Packing Report

This was the original packing list from our recent trip. 

I've crossed out the items I didn't use.

 

4 sleeveless/short sleeve layering pieces:

berry

gray

charcoal

ivory

4 long sleeve tees:

ivory

tan

charcoal

mustard

3 V-neck cashmere sweaters:

navy

gray

teal

3 button-front shirts:

denimish

gray/teal plaid

gray paisley(tunic length)

2 pants:

white cords

charcoal

1 navy skirt and tights

1 charcoal wool blazer

 

With temperatures unexpectedly warm

- upper 60s and 70s -

layers weren't necessary.  I never wore the blazer.

We didn't do any "fine" dining, so the skirt

remained in the suitcase.

 

It's reasonable to assume that many pieces

can be eliminated, because

in Paris I will have access to laundry,

but, December weather should call

 for some layering pieces, so

I'll be looking for that happy medium

to allow more room for

shopping!

 

These items worked for me.

The color combinations were easy and

flexible.  I felt well-dressed and appropriate

in my choices.  The white cords were

fun to wear, though I don't see them

making the trip to Paris.  My boots

proved to be very comfortable.  I had casual shoes

in the bag, which I did wear, and need

to decide which pair of

shoes will accompany my boots

across the pond.

 

Overall it was a relief to see how versatile

the carry-on bag can be. 

It eliminates a certain amount of "stress"

to know that I can do this,

though it's not a convenient system if there are several

overnight stops involved. 

Everything had to be loaded and layered

rather precisely in the bag

(it was full)

which made for less-than-fun repacking

every morning. 

I'm looking forward to having a destination

allowing me to unpack once.

 

 



I have pictures to post from our trip to Oregon.

But not today...

 

Today it's a quick few snaps after last night's storm.

 

Along with a promise to

get some other loose ends tidied up.

 

Soon.  Today I will be cleaning up storm damage

after I return from the gym.

 

Aidan's tree.

 

 

We lost several big branches from Aidan's tree - small ones

from all the others.

 

Hail, wind, and debris from who-knows-where

peppered the house and fences for about  30 minutes.

 

The wail of emergency squad sirens started almost

immediately after and was soon accompanied by

the whine of chain saws.

 

Several streets were blocked off and I've been

told that the elementary school

- down and street and around the corner -

lost part of its roof.

 

This morning the sun is shining.

 

 

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.

 

 



Sunday Recap

It was an interesting day.

 

I'll admit that my Sundays start on the late side.

If I can get away with it.

Yesterday saw me up bright and early to help

 Tim with the fence.

 

That's what it looked like as of 11:00

when it was time to get ready to go to work.

Home again at 4:00.

Dogs, yard work, laundry,

helped build 2 more garden boxes,

then it was time to grill and switch gears

for the evening.

 

Storm warnings had been posted so Tim moved the

rest of the fencing around to make room

for both vehicles in the garage.

 

He grilled.

I made salads.

We had just finished when the skies opened.

There were no warning sprinkles.

It simply started to pour rain.

A few minutes of small hail stones.

And wind.

 

We laughed at the close timing.

Our power went out a few minutes later for maybe

a 1/2 hour.

It wasn't too much longer that it went out again

until this morning.

Close to 12 hours.

 

Here are some pictures taken along our

nearby walking trail.

 

There were a lot of branches

- of all sizes -

throughout the neighborhood.

Not all belonged to old trees

- like the one above -

as evidenced by the following picture:

 

This one made me especially sad.

It looks like it exploded:

 

This is the view to the right

- one picture just couldn't catch it all-

There is probably more than one tree here

though it was hard to tell where they

started and stopped.

 

This morning my favorite birdsongs

were replaced by the whine of chainsaws.

 

We lost a few small branches.

Everyone's yard was full of debris.

The houses were peppered with debris as well.

 

 like I said,

an interesting day. 



More to come...

Mt. St. Helens

We arrived home late - really late - Saturday night after a wonderful trip to the Pacific Northwest.

Yesterday was devoted to laundry, groceries, naps,
and a few other essentials.

Today I picked up the mail and I'm in the kitchen with bran muffins and what I hope turns out to be a creamy pesto sauce to rival the one I ate at the Crab Pot on Friday.

I'll let you know...

Productivity x Two

Two weeks ago we returned from moving Naphtali done the street.

 Take my word: it's been busy here though you wouldn't know it from this picture.

Have I mentioned that we brought Proton home with us?

He's ours until the beginning of July.

This morning it felt like the chariot race from Ben Hur as I walked the dogs.

Tim's bathroom has been disassembled.

The carpet has been removed from the stairs.

I helped Tim build these garden beds, which he then planted.  

We were able to use compost from my own compost bin!

I bought and assembled this arbor thingy.  Planted a wisteria alongside.  I've also added

a hydrangea to the front of the house.

The planners/owners in this neighborhood love the narrow, L-shaped beds around the house - they are everywhere!  To me they just mean tight right angles for mowing.  

This was a problem area where grass wouldn't grow and mowing was awkward so it's 

been remedied with a new outline and mulch.  Much better! 

Summer school has begun.  The instructor for my latest (and last!) 

class is pushing a pretty tight schedule.

Oh, yes, as of yesterday the hammock has been hung.

projects

This is a picture of just one of yesterday's projects. 

I painted the trim for the bathroom.

 Notice the dog.  

Notice, too, the large box in the background.

That box is the reason I cancelled a visit from my mother.

It contains our new toilet.

Plans had been made many weeks ago for my mother to come for some shopping on Sunday, overnight, and enjoy a leisurely couple stops before she headed home on Monday.  

It would have been fun.

The bathroom project was begun weeks ago after she and I made our plans.

The simple paint job took on a life of its own it becomes problematic to have overnight company with no public bathroom

and I'm still waiting to reclaim my bathroom.

Today I have a last coat of sealant to apply to the tile floor which turned out very well.  

I need to get a water line for the toilet, which has been set.

The trim has yet to go around the edges of the floor but it's been painted.  

There are hooks and knobs to be put in their respective places.

Doors to be returned to their hinges.

We'll get there.

Here's a picture of an earlier step in the process:

I'm scraping off the old flooring.

Turned around to stretch and look who's camped in the three feet of space behind me!?!

We'll get there.

Ta Da!

Found it!

Mmmm - buttery soft leather.  

Roomy but not bulky.

No obtrusive logos or trademarks.
Mmmm.