Hello,
Early tomorrow morning I will again leave for Brian and Jen’s house. This time I am going to give them some time on the weekend to get some projects done. Rather I think it is Brian who has the projects. Because of childcare and other duties he has not managed to get them done.
Things I should have done earlier because of going. I was going to get my hair trimmed, but thought I had plenty of time. Because I am changing the style a bit the stylist told me that I could/should have a trim for $5. Well she only works late today, I had someone in the house when I could have first called, and I will be gone tonight. I just got brave and cut off those front side hairs myself. I believe it was an ok job. At least there is no longer any hair there to fly out to the sides with great abandon.
This morning I called a friend who also has a daughter who lives in the same area that Brian does. Would you believe that her husband said, “She now just left for Minnesota.”
Why didn’t I call yesterday as soon as I knew I was going to go? But then I had not yet started to plan. Maybe another time we can combine trips as I travel past a great place where we could meet.
I also should have cleaned the house a bit earlier. I got the basement done as well as one room on the main level. I guess the rest is just going to have to stay dirty.
On the plus side, I made bread yesterday, granola and rhubarb crisp today. Also there is a pot of beans so Leroy will have something to base his meals on.
He should just be lonely on Friday/tomorrow. As Saturday he will have a bike riding group in the morning and his brother-in-law’s birthday party in the afternoon. Sunday is always at least half full and the other days he will be working. My presence will not be missed so much as it is sometimes.
I just wish that I could wish myself in a spot and not have to do the six and a half hour drive. It is a bit of a long drive by myself, at the least radio works.
Paula
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Spring Day
Hello,
Rain was dropping on the roof and flowing down the gutters when we woke up. Leroy did his exercises and said, “I am going to walk. It is above 40 and there is no wind.”
We put on appropriate clothes, opened umbrellas, Leroy put on overshoes, and I put on sandals. It was a fine walk, but I have to confess that my feet were a little damp and cold by the end. “I can tell I do not use an umbrella very much,” Leroy remarked.
“Is your arm tired?” I asked thinking of my own tired arm.
We both switched many times before the two mile walk was done. But we were quite happy to have walked. The mowing crew had been in the park since our last walk. It was great to see that they did not mow off the wildflowers, but mowed around them. I am pleased. There is hope for the world.
We met a runner in the park. This guy must be a committed runner as he was wearing shorts, a short sleeved shirt, running shoes, and rain drops. There are some hearty people here.
Later the sun came out while it was still raining. I looked in all directions, but did not spot a rainbow. What a disappointment! However there is still beauty outside. The tree that provided such a great winter feast for the robins is in full bloom and it is covered. I am so impressed with it. When you look out the bedroom windows on the south side all you see are pink blossoms, a few leaves, and some small bits of branch.
Paula
Rain was dropping on the roof and flowing down the gutters when we woke up. Leroy did his exercises and said, “I am going to walk. It is above 40 and there is no wind.”
We put on appropriate clothes, opened umbrellas, Leroy put on overshoes, and I put on sandals. It was a fine walk, but I have to confess that my feet were a little damp and cold by the end. “I can tell I do not use an umbrella very much,” Leroy remarked.
“Is your arm tired?” I asked thinking of my own tired arm.
We both switched many times before the two mile walk was done. But we were quite happy to have walked. The mowing crew had been in the park since our last walk. It was great to see that they did not mow off the wildflowers, but mowed around them. I am pleased. There is hope for the world.
We met a runner in the park. This guy must be a committed runner as he was wearing shorts, a short sleeved shirt, running shoes, and rain drops. There are some hearty people here.
Later the sun came out while it was still raining. I looked in all directions, but did not spot a rainbow. What a disappointment! However there is still beauty outside. The tree that provided such a great winter feast for the robins is in full bloom and it is covered. I am so impressed with it. When you look out the bedroom windows on the south side all you see are pink blossoms, a few leaves, and some small bits of branch.
Paula
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Bocce and Bluebells
Hello,
In the late Easter afternoon, Leroy and I played a game of bocce. Leroy had requested it. I reluctantly agreed because I seldom win. Wow, the first game I not only won, but I won by a large margin. This is a great lawn for playing. We could travel quite some distance before we needed to turn around. On the second game Leroy was well ahead until the end where I mysteriously again got the closest throws and won that game too. Leroy declined to play another.
Earlier we had taken another walk through the park. I suppose that is our favorite leisure time activity. It is such a blessing to live close to this great resource. Many of the flowering trees have dropped all their pedals and moved on to growing leaves.
