The Walk That Went Nowhere

We had a fun visit in Nova Scotia from Thursday to Sunday. We got home around 7:30 on Sunday night and I went out to water the garden. We’d had a hot sunny weekend at home in the valley, and I’d say that things weren’t much different in Saint John. Things were looking wilt-y.

We were still on vacation for the rest of the week. Yay! Our cat & house sitter was only available from Friday to Sunday though, so that set the dates for or visit to Nova Scotia. It was nice to have a week at home though, the weather has mostly been good and Husband and I are both content relaxing at home.

Monday evening I headed out for a walk. There is a spot, just a few minutes walk from our house that the city had all torn up to do some work last summer. Since then I’ve sometimes seen ducks, geese and deer wandering around if I happen by at the right time. Of course, any time I remember to take my camera, it’s deserted.

Sure enough on Monday night, no camera on my person, I saw a deer. I stopped and wondered how likely it would be that I could run back, get my camera and return to find the deer still there. I hesitated for a moment, then decided it was worth a try.

Back to the house for my camera, back down the street. Yes! The deer is still there! Plus I see a second one farther in. I get my zoom lens on, get all set up and positioned and click the shutter….Only to find there is no card in the camera; I had not put it back it when transferring my photos from the weekend, earlier in the day.

Another moment of hesitation. Then I turn around and head back to the house.
If you’ve watched much science fiction, you’ve probably seen an episode of a show where the characters get caught in a loop, repeating the same actions over and over again, until finally someone saves the day and the show ends with a positive outcome. That popped into my head as I was covering the same ground for the third time.

I made it back, with the card in my camera, and the deer were still there. I snapped a couple of shots and noticed there was a couple walking down the sidewalk. I wondered if, after all that  back and forth, the deer were just going to get scared off.



The deer did actually run off into the trees, and the couple apologized for scaring it off, but obviously they had a perfect right to be walking down the sidewalk. The deer hadn’t gone very far though, and in no time it was sauntering back out, not at all perturbed by the fact that  I was standing there.



I spared a moment to get a shot of the other deer, farther in



And before long, my closest subject was heading for the other side of the road – still not at all concerned by me standing there.



I decided to get a bit closer to the second deer.




This guy seemed a little more wary. I looked down and fiddled with my camera for a moment and when I looked up, it had retreated into the bushes.

I like this last shot, though you may need to click to enlarge to see the one deer’s head peering through the bushes, and a third that I had not noticed up to that point farther in (toward top right of the photo).



I didn’t get very far on this walk, but I’m still counting it. With all the back and forth, I certainly got in some steps.

My week of no exercise

I did exactly one ‘workout’ this week. I went for a 20 minute walk on Monday evening,mainly because I could not bear to report a a whole week of nothing. The rest of the week I have been trying to get ready for a long weekend away. Doesn’t really sound like it should be that much work. There’s only two of us, after all.

We have a house-and-cat-sitter coming, which is awesome. But I figured she might actually like to sleep while she is here, so I’d better find the bed in the spare room. I knew there was one in there somewhere.

I’ve been going through closets and dressers and baskets of stuff lately, trying to sort through way too much stuff. My method is to attack things in stages. Which means items get removed from closets and dressers and baskets and dumped in the spare room so I can figure out what to do with it all later. Fabulous system unless you actually want to get into the spare room.

Plus, Frank has been getting walks and Zappa has been getting lots of cuddles because I feel guilty that we are going away and leaving them. And also because that’s what they always get. Who am I kidding.

One more sleep, and we are off for a long weekend visiting both our families. I’m almost ready.

Photos from the past week…

I was testing out the new remote I got for my camera and a new lens. Had to point the camera at something. Also, I really like this lamp.

Husband actually took this photo of Zappa, with the new lens. Zappa is hard to get photos of, especially close ups because as soon as he sees the camera pointed at him, he comes running.

Vegetarian Black Bean Tacos are totally not boring. Trust me.

My garden is beautiful right now. You should click on over to the garden blog and check it out. If you click on this photo though, you will see ants in the flowers. So maybe don’t do that. Unless you like ants.

Diary of a Week: All the things I want to do

Keeping a diary worked well last week, let’s see how this week went…
July 8 – Uh. Nothing. I was tired and had an upset tummy when I got home from work. I was a lump and the evening disappeared quickly.
July 9 - It was a busy day. But I went for a short walk.
July 10 – Tired from my busy day and still really not feeling well. Nothing again.
July 11 – Jackie Warner Xtreme Timesaver DVD. I did not die. But I was relieved when it was over.
July 12 – Zumba Mix DVD. Fun!
July 13 – Pick Your Level Pilates DVD.
July 14 – Today. Nada. I’m okay with it.

Once upon a time, it seemed like all I did was go to work and come home and then do it all over again. There was the house work, and the exercising, and the cooking dinner, but I didn’t do anything interesting. I thought: How boring am I? I need some hobbies; things I want to do, not just the things I have to do.


Then there was the garden. And then there was the blog. And the piano. And the other blog. Then I got a new camera that I want to learn how to use.

