Monthly Archives: September 2016

Allan Dixon Selfies – Take 1

“Allan Dixon is a 29-year-old from Ireland who has a knack for making animals feel comfortable in his presence. So much so, that he’s been able to ‘talk’ all manner of animals into posing for a selfie with him!  He says a selfie can take “anywhere between five minutes to three hours of being in the animals presence. It depends on the animal and how safe it feels.” “What the photos don’t show is the amount of dirt that ends up on my clothes because of being on the ground. But the results are worth it.”

 

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Allan Dixon via Olivia Adams, Trendingly.com

 

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Allan Dixon via Olivia Adams, Trendingly.com

 

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Allan Dixon via Olivia Adams, Trendingly.com

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Chuckles – Take 18

Thanks to email from Bill Lites

Thanks to email from Bill Lites

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It’s So Hot

The Crone's Grove via Desiree Angelique Hackett

The Crone’s Grove via Desiree Angelique Hackett

 

Today it was 95 plus a heat index – MUCH too hot for old folks like us. We went to help our good friend move some super heavy duty shelving in boxes from her garage to her new storage unit and then set the shelving up. We were happy to help her, but things didn’t go quite as we planned.

There was a definite learning curve on figuring out how the shelves went together. We were working in the direct sunshine, even inside the storage unit, and the heat made it really hard to think, much less get much done. None of us was smart enough to bring any water. We got one set of the three sets put together. They’re really good quality shelves, and we think she’ll get good use out of them.

We were all too hot – and probably dehydrated – by the time we finished the first set. We dragged the other two boxes out of the truck, into the storage unit, and called it a day.

A few minutes later we were laughing as we met each other again at the grocery store, all looking quite bedraggled. :0)

We came home and I made us some lunch and got us a bottle of water. We ended up taking naps in our chairs in the living room.

We’re finally up again and half way functional again. Supposedly, a cool front is supposed to come through soon, bringing us much needed rain and significantly cooler temperatures. We couldn’t be more ready.

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Noticing

Zen to Zany via Cathy Ruggiero

Zen to Zany via Cathy Ruggiero

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Lost in Translation – Take 1

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Thanks to Evie Zimmerman, trendingly.com

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Best Seat in the House

Zen to Zany via Cathy Ruggiero

Zen to Zany via Cathy Ruggiero

We had a wonderful time last night, having one of our long time good friends over for grilled kielbasa and veggies. We got to catch up on what’s been happening – or not happening – sharing several good hugs in the process.

This afternoon we’re going to her house to help her take heavy shelving to her new storage spot and get it set up.  She’s looking forward to getting a bunch of stuff in her home out from under foot. I’m happy that she’s excited about making changes that will be good for her.

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Pressed Fern Art – Take 2

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Pressed Fern Art
Animal Portraits from Ferns She finds in her garden
Helen Ahpornsiri, East Sussex, UK
Kate Woodberry, Trendingly.com

 

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I didn’t realize ferns came in so many different colors and textures. Isn’t her work amazing?

 

 

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“Freesia”

freesias-paul

 

 

 

frezia

frezia

Both of these gorgeous photographs are by Paul Militaru Photography

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Pressed Fern Art – Take 1

Helen Ahpornsiri is from East Sussex, U.K. She gathers ferns from her back yard and creates animal portraits!  These pictures were gathered by Kate Woodberry of trendingly.com.

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Angie the Angelfish is No More…

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I’m sorry to report that Angie, the Angelfish, is no longer with us. :0(

I cleaned the fish bowl and both fish were swimming around happily. The next day I didn’t see Angie. I looked all around the bowl, but didn’t see her.  I thought she might be hiding in the neon ‘house’, so didn’t worry.

Today I cleaned the bowl again and found her UNDER the neon house. I have no clue how she was able to get under it. So now Sally,  the bright yellow fish, is alone until we can arrange to get back to Fort Smith and see if we can find compatible friends for her.

Note: I have a ceramic bowl I put the fish in while I’m cleaning their ‘goblet.’ While I was cleaning, I saw movement  beside me. Sally had suddenly jumped out of the bowl and was flapping around on the counter! I quickly brushed her from the counter into my hand and then back into the ceramic bowl, putting a towel over it.  When her home was nice and clean with fresh water, I carefully poured her back into the goblet.

I will look for a deeper bowl to keep her in while she waits for her ‘maid’ to do the cleaning…

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Creative Vandalism – Take 3

www.reddit.com via Emily Davis, trendingly.com

http://www.reddit.com via Emily Davis, trendingly.com

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Storybook Places – Take 10

Hamnoy Norway via inigo-cia

Hamnoy Norway via inigo-cia

Thanks to Marsha Koenig for her email.

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“Sunflower”

"Sunflower" - Paul Militaru Photography

“Sunflower” – Paul Militaru Photography

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20 Quotes from Children’s Books Every Adult Should Know – Take 4

A. A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh via Encurious.com via Melissa A. Eastman

A. A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh via Encurious.com via Melissa A. Eastman

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Reflections – Take 4

diamondhomesupport-com

diamondhomesupport.com

“Even duct tape can’t fix stupid… but it can muffle the sound!
 
Why do I have to press one for English when you’re just gonna transfer me to someone I can’t understand anyway?
 
Of course I talk to myself, sometimes I need expert advice.
 
Oops! Did I roll my eyes out loud?”

