Accessories Count

 

We went to see Naphtali

and Aidan over the Memorial Day weekend.

We had a great time.

 

These were important parts of

"that look"

for Charlie and me.

 

 

I won't even try to tell Charlie's saga.

You'll have to be content knowing

he almost died,

but didn't.

 

My story will be abbreviated.

Hurt my foot,

saw the doctor - twice - and

have an MRI scheduled for next week.

I have hobbled, iced, elevated and tolerated

pain and activity for about two weeks.

 

 

 

 

 



Sunday Evening

I still find it

hard to believe that time can slip so quickly

through my fingers.

Intended posts and other projects

were set aside this week

to allow for the unexpected.

 

Last weekend Tim fell while cross-country skiing,

causing something in his knee to pop.

He iced and elevated through the night

and decided the next morning that it should be seen.

Preliminary diagnosis

was a torn ACL.

An MRI on Thursday indicated a torn MCL,

which means that surgery won't be required.

A round of PT twice a week for the next

 month or six weeks

and he should be good as new.

We're very thankful.

It did mean, though, that I was the designated

driver for work and appointments,

a role that will continue for at least another week.

 

We had several snowfalls last week

and the truck just went down our street

spreading the de-icing solution in

anticipation of freezing rain/ice later tonight

and into tomorrow morning.

Yippee.

 

Anyway, I was able to claim

some of the week for myself:

 

Tonight the last few rows of my sweater back will be finished,

bound off, and the front section begun.

 

My navy wardrobe selections are coming together.

A mariner dress from llbean

will be nothing but fun to wear.

A cotton/cashmere blend V-neck sweater

will prove versatile.

Local sales added a solid (but lightweight) 3/4 sleeve cardigan

a coral top (which may not make it)

a tank with embellished neckline

a 3/4 sleeve mariner top

and a pair of tan jeans.

 

 

The sneakers were found online.

A local store carried the style, but not

this color, so they were ordered and shipped to my front door. 

They are cute, comfy and will be a fun option

 for casual outings.

There are a few more packages

scheduled to arrive in the next few days.

Paint chips have proven helpful

when trying to "remember"

a color from one place to the next.

 

And this:



 

was going to be so much fun.

Projects using bleach pens and various

fabric mediums are featured on Pinterest

from time to time

and this was going to be my

grand experiment!

The scarf was clearanced for $3.00 - why not

take the chance?! 

 

It didn't work.

Plan B doesn't exist at this point

but I'm determined to

transform this scarf.

 

 

Oh the thinks I had thought!

Today was filled

with shiny expectation!

My list had fun entries

sprinkled among the laundry and dishes

and normal getting-ready-for-the-week items.

 

I was going to post a couple recent outfits

- and then I went to edit the photos -

so that's not going to happen this week.

 

But I'll give myself credit

(take it where you can)

for actually having taken photos!

They are an afterthought, at best.

 

I was also going to activate a new gadget

but it requires information

from my current service provider

so that means business hours tomorrow.

 

Downtown Abbey is still ahead.

 

Here's a sop

as the planned pictures

were a flop:

 

 

Naphtali and I had our nails "done" the

Monday before Christmas.

She opted for a pedicure in preparation

for her trip to Haiti.

I had my first shellac manicure.

It will be three weeks tomorrow and

they still look like we just left the salon.

Growth is evident at the base of the nails but

tips and color are intact

and still vibrant.

What do they use to remove this stuff!?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Monday Night

I find myself at the end of a busy weekend

looking forward to a busy week.

 

So a short recap of the trip to

Minneapolis is in order.

Driving.

Laughing.

Eating.

Shopping

Laughing.

Eating.

Scrabble.

Laughing.

Eating.

Driving.

 

Naphtali took good care of us.

We're all still speaking so we can

call the weekend A Success.

The weather was mild so the red coat

didn't make it's debut

but tomorrow's walk to work will remedy

that situation.

 

This morning it snowed and

though it is that time of year and you know

that snow can fall at

any time, the first

snowfall always seems so unexpected.

Little more than a

light dusting, it still

packs a psychological punch.

 

My calendar actually looks rather full this week.

My work week starts tomorrow.

A lunch date Wednesday.

