Thanksgiving Weekend

First of all, must say my Thanksgiving Blessings to each and all!

Still keeping up the walks, at least 3 days a week. Work is pulling at me, but I'm taking time off each week to use up some vacation days and comp time. The funding has not improved, so my staff person and myself are taking one day off unpaid and we have had to lay off 2 employees indefinitely.

The walks by the canal are ongoing. I cannot believe how many squirrels I have seen busily storing away acorns. The red-tailed hawk is back and the path is a busy place with all the little critters preparing for winter. The fours miles can take anywhere between 1 hour and a hour and a half, depending on the number of fellow walkers, pups, and cats I stop and greet.

I just ordered hi-tech snow shoes. Now for some snow so I can put them to good use.

QUAD CITY MARATHON 5K

Just finished my last 5K for the year. That's not to say I won't be continuing my walks and jogs along the canal bike path. Although our governor thought he would cut the budgets for several park facilities and historic sites, hopefully the Illinois law makers will approve funding for those areas. If so, I will be walking still when the snow flies and maybe even through the snow. I'm still comtemplating snow shoeing - we'll see how that all works out.

My work is still ruling most of my life, but I am making more time for a life outside the office. I really have lots of yardwork to catch up on, but I love working outside in the fall so I will enjoy every minute of it.

The exercycle

Everyone probably has one on which to hang laundry and gather dust. Ours has moved from bedroom to basement to my office, and has been in the garage for over a year. Today I looked at it and decided it would fit between the cars so I could use it, instead of along the wall gather spider webs. Cold weather is coming. Wheeeee.

Labor Day Walk

Just finished the 5k for a Memorial Run for a student that was hit by a car. His folks have set up this run where the proceeds go to scholarships for 2 high school students each year. No walking sticks this time and even did some sprints.

Since I procrastinated the last two days - this "Labor Day" will be a labor day. I really haven't done much of anything in keeping the yard up this year and then there is the garage. I have good intentions, but now time's a flying so this is the big fall push for cleanup and hopefully a bathroom remodel. Off to the projects!

Pain free travel

We'll be at Lakeside another 1.5 weeks and then head home. The ride isn't all that long (about 2.5 hours) but I do get stiff. Here are some exercise/stretching tips for pain free travel from Johns Hopkins.

Four Miles a Day

This is becoming a monthly post. Managing to get in 4 miles a day most weeks, unless the weather says otherwise. I'm working on sprinting at least a block - 5K's are more fund if you sprint across the finish line. Those days I leave the walking sticks at home. It is a little strange sprinting with the hip replacement and I am really careful when I do sprint. But it is such fun even at almost "63" to kick up my heels for the joy of being.

Walking Catchup

It has been just over two weeks since I've written some thoughts. I have been able to get 4 miles in most days - down "my country road", through the little town, and then to the bike path along the canal. I see so many neat "critters" on my walks, even the red winged blackbird who dive bombs me because there are babies nearby.Work has taken over for a little while, but the walks are keeping me focused.

It is very humid today, storms early this morning, but not too hot for a late morning walk. Now to wash and clear coat the Jeep - I've been going to do that for two weeks.

Exercising at Lakeside

Although I see some vigorous joggers and walkers, most of us here for vacation or the summer just get more exercise than usual because we don't use our cars. I might walk 10-12 blocks a day or ride my bike several miles and not even think about it. I think this is why our parents and grandparents didn't carry as much weight. During the day I might walk 3 blocks and back to the little grocery store, or 2-3 blocks to the little business district, or stroll a mile along the lakefront and not even notice it. It's a wonderful way to get around--when the weather's good--and for the most part it has been. Occasionally Joanne sends her storms from Illinois that she has been dodging.

Walking at sunrise along Lake Erie

Back from Italy

We got back from Italy in the wee morning hours of June 30, and I'd planned laundry, photo sorting, blogging, etc. and getting ready for Lakeside, but a virus overtook me and I landed in the hospital, dehydrated. A few others on the tour were also doing poorly, so either we ate or drank something that didn't agree. One gal spent the flight in the rest room--thank goodness mine waited until June 30! But I seem to be on the mend. My little one-mile-a-day walks around the condo grounds weren't up to cobblestone streets and Umbrian hills! Also we had a heat wave. I'm posting photos and stories at my regular blog, Collecting My Thoughts as the inspiration hits. So far, the brain isn't in gear. But Joanne is always an inspiration and I plan to go for a short walk now that the sun is out. It's like a rain forest here in central Ohio.

Happy Fourth of July!

Another month has come and gone. Weather has turned better. This was a great morning for walking. I've been able to walk 3 and 1/2 to 4 miles most mornings before work. Ive sloughed off at Nautilus so that is the next goal to get going on.

