Monday, December 28, 2009

Meet Roberta

Wow what a Christmas we had. Check this out:



We tried to gather around the fireplace for a family portrait. Setup the timer, but the frame was a little off. At least we're all smiling.

This one we got the picture right, but Evil Genius was crying. Everyone else is all smiles though! We did the family tradition of opening one present on Christmas Eve, and everyone got a new pair of pajamas to sleep comfortably in that night. The girls also made cookies, and left some for Santa along with some milk to drink and carrots for the reindeer.


That is what the kids came down to Christmas morning. Santa really left them quite the loot! They must have been good this year, despite what we told him.

Bigun is very happy with the Jack-In-The-Box that santa brought her. and those slippers are adorable!


We went over to visit with my parents friday as well. Evil Genius got this pricess dress up set with a boa, fairy wand, tutu, and slippers that light up when she runs. She was running around saying that "Pricess Lena was here to save the day!" it. was. ador.able.


Boy, that's a lot of Flynn's. On the left is Morgan with his girlfriend Natalie in front. Then Summer and Michael standing behind my Dad's Mom (86 yrs old and still kicking ass). I think Bigun has a really funny look on her face, and I kind of got cut out of the shot. The funny thing is that Kelley was next to me, and she got cut out of the shot even when my mom was taking the picture with our camera! too funny. Sometimes it's hard to shoot with the big lens I guess.


Bigun loved a wheelbarrow that she got. She wants to help me in the garden more next year.


EG Loved playing with this spinning LED light toy. I love the depth and focus in the picture too.


Finally, here's Roberta. You'll notice I'm holding her up with only 2 fingers. She's all carbon, Cannondale Synapse 6-c with Shimano 105 components. Weighs under 20 lbs, has a triple chainring with a BB-30 bottom bracket. Lightweight, stable, fast. I still have to find some pedals, and I want to get 2 pairs of the same type so I can put one pair on the mountain bike too and use the same shoes for both.

Roberta comes from When Harry Met Sally, when one of the old couples was describing how they ended up together. It's always been one of Kelley's favorite lines of the movie. And since Roberta was the other woman in their conversation, she will certainly be the other woman here too. I love this bike. it is nice and fast, and I can't wait to get out on the roads some.

You almost never see 3 chainrings on a road bike. But the bottom bracket is completely enclosed by the bottom of the frame, so it frees up enough space down there for the extra chainring. Originally, the bike that I had picked out in the store (on a 2009 model clearance sale) only had 2 chainrings. But it sold already before Kelley could get in there to buy it - after I bought the new car. Luckily, the store was able to call their supplier that still had 2 of the old models in stock. So Gusto Cycles was able to order it, 2 days later it was in the store for the same clearance price, then it was just waiting for me on Christmas morning. yea baby. Bring on those century rides.

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I also got in a 10 mile long run on thursday morning. Felt great, went pretty fast (6.3 speed on the treadmill the whole time) and was just really consistent. I also got in a swim over lunch today just under half a mile. but those are the only 2 workouts around this holiday. That is pitiful.

Tonight I am really tired. Between the 4 hour drive back to raleigh yesterday, getting a late start, and nothing unpacked yet I'm just feeling a bit sleepy. And I have to be at work at 6:30 tomorrow morning for a deployment. ouch. today was incredibly long getting ready for the deployment.

On 12/28/07 I put the cigs down for the last time. So today is my 2 year smoke-free-aversary. I smoked a pack a day for over 15 years from age 14 to 32. I put down the cigs maybe 6 times before 12/28/07, with the longest smoke free stretch being about 18 months - when I went crazy with the bodybuilding/weightlifting and blew up from 165 to 225 lbs. The average "quit time" was about 6 weeks. So I'm really proud to have made it 2 years this time.

The cool part is that there's no end in sight. Yes, I still have nicotine cravings on a weekly basis. But they get weaker and weaker. Even when I started the blog in 2008 I had cravings daily. But this blog gives me accountability for my actions. And all of the triathlon training and racing keeps the demons at bay. Even last week I went friday-saturday-sunday with no workouts; and on Sunday I was completely foul to be around. Just in an ill mood. I wasn't looking forward to the drive back to raleigh, the kids and wife seemed to grate on every nerve... When Kelley asked me why I was so unpleasant that day, I realized it was the third day since my last workout and I was having a nicotine craving and headache. Since my swim today? no cravings. So if I've traded one addiction for another I can live with that. I can keep a regular workout schedule much easier than keeping up with the rising cost of smoking ($$, health, and mental costs).

