Determined and did it..

I thought for sure I was going to miss my step count for the entire month due to two slow days, one of which was yesterday at the mall. this morning I realised I needed 18,739 steps to achieve my goal for the month of 450,000. I came home from work with much less and was late getting here. I was with a customer till late then stopped at Scotts to see his new house and pick up his 50/50's. Note here: he was the top selling sales person for the tickets! Thank you Scott! Got home to no electric. I cannot believe how often the power goes off here. Anyway, I just now finished exercising. I wanted to hit that goal and did 80 minutes of step aerobics..think my legs may fall off. I am over 21,000 steps for today! I did however miss my minutes goal by 416 minutes.. darn it all. Another note here too, I am having some problems with this darn neck today. Who knows why? Haven't done a darn thing that should bother it but am really looking forward to getting the tense unit on Wed am and hoping it helps. Oh! Drawing for the 50/50 is tomorrow afternoon and we have about $170 so far. Which means someone is going to win at least $85.00. Thanks to all who contributed.

GRUMBLE, GRUMBLE, GRUMBLE

Who the hell's idea was it that I would spend this absolutely gorgeous day inside at the mall instead of outdoors with my fish, ponds, bluebirds, etc???I could easily become a hermit and never leave my yard. I have ridden the stationary bike 3 miles from the back porch this morning and got to watch 2 male bluebirds chase each other. Not to sure which one won the battle but a lot of activity up by the bluebird house this morning. I am thinking we have a pair building a nest there. I also noticed a chickadee over by the other bluebird house and am wondering if possibly there may not be activity there also. Will have to keep a watch, speaking of watching, here is my tree man who watches over my yard.

FIGURES

Figures the sun would be out and looks gorgeous today. The first nice day in ages and I am willingly inside for the relay fund raiser. if we could have gotten walmart at least we could have been outside. I think I'm going for a nice long walk this morning before getting ready to go and that should help somewhat. May even do a bit of shopping in between times this morning when someone else can watch the booth. I am taking the camera and sure to get a few pictures but also sure that everyone will not want them taken. Too bad. I hope all of you take a minute and read the comment from my darling daughter. she had to post a comment on the bake sale and the cookies. I got a big chuckle out of it. I sure do miss those kids. We will hopefully be in Vegas in the fall and we can make her some no bakes. Or send her the recipe?? Enjoy the day everyone!

Bake sale and raffle tickets

I've been getting things together tonight for the fund raiser tomorrow. Got home from work around 8:45 and have been busy ever since. Wanted to make sure that I had everything ready for tomorrow, as much as possible anyway. So far we have collected $81 for the raffle tickets and $5.00 for the bake sale. Marcy made cupcakes today and we bought and ate a few at work. They were great and I know tomorrow will pretty much be a junk food day. Betty is making pecan tassies among other items, Ann did brownies and some little loafs of bread of some type. We have Marcy's chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting and John made us no bake cookies. No exericse more than likely this day and will have to make up for this later in the week. Sure sounds yummy though.

TOMMORROW

Tommorrow from noon until 5 pm, the Relay for Life team of Miller Brothers Pavement Pounding Posse will be set up at the Community Booth at the Dubois Mall. We will be selling 50/50 raffle tickets, Avon Products, and baked goods. I am not to sure how many of us will be there but do know it will be at least Betty and I. Am hoping to get pictures to post. John made signs for us so that was a help. Today he is doing cookies for the bake sale while I work. We are having a big direct mail sale at the store today and we are working from open to close. I am adding a picture of my pond and sign so that I can keep it in my head and will be wishing I was there today. Enjoy the day everyone, hope its a good one!

