You guys...

... I've so much catching up to do!  Well, not really.  I've been up to the same ole, same ole.  Walking.  That is, up until last Monday.  I slipped down my basement steps and that has resulted in a grade 2 LCL sprain.  I'm on crutches and in some moderate pain, constantly.  Argh!!  My free time has since been spent on the couch with my knee up on a mountain of pillows while I vege.  If I'm not sleeping, I'm catching up on my DVR shows.  I don't want to complain (but I will..) but this is seriously bumming me OUT.  It reminds me of last year when I was sidelined with a fractured toe.  I suffer through the heat of summer to finally reach my favorite time of year and end up stuck indoors.  

*#&!$%

So.. let's look back on the weeks that I've been away from this blog. 

Each Friday I would spend time at the larger cemetery, here in town.  It was such a peaceful time for me.  It was the one time a week I would, without fail, take some photographs.  Like I've mentioned before, if I'm out on the trails, logging my mileage I rarely stop.  It would take a super special shot for me to take a break in the trail.  But.. it happens occasionally.

In a few of the above photos,.. can you see it?!  Snow!!!  We were hit with a very early snowfall.  Love!!  But, for now, I'm hoping that any future snow waits until I'm back up and mobile.  I don't think crutches and snow/ice would mix very well together.

I think, what I am missing most, right now, is not being able to spend that time with Blue.

Don't let these photos fool you, he's a maniac on the leash.  ha!  Especially if there are any leaves blowing about.  He's such a fun dog!  Being sidelined is definitely affecting him, as well...he's needs that 3 miles to expel that puppy energy.   Needs that 3 miles.

We went to a pumpkin farm.  A nice time was had by all.  I'm not sure what it is, maybe because the boys have grown up?  Holidays just don't seem to be as fun anymore.  It makes me sad..

I guess that's all for now.   Enjoy your Thanksgiving!

♥

9.22.14

It's the first day of Autumn!!  Ok, so technically it's not officially Autumn until later this evening, but, I sure did my last day of summer dance this morning.  I have a feeling we've not seen the last of the summer temps just yet... but soon!  I can see the end and that's good enough for me.  However, I will miss our frequent trips to Don's Creamy Whip and DQ a bunch!  We'll just have to drive a bit further to eat in at a DQ.. I must have regular sprinkles in my life.

My best walk to date!  If you've been a reader you know I become slightly obsessive. I have a feeling walking/jogging (yes! I have even attempted a bit of a jog while out) has become an obsession to me.  I'm not even sure I can blame competition with my brother anymore.  He doesn't seem to care when I rub my winnings in his face!  But that doesn't even matter to me.  It's almost like I *must* beat myself.  I have to get in more mileage than the day before.  I put in at least 3 miles outside and at least 3 miles inside, daily.  Anything above that happens when I'm sitting on the couch and realize.. uh, I could be watching this TV show while I jog in place.  So.. I do.  I have to get more steps!  Since going to the doctor in July, I've lost 17 lbs.  I don't even care about that.  I rarely weigh myself, but tomorrow I am going for my physical and thought to check.  I am not even overly excited about the weight loss.  It's a strange feeling to honestly not care about weight.  But walking has helped me in ways I can't fully grasp..and I assume that mindset is part of not caring about a number on a scale.

Very rarely do I take photos while I'm out putting my miles in.  My phone is clipped to my waist and I don't want to go through the trouble of unclipping and reclipping.. noway - I won't be slowed down!!  But, one day, I decided to bring Bella with me and she can't hang too well with walking long distances without little breaks.  I walked her down to the creek in between laps and noticed these pretty flowers!  So - I dealt with the hassle for a moment.  Seriously, look at her!!  Her tongue.  Cripes.  I just can't.

Speaking of Autumn.. the best parts of my walks, now, are the falling leaves.  I love the smells as I am walking.  I love the crunch of the leaves.  I love the cool breezes and even love being startled by a toad jumping across my pathway.  I am constantly looking down as to not step on any of the billion daddy long legs that seem to think they don't have to look left and right before crossing the path!  

Every day after work, before I pick the Demon up from school, I walk the cemetery across the street.  I put in about a mile there.  Why I never thought to do that before now, I don't know.  It's so peaceful.  It's a great way to spend the time I'd otherwise be spending angry at jerk parents double parking or not letting me out of my parking spot to leave the lot!!  I've eliminated about 20 mins of anger from my day, just by choosing to walk. 