So yay for 2 years! The "2009 year in review" post is up next. I hope your holiday was as good as mine was, I truly feel blessed and priviledged to be able to provide for my family like this.

20 comments:

wifeypoo said...

Yeah, hard to use the big lense. I don't think I have experienced that problem with it yet. I hope if your mom is ever standing next to Clooney I don't have trouble getting her in the frame.

Badgergirl said...

Roberta is pretty! And she looks speedy!

Congrats on the 2-year smoke-free-aversary!

Tyger Lily said...

EVERYBODY made out like a bandit! Looks like you all had a very Merry Christmas. Here's hoping you have a amazing New Year!

Georgia Snail said...

by far the greatest gift is that you are two years free of smoking! Congrats, great milestone....Oh and DAMN! that bike sure is purdy...

Amber said...

I love your family photo!! So Christmas-y with all of you guys in new PJs!!

It must be so fun to have young kids and do the whole santa thing with them! Also, you cleaned up - great bike and congrats on your 2-year smoke free anniversary. That is a HUGE accomplishment!

Carly said...

Congrats on your 2 year smokefreeaversary! That is a huge accomplishment and you have come a long way.

Santa was really nice to you this year. Roberta is a beauty!

joyRuN said...

Bike envy. I'm deep in the throes of it!

Congrats on Roberta & getting those lungs healthy. It's the best gift for yourself and your beautiful girls.

PS - let me know how that immersion stuff works out. I'll try anything.

Ryan said...

Congrats on being smoke free but 3 days with no training...C'mon, sack up and at least go for a 30 minute run.

Whenever I go into a gas station/convience store (usually to buy condoms and lube) I always like to see how much a pack of cigs cost...Damn! $5.60 a pack now. Triathlon may be a cheaper habit than smoking...Nah!!!

Sun Runner said...

Roberta comes from When Harry Met Sally, when one of the old couples was describing how they ended up together.

Yeah, I know exactly which scene you're talking about...can see it in my head right now. But we've already established I'm a huge WHMS fan. :)

I love the family flannel pajamas theme. Next year: matching Snuggies?

My first really good bike was a Cannondale. I miss her. :(

Relentless Forward Commotion said...

A christmas card with everyone smiling is a great gift in itself! One day my boys will bless me with that gift, haha! Roberta is great! Wow Santa thought you were really good this year huh? Have a fantastic new year!!!

RockStarTri said...

2 years smoke free is one of the few things that can trump a new bike. One of the other things is a happy family.

Congrats!

PS: It is times like this when I would look forward to Glaven's fashion critique on the flannels.

Wes said...

Dude... your family is awesome, but you gotta stop messing up their pictures ;-)

Love the ride. We will be expecting great things out of you on the bike now...

Congratulations on kicking that nasty habit. Do yourself a favor now, and the next time you go to Atlanta, get a $150.00 heart and lung scan at Emory. It's worth every penny...

Happy New Years!!!

Anonymous said...

Congrats, both on the smoke-free-aversary and on having such a photogenic family!!!

Mike Russell said...

Great looking family. That bike was certainly the best present a wife could ever get for her husband. Great job.

Jess said...

Looks like you had a wonderful holiday! And you got some really awesome presents!! Can't wait for the year in review!

Teamarcia said...

Great Christmas and adorable pics! I love your feisty granny and congrats on Roberta! What a hottie!

Al's CL Reviews said...

Roberta is nice looking!

Congrats on your 2-yr anniversary.

Quite an accomplishment!

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

First off - congrats on being smoke free for TWO YEARS. that is amazing. So proud of you, buddy!

Your kids are adorable. I laughed out loud when I read about your daughter running around in her little princess outfit! Adorable! See now, I have all nephews so I don't get to experience that kind of stuff. Although I will say that boys rock in their own way. :)

Very cool bike!

Mel-2nd Chances said...

Congrats on your 2 years.... YOU ARE AWESOME! From one ex-smoker to another, I'm proud of you CJ. I just celebrated 4 years... can't wait to be in double-digits! :D Umm, the pic of you in your PJ's might be enough to bring Glaven back to the blogosphere! Congrats on Roberta, methinks you'll have an awesome tri year :) Btw, your girls are beautiful!!

Alisa said...

Congrats on two years! I have so much respect for those that have learned to quit smoking.

Roberta is so purrrrrty! Enjoy her!

Looks like Santa spoiled the Flynn's too.

You're a training machine...when is your next event?