WHAT A WEEKEND!

We went to Austin this weekend for 7 year old BD party. Pics are coming, but wanted you all to know that we traveled "Incognito". The kids live right by the world famous "Lake Austin Spa". We didn't want the paparazzi going crazy when they spotted us!

SUNDAY REFLECTIONS

My dear sweet friend sent this my way. It touched me deeply. God is so faithful!

James 1


1James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad:
Greetings.
2My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
9Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 10but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. 11For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.
12Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

MAD WOMAN!!!

HOW I wish that I could post pictures today! Hopefully help is on the horizon with my laptop!

One morning this week as I left for my early morning run at 5:15 AM, I happened upon the "DEVIL" in my front yard. He is a short little creature with a look of a pre-historic monster! A long cylinder shaped body covered with armor and short legs ending with razor sharp claws, he looks like a drunk robot toddling around.

As I walked out the front door, I immediately noticed the DEVIL had once again been digging in my flower beds. He makes round holes-pushing aside the pinestraw and then throwing dirt as he literally digs up entire plants in his quest for his dinner. The plants probably will not survive as he cuts their long roots which work to sustain them. I AM NOT HAPPY! NO NOT HAPPY IN THE LEAST!

I then glance over into the front lawn and there the "Devil" is leisurely throwing grass divots-completely unconcerned with the light I have turned on or me. Like a mad woman-I TAKE OFF! He may not can see well-but he manages to duck under the thick shrubbery while I am in hot pursuit -throwing my arms and screaming at him.

It is a stalemate. It is too dark to find him in the deep shrubbery and I am short on time for my rendezvous with the Running Buds. I back out-muttering under my breath. And then like the STUPID creature that he is, he runs out and across the drive directly in front of me. I GUN IT! The MIGHTY stallion beneath my foot my weapon of revenge. UNFORTUNATELY HE GOT AWAY!

I am sure BC wondered "WHAT IN THE WORLD IS SHE UP TO NOW?" In actuality he could sleep through a tornado and never heard a peep. NOW THAT IS REALLY COMFORTING-my knight in shining armor doesn't hear me yelling in the front yard nor gunning my Explorer down the drive.

I am planning a party for Mr. Dillo next week. I have invited Mr. Smith and Mr. Wesson.

OCD 101

I had pictures down loaded and all ready for today's post as well as tomorrow's-BUT I continue to have technical difficulties! Are you so young that you don't remember watching television and all of a sudden the picture disappears? Within seconds, you would have this picture appear on the screen of a drawing and these words "We apologize for the interruption of your viewing program. We are experiencing technical difficulties." I NOW REALLY UNDERSTAND JUST WHAT THEY ARE SAYING, "The stupid computer broke and we do not have a clue where to even to BEGIN in trying to fix it. We will have it back on as soon as we call the computer geek."

My computer crashed and I am back up and running-but with some problems still! ANYWAY-today's intriguing visual post-will just have to wait!

For all of you "Fellow OCDers" out there-I have a question. Are you able to leave town without cleaning your house and having your yard in tip top shape? You never know-you might die before you get back and THEN WHAT WILL PEOPLE THINK if you left dishes in the sink, dirty clothes, unmade beds, and a dusty and not clean house! They will get the hint of what is to come when they pull down the drive and the grass is not mowed nor or all the flower beds weeded. SO in the grand scheme of ALL OCDers-----I never leave town-even if I have to do without sleep without EVERYTHING SHIP SHAPE and READY FOR INSPECTION!

It's an illness-------REALLY!

DEAR DIARY

Friend Tracy sent this along-I actually have seen it before----but still laughed. Please read my comments at the end:

Dear Diary,

For my birthday this year, my husband purchased a week of personal training at the local health club.Although I am still in great shape since being a high school football cheerleader 43 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try.I called the club and made my reservations with a personal trainer named Christo, who identified himself as a 26-year-old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swim wear.Friends seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started! The club encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress.

