The HANDFUL

There is another new water toy in the arsenal...this one is gonna come in handy when we are able to get back out on the water. It will hold both of us AND a granddaughter! Looking forward to putting it in!

#blackfin

Not the best picture to see the board but it's a beaut! Has the optional kayak seat on it. 

After much research and trying to find the best fit (inflatable, compact, not too heavy, not too small, etc, etc) we think we have a winner. Our plan is to try it out on Memorial Day weekend when we have the Bee if not before. It is big enough for all of us so that is a huge plus. We will each have a board now and not have to take turns. Our other board is quite a bit smaller so in all likihood it will be the one I primarily use. We also sprung for an adapter kit that will allow us to use an inflater to get it blown up; though we will still carry the hand pump! Can't wait for the weather to warm up and try this baby out. Meanwhile I'm headed to the sauna to warm up! These last few days have been waaaay too chilly and that sauna has been incredibly awesome!

The HANDFUL

The sauna is his new Happy Place... it helps his body feel good and anything that can do that is worth it!

It has been a nice respite with the cooler weather recently. It's also motivated us to get our workout in then sit a spell in the sauna!

Not setting any records with our walking but we are at least getting some movement in. I admit I usualy jump on the treadmill and MiRV takes the bike or elliptical. It works for us. I do change it up on occasion and get on the other machines but I'm a creature of habit and gravitate to the treadmill on most days making sure to get in at least 30-45 minutes. MiRV who likes to keep limber and is more adventrous will work his body differently in an attempt to keep the pain at bay. He works very hard to keep himself moving even when the pain is great. He and I both believe a body in motion stays in motion.

It's been a lot of ups and downs in the family world and we are still tackling some major issues but things continue to roll along. We are hopeful for better days ahead.

Happy New Year 2021!

UnFOURgettably Four will be on hiatus until February when she turns FIVE, yes, you read that right, five. I will decide between now and then what will be the new postings if any at all. Until then we will make do with random post as things seem postworthy.

Our NYE was quiet, how about yours? I spent the afternoon at my folks visitng and celebrating my second mom's 79th trip around the sun. Not a lot of fanfare since we are trying to keep everyone healthy. There are some with colds and snuffy noses or sore throats  so the traffic was limited to the healthy ones. Glad I am one of the so called healthy ones and praying it remains as such. In the days ahead we will face some new roads with her as unforseen health news presented on Christmas Adam.  Speaking of Christmas Adam have you heard of it? I had not, but now that I know about it, I love it. It is the day before Christmas Eve; Adam came before Eve so it is Christmas Adam! I like it so much and we are totally calling it and celebrating it from here on out.

We are thrilled to have made it into another year. Personally, hoping 2021 is not a repeat of 2020. But as usual we will roll with whatever comes our way. MiRV is researching and doing a litle a little trip planning already. He would like to get a trip or two in the books this year. Hopefully, we will be able to take the Bee with us at least once. Of course, just holding fast to see what comes our way in the next several weeks. 

Stay safe, stay well!

UnFOURgettably 4 Friday!

Soooo...one could say 2020 has been mighty different. I would totally not disagree with that assessment. I would say for us it has been quite a change. Practically no travel. Not even North to see daughter. We have just been homebodies. Our grocery budget has gone over every month since March. Our eating out, entertainment and fuel budgets have been under. Trade offs I guess. 

Another change, more so for me, has been increased physical activity. In the week after Christmas MiRV and I started up walking again. It was going well, we would head to the local community center for indoor lap walking just about every week day. We did 2-3 miles a visit. I just wanted to increase our physical activity. I was also hoping to reduce the snugness of my jeans after all the holiday treats. We were pretty dedicated to our daily walks. Then, BAM, covid hit. Community center closed! I took on some home exercising with the help of our $50 treadmill find. I also started adding in some strength training, a few videos of yoga or low impact aerobics thanks to MiRV and his YouTube ability. Then we happened upon a home gym setup type thing at the surplus store. What a find and for only $10. It came with everything but the weights! And we found some of those that would work; so we were in business. This has been a game changer for the whole strength training thing. I'm incredibly amazed. We also have an old style spin bike that MiRV uses. We have grown a home gym!

Putting the "gym" together...

This is us in action...albeit not great shots. They are from our security camera and it's the best I've got!

