Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Why I Am Not In The Olympics

While there are probably many reasons I am not, nor have ever been, in the Olympics, I would like to believe it is simply a matter of proportions.  Here are the major ones according to Olympic event:

1.  Beach volleyball:  the proportion between my rather ample butt and the bikini uniform the women wear

2.  Gymnastics:  the width of my clodhopper foot and the width of the balance beam

3.  Track and field:  the ability of my ankle to twist when walking and the speed that is apparently necessary to qualify for any event

4.  Fencing:  Hot flashes vs all the electrical apparatus involved in the uniform

5.  Any sport involving a lot of persnickety rules:  my ability to remember and all those rules

6.  Any sport involving a swimming pool:  the chance that my personal body weight will displace all the water in the pool once I dive in - can we say tidal wave?

So there you have it - I was only one fat butt away from the podium!
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Today's blessings:  4 miles with KB and seeing Vera P along the way; Everley time at her house; taking chairs to Molly and seeing her new office; insulation inspection pass

Monday, July 30, 2012

How Big Becomes Small

Yesterday after walking 5+ miles with Sharon and Jo, Molly and I drove to Starbucks for some needed rehydration.  We ordered our $13 worth of drinks and waited our turn behind some very loving people (as least that's what I determined based on the kissing going on between the couple in the front seats).  At one point I heard the driver say, "We'll just see how far this pay it forward goes," as he handed the barrista a $20 bill through the pay window.  I wondered if he were referring to the next customer, which would be us, but let the thought pass through my brain (as my thoughts often do).

When I got to the window, the same barrista handed me our drinks and when I handed him my card to pay, he said, "The guy in front of you already paid."  I then proceeded to tell him to pay for the person behind me, and the barrista added, "You got the best deal, because your behind person only costs $3.59."

I admit - I felt a little guilty because my benefactor probably wasn't expecting a $13 "pay it forward."  His own personal bill was probably half that.  But he didn't flinch as he pulled out a twenty and truly paid it forward.  What started as a selfless act went into overdrive as he went the extra mile and paid the big bill.  I don't know if he was having a spectacularly great day, or if the idea just came to him, or if this were a regular act he performed at drive-thrus.  I do know that I learned a lesson from a total stranger - that sometimes what we think may be a little act of kindness may turn out to be a little bigger act of kindness and sacrifice.  But if our actions truly comes from our hearts, then the size of the act becomes small compared to the size of our heart.
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Today's blessings:  not getting up early to go anywhere/do anything

Sunday, July 29, 2012

After a Full Weekend ...

... this is my plan for the morning!!
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Today's blessings:  Almost six miles with Jo, Sharon, and Molly; Factory lunch with most of the fam; massage with Kim; Steve cooking steaks for dinner; Lindley and Everley time

Saturday, July 28, 2012

The Ups and Downs of Friendship

With our 3-Day 60-Mile Breast Cancer Walk coming up in 6 weeks, the time had come for us to really do a long walk (sometimes we got a little waylaid by a team member falling, or the Nashville heat wave, or the local pancake house).  Some of our team members had been suggesting a walk in the park, so today we decided to take them up on it.  We were assured that we would have plenty of shade, which would be a great asset for today's endeavor.

The park part of our walk was only 11 miles, but we needed to do at least 16, so we added a down-and-back of five miles that we tacked on at the beginning.  Then we started in on the park (Percy Warner, for you locals). Having never walked any significant distance in Percy Warner, I had no idea what we were in for, which was a blessing.  Let's just say "the hills were alive" - with the sounds of moaning, complaining, wimpering, and maybe even a little cursing here and there!

Of course no training walk would be complete without our helping out a stranger.  Today as we walked into the park, a lady asked if we had a phone with internet access.  She had driven her car into a ditch and needed to find a tow truck to come and pull her out.  Once we had her situated, we were off and up the first hill, where we stopped for a photo op.  Which was good, since at that point we still had some enthusiasm for the natural beauty (by the end we were begging for the sight of our cars).

Anyhow, we spent the next four hours trudging up and down and up and up and up some more hills with various degrees of inclines.  We stopped to help a runner who was sort of lost, we tried to move over for the cyclists as they sped past (Bike!! Bike!!), we blessed KP because she had the foresight to drive the course and stash an ice-filled bucket with Gatorade so that we would be refreshed along the way, we played trivia for a few miles (do YOU know how many dimples there are on a golf ball), and somehow managed to finish the 16 miles without pushing each other off the edge of the cliff.  It was tough, but we managed to stick with it and finish.

