Zumba

Yes, I said Zumba. I am a Zumba-holic. I was asked by my sister-in-law to go with one nite a few weeks back as she decided to go and didn't want to go alone. I had just gotten home and wanted to go a tiny bit, but the other part of me thought no way am I going, so I said no, but she asked if I would go the next week and I said ok, thinking I would surely get out of it somehow. I didn't want to go as I was sure I couldn't do it. I have no rhythm, I can't dance & I have no money. I thought it was a mostly dancing kind of exercise class. From what I have seen on TV and the Internet I was sure I wouldn't fit in at all. I am a bit over weight and was sure that most who would be there were size 1's or in that area. I figured I would be laughed at. And I thought I had checked some prices and found it to be on the expensive side, for me anyhow.

For the most part for 7 years since being here, I haven't exercised at all. I miss my pool. At least I got some exercise in it. Since the knee surgeries, I haven't done anything much for exercise and I can tell. I don't do anything that I can't sit within a few minutes. I can't stand for any length of time and I don't even walk with the Shankster any more as I am afraid I will need to sit because of my knees and around these parts that's outta the question.

The next week came and Kimmie asked if I was going. I reluctantly went. I was literally scared outta my mind. Yes I am a grown woman....outside. Inside I am still scared of certain things and getting up around others and doing something like this was really not something I was ready to do. I did an exercise class when I was twenty something and loved it. But now and after being cooped up in this God Forsaken house for 7 years, I was sure I couldn't do it. The class lasts an hour. How was I going to make it?

Aside from falling flat on my face during the second song, and feeling like a complete idiot during that and most of the routines, I made it the whole hour. On my feet, my knees withstood it all. I couldn't believe it. I loved it. I had a blast. Nobody really looked at me or at least I didn't think they did, but I really didn't care either. I had the most fun. I felt alive. The most alive I have felt in 7 years. It was once a week and I was ready to come the next week. But when Kimmie called that day and said she couldn't make it, I really didn't know if I could go alone. But I did. I also found out there was another class during the week too. I went to it also. So far now I have been 6 times. I love it. And the best part is that for each time, I have been able to stand up the whole hour and do each routine. Now I am not saying I am good at it at all, but I wave my arms about and move my legs and shake my bootie too, and I think that is what is important, to move and keep moving. I also needed some girly time and at 3 bucks a pop, I have less than $20 into it and I feel great. It's the best 3 bucks I have spent on myself in a long time...and I'm lovin it. Oops, that's McDonalds theme...Oh well, move over MickeyD's, there's a new Place in town for me to spend my $3~

Hot & Humid

If I have learned anything in this life, it's that when one thing goes wrong, it's like a domino effect and it just keeps getting worse by the minute.

It's hot and humid, & I mean HUMID. You don't want to do much outside for the humidity. So you either stay in or get in the air conditioned car and go somewhere, anywhere, as long as it is air conditioned too. We have one room in this house with an air conditioner. My room. If you do things right it can cool my room and the room next to it ok. At least good enough to make do. (Hey, it's all I got) It's the 3rd AC we have gotten in the 7 years being here. Another thing learned, this house chews up and spits out Air Conditioner's like crazy. I am hoping this is not one of them.

Last couple of weeks I have heard bubbling sounds coming from the AC. All seemed good, Air still working, seemed to be draining on the outside ok, but bubbling, so water is somewhere. Finally, one day I came in to water everywhere in the room from it leaking. After careful thought, & trying everything else, we decided to take it out of window. The darn thing was filled with water. And yes, water went everywhere, which if you know this room, everywhere is the whole room and mostly the bed! Needless to say a rotten evening that was. A few of the drain holes were clogged, so we cleaned the AC thoroughly and with fingers and toes crossed, put it back together and plugged it in hoping it would still work as we were drenched in sweat in the 100 degree weather we have been having. It worked...YaY! And no bubbling. It was even quieter. Less than 24 hours later, it is full again....and water is all over the place, again...?? Please this isn't happening to me, not now, it's hot, it's humid, I am broke.....this is only a bump and it's only because it is hot & humid, Just a fluke, this isn't a real problem only a bump. (this was my prayer by the way as I was cleaning up the wet carpet among other things)