I am happy to be able to see looser fitting clothing AND a decrease in the scale number was an even nicer benefit as well. I'm down double digits on that stinking scale! More interestingly I'm seeing some muscle definition. That in itself is pretty neat, too. I'm pleased with our new found gym equipment and at a minimal investment. What a bonus. Though in hindsight we really should be willing to invest more in our health...hmmm. We've also been riding our Townies more. I have a little foot issue going on so my treadmill use has dropped off dramatically. I'm hoping the rest will restore it. We've also added a few more weights to our collection as well as a sit up bar. We already had a jump rope, some bands, kettle ball etc. It's a journey that has been good for me, for sure!

Stay safe, stay well and try to get some physical activity in your day!

UnFOURgettably 4 Friday!

Another week, another case or three of the 'Rona in our little county. Hope the fair attendance last week doesn't result in an "outbreak"; seems there is enough of it as it is. Many places are going to 'mask required'. No matter your thoughts on that it is a small concession to keep others safe. Because it doesn't appear this pandemic is vacating anytime soon. Guess we need to get our mask supply bulked up; seems like we are gonna need them. Our current status is two each and our buffs. However, in the present heat the buffs are a NO GO! We might need to scout a few more mask for our stash if this mask required thing keeps growing.

Best thing about our week...no mask required!

Stay safe, stay well and wear the darn mask!

UnFOURgettably 4 Friday!

It's May! Happy May Day as a little girl I remember hanging flowers on our neighbors doors on May Day. I don't think people in the U.S.A. do that anymore but when we lived in Europe they still did. I almost bought flowers at the grocery store today now I wish I had.

It's been an uneventful week in our area. Pretty much same-o same-o. Wash, rinse, repeat. I'm soooo ready to be able to go North. I'm ready to just be able to get out and about. I realize that is most likely gonna be some time in the future. Just not sure how far into the future. Oh, well, carry on, I suppose, it could be worse! Thankful we are well and those we love are, too. 

Stay safe, stay well, stay home!

UnFOURgettably 4 Friday!

Undeniably, we MISS the family...especially the Little Ones.

Been trying to stay active during this "safer at home" season so it always makes me smile when I start and end seeing these faces.

It's not an easy time for so many right now so count your blessings instead of your woes. There are so many who are going through a much harder time, living a more intense life and we need to be selfless as we live out this Covid-19 outbreak. Life will get back to normal or maybe there will be a new normal and this will be in our rearview mirrior. Try for a big picture attitude and carryon the best you can.

Stay safe, stay home!

Wild & Three Thursday!

Wear your ear protection when vacuuming. Just sayin' it'll save your hearing when you are older. Learning young. 

TurkeyTrot 2016

It WAS early, too early, cold, too cold but we loaded up and off we went with a thermos full of hot chocolate and LOTS of layers headed to Joplin for the Turkey Trot  2016 5K. The weather was really not that bad, temps were rising, however, the wind was just a bit too breezy whipping down Main Street like a banshee.

The Littles did the 1 mile fun run at 7:30 a.m. then the rest of the runners ran at 8:00. I was the designated baby holder. And hold I did; we kept each other warm. Thankfully, City Hall was open so we hung out in there until the first runners from our group were almost to the finish line. Went out to see them, then back into the warmth waiting for the next finishers. It was a full house. Over 1500 registered. They reopened registration not once but twice. Craziness. 

The 5K runners...pre race

The non 5K runners...see Trigger there all snuggled up? We were cozy!

First wave of finishers...

MiRV went back to run with each of the girls to encourage them to the end!

Our crew with our pirate patches!

Once everyone finished some had more coffee, hot chocolate and or KrispyKreme Donuts; some opted for just water then we loaded back up and headed north. Turkey Day dinner would soon be ready. We headed to the Grands to get cleaned up and then headed to the table and all was good!

Happy Thanksgiving! It is really the best holiday...lots to be thankful for and no gifts to buy.

JULY + MO = H.O.T

Oh good Lord it's warm, okay HOT, really HOT like heat index in triple digits. I don't really care for this kind of heat.. So remind me why are we here in Missouri again in July. Ugh, oh yeah, commitments. Well, next time let's work on NOT having them in July. Anyway, this month is just half over and we've been keeping busy. We brought in the 4th without a bang, went to T-town to meet friends, have made a couple trips to KC and have been keeping the yards mowed. It's never dull around here for sure. Being here has let us catch up on some mail ordering since we can easily get our mail so that's a perk I suppose we should be thankful for even in the extreme heat!

