Countdown

Gettin' nervous. Especially about the weather. Man, if it's as humid as it has been...


I'm still not packed, although I had planned to do a bit of that tonight. It's not looking likely, though, since I got home late and I still have some fantabulous chores to do. (Honestly, how much can two cats poop in a single day?) And man, it's hot upstairs. I'm just grateful kittyface hasn't taken offense to Niki's duffel bag and opted to pee on it. ... I should move it out of the laundry room to remove the temptation. That cat is dinner if he pees anywhere but the box this week.

I keep reminding myself that I have all day Thursday to prepare. I'm so glad I took it off from work. Otherwise, I'd be skipping out on karate tonight and I really don't want to. Nor should I. It's the only excercise I've really been getting since all of our home excercise equipment is located in the supernaturally humid attic. I've only been upstairs to sleep for the past few days and even that's unpleasant.

I got a newsletter from the 3DAY today. Seems a little late to be selling me things from your internet store, dontcha think? Seeing as the stuff I ordered last week isn't even here yet?! I keep checking the porch--because last time, the delivery man played Hide the Package Under a Porch Chair and I didn't find it for a week--but no dice. Better come soon, damnit. I wanted to wear the 3DAY logo shirt to the opening ceremonies.

About That Time

Thank you, thank you to Alison for her donation!

And this Paddle Game and This Lamp and That's ALL I Need

Ouch. I spent some cash money this weekend. I perused my list of needed things and the empty boxes outweighed the checks. So I went shhhhhhopping.

Things purchased:

--one sports bra just like the last one because I approve of it's core technology something something that keeps moisture away from the... whatever
--a digital sports watch with built-in alarm clock (oh I love two-fer)
--a two pack of disposable cameras which... clearly is not enough
--green flip flops for my "shower shoes"
--a flashlight
--a small, lightweight change purse for mydentification so's I don't have to carry around the heavy wallet
--a pretty ring that I didn't so much "need" for any particular reason other than ... that it was pretty
--the official registration shirt and a 3DAY bandana which have yet to arrive
--vitamins which have been running low so I... haven't been taking them. genius, I know.
--... there must have been more. I spent ah lot of money this weekend. I mean other than the $28.76 in gas and the accidental purchase of the Chronicles of Riddick which, by the way, was 3 movies for the low low price of $14.99 and I enjoyed every second of them. Every second Vin Diesal wasn't speaking, that is. He needs some serious speech classes.

Anyhoo, I think I'm just about ready. Niki lent me a sleeping bag and duffel and like a good monkey is driving me to opening ceremonies on Friday. The parents have been given instructions on how to find closing ceremonies. I have just about everything I need... I think. More disposable cameras, maybe. My aunt suggested vaseline for my feet. Maybe some Pepto pills just in case...

And no, I didn't walk this weekend. I was going to but... it was hot. And I figured, no amount of walking this weekend is going to prepare me for next weekend. I just gotta do it.

P.S. Now would be an ideal time to pray to the weather gods for no record-breaking temperatures, heat waves, thunder storms or good old fashioned New England-quality humidity.

2 Cool 4 Tassels

Many thanks to Tim for the $20 he promised and delivered post-Clerks II.

Nooch.

I Think They're Just Asking for Malpractice Suits Now

I had a long chat with Steve this evening after class that resulted in me hating my doctor.

It's been almost 2 months and noone has called me back. Steve said the last time he went to his doctor, the man called him the next day.

Grumble grumble.


What could possibly be more important than calling me back?

Give Me a Double U!

For anyone interested in seeing me in action... by which I mean sweating, swearing, crying and aching, the cheering stations for the 3DAY (which is about 10 short days away) are located as follows:


Day One:

Mile Marker 11.23
10:30 am - 2:00 pm
Needham Town Center
Great Plain Ave. and Highland Ave.
Needham, MA 02482

Mile Marker 15.95
11:30 am - 4:15 pm
Dedham Town Center
High St. and Washington St.
Dedham, MA 02026

Day Two:

Mile Marker 10.4
9:30 am - 2:30 pm
Ulin Rink 111
Unquity Rd.
Milton, MA 02186

Mile Marker 13.9
11:00 am - 3:30 pm
Shields Park
402 Eliot St.Milton, MA 02186

Day Three:

