Good Morning

Good morning from hot and steamy Oklahoma!  The temps this week are predicted to hit hundred to a hundred plus starting today through Friday.  Can we all say, "UGH!".  If the summer  temperatures end up anything like last year's, Jon and I may consider emigrating to another, cooler location. I still haven't won my argument to live in Europe, but, I have broken him down to Canada.  One step at a time, eh?

-

So, as I enjoy the last bit of my coffee on our front porch, I'm going to just have an all out brain dump if you don't mind.  So much has been happening, and I feel the need to clear out my head.  Brace yourselves, this could get messy.

 Pride and Prejudice, in French.  I flip back to the English version when I'm lost... I'm not that good!

-

First thing on my mind are my, still, incredibly sore arm and upper body muscles!  I started working out with a trainer in February, every Friday, as I was having a persistent psoas strain.  I couldn't figure out what in the world I was doing wrong in dance to cause this issue.  I'm happy to report that, the strain has gone away, I've gotten stronger, fitter, and am learning how to train and take care of my body better than before.  My Irish dance teacher has noticed a difference too, so double win.  I love the intensity of my workouts, but, dear Lord I do not like the soreness.  It's so bad this weekend that I still can't fully extend my arm and lock in my elbows?  How sad is that?

-

My muscles did not benefit from the extensive yard/garden work Jon and I did yesterday.  Did I mention we have been working out tails off to elevate our yard and garden from a neglected/abandoned state to work in progress?  We started a little late, May, but, we are nearly done with the beds and we hope, that we can make a patio happen in the backyard before summer's end, so we can enjoy some outdoor living.  I have had romantic notions of sitting outside, enjoying dinner, and some wine, looking at a lovely the backyard or front yard (as you can tell from the picture above) and just enjoying slowing down and taking in the world around me.  Is that silly?  I will be posting pictures soon to give you an idea of what we've been up to out there.  I feel kind of, well, odd that I've gone all gung ho for gardening.  I used to hate it as a child, even though I adore flowers of all varieties.  After two years of looking at the depressing landscape that was our yard I decided it wasn't going to look pretty unless we did something about it, or struck it mondo big, and pay for someone to exorcise the weeds and shabby bushes from our neglected beds.  And, yeah... that last one, wasn't going to happen anytime soon.  I should be grateful for my trainer, though, I don't think I would've been able to do half of what I have done if it weren't for the strength I've developed.  I guess, in that way, it's worth the pain, huh?

-

Also on my mind, is the road trip to Chicago Jon and I will embark on this Saturday.  That's six days and counting folks!  I'm super excited about this trip because, not only is it the first time Jon and I will go on a legit vacation (don't get me started how sad it is that it took seven years to do it!), it will be a week full of Irish dance mania as the Nationals are being held there that week.  Oh, did I mention it's in CHICAGO??  I did?  Can you tell I'm excited by that?  

-

This trip has been fun to plan as I've never really planned out one like this before.  We had to book a hotel room WAY in advanced, figure out driving, had to find a place to park our car cheaply once in Chicago (mega challenge btw), we will be getting public transit passes which I haven't done since living in Japan.  Being foodies and watching tons of travel and food shows, we've looked up places to eat and we are overwhelmed by all of the options.  We also plan on going by the Navy Pier near our hotel and we have more than one option to do something on the 4th of July.  I'll also be hanging with my awesome Irish dance peeps, get some dance shopping in, seeing some AMAZING dancing, but, at the same time I'll get to enjoy Jon's company, and then go out with him in between all of that.  Oh, yes, and doing all of those fun things within a reasonable budget. The only hitches left are getting the house sorted, getting the key to our cat sitter, making sure we get enough supplies for the trip, getting the dogs situated,  and figuring out what to do with Leo.  His health scare has put a bit of a delay on partnering, which was planned on happening very soon.  I'd love to take him with me, but, I need to check with Therapetics to see if they're comfortable with that idea.  I can't blame them for not wanting him to be out of state, even though he is getting healthier by the day.  So, some things have to get figured out and more manic work will be done in the following days to get ready for this trip, but, I think it will be worth it.

-

Oh, quick mention.  I'll be getting another puppy to start training with Therapetics.  It'll be so sad to see Leo go, but, you know he's such an amazing service dog and he genuinely loves to work.  It'd be a shame for him not to be partnered.  So, I must let go so he can be happy and fulfill his 'destiny' (gawd I watch way to much Sci Fi/Fantasy stuff lol).

Speaking of Mr Leo, here's a cute shot of him and the other dogs chillin' with me on the porch.  I don't think I've introduced you all to the little beagle in the corner.  That is Miss Penelope, Penny for short.  Jon and I saw her, in April, walking along side a busy street as we were pulling out of a our parking spot.  Jon got out of the car and literally scooped her off the street and the poor baby was just so stressed out.  We had no luck finding her owners in any ads, and she doesn't have a microchip, despite being a purebred beagle.  The biggest stressor was that, at first, it appeared that she was preggers!  However, a vet's visit later we found out she was actually going through a false pregnancy; probably due to being very stressed out while she was in heat.  How wild is that?  She has since been spayed and she has steadily learned to relax and enjoy being a dog.  You can tell, she was probably left outside and neglected for quite some time; for example, it took us nearly a month just to get her to accept treats from our hand without cowering.  How sad is that?  I'm glad Penny has joined our small zoo as she has a very laid back temperament and doesn't take up too much space.  She's so sweet,  and I like to think she is glad she's here too.

-

Alrighty, that's it for my little brain dump.  Sorry if this post has no cohesiveness whatsoever, but, some days are just like that.  I've gotta get to some errands and more yard work.  Can you hear my aching muscles scream with delight?  You can't?  Hmmm... funny thing is, neither can I. ;-)  I hope you, my dear friends, are having a lovely weekend and I wish you a pleasant start to the week.  Bisous tout le monde!