Hubby's Cross Stitch

These first 2 are small projects. Most of his projects are rather large so these are the exceptions. They both hang up in the kitchen.
This one is in progress. When it's done it will hang in the piano room.

This is hanging in the bedroom, it's about 12-14" long.

This is in the master bedroom, about 12" square.

Master bedroom again, about 16" - 18" tall.

In the piano room. I'd guess about 14" - 16" tall, maybe taller.

Piano room again, about 12 - 14 inches square.

In guest bedroom, about 10 - 12 inches square.

There are 4 in this angel series. They are in the entry way. There are 2 on each side of the grandfather clock.

I'd guess them to be 12 - 14 inches tall (each).

This was a large project because I suspect it's about 24" wide, maybe even more.

In addition to these, he's done birth announcements for both grand kids as well as other gifts. There are others hanging around the house too.

156.8

We went for a bike ride this morning. All in all we went 29.8 miles but really it felt more like 30 - ha! ha! I was pretty much ready to be done before 29.8 because my butt and legs were ready to get off the bike. Besides, it was well into the afternoon by the time we got back and it was pretty warm outside.

But it was a nice ride, even if I did get 2 flats. We packed a lunch and had lunch along the river at a forested area that had a picnic table. We went on the west end of the river parkway where most people do not venture. Seems they're afraid of running into some homeless people or something. We've run this area a lot in the past, though not this year, and never had a problem. It's beautiful in the fall when the leaves are changing.

On our way back home, we went through a state park. We'd been through there before too, both running and biking. We'd always noticed a lot of single men in cars and thought it looked rather suspicious. As we rode into the area, a police car came in at the same time and a lot of the single guys who were parked in cars left. That pretty much confirmed our hunch. Then as we came back through we stopped and talked with the police officer and he confirmed our suspicions. He said that he runs the plates of the men and find many of them have a wife's name on the registration too. So these guys just hang around looking to hook up with another guy in the bushes . . . and the poor wife doesn't know.

The officer also told us the other spot these fellows frequent. We sort of suspected the second area too but did not realize it was frequented as much as it apparently is. Some times you just have to wonder how people think. Maybe they don't think.

So anyway, yesterday I ran 7 miles and today I biked 29.8 so I'm trying to get my weight down because I need to weigh in at Weight Watchers next week. I'd probably be okay to weigh in now, IF I took my shoes off beforehand. But that feels like a failure to me so my rule is to weigh in wearing my shoes. So I need a bit of a "safety net". That means, I must behave. It never ends.

Testing 1...2...3...Testing 1...2...3...

I took this video on my phone after finishing our 13 miler today. I'm having troubles getting it to play on this blog site so if it doesn't play, it's not you, it's me. UPDATE: Now it will play but the sound is messed up.

Purina Diet

I got this in an e-mail and thought it was funny:

Yesterday, I was buying a large bag of Purina dog chow for Athena (my wonder dog) at Wal-Mart and was in the check-out line. The woman behind me asked if I had a dog. What did she think I had, an elephant? On impulse, I told her that no, I didn't have a dog, but that I was starting the Purina Diet again.

I probably shouldn't, I continued, because I'd ended up in the hospital last time. I awoke in the intensive care ward with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IVs in both arms. However, I did lose 40 pounds on the diet, so I was giving it another go.

It was essentially a perfect diet, I told her, and the way it works is you load your pockets with Purina nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry. I wanted to lose some weight quickly, and the food is nutritionally complete. (I have to mention here that practically everyone in the line was, by now, enthralled with my story.) Horrified, this woman asked if I ended up in intensive care because I'd been poisoned by the dog food. I told her no, it happened because I stepped off a curb to sniff an Irish Setter's ass and a car hit both of us.

I thought the guy behind her was going to have a heart attack he was laughing so hard! WAL-MART won't let me shop there any more.

For My Consideration

I'm thinking about reactivating this blog site. Does anyone ever stop by anymore?

Don't Care So Much

I haven't posted anything to this site in a long time. Sometimes I think about it, but then I wonder what I'd write. Like right now . . . I feel like posting something but really have nothing to say. So what should I do in a case like this?

