Flowers -- Part Deux

After a little prodding from Jim...:)

Beautiful Columbines

I went out on this beautiful afternoon...when the sun was behind a cloud and tried out a few shots of my beautiful flowers. Not too sure if these are the caliber of the other professional pics but I think they're kind of pretty.

Multiple Daisy's

(I love the depth of this photo, how the flowers appear to be floating and how they are all facing different directions)

I can't remember the name of these..maybe Snowball-something

Yellow Lily - notice the water drops

Purple Lupine

Deep Pink Daisy's

Pink Lily

Flowers...

For those who know me well.....I love flowers.

What a wonderful weekend I've had. The weather was absolutely perfect and I was able to spend all day outside playing in my yard. Keely and I went to the local garden center and spent about an hour deciding what flowers we were going to buy and plant in the flower beds. I enjoyed a little one-on-one time with my Little Bug...she's a real pleasure and is at the age where she is fascinated by everything around her...so inquisitive.

I finally decided this year I was going to incorporate more perennials into my yard. Year after year I have planted annuals and have been sad when they are permanently done in the fall. I've slowly been adding a few perennials each year. This year I decided to go almost exclusively with them. It was hard to select which little beauties to go with but I finally narrowed it down to Columbines, Lupines, a variety of Daisies, and several Lilys. My favorites are the Columbines because they have such a delicate look about them....very pretty.

I have the larger flowering bushes such as.... Honeysuckles, Azaleas, Rhododendrons and Hydrangeas. This year I wanted to focus on the smaller flowers. Early every spring I wait with anticipation for my Crocus to emerge, usually in late February. NOW I will have lots of flowers to look forward too..:)

It's Graduation Day!!

“Though we all shall try, we may never meet again
(never meet again, never meet again)
School is almost over. Graduations near
Though we try to hide it, we all shed a tear
Happy days are over. School is near its end
Though we all shall try, we may never meet again
As the school year ends, we will surely try
Try to face our friends. Try to say good-bye
Happy days are over. School is near it's end
Though we all shall try, we may never meet again
What will happen now is not for us to say
We will each go on, our own and separate way
As the years go by, Time will have it's say
But we will all remember graduation gay
When we stop to look back, we will surely say
The best day of our lives was graduation day
graduation, graduation
graduation, graduation
Graduation Day !!!!!!!!” by William Stark Whiteman

Today was a wonderful day, a day I will never forget. The emotions one wouldn’t think would be there…were.

I was sitting in a seat between two young women I’ve never met, but we had an instant connection because we were there for the same reason! We sang the school song together; we prayed together, clapped together and laughed together.

Finally, we each made our individual journey across the stage when hearing our names called. A warm smile and handshake awaited us, and the blue folder that held our diplomas. As I walked off the stage I was congratulated and welcomed by the head of the Alumni committee. Further down the isle I was embraced by one of my instructors. “Hey Mom!” My kids jumped out of nowhere and started snapping pictures!!

The following reception was a kaleidoscope of family and friends, punch and cookies, and goodbyes to people I’ll probably never see again. Our family continued on to the Olive Garden to enjoy one another’s company and close out the celebration of this momentous event.

I have great memories of my high school graduation, but with age comes wisdom of how important education really is. This was a graduation day I’ll not forget very soon.

News From Around MY World.

Let's see....

Erin just graduated from Ashmead/Everest College as a Licensed Massage Therapist. She will be taking all the Oregon/Washington and National tests very soon. We are so proud of her...she did it!! She's very excited to be done with school too.

Keely just turned 2 years old March 8th...what a cute little bug. She's learning to count and is turning into a little jabberbox...I'm not always sure what she's saying though...ha.
School....finally..I'm no longer double up on classes! I've been doubled up since Thanksgiving. With working full time and going to school ...let's just say I was getting a little frazzled. I'm definitely in the home stretch. The only 5-week classes I have left are; Business Law, Operations Management and Business Policies....plus as 2-weekend Intro to Fine Arts!! My graduation date is Saturday, May 10th at the New Hope Community Church....woo hoo.. My final class runs into mid-July....I'm okay with that...the end is definitely near...:)

I'm still hitting the gym as hard as I can in my "spare" time. Just hit a new high on the sitting leg press.....final set (8-10 reps) ......315 lbs...not bad..eh? I know I need to boost the cardio higher and have started that too. Softball season starts in about a month and I'm working on getting my running up to an acceptable level (torn achilles is healed...just a weak leg)

We've had our first day of Spring...and even a little sunshine to go with...I am SO ready for some warm weather. Take care and have a great Easter weekend.

