Blingedy-Bling Needed

These are my race medals. I finished probably another dozen 5Ks, a couple of 5-milers, a 10K, and a 10-miler that gave no medals. I display these in my office because I like looking at them, they remind me of a fun (most of the time) trip, and each represents an accomplishment. They also represent eight years of training and lack-of-training, miles and more miles, tears and laughs, and highs and lows. They don't represent a finish position (unless nearly last counts), but they represent a finish. Even though I didn't get an official finish time on two occasions, I finished the course and received my reward.

Here's the deal. Right now I am in the middle of my hardest race - the weight loss race. It's been sort of like my race training at times - I have good days and I have not-so-good days. But in a race, I always keep going because I know at the end, I will get my medal. It keeps me going, even in the middle of a training wog when I want to call home, or a race when I want to search for the nearest sweep van.

I have decided that I need a medal to represent completing this Weight Race. I need something to think of that's waiting for me when I cross the finish line and I've lost my 68 pounds. I've thought about a Disney trip or a special cruise, but that idea is not doing it for me because it's an experience, not a "thing." I need a thing.

So I'm asking for your input. Got any ideas? The only criteria I have is that it be a visible thing that I can display to remind myself of the journey I completed to get it. Sure, the intrinsic value of accomplishment, the better health from weight loss, blah, blah, blah, is important, but so is my "thing."

So whattadya think? I'll do all the work - I just need the bling to keep me going.

What I Did on a Hot Monday In Nashville

10. I ate two hamburgers for dinner. Yes they were good. No, they were not on Weight Watchers.

9. I walked two miles. In the hot heat. Didn't make up for eating the two hamburgers.

8. I went to Curves. Thank goodness it's in the air conditioning. Still didn't make up for the two hamburgers.

7. I looked at snow pictures from earlier this year. Would have loaded them onto the blog, but the computer refused to do it. Not sure it it's mad at me because of the heat or the hamburgers.

6. Watched the first part of the final two episodes of Friends. The next episode however, was NOT the final episode. Why? At least I know why I ate the second hamburger.

5. Wrote a story. Should have written 5000 words on why eating two hamburgers is so wrong.

4. Got picture from NYC Half Marathon. Should be proof positive why bicycle shorts and two hamburgers in one meal do not mix. Should, but hamburgers won out.

3. Set DVR thing to tape "Jon and Kate Plus Eight." Should set up personal video camera to tape "Luanne and Two Hamburger Plus Big Bloomers."

2. Watched too many episodes of various forms of "Law and Order." Wonder if Olivia, Elliot, Goren, or Mr. Big will arrest me for the two hamburger infraction?

1. Sweated. A lot. But still not two hamburgers worth!

Minnie Mouse Exposed!

While cruising the net for useless information, I came across the following facts about Minnie Mouse:

*Minnie is short for Minerva.

*Her father is named Marcus Mouse but her mother is unnamed; they were both farmers.

*Her grandparents are Marshall Mouse and Matilda Mouse, but her best known relatives are her uncle Mortimer Mouse and her twin nieces, Millie and Melody

*Her sister is Mandie Mouse

*She is the 3rd most requested character at the Disney parks and has homes in Disneyland, Disney World, and Tokyo Disneyland

*She is a member of Girl Scouts

*Walt Disney said in a 1933 interview that Mickey and Minnie are married in private.

This information does not cure my current Disney itch, but it helps. See you in September, Minnie!

The Power of the Lifetime Movie

Once again I have gotten sucked into a Lifetime Movie. Tonight it is something about some wicked high school cheerleaders. As usual, I only started watching halfway through, so I don't know why they're wicked, but it has something to do with the principal and cheerleader mothers versus the cheerleading coach.

I don't watch Lifetime on a regular basis. I usually don't even turn to it unless I'm at Disney World because it's either that or the Top Seven Attractions channel. However, sometimes at home when I'm channel hopping, the cable stops at the currently showing Lifetime Movie. I think it's a conspiracy to suck the brain cells out of my head. I become mesmerized by the fictional/true life story, and am incapacitated and cannot turn the channel. I am only released when the movie is over - but they still get me by advertising the next "original movie" that will be showing.

The movie is over now. The mean cheerleaders and the principal got sacked and the cheerleader coach was vindicated. Everything turned out as it should be. I just wonder if tomorrow night that mother who had a baby but it disappeared but she really feels it is alive, is going to find her baby?

I have got to get a more powerful remote control!

Poetry Time!

Ode To August

August is here,
It's hot outside.
If I sunbathed nude,
I'd have a red backside.

Summer is waning,
My flowers are tired.
They truly are wishing
A gardener had been hired.

School will be starting
Without me, once again;
I'll have no more students
To get under my skin.

But August is special
Because when it is done -
I'll be one year older -
I'll be fifty-one!