Dips!!!

As I was doing dips last night I noticed that my arms rest closer to my body than they used to...How cool is that? I used to have this roll of fat the side of my body but it's gone now (or at least it's smaller) and my arms are actually getting firmer so they are looking better..I still have some "batwings" but at least they don't hang down to my waist anymore...How attractive is that?..

I noticed that I am constantly working my triceps...just every chance I get..without thinking about it.....I'll be sitting in my chair here at work which just so happens to have arms and the next thing I know I'll be lifting myself up and holding it then seeing how slow I can go back down...
Or I'll be standing with my back to the table the fax machine is on which just happens to be the right height to reach back and do a few slow dips....I think it's helping but all I know is it feels good to be able to do them...

I've lost it!

I did up a nice long blog yesterday about my camping trip and all that I've been doing in the past two weeks and then my computer went black...and I lost it (in more ways than one)...and I don't have the heart to re do it...Take my word for it when I say I've had a GREAT time in the past two weeks....

My sister Connie in Wyoming sent me this cool email that I love so thought I would share it with you....It's soooo true...

***************************************************************************************

In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth and populated the Earth with broccoli, cauliflower and spinach, green and yellow and red vegetables of all kinds, so Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives.

Then using God's great gifts, Satan created Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream and Krispy Creme Donuts. And Satan said, "You want chocolate with that?" And Man said, "Yes!" and Woman said, "and as long as you're at it, add some sprinkles." And they gained 10 pounds. And Satan smiled.

And God created the healthful yogurt that Woman might keep the figure that Man found so fair. And Satan brought forth white flour from the wheat, and sugar from the cane and combined them. And Woman went from size 6 to size 14.

So God said, "Try my fresh green salad." And Satan presented Thousand-Island Dressing, buttery croutons and garlic toast on the side. And Man and Woman unfastened their belts following the repast.

God then said, "I have sent you heart healthy vegetables and olive oil in which to cook them." And Satan brought forth deep fried fish and chicken-fried steak so big it needed its own platter. And Man gained more weight and his cholesterol went through the roof.

God then created a light, fluffy white cake, named it "Angel Food Cake," and said, "It is good." Satan then created chocolate cake and named it "Devil's Food."

God then brought forth running shoes so that His children might lose those extra pounds And Satan gave cable TV with a remote control so Man would not have to toil changing the channels. And Man and Woman laughed and cried before the flickering blue light and gained pounds.

Then God brought forth the potato, naturally low in fat and brimming with nutrition. And Satan peeled off the healthful skin and sliced the starchy center into chips and deep-fried them. And Man gained pounds.

God then gave lean beef so that Man might consume fewer calories and still satisfy his appetite. And Satan created McDonald's and its 99-cent double cheeseburger. Then said, "You want fries with that?" And Man replied, "Yes! And super size them!" And Satan said, "It is good." And Man went into cardiac arrest.
God sighed and created quadruple bypass surgery.

Then Satan created HMOs.

If you don't send this to five old friends right away there will be five fewer people laughing in the world.

Marley & Me

I've just added John Grogan's blog to my links. I read his book "Marley & Me" last week, which is about his dog Marley and all the crazy things he did (I totally recommend it to anyone who has ever had a dog or even if you just like dogs) I loved this book!!!...it took a one whole Sunday afternoon...I laughed, I cried, it brought back such memories of every dog I have ever called my own...made me think of The Kid's dog "Jake" who after having him since he was a puppy she had to have him put to sleep this year...
So after I finished I gave it to The Kid to read...she just finished it today (on her lunch hour) and called me (and yes she bawled her eyes out but is a fan now too)...she googled Marley & Me and found out that there is a whole web site and on this web site there are pictures...which are way tooo cute and John's blog...
Reading his last blog brought to mind some of Kyra's experiences with her chickens and Skwigg's experiences with Riley...After reading this book you'll want to just go out a get a puppy... I even gave it a thought before I came to my senses....but eventually when I settle down I know that I will get an ole yeller dawg...something I've always wanted...

Moanin' Mona here today!!!

It's raining & cold (at least here in my office it's cold...not quite sure bout outside since I don't have any windows) here in Georgia today and I'm definately feeling my age..I've decided to stay in for lunch ...good thing I brought my Spinach salad...although days like this makes me crave some good ole homemade potato soup . and how about a big cup of hot chocolate with some whipping creme...and some homemade chocolate chip cookies warm out of the oven. (but noooooo we can't have any of those things....because we gave up milk, just because we found that it causes congestion of the lungs for me...I never get what I want to eat...it's always something healthy...like veggie soup, sugar free choc milk without the marshmellows or whip creme...and cookies...what are those????

