spring – Seclusion 101 with AnneMarie

April 3rd Update

April 3, 2024April 3, 2024 by annemariedemyen, posted in 2024 April, Health and Fitness

It is APRIL and yes I have graduated to my new eight pound dumbbells! I definitely feel the difference between them and the five pound ones that I was using but I can work with them so I am pretty excited about that!

As great as it is to be able to up my workouts, the real payoff is feeling better, looking better, and being strong enough to LIVE my life. When we woke up to a heavy dump of spring snow last week, I got out there, grabbed our shovel, and cleared all of our walks. About a hundred feet of deep wet snow and I crushed it. 💪

Dan took Molly to the dogpark yesterday morning, as usual. Somewhat overnight, all of the snow had melted leaving Molly and her friends to run and wrestle in the mud.

Fortunately, with a bit of a brushing and her ‘self cleaning’ fur, we were able to put off bathing Molly for a few days. If our weather holds, the yard and park should dry enough to warrant a bath on the weekend.

We celebrated Easter this past weekend with a supper on Saturday for daughter Jen and family. I wasn’t up for our typical turkey and ham extravaganza, so we opted for a celebration of spring. We had a picnic type supper of chicken and ribs, assorted salads, pickles, and potato chips. The honey garlic ribs were the biggest hit but all was enjoyed and appreciated. With a cake, fresh fruit, lemon butter, ice cream and whipped cream for desert no one left the table hungry.

Jen had to work early Sunday morning (6:30 early 😯) so she and her boyfriend Tanner left once the dishes were done and the kitchen set right.

The girls stayed behind to visit, have tea, and work on their chess skills.

Alec (Genie’s fiance) had to work Saturday evening, but he dropped by to visit earlier in the afternoon and to deliver a beautiful bouquet of spring flowers. Fortunately, Genie got off of work early so she was able to come and spend some time with him. And… Of course she packed up leftovers so he could have his Easter supper when he got home. 🍽️ 💞

That is about it for today. Dan is up in the kid’s playhouse straightening up and scrubbing the floor so I can start using it as a little greenhouse for the seedlings I started last week. I have a few more to start so I should get to work on that.

Take care and have a great day! 🌞💞

Year Two – Week Eight

April 10, 2023April 10, 2023 by annemariedemyen, posted in April 2023, Health and Fitness

Before I jump into this week’s ‘Health and Fitness’ update, I wanted to explain why my blog writing – and READING has been so sporadic over the past few months.

With weeks of being down with the flu before Christmas, and then with a broken arm in January/February, one would think I would have had all kinds of time on my hands. Which I did… but I also had a big bored dog on my hands who took offence every time I sat down to do anything. She has been getting better these past couple of weeks. Hopefully, she will only improve going forward. And hopefully, I will have more opportunity to read and write on WordPress.

As for this week’s update…

My health and fitness journey has been a bit rocky these past few weeks. My fractured arm has healed, but there is still random pain or discomfort when I move or stretch. I understand it will take a while for any tears or tweaks to muscles, tendons, and nerves to heal completely. But… It does get rather frustrating.

That being said, there has been a lot of positive movement – and more than I had anticipated a few weeks ago. 😁

I am back to doing full on, two armed, Zumba most days. I am not as comfortable or capable as I was last fall, but I am excited to be back at it. There are days that I just dance, but even the dance workouts are more intense as time goes on.

I have been getting out and about with Molly as often as possible. I am still going only when Dan or Jen are free to handle Molly’s leash. That is due to treacherous walking conditions, which are quickly improving thanks to our double digit (Celsius) temperatures this week.

**At the dog park on Saturday where Molly had a bit of a run with Rocko.**

I have also taken on a 21 Day Stretching and Balance Challenge, starting this past Saturday.

**Molly makes any horizontal workout a challenge.**

Finally, and best of all, I have been doing my strength training six nights a week and I am crushing it! I am going to stick to three pound weights for the next couple of weeks, increasing the reps and sets each week. Then, I will switch back up to five pounders. Yay!!!

That is it for this week’s update. I am anxious and excited about getting back on track and enjoying all the benefits of health and fitness, going forward.

