Numbers 24, 39, and 93- Check!

Good morning everyone! It's a lovely Saturday in November, no sign of snow, and temps are still in the 50s. Bleh. It should be colder, people! And we should get at least a little snow. This is Wisconsin. Anyways. It's been a big couple of weeks. I've completed, or nearly completed, three more items on my 101 list! Yea me!

First off- my hair is red again. A little back story: I used to do all sorts of weird things to my hair- it's been purple, green, blue, pink, red, it's been cut short, cut badly, and I once had the world's most unfortunate perm. But somewhere along the lines, I think about 5 years ago, I went to donate 10 inches of my hair to Locks of Love. The hairdresser was new (read: completely inexperienced), and she took 18 inches. It was a shock, because I really like my hair, love it in fact. Since it's mostly grown back, I've been really cautious about who does what to my hair. It hasn't had more than a trim in 5 years. So, here we are, a week ago, and I impulsively grab a box of the most red and vibrant color off the shelf at Wal-Mart and I went home and dyed it. Honestly, I was horrified for the first 3 days until I realized that I really didn't give a crap what other people thought, and have now come to really love my red, fading to pink hair. (Even though the dye said permanent, it keeps washing out... hmmm.) So, here you go-

That's me in my fiery glory. Me-ow. #93 is officially done.

What's next? Oh yes, it's a two-parter! Numbers 24 and 39. I have to give a big shout out to Abby G who I work with. For the cost of a medium hot chocolate, she taught me to knit and purl, increase and decrease. I've only had one lesson so far, but I've completed my first and second projects. The first was a ribbed hat, in a lovely olive green wool that brings out my eyes.

I call it the green bell. Not really, but it's fun to name things. It came out a little smaller than it was supposed to; I don't think I knitted enough length, but it fits and it's adorable! You doubt me? Check it out:

I'm precious. It's nice and warm too. I will definitely need more practice sewing seams together, and more practice knitting in general, but I'm very proud of this hat! Number 24 on my list is about giving back to people who have given so much to us, and this country. Knit Your Bit is an organization that was started in 2006. They accept scarves and blankets, and then donate the items to veterans around the country. So far, they have handed out almost 10,000 scarves from knitters worldwide. And I'm just really excited to be a part of the program! My Grandpa K was in WWII. He saw a lot of action, and was always in the thick of things. Knowing that there might be other brave soldiers out there, who aren't as fortunate as my grandpa, makes me want to help. Go to this website for more information: http://www.nationalww2museum.org/calendar/knit-your-bit.html. Here is the scarf that I made-

I couldn't get the best detail shots, but it's very soft, and about 90 inches long. It's important to the program that the scarves are gender neutral, and washable. They have a new pattern every year that they like you to use, but the also accept any appropriate scarf. I felt that since this was only my second knitting project, I should play it safe. I used size 17 needles and a bulky yarn, so it knit up very quickly (like how I'm throwing knitting terms around?). Here's an action shot:

I look warm, right? The scarf was made with much love, and will be headed towards Knit Your Bit headquarters later today in the mail.

As it turns out, I love knitting. I love the feeling that I am creating something that is beautiful and functional. I'm making something warm. And passing that warmth on makes me feel wonderful. I encourage all of you knitters or crocheters out there to donate as well, if they feel called to this cool program. So, numbers 24 and 39 are well on their way to completion. Technically, number 39 is done, because I know how to knit, but I'm still new, and there are a lot of techniques I haven't tried yet.

All right, I think that's enough for today! Keep your feet warm, and your hands busy. God bless.

Laura

Finally, An Update!

Hi Everyone! I apologize for yesterday's outburst. My heart was in the right place, but that may have not been the most constructive way to deal with my anger. Anyhow! Back on track...

I've decided just to reprint the whole list to get us all back into the swing of things. I've been really good about some things, and completely crappy on others, but I'm still enjoying the idea and the effort involved.

The Key:

Not Started

In Progress

Accomplished

Alrighty! Here's my list.

Overall Health (Mental & Physical):

1. Lose 5lbs. (0/5) Trust me, I need to lose many, many more than 5lbs, but I'm focusing on reaching a goal, not the size of the goal. This is really hard for me. It's especially hard with 3 siblings who are all tall and skinny.

