Appalachian Trail Week 4

Michele and I are finally even in our quest to virtually walk the Appalachian Trail.

At week 3 I not only caught up with her but zoomed ahead. Michele claims she was sitting in meetings but she probably just figured I wouldn't put the hiking boots back on and catch up.

At week 4, we're pretty much even. So far we've walked 156 miles from the start of our journey. I am a little concerned about our hiking outfits. Why is Michele outfitted as a hiker with a walking stick and backpack while I'm dressed in a skirt with heels and shopping bags.

There is no stopping the competitiveness in either of us. After last week's finish in first place, I've now dropped to a head hanging 6th place. But Michele spent the week hiking at Crater Lake. Heels or no heels, I'm trudging on and trying to keep up.

James Taylor Concert

Cross off another item from my 2018 bucket list.

My cousin Gary and his wife Lee Ann are big concert goers. My thought was to attend at least 2 concerts this year. James Taylor has been one of my favorites since I was a teenager and his concert didn't disappoint. He sounds exactly like he did back in the 70's.

Gary, Lee Ann and I spent a bit too much time at Harrah's and didn't get to the Sprint Center until 10 minutes before the concert started. But what a great plan, mistake, whatever you want to call it. We walked right in the front door and to our seats - no lines, no waiting - just as the lights went down and James Taylor came on stage. The first part of the concert went rather slow, not a lot of his more famous songs. But let me tell you, the drama began about an hour into the show. (For the more squeamish, you may not want to read the rest!) The person sitting 2 seats down from me got ill - I mean throw up kind of ill. I feel sorry for the man sitting in front of her. The smell was about to kill me. Maintenance finally showed up and used this nauseating odor fresh that nearly gagged us to clean it up. There was no way possible to take a breath between the mixture of odor fresh and vomit. I was texting my friend Trish during this time and started my uncontrollable laughter - the kind where tears were streaming down my face. The lady in front of me was ready to call security on me and the lady behind me was wanting to know what I was on. For such a nasty experience, it was so funny. I blame Trish for the commotion.

The silver lining - the seats next to us were empty which gave us a lot more seating room. Those people never showed back up. Since Bonnie Raitt had to cancel (medical reasons), James Taylor did a performance, took a break and then a second half. Much better! All the songs I remembered. Add to that his back drop was a constant change of pictures and videos from the past. I highly recommend going to see James Taylor if you have the chance. Just don't text Trish while you're there. Take her with you instead!

Weekly Fitbit Results - FIRST PLACE!

Bruce may have spent most of last week in a car driving to Chicago but I pounced on the opportunity to "step" it up and took first place in last week's Fitbit standings.

I've been walking each day along the Little Blue Trace trail that runs behind my neighborhood. It's a little over 2 miles from my front door up to Lee's Summit Road then around the trail to the back entrance of the subdivision and back home.

I ran into this guy during one of my walks. This is probably the one and only time I'll be in first place unless Bruce decides to spend more time helping Courtney refurbish her new condo or Michele takes off and walks the many hiking trails across the United States. Plus I can't take the pressure of trying to keep up with either of them. I'm ready to slide back into my comfortable 70,000 steps a week.

Virtual Walk - The Appalachian Trail

Michele and I are walking the Appalachian Trail - virtually.

Each week Michele takes our Fitbit steps and photoshops a picture of us on the trail. She has already passed into North Carolina. I'm still in Georgia but only 6 miles behind her.

I slipped behind due to painting my house and not wearing my Fitbit but I'm back on track and got my Deep Gap/Plum Orchard badge. Now that I'm getting closer to her, it really gives me motivation to keep walking. I'm hoping to pass her but that might not be the best idea. I'm more a follower than a leader. I'll get us lost!

Maryellen for Mother's Day

Guess what I got for Mother's Day?

That's right. All the hinting I did paid off. Maryellen (the American Girl doll born in 1954) is now mine. I was telling Violet that now I have to go back to Chicago so I can get Maryellen a bed. Too bad I'm not crafty like Michele (this is another hint, maybe Michele will make Maryellen some 1950's outfits!!)

Earlier today I had just enough time to plant the remainder of my petunias in my new plant chairs and add them to my serenity garden.

Then it was off to Harrah's for dinner at the steak house. Violet asked when it was kid's day and Melissa and I both told her the same thing - Everyday is kid's day. So Happy Mother's Day to me! Thanks Melissa, Jamie, Violet and Lincoln for Maryellen. I love her!

The Color Run 5K

I don't do well with 5K runs. My first 5K was in 90 degree heat.

Today's Color Run 5K started with sprinkles, then down pours, then sprinkles and down pours again, ending with the sun shining 5 minutes after we completed the race.

The Color Run is an untimed event in which thousands of participants (and there were thousands there) are doused from head to toe in different colors at each kilometer. My first thought was being doused in liquid paint. I had no idea it was powdered dye. At the final station, the powder was so mixed with the rain, you were actually walking in goop.

One of the last stations was a "foam" station. You passed under a unicorn archway where foam was shooting out of machines. Add this to the powdered dye AND the rain and the fun never ended (she said sarcastically!)

