Greetings all --
I can't tell you how excited I get when I see an email pop up telling me somebody posted on the blog. I love reading what everyone is thinking. Sorry I have been so bad about posting recently. Trying to keep all the balls in the air...is time and energy consuming.
I'm just finishing a book -- so I will see if the book Jessica mentioned is available for my kindle. And its possible the Chicago weekend might work. Can everyone get there Friday? I'm heading to NY after -- so it makes more sense if we can have Friday there -- or at least most of it there. I would then fly to NY on Sunday or first thing Monday morning. Let me know if that works for the you guys.
Just 2 weeks till the AT -- not even actually. I can't believe it!
Mom seems to be getting stronger -- so we are going to look at an assisted living option. She is extremely aggravated with us -- but I'm trying to talk her through it. I guess that's what I have to say for now.
Happy Sunday!
Mel
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Today's Inspirational Quote
"Live life and take chances. Believe that everything happens for a reason and don't regret. Love to the fullest and you will find true happiness in life. Realize that things go wrong and people change, but things do go on. Sometimes things weren't meant to be. What is supposed to happen will work its way out."
-- Author Unknown
-- Author Unknown
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Book Title
I have a book suggestion!
Hike Your Own Hike by Francis Tapon.
It's about two people, who had "good" lives (goods jobs, etc) but not "amazing" ones. So of course they set off on the App Trail. It's not about how to backpack, but "how to live." "It will reawaken your spirit and energize your soul." It teaches you why the AT teaches more about human nature than mother nature.
The author is a life coach (degree in religion, then an MBA from Harvard - interesting) and has that caustic/self-effacing dry sense of humor that I enjoy. Easy to read (with pictures!)
I'm not done with it, but enjoying it, and seems like a topic that could juice us all up right now.
So go Hike Your Own Hike!
Jessica
Hike Your Own Hike by Francis Tapon.
It's about two people, who had "good" lives (goods jobs, etc) but not "amazing" ones. So of course they set off on the App Trail. It's not about how to backpack, but "how to live." "It will reawaken your spirit and energize your soul." It teaches you why the AT teaches more about human nature than mother nature.
The author is a life coach (degree in religion, then an MBA from Harvard - interesting) and has that caustic/self-effacing dry sense of humor that I enjoy. Easy to read (with pictures!)
I'm not done with it, but enjoying it, and seems like a topic that could juice us all up right now.
So go Hike Your Own Hike!
Jessica
Monday, September 19, 2011
Happy Fall!
It's the official start of "FALL" this week, and you all know the statistics! This is the time of year that people start putting weight on (or as my WW Leader used to call it, Food Season).
Let's make a pact! We will not succumb! We will not be another statistic! We can maintain our weight through the Fall and Winter and only focus on getting in to training shape for a new adventure next spring!
Let's Do it!
Jessica
Let's make a pact! We will not succumb! We will not be another statistic! We can maintain our weight through the Fall and Winter and only focus on getting in to training shape for a new adventure next spring!
Let's Do it!
Jessica
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Mission Accomplished!
I am going to share something positive!
I completed one of my New Year's Resolutions (which I have pondered longer than that, frankly . . . ). I completed a digital scrapbook as a gift for our neighbors. It has been hanging over my head for months, and I finished and sent it off! Whoo Hooo! Nothing like completing a big project (that I think I'm gonna like - as long as it turns out like the preview on line!).
We have to celebrate our accomplishments, b/c these things clutter our brains as much as the other stuff!
Now on the next project on my list . . .
JW
I completed one of my New Year's Resolutions (which I have pondered longer than that, frankly . . . ). I completed a digital scrapbook as a gift for our neighbors. It has been hanging over my head for months, and I finished and sent it off! Whoo Hooo! Nothing like completing a big project (that I think I'm gonna like - as long as it turns out like the preview on line!).
We have to celebrate our accomplishments, b/c these things clutter our brains as much as the other stuff!
Now on the next project on my list . . .