The rain and cold make my bones ache, especially my right hip...I'm walking with a hitch...it reminds me of this one step we do in Hip Hop...where you take a step and dip...yep that's me today...
My fingers are aching and I noticed my rings are tighter today..finger joints are swelling on me...
And I have a head ache...pressure behind my eyes....

This reminds me that winter will be here before I know it and that means I'll get to be achey all over all of the time...OH goodie!!!

The rain is suppose to be here for a couple of days....I sure hope it clears up before this weekend when we are going camping in Cashiers NC...
I can just see it now....sleeping on the hard ground in that flimsy tight sleeping bag...eating cold food because it'll be too wet for a campfire...ohhhh why meeeee!!!

(I'm struggling here today...Sue)

From one extreme to the next

Last night as I sat at the Sports Bar watching football and drinking beer...I thought to MYSELF...here I am in a total differant atmosphere than I was 2 nights ago...2 nights ago I was hanging out with the "beautiful" people, drinking wine, listening to jazz and enjoying the Atlanta night life...now here I am hanging out with a bunch of crazy guys, getting rambutious, listening to runchy jokes in a bar that you can hardly hear yourself in...and I'm totally enjoying myself... I love the fact that my life is so unprediticable...and so full of doing differant things... A few months ago I was bemoaning to MYSELF that I didn't do anything but go to the gym & work...Not any more....

The only thing I could wish for now is if I would win the lottery so I could afford to do ALL the things that I would love to do...but I'm finding out that there is STILL alot that I can do that doesn't cost a lot of monies...all you have to do is surround yourself with people that like to do things...

Some of the things that we are talking about doing is:
rollerskating/blading...(too many years I worried about being to fat to do this..I used to love rollerskating when I was young)
bowling
White Water Rafting (ok so this one might be a little over the top for me, since I don't swim but if the group really wants to do it...I'll be there)
going to 6 Flags to ride the rollercoasters
Go to a play (not sure which one yet)

Things I would like to do if I had monies
Go on a cruise
Skydive (yeah, I know I'm afraid of heights but I really need to get over that fear too)
Learn to rock climb (I might do this one anyway next year after I get over my fear of heights)
Go to the symphony/opera (all dressed to the max)
Go to a football game in a differant city than Atlanta

Losing Larry and living through the terror of 9/11 has made me want to live life to the fullest...
Life can be cut short so easy and so fast...who knows how long any of us have...but as long as I'm able I want to be able to say "I Did it the best that I could"...

A little touch of Culture

Last night my freind Joelle and I went an art show downtown Atlanta at the Sundial Resturant and Bar which is located at the top of the Westin P'tree Plaza... this place is freakin' amazin'...we rode up the glass elevator 73 floors to the top...surprizingly the height didn't bother me at all...I have to tell you I wasn't impressed with the art show but looking out at the Atlanta skyline at night with all the lights NOW that was very impressing... this bar rotates all around so you get to see all of Atlanta...We sat and had a glass of wine, people watched and listen to the jazz trio...I thought I would feel out of place in such a fancy place but surprizingly I didn't...I just enjoyed myself...maybe I'm not such a country bumpkin as I thought...

Dancing on the Treadmill?????

If you haven't already, You really need to check out pastaqueen of Half of Me..... she is always inspiring but Weds she outdid herself....
I love the idea of dancing on the treadmill but I'm afraid that there would be serious body injury if I tried it...I have trouble just hopping to the side of the thing when I need a drink of water much less hoping from one treadmill to the other...althou I really like when the guys SLIDE across the treadmill....
This is way to cool...bout time someone thought of something differant...
Oh yeah, I like the music too....

Hodgepodge Thoughts

My Grandson "Bubba" will turn 8 years old tomorrow (his birthday is one of the few I can remember...he was born 9/8/98 how cool is that)....I remember the day he was born and the first thing I saw was that shock of red hair sticking up..he was sooo tiny...he's gone through a lot of things since he was born but I like to think he takes after me and is a very stong person...I have to go out and buy him a b'day present yet...but it's hard since he has sooo many things already and when asked what he wanted ..he told me whatever I got him would be fine with him...he's such a sweetheart!!!




Liz of Granny Vibe is taking a break from blogging and I miss her... She was diagonosed with cancer and I think she & the Painter are focusing everything on her getting better... Now when you click on her site you get this wierd list of Black Vibrators...how wierd is that... Any way I wish Liz all the luck in the world and hope she knows how much she is missed her in blogland...

