Lizzyb's Lean N' Mean 2009

[lizzyb]

Wasn't feeling my workout at all yesterday.....was just fatigued feeling, like I mean totally bagged. I'm guessing I most likely overdid it the day before and on top of it been getting ALOT of sleepus interruptus due to the men in my life (both big and small fellas, lol!!) So I chose not to do my strength stuff yesterday, but did 60mins on my treaddie at varying inclines and varying walking speeds just to keep the metabolism firing. Eats were mostly on the 'tight' side. Today I'm more on the carbier side of things, figuring the extra starchy stuff in the a.m will aid in my energy levels etc....
Looking forward to new program next month......August was/is a toughie to be getting through....very taxing. I am noticing improvements nonetheless in strength and abilities and of course leanness as well......so it's all good

"Puke Day" : circuited non-stop x5 with 5mins rest between sets

20 OH Squats@15,15,12.5,10,8 (definitely need to work on hip flexibility as this was to be ass to ground squats and I can just get to below parallel)
100 Mountain climbers
30 Burpees
10 Single Legged Squats@ 5,5,5,5,2.5 (used cable for this to assist in balance)
~nonetheless I did notice improvements since last time doing this runthrough in my balance and abilities and strength too.....sorta gotta check the ego at the door though, cause it is hard to go heavy with these movements.

today's eats:
m1) oatmeal
m2) ff yogurt
m3) can tuna, 1c grilled zuke, 1/2c brown rice, udo's, apple cider vinegar and cayenne (improvised as I am totally out of hummus)
m4) rice cakes and pb
m5) turkey meatball stew (trukey meatballs and veggies done in slow cooker) veggies=green beans, swiss chard, onion, peppers and tomatoes
~again another improv'd meal but trying to stay within the same macro's...gotta clean out the crisper
m6) protein n' water +22 almonds and glutamine b4 bed

So that has been my today thus far...

[lizzyb]

HA! Switched my avi to something more I'd like to be looking at, lol!! Enough of those silly brass door knobs of mine
Days are still busy......but hey, I still manage to get things done for myself nonetheless.
Gonna be out of town this week-end so trying to get in all my workouts before hitting the road too. I'm aiming to get my last one in tomorrow a.m and then I'l just have the high rep one I can do while I'm away using bands and such...so if I can get in tomorrow's workout, I'll have no worries for the week. Next week is the final week of August's program, and I'm curious to see what Linda has cooked up for us for September.....I'm also hoping that in September I will be hearing about the status of my divorce, the ball should begin to roll again sometime next month I think. Such silliness, but it is the price I pay to do this nice and peacefully without disrupting my present day life and family. For that I am eternally grateful, however a test of my patience nonetheless.....it's a quiet roller coaster of sorts for me.
Ah well......looking forward to seeing my garden, and if my rope fence was able to keep the deer from munching on my corn and trampling my other plants.......if not it's gonna be an electrified one next year baby

Now for today's schtick: Crossfit

Turkish Getups: 2x10@8lbs (per side)
Dips: 2x10@35
Sumo Squats (weight touching floor): 4x10@50
Knee Push-Ups w/ Clap in btwn: 1x10
Oly Lift Combo (dead to reverse curl to oh press): 3x10@30,30,25

todays eats: CHEAT DAY

m1) 22 almonds and banana
m2) / (m3) dim sum: MANY steamed shrimp varieties
m4) protein n' water, 22 almonds, 1 small apple
m5) Subway ham wrap w/ all veggies no dressing/condiment
m6) PWO shake +glutamine b4 bed

not too shabby for a cheat day really....illustrates pretty well what a typical cheat day may look like with me....it's not all bad and I still manage to get some good stuff in me, lol!!

No cardio today either. Tommorrow is the 'pant, crawl and cry w/o' and I'll be getting the whole cardio thing going on there, lol!!

[tooncesthecat]

I must say, judging by your avatar, your workouts have had a major effect on your appearance!

[lizzyb]

Originally Posted by tooncesthecat

I must say, judging by your avatar, your workouts have had a major effect on your appearance!

