I've got my travel/work schedule arranged for August and the good news is that I will be in Ivanhoe for Polish Days! I will also be at Roy Lake for Labor Day! These are just the first of the fun times I'll be able to participate in now that we're moving home. I don't think Chris will be able to come for either weekend, but we'll see!
Rummage Sale Day!
I've been talking about having a rummage sale for six months (Chris says a year) and finally got around to doing it yesterday. Since we are in such an out-of-the-way area I was concerned about getting traffic. My estimate was that I'd get three people from the neighborhood all day. Well, I met that quota by 7:45 am (and I wasn't even supposed to open until 8). I went out to post signs on the main road and people started following me home! I think I sold a quarter of my stuff by 8:30.There were quite a few interesting characters
and some definite hard-core rummage salers. Like the guy who asked if he could take every- thing off the "free" table (why not) and the guy who bought the table of about 50 half-used shampoos/lotions, used makeup, etc. that I would've thrown away but hoped someone like him would want?!I couldn't help but think of Amber and her adventures earlier this summer! I was worried that I would do all this work for nothing, but this was definitely a worthwhile exercise. Not only was it much more profitable that my scrapbooking endeavor, it also enabled me to get rid of lots of junk. Now we're ready to move!
Minnesota here we come!
Almost everyone who reads this blog already knows this, but Chris and I are moving to Minnesota! After a lengthy search, I have the opportunity to return to a previous employer and will cover the Midwest region from their office in Minnetonka.
If you know me, you know that I've wanted to live in Minnesota since about one year after I moved away. Although I've enjoyed all the places I've lived, I'm simply thrilled to be going to a city that's almost like home.
Chris has been extremely supportive and is looking forward to becoming a Minnesotan! Expect both of us to complain about the cold this Winter, though! (According to Amber, I'll be fine in my fur coats, which I kept because I knew this day would come).
Farewell Jack!
Jack drove away shortly before 8:30 this morning, following a tasty homemade breakfast of eggs, sausage and peaches. He intends to reach St. Louis by tonight, which will make for an awfully long day, but a much easier drive tomorrow.We so enjoyed having him here for the past 11 weeks! He was a good house guest and even vacuumed his room before he left. I should've taken a picture of his room a week ago compared to today; it used to look like a tornado hit!
We're going to miss Jack, but I know he's eager to get back home and return to his active social life!
Jack will be your waiter today...
Since Jack is leaving this week, Chris and I decided it was finally time to see him in action at Chicago Pizza. We would've visited sooner, but this was Chris' first trip outside in three weeks and first time he's gone anywhere other than to doctors' appointments since June 13. (Don't ask me how he does it...)Jack was a superb waiter, although I hope he doesn't steal food from the plates of all his customers! He also refused to let us photograph him in action. We tried to sneak some shots, but they didn't turn out well. He did allow Chris to snap the two of us. (Note my new haircut!)
It now appears that yesterday was his last day, so we made it just in time!
Friday at the Alligator Farm
Since Jack's days in Florida (and mine) are numbered, we finally took a much-anticipated trip to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and it was a real thrill! We endured oppressive heat and humidity to observe dozens of gators and crocodiles (and sit on some fake ones).
The pinnacle event was watching one of the thrice daily feedings. I'm so glad I got some video of this!!
The Scorpion King
If you thought the frog (actually, Chris has discovered it was a toad because toads "ribbit" and frogs don't) was interesting, meet the scorpion we found inside the house tonight.
The scorpion was both small and dead, but creepy nonetheless. According to the University of Florida Extension Entomologists, none of Florida's scorpion species produce a deadly sting. A sting would be painful, however, and it's just plain scary to come across something like this in your home.
So much about what we've seen in Florida astounds us! It's been a great learning experience but we are ready to move (and I'm ready to work).
UPDATE: I left the scorpion untouched so Jack could see it when he got home. He was merely mildly impressed, as usual. I took a paper towel to pick it up and discovered that it was ALIVE!!!!!
It must have been mildly sedated by the pest control poison periodically applied around the perimeter of the house, but it still had plenty of speed and fight left in it! As you would expect, I was really freaked out and Jack was nice enough to kill and dispose of the nasty scorpion.
The scorpion was both small and dead, but creepy nonetheless. According to the University of Florida Extension Entomologists, none of Florida's scorpion species produce a deadly sting. A sting would be painful, however, and it's just plain scary to come across something like this in your home.
So much about what we've seen in Florida astounds us! It's been a great learning experience but we are ready to move (and I'm ready to work).
UPDATE: I left the scorpion untouched so Jack could see it when he got home. He was merely mildly impressed, as usual. I took a paper towel to pick it up and discovered that it was ALIVE!!!!!
