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September
2007 Journal
Wow!
Now Fall means...school starts! That will be a weird
feeling for all of us around here!
The weather this month has started out great!
Nice warm days, perfect mix of sun & clouds, subtle breezes.
We've been able to turn off the air conditioner and open the
windows!
This year and month marks the beginning of new adventures!
We have a lot of ideas for this upcoming year...stay tuned!
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Grammy's
Dear Friend ~ Ronna
September
1st, 2007 |
My Grammy has a
great circle of friends...aka "The Breakfast Club".
Ronna, an important member of the above mentioned club....lost her
battle with Lou Gehrig's disease. Ronna was a great and loyal
friend, loved by all of those around her. She will be sadly
missed and fondly remembered by those her life had touched.
Our deepest condolences go out to Ronna's family and friends in this
time of grief.
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A Geocaching
Weekend ~ Labor Day Holiday
September
1st - 3rd, 2007 |
Saturday ~
It has been
awhile since we have been out geocaching....seems Fall is our
"family time" for this hobby. It's just too hot for me in the
summer and Mommy likes this time of year best too! Anyway, we
only did a few but we did have a nice time! I was SUPER (Mom
calls it scary) GOOD! We did some nice level hiking (overall
our round trip was probably a couple miles) and found some nice
traditional (ammo can type) hides. We did go back to visit
Dinosaur Rock, as it is now an Earthcache! I really enjoy that
place...lots of rocks for me to climb on! I wish people
wouldn't have spray painted on it so much...it's really a unique
place and structure. You really can't help but just stand
there and wonder....how in the devil did this happen? Daddy
also surprised me with a cache hidden at Adventure Sports...so, we
stopped and played a round of mini-golf. I did a really good
job, was more careful to actually take my time and line-up my shots.
Mommy really did well...she beat Daddy! That hasn't happened
in YEARS! If she could have just gotten one or two
holes-in-one she may have had a course record! Anyway, after a
couple games of skeeball and air hockey, it was time for lunch.
Since, I had found the most caches that day I got to pick where we
ate....Friendly's of course. Well....we had a good meal there
but can't say that for our service. It's not like Daddy to
complain but we ended up getting my meal for free. To make a
long story short...we saw our waitress ONE TIME! That didn't
get us down...off to a new cache hidden in Hummelstown. We
looked with Daddy for a little while for this, what he thought would
be a quick find, and then Mommy and me headed down to the creek.
I played around there, throwing rocks and sticks for a good while.
In the meantime, another cacher showed up and was helping Daddy...so
Mommy and me stayed at the water. Since this was our last stop
for the day...Mommy let me go in the water...clothes and all!
I had a fun time sloshing around in there and picking up rocks.
We found some really cool looking bugs on them...funny because you
couldn't see them at first...you had to look really close. I
think they were some kind of prehistoric water bugs...they had
shells on them. Speaking of shells...I had found and collected
a ton of those (Mommy thinks she got the rest of them out of her
dryer and washing machine!) and stuffing them in my pockets.
Oh no! I've turned into one of "those" boys...at least it
wasn't a live frog! :) We had a nice quiet night playing
a new video game Daddy downloaded for the Xbox called Viva Piņata!
Sunday ~ we had a relaxing morning, Daddy ran out and
did a couple caches and finally found that one near the creek that
we couldn't find. We made plans with the Hartley's to do some
caching over their way...so, we loaded up and headed over. We
attempted to find 2 caches in the
Yellow
Breeches . Cache number one, we looked high (that was
Grey's job because he was riding on his Daddy's back!) and low for,
and called two life-lines before we decided it was probably missing.
Daddy later confirmed that with the owner...bummer, it's always kind
of disappointing when you can't find one...especially when you go
with some friends that are just getting into our hobby! Oh
well...I wanted to get closer to the water anyway! I was glad
to move on from that one. We took another short hike to the
next spot...hmmm...it was across the water! We had to cross
the water...and it was deep! I was the first one in! It
was a bit cool but felt great. Darrin jumped in with Grey
next...he took a few more steps out farther than me and soon
realized he should have taken his wallet out of his pocket!
