Starting today...

I have decided to make my blog more like more  own little magazine by writing about the things that interest me.
Some of my labels will include:
* Notes to my children
* Farmers' Market Finds
* Don't Know Much About History
* The Dill Award - Dedicated Individuals Loving Life (if you can think of something better, your input would be greatly appreciated) - given to people making a difference, doing great things or throwing caution to the wind and just going for it
* WOW - I never knew that..
* OK, I really shouldn't say this but here it goes...

If you have an idea for a story you would like me to write or know someone who deserves my Dill Award, post me a note on my blog. I look forward to your suggestions.

It's your choice

I remember my Grandma Christine telling my mom she had a choice on how she could handle my dad’s death – she could sit in the corner and cry about what has happened to her and her children or she can get up and make the best of it and raise her children the way my dad would have wanted.

You don’t always get to choose what happens in your life, she said, but you get to choose how you deal with it.

I was 12 years old when my dad died but my grandma’s advice stays with me daily. There are no words to describe the pain of losing my dad and the ache that still lingers in my heart many years later.

But his death made me who I am.
And for that I am grateful.
His death has given me the strength to bear what seems like unbearable moments, to remember to be grateful for the love and friendship I have, actually be grateful for everything I have, and to know I am a strong woman who can handle what comes her way.

Most importantly, my grandma taught me life is about choices.  

Yes, sometimes I choose unwisely and allow pride, selfishness or stubbornness steer me in a direction where I do or say something I later regret. But it’s always my choice whether I make amends or say I am sorry.

The reason I was out-of-shape is because I made the choice to do nothing and made excuses to eat poorly and not exercise.  

How I handle what life brings to me is always a choice.

I can choose to be happy or I can choose to feel sorry for myself. I can choose to work harder toward my goals and dream or I can choose to sit on the couch and watch TV. I can choose to say I don’t have time to exercise, read, write… or I can get up and just get it done.

And with every choice there is a consequence. If I choose to eat six no bake cookies, I will pay for that choice with a sugar high and then a crash. If I choose to procrastinate writing a story, I will pay for that choice with sloppy copy.

Today, I met a 93-year-old woman who looked more like 70 years old.  She volunteers in the morning and then spends the afternoon reading.

What’s your secret to a long life and looking great? I asked.

“Never be grumpy,” she said. “It affects your health. Appreciate everything from the birds singing nearby to your friends. And don’t go chasing after things just because you think you need them.”

Life, after all, is about choices, she added.

Here’s hoping you find the strength to make the choices in your life that bring you the joy and happiness you deserve.

It's your choice.

What compels you?

Yesterday, I attended the Northwest Author’s Series at the Wilsonville Library where Karen Karbo gave a presentation on “Passions Into Paychecks: Making a Living Without a Brand.”

With a quick wit and a cut to the chase honesty, Karbo shared bits of wisdom that have helped her writing career.
“Find something that compels you,” she said.
“Be open to ideas.”
“What are the themes that grab you and hold your heart over time.”

Many writers I know have a brand – they writing about one topic – food, health, crime, education, politics…

I don’t have a brand and I don’t think I could ever commitment myself to one topic. That would be like eating one kind of chocolate or reading the same book over and over again.
What I love about being a journalist is every day I learn at least 10 new things. I treasure the opportunities I have to meet incredible people who are making a difference in their community. I am fascinated by people who throw caution to the wind and follow their passion. I am amazed and honored when people share their fears, secrets,  … their stories with me.

Karbo asked the audience to make a list of things that captivate or interest us. In no particular order, my list is hunger in our country/world; education; children’s issues; parenting tips; travel; people who make a difference; health; crime; people who overcame odds to change their lives; discrimination; politics; faith/religion; food; books; mysteries; seniors; science…

While I have enjoyed the first month of writing about getting back in shape and setting goals, there is no way I could continue to write about it for the next 11 months. And I don’t think anyone would be interested in reading it. It would be like the teacher in Charlie Brown that sounds like “wah, wha, wah, wha, wah, wha…”

Boring and everyone would tune out, including me.