Just testing to see if anyone is paying attention, lol!! Seriously, it's just my interim eye candy till I can get an updated avi going on, lol! You guys have your babes, well......ahem, I got mine too

[lizzyb]

[b][color="YellowGreen"]Was away just for a night.....got back in town last night and yes totally exhausted. I wanted to get my workouts done while I was away, but there just wasn't any free moment to fit any of it in In some ways its good, as it really fuels me to push harder when I get back, but I also feel behind like I've gotta catch up, and that is stressful feeling, for no reason I may add.
My vegetable garden was still attacked by the deer, but the fence did slow them down a little. Unfortunately I don't have any of my new breed of corn left to eat, so I will not know what that corn was like.....I used to think deer were pristine and cute, but now I feel more like Elmer Fudd....I'm obsessed with keeping them out, and I have a rope fence up, a wind chime nearby and a funny windsock......next year my fence will be electrified, lol!! Seriously though, they are beautiful creatures, I am merely searching out ways to live in harmony with them NOT in my garden Garden is still producing all sorts of great eats though, and I am thoroughly enjoying the break in the grocery bill, and the freshest produce ever.

todays workout: Pant, Crawl and Cry
Sprint = 60secs, circuit repeated 2x

20 pushups
sprint
50 crunches
sprint
lunge over: 10/side
sprint
30 v-sits
sprint
35 horizontal chins
sprint
30 tricep dips
sprint
100 calve raises (floor)
sprint
~lather rinse repeat one more time after a 3min rest
sprint in circuit1 = treadmill level 2 @ 5.7 - 6mph
sprint in circuit2 = elliptical @ level 2: 68-72rpm

Today's eats suck, so I'm not even gonna write them down....mostly on plan, but irregular eating has been a real problem this past week-end. Too often, some meals were skipped/missed leaving me with maybe 4meals/day...not too impressed with myself over that one, I really need to do some better planning. Gonna be doing more cooking ahead of week-ends and making sure I have enough food to cover my meals over the week-ends......it really makes it hard for me because DH is one of these people who are totally content to eat 1-2meals a day and has no desire to ever change this about himself either. Obviously, I too am not willing to change my own eating habits in favour of his (unhealthy) eating habits....que serras, serras Anyhoo, that's my own issue.....to plan better for me, and well y'all know I'm GONNA do just that too

[lizzyb]

There.....nice new updated avi, pic taken this a.m. Can't get much fresher than that, lol! I had to change it due to wildstang's comment especially among others.....so as funny as my door knob avi was this guy's weeds growing outta his butt, possibly due to our Canuckian healthcare system, lol!! Seriously.....I couldn't look at my little beefy boy without cracking up once again (not that that is a bad thing or anything either...au contraire) however I did suddenly realise that this site is mostly male oriented and well, I guess that may make some of you guys feel a little wierd reading 'me' lizzyb, but seeing my 'mr.hot cheeks' as my avi.....could make things strange, and I sincerely wasn't trying to do that....I was merely having a little fun

Anyhoo.....enough of that stuff, let's move on!!
today's a fatigue filled day as I spent most of the night awake in pain.....I get some wickedly horrible mid cycle pain (mittleschmerz) that if I wasn't aware of what I was feeling I'd be in ambulatory care, it's just that bad and awful. The trick is to keep moving, and yes pain relief every 4hrs doesn't hurt either. So I have gotten my workout done and so far not feeling so bad, just a rather heavy ache. My meals are all on plan and schedule today, that alone is reason to rejoice. I weighed myself b4 bed last night and weighed in at 126.6lbs due to water retention that comes hand in hand with my condition at the moment....should be flushed through by Thursday the latest I'm guessing......some days are not fun being a woman, but MOST days are a blast

Chose the muscle endurance for today as it is not so hard on the body....couldn't do any jax, or running or any bouncing type movement today, just too painful.

Muscle Endurance: 1x50 each

leg press@95
Standing Cable leg curl@11e
Cable hip Ext@6e
Crunches
cable row@10
BB Press@25
DB OH Press@5e
Standing DB Curls@5e
DB Kickbacks@5e

cardio: 15mins treadmill @3.4mph - 5%incline

today's eats:
m1) oatmeal
m2) ff yogurt
m3) 4ew, `1/2 pepper, small zuchini
m4) 2 rice cakes w/ 1tbsp pb on each
m5) grilled chicken wrap w/ 1c mixed greens
m6) protein n' water + glutamine b4 bed.

Ahhh I so do love consistency.....just makes me feel all is right in my world

[lizzyb]

Feeling soooooo much better today. My insides feel bruised today is all, that heavy vague ache as opposed to yesterday's searing excruciating pain.

