Good morning and it's Vanilla Biscotti again! Time to switch.

Very quick visit this morning as I have gym with my gym buddies and then go back into overdrive with baking for the sale tomorrow. I have to be at the Town Hall 6 to 8 tonight to take in baking donations for tomorrow and need to make every minute count today. Tomorrow I work at the Town Hall and the Mill all day and then Sunday it's cooking sausages and pancakes until noon. Sunday afternoon is my condensed weekend! If I have any energy left, I may split some perennials.

Remind me to plan some sort of trip for this weekend next April.

We are heading into some rain - we hope! Things are really, really dry here and the water table is really low. I'm a bit worried about my garden this summer which will just shrivel up if the garden well runs dry. No sense fretting until it happens. Strange to worry about water when you are between two lakes.

Raising my mug to you and wishing you a good TGIF! :cofdate

Ruth - you're just amazing! Are you enjoying that new little red car? Did you know that PA is just beautiful in the spring time, when the mountains are coming alive?!

I woke up with DH's alarm, so up a bit early. That's what strong coffee is for! TGIF...because this has been a rough week. Heck, it's been a rough year. I'm not sure what I'll do after work this afternoon, although the kids have their spring musical tonight. I'm thinking tomorrow morning of maybe a run in the woods, garage sailing, and then friends over for a barbeque (for my bday, since I couldn't have a birthday supper last night (worked too late).

By golly, I think I just had a stream of babbling. I will cork it and see what everyone else has to say!!

I should cork it too. I came back to delete my somewhat crabby post and it's too late. I guess I shouldn't gripe as there are lots of people in this Village who can't do volunteer work because of age and infirmity. Sometimes I just don't have time to count my blessings!

On another board someone's signature reads: "Every day is a gift and that's why it's called the present. Unwrap it slowly." I think I'll get another coffee and spend some time cuddling the dogs before I head for the gym.

I went and reread your post (unless you sneaky moderator changed it!), and I don't think it's crabby at all. BUSY, maybe...but not crabby!

Good morning!

Ruth you do so much, I am ashamed of myself for my leisure time! your town is lucky to have you!

Twynn I hope whatever you chose to do, you have a fun time

Yesterday I washed by hand all the glassware I brought back from my mom's (including a punchbowl and 17 cups) boxed them, then brought them to the Fire Dept. where we are storing items for our July tag sale. I did keep 4 punch bowl cups for myself..they hold exactly 1/2 cup and they will be cute for making a batch of SF jello or pudding.

Ruth, I hope you get some moisture soon! I think we're supposed to. I can monitor our water source by watching the overflow from our well, in the woods, that's where I get my garden water. It's good arm work for me to carry 4 one-gallon jugs from the woods to the garden plants.

Good morning Beachy friends Starting my day with the usual pot of dark roast coffee.

Hope your Friday is smooth sailing into the weekend.

Good morning!

Ruth - Busy! Not crabby at all. Love that quote.

Twynn - Sorry things have been rough lately.

Holly - I always like having some heirlooms around, even if I don't much use them.

Cyndi -

I was originally scheduled to work today but am now off so think I'll finally head to the mall to return some sheets we ordered online. And shop for some Ts maybe, while I'm there, although I kinda feel like all my shopping right now should be for more work clothes. Yesterday I had my 30-day review and they didn't fire me After, I finally got to start training on the register. I hope when I ring up my first sales my customers aren't in a hurry!

Good Morning Friends

I've been managing both insomnia and my cold this morning. I ditched the paperwork and instead got out my knitting needles. A friend in Alaska is very active with the cancer relay for life which is in June, I think. She has offered up a pattern for headbands, and I'm progressing quite well. I AM going to try and lie down for a bit.

Today is driving mom to a meeting in Denver, which she insists she could go on her own. The problem is that parking is less than desirable...she either parks in a dark garage or in a handicapped space which is a block away and crosses a very busy intersection. Then there is the drive home in heavy traffic facing the sun. Kirk and I agree there are just too many possibilities for a mishap. The Denver Public Library (main branch) is right across the street so I think I'll go knit and see if they have a copy of "Is This Clutter Making My Butt Look Fat". I've been wanting to read it ever since Ruth mentioned it.

Well that's my day...funny I really haven't felt like eating much at all since I've been sick. Usually it's the other way around. I might try and come up with a creative idea for my solo lunch.

Ruth, I agree....not crabby at all.

Cyndi, I'm glad to hear from you...it helps my day.

Holly, nice that you could donate some items and still keep a few for yourself!

Twynn, hope your days improve. Sorry such a rough day...hopefully you got a chuckle at my FB pictures

Karen, glad you finally get a try at the register!

Ok, keeping my fingers crossed for an hour of rest.



Have a great day everyone!

