they didn't cry wolf this time

Itaska Street. Two blocks from my house. If you remember Mrs. Billiard, from Advent and First Church, it's her old house. Remarkably, no cars or homes were damaged.

The storm arrived, big time. Destroyed the Jersey coastline that was so beautiful two weeks ago. It will take years to recover. The eye of the hurricane came thru Atlantic City. The eastern edge of the storm flooded lower Manhattan and all of Long Island. They've even cancelled tomorrows New York Marathon. Yeah, it was that bad.

What hit us was a tropical storm. It's been cold and wet. Nothing tropical about it.

Locally, I was without power two days, Lyd three and Bonnie four. Lyd stayed her because there was a tree leaning over her house. Thank goodness it didn't fall.

My primary college was closed all week but I got called in. The magazine had to go to press. So I went.  Apparently graphic designers are "essential" personal. The boss dangled a "vacation day anytime they wanted" carrot, and people responded. Why wouldn't you? Lights, heat, and the gym was open for showers. Really, coming to work was the better idea.

The community college was open by Wednesday, and the online school never closed.

Tuesday-Thursday I didn't really go on many walks except with Adonis. There were trees and power lines down everywhere.

Friday Betsy and I went for our Friday afternoon three fast miles in south Whitehall.

This morning, Mary Liz called to walk. They are moving and her new place doesn't have power yet. So they came to her old place around the corner. She's still recovering from back surgery, so we did about 1/2 mile at a slow pace.

Last night, Bonnie couldn't stand the lack of sunshine anymore, and said "Let's walk tomorrow." (Lyd had a planned autumn cleanup party at her house.) So this afternoon we went. Up to Moravia, down Lechaukecki, behind the finally opened Wawa to the Stanley Avenue park. We swung for a while and continued to Hoffert. Down Hoffert, out Seneca, down fourth, and back Broadway. We just wandered and managed 3.25 miles. Not fast, but not slow either. Then I came home and did .5 miles with Adonis.

For a lazy butt mid-week, I made up for it today.

Tomorrow I'm doing a walking speed clinic with Michelle Stanten, the Walk Your Butt Off book walking coach and Canadian Lee Scott of WOW Power Walking.

To start, you’ll simply walk while we videotape you. That way you can see what you’re doing well and areas you can improve. From there, you’ll receive group and one-on-one instruction on posture and technique to improve your speed. You’ll also learn drills and exercises that you can continue to do after the clinic to get even faster. This is not race walking.

Hopefully I learn different things than I learned in WYBO. I'll be very disappointed and will have wasted a nice chunk of change.

I've been way out of control diet-wise, and my sugar tooth is working overtime.  I have a doctors appointment at the end of the month and that Prevention photo shoot coming up. So, I've also signed up for her 21-Day Eat-Move Commitment. You only have to walk a minimum of twenty minutes a day. And I guess stick to a non-processed diet. Motivational emails (golly how I hate motivational emails and posts on FB. They make me want to gag.) come straight to your mailbox and you have to email your progress daily.  I do so much better when someone holds me accountable. The thing that sold me on this was "Eat no added processed sugar (incl honey, maple syrup, agave, cane sugar)." Twenty-one days without sugar. More than likely I'll be a raving b*tch by the time it's over.

Time will tell. It starts next Saturday.

the scenic route

I still read the newspaper. I'm old-school. When I read news on the net, I only read the story I looked up. The net makes me feel uninfomed. So as long as they are printing papers. I'll buy one.

My friend Mary Liz kind of feels the same way. But they are out of town/country often and were tired of calling Sinapore or India to stop/start the paper. (Our local paper outsources pretty much everything. They don't even have little kids deliver it!) I proposed that we share the paper. Then they just had to yell up the street to stop/start it.

My sister gets up around four, gets the paper from the porch and reads it. I come down at six and read it. then I either take it to MLs house or Sharon does on her way to the bus stop. It works most days.

Today I trotted off with the paper in tow, dropped it on her porch and kept going, and going and going. You could say I took the scenic route home.

I headed up Bishopthorpe past the hospital, and up Graham. What was remarkable was when I hit the top of the hill, Dodson Street, my heart wasn't beating a thousand beats a minute. At one time that hill would have done me in. I would have stopped exhausted three times. Praying I reached the big downhill alive.

