Sunday, July 5, 2015

Scenes From A Holiday Weekend


I was off Friday and ran my typical 5 early-morning miles.  I have nothing to report as I left my Garmin at work and couldn't even tell you my pace.  Our mission for the long holiday weekend was to break in our boat's new engine (we're still reeling from this sticker shock!).  You aren't suppose to run it at full throttle for so many hours (blah blah blah).  So, this was my view for most of the weekend.  I enjoy riding backwards.  I guess I like the view.  And yes, I need a pedicure.


This is what I see on my dog walk Friday evening...the third one this year.  It's hard to tell, but this one was about 3 feet.  My dogs were highly upset that I stopped.  Later, we get caught in a horrible storm.  Lightning was popping, wind gusting, and the hair standing up on my arms.  We hightailed back to our house...half a mile, uphill, running at full speed in flip flops and bluejeans.  (Shoot -- no Garmin stats.)  I'm practically dragging Special Dog as he is terrified of thunder.  Smart Dog was up for the challenge and loved every frightful second of it.  Maybe she's not as smart as I thought?


After spending time Coffee Talking Saturday morning, the 4th was spent on the lake again.  Riding, riding, riding.  And finally...this happened.  I think PoPo felt sorry for me and asked if I wanted to try to ski.  Let me give a little background here.  I do what they call a deep water start.  I rely on the boat and PoPo to gun it and snatch me out of the water on one ski with both feet already secured in boot bindings.  But, there could absolutely be no gunning it today.  I was willing to try...and I did it.  It was not easy but worth the effort


Photos are never very good as this is 75 feet from the boat

Thunderstorms eventually drove us from the lake.  We rounded out our 4th by grilling chicken kabobs in the storm.  We had fresh white corn and homemade blackberry cobbler -- which I must say was the best thing I've tasted in a long time.


Sunday morning, I woke up to this.  Uh oh.  It's long run day.  I'm not running in this after my close call Friday night.  Miraculously by 9:30, it had all pushed south.  Even though it was so much later than I wanted, out the door I went for a 9 mile run at a 10:09 pace (Garmin's back!).  You can guess what the weather was like after the storm.  HUMID and HOT.

Sunday afternoon was spent in the backyard.  I'm returning to work Monday so I can get some much needed rest.


Please tell me about your holiday weekend!


I'm linking up with Tara who is the gracious host of the wonderful Weekend Update.  
Please visit Tara as well as all of the participating bloggers.

37 comments:

  1. The weather ruined lots of plans this weekend!

    I got caught out in a thundershower with my dogs one day last week too. The thunder and lightning weren't that close, but we got drenched!

    I'm glad you got your skiing fix! I'd love to try that someday. Hopefully we'll have a boat by next summer...

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    1. There was so much lightning that I ran down the middle of the street. I didn't want to be under any trees! You'll really enjoy a boat. The shopping part is fun too.

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  2. Oh, I would run so fast if I saw that snake, eeek. I've been water skiing once, and I remember how hard it was to get up, but I did it. It was fun! Way to get your run in after the storm!

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    1. Doesn't that snake look scary? I'm glad it was already dead. I'm happy I didn't have to run in the rain or in the extreme heat of the day.

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  3. A thunderstorm AND a snake? Eek! Lola doesn't like thunderstorms; Chester doesn't care, but neither likes getting wet (but we gave them a bath yesterday anyway). I've been caught in thunderstorms on runs before. Not fun.

    So impressed by your waterskiing! I've never tried it, but I doubt I could get up.

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    1. One of my dogs loves to go out in the rain. The other has to sit in your lap. Oh, don't be impressed. LOL I've been water skiing it since I was 10. It's like riding a bike. You never forget how.

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  4. Seriously jealous of your waterskiiing! I haven't been able to go yet...it was so cool here in June, and now we haven't been able to get up to the lake! BTW, that's how I get up every time.

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    1. You'll get there soon. I've seen so many different ways to get up...kick a ski off, leave a foot out, shallow water, beach start, dock start, etc. I've always relied on the boat's power to do the work! Have you seen people wake surfing? Coolest thing!!

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  5. I think rain is the worst to have on the 4th because then there's no fireworks. We've been lucky here and the sky was perfect on Saturday.

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    1. I think they postponed most of the fireworks here until Sunday. I did not see or hear any this year!

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  6. Sounds like you had a great weekend minus all the rain. I've only tried to water ski once. It was back when I was a teenager and an absolute failure. But maybe I should give it another try, it does look like a lot of fun :) We had a pretty good weekend that involved playing tourist at the zoo and hanging out with friends for a 4th of July barbecue and fireworks.