Mile Marker 7.5
8:20 am - 11:00 am
Milton Center
Adams St. & Granite Ave.
Milton, MA 02186

And of course, Closing Ceremonies:

Sunday, August 6 4:30 pm
Bayside Expo Center
200 Mount Vernon Street
Boston, MA

Spectator Note: Friends, family and supporters should arrive to the Closing Ceremonies site at least one hour early to get the best view of the program. To witness the final victory walk of the 3-Day is truly an experience worth the wait. All walkers and crew members will remain in the Participant Holding area where they will receive their victory shirt, cheer on their fellow walkers and crew members, and reflect on their experience before the dramatic silent victory walk into Closing Ceremonies.

Directions can be found HERE on the 3DAY site.


And if, perchance, you wanted to send me tidings of joy and encouragement, you need only address them to:

3-Day Camp Post Office - Boston, MA
Attn: Wendy Woodworth
1200 W. 35th Ave Suite #360
Chicago, IL 60609

But you have to send them 2 weeks out... which would be todayish.

I really should post these things sooner. My bad.

My Cup Runneth Over

Of course, of course, of course, I appreciate those donators who threw money at me after I begged and pleaded and tormented and harassed and amused and danced for over the past 6 months. But I have to say how much I also appreciate the people who have donated post-fundraising goal. I wasn't sure I'd make it to $2,200, tell ya the truth but you people... you all just make me so... *sniffle*

I just need a second....


Thank you, thank you, thank you for helping me exceed my own just barely adequate expectations and putting me so far over the top of my own goal. I promise... that I won't do this walk again next year because seriously, you people need to save some dough for yourselves.


I am, however, thinking of joining the crew. Donations are accepted from crew members but not necessary to participate. Just... so you know.

That Tassel Has a Fish on It!

Many thanks to Yeng for his donation!

Weekend Activities

Honestly, I had no intention of walking yesterday. It was an errand day and three hours for an oil change kinda cuts into your weekend, you know what I'm sayin'? Besides that and some overtime for work and some laundry, some cat duties (and doodies), cleaning and financial maintenance, I really didn't think I'd have much time for walking.

Sometime around 6ish, though, I got on the stationary bike because I still believe that it's not really exercise if you're sitting down. I did about half an hour--wearing the new pants, sports bra and Dry-Core technology shirt I had just bought myself at Target--and once I finished, I thought, Well hell, I still got plenty of daylight; I'll do a mile and be back before the sun sets.

Now mind you, non-New Englanders, that it was raintastic yesterday. The kind of rain that sounds like an apocalypse when it beats down on the roof of Target, scaring children and old folk alike. So yes, it was getting dark around 6 o'clock in mid-July. But I went anyway and the air was perfect: breezy, cool, wet without being sticky. And having walked for about half an hour--and a little over a mile--I did get home just as it was getting too dark not to be wearing anything reflecty.

The walk itself was mostly uneventful. I was already adrenaline a'pumpin so it wasn't even like work. The new pants were lovely and the shirt--although I sweat right through it on the stationary bike in the attic of our humid house--was thin enough to let the air right through it outside. The bra was still a bit less... supportive than I would have liked. Most of them are. But that's a rant for another day.

The only excitement came in the form of a drive-by 'Hey Baby'ing I got from a group of passing boys. Not that I heard the entire phrase, since the car was passing at about 40mph but I certainly did hear the '--eyyy Baaaaaab--" part and the "WOOOOO!" as they sped away. I blame the unsupportive bra.


Having just had breakfast about 20 minutes ago, I'm thinkin' I'm not quite ready to venture out yet today. But there's no sun that I can see so burning won't be an issue today. I'll still trying to figure out a route, too. I really don't want to do laps at the park--especially since this is the time of day for soccer games. Maybe I'll wander through the cemetery again. Maybe walk--very alertly--past the golf course (since the last time I did, I nearly got hit by a stray ball). I'm going to try VERY HARD not to go to Dunkin Donuts, though. The 3DAY tips email I received yesterday was adamant about how bad caffeine is for you. I disagree. But if I'm not so much going to be walking that weekend with a medium iced caramel coffee cooling my hand, I should probably train without as well.

The Post We've All Been Waiting For

So... it may have escaped your notice, what with me being so sly about it but as of last weekend--with the help of the yard sale and the cookout ...

