This is the fourth straight day where I have had the windows open and breezes blowing through. It feels good to have fresh air blowing through the house and making everything smell nice. Although it is a little bit on the gloomy side today = a new front is getting ready to move through and is supposed to bring us some rain. Can't complain, it has been awhile since we got some and my plants deserve it. Have been watering them, but they like fresh rain water better.
Watched a squirrel out my window today. He was eating a leisurely lunch and oblivious to the fact that he had an audience. Me and my cat Scooter. She was very interested, but maintained her composure and just decided to watch what was going on.
Today is the first day of summer for Eddie. Yesterday was the last day of school already. Doesn't seem possible the school year is over. Grades, homework assignments and attitudes were all over the place this year. Was just like a roller coaster ride around here - this summer promises to be more of the same, except for homework assignments. Eddie is going to have a very long list of chores to do over the summer and much prompting by his mother is going to be required - going to be interesting.
Next month I will be going to California for a couple of weeks. A week in the mountains and almost a full week at my brother's house in Redding. I am looking forward to it - going to be some driving involved because will be flying in and out of Reno. I hope to see some countryside that I don't normally get to see when I travel to Cali. Pictures will be taken and posted, both here and on FaceBook.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
An Unsettled Day
Looking out my window today I see something new each time. One time the sun is shining brightly and the next time it is quiet and darker. My husband used to tell me that if I waited five minutes the weather would change - he was right. There is never a dull moment here in my world.
Instead of sitting here typing away I should be getting ready to go to the gym for my workout. I have been going 3 days a week for the past couple of months and feel strange when I don't go. I am having a good time as well as beginning to feel better. I am getting stronger each day and improving my stamina each time I ride the bike. I am up to 1 1/2 to 2 miles each time that I go.
The trainer tried to talk me into joining a seniors cardio class on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but I decided against it. That would mean that I was in the gym five days a week and I am not ready to burn myself out just yet.
Instead I opted to join his "walk, jog, run class" on Saturday mornings at 7:00 a.m. We go to a local park for the exercise. I walk 1 1/4 miles (took 45 mins the first week and 40 the second). The first week I made friends with every single bench along the path, but this past week I skipped half of them. I am getting better and better all the time. Am enjoying myself as well - I am definitely one of the people there each week. But I get all sorts of "atta girl" and "you go girl" and "keep it up" and that encourages me to do better the next time. I can't believe that I am getting up at 6:00 in the morning to get ready and go to the park.
I have gotten more exercise in the past couple of months than I have in the past twenty plus years. If I were truthful I would really have to go back a few more years than that - back to college days from 1964 to 1966. Quite an achievement for a bona fide senior citizen - got my medicare card and SSA benefits - they actually start after 8/1/2011. Never thought that I would get to this stage in my life, but yet here I am. Starting a whole new phase of my life - I still do not admit to being old, just growing older with dignity and grace.
The afternoon is slipping away and I really do want to go to the gym - so.....have a good day everyone.
Oooops!!! I am going to have to wait a few minutes. The lawn mowing crew just arrived - they will be done by the time I am ready to do, maybe even before. It only takes them 15 mins to do the whole yard - well worth the money I spend. If I had to do it myself my time would be worth a whole lot more than what I pay them to do it.
Instead of sitting here typing away I should be getting ready to go to the gym for my workout. I have been going 3 days a week for the past couple of months and feel strange when I don't go. I am having a good time as well as beginning to feel better. I am getting stronger each day and improving my stamina each time I ride the bike. I am up to 1 1/2 to 2 miles each time that I go.
The trainer tried to talk me into joining a seniors cardio class on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but I decided against it. That would mean that I was in the gym five days a week and I am not ready to burn myself out just yet.
Instead I opted to join his "walk, jog, run class" on Saturday mornings at 7:00 a.m. We go to a local park for the exercise. I walk 1 1/4 miles (took 45 mins the first week and 40 the second). The first week I made friends with every single bench along the path, but this past week I skipped half of them. I am getting better and better all the time. Am enjoying myself as well - I am definitely one of the people there each week. But I get all sorts of "atta girl" and "you go girl" and "keep it up" and that encourages me to do better the next time. I can't believe that I am getting up at 6:00 in the morning to get ready and go to the park.
I have gotten more exercise in the past couple of months than I have in the past twenty plus years. If I were truthful I would really have to go back a few more years than that - back to college days from 1964 to 1966. Quite an achievement for a bona fide senior citizen - got my medicare card and SSA benefits - they actually start after 8/1/2011. Never thought that I would get to this stage in my life, but yet here I am. Starting a whole new phase of my life - I still do not admit to being old, just growing older with dignity and grace.
The afternoon is slipping away and I really do want to go to the gym - so.....have a good day everyone.
