On the Road Again.....

We have been home since the middle of March.  Our last trip was to Phoenix with Karen and Clay, Mike and Angie.  We knew there would be a couple of summer trips, but we thought we would be home more to enjoy spring and summer in the new house.  I was looking forward to that also since I seemed to lose out on those two seasons last year.  We first learned the house was listed on May 21, saw it on May 22, and by midnight had accepted the counter offer from the owners.  We closed on June 25 and began the renovations immediately. It seemed like June, July, August, and September were full of shopping for appliances, furniture and carpet; painting the rooms, cleaning the carpet we did not remove, buying islands for the kitchen, and moving boxes, clothes, and finally the 'big stuff' on July 28.

But now, our calendar is filling up fast.

We had planned to go to Ohio for a couple of days to visit Greta and Kent.  Since the best time for her was the first weekend in May, that is when we will be there.  Melanie and Brian also bought a new house and sold theirs next to where Mom lived, so we want to see that also.  Greta wants to spend some time in Amish country, so that is the plan for Saturday.  I am hoping that we can get together with my cousin Dale and his wife Karen on Sunday before we return home on Monday.

Today we learned as we were working through our vacation club accounts that we have Blue Green points that we need to 'use or lose' by the end of May.  The agent Gary talked to found a condo for us at Myrtle Beach so we are going there from May 20-24.    Unexpected trip and not exactly 'on the beach' but it will work for a get-away.

When we return, we will be home for a little over a week, then go to Las Vegas with Karen and Clay.  He had some free room points to use so we are staying at a hotel there and spending some time at Hoover Dam and other attractions during the day and focusing on the casinos in the evening.

Soon after that we will be flying to Ft. Lauderdale to spend a week at Palm Beach with Megan, Matt, and the kids.  I am looking forward to time on the beach with Cooper and Lynnlee and just relaxing.  I like to 'tour' when we visit new places, but I also like to relax. Spending some time in a cabana and building sand castles with the kids sounds like so much fun right now!

In July we are going to Louisville, KY to watch Nick show in a major show at the fairgrounds there.  Gary would also like to drive out to Wichita to watch him show in the 4-H Beef Show at the beginning of August.

The girls and I are going to Indianapolis in mid-August to attend Women of Joy. I always look forward to this event so that I can be re-juvenated,refreshed, and renewed, plus I like to spend time with the girls without the guys and the kids around. 

We are also thinking of returning to Myrtle Beach or someplace similar in September.  After all we still have points to use before they expire in our Blue-Green package.  And I really think we should travel while we have the opportunity to do so and while we are able to do it.

Sounds like fun, doesn't it?

Me? Go to a Gym? Not me!

Well, yes, me.

In the past few weeks I saw a notice on FB that a place called Miracles Fitness Center in West Lafayette was looking for 20 women, ages 50+, to attend a 21-Day Spring Re-boot Fitness Training.  

Gary and I had talked about my need to add more exercise into my day to trigger weight loss since the number on the scale was not moving much.  I am not sure how FB knows these things, but this notice kept popping up on my page.

Last weekend I was telling Hilary about it when we were at Landon's baseball games.  I showed her the notice on my phone and soon she was clicking on things and I was to be expecting a phone call from someone at the Fitness Center on Monday.

At 10:30 Dr. Dan called me, asked me my age and my usual exercise routines, and asked me to come in on Tuesday morning to sign up and get started.  He said the first 21 days were a set fee, then after I loved it...we could decide what to do next.

I was a little apprehensive, but on Tuesday morning I drove to WL and to the fitness center which was easy to find since it was behind Mike's Crew Carwash and close to the clinic where we took Leo and Agnes frequently.

I met with Kenny first (who reminded me of Chad McCloskey from the Ball Brothers) and he was so enthusiastic, nice, and friendly that I felt immediately at home.  He registered me, gave me a tour, and asked me to sign up for three sessions for the week.

On our tour I saw Peggy Dinkens, a familiar face from West Central and we chatted a bit before my session started.

My first session was with three other ladies and a trainer named Kyle.  He checked with us to be sure our problem areas (my knees) were not being adversely affected and took  us through a series of exercises using steps and weights.  After we finished the session, I used the recumbent bike for about 30 minutes.  Peggy returned to chat for a bit before she left.

Day 2 was Wednesday.  I arrived early so I could ride the bike, then Kyle once again was the trainer for our group of 4.  Two different ladies and one gentleman were in my group this time.  We worked on arms and the upper body using heavier weights (he picked them this time, not me!).  I felt good after!

I skipped Thursday since I had a nail appointment that morning but I did walk with Leslie Sansone - 2 miles on the DVD.

This morning I went in for an earlier session.  I rode the bike for only 10 minutes, but it still felt good.  This time the session was led by Adrienne and there was one other gentleman in my group, Charlie.We worked on balance and coordination, plus using our arms and upper body to pull weights from the wall.  I enjoyed this session too.

I never would have thought I would be a gym person.  But I do enjoy this adventure.  I need to work on some issues like balance and flexibility, coordination and strength in my legs and arms.  I like that this place is geared to those over 50 and that we can use the facilities whenever we want as well as take training sessions several times a week.  I have watched the trainers work individually with people, and I think if the time comes for another knee replacement, I could do my rehab with this facility.

So no, I never thought I would have a gym membership.  But I am so glad I have tried it!  I like it a lot so far, and I hope there are special offers or deals for more permanent membership so that I can continue.

Nothing Is Certain except Death and Taxes

Who said that?  Someone famous did.  Mark Twain?  I will have to Google it and find out.

Taxes.  For a few years when I was single, I was one of the lucky people who received a refund.

Then I got married.  To a farmer.

And there is no such thing as a refund with farmers.

I have always been envious of those people who DO receive a refund.

But unless we have a horrible year with our crops, then we not only have no money to spend, but we have no taxes to pay either.

And either way is not good.

After Gary retired from farming, I thought the tax bill might diminish a bit.

But alas, no.  It hasn't.

Instead our taxes seem to be higher.  Not as many expenses last year since we were getting out of the business and we did have a super yield on the 20 acres we farmed.

Plus there was income on the cash rented land.

This year was not any better.  We had the money from my parents' estate.  We had the money from the farm auction.  We had the money from the cash rent.  We had the money from the settlement after the rental house burned.

So we are paying taxes again.

I just hate taxes.

But the good thing is....as Gary says....we do have the money to pay them. 

I Google'd it.  Ben Franklin.

Gotta Have That Hug!

When Landon brought his pigs to live in our barn, I knew that he would be here to care for them at least twice a day.   Well, maybe twice a day AFTER school ended.  Blaine takes care of the morning chores, or in a pinch, Papaw will go out and feed the three.

Anyway.....I told Landon that first day that the only rule that *I* made about his pigs being in our barn was this.  He had to come in the house and give me a hug each time he came over to feed them or clean out pens or whatever.   He smiled and agreed.

Tonight was one of those times.  Hilary and the other two kids had left so they could have baths and get to bed.  Blaine and Landon were still here working on the tractor with a friend who knows all about tractors, apparently.

I was sitting in the recliner, watching Jeopardy on tv, when I heard the door open.

Landon:  MAMAW!  COME HERE AND GET YOUR HUG!

So off I went to the door to the dining room to see my oldest grandson.

A hug I received, then an "I love you, Mamaw" then we talked about his day.

He is Student of the Week, and today was the first day.  He told me what he did and about his poster.  He shared things about the rest of his day.  He asked me if I had seen him driving the tractor around in the yard.  He told me how he was pushing Owen on the little 4-wheeler and how Tessa had wanted to ride in it too even though she was too big for it. 

Then he gave me another hug and told me two more times the sweetest words ever "Love you, Mamaw!" as he went out the door.

Love that 9 year old boy! 

Another reason we moved. I wouldn't miss those hugs and hearing those words for anything.

Love you right back, Landon!