"Lance Chance Workout"

At nearly the last minute yesterday, I texted Alba and asked her if she was busy.  I felt a pressing need to get myself out and work out. I'd talked to my son in the morning and he somewhat expressed an interest in participating in the Rudolph Run on December 3.  That's not that far away.  I am somewhat interested in it myself, although I'm NOT going to run.  I'm too big and don't feel like having all my body parts jiggling and dancing as I attempt to move quickly through downtown.  Nope.  Not me.  I'll walk it though.  Alba says I need to get my hind end moving at least three times a week if I plan on being prepared for it.  I need to get acclimated to the weather, etc. 

I sent a text message to Alba at 3:00 and asked her if she was available at 5:30.  Fortunately for me, she was!  She came over and we went over to the park.  I can tell I'm not in shape because a simple quick walk (not really fast, just a good pace) had me huffing and puffing.  Alba pointed out that I'm stomping a little too hard when walking, so we worked on improving my foot position.  What was really neat was that she knew which foot was hitting wrong, even without looking!
She walked me through the park, had me do several squats, then we hit the stairs and did MORE leg-work and push ups against the rail.  My arms are sore today, as is another body part, but it's to be expected.  I feel pretty good, all things considered.  She had me step out of my comfort zone and step up on the second step from the bottom landing of the steps.  I was afraid of falling, but she kept encouraging and kept pushing.  I finally got a song on my phone that had me going (Oingo Boingo's No One Lives Forever). I like the pace and the lyrics, so I worked my butt off to get up on that step.  It was a lot easier on my left leg (pushing off with my right leg), which means I have to do MORE work on my right side.

When we came back, we planned on meeting tomorrow morning at 8:00 am.  I WILL be up and we are gonna work!  It's a shimmy day!  I'm looking forward to it.  I love dancing and this will be awesome!!

Duck Wrangler

Our new house is in an awesome neighborhood.  There is a park across the street and there are lakes in that park.  There is a huge profusion of ducks in the area.  We always see them in someone's yard as I'm taking my daughter to school.
This morning we were treated to a fun sight and giggles.  As we turned onto the street, we had to slow down because there was a lady in the street, trying desperately to shoo a pair of ducks out of the road.  The ducks had taken possession of the street and weren't budging whatsoever.  This lady had left her car idling on a side street and was trying to shoo them to the curb.  They were determined that they were ducks and as such, they owned the street.  We sat in the car until she'd gotten both of them up on the curb.  It made for a fun morning because we got a good laugh at the thought of our neighbors being "duck wranglers".   The street the ducks were on faces the park and the lakes, so there are *always* ducks out in the grass and in the yards facing the lakes.  Everyone has to slow down and we do have a "duck crossing" sign on the side of the street to warn people that there are ducks there.  
Amanda and I giggled and laughed all the way to her school.  We were laughing so hard, in fact, that I drove off after dropping her off and let her forget her backpack in the car.  I had to turn around and take it back to her--I was halfway to work when she texted me "MY BACKPACK!!  YOU HAVE IT!!"  
It's a good thing we have cell phones, I guarantee!

I'm still smiling at the thought of the people wrangling ducks.  It's too funny and made for a lovely way to start my day.

Good things must come to an end...

...and so goes my vacation.
Today is my last free day of vacation. I can say that I have accomplished much during this vacation. I've rested (needed it!), hung out with the kids (needed that!!) and saw my father in law and his wife. I cleaned a bit, although not the way I'd envisioned. I'm not ready to have people in my house...but soon, hopefully.


Yesterday we went for a walk at one of the local parks. Tony took me out and told me to bring my camera. We went driving around. He wanted to get pictures of the trees that are extremely colorful at this time of year. Several maples, some live oaks, etc. We drove over by the skate park near downtown and found a neat walking trail that we explored. It was really quite nice to see. Plus, I got in some exercise yesterday!! I took several pictures while we were out.

These are a couple of my favorites.