Memorial Day Weekend

 

We arrived in the Cities on Friday afternoon.

Tim studied the tree and devised a plan.

The first supply run was made that night so he

could make an early start

the next morning.

 

Last year - this same weekend - we helped move

 Naphtali and Aidan into this house.

A tree suitable for a tree fort

was on their list of non-negotiables.

 

 You're looking at one happy kid!

 



The injury to my foot kept me off the ladders

and on the periphery for this project.

They worked hard and nearly

non-stop through Saturday and Sunday. 

There was a neighborhood

gathering scheduled for 6ish Sunday night.

The tree fort was complete and

Tim had manned the grill by 5:30!  

 

Unfortunately there is no photo of the finished project.

Naphtali created a charming focal point

by hanging a few accessories

and arranging a table and chairs under the platform.

I've been told a rope and bucket has been added

to serve as a dumb-waiter.

 

We'll be returning to build a deck

under the upper-tier,

but Phase 1 is complete.

 

 

 



Thursday Morning

My haiku challenge has ended.

On Tuesday the last one was composed and posted.

You'd think that after a solid year, those few minutes

would still automatically beckon.

Nope.

No topics clamored for expression as I walked to work

and back yesterday.

No snippets pushed their way into my

consciousness as I woke this morning.

Seems odd that something so vital to your

everyday rhythms for that length of time
could so easily stop.

 

I am thinking of planning on a new

- but less formal -

challenge.

How to go about it

will require some thought and

coordination.

It will take me waaay

outside my comfort zone, as they say.
 

But I can remember thinking

that kickboxing/gymrattery was waaay

outside said zone.

A new ten-week session has begun at the gym.

There are 60+ students

and four of them are part of our regular

class time. 

I've agreed to be a coach, assisting

a woman who has done this

for previous sessions.

We're not instructors.

 

We help/support the newbies as they
sort through all the terms and techniques,
 easing them into the mainstream
of class activity.
Four days in and so far, so good.

I'll get back to you with that other project.

 

 

 



Tea Time

Several weeks ago,

while I was sick,

I drank copious amounts of

hot water with lemon and honey.

 

 

It made me think that maybe it was time to revisit

my quest to learn to drink tea.

After all, how much different would tea be?

So, I have been trying.

 

google images


I've worked my way
through a box of Lemon Zinger
-which in some minds may not even qualify as tea -
but it was progress.
Polite company would doubtless
look askance at the amount
of honey added to my cup, but it was progress.

More helpful, though, was that
I finally understood my difficulty with tea.
It's not the sweetness, but the lack of saturated flavor
that I miss.  Maybe double bagging would help.

Today, I've brought home a
 lemon-based green tea. 
Fresh lemon has been added, as has
ginger
cinnamon
and honey.
Less honey than I've been using.
Progress, I tell you, progress.
 

 



The Weekend

Reviewing the trip to Oregon

 keeps getting bumped from the list

but I will cover it - soon.

 

These are pictures from the storm clean-up over the weekend. 

Friday found me working on the

loose branches already on the ground.  

Tim addressed the tree's condition

on Saturday, removing smaller branches 

(I had to work so I missed this phase)

getting it to this point so we could

 work together Sunday before I left for the library.

 

 This branch was broken and wedged among other branches

requiring a multi-phase removal.

 Here you can see that the trunk is on the ground

but still caught above.

We repositioned the strap and pulled again to dislodge it.

 Nothing was broken.

 Firewood for next fall.

 

 This is what's left of Aidan's tree. 

We removed two branches from the middle and lost

a good portion of a third.

It made for a long, busy day.

 

This story - like so many - involves

more than just the obvious, surface details.

As I was hauling branches to the front curb

- making the trip over and over -

I was thinking of how much our lives

 change over a year.

 

Since June I've lost 22 pounds,

again, only part of the story.

The numbers are wonderful but

the significant part of the story is how I feel.

I move easier.

Sleep better.

Have more energy

and interests.

I feel good.

I feel well.

 

 

 

 

 

Final Report

My ten week session at Farrell's is history.

