I decided to forgo the gym this morning because I just didn't want to leave the house. Instead, I planned to get a workout on my recumbent bike. But, ten minutes in, my bike died.
After checking, I found my current bike will be six years old in March. I paid around $100 for it on Amazon with free s/h and no tax. For less than $20 a year, I say it was a good investment.
So back to Amazon I went after doing an online search for the "best" recumbent bike. My new bike will be here Tuesday or Wednesday. It's $50 more than the old one, but supposed to be much quieter. Plus there's that nasty inflation thing.
But I'm really going to miss not have a bike this weekend. It's just so convenient to be able to go downstairs for a workout, especially when there are no classes at the gym and ice is predicted for the next three days.
If I get too antsy, I guess I can do some "old school" calisthenics. But, frankly, it's more likely I'll be taking a workout break and doing more crafting and movie watching. Not a problem since I have no doubt I'll be back at it when the new bike arrives.
May 2018
Friday, January 31, 2014
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Brrrrrrr!
I was cold all night and when I checked the thermostat this morning it's no wonder. It was 65 degrees!
The thermostat was set at 69 degrees, so something was clearly not working. My cousin, who owns a heating and cooling business, is here now and we should be comfy, again, soon.
I know we're in for at least 6-8 more weeks of winter-like weather, but I'm not looking forward to spring either. In spring 2013, our area was hit with numerous storms and several tornados.
Of course, summer in the St. Louis area isn't much fun either with extremely high temps and humidity. Guess I'll continue my search for a place that enjoys fall-like weather year-round and hope I can convince my grandsons's parents to move with us!
The thermostat was set at 69 degrees, so something was clearly not working. My cousin, who owns a heating and cooling business, is here now and we should be comfy, again, soon.
I know we're in for at least 6-8 more weeks of winter-like weather, but I'm not looking forward to spring either. In spring 2013, our area was hit with numerous storms and several tornados.
Of course, summer in the St. Louis area isn't much fun either with extremely high temps and humidity. Guess I'll continue my search for a place that enjoys fall-like weather year-round and hope I can convince my grandsons's parents to move with us!
Saturday, January 25, 2014
We're Back!
We just got back from our road trip to Destin, FL. We broke up the drive both ways with overnights in Birmingham, AL, on the way down, and Corinth, MS, last night. In Destin, we enjoyed five relaxing days and nights at the Henderson Park Inn.
Now it's back to reality with one day to restock the kitchen before frigid temperatures return to the St. Louis area. I'll do all I can to avoid leaving the house when the "feels like" is below zero!
Now it's back to reality with one day to restock the kitchen before frigid temperatures return to the St. Louis area. I'll do all I can to avoid leaving the house when the "feels like" is below zero!
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
As Different As Day Is To Night
I have two grandsons. Elliott will be eight on Valentine's day; Jonah will be four on March 13. Elliott is respectful of his elders and freely shows his appreciation for everything I and his papa do. Jonah is a completely different story.
Jonah has a "smart" mouth and attitude I've never seen in a preschooler. When he's in a good frame of mind, we have a great time. And I like that he often asks to do art and craft projects. But, like Jekyll and Hyde, he can change without warning and become a "devil" child. At those times, I feel as if I'm being emotionally abused by a three year old!
For the most part, Jonah and I had a good day yesterday and a nice lunch out at St. Louis Bread Company. He also went down for a nap with no problem. But then things went badly very quickly. After sleeping nearly 90 minutes, Jonah woke up mad and screaming. From what I could decipher, the problem was he was still tired but his blanket wouldn't stay put. The hysterics continued for a solid hour and, every time I tried to help, it got worse.
I have no patience for implementing a "time out" which always includes several minutes of major screaming and crying. Fortunately, my daughter is much better at this form of discipline. After picking up Jonah yesterday, she put him in three "time outs" within one hour!
Because it was such a rough end of day yesterday, I'm now closer to thinking Jonah needs to go to preschool full time next school year. At minimum, I'm ready for just one "Grandma Day" a week, which is what Elliott did his last year of preschool. It help him transition to full-time Kindergarten the next year, which would also be good for Jonah who hates school.
I'm going to give it a little more time and thought. But, odds are, I will have more time for chores, workouts, and hobbies next school year, which sounds wonderful!
Jonah has a "smart" mouth and attitude I've never seen in a preschooler. When he's in a good frame of mind, we have a great time. And I like that he often asks to do art and craft projects. But, like Jekyll and Hyde, he can change without warning and become a "devil" child. At those times, I feel as if I'm being emotionally abused by a three year old!
