Bo Jackson, of course. Well that’s what Bubs calls me anyway following a weekend of intense cross-training. Ok, total overstatement, but for sloths like us, this was definitely activity level high: swimming, rollerblading, walking, hiking, gardening/yard work… We went to REI, and I finally got that presta to schraeder valve adaptor for my bike tire. Dusted off the cobwebs, pumped air into the tires, oiled the gears. I also tended to my worm bin, which is doing well. The worms still need to kick it to high gear, but I had plenty of soil amendment for planting our herbs and seeds.

As usual, I also did my daily cleaning, laundry, and cooking. It’s practically routine now. I was complaining to Bubbey last night that I haven’t eaten out since I quit my job last month. That’s right: three weeks and counting. Thai chicken wraps, homemade egg mcmuffins, turkey sandwiches, beef and onions, chicken and vegetables, lime-cilantro chicken, ground turkey sloppy joes, pork chops, pasta, heirloom tomato salads… I am craving Sushi Monster and Windy City Pizza like a frickin’ dope fiend.

Frankly, the exercising (especially the swimming) is making me eat like a pig. That plus it’s hormone week. Here’s what I bought at the supermarket yesterday: chocolate chip muffins, tres leches cake, AND key lime pie. And I consumed 2 of the 3 last night. See? Full-on attack. Ah well, might as well plump up for my trip to Hawaii!! That’s right, John and I are headed to the Big Island this Saturday for five nights. Last week, United sent out an email blast saying there were open seats from SFO-KOA (Kona). Like a total sucker, I clicked through, popped in our data, and minutes later, we were booked for Hawaii. Luckily, we were able to use frequent flyer miles. Aw yeah!

So last week was all about travel planning and research: car, hotel, B&B, kayak place, blah, blah. I know, I am totally obsessive compulsive, so my research is way too time-consuming. But hey, time is something I have these days, so I might as well.

The plan is to stick on the Big Island: two nights on the Kona beach side south of the resort area, two nights tucked away in the Volcano National Park, and the final night back to Kona but in the resort area. This is my first time testing out Priceline… I know, many people have gone on and on about Priceline. Me? In the past, I searched it for cars and hotels, but the rates were higher than booking directly. Plus, they offer no cancellation/refunds. This time I did the “name your price” for the hotel, so we’ll see how that pans out.

In other news, I checked out a couple riding stables in Portola Valley. I’m finally biting the bullet: first lesson starts tonight. Everyone knows I’m obsessed with dogs now, but when I was a kid, my first love was with horses. I must’ve read the horses section of the World Book Encyclopedia a million times. Knew all about the grooming and tack and Western vs. English styles.

I am really psyched, because the ranch is near my new place of employment. Plus, there are a bunch of horse trails in the open spaces. Wish me luck. I hope I’m a fast learner. One day, I’ll ride like a true cowgirl. Sigh.

I’ve already started pricing out my gear. See how my OCD spreads into everything I do? John says I should be a Consumer Reports researcher. I think he’s glad my job starts soon, because he says he doesn’t like being micromanaged by the task master at home. Hey, I’m just doing my duty: we’re only 31 years old, James and Jen really showed us up. Seriously, we need to get our shit in gear.

Speaking of gear, check out the dogs sportin’ their hiking backpack. That’s right, I’m putting them to work! They can carry their own damn water!