Some interesting happenings this week

This week I turned 49. No big deal for me. G Man will turn 49 in April and is struggling with the upcoming birthday. He confessed he feels old. We used to be the youngest when we went out for drinks and dinner he said, now when he looks around our favorite watering hole we appear to be the oldest. I don't think so, but he does and it bothers him. He stopped getting Playboy too. He said the girls in the magazine are the same age as our daughter and it creeps him out. Personaly I miss the articles, but agree that the age thing with the girls is a little creepy. Hopefully he will get over this old thing soon.

I had a gentleman come in my store and ask me to consider renting a space at the local mall. The mall is fabulous. A new Cheese Cake Factory opened there in the fall, Steinmart opened in November, EMS Sports opened over the summer, 2 new retaurants will be opening in the spring, and more name brand stores will be opening this spring as well. Currently a Barnes and Noble, Micahels Arts and Crafts, a salon/spa, movie theater, Maggie Moos Ice Cream, a high end steak house, and several other stores are in the mall. The gentleman is putting together a proposal and informed me that within reason his company will remove or rewrite clauses in the lease that will be beneficial to both parties. ( I have had an opportunity to look at this company's lease in the past and it was a very scary lease, no way out of it and very benefical to the mall owners). I will consider the move and run numbers, but think I will more then likely stay where I am.

The elliptical machine was becoming boring so I have added a new machine to my workout. Not sure what the new machine is called but it gives me a great sweaty workout. I now do 20 minutes on the stairmaster, 20 minutes on the new machine and 35on the elliptical. My trainer from the summer suggested increasing the resistance on the machines to help me get over "the plateau" I am experiencing. No weight loss for 6 weeks. I took her advice this week, and will wait another week before I weigh myself.

I have been reading a series of books by Diana Gabaldon. Set in the 1740's -1780's, 1940's and 1960's, the books include time travel, love, violence and sex. What more can you ask for? The books are bestsellers from the 1990's, I highly recommend them.

Sorry if there are spelling mistakes, but, my spellcheck is not working at this time.

Well....they are not

I have an issue that has been bothering me for a long time. In the local shopping plaza a store sells merchandise made by poor people from across the globe. Most of the money from the purchase of the merchandise is sent back to the artists that make the items. I frequented the store and bought mostly jugs with faces on them. (I love faces, another post)

After awhile I noticed that nothing was from people in the USA. I spoke with the manager of the store and asked if they would be able to get any Native American items . ( I really like Native American History) She said no that was not possible. I asked why and her reply shocked me. She said "well because most are not Catholic" I did not realize that the store only supported Catholic artisans.

I have stopped shopping at the store. It really burns me that this store pretends to help the world's poor by providing a place for people to sell their merchandise. The store forgets to mention that if you are not Catholic, then you can not sell your merchandise in the store. I hate sneakiness and deception.

Where does the time go

Jan. 14. can't believe it.

My new year resolution is working. I don't flip channels when G Man is around. It was difficult at first, I was jonesing really bad week one. Now,.... not so much. If I keep the channel changer out of reach the impulse to push buttons is almost non-existent. But I am a channel changing addict and will never be able to have the clicker, remote control, in my hand when G Man is around.

I have been working out like crazy. The exercise has proven to be very beneficial. I sleep better and my moods do not have the extremes prior to a consistent work out routine. I tried for the first time the StairMaster stairs. These are really a great workout. The only problem is I can't close my eyes when I am on this machine. So clock watching and boredom sets in around the 20 minute mark and I have to go to the elliptical for the remainder of the my workout. Keeping my eyes closed and listening to the music on my Ipod get me through the next 30 minutes.

A weird side note: I like to compete with G Man to see who has the sweatiest workout clothes. I know this is gross but whatever it takes to keep me motivated is what I will do. G Man accused me the other day of dumping water on my shirt to make me look sweatier ( is there such a word?). HA Loser!!!

The new year

For the new year I made a resolution not to flip channels during commercials. The flipping gives G man vertigo.

My sister in law is gone and back in the warmth of the Florida sun. We had a fab time while she was here. Sat around, ate, and watched movies mostly. Nice and relaxing.

Jenny is on her way back from Vermont and is caught in a snowstorm. Visibility is bad so she and her friend most likely will get a hotel room and stay in Saratoga til tomorrow. They were able to drive about 100 miles in 4 hours, and the weather is getting worse.

The hot tub looks very inviting right now. HHmmmm, I will write more later. things to do now.

Happy New Year everyone.