TGIM

I published this on Monday but I was in the mountains and apparently it didn't work, so...random Saturday post!! I'm leaving it as TGIM regardless of the day, because I was happy that it was Monday at the time! 

The high of the last week was: Hanging out with Tobia! We had a great time getting to know each other better, wandering around looking for dwarves (there was even a Nicole themed one!) and exploring a new city (for me)! As always, another blogger meetup success! 

The low of the last week was: I think I crammed too much into one week and I was feeling a bit behind, but I started a hike anyway! However, I did not feel ready or prepared and was sure I was going to miss something important. I don't like that feeling! PS I'm on the hike now and haven't found anything crucial missing yet. 

Something I marked off my to-do list was: I am still wrapping up some stuff with a house sale and there are just a few little things left to do. However, I got the insurance canceled and the check mailed, and also have a refund coming from.the sewer/water company. It's nice to have those behind me. 

The book I am reading is: I just finished The Favorites and I enjoyed it. If you like Carrie Soto is Back you will probably enjoy it, as it is about elite ice dancers and of course there is drama. I like that part of it is told in interview style, and although there were some characters I did not like, I enjoyed the storytelling. 

The best thing I spent money on was: A room for tonight. I am hiking and have been camping in a tent but I needed to charge my electronics, so for about $40, I get dinner, a shower, a bed and breakfast! Woohoo. 

Plans for this week include: More hiking and then maybe some lake beach time if it's warm and I can find a good place! I just arrived in a new county last week and it was 40°C/over 100°F! Ack, as Cathy would say. 

My favorite photo from the last week is: I can't really choose a favorite, but here are a couple recent ones!

What good book have you read lately?

TGIM

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Finally the sun came out! But not for long. The last few weeks has been a lot of rain, and there is supposed to be more today but at least it was not too rainy this weekend, as I had outdoor things planned. Keeping fingers crossed that next week there are a few sunny days too. 

The high of the last week was: Hiking with my Dad and brother. Of course, in the typical fashion of our family, it ended up being more miles and more elevation than expected, but the scenery and the company made it worth it. 

The low of the last week was: Rain. Out of seven days, six had rain, and some of them were torrential downpours with thunder and lightning, which was not super fun. In fact, I think it even hailed a bit. The good part of it was that there were some nice rainbows! 

Five minutes after this photo, it was hailing

Something I marked off my to-do list was: I worked on my taxes but did not get them totally finished. I plan on doing that next week and will be glad when this task is done. I was trying to decide whether itemizing would work this year, as I gave SO MUCH STUFF to charity. It may be a little better, but I have to put in each thing, so it's a bit of an admin nightmare. 

The book I am reading is: The Passion of Dolssa on ebook and listening to Sociopath on audio, but I am not really getting much reading done at the moment. Thanks to Stephany, I did get Woman on The Ledge from the library and thanks to the rain, I read it in one day! It was good! 

The best thing I spent money on was: I haven't really spent too much, and I booked a lot of my accommodation a few months ago, so haven't had to spend big amounts lately either. But if the question is the "most" money, it would be a new phone, but if it was the most FUN money, it would be food, or attractions. We did a great walk yesterday that was very fun!

Caminito del Rey

Plans for this week include: Hiking, eating, spending time with family, looking at stuff. 

My favorite photo from the last week is: This definitely is the worst photo I have taken in a while (I was moving, it was dark, and I don't know how to use my new phone) but this guy walked by when we were having dinner and I had to get a photo with him! May the force be with you. Or should I say "que la fuerza te acompañe!"

What are you reading? What was the high/low of your week last week? What have you crossed off of your to-do list lately? 

TGIM

The Halloween decorations are up and the weather is cool! I had my first below freezing day last week and had to get my puffy out for the first time in a while. 

