Happy Friday!

Eydie - Well done at that buffet!!! I always have problems at those kinds of places... I just like too many things (and like having a LOT of too many things) :devil:

Flower - Good luck on your first day of work! Go get 'em!!! :cool:

I've gotta get... Stella, my kitty, has to go get her first rabies shot this morning. It always makes me nervous to introduce them to new things like this. My other kitty, Luna, went into anaphylactic shock when she had her first set of shots. Needless to say, she's going to stay an unvaccinated indoor kitty!

I'm off...

Terri :wave:

Weigh to go!
 

Flower, congrats on the job!!

LaMorgan, every time I read the quote at the end of your posts, I grin. You've got so much chutzpah -- you WILL NOT be denied that job!

I want it so bad I can taste it... It's been nearly a year of wanting it, after the initial rejection and I don't know what I'll do if I don't get it again!!!!!!!

My 14 year old thinks I'll go into a major depression, like go to bed for a year (with my computer) and let the children go wild....

The ice has all blown out of the trees, but the wind is ferocious. Wind agitates me to no end.

Hope everyone is warm today, I'm going to wrap myself up in a blanket and do my homework.

L

Hey chicks. Guess what -- I am defrosting my freezer! Wow! If you knew how undomestic I am, you'd know what a big deal that is. And I'm really defrosting it -- making sure all the ice goes away.

I'm also freezing b/c my damn apartment is so cold...brrr...I'm making myself some oatmeal to see if that will warm me up.

Everybody sounds like they're truckin on...I should be writing a paper that's overdue...but I had to stop and officially change ISPs b/c my former ISP had notified me that they were switching to someone else, and I had until March 1 to deal with it. As of this morning, however, I couldn't access any site on the web except their re-registration site -- sucks, huh? Fortunately, I had already signed up with a new ISP but was waiting for their software to come in the mail so I wouldn't have to try to figure out how to reconfigure. Instead, I called them on the phone and they walked me thru it, so now I'm up and running and can do more research for that paper which I should be doing.

I think I'm over wanton eating now that I'm done with the fast
:lol: . I'm about ready to start chowing down daily on veggies and fruits. I have breaded eggplant cutlets (a kosher brand, very thin and light on calories, mmm...), corn and broccoli in my freezer that I'd rather cook than put back in the newly de-iced freezer. Any suggestions? I should go through all the cookbooks people have been giving me for gifts lately.

Sorry I didn't respond personally...feeling too goofy right now. My oatmeal is ready and I think I'll eat it while it's hot and surf the net a bit, now that I can! Later, chicks!

Hello. First day went fine. I will update more about that after I actually do some work. Yesterday was just orientation. Being talked at and watching videos. BORING!

I am going for a work, downtown has a motorcycle raley. Then I am doing bills and then doing our taxes. More tomorrow. ~audri

Hey gals. I got my training schedule yesterday for the Team in Training fundraising marathon. Yikes! It's really hitting me -- I'm going to be training for a marathon! I've started fundraising already...I got official permission from my family to say it's in memory of my cousin who died of leukemia at age 35 and in honor of my dad, who is a lymphoma survivor. So woo hoo! I'm psyched! Thanks again, Kim.

I was as lazy as I possibly could be yesterday...just unbelievable. Well, I did do some reading for school. Today I have to go to work :( not for my regular job but for a research project my boss kindly asked if I'd be interested in working on -- for mucho $$ per hour :D . More dinero for the savings account, thank God. Then I have to type. I was also planning to go to Macy's for their big blowout sale, and get some stuff to assist DD in her transition to college (luggage, bedding, towels) plus I need a vacuum cleaner since mine died (probably of neglect, LOL). Then my sister called yesterday to invite me over to watch the Super Bowl with her and her DD (who's 4 years old), and I couldn't really say no. Then I still have more school work. And now I'm wasting time when I should be out distributing fundraising flyers to my neighbors in my complex. So later, girls.