Oscar Wilde once said, “Be yourself, everyone else is taken. In order to be oneself, one has to take risks, to accept that one is not perfect and to be courageous enough to say what one really thinks. Nowadays, it’s a tremendous act of bravery to be original instead of a pathetic replication of someone else. … Lacking spontaneity, originality or individuality is the worst flaw one can has, for a mediocre copy of someone else is taking place.”

Starting tomorrow, I plan to write about things that are important and interest me. I hope you will continue to visit my blog and see what I am up to next.

As far as my exercise goals - this week Sunday, 35 minutes; Monday, 45; Tuesday, 30; Wednesday, rest; Thursday, 35; Friday, 40; and Saturday, 45.  

What would happen if I wore a bathing suit for a run?

After returning from a 35 minute run this morning, I seriously contemplated wearing my bathing suit the next time I go for a run on a rainy day. From my socks to my T-shirt, I was soaked.

Can you imagine seeing a 46-year-old woman running in pink shoes – they are my daughter’s – a baseball hat and a black tankini?

 Two things are preventing me from such a stunt.
1.     I had a dream Friday night that I was at a lake and I went to take off my clothes – my bathing suit was on – and someone said to me – I wouldn’t want to be seen if I were you.
2.     Given that most men believe all bodies must look like that of a Victoria Secret model, I am quite sure I would cause traffic accidents and heart attacks if men saw my body running down the street in a bathing suit. I wouldn’t want to be responsible for such an occurrence.

 If you have any suggestions on water proof or winter running clothes, post me a note. Either that or keep an eye on the police log for a woman arrested for indecent exposure.

For the last four weeks, I have ran/jogged/walked. Starting today, I can only jog/walk. I am training for the Shamrock Run on March 18 in Portland. If you would like to join me, send me a note. I also would be grateful for anyone who has a training plan for a 5K. I can jog/run three miles without stopping.

Looking forward to hearing from you and wishing you a great week.  

Who wants to see One for the Money

I met my exercise goals - just finished a 45 run with hills.

So today I am going to see One for the Money at 3 at Clackamas Town Center.

More later. It's 10:53, my son has a game at noon and I still need to shower.

Go, go girl falls off the wagon

Standing in line at the grocery store today, I realized I am a go, go girl.

And that’s my problem, especially this week when I fell off the wagon, the chocolate wagon that is.

Since Jan. 1, I have been good about not eating chocolate. All that changed this week. It started with a candy bar on Tuesday, followed by several chocolate chip cookies on Wednesday and several no bake cookies today. Enough chocolate to last a month in three days.
This week, I realized that I start the day in a hurry and end it in a blaze. Get up, get dressed, check emails, make lunches, take Blake to school, drive 30 minutes to work, sit at desk for six hours eating lunch at my desk, drive 30 minutes home, evening chores begin and a thousand more things to do before bedtime. And when I am going, I grab whatever is close to eat and when I am stressed, it’s usually chocolate.

Going for a 45 minute walk/jog today, I realized the mistake I made in planning my exercise. I said I needed to go 45 minutes for five days – so far only went three days. In February, I plan on having on long run, followed by a short run.  Couple times this week, I wanted to exercise but didn’t have time.

Realized I am going to have be more disciplined and organized to meet my goals. Two more days and then I get to see One for the Money.

Four minutes makes a difference

There were four minutes to go to meet my goal of jogging/walking 45 minutes for five days this week when I got to my driveway. Four minutes.

I could stop. It was dark. I needed to make dinner before Blake had practice at 8:30. There are uniforms to wash and chores to do and a story to write.  I went 41 minutes. Wasn't that close enough.

No one would know if I didn’t go that four minutes.

Except me.

I could have said – close enough. But I didn’t because the only person I would be cheating would be me.  

“A person's true character is revealed by what he does when no one is watching," is a quote my husband says quite often.

So I walked four minutes past my driveway and sprinted back – taking two minutes to return.

Every day I go out, I feel stronger and I am walking less and jogging/running more.