I met my fundraising goal..

(and then some!)

Made in China

Many thanks to Jason and Michelle for their generous donations!

Ah the Wonders of NoBro

From that day a couple weekends back that I wore dark blue and no sunscreen. A pretty easy five miles, especially with a medium iced coffee and several stops for photo opportunities...

Walking along main street, I came across a scary old barn tucked into the woods. I've never seen this passing by car. Obviously, it is the secret lair of a evil demon geophysicist. I should really introduce myself.

The railroad tracks... one of many sites that wrap around our small town and create traffic horrors whenever a train actually passes through. Luckily it's not too often.

The bridge that I decided long ago was an aqueduct when really I think it's a train bridge. I like my story better. It's all about the ancient Romans. You know, the ones who lived in central Massachusetts.
And the cemetary that I came upon completely by accident. I took my camera out when I spotted a bunny chewing on someone's memorial flowers but it scampered before I could catch it in the act. Silly rabbit. Those flowers is for zombies!

The Save a Pair Yard Sale and Tractor Show

Super Sunday Savings Thanks to:

Neighbor Bob and Cathy for keeping the children (my parents) occupied with dominoes all day.

It was an epic game that continued through two sales breaks, one lunch break and three moves out of the sun.

Grandma for buying 25 cent books I would have just given her.
The Dude who bought my dad's bow and arrows, partly because he also donated a few bucks to the handy donation jar but mostly because he took away the bow and arrows.

He even got a lesson before he took them home.

The scary old man whose creepy voice gave him the Please Go Away discount on everything he bought.
That guy who bought the desk, a guitar and a whole bunch of other crap to the tune of $28 and said, "Keep the change for the charity" after handing me $40.
The lady who took away the duvan. We're been trying to figure out what to do with that thing for years.
To the lady who donated a bunch of crap she didn't want anymore.




To the neighbors for donating a bunch of their own crap and still buying stuff.

And to Mom and Dad for being good sports and manning the market at 7:50 a.m.--about an hour before it started--even though I was still blissfully asleep. We did good, kids.

No Egg Salad Allowed

Many Thanks to the Cookout Crew:

Erica
Matthew
Oliver
Thoren
Henry
Jen
Teona
Teona's Mom, Susan
Drew
Amy
Caleb
JJ
Nancy
Rooster
Melissa
Nelly Nell
and especially to Niki and Tim for their lurvely luau/cookout funtime!

We played some very serious badminton...

Very... very serious, one-handed no boundaries, tree-foul badminton...

We laughed...

We cried...

We got the band back together...

Thanks to Lynn for her generous and timely donation!

Paying Bills is More Fun than Daytime Television

There's only so much daytime TV home sick Wendy can watch before the cheesey badness makes her sicker. So to avoid both idleness and activity, I'm catching up on my 3DAY stuff.

At the moment, I'm using Mr. Debit Card to enter all the cash into my 3DAY account electronically because, I just realized, the deadline for online registration is tomorrow and you can't... finish registering until you meet your fundraising goal. Checks don't send themselves, kids. So maybe I'll make a pilgrimage to the ATM later and deposit this cash. That'll give me an opportunity to stop by CVS with the film from all the things I've done in the past month or two. Maybe, if you're good little monkeys, I'll even scan some of those bad boys and post them up here tonight. And then at some point... I'll finish my registration.

That's enough activity, I think. And most of it I'll do... later. After a good old fashioned nap in front of the air conditioner.

There are some thank yous going up soon, too... but ... you know, later. Post-nap.

Money Makes the World Go 'Round

See, the thing is, I'm having a bit of a cash flow issue at the moment. And cash, you see, is the key to the kingdom. So no, I haven't sent in the cash from the yard sale or cookout yet, nor from the 3 people from work that gave me money, nor... for no apparent reason, Teona's mom's check even though I wouldn't have to touch my own accounts to do so. I haven't even deposited said cash so I can write checks to the 3DAY with it because... it's entirely possible that I'll be bouncing a sizable check to a credit card company... um, today and I'd rather not involve the charity money in such a scandal. I'd rather pay the overdraft fee than feel the guilt. That's how I roll, yo.

My mom ironed some shirts for me the other day--not because I asked her too so much as she's compulsive about ironing--and all three of them have had little pink spots on them. Weird.

