Sunburn

Linda and I were up early for a busy day at 10553.

We started things out by meeting with Kevin to finalize plans for the kitchen remodel. That went well and I think we finally have a plan that Linda and I both can agree on. The best part is that we don't have to buy any more kitchen cabinets. We do, however, have to get a stove/oven before we go any further. That's a tall order because there are just so many choices out there. We know we're going to go with some kind of a "slide-in" but we need to determine which one. The cost ranges from 1,000.00 to 3,000.00 depending on the manufacturer and what toys you want to include. Then, of course, you have to figure out whether you want gas or electric and if you go with gas do you want an electric oven and do you want an convection oven too. And then you have to consider the manufacturer, i.e., do you go with Jenn-Air or Kenmore or GE or Bosch or Kenmore Elite or GE Profile or Electrolux. Let's see, let me count the ways.....

Then we went to Jared, oh my, that sounds just like the commercial! But we did to buy Sam's Graduation gift (yes, Samantha, if you read this, it will come in the mail) and pick-up something for Linda. No, Mark, you couldn't help us with this purchase (I wish you could).

Then it was off to the "man store" to pick up some things for hoses and the garden.

Then it was off to the races. We edged the bed at the back of the yard and spread mulch in order to make it more amenable to the "rider" so we don't have to edge with the pusher or trimmer. That actually worked out pretty good. Then we got all the hoses out and got a system together for watering everything that looks like its going to work out pretty well. I'm amazed at how much the plants have grown in the vegetable bed since Wednesday.

Now, back to that sunburn thing, the sun was out, the skies were clear and the temperature got into the mid 80's. It was about as perfect a Saturday as you could have. But...my lily white skin (and Linda's) was not properly prepared and I've now got this bright red sheen on my back, shoulders and neck. Surprisingly my naked head is relatively unscathed. I feel the heat but not the burn, yet, I'm sure that will come soon enough. As I type this I'm enjoying a cocktail (gin), listening to Elton John on XM and contemplating getting the grill going. Obviously things are moving kind of slow. Linda's surfing on the web looking for a stove. She too is enjoying a beverage of choice (rum and zero).

Hopefully I'll get that run in tomorrow.

Molly's in Charlotte visiting Buzzy (and Ciara and Matt) but she really went to see Buzzy!

Ciara called yesterday morning and said that her and Molly were at the National Whitewater Center and preparing to venture onto the "zip" line. You have to see this place. It's amazing and so cool. Linda and I have only been there during inclement weather so I can't wait to get there on a nice day. Two weeks ago when I was there it started pouring rain so Matt and I went to lunch at the bistro they have there and what was a busted day ended up being a lot of fun. Now back to that "zip" line thing. It's about 1000 feet long and goes right over the rapids. Ciara said it was worth "every penny" and she can't wait to do it again. I think it cost $10.00. I do know that you can get an "all day" pass for $49.00. That includes rafting, kayaking, climbing or whatever. It's just an incredible place if your interested in outdoor type activities: mountain biking, trail running, kayaking, you name it. Men and women from all over the world come to train for Olympic competition.

Well I guess I need to get cooking dinner. I wonder what Buzzy's doing?

Mid Afternoon At EI

I ran this afternoon at EI. The only thing nice about running in the afternoon is that its a run otherwise its just not that good. What I mean is its hot, humid and often buggy. Today though wasn't too bad. The heat was pretty enervating but the real enemy was simply the time of day. I didn't see anyone else on the trails but I know there had to be some mountain bikers because there were several cars in the parking lot. That's the thing, you can have gobs of people on the trails and not even no they are there. Thats great! I only ran for a little over an hour but that was enough.

Tomorrow I'll try to get out on the roads early.

Looooong Day

Wow, I'm glad today has finally wound down. Busy. Lots of information came my way that I, in turn, must review and then disseminate to my colleagues. Not enough time to accomplish with everything else I have going on. I'll go in early in the morning and try to get it all out of my hands before an 08:00 meeting.

Haven't talked to Buzzy today.

Linda has another cold and is not feeling well. She has a headache this evening that she just can't seem to get rid of. I think I'll just shower and go to bed.

I guess Ian and Rieko are back from Hawaii and will be heading to DFW for a visit with his Aunt JoAnn and Uncle Tom. It just so happens that his grandparents Carl and MarySue are also there. Sounds like JoAnn's going to have a full house for the holiday weekend.

JoAnn's Samantha

A candid shot of my niece Sam(antha) who just graduated from college and is now off to law school. I sure hope she likes it!

Just think Sam someone could see your picture in Uzbekistan or Mongolia or...Independence, Kentucky. That is of course if they follow my 'blog!

Congratulations.

BTW, you really, I hate to say it, look like your mother. But (that's a good thing)!

Uncle Jude and Aunt Linda

Field trip to the "Man Store"

Here's Aiden with his preschool class showing off his wheelbarrow. I like his orange shop apron. He did a few other things and got to ride on the school bus for the first time.

I'm feeling the aftereffects of my runs yesterday and today. I'm hungry, ravenously hungry. It doesn't matter what or how much I eat I'm soon hungry again. Gary Taubes in his book Good Calories, Bad Calories writes that the only thing exercise does is make you hungry. I believe it. (It's an excellent book, BTW).

It's a beautiful evening; a little cool but very, very nice. I'll be spending the rest of the evening watching "Idol" and "Dancing with the Stars" with Linda.

Banklick in 2

I got in a good road workout this morning. 2 hrs of 4 and 1 over the backroads from the house. It was great! It was 48 this morning at 06:00 but I suspect it was in the high 50s or even low 60s by 09:00 when I left the house. Crystal clear blue skies, light breeze and lots of sun. Half-way through the run a big white labrador mutt started following me and wouldn't leave my side. It's nerve-wracking because of course everyone thinks it's YOUR dog and when they have to slow down, stop or swerve because the beast is impeding traffic it becomes a problem. I couldn't get it to stop following me no matter what I tried. He ended up coming all the way to the house. I just hope its not there when I get out to start working in the yard.

Linda cut the grass last evening so we'll probably try and get the vegetable bed up and ready for planting. Maybe we can get some plants this afternoon and Linda can get them in tomorrow.

I'm looking forward to hearing about Buzzy's trip to the "Man store" and find out what he made. I'm sure Ciara will call sometime later today.

Today's Run at EI

Ran the trails at EI today. It was a great morning to run. Cool, sunny, light breeze and no humidity (or people). Had the trails to myself for 90 minutes. Tomorrow I'll get on the roads around the house for a couple of hours. The weather looks just as promising tomorrow.

After the run I went to "the Man store," also known as Home Depot for a grill cover, bird seed and two new gas cans. "Man store" is what Buzzy calls Lowe's, HD, Best Buy, etc. He picked that up from Matt and it's funny to hear him say it. In fact he goes to the "Man store" with his preschool class tomorrow. That should be fun.

After HD I cleaned out the garage and trimmed the yard grass so Linda could cut it this evening with Charie and our new John Deere lawn tractor. We've never had a "rider" and Linda's never cut the grass so we have a couple of firsts.