The high of the last week was: A beautiful train ride through Quebec, and the fall colors; they are popping! Also getting to meet Elisabeth, but I'll tell that story later ☺️

The low of the last week was: I had a moment where I realized that I am glad that I'm going to be done cycling soon. I am kind of tired of making daily plans and want to settle in for a bit somewhere. 

Something I marked off my to-do list was: I booked accommodations for my first few months in Europe!! I will share location details later, but that was a big weight off my chest, plus it's exciting to plan it finally! 

The book I am reading is: On audiobook, I am reading By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult. It's about a woman trying to break into the male dominated screen play writing world and it's good so far! 

The best thing I spent money on was: Accommodations for Europe!! I also spent a shit ton of money on my plumbing (sewer lateral) in Oakland, which was not fun, but it is the last missing piece of things to do there and now it's done! So that did feel good even though it hurt my pocketbook. 

Plans for this week include: Bob and I are taking a plane ride. It's his first time and he will be in a box so he is pretty nervous!! I am perfectly fine though. 

My favorite photo from the last week is: jumping at Peggy's Cove! 

Butt and Gut Update: All good in the hood! Although I've lowered my I've cream consumption significantly, which is sad, but I can't eat as much of it when I'm not riding as much! 

What are you reading? What was the high/low of your week last week? What have you crossed off of your to-do list lately? 

TGIM

Holy moly; it's nearly October! It's been evident in the colors of the leaves, the harvesting of corn and the smell and sight of the apples shining in the trees, ready to be plucked. Luckily it has not been too cold in Ontario yet, although it was about 40 degrees Farenheit the other morning in Portland! 

Near Toronto: 

The high of the last week was: A great time in Portland hanging with the pets, hiking, walking around town and spending time with friends. We went to Forest Park, got DFL at a trivia night, hiked around Mt. Hood and went to the Timberline Lodge for breakfast, and spent a lot of time showing one of my friends who had only been to Portland once around the cool and quirky neighborhoods of the city. It did rain a little on us, but otherwise it could not have been nicer. 

Mt. Hood: 

The low of the last week was: I don't really have many lows. I guess the worst thing, which is not that bad, is that my flight from Portland back to Canada was delayed, and I got back to Canada late and was hangry and tired by the time I arrived. But, c'est la vie! 

Something I marked off my to-do list was: I bought my tickets to Europe for my trip with K and the kiddos! We have been trying to coordinate schedules and it's hard with their school and sports things and the prices just kept going up and up and up, so I am happy that we finally got it in the books. Now I can start to plan the rest of the trip, but I was waiting to be sure of our flight first, as they were not really location dependent (we were happy to go wherever the flights were cheaper!) 

The book I am reading is: On audiobook, I just finished two of the books in the Survivors Book Club Mystery series. I think they were just what I needed, as I've been struggling to focus on books lately. They were easy and light, and I like the characters and they went by fast. I actually read two in one day today! For e-book, I must admit to not pick it up my Kindle in ages, and so I am still on the first book of The Expanse series... 

The best thing I spent money on was: Aside from the Europe trip, I've really only spent money on food! So I guess it would be meals out with my friends who came to visit me in Portland. We usually had two meals a day, late breakfast and early dinner, but I still feel like I ate a lot!! Actually another thing I did was splurge for a cell in a hotel that used to be a jail in Ottawa. It was very fun even though my room was tiny! Here's a picture of my cell. 

My plans this week include: Pedaling, looking at stuff, taking photos of stuff, eating, and a trip to Montreal!

My favorite photo from the last week is: of my buddy Emi. This is her "give me treats" face. 

Butt and Gut Update: Although I have had no gut issues while riding, as soon as I get off the bike for a few days I seem to start to have issues again. So I guess the way to avoid issues is to burn a shit ton of calories? I don't know. The butt is good still, knock on wood, even though I still have a very basic saddle and I alternate wearing padded shorts and regular shorts. 

What are you reading? What was the high/low of your week last week? What have you crossed off of your to-do list lately?