Heat Dog

Yes, a little play on words for ya there. It will all make since once you read this post. What have I been up to? Trying to keep cool and chasing dogs. I’m only being slightly dramatic.

It is hot. Apparently, it is suppose to be in the upper 90s this weekend. Uh? Hello? 90s in May. That is even hot for the good ole Delta. What is this gal doing to keep cool? Swim swim swim. I competed in the 3 mile swim last week…which amazingly enough left me feeling pretty good about my swimming ability. Then I swam MWF. Yes, I got up at 4:30 three times this week. A champ, I know. Twice this week I went to the gym immediately after to lift and do some cardio. Even bigger champ. Go me. Maybe by the end of the summer I will actually feel comfortable posting pictures from my swim and tri races. Haha. Because the pictures from last Sunday are NOT pretty. Whoa.

Arf. Arf. That is the sound of all the dogs that have followed W home. Yes, we went from having no pets to 8!! Ahhh. The kid and his friends can’t stop picking up dogs off the side of the road. No joke. 6 of them are puppies and they are pretty darn cute. But, we are SO trying to find them homes, because there is just NO room at the inn. Sorry cuties.

Progress is taking place on the lake house. I figured I owe you a quick update. In less than a week, we have to move out. Time is clearly not our friend, we still have a few major projects left, but W and I are confident that we can get them done in two weeks. And again by we, I mean W. I am just not the construction type. But, I have my orders. I will be painting the whole house; painting degree–I got this. And I get the awesome job of packing the old house and figuring out where the heck we are going to store it until the floors are finished. Good thing I have good friends.  Here are some new pictures taken in the last week. It is starting to come together for sure. Dry wall is nearly done–looking like a house. Squeeeeeels.

One of the biggest projects has been fixing up the roof. Not a project we anticipated on tackling this go around, but the more we invested in the inside we realized it had to be done. No one likes rain in their house.

Just imagine a fancy new stove in this space–a white wall, white tiled backsplash and glass to replace the yellow wood in the upper cabinets. Those last three things might not happen for a while. But, we are going to try and buy our appliances this weekend. Don’t be fooled, by fancy I mean the cheapest ones we can find. Also, W is installing hand-built wooden cabinets and counters. They are going to be amazing. But, won’t be done in two weeks…gotta keep you on the edge of your seats somehow.

Check out those pretty primed walls. I am taking this photo from the bathroom and I am looking at the Lake side bedroom—this will probably be a studio/office space. But, look Mom walls!

This picture is going to be one of those amazing before pictures. One of my “awesome” jobs this weekend is to clean and paint the bathroom. It is a mess between flooding issues, drywall mud and just grime. It is going to be a chore, but when it is done. It will beautiful–you just watch.

Ok, so this picture has nothing to do with the house. But, I was driving to the Lake and snapped this shot. Nothing better than Delta sunsets. Hope you have amazing fun plans that don’t involve painting, cleaning and packing.

Cheers,

M

Twofer

Ok, yes this is a two for one day blog post. Hence the title Twofer. Why? Because I just got warm fuzzies about the Delta. Well, it has been a long car ride too. Anyhoo–Yes, it was nice seeing the beach. But, the traffic, all the people. No thanks. I think I have become a Delta girl for sure. In the words of Muddy Water,

Ok that is all for today. Promise. But be on the lookout this week for my monthly likes slash loves.

Peace,

M

Swim in the Gulf

Swimming in the ocean is crazy–why you ask? Because of all that damn salt! Holy moly! But, I spent this weekend in Pensacola competing in a 3 mile swim. And I did it! In a little over 2.5 hours. Not too shabby for a first time AND in choppy salty water. I mean really the salt was crazy. Have a made that clear? Haha.

It was nice to know that I could do it. And finish it. Here is a picture from the start. If you squint you can see the little strip of land 3 miles away. It was nice to be able to follow the bridge all the way to the finish line. Pretty much feeling bad ass right now. Hope you are too!

Hearts,

M

Sun also rises

Catch that literary reference? Well then you get 10 points. Ok, not really. But, early sunrise pictures only mean one thing! Early morning swimming has started at the Y! Ok, technically it started on Wednesday, but I couldn’t bring myself to actually get there. So today I had success. I have done well this week swimming at DSU–so even missing Wednesday I have gotten three swim workouts in. Why so much swim you ask? Because I’m competing in a three mile open swim…this weekend. Yah, it was last minute and totally random. But, I think I can do it. My DSU coach was very positive last night. So Pensacola here I come. Say a prayer.

Happy Friday,

M

Corner Sitting

Yes, I spent my Saturday waiting on the corner. No, it isn’t as sketchy as it sounds. It was Cotton Classic day in Greenville and I took my place on the corner. Waiting for the runners! Gah. No, I don’t usually sit in the corner bright and early like before 7. I swear. No, really. I don’t.

Last year I volunteered and I was placed at the other side of the levee. I had the awesome job of telling all the runners to run up the one and only steep hill in the race. They loved me. Sarcasm. I happily gave that job to someone else this year and this time I was at the other side of the levee at the bottom. Here’s hoping people liked me better.

Also, remember last year there was oh…this great flood? Yep, it has already been a year. These are two photos I took last year during the Cotton Classic.

Check out all that water! Covering the trees. Crazy. I know.

The old casino getting flooded. So this year the water is low low low. So when I walked up to the top of the levee this year I found this cool water meter. See all the different heights the river has been over the years?

See how high the water was last year. Amazing. And this year it seems soo low. Now, that we are moving to the lake I am hoping it stays low low low. No more of this high flood water stuff. No thank you. It is pretty amazing how mother nature can control our world. Here’s hoping to low tides and no flood waters.

What else did I do this weekend? I played with the dog. M (W’s sister) and I decided Muttley needed a more sophisticated name. We knighted Sir Muttley Hines. It was very official there was a sword and everything. Here he is post ceremony. Yes, W this is what happens when you go out of town and leave your dog in the hands of your sister and me. I am not sure how excited he is about his new place in life. Only time will tell I guess. Hope you had a great weekend and an even better week!

-M

PS Fun fact two years ago yesterday I ran the Pittsburgh Marathon. I can’t even fathom running 26.2 miles, but my friend B did it again yesterday! She rocked it and is totally my hero. Remember B? She started this blog with me. She is one pair of the six feet. Heck one of her posts is still the most visited about giving herself frost nip. Get it gurl! Get it!

Da view

Lots has been going on at the lake house. Lots of landscaping! Well, and dry wall too. All pretty exciting if I do say so myself.

Check out the old view and pick up your magic wand and vollllllla! Goodbye brush, bushes and trees.

Fancy fancy! I told you soo–but like I said that isn’t all. Nope nope. Dry wall
is totally happening.

Hello wall! Good by 2 x 4s–hopefully we won’t see you for a long long time. So that is where we are. Things are happening. And all with a nice view. I like them apples.

-M

Oh, yah. We got a dog. Well, W got a dog. Well, W got a dog on the side of the road. And I think he is staying. He is called Muttley. Fitting I know. More on the pup later. I have to keep you on the edge of your seats and all.

Good morning!

Good morning from Leland! This won’t be my view much longer–one month and we will be at the lake. Yes, I’m gitty with excitement. Nothing like starting the day with a run in the sun. Have a fabulous day!

-M