Kylee Getting Comfortable at the Hotel

Word of the Day

Signoramus - Someone who drives along in their car unaware that their signal light is flashing. Similarly, one who is ignorant to signals from potential love interests.


It's been a LONG day. It all started at around 6 AM when I got up and finished packing my suitcase, took care of Kylee, packed the two freezers, and loaded everything, including Kylee into the car. Kylee insisted. As long as she's in her kennel and her kennel is in the car, she settles right down, knowing that I won't forget to bring her with me. Silly dog. I'd never forget her.

After saying farewell to HTP, seeing him off to work, I shut down my computer and packed it up. You'd think that I'd remember to actually load the dang computer into the car....wouldn't you? I forgot it. Thankfully, I remembered that I'd forgotten it before I'd gone too far. It doesn't actually matter how far I'd gone, I would have gone back for it. I found myself driving out of the neighborhood and down the road a bit, reviewing my list and things I might have forgotten and couldn't recall loading my laptop into the car. *sigh* Oh well, I only lost about 15 minutes. I'm glad I remembered so close to home. Our revised departure time was 8:30 AM...Arizona time.

Kylee and I made good time but I forgot that we'd be losing two hours due to time zone issues. We didn't make too many stops. I only had to stop for gas one time and I picked up some lunch (to go) for myself at the same time. Aside from several rest area stops for both Kylee and me, we made no other stops. The temperatures outside were in the 90's and I didn't feel comfortable leaving Kylee in the car.

Traffic wasn't too bad until we got to El Paso. What a traffic mess! Rush hour traffic, complicated with several accidents. And then we had to go through the border patrol checkpoint. The drive shouldn't have taken so long...but it did. We didn't pull into our hotel until 8:30 PM....Central time. After hauling all our gear into the hotel room and quickly walking Kylee, I decided to skip dinner. I've learned that it isn't a good idea to eat so late at night.

Breakfast tomorrow morning is served between 6 AM and 9 AM. I'm hoping to hit the road again at 8 AM...this time without forgetting anything.

C25K Powerwalk Challenge Update

On further consideration, I'm going to suspend my powerwalks until I get to The Lake. I also plan on suspending my yoga exercises. It's just too difficult to do either while I'm driving cross-country. However, I did do some simply yoga exercises that eased the tension in my neck and shoulders and the cramping in my hands.

Random Quote of the Day

Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel from coast to coast without seeing anything.

- Charles Kuralt

35 Years Ago

Word of the Day

Shiffider - An old person who shuffles along the floor, without seeming to move his or her feet.


35 years ago, today, HTP and I were married. Happy Anniversary to HTP and Me! Even though we went out and celebrated our anniversary early, this weekend, I plan to make a very special meal tonight. It'll also be a Bon Voyage meal since I'll be hitting the open road tomorrow morning.

****

A Load off My Mind and Into the Car

I delayed loading the car because I needed to go to the bank this morning...at least I thought I needed to go to the bank. Apparently, as it turns out, I had to call the 1-800 number for our bank to advise them of my pending cross-country trip and my Scotland/Ireland trip. Oh well, it wasn't a total waste. I picked up some cash for the trip. I still needed to stop and top off my gas tank, drop a letter in to the mailbox, and purchase an perfumie thingie for my car vent. And, as it turns out, I was also able to pick up some arm floats for my grandchildren. DD Daughter tells me that they don't have them in any of the stores near where she lives yet. None of the fun swim stuff is available yet in the frigid north. I also picked up a smaller cooler to carry Kylee's canned dog food and some cold water for the trip.

I've got everything all packed except for the freezer and fridge stuff and the items that I still need for tonight and tomorrow morning. Despite that, I loaded everything into the car that will be going. The empty coolers, the dog kennel, my packed suitcases, and all the boxes and boxes of stuff. Poor Kylee started warbling when she saw me take away her kennel. Poor baby. I hated causing her such distress but I needed to put it in the car so I'd know where it would fit the best. Everything fits! Everything! What a load off my mind! Kylee's kennel is back in the hallway where it will remain until tomorrow morning when I'll put it back into its assigned slot in the car along with the warbling Kylee. She always worries that I'll forget her...poor thing. My two coolers are sitting in the dining room, plugged in and cooling, waiting for me to pack them with freezer and fridge items tomorrow morning and then, they too will be loaded up into the car in their assigned slots where they can be plugged my car's accessory plugs. My overnight bag that I plan to use each night is back in my bedroom, waiting for me to pack those last minute items. There's empty, pre-planned spots for each and every one of these things. I am the reigning Tetris car packing champion. Of course, I'll have to see if I can retain my title when I repack everything after I get the U-Haul trailer in Texas, but, I don't anticipate any problems.

Now, to clear my mind, yoga.

Random Quote of the Day

It is impossible to travel faster than the speed of light, and certainly not desirable, as one's hat keeps blowing off.

- Woody Allen (1935 - )

Kylee Messing with a Chipmunk

Word of the Day

Shaln't - Shall not; shan't.