2. Keep weight off for at least 12 months. (0/12) The more important part of the goal!

3. Stand on the dock at Grandma Findlay's house at sunset and yell for any or no reason.

4. Try acupuncture.

5. Use the elliptical at least 3 times a week. (0/429)

6. List 25 things I like about myself. (5/25) My hair; the beauty mark on my right collarbone; 90% of the time, my glass is more than 1/2 full; I never ever stop hoping; that Mamma Mia! makes me so happy I want to cry.

7. Do yoga at least once a week. (2/143)

8. Try the couch to 5k program- start in the spring.

9. Get new glasses.

10. Take a dance class.

11. Ask for help if I need it.

12. Cut out red meat for two weeks. (doesn't have to be consecutive) (0/2)

13. Cut out bread for three weeks. (again, doesn't have to be consecutive) (0/3)

14. Eat only when I'm hungry.

15. Find better birth control. I'm marking this as finished for a couple of reasons. I've looked over all the different options out there, and I always settle on the pill. I'm not interested in any of the implants or shots or anything, and my husband and I have decided that we do want children, and sooner rather than later, so we're just taking things a month at a time.

16. Take a self-defense class.

17. Make a list of 100 things that make me happy. Optional, doodle them onto the craft room walls. (0/100)

Generosity:

18. Donate 1,500,000 grains of rice. (150,720/1,500,000)

19. Help someone cross an item off of their 101 list. (within reason)

20. Donate blood at least three times. (3/3) This one is laughable! As it turns out, I am unable to donate blood. It refuses to leave my body. I will try again, someday, when I weigh a lot less. Maybe that will get the blood flowing again.

21. Be a Salvation Army bell ringer one season.

22. Tip the cost of the meal once. So, the meal only cost $13.00, but still! It was fun to do.

23. Tip 50% of the meal twice. (0/2)

24. Donate at least one scarf a year to Knit Your Bit. (0/3)

25. Donate two Christmas Shoeboxes a year. (0/4)

Spiritual:

26. Complete two Bible/Spiritual book studies with a friend. (5+/2) We've (the hubby and I) have been meeting with some friends every week since July, and we've studied Romans, Joshua, Judges, and more! Matt and I are also starting with a Young Adult group at our new church. Yea!!

27. Read The Love Dare by Stephen Kendrick with Matt. Such a good study! I encourage all married couples to do this!

28. Read the Bible- EXPLORE it.

29. Make finding a church home a priority. We think we found one! More on this as we settle in and try getting involved in different areas of the church.

30. If we find a church, try joining the worship team.

Skills/Education:

31. Take two lifelong learning classes at WTC. (0/2)

32. Enroll in college and complete three semesters. (1/3) I'm going to DePaul University! It's all online, and it's hard, but I love it.

33. Learn to drive a stick shift well... no more bumpy first gear!

34. Learn to shoot a handgun.

35. Learn archery... learn to arch? I'm looking into it, but you apparently can't just rent or borrow a bow, you need to buy one that's your size... $400... YIKES.

36. Become CPR certified.

37. Learn to french braid.

38. Learn to make origami cranes. WOOOOO!!! Thank you Chao at work for spending 3 days teaching me how to do this!

39. Learn to knit. In progress!

40. Make a better effort to learn Russian.

41. Learn to juggle. Oi.

For the Environment:

42. Use only cloth napkins.

43. Buy ten reusable shopping bags. (10/10)

44. Stop buying bagged salads, learn to make my own. Working on it! I really suck at chopping things.

45. Find something better than plastic bottles to keep me hydrated.

Financial:

46. Use all tax returns to pay off credit card debt. (1/3)

47. Save $10 from each of my paychecks, and $20 from each of Matt's. (min. $50/month) Every $100 goes to credit card debt.

48. Make a budget with Matt, and stick to it! (0/30+)

49. Pay back J & K. ($500/$500)

50. Have 501 No Spending Days! (6/501)

Writing:

51. Write a letter to my future firstborn. Started 2/1/09

52. Write a poem.

53. Send a secret to Postsecret.

54. Send five letters/postcards/care packages for no reason each year. (5/15) I've been sending funny postcards to my friends... I think they like them.

