New Focus for The Bobble Headed Cinderella Chick (aka me)

Pleasures and a little disappointment mingled its way into my weekend. On Thursday, the boys and I hiked a few miles into the Persnickety Pika Lake trail. We wanted to check out the trail for my "Extreme Chicks Hike". The hike was wonderful, the weather mild, and memory with the boys, priceless. When I got home, I called Elasta Woman to discuss the hike. I wasn't expecting to hear foreboding news. She was thinking we should consider cancelling it. We were supposed to have bad weather. I was really really disappointed. I stubbornly wanted to do it anyway, but I decided to listen to some voices of reason. After spending some time in my closet pouting (and praying), talking to some more friends and to my husband, we cancelled (postponed) the hike. Originally 14 women had planned to go and several of them were already backing out due to weather and other plans. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that taking that many women that far into the wilderness was a responsibility and a privilege. We could have done it, the weather wasn't that bad today, but it wouldn't have been all that much fun. It would be a lot more fun to do on a sunny warm day.
My friend Mist is cooking at the local lodge now, and she's making quite the name for herself. Last night, my husband took me out there for dinner. Oh was it an incredible night. The Sock Fashion Expert insisted on being my personal fashion consultant. She went through my drawers and closet and picked out a haute ensemble. Then she coordinated jewelry, and even gave me a pair of earrings she'd recently crafted. Then she styled my hair. I transitioned from frumpy to Cinderella in no time. The atmosphere at the lodge was extremely rich. A large table of people greeted us as we made our way over to say "hello". Some we knew, others we just knew of. Mist grilled us delicious, juicy steaks. There was an elegant romaine salad with strawberries, avocado and the most delicious, home made tangy dressing I've ever eaten. The fresh bread tasted like it came from a well to do bakery. There was a scrumptious fettuccine as well. The cheese cake with strawberry sauce was out of this world decadent. Apparently, I'm not the only one who was impressed with her cooking. The new owner of the Mercantile was there and asked her to cook dinner for his grand opening this month. We are so happy for her. What an exciting opportunity! That's not all. Cow girl, (my kayak buddie), Mist's kitchen/waitress helper has a job interview in town. When Cow girl starts working in her desired field, Mist has asked our very own Sock Fashion Expert to be her special helper! The evening was incredible, not just because of the food. My date was charming, handsome and such a gentleman. It reminded me of some of our first dates back when we were in high school. Uhh... I think I'd better not elaborate any further.
As for my change of focus, well I spent 10 weeks working on the "perfect 10" plan. I've done a lot of focusing on weight loss, which is good. I think I'd like to focus a little differently these next 6 weeks. I still want to lose weight, but I've decided my focus will be on training for a run (my first ever). I am hoping the by product will be some pound and inch loss though ;-) Something interesting I've been seeing is the impact that I have on people around me, especially kids. After I started running more, I invited some of my kids to come. Only one wanted to actually run with me - that was Art Dog. He did great. Just last week Sock Fashion Expert came in with a bright red face. She informed me she'd jogged 2 miles. Today she did three. The other day, Super Catman insisted on running with me. We did a little over a mile together. He ran ahead and rested several times, but did great. Yesterday, I was minding my own business, out running, and guess who I saw on the road jogging with an ipod?! It was Kiree the Neighbor Girl! She was out there looking quite athletic wearing the red Columbia jacket I'd given her. The whole thing just makes me realize that people do watch me, and whether or not I think I'm influencing anybody, I am. I told the kids that if any of them run this 5K with me (6 weeks from now) I will do their dishes for a month. I am fearful all of them will want to do it - lol! Well, its incentive, and could develop a healthy habit for them that will last a life time. Its also motivation for me. I'm going to try and run 10 miles/week minimum and start logging my time and distance. That's 60 miles minimum training before my 5K. Uhh.... I hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew. Well if I have, I'd better suck it up and buy some paper plates ;-)