I find myself having a hard time getting to my blog and I am soory. This has been a very stress filled week and I am really trying to do my best. A very good friend of mine lost her father to cancer this week and of course it makes you reflect on things in your own life. Jim also lost a special cousin to death this week and we are dealing with arrangements for his services. But as always there are positvie things to keep me balanced. Dayne spent the night tuesday, so he walked some with Becky, Jax, Jim and I, not as far as usual, but thats ok. I should say Dayne rode his bike, he can ride without training wheels, now he needs to learn to stop. lol. Dawson has been a big comfort to me with his words of wisdom. As usual I am thankful for my family and their support, we are trucking along to Texas, even tho it is a few miles this week, I am moving. I need to mention Toby, Jax, Rose, Dayne and I walked to the library. Guess which dog got loose and made an entrance into the library? Until next time.

Jim and I went to the YMCA and exercised because of the rain. I like going to the Y with Jim, they will be closed next week for annual maintainance, so we are on our own next week. On Friday night Madison, Brady, Blake and I took a short stroll, but we did move. Saturday we played at the park with Dyan, G and gang. I enjoyed my weekend even tho I didn't get as much walking as I planned, I spent valuable time with my family. The great-nieces and nephews bring much needed joy to my life and I am very thankful for them. I have gone 64 miles and I need to pick up speed or I won't get any where, so I will work on that for now. Thanks for your support. Stay tuned for the next update.

I am sorry I haven't been blogging. I have been having some bad times and I am getting back on track. Becky, Mr'T', mom, Jax and I walked last night. It was nice to have mom join us, I enjoyed that and it did encourage me. Becky and I are getting back into our routine. I don't know what I would accomplish without her. Becky is my encouragement and she doesn't push me, not hard anyway. She lets me set the pace. If I don't feel like walking, she encourages me and lets me decide. I am trying really hard to get back to my routine. Jax is a big help, he misses his walk if I don't go. He needs out as much as me and he really enjoys it. When let him loose to run, he is such a joy to watch. He is usually wet from head to toe, but that is okay with me. Heather, thank you and I promise I won't give up. Madison is going to walk with me this weekend and I am looking forward to that, thanks Madison, see you Friday. Until next time. I will update you on my progress and where I am at.

We made it to interstate 474. My next goal is shorted-13.4 miles to interstate 74 toward Indianapolis. I have gone 5 1/2 miles on 74. Yesterday Jax had his surgery to be altered and hernia repair, so he was out of it. But Becky decided he should still walk with us and so she brought over Mr.T's stroller and we took Jax along. He enjoyed it, even tho he really wanted to run, but I don't want him to get anything in his incisions, so no grassy ditches for him until he heals. Becky and Jim continue to be a big encouragement to me and I am truly thankful for their support. We added some distance to our walk last night. Heather, I want to thank you for your tips and comments, your support means alot to me also, it helps keep me motivated. I need to come down and walk with my little helpers Brady and Madison. (I am Blake would like to join us too) Madison always says "you can make it, I will help you." Gotta love her, she makes me smile. Will let you know when we makeit to our next goal. We have a few short ones then a long one. Talk to you all later. Thank You.

On Wednesday becky and I got back on track and walked. Jim and Jax walked with us. So it was a nice walk. we took a different route and that was nice for a change. Thursday we had a special guest on our walk, my great nephew Dalton joined Becky, Jax and I. I wanted to go a short walk and Dalton made me go my regular route, nice to have encouragement from the younger crowd. Then Dalton stayed all night while Becky went to work. I really enjoyed that. Friday was not a great day for my walking. Becky picked Dalton up, then I ended up in the emergency room with Jim, he has acute bronchitis, chest x-ray was clear, they did a breathing treatment and it imporved his lung sounds. He has to use an inhaler and take antibiotics and hopefully we can finally kick this cough. We had lunch with three of my aunts, two cousins from out of state and mom, some others who joined in, that was enjoyed by all. Then I had adoctors appointment. WE got there at one pm and left at 4:30 pm. Long day of sitting. Then we went to watch Jim's son race. So not a great walking day. I need tips or ideas on how to get moving on busy days. I am 1.32 miles from 474, so I plan on being on 474 sometime today. Stay tuned for my next goal.

I haven't made it very far this week, I need to get moving. I only walked .25 miles yesterday today is so rainy I should have went to the y to walk but I had a visitor this morning, then went to Monmouth and watched Dawson and Dalton for Dyan. I had fun with the guys, but I haven't walked yet. The rain makes it hard to get motivated. Tommorow is a new day. On a more positive note I am starting my third week walking. Yeah...........

The relay for life walk is over and I enjoyed doing that. I was there for three hours and walked three miles. Of course I rested more, it was cold, 62 degrees, made for good walking weather. I saw some people I knew and got to visit with them. I had a good time, got home about 1 am. Saturday I was tired so I only logged in 1 1/2 miles. Today starts a new work week for Becky, so we will walk tonight. Betty Ann is walking on her lunch break and she is on her way to meet me. Keep going Betty, slow and steady gets us there. I have 9 miles to make it to interstate 474. My second goal will be met. Stay tuned to see when I make it. Thanks to those who comment and encourage me.

hello-on the 14th I walked the track at the YMCA and I swan and exercised in the pool for 45 minutes. It felt good to get in the pool. Then Jax, Jim, Becky and I walked. It rained so we didn't go as far as usual. Yesterday Jim was off work all day. I didn't log in many steps because I wasn't feeling well. Jim and Becky (jax too) walked without me. Jim has been a big encouragement, he won't park in handicap parking, he makes me take extra steps and encourages me to move when I don't want to. I am 16.92 miles from interstate 474. Becky and I plan to do the Relay for Life walk on Friday night, so maybe I will log in some extra steps. Stay tuned and I will let you know how it goes. Thanks to everyone for commenting I appreciate it. And Betty Ann, keep up the good work, how far are you? Adam I am counting on you to keep mom going. Love you more!!!!!!!!

Saturday I walked at the mall, so I walked alone. Not as much fun without Jax. but I was at South Park which is bigger and I made the whole loop. Sunday it was Jm, Jax, Becky and I. I reached another smaler goal in distance, ya. When I went to the store I did not park in handicap parking. I parked down a ways and walked. Another small step. Today I moved our yard and I can't believe I logged in one mile. Becky, Jax and I will be walking tonight. Also Betty Ann has asked if she can meet me half way and show me her new house. I think that is a great idea. I have been on the journey for 1 week now and I feel good about it. I was kinda discouraged but Jim set me straight and encouraged me to keep going. Thank you all of your comments. I need them. See down the road.-

Last night Jax and I statred out alone and Jim came to meet us when he came home. I am 30and 1/2 miles from 474. It was very difficult to start out by ourselves,but Jax and I did it and I felt better. Iam sleeping better. On a funny note, Jim threw out my walking shoes by mistake, on pic-up day, so they are gone. Thankfully I have another pair, new, so I have to break them in. I forgave him.

Hello. I am still learning and working on my skills at this blogging. On the 8th mom, Mr. T, Becky,Jax and I made to interstate 74. It was fun walking with two dogs. Jax wants play with Mr.T. last night my greatniece,Leah and her friend Amber, joined Jax, Becky, Jim and I, and we logged in another mile for me. I was having trouble getting motivated last night, but Becky came to my rescue and got me moving. I didn't get as far as I wanted, but I did move and that is wants important. I am slow making changes in my eating habits. The girls spent the night and they didn't have alot of choices for snacks, I should say their choices. The told me I needed cookies, I said no way, bombpops, no way, McDonalds run, no way. They finally settled for pretzels and water. They will adjust just like me. Jax and I are on our own today, Becky does work tonight. Jim may join us since he gets off works early, he is a big encouragement but sometimes is to easy on me. Could that be because he can't leave like Becky???? lol. I will check in later and let you know how our weekend goes. Thanks to those who have commented.

my niece, Heather, is helping me get this set up, be patient I am a slow learner with computers. Last night Jim, Jax, Becky and I headed off and we are real close to the interstate 74. Jax is so funny, he will get ahead of me and then stop and look back to see if I am coming. Becky trys to get him to run ahead with her, but he waits for his mama. I am working on getting my pedometer going, I walked 2801 steps last night, but I somehow didn't get distance. We walked 35 minutes. I have a new goal for today, stay tuned I will let you know if I make it.

my journey started july 6, 2009

my journey: i will explain. my sister has really been trying to encourage me to exercise and eat better. after my knee surgery in november we all knew my next step to help, was try and get some weight off my bones. I promised Dr. Bussey, if he did my surgery, i would work hard on loosing weight. I have been very lax in holding up my end of the bargain. Becky works at Gates and they started a program to walk around the world and each plant competites with the other plants to see who can get there first. I wanted to join their team, but you have to be an emploee. So, I decided to set my own goal and create a blog to journal it and get encourage or tips from family and friends. For those who know me best, where is one of my most favorite places to visit? If you guessed SanAntonio, Texas, You are right. So, I set a long goal to walk to San Antonio. I have small goals as I go. For family and friends enroute, I will be stopping to visit on my way. My friend Kathy, by Champaign,Il., my brother Kevin, Arkansas and my sister, Cathy in Texas. If anyone else would like a visit and it is enroute, I will stop by. We haven't worked out all the details yet, but last night Becky, Jim, Jax(my faithful dog) and I statred my journey. Some days it will be just Jax and me, other days I will have company. My first short goal is make it to Interstate 74, be patient it is a slow start, but I hope to pick up speed as I go. I think it is only 3 or 4 miles to the interstate, so i hope to be there today and then I will set my next goal, i am half way. I will try keep updated often. I will like anyone who is willing to help me, encouragement and tips from you will be a big help. It is a long journey, but I know with help from family and friends I can make. Thank you Becky for getting me started and being on my journey with me, i love you and I appreciate your encouragement.