I went to my piano lesson today. I've probably got one more week to work on my sonatina and then I'll be ready to start another piece. I always like starting something new. It just seems like there is so much more to discover about a new piece. It's kind of like taking a new road, one I've never been on before. I really get bored of taking the same road to go to the same place, time and time again. Even if it's a longer distance I'd rather take a new road. You never know what you might discover. And so I think the same thing with a new piece of music.

It was a beautiful day today. A beautiful, sunny spring day. We were supposed to babysit our grands but then their father called and changed it to tomorrow instead. Seems their schedule is still evolving.

Lately it seems like a lot of people are getting on my nerves. This has been coming on for quite some time now and it doesn't seem to be changing or going away any time soon. My church is also "bugging" me. Some of the decisions and directions are really bothering me. And I'm just tired of being bothered by it too. It takes too much energy to be irritated and it weighs on my spirit. Lately I think a lot about just finding another church. And then not getting to know anyone or not getting involved. That way no one can piss me off. I'd just go to church and when it's done, leave. I'd leave before anyone could talk to me or ask me to join anything. It's sounding better and better to me.

Spouse and I belonged to a "small group" and we just resigned from that last week. It wasn't working for either of us and I sort of feel like we were a bad influence on the other people. Isn't that an odd feeling to have? Anyway, I think they're better off without our influence. Sometimes I think it's better to not be so "real". It's better to just have your manners about you and not be concerned with how others think, or act. Just be polite. Maybe that's what I'll do from now on.

I like that I stopped by this site. I doubt anyone will read it. And you know, I really don't care anyway.

Sick of Winter!

I just thought I'd stop by and post something here and see if anyone still stops by to read it. It's snowing today and the weather for the rest of the week is supposed to be sort of crappy. Since I've been able to run a time or two in shorts, I just don't want to go back to wearing tights or capris. I don't want to have to wear a jacket either. I'm okay with needing to wear a vest, I suppose, but probably only because I like having pockets.

Which reminds me . . . why don't running clothes manufacturers every give you any pockets in running shorts or tops? I mean, I got stuff to carry you know! First there's my cell phone. Hey - call it what you want . . . it's a safety issue. Then, of course, a couple tissues are always handy, especially if you have to stop by a tree or bush. If it's a longer run I need some place to carry my gels or Sport Beans. So a pocket that holds something bigger than a key would be appreciated.

Don't tell me to buy a little waist/fanny bag to put this stuff in either. I have one (several) of those. The truth is, I don't want to wear anything more than what is really necessary. Besides, they can cut into your flesh if you're not careful to make sure it has fabric between the belt part and your skin.

OK, while I'm bitching, I'm tired of these sports bras that cut into my boobs too. I'm talking real lacerations here too, not just little sore sports. I got this one laceration, twice now, and I swear it's bad enough that it's borderline on needing stitches! And there's no reason for it either, there is no seam or other thing that should cause this to happen - twice now. I just can't figure it out.

Maybe I just need to use Body Glide from head to toe. Is that the only way? It's just not fair I tell you. Somehow, I think if I just had pockets in my shorts the whole thing would be better.

I Want It All

I'm really looking forward to spring. The snow has finally started melting. The hillside, on the back of our house, finally has more bare spots than mounds of snow. The front yard is still under about a foot of snow but a couple places do show signs of earth peaking out. The mounds in the parking area and roadway are 3 feet or less.

But now it's snowing again. That sucks. Really, it sucks. I'm sick and tired of snow.

I have a race next weekend. I want the weather to be decent. By decent I mean dry and warmer than it has been. I want to be able to wear shorts and not freeze to death. I tried to wear shorts for our run yesterday and had to change into capri's. I really want to wear shorts and go bare foot.

Speaking of my run yesterday, I have a standing PR on this particular route that I haven't been able to get close to for going on 3 years. Yesterday, I tied it. Had I known I was running so well I could have beaten it. Damn, I hate it when that happens. I had no idea. I didn't check my GPS until I finished my run (as usual).

I'm sick of winter. I'm sick of snow. I want spring.

My shoulders hurt from doing these damn exercises that the physical therapist has me doing. But on the flip side, they are working and restoring mobility to my arms and shoulders. And it has reduced my over all pain. But I want to be 100% in terms of my range of motion and I want no pain. Oh, and I want spring too.

