Walking is the perfect way of moving if you want to see into the life of things. It is the one way of freedom. If you go to a place on anything but your own feet you are taken there too fast, and miss a thousand delicate joys that were waiting for you by the wayside. Elizabeth von Arnim

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Thursday, January 31, 2013

Last day

Lots of rain last night.  It came down in sheets but was clear once morning came and I left on my walk.  43 degrees and very windy.  The sun came up and stayed out and there was lots of blue sky.

I walked towards the lake but the path behind the church was flooded and I couldn't walk that way.  So I turned around and and went back and then tried to walk on the road to the lake that runs on the other side of the stream but that too was flooded and I couldn't get through there either. 
Took pictures but it was still too dark out and the pictures were too blurry.
I then tried walking my route along the paths and had to turn back a few times there too because of flooding.  I came across sections like this that I couldn't walk through.  What now looks like a lake is usually a little stream.  I didn't have to walk down to the water today, it came up to me!
I saw and heard the birds but didn't see any other wildlife.  They took off to higher grounds.
One man who I see often was walking his two dogs and we stopped for a little chat about all the flooding and I saw Petey and John on one of the paths and walked along with them for about a half mile.

When I left this morning Ken told me to be careful of falling trees and branches because of the wind.  I was walking along and thought, no trees are going to fall on me when about 20 feet away from me a huge branch snapped off and fell near the path!  I thought, whoa that must be God saying, "Listen to Kenny!"  : )

I walked a little bit farther than usual to see which other areas which were flooded and took 13,540 steps on this walk.
The temperature is on the way down today and when I got home it had gone down to 39.
Sunrise 7:15
Sunset 5:27
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is Ken's last day of work but also the last day that I get to have the whole day to myself.  I've been on my own during the day for a good many years and I too will have an adjustment to make!   I am not anticipating any problems though just a different routine. : )

I've been home this day doing a bit of cleaning.  I spotted a huge spider web way up high in our bedroom.  We have VERY high ceilings and there are two dormer windows which let light in up in my loft and that is where the spider web is.  I need a tall ladder to get at it.  I wonder what type of spider made the huge web!!

Our dinner out last night was very nice though we went out in the pouring rain.  We both ordered the Victoria Fillet steak and they were done to perfection.  Mine, medium rare, with a baked sweet potato and salad.  Ken's medium well, with garlic herb mashed potatoes and a salad too.

So tonight we get to do it all over again.  This time we are going to Carrabba's for Italian. : )

Hope your day has been happy and bright.
Till next time......
A happy day to you.
Happyone  : )
Don't be discouraged.
It's often the last key in the bunch
that opens the lock.
~Unknown

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Two in a row

Didn't have to worry about ice this morning with a temperature of 49 degrees!!!  Got to walk lighter too with just a couple of layers on and no hat.  It was a cloudy morning with patches of fog here and there around the lake.  There were a few hot pockets of air around too.  I'd be walking and all of a sudden the air got really warm and after a short ways it was cooler again.  Still a thin coating of ice on the lake.
I liked the look of this long low hanging ribbon of cloud.  It reached about half way the length of the lake.
The wildlife stayed hidden this morning and very few people out around the lake too.
It was great walking in warmer weather.

Steps on my walk today were 12,942.
BTW - no bruises and I'm not sore at all from yesterday's little tumble. : )
Sunrise 7:16
Sunset 5:26
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was recycling day and all down the road out back all the blue tubs were lined up and filled waiting to get collected.  Then the wind came and a lot of the recycling things blew out of the tubs and down the road.  Most everyone is at work and there I was so I picked up most of the stuff and got it back into the tubs.  I stuffed things in tightly so they wouldn't blow out again.  A lot of the stuff just blew away to who knows where but I got a good amount picked up.  Then I had to leave.

Had a hair appointment today to touch up those roots and just a trim of my bangs.  I brought the usual chocolate chippers for everyone, had a great hair wash and a nice catch up with Cheryl.

A few hours later when I came back home the recycling tubs were all empty and I didn't see any garbage around.  So either the stuff stayed in the tubs and it was all picked up or else everything blew out and away. : )

Ken has only one more day of work after today and it's not even a full day.  But today is a special day for us as well.  It's our anniversary!  41 years. : )
We are going out to Outback for dinner to celebrate.  We were going to combine both celebrations but decided we will go out for dinner tomorrow as well for the retirement celebration. : )

Ken's coworkers took him out for lunch at Olive Garden yesterday and gave him a card and a gift card to Lowe's for his retirement.
Then next week one day Ken has invited coworkers and friends to a happy hour at Rams Head which I can go to also. 

I am going to go and read for a while until Ken comes home and we go out to celebrate.
Hope your day has been a happy day with lots of sunshine.
Happyone : )
Sometimes God takes away everything you thought you wanted
to bring you everything you ever dreamed of.
~Mandy Hale

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Some good news and some sad news.

Glad to be back to walking this morning!! : )  The temperature was right at 31 degrees so there were a few icy places along the way and I slipped and fell on one of them.  Just a little fall and I'm fine, didn't get hurt.
I walked around the lake.  There was a bit of a fog by the lake but no where else.  Here's a picture of the morning moon over the foggy lake.
Once the sun rose it stayed out.  So nice to see a bright blue sky again.  Just a few people out around the lake.
I see this one man almost every day and we say good morning but today we started talking.  I had stopped to take a picture and he caught up to me and we started walking together and walked half way around the lake until I went off up on the upper path.  His name is Ray, so now I've met another walker.

