The 25th Hour ~karenjcardoza.com~

The 4th has come and gone and it seems like summer is flying by already. I’ve been extremely busy running errands and working around the yard but man… I LOVE MY SUMMER LIFE!!  It’s the simple things that really make me happy:

• Getting up early with my dogs and listening to the birds
• Walking every day
• Being with family
• Having a clean house
• Weeding a bit each day and staying on top of it
• Hanging a load or two on the line every morning
• Doing the daily crossword and sudoku puzzles
• Reading as much as I can
• Wearing my “summer uniform” (bike shorts, tee, sandals)
• Composting and living green
• Getting in bed early with my dogs, books, and laptop
• Rolling over and turning out the light any time I want

Of course, once Patriots Training Camp starts on July 24th, my life will change considerably as I’ll be “on duty” and my free time will be cut way back.  However,  I do hope to keep up with as much as I can.  For now, I’m planning on enjoying each and every moment of being home.

…but I’m ok with that!  I’m still in catch-up mode but the relaxing is coming soon, I can see it!  I took the girls for another early morning walk at Lincoln Woods which was a great way to start today. When I got home, they napped and I set to work in the yard. My flower beds and garden are fully weeded and are looking fiiiine!

Later, I put together the two compost bins and moved my compost heap back. I’ve got a nice blister as the result of my efforts but tis ok with me. It’ll be nice to have the compost contained and easily accessible from the bottom when it’s ready rather than having to dig up entire piles to get to the good stuff.

Then I ran some errands: library, school to feed my fish, Jacob drop-off(s) and pick-up(s), etc.  We got some rain tonight which nixxed my evening walk at the Monastery with the girls but was welcome just the same. I love the green look of spring and early summer.  It totally puts me at peace and makes me smile.

This evening, I finally did a quick PatriotWorld Podcast. I’ll do another as soon as the Training Camp schedule is released and there’s more going on. Now that Pats news is focused on the future, I’ll be tuning in once again.  I haven’t turned on the NFL Network or listened to any sports talk radio all offseason. I like to focus on the positive so I steered clear of the Monday morning quarterbacking and debacle news.

Tomorrow, I plan on walking the girls, staking some plants, getting my laundry on the line early and hopefully spend a bit of time relaxing and reading by the pool.  It hasn’t happened yet, but getting things accomplished makes me very happy.

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted but it’s because I’ve been so busy and was sick over the weekend. I’ve been able to get lots of reading done though which makes me happy. This past weekend, we had Carissa’s First Communion, Jake’s Confirmation and Ernie was in town for his son’s graduation so he stayed at Casa de Cardoza as usual.

My garden and flowers are coming along and I’ve only got a few more annual pots to plant and some pole beans seeds to purchase and get in the ground. I’m going to try diligently to stay on top of the weeds and do a bit each day but we can’t mulch until the neighbor’s HUGE tree drops all of it’s noses because if not, I’ll be pulling little trees out of my mulch for a good long time.

I’m very glad to report that I’ve been walking to work as much as I can. It usually depends upon the weather and whatever meetings or appointments that I may happen to have before or after school. While I haven’t lost any weight per se I know that I’m firming up and gaining muscle. Besides, I’m not only doing it for weight loss reasons, it’s mostly for health reasons. I need to go for my annual bloodwork soon and I’m determined not to have to take any medication, including cholesterol meds. It was borderline the last time I went and he knows that I don’t take anything unless I absolutely have no choice.

I’ve also been busy this week getting things ready for the primitive Rendezvous which we’ll be heading to this weekend in Sanbornton, NH. I’ve been busy sewing and packing and getting the clothes ready. I’m making a few wool shawls which may be needed at night or on cold days. Everything is completely period correct so there won’t be any parkas allowed that’s for sure. We’ll be huddling around the campfire in comfort!

We went last year for the first time with friends who are veterans of the vous. They go for the whole week and bring furniture and everything! This is our second time and while we now have our own lodge and clothing, we still don’t have much else but we’ll be setting up all together anyway so we’ll want for nothing. I’ll be posting pictures but it’s a completely unplugged weekend so no technology allowed (other than a camera, discreetly hidden.) Needless to say, there will be no Tweeting from the Vous!

Here’s a link to last year’s pictures. I can’t wait for this weekend!!

It’s funny how people perceive things differently. My daughter’s car has been in the shop quite a bit this week so I’ve taken to walking the 2.5 miles or so to and from school so she can use mine. I view it as a chance to get in some “free” exercise in a functional way. Perhaps it’s because I live in the world of special education where I strive to teach skills through functional activities that I completely have this point of view and it’s quite obvious to me.

I can’t tell you the number of people that have insisted that they give me a ride home from work. I know that they’re trying to be nice but my responses of “No, thank you, I’d rather walk” are met with incredulous looks. Then, assuming that I’m just being polite in not wanting them to go out of their way, they insist even more strongly. “No really.. I WANT the exercise.”

I view it as: Why would I want to take a ride home just so I can drive to the gym to go walk on a treadmill or use another cardio device for an hour when I could just walk home and get it over with in even less time? Not that I’m opposed to doing cardio at the gym if I’m already there lifting weights but honestly, I’d much rather be outside any day of the week. Walking to a destination is much more practical than just walking for walking’s sake. (Of course taking my dogs for walks can be filed under the functional category as well since they need the exercise too.)

So, thanks for offering but I’ll politely refuse and smile all the way home.

Spring is sprung but it felt like summer today! I took the girls on a nice long walk in woods, finished Merle’s Door which I’ve been trying to do all week, and read two shorties, Aquamarine, and Good Dog. Stay. this afternoon.

I’ve got a load on the line and all of my windows open. Just a taste of what’s to come… ahhhhhh, how I love summer! Al and Jake went out into the bay with the boat today and reported that it was just perfect out there as well.

Word is, tomorrow is supposed to be gorgeous too! Overall, this has been one of the nicest April vacations we’ve had in a long time. I’ve gotten to take the girls out quite a bit and it’s nice to shed the sweaters!

Congrats to Ali of The Biggest Loser who lost 112 pounds and now weighs what I did on my wedding day! I watched the finale last night and I’m so happy that she gained the title but even more so for all of the contestants. They’re all winners in my book. They’ve all made some positive changes in their lives to get healthy.

Now that my back has healed I’ve made the commitment to get back to my workouts as well. My initial goal is to lose 10 pounds by Memorial Day Weekend when I go to this year’s Original Northeastern Primitive Rendezvous. It would be great to lose even more, but I’m taking one step at a time.. I always run the risk of overdoing it and ending up back at the doctor’s office because my back goes out. I’ve gotten off to a good start this week already and I’m thankful to be on vacation!
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I LOVE being home…just in case you haven’t figured that out yet. Yesterday, I went to the gym for a good workout then met Chel for a nice lunch in Providence. This morning, after their bloodwork I took the girls for a beautiful 2.5 mile spring walk at Lincoln Woods while Al jogged and Jake fished.

Today is a good day! My yardwork is done. I’m going to spend 2 hours (1 to make up for yesterday) working on the assessment, run some errands later today, then watch The Biggest Loser finale tonight! Go Ali!! She’s such an inspiration. Honestly, while I hope that she wins, they’re ALL WINNERS on that show. I’m so impressed by how much they’ve changed their lives and worked so hard to achieve their goals.

My calendar booked up quickly this week and while I initially only had plans on Thursday, I now have a commitment every day this week. So, while projects like repainting my bathroom may not get done, I’m going to make sure that I get a workout in every day and keep to my assessment schedule for the week.

I’m so thankful that I’m home… it’s definitely my favorite place to be.
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