It must have been mildly sedated by the pest control poison periodically applied around the perimeter of the house, but it still had plenty of speed and fight left in it! As you would expect, I was really freaked out and Jack was nice enough to kill and dispose of the nasty scorpion.
Tea Party
The highlight of my numerous trips over the past week was the time I spent with Betsy and her family. They live about 30 minutes from Rochester and I went to their house on Sunday afternoon. Addison (4 1/2) and Maren (2 1/2) are sweet girls and we had tons of fun, including a tea party!
On Monday after my interviews Betsy and family met me for dinner and a trip to feed the geese and ducks at a park in Rochester. They told me that it's a tradition for many people to do this and once I saw the hundreds of birds I knew why. I wish I'd have had my camera, because we were literally surrounded by geese and ducks fighting for a bite of bread. Addison and Maren stood on a picnic table to avoid the geese, most of whom would tower over them. The birds have no fear of getting close and more than one stepped on my feet!
I don't have any news about jobs yet, but you will all be among the first to know.
On Monday after my interviews Betsy and family met me for dinner and a trip to feed the geese and ducks at a park in Rochester. They told me that it's a tradition for many people to do this and once I saw the hundreds of birds I knew why. I wish I'd have had my camera, because we were literally surrounded by geese and ducks fighting for a bite of bread. Addison and Maren stood on a picnic table to avoid the geese, most of whom would tower over them. The birds have no fear of getting close and more than one stepped on my feet!
I don't have any news about jobs yet, but you will all be among the first to know.
11 Flights in 4 Days
Starting at 7:30 am on Thursday, I will take 11 airline flights in 4 days (over a 6 day span). Ugh! Although these trips are all for job interviews, so I should be happy. I am, but have my doubts that all 11 flights will go smoothly.
Here's my schedule:
July 12: Dearborn, Michigan (return to Jacksonville same day)
July 13: Garden City, New York (return to Jacksonville same day)
July 15-17: Rochester, Minnesota
I won't go into detail about where I'm interviewing in each city, but at least you'll know where I am between now and Tuesday!
Here's my schedule:
July 12: Dearborn, Michigan (return to Jacksonville same day)
July 13: Garden City, New York (return to Jacksonville same day)
July 15-17: Rochester, Minnesota
I won't go into detail about where I'm interviewing in each city, but at least you'll know where I am between now and Tuesday!
Exercise Without Sweating!
Since I'm able to go to the gym at about any time of day (rather than 6am like I used to), I have a much greater selection of classes from which to choose. Today I took my first water aerobics class, called AquaCardio.
As the name implies, it focuses on getting your heart beating, but also helps build strength. In addition to the resistance of the water, I also wore weights around my ankles and used floating dumb bells for much of the workout.
It was terrific exercise and I'm definitely going again! They also have an AquaStrength class that I'll try next week. The ankle weights tend to move up and down my calves, so I'll have to figure out a way to fix that.
I highly recommend water-based exercise for anyone. Indicative of people with schedules that allow mid-day exercise, most of the participants were in their 50s and 60s. There are several great advantages: you're underwater, so no one can see how coordinated (or uncoordinated) you are; for those who don't want to be seen in a bathing suit (...Mom...), you can only be seen for as long as it takes you to jump into the pool; it's a really good workout; and best of all...no sweating!
If you have the opportunity to attend a class - do it!!
As the name implies, it focuses on getting your heart beating, but also helps build strength. In addition to the resistance of the water, I also wore weights around my ankles and used floating dumb bells for much of the workout.
It was terrific exercise and I'm definitely going again! They also have an AquaStrength class that I'll try next week. The ankle weights tend to move up and down my calves, so I'll have to figure out a way to fix that.
I highly recommend water-based exercise for anyone. Indicative of people with schedules that allow mid-day exercise, most of the participants were in their 50s and 60s. There are several great advantages: you're underwater, so no one can see how coordinated (or uncoordinated) you are; for those who don't want to be seen in a bathing suit (...Mom...), you can only be seen for as long as it takes you to jump into the pool; it's a really good workout; and best of all...no sweating!
If you have the opportunity to attend a class - do it!!
Planning My Planner Plan
One of the many initiatives I have for this unprecedented free time is to get organized. I used to be more organized in terms of my schedule and priorities, but when I got my first Palm Pilot in 1999 I went cold turkey from a paper-based system to a digital system. Paper seemed "old fashioned." For a few years I've realized that I need and like to use paper, but I ended up making long lists that got lost in my notebook. And it just wasn't fun!
So I've decided to return to a paper-based system complemented by a digital system. After spent many hours reading about how others organize their schedules and lives and which methods and tools might be most effective for me, I've decided on the Circa system by Levenger.