I saw two foxes, one by the lake and the other along the path on the way to the lake. 

On my walk today I took 13,254 steps.
Sunrise 7:17
Sunset 5:25
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Good news with the home inspection which they did at the Savage house on Friday.  All is fine and we don't have to do a thing.  Next is the appraisal and that happens on Thursday which should not be a problem.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Went to my Tuesday morning knitting group.  Another new person showed up but a few of the regulars didn't make it.  There were 10 of us there.  I worked on some more weave-it squares for the baby blanket. 

Heard some sad news at knitting.  One of the woman asked if I new Mr Smallwood who lives in Savage on my old street.  I said, "Oh yes, he lives right across the street from me and I know him well.  When we lived there were were always talking.  Some of you may remember he was the man who I ran to get when the snake was in my house.  I spent many hours with him and Mrs Smallwood in their house of an afternoon talking.  They lived in Savage all their lives and told me stories from years and years ago.  When they looked at each other they still had that twinkle in their eyes.  I was so sorry and sad to hear that he died a couple of days ago.  I couldn't help but shed a few tears.  Then remembered how much he missed Mrs Smallwood who died a few years back.  He would tell me that she was sitting on a bench at heavens door waiting for him to arrive.  I'm sure they had a happy reunion in heaven.  We talked about God quite often and I know they are both up in heaven with God now happy once again.

I stopped in at the library on the way home again to drop off a few things that were due today.  I just dropped them off and didn't even look around this time.  Too many library books yet at home that I needed to read.

It is like a spring day this afternoon with temperatures in the low 60's!!!  Though it won't last it sure is a nice break from the real cold weather.  I drove home with my window open in the car.

Hope you're having a sunny and warm day too.
Happyone  : )
When someone does something wrong,
don't forget all the things they did right.
~Unknown
Comment replies:
Vee - Yes, second picture is of a vintage stove.  The last one is a huge country bathroom and my favorite one.

Monday, January 28, 2013

Ice

The temperature was 29 degrees and there was a coating of ice over everything and that is the one thing that keeps me from walking.  So no walk for me today. : (
We finished the three puzzles yesterday, looked at them for the day and then this morning I took them apart and put them away for next time. 
This is the last work week for Ken with Thursday being his last day.  I've been teasing him asking if he was going to get a gold watch from work for retiring.  Yeah right, he says people don't get gold watches anymore.
So I went out and bought him a gold watch and had it engraved.  I've had it for the last few weeks and it has been so hard not to give it to him.  I was going to wait until Thursday but just couldn't wait any longer and gave it to him last night.  His reaction was all and more than I expected.  He was REALLY surprised and touched and even had a tear or two.  The picture is a bit blurry but it was hard to get a picture because of the reflection.
I'll be home inside today getting some housework done and doing a bit of this and that around the house.  Not sure what the rest of the day will bring but I'm sure going to enjoy doing it. : )

Hope you have sunshine in your part of the world.
Till next time.......
A happy day to you.
Happyone  : )
You have to make up your mind at the start of the day
that nothing that comes your way is going to steal your joy.
~ Joel Osteen

Sunday, January 27, 2013

God's Ways

Didn't get out until 7:00 again this morning and it was 12 degrees.  Just a quick walk because it's Sunday and had to get back for Sunday school and church.
I found a penny and took 7,842 steps.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways....
For as the heavens  are higher than the earth,
so are My ways higher than your ways
and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9

Trust God's ways for that is the only way you will find true happiness, joy, and contentment.
A blessed Sunday you my friends.
Happyone  : )

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Almost balmy : )

Started my morning walk a little later than usual at a few minutes after 7:00.  We got an inch or so more of snow so I walked in the snow again.  It was all the way up to 19 degrees and it felt almost balmy! : )
I didn't walk any regular route but just walked along the paths and around some of the townhouse and apartment complexes because the sidewalks there were shoveled  The first path I came to was snow covered.
Then other paths were I came upon had been cleared.
The stream along one of the paths that I walked along.
Another quiet morning with me and the animals, a few deer, birds, and I didn't see it but smelled a skunk.

Near the end of my walk I saw a dog walker and one man out shoveling snow.  By the time I got home the temperature was all the way up to 24.  No wonder why I was hot when I got home!

Today I took 12,907 steps on my walk.
Sunrise 7:19
Sunset 5:21
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We had a good time last night at Toby's.  There were 10 of us all together.  It's a small place and in the round so there are no bad seats.  There was a buffet open for 1 1/2 hours before things got going.  Salads, main meals and then you could make your own ice cream sundae, or have cheese cake or chocolate cake for dessert.  I just had a salad and main meal and skipped the dessert part.  The food was very good.

It wasn't a play but a look back at the singing and dancing from the 40's through the 70's.  The performers were quite good and we all enjoyed the music.  The performers were also the servers so they had a busy time of it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The sun finally came late morning and we went out and about doing a few errands.