I stood there amazed at the top of the mountain looking down at valley. It was 6:30 am. And I was having an aha moment.

need motivation

I totally failed at exercise this week. I walked two days at lunch time, and did the stairs once. Period. That really stinks.

I know what the problems are. The first is no goal. I can do a 5K in under 50 minutes. There aren't any 10Ks for walkers. I'm not doing a mega walk. I need a goal. Badly. Losing weight doesn't cut it apparently, or I would have done that 2.5 years ago when I started this adventure.

The other big obstacle is no walking buddies. Bonnie bagged out on Sunday, she had a family event. Lydia hasn't walked since her dad died, and Mary Liz no longer walks in the morning. I used to walk alone. I should be able to do it again. I'm just not motivated. Meanwhile I'm probably gaining weight. Haven't checked.

Today it was beautiful and we walked for 20, maybe 25 minutes on College Hill. Someone had a metal flower box hanging off their stoop. I walked right into it and the pansy's were on the ground. It took two tries but we got it back up and the flowers in the pot. Oops.

I will get up tomorrow morning and walk. Alone.

----

I borrowed the pansy picture from the University of Oregon. No camera with me to take a pix of the spilled flowers

national start walking day

Did you start walking today?

I never really totally stopped but I have to tell you it's a lot tougher to keep the commitment without a goal and a training book.

But I will try. I just need to get my rear in gear and get outside.

I've forgotten how hard it is to get up each morning and walk without a walking buddy—Mary Liz has retired from walking. Knowing she'd be on my doorstep at 6:30 am was quite a motivator to get my lazy butt up. But I must do it. I don't want to gain weight and I really want to lose weight. Weight Watchers has worked for Megan. I'm considering it. It's counting, but not calories. Maybe that will be easier for me. Just don't tell my roommate.

I also need to stop eating so much take out. It's really gotten expensive and I have big medical bills to pay. If I pack lunch the night before I don't do it. I just need to get into the habit again. Nothing at my house is really appetizing. The leftovers generally weren't good the first time. That's why they are leftover.

Today we went out walking at lunchtime for National Start Walking Day. We walked down the hill and up the stairs and then more campus stairs, and across campus back to the office. We call it the Lafayette 15 minute aerobic plan. I took off my jacket, but I was still wearing a sweater. I was hot.

The photo was taken on College Avenue looking down on Route 611, the Delaware and the troll bridge. Nothing is really blooming yet, we need a couple of warm days. It was this or the big hole in the sidewalk. The hole almost won.

catching up

Monday was tough. I was a bit sore, but I got up at 6:30 and went walking with Mary Liz. getting out of bed was the hard part.

Tuesday the stairs at work were tough, at least in the morning. I was looking forward to t'ai chi. but I didn't get there. We were setting up the faculty art show and ran over time.

Wednesday I went out with Mary Liz in the morning, and again on Friday. also on Friday I did an hour at a quick pace with Betsy.

Today I did two sessions of T'ai chi.

Tomorrow I'll bedding a beginner walk with Lydia. she's starting to walk around the trailorhood. Maybe we can set a 5k as a new goal for her. perhaps the Jingle Bell in December or the new years eve 5k in Bethlehem.

Bonnie and I will doing one in Reading on Halloween, and another in downtown Bethlehem Thanksgiving weekend. Then the Jingle Bell on December 5 and the ten mile peace pilgrimage from Nazareth to Bethlehem on December 11.

rain delay

Mary Liz and I planned to walk this morning at 6:30, but it was pouring. So we had a rain delay. Maybe when I get out to the college it will be nice enough to walk the walking trail. Although part of it is grass. I might have to swim that section.

walkin in the rain?

We really need rain. My garden is a huge hard brick.

SO it's rained and rained and rained this week. Soft rain. Hard rain, flooding rain.

This morning I got up to walk and it was pouring. It was dark. ML called and said it was raining. Are we going? I said no and went back to bed.

About 8:30 Betsy called. What do you want to do. I had heard that the rains would stop by afternoon. SO I said lets wait till lunch time. About 11 I checked the radar map and it looked like the rain was moving out. I called Betsy and we decided to go 1-1:30. And we did.

It was dark for 1 pm and cold and moist. But as we walked it got warmer. Or maybe we just got warmer. But the sun came out and it was all good. We walked at a quick pace for about an hour.

