Twilight

So, today was another off day.  I won't bore you with the mundane details but let's just say I wish I had just stayed in bed.

But, I got up and eventually I motivated myself enough to go workout.  I walked a little over 3 miles at the High School Fitness trail and the track.  I felt good while I was going, but now I'm just tired and my knee is killing me.  This working out stuff is rough, but I gotta keep at it!

Well, here's some quick photos taken on my Blackberry while I was walking.  The sunset was beautiful (I walked from 8:30-9:30 pm) and I got a couple of pretty decent shots.  Enjoy!

Not so good at this

So, I've been slacking lately.  I really need to get back on track and start trying to take a few more good and interesting photos and blog a bit more.

Anyhow, today was a bit of an unusual day, though I have a lot of those.  I was at my parent's house, having traveled there after my doctor's apt. in Columbus yesterday.  They left on vacation yesterday and I was picking up my charge for the week, Duke, the dog.  So, after being extremely lazy and sleeping in, I did a few things around the house, packed up most of our stuff (forgot Duke's cage and I think my watch) and we set off. 

We stopped in Columbus for a drink (mainly for Duke) and a walk (mainly for me).  We only walked about 25 minutes but Duke was whipped.  I think he's a bit out of shape, like me.  We'll work on that together this week.  We got home around 7, I made dinner and we've been lazing about in the bedroom to take advantage of the only room with AC since its been pretty stinking hot.

Well, that's a recap of my exciting day.  Hope you're having a great weekend.  Enjoy the photos.

Candy tomatoes on the vine at Mom & Dad's.  I picked a few to bring home with me.  Yum!  (Along with some beans and lettuce.)  I really need to grow my own garden!

The Olentangy River off of the Olentangy Bike Path.

A very tired and hot dog.  Poor Duke.

I love this bridge.  I've seen it many times while traveling down 315, but was thrilled (I am such a dork) to get to walk across it and enjoy the view of the river on a sunny day.    :)

Some fabrics I'm going to be working with soon.  I have so many ideas!  And so much awesome fabric!

I love this little guy.  The fabric is so cute and the frog is my favorite part of the fabric.

The picture on the top of the jewelry box Megan & Phillip gave me from their trip to the Hocking Hills.  I forgot it at home last week and was so happy to get it so I could start using it!  Thanks guys!

Contents of my jewelry box.  I'm a very simple person and I usually have 1 or 2 pairs of earrings I wear ALL THE TIME and a ring or 2 and this cross is my current favorite necklace I wear everyday.  The jewelry box is perfect to keep on my nightstand to put all my everyday wear ables in.

A new walking spot

Today after my doctors apt. I went on a walk at a park not far from the office.  It is a lovely park and I'm so glad I did the research last night to find it.  The park is Antrim Park in Columbus, just off of Olentangy River Road.  The park itself is rather large and has a variety of areas for recreation.  It is also a trail head for the Olentangy Trail system that runs through Columbus.

But the part of the park I enjoyed today was the loop around the quarried lake.  It's a 1.2 mile loop trail and its lovely.  My photos tonight are from around the lake and of the trail.  I had a great walk, I went around 3 times, my ankle barely hurt at all and maybe when I'm in Columbus for my next doctor's apt on Friday (different doctor) I'll try jogging the trail part way.  Hmmm...we'll see how things go the next few days.

Anyways, time for the photos.  Some of my photos are pretty good, others are just okay.  My good camera died after about 5 pictures so, I had to shoot the rest with my Blackberry.  Next time, I'll remember to charge the battery before I travel.

Enjoy!

Doesn't this look like the perfect spot to sit and just relax a stressful day away?

This really is a beautiful park and to think it is right next to 315, in the heart of Columbus.  Seriously, have I mentioned how much I want to live in Columbus?

A new blog, a new adventure

I've started another blog.  On my way home this afternoon I was thinking.  Thinking about my health, God and just everything that has been going on lately.  I know I need to focus.  I need to concentrate more on what is important to me and how to improve myself.  So, I've started a 2nd blog.  I call it M.A.D.E.  It stands for Music, Art, Devotions, Exercise.  Those are four things in my life that I want to work on to help improve my relationship with God and the rest of the world. 

I love music and always have something playing.  Most of my music is rather tame, but there is some that pushes the limit.  Art is also something that is a big part of my life lately.  Sewing, photography, poetry, etc. are all ways I can help reach out to others and explore the gifts I've been given.  I am determined to read more in the bible and contemplate how this affects my life.  So, I'll start doing daily devotions.  Finally exercise is something I desperately need to work on and so its a part of the package.

So, for the next 90 days I've set some goals to work on to help improve my spiritual, mental and physical health.  If you're interested check out my other blog here. 

In other news, tonight I went for my 2nd ever Jog.  It was okay.  I ran/walked 1.8 miles in 30 minutes.  Not bad for my second time.  I did intervals of 2 minutes jogging, 2 minutes walking.  I have an app. on my blackberry called Endomondo that is helping me reach my goals.  I have less than 2 months to prepare for my first 5K so, I plan to really kick the training into high gear this week. Pray for me.

My photos for tonight are from West State Park (my usual work out zone).  I was enthralled with the trees (big surprise) and that is my main subject for the evening. 