We were pleased to find those spring beauties in full flower creating a white carpet in many areas. Then we spotted some blue bells. Not so many of them as I suspect there is too much mowing going on most of the time. They are quite nice to see. Two new flowers put in an appearance, but we forgot to look them up in the wildflower book so I can not report their name. Right now I am not sure enough of my memory to use the book. Many of these plants have similar features.
There were several females playing Frisbee golf. All of them were on a team with guys, but at least some of them get out there. The skateboarders and bikes were on the ramps doing fancy stuff that scares me just to watch. Why more of them do not fall I am not sure. Actually I think I have not seen any of them fall over even though it is obvious that sometimes they flub the move. These two parks are used quite a lot as several groups have already had picnics. Now in Slovakia there would have been two or three times as many people but I am pleased that some people are getting out in this country.
Paula
In the late Easter afternoon, Leroy and I played a game of bocce. Leroy had requested it. I reluctantly agreed because I seldom win. Wow, the first game I not only won, but I won by a large margin. This is a great lawn for playing. We could travel quite some distance before we needed to turn around. On the second game Leroy was well ahead until the end where I mysteriously again got the closest throws and won that game too. Leroy declined to play another.
Earlier we had taken another walk through the park. I suppose that is our favorite leisure time activity. It is such a blessing to live close to this great resource. Many of the flowering trees have dropped all their pedals and moved on to growing leaves.
We were pleased to find those spring beauties in full flower creating a white carpet in many areas. Then we spotted some blue bells. Not so many of them as I suspect there is too much mowing going on most of the time. They are quite nice to see. Two new flowers put in an appearance, but we forgot to look them up in the wildflower book so I can not report their name. Right now I am not sure enough of my memory to use the book. Many of these plants have similar features.
There were several females playing Frisbee golf. All of them were on a team with guys, but at least some of them get out there. The skateboarders and bikes were on the ramps doing fancy stuff that scares me just to watch. Why more of them do not fall I am not sure. Actually I think I have not seen any of them fall over even though it is obvious that sometimes they flub the move. These two parks are used quite a lot as several groups have already had picnics. Now in Slovakia there would have been two or three times as many people but I am pleased that some people are getting out in this country.
Paula
Monday, April 25, 2011
Noisy Car
Hello,
On my way home from MN I felt that the car was making more noise than usual. It seemed to be concentrated in the left front area. At some point I even wondered if I had shifted out of the lower gears. Or rather that the car was not shifting up. But I could move easily at my normal speed so that did not seem like the problem. I could not remember hearing the noise on the way up. I wondered if the car were falling apart, but was philosophical about it and just turned the radio up a little more. What you can’t hear as well for four or five hours fades in importance. At least disaster did not seem to be imminent.
I mentioned the noise to Leroy, but he could not look at the time so, of course, we both forgot about it. I remembered the last time I was out and about. There was no noise when I stopped and it was not noticeable until I went over 30 mph. Sunday Leroy and I were in the garage getting weed pulling supplies when I again thought of it. I pushed against the left front fender and it moved. Leroy looked under the car and found a couple pins that hold it were broken. This morning we took the car to the repair place we have been using. The mechanic took about fifteen minutes to remove the old pins and put some clamps in holding it together. They did this work for nothing. We were very amazed and impressed.
I will say there is still some noise. Leroy said there was a crack in one part of it so I suppose the wind goes through more than usual. At least now I know for sure it will not fall apart. What a blessing!
Paula
On my way home from MN I felt that the car was making more noise than usual. It seemed to be concentrated in the left front area. At some point I even wondered if I had shifted out of the lower gears. Or rather that the car was not shifting up. But I could move easily at my normal speed so that did not seem like the problem. I could not remember hearing the noise on the way up. I wondered if the car were falling apart, but was philosophical about it and just turned the radio up a little more. What you can’t hear as well for four or five hours fades in importance. At least disaster did not seem to be imminent.
I mentioned the noise to Leroy, but he could not look at the time so, of course, we both forgot about it. I remembered the last time I was out and about. There was no noise when I stopped and it was not noticeable until I went over 30 mph. Sunday Leroy and I were in the garage getting weed pulling supplies when I again thought of it. I pushed against the left front fender and it moved. Leroy looked under the car and found a couple pins that hold it were broken. This morning we took the car to the repair place we have been using. The mechanic took about fifteen minutes to remove the old pins and put some clamps in holding it together. They did this work for nothing. We were very amazed and impressed.
I will say there is still some noise. Leroy said there was a crack in one part of it so I suppose the wind goes through more than usual. At least now I know for sure it will not fall apart. What a blessing!