Linda sent me an e-mail last suggesting that if I was interested I could do a mini build for September and October and then resume leaning.....of course I am interested She's not steered me wrong ever so I totally trust her judgements and recommendations. I really have and still am enjoying the direction that my physique is going.....in fact hubs has too

Today was Crossfit day......
Turkish getups: 2x10@3
Dips: 2x10@35
Cable sumo Squats: 4x10@46
Knee ppush-ups w/ clap in btwn: 1x10
Oly Lift combo: 3x10@25
~alot of these lifts are lighter today compared to last time I did this workout....due to fatigue of muscles as abs were used alot this week so far, delts last night and today so muscles are fatigued, but that's what this w/o is intended to do none the less.

today's eats:
m1) protein smoothie
m2) tuna and red pepper jelly (pwo meal)
m3) imitation crab and mango salsa salad w/ udo's and applecider vinegar
m4) cottage cheese and fruit + pp
m5) salmon, green beans and sweet peas, brown rice.
m6) banana, pp, p.b


On a side note, we were at the park this afternoon and I have to say some days it breaks my heart to be a Mom My daughter is a very Type "A" personality....outgoing, not shy and loves to socialize. she is especially drawn to older girls, or girls in general especially if they have nice hair, shoes jewelry....you get it right, that my daughter IS going to be a princess someday (at least according to her rules and regulations, lol!) Anyways, along comes this older girl, at least 10yrs old with her littlle 2" wedge shoes and nordic blonde hair and blue eyes.....well like a moth to a flame, my daughter runs up to her wanting to play or be recognized by this girl......well the girl wasn't having anything of it. She looked through my daughter as though she weren't even there and my daughter hovered in such a fashion that it would be REALLY hard to miss her, lol!! the girl was obviously out of my daughter's league and to associate with a 4yr old would have meant social death for the preteen girlie......but my DD sure didn't understand the social structure of kids in general, and was beginning to get frustrated and feelings hurt because as hard as she tried to get this girl's attention, it just wasn't happening......her parent sure didn't help either Just stood there not even suggesting to her daughter that somebody was trying to get her attention....I hate that, I always try to include all the kids in the park and if someone is sitting alone I go and check on things if their own parent is distracted elsewhere.....but hey, that's just how I was raised as well....everybody looked out for everyone in the neighbourhood. I finally decided to rescue my kid by distracting her with an offer of some juice or grapes just to get her away from the older girl, to move out of that moment......it worked and I then encouraged her to go play with the kids she was already playing with before this girl arrived at the park....it worked and she found another little girl to play with in the end......some days at the park are rough stuff

[SAINT_X]

Go LizzyB!!!!

[Italianangel]

that is interesting, I was never encouraged to socialize, actually opposite. My parents were concerned with me sitting and being quiet and my dad was leary of me socializing as he was paranoid about things back then which did not happen then although they do now.
I was discouraged to be with older kids as they were trouble and can hurt you and beat you up......and even the kids had a code and generally the older kids did hassle and push us younger kids around so I was bullied more than anything so my dad tended to protect me and told me to bring a friend when we went out - also being a sick kid my dad was concerned with me catching stuff cuz I got sick so easy and was in hospital dying so many times with pnemonia and then there were never answers about what, who, when how of these diseases..........so it was interesting to read your perspective on things.

[Italianangel]

Love the skirt and don't be discouraged on weak days, most likely I planned it that way.....if its easy why bother? you won't progress or change in body look......so its meant be hard - just blame me when you feel that.......

[lizzyb]

Originally Posted by Italianangel

.
I was discouraged to be with older kids as they were trouble and can hurt you and beat you up......and even the kids had a code and generally the older kids did hassle and push us younger kids around so I was bullied more than anything ..........so it was interesting to read your perspective on things.

Oh I know what you mean, actually I was the polar opposite of my daughter as a child.....I was totally afraid terrified of strangers and I mean literally terrified. I was a shy little mouse.....I had my reasons, as a child. Stuff can happen to children My daughter is such a breath of fresh air to me as I was always afraid to have a girl......afraid my girl would 'feel' like I did as a kid and that is a torture I would not wish on anyone. So as a grown-up and a parent who has overcome alot of issues from childhood, I really really encourage an outgoing personality, and allow my kids to test themselves in deeper water (under supervision from a near distance) as I really strongly feel that it fosters strength and my kids get a real feel for who they really are as people, not who I just tell them they are.......I don't allow wreckless abandon either, just personal testing of one's limits....if I know my kids can't handle it yet, I certainly do not allow them to take on whatever challenge it is......and of course, my daughter or my son for that matter are not me when I was a kid, and I do not project my 'stuff' onto them either, or at least I try very hard NOT to.