Oooops!!! I am going to have to wait a few minutes. The lawn mowing crew just arrived - they will be done by the time I am ready to do, maybe even before. It only takes them 15 mins to do the whole yard - well worth the money I spend. If I had to do it myself my time would be worth a whole lot more than what I pay them to do it.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
It's been too long
Hi everyone - small number I am sure, but hi anyway. It has been over a month since I posted and quite a bit has happened. Winter ended and summer has made itself known. There was no spring this year. It went from from cool weather to the 3 H's (hot, humid and hazy) in just a few days. Typical for Maryland.
We have been on the tail end of the storms that spawned tornadoes in the mid-west. By the time the systems get to us we are plagued by winds and rain. The rain has been making the yard grow by leaps and bounds. It gets mowed one day and by the next it looks like it could be mowed again. I have managed to do some weeding in the front of the house. I got all the big ones and bought some weed killer to get the little ones, but have have not used it yet. Will have to spread it soon because the little weeds are fast becoming big weeds. I finally cleared the space for my new butterfly bush, but the bush remains in the pot as of right now.
I have joined a 24-hour access gym in the area and have started my routine. I ride the recumbent bike for 1 1/2 miles and work on five different weight machines to improve my upper body strength. It is working = I feel more and more better all the time. I have been approached to join the senior exercise class (arobics for the most part) that meets every Tuesday and Thursday, but have not done so just yet. This would mean being in the gym five days a week and I don't know that I can handle that just yet.
I am still losing weight - a little bit here and a little bit there. I am not trying to rush it because I want it to stay away. I cut back on the amount of food that I eat and I try to eat only healthy foods - lots of fruits and veggies, limited amounts of carbs, monitor my protein intake and drink loads of water (feels like I am going to float away at times).
I am bummed out about one thing tho - I waited years to get involved with my soaps on a regular basis and have been following them religiously since retirement, but now they are cancelling two of the three that I watch. They are going to replace them with a reality show and a medical show. One Life to Live and All My Children are a staple to me. I have been a part of the Buchanan and Kane families for years and will be very sorry to see them go. I have "lambasted" the network (CBS) for their choice and will continue to do so up until the final show.
Dinner gong just rang. More later.....
We have been on the tail end of the storms that spawned tornadoes in the mid-west. By the time the systems get to us we are plagued by winds and rain. The rain has been making the yard grow by leaps and bounds. It gets mowed one day and by the next it looks like it could be mowed again. I have managed to do some weeding in the front of the house. I got all the big ones and bought some weed killer to get the little ones, but have have not used it yet. Will have to spread it soon because the little weeds are fast becoming big weeds. I finally cleared the space for my new butterfly bush, but the bush remains in the pot as of right now.
I have joined a 24-hour access gym in the area and have started my routine. I ride the recumbent bike for 1 1/2 miles and work on five different weight machines to improve my upper body strength. It is working = I feel more and more better all the time. I have been approached to join the senior exercise class (arobics for the most part) that meets every Tuesday and Thursday, but have not done so just yet. This would mean being in the gym five days a week and I don't know that I can handle that just yet.
I am still losing weight - a little bit here and a little bit there. I am not trying to rush it because I want it to stay away. I cut back on the amount of food that I eat and I try to eat only healthy foods - lots of fruits and veggies, limited amounts of carbs, monitor my protein intake and drink loads of water (feels like I am going to float away at times).
I am bummed out about one thing tho - I waited years to get involved with my soaps on a regular basis and have been following them religiously since retirement, but now they are cancelling two of the three that I watch. They are going to replace them with a reality show and a medical show. One Life to Live and All My Children are a staple to me. I have been a part of the Buchanan and Kane families for years and will be very sorry to see them go. I have "lambasted" the network (CBS) for their choice and will continue to do so up until the final show.
Dinner gong just rang. More later.....
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Lots of Things Happened
It has been a few weeks since I wrote on my blog and lots of things have happened in that time. First and foremost I was sick for a few weeks - three weeks in March and two in April. Bronchitis and Sinusitis, the usual spring routine, but this year it lasted much longer than normal. A sign of the times - I had to admit that I am indeed getting older. Notice I just said older, NOT old (that I will never admit to).
Spring came - grass has been mowed twice as of today, wild violets and dandelions are in abundance and the daffodils, tulips and dogwoods in the neighborhood are blooming away. This is the earliest that I have had dandelions in my yard - wonder what that means.
The stink bugs are making their presence known as well. I have done some stuff in the house (caulking hiding spaces and putting up trim boards etc.) and am constantly harping on keeping the doors and windows shut - this makes Terry happy because he has an excuse to turn on the air conditioner (so far only to dehumidify). There is going to be more money spent on Kleenex and water as the bugs are consigned to a watery grave via flushing. The fact that we have had so much rain has not made things fun either. Just when I get psyched about the sunshine it rains. UGH!!!!
Aaron came and did the yard work that needed to be done. He fixed the fence that was demolished by the neighbor's tree falling on it two summers ago. He cut back the bamboo encroaching into my yard (same neighbor). He cleaned up the weeds and vines growing on the fence. He fixed the white lattice fence that hides the trash cans (leaning too far out of line). He is worth the money to get all of these things done.
