Happy Random Tuesday

 Hello! It feels like it's been a while. I spent three days "attending" an online crafting academy. (Check out Jennifer Maker if you like to do crafts!)  I actually participated in a few of the live events, and it was so fun!  I e ven got one of my questions answered during the live broadcast, and it was just a pretty cool feeling. 

I also set up my Etsy shop and am slowly, but surely, stocking it with items to sell, so I've been doing some sewing lately.  I also had to wear a heart monitor from Tuesday through Sunday, and that was a pain. 

It let my skin with some fierce red marks.  The procedure is mainly routine since I have a bicuspid aortic valve.  (I have 2 cusps instead of the normal 3.)  I was born with it.  (I almost said "born this way" so I could also post the Lady Gaga song of the same name, so it's going through my head right now, and it is strangely similar to Madonna's song "Express Yourself.")

Over the weekend, my husband and I took a nice walk through the Eastern Glades of Memorial Park.  It was beautiful, and I love walking on boardwalks.  Not all the trails were boardwalks, just the one through the wetlands and around the lake. 

While we were there, we got to see a couple get engaged. I felt like a creeper, but it was just so romantic!

Fuzzy because I didn't want to seem like a weirdo so I was in a hurry!

Take a look at the route we walked:

No, It's not a man with a big nose!

Does it look like anything to you?  To me, it resembles the shape of Texas!

Yesterday I made the mistake of listening to a true story that involved supernatural occurences. I knew I shouldn't have listened.  I don't mind hearing about serial killers, cold cases, or sometimes even ghosts, but evil is another thing.  It gave me nightmares! I should've known!  No one knows me better that I do!  And now, without further ado...

I feel this way sometimes!

This cracked me up!

This is true down here in Texas!

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Not sure how Amazon gets it done!

And last, but not least...

So cute!

Have a great week, and don't forget to visit Random Tuesday Thoughts and Happy Tuesday!

Walking (for Sunday Scribblings)

Everyone has heard about the benefits of walking. Studies show it can increase your life span, reduce the risk of a heart attack, and help you lose weight. But with our crazy Houston weather, I truly dislike going outside for a walk. It’s either summer, or it’s winter (according to the Texas definition). There is very little in between. So, there are few days of the year when it is comfortable to walk outside. If it’s not the dreaded heat and 90% humidity creating enough perspiration to soak a sponge, then it’s the mockingbird-sized mosquitoes, and there’s little I dislike more than legs full of itchy bites. If, on the other hand, it is not too hot, a rare occurrence in a place where we usually select our Christmas tree while wearing shorts, then it’s the cold and the wind giving me an earache.

But one thing I don’t mind is walking on a treadmill and working out at the gym. In fact, about two weeks ago, I purchased a membership at the YMCA. I haven’t belonged to the Y for 2 ½ years, ever since I remarried and moved to a new part of town where everything is still not completely familiar. Before I moved, I was in great shape. I’m sure marriage and cooking for a larger family has had a lot to do with getting out of shape, but I am determined to get back into shape. Our local YMCA has state-of-the-art treadmills, weight machines, cross-trainers, and exercise bikes, among other things. The facility is only a few years old, and it is as nice as any Bally’s or 24 Hour Fitness that I have ever seen.

I can get on the treadmill and either listen to music, watch TV on my own machine right in front of me with my headphones, or prop my book on the treadmill (which has built in place holders so I don't even have to hold the book myself), and I can just go! And go and go like the Energizer bunny. No heat, no drenching sweat from the humidity, no mosquitoes. I'm in my own little world, and it bring a sense of peace. The outside world is gone while I'm walking on the treadmill, and it's always the first thing I do when I go to the gym. It's a stress reliever that will also help me get back in shape.

I learned some new things about walking on the treadmill. For example, experts advise you not to hold onto the handrail because it is not a natural walking position. They suggest using your arms to achieve a good stride and good walking posture. Using your arms correctly will also help alleviate neck and shoulder aches from sitting in front of the computer too long (not that any of us are guilty of that! ~wink~ I also learned that I need to keep my back foot on the ground longer to get a push-off into the next step in order to get the best results from my walking.

Who needs a New Year to make a resolution? I’m going to walk myself back into shape! And I've already started!