Childhood Scars

First day of school, I must have been in 3rd or 4th grade.  

Yes, this is me.  I kind of look like a guy.. Ugh.. 

One of my terrible hair cuts.  Yes, I really posted this..  

Growing up I received two really bad haircuts that left me looking like a boy. Seriously. I was asked to use the boys bathroom twice in one week! How depressing is that? I was in elementary and then middle school when I had these terrible hair cuts.  (see above photo's)  In fact, half way through my 7th grade year I transferred to a new school and was the new "cute boy" until all the girls found out I was in fact a girl.

Do you see how bad my hair must have been? I'm sure it didn't help that I was very active growing up and refused to wear dresses, but that's not the point. I was a girl and did not like being told to use the boys bathroom or being thought of as the cute guy.

Three weeks ago at about 7:30am I set out to begin my long Sunday bike ride. There are very few cars on the roads that early in the day which makes it a great time to ride. This Sunday I was in for a surprise. As I was riding on a neighborhood road, I heard a car horn behind me. I looked and saw that there was plenty of room between him and me, so I stood my ground and didn't move over. I should tell you, this road has huge shoulders, so there was plenty of room. The car went past me with no problem, although closer to me then it needed to be. No biggie, cars don't like bikes and I understand that. As luck would have it, the car and I were both stopped at the stop light. (Seriously, there are no cars! How is the light red?) The driver was pretty heated, so he rolled down his window and let me have it-

Cadillac driver: what are trying to do, get yourself killed?!

Me: there's lots of room for you to go around.

Driver: you stupid son of a bitch!!!

Me: enjoy church!!

The driver was 70+ years old, dressed nicely and had his well dressed wife in the car with him. He was totally going to church! Zing! I remained calm throughout the entire reaction and wonder what he thought as he drove off. I like to think he regrets what he said to me after I called him out on going to church wondering if he maybe missed a chance to witness to me. I felt sad for him and his wife as they drove off because the driver was so full of anger. I mean, who yells at a biker early Sunday morning on a neighborhood street?

My point of this story? He called me a son of a bitch! I've worked so hard to remove myself from my younger years by growing my hair out long and being more feminine, (besides from burping, I totally burp like a guy) and he called me a son! I had my hair down my back while I was riding, so I know the driver saw it. How could he have mistaken me?

Making fun of people can be so harmful. I would like to challenge each of you to not hurt people with your words and to think before you speak asking yourself what the other person will hear.

Where you ever made fun of growing up?

Have you missed a witnessing opportunity recently?

Do cars bully you when you ride?

Do I honestly look like a "son of a bitch"?  I didn't think so.  

My Blog History

Me, smiling after a half ironman.

During the course of a conversation, I find myself talking about blogs more often that I like to admit.  "I read on a blog last week.." or "My favorite blog talked about.."  It is almost embarrassing how much I enjoy reading blogs except now I have decided to start my own, so I am not embarrassed.

My sister (her blog here) is the one who actually got me started reading blogs about a year and a half ago.  She was visiting me and laying on my couch when I got home from work.  I asked her what she had been doing all day and her reply was, "catching up on my blogs".  Apparently Kelsey follows numerous blogs, I am talking over 40 of them!  I sat down next to her and together we looked through some of the blogs she had recently read.  She showed me blogs about furniture, fashion, families, and interior design.  I was hooked.  My entire world opened up.  This blog thing was a new concept for me!  I began to look into this more and discovered that there was a huge array of blogs out there!  There were blogs on hair, triathlons, animals, running, racing, humor, and photography just to name a few!  I immediatley downloaded an app on my phone and began following over 30 blogs  Yes, us Shadle girls may have a problem.  We love our blogs.

Now, over a year later I have finally decided to begin my own blog.  Kind of a big step..  The question is what do I write that may be of interest to people besides my parents?  I have decided to not answer that question and instead just go with it..  Yes, I will allow this blog to find its own legs and run!  I will put a disclaimer out there though.  I am an aspiring athlete who dabbles in triathlons and enjoys racing.  Dabbles and aspiring may not be the best words as I do numerous races a year and take my training seriously in hopes of taking my racing to the next level.  (more on that in future posts, I am sure)  As a result of my athletic interests, you will find a lot of race reports on this blog.  I love reading race reports!  (not everyone does and I understand this)  I take it back, no disclaimer!  This is a blog about me (Sally) and the life I lead.  Triathlons are a large part of my life as are my two wonderful dogs, Morgan and Buddy.  I look forward to watching this blog grow and morph into what it will.

Morgan, the black Labrador and Buddy, the wire haired dachshund.

What do you like to read about?

What are some of your favorite blogs?