What I love about jogging/walking is the time I get to clear the cobwebs from my brain and think. It’s a chance to catch my breath, clean the slate of the day’s stress and feel at peace.

Today I am thankful:

·        The sun is staying up later.

·        It is not raining.

·        I have a family who loves me unconditionally even when I am a pill and I love unconditionally even when they make my hair turn gray.

·        I have a warm bed, a car that works, a job, a good book to read and a roof over my head.

·        For a million little things. My life is far from perfect but it’s good.

And sometimes good is good enough.

Bits and pieces

And the winner of the wet sweatpants contest is … me and everyone else who braved the weather today to run/walk/jog. Every time I saw someone today, I wanted to give them a high-five for being out in the pouring down rain and blustery wind.

Quote for the day: A woman is like a tea bag - you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water. Eleanor Roosevelt

My sister and my sister-in-law are my fellow Pickle Princesses. Every summer, we make several dozen jars of pickles – always lamenting we haven’t made enough. I love spending time with them whenever we get together – they are funny and creative. I asked them if they would be interested in writing for my blog once a week. When I talked to my sister, her answer was she wouldn’t want her name with it because she’s afraid she might offend someone, adding she can be too sarcastic. I disagree.

That is the challenge of writing a blog – there is a lot I want to say but I hold back. If I ever do say something that offends you, please accept my apology in advance. I hope my sister and sister-in-law will join me in the adventure. Because I believe they both have something to say that’s worth reading.

Easy to find excuses, rewarding to find motivation

Snow, rain, blustery winds, deadlines, three stories to write, kids' basketball games and practices – all made it a challenge to find time to exercise this week.

There were moments when all I wanted to do after a long day at work was to put on my pjs, snuggle under a blanket and read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

It’s easy to find excuses not to exercise – it’s too cold, too much to do ...

Sunday – my excuse was it was too late and it would be dark soon. I told myself to just put on my shoes and coat and go. I walked/jogged on a street with lots of lights and by the time I was done I was glad I went.

Tuesday – it was snowing when I started my jog and by the time I was finished it was pouring down rain. Although I was soaked, I felt great.

Thursday – thankfully a friend sent me a text asking if I wanted to walk. 45 minutes walking/talking seemed like a few minutes. Thank you Michelle.

Friday – Made myself go even though I didn’t want to.

Saturday morning – got up and went at 8:15 for a 50 minute walk/jog. Saw geese landing in a pond, a few people out running – wanted to give them a high-5; quiet and peaceful before the start of a busy day with basketball games in Silverton and Sandy.

I am learning it’s easy to make excuses not to do something. But once I make myself go I always feel better. And the reward of exercising for three weeks – weight is now 152. That’s two pounds I have lost each week. And enough motivation to keep going.

Jump or stay on deck?

I wanted to jump but my brain hit the emergency brake on my legs, locking them into place.

It looked so easy before I had climbed to the second deck of the boat anchored in Captain Cook’s Bay in Hawaii.

While snorkeling, I had watched my son Blake jump off the diving platform a dozen times into the Pacific Ocean. Without a care in the world or a second thought, he would launch himself off the diving platform with his legs peddling before he landed in the ocean. He emerged from the crystal blue water, laughing, than quickly swam back to the boat to jump off the diving board again or go down the slide.
  
I wanted to jump too. I thought I could do it. But standing at the edge of the diving platform, looking at the ocean 20 feet below I was overcome with trepidation, my breathing accelerated, my legs trembling, my body refusing to budge.

Was it fear of landing a perfect belly flop or losing my swimsuit that prevented me from moving? Or was it worse – was I becoming my mother – well-known for worrying about everything. Yes, I was worrying about everything possibly imaginable.

Taking a deep breath, I turned around and sat down on a nearby bench, allowing the people waiting in line to go before me.   

“Come on mom, just go,” Blake encouraged me, although slightly – OK – he’s a teenager – utterly and completely embarrassed I was related to him, worse yet – his mother.

