Fall Js In The Air..Finally

This is another picture that my daughter and son in law took in DC.It is a picture of The Lincoln Memorial.When I was growing up in the DC area I loved the look of The Lincoln Memorial and didn't care for the Jefferson Memorial.Wonder if others have the same thought?

We got some much needed rain and now our temperatures have cooled down.It is in the 70's compared to the 80's that we had been experiencing.Don't think that we are going to experience much in the way of leaf color.So far the leaves are either still green or have changed brown.I've seen a few yellow leaves that have fallen in our back yard but that is about it.

Still not over my cold.Wasn't up to walking much.

Saturday September 29th...5,833 steps.....2.5 miles

Some Much Needed Rain

I wasn't sure if I had posted this picture earlier.Our youngest daughter and her husband went to Washington DC earlier this summer.They took some nice pictures and wanted to share them with me.Since my grandson is studying national symbols and monuments in first grade I thought I would share a picture of The Washington Monument.I grew up in the Washington DC area and remember many visits to The Washington Monument.Back then you could climb the stairs to the top.Don't think that is allowed any more but I might be wrong.Don't know if y'all know this fact about The Washington Monument.If you look about 1/4 of the way up from the ground you will notice that the monument is a lighter color marble.I copied and pasted the following to further explain the building of The Washington Monument:

Work progressed favorably until 1854, when the building of the monument became involved in a political quarrel. Many citizens became dissatisfied with the work and the collection of funds lagged. This unfortunate affair and the growing antagonism between the North and South, which resulted in the Civil War, brought construction to a halt. For almost 25 years, the monument stood incomplete at the height of about 150 feet. Finally on August 2, 1876, President Grant approved an act which provided that the Federal Government should complete the erection of the monument. The Corps of Engineers of the War Department was placed in charge of the work.
In 1880, work was resumed on the shaft. The new Maryland marble with which the remainder of the monument is faced was secured from the same vein as the original stone used for the lower part. It came from a different stratum, however, which explains the "ring" noticeable on the shaft. The walls of the memorial reached 500 feet on August 9, 1884, and the capstone was set in place on the following December 6, marking the completion of the work. The monument was dedicated on February 21, 1885, and opened to the public on October 9, 1888.

Another interesting fact that I remember from my childhood is that no other building in Washington DC can be taller than The Washington Monument.

We received some much needed rain today that is bringing in cooler temperatures.Now they are saying that tomorrow will be in the upper 60's to low 70's which is normal for us at the end of September.

I was feeling a little better today so managed to walk a little more and ride my stationary bike.

Thursday September 27th...7.365 steps....3.5 miles

Rain on It's Way

This is a picture of my cat Twinkie.She doesn't sit and pose like the other two cats so I have to snap the picture while she is moving.

We are suppose to get some much needed rain today.The rain will bring in cooler temperatures.We have been in the mid to upper 80's all week.Once the cold front comes through we will have temperatures in the 70's which is more seasonable for the end of September.

Haven't posted since Monday since once again I am not feeling well.I was feeling better then it was like my body telling me to slow down and take it easy to get completely over this yucky stuff.I am feeling a little better this morning so thought I would go ahead and write something.Don't like to be missing for too long.

My walking mileage sure has suffered this month with my cold and the hot weather.Since our weather should be much better in October I will hopefully hit the 100 mile mark again.I know I won't be close this month.I made it to 94 miles in August which isn't too bad considering how hot it was.The month of July I accumulated a little over 100 miles.June was a good month for me.This is before the heat wave hit and I was able to accumulate 125 miles.

Did a little walking yesterday and wore my pedometer all day.

September 26th...6.010 steps...3 miles

Can This Really Be The Second Day of Autumn??

Our weather this year has been so unreal.Winter didn't want to let go and we ended up with snow in April.Now summer doesn't want to let go.We have set record highs both yesterday and today.It has been in the upper 80's.Our normal high is 71.It is now 68 and a little after 11 PM.Hard to believe that it is now only 3 degrees lower that what our high should be for the date.

