Under Tornado Warning

I'm starting off tonight's blog under a tornado warning.  We still have power, I have the TV on the weather (they interrupted Diane Sawyer in London reporting the wedding preparations, lol).  It appears "the circulation" is moving toward Alexandria and Mount Vernon, Virginia.  The circulation they are tracking is headed toward Maryland, toward Andrews AFB and Prince Georges and Calvert Counties.

I put on my new pedometer today and took two two 15 minute walks.  My first one was at 9:30am, it was a bit warmer and more humid than yesterday, but a nice breeze, not too bad at a nice 72 degrees.

With the iPod in my ear, camera phone in my pocket and pedometer on my waistband, I'm armed and walking!  I saw so many lovely things, I am not going to post all the pictures I took (yes, you are spared too many more boring pictures).  I did come upon a cherry tree that seemed to be half cherry tree and half dogwood.  I don't recall the leaves on a cherry tree turning white or a dogwood tree turning pink.  Whatever, it looked odd to me.

So many of the lawns are really greening up, and of course, everything is in such beautiful bloom.  I recalled another blogger, Vee, who had posted her potted tulips.  These tulips I saw this morning are pastel and look like they've opened recently.  In my opinion, these are just gorgeous, I hope you think so too.

This next house I wondered if the owners did this on purpose or they never gave it a thought.  They have beautiful Azalea bushes in front of their house, which are a nice bright red.  They also have a beautiful bright red front door.  I thought it matched very well...hummmm.

I continued on home, it was starting to get warmer and I was working up a sweat, that's a good thing (I can just imagine the pounds falling off, ha!).  I posted the first picture below of my peony plant on Monday, the 18th.  The second picture I took today....can you say WOW!!  I can't believe the growth!

John took the day off today, he had a dentist appointment this afternoon.  Since he has been working twelve hour days under a deadline, he thinks he may not have to charge vacation time for the day off.  Anyway, since we knew rain was in the forecast, he wanted to get the deck cleaned up so the wheelie birds (or helicopters) don't stick to everything.  I can't believe the difference, can you?

Unfortunately, after the brief thunderstorm we just had, all that was, is.  Tis that time of year when everything just falls out of the trees.  I waiting until about 12:30 to go on my afternoon walk.  I knew with the storms coming, I needed to get out again while the coast was clear.  What a difference in temperature in a couple of hours, right?

I walked the other direction on my street.  I didn't get to stay on one side like I'd hoped.  Apparently, some neighbors are moving out and the moving van was there.  Much of what those folks owned was strewn over their front yard and sidewalk waiting to be loaded onto the truck.  There were only two guys that I saw.  Maybe they were waiting for more help to arrive.  I crossed the street and kept going.  When I checked my watch, I had walked 20 minutes instead of 15, I didn't realize it, I guess that tells me that I must be getting use to walking again.

The storms seemed to have blown right past us, we had a quick downpour, that was it.  It's only a little after 7pm, and according to my new pedometer, I think I've done well for myself walking today.  I walked 3876 steps so far.  I'm kinda anxious to see what I end up with at the end of the evening.

Thanks for joining me today, we're making progress!

UPDATE - I forgot to mention, I got a call back today on the interview with the county I had on April 13th.  They want to see me again May 4th (prayers and fingers crossed graciously accepted please :)

Off I Go

Ever have one of those days where you are always on the go?  This is the first time I've sat down for any period of time.  I've still got a couple of things to do, this will be another short post.  I forgot I left the dishwasher full of clean dishes when I went to bed last night, so I unloaded the dishwasher first thing and helped myself to a clean cup of coffee.

While enjoying my coffee, I knew I had a meeting this afternoon with a new walking group so I wouldn't be doing my afternoon walk.  I pushed myself and I did it, I did my first 30 minute walk!  It really took alot out of me.  I know I'm not ready yet to do 30 minutes every day.  Telling the truth, my heart was beating out of my chest.  I did go early this morning, well, earlier than yesterday morning, I left at 9:30am, after the school buses had picked up all the kids.  It was almost 71 degrees on my front porch (shaded) when I headed out.