There's a lot to be said about friends who help you get through 16 hilly miles on a warm morning in the middle of a Southern summer.  But I like to think today was just a picture why we're doing this walk.  I like to think that this team is representative of teams of friends all over the world who help each other get through breast cancer.

I like to think there are friends there to provide whatever needs have to be met, to encourage with a laugh or a hug, and to just show the way when one really doesn't feel like going on. I like to think there are friends to stop and wait with you, to keep watch while you have to stop off the main road for a break, and to provide a safe haven (like a cooled-down car) when you need it.  I like to think there are friends who say, "Go at your own pace," even if it means getting way ahead of them - because you know they'll always be behind you, or beside you, or ahead of you providing a path. 

Today I am reminded of what true friends are about - and how thankful I am to have them!
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Today's blessings:  16 miles with Udderly Pink; KP's Gatorade treasure; Sonic with Molly; Everley and Lindley time; Sam's WW dinner at their house

Friday, July 27, 2012

In Case You've Gotten Off Track ...


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Today's blessings:  boot camp with the young-uns; Everley and Lindley time; chicken sapa dinner with the fam; insulation complete on the remodel

Thursday, July 26, 2012

The Olympics Are Coming!

I never really thought about being Olympic caliber material.  Besides having no real athletic talent/ability, I for sure did not have the drive or dedication.  However, maybe one day ...

Maybe the Old Lady Olympics?

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Today's blessings:  short walk with KB; Everley time

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Back To Boot Camp

Last fall I decided to take a break from boot camp.  My attitude was not good (meaning I REALLY didn't want to get out of bed and do it, and when I got there I put forth zero effort).  I wasn't getting any results mainly because I was no longer trying.  I had a lot of things on my plate, so I decided to take a little vacay from boot camp.  Make that an extended vacay from boot camp.

My friend KB and I decided we would work out on our own.  I mean, after several years of boot camp, we knew what we had to do.  We even had a list of exercises (we also have a list of excuses, but that's another story) that we could do.  We met twice a week at the park with our weights and mats and various other equipment.  And we worked out.  That is, if you mean our mouths.  Basically, we did a little here and a little there and a lot of walking and talking.  While it helped our emotional health, it didn't do much for our physical health.  It was obvious, even to our oblivious selves, that we were going to have to do something else (and real, I might add).

We really didn't want to return to our original boot camp like the prodigals we were.  For one thing, we didn't want to go as often as the payment scale dictated (and we are basically cheapskates).  So we would get some info on other boot camps, KB got few groupons, and we prided ourselves on the fact that we were "trying" to do the right thing.

Eventually, the bell tolled (as in "never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee,") and yesterday somehow (I like to think that God said, "NOW, girlfriend - get your rear in gear1") I came across a boot camp what was having free sessions for July (never mind that KB had some of those earlier - the bell had't tolled then).  I mentioned it to KB, and we decided to go.

We showed up at 6am this morning and met with the young-un that was leading the session.  We signed waivers (basically saying that yes, we're old, and we're okay if we pass out at some point mid-push up) and soon the other young-uns showed up.  A EMT truck also showed up and parked in the parking lot (we were at the park), but supposedly they were just there for a break (sure, they were).  All the girls were sweet and kind and encouraging to us - sort of like you do with your grammies.  It was all good, and super obvious to everyone that KB and I needed to get back with a real program.

So I guess I'm back at boot camp.  Please keep the defibrillator handy!
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Today's blessings:  working out with KB and the girls

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

I've Been i-Phoned


I resisted it as long as I could.  Everybody in the world apparently has an iPhone (don't even get me started on whether it's a 1, 2, 3, 4, or whatevs).  I did not.  I have been content with my "talk and text" phone from apparently the 1880s (I still miss my first cell phone which weight about 5 pounds and required a separate purse to carry it).  I have managed to update my phones as the contracts ran out, but apparently I have still been in the Dark Ages (managing to avoid the whole Blackberry scene).

However, that has not stopped the powers that be (namely the M's I gave birth to) from frequently suggesting that I needed to get an iPhone.  Of course, that would be only one suggestion in a line of many that they suggest on a daily basis that I need to do.