Since Levenger's products are expensive, I purchased a new but scratched planner on ebay for about 1/3 the price of a brand new one. And I'm using templates from DIYPlanner for all the pages.
The unique feature of Levenger's Circa system are that pages can be removed and added simply by popping them off the plastic discs (as shown below).
In addition to the binder and rings, I also purchased the Circa punch. This enables me to add almost anything to the planner. Once I'm working again, I plan to print out my monthly and weekly calendars from Outlook and include them in the planner. I also made my own divider tabs by cutting a cheap plastic folder and punching holes in it. This planner is both flexible and cost-effective!
This is only the beginning of my new planner plan! Boring and nerdy, to be sure, but I'm confident that my ability to customize this system and merge paper and digital systems.
So I've decided to return to a paper-based system complemented by a digital system. After spent many hours reading about how others organize their schedules and lives and which methods and tools might be most effective for me, I've decided on the Circa system by Levenger.
Since Levenger's products are expensive, I purchased a new but scratched planner on ebay for about 1/3 the price of a brand new one. And I'm using templates from DIYPlanner for all the pages.
The unique feature of Levenger's Circa system are that pages can be removed and added simply by popping them off the plastic discs (as shown below).
In addition to the binder and rings, I also purchased the Circa punch. This enables me to add almost anything to the planner. Once I'm working again, I plan to print out my monthly and weekly calendars from Outlook and include them in the planner. I also made my own divider tabs by cutting a cheap plastic folder and punching holes in it. This planner is both flexible and cost-effective!
This is only the beginning of my new planner plan! Boring and nerdy, to be sure, but I'm confident that my ability to customize this system and merge paper and digital systems.
The Frog Prince
Florida has many interesting creatures we've become familiar with over the past year or so, especially the geckos. This year, however, we have new amphibian friends!
Frogs, frogs everywhere! This giant guy wanted to come in so badly that he attached himself to our front door. Check out his freaky little toes...
Chris thinks that these frogs may be the source of a loud chirping at night. Every night. I thought the noise came from ducks, but it's probably frogs!
ribbit. ribbit. ribbit.
More fun to watch (and less icky) are the teeny tiny baby frogs hopping everywhere. I don't think I've ever seen baby frogs and certainly not in this quantity. They're camera-shy, fast moving and blend in with the mulch, but I think you can see the little froggy in this picture.
For those wondering about the geckos...they're still here in full force. The babies are cute, but we could do without the big ones that like to flare their throats as if about to attack!
Frogs, frogs everywhere! This giant guy wanted to come in so badly that he attached himself to our front door. Check out his freaky little toes...
Chris thinks that these frogs may be the source of a loud chirping at night. Every night. I thought the noise came from ducks, but it's probably frogs!
ribbit. ribbit. ribbit.
More fun to watch (and less icky) are the teeny tiny baby frogs hopping everywhere. I don't think I've ever seen baby frogs and certainly not in this quantity. They're camera-shy, fast moving and blend in with the mulch, but I think you can see the little froggy in this picture.
For those wondering about the geckos...they're still here in full force. The babies are cute, but we could do without the big ones that like to flare their throats as if about to attack!
The things I want.
There's a great website called The Things I Want. After registering, you add a bookmark and any time you're on any website (even one that doesn't sell anything), you click on the bookmark. A small window pops up and you have the chance to add notes and indicate how much you really want the item.
Friends and family can find your list (here's mine: http://www.thethingsiwant.com/jbhealy/list/wishlist/) and link directly to purchase items.
The obvious benefit of this list compared to an Amazon list is that you can find items anywhere and keep them all in one place. Check it out and start your list!
Friends and family can find your list (here's mine: http://www.thethingsiwant.com/jbhealy/list/wishlist/) and link directly to purchase items.
The obvious benefit of this list compared to an Amazon list is that you can find items anywhere and keep them all in one place. Check it out and start your list!
Chris got his cast removed!
At his first follow up visit after surgery, the doctor removed Chris' cast today! Some people have to stay in the cast for six to eight weeks, but Chris' Achilles tendon is healing so well that he is done with the cast after just under two weeks.
That's the good news, but he still has to stay off his foot for at least four more weeks. To facilitate that, Chris is now wearing a removable air cast that fits over a giant sock. This cast will enable him to begin stretching the tendon, but he will still use crutches and avoid putting weight on his foot.
Chris sends his thanks for the continued wishes, cards and gifts!
That's the good news, but he still has to stay off his foot for at least four more weeks. To facilitate that, Chris is now wearing a removable air cast that fits over a giant sock. This cast will enable him to begin stretching the tendon, but he will still use crutches and avoid putting weight on his foot.
Chris sends his thanks for the continued wishes, cards and gifts!
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