I'm looking for a bike!

Last year, my boyfriend and I ran our first half marathon and for me, it was quite an accomplishment! We trained for about two and a half months, which allowed me to turn in a respectable time (at least by my standards), and finished without needing too much recovery time. We're thinking about doing another one this year, but are still unsure. Training is really time consuming and tough on the legs and knees. And let's face it, I'm getting O-L-D!!!!

As an alternative to running, we're looking into cycling! My boyfriend already has two bikes and was an avid cyclist before. For me, I just started shopping around --- my last bike was a so called "ten speed" when I was in ninth grade. Who knew how complicated bikes are now!?! Ultegra and 105s! Carbon frame or carbon fork! Thick tires, skinny tires! Disc brakes?? Felt! Giant! Cannondale! Specialized! Novarra! K2! Scott! Where is a girl to start?!?

Who knew that a "cool" bike has no kickstand? Who knew it's not cool to have handbrakes at the top of the handlebar? Who knew pedals are sold separately? Who knew you actually have to hop off your seat when you stop to balance yourself? Who knew you actually have to be pedalling to shift gears??!? There's so much to think about... (and hey, do you HAVE to wear a helmet?)

Well, we're going to shop around some more over the next few weeks... I just hope I find one that comes in a cool color!

Stay tuned....

this is the name of my baking business that I have yet to launch. my friend sherri came up with the idea of the name and I thought it was kinda catchy. "where did you get that cake?" someone might ask --- "from my friend annie!!" see how catchy??

so far I have a name, a domain name that my boyfriend reserved for me (with nothing on the website except something that says it's under construction) and an off-and-on dream. that dream is usually more "on" on weekend mornings when I'm spending it with the fn ladies: ina, rachel, giada and even paula! (but never sandra cuz she's just a big cheater.) ina went from being a budget analyst at the white house to caterer and owner of her specialty food store ---- she went from doing something she didn't like to something she loved. well, I'm halfway there!! I'm currently doing something I don't like so much...compliance at a bank! :( certainly doesn't make me leap out of bed in the mornings like baking does....

i LOVE to bake! there is nothing more satisfying to me than putting the finishing touches on a cake ---- it's perfection when that cream cheese frosting swirls out of that star tip onto the cupcake; it's bliss when your offset spatula smoothly spreads that icing on top of a layer cake; it's pure satisfaction when you unmold that chocolate tart from the tart pan that creates those even ridges ---- I can go on and on!! I'm getting all tingly inside... [she shivers.]

what am I going to do with my friend annie?? I dunno. will it become of anything? what would I make? what would I sell? would it sell? will I lose my love for baking if I'm forced to do it everyday? will I overcome my aversion for risk?

stay tuned.....