So, when Maribeth upped or renewed or whatevered her iPhone and got a different one, she kept her old one.  Molly then decided that I could take Maribeth's old phone and take it to the magic store and my old phone would become Maribeth's old phone which would then become my new phone.  I resisted and held them off, mainly by planning Disney trips and cruises.

However, everyone's day of reckoning must come, and today was mine.  Another suggestion was that we do Weight Watchers online, and that if we did that, I could track my points on the iPhone.  I still resisted (if only I could resist food that well).  But, after having a mediocre attempt at actually recording my points on paper, I decided I needed to take the plunge.  And so I did.

I now have Maribeth's old phone which is now my new phone.  The Ms have set it up in the kindergarten version, in hopes that I will master it (and all you iPhone users just hush up - I don't want all those apps that will make my life easier.  Except maybe Angry Birds).  I have managed to text people and call people and connect to the wireless thingy at the house (because using 4G is apparently bad because I only get $20 worth a month - whatever that means).

Luanne has made it to the 20th Century - whaddaya mean it's the 21st?
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Today's blessings:  2 Galloway miles with KB; inspections passed on ac and electrical; Everley time; Molly time at AT&T

Monday, July 23, 2012

Me. Now.

We'll catch up tomorrow ...

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Today's blessings:  Clearing off 90% of my desk; Steve's Bubba Burgers for dinner; Bill and Hugh's work on the back planter; Everley time at her house; Leslee's baby announcement

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Maybe This Is My New To Do List

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Today's blessings:  Four miles and Panera with KB and Molly; Lindley and Everley time; fresh peaches picked up by Steve; princess ressies

Saturday, July 21, 2012

The Team That Trains Together ...

This morning the Udderly Pink training walk was curtailed when we "happened" to walk past Pancake Pantry.  Or should I say "walk in" Pancake Pantry.  I won't say whose idea it was to alter our route - I'll just say that eventually those who thought we should walk a little longer before we partook of some high calorie counts eventually gave in.  And walked in. I have the bestest team ever!!
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Today's blessings:  Six miles and Pancake Pantry with KB, KP, and Jo; quiet time; dinner at Lindley and her parents' house; Lindley and Everley time

Friday, July 20, 2012

Changing Grumpy into Happy

This morning I made my out to the Baby Stuff Store to pick up a glider for Maribeth, Mathieu, and Everley.  The store people called yesterday to let me know it was in and ready for pickup.  As usual, I heard about half of the message - basically the part that said, "Come pick up the glider."  I did not pay attention to the part that said when the store was open.

Anyhow, I made my way down to that part of town (which was a ways down).  Next to the destination store was a Hobby Lobby.  I have been intending to visit the Hobby Lobby for months, to see if they had some materials for a project that I've been trying to complete.  I considered stopping and shopping there, but I had many things to accomplish after the chair pickup (like getting my raggedy May pedicure freshened up).  So, I decided that Hobby Lobby would have to wait.

I was parking the car at 9:30 am, only to notice that the Baby Stuff Store did not open until 10 am.  I was not happy, because now I had time to kill in an area of town that I rarely frequent (because it's a ways down).  I even called the store to check on the hours, hoping some misguided sales clerk had written the store hours incorrectly on the door sign.  Alas, the hours were correct, and I was going to have to wait (even though I saw a clerk-person in the store).  I began getting a bit grumpy, mainly because my toenails were getting more raggedy by the minute.

So, I decided to go visit Hobby Lobby, a store that I had never visited before.  Boy, was I in for a treat!  Not only did I find some frames that I needed (and were on sale), but I also found a photo scrapbook on sale.  I saw a lot of fabric that I liked, and lots of ideas for future projects.  I had given up on finding the tubing that was my original impetus for the Hobby Lobby Shoppy, but as I waited in line, I found it - right by the checkout.  I picked it up, paid, and headed to my car, noticing that it was 10 am and time to claim my chair.

So what's the lesson here?  I think it's that maybe when we're faced with disappointment over something trivial, maybe it's because there's a hidden blessing out there somewhere.  We just have to be willing to stop griping and spend a little time making a disappointment into a delight.

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Today's blessings: Hobby Lobby shopping fun; chair loader dude; mani-pedi with Kim; dinner with most of the fam

Thursday, July 19, 2012

My Exercise Workout Beginnings

I started out with Debbie Drake and her record.  It came with a booklet of black and white pictures, five in succession for each exercise, that showed you how the exercises were supposed to look.  The music was totally awesome. Then, about 15 years later, Jane Fonda came out with a record and a booklet in full color. 

