Mary, Mary how does your garden grow?

Well, our Illinois garden is thriving by all reports. We have someone watering and watching. Here, we've just begun. D+M brought my hanging pots with them on Friday.

So far, I've used basil for Caprese Salad and a bit of dill in the Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps. Planning a favorite Tortellini Salad for later in the week.

We've been enjoying the Fort Collins Farmers Markets--Old Town and the Drake Road. Today I stumbled upon the Harmony Road Sunday Market but my errands were in another direction. 

Well have our first overnight guests this weekend. Exciting for us. Our daughter and husband, J+M, are coming from Omaha with the Fun Kids. We've been gathering ideas for small adventures and meals. There's just too little time. Patience. 

So, besides calorie counting and seriously working out... I'm in a circuit training class. (Insert belly laughs.) By mistake. I actually went in-person to register for a Monday morning stretch yoga class. The first session was both confusing and scary for me.

At one point early on I explained to the Trainer that because of back issues I only speed walk and practice Yoga. He said, "Well then Marielle why did you sign-up for this class?" As I was sleep-deprived and confused, I just looked at him. He proceeded to teach me how to use each piece of equipment. I was still thinking Yoga was somehow involved... So, when he indicated that everyone would return to the mat room in about one minute I piped-up, "Oh! For a cool-down time." 

He and I weren't on a different page, we were reading entirely different books! And, mine was in a foreign language. I decided to stay in the class--8:30am Monday and Wednesday. 

I also walk on the indoor track 2x a week and I did find a more-challenging than planned Yoga class. 

IT Band Stretches

 

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Mine is white Styrofoam. Simple, yet effective.

 

Someday my right hip might need replacing. Hope not, but the required surgery has improved dramatically and the recovery time shortened. We've been through three surgeries with my mother-in-law, so we've seen firsthand. And, a close friend's youngish daughter recently sailed through her experience.

 

Anyhow, that's me catastro-fizing. Jumping ahead.

My right IT band acts up regularly and because there is sometimes nerve involvement, massage isn't an option. When my aches and pains are muscle related, I love massage. And, Yoga stetches are wildly helpful.

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But, there's nothing like the sweet agony of rolling my hip, thigh, leg along one of these Styrofoam pillars to get instantly to the root of the problem.

 

Lay the roller on carpeting or a Yoga mat. Lie down over the roller and press your hip into it. Using your arms, propel (roll) the length of your leg down the length of the pillar. OMG. Sweet agony. Repeat as tolerated.

Amazingly effective.

 

BACK IN THE SADDLE

Perfect start this morning... A 40-minute power walk and 60 minutes of Yoga. I'd forgotten how a great Yoga workout can leave you feeling as good as a Swedish massage. Ah-h-h.

I'd also forgotten how a few errands after the gym can turn into 5 hours... Still, it's great having accomplished some tedious errands and a few fun ones. The trip to Caputo's means spinach quesadillas sometime this weekend.(Not to mention the chocolate-dipped cannoli I treated myself to!)

TAKING CARE OF MARIELLE

Today is my scheduled personal services day. No, I'm not referring to serving humanity, today I'm having a tune-up. Mani-pedi-haircut-touch-up, but my hair person's dad dies suddenly of a heart attack, so the hair stuff is postponed. Before the noon appt. I have a 9:45am doctor appt. and then a stop at Ambrosia for coffee. I hadn't been sure whether they were doing blood work this morning, so I fasted overnight. Ambrosia is the reward. Love their Ambrosia blend coffee, especially with the fresh whipped cream.

iPhone photos don't do it justice...

I'm a good girl this morning and manage to ignore all immediate temptation. I do buy two baguettes, muffins (zucchini, bran, blueberry, and cranberry) for the freezer at home. I realize time has gotten away from me but manage to get to Swanky Spa (can you believe the name?!) just on time. Having my hands and toes done is scrumptiously relaxing. By the time I'm finally home I'm starving and exhausted. Good thing there's time for a bit of relaxing reading and a little tiny nap before heading back to CL to meet BB at the new Three Oaks Park.

The walking paths don't link up in any circular pattern, but BB and I manage to get a workout. Lovely site. Three Oaks Recreation Area. This was a stone quarry and in exchange for allowing the access roads to be closed for several years, the owners turned over the site to the City for recreational purposes. I look forward to bringing grandchildren and friends here next summer.

CHANTICLEER MEANS THEY'RE HOME

An eventful day. Calm, yet eventful. Gigi is transferred to the small hospital in her community for rehab. LFW flies in from New Orleans to join CA and I for the holiday weekend.

Our walking route along Mt. Zion Road:

   Mt. Zion or Crugar cemetery at the 1-1/2 mile mark.

This photo is just because; I've always been amused by this signpost.