Hope everyone's well and feeling good about themselves!

Good evening everybody... We had an incredibly busy weekend, much fun, saw some owls at the Owl Prowl, and bought some seeds at Seedy Saturday. Two of my kids had speeches due tomorrow so I've been helping with homework for hours. Heading off to bed now.

I'll drop in in the morning,

Lois

Where in the world did my weekend go? On the good side, I have groceries in the house, my bills are paid and my taxes are done! I am almost ready for my first full day of work. We are unpacking stuff. Which is a good way to get comfortable with everyone and not worrying about making a goof. I have a healthy lunch packed. I colored my hair last night. I can't wear eye makeup becuase I have pink eye, but hopefully that will clear up soon. (I have gel for it). Chat again sometime when I find time. I am so not used to working ft!!!! ~flower

Have a WONDERFUL first day of work, Flower. Congrats Ruthie for your decision to take part in Team in Training. I can't imagine doing a marathon.

Today I am alone in the house, and loving it. Kids all back at school and it is so quiet here! I'm going to have a long soak in the tub and make some miso soup. Then homework, and errands in town.

On program today, stocked up on healthy groceries this weekend!

Hello to everyone else too!

Lois

Hello everyone!

Happy weigh in Monday! Are you ready for this????

~ 5 pounds gone ~

WooooHOOooooo!!!!! :dizzy: Ok, so keeping a journal and drinking gallons of water works... sheesh, every time I start to lose weight I wonder why I waited so long to get started... So I'm down a total of 6.5 now... yeah!

I sewed my table curtains this weekend and they turned out perfect! I was shocked that they weren't crooked or mishappen somehow... just amazed that they turned out exactly as I envisioned. Complete with velcro backing so I can take off individual panels to get under the table easier.

That's it for now... my weight loss treat today is to do some reading. I started the new John Edward book and so far it's really good!

Terri :wave:

Thanks for the inspiration, Punkinseed! 5 pounds--you must be feeling great!!!

What color is your hair now, Flower? I have a salt/pepper thing happening with my hair now and I'm toying with the idea of coloring mine--altho everytime I do I actually miss my grey hair!

My legs, feet and back hurt! I will need some time to get use to this. The freaking Rio offered me a position via email today. I declined. I may or may not regret this, but just the fact that he made me wait over 2 months was all the reason to stay with TGI. Even if I would make 2 more an hour. And it is closer. But my girlfriend quit there and I do not want to have to fill her shoes, nor do I want to have to deal with the politics. Besides I have lots of new black and white clothes!

My hair color is a copper mahogony. ~flower

Just a quick one, then I have to go type. Hey, I got recruited for additional research work (in addition to what I'm doing now on the weekends) for good $$, so thank God! I should be able to have a good chunk o' change when I (God willing) go to grad school. Just means I'll be doing nothing but studying or working for the next few months. Oh yeah, and walking -- gotta start today with an easy pace 3 miles, which is fine. In a month I'm supposed to be able to walk 10 miles :o . Fortunately, the weather should be getting warmer as I progress. The good thing about having so much to do is that it will keep me from eating, I suppose, and hopefully from feeling that low-level depression that I have decided is a result of my current life -- job that I hate, teenage kid, kid leaving soon, about to transition but not there yet, yadda yadda, you've heard it all before. I think (although I could be wrong) that once I quit my job I will be measurably happier.

Flower, give yourself time to get used to the job ... I'm sure you'll settle in ok.

Eydie, my former hairdresser used to beg to put a rinse in my hair to cover up the few strands of silver -- I just laughed at him. I EARNED those grays, damn it! Each one corresponds to some crazy escapade DD pulled!

Punkinseed, congrats on the loss! Go go go! Journaling, huh? I've been thinking ... anyone interested in reviving the journaling thread? I've been trying to get my nerve up to actually write down what I eat (scary sometimes), and if someone else wants to do a thread, I will too.