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Creative Vandalism – Take 2

credit unknown via Emily Davis, trendingly.com

credit unknown via Emily Davis, trendingly.com

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“Delicate Pink”

"Delicate Pink" - Paul Militaru Photography

“Delicate Pink” – Paul Militaru Photography

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Journey of a Lifetime

I Love Reading Books via Cathy Ruggiero

I Love Reading Books via Cathy Ruggiero

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20 Quotes from Children’s Books Every Adult Should Know – Take 3

Aesop - The Lion and the Mouse via encurious.com via Melissa A. Eastman

Aesop – The Lion and the Mouse via encurious.com via Melissa A. Eastman

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20 Quotes from Children’s Books Every Adult Should Know – Take 2

Dr. Seuss - Horton Hears a Who - via encurious.com via Melissa A. Eastman

Dr. Seuss – Horton Hears a Who – via encurious.com via Melissa A. Eastman

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Beautiful Words!

“Negative”     “Normal”    “Unremarkable”   

At first glance, these words sound like words Debbie Downer would utter, don’t they? Nothing could be further from the truth!

 

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seniorcitizen.travel

 

We all realize that we’re mortal and we won’t last forever, but it’s not a part of our everyday lives. At least, it isn’t until you get older and your body tells you you’re not as young as you used to be. Even if you try to take care of yourself, get the lard off, move more, etc., your body ages and things start acting funny or going on strike.

When we got up this morning, we had a message on the answering machine.  The message was from the doctor, himself, wanting us to call him back. We did immediately, but he was in with a patient and we had to leave a message.

 

 

 

He called again about 30 minutes later. My husband talked to the doctor, but I was listening, too. My heart was in my throat as I listened to him speak. Finally, he said the magic word, “Negative.” I almost cried with relief.  We will see him again, as scheduled in one month, or before, if things get worse again. I’m still feeling myself relax a bit more as I absorb the good news.

Test results can change your life in an instant. I never used to even think about my few tests. My husband and I have had more and more tests for things as we’ve gotten older, and I unconsciously hold my breath until I hear the results.

Today is a wonderful day. “Negative” is such a lovely word!  I’ve learned that I truly appreciate the words, “Normal” and “Unremarkable,” as well.

I hope that YOU hear these one of these three words each time you have a test!

 

 

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Progress Report – Getting the Lard Off – 9/21/2016

taolife.com

taolife.com

I’m still on the ‘Plateau from Hell,’ as far as weight and inches go, (46 pounds and 23-1/2 inches off) but I freely admit that I’ve been eating more carbs than I should for the past week. My husband was really hungry for a few things, and I had put him off because they weren’t on my low-carb foods. I finally decided to indulge, since I didn’t want to prepare two separate meals for us. I think we’re now at the end of his really strong requests. He’s happy and so am I. :0)

He’s cutting WAAAAY back on sugar. This is a really good thing and I’m trying to encourage him every way I can. There are a lot of good recipes that are low carb AND low sugar, so we should be good for the near future.

 

I’ve been made newly aware, lately, of my age. This is mainly due to my trying to do two miles walking with annoying Leslie every day PLUS either upper or lower body strength exercises. I messed myself up, paying the price with several days where I felt 90+ years old. I decided to try a different approach.

I’m now doing the elliptical trainer for 30 minutes Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

yourellipticals.com

yourellipticals.com

 

On Tuesdays and Thursdays I’m doing both upper and lower body strength exercises with 5 lb. weights. (several different exercises, 3 sets of 8 reps each)

 

 

I also got an exercise ball that is now aired up and ready for me.

One of my good friends has one. She says she’s sitting on it while watching TV, bouncing. Isn’t that a wonderful mental picture? It makes me smile. She has to keep her balance in order to do this, so that involves lots of muscles.

The ball also comes with a chart of exercises I can add things as I want. I’m planning to do the ball stuff a little at a time on days I’m doing the strength exercises.  I can really use the emphasis on balance. This plan, along with just being aware that I need to keep moving (I carry a pedometer in my pocket),  hopefully will prove a good combination for me.

 

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“Special Colour”

"Special Colour" - Paul Militaru Photography

“Special Colour” – Paul Militaru Photography

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Chuckles – Take 17

Thanks to Bill Lites for his email.

Thanks to Bill Lites for his email.

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Creative Vandalism – Take 1

reddit.com via Emily Davis, trendingly.com

reddit.com via Emily Davis, trendingly.com

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Storybook Places – Take 9

Hallstatt, Austria via Herison Black

Hallstatt, Austria via Herison Black

Thanks to Marsha Koenig for her email.

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Filed under Awe-Inspiring Photography, Seemingly Storybook Places

20 Quotes from Children’s Books Every Adult Should Know – Take 1

20 Quotes from Children's Books Every Adult Should Know - Encurious.com via Melissa A. Eastmen

20 Quotes from Children’s Books Every Adult Should Know – Encurious.com via Melissa A. Eastman

This is from A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh

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Reflections – Take 3

diamondhomesupport-com

diamondhomesupport-com

“My people skills are just fine.  It’s my tolerance to idiots that needs work.
 
If God wanted me to touch my toes, he would’ve put them on my knees.
 
The kids text me “plz” which is shorter than please. I text back “no” which is shorter than “yes.”
 
I’m going to retire and live off of my savings. Not sure what I’ll do that second week.
 
I’ve lost my mind and I’m pretty sure my wife took it!”

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Chuckles – Take 16

Email from Bill Lites

Email from Bill Lites

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Give Wings

Nino Chakvetadze via Zen to Zany via Cathy Ruggiero

Nino Chakvetadze via Zen to Zany via Cathy Ruggiero

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“Gazania 1”

"Gazania 1" - Paul Militaru Photography

“Gazania 1” – Paul Militaru Photography

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