JW
Day of Rest!
Hi all --
I completed my 8 mile hike -- but it wasn't easy! It was more difficult than I would have imagined. And yes I carried my pack -- 20 lbs. of assorted household things. I admit I felt pretty silly piling out of my car with enough gear to stay overnight. I quickly announced to the group I was just practicing -- not planning to camp. The 20 or so other hikers were nice as could be -- mostly women in there late 40's and early 50's....many hiking with friends. My observation about hiking is this....it's not hard to do, but the fact that it takes typically 30 minutes to do a mile can really exhaust you if you are doing many miles. Our hike of 8 miles took 4 1/2 hours (including a lunch stop....and my first visit to a latrine). It was in the high 50's and I was sweating like crazy! Since I know you are interested Jessica -- I believe I covered an elevation change of 650 ft. As low as 650ft up to 1300ft. So this is a sport of endurance....slow and steady! I'm sore today in some odd spots....but not bad. A bit frightened of how I might feel after doing this 4 days in a row.
On to the other big aspect of my life right now.....my Mom. We put her in a nursing home on Saturday a week ago yesterday. It was difficult, she didn't want to go, does't want to be there......but unfortunately needs to be. So I have been trying to get her settled, organize her home and her life so that it can be navigated from Duluth, MN and trying to find peace with my decisions.
I have another thing going on that I will share with you guys when we talk -- don't want to post it. All of this is making me super emotional. That or my hormones are in high gear. But I am crying at the drop of a hat....seriously -- a song, a thought, etc. You name it -- it seems to make me emotional. I'm not super sad -- just emotional.
Jess -- just bought another boatload of stuff from REI. It's crazy......the trip is $500 -- but the gear to take the trip is $1500! We'll need to hike the AT....just to get our monies worth.
Last but not least -- the Chicago idea. I need to work through the calendar a bit. But love the idea!!!!
That's all for now!
Mel
I completed my 8 mile hike -- but it wasn't easy! It was more difficult than I would have imagined. And yes I carried my pack -- 20 lbs. of assorted household things. I admit I felt pretty silly piling out of my car with enough gear to stay overnight. I quickly announced to the group I was just practicing -- not planning to camp. The 20 or so other hikers were nice as could be -- mostly women in there late 40's and early 50's....many hiking with friends. My observation about hiking is this....it's not hard to do, but the fact that it takes typically 30 minutes to do a mile can really exhaust you if you are doing many miles. Our hike of 8 miles took 4 1/2 hours (including a lunch stop....and my first visit to a latrine). It was in the high 50's and I was sweating like crazy! Since I know you are interested Jessica -- I believe I covered an elevation change of 650 ft. As low as 650ft up to 1300ft. So this is a sport of endurance....slow and steady! I'm sore today in some odd spots....but not bad. A bit frightened of how I might feel after doing this 4 days in a row.
On to the other big aspect of my life right now.....my Mom. We put her in a nursing home on Saturday a week ago yesterday. It was difficult, she didn't want to go, does't want to be there......but unfortunately needs to be. So I have been trying to get her settled, organize her home and her life so that it can be navigated from Duluth, MN and trying to find peace with my decisions.
I have another thing going on that I will share with you guys when we talk -- don't want to post it. All of this is making me super emotional. That or my hormones are in high gear. But I am crying at the drop of a hat....seriously -- a song, a thought, etc. You name it -- it seems to make me emotional. I'm not super sad -- just emotional.
Jess -- just bought another boatload of stuff from REI. It's crazy......the trip is $500 -- but the gear to take the trip is $1500! We'll need to hike the AT....just to get our monies worth.
Last but not least -- the Chicago idea. I need to work through the calendar a bit. But love the idea!!!!
That's all for now!
Mel
Saturday, September 17, 2011
My 1st Big Hike
Well I'm just about to embark on my first ling hike with 20lb pack in tow. Headed to the Temperance River State Park. I'll let you know how it goes!
Melissa
Melissa
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