Lois, glad you got to do your Owl Prowl. I have been thinking that someday in my future (when I have a real life, not four jobs) I would like to join a local Audobon Society. I've been taken with birds all my life, but just with birds sort of generally; it might be nice to know which birds are what.

All right, didn't I say this would be short? I am such a blabbermouth. Gotta go now. Take care, everyone.

Miss me?
 

I'm baaaaccckkkkk! And guess what? I lost 3 lbs while I was in Montreal! All that walking and being too busy to eat other than when my stomach was growling....now if I can just keep that going.

Ruthie, I'll start posting on the food journal if you're game. Anyone else want to join in?

Punkin, congrats on the loss!

Flower, consider it fate that the Rio waited too long and you're unavailable now. It wasn't meant to be.

Lamorgan, Eydie, Venus, Amyjo....hello!

I'm home for the day since I already booked the time off. I got back from Montreal earlier than I'd planned. Now I have to run out for a few necessities...like TEA...because I came home to a messy apartment and no groceries. Grrrr.

I'll be back later.

Wildfire; the only thing I hate more than being out of tea, is making the tea and discovering that the nasty children used the last drop of milk in their cereal!

It's synchronicity Flower that the job offer came in after you had taken another job. Very poor of the management.

Ruthie, are you supposed to work up to 10 miles a day?? Or a week? I can see 3 miles a day, in good weather.

Congrats Pumpkinseed for the loss!

I have grey coming in too... I do feel I've earned them, and really don't want to colour to cover up the grey. Sometimes I get mesmerized gazing in the mirror at these grey hairs. They are so different from the others and I have to fight the impulse to pull them out so I can look at them closer. Weird, huh?? Anyway, I'm opting for some blond streaks in my hair. I used to be blond when I was younger, but in the past 10 years I wear hats in the summer so my hair doesn't really go light anymore. It's a light brown now, and I think the blond streaks would 'wake me up' a bit.

I like my grey, but don't like the mousy brown.

Saw a fabulous straw hat at the Royal Botanical Gardens last weekend, I love straw hats.

Think I'm going to get my eyelashes dyed this week.

I'd join in the food journal, although I still eat the same old, same old for breakfast every morning...

Lois

Good morning all...

Icky morning... woke up dizzy, tingly, chilly and nauseous. Not that I hate to "go out into the world", but it seems if I could just stay cooped up working in my Mom's front room like I have for 2 years, I wouldn't end up with some bug. Darn public! ;) Oh well, chicken soup with rice for dinner (and lunch...).

If you start a journal thread, I'd post! There's nothing better to open your eyes about what you've been putting in your mouth than seeing it in writing!

Flower - You've inspired me to rev up my red. I'm gonna do a rinse and spice it up a bit. It IS time!

Ruthie - Congrats on the extra research money!

Wildfire - WoooHoooo on that loss!! A growly tummy feels kinda good doesn't it? I mean, not for long, but just feeling your body telling you "HEY! Did someone cut your throat or are we gonna EAT????"

Lamorgan - dying eyelashes?? Can you do that? Safely? Coooool.... Being a fair redhead mine are pretty invisible unless there's mascara on 'em. As for grey, mine is popping up in my eyebrows. I used to pull them out, but realized that the others sympathized and 5 more would turn grey out of respect for their newly plucked brethren. :rolleyes:

S'all for now. Gonna work so I can go home early.

Terri :wave:

and Ruthie, the line I always use when someone comments on my grey hair is, 'it's not grey, it's silver!' Maybe when the urge to color it gets strong, I'll just buy one of those really wild, no committment, rinse-out colors! :)

Instead of walking on the treadmill and watching TV while I walk I've been going to a state park that's on the way home from work. It's a different feeling altogether on many levels--I'm living it! Going to be beautiful in the spring!

I was in an odd food mood today. I even bought a 3 musketeers bar--haven't had one in years. Oh well, it's done, just one of those things. I get my most intense chocolate cravings at the end of my period, strangely.

