Ground Score!!

I don't know where the time goes. Oh yeah, I remember. It's been a busy, busy week with lots of time spent at this computer (not blogging) and watching it rain outside, which it is doing as I work on this long-overdue post. Lots of camera time, editing, proofing and ordering, my favorite kind of busy-ness.

This morning I managed to get out ralking for an hour before the skies started dripping again. My weekday route takes me across an intersection that is rated one of the most dangerous in our state, and that is without the constant construction work that has dragged on for over a year. This morning the area was littered with broken pieces of motorcycle, a pretty scary sight.

This afternoon as Zeus and I were returning home from dinner I asked him to stop at the scene so I could pick up a piece of the motorcycle, or as the MoneyWalker calls it, a Ground Score. Yup, ten hours later it was still there, a large remnant of a saddlebag from a 2009 Harley-Davidson, complete with a beautiful inscribed reflector. I knew instantly that this would fit on the crossbars of my bike!


Well, what do you think? Kind of classes up the old lady wheels, eh?


$3.02

I'll make a million!!!

Moneywalker asked a question a few posts back about how my new bike has affected my thoughts and observations while exercising. After giving it some consideration and the with healing of my first road rash I can now answer.

Today our weather turned wintry again with rain and snow showers. In the past five years those conditions wouldn't have stopped me from lacing up the shoes and heading out to find shiny, round objects on the roads. I'm certainly not afraid of getting cold and wet. However, those same conditions will keep me off my bike. And that does not make me happy at all.

The last three weeks of riding has been interesting. I'm no longer afraid of cars whizzing past my left shoulder, although I must admit that I still give them plenty of respect and leeway. Mostly they are ignored except at intersections where I'm careful to make eye contact with drivers before crossing paths. Drivers making right turns are especially dangerous, a fact learned fast when I began running.

At first the transition from running against the traffic to riding with the traffic was weird. More than once I found myself on the wrong side of the road. Utah laws require bicycles to observe to all moving vehicle laws. The first time Eris showed me how to cross a major highway in a traffic lane was very unsettling but I'm now getting used to it. Still not ready to "shoot the gap" and don't plan on ever doing it.

As for numismatizing, it is much more difficult but certainly not impossible. There are three car washes along my current route. It's easy to get off the bike and take a quick stroll while catching a drink of water.

Road finds are much harder. But I think I've found a solution. Training wheels. Yup. Training wheels. I'm thinking that if I install them on my rear wheels and duct tape some powerful magnets to the bottom sticky-out side my ride totals will go up considerably. Yes? Just think... I could make a million off this idea!! Bikers of all kinds will be clamoring for my invention!

To answer the rest of MoneyWalker's question, the addition of biking to my exercise routine has had a few surprises. When out ralking there was nothing to keep me from slowing down or stopping altogether. Can't do that on a bike. I have to work to keep the mph at a decent level. I also believe the cardio benefits are much greater than ralking, at least for me personally. Mixing up the workouts relieves some of the boredom that was setting in.

Tonight while talking with Athena about her "boot camp" she mentioned how much she hates a treadmill and stationary bike. I totally agree. I want to be outside with fresh air, marveling at our incredible mountains and feeling the wind on my face. Each time I hear the frogs croaking in the pond or see the newborn ducklings on the canal I love it even more. Athena, you would love it. I dare you.

$1.99 (total from last week)

(The top photo is Little Ms. taken at a July 4th parade in 2009. She is now riding sans training wheels.)

Double your freshness, double your fun...NOT!

Note: I had a different post all ready to go up this morning. Instead, I will be posting a rant and will save the gentle one for the future.

Last week I got some pretty new shoes. Unlike many around me, shopping for shoes (or any clothing for that matter) is an unpleasant experience. But running and ralking shoes are the one item of apparel that I take seriously. In fact, my running shoe specialist didn't have my size in stock so I'm waiting, impatiently, for the call saying they have arrived. (That's another rant for another day.)


Back to the original rant. I was able to get my everyday ralking shoes last week and am still enjoying how sparkly white they are. Twenty minutes ago I walked in the house and my brand-spanking new shoes were suddenly making a weird sound with each fall of my left foot on the tile floor.

Damn it! There was a big wad of GUM on the sole. Two more steps and that crap would have been ground into my carpet!


