Saturday, November 16, 2013

race day

Today I ran my first 5k race. It was at a local park. I was slow, but I did it! I was nervous yesterday, but I told myself that since I'm so slow I'm not really "racing" anyone. It's just about getting out there and having the experience. Once the pack thinned out, it was just like any other jog through the park. Only this time there was cheering and a medal at the end!

Here I am at the start of the race. Woo hoo!



My guys were there cheering me on. They were doing some geocaching in the park, so I saw them tromping around while I was in the middle of the race - and they stopped to applaud and take this picture. I am applauding them back!



Afterwards we went to Big Boy. I was very, very bad. But it was worth all the fat and calories - look at that cheeseburger and onion rings!











Wednesday, May 22, 2013

hanging out


Jim and I were outside and noticed all four pets lined up on the walkway by the front door. Black/white, black/white, black/white, tan.

Friday, May 3, 2013

i made it!


In January I started a 16-week "bootcamp" fitness program. And I finished it - yay! So far, I've lost 16 pounds, and feel much healthier. I used to get winded pretty easily, but now I'm regularly running (...very slowly...) 5k at the park. I can do push-ups. Real ones. I've gone down three pants sizes. I know I was packing on the pounds - partly because I love to eat (and I'd rather sit at the art table than do yard work), and partly because of multiple meds that mess with my metabolism and hormones. It feels so good to triumph over all that.

Last night was the big Finale Party for the spring session of the program. It's been so long since I've played dress-up. (I attended a wedding - don't remember exactly when it was, but I do remember that I had to wear a wig.) Anyway - here I am all dolled up. Found this pretty party dress at JC Penney for $30. The sandals were a Goodwill score - only $3 for Italian leather shoes - wow!

I've enrolled for the summer session of bootcamp, which started this week. Most of the classes are held outdoors in summer, which has been fun so far. I'll just have to watch the temperature and go to early or late classes when it starts to get hot out. I'd still like to lose a few more pounds, and of course maintain the weight loss and fitness level. So, hopefully I'll be able to stick with the program.


Jim came home from work just a few minutes before I had to leave for the event. He picked up some flowers for me to say "happy finale!". Soooo sweet. I'm a lucky girl!

Thursday, May 2, 2013

geisha card


I made this card for my nephew Connor's birthday. The background is some Stampin' Up paper I've been hoarding. On top of that is a scrap of washi paper I got at a stamp convention - it's wonderful, and I'm sad that I only have a tiny bit left. Trims are ribbon and a pre-made spray (I think from Michaels). The edges of the paper, as well as all along the edges of the geisha, have been highlighted with gold.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

my sock monkey has sock monkey socks


Visited Wrenda and Rich's store - in Walton, KY - Sleigh Bells. A good portion of the store is Christmas, but there are tons of other items - decorative, kids' stuff, etc. I got these really cute sock monkey socks for my sock monkey! Actually, they're meant for babies, but I couldn't resist a little dress-up. My mom made me this sock monkey when I was a kid... started my sock monkey obsession.

Friday, April 5, 2013

new kitty pics

Thought it was time to post some more kitty pictures. They're all grown up now - especially Woody - he's a very big boy.

Here's Lily the laundry helper:  (click on the pic to enlarge it)


Last year when the kitties were little I posted this picture of them on my laptop:



That little area they're standing on is only about two inches wide. Here's Woody now, with the same laptop:



Wednesday, April 3, 2013

fish rider




Liz is also a fan of nudes, so I wanted to make her a special birthday card. The origami fish is made from a page of a libretto for Die Fledermaus that I got at a library book sale. The origami pattern is from a book my late sister Jeannie brought back for me when she stayed in Japan for a while. I think it was around 1970. She liked unusual things, and I know she would have loved this card. The water plants* at the bottom were done with a metal leafing technique. *Liz interpreted them as flames of hell - which is a very cool concept (wish I had thought of it!).

Saturday, March 30, 2013

hello, spring


Bird party.


View from our front door - snowy Ricky.

Last week winter threw a last (hopefully) bit of snow at us. It didn't last long. Yesterday and today were beautiful, though. Sunny, mid-50's, light breeze. Perfect for running. Yes, I said running. This boot camp business has me doing stuff I never would before. On warmer days Mike and I have been going to a park with a bike/walking path that has 5K marked. He rides his bike around. I do a combination of running and walking. Today - except for about a 20-yard section of steep hill which I walked - I ran the rest of the 5K. Woo hoo. The old fart is getting healthier.

