A different start to my Saturday

Variety is the spice of life they say. So today must be spicey! I had my usual quiet time and cup of coffee. Then I headed to Kaseman hospital since they were giving employees flu shots today. Got that little duty done and then enjoyed breakfast in the Kaseman cafeteria while I treated myself to a chapter in a just-for-fun-book. After that it was off to Curves for my 3rd workout of the week. I am using the "Curves Smart" computer program now. It gives me instant feedback with each machine, then an overall update when I am done with my workout. I am progressing nicely and making good improvement on 10 of the 13 machines. Yeah! Back at home I rinsed off my patio (which must be done once in a while thanks to my little boys). I found 2 pretty budding roses on my favorite bush, perhaps the last of the season. So now my 2 bud vases grace my table with beauty amidst my amazing collection of birthday cards from family and friends. I took a shower, fixed a cup of coffee and here I am at the computer. Once I publish this I will spend most of the rest of the day on homework. By the end of next week I will be able to turn in a completed course!
Ok - so the day doesn't sound real spicey, but I'm going to enjoy every minute of it anyway! Hope you have a beautiful Saturday too!

Maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks!

I started taking my dogs to 'school' 3 weeks ago. Buddy is doing very well. Brutus can do well when he stays focused. He has a heard time staying focused (on what he is supposed to do) when he is focused on getting a treat or going for a walk (which he stays very focused on). But I think he is actually getting better. He seems to believe that maybe I am the 'alpha dog' after all! He gets life rewards when we are working on walks and getting out the door to walk. For example, if we are trying to get out the door for a walk and he is going bonkers with excitement (which he always is), I make him sit until he calms down. Then he makes it 3 steps closer to the door and I usually need to have him sit again. Getting to take a few steps is a 'life reward' for being calm (sort of calm for him!). On a walk we are working on loose leash walking. He can play and have fun as long as he is not pulling on the leash. He is beginning to understand that when he pulls we stop. If he doesn't pull we get to keep going. What a great reward! Buddy is great at loose leash walking so he thinks we're crazy for all the stop and go :-) We're having fun amyway.

Happy Birthday 100th Presbyterian Hospital

Presbyterian Hospital was established 100 years ago in 1908 by the Rev. Hugh A. Cooper who was the pastor of First Presbyterian Church at the time. He came to Albuquerque in 1903 seeking healing for his tuberculosis. He was one of the fortunate ones who did recover. He started the San, as it was called back then. Many people from Presbyterian church were intimately involved in getting Pres Healthcare started. I thought you'd like to see pictures of the church today. Mom and Dad you might be able to tell which part is the huge addition to the church building if you remember what it used to look like. We had a very nice service in the sanctuary complete with pipe organ and choir. Then a wonderful spread of food at a reception in the fellowship hall. The service was in honor of Rev. Cooper and Mrs. Van and their dedication to Christ that has had such a tremendous impact on health care here in NM. It was a very well done service and celebration. Tomorrow we will have a special celebration luncheon at work for all employees. Happy 100th birthday Presbyterian Hospital!!

Some of you know that I joined Curves recently. It has been a great addition for aerobics and resistance training along with walking my dogs. (When I am going I have to put my tennis shoes on in the bathroom with the door closed so Brutus doesn't know what I am doing!) They occasionally have something extra going on at Curves just for the fun of it. Today was a scavenger hunt for a variety of items throughout the place. If you found 20 of the 25 you got a prize. Well I did get a prize. I have a photo posted for you. In honor of breast cancer awareness month they bought pink 'you-know-whats' with chocolate nipples from The Candy Lady. I just ate my prize - mint flavored! I have been to The Candy Lady store once in Old Town. Once was more than enough. My prize today was nothing compared to the seriously XXX rated candy she makes. But, considering the occasion it was a cute idea for prizes this month.

Roses are . . . pretty!

I never have thought I would enjoy having a garden at all. But now I'd have to say I am spoiled. I'm going to miss my roses! All summer here at my new place I have had the luxury of a fresh rose opening in a vase sitting on my table every day. Each one lasts about a week and then I step out to my back yard and find another one. And on top of that I have had a abundance of blooms to gaze at on the bushes. It has not been hard to keep the bushes pruned, and has been so worth it. So now I hope I can learn what I need to do to put them to 'bed' for the winter since it seems to be rapidly aproaching. I sure want to do it right so I'll enjoy the bounty again next year!

I really like this!

I did a little rearranging at my house today. I decided I was tired of the microwave in the living room (which is where it has been for 5 years now!). So I made room in my kitchen cabinets for the food & stuff I had stored in the cabinet the microwave sat on. I moved the coffee pot to where the toaster used be (Kara has the toaster in Brazil.) I moved the microwave to the counter by the sink where the coffee pot has been. One of these days I'll get a smaller microwave - but it'll work for now. That gave me room to position the table parallel to the wall. It really opens up the entry area and the living room! I moved the cabinet that had stored food and stuff over by the entertainment unit. Now it is a toy box for Em! I think she'll like that. This blog only let me post 5 photos. I had one of the inside of Em's 'toy box'. Maybe I'll post it separately. Come see my newly arranged place. I have a great guest bed for anyone who wants to check it out!

Hitting the books

It is a little hard to tell, but this is a picture of Brutus on my lap while I am at my desk doing homework. I have been hard at the books each evening this week. I will spend a lot of time here on my day off today. He apparently feels deprived of our usual lap time. Often when I am at home I spend some time reading in the recliner. He loves to lay right beside me when I do that. So now he begs to get on my lap when I study. I guess that way he still feels connected! I love my little snuggler. I love Buddy too. He is happy to curl up at my feet.

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