Fresh Virgin (or, Olive You!)

      

Had a very nice day today.  Drove out to Chandler to visit with friends Candy and Jim.  Candy gave me the grand tour of their lovely new home,  and then we went to Queen Creek Olive Mill at the base of the San Tan Mountains.  We ate lunch at their bistro cafe, which features fresh foods and home-grown produce.  I had a half turkey sandwich accompanied by a great spinach salad and a tasty little glass of almond champagne.  Then I bought some great olive oils, olives, and a delicious little peach camponatina as gifts to take to family in Michigan this year.  After a quick stop at My Sister's Closet, we returned to meet with Jim, who was eager to show me his new little Border Terrier pup, Martha.  She is a very nice little bitch -- well proportioned with lovely dark eyes and a lovely coat.  He's going to have fun with her in the ring!

A belated Mother's Day to cherish!

My beloved son and daughter-in-law took me and her father out to dinner at Claim Jumper today, and then to see the new Karate Kid movie.  I loved the movie -- I think it's even better than the original.  Jaden Smith shows every promise of meeting and perhaps even exceeding his dad's talent, and the scenery of China was breathtaking.

This was a belated Mother's Day outing, topped off by a gorgeous red and white lighthouse to add to my collection, and a lovely "A Mom is a forever friend" silver necklace that totally tugged at my heartstrings.

What a wonderful day!

Update on aerobics

The pool at LA Fitness was open for business this week, and I decided that, while the deep water work on Mondays was not my favorite, I would try the other days and see how it went.  Tuesday went well -- I got a pretty good workout, and saw some familiar faces.  I really liked Nina, the instructor on Wednesday.  She kept me smiling, and got my heart rate going.  Thursday was the same instructor who does the deep water on Monday, and I had a hard time following her.  For some reason, I get confused as she adds and subtracts arm or leg movements, and end up wallowing around like a stunned octopus.  Friday was another great workout with a good instructor.  I think that next week I'll do the water aerobics on Tues., Wed. & Fri., and I'll try some new stuff the other days.  I've got my eye on the Mat Pilates or Step Plus Abs -- they look pretty interesting.

My art lessons continue . . .

Yesterday I trekked back to Sun City for another lesson from my artist friend, Mary Santos -- this time in drawing.  She's an amazing teacher, but I had serious doubts concerning my aptitude as an aspiring art student.  I was happily surprised to discover that, with Mary's excellent coaching, I actually produced . . . well, you can be the judge of the quality of my efforts, but I will say that I was sufficiently satisfied to have signed up for another lesson next Saturday.  It is so much fun to have the time to try new and different things, and explore areas that I have, in the past, only been able to appreciate from the sidelines.  Who knew retirement would be not an end, but a new beginning! 

The sphere above was my first attempt, and I played with it later on trying to turn it into an orange.  The drawings below are my apples -- the first a pencil sketch, and the second a water color.

Grace Emilia Sue Goudreau

I just had to post these ADORABLE photos of my newest niece, little Grace.  Her story is very special.  Her paternal grandfather, (my father,) was an only surviving son, with four sisters.  Her father is also an only son with four sisters.  Things looked bleak for the proliferation of the family name!  Luckily,  my brother and his lovely wife had four handsome, healthy sons, but had pretty much given up all hope for a daughter.  Then, my mother passed away.  One month later, brother and wife were expecting their darling daughter!  I sensed my mother's hand at work in this miracle, and even more so when I realized that she had given birth to my brother at the age of 44, and he in turn was 44 when his daughter was born.  I can't wait to meet her in person!  Isn't she cute?!

