2015 PB 5K

Yesterday, I managed to compete in a 5K in one of our local towns. I didn't train for it, even though I should have so I wasn't able to do as well as I would have liked but I did do better than I expected.

The weather was cooler and cloudy and we had heard there were threats of rain. I have to say, we got lucky and it only sprinkled a bit near the end of the race.

I forced myself to run more than I had in ages, and it paid off on my time. Even with the extra weight I have put on this year, I matched my time from last year with no training other than walking a few 5k distances in the last few weeks.

After the race, I changed clothes and volunteered to work for my employer to help relieve some of the other volunteers when they needed it (the race is only one small part of a big festival that my employer is deeply involved with). The rain did come down, but it didn't damper the spirit of the day.
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Last Year on In My Words...Smile 11/100 Bib

In Memoriam Grandpa Davis 1921-2015

Golfing with Gpa in Minnesota 10/2014

Today, a light in our family went out. We all lost one of the most special people in our lives and I personally lost one of my favorite humans on this entire planet.

I only got to have him as my grandpa for the last 22+ years, but that never changed how much I loved him and enjoyed spending time with him. He made me feel loved from the very first day we met.

He is the reason I ever gave the game of golf a chance. We were in California for our cousin's graduation and family get together and a lot of the family was heading to the course, and I decided to go. I didn't have any of the equipment and I think I only hit the ball about 25 ft per swing, but I fell in love with it right there. My feet were so sore after the round because I rarely got back in the cart with my short shots...LOL. As soon as we got home, we purchased for me, my first set of clubs and shoes. Years later, I play now with a set that Gpa made for me. Since we used the same size clubs, even over long distances, it was convenient for him to create clubs for me that would fit perfectly. I am so grateful to him for all he has done for us.

Due to distance, I wasn't able to spend as much time with him as I would have liked. I was able to see him at least once a year the last few years and on a couple of years I got even more visits in. During one visit last year for a memorial service, a bunch of us were able to go through pictures and albums with him and hear some of the stories/dramas of his young life in Nebraska. This past year we had 3 visits, the last one in October in Minnesota after his big move from Nebraska. The weather was amazing and we managed to get in three days of golfing in the short 5 days that I was there.

He was always so fun to take out to eat, because you could be guaranteed he would play games with the staff, thoroughly confusing them while giving us all a good chuckle. During my most recent visit, he convinced the manager at the pizza joint we were ordering from, that he wanted a part time job as a delivery boy. They even gave him a little tour while the manager threatened the teenagers working for him that Gpa was going to be their new boss...LOL.

He really did try to live life to the fullest, even when he was not feeling so hot. At times, he would get frustrated on the course because he couldn't hit the ball as far as he used to, and I would tell him that if I was still able to play golf at 93, I would be thrilled. He never let his age stop him. He was definitely an inspiration.

I know that he had a long good life and I am glad that he isn't in any pain or dealing with the frustrations of his progressive conditions, but selfishly, I am going to miss him so much. I really hope that I live up to being half the person that he has been to so many.
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Three Years Ago on In My Words...Surprise Bday Gift

Upper Table Rock Hike

These two mesas have always loomed in the distance. They are very distinct fixtures against our landscape to the northeast of my home town.

They are covered in poison oak and are rumored to have lots of rattle snakes on them as well...which is part of why I had never attempted to hike either of them.

Recently, I had seen some great pictures that my uncle took a few years ago during a hike in the spring and I got the urge to see the views for myself.

A few weeks ago, one of my co-workers mentioned that she was going to climb the Upper one (which means it is up river from the other), and I decided to jump on the chance.

This morning we made the trek. And even with my terrible fitness status, I did make it to the top (just had to take a couple of breaks along the way). The view was just as awesome as I imagined. The top itself was covered in green, wild flowers, and baby poison oak...LOL. It was quite beautiful. I am hoping to get to the top of the Lower Table Rock (seen in the distance of this image) before the poison oak gets too big as I am highly allergic to it.
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Two Years Ago on In My Words...New Hike

Work Tulips

The beds out front at work always have some cool plants in them...I am not sure if the tulips are left in year around, and some of the other seasonal stuff is just brought in and taken out when it dies, but the tulips are in full bloom now and I was determined to remember to get a shot of them before they disappeared.