Take care and have a great day! 💞🌞

Grooming and Gardening

May 25, 2022May 25, 2022 by annemariedemyen, posted in May 2022

We are back home so it is time to get to work around here. There is always plenty of yardwork to do in the spring. This year there is twice as much since I wasn’t in shape to get much accomplished last year. With Molly’s help, I don’t know how much I will get done this year. 🤦

**The birdbath is cleaned up and our little flowers are starting to take.**

**Grandpa’s Bleeding Heart and ferns are coming up. He cleaned out this flower bed and put up new fencing to slow Molly down.**

**…And the Roma and San Marzano tomatoes planted.**

I also started cleaning up the front yard flower bed and thinning out the dandelions in our lawn. I think this year will be all about the WeedNFeed.

I am also trying to keep on top of grooming Molly and taking care of the house. When I was researching Pyrenees pups, there was not much to be found regarding grooming. I read that despite their long, thick hair, grooming is not a serious issue as they only shed much in the spring and their hair is ‘self cleaning’ for the most part. Supposedly, it is a matter of weekly brushing and semi annual baths and they are good to go!

In case you didn’t catch it, the ‘self cleaning’ is the issue here. Everything that Molly sits in, lays in, rolls around in …. works its way into her fur. Then she comes into the house where this ‘self cleaning’ takes place. Grass, tree branches, leaves, dirt, toys, car parts, small tools – you name it – Molly smuggles it into the house, where her fur ‘self cleans’. This morning I found a dead, bald, baby bird in the porch. 😢

Of course, most of what Molly drags in does not shed in the porch. It drops off gradually from one end of the house to the other. I dust and I sweep several times a day. Molly likes to help – which is not terribly helpful.

All in all, Molly’s **‘moderate grooming needs’** take up a LOT of my time.

I took a bit of a break from my daily workouts while we were gone on the weekend, but I started back up yesterday, so that is something else to keep me occupied.

That is it for today. Time to grab a quick lunch and get back at it. Take care and have a great day!💞

A Walk in the Park…

April 5, 2022April 5, 2022 by annemariedemyen, posted in April 2022

Our weather has improved to the point that I have added an outdoor walk to my daily fitness routine. 🚶

Yesterday I ventured far enough to take in Patricia Park. Due to health issues, I never made it that far last summer, so I was pretty excited about this excursion.

***The walk there was a little treacherous because some sidewalks are still covered with snow, ice, and water – not to mention coffee cups, masks, and disposable gloves. 😒***

**But I made it to the park, which will look way better once the grass is green and the trees have their leaves.**

***There were a few little puddles. 🙄***

***And a spiffy new bridge over the water channel. 😊***

***There is a new playground that I passed on McKinley. 🤗***

This is what was left of a beautiful wooded Par 3 golf course. The trees were annihilated to make an off leash dog park – because, you know, dogs have an aversion to trees. It is all part of our city’s 12.5 BILLION dollar plan to be a renewable Net Zero city by 2050. 🤦

That was it for my walk. It will be way nicer in a few weeks but for now it is great to get out in the fresh air and sunshine – and my future body will thank me for the exercise that I am getting now. 👍👍👍

Take care and have a great day!💞

Seven Weeks

April 4, 2022April 4, 2022 by annemariedemyen, posted in April 2022

It has been seven weeks since I started my spring fitness program! The time is flying by and I am seeing some results.

Physically –
I have lost a whopping TWO pounds, but I continue to tone and tighten up 🙂
My balance is way better
I feel much better
My blood oxygen level is up and my pulse is slower and stronger
I started walking this weekend. I am starting with a goal of 5000 steps per day but I plan to increase as I am ready. I have read lately that 7500 steps is optimal.

Mentally –
I am doing better at the little puzzle games that I play 🙄
And… I installed a router extender to our wifi AND set up our security camera this morning! 💃💃💃

Emotionally – This is where I have noticed the biggest difference lately. I honestly thought, that with spring’s arrival and my efforts to improve my health and well-being, that my life would really get better! I was wrong. In the past few days, we have had family DRAMA, we have been BLEEDING financially, and we lost our little dog, Kat. Our life is one old country blues tune. BUT… I am doing ok. Seriously ok. My family are still the loves of my life, our finances will turn (as they always do), and despite the absolute heartbreak of losing Kat – I am okay. I am not trying to contain or control the pain in my heart. I am just letting it go with the flow of tears and staying grateful for the years we had. 💝

On a side note, my little seedlings are starting to take. I add a few more each week and thin out the ones that are getting a bit too crowded. Our weather is improving, but it will be a while before I can start moving my little garden outside, even for a few hours a day.