Anyhoo, my own financial situation should be straightened out on Thursday and at that point, I can get this show on the road. In a mail truck. Possibly a plane. And off to the 3DAY where they can cash my checks, tally up my donations, and count me among the winners of the fundraising game. I'll also one-hour those pictures. I've got some training walk stuff, some yard sale stuff, and mostly pictures of JJ trying not to spit red juice onto her white shorts at the cookout.

And there will be stories. Oh yes! There will... be stories.

Sweet Summer Lovin'

SUCCESS!

Details to follow ...

Nothin' Says Class Like Vest Pocket Tassels

Great Big Thanks to Irene for her generous donation!

No, seriously, I don't get that at all. Why put tassles in your vest pockets? Only Shakira could makes those puppies swing.

Calling Out Redneck

Shh. It's late. And I have to be up in about 6 1/2 hours.

I just went through all the boxes in the laundry room--from when I moved 2 years ago and never unpacked--and actually found some stuff to sell. That was the mission of the evening. A mission I didn't exactly complete...

But it SO wasn't my fault. Right after I started unpacking the first box, my dad came in and said, "D'ya see my new tractor?!" And I said, "No? You have a new tractor?" and he said, "Yeah! Wanna see?!" And I said, "Ok!" And then "seeing" turned into riding it around the back yard at 30 mph while I stood next to the driver's seat and held on for dear life. At one point, after a particularly nasty pot hole, I flashed forward to having to call in sick tomorrow because I broke my face when I ... fell off my dad's tractor. My mom told me later, I should have ridden in the bucket in back. She's so much smarter than me when it comes to surviving my dad's driving.

So after the tractor ride, I came back in and went back to work. I managed to turn about 20 full boxes into 3 1/2 boxes of stuff to sell, one box of clean laundry I've been looking for for 3 months, about 5 empty boxes and... 10 full boxes of stuff I wanna keep. When I whined about not emptying all of them, my mom said, "Some day you'll have your own apartment again and you'll want all this stuff." I waited for her to mumble something about "sooner rather than later" but she didn't. And then I... sniffled a little at the thought that I couldn't possibly afford to move out anytime soon. Jothan has suggested I start raising money for the Wendy fund since I clearly have a talent for guilting people into donating.

The Wendy Fund: Helping Wendy pay off her college loans so she can move out of her parents' house and have a real life again. All proceeds go directly to Sallie Mae.

Anyhoo, I gave up searching boxes about an hour ago, thinking, "Yeah! Still time for some treadmill action!" until I remembered that my dad vetoed the "SAVE A PAIR YARD SALE" poster my mom made. I suppose, out of context, that could be a little too vulgar for the likes o' this town. I suppose. So instead of waiting til tomorrow, when the mom and I are going to try to weasel our way into the storage unit, I thought I'd just throw together a poster tonight.

It took a bit longer than I'd hoped. But it's done and it's lovely. I'd take a picture but I haven't yet managed to figure out how to get the pictures from the dad's digital camera into the computer. It just laughs at me when I try. And then if it is, in fact, uploading them when it says it is, it saves them to the You Can't Find Me directory and I never see them again.

I'll just wait, then. Have the dad take the picture. His plan is to park Mr. Shiny New Tractor in the front yard and duct tape the poster to it. "Can't miss that," he says. And boy howdy is he right. Who doesn't stop to look at a bright red 1953 Toro tractor with a big pink sign on top?!

Like I said to my mom, though, when she lamented not putting signs out sooner, "We live on one of two major roads in this town and people stop in when we put any old trash out there. They'll stop for a yard sale. If you put crap on the sidewalk, they will come."

The tractor, however, is not for sale.

Give Me Your Money, I'll Give You.... This Old Shoe!

Preparations Have Begun, children, for the 3DAY Weekend o' Money Grubbing EXtravaGANza!

The mom brought home some poster-making supplies and made a prelim poster for this Sunday's yard sale (from 9 to 3 on South St. in Northboro in case you want any of my old useless crap!) which I'm not really expecting to yield much in the way of profits so much as... clean out my storage unit so I can stop paying rent on it.