We finished with testing in the morning

and a party last night.

Monday morning it starts all over again.

 

Here's my final tally:

14.6 pounds - lost.

16 total inches - melted away.

4.03 minutes shaved from my mile

bringing it under 12.

Sit-ups, push-ups and flexibility all increased.

 

I will also add,

 with some relief at the thought that my photos will remain private,

that it was not enough to win the $1000.

I'm honestly thrilled for Katie,

who was in my 9:15 class.

The money will be used for college expenses.

 

 I am more than pleased by what I've

accomplished in these past ten weeks.

And look forward to what comes next.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Transitions

Transitioning any wardrobe
is a process requiring creativity and fortitude.

August in Iowa can be tricky.

September, too.

We can face another six weeks of summer temps

while surrounded by examples of new

colors

scarves

jackets

and sweaters.
 

This year I have the added "complication"

of weight loss.

I just need a few things for work,

so the last few weeks have been spent going through

my drawers and closet,

sorting and building piles, as I see

what will get me through the next few weeks.
I don't want to buy anything right now...

 

One pile is on it's way out the door.

Doesn't fit.

Can't be altered.

Other items have had elastic and/or darts added.

A couple pair of lightweight pants

have received new side seams.

Shoulders have been adjusted.

I have a couple skirts that will see more use.

 

Grocery shoppers may see me wearing this:

I have to admit it has been hanging
in my closet for a couple years. 
I picked it up at a thrift store hoping it would fit. 

 It didn't.
But I liked it and I liked the idea of it, so it stayed.

I googled the label the other day when I wore

 it for the first time.

It's a Hilo Hattie, bias cut, 100% silk dress

that cost me $3.00!

 

Inspired by my sister's love for linen and recent

experiment with color

I did pick up a red 3/4 sleeve linen shirt. 

The dreaded D rings were removed, the strap

simply fed through the loop and tied.

 

The slubby texture means it's not an intensely red red.

Princess seaming keeps it trim.

 

So far, so good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fresh Peaches

Tim offered my services to bake

a peach pie

for a couple at Kennybrook.

George found a source for Missouri peaches

and brought some over yesterday.

He added a few extra for us.

 

All I can say is

mmmmmmmmmmmm.
 

We shared a couple peaches last night.
Another was claimed at breakfast.
You don't want to know how many snippets
did not make it into the pie.

 

George's eyes lit up when he saw his pie. 

 

I made enough dough to bake Tim a small one.

His eyes lit up. too.

 

And through it all I enjoyed pleasant memories of

life in Pennsylvania.

 

 

Something New

I tackled a project, this week, that

had been on my mind for a while-

inspiration from both Pinterest and my sister.

As usual, pictures didn't occur to me until

after things were underway.

 

The mirror used to sit on the dresser.

 

Switched the furniture

-the dresser weighs a ton! -

and added a surge strip and white lights to create

 

a place to do my hair.

A good day

I'm tired.

My back/shoulders hurt.

I worked today - just got home.

My day isn't finished yet.

 

The day started with a special class.

6:15 - 7:30.

Our ten weeks is soon to end,

so this gave us a taste of how the other half lives.

It was a combination of

strength and cardio

bags and bands.

I can see why it is a favorite.

 

 

 

But - for me - it involves an alarm clock

set for 5:00.

Gone (long gone) are the days of

rolling out of bed and into the car.

I need to wake up

get everything going the right direction 

eat breakfast

prepare myself.

 

When I left the house at 5:50 am

I needed a jacket.

A jacket!

 

Week eight begins Monday.

 

I spent last weekend altering

waist bands, thighs and shoulders because

I don't want to buy any new clothes

to finish out the summer.

 

Busy days ahead...

 



Flotsam and Jetsom

It seems as that shoes have taken

an inordinate amount of my time and energy

recently, so I did a quick tour

to show you, and remind me, that I

have, in fact accomplished

quite a lot in the last week.  Or so.

I attend my class every morning
and have added a quick mile on the elliptical
when I get home.

Today I went through my drawers and 

closet trying on clothes.

