OMG! 145

OMGoodness! Holy $#!t! I have gained almost ten pounds in less than two weeks! Thank you Christmas dinners!  Cold, rainy weather and family gatherings provided the excuses not to walk or exercise and now, reality sets in for me.  I stepped on the scales and - BOING - I have gained ten pounds!!!! Holy Batman!  I got on the eliptical and walked a mile, did fifty sit ups on the bench, and did thirty leg pull ups  -  too little too late??? Not how I had planned to start the new year...

I knew I had been slack about the exercise; however, this is ridiculous!  Tomorrow = back to walking at least two miles in the weight vest, and more.  At fifty-two, I can't start this stuff...

Gym membership? Starvation! Common sense?  WTH???  Help!

A Move into the 21st Century

In an unexpected move, I got a smartphone.  And it's about time. My old flip phone was dying and when I looked today at Costco, there was no line.  I could walk right up to the kiosk and talk to a real human. A human who answered my questions and did not try to sell me more than I needed.  Sold.

The afternoon has been spent getting familiar with the phone - a Samsung Galaxy Stratosphere II - and downloading apps AND setting up email, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, my blog, and all of the other really important things I "need" to do online.  I can see that this phone can become an addiction.  

Although,as a librarian, I work with computers all day long, live online on my home laptop, and have a Kindle, I had wavered about spending additional money each month for a smartphone.  Today, I caved.  And so far, it is worth every penny of the extra $30.00 each month.  Well, really only $20.00 extra, because the very nice human at the kiosk saw that he could save us $10.00 each month on the data package for our home hot spot! See, this smartphone is already saving us money...

Sandy Hook Elementary School

Sandy Hook Elementary School is a place I had never heard of until today.  My heart, my thoughts, and my prayers are with the staff, students, and families of Sandy Hook Elementary.  I don't want to imagine the anguish felt in that community tonight.  I have been an elementary school teacher and librarian for almost thirty years and watching the coverage of this brings to light my worst fears.  We all want to think our schools are safe and that our children are safe.  We, as a school, can practice lock downs, lock our doors, and ask for identification from adults every day; however, you can't prepare for every, EVERY possibility.  Mental illness has unimaginable power and comes in every size, age, shape, and color.  This is a nightmare come true for parents, school staff members and other adults.  Hopefully, before today, those elementary students had never imagined anything this horrific.

Pearl's{of}Wisdom

I woke up this morning at 4:00 with this amazing idea for a new blog.  It would be named Pearl's {of} Wisdom.  Our dog is named Pearl and we often joke that she is an old human soul in a white bulldog's body.  It seems that her eyes can convey so many thoughts.  I could even see the opening logo - see above.  I opened a picture editor, uploaded one of my photographs and went to work.  Then a thought struck - I wonder if there is another blog with that title?  Time for a quick Google search = "Pearls of wisdom" blog.  Only 1,430,000 results.  I guess my great idea for a new blog isn't too original.

I love writing.  StillMakinganEffort is fluff about clothing.  FitnessatFifty is less fluffy, at least it is about exercise and my attempts to be fit and healthy.  I want to combine fun, humor, thought, and "me" into one written form.  Possible?  

Maybe a new Pinterest board?  Maybe a "Pearl's {of} Wisdom" Facebook page?  Twitter?  I'm sure nobody else thought of those social media outlets.

Cold = Repeat

After several days of above normal temperatures, today was damp and cold.  And I would be in a meeting in a room known for being cold all day long.  First instinct was to grab something warm and cozy for work.  Jeans? Check.  Boots?  Check.  Long-Sleeved t-shirt? Check.  Loose, comfy sweater?  Check.  Fuzzy scarf?  Check.  Warm coat?  Check. Get dressed and go.  Only when I got to work did I realize I had on exactly the same thing I wore to work last Friday, November 30.  Oh well, the earth did not shift and nobody cared.  I was nice and warm all day long and the meeting was with a group of awesome librarians that I am lucky to have as co-workers and friends.

The only difference was the long sleeve t-shirt.  

Tan Reaction shirt from Steinmart ~ $12.00

Today's work outfit:

Walmart Jordache red skinny jeans ~ $17.00

J Crew blue popover (clearance) ~ $20.00

Ross Sam & Libby cloth/leather flats ~ $13.00

Gap brown skinny belt from thrift store ~ $12.00

Red wax seal necklace ~ $12.00

* The necklace is from KeysAndMemories, an Etsy shop.  The custon  necklace is still available at http://www.etsy.com/listing/56868789/custom-wax-seal-initial-necklace-in?ga_search_query=red%2Bwax%2Bseal.

The Yarn Boots Arrive - Finally!

Over a month after ordering from Beyond the Rack, my Dollhouse Yarn Boots (Brown) finally got here!  At first they were out of stock, then "on the way" to the warehouse, and, finally, shipped.  I started using the tracking number for updates and was patient until November 30, last Friday.  That morning, they were scanned in Greensboro, less than an hour west!  Surely I would get them before the estimated December 4 delivery date.  Nope.  They then traveled over an hour to the east of where I live, certainly coming within miles of my home.  Finally, as promised, they were delivered today, December 4.  And I think they were worth the wait. For the price of about $35.00, they are good faux leather.  They seem to be reasonably well made.  I like the stacked heel, the lug sole, and the brass buckles.  I can't wait to wear them!

Today's work outfit:

Sleeveless blue drape neck top from TJ Maxx ~ $8.00

Drape front blue knit cardigan from TJ Maxx ~ $12.00

Old Navy cap toe blue flats ~ $8.00

*All of the above were purchased from the clearance racks at different times over about a year and by lucky chance, they are all the same blue! Love when that happens!

Target Merona Pencil Skirt in Orange Flame ~ $23.00

*This skirt is still on Target's web site - http://www.target.com/p/merona-women-s-doubleweave-skirt-assorted-colors/-/A-14176632#prodSlot=medium_1_5&term=merona pencil skirt.  If you like comfortable, lined pencil skirts for a reasonable price, this is a great deal.  Over the past year, I have purchased several of these - wore the blue one yesterday.  They get tossed in the washer, then the dryer and come out beautifully.  The colors start out bright and don't seem to be fading.  In addition to the turquoise blue and the orange, I have the violet and the black.  The fit has been consistent and I can't complain about them at all.

75 Degrees in December

What I wore to work today:

Blue Target Merona pencil skirt ~ $22.00

Taupe Forever 21 top ~ $20.00

Taupe Gap ballet flats (clearance from two years ago) ~ $10.00

Multi-colored Marshalls scarf (clearance from last year) ~ $10.00

Love that the temperature today was 75 degrees!  After work today, I hiked in a short-sleeved t-shirt and capri leggings.  It felt like spring! (In my dreams...)

workout clothes: too hideous to photograph!

Hanes Walmart v-neck t-shirt ~ $4.00

Danskin Walmart black capri leggings ~ $8.00

Black Kalso Earth Exer-Walk (old and not too cute, but these are the most comfortable walking shoes EVER) ~ $38.00 on Amazon

So True

                                             

This simple quote conveys so much truth.  Although I've had a wonderful family, amazing friends, and a loved career for the first fifty years of my life, my aspiration is that there is even more in store during the next fifty years.