I have let the AC "rest" and tried to not use it until it was a have to...but in this heat it's nearly a have too 24/7. I even emailed and called and left a message at the company who made this AC and got a response I wasn't expecting. "It seems you have a product, Window Air Conditioner, we don'thave information on." WHAT? Didn't I buy this from you and your name is on it? What am I to do with this information? Weird. SO now I am really in trouble now, I thought.

Oh well why would this be any different from anything else in my life. Keep calm, work with what you have we thought. So we take it out and apart again. So far the AC is still cooling, so we are able to keep cool for the most part, it is just filling up with water so fast so we have been having to turn it off, unplug and drain, which is a real nightmare...not to mention a pain in the butt. And yes we got real creative with how we were draining the water so not to have to take it out and apart every time. Sucking it out with a straw. But Hey, at this point, I don't care, it's hot, humid (ok I know I already said that) and if I have to get up every hour all nite and suck the water out through a straw to keep this thing running, the floor dry, and me cool, I will do it.



This Sucks. Literally.

When Lightning Strikes....

Get out of the way.

This is what the Shankster learned yesterday. Actually he learned to listen to his instincts. A Storm was coming. I was in pain from the doctor visit so was laying in bed but the Shankster kindly made sure I had everything I needed and said he was going to sit on the porch and watch for the storm. I bet he wasn't out there five minutes when I heard the door shut. He walked to where I was and told me something had just told him to come back inside. At that moment, the worst sounding lightning strike I ever heard, struck. I jumped, and said we need to look out back as it sounded like it hit something close. I looked over at dad who looked like he had just seen a ghost, and he said the Shankster had gotten out of the way just in time, and we went to the front porch.




The Ash tree in front of the porch where he was sitting was the one that got hit. It looked like all the bark shredded into a million pieces and splattered all over the front porch and hitting the front of the house. It is all over the front lawn and some of the bigger pieces even went to the side of the house. Several pieces lay on and around the rocker where the Shankster was sitting.





Thank the Good Lord, as He was watching over the Shankster, as he would have surely been hit in the eye or even worse maybe hit by the lightning itself also as he was sitting just 10 feet or less from the tree and right in the path of the shrapnel (as we are calling it, as it looks like a bunch of shrapnel) These are the pieces I swept up on around the rocker.



This piece was so hard to get out of the window it embedded itself in there as it struck the window.





The Ash Tree will never be the same, neither will the Shankster, he literally got outta there by a hair on his chinny chin....Ash. :)

Friday

Turkey Salad!

I don't think I have ever made this before, but the Shankster says I have. I had some reservations, as I love homemade chicken salad and for some reason had this in my mind, so I was thinking the taste buds might be thinking chicken instead of turkey.

But it was great! I chopped both light and dark meats for this with celery, bits of green onions from the garden a bit of mayo and relish. For seasoning I used some more of Mrs. Dash Original No Salt Blend. (yes I love this stuff) We used both rye and wheat bread.

Coming up I am sure the last bits of the turkey will be used for cold sandwiches or Turkey Burgers. I Found this recipe when I was about 21. Love it for Turkey leftover bits. So if I can find it in the mess of things that are still packed....Turkey burgers tomorrow!

Thursday

Turkey Pasta.

Rotini Pasta with Torn up Turkey bits. Included are Zucchini, Squash, Sweet Onions, Green Onions,Green peppers/Red Peppers or Yellow Peppers. All chopped and placed in a hot pan with steamed Cauliflower. Seasoned with Mrs. Dash Original Blend Salt Free Seasoning. (Great if you love seasoned foods and salt like I do, but don't need the salt!) I top it at the last minute with a bit of shredded cheese.

An added delight, Garlic Bread!