I walk past them each day on my way for my break walk and of course, I am in a hurry then and rarely have my camera and then by the time I go back in, I have forgotten about them...but not today. I finished my walk a little early, went straight to my desk and grabbed my camera to get a shot in the morning sun.

Tulips are such a happy flower and always feel like a true sign that spring is on its way.
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Five Years Ago on In My Words...Ikebana Lesson #1

Poor Baby

Face inside

This is the cute face of Sophie, my cousin's lovable but gigantic mastif. We were having a get together at the house this week and she and her sister Roxy (who is a Sheppard and Collie mix) were relegated to the back yard.

My cousin has a kitty door for their oversized Maine Coon named Samson to come in and out through. This kitty door is located in the wall of the den, with a window above it.

At the time of this shot, I was visiting with my cousin who is in town from Hawaii with his wife and daughter. I could hear some kind of weird noise from behind them and I went to look, and this face is what I saw. She really just wanted to be part of the get together, but as you can see from the shot through the window, she just didn't fit through that kitty door.

Body outside

She is the sweetest dog and I just found the way she was actually sitting on the ground with her face shoved through the hole was just too adorable. I don't know how they are able to discipline her at all with that cute mug.
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Seven Years Ago on In My Words...Makes My Back Ache

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Watched this movie last night and loved it!! It was so well done, the cast was amazing and the story was intriguing. Loved the miniatures and animation. It had a bit of a Monty Python feel to it in my opinion, although from what I have read the writer/director wasn't necessarily influenced by Monty Python. In reviewing his work, I find that I have seen quite a few of his movies, but I don't remember any of them being quite like this one.

I highly recommend it to anyone that is an MP fan though, you will enjoy the genre and the humor. I gave it five stars on Netflix.
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Three Years Ago on In My Words...Observations

Loving Spring Flowers

This is evergreen clemantis and is one of my favorites because it stays green all winter and also because of the big fragrant blooms in the spring.

We have a bit of this in our back yard but there is a ton of it growing on the fence at work near our parking lot and it smells so good....wish it kept blooms longer than just spring though.

Spring has definitely sprung here, even if the temps can't make up their mind what they want to do for sure.

We still have a lot to do in the yard...never ends, but it is nice to see the life coming back with the new season.
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Last Year on In My Words...POTD Day 13 Fresh

The Book Thief

Read this book a few years ago and absolutely loved it. Today, I finally saw the movie. I felt like they did a god job of it.

I highly recommend both of them. The stories are hard but they are things that we should never forget and should always learn from.

A decade ago, we were able to visit the holocaust museum in DC, while there as tourists. It was a life changing experience. I left there feeling like a trip to that place should be a requirement for graduation in the US so that will never forget and will always learn so we do not repeat the errors we humans have made.
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Last Month on In My Words...The Untouchables

OSF: Fingersmith

Thanks to my awesome uncle, I got a ticket to see this play in preview during one of the matinees. It was my first play of what is supposed to be a great season. It was amazing. A story I really didn't know anything about, I was immersed immediately in the life of 19th century England. I am kind of glad that I hadn't read the book before I saw this play because it allowed the twists and turns to unfold in real time for me. I do have the book on my "to read" list now though.

After the play, one of the actors came out to talk to us a bit. He was really fun, answering questions ranging from his character in this play to questions about his career and favorite theaters to work in. Overall a very enjoyable experience and I highly recommend this play this season!
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Two Years Ago on In My Words...My Fair Lady

Tooth Brushing

I am an avid brusher...probably too avid. I have always had a bit of a phobia about bad breath, so brushing has been my friend. Recently though, a friend of mine has had to have her gums built up because they are receding from brushing too aggressively and I thought that I might find myself with that same issue (and no dental insurance), if I am not careful.

I know a lot of people that like to use the electric brushes that spin to brush their teeth. They say they get a better clean without the wear and tear on their gums. I thought, I would try out an inexpensive electric brush and see if I like it and if my gums like it. I didn't want to jump into the deep end and spend a ton of money, in case it isn't for me so today, I got one of the cheaper Oral B versions that just takes a AA battery to give it a shot...the head is still small enough for my cover and the bristles come in soft (which is what I need).

I decided to do a Google search to see what recommendations are out there for brushing techniques and I came across this useful article. I thought perhaps it might be useful for others so I linked it.