Wildfire, congrats on the weight loss!

Lamorgan, are you planning your garden?

Hi Punkinseed and Flower! Where are you, Amy and Venus?

Great to see some action on the food journal! I'm low today, but I'm feeling satisfied food-wise. Funny how I swing like that....for a while I eat non-stop it seems, then I don't want to eat.

Punkin, yes, that growly feeling is good sometimes. Reminds me that I'm the one in control, not my stomach! Hope you feel better soon! Oh, and glad your table skirts turned out so well.

Eydie, some vague memory somewhere in the back of mind is telling me that 3 Musketeers (yum!) is one of the lower-point chocolate bars, so don't sweat it!

Lamorgan, it was living with my nasty child who repeatedly would take the last of the milk so I couldn't have my tea in the morning and would have to sit on my hands not to strangle her that taught me to drink it black when necessary. I prefer just a splash of 1% milk for color, but if it's not there I'll have it black.

Flower, how was work?

Ruthie, did you get those three miles in?

Venus, come out and play!

Amyjo, we know you're busy, but if you're reading we're thinking about you!

Well, I went to the mall on the way home and got some new sweats as well as a pedometer, which I don't think I set right. I walked a route tonight (brrr) that I measured in my car as 3 miles, but my pedometer said I walked 1.2. I think I set my stride length too short; I tried to measure it myself and I'm not very smart about stuff like that. When DD gets home from work I'll have her help me. Or maybe there's something about the difference between measuring in a car and on foot that I don't know? Anyone?

Congrats on the loss, Wildfire!

I was climbing a very steep hill on my walk tonight and I started thinking to myself, you can do it, no distractions, just focus, no distractions, no excuses, and I thought how apt that is for so many things in my life. So that's my new motto: no distractions, no excuses.

Good morning, chicks. You will see by my food journal that I have fallen prey as usual to the evening snacking syndrome. I have to work work work on avoiding that! I can feel that I've made some strides in getting my feeble brain focused on the right things, so I feel confident that if I keep hammering away I'll break that habit, and eventually break the habit altogether of eating for comfort, which is why I think I do that. Last time I went grocery shopping I bought one of those little bear containers filled with honey, and I thought it was so cute, but it turns out he's an evil bear, calling to me night after night, wrecking my program...

I feel just a little, well stiff, not so much sore, this morning after my first walk in ages last night. Lois, to answer your question about the training...the 10 miles is on my "long" day, which is Sunday, not every day. The schedule goes like this, starting from Monday: rest-easy-medium-easy-rest-medium-long. The rest days, obviously, are no-walking days; easy means easy pace, working on technique more than speed; medium is a day focusing on speed; and long is the greatest distance day, which is always Sunday, the day of the week the marathon will be on. I definitely need to get that pedometer issue straightened out so I know how far I'm walking. I forgot to ask DD last night.

Last night during that climb up the hill I realized that there is potential for synthesis of all the goals I'm working towards right now, if I just narrow them down to the most important few (only so many balls I can juggle at one time) and stay focused. I've dropped the idea of the Guy altogether; he is a distraction, not a goal. I really flip flop on which I'd prefer, anyways; a single life or one complicated by a man :lol: . I have known a number of people who are single for years and years and perfectly content; I might want to think about that. At any rate, I just need to get DD successfully out of the house, work on my spiritual/religious self (that's a whole other message board, LOL), train for this marathon (as opposed to trying to lose weight), and successfully get my BS and get my butt into grad school or a job in journalism if I don't get into grad school. That's it ... that's all I'm thinking about now.

I'm calling out sick today -- been planning that for a few days. I need to get caught up on school work, and I need to refresh myself. That job is like a toxin. Starting next week, I'm off three Fridays in a row, so that will be good. Then I'll give notice.

Punkinseed, I hope you feel better!

Yeah, where are Amy and Venus?