I got my new sleeping bag... but I'm kind of worried that I won't be able to get any sleep in it...it is a mummy bag and altho it does have a zipper at the feet to make it wider and to give you air when it is warmer..it's still a really tight fit...I went with the mummy type because that was the one that weighed the least...a little under 3 pounds...it fits nicely into this little sack and I figure I'll be able to carry it for a long distance if needed. I just wish I wasn't so claustaphobic (which I seemed to forget when I ordered the thing) ... When I got home Saturday am (at 3 in the morning after a night out with some freinds) the box was waiting for me at the front door...so I unpacked it and rolled the bag out onto the living room floor and crawled into it (thinking to test it out) ...when I realized that I can't get in my favorite position to sleep...which is curled up on my right side with my top leg bent at the knee and out as far as it will go...I kept turning around in it trying to get comfortable but only succeeded in getting all twisted up in it instead...so I got out, straightened the bag up and crawled in again...tried to sleep on my back..but my snoring woke me up...damn whats with that, so decided to try sleeping on my left side...just as I was starting to fall asleep, I automatically turned to my right side but my feet got all tangled up in the bottom of the bag and I couldn't turn...and who knew that my living room floor was so hard even with the carpet...I finally got out of the bag and went to my bed (where I should have gone in the first place..talk about heaven...) so it will be interesting when I go camping on the 16th...good thing it is only one night...I'm thinking I need to get a pad but not sure there is room for it and me in the bag also that kind of defeats the purpose of going with a bag that weighs less than 3 pounds if I have to carry a pad that adds weight to my pack...I guess you could say this is a "learning experience" for me...LOL..

Pride Or Conceit?

This morning as I was getting ready for work I looked in the mirror and said to MYSELF...
"Damn, girl you look hot today"...then this lil voice (Evil Eva) said to me "Don't be conceited"...
It took some of the wind out of my sail...then I thought why listen to that voice..I like feeling like I look good...it seems all my life just when I am starting to feel good about how I look someone has told me not to be conceited...I remember as a kid my Mom telling me that anytime I would say I was "cute too". In truth she probably only said it once or twice to me but for some reason it seems like more and it made me very insecure about the way I look...making me wonder if what I see in the mirror is really what everyone else sees...as an adult I've had to contend with Evil Eva (my own insecurities) telling me that no one likes a conceited person... But I ask you this IS it really conceit or it is Pride in how I look ....and is it really sooo bad?

So any way when I got to work this morning I looked up the words Conceit & Pride in the Webster Dictionary and it said:
Conceit - 1. an overdeveloped opinion of ones abilities, personality or worth.
Pride - 1. A sense of one's own proper value or dignity..
sooo where does that leave me?

And talk about coincidence....When I checked my emails this morning there was a newsletter from eDiets and lo & behold there was an article on this very subject...(funny how things work like that)
"10 Things to Help develop a Sense of Pride"..it talked about the differences between Pride & Conceit...not a bad article..

Of the 10 things listed Six of the them I pretty much do or at least try to do each day.. I've changed the order of them to what is most important to me...

1. "Beware of your Inner Voice...If all you hear is negativity, then all you'll get is negativity."
I'm a firm believer in the more you tell yourself you can do something, the more you'll be able to do it...so maybe if I keep telling myself that I look good (and not listen to Evil Eva), I will start to believe it truly...Fake it til you make it is my motto.

2. Do Something everyday for yourself because you are worth it...besides the obvious of going to the gym...I like to do any of the following...take a walk, read a book, paint my nails, call a friend, buy a candle or flowers for myself.

3. "Gather evidence of Successes. Instead of looking at things you haven't been able to accomplish on your to do list- look at the ones you have been able to do- Keep mementos of accomplishments where you can see them."
Ok Done that...my awards & trophies on my 5K's & 10K's that I have placed in is on the wall and on the top of the stand in my entryway at home...I also have my postcard picture of me at the finish line on the P'tree Road Race on my wall here at work...this encourages me to know that I can do what I used to think was impossible...And yes I am very PROUD of them and MYSELF for what I have accomplished this past year...

4. " Surround yourself with enthusiam. Make it a point to be around people who pump up your self esteem and try to stay away form those who bring you down"...
This one is easy for me...When I go to the gym I am surrounded by people who encourage me daily...and my family..#1 Niece, #2 Niece & The Kid are very encouraging... Even Bubba told me last night that I look Skinnier....is he not the greatest Grandson alive....

