July 22

One of my favorite views from my house - the bell tower of Hyde Park Community United Methodist church. My photos are not great, but this tower looks beautiful in the evening light, and right after a storm, like tonight. When I'm working in the garden I can keep track of time with its bells, every fifteen minutes, and we enjoy the impromptu playings of Let There Be Peace on Earth on a regular basis. I enjoyed the view a lot more before it had those dead tree branches in it. I've been trying to get Woody to take that tree down for a couple years, but he keeps thinking it's going to come back. Here's a bonus photo - zoom view.

July 21

Just a follow-up from yesterday - here is my quite optimistic workout schedule...including three weekly walks with Woody. On those days I need another dose of exercise later in the day!

Kristi - July 20

So, a few months ago I decided I could cancel my $70 a month health club membership that I never used in favor of a $15/month membership...that I didn't use for the first six weeks. But here I am today, to meet with a trainer. You know the drill - they try to sell you personal training, which given all the money in the world I would totally sign up for. In my current state, not so much. Regardless, I plan to try it on my own, two or three times a week for spinning or body works classes. Stay tuned for updates!

July 18 - Oops - wrong order!

This is my "forgot to take a picture today" picture, But is does show how Holly always sits on the steps with her behind on the top step and her feet one step down. I think she sits here all day with Woody (foot in background) while I am at work. He sits out here to smoke - doesn't even bother to hide it from me anymore. And Holly just wants to be where people are. I am her favorite, but he will do in a pinch.

July 19 - Surprise 18th Birthday Party

I guess it's easy to throw a surprise birthday party nine days after the actual birthday - who suspects it then?? But we had to wait for the key guests to be back in town, Walker and Erin. Robby was surprised and I think happy. They ate burgers and cake, tons of fruit and carrots with dip, and then we sent them bowling on our dime. I'm quite pleased with myself - and with Robby. He's having a really great, social summer. What a relief!

July 16 - A Surprise 50th Birthday Party

Really, isn't everybody 50 by now...apparently not. Our friend Attef is just now getting there. This is his wife Linda unwrapping an Attef puppet somebody got him, decked out in complete coaching regalia and looking eerily like the real person. I have other photos, from later in the evening, of Linda kissing the puppet, dancing with the puppet, etc. Attef is a good friend, Ross' first soccer coach, and the one who taught all of us to be soccer fans.

July 10 - Robby's birthday

This year for his birthday Robby went to King's Island. That was always his favorite thing to do on his birthday, but it's been years since he actually did it. Summer birthdays are hard, with so many people out of town. For a gift I made him a poster with photos from all his past birthdays and several were with friends at KI. This year, since I of course was not going, I had to take this photo of Robby with Josh and Kate before they left.