AWOL

I'm seriously remiss in updating my Blog! Oh the horrors. Where has the time gone? And why isn't it warm yet?!? Seriously, it feels like October instead of April. This is the winter that won't quit. I did notice after the rain this weekend that the grass is green now...isn't it weird how fast that happens? I've also noticed some buds starting to appear on bushes and trees. My day lillies and tulips are starting to come up more, too.

In other news, I've signed up to participate in the Winter Begone Duathlon on Sunday. I'm getting really nervous and wondering if I've lost my mind. This body isn't made for running so I'll be walking and running alternatively but mostly walking. The bike part didn't scare me until I heard about the route. I may be laid up after the event but by golly, I WILL finish!

In still more news, Murray and I had a great time at agility class last night. At the end of class, our instructor took us outside to work on the dog walk. Now, Murray had done this obstacle in the past but had grown fearful of it, and we hadn't been on it since. After trying to wrangle him across by the collar, I tried luring him more with the treats and placing them every few steps in his path. That worked much better! After a few tries, he was making it across with a jackpot reward at the bottom. Woohoo!! I was so proud of him! After class, Em and I took Frankie and Murray out to play disc and let them run around. Murray got the zoomies again and just flew around the yard. It was so fun to watch! I can't help but laugh when he does that. Frankie's tongue was hanging good after some throws with the disc.

I will try really hard to write more--at least once a week. I should be able to manage that! After this cruddy day, the rest of the week sounds just wonderful. Get out and enjoy it!

That's all until next time.

Denise

M.I.A. ?

I haven't quite gotten into the habit of blogging every day. Hopefully that will get better! It's BITTER cold here in Minnesota...it's -5 right now and going to get worse. Wind chills are around -15 to -20 and I guess tonight the actual temp is to drop to -20...that is just insane. I took Buddy to Maple Manor last night for our scheduled visit, stopped on the way home to weigh in at WW, dropped Buddy off at home, then headed to Wal-Mart for my routine payday shopping trip. I decided to get stuff done last night while I was out, as I don't want to go out again until Spring. Okay, so that isn't going to work. LOL And wouldn't you know, I forgot 2 things!! I may venture out tomorrow to take my car in for a service check--if I do, I'll stop on the way home for those items. Otherwise, I'm passing on the gym this week--will do my walking program at home inside, and some dumbbells. It's pretty pathetic when you look forward to the weekend because it's supposed to be near 30 degrees!

So far, the fitness plan is going well. I've been trying to eat healthier and build a stronger body with exercise. Lunch is a 2fer--I walk quite a ways to get to the onsite gym at work where they have a cafe with healthy food. Gotta love that!

Well, I don't have much more to talk about. And really, all that anyone is talking about is the weather around here. It's cold.

That's all for now...until next time!

Denise

I must be crazy...

Some friends of mine are participating in the second annual Triathalon this year at RochesterFest. I'm going to attempt to do a leg in a relay team--either swim or bike. What the heck have I gotten myself into? I've been doing Weight Watchers for about 2 years now and one thing (among many) that I need to do is exercise more. I joined the gym at work, which they competely rebuilt, and it's really nice--lots of equipment, space and help! Last night I went for my second workout. It is feeling really good to sweat and move more. I'm nowhwere near ready to do anything advanced regarding "tri training" so I'm taking it slow. I'm doing some cardio, strength training and stretching, which I read is the way to go. It's pretty intimidating--there are folks there who are really fit, and they're lifting weights, running and looking very much the picture of health. I just hope they don't see my red face and think I'm having a heart attack. (I get really flushed when I work out.) I did recently buy an MP3 player, and with newly loaded music, I really had a better time working out last night--the music is mostly hard rock/metal and some dance stuff. I discovered Rihanna's "Please Don't Stop the Music" has the perfect beat to walk 3.6 speed on the treadmill. LOL And Limp Bizkit's "One of Those Days" or something really helps work out some stress. =) So, here I go on my training endeavor. So far, I can still walk! =)
Happy New Year's everyone!!! Stay safe tonight, and hug or kiss someone you love.
That's all until next time.

Denise

Venting

I should have posted yesterday when this would have been more cathartic. (is that the right word?) Good grief, yesterday turned into a horrid day! Oh, it started out okay but as the day wore on, it got worse. A friend and I "had words" and I felt bad...I don't know if he did or not but we didn't email again the rest of the day. I was supposed to do something with my folks, and they came up, and the thing we were supposed to do didn't pan out. They spent the day shopping, which was good but I told them if they wanted to go home, they could, and they did but I was bummed about not seeing them. The thing we were supposed to do got messed up and I tried finding an alternative but that didn't work out, and the person who was supposed to set it up pissed me off even more. (grrr!) Never say "it can't get any worse"....because it can! I got home and vented to my dogs, as they are such good listeners. I went to the store to pickup my Christmas card photos, and much to my dismay, realized I'd forgotten my cats's names on the card. I picked up a few items, made another stop, and went home. Imagine my shock and anger when I discovered somedog had chewed my new TV remote. (double grrr!!) As I proceeded to yell at my dogs, I felt horrible. Then, later that night as I was taking the dogs out to potty before bed, one of them crapped in the house. He crapped again this morning, and he had crapped again the day before. I'm beginning to think he feels it is too cold to poop outside! So, as I clean up poop again this morning, I'm telling myself "today is a new day". So far so good! Do you ever feel like you are hosting a pity party for one? I do! Mom and I laughed about it when we talked on the phone. She said "well, buck up and try to get over it". My Grandma used to tell her to " just snap out of it". Easier said than done sometimes! Other things in my life aren't quite what I want them to be but I just keep going and try to make the best of things. It's hard some days.

The good news for today is I learned how to do some fun stuff with my page here, and learning something is always cool. =) We now return you to your regularly scheduled lives free from venting.

That's all for now...until next time!

I'm here at last

Blogs have been around for what...a year now? I don't even know but I've finally created one. (special thanks to Em for my inspiration!) Now that I'm here, I have blogger's block. LOL Is that a real phrase? Are we allowed to use text language here? So many questions, so much time. What can you expect from this blog? Probably lots of random thoughts, animal and pet posts, and other stuff I find interesting. We shall see.
Today, it's very white outside--here in Rochester, MN we got about 5 inches of snow overnight with a tad more expected today. HUGE thanks to my neighbor for snow blowing my sidewalk and driveway! It's winter in the Northland and the holiday season. Gosh, I love this time of year! Christmas songs playing, people shopping, decorating, holiday party planning, and the anticipation of going to my folks for Christmas Eve. Yay! This is by far my favorite tradition from childhood. It has morphed a bit but still brings back many happy memories. Perhaps in the upcoming days I will elaborate.
That's all for now...until next time!