5. "Keep your compliments. Don't break off or negate compliments sent your way. Say thank you and accept the praise." This one is hard for me but I'm learning. Usually when some one compliments me that lil voice (Evil Eva) will tell me not to get a big head or be conceited sounding so I will say something like "I still have a lot of weight to lose" when someone says that I'm looking good...or "I've had this thing forever" when someone compliments me on what I'm wearing...But I read an article not to long ago that says when you do this you are telling the person that complimented you what they say doesn't count and that discourages them on complimenting... and since I am a great one for complimenting people on things that I really like and I mean it when I compliment someone what makes me think that someone complimenting me doesn't have the same feelings.... so now I make an effort to smile and thank that person...and if they are complimenting me on something I wear..I will usually say .."Oh yeah, this is one of my favorite things too"...it's not that hard to do IF I don't listen to "Evil Eva" (back to #1 on the list)

And last but not least
6. "Respect your Mistakes. Instead of dwelling on your past faults- learn from them and use them to your advantage by trying a different approach the next time."
Still working on this one...

What this all really has to do with whether I'm conceited or just proud I'm not sure but I thought it was worth writing here...

I am SOOO Damn Clueless!!!!!

I just finally went online and checked out the "Club" that Lionel told me about....
NO FREAKIN' WAY!!!!

I'm soooo glad that I didn't give him my number....
This club is for "Swingers" damn...I didn't know they still had them.... I guess that just goes to show that I've been out of circulation way to long....
What a Weirdo....or maybe I Am.....

Now I'm wondering if I'm putting out signs that I'm that type of woman...ok maybe I was once upon a time , a long time ago...but come on guys...I'm not that type of girl anymore!!!!!!

I can't believe I was that Naive....oh slap me in the head....I've got to get a real life here!!!!
This could be funny if it happened to someone else...NOT!!!!

so much for the good feeling...now I just feel dirty...Yech.....

THIS IS THE GOD'S TRUTH...THIS REALLY HAPPENED TO ME!!!!!

Monday night after work I'm walking to my truck (I always park at the far end of the parking lot) and I see this guy on a motorcycle looking at me go by on the road next to our parking lot...all of a sudden he turns the bike around and heads for me..I figure he needs directions..this seem to happen to me a lot, people asking directions...so I stop and wait for him...

He pulls up and says "You are soo Hot I had to turn around and come talk to you...Are you single and do you like younger guys?"
Well....I of course get this big smile on my face...meanwhile he's getting off the bike and he is a hunk...around 6'2" probably weighs around 200, built just like I like them ...lots of muscle...be still my heart...he then takes off his helmet and I see he is REALLY young...good looking as all get out.... but YOUNG...I can't seem to get the smile off my face...
He says "I love the way you look in that skirt...you are soooo SEXY" (I'm wearing my black flirty skirt that I love with a cranberry top and my 4" heels. First day I got to wear my heels since I twisted my ankle hiking, and yeah I did feel sexy and I was probably walking like I felt sexy...it's hard not to do when I'm wearing my heels).
He puts his hand out and says "I'm Lionel" I shake his hand...(he has a really nice handshake)
I finally find my tongue (I think I swallowed it for a minute when he got off his bike...ohhhhh)
and I said "I'm Sue and Yes, I AM single and of course I like younger guys, what woman in her right mind won't.... but just how young are you?"

He smiles back at me and says "28" (OMG...28!)

I laugh and tell him "I have children older than you"
He laughes back and say "But I'm not your child" (NO KIDDING) "

I'm having a hard time believing this is really happening and I really can't take it serious so...I asked him"Why me? Do you know how old I am?"
He says "Probably in your early 40's"
I laugh and tell him "I'm 56, that's twice your age"
He says "Even better!!!...you look really fit (FIT?) and I think you are one sexy lady"....
We talked for 15 mins or so ...he wanted to know what I was doing next.. I told him I was on my way to the gym to play racquetball.. He asked if I ever go to "clubs" and told me about one he goes to in Atlanta every Friday night and said that if I won't go with him, I should at least go check it out...(That's not going to happen!!!).
We finally said our goodbyes (and no I didn't give him my number, I can't seem to get over the age differance) he said he was going to be dreaming of me at night...I knew I would be dreaming of him, I might not even wait for night...LOL...

Even after 2 days I can't seem to get over the fact that some young STUD (a good looking one at that, one that could have any girl that he wanted) would want to be with ME....This would never have happened to me a few years ago...Talk about giving a girl's ego a really big boost...wooohooo...I'm still smiling just thinking about it...

I'm not sure what's going on with these young guys anymore.. I'm on myspace.com and have my picture posted and I get more guys in their late 20's early 30's emailing me than I do guys my own age...And they all tell me they are serious...that they find older women sooo much more interesting than girls their own age...It's kind of scary!!!! but also kind of gives me a thrill ...

