It was quite an effort to complete both "Walk Away..." and the routine at Curves yesterday, but I'm glad I did. I've decided to go to Curves most days (either with Barb or Leslie), but only for the free month; I'm not going to join. I mentioned before that I don't want to have to drive somewhere to exercise, but there are other reasons. For one, the layout at Tuckerton is much too small; the machines are so close to each other, it's actually hard with some of them not to encroach on the next person's space. Also, it takes so long to go from one to the other, especially if you're picking up and putting down weights, it cuts at least 10 seconds off each time. Doesn't sound like much, but when each segment only lasts 30 seconds, that's a big percntage.
I wasn't crazy about the staff, either. The first one was okay. She showed us what to do on each machine, guiding us around the first time (you do two circuits each visit), but yesterday, the woman was doing the exercise routine herself and seemed indifferent to helping us. Both Barb and I forgot how some of them worked and only when the woman happened to be looking at us, did she correct us.
Anyway, I'll continue, then quit. Much perfer the Sansone tape, as it's considerably more strenuous, meaning a better workout, a major reason being you're marching in place continuously.
Finally got all the odds and ends of Christmas decorations packed and put away, except for the two wreaths on the garage lamps. I can't get them over the lamp tops and will have to ask somebody for help.
Darling daughter Alison called as we finished dinner last night. She and Mike were on their way to dinner at a restaurant in Pemberton. She was just calling to check in and ask if we needed anything. We don't, but I know if we had, she (and Mike, if necessary) would cheerfully have arrange to help. What a doll.
Today is the Woman's Club meeting and Susan asked me to give a brief report on the scholarship we're donating to Pinelands Regional High. I just got a communication on it from the school. Susan, Barb H., and I make up the committee and we need to fill out a form and complete the process. Aha--this calls for an emergency luncheon meeting!

Had lunch with Marge yesterday, always a welcome excursion. We ate at Tuckerton Grille on Green Street (I had Caesar salad with chicken), then drove a few hundred yards to say hello to Pat, who was at the bay. Marge came in for a while and we had a good talk.
Well, I'm determined to add more exercise to my daily routine and yesterday, I went to Curves with Barb H. Leslie had already left when we got there at 10:00, but we did the two-circuit round.
It was okay, but I'm just not crazy about Curves. I doubt if I'm going to continue after the free month's pass runs out. I just don't feel like getting in a car to drive to a place to exercise, also I'm not convinced of the efficiacy of the exercises.
Today, Susan and I will go (walk) to the clubhouse to do the Leslie Sansone 3-mile walk tape. Hope I'm going to be able to sustain it, as I haven't done it for 9 or 10 months. If Leslie suggests we start with the 2-mile one, I'll agree but I don't want to bring it up myself.
Otherwise, did this and that (can barely remember, so it must not have been too exciting) yesterday. Made chicken pot pie for dinner and had a quiet evening.
Later: Just got back from doing the 3-mile "Walk Away the Pounds with Leslie Sansone" tape and yes! I managed to keep up. Wow, I barely could, which points up the fact that I haven't been vigorously exercising enough. Will go to Curves in a half hour, to continue my extra push for exercise.
Some good news: I weighed myself this morning and haven't gained as much as I thought. I'm well below my highest of a few years ago, which is encouraging. I don't want to say what I actually weigh, though.

Got a lot of errands done yesterday in Manahawkin, going to Shop-Rite, then Home Depot, and a few other places. That takes just seconds to type, but took most of the late morning and early afternoon. Friend Ray took Pat to lunch, paying off the Eagles/Giants bet, while I got some clothes washed and puttered around.
Last night, went to the peace vigil with Dennis and Leslie. It was good to hear so many horns sounding in reponse to one of the signs: "Honk If You've Had Enough." I made and held a sign that read "Proclaim Peace." I'd like to go to the Washington, D.C. demonstration on January 27, but I'm afraid I may not be able. Not only would it mean leaving Pat all day from about 6 am to midnight or so, but I'm not sure if I actually have the stamina for a total of 6 hours on a bus, then riding the Metro for some time, then marching for several hours (?). I guess I'm mostly concerned that I don't know just what it would entail. We'll see if it's a possibility for me; otherwise, I'm going to tell Norm I'll pay for a seat for somebody else.
This morning, after walking with Susan, Barb H. and I are going to "Curves." Leslie gave us each a guest pass. Susan and I have also decided we'd alternate our walk with the 3-mile "Walk with Leslie Sanson." I want to get back into using weights besides walking.