HTP and I celebrated our anniversary last night at Lon's. It was fantastic. I ordered the five course chef sampler with wine pairings and I ended up taking home some of my food. I just couldn't finish it. I think my favorite was the snapper crudo that was served with a wasabi vinagrette. I had our server write down the wines that I sampled but there were only two wines that I thought worth looking for in the store. One was a white wine and the other a rose. My own red wines that I've made were a lot better than those that were served and the dessert wine that they offered, a port wine, wasn't my favorite. I've never been a fan of sweet wines. This one smelled like stewed prunes. However, the food was a foodies wonder and well worth the cost for a very special evening. I would go there again in a heartbeat, however, I would probably order off the menu like HTP with one exception. I wouldn't order the macaroni with cheese and truffles. Macaroni and cheese is macaroni and cheese no matter how you intend dressing it up with truffles. I think I'd rather order additional starters.

Before dinner, HTP and I sat and sipped cocktails out on the patio while we listened to a local entertainer that had a Kenny G.-style. He had two saxophones (tenor and alto) and a electronic soprano saxophone. Wonderful music. It was a bit warm out on the patio so I'm glad that HTP enjoyed our dinner inside. I'm not sure that having chiminea fires out on the patio was totally necessary on such a warm night, but I think the perfume of the mesquite was the goal.

So...I've only got today and Monday to finish packing and loading up. I'm going to be doing some exception to the rule laundry today. I don't want to transport dirty laundry cross-country. I'm not sure I'll actually start loading the car until tomorrow. It's going to be REALLY warm today. Triple digits? I don't want to load wine into the car and have it turn into vinegar before I get to Sarge's place. Also, I don't think the Wii or the stereo receiver that I'm bringing to The Lake will appreciate baking.

Meanwhile, I received notice that Kylee's license needed renewing in yesterday's mail. Luckily, I was able to take care of it online. I've been busily adding to my To Do List and marking things off. I've still got LOTS of To Do things to check off my list. I need to drain and clean the fountain for the summer. The birds will miss their daily baths and I'll miss its soothing sound but it's not economical to keep it running during the summer. We do live in a desert. I also need to pull in the patio cushions so that they don't bake in the summer sun and get messed up by duststorms and monsoonal rain. There's more, lots more, on my list and today seems like a good day to finish up most of it.

Random Quote of the Day

It still holds true that man is most uniquely human when he turns obstacles into opportunities.

- Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)

March 2010 - I'm told that it looks much the same today, April 27, 2013

Word of the Day

Semanticize - To start or begin an argument purely over semantics.


#1 Son and #1 DIL did indeed make it to The Lake last night. I know this because #1 Son called me to ask me if there was any gas in the garage for the chainsaw. Apparently, a tree had fallen over the driveway right where the blacktopped part of the driveway starts at the top of the hill coming down toward the house. Thankfully, I had gas in the garage for the chainsaw and #1 DIL knows how to use a chainsaw. HTP and I were/are always nervous about ANYONE using a chainsaw on our property. In case of accident, the nearest hospital is quite a ways away and we're not at all sure how quickly the EMT's could arrive in case of accident. However, no accidents occurred. #1 DIL successfully removed the fallen tree. I suspect that the tree was an oak tree that I've been concerned about but I won't actually know until I get up there.

#1 Son set up my Internet for me and I "think" he's going to set up my DirecTV service, at least, from his phone call this morning, that's the plan. He also asked me to send him the Closing List that I gave him last fall which will help them figure out how to reverse items on the list, thus making it a Open List. I appreciate all their efforts. Too bad that there's so much snow up there and ice on the lake. I'll have to figure out how to get the dock and boat launched on my own...or wait until they can come up again to visit me to help out. I asked #1 Son and #1 DIL to take pictures for me so I can get an idea how much snow remains on the ground. Last night #1 Son told me that they had to do some shoveling in order to get their car into the garage. Snowdrifts.

C25K Powerwalk Challenge Update

Kylee and I headed out on our walk at around 6:30 AM. With temperatures today reaching into the high 90's, I wanted to get an early start while temperatures were still cool. We've completed Week 3, Day 3. I'm going to attempt Week 4, Day 1 on Tuesday before I hit the road. An attempt to complete Week 4, Day 2, will be made on Thursday when at Sarge's place in Texas and I hope to attmept Week 4, Day 3 in the exercise room at the hotel in Nebraska on Saturday. I plan to continue with my yoga exercises too while on the road but I'm not sure how young grandchildren will effect my decision to carry on.

Random Quote of the Day

Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy.

- Rabbi Abraham Heschel

Dr. Who Scarf Progess - About 1/2 Complete

Word of the Day

Shaffeine - Combination of caffeine and sugar as found in products like Coca-Cola.