On the cross street was this huge Azalea bush, the Azalea was a nice bright orange.  When I looked at this picture, I don't think you can tell how orange this was.  It looks pink here, it really is orange.  I'd never seen an orange Azalea before.  Isn't it gorgeous?

I came across the Colonial house whose Azaleas were in full bloom across the front of the house, it just looked so pretty, don't you think?

Back home, I couldn't help but admire my own front porch area.  Sorry, bragging rights here.  Can you believe these monster hostas?

Huffing and puffing, finally home and did it in 30 minutes (yay me)!  Here's the temperature at 10:03am, it got warmer too.

I headed out for my new Walking Group.  I received an email last night from the organizer, everyone else dropped out.  Seems everyone works and couldn't meet during the day.  When I met with the organizer today, I told her that it was fine with me if she wanted to change the walks to evenings to get more people.  The organizer, Pam, is a certified trainer.  She was a customer service representative and decided in a career change.  Well, if getting healthier can put me looking like her (about 130 pounds), I'm in!!  There was a $25 fee I knew about in advance.  It covers the cost of the a book (about half inch thick) with 10 tabs entitled "Stepping Strong" and also a pedometer.  This is a ten week walking commitment program, each tab represents a week.  Each tab offers goals to set and where you should be each week with those goals.  It offers menus and advice, like ten tips for finding walking shoes that fit.  They offer various tracking tools for progress in the book.  The pedometer measures steps, it does not measure distance walked.

Pam recommended I put the pedometer on when I wake up in the morning and don't take if off until I got to bed when logging my daily steps.  The pedometer gives a more accurate count of steps that way.  Makes sense, I would want my trips to the grocery store, mailbox, in the yard and all my daily activities to count in steps, not just my walks.

I was also provided a calendar and recommended daily consumption of fruits and veggies.  There is alot of good nutrition information.  I know, we can get that off the internet, it's nice and handy to have it all in one book.  The book also talks about pacing myself when walking and how to determine a step (based on stride).  There is also the registration.  Since Lifelong Fitness sponsors this program, they want to be sure each individual has the opportunity to record their specific goals.

When I returned home from the meeting, it was too warm 86 degrees to head out, so I opted for housework.  I got all my dusting done, that burned some calories too!

Baked chicken and green beans for dinner tonight.  Off I go, I'd better get started cooking.  You are welcome to stay for dinner, there's plenty!

H H H

HAZY, HOT and HUMID are the words for the day in Northern Virginia.  This will be a very short post.  Not much going on in my world today.  I went for my morning walk about 10am, it was 77 degrees.  I felt like a dog panting, I was miserable.  I was happy to walk in my door just to keep from passing out.  Needless to say, I made the decision to scratch my afternoon walk and opted for The Beast (stationary bike).  Note to self, get an earlier start walking.  I have trouble getting started in the morning.  I enjoy my cup of coffee and the news and weather on the TV before I do anything.  I did decided to get the sheets washed today, the day has not been wasted.  As I mentioned before, I don't leave the house with the washing machine running.  I'll get a walking routine going, promise!  I have the local Walking Group meeting tomorrow, we'll see what that's all about.  The organizer said in her message she wants us all to be "accountable to each other".

While I was out this morning, I did notice these beautiful Azaleas.  They were all lined up nice and pretty in a row and ready to bloom.  I thought I'd share this with you.

I had forgotten that I saw a lady walking her dog.  The dog was a young beagle.  He was walking her if the truth be know.  He was in a hurry to go somewhere, probably home to a nice cool house, like me.  We both had that panting look.

I also spotted this, it was glistening at me.  I couldn't imagine who had painted this so perfectly.  In my day, I remember these being painted all one color - RED.  This almost looks hand painted.  Doesn't it look shiny?

I'm going to find the oscillating fan and get more ice water.  Thanks for stopping by, stay cool!

