A Long Day on the Road

My day started very early in the Shenadoah Valley of Virginia.  We are on our way back north after a wonderful 10 days in our southern home.  It seems a very quick trip as we only headed south on the 6th of September and now we are headed back north again.  We are needed in New Hampshire for a few days with the grandchildren and to celebrate our granddaughter’s 11th birthday.  Her mum is on the road again so we get to fill in.  I woke up early and the sunrise was gorgeous so decided that after a day in the car I needed to get out there and go for a walk.  Who could resist.  The valley is gorgeous and the sun was coming up as the moon which had been full on Friday, was setting.  It was an opportunity not to be missed.  I had no idea where I was going but I felt that turning left and heading up the hill was the way to go.  Yes, I used my GPS, and it led me in a big loop that started up hill, then a long downhill and then back up the hill again.  It felt so good to be out there bopping along to Bruce and breathing in the heavenly Virginia air.  We were in the mountains so the air was quite a bit clearer than the humid air of the low country.  Ran into quite a bit of wildlife on the walk including wild turkeys, a cat that was rather large for a house cat, a hawk, and a deer that literally jumped out at me from a ditch.  After my summer, that doesn’t startle me anymore.  We drove over 500 miles today and are back in Connecticut and relaxing after what was a very long day on the road.  The good news is that tomorrow will be a short day.

Big News

We have big news.  We visited the puppies again on our way north and have made the, for us, major decision to welcome a puppy into our lives.  We might be crazy but oh my are we excited.  We have not made this decision in haste nor have we taken it lightly.  It will change our lives for the foreseeable future.  We know that.  However, there is a hole in our hearts that only a Golden Retriever can fill and as John said, we need some fun in our lives.  Really?  We had a wonderful visit.  The puppies are moving around a lot more now.  Just 12 days later and they have changed so much.  Their eyes are open and they are beginning to play with simple toys.  My heart bursts when I see them and I picked up each of the males and every one of them snuggled in my arms like it was the most natural thing to do.  They are not shy around people and in fact quite happy to be held and cuddled.  Their mum, Frankie, is as calm as can be and seemed to know us when we arrived.  She acted like she remembered us.  We were made to feel so welcome and a part of the family.  Even the group out in the yard were happy to see us.  Stay tuned.  Puppy won’t come home until the end of October but I am sure there will be more updates.  We still have to come up with a name.  There is a list on our fridge door and everyone is getting into the game.  Our pet/house sitter even got into the game and suggested “Steve”, well his name is Steve afterall.

Back on Track

I believe that I have gotten off track over the last few months regarding my healthy eating lifestyle.  I had a doctor’s appointment while in Beaufort and was not happy with the results of some of the tests.  We all fool ourselves that a little here and there isn’t going to make that much of a difference but you know it does.  Over the last week I have upped my walking game to a much higher level as well as reducing my intake of the foods that don’t make me feel as well as I know I can feel.  It is important to maintain as healthy a lifestyle as I can.  I survived a heart attack and I want to make sure that I continue to stay well.  The cardiologist says I am not a heart patient anymore but that doesn’t mean I don’t have to be diligent in getting the exercise and eating healthy foods.  So, I am committed to getting back on track again.  It is fall, the start of another school year, what better time to recommit to your own healthy lifestyle and create a happy life for yourself.  Happy with Relationships and Food and Exercise.  The cornerstone of a great life.  The other two are Spirituality which could be as simple as walking in the out of doors and appreciating nature to following a specific religion or way of life with intense devotion.  Then there is Career which not only encompasses your work life or vocation but your avocation too.  Managing a full and happy retirement is just as important as managing your work career.  Spend a little time thinking about these areas of your life.  You can do it!  This past week I received an email from a client who I started working with a year ago.  She wrote me this week to say that she had reached her goal. “I just had to let you know that I have achieved my goal of 50 pounds off in one year!!  It was a year ago this week that I started my journey to a healthier life style with you.  You are my inspiration.”  Nothing, absolutely nothing, could have made my week more than getting that email.

Recipe of the Week

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