That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day!💞

PS… Thank you again for all of the kind and compassionate messages following our loss last week. We were very touched by each an every one. 💞💞💞

St. Patrick’s Day

March 17, 2022March 17, 2022 by annemariedemyen, posted in March 2022

There is not a speck of Irish in me but since my Father’s birthday was March 17th it was always a big day to celebrate in our home.🍀🍀🍀🍀

I ***don’t remember Dad ever having a beard but he did*** ***seem to resemble*** ***a Leprechaun in this photo.*** (I was obviously wearing my heavy socks that day. 😂)

My Dad passed away twenty-eight years ago and my Mother has been gone for eight. I think of them virtually every day – but especially on their birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and the like. I know they were not perfect, but they were good people. I am so grateful that I had such parents. They both left me with so many life and coping skills that have helped me to live a good life and to handle the inevitable challenges that I have faced. I tried so hard to pass that on to my children, especially to help them through the challenges! I sometimes wonder if any of them will feel any appreciation for me when I am gone. Not that I plan on going anywhere soon – but I can’t see it happening and I feel sorry for them. Life is hard enough at times without believing you are going through it alone. 😔

On to brighter thoughts… Spring is springing up around here!

**The snow is disappearing to be replaced by mud and water in the streets**. 🌞

**My seeds are sprouting. 🤗** (Strangely, the flowers are coming up earlier than the tomatoes and peppers this year. )

There is nothing particularly springy about this photo but this is the duplex (313N Lorne Street) that I ultimately moved into with my kids – and began my life with Dan a couple of years later. I drove past it last week and had to stop to take a photo. 🥰. (It didn’t have nearly the yard we have here, but it was the cutest place inside.)

Anyway, that’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💞

Happy Birthday, Dad! 🎂💞🍀

Happy Easter!

April 4, 2021April 4, 2021 by annemariedemyen, posted in family

Easter has always been my favourite holiday. I grew up in the Catholic faith and I loved the Easter services filled with joyful, spiritual music in a church decorated with beautiful spring flowers. Outside of Easter Mass, the holiday marked the arrival of spring – warm sunny days, pretty summer dresses (with hats and purses and shoes to match), gathering for a feast of ham and turkey with all of the trimmings, brightly painted eggs decorating a basket of chocolate eggs and bunnies. Easter was always a happy family holiday – far from the stress and commercialization of any other holiday.

This year, Dan and I are alone for Easter. Churches of every denomination are closed here due to the pandemic. Likewise, family gatherings are prohibited. Easter dinner is an ongoing affair that started with baked ham on Friday, appetizers and turtle cheesecake last night and turkey supper tonight. (Our house smells so good!)

My pan was a bit big for the recipe but it tastes like chocolate turtles and cheesecake.

It is a little windy and cool today but when the sun comes out it is nice enough. I put my little plants out for some fresh air – in baskets that would protect them from the worst of the wind.

Other than that, we have been having a quiet day. We enjoyed seeing pictures and videos of Dan and Amanda’s boys gathering Easter eggs. Son Mark sent a pic of Dom dressed as the Easter dinosaur. 😂 I guess as long as he was an egg laying dinosaur. 🤔. Genie sent a photo of herself and her siblings. They are all growing up so fast!

Happy Easter and all the best to you and yours on this beautiful spring Sunday. 💐

Easter Weekend

April 3, 2021April 3, 2021 by annemariedemyen, posted in life

We kicked off Easter weekend yesterday with some gorgeous sunny weather. A beautiful day all around!

Tackled some spring cleaning by taking on our fridge. Did some sorting, did some tossing, made some wierd discoveries. For two people, we have a rediculous amount of cheese!

Our little plants were happy for some quality time out on the patio.

Keep safe and I hope you enjoy this beautiful weekend. 💞

Happy Days Are Here Again!

March 19, 2021March 20, 2021 by annemariedemyen, posted in retirement

Spring is always my favourite time of year and this one is looking to be a grand one. Most years, we are up to our hips in snow until at least mid April. This year, our snow is practically gone and the streets and sidewalks are mostly dry. Dan and I have been taking Kat for her daily walks this week. She has been wearing her stylish blue boots for dealing with the unavoidable puddles.

I heard from our sons this week. Everything is going fairly well for both of them. And… Grandbaby #10 is on the way! 💞

Our seedlings continue to thrive and our indoor plants are starting to bud and bloom.