For the most part, Jonah and I had a good day yesterday and a nice lunch out at St. Louis Bread Company. He also went down for a nap with no problem. But then things went badly very quickly. After sleeping nearly 90 minutes, Jonah woke up mad and screaming. From what I could decipher, the problem was he was still tired but his blanket wouldn't stay put. The hysterics continued for a solid hour and, every time I tried to help, it got worse.
I have no patience for implementing a "time out" which always includes several minutes of major screaming and crying. Fortunately, my daughter is much better at this form of discipline. After picking up Jonah yesterday, she put him in three "time outs" within one hour!
Because it was such a rough end of day yesterday, I'm now closer to thinking Jonah needs to go to preschool full time next school year. At minimum, I'm ready for just one "Grandma Day" a week, which is what Elliott did his last year of preschool. It help him transition to full-time Kindergarten the next year, which would also be good for Jonah who hates school.
I'm going to give it a little more time and thought. But, odds are, I will have more time for chores, workouts, and hobbies next school year, which sounds wonderful!
Thursday, January 9, 2014
And. . .Another Snow Day!
I was completely and pleasantly surprised by another Snow Day today. It was supposed to be a Jonah Day. But, instead, it's 10:45 A.M. and I'm cross-stitching and watching Top Chef in my PJs.
And if the day couldn't get any better, I just checked and found out I have all the ingredients for an Easy Broccoli Quiche for dinner served with Apple Smoked Bacon and freshly squeezed orange juice.
Oh, and my Mighty Bright Vusion Craft Light arrived a couple of days ago, making hours of cross-stitching much easier. I thought it might be heavy, but it's not at all and provides just the extra light and magnification I need. Strongly recommend.
As long as the food holds out, I'm still very contend staying home until the thaw this weekend. Yay, Snow Days!
And if the day couldn't get any better, I just checked and found out I have all the ingredients for an Easy Broccoli Quiche for dinner served with Apple Smoked Bacon and freshly squeezed orange juice.
Oh, and my Mighty Bright Vusion Craft Light arrived a couple of days ago, making hours of cross-stitching much easier. I thought it might be heavy, but it's not at all and provides just the extra light and magnification I need. Strongly recommend.
As long as the food holds out, I'm still very contend staying home until the thaw this weekend. Yay, Snow Days!
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Final Snow Day
Today is another Snow Day due to the inability to get sidewalks and streets cleared because of the continuing frigid temperatures. It's the fifth Snow Day in a row and the final one allowed for the school year.
A total of six Snow Days were factored into the school year, which is normally more than enough. (The first one was used in 2013.) With the way the year began, however, odds are more Snow Days will be needed before winter is over. Which means, for every Snow Day needed after today, the school year will be extended.
If the school year is extended, it will go beyond Memorial Day. Therefore, since many families like to use the Memorial Day Weekend to take a week-long vacation while only using four vacation days, our area is probably in for a heated debate.
It's a no-win situation for the school district's administration. While no one wants children out in an unsafe environment, no one wants to change vacation plans either. No doubt there will be a lot of prayers for no more Snow Days this school year.
A total of six Snow Days were factored into the school year, which is normally more than enough. (The first one was used in 2013.) With the way the year began, however, odds are more Snow Days will be needed before winter is over. Which means, for every Snow Day needed after today, the school year will be extended.
If the school year is extended, it will go beyond Memorial Day. Therefore, since many families like to use the Memorial Day Weekend to take a week-long vacation while only using four vacation days, our area is probably in for a heated debate.
It's a no-win situation for the school district's administration. While no one wants children out in an unsafe environment, no one wants to change vacation plans either. No doubt there will be a lot of prayers for no more Snow Days this school year.
Monday, January 6, 2014
An Old Friend
Last Saturday was near 50 degrees, so hubby and I ran necessary errands, including grocery shopping, and celebrated our 41 wedding anniversary with lunch at our favorite steak house, Long Horn. I had a coupon for a free appetizer and, when the waiter found out we were celebrating, he gave us our choice of a free dessert. It was a delicious meal and perfect celebration.
Our gift to each other is a road trip to Florida in a couple of weeks. We've become less tolerant of cold weather as we've aged and hope to find some warmth waiting for us in Destin. The prediction is their sunny 50-degree weather will continue throughout January. We're "keeping our fingers crossed."
In the meantime, I'm still doing a lot of cross-stitching since we're on our third Snow Day in a row. I went through all my old patterns, most dating back to the 1980s, and picked out several to make for me and as gifts. And since I also have a sizable inventory of floss and fabric, I've been able to "dive in" without placing an online order or going to a craft store.
