August is the month. I have no idea how it became the month, but that's ok. Some plans are better by not being plans, but just falling into place.
So August is the month....
....I sell my car, Nigel. I love him very, very much, but the Mister wants me to get something a little bigger, and a little safer to drive. Since my warranty is up this year, I ordered a different MINI, a Countryman--it's a 4-door hatchback (talk about making me feel like I've become an adult) and it's AWD. It's being built in the UK later this month and I should be able to start driving it sometime in October. Feels bittersweet at this point. I wanted a MINI Cooper for so long, and I had so much fun driving Nigel, I hate to sell him....but I can't have two MINIs, unfortunately.
....we got our treadmill! Yay hooray!! I've wanted one for years and I finally ordered it a couple weeks ago. It arrived yesterday and I put it together (even though it says it's a two-person assembly). So far, it's pretty impressive. Touchscreen, fan, iPod compatible w/big speakers to listen to the music with. A couple flaws need to be figured out, one being the squeak on the right side every time you take a step. Annoying much?
....I'm being healthier. I restarted eating better, via the South Beach Diet. The food plan and options are straightforward and easier to follow than Weight Watchers to me. I don't have to count or discount stuff I eat & do, I just get a list of foods that are ok to eat and foods I should stay away from. For the first two weeks I'm staying away from a lot of refined foods, sticking with lean meats, fish and veggies. I was successful with this approach before, I just stopped sticking to it. 3 days in, I'm feeling more energy, less sluggish (and desiring a nap) and when I had croutons yesterday with my salad & energy drink, I didn't feel guilty or beat myself up over it. I thought I'd better have the energy drink since I sweat so much earlier in the morning while cutting/trimming grass and then putting together the treadmill.
I'm looking forward to continuing the change, regaining energy and losing other stuff.
....I've become the landscaper. So to speak. We already had a happy lawnmower--a Neuton battery-powered lawnmower. It's quiet, efficient, and doesn't stink or blow out any nasty fumes. I never mess with gas, oil or trying to yank anything to start it; I simply push a button and off it goes. If everyone switched to a mower like mine, it would be the equivalent of taking 5 million cars off the road (or something like that). Monday I bought a battery-powered trimmer. I love it, it's super and I can't wait to use it again. Mowing is a chore, trimming is fun. Yes, I'm weird.
....The strawberry patch is producing berries! We've had 2 berries so far to try...but there's a bunch of green ones that are starting to turn now. Oh boy! Oh boy! I can't wait!! Let me tell you, the first ripe strawberry I ate last week was ah-maz-ing! So sweet and juicy and delicious. Weeding is something I look forward to, strangely enough. Having berries is great, but pulling weeds out of the ground on a regular basis is cathartic.
....We may or may not be getting air conditioning, kind of. We got some bids for air systems last month and found one we'd really like to get that is actually a heat pump. It would save us money during the winter and keep us cool during the summer. Of course, it's expensive and a serious decision, but if the temps stay in the 90ยบ region for a few more weeks like they usually do, I want me some coolness in the house. Updates will follow.
Random stuff:
This pretty reflection was provided by the vase/container/cooking utensil holder and the early morning sun. Things aren't all bad if I wake up early! I thought it was a fanciful thing to see first thing in the morning, so I took pics.
Smudge is a cuddler. I absolutely love it. She usually rests against my leg, but this morning I had a pillow next to me, so she laid on that, then held me to down make sure I didn't leave her to fend for herself while the dogs were loose. At least, that's what I'm guessing.
Smudge and Lily share a moment of peace, checking out the birds in the field behind the house. It's rare but nice when this happens.
When I'm in my office, Amber lays next to my chair. Sometimes she climbs into the tiny space under my desk to lay down. Where I go, she's not long to follow...
When I'm on the couch, Lily climbs up onto my lap. Kind of. She's not "allowed" on the couch. By my definition, this means all 4 feet. So she puts the front half of her body on my lap, or next to me on the couch, for some scratches. She's not as much of a cuddler as Smudge or Amber, but she's much more kissable. Her cheeks and ears and head are so soft, I just have to kiss her. And she takes it. She's turning into a sweet, if highly energetic, girl. I'm hoping to get her on the treadmill those days I can't/don't go on a walk.
