Pay Attention?

I need to pay more attention...
Mike and I want to eliminate our land line and just use our cell phones. Big step for old people, I know.
The first thing we have to do is GET NEW PHONES. We realized on vacation that our phones suck. T-Mobile has a BOGO sale.
I really did not like the people at the Elgin T-Mobile store and did not want to go back there.
Mike suggested the S.Elgin store. Huh, there is a store in S. Elgin?
I had no idea there was a store in South Elgin. It's a tiny store front in a tiny strip mall along Randall Rd.
Me -"How did you know this place was here?"
Mike - "I saw it from Randall Rd."
Now when I drive down Randall Rd. I have me eyes on the road, or the crazy drivers around me. I seriously do not know what businesses there are in these tiny strip malls.
Maybe I should pay closer attention though, because on my second trip back to the phone store I spotted the "sushi cafe". I had no idea it was there, but I am going to try it out.

maybe not too much attention...
I am trying to gain some strength and have started a routine at the Fitness center lifting weights using machines. The trainer told me to start out slow and don't try to handle too much, too soon.
I go over there early afternoons, because I know that that's the slow time and the macho men, grunting and sweating, will be low in numbers or just over in the free weight section.
I look around and see women my age using the machines and getting through their workouts easily. (it looks that way to me, anyway). Doubt is creeping in, and I question whether I can do this. I tell myself to look away - don't pay attention to them.


 What's wrong with this picture?
I am walking out of the Meijer store following a young man with 2 six pack of beer and a bag full of chips.
I look down and in MY hand - my prescription for cholesterol medicine.

Luke

Now that we are home and I am back in to my some what normal routine, I have to tell you all that our little cutie pie of a grandson, Luke turned 3.

He is a charmer. His "smile" face (you know the one that says "I did something bad") melts my heart and yes, he can get away with most everything, Opps!
When he greets you he wants to be picked up for his hugs and will prance in front of you until you put everything down and pick him up, and he throws his arms around your neck.
He loves to dance.
He loves for me (or anybody who is close to him) to read to him. Sometimes he sits in your lap and sometimes he likes to sit next to you. He could go on for hours.
He asked Roger to help with him and Papa to look for Waldo (a book from his Uncle Brian). Aunt Stacy got him a storm trooper stocking hat.

Looking for Waldo

Both boys are very good at it.
He shares with his brothers.
Roger and I got to put together his monkey lego. I must admit Roger is far superior at it than me, but he had patience with me and we got it made. I found the pieces for him and he assembled.

Moneky lego set

 And as much as this little blondie loves his strawberries - he lets Owen empty the bowl. Owen does not like to miss a meal.

Licking the bowl

Happy 3rd birthday Luke.
I hope you grow to do great things. To be proud of who you are and succeed at what you do. I want you to have the strength to move mountains or to climb that mountain.
Grandma loves you!

Arizona Vacation

My husband worked hard last summer. He made enough money for me to splurge at Christmas. I had some left over and asked him if he wanted to go see his brother and sister in AZ,  I booked us a vacation to visit with them and to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary.
2 weeks in Phoenix. (and didn't pick up a golf club the whole time)

The dates were chosen - not because it's warm there, though it was and not for spring training, been there, done that  - but because the Blackhawks were going to be in Glendale the first week in February. I got us seats in the first row, second balcony. The Hawks fans out number the home team by 5 to 1. Hawks won in overtime 5-4. Happy Anniversary to us!!!

Sea of red

 We took 2 days and hiked in the mountains. The first day Mike and I found this park with a water fall trail.  It was down the road from Camelback park. We stopped there first, but the gift shop was closed. We walked the mile up to the top and it was dry. No surprise there. It's AZ. A nice smooth walking trail.

Weather was a cool 55

The second day we drove over to Apache Junction to see Kathy's daughter Melissa and stopped at a "challenging" trail. We did not make it to the top 1.5 miles. Made it to 7000 ft. .9 miles and turned around.

Kathy's first time hiking

 Coming down was so much harder.

Trail coming down

Drove out to Mesa to see Jack one day.

