40 pounds!

This morning I weighed myself and found I have lost 40 lbs since the day after Christmas!

I am pleased, and primarily because I am not really on a "diet" that I will eventually get off of.  It is just the way I eat and live, which hopefully means I can maintain it well.  My actual goal is to lose about 15 more pounds, but it doesn't really matter.  My main goal is to not gain it back!  I have a significant investment in new clothes to provide an incentive, but the best incentive is the way I feel

In the Midst of Chaos

This has been a really busy summer for a number of both personal and work reasons.  Yes, I love it!  There have been some challenges and that is what living is all about.

I was thinking this morning of the events in the day I have really come to value, which includes my early morning 35 minute walk, (listening to a non-fiction book, normally on a subject I normally wouldn't read about) outside bike ride on may bike and then I go to ATC (Around the Clock) fitness to ride the stationary bike for 35 minutes while I read the daily papers (Commercial Appeal and WSJ, except I add the NY Times on Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and listen to music on my ancient iPods  The three "gumstick" iPods are at least 6 years old and appear to still have a strong battery.  Thank goodness, because it costs more than they are worth to replace the battery!  I found that the new "shuffle" iPods are near as good as the original "gumstick" ones are.

Then I have my 27 minute nap (why 27 minutes, I don't know) and then, weather permitting, I sit out on the wonderful patio and work as I listen to the wind blow through the woods in back of my house.

Small pleasures but essential!  Then I eat my oatmeal and blueberries and head off for work.

I don't have any similar rituals at night, or even during the day, except for my coffee, so that is probably one reason I treasure the early morning hours and keep waking up earlier and earlier!

Moon Day revisited

Friday, July 20, 2012:

Another Friday!  Sitting on the patio on a beautiful Friday morning. I love the patio in the early morning, the cool breeze and the noise of the forest behind the house.

On July 20, 1969, I was in San Antonio Texas (Lackland AFB) going through basic training in the Air Force.  I had started July 15, 1969, so it was still a very new experience!  We got "off" that day since it was "moon day", but it wasn't really like  day off! I didn't have any idea of the experiences yet to come (both good and bad).

Also, throughout my life "65" years has always been some kind of threshold, so the year 2012 always had a special fascination with me.  Now, I find out it is really just another year and (hopefully) "65 years old" will be just another age.  

OMG, I'm 65!, part 1

Within three weeks, I will be 65 (August 6).  It is a shock to say the least, although I can't say I didn't know it was coming nor am I really upset about it.  It is what it is.  In a lot of ways, I feel lucky.  I am relatively healthy, I have a job I enjoy and thrive at, I enjoy my house and basally enjoy my life.  I was also very lucky to meet and marry Aliene over 15 years ago!

When I was a child, I remember how adults mentioned how the years sped by and I fully realize now what they meant!  I have to admit, I don't consider 65 "old" anymore and the age I consider "old" has gotten older each year!

Years ago I thought I would be retired either at or before 65.  Now, I can't imagine myself being retired and hope to work until at least 70, assuming I still enjoy my job and am relatively healthy.

Trying to decide about Medicare and all of the options.  Since I am covered by the City of Lakeland group health insurance, I don't need it but realize the possible danger in not getting it now.

The Countdown to Age 65 has started.  I'll see how I feel as the dreaded age approaches!

Courter Reunion 2012

Left on Wednesday for Courter Reunion 2012.  Scattered rain throughout the trip, nothing bad.  Aliene, Kali and Katherine.  After initial qualms decided to drive our car with over 100,000 miles (which we trust all the same!) instead of a rental vehicle.

Overall trip went fine, one delay.  Stopped at RubyTuesday's in Russellville Arkansas, where I had my usual meat loaf with garden bar and snap peas.  Longer wait than usual.  As I mentioned, Ruby Tuesday has my 3rd favorite meat loaf, with the # ! being Aliene's and # 2 being Crackerbarrel.

Arrived at our favorite hotel, Hampton Inn at Exit 55 in Clarksville too late to swim.  They have a wonderful swimming pool here.  They left some peanut butter cookies (my favorite) in the room and I break my eating plan (no cookies usually) for these!  They are wonderful.  (We stay here a lot on our way back and forth from Oklahoma City. I highly recommend it if you are ever in the area.

Thursday, July 12, 2012:  Woke up at 3:06 a.m., didn't want to get up too early since driving through to Topeka.  Got up at 4:06 a.m. and worked, responded to e-mails etc.

Breakfast at Hampton Inn, headed for OKC to pick up Angela.  Stopped at the Oklahoma Welcome Center (as normal), the "Fiesta Convenience Store" at exit 278 and the Love's at exit 200.

