New toy

In an ongoing effort, my friends are trying to help me get back in shape. Today Annelise & Jeff brought me this elliptical.

If we spent the big bucks on it ourselves, it would end up a clothing rack. Unfortunately, I'll have to find another place to dry pillowcases and such. Since this was a gift of sorts, hopefully it will guilt me into actually using the thing.

Anyhow, I went for 5 minutes with no resistance (the manual suggests this as the beginner's warm-up before actually going into the most basic workout). Let me just say that it seems highly unlikely I'll be scaling K2 anytime (ever) or the basement stairs (for now). Who knew that my thighs were made of jell-o? Guess it should have been apparent by the nonstop jiggling.

It's off to the nutritionist on Tuesday. It will be 'interesting' (read as horrifying) to figure out all the things that need to change. At this point, taking up smoking might actually make me healthier!

Dogboy

Well, Jeff has a new buddy 'Arlo' to swim with. Curt has fully accepted him with open paws too...

Yeah

I look a little like over-boiled pasta here, but it was bliss!
If I ever get a high-paying job, we are getting a hot tub. I don't care if we only have the time for it once in a blue moon, they are still awesome.

Corolla

I know, you're thinking beer. That's Corona.

I am also not talking about the Toyota we used to have.

No, this Corolla is where we went on vacation. In season it's a crowded hell hole of a vacation land north of Kill Devil Hills, Duck, and just south of the Virginia line on the outer banks.
However, if you drive 10 miles up the beach to a beautiful rental house with a bunch of friends, it becomes paradise!

We looooooooooooooved it.

There were wild horses, dolphins and pelicans (that's alligators to Adam and penguins to Curt). There were seashells, jellyfish the size of hubcaps and small rays washed up all along the daily death march to False Cape State Park (in Virginia).

In the evenings, there was a rotating dinner responsibility and 3 couples who make their own wine. Yum!
We spent hours at night in the hot tub looking up at the stars

I polished off the Omnivore's Dilemma which left me feeling that there's no way to get around eating junk, so I might as well give up and become a full fledged coke (cola) head. I also read a Carl Hiassen book.

Curt read a book about the history of Rum (opressions galore). Deb read The Five People You Meet in Heaven and Sean got through most of a thick biography. I think Adam had us all beat though - he actually ran out of stuff to read!

It was great to unwind together and to leave the pets at home. I can't even recall the last time that Curt and I really went on vacation together without them. Maybe the New Orleans trip?
Michael did us such a huuuuuuuge favor in watching over Midian and the pups and the house, etc. I can't even begin to describe how wonderful it was to be able to just relax with a trusted friend watching over everything here. We owe him big time!

So, the week was perfection and Curt's work was only a little screwed upon our return. We are so rested and relaxed - I hope that will last us until next year when we get to go again! YAY!

Undone

Before our vacation, we were in a creative mode. So, I actually picked up my brushes. As usual, I came up with a basic idea, got the under painting done and then flaked.
So, we took down the unfinished piece that had been hanging by the front door for a couple of years in order to put this new slash of guilt up.
Now we are back from our days in the sun and I can't figure how to finish out either painting!

Here's the newer mess. The sky is sort of interesting, but it needs something (people falling out of a basket, birds carrying off poodles, etc) and it'd be good to get some signs of life in the hills too. Right now, it looks like a stormy but dead place to me - not really the kind of vibe I would want to pursue somehow.

The honey wagon

It's a bit nasty, but someone has to pump septic tanks. Actually, our neighbor Jim does a great job (no sign of poops escaping)! One day he'll return to his true calling - running a recycling center. Until then, here's a picture of his truck in the garden & a bit of a plug for Vann Boys...

My best summer day

Our anniversary is today. We've been married 9 years!
Every year just gets better and better. We have great friends and family, a beautiful home and lots of opportunities to relax together. What more could a gal ask for?
Even nature is kicking in. Here are the tiger lilies which burst into bloom today...

Minion of the Lobster People

The beasties are pretty darned happy that we've returned. They were well loved and looked after while we were away transforming ourselves into Lobster People. It was a wonderful indulgence to vacation without them.

That being said, they have us back to being trained. Clovis has clearly gained at least a pound in the two days that we've been home. Ernie cries like a banshee if he wakes up and no one is sitting next to him.

Vacation mode

At some point I will maybe write something more coherent, maybe.
For now, we're still floating on a post-prandial cloud of vacation bliss.
We had an awesome week with dear Adam and Sean and all our new friends (human and canine:)
Can't wait for next year in 4x4 territory at the OBX! YAY!