Mike, Kathy and Jack

Grand Canyon

Then Mike and I packed our bags and headed up to the Grand Canyon for the weekend. Neither one of us had seen it. Wow! It was better than I thought it would be. It's NOT just a hole in the ground.

 We get to the entrance and the cost was $30 per car. So Mike handed the lady the money and she starts her spiel.
Lady: "And I see no one is over 62."
Mike: "Whoa!, she's over 62" pointing at me.
The lady peeks in and says "I will need to see some ID."
I show her my license and she says "Well, That is my surprise of the day. I would not have believe it."
She sets me up with a "pass for life" and gave us $20 bucks back. I now can visit any National park in the US. There are 2500 of them and Anyone with me gets in free too.
Most areas had railing, Thank God! but look in this picture you can see footprints to the edge where there was no railing. Idiots...

foot prints in the snow

Mike and I both got a kick out of this sign. They have them going up and down the road to the canyon.

Do Not Stop on Highway to Play in the Snow

We both decided that we picked the perfect time to go up there. It was cool (54), but there were no crowds. The trails were icy, but pretty much empty. Wild life was out.

Elk drinking out of the puddles in the road

Kathy's Place

The last 4 nights we slept at Kathy's place. 

Hers is the first unit here

Her husband is a trucker and he is usually home 2 nights every 3 weeks, but he took 2 extra days when we were there.
This thing is amazing. You can stand up in it . It has a single bed and a mini frig. Small TV.

Phil's Truck

Our first visit to Sloane Park, the first week, the gift shop was closed. It opened up the next week, so Mike and Kathy decided to go shopping.
After getting in the car and going someplace every day I just wanted to sit. I chose a spot by the community's heated swimming pool. The temperature was record breaking hot (88). I had the place ALL to myself, except when Mike and Kathy showed up. There are 400 units in her complex and no one finds the pool. That makes no sense to me.
This is a 55 or older community so I figured there would be someone exercising in the water, but Nope.

my own private Aqua Fit area

When they get to the park, Mike has to go to the bathroom. The park was closed so he had to go across the street to the Hotel. 

When he got back Kathy informs him that he just missed a "bigwig" with the Cubs. She had no idea who. She is not into any sports. Mike goes to the counter and asks who it was. Ryan Sanberg was in there getting some stuff with his wife. 

Cubs "Sloane" park

The southwest area is not for me. The only thing they have going for them is the sunshine.  

Everything is brown. You have to search to find any large trees. Kathy does has a lemon tree right outside her unit. The lemons were soooo good. 

Yes, they have very blue skies and warm weather in the winter, but (call me a racist if you want) way too many Mexicans find their way here. Summer reached 135 last summer. 

Kathy said: They stay inside in the summer while we stay inside in the winter.

If I lived there though this is where you could find me in the summer.

THEY HAVE A PUZZLE ROOM. 

8 puzzles going at once, but no one was there the 3 times I stopped in. 

I would also have to start a quilting circle. They don't have one.

Had to stop to put a piece in

It was nice to see Kathy again. Good to see where she is staying and especially good to see that she has really good friends that look out for each other. 

*One showed up on her door step because she wasn't at the dog park at a certain time.

 She has 2 little doggies. Gizmo and Stella and she meets with a group everyday at the same times. 

Really good to see Kathy again.

Weight

I am a fan of "The Biggest Loser". No, I would never or could never take that journey, but I have tried many diets - some worked and most didn't.
I am very disappointed this season.
Why?
Because of the way they are treating the twins from Chicago. Most people can't see it. Most people would not understand. Most people would say, Who cares?

Why do they consistently weigh them in at the same time?
Roberto weighs 30ish lbs. more that Luis. My guess he has been heavier their whole lives. His whole life he has been compared to Luis.
I'm pretty sure...if they are close like they say they are.
They love to compete with each other on challenges.
They support each other with eating and exercising.
They probably share a room.
But trust me Roberto does NOT want to stand, week after week, next to Luis at weight ins.
Roberto is once again looking at their weights and proud that they both are losing but still seeing Yup, still 30lbs heavier.
Trust me on this - I know.
I am the heavier twin.
I have always been the heavy twin.
And yes, twins compare themselves too.
It's something I have learned to live with and have talked with Sharen about, but really do not want to talk about with others. Some days I get depressed about it. Some days I give up. Most days it is what it is. It took my a long while but I have come to terms with it. That's my life. But the whole world doesn't have to know, like poor Roberto.