Got to OKC early, went to Penn Square (Where Kali and Katherine shopped at Justice), lunch at Jimmy's Egg (where I used the last of a gift card I received for Christmas).  Aliene to hair appt.

Angela's car is having transmission problems, so picked her up at transmission shop

On to Topeka in a crowded car!.  Gas at the Loves at 122th Street and then on to Topeka with only one stop at the New Haven Turnpike spot.  On the turnpike, averaged 80 mph with light traffic, so a good trip!

Arrived at Topeka around 8:20 p.m., happened to drive in right behind Kim and Jerry (my Brother in Laws) and met Rebecca (my niece) and Margaret (sister) as they were getting out of their car!. Shortly after, met Eleanor (sister) and Rebecca's dogs!

Settled into room, Target for water etc.

Friday, July 13, 2012:

Up at 3:36 a.m., worked on e-mail etc.  Clubhouse Inn, Topeka, Kansas # 108

Pavilion, around 6 a.m., Eleanor there.  Jerry joined, then Rebecca, Kim, etc.

Breakfast, Clubhouse Inn

Rain most of morning, visited etc.

West Ridge Mall, lunch at Chick-Fil-a (Cow, got free entree for wearing hat).  Aliene, Angela and girls shopped at Justice etc.

Swim with Katherine.

Visited, Supper at On the Border

Visited at hotel with Aliene, Margaret, Eleanor, Barbara, Mary Ann, Mary Lou, John etc.

Saturday, July 14, 2012:

Up at 4:01 a.m., worked, checked e-mail etc.  Joined the early morning crowd on the Pavilion and visited.  Ate breakfast at hotel.  Pavilion Crowd included, Eleanor, Jerry, John, Rebecca, Margaret.

Visited most of morning as Kenneth, Aunt Eleanor, Chuck and Le Ann arrived.  Lunch at Chipolta. (sp).  Surprised that they are glutton free.  Excellent food.

Visited afternoon. Saturday night supper at Cieras (sp) Italian.

Sunday, July 15, 2012:

Early morning crew at Pavilion again.  Jerry, Eleanor, Margaret, John, etc.  Breakfast, hotel.

Visited, then lunch at Cracker Barrel.  Actually had some of the chicken which was excellent.

Courter Reunion pictures and meeting etc.

Holton (Soldier cemetery) with Eleanor and Aliene.  Snack at Trails Inn.  Always amazed at how active the little town of Soldier is and how they maintain their park and cemetery.

Supper at Chipolta.  Swim with Kali and Katherine, then visit around pavilion.

Worked, caught up on some paperwork, ready to return to the real world!

Monday, July 16, 2012:  

Clubhouse Inn.  Up early, breakfast, pack and say goodbye's to the persons left.  

Drive down Kansas Turnpike (I-35) went well, light traffic.  Stopped in Guthrie for gas, girls wanted to eat at Arby's, so I tried a salad.  Not bad.

Returned Angela and girls safely, headed for Exit 55.  Stopped in Alma, Arkansas for "last supper" at Braums (I even had a medium strawberry shake!)

Arrived at exit 55 (Hampton Inn, Clarksville, Arkansas).  Went swimming in their wonderful pool.  Upgraded to room with whirlpool, which is nice.

Up at 3:30 am., headed for Lakeland

Arrived in Lakeland, ate breakfast, headed for office.

Courter Reunion 2012 is over.  

The Courter Reunion is always kind of a yardstick for me, I think since it is so close to my birthday and it is the start of the end of Summer.  I have actually attended (I believe) continuously since 1988.  

It was a nice reunion.  I like the laid back atmosphere where you can sit and talk with one (or more) persons for a long period of time, take a break etc.  It is always somewhat of a bittersweet feeling, since you know you probably won't see most of them (or any) for a year.

I'll add some pictures.

Summer of 2012

The Summer of 2012 is almost 50% over (for all intents and purposes!).  It has been busy, I haven't kept up with my blog, diary or other notes!  I didn't do my June 21 beginning/ending of summer.

However, I AM in my favorite summer place.  Sitting on my patio in the early morning reading, drinking coffee (and water) and working on my computer!  Not quite as poetic as "Standing on the Corner in Winslow, Arizona", but I think of it during the long winter and decide to enjoy every moment of it in the summer!  Aliene and I actually went to see the "Standing on the Corner in Winslow, Arizona".  The City (or Chamber) have quite a promotion of the song!  I'm tying to think of a poetic way of describing my favorite early summer pastime, but I haven't some up with anything yet.

I enjoy the hot summer, heat doesn't bother me a bit.  I am enjoying the Summer of 2012 and only wish I had more spare time!

I was glad to see a deer in the "forest' in back of my patio the other morning, I thought maybe the development had scared off all of the deer.