Friday, July 1, 2016

Friday Mishmash

With our high humidity and hot temperatures, there's pretty much always a chance of an afternoon thunderstorm happening here during the summertime.  That said, we got a storm on Tuesday that surprised me with how intense it was and how long it lasted.  I came home after my run and quick trip to the grocery store, and was so pleased with how pretty all the pink flowering plants looked in our front yard that I walked out and took a quick picture that morning:
The oleander is having a good year, plus that yucca plant in between the two oleanders is loving life.

And then, around 1:30 that afternoon, I heard a loud BOOM, followed by a crack of lightening, and the sky got so dark that I ended up turning on the lights in the house:
Nervous dog is anxiously awaiting to see where I'm going next, because he was hot on my heels all afternoon - moreso than usual.  BTW the "light" outside of the windows is actually sheets of rain pouring down.

We got close to two inches of rain which makes sense because I watered my pot plants that morning.  The storm went on all afternoon and our power kept going off and coming back on, so I finally ended up just stretching out for a nap and some knitting...and I had company:
Seeing this picture makes me really want to get new slipcovers for this couch, so that the cute running shirt quilt that my mom made for me is set off better.  Orange and red really don't look all that great together.

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This is a little random, but a day or so after I gave Jeff the hammock for his birthday, I snuck in some time on it, and Kip joined me - of course I had to take a picture and post it on Facebook with the caption "shhhh...don't tell Jeff":
Kip always looks mad when I take his picture...I swear, he was just chilling here. 

But then I noticed that my toenail polish went so nicely with the colors of the hammock, so (naturally) I took some more shots once Kip had tired of the paparazzi in his face.  And while I realize that a good part of what I'm going to say has a lot to do with the angle of my legs in the hammock, I was shocked and happy to see that they were looking better - more firmer, if you will - which made me feel like all of the extra running and walking I've done this month is paying off.  It's been a great motivator to keep on getting out there, because honestly, coming back from a run completely soaked through with sweat, worn out more than usual thanks to the high humidity, and feeling like a slug because I'm trying to only run can all contribute to a rough go of it, mentally.  So seeing progress, ANY progress, is a win for me:
My legs will never be long and thin, because I'm short and stocky.  But firmer?  I'm good with that.

Oh, and then of course, you know Paco had to jump in the hammock with me:
 
Dis bery nice.  
Sure Paco, show me up with your slim legs!

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An early Happy Fourth of July to my fellow Americans!  We are planning on a little cookout on Monday with hotdogs, grilled corn on the cob and lemon icebox pie for dessert - and then we'll hunker down with the animals inside because all of the illegal fireworks that are sure to be set off will scare them more than a thunderstorm.  I'll be back on Wednesday with a regular post; in the meantime, enjoy the long weekend!

20 comments:

  1. That picture of your's and Paco's legs in the hammock is ADORABLE!

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    1. Paco says "tank you" - and also he's remembering the delicious cookie you gave him and giving me sad puppy dog eyes. Fine, fine - I'll get you a special treat, Paco! :)

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  2. Love the pictures of you and Paco too cute!

    Happy Fourth of July to you too! Any races planned for the 4th?

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    1. No racing - there is a local 5K, but it's $25 per person, and we just don't feel like paying $50 to go run 3 miles on our usual stomping grounds.

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  3. Yes, the two sets of legs are so funny!

    I remember those thunderstorms and sheets of rain coming down (and flash floods!) I don't want the thunder, but I sure could deal with an afternoon rainstorm once in a while. Happy Fourth to you as well! Lemon icebox pie sounds divine!

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    1. His chicken legs just crack me up in that picture!

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  4. Mmmmm...lemon ice box pie. :)

    Your legs look great!! I love that hammock - my husband's bday is coming up in a few weeks...I might have to steal your gift idea!

    Have a great 4th!

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    1. Steal away - it's been a great gift (he's laying in it as I type, actually).

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  5. Kip says "Just take the damn picture already so I can commence to napping"

    Happy 4th!

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  6. Love the hammock pics! Oh, and I totally get short and stocky!

    July 4th is bittersweet cus I love going to watch Fireworks shows but I also feel the need to stay home with Baylee because there are so many fireworks that go off near our house and she just shakes like a leaf and is so scared. It would be perfect if I could actually see all the fireworks from my house but until a few neighbors cut some trees down all we can do is just hear them! Have a great weekend!

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  7. Glad you've got some visible proof of all the hard work you've been putting in, Shelley. And then there's SpindleLegs Paco :-) Isn't it nice when the whole family can enjoy Jeff's gift so much??

    Have a safe and happy 4th!

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  8. I need to get a hammock! Cocoa and I could snuggle there. Or I could lay there and she could bite me...

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  9. Have a great holiday. That hammock looks so relaxing.

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  10. I just LOVE your animals!!!!! Happy 4th to you and the family!!

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  11. I can never get enough of photos of your fur babies. Usually Bella isn't afraid of thunder but yesterday morning thunder was so loud that it scared her, that was the first time.

    You are looking great my friend!

    Have a great 4th of July today.

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  12. How sweet to have your pets join you in the hammock.

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  13. We had some crazy heavy rain and thunder and lightning up here super early on the 4th. Between neighbors shooting off fireworks and major loud thunder, we're all short on sleep!

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  14. I showed Hannah the Hammock you got Jeff and her immediate response was "we have to get that!" Glad you are enjoying it too!

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  15. Ha, of course it rains after you watered the plants! I hope the wind didn't blow away too many flower pedals!

    That is awesome you are seeing some firmness in your legs! Keep that in mind during the next horribly humid and hot run!!! :)

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