BRRRR.....

Just a wee bit on the chilly side this am....had to break out the sweats!  The temp is around 57 degrees, feels a bit like fall.  Fall is my favorite time of the year, but I'm not quite ready to give up the summer heat.  The weather man says the heat is coming back...so I"m just going to enjoy this little "fall preview" while it last.
The countdown has began....getting ready to fly down to Florida on the 7th of August to catch a family cruise to the Bahamas a few days later.  I can't "freakin" wait!!  So excited to be with my brothers and sister and their kids and grand kids, Dad and my Step Mom...it is gonna be such great fun!  I do need a little advice....I have an opportunity while on this cruise to be in the water with dolphins.  Now I adore dolphins, but they are BIG and I'm not so sure about being in the water with them....in fact, I'm a bit terrified to do it.  YET...a very big part of me says, "dam the torpedoes...full speed a head"  you only get to ride this ride once so "GO FOR IT"!  BUT...I have yet to "sign" on the dotted line....He, He!  So, what are your opinions and experiences? 
The next few days are gonna be spent getting ready for travel....and making sure my hubby has what he needs...Billy is staying home.  He has only been on one cruise...didn't like it...and says he will never go on another one.  So he will be staying here at the fiver taking care of our furry babies! Not me......
Can you say, "Bahama Mamas".....ooooooh I sure can!!  Set me up bartender!  I can smell the coconut rum from here!!!

What this???? A new blog post!!!

Ha! Ha!  Yeah, I have been really lazy in posting this summer....but I make no apologies...just haven't been terribly motivated to write...til now.  I have something very special to share with all of you.....something I have been kinda keeping on the "QT"!  Drum rollllll pleassssseeee........"Today I have officially lost 50lbs!"  YES!  That's what I said, baby!  50 pounds!!!  It has been quite the transformative journey.  I started last January, when we were in Yuma.  Now, I know your next question......"JUST HOW DID I DO IT!".....well, I wish I could tell you there is a new magic pill or diet plan.  BUT, I did it the old fashion way.  I count calories and exercise...and guess what...there's in app for that!  It is called "lose it" and I use the "free" version to track what I eat and my exercise.  It is simple and easy to use.  I eat so much healthier now and counting calories has really helped me learn portion control too.  More importantly....I gave up nothing!  I still eat and love my chocolate.....my sugar highs.....and my butter.  I just eat less of them on a daily basis, but I do allow myself the occasional splurge!  Surprisingly enough...over time....I have found that those cravings are less frequent and it takes less to satisfy them.  The dreaded exercise.....I started out very simply.  I walked....slowly increasing my distance and speed.  Sometimes on the treadmill, other times around the neighborhood.  Now, I have switched to my bike....LOVE my bike!  I usually ride at lease 7 miles everyday...yes, even in this heat!  I have found I can tolerate the heat pretty well these days and there is always a breeze when you are riding!  My energy level has increased and I just feel better...all over!  More importantly....my health is improving....there is a good chance my doc will take me off my blood pressure medicine this October!  I"m not done.....I'm still losing and I plan to keep on losing till .....well, I don't have an exact number in mind...I think I'll just know when I get there!  LIFE IS GOODE!

Settling in.....

We are finally "settled" in here at the AOK in Lafayette.  We were able to move to a larger site on the front row last week....much better....I feel as though I now have some breathing room.  Not much else to report....the weather has improved a bit, not quite so much rain.  I sure did need to feel the sun on my face again and I have the last few days!
Our son is building this "monster" shed in the backyard of our house.....I think it is 10 feet by 16 feet...but it is the 10 feet tall that really gets your attention!  Ah well, I'm sure when we sell the thing it will be an asset to the next owner....one just never seems to have enough "space" for their "junk"...oops...I mean "treasures"!  I'll post some photos once it is done.  He needed it for his biz, "CrawlSpace Remediation" he is really doing well and is busy, busy, busy!
Guess that is about it.....hope everyone is having a great summer!

Lafayette, here we be!

Yes, we did make it to Lafayette Friday afternoon and we have been busy visiting with family and friends.  Mother's Day proved to be especially exciting as my Great Nephew decided it was time to make his entrance into the world...."Noah Allen"....a beautiful, healthy baby boy...."your great Auntie loves you bunches, little one!"
So...we be settling in here for the summer...kicking back and having fun!  I leave you with a few pictures from my hike in Meramec State Park....

Meramec State Park, MO

We got lucky!  We pulled out of Carthage yesterday and decided to go ahead and check out Meramec State Park along our way.....hoping they might be open and we could spend a couple of nights there.  Well, upon arrival, there was a big sign stating NO vacancies!  BUT....I've learned to not always believe those signs....and it paid off this time.  I went into the office and the sign was up because of the park closure due to flooding.  The park ranger asked how long we wanted to stay....two nights....she called down to one of the other rangers who reported back that the area was clear and to let us "come on down"!  Let me tell you this is one beautiful place and we are just about the only ones here.  No one is in our section.....

 

As you can see.....we have a concrete pad, patio, and picnic table....FULL hookups.  The spacing is better then a lot of places we have been....BUT we have also had a lot less.  DAD....it reminds me of the river property....you would love it.  Lots of trees....lots of woods....and the Meramec River is just a across from us...a few feet away.  Last night and this morning a whole herd of deer (about a dozen mama's and babies) came through the campground area....awesome!  Today I'm hoping to do some hiking and get some photos to share we you all.  In the meantime, here are a few photos from our campground in Carthage....a few signs that despite the snow...spring is well underway.....

 Happy Travels....

 

Cold and Rain Continue......

Carthage, MO.....where cold and wet continues to be the news of the day.  We had planned to spend a couple of days at Meramec State Park, but they have temporarily closed the campground due to flooding.  So we opted to spend another night here in Carthage and hope that gives the rain a chance to clear out.  We are so tired of being cold and wet, but come Monday the forecast will be looking up....sunshine and 70's is what I'm seeing.  Unfortunately, I don't think it will last....looks like more rain will eventually find its way back into the forecast by the end of the week.  We plan on being in Lafayette ( our summer destination) by Friday and the forecast is predicting cooler temps and rain for our arrival.....I think I'm starting to "squish" when I walk....LOL!

Living Desert, Palo Duro Canyon, and Oklahoma City!

As promised, here are a few photos from the Living Desert in Carlsbad....

Roadrunner.....

Prairie Dogs....it was really hot that day and they were napping....

 

They did have a beautiful Lilly Pond....all in bloom...and this guy....

 was just "hanging" around....

Once we left Carlsbad we headed to Palo Duro Canyon State Park.  Talk about stunning views.....

Awesome!

Here is our site.....

The colors were intense....

Next we headed to Oklahoma City, boy what a change in the weather and the views.  A cold front swept down on us and the wind was terrible...and with the wind came the cold and rain.  I think we are lucky we didn't see snow.  Today it is only in the 40's and the wind is still with us!  Needless to say.....I'M FREEZING!  I had to break out my long johns and SHOES!  Tomorrow is another travel day as we continue our journey to Indiana....next stop Carthage, MO.  I sure hope it warms up SOON!