Going Backwards

I've been so busy the last few days it's hard to find time to sit down at the computer. My oldest son is visiting from Golden Colorado. We went to dinner Friday night with friends of ours, our daughter, her boyfriend, our son, & his friends. We went to the Columbus Brewing Company. It was great. (more food during the week of Thanksgiving) I had fish but I'm sure the sauce was full of calories. I know the banana cream pie was loaded but it was the best I've ever tasted. I have less than a week to go for my bet with my brother. It's going to be close. I'm teaching a class on gift tags tomorrow at work. This will be my first real class I teach by myself. When I left work tonight there were 10 signed up for the class.  This is what my class materials look like before we make the tags. I found out today I do get paid extra for teaching classes so that's even better. Did you know for every Christmas tree harvested, 2 to 3 seedlings are planted in its place. 

weight 144.8

temp 46

humidity 85%

8333 steps or 4.28 miles

calories burned 204

stats

Did you know following Princess Diana's tragic death in 1997, the Ty toy company, famous in the late 1990s for its popular Beanie Baby line of beanbag animals, issued a "Princess" bear in tribute. The royal purple Beanie, bearing an embroidered white rose on its chest, became so desired that at Christmas time, American collectors were willing to spend up to $300 for one on the secondary market.

weight 143.4

temp 41

humidity 72%

5551 steps or 2.80 miles

calories burned 172

Stats

Did you know electric Christmas tree lights were first used in 1895. The idea for using electric Christmas lights came from an American, Ralph E. Morris. The new lights proved safer than the traditional candles.

weight 145

temp 41

humidity 72%

7159 steps or 3.61 miles

calories burned 217

Stats

Did you know during World War II it was necessary for Americans to mail Christmas gifts early for the troops in Europe to receive them in time. Merchants joined in the effort to remind the public to shop and mail early and the protracted shopping season was born.

weight 144.6

temp 37

humidity 59%

7081 steps or 3.57 miles

calories burned 228

Thanksgiving 2007

Today is Thanksgiving day and my 52nd birthday. I had a wonderful day celebrating with family at my parents home in Cincinnati, Ohio. My parents, mother-in-law, brother's family,sister's family, and my husband and children were all present. My youngest brother and his family are in Arizona but with us in thought. It's nice having all three of my children home for Thanksgiving. My son Bryan is visiting from Golden, Colorado. The food was wonderful but I was good. I ate sensible but did enjoy dessert. I was able to get in 1.33 miles for the day but no time to walk any real distance. Did you know 44 years ago today John  F Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas Texas.

weight 143.6

temp 39

humidity 73%

2646 steps or 1.33 miles

calories burned 39

Stats

Did you know during the Christmas/Hanukkah season, more than 1.76 billion candy canes will be made.

weight 142.4

temp 66

humidity 90%

8950 steps or 4.52 miles

calories burned 262

I've been busy with job interviews the last two days. I interviewed for a managers position at Cord Camera's Scrapbooking Department. The pay is decent with commission so there is opportunity to excel. The benefits are great. The hours are great. I'm nervous waiting for the outcome since this is a job made for me. I guess what ever happens is meant to be. I do believe things happen for a reason even though we don't always understand it right away. They said they would be making a decision with in a week. In the mean time I'm still trying to get my money from the tax department. The women I called on Monday handed it over to another gentleman and he is working on it. But he did find $54 that belongs to my husbands grandfather who died in 1963. My oldest son Bryan is home for Thanksgiving he lives in Colorado and he arrived this morning. I saw him for about an hour before he went to bed at 9 am and again when I made him an omelet before he went out with his buddies. The weather has been great for walking. I wish it didn't get dark so early but at least I'm not freezing too!I still have 2.6 lbs to go before Dec 1st the only problem is Thanksgiving day is tucked in there too! So I will have to walk extra this next week to hit 140. Did you know during the Christmas buying season, Visa cards alone are used an average of 5,340 times every minute in the United States.

weight 142.6

temp 66

humidity 72

8097 steps or 4.08 miles

calories burned 312

Stats

Did you know Christmas trees are known to have been popular in Germany as far back as the sixteenth century. In England, they became popular after Queen Victoria's husband Albert, who came from Germany, made a tree part of the celebrations at Windsor Castle. In the United States, the earliest known mention of a Christmas tree is in the diary of a German who settled in Pennsylvania.

weight 143.2

temp 

humidity

6030 steps or 3.04 miles

calories burned 242

Stats

Did you know Christmas presents were known in antiquity among kings and chieftains, especially on the European continent. However, they have been common among ordinary people in Iceland only during the past 100 or so years. 

weight 143.6

temp 45

humidity 76%

6294 steps or 3.17 miles

calories burned 212

74 days & $700.00 Later

Well I had to break down and buy tags for my sons car. I did get a call back from someone at the tax department regarding my unclaimed funds but, she connected me with someone who takes cared of over paid taxes. So I still have to wait until Monday to talk to the right person ( I hope). I'm still working on my Christmas cards, buckeye jewelry, & some Christmas gifts. It's been cold walking outside. If you would have told me last November that I would be out walking in the cold like I have been. I would have told you your crazy.  It's hard for me to get to the mall on the days that  I work. There is a Trader Joe's( a grocery store)  next door to work and I'm going to start walking in there when it gets real cold. Did you know Christmas is not widely celebrated in Scotland. Some historians believe that Christmas is downplayed in Scotland because of the influence of the Presbyterian Church (or Kirk), which considered Christmas a "Papist," or Catholic event. As a result, Christmas in Scotland tends to be somber.

weight 143.4

temp 41

humidity 49%

8912 steps or 4.50 miles

calories burned 291

Stats

Did you know Christmas Day in the Ukraine can be celebrated on either December 25, in faithful alliance with the Roman Catholic Gregorian calendar, or on January 7, which is the Orthodox or Eastern Rite (Julian calendar), the church holy day.

weight 143.6

temp 41

humidity 49%

4188 steps or 2.11 miles

calories burned 118

Stats

Did you know as early as 1822, the postmaster in Washington, D.C. was worried by the amount of extra mail at Christmas time. His preferred solution to the problem was to limit by law the number of cards a person could send. Even though commercial cards were not available at that time, people were already sending so many home-made cards that sixteen extra postmen had to be hired in the city.

weight 144.4

temp 40

humidity 68%

13,078 steps or 6.60 miles

calories burned 492

Stats

Did you know California, Oregon, Michigan, Washington, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and North Carolina are the top Christmas tree producing states. Oregon is the leading producer of Christmas trees - 8.6 million in 1998.

weight 145.2

temp 63

humidity 47%

9760 steps or 4.92 miles

calories burned 375

Another weight in.

Today was an extremely busy day. I started off my day making some bracelets and booklets for a bid on St. Charles Mom prom souvenirs. My neighbor is on the board to select them and she asked me to do it. I was on the phone for about 3 hours trying to fix this license tags problem Robby's 30 day tags expired on the 9th. I found out the number I have been calling is an Ohio State employee that was transfered out Aug 2nd. Why she has a voice mail box is a real mystery. I found that out when I reported her for not returning my calls. I did get in touch with a women named Theresa who orders office supplies for state employees. (I was transfered to her by mistake) Her mother happens to be the one in charge of unclaimed funds but she is on vacation until Monday. The reason I was not getting an answer all month was Chase gave me the wrong number. My lesson learned from this is not to be nice keep calling everyone until you drive someone crazy. If your nice and wait for a return call your out of luck. The story really is much longer but I'm tired of repeating it. I had a class at work at 6 and it lasted for about 2 1/2 hours. I got home and ate dinner and was too tired to walk. I really have to get moving I only have 2 1/2 weeks left for my weight challenge. Did you know right behind Christmas and Thanksgiving, Super Bowl Sunday ranks as the third-largest occasion for Americans to consume food, according to the National Football League.

weight 146

temp ?

humidity ?

1899 steps or .95 miles

calories burned 61

Stats

Did you know it is estimated that 400,000 people become sick each year from eating tainted Christmas leftovers.

weight 147.4

temp 61

humidity 72%

10,242 steps or 5.17 miles

calories burned 349

The Holidays are coming!

I have been extremely busy all week working our Holiday Extravaganza the biggest week of the year for Archiver's. I did learn how to teach a two page lay out for Christmas. The first class was pretty crazy. Some of the women come rushing in starting without listening to directions then complaining  when they do the pages wrong. But I did learn after my first two classes what to expect and how to handle it. I had a hard time trying to avoid the pizza at work on Fri & Sat. We only get a 30 minute lunch late in the day and we had to start at 8 am. The store buys pizza for lunch on Fri & Sat,  I did however pass on the sweets. At least I was able to make time to walk before collapsing. Did you know October is National Pizza month. It was first so designated in 1987. Americans eat approximately 100 acres of pizza each day, or 350 slices per second.

weight 147.6

temp 48

humidity 775

11,141 steps or 5.62 miles

calories burned 384

Stats

Did you know certain frogs can be frozen solid then thawed and continue living.

weight 147.4

9303 steps or 4.64 miles

calories burned 307

Stats

Did you know at nearly 50 percent fat, whale milk has around 10 times the fat content of human milk, which helps calves achieve some serious growth spurts - as much as 200 pounds per day.

weight 147.6

temp 51

humidity 71%

13,646 steps or 6.89 miles

calories burned 502

Stats

Did you know if you put a raisin in a glass of champagne, it will keep floating to the top and sinking to the bottom.

weight 147.4

temp 46

humidity 48

7550 steps or 3.81 miles

calories burned 237

Let it Wait "the snow"

I walked this afternoon in the neighborhood it was a little chilly at first but I save about 30 minutes time when I'm not driving to the mall. And sometimes I save money too! . Today it was spitting snow while I was walking. Luckily none was sticking. It wasn't quite as windy today. I wanted to get back so I could start assembling my Christmas cards. I spent all day on Sunday designing them that takes me longer then assembling them. I try 15 different ways before I'm satisfied with them. I use my wrapping paper in my cards. I have punched out the snowmen with card stock & wrapping paper. There's lots of cutting, glueing, & folding to be done but that's the part of Christmas I enjoy the most. And of course wrapping gifts. Did you know Hallmark introduced its first Christmas cards in 1915, five years after the founding of the company.

weight 146.4

temp 43

humidity 79%

9918 steps or 5 miles

calories burned 389

Another 2.2 pounds

Well it finally happened I lost one of my players on my biggest loser fantasy team. Ryan is gone I'm not quite sure what that means at this point but I was the last one to lose one of their original players and I was in 5th place. I picked my players by family names since I wasn't quite sure what I was doing. I am enjoying the show. And I do love the  competition. You can tell it's November by the wind. I walked the neighborhood today and it was pretty windy. It's trash day and cans were flying everywhere. I just put on a sweatshirt & hooded jacket and it kept me warm. I'm determined to lose this weight and that means walking every day that I can. We had a training class at work tonight and they had pizza again. It's killing me just smelling it but I resisted. Every time I pass on pizza and brownies I justify eating Thanksgiving dinner. Did you know the heaviest turkey ever weighed toppled the scales at 86 pounds.

weight 146.4

temp 43

humidity 57%

10,914 steps or 5.51 miles

calories burned 441

The Cold Weather is coming!

The weather is starting to change. I left work at 5:30 and it felt wonderful outside, 3 minutes later on my way home it was pouring down raining and very cold all the sudden. I walked after dinner it was cold ,damp, & dark. The wind was stinging my face but I did it. The temperature is suppose to drop 20 degrees tomorrow. If it's cold I'll walk at the mall. I have discovered pod cast and they make them in every subject there is. Right now I'm listening to scrapbook pod cast so it makes walking easy. Sometimes I walk a little further to finish listening to my pod cast. The best part is they are free. Find a subject you like through itunes, download it on your ipod and you have hours of entertainment. I've been working on my Christmas cards. I have them designed but, I still need to put them together. Right now I'm ahead of the game. I had to purchase my gift wrap before I could make my cards & tags so they would coordinate. I still need to find ribbon but, the hard part is out of the way. Purchase a few gifts, throw up a tree, & poof  it's all done. Well it sounds good anyway. Did you know an average household in America will mail out 28 Christmas cards each year and see 28 cards return in their place.

weight 147.8

temp 62

humidity 56%

11,787 steps or 5.95 miles

calories burned 415

Stats

Did you know It's physically impossible for you to lick your elbow. 

weight 146.2

temp 56

humidity 30%

11,274 steps or 5.69 miles

calories burned 440

BP 121/99

Another Call to the Tax dept

I called the women from the tax dept and left her another message I haven't heard from her so I will try again tomorrow. I got out early to walk today the weather was great again. I wanted to get a good long walk in before I started cleaning. We have had so much road construction in our neighborhood some of which has ended today. You could really smell the tar in the air. But it's great that all these trucks and back-hoes will be gone tomorrow. Every morning lately it sounds like someone has been shot. I think I might have heard the last big bang this afternoon. Or at least I hope I have. Did you  know a person can live without food for about a month, but only about a week without water.

weight 146.8

temp 56

humidity 41%

10,337 steps or 5.22 miles

calories burned 385

Not a Bad month

The weather was great again today. I walked after I got off work at 5 so I wouldn't have to walk with all the tricker treaters. It was weird seeing the kids out in the daylight since the time doesn't change for another week this year. I got home in time to give out a few treats. I really wanted to walk for another 3 miles so I would have 100 miles in this month (competing with my brother again) but after working on my feet all day I just wanted to get home.  If I had started at the beginning of the month I would have been well past 100 miles. I had some work to do on my Growing up Monahan site I wanted to get done too! Did you know bananas are great for athletic and fitness activity because they replenish necessary carbohydrates, glycogen and body fluids burned during exercise.

weight 147

temp 67

humidity 60%

11027 steps or 5.56 miles

calories burned 395

Totals for October

steps 192,224

miles 96.98

starting weight 154.2 

ending weight 147

Another weight in

Another weight in and I didn't do as bad as I thought I would. It wasn't a gain so I'm pretty happy about that. But I do have to really watch myself the rest of the way. I did have a meeting at work Sunday night with pizza,Halloween candy and home made baked goods and I resisted all but I knew we were having dinner at the Cheesecake Factory that night.( I only had one bite of fat free cheesecake)  I've been really good since then. I got in another long walk today after work. The air feels great now. I wonder how much longer we can count on this great weather. Did you know you share your birthday with at least nine million other people around the world.

weight 148.6

temp 63

humidity 58%

11,427 steps or 5.77 miles

calories burned 418

Apple store 2 Tax Department 0

Today I  waited for the women from the tax dept to call me back , she didn't. I decided to go back to the Apple store to get my iphone and e-mail working properly.  I couldn't get an appointment for a couple of hours so I parked right in front of the store and started walking around Easton. It's strange how empty the streets around Easton are right now because in just 3 weeks the big shopping rush will begin. I got lucky at the Apple store. The genius I got fixed my e-mail and gave me a new iphone. After changing my out my iphone he realized it was my iphoto causing my problems but let me keep the new iphone anyway. Did you know a 1.5 oz. milk chocolate bar has only 220 calories.

weight 149

temp 59

humidity 50%

10,129 steps or 5.11 miles

calories burned 408

Rough Week

It's been a rough week to lose weight we had a birthday party Friday  night so I had no time to walk and then the party food was great so I went overboard there. Thursday night we went to the Japanese Restaurant where I lost all will power to diet. Today we met our friends at Cheesecake Factory for dinner. I did get a good walk in today. The weather is great right now with the crisp air and it's  not too cold. Friday night at the birthday party I met two wonderful dogs Lucy & Bob. Bob is a 3 year old Boxer & Lucy is 9 year old Weimaraner. Did you know the Weimeraner is not happy when relegated to a kennel. He is accustomed to being a member of the family & accepts the responsibilities which that entails. And the Boxer is one of the first breeds selected in Germany for police training.

 weight 149.6

temp 54                                                      

humidity 77%

9010 steps or 4.55 miles

calories burned 346

                    

Stats

Did you know women burn fat more slowly than men, by a rate of about 50 calories a day.

weight 149

temp 65

humidity 87%

6200 steps or 3.13 miles

calories burned 203

Stats

Did you know a single share of Coca-Cola stock, purchased in 1919, when the company went public, would have been worth $92,500 in 1997.

weight 147.8

temp 57

humidity 64%

4987 steps or 2.51 miles

calories burned 152

Back at the Mall

I got a nice long walk in at the mall today. This will be the last few weeks it will be easy to walk at the mall. All the stores are starting to get geared for the Christmas Holidays. There's a big poster at the mall of how it will look once all the renovation is done. The picture here shows you how the end of the mall will lead to an outdoor mall. I'm anxious to see how it will end up. I did go to the Apple store today for a one on one class and for some trouble shooting. I had 3 problems I needed solved and the genius I got struck out all three times. He told me I had to make another appointment at the genius bar to have it fixed. I would love to have a problem that required one phone call or trip to solve. Maybe someday. Did you know the first suburban shopping mall was opened in 1922 by National Department Stores in Saint Louis.

weight 148

temp 54

humidity 71%

steps 10,210 or 5.15 miles

calories burned 382

5 1/2 Weeks & Counting

5 1/2 weeks until Dec 1st and Thanksgiving in the path. I can do this! I really think this might be catching I talked with my brother Thom and he said he had lost over 20lbs since September 1st and then my sister Theresa called wanting to know how many steps she should be walking every day. She has been walking 1/2 of her lunch hour every day for the last 2 weeks. I'm not sure what has motivated them but I think it's great! Did you know McDonalds and Burger King sugar-coat their fries so they will turn golden-brown.

weight 148.2

temp 59

humidity 86

6819 steps or 3.44 miles

calories burned 205

Hungry and Rain ugh!

Today I have been really hungry for some reason maybe because tomorrow is the day to weight in. Or it could be I moved a lot of office fixtures today, building up an appetite. I did receive a call from Chase bank today. It only took them three days to get back to me to tell me I need to call the State of Ohio department of taxation. She called at 4:43 pm so naturally when I called the dept of taxation I had to leave a message. At least I didn't waste my whole day off on the phone or in line at the BMV but I'm no where closer to getting the tags. It's raining here today and the forecast for the next three days calls for more rain so I'm going to have to head to the mall again or learn to walk in the rain. Did you know Captain Kirk never said "Beam me up, Scotty," but he did say, "Beam me up, Mr. Scott".

weight 148

temp 76

humidity 90%

4960 steps or 2.50 miles

calories burned 161

Stats

Did you  know that Ben and Jerry's send the waste from making ice cream to local pig farmers to use as feed. Pigs love the stuff, except for one flavor: Mint Oreo.

weight 149

temp 79

humidity 40%

7043 steps or 3.55 miles

calories burned 221

Stats

Did you know if you have three quarters, four dimes, and four pennies, you have $1.19. You also have the largest amount of money in coins without being able to make change for a dollar.

weight 147.8

temp 68

humidity 46%

8281 steps or 4.18 miles

calories burned 284

Stats

Did you know donkeys kill more people annually than plane crashes. 

weight 149

temp 72

humidity 50%

13,555 steps or 6.84 miles

calories burned 504

Stats

Did you know unless food is mixed with saliva you cannot taste it.

weight 148.8

temp 74

humidity 68%

8376 steps or 4.23 miles

calories burned 267

Keeping my cool

Today has been a very busy day again. I spent the morning on the phone with someone who really doesn't give two hoots if I get my $568 or not she just needs to get me off the phone in as few minutes as possible to keep her call time short. After going through my problem with her she told me Chase sent me a letter with instructions have a nice day. Keeping my cool is really becoming very hard. I then asked for a supervisor who tried for 20 minutes to get me some sort of answer to my problem when she couldn't she took my name & number and said she could not promise me anything but she would get back with me. I haven't heard from her since this morning. I think I'm going to have to pay the taxes and take Chase to small claims court. I will give them one last chance Friday to give me back my money before I proceed further. Walking today I had 2 dogs with me Phoebe & Smokey. Were dog sitting Smokey for 10 days while his family is on a cruise. I thought it was going to be hard to walk 2 dogs but they were very well behaved. Did you know every time you lick a stamp, you're consuming 1/10 of a calorie.

weight 149.6

temp 74

humidity 76%

8739 steps or 4.41 miles

calories burned 324

Back to the BMV

I'm really trying very hard not to go postal against Chase Bank. I'm really not sure how to handle things anymore I think I'll have to have my husband step in because this is just getting more ridiculous every day. Today I went back to the BMV with the letter Chase sent me to claim the sale taxes. I had all the information the letter said to take with me. I waited in line for 1 hour and 11 minutes to find out I had to go to Ohio.gov and enter my name in the unclaimed funds site and it would tell me how to claim my funds. Guess What? There are no unclaimed funds in my name so now I will have to call Chase again tomorrow to find out what hair brained chase there going to send me on now. After waiting at the BMV I went over to the mall to walk it was raining here today. I've been really watching what I'm eating and making sure I get my walking  in since I'm going to win this bet with my brother Pat. Put a little wager on the line and it makes all the difference. I'm working my new job and I'm on my feet moving constantly so I'm sure I'm burning calories there too. Did you know the ant can lift 50 times its own weight, can pull 30 times its own weight and always falls over on its right side when intoxicated. 

weight 149.8

temp 70

humidity 78%

10.085 steps or 5.09 miles

calories burned 379

bp 123/78

Stats

Did you know American Airlines saved $40,000 in 1987 by eliminating 1 olive from each salad served in first-class. or 80,000 calories

weight 149.6

temp 76

humidity 62%

8348 steps or 4.21 miles

calories burned 296

Stats

Did you know a newborn baby's head accounts for one-quarter of its weight.

weight 150.08

temp 67

humidity 67%

9405 steps or 4.75 miles

calories burned 334

Stats

Did you know approximately two-thirds of a person's body weight is water. Blood is 92% water. The brain is 75% water and muscles are 75% water.

weight 152

temp 61

humidity 38%

10566 steps or 5.33 miles

calories burned 391

Great Walking Weather

I had a lot of running around to do today post office,bank,groceries, & Target. I'm waiting for a call from the bank. The gentleman who worked on my title is out until Monday go figure. I got back and walked this afternoon the weather is great for walking. Funny Wednesday it was in the 50's and freezing but the last 2 days 50 feels great. I think it might have been because the temperature dropped so fast. Today I used Bob's nike +ipod when I walked its pretty cool the way it works. I can't understand why Apple doesn't have this for the iphone. Well yes I can because they want you to buy more stuff. My readings from my pedometer and the nike+ipod were pretty close. Did you know in a year the average person walks four miles making his or her bed.

weight 154

temp 58

humidity 47%

7491 steps or 3.78 miles

309 calories burned

37 Days & Still No Tags

I started out today by going to buy license plates for my son Robby's car.(the car is suppose to be titled in my name) He purchased his car from his sister Amy who leased the car brand new, then bought it when the lease ran out. She sold him the car she had paid off 2 years earlier. So for the last 5 years we have been receiving the tag renewal by mail. Two days before Robby got the car ( in 2004) Amy was in an accident and damaged the front plate. So Robby has been driving the car for 3 yrs without the front plate. Which didn't seem to be a problem for the last 3 yrs since 19 states do not require a front plate. Except Ohio does. On Sept 4 Robby was stopped by a Westerville City police officer who gave him a warning to get his plates in 4 days or he would receive a ticket. So the next day I went to the BMV to purchase new plates  I called a head of time  to see if I needed to bring the title with me since I could not find it anywhere. They said all I needed was my Drivers License. When I got there they would not let me buy them because the car was still titled in the banks name. So after waiting in line for 35 minutes they told me to go to the title place and request a new title since I had a letter from the bank saying I had paid the loan in full. When I got to the Title place they told me the car was titled to the bank and they would have to sign it over in my name. Well by now it's 5 o'clock so I cannot call the bank until the next day. When I call the bank the following day they said all I needed was to show the title place my letter and that serves as the paperwork they need and they could only send me another copy of my letter. So I head back over and wait in line again at the title place for them to tell me that the bank did not process the correct paper work and gave me a name & number for the bank to contact to get the proper title. After contacting the bank again they told me they had to request a duplicate title since they did not have the original  and when they received that they would sign it over to me. Approximate turn around time 2 weeks. I have 4 days (I have used 2 now) to get the tags. I called the officer at the Westerville police department and he extends the time for 14 more days. I called the bank back and asked them to fax a letter that I can take to the police to let them know this is being taken care of and how long it will take, they said they could not fax the letter but will put it in the mail for me. Before the letter arrives I receive a ticket by mail and a court date for Oct 10th but if I pay the ticket for $85 Robby does not need to show up for court. So I proceed to call the officer again to see if he can do something about the ticket since this is out of my control. He does not call me back after 2 messages and one to his supervisor. I then go to the police station and talk to the person on duty who tells me there is nothing the police officer can do now but I should call the court house first thing Monday morning that they are pretty easy to work with. I talk to the clerk of courts on Monday she says she can extend the court date for Robby(so he has time to get the tags) but once the ticket is written he has to pay the fine or appear in court and plead not guilty. If the judge sees it Robby's way (which he probably won't) he will only have to pay court cost of $65 and miss class to go to court on Wednesdays only.If he doesn't I will have to pay the ticket and court cost. So I just pay the $85 ticket and wait for the title to come. Low and behold the title arrives minutes and I do mean minutes after Robby goes to the court house to pay the ticket and then on to work. He calls me from work to tell me the wonderful Westerville police has stopped him again for the front tag luckily I had made a copy of the letter from the bank for him to carry with him but the officer told him he needed to take care of it quickly or they would tow his car. So that begins my day today driving back to the BMV to get his tags. I feel great I have the title and my check book I walk into the BMV and there is no line (a miracle in itself). The clerk tells me that this is a duplicate title and in order for me to buy tags  I can either take the title to the title place and get a title right away then come back to the BMV to get my tags or they can do it for me by mail for a $10 fee. Well I'm pretty tired of going back and forth from the title place to the BMV so I'm willing to pay another $10 at this point. It has taken me 4 trips to the BMV  and 2 to the title place but I'm so close to getting the tags.  As the clerk process the paper work she tells me she needs a check for an additional $568 for sales tax because the bank put the purchase price on the back of the title. How I kept my composer for the first time in my life is unbelievable.  At this point I'm not sure if this is a nightmare or reality when I realized I had the letter from the bank in my hand stating I paid $8700 + 568 sales tax. The clerk really feels bad for me as she tells me I have 2 choices now. Get the bank to cut me a check for $568 or they need to get another title without the price of the car on the title. That she said could take another 2 to 4 weeks. But the good news is she can sell me 30 day tags for an extra $10. By the time I get home it's too late to call the bank so that is how I will start my day tomorrow. I did get my walking in after I took Robby's 30 day tags to his work. The cool weather felt pretty good tonight. I think I needed it to cool down. Did you know the slogan on New Hampshire license plates is ‘Live Free or Die’. These license plates are manufactured by prisoners in the state prison in Concord.

weight 152

temp 56

humidity 75%

9756 steps or 4.92 miles

calories burned 363

The Challenge

Talk about going from one extreme to another Ohio weather is so unpredictable one day it's 91 the next 75 then bam 56 at this rate it will be in the 20's next week if not sooner. And the sad part is 56 is pretty good weather for mid October except when you have highs of 91 in the same week 56 seems pretty brutal. I needed a jacket to walk at 6 pm today. But it is easier to walk in 56 than 91. Well this week-end is suppose to be nice so I'll just keep my fingers crossed. The one amazing thing I saw during my walk tonight is people watering their burned up lawns like it's going to help now.My brother Pat who lives in Chandler Arizona has decided to lose 20 lbs by Thanksgiving. He runs everyday in extremely hot weather & burns a lot of calories but consumes a lot of calories. He doesn't gain but he hasn't been losing so he has decided to commit and lose the weight. I have lost 15 lbs since Feb and have been walking almost every day with the exception of the past couple of weeks and my weight has stayed the same since late May. I eat healthier now, watch what I eat, try to get my walking in but have not lost any more weight. So when I saw he was going to lose 20 lbs I decided to challenge him to a weight loss contest 10% of our body weight by Dec 1st. So that gives me 71/2 weeks to lose my 15 lbs. Up for grabs is a $50 gift certificate of the winners choice. Who will win? check in every Tuesday night to see our progress. Did you know you burn more calories sleeping than you do watching television.

weight 154.8

temp 56

humidity 61%

7898 steps or 3.98 miles

calories burned 318

Time really does fly

Time goes by so fast when your busy. I hadn't realized how long it had been since I have posted a blog. I knew it was more than a week but 18 days where did they go? I have been walking, not like I usually do but I really wanted to get this scanning done. I was working on a web site for my fathers side of the family too. I have been obsessed with getting everything done. I thought if I kept working on my web site and scanning I could get it done and finished. Well I realized I could work on it for 2 straight years and never have it done to perfection and miss out on all the other things I like doing. I do have most of it scanned but it still needs to be edited,titled and downloaded with over 9000 photos that could take some time, so I will work on it a little at a time. And with all the photos we take now being digital I should be able to keep up with it. The weather here has still been quite warm at this rate I'm not sure about that Indian summer they talk about. I sure hope we don't go straight to the freezing cold. Did you know banging your head against a wall uses 150 calories an hour.


weight 154.2
temp 91
humidity 49%
7912 steps or 3.99 miles
calories burned 313

Totals for September

Steps 76,107
Miles 38.40


starting weight 153.6
ending weight 154

Back again

Well another week has past and I have really been off track. I did get some walking in but not enough to blog about. I have been in a frenzy to get a web site done for my family on my fathers side. I really started out with just wanting to get some photos of my grandmothers side of the family on a site but it lead to so much more and by the time I finished I had a photo gallery, family history page, birthday page,calendar of events, who am I page, and a blog. It has been fun putting it together. I think I have bothered my brothers and sister enough. Now it's time to get back on schedule. I still have plenty of scanning left to do but that can be done slower than the pace I've been trying to keep. The stats I'm posting are for last Monday I haven't walked since so the temperature will be off. Here's a photo of my art room it's filled will photos.

weight 154
temp 81
humidity 51%
11,136 steps or 5.62 miles
calories burned 437

Back to blogging

It's been a week since my last blog. I have been scanning pictures like mad. I have about 5200 in now and another 7 or 8 thousand to do still. I have been sorting resorting and still resorting through 33 years of pictures. In my attempts to identify children, spouses, girl & boy friends, and children of the children I can't identify. I decided to make a spread sheet of the Monahan family. I needed to gather updated information for family history so this was a perfect opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. I started making phone calls tonight to all my cousins and aunts and uncles. I did get about 1/3 of the way done. So I hope I can complete the spread sheet this week end. I have not been walking as much as I would like so I do have to get back on track. However I did walk some.(see stats posted) I walked last Friday at the mall and got some bad news. As of Oct 1st Polaris Mall will be a NO PET Mall just like all the others. I'm sure there will be a great number of people who will be upset by this. It was nice to have somewhere cool or warm to walk your pet. They said they have had to replace the carpet 4 times and some pet owners do not clean up after their pets.(surprise) The store owners are tired of chasing pets out of the stores and cleaning up after them. I haven't been back to the mall since Friday. The weather has been so beautiful I've been walking outside. I walked across the dam yesterday with my dog Phoebe who doesn't bother anyone unless they have a dog, when walking back across the dam when we passed this young couple who was enjoying the view and had their backs to us, just as we passed them Phoebe turned back to the young man I thought she was going to attack him as she has never done this before, I tried to pull her back and all the sudden I heard him call Phoebe's name. I looked up and saw my son Robby's best friend Jiffy and his girlfriend Sara. Phoebe must have smelled him as we passed. So I took this opportunity to snap a picture of them. Did you know the length from your wrist to your elbow is the same as the length of your foot.

weight 153.8
temp 78
humidity 57%
5088 steps or 2.56 miles
calories burned 206

Stats

Did you know carbonated water, with nothing else in it,can dissolve limestone, talc, and many other low-Moh's hardness minerals. Coincidentally, carbonated water is the main ingredient in soda pop.


weight 154.2
temp 71
humidity 35%
9099 steps or 4.59 miles
calories burned 377

Stats

Did you know the United States has never lost a war in which mules were used.

weight 155
temp 75
humidity 51%
9289 steps or 4.69 miles
calories burned 369

Stats

Did you know unless food is mixed with saliva you cannot taste it.


weight 153.2
temp 91
humidity 82%
11060 steps or 5.58 miles
calories burned 439

Early Start

Got up early today I wanted to get my walking in so I could continue my scanning.I'm not sure I'll ever get it done. I though maybe this would be better if I paid someone to do it for me but it would cost thousands of dollars. Maybe I should scan for other people and make money myself. It's hard to believe how many pictures we own. I did get to the mall to walk, there weren't many shoppers. The mall is getting ready for the holidays. They have put up two Calendar stores ( one at each end of the mall).They must sell a lot of calendars. The only store that keeps busy all the time is the crocs kiosk in the middle of the mall. It's amazing how many people are buying those ugly shoes but there's always plenty of people at the kiosk. I didn't see any dogs until just as I was leaving the ladies room Bodo a 7yr old Dachshund came in. He was too cute. Did you know Dachshunds are accomplished hunting dogs despite their lapdog reputations.

weight 153.8
temp
humidity
10964 steps or 5.53 miles
calories burned 465
bp 134/74

Never enough time

Today has been a very busy day trying to get my walking done was one of the first things on my list.I've been trying to scan a lifetime of photos into a day or two. I headed over to the mall, first I did have to go by the bank and the post office. I was anxious to see how much they are getting done on the Kaufmann building.I got my 4 miles in at the mall and I met Melissa, Karen, & Bill each one was walking a dog. Two Boston Terriers and a French bull dog. The dogs Alley, Abby & Tubby are 2,5,& 6. I was a little rattled trying to take pics of all 3 and get the information. I hope I got it right. Did you know two distinctive features of the French Bulldog are its bat ears and half-flat, half-domed skull. Also the Boston Terrier is the result of a cross between an English Bulldog and a white English Terrier, later considerably inbred.


weight 153.4
temp 90
humidity 66%
9782 steps or 4.94 miles
calories burned 406
bp 126/82

Welcome September

The weather was great today. I walked at Easton for a while and at home tonight with Phoebe. I had some running around to do so I walked in between errands. I wish the weather was like this all the time. Today was the first Buckeye football game. I think the Buckeyes won, even if they didn't at least they had great weather. If we're lucky we will have a nice fall season. The thought of winter coming doesn't thrill me. I hate the cold more than the heat. I did meet a cute little dog today Izzy. Today was her first day with her new owner Ashton. Izzy is a 6 week old Great Dane puppy and her owners drove to Portsmouth to get her. She came from a litter of 12. And at $500.00 per puppy that's a nice chunk of change. Can you even imagine 12 of these running all around. She will get to be about 190 lbs. Did you know the Dane was developed as a boar hound by the Germans.
weight 153.6
temp
humidity
9693 steps or 4.89 miles
calories burned 352

Totals for Aug

Steps 150,032
Miles 69.05


starting weight 154
ending weight 153.6

I Love this Bar

Today I walked in the neighborhood the weather was great. I walked after dinner and there was a great breeze. I like walking when the wind is blowing but it's still warm enough to break a good sweat. I walk the path around the elementary school by my house. I walk around the school 7 or 8 times. This evening about my 5th time around I hear Toby Keith's "I Love this Bar" blaring from the loud speakers on the school building. I'm not sure what was going on I think maybe the janitor was playing the music. I just thought it was a strange song coming from the elementary school. I guess it could have been worse it could have been Lil Jon. I did see a lot of dogs but I can't take their pictures when I have Phoebe with me. So I will introduce you to Riley my daughters dog. Riley is about 7 yrs old he is a black lab and a great dog. He does get into trouble once in a while if you leave food out he will eat it. He follows Amy around all the time and when she goes to bed he does too! She leaves him with me when she goes on vacation but he really goes crazy when she returns. Did you know the Labrador Retriever, despite his name, did not come from Labrador, but from Newfoundland.

weight 154.6
temp 75
humidity 70 %
7631 steps or 3.85 miles
calories burned 306

An early day

Got to the mall early this morning JC Pennys was still closed and the play area was packed. The rest of the mall is pretty empty. I walked for an hour and shopped for 20 minutes. I'm hoping the weather breaks soon so I can walk on the path through Westerville. Even with an empty mall I did see a couple of dogs. The first dog and owner I approached would not let me take their picture (first time thats happened if I didn't know better I would have thought Wu was in the mall) but the dog was another pit bull and I don't think the owner was too proud she was trying to read and some kids had just tried to pet her dog and she didn't like that. But I did meet Rocky a 7 week old bull dog he is the smallest and youngest dog I've seen at the mall so far. His owner said he would get to be 90lbs. Did you know the Bulldog is featured in the Disney film "Lady and the Tramp."


weight 154.8
temp 92
humidity 60%
9720 steps or 4.90 miles
calories burned 390
bp 121/77

Busy Week-End

I've been busy all week-end with company from Cinti. My mother and sister were here. We were trying to get caught up with some scrapbooking so I didn't get to walk and I ate too much too. Monday I was too tired from little sleep so I had to catch up if you really can. But I got back on track today. Went to the mall there really coming along tearing down the Kaufmann building. It's still real quite in the mall. I didn't see any dogs again. But like usual I do have a backup. Meet Maggie my mother's dog. Maggie is a 3 yr old Yorkie She loves men and she does not like to be held. She loves other dogs too! She doesn't like to ride in the car but loves to go for a walk. Did you know the earliest record of a Yorkshire Terrier born in the United States dates to 1872.

weight 154.8
temp 90
humidity 71%
8719 steps or 4.40 miles
calories burned 341

Zpets.com

Today was hot. I'm not sure how any one walks or runs outside when it gets this hot. I see them over by the dam all during the day.I know their not walking at the mall because it's empty.I didn't see any dogs today so I took a picture of Laura she works at Zpets a kiosk in the middle of the mall. She told me she sells a lot of doggy slippers and shoes. I feel really sorry for any of the dogs that have to wear them.Did you know Zpets has over 30,000 products to choose from.

weight 153.4
temp 94
humidity 67%
10,577 steps or 5.34 miles
calories burned 432

Pedometers

My new pedometer finally came. It's a Omron HJ-112 . I got to use it today. I'm surprised how accurate it is. My old pedometer was not counting right. I don't have to clip this one on. I can keep it in my pocket or my purse. It keeps my info for 7 days too.There is a difference in calories burned and mileage too. I'm wearing both for a few days just to see the difference.Well you can tell the kids are back in school when you go to the mall. It's pretty empty now. Makes it so much easier to walk. Their coming along on the tearing down of Kauffmans. The parking lot is getting smaller and smaller every day as the construction site gets larger. Cleo and her owner Melos were at the mall today. Cleo is a 3 year old Yorkie who doesn't like to walk. Melos says Cleo thinks she's human. It looks like Melos has something to do with that! Did you know the Yorkie made its debut at a bench show in England in 1861 as a "broken-haired Scotch Terrier."



weight 154.6
temp 86
humidity
9249 steps or 4.67 miles
calories burned 359
bp 103/78

Here There & Everywhere

Well it's been a great week-end. I flew to Denver with my husband Bob and my youngest son Robby to visit my son Bryan. We packed in a lot in such a short time. Bryan set up a private tour of Coors Brewing Co where he works in Golden Colorado. We took a tour that lasted about 90 minutes and included walking almost 3 miles and climbing lots of stairs.They made us put on a orange vest, rubber shoe covers, hard hat, & goggles. We had to take off all of our jewelry and leave our purses and camera cases in a lock up room. But they did take us to places the regular tour does not go. After the tour they let you try 3 12oz beers. (BOB & ROBBY IN THEIR GEAR)
(ME ENJOYING A FEW ZIMA'S)
We went hiking at Rocky Mountain National Park which is less then 30 minutes from Bryan's new home. I really enjoyed walking through the woods the temp was 57 degrees while we were hiking and no humidity. There was some climbing but I was able to do it without having an asthma attack.
We had lunch at the original Chipotle,had dinner in Bolder, & went shopping in Grand Lakes. I got in a lot of walking but did so much eating it didn't matter. I didn't see any dogs on my hikes but did go by some horses. I don't know his name or how old he is but I thought he was so beautiful I would take his picture anyway.

weight unsure
temp 87
humidity 97%