My 365...

My key to a happy life...

1.  Put your tennis shoes on as soon as you get out of bed.  Then your body thinks you are taking it somewhere exciting.

2.  Always put the camera battery on the charger when you go to bed at night, so it is ready for adventure every single day.

3.  Music.  Always, always, ALWAYS have some music playing in your world.  It is next to impossible to be sad when there is music in your world.

4.  Exercise.  Walk, ride a bike, toss a ball, make room in your life for daily activity outdoors.  Oxygen and sunlight are the key.

5.  Read.  Read a good book.  Keeps the imagination young.

Happiness is a choice, I choose happy.  

My photos of the day...

I had a fabulous day with the people I love.  Garrett made some delicious BBQ chicken, and we finished off the day with an 10 mile bike ride just before sunset.

Garrett <3
Casey <3

Music I am listening to today...Casey Abrams

Random Link of the Day...Hello Boo.

Until next time..."If your life is not following the path you would like, do not look around and ask why me?  look within yourself and change the you that is not working.  For it is through your own actions, your treatment of others, your judgement...that determines how life unfolds."

Peace.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Love,

My 365...

Hello June!

I read an article yesterday that made me laugh.  "Mayor Bloomberg of New York proposes a ban on all 64 oz. soft drinks!"

While I applaud his interest in creating a healthy environment in his beautiful city...really?  Really?  This has to be the most ridiculous thing I have EVER heard.  Keeping someone from ordering one 64 ounce Coke, is not going to keep them from ordering, oh lets say 2, 32 ounce or even 4, 16 ounce sodas.  So I have a message for you Mayor Bloomberg.  How about you and all your "health conscious" constituates governing this country work on making whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables more affordable for my family?  That would be a step in the right direction.

There was a study I read from 2007, and it stated...


THAT my friends is the problem with obesity and poor health in our country, not 64 ounce sodas.  We can't afford the healthy food!  Stop focusing on the little things.  I don't even drink sodas, at all, but I am very much interested in being able to afford healthy food for my family.

(Stepping down from my soap box.)

Happy Friday planet.  School is out for summer....yay!  And we are looking forward to lots of fun and adventure.

The weekend forecast is showing a chance of thunderstorms.  The temperature is going to be in the 90's, but we noticed yesterday that the Greenbelt along the Boise River is a good 10 degrees cooler with the cold river and the canopy of trees.  I did not once feel hot yesterday. Although that body crash and burn near the end of our ride was scary.  I learned my lesson though, and I am definitely purchasing a case of protein bars for our bike rides.  I do not ever want to experience that again.

Speaking of adventuring...

For years I wanted to purchase a stationary bike, treadmill or elliptical for exercise.  Actually I did purchase an elliptical and never used it.  There is NO comparison between riding a bike or walking on a treadmill inside to taking a walk or bike ride in the great outdoors.  What was I thinking?  I am so blessed to be living in such a beautiful city that caters to bike riders, walkers and joggers.  It is amazing here.  I have had my bike for over a year before I really started using it, and now I average at least 4 good rides a week.  I love biking.  <3

Have a great weekend everyone!

My photos of the day...

Enjoying a warm summer day.
 A successful shopping trip.
 Yummy!


Music I am listening to today... Chase Coy

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Love,

My 365...

Breakfast in bed, that is how this day started.  Blake decided he wanted to make breakfast this morning, and brought me up an egg basket.  That is our favorite breakfast around here.  A bed of hash browns, with a over medium egg on top.  It was a nice surprise, and he did a beautiful job on the dish.  Thank you Blake.

Home school is winding down with today being the official final day of K12 Idaho Virtual Academy.  As always, I sign the boys up for continued studies through the summer.  Nothing too drastic, just a "work at your own pace" math and language to keep their skills sharp.  It will be the last home school sessions we do as well as they are both going to traditional school next year.  Casey for his senior year, and Blake for grade 5.  They are excited!

Home schooling is very rewarding and a lot of work.  It is not easy at all.  The scheduling is good, as you make your own, but it is a huge responsibility.  I am happy to have had the experience, and I know the boys are as well, but I am also happy to leave the task to the professionals!  The unsung heroes of our world...teachers.

Tonight we enjoyed a 14 mile bike ride down the Boise river.  I learned a valuable lesson too...never attempt that much exercise with very little food in your stomach.  That last half mile I started to feel chilled and shaky even though the temp was in the 80's.  My body was definitely mad at me...but we made it home okay.  

My photos of the day...

Ready to roll.
People tell me I need more pictures of Casey.  This is why I don't have many...he gets so mad at me when I pull out the camera!  Mister tough guy.  
 Blake and daddy.
 Rainbow trout anyone?
 So cute.  
 Too cool for an owl photo.
 Hello little gold fish.
 This fowl looks surprised to see me.  lol

 Never too cool to play at the playground.
 Daddy and Casey.
 Three ducks showing us their best side...tails up!
 Blake loves photos.
 Kayakers on the river...
 ...and a couple of surfers too.

Music I am listening to today...Adam Lambert

Random Link of the Day...This note will self-destruct in 3..2..1...

Until next time..."Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." -- Benjamin Franklin

Peace.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Love,

My 365...