All grandchildren know that before entering my house there is a mandatory security checkpoint that they must go through. Mouths are opened and swabbed for any signs of bubblegum, breath-freshening gum or just plain old Doublemint Gum. If found, the offender is pointed in the direction of the garbage can and must listen to my anti-chewing speech for a minimum of five minutes before being released. Tears and complaints of how new the gum is fall on deaf ears.

I once was a compulsive gum-chewer. Oh yes, I could pop that gum both inside and outside of my mouth for hours on end. As a child I remember getting more than one haircut because it fell out of my mouth while asleep. That old pink Bubble Yum probably contributed to the mouthful of dental fillings that decorate my teeth.

When I am out ralking and numismatising the globs of gum that dot the asphalt is disgusting. Gum chewers have no qualms about sticking their used-up wads in public places. Drive-through windows are particularly notable for this as are telephone booths and handrails. And for heavens sakes, never, NEVER feel the underside of a restaurant table.

I won't even start on the grossness of some open-mouth chewers. Mirrors, anyone?

Rant over. I will now go to the garage to carve the glob of sugar-gumbase-cornsyrup-natural and artificial flavors-glycerol-aspartame-soy lecitin-asulfamaneK-mixed with saliva from a stranger out of my brand new shoes.

UGH!!!

$1.82

Speechless

Sunday mornings, my favorite time. The weather forecast for this morning was iffy, rain and snow showers predicted until around 4 am. Zeus woke me at 6 and told me that it was clear, dry and warm. Fifteen minutes later I was out the door. The sun was just beginning to brighten up the eastern horizon so out to the west it was still dark. Until I turned the corner at the end of our street.

There was the most incredible full moon I have ever seen. Huge and golden with two lines of clouds in front of it. It was like a picture out of a children's Halloween book, minus the witch or black cat. I found myself stopping to stare at it. Unfortunately, the only camera in the car was my little point-and-shoot so this photo certainly cannot convey what it really looked like.

Within five minutes a few more clouds moved in front of it and suddenly a moon reflection was shooting straight up. I'm not really sure how to describe it except that it was probably the most beautiful moonset ever.


Did I mention that I love Sunday mornings?

$2.62 plus a carwash token

The pointless post

Time. I don't know where it goes. Seems like just yesterday I was taking that photo of Dad's camera. Four days. It's already Friday and thinking back about the last week there really has been a lot accomplished. My downstairs rooms are finally put back together and the Christmas tree has been moved to the other side of the storage room door where it will stay until Thanksgiving. Scrapbooks are updated, a few cupboards have been cleaned and the floor has been mopped three times (love those children).

Fun things are happening along with the work. A family gathering was held last Sunday to visit with the Denverites. On Grandma Tuesday three little ones got their first experience at bowling. There is nothing cuter than little two and three-year-olds dancing in their itty bitty size 7 bowling shoes each time the pins start to fall over! We've got to do that one again!

Watching the Olympics has provided nighttime entertainment, complete with popcorn or smoothies.

For the last two days I have spent quite a few hours at this computer learning some new photoshop skills. Oh man, will this ever stop? Just when I thought layers had been conquered I find out that the most important aspect of this tool has gone unused in my editing. A new book combined with careful studying, experimenting, a little hair-pulling and quiet profanity have proven to be valuable. (The above image is the Prince taken last month.)

This morning brought two hours of bliss out on the streets. It is beginning to warm up (mid-30s). Add to that the earlier sunrise and it almost feels like spring. Zeus told me this afternoon that the plants in the front yard are beginning to green up.

So goes my life. Every day brings new challenges. Never bored.

$3.14 and a hat

Street Plastic

One of my favorite street finds (other than paper dollars) is gift cards. It's like a Christmas present under the tree with a sticker on it that says "Don't open until Dec. 25th". (I know most of you don't wait, but I do.) The anticipation of finding out what's in that pretty wrapped box is part of the fun.

The same thing happens whenever I pick up a gift card on the street. It goes in my pocket and is carried home where I either call the number on the back for a balance or go to a website and punch in the numbers. Often they have been run over or damaged in some other way. Shortly after the holidays I found a Sears card in which the laminated front had completely come apart from the back due to being in the snow for quite a while. After finding out it had a $20 balance I took it to our local store where the nice salesperson immediately exchanged it for a new one. Too bad Walmart won't do the same. No swipe, no cash. Ugh.

Two days ago after running an errand at the university Littlest and I took a side stroll over to the parking meters where the snow had recently melted. The ground yielded six quarters and a few dimes but the exciting find was a gift card. It was nearly two hours before I could log on to discover that the balance on the card was $1.48. Not the $100 that I was hoping for but better than nothing! I've found countless cards while numismatizing. They have bought gas for cars, burgers at fast food restaurants, groceries and a few items of clothing.