I can never stay away from Spring Grove Cemetery for too long.  I had an hour to kill before having to be at the school and thought to walk through.  Normally, this place is so big I drive from destination to destination.  This time, I walked.  And, got lost.  Argh!  It was frustrating - especially because I had such limited time.  I had to shoot the Demon a text explaining I may be late and was officially lost.  Then a few turns later I came upon Dexter and knew exactly where I was.  What a beaut!  

That's about all for now.  I hope you've had a wonderful weekend.  Last week I put in a bit over 48 miles... I must beat that!

Enjoy your week. ♥

Another month? Srsly?

How annoying is it when a person types/texts abbreviations like srsly?  Is it really annoying? ha...I do it all the time.  Anywho, I hope the above photo of Belli Boo (Bella) will erase any annoyance I may have already caused. 

If adorable pugs aren't your *thing* maybe the above tombstone will make you smile!  Normally, I don't post graveyard images with a busy background.  I like the focus of my photo to stand alone with only minimal nature in the back.  However, I could not pass up posting this one.  It caught my eye as I wandered - what a moving expression is presented.  Just beautiful!

Okay, so.. yeah, it's been another month since I posted here.  Where does the time go? I need to catch everyone up, in this little blog world of mine, how super exciting the past month has been for me!!

Not really, but it's fun to portray that image - right?

All lameness aside, it's not been too bad around here.   One morning, last week, we had loads of fog roll through Cincinnati.  As the Demon and I set out for school I noticed a bunch of amazing spider webs in the neighbors bushes.  Ahhh!!!  Fall is just around the corner.  I have to keep repeating that fact because, currently, the weather is still TOO warm for my liking.  I know that picture isn't the best quality, but I'm super impressed considering it was taken with my phone!

I've been a walking maniac lately.  And by maniac I mean like 5 miles a day.  I am sure to most people 5 miles is no big deal.  To me?  It's huge.  I've spent many months not wanting to do anything.  Not wanting to get out of bed.  Not wanting to get off the couch.  This burst of energy and motivation is a good thing.  I also attribute my sudden motivation on the fact that I am one of the most competitive people you will know.  Most of you know my love for the video dance game - Just Dance.  I am a beast!!!  I must beat everyone I play.  And, not just beat them..it's my mission to  crush  them.  That leads me to walking... My brother and I each bought a Samsung Galaxy Gear Neo 2, smart watch.  It's now my mission in life to walk more steps in a day than he does.  It's super hard for me, considering I am sitting for 7 hours a day at work while he works on his feet.  I have to cram in as much walking as my fat little body can handle in the moments I have after work.  It's taken me a few days, loads of sweat, and a few blisters..but I think I've found my groove.  I'm pretty proud of myself!  It's also very therapeutic for me to throw my ear buds in and just go..

moment of truth - i do laps in my living room if i have to, in order to annihilate his amount.  let's keep that secret here..

As I take the Demon to school we drive passed these towers.  Every.single.morning I say "Oh, that would have been a beautiful photo.  This day...I captured it!

Something is so picturesque about the metal giants sitting against the beautiful sunrise sky.  It's just amazing.

So, that's about it.  My days consist of waking up entirely too early, driving the Demon to school, working, picking him up, and walking.  Thrown in there are moments of family laughter, homework arguments, and a couple nights filled with dancing.  All in all - not such a bad situation.  

I'll end today's recap with a huge thank you to everyone that still reads this little area of the internets.  A huge thank you for any new readers out there.  I've been told that a few of my Instagram friends have been reading - what a huge honor!  I really appreciate you all for your support over the last few years.  It's meant more than you realize.

I hope to check in soon!  I mean, it's my most favorite time of the year!!  I have to bombard you all with my Autumn obsessions.

What the...

... F*#!  It's been nearly a  month  since I've been here!  Life is still in a holding pattern.  To say that I have been down, in a funk, depressed..may be an understatement.  I have brief periods of time that are spent happy, laughing and having a good time.  Unfortunately, for the inter-webs, those times are not spent online.  Happy times have been spent walking around parks and cemeteries.  Happy times have been spent on my couch laughing it up with the Demon.  We even had a family game night thrown into the mix. 