We are still Mississippi River flooded in an adjacent county and the local portion of Rock River is still higher in some places than normal. We have lots of mosquitoes and little gnats and I hate wearing bug repellent. But the alternative is worse.

Now that I'm finished with my morning walk, I tackling the weeds and tall grasses in the rose bed that lines the west border of our land. Tonight I'll be able to see some of the fireworks from my yard.

Rain and Water Everywhere

This has been a soggy month. So thankful that I am on high ground and at least a mile and 1/2 across woods and grassland to a river. The Mississippi is over the banks and the river I live near hasn't been totally in its banks since Dec 23.

I've been trying to get outside for a walk but the thunder showers keep coming- it is supposed to let up later - I'll try later this afternoon. Yesterday my friend and I did Race for the Cure 5K - a little over 3 miles of walking. I don't think my pace was up to par. I need to work on that, but my form with the walking sticks is much better.

I miss the early morning walks, but the weather has been really rainy this last 2 weeks. Better weather this week so I have no excuse. Can't wait for those early morning walks to clear my head and prepare me for the day.

Lots of yard work to do - still 7 roses to put in and the normal trimming and weeding. That is just for a start. The bramble rose bed is covered with wild grape and poison ivy is creeping in. I'm off for 2 and 1/2 days this week - Ill be working in the bramble rose and cleaning the patios of grass and whatever between the blocks. Then the rock walls need to be weeded. Once I get done, time to start the cycle again.

Back after a long break!

Well I am back after a long break where depression had slumped into real lethargy, a couple of photos have convinced me of my need to diet, and to exercise. I have not been caring for myself too well!

This week has been good though; I walked on Sunday & Monday, went for an hours swimming on Tuesday, did the yard work on Weds ( no small task) and am planning on attending an aqua fit class today!

Amazing what one good long honest look at yourself will do!!!

Weather is clearing

We've had some rain here in Ohio, even flooding south of here, but tomorrow should be clear and warm. The audio book did the trick--when the weather was nice I was going out 2 or 3 times a day with my head phones. Now I'm finished, so I use the radio. Haven't moved to an i-pod yet. Need to build up a little strength--we're going to Italy soon and will be doing quite a bit of walking.

Rainy Time

Weather has played havoc with the walking. I think this is the least amount of walking I have been able to do because of spring weather. Rained last night through this morning - found some basement leaks I didn't know about. That will be a project for this year as well as remodeling the bathroom.

Tomorrow will be another goal to set - I'll be more conservative this time and allow for weather and work. Still, my walks in March, April, and May have brightened my days. The canal is beginning to come to life with frogs and turtles as well as fish starting to top feed. I see so many birds - all busy with their nests. I'm so hoping the blue heron comes back this year - he was such a sight to see early in the morning mist.

Second walk today

It's just too pretty to stay inside, so I loaded a new book on disc player and off I went. Boy, am I out of shape. I'm breathing hard still. The book is "People of the Book" by Geraldine Brooks. It's fiction but based on a real event, so I hope it will hold my interest, and pull me outside to walk (since I don't listen to audio inside).

"Way Short"

Well, weather and work has cut into my walks. But if all goes well for the next 5 days, I'll be able to log at least 4 miles a day.

It is good to be back walking down the country road, through the little town, and along the canal path. Next week will start my early AM walks on Tuesday thru Sunday, hoping that the blue heron has again decided to take up residence nearby. Monday will be a walk in the early evening.

Since the budget crisis has hit at work, management is taking 10 days off unpaid and we are down to a skeleton staff at our counseling office. Even unpaid, I do enjoy these times off (fitting my hours in between required reports due at state with hopefully some full days off to accomplish much needed projects at home and to "smell the roses".)

Yesterday I spotted a muskrat, one small turtle, two leaping fish, and too numerous birds to mention. I stopped to talk to some friends that I haven't seen since last fall and took a few minutes to check out some flowering shrubs along the way. Along my own driveway, I smelled the luscious sweetness of the pink viburnum and soon will be smelling the masses of white and pink lily of the valley. The lilacs are budding -maybe they will be okay to take to the cemetery for Mothers Day.

Along my 1/2 mile road, the cattle have now been herded to the back pasture and the fields are being readied for planting corn and soybeans. Soon I'll be watching for the corn and soybean seedlings.

This is truly a glorious world and I am so grateful to be able to enjoy what the Lord has given.

Walking 101

Finished the 5-K in just under 50 minutes. Need to get back my pace of at least a 14 minute mile this year. This is a good start. It was cool and a little breezy but no rain. No bagels, but I had some some grapes, scrambled eggs, a small apple sugar roll, and coffee.




Sun is out so time to do some raking.

A REALLY SLOW START

I have really been a "pansy" about the weather. I had hoped to start walking right at Easter, but weather and work really haven't been cooperating. First 5K of year, Gilda's Fun Run, is tomorrow. So off I go with the walking sticks. When I reached 60, this 5K for me used to start with a 2 block sprint in the beginning and some sprinting in the middle, and another 2 block sprint at the end. Now it will be walking the route.

