DAY 16...Mrs. Gray Fluff again...also 2-3 more new birds I need to identify. New ones every time I go over there.

DAY 15...just walking to the living room and glanced out the dining room window and saw this. Luckily, the camera is always on the dining table so grabbed it up and dashed outside. By the time I took these and 3-4 more and walked into the house, it was all gone.

DAY 13 ...Still working on identifying the birds at the feeder.

Day 11-13 Fail.

I am doing everything possible in my power to not leave this house! LOL

I took this the other day - the sun was poking right through my roof at my studio. i think it was the last time i left my house. lol

No quiet walk today

The kids and I went out sledding again which is a work out in itself. I am enjoying winter at this moment in time (I make no guarantees for the future). If you have ever been sledding with three year olds there is a lot of lifting involved lol.

DAY 10...unintentionally flushed the ducks again.. Something new at the pond...

Leaf buds already..

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

Days 9 and 10 – stomach bug

I was awoken early Saturday morning with a stomach bug…UGH!  The dreams of all things I had on my “wish to accomplish” list for my 2 days off in a row {which only happens once in a great while!!!} was blown right out the door!

By Saturday afternoon I was so grumpy, I decided to take myself to Presque Isle to take some shots {of course assuring my hubby that I wouldn’t get out and walk around……shaaaaaaa right!}  So ladies, I did get some shot time in, I did get out and walk some {since a bathroom was not readily available} but for the most part I’ve sat my fairly large behind on the couch!!!!  Great things come to those who wait…..and I’m awaiting, lol!!

{this is a friendly dog that decided he wanted to be my buddy, I’ve been running into that alot lately when I go out on excursions…LOL!}

I love how the bay sides sky is much grayer and the lake side is bluer!

sorry this last one is blurry, I took it threw my car window!

Day 8 – Couldn’t make a mother prouder!

My son, Christian had ankle surgery 3 months ago to have a bone removed, needless to say our normal hectic life went even more crazier {and I never thought that wasn’t possible!}.  Friday we had a follow-up with the surgeon in Meadville.  A drive which should of took us 45 minutes ended up being almost an hour and half!!! 

I had taken my camera long to see if I could get any great shots, needless to say the weather didn’t allow me to use the camera but Christian went at it. I must admit he got some great ones!

BTW I did get some exercise in on Friday between work and cleaning the house!

Day 9 and 10

I did not get a chance to get on here yesterday so I am posting both days today. We got out of the house and played around and did a little sledding in the snow yesterday. Going up and down our hill was a pretty good work out. The dogs kept trying to "rescue" us.

I also got a couple of photos of our ducks and the ice forming on our pond that I thought looked pretty cool.Today I did get on my elliptical for 30min and plan on taking the dogs out for a walk as soon as I am done on here.

Day 9

I had the morning to myself today so I went out walking. After a little while the snow clouds moved in and there was just a little hole left for the sun to peek through.

Cold, foggy morning

I was getting ready to head to the office when I had to run back in and grab my camera!  The fog over the creek and fields always seems so mystical to me. 

Then the sun rising added some brilliant color.  Unfortunately, I am not quick enough with my camera settings to capture it as I see it.  I think I need to take another class to help me figure out aperture and shutter settings again.  Camera's have changed a lot in the 20 years since I took a photography class in high school (and my memory kinda sucks for things like that too!).

It's been too cold to walk outside, but I have done a 1 mile walk daily on the treadmill.  Not a lot, I know, but it's a start.  Between that and watching my eating, I've lost 2 pounds this week, so that makes me happy!

Day 1

Yes, day 1. ~:( It's been a little hard to get out with the weather but after the kids have begged for days, I took them out to play yesterday. I hadn't before because I told them that it was too deep but they insisted.So after school we got bundled up and the four of us went outside. Once outside they quickly realized that making it down the swings was not going to be an easy task. Sometimes the best way to let them learn a lesson is to let them have their way.

Before I knew it they had shrunk in size and they were quickly being pulled into the white 'quicksand.'

We lasted about 25 minutes, 10 of those walking down to the swings, realizing Mommy was right, and then walking back up to the house.

They still had fun, and after walking all around the yard to perform rescue operation after rescue operation I am counting today as a workout, and day 1. I am happy to no longer be off the wagon and firmly gripping the rear axle..

I apologize for the sloppiness of the post but I have never blogged before and don't quite get just yet how to add everything nicely.

Day 8

Today I got my mom to go out walking with me. We took the kids to our lake. It's man made, but they don't know the difference! We walked for about 45 minutes and then had a picnic at the park while the kids got to play. It got so hot while we were out there (probably almost 80) so we were wiped out at the end of the day.

Bailey waiting to get out of the house


Our Lake


A picture of Myself with Connor and Bailey


Connor and Zach swinging


Bailey's first time swinging at the park

DAY 8...another blustery day her in the PNW but I caught a few minutes between downpours. Found this little guy in the blackberry brambles where the feeders are. I know, can't do anything with this one but thought it was funny...they took off so fast I couldn't adjust quick enough.

There is an area behind our mailboxes that is like a big divet and it has filled with enough water for these guys to swim comfortably in there. First time I've seen them there.