APOLOGETIX

Well, this should be interesting and hope its fun to. Tonight I am going to a Christian Rock Concert with our next door neighbor. I have the day off work, both jobs yippee! Margie came over the other night and asked me to go. I have never heard of the band, Apologetix, but they do parodies of rock music. Such as the Beatles, Elvis, everyone basically including country and all styles of music. It's all based on the bible. They are like WEird Al Yankovic only their words are based on the bible history and stories.

She brought me over a few cd's and a dvd, for me to check it out. it's actually pretty neat and they are very well known. A few of the girls at work knew them. Margie is a big fan and they are here in our area tonight from Philly. Well, she told me either Philly or Pittsburgh, I can't remember for sure. I'm thinking this should really be fun and hopefully won't be real late. I have to be at work an hour early tomorrow for a mandatory meeting.

ENERGY

I really cannot believe the amount of energy I have anymore. Truly do wonder if the problem for all of my younger years was my thyroid. It seems that ever since that was diagnosed two years ago, I haven't sat down. That coming from someone who would spend her days sleeping in, then taking a long nap. I guess this energy could also come from all of the exercise I get anymore also, but truly do wish that a doctor would have checked the thyroid all those years ago. To think now that this was something that could have been fixed so simply does upset me. I truly do believe that youth is wasted on the young. They don't know enough to enjoy it, its not until you hit about 50 that you truly start to enjoy all of the things you wish you could still do. Why don't we know enough to treasure it at the time?

I had a good night at the gym tonight. did get some strength training in while there and met more of the people. Have found out why two of the guys seemed so familiar to me, both of them have been in the store before. One of them thinks I sold him and his wife furniture, I'm not real sure on that but will be checking tomorrow. LOL

Our new weight machine still isn't working properly here at home. I'm not to sure what is going on with it, but the cable doesn't go back in fast enough on the one side when doing a one arm row, or any of the other one arm exercises. it's fine when using both sides but not for just one. Very frustrating and I may have to call the company and see if they have any clues.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOWIE

Well, today my son is 36 years old! Wow! How long ago that famous day seems. Yet sometimes, it seems like just yesterday. Some memories of this boy would include the time he set my purse on fire. It was sitting on the kitchen table. My friend, Robin, tried to put it out by dumping a cup full of water on it. Or the time I thought he had drank gasoline, and we spent the night in the hospital. Howie was never one to sit still, always on the go. Usually going fast, like when he got his drivers license. What was it? Something like 37 speeding tickets, Howie? Believe it, he kept each and every one of them. Cars seemed to be a passion for him for a while, I remember him actually washing the paint off of one, think it was his little black cavalier. The garage ended up repainting it for him.

I sure would love to sit here and reminice this morning but want to find a picture or two to post here and need to get ready for work. Enjoy the day everyone!

At the gym

Cher and I spent 5 hours yesterday at the Y. We had a blast. Took time to show her everything and we did the fit center, the eliptical, bike and treadmill and got all of her settings down on paper for all the cybex equipment. Then actually took time to do it all. Thought maybe she would be a bit sore today, but a quick email says she isn't. I wonder how many steps she ended the day with?

When I posted mine on walkertracker.com I had 21465 for the day. The following is the message I got after posting. "Diligently done. You walked 6,314 more steps than Your average of 15,151. xNice work. You walked 6,464 more steps than This month's average of 15,001. xGood job. You walked 7,422 more steps than Last month's average of 14,043. xYes! You walked 8,728 more steps than Your score of two days ago of 12,737. x"

I did go out for a nice long walk after getting home last night, and then did some housework too. We actually took a break and went over to Perkins and ate a bite, then went back and did another workout. Then grin, grin, grin, we stopped for frozen yogurt on the way home!

hey! I am so proud of my little sister too! She quit smoking! YAH YAH YAH

Interesting day

Well, tomorrow should be an interesting day. Cheri and I are going over to the Y for a while. I've learned that she can get a day pass or even a 7 day pass and we can go work out. I haven't had the time to actually do that yet and get to really learn the machines so tomorrow we are going over and I can show her the different things available and we can have time and get some exercise in.

Hard to believe I am 53 and she is 50 and we have never done this before. We have people there at the Y who basically have grown up there. they never knew anything any different and for us its all new. I am really looking forward to showing her the cybex machines and the fit center.