Eventually technology progressed and now opportunities abound for the at-home exerciser.  As for me, I haven't progressed so much.  Maybe I should start over with Debbie and Jane ...


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Today's blessings:  Four ridiculously slow miles with KB; Everley time at the Doik; ac/elec team finishing up their work

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Girlfriends

Today I am thankful for my girlfriends.  The ones I barely know, and the ones I've known since childhood.  The ones I see nearly every day, and the ones I haven't seen in decades - or ever.  The ones with whom I share interests, and the ones whose interests I admire from afar.  Friends who will pray for me, and commiserate with me, and encourage me.  Friends who make me laugh, and friends who will let me cry.  Friends with whom I am home - whether we are together are apart.

Today I am thankful for my girlfriends, those whom I know, and those whom I have yet to meet.

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Today's blessings:  walk in the park with KB; spending the day with Everley; intelligent eating day; quick visit with Molly and Maribeth

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

You Don't Have To Try Harder - But At Least Try ...

This afternoon I ordered some wall sconces from one of the big box home improvement stores.  After the order was complete, I was content to wait for the email saying that the order had been filled and was ready to pick up.  Instead, I got a phone call asking when I was planning to come and pick up the order.  I told the person on the line that I thought I would wait until I received an email telling me to come in, since I didn't know if they would have the five sconces in stock that I had ordered.  The person assured me that they had them, to which I replied that I would be down to the store soon.

When I arrived at the store, the clerk checked me out and another clerk loaded the sconces into the cart.  We finished my transaction, and I hauled my cart out to my car.  Sounds perfect, right?

As I was loading the sconces into the car, I thought I heard one of the boxes make the sound of broken glass.  I picked it up to confirm the sound, then did further research by opening the box and determining that indeed, one of the globes was broken.  I thought it a bit strange that none of the various salesclerks that took the sconces off the shelf, loaded them into a cart, transferred the boxes to the secure cages that held orders, transferred the sconces back into a cart, and then reloaded the cart at least twice because that particular clerk was unsure what to do with the sconces, that none of the clerks heard the broken glass, especially since I had to only pick up the box to hear it.

Anyhow, I promptly took the offending box back to customer service and explained my dilemma to the clerk.  I was told to go get another one, and when I asked where to go, was told to go to Aisle 8.  Except that the sconces were not on Aisle 8.  After wandering around the lighting section for several minutes, I finally located the sconces in question, only to realize that there were no sconces left.

I returned to customer service and explained my dilemma, to which they asked if I wanted a refund.  Thinking this would be a better alternative to a broken light, I replied that I would.  After a few more moments and swipes of my credit card, I was headed back to my car less one sconce.

I guess it would have been nice if someone would have let me know that a sconce was broken, or gone to get another sconce for me, or known that there were no more sconces left, but maybe that was too much to ask. 

I think I'll ask another store next time.

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Today's blessings:  4 miles with KB down Belmont; napping with Everley; chatting with the remodel team

Monday, July 16, 2012

I Dug A Trench

Technically, it was a part of the ongoing saga to keep water from seeping into the sun room.  I was also hoping it would burn off the three ice cream sandwiches that I managed to inhale in the hour before the trench digging commenced.  At any rate, I now have a trench and sore muscles.  As for the calories burned - I think I traded them in for the post-trench-digging hamburger and ice cream sandwich.  So I guess technically I dug a hole in the whole calorie counting/calorie burning saga.  With as many sagas as I have, maybe I should have my own reality show ...
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Today's blessings:  Napping with Everley; pre-made lunch from the Ms; trench dug; golf talking with ac/elec dude; nice other ac/elec dudes; clean grill

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Just A Walk Down Memory Lane ...

Best Snack Ever
Best Running Shoe Ever
Best Car Ever

Best Doll Ever
Best Actress and Movie Ever


Just in case you were wondering ...
 
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Today's blessings:  4 miles and Bongo Java with KB; Sam bringing Which Wich for lunch; Everley and Lindley time; Molly and Maribeth preparing meals for the week

Saturday, July 14, 2012

In Case You Feel Alone, or Mad, Or Mean Today

 
"Be kind - Remember every one you meet
is fighting a battle - everybody's lonesome."
 