It's so refreshing to pick up a craft that requires no "updating" and very little supplies. Yes, some of my cross-stitch patterns are "vintage" now, but most, especially the holiday images, are just as enjoyable today as they were when I bought them decades ago.
So I've been enjoying the Snow Days with an old friend, cross-stitching, the perfect companion while sitting in front of the fireplace and watching a movie. Have I said how much I love Snow days? :)
Our gift to each other is a road trip to Florida in a couple of weeks. We've become less tolerant of cold weather as we've aged and hope to find some warmth waiting for us in Destin. The prediction is their sunny 50-degree weather will continue throughout January. We're "keeping our fingers crossed."
In the meantime, I'm still doing a lot of cross-stitching since we're on our third Snow Day in a row. I went through all my old patterns, most dating back to the 1980s, and picked out several to make for me and as gifts. And since I also have a sizable inventory of floss and fabric, I've been able to "dive in" without placing an online order or going to a craft store.
It's so refreshing to pick up a craft that requires no "updating" and very little supplies. Yes, some of my cross-stitch patterns are "vintage" now, but most, especially the holiday images, are just as enjoyable today as they were when I bought them decades ago.
So I've been enjoying the Snow Days with an old friend, cross-stitching, the perfect companion while sitting in front of the fireplace and watching a movie. Have I said how much I love Snow days? :)
Friday, January 3, 2014
Another Snow Day
No school, again, today because 20 buses wouldn't start and the air brakes on 85 buses didn't work due to frigid temperatures. And it's doubtful there will be school on Monday. We're expecting 8-12 inches of snow this weekend and more below zero and single-digit temperatures into early next week.
Hubby and I will be running necessary errands tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to eating out. But I'm also looking forward to the possibility of another "home alone" day on Monday. It would take much more than three days for me to get "cabin fever!"
Today I completed all the 2013 tax documents for the business. I closed the books on March 30 but had to wait until now to file taxes. I'm so happy to finally be 100% done with the business paperwork.
I also worked out, took all the ornaments off the tree (the only holiday decor left), stripped the bed and washed the sheets, watched more YouTube videos, and did more cross-stitching. I love Snow Days!
Hubby and I will be running necessary errands tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to eating out. But I'm also looking forward to the possibility of another "home alone" day on Monday. It would take much more than three days for me to get "cabin fever!"
Today I completed all the 2013 tax documents for the business. I closed the books on March 30 but had to wait until now to file taxes. I'm so happy to finally be 100% done with the business paperwork.
I also worked out, took all the ornaments off the tree (the only holiday decor left), stripped the bed and washed the sheets, watched more YouTube videos, and did more cross-stitching. I love Snow Days!
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Snow Day!
So far 2014 has been great!
The highlight of New Year's Day was surviving a 60-minute step class at the gym. The rest of the day was spent putting away more Christmas stuff, getting out a few Valentine's Day decorations, and continuing the craft-room cleanup. In between, I worked on cross-stitch ornaments.
I used to do a lot of cross stitch many years ago, and still go back to it now and then. Recently I was inspired to pick it up, again, after watching an episode of My Little Pink Cottage on YouTube. The timing was great because I was looking for a handcraft I could do in the car. Stitching away made the 5-6 hour trip to and from Chicago fly by, which was wonderful. We're planning a much longer road trip in two weeks, so now I'm set. Especially since I just ordered The Mighty Bright Vusion Craft Light!
So the first day of 2014 was fun and the fun continues in day two. Today was supposed to be a Jonah Day, but instead it turned out to be a Snow Day. In other words, my vacation from watching the grandsons was extended.
I'm loving my time alone today with no need to go out in the snow and cold. I'll be working out soon and then plan to spend the rest of the afternoon in my craft room with regular breaks for more cross-stitching.
Yep, so far the year is going great!
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| The Mighty Bright Vusion Craft Light – Bright light and magnification for crafting on the go! |
I used to do a lot of cross stitch many years ago, and still go back to it now and then. Recently I was inspired to pick it up, again, after watching an episode of My Little Pink Cottage on YouTube. The timing was great because I was looking for a handcraft I could do in the car. Stitching away made the 5-6 hour trip to and from Chicago fly by, which was wonderful. We're planning a much longer road trip in two weeks, so now I'm set. Especially since I just ordered The Mighty Bright Vusion Craft Light!
So the first day of 2014 was fun and the fun continues in day two. Today was supposed to be a Jonah Day, but instead it turned out to be a Snow Day. In other words, my vacation from watching the grandsons was extended.
I'm loving my time alone today with no need to go out in the snow and cold. I'll be working out soon and then plan to spend the rest of the afternoon in my craft room with regular breaks for more cross-stitching.
Yep, so far the year is going great!
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