Paula
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Bike Ride
Hello,
Yesterday I took my first bike ride downtown. It was a nice day and the Mississippi is to crest today so we wanted to see the high water. As always the ride down was a breeze as we flew downhill. The water did not look as threatening as it might. Most of the land next to the river is a pedestrian walk. There are a couple buildings close. One of them is elevated a bit and the other was barricaded with sandbags. Hopefully that will be enough to protect it. The water is about five feet above flood stage. The worst record here was ten feet above. That year the railroad bridge was closed and I could see why as the water seemed to be about a foot or two below. Perhaps it was more than that. We were standing a distance away. I have included a link to those pictures. https://picasaweb.google.com/psbradway/20110424?authkey=Gv1sRgCNPi2q6xwefEgAE#
Biking back up the hill required energy. I was ahead of Leroy when we started up. Besides that I was in a higher gear and I managed to shift smoothly so I did not lose any momentum, consequently I stayed ahead of him. I watched him a bit anxiously in my rearview mirror to see if he seemed to be in trouble. Because he kept coming so did I. It is so much harder to start up again on the hill. He said a the top when I really slowed for him, “I just could not get up any speed to catch you.”
That helps him to know what I felt like most of the time last summer when I was a block or more behind him. Once the steeper grade starts there is just no hope of catch up, survival requires all my energy.
I am also including a link for some more pictures of Logan. In one of them he is getting a bath. Jen’s mother had the suggestion of using a warm wet cloth diaper to keep him warm. It was obvious that he tolerated his bath very well. I hate to think of how many crying baby baths I have given over the course of raising three children. Such a simple solution that was in my command, but illusive because I did not think of such a thing!
https://picasaweb.google.com/psbradway/April2011LoganSophia?authkey=Gv1sRgCPKV_fzJlJTHUQ#
Paula
Yesterday I took my first bike ride downtown. It was a nice day and the Mississippi is to crest today so we wanted to see the high water. As always the ride down was a breeze as we flew downhill. The water did not look as threatening as it might. Most of the land next to the river is a pedestrian walk. There are a couple buildings close. One of them is elevated a bit and the other was barricaded with sandbags. Hopefully that will be enough to protect it. The water is about five feet above flood stage. The worst record here was ten feet above. That year the railroad bridge was closed and I could see why as the water seemed to be about a foot or two below. Perhaps it was more than that. We were standing a distance away. I have included a link to those pictures. https://picasaweb.google.com/psbradway/20110424?authkey=Gv1sRgCNPi2q6xwefEgAE#
Biking back up the hill required energy. I was ahead of Leroy when we started up. Besides that I was in a higher gear and I managed to shift smoothly so I did not lose any momentum, consequently I stayed ahead of him. I watched him a bit anxiously in my rearview mirror to see if he seemed to be in trouble. Because he kept coming so did I. It is so much harder to start up again on the hill. He said a the top when I really slowed for him, “I just could not get up any speed to catch you.”
That helps him to know what I felt like most of the time last summer when I was a block or more behind him. Once the steeper grade starts there is just no hope of catch up, survival requires all my energy.
I am also including a link for some more pictures of Logan. In one of them he is getting a bath. Jen’s mother had the suggestion of using a warm wet cloth diaper to keep him warm. It was obvious that he tolerated his bath very well. I hate to think of how many crying baby baths I have given over the course of raising three children. Such a simple solution that was in my command, but illusive because I did not think of such a thing!
https://picasaweb.google.com/psbradway/April2011LoganSophia?authkey=Gv1sRgCPKV_fzJlJTHUQ#
Paula
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Hair Issues
Hello,
Thursday was a bad hair day that lives on in memory. When I commented to Leroy about it I realized he has not had a bad hair day in years. No wonder he was so unsympathetic. What a luxury! But then I do not want to live with as little hair as he has his head. I used to have fewer issues when I had shorter hair. I suppose I could go back to that, but I have been told that I look better with longer hair. If I can believe what I see in the mirror I would agree that is true. But I miss those days of combing my hair once and that was good for the rest of the day. There are still some days I do not comb it, but just finger comb. If the curl is right it works until there is a stiff wind to blow dry it giving it an alternative look. Right now humidity is coming back and so is my big volumized hair. Someone wondered if I had had a haircut because it had curled more making it shorter. Sometimes someone will wonder if I have had a perm.
