walking Willo

I have the joy of living in a lovely neighborhood. I don't often appreciate how lovely it is. Case in point, over a month ago we met a very nice dad and his two sons while they were out on an evening stroll and they have lived in their house just one street over for the past five years. We have been in ours for nearly eight years. Our boys are the same ages. We had never seen them before that day.

We are bad neighbors.

Have we made an effort to see them again or schedule a playdate since that evening over a month ago? Nope.

Bad, bad neighbors.

Of course I am joking. Somewhat. A little bit of me is jealous of our dear friends who moved to Kentucky last year and describe their neighborhood as one where the kids all play in the streets with no danger of cars zipping too fast around corners, and the moms sit back and sip on cocktails while discussing the latest joys of parenthood.

Sigh.

We live just north of downtown Phoenix where commuters use our neighborhood streets to avoid the traffic jam on the major arteries to the downtown area. I don't let my sons play in the street because our neighborhood isn't fit for that. I realize I could have chosen to live in the suburbs with great family amenities like many of our friends with kids. (And don't get my started on the schools in my area.) But my commute to work (and my husband's) is 5 minutes. I could ride my bike or take the light rail if I didn't work weird hours. And, frankly, that in itself more than makes up for those other things.

There are great small businesses and historical architecture all around our area. And despite constantly having to fix things that are constantly breaking, I love our old home. It's charming.

So, on a very sidetracked but somewhat related side note, I want to lose some weight by swimsuit season. (And with the weather right now, that is shaping up to be March!) Ha, I kid. So I figure, (again) that if I make slight changes to my eating habits, eat a little less each day, and EXERCISE FOR A MINIMUM OF 15 MINUTES EVERY DAY, I may just achieve this goal by June. I know, 15 minutes doesn't sound like much, but when you are starting at zero, it's a an improvement.

So the other day I went for a jog/run/walk, but mostly walk, around my neighborhood for 20 minutes. Yay! And then I went on another 15 minute walk later that night with the boys. The second time I took a good look around and made an effort to enjoy what I was seeing. Here's a glimpse of my lovely neighborhood and all the hard work my neighbors put into their homes and yards.

Love the friendly porches. These red adirondack chairs are definitely a focal point.

Pretty paths.

Two of my faves. White picket fence and bright red door.

Another pretty path.

Looks like we are in Georgia, no?

Pretty fence.

Love the adobe style. And the lanscaping is just perfect.

Totem pole cactus.

Pretty agaves.

Our neighborhood is hosting their annual home tour on February 12th. Of course, the homes that are featured are the real charmers of the neighborhood, with Tudor-style architecture and Frank Lloyd Wright inspired gardens. But there is a little bit of charm to be found on every street, and I plan to make a point to enjoy more of it every day.