Thanksgiving will soon be here and we all know how awful I am with the turkey.  I think we're planning on eating out, again, this year.  No arguments from me!

I have so many photos I could upload here but, to be quite honest, I am lazy!  There will come a point in time when I will be able to go into detail what has been going on in my, normally, very boring life.  Hopefully very soon.

Until then, enjoy this picture from Spring Grove Cemetery.  Ohhhh, I have so much to share from this amazing place. 

my week on instagram

another week has come and gone.  i am slacking - big time - with the blog.  for those that read and enjoy, i apologize!  i promise to do better for the remainder of the year...even if it's just checking in at the end of the day with a "hi!".

next week is thankgiving!  i can't believe how the end of the year always seems to fly by so quickly.  i hope to put the christmas tree up on wednesday.  i haven't been able to listen to christmas music just yet... 

anywho.. let's take a peak back on the week through instagram.

01.  over the summer i tried and tried to find a "nude" nail polish and i just never was able to get it on nicely.  even this one by Essie.. didn't make me completely happy.

02.  i just love my quilt.  it's perfect for my room temperature.  i wish it were possible to get this exact one in a small throw size to keep in my living room.  i shall start my hunt,.... now!

03.  i ordered my first non fat hot chocolate!  it's weird, i've ordered another since and it seems they aren't filling the cups up as full as in the past?  has anyone else had that experience with Mc Donalds?

04.  after playing for hours in the back yard shooting hoops..the demon came limping into the house with one shoe off.  he showed me this long nail that had embedded itself in his shoe!  thank god it didn't go all the way through... he survived!

05.  one of the prompts for the #fmsphotoaday challenge was "in your bag".  i bought this new purse last sunday.  it goes against almost everything i am to own anything this pink, but I couldn't resist the bag.

06.  after a day full of shopping with my brother, the beast and the demon...we refueled at Long John Silvers.

07.  i went through a long period when i wasn't hitting any trains as i drove to and from work.  i thought maybe it was because of the time change.  however, lately it seems as if at least once - daily - i'm getting stopped.  maybe it's because i'm running more late than normal.

08.  it's still looking a lot like fall around here.  our weekend temperatures have been perfect.  but, i am ready for cold temps and freezing evenings spent at the festival of lights.

09.  the demon appears to have taken a turn for the better with his grades.  i sure hope so!  he is so excited about going to high school (which is also a new feeling for him) and i don't want his school struggles to lessen that excitement.

i love that i've started doing this weekly recap.  it really helps to remember that,  even though i'm stuck in the funk, looking back - it's never as bad as it seems. 

enjoy the rest of your sunday.. i'm watching the bengals and expecting a win!

my week on instagram

i started a new photoaday challenge and i'm already behind! oh well, i grab the shots when i think about it and when i have a good opportunity for that particular day.  

mao still seems to be going strong.  he has his days where he's not too interested in eating but all we have to do is jiggle the lazer pointer and he comes running to play.  i pray that we get one more holiday season with him!

i hope everyone is having a great sunday.  the weather here is chilly, but, beautiful.  we're planning on having cake and ice cream today and the Demon will receive his gifts.  he never asks for much... this year?  1 book.  while that sounds terrific, it makes it very difficult to guess what else he may like for his birthday or Christmas!

the bengals game just ended with yet another loss.  that makes 4 in a row... it sure is hard being a cincinnati bengal fan!!  i'm off to switch up laundry and get the house ready for the family.  :)

Trick or Treat!

i have to say that it's been a very long time since i've had so much while fun trick or treating.  last night was great!

"you're a boy!?!"

"you're a couple of mighty fine looking ladies!"

"call me later!!!"

"best costumes of the night!"

when my brother suggested (yes, my brother!) that the boys go as girls..more specifically an angel/devil combo, the boys weren't having anything to do with the thought.  it wasn't until i bribed the demon with a wig, that he changed his mind.  then it was time to convince my nephew (which wasn't that hard!).  

the demon was immediately into the whole thing.  he was picking out his makeup and having a great time.  he specifically asked for black lipstick!  the boy knows what he wants.  my nephew was still hesitant.  he was arguing getting his picture taken..but gave in.  when it came time to his makeup - he, too, knew what he wanted.  blue eyes shadow!  

