Monday, April 30, 2007

more iris anticipation


I am still checking the irises everyday. There are some buds, but not as many as I had hoped. Everything here is running almost two weeks earlier than usual. My lilacs are already blooming, and they usually wait until Mother's Day. So.. the mini irises are almost done, and these buds are almost ready to unfurl. I hope it will be a great and beautiful iris season!

Friday, April 27, 2007

the beginning of Iris season




The minis are the first ones, I am hoping for a bountiful iris season.. I'll keep you posted

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Swimsuit season?

Last week I was shopping at the mall. I only get down there every other month or so (yah, like my husband believes that!), and so while I was there I thought I’d look at the bathing suits. I’ve been working on losing weight, and have lost 9 ½ pounds, with ½ pound to go for my reward… a new bathing suit!

I found a nice Speedo T-back, one piece with a floral strip on black, in my size, and hauled it back to the changing room.

Then things got ugly. Think ‘Cathy’ of comic strip fame. I know that on a continuum of 10+ glamour to short and dumpy, I fall pretty far on the ‘dumpy’ end. But I’ve been improving my eating habits, and exercising and hey! I’ve lost almost ten pounds!

I put on the swimsuit (looking back, I am amazed at my optimism) and looked in the mirror. I was prepared for the lumpy waist fat, but the swimsuit spandex was pretty thin, and not helping at all to make my waist look presentable. I knew about my albino-white legs, but wow! What a surprise to see that my varicose veins had transformed from rivers to flood plains in magnitude! Then, just to add to the total effect, I saw one last surprise (none of which, please note, have been pleasant surprises)- this suit had squished my back fat into two grotesque donuts of flab, hanging out just behind my armpits! Of all the ugly, disheartening sights!

Needless to say, I didn’t buy that suit. I know women ‘of my age’ shouldn’t expect perfection. Anyone who knows me knows I am pretty easygoing about stuff. I know there is a lot of cultural distortion about body image. But, really, it was a disheartening experience. Needless to say, there is no picture to go with this post!

Friday, April 20, 2007

We all need better lighting


I liked this sign at a local business.

Monday, April 16, 2007

The Renegade Moms of Funk


Well, finally I have a great nickname to go with my rock band personna - I haven't mentioned the great band I'm in, have I? After listening to some loud, angry music by some group (called the Renegade something or other of Funk) I told my teenaged son that I was starting my own group. That was some years ago, and we've actually never gotten together and rehearsed. These things do take time. At any rate, I have a great nicknmae- 'V'-dog ( V is the first letter of my last name) Now if I can just get a personalized tiara made with 'V-dog' spelled out in rhinestones, I'll be all set. Hey, fellow Moms... what nickname shall we use for you? I've already spoken to the Vickster. Rhinestones for everyone, I say!

Sunday, April 15, 2007

yellow hyacinth


I love hyacinths, mostly for the lovely, Easter-y smell. I have some blooming in blue, dk purple, pink, but this yellow one is fun!

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

what kind of flower are you?


I am a
Snapdragon


What Flower
Are You?


New and improved Peep'n'acle


This year's version includes lovely new colored outfits for the women and the men, the orchestra, and 3 organists (seen on the left)behind their organ console. Note the recent evidence of instrument repairs on the right.