Saturday, March 16, 2013

a farewell, boot camp, and flaming bananas

My poor, neglected blog. I dread posting sometimes because our computer is so old and so slow - everything I have to do to prepare photos takes forever. Frustrating.

A couple of personal notes.....

Jim's mom passed away a few days ago, three days after her 93rd birthday. She was an amazing woman. Drove her car until she was 90. Was sharp as a tack until the end. Avid golfer up until a few years ago. Warm and witty, with a terrific sense of humor - we always had some good laughs together. She was the perfect mother-in-law - easy to get along with, loved her grandkids with all her heart, and never pried or criticized. She and Jim's dad raised four wonderful human beings. She will be missed.

I'm still plugging away at the boot camp classes. The weight is coming off slowly - about 12 pounds so far. I think it's a little harder to lose weight now because of the cancer med I'm on - it messes with my hormones. Plus, I'm just getting older! Thank goodness for Goodwill - I can find smaller clothing at a small price. I'm hoping to drop more weight, but don't want to spend money on "in-between" pants sizes. Every Sunday is half price for seniors (which is me!). I got a couple of pairs of really nice jeans for $3.50 each - woo hoo!

Dieting sucks - I love to eat! But, I do splurge sometimes. Like tonight. Mike made us Bananas Foster - caramelized bananas topped with flaming rum, served over vanilla ice cream. O-M-G so amazing! It's something I've seen on cooking shows and have always wanted to try. The kid's been on a cooking kick lately, so I asked him to make this dessert. It was actually very quick and easy. We've decided that next time he makes it, we want to add homemade Belgian wafffles under the ice cream.





Tuesday, February 12, 2013

all-state 2013


Mike made All-State again. This year he was in the Symphony Orchestra - mostly strings, relatively few woodwinds and brass. It was a nice change of pace for him. The music selections were beautiful. Four students from his school made All-State this year - all in different bands... Mike in the Orchestra, one guy in Symphonic Band, one in Concert Band, and one in the Jazz Band. Congratulations to them, and all the talented musicians from all over the state.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

decorated envelope



I like to decorate envelopes before mailing to my artsy friends. Usually it's just random stamping, and usually I don't take pictures. But this one I thought I'd share. My friend Dena sent me this gorgeous notecard, and usually I would save something like that forever. But - I am so proud of myself for not hoarding this time - I cut it up and stuck it on an envelope back to her. I couldn't resist adding a couple of friends peeking out behind this lavish lady - can you see them? The "same outfit" stamp was from a Viva Las Vegastamps grab bag - you never know when a silly stamp might come in handy...   I also used the back of the notecard as the address label - it was too pretty not to.

Monday, January 14, 2013

another tradition

Every Christmas Kim makes wonderful soft caramels for people on her "Nice" list. She delivers them in a pretty bag, with a tag and ribbon. Last year I thought it would be fun to challenge myself to make a thank-you card using all the wrapping bits. It was so much fun, I did it again this year. Here is this year's card. The bright paper is the goodie bag - I used one of the Spellbinders cut/fold/tuck sets. The sparkly bit in the center is a silver twist-tie (that was used to close a cello bag inside the paper bag) folded into a little rosette. The ribbon is tied on the inside of the card. I also like to use the tag - cutting out and reversing the To/From.


Inside:



Last year's card:



Friday, January 11, 2013

happy new year


This week I started a fitness program. It's a local group that has had a ton of great success stories. I wanted to post here and make it extra official - no slacking. It's a 16-week "boot camp" program, with really tough exercise classes, support group meetings (nutrition, etc.), and a running club. I've been to boot camp classes three times this week (I am so sore all over!), and I may try a running club tomorrow morning (eek!). I can't even run a block, but they tell us that people like me are broken in slowly.

I like that the exercises are nothing fancy - we just have to bring some hand weights and a mat to class. But they're nothing like the old aerobics classes I went to back in the 80's. This is a full hour of harrrrrd work that includes both strength and cardio. I started it with Susan & Sue, and have seen other people I know in classes. Woo hoo! I'm excited to get fit, shed a few (ok, more than a few!) pounds, and make some new friends (everyone in class is soooooo nice - not those snooty fitness club rats).

Wish me luck!