06/11/19, Tuesday

1. Within Range: yes
2. General Wellbeing: 9 on SS
3. 10,000+ Steps: 9268
4. Fitness: walking
5. Self-Care: meditation in Sonnenberg Gardens
6. Fun: bowling
7. I learned/relearned: Open your eyes... the best opportunities can be right under your nose !
8. Intentions: Seek balance & relax, rejuvenate, & recalibrate !!

When I go to the Canandaigua VAMC with DC, I am now able to walk outside while he is in group. The VA complex itself is large... .7 mile around the perimeter. I finally realized that the stone wall along one boarder and down one side of the entrance is part of Sonnenberg Gardens. One day, I walked out the front gate and .4 mile down the wall, turned the block and walked another .4 in and the front gate to the park was locked, so I had to turn around and trace my steps. When I got back on station, I observed a VA employee clicking open a gate in a portion of wrought iron gate just inside the base. I had an opportunity to replicate that and got into the park. OMG... it is now a state and Federal park on the historic registry, comprised of a huge mansion, carriage houses, gardens, a Japanese tea house (along with a fabulous Buddha), stables, horse paths ponds... when I'd walked a while, I was able to see the front gate was open and tours to the public were going on. A new favorite walk to enjoy and things to explore. It was right there all the time !! How many opportunities in life are the same ?

How fabulous. A no longer secret garden.

How beautiful! That's so great that you have such a wonderful place to explore.

SILs arrive mid-day today. Now I'm worrying a bit about 3 of us in the same room, but we will manage.

Last night I went to dinner with my former neighbors and all the men definitely imbibed a lot (the oldest son almost couldn't walk when he showed up late to go to the restaurant). The mom didn't seem to mind, but she may have curbed her comments because I was there? It was an enjoyable evening regardless and we did a lot of reminiscing about the kids growing up in the neighborhood and how close we all were. Those were really good days.

But I'm in paradise and need to get my towels out and my walk started. Have a transformative Tuesday!

I need to catch up on posts. I have read some of my CEUs. 2 down 4 more to go.

What a beautiful mansion. And surroundings. I have worked on several large homes, over 6000 ft, but nothing with surrounding gardens. I always thought if you had that size house that you would need housekeeping staff. Probably a resident carpenter as well.

I have been sawing this morning. A small walnut log I pulled out of the burn pile last year. Ran out of gas. Now tinkering with the throttle system.

Eating has been off lately. Haven't been on the scales. Part ostrich I guess.

More later, David

We leave for Mexico City in a week! I've been several times, sometimes for multiple week visits, but not for a long time, dh has never visited this part of Mexico. Can't wait.

In the meantime, there are things to do here. My Mom was surprised and happy my son joined us for lunch. He is so sweet with his Grandma. Once home, he repaired part of our fence. When I got up this morning and looked outside, it was so restful on my eyes to gaze at the repaired fence. How many things are there in my life that I look at everyday and think, we need to fix, paint, clean, throw out (X)? All those little discordant thoughts. This summer, I'm working to address some of them.

Today I have a haircut and highlights. When dh gets home, we are going to get the hot tub going. The heat pump broke when it was cold, and understandably, dh did not to work on i****er and cold not too pleasant. So he winterized it. With warmer weather, he's replaced the heater, today's the day we fill it up and check for leaks. If the winterizing didn't work, and something broke, we'll probably get rid of it. I won't be upset, because I'm coveting the paver patio it sits on for other uses. If it still works, well having a hot tub is always nice :)

In the quest of purging, one barrier I've encountered is the cost/effort it takes to get rid of big stuff! Tracking down where the free drop off is for broken bikes, where can you bring a defunct gas grill, how much will it cost to haul away this mattress? I've resolved that whatever it costs, it's worth it, but it's not even writing the check, it's finding where to take it. We have been a DYI family. But now, when we replace the dishwasher etc, it's probably worth paying for delivery and installation just to have them haul away the old one.

I have not had a chance to read back posts for the past week or so or whenever it was that I last posted. Life has been a bit too hectic for my taste.

Yesterday was one of those days where nothing went as I had hoped. Completely wasted trip to the DMV for a new real ID, because my birth certificate is not a birth certificate, but rather a registration of birth (which was the norm in Fresno county in the 60s). Now I have to wait for the certified certificate and I can't get a new appointment, so it will be stand in line time. Then I let the battery drain in the motor home so it wouldn't start, so I couldn't take it in for it's smog test. Juiced it up, so at least now it starts. Took the dog show van in for its smog, and the machine needed for doing a 1997 van was not available. At least I can go back and get that done later this week and jump to the front of the line. Dog show points earned last weekend were awarded to the wrong girl Airedale so I'm having to sort that out, too.

Dealt with it all yesterday by going to the gym and doing a cardio workout like I haven't done in months. Helped big time!

Very talkative BF from high school days is here visiting through tomorrow. I'm not used to the constant chit chat. It is tiring. She also has sleep issues so is up half the night and sleeps sporadically throughout the day. Sort of weird for someone who keeps very regular sleep hours. She and Ron get on well, thank goodness!

Looks like Liz is in Aruba, but I must catch up on everyone else.

Shel, is there any further news on you lung lump? Are you still on for the Mt. Ranier adventure?

Edit: Weight is 264, Eating is getting better with school out. Once BF leaves to go back to GA I am planning on getting back in the swing of eating for reducing.

Good Morning All - Weight slightly up 177.1 - feeling bloated and yuk... Need to get more water on board.

Errands run last night and easy dinner. DH gets picked up around 11am by the driver - hes off to Sydney for 2 days work. Back home late Friday night. DS comes home today so will be nice to see him. I have a Service Board Meeting at a cafe with the guys this morning then will just potter. Hoping the starter motor arrives and I can go collect from the machinery shop

Nothing exciting here at all - I best keep running

Good to see you back Peps

Waves and a hug to you all

S

This past weekend with sister and nieces was great, and I fully enjoyed their company and many of the carbs I bought for their consumption. ;)

We saw Rocketman, and I loved it. And then on Sunday afternoon/night I binge-watched the Netflix "Tales of the City" sequel (10 episodes) and ADORED THAT! I have read all the books (published in late 70s and throughout the 80s), saw the 1993 PBS miniseries, and was not about to miss this latest installment. It's so good!

But I really went prone on Monday - spent the whole day writing, which was absolutely luscious. But gee, one does NOT get any exercise when writing full-time.

This week's schedule is nuts with medical appointments, spa appointments, yoga classes, club meetings, etc. I had three appointments today and have three tomorrow. I'll get back in the groove tomorrow morning with my usual post.

But just want to do a few callouts to some of you. And thanks to everyone for the great photographs across our beautiful nation. :)

Cecily ... Ermagerd, the crazy aunt is back? NOOOOOOOOOOO! You have to get rid of her because *I* can't take that again.

Liz ... I'm so glad you're ensconced with your Aruba family. Child, soak it up. You completely deserve this.

Bonnie150, I'm going to message you on FB and send you my cell number. I really want to rendezvous when you're near here on your way down/back from Florida.

Shel! The graduation party pix looked fabulous! And your daughter is such a beauty! Well done on the cupcake holder. ? And Ermagerd ... your backyard and the park back there is a Buddhist haven! When you're in the mood and know something please let us know what the next medical steps will be.

BTW, everyone ... clearly, I need a deck Buddha! I have a Buddha night light. Does that count?

Love all y'all. Thanks for being my friends.