I can sprint some, but with the hip replacement comes having to admit I need to be careful. Tomorrow will be a good incentive to get it together again. It is only to be in the 40's, but at least no rain. We have done the Gilda's Fun Run in the rain, but best friend's umbrella turned inside out and the umbrellas were more trouble than they were worth. We ended up just getting wet and we didn't melt!

Am looking forward to tomorrow, especially the bagels after the walk. This will be a great start to get back to Nautilus and "unstress" from my agency's budget issues and the federal government's funding cuts for this year and next year.

New goal is at least 85 miles of walking though May 11th.

Spring almost

It's been in the 70s here the last 2 days so I've been able to walk outside instead of inside the church. Most people would walk outside in the 40s and 50s, but not me! My artificial flowers are blooming (brought them out of the garage).

Easter Eve

Short of goal, but better than I thought I would do. I'll be back in the swing of things this next week with walking. I hope to be able to walk at least two miles after work depending on when I get home and the weather; then four miles Saturday and Sunday. I really can't wait to hear the click clack of the walking sticks - that really keeps the stride from dropping back.




Sending Joyous Easter Greetings to all!

SPRING HAS SPRUNG?

And so the first day of Spring, with snow forecast north of here tonight and tomorrow and a mix of rain/snow for Monday in the Quad Cities. But Life is Good any way you look at it. I missed my goal, but will do better with the next one as walking will be in the mix. I will be so glad that once again, I'll be able to write what I see, hear, feel, and smell during walks along the canal. Those jotted down thoughts remind me what a glorious world I live on and how gracious God is to share His World with me.

Farmer Neighbor has three cows that have calved - two had twins. I stopped at the township cemetery last evening to place spring flowers on family graves for Easter. The cemetery is about a quarter mile from my home. As I was going down the lane to the road, I stopped and watched both sets of twins romping and playing in the field. They were just born last week. More calves will be coming in the future!

My hour of exercise is helping to take the edge off layoffs at my agency. This last group of five employees will be temporary - they will be reinstated by July 1. Federal funding is being cut for the current year and next year's funding will be less than the total funds received this year. It is a sad state of affairs when agencies in place to help the unemployed have to lay off members of their own staff.

Palm Sunday

Up early and accomplished one hour of exercises plus an hour walk after church. I'll be short of goal for First Day of Spring by 10 hours. I'm going to contine on through Easter Sunday, then start a new short term goal until I can walk in the early mornings before work, about April 13. We have a 5K Gilda's run that day. I should be able to at least get 2 days of walks in each week before then and right after maybe 2 miles in the morning before work. Once May is here, I'll be walking my usual 4 miles before heading to work.

I have been so unfocused on what I need to do this year. So I made a new resolution, that for each day, I will do what I should not put off until tomorrow!

Sunday Thoughts

What a deal - I really am behind, but need to get motivated over this "Day Light Savings Time Thing". Still too icy on the bike path, so at least til mid week, stuck inside. If I make my goal, I'll just make it with nothing to spare. Even so, I'm keeping up with the aerobics and hope for some real walking by Thursday. It is surprising how much the aerobics and stretching keep me limber. Am now working on healthier eating habits.




Have some time off this week and next for catching up at home and regrouping from the loss in funding at our agency (my position will be okay for a while, but you never know). I hope to have at least some semblance of order by this time next Sunday so I can enjoy Easter week.

Wet and cold

I obviously won't be meeting my goal by March 7 (2 days from now, 7,000 steps a day), but perhaps I've been making December's goal of 5,000 steps a day? (163900 in 28 days)

We had 70 degree (almost) days Sunday and Monday, and I didn't even walk outside. I'm such a slug--just sit here and blog. I'm a sblogger. Then the temps dropped 40 degrees and the creeks are rising.

Slow Going!

I have been such a procrastinator - must catch up this week. Even off Nautilus for the last couple weeks. Still no outside walking - all snowy and icy. I really miss my daily walks on the bike path. Work is pretty stressful - more funds lost
Over the whole country, the Feds are rescinding funds awarded to local agencies from 2006 through 2007. This doesn't even address what our funding loss will be for the year starting July 2008. So my exercising in the AM gets me ready for the day. I just need to get going on at least a half hour more after work. The kit cats keep me entertained in the evening and I'm doing much better with work / life balance.

I keep a constant prayer in my heart of thank yous, praise, and needing help. What a combination to give to God in one sitting! I am well and can do "my thing"! So Life is Really, Really Good!

