Friday Fragments

 

 

DD has poison ivy again … this time mostly on her face.    She had to go to the doctor yesterday afternoon, so I got to watch to Ts … of course, it was in the middle of the afternoon, so they were all napping (including T#1 who’s not feeling well, so Mama had him lie down to get some rest).  While I would have rather been playing with my grands, I did get to play with my grandpuppy. 

 

 

The high today is only going to be 81!  81!  And the 10-day forecast doesn’t show a single day with a high in the 90’s!  Since the first of June, we’ve haven’t had even a half dozen days where the high didn’t make it to 90+.    I can’t tell you how wonderful it feels to have fresh air blowing in through the doors and windows! 

 

 

Because it’s going to be a nice day today, I am contemplating a trip to the Missouri Botanical Garden to see their Chinese lantern display. 

photo source

 

 

I met with a trainer at the gym yesterday … she gave me a routine with the weights that will help keep me fit … and target the areas where I need to build up some strength.  I finished the workout with 30+ minutes on the treadmill.  If we go to the Lantern Festival, I probably won’t get to the gym today … but that’s ok because I’ll get plenty of walking at the Botanical Garden. 

 

 

Our comforter has been delivered, and it’s going to work.  I’ve got to stop at Target while we’re out today and get a couple of Euro pillows, and I’ll be able to make up the bed.  The only thing missing will be the headboard (hopefully it’ll be here in 2-3 weeks).  Unfortunately, the color of red I chose for the wall quilt won’t work with the new comforter … but it shouldn’t be too difficult to find a nice red that will work well.  (And I need to finish up my log cabin quilt before I start working on another one!)

 

 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

It’s Wednesday again … Hump Day and Hodgepodge Day! 

1. In an effort to combat obesity, the mayor of NYC has plans to ban the sale of large sugary drinks (anything over 16 oz.), initially in restaurants, movie theatres, and street carts. Corner stores would also be affected if they are defined as food service establishments. You can read more here . Your thoughts?
Just another example of big government.  I’ll spare you my soap box rant … let me just say that this will not solve the problem.   
 
2. Art festival, music festival, food festival...which would you most like to attend?
Food festival, especially if it’s something unique to a specific area.  I attended a crab festival in Louisiana about 15 years ago … fun.
 
3. What are you irrational about?
I’m OCD about any number of things … and I suspect that I walk the very fine line between OCD and irrationality.  I don’t think that I’ve crossed that line?  Those who know and love me may disagree.    
 
4. Do you feel confident you'll have a comfortable retirement?
Since we are retired, it’s been comfortable so far.  If we continue to be careful and if the market doesn’t go crazy, our nest egg should continue to allow us to have a comfortable retirement.   
 
5. What's been your favorite Olympic moment so far?
(Not ever, just in the 2012 Summer games)
Gabby Douglas winning gold. 
 
6. What would you label as the messiest room in your house?
Right now it’s my sewing room because that’s where I’m storing all the stuff I’ve bought for our bedroom makeover … I’m still waiting for the comforter I ordered (it should arrive today – pictures to follow if it is a keeper).
 
7. Do you follow your heart or your head?
Mostly my head.  Remember, I was an accountant for 30 years.   
 
8. Insert your own random thought here.
My Ts were here yesterday … it’s always a good day when I can spend it with my Ts.    Today looks to be a pretty quiet day. 

After months of repinning stuff on Pinterest, I finally gave a recipe a try yesterday … and it’s a keeper!  And healthy to boot!  I made it yesterday, and DH and the Ts all gave it a thumbs up. 

Look in the sky … it's a bird … it's a plane

No, it’s not Super Man … it was what I suspect were Air Force transport helicopters!




I was inside and heard a deep rumbling.  A truck out on the highway?  No, it kept getting closer.  Perhaps a helicopter heading to the hospital?  No, it was way too loud.  I decided I’d better go outside to see just what was making that noise … and saw 4 huge Air Force transport helicopters (Chinooks?) heading straight toward me!  At first, I was so awestruck that I just stood there watching them come my direction … finally I came to my senses and ran inside to get my camera.  Unfortunately, by the time I got my camera, they’d passed overhead and were continuing on to the south (I assume to the Air Force base about 20 miles south of here).  So I had to settle for these shots … I zoomed in a little on the second shot and even more on the final shot … but these photos do not come close to doing justice to the awesome spectacle.  I wish I could have gotten a shot of these heading toward me … spectacular.



I may or may not have a busy day ahead.    I’ve got a doctor’s appointment at 8:30, and I scheduled some time with a trainer at our gym (part of the membership) … I want to work out on the weight machines, but I suspect that I need some assistance so I can use them properly.  I may, however, have to reschedule that appointment as DD is hoping to be able to have lunch with a friend (her friend has cancer and is in the midst of a serious depression), so I’ll watch the Ts.  Either way, it looks to be a great day here at Chez Nana!