Who knew that I had so many boxes of quart jars stored out in the garage?! Good grief! OK. So, I can't bring all the boxes of quart jars to The Lake with me. I'm not even sure that I'll be able to bring the six boxes that I pulled out, checked for scorpions, and hope to pack into the car. That's a LOT of quart jars. I'll just have to hope to return the rest of the jars to The Lake on my next cross-country journey. Sarge tells me she has a couple of boxes of quart jars that she wants to return to me, however, I'm hoping they'll fit into the trailer I plan to rent when I get to her place next week. Regardless, while I was messing around in the garage, organizing things and discovering that I had LOTS of quart jars that are taking up LOTS of space, I was able to do some cleaning and finally got around to putting away all my Christmas cookie tins. The garage looks a lot cleaner but HTP didn't seem to notice any difference. *sigh*

#1 Son and #1 DIL are going to The Lake to help open things up for me and set up Internet this weekend. I called the plumber a couple of weeks ago to have him turn the water back on and left a message on his answering machine. I sure hope he was able to get in. A friend of ours FB'd that she got her car stuck while she was driving into her place to open her cabin, about an hour west of our place, and that it was snowing. Argh!

C25K Powerwalk Challenge Update

It is definitely getting warm here in the mornings. Though I didn't feel like taking my powerwalk this morning (I was feeling a bit lazy), Kylee and I hit the pavement, and, armed with a cool bottle of water, we completed Week 3, Day 2. Done and did. I'm going to try and get an earlier start to our walk on Saturday. With daytime temperatures reaching into the upper 90's, even walking early in the morning presents a added challenge.

Random Quote of the Day

The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible.

- Arthur C. Clarke (1917 - 2008)

My Red Oleander Tree is Blooming

Word of the Day

Servelence - The sudden lull in conversation that occurs at a table of diners when the food is served.


One week?! In one week, I'll be totally packed. Everything will have been loaded into my car and I'll be pulling out of the driveway, heading, eventually, to The Lake. Right now my dining room is a semi-organized packing mess. I'm doing laundry and will do laundry again on Sunday because I still need to wear the clothes that I want to bring with me to The Lake. Of course, at The Lake, it'll be a lot colder so I'll be wearing winter-type clothes. But right now, here in Arizona, it's getting quite warm. After my concealed carry class yesterday, I returned to my car and the bottle of water that I'd left in the cupholder only to discover that you can boil water in a parked car in Arizona. Yes, I drank it. I was thirsty. The outdoor temperature, according to my car thermometer, was 100 degrees but, I'm sure that it was only in the 90's yesterday. It's getting time to head to cooler climes. In the meantime, I'm going a bit crazy and will exhibit what a truly scattered mind looks like.


C25K Powerwalk Challenge Update

Kylee and I took our walk this morning, starting at around 7:30 AM...after HTP left for work. We met a few people along the way but I think that the fact that I was carrying a water bottle clued them into the fact that Kylee and I weren't willing to stop and chat. I suppose if they'd pressed the point, I probably would have stopped. The Week 3 sessions only last 28 minutes. However, I decided to stretch them out and walked the same distance I normally walk, far past the halfway mark on the digital recording. My walk probably lasted a good 35 minutes and Kylee and I continued at a fast walk (not powerwalk) all the way home. I'm so glad that I brought a bottle of water with me. It really is getting warm in the mornings. We started with a cool 69 degrees but ended with 78 degrees which feels warm when you're working out. I have no pain in my knees but I'm noticing a bit of soreness in my ankles. However, I'm not too concerned. You'd think with all the exercise that I've been getting that I'd have lost weight. Sadly, this isn't the case.


***


After returning from our walk, I changed clothes ( I HAD to change out of my sweaty workout clothes), dumped a load of clothes into the washer (my workout clothes were in that first dump), and headed out to complete some errands. I needed to get a money order to send in with all the paperwork for my concealed carry permit. I also needed to pick up a Thank You card and a gift card to give to my yoga instructor. I'm not sure when or if I'll be seeing her again after this week. Right now I'm checking items off my To Do List that were never on that list in the first place. Scattered.

Random Quote of the Day

If we have the opportunity to be generous with our hearts, ourselves, we have no idea of the depth and breadth of love's reach.

- Margaret Cho, weblog, 03-09-04

My Certificate

Word of the Day

Seriosity - An amount of seriousness that a given subject measures.


I started the morning with an hour of mind-centering, calming, stress-relieving yoga. The rest of my day was spent in class, a class that I wanted to take so I could be certified to have a concealed carry permit for a firearm. The class started at 10:30 AM and, with a half hour lunch break, finished up at 6 PM. It was a VERY interesting class. There were only three people in the class, including me, four, if you count the instructor. Our instructor was/is a retired police officer. Oh, the tales he told of his twenty-one years on the force. We, the students, received individual attention and ALL our questions were answered. My fellow students had spent two hours on the gun range earlier that morning, completeing the actual shooting part of the qualification. I completed that same part of my certification on Saturday. I was rather interested to discover that I was the only student in the class who qualified with a 100% accuracy rank. Note...I shot 20 shots and all my shots hit the target (see previous blog entry) in the designated/qualifying area. However, I'll try not to break my arm whilst patting myself on my back. A 70% accuracy rate is necessary to qualify. We ended our class by filling out paperwork and, another first, being fingerprinted....two full sets of fingerprints. Thank goodness, the instructor provided GoJo in the bathroom to wash fingerprint ink off of inky fingers.

