It’s Monday

Yes, folks, it is definitely Monday.  I learned something new today.  Apparently, it IS possible to oversleep and be late to work even when you don’t have to be there until the evening.  I guess that’s what happens when you set your alarm for AM instead of PM.  Who knew?  I’m usually extremely careful about double-checking my alarm.  It didn’t help that I was up a couple of hours later than usual, but I think the biggest problem (you know, other than the alarm) was that I kept waking up for some reason.

I hope everyone had a happy Easter!  I was supposed to go to my Grandma’s with my parents, but I ended up having major sinus issues so decided to stay home in bed.

On Saturday, we did a bit of everything.  First, we went and bought a new dryer.  The rollers or something have gone out on our old one and the darn thing squeals like nothing you’ve ever heard before.  SO annoying.  The new one gets here on Friday, thank God!

Then we went clothes shopping.  I seriously, seriously HATE clothes shopping this time of year.  I mean, when did the designers and retailers decide that all overweight women love wearing cap sleeves and love to show their upper arms?  I mean, sure, some do, but I can’t be the only one that hates it, right?  Finding a shirt that even hits my elbow is like trying to find a winning lottery ticket.  To top it off, as always, I’m between sizes.  Talk about frustrating.  I try on one size and it’s WAY too big.  We’re talking looks like a tent or is falling off my hips.  So, I think, “yay,” and go to the next size down.  That’s where I’m stopped in my tracks, because the next size down is WAY too tight.  Argh!  Not only am I currently at that point on top, but also on bottom.  I did find a pair of capris that fold up to shorts for my trip (we’ll see if I actually wear them) and a couple of shirts.  I found a pair of jeans that I absolutely fell in love with, but I was between sizes in them, too.  So, I might just have to work my butt off for the next couple of weeks and go back and try again.

After the clothes shopping, we went hiking.  I’m telling you, there is just something about the place that we normally go.  I think it’s my favorite place on earth right now.  I know I’ve mentioned it before, but I feel such peace while I’m there.  I’m never quite able to cut the rest of the world completely out of my thoughts, but I’m more able to do this while there than anywhere else I’ve found.  And since we’ve been going out there since October, I really feel like I’m reminded of the cycle of life.  When we started going, everything was lush and green and gorgeous.  Then fall and winter hit and everything turned brown, the color of life in hibernation.  Now, spring has sprung and green is peeking out all around.  Throughout our crazy weather, our ups and downs in the temperatures, so much of the vegetation is persevering.  Some of the flowers may be a bit frost-bitten, but they are still standing tall and seem determined to make it.  It gives you a lot to think about.

I remembered to take my camera with me this time around.  Click on the thumbnails below for larger images.

Here is an example of the difference in seasons.  The two photos were taken in the exact same location.  The first picture was taken in October.  I believe the second might have been taken in January.

I french-braided my hair on Saturday for the first time in about a gazillion years and was amazed that I remembered how to do it:

Here are some pretty tulips:

And some pretty pansies:

And some pretty daffodils:

I think the hyacinths were the best part.  Their scent was just incredible:

Remember the sunbathing turtles I saw last time?  They were there again.  This time, they had a few of their friends with them and I was prepared with my camera:

Sometimes when you’re hiking, you get bonus exercise by dodging mud puddles and creeks:

Here are a few pics showing the beautiful day and the green peeking out:

I was tired of carrying my water bottle, but didn’t want to carry a backpack with me.  Luckily, I found this thing at Wal-Mart one day.  You hook it around your water bottle’s neck and then clip the hook onto your belt or belt buckle (or anything else).  It’s easy to get to and leaves your hands free:

Okay, so here’s the mystery quiz.  Does anybody have any idea at all what this flower/plant is?

So that was my weekend.  I hope you enjoyed taking a walk with me.