OLD SHRIMP BOAT

by Robin

I look for this boat every time we go through the port. There's just something I love about it.

FROZEN RODENTS

by Robin So, I'm minding my business first thing in the morning and letting the dogs out for potty. I look over at the pool, which had been calling my name for it's spring cleaning and I spot a floating rodent. Squirrel. Nothing worse than waking up to floating squirrel in your pool. Poor little guy. My next thought was.... what do I do with it? Do I tell the kids? OF COURSE, I *HAVE* to tell the kids. They live for gross stuff like this. Afterall, Jack tells me to raise them like men and not like daughters. This is a perfect life situation for them to encounter and learn how to handle. So, I called them outside and they were eager to see what was in the pool. We've seen frogs, tadpoles, lizards, various bugs & beetles. But, I don't think they were expecting a squirrel. Their eyes got as big as dinner plates. And then, that scrunched up set of eyebrows looked at me. Thank you Lord for giving me instant wisdom. "Get the yellow bucket," I said. From there, they skimmed the hardened corpse out of the water and into the bucket. They were very concerned that Mama opted to carry it through the house to get to the garage. Their plan was to dump it over the fence into the vacant lot next door. I had to remind them how bad dead fish smells in a couple days and so they agreed to go with my plan. Afterall, Mom has plenty of experience dealing with dead things. (Long job-related history, I will spare you.) Squirrely went out later that week with the garbage. He never did smell. We never did talk about him again after we told Daddy about it that night. I guess even squirrels have Darwin Awards for those that do ridiculous stunts that get themselves killed, including skinny-dipping in a frigid pool with no exit plan. Today, I heard what sounded like a squeaker toy behind me. I looked over my shoulder to see some frolicking squirrels which reminded me that life goes on. In another couple months, there will be another crop of nut-eating rodents in my yard, oblivious to the perils of their own actions. Here is one that stayed frozen in fear on our window for over an hour. After we got him down, he fell asleep on the side of the house for a couple hours before leaving the area. Sigh. Robin

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - Garden growth

by Robin Mar 19, 2011 Mar 29, 2011 Sage & blooms Sage blooms Lemon Heirlooms Purple Heirloom Toms

WEEK in REVIEW via Photos

by Robin

I mentioned earlier in the year that I am doing Project 365 where I take a photo a day. It hasn't been easy to remember on the boring days, but it certainly is rewarding when we look back. Time flies so fast so this is a fun way to slow it down.

Here is a week in review.

Mar 13th - Orange Blossoms in my yard - it smells fabulous here!



Mar 14th - Cobia hunting - being harassed by another boater while casting to a ray holding fish on her back.



Mar 15th - Andrew is my juicer!



Mar 16th - Rose



Mar 17th - Pi & St. Patrick's day combined



Mar 18th - Dissection for Biology



Mar 19th - woke up to this dead in my pool. YUCK!



Marh 20th - Boys had fevers so I decided to deep clean, declutter, and dust my school room. It needs it, doesn't it?



Mar 21st - Boys are better, so they get yard work. We all did! My arms are so sore!



Hope you enjoyed this. Life is never dull around here.

Couch to 5K Challenge

by Robin

This fall, I took the Couch to 5K Challenge when I saw some friends who were commenting on Facebook about running and one used this program to build up her stamina. I decided to join them. It was hard work, but fun since I love to exercise and this was a good way to keep my joints working on cold days. Running definitely warmed up my body & kept me fluid. Before I knew it, I was hitting a little over 2 miles by Christmas and I finished the 9 wk program. Less than a month later, I was making 3.1 miles regularly to run a 5K race I had planned on doing with those girlfriends in March. My times were even getting better with each run (not at all to brag that I'm fast, because I am NOT).

As life would have it, my fibromyalgia ruined all my plans and I hurt my plantar fasciitis muscle on the arch of my foot. I could run through the pain but I paid dearly for days afterwards. I rested. I iced. I bought orthotic inserts. I used compression. I elevated. Nothing stopped the pain and I threw in the towel. It was definitely a pity-party moment for myself. I cried and cried. I have never been able to run far and so it meant everything to me to run those three miles.

I made such a big deal on Facebook about each time I completed a run or put another week under my belt (er... feet). And now, I had to stop my status updates. I felt I had built up a community of C25K running friends. One time, I counted up to 7 people were running because I had either inspired or motivated them. Yet, I sulked.

The race came and went. My friends did excellent in their races. For me, my muscles weakened in 2 wks. My metabolism slowed back down. My jeans got tight again and let's not even talk about my stomach pouch. I had thought the only good news was that I lost those 2 lbs on the scale since I lost all the muscle. But then, I got a note today.

A person I barely know, let me know that he had been inspired by my C25K status updates and began running. Today, he ran 3 miles in 30 minutes. I was so elated for him. And then the Holy Spirit spoke to me. I can barely type it out because of how it affected me and tears are welling up in my eyes.

God said to my heart that this is why we, Christians, are to live our lives out loud! Part of me had been ashamed to have put all that on display at Facebook and then show my weaknesses, too. But God said to think of all the times I put Him on display on Facebook. The running was symbolic to show me how much people notice my (your) life. They notice your heart. They notice your joy. They notice your relationship to Christ. Your relationship with your family. It becomes contagious. If one little pitifully slow runner could affect 8 people's (that I know of) lives for a running program, think of how many lives are affected by my love for Christ. That is the bigger picture that I should be focused on.

Today, my foot gave me some slight aches from being on it too long. But, do you know what? Those aches won't get me down any more. I will remember "How beautiful are the feet of those that preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things! (Rom 10:15) If my feet can preach about the C25K program, then I will continue living out loud on Facebook about how great my Jesus is!!

If you'd like to know more about my relationship with Jesus Christ, please leave me a comment.

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml (the link I used to begin my running program)

http://www.buriedtalentsband.com/C25K/ (The Christian music I used to run with. It's great because it tells you when to start/ stop.)

Have a blessed weekend.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - Garden update

(Pardon, our oak leaves are falling)


Cilantro




Onions (3 rows), 1 garlic row, parsley in the background


Beans


Jalapenos, sweet peppers, beans


Jalapeno bloom



Heirloom tomatoes


Black (purplish) tomato


Sunflowers