Altho I'm finding there are also alot of guys out there too (online) that like large women...I've ran into some of them but don't respond because DAMMIT.... I don't consider myself one of those Large women any longer....I'm Fit, Lionel said so!!!!

What was I thinking?

Let me just state this for the record ....YES, I AM A PROUD PARENT...

Yesterday The Kid was looking at my site on myspace and she noticed that on my profile under Details for Children I had put that "I don't want kids" Needless to say this set her off...she told me that now she REALLY knows how I feel about her (her feelings were hurt)...

Now first off I have to tell you that I really hate filling out these things (I kind of Zone out while filling them) and they always ask things that don't relate to me....And I'm just plain NO good at it....

I had 6 choices to chose from : the 1st one being "I don't want Kids" the 2nd "Someday" 3rd "Undecided" 4th "Love kids, but not for me" 5th "Proud Parent" and the last "No answer"....
Why they put "Proud Parent" near the bottom is a mystery to me...it should have been the first to choose from... I'm not sure why I chose the 1st one..I was probably thinking I didn't want to go out with a guy who wanted to have more kids....I'm way tooo old for that...
I figure once you have had the perfect child you don't want to tempt the gods by trying for more (buttering up to The Kid here LOL). Just my luck the next child would be just like me...OH NO!!!

I really lucked out having The Kid, she was not only the most beautiful child in the world (I have pictures to prove this, maybe someday I'll post them) but the best natured too...(altho #1 Niece will probably tell you some stories about her otherwise) and YES I've always been PROUD of her..even when she gave me trouble when she was a teenager I was still so Proud to be her MOM...

I'm not sure she was always proud of me. I used to worry alot about her being ashamed of the way I looked and acted...but now I think I understand that it isn't all about looks, its' about how you feel about a person and how that person feels about you... The Kid could have been the most deformed child in the world (thank god she isn't) and I would still be proud of her.. She is the best daughter a Mother could ever ask for... She has been and will always be there for me when I need her..and ditto for me...

I'm proud of the Mother that she has become to Bubba & Lil Bit. I'm proud of how she embraces life and doesn't let anything keep her down (at least not for long, after all she is only human)... She is dealing with some rough times right now with her ex but I know she will do what is right for Bubba and stay true to herself...

As a PROUD Mother let me tell you that daughters don't come any better than MINE!!!

Shopping!

No, I'm not shopping for clothes..but I'm thinking about going camping with the Alanta Outdoor Adventures group over the Labor Day weekend...but before I can do this I have to buy a sleeping bag (I need one for the Zoo overnight thing anyway) and a tent...now I thought that this would be no problem. That maybe I could even just go to WallyWorld and pick one up..Well, think again..They do have sleeping bags and tents but whoa...they are all soooo heavy....
Nothing is easy in this day and age...
Part of the problem is I'm thinking if I really like this camping thing and I get fit enuff that maybe by next summer I can start backpacking (a dream of mine forever)...so if i'm going to spend any monies on a tent and sleeping bag then I want them to be light enuff so I can carry them next summer...

So I went on line to Bass Pro to see what they had to offer...Who knew there was soo much to know about buying a tent... or a sleeping bag... So after reading all this I thought I should check around some other sites to see what they have to offer..(trying to be an informed consumer here LOL)

I think I've narrowed it down on what I want at REI Outlet.. This tent or even this one and I really like this sleeping bag ...but I'm hesitating on ordering them because I want to see what I'm buying BEFORE I buy it...I know freinds tell me that when I buy on line that if I don't like it or it isn't what I want then I can send it back...but with me..once I have something I KEEP it, even if it's not what I want...I'm just no good at sending things back!!!!!

So my plan is to find a store that has the same items so I can see them and then go back on line and buy them...or now that I have all this knowledge on what I'm looking for I might just find a sale..this might be more fun shopping for than going to Ross's (which I haven't done in over 2 months....pat on the back for me) ...

Now that's what I call an adventure!!!!!