Home now getting a few things done before I have to make the dough for the pizza we are having tonight for supper.  The dough takes 1  1/2 hours in the bread machine.  We have red pepper and garlic for toppings.  Stopped at the library and picked up the movie Christmas Vacation and we will watch it while we eat our pizza.  : )

That's it.
Till next time...........
May you have a happy sunny day.
Happyone : )
Don't walk too far away from the child within you,
and never abandon the sense of wonder
that magnifies the smallest of things
into mountains of joy.
~Dodinsky
Comment reply:
Art - Yes, Ken's retirement is getting close - He's a short timer now, only three more days and a wake up. : )

Friday, January 25, 2013

What a lot of salt

This morning again it was 13 degrees, no sun today but there was no wind either.  I had a random walk today along the paths.  Walking along one of the paths I followed some footprints off the path which led down to the stream and saw that there was a trail right along the stream so I walked there.  Off in the distance and to the right in the picture you can see one of the footbridges I walk over which is on the path.
It was just me and the animals.  I did not see one other person during all of my walk.  I found myself saying good morning to all the deer of which I saw nine.  I saw a couple of cardinals.  Lots of sound in the woods.  Birds chirping, crows calling out, a woodpecker,  a dog barking in the distance, and the water gurgle in places as it ran over some rocks.  My feet made a crunching sound as I walked on the snow.  It was really nice being all alone and just walking along. : )

Back to the street and civilization.  Someone drove up the curb onto the sidewalk and then back on the road.
This is the street in front of my house.  My house is to the right but not in the picture.  That is not snow or ice in the road but salt.  When cars drive through it they leave a cloud of white behind.  I think they got a bit carried away with the salt!! : )  It's like that on all the roads around here.
My steps today on my walk were 12,901.
Sunrise 7:20
Sunset 5:20
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I've been having a fun day today.  Worked a wee bit more on the puzzles, did some reading and made some weave-it squares.

It's been cloudy all day and it is supposed to start snowing sometime this afternoon into the evening and then clear out quickly. 

This evening we are going to Toby's Dinner Theater with three of Ken's coworkers and their husbands.  It should be a nice night out and I don't have to cook today.  They all have been trying to get together for this evening for over a year.  Christmas of 2011 one of the women gave tickets to Toby's for presents and the tickets expire next week.  We've just said any day is good for us, just let us know when. They all cut it a bit close.  I don't even know what play we are seeing!

So that's been my day so far.
Hope all is well with you my friends.
A happy Friday to you.
Happyone : )
Your past does not determine who you are.
Your past prepares you for who you are to become.
~Joel Osteen
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Comment replies:
Vee - Funny you should ask about the puzzles and which one I like best because I like them in the order in which they are being completed. Wasn't planned that way and  didn't really think about it until you asked. : )

Nellie - We use the Fiestaware for our every day dishes too.  I've been collecting the old pieces for years.  I collect the original 6 colors.  

Debbie - You can find the recipe for the Smashed Potato Soup in my recipe box at ZipList  HERE.  I haven't posted a picture of it yet and forgot to take one yesterday.

Kim - My Striiv does keep track of the calories burned but I don't usually look at it, but each mile burns roughly 100 calories.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

A day in the kitchen

We got a little dusting of snow last night so I got to take my walk in a wonderland this morning.  It was 13 degrees and when the sun came up it and stayed out.

I saw footprints along the way but only encountered two people out around the lake.  One of course was Barb. : )  We stopped to chat for a bit saying how great it was to be up and outside on such a beautiful morning walking around our lake.  We both had lots of layers on and were getting warm.

I only saw one deer but saw tracks of other animals that were around.  Rabbits, deer, squirrels, I think a fox, and even birds.

I took a bunch of pictures along the way and here are just a sampling.  Walk along with me.




Rabbit tracks beside the footprints.
I'm almost back home here and these are my footprints from earlier.
My walk today was 13,124 steps.
Sunrise 7:21
Sunset 5:19
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I had some nice hot Cream of Wheat with syrup and added some raisins for breakfast and then just stayed in the kitchen.

I got some Smashed Potato soup going in the slow cooker.

I tried a new bread in the bread machine called Italian Herb and it is delicious.  It will go good tonight with the soup.

Also baked a batch of Chocolate Chippers.  I usually just put the regular semi sweet chips in them but I picked up a package of special dark chocolate chips to try in the cookies because Ken really likes the dark chocolate. 

I ended up not eating lunch because I tried the bread when it was done with some butter and also ate two cookies.  So I guess that was my lunch.

While I was in the kitchen every so often I'd take a look at the puzzles and stick a piece or two in place.
One is just about done, one is getting near the end and one is barely started.


While I was in the kitchen I also cleared off the hutch, dusted it and then put away the china that was on it and put some of my Fiestaware pieces out.  Just needed a change.
It's another cold day and even though the sun is out it's pretty windy out there.  It was a good day for being in the kitchen with the oven on. 

Hope your day has been a good one.
Till next time........
Have a happy day.
Happyone  : )
Have the maturity to know sometimes silence is more powerful 
than having the last word.
~Thema Davis

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Fun at the commissary

The temperature was 7 degrees this morning but there was no wind and the sun came out.

I walked around the lake and there were more people there today than yesterday but still less than normal.

There is a thin coating of ice on most of the lake and the geese where all together where they could find water.  Brrr, I can just imagine how cold the water was.  I stayed well away from the edge so there was no chance I could get my feet wet again!!! : )

Besides the geese and the birds the only other wildlife I saw were squirrels chasing each other up and down the trees.

