Another entry in the continuing quest for the handbag. This is the Chloe Paddington. Note the giant padlock. Chloe's designer is Stella McCartney, Paul's daughter. I have always loved this bag and for many months, tried to acquire one on ebay.

Two problems with that: you never know if they are authentic, and you don't quite know what condition it is in. There are reputable dealers but there are horror stories from people who have bought them at high end retailers at full retail only to find that they had received a fake. And there are lots of fakes. After all, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. There is a great blog dedicated to helping you not get ripped off(purseblog.com) and help verify if your bag is authentic. To circumvent this problem, I have decided that when it is time to purchase ( in 302 days or so), I will do all I can to avoid the fake and buy in person. Probably in Vegas. Another benefit to the quest.

So I actually did ride the exercise bike this week. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. This can only mean two things. Either I am in better shape than I think I am, or I wasn't doing it hard enough. I'm thinking it was the latter. Finding time to ride is a challenge. I don't have regular day job. I work nights, weekends, and all shift in between. Sometimes early, sometimes late. This week I was squeezing it in when I could. My best option is to get up 1/2 hour earlier than usual. Problem is, I like to sleep. I guess I will just have to keep dreaming of handbags....

So, here is the object of my affection. Balenciaga. Does any other word roll off the tongue like that?

Well, we are now at 311 days and counting and I have been derailed by a cold. Can't very well ride a bike when it feels like a 300 pound man is sitting on my chest. By Monday, I should be back on track. By on track I mean that I will actually dust off the exercise bike and start riding. See, I still don't have a road bike. I have a 25 year old mountain bike (affectionately referred to as Old Yeller) if I get desperate. This leads me to the added benefits of my quest.

Benefit #1: Health

I am expecting that this little journey I have undertaken will result in health benefits. That is if I don't die trying. Exercise seems to be the only weight loss plan that works. I am currently suffering from high blood pressure and am high risk for type 2 diabetes. That right there ought to tell you of the challenge I am facing. Hopefully, this ride will take care of these problems.

Benefit #2: SHOPPING

Maybe this should be benefit #1. I will get to shop. YEAH!!! It was a bit eye opening to see all the equipment I might need for this endeavor. First, a bike, yes. But also, bike shorts. Padded ones. In a fat girl size(it's alright, I'm okay with fat girl). See, fat girls don't really exercise. That's why they are fat. So there aren't a lot of companies that make fat girl bike shorts. Besides, no one wants to see a fat girl in bike shorts. The problem is that fat girls always have the desire to lose weight. Believe me, we aren't happy with our body image. So listen up North Face, Patagonia, and REI. We want performance gear that will fit us. For too many years we have bought men's ski pants and we are fed up. To quote Freddy Mercury, "Fat bottom girls you make the rockin world go round."

Okay, enough ranting about the bias against fat girls in the outdoor industry. I will also need gloves, shoes, jersey, jacket, socks, and helmet. And those are just the basics. I don't think Jeff realized how much this was going to cost him. Well, it is my new form of retail therapy.

Benefit #3: Friends

So far I have received a great outpouring of support from my friends. Some will be riding with us as a team, others will just give moral support. I am grateful to all. We will be registering our team in November, come join us.

It all started with a handbag

It all started with a handbag. That one over there. Alexander McQueen to be precise. I really wanted it. I really, really wanted it. But it is superfluous and unnecessary. Jeff (my husband) happened to be with me. We were in Vegas and window shopping in the high end stores. This is not something Jeff enjoys, but he indulges me once in a while. We were strolling through Barney's (handbag heaven) and Marc Jacobs and I happened to remark that I would do almost anything for a high end handbag. "Anything?", he asked. "Yes, almost anything" I replied. "Would you ride a bike across Iowa?", he asked. Hence, the deal was stuck.

RAGBRAI is the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. Seven days, 472 miles, on a bike. You might be thinking that it doesn't sound so bad. I mean, it's Iowa after all. No mountain passes. What you need to know about me is that I am overweight and out of shape. Not just out of shape. Never really in shape to begin with. So now you are thinking I am crazy. I am thinking that too. The thing is, I really want the handbag. I can't stop thinking about it.

So, in the next 317 days, I need your help to keep me motivated, offer advice, remind me why I'm doing this. Oh, by the way, I don't own a bike. Maybe Alexander McQueen makes bikes....