Hi. I got dressed for work but I think I may go get undressed so I can wash my hair. It itches, too much dust in it. Work is fine, but that last hour is a killer. I was so physically beat last night. I was wishing I didn't have a clutch bacause I was too tired to drive! Not sleepy tired, just physical kind. I wonder if I was 40 pounds lighter (goal) would the work be easier???? I made new furniture price tickets in the morning and of course I missed one (boss noticed) so my supervisor rechecked everything as I was going home. Waste of time. I was pretty good at it. I hate doing goofs like that. Visual people kept taking things out of the holding area and placing them elsewhere. We got in a million pallets of dishes to unpack and price yesterday. What a chore that is. I am sure we will be doing the same today. But I have found lots of nice ladies to chat with. For once I have the cofidence just to sit down next to a stranger in the lunchroom and start chatting. And I have been eatting healthy!!!!! I will try to check in daily, but no long entrys till the weekend. ~flower

Good morning and happy Wednesday - it's all downhill from here!
I have a city bowling tournament this weekend AND I'm moderating the other bowlers when I'm done (watching for stuff not allowed in tournament type stuff). It'll be fun, but no sleeping in for me! Next week, and every other week for 3 weeks I'm taking Friday off to use up what's left of my '01 vacation time. So next weekend is a 3 day'er for me!!

Thank you all, I AM feeling better today. Actually, my immune system is funny. I was SO sick as a kid that I must've had everything already. Now as an adult, I feel icky for a day, then it's gone. I had the flu 3 years ago, and my last common cold was over 8 years ago. Guess I can't complain too much...

Wildfire - Oh, lol... the table skirts... *I* love them - my Mom comes over yesterday to see my masterpiece of sewing art and her comment? "They're purple". That's it - they're purple. Yes, dammit they're purple and nevermind, get outta my craft room...:mad: My craft room is my "fun" room. The linens on the daybed I have in there are butter yellow, blue, green and PURPLE. Sheesh...

Ruthie - I'm one of those that have been single for a few years and don't miss having a man around (ok, killing huge bugs was something I had to get over though). A friend of mine did a tarot reading for me and she apologized, saying that I probably wouldn't have a "love of my life" in this lifetime. It was something I already knew - and am quite ok with really. I think this life was meant to be for me to learn how to just be with me. Sorry, I've been married and to be honest, the only thing I miss about him I can easily replace with something battery operated. (:o can't believe I just said that!!!)

Flower - YES!!! I'm sure your work will be easier the lighter you get! If you're doing a lot of standing and walking think of how much easier it'll be when there's less of you to move around! I'm happy you're enjoying your new job - never mind those people that are checkin' up on you, they'll settle down once they know you, I'm sure.

Terri :wave:

:lol: Battery operated!! :lol:

I am kind-of planning my garden. We live in an old house, and years ago whatever Lilac or old-fashioned plants and shrubs were replaced with ugly green giant shrubs. So my focus is replacing these shrubs with the kinds of plants that may have been popular in the 1920's. Old fashioned roses, Lilac, that sort of thing. Forsinthia (excuse spelling) I will buy for sure because they remind me of my mother, who is no longer alive, and she loved them. My back yard and front garden are kind of done, but this last garden (we are a corner house) has been a pain because of the shrubs, John didn't want to take them out, and the earth is parched and dry.

I'm getting my way about the shrubs, though! :devil:

Anyone watch Buffy? Or am I the only one?? Taped last night's episode because I had a Library Class Chat at 8pm.

I planted crocus and tulips last fall, so maybe this year I'll have some spring flowers. Each year I'm going to plant more.

Well, nearly lunchtime. Going to have some Miso soup.

Flower; the stiffness will take about a week to pass, slowly, and then you will feel sooooo strong. I thought I was going to DIE after my first few paper-days, but now I'm really buff! Retail is very physically taxing.