OOPS! Mommy came, and took me out where it was deeper...all
the way up to my chest....I was laughing so hard that we got caught
up in the current and it took us a bit to get thru it! Jen
came next, taking pictures along the way....this was Grey's first
"adventure with the Propers" and you MUST document that...followed
by Daddy, who tried to take a different, what he thought would not
be as deep approach...but he still got just as wet. (We knew
we would be getting into water so we had all come prepared for
this.) Our adventure was not over though....what were we
crossing to, you ask? Well....a cave! Daddy and Darrin
went in first....it was dark and small in there. I was busy
playing around in the water and then I decided that I wanted to go
in with them! So...off I went! Mommy told me to stay low
so I didn't bump my head, I got a little ways in and then it was too
dark to see...so I yelled for Daddy and Darrin and they started to
wave their flashlight so I could see it...I kept going until I got
back with them to find the cache! It was fun! It was
small back in there so we had to crawl on our hands and knees!
Mommy and Jen went back to find it after we came out. They
were just about to give up when Mommy spotted it! Everyone
couldn't get over the fact that I did this cache! We all
safely crossed the creek and took our water logged bodies back to
the cars. We all got our clothes changed and headed back to
the Hartley's for a yummy BBQ! We stayed up late (sorry Jen
for keeping you up!) talking and playing Lego's! (Yes, I
brought them with me!).
Monday ~ HAPPY LABOR DAY! We really had no plans
for today...but Daddy did have a geocache hike that he wanted to do
and I heard Mommy say, "let's all try it". So, before I knew
it we were packing up a picnic lunch, some other hiking stuff and
out the door we went. It was a nice hike and I found a really
big leaf and I already had my hiking stick from the other day!
Daddy says I probably wouldn't get so tired if I wasn't always
carrying so much stuff! HA! We didn't get to see too
much wildlife, but did get to see a bunch of frogs! They were
all around the large puddles along the trail. (We were hiking
the famous
Horseshoe Trail, well only a very small part of it.) We
found one cache half-way on the trail and then after bushwhacking
some (thank goodness it was just grass) we came to our destination.
The title of the cache was Tranquility Forest. So, it took us
to a nice quiet spot in the woods near a little waterfall and pond.
We sat here for a while throwing rocks and eating our lunch that
Mommy packed. Soon, it was time to head back to the car.
I did a great job hiking the 4 miles that we did....yes, I said 4
miles. I only rode on Daddy's shoulders a little bit of it!
Mommy and me raced back to the car for the final leg of the hike!
Next, we had to go to a park to fix one of Daddy missing caches and
then we found a Dairy Queen! YUM! Ice cream just tastes
great after a long hike! Good thing it wasn't busy in there as
we were all pretty dirty and smelly! Daddy surprised me with a
stop at Toys R Us on the way home...he wanted to actually buy that
game I mentioned before (Viva Piņata) and I was allowed to spend 12
dollars of my saved allowance money. I bet you can't guess
what I bought? A catapult Lego set for my castle collection!
See, I knew you wouldn't know!
Well...after we all got showered and cleaned up...I built my
catapult and it was soon time for bed. I have my first
hour of school tomorrow! I'm a little bit more excited about
it but still a little scared.
Goodnight!
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My First
"Hour" of School
September
4th, 2007 |
I got up on my
own today! Actually, I heard the school bus picking up the
high school kids. Anyway, I got dressed, ate my breakfast,
brushed my hair and teeth and put on my shoes. I played for a
little while until it was time to go out to the bus stop.
Although, I didn't need to ride the bus today, Mommy thought it
would be fun to meet the other kids and watch them get on the bus.
I was shy about it at first, but then I was okay. The bus was
late so the kids were getting anxious, so we were running around all
over the place. Finally, the bus showed up and the kids got
off to school.
Next, it was time for me to go. I wanted to take my backpack
so Mommy got it ready for me. I'm glad I did because I had
papers to put in it to bring home. My teacher called us over
for circle time and we learned our first rule. Raising your
hand to talk. We did an activity with our parents. It
was a scavenger hunt. I had to find areas in the room and do
an activity there. For example: Find the Art Area and
draw a picture of something fun I did this summer. I drew a
picture of the Lego Toy aisle at the store! (Mommy & Daddy
found this to be an interesting choice! It was fresh in my mind
since we were there yesterday!). Next, we had a story and it
was time to go home.
