Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 31

Hi Team!

It has been another lazy Sunday. I like Sundays!

Pete logged only 2215 steps today. I don't mind. I like having a day of rest.

My fluid intake today was down for the first time in a while. I probably only drank about a quart of fluids today. I will probably regret that tomorrow. We shall see.

I don't really have much to report today. I am getting ready for bed. Oh, and I'm also looking forward to Saturday, the 17th for the next Fire Buff Battalion meeting. I can hardly wait.

Until tomorrow when I write again, Stay Safe!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 31

Hi Team!

Today has been a really terrific day, mostly.

Coach Alex and I made up for missing yesterday's walk by meeting this morning to walk instead. Our usual route has been somewhat modified. It seems the mall is now under construction and our path of the perimeter has been blocked. We now have to go around a huge section of parking lot. This is not really so much of a problem, it actually adds distance. The real problem (at least for a brief moment) is the fact that they have blocked access to the steps we have been using for climbing. HOwever, on our walk around the perimeter, detour included, I noticed that just a short distance out of our way there are two sets of steps leading up to Toys R Us, on the side of their building. There are only 9 steps to a flight there, where as the former Nordstrom's entrance had ten (two sets of five with a small landing inbetween sets). The nine steps all in one shot seem to be comparable, until I started climbing them. The individual steps were higher and the stairways were steeper. After 4 trips up and down I commented that I would probably make 6 and move on. At first, Coach Alex didn't encourage me. Neither did she discourage me.
But then she stopped talking and looked at me, after a moment I said, "What?" She gave me a hard time BRIEFLY and then I had to kick my own a.. and keep myself going, finishing 12 sets. YAY ME!!!

Pete says my total step count was 9,256. I am pleased enough with that count. Still hoping to reach 10,000 daily on regular days that are not exercise days.

I drank about 2 quarts today, a tad bit over that really. I am happy enough with that.

The rough part of the day was that today was the TFD's open house events. I attended the one at station 11. Unfortunately, all the people with kids of their own i had planned to go with changed their minds for various reasons. Coach Alex offered to go with me so that I wouldn't have to go alone. I hate to go with out kids to fire department things because I don't want to be seen as a fireman groupie. WHile I admit I DO like to look at firemen, that isn't the primary draw. I grin wider and more easily at shiny fire engines than firemen. Alex and I showed up and I spoke to two firefighters who were manning the goodie table. I asked for a plastic firehat because the custodian at the school I work in, knowing I am "into" the fire department and would be attending the event asked me to pick one up if I could for his grandson. His grandson wants to be a firefighter for halloween and mom made him a nice set of turnout gear but he needed a hat. Nobody was going to be able to make it to the open houses to get one. The firefighters kindly gave me a hat and made sure I got a stick on badge as well. Then they said to just take a whole goodie bag. I then inquired as to weather or not they had a pen with the TFD logo on it, explaining that I was starting to collect fire department pens. They didn't have one, just some cool pencils which they offered me. I was very impressed though that one of the firefighters took his personal pen out of his pocket and examined it to see if it might fit the bill. It was a nice pen! I do believe he would have given it to me if it had had the logo. FIrefighters are such NICE people. Oh, yeah, I said there was a rough part to this. Ok, well, I'm getting there already. I had planned and hoped to speak with the paramedics at the station about the process of becoming a paramedic and the process of becoming one for the fire department, specifically. Unfortunately today was one of those days when I got an attack of the shy's. I couldn't bring myself to do it. Alex asked me which ones were the paramedics and all I could do was say, "well, how should I know? I don't hang out here or anything. I just drive by every day." I felt very awkward haning around there and finally I gave up and left. AUUUUUGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!! Why do I DO that sometimes? Firefighters are nice, not scary. There were both male and female firefighters there so it wasn't that kind of an issue. In fact I have noticed when I drive by the station and see them out with the rigs, more often than not that at least one of the paramedics on shift is a woman. I just don't get what makes me feel so self conscious, silly, awkward and shy! How will I ever get past that? Pray for me, please! God is able.

To finish with a positive note: a nice lady from church approached me at a special event I went to today. She said, "Karen I bought you something."
This is an older, retired woman who is trying to help support her daughter and her family and who is on a fixed income. She presented me with a beautiful skirt. It is a 1x size. WHen I started all this I wore a 2x and sometimes they were tight. I tried this on to see if I can wear it to church on SUnday. It fits! It is even a bit on the loose side! (I will have it taken in if need be later.) What an encouragement from my friend Sharon. What a blessing.

Okay, to bed now. Way overdue.

Stay Safe!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 30

Hi Team!

I almost forgot to blog! OOOPS!!

Today was an interesting day. Because there was no school in University Place today, my job was an all day job rather than the usual split. I was fortunate enough to have the opening shift. SWEET! 6:15-12:15, then off! The down side, I didn't get my walk in today. (But Coach Alex and I are instead meeting at 9:00am on Saturday to walk.

Despite not intentionally exercising PETE recorded 9886 steps today. YAY ME!!

I have had about 2 quarts of fluids today, mostly water even!

I'm very tired and over due for bed so I'll write at you all more another time.

Stay Safe!!!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 29

Hi Team!

Today has been a great day. It was beautiful out and I am feeling pretty darn good about the loss of inches I recorded yesterday. And Coach Alex left me a great, encouraging comment on my blog, that was especially nice. Thanks, Chicky.

Today Pete documented 10,136 steps! YAY ME! It wasn't even an "exercise day." Tomorrow is supposed to be but I have to work and then I have other commitments, so we will see what happens.

I drank right around two quarts today so I'm still on track there.

I still need to get more sleep. I am not very disciplined in this department at all! (I'm sure nobody has noticed that, though!) Speaking of which, I should be doing that now so "Hasta luego y...."

Stay Safe!

Hotflash out!

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 28

Hi Team!

Well today is the day, day 28. I've officially been climbing this ladder for 4 weeks. First thing is first though.

Today Pete recorded 8,833 steps before 11:00 a.m. At that time I changed my clothes and accidently left Pete behind so I have no idea how much I did after that. SIGH

I drank about 2 quarts today so that isn't really news anymore.

OKAY, I know some of you are waiting for this so here it is.

First, I did not lose ANY weight, I actually gained 3 lbs. 0_0

However, this is what I found when I took my measurements:

Day 2 Day 28

Chest 39" Chest 38"
Bust 48" Bust 45"
Waist 48.5" Waist 44.25"
Hips 54" Hips 52"
Upper arm 14" Upper arm 14"
Thigh 25" Thigh 23 "

I've lost 12.25 inches!!! YAY ME!!

I hope that on Day 56 I will show improvements from today's results.

Well, I have to go to sleep now.

Stay Safe!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 27

Hi Team!

Today Pete say's I walked 5,924 steps. I'm still trying to figure out how to bring that number up during the course of my day.

I drank about 70 ounces today. YAY ME! I am so happy that it is becoming a habit. I cannot say the same about exercise yet, but I wish I could. Next week I am going to try and increase the stairs on my walks from 12 sets to 15. That might be too soon, but I'm going to try. I figure that when 30 is a piece of cake, I will start wearing a backpack or something.

Tomorrow is the day I officially weigh in and re-take my measurements. I am a little nervous about it. I am not sure why. I guess I am afraid I will be disappointed but no matter what, I shouldn't be. Already I am feeling better and have more energy. My clothes are fitting better. My son said I look healthier and seem to be more energetic and upbeat. Really I have nothing to complain about!

Well, I am off to bed. I have about 6 hours until I have to get up. I guess I still need to figure that one out, huh?

Remember to test your smoke detectors and STAY SAFE!

Hotflash out.

Report From Ladder Company 40 -Day 26

Hi Team!

This will be a short post. It is late and I need to sleep.

Today Pete recorded 12, 649 steps. I'm doing great on walk days but still need to consistantly hit 8,000 on the off days.

I drank two and a half quarts today. YAY ME. It is starting to be come a habit to drink. I don't have to think about it much any more.

I only got about 5 hours to sleep. If I get off now, I will have about 6 1/2 hours before I have to get up. Needless to say, that IS the plan.

Before I go, I would like to send out a special thank you to Coach Alex. Although she was feeling under the weather today, she still got up and got out to come walk with me and encourage me. Alex, you're the best friend ever!

Be sure and check with your local fire departments this week for any open houses and special events. This is national fire prevention week. For anyone who wants to make my day, I am collecting pens with fire department logos! hint hint. :D

Thanks for reading and for encouraging me.

Stay safe!

Hotflash out.