Stopping By

I thought I'd just stop by this morning . . . in case anyone else is still reading this blog. I have a PT appointment this afternoon. I'm so damn excited to start working on this shoulder problem. It's been a problem since October 12th of last year. I am hoping it responds well to PT. Surely it can't be worse can it?

I'm wondering if the blogspot people will ever repair the spell check problem. I graduated college with high honors yet I cannot spell worth a shit. I can't say my life has been greatly impacted by this, but it would be nice if I was a better speller. . . or if they'd fix the spell check.

This winter has brought me a coffee addiction. I've made it 51 years without getting into a coffee habit but this year it looks like it got the better of me. I suppose my downfall was that I figured out that if I drank half a pot of coffee that I would be warm. And anyone who knows me knows I freeze all winter long. But now, with the help of my caffeine habit, there are little chunks of time in which I feel like a normal person. I'm hoping to kick the habit once spring is here.

I guess that's about all I'm going to write for now. I really think no one will read it anyway. So on that note, I say farewell, until next time.

Turn It OFF!

A view of our house from the street.

Yes, we need snow, but keep it in the mountains NOT my driveway!

The mail man stopped delivering mail for awhile - lazy!
The end of our driveway is open again . . . until the plow comes past again.
This is our sidewalk tunnel.

Sports Bra Injury Update

I know it's a surprise that I'm putting an entry in here but I thought I would update an old situation. As you may or may not recall, I'd injured my shoulders in a sports bra incident (Oct 12th, 2007). The thing that made this worse is that I absolutely loved the offending sports bra, more than any other one I've ever worn. So here is the update:

1. I just found out that they sell a model of the same bra, though without the underwire. I'm thinking that this will make the bra a helluva lot easier to get off because then it would roll upwards, whereas the underwire prevents this motion. So I just ordered 2 of them.

2. I am still, 4 months later having shoulder pain. The pain in the left shoulder is intense enough that it sometimes prevents me from sleeping. If I move in certain ways, it sends a jolt of pain that just takes my breath away. The right shoulder, in comparison, has very little pain. However, again with certain movements, I get a jolt of pain from the same area, just not as intense.

3. I have a doctor's appointment to follow up on this next week. I am suspecting that I have torn the rotator cuff in both shoulders, with the left being more severe than the right.

4. This pisses me off because they never should have made a product that a person cannot remove without assistance. But damn it, I still love this sports bra.

Stuff

I just thought I'd put a post in here and see if anyone stops by to read it. I went to the gym today and ran 5 miles on the treadmill. Because it's so boring I used it as a bit of a speed workout and just kept bumping up my pace. At least it made the time go by faster.

I'm trying to be more "green". I guess you can say I'm easing into it. Nothing big right away. I'm using the reusable grocery bags at the grocery store and the big ones at Costco. I'm also cutting back (by at least half) the number of napkins we use. If I was really green I'd just use the cloth ones but I don't like how the fabric feels, compared to the nice paper napkins. Kind of weird, huh?

Speaking of weird, I've decided that I'm old enough to embrace all the weird aspects of being me. No more suppressing them. I'm just going with the flow and if people don't like it, it's their problem. For example, I don't like to shake hands. First of all, when you wear rings, half the people squish your hands and actually cause pain upon shaking hands. The other issue is cleanliness. I mean, did they wash after using the toilet? Maybe they picked their nose? How about good old cold and flu germs? I mean, really, you just don't know. So if Howie Mandel can do it, so can I. I'll do "fists" instead of shaking. I actually have been doing this for several weeks now, especially at church. I'm wondering if a polite bow might be in order sometimes. Oprah did it on the Late Show with Letterman. I need to think about it but I might use the bow too.

One other think I'm going to mention. I read on the MSN homepage that Dr. Phil is in trouble for possibly practicing medicine without a license (in connection with the Britney Spears thing). But the article goes on to talk about how he is no longer licensed in Texas either since he was reprimanded for having an inappropriate relationship with a patient. He denies touching her but stated that he did give her a job. Dr. Phil . . . .how could you? I can't believe he would put himself in a situation where anyone could make such an accusation? And what must Robin think? Actually, Robin kind of bugs me. For one thing her teeth look phony, and another thing is that the way she smiles makes me think she has a totally other side to her, a not so sweet side. Now I don't know this for a fact, just a hunch . . . based on those phony looking teeth.