Betsy's alternate suggestion was to do her power walking tape. "Walk At Home" by Leslie Sansone. You do three miles and a warm up in about 45 minutes. Holey Moley! After our walk we watched some of the tape. I was tired and sweaty viewing it! She has a one-mile walk on the web if you want to try it out. Next cold raining day I will try it. I'll let you know.

This week I also did T'ai Chi on Tuesday. Got there 10 minutes late. I haven't told Pat yet that I'm doing it, so my excuse was grocery shopping. We really needed groceries. However, before I went she wanted an ice cream sundae from The Cup at Lehigh.  I wanted to tell her f-off I was busy, but couldn't without giving my "secret" away. So I did it. And I was late.

Tomorrow we're going to the Philly Zoo.

Sunday is the Kidney Walk. It's only about a mile and a half. Eryn is not going. That's the reason I signed up. I don't know if I'll do it now. I should do a training walk instead. The Avon is 2-weeks away!

We'll see.

51:07 alone!

Today was the 20th annual Morning Star 5K. It started at first and Polk streets at the skating rink. (Near the blast furnaces.) Since it's Celtic Classic weekend, there was runners in kilts. Dogs too!


I was alone. Bonnie is on her way home form Dizzyland.

The plan was to walk from home, do the walk, T'ai Chi, then walk home. But T'ai Chi was canceled and I overslept.

I wasn't sure if I'd have enough time to walk down there, and relax a bit before the 5K. I had planned to leave at 7, figuring it would take a half hour, with enough time for construction / traffic issues. But didn't get out of the house till 7:20. Would that be pushing it?

So I decided to take the car part way. I parked it at the CVS and put 2 hours on the meter. I could have walked from home. I was there in about 11 minutes. And the construction was pretty cleaned up for the "special event" weekend.

The race began promptly at 8. The man standing next to me was wearing those shoeless shoes. (right) Did I mention them here or just on the every two feet FB page? They are called Vibram Five Fingers. They are part of a movement for barefoot sports. Beth and I are going to check them out after the Avon. They are very expensive, and I'm buying a new computer, so I doubt if I'll purchase them. But you never know.

It was a tough course. We left the rink, headed out second, over the Fahy, and down Lehigh Street. Then we went thru the festival grounds and up the Main street hill to the bridge, up Main to Broad, up Broad to New, and down New to the Fahy, and back to the rink.

There were  a lot of hills. I kept pace on the hills and didn't stop. Bonnie usually loses me on hills.

There was a lady in front of me the whole time, who stopped an used the port-o-potties at the festival. She past me again, by Market street flying up the hill. WTF? I think she didn't do the loop thru the festival, I think she skipped it. Or else she was one of the cheaters who run part of the time. They drive Bonnie and I nuts. (If you want to run, sign up as a runner for Pete's sake.)

After the hills were over, I decided I was going to pass "potty lady". It took me until half-way over the Fahy bridge, but I left her in my dust! "Jillian" would have been proud. The only reason I could power walk that fast and far was we were going downhill!

I finished in 51:07. I think this was a personal best.. It surely was a PB alone! It was exciting. There was plenty of people behind me. Including one woman who was really, really large. (Lyd before WLS large.) She was pushing a stroller, and finished about 30 seconds behind me.

The course seemed long. When I measured it on google pedometer it was about 3.3 miles. It seemed like 3.5!

Yesterday I walked with ML in the morning 2.25 miles, and then Betsy and I walked to Wegman's. It's about 2 miles each way. If I lived that close to a Wegman's, I'd never walk to Ahart's again!

no, I haven't stopped walking.

Half-way thru the yard sale. We already
look tired! even Bug earned some money!

It's been a long time since I posted. Life is finally getting back to normal.

My on-ground classes started on the 23rd. The third job-juggling ball was in the air while the other two jobs were still on summer schedule.  Add to that a trip to Gettysburg, getting ready/cleaning up/hosting a yard sale and I was exhausted. Couldn't even keep my eyes open in the evening. Laid on couch, drifted off to sleep. One night I even fell asleep at my computer, grading.

Monday, Sharon and I walked up thru Lehigh. I even made her climb some of the stairs. Hey, she didn't want to go up the hill. Her choice. That was about 2.5 miles.

Wednesday and Friday I walked with ML. About 2.5 each time.