Maybe it’s because I didn’t want to let him down or maybe it was because I didn’t want to look like a chicken, I walked slowly back to the diving platform, closed my eyes and jumped and was overcome with exhilaration of just letting and trusting all would be OK. And it was.

That was last March. Today I am standing at the edge of a different diving board – I want to jump but I have no idea what the water looks like or if there is even water. The argument in my head goes something like this – stay where you are in a job you know and where you are safe or jump into the unknown and follow your dream. Staying on deck is easy – no risk. Following my dream – too many unknown factors.

Stay put – stay in control. Jump – can’t control how often I will get work as a freelance writer. I love my current job but I am ready for a challenge and want a job closer to where I now live. And one of my New Year's Resolutions is to find a new job.

Are you someone who eagerly lets go and jumps into the unknown without fear instead confident everything will turn out just fine?

Or are you someone who needs a detailed game plan and has calculated every pro and con before you make a move?

I would appreciate any insight – perhaps a cautionary tale of the economic sensibility of staying on deck or what happened when you received a giant push into the unknown.

For now, I will just stand here with my toes slightly dangling over the edge, admiring the view and pondering the possibilities while calculating the pros and cons.

Searching for Super Woman

OK – don’t laugh but I used to consider cleaning the house a “workout.”
Lifting countless laundry baskets – weight lifting; going up and down the stairs putting things away – stair master; vacuuming the upstairs and downstairs – a workout.
The house we are renting is on the market – meaning a real estate agent could call at any moment and ask to show the house – so I have been dedicated – until recently – to keeping it spotless. I spent lots and lots of time cleaning.
It was pointed out to me – by one, two or possibly three sarcastic members of my family – that cleaning was not working out.

This month, I started exercising – walking/jogging. What I discovered is by adding exercise – I have less time to clean. The house is never a complete disaster but it was common to find basketball and running shoes in the great room; bathrooms needing a cleaning; laundry needing to be washed and folded; floors needing to be swept or vacuumed; beds left unmade…

Today, my husband and I spent three hours cleaning – our kids added an hour each – a total of eight hours cleaning a house before a real estate arrived to show the house today.

As I furiously cleaned to meet the deadline, I wondered “where is super woman? And why am I not her? Why can’t I do it all?

Every day, women are bombarded with messages from the advertisers about how we have to be super women – cook gourmet meals, decorate superbly, have gorgeous hair and skin, be a financial wiz, exercise, be a size 4, take care of the kids and husband all while working a full-time job. Not to mention the time we are to dedicate helping our parents, volunteering … all this without the help of a gardener, housekeeper or nanny.  

Here’s what I don’t get? As women, we know it’s impossible to be super woman yet many of us still believe if we just work a little harder, try a little more that we can achieve it.

And when we don’t live up to expectations, we feel guilty and in my case that means turning to chocolate to feel better.

 I met several women last week who apologized profusely for their house being a mess – even though they work full time, care for their family… And there house wasn’t really a mess – just didn’t look like the ads we’ve seen in magazines or the homes on television.

So what’s the answer – is it possible to do it all? Is it settling if we can do one thing but not another? As women, why are we understanding of other women when their house isn’t clean but less understanding of ourselves?

Any advice? Does super woman exist? Post a comment and let me know what you think.

A thank you to my husband

As my husband briskly walked in the door and began climbing the stairs to our bedroom to change out of his suit, he turned to me and said, “Let’s get going.”

My first thought, "No, not tonight. I am too tired."

What was I thinking when I sent him a text and asked if he wanted to go tonight? Note to self – Never send text to husband in the middle of a deadline day.

