Updates

Spring break is over and so is the warmer weather. Snow flurries are predicted for this weekend.

While we were enjoying spring-like weather, I was motivated to workout more. In addition to my gym classes, I did a 5K walk the past two Saturdays, one on the elementary school track and the other on the walking path at Forest Park. My plan is to keep doing a weekend 5K whenever possible. Unfortunately, given the forecast, that means using the gym's indoor track this weekend, which doesn't excite me. At the gym, it takes 25 laps to complete a 5K, which makes me feel like a hamster just going round and round!

I continue to do well with my goal to read more. I'm currently a third of the way through my third library book. I truly hope this pace continues and reading becomes a big part of my life. It's nice to have a hobby and interest that doesn't have to cost a thing to enjoy, and takes up little-to-no room!

It's a convoluted story as to how it happened, but we will be taking another trip in 2015 despite wanting to primarily save money this year. However it's an extremely affordable trip. We'll be driving to Keystone, Colorado, in June where we've reserved a condo at a great price. I'm told the weather is typically delightful in the mountains that time of year, especially compared to hot humid Missouri. I hope so because our plan is to do a lot of hiking and perhaps some biking.

In addition to the above, and normal cooking, cleaning, and keeping up with the laundry, I've been purging and updating my spring/summer wardrobe. When the nicer weather is finally here to stay, I don't want to waste time finding something to wear. I love that 85% of my warm-weather clothing budget went to workout cloths.

And that's my update. Happy spring!

Enjoying Spring Break

I'm loving Spring Break. I've been staying up as late as my body allows, and haven't set my alarm since last Thursday. And the weather's been absolutely beautiful.

"Eggs Ala Round" by Cheryl Granda
contains 45 DMC colors, nine
metallic thread colors, and 11
different mini beads. 

I walked the outdoor track Saturday and today, and enjoyed Monday's gym class. I've also been doing some spring cleaning in between watching the last two seasons of The Closer. Today I cleaned and stored the flannel sheets, electric blanket, and room humidifiers. I also put away my winter shoes and pulled out all my sandals.

While watching television, I've been cross-stitching a large Easter project. It won't be finished by this Easter, but I always enjoy stitching a seasonal project while in the season.

I'm also nearly finished with my first library book, with three more to enjoy right after. I'm feeling very good about going back to real books. I think there's a good chance I'll be reading a lot more than I did when I was depending solely on digital books. I'd missed the gratification of actually seeing how much I've read. And spotting a good book sitting on the nightstand or family room table is much more enticing than seeing an iPad or Kindle. Plus it's nice to hold an actual book.

Unfortunately, tomorrow will not be so much fun. I have a two-hour dental appointment. One filling will be replaced with a new filling and another with a crown. The only upside is the crown will be cast while I wait, eliminating the need for a second appointment.

I should be finished by 1:00 P.M. when, if I'm feeling alright, I planned to get a milkshake before heading home. And that's when Spring Break fun resumes!

Cinderella

Yesterday I treated myself to an Imax viewing of Cinderella. And I'm now a fan of the Imax experience.

Cinderella is a visually beautiful movie no matter how you view it, but Imax makes it even better. Imax makes the colors of the fairytale sets and magnificent costumes extremely crisp and saturated. And another benefit is the better sound system, which makes the dialogue and music clearer than what's offered in a normal theater.

At our neighborhood movie theater, Imax tickets normally run $5-6 more than the price of a normal ticket. Nevertheless, I'll be seriously considering that option, when available, in the future.

Happy 5 Birthday, Jonah!

Happy birthday to our five year old who makes me smile and laugh; who regularly tests my patience; and who constantly amazes me with all he knows and his above average language skills. Grandma loves you bunches and bunches!

Going Old School

Both of my children are English majors who do a lot of reading. It makes me feel guilty that I don't. But truth is I've never been a big book reader. I always feel I have much more important things to do such as cleaning, exercising, cooking, working in the yard, or running errands. And these days, whenever I sit still, there's always something I want to watch on television either through cable or Roku.

I had hoped I would read more before falling asleep at night by using my iPad. But it's just way too easy to exit the Kindle app to check email or Facebook or YouTube. And then one thing leads to another and another book is left barely read. Clearly digital books aren't working for me.

So over the weekend, after reviewing the list of recommendations I received from BookBub the last few weeks, I decided I wasn't going to "take the bait" and download more free samples or, worse yet, spend another $1.99 on a digital book I'll never read. Instead, I searched for the recommended titles on the St. Louis County Library website.

After finding several titles, I signed up for a library card and requested several books. And then I noticed the DVD section. Low and behold I can get the last two seasons of The Closer, no longer free through Amazon Instant Video, through the library!

Yes, I know what you're thinking. The library's DVD section is going to be my downfall. And you might be right. I do love being able to watch TV while cross-stitching, flipping through a magazine, or surfing the web. I'm nothing if not a multi-tasker – LOL.

But, nevertheless, with good intentions today I picked up my library card and one of the books on my request list. My goal is to finish the book before the sixth season of The Closer is available. Wish me luck!

Harry Potter Birthday Party

The Sorting Hat sorts Jonah
into Gryffindor house!

Jonah clearly loved his party.

Yesterday was Jonah's first friend birthday party. My daughter rented a room at our community fitness center and the theme was Harry Potter per Jonah's request.

Grandma and papa gave Jonah
the small trunk, which contained
Jonah's robe and tie.

Although most of Jonah's friends know nothing about Harry Potter, they seemed to enjoy the party. But what five-year-old wouldn't want to write with a feather pen at the Owl Post; get a magic wand at Ollivander's; plant pumpkin seeds in Herbology class; choose an egg with a dragon inside in Magical Creatures class; add food dye to 7Up in Potions class; and play "Hot Potato" with a snitch?

The only thing that really mattered, however, was that Jonah have a great time. And there's no doubt he did!


(Hubby and I were only able to take a few photos and, apparently, we had no time to focus – LOL!)

Winter Boredom

I love being home and have a lot of hobbies, but I'm slipping into a funk. I'm so tired of winter!

It's too cold to start spring cleaning, which, for me, means washing windows and airing the house out. It's also too cold and muddy to do anything in the yard, especially with Jonah. And Jonah and I are both bored with all of our indoor activities.

In two weeks, my daughter's family is driving to Orlando for a week in Disney World, so I'll be getting a break soon. But I still have to entertain Jonah today and two days next week. Yikes! I'm having trouble amusing myself these days much less a soon-to-be five-year-old!

Our weather is supposed to get up in the 50s on Saturday, and pretty much stay in the 50s and 60s the rest of the month. That has to mean we'll soon be saying goodbye to winter. I can't wait!

Amazon Frustration

I started watching The Closer after seeing Whiplash because I was so impressed by J.K. Simmons' performance and wanted to see more of him. I was thrilled to find all seven seasons available for free through Amazon Instant Video, and had been watching episode after episode every chance I got. Last night I was well into Season 5.

But, sadly, today I found Amazon is no longer offering episodes of The Closer for free. I suspect it's because J.K. Simmons won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, and others want to see more of his work too. In other words, Simmons made The Closer popular, again, and Amazon is taking advantage of the situation.

I'm thrilled Simmons won the Oscar. In fact, yesterday I watched Whiplash, again, through Amazon, and enjoyed it just as much as I did the first time. But now I'm also frustrated that the win has made The Closer no longer freely available.