I am also thankful for AC! Though it's gotta be tough on the unit to be running so much just glad it does cool down and pretty quickly. We have had our needed oil change and service B on ROADA so we are ready to roll, well, after we get some new front shoes. Yes, ROADA needs new front tires. We are trying to make that happen now. Thought we had it worked out when we were in for our service appointment but it ended up being a no go. We are also replacing our non-working TV antenna, fashioning a new door screen and working on improving our window coverings as well as looking into better insulation in the door and a few other areas. Continuous improvement is the name of the game for ROADA. Always looking at how to make her the most functional for the way we live.

We will hopefully be wrapping up MO business and move on out sometime in August but it could very well be September. We are flexible like that. However, we do hope to be in NM in October for the Balloon Fiesta and then continue westward for the winter. Cali or bust :) finally, Lord willing. Course we have a stronger pull back to the Midwest with Trigger, who is growing like a weed and we can't wait to see her again next week. She is 5 months old today.

Can't believe it's already been 5 months! We love you Trigger!

New Adventures

There is a new adventure brewing and the prep has begun...more detailed details to come later but suffice to say a 12.5 mile or so "hike" with a 26.5 pound pack started the initial trial phase. Success will be in the details so lots of trial and error before next spring will be needed. Many, many product reviews have been read and will be researched and then purchases will be made. The right gear is essential.

Starting out on this first "test walk" was none other then a spontaneous decision...probably not well thought out but it was a good learning experience while being local! Snacks, they are important and should have been in abundant supply, just sayin'!

The pickup was definitely welcome as walking in the heat of the day was certainly warm; another learning experience. Get your miles in early!

Band on the Run 5K

Who's idea was this? Oh, right, mine! What was I thinking?

All I can honestly say is it's done and I got the T-shirt...whew, and I'm glad that's overwith! And for the record the course was LONGER than a 5K. I KNEW it, too! it was 3.44 and when you are a non runner that matters!

Winner!!!

However, the real runner in the family took first place in his age group, WOOHOO for him.

#runningmaynotbeforme
#Ididit!

Wednesday Words - Hill

"Don't wait. The time will never be just right."

~Napoleon Hill

 

 

Run MiRV Run!

Since our return to MO after the BIG Move we have really (really) been trying to get in some regular physical activity. It seems so hit and miss with us and this nomadic lifestyle. It's taking it's toll on the way my clothing fits. It's sad. So MiRV has been putting in some miles. I have been riding my bike while he runs or taking walks.

Rocking the run in the HOKAs

New running shoes a few weeks ago have been good. A blister did appear on the first run or two but adjustment in lacing and all seems well. He really thinks they are going to be great. This from a long, long time ASICS wearer who is now seemingly sold on HOKAs.



Also been working hard on portion control. I pray it helps, I so don't like my clothing being so tight and I certainly don't wish to have to spend good money on new clothes. That provides some motivation to slimming back down, 

#HOKAS

#getridofunwantedpounds

RoadTrip w/o Roada :(

It was off to OKC for a quick trip to take care of RX refilling for MiRV. We were so very sad we could not take Roada as she is STILL being fixed. It's wearing on us both to be without our home...and we had to get a room at the inn.

Anyway, we did enjoy our quick stay in OKC. Always good to see friends from our time there. We left EARLY Sunday a.m. and rolled into town just in time for church. Nice to hear Bro Ryan's sermon and getting to see everyone. Had lunch with friends and then back for the evening 5th Sunday singing, then on to snacks and visiting the evening away with more friends. Great catching up with everyone for sure. 

Monday was COLD and very WINDY and made me certain I do not want to be here for long at this time of year! VA visits are always humbling; so thankful for the health we do enjoy and makes some of our ailments pale in comparison to what we see when we are there. Mission accomplished with refills, so back on the road again. Way too short of a visit, hopefully, we will get this way in milder weather next year! But having great Mexican food was a wonderful bonus as well as getting to see friends who are like family!

#VA
#RoadtrekIssues
#Friendswhoarelikefamily