MONDAY:Started my day at 6:00 a.m. Tough to get out of bed, but found it was well worth it when I arrived at the health club to find Christo waiting for me.He is something of a Greek god-- with blond hair, dancing eyes, and a dazzling white smile. Woo Hoo!!Christo gave me a tour and showed me the machines.. I enjoyed watching the skillful way in which he conducted his aerobics class after my workout today. Very inspiring!Christo was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time he was around. This is going to be a FANTASTIC week!!

TUESDAY:I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door. Christo made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air then he put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. His rewarding smile made it all worthwhile.. I feel GREAT!It's a whole new life for me.

WEDNESDAY:The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot.Christo was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered other club members. His voice is a little too perky for that early in the morning and when he scolds, he gets this nasally whine that is VERY annoying.My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Christo put me on the stairmonster. Why would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Christo told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. He said some other stuff too.

THURSDAY:Christo was waiting for me with his vampire-like teeth exposed as his thin,cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being a half an hour late-- it took me that long to tie my shoes.He took me to work out with dumbbells. When he was not looking, I ran and hid in the restroom.. He sent some skinny girl to find me.Then, as punishment, he put me on the rowing machine-- which I sank.

FRIDAY:I hate that Christo more than any human being has ever hated any other human being in the history of the world. Stupid, skinny, anemic,anorexic, little aerobic instructor. If there was a part of my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat him with it.Christo wanted me to work on my triceps. I don't have any triceps! And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't hand me the barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich.The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher.Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir director?


SATURDAY:Satan left a message on my answering machine in his grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not show up today. Just hearing his voice made me want to smash the machine with my planner; however, I lacked the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven straight hours of the Weather Channel..

SUNDAY:I'm having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is over. I will also pray that next year my husband will choose a gift for me that is fun-- like a root canal or a hysterectomy. I still say if God had wanted me to bend over, he would have sprinkled the floor with diamonds!!!

To begin with, if my husband bought me a week's personal training without me requesting it-He would have to pick himself up out of the deep well of silence that would ensue for about a week.

If you have never begun a new or better or additional workout program, this probably is not too funny. As for me, I have been in such bad shape after such an inauguration, that I had to use my hands to lift my legs off the bed and then S L O W L Y place my feet on the floor. With that accomplished, while holding unto the bed, I S L O W L Y put my weight on my legs-while screaming in pain. Then there is the process of walking while every muscle, ligament, tendon, and bone in your body screams NO NO NO Each and every move all day long is shear torture. You spend the day groaning, moaning, and dragging KNOWING tomorrow is another workout! Unless you have been there and LOVED hating the instructor and there peppy attitude and sparkling white smile-WELL YOU PROBABLY JUST DON'T GET IT!

MOMMA SAYINGS

Yesterday's post made me think of some of Momma's infamous sayings:

"You left good taste at home when you bought those shoes."

(Our first home)-"The house is nice, but you will never get your money out of it."

"You would think with all of that running that you wouldn't have those saddlebags on your thighs."

20 years ago-"I will be glad to pay for some plastic surgery for your face."

"All those years of wearing braces completely changed the shape of your face" (Not in a complimentary tone)

"You know when you were growing up I never allowed you children to act like yours do."

"Just what color is your hair?"

"Have you ever thought about getting a manicure?"

"Why would you have your hair cut like that?"

"Ladies don't sweat." (As I stopped by for a drink of water in the middle of a run.)

Momma was QUITE the character! Usually when she hit with one of her quips-I just stared in disbelief and stunned silence. There were times that I would just laugh and tell her, "You run your life and I will run mine." Momma believed in being frank-brutally frank-but woe unto you if you turned the table on her! Momma was a little woman-but she packed quite the punch!

SO GOES MOTHER-SO GOES DAUGHTER?

In a recent interview Patti Davis discussed her relationship with her Mother, Nancy Reagan. They went through LONG years of NO communication. It seems that as Patti matured, she discovered political differences with her parents. Living in Liberal California and being the age where she was more influenced by her peers than her parents, she not only disagreed with their philosophies,but did so in a very public way.