it was a very cold/wet evening.  they had to throw some hoodies on (zip up, of course!  i mean they had to show off those bodies.) and attach their wings over in order to make them visible.  the beast added some long johns to keep his legs warm and off we went!  

they were completely in character.  they'd walk up to the house and very sweetly say "trick or treat"... be handed their candy and reply, very manly, "thank you".  the reactions were priceless!  the best reactions came from those neighbors that know them.  complete surprise!

i'm thankful that everyone had a great time and were so receptive to their costumes.  it put their minds at ease and they were able to shed that self consciousness and thoroughly enjoy the night.  despite the miserable weather there were a couple of guys that worked their butts off for that candy last night!

my momma would have loved it...

i know you all miss my, things i love thursday, right?  have no fear, it will return next week :)

carve 'em up.

this sucks.  this should be my happiest time of the year, yet i'm just not feeling it. 

i've done the normal Horror movie marathons.  

i've done the whole changing my facebook picture daily to give people their daily dose of scare. 

i've attempted the super annoying birthday countdown.

we've done the pumpkin patch thing.

this weekend we carved our pumpkins.  (excuse crappy cell photos)

of course... the boys, being the boys that they are, have to add their own fun into the mix.

the Demon was mid head bang and the Beast was getting some ideas for next years costume.

the dog was just as nosy as ever...

... and was hoovering the ground for any pumpkin/seeds that found their way to the floor.

these were their finished products.

i spent my evening taking pictures and picking through the guts to gather the seeds.

they were very yummy!

during our fun filled weekend i forced the boys into goodwill.  i always head straight back to the housewares area and hope to quickly browse the shelves.  i found some very cute place mats!

i also stumbled upon this super cute set of salt and pepper shakers...

i carried them around the entire time we were browsing.  the shark is courtesy of the Beast.  i'm not sure why, but he really wanted this shark!  we both put them back on the shelves and walked out sulking that maybe we should've bought them.

i hope your tuesday is going well.  despite wading through this funk - i am looking forward to showing off the boys in their costumes after Halloween.  it's going to be great!

my week on instagram

♦  My week started off with a fresh coat of lovely brown polish.

♦  Years ago, like 15 or so years... I asked my momma for this ring for Christmas.  I decided to pull it out and wear it for awhile.

♦  Our pumpkin haul - on display.

♦  I love how a rainy picture looks when taken through glass.

♦  One of the prompts for the #fmsphotoaday challenge was "made you smile".  This Halloween display always puts a smile on my face.

♦  Arrested Development, anyone?

♦  The leaves finally started to change around my neighborhood.

♦  I was wearing this little hair clip and I was trying so hard to get it in the picture frame.  Fail.

♦  I ended my week wearing orange.

Today we (the Demon, his dad and I) are heading to a high school open house.  He's excited to get a chance to walk around the school he's hoping to attend next year.  I, however, am sad.  Sad that he's getting older.  Sad that my Momma isn't here to see him growing up.  Sad that I'm going to be walking this high school adventure without her advice and shoulder to lean on...

I've been feeling pretty down lately.  Maybe it's because my birthday is coming up and she's not here.  Every year I'm so excited about my birthday.  I love to annoy everyone around me with daily reminders and jokes about it approaching.  It's just not the same this year.

and, it's not fair...

A day spent at the punkin' farm!

Saturday was a beautiful day.  At first, I was kind of upset about it warming up to 75°ish.  I wanted it to stay as cool as it had been over the past week or so.  I wanted (can you imagine me whining?) it to be cool, perfect, hoodie weather!!  However, I was pleasantly surprised.  It was just windy enough to be enjoyable.

We hit the corn maze as soon as we got there.  

Every year that we manage to hit a corn maze the boys make it their mission to find the best and worst looking corn to photograph.

This year we thought we'd try out a new farm - Young's Dairy - and we were not disappointed!  Throughout this maze there were questions that we could answer to try to "win" a coupon for a discount for something else on the farm.  Is it awful that we all pulled out our cell phones to try to find the answers?  If so, then we totally did not do that, instead, we knew 'em all!  & earned those coupons.  :)

After we made our way out of the maze the Demon wanted to attack the batting cages. Unfortunately, the Beast isn't able to do anything that requires possibly twisting that knee.. so he had to sit this one out.

After he struck out about 12 times, we were on our way to the pumpkin patch to try to find the perfect pumpkins.