Tag.....You're it!!

Thanks to Kelsie I've been forced to come out of my hole and socialize...:) Thanks Kelsie!

I don't know if the time stamp shows up on this thing but if it does you'll notice, it's like 4 0'clock in the morning....what's up with that!?

Hmmm.......seven things you may not know about me...

1. I've read the whole set of Anne of Green Gables ....I loved them and may have to do it again.

2. I love to sew but my sewing machine broke##%^#!!

3. I can tie a cherry stem into a knot inside my mouth.....;)

4. I'm seriously addicted to jigsaw puzzles.

5. I would love to travel.

6. I'm a hopeless romantic.

7. I grew up on a farm and am well versed in the ability to milk a cow or a nanny goat.

There's SO much more.......but you'll have to tag me again to find out.....bwahhahahaahaa!

(Are there touch backs on this game?....because I don't know many who are on blogspot)

Weight.......WAIT....

My lastest endeavor is basically circuit training. I start at the end of a long line of machines and work my way through them all……then I start over again. I usually do 3 sets with 12-15 reps in each set. It takes me about an hour or so and I’ve worked up a pretty good sweat when I’m done! The upper body is coming along…but is definitely my weak area. The pull down Lat I’m up to 65 lbs..and I’ve just reached 75 lbs for the pullover. My triceps suck!! I can’t seem to get beyond 35 lbs….and that’s both arms working together…:( I’m finally at 45 lbs (on a good day) for the front butterfly.

For the lower half….on the sitting leg press I’m up to 195 lbs. Hip adductor/abductor…90 lbs pressing out….140 lbs pressing in. I don’t know what the name of the machine is …….but it’s the one where you’re laying on your stomach and curling your legs up…50 lbs.

Miscellaneous other machines for abs…

I’ve gotten pretty comfortable with these machines, but have tried to not get too complacent. I continue to raise the weight by 5 or 10 lbs….about once a week. What I’m wondering is……

Should I continue to keep raising the pounds …or at some point should I increase the sets?

I have no problem climbing on just about any machine…but I’ve seriously avoided lifting the free weights….why is that? I’ve watched enough people do them that I’m quite knowledgeable on their uses, but I can’t seem to get up the courage to venture over to that part of the gym.
Totally pathetic…..I know.

So...I forced myself to that end of the gym this evening when it seemed pretty quiet in that area..and guess what...it wasn't so bad. I'm limiting myself to just a few things for now, so I can get comfortable with a simple routine. All I can say is.....there is a huge difference between the machines and the free weights! I'm definitely a little sorer. Guess I'll be hanging out in that area a little more in the future.

SWOT.......not swat...

What does it mean?

Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats

It's interesting as I go through school how much of what I'm learning can be applied to my everyday life. In my business classes this is an analysis that can help a business understand its organization and productivity, and formulate strategy to improve its mission.

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. The key is to use those strengths to the best of our ability rather than to just coast along. Admit what our weaknesses are and face them. How many of us have numerous opportunities present themselves weekly or even daily? Do we reach out and grasp them or lazily watch them pass by.... and threats...do we allow them to cow-tow us into quaking balls of fear or do we confront the fear, take the challenge and conquer.

Take this a step further....Strengths and Weaknesses are an internal matter. This is the struggle within us. Take a moment and analyze yourself.

Opportunities and Threats are external forces. Sometimes we have control over these issues...sometimes we don't....BUT if we remain wallflowers....you'll never know what could have been.

I challenge you to take a SWOT analysis of your life....it may be the best thing you've ever done.