tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63965837663648597142011-04-21T20:32:40.475-07:00LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.comBlogger411100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-79187121325850293892009-03-29T12:09:00.000-07:002009-03-29T12:29:24.676-07:00

Yes... I’ve been AWOL for two months (that’s a bit over a year for a dog) and I’m not proud of it, but the blog needs new life and I’m back to write a bit about some adventures I’ve had over this span of time. Then, I want to check out what you’ve been up to!I guess the best news is that I’ve lost 12 pounds since I last posted, which is a load off my... well... lots of parts. I feel so much

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-19490702767407531302009-01-25T15:24:00.000-08:002009-01-25T15:40:02.213-08:00

Another quickie post to check in. I need accountability so badly, but time is at a premium these days, but I'm not complaining. Last Monday, I welcomed another granddaughter, Emma, into this wild world. I'm so lucky to have three wonderful, healthy and busy grandchildren! Hannah, 15, already knows more about what she wants to be than I yet know! Cameron, almost eight, should probably be a vet!

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-47558106687407281852009-01-18T07:12:00.000-08:002009-01-18T07:24:47.983-08:00

I'm up early this morning, but have been flat on my back for the last week or so. (The one who's supposed to be preaching health has reverted to the realm of studentdom!) While I like being the position of learning - I do - lots (she protests!) - I hate having the dual problems of flu and disc problems at the same time. I've been more than frustrated, but I'll save it as I'm beginning to poke

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-30782530697427720442009-01-07T09:23:00.000-08:002009-01-07T09:31:46.017-08:00

I think I’m getting the hang of the early a.m. roust, coffee and cardio, in that order. But for several years now, I’ve taken off Wednesday mornings (when partner and I are both healthy!) and drive this butt over to Ironworks (climbing gym) in Berkeley, where I manufacture Wedensday's sweat. And getting this old “butt” up the wall is becoming more and more farcical each year.According to the

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-30955669925993950032009-01-05T08:34:00.000-08:002009-01-05T08:49:00.288-08:00

This will be a quickie! Got my bod up and off to gym early - groups of 20 squats in between lat pulldowns and pushups. Some cable tricep work nestled in with some strokes on the rowing machine, and finally home for breakfast after a half hour walk with our dog, Samantha. It's the first morning I've tried to adhere to the early morning workout. It's a push today, but hopefully after a few days

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-8868692261071868532009-01-03T12:11:00.000-08:002009-01-03T12:19:02.544-08:00

Happy (belated) New Year! Yes, it’s been a while. I salute all of you parents who keep blogging, working, working out, cooking and shopping, not to mention all the other things you do, day in and day out. Throughout these holidays, I’ve had the grandkids over a lot. Between trying to do some of the above and getting away for a couple of days with hubs, I’ve sorely neglected the blogging.

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-9607307736250949932008-12-24T18:18:00.001-08:002008-12-24T18:19:40.836-08:00

Merry, Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to all. Have a joyous day.

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-48532023554750433612008-12-22T18:31:00.000-08:002008-12-22T18:32:10.537-08:00

The Christmas plans are finally in place. Everyone’s coming over here (sigh!). So I’m visiting “Fit Christmas” meal sites for food ideas that are easy, nutritious and kid-a-licious. I’ve found a couple of recipes that fit the bill for our needs; for Hubs, who is still afraid of big green attack veggies, for 7-year old Cam, who loves seaweed crunchy snacks, but won’t touch cheese. The rest,

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-29305056038790550672008-12-19T10:16:00.000-08:002008-12-21T08:45:14.602-08:00

I’m looking at the world through new eyeballs. An old and good friend, "J" has been caretaking her mother for more than two years. Unbeknownst to me, "J" has slowly become physically and emotionally exhausted. I could tell things were pretty bad by the end of a phone conversation we had last weekend. I drove over to "J's" and stared around the living room that always felt so upbeat, and

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-32990936599947613412008-12-17T07:21:00.000-08:002008-12-17T07:25:15.275-08:00

Have been away a few days and need a few more still, to deal with an issue that I unfortunately can’t work with here. Still getting in the work and the workouts, however - always good for mind and body. I'm missing reading all your blogs – have checked in for quick looks, which help me move on through this stuff – back in a few days or so... xo Miche

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-78862936548812435612008-12-13T06:20:00.000-08:002008-12-13T06:23:16.510-08:00

It’s been a bit chaotic lately. I’ve decided that exercise has always got to take precedence over writing—arrgghhh! So, I’ve gotten more cardio and lifting in this week, but less posting. That’s okay, but I meant to get in one word, a number and two symbols yesterday: - .4 pound. It’s going slooww. But steady.Grandkids coming to help us decorate the abode, which I usually enjoy... but there