I don't know if you can tell or not, the Demon doesn't look too thrilled.  He was semi pouting about his poor performance in the batting cage.  You can also see the happiness in the Beast!  It's been awhile since he's been able to get out and about because of his surgery.

 I love everything about looking for that just right green pumpkin.  I was on the hunt for a white one too, but was unsuccessful.   I didn't see one single white pumpkin...until... we got back on the tractor and a rotten kid sitting across from me had one in his lap!  boooo.  Don't think that I didn't imagine snatching it from his hands and tripping him as I ran away clutching that perfect white pumpkin! 

As the Demon was bending over to grab a pumpkin, he was stuck!  He discovered a lot of little sticky burs.  Not long after he discovered them - the Beast did as well.  Of course, it then became the war of the burs.  The Demon would finally pick the last one off and the Beast would attack with more!  It ended with the Demon wearing his shirt backward as that was the only way he could see the damage.

The tractor took us back closer to the Jeep and we dropped off our haul and we were then off to putt putt!

There were so many people at the farm that day.  I imagine they are pretty busy all Autumn long.  Surprisingly though, we didn't have to wait very long for anything we were wanting to do.  That was, until we were finished with putt putt and wanted to eat dinner.  50 minutes, is what we were told was the wait! 

No, thank you!  Instead... we went to grab some of their famous homemade ice cream!

Yes, it was as good as it looks! 

We waited a little while longer for the sun to set and we went straight for the line for the haunted wagon ride!

He's so animated!  The wagon ride was loads of fun and we didn't have to wait long at all for our turn.  Quite amazing really, when you consider how long I had to wait to use the bathroom!

This specific farm is over an hour away from my house.  Normally, I'd completely dismiss driving so far for just some pumpkins and putt putt.  I can't explain how much we enjoyed ourselves.  Unfortunately, my brother and sister in law had to work.  I hope we can all arrange our schedules so that everyone can be there, next year.

Oh.. before I end this crazy long post - I have to show you what happens when a couple of teenage boys are asked to hold the camera while I run to the bathroom.

HA!  Thank God I am just as immature as a couple of 14 year old guys. 

Enjoy your Wednesday  ♥

a 9.5 on the creepy scale.

Here's the last post having to do with our little walk last week.   We walked in and out of the woods as we could.  In some spots entering the woods was blocked by rusted fencing.  In other areas it was open - it was those areas we would enter, depending on how interesting that specific area appeared.

We walked and walked...

Not long after finding the leaves, walnuts, slate and the garbage, we stumbled upon this...

To say that I was creeped out, would be an understatement.  We were deep enough into the woods that I could no longer see the houses.  I could see nothing but trees and I could hear nothing but creaking and cracking of limbs and falling, rustling leaves. 

The dog did not look happy to be there and was pulling the leash wanting to walk on.  But, if you know me, you know that we couldn't pass up an opportunity to grab a picture!

I  quickly snapping this picture and we were back on our way but, after finding this, I wanted to get the heck outta there as quickly as I could.  With each creepy sound the wind was making I found myself looking over my shoulder praying that I'd see nothing and no one.

We continued walking...and wondering.  Wondering how in the world we were supposed to get out of here?  I mean, we could just go for it.. walk straight to our right through the woods.  However, I wasn't quite at the freak out level that would excuse ripping out my hair by all of the tree limbs that were in our way.

Unfortunately, the freak out level rose once we walked up to this...

WHAT the what?!  I have no idea what this is or why anyone would build this and lean the long sticks against this woodish mantle thingy.  At this point, all I knew was this area was obviously occupied by someone/thing and I didn't want to be here when they/it returned.

There is an obvious log for sitting in front of a small fire pit.   We were still far enough into the woods that the houses were not visible.  What in the hell would we have done if some creep was there and all we had for survival was my camera, my phone and a poop eating wimp of a dog?!?!  

We had to get OUT.  Still, we followed along the path and I kept my eyes on our backs as the Demon led the way...

We finally made our way out and this is the first thing I saw - after emerging from the woods.

Really?!  I must recommend that the city install these signs in the woods.  It would've come in handy having arrows directing us out of these creeptastic woods.

Will I ever go back?  Probably... but it will be after all the leaves are gone and I have a visual on the street!  Oh, and a weapon in hand.