Thursday was yard sale prep day. I don't know how far I walked but I carried,, hauled, and climbed a lot. I also got a bike. It had a flat tire, so Bug and I walked it to the Broken Spoke Bike Shop for  a new tire. I also had a tune up done, and had them inspect it.  I got a call yesterday that it's ready for pick up. Now I need to get a helmet. Think I'll take it out on Labor Day. Maybe the Palmer Bike path.

I didn't walk Saturday because of the Pink Tag Yard Sale, but we did raise about $115 for our team, and got rid of lots of junk.

Sunday Bonnie and I did about 10-miles. At about six miles we took a break at the Wawa on Broad Street. Bought some water, cheese and trail mix. Bonnie tended to her first "hot spot" ever. We did avoid a blister, and that's all that really counts.

Our route took us up the Sassafrass Alley, Wyandotte, down Fredericks, around FH, past the hospital (potty stop) over the Hill to Hill, Out Spring, up 6th, and on to Broad. After the Wawa we came back Market and Church over the Fahy (the Minsi is still closed to pedestrians), out 3rd, Broadway and home.

It's the first time Bonnie did a whole long walk without "outs". The car was at home. We couldn't cheat and take a shortcut. This weekend we'll do it again, but someplace flatter. It was nice to get home. After lunch, we worked on Bonnie's fund-raising letter. She emailed them Monday, and the donations are rolling in.

Today and Monday, I did the 2.5 with ML. But I'm getting at least 2,000 steps round trip walking from the most remote parking lots at school to my classroom.  That really adds up. 2,000 steps is about a mile.

On-line check in has begun. Hopefully I'll get to it over the weekend.

Speaking of the weekend, the plan is this:

• Friday, morning walk with ML, afternoon with Betsy. About 5.5 miles total
• Saturday, 5K Race for Freedom at Lehigh Parkway.
• Sunday, 10 miles of suburbs. Less hills.
• Monday, Labor Day "Run for the Ribbons" 1-mile fun walk. I'll take Sharon. The 5K is only a run. Bummer. Remember the pink firetrucks from last year? They'll be there. Then they are off to Pen Argyl for a fireman's parade. That's the big reason I signed up for such a short walk. While I'm at NCC I'll probably do a couple more miles, then head to Easton to ride my "new" bike.

happy birthday mary liz and dick

Wow, a couple posts in one week. This doesn't often happen. Usually I post a whole weeks worth in one shot.

This morning I walked with ML, about 2-1/4 miles. It's her birthday and in my sleepy haze I forgot. This is Dick's first b'day since my sister Elin died. Bet it will be a hard day. His daughter is taking him out for steak, so things will get better.

Then about 10 I met Betsy and we did an hour in her development in south Whitehall. Betsy and I go out every Friday until the weather gets horrible and she does not get her due in this column. Betsy, you rock. Thanks for walking with me in all kinds of crazy weather.

Tomorrow Bonnie and I will do 3 miles of hills and then the butterfly walk. More on that next time.

weekend update

Well, so far, I've been true to my word and have exercised everyday since Thursday. Heat and all.

The triple digits I heard about earier in the week didn't materialize. Hurray. But it was plenty hot.

This sign is on the local high school. It's obviously broken. It might have reached the mid-90s yesterday, and he humidity was about 75%. Stifling.

So we'll start on Thursday. It was very warm, but with little humidity. Pleasant. Sharon and I walked thru the neighborhood, up to Lehigh, around Zoellner, and down to the grocery store. We got our groceries and headed home. I'd say it was a generous 2 miles. Sharon wasn't feeling well.

Mary Liz canceled on Friday morning, but I still went out with Betsy in the afternoon. About 3 miles, in humidity.

Saturday, Bonnie came down about 6:30 am and we hit the streets. Sharon tagged along until the Wawa. Then we head up Dodson, and down Jeter, Ostrum, and Brighton before heading over the Hill to Hill to the north side. After a stop on Sand Island, we came back the Fahy and headed down 2nd t Webster and up to Lehigh. We wandered around Lehigh for a bit and came home up Wyandotte street. About 6 miles.

I made it to T'ai Chi by a hair. The room was very hot, and we just did the warm-ups, stretching and meditation. Not being very spiritual the meditation is not my thing.  We were done in a half hour. No class next week because of Musikfest.

Today we met Beth in Hugh Moore Park at 7 am, and we hike the canal path. We thought it would be shady. Silly us. It's about 2.5 miles to the Forks of the Delaware, so we did a generous 5 miles.

Overall a hot, sweaty and fun walking weekend.

bonnie jumped in the pool!