A cold morning but dressed for the weather is was really a nice morning and I enjoyed my walk.
I found a penny.
I took 12,751 steps on my walk.
Sunrise 7:21
Sunset 5:18
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After breakfast, I called my friend Bernice and we had a nice chat, then I finished up my shopping list and left for the commissary.
I had a most enjoyable time shopping.  You know how sometimes you keep seeing the same people throughout the store?  Well that happened with three of us today.  We kept running into each other.  We were all looking for something we couldn't find down one aisle and we started talking.  Each of us said what we couldn't find and we all sent each other to where we thought it would be.  Mine was pepperoni and was told it was over in the front of the store by the special cheeses.  Someone else couldn't find summer sausage (I never heard of it) and someone else vinegar.  We all met up again later and had all found what we needed.  We talked for a bit longer and then continued shopping.  We ended up on line together too which made us laugh.  The way the line is at the commissary is there is one long line and you go to the next available checker.

When I first started shopping an older man walked over to me and started talking, then really looked at me and said "Oh, I'm sorry, I thought you were my daughter."  We both laughed and he saw his daughter up ahead and he told his daughter that he thought I was her.  She smiled and waved to me, and I said, "Hi sis."  : )

When I was checking out and putting my stuff up, the Diet 7 Up that I had picked up didn't have a readable bar code on it.  I said I'd run back and pick up another one and she put that one aside.  When I got back one of the baggers and finished putting all my stuff up on the belt and I just had to pay when I got back.  I thought that was so nice.  His tip was a little bit more for doing such a nice thing.  The baggers work for tips only.  They bag and take the bags to the car but I always take my own bags to the car. 
It was a little adventure at the commissary today.  : ) 

When I got home I had a late lunch, put away all the groceries, did a few things around the house and now here I am on the computer.

Later I'm planning on working on the puzzles before Ken gets home from work.  He only has 6 more working days.  : )

Till next time......
Have a happy day.
Happyone : )
Patience is not the ability to wait.
Waiting is a fact of life.
Patience is the ability 
to keep a good attitude while waiting.
~Joyce Meyers

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

The House

A look at the thermometer this morning told me I'd better put on an extra layer of clothing.  I also put toe warmers in my shoes.
They work great and my feet were actually hot.  It was 14 degrees when I started and when I got home it had gone down a degree to 13. It was also very windy.  Nice that the sun came up and stayed out and even though it didn't get warmer it made it feel like it did. : )

I walked around the lake and as expected because of the cold only a few people out.  I wasn't surprised to find Barb out there walking.  : )  Two other runners were out around the lake too, both who are regulars but I don't know their names.

The geese and ducks were around as usual and the birds.  That's all the wildlife I saw.

Walking on the dam side of the lake it is open and the wind there was the strongest and when I turned out of the wind to walk down the side of the lake, it felt nice and warm.  There I was protected from the wind.  I heard the trees blowing around and at times they rubbed together and it sounded like old doors creaking open and closed.

I found a lucky penny today. : )
12,321 steps on my walk.
Sunrise 7:22
Sunset 5:17
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A bit of a rush around here this morning before leaving at 9:45 to go the my Tuesday knitting group.  There were ten of us there today and two were new people who showed up.  I worked on some more weave-it squares and made 5 green ones.

After leaving knitting I went to the library and returned a book and got out two more and picked up a couple DVD's too.

Heard back from the buyer for the house.  Didn't like our offer, she came back with another counter and we said OK.  So it looks as if it is sold.  After last time though,  I'm not counting on it until we go to closing!!!  Sure hope this is it, perfect timing with Ken retiring next week. 

It's been a beautiful sunny day, but it hasn't made it out of the teens and the winds continue.

I'm planning on having spaghetti for supper but maybe we should go out and celebrate the house being sold.

Till next time......
A happy day to you.
Happyone : )
I have realized that your troubles don't seem so bad
if you just stop talking about them all the time.
~ Unknown

Monday, January 21, 2013

A look back at my garden

25 degrees this morning, no wind and it was cloudy. The sun made a short peek out from behind the clouds but it didn't last long.  I walked my connect the path with the trail route. 

Since its a holiday it was like an early Sunday morning and there were only a couple of people out.  A nice quiet walk and it was great to be out walking in the fresh cold air.

I saw a fox again but don't think it was the same one because this was about 2 1/2 miles from where I saw one the other day.  I'm not sure how far their territory is.  This one didn't stay around for a picture.   A few people were concerned that the last fox followed me and didn't run off.   I was a bit concerned too because they usually are skittish and run off but I think he just wanted to go the way I was going.  When he got a bit too close, I turned, stamped my foot and he ran off.  

Walking along a path I saw a blue bird.  He flew up in the trees and when I looked up to see him, I saw that he had joined a whole mess of blue birds.  I'd never seen so many together before.  I would guess that there were at least 15 of them.  Tried to take a picture but the blue color didn't show up. 

I took 13,161 steps on this walk.
Sunrise 7:23
Sunset 5:16
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks for the good thoughts and prayers for the house deal to go through.  Still waiting to hear after putting in our counter offer.
I was looking through some old pictures of the Savage house and came across some pictures I had taken of the gardens around the yard.  My goal was to get rid of all the grass and just have gardens.   I spent many enjoyable hours in the yard. This picture was taken standing on the front porch.  It makes me sad to see what the yard looks like now.
I started reading A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness but just couldn't get into it.  I read 60 pages before giving up.

