Zinio Magazine #Giveaway WINNERS!

This may have been the easiest giveaway win ever, given the sheer number of subscriptions I was able to offer, thanks to Zinio!

source

Our NINE Winners are:

Rachelle - Need e-mail!

Maria

Yona

Angela

**katiebug** - Need e-mail!

Madeline

Heather

Lauren

Caroline

If you left your e-mail address, I will be sending you a note to collect your first/last name and confirm your magazine subscription choice, so Zinio can send you your prize.  CONGRATS!

If you did NOT leave your e-mail address, please send it to adventuresinaubreyland(at)gmail.com NLT midnight on Friday in order to claim your prize.

I used a random number generator to make nine (9) selections, and eliminated duplicate winners as only one subscription per person was allowed.

Enter the #Batmobike - I bought a bicycle!

I've mentioned a couple of times that I've been bike shopping.... and I made a purchase!  Woohoo!

Background: I didn't learn to ride a bike until I was nearly in middle school.  The only bike I ever owned had tassels and one speed.  After I outgrew it, I rarely ever rode.

Upon moving to Franklin, I realized I live (literally) within a 4-mile radius of everything I need.  In fact, I'm less than a mile from my main grocery store and less than two miles from downtown Franklin's restaurants and shops.  I figured it would be awesome to be able ride there (and burn some calories).

How I romanticized bike ownership in my head... (source)

I got braver after talking to my blogger buddies, and super pumped after reading pretty much every post on Let's Go Ride a Bike.  I also started talking to more people about my itch to buy a "grown-up" ride... and promptly went from thinking about a Walmart Schwinn to a used bike to a new hybrid.

Today:  I sadly didn't get the bike I thought I was wanting (they sold it before I could test it, and it wouldn't be back in stock until summer's end)... but I happened to call MOAB Bikes after Duke told me they had a great selection there.  One of their guys, Jeremy, was able to figure out what I was looking for immediately.  I met him after work and tested out a bike, which was my size and my style.  Love!

Trek Verve 1 WSD

I got the Trek Verve 1 WSD hybrid.  It was not a small investment (somehow over time I went from wanting a $200 Walmart bike to buying a $400 one, welcome to my world), but the store gave me a good deal.  I managed to sell a bunch of crap I don't use stuff on Craigslist that I didn't need, so I used that $$$ towards the bike.  I also love that I can bring the bike back for tune-ups for an entire year, it's a great brand, and it fits my needs.

As Jeremy brought out my bike post-tuneup, he was remarking on how the bike's black matte color was super stealth.  I agreed, and said it's a total "Batmobike".  Before it even left the shop, it had a name!

One thing I definitely anticipated (fortunately!) was the startup cost to buying a bike.  You can't just buy the machine.  I ended up with: a car bike rack, front/rear lights, kickstand, helmet, lock, adapter (for the step-through frame)...  it definitely adds up.  I still don't have a rear rack or basket or any other doodads like that; I want to get comfortable riding first.

Last night I took my bike out in the summer heat, and I had a blast!  Sure, I may not do well at shifting gears (Duke has already had to adjust the bike for me), and I will probably wear out my brakes because I'm a little scared of going too fast.  But I loved getting places quicker than walking/jogging, and I stayed out until I was drenched in sweat.   I'm definitely sore, like I went horseback riding!  And I slept like a baby.  This bike may be one of the best investments I've made in a while.  I hope.  EEK!

A Long, Productive Weekend

Time for a ramblog!  I had a long, productive weekend for the July 4th holiday!  I opted not to go home to Indiana, given my emotional and physical exhaustion from wayyyyy too much travel.  There's something about airports that kills my mojo in general.  Still, I always feel like one of those wimpy celebrities that ends up hospitalized from exhaustion, just from living life.  #firstworldproblems much?

While I think my parents were hoping I'd visit, I don't think I could have spent my weekend in a more productive way.  (Sidenote: I'll see my family this weekend anyways!)  It rained almost every day, but I managed to work from home Friday, accomplish a zillion errands (pharmacy, post office, groceries, Goodwill, etc.), and even get some homework in.  I also did some leisurely wandering in Franklin for fun.  Duke worked much of the weekend, so I think the solo time was good for me.

Obviously, there were lapses in productivity, like when I created this photo.

I also spent my Sunday in a Type A whirlwind cleaning.  The trunk of my car is neat, the apartment is neat (minus my nightstand and pantry), and I totally reorganized the guestroom.  I also read an entire book (Superfreakonomics) for fun.  And it was free, because libraries rule.

The reason I was reorganizing the guestroom was twofold: one, I wanted space for a vertical bike rack, and two, I wanted the sewing machine nearer to the window for better light.  The result even impressed Duke, as something about moving that furniture made the room seem like less of a "bonus room full of random stuff" and more of a put-together space.  It even feels bigger.

So much more space for activities!!!

And yes, we're for sure shopping for bicycles!  After visiting Sissy in Arizona and riding her roomie's cruiser, then getting mucho encouragement from Lauren and Trisha at our blogger meetup, I think I'm finally ready to take the plunge. I went from thinking about a Walmart bike to test riding better machines at local bike shops (as mentioned in a previous post).  This weekend, we decided to commit and buy a trunk rack for my car, to hold these hypothetical bikes.  My hope is that my bike is assembled this week, tests well, and is in my possession SOON.  We're already talking about riding to the farmer's market and downtown Franklin Baskin Robbins and Mellow Mushroom... as soon as I learn how to shift gears and make turns without fear of falling.  Because that is the reality of the situation for me at this point.  Patience.

Oh, and check out my "Monday" outfit... cleaning out my closet made me realize I needed to wear some pieces more often (like my shoes) or else add them to the Poshmark or Goodwill piles.  So I decided to get all fancy like a businesswoman  lady who lunches and pair some orange heels with my new Kate Spade bag and a dress from Sam's Club.  Yeah, that Sam's Club.

Sam's Club plus Kate Spade.  Yep.

I may have bought three dresses there last month.  But it doesn't count because they were like $50 total.  Plus my lunch only cost $1.50 because that's how much the best hot dogs ever cost plus a drink.  Add an extra dollar if you're counting a cinnamon sugar soft pretzel.  Because I maybe got that too.

Peace!  I'm wearing jeans today.

Don't forget about my magazine subscription giveaway ending tomorrow!!!