55. Journal at least once a week. (14/143)

56. Send Ella and Eli a letter once a month. (3/30+)

57. Write better descriptions for all my Etsy listings.

58. Keep a dream journal.

Travel:

59. Visit Jeremy in D.C.

60. Take a picture of myself on the Brooklyn Bridge, holding a copy of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

61. Take a road trip with no destination.

62. Ride a train somewhere.

63. Go on a hot air balloon ride.

64. Visit Betty Smith's grave with mom.

65. Go to Six Flags with a group of friends for my 26th birthday.

66. Visit five new states. (0/5)

67. Mule the Grand Canyon.

68. Chase a storm.

69. Visit Anna in London, and go to at least two other countries while there. Part done, part still working on it!

Music, Movies, & Books:

70. Clean up my Ipod- remove every song I don't like! Done! I've got almost 3,000 songs on there, and I like them all!

71. Get rid of all VHSs, replace with DVDs. We sold all the VHSs, we are still working on replacing them, but I think it counts because they're gone.

72. Get new trivia books for both bathrooms. (0/2)

73. Watch every episode of Freaks & Geeks. (18/18)

74. See The Weepies in concert.

75. Find a hardcover copy of Joy in the Morning in an antique store.

76. Convince someone of the awesomeness that is Abba.

77. Find five new songs/musicians/groups each year that affect me (i.e. make me so happy or so sad or so etc... perhaps something I can listen to over and over again.) (4/15) The Call, Regina Spektor; Baba O'Riley, The Who; Dust in the Wind, Kansas, Defying Gravity; Kerry Ellis.

78. Read at least two new-to-me books a week from the library. (174/286) Can you believe this? I never really realized how fast and how much I read until I started keeping track. Best books so far? Hunger Games and Catching Fire, The Heroin Diaries... many more!

79. Read Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead.

80. See the musical Wicked.

81. Read the Twilight series.

82. Make and keep a movie and book inventory for insurance purposes. Started 1/23/09 Last Updated 10/09

83. Watch all the movies we have that I haven't seen yet. Only 30 left! And I plan to watch at least four of the older horror movies in a spectacular Halloween movie marathon.

Misc.:

84. Complete (with no outside help) fifteen crossword puzzles. Can be any level, but one must be hard. (4/15) 3 Easy, 1 Medium

85. Complete (finally!!!) my hot air balloon puzzle.

86. Organize childhood photographs with mom.

87. Finish refurbishing dollhouse- including furniture. Still working on re-painting, and then we need to find new shingles. It's going to be beautiful!

88. Brush Varmit once a week. (14/143)

89. Make someone's day. (they have to say something like "you really made my day" in connection with this item, and no fishin' around for them to say it...) This one was great! Thank you Cindi!

90. Limit computer time to two hours a day, four out of seven days a week. (10/572)

91. Complete Keri Smith's 100 ideas. (0/100)

92. Buy big happy rain boots and go puddle jumping.

93. Dye my hair red.

94. Wear false eyelashes on a regular day... extra points if they're sparkly.

95. Scrapbook at least five hours a month. (0/175)

96. Try eggplant.

97. Buy a new nude bra.

98. Submit a photo to bestkisses.com.

99. High-five five strangers in non-athletic venues. (1/5) 1/28/09 High-fived a guy at the counter at the Barnes & Noble Cafe... he was quoting my favorite poem!

100. Reconnect with my Kolosovsky family. Working on it... Facebook helps!

101. Find the best tattoo artist in the state (or tri-state area) and have them do my little red dragon.

So, there you go! Things have been moving along pretty quickly, but I'm feeling really good about most of the choices we're making these days. If you haven't started a 101 list yet, give it a try! It helps you discover a lot of things about yourself and what your real dreams are. Enjoy!

Just Because You Say You're Sorry...

ATTENTION ALL BULLIES!

You know who you are. Most of you would never admit to anyone that you are a cruel person, who has said many mean things meant to hurt people. I have done this in the past, but thankfully, God has come into my life, and shown me how wrong I was.

Many of you have not had this same epiphany. I'm thinking of one teen girl in particular. You know who you are. You go to church, and Youth Group, and then you get on Facebook and rip apart other people who you think have wronged you. Have you heard of turning the other cheek? Have you heard of forgiveness, or rising above it? How about ignoring it?

To me, you are the worst sort of person. Someone who claims to be a Christian, and then goes on with your life like nothing has changed. Acting the same, thinking the same, talking the same. You should be different; you should be better.

Your words mean something. Once they leave your mouth, you can never take them back. Apologize all you want. Say you "hate yourself for what you did". Say you are a bad person. It DOES NOT MATTER. Words hurt. Words kill. Make it right by changing everything about yourself. Stop being a hypocrite.