When I got up this morning, the bulky pink bandage with the happy face was gone. I had to dig around and find a band-aid.

I started the day with a 2.25 mile slow walk in Birks with ML and Sharon. I lost the band-aid. I returned home, ate some breakfast, refixed my toe, and went with Bonnie to the George Yasso 5K. When that was over I went to T'ai Chi. So why am I fat? Oh yeah I remember, I eat too much.

Anyway, I had just finished breakfast when Bonnie called that she was on her way. I hastily filled my water bottle and ran out the door when she beeped. Forgot my hat and sunscreen. At the 5K they had sample sunscreen. It was thick. I had enough on one arm for Bonnie and I.

There was maybe a dozen walkers. That was disappointing. Maybe it was the hills. There were three generous ones, but they only lasted a block. They don't call it Fountain HILL because it's level, right? Bonnie teamed up with a woman from Pawnee Street Jen. Tattoos were there conversation stater. Who'd think they also both had ponds. They lost me on all three hills. But I did catch up each time.

It was hot. Not so much humid but hot. As we approached the FH fire station they had a sprinkler out. Debsy's daughter Tiff is part of the EMS squad, and took out picture going thru. We walked very slow. We were certainly off our 51 minute pace. I don't really care. I might have been slower with the Birks, but did it feel good not to wear sneakers. How long can I milk this toe thing?

I didn't lose the band-aid this time, but it did cause a blister on the tow next to it. Yuck. It's been so long since I had one.


When we finally arrived back at the pool —53:19 for Bonnie and Jen, 53:50 for me—Bonnie said she was going to use the rest room. She was gone a long time. When she returned she was soaked. She jumped into the pool.

She walked back to the car (pix) carrying her sneakers and drinking diluted Gatoraide. Heck, I even drank some of that stuff today. Did I mention it was hot?

We encourage Jen to join "every two feet".

6-8 miles tomorrow.

ditto

The heat wave continues. I didn't even post a walk on the every two feet page.

The temperature clock at the high school says 118. Okay, it's a little off, but it feels like 118. I should have taken a picture. Maybe if they haven't fixed it yet I will. I always forget there's a camera in the phone.

I took today off, sort-of. Bonnie is in North Carolina and I didn't want to listen to Sharon whine about how hot it was. So I played hokey and took Sharon to the gym instead.

Yesterday I walked with ML in the morning, then walked downtown to T'ai Chi and home. I had a 32 ounce container of water and I ran out before I got back. I should have refilled it at the church. I think I really like T'ai Chi. There is free T'ai Chi at the Yoga Loft on Tuesday and Thursday this week. I think I'm going, especially since there isn't any at the church this weekend because of the holiday. Right now it's still frustrating because I don't know the moves I can't really concentrate and meditate and remove move stress. But maybe one day.  I think the version at the Yoga Loft will be very different from the informal church group.

Friday I went out with ML in the morning, and then again with Betsy. We went in the morning instead of the afternoon because of the heat, but it was still pretty hot.

Tuesday to Thursday I did nothing except climb the stairs at work. We didn't walk at lunchtime or anything. Monday, I went out with ML in the morning.

So perhaps I'm using the heat as an excuse to be a lazy butt. So be it. But the weather patterns are so weird this year. Usually May and June I develop good habits so that when late July, August heat waves roll around, I'm committed. This is our second heat wave and it isn't July yet. I don't even want to think about August.

the last few days

I need to get a new pedometer. I really want to know what my step count is at the new office. The stairs are one thing. But it's a three or so block walk to campus now, and frequently you have to go across campus to get to the building you need. So my step count has zoomed.

I did well walking this week. Tuesday Sharon and I walked down to CVS and took the scenic route home. Wednesday, I walked with Bonnie. It was hot and humid, and it's still May. Thursday it was dark and gloomy. When I left Easton there was a hail storm. We decided not to walk. Murphy's law of walking: It will rain....no make that storm...when there is no shelter and you are the far away from home. (who is Murphy?) Friday morning I went out at the crack of dawn with Mary Liz and Sharon, then walked in the afternoon with Betsy. This morning, I also walked with Mary Liz and and Sharon.

Today I also emailed my walking group from the 3-Day about every two feet. Maybe I can get them to join the group. Tomorrow is our second walk. And the t-shirts came, so it's really cool. The regulars have theirs so it will be cool if someone other than me wears them tomorrow.