Needless to say after all the obstacles, I finished. For being such a well-known event, they were extremely unorganized. But at least after this event, they did have water available in bottles and from the sky! I think I prefer walking around the neighborhood compared to organized events. I seem to have more luck!

Violet's Pre-K Graduation

No longer are cap and gown companies confined to the high school and college graduation market. Now they cover kindergarten and Pre-K.

Violet has officially graduated from pre-school or as the new generation calls it "Pre-K".

As far as graduations go, it was typical. Instead of speeches, the kids sang songs. Instead of handing out diplomas, the teacher asked each student what they wanted to be when they grew up. Your heard a lot of repetitive responses. Either the student didn't know what they wanted to be or when they heard the kid in front of them, they forgot what they were going to say.

Even Mia got a diploma. Violet was so surprised to see Mia at her graduation in a cap and gown. I snuck her in without Violet knowing about it.

Nothing says graduation like cookies and Trish went all out and got the cutest graduation cookies. I didn't know whether to eat or frame them. (Guess which I chose and, yes, these are the cookies!)

So this Fall Violet goes to kindergarten. I wonder if Melissa will let her ride the school bus. I can already see the tears streaming down Melissa's face. Congratulations Violet!

Yard Art and Spring Flowers

I must admit I'm a yard art junkie. I love decorating for Spring almost as much as I love decorating for Christmas.

I've got porch railing planters, bicycle planters, bird bath, hummingbird feeder and various other planters full of petunias, my favorite Spring and summer time flower.

My back porch has this cute lady bug that hangs from the ceiling and is equipped with solar lights for the eyes. My fire truck that Karen gave me is also solar powered. During the day the wheels spin from the solar energy. I finally got my pink flamingoes (there are 2 of them). These are also solar powered and provide a nice pink glow at night.

I call this my serenity garden. It's almost impossible to plant any flowers here because the tree roots have overtaken the whole area. So I'm content with gnomes and painted rocks.

With the new coat of paint, nice landscaping and a few new fixtures, my house is the nicest on the block, or at least I think so. I tell myself there's enough in the yard but already my mind is thinking of things I still need. I may need professional help!

Parks, Bass Pro and Cold Stone Creamery

This afternoon it was just me, Violet and Lincoln. After having lunch with Melissa and Jamie, we took off for the park.

I chose this particular park because it had more shade. We definitely went straight from winter to summer. Lincoln has no fear when it comes to jungle gyms. The posted signs say these structures are for children between the ages of 5 and 12. Good thing Lincoln can't read.

Rope based playgrounds are replacing the old fashioned monkey bars we knew as kids. I was reading how experiencing risk is an integral part of a child's healthy physical, mental and emotional development. I guess anything that gets your kid out and away from their gaming device is good. Violet and Lincoln love going to the park and they play on everything available.

After the park, we went over to Bass Pro. Violet was sure they had an indoor playground. But after we walked the steps about 4 times, the information attendant told us there was no indoor play area. Violet was thinking of the areas set up during Halloween and Christmas. We did see these giant fish which scared me. Violet and Lincoln were afraid to stand too close to the tank. Before heading back to my house, we stopped at Cold Stone Creamery and spent another 30 minutes at the park next to it. Violet and Lincoln never slow down but once again, I need a nap.

House Painting and a Fairy Garden

Mark one more item off my bucket list of things to do in 2018. With the help of all my kids, I finally got my house painted.

We started off caulking every seam and nail hole we could find over the entire house. That took a day and a half.

Then Jamie and Michael used a sprayer to paint the majority of the house, cutting down the time to brush the spots the sprayer couldn't get. Melissa, Ashley and I painted the front porch, porch railing and trim we could reach. Going back with the same colors gets a little confusing at times but the end result was worth every back breaking moment.

And what's a new paint job without new lights and ceiling fan on my deck. Ashley and I installed the new light (easy stuff). Michael and Jamie had a little difficulty trying to install the new fan. After several attempts at rewiring, they finally realized they only needed to pull the cord.

Trying to do all this with kids gets a little chaotic. Violet's being silly here taking a break to play the Memory game with Lincoln and Melissa.

But Violet deserved the break after all the time we spent making a fairy garden. I've been collecting fairy garden items for the past month. Everyone seemed to think I had way too much stuff. But as it turns out, Violet and I had to make a list of things we still need to complete our fairy garden. 

I should be kind to myself and take a break before starting anything else. But there's flowers to plant and yard art to set out, plus I need to put my Fitbit back on and start walking again. For the the rest of today I think I'll watch Judge Judy and start again tomorrow!

1,000,000 Steps

The year isn't half over and I've already hit half my goal of 2,000,000 steps. I'm currently at 1,010,153 steps.

Along with counting steps I've been trying to eat healthier. My diet is my version of Atkins - reducing the number of carbs. This is one of my breakfast choices, scrambled eggs, sausage patty, tomato and avocado.

One of my favorite lunch or dinner selections is this shrimp, lettuce, tomato and avocado salad. Michele was here this past weekend and I gave her one of my Atkins "Mounds" bars. She liked it in the beginning but the after taste stayed with her until she could wash it away with a Yogurtini! I'm going to continue counting the steps and occasionally throw in a few of my favorite carbs. Wish me luck!