I have a pile that will go to the goodwill

and a pile for alterations.

 

There has been a lot of gardening.
A lot of watering.

The lettuce and spinach were finished a couple

weeks ago.  Peas, too.

Believe me, though, when I say they were

scrumptious. We ate fresh potatoes.
 

The heat this past week has been tough on

us, the yard and all the plants,
requiring some extra TLC especially for
 me, Charlie, my wisteria
and the potted plants.

See how awful the grass is!?
(We don't water the grass.)

 

 

But the Russian Sage is looking good.

As are the moss rose

  and sedums.
 

I planted a carpet rose.
 

The hutch is back 

(where I think) it belongs.
 

The yellow wall is gone.
(Can't take credit for the paint job - Tim did it.)

 

The bathroom window is finished.

(I did do the painting, here.)

 

Plants have been trimmed,

 tended  

and deployed all over the place.

 

I had fun with spray paint. 

 

I finished my pile of sanding for the deck project.

 

 

 

We'll see what tomorrow brings...

Update - week 5

Woo Hoo indeed!

 

Time for the mile?

12:55.

 

Five weeks ago it was 15:47.

 

Woo Hoo!



Woo Hoo!

Today marks the end of week 5 -

the halfway point of

my ten week kickboxing session.

Yesterday we did weights and measurements

and today will be the mile run/walk

push-ups and sit-ups.

 

According to the records I have:

lost a total of 10 inches

gained 1.5 inches of flexibility

lost 7 pounds

seen a corresponding change in my BMI.

 

I know that my clothes fit differently

I feel better

move more easily

hurt less

smile more.

 

I can do rowboats.

They may be leaky rowboats

but 5 weeks ago I had to prop on my elbows

and could barely move my legs.

(Rowboats are a combination of balanced sitting 

with back and forth motion of the arms

while your legs are pulled in and pushed out

mimicking the action of rowing)

google images

I'll let you know how the results of the rest of the testing.

 

 

Whoo-whoo!!

150/365!!

 

That seems like a significant number.

 

Today we have sunshine,

humidity,

and sore muscles.

 

So back to the boxing gloves...

The class I'm involved in uses a combination

of kickboxing and

strength training through resistance bands.

They also emphasize healthy nutrition.

Six days a week.

Alternating KB and ST

and rotating upper and lower body workouts for each.

 

Monday was LB KB.

Tuesday, LB ST.

Today was UB KB

 tomorrow will be UP ST

and Friday should be LB KB again.

 

I was told the class would include a variety of

ages,

shapes and

abilities

and that has proven true.

 

I was also told to expect a

community/camaraderie

among the participants,

which has also proven true.

 

This is so far outside any comfort zone

I've ever imagined.

The schedule/accountability

is just what I needed to get out of my slump.

The people are a good influence

in many ways.

 

I don't quite have the proper technique

for the hook

but I have a killer upper-cut!

 

More soon.

 

 



I'm listening to the birds singing.

I can't tell you how entrancing the songbirds

 around our neighborhood have been.

 

With apologies to Mr. Wilson, I could burst into song like

Marion-the-librarian

wondering why they've never before

made such an impression -

but we'll skip that...

 

I do have to wonder, though, how such

tiny creatures produce such volume.

 

Naphtali and Aidan left for home earlier this afternoon.

Tomorrow is a big day for them.

Papers will be signed,

keys exchanged,

and the opportunity to craft their life anew

begins.

 

It's been one year. 

This same weekend last year

a different set of papers were signed

and we helped them move.

Amazing.

 

We'll go up at the end of the month

to help as we can

- and return Proton to his rightful place-

but most of it should be done.

The next couple weeks Naphtali will be 

painting,

planning,

and making small hauls

from where they are

to where they will be.

 

Can't wait!

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Evening

We enjoyed a beautiful day.

 

A lot of very

important

and

necessary

work was accomplished here today.

 

The list includes

(but is not limited to)

the following:

 

Post holes were dug.

Posts were set.

 

Mulch was spread. 

 

Columbine were relocated.

 

Chicken was grilled.