This evening will be my first trial run...I'll let you know how it goes.
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Two Years Ago on In My Words...Teeth Whitening

Spring Has Sprung

This is the pretty Phlox in our front yard...it is super cute and fuzzy. The other big one we have isn't doing as well because it was entwined with some weeds during the winter and getting them out was kind of a pain in the ass. It has been done now though, so hopefully it will bounce back okay.

A lot of flowers are starting to make their appearance in the yard which just reminds me how much I need to get done before the good weather gets here...

It seems the tasks are never ending!!
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Two Years Ago on In My Words...Pop Spring Visit

Goodbye Tree

So I said I would get a pic of the downed tree across the way...in this shot, the renter was cleaning it up. He ended up cutting the entire trunk down to the ground...bummer for that shade.

A few days later, the property management company came and picked up the scraps. He stacked the biggest pieces he kept for fire wood but the branchy parts all went to the yard wasted people.

I'll be curious if the tree doesn't grow back since those plum trees are pretty hard to keep down once they get established.

Speaking of plum trees, we have 8000 little baby ones coming up in the grass in the front lawn from the seeds of last years plums. I will have to get out there with a tool and pop them all back up. I can't believe how easy these freaking trees grow!!
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Two Years Ago on In My Words...Poor Plum Tree

Wind and Power

Radar

We are experiencing a windy rain storm. The wind really started blowing last night, and we even lost power for a couple of hours last night, but I wasn't worried about getting up for work because my cell phone is my alarm clock and it was fully charged before I went to bed.

When I woke up in the middle of the night, the fan we have blowing in our room was back on, so I knew that the power was back on.

When I left for work this morning, I noticed that the house across the street lost their purple plum tree to the wind. It is broken in half and laying in their yard. They are renters so I am sure they have to wait for the rental company to figure something out. It will suck next summer because that tree really gave them some great shade from the afternoon sun. I'll try to get a picture of it later and post it on here.

When I got home from work, I noticed that we must have lost power at least one more time while I was gone because the computer was back off and so was the cable box. I unplugged the laptop and Chromebook last night since I didn't have surge protectors for them. The big PC is on a great surge protector so I am not worried about it.

Our recycle bin and yard waste bins were on their sides in the middle of our driveway this morning and the rain was coming down in buckets.

I'll have to get out and check the pool tomorrow to make sure that the water isn't too high and that the timers on the pump and light aren't messed up from the power outage...hopefully the rain will drop off some so I can get some yard work...
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Seven Years Ago on In My Words...Super Typhoon Krosa

The Untouchables

via IMDB

I just rewatched this movie today, and it is still one of my all time favorite movies. Love the actors in it and the story and how well it was done. It stands the test of time too because watching it today, it doesn't feel like a movie that came out in the 80's.

This movie is the one that completely won me over to Robert Dinero being one of my favorite actors. He plays Al Capone so well, just how I imagine he might have been in real life.

The train station scene is just done so well...the tension, and timing were so great and right after having two of the main characters killed, it felt good to have the good guys get back some.

I am pretty sure we own this one, I'll have to check our DVD cabinet so I can watch it again soon.

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Two Years Ago on In My Words...Jaws

Old Comforts

One lovely thing about finally getting all of our stuff and then getting it unpacked is seeing some of the stuff we have had in storage for years, once again.

This cup is one of my souvenir purchases before we left Japan the last time, and it is one of my faves for a big cup of tea or even to use as a soup bowl. It has a small map of the island as well as some map points of some of the major spots on the island. It also has the name of the island and country in kanji on the sides.
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Two Years Ago on In My Words...Two Favorite Things

Ugly Sweater Run 2014

Second year that we have done this one, and it was the second year that it was done...how cool is that. This isn't a timed run so we just do it for exercise and fun which is great in itself.

This year, I managed to find an ugly sweater at the local St Vincent's, so I didn't have to borrow one this year. Once again, it was chilly out so we had to bundle up but we managed to get the race in without rain so no slicker was needed.

I also had just received my shirts from the Wear Blue Run To Remember organization. I wore my long sleeve shirt under my ugly sweater so I would be supporting the org even if it wasn't on the outside.