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-80791152808358470322008-12-11T09:37:00.000-08:002008-12-11T10:00:07.079-08:00

I want to thank Mara at http://24stepstogo.blogspot.com, who tagged me with this meme. Here are the steps I've followed:1. Link to my tagger and list all these rules in my blog.2. Share seven facts about myself right here, some random, some weird.3. Tag seven people at the end of my post by including links to their blogs.4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-74097867854821624932008-12-09T17:20:00.000-08:002008-12-09T17:43:31.087-08:00

I’ve been trying to weed through the chores around here lately and again, I've been distracted. It’s been a busy last three days and there’s a slow ache coming on in my outer limbits that no mechanical orchestration of time seems to be able to heal. Yeeeooowww! Some tough workouts!I’m on a marketing push these days for Last Journey Down and the work is sopping up my blog time, damn! It’s

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-34291380393195006672008-12-06T12:17:00.000-08:002008-12-06T12:31:09.379-08:00

I was feeling a little “all-over-the-place” this morning, incapable of screening out any distractions, so I made the mistake of looking up ADD/ADHD to check out the signs. Then I wrote a long blog about it and decided it was too depressing to post. Argghhh! I don’t want to fall into any traps that stink of self-diagnosis, but... there were some scary corollaries! I put my coat on and found the

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-85273745143577694852008-12-05T07:45:00.000-08:002008-12-05T07:49:03.211-08:00

Very qwik entry today - whew, what a week. Mom's doing okay, yay. Down .9 pound, which is quite amazing considering the lack of much of any exercise except flat walking. Total loss so far is 1.8 pounds. I'm gonna keep going in that direction! TGIF - Have a great weekend y'all!

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-57637385019426481962008-12-04T10:49:00.000-08:002008-12-04T10:54:57.782-08:00

I haven’t posted daily this week because I seem to have done something to myself that prevents me from moving very much. I’m a bit P.O.d, to say the least. I just got over that crud I had and now... (dreaded word)... INJURY. I managed to get to a body worker I know yesterday, and my hour of intense pain (screams and whining!) with him produced miracles. Even though I am extremely skeptical of

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-2144696424578886992008-12-04T08:44:00.000-08:002008-12-04T09:03:33.193-08:00

I am dumbfounded and incredibly honored by Lori’s nomination for the Marie Antoinette, real blogs for real people award. In so short a time, I’ve discovered a mind-blowing community of people who are always warm and generous in their support of each other (and me!) Three cheers to everybody! It’s hard to open up and share our very personal thoughts and lives with so many people we often don’t

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-41018383389839427012008-12-01T18:37:00.000-08:002008-12-01T18:40:43.323-08:00

Lynn’s blog about beets and brussels sprouts hit me over the head with a resounding thump. I actually prepped beets and brussels sprouts a couple of days ago to cook for today’s and tomorrow’s veggies, although I didn't plan on having them for breakfast! Vegetables, however, for my first meal of the day did remind me of one 12-week diet I did about three years ago.I write a bit about part of this

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-17791152997790499702008-11-30T17:22:00.000-08:002008-11-30T17:23:28.297-08:00

We’re still cleaning up, moving each piece of furniture back to its home again and picking up kids’ toys found under said furniture, from Thanksgiving 2008 that “keeps on giving.” Luckily, the food’s gone—either frozen or mostly, sent home with guests! Hubs and I went on a fabu hike yesterday in one of our county’s “open space” districts. We are incredibly fortunate to have over 13,000 acres

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-71520982580962449692008-11-28T14:25:00.001-08:002008-11-28T14:39:28.889-08:00

Friends have sometimes asked what we’re doing for, say... Labor Day weekend, or New Year’s Eve, or where we’re going over holidays A, B or C. The answer is always the same old boring response: nowhere. Often, I feel that we must be incredibly boring. I know that I can be incredibly impatient. Then again, hubs and I don’t get stuck in those horrible traffic jams on Sunday or Monday holiday

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-7506485630438982112008-11-27T06:32:00.001-08:002008-11-27T06:33:34.844-08:00

Love reading all the Thanksgiving posts! Late yesterday afternoon, I picked up the youngest (7-year old) grandkid, along with her new friend from France, who is only here for three months. Once home, I gave them a container of street chalk. They went to town on our patio, which is concrete with brick, and in bold colors drew turkeys, hearts, and houses with smoke curling up the chimneys. They

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-74717821140146724452008-11-25T07:13:00.000-08:002008-11-25T07:29:32.849-08:00

Sometimes I just feel so spoiled - a feeling that looks a bit like guilt. Last night, I was watching the news and saw a story about San Francisco’s food banks. Like this country’s own banking industry, stock in S.F.’s food banks (and probably other cities’ as well) has tanked out. No matter what, guys, I've always gotten my greedy little paws on food - somehow! I’m trying to persuade some of my

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-79117274215812343682008-11-23T07:49:00.000-08:002008-11-23T08:10:18.691-08:00

While I haven’t specifically written about the guilt I’ve felt over being sick and the concurrent “comfort food” eating, it’s been there big-time. I've been at war with my inner food addict and it's been a hell of a week. It’s time to haul my butt up (“take it slow,” my doc says) and out of the house and start moving and shaking again. I’ve had a food breakdown directly related to... well...

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-73871386830699342312008-11-21T07:23:00.000-08:002008-11-21T07:57:45.374-08:00

The girl is getting better (but bigger, as you will see). Antibiotic is beginning to fight the big, bad bronchitis. Not certain how or where I picked that up, but I don’t think I’ve had it since I was a little kid. Good riddance!You may have noticed that I’ve been playing with the book’s subtitle, tweaking it a little each day. “Struggling” (with the subtitle) would be a better word. Although I

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-404669741293744502008-11-19T07:10:00.000-08:002008-11-19T07:19:30.663-08:00

Wanted to pull out my hair, er... guitar out yesterday, as I was going just batty with the cabin fever, but whenever I do the guitar thing, gotta sing and that was definitely not on the menu. So... even though I did get that dog walk around the block, thanks to a very thoughtful friend (also with a dog), who knew I wanted a bit of exercise, I haven’t gotten in a good workout for several days and

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-13048559748979123752008-11-18T07:23:00.000-08:002008-11-18T07:30:03.962-08:00

I still have this ugly bug, so I’m homebound again today. I guess I should be grateful rather than disgruntled. The change from how I feel about cabin fever today as opposed to several years ago is incalculable, indeed. I used to pray for any excuse to make couch potato-ing acceptable! Now, after lying down for about half an hour, I get up and walk around the house, staring mournfully out the

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-84080169652056261852008-11-15T13:17:00.000-08:002008-11-15T17:43:43.072-08:00

Fall cleaning today arghhh! And yet I’m actually enjoying it, in a meditative way. I’m also finding things that I’ve been searching for since... oh, months ago (doh!). Cleaning out my office and clothes— polishing, scrubbing and vacuuming all have their magnificent benefits. Besides, a sparkling, unpolluted house works wonders on my soul as well. (And maybe good for a few burned kcals.) I tend to

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-74588754219964639032008-11-14T12:09:00.000-08:002008-11-14T12:14:01.501-08:00

One week later I step on the scale. Down 1½ pounds. I’m slightly devastated since I’ve really been mindful of my food intake and my choices every single day. I've been exercising vigorously—six days of cardio this week and four weight training sessions.“Never mind,” I tell my negative self, “keep going and the pounds will go too.” So I went for a good walk early this morning (dog tracking

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-10582913578093645792008-11-12T21:06:00.000-08:002008-11-12T21:44:05.053-08:00

Dear Blog,I don’t really remember the exact date that I asked my hair stylist to make me blond, but it was about five-six years ago. She told me my hair was too dark (dark gray, that is) to create “blonde.” Of course I argued her point, because well... I really wanted to be a blonde. I’d never experimented with hair color, other than to rinse out with lemon juice while sun tanning as a 13-

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-30711940453381369372008-11-12T10:02:00.000-08:002008-11-12T10:24:53.909-08:00

This blogger has the art of procrastination down to a science. I changed the template, layout and colors of this blog and then read many new posts by all you inspiring writers out there. It’s really been helping me to stay “on” my plan this week, especially since I’ve been struggling with 15 stubborn pounds. I know that 15 pounds may not sound like a lot, and if this were 1997, it would sound

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-84552858197651014712008-11-10T05:41:00.000-08:002008-11-10T05:51:33.780-08:00

I’m going to a baby shower today. There will be lots of food. I know this because I’m paying for half of it and, and, yet... I feel totally prepared to just say, “no,” when presented with a food that is not on my plan. I’ve been doing well and haven’t dared to stray from my food plan yet, and I stress the word, plan, because without one, I might as well be lost at sea. It just feels so good to

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-58911576061047871252008-11-08T08:06:00.000-08:002008-11-08T08:07:15.883-08:00

Anyone who’s visited the 3FatChicks website knows that it is an veritable font of information on an encyclopedic scale within its forum. The dieter, the maintainer, the exerciser, the-you-name-it-who –wants-to-change-one’s-body can find help or illumination on topics that range from food (and recipes) to fitness. Although I haven’t been a “regular” for over a year, I’m haunted, on a daily basis

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-75141561256292068982008-11-07T07:38:00.000-08:002008-11-07T07:41:00.991-08:00

Okay, it’s time to face facts. Besides the need to become more computer literate, I need to drop 15 pounds. I’ve been trying, but seriously folks, without the planning that comes with serious commitment, pounds do not melt off the body by themselves. Lifelong experience tells me that about 80% of fat loss is “Diet,” and 20% is exercise, I’ve been about 15% “on” and I’m very disappointed in

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-49992230555310682462008-11-05T17:39:00.000-08:002008-11-05T17:48:44.249-08:00

Just got in a workout that was extra fun because a friend and I were experimenting with an extra heavy-duty Spri Superband (color: purple) that I just bought. One of my perpetual goals is to perform one—just one—unassisted pull-up. I thought that this little “helper” could be the conduit to my dream! We flung the one end of the loop over the high bar of a squat cage and pulled it through the “

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-18578279915406792162008-11-04T17:03:00.000-08:002008-11-04T17:12:39.446-08:00

What is the deal? I’m up at 5 a.m. and don’t have clients until nine o’clock. I should be dressing and on my way to the gym, or at least get on that spin bike we have (lucky us!), but that “other” part of myself is wanting her coffee and newspaper way too much more than exercise. I know that this mindset’s a habit that can (and needs) to be broken for the time being, at least, but I’m resistant.I

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-4649605449392872582008-11-02T12:44:00.000-08:002008-11-02T12:50:58.262-08:00

Halloween has come and gone, but the effects linger! Although I was able to resist all candies and other sugary goodies, I was not able to put up my defenses against three versions of our hosts’ special chili dishes: buffalo, beef and turkey. I scarfed down a gigantic bowl of the scrumptious turkey chili with a side of garlic toast—too good! What a party—over 100 kids showed up for the food and

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-46346168279423370262008-11-01T17:42:00.000-07:002008-11-01T17:58:43.023-07:00

No excuses here, but I haven’t posted for a couple of weeks. Tempus fugit. I’ve been eating the fejoa that have dropped from the tree outside. It’s a fruit that looks similar to a kiwi, but doesn’t have the fuzz and is a brighter green. It tastes like a combination of apple and pineapple. I cut the fruit in half and scoop the inside out with a large spoon—yum!I just returned from a trip to

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-3989840410447734952008-10-15T09:25:00.000-07:002008-10-15T19:56:01.173-07:00

Yoyo. Today, it’s a common slangy expression used in a greeting. To me, however, it more accurately describes my weight fluctuations for the last 50-something years, that sort of look like recent global market performance charts. I have lost large amounts of weight three times: once in my 20s, once in my 30s and finally, dropped 90+ pounds at age 48. I have remained within ten pounds of my goal

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-32750753869248877362008-10-13T07:12:00.000-07:002008-10-13T07:24:54.969-07:00

Is there a blog out there on the subject of long-term maintenance for people who have lost a substantial amount of weight? Yes, there are a few! On another note, one study I read reported that the act of being accountable to a third party was key to maintaining weight loss. That sounds about right to me.When I lost almost 100 pounds 11 years ago, I maintained the loss for a while by setting and

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-265899418565102212008-10-11T09:01:00.000-07:002008-10-11T09:41:58.882-07:00

Good morning. Even though it's Saturday, there's lots to do, so I need to get up pretty early. I have to feed the cat and dog just about everyday (unless I'm sick or on vacation, in which case my husband, Bill, steps in--he's gone until tomorrow night). Then I'll feed myself. On weekends, I catch up on house chores--the boring things such as cleaning dirty clothes and vacuuming endless golden

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6396583766364859714.post-64324825555056002662008-10-10T18:17:00.001-07:002008-10-12T09:59:59.215-07:00

You might be wondering if it's possible to take a 60-year old's antics climbing in the Sierras seriously, but consider the facts. In 1995, I was facing a severe case of Graves Disease as a woman who had been morbidly obese pretty much all her life. My endocrinologist threw me a lifeline and the rest was up to me. I'm about to receive brand new copies of a book that I've spent the last seven years

LastJourneyDownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645225747875358744noreply@blogger.com0