Nancy reminds me a lot of some very strong influences in my life, including my Mother. There is no way, but their way and don't you dare to disagree. The difference in opinions was bad enough, but the fact that Ronald had high political aspirations compounded Nancy's disapproval of her daughter. It was one thing to disagree with her, but then to also take public shoots at the man she loved-that was the last straw.

At any rate, Patti said the tide finally turned when she apologized to her Mother. The relationship was not automatically healed, but the process began. The bridge that finally spanned the river of anger and hurt was President Reagan's illness. The family pulled together to love and support him and Mrs. Reagan during those difficult years. How well I remember Mrs. Reagan breaking down at her husband's graveside and the embrace of her children as her grief poured out.

Mother/Daughter relationships are an interesting study in mankind. I have listened to my friends as they have spoken of their Mothers. One common theme I hear between the lines is that we all desire our Mother's love, approval, and blessing. They are the MOST IMPORTANT relationship in our life. As that relationship goes-so goes our relationship with so many others. Unless we make a conscious effort-the natural path we follow OFTEN is the one learned at our Mother's Side.

Do you think of your Mother and how she has influenced your life? What are your thoughts on the importance of our relationship with our Mother?

CASH FOR CLUNKERS!

One of my Running Buddies-LOVES to share some choice forwards with me. She obviously gets droves of them and only sends along the best ones. Today's JEWEL begged to be shared. It is so applicable not only because I am aging-but also made me think of running! ENJOY!

IF MY BODY WERE A CAR... If my body were a car, this is the time I would be thinking about trading it in for a newer model. I've got bumps and dents and scratches in my finish, and my paint job is getting a little dull. But that's not the worst of it. My headlights are out of focus, and it's especially hard to see things up close. My traction is not as graceful as it once was. I slip and slide and skid and bump into things even in the best of weather. My whitewalls are stained with varicose veins. It takes me hours to reach my maximum speed. My fuel rate burns inefficiently.

But here's the worst of it --

Almost every time I sneeze, cough or laugh, either my radiator leaks or my exhaust backfires.

POST SCRIPT-

Over the years of running, I have had many a close call while sharing the highway. Today I finished my run alone and came the closest I have EVER come to kissing the fender of an auto. The good thing about running in a group is that we are more visible. I was finishing -just as twilight was appearing. Part of our group are gone, one dropped out sick today and the other two stopped at their cars-a quarter of a mile before my car. As I came to the off ramp for the interstate, I noticed the ramp had the red light, so I had the right of way. The street that they are intersecting is one way-South and I am running North-against the traffic. The black Lexus driven by a blond lady came speeding up the ramp and she looked left-but never even glanced my way. She finally stopped when I let out a yell as I darted over a lane to get out of her way. CLOSE -----VERY CLOSE! SO CLOSE-that I think she might need to get her roots done!

A FEW GOOD WOMEN!

I am having technical difficulties-so the pics I planned to post -for some strange reason will not upload. HELLO BLOGSPOT PEOPLE!!!!!!!

Today I began the slow task of picking my mileage up on my weekly long run. It was SUCH a wonderful morning with a temp of only 65 and lower humidity. A good day to begin! We ran 7 miles today with a beginning in the early morning blackness with a canopy of stars over our heads. When the moon is at it's end phase, and the sky is at its blackest the stars are most visible and appear to be diamonds glittering on a black velvet sea!

I have begun the process of "thinking" about another marathon. I would really love to run one more since I am now 60. I wonder what % of the female population over 60 ever run a marathon? If I could accomplish this-I feel I would be in a small segment of the population that cross that finish line. Marathons are a HUGE mental game. The first step is to convince yourself that you can indeed cross that line.

The initial step in the preparation is getting the ten mile base necessary to even BEGIN to train. I started down that road this morning. The most difficult thing about the training will be the fact that I will pretty much train alone. I did train mostly alone for the Houston marathon, but Babs always ran the first part of the runs with me while training for the half. I am by far the slowest in the group now and so even if the group trains, I will be on the road alone. That in itself makes the training even more daunting.

For today, I am just working on getting the 10 miles necessary to begin the journey. 7 miles down and 3 more to go!