And the working and the house cleaning and the cooking and working out are still there. Also a husband. And two cats who like to throw up hairballs all over the house. Now I have too many things to do. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, trying to work out a balance between the things I have to do and the things I want to do.

I’ve had a week of bad hair days. A trip coming up that I’m not ready for. Some cat or other threw up a hair ball on the bed again. Not to mention a couple of other things(that I don’t care to talk about on the blog) that had me on edge and wondering if I was going to make it through today.

The day was finally over and we made it home from work – an hour later than usual. And I didn’t even think about exercise to be honest. Today I played in the kitchen instead. Some days are just like that.

Hello Chorizo Spiced Pork Taco!

Photos from this week…


From my walk on Saturday evening – the day started out with heavy rain but ended with sun.



Looks so relaxed and peaceful doesn’t he? Don’t be fooled – he’s just waiting for the perfect moment to throw up a hairball on the duvet.



Good morning to you Mr. Robin! Seen on my neighbor’s fence this morning, hard a work with a beak full of…whatever Robins collect in their beaks.

Diary of a Week - Workouts and Musings

Since workout motivation seems to be lacking lately - at least that's what it seems like when I look back on the past couple of months - I thought I would try keeping track of my week to see what was going on. It made sense to start from last Friday, since that was July 1st. So here goes...

Friday - Canada Day! It's a holiday! I love holidays! :) There was a Torchwood marathon on Space. A weekend not too long ago it was a Doctor Who marathon. The Space Station has to stop doing this to me. Anyway, I've been picking away at sorting through my closet and doing some organizing. So I spent some time working on that while watching Torchwood. Oh yeah, also made Strawberry Shortcake. Busy day. Then spent 90 minutes or so out in the garden - determined to get the garden planted over the long weekend. Has to be done!

Saturday - More Torchwood. Husband and I went out, on the hunt for an air conditioner, then grocery shopping and I can't remember what else. Back out to the garden for another 90 minutes or so.

Sunday - Didn't turn on the TV. Didn't want to get sucked into Torchwood again. Garden will get done today! All in all, I'm guessing I spent 4 hours out in the garden. And got things mostly done. Finally.

Monday - I apparently did nothing. I can't really remember why. So much for keeping a diary. Sheesh. It was a rainy day and I think maybe I was tired after Sunday's marathon of gardening? Oh wait...now I remember...I actually came home from work in the mood to hop on the treadmill and jog for a bit...But I didn't because the city was turning off our water from 7 pm to 7 am Tuesday morning, and by the time we got home I wouldn't have had time to do a workout and have a shower before the water was turned off.

Tuesday - Sun shining again! Only one day of rain! It's a miracle! Unfortunately, came home with a headache and zero energy. Did a 20 minute yoga download when I got home, and then after dinner went out to do a bit more puttering in the garden. I say that totally counts.

Wednesday - Charlotte posted a link to The Spartacus Workout and I immediately thought "I want to try that." Funny where motivation can come from - I guess I just need some new workout inspiration? I made it two times through the circuit and decided I was throughly exercised. Guess my goofing off lately has taken a toll. Or, you know, it could be the fact that I didn't really read the instructions so I didn't do any of the rests between exercise or circuits. Oops.

Thursday - Kinda tired and feeling my muscles a bit. Husband and I had to go into town after work to return the air conditioner that would not fit in our window. We found another one that works. Yay. The weather was so nice though, that by the time I finished dinner I was ready to head out for a short walk. Nothing strenuous though - just a stroll to enjoy the summer evening.

So that was my week. I always find myself torn this time of year. We really have such a short span of time where the weather is nice, or so it seems, so I feel like I want to get out and enjoy it - working in the yard or going for a walk. But I have a tendency to think of those things as not being a 'real workout'. If I don't get out and enjoy it though, the summer will pass me by and I'll wonder where it went. This year we've been waiting so long for the nice weather too. It would be great if I had time to do both, but honestly I have a hard time keeping up with everything as it is. The 'real workouts' will still be there when the cold weather sets in again.

Today - Kitty Walk with Frank

The moon was out early.

Waiting For Summer

If you're wondering where the garden pictures are, please click on over to the garden blog - that's where the action has been happening.

I'm not sure I've ever posted a sadder workout recap[Oh wait. Apparently I said the same thing last month. Must kick this trend in the butt. Stat.].

June 02: Ellen Barret Fat Burning Fusion[45 mins]
June 04: Zumba Step By Step[60 mins]
June ??: Gardening [90 mins]
June 15: Zumba Cardio Party [45 mins]
June 17: Gardening [60 mins]
June 19: Gardening [60 mins]
June 20: Ellen Barret Fusion Flow [45 mins]
June 21: Walk [20 mins]
June 27: Gardening [90 mins]
June 28: Gardening [90 mins]
June 29: Zumba Rush[20 mins]

June was a bit of a weird month. The weather has been crap. We had a couple sunny days here and there, but mostly it's been rainy or, at least, dark and dreary. The kind of weather that saps my energy and makes me want to curl up into a little ball. I feel like I'm being cheated out of summer and I'm not at all happy about it.