Quick trip to Webster City and back on Thursday.

An open house that evening.

Friday night I'll help serve

Thanksgiving dinner at Kennybrook. 

 They're expecting 360 guests

- three dining rooms, three seatings -

I'll be at the library all day Saturday,

 partying that night

and finish the weekend by

working Sunday afternoon.

 

I think it's time to set my clothes out for the gym

in the morning and

head to bed!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Surrender

Who am I kidding?

 

There will be no wrap-it-all-up

posts to finish the trip to Oregon.

We returned about a month ago

 and I don't know how that is possible.

 

Much has - as it does - happened in the last month

and keeping up is enough of a challenge

without always trying to catch up.

 

So forget about a description of the

incredible fresh crab bisque

I enjoyed at the coast.

Not going to happen.

 

There will be no tales of

grilling fresh fish

fingerling potatoes from the garden or

steamer clams.

 

Fajitas

 featuring peppers, onions and tomatoes

from the garden?

You'll never hear about them.

 

Fresh eggs from backyard chickens?

Pretend it didn't happen.

 

The polite, handsome,

cowboy/students

who offered to replace our broken

windshield wipers in Laramie

will not get the ink the deserve.

 

The last blurry, rain-soaked

seventeen hours in the car to make it home

will simply remain a memory.

 

I'm through talking about it.

 

 

It's 5AM Monday morning and

I'm headed to the gym.

 

 

 



Short Shrift

I'm afraid Mt. Hood and remaining portion of our trip

are going to be condensed.

 

 

Lessons from Daily Living 101

interfered with our plans

 for a day of hiking on Mt. Hood, but the necessary

phone calls were made,

details feel into place,

a late start was deemed better than no start

and we drove over to the mountain

on a cloudless afternoon.

 

Mt Hood is a beautiful sight. 

Unfortunately, an unexpected camera glitch left

me with no pictures.

You'd be right in guessing we took the long way

and enjoyed our glimpses of it's  

classic, snow-capped shape as the curving road

brought us closer.

 

Tim and I also went on our own

one afternoon when Jacob was working and

found Lucia and Moulton Falls

near Battle Ground, WA.

 

 

 We clambered around on the rocks,

Tim picked up bottles and cans left by

inconsiderate partyers,

and we marveled at the size of the trees.

This was the type of old Pacific coast forest region

that I'd been expecting.

 

Food?

The food deserves better treatment

than to be summarized thus:

it was great!

So I will put together one last post

soon.

 

 

 



Sauvie Island

The next stop on our recent travels

in Oregon was Sauvie Island.

Only 10 miles from Portland, Sauvie Island is

a blend of agriculture

and wildlife.  And shipping.  There are several camp grounds

and a marina of house boats.  It's one of Jacob's

favorite local spots.

 

 

My guess is that this is the Sauvie Island

excursion boat.

 

But this one is on its way to the ports.

As we stood there we googled the name of the ship

and were connected to a real-time gps signal

 tracking it - including our location - and its

progress toward Portland.

Who knew?

We drove through orchards and truck farms.

These are hydrangeas

- one of several fields -



 

and the were surrounded by fields of roses.

 

We stopped at a local market and bought

apples

sweet corn

pepper jelly

and a beautifully utilitarian market basket.

 

We followed a sign to a nearby orchard,

looking for gravensteins,

and heard some of the local

history/legends from a woman who grew up

on the island.

 

A good day.

At Last

We left our driveway around 6 AM

on Monday, September 9.

Arrived in Portland

around 5 PM, Tuesday.

 

Wednesday was forecast to be hot so

we planned a day along the coast.

Taking windy back roads to get there made

the trip fun from beginning to end.

 

These pictures are from Tunnel Beach

near Oceanside.

This bit of cliff (?) juts out and during higher tides

separates the beach into distinct sections.

 

Enter:

 

The view from the opening: 

 

Exit:

 

Esteban, Jacob and Tim on the other side.

 

 

The cloud banks never did lift.

People we talked to explained they

were looking for agates

which wash up along this particular stretch of beach.

They were pretty intent 

so we gave it some casual effort

and found a couple teentiny samples.

 

We also found:



 

As we wandered along that day it was

inevitable that I would compare this beach

with other beaches I've enjoyed.

