We took a little trip to the port of New Orleans

We got up at 4:30 to heavy rain in Oklahoma City. Thank goodness for my wonderful sister-in-law who got us to the airport, so we didn't have to stand in long term parking for a shuttle in the wee hours of the morning.

No problems getting through security.

Then we got to the gate. Boarding time came and went. Mechanical problems made the airline cancel the flight. So the simple OKC to Houston to New Orleans became something more.

The next two flights to Houston were already overbooked. By the time I got to the counter, the poor guy was frazzled. Apparently the group of five women on their way to Sodona were, shall we say, "demanding". So I smiled, laughed, and just asked him to get us to NO. It took him a bit, but we were out of OKC by 11 a.m.

True, we were going to Detroit, but that's where we were connecting to a flight to New Orleans. We may have flown to Detroit coach, but the counter guy booked us first class from Detroit to New Orleans. That was nice.

The New Orleans airport smells of beignets. This may be difficult. We have a fridge and microwave in the hotel room, so perhaps we'll go to market and "make groceries".

We are currently expecting dinner to be delivered momentarily.

food labels

Saw this on FB and had to share. So true, so true. LMAO

End of the 3rd Week: Daily Magic

Week 1
Bust: 44 inches
Waist: 37 inches
Hips: 41 inches

Week 2
Bust: 42 inches
Waist: 36.5 inches
Hips: 40 inches

Week 3
Bust: 41 inches
Waist: 36 inches
Hips: 39.5 inches


Morning Salutations (before I run)

Oldest of the Ancient Ones
Whose Name is lost to modern tongues,
Air, Fire, Water, Earth,
Joined to Spirit from my birth.
She who calls honors Thee:
Mother of All Things,
One with me.

Sunrise:

At the gates of Dawn I stand,
Mother of All Things at my hand.
Guard me with your magic power,
Guide me through the crossroads hour,
From the beauty of the Night
To the glory of the Light.

2 Running/walking mantras/chants (italicized words or syllables are cadence steps for the left foot).

I am one with Earth and Air,
I am Fire and Water.
I answered the Call
Of the Oldest of the Ancient Ones;
I am Her daughter.

or

Every step increases my magic.
Every step empowers me.
Every step increases my metabolism.
Every step means a healthier me.

At the end of the run/walk

Spirits of Air, come be with me,
Fill me with Your energy.
Spirits of Fire, come be with me,
Burn the fat right off of me.
Spirits of Water come be with me,
Flush the fat away from me.
Spirits of Earth come be with me,
Reshape my body and strengthen me.

Bear in mind that my path is one of primitive singularity. I am not a follower of Wiccan traditions. I walk alone, and my ways are my own.

New Orleans Witches Ball: Persephone's Descent

I am taking my 90 year old Mother to New Orleans for the ball. She is going as Winter. And I have finished her mask (it's a formal masquerade in a mansion in the Garden district).

This is my Mom at age 12.

I am going as Autumn. My mask isn't quite done, but you get the drift.

This is me in Ireland (2002).

I'm trying to get back to that size.

Places from My Past and Future

 First attempt at making a video.
First attempt at inserting video.
I have so got to get back to work and finish the laundry.

3 Dog Night. Uhhhh,umm, make that "CAT"

Years ago I read that the aborigines  of Australia considered a really cold night to be a 3 dog night--that being the number of dogs needed to keep warm.  Having lost considerable weight since January, I am finding that I am affected more by temperature than in previous years--no insulation, as it were.  This morning, the alarm clock went off at 4:40. Buster, the grey tiger shorthair who entered my life 2 years ago at Halloween (literally; he just walked into the house every time I opened the door to trick-or-treaters) was snugged into a knot between my ankles. Punkin, the starving, bedraggled 5 week old mewling handful of orange tabby that was gifted to me last Halloween (do you detect a trend here?) by my next-door-neighbor, had plunked his 15 pounds of tim-cat (calling him a "tom" would be untruthful now, wouldn't it?) along my right side. And JeepersCreepers, the tortoiseshell queen I received last May as a terrified 5 week old kit from my roomie (who should have known what would happen when she called me to her office with "come quick, I'm about to do something stupid"--I though she was going postal on her sexist misogynistic boss) because she was almost run over in the parking lot, was burrowed between the quilts and sleeping against my left side.

Ever try to extract yourself from the bed without disturbing a cat? Or 3 cats?

Sigh...

Needless to say, I got to the running trail a tad later than normal. Mostly because JeepersCreepers is really good at hiding things. Watches. Shoes. Toilet paper.

Don't ask. It isn't pretty.

I got out of my car and saw the first bit of vandalism.  The trash bin had been removed from the containment holder and the trash strewn all about--including the length of rebar I had removed from a tree the day before.  I picked it up, and replaced the bin. Then I started the run.

At the top of the northern most loop I saw a newly made wooden picnic table. I thought "how nice. The older walkers will like that". Kept on going. Stars were bright, quartermoon overhead. Cold crisp air. On my 3rd mile on the east loop I saw something in the creek. Large, white. Not normal. I stopped and went down the bank. Another new picnic table, top pulled apart, upside down in the water. Also another trash bin floating nearby. I managed to get the large part of the table out of the creek. I couldn't reach the others bits and pieces.

Oddly enough, for the first time in days, I had my cell phone with me. So I called the police and reported the vandalism. It was a bit after 6 a.m. I did 5 more miles while waiting for the police to come by. I finished 8 miles and left after sunrise (about 7:20 or so??). 

The picnic tables were not there when I ran Wednesday, so they were placed in the park sometime during the day. The lady who walks the Boston terrier (whose name is Buster) said that she had seen something white in the creek at 9 last night. The young man with the black-mouth cur named Rufus (looks mean, but might slap you to death with his tail while attempting to drown you in drooling slobber kisses--the dog, not the boy) said he hadn't noticed anything.

When I find the rest of the toilet paper, I'm going to write "inconsiderate park vandals" on it and use it appropriately. With intent.

 I'll post stats on Sauturday.

End of 2nd Week

This is where I started

Bust: 44 inches
Waist: 37 inches
Hips: 41 inches

Here is where I am

Bust: 42 inches
Waist: 36.5 inches
Hips: 40 inches

Haven't lost much in weight (it's bouncing around 161 to 159). But midterms are done, fall break is next week, and I'm heading to New Orleans after that. 5 days in the City that Never Sleeps--I hope the hotel has a treadmill, or I may be walking up and down Decatur for hours on end. And Decatur has too many restaurants.

Thanks, Magaly.  My roommate is making my ballgown for the New Orleans Witches Ball, and she told me she wasn't going to alter it again. So I may go into maintenance mode for a bit. I can't seem to figure out how to reply to comments.

Fitness Update

BodyMedia FIT data for October 12, 2011

www.bodymedia.com

Calories Burned - 2180 |

Calories Consumed - 1498 |

Total Activity - 1:49 |

Moderate Activity - 1:38 |

Vigorous Activity - 0:11 |

Steps Taken - 15567

Trying out a way to post stats.

my sister-in-law sent this, for the fitness challengees

Knot Magic in Stone

A witches ladder in stabilized turquoise, coin pearls, and red coral on silver.  Being an herb, stone, and bone old crone (a cardinal Earth Capricorn), I have a tendency to transform or translate spell aids into forms that I can use with greater ease.

And with this post, I have learned to add photos to my blog!

Week One Done

It's Saturday, and the first week of the Fitness Challenge is done. So,

"The time has come, the Walrus said, to speak of many things".

Diet goes well until afternoon. It's like I unhinge my jaws and tip the fridge when I get in from work! I'm increasing the caloric intake to 1300 to 1500 per diem.
Exercise: 18 miles total this week (will try for two more this evening to get it to an even twenty miles).

No weight loss, no weight gain. Metabolism needs a kick start, which is why I'm increasing the caloric intake. Water intake is OK, but could be better, especially in the afternoon.

Stress levels: once I complete the power points for my college class, it will be a lot easier. I needed to change the text, and I'm glad I did, but the old power points Imade just don't cut it.

And why do I find myself teaching college students HOW to properly take notes?

I have discovered that my computer cookie proplem that prevents me from posting on other blogs can be circumvented by replying via my iPad. Thanks, Steve Jobs! Love this little doodad.

Slip sliding on diet? No hair shirt here.

Monday.
That word usually says it all.
I have tried to post on the other Challenge blogs, but I keep getting this "cookie" message.
Not a white chocolate macadamia nut cookie.
Nor an oatmeal-cranberry-almond cookie.
Those types of cookies I understand.
Computer cookies--not so much. (so I'll call the IT guy at work in the morning).
So, Fellow Blog People (which sounds rather like a B grade 1950s horror movie title), bear with the ineptitude of the computer illiterati.

My 4 year old grandson called this evening with this important message:

"Gaia! I'm gonna be a big brother, 'cause Mommy has a baby in her tummy!" Life is good.

Someone somewhere in Blogosphere wanted a Lentil recipe.

Onion, chopped,
carrots, diced
celery, chopped
garlic
EVOO
ham, diced (optional)
lentils (red or green)
chipotle chilis in adobo (or plain chopped green chilis...oh, heck use a can of Rotel, if you want).
parsley
bay (laurel)
summer savory
pinch of cinnamon
pepper (cayenne, black, white, all or combo)
sea salt
water

Saute large handfull of onion in EVOO in stock pot
add smaller handfull each of carrots and celery, stir
add 3 cloves garlic, minced  and saute about 2 minutes
add ham
add 6 to 8 cups HOT water
about 1 lb dry lentils (maybe 2 cups?)
bring to simmer, add chilis and herbs/spices
simmer to desired tenderness--15 to 20 minutes.
serve over whole grain brown rice

calories about 160/1 cup serving lentils (no rice)

Get Off the Broom: measurements

I don't have anyone to take a photo, so:
Bust: 44 inches
Waist: 37 inches
Hips: 41 inches

1 October 2011
I have never blogged before.
I will make mistakes blogging.
I will not be too proud to ask advice.

I have joined the "Get Off Your Broomstick Fitness Challenge".
 I am pushing 60 years. A year ago, I weighed 214 pounds. I now weigh 160 pounds. I did not have surgery. I gained weight the easy way. I am removing it the old fashioned hard way--diet and exercise.

I slip on the diet. I try very hard not to slip on the exercise.

When I began, I couldn't walk two blocks without becoming out of breath.

I began slowing, walking to the local grade school (3 blocks); after a week, I tried jogging a little (a little = less than 1/2 a block). Idecided that I needed to be able to walk farther before jogging.  So I headed east, toward the railroad tracks (6 blocks round trip). Then I added the walk to the grade school (another 6 blocks round trip). Eventually I was walking to the RR tracks to the highway (16 blocks round trip).

The traffic was a bit of a bother, though.

I decided to use the walking trail on the other side of the highway. I have to drive there, but it's worth it.

I walked in the evenings when I didn't teach a night class.
I started walking in the mornings on weekends.
I didn't teach this past summer, so I walked in the mornings at dawn and then started walking in the evenings after sundown (we had 80 days of triple digit heat). 

Five miles a day became 10 miles a day became 45 to 50 miles a week.

And one day I jogged. Walked one lap, jogged three laps, walked one lap. It felt good.
Then, instead of jogging, I felt the urge to run. Run hard. Run fast. It felt good.
It became walk, interval sprint, walk, interval sprint.

School started. Now I am walking/sprinting 2 miles each morning before I get ready for work. I get up at 4:40 and am outside on the trail around 5 a.m. I like the endorphins. I'm cranky if, for any reason, I miss my workout. I have no butt. My clothes all have to be replaced. I want to lose 15 more pounds.