New hike

Today Jim and I went for another hike with Norman. Went to Pleasant Valley and hiked up past the waterfall to the bridge. 4 miles up and then 4 miles back down. This hike was rockier than yesterday's. We finished in just under 4 hours. 2 miles per hour. Of course that is letting Norman led us to all of his favorite watering holes! The sights were fantastic. Still trying to post amazing pictures.

Housesitting

I haven't blogged in over a year. I was going to delete everything and start new but what the hell - I'll just continue on. Jim and I are housesitting and dog sitting our son-in-law's folks house while they are on vacation. Of course it's a great vacation for us too. We get to see Toni and our favorite granddaughter Jammy. She's getting so big! She talks and says the funniest things. Jaime our youngest came out with us. Took two days to drive out from WI. Stayed at Toni and Justin's the first night. Went into Boulder to the farmers market and got some delicious fruits and veges.

Went up to Lyons to David and Chris's place. A great place up in the mountains and the river running through the back. Music to our city ears. They took us around to show us some of the places to hike and to get to know Norman their dog. Breakfast the next day at a local place and off to another hike. They took off -going to Nova Scotia and PE island.

Toni and family came up and Justin made his wonderful sushi. Didn't. Get finished eating until after 8 so all stayed over.

Went up to Ceran and had a great hike. Not sure how far we hiked but it was a good two hours. Norman and Lulu must have hiked twice as much as us since the kept going up ahead and then back again. Grilled burgers and most everyone took a nap. Jaime went back with Toni to go to yoga and Denver tomorrow.

Jim and I went for a short bike ride to the corner store. All uphill there but coasted on the way home. Hope David and Chris aren't too tired after their long flight.

Winter Blahs

I must have the blahs. I'm bored to tears. Literally! I had a crying jag last night. I guess sometimes the bad has to come out to feel better. I've noticed it in my diet/exercise journal as well. I didn't do any. Which means I've eaten and not exercised this week. No surprised to see that I have gained two pounds when I stepped on the scales this morning. That at least got me up and to the gym.

I finally found my pictures from our New York trip three years ago. Plan to put them in a scrapbook today. Part of my cleaning/organizing resolution is to put all the photos into albums or scrapbooks.

My sunny daffodils I bought to cheer me up. They work. One can't be blue with that much sunshine around.

The Waiting Game

I'm an early riser. Crack of dawn, up before the birds type of person. To tell the truth I enjoy getting up early. I can get a lot done (doesn't mean that I do) before 9:00am. Just like the marines! Ha. I get the coffee going, turn on the computer and see if the paper boy/girl/man/woman has left my paper in my front door. I then sit down with coffee in my favorite cup and read the paper. Front to back. I then will check my e-mail, facebook and surf the New York Times on line (I hear that the NYT is going to start charging for their on-line version - boo).

The problem is waiting for the rest of my family to wake up. I'm hungry and need to eat breakfast now! Not 3 or 4 hours later - that's lunch to me.

They are all night owls - staying up to watch late night TV or put a movie on at 10:30. I'm passed out on the couch by then. If I want to have Sunday Breakfast with the family I eat something light and wait and wait and wait till they all get up so we can all gather around the table. It's the little connections as a family that I cherish. To soon they are all on their separate ways.

Right now I'm waiting for hubby to wake up. We need to do some running around before I go to the Chiropractor's office. I've been up for three hours just waiting. I should be exercising or laundry or something but I'm not. Just chillin out this fine Friday morning when I don't have to go in to work. Sometimes that's what we need some down time. Stop and smell the roses and all that. Recharge and renew get your mind ready for the day.

He's up and we'll be off and running today...

Deep Cleaning

I don't know why but I have the urge to clean and get rid of some of my excess around the house. When I get in this mood I go with it. So far I've cleaned, organized and shed stuff from two of the bedrooms. Threw away magazines from 2006 and started a Goodwill box. I'm the creative type. I was a girl scout leader and mom to young kids for so long that I can see multiple possibilities in junk. I need to get rid of these things. I like to pretend that my husband and I are moving to a chic downtown condo. All this stuff that we've collected over 37 years isn't going to fit. I do like the look of an uncluttered house. It makes my mind serene and we all need that.

I haven't been writing down what I've been eating this week and that leads to me overeating. Hopefully I'm back on track. I'm trying out drinking a Vinegar Tea at night. I use to do that regularly but quit for some reason. Oh I know - it TASTES and SMELLS like vinegar!! It's supposed to be good for you and my grandmother actually used this and she lived to 92. So we'll see.

It was warmish and sunny today so I took the outside lights and decorations down. Seems a little sad now that the holidays are over and the kids are back to their lives.

If you haven't seen Avatar go see it. I would highly recommend seeing it in 3D. Totally awesome. As Jeri, my friend, said, "It's a visual fest for the eyes." I agree.

Jello Shots

I'm not from Wisconsin so I don't bleed green and gold every football season. I don't have fond memories of the Ice Bowl and St. Vince. However, the Packers made it to the play-offs with a chance of going all the way to the Super Bowl. I decided to have a Packer Party complete with green and yellow jello shots to be taken after every touchdown. The first quarter so really disappointing the Pack was behind. They caught up, tied the game and went into overtime. We all were cheering them on. It didn't last because the Packers BLEW it!!! No party next week, no hope of Super Bowl. Packers - you done me wrong.

On to another topic. The week in review. I've lost 4 pounds since I started my live-it (not diet because as Richard Simmons says "Never diet because it has the word die in it. You want to live instead." Words to live by I think. I made it to the gym four days. I thought I would get to go yesterday but I had to run to the store and get cheese and beer for the Packer Party. Two items that one must have for a successful party in Wisconsin.