Happy Easter

We met the family at a Seafood and Steakhouse for Easter dinner this afternoon.  Guess who else was there?

John is under deadlines at work, he worked six days this week.  He was not happy to spend his only day off in a fancy restaurant with his family.  The meal was great.  I had forgot to take a picture of it.  We were there a couple of hours and headed home.  Once home, we got out of our good clothes and into our comfy clothes and went and out to the back deck.  We were out there for about an hour before the threat of thunderstorms came along.  John wants the rain, he seeded the lawn.  I'm tired of the rain.  Looks like we're in for a three day stretch of sunny warm days (in the 80s) this week.  The forecast can change though, we'll see.

Saturday, when John came home from work, we got the outside table and chairs set up on the back deck.  They need to be power washed, that will have to wait until John's work schedule settles down (two more weeks).  Nice place to relax and have a cocktail at the end of the day.

John has a power tool that sucks up the leaves in the fall.  He also uses it during this time of year when everything is falling from the trees.  You can see it here because he has already cleaned the deck.  Here's what the lawn looks like, so it might give you and idea what the deck looked like before he cleaned it.  This is coming from the huge Oak tree.  We call the Oak tree droppings helicopters, some call them whirlie birds.  Whatever they are called, they're everywhere for about the next month.

Look what is popping out of the garden.  It is the Azalea I planted last year.  I was so pleased to see it blooming.  I figured it was another thing this winter had killed.  Now, I can't wait for it to bloom, I just love Spring!!

The weekend sure went by fast didn't it?  I thought so anyway.  Glad you were able to stop by for a few minutes to visit me.  Hope you spent time and enjoyed Easter with your family and/or friends.  See you next time.

If It Doesn't Kill You...

"If it doesn't kill you, it will make you stronger" my father use to say to me as a child each time I would complain about how sore I was from doing chores (remember we were a military family).  All grown up and exercising, which I have not done in a long time, I feel like I'm dying ~ goodness I'm sore!  Okay, that said, I'm stronger too, yeah, I know.

My plan was to walk this morning before the rain came, I didn't make it.  I decided to add the time and temperature icons to my blog ~ thank you Vee for your help, it worked!  It took several attempts to figure out how to do it.  I didn't think it would take the time it did.  I looked out the window and saw rain.  I pulled up the radar on my computer and saw this.

Poked my head (and camera) out the front door, yep, it's raining.  I wish this weather would stabilize.

Well, no walking today.  Unlike Happyone, I don't like walking in the rain, unless it is warm.  It was 41 degrees this morning.  I was going to mount The Beast.  The Beast was my previous attempt at weight loss.  From September 22nd through November 22nd 2010, I rode The Beast for 30 minutes day, five days a week.  Nothing, never lost a pound.  Prior to starting The Beast, I ask John for his input and instruction as he was using it too.  After 60 days and no change, John said "you must be doing something wrong."  How do you ride a stationary bike (The Beast) wrong?  I don't think John has lost any weight using it.  He doesn't use it consistently, maybe twice a week.  He says it keeps him tone (ha!).

While riding The Beast isn't walking, it at least keeps my legs moving and gives me a little exercise (it keeps me tone too).  Once I finished updating my blog page with the new clock and weather icons, it was almost 11am.  I didn't eat anything this morning, I forgot again.  I'm going to have to put a note by my vitamins, which I take daily, to remind me to eat something light.  Do you take vitamins?

Right now (knocking on wood), I don't take any medications.  Although, I haven't been to a doctor for a checkup in two years.  I suppose if I go back, they'll want to put me on blood pressure medicine.  I resisted the suggestion two years ago, when I asked if it was "necessary" and was told that my blood pressure was a little high.  I asked around, several friends my age, about 8 out of 10 said they were taking blood pressure medicient, John takes it too.  I remember both my parents were on it.  I think doctors don't try to treat the cause, they treat the result.  Hello doctors, do you think over weight might cause high blood pressure???  Don't get me started on doctors who don't care, no wonder there is a health care issue in this country.  Operative word (to the doctors) is CARE!!  If you have a doctor who cares, keep them, they're rare.