There are multiple products for curly hair such as anti frizz, shine, or sculpting. They might work well for some people, but I do not know what to do after I get them on my hair. There is one woman here who has curly hair. All she does is wash it, put on the product, and crimp it with her hands. Her hair always looks great and the same great. I on the other hand never know what my hair will look like from day to day. I should be grateful for surprises, right?
It is especially frustrating when my hair looks good before I leave the house and after I walk across the drive to church it will be totally rearranged by the wind whipping around the corner of the church. I always want to say to people it looked good before I left home, but that seldom happens.
Is Leroy lucky or what with such an uncomplicated life?
Paula
Thursday was a bad hair day that lives on in memory. When I commented to Leroy about it I realized he has not had a bad hair day in years. No wonder he was so unsympathetic. What a luxury! But then I do not want to live with as little hair as he has his head. I used to have fewer issues when I had shorter hair. I suppose I could go back to that, but I have been told that I look better with longer hair. If I can believe what I see in the mirror I would agree that is true. But I miss those days of combing my hair once and that was good for the rest of the day. There are still some days I do not comb it, but just finger comb. If the curl is right it works until there is a stiff wind to blow dry it giving it an alternative look. Right now humidity is coming back and so is my big volumized hair. Someone wondered if I had had a haircut because it had curled more making it shorter. Sometimes someone will wonder if I have had a perm.
There are multiple products for curly hair such as anti frizz, shine, or sculpting. They might work well for some people, but I do not know what to do after I get them on my hair. There is one woman here who has curly hair. All she does is wash it, put on the product, and crimp it with her hands. Her hair always looks great and the same great. I on the other hand never know what my hair will look like from day to day. I should be grateful for surprises, right?
It is especially frustrating when my hair looks good before I leave the house and after I walk across the drive to church it will be totally rearranged by the wind whipping around the corner of the church. I always want to say to people it looked good before I left home, but that seldom happens.
Is Leroy lucky or what with such an uncomplicated life?
Paula
Friday, April 22, 2011
Running Deer
Hello,
In the distance two deer were racing across the path. They paused, but bounded off as two more deer come running with white tails raised. That is unusual as they seldom seemed concerned by anything or anyone around them. In a bit a woman walking two quite large dogs came into sight. Could that be the reason for such movement?
Perhaps I should have run after the deer. I have been trying to earn points for the insurance company wellness challenge. So I have set goals and am keeping track of steps and distance. I also talked with a wellness coach because that too earns points. It seems the most serious lack in my exercise life is that I do not make my heart work very hard. Chasing deer around the park would probably help, but it would not help my psyche because there is no way I could get close to these critters. I recommitted to lifting weights on a schedule so I get it done more consistently.
There is rhubarb in the garden. It has been 12 years since I have lived with rhubarb on our place. I had forgotten about it, but Leroy has mentioned it. It is nice to again have it available. I will try to make something in the near future. That is where I miss those mulberries as they were nice addition to a recipe to cut back on the amount of added sugar to make it edible. I am no longer happy using much sugar and I do not want to use artificial sweetener. I suppose I could try to figure out how much honey to use, but it too is best used sparingly.
Leroy planted some seeds while I was gone, but so far we see nothing sprouting except weeds. I think it is too cold for much activity out there. Unfortunately the weeds are of the hardy variety. I also need to get to work on the flower beds as much of the green is really crab grass.
Paula
In the distance two deer were racing across the path. They paused, but bounded off as two more deer come running with white tails raised. That is unusual as they seldom seemed concerned by anything or anyone around them. In a bit a woman walking two quite large dogs came into sight. Could that be the reason for such movement?
Perhaps I should have run after the deer. I have been trying to earn points for the insurance company wellness challenge. So I have set goals and am keeping track of steps and distance. I also talked with a wellness coach because that too earns points. It seems the most serious lack in my exercise life is that I do not make my heart work very hard. Chasing deer around the park would probably help, but it would not help my psyche because there is no way I could get close to these critters. I recommitted to lifting weights on a schedule so I get it done more consistently.
There is rhubarb in the garden. It has been 12 years since I have lived with rhubarb on our place. I had forgotten about it, but Leroy has mentioned it. It is nice to again have it available. I will try to make something in the near future. That is where I miss those mulberries as they were nice addition to a recipe to cut back on the amount of added sugar to make it edible. I am no longer happy using much sugar and I do not want to use artificial sweetener. I suppose I could try to figure out how much honey to use, but it too is best used sparingly.
Leroy planted some seeds while I was gone, but so far we see nothing sprouting except weeds. I think it is too cold for much activity out there. Unfortunately the weeds are of the hardy variety. I also need to get to work on the flower beds as much of the green is really crab grass.
Paula
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