 

 

When someone hears those five letters

- b - e - a - c - h -

chances are they will access a picture completely

different than the one I conjure.

The variety is endless

and the personal associations, priceless.

 

If we both hear

- g - i - r - a - f - f - e -

we will probably have a very similar

 - fairly standard - response

 

because it's unlikely that either of us has

a personal giraffe experience

to help define our images.

(this one comes courtesy of googleimages)

 

 

I'll be back soon with more from Oregon

 but for now

here's to a day of lovely reflections

of your beach experiences.

More

This past weekend we did

squeeze in some fun between all

necessary chores.

 

Tim's brother, sister and their spouses met at our place

and together we took in the

World Food & Music Festival

in downtown Des Moines

on Saturday night.

 

The weather was perfect.

The crowd was just the right size.

We heard great music.

and ate some amazing food.

We laughed, chatted and ate our way through

several hours of relaxed camaraderie.

It was a fun night and the food - so delicious.

 

Did I mention how good the food was?

 

But if I'd known how this was going to work

I'd have brought my own spoon.

My own family knows that sharing food from a common plate

or a sip from a common glass is a challenge for me.

They love me in spite of it.

 

On this night, the festival spirit required

that you buy whatever delicacy

caught your fancy

and share it among the six of us. 

Sometimes we even shared the utensil.

 

 

At  some point I began to think

that I could survive the coming apocalypse.

 

 

 

 



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.

 

 

 

 

 

Portland was expecting temps in the upper 90's

 today so we decided it would be a good time to visit the coast.

 

We drove up to Oceanside and frolicked along

the beach.  We had just learned

about agates found along the beach

and spoke with several people who were

happy to show us what

they had found. 

We actually found a few. 

And had a great time just dawdling around.

 

Crab bisque at a local eatery was

more than delicious.

 

At Garabaldi

- a working port -

we purchased fresh clams

and two kinds of fish

which we grilled for supper.

mmmmm

 

We found a couple back roads,

taking the long way home

and enjoying the sights.

 

Tomorrow - Mt. Hood.

Sunday Evening

It's been a long, hot week.

 

Yesterday we had an old friend

from North Dakota

stop through for a quick

but delightful overnight visit.

 

Tomorrow

 we'll be heading out for a few days of vacation.

 

Tonight

I'm busy with last minute details:

 packing

laundering

cleaning out the 'fridge

painting my nails.

 

I will write my haiku

everyday

but

posting may come

in bunches.

 

I've never taken to the idea of

preparing something

ahead of time.

They really are reflections of each day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Sunday Evening

Tomorrow begins the last week

of my ten week session of

kickboxing.

There will be final-results testing and tallies

an "after" picture

and a party.

 

I've already signed on to continue

for the next year.

I like the accountability.

I like the workout.

I like the way I look.

The way I feel.

 

We finished putting the deck back together.

(I really missed having my breakfast

under the tree.)

The hummingbird is back.

The green beans have been delicious.

Beets will come into play this week.

 

Aidan is here for the week.

We've already played tennis

and a round of golf.

Had ice cream.

And baked zucchini bread.

The State Fair is scheduled for Thursday.

And I'm certain the days in between will

be filled with a flurry of activity.

 

 

 

 

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...

 



Monday Morning

We had some rain yesterday.

There could be more today.

It would be good to have a nice rain

but this time of year it tends to come as a

hard, fast storm.

 

Another round of moisture should

be enough to bring the

green beans to eating size.

 

Last night Tim grilled:

 potatoes

from the garden

with mushrooms and onions

and

shrimp in the shells.

Delicious.

 

Today it's back to routines:

laundry

gym

sanding.

 

They've upped the ante

at the gym.  I come home tired

in the way I was tired during the first

few weeks when everything

was new and

challenging.

 

 

We're starting week seven

- three to go -

so here are three things I've learned:

 

hunger and boredom

are not synonymous

 

I can, in fact, push my body

further

harder

longer

than my mind thinks possible

 

tiger balm and ibuprofen

do me more good before class than after.

 

 

 

Monday Afternoon

We saw a bit more activity than we're used to

over the weekend.