Despite all, I won't be running around the country, carrying concealed. It's doubtful that my gun will ever leave my house or property. However, I'm glad I took this class. It was very informative. And...now I can if I want....or I will as soon as all the paperwork goes through. No rush.

Random Quote of the Day

If the Phone Doesn't Ring, It's Me

- Jimmy Buffett, Song Title

Our New Tree - A Fantex Ash

Word of the Day

Seethroughity - The measure of an object's transparent property. Often gauged between opaque and completely transparent, or see-through.


HTP and I planted a new tree in our front yard this morning. Hopefully, this tree will thrive and survive the summer heat AND the winter cold. Actually, this tree is replacing one that I was sure would survive both, a Sissoo tree, but, it didn't. Global warming killed it. It was just too cold last winter. *sigh* Oh well, if at first you don't succeed, try, try, again. I've lost a Ficus (it froze), a Brazilian pepper (it got sick and died), and a Sissoo (it froze). So, let's try this one, a Fantex Ash, a very hardy Arizona Ash cultivar with a more globe-like form. It's a grafted male which means no seeds. It tends to grow fast to 30' tall/wide. I'm told that it's low maintenance--fall leaves drop in one week during for easy clean up. It is heat/salt tolerant. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

C25K Powerwalk Challenge Update

Kylee and I got an early start this morning. There weren't too many people out and about but Kylee needed to make one stop to meet and greet Rosie, a chocolate lab, and her owner. I normally try to avoid stopping but I'm pretty sure that both Rosie and Kylee would have felt bad if I hadn't. Kylee was beside herself with excitement to meet and greet her new friend. Her whole body wagged.
We made up for the stop by adding in an additional power-walk segment. I've already added distance to your walks. We've completed Week 2, Day 3. Next week, we'll work on Week 3, but after that, I'm not at all sure how I'll be able to do more than start Week 4 while I'm on the road.

Random Quote of the Day

The human tendency to regard little things as important has produced very many great things.

- Georg Christoph Lichtenberg (1742 - 1799)

My Qualification Target for Concealed/Carry

Two Head Shots - Did it!

Needed to Put 18 Shots into the Rectangular Body at Various Distances.  Mission Accomplished

Word of the Day

Schnibbel - Any tiny piece of paper that is lying on the ground.


Today was a day of firsts for me. This was the first time I've ever shot a gun. This is the first time I fired my Mosquito. This was the first time I've ever been to a gun range. This was the first time I got to fire a Glock and a Smith&Wesson and a Browning Buckmark. I may just decide to buy a 9 MM next year. Dan thinks I should get one. Maybe, but first I want to get to know my Mosquito. I had to laugn because the instructor (Dan) was so impressed with my marksmanship that he started calling me Calamity Jane. Of course, I did a lot better during the beginner class than I did on my concealed carry qualification shooting but I did darn good on that too. Hey! I qualified. I just need to take the class on Monday and I'll have a concealed carry permit for Arizona and any state that has reciprocity.

The class started at 8 AM and we didn't actually finish until around 1 PM. I got darn tired. Lots of standing around and there was NO shade. One of the other students shared some sunblock with me. I think I still burned my nose and it was darn hot outside by the time we finished up. It's an outside range. Thankfully, Dan brought extra water to share. If and when I do this again, I'll have to remember to bring water and slather on sunblock.

I had soooo much fun today. Now, all I have to do is remember how to clean and oil my gun. I took that class last month.

Random Quote of the Day

Do not wait for the last judgment. It takes place every day.

- Albert Camus (1913 - 1960)

My Red Yucca is Blossoming

Word of the Day

Scholarshipping - The act of an organization giving out awards.


I didn't actually plan on going to yoga class this morning but hitched a ride with my friend when she called to ask if I would go with her. She's heading out on vacation tomorrow morning for a couple of weeks. I'm not sure if she'll be yoga'ing when she gets back or not. I plan on continuing with my yoga, on my own In the meantime, I'm really going to have to figure out how many more times I can actually go to yoga class before I leave. Just because I didn't plan on going to yoga, doesn't mean that I wasn't going to "do" yoga this morning. I was going to use one of my recordings. However, once I start loading stuff into the car, I won't be going anywhere. I'll have HTP back the car into the garage and have at it. I'm not sure if I can trust my backing ability so I'll have to rely on HTP for that.

I've been packing like a crazy lady. Unfortunately, I think I've started packing things that I need. That has to stop. I'm going to have to dig out some clothes to wear for tonight. HTP and I plan on going out for all-you-can-eat sushi tonight. One thing that I can't get at The Lake is sushi. There is a place in The Big City that has sushi but I don't get there very often. Believe me, you can't find sushi grade fish at The Store or any grocery store in any of the nearby cities to The Lake. However, I can make a mean bluegill caviar.

