WWQP Bulletin Board Chat

Where is Anna?

2009-11-05T14:37:00.001-05:00

Has anyone heard from Anna in Spain? I miss hearing from her.
Sara in Fla.

Pedigree Dogs Exposed - documentary on US TV in December

2009-11-05T08:59:00.001-05:00

For those of you who receive BBC-America TV channel and are dog lovers, you'll want to watch this documentary that was first shown in the UK:

"The fallout from this documentary led to the BBC dropping its coverage of Crufts, the UK's equivalent of the Westminster Show. Pedigree Dogs Exposed premieres Tuesday, December 10, 8:00 p.m. ET/PT "

I watched it on YouTube a few months ago, and it was very educational, and quite shocking at times. I was particularly appalled at the mother/son and father/daughter breeding that is condoned by the UK's kennel club.

Accidentally posted this over on the main BB page (no caffeine yet this a.m. ....)

Thank You, Jill, for your help.

2009-11-04T22:51:00.002-05:00

This is a test - hope it works. I've been trying to find out how to post on the board and could not, for the life of me, do more than reply to someone's message. Finally, I e-mailed Jill and she graciously told me how to get on both this and the Yahoo site. I finished a lap quilt for DDIL#2 and wanted to show it. That's another challenge. It's in the camera and now I have to figure out to get it here. She wanted a pink and black color scheme - Yuck! The pink turned out to be more toward salmon, so I paired it with many shades of green and called it Pink and Black and Forty Shades of Green (she is Irish born). It turned out nicer than the description!

Margaret from Long Island, NY

Wednesday in Chilly Minnesota

2009-11-04T07:24:00.002-05:00

Remember when we used to do a snoopy dance when we finished a project. Well, I am dancin' this morning. I finished putting together my Blooming 9-patch last night and actually finished a a few other UFO's a couple weeks ago. With a quilt show coming up in March, I have a little incentive to get some projects moved to the "Done" pile. I have so many projects waiting for me that I really needed to get some of the oldies but goodies (and a few not so goodies) completed. After a bag - see below! - I am starting on my BC blocks next. Lisa, who MQs some of my things, has me on her list so I need to have something to give her when she calls!

Last Thur & Fri I went to the Des Moines AQS with a couple of my friends. We saw lots of people from our area there as well and got lots of good ideas. While the show was very good with TONS of vendors, our state show is outstanding so we are a bit spoiled here in Minnesota when it comes to quilt shows. We didn't see many big quilt kits for sale. Bags were popular, there was quite a bit of hand work--embroidery -- and wool everything. Wool wall hangings, wool applique quilts, wool bags, etc. I ordered a wool wall hanging with Ecclesiastes 3 - "To everything there is a season..." around the border. They showed it in a black frame and it was gorgeous AND a wool bag kit just happened to find its way home with me. I am hoping to start on that today... Are the rest of you seeing lots of wool in your areas? Or what seems to be the "in" thing where you are?

Better get DD up for school.. Joleen in MN

walking shoes, quilting

2009-11-03T15:10:00.002-05:00

Sara in Fla - I love my Asics but yes, they do wear out fast on the soles. The Gel-Cumulus is my favorite because of my high arches. Shape of the last matching one's foot is so important. I love wool socks, too. Hikers wear them because they won't blister. I've started wearing the shorty version on the golf course.

QUILT GUILD met today. Our program was given by Sue Nickels. Her quilts are gorgeous, and of course I had to buy two of her books and a couple patterns. She gave an all-day workshop yesterday that I missed because that's my volunteer work day. She seems like a wonderful person and I'm sure is a very good teacher.

Must go walk the dog now. Beautiful weather here since Sunday; blue sky, sunshine (what is that???) and everyone is so happy because of it.

Shingles/walking/shoes/etc.

2009-11-02T14:47:00.004-05:00

Ah-went walking at he beach on Sat. morning after watching the sun come up. There is nothing better than a "cool" morning walking at the beach at low tide.
Back to home this noon.
Last year when I signed up for the 1/2 marathon I knew that I'd need a group to keep my motivation up. The local Breast Cancer group that I was supporting teamed up with Jeff Galloway, who was a 1972 Olympic winner. He has supported himself helping others run, holding running camps, etc.
His method has a person walking/jogging, off and on. The fast people 5 min run/i min walk, the slow people 20 sec. run/ 40 sec. walk, and all in between. The idea is to finish healthy, with no injuries.
His statement is that if you are over 50 you should do every other day. Too much stress on the legs and feet otherwise. That keeps us from guilt also.
SHOES-Everybody is different. I've found that Asic Gel Nimbus are great for me. They wear out fast. They are all made in China, so try on several pairs. (don't know what happened to my font)
When you find a pair you like-try it for 2 weeks then buy a second pair just like them so when #1 wears out you will have a standby.
Don't forget the socks. There are so many of the new blends now that are better than cotton. I found that Smart Wool socks are great even in hot weather because I don't get blisters. After buying 1 pair for $$$ I got them at the discount on line places.
Kelly's Running, ZAPO's, Siera Trading Co. all have discounts if you find the size and type you want. Shoes are like a good bra, when you find one that supports you, and you like buy several. The style will change in 6 months.
Shingles-yikes- I'm so sorry for those who have to suffer so. My DH had it several years ago. After a week of not saying anything, he said he had a rash on his stomach, then on his back. When he finally went to the DR. all he could do was take Tylonal for the pain, as the original outbreak was over. Remembering this I asked my family Dr. for the shot when I became 60, as my insurance covered it. Yes, it is expensive, but better than the pain.
All for now.
Sara in cooler Fla.

Shingles...

2009-11-01T01:06:00.002-05:00

You are right Jane, I've been let off very lightly. The stabbing pains were bad last w/end and it was three days before I was able to see the Dr. The anti-viral medication I have been taking this week seems to have prevented the virus from spreading, I am still taking pain killers for the head pains.. My tummy has not taken kindly to the drugs and that has been my biggest problem . I am very weary and only get up to take medication before mid-day. I'm lucky I am able to do that. I have the "spots" on the scalp, along my hairline, down my forehead along my eyebrow and around my eye. The Dr says to be very careful to check that I can see clearly out of the eye . So far so good.

On a brighter note, the weather has improved considerably and I have been enjoying sitting out in the garden. I haven't left the property since I went to the Dr last Tuesday and I've appreciated my surroundings.. It occurs to me that I take too little time to enjoy our garden and situation here.... rushing off here and there and for why ?

All the best to the walkers for a good week.
Marion.

ANOTHER HAPPY NOTE

2009-10-31T20:36:00.003-05:00

Talked to DD#1 today. Two of the grands are laid up with temps of 102 and are wiped out. The third had same symptoms last week and only missed two days of school and ran in a regional cross country event today. Cross your fingers. They are all prime targets for H1N1 as teenagers and there hasn't even been enough vaccine even to take care of hospital personnel. It's all over school and university where DD works. I'll be very relieved when I hear that they've bounced back.

Jane

HERPES ZOSTER (SHINGLES)

2009-10-31T19:49:00.004-05:00

Marion, hang in there. Your post appears to indicate that your dose of shingles, while very uncomfortable, isn't as agonizing as it can be and is so often. I hope it hasn't worsened since your post.

I'm putting this on the board for a reason. EVERYONE OUT THERE GET A SHINGLES VACCINE SHOT. Anyone who has had chicken pox is at risk. Anyone with a comprimized immune system, Judy Pete, that probably means you should have a shot and even if you've had shingles recently it doesn't mean you are immune. I know whereof I speak. Shingles, (herpes zoster virus) will stay in your spine forever and if you get old enough your anti bodies for that virus weaken or if you are having chemo or for many other reasons it can come roaring back. About 13 years ago I had what I thought was a migraine coming on with the typical pounding in the left side of my head just over the ear so ignored it and we left for a road trip to OH to leave Shadow with field trainer and then to Rochester to visit DD and the grands. I figured the pain would last a day or so and then I'd be good as new. By the second day on the road I had fierce stabs of pain in my left eye. It felt as if there were barbed wire in there and bright light was making me very uncomfortable. As I suppose most of you know, the virus attacks a nerve, most often running around the ribs under the arm and into the abdominal area. Well, mine was the optic nerve. As soon as we arrived at DD's Al took me to the ER at Strong Memorial Hospital, affiliated with the U of R medical school. It was my misfortune to run into a trauma doc who didn't know his #%@ from his elbow. A resident urged him to call in an opthalmologist or neurologist (either of which would have known exactly what the problem was). Of course by the time he saw me I was drugged up and they'd used some topical analgesic as well as demerol or some such thing. He sent me back to DD's and she and DSIL insisted I get into their bed. By midnight I was in agony and was afraid I was dying (brain tumor?) Al took me back tothe ER and I ran into another resident who was very concerned and the previous one came in as well. When the trauma doc arrived he was even worse than the preceeding one. He treated me and the female resident as if we were six years old. He did a lot of arm patting and telling me that I had abrasions on my cornea. I tried to convince him that I had terrific head pain as well as eye and that there had been no trauma to my eye. Both residents urged a consult with an ophalmologist and while he treated the male resident somewhat neutrally he really dissed the young lady. They doped me so heavily that I slept for a while and in the morning Al took me back to DD's where he gathered our belongings and we headed for home. ER idiot gave me an antibiotic salve for my "abrasions" which of course increased the pain and I had an allergic reaction to it as well. Poor Al was so exhausted we just had to stop so he could get some sleep and by the time we arrived in little old Sylva, NC and my doc's office which she kept open for us I was sure I was dying and so did Al who was normally unflappable. She had trouble getting a look at the eye for all the swelling but she guessed it was herpes. She drugged me up and ordered a brain scan to be sure. I met the ophalmologist in the local ER next morning and he and the trauma guy there guess it was herpes and when the scan came back "normal" but which did indicate a long standing sinus infection which indicated that even though I had been oblivious to the infection it had adversely effected my immune system. Since the infection was so long standing by the time it was diagnosed all attempts to relieve the pain, severity and duration I was sick as a dog from mid June onset until well into September. I spent most of that time in the darkest room in the house with one of those sleeping masks as I couldn't stand light, couldn't read as one of the eye drops I was getting was to paralyse the iris so as not to irritate the eye further, couldn't sleep for all the narcotics and pain. I tried to listen to recorded books but couldn't concentrate. To cut to the trace I would have paid every dime I had for relief. When the vaccine became available a couple of years ago it was a couple of months before Medicare started paying for it but I was the first one in town to have it and would gladly have paid 100 time the $200 it cost me. A friend in the guild had it recently around the ribs and she not only couldn't stand to wear a bra but had to turn her tee shirt inside out as the little seam allowances drove her nuts. Hers was treated promptly so the pain killers help her but not 100%. It lasted six weeks.

It's a bad, bad bug. I have corneal scars which have caused problems in getting a good correction with glasses. My DB had the same thing which was treated promptly and still his tear duct was damaged and his cornea had edema and it has remained very cloudy. Run, don't walk to your doc and get the vaccine.

Jane

Back on track

2009-10-31T14:25:00.003-05:00

I just did my walk and am going to paint walls next. Yesterday was a lost day, as I wasn't feeling well and did a lot of comforting myself with food. :-( Today is a new day though, and I am back on track.
My problems with my feet are due mostly to my weight. I wear orthotics and have been working with the person who provides them to come up with the best orthotic and shoes for what I need. I just have to accept the fact that my feet cannot carry this weight without hurting and find the right distance and speed to burn off some weight, increase my metabolism but not cause injury. It's hard to keep the pace slow when I just want to motor! I was having some hip pain on Wed. and DD#1 suggested walking 3 days and taking a day off. That seems to have worked as there was no pain today.
Also managed to get my flu shot. I have asthma and a 5-month old grandson with whom I spend a lot of time, so wanted to get it right away. The Health Unit recommended to DD that everyone caring for the baby should have one. I'm glad I got it; shortages are beginning to occur. There are a lot of sick kids away from schools, and the hockey teams are laying off for awhile. DGS Jack's gymnastics class had 3 out of 10 kids last week. DD is keeping him home from there until he's had his shot. They run multiple classes at once, so there are many kids rotating around the equipment all at once.
hugs to all and kudo to the walkers.

Friday evening

2009-10-30T21:31:00.001-05:00

MARION in NZ – so sorry to read you have shingles. That is miserable stuff. I’ve heard one can get them again, so that may explain Rosey’s recurrent itches.

JANE IN NC - My favorite place to buy athletic shoes is http://www.roadrunnersports.com/ They indicate which type foot each style of shoe is designed for (low, normal, or high arches) as well as one’s height, weight, and number of miles-per-week one runs/walks. They aren’t a discount place, but I found heaven when I found their catalog and last advice. Sometimes you can score on their sale merchandise, esp. if you don’t have high arches.

ALUMINUM Xmas trees are being sold again. Once was enough for me, back in the mid/late 1960s. Ugh...... DH's prize is a tabletop "bubble lights" tree that he bought a few years ago, reminiscent and almost identical to one his family had when he was a child. He takes great delight in hauling it out every year.

Doris

To the inspiring exercisers,

2009-10-30T18:56:00.001-05:00

Good going! You inspire as you perspire. :-)

Hugz, Mary in Oregon

Well, first of all

2009-10-30T07:14:00.002-05:00

I'm horrified, Marion, that you have shingles on your face and head...holy cow. I've had them around my waistline, a very typical place, but being environmentally sensitive and being achey all over most of the time, I ignored it until I was nearly on the mend. It felt like a bad case of the flu. They came back, in a sense, for several years afterwards, the tiny red dots. My friend, Penny, has had them on her head and I gather that they can be very painful there. You've had a very stressful and upsetting year with your sister, Brenda's death, and I often wonder if, when things like this happen, our immune systems become weaker due to stress leaving us prey for some immune system problem. Your wisteria reminded me of England; how beautiful. Please post green for the next few months so that we can enjoy it. Actually, we've had so much rain this year that our grass is still green although with streaks of yellow ochre threading through it. The pool is going to be closed today and that horrible grey vinyl blanket will go over top. When that happens, it's the last of our summer. I treated myself to paying a young woman to pull all the weeds and dead flowers from my gardens this year and it was the best gift to give myself. Last year it took me a week and a half to get the beds ready for winter. I'm just topping everything over with peat mulch now. Just wanted to say that I am feeling upset for you. It will take time to move on, Marion.

Jane, oddly enough, I have found that I am better off without wheat in my diet. I didn't eat a lot of bread but it's in pasta, etc. and the little wheat that I did eat was leaving my tummy looking like a loaf of puffed up bread. Once I eliminated that, the bloats and gas disappeared. But I think Laura's suggestion of eating smaller but more 'meals' makes more sense. The problem is that I can eat any man under the table and still repeat it the next day. It's just those extra few pounds around my waistline that makes doing up waistbands a tiny bit difficult...like maybe a good deal difficult. I'm glad you are feeling better. I can sympathize with not being able to walk on your feet. Mine were burning and painful all summer due to a gas leak in my car without my being able to pinpoint the problem as there was no apparent loss of fuel. There were tiny perferorations in my gas tank and the whole thing had to be replaced. Meanwhile, I burned up. I finally have found some wonderful shoes called Naots. They have helped tremendously...also having the gas tank replaced on my Nissan. Expensive both to my health and my pocketbook.

The fog is lifting this morning. Guests coming tonight. Actually, I don't eat before feeding guests. For some reason I can't cook breakfast for them on a full tummy for myself. Strange. I think with age, we change shape and the fat gets redistributed in places we'd prefer it not to be.

Rosey

food

2009-10-30T05:42:00.002-05:00

Rosey, the research indicates that 4-5 tiny meals are better than 3, and two meals is just setting yourself up for failure. Take the quantity of healthy food that you would serve in 3 meals, and move part of if to a mid-morning and and mid-afternoon snack. The trick is to snack only on part of what you would have eaten at a meal. It could be a glass of milk, an egg, one piece of bread that you skip at lunch or breakfast, etc. This has the added benefit of keeping the hunger pangs away.
Good luck.

Wisteria...

2009-10-29T22:31:00.002-05:00

Thought you might enjoy seeing this, it's looking so pretty today, even though we had heavy rain and cold temperatures again last night.

All strength to the walkers ! I used to walk an hour a day and felt (and looked) better for it ! The use of the countryside around us has changed and now we have huge irrigaters everywhere , electric fences and herds of cows, all of which make walking difficult. I have joined a walking group and once a week we go for a 10-15 klm walk but I think a short walk every day is better value health and weight wise...

I am feeling slightly sorry for myself this week as I have got shingles on my face and head. Started last w/end with sharp pains and tenderness of the scalp. The Dr was very sympathetic. and prescribed a huge amount of drugs, they have certainly taken the pain away but for someone who never takes a tablet , they are proving to be a real challenge.. Some are the size of golf balls and get stuck every time... Yes please, I'll take some cheese with my wine... I do know that, on a scale of one to ten, shingles would hardly rate, but for me, this is difficult as it's the first time I've been sick in the 45yrs we've been married...

Looking forward to a quiet w/end and some warmer weather !

Marion.

YOU GO GIRLS AGAIN!!

2009-10-29T17:17:00.002-05:00

Brenda take your time. Proper shoes can make a BIG difference. They are costly but can make all the difference in the world. We all have our preferences as to brand. My complaint about the sports shoe mfrs. is that as soon as I find a model with a last that suits me they have changed it when it's time to replace them. Shoes vary a lot. I wear mens' New Balance as they are wide enough to accommodate the prescribed orthotic I have to wear. While I'm still narrow in the heel I need considerable toe space. I envy those who can wear a shoe that fits both fore and aft. There is a bargain shoe place here called Shoe Show, a large chain, that sells all the pricey shoes at a considerable discount. I suspect most of them have been discontinued so this type store can sell them at a reduction. Even so I typically pay $50 for mine. However, that's the only kind of shoe I wear anywhere including the chamber music festival. I broke down and got some Mary Janes for DD's wedding. Just enough champaign allowed my to dance the evening away.

I have the munchy problem in the evening too. I don't know why as I never ate after dinner until the last few years. Rosey, skipping meals just creates the craves and low blood suger that makes us more inclined to over eat or eat the wrong stuff. Watch the fat and sugar content of everything you do eat and pick the highest fiber stuff like the whole wheat bread and bran cereal. Lots of fruit and veggies too. Often I make a huge tossed salad and add some kidney beans that have been marinated in fat free dressing for good healthy protien. I'll eat a soup bowl of it for several days til it's gone. I also buy ready cooked shelled shrimp frozen in a bag. I'll put some in a strainer under the faucet to thaw and throw that into a salad. You can eat your fill with impunity. Then there are veggie stir fries in olive oil (limited oil of course) with herbs and spices of your choice. Adding some chicken breast, shrimp or even some very lean beef can also make for a very tasty and satisfying meal. Al came up with a good idea on the evening munchies. After Al quit smoking and drinking simultaneously, for the first time since I knew him, he had a sweet tooth. He got the brain storm to floss and brush his teeth immediately after dinner which helped him control the urge to snack. I also came up with the idea of serving each of us a reasonable helping and putting the left overs right in the fridge so that when the urge for seconds hit the left overs were cold and in some cases, like stew, congealed. Hmm, think I'll reinstate both those tricks.

Rosey, I know that you have the problem of cooking for your guests and I realize you can't relegate them to these restrictions. I still have to work on portion control. I feel so much better, though, than I did when you last saw me. Of course I had that horrible cold and was crippled by the torn foot tendon and was in worse shape with regard to fitness than I'd been in years. Haven't had a cold since then and the surgery followed by rehab and subsequent orthotic have changed all that. On the days I don't walk I do weight work and the elliptical trainer (easier on the knees than treadmill) at the local county recreation center. Some days I just say the hell with it. However, not only does the exercise do us so much good including stronger bones, you get to feel virtuous all day afterward.

Anybody here have some meal or specific food ideas go ahead and post it. We're here to support each other.

Jane

Pink elephants & pink Xmas trees

2009-10-29T16:44:00.003-05:00

"A pink Christmas tree is a heresy or blasphemous or something really bad. I thought the aluminum ones in my youth were bad enough. There's no accounting for taste."

Jane, better pink trees than pink elephants...lol ! But then, bad taste is a matter of degree and personal preference, isn't it... I find hard it to adjust going to Florida in November when it is Thanksgiving and the stores all have Christmas decorations up. One thing Canada does better is the date for our Thanksgiving...at least we don't have to eat two turkeys inside of two months.

A dull day weather-wise but thankfully, it isn't snowing here yet. I drove up through the valley to pick up friend, Penny, who had an eye operation yesterday and who had to see her eye dr. at 8 a.m. this morning, in the city. I left at 6 a.m. in the midst of dense fog and darkness. As I crawled northward along the gravelled country road I could see about 5 or 10 ft. in front of my headlights and not enough scope to pick up any deer coming at me across the roads. Luckily, the only deer that we encountered was on Penny's laneway before I got to the gravel road. Cooper, who is stuck to me like a flea, accompanied us and was as good as gold. He goes home next Tuesday and this year, he gets a gold star for good behaviour.

I find loosing even five pounds impossible and I do go to Curves. About the only way I can knock off a pound or two is to eat two meals a day instead of three. That only lasts about one day, too.
Good luck, Brenda, not an easy chore to loose weight.

Rosey

Good going, walkers and wanna be walkers!!!

2009-10-29T11:13:00.003-05:00

Congrats to all who are putting one foot in front of the other no matter how much or how often. :-) Any movement is better than none. And slow to avoid injury is great too!

I decided it would be silly for me to attempt to take part as a walker. Thus my 'job' will be to cheer you all on. As Jill said, our weather is often damp and I just don't do damp very well. I'm old enough to not want to set myself up for guaranteed failure so won't promise to walk as I know I won't do it.

Jill, we got a treadmill about 7 years ago. We're now on our second one. I have used it some and love the idea it is here if I miss Curves a lot. My husband uses it every day. If he misses 2-3 days a month, that is a lot for him. As a diabetic he found it was perfect for him to ensure he got some exercise every day. I agree, though, one just never knows ahead of time if the exercise equipment will be used or not. I'm pleased and proud that my husband has used it so religiously. If it's meant for you to have one, it will come together for you. Having doubts (plus no space) probably means you aren't meant to have it yet.

However, you could always hang fabric and strips on it. :-) :-)

Mary in Oregon

Walking

2009-10-29T10:19:00.002-05:00

Good job Brenda!
I'd like to get my walking mojo back too. I did so well for so many years & now I have really slacked off. My partner Dyna(my dog) can't go along due to her arthritis so I have really fallen off the wagon. It's rainy season now & I keep wondering if I should think about a treadmill, but the risk is so high that it won't get used & we really don't have the room for it.......excuses excuses!
I'm off work thismorning so if the weather breaks I may try to get out there! Think positive thoughts everyone...... Jill

soldiering on

2009-10-29T08:37:00.002-05:00

I've walked 6 laps of the concourse at the arena for 3 days now. 6 laps = 1.5 km. or .94 mi. (which doesn't sound nearly as far!). I'm trying to keep it gentle for now as I don't want to injure my feet. I've also been walking around more when I go shopping etc. by parking a little further away. My knees are not great, so stair climbing is not for me. Also trying to move around more in the house instead of sticking my nose in a book all the time. Today I will walk and paint the dining room walls.
I want to find a place to weigh so I can weigh once a month. I'm eating better but still want to snack all evening. I've determined that my triggers for eating are sadness, depression, happiness, boredom, celebration.......you get the picture. DD#1 is doing very well; walking almost every day and feeling great. She is in the best shape of the four of us. DD#2 is struggling; she has an almost 3-year old and a five-month old, is sleep deprived and navigating toilet training for the first time. She says her life feels like a long list of things she needs to do to improve herself in all areas of her life. We are encouraging her to make small changes as she can. I'm so thankful those baby days are over for me - except for the visits where they go home after a few hours.
hugs to all
Brenda

PINK, DID YOU SAY PINK?

2009-10-28T20:25:00.002-05:00

A pink Christmas tree is a heresy or blasphemous or something really bad. I thought the aluminum ones in my youth were bad enough. There's no accounting for taste.

I did my short walk to the mailbox and back this morning; a total distance of about .75 or .8 mile. It's very steep though. Coming back gets me to my target heart rate quickly and I puff and pant all the way. It's very strenuous work for the legs too. Weather was gorgeous today but that won't last long.

Weight Watchers tomorrow to be followed by a work out with weights and elliptical trainer. I'm so virtuous I can't stand myself.

What about the rest of you? Brenda? If you have good knees climbing stairs is a good work out in public buildings just skip the elevator. When weather permits park a good distance from your destination. I started doing that after my accident and I had a long way to go to regain some strength.

Heading for the sack now. The power was off here for 7 hours last night. Unfortunately, without my CPAP working the apnea interferes with restful sleep so I have some making up to do.

By y'all,
Jane

Walking/running, etc.

2009-10-28T13:21:00.002-05:00

Yes, we should walk with each other.
Today was supposed to be a "walk" day, but I had Dr's. appt at 8:30 AM so didn't make it.
Normally I walk/jog on M/W/F/ I've found a yoga class close by that I like, slow, easy stretching. That is Thurs. morning. My intention now that the weather is somewhat cooler is to add milage. 4 miles twice a week, then 2 miles on the other day. Endurance is what I'm going for.
Yes, I AM training for a 1/2 marathon. It is in Feb. and I've already sent in my regrestration $$. It is the second Sunday in Feb. so I'd better get to it.
Got some new Asic Gel shoes this past week, the others were just shot.
We decided last night to take a long weekend and go to Daytona Beach on Friday afternoon and come home Monday afternoon. The building has been closed for repairs and painting for over 30 days. There was a renter in our place for the last 6 or 7 months.
(The insurance co. finally settled with the Condo Assoc. for damages done in Charlie in 2004) Slooowww.
Tomorrow AM I get to go to another eye specialist. This one is at the Mayo clinic here in town. Hopefully between the two Retina Dr's I can see better soon. Will let everyone know.
Thats about it for me.
It's 85 here & I just got back from Wally-Mart. There are PINK Christmas trees up. Decorations up earlier and earlier each year. The Christmas stuff is next to the Halloween candy. Go figure.
Sara in Fla.

READING/LISTENING

2009-10-27T19:22:00.002-05:00

Edwin Drood is, indeed, a cliff hanger of the highest order. I was stunned when I got to the end of it and that wasn't the end. I'd forgotten that. Not sure if I read it or listened it's been so long. I got into books on tape 18 years ago. I was painting the inside of kitchen cupboards getting the FL house ready for sale when I stumbled across them at the library. It's wonderful to listen to an engaging book being well read while one is doing something as mindless as painting the inside of cupboards. It's also great on long road trips; more than background music. However, when I tried to listen to Stephen Hawkings "A Brief History of Time" it didn't work too well. I listened to what was probably the first few pages about six times and never understood any beyond his promise that the book was written for laymen and that there were no equations. Even sitting in a chair doing nothing else didn't help so I gave up. I am no cosmologist or physicist or whatever he is. I just know he's light years over my head. If you are not sure where you're going and need to find your way silence in the car is best. Ask me how I know.

Let us commit to each other among the walkers and report in now and then. If you don't have a walking buddy close at hand we can try to fill the void for each other. Sara, I thought you were running 1/2 marathons these days. Fl summers are not conducive to such things. When I quit smoking 19 years ago I got serious about walking but got up at 5:30 to do it before work and before it got hot. I remember one neighborhood that had very large live oak trees overhanging the street and the trees were full of bats. One tended to have to wave one's hands around if it was still dark. I thought it was funny until I read in the St. Pete Times that rabid bats were beginning to be a problem.

I'm actually spending a few hours a day making the Juki smoke as I make blocks for DD's wedding quilt. I really am very content in that room getting lost in the process. Shadow comes in and takes a nap on a bed I have for her in there. I've even got a plastic container of pieces of doggie jerky for her. She's such a pal. She's snoozing nearby right now near the computer. She's much improved since last spring and is eating less but regularly and it's normal dog food. Her weight is fine so she's getting enough. Like the elderly lady she is she's adjusted her intake to her gradually reducing activity level. Would that I could follow that pattern so easily and naturally.

Rain and clouds all day but supposed to brighten up tomorrow so the two old broads will climb up the mountainside alongside my house.

Jane

walking to lose weight

2009-10-27T16:26:00.002-05:00

I've been reading articles that say 30 minutes of brisk walking, daily, will help improve bone density and reduce your risk of strokes and heart disease as well as more vigorous exercise would. The faster you walk, of course, the more calories you will burn. I can tell you that walking brsikly for 15 minutes with my students in the morning, and 30 minutes with my dogs in the afternoon, helped me drop a lot of weight 2 years ago, and has helped me keep it off. If it does not stop raining soon, however, I'll need to learn to row, because walking will be out of the question! :)
I've also been told that if you are strictly walking to lose weight, the sessions can be very short and spread out through the day, so that simply by adding steps to your normal routine, you can shed additional pounds. This does nothing for your heart and lungs, however. When I lost all my weight, I never left my classroom without going the "long" way to whatever my destination was. I need to get back to doing that again!
I am working very hard trying to clean and decorate, as my brother has been offered a job here in Huntsville. I expect that he and his wife will be staying here when they do their house hunting. I'll miss being able to play tourist in DC for free, but it'll be great to have one family member closer than 3 hours away.
I'm listening to lots of audio books now, using librivox.org. I've got Peter Pan and The Count of Monte Christo up next. I've also downloaded The Mystery of Ewin Drood by Dickens, but I'm not sure I'll listen to it. I understand he died before he finished it, and I HATE cliffhangers.
Laura in wet Alabama

Thanks, Jane

2009-10-27T11:48:00.001-05:00

JANE-Thanks for the encouragement. I needed it. I have an I-pod, but only used it around the house. Will get it out and dust it off, put some upbeat songs on it and get out and walk! Maybe even jog a bit.
The heat is back here, hopefully will be cooler by the weekend.
Sara in Fla.