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    1. It's something that takes a few times to get the hang of it. If you get the opportunity, definitely try again. I missed seeing fireworks. We had storms!

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  7. The backwards view looks amazing! Glad you got to break in the new motor, and look at you enjoying the water. It's been so long since I've skied I don't know I could get up with 2 of them. It was nasty Sunday as we were traveling home in it. But lucky for us it had moved out once we got into Mississippi. I too am back at work to rest, lol!

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    1. I got up on two skis a few years ago just to show my kids. OMG. It's hard. You've got 2 planks to control. They were banging together and everything! I keep a set for my sister to use when she visits.

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  8. I would love to go water skiing sometime. It looks like so much fun! Great job on your 9 miles in the humidity!

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    1. Unfortunately all my runs are hot and humid right now. I'm counting down the days to fall!

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  9. I'd rather run in rain then the humidity AFTER the rain :(
    Great job getting it done though!
    & great job on those skis... I've never tried it. Probably a good thing.

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    1. Yes, a nice shower without lightning would have been much better.

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  10. Looks like a wonderful weekend!!! I spent mine with family and friends, and it was just what I needed! Have a great week!

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    1. Yes, the best part is being with family. Enjoy your week too!

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  11. Nice pics of you skiing! Sounds like a really nice balance of running, family time, and just relaxing and enjoying the holiday!

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    1. It was a nice holiday. I definitely didn't get too much done around the house! You had a wonderful trip!

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  12. Ack, snakes!!!

    I tried kneeboarding once - it was.....interesting.

    Good pix. Blackberry cobbler, yum.

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    1. OMG. We have an old knee board in the attic. We never did master that thing! Always so difficult to get strapped in!

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  13. Looks like you had a fabulous and relaxing weekend:) Hopefully your boat is near broken in and soon you can get out and speed around as you would like:)
    It's been hot here too, triple digits (90's never sounded so good, LOL) except we have like zero or near that humidity, I wouldn't of minded a little of your humidity sent my way for the weekend:)
    We've had a lot more snakes out on the trails than normal too, not sure what kind the one you pictured is, but if it's poisonous, hope you don't have any additional run ins with them!!!!

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    1. Oh, there's a lot more riding in my future. But, I enjoy it. It's relaxing. I don't know what kind of snake that is. I thought it was a Copperhead, but now I don't think so. I'm just glad it had already expired! You can have all the humidity you want! Please, take it.

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  14. Oh, my gosh, Ho! I love this picture of your flip flops on the boat; one of my favorite places to be! And I'm so jealous that you were up on some skis this weekend; lookin' good, my friend - woo hoo! Sounds like y'all had an awesome Fourth of July weekend...well, with the exception of that snake - GAH! You're killing me! Thanks so much for linking up with the blog; hope your week is off to a great start.

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    1. Yeah, I can do without the snakes. As you know, a southern gal has more flipflops than any other shoe! I hope you enjoy your week on the lake and your birthday!

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  15. The markings on the snake - looks like stars! I've never seen one like that before. Be careful out there!

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    1. You are so right! I really didn't notice until you said so. A very pretty pattern, but a very frightening thing to encounter.

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  16. Yikes! I would freak out if I saw a snake on a walk or run. So jealous that you have a boat. Ah I haven't water skiied in a long time! Looks like you had a great time on the skis!

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    1. Water skiing is so old school...just like me! And, I've seen enough snakes already this year.

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  17. Oh, it's been ages since I've been on water skis! It was my favorite thing at summer camp. Blackberry pie sounds spectacular!

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    1. Nobody learns to ski any more. It's so old fashioned, like me! I went to summer camp but they surely didn't let us ski!

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  18. The elbow is no worse. I ski with that arm upside down so it works the inside. My tendonitis is on the outside. So "whew" for that at least. I was a BEAST this morning as I made it a whopping 2.9 miles before I stopped for water. LOL. Don't beat yourself up over THAT! It's just part of summer running. ;)

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  19. So impressed that you are skiing on one ski. The last time I waterskied was on vacation in French Polynesia and it was the most heavenly place to ski. But I was chicken and used two skis! Looks like you had a wonderful holiday weekend except for the snake part!

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    1. Water skiing in French Polynesia would be awesome! I skied in Jamaica but was so disappointed they pulled me too fast. I was just slapping across the water. I couldn't get them to slow down, and they didn't let my husband ride in the boat.

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