White Whipped Topping

Wet snow fell and lingered overnight. This morning, everything is still frosted.

It's making me think about snowshoe season.

Remote

Sometimes, the remote blogging tool works and sometimes it doesn't. It was probably a good thing that it scrambled my post as it was not a very positive one.

We ended up having a later and larger lunch so I wasn't planning on much for supper. I asked Glenn to make mac and cheese from a box but then wished I hadn't.

Not that long ago, he used to plan meals, shop and cook frequently. Those skills had been getting quite rusty. But the messiness and the grumbling skills have improved.

Expletive Deleted

&^%$#@*!

Ladies Who Lunch

This morning, after our Joint Action water fitness class, the ladies held their Christmas lunch. Most of them start heading south before the holidays and this is their opportunity to nosh and natter.

They invited both Deb and myself and during the course of the lunch, presented everyone with little gag gifts. We were given a little dog toy in the shape of dumbbells.

The food at the restaurant was nearly inedible but the company was a sweet treat.

Sting

Sometimes it's the words that sting and sometimes it's the tone. All it takes is a couple of words to ease the pain. If you don't remember them, I'm sorry.

Now What

Sunshine deprived and stinging from our cancelled trip, I had a hard time getting out of bed.

If walking and exercise are unable to lift my mood, it maybe time for drugs.

Sad

Can't turn my frown upside down today. So depressed about Spain that I'm going to bed.

No gain..much pain..no Spain. :(

Fuzzy Feet

It's that time of the year where Glenn and I struggle with temperatures. I want to crank up the heat, put on flannel sheets or even a heavier quilt but his internal furnace objects.

Solution? A cheap pair of fuzzy slipper socks. I am comfortable with less covers by just keeping my tootsies toasty.

Marital mayhem managed.

All The Single Ladies

Beyonce sings about them but it's been ages since I've done anything in a social setting solo. This morning after class, I went into Dunn Brothers to buy some beans, get a coffee and sit with my free magazine from the library.

Hoping to make conversation with fellow caffeine dependent people I was reminded how plugged in our society has become. iPods, laptops and cellphones separated me from people in the next chair.

I am tired of pretending I enjoy being alone everyday. Barbara is famous for singing about people who need people. That's me to a "t".

Switching Sides

Yesterday, during my first class, I wanted to do a 180 and head for home. Not only were the participants noisy and unfocused, but my feelings became bruised.

Sink or Swim

After a week away from the pool, I need more than a cup of coffee to gear up for teaching today.

Last night I tried to organize some new exercise/motivational ideas that I've taken from fitness magazines on the library's free table. Most of these will probably be for my own inspiration as this group tends to like their same old routines but hey... what ever floats their boat.

From 3-D to HD

Glasses have come a long way since I was a baby, not to mention my eyes.

In order to take advantage of a 1/2 off frame sale, Glenn and I waited to fill our new prescriptions until the end of September. Then there was the two week wait for the new pairs to arrive.

He loves his new rimless frames (ala Sarah Palin) and although my frames are okay, these progressive lenses were flawed. My first pair of bifocals were a breeze to adjust to and although it has been two years since I have worn new glasses, my contact prescription had been updated. After wearing them all weekend, the only thing I could figure out was that the area of distortion in the new lenses was in the wrong spot or they were made incorrectly. I actually had horrible eye pain and a headache. So for a mere $50 over the $450 I have already spent, I am trading up to high definition lenses.

Think they will come with a converter box or a special antennae?

Burn Baby Burn

Glenn said the pile was too wet to burn. He was wrong.

I might have a new career in pyrotechnics.

Little Blondie Bites

Call me lazy. After spending five hours yesterday at the in-laws making a meal, listening to bickering and cleaning up after wet hunters and dogs, I slept in this morning.

Call me crazy. No one is home this morning and I could drive into town and poke around. But it's not much fun alone or when you are watching your pennies.

So I am spending a foggy Saturday hanging out at home, again. Call me lonely.

Call me on the line
Call me, anytime
Call me when you're ready we can share the wine
Call me

Dreams

The average person has about 3 to 5 dreams per night and they tend to last longer as the night progresses. Last night's dreams were vivid, prophetic and open to much interpretation.

Aristotle claimed that "The most skilled interpreter of dreams is he who has the faculty of observing resemblances."