Weekend Wrap-up

 

Another weekend has come and gone … with no pictures this time.   

 

We had T#4 here Friday … it was T#3’s birthday, and they celebrated his day at Six Flags.  Since T#4 is just too little for a day at Six Flags, that meant that Nana got some one-on-one T-time!    We played and watched Dora the Explorer … and she “helped” me prepare dinner.

 

We got more rain Saturday morning … and again overnight … a total of .38”, for a total of .7” of rain in the last week.  Considering that it had been 7-8 weeks since the last measurable rainfall, that’s pretty big news.

 

I got in a little hand quilting before our new bed was delivered Saturday afternoon.  I forgot what “fun” it is to iron bedskirts … new one for the queen-sized bed that was moved to the spare bedroom and one for our new king-sized bed.  The good news:  we slept on our new bed that night.    The bad news:  the bed cover I purchased for our new king-sized bed just did not work out.   

 

After church on Sunday, we did a little more shopping for a comforter … after having no luck locally, I finally found one online that looks like it will work … and it’s on clearance – marked down over 50%! 

 

We also went to the gym … I spent 50 minutes on the treadmill.  I wanted to spend some time on the weight machines, too, but it was getting late … next time (perhaps today?).

 

Friday Fragments

Today is T#3’s birthday … I cannot imagine life without him … and we almost faced that possibility 5 years ago.  He’s going to celebrate his birthday today at Six Flags today with his family (except for T#4, who’s still just too little to be able to enjoy Six Flags … she’ll be staying here at Nana’s house).



We got some rain last night!  Not nearly enough to do any good (another .17”), but it rained!



The heat wave continues … at least we’re not having 100+ temperatures … although is there really much discernible difference between 98 and 101? 

Hot, hot, hot … and other miscellany

 

Another triple-digit day ahead … and somehow it feels even hotter knowing that we just endured the hottest July EVER.  <sigh>  What’s scary is that August is generally hotter than July in these parts.

 

It does NOT seem possible that it’s August already … where did July go??  Although I guess it’s a blessing that July literally sped by … too hot to slow down and savor.   

 

I didn’t feel too bad at all after yesterday’s workout at the gym … this morning, however, my legs are definitely feeling the effects of the workout.  But that won’t stop me from going back today.  I feel so much better when I work out … I just don’t know why I let myself get out of the habit. 

 

There’s nothing on the agenda for today other than working out, so I’m planning on getting back to my log cabin quilt and Season 3 of NCIS … until this evening when it will be time to switch to the Olympic coverage. 

 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

Today is Wednesday … time for some Hodgepodge. 

1. Joyce joining her daughter in the 101 in 1001 challenge. Essentially you create a list of 101 things you hope to do or accomplish in the next 1001 days. What's one thing you'd put on your list?

Take a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  DH and I have been dreaming about this for some time … and if I created a 101 in 1001 Challenge, I’d definitely want to include it.

 

2. How many remote controls do you have in your house? What's one item in your home you wish could be operated by remote control?

We have a cable box remote, 2 TV remotes , 2 DVD player remotes, 4 Wii remotes (technically, wii-motes), and 3 garage door remotes … for a total of 12.  I really wish I had a remote control for a device that would clean the bathrooms. 

 

3. What does having it all mean to you? Is it attainable?

To the world, “having it all” really means “having more” … there’s never enough, there’s always more to be had.  In that sense, I’m not sure that “having it all” is truly attainable.  On the other hand, I  would define “having it all” as enough money to be comfortable, good health, warm, comfortable home, a loving, supportive family … and more importantly, a relationship with my Savior and the promise of eternity with Him and the Father.  And that is attainable.     

 

4. What's your favorite movie soundtrack?

The Big Chill … my generation’s music. 

 

5. Describe the best view you've seen from a rooftop.

I can only remember one rooftop that I’ve been on … we dined on the rooftop at the Sunset Grill when we were in St. Augustine Beach in March.  We had a lovely view of the ocean (which in my humble opinion is the very best view from anywhere!) … I wish I had taken my camera. 

 

6. What's your least favorite thing about summer?

The heat and humidity.   

 

7. Our weekly Hodgepodge falls on the first day of August. In ten words or less sum up your July.

Hot.  Dry.  I know that’s just 2 words, but it sums up July here perfectly.

 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I can’t remember the last time I’d been to the gym, but we went yesterday.  I forgot how good it felt.  I’m definitely not going to wait so long to go back … as soon as I’m done here, I’ll go change into my workout clothes and go back.