Back to the Gym

After months of procrastination, I finally went back to the gym.

Michele has a new challenge for us. It's a 52 Hike Challenge Adventure where you take at least a mile hike each week for a year. I'm not much of a hiker, so walking the treadmill, walking trails at parks or just walking around the neighborhood will have to work for me.

My favorite part of the gym is still the hydromassage chair. I forced myself to do my full body 30 minute workout then walked a mile on the treadmill just to relax and enjoy this hydromassage chair for 10 minutes. Today is only day 1, let's see if there's a day 2! 

Sunday Showcase - Fireplace

Since the fireplace is all repaired I figured I go ahead and use it as this week's Sunday Showcase.

These candlesticks are something I stole from Melissa years ago. This is the second set of candles I bought before finding the perfect color to match my furniture. The digital photo frame is an Aura - Oprah's favorite choice. Not much more to say about a fireplace except it looks beautiful!

Sunday Afternoon at the Mavericks Hockey Game

KCP&L puts together occasional events for the retirees. This month's outing was the Mavericks Hockey game. Although only 10 people signed up to go it was fun to be back watching the boys beat each other with sticks.

I have't been to a Mavericks game since Jamie and I had season tickets when Violet was little. But it was a nice afternoon to spend with old friends. 

Cracked Fireplace Tiles

After I moved in I noticed a crack in one of my fireplace tiles. When I pointed it out to the builder, he found another tile with a small crack.

Well today the tile guy came to replace the tiles. Instead of replacing the whole tile, they just replace the small cracked piece.

I'm so glad my OCD kicked in and I had everything covered up. My housekeeper is going to kill me when she sees the amount of dust all over my living room, entry, kitchen and dining room. Thankfully I shut all the other doors. Time to get out the wet rag and start wiping things down. Geez!

Goldie's Mimi Part II

Seems as though MaryEllen isn't the only one wanting to use Goldie's mimi.

Everyone should have their own blanket by now but nothing like the coziness of a new mimi! 

Monthly Van Horn Lunch

After skipping a couple of months due to holidays and snow storms, the small group of Van Horn alumni got together for lunch.

There's always that one person who wants to continually take pictures. I was talking with the girl next to me while she kept yelling for me to look at her and smile. Not only did she capture my "how do you like this" pose but she posted it on Facebook. Remember the good old days when capturing a memory was waiting for the picture to appear on your Polaroid print? 

Sunday Showcase - Master Bedroom

When I closed on my house I made all the arrangements to have my bed delivered and set up so even though things were still in boxes, I'd have a place to sleep. Never did I dream (no pun intended) that it would be one of the worst nights of my life. Not even the 4' hill and 6' privacy fence could block the blinding spotlight from the parking lot behind my house that blazed into my eyes all night long. It was like living in Alaska where the sun NEVER sets.

So the next day the black trash bags went up on the windows until I could decide on window coverings. That was another daunting task. I really didn't know what I wanted. I finally decided on the Levolor blackout cordless blinds in a graphite color. It may have taken a few weeks but I finally got to spend a night in my room in total darkness.

Next was a little controversy between Melissa, Jamie and I on where to hang the canvas 3 piece print. Melissa and Jamie thought over the bed would be the best place. I wanted to hang it on the wall by the door to give that empty space dimension. Of course my choice won but I wonder when Michele comes what she might say. Oh well, for now the master bedroom is complete.

Crochet Projects

I am on a roll...either that or my life is extremely boring!

Not only did I finish Goldie's mimi (MaryEllen was sad to see it go)...

I also made a new hanging dish towel with a crocheted top. On to the next project!

Goldie's Mimi

I may be 6 weeks late but Goldie's mimi is finally finished.

I'm not sure MaryEllen wants to give it up!

Shoveling the Driveway

This is worth every penny of the HOA fee I pay each month.

Need I say more?

Bouncy Baby Baby Baby.......

Goldie is a rather fussy baby. Whether it's being the 4th child or just her age, one of the best ways to keep her happy is to walk and bounce her in your arms. This reminds me of an episode of Friends where Rachel wakes her sleeping baby and Monica reads in a book to swing and bounce the baby to stop her from crying. She keeps repeating "Bouncy Baby Baby Baby". So that's what I do with Goldie.

