Friday, July 29, 2016

Can you beleive it--I'm all read out...


I've been resisting gong into full-out read mode since the beginning of the year. I knew if I did, I wouldn't get much done. I lasted until mid-June when a a couple of different things coalesced and *bam* I was down the rabbit hole.

I can't tell you how many words or fics I've consumed in the last month and a half, but it's been A LOT. I've been a reader all my life--my first book memories are of Winnie the Pooh, Suzy the Squirrel, and Dr. Seuss. I discovered romance in the early years of high school, and I've never looked back. I do read other things like a bit of meta (data about a specific thing; in particular the BBC's Sherlock) or books about history, the royal family, stories of soldiers and sailors facing adversity and coming out the other side. Harry Potter is also a favorite.

Anyway, I've haven't done much other than read, read, read (and watch tv) for the last forty-five days--Sherlock fic, OMG Check Please fic, and most recently Hockey RPF (real people fic). Yes, that's a thing, and it's not for everyone.

But now, the shine has dulled a little and I'm getting antsy to be doing something else. Write, namely, but the muse is still unpacking from her holiday and I'm not quite there yet. I've gotten back to my cross stitching a little and watching sports again,though.

For months, I'd been wanting to watch baseball, but me and the schedule just couldn't align. Until the other day when I had to go in search of yet another app to feed the beast. But now--NOW--I can watch baseball. And I have. I feel much better now, thanks. :)

I better be careful--the next thing I might want to do is...yard work. Yikes.

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

It's been an expensive, busy week...


Last week, all three cars needed oil changes. Turns out, two of them also needed much needed and oft-postponed maintenance, and one needed tires badly. Then the decade old washing machine stopped agitating. The main kitchen drain to the sewer was already clogged, so any time we did laundry we had to start and stop the drain cycle in order not to flood the garage. The toilet seal had broken so we had a tiny leak there as well. And I began my gym attendance in earnest.

Last Friday, I met with the personal trainer at the gym and got the scoop on the equipment and came up with a routine to work my target areas--back/undersides of my arms and inner thighs.

Also Friday, my car received its much needed work and tires. The other two just got fresh oil.

Saturday, I began my work out regimen in earnest. You bet I felt it.

Yesterday was my next gym visit and I'm definitely feeling it today. I'm not over-achey, but the muscles I worked are definitely grumbling. Also, the plumber came to rooter the drain pipe and re-seat the toilet.

Today, my new washing machine gets delivered and the old one hauled off. I'm looking forward to doing laundry--not something I normally do, but new appliance, so yeah. :)

Hope you're all well!

Monday, July 25, 2016

Movie Monday -- Star Trek Beyond



Yesterday, DH and I went to see Star Trek Beyond, the third installment of the Star Trek film reboot.

I've been waiting three years for it, and it was filled with just as much awesome as I'd hoped and expected. The theater we were in vibrated and shook in concert with the action on the screen and we had recliner seats. Overall, an awesome movie experience.

Except I remember one of the reasons I hate going to the movies, aside from the expense--the wrapper/eating noise of the people sitting around me. The guy to my right was crunching popcorn in my ear. During the noisy/action-filled scenes, I can deal, but when the scenes are quiet--have a little courtesy and stop eating. I finally had to switch seat with DH, and he thought maybe the guy has special needs. So okay, I get that. He gets to enjoy the film too. That just means I need to not go to movies on opening weekend when the theaters are packed even on Sunday mornings at 10:30!!

So about the film...

Two years into the five-year mission, the Enterprise visits the star base Yorktown for some repairs and much needed R&R. The grind of space has taken it's toll on Kirk and he's ready to put down some roots. After young Spock receives  news of elder Spock's death he feels like he should return to New Vulcan and help rebuild his species.

But first--one "last" mission for them both. They think they're going on a rescue mission, but instead they're lured into a trap. Of course. :) Two hours later, they've saved Starbase Yorktown. Kirk has realized there's no where he'd rather be than on his star ship and Spock understands his place is in the Federation.

Lots of action and lots of humor filled the third installment, but there was a level of sadness too. Leonard Nimoy, who played the original Spock and who had guest appearances in the first two reboots died during pre-production.


And tragically, Anton Yelchin, who played the young Chekov of the reboots, was killed in a freak car accident a mere month ago.


May the both rest is peace.

If you're a Star Trek reboot fan, I definitely recommend you see this and see it in a theater. I def give it 10 stars!

Have you seen it? What did you think??


Friday, July 22, 2016

Adventures in Cooking!


Last Sunday I made and tried jambalaya.