Just hanging around home today and not doing too much of anything. We've been working on the 3 puzzles and it is quite a challenge but we're getting there.  I will be starting another book later on.  The second book in Anne Perry book series featuring Monk.

Till next time......
A happy day to you.
Happyone : )
  You are where you are,
at the time that you are,
for a reason.
Don't waste if by wishing to be somewhere else.
~ Mandy Hale
Comment replies:
Debbie - You noticed and got it exactly right.  I made my blog colors to match my new office.  :)

Sunday, January 20, 2013

He Cares

This was the Bible verse on our church bulletin this morning.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God,
so that He may exalt you in due time,
casting all your care upon Him,
because He cares about you.

I Peter 5:6-7

God loves and cares about all of us. : )
A blessed Sunday to all of you.
Happyone : )

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Another offer

A chilly morning with the temperature at 27 degrees, but once again the sun came out and it was a beautiful morning.

I walked around the neighborhood, down a path or two and down the road around the business park.  
There were lots of people out walking dogs.  I don't think I've ever seen so many people with their dogs on any other morning!!

Behind the business park down in the wet land I saw 3 deer.  Then when I was walking along the path I saw the fox.  This time I was able to get a picture of him.  It's hard to do because they usually run off.  This one followed me for a little bit.
Last night I dreamed I found a dime on my walk and this morning I did find a dime. : )
I walked 6.1 miles which was 12,248 steps today.
Sunrise 7:24
Sunset 5:13
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The book I finished yesterday was The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley.  It is set in Scotland.
In 1708, an invading Jacobite fleet of French and Scottish soldiers nearly succeeded in landing the exiled James Stewart in Scotland to reclaim his crown.

Present time Carrie, an author wants to write a book about the events. She moves near  Slains Castle where the story takes place and starts to write the book. The heroine of the book is one of her ancestors.

As she writes she discovers her novel is more fact than fiction and Carrie wonders if she might be dealing with ancestral memory.

This book has two stories in one - the one Carrie is writing and her present life.  It is a historical fiction romance and an excellent read.  I loved the book and it has a great ending.   It was another of those books that when it ended I cried because it was so good.  It was hard to say good-bye to all the characters.
Thanks Auntie for recommending another great book!!
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Last night we got a call from Terri, our realtor and another offer has been made for the Savage house. We countered with  an offer and are now waiting to hear back.  This buyer sounds a lot better than the last one that.  She likes old houses and knows their little quirks so we're hoping that this will be it.  I have a good feeling about this.

We went out and about did some errands today and enjoyed the nice sunny day though it was a bit chilly.  Stopped at the realtor, Walmart, and the library and now back home until supper.  We are going out someplace, just have where decided yet.

That's it for today.
Hope you have found some happiness scattered about your day.
Happyone : )
The best things in life are free.
And it is important never to lose sight of that.
So look around you.
Wherever you see friendship, loyalty,
laughter, and love.....
there is your treasure.
~ Neale Donald Walsch
Comment replies:
Betsy - I wouldn't say I was obsessed with exercise - maybe with walking. : )  Walking for me is so much more than exercising.  I have a link on my sidebar where I explain why I walk.  My legs get a good workout walking but the rest of my body needs a workout too and that's why I also do other exercises with light weights.  It only takes 30 minutes and I don't do it every day.  I strive for 4 days but usually just make it 3 days a week.  AND I have to make myself do it -  I don't enjoy it but I like how I feel after wards.

OE - Thanks for identifying the red-tail hawk. : )  I looked it up in my bird book and I'm pretty sure that's what it is. 

Shane - I don't take a book with me, but I do have a bird book at home that I use. 

Friday, January 18, 2013

A pretty day

That snow coming up from the south yesterday just missed us as I though it would. This morning it was 30 degrees out and a bit of a wind BUT the sun came out and I saw a whole bunch of blue sky - it was wonderful. : )  I walked around the lake and felt sunshine on my face.
Not very many people out but all the people I saw were lake regulars.

I saw the heron standing in the water as I stopped on the red footbridge to look around at the scenery.
I've been saying for a while that I've been seeing some kind of a hawk but could never get a picture of it.  Well, today as I walked along I looked up and there he was sitting in the top branches of a tree.  Picture isn't all that good because I had to zoom in but still I was so happy to finally get a picture of him.
It was so nice being out walking in the sunshine.
I found a nickel.
I walked 7.2 miles which was 13,931 steps.
Sunrise 7:24
Sunset 5:12
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Finished the comic jigsaw puzzle.
We still aren't puzzled out and these next ones should be a bit of a challenge.  Three puzzles came in the box, each 500 pieces, and each puzzle was in a separate bag.  We dumped all three puzzles in a heap on the table and are going to do all three of them at once.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The day has been so pretty with the sun shining in a bright blue sky.  I haven't really done much of anything today.  I'm just about done with the book I'm reading and I read it sitting in the chair by the front window with the sun shining on me.  My book is very good and I'll tell you about it tomorrow.

A happy Friday to you my friends.
Happyone : )
Do something now that will make the person
you'll be tomorrow
proud to have been the person
you are today.
~ Unknown
Comment replies:
Debbie - The exercises I do are with 4 and 5 pound weights as well as some floor exercises.  I recorded some Margaret Richard, Body Electric shows quite a few years ago and try to do those 4 times a week.  Once I get going I'm pretty good at keeping it up, but if I stop doing them its hard to get back to them. 