I got up early this morning to meet up with the new group for the hike today...
Only 8 people showed up..6 women and 2 men...Bruce our leader said that 18 had signed up and by 8 oclock yesterday 6 of the men had cancelled for one reason or the other...we had 4 no shows this morning...so it was a very small group that got into 3 vehicles and headed North to Walhalla SC. I rode with 2 other women, Cindy (in her 40's) who hikes with my other group (the FunHikes) and Dana (in her 20's) this was her first time hiking with any group..they were both nice. We had a nice time getting aquainted on the 2 hr drive to the trail (Dana drove)...
When we got to the trail, everyone (but me) sprayed down with bug spray and we headed out on our 4 hr hike (LOL) unaware of how much of adventure it would turn out to be...
The first part of the hike went smooth, we hiked about 2 miles to a waterfall. It was really beautiful...We took a 15-20 min break there and then we headed back up the trail to go to some rapids and another waterfall...
We had been hiking for about another hour and as will happen we had split up into 2 groups. Bruce, David, Cindy & I were about 200 feet ahead of the other 4 (Dana, Michelle, Dusty & Karen)...when all of a sudden we heard screaming...we rushed back to see what the matter was...all of the girls were screaming and beating on themselves...They had disturbed a nest of Yellow Jackets and were covered with them...we got them up the trail and all the yellow jackets off and were treating them for multiple stings ...We were discussing how we were going to have to come back that way after we got to the waterfall..so Karen decided to mark the trail so we would know where it was by putting a big rock on an old log...well, when she did this she disturbed another nest of Yellow Jackets...altho this swarm wasn't as big as the last it still swarmed over every one...we finally got everyone moved down the trail some more and all of the bees beat off from everyone and took a look at who had been stung...Every one had a least one or more stings (Michelle got it the worst) EXCEPT ME...I had not had one yellow jacket land on me the whole time altho I was in the middle and helping beat off the bees off from Karen & Michelle..Weird....
After a break to treat everyone again and to get Karen calmed down we started off again....We climbed up and had probably gone another mile or two when Michelle lost her footing and fell off the edge of the trail...she slid down the side of the hill for about 50 feet...we got her back up and she was alright except for a bruise on her knee...but she was a real trooper and after a short rest was ready to go on. We climbed up and down some pretty steep trails until we saw the rapids...we had to climb down these wet slippery rocks to get to where we were going to have lunch....I took a spill and ended up on my butt not once but twice, the last time twisting my ankle under me...We ate our lunch there. .. The guys still wanted to go to the waterfall altho Bruce (who had been there before) said it was a pretty rough climb...so all of the girls decided to wait at the rapids while the guys did went on to the waterfall... by the time they came back we were into our 4th hour on our 4 hour hike and we still had to go back thro the yellow jackets (which no one was looking forward too)....
My ankle was sore but really only hurt me when I put my foot down a certain way, which slowed me down considerably...Michelle was having alot of pain from her stings and her bruised knee (from her fall) ..so we told everyone to go ahead and we would catch up with them when they stopped to rest before the spot where the bees were...It was slow but not impossible ...finally we caught up at the meeting place...and forged forward..we got thru the spot where Karen had put the rock on the log with no site of any bees...and thought we had made it thru the second area when all of a sudden behind me Dusty Yelps loud and I see Bruce in front of me start slapping at his legs...yep they had found us again...we just kept moving as fast as we could till we got our of their range....and started beating off the bees that were still on on Michelle, Dusty and Bruce...both Michelle and Bruce had bees going UP their shorts..And ME???? Not a single bee landed on me....and again I was in the middle....after much discussion about this we came to the conclusion it had to be because I didn't spray myself with the bug spray...either that or I am a freak of nature who Yellow Jackets don't like to land on LOL....
We were walking and saying how the worst was over when it started to RAIN...HARD...It got really dark and was pouring..poor Michelle wears glasses and can't see a thing without them and couldn't see anything with them. We were all drenched but didn't want to stop and try to wait it out sooo we kept going....Then all of a sudden we hear a big dog start barking across the way....and I swear I heard a gun shot....We all look at each other and in one voice we all said "DELIVERANCE"... I swear to God this really happened....needless to say we all cracked up and started to make jokes about the whole day...by the time we limped back to the cars we had been on the trail for over 7 hrs....and we looked it..I was one big mud pile..my white shirt no longer white....luckily I took a change of clothes (we were supposed to go out and eat after the hike) which I changed in the outhouse from hell...another story for another time....
So I left the house this morning around 7:15 and got home around 9 pm tonight...needless to say the first thing I did was grab a shower...and now I'm ready for bed...I think I'll probably sleep really well tonight....

Dang it hurts!!!

