It’s time to sit down once again with a beverage of your choice and chat – I’ll remind you that I don’t like coffee or tea so my drink of choice today will be water. Let’s chat about things other than just running, cycling, strength training, yoga, and complaining about our most recent injuries. Sound good? I’ll go first…

 

If we were having coffee…..

I’d tell you that after buying these cute Pactimo kits, I decided that I really don’t care for bibs. Not only did I find it a hassle taking off my jersey to lower the bibs for restroom stops, but I found the extra layer too hot. After considering for over a year refashioning them into shorts, I took the risk and cut off the top half. Using my favorite pair of bike shorts as a model, I made a pattern for the waistband, purchased black lycra, and voilà, I had myself some shorts.

 

When the first pair turned out so well, I took my scissors and sewing machine to my other two bibs…

 

If we were having coffee…..

I’d tell you that while I had my sewing machine out I tackled another long overdue project. When I redecorated our youngest son’s room after he graduated from college, I fashioned a funky window treatment that didn’t turn out quite as I’d hoped. I went more traditional and made this simple valance which is much more to my liking.

Fabric stores are at the top of my least favorite places to shop and I’m happy that I won’t need to visit another one anytime soon.

 

If we were having coffee…..

I’d tell you that I’ve not only been busy behind my sewing machine, but also in our workshop. I had stopped clipping onto my pedals thanks to lower back injuries causing nerve damage and lack of strength in my right leg. I’m left dominate so I push off with my left leg and therefore unclip my right foot for balance at stops. Unfortunately, the lack of strength left me unable to twist my right foot out to unclip.

After putting lots of thought into how to fix the issue, I came up with a solution. I started clipping in normally with my left foot, but ground down my right cleat to a much shorter length so it was no longer under tension in the pedal and could slip right out with the slightest twist. It took about three hours with a lot of stopping to screw the cleat back onto my shoe so I could try it out on my bike, then taking it off to grind it down some more. I finally got it just the way I wanted and all by myself.

 

If we were having coffee…..

I’d tell you that speaking of sewing, I’m so grateful my mom taught me how to sew and trusted me at her sewing machine when I was just a little girl. After years of having the best dressed dolls, I made my own dresses in high school (to wear when I wasn’t wearing hip hugger bell bottoms), and later maternity clothes when I couldn’t find anything cute. I’ve made several quilts, lots of curtains and valances, and little boys’ outfits with hand smocked inserts, but guess what? I don’t enjoy sewing anymore. I do it out of necessity rather than as the relaxing hobby it once was…

I’d also tell you that I’m very lucky that I spent a lot of time with my dad working around the farm and watching him repair the machinery. I’m sure my constant questions were annoying, but he patiently explained how tools worked, often letting me help. As a result, I’m not afraid of using tools and take great pride in fixing something myself without asking my husband for help.

 

If we were having coffee…..

I’d ask if you have any races coming up, and if so, I’d wish you good luck and to have a fun time!

 

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Today I’m joining Deborah at Confessions Of A Mother Runner and Coco at Running With Perseverance for their monthly Ultimate Coffee Date linkup which goes live the first Friday of every month.  Be sure to stop by their blogs for a cup of coffee and to say hello; and while you’re there, be sure to check out some of the other bloggers who are participating in the linkup.

 

  • Questions:
  • • Are you a DIY’er? If so, what type of projects do you enjoy? ~ I wouldn’t say I enjoy the process of painting, sewing, etc. as much as the satisfaction of a job well done, and of course, the end result. Gardening is an exception, though. I really enjoy the process of gardening projects.
  • • And since this is a coffee date and it’s almost fall, if we were meeting in person would you be ordering any sort of pumpkin flavored coffee? ~ I’m not a coffee drinker, so none for me.
  • • If we were having coffee, what would you tell me?