Thursday, January 17, 2013

A little blue

I left a little after 7 on my walk this morning so it wasn't completely dark out and there was a little glow in the sky.  It was 41 degrees.
I walked on over to the lake.  Along the path there I spotted a couple of deer.  Here is one that stayed to get her picture taken.
It was a cloudy morning but at least there was no rain and I didn't have to carry an umbrella with me which was so nice.  This is what the sky looked like as I got to the lake.
Half way around the lake I got a peek at some blue sky.  It was enough for me to do a little happy dance along the path.
It didn't take long for the clouds to cover up the blue sky but it was so nice to see that glimpse of blue.  We might be getting some of the snow headed up from the south but we are right on the edge and I think it will pass us by.  Either way is fine by me.

The geese were all up swimming around, making quite a ruckus as usual and I saw a few scuffles among some of them.  Groups of them were leaving and landing as well.   I saw the hawk again.

Just a few people out.
Today on my walk I took 14,432 steps.
Sunrise 7:25
Sunset 5:11
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It took me a while to get started with things this morning because I worked on the puzzle right after breakfast and then read.
But I finally got the urge to work and cleaned the downstairs.

I have been really bad about doing my exercises in the afternoon and haven't done them at all since just before Christmas.  Today I just made my mind up to get them started again.  I feel good now that I did them.  I'm sure tomorrow I'll be a bit sore but it will be a good sore knowing I'm back on track again.

Ironed some of Ken's shirts while watching a couple of I Love Lucy shows.  One of the ones I watched is where she tries to make pizza.  She could take some lessons from Ken. : ) Won't be ironing that much longer.  Just 9 more working days.

So that brings me to the end of my post for the day.
Hope all is well with you and that you have found joy in your day.
Happyone : )
A bend in the road is not the end of the road....
unless you fail to make the turn.
Author Unknown

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Up in the loft today

Woke up to another rainy day and the temperature was a hair over 32 degrees.  I thought there might be some ice here and there so I waited a bit before starting my walk this morning.  I wanted it to be at least light out so I could see better.  I got started about 7:45.  It was 33 degres when I left and didn't come across any ice.  There was lots of rain though and everything is getting a bit soggy.  I wore my rain pants this time and with my umbrella stayed dry except for my feet.  Just can't keep them dry in the rain.  I can't wear any kind of boots because I wouldn't be able to walk far and fast.

The stream along the path on the way to the lake is pretty swollen and muddy and the lake level is higher than usual.  I'm walking across the stream over the footbridge in the picture.  The lake is a little less than a half mile away from here.

I only encountered three other people out walking and there was only one car in the main parking lot.

I saw the hawk again, and a blue jay, kingfisher, and a cardinal.  The rain didn't seem to bother them at all or the geese either.

As you know I don't mind walking in the rain but after so many dreary mornings I'm ready to have some sunny mornings.  : )

Today I took 12,513 steps on my walk.
Sunrise 7:25
Sunset 5:10
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I felt like a nice warm breakfast today so I made myself a nice hot bowl of Cream of Wheat and put a little bit of syrup on top.  It really hit the spot.

Up in the loft today I put my yarn in the boxes and rearranged things so it makes for a nice work room.  I like to have a big open space on the floor so I can set my afghans out and make the design.  It was a fun time getting everything in place.
Here's a few pictures of what it looks like now.


Elaine, if you happen to be reading this I know you will get a laugh out of my small stash. : )

It's been raining all day long and it sure is dreary out.  I'm glad my loft and office are bright and cherry on days like this.

I'll be working on the jigsaw puzzle later and doing a little reading too.
If there is sunshine where you are, please send a little my way. : )
Happyone
All walking is discovery.
On foot we take the time to see things whole.
~ Hal Borland

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Home and dry

It rained during the night and when I got up and looked out of the window it looked wet out but I didn't see any rain coming down.  It was 37 degrees and I dressed in one less layer and headed out the door.  After walking a couple of blocks a light drizzle started so I went back home and got my umbrella and then started over.  I walked the connect the trail path with the trail but went in the opposite direction than I normally do.

I only saw one runner and one dog walker and both were along the street.  I didn't see anyone along the paths or trail.

I saw something walking along the path up ahead of me and at first thought it was a dog, but then I thought it was the fox.  I slowed down, got out my camera and that is when he noticed I was there and ran into the woods.  It was then that I realized that the foxes I see are red and this was gray.  I wonder if it wasn't a fox at all but a coyote.  They are around here, I've just never seen one. 

My feet got wet today, not from the lake this time but from the rain.  I should have had my rain pants on because I was a bit damp by the time I got home, but at least my head stayed dried.  I was warm from walking so being damp didn't make me cold.

On the way home walking through the Giant parking lot I found a penny.
I took 13,534 steps on my walk.
Sunrise 7:25
Sunset 5:09
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ken felt a lot better today and went back to work.  Not many days left of work for him - only 11 after today.

It's been a rainy day and I didn't feel like going out again after drying out from my walk so I didn't go to my knitting group this morning.
Instead I stayed home and got the rest of the upstairs cleaned and then got to work on the old boxes.  I put the polyethylene on all four of them and now waiting for them to dry.
Tomorrow I'll be able to finish getting the loft arranged the way I want it.