Mom's already started gathering crap to sell AND pricing it--she's so on top of this yard sale--whereas I... have a vague notion of what area of the house the stuff I want to sell might be in. I did, however, pay the storage rent a ... wee bit later than usual but hopefully in time to remove the overlock they put on when you consistently pay late (which is entirely their fault for not sending me bills and just expecting me to remember the due date and fee and... unit number and whatnot) so that I can actually open it and take out the crap that hopefully I will sell.

Weatherman says it'll be hotter than the blazes of hell on Sunday so we're already trying to scheme a way to have the yard sale in the side yard where the cool tub is (ie., the redneck hottub hooked up to solar panels that sit partly in shade) so we can take yo money from the comfort of underwater. It could work.

Also, the PINS have come in for the paying party goers at Mrs. Nikirific's Luau Cookout on Saturday! Not many people have RSVPed to the online invite so yeah, I'm a little nervous that the donation bucket will be awefully empty but I don't know how many people have RSVPed to Nik directly so... what do I know? Nothin'? Sounds 'bout right.

I'm not quite sure when I'll have time to walk, though. That's a drag. I kinda... need the practice, you know. Maybe I'll do some laps around my house if the yard sale's slow.

For the moment, I'm not thinking too far beyond the weekend but at some point I'm gonna have to figure out how to GET TO the event. And where to park my car if I drive myself. And how to get back there at the end. And where the cheering sections are so I can invite people to yell at me and throw rocks or whatever. And get the rest of the "supplies" they say I need but seem to have plenty of in the Med tent.

Yeah, no, I don't want to think about that stuff yet. I'm gonna get through the weekend first.

So... come to my yard sale. Buy my old crap. Support boobs. And Jimmy.... don't be a hero.

Another Notch on the Money-o-Meter Goes Red

Bill: So how much did you raise so far?
Wendy: Um... something like... $1960? I have some cash I haven't sent in yet but... yeah, it's close to $1960.
Alison: Wow, someone should just give you the $40 to even that out.
Wendy: Go for it.
Alison: ... here you go.

Many thanks to Alison for the $40 that got me to another goal*!

*You know, as soon as I write a couple checks and send that cash in.

The Old Gray Mare, She Ain't What She Used to Be

The 3DAY site finally fixed its online registration form and I managed to knock a couple requirements off my list of things to do. I couldn't finish registering because I haven't yet reached the fundraising goal. I will. I know I will. But I haven't yet so... I can't finish the process.

I did, however, watch the safety video and take the 10 question multiple-choice quiz, scoring a total of 10 points and thereby proving my amazing skill in... paying attention.

What did I learn?

Well, first of all, they recommend stretching for 5 minutes every hour of walking. Can do, chief! I'll probably have to anyway. The rest stops are every 3-5 miles-ish and apparently they remind you there of the 3 R's (Refuel, Rehydrate, Relieve Yourself ie. Eat, Drink, Pee) and to STRETCH before you start walking again. My dad's boss's wife (catch that?) as an experienced 3DAY walker herself recommended that I do not DO NOT sit down at these rest stops. The video, as well as the reps at the meetings I went to way back when, said that if you're not peeing at every rest stop, you're not drinking enough. Well... that sounds pleasant.

Of course, the chat I had with my karate instructors went a little differently on this subject after my last test. They say that hydration is important, yes, but too much will cramp you up. And it's entirely true. I never bring water to class and the only time I ever drink is a couple sips during a test--mostly to wash back the rising bile--and in class after sparring because my mouth guard is not the most delicious thing I've ever chewed on. So I'm not sure how I feel about the water issue. I may have to find a happy medium.

I'm also worried about food and, more specifically, how my stomache will react to it and, most specifically, exactly how much time I'll have to spend in the Blue Box.

I'm not ashamed to tell you... I'm afeared of the Blue Box.

*shudder*

Anyhoo, I also learned about the dangers of dehydration and hypernatremia, both of which sound like a good time. That takes us right back to the Eat, Drink, Pee philosophy. Of course, as an example of the kind of snack they provide to keep your salt and water levels stable were potato chips. I can't imagine anything I'd like to eat more whilst trying to keep my body functioning. Mmhmm. Maybe I'll just bring my own snacks. Anything to avoid.... THE BOX!