Happy Tuesday.

This morning I set a "Veronica" record for getting ready to go out.  I had a doctor's appointment, and I was bound and determined to sleep in as late as possible.  My alarm went off....

"Hmm...I think I can be ready to walk out the door in an hour and a half?"

*Snooze*

Alarm goes off again....

"Hmm, I think I can be ready to walk out the door in and hour?"

*Snooze*

Alarm....

"Hmm, can I get showered, dressed and ready in 30 minutes?  I don't know, but I am going try!"

*Snooze*

Thirty minutes?  Who am I kidding, but I did!  Shower, dressed, hair...out the door.  I even had ten minutes to spare.  "What?  Inconceivable!"

I can remember a time where two hours to get ready was pushing it.  Makeup would take at least an hour to apply, and hair had to be just right.  Not any more.  I can't remember the last time I applied makeup, and now that my hair is short, it looks fabulous all the time.

It feels amazing not being tied to vanity any longer.  My priority now is to feel clean, smell amazing,  (thank you Bath and Body Works!), and apply some Oil of Olay with the proper SPF rating to keep my face wrinkle free and sun damage safe.  The only other thing that goes on my face is chapstick.  

And darling....I look simply marvelous!  *grin*

Doctor's appointment went great.  It was the first time I had a doctor's appointment with nothing to complain about.  My blood pressure was normal, I have lost 27 pounds.  When she told me that I laughed and said..."Well give it back!"  She was very pleased with how well I am doing.  Yay!  So am I.

This evening Jack put some chicken in the oven to bake, while we took a nice long beautiful bike ride.

Hope your day was awesome!!

My photos of the day...

Great day for riding...photo of Blake and I taken by Jack.
Bikes that Garrett built.  Garrett restored and painted these two bikes, and they are so cool!  "Hook em Horns" orange of course. 
Music I am listening to today...James Morrison

Random Link of the Day...Will you marry me?  I love this!!

Until next time..."Want a good solid fun way to get some exercise?  Get a bike!"

Peace.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Love,

My 365...

Good evening interweb world, how are you this fine Sunday?

I started writing this blog hours ago.  No really I did.  Went downstairs to put on my tea pot, and discovered that I was 'In The WRONG house!"

"What what?"

My kitchen....*sigh*  This is not my kitchen.  There was a party here last night, and mama was not invited.

"Who's house is this?"

"Dozer?  Is that you buddy?  What are YOU doing here?"

"Mama, hate to break it to you...this is our house."

"NOOOOOOoooooooooo......"  *sad panda*

I have way too many plates, forks, spoons.  Enough to last all month without washing them.  There were none left in the cabinet.  All dirty.

My boys slam doors.  The bedroom doors, the bathroom doors, the front door, the back door even the car door.  "SLAM!"  Not because they are angry, oh no, it is because they are boys.  Boys are always in a hurry.  I glance over at the side by side refrigerator, and the door is slightly ajar.  Uh oh, that can't be good.  I open the door, peer inside and am greeted by a lovely "tepid" climate.  Not cold, not hot, just a delightful shade of...."Mama, your food is going to spoil."

"NOOOOOOoooooo......"  *sigh*

Daily I hear..."Mom, I am starving!  Where is all the food?"

Yesterday was shopping day.  The kitchen was stocked with food.  So boys, where is all the food?  "You ate it all in one day!"

So I cleaned.  And cleaned.  And cleaned.  My teapot was whistling the entire time, but I was too busy to notice.

Finally the work is done.  I cut some fruit, pour a bowl of Cheerios.  Place some delightfully aromatic Oolong tea leaves in my ceramic tea pot and commence to pour the water in to steep the tea."

"Screams!!!!"  "Hey lady...why you mad at us Oolong?  This water is too hot!  Now we give you bitter tea."

"NOOOOoooooooo......"  *pout*

"Oh Oolong, why you have to be so mean?"

But am I angry?  Am I bitter?  Nah.  (The tea is bitter...mama, not so much.)

My boys are not persnickety, demanding and mean.  They are kind, loving and funny.  A little messy?  Oh yes.

I could have made them clean the kitchen and ground them for a hundred years, but it did not take all that long for me to put the place back in order.  Easy peasy lemon squeezey.

Sure, we will work on kitchen etiquette, the art of properly closing the refrigerator door.  "You dirty the dish?  Then you wash, dry and put it away."  But get angry?  No.  No reason for that.  Put a little powder in the dish washer and press start.  Wipe down the counters, take out the trash, and apologize to the Oolong tea.

Stuff is just stuff.  Dirty kitchens are just stuff.  Untidy house....just dusty stuff.  But family, that is precious.  My boys, they are my treasures.  Life is good.  

And there is an important lesson here interweb world.  Never pour HOT hot hot water on your Oolong tea leaves.  They get angry.

My photos of the day....

 Could you get mad at this beautiful face?  I think not.  


My stinky, loves to roll in poop, fuzzy wuzzy teddy bear.

Music I am listening to today...Boys Like Girls

Random Link of the Day...John Pinette  He will make you laugh till you cry.  I <3 him!

Until next time..."If you go through life sweating the small things, that is all you will have in life...the small things."

Peace.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Love,