I'm hearing that there's been more snow at The Lake. #1 Son and #1 DIL planned to go to The Lake at the end of this month to see if they can launch a boat and put in the dock. I'm not sure how they can when there's still ice on the lake...at The Lake. This is going to be an interesting spring. I should be at The Lake by fishing opener but I'm not at all sure how much actual fishing will be done that weekend....unless it's ice fishing.

Random Quote of the Day

Among those whom I like or admire, I can find no common denominator, but among those whom I love, I can: all of them make me laugh.

- W. H. Auden (1907 - 1973)

My Dwarf Bottlebrush

Word of the Day

Scrumptuleasant - Describing a seemingly enjoyable treat that one consumes. But after the fact, one feels nauseous and wants to kill one's self. One with a weak stomach would find such items unpalatable.


Packing continues. I sorted through some pants that I "think" will fit me by the time the Ireland/Scotland trip rolls finally gets here. Sis and Cuz don't think we should wear jeans and I really don't want to buy new pants that I'm hoping will be too big for me. Right now I'm wearing a size 14 but it's a bit on the loose side. I can wear my size 12's and depending on the cut, they either fit comfortably or are a bit snug. I'm hoping that I'll be able to fit into my collection of size 10's so I'm packing them as well...just in case. I have a HUGE stack of size 8 which I may send to Sis and when did I ever fit into that size 6? Oh well, packing does help clear out my closet. I was sad to see one of my favorite skirts was riddled with moth holes. I wonder when that happened because I didn't see any evidence of moths. That just goes to show you how long it's been since I wore any dressy outfits. Which reminds me, should I pack a dressy outfit? Probably. At the very least, I'll be packing my suit.

I like dressing up but HTP and I rarely go out to places that necessitate it. I dressed up for our anniversary last year, and #1 Son's wedding. However, this year, HTP and I are going to a more casual restuarant for our anniversary. I bought a couple pairs of those skinny ankle jeans. I wore the white pair the other day and they were really cute. I'm planning on wearing the black pair with a nice dressy shirt and silver jewelry for our anniversary night out, along with a nice dressy pair of black sandals. Actually, I loved the white skinny jeans so much that I bought another pair and also bought a pair of green (khaki green)ones. I think these skinny ankle jeans look LOTS better than capris for summer....but....I don't plan to wear them out hiking.

C25K Powerwalk Challenge Update

Kylee and I made it through Week 2 Day 2 just fine. No unscheduled stops. This time I remembered to bring a bottle of water so I wouldn't get so dry. I'll mention that before I started the walk this morning, my left knee was hurting a bit. So, after finishing up the walk, it wasn't a surprise to me that my left knee still hurt but only a bit more. Since there doesn't appear to be any swelling, I'm not going to worry about it. I don't think the pain is in any way due to my C25K powerwalking.

Random Quote of the Day

If only corporal punishment cured low self-esteem.

- Jeph Jacques, Questionable Content, She's A Bit of A Pout, author's note, 08-31-11

Silver Agave Blooms are Prettier than Pictured

Word of the Day

Scribline - The blank area on the back of credit cards where one's signature goes.


C25K Powerwalk Challenge Update

Kylee and I encountered a few problems on our walk this morning. I started the program on my Kindle Fire and then we headed out, walking fast. Far past when the program would have announced that I should start running, I decided to check my Kindle. Somehow, I managed to hit the pause button. *sigh* Oh well....I fast forwarded to the first run sequence and continued on from there. Then, when we'd arrived to the area near the golf course, Kylee decided that she just had to stop and take care of business, business that I had to clean up. And, of course, it took a while to clean up the business because for some reason I couldn't get one of the clean-up bags loose right away. *sigh* OK. I backed up the program and Kylee and I re-walked the part where we'd already started before business got in the way. So, by the half-way point, Kylee and I were well past the point where we normally reach the half-way point. Since we were already almost to the development's clubhouse, we continued on to that location and disposed of the poop bag with Kylee's business and started on our way back home. Of course, having traveled well past our normal half-way location, our 30 minute walk turned into at 45 minute walk but...who's counting. On Thursday, Kylee and I will have to bring water to drink. The mornings are getting warmer and I was REALLY dry by the time we got home. On the plus side, my knees are feeling no pain despite the greater distance Kylee and I covered.

****

I started packing yesterday. Since HTP and I won't be entertaining anymore between now and when I leave, I moved everything that I'd been accumulating for the trip into the dining room. I repacked the wine (some will go to The Lake and some will go to Sarge & D Buddy's place in Texas), I repacked the 'Cello's (some will go to The Lake and some will go to Sarge & D Buddy's place), I packed up another box of stuff to go to Sarge and D Buddy's place, and started a box of stuff that I need to bring to The Lake.

I dragged out the two suitcases I'll be bringing with me this morning,(one with on the road stuff to wear and use, and one that won't need to be opened until we actually get to The Lake). I can start packing clothes, shoes, and whatall that I won't be using until I get to colder climates. In the meantime, while doing laundry, I sorted through and portioned out supplements and medications, which took longer than one would imagine. I packed away the ones that I won't be needing between now and when I get to The Lake. When did the amount of pills I take on a daily basis get so numerous? I'm surprised I don't rattle when I walk. Actually, most of what I take are supplements which I take so I don't have to take prescription medicines. Funny how that's working out. Oh well...I'd rather take the supplements at this point.