SIDE NOTE--------I wrote earlier this week about my armadillo problem in my garden. Mr. dillo has paid repeated visits and done LOTS of damage to my new garden. I AM NOT HAPPY WITH MR. DILLO. Last night I had "Dillo Patrol". I slept on the couch where I could see the garden and looked out every 15 minutes all night long -trying to spot him.

I'm not sure what I would have done if I had spotted him since it would not be a good idea to shoot a gun right in front of the house with sprinklers and rocks and concrete-etc etc etc. I've got a new long handled shovel-Thanks to BC-so maybe I could just bang on his armor covered body and chase him off. Let your mind wonder and just image the sight of me out there with my night shirt chasing Mr. Dillo down the drive with a long handled shovel-I AM CERTAIN -YELLING every step of the way. NOW THAT WOULD BE A PICTURE!

ARE THEY CIRCLING!

There are days in my life that I think the buzzards are circling. Do you EVER feel that way?

TOAST?

My legs are toast! Wait a minute ---just what the heck does that mean? Well my workout week started with Saturday's long run-merely 6 miles in this horrible humidity! Sunday we went on a little bike ride at 3:00 PM in the 90+ degree heat for about 12 miles on my hybrid (three times the work as a road bike). Monday was our 5 mile fun run AND Mr. P90X Torture that afternoon-including an ab workout AFTER the hour back/shoulder/arm workout (This involved EVERY other set being push ups). Tuesday was an OFF day with only a 5 mile walk. Yesterday was another 4 1/2 mile Run in the Sauna and then Mr. P90X's leg workout which involves LOTS of lunges and squats followed by the ab workout. A bike ride was scheduled for today-but my legs have HAD IT!

When I called Babs to beg off, I told her my legs were toast. Where in the world did that saying come from?? Another English idiom that I could not find an explanation for. I looked at the picture below from the Houston Marathon Finish and decided that my legs did not look like toast at all. They felt like a bowl of jello! Quivering-without shape and barely holding the mold! At this point-it was a struggle to even lift my leg-much less keep it moving forward-DEFINITELY a bowl of jello-IN FACT-jello that was not set yet! Perhaps even "My legs were jelly"-but TOAST? I DON'T GET IT!

NOW REALLY DOES THIS LOOK ANYTHING LIKE A TIRED LEG??

MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT DARING!

As I have explained before, the middle of the night awakenings can lead to some funny conversations between BC and me. About a week or so ago, as we began one of our midnight musings, the subject of tattoos came up. Tattoos have become a "sign of the time".

During our early years, the only tattoos you saw were on ex-sailors or someone of a rather rough background. Today-it is more rare to NOT see tattoos on people. How do you decide what you want to tattoo and how do you decide where you are going to put it? Let's face it you are going to be looking at it FOREVER. Well depending upon where you put it! I think some might disappear with time or perhaps you will loose the ability to see them-depending upon their placement.

At any rate, we started laughing about what we would have tattooed on us and where we would place it. I think we were in agreement that it would have to be placed in a discreet spot. No angel on our shoulder or butterfly on our backs. It probably would not be a good idea to have a heart with someones name in it-you know you might "Heart" someone different one day. When I looked this up on line-I found that butterflies are the most popular tattoo for women. Now I LOVE butterflies and grow flowers that attract them. Perhaps a well placed butterfly would not be so bad.

We then started thinking about what happens to your skin and body with age. The poor butterfly could become a distorted pre-historic looking creature. One wing higher than the other and a sagging antenna on one side. Your "Body Art" could turn into a "Vaudeville Comedy Show".

And then we ended our chat, with what the mortician would say when they discovered the hidden "Art" and what it had turned into. Can't you just hear them? "HARRY, COME HERE! YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE WHAT SHE HAS ON HER REAR!"

The night ended with, "You go first and I will too." YEAH RIGHT-THAT'S GONNA HAPPEN!

Post Script- MOMMMA IS ROLLING IN HER GRAVE FOR ME EVEN MENTIONING THIS!

MY NEW TOY

I bought BC an I Phone for his birthday a couple of years ago. I AM SUCH A THOUGHTFUL WIFE! I watched and coveted those couple of years-but the I Phones were expensive! My razor phone would text-ever so laboriously- and make pictures and videos-but that was it!

