Sammy Sighs

Mom said it was time for me and Sissy to go see Megan, our groomer. Here is what we looked like before...poor little orphans that we looked like for sure:

See how much hair I have, it makes me look fat! I'm not fat, just have fluffy hair, I swear!

And Sissy is sure looking kinda ratty too.

And ... now...









Don't I look great?

And here is Silly Sissy:

Lent

Last night marked the beginning of Lent with Ash Wednesday services. I want to make this year's Easter season mean something to me, not just give up chocolate or diet pepsi, or, God forbid, wine. So, I am trying to do something internal, something meaningful to make myself a better person. After listening to Father last night I think this is what I should do. I'll keep you posted.

About the Trip--#2

When we were getting ready for our trip to Arnold, the nice guy that went with us kept asking me if they had a workout room. This is mainly due to the fact I give him a bad time about how "buff" I am getting (not!) from my new exercise routine. In addition, he walks several miles a day himself.

So, we checked out the motel website (we didn't stay in Arnold, we stayed in Broken Bow...bigger than Arnold by far, but not big in any sense otherwise).

Yes, it had a workout room. He laughed that it was probably a manual treadmill. I said, no I bet it was a jump rope. It turned out to be a nice room, with two pieces of equipment...a treadmill (not manual) and an eliptical machine. No TV or any extras. The room was mostly empty. The photo to the right is not the actual room....

The funny thing about the room was that in the middle of the wall was a shower. An open shower. No door. No glass. No curtain. Not even a small washcloth to hide behind.Just a shower in the middle of the wall. Straight across from the shower was the outdoor wall...full of floor to ceiling windows!!!

Hmmm....what's up with that? I still can't believe it. And, I'm not lying!

About the Trip...

Happy Tuesday!

I had hoped to get some "real" pictures to add to my post, but they are kinda blurry if I remember right, so you'll have to just imagine that the graphics go along here. My friend, S, and I traveled to a small town, Arnold, in Nebraska to visit their school. Two other guys went as well. One of those guys was an annoying *ss. But, that's not my story. At least not now.

Anyway, we needed to get gas when we got to Arnold. So we found a gas station that said 24 hour service...use your credit card. So, we stop, and I get out with the credit card and the nice guy with us got out to pump gas. I walk around the pumps with the credit card. There is no place to put your card in on the pumps. Finally an attendant comes out and tells me I have to "come over by the buildin'."

Over by the building is a little wood stand that has a machine in it that you have to run the credit card through. Then you have to put in the pump you want to use. The attendant told me to put pump #3 (which turned out to be the most expensive pump---go figure!) Then, you go and pump the gas. After you are done pumping the gas, you go back to the little wooden box and run the credit card again to retrieve a receipt.

That's pretty up-town, don't ya think?

I personally think it would have been just as fast to go inside and pay. And, I was thankful that we were not there at night when there was no attendant to tell us what to do! I am sure the people in their town have probably figured it all out....but for us "city folk" (which we really are NOT)...it was quite the ordeal.

You may remember my recent gas station experiences, including the one in Grand Island, among other times. I truly do feel that I am "gas station impaired"!! Where is Goober when you need him?

Tomorrow--the modern day motel workout room.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy Birthday to my Dad. Let me tell you, he's the best. My dad wasn't always my dad, but he became dad to me and my younger sister when he married my mom, after my daddy died from cancer leaving her with two young daughters to raise. He accepted the whole package....and how lucky we were!

Later they had two more daughters, my other two sisters. He always made me feel like I was his daughter, never a "step" daughter, and I never think of him as anything other than my dad.

He has always been there for me, and I love him with all my heart. He's a wonderful dad, grandfather, and great grandfather. I wish I could express the words of how I feel, and I hope he knows in his heart what he means to me.

Happy, Happy Birthday, Dad. Thank you for everything! I love you!

Funday Sunday

I had another "funday" Sunday today when we met my parents for lunch halfway between their hometown and ours. One of my sisters was able to join us, and Tina went along. An additional surprise was having my mother in law travel along with my parents. We met and had a nice lunch at Applebees where we celebrated my dad's upcoming birthday. It was so nice to see them!

View the slide show here, or go to my photo album link and click on Dad Birthday, 2009:






I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I'll be writing about my recent road trip this week.

Quick Update

Wow, it is Friday night already! My week went by pretty fast! I went on a little road trip with my friend, S, and two others for work. I was gone overnight, but Sissy and Sammy seem to have survived. I will have to write more on the trip later, including yet another gas station story. I must be gas station impaired..!!

Tina found out that she finally gets to move and join Adam. I'm happy for her, but sad that she'll be so far away. It's been nice having her close by.

My dad's birthday is the 23rd, so we hope to meet half way and share lunch on Sunday. That'll be great, I miss my parents! I miss everyone!

Have a great weekend. I hope to get some posts written soon!

Yummy Latte

The coffee shop has a new flavor here...brown sugar cinnamon. It is really good! Even the sugar free/fat free is to die for!

YUM!

Weekends Go Too Fast!

I can't believe it is already Sunday night. Where does the time go? I seem to keep busy all weekend. Friday night we ate at a good Mexican restaurant here with friends, then came home and just relaxed....I fell asleep on the couch! Saturday was the usual-- clean house, laundry, workout, etc. Tina and I attended another basketball game in the afternoon, which we did enjoy, and then went to church. After supper, it was already into the evening. Then today, back at it--washing bedding, get groceries, etc. I made rice krispie treats for Tina (and the rest of us...ha!) I also made fajitas for supper and some friends and Tina ate with us. Tina helped me make homemade tortillas...yum. Now, dishes are done, and time to relax after I do a few more things. I still will do my nordic track yet today and the dogs should get their bath, but we'll see.....I may just crash and watch tv. With the melting snow, they just get muddy, so maybe I'll wait a day or two this week. Wow, not too exciting, huh? But, I'm happy with the weekend....just wish it were longer!!

Wishing You...

A Day in the Life...

Work yesterday involved moving old computers to storage for future recycling. We did two trailer loads plus two pickup loads worth! I figure that qualified as my weight lifting for the day! Don't you agree?

Last night after work, I took the dogs on a walk; I couldn't resist Sissy any longer...every day she has been wanting to go, and the last time I took them, they still got pretty wet and muddy. But, it was a nice day, so when she did her daily ritual of pulling out her coat and dragging it around looking pitiful, I gave in and off we went! It was nice to walk, I had been battling a headache all day, so it was good to get out in the air. Then, I attended my WW meeting, and we ate supper.

I had just curled up on the couch, when Tina came by and we decided instead to go to the girls basketball game. It was fun and we enjoyed it. It, unfortunately, was their second loss of the season, but very exciting. Tina also wanted to see the dance team perform at half time, and they sure did a great job as well! She teaches dance to some of the members. So, I had more fun last night than I thought I would. That was a nice surprise!

It started snowing last night, and is still snowing. It is beautiful outside right now! It appears we may have some more good sledding weather...any takers?

How to Walk in Snow

Look how Sissy picks up her paw in the snow. I found this photo amongst my "Snow Dogs" photos from our last snow storm and had to laugh at the way she was walking in the snow!

Poor Silly Sissy!

Me vs the Machine

Ok, this is the machine I hope to conquer:

I always heard that elliptical machines were so much easier on your knees, etc than the treadmills and such. But, this machine at the Y is a killer. I cannot use it nearly as long as I can stay on a treadmill. I think I will just keep at it until I win the battle. However, several people told me that the other elliptical machines there (we have three different kinds) are much better. Maybe I'll give those a try and decide which one I like best. As of now, I use the treadmill for half of my workout and this for the other half. Then, I do the weight machines. This is the Nordic Track Power Ramp. One nice feature is the fan!

Maybe I'm just a wimp?

Funday Sunday

On Sunday, our bike group all gathered up at "R" 's house in Crawford. He had invited us all up for a fish fry. Upon arrival, we had some delicious snacks. There were fresh veggies and dips (I brought some as well), cinnamon popcorn..yum, smoked turkey and crackers and trout spread/dip. I tell you, it was tasty. Then, we went out hiking over at Fort Robinson State Park on and around the buttes. It was quite a workout at times for me, but I loved it! There was some snow/mud on the trail in places, and it was chilly out, but I dressed in layers and stayed plenty warm. We hiked for over two hours, and it was just awesome. We all enjoyed it so much! Afterward, he treated us to a fish fry to die for, with yummy food. Best of all, we loved the time together, had lots of laughs and story telling. It was a great Sunday. You can view the photos in my photo albums in the link on the right side of this page, or view my slide show here.

Another Thumbs Up!

We watched "The Secret Life of Bees" on Saturday night. Tina had rented it and brought it by to share. We really liked it! Lily is played by Dakota Fanning; she and the rest of the cast (Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson, Sophie Okonedo and Alicia Keys) all do a wonderful job! I had read the book a few years ago and liked it very much and the movie was awesome too! Here is the synopsis:


Set in South Carolina in 1964, the tale of Lily Owens, a 14-year-old girl who is haunted by the memory of her late mother. To escape her lonely life and troubled relationship with her father, Lily flees with Rosaleen, her caregiver and only friend, to a South Carolina town that holds the secret to her mother's past. Taken in by the intelligent and independent Boatwright sisters, Lily finds solace in their mesmerizing world of beekeeping, honey and the Black Madonna.

Watch and Enjoy!

Not much to say...

Gee, it seems like I haven't posted much this week. Some weeks, I think of a lot to write about, and then I write several posts all at once and just set them to post at various times during the week. Other times, like this week, I seem to not have anything at all come to mind.

Anyone out there watch Biggest Loser? I don't know why, but I am addicted to watching it. I was glad that Joelle finally got booted off, although her partner didn't deserve it...and wow, Joelle was just a .... well, not nice. I don't think I would want to be her partner. And, she stayed mean to her partner later on as well, gosh sakes! I don't like mean people.

As for my own biggest loser contest, I have been faithful with my exercising, pretty good about food (not quite as good as the exercise part), and am losing slowly. I would like to see a big jump in the scale, instead of small increments, but at least it's been a consistent loss. I just wish it were more! You know how they always say "you didn't gain it overnight", so you won't lose it overnight? Well, I think I did. I woke up one morning, and there it was. Honest. Maybe I could use a personal trainer like Bob. (Or maybe one who looks like my favorite HGTV host, David Bromstad? It looks like he works out, don't you think? I think it does.)

I am not sure what my weekend will hold for me, but I am sure some cleaning and laundry will be in store for me. I hope you have a great weekend! I'll be trying to think up some interesting thoughts to post about.....

Lonesome Dogs

So...I was on ANOTHER road trip for work, another workshop. Man, I should be getting smart someday, huh? Sissy and Sammy stayed home alone as hubby had to be gone as well, so Tina and Sophie ended up spending the night at our house to keep them company! She said Sammy wouldn't come sleep in the room with them, though, he hid out in our room. Probably either in the closet or his other favorite hiding place amongst the bed pillows. :-)

They were pretty happy to see me after my one night away!

Snow Dogs

Sissy

Sophie

Sammy

(Photos from last Tuesday)