The referral horrors have finally been resolved. My regular doctor's office sent the thing, I went to Manahawkin to pick up copies, and the hell with the whole deal. I am, though, going to write a letter to the eye doctor telling him how much I appreciated his staff's patience and courtesy during the fiasco.
While in Manahawkin, I dropped off donations to Habitat, picked up some magazines (for a quarter each), and ran a few other errands. While I was there, it started to snow (just flurries for about five minutes) and everybody ooh and aah as if we lived in Arizona.
At Drama Club, I announced my decision to withdraw and was warmed by the expressions of regret and gratitude from the members. Far from being regretful myself, though, I left with a sigh of relief, feeling boyant and liberated.
This evening, Leslie and I (and possibly Dennis) will again participate in a peace vigil in Absecon in response to the proposed "surge" in Iraq (more death, more horror-- bring it on!) announced last night by the criminal-in-chief. I watched "Countdown" on MSN before and the analysis after with Keith Olbermann--geez, if he ran for anything from dog catcher to president, he'd be swept into office. My hero, along with George Orwell, the prophet of modern life, even though he's been dead for 60 years.

Stressful day yesterday, all because of the referral thing for the eye doctor, a comedy of errors (although I fail to see the humor in it).
Okay, I wrote out the details about the whole sorry mess, but just deleted them--who wants to read it, anyway?. However, it strenghtened my resolve to find out if there'd be any problems with dropping Horizon Medicare Blue in favor of AARP, which Pat has.
Other than that, just a quiet day. The high point was responding to Pat McH. R.'s e-mail about classmates from St. James and Holy Spirit--that was great fun.
Later in the day, I went to the store, made beef tips for dinner, and just puttered around. I still have a few Christmas things out, but the box they have to go in is in the garage behind a lot of stuff I have to move, so I've been putting it off.
Today, I'll go to the Drama Club rehearsal for the last time to announce my resignation. Far from feeling melancholy, I still have a sense of relief. If I want to, I can always rejoin, but at this point I want to step away and excuse myself from the time and effort it takes.

Didn't get to Habitat yesterday after all. It rained on and off and I just didn't feel like going. Stuck hot dogs and beans in the crockpot and served that up for dinner, along with homemade pea soup I had in the freezer.
Got an intriguing e-mail from friend Pat McH. R. concerning fellow St. James class of '50 grads who went on to Holy Spirit. Pat had a lot of them down pat and I'll fill her in on others. This is just the kind of topic I enjoy and find so fascinating, so I'm glad she sent it.
Today, Pat and I both have eye doctor appointments. I wish they weren't an hour apart--his at 10:30, mine at 11:30--and I hope I don't need a referral because I don't have one.
Must now get dressed to be ready to meet Susan for our morning walk at 7:00. Yesterday, we did the whole mile-and-a-half in the pouring rain, each carrying umbrellas, but feeling ever so virtuous when we finished.

Slow, but pleasant, day yesterday. Brother Larry called in the morning and I got e-mails from friend Leslie and others, but generally, it was a calm, stay-at-home day. Jack B. stopped over while Pat was at the bay, and stayed until he came home. Jack turns 75 in a few weeks and his children are giving him a trip to Cancun to play golf.
I made roast chicken for dinner. Luckily, it was ready at halftime and we were able to eat then. Halftime of what? The Eagles/Giants game, of course. Naturally, the best team won (well, it wasn't all that easy) and Pat won his bet with Ray, the Giants fan, so Ray has to take him out for lunch. Ray had called when it was over, but I was on the phone with Ellen, so Pat called him and they enjoyed razzing each other.
Today, I want to take still more things to Habitat for Humanity. Maybe in 6,000 years, I'll get the clutter out of the house.