Finally I saw advertised the I Phone for $100. THE PRICE WAS RIGHT! I asked BC for an I Phone on a special occasion. I think he OBVIOUSLY forgot my request. I took things in my own hands and did the deal!

I LOVE MY I PHONE! I am able to watch my stocks, access the Internet, and email-to just get started. I am in the process of deciding what APPS (Applications) I am going to put on it. It is LIMITLESS what you can put on it! I already have the Bible downloaded including daily readings. You can get exercise apps, food apps, game apps, and ON AND ON AND ON! It is a laptop held in your hand!

The one downside that I have noticed is the screen does not lock for a couple of minutes. That means if it is stuck in your pocket or purse certain buttons can get pushed by accident. It seems I called Camille at 6:30 this morning. Most have been when I stuck the phone in my purse when going to exercise. SORRY CAMILLE! I am looking for a solution-if you happen to know one.

LOVE LOVE LOVE my I phone!

UNWANTED DINNER GUEST!

GUESS WHO HAS BEEN DIGGING IN MY GARDEN LOOKING FOR HIS SUPPER!!!!!

IF HE IS NOT CAREFUL, HE MAY END UP STARING AT THE STARS!

BLOOD IS BLOOD!

I walked in the door from my early morning run all ready and convinced what I was going to write about today-"The Idea of A Group". Certainly a good topic--but I read an email that I received that immediately changed my mind. It started me thinking about "Blood" or "Family" ties. IS THERE EVER A STRONGER LINK TO ANOTHER HUMAN? I think not and the closer the relation-the stronger the tie.

Perhaps it is the fact that you have endured life together. I had to smile when I thought about my brothers. Our strong tie is probably due to the fact that we survived our up-bringing together. When we are together and reminisce-some things are really only funny to us. I have noticed that about my own children. For some strange reason, they all seem to remember events in a totally different way than I do. I remember the first time they all ganged up and made some "Cute" comment about me-all agreeing about some quirk in my personality. I WAS SHOCKED! Then I started remembering my brothers and I laughing about MANY of Momma's quirks (that is putting it kindly).

The tie-it comes from "Living Life Together". The Good, The Bad & The Ugly of day to day family dynamics and trying to survive each other. I love to tell that if I EVER have cancer in my arm it will be caused from my older brother hitting me EVERY time he walked by me (always out of Momma's sight). He laughs and says that we would all be sitting watching television and for NO reason, I would yell and tell Momma he was hitting me. OHHHHHHHH-was he in trouble. I honestly don't remember doing that--but if I did-HE DESERVED IT! I was probably remembering all the punches while Momma was out of sight! I always felt like my younger brother's protector while living at home. He was special and sweet and we kept each other's secrets from Momma. He will be the "Baby" until I leave this Earth.

The fact is that I love my brothers dearly and would do anything for them. I know they love me and would defend me and stand by me-No Matter What the circumstances. It is a tie that I have with no one else-except my children (Blood Again). What a wonderful gift and blessing!

SUNDAY IN HIS GARDEN!

"You care for the land and water it;

you enrich it abundantly.

The streams of God are filled with water"-Psalm 65:9

"Shout with joy to God, all the earth!

Sing to the glory of his name;

offer him glory and praise!" Psalm 66:1-2

"Come and see what God has done,

how awesome his works in man's behalf." Psalm 66:5

And the Angels Stand Watch

ANOTHER FAVORITE-TWO SCENES

The above scene while certainly romantic is of a married dance student and his single instructor. Romantic-but troubling!

This next scene gives us all hope and reminds us of what is right and good in life.

BREATHLESS!

While flipping through channels, I came across "Scent of a Woman". I stopped for one of my VERY favorite scenes in any movie is the "Tango Scene". SO ROMANTIC- SO SENSUOUS-LITERALLY BEAUTIFUL. I find myself holding my breath the entire scenc with a little smile on my lips and a flutter in my heart. It lives me desiring resurrecting my old ballroom dancing skills and sharing a dance. I am quite sure it would leave me breathless!

