Hail Storm

Speaking of the weather down here, it has been brutal. We had golf-ball sized hail--I mean really. I often hear weathermen talking about golf-ball sized hail, but I've never actually seen it hitting. Huge balls of ice smashed into our windows, and doors, and house. We were lucky, none of our windows broke. The car of a friend who is staying with us was dented all over. Fortunately my car was in the garage, and we didn't really care too much about Russel's old van.

There were 284+ deaths in Alabama and 34 or so here in East Tennessee; Alabama had 170+ tornados, one of them a mile wide, and we had an EF2 tornado--whatever that means. This morning when we walked around our subdivision, I was expecting a lot of damage, but mostly the streets were just littered with green leaves and debris, and the whole area smelled heavily of a combination of Christmas trees and freshly cut grass. We found a hawk or falcon with a broken wing--Russel and took it in to the UT wild animal hospital. Today is beautiful and sunny.

Easter in Pictures

It was a glorious Easter. In fact it has been a glorious spring, and I meant to rave about the dogwoods, and then about the azaleas, and soon the rhododendrons--don't you love that name! I remember reading it in a book long ago and not knowing what rhododendrons were, but thinking the name was so intriguing and high brow! Anyway, we had a splendid Easter as you can see. Russel and I dressed the yard for most of the day Saturday, and then Sunday morning went to Easter service at 7:45. I know, crazy--but Aaron had to work at 11:00, so we went to the earliest of the 3 Easter services, then came home and made brunch--pancakes, ham, and eggs; stuffed Easter candy into plastic eggs, yes, this was for the grownup kids. Stephen won this year, Eliz usually wins of course.

The pics from top to bottom:

Russel refueling after hours of work--note the hose dreadlocks

Reb brandishing tools

Dogwood spring beauty (a week earlier)

Fruits of our labor--Azaleas and edged sidewalks!

Russ and Reb in Easter finery

Stephen and Joyanna in Easter finery

Russ off to church

Joyanna and Stephen off to church

Stephen's "If you take one more picture, Mom, I'm going to lose it" look.

The Easter Service

Back at home stuffing eggs

Having Easter brunch

Looking under the tramp for eggs

Leaping over the deck rail on way to eggs

More egg hunting pics

Counting the stash (Stephen wins!)

Coloring eggs

Egg wars: 1, 2, 3, 4, I declare an egg war! (My egg was the winner :))

The Dam April Workout

Well, so, it is April and time to get in serious shape for the big dam race! (Prizes will be awarded--really good prizes!) HERE'S THE APRIL WORKOUT SCHEDULE: Five days of the week: a minimum 35 minute run (or run/walks, if you must!). If you are seriously out of shape, and neglected to do your March workouts, you can start at 20 minutes a day. Sixth day: a minimum one-hour run/walk. (Keep track of how far you get in that hour, and try to increase the distance each week. The race is 4.7 miles, so you will want to cover that distance in under an hour!) Three to Five days a week: Do your dam core exercises (and a little yoga stretching on the side) For many people, especially the older you get, your training is slowed or sometimes interrupted because of a weakness in the core, which causes aches, pains and injuries--all can be avoided by strengthening the core!--and proper warm up before you begin. You can follow this link to the core exercises and print out your own copy: http://www.bicycling.com/print/942 If you do not have an exercise ball, not to worry! Just do exercises 2, 4 ,5--ha! good luck with the transverse plank!, 6, 7, & 8. I also suggest improving your diet by increasing fruit and veggie intake and cutting out sugar. I'm just sayin--you gotta get your mind in the game--we need total commitment from team Mantua! PS: I am taking submissions for the 2011 Dam Race Hall Cheer. You may submit in text form or performance video.