A Snowy Minneapolis Christmas

Spend all day Sunday at Airport, plane was to leave at 11 AM, we were in the air at 8:40 PM. My brother and wife had to stop about an 1 and 1/2 hours drive from my niece's home. But we all made it safe and sound and by 10 AM Christmas Eve Morning were together to celebrate a very snowy Christmas. Even walked 2 miles in white fluffy snow Christmas afternoon.

Was to leave today at 9:15 AM, in the air at 1:40 PM. Am home now with the 3 kit cats finishing up preparations for a second Christmas here in Illinois with friends.

Merry Christmas from Ohio

We were in Indiana this morning, but with a brisk tail wind (gas was $2.84) we were home in Columbus by 10 a.m. Very windy today, but I did get a mile walk, and a mile on Friday. I have a friend recovering from major, major abdominal surgery, and each time I get an e-mail from her telling me that she has gone outside to walk, I put on my coat and go out!

An Early Merry Christmas in Illinois

Early post for Christmas. Weather is still not copperating for outside walking so 3 more miles on the treadmill. Off to Minneapolis tomorrow - have boarding pass and ride to airport. There may be flight delays, but I won't be missing the plane.

Back in Illinois on December 26th and will do more on treadmill then. Until then:

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EACH AND ALL and GOD BLESS EVERYONE!

What Goal?

My goal has fallen by the way. The weather has been so nasty that I have only managed to walk a mile on the treadmill each day. Besides, Christmas is coming and I have been cleaning and enjoying decorating. I'm flying up to Minneapolis on Sunday to be with my niece over Christmas. My brother and his wife are driving in from Lincoln NE. Today I have heard at least 4 different weather forecasts so I'm not sure whether I'll be in Minneapolis or sitting on the tarmack in Moline.

The challenge

I'm glad I didn't set this any higher than 5000 steps a day, because I'm barely scraping by.

Wintery Mixes

Walking has now become the treadmill - until the weather lightens up some. So I may not make my goal - 4 miles on the treadmill is not near as much fun as walking outside. I had hoped to get the snow shoes ordered, but I'll wait til after Christmas. Then I'll have more time to explore what is available in snow shoes and also may need to get new walking sticks (I think I'm wearing one stick out). I used to walk on all kinds of wintery surfaces, but I don't want to mess up what the Drs. fixed last year.

I almost blew off going to the gym tonight, but thought better of it. Good thing too - I had the best workout I have had in a very long time. Stress level is better, maybe I'm mellowing out.

We have had some really snowy slippery days, with more on the way for the weekend and on through Tuesday. I love the winter season, but hate driving in the snow and ice. I even love to shovel my walk - I like to do that very early with starlight and moonlight making the my little corner of the world glisten. It is so quiet and peaceful.

My treadmill (not motorized) needs oiling - first thing tomorrow.

My pedometer goal

In November I wrote about the advantages of wearing a pedometer. During this high calorie Christmas season when it is cold and drippy outside, I'm setting a goal of 5,000 steps a day through January 5, 2008. If I can do more, I will, but if I set it too high, I'll get discouraged. My computer download is a bit slow, so as it creeps on screen, I get up, walk through the living room and kitchen and return to my office, adding valuable steps instead of fuming at my CRT.




Update: Because the ticker will forward each day, I'll note here that my first day was 2527 steps, so I didn't meet the 5000 goal--maybe if I'd gone to the supermarket, but it was too nasty to leave the house.

December Afternoon

Really have done well for the last three days -4 miles each day. This afternoon silly orange cat met me on the bicycle path, rolling over on her belly to be petted. I really like walking in this weather, but just wait until it is snowing and sleeting. I do try to get even a half mile in then. No walk outside from tomorrow through Friday - back to work. I will do a mile on the treadmill at Nautilus tomorrow and Friday - no more than that, hate that treadmill.

My neighbor (1/2 mile away) has his front yard filled with Christmas. These last two afternoons, as I was walking up the hill, he was just finishing inflating the last figure.

I'm seeing what I can get done for outside Christmas lights. I only do lights on the trees and greenery sprays and wreaths for the doors, not figures.

New Month, New Season, New Goal

The best laid plans of mice and men: no walk today - a little snow,more sleet and ice. The grass next to the driveway is icy and my mailbox is frozen shut, so I'm waiting for the rain to melt the ice.

I'm going to try the outside walking on days that are good - it will depend a lot on the weather. I haven't bought equipment to showshoe yet. I haven't been on skis since college and with no place close to cross country, I think learning to use snow shoes would be good. Other years, from December 1 through December 31, I have been able to get at least 4 days each week of 3 - 4 miles of good brisk walks in.

This change of plans started me on Christmas gift wrapping - since I have packages to mail off Monday, today is dedicated to making one pick mess and one time cleaning up

End of Autumn Ramblings

I did not quite meet my goal, 35 miles short. I think I could have if I had not been so focused on work related "stuff". Now it is time to set a short goal. See post tonight.