Good intentions fall flat

Well, I sprang up out of bed yesterday morning eager to return to LA Fitness for another water aerobics class, albeit this time shallow water.  ;-)  I headed straight for the locker, put away my stuff, and went to the pool.  No one there.  I was a tiny bit early, so I jumped into the hot tub for a little soak and waited.  After about 5 minutes, two other ladies showed up, but no instructor.  We chatted for a bit, and then pondered the lack of other participants.  The other lady's niece went to the front desk to inquire, and returned to tell us that the pool was officially closed because of the murky water.  So, no water play this day!  I went home, showered & dressed and headed for District Office to take care of some paperwork.  While there, I discovered that not only did I need to renew my teaching certificate, but also my fingerprint clearance card.  Two hours later and $89 poorer, I am once again qualified to challenge young minds as a substitute teacher.  Yowza!  I ran some other errands, and wrecked my diet with a hamburger, fries and ice cream cone at Culvers. 

Today I was a bit wiser, and called LA Fitness first.  Pool still closed -- the filter is broken, and they are awaiting repairs.  Ah well.  The best laid plans of mice and men and retired ladies trying valiently to stay somewhat in shape . . .

As Scarlett said, "Tomorrow is another day!" 

I'm aerobicized!

My new resolution for this month is to get more exercise and lose about 10 pounds, so off I went this morning to a water aerobics class at LA Fitness. Met a lovely 84 year old lady, Rose, and we chatted for a while before class started. Rose is a phenomenal woman who has 7 children, the last two twin girls born when she was in her 40's. She told me that Monday's class was deep water aerobics, which was not her favorite. I soon found out why! After strapping on my blue flotation belt, I valiently tried to emulate the young, energetic instructor. We cross-country skied, did jumping jacks, and wildly waved arms and legs while moving forwards, backwards and side to side. I kept upending myself and wandering inadvertently into other people, but I didn't let my inexperience stop my efforts. After 50 minutes my heart rate was up to the target and I felt sufficiently waterlogged as I dragged myself out of the pool and into the sauna, where I relaxed like a true Finn and dried out a bit. Then, after a quick shower I spent a whole 2 minutes on the stair stepper before leaving to get a much needed haircut. There are classes every morning at 9 AM, and I intend to be there all week.

My artistic side?

Had a wonderful day yesterday. I attended an Itty-Bitty Acrylic Painting Workshop taught by my artist friend, Mary Santos. I had done one last year, so this was my second attempt at painting. We had a great time! The other participants, Shirley and Jeannie, were much more skilled than I, and were generous with helpful hints and compliments at my beginner abilities. Mary is the consumate teacher -- I always learn so much from just talking with her about techniques. Last year I had done a sunflower, so this year I attempted a landscape. I had so much fun that I have decided to take a drawing class from Mary later this month. I feel the spirit of my mother moving through me -- she did some beautiful paintings after my father died -- and I'm enjoying the exploration of my artistic side.

Finkies on the hunt!

My three Finnish Spitz just scored on the big hunt. They were all inside just hanging, when suddenly Mano ran to the patio door and began frenzied barking. He was quickly joined by his daughter Impi and his best girl Sirkka. I looked out the door and saw a ferret on the block fence at the back of the yard. When I opened the door, the fearless trio ran out and, in true Finnish Spitz style, bark pointed their prey. I walked out to the fence, and the ferret remained frozen in place, unsure of his next move. Finally, as I approached closer, he took off along the fence at a dead run and disappeared into the tree on the other side of the yard. Since then, my red dogs have been vigilent lest the intrepid intruder return to their territory. Too funny!

Greetings and Salutations

from sunny Arizona! I have attempted Blogs in the past, but have been none too faithful in keeping them updated. Hopefully now that I have more time on my hands I can be a bit more serious with this one.

I had a wonderful day yesterday with my friend Anita. She drove down from Chino Valley and we had great fun exploring Ryan's Pet Supplies warehouse and buying things for our Finnish Spitz. After our spending spree, we went to a new Spanish restaurant in Glendale called SABOR. For starters, we ordered patatas fritas, which are fresh fried seasoned potato chips -- deliciosas! Then we shared the meat paella with sangria, and it was FABULOUS! Spicy sausage, chicken, turkey and beef in saffron flavored rice. ¡Qué sabrosa! What a wonderful meal! Definitely a place to re-visit, particularly on the weekends when they have flamenco music and dancers.