A Memorial Day Weekend

This is usually how our weekends end during the warm summer months. Pool towels drying on the deck.

It's been a weekend, that's for sure. First my nasal surgery last Thursday, off and recuperating on Friday, then a three day holiday weekend. The local aquatic center opened and we went all three days. Since I had to take it easy, I just loaded up on the SPF 50 and my magazines and books and relaxing poolside. I need to get a head start on my tan for when we're in California. 17 more days!

It only a 4 day work week this week......hurray!

Office Space

Although I shared some photos on facebook, I never got a chance to talk about my new office space. I had been in the same location for 15 years, ever since we moved into the annex in February of 1995. In fact, just a few months, later, I discovered I was pregnant with Connor. In March of this year, my employer decided to hire some new employees and what that, those employees were going to need a place to call their own.

I had been wanting to make a location change for a while for a couple different reasons, but every time I broached the subject with the appropriate people, it didn't seem like it was going to happen. We had a space in other area of the office that I felt would be perfect for me, so again, determined female that I am, approached the boss and gave her my reasons why this move would benefit the office, asking her to hear my out before making a decision. My approach worked because she said yes this time. Because I was going to move, there was going to be some shuffling of people out in the case management area, so we all needed to coordinate with each other and our IT department so we could get computers, scanners and telephones moved.

















Since moving, it's put a whole new perspective on my job. It's quieter, I can concentrate better and I like having a window. Hopefully I can stay here for the remainder of my career....7 years, 6 months and a smattering of days. :)

Garden Update

Been getting my bedding plants and containers planted over the last few days. Even got Fred outside last night to help me weed the triangle garden...Yea!

My mother's peach iris are starting to bloom and every time I see them, I have to smile. Why? because they remind me of her and the circumstances surrounding how I got them is funny. Shortly before my mom's house went up for sale, my brother and I went over to the house and raided her yard. We dug up everything we could. Iris, rose bushes, hosta, you name, we raided it. Iris were one of my mother's favorite spring flowers and these peach iris are unusual.



I also have some traditional purple iris that are starting to bloom and the color is just so deep and gorgeous.



Someone else likes looking at the flower beds....



I also got the rest of our vegetable garden in last weekend. I planted a zucchini plant and 5 tomato plants, 4 Better Boys and 1 Grape tomato. I may throw a couple pepper plants in there also. I decided against cucumbers this year because they take up too much space and I can buy them at the Farmers Market for cheap. I decided to try the Topsy Turvy planter than my brother bought me for Christmas for one of the better boy plants. We'll see how it goes.

The vegie garden is looking good...



We'll see how this fella grows....



Just call me Farmer Kristina....lol!

Fitness Update

I haven't been good about updating my blog lately and prior to a couple months ago, I was blogging about my fitness journey, but since starting my SparkPeople.com blog, that's where I do my blogging about my fitness.

I've been really proud of myself for staying consistent and I'm finally starting to see some results. I've ramped up my workout sessions to 45-50 minutes rather than 30-35 minutes. I've been going to the gym, walking or biking at least 4 times a week instead of the 3 times that I was doing.

I also just recently purchased a heart rate monitor and after two days of reading the how to manual, I wore it when I worked out today at lunchtime. It was awesome! It tells me what my heart rate is and what kind of calorie burn I'm getting.

I'm shooting for 2000 burned calories a week and on the days I do workout, I'm shooting for at least a 5K....3.1 miles or if biking, 10K....6.2 miles.

Still struggling with my water intake. I just don't like water unless I'm really really thirsty, so trying to drink 8 glasses is almost impossible for me.

Food choices are good. I have a cheat day and I also don't deprive myself on something that I want. If I over indulge one day, then I take it easy for the next couple of days.

I really need to get before and after pictures. :)

Damn that Basic Grey!

I just get done buying the collection pack of Max & Whiskers and now they have to come out with Oliver!



There goes another 25 bucks.......

May, Mother's Day and Tulips

I can't believe it's been since April 24th that I've updated my blog. I have things to share, but no time to share it. The month of May is uber busy between work, the garage sale I'm having next weekend, jury duty the week after and then my sinus surgery the week after that, I'm pretty well booked until Memorial Day.

My weekends are feeling like one big blur of activity. I can't say that they have been all work, just busy.

I did switch out the kitchen tree last weekend to a spring themed tree. I'm not altogether happy with it, but that's okay, I can always tweak it if I find cool things to use.

I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day. Mine actually started yesterday when we got up early and headed to Pella, Iowa for the annual Tulip Festival. It has been years since I've gone and neither Fred or Connor has ever been. Unfortunately, the weather didn't want to cooperate and it was pretty nasty when we first arrived, but as we walked around, it got a bit better. We would duck in the stores on the town square to warm up a bit and had plenty of hot coffee to warm us up. Here's a few photos from the day -


Tulip Toren


Schlote Tulip Garden


Beautiful ceramic tile work




More tulips - we were lucky that they all weren't gone, there were still some varieties blooming








Vermeer Windmill


Sunken Garden Park


On our way back home, we decided to stop in Prairie City for this, but more about that on a future blog post -



Have a good week!