That stupid button

I see the "reset" button whenever I log onto Twitter (which is often) and realize I need to start posting again.

The second semester of my return to college is complete.

Health, weight, exercises - not going as hoped.

Many other topics to write about.

And I will.....(or so I keep telling myself)

Stuck at "Set"

Remember "ready, set, go" ? Lately I'm finding myself getting stuck at "set." I make plans to do something, think about it, but just can't pull the trigger.



- Eat better - I know how - but the bad is stuff is so yummy.



- Organize the basement (garage, closet, etc) - I know I'll be happy when it's done, but I just don't want to do it.



- Blog - I have a great idea, but I never take the time to post.



I'm sure there are about twenty other things as well, at least you get the idea.









There are some things going on that might help.



First of all, my horrible Comp/Lit class ends within the next few days. (Exactly when will be determined by if I decide to re-write my research paper.) Why did I decide to go back to college ?



I did meet with a personal trainer and he designed a work-out for me. I think if I start exercising again, that I should inspire me to eat better as well. Why do one if you don't do the other ?



I've golfed a few times this fall, I suppose buying the 2010 pass is making me want to get my moneys worth out of it. However, after Sundays round - just taking a walk might be more fun



And look - I'm posting here.

Returning soon.....I promise





Really, I will

We Are Family.

My whole family is in town to celebrate my parents 50th anniversary this weekend. The actual anniversary was in April, but now is the time we could all get together.

It's nice when my brothers and their families are around. My younger brother Patrick and his family moved back from the west coast a couple of years ago, so now we do get to see them much more than we used to. I only wish I had taken the opportunity to visit him when they lived out there. I'm 43 and the farthest west I've ever been is Fargo ND. (and that was in the dead of winter)

Bob & Deb and the girls are also here from out east. Don't get to see them nearly often enough, so it's nice when they are here for a few days. It's crazy with lots of people around, but all the cousins seem to pick right up where they left off last time. According to Cami they are due to be back for Christmas 2010- we'll see if that happens.

Finished one class, scratched out a B by aceing the last assignment. Found out that the missing assignment from a couple weeks ago I had e-mailed to the wrong instructor. Took the Econ final tonight and think I did pretty good. As I write this, I have about 49 hours to finish my term paper. Maybe I should be writing that instead.

Still plodding along on the Couch to 5k program, almost finished with the third week. After the weekend fun, I'm going back on the weight loss plan I did a couple years ago. My brother in law has dropped over 30 pounds on Weight Watchers and I'm really proud of him - I need to catch up.

City wide rummage sales in a few weeks. Need to get ready for that.

Next week is Houston County Fair and I'm in charge of a booth. I'll be scrambling until the last minute getting it organized, but hope it goes smoothly.

So much for that "to-do" list.

I don't know if if I knocked out anything on it this weekend. Did spend several hours with the boys at a Kicking Bear (archery) event on Saturday.

Spent Sunday picking up a couple clearance bargins, then struggling with this weeks Microsoft Excel assigments. Aced another Econ quiz just a few minutes ago.

Week one of Couch to 5k is complete. I get another whole day of rest (no running) Monday. Think I'm going to try some green tea this week - I have to break the Diet Dew habit.

Plenty of political stuff happening, I really need to kick that area into gear.

Self-control....

can be a bugger at times.

I finished the second day of my "Couch to 5k" running program, got a nice healthy sub at Subway, then found an ice cream sandwich in the freezer. Grrrr.

But it tasted oh so good.

I'm almost half way through my first two college classes. I'm not sure what I was thinking by signing up for two at the same time. The pace is very quick and although I'm doing well, I'm still pretty nervous.

Because of the school work, I'm letting other things slide and it's really getting to me. This weekend I hope to get caught up on a couple things. - Must make "to-do" list. Most importantly - get homework done WELL before the time it's due. I've been cramming on Monday evenings, due to a midnight deadline, and thats just causing way too much stress.

Really hitting the reset button

Started (sort of) blogging on my birthday this year.

I spoke of things I was going to do since I'm at that "middle" part of my life.

The posts were fewer and fewer, and then vacation came. Kind of fell off the wagon.
So many things are like that.

Well, I've started college, bought some running shoes to start the Couch to 5k program, and ready to try posting more.

I did golf once. But the bike is still in the garage.

I need to post more....

Not much posting....I have no clue if anyone is even reading this.....Wayne did comment on one post, thanks Wayne !!!

Two days out from vacation and trying to get everything done on the "to do" list.

Reached a new low (for this year) on the scale this morning, still need to dial up the exercise.
Next week will be a challenge, good food to eat, but I really plan on getting some walking it.
I did buy some running shoes so now I'm committed to the 5K in the fall.

College classes are getting close and I'm freaking out more and more. Both textbooks are now in hand, new computer and software purchased.......just need to set up and install.

Tommorrow morning I'm going to do something I haven't done in way too long - go to confession. I'm trying hard to be more religious, I even bought a daily devotional book. I guess every little bit counts.

Kind of bummed I'm missing a big political meeting on Saturday - it has the potential to be pretty exciting - but when we pull into the cabin it will be worth missing the meeting.

I have four books to read next week: The Reagan Diaries, Career Renegade, a Grisham book, and one by David Baldacci - I wish Vince Flynn's would be out now instead of October.

Unless I post again tommorrow......I'm "Gone Fishin !"

Getting moving....

Got home last night....kind of stressed.... still haven't figured out the problem with the new glasses.....forgot something I was supposed to get at the store....was tempted to crash on the
couch and eat.

But I stopped.

Threw on a t-shirt and shorts and took the dog for a walk. I didn't want to go for a long time, so I added a hill (plenty of those nearby) It wasn't a long walk, but the dog enjoyed it and I actually
broke a little bit of a sweat.

The plan for June - walk, walk, walk.......than walk some more. With the dog, with my wife, with my wife and the dog - I will even do it on vacation. Maybe it's time for another pedometer.

Class reunion at end of June, would love to drop at least another 6-8 pounds by then. Then July 5th - Couch to 5K training begins !!!!

Inertia

Why is it so hard to start something, let alone finish it ?

I'm doing a little better diet-wise, but there are four unfinished books next to my bed - and I started a fifth. Exercise - nothing, but I know I should. One of these days.

Did some cleaning / purging of stuff in the basement, but there is a long way to go. The plan is to turn some of that into cash - Maybe some on ebay, some craigslist, some giveaway to friends or charity.

The big thing that I've committed to is running (or jogging, or walking quickly) a 5K in September. Several months ago I read about a "Couch to 5K" program on someones blog and have looked at the info a few times. Well now I'm committed. The plan is to have my boys do it with me - they could handle getting some exercise into their routine too. We start the week of July 5th - stayed tuned for stories of blisters and pain.

Friends - Not the TV Show

What is the definition of a friend ?

There is someone I've known for over 25 years - we got to know each in the radio biz, both did other things then ended up as friendly rivals in the car biz. He called to other day to check up on someone who applied at his dealership, we chatted about this and that, I also gave him a lead on someone looking for a new position.

I think we are friends. We don't socialize, we don't run in the same circles, but I always know he is only a phone call away. Maybe as part of my resetting I'll call him to do something - golf, fishing, who knows.


Friends come in all shapes and sizes, as I've said before I really don't have any close friends besides my wife. I know that I'm not alone, but how does one change that ? I'll try to find out.

Dis-Orientation

Had new student orientation yesterday. Information overload.

Got a student ID - the photo confirms I need to lose weight. I've never liked having my
picture taken and we have family photos in a few weeks.

I was thinking (about that day in the far future) that when I graduate, I might be able to trade the student ID for an AARP card. I do like discounts.

Found out a big portion of my classes will only be offered online. That scares me. I really think that I need the classroom setting.

My classes don't start until late June. Thank god the week at the lake is before that.

Weekends are made for......

surely not Michelob. (Probably dating myself with that reference)

Weekends are lately lots of running around, with little sense of accomplishment.

Friday night - wife working out of town, took the boys to Culvers (thank god the 13 yr old likes the kids meal) then to Target to raid the clearance gum section. Might have to head back there and get some more. Home in time to watch "Flashpoint" on CBS., it was about bullies and we've had some challenges there - so I made it a semi-teachable moment.

Saturday - Soccer game then two and a half hours of driving for a meeting that lasted less than 90 mins. The meeting was okay, but I'm regretting spending the time and gas to go there. Wife finished working out of town - she got home exhausted at 8:00.

Sunday - Church / 1st Communion service - then out of town for soccer game. Get home, got the lawn mower running and mowed some of the lawn. More wrestling with the broken garage door - I have to find someone that can fix it. Then I grilled burgers and made corn on the cob.
The daughter was going to come, but she can't find her new phone / Blackberry and was stressing to the point of almost crying.

Concluded the weekend by falling asleep on the couch - I'm doing that a lot lately.

What did I accomplish ?? Not much, still need to complete Financial Aid application. Yard needs plenty of TLC, and got zero items listed on ebay. Plus I ate horrible all weekend and probably put a couple pounds back on.

Oh well, tommorrow (which is now today) is another day.

As Dori says in Finding Nemo "Just keep swimming !!"

So today is my birthday.....

For quite a few years now, my birthday has always made me reflect on where I am in life - and where I think I should be. At 43, I'm firmly in the "middle-age" zone but now it's time to reset things. I've been thinking about this for a few months and it's time to take action.

At this point: I'm a husband to a wonderful wife, a dad to three awesome kids, a church and political volunteer, and now I'm ready to add another role: student. I've enrolled in college only
23 1/2 years after I left Winona State with a vow "to get that degree someday."

When I met with the counselor at the college, I thought out loud "I'm not going to graduate until I'm 48." Her response was "You're going to be 48 anyways." Good point. I might be 50
before I graduate, but I'll still have many years to put that the degree to work. There's even a chance I'll go right for my MBA.

Part of me feels selfish for going back to school. We can't afford it, and we are still paying for my wives Master Degree. But I have to do something, after 13 years in the retail auto business, I'm now underemployed and bored. My first class starts at the end of June - part of it is online which will be a new experience.

I'm still not sure "what I want to be when I grow up" my 10 yr old knows, but I don't. For a long time I felt like I wanted to own my own business, now I have an idea that I think will work. The only problem is, like most people how do I fund it ? How do I start ? The house needs plenty of repairs, we have no savings, and each month is a struggle just to make bills. Thank god we don't have a ton of debt (besides the house) we still have plenty, but there are many people with so much more debt.

I've been listening to Dave Ramsey for quite a while and really like what he has to say, but we still haven't bit the bullet and done a budget. Now we have to sit down and really do it. I might be able to start the business part-time, but then that cuts into family time. It's tough, but in the long run, I think I'd rather work for myself.

One of the things that Dave says is have a garage sale - probably do that in the fall, in the meantime I'm going to dust off my ebay selling skills, try craigslist, and some other online places for selling CD's, books, audiobooks etc. The combination of getting things out of the house, and turning them into cash is very appealing. I am part pack-rat, I need to get over that.

Less stuff = less clutter = less stress. At least in a perfect world.


So, I'm resetting life in those ways, but there are other ways too.

My health. Men in my family have high cholesterol, it comes with the name. I finally went to have a physical and get tested. (I was tested years ago, found out it was high, and did nothing)
Bad cholesterol is too high, good cholesterol too low. At one point the doc thought I might be pre-diabetic, thankfully the second blood test looked better.

It's simple, eat better, exercise more. I think we've all been told that since kindergarten.

A few years ago I did lose 64 pounds. Yes, I did find them all again. So I know it can be done.
I now have a bike to ride and plan on golfing ten times this year. I know once I start it will
be okay, but the inertia not to start is strong. Just like Yoda says "Do or not do, there is no try" only do" So I will do.


I want to read more, develop more friendships, learn how cook more things, get closer to God, have more fun with my kids, and about a million other things............



Hopefully this blog will help make myself accountable. I don't know if anyone will find it, not sure if I want them to. There are many other things I have in mind for "hitting the reset button" I'll share them as time goes on.


For now, Happy Birthday to me - yippee skippee

That was easy

I've been thinking about this for some time, so I went to blogspot.com and after a couple clicks, here I am.