This is a picture of our cat Sneaky.It was as if he was posing for me out on our back lawn.Took my camera outside thinking that I might be able to take some bird pictures.No such luck since all three of our cats were out there.I ended up taking pictures of my cats instead.

I did better today with my walking and I rode my stationary bike some this evening while watching TV.One of my favorite shows is back on.I really enjoy watching Dancing With The Stars.

Monday September 24th..8,521 steps

Happy 30th birthday to my youngest daughter

Today is my youngest daughter's 30th birthday.Hard to believe that she was born 30 years ago today.This is a picture of my daughter with her niece(our granddaughter-other daughter's daughter).

Been busy with my grandson's soccer games this weekend.Today is the first day of autumn but you would never know it with our weather.It was in the 80's and quite hot at the soccer field.

Been taking it easy since I have still have a cold.Didn't wear my pedometer today and yesterday.I've been doing some walking and riding my stationary bike but not tracking it this weekend.Felt like I needed a little down time.

Thrilled with new camera

I mentioned that I was thrilled with my new camera then I go and download a picture of my granddaughter that I took with my old camera.I didn't have my new camera up and running when I took the picture.

We had our granddaughter with us this morning while her mommy(our daughter) had a doctor's appointment.She is a very active almost 3 year old so our morning was quite busy.I took her to Wal-Mart with me so that I could shop for a new digital camera.I'd received two VISA gift cards from a consumer panel that I belonged to and also a check from another consumer panel.I put those together and added a little cash to get a new camera.

I had dropped my other camera a few months after I got it.Needless to say after dropping it the picture quality wasn't what it should be.I've been wanting a new camera so was thrilled when I got the gift cards.I immediately decided to get a new camera.

Our grandson has a soccer game at 9:45 in the morning.He stays with us

during the weekends since he loves the extra attention that we give him.It will be hard for him to get up earlier than usual tomorrow morning.He usually sleeps in some on Saturday mornings.

I still have the cold but am feeling better as the days go by.Haven't gotten back to walking like I was before I caught the cold.

Friday September 21st...7,489 steps...3.5 miles

Consumer Panels

Thought that I would mention two consumer panels that I belong to that I think are more lucrative.I belong to a few others but it takes forever to earn any points and or payments for doing their surveys.

The most recent one that I joined is Consumer Share.Here is a link if you care to join:
www.join.consumershare.com
password:start

Their concept questionnaires are quite interesting.I recently received two VISA gift cards from them which I put towards buying a new digital camera today.

Another consumer panel is Homescan.Their website is www.homescan.com
I have belonged to their panel for about 2 years now.It is a branch of Nielsen ratings.I have a scanner in my home where I scan everything that I buy during the week then download the information from the purchases to the Homescan group.I have earned enough points from them to redeem the points for a IPod Shuffle.Sometimes when I come home from a grocery shopping trip and have to scan everything I wonder if it is worth it.Then I remind myself that I represent what people buy in the grocery stores and all stores for that matter so what I buy really matters to them.

If you have any questions about Homescan please ask away.It is a little more complex than just answering questionnaires and surveys since you track everything that you buy using a scanner that you have plugged into a phone outlet.You download all of the info to them once a week.You apply to Homescan and there is no guarantee if they will accept you or not since they want to keep a balance of Homescan families all through the country.

Summer is still in the air

My older daughter took this picture of the sun setting when she was visiting her former college room mate this summer.They were on the water near Dufuske Island which is near Savannah GA.

I decided to give my cold a rest today and not wear my pedometer.Got a lot of extra rest today.Tomorrow I won't be as lucky since I will be watching my 2 year old granddaughter while her mommy(our daughter) has a doctor's appointment.

I belong to a few online consumer panels where I answer online surveys etc..Most of them don't have very good incentives to fill out their surveys and questionnaires.I recently joined a new consumer panel from a recommendation sent to me by a friend.I received my first incentive yesterday.I was very surprised with the incentive and look forward to participating in their interesting questionnaires.

I am wanting to buy a new digital camera so those two gift cards I received yesterday and another reward check I received on Monday will help a great deal with getting a new digital camera.I am well pleased with my online adventures on the consumer panels.