FIFTEEN MINUTE MEAL!

I put my chef's hat on last night and tried a new dish:

GARLIC/TOMATO/FETA SHRIMP PASTA

Cook 1 # of peeled shrimp with 5 cloves chopped garlic and 1/2 c. white wine in 2 T. EVOO until shrimp is pink. (About 3 minutes)

Remove shrimp with slotted spoon-leaving drippings.

Cook pasta-I used red pepper linguine (beauty is this only takes 3 min to cook)-but you are free to use whatever pasta you prefer and plain pasta/wheat pasta/or vegetable pasta.

While water is coming to a boil for pasta, place 1 chopped whole tomato (or 3 Roma's), 1 can rotels or any other preferred chopped tomato (Italian/Hot/Mild/Whatever) 1 t. oregano and 1/2 t basil (if I make this again I will not measure these, but play with adding until I get my taste) and another T. of EVOO. NOTE-if you put the herbs in-say the last 2 minutes-you REALLY get the flavor and I personally think chopped fresh herbs would be best. Saute for about 10 minutes.

Toss together the shrimp/sauce/pasta/ and 6 oz of feta cheese and serve immediately .

DELICIOUSIO!!!!

I KNOW WHO YOU ARE!

One of the little dealies on the right side of my blog shows you a "Traffic Report". Not only does it show me where you are coming from, but the route that you took to get here. That means if you linked to me from another blog, I can see that. It also means that if you Googled a subject that brought you to my blog, I see what you were searching for. This brings me to today's Post:

The MOST frequent random search (Not looking for my blog) on Goggle that brings people to my blog is:

OLD LADY STRIPPING

Now we KNOW that the WWW is full of perverts! The searcher puts in Old Lady Stripping in the search engine-HEAVEN ONLY KNOWS-what he thinks he is going to find and it brings him/her to my blog.

Why you might ask? Back during the winter months, I wrote about a Saturday long run when I started with multiple layers of clothing and took the outer layers off as I warmed up. The title of my blog was catchy-----Saturday Strip Tease-----the ONLY PROBLEM is that I seem to have CAUGHT a BUNCH of perverts! You do understand the connection--Old Lady Athlete--------Saturday Strip Tease---natural path to Old Lady Stripping

SHAME SHAME SHAME- I know who you are and where you live! One more search like that and I am going to call your Momma!

SADISTIC!

I have told you that I am on a quest for better fitness after months of being "OFF" for various reasons. I made the MISTAKE of telling Friend Sonja that I was tired of being "SQUISHY"! She took it to heart and is on a MISSION to help me meet my goal. SOMEDAY I WILL LEARN TO KEEP MY BIG MOUTH SHUT!

Her daughter found the "P90X" workout on E Bay for a FRACTION of the original cost. We ALL know how this happens! It looks great on the late night promos and we KNOW that we can achieve the same results SO we fork over the ENTIRE 3 or 4 "Manageable" payments on the ROAD TO FITNESS AND A GREAT BODY! We get the device-DVD-whatever in the next week. We try it once-MAYBE even twice! It then goes on the shelve and we still owe 3 THREE more payments. It sits on the shelf for a year or maybe two and we finally sell it on E Bay. Personally the Conville's have an entire room upstairs dedicated to these machines, devices, and DVD's. All I have to say is that you ALL know I go to bed early-SO without incriminating anyone- let's just say I DON'T WATCH LATE NIGHT TV. I DIGRESS!

On our quest for the HARD BODY, Sonja decides we will do the P90X video 3 times a week. OF COURSE, we will still continue to run, walk, and bike or whatever other FUN workouts we have scheduled-or better yet-WE WILL CONTINUE WITH OUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED WORKOUTS!

We are in our second week of Mr. Tony's workouts. A NEW FORM OF TORTURE! I can't do the entire video yet-MUCH TOO HARD! I HAVE THOUGH LEARNED TO LOVE HATING Mr. Tony and his crew of SHOW OFFS! REALLY-could you tell me why they never have some slug like me with squishy flesh and an untoned body on them? OH NO-they put these Freaks of Nature with the perfect bodies on there. It keeps me pumping and sweating just out of PURE LOATHE for almost all of them. TWO things irritate me the most:

Mr. Tony's VOICE and ENCOURAGEMENT ? and BANTER. AS SOON AS WE LEARN ALL THE MOVES we have all agreed the MUTE button goes on.