As I snuggled back into the leather couch, pulled the red blanket a little closer to my chin and clutched the remote to watch the news, I began making a mental list of all the reasons I should remain firmly planted on the couch.
1.      It’s deadline day – after 19 years being married to me my husband knows I am wiped out after a day editing and laying out the newspaper.
2.      Nike running shoes are missing in action – Seriously can’t find them.
3.      We won’t have time because we have two basketball games to attend.
4.      We need to eat.
But as I made my excuse list, I realized I had made a commitment to my husband so I uprooted myself from the couch and trudged upstairs as he was making his way down.
Quickly changing into running clothes, I borrowed a pair of my daughter’s running shoes – that are at least two sizes too big.
Since Saturday, my husband has walked with me – well, he walks and I jog trying to keep up with his 6’5” stride.
Having him push me to get out the door has made a world of difference. Without his encouragement tonight, I wouldn’t have walked for 40 minutes. I would have made excuses and been content to be a couch potato.
Perfect way to get a second wind before sitting on the bleachers for a few hours.
Thank you Bryan for your support – with it I will meet my exercise goals.

Rediscovered something better than chocolate…

My way of dealing with stress is eating, mostly chocolate, lots and lots of chocolate.

My computer crashes at work – grab some M&Ms. Got a story due in a few hours – a Snickers bar. Feeling like I need a boast of energy to get past a bout of writer’s block – a double dose of Snickers and M&Ms along with a shot of orange juice.

The chocolate was successful in giving me a temporary energy boost, until I crashed – hard. And then I would turn to more chocolate to get through the day.

On Jan. 1, I made a commitment to myself to exercise – something I haven’t done in a long, long time. Last week, I walked/jogged five days for more than 30 minutes. This week’s goal is to go for 35 minutes for four days a week. Today, my husband and I went for a 40 minute walk/jog – he walking and me jogging to keep up with him.

I know I will shock my friends by about what I am about to say but exercising is better than chocolate.

After getting back from a 40 minute walk/jog, I feel fantastic. Sweaty, stinky and in need of a shower but feel radiant. That feeling doesn't disappear during the day and I look forward to putting on my Nike running shoes and going again tomorrow.

Sorry, chocolate but next time I am feeling stressed, I am going for a walk/run.

Grab your scissors, glue, a poster board and some old magazines

“If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it.”  William Arthur Ward, author of Fountains of Faith and one of America’s most quoted writers of inspirational maxims. 
 

When you think about your goals, dreams or visions – what do they look like?

I had ideas floating around in my head of what I wanted my life to be, but nothing in writing.

It was all things I thought about "Someday" doing.

That's why I decided to make a vision or dream board.

I am encouraging you to make a vision or dream board. All you need are some old magazines, glue, a poster board or big piece of cardboard and scissors.

You have time to do this. I made my vision board while watching television. It was fun looking through magazines and finding words and pictures that I liked.

In the top, left corner is what I imagine my work life to be. I found a picture of a home office – because eventually that’s my goal to work from home as a writer. My goal is to write for national magazines, work on my book and write for a few of my favorite nonprofits including Mercy Corps and The Oregon Food Bank.

“Hire me,” “Write Your Novel” and Find Your True Calling” are a few of the words I cut out of magazines along with a quote from Leonardo Da Vinci that reads, “Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication” and pasted on my vision board.

In the bottom left corner, my goals such as losing weight, reducing debt and cooking smarter. In the right corner, I cut out pictures of things I want to do like go whitewater rafting with my kids and nephews Hayden and Alec. I even put what would be considered unattainable goals such as going to Europe and running the Portland Marathon. Yes, I may fail but it’s better to put the goal out there, then dismiss it.

The three favorite things I found in magazines where the words “I realized today is the day I write my own story,” “Inspired to Make a change” and a quote from Mary Oliver – “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

With a vision board, I can answer that question clearly. Here’s hoping you will make your own vision board and find your own answers to that question.

With a tablespoon of butter, the medicine goes down…

When we brought Bailey home from the vet on Wednesday, we tried to make him comfortable.
I slept on the couch and he slept on a sheet and blanket that was covering a black, plastic tarp.
Several times Thursday morning, he whined. I tried to take him out but was too late.
He had a number two accident on the tile floor. Back left leg fully extended and unable to support any weight, he couldn’t walk. He tried moving his body by using his front paws to slide on the floors but with no luck.
On Thursday morning, my husband made his first attempt to give Bailey what we are dubbing “the miracle drug.” First he wrapped the pill in cheddar cheese, then wheat bread. Bailey ate the bread and cheese, spit out the pill. Second attempt – bigger chunk of cheese, more bread. Failed again.
Third attempt, my husband cut a chunk of butter, lodged the pill inside it and told Bailey he needed to take it. This time Bailey gulped down the butter and the pill.
Bailey spent Thursday morning on his “bed.” I was unsuccessful in getting him to budge until I made a trail of dog biscuits from his bed to the door. Pushing up on his back legs, he ate one biscuit, then the next until he was at the back door. Miracle pill worked. He was walking. Couldn't wait to tell the family, who gave Bailey a ton of praise.

On ABC News with Diane Sawyer Thursday evening, I saw a report on how dogs have the ability to sense human communication. I am convinced Bailey knew we are all worried about him and decided he still needed to look out for us. Or maybe he just wants to prove that cats aren't the only ones with more than one life.

On Thursday night, I slept on the couch again. Bailey got up three times to go outside. This time, he could walk. Sigh of relief. He even attempted to climb the stairs but I put a stop to that. He didn’t complain when I made a barrier – just retreated to his bed. When Bryan came downstairs this morning to give Bailey his pill, he was praising the creator of the medication, calling the pill miraculous. It always makes me laugh when he talks baby talk to Bailey – telling him what a good boy he is, how much he is loved, that he is the best dog in the world, and again how much we love him.  
Once again, Bryan stuffed the pill in butter. This time, Bailey looked at him as if to say I know what’s up.

But he ate it.  Thank God.  

The teen I worry about the most...

Of my three teenagers, the 13-year-old is the one I worry about the most.

He leaves large chunks of black hair around the house, whines if I don’t have his food ready the minute he walks in the door from taking care of his business, wakes me up in the middle of the night to go out to sniff grass and barks for help when he once again gets trapped in the bathroom after drinking toilet water. And like almost every teen I know, he is always hungry, even after I just fed him.

Despite all that, he's a great guy.

Most of his days are spent sleeping on his bed downstairs. And it’s when he’s a sleep, I think I worry the most.

Bailey is my 13-year-old black lab with gray patches on his feet, nose, chest, belly and around his eyes. He has arthritis, is a little hard of hearing except when the refrigerator opens and needs guidance to come back inside because sometimes he forgets where he is.

Next to the words loyal, unconditional love, faithful and stubborn should be a picture of Bailey.

And that’s why it pains me to hear people say, Wow, Bailey’s 13. He doesn’t have much longer. Labs don’t live that long.

I would have to go to confession if I reported what I think when people say this.

Still, I worry about him. A lot.  

There are moments during the day when he’s sleeping that I call his name just to make sure he’s OK. He lifts his head from his bed, looks at me as if to say, “I am 91 years old. Let me sleep. That’s what an old guy like me does.” He gives me a really dirty look after I have done this about five times in one day.

What amazes me about Bailey is his perseverance. Every night he climbs 17 stairs to make his way to my 14-year-old son’s room. My son and Bailey share the same birthday, so that’s the reason we give for him picking my son to hang out with.

Climbing the stairs takes Bailey’s every effort. He puts up his front paws, followed by his back paws, “thump.” Front paws, back paws, “thump.” Again and again until he reaches the landing where he pauses, looks up at the last few stairs and starts again. He labors to breath, heavily panting once he reaches the top, where he again pauses before slowly making his way to my son’s room.

A few times, he has stumbled up and down the stairs. We put a barricade at the bottom of the stairs – that only made him more determined. He crashed through one and cried until we finally gave in and took it down.

In the morning, he waits for me to get up and we slowly walk down the stairs, me in front – just in case.

Update at 3:33 p.m.

I wrote the above post around 7 a.m. I planned on finishing it later. This morning I went upstairs around 9 to brush my teeth and when I returned downstairs, I found Bailey had an accident on his bed and he couldn’t get up. His left, back leg isn’t working. I tried coaxing him with food to walk. It didn’t work. After exhausting every way to try to get him to stand up, I called my husband. Nothing he did worked either. We called our vet’s office to make an appointment.  My husband took Bailey to the vet, while I went to an appointment for work. The news – the vet gave Bailey some pills to help him but he thinks Bailey has a neurological problem that is preventing him from being able to walk. If Bailey can’t walk by Friday, we’ve been advised to put him to sleep. A stubborn old fellow, Bailey scoots on his bottom using his three legs to move him. We are trying to make him comfortable. Definitely not ready for this and having to tell my children. Ok, miracle drugs – work.  

Under Construction

When my son was in the first grade, he tried to be sneaky. When I caught him, I told him there was nothing he could do that I wouldn’t know about because I used to work for the CIA.


Giving me one of his quizzical looks, he told me, “Mom, there’s no way you could have worked for the CIA. They would never hire someone who doesn’t know how to operate their cell phone or computer.”


Yes, it’s true. I am terribly inept when it comes to technology. At work, I can use QuarkXPress and Adobe Photoshop to design the newspaper and I can use my cell phone to make phone calls and send a text message, although I am incredibly slow. My kids – on the other hand – have no problem using technology.


I hesitated starting my blog because – well, I wanted it to be perfect.

I have visions of the masthead I want to create; plans to include a countdown calendar like the one Julie Powell had on her blog “Julie/Julia Project;” and I want to include pictures. Right now, my blog is boring to look at.

What I realized is if I had waited until I had tackled my list of all the things I want to do to make my blog visually attractive and practically perfect, I would have never started it.

It would just have been another one of my ideas that never got off the ground.

Sometimes in life, you just have to say “the hell with perfection and just get it done.”


I have a great deal to learn about writing, designing and managing a blog. I know I will make a thousand mistakes in the learning process but I am OK with that because I am excited to learn something new while having some fun.


Here’s hoping you toss out the notion of perfection and tackle the projects in your life. One of my favorite quotes: “It is better to try and fail than to fail to try.” Have a great day.

Exercise Update:

Today, I went to Graham Oaks Nature Park in Wilsonville to walk/jog. Five minutes of jogging, five minutes of walking for 40 minutes. An incredibly beautiful park with a view of Mount Hood, a majestic oak tree standing alone in a field, birds singing ... A peaceful place that allowed me to think and get some exercise. Where’s your favorite place to go for a walk/jog/run?  

Pie Crust Promises vs. Commitments

“That is a piecrust promise. Easily made, easily broken.” Mary Poppins, practically perfect in every way. A woman who knows what she wants and gets it done. Expert on calming chaos.

“Losers make promises they often break. Winners make commitments they always keep.” Denis Waitley, an American author, lecturer and consultant noted for his work on high performance human achievement. www.waitley.com

"Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes; but no plans." Peter F. Drucker, author and professor.
www.druckerinstitute.com

Have you ever noticed that if you make a commitment to a friend, your child, a colleague or employer that you keep that promise? And if you make a promise to yourself that it’s OK if you don’t keep it, especially if it is because you are doing something for someone else?

Why are promises made to others easy to keep and promises made to yourself easy to break?
I think it is because there is a difference between making a commitment and a piecrust promise.

In college, I got up at 6 a.m. to go running – rain or shine. Not because I am a highly motivated person. Truth is I would have preferred to stay snuggled in my bed. No, I got up because I didn’t want to let my running partner down. I made a commitment to her that I would go running with her so I did. As a freelance writer, I have tight deadlines. Truth is I have started writing stories two hours before they were due, but I have met the deadline. Why? I don’t want to let my editor down.

I have made a thousand promises to myself about getting back in shape but haven’t kept them. I will start exercising and then make excuses why I don't have time to exercise – had to take care of kids; dog; job, clean the house, go to the grocery store …
So this year, it’s about making a commitment and setting goals. Here’s my exercise game plan for January:

Week One – Jan. 1 to Jan. 7 – Walk/run for at least 30 minutes at least four days - Mission accomplished - Walked five days for more than 30 minutes.

