Dithering

I am procrastinating because I need to be doing my pre-hab exercises and I really really don't want to. Really.

Whenever I start an exercise program, I always start very slow. I figure if I start slow and build gradually I'll get where I want to be without a lot of pain -- and it works. Obviously the physical therapists do not share my philosophy. I'm still really sore -- besides my leg muscles, my back is sore and my abdominal muscles are sore. This is where I have to be a big girl and suck it up, though. So -- believe me -- I'll do my exercises today. I just want to complain about it first. ;)

I have been asked to write a column/blog post for the Engine 2 group about giving up cheese (which was the most difficult struggle for me). I finished it this morning and emailed it to the editor. I'll let you know if they choose to publish it.

My jasmine has never looked better. Do you remember when Alex and I planted these in the backyard? Tiny little things; we named them individually and as a group called them "The Patriarchs" (the names were the names from the names of the books of the Old Testament in order: Joshua, Ruth, Samuel, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel). Anyway, they are not little anymore and they've never bloomed so much. Click on the photos to get a bigger view.

Here's a wide-ish shot (the jasmine covers the fence the entire length of the backyard):

I stood by the fence and took a picture looking down it:

And then, just a close-up of a section of vines:

I was thinking of putting up a hummingbird feeder, but I'm not going to do it. I remember them loving the jasmine last year and this year there are even more flowers, so I think they'll be happy enough with that. And it's a lot lower maintenance!

Oh -- I have a new tea obsession. I don't normally drink herbal teas, but I decided to give this one a try (and actually, Republic of Tea has a section for "Hibiscus Teas" -- they don't put this with the herbal teas). It's Strawberry Hibiscus Tea and it's amazing. STRONG strawberry flavor. I've only had it iced, but I'm sure it would be good hot, too. It's a gorgeous red color and when it's steeping the whole kitchen has a delicious strawberry scent. 

Incidentally, Blogger has changed a few things and they have a setting which allows me to post a link (like I did above with the Strawberry Hibiscus Tea) and instead of taking you away from my blog to the other site it will open the site in a new window. Much nicer, I think. (Try it and you'll see what I mean.)

Okay...I guess I am going to do an exercise or two. Groan. :-p

More later...