Good morning quick flyby for me, not sure if I will be on at all this entire next week since we leave for Orlando tomorrow. My manager certification class starts on Sunday and then Conference starts on Tuesday. Friday afternoon we will go down to my sisters and my BFF and stay until Sunday.

I hope everyone has a great day today and enjoys the weekend.

Phew your days all sound quite busy to me! I think working sound more relaxing than the schedules you keep lol. I could not agree more, life is truly a gift. Spoke to a co worker this morning who was diagnosed with brain cancer yesterday. This is her third time having cancer. She had lymphoma 15 years ago, ocular cancer this past year and now this. Yet despite everything she has to endure she volunteers for her Church, Red Cross, various 9/11 charities and St. Baldrick's. brave woman to shave her head to raise money for children's cancer.

Still choked up after speaking with her. Completely grateful though for my health, family, friends and career. I have absolutely nothing to complain about. When we know more of what she needs I am certain my co-workers and I will do whatever it takes to help her beat this. So sad she is only 52!

Hi all!

After almost 4 days on Ph1, I am back on Ph2! So excited to be back on track. So much so, I got my bike tuned up and WILL go with DW on a ride tomorrow.

Question for all you runners: DW has "run" a 5k every Friday this month. She is doing it to train for her sprint tri in July. My question: knowing that I've never done it before, don't know how to pace myself and being worried about knocking myself out with my knockers, think I should join her for the last one next Friday?

It would give me a week only to START exercising. I can walk it too, as long as I finish it in an hour and five minutes. I am highly competitive though, as a warning but each time I see her do it (she improved by over a minute last week to finish in 42:55), it motivates me to try!

Thoughts? Thanks for the feedback!

jenne1017- go for it girl! I have had on/off phases with running over the years (currently in an off phase and getting back into it) ...the hardest part is just mustering up the motivation for the first run and then after that it gets easier and easier! The feeling you get afterwards is amazing and completely worth it too...major beta-endorphins.

I am a firm believer that each individual is their own most major obstacle, mentality wise...but if you set your mind to it, you'll be unstoppable. That might sound cheesy, but it's so true. Think of all the positives that will come out of the 5k. I am sure the pros will far exceed any of the negatives!

I couldn't get the addition to my post to go through, but here is what I was trying to say...

jenne1017-


Tips:
- make sure to carry a water bottle
- create a "running" playlist on your ipod with a bunch of upbeat/fast tempo songs (this makes theee world of difference in my opinion- very motivating and it keeps you pumped up...it also keeps you distracted from that initial tough beginning part of the run)

I have heard of an app called "couch to 5k" ...I've been thinking about trying it recently, as there have been a ton of positive reviews about it. That could help! A few of my friends and family have tried it and loved it- they look amazing!

Also, you could try an walk/run variation at a nearby bike trail. I would recommend going in the early morning (5:00-8:00am) or later in the evening after it cools down for the day, for the best temperatures. Running during the hottest part of the day can really slow a person down and have a demotivating effect. Just start with a 5-10 minute walking warmup and then follow by running at whatever pace feels comfortable to you. I don't worry too much about my pacing when I first start getting back into running...a rule of thumb though is start off steady and consistent and don't burn out right off the bat (so on a scale of 1-10, start at the 5 range approximately, a light jog). The end of the run is the time to dig deep and sprint. For starters though, I would recommend (after warming up) run for as long as you can and then when you feel like stopping, push for one more block or one more minute. Then go back to walking and repeat when you're up to it again. I try to set a distance limit to my walking so that I don't walk for too long (for example, I tell myself: start running again at two light posts down...or something like, at the next street sign pick the pace back up). That way your heart rate doesn't go down too far and start to relax; if it does, the running part starts to seem kind of tough again and you have to work back up to it.

I hope this helped and was the kind of info. you were looking for- good luck!

Oy. I'm not sure what my problem is. Day 5, still craving Sour Skittles between 2:00-3:00. I've been RELIGIOUS, eating beans and dairy to curb cravings, etc. I was excited because I thought I was over the hump this morning when I craved a veggie sandwich on whole wheat and a homemade berry smoothie. (Hey, at least I was craving healthy things!) Alas, as soon as 2:00 hit, Sour Skittles have been calling my name. I'm going to lose my mind.

I must REALLY NEED this round of Ph1. Trying not to twitch like an addict (my right eye twitched all morning but it's better now) and staying here at work intstead of running to Walgreens for a "fix" on my break. I wish anyone doing Ph1 were allowed to stay in bed for the first week! Paid, of course.

Just being a little whiner. Life really isn't that bad. I just want Skittles. SIGH. Successfully avoided homemade empanada pie thingies that my SIL brought over, as well as Ooey Gooey Butter Cake and leftover Easter Candy. If I can avoid those, I can do anything.

Hope everyone is having a WONDERFUL day!

Lisa