a broken thermostat?

Heating and cooling . . it's amazing how temperature control can affect our lives!
Just recently we replaced our entire heating and cooling system in the house. Naturally, since it's been replaced, we haven't had to use it but are waiting in happy anticipation of our next heat wave. Along with the new system came snazzy new thermostats- I haven't had time yet to figure out the bells and whistles, but I will eventually.

Our nearly new refrigerator is having problems with temperature control. It cools too much, freezing parts of the unit and impeding flow of water through the chilled dispenser. I did my own "repair" the other day by blow drying the water line but today it's frozen again. Looks like it's time for the refrigerator repair guy to come back.

On the other end of the temperature spectrum, my own thermostat is keeping my body VERY warm at times (aka, hot flashes) These are neither pleasant, comfortable or amusing AND I don't think there is a repair available.

An amazing relationship

I'm not as much of a "Youtube" watcher as others in my family but this one is not to be missed.

Christian the Lion was purchased from Harrods department store in London by two gentlemen who lived in London and worked in a furniture shop. (Remember, this was 1969 and selling exotic animals was "okay". ) The two kept Christian until he became too large to stay in the city- at that point they flew with him to Nairobi Kenya where they gave him to George Adamson at the Kenya Hora Reserve for the purpose of reintroduction to the wild. One year later the two went back to see him and were cautioned by George that he had reintegrated successfully and may not recognize them

It is truly astonishing and heartwarming. The bonds of a wonderful relationship are amazing.

silly law? . . . , yupp, I think so!

As of July 1st in California we can no longer talk on our cell phones, while driving, unless we are "hands free". So, just over halfway through the month I'm thinking about how this law has affected me.

Earlier in the year I purchased a bluetooth accessory for my phone in anticipation of this law. It worked "okay" and I kept it ready for the July 1st date. I lost it. So, July one rolls around I am I bereft of headset. Quickly I order a new one from EBAY. The new one is literally the size of my thumb. It arrives, I try to sync it with my phone and it doesn't work Quick communication with seller and he sends a new one, but in the meantime, I need something to work hands free. I find an old fashioned "dongle" cable to use. It is passable, I can hear the caller and they can "kind of " hear me. I use this.

The replacement bluetooth arrives. I follow instructions carefully and sync it. When I'm on the phone with my friend she tells me it sounds like I'm in a fish bowl. Crap, this is supposed to have the newest noise cancelling technology. Back to the dongle I go. Driving in my little car it's supremely evident that no sort of hands free is going to do the trick. It's now occurred to me, I need one of those headsets that pilots use- this will allow me to speak, and hear without all the ambient noise bothering everyone.

Today, as I was driving home from Napa my phone rang. Quickly I try to reach for the dongle, put it in my ear, turn on the phone, AND most importantly- keep from swerving around on the road. This new law makes us safer? I don't think so.

And, the most ridiculous part of the new law? People are allowed to text and work online (on their phones) while they drive. I was with a friend the other day who, put on her reading glasses to text her son, while driving . . . this is safe? don't think so.

Substitute a vowel please . . .

Have you heard about the "fine" folks from the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka Kansas? They travel far and wide to protest at the funerals for Gay soldiers and other Gay citizens. Typically they hold crude, homemade signs which say "God hates fags".
Well, today I stumbled upon a website which I think they need to visit. It seems that God hates FIGS! (click on that for the link) Poor ignorant souls, a simple vowel change, and then they have it right. All the documentation they need, right there in the bible (several times)
Where will they take their protests? The largest producer of figs in the world is Turkey . . . I think that is an excellent destination for these folks. . . .

long time, sorry

I think maybe the heat had something to do with my inertia.
Perhaps it was also the fact that I've been rather boring lately as well.
Same old thing, get up, whine about the heat, swim, whine about the heat, go to bed where I sleep poorly, wake and repeat.

As of today my year to date swim mileage is 204.19.
The annual goal of 300 is within my sites.
I've been struggling with a sore shoulder lately, so I'm trying to take it easy.
It would be easier if I could cross train and run more but the heat has made that impossible for me. (see paragraph one)

This week, weather permitting, I'll get back into my sneakers and put down some mileage. My goal is to get prepared to cycle as well. wish me luck with that one!

enjoy your week, it should be cooler!

Happy Birthday Marcel!

Ashley's love is now ONE YEAR OLD!
Happy Birthday Marcel. . . . wishing I had a cute picture to insert here!
In honor of Marcel (and all adopted animals) please make an effort to visit this link on a daily basis to help out other animals who haven't had the fortune yet to be adopted into such a loving home!

Speaking of cats . . . Bella has been hunting again.

Last week, digging around for a sweatshirt to put on in the morning (definitely last week when the temps weren't always so high) I picked up my favorite fleece to find a very large alligator lizard residing in it. (thank goodness I found it before putting it on . . .ewwwwwwwwwwww)
anyhow, I took it to the front porch and coaxed it out. Days later we found another one, this without his tail (she like removing them) trying to move around the dining room. Randy cornered him and put him out.
This morning I found a very large alligator lizard tail, but no lizard . . . where, pray tell, is the rest of him? Bella isn't saying. Bella did however have a good time hunting mosquitoes this evening- she will keep us safe from West Nile virus- thanks B

news you can use, to amuse . . .