BEFORE AND AFTER POND PICTURES

The pipes are gone now, we have the water running down to the pond over rocks and creating a man made waterfall which I absolutely love. The pond edges are now done in river rock and looks great, and hopefully the lilies, and other pond plants will grow soon. Yesterday I looked up here in time to see the king fisher sitting on one of the posts holding the net, I believe he was surveying his property and trying to figure out how to get the fish. There are an awful lot of them up there. I love this pond and enjoy relaxing up there for a while. I cannot believe how many fish there are up here. From the two sunfish Brandon caught us two years ago we now have probably about 50 sunfish, maybe more. I hope Dave and Heidi bring them down soon to see them.

BETTER IN VEGAS

I think the slots are looser in Vegas! It sure is fun to play here in the privacy of our own home though, can even play here in my jammies. I haven't won more than 10 tokens or a free spin yet though. It is fun trying to figure out what makes the music change and what you can try to hit, but so far no luck. We have figured that there are at least three different songs it plays but no clue what makes them change.

Doctors appt this afternoon to see the pain management doctor, was going to cancel it but decided against it. Still have days where the neck is bad, like last week doing fabrics at work, or driving home with the top down and the wind or today for some reason...maybe rain..who knows?

Am trying to get stuff ready today for Sunday when we will be at the mall selling 50/50 raffles, Avon Products, and baked goods to benefit the relay. Hope we get some good amount of traffic there and I am sure I will be accosting people trying to get them to donate. Need to make some signs yet and get the avon together.

have a good day everyone!

WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY

I had an absolutely wonderful birthday. Really enjoyed the time with the family. It was a gorgeous day and most of the time was spent outside working when we weren't visiting. We are redoing the ponds and spent hours hauling rocks.

I love this picture of mom, Cher and I. Sure would have been nice to have my daughter here for in it also.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

53 Years old, when did I ever reach that age? HOnestly, I think it happened in the blink of an eye. Looking back, It is like another lifetime. I don't feel 53, but then again what does 53 feel like? I actually think I feel better now than I have at any other age. That probably is due to the no smoking, the exercising and the health kick that I have been on for the past almost 2 years now. then again it could just be all the clean living here in the valley.

I've got a gorgeous day for a day off, sunny, warm and gorgeous. Mom and Cher are coming up this morning to visit and I am really looking forward to that. John got me some really neat gifts, new solar lights for the garden, a garden face for the tree, I'm sure a pic of that will be posted soon, new garden flag, new garden gloves, gee, is there a theme here?? And a new hummingbird mobile feeder..that needs filled and hung..speaking of which, think I'm going to make them some hummingbird food. they should be coming back soon. Today is definately going to be an outside day.

have a great day everyone!

WONDERFUL SURPRIZE

A great surprize today, my wonderful nephew just stopped in quick on his way past..even left the car running..just stopped to say hello! haven't seen him lately so it was a real nice surprize. he caught me eating breakfast and getting ready for work. Was sure good to see him.

ADDITIONS

I've added a new link to the left side of the page under the heading of links. This is for anyone who wants to join us at walkertracker.com and track their walking steps during the use of a pedometer. It is a free site and quite motivating. Also a new widget has been added to the left showing my steps daily, yearly and a few notes from my blog on walker tracker.

this is all part of my ongoing physical fitness/cardio lifestyle that I have learned to enjoy so much at my advanced years. LOL

Sun is shining here in Northwest Pa today. YIPPEE little red convertible may be going to work today.

NEW FUND RAISER AT RELAY?

Hey, after talking with some friends on line who like to hula hoop as much as i do, I got to thinking that maybe we could do some kind of fund raiser at the relay with the hula hoops. Maybe something like $1.00 to hula with 4 other people at a time, and keep narrowing that down, the winner from the first four, goes against the winner from the second 5 etc..till we have one winner who wins something?? Want to see what everyone thinks, but it could work.

FIRST THOUSAND YES!