Moving along, I made a salad for lunch and had some grapes and an apple, looks yummy right?

I'll find what works for me, I'm determined!  I couldn't resist taking a picture of the Azalea when I poked my head out the door.  It has popped this past week, just in time for Easter.

Your visit brought a little sunshine into my rainy day, thanks for being here and brightening my day.

Good News Bad News

I won't keep you in suspense about the title.  The good news is that I did exercise today.  The bad news is that I did not do it the planned way.  I had planned a quick run to the grocery store to pick up some odds and ends.  I didn't do my walks.  Honestly, my legs are aching.  I didn't have the energy to walk after my errands today.  I was shopping for an hour and a half, so being honest, I counting my grocery store trip my walk today.  Believe me, it was all I could do to walk around the grocery store.  I decided to stay away from the expensive chain grocery store and go to the neighborhood grocery store (it is cheaper too).

They like me so much and have missed me at the neighborhood grocery store.  They've posted a sign welcoming me, I smile each time I see it.

Something new they've posted.  They have made a promise and put it in writing.

It was an uneventful day, not that grocery shopping is eventful, but it gets me out of the house and moving.  In addition to gas going up, the news said tonight that groceries are also going up.  Have you checked the cost of hamburger meat or chicken lately????  I'm sticking with my promise to only by fruits in season.  I was spending way too much this winter buying fresh fruit, even the frozen variety was as expensive.  I didn't buy any meats or milk today, just odds and ends...and some fruit.  Does this look like $154.42?

I did have to stop and get gas, wallet pinch again.  To fill up my 16 gallon tank with REGULAR GAS today I paid $50.04 (and I was just above 1/4 tank before the fill up)!!!  Here's the prices today at my local gas station.

I had one more stop to make at the CVS drug store.  The pollen here is getting insane.  The pollen bothers John alot.  He asked me to pick up some allergy eye drops for him, I got the last box.

Once home I got the groceries unloaded and put away.  I like to rinse off my fruit and put it in the refrigerator.  I cut up my strawberries in hopes they'll make it through a couple of my snack times.  I found one odd strawberry, this one has quite the tail don't you think?



I did a little dusting this afternoon and then turned on Oprah to watch her and her best friend, Gayle.  Gayle has been the guest who has visited Oprah the most (imagine that).   They showed some clips what the two best friends have been through together over the years (surprises and embarrassments).  Oprah's producers put in a nice interview of Stedman (Oprah's man) talking about how close Gayle and Oprah have grown over the past 35 years, they talk almost every day.  He referred to Gayle as "one of the family".... awww.  Oprah was surprised to see the video interview since Stedman doesn't given interviews.

I started dinner after Oprah finished the countdown of show 25 left until she signs off.  John was home shortly after dinner was ready, he was very tired.  Rain expected tomorrow, late morning.  I plan to get a walk in before the rain.  I'll ride the beast for 15 minutes in the afternoon.

Hope you will continue to join me on my journey, I like your company.

I'm Exhausted

Today I did it, I went walking twice today!!  I'm commiting to 1) walking or exercising daily (5 days/wk), and 2) the exercise adds up to 30 minutes daily.  I've decided the best way for me to tackle this goal is to walk twice daily for 15 minutes each.  Today's forecast is for a sunny morning with thunderstorms in the afternoon, temps mid-80s.  I put on my sneakers, grabbed my iPod, keys and cellphone (to take pics) and headed out.  This morning's 15 minute walk was around the neighborhood again.  I went out at 10:30 it was already 74 degrees.  Come with me, see what I discovered on my walk.  I came across this beautiful pink (cherry?) tree, I had to take a picture.

I suppose these people have children or grandchildren, this tree is so cute.  You can't see it in the picture, but one egg was on the ground, it was behind one of the rocks.

Sadly, I came across something I hadn't seen in several years.  Looks like someone was angry with someone else.  If it rains, this is going to be a mess.  You got to feel sorry for these folks.