Daddy and Mommy took me to Friendly's for lunch. I am excited
about school tomorrow. I want to go by myself!
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My First
Day of School!
September
5th, 2007 |
Today was my
FIRST official day of school! Everyone was excited, including
me! After getting dressed and eating my breakfast, I jumped up
to get my backpack when Mommy said it was time to go to the bus
stop! After some quick pictures at the door, I raced across
the street. Everyone welcomed me with big hellos and
questions about whether or not I was excited, etc. We
all lined up when the bus came rolling down the street. I did
not even hesitate! Mommy gave me hugs and kisses and Daddy got
a high five, he was busy snapping pictures! It took me a
little while to sit down on the bus but I finally found a seat and
off we went!
Mommy didn't cry but she said she thought about me all
day...wondering what I was doing with each passing minute.
Daddy took her out on some geocaches and to Wal-mart to pass the
time. He said he wasn't worried or nervous, but Mommy and me
don't believe him!
I got off of the bus in the afternoon and Daddy and Mommy were there
to greet me! They asked how my day was, if I had fun. My
response, "No, we only went outside one time!" They asked me
what I did, my answer "I can't remember". So classic me!
Eventually, as the day/evening went on I talked more and more about
my first day at school. I had a good day, met new
friends, we mostly just learned the rules and got familiar with what
our days will be like. I thought the day went too fast and I
wanted to play outside more. Mommy told me I was at "school"
not daycare and that we wouldn't be going outside as much...guess I
will get used to that. I think I am going to
like this school thing. I will have to keep you all posted on
my "learning" and other achievements throughout the year.
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Happy 10 Year
Anniversary Mom & Dad!
September
6th, 2007 |
My parents have
been married for 10 years today! They said that they have been
together for 16...wow! Daddy got Mommy some nice flowers and
The Office Season 3 DVD...some may laugh about that being an
anniversary gift, but it's what Mommy likes. :) Daddy
will be getting his usual Simpson's collection. Daddy came
home from work early and we just enjoyed each others company.
All of the commotion of my first day of school kind of took a lot
out of us...we all were tired today.
Here's daddy's famous quote he tells mommy every year, that he stole
from his Dad..."10 years honey and every day feels like the first
one!" It always gets a laugh...I will say one thing...there is
always a lot of laughing going on in my house!
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX |
Week #1 ~
Kindergarten News
September
7th, 2007 |
Hmm, I wonder if
I could keep up a weekly report of school? I'll try but it may
prove to be tough...or boring, but we'll see how it goes.
I am liking school so far. We are still learning the rules.
We have had two special classes, library and gym class. We
weren't able to check out a book yet. In gym class we ran.
We also practiced a fire drill at my school. I have made a new
friend that I play with and is the only friend I talk about right
now. I really like riding the bus. I sit wherever I can
find a seat, as I really don't know anyone on it yet. Mommy
laughs because every time the bus pulls up to the stop when I get
dropped off the bus driver has to announce my name. She
wonders if I'm sleeping or not paying attention. I come home
thirsty and a little tired but excited. I am getting better at
telling Mommy at least one thing about my day. I have brought
home a lot of drawings that I have made. Art center is my
favorite. We mark off the days of school every day and I have
one at home that I do as well. Mommy is going to fix the door
up in the kitchen, kind of a school center for me, we will hang it
on there. I get stickers or stamps from my teacher for having
a good day. I made a chart to put those on.
So, so far my first week was good. I'm not talking non-stop
about school, but I have said that I wish I was there longer and I
did jump up and down the other day when the bus was coming.
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A Picnic,
a Geocache, and a Hike
September
9th, 2007 |
We spent all day
yesterday doing a whole lot of nothing...well, that is what Mommy
and Daddy said, I had quite enjoyed myself watching my favorite
cartoons, playing Lego's, playing Viva Piņata with Daddy and we even
watched a funny movie called Caveman. All this indoor activity
had made me quite the crank bucket by the end of the night so today
the no TV or video games rule was put down.
There was a new geocache in Mt. Gretna calling our names! So,
we packed up a nice picnic lunch and off we went. We had been
on these trails before but never to the fire tower. (Well,
Daddy was once with Uncle Mark a long time ago.) The hike was
pretty easy, even though it was uphill, the hill was so rocky and I
was having so much fun jumping from rock to rock, that I hardly
noticed. The tower reminded me of a lighthouse but I think a
lighthouse would have to be taller. Anyway, Daddy said we had
to climb it! What? We needed to know how many ladder
rungs were inside and then once we got to the top we needed to count
rungs on the railings up there! What?! Well, I went
in...full steam ahead, with Mommy and Daddy's assurance that this
would be FUN! Daddy went first, then me, then Mommy. We
safely reached platform number 1. I'm a bit more nervous
now...but I followed Daddy up ladder number 2 and then that was it
for me! I lost it...no more please, I want to get down.
So after some discussion and Mommy and Daddy assessing that my fear
was for "real" and not a bad attitude toward activity (they've
learned the difference by now), Daddy lowered me down to Mommy.
Now this was the hard part because I was shaking so bad there was no
way I was going to climb down a ladder. Mommy got back down to
the lower level and I was frozen and clinging to Daddy so hard that
it was hard for him to convince me to be lowered to Mommy...finally
I did and Mommy and me got the heck out of there! We sat for a
while at the picnic tables until I calmed down. Mommy said she
was proud of me for trying and maybe when I am bigger we can come
and try it again. It wasn't long before we heard Daddy yelling
from the top. He got the information that we needed and we
figured out the coordinates and where we needed to go next.
First, we decided to eat and take some pictures before searching.
The hike was bit long before we got to where we needed to be.
I had found some cool stuff along the way....huge rocks just jutting
out of the ground, one that looked like a slide, so I slid down it a
few times. I did fall and scrape my knee all up, I wasn't
paying attention to where I was putting my feet. Finally, we
reached ground zero and after some bushwhacking (I'm beginning to
see a pattern with Daddy and his needing to bushwhack!) we quickly
found the cache! Daddy grabbed a travel bug and I took one of
those growing dinosaurs that you put in water. It was a nice
day, I even took a nice picture of Mommy and Daddy sitting on a log
on the way out. (I really got to ask Santa for my own camera.
I'm getting pretty good at snapping pictures, but I make the
grown-ups nervous when I am messing with theirs. HA!)
Anyway, I walked the whole 3-4 mile hike with no rides on Daddy's
back! I even helped Mommy to walk down the rocky hill...she's
kind of slow at that.
We ended out adventure with a trip to the Twin Kiss for....you
guessed it....ICE CREAM....a twist with sprinkles! YAY!
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Mommy's
Weight Watching Update
September
10th, 2007 |
It's been awhile
since I have written one of these entries. Let's see...I have
been following the "weight watchers" rules for about a year and 8
months! I still LOVE it! I find it super easy and fun.
I can say that I have been able to keep the weight off for the most
part (a total of 60 pounds total, give or take a few) since October
of 2005. I have learned how to eat better. I have
changed a lot of things in my diet and have stuck to them for the
most part. My blood pressure is down a little and my
cholesterol levels are good. We (and I include Cole and
Mark in this since I do the shopping and they are stuck with what I
get...heehee) have everything switched to whole wheat....even our
pancakes! That was the latest switch and it went off without
notice to Cole...so that is great! I've snuck another new
"veggie" in on Cole, butternut squash fries, he will also eat the
sweet potato ones as well. He also had developed a love for
tomato soup! Can you believe that?!
I will admit that I have been slacking in the "exercise" department.
I started out strong using my elliptical and well.....I DO INTEND on
getting back into a routine with it....next update about that will
be a good one! My friend Amanda and I have decided to start
walking, at least 3 nights a week. We still need to figure out
the mileage we are walking but it takes us about an hour and a half
to do it. We are thinking it's about 3-4 miles and that does
include hills. It's been nice getting out and talking with
another grown-up again. Amanda thinks it won't be long until
we are jogging....jogging? Me? I am not sure about
that...but we shall see. Right now I am having an issue with
my feet....I have blisters! Ouch! I've been on 3-4 mile
hikes with no blister issues...but it must have something to do with
walking on pavement. Once I can get them under control the
walks will feel even better than they already do! I do have a
goal of losing 10 more pounds before Christmas, that would put me at
148! I would have a normal BMI and no longer be overweight!
It is going to be hard...I think I've hit a plateau so I need to
change something...so I am hoping that adding in the exercise will
help. Then there are the upcoming holidays...holidays do me in
every time. Although I KNOW what I should and should NOT be
eating...if it's in front of me, I will eat it and I will eat ALL OF
IT!
So...so far this week Amanda and I have walked 2 times and we are
going again on Sunday. I have gone on a short hike with the
family and painted the hallways and mowed the grass. I need to
buy one of these!
I've got to do my research and see what kind I can get for a decent
price. I would like to start the 10,000 steps a day challenge!
I'll keep you posted.
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Geocaching
Adventure #1074-75
September
12th, 2007 |
Daddy got home
from work a little bit early tonight and it was a beautiful
afternoon. There are some new caches really close to our house that
have been taunting Daddy for a few days now, you see, he likes to
clear out all the caches within a 10-mile radius of our house and
well, since we kind of took the summer off, we have gotten a bit
behind. I think there are like 20 or something we need to hit
before the winter weather is upon us. Anyway....what was this
entry about.....
We found 2 caches, one was on a really nice hiking trail that we
never even knew about and it's so close to our house. We have
driven right by the entrance to it on our way home from daycare!
We found this one pretty easily, well, I would have to say that
Daddy did...I was too busy fighting bad guys with my light saber!
I did find the letter "X", you will have to check out my pictures to
see what I am talking about. I did get a cool new HotWheels
car.
The next cache we did was a lot more fun! Mommy stayed back to
watch things and take pictures. She was still nursing her sore
feet and blisters. Anyway...another water crossing geocache!
These ones are turning into my favorite kind to do! Daddy and
me jumped right in! This water wasn't anywhere near as deep as
the last one we did with the Hartley's. It was just as much
fun though! We had to walk a lot further to a little island in
the middle that had this huge uprooted tree lying on it! It
was even bigger up close. Daddy was glad to see that once he
had found the cache that it was very secure and waterproof.
This area of the Swatara Creek likes to flood a lot! Daddy
found a crayfish in the water and surprised me with that...Daddy was
standing in front of me, so Mommy missed that photo moment. It
would have been a good one! Anyway, it was time to head
home...a quick change into dry clothes and we were on our way.
What fun! I think I may be beginning to enjoy geocaching
more...although, I would never admit that. Mommy and Daddy
said that they can just tell by the way I am acting.
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Week #2 ~
Kindergarten News ~ "I Like School"
September
14th, 2007 |
I've been in
school for 9 days now! I am learning a lot. I have been
to all of my special classes, library, art, gym and music. We
were able to sign out a book to bring home during library this week.
Mommy thinks that I will like art class a lot. In gym class we
ran and in music we sang the same song over and over again.
This week we started Alphabet Adventures! We learned letters
A-D. I even had homework! A letter paper each night!
I am doing pretty well with those. I've gotten stars on all of
my work so far, except on Friday, oops, I forgot to turn in my "d"
paper! Learning and remembering the sounds they make is going
to be tough. Like the letter "C" for example...it sounds like a "k"
or an "s"...so, why do we have a "c"? I get a little confused
between what a letter sound is and a word is...but I'm getting it.
My teacher sent home a "Kindergarten News" letter that lets Mommy
and Daddy know what I have been up to, you know since I can't
remember everything!
Beginning with the letter "A", we talked about apples, tasted apples
(green was my favorite) and did a Weekly Reader about apples!
(I was randomly picked to bring home the big teacher version!)
We sang a song about a Bear Hunt and learned a funny tongue twister
about "Betty Botter" for the letter "B". For the letter "C" we
read about a Clumsy Crab and drew a picture of him being clumsy.
For "D", we read Harry the Dirty Dog (I have this book!) and made
dog ears. I wouldn't model them for Mom and Dad.
I learned my first Word Wall Word - a !
We started our Math workbooks, learning about sorting. We
sorted buttons by color, size and shape. We are to practice
sorting at home...Daddy said that I am kind of doing that when I
help to unload the dishwasher, putting the silverware away. I
think he is right!
We have centers in my classroom. So this week, we started
"center jobs", we have a different job each day. The theme for
this week was "names'. I had to do a different activity around
the room with my name. I traced my name, wrote my name in
shaving cream, went fishing for the letters in my name, typed my
name on the computer and colored it in and painted my name.
I still enjoy riding the bus and playing outside at school. I
am still learning my classmates names. I know Daddy and Mommy
wish I would talk about my days more...but I'm getting better at it.
Next week is Parent's Back to School Night! I'm sure Mommy and
Daddy will learn a lot more about my days then!
Till next
week.............................................................
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Week #3 ~
Kindergarten News ~
September
21, 2007 |
Not a whole lot
to add about this week. Mommy went to the PTO meeting and Back
To School Night which were this week.
We are still learning our letters and sounds that they make. This
week we learned letters "E" thru "G". We finished our first
chapter in our math workbooks and took a test! I did really
well, got a 13 out of 13.
We are having a Fall Fundraiser right now and I have to sell stuff.
Mommy also has me collecting some things that I can take into school
and my school will get money for it.
I'm supposed to work on some things at home, like learning to tie my
shoes. I don't want to learn this at all! Practice my
letters and writing. I need to remember this for my name, "big
C, little o, little l, little e"!
Yea, getting too hard to update every week. I will be sure to
give the highlights of the month and then, of course, make note of
anything specific.
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Week #4 ~
Kindergarten News ~
September
28, 2007 |
WOW! I've
been in school for 19 days and I have already (re)learned
letters/sounds "Aa thru Kk". I also can read 3 of our
Kindergarten Wall Words: a, go, I.
Right now, in our Math books, we are learning numbers 1-10. I
have pretty much mastered these numbers, I just tend to write some
of them backwards, but I'm getting it. We are making a numbers
1-10 book!
During our classroom Centers the topic is "fall". We made
scarecrow bags and putting "s" words in them. WE are putting
leaves on the right letter tree, drawing a fall picture and
practicing writing letters on apples.
We are still all practicing writing our names the "school" way and I
am doing much, much better remembering to do it this way on my own!
So far, I still enjoy school and riding the bus.
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Mommy's Weight
Watchers Report
September
30, 2007 |
Well, I have
good things to report, as said I was going to start a more "active"
lifestyle! I am happy to say that during the month of
September I only had 3 days that I pretty much did nothing but lay
around the house. Amanda and I have walked 10 times, most
walks being at least 3 miles and a few were 6. On my "off"
days, I do 30 minutes on my elliptical machine (usually comes close
to 2 miles) and one day of the week, I mow the grass. Most of
the weekends we have done some nice geocaching hikes that have
gotten the blood pumping! It's been FUN and I am really
starting to feel great! I've noticed that my legs have gotten
stronger and I don't know if or what this means, but I actually
sweat now. Hmmm...never did before and I always hated that!
I don't believe that it's healthy to not sweat, especially after a
good hour workout! What a funny goal to achieve...yay, I'm
sweating now!
I have some goals for October, not all scale related. I would
like to do some kind of progression of my weight loss in photos.
I wish I would have done that during my whole process...but for some
reason, I didn't! It's such a motivator that I can't believe I
didn't do it! So, I'll have to go back and try to find
pictures that I can use. I would like to do it for October
since that is when I started my "new way of living" (that sounded
cheesy)
Amanda and I would like to walk in some kind of charity event, we
know October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, so soon, I will look
into that!
My weight for the end of September is: 157.5 and a
BMI of 25.8 (which is still "overweight" on a scale of 25 -
29.9, so I am very close).
I love FALL weather but it's still been pretty hot here, it will be
nice to walk when it is much cooler. We are going to have a
challenge of what to do when it's dark around here by 6 o'clock.
We may need to find a new place to walk or we thought about looking
into a Yoga class! Yes, yoga!
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