Postblogs from the Beach

OT5K - POST #2

Working on the assumption that exercise class will improve my chances to do well in the 5k - went this morning and didn't even take a break except between miles 1 and 2 and 3.  Beginning to plan on my walking apparel. 

Next week I will select three ensembles for the walk.  1) cool weather; 2) warm weather; and, 3) wet weather.  Gee, if this were reality TV I could have you all vote on the most deserving outfit.  Of course, if I didn't like your choice I could just vote a bunch of times myself for the one I wanted anyway.

The Training Begins

This is the beginning of the Official Training for the 5K (OT5K) - had a meeting at the house with the gas people but still went to exercise class for 25 minutes (do you believe the amount of dedication being displayed?) - worked really hard for the 25 minutes. . .make that really 22 minutes because you have to deduct the 3 minutes spent putting on my jacket, coat, gloves, and sunglasses.

Had a good breakfast, consisting of OJ, muffin and honey, coffee, and pills which included a multivitamin and a naproxen for the impending pain caused by exercise. 

Rest of the day will be spent loading energy producing carbs and resting.

More to follow tomorrow.

New Year - new opps* and apps*

That would be Opportunities and Applications - so, what are my opps and apps for this year?

The first opp is a chance to do a 5k walk/run next month here on the island.  Yes, you read correctly, a 5k walk/run.  On February 19th we have the Hurricane Run and I have managed to rope some of my exercise buddies into doing this challenge with me.  Since we already do 3 miles on Monday and Friday and 4 miles on Wednesday, this should be a snap, right?  I think we may get a tee shirt out of this, so that is a good incentive.  Wish us luck.

The new app on my phone is one that reminds me of appointments/tasks and I am hoping it helps me stay on target.  Since I retired, I have found that it is harder to keep track of non-recurring activities like phone calls and appointments.  It seems to be connected to my gmail account.   I will have to see how this works. 

On the news front, the house is getting close to move in status.  Another month or six weeks should see us relocated and unpacking things we haven't seen since July 2009. Woo Hoo!  I can't wait to have more than one sweatshirt and all of my other clothes. . .oh yes, and my pots and pans and all of that stuff, too.

This has been fun, sort of like an eighteen month vacation, but I am now ready to get back to normal life.  Having a garden will be nice, too.  Lots of fenced space for Maddy to run around and a workshop for Neil.  Shopping opportunities galore!

 

Progress on the new house

Quick update on the house.  They have cleared the land - much to the consternation of some neighbors, but it will be landscaped after the building is finished.  Then they built up the part where the house will be and have now dug the trenches for the footings and poured them.

We had to go to the Planning Commission to have the two lots merged into one so that we could put the pool where we want it.  It seems you can't put a pool on a lot without a permanent structure.  Anyway, that was approved, so we are now awaiting the foundation slab.

I feel certain it will be one of those spurt type projects where we have lots of activity followed by nothing and then more activity.  I think we will be in the house before the end of the year.  Neil is more optimistic and thinks it will be before Thanksgiving - perhaps we should have a pool on this and see who is closer to the actual move in date.

Book #45 - Lying with Strangers by Grippando

The Street Lawyer by John Grisham

My rating: 3 of 5 stars One of the things I like about Grisham is that he is predictable - good storyline, good dialogue, good outcome. This book fulfilled all of my requirements for summer reading, it even had a familiar setting in DC. So, if you feel like reading something that doesn't tax the brain, but produces some good new information and ideas this would be a fine choice. View all my reviews >>

Book #44 - The Street Lawyer by John Grisham

The Street Lawyer by John Grisham

My rating: 3 of 5 stars One of the things I like about Grisham is that he is predictable - good storyline, good dialogue, good outcome. This book fulfilled all of my requirements for summer reading, it even had a familiar setting in DC. So, if you feel like reading something that doesn't tax the brain, but produces some good new information and ideas this would be a fine choice. View all my reviews >>

The President Comes to the Island

OK, I want you to picture this scenario. . .the main street of Dauphin Island is closed to traffic, the DI bridge is closed, every side street from the middle of the island to its very tippy end is blocked by police cars of all varieties.  We await the first ever Presidential Motorcade.  To my right along Bienville Boulevard is a women in a red satin evening gown ala Vanna White, complete with rhinestone trim on the bodice and halter top.  She is wearing white heart shaped sunglasses and flip flops.  After ~45 minutes she gets hot and decides to change into a denim miniskirt and tanktop but keeps the shades and flip flops.  Now, wait, for a little extra drama - she doesn't live near where she is waiting so she must have changed in her truck.  You have got to love it.

Book #43 - Street Lawyer by John Grisham

The Street Lawyer by John Grisham

My rating: 3 of 5 stars One of the things I like about Grisham is that he is predictable - good storyline, good dialogue, good outcome. This book fulfilled all of my requirements for summer reading, it even had a familiar setting in DC. So, if you feel like reading something that doesn't tax the brain, but produces some good new information and ideas this would be a fine choice. View all my reviews >>

Book #41 - The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Next

The final book in the trilogy is equal to the task set before it with its predecessors.  You absolutely hate the villains, you aren't sure of the outcome, you want to shake the title character and her protectors - in other words - it's fabulous!

Book # 40 The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larrson

The second book in this trilogy is as outstanding as the first was and can stand alone very well. The characters are so well defined and so humanly drawn that you don't object their failings. This is a must read.