Last night at the gym after I did my stretching upstairs (which is VERY hot because the gym has decided for some odd reason to take away our fans which would at least cool off some of the sweat, this is where all of the cario machines are...now I ask you does this make any sense???) I did abs and while on the tower doing knee lifts I slipped off (my arms were way tooo sweaty altho I had wiped them down before I got on the tower) and hit my right upper arm on the bar HARD....I knew it hurt ALOT but got back on and finished all of my sets...went on and did a back work out before going to the Hip Hop class...Today there is a BIG bruise where I hit..I measured it and it measures at 4" across and 2" down..this thing wraps around my whole upper arm and is really ugly...I think its even swollen...can't tell if it is or if that is just muscle but it definately looks differant from the left arm... I don't want to go ask anyone if it looks swollen to them because then it will look like I'm asking for attention about my bruise...It's one of those DEEP bruises...black & blue right now but you know it's eventually going to turn green...gross...

I used to bruise real easy (especially my legs & butt) but not any more..I'm convinced it's all about how you eat...but some times TRAUMA to an area will bruise...I didn't think it was going to bruise because when I went home it was a little red but no bruise...I almost wish I could take a picture so I could post it here...
What is it with people and their WAR Wounds????

More fun things to do!!!

In my quest for differant fun things to do I have joined another group..this one is called Atlanta Outdoors Club...I'm going on a hike with this group this Sunday...it sounds fun..AND
the end of Sept I'm going to do an "Overnight Adventure"... this will entail spending the night at Zoo Atlanta...
The Itinerary: How does spending the night in the Living Tree House at Zoo Atlanta sound?!? During normal operation hours, you will find lemurs, monas, drills and birds around the Living Tree House. But, during the evening, we will be the only wacky animals at the Tree House! We’ll show up on Saturday around 6pm and participate in several things. First, we will have an animal encounter with one of the small animals, such as a chinchilla, snake, prairie dog, etc. Second, we will tour the Reptile House (snakes, alligator, amphibians, etc.) and also the Commissary (where all of the food is prepared for the animals). We will sleep on the floor in the Living Tree House, and Thermarest pads will be provided. There are bathrooms, but no showers. We will go on a tour of the entire Zoo in the morning after a continental breakfast.

Now call me crazy but this REALLY sounds like fun for me...something I have never done...and I love Reptiles. When we go to the zoo that is my favorite place, I could spend all day there..it will be neat to see it at night...So I signed up, paid my dues for this one and put it on my calendar...I can't wait....

I'm still checking out skydiving & rock climbing.... I have a friend at the gym who want to go tandem skydiving....and I'm thinking about it...now the thing is I have a fear of heights but I'm determined to get over it.... as for rock climbing....I've always been fasinated by people who do it...I remember when #1 Niece climbed a rock wall at the '96 Olympics events held here in Atlanta...I was soo impressed...I'm working on getting my legs strong enuff so I can do this myself..."G's"(the guy who I spent the weekend at Fripp Island with) younger daughter works at one of those rock climbing places and it's got me to thinking about trying it..maybe I'll go to Bass Pro and try one of thier climbs..they have various levels...I guess I could start out with the one all the little kids do...LOL....

Now if only I had the monies to go hot balloon riding...this has been one of my dreams for years, I've come close a couple of times but have never made it..actually I want to do more than just ride in one...I want to be one of the crew who helps set it up....Someday.......

The Quest for Motivation!!

Just got done catching up on Genuine's blog (one of my favorites)...and he talks about motivation for Mrs. Genuine....and it got me to thinking about how I have motivated myself over the last few years and how none of that seems to be working now...it's like "been there, done that, don't want to do it anymore!!!!"

I look around my office here and I see where I have posted all these little motivational poems and sayings..."Dream your Dreams", "Risk", "Your Day to DO It"...then there's the 90-day goal that I did the first of the year (5 things listed and I only made 2 of them)...does this really help or on days like to day only discourage me?

A few of the other ways I've motivated myself over the years (and they all worked for a time) ...
Joined eDiets.com support groups...haven't logged into them much lately...ever since they pressured me about becoming a moderator and doing my "Success" stories. I wonder if that is just an excuse and I've gotten tired of the support groups or that I'm just too busy here at work to log in.....hmmmm

Hired a personal trainer..this is one of the biggest things that helped me in the beginning..but I can't afford it anymore..but if I could, I would...I know there are those people out there that say if you want something bad enuff you will find a way...but truthfully I can't freakin' Afford it and do the other things I want...I know how to push myself at working out...I just haven't been doing it as much as I should...

Promised myself a new wardrobe/outfit...OK!!!! I have gotten WAY past this and buy what I want when I want...I have no control over my buying new clothes...if I see it and want it ....damn if I don't find a way to buy it right then...

Promised myself a Tattoo... so I did this one...but I got it before I reached the goal I had set for it..just because I wanted it sooo much..now I'm waiting to get to 159 before I do the next one....

Which brings me to the question...of Why do I set goals and rewards? To motivate myself..but then I give my self the reward before I reach the goal...so how is this going to help me?

