The "R" Word

Friday, November 09, 2012

Day two of visiting the Portland (OR)/Vancouver (WA) area, where we would like to retire. My feeling right now is this: Do I really have to go back to DC? Can't I just stay here?

Yesterday, we landed around noon and hit the ground...walking. Specifically, we walked the 10K volksmarch around Vancouver, and it was like coming home, since we walked many of the same trails over 10 years of participating in the Discovery Walks. Finishing around mid-afternoon, we were disappointed to find most of the restaurants we had hoped to visit while in Vancouver closed until dinner, so we headed to McMenamin's on the Columbia River for good beer and food. When we got back to the hotel, we walked across to the mall and tried Brewtopia. We were a little apprehensive since reviews were not good, but we lucked out getting there ahead of any crowds. The people were nice, and even though the bartender seemed a little unsure of himself, he learned quickly when we told him specifics about the beers we ordered.

Today, we explored Camas, WA, a few miles upriver from Vancouver. We had considered Camas as a potential place to settle, but the Georgia-Pacific paper mill changed our minds...yes, it smells like a paper mill. We did enjoy our hikes in Camas, though. The first was a challenging 10K walk around Round Lake, challenging due to slick rocks and rough terrain. After a filling lunch at the local restaurant, we walked an 11K trail along Lacamas Lake, nice and flat. We then headed back to the hotel for a soak in the warm jacuzzi, then cleaned up for dinner at Grant House, one of the historic houses on Officers Row near Fort Vancouver. It's one of our favorite places in Vancouver, and we make it a point to eat there each time we come.

Tomorrow we head north to the Seattle area and more good walks.

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Trying the One-Word Answer Challenge

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Not as easy as you might think! Copy and Paste into your own blog, change the answers to suit you. It's really hard to only use one word answers.

Where is your cell phone?
purse

Spouse?
Tim

Your hair?
brown

Your mother?
deceased

Your father?
deceased

Your favorite thing?
walking

Your dream last night?
none

Favorite drink?
water

What room are you in?
conference

Your hobby?
walking

Your fear?
regaining

Where do you want to be in 6 years?
Portland

Where were you last night?
restaurant

Something that you aren't?
obese!

Muffins?
no

Wish list item?
retirement

Last thing you did?
worked

What are you wearing?
slacks

Your pets?
cat

Friends?
select

Your life?
good

Your mood?
stable

Missing someone?
yes

Drinking?
water

Your car?
Ford

Something you're not wearing?
perfume

Your favorite store?
Wegman's

Your favorite color?
blue

When is the last time you cried?
months

Where do you go over and over?
work

Five people who email me regularly?
yes

Favorite place to eat?
home

Favorite place I'd like to be right now?
home

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Maintaining but still losing

Saturday, October 13, 2012

I'm not saying that like it's a bad thing, because today my scale read 140.0, down 80 whole pounds from my start at 220! And 5 pounds below the weight at which I declared victory and started maintaining. I did hear that little voice inside me saying 140...140...140. So that's where I am today. Will I stay here? Not sure, but it's a good feeling to put up that "Lost 80 pounds" icon for awhile.

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What does the scale mean?

Thursday, October 04, 2012

Not sure of the source, but the message is powerful.

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Never Quit Pledge

Tuesday, August 07, 2012

August 7, 2012

Today, I promise I will not quit.

I pledge that no matter, how many ups and downs I pass through, I will continue on my journey.

I pledge to make a NEW START today, and forgive myself for my past, and to stop being so critical of myself.

I pledge to take control of myself, to stop making excuses, and stop blaming other people or situations.

I pledge to treat myself as I would my best friend, because that is who I am.

I pledge to stay in the race and to be a WINNER!


signed by:
Leisa (Sunflowergal40) 04/26/12
Chris (chriskenandkids) 04/26/12
Linda (scoutmom715) 04/27/12
Nancy (tedybear2838)(from Linda S. Jayne (Geminisue)
Vicki aka VICKI-B--56
Pixie (Pixie-Licious)
Gloria (GloriaB73)
Fran
Sarah (Millie 5522)
Shelby (theshelbster)
Beckie (BIRKIE528)
Debaune (Doobie893)
Wallahalla on Friday, June 29, 2012
Karen (MAMAWALMART) on June 29,2012
Sibille (musolf6) Friday June 29,2012
Shirley (Lookingup2012) Friday, June 29, 2012 who needs to do this because she quit SP three times in 3 years.
Susan (catladyx8) Friday June 29, 2012
John (Johntj1) Saturday June 30, 2012
Deb (jewelle217) Saturday, June 30, 2012
Kathy (Kalantha) Saturday, June 30, 2012
elizabeth (MEADSBAY) Saturday June 30, 2012
Caz (NEW-CAZ) Saturday June 30, 2012
Julie (Shawfan) Saturday, June 30, 2012
Michele (BeFit012) Saturday June 30, 2012
Cheryl (Clavinova) Saturday, June 30,2012
Sarah (NOTGIVINGUP49) Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Bobbi (SLIMMER_197) Saturday, July 28, 2012
Cherie (BIGSKYCHERIE) Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Janet (EATVEGAN) Tuesday, July 31, 2012
( ESILBO) AUGUST 1, 2012
Jenn (Plynsn316) AUGUST 2, 2012
MaryAnn (MARYANNGI) AUGUST 2, 2012
Diane (DianeDoesSmiles) August 8/2/2012
Helen (Helen_Bru) August 3/2012
Maria (winfield28) August 5, 2012
Marjorie (MARJORIEWRIGHT) 5 August 2012
Pat ( Kin59vara) August 5 2012
Debbie (xsdebbie) August 5, 2012
Carla (pinknfitcarla) August 5, 2012
Celia (celiaminer) August 7, 2012

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