 

 

 

The hammock was hung.

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

Patience rewarded!

I figured out where to find my photos.

 

This will have to do for a "before" shot:

 

 

 

Cupboards are already door-less and empty.

 

 

Here are a couple not-quite-after shots:

 

 

I love the color.

 



a breather...

A quick trip to visit Naphtali and Aidan over the weekend

brought the expected pleasures of their company

as well as a couple unexpected projects 

generated by a stop at Unique Thrift.

Charlie's bed has a new cover.

A new tablecloth.

Several new chain loop scarves.

And there is a faux fur throw in the works for me.

My biggest problem recently has simply been that I don't stay home 

on days when I could be home attacking my list.

'Tis also the season for errands and shopping and appointments

while at home:

There are presents waiting to be finished.

Some are waiting to be started.

Packages to wrap.

Cleaning for company.

Cards.

Cookies.

Tim ran the errand that was scheduled for today which

meant that a couple things - like stopping for 

Charlie's new tags - can be moved to

tomorrow when I have an appointment and will

already be out and on the run.

So today I've been able to get some wrapping done.

New bird feeders have been made and are

setting up in the fridge.

This was a pinterest idea which I've modified slightly.

Turns out my birds prefer their food to be

somewhat stationary.

So rather than thread and hang - as in the pin that caught my attention -

I make a hole to slip over a short twig on

a branch.  The birds can then stand on the branch to eat.

(Using a thin branch will keep the squirrels at bay.)

As you can see below

I cut the top from several plastic cups and packed in the seed mixture 

rather than using the cute cookie cutters featured in the pin as I found it.

It's serviceable.

I've since seen a pin with a large seed wreath that looks 

like it was made in a jello mold.

I'll probably try making a batch to fit a 

square grid suet feeder.

And if I get moving again now I can check off a few more 

items on my list before I go to work.

Monday morning

It's finished!

The Annex is officially open

and nearly full!

Isn't Tim good? 

 You'd never know this wasn't an original part of the house!
He removed the siding from that section of the garage wall and pieced it back
together to cover the shed.
Shelves and hooks help organize the stuff we moved in from the garage.
And there is still some room available!

We both parked in the garage last night.

And  yes - our grass is that green.  

Brown and crunchy all summer and look at it now!

Here's a look at another Sunday project:

Larry and Mary have left the state - headed for retirement in Arizona. - we wish them well.

Larry came down last weekend for a quick goodbye and dropped 

off a huge plant and the large crock.

I took advantage of several crocks already on hand and cleaned up
 the stock of fireplace supplies.

In a serendipitous turn - earlier this week, at JoAnn Fabrics, no less, I found

a package of *clips* for brick surfaces and was finally able to

hang the match holder from my dad's place.

The following is my contribution to the always surprising *small world* category.

Friday I helped serve Thanksgiving dinner at Kennybrook - around

350 people - who were split in 3 different dining halls

and served in 2 shifts.  A fun time.

Afterwords I ran into friends from long ago,

Tom and Laila Messerly, who were there as guests of one the residents.

As we were chatting,  Selma - now a resident -

who used to live in Harvey ND and got to know Tom and Laila 

after she moved to the Des Moines area, joined us.

Growing up in Harvey, she had know Tewkesburys forever 

and, of course, Box T, where I volunteered as a cook for several years.

Probably 5 - 10 minutes of friendly chitchat 

but it touched off a landslide of good memories including this 

breakfast staple from camp:

I'd never had it and couldn't imagine that it would go over well 

but the girls loved it!

  maybe it was just the combination of fresh air and hard work.

Any way, I bought a box during our grocery run on Saturday morning.

Bon Appetit!

Cheers!

Time is flying by too quickly!!

Already Wednesday, somehow, Thanksgiving is next week!

A birthday package for a friend back in Nebraska is late!

On the other hand

next week I can begin decorating for Christmas.

My quilt top is done.

The spray painting I needed to get done is done.

I've got bird feed thingies that I found on Pinterest hanging outside.

And I've bottled the first of my cranberry cordial: