What ever happened to that kid in me?

Greetings Friends~

I am getting old. There, I said it. OLD, OLD, OLD!! And why am I grousing about this today? Well, I am yearning for some (definitely not all) of those things from my childhood or youth that I seem to have lost. No, check that. I am yearning for the things that I have discarded.

This morning I was looking out the window at work thinking about what a wonderful time of year fall is. I just love the cool crispness of the air in the morning. Then I began to think about how with the fall comes the rain. Rain, rain, rain and then....rain. I began to get depressed thinking how the rain is really going to put a crimp in outdoor activities like walking, biking, yard work, etc.

And then, I thought back to being about 10 years old. A somewhat skinny hyper child with no worries. It hit me like a ton of bagels. When I was YOUNG, I didn't give a crap about the weather. My Mom seemed to, yelling at me to put on a coat as I bolted out the door after school or on the weekend. But I never cared what the weather was like because I it didn't really affect my "playing."

What ever happened to that kid in me? I would rush out in the rain to trek around the woods with my friends playing at this and that. Or we would get on our homemade skate boards and slide down that big muddy hill at the neighbors. Or we would ride our sting ray bikes with the cards in the spokes as fast as we could. And the rain just didn't seem to matter. We could play Tag or Sardines or Hide and Seek in any weather.

That kid in me got OLD and therein lies the problem.

So fellow travelers, my small goal for today is to try to regain some of that happy-go-lucky feeling and childhood exuberance. To do things as a child would and hopefully I will recapture some of that same elation that I once felt.

If you pass me on the Chehalis Trail this week, you will know it is me because I'll be the OLD guy with cards and clothespins stuck in his bike spokes!

Wednesday Shopping Tips

Bayview Thriftway has a 2 pound bag of Shrimp 31-40 ct for $6.99 on Friday 10-2, Saturday 10-3 and Sunday 10-4. Chantrelle Mushrooms are $9.99/# during these same times. They also have Fuji apples all week for $.77/#.

Safeway has large avocados for $.98 each, bananas for $.49/#, Kellogg's Raisin Bran for $1.49 and Eating Right frozen entrees 5 for $10 with your Safeway card. If you don't have one, get one. The money you save with it can be set aside for a new blouse or shirt that you will need in a few months.

Cooking Tip

Try mixing equal parts Smuckers Sugar Free Apricot or Peach jam with balsamic vinegar to pour over your salmon as a healthy and tasty glaze prior to baking.

Inspiration of the Day

Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking. - Marcus Aurelius, 121-180, Roman Emperor and Philosopher

Happy Trails!

Greetings Friends!

The first week of this little experiment called One Step at a Time drew to a close on Sunday and I found myself as excited as a kid at Christmas over the thought of the Monday morning weigh-in. As if I don't have enough problems getting to sleep, here I was all charged up with anticipation. Well, the results are now in and here is each member's progress from the first week.

Member  This Week    This Week %    Total Lost       Total %

Chip                  -10                  2.99                       -10               2.99
Kat                     -3                   1.59                         -3               1.59
Rene                   -4                   1.07                         -4               1.07
Susan                  -2                   0.72                         -2               0.72
LaNae                -2                   0.66                          -2               0.66
Kristin                 -1                   0.43                         -1                0.43
Lee                     -1                   0.43                         -1                0.43
Randy                 -1                   0.27                          -1               0.27
Bruce                   0                   0                                0                0

I am so happy that everyone posted a loss. Bruce is on vacation this week so his results were unavailable but I am sure that he probably lost as well. Give yourself a sincere pat on the back because we have all taken that first step.

Now I would like you all to start thinking about your next small step. Set a reasonable goal or goals for this week. Maybe something like;

• I’ll drink 2 additional bottles of water a day this week.
• I’ll try to walk or exercise one more time this week.
• I’ll make my lunch tonight, for tomorrow, during the commercials.
• I’ll find a healthy alternative to my favorite snack.

I am sure that we all can come up with something that will be helpful. Put it in writing and stick it on your refrigerator or computer screen so you can see it.

Kudos to the whole group for this week’s effort. I soon will be handing out those prizes that Jennifer donated to this week’s Biggest Losers.

Inspiration of the Day

Things may come to those who wait but only the things left by those who hustle. - Abraham Lincoln, 1809-1865, 16th President of the United States

Keep up the good work and remember that it is One Step at a Time.

Happy Trails!