I apologize to whoever reads this thing... not many, I know. But I am disgusted by the behaviors I witness in most people. There is no excuse for cruelty. I felt the need to say it.

Hopefully, once my temper cools, I'll be back with a 101 update. Until then- try kindness.

Another Month gone by...

     Well friends, here we are.  On the cusp of June and summer, and I weigh more now than I did at the beginning of the year.  Son of a bitch.  If you'll pardon my language.  I weigh more, not much more, but more.  I feel awful about my food choices and I only exercise when I'm lifting and twisting and walking and shelving at work.  I just feel so overwhelmed by my bad decisions.  I feel like I've gotten to a point where I can't go back to where I once was.  I saw some pictures of my 9th and 10th grade self, and I was beautiful and fit.  I had curves, but they were in the right places and they stopped when they should have.  How do I get back there?  How did I get here?  I'm still trying to fight myself and answer my questions.  I joined sparkpeople.com , a site devoted to helping you reach your weight loss goals through a community of people, tips, and menus.  Keep your fingers crossed.

 Oi. I look at my list, and think about how hopeful I was to start it back in January.  Now, I'm just feeling sad and disappointed in myself.  I need to start fresh.  I need to have faith in myself.  One week from today, Monday, June 1st, I will be back to update this again, with a better attitude, and having made better choices.  'Til then...

As promised!!

Check out my new frames!  I'm very excited that the came so quickly.  I'm also very glad to get rid of my old, broken down frames.  They were no good, very very crooked, and made me look insane!  Seriously, no sane person wears glasses that crooked for six months... unless, of course, they can't afford to replace them.  Anyhow.  Enjoy the pics!

Let's Update This Bad Boy...

Alright, wonderful and hopefully patient readers...   I've got a lot of things to update, so here goes. 

9. In progress!!  I've had my eye exam, and the new glasses will be here before the end of the month.  It's especially exciting, since my current pair of glasses broke in November.  I managed to, for lack of a better term, "honkey-rig" them with my incredible resining skills and they have been usable, but the left lens is totally crooked and I look insane in pictures.  So, can't wait for the new ones!  I'm also going to be trying contacts sometime soon.  I have a bit of a problem sticking things in my eyes, but everything can be overcome, right?  I'll be posting a new picture soon with my pretty new frames.

18. So far, I've donated 150,000 grains of rice.  It's tough.  Not so much the questions, but the sheer volume of them that I have to answer correctly!  I enjoy learning new things, and have been having a lot of fun with the Famous Paintings subject since I spent some time recently at the National Gallery in a certain big city on my list...

20. Ah, donating blood.  Remember the first time I tried in January?  The fun and excitement of an un-anchored vein?  Well, this time, my "good" arm and vein were ready and raring to go.  But still no.  Well, I got about another half pint.  This time, the trouble was that my blood came out so slowly that it was clotting in my arm, in front of the needle.  Now, if your stomach turns easily, skip to the next item.  But if you enjoy the slow turning of a queasy stomach, imagine someone pulling a needle out of your arm with an 8 inch line of clotted blood connected to it.  Yep.  I was so disappointed.  So disappointed that I cried over the phone to my husband on the way home.  I just really wanted to be able to help out in this way.  However, the glass is half full, right?  I'm still not ready to give up.  And!  Big plus, the helpful people at the Red Cross informed me that if (knock on wood) I'm ever in an accident, my slow-flowing blood will be a big positive.  Anyhow, I'm going to give it one more try, in May, and let's all keep our fingers crossed that it goes smoothly.

29. & possibly 30. There's a new church in town, and we hope to try it out this Sunday.  I'm not sure if they have a service this week, but if they do, we'll be there.  And also, if it works out, I would like to gather my courage and try to sing, not only in public, but as a leader of the songs. Again, keep the fingers crossed.  I miss having a church family, and feeling involved with God.  

41.  The juggling is not going so well.  Turns out, the hand/eye coordination is not as good as I thought.  Someday!!

42.  Still using cloth napkins mostly, except when we get take out and they include paper napkins.  That being said, we do try to ask that they not put them in with our order.  Go us!

43.  COMPLETED!! We now have 10 reusable shopping bags that we try to remember to use every time.  I think the key is keeping some in my car, and keeping some in my husband's.  And then just grab one when you head into a store!

45.  We have stopped buying plastic water bottles.  The solution?  Reusable plastic bottles!  Shocking, I know.  We purchased two large plastic containers with spigots to keep full in the fridge (they take up 2/3 of the top shelf!) and for me to take to work and around, two much smaller reusable bottles (in pretty purple and pink).  I even took one of my reusable bottles on vacation recently.  I consider this one in progress still because it's a struggle to not just buy a bottle if I'm out and about and thirsty.  Still going...

46.  One down, two to go.

47.  Saving money is hard.  Really hard.  Especially when one has a tendency to shop due to stress, boredom... etc.  Same reasons I overeat.  Yikes.  Too deep, right?

49. COMPLETED!  Slowly, we work at getting rid of our debt.  Personal debt goes first, when it's this personal.

50. See # 47.

51.  This one's pretty interesting, actually.  I started the letter on February 1st, 2009.    Sometime soon after that, my husband and I began having very serious debates about whether or not we actually WANT to have children.  We decided no.  I'm going to continue writing that letter though.  I know my mind now, but I'm not naive enough to think that it will always be the same.  Right now, I can't imagine anything but all of the things I'd have to give up for a child.  Maybe someday it won't seem like I'm giving up anything.  

55.  Going strong.  I'd love to write more, but I've been very scatterbrained for the past few months.  Still trying.

56.  Only missed one month so far!  And my darling niece wrote a letter back to me (with help from her mom) AND she made me a beautiful bracelet!!  The card is still proudly displayed on my tv.  My main purpose with this one is to stay connected to these beautiful kids, especially with the physical distance of living across the state from them.

69. Visit Anna in London.  DONE!  Oh my God, I've been to England.  That being said, we didn't make it to visit any other countries while I was there, and that's my fault.  My whole life, I've had very bad bouts of homesickness.  Incapacitating homesickness.  Combine that with never having been that far and for so long from my husband, and my first 2 days in jolly old London were miserable.  I changed my plane ticket on day 3 and came home 6 days early.  I had a great time while I was there, with my sister, and meeting her fella, and just wandering around.  As a girl from rural Wisconsin, the transportation system was overwhelming at first,  but I eventually took the tube (subway) and buses by myself!  Even late at night!  I saw the President's motorcade.  I saw 4 green girls, and I saw where Anne Boleyn was beheaded.  I got to hang out with my sister, who is my best friend.  I miss her so much now, but I don't regret coming home early.  My husband, my other best friend, is too big a part of me to leave for that long.  We'll go back together someday.  For two weeks or more, but together.  

Here's Big Ben... my brotha.

This is me, pounding on the wall, desperate for some magic action.  Good times.

70.  I'm up to the letter I!  Only 2000 songs to go...

71. 26 VHSs left!  Some of them are going to be difficult because of their obscurity.  Also, Disney movies and that stinkin' Disney vault are getting on my last nerve.  Not really, but it's fun to complain.

75.  Still trying to find a hardcover copy of Joy in the Morning... Asked some guy about it in a book store in London, and he got lippy with me.  Ahh, the British.  The most politely rude people in the world.  

77.  Defying Gravity, Kerry Ellis.  My God, her voice is absolute heaven.

78.  59/286  I've decided not to update the titles because I've been reading so much.  However, I will keep updating my favorites.  Or at least update you on what I'm currently reading.  Right now, I'm reading the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld.  FANTASTIC!  I've only read the first book so far, but it was great.  

80. DONE!  Not only did I see Wicked, but I was able to treat my sister and her man to a show in LONDON.  There is something so cool about seeing a musical or play in a foreign place.  Yes, I could have caught it in Chicago, Minneapolis, or even Des Moines (and I will soon take my husband there!) but to see it in London at the Apollo Victoria was breathtaking.  The musical itself is truly inspiring.  It doesn't follow the book's story line exactly, but it's wonderful.  Kerry Ellis as Elphaba was breathtaking.  Her voice was so fantastic, I teared up during some of her songs.  I couldn't clap loud enough, and I'm looking forward to arguing with my father-in-law over who was better, Kerry Ellis or Idina Menzel... no contest.  

81.  Loved it, and they're now some of my favorite go-to books.  I'd just like to say that I'm not usually one with the trends.  But you say the word vampire, and I'm totally on board.  Ever since Lestat & Louis, and The Last Vampire series by Christopher Pike, I've been slightly obsessed with these immortal creatures.  