Fall is Fast Approaching

This evening when I went outside to take a walk around our yard I noticed at 7 how our daylight time is getting shorter and shorter.Seems like by 7:30 it is well on the way to getting dark here.Not sure when sunset is.We are on a hill surrounded y trees so we can't see any sunsets.When I am out and about at sunset I enjoy watching the changing colors.

When I was walking in our yard I noticed this leaf that was partially yellow and the other part brown.I thought that it looked rather odd.There are only a few yellow leaves on the ground surrounded by the dead brown leaves.I went and got my camera and took a few pictures of the yellow leaves on the ground.Some of the yellow leaves still had a hint of green on them.

I was noticing yesterday that some trees near where my oldest daughter lives had brown leaves on them.I read in the newspaper that many trees might be turning brown and that we might not have a lot of color this autumn since we had such a hot dry summer.

We are having lovely weather.It has been in the 50's overnight and in the mid to upper 70's during the day.They are now saying that we are having warmer than normal daytime temperatures.Don't think that is bothering anyone since it seems much cooler to us after such a hot dry summer.

I walked some today and tried to ride my stationary bike some.I still have a cough.When I was riding my stationary bike it seemed to aggravate my cough so I didn't ride it too long.

Wednesday September 19th...7,048....3.5 miles

Can't Beat This Lovely Late Summer Weather

This is a picture of a lovely spreading cactus that is on the hillside of our back yard.This cactus is something that I love watching how much it grows and spreads every spring and summer.I spared this cactus from my husband's weed whacking.Wish I could remember how many years ago that I started guarding it.It has been at least 5 years or maybe more.We moved into this house 9 years ago and I didn't spot the cactus till a few years later.It was a tiny cactus.I'd love to know if the former homeowners planted it and the exact history of the cactus.It amazes me how much it has grown and spread over the years.The picture doesn't show it as well as I would like.

Our weather has been so nice.I got out and walked some today and then rode my stationary bike this evening.Sure is nice to have such lovely weather after that awful heat wave that went on and on this summer.

Tuesday September 18th...8,481 steps....4 miles

Lovely Fall Day

This is a picture of lovely black eyed susans that I took from The Tweetsie Railroad train on Labor Day 2006.We took a day trip to Boone NC and enjoyed The Tweetsie Railroad Amusement Park with our daughter and two grandchildren.I love the pretty yellow color of black eyed susans.My favorite color for flowers is yellow.

I walked some while my grandson was at soccer practice.There is a nice area to walk in at the soccer complex.Still have this cold but wanted to get in some walking this evening.

Monday September 17th...6,210 steps...3 miles

Wanted To Say Hi

This is my almost 3 year old granddaughter.She has lovingly passed along her cold germs to her nana(me).I have come down with a cold so haven't posted the last two days.

I tried my best to stay clear of my granddaughter last week when she had a runny nose.She wanted in my lap so what is a nana to do?

Haven't been walking or riding my stationary bike since Friday.I woke up Saturday morning with a scratchy throat then it came on very quickly.No wonder it was such a struggle to ride my stationary bike Friday evening.

I'll try to post something every day even though I won't be posting any steps until I am feeling better.

Cool Rainy September Day

This is another picture of the fog that I took Wednesday morning.We saw some fog when we were out this evening.My grandson asked if I had my camera with me to take some pictures of it.I didn't have my camera with me.He knows how much I enjoy taking pictures.I had shown him the fog pictures I had taken the other day and remembered them.

We had a rainy cool day today and I loved it.Sure beat the weather we were having last week.I love the cooler weather and surely appreciate the much needed rain.

My lower legs and ankle area are a little achy from walking the hills yesterday.Didn't do much walking today but I rode my stationary bike.

Friday August 14th...7,860 steps...3.5 miles

Lovely Late Summer Day

I've been enjoying our lovely weather this week after going through that awful heat wave in August and the beginning of this month.Today was another sunny day in the mid 70's.

This picture shows East River Mountain that is about 2 miles from our house.I never get tired of looking at the mountains here in our area.My grandson now enjoys the mountains as much as I do.I was sitting at a stop light that malfunctioned and held too long this morning.That gave me the opportunity to take a few pictures of the mountains.

Had a good day getting in lots of walking.This morning I drove to our city park and walked around it twice.My pride got in the way and now I sort of laugh about it.An older couple in their 70's was starting their walk right behind me.I did not want to have the misfortune of having them pass me by on my walk in the park.I walked faster than I usually do and they never passed me,lol.I finished my first loop around and saw that they were way behind me.On the first loop I walk the outer road which has some rolling hills that give a good work out.The second loop that I take is on the inner sidewalk.It is flat so I have an easier walk then.Really felt good after I finished the walk and could tell that I had a good work out.

This evening at my grandson's soccer practice I decided to take a walk in that neighborhood.Didn't know my way around that neighborhood so I walked up and down the sidewalk within the same area a few times.It's nice and flat there which is unusual for our town.I need to learn my way around that neighborhood so that I can venture further on a walk.

Rode my stationary bike this evening while watching some TV so I have had a good day getting in lots of movement.

Thursday September 13th...10,888 steps....5 miles

Nice Day for a road trip

My hubby had a doctor's appointment at the VA hospital this morning.That means a 2 hour car ride each way.It was a beautiful day for a car ride.The sky was wonderful shade of blue with no clouds to be seen.

This picture was taken this morning as we were traveling down the road.It wasn't foggy when we left home but about 30 miles down the road we ran into some fog that was burning off nicely.Took some lovely pictures of the fog.Glad I remembered to bring my camera along.

Got in lots of walking at the hospital since we had to park in one of the far lots and do lots of walking.This afternoon when we returned home I had a stomach upset.I tried to walk some but didn't make it very far till my stomach started acting up again.Rode my stationary bike for 10 minutes.Didn't want to over do it.Hopefully tomorrow I will get back to 10,000 steps or near it.All in all I had a good day considering I was riding in the car for over 4 hours.

Wednesday September 12...6,864 steps...3 miles

It has been a good day:)

This is a picture of the low water level at Fontana Lake in NC.I took the picture from the train that we were riding on.That is part of the iron train tressel on the left.The reason I posted this picture is concerning something my grandson said to me this afternoon.When I picked him up from school he told me that since it rained today I wouldn't need to water my flowers.He also said that the rain would also help the water level at Fontana Lake.Don't know if they got rain in that area since it is almost 300 miles south of us.

I thought that was so sweet of my 6 1/2 year old grandson to mention the lake.We saw how low the water was on Fontana Lake when we visited that area of NC on vacation in early August.Just seeing the low lake level really made a big impression on him.

Wish I had my camera with me when we drove to pick up our grandson after school today.The main fire house here in our city had a flag flying over the street from the fire truck ladder that was extended over the street.They also do that for the fourth of July.It is such a patriotic site to see.It is one of those large flags.Our city flew the flags today but the neighboring town didn't.I put our flag out but brought it in as soon as the rain started.

We got some much needed rain today.It rained most of the morning and afternoon.The temperature was much cooler too.This afternoon around 3 it was only 69.

I felt more energetic with the cooler weather.I started on a walk this morning but didn't get far since the rain started.I was able to get a walk in this evening and ride my stationary bike.I got in over 10,000 steps so I am quite pleased with that.

Tuesday September 11th..10,821 steps...5 miles

Finally....Some Relief From The Heat

This is a picture of my granddaughter Mariah.Took the picture on Saturday before my grandson's soccer game.Finally got her to look at the camera:)

We finally got some much needed relief from the heat today.Since it wasn't any where near 90 I don't even know what our high was today.It was overcast most of the day so that made the cooler temperatures that much nicer.

Since it was cooler and less humid I was more active today.Almost made it to 10,000 steps.

I was asked what kind of pedometer that I use.I use a basic model pedometer that counts only my steps.I have had more complicated models but prefer this simple pedometer.The brand is Sportline.

Don't think I mentioned Saturday evening's NASCAR race yesterday.I was really pulling for JR to make in into the final 12 to race for the cup.Even though he wasn't going to make it into the final 12 I was really pulling for him to have a top 2 or 3 finish.How heartbreaking it was for him to blow an engine with only 6 laps to go.I've been a Jeremy Mayfield fan the last few years.He hasn't even qualified for many of the races so I haven't had much to pull for this season.Guess you could say that I've more or less been a JR fan this season too.

Monday September 10th...9,251 steps...4.5 miles

Soccer Season has begun

Soccer season has begun for our grandson so that makes for busy weeks and weekends the month of September.Didn't post here yesterday since it was a busy day.

There are two practices a week and a game on both Saturday and Sunday.We take our grandson to his practices and games since we live closer to the field.It's easier for us to do it than for them to get both our grandson and his almost 3 year old sister ready.

This is a picture of our grandson and granddaughter that I took yesterday before the first soccer game.I tried to get my granddaughter to look at when I was attempting to get a good shot of her too.She wanted to do her thing and never mind what I wanted her to do,lol.Our son in law and daughter are right behind our two grandchildren in the picture,lol.Notice how dry the ground is.No green grass in our area due to the drought conditions.

The heat continued on through the weekend.We didn't make it to 90 yesterday.We had a high of 86 which set a record high for the date.Today was another store.It went up to 90 which also set a record high for the date.We also broke the 17 day total for lemonade days in one season.We have now had 18 lemonade days this summer.Some rain will be coming our way bringing cooler temperatures this week.Hopefully we won't be near 90 any more this month.

Saturday September 9th...7,265 steps....3.5 miles

Sunday September 10th....6,416 steps...3 miles

And The Heat Goes On

It was another hot day in the mountains of southern West Virginia.I've been reading more about how hot August actually was for us.The average high for the month was 88.7 according to the National Weather Service.It got into the low 90's today.Not sure of the exact high but it was another Lemonade Day I am sure of that.The weekend will bring more hot weather for us.Hard to believe that our normal high for the date is is 76 so we have been averaging about 17 degrees above our normal high for the date.

This is a picture of my yellow mums.They looked so nice last week when I took the picture.The heat has really gotten to them all though I make a point to water them every evening.None of my flowers have done too well this summer which has been so disappointing to me.I love yellow flowers.When I saw this pot of mums at Lowe's I just had to have them!!

Since it is still so hot I am not doing much walking.Can't get too motivated in this heat.It zaps my energy.

Friday September 7th...7,355 steps...3.5 miles

Our Heat Wave Continues

I wanted a picture to help me feel cooler.I took this picture of water going over some rocks in an area of neighboring Virginia called The Cascades.The area has hiking trails that lead to a marvelous cascade.One of my daughters and I hiked through that area last year.I thought the water going over the rocks looked so refreshing.

It got up to 93 today and I feel it.Not having air conditioning this hot summer hasn't been too nice.Our normal high for the date is 76 so you can see that we were 17 degrees above normal.Our previous record high for the date was 86 so we beat that by 7 degrees.Here it is going on 11:30 and it is still 73 according to our outside thermometer.That is only 3 degrees cooler than what our usual high should be.

I believe it is now our 16th Lemonade Day.Have one day to go to tie the record of 17 days.We might do that tomorrow.We have only had two lemonade days in the month of August and that happened 9 years ago.

I walked some this morning and rode my stationary bike this evening which was quite a struggle in this heat and humidity.

Thursday September 6th...6,825 steps...3 miles

What A Pleasant Surprise

I was hoping that this image would be larger.As you can see it is #43 NASCAR race car.We were out with our grandson this afternoon.They have been getting out at 1 due to our extreme heat.It went above 90 today and all of the classrooms in our county school system aren't air conditioned.

We took our grandson to Burger King for a treat since we knew that he probably didn't eat his lunch today.Hubby and I both drank only a Diet Soda.Neither of us were hungry at that time.

While I was waiting at the counter to get our drinks and our grandson's food they were sitting at the table.My hubby happened to see a NASCAR hauler go by that was carrying the #43 car.It turned into the Super Wal-Mart parking lot that was right next to where we were.We couldn't see into the parking lot so we were figuring that the driver went there to get some supplies since there would be plenty of parking.