I got home and decided to keep moving, I tackled the closets (halfway).  Initially, I just thought I'd change from summer to winter, but I can't, there isn't space.  What I have to do is start folding and bagging clothes for donating.  That is a rainy day project, Friday is forecasted for rain.  I was worn out from walking and moving clothes.  I normally don't eat in the mornings, never have.  Everything I've been reading (and Dr. Oz too) says we should eat within an hour after we wake up.  I had forgotten to do that on my road to healthiness this morning.  I made a salad for lunch.  It wasn't filling, salad never is for me, but hey, I'm getting healthier!

I needed to pick up some Easter cards so I went to CVS.  I also picked up some chocolates for my mother-in-law, we're meeting her Sunday at a restaurant for brunch.  Back home, I figured I'd head out for my afternoon walk, it was 2pm and 84 degrees, it was hot.  I usually have my hair in a ponytail, today it was down, I forgot to put it up before I went out.  I wished I had remembered.  There is a baseball park down the street, I wondered if there were walking trails around the baseball park.  I went to investigate.  I found some pathways that connected the different fields, but not really walking paths.  There were some young girls playing on one field.

I came across this as well, not sure what it was (is?).  I looks like it will grow later in the year, I'll return and maybe identify it, unless you already know?

I walked around to the different ball fields through the various paths, seeing where each lead, which was only to that field.  I pulled out my cellphone to check my walking time, I had been walking for 20 minutes.  I knew it was longer, I was breathing harder, maybe because it was hot, probably because I'm so out of shape.  Oh and what do you know, the thunderstorms never showed up!

Walking up to my porch, I couldn't believe how big my hostas were getting.  I won't put in a picture, just know they're huge already and still growing!  Here is a picture of my front porch.

It's so nice in the summer time to sit out on the porch.  John and I grab our favorite beverage and light the citronella candles (keeps bugs away), it is relaxing.  Sitting on my window sill by the front door is a reminder to all who visit.

I think when the weather stays warmer all the time, I'm going to have to adjust my walks to early morning and mid-morning before the afternoon sun comes.  I was exhausted and sweating by the end of my afternoon walk.  One thing I must remember is that it will get easier if I stick with it on a daily basis.  I have to stay motivated.  I joined a walking club, the first meeting is next Tuesday. 

Hope you enjoyed our adventure today, I know I did.  Thanks for stopping by, see you next time.

Best Laid Plans

In trying to keep with my daily exercise walk, I got up this morning, showered, had some coffee and slipped into my walking shoes.  It was cloudy outside, chance of rain called for was 50%.  Looking at the sky, what do you think?

Since I'm just beginning my routine, my walks are short.  I figured I could make it out the door and walk for a short time.  Just as I was heading to the door, I heard what sounded like rain, so much for that.  The best laid plans...

In (somewhat) following Fitness Magazine's suggestions for workouts, I performed some of these workouts.  I couldn't do them all, but it was enough to be me stretched and cardio going.  A short time later, the sun was back out.  I had already started a load of laundry.  I wanted to be sure the wash was completed before I left the house for my walk....ever come home and find your house flooded by the washing machine?  I have, once, lesson learned.  I love Prevention (online) Magazine, they send daily tips for all sorts of stuff (i.e, workouts, iPod playlists, recipes, beauty, health, and weight loss tools).  If you think you are interested in fitness, I encourage you to give them a look see.  On my walk, I came across this plant(?).  It might be a wild Azalea (it's a pinkish red color), that's only my guess, I welcome yours.

Walking up the driveway, I passed my car....ewww, it looked terrible, covered in pollen.  The little rain we had didn't do my car much good.  Look at all the pollen (and my reflection) on the car.  My car is black, now with a yellowish (pollen) tint.

I'll wash the car when pollen season ends.  The pollen doesn't bother me too much, John is really bothered by it.  No sense in cleaning the car in pollen season, it just goes right back to looking like this again in a day or two.  Pollen season lasts about a month or so.  I looked up at the Dogwood tree next to the driveway, it looked so pretty.  I couldn't resist taking this picture.  It is just about in full bloom.