This is not a road, it is a driveway, and I guess Mary Ellen lives here.

I've been a failure at exercise for two days. My yoga classes were not attended. My beautiful walking path didn't lure me. I'm committed today, so LFW and I head out in the heat of the day. We walk, fastly, to Mt. Zion Cemetery and do the turn back--three miles total. We chat and expound. Time flies. It's hot.

LFW is interested in eating at Chanticleeer tonight. CA and she choose the BBQ pork ribs, a Saturday night special. I opt for the broiled tilapia. The food is predictable, but the ambiance is comforting. CA and LFW know they are home when they can eat out at Chanticleer.

It's a comfortable, balmy summer night and I enjoy reading my book on the patio until it's too dusky to see. Fireworks are booming over Eureka Lake, but we've been scared away by the traffic and crowds. This holiday weekend is dedicated to Gigi and her convalescence. We're happy to be together, catching up, sharing memories, and making new ones.

EUREKA! WE'RE HERE.

We're here! Gigi had her surgery early this a.m. and all is well. She's on drugs and in a bit of pain, but otherwise very happy to be over the hurdle of her second hip replacement.

CA and I drove down late yesterday afternoon after we wrote a $226 to the a/c repair guy. He was nice, and it REALLY does make sense to sign up for the monthly maintenance plan. For $16/month (added to our NIGAS bill) we get a/c, furnace, and water heater cleaning and service for no additional charges. Peace of mind for $16/month.

Actually I use the terms "CA and I drove down late yesterday" loosely. CA did all the driving. I napped, read, and listened to Frances Mayes CDs of Everyday in Tuscany. We've been considering a trip to Tuscany for late Fall, but we finally decide to pursue our original plans for the South of France and maybe Paris and to save Italy for next year after we've had time to research and anticipate.

We had Gigi's last meal at Chanticleer, the local steak/fish place. It's a family tradition. We eat there almost every time we visit. It's expected. Great onion strings and everything else is more comfort food than gourmet.

I negotiate a late wake-up for this morning. CA and Gigi leave the house at 5:00am for a 5:45am check in at the hospital. It makes sense. CA needs his own vehicle at the hospital as he will drive home this afternoon for soccer camp. I have Gigi's car and will be the designated hospital aide until he returns on Friday.

About 4:00pm I leave the hospital, exhausted, heading home or to yoga??? I've planned on yoga in Peoria, but I'm dragging. Before I reach the point-of-no-return, I decide for yoga. I make a quick side trip to Aunt Margie's to check up on our project. She's done! Done! Who knew! Sounds like she was afraid to make GJ mad if she didn't get ALL her letters done. GJ is so, so kind. Somehow Aunt Margie got the message that finishing our project was an edict! She's done. All mailed yesterday.

Such a deal at Namaste Wellness Studio--$5 for your first session. We do Vinyasa--kind of a low-level power yoga. I'm challenged, but not humiliated. Glad I made the effort. I plan on another class on Friday and maybe one on Saturday...

After debating several dinner options I return to Eureka and opt for the frozen Schwan's spinach/mushroom pizza and it's not bad. A quiet evening alone. Alone with junk t.v. No complaints.

BEACH VACATION, Day 5

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8:30am Yoga on the beach! What a way to greet the day. I love it.

CA wakes up with a very sore back and finds a lounge chair by the pool to soak up some sun. After Yoga I go over on 31st (Laskin) to a few shops (The Globe, an International Collection, The Lemon Cabana, and Megs Swimwear, among others) and then Mary’s Nail-Tique at 321 Laskin Road for a small touch-up on the French manicure I’ve had since Thursday. My manicure’s never last long, but the manicurist seals all my nails with an acrylic gel. She’s so sweet and refuses payment, but I insist.

By the way we hear Navy jets taking off and landing throughout the day and a bit at night. The tourist info acknowledges the noise and calls it the sounds of freedom. You do get used to it, and with that spin you even feel a patriotic pride each time the engines roar.

SEWING AND EXERCISING

I've been incredibly steadfast in my exercise routine--walking 4 - 5 times a week and increasing my yoga classes from 2 sessions a week to 4. It feels so good. I hope I can keep it up.

Of course with vacation looming my routine will change, but I plan to substitute miles each day along the beach for the health club track and hope to drop into two or three yoga classes while  we're in Virginia Beach next week.

One way of the other, the spirit is definitely willing, and the body needs the workout.

EASING INTO THE WEEKEND

A brisk walk at the new Health Bridge in Huntley seems just the ticket for this cold and wet morning. Beautiful facility. I'd forgotten it existed. We cancelled our gym membership as an economy move when I quit working full-time, just over two years ago. I've missed the padded track and I think I will sign up for a couple of months this winter so that I can continue to walk indoors, which is much healthier for my feet...