Lois

Ruthie, I hope your day "off" work does you as much good as my weekend away did for me. Geez, those people at work were really getting under my skin! Maybe they're evil little honey bears in disguise....hey, is that a pod over there in the corner? :D

Flower, pick up four 10lb bags of flour, carry them around for a few hours, then put them down and see if it's easier to move around. It's amazing the perspective an exercise like that give you. I think because we live in our bodies every second of every day, we get accustomed to lugging around the weight and don't see what a strain it really is to carry it. Glad to hear you're making some pals at work!

Punkin...*battery operated*.... BWAHAHAHAHAHAH :D :D :D
Now, about these purple curtains....they sound great! I love purple! And the colors you have in the craft room sound lovely. You need color to inspire you in a craft room....an all white room wouldn't be very creative, would it?

Lamorgan, your garden sounds wonderful. My mother loved forsythia too, and had them in her garden. I think of her when I see them, too. She also had huge beds of tiger lilies, the large orange day lillies....she said they reminded her of me....fiery, strong, proud, but beautiful and delicate too. My next tattoo will be a fiery orange tiger lily, in her memory.

Oh, I watch Buffy. LOVE Spike....he's so sexy! Last night was a repeat, though. I've been told the new episodes are airing every other week.

Ooh...Enterprise is on...gotta go watch.

Wildfire, I'm glad you understand about the honey bear ... I swear I saw him wink at me ....

Punkinseed... Exactly how I have begun to feel ... and your battery-operated comment both is and isn't true, but I'm not gonna go there (that's another message board altogether :^: ).

Last night I walked for speed, and as I zipped along I started chanting to myself a Muslim chant, Allahu akbar, allahu akbar, la illaha il allah, and after a few of those I said to myself my new motto, No excuses, no distractions, and realized they had the same rhythm and cadence! Which in a few minutes I realized had the same rhythm and cadence as I can do it, I can do it. Which I thought was really encouraging, so as I walked along I chanted to myself a combination of all three. I zipped up the Big Hill; when I get to the top of the hill, my reward is a beautiful view of the NYC skyline all lit up, and of course NY skyline, NY skyline also has the same cadence. Maybe you had to be there....At any rate, I thought I had re-set my pedometer properly, but once again my 3-mile route only measured at less than 2 miles (1.88 this time, with the pedometer adjustment). So I decided to change my route. I know for sure my sister's house is 2 miles from here, so if I walk straight up to a main road that will take me straight over to my sister's house, and it says less than 2 miles, my pedometer is wrong. The other option is to go to the track at a nearby park, which I believe is 1/4 mile around, but I don't want to make that my regular route b/c I would think going around and around and around would drive me nuts. I like the idea of walking thru town instead of meandering around local side streets anyway. I think the side streets appeal to me b/c there's less people both on foot and in cars, so no one can see me walking. And I know that wanting people not to see me is part of the psychology of being fat, if that makes sense. I know I have avoided social situations and even leaving the house sometimes b/c I don't want people to see me b/c I'm fat. That's also, I think, why I walk at night when it's dark.

All right, enough psychoanalysis. Talk to you chicks later.

Ruthie, I've had a few pedometers over the last few years and all of them have been ridiculously inaccurate! If I really want to know the distance I'll just clock it with my car first, altho that's not so easy with trails!

Hi chicks...don't have much time. Like always it seems. Last night I wasn't as tired, yet it was an extremely demanding day. I actually didn't feel like bed asap. Chris had dinner ready when I walked through the door. I found myself hundry at snack time and my yogart didn't cut it. So I got a pkg of nuts from the vending machine. Gonna have to pack snacks too for work. The vending machine is evil and expensive. But I worked better not hungry. Everyones throat is raw from all the sawdust we are breathing. The two people I ate lunch with yesterday were on diets. The gut goes to the gym daily and eats no sugar. The girl is on WW. She ate a can of sardines as her protein. The small can has just 1 point. :) ~flower

Good morning to you all! I ate horribly yesterday, McDonalds no less. Sigh. Ah well, it is a new day.

