Though we’re already a few days into Spring, a chill has been in the air from the latest cold front. Monte and I weeded the flower bed along the fence. It’s ready for some spring flower sets. I think I’ll wait another week. St. Francis will have to hold down the fort a little longer.
I have been enjoying swimming at the gym, for the last few months. I’m slow and steady, and have worked up to being able to swim a mile in an hour. However, the chlorine is wreaking havoc with my hair, skin, nails and most recently my jewelry. So today I left my rings behind at home – hanging on the cabinet door handle.
Now, i have no idea if the fact that I wasn’t wearing my wedding band had anything to do with it… but I had an interesting encounter in the steam room after my swim. Usually the steam room is full of men and women of all ages, shapes and sizes. Today, however, when I entered the steam-filled room, there was only one other person there. Until today, my experience was that steamroom etiquette was a lot like elevator etiquette – you pretty much keep to yourself and exit when you’re ready.
Today, after about 5 minutes, the one other person in a blue swimsuit walked over to me. Here is the conversation that followed:
blueswimsuit: <mumble mumble>
me: “sorry, I couldn’t hear you over the steam vent”
blueswimsuit: “I said, do you live nearby?”
me: “Yes”
blueswimsuit: “well, would you be interested in giving me a sensual oil massage?”
me: “Uh. No.” <pause> “I don’t think I would be very good at that.”
blueswimsuit: “Oh, its pretty easy, you just rub oil on my shoulders and back.”
me: “No. I wouldn’t be good at doing that. Sorry.”
blueswimsuit: “are you sure?”
me: “very sure, thanks.”
After that, she walked back over to her side of the steamroom and we sat there for another ten minutes by ourselves until another person joined us.
Just another day at the gym, i guess. 🙂
Welcome!
This morning was overcast & cold. I ran errands. Then we went for a walk, waiting for the sun to come out. It finally did about 3:00. So we went of back and did some much needed yard work. The beds are ready for planting!
Whew, what a long week! After work I walked around our yard out back to see what I could see. My plumbago is thriving with little to no water, as usual.
The hardest working retiree has been busy this week. He spent an entire day cleaning the house (thanks sweetie!) and today he spent all day tilling and planting his garden out in the way back. Tomatoes, basil, chives, parsley, dill… and zinnies! Can’t wait.
Then I surveyed the trees out back. One day there’s no leaves. The next day they are covered in green.
At the base of this red oak I saw something I’ve never seen. Neon green golf ball sized balls growing on the branches. Very odd. Google tells me they are a sign of oak apple gall. Home to the apple gall wasp larvae till it hatches. Learn something new every day!
Enjoy your weekend!
Today at about 6 AM central time, Spring arrived in Central Texas. But Winter didn’t sneak away quietly. Approximately 3 hours before that we were all woken up abruptly by the terrific racket of hail pelting the roof – the leading edge of one last Winter coldfront was passing over the house. Unfortunately, the cars were out in the driveway. By the time we were up and about it was too late to go out and move them. Luckily it was only about 1/4″ to 1/2″ and didn’t damage the cars. That was exciting.
In keeping with my life-view that everything happens for a reason… as Julie and I were groggily standing at the sliding glass door watching the hail fall on the back patio, she said, “Hey, isn’t that Monte’s laptop?” Sure enough, it was sitting on the table outside the door. I guess he left it there on his way in from the shop the night before. We were able to grab it and bring it inside before it got drenched by the rain that started to fall a few minutes later. Funny, eh?
Anyway, I should have snapped a shot of the hail, but I wasn’t quite awake enough at the time to think to do that. So, i’ll leave you with this picture of tonight’s selection. Cheers to Spring!
Ack! I have not been paying attention, but on March 8th, I completed year 3 of sheila365.com’s photoblog! The first year I faithfully posted a photo-a-day (March 8, 2010 – 2011). The second and third years were not daily, but close to it. And after all this time, I still look forward to posting. But, I enjoy much more looking back on my own posts from time to time to remember the moments I captured.
I am amazed and happy to report that I have 180 followers (thank you!) and I have amassed nearly 15,000 visits, and 1100+ comments. This aint the New York Times, but it is my very own soapbox to share an interesting thought or two. I’m glad you are all here to share them with.
In keeping with past years, here is a collage of the moments I’ve shared from year 3 of sheila365.com…
I went to the nearby hike and bike trail this morning. I’m really glad I did… saw spring popping everywhere.
I love the redbuds in bloom.
And the bluebonnets.
As I was jogging and walking I was streaming music over pandora and heard this song (Awake My Soul) for the first time. This part especially grabbed me:
“In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die
Where you invest your love, you invest your life.”
We went out for monte’s birthday-eve dinner tonight, because we will be on the boat tomorrow night. Birthday boy’s choice: stone crab at truluck’s. yum!
And dessert!
Went out for a weeknight girls night out with Lori, Laura, Doray and Irene. The wine was delicious!
Home at last. Pretty flowers. My sweetie. My pretty birdie. 🙂
I managed to seriously strain my lower back overnight. And all day today I have been terribly uncomfortable; not able to find a sitting or standing position where I wasn’t in pain. Sheesh.
Coincidentally, I had made an appointment for this evening at the hotel spa for a massage – which was fantastic. Perfect timing. I still am sore but I am as relaxed as I’m going to be. It’s a very nice place. I might need to squeeze in another treatment before I leave.
Here’s a few more shots from inside…
Tonight the conference is hosting a concert in the garden arena of the MGM Grand. Carrie Underwood is treating us to an evening of music. On the floor you can see upwards of 8000 IBM-ers, clients and friends cutting loose. I’m enjoying seeing colleagues from current assignments, as well as those I haven’t seen in over ten years or more.
Flew to Las Vegas today. I don’t really need it, but I simply must have an exit row aisle seat when traveling coach. It makes those tall guys green with envy.
I was hoping to get a good shot of the LAX airport tower, but didn’t have an unobstructed view. Can you spot it?
I’m staying at the MGM Grand. Come on by and see me. I have plenty of room!
I love Saturdays. And I love Chuy’s mango margaritas. Monte prefers their Texas martinis. A good combo. After dinner we took a walk around the hood.
Sheila365 