My friend Mary Jo knows I like to read and gave me the cutest bookmarks to use.  They are calendar bookmarks and there are 12, one for each month.  This is the January one I'm using this month.  Thank you Mary Jo. : ) 

Hope your day is better than you expected it to be.
Happyone : )
The comfortable and comforting people are those 
who look upon the bright side of life;
gathering its roses and sunshine 
and making the most that happens seem the best.
~ Dorothy Dix
Comment Replies:
Debbie - No, I'm not on Facebook - was for a little while but it is just not for me.  Just don't like it.
Yes, I do like Downton Abbey very much.  I've watched it from the beginning.

Kim - I use a few different things cleaning my shower.  I spray a mixture of vinegar and water on everything and let it sit for about 10 minutes.  Then on the door I spray Tilex and wipe them down a with a scrubber.  I dry them off with a car cloth that I use on my car.  
On the tiles I spray Scrub Free and then wipe them down with a scrubber and not every time I clean them but once a month or so I scrub the grout with a toothbrush.

Anonymous - Good for you for doing that each time you shower and though that sounds like a great idea, I just can't see me doing that every time.  I clean mine once a week.

Monday, January 14, 2013

Back in touch

The fog was still around for my walk this morning and it was a warm 56 degrees.  I walked around the lake.  For a few short minutes it looked liked the sun was trying to come out, a little bit of pink could be seen but then it disappeared again.

The deer have come back or at least out of hiding.  I saw at least 10 of them.  Not sure of the count because the first few I saw it was still dark out and I could just see the whites of their tails as they ran away.

There were quite a lot of people out around the lake considering the weather and it is Monday.

The other day I mentioned there were 9 footbridges I walked over on the connect the path route.  The route around the lake has 7 of them.  Before I even get to the lake I walk over 5 and there are 2 at the lake, the red one and the cement one.  Then there are 7 short little wooden bridges like this which just go over a low wet area.  All the bridges are well maintained.
I walked through the apartments again on the way home and also through the liquor parking lot to see if there were any coins.   There was, I found a nickel.
I walked 6.4 miles.
Sunrise 7:26
Sunset 5:08
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ken is home from work today taking a sick day.  He has a head cold.  He's been spending most of the day reading.

The fog is now gone but it is still cloudy and pretty dreary outside.

We finished the puzzle yesterday and took I it apart this morning.  I thought that was going to be the end of jigsaw puzzles for a while but when I put this one away another one caught my eye, so we are doing another one.  The one we started now is all comic books, but it should go fast because there are only 500 pieces in it.
I'm had to bake another loaf of bread in the bread machine.  We seem to be going through a lot of bread lately.

The major accomplishment for me today was getting the bathroom cleaned.  I don't mind cleaning sinks and toilets but I HATE cleaning our huge shower.  The whole thing is tile and I just hate it.  I'm sure I've mentioned that before!! : )  
Here it is, and I'm happy to say it is now sparkling clean once again.
I would rather have my old claw foot bathtub with a shower curtain around it like at the old house!!

I have a friend Sara-Jane who I've known since we worked together for about a year in our first jobs after high school.  I left to get married and moved away but we kept in touch for years with calls and letters afterwards and visited when I got back to town.  But then we stopped keeping in touch for the last 5 years or so, it may be even longer than that.  Anyway, I sent her and her husband a Christmas card with my email address and just today I got an email from her. : )  I was so happy to hear from her and to be back in touch once again.  It made my day. 

I finally got all those recipes moved over to Ziplist.  Now my next big computer project is to get all my books listed over at TheLibraryThing.  Some books have to be deleted because I know longer have them so it will take some time to get everything sorted out.
 
We've been enjoying watching a British show called Clatterford from Netflix.  It's about a bunch of women in a women's club in an English village . They are all a bit eccentric in their own way and its is pretty funny.  Has anyone else watched this show before?

That's about it for today.
Hope your Monday is a happy one.
Happyone : )
Go outside and walk a bit,
long enough to take in and record new surroundings.
Enjoy the best kept secret around.
The ordinary, everyday landscape
that touches any explorer with  magic.
~ John R. Stilgoe

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Corinthians


A quick walk around the lake this morning for me before church.  A warm but foggy morning and it continues the same into the afternoon.
Staying home this afternoon and finishing the jigsaw puzzle and then reading.  A nice relaxing Sunday afternoon.



 Enjoy your Sunday.
Happyone : )
 II Corinthians 5:17
 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,
he is a new creation:
old things have passed away:
behold, all things have become new.

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Drive through pizza

As usual I started my walk in the dark and it was 44 degrees out.  It was a cloudy morning with a bit of fog around.
I walked straight down the road and walked over to the little wetland park but passed it up and kept walking to the end of the road.  Then turned right and thought Gray Rock  was the next street over and just a block away.  I got that a bit wrong and instead of it being a block it was a bit over a half mile.  From there I walked home and my walk was around one giant block.  It was nice because I didn't have to do any backtracking at all. 
A road I walked along between the wetland park and the main road.  It should be pretty in summer with all the big trees.
Not very many people about this early Saturday morning and not much wildlife either.
It is always nice to be out there walking early in the morning and I had a great walk.

I went a little farther than I thought and walked 7 miles.
Found a penny on the sidewalk a few doors down from my own.
Sunrise 7:26 Finally a minute earlier
Sunset 5:06
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We were out and about doing a few errands.  Stopped off at the library and returned my book and a couple of DVD's.  No new books for me because I have two books out and they are both pretty big. 