Now it is my turn to welcome spring - I just wish that I had more energy. I have spring cleaning to do (bedroom and my t.v. room are in really big trouble in that regard) and I have all sorts of projects out front for my flower pots etc. I have a butterfly bush to plant before it decides to "go south" on me and I have flowers to plant to brighten up the front of the house. I am a pot gardener and all my pots are in dire need of some help - new dirt, weeding etc.
I joined a gym just two weeks before I got sick and was just getting into the swing of things - now I have to get back into the groove. Made it through last week and Monday of this week, but still have to make it there today. I guess that as soon as I get off the computer I will go. I actually feel a little bit better after doing my "workout" - not that it is too strenuous, I am just starting to get into the exercise scene and my doctor said okay, as long as I work at it slowly. So slow it is - I have an eventual goal in mind. Not too ambitious - just want to feel better physically and mentally. Gives me order to my life.
Well I have jabbered on for long enough. It is time for me to get ready for the gym. Have a good day.
Spring came - grass has been mowed twice as of today, wild violets and dandelions are in abundance and the daffodils, tulips and dogwoods in the neighborhood are blooming away. This is the earliest that I have had dandelions in my yard - wonder what that means.
The stink bugs are making their presence known as well. I have done some stuff in the house (caulking hiding spaces and putting up trim boards etc.) and am constantly harping on keeping the doors and windows shut - this makes Terry happy because he has an excuse to turn on the air conditioner (so far only to dehumidify). There is going to be more money spent on Kleenex and water as the bugs are consigned to a watery grave via flushing. The fact that we have had so much rain has not made things fun either. Just when I get psyched about the sunshine it rains. UGH!!!!
Aaron came and did the yard work that needed to be done. He fixed the fence that was demolished by the neighbor's tree falling on it two summers ago. He cut back the bamboo encroaching into my yard (same neighbor). He cleaned up the weeds and vines growing on the fence. He fixed the white lattice fence that hides the trash cans (leaning too far out of line). He is worth the money to get all of these things done.
Now it is my turn to welcome spring - I just wish that I had more energy. I have spring cleaning to do (bedroom and my t.v. room are in really big trouble in that regard) and I have all sorts of projects out front for my flower pots etc. I have a butterfly bush to plant before it decides to "go south" on me and I have flowers to plant to brighten up the front of the house. I am a pot gardener and all my pots are in dire need of some help - new dirt, weeding etc.
I joined a gym just two weeks before I got sick and was just getting into the swing of things - now I have to get back into the groove. Made it through last week and Monday of this week, but still have to make it there today. I guess that as soon as I get off the computer I will go. I actually feel a little bit better after doing my "workout" - not that it is too strenuous, I am just starting to get into the exercise scene and my doctor said okay, as long as I work at it slowly. So slow it is - I have an eventual goal in mind. Not too ambitious - just want to feel better physically and mentally. Gives me order to my life.
Well I have jabbered on for long enough. It is time for me to get ready for the gym. Have a good day.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
New Zealand Quake in February, 2011
This is a picture of my pen pal Adrienne and I
when she came to visit me during the summer
of 2010. It took 53 years for this picture to be
taken.
This past week was a harrowing one for my pen pal Adrienne and her family. They live in Christchurch, New Zealand, and were in the middle of their normal daily routines when the earthquake of February 2011 happened. They all managed to survive the quake, but not without being shaken up a good deal. They suffered no personal injuries, but Adrienne's house suffered some damage and continues to suffer with the occurrence of each aftershock. There is still a lot of "rockin and rollin" going on and probably will continue for some time to come. Each aftershock only worsens the apprehension and fear.
During the five months between the September 2010 quake and this last one Christchurch was hit by 5000 (yep, 5000) plus aftershocks, which does not bode well for this one. Each aftershock probably weakened the buildings and infrastructure causing more and more damage. They have a lot of cleaning up to do and repairs to make. It is going to be awhile before there is any semblance of order. This is the wrong time of the year for something like this to happen because they are not all that far away from the colder temperatures of fall and finally winter.
They are slowly regaining the amenities - they have power, but not much else at the moment. They are putting their camping skills to good use - of course, they never thought that they would have to use them in their own backyard. They are luckier than a lot of other people. They are sticking close to the home front and neighborhood providing help and support wherever they can. I do not envy them the long road ahead of them. I only wish that I lived closer so that I could do more than "listen via e-mails" and send prayers their way.
Adrienne was in school (she is a teacher), her husband was on an errand the other side of town, her daughter and son-in-law were off from work and her son was at working in the center of town. Her son just made it out of his office building before it collapsed. They were all over the place and it took them awhile to come together and make sure that everyone was okay.
No one knows exactly when life is going to return to normal and there are going to be many sleepless nights, tears, fears and a great deal of apprehension during the healing process. I will continue to do my best to be a good listener and cheerleader.
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