Side note: Littlest is ruthless when it comes to finding and pocketing coins. She doesn't give them up to me. They go home in her pockets where I suspect they eventually end up in Eris' washing machine.

$3.61

$1.48 gift card

Excuses, excuses, excuses.

I've got em'. By the dozens. And they all make perfect sense to me.

1. It's still cold. Wimp.

2. It's dark outside. But getting light earlier. Actually was able to enjoy civil twilight on Sunday morning.

3. Our weather-inverted air has been dubbed the dirtiest in the nation. That hasn't stopped me before.

4. I can get a workout in the pool. That's true, but it's just not the same as being outdoors. And there are no shiny round objects in the pool unless you count a couple of the chubby pink ladies.

5. I need a new running bra. Alert: Too much information!!!

6. The car washes are not paying off lately. Duh, it's winter.

7. I think someone is "scooping" my area before I get there. Lame excuse, I know.

8. Again, our weather-inversion air has been dubbed the dirtiest in the nation. When I can feel it that tells you how bad it is.

9. I still have four months to get ready for that 5k. I'll probably be using that one right up until April.

10. I'm basically lazy. Well, that's not really news.


$3.32 (includes a gold car wash dollar and a .35 contribution from Zeus)
$1.33 Walmart card (redeemed in my weekly grocery shopping)
a nice volleyball found in a snowbank at a supermarket
another hat to be washed and donated (MoneyWalker, you are influencing me!)

Note: The image at the top has absolutely nothing to do with the post. I just wanted to share a photo a this beautiful little baby that I had the pleasure to photograph this week.

Cracking up

Friday, 2:30 a.m: We were awakened in the middle of the night by a loud sound in the house. My first thought was something exploded in the kitchen or downstairs. Hey, it was the middle of the night so I went back to sleep.

Yesterday morning when I get up to take a shower I notice that the small high window in the bathroom has a crack running from corner to corner. It is displaced enough that there is a sharp edge along the entire seam. It will have to be replaced. Soon.

Oops, sorry. wrong crack.

Once again, we are in the middle of a cold snap, not quite as bad as the northeastern states are seeing, but still cold. There has been a bag of ice cubes sitting on my patio leftover from our December 23rd party. It is within five feet of the house yet has not melted.

Temperatures have not played a factor in my ralking for the last five years. Extra layers of clothing usually takes care of the cold. This year, not so much. Wimpiness is creeping into my head and the excuses are getting easier. The single-digit temps combined with the lack of sunlight early in the mornings has turned me into a whiny two-year-old. Yesterday morning I rationalized and went to the mall for some indoor walking. blech.

Tomorrow morning, even if it takes twenty extra layers, I will be out there.

No turning back now. It's here.

It's officially here. Yesterday morning the snowstorm hit fast and hard. It only left a couple of inches on the ground in the valleys but the mountains got socked. Ski resorts are open and I noticed holiday lights on houses tonight. Ugh.

When I left for my Sunday morning ralk the outdoor thermometer said 16 degrees. Brrrrrr. An extra shirt, leggings and double gloves took care of it. Love those layers. Oh, switching to the heavy wool/Thinsulate hat helped a lot.

The ralking clothes are laid out on the dresser ready for tomorrow morning. I haven't gone swimming for months, always telling the swimming ladies that I'll be back in the pool when the weather gets bad. That hot pool is looking mighty inviting right now but as long as there is no ice on the road or freezing wind I'll probably stay outdoors.

$1.86 plus a wallet. The wallet was in a Park and Ride partially covered with snow. The green bills hanging on a money clip caught my eye after I nearly passed it by. Turned it over to the local Sheriff who happened to be at Wendy's for a cuppa. Richard L. can relax now and not have to spend all day tomorrow cancelling that huge stack of credit cards!

It's there if you just look!

Had a little fun this morning. A couple of days ago Eris told me that she was going to run a fundraising 5k with her niece. Since I'm trying to increase my ralking time to more running than walking (a dismal failure this last week) it seemed like a perfect time to give it a go.

My time was awful (no numbers today, thanks) but the weather was wonderful and the company was great. Eris beat me, of course, even though she had to stop behind a trailer to fix a "wardrobe malfunction" that could have made her run quite uncomfortable.