FIT BIT
So, I am having a love/hate relationship with my new Fitbit I got for Christmas.
I started out resenting it telling me I am not moving enough or drinking enough water. I know all that you silly thing. Do I really need to be told it all damn day?
It's so light I don't really notice that I am even wearing it.
Well, It's been a month and after changing my goals to reachable ones, I am starting to meet them most days. (That means I am moving more)
Not sure how this thing actually works, but if I am pushing my grocery cart my steps are lower. So I push with one hand and swing the arm with the fitbit on it.

I love the sleep mode. I always knew I was a good sleeper, This fitbit tells me I am a great sleeper. So I got that going for me. :)

Rest Stop

Hey, this looks like a good spot.
Nice and quiet - No people around.
Yeah, right here in the sun.
Looks perfect.....

4 deer wandered into our backyard and plopped themselves right down after having lunch on our leftover garden flowers.

CRAZY - right?

Manicure

The sun is shining.
The temperature is above 30.
The roads are clear.
There is no excuse not to take a walk, so I called Sharen and told her "We're walking".

She was busy. She had her grandkids overnight and had just finishing up with breakfast and baths, so I walked down to her house to say Hi to them.
Sharen had promised the twins that they could do her nails with the new nail polish that they got for Christmas.
"Aunt Karen, you want yours done too?
What the heck - Why not?

What fun.....
Kendell worked on my one hand while Kallie did one of Sharen's and then we switched.

 Kendell did the one with the red nails (I told her I was very happy she choose red, because that was my favorrte color) and the silver sparkles and Kallie did at least 4 coats of aqua, purple sparkle, clear sparkle, and aqua again.

Christmas

I know it's been a couple days since Christmas and everybody wants to know what an awesome Christmas Mike and I had, but it seems every time I get on the computer to post I am drawn to the Fitbit website.

Yes, I got a Fitbit from Bryan and Mary for Christmas. I still do not have it set up right, (maybe right isn't the correct word)  I just don't have it set to what I want to track. Steps instead of calories and time of day that starts at midnight instead of noon, auto sleep.... You get the idea. But I visit the website to find the answers every time I get on the computer and spend all my time there.

OK, enough about that. I'll figure it out eventually.

Christmas started on Christmas Eve morning as always with breakfast with the Dupplers and Florys. It was at Jon and Erica's this year, so Ben could get a nap in at home. Roger got cozy with his cousin Erica. I think he wanted to pet the dog and be safe at the same time. Erica's lap fit the bill.

Christmas Eve at our house.
It was a really good time. With Mike working this summer I got to spend some extra money and I loved doing it. LOVED doing it. Yup, That is me, thrifty Karen, saying that I loved shopping.

Owen was the first to get a present. A spinning hamburger. Stack it, push the button and watch it spin outa control. Nothing like a baby's laugh. Roger and Luke got a before dinner present too. It's Christmas after all.

After 1 1/2 pans (so glad I made 2 kinds - with teenagers in the house) of lasagna and 24 slice of garlic bread is all consumed, we got down to the rest of the presents.

Roger and Luke got a present together. I wasn't sure if they would be OK with that, but it was the biggest present under the tree and they opened it together. A Easel for the masters artist. They got very excited and wanted to put it together. Good thing we had other presents to move on to.

* The easel is in our living room waiting to be taken into the city. Turns out Bryan had to choose between taking the easel or the wine frig. with them home, both wouldn't fit into the car. Wine frig. won - go figure.

I am sorry about the quality of my pictures. Owen found the camera and pushed some buttons. This one I had to post. Bryan wearing Kaylyn's hat.

The older boys in the other room working on their Star Wars leogs in their Star Wars P.J's with their cousin Logan.

To keep Owen outa their hair. He got to climb all over Mike's tool chest in the living room. He thinks  he's all it.

And of course his Uncle Brian thinks so too.

Our family is getting bigger - and in this case Bigger IS Better.

Now I gotta go - maybe somebody answered my question on the Fitbit community page.