Dog FOOD and Exercise

How would you feel if you carried around four 20-pound bags of dog food all day? DOG TIRED! 2 years ago, I used to weigh 80 pounds more and that’s how I felt. Run down. Exhausted.

Now I feel marvelous. Did I take a quick-fix pill or follow a fad diet? No, I just ate less and exercised more. That’s the only thing that really works.

Now that Beth is off to England, I’m getting back to business. I have 30 more pounds to go. It’s time to get busy.

I’m tweaking my exercise routine.

-- Monday and Wednesday, I’m on the treadmill.
-- Tuesday and Thursday, I take Pilate’s. It’s not as tough as last fall. I’m improving … slowly. When we’re on the mats, I can even touch my feet to the floor above my head. Not bad for 55.
-- Then (weather permitting), I’m walking 4 miles a day on Saturday and Sunday.
-- I get Fridays off. (I LOVE FRIDAYS!)

I want to push myself further on the treadmill.
First 5 minutes … 15% incline … 3.7 mph
Second 5 minutes … 15% incline … 3.8 mph
Third 5 minutes … 14% incline … 3.9 mph
Fourth 5 minutes … 14% incline … 4 mph
Fifth minutes … 13% incline … 4.1 mph
Last 5 minutes … 13% incline … 4.2 mph

Not bad for someone who used to be ready to die at 3 mph on the flat.


Friday, August 21, 2009

FAMILY: My Empty Nest


I’ve helped Beth move back to college 3 times. Freshman year, it was on a Saturday and it rained. Sophomore year, we did it on Friday and it rained. This year, she chose Wednesday and guess what? It still rained.

She packed up 2 cars and everything but the exercise bike fit in a 10 by 10 single. The bike is still in my car because I don’t think I can get it out. In fact, if I open the back doors, it slips out of position and I can’t get them shut.

Some people think being an empty nester is awful. Get over it! I’m fortunate to have 2 interesting kids, who are off leading their lives. Why shouldn’t I?

Being an empty nester means:



  • If the radio was on classic rock when I left the car, it’ll be on classic rock when I get back in. Ditto for the gas tank and the position of the seat.

  • There are no messes that I didn’t make (not counting the pets)

  • I don’t trip over flip-flops and other booby traps.

  • If there was plenty yesterday, it won’t be empty today.

  • No glasses or silverware are hiding in far corners of the house.

  • Significantly lower grocery bills and a fraction of the laundry.

  • I can come home whenever I want.

  • Suddenly, my available towels have doubled.

Of course, it also means



  • I have to go back to cooking.

  • I have to mow my yard again

  • The First National Bank of Mom is seriously drained.

  • I've lost my help in the garden.

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