I got some more recipes moved over and only have 9 to go.  I'm going to finish this evening.
 
Have you ever heard of a drive-thru pizza place?  Well, they have one around here.  Little Caeser's Pizza has cheap hot pizza you don't have to wait for.  Just drive up to the window and pick up the pizza.  That is what we did tonight for supper.  We brought our own sodas and ate the pizza in the car.  A large pizza for $5.  It was like a pizza picnic in the car.  We got a kick out of it. : )

Hope you did something fun today.
Happyone : )
Understanding a person does not mean condoning;
it only means that one does not accuse him
as if one were God or a judge placed above him.
 ~ Eric Fromm
Comment replies:
Auntie - No I don't carry mace or anything, just my phone and camera!  I've never had any trouble walking in all the years I've been.
No, I didn't call about the dog.  It wasn't a mean dog and I'm sure he went back home after chasing the deer off.  I think he lives along the path.
Please don't worry I'm really safe where I walk.

Friday, January 11, 2013

First book of the year

As I left for my walk this morning, Ken's parting words were, "Stay out of the lake today."  : )
30 degrees this morning and couldn't see the sunrise today - the sky was one big cloud.  I walked the connect the path with the trail route.  I like walking over footbridges and this route I get to walk over 9 of them.  Here is number 6.
I make a right turn right after the bridge which takes me on the trail behind the school.  Straight ahead is the school.

Only a couple of people out on the paths.
I was walking along a path and heard a commotion off in the woods.  I stopped to look and saw 4 deer running through the woods with a dog chasing them.  The dog gave up after a while and made it back to the path.  The dog ignored me and just ran up the path.  It is rare that I see a dog out on its own.  We have leash laws here and most people are good about keeping them.

I watched a hawk fly from tree top to tree top calling out until he flew away.  I've tried to identify what kind of hawk it is but haven't any luck and I can never get a good picture of it.

I walked 6.4 miles.
Sunrise -  you guessed it 7:27
Sunset - 5:05
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 I must have fell more on my arm than I thought yesterday because today my left arm is a bit sore.  No bruise though.

I went to the mall again this morning - had to pick up something that I ordered on Monday when I went.  I walked around there for just a little while doing some window shopping.  There was hardly anyone there.

I finished reading my first book of the year.
I read When We Were Friends by Elizabeth Joy Arnold.  Girlhood friends grow apart and years later meet again.  One asks the other to watch her baby for a few days.  On the news that night she hears a story that the baby has been kidnapped.  Some twists and turns in the story.  I thought the book was really good.

I transferred more recipes from MealsMatter into Ziplist this afternoon.  I don't know now many of done so far but I have 19 more to go.  I will sure be glad when I'm done.  Cutting and pasting gets a bit tedious after a while.

Still didn't get time to get to the loft but at least its up out of the way and no ones sees it.

It's Friday!!  Hope it was a good one.
Till next time....... Be happy
Happyone : )
We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come
as a result of getting something we don't have,
but rather of recognizing and appreciating
what we do have.
~ Frederick Keonig

Thursday, January 10, 2013

A slip in the water

40 degrees and the sun stayed out after it came up.  The sunrise was especially beautiful this morning.

I walked around the lake and once again I stayed on lower path all the way around and went off on the little trails whenever I could.  At one part on a trail where it went right down to the water there wasn't much of a trail left because the water level is high.  There were a few roots growing and being wet they were very slippery.  I looked at it, thought about turning back then said,  I'll just be careful.  Well I wasn't careful enough, I slipped and down I went landing on my backside with my feet going right in the water!!  I didn't get hurt just wet!  Thankfully it wasn't one of those real cold mornings.  I just continued on my walk with wet feet!  Of course I had to take a picture of where I slipped.
Surprisingly I didn't see any deer today again.  Lots of geese around and during the winter they usually stay in large groups but today they seemed to be starting to pair off already.  I saw some geese chasing others away and a few little scuffles between them.
With all the leaves off the trees during winter I notice a lot of birds nests.

After leaving the lake I walked down the road and then through the apartments and townhouses on the other side of the Giant again before getting back home.

My walk today was 13,431 steps.
Sunrise 7:27  No surprise there!!
Sunset 5:04
********************
My plan to go up to the loft and work up there right after breakfast never did happen.  I looked at the puzzle sitting on the table and did a little of that and then I saw my book sitting on the arm of the chair and sat down and read that for a while.  I received a couple of phone calls and then before I knew it, it was lunch time. 

I've been saying that I have to move over my recipes from MealsMatter to Ziplist by  January 15 when MealsMatter will no longer be available and now there are only 5 days left so I've spent awhile at the computer doing that and will continue doing that latter.  It is so nice being able to cut and paste so I don't have to type all the recipes in.

I also hung my clothes out on the line because it was a sunny day in the 40's.  Still have to get them in and fold them.  There are four of Ken's shirts out there which means a little ironing needs to be done yet!

So though I didn't do my plan for the day I was still busy and got stuff done.

Hope your day was and continues to be a good one.
Happyone : )
I'm just a simple guy,
I live from day to day.
A ray of sunshine melts my frown
and blows my blues away.
~ Led Zeppelin
Comment reply:
Vee - We thought the exact same thing about the puzzle pieces!