Oh and the 'hard' days Linda......I do blame you for, lol!! Seriously, I tell myself that there is a reason why this is supposed to be hard, trust the process and go with it.......has worked for me so far Otherwise if things feel really 'off', I look to myself.....am I sleeping/eating enough, getting enough h2o, supp's etc.......I seldom beat myself up, I allow myself whatever I feel I can do be it more or less, there is always a reason.

[lizzyb]

Has it really been since Wednesday that I was last here? Well, let's see now what's been going on then? I did my whole pics and stats thing on Thursday and recieved a good 'review' of my progress despite my own feelings of bloatie-ness and puffiness. So I feel really good about that.....my numbers were somewhat unchanged, some higher some lower....to reflect a gain in LBM. Actually Linda said I was near my "benchmark" weight now, meaning I'm near the weight I began with but of course much leaner than that time, so a gain in muscle loss of fat.....WOOT!! (insert a few happy dancing smilies here!!)
I'm sorta just taking it down a notch to finish the month since I am changing gears for 8wks or so for a mini build phase. So just doing some light cardio/lifting over the week-end while still keeping diet tight. Just until I start the new program.....which will be most likely Tuesday. We are planning on running away Sunday/Monday to the cottage weather permitting of course. It's done nothing but rain all day here today and we are now into cooler temps below 20C and single digits at night
I may start a new journal for that process too.....dunno.

[6-Pak Girl]

Hey Lizzy, I love your new avatar photo. You are looking really great! Isn't it exciting to change it up a bit and start a new program? I love starting new phases/programs.

[lizzyb]

[color="DarkRed"]I debated starting a new journal for this next phase, but figure I'll keep using this one to see the year out, hence the next chapter.
This chapter will about building and not so much leaning. More weight, more food and less cardio.......It's time to get serious again
September's program is progressive in nature with 6 lifting days and 5 cardio days, and 1 entire day of rest. Eats are clean as usual but not as tight as when I was leaning....and only 1 cheat day/wk. the way things are set up I in my program I can use the option of tri-setting most days workloads to equal 4 tri-sets per day. I will use this option 3-4 times a week to encourage more growth and to keep my metabolism humming. Cardio is progressive in nature as well, starting the week out with 20mins in total for day 1 and ending the week with a total of 45mins on day5.
I'm REALLY looking forward to seeing what results I can pull off after a couple of months of growing

Without further ado, here is my DAY 1: Back, Bi's and Abs
(Trisets: 3x10 for all)

1A) BB Deadlift: 3x10@50 (can go heavier next time)
1B) DB Curls: 3x10@15e
1C) V-sits: 3x10

2A) Mid Back row: 3x10@30,45,45
2B) DB Hammer Curls: 3x10@15e
2C) Weighted (cable) Crunches: 3x10@26

3A) Lat Pulldown: 3x10@42
3B) Preacher Curls (DB, using ball): 3x10@15e
3C) Reverse Crunch: 3x10

4A) Reverse Flye: 3x10@25e
4B) Con Curls: 3x10@10e
4C) Cross Ball: 3x10
~ Interesting to note here at how much more strong I feel now especially in my stabilizers as well. Reverse crunches were a bit of a challenge once upon a time ago, but now I am able to actually do them heels pointing straight up to the ceiling without feeling any strain whatsoever. It's really a mind body thing....hard to put into words actually.

today's cardio: 10mins pre-workout: treaddie set at 10% incline, speed 3mph repeated the same for 10mins post workout as well. ( I don't have a rower and I really didn't feel like climbing stairs for 10 mind numbing minutes, lol!!Used to own a stairclimber and it had to be one of the most boring pcs of equipment I've ever used......though it certainly does have it's merits. DH has one in sotrage he keeps threating to bring home to me, obviously I'm not in any rush, lol!!