I don't know if this was widely reported, it should have been simply for the humor factor.

Do you remember Larry Criag? He is that "wide standing" Senator (R-Idaho) who plead guilty to inappropriate conduct in the men's room . . then later it was revealed it wasn't his first trip down naughty lane. What about David Viterr (R-Louisiana) who was identified as a client of "D.C. Madam" Debroah Jeanne Pallfrey's DC prostitution service in July of 2007.

These two "upstanding" pillars of the community have teamed together with others to co-sponsor a federal Marriage amendment. A man who pleaded guilty to lewd conduct in propositioning an undercover police officer for anonymous sex in a bathroom, and a man who allegedly has a diaper fetish exerting their moral authority over the rest of us. The actual wording of the amendment and the status of Vitter and Craig as co-sponsors can be seen here.
I didn't want you to think I was making this whole, absurd event up!

I'm so sick of this kind of politics. But, when two idiots like this are behind the amendment it becomes even more disgusting. Grow up already. Allowing gay marriage isn't going to undermine society . . . it isn't going to lead to moral decay (which evidently already exists in some homes) . . . all it will do is let others enjoy the same rights granted by law that straight married people already enjoy. And I guarantee you that there is an abundant amount of gay couples much happier and secure in their relationships than these two legislators. Shame on them, and on the people who line up behind them and cheer on these close minded, hateful amendments.

run? jog? bouncy walk?

I'm not entirely sure how you could classify my dryland exercise adventure today. It certainly wasn't a run . . . maybe more of a jog, with a bit of a bouncy walk thrown in.

But, I did it! As you know I made a deal with myself that I was going to enter AND COMPLETE the "See Jane Tri" ladies only triathlon this fall. So, time to step up, lace up the sneakers, hit the track and see how it goes. Not too bad actually. I dug out some running garb, loaded up my little ipod with Dave Matthews music and drove over to the Monte Vista track. I know, a little counter intuitive, driving to the running spot. My idea was that the track would give me measurable "milestones" so that I could track my progress. Small problem, the MV track is closed until late July. Where now? Not SRV, chances are the Hoots would have a game there and I certainly didn't want to run into them. . .ah-ha Las Lomas in Walnut Creek- also close to Trader Joes for a dinner ingredient pick up. Although the pool at Las Lomas was full of young men playing water polo, the track was empty. Before I left for this adventure I did some reading online and decided that a slow and steady approach was going to be the best. 20 minutes of "movement" was all I was expecting of myself, broken into alternate walk/jog. So lap one, walk (sort of speedy) lap two jog . . . hmmm surprisingly not difficult. Let me say here, I could have maintained this pace and done lap three jog too, but decided to stick to the original plan and avoid "injury". Lap four jog. . . small arm pump, I've completed a mile! lap five walk, lap six jog. I could keep going, but have hit my 20 minute mark.

Kinda fun. I'm sure I'll feel something in my back or hips later but for now, I'm rather pleased.
This afternoon I'll hit the pool for the first time since the biopsy- if it stings (the incision) I'm outta there, but I'm hoping for a nice, long, stretching swim.

So, I'm officially entered. I'm starting my training. I'm going to do this thing! See Linda swim, cycle and run (or jog, or bouncy walk)

A beautiful word . . .

It's like a game show from the 60's. Put the two pictures together to sound out the most wonderful word to hear today.

Two days ago, after a follow up digital mammogram, I had a breast biopsy done. To preface this let me tell you what the radiologist said when she read the second mammogram, "I'm not 100% sure it's cancer" . . . hummmm, not the most reassuring thing to hear. Anyhow, I kept a very positive attitude- at the very least I realized that we found the little bugger very early and treatment, should it be necessary, would be simple. After we finished the biopsy on Tuesday she told me she would call in 4-5 business days to let me know results. Here, two days later, she calls with the GREAT news and the only caveat is that I need to go back in 6 months.

The past 2 weeks have been excellent in terms of giving perspective. Life is short- make the most of the time you have, and take good care of yourself. So, the moment the doctor gives permission (this weekend) I'm back in the pool AND am starting training in earnest for the "See Jane Tri" a ladies only triathlon which benefits breast cancer research. Randy and I have had time to make promises to keep care of ourselves, and each other. I hope you all will do the same.

To the ladies out there, be sure to keep current on your mammograms!

Happy Birthday Ashley!

As I finally have time to sit and write this today Ashley who is on East coast time has already moved onto June 20th.
Twenty four years ago today (the 19th) our lives changed forever.
I remember just before she was born I had a sudden panic and was worried I was under qualified to be a parent (I was) and would never be able to rise to the task.
I think we did okay.
This gorgeous (and smart) baby is now in an "off off" Broadway play, she is totally self sufficient and "living the dream" in NYC.
With good intentions and lots of love, things turned out well.
Live your life as you started it- loud and in control, causing all those around you to fall in love with this magical person.
Happy Birthday Ashley Anne Harrell!