NEW YEAR POWER

There is nothing more powerful to make sure you keep a new year's resolution than getting yourself in so deep you cannot back out without having egg all over your face. Let's face it, getting on a treadmill in January because you said you wanted to loose a few pounds or improve your brain isn't the most exciting thing to dedicate yourself to after the holidays. And, even with a TV to stare at, your chances of success are not great.

I decided not to mess around. I have a treadmill - a very expensive one - gathering dust in the corner of a "catch-all" room. That is the very reason I quit using it. I had to navigate my way through boxes and bags to get to the darn thing. Of course it was colder than heck because we kept the door closed. The biggest excuse was the fact that I'd lost the manual and, thanks to my advancing age, could no longer program the huge monster. It took me longer to figure out how to turn it on and set the warm up program than the length of time I was on it.


I was a '50s woman - well, girl, and
now I'm a next century senior citizen.
I come with all of the credentials like
white hair, a few wrinkles [not many
thanks to my heritage.] and the
attitude that 70 years of experience
entitle me to know the ansers to everything! [Ha Ha]. Unfortunately I don't have the answers to how to regain my 50s youth - or as it is commonly referred to as "The Good Old Days." I don't do botox, facelifts, or dye my hair. I love the color of my hair and even frosted it for years so why would I want to color it now that it is the way I like it. I earned the wrinkles fairly and squarely and have convinced myself that it gives my face character. Sure!

So, I decided this year that I would not fail again. I am changing the room into an "activities room." That basically means that I will move the old "catch-all" stuff out and move in new "catch-all" stuff to keep me company. Well, one thing led to another and now my sewing machine and everything that goes with it are now in one corner. I have restarted my studying of sumi-e Japanese art and have moved all of my art supplies I brought back from Japan into the room in a place of honor. I did not discipline myself well enough in my office because I couldn't tear myself away from computer solitare.

I couldn't possibly put these two additional hobbies in the room if I didn't spruce it up a bit. That required curtains, a rug, lamp, radio, and chair. Of course I couldn't forget Dakota. He had to have a bed to sleep on since he goes everywhere I go. And I needed something to keep him away from the treadmill because he wanted to get on it with me. I was not about to teach him to walk behind me for reasons I won't go into now.

I thought of better things to do that might have a better payoff in the long run but they either cost too much or I didn't have someone that would share with me. So much for you can't go back.......

So now, I have so much invested in my new "activities room" I cannot ignore the treadmill. And, as luck would have it, the company found a dusty old copy of the manual and has sent it to me. I have to save face now and I am committed to walking all of those miles. But the best part is, when I'm done each day...I'm still home. It's not that far to the bar and my pre-dinner cocktail. Oh, I already walked off those calories - .