- Marion Parker -
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Today's blessings:  7 miles with Udderly Pink and guest walkers Micaela and Marilyn; Marilyn and Molly's breakfast for the group; Marilyn's little treats for the group; Lindley and Everley time
 

Friday, July 13, 2012

I Could Be Wrong, But I Don't Think This Is The Way to Lose Weight ...

Breakfast:  Apricot-Lemon pancakes at Pancake Pantry with the girls

Lunch:  Chicken salad-salad at Calypso Cafe with some of the same girls

Dinner:  Burgers at home with all the fixins and baked beans and corn and salad and chips with still the same girls and some boys added in

Post-dinner kicker:  Six-kagillion chocolate/chocolate dipped ice cream cone (I DID order a small) from Bobbie's Dairy Dip with one of the girls and one of the boys

Maybe I need to meet new girls ...
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Today's blessings:  all the food and fun times with the girls (and later the added boys); Lindley and Everley time; Wal-Mart-ing with Marilyn

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Sweet Baby James

I spent the evening listening as James Taylor perform at the Arena. It certainly mellowed out my harshness from the day before! My Top Five James Taylor faves?
1.  You've Got A Friend
2.  How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You
3.  Shower the People You Love With Love
4.  Fire and Rain
5.  Line 'Em Up

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Today's blessings:  Everley time; picking up Marilyn at the airport; dinner with Marilyn, Maribeth, Molly, and Everley; JT concert with Marilyn, Sam, and Molly

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Who Am I Today?

Well, I was Sleepy before I read some stupid comments on the Internet, so I became Grumpy.  Or maybe I was Dopey because I let the comments get under my skin.  Anyway, I'll try not to let the Evil Queen thwart my happily ever after.

I think I'm in need of a Disney fix ...

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Today's blessings:  4 miles down Belmont with KB; Everley time at her house and organizing her clothes; Sam's McAllister dinner pickup; Lindley cleaning the shower

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Well, Shut My Mouth

No, really.  Shut.  It.  Shut It Now.

My mouth has always gotten me into predicaments, so I have decided that my new exercise program will be shutting my mouth.  Especially if it involves taking my foot out of my mouth first.

This new revelation/mantra came about because this time last year I waxed poetic about how I was going to lose weight because my gyno was so kind about not ragging on me about my obvious off-the-chart weight.  Apparently this year has gone by at warp speed, because today I was back at the gyno scales, and not only had I not lost weight, but I had gained.  So this year I am saying nothing about next year's weigh-in.  My mouth is closed.

Which brings me to the other reason I need to shut my mouth - to keep the fat-producing food out of it.  I would say that I am going to embark on a diet plan, but that would be saying something, which goes against my "shut my mouth" exercise plan.  Instead I shall just practice - shut the mouth, shut the mouth, shut the mouth.

Maybe if I get good at that exercise, and throw in a few more exercises, next year's weigh-in will be phenomenal.  But let me make one thing clear - I'm not saying anything about it. Really.

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Today's blessings:  fun times with Dr. B at the gyno office; Everley time at her house; door installed on the den; rainy day; Princess half-marathon entries

Monday, July 9, 2012

I Like This List

It certainly simplifies my day ...
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Today's blessings:  Everley time at her house; Logans dinner with Maribeth; more remodel progress

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Time - How It Flies!!

Twenty-eight years ago today, I had this:
Now it seems that baby girl has one of her own:

Would somebody please explain how twenty-eight years can go by so quickly??
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Today's blessings:  6 miles with the Udderly Pink team; seeing the Governor on his bike with his security detail in their car, lunch with Everley and her mom and Lindley and her mom; celebrating Maribeth's birthday

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Well, We Did It - Mostly

While we didn't get our scheduled 14 miles in, we did manage to get almost 13 (depending on whose Garmin/Nike GPS you wanted to go by).  It was hot and the sun was out in force, but we walked from the neighborhood to downtown, around the stadium, back to downtown, and back to our cars in the 'hood.

 We didn't even have to call any cops, although we considered calling the paramedics when Sharon took a tumble as we were crossing the bridge over the interstate (darn that torn-up sidewalk!).  We were just strolling along when we heard a kerfuffle in the back.  As I turned around, I saw Sharon on the ground and Bruce (her hubby and our Training Walk Security Detail) grabbing her arm to hoist her up.  Did any motorist stop to ask if we needed assistance?  No, but it could have been because Bruce was wearing a pink backpack and seemed to have the situation under control.