My garden is still not planted. I've been picking away at it whenever we had decent weather and I could manage to find the time. It feels like it has been a busy month.

My fun news is that I got a new camera – a Canon Rebel T3i. I've always enjoyed photography, but I've always had point and shoot cameras. I've really enjoyed my Canon point and shoot, which was my first digital camera, but there is only so much you can do with a point and shoot and I'm at the point where I want to be able to do more. Still working on learning, and experimenting with the new camera, whenever I can find the time.

Here are a couple of recent favourites taken with the new camera.

Barefoot Workouts

May’s workout diary is looking a little sad…There’s a big game in there. Things got pretty busy for a while and the workouts weren’t happening. Most of the time I can make post-work exercise work for me, but when you’re late getting home every single day it gets tough.

And then…and then…I injured myself! Okay, nothing serious really. I smashed my big toe against something hard and broke the toenail right across the nail bed. I couldn’t stand to wear shoes for days. It’s still iffy. So sneakers were not an option. And I’m so paranoid about hitting it again that I find I’m favoring that foot. I haven’t lost the toenail yet, and I’m assured that it would grow back, but the idea just freaks me out.

Of course the day I smashed my toe I finally saw a notice on the board at the Superstore for a Zumba class on Wednesday evenings in my neighborhood. I had been hoping for something like that but I haven’t been able to try it out. Hopefully soon.

So, in May, early in the month there was lots more Zumba (I have a whole saga to tell about my Zumba DVDs, but I will save that for another post). I did try to throw some other workouts in there for variety, but the Zumba is just so much fun! Then at the end of the month there are the barefoot workouts and walking. I suspect there will be more of that coming up.

May Workouts

May 02: Walk[40 mins]

May 03: Zumba Sculpt & Tone DVD[45 mins]

May 04: Xtend Barre DVD (Warm Up + Barre)[30 mins]

May 05: Zumba Express DVD[20 mins]

May 06: The FIRM Power Half Hour DVD[30 mins]

May 07: Zumba Cardio Party DVD[45 mins]

May 10: Zumba Cardio Party DVD[45 mins]

May 14: Zumba Live DVD[55 mins]

May 17: Zumba Activate [40 mins]

May 26: Walk[30 mins]

May 28: Kathy Smith Total Body Lift DVD[60 mins]

May 30: Ellen Barrett Barefoot Cardio DVD[45 mins]

May 31: Walk[25 mins]

 

Other news for May

It’s been rainy, rainy, rainy.

Go outside? In this weather?

My yard is soggy, I haven’t been able to do anything in my veggie garden yet. Still, there are a few interesting things to see, so you should click on over to the garden blog to see what’s new.

On the long weekend my parents & baby bro came to visit (also the weekend I smashed my toe). They helped us with a bunch of stuff around the house, and I finally got this put together:

Now I just hafta use it. 

All Zumba! All the time!

So April. It’s a blur. I’ve been tired a lot. I’ve been busy. A lot going on at work. I like my job, but lately there’s been a lot of stress. Zappa got a tick. I broke a piece off a tooth. Cory had a tick on his arm.
I’m really tired, and to be honest I haven’t been feeling so great a lot of the time. I’d like to fix that and I’m going to try.
As for April’s exercise, the last half of the month was pretty repetitive. I’ve been wanting to try Zumba for a while – I thought it would be fun. So I finally got my hands on some DVDs.

They came in the mail on Friday, April 15, and I tried out the Zumba Basics workout that very  night. And then I did it again on Saturday. I was right – Zumba is fun!
The Basics workout takes you through the steps one at a time, and runs about an hour. I’ve done my fair share of cardio, including a Cardio Salsa DVD at one point, so a lot of the moves were familiar or fairly easy for me to pick up. There were a couple that were challenging though.
Since then, it’s mostly been Zumba Express, which is a 20 minute workout, because I’ve either been short on time or just plain tired. Hoping to try out some of the other routines soon.

April Workouts
Apr 28: Zumba Express[20 mins]
Apr 26: Zumba Express[20 mins]
Apr 23: Zumba Express[20 mins]
Apr 22: Jackie Warner UB & LB + Zumba Abs[55 mins]
Apr 20: Zumba Express[20 mins]
Apr 19: Zumba Express[20 mins]
Apr 18: Element Ballet Conditioning[50 mins]
Apr 16: Zumba Basics DVD[60 mins]
Apr 15: Zumba Basics DVD[60 mins]
Apr 12: Walk[40 mins]
Apr 11: Treadmill walk/jog[38 mins]
Apr 09: Kathy Smith Personal Trainer Sculpting Workout[60 mins]
Apr 07: Ellen Barret Fat Burning Fusion DVD[45 mins]
Apr 06: Crunch Burn & Firm Pilates DVD[45 mins]
Apr 01: April 2011 Fitness Mag Express Workout + YDL Yoga for Runners #1[45 mins]

I have been posting a few updates to the garden blog.
There’s not a whole lot to see at this point, it’s still early, and as I say, I haven’t had a lot of energy. But if you want to keep up with the goings on in my garden, keep an eye on the garden blog.