calf muscles

My favorite compliment is when someone tells me that I must be a runner because I have great calf muscles. I used to run but eventually it caught up with me and I had problems with my feet and knees. Plus, I just found that I enjoy walking more. I walk fast and I feel that I'm just as fit as any runner. This morning I walked 4.09 miles in my neighborhood. It's a hilly trail but I kept thinking of my calf muscles and sometimes I zigzag up them. I need to stay close to home today as this is the day my granite counter tops will be installed. Did you know that the big slaps of granite are cut to the precise measurements with a "water" saw! Maybe pictures tomorrow....

it's a no

It didn't take us long to decide after our drive-by on Saturday that the River View house was not for us. A lot of these homes have been in one family for years and unfortunately are in sad shape. I'm sure the view out the back of the house is breath taking but with the leaves on the trees it is only visible during the fall and winter months. The train tracks run right below the house and I love trains but I'm afraid the noise would be annoying rather than romantic. The outside of the house is dated and would require lots of repairs to bring it up to our (Hubby's) standards. Besides, we are both getting weary of remodeling and don't want to start all over. Still, if it were just me and if I had unlimited funds (ha ha) I would jump at the chance to own it!

i'm torn

Why does this happen at the most inappropriate time. My real estate lady called with an amazing "river view" house for sale. I'm afraid to even drive by it for fear that I will fall in love with it. I haven't even turned on my new gas stove yet. Can I leave it? I know that Hubby is not keen on the idea of putting this house on the market after all the work that we (he) has done. Or, is it the four garages that he does not want to part with? But I have wanted a river view house for a long time. I will definitely drive by this afternoon and then, we'll just go from there. On another subject, my week in the autism classroom was very fulfilling. Yes, I am down one bracelet but that is my fault, I should not have worn it. I was scratched and bitten but I also now have a greater understanding of these little guys and realize that they have a purpose to be on this earth just like anybody else. Dear God, Thank you for the opportunity that you gave me this week.

a full day

We spent most of the morning on DTTs: waving hello and goodbye, practicing putting on shoes, working with shapes and colors, zipping and buttoning. After lunch we had story time, went on a long nature walk that included throwing rocks into the pond, made a sock puppet with yarn hair and goggle eyes and spent at least an hour playing and swinging outside in the sunshine. And tomorrow we'll do it all over again. Oh, I was bitten on my hand but fortunately it did not break the skin. I wasn't getting any sympathy anyway and by the end of the day a favorite Fossil bracelet was broken. When will I ever learn!

new appliances

All of the appliances are Maytag and they were all installed yesterday except the dish washer which is just in place waiting for the sink and counter top to be installed, possibly later this week. I love it all and feel so fortunate that it all worked out the way it did. This week will be hectic as I am scheduled to sub in the autism classroom for four days but one big positive: it's Teacher Appreciation Week so there should be plenty of goodies to go around! That's if I have time for any of it!!

star wars day

I saw him on the playground and noticed that he was wearing a new Star Wars shirt. Hey, I like your shirt, I said. He told me that his dad bought it for him for Star Wars Day. You know, may the fourth be with you!

five miles

Today, or rather this morning, I walked 5.6 miles on the Washington Park Trail. It was already warm and I thought the shade would make it cooler. It helped. Tomorrow I will get my hair trimmed and sub  in the afternoon so I have a chance to see my kiddos again. Here's what my clematis looks like these days.