I'm hiking up the mountain tonight. The Indian on the mountain is dressed for Memorial Day. I of course, need to take her picture. Beside, it's two more steep hills. Every little bit helps.

the traditional 8-hour day

I discovered this week that the traditional 8-hour day is no longer for  me. It wrecks havoc on my schedule, and I felt like I was running backwards to get thru it. I don't think it's an excuse for not exercising, but rather learning to adapt to new things.

My typical academic year schedule is crazy. I teach at a community college, work at a different college, and teach online. My schedule is different every day. The community college has ended till fall, and I agreed to work for three weeks, Monday to Thursday, 7:30-3 to supervise a HS student that's job shadowing. Then from June to August work three days a week, with another intern. Still less than a 40-hour week, but not what I'm used it.

Usually I walk first thing in the morning, and in the summer, again after upper because it's light out. It takes, on a good morning with limited traffic, a half hour to get to the college, so I leave at 6:50 am. That eliminates the morning walk—my walking buddy Mary Liz won't go before 6:30. I guess a could go alone, but there might be safety issues.

Typically, Allison and I walk at lunch time while I'm at the college, but that kind of fell by the wayside also this week because of the HS student and the big move. Maybe next week we'll do better.

We spent the better part of the week packing and moving boxes. I am all black and blue from running into cartons.

Needless to say my training is all messed up until Friday. I walked Friday morning with Mary Liz, in the afternoon with Betsy and to CVS with Sharon in the evening. Sharon and I walked Saturday morning, and Sunday we went to the gym. And if it continues to clear up, maybe Bonnie and I will get a walk in today.

I do know my life in the new building, Feather House, will include a lot of stairs.  My office is on the third floor. My Creative Director is on the second floor, and the copiers on the first floor. The moving people will be doing most of the work, but  I still have several cartons to carry up to my office. (Okay, that might be too strong of a word. Remember in Harry Potter he lived in the cupboard under the stairs. I will be in the cupboard above the stairs. Kind of a turid off the third floor.) We are also now off campus by about 3 blocks, so every errand to campus will involve a little walk. And crossing the dreaded Cattell street.

So things will work out. Our lunchtime walk will include lots more hills. They don't call it College Hill for nothing.

sorry for not posting

When I started this blog mys sister Barbara said something like, if you're going to do it, you need to post. So many people send me their link and then nothing for six months. I think I've done well, and actually when walking season came I was hoping to post more often, not less often.

Sometimes life does not work out the way you plan.

I've been very blue from the events of last month, started a term online, and had so many projects to grade from my on-ground class that blogging was the least of my priorities. Throw in a two-day Horses in the Classroom faculty development workshop and free time goes out the window.

But I have to walk. And I've walked a lot.

Tuesday, Thursday and Friday I did two-miles with my friend Mary Liz.  Monday and Wednesday Alison and I walked around College Hill at lunch time, length unknown. Maybe a half hour. Friday afternoon I did about an hour with Betsy. We didn't take the dogs, they moved. ): It was nice and weird, at the same time. Saturday and Sunday I walked with Bonnie. Saturday was three miles. Sunday a little more than two.

Monday I went out at lunchtime. Tuesday I walked with Mary Liz and the hike to the classroom from the remote lot. Today we walked the stairs from campus to town and College Hill back to campus. Plus I made two trips to Markle Hall and one to Farinon.

Plus I signed up for two 5Ks even though I swore them off last year.

And I went took Sharon to the gym twice AND worked out on the equipment. Including Easter Sunday. I still have the trial from Dave to use at 24/7 fitness. I will use it.

The "every two feet" Facebook page is up and running. Search "every two feet" to join. I hope to post one walk a month even in winter. I have 14 "fans", two who are strangers. How fun is that?

Yep, this fat girl is back to walking. It's about time. Now I just need to brush the dust of my pedometer and start to wear it again!

making progress

Today I set up the Every Two Feet walking group on Facebook. (Search every two feet) As soon as I pick a date for the first walk, I'll email my training group from last year. We'll see if this happens.

I also talked with my friend Betsy and starting Friday, we'll be walking again. This time without the dogs. They've moved to suburban Philly with Beth. ):

Then I emailed Mary Liz about morning walks.

Tonight, I'll talk to Bonnie about training walks for the Avon.

Looks like this fat girl is returning to walking. And not a minute too soon.