I totaled the dollars that I had here today since the meeting last week and we are over our first thousand dollars for the Relay for Life. Actually, we are at $1057 raised. Betty and I are looking into getting permission from Walmart in Dubois to sit in front of their store and sell the 50/50 raffles, some Avon and possibly baked goods on April 29. I hope we can have that day, which we can if no one else has it booked. Walmart has forms you fill out to use their location and it has to be requested days in advance. I hope that day is available. Our relay 50/50 drawing is May 1 and we don't have many sold. if we can be at walmart on Sunday, it would help alot. We should hopefully know within the next day or so.

DARK AND GLOOMY

Day here today, doesn't look to get any better any time in the near future. Rain, snow, dark, gloomy yuck! For the next week or so. Only bright spot out there are all of the bright yellow, little gold finches. they are brighter now than they were when this picture was taken and I think we have thousands, the area around us just buzzes with the noise of them chattering. They are eating us out of house and home right now. However, we manage to keep the feeders filled. I hope you all enjoy the day everyone! It's Sunday and a day off! A much needed day off here.

NOT FAIR

Okay, I'm a big girl and I'm going to just "put on my big girl panties and deal with this." However, my kids are in Vegas and have high in the 80's today. I have a high today of maybe what 40 if we are lucky?? Then there is my mom and sister who are taking the day and going somehwere, who knows? Bingo? Shopping? Lunch? What?? I'm working 9:30 am to 8 pm tonight...wahh! Even John has deserted me today, he is off and him and Russ are out for a ride through the woods, breakfast, just having a grand old time...wahh again! Is there no justice???Everyone is off having fun, sunny skies, warm weather and I guess I'll just get ready and go to work. YUCK!

LOL on a brighter note, the bluebirds are here, both the mama and papa and I have hopes that they are nesting in the box by the big pond again. Here's a picture of them from last year. I hope you all enjoy your day.

Oh, here is another bright note! WE are over our first thousand for the relay. Greg cooked lunch yesterday, I sold more 50/50's and the store gave me a check for us wearing our buttons. YIPPEE

$50 SHORT OF FIRST THOUSAND

DARN, DARN, DARN, Just finished getting the relay money ready to be turned in tomorrow and we are just $50 short of hitting our first thousand. How frustrating. I even called Cher and tried talking her into coming up and bringing whatever money she has raised so far. Am thinking that could have put us over our $1000. Needless to say she didn't think much of that idea at 5:00 pm.

I did get raffle tickets to Brenda and Tommy. I need to mail Tommy a copy of the small games of chance license which I should have by tomorrow at the meeting. The one I have is for the other county. I didn't get to talk to him, he was out but am hoping he will call if he has any questions.

The computer is screwy today, wonder if its the storm coming or what? It's slow and behind me when I type. I hate it and am going to get off here.

A BUSY DAY HERE TODAY

Good morning everyone, I have got a busy day planned here today with some things being done for the Relay. I have talked to the ACS this morning and it is legal for a bar/resteraunt to sell the raffles as long as they have the copy of the small games of chance license, so i am running that and raffle tickets to town this afternoon. Just got off the phone with Brenda, and she will also have them in her shop so I will also be stopping in there. I just cannot believe how wonderful and helpful people can be.

Relay meeting is tomorrow night so i need to have the money together to turn it. Most of it is already accounted for but i still have some that needs to get organized.

A sunny day here today and hopefully will warm up a bit.

Later, folks

FUND RAISERS

Well, we have a few things going on right now for the Relay. Tomorrow I am stopping in town at the one little store that has been selling the sun and moon cards for us. I hope that they have done well with this and I want the $$ picked up so that i can turn it in at the meeting on Thursday. Also, want to stop and see my friends at another store who have something they are donating to our gift basket. I am calling the coordinator first thing in the morning because of a question I have on the 50/50 raffle tickets. Need to know if this can be done at a bar/resteraunt. Don't want to get anyone in trouble with doing this if it is illegal. In that case we may be better doing the sun and moon cards at the bar also.

As of right now a few of us are going to be in front of a store some Sunday in April, looks to be the 29th and selling 50/50 tickets, Avon products, and baked goods. Hope to do well with this. The drawing for the raffle is May 1 and so far no one has done much with it.

We also are looking at scheduling a garage sale here at my house on Sunday, June 3 with possibly a few families participating. Proceeds of course, to benefit the relay. YOu can check these dates on the calender on the left from here on out and I am planning on keeping it updated.

So far we will be also selling raffle tickets for the gift basket which is growing and possibly a chair made and donated by my brother in law, Jeff. One of these will be during the month of May the other the month of June as it looks right now.

RECHARGING MY BATTERIES

I'm being a load today, kind of just piddle farting around and it feels absolutely wonderful. I needed a day like this. Have done alot of exercising, 5 mile watp video with all the weights, then 6 miles on the stationary bike while talking to Michelle, she is on her way home to Vegas. Haven't gotten dressed yet today, still running around in flannel pajamas and thinking I may just stay that way. Am going to get busy and get laundry done and the sweeper ran though. Thinking I am not starting any major projects or spring cleaning today though. Going to relax a bit today and get ready to start the week again tomorrow.

Hope everyone is enjoying their day today.

HAPPY EASTER

We woke up to snow this morning. Not the first time we've had snow on Easter Sunday. I am sure it won't be the last.

Where do the years go? I am remembering Easters past. the years that the Easter Bunny hid baskets at our house for the kids. The years when we were all together, today our family is so scattered. Michelle is in Arizona with Mike, her husband Bo, and Howie are in Vegas. I'm here in Pa. My brother Chet is now in New York and the rest of my family about an hour away. I am hoping that possibly my mom and sister will be up to visit today.

I'm remembering a memory that goes back to about the time I was maybe 5. Very young at any rate, it was while we still lived in Emporium, we hadn't even moved to Cleveland yet. It was early am on Easter Sunday, we lived in a small ranch style home. I was the only one awake and watching cartoons when I heard a knock on the living room door. I opened it but no one was there, seconds later, I heard a knock on the door in the utility room which was right next to the living room. I went to that door and looked out but again, no one there. Then the knock was back to the living room..this went on for a while, back and forth door to door. finally I gave up and pulled the drapes open in the living room and looked out, this would enable me to see the front of the yard where whoever, (or whatever) would have had to go across to get from door to door. Nothing, nothing, no one there. I never really did find out who had so much fun with me that morning, but I know to this day that it was either the Easter Bunny or Uncle Rob.

QUOTE TAKEN FROM SPARK PEOPLE

Worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but doesn't get you anywhere.

Don't waste your energy on worryingToo many of us worry about things that we cannot change. Although worrying gives you something to focus on, there are more productive ways to spend your time. Instead of worrying about the things you cannot control, remind yourself that worrying doesn't bring change. If it is a situation that you can control, then there is no reason to worry! Find a solution and spend your energy fulfilling it. If nothing else, just talk to someone about your concerns. Getting them out in the open tends to help put your mind at ease.

These two paragraphs were taken from a favorite web site of mine. Go to www.sparkpeople.com it is actually a weight loss sight with so many bits of information and people from all over the world to talk with on different subjets. This site is also the one who has the motivational tips on the bottom of this blog.

I have always been a worrier although I've gotten better somewhat these past few years. It takes some work and effort to get past it. But its worth it.

A dusting of snow on the ground here this morning. The daffodils, tulips and lilies are coming through the snow this morning.

MY DARLING DAUGHTER

is at her dad's. Michelle left work today and drove down to her dad's in Arizona. A 6 hour drive for her and I am just so proud of her that she is capable of doing this all on her own. i would not have been at that age and am not to sure that I would be any better at it now. It's really only been the past few years that I have driven anywhere by myself, and that was due to work. I still remember how nervous I was my first trip to State College alone. On the other hand my daughter has driven all over the place by herself and I am so glad that she is confident enough to do that. I do wonder why it is that both of my kids feel the need to stick their tongues out when you go near them with a camera though. Their mother must not have been able to teach them any manners, though I know she tried. LOL

Anyways, I sure hope that you all enjoy yourselves in Arizona, and I had better get some pictures! Ps, it snowed here in Pa today and pretty hard for a while there too, the cinder trucks were even out.

EX SISTER IN LAW

My ex sister in law, Sue, (God how she hates being called that) is in Arizona with her brother Mike, (my best ex) this week. I am sure that they are having a grand old time..I don't know the last time they saw each other and Michelle is going out this weekend also, so am sure that they will be having fun chatting with each other and catching up on old times. One story that I am sure they may remember is the time when we were about 13 years old, Sue and I were walking home from school thru the field when some pervert flashed us..Mike came flying over the fence and hit him. Just punched him and knocked him right down. Always a favorite story for Sue and I for years after that. I wonder if either of them remember that???

Enjoy the day everyone! I'm trying to get started with some housework and then some exercise. We took off and did a bit of running errands this morning, then a nice long nap this afternoon. Now to play catch up with stuff.

STARTING OUT SLOW

I have already missed by daily step counts for the first two days of the month. I try for 15,000 a day and have not hit it yet. Today I work noon to 8 and am heading down to the eliptical here shortly for a workout to get the day started. Loaded some different music onto the ipod last night, can't say new music, just different, was time for a change.

Spent a good part of last night getting the tickets ready for the 50/50 raffle, but not done yet. Takes a while to cut and staple that many of them. May take in what I have or finish them up tonight and tomorrow, then take them in on Thursday. Sure hope that some of the team will actually cooperate and sell some of them for us.

A beautful day here in Pa. high in the 70's and sunny today, rain tomorrow while I'm off. Figures

Enjoy the day everyone.

OUTSIDE EXERCISE

is absolutely wonderful.. Rode the road bike for a mile, then walked for a mile and a half, then rode the stationary bike on the deck for 4 miles..felt great. A nice sunny day here, and tomorrow is supposed to be even nicer, then storms move in on Wed, which is my day off of course.

macaroni salad and hot dogs went over well at lunch today and was nice to have. I left it there for the night crew but hope that there is some left for tomorrow. speaking of lunch, I think I need dinner, its about 8:15 and I haven't eaten yet.

My dads test went okay today, thank God! He is in good shape and I am so very grateful for that.

MY TURN TO COOK

Yechh! Hate cooking, nothng has changed there even with a new kitchen...yuck, hate it, hate it, hate it. Anyway, figured I had better take a turn cooking for the relay, can't hardly ask the team to do something I wouldn't do myself, so i bit the bullet and cooked, macaroni salad, and bought hot dogs and buns that we can do tomorrow at the store. Should work anyway.

Saw brother Eddie while at mom and dad's and lucky him, he has a lazer printer. he volunteered to make us the copies of the raffle tickets for the 50/50 raffle. I had a few copies with me, he just needed to scan them and print them out. He made us 120 pages...600 tickets. Surely hope that we can sell all of them, but anything is better than nothing I guess. Amazing how quickly he could do them on his printer, mine would have taken days. Now if the team will just cooperate and sell these we may have a good fund raiser.

1ST OF APRIL

The first day of April is here, always makes me think of spring and new beginnings. Actually the first day of any month makes me think of new beginnings. I love the first of the Month. it's a time for setting new goals, starting over and hopefully starting the month the way you would like to end it. So, here goes. My goals for the month are pretty much the same as last month, 15,000 steps a day (which I missed by 16967 last month) this month with 30 days I need 450,000 steps by April 30. I also missed my minute goal in March, Minute goal is 1500 and I had 990. Darn, darn, darn

I've been watching outside, the blackbirds have taken over the bluebird house, and I think I'm going to chase them away today. But I have noticed a new bird. I have no clue what it is, about the size of a finch, with yellow underbelly and black head. Quite unusual. Going to have to do some research .

Enjoy the day everyone