Beautiful Grand Daughter!

Carly is soooooo cute!

Stop the Snow!

The yard stick in this photo is measuring the snow we received since the sidewalk was cleared, just yesterday. It was too deep to even snow blow today. As you can see, we've got snow on top of our snow.
Bob's doing a good job of blowing it all away but it keeps coming!
Trying to clear a spot so we can get mail service.
Yep, we got 25" of snow since last evening.
Bob working hard.
It never looks that bad until you get close to it.
See . . . told you, it's above his knees!

Pissed

OK, I'm gonna post something today. I'm pissed that I have been forced to start out this new year in the same exact way I was forced to start the last new year . . . dealing with a pirformis issue. I just got back from a 5 miler. It's been a week since I was shut down during a run because my pirformis decided to irritate my sciatic nerve. I've been at the gym ever since.

So today, it was in the 40's and I decided to test it on the road. As soon as we passed the skate park and headed up the hill, jab . . .jab . . .jab . . . like a knife being driven in my butt cheek. OK, I got it, it doesn't like hills. I was able to finish the run but it was knotted up by the time I finished (actually it was partially knotted up when I started). I have a race in early March. I don't have the time (or patience) for this crap. I demand healing and I demand it right now!!!!

New Year's Wish

My New Year’s Wish

As we’re about to move into 2008, I cannot help but think that there’s no way I could even guess what it holds in store for me. I can try to control things and make plans, but at the end of the day it’s all God’s good plan. Sometimes we’re planning the same things and sometime we’re not. However, having said that, here is my personal New Year’s Wish.

I wish that people would stop hurting each other. This would solve a lot of the problems in the world. I wish that people would realize that reality varies with perspective. Perhaps none of us really knows what is real and what is not. I wish people would realize that there is something "bigger than us".

I wish people would start taking care of themselves. I wish people would stop being mean to each other and other living creatures. I wish people would respect life.

I wish, especially for the people I know and care for, happiness, health and peace. And for me, I wish the same because there really isn’t anything more important than that. Oh yeah, I also wish that this time next year, I'm still running and don’t weigh and ounce over 145 pounds*.

Life is good. Thank you God!

* On Jan 1st, 2007, one year ago, I weighed 188.6. For today's weight, CLICK HERE

Christmas Day

Jackson is really into Christmas this year. A new "service" he is offering is to open every one's gift for them. He has so much joy just from opening the gift it didn't matter if the present was his or not. After every present was opened, he'd shout "COOL!", then move on to the next. Action Jackson and little sister Carly watching.
Jackson kept taking all the wrapping paper and throwing it over his head, then rolling in it.
No doubt, shouting "COOL!" again.
Carly sure was cute in her Christmas dress. Her eyes sure were wide open.

She's just too cute!
Keeping an eye on her brother.
Jackson really did like the card too (it was a Thomas the train card).

Damsel In Distress!

The weather outside is cold . . . and wet . . . and snowy. Last night I got stuck on the hill and had to call Bob to get me unstuck. And I have a 4 wheel drive! I guess sometimes it just isn't enough. I can tolerate this weather until New Years. Then, I REALLY need spring to come.

Picture Time!

This is a close up picture of the oak shelves Bob made for me. As you may know, we bought a surround sound system awhile back but didn't have a place for the rear speakers. So he built a shelf for the speakers (in another photo) and made matching decorative ones. I think they turned out great. This is Jackson, he's pretty much absorbed by watching the Christmas DVD on the TV.
Jackson has always loved these little stuffed bears. This is him just goofing around.
Jackson was very intrigued by the presents under the tree. Several times I thought for sure he would open one but he showed great restraint.

Bob made a total of 3 shelves. The long one below the tapestry holds the rear speakers.

Carly was asked "Who's the best Grandma in the whole world?" Since she can't talk yet, she just had to look toward the answer : )
Me & Carly
Jackson eating his supper, Bob caught me in between crouching down and standing on this one.
Carly & Me checking out the tree lights.

