Yesterday turned out to be somewhat productive and relaxing. I’m surprised I’m not more sore than what I am this morning after my strength training yesterday afternoon. I decided to increase each machine’s weight by 5 lbs. Some of the exercises were still okay to do with 5 extra pounds; with others, I had to push a little harder, and I felt the strain the most throughout my neck muscles. Surprisingly, my legs are not sore at all, and my biceps are just the tiniest bit sore. I guess when I go tomorrow, I can increase the leg exercises by at least 5 more pounds. I don’t want to make myself extremely sore, but a little sore is good – as long as it’s gone by Monday!
Before heading to the gym, I decided to trim up all the plants on the deck. The mums were starting to grow too tall, and I am trying my best to keep them pruned so they bloom out nice and full in the fall and not just sporadically here and there, hanging off the side of the flower pot. I got them in summer of 2010, so they’ve been around for a while.
I also trimmed some of vegetable plants, cutting off leaves that didn’t look too good. If my tomato plant doesn’t take a turn for the better by the end of next week, I guess I will replace it. The top of the plant looks nice and green, but the bottom leaves are a yellowish color with black spots on them. Thankfully, there is either no rain or little chance of rain in the forecast for the rest of the week. After getting back from the gym, I planted my extra zucchini plant (in the ground) and replaced the cucumbers in my patio garden. I am truly loving this cooler May we’re having, but it doesn’t have to drop down into the 40’s at night anymore. I don’t want to replace these as well.
Here’s a picture that shows the green bell peppers that are growing, the cucumbers I planted (top right), the zucchini plants I have planted in the ground (middle right), and my herb garden after trimming everything up nicely. I am really hoping the basil starts doing better than what it is; it should be a nice, dark green and not the light color you see here. The chives don’t seem to be doing so well either.
I also took a few close-up shots of a bloom that is about to pop open on my rose tree (the yellow one below). It might actually be opened up today. If so, that will be my first rose bloom of the year. My rose bushes on the deck have many buds that are about to pop open now (the pink’ish looking one below). I cannot wait to see all of the blooms on the bushes I have on the deck. I have never seen so many in the previous years I’ve had it!
Just as I was finishing up with planting the cucumber plants, Alex grabbed the hammock from the basement and set it up. We haven’t put the hammock up in years!
He asked if I wanted to come relax for a bit, so we both laid on the hammock for a while, talking about little things here and there, enjoying the birds chirping and the nice, cool breeze of this May. Thankfully, we didn’t get attacked by a pine cone from above! I snapped a series of pictures while we were being goofy!
Afterwards, I took a quick shower and grilled a Bubba Burger (turkey burger) for myself (he wasn’t hungry). I decided to try grilling the frozen French fries rather than frying them or turning the oven on just for that. This way, I didn’t dirty up any dishes, and I was able to stay outside and enjoy the weather while the food grilled. I grilled 2 turkey burgers so I could eat one today for lunch.
While eating dinner, I decided to do some actual work, so I answered just about every work email I had and did a little website stuff. So I feel better about that. lol After aerobics this morning, I need to swing by Wal-Mart and get some dirt so I can plant the ivy plant I bought Sunday, and then the rest of the day, I plan to do work at my computer. As much as I’d love to be outside doing things, I think computer work for just one whole day will be enough for me to feel like I have accomplished a lot!