In the coming days, I'll be spending a great deal of time (hopefully) marking items off my To Do List and my Packing List. Which reminds me, I need to call CenturyLink to get my Internet and phone bundle set up at The Lake.

Random Quote of the Day


Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't.

- Erica Jong

Joyce and the Magic Puffball

Word of the Day

Schlank - The liquid that comes out of a brass instrument after being played and then left in cooler tempuratures.


C25K Powerwalk Challenge Update

Kylee and I completed Week 1, Day 3 of the challenge this morning. It was a challenge because, since we weren't running, neighbors kept stopping us to chat...mainly with Kylee. Oh well, I tried to make up for the stops by adding additional powerwalk time...even in the cooldown phase. I suppose I'm going to have to deal with this sort of thing, especially on weekends when there are so many neighbors out walking in the morning. However, I'm still calling this day of the challenge complete since I added additional mileage and power-walking to the mix.

***

I got a call from my friend Joyce this morning, from Wisconsin. She was just checking in with me to find out what my plans are. She's not on my e-mail loop and she doesn't do Facebook so she called. I brought her up to date with most stuff.

HTP and I are going to dinner tonight with friends. I'm getting the chance to wear a pair of my new skinny ankle jeans. Does my butt look big in these? I'm more worried about butt crack syndrome. A belt is a definite must with these jeans. I'm sure that Sis would/will not approve, but, what the heck. I have lost weight....not as much as I'd like to lose but I was tempted to try out this new fashion statement.

Random Quote of the Day

Follow your passion. Stay true to yourself. Never follow someone else's path unless you're in the woods and you're lost and you see a path. By all means, you should follow that.

- Ellen DeGeneres, Tulane Commencement Speech, 2009

April 13, 2011 - The Lake

Word of the Day

Scarcasm - Sarcasm that really, really hurts.


I hear that it snowed at The Lake last night, but just enough to make a mess of the driveway. I suppose it isn't really surprising that there is still snow on the ground or that there is ice on the lake.

I spent most of the day, after yoga, checking things off my To Do List. I needed to pick up some things for the trip at Target for me and PetSmart for Kylee. I also needed to pick up a trailer hitch hookup and ball from U Haul. I didn't have them install it. I reserved a U-Haul trailer in Texas to pick up on May 2nd, a small trailer, and they can install it for me when they hook things up. Then, I made my hotel reservations for the trip, after consulting with DD Daughter to make sure about a viable hotel near her apartment. I'm told that Ms. En will be excited that I made reservations for the hotel that looks like a castle. It took longer to compose and print out my itinerary then it took to make my reservations. Exhaustion is setting in and I still need to bake some bread for tomorrow.

HTP and I are going to be joining friends for dinner on Saturday night. We'll have them over at our place for dessert and a movie. And then, I'm playing my clarinet at the church on Sunday. I'll start packing....next week.

Random Quote of the Day

I know the answer! The answer lies within the heart of all mankind! The answer is twelve? I think I'm in the wrong building.

- Charles M. Schulz (1922 - 2000)

My View if We Hadn't Had a Major Freeze this Year - 2012

Word of the Day

Scanter - A brisk, yet leisurely pace. Slower than a gallop, yet faster than a leisurely stroll.


I drove over to the Arizona Automobile Association (AAA) yesterday to get my TripTik, maps, tour books and International Driver's Permit. I probably won't ever NEED the international driver's permit but I now have it...just in case. It's good for six months. I still need to get some Euros and Pounds but I think I should be able to get some after I get to The Lake. I don't need them until mid-June. Meantime, after much thought, I've decided to leave here on April 30th instead of May 1. This way I'll hit the city where DD Daughter, Ms. En, and Mr. T live on a Saturday. We can go for supper, come back to go swimming at the hotel, and then go out for breakfast the next day before I have to hit the road again to go to The Lake. I changed my Ticker header to reflect the change. Now, all I have to do is make hotel reservations for the trip, get a trailer hitch for the Acadia installed, make reservations to rent a U-Haul in Texas, and PACK! I'll be leaving in less than three weeks.

C25K Powerwalk Challenge Update

Kylee and I took off walking at a fast pace for our warm-up, faster than last time. Again, I picked up the pace and pumped my arms when cued, by the program on my Android device (my Kindle Fire), to run. Actually, I'm not sure if I walk faster when power-walking or when I walk briskly but.... Anyway, I decided to continue on after the half-way point was cued so I walked a longer distance and during cooldown, I walked briskly. The other day, I picked up some orthotics for my shoes which used this morning. I'm not sure if it made any difference or not. I figured that it couldn't hurt. My knees continue to improve. Eventually, I would like to start running again but I'm not going to risk my knees, so, I'll continue power-walking through this program and work for a 10K distance.