I finished up the laundry, folded everything and put it away.  It started to get overcast again.  I checked the radar online and showers were headed this way again.  The rest of the afternoon I had some mending I needed to finish.  I remember my jeans had a hem torn.  I got out the needle and thread and repaired the hem.  It wasn't enough sewing to get the sewing machine out.  It was too late to attack the closets to get them changed out and separated for donation.  Tomorrow is 50% chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.  Perhaps I can get my errands done in the morning and get to the closets in the afternoon tomorrow.

If the weather would settle down, it is my plan to take two short walks a day.  One in the morning and one in the afternoon.  It is recommend (by Fitness Magazine) to start with 30 minutes of walking a day, five times a week.  Since I'm starting off slowly (because I'm out of shape and old too), I'm going to try 15 minutes twice daily.  I haven't accomplished that yet, it's my plan.

Nice to have you along today, see you on your next visit, and until then, be good to yourself.

It's Been Awhile

Thanks for coming back to my blog.  I took a break from blogging, I really didn't have any news or much to talk about.  I took a walk down the end of the block today.  I'm trying to get back to walking again when the weather cooperates.  Unlike my fellow blogger, Happyone, I'm not ready to battle all the weather elements.  She is my inspiration, she's been at it alot longer too.  There is a stream (if you can call it that) which runs behind our yard.  As I mentioned before, our backyard faces the woods.  The stream is just beyond the hill, past our huge Maple tree.  I thought I captured the Maple tree in the first picture, oops.  I'll post one of the Maple later.

As I walked today, I noticed the stream gets much better and further down my street, this is what the stream looks like.

Certainly better explains why so many deer migrate through my backyard and follow the stream to find this watering hole when it is so hot in the summer.  Back to the huge Maple tree....you know that the Maple tree has shallow roots.  When I go to the backyard, I have to be very careful where I walk.  I rarely go near the tree barefoot.   Amazing, don't you think?  Someone could actually hurt themselves if not careful.  These roots take up about 15 square feet.  I took another picture of the tree (the bottom half) so you can get an idea.

Remember the Peonie plant I showed you last month that was coming up (reposted below)?  It's has shot up since then, it will be beautiful when it blooms.  Isn't the growth amazing?



The Azaleas are in bloom too, that rain we had this weekend really made everything pop.

Remember my hostas, just from March 19th (first picture) just after mulching?  Now look at them!

I'm just thrilled and amazed at how much everything has popped.  If you look closely around the gas lamp post, you will see the hostas popping there as well.  I have three planted there.  I used to put in flowers, impatiens and pansies around the lamp post.  It got to be too much dragging the hose out nightly to water everything.  The hostas are very tolerant.  I usually give them the hose in cases of extreme dry spells.

John took the day off from work today.  I was going to ask him for help with the rose bushes but decided better of it.  If he wanted to spend his day off pulling them out, he would have initiated it.  I let him alone, let him enjoy his day doing what he likes to do, putting together puzzles on his computer.  He has a program that downloads puzzles for him.  One of his bowling buddies came over yesterday and they watched the NASCAR race.

For those of you who are local, you know it rained quite a bit here Saturday.  My rain gauge showed just over an inch.  It was also very windy.  Lots of flooding in areas, nothing near us.  On the news I saw that parts of Virginia and North Carolina were hit hard, tornadoes in North Carolina, lives lost, just awful, prayers for the families.

Tomorrow and Wednesday rain is expected.  I'm going to try and get some laundry done and closets changed from summer to winter and maybe pack up and donate some old clothes and stuff.  We'll see how far I get, that's the plan for now, subject to change, of course.  I did get the comforter off the bed and the lightweight quilt put on the bed (used in spring and fall).

I hope I'll have more exciting posts the rest of the week.  Thanks again for visiting, I enjoyed your company, and I look forward to your return.