Poetry

These two poems have always spoken to me:

A Dream Deferred by Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?

Or fester like a sore--

And then run?

Does it stink like rotten meat?

Or crust and sugar over-- like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?

A Flower's Song by Abram J. Ryan

Star! Star, why dost thou shine

Each night upon my brow?

Why dost thou make me dream the dreams

That I am dreaming now?

Star! Star, thy home is high --

I am of humble birth;

Thy feet walk shining o'er the sky,

Mine, only on the earth.

Star! Star, why make me dream?

My dreams are all untrue;

And why is sorrow dark for me

And heaven bright for you?

Star! Star, oh, hide thy ray,

And take it off my face;

Within my lowly home I stay,

Thou, in thy lofty place.

Star! Star, and still I dream,

Along thy light afar

I seem to soar until I seem

To be, like you, a star.

Still Closed For Business

Despite what Mary said in yesterday's comment, I really am not driven to blog. It has amazed me how much free time not blogging every day has given me. Bob and I are learning to speak French. Now would we be able to do that if I was sitting at my desk blogging up a storm? I think not! So unless something changes, the lights are on but nobody's home.

Still Not Here

Helloooooo out there! Do I hear an echo? It's very cold today but I will still suck it up and get outside for a 5 miler. But I'm afraid I won't come back to share it with you. Because, so far, it's still over. The separation is still in effect. The restraining order is in place. OK, a bit dramatic . . . would you expect anything less?

Are We Still Through?

I'm still okay with not blogging (for the most part). I update my weight loss blog weekly www.justlookingforananswer.blogspot.com

I need to do a deep cleaning of the house so I can put out some holiday decorations next month. We registered for the Moab Half Marathon, now we just have to see if we get picked. I also feel a trip coming up for January but have no idea where (other than a warm place). So that's it. If you stop my, let me know.

Still Over

I do miss blogging a bit. However I also have a lot more time in the mornings. If I was to blog today I think I would mention how cold it was today and how much colder it's supposed to get and how much I hate cold weather. I might also mention that I ran a great 10 miler on Monday and a fast 5 miler today. I also might say something about running the Syracuse Turkey Trot on Saturday and the Ogden Regional 5 miler next week. Or else I could talk about the fact the grand kids will be over tomorrow evening. But of course I am no longer blogging so I won't mention these things.

Nor will I mention that some people already have their Christmas trees up and I think it's way too soon and therefore ridicules. I'm also not talking about a lot of other things. So much not to say . . . breaking up is hard to do. But, I think it's still over.

Day 1

This is my first day of no longer blogging . . . so far so good.

Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow

I started this blog on Jan 6, 2006, almost 2 years ago. Before this blog there was another one, on another site. Because of a change in ISP I moved it to this site. So really, it's been well over 2 years that I've been blogging.

During that time, my elderly friend Annie died. She was like my "Tuesdays with Morrie" experience. I lost both of my beloved dogs, Leroy and Reggie. I also turned 50, which was a big deal for me. Awhile back, I started a second blog that was dedicated to my weight loss efforts. I'm happy to say that I am less than 3 pounds away from my weight goal. I've lost between 27-28 pounds (depending on the day).

When I started blogging I must have had some things I wanted to say. I'm not sure what they were, but I do get the feeling that I'm about all talked out. Maybe I'm just in a mood, but I'm thinking my blogging has run its course.

I've been dedicated to my blog. Rarely did a day pass that I didn't stop in to say something, even if it was nothing. I took pleasure in every person who stopped by to see what was on my mind.

But I'm thinking it may be time to make my final post. And I'm wondering if this is it.

Bike & Hike

We ended up not running yesterday, so we went for a bike ride. We didn't go too far because it's up hill in every direction, except one and it's a huge down hill . . . for about a mile . . . then a miserable up hill. Today we went for a hike. We were shocked to see all the land that's being developed. We read about it in the newspaper but really had no idea they had already moved so much dirt and cut, and in some cases, paved, new roads. Scads of development.

We hiked up above Long Bench, to the power line trails. Then we made our way towards Willard Bay, then dropped back to come in through the undeveloped property across the street from us. This area will look so different in 5 more years.