Its my one day off for two weeks and we are going to go spend it working out...LOL

A disgruntled Sears customer

This was just sent by me to http://www.sears.com/

On Thursday,Sept 6, 2007 at approximately 11:15 am I was in your store in Dubois, Pa. 15801. I wanted an item that I was hoping to find in your fitness area. I had not been in your store for a while, but was always favorably impressed with your fitness area. We have bought numerous items here at this store. The most recent being a new range just a few months ago.
I was quite pleased to find the item I wanted in your store at a close out price, along with another item I had wanted also at close out prices. The two items didn't amount to much, sale prices would have been approximately $22.00 for both items. The items were an ab exerciser and a mat (purple) for floor exercises. I was not able to find an associate to check me out, so I wandered around the store for a few minutes and finally found a register in jewelry. The mat didn't ring on sale. The associate shoved it across the counter at me and told me I'd have to go back to that area. Note: there had not been anyone there. I went back. Still no one around, I went to automotive, they couldn't ring me out. Finally we found an associate who could take me at a back counter. At this point I was close to running late for work and had spent almost 35 minutes in this store just trying to check out. The associate then proceeded to tell me the mat wasn't on sale, she went to see the sign, and actually brought the sign back to show me. It was the purple mat and I had a blue one. Note, she admits there was not a purple one there, although the computer says you have 6. She then went to the store room to find me one, at this point I am late for work and pacing. To make this short, she could not find one, wouldn't let me have the "blue" one for the price of the "purple" one and neither would the manager, Dawn, who I asked to speak to. I have been in retail for over 30 years. I have never been treated the way I was in your store. When I overheard Dawn telling a customer about this after she thought I had left I was even more upset. I went to Dunhams that evening, bought a more expensive brand than what your store offered and feel very comfortable knowing that I would rather spend twice as much somewhere else. I would like you to know that I am not sure if I will ever enter your store again. You can also believe that everyone I work with and met yesterday has heard this story. I have been informed that I am not the first person recently to have left this store empty handed and very upset with your company and with this manager.
Thank you for listening.

I am leaving my full name of this one safetys sake, but believe it was on the letter I sent them.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

My daughter is walking for Breast Cancer in Las Vegas and recently sent me this email. I am going to post it here for any of you to read and hopefully the link will come through if you would like to make a donation to this worthy cause.

Dear Coworkers, Friends and Family,

This year, hundreds of thousands of people will hear the words
"You have breast cancer," and there's a good chance
that some of them will be people we know and love. I have chosen to
fight back against this disease and help make a difference by
participating in the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against
Breast Cancer walk ... and I hope you will join me.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is our opportunity to honor and
celebrate breast cancer survivors, educate women about early detection
and prevention, and raise money to fund lifesaving research and
support programs to help fight breast cancer. But Making Strides is
more than just the name of a walk, it describes the amazing progress
we can make if we work together to defeat this disease.

Below is a link to my personal page. I hope you will visit my
site and sign up to join my team. If you prefer, you can start your
own team, sign up to walk as an individual, or make a donation. Hope
starts with me and it can continue with you. Please join my team and
walk with us to experience an incredible day of inspiration and
meaning, and to provide hope for all people facing breast
cancer.

To donate now, use this link to visit my personal page

http://teamacs.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=2370568&pg=personal&fr_id=3484

New month

Although I normally love the first days of new months, September usually brings me down. The start of fall, and knowing that winter cannot be far behind. I hate the thought of it and hate it more the older I get.

I am looking forward though to getting back on track with my exercise program, that has been the pitts the month of August. Vacation really lost me my step count average. The new job at the Y should help with that. I am going to be working again on Wednesday, then maybe will have a regular schedule from there.

First Day

Yesterday was the first day working with and learning the equipment at the Y. It was quite fun and informational and I have a lot to learn. Had thought I would be stiff and sore this morning but I'm not, so thats a good thing. We went over all the cardio machines and then did the lower body resistance machines. I am going in before work this morning and we are going to do the upper body resistance, then will have just the free weights and the fit center left to do.

