Jumping Back to Fitness...

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So, first off, today marks the first walk I've completed in several months, as you can see from the image over there on the left.  The numbers aren't great, because I'm so outta shape from being derailed by my neck issues back in February, but it's a start.  I'd actually forgotten that I told my mom we'd start up my morning-walking-routine today, and first thing when she woke up, she reminded me.  I was tempted to just say screw it once again, and start tomorrow, but I ended up making myself get out there and get it done.  And it feels good.  I always forget how good it feels to get that out of the way, first thing in the morning before I start out my day.  So yeah, that's one bonus that has resulted from my mom's visit here this month! 😄  Although now I've worked off everything I had for breakfast, so I may need to look into eating something else to satisfy my slightly-growling tummy.

The best thing was actually being with her on Mother's Day yesterday, though.  That was a first in several years, and a long-time coming.  I'd missed being able to hug my mom on Mother's Day.  We had a relaxing morning and afternoon, before going out to dinner at a local teppanyaki restaurant, called Shirasoni.  It is amazingly delicious, and the "show" that you pay for is always so entertaining and fun!  We all had a great time, along with my mother-in-law & brother-in-law & Reno.  And now we have lunch for today and possibly tomorrow as well, haha.  Anyway, I hope everyone who reads this had a Happy Mother's Day yesterday and you were able to spend some quality time with your mother as well!

That's all I really have for right now.  My mom and I don't have big plans for today, other than getting a few hours in for work, and hitting the grocery store later, then continuing with our Star Wars binge-watching. (her idea!)  At least until the hubby gets home from work, then we're going to have homemade tacos for dinner and catch whatever shows are on tonight.  Until next time!

Hello April...

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And so starts my most hated month of the year.  Why do I hate it so much, you ask?  Mostly because I was teased about having a month as my name, when growing up, specifically when my cousin would call me "April May June" ALL THE TIME, when he saw me at family gatherings and whatnot.  Good thing we lived 6 hours away!  Also, during the month, I'm always paranoid that people are talking to me (or about me) when I hear them say "April."  And after 34 years of that... let's just say it gets old quick.

It's also April Fools Day, which is pretty much an annoying day in itself, as you can't believe anything that you hear today!  And for a somewhat-gullible person like me... that sucks.  Haha.

Oh and also Easter Sunday.  We don't really make a big deal out of Easter in this house though.  I mean, it seems like it's more for the kids with the scavenger hunt for eggs and chocolate bunnies and the like.  I remember when I was growing up, my neighborhood used to have this big 'Easter' party, for all the kids who lived there, along with a huge scavenger hunt in the fields that ran behind everyone's houses (called 'the greenbelt'), connecting them.  It was so fun to finally spot a bit of orange or pink or blue among the green grass and find the little candies hidden inside.  Ah, to be little again, without a care in the world, other than finding the most eggs, of course! 😝

Happy St. Patty's Day!

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Happy St. Patty's Day from Guinness & I!

Well, first off, happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone who happens to stumble upon this post! 🍀🍻🎉  This is the second year in a row that we have not gone to my mother-in-law's house, to have dinner of corned beef & cabbage, with her and at least one of my brother-in-laws.  Last year, it was because it was the aftermath of our wedding and my visiting family and I were [slowly] traveling through wine country over to San Francisco for the weekend.  This year, it's because my mother-in-law has been my brother-in-law's live-in caregiver after his stint in the hospital and so we weren't sure how he would be doing, so no definite plans were made.  But I have to say, I'm really missing our old St. Paddy's Day "tradition."  We're planning to have pork tamales for dinner instead, with refried black beans and tortilla chips, which I am not so excited about.  Eh.  Oh well, maybe next year life won't throw us so many obstacles and it will work out once more.  I'm not even a huge fan of corned beef, yet I find myself really missing it this time of year.  At least I had a St. Patrick's Day shirt to wear this year, which you can sorta see in the photo above!  Though I still got pinched by the hubby's brother earlier today, because he closed his eyes and claimed that he didn't see me wearing green.  Ha ha. -rolls eyes-

Speaking of earlier today, we went out and saw Tomb Raider in the IMAX theatre.  I wasn't really looking forward to it, because I've never been a big fan of the Lara Croft thing, but I have to admit that I did enjoy the movie, MUCH more than I was expecting!  It had plenty of action and mystery, and even a little glimpse of horror, which took me somewhat by surprise.  The sequence at the end of the film was probably my favorite part, where they're making their way deeper into the tomb, having to figure out the puzzles in the blink of an eye, with their lives at stake.  I was on the edge of my seat almost the whole time, ready to hide my eyes if necessary!

That's about all I have for today.  Hope everyone has had a wonderful day and remembered to drink responsibly, if you're taking part in the celebration of St. Patrick's Day with alcohol. 😉

Happy Valentine's Day!

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So first off, I'm not a huge fan of V-day, and we never make a big deal out of it.  I don't ask for flowers or chocolate or for any other "present."  The 'holiday' is just too commercialized and I'd rather save our money.  Although that doesn't stop me from wishing everyone else a Happy Valentine's Day. 😊  This year I was also inspired to create another "poster" dedicated to my now-hubby, which I will include here:

{ Full-view: HERE, if you're on a smaller screen. }

I haven't made one of these since way back in 2012, which explains the "v2" text. (View the first version: HERE)  But I figured we've made lots more memories in the past 6 years, so I should make another one.  I spent last night before bed just looking up my favorite quotes to use and I loved these.  There were others that I wasn't able to use but I'm sure I'll find a use for those as well, in the future.

Anyway... yeah so that was my morning.  We don't have any big plans tonight, though we may have to go out to eat because I just realized that I thought the recipe we were using for tonight's pork roast was an Instant Pot one, but it's an actual slow cooker that you have to cook for hours and the problem is that the roast is not yet defrosted... sooo I will be preparing the marinade once it is finally defrosted, so that we can cook it tomorrow night instead.  Oh well, at least I realized this hours ahead of time, instead of having another spontaneous dinner dilemma... although it kind of still is, because we will most likely have to resort to a quick take-out tonight (not fast-food though). -facepalm-