out a way to bike all winter long. I'm thinking a stationary bike with videos of travel. Mom exercised her way through many different places via video. I love the idea.

Liz is right, I may have become a bit of a bike-a-holic and it tends to be a major obsession for me. It's healthy, it's fun, and it takes away all stress. Shawn has even begun to support the bike riding, but hasn't decided yet to get on a bike. Maybe someday =)

Heather

Kuoppala and Inlaws said...

wow, that is awesome heather, and it sounds like you have a great support group! 15 pounds lost is an awesome achievement!! You go girl!
Jenny

Kuoppala and Inlaws said...

Good for you Heather! Glad your butt isn't as sore as when we were up there :-) Do they make snow tires for bikes? You see them downtown most of the year. Just not as many during the winter months. I love walking all winter, but shoes/boots are a little more stable than bike tires.

I haven't been on a bike in so long I am not sure i'd remember how to ride, but if we get up there before the snow flies, i'll borrow a bike and go with you the first half mile :-)
-b

Kuoppala and Inlaws said...

Responding to mother's first question: School seems to be off to a pretty good start. Counting the big kids, we sent 9 off to school this year.

Eric is beginning his final year in law enforecment; Denise her first offical year as a college student; Michelle her second unofficial year as a college student and her senior year (did I already brag that she is tutoring math to adults at the community college as a 17 year old?!); Brian is determined to get straight A's this year so he can go to the Community College next year instead of High School; Debbie was chosen as a WEB leader. (They serve throughout the year as mentors for the 6th graders who are in there first year in the building): Steven is adjusting well to the middle school; John and Susan have fallen back into the routine of elementary; Laura was thrilled to head off to kindergarten. She has had a hard time falling asleep at night because she is quite excited. The night before her first day, she lost her first two teeth. That added a bit to the excitement. Oh, and I can't forget Sarah. She has her backpack packed full of books, pencils and various other items and is on the count down. She is ready to go to school and is counting down the roughly 400 days until it is her turn! She did get to start pre-school Sunday School this year and was very excited about that.

I think I have completed all the emergency cards, internet permission forms, field trip permission slips, insurance waivers, PTO and classroom volunteer forms,... Now if I can just remember which kid needs there planner signed Wednesday, which one Friday, which one daily, and ... oh dear, did I remember to sign that reading log? Whose instrument practice log did I sign? Whose did I miss?

Now I remember why I look forward to the end of the school year :-)

Actually, it is going well. We have much to be thankful for. In Togo, the girls rarely get to go to school because there isn't enough money. If a family can afford to send someone, they send a son.

Happy studying to all that are.
-b

Kuoppala and Inlaws said...

Sure wish I had the class choices that these kids have today. Tanner started high school this year and the educational programs and choices are unbelievable. He is taking videography this year as well as photography and small engines. Very diverse choices but if it holds his interest I am all for that!
Mitchell loves 2nd grade, he has a male teacher this year and looks forward to going to school, a definite plus! Just as Laura, Mitchell lost his 2 front teeth a couple of days before school started. Should make for great 2nd grade pictures! (smiles) Becky and Wayne, you deserve the Super Parents award. I will never ever complain about getting 2 ready for school ever again! (smiles) Your kids have made great accomplishments over the years and you must be very proud! Parenting is not always easy but the rewards are wonderful.
Heather I wish you could bottle your energy for the bike riding and send it down to Farmington! I really need to get back in my routine and I love this time of year, my favorite season with the leaves starting to change. I need to dust off my bike and get going!!! You are an inspiration!
Take care all!
Farmington Jo

Kuoppala and Inlaws said...

Here's an idea for all of those that want to get out and do some sort of exercise: We could sort of do a check in. I know that I've been slacking and when I read the e-mails I have to get back on track. I missed Friday (just plain ol' took a day off - it was windy and I was lazy) Saturday I was out of town, Sunday - biked 11 miles. Monday - was sick (I still could have gone, but got lazy). So, we could set up goals with each other on the blog spot than report each week. If you set the goal with others, it is harder to get out of doing it and not feel guilty. So, my goal is 50 miles by the 19th. Being as it is supposed to rain this weekend, I have to plan ahead and get moving during the week. Anyone else want to join in? The goal could be time biking, time walking, distance, whatever, as long as it is your goal and realistaically acheivable. I wanted to have 500 miles in by the end of the month, but was told that I may be shooting a bit high, so the goal was changed to 250 miles by the 19th. (Hopefully I'll do more than that).
Heather

Kuoppala and Inlaws said...

I need something to motivate me to
walk. Time will tell! dk