Michele called while I was walking around the house and Goldie was intrigue listening to Michele's voice over the phone. Michele then reminded me to take a selfie of me and Goldie for my blog. I quickly hung up the phone and took the selfie not even thinking of putting Goldie in a better position for the picture. This is an effort of bouncing, walking and taking a selfie all at the same time.

Being only 6 weeks old, this only works for a short time so Hazel took her turn. Being only 2 (almost 3) this worked for an even shorter time!

Storm Drain - Check

I can mark another thing off my list of things to be completed on my house.

The City of Lee's Summit spent most of the day lowering the storm drain which was causing a delay in the construction of the retaining wall. The height of the storm drain was at least 4 feet off the ground. If, and I do mean IF, that storm drain was ever necessary as it was originally installed, we'd all be in trouble.

Might be a time when Noah's Ark would be helpful.

Sunday Showcase - Guest Bathroom

This Sunday's Showcase is dedicated to Michele. It's my guest bathroom. This beautiful Levelor blind is a sea mist color (mint green) and opens from either the top or the bottom. It pairs well with my new shower curtain and Cariloha towels. BTW, I could get a good color picture with my camera. Believe me, it's gorgeous!

When I first moved in Michele was with me and had to carry a black trash bag with masking tape to cover the window whenever she wanted to use the bathroom. The window is much lower than a standard window and she didn't want to give the neighbors a show. Me, I could care less what the neighbors might think since there's greenspace and no house next to mine. Besides, if all the neighbors have to do is wait for me to go to the bathroom then they need to find a new hobby.

Christmas and Birthdays and Bears....Oh My!

The Taylors and I met up with Teresa for lunch so she could see Goldie.

Melissa and Teresa also exchanged late Christmas and birthday presents. Violet, Lincoln and Goldie cooperated for a picture but, of course, Hazel changed her mind at the last minute.

After lunch we headed to Build a Bear. I always buy each new grand baby a Build A Bear with a birth certificate with their name and original birth date. This was great when Violet was a baby. One baby, one Build a Bear. This time around it was one baby, three extra kids, four Build a Bears. Notice Hazel is smiling in this picture. She named her Build A Bear "Flamingo" because the bear has a flamingo on its shirt. Who knows the mind of a child.

It could have been five Build a Bears but I resisted the urge to get one for myself. I don't know who was having more fun, me or the kids.

Meet Lily, Luigi, Flamingo and Goldie Celine!!!!! Lily has glasses just like Violet. Luigi is on a skateboard, Lincoln's new adventure. Flamingo is....well she's Flamingo. And Baby Goldie is decked out in her new onesie. Now if I could only put them to work!

Building the Retaining Wall????

Is it possible the builder is finally starting on the retaining wall behind my house? I've looked at dirt clumps and dead roots since I moved in. It's hard to believe that progress is being made.

I left the house yesterday because the noise was just horrendous and the workers cut my cable line. No TV and all that noise.....no way! Today I see rocks, blocks and workers. What could it be but the retaining wall? I'm a little worried about the backhoe driver. He speeds so fast behind my house to the staging area in the side yard. I keep thinking he's going to clip the side of my patio. I'm sure they're professionals (fingers crossed).

Sunday Showcase - Plants

Since it's winter and I hardly do anything, I decided to do a "Sunday Showcase" on my new house. 

Two years ago the kids bought me this plant stand in anticipation of moving to my new house. It turned out to be a beautiful anchor for my plants. While some of the plants didn't make the move, I believe there's just enough left to make this arrangement look attractive.

New Year's Blog Resolution

If you follow my blog you know I've spent the past several hours trying to catch up 2 month's worth of posts. I could give you a list of reasons why I don't keep it updated. I forget to take picture. I don't feel like posting that day, etc, etc, etc.

So I'm going to make a resolution to TRY and keep my blog updated for 2022. Maybe I need to refill my Post It Notes and put some all over the house and in my car. Maybe then I'll remember to take pictures of all the mundane stuff that happens in my life.