Our grandson hurried and ate his food hoping that I'd drive into the Super Wal-Mart parking lot.To our surprise, the hauler was parked in front of the store and the #43 was out of the hauler and sitting in front of the store on display.

Our grandson was beside himself.He collects the NASCAR matchbox cars so he couldn't believe that he was actually going to see a car up close.We parked so that we could get out and admire the car.The show car hadn't been set up long so there were only a few others looking over the car.Our grandson even sat on the ground to admire the car:).We had to look the hauler over too.Seeing the car really made his day.Glad he was happy to see any NASCAR car and wasn't disappointed that it wasn't one of his favorites.Now we are on the look out for a NASCAR #43 Cheerios car like the one above.

It was another very hot day with the humidity on the rise.I know it went up to at least 91.Not sure if that was the high or not.This makes 15 Lemonade Days for this summer season.

I got in some walking this morning.Didn't feel up to riding my stationary bike this evening since it was still so warm and humid.

Wednesday September 5...6,815 steps...3 miles

The Heat has returned

Hard to believe that it was 55 this morning around 8 but then the temperature zoomed up to near 90 this afternoon.I'm not sure if we reached 90 or not.

This is a picture of my grandson playing with his kindergarten classmates at the end of the year school party back in June.Thought it would be a refreshing picture for a hot day.This isn't the picture I thought it was.My grandson is the one behind the boy in the front that has the dark swin trunks on.They are playing in the law sprinkler.

Our grandson is a little soccer player.Practice started last week.This evening they had their second practice.Since it was so warm they had to take 3 water breaks.Their first game is on Saturday.They have a game on both Saturday and Sunday till the end of this month.They schedule the season this way since our weather turns quite chilly come October.

I got in some walking today plus I rode my stationary bike.

Monday September 4th...8,628 steps...4 miles

Quiet Labor day weekend

This is a picture of my hubby Ken with our grandson Jeremy.This was also taken at the same place as yesterday's picture.The area is the Homestead farm on the Cherokee NC.We enjoyed walking through the farm.Our grandson got to see some chickens roaming around.This was his first time on a farm.We enjoy exploring The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.We have walked on trails and enjoyed a picnic in the park.People that come to the Smoky mountains area miss out on a lot if they don't go into the park.I have read that visitation to the park is down.Some of the reasoning is that a new water park opened at Dollywood and the aquarium in Gatlinburg.

I got a walk in today plus rode my stationary bike.

Monday September 3rd...6,241 steps...3 miles

Good Day

This is a picture my hubby took of me and my grandson.We were standing near a river in the Homestead area in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.We were there on vacation a month ago.Standing by that river was so refreshing on a hot summer day.

I wasn't going to wear my pedometer today to continue to give my knees a rest.

We were going to Super Wal-Mart to do some shopping so thought it was a good idea to wear it.I always do a lot of walking in there.Got a lot of walking done there.This evening I rode my stationary bike while watching TV.

Sunday..September 2nd...steps...8,231..4 miles

Twinkie and Sneaky

The first picture is Twinkie who is the daughter of Casey.I posted a picture of Casey in my previous post.The second picture is Sneaky.He was a stray that would come to our house quite a bit.We started feeding him and the rest is history.He has been with us for about 4-5 years.

Lovely Weather Finally

This is a picture of our cat Casey.We have had her since she was born.She is the mother cat of another one of our cats.Her cat's name is Twinkie and is a Tabby.Twinkie looks nothing like her mother.I will post a picture of Twinkie in another post.Too bad I couldn't take a picture of the two of them together.That is next to impossible.I do good to get a picture of one cat while it is being still.Reminds me of trying to take pictures of my 2 year old granddaughter who stays in perpetual motion.

I haven't posted in a few days.My knees were bothering at night when I tried to go to sleep so thought I would give them a rest and not wear my pedometer for a few days.Once I put my pedometer on in the morning that gives me the push to walk so no pedometer wearing till Tuesday.

We have been spending a quiet Labor Day weekend at home.Our grandson has been staying with us and enjoying playing with the neighbor's grandchildren who are visiting them this weekend.