Snow White, Bo Peep & Woody

It turns out it was sleeting this morning, so Linda wasn't crazy.  She didn't know that it never hails in the winter, only sleet.  And sleet is different than freezing rain. What's the difference between them all?  You have to read it for yourself here because I would just botch the explanation.

Jerry came to walk us tonight.  Chimi wasn't afraid to get his coat on and he enjoyed the adventure.  I walked the entire time, no carrying at all (except crossing the street, but I got right back down.)  The temperatures are going down to the 20's tonight, so I really hope Linda turns the heat back on.  It's going to be C O L D when we wake up in the morning if she doesn't. 

Just Chillin' on the couch.

Penelope had her Dr.'s check-up today.  She did great and got an A+ on all her tests.  Her height and weight are right on track for a growing girl.  I hope the next time she comes over to visit us she'll be crawling so we can play together. 

Linda found another photo of Tier, Katie and Lindsay!

Best Scale Ever

Remember when Linda had to go to the Dr.'s last month?  She wrote about her cholesterol being high and changing her diet.  Well, today at her eye appointment her weight was down 17 pounds Even her blood pressure was back to normal level of feeling faint when she stands up.  What?  There was no way she lost that much weight because her jeans are the fitting exactly the same.  As soon as she got home she weighed herself on her super accurate digital scale.  She did lose weight, but only 8 pounds and not 17!  What kind of Dr. has a scale that is off by that much?  (The eye Dr. said there is a new law they have to do the vital stats check up, but really folks... buy a scale that works.)

"This scale can't be right!  I don't weigh that much!!"

The good news is that her eyesight has improved over the last time she was checked.  Her prescription is less for both distance and reading.  It wasn't enough to change her glasses, so instead the Dr. suggested she buy prescription sunglasses with her insurance allotment.  Good idea.. but it almost was a bad idea.  The total for the lenses and frames was $419.  Its a good thing the manager recognized Linda as Taylor's mom because she ended up paying less than a pair from the mall.  He lives near Taylor and Sarah and really likes them both.  He even knew all about Penny's surgery and how well she was recovering.  As soon s they come in she'll take a photo of how they look.

As The Nana Sees It

There is one photo missing from this series, and it's as the Nana sees it.  That would show a baby twice as high in the air.

  Linda always wants to wrap Penelope in a plastic bubble and make sure she is perfectly safe.  Really silly, right?  Did you know she won't let Chim or I walk across the street?  Any street, not even the small court by our house with no traffic.  We both have to stop at the curb and wait for the carry signal. 

When she sees pictures of Penny and Taylor having fun, she always gets a little nervous.  You can tell how much she enjoys Daddy time!  (Plus, Taylor probably won't enroll Penelope to compete in Tough Mudder until next year.)

Penelope already has abs of steel.  Her core is so strong that even the pediatrician comments on her muscle tone and strength.  I wish someone could Photoshop Penny holding Taylor up!

Great Morning to Stay in Bed

Ever since the daylight savings time change, Linda has been waking too early.  She felt bad for me and let me stay cuddled against her for an extra 10 minutes this morning.  If she would have fallen back asleep, it would have meant headaches and feeling terrible so she just got up.  Chim wouldn't budge off his bed though.  He did his floppy-body thing and was just hanging over her hands like a wet noodle when she picked him up to go outside.  He thinks if he plays dead she won't make him do something he doesn't want to do. Plus, it was steadily raining and we got soaked in the backyard.  Linda wondered if dogs can tell its raining outside while they are snug and dry in their inside beds.

"Do I have to get up?"

Chip telling baby Chimi to get out of her bed

Another one of her classes is canceled today.  That means she only taught 2 out of 4 yesterday and 3 out of 4 today.  Next week, her schedule is also a little lighter for Thanksgiving week.  Although this has been great rest for her body, it's not so great for her wallet.  It always works out though, so no worries.  She is saving money buy not buying us expensive canned food.  The last giant pack of chicken she bought us was on markdown for $3.88 and the rice and frozen veggies were even less.  For about $5.00 she can feed us for 2 weeks... plus its so healthy and yummy.  (Cooking the chicken, having to smell the boiled meat, pulling it off the bone and cutting it up is NOT Linda's favorite thing, but overall, way worth it.)

The rain now sounds like hail, but it is not cold enough out for it to hail. She's going to have a hard time getting us to go outside before she leaves for classes. (Wait!  It's getting brighter, and only misting.  We better go out right now.)

A Surprise Day Off!

It was another day of incredible weather.  It feels like mid September and not November.   In a few short weeks we'll be freezing and Linda will have to put her down parka on again for walks.  She found out just a few hours before she had to leave that her 2 afternoon classes were canceled for Veteran's Day.  Everyone (including the director) assumed the schedule was normal, but word came from the head honcho that fee-based classes were canceled.  It was great for Linda, she had the entire afternoon and evening off!  It wasn't so great for disappointed kids and parents who didn't learn of the change until they were at the gym.  Instead, after teaching her Body Pump and Combat classes she went to Whole Foods; finished reading The Panther (so good!); did chores; gave us another grooming session out on the deck; ate Carrot Cake pancakes at iHop for brunch; paid bills; went to the bank; picked up a prescription; visited the eye doctor; tried to get her emission inspection on the car; spent 37 minutes on the phone with her insurance company; watched an episode of Alias; went to Costco with Tier; ate yummy food at Don Pablos for dinner and is now deciding if 7:15 p.m. is too early to read a bit in bed. 

The ABSOLUTE best pancakes ever.  At least she used low calorie syrup.

Waking Up Happy

 Saturday was a hectic crazy day for Linda, but Sunday was calm peaceful.  She always meets Tier for breakfast before church and has such a good time.  Yesterday she also went with her friends to lunch at Baja Fresh after service.  It's one of Linda's favorite casual places because she can get a kids meal including a soda for $4.  She got a big burrito yesterday, because she knew it would be her last food until 9:00 p.m.  The afternoon was spent doing easy chores, reading and brushing Chim and I on the deck.  For once we both laid perfectly still and enjoyed it. She had nursery duty in the evening. Even that was super quite with only 2 babies!  Both were smiling and content (and cuddly!)  Church got over early and she was home by 8:35.  No spills, no messes, no accidents on the floor to clean up, no food mishaps, no rushing around to be on time.... just a relaxing wonderful day.

Today she has 3 classes and then only 3 tomorrow since one of the Tuesday classes was canceled due to floor maintenance.  It's going to feel kind of like a mini-holiday.  If today's weather is like yesterday, we are going to do a long trail walk this afternoon.  Linda is so thankful everyday for her amazing life, family, friends and most of all... assurance of her Salvation!

Happy 2nd Birthday to my Buddy!  I still miss you.

Sergeant Chimichanga

Doesn't Chimi look so macho in his new Sergeant jacket?  The blue one Linda bought Saturday was too small, so she picked this handsome coat out today at the pet store.  It has a nice sweater bottom, easy on and off with a full zipper and "D" rings to attach the leash to so his neck stays comfortable.

Try to ignore the panicked look on his face.

  "But my recruiter said..."

Anytime something new comes near Chim, he has nervous breakdown. He was comatose the first few days he wore his collar.  After one or two walks in his coat, he'll be fine.  He was so scared putting the coat on that it was hard for Linda to get a photo because he kept doing his "pancake flop" onto the floor.  She finally got him to stand up and be as brave as the stripes on his coat.  She hopes Veterans don't get offended by it since he is such a wimp.  She's hoping the Sergeant rank will make him courageous and strong like the brave heroes who serve our country!  Happy Veterans Day to all those men and women who have made sacrifices to keep America free.