Aren't weekends supposed to be for relaxing?

I was so busy this weekend, I didn't even have time to take pictures. Now I remember why summer goes by so quickly. This weekend was filled with weeding, yoga, wedding, 11 hours of fieldwork (drove to Slave Lake and back) and then we had a friend over for dinner on Sunday night. I need a rest from the weekend. But no such luck. This week is filled with reading, birthday celebrating and then off to Calgary this weekend. So probably not many updates. (Not any interesting ones, at least).

But one observation before I get back to work - how is it that I ride into the wind both ways? It sucks. But Jeff did get my side-view mirror on last night, so I got to try it out today. Now I'll know the colour and make of the car that drives by me too close and too fast.

Awesome concert

It was awesome. Bjork rocks.

The horn section was interesting and the outdoor venue was wicked.

Veggies are in!

Emilio and Dwayne loosening the soil for the potatoes (Jeff and Dwayne had the fun job of pulling all the redundant perennials and transplanting the cool ones).

The final product - three rows of potatoes.

On the right are the rows of carrots and lettuce. By the spruce tree I put in zucchini.

These are the fiddle heads growing in the front - we will get to see what they taste like this summer!

The boys at work.

Birthday shenanigans

Last night we celebrated Jeff and Jeremy's birthdays (it was officially Jeremy's birthday). Fun ensued:

It is the year of the Argyle for Jeremy, so his gifts were Argyle themed. Also, the initial idea for the party was Trailer Park Boys BBQ (so he dressed like Julian and he has the rye and coke to match!) He is the only one that matched the theme, but the food (burgers, fries and donuts) was made to match the theme as well.

Jeff with his rye and coke in the garden.

The family.

The fruits of our donut labours - we named the donut holes Jobits and Melbits - the handy work of Melanie and guess who...

And then the laptops came out...

Which look do you think is "blue steel"? (see Zoolander for the reference).

Jeremy enjoying his Melbit burger...

The post fried food comas.

Bike lessons...

I had a fender malfunction yesterday and as a result, I have learned a few things:

1. Always fix the problem at night (I had to get Jeff up at 8am this morning to help, which was a difficult task, but he came through, thanks!).
2. Zip ties are not a permanent solution for holding bike parts together.
3. When you hear rattling on your bike, stop immediately and deal with it (thankfully a disaster was averted, but it could have been nasty).

Here is the happy bike part:


And here is the happy bike rider:

Spring has sprung!

Our garden is starting to show some colour!

Some sort of bush that right now looks like asparagus.

One of the many bunches of tulips.

The first tulip to open!

A week ago these just looked like tufts of grass -

but alas, they are now some kind of purple flower.

Photos

I didn't get any pictures at the race with our camera, but they had photographers along the course. If you want to see them, go to www.marathonfoto.com, look for the Vancouver Marathon 2007 and enter Marvin and bib number 7032. I tried to link the website, but it wouldn't work. And I don't have the time to get it working, sorry about that. Not that you need to see me in pain, but you can see the pictures if you want to...

Can you believe all of the people???

2:14:38

No pictures yet of the race. Jeff and I did it in under 2 hours and 15 minutes, so that is pretty good (faster than my death race time and the Chinook half). I felt strong for most of it, so I couldn't ask for more. Jeff took it easy because of his knee, so he was my support. I am hobbling now, but I should be better in a few days. I was 1859 of 3684 women running the half marathon. Right in the middle. The course was pretty easy, except for dodging thousands of people for two hours. The one hill was manageable. We just missed the rain. The full marathon winner finished 2:25:23, so I still have my dignity, sort of...

Chez Carchrae

Jeff and I arrived in Vancouver yesterday. Surprisingly no hassle on Air Canada for once. And free movies with a decent selection, so the plane ride was quick. I haven't been doing much but sitting on my butt hoping that my tendon under my foot gets better for the race tomorrow. Michelle and Tom are graciously hosting us again. Above is a picture of their awesome house. And below is their cat, who has made friends with me...

Bjork!

We are off to see Bjork the end of the month. Jeff was watching her new video (from LG's blog) and I was saying that I would love to see her if she was anywhere near here. A lo and behold she is doing an outdoor concert in Vancouver on May 23. So I checked flights and Westjet had a smoking sale for $49 each way, so we booked the flight and bought the tickets. We even got Kristi to impulse buy with us, so she is coming too! It is going to be awesome. Woohoo....Bjork and outside and an awesome new album to hear her perform. I think my birthday has come early this year! Anyone want to join us? You only need to miss one day of work (there are flights that get you home Thursday morning in time for work....)

Happy 33rd!

On May first Jeff turned 33. I couldn't think of anything cool to get him (or anything that he needed), so I cooked him dinner. Risotto with asparagus and zucchini, pork cutlets (a treat, since my heart conscious-cooking doesn't usually include breaded, fried meat much) and salad. The candle lit dinner was unattainable with the late sunset, but I tried. And I even bought him flowers. I think that makes me a pretty awesome wife, don't you?

Now we are off to Vancouver for the half marathon this weekend. Wish us luck!