This morning we went to a sale that Music Village was having. Bob wanted to get some electric guitar strings and they had a deal where you could get them for $2 a set. I bought a couple booklets on major/minor scales and fingering. I can never remember the fingering on half of them. It also has the arpeggio fingerings. Those are the ones I not only forget, but have trouble figuring out. At least with the scales I can pretty much figure them out. But now, I just need to check my little chart! After that we just bummed around a bit. I found a pair of Levi's on sale at Dillard's for $23 so I got them.

I guess today was our last nice day for awhile. I've worn shorts for the past couple days but according to the weather report I better get the long pants out again. I think winter's going to come whether I want it to or not.

My shoulder is still ailing me. I was supposed to go for a MRI if it wasn't better by Thursday. But it made some improvement so I decided to wait. Then I think I lifted too much (or something) and now it's almost back where it was. I really can't wait for it to feel normal again.

I'm posting a photo of baby Carly. I just love this picture. She has the cutest expression on her

face . . . sort of like she's drunk - ha! ha!

To Run Or Not To Run?

Yesterday's run started out really strong, I was running faster than usual. But I paid the price for it 2 miles into the run because I started getting tired. I felt kind of tired by the time I hit 5 miles. I was thinking maybe my body needed a bit more rest because these most recent miles have all been hard miles, lots of hill work. And I know not to over do it because that's how injuries happen. And do I know about injuries!!

So today I was planning on not running, but now I'm thinking I may be tired because I do have a bit of a cold. Not enough to not run, but enough to zap my energy a bit. It might be harder to get a run in tomorrow because of our schedule. So I'm not sure what I'm going to do. Maybe I'll wait for tomorrow and hope for the best.

It's a beautiful day out today. I guess after tomorrow it's going to get colder. We're just treading on thin ice with this wonderful autumn weather. Any time now winter weather is going to punch us in the gut, knocking the air from our lungs, and dropping us to our knees. Hmmmm . . . do you detect a negative attitude there?

Not A Cold!

I think I might be getting a cold. I have that funny feeling in my nose and throat. Hopefully it's nothing and will go away. When we worked the election polls and I handled all those voter cards, I knew I'd be exposed to some cold (or flu) germs so I tried to keep my hands sanitized and away from my face. But I might not have been vigilant enough. Drats!

This has been a busy week and I just haven't had the time to practice my piano like I'd like. I started off really enjoying my contrary major and minor scales exercises, but then something happened to the time and I feel like I just squeezed in what I could. Hopefully this next week will allow more time.

I need to do a good house cleaning before the holidays. I can't believe "the holidays" are fast approaching. Mentally, I'm still in spring or summer. Somebody, slow down the clock!

No Time

I've spent the whole morning either on the telephone, doing e-mail or checking some of the blogs I follow. It's 11:30 and I still haven't showered!

The election kept us hopping yesterday. A record number of voters turned out for what was a very long and busy day.

Unfortunately, I have no more time to spend at the computer. So maybe tomorrow . . .

Kicked Ass!

I kicked ass on today's run. That's exactly how I feel. I was strong, I was powerful, I kicked ass! We ran a new route and it was a much more difficult route. Usually I avoid hills on long runs because the distance is taxing enough. But I've been doing well enough on hills lately that I thought perhaps I can mix it up.

We started out at Acres, then ran up 2600 to Barker park. Then we dropped down onto Fruitland and took it until it intersects with Mountain Road. We followed Mountain Road to 1100, then went west to Monroe. We followed Monroe south until 7th Street. We came down 7th street and zig zagged to 2nd street. At 2nd street, we just ran along Washington and hit 10 miles when we got back to where we were parked.

Now anyone who knows the area knows that those first few miles are packed with hills. Not just inclines but some serious hills. And I ran every inch of them, feeling strong the entire way. Then, as if I hadn't already impressed myself enough, my overall pace was great too. With all the hills I thought for sure I was a lot slower but that was not the case. I ended up at 10:45 for an average pace. That's 10 miles, and serious hills too. So yes, I am a bit full of myself aren't I?

Delayed Post

I think I won't post anything until later today . . . after our 10 miler . . . so stop by later!