Luckily there was a market close, so we took Sharon, who was bleeding from her arm and her wrist and her palm and her leg (which also had a huge goose-egg popping up) to get cleaned up (because although we had plenty of band-aids, we had no germ-killer or wipes).  And while such a fall would have sent most of us home in a taxi, Sharon bandaged up and kept on walking.  She gets today's Tough Cookie Award.  Too bad there are no cookies or really anything to go along with the honor.

Anyhow, eventually we made it back to our cars and to our other responsibilities for the day.  Tomorrow we will start early to attempt a 10-miler.  I just hope Sharon remembers to bring her walker!
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Today's blessings:  Walking with the Udderly Pink team; Sharon not getting hurt any worse; massage by Kenneth; shopping with Molly; Maribeth's birthday cake with the family

Friday, July 6, 2012

Tomorrow

1.  The high temperature is predicted to be 102 degrees.
2.  Team Udderly Pink is supposed to walk a 14 mile training walk.
3.  We are starting our walk at 5am.  On a Saturday.
4.  We are not allowed to walk anywhere close to Pancake Pantry.
5.  We are supposed to walk a 10 mile training walk on Sunday.
6.  We haven't even gotten to the really long training walks yet.
7.  After last Sunday's emergency assistance adventure, we think we are a branch of the Guardian Angels.  Which means we may be walking in circles again.

Don't you want to join us?!?!
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Today's blessings:  Everley time at her house; cooking burgers on the grill for the family; Molly bringing the side dishes and cookies; Lindley time; quick stop from KB and the froggy cooling thingy

Thursday, July 5, 2012

This Is My Brain on Food

I had these peach pancakes last Saturday during our weight-loss training walk (we were supposed to do 14 but only did 3 - the exact mileage to Pancake Pantry.  The mileage is what lost weight - not us!).

Anyhow, the peach pancakes were super-delicious and have stayed pretty much on my mind.  All.  The.  Time.  In other words, I want some more.  Now, if not sooner.

So why is it that these 8-bagillion-calorie peach pancakes stay on my mind instead of this healthy, nutritional salad, that probably has negative fifty calories?

Yeah, I don't know either.  Except that this food-on-the-brain dilemma sucks. 

Too bad the peach pancakes don't.

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Today's blessings:  park workout with KB; KB taking me home to get extra car keys and back to unlock car that had car keys inside; nice ac/elec dudes; fans sale at Lowes; picking up Lindley at day care and taking a trip to the Wiggly

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

What - You Mean It's Hot In Nashville In July?

A while back, when someone suggested doing the Downtown July 4 5K, it seemed like a good idea.  This morning at 8am, when it was 83 degrees (and felt like 86) and the first mile was headed straight east into the cloudless sky with the sun blaring down, it seemed like the worst idea ever.  Luckily, I had the Karens along for the ride - KP jogged ahead while KB stayed by my side, probably to administer first aid if needed.  KB and I finished with a slow pace, but at some point we realized we did not care.  We just hoped to finish without heatstroke. After crossing the finish line, we promptly proceeded to the car and breakfast, opting out of the free beer and party. Just finishing upright was celebration enough for us!

It's always good to have your friends around - especially to help get you through the situations they got you in to!!

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Today's blessings:  5K with the Karens; breakfast with the Karens and Molly; 3-Day hotel reservations; beginnings of closets in the den

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

I'm Entered in a 5K Tomorrow ...

... wonder if the flag or the hot pants will make me go faster.
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Today's blessings: mammogram tech and chatting about grands (while getting my boobs squoze); Everley time at her house; floor of den framed up; 4 miles with the Karens

Monday, July 2, 2012

A Maxine Monday ...


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Today's blessings:  Accomplishing many things on my to-do list; Everley time at her house; remodel progress; cool break in the hot weather

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Not Only Do We Walk for Breast Cancer ...

... but we also strive to serve and protect.  Let me explain.

After yesterday's abbreviated and abridged training walk, Team Udderly Pink declared that we would make good on today's walk - that we would walk AT LEAST the 9 miles that was on our training schedule.  Obviously the heat must have gotten to our brains.

First of all, Sharon texted early this morning that she had a migraine and would be out for today.  Next Molly texted and said that after yesterday's return trip from Atlanta, where we had to stop twice at possibly the worst gas station and McDonald's bathrooms in existence, that she would choose to stay home and close to a bathroom that had at least seen a Clorox wipe in the last decade.  In case you have your calculator out, that leaves four of us to do the "nine" miles.