Some people are motivated by reading stories of how others have reached thier goals in magazines...to tell the truth I find myself drawn to them and sometimes this does help me but more often it just makes me want to disbelieve....they always make those stories sound so damn easy...and we all know that's not true...so why should I even bother reading them...(except for blogs they're differant...they at least show the real story...that it is a struggle and that we are all human, not super hero's) ..

Tell myself that I want to look good for when I find that certain Man....but I think I look good now compared to how I looked 3 years ago... OH YEAH, I want to look EVEN better!!!

Write a blog ...wow, what a novel idea...so here I am ....looking to get motivated....

So what Motivates YOU?

Flashback

I went out last night with #2 Niece to Sweetwaters (a local bar) to support her friend Herb's band "Whiskey Vomit Shit" in a Battle of the Bands contest...Now as you can probably tell by the bands name this is PUNK rock and not exactly what I would call my type of music...more like loud yelling with lots of Loud drums and guitar...it all sounds pretty much the same to me but I do think they are good at it....I for one couldn't sustain the level of energy that is needed for thier performance...(btw Herb's band won...yay!!!)
Anyway watching #2 Niece (who looks so much like the Nieces Mom, my sister Linda with her long red hair) head bang to the music in a smoke filled room it flashed me back to when we were her age (in our early 20's) and we used to go out to bars and just plain party all night to good old rock n roll....I remember the energy we had, that feeling that this night was ours and the the world was ours to take....I could see that same energy in the crowd around me last night...the music might be differant, the way they dress might be differant but basically the young are the same no matter what...

I sat back and enjoyed just watching #2 Niece and her friends. And altho I envy them thier energy and zest for life, I don't want to go back to that time in my life. I'm pretty satisfied where I am...They have so much life to experience yet...they are just beginning thier lives...and I sound sooo old (well Hell I am old compared to them) and yet I still feel that I have so much life to live and experience myself...my priorties may be differant than they were 30 years ago but believe me I'm far from being done with this life....

What to do with my free time

I just got an email from my hiking group that the hike we were going to do tomorrow has been cancelled because of the rains in the area...Now why would a little rain keep us from hiking (I ask)...true it does make it a little hard to keep your footing..but now I no plans for tomorrow...not good... I was going to go to bed early so I could get up early but now I could sleep in until..oh say 7 or even 7:45 am (I have to get up by then the latest so I can call and get a racquetball court for Monday night)....that's like sleeping half the day away to me...I can't remember the last time I slept in on a Saturday...it might be nice..but then I'll probably feel guilty because I'm just laying around in bed...
I could go to the gym and work out, hit the hot tub and then go over and see the Grandkids afterwards....or maybe I'll mow the lawn...it really does need it, but I usually like to do that in the evening...but I do have plans to meet up with Lamont (my friend that I went to see Pirates with) for drinks tomorrow evening...oh sooo many decisions....I guess I'll just wait and see what I feel like in the morning....

Off to take a shower and go to bed!!!

Talk about music!!!

I watch very little TV but on Tues nites I make sure I'm home in time to watch Rock Star SuperNova ...last year it was Rock Star INXS and of course the one guy I couldn't stand won but this year I think my favorite actually has a chance of winning....SHE so ROCKS...I would pay money to go see her even if she doesn't win the spot with SuperNova...
From the very first show Dilana has grabbed my attention...not once has she given a bad performance...everytime I see her I think WOW....Not only is she a knock out in looks (I absolutely love her hair and yes that is face piercing) to me she can sing like no end....I can't help but rock everytime I hear her....and she is so damn sweet and supportive to everyone on the show....Nice, Cute and can Knock out a song!!! What more could SuperNova ask for...

My least favorite who also has a chance of winning is Lukas....he has had a couple of performances that I liked but I just think he's a spoiled brat personality wise....

If they don't get rid of Jill tonight I will be totally shocked...this girl has the stage presence of a toad....I'm not sure why they've kept her on so long....hopefully I won't have to be tortured with listening and watching (altho I usually get up and leave when she's on)... The time she sang with Gilby Clarke (who I think is way tooo cool and sexy looking as all get out) she tried the bump and grind with him and he called her out on it....I'm sure she is a short timer...thank god!!!

No one else really stands out for me..they are all nice looking guys & girls and can all sing but they just don't seem to really stand out like Dilana does....but then in my opinion no one can compare to her....

If you haven't watched this show yet be sure to tune in next Tues at 9 pm..you can tune in tonight but it's elimination night and I don't really watch much of it...besides it's on at 8 pm which a little early for me...