The Blond that just loves showing off and then helps the MEN up after a set. SUCH A SHOW OFF! She does this one move where you start standing with your arms over your head-you drop down to the floor (in a smooth rhythmic move) and go flat, you then bring both legs off the mat and straight up into a thrusting kick and then you SMOOTHLY roll all the way up to a standing position-NO HANDS and Start the move over. NOT EVEN WITH A CRANE COULD I DO THIS! I don't like to judge others instantly-BUT I KNEW FROM THE BEGINNING- I DON'T LIKE HER!

Anyhow-you are guaranteed a well toned body in 90 days! Sonja told me her daughter looks great and is hard as a rock. OK-NOW LET'S THINK ABOUT THIS-her daughter was already in GREAT shape and she is young enough to be my daughter and she has always been an athlete. I AM SURE I will look JUST LIKE HER after 90 days.!

At any rate, I would advise Mr. Tony to lie low-if I see him walking down the street, I may muster all the strength I have to SEND HIM INTO ORBIT! THE BIG SHOW OFF!

LOUISIANA'S ANSWER TO WILDFLOWER MEADOWS!

The wildflowers in Washington were truly beautiful. We also grow wildflowers here in Louisiana The only thing is that in the long hot days of August-it has literally gotten TOO hot for many of the plants and the long dry days take their toll also. We do have another growing season here in Louisiana that we seem to have perfect conditions for currently. I live in the deep woods with the forest floor thick with the thatch which has accumulated over the years. The past couple of weeks have produced summer thundershowers which result in a sauna like atmosphere. Perfect conditions for the beautiful mushrooms to pop through the deep carpet. Who knew that fungi could be quite so beautiful!

They look good enough to eat----HUMMMMM!

SUNDAY THOUGHTS!

I finished reading Ortberg's Book, "The Life You've Always Wanted" this past week. A great book well worth your read. I first heard about this book from Brother Len during one of his sermons. Since I had already read a couple of Ortberg's books, I decided to order this one. BC and I then began reading this book together while traveling the roads to Austin. I have never been able to read in the car since it produces a little motion sickness, BUT made the wonderful discovery that when reading aloud I do not get queasy. I believe the secret is in the fact that I hold the book in front of me and am able to look out at the horizon. ANYWAY!

The last chapter of the book talks about the experience of suffering. I have suffered-we ALL have suffered, BUT I cannot imagine suffering without my faith. My faith enables me to endure my suffering. Ortberg addresses the growth that often accompanies periods of suffering, BUT the fact remains that we must still suffer. IT IS PAINFUL!

The Truth that has sustained me is that God loves me beyond my wildest imagination. He and He alone is faithful and never changing. We all experience days that would be unbearable-except for His sustaining presence. I am blessed and thankful-God is Here!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JULIE!

Happy Birthday, Julie! Julie works with BC and is quite the girl. She has helped make his life more manageable and has a heart of gold! I could not tell you how many times BC has come home to report that Julie is working on some special project for him or that we have gone by the office on the weekend to find Julie toiling away. She is a jewel.

BC and the women that he works with are family. That is as it should be since they spend MANY more hours together than they spend with their families. That is the nature of the beast that we call work. Long 10-12 hour days are made more bearable by having a great group to work with. BC is a lucky fellow-having SO many women concerned with making his life better!

Yesterday was Julie's special day and as is tradition they have lunch together at the office and make a fuss over the "Birthday Person". So since BC sent these pictures to me, I thought it appropriate to also wish her "HAPPY BIRTHDAY"

Many happy returns of the day of your birth:

Many happy blessings to brighten your pathway on earth;

Many friendships to cheer and provoke you to mirth;

Many feastings and frolics to add to your girth.

OLE!