Week Two – Jan. 8 to Jan. 14 – Walk/run for at least 35 minutes at least four days
 -Mission accomplished
Week Three –Jan. 15 to Jan 21 – Walk/run for at 40 minutes for five days - Mission accomplished

Week Four – Jan. 22 – Jan. 28 – Walk/run for at least 45 minutes for five days.= Mission accomplished

Reward for achieving goal: Go see the movie “One for the Money” on Jan. 28 or 29. (Yes, I am a fan of Stephanie Plum and if you are looking for a mystery series that keeps you in stitches check out the books by Janet Evanovich.)
Ways to achieve goal:

1. I put it in writing and by doing so, I made a commitment. If you have an exercise goal, post it on my blog.

2. Make time to exercise. For me, this means getting up earlier and getting it done before the daily demands take over.

3. Find a friend to exercise with.

If you have some tips to share on keeping exercise goals, let me know.  And when we all meet our goals, join me to watch “One for the Money.” Theater, time and date to be posted last week of January.

Just the Facts:
1. Walked/ran 35 minutes today. I drove my daughter to bball practice, handed her the car keys and walked/ran home.

It starts today

Jan. 1, 2012

For more than a dozen years, I have made pickles using my Grandma Christine Hoffert’s recipe. Over the years, I have taught dozens of friends how to make pickles thus being dubbed the Pickle Princess.
Whenever I gave away a jar of pickles to friends and family members, I was told I should make pickles in mass quantity and sell them at a farmer’s market. And every year, I would say, “Someday.”


Yet another year has passed and I have not made enough pickles to give to all my friends and family yet alone sell at a farmer's market.  


Someday...

How many times I have said “Someday I will… run another marathon, get in shape, lose 20 pounds, write my novel, write a short story, get a new job, learn to cook, track my family’s history, learn who my dad’s birth parents were, renew my passport, save money, travel to … .


Yet another year has come and gone I am still 20 pounds overweight, at the same job, unable to run a mile and have pages and pages of notes for my novel that are gathering dust.
Along with my sister, I recently spent a day cleaning my mom’s basement. In a wooden trunk under yellowed gift wrap, I found photographs of my grandfather Frank Thomas in his basketball uniform from 1927 and 1928. Looking at those photos made me realize that someday I will just be a memory too. And examining my life, I realized I don’t want to go another year being disappointed that I haven’t achieved my goals.  

Looking back on 2011, I would have never predicted half of what happened – from my husband getting a new job in a new city to paying a mortgage and a rent along with two sets of utility bills.  
As I packed away the Christmas ornaments and decorations, I wondered where will I be in a year when I unpack the ornaments and place them on a tree?  Will the house finally sell? Will I still be renting? Will my life my exactly as it is now? As it has been for the last dozen years? Or will I finally have the motivation to change my life?


We’ve all heard the quote “No one plans to fail, they just fail to plan.” And that’s what I have done. In the challenge to meet daily deadlines at work, take care of my family and just the normal day-to-day stuff, I haven’t made time to plan my life, which is ironic since I have planned the next three months of editorial content for the newspaper I work for.  Instead, I have just gone along with what life brought. And what I have learned is that if I continue to do that, I will continue to get the same results and I will continue to be disappointed.


I want more from my life and I am ready to make changes. I know I am not the only person in this pickle – stuck in a rut feeling like I am juggling 10 balls and at any time seven will drop and roll away to never be found. So if you are feeling the same way about your life, join me on this journey to lose weight, meet goals, laugh and most importantly a year from now say “I did it.”


It starts today. Each week, I will make goals and record my failures and successes. It’s my hope you will join me and share your journey to making 2012 the year you meet your goals.

The Honest Facts:

Weight: Jan. 1, 2012 - 158 pounds

Height: 5'8"

Job: Managing Editor for a twice monthly newspaper and a freelance writer

Mom of: an eighth grade boy and a junior girl

Goals for the week: Walk at least 30 minutes a day, send out two resumes, start blog, cut out coupons to go grocery shopping, post four blogs


Confession: Ate some really awesome chocolate today, which is in violation of my goal not to eat sweets.