82.  Updated it just today!

83. 38 to go!  I've decided not to list these either, unless I love them so much it needs to be said.  The count changes a lot because sometimes we buy a movie that the husband's seen and I haven't, or vice versa.  Hard to keep a count.

88. 14 weeks down, a bunch to go.  Husby helped out when I was in London, many thanks to him for helping with my list!

90.  Not going well.  I like the computer, too much.  Will have to concentrate harder on this one.

There we have it!  Finally updated, and I really want to update more often.  I like to get it all out like this, it's therapeutic.  I hope you enjoy reading this, and thanks for listening.

Laura

Is Spring Really Coming Soon?

Well everyone, it's been another long time between posts. 

 I've been struggling the last few weeks to keep an upbeat attitude.  I've been continuing on my list journey, mostly with # 78.  I read when I need a break from real life.   The problems of literary characters sweep me away from the seemingly endless trials, troubles, and annoyances in my own life.   I know that that isn't healthy.  So, I've also been trying to write some things out in my journal.  

Add to my ennui a cold shared with my husband for almost 2 weeks, a crack in a windshield, and the pressure of making the house presentable to in-laws, and I'm fried.  I'm also fighting to accept people as they are, and fighting against myself and my Charlie Brown football tendencies.  I know that I will always always always run for the ball, for that great kick.  It's worth the times flying through the air for the times I make contact.

Anyhoo.  I will be back in a few days, hopefully well-rested and with a clear head, to fully update you on my progress.  

Laura

Too Long To Be Away...

Hello faithful followers!  

  I feel like I've been gone from the blogging world forever.  In reality, it's only been about 12 days, and I do have a good excuse.  My hard drive died!  I went to turn it on one morning, and all that came up was a grey screen with a blinking question mark box.  That was a sad day.  I'd like to give a shout out to The MacGuys for all their assistance in getting me a new, bigger hard drive for the same price as the old and for their quick service.   If anyone would like to contribute to the "Dear God, that was still soooo expensive fund", please contact me directly.  

  I've been very productive in the time it's taken to get the old compy up and running again.  I've crossed off two more items from my list, and have been really blessed with some great experiences. I've also come to an important decision.

The two items I've crossed off are # 73 and # 89. 

  #89 was cool.  I had been thinking a lot about my friend Cindi for a couple of days when I finally decided to call.  It's hard for me to call because she is sooo busy and I don't want to intrude.  I mean, she has 3 young kids, a husband, a teaching job, and everything that entails.  But the day after I called, she sent me an e-card that flat out said I had made her day by calling, and that I shouldn't ever feel like I'm intruding because apparently, I give her a break from her life.  She is one of the coolest people I know, and I just felt great about it.  So, even though #89 is technically complete, I'm going to continue to try and do it again and again.  It's an awesome feeling!

 #73 was to watch all the episodes of the show Freaks & Geeks.  I wanted to give it a try because I've heard a lot of people talking about how funny it was... the same reason I initially watched Arrested Development.  Now, I don't know what those people were talking about, because the show is not all that funny.  But it's real.  It took about 6 or so episodes before I was hooked, and until the end of the last episode before I was in love, but it really is a very good show.  I understand why it wasn't a huge hit when it was on the air.  It wasn't a sitcom, and it wasn't really a drama.  As my husband said, it was kind of a newer, funnier version of The Wonder Years.  I would strongly suggest it to anyone.  The cast is full of recognizable faces, and the best (and sometimes worst) thing about it is that they are all so human, all the time.  You really got to know everyone and see inside their lives.  And relate to it. 

Oi, this is getting long.  

The big decision I've made is to cancel my Curves membership.  It's just not working out for me.  When I went last year, it was at the same time everyday, at a smaller location, with the same group of wonderful people.  That branch was closed and sold, and the cool people scattered, and it's all different now.  But as it turns out, those women- Patty, Diane, Kristen, and a few others were really the driving force behind my going.  Sure, losing weight was great, and the exercise was a good program.  But it's so hard for me to go and not relate to anyone I'm exercising with.  So, I've changed #5 from go to Curves at least 3 times a week to use our elliptical at least 3 times a week.  We'll see how it goes.

Anyhow.  That's enough for today.  Remember to just keep trying, keep smiling, and never be afraid to adapt.  That's what it's all about.

Laura