Ice storm

In Ohio we've had some nasty weather, but nothing like northern Illinois and Wisconsin, and I guess it has moved on to the east coast. We cancelled our Friday night out, and went out tonight. Despite the cold, the signs of spring are around us because at 6:30 it is still light outside. I'm walking indoors inside our church--wide halls and carpeted floors, so it works fine.

Cold Weather and Snow

So much for outside walking - too cold and snowy to venture on to the bicycle path. Exercise has been inside and is not near as much fun. Another wintery weekend is headed our way for tonight and tomorrow. So I have been doing my hour of exercising inside, but I haven't even made it to Nautilus. Need to get in gear!

Ash Wednesday

We'll be serving communion at tonight's service. I saw many ashes at morning coffee today--one group an immigrant family with their teen age children. The father prayed for some time over the bagels. Very touching.

End of my ticker parade--didn't come close--averaged 4600 steps a day instead of 6000 (although I think I forgot to update on some days).




Now I'll have to select another cute one. I love Joanne's.

Ash Wednesday

Final Tally on old goal - 7 hours short, but new day and new goal. This will run from now February 6th til March 20th - Spring. Then a short 4 day goal through Easter Sunday. Now that I'm accustomed to the new weather pattern, I'm allowing more time for Nautilus and combined exercise-yoga program for inside. If the weather calms down, walks outside.

Snow Day today. Il-IA Quad Cities pretty well getting snowed in. After all it is Winter, and everyone keeps wishing for Spring. Both my Dad and my Grandpa always reminded me "not to wish my life away". Each day is a gift from God and I will consider everything that I do each day as celebrating that day.

It's warm but wet today

Doesn't look like I'll accomplish my goal by end of the day tomorrow. It's supposed to be in the 60s today, but we're getting the wet that Illinois had yesterday, so I don't think I'll be getting out. I'll probably start a new ticker on Thursday and go for 7,000 steps a day, even though I didn't meet this month's or last month's, I'll just keep trying. Wearing a pedometer really is a reminder to move around more--like when the page is loading or the coffee is warming.

Happy Fat Tuesday. Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday.

Goal Cut Short

Here I am, 4 days from my target date - hadn't planned on the average snowfall which we have not had since the year 2000. That is fine, the path taken is as important as the end result. I have only had one good day for outside walking, but I still love winter. I really could have attained the goal and more had I pushed, but somehow this month did not feel like doing my normal extreme push. Even so I have managed almost an hour a day - I'll probably achieve 30 hours by Tuesday. I have my followup doctor appointments at the end of this month so I am starting February with at least one and 1/2 hours of exercise each day. Need to show them that they did a good job fixing me. New Goal on Wednesday!

We Are Only Into The Fourth Week of Winter

So much for the bike path this weekend - too cold. No snow, just cold (I'm such a pansy this weekend). So it is exercise on my own and some treadmill. I'll do better next weekend - even it is cold, I'm headed out for a walk. Have to wait for the weekends because of work hours.

People already are wishing for Spring and it is only going into the second month of Winter. My dad always said "don't wish your life way" - so I really enjoy each and every day as it comes, whether it be Winter, Summer, Spring, or Fall.




I'm also trying to be a more healthy eater. That means less eating on the run and actually sitting down at night for a light meal, rather than doing work , reading e-mails, and eating supper at the same time. This ties right in with my life/work balance resolution of 4 years - and each year I get a better at allowing myself more precious personal time.

New ticker for this month

I'm resetting my pedometer for 6,000 steps a day. Our weather has been so warm that so far, I've been able to exceed that, although the cold is coming back this week-end. Yesterday I did 10,700. I walked around the parking lot when I bought groceries, and around the condo in the afternoon with some classical music. Most of the articles I've read on using pedometers recommend 10,000 a day. I plan to work up to that, but not being an exercise-role model like Joanne, I'll not set my expectations too high.

30 Day Goal for Celebrating Return to Good Health

One year ago today I came home from rehab after the first step of replacing my left hip - a temporary replacement wrapped with antibiotics and using a walker. But I was home and it was and is wonderful. With the weather so iffy, I am now setting a goal for at least one hour a day of exercise, weight training, some treadmill, and maybe even some walking on the bike path from today January 5, 2008 through February 5, 2008.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is my final day for tracking this pedometer goal of 5000 steps a day for 30 days. I didn't make it. But those days I got 6000 or 7000 it wasn't all that difficult. Usually it just involved going to the supermarket, or one day I just walked around the inside of the church when I was doing an errand. So I'll reset the goal for January-February soon.

Happy New Year!

Good-bye 2007 and Hello 2008! I really haven't done much walking, what with preparing for 3 other Holiday parties. With the Christmas rush and all, many of my friends enjoy a January Christmas and New Year celebration. So with all the party preparations I have let my walking slide, even on the treadmill. But this week, will be back at least on the treadmill for a mile a day or so.

Will set new ticker once I am back on track.

Wishing all a really Great 2008!