For the past four years, we have been doing the ADA's Tour de Cure. We lost Rachel's father, Ken, a few years to diabetes. In addition, Rachel and a number of family and friends have diabetes. Therefore, we like to support the ADA when we can.

As Rachel and I do not normally ride our bikes, we are in poor shape for this event; had it been a walk, we would have an easier time. Additionally, even with the liberal application of sunscreen, we still become sunburned. However, we still enjoy doing the ride.

I keep kidding my wife by telling her she does not need to generate situations for me to write about; I have enough stuff happen to me as it is. :) Anyway, I am overdue for an update:

We finally had our garage sale. Anything we could not sell was donated to Goodwill and the local library. It is nice to park (at least one vehicle) in the garage again. Now, if we could only get the garage door open to work.

I hope everyone had a good holiday. Unlike most years, Rachel and I actually dressed up and went out to celebrate. It is the first time since our wedding since she has worn a dress! She looked wonderful in it. She will probably post the pictures we took on her site.

Rachel and I recently go back from the American Diabetes Association's Tour de Cure. This is the third year that we have done the bicycle ride. Like last year, it was at Blossom Music Center. And, like usual, we were unprepared for the ride. Except for a few days ago, we have not ridden our bikes since last year’s ride. The ride was only supposed to be 10K. But, with the weather in the nineties, the heat was too much for a number of people. When we reached the halfway point, Rachel said she was done. It is probably a good thing too. I do not know how much longer I would have lasted. I am still having pains from my treadmill incident a few months ago.

Even though this year's ride is over, it is not too late to donate.

Rachel and I, prepared some dirt cake, dressed up in our costumes, and headed off to the party. Unfortunately, shortly before we arrived, Rachel started to feel sick. I think that it was a combination of her diabetes, visiting her father’s grave earlier, too much sun, and a bunch of emotions. So, I dropped off some food, said a few quick hellos and goodbyes, then headed back home.

Yesterday, Rachel and I rode in the American Diabetes Association's Tour de Cure 2007. We signed up to do the 10K ride. We had a good time, but we should have done more preparation. Last year, 10K was a breeze. Of course, that was because we had been doing a lot of riding. This year, we had only one or two rides before the event. Consequently, I had to struggle to make it through. But, aside from a slight sunburn, we both turned out okay.

I suppose that the title of my last blog post, "Does Anyone Really Know What Time It Is," is rather appropriate. My last post was in March. I generally like to do at least one post a month. Anyway, here is my overdue entry:

As many of you know, my wife Rachel is type-2 diabetic. Two years ago, her father passed away due to complications from diabetes. Last year, Rachel and I participated in the American Diabetes Association's Tour de Cure bicycling fund-raising event. We raised $675.35 and rode ten miles. We have signed up to ride again this year. We are planning to ride at least fifteen miles.

Before I talk about our ride, I just want to say thank you for all of your donations! Rachel and I raised $675.35 for our team (Team Beagles). The American Diabetes Association has already raised $92,500 from this year's Tour de Cure.

Rachel and I were a bit nervous. The most we had ever ridden is six or seven miles. We were not sure if we would be up for ten miles. But, we were determined to do our best.

Rachel and I recently accepted the challenge of cycling in the American Diabetes Association's Tour de Cure fund-raising event. We are taking part in this event because we believe in and support the Association's mission: to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.