Enjoy!

The 'old' shelter at West State Park.  I really like this shelter and have used it for Preschool day in the park and have been to our Church's outdoor worship service here.  On August 7th, we'll have another outdoor worship service in this spot.  It really is lovely and is well maintained.

So this is how I feel sometimes.  There's a path, but you can't tell where it goes, except that you're probably going to fall.  That is what my life feels like most of the time.

The Hocking River.  Its a bit full right now.  The past several summers it has been just a tiny trickle.  This year its running good.  Old Man's Cave and waterfall should be really pretty right now.

The Canoe Portage.  I'm thinking a canoe trip might be fun.  Its good exercise and a lovely way to spend time in nature.  I'll have to consider that.

This is where I stop and stretch after my 'run'.  During this time I almost really hurt myself.  Something pulled in my hip when I was stretching and it took me 15 minutes of walking to get it to a 'bearable' pain.  I'll have to be careful with that.

I saw this pine and had to take a picture.  Tomorrow is July 25-Christmas in July!  Only 5 months until Christmas, better start planning now!

Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday...

Our little boy turned 2 today.  My 'rotten' nephew Paul is no longer a baby, now he is officially a toddler.  I'm not okay with this.  He is getting so big, is so smart and oh my goodness is the sweetest thing ever!!!  I won't write too much tonight but will let the photos say it all.  Happy birthday baby boy! Aunt April loves you so much. 

On a side note, Kayla is now back with her parents.  I almost cried when they left tonight.  I hope she had a good time with me this week.  It has been a busy, exhausting and truly wonderful week for me.  We have been planning to have the kids come to say with me for a week for several months and I can hardly believe its over.  But, I have next year to look forward to and in a few years, Paul's first week with me. 

The birthday boy!  Happy 2nd Birthday baby!

I love this picture.  Paul in the foreground, up close and personal, but Nick behind him looking up to no good!

This is just a weird picture.  Kayla had a double earache and the interesting thing over her head is a warming wrap to help with the discomfort.

Look at that face!!  He's waiting for food and is hungry!

What a big boy!

This was so sweet.  He got this mini pillow pet from Uncle Phil and Aunt Megan.  He took it, opened it up and laid right down on it.  So precious!

Oh Nick, you're so handsome (at least to me you are!)

Playing with toys.  And I'm not just talking about the kids.  Andy was determined to get the Weebles I got Paul stack.  He got two to stack but was trying to get all three stacked.  Its a bit sad really about Andy! ;)

Paul was building with his new blocks, with a bit of help from his brother.

Kayla rockin' out on Nick's DJ machine.

Phil & Megan, just back from their trip to Hocking Hills. 

Paul's fleet.  He has a garbage truck, got 2 planes from his Uncle Eric & other Aunt April,  and the firetruck from Grandma & Grandpa.  He is a lucky kid.

Whoa!

This was so cute!  Paul was 'singing' along with the DJ machine.  Adorable.

Nick rapping on the DJ machine.  With a little help from his brother.

Grandma had a hair apt. today and Kayla & I took her.  This is in the lobby at the salon.  The  chairs were so cute and she had to show them off.  I'm going to miss her so much!

Relaxing, driving, relaxing

This summer weather stinks.  It has been so horridly hot and living in a house with no central air conditioning.  But, for the most part I'm climatized and used to living with the heat.  This heat wave though, is too much even for me.  I am happy now, at my parent's house in Smithville and loving the AC. 

Kayla and I drove up this afternoon.  Today was our official last full day together.  I am sad.  She is thrilled (as she should be) to see her parents tomorrow.  I am thinking about returning to my house on Sunday and how quiet it will be.  No kids, just me.  There are positive aspects, less work to do, but so much quieter and less lively.   I'll miss my baby girl.  She is growing up so fast and I can't believe how big and mature she is. 

Anyway, last night we spent the evening at home, had a nice casual dinner (in my room-the only one with ac), Kayla had her bath, then we watched a little Fraggle Rock on netflix.  Then off to bed.  I was terribly lazy and did no work after she was in bed.  Just surfed the internet and wrote a few emails.  I was in bed by 10:30 and loving it.

This morning we got up, I had tons of chores to do, we packed out bags, and off we went.  The heat was brutal and with no real working AC in the car, we couldn't get here fast enough.  We ate lunch in the car, stopped only once and got here in good time.  Kayla was thrilled to see Grandma, so we stopped in at her work and brought her home.  We've enjoyed a nice evening together and I got my gifts for Paul for his birthday.  Our baby boy is turning TWO tomorrow.  A baby no longer.  I am so sad about that.  Can't wait to see him tomorrow at his party and spend some time together.  I'm so excited to see him open his toys and I hope he likes them. 

So, not many pictures tonight as I have just sucked about taking pictures lately.  I will have some tomorrow, as the boy's birthday should prove to have some photographic moments.  Well, here they are.  Sorry in advance they're all from my blackberry. 

Talking on the phone to grandma.  You'd think she was a teenager already the way she loves to talk on the phone.

A nice simple pony tail.  Hair decisions are a big part of our daily routine.

Asleep in the heat with bows in her hair.  Excuse me while I cry...