Day 334...Today I lost my job

After 12 1/2 years at the same job, today I came home unemployed. It was somewhat expected with the current state of the construction industry, but I honestly didn't know until the moment it happened. I'm one part numb, one part excited. I have worked continuously since high school so I don't really know what it will be like to get up and not go to work. I do know I have a to-do list a mile long and it will take me a while to get all of that stuff done. Who knows what the future holds. When Rusty left, I said I would just ride it out and see what happened and I did. Now I guess it is time to get on a new ride. I will get to spend some much needed time with my kids, relax a little, spend some time on me (getting in shape, for one thing), and maybe, when it's all said and done, start a new career. Let the fun begin...

Day 338...The Weekly Update

Today's WW Weigh In results, -2 lbs. Awesome and very unexpected. This was not a good eating week...at all. Think McDonalds, a giant cheeseburger and fries (seperate from McDonalds).



Tonight I walked/ran for 20 mins on the treadmill. Must move my body more!

Memories...

I found out this week that Carl is leaving. I am happy for him because I know that's what he needs to do to be happier. But for me, it's bittersweet. Since GES took over the company, it has been one bittersweet, depressing moment after another. Richard killed himself which was depressing for obvious reasons. It was weird to go on without him because we spent 8 hours a day together 5 days a week. Then Harry was gone, Gene was gone, Greg was gone, Scott was gone. People were dropping like flies. Then Rusty was gone. Boy, that was a tough one. 12 years of history out the door in one morning. I actually cried when he left. I held it together until he left the building. Then I called Andy and cried. Christmas was hard too. I didn't realize it until he called to wish me Merry Christmas, but it was the first time in a lot of years that we didn't spend Christmas Eve morning wrapping gifts or talking about what we thought Santa would leave for the kids.
Now Carl is leaving too. Everything has changed. Everyone has moved on. For 10 years it was the same, day in and day out. And now, absolutely everything is different. I always say I like change. Now I know that isn't always true. I would give anything to go back 3 or 4 years to when things were normal. But I know I can't. I do miss those days though. There are so many memories. We were a family and now were not. We've all moved on, like a graduating class in high school and all thats left are the memories. I guess like everything else in life, there is a lesson to be learned. If there is one thing I have learned over the past year, it is to hold on to the memories. If you can, write them down...take pictures. 'Cause, one day, you'll wake up and everything will have changed. Life will be completely different and all you will have left are the memories.

Negative numbers are good

Day 352...weigh in day. -0.2. I am not thrilled about the outcome but I'm trying to remember that as long as the number is (-) then it's a good thing. Anyway, that brings me to 8 lbs in 4 weeks, an average of 2/week.

Now on to February and new challenges...

In my humble opinion, the snow we had over the weekend is one of the best snows in my recent memory. It snowed most of the night Friday night and part of the day Saturday. Saturday was a cloudy sort of snowy day. Sunday, though, was an awesome day. When we woke up, the sun was bright and shiny on the snow. It was cold enough that the snow wasn't really melting though. Even when some of it did start melting, there was enought that you couldn't see the muddy mess underneath. It was just beautiful. On Saturday Karley had us take her to Erin's to spend the rest of the weekend. She loves it there, and even more when it snows. There are so many kids that there's always someone to play with! After we dropped her off, we stopped by Boog and Heather's house and then went by Sports Page for dinner. Sunday, I couldnt wait to get outside. It was just so pretty. Thankfully, even though it was cold, it wasn't windy so we went for a walk to visit with Jason, Bailey and Bowman. She is just so cute!! Andy, Justin and I went to the Rib Shack for dinner. (For the record, from a calorie standpoint, that was a huge mistake!) By then, my bed was calling my name. Just as I got settled and went to sleep, the phone rang. Karley was homesick and wanted to come home. I tried to talk to her and make her feel better, thought it worked, went back to sleep and at midnight, the phone rang again. She was balling. =( So, Andy and I got dressed and off we went to Lincolnton to pick her up. Of course, she was asleep before we arrived. Live and learn.

So, it's day 353 in my "Countdown to 40". It is also, February 1. January was spent getting control of my diet. I am feeling pretty comfortable with the eating plan and I have incorporated a little exercise into the plan. Now it is time to 'ramp it up' a little bit. In general terms, I am going to get more active. I recently read and article about weightloss without resistance training and how you end up thin, yet flabby. Ugh... So, more specifically, I am going to take a cue from my cousin Mandy and challenge myself. I am going to do 2000 crunches, 1500 reverse crunches, and 2000 pushups in the month of February. It is a small challenge compared to Mandy's, but ya gotta start somewhere. She inspired me. I am also going to be increasing my walking at the same time. Here to moving everyday!

Oh, btw...weigh in tomorrow. Is there any chance I can show a loss after last week? I guess we'll see. :-)
Tonight I did 50 crunches, 25 rev crunches and 25 wall pushups. (I am not ready for floor pushups yet).