I admit - my attitude this morning was not stellar.  There was the fact that although we weren't walking until 5:30am, I was up at 4am.  Also I was still a little road-weary from a quick trip to Atlanta.  And then there was the heat.  But I knew that if I just got out and managed to get a mile or two in, I would probably feel better.  So I headed out for our meeting spot, the DL football field parking lot.

As I stopped at the stop sign by the parking lot, I noticed a red truck on the side of the road.  I didn't find it unusual, or maybe I was just too busy hoping that I would find none of my team's cars in the parking lot.   Unfortunately, I did.

KP and Jo were already there, and soon KB showed up and we started off.   As we got closer to the aforementioned stop sign, the conversation turned to the red truck.  As it turned out, KP (or maybe it was Jo) had noticed the truck AND the man splayed out on the grass beside the truck.  And Jo (or maybe it was KP) had also noticed that the door to the red truck was open, and there seemed to be some legs sticking out.

Well, we started chatting about what should we do, was the man dead, what was the story, and so on.  Finally the decision was made that perhaps we should inquire as to the well-being of the man on the grass.  So, KB, in her best Southern Belle drawl, called out, "Suh - Suh - are you aw-rite???"  However, the Southern charm apparently did nothing, as the man did not stir.  KB called out again, and someone saw his leg move, so the next move was on us.

After another short discussion, we decided that the authorities should be called.  KB called the alternate 911 phone number (which Jo knew by heart, but that reason comes later) and started telling the red-truck-man-on-grass story (first explaining that we were out walking, because it's important to form a base for the report).  After the almost-emergency-operator asked for her name and phone number (because I guess that was important in case the operator wanted to join us on a walk), KB kept explaining that it didn't seem that this situation was too normal, and that perhaps help needed to be summoned.  Apparently the operator didn't think so, so KB hung up.

Now we were in a dilemma - red truck, man on grass, woman in truck, hot weather - WHAT DO WE DO?  We sure as heck weren't about to go over and personally check on these people (we were making the phone calls from one street over).  So, Jo decided she would call the non-emergency number AGAIN.  Apparently Jo is a frequent caller to this number, as she has quite a bit of potential crime to report around her neighborhood, including the time there was a woman chasing after a man with a 2x4.  Anyhow, Jo calls and either gets a different operator or KB's operator believes Jo more because Jo calls all the time, but at any rate, Jo gets Ms. Operator to call on the hotline and summon the Po-po.

Well, of course, we cannot leave the scene because (a) we need to make sure the police arrive, and (b) we need to see what happens.  So, we start walking up one street, still in full sight of the red truck, until we hear the ambulances coming, then we turn around and walk back to the scene.  Because we don't want to look really stupid (which is ridiculous since that train left the moment KB called out to see if Mr. Drunk On The Grass was okay), we walk over to the parking lot where our cars are.  KP and Jo stay on the street so not to look too obvious, while I go over to the grass to get a really good look at the goings-on (to which KB joined me).  The police start looking around (a second car had arrived at this point), and we decide that we need to start walking to look normal.  So we start walking on the path around the football field.  In full view of the red truck, the police, the fire trucks,  and the ambulance that have all shown up.

As we are walking in circles (yes circles - we didn't want to get too far away), we hear the police sound their horns and sirens in an attempt to wake up the Drunk on The Grass Dude.  They are also yelling at him.  Because we think that things are going to start happening fast, we decide to turn around and walk on the street - back to the start which will lead us RIGHT PAST THE RED TRUCK AND ALL THE ACTION.

Which we do, which is when we get to see that the man is not dead and can stand up if there are enough policemen holding him up; that the girl in the truck has no pants on - they are on the road by the door of the truck; and that obviously both of them are going to be loaded onto the ambulance for a trip that neither of them had planned on making.

Confident that the police and fire department could handle the situation without our help, we continued to walk to my house to survey the construction project, and then back to the red truck, where (since all the official personnel had left) we could peek inside the truck (well, Jo did and once she told us that somebody had obviously thrown up in there, nobody else wanted a look).  Jo also noticed that the car tags expired yesterday, so it looks like these two are going to get a bonus to today's escapade.

In the end, we only did three miles, but it in order to protect the public, we have to pick and choose!!

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Today's blessings:  exciting training walk with the Karens and Jo; Everley time at her house