 

Our niece, Alison, was married on Saturday afternoon.

Aidan was a junior groomsman

so he, his mother, and his dog came down

Thursday night.  It might have actually

been Friday morning

when they arrived.

Aidan carried the rings and handed them off

to the minister at the designated cue.

He performed admirably,

looked handsome,

and represented the family well.

 

In addition to the wedding,

the rehearsal etc

and my regular classes

those few days included a trip to

Adventureland,

a haircut,

tennis,

a quick shopping trip,

the library,

rain, wind, sunshine,

fresh peas from the garden,

laundry,

a watermelon,

lots and lots of visiting,

and a new game invented by Tim and Aidan

called squirt ball.

A classic kickball with the addition of squirt gun options

for the fielders.

 

The bride was lovely,

the cake was delicious,

and the band was really loud.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Monday Morning

Busy weekend.

 

Tim caught the gardening bug.

I caught the respiratory crud bug.

We'll see who makes the most progress.

 

We picked up some fencing the other day and

Tim worked on creating a

 dog-free section

of the back yard so he can garden in peace.

There is a nifty little gate that

 calls out for an arch with clematis.

He planted peas, beets and

 a variety of lettuces and spinach.

 

google images

 

I had plans to putter out there a bit today

but overnight rain

and this cough have me re-thinking my plans.

 

Later this week I'll head to Fort Dodge.

We've convinced my mother that she/we all

have too much stuff laying around.

She/we should have a yard sale.

She/we will have one.

This weekend.

I've been gathering my contributions

and need to get things marked

and ready to go.

This is probably a good day to do that.

Sunday Morning.

A fire is lazily conversing behind me.

Tim is on his way home from Minneapolis

so it is just Charlie and I getting a slow start to the morning.

Delightfully slow.

 

 

I had company yesterday.

 

My mother and a sister scheduled a visit as they would be

 "in the neighborhood."

I wouldn't be home from work 'til 3:30 so I told

 them the door would be open and

please let Charlie out,

 if they got there first.  It wasn't too much of a

surprise to see their vehicle

in the driveway when I turned the corner to come home.

 

They came about 2:15.

 

They sat out on the deck, chatted, relaxed, waited.

They brought cute things for me.

We visited.  I fed them.

 We laughed.

They left.

 

A good visit.

 

 

Monday

 

 



 

 



 

 

This is one of the things Aidan and I did during his visit.

His went home as a spot of color/cheer

for Naphtali.

 

 

 

I brought the dirt and grass seed in the house to warm up

for a few days before we planted.

This is one week's growth.

 

The plumber came today and I'm happy to report that

our sink (both sides!) and disposal are working.

Yippee!!

 

 

This was my project this afternoon:
 

 



It seemed silly not to make use of the back of the cabinet

Clock, calendar, reminders, recipes

all need a place for easy access.

Here it is.  For now.  

Something better may come along...

All the supplies were already in the house

and I love a free project. 



 

The ribbon is tacked to the top of the cabinet.

Super-size paper clips allow papers

to be posted for easy access.

The calendar shares a magnetic board with recipes.

Teapot and pitchers fill the top.

 

 

Yesterday was spent measuring and cutting the

beadboard for the backsplash.

Today I put the first coat of spar varnish on everything.

 

Tonight I watch Anna Karenina.

 

 

 

Sunday Afternoon

 

 

We had a great time last week with Aidan who

went home on Friday.

Thanks to Brian and Stacy who had him

over to play with their boys

 

Fresh snow and cold temps forestalled any plans

Aidan and Grandpa had to work on the tree house

but made it easier to manage two dogs

who love to be outside.

 

Aidan impressed me with the patience he demonstrated toward

 us as we tried to keep up with him

on a computer game.

I've promised to practice my gaming skills before we meet again.

Which will be in a couple weeks (!) - for his birthday.

 

The countertop arrived as promised on Monday.

The plumber will be here tomorrow to

finish the garbage disposal etc.

Yippee!!

 

Yesterday we spent a good part of the day

discussing and discarding ideas

for the backsplash.  Somehow, overnight, plans

took shape and today supplies have been purchased,

 measurements made and the

cutting and piecing begun!  

 

We're both just plain tired.