No regular schedule yet, but am hoping to have that by Sept, which is coming quickly

Michelle Now, Me Then

Tonight while talking to my darling daughter we somehow got on the subject of ages. She is 27 and for some reason this came as a shock to me. Worse yet, is the fact that she reminded me that she was born when I was 26. That means she is one year older now than I was then. she seems so darn young to me and I just truly don't think I was ever that young. I thought it would be fun to show pictures of us side by side, so this is her a few weeks ago when she was home and driving my little red convertible and me 27 years ago pregnant with her. fun wow! found some really neat pictures going through some of these. Wish i'd have thought to post a few of them for my sister's 50th birthday blog. Some of them were pretty cute. guess I'll save them sis. And get you next time.

I do seem to have a real problem with ages, I guess its just not really important to me any more. Quite a far cry from the year I turned 30 and got tattoed! It's only a number.

Seems strange

I need to get ready for work at the Y this morning. We are starting in the cybex room this morning and I need to be there by 10:30. Not to sure how long I will be there today, but it seems strange taking a shower and getting dressed before going to work out. I am sure that I will not actually be doing a real workout there this morning but she is showing me how all of the machines operate. Usually people shower after using the equipment. I will be showering before.

I think it was ironic also that a few months ago when buying shoes for the relay and walking I kept an extra pair. I lked the way they felt and they were plain white. Have only worn them maybe twice inside for aerobics. My uniform for the Y requires white sneakers. I'm all set.

Well, I'm anxious to see how this day goes and do wish that they would get me a real schedule, so far they have just been scheduling day by day as I am there. Maybe by now they will have it worked out somewhat. Guess I'll find out when I get there.

New puppy

Finally remembered to send this picture of Howie and dog, Arby to the email address. It has been on my cell phone since Vegas and I kept forgetting it. it turned out pretty good I think for being taken with my cell phone. Amazing stuff, all this technology, I love it. Howie named the dog Arby because thats where he had eaten lunch that day. Michelle thought it was a good thing that he hadn't eaten at Wendy's. LOL

I'm still not real sure why he thought he wanted or needed a dog and especially a pit bull. I am anxious to see how it works out for him.

The other picture is Michelle and I taken at Mandalay Bay in the Shark Reef, that was really pretty neat. think my mom would have liked it and possibly we can get her there the next time out.

I didn't get much done today except some cleaning, my exercise has still been left behind for this month, although I did get a nice 2 mile walk/jog in this morning and that felt great. I've been doing some new protein shakes and made one today that I absolutely loved, think I'm going for another one now. used chocolate soy milk, protein powder, half a banana and chopped ice in the blender..boy, was it good. and Yep, going for another one now..

Heading out

I haven't had a real walk for over two weeks now. Not to sure when the last one was but it had to be the Saturday before we left for Vegas or earlier. I am putting on the ipod, the heart monitor and heading out of here. Hoping for about 2 miles, but may not make it quite that far this morning.

The rest of the day will be spent wiping down walls and trying to get the burnt chicken smell out of this house. It's been three days now and still smells terrible.

I am enjoying the thought of a day off and home. Wed, which will be my next day off is going to be spent at the Y in some serious training. I've worked some extra long hours since getting back to work this week. Have had two days where customers have kept me late but both time have bought and some nice respectable sales, so that was excellent.

Not to sure why, but this morning I woke up thinking that I want to take a few days in the upcoming months and go stay with my daughter in her new home to help her get organized. Not to sure where that thought came from, but think I would like the time to stay there and get acquainted with the area where the kids are living. she could have maybe helped with this thought, I had a message on the cell yesterday from her asking about her loft. We didn;t get much time there when we were out. Something to think about I guess.

Have a great day everyone, I am plugging into that ipod and heading out a bit.

Goals

This month has not been good for hitting any of my fitness goals. My step count is real low, not even close to my 15,000 steps a day. I lost that somewhere in Vegas. then we had 4 days of rain and cold when we got home, and that didn't help a lot either. I found it funny that my sister and I both were under 5000 steps for her birthday. that sure doesn't happen often thankfully.

At this point I am just going to start fresh in Sept. My minute goal is just non existent this month also. About the only good thing I can say is that I started a new part time job at the Y as fitness instructor and will be spending some time there helping other people get fit. I will be spending a good part of the day there on Wed and it looks very interesting. A very diverse mix of people.