I went from this:



To this:

To this:


How did it turn out? DH didn't care for it much, which I was expecting. I liked it, but next time, I'd use less rice and more bell peppers.

Do you like jambalaya?


Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Time to Celebrate!!


Yesterday, DH and I celebrated 23 years of marriage. It's not all been sunshine and roses, but we're still here. We enjoyed dinner and conversation at Olive Garden, then I asked to go to Michael's (a local craft store) so that I could pick out my anniversary gift.

I've been looking at the adult coloring books at various places and have had a hard time finding a topic/theme and style that spoke to me, but Michael's had a great selection and I walked out with three books.


In addition to coloring books, I got two strings of red/white/blue fairy lights. I'm not sure where I'm going to string them, but I'll find a place.


The other day, I found this too. :) Not sure where it's going either...


Have a great rest of the week!!


Monday, July 18, 2016

Fresh start...


Mid-June to mid-July is always a hectic time around here (pre-fireworks, fireworks, post-fireworks) and my routines get out of whack for a variety of reasons.

I haven't written in a couple of weeks, I've slacked off the exercise, and rarely count calories to the exact number. That is to say, I know mostly how many I'm consuming since I tend to eat relatively the same thing every day. Surprisingly I have only gained maybe 2 or 3 pounds. I thought it would have been more...

But now that life has finally settled down, it's time to get back on track!

My goal is to write a minimum of 250 words/1 page a day for at least a week. We'll see how how that goes and increase the number if I feel like I'm ready for more.

I joined a gym last week. The goal is to go at least twice a week, but shooting for three, and walk on the home treadmill most other days depending on how I feel. I do listen to my body, so there will be no going overboard. My intent as I head toward 50 (two years away) is to tone what I have and increase my flexibility and stamina. I also want to take some ballet classes next year. :)

Along with the gym thing, I will get back to counting calories.

It's time to reach that 120lb. goal once and for all. :)


Wednesday, July 13, 2016

The Stanley Cup


I came across this on Tumblr and found it quite interesting, so...I'm sharing it. :)

Here is the link to the original. I am not the owner or creator of this information/graphic.

Well...I was going to put it here, but it's a series of like 30+ images that I do not want to download. I've borrowed the first three in hopes of enticing you to click and read. :)

But it's the very interesting history of the Stanley Cup--the trophy itself--and its distinction as far as sports awards go.

 


Go ahead... it really is super interesting...


Monday, July 11, 2016

The vinca still lives!


Two years ago, I found a vinca growing up from in between the squares of my patio...

I gently tugged all the plants out of the patio and transplanted them into a planter.

They're doing well even two years later.




Happy Monday!



Friday, July 8, 2016

Quarterly Goals Recap/Update


Shoulda done this last Friday, but things were a bit crazy with the looming holiday, so--

How have I done achieving my goals as listed just to the left and down??

Going in the order they're listed, though not numbered:

1) be a better website person--yep--keeping up with updates and changes
2) be a better treasurer--yes, not much to say, but staying on top of things
3) get physically healthy and well--mmm...same, really
4) walk the dog/walk to the post office--I do walk to the post office without fail when I work at the office; I don't walk the dog because she's very aggressive and I need a harness or a choke collar and I just haven't had the funds for either of those
5) reach the 120lb. mark--no, not yet, but I still have half a year and I'm hoping to join a gym soon
6) get the house cleaner--mmm...sorta, but now that DD has moved home, she's gonna be helping me with that
7) keep crafting/try other crafts--can't say that I've branched out much; I haven't even cross stitched much of late
8) create pod fic--well I did the one and the author had nice things to say; I still want to try my hand at some others, but I'm not sure when; I think this is more of a winter project, but we'll see
9) read and re-read--I've definitely been reading; I've re-read a few things but not as many as I'd planned as I found a new fandom and have been devouring new works
10) write 10K to 15K book for a Christmas box set--yes! My book came in at about 17K; it's currently waiting for its second round of revisions/edits before I do something with it--whether that's send it out to someone else for proofreading or buy a cover for it or create a cover--I'm not sure

So I think I'm doing all right for being at the halfway point of the year.

How about you??


Wednesday, July 6, 2016

So it finally happened...


The dead tree fell over. It's been dead for a few years now, being held in place by the cable that serves--served--as a clothes line. Luckily for us, it fell into our other tree.



The storm that blew through early Tuesday (and I mean early--like 1AM) brought down the large dead branch in the other tree...




Also, lucky for us, one of our new fireworks store workers owns a tree-trimming company, so we'll be having him come up and take care of our trees.

Hope y'all had an awesome 4th. I didn't have Internet to post, so...

But now it's time for life to return to normal.