A huge shout-out to Eris' niece and sister-in-law, two of my favorite people in the world. Also, a special award to SIL who walked the entire 5k in spite of recovering from a procedure done just a few days ago. What a woman!

And as a special treat, we all finished with coinage found on the race course! (The photo is fudged a little, but we really all picked up a few coins!)

$2.53

If you are reading this...

I'm challenging you.

Just how much of a wo/man are you? Tough? Determined? Dedicated?

Put on some good sturdy shoes and do a 5k with me. I don't care if you run, walk or crawl over the finish line, just come and do it with me.

I can hear some of you whining already. I know what you are saying. I've said it all in the past. Races are very low on my list of favorite ways to spend a Saturday morning but doing one for a good charitable cause will make it a bit easier. So will having friends and family by my side. Yes, that is YOU!

The Susan B Komen Race for a Cure is going to be held the first part of May, 2010 in SLC. That is a full 6 1/2 months away, plenty of time to get your heads wrapped around the idea of it. This is not a timed race so don't tell me you are too slow, too old, too fat, too anything.

Every single one of us has a loved one who has fought the battle, some winning and some losing.

Do this with me in their honor.

Okay, who's in? I want replies. POSITIVE replies. Show me what you are made of.

$4.15

Diptera be Damned!

They are attracted to carbon dioxide (exhaling breath), lactic acid, sweat, heat and anything that moves. They need fresh blood to feed the larvae that they have laid in an old rubber tire as far as 40 miles away. They can fly up to 1.5 miles per hour and can zero in on a target from miles away. They prefer blonds (huh?). In other words, I am a convenient fast-food meal for mosquitoes.

My morning ralking routine never varies. The running clothes and shoes are set out the night before so all I have to do is put them on and head out the door. Past experience has proven that if I have to hunt for anything it is easier to fall back into the bed. From May through October there is also another ritual that is performed. One of my many bottles of OFF is sprayed all over any exposed skin, including neck and face.

Due to our exceptionally rainy spring we have been warned that mosquitoes would be a problem this year. They weren't kidding. In spite of two dousings of DEET I am now sporting about eight bites on my legs, neck and arms. There is a spatter of blood on my white running shirt left by the unlucky bugger who was still breakfasting on my shoulder when I smashed him.

These pests hardly ever bother Zeus. But if I step outside without repellent I'll likely get bit. The bad thing is that welts from those bites stay with me for up to two weeks. I usually know immediately that I have been attacked because my scalp starts to itch. Then I begin to swear which emits more carbon dioxide which they love. I swat hysterically at the damn thing, which causes sweat and movement, attracting even more of his little friends!

This morning was particularly bad, especially out by the bay. It's a good thing the coinage was okay.

$3.57

Disclaimer: The above photo is not my leg, although in the past I have sported that many bites after a trip to the ranch.

Toadally Awesome

Today was Toadally Frog day. The Utah Museum of Natural History at the U of U had an exhibit of rare live frogs. On a gray and dreary Grandma Tuesday we decided to travel by train to the big SLC to take a look. Jodi, Little Man and the Princess joined me and the little Erises.

We spent an hour and a half at the museum where the kids saw orange frogs, yellow frogs, tiny frogs and large frogs. In other parts of the museum they looked at dinosaur bones, spiders, displays of native Utah animals and rocks. We all had a good time.

Eris met us for picnic lunch at the large park in front of the museum and the kids had fun running around for a little while. The Princess is accustomed to a harness but Little Man had a tougher time at first. Little Ms. did pretty good keeping them reigned in. In our family we are firm believers in harnesses.

Another ride on the trains and we were all home, ready for naps and to recuperate from the excitement of the day.

One last thing. Today I experienced what was probably the most frightening 10 minutes of my life. I won't go into detail but I will just say that I'm glad that I know how to run fast, probably faster than I ever will run again in my life. Also, you should all give a great big shout-out to Mr. Eris, Jr. This eleven year old young man kept his cool and did exactly what he needed to do in an emergency to protect three little girls. And Jodi, thanks for being there with me!!

$2.45

More photos at the Shooting Blog.

Did I deserve it?

Last night, 1:30 AM, Zeus and I were sleeping soundly when we were rudely awakened by a crashing sound somewhere in the house. After quickly looking around the house I turned on the light in our closet to find that the upper rod bracket that holds all of Zeus' neatly starched and pressed shirts had broken. There was a two foot pile of shirts, ties, belts and other items piled on the floor. It took about ten minutes to move the shirts into another part of the room and (hopefully) stack them so that they wouldn't wrinkle. Then the unpleasant task of going back to sleep started which took another 20 minutes and some crossword puzzle frustration.

Needless to say, I was relieved at 5:45 AM when I awoke to the sound of a downpour, a good excuse for no ralking and to go back to sleep. At 6:25 AM Zeus woke me again to tell me that it was no longer raining hard and if I put on a windbreaker it should be a nice morning. Ten minutes later I was in the car headed south for my usual hot spot when I had to turn on the windshield wipers, FULL SPEED! Zeus must have been expecting the cell phone call that I made to him because his first words were "I'm sorry, it wasn't doing this when I woke you".

The ralking was mostly running this morning, partly to keep warm. By the time I got home two hours later I was soaked through my lined windbreaker and my shoes were sloshing with each step. Wet clothing is hanging out to dry all over the garage and bathroom.

On the positive side, the roads were void of cars and the smell of rain was wonderful. Also, the numismatising was good. The weird find this morning was at a 7-11. Two quarters, a dime and a nickel, all stacked neatly on a sidewalk right in front of a Highway Patrol car in the parking lot.

Now I need to get that closet rod repaired. Zeus told me this morning that he is going to pare down the number of shirts that go back in the closet. That means a trip to the DI tomorrow! Yippee!

$4.13 1/2

The Quarter Goddess

The Goddess of Quarters was smiling on me this morning. While out on my extended Sunday ralk it seemed that each time I turned a corner or looked in a newspaper stand there was a quarter just waiting to be lovingly put in my left pocket. Dimes seemed to be plentiful as well. For some reason nickels are the hardest to come by. (Bleason, thoughts on this?) Pennies are a piece of cake.

The weather was perfect, a gentle breeze and bright, angled sunshine to make the waiting coinage look like it's winking at me. I just kept ralking, knowing that my left pocket was getting full and heavy. When I finally got home Zeus was out on the deck reading. He was impressed when I let him feel what was in my pocket (heh, heh, heh..). Here are the stats.

Quarters: 17

Dimes: 21

Nickels: 6

Pennies: 89

Total: $7.54

Time spent walking: 3 1/2 hours

I am sure that this total will stand forever. It was just a freaky day. For the last five years I have been unable to come up with good explanations about why some ralks are more lucrative than others. Perhaps this time I might attribute the large amount to the recent good weather and that more people are outside. Regardless, I thank all of you who so graciously donated to the all-time high that was waiting for me this morning.

Note: Zeus is very methodical in his counting of the coins. Pennies go in stacks of five, nickels in stacks of five, dimes in stacks of ten and quarters in stacks of four. Today after he was finished I turned them all into a big smiley face which seemed appropriate!

Ain't no mountain high enough

Eris has been nagging me since last summer to go running the trails with her and a couple of other ladies. I've managed to come up with all kinds of excuses to avoid it until this morning.

My best reason for not going was that there was NO MONEY UP THERE! She promised to go ahead of me and drop coins.

A few days ago she reminded me that the pool was closed this morning so I agreed to go.

At 6:30 AM we headed out from her house for a 90 minute walk/run/hike. After the rainfall in the last few days the trail was not dusty and the skies were clear and beautiful. The wildflowers were in bloom and the views over the valley were wonderful.

I thoroughly enjoyed this change of pace. The question that remains is how will my knees feel tomorrow morning? I think I'll go take some Tylenol right now.

$.44 found at a gas station on our way home

Note: For those of you not familiar with our area the top photo is the small city where we live. The tall mountain named Ben Lomond in the distance is the view from our deck. Our home is on the shadow/sun line all the way to the left of the picture. The middle image is looking to the northwest towards the Oquirrh Mountains over the city. The skies are not often clear enough to see the mountains like this.

What's that smell?

Finally, it's time to put away the long sweat pants and sweat jacket. Last week I was still wearing a turtleneck on my early morning ralks. Today the temp was 91. Tonight I will get out the shorts and sleeveless running shirts so my arms don't get those cute farmer tans. But that's not really what I want to talk about today.



The pool opens next weekend and that means I have six days to lose 15 pounds. Think I can do it? Yeah, probably not. I've gotten off to a good start in the last three days. I'm very ticked at myself because I didn't start this two months ago. Oh wait, I did. Numerous times.




There is a big problem that has come up in the mornings. My olfactory system is under attack by four different bakeries on my route. The first place is McDs and their Cinnamon Melts. No sooner am I clearing my nostrils from that wonderful smell when I go past Burger King and their Cini Minis. About thirty minutes later I am passing a Sara Lee Outlet and Ihop Pancake House. Mmmm, Belgian Waffles.... One block away from the finish line the grocery store bakery is in full swing blowing out the aroma of freshly baked bread and chocolate frosted cake donuts .

So how am I going to get all of those Milky Ways and Cadbury Eggs off my legs and butt in the next six days if I am constantly being assaulted in this cruel way?

drum roll please...
$3.58
plus 18 cents that Littlest picked up for me and wouldn't give back!

ID tags

A few years ago when I started running, back in the days when I did it for purely exercise and before I discovered the joys of numismatizing, Athena and Eris presented me with this dog tag. The little golden medallion is engraved with my name, address and phone number. On the pink nylon ribbon is written We Love You. BJJA?, the faded initials of my grandchildren (pre-Littlest).

I think my girls were worried that if I ended up smashed on the street there would be no way to identify me other than the top-secret decoder which is now gone. (I still miss it sometimes.) I wore the tag around my ankle every time I tied on my running shoes until last year when I forgot a few times and then got out of the habit. I started wearing it again this morning.

When I am on the streets I travel light, no Ipod, money or ID of any kind. Occasionally there are car keys in my pocket when I have driven to the pool parking lot and started from there.

Yesterday morning I had an experience that has prompted me to carry one more thing. As I was finishing up my ralk and had pretty much cleaned up the drive-thrus, parking lots and streets I noticed a fellow in front of me who was obviously looking for coins. He had an old coat and backpack on and I assumed he was homeless. I was near my car so I ran back to grab a stashed $5 bill hoping to buy him breakfast at McDs. I forgot that I had taken everything out of the car the day before when it was being serviced. He disappeared before I could get back to him. I felt bad all day about it.

This morning the first thing I did was to purchase some cards. I'll carry one in my right pocket (left is for found coinage) and be prepared next time.

$.72

My fellow street people

It's always nice to come home. We had three days of total relaxation and sightseeing. Now it's time to get back to the business of living. We pulled in the driveway not even three hours ago and Zeus has already left to go teach a class.

In response to a post from bleason over at the Money Walker I am going to relate an experience that Zeus and I had two years ago.

In the mornings when I go out to numismatize one stop on my route is a McDs that is located across the street from the swimming pool. Often Zeus would stop in there to pick up a cup of "senior coffee" and our paths would cross. Whenever that happened I would go inside and chat for a few seconds, sometimes even stealing a second good-morning kiss before resuming my ralk. We were both well known in this fine establishment by most of the employees.

One morning I spied his car there and went in for a quick hello. After I left an obviously new employee went to Zeus, quizzed him about our conversation and wanted to know if I was panhandling (did I mention that I'm a beauty that time of the morning!). She kindly offered to"take care" of the problem if I was bothering him. He laughed and explained it all to her.

bleason, if you are interested I am linking to a few other posts that tell of my past experiences with fellow street people. You can find them here and here and here.

$00.00 (turbulent flight so I couldn't wander the aisles)

(The above image was taken in one of the miles and miles of artichoke fields of California. Norma Jean, aka Marilyn Monroe was the Artichoke Queen of Castroville in 1948. Just a little trivia....)

Rain, and then some

Woke up this morning at 5:45 and the first thing I noticed was the rain pounding hard on the window. My running clothes had been put out last night in anticipation of a good run to work off some of those Cadbury Eggs. Damn. No ralking today.

The next thing I notice is that I have a bad headache, my gut hurts (too many Cadbury Eggs?) and my legs are like noodles. I got dressed in my regular clothing and ate my usual yogurt and shredded wheat while reading the paper (boring news day). My mood worsened.

Ah ha!! Who cares if it's raining outside. Changed into the running clothes and headed out. After ninety minutes of ralking I was soaked through all three layers and my shoes and socks needed wringing out. But the headache was gone, the gut is fine and the legs are ready to go again tomorrow.

Came home and ate a Cadbury Egg. Yes, they are almost gone.

$.77
$.06 additional finds by Zeus
Two car wash tokens

Some of you were already introduced to my lair-mate yesterday. You liked him so much that I decided to let everyone else meet him.
This guy has been living in the window sill right in front of my computer for two days. He is a fast little bugger and I can't catch him to relocate him outside. As long as he doesn't wander across my keyboard I guess he can stay. Maybe he doesn't like the rain.