today's eats:
m1) kashi and milk
m2) apple and tsp of pb on each
m3) chicken zoopa (2c)
m3) 3 celery sticks and 1/4c hummus
m4) tuna melts
m5) 1/2c cottage cheese, broccoli. 11 almonds and tbsp UDO's
~I've gotten so used to chewing sugar free gum in btwn meals that it is not helpful to me now, as I NEED to be eating my cals and the gum makes me forget my hunger for longer periods....hmmm :-S

Anyhoo, for a first day it wasn't so bad at all. I'll have to train the kiddies to last longer pl;aying on their own again, they got a little spoiled (if you wanna call it that) having to endure watching me workout for shorter time periods.....by the end of the week they won't even notice the difference[COLOR]

[lizzyb]

O.K so I'll "Boldly Go" next week
This week so far has been pretty much a write-off. I have one weakness in my life, one real fear that rouses awful anxiety (the kind that keeps your pulse racing, mind reeling and awake all night till resolution) and that is THE DENTIST Well as fate would have it, I have a filling that fell out, and another that's breaking apart and perhaps even more scarey stuff that could happen too
I've been the total selfless mother and wife for the past 5+yrs and well, my sillyness has now caught up with me. I've been putting everyone else's needs ahead of mine ( regular dental check-ups) and since I fear the dentist it was the logical thing to sacrifice....certainly wouldn't be working out etc.....oh how life is so full of paradox!
Anyways....now that I have tortured myself enough for 2 days worry the shit out of it, I have finally gotten over my silly self and will get into the dentist. I feel so much more relieved to be actively dealing with this matter than to be ruled by the fear of the fear of the fear of the fear!! I stillhave to face whatever treatment will be required, but somehow I don't feel so bad about that....Treatment is equal to care, and I will be cared for. I certainly can't feel bad about that

As for my workouts I've been much too 'crazy' to be able to focus. when I get anxious, my mind races....I'm like I'm manic or something. My eats have been according to plan, so no worries there.....keeping mindful of my cortisol level as well.
I've been cooking all day today though, as we are leaving for the long week-end tomorrow and won't be back till Monday sometime. I will resume my program and focus next week......probably could use the break I guess

When I'm face with personal challenges as such,I try to remind myself of the time I went whitewater kayaking. How I travelled 3hrs by myself, slept alone n a tent and did this course on my own with nobody I knew.......I had a BLAST, despite the rush of adrenaline sailing down classIII rapids, despite spraining my ankle and I faced ALOT of personal fears down that week, and so I always think that if I can sail down rapids in a sliver of kevlar, flip gawd knows how many times and sustain however many bruises and scrapes and still lived to tell the tale, and to do so every day of that week and beyond with a big ol' grin on my face.......then by GOD, I can do ANYTHING I put mind to! So yeah, that's that.....I'm dealin' with it, and it'll get done.....and I am most definitely STOPPING that sillyness of stepping aside for others to walk by.

[lizzyb]

Was a long week-end here so we were away the entire time....left Friday and returned last night. I think it was most likely the best week-end the summer had to offer us this year too My diet was clean over the week-end, but not exactly according to plan. My macros were probably under for building but over for leaning......as I gained nothing and lost nothing weighing in this a.m. Did lots of digging as I am making one of my gardens larger for next year, so I know I got in some physical labour as well.....good hard and heavy stuff too, not talking about using a little trowel here either.

Anyhoo....have made peace with myself and have an appointment with the dentist on Friday......enough silliness already.....

today's w/o is Chest, Tri's and Obliques. I will be tri-setting these as well. Sets n' reps will be 3x10 as I am resuming last week's schedule (starting fresh).

today's eats are according to the "lean" column of this month's program.
Cardio will be 10mins hills b4 lifting and 10mins hills after

[A1food4U]

Changing your body and your world one shovel at a time, cool...

[lizzyb]

I have started this week one day ahead in my program, given that I did do bi's back and abs last week and I have done an awful lot of digging....my bi's certainly aren't lagging anyways
It's been a tough day so far from a parenting perspective (2 youngsters in competition for my attention and all that go hand in hand with that silliness). DH is working late tonite, so I know my pillow is gonna be a welcome friend.

My workout today was all straight sets except for the glutes portion that I did as a giant set.