LARRY'S LOVE AFFAIR

Running Buddy, Larry, has a new Love-his BRAND new Toyota car. Larry's truck was a 91 and had 150,000 miles on it. He was DEFINITELY ready for a new ride. The Powers that be in an effort to stimulate the automobile industry and in hopes of cutting the need for foreign oil have put into action the "Cash for Clunkers" program. I am not really sure about the reasoning behind this program, but I AM delighted that Larry was able to benefit from it.

As discussed in a previous post, men have an on-going Love Affair with their automobiles. BC is religious about washing and keeping his wheels clean. He just groans when he sees me put plants, pine straw, bikes, etc etc in the back of my SUV. My philosophy is that cars are tools to help me enjoy life and make living life easier-THUS I USE MINE! I like for my car to start every time I go out and crank it and I basically keep it clean-BUT I am not obsessed with it and every other vehicle that might tickle my fancy. ANOTHER BIG DIFFERENCE IN MEN AND WOMEN! You know Men are from Mars or some such silliness!

I DIGRESS-we all LOVE Larry's new little car----but I am thinking it needs a name. Got any ideas?

IN CASE YOU WONDERED:

YES-the bear DOES poop in the woods as evidenced by this scat full of animal bones found along the trail.
ONE of the questions that has been asked about our hiking trips is just WHAT do you do about bathroom needs when MILES away from civilization? Let's just say that Mount Baker OFTEN gets a view of the Moon!

As Forest Gump so well put it, "And That's All I've Got To Say About That!"

MOUNTAIN ANGELS

We made an important discovery while hiking this year, our US Forestry Service would be in BIG trouble if it were not for the "US Forestry Service Volunteers". Each visitors center that we visited while planning our hikes were manned by "Forestry Service Employees", BUT the best information we received came from the "Volunteers" that we ran into.

It seems that if you have the summer free, and qualify, the US Forestry Service will give you a place to live in the US Forest in exchange for "Volunteering". What a wonderful opportunity! Most of the volunteers we ran into were filled with a wealth of information about the local trails, since they were frequenting them while also "Working". Interestingly, we met one man and all the rest were women. What does that tell you?

The man we met was a volunteer along with his wife. He is mostly confined to the "Visitor's Center" now since he has been diagnosed with Parkinson's. They were BY FAR one of the most interesting couples we had ever met. There adventures included HER hiking the ENTIRE Appalachian Trail. He told us that he started out with her, but did not enjoy it. It seems he felt TOO Closed In. She told him she was enjoying it and he then became her supply wagon meeting her at designated points and bringing her supplies. He then became a courier for all the hikers along the trail-bringing them supplies and ferrying part time hikers back and forth. It sounded like a GREAT adventure!

Their adventure that was truly amazing was biking from coast to coast ONE YEAR after she learned to ride a bike. The journey took ten weeks and included a foray into Canada to get better views and roads. They biked through Glacier-where we hiked last year.

This was only the tip of the iceberg when it came to their lifetime of adventure. They now have a home base in a Denver Condo, but enjoy the great outdoors as much as possible. They have taught their children and grandchildren the same love of the Great Outdoors and NOW have a great-grandchild to begin working on.

The Forestry Service website has this to say:

If your schedule allows – for example, if you're retired or have summers free – you may even have the unique opportunity to live in a national forest while working as a Forest Service volunteer. If you are a college student, you may be able to obtain college credit for volunteer service through your school

My hat goes off to these "Mountain Angels" who went above and beyond the call of duty to help make our trip a huge success. Who knows - one of us may end up in one of the volunteer positions one day!

THE TRUE MASTER GARDENER

The MOST fascinating part of this year's hiking trip was the visual feast of wildflowers! I CANNOT begin to tell you how abundant the meadows were with every color bloom imaginable. One of the things that I find most interesting is the babying and coddling that my plants receive with a LONG growing season and they don't begin to compare to the beauty of these wildflowers which have a VERY short growing season and are grown in bad soil at best with no outside tending. It makes me realize that "The Master Gardener" of creation has the "Greenest Thumb" of all.

Below is a SMALL sample of the daily banquet enjoyed by us all: