Hubby Birthday!

Around this time of year, the Hubby can be found mumbling about how this is the worst time of year to have a birthday if you're an accountant. All he has done so far today, and will continue to do far far into the night, is tax returns. Even though he is a "miracle worker" (or so he tells me) it doesn't make being April born any easier. This year, along with tax season, the Hubby also has to share his birthday with Easter. 

Horoscopily, the Hubby is a Taurus. The Bull. This is the perfect sign for him. He doesn't take any crap from anyone. He stands his ground for what he believes is right. He is dense and has great mass (metaphorically speaking!) and this makes him very strong with his feet planted firmly and happily on the ground.

Of course, he's not perfect. And it must be said, yet again, that he is not the Perfect Man. But he's damned close. Well actually not that close if we go by his score (1 1/4 out of 3) on the Perfect Man scale. He does tend to tease and ridicule the people that he cares about the most. He likes techno-electronic music. He's addicted to Zombies.

I could go on about his imperfections but it IS his birthday today. I'll leave the rest til Father's Day...

What is perfect about the Hubby is that he moves our car so that my family can have the closest parking spot when they come over for dinner. When I ask him for something, anything, he will always try his best to give it to me.  He can pack a whole roomful of stuff into one suitcase. Out of the blue he will stop and marvel at how beautiful I am. In the kitchen, he can chop things into very small uniform pieces. If I can't sleep he lulls me by reciting General Accounting Principles. He openly admires the Adolescent's muscles even though he's sad that he's no longer that young and muscular. He profoundly appreciates the clear true love that the Beamer gives to him. When we were in France and I offered a euro to the person who spoke the most French each day, he was the richest family member at the end of the trip, even though he can't speak French! He cries at touching things. He likes himself. He lets me tease him on this blog.

In celebration of his birthday, I make the Hubby a Strawberry Layer Cake. I don't have to make him dinner as my cousins Terry and Brian have offered to do so. This allows me the opportunity to devote time to the Cake. This is one of my favourites. It is fresh and light. Although I decorated it with Easter eggs you can also mound strawberries on top for a beautiful presentation.

I guess not being a Perfect Man does not mean you can't be the perfect Hubby.

Happy Birthday my love.

Ride to Conquer Cancer

I'm training for the Ride to Conquer Cancer. It's a 200km cycle from Toronto to Niagara Falls in June to raise money for research at Princess Margaret Hospital. I'm riding to honour my sister who was diagnosed with a sarcoma 2 1/2 years ago and still today struggles to feel strong and invincible once again. I'm also riding to honour my friend Jennifer who died 6 years ago this month from breast cancer.

The training has not been going as well as I would like it to. The main culprit is the weather which has not cooperated in the least. It's generally still cold and wet.

Look closely and you can see the rain dripping off my face

This will be my 4th ride outside. I'm not feeling confident enough yet to go on my own. I'm a member of a team. The concept of the team is to train together and support each other. I need my team! I need support! But there's no support today. A little cold, a little wind, a little rain and they have deserted me. I am alone. My only hope is the Hubby. He really doesn't want to come. He'd rather play Zombies. But he comes with me anyway. Hard to believe he only has 1 1/4 out of 3 of the criteria in my definition of the Perfect Man.

We start off in the gusting wind. It starts to rain. It turns to sleet. Then it's actually snowing. My tire goes flat. The Hubby can't believe he gave up Zombies for this?!

The Hubby is changing my flat

Have you ever bought a new bike from a bike shop? You go in thinking that it's all about the bike but you soon realize it's about so much more. It's the same feeling I get at Mountain Equipment Co-op and at a kitchenware store. There are so many things that you never knew you needed. Things that will keep you warm and dry or just make your life so much easier. I now have shoe covers, arm warmers, knee warmers, a wireless speed and distance monitor, a tire change kit. I have all these items on my person or on my bike today. Am I warm, dry, or at ease??? Not in the least. We barely make it home. We're wet and cold. And starving!

It doesn't matter how you feel, it's how you look!

After a ride the challenge is renewing energy. I hate spending the rest of the day falling asleep whenever I sit down. Today I make a peach, mango, and banana smoothie. Sometimes I put in protein powder of which we have tons since the Adolescent uses it after pumping up his muscles. Today it's just yogurt for protein. The Hubby makes us a ham, red pepper and cheese frittata.

Lunch is ready

Despite the challenges, I'm glad we went out for the ride today. I'm intent on experiencing every one of the 200km of the actual Ride and this also means experiencing all the preparation leading up to it.

Here's to you Sis!

And Jennifer, I know if you could see me, you'd be laughing and shaking your head in amazement at what's become of me! Miss you.