OH DB Squat (just below parallel): 3x10@15e
Single Leg Cable curl: 3x10@21
Standing Barbell Calves: 3x10@100,105,110
Sitting Scissors: 3x10@10/leg
Front delt raise: 3x10@15
Side delt raise: 3x10@12.5
OH DB press: 3x10@20,20,15
Prone Rear delt: 3x10@5e
Giant Set:
1A) Hip ext: 3x10@16e
1B) Heel Prints (both feet): 3x10
1C) Glute Bridge alt Leg: 3x10@25e
1D) Hip Drop On Body ball: 3x10@35
~ S-w-e-e-e-t to be seeing increases in strength since the last time I was lifting for growth

today's eats:
m1) 4ew, 1slice of rye toast, green beans
m2) 1/2can tuna
m3) protein fortified rice
m4) 1/2 can tuna mixed with ff tzatziki, celery to dip/scoop
m5) turkey meatloaf and steamed swiss chard
m6) ff cottage cheese, 1-2 tbsp unsweetened applesauce and glutamine b4 bed


Rewards are sweet as hubs makes a cute joke this a.m saying that his wife picked herself up a 6-pack and it wasn't from the beer store Corney I know, but I know he's totally amazed and impressed at how many changes I have gone through with my body in 5 years......and am NOW in even better shape than when we first got together

[lizzyb]

I have taken today as a rest day from lifting, but not from cardio. Did 30mins metabolic

today's eats:
m1) kashi go lean and ff milk
m2) apple & pb
m3) chicken zoopa (chicken soup basically)
m4) hummus and red pepper
m5) tuna melts (2), salad, 1 multigrain flat bun
m6) ff cottage and applesauce, 11 almonds + glutamine b4 gbed

~so far with this diet and my workouts, I am really feeling anabolic. I see my muscles getting fuller from all these wonderful carbs, but I know I am growing because I am hungry all - the - time!! I could eat all day it seems.....I have had a little extra here ane there, nothing much really but just enough to keep me satisfied......I know my body well enought to know what I can get away with, and besides.....I'm trying to grow a little here, lol!!

[lizzyb]

Well, time to update this thing huh, lol?!
Where to begin? Oh yeah......the dentist!! Well that resulted in lost night's sleep due to anxiety over the impending appointment. The actual apointment went fine....if that's how one describes root canals these days I suspected I would need one, so that much wasn't a surprise.....and thank the good Lord above, because the dentist was great too, and his assistant was super as well......actually everyone in the office seem nice. Helps when you bring a box of goodies for the staff too, I guess Anyhoo I will need to return at the end of October to finish the root canal......and then, we get to see what else needs doing
I wasn't able to train on Friday, just didn't get home till late and then I the freezing had worn off and I was just wanting to lie down somewhere. We were away Sun/Monday at the cottage but did get enough activity there to make up for it, as usual, lol!!

Which brings us to today....which was a back, bicep and abs day. A gruelling 5x10 setup consisting of 4 tri-sets....ugggh!! Great to note that I have increased in strength as well in these exercises since the last workout. Cardio was 10mins b4 and 10mins after my workout.

1A)BB Deadlift: 5x10@65
1B)BB Curl: 5x10@ 35, 35, 35,35,30
1C)V-sits: 5x10

2A) Mid Back Row: 5x10@25,25,25,25,20
2B) Hammer Curls: 5x10@15,15,15,15,12.5
2C) Weighted Cable Crunches: 5x10@31

3A) Lat Pulldown: 5x10@42
3B) Preacher Curls: 5x10@12.5
3C) Reverse Crunch: 5x10

4A) Reverse Flye: 5x10@20
4B) Con Curls: 5x10@15,15,15,12.5,12.5
4C) Cross Ball: 5x10

My eats were on the lean side of my plan
m1) shake w/ff milk and banana
m2) yam
m3) tuna and green beens + udo's and applecider vinegar
m4) (haven't had it yet)
m5) salmon and steamed chard
m6) same as m1) minus the banana + glutamine b4 bed

My hands are sooooo sore from all the digging....I am making one or I should say now, I have made one of my flower beds bigger in preparation for next year's season....so digging up sod, turning the soil and then planting some seeds....lupins, delphinium and columbine....all supposed to be rather tall plants, so I can't wait to see how they mature, I just love flowers! Our cottage is coming along well.....and the grounds are as well, I'm always getting compliments on what I've been doing with the gardens which I really think is cool too! We are now considered "local" and have been adopted by the community....I think this is really charming......I think in a past life I must've been a farm/country girl

_________________
Insanity = Doing the same stoopid thing over and over again and expecting different results.