Jung wrote that in our dreams, we see things, people or events as "as if" rather than "what is".

Now to apply that to waking life.

Stand My Ground

Everyone has their own agenda. Glenn is finishing up a long week of work and can't wait to go hunting. Our friends' schedules won't permit them to come to dinner on Sunday. My mother-in-law wants her windows washed. I just want to escape. "There ain't no easy way out." Sometimes you need to draw the line.

Tom Petty and I won't back down.

Burning Down The House

After nearly a year of looking at the brush pile the blocks the view of our "lake", the local forest service has issued us a burning permit. Years of drought have made it too hazardous but our recent light snowfall has lessened the restrictions.

If you see a big plume of smoke on Sunday, hopefully the pile is history and not the house.

Tiny Tantrum

For the first time in nearly two years of teaching water fitness, I don't want to go to work.

It is my only day this week before the MEA break and on Tuesdays, my talkers and complainers come to class.

Waaaa...

The Big 5-0

Today marks my 50th blog entry. Milestones can feel like pebbles or boulders. Turning fifty in March felt like a pebble as did celebrating our 25th anniversary. I hope that when I see that boulder coming, I can bob and weave or jump really high.

Trapped

Colder temperatures and a lingering light snow made me feel trapped yesterday. After just one day of indoor activities, I felt cabin feverish.

With the upcoming MEA break, my thoughts turned to escaping. But where?

Starting at the top of my family tree, I ruled out flying to Denver to spend the weekend with my brother. (Too expensive) Next, I had a long conversation with my sister Loretta. It is her birthday on Monday and during the visit she informed me that she had to work next weekend.

So, do I keep going down the list of siblings and/or their families or hope a friend is free? Avoiding the chores of feeding and cleaning up after pheasant hunters is proving to be quite motivational.

Unexpected

This is the view out our bedroom window this morning. Today was supposed to our CSA's pumpkin picking party.

Make It Work

Tim Gunn's famous tag line on Project Runway can be applied to obstacles we face daily.

Yesterday, I had a difficult time gearing up for my first class due to one chronically critical participant. The mantra running through my head was if you don't feel it, fake it. There are lots of self talk tools.

Thanks, Tim.

Getting Some Grease

Normally, I don't argue with unfair charges after a company refuses a refund. However, since paying our credit cards online has become a quick and easy habit, I was surprised to see a late fee on one of the statements.

I know that I have slacked in some of my habits since not working full-time but paying bills on time is not one of them.

When I did not receive a confirmation on this month's payment, I revisited my complaint to the credit card company and a refund was issued with guidelines on how to prevent further fees.

Just call me a squeaky wheel.

Shared Experiences

Everyone knows that spending time together as a couple helps maintain a healthy relationship. Finding enjoyment in a shared experience is an added bonus.

Last night, Glenn and I cheered the MN Twins in their 12th inning victory to become Division champions. It was a bonding moment after a long hard day.

What Was Your Favorite Color?

It was a true test of loyalty. Were you bleeding purple with the Vikings or thinking green by backing the Packers?

Changes in Lattitudes, Changes in Attitudes

Just getting away from your normal routine can give you a new perspective. In the end, that is what this past weekend provided me.

As Martha is fond of saying, "That is a good thing."

Home, Sweet Home

Dorothy was right. There is no place like home.

Can't Stop Moving

Even though there was a heavy mist today, I could not stay holed up in the warm cabin. Both morning and afternoon, the outdoors beckoned. My feet slipped into shoes, arms into warm jacket sleeves and away I walked.

Geese flew overhead and the aroma of pine needles filled my nose.

Mobility is marvelous.

Wet Weather

Mixed emotions surround this weekend's forecast. After a few years of drought, the predicted rain is a blessing. But I had hoped to explore around the Pine River cabin I will be staying at with some new friends.

Tomorrow I may be singing, Rain, rain, go away. Come again some other day.

Wine Inventory

As if shot from a cannon, I bolted out of bed this morning at 6:30a.m. to check my Westside receipt. Sure as shootin', I was charged for two bottles of a '03 Chinon. It was at the end of the slip, did not scan and had to be manually entered into the register. Unfortunately, I had only brought home one.

A quick phone call later and a check is in the mail. Good customer service like that makes me want to go back there and buy more wine.