Random Quote of the Day

Disbelief in magic can force a poor soul into believing in government and business.

- Tom Robbins (1936 - )

Dr. Who Scarf Update - Almost 1/3 Completed

Word of the Day

Scoopulate - 1. The act of scooping all but two of the many pills that poured into one's hand, back into the bottle. 2. The act of trying to get only one noodle out of a pot of boiling water to check for doneness.


C25K Challenge Update

Kylee and I started once again on our C25K Challenge. This time, we started at a brisker warm-up speed and then whenever "start running" was cued, I walked as fast as a could, pumping my arms. Actually, I noted that we traveled almost the same distance this way as we covered when we jogged. I'm hoping that this modification in the program will keep my knees safe.

***

I'm going to have to tackle cleaning up the backyard patio later today when things dry off outside. We actually got some rain last night so things are a bit muddy out there right now. It's hard to sweep mud. We may get more rain today so the clean up may have to wait until tomorrow. Meanwhile, it's laundry day once again.

I posted my progress on the Dr. Who scarf that I'm knitting for DD Daughter. I've completed almost 1/3 of it. To be honest, I haven't been religiously working on it, if I had I'd be a lot further along. However, even though snow is predicted for where DD Daughter lives, I don't think she'll actually need this scarf until next fall.

Random Thought of the Day

Careful. We don't want to learn from this.

- Bill Watterson (1958 - ), "Calvin and Hobbes"

Roses I Rescued From My Neighbor's Yard

Word of the Day

Hangry - A state of anger caused by lack of food ; hunger causing a negative change in emotional state.

The duststorm wasn't supposed to hit until noon, but when my friend and I got out of yoga at 9:15 AM, we noticed that the wind had already started blowing, kicking up dust. As we drove home, we noted several recycling barrels that had been knocked over and a few decorative flags had blown loose and were flying free. Hopefully, that won't happen to mine, the recycling bin, not the flag. I don't own any of those decorative flag thingies. Meanwhile, I noticed that the neighbor across the street had some roses blooming in her front yard. She isn't there. They've been renting their house out but there aren't any renters in there right now so....I went over and clipped enough roses to make a bouquet. My justification for stealing the roses was that the duststorm was going to tear the roses all apart anyway if I didn't take them. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

The back patio is already littered with Palo Verde blossoms and leaves. So much for all the work HTP and I did on Saturday, sweeping and cleaning. I polished the BBQ grill too. *sigh* Oh well, this duststorm will make a mess but maybe the wind will blow down all the dead leaves that remain on the trees from the winter kill on our trees. I did lose two citrus trees over the winter and one of the trees in my front yard. Thankfully, the rubber tree that I thought had died, is slowly recovering. My Mom told me that she thought it would come back and she was right.

Random Quote of the Day

It's amazing how quickly nature consumes human places after we turn our backs on them. Life is a hungry thing.

- Scott Westerfeld, Peeps, 2005

Ms. En

Mr. T

Word of the Day

Scadink - The annoying build-up of ink on the end of a ball-point pen.


I was going to get up this morning and start again with the C25K program but I was too tired. I seem to remember a series of children's books that I used to read to my children that sounds a lot like my previous sentence. Excuses, excuses. I'll do better tomorrow. Actually, I plan to resume the C25K program this week. My knees are feeling lots better, however, I've decided to power-walk instead of running. On the plus side, I've dropped five pounds. This five pound drop didn't show up until a week after I stopped running. I was carrying a lot of water weight, the pounds melted away when the swelling went down.

I really need to start packing for my trip to The Lake. I've started editting my To Do List and my Packing List. Hopefully, everything that I want to bring to The Lake and to my kids and will fit into the Acadia.


Random Quote of the Day

It is all very well, when the pen flows, but then there are the dark days when imagination deserts one, and it is an effort to put anything down on paper. That little you have achieved stares at you at the end of the day, and you know the next morning you will have to scrape it down and start again.

- Elizabeth Aston, The True Darcy Spirit, 2006

Backyard of the Port Washington Home
T-Square's Childhood Home
Painted by My Grandpa

Word of the Day

Sassitude - A position of the body or manner of carrying oneself in a fashion suggestive of arrogance; cockiness; superiority.

Last summer my folks gave me three paintings that my Grandfather (T-Square's Dad) painted along with a couple of paintings done by T-Square's Aunt, and a colorized photograph. One of these paintings, done by my Grandfather, illustrates the end result of the following article, written by my Dad, T-Square on March 24, 2013.

How to Landscape a Yard

With six inches of snow still on the ground, that may seem like a strange title for an essay, but Spring is just around the corner and it’s best to be prepared.

Let me take you back a few years...well, quite a few actually. The year was 1936. My parents had just completed construction of our new house at 1016 West Grand Avenue in Port Washington, Wisconsin. We had moved in, unpacked, and it was Spring. Time to undertake a few site improvements, such as, landscaping the yard.

