I am so happy that my room is finally done being painted, now the real fun begins – making it pretty and all my own!
He said
In a very rare twist of events, both Danielle & I were actually more busy than Emelia! That is not the norm in these parts as Emelia’s life that revolves around multiple sports (Cheer, rugby, softball) throughout the year, her work life (SilverCity), her busy final year of high school as well as her bustling social life with her friends—trying to have the best final summer of her high school life. Normally, our life revolves around scheduling stuff for us after we have made sure that everything for Emelia comes (for the most part) first then we fit the things we want to do around that. Now, don’t get me wrong—we wouldn’t have it any other way as it’s what we signed up for and being able to live through her events along with her. And we know that she is an adult and soon these moments will be less and less.
But, along came this weekend and all of the things we were working around were Mummy & Daddy focused for once. Danielle was headed up to the trailer with a friend of hers that she made through working at Western. They try to get up to the trailer and have girls’ weekend at least once a year. It helps that one weekend of the summer I always have the MS Bike: Grand Bend to London that takes up my entire weekend. So, they take that weekend as their girls only takeover of the trailer. Lauren lives (and works) in Toronto so she headed back here, picked up Danielle Friday and they were off until today.
The flip side of that was as I mentioned was this weekend was my fourth year participating in the 2025 MS Bike – Grand Bend to London raising funds to help solve Multiple Sclerosis. I have participated with Team Cowbell for every one of those years and have made some really great friends from that group. The two behind the team, Anita & Ryan Trusler are a larger than life couple that are entrenched in the cycling and charity communities in Sarnia (and area) and the sole reason I do MS Bike, the BIG Granfondo, and the BIG Gravel Grind every year without a second thought. Tragically Ryan was taken from this world February this year after complications in a short battle with cancer.
The was going to be the first MS Bike for Anita without Ryan at her side so it was going to be an emotional one–especially for the team for the most part who had be together in some shape or form going on (if not more than) ten years. So, my focus this weekend was just to be there for them, ride with them and to make the most of something that was going to feel a little empty. Day one, yesterday, we rode out from grand Bend and I did my usual find the front of the pack to get away from the leisure riders, and settled in for what normally happens – an almost four hour solo, time trial. But about 20 minutes down the road I heard “Teeter!” from a familiar voice from behind and turned around to see Swanny, Anita, and the core of the OG’s that formed the team catching up to me. Suddenly the ride felt less solo and a lot more social.
Yesterday’s ride was set for 86km and we did it making great time trading pulls and riding pace line in a difficult side, headwind. But once we were back in London, since I had to ride back to the house from Fanshawe anyway, I turned the route into a century (1ookm ride) before ending the day. Today’s route back to Grand Bend was slated for 85km but we shaved a bit off a couple kms to avoid the shit-show of traffic on Clarke Road leaving London. The sun was hotter today, the humidity more soul sucking, and the winds in the exact opposite direction today, meaning both days we were dealing with cross headwinds (Grr). But, as a group – that gained a few extras that liked our pace – were got it done again in the same style. When you add my ride from the house to start I clocked 87km today.
Over both days I slammed 187kms on both rides. When you add in that I raised the most money I ever have ($1,450) for this event, and that two-day total distance I am very proud of those accomplishments. But, the thing I am most proud of this weekend, was how supported Anita felt and how we got her through what would have been a very difficult otherwise ride without Ryan. It won’t fill the crater in her universe, but it might make her feel more able to do the things they loved doing together.
She said
As John just mentioned this was a very busy week. Not only did Emelia have her normal work, softball, cheer and social life we were also trying to finish up the final stages of her bedroom. Last week Emelia and I got a strong start on the painting, her friend Lily came over and between three of us we got most of the first two coats on the bedroom walls and were able to mostly put her room back in order. The next day Emelia had a rare day off work so she took on painting her bathroom. That night when John and I got home and Emelia went off to cheer we took on the ceiling and the touch ups in the bathroom. It took a lot of work but for the most part her bedroom and the bathroom are done and she loves it. Now the real fun for her begins, doing some shopping and making the room really her own. She spent a fair bit of this week doing some online and in-person shopping. Now she needs to lay it all out and we can get the decorating done. This week John and I will take on painting her hallway and up the stairs and we can hopefully finish the clean up of the basement nd get started on the redecorating of her old bedroom this fall and convert that to a guest room.
With just about every night taken over with her bedroom the week flew by and before we already into the weekend and it seem to come up so fast. John was really busy getting ready for MS Bike and I was planning and organizing my annual girls cottage trip with my friend Lauren. Lauren and I met at Western and quickly clicked an became fast friends. In the last almost 2 years a lot has changed, Lauren is now at University of Toronto and I am at King’s but our friendship is still as strong as ever. The only issue for us with Lauren being a recruiter she travels a lot and now lives in Toronto. So we make an effort to plan and commit to this annual trip. We are already planning my trip to Toronto in December so we can do some Christmas shopping together and she is going to come back to the trailer again next year when John does the MS ride.
The weekend was perfect, the weather was hit or miss but it didn’t really impact anything. We had two amazing nights around the fire laighing and sharings stories until the wee hours. We crashed out got up when our bodies wanted to and spent Saturday in Bayfield before coming back to Cowbell for supper. We sadly had to say our good-byes today as she had to get back home and real life had to begin for both of us tomorrow back at work. I look forward to this weekend every year and this year again did not disappoint.
This week will be another busy one as we have some appointments for Emelia at the university to prepare for her first year, the summer is flying by and before we know it she will be back at school and getting into her first year as a university student. She is excited and nervous and is trying to make the most out of her last month of the summer. She and the girls are still planning out their last month and are so excited to taking it all in.