April Progression of My Favorite Crab Apple Tree

2nd Stage

Fully Bloomed

1st Stage

Majestic Crab-Apple Tree

I've missed your graceful beauty
and aroma so pungently sweet
I lye under your shaded branches
my special place of solitude and peace
Your time here is much too short
But I am grateful for out time together

Finding balance in our busy lives

How many of us say we're going to start a fitness program and fail.  I know I have done it many times in my life and believe many of us find it a constant struggle.  Trying to juggle work, family, leisure time and a good daily workout is a challenge.
Now that spring is here, it is a little easier to get out and find a fun activity that is enjoyable without counting the minutes until it is over.  For instance, in the winter months I try to get on my treadmill, but the excitement and motivation is not there. 
I live with my best friend and twin sister, Laura.  Like most buddies or family living together, if I'm not balanced, Laura isn't balanced, but if I'm balanced, she is likely to be more balanced and visa versa.  I don't know for sure if this is a twin thing or not but this is how it is with us. 
My exercise of choice is power walking.  I love it and have had a passion for it since I was in college.  My sister and I started out as runners but soon figured out that the healthiest work out is actually power walking.  Less stress on the bones and body. 
Slowly but surely I am working my way back to my four to six mile walk now that warmer weather is here.  What a difference it is to walk outside with all the beautiful sights, sounds and smells versus walking inside. 
So here it is, I am telling my blogger friends that I have a walking goal and overall fitness goal.  I want to get back to at least four miles on my daily walk.  I also want to cut out junk food as best I can and try to eat smaller portions.  I know the weight watchers plan by heart as I am a life time member.
Laura is such a great inspiration to me!  She recently decided that a work out for her that would make the most sense is biking to work.  She kept saying she was going to do her power walking but found with work and kids it was just too hard to fit in.  I am so proud of her! She is biking 6.3 miles each way, with a total of 12.6 miles a day.  Wow!

Again, as two sisters living together, it will be nice that both of us are back on track.  It makes it so much easier to get fit with someone else and so much fun!
So here's to Health and Wellness sister friend!!

Put Me In Coach

My twinners daughter Ellie-Her first Home game of the season.  They are 2 and 0. 

Just One of Those Days...

Dear Blogger Friends-Please Note:  This picture is just a re-enactment of an earlier incident with my dogs. 

I was walking my two dogs today when I noticed them coming.  I was minding my own business when I saw two women and a BIG Yellow Lab.  Oh no! I thought to myself.  My seven month old puppy isn't well trained yet and freaks out when she see's other doggies.  Long story short:  Wet ground from rain this morning +real strong puppy=fourty seven year old dog mommy finds self on ground and full of mud from head to toe. 
The walkers looked at me with a look of compassion mixed with, "something's not right with that woman."

Music From the Swamp

Hi Blogger Friends.  I'm sitting at the dining room table that faces the back yard.  The windows are open and I have the perfect seat to listen to the extraordinary sounds of croaking frogs.  I wanted to share this magical experience with you.

I can't explain the joy and peace the frogs bring me and the rest of the family.  It's like listening to God's choir in my own back yard and it's free of charge. 

Just sit back, relax and enjoy the beautiful and mesmerizing sounds of frogs, harmonizing from the swamp, behind my house. 

Happy Easter

Hope Everyone had a wonderful Easter Sunday.  Laura and I were kidless as their dad had them this year.  Laura and I still had a beautiful day.  We started out by going to Easter mass and then went out for Sunday Brunch.  Spent the rest of the day relaxing in our lawn chairs and soaking up the sun.  My idea of a perfect day.  I did miss having the kids though.  The easter bunny still came to our house, so we'll just celebrate the Easter festivities again when the kids get home tomorrow.

Don't we love that spring is back.  Here are some signs that spring has sprung at our place. 

The pictures include:  My sis blogging and relaxing on the Jamaican tree swing, My nephew relaxing on the hammock, the first bonfire of spring with all the neighbor kids and my niece having her first kool-Aid Stand of the season.  Life is good here.  Happy Spring Everyone!!