I didn't run much of this since I hadn't been training in a few months, but I am sure I will be feeling it afterwards anyhow. My time wasn't too bad considering how little I ran. I hope to do a couple other runs in February but I am not sure how much of them will be ran either...it will depend on training time. My cousins and my uncle did the run as well. We all got back in just before the rain started.
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Seven Years Ago on In My Words...Naha Harii

How To Search Your Own Timeline On Facebook

I am always clicking on new things in Facebook to find the best ways to use the settings and privacy options as well as how to show or not show things on my Timeline or even my own NewsFeed.

I use the Activity Log a lot to adjust settings for particular posts or to even removed posts from Facebook altogether.

Just the other day, I was in there, and realized that there is a search function that I was no previously aware of. It seems like in the past, trying to find something you might have posted on your own Timeline was a task in torture to try to scroll down to find it without missing it or realizing that Facebook was only showing you the "highlights" instead of all posts so you just wasted part of your life accomplishing nothing.

So after discovering this search function the other day, I thought I might post about how it works so others that want to search their timelines also might use it.

From your Home or NewsFeed page, you click on your own name either in the top right or top left parts of the page (see image below). Note that I am running FB Purity on my Facebook to filter out things I don't want to see so you won't have the FBP icon on yours unless you are running it too.

This should take you to your own Timeline where you will see your profile pic on the left side and your personal cover photo along the top. You then click on Activity Log on the right bottom of the cover photo area (see image below).

Once you click on the Activity Log, you will see a listed page that has some filter options on the left and then the search box at the top right.

If you want to search only posts that you have posted, you can first filter the list by clicking on the Your Posts filter on the left side, and then put in your search terms to the search box before clicking on the magnifying glass icon. If you want to search for something someone else posted on your Timeline, you can filter the list by clicking on the Posts By Others link on the left, and then put in your search terms in the search box before clicking on the magnifying glass icon (see image below).

You can filter the list by Apps, and other things by choosing any of the items on the left column and it will limit where the search is focused. I tend to use the Your Posts and Posts By Others the most.

I am thrilled to see that Facebook has a search function of some type finally...even if it is a little complicated to get to. I hope this helps other users that might be trying to find something they shared or someone else shared with them.
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Five Years Ago on In My Words...My Christmas Meme

Minnesota 2014

Just got back from a trip to see Gpa at his new digs in Minnesota.

I think I lucked out because we had fabulous weather pretty much the entire time I was there and so over the 6 days, we were able to golf 9 holes on four of them. It was so much fun and being that it was the last week of October, it might have been some of the last golf of the season for both of us.

I was able to see two of our cousins while I was there, one of which, we golfed with and I am hoping that now that Gpa lives closer to them, each time we come out to visit, we'll get to see them as well.

Gpa's new place is cute and he has everything he needs set up pretty well. Being that he only moved 19 days before I came out to visit, we did a lot of errands while I was there to finish out some things that he needed to get done. We worked on getting his paperwork for his driver's license, setting up the bathroom the best way to work for him, and tried out a pizzaria within throwing distance of his apt that turned out to have pretty good pizza. Gpa is doing great adapting to the new surroundings, and will know all the local shortcuts in no time.

We drove by and even parked in the lot at Mall of America but didn't go in so that is on the check list for next visit for sure. I would love to check out some of the other touristy things next time as well as maybe some geocaches.

It was a really great visit, and I am looking forward to getting out there again!
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Two Years Ago on In My Words...Catching Up and Cold

Smile 100/100 Thunder And Lightening

This is my lucky shot from a storm we had. I was standing on our front balcony and the storm was so perfectly located that I could stand there forever just taking pictures hoping to get the lightening in one.

When I took this one, it looked like just a flash on the camera but then when I transferred it to the computer, that is when the details were shown.

I love that this is my last picture for this project too because I have always been a huge storm fan! In another life, I am sure I was a storm chaser...LOL

I took this picture with my Fuji Finepix f50 with no flash. I edited in GIMP 2.6 for color and light and then added the fuzzy border.
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Eight Years on In My Words...Technical Difficulties

Smile 99/100 Park Friends

This is my cousin and his friend heading over to the water park section of one of our local parks.

We try to hit this park each time we go to the Grower's Market so he can have some play time after being so good doing what the "grownups" want to do first.

He is going to be three this winter and he is already such a little man! Seeing them head off for their little adventure made me smile.

I took this picture with my Fuji Finepix f50 in normal sunlight with no flash. I edited it in GIMP 2.6 for color and light balance and then added the fuzzy border.
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Nine Years Ago on In My Words...Green Anole