Now, you have to appreciate the soil conditions in and around Port Washington. The glaciers that formed Lake Michigan had deposited a thick layer of red clay over the land. Red clay did not make for good landscaping. You had to “improve” the soil in order to develop a good lawn. Not a problem...just import several loads of black dirt, buy some grass seed, connect up a sprinkler on a hose and you have all the ingredients you need. Well, not exactly...you need to add some fertilizer to the mix. “Milorganite”, a product of the Milwaukee sewage disposal plant ought to fill the bill!!

However, before you can plant a lawn you have to level the “playing field”, a task that involves a wheelbarrow, shovel, rake, and two young boys. My brother, Bill, and I were given the task. Now to find the equipment...one wheelbarrow (check), one shovel (check), one rake (check) and the necessary manpower (check). Now, then, we are ready to begin.

Well, not exactly...

Let’s see, where’s Bill? Well, it seems he has a summer job at the Canning Factory in Knellsville stacking cases of canned goods in their warehouse. Or, was it as manager of Smith Bros. new fast food venture called the “Boardwalk” in the old Gas Company Building down by the harbor. Well, he might be available on weekends.

And so, the task begins. Level and rake the front lawn area .(Check). Install black dirt from piles deposited by the contractor. That requires some manual labor involving, wheelbarrow, shovel, rake and distribution. (Check) Don’t forget to apply the fertilizer. That would be from the bags of Milorganite, a product of the Milwaukee Sewage Disposal plant. (Check) “Does that look level to you??” More raking!! Plant the grass seed with a hand spreader. Bring out the hose and sprinkler and water in the grass seed.

Oh yes, we also want to add a few shrubs...two mugo pine trees, two arborvitae bushes, and a maple tree. Where did we get a maple tree...remember, it was for winning a prize for our outside Christmas decorations last year. How do you plant a maple tree?? Well, you dig a hole, 4' x 4' x 4' deep. Let’s see, that requires a pick, shovel, wheelbarrow and some black dirt. Also, a bit of backbreaking labor! The two arborvitae on either side of the front porch should be a snap after that!!

Now, all we have to do is tackle the backyard!! That consists of a garden plot behind the garage, a stone retaining wall, and leveling the yard back to the rear lot line at the alley. What alley? “Never mind, someday there will be an alley.” Where can we get some field stones for the retaining wall? Well, there’s that old barn foundation across the street behind “Lefty” Hoehn’s House, maybe you could salvage enough from there. All you need is the wagon, a pick and shovel and a little manpower!!

After several weeks of removing field stones from the foundation, hauling them across Grand Avenue, dodging the traffic, depositing them in the back yard, and digging a trench for the foundation between the two garages, we were ready to roll!!

Now, what about a garden?? The space behind the garage would be a great place for the garden!!  All we need is a couple of loads of black dirt, levelled and then spaded in with a spading fork. How do you spade a garden?? It seems the labor force had much to learn. However, per the directions of our Grandmother, .”You dig straight down 6-9" with the spading fork, before turning over the soil.” Per instructions, the garden was correctly fertilized with Milorganite, spaded, tilled, and planted.

Now, about the iris from the Grady House...wouldn’t they look nice along the top of the stone retaining wall?? Check...Mission Accomplished!! And we have these Washington Plume bushes from the Edgerton House in Beaver Dam. Wouldn’t they look nice behind the garage?? Check...Mission Accomplished!!

Add water...Did you turn on the sprinkler?? Isn’t it time you moved the sprinkler?? I think we need another load of gravel in the driveway??

Who would guess, looking at the completed project that it would consume the better part of the summer?? Well, maybe two summers! Mission accomplished.

That’s how you landscape a yard!!

Written by My Dad - T-Square

Random Quote of the Day

He hoped and prayed that there wasn't an afterlife. Then he realized there was a contradiction involved here and merely hoped that there wasn't an afterlife.

- Douglas Adams (1952 - 2001)

My Silver Agave is Blossoming?

Word of the Day

Samolian - An inhabitant of, or relation to a country attributed to monarch, or possible deity, Sam. This country is most widely known as Samolia -- not to be mistaken for Somalia, a country in the far-eastern regions of Africa, on the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. It is yet unknown where the location of this country lies.

Despite the pain in my right knee, I went to yoga yesterday. I didn't do any of the poses that put much strain on my knee. I did the Warrior poses, sitting on a chair. I probably shouldn't have done the yoga squats or the tree pose but my knee didn't feel too bad. However, I don't think I'll be retiring my Advil for a bit.

I had a Groupon for Dolce Salon that I needed to use before April 4th, so I scheduled a facial because I already used a Groupon last week to get my hair dyed and cut. Wow! I LOVED my facial. I think I may have fallen asleep on the table. VERY relaxing. I'm not one to do this sort of thing on a regular basis but....I had a Groupon.

My Silver Agave is blossoming. So far, I'm not impressed. I was expecting some kind of flower petals but there doesn't see to be any. I'll have to see if this is a night blooming plant.

Random Quote of the Day

I cannot think well of a man who sports with any woman's feelings; and there may often be a great deal more suffered than a stander-by can judge of.

- Jane Austen (1775 - 1817), Mansfield Park