:o

I'll pop back in later on...

Lois

Good morning and Happy Friday!

The week is *finally* over...

Lamorgan, hang in there... Yes, it is a new day. I'm reminding myself of this today too since it appears I did something different this week and I'm showing a gain. BUT I shouldn't even be weighing myself! MONDAY is weigh in, not Friday, but Monday... I'm going to chuck the stupid scale soon. So anyway, yes, today I had to remind myself that everyday is a new day to do something better than I did it yesterday.

Flower - I'm sorry, but even if the sardines were FREE I'm afraid I only see them as good for fishing bait. Ew, yuk! I know they're supposed to be good for you and all, but.... ewwwww!

Hello everyone else! If I'm not back by the end of the day, have a GREAT weekend everyone!! Wish me a 200 game this weekend (yea, right).

Terri :wave:

Punkin, did you manage a 200 game?

Ruthie, sounds like your training is off to a great start! Have you put that evil little honey bear in a dark corner of the cupboard yet? Face to the wall, of course?

Flower, sounds like you've got some support to be found at work with eating properly. That's great! It's much easier to stay OP when everyone isn't going out for burgers at lunch and inviting you. Can't say I could do sardines, either, though.

Lamorgan, McD's gets to everyone once in a while. Don't sweat it.

Mind if I gush for moment, girls? :D My hubby bought me a diamond solitaire necklace for Valentine's day! It's bezel set in white gold on a 14k snake chain. It's a Canadian diamond, mined in the Northwest Territories and on the back of the setting there is a tiny pink gold maple leaf! I had to have the chain shortened to get it to sit where I want it (just on the collarbone) so I won't get it back until next Saturday. Is this man not incredible? For reasons other than diamonds, too, of course. ;)

I know it's the weekend and no one is around, but if you are, stop and post! I'm going to fill in the food journal for today.

How nice, Wildfire! It was ironic for me to read about your diamond necklace, b/c as I was going over expenses and so forth for the next few months, I was thinking that I should sell the diamond earrings XDH bought me.

And the reason I was going over expenses....I QUIT MY JOB!!! Woo hoo! I gave a full 12 weeks notice, both for their benefit in terms of recruiting an appropriate replacement, and for my benefit psychologically. It was really scary to do that -- the last time I didn't have a job was 1987, and even then I worked in my DH's grocery store. But I know I don't want to stay, so I had to go ahead and break away. My last day is May 3, and after that things will be really hairy money-wise, but God willing we'll survive. Wow, in one week I gave my landlord notice that we're moving July 1, DD confirmed her attendance at college in Spain, and I gave notice at my f/t job. The new life is just around the corner! :D :eek: :spin:

I figured out my pedometer problem...the problem is I'm stupid. I re-checked the route that I swore was 1.5 miles in the car, and it wsa like .5 or .75 or something; don't know how I screwed that up! So the pedometer should be accurate now. Last night I walked for speed and was only able to go 2.65 miles before tiredness and cold got the better of me. Today I'm supposed to do 6 miles at an easy pace. It's starting to become clear to me how difficult walking a great distance will be. My biggest fear so far has been blisters; I should worry about my mind, too, since it's going to take will to push myself that far. One of the things I'm not sure about is what speed I should be shooting for; I'd just as soon worry about finishing than finishing quickly, but I'll wait till I'm into it a few more weeks before I really start thinking about it.

Punkinseed, how did the bowling go?

Lois, I agree with Wildfire, one bad day won't kill you.

Flower, sounds like you're getting used to the job. Keep the faith! It could be worse...I look at these construction workers building the houses next door (on the lot where my forest formerly was) hauling lumber, swinging hammers, and balancing on roofs, all in the freezing cold, and I think, damn I hope they're well-paid.

Eydie, I meant to tell you, I know what you mean about walking outdoors -- it really is great; I just don't like the cold, but with the right hat and gloves and pace, you can warm up somewhat...

See you all on a new thread!!!!!!