What else did I learn? Oh, yes, that I have to obey traffic laws. What a drag. I was totally gonna hop out in front of cars and flash... for breast cancer awareness. Of course. But apparently I'm not allowed. Pfft. I'm also supposed to be respectful of local law enforcement. I swear, they're just trying to take away ALL my fun.

Based on what I saw in the video, though, I won't be the only sweat-drenched, achey-knee'd pansy with no will to live half-way through the event. No, I haven't been training much and no I could not walk 20 miles tomorrow but I'm in better shape than a lot of the walkers and that gives me some hope. Plus I'm working on the mushin thing so hopefully, when I start to hurt, I'll slip into a little zen coma like I do in class (but haven't quite mastered in tests where Ms. Low Self-Esteem Black Belt pokes the bear and makes her want to maul). It'll be easier to do surrounded by people who I can blindly follow (and again, based on the video, these people will be very hard to mistake; follow the pink feather boas!) instead of trying to figure out what part of my tiny town to traverse next.

AND, despite the warnings on this handy video to only take the recommended dosage of anti-inflammatories and pain-killers, I have a different recommended dosage from Mr. Stillhasn'tcalledmeback Doctorman and fully intend to OD to the point of giddyness on Ibuprofen.

Oh and they said Caffiene Bad! That could be a problem.

So. In conclusion: I need about $200 more. I'm calling the Doctorman tomorrow to put an end to this joint quandry. I need to break my caffiene addiction in the next couple weeks. I'm afraid of port-o-potty's. And... I'm gonna die of hypernatremia because I don't like chips.

Cheers.

Sunburnt and Fancy Free

YES! I... walked today. WOO! Not far and not for long but boy howdy did I walk!

I determined through other training walks but mostly through treadmill funtimes that I walk about 2 miles per hour. So I hoped to do a couple hours and get up to 4 milesish. It turns out, I walk a little faster than that because I walked for two hours and managed 4.86 miles and that with one stop at Dunkin Donuts for a $1.99 medium iced coffee (with a coupon I got in the mail 3 weeks ago) and a couple short stops for picture taking opportunities.

Now I just have to quintuple that and do it three days in a row.

Yeah, I'm not prepared.

On the plus side, though, my hips didn't start to hurt until about 2 miles in and even then, it was more ache and discomfort than burning fiery pain like last time. Hooray for Ibuprofen. One of my brain puzzles while I was walking (or things I think about to keep my mind off the tired, sweaty, achey, itchy badness) was how often I could dose myself up with that crap for the 3DAY itself. Mr. Doctorman recommended 800 milligrams before I even started and then "redose as needed." Great guy, huh? Very specific. Must be why he hasn't called me back yet. Likes to maintain that mysterious doctorly allure.

Anyhoo, I didn't figure it out. AND I've yet to try the crap my dad got me as a free sample from... actually, I don't know. It arrived one day and he said, "Hey Wen! Look! You can use this!" And there's a crap load too. I'm also thinking about stopping by the pharmacy later and picking up some glucosamine. Honestly, I trust Steve more than the absentee doctor anyway so I might as well try it. It's not narcotic anyway. Herbal supplement, I think he said. Not chemical. No harm, no foul.

Hip hurties aside, it wasn't a bad walk. I did a mile without even thinking about it and didn't really start getting tired until mile 4ish and mind you, that was at 11 when Mr. Sun was nearly overhead and I was starting to regret wearing a dark blue t-shirt and pants ... and hat without a thought for sunscreen at all. Not even on my face. And I always wear it on my face--my moisturizer is SPF 15. I'm a genius.

So yeah, I'm a little sunburnt but I discovered a cemetary I didn't know existed and took a stroll through there. I found a street I've never been on. After driving under it for years and years, I finally got to walk under the "aqueduct." And I got some lovely pictures of some of NoBro's prettiest crap. A good walk, I'd say. Could have been longer... but next time I'll remember the sunscreen and that won't be an excuse.

Now I have to shower the sweat off so I can go see PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN with Niki. Weee!

He's Sober

Many thanks to Brenda... er--Courtney, my fellow NoDak for her donation!

Space Aged Cowboys Weren't Afraid of Tassels

Many thanks to Matthew for his donation!

I will go! I'll go like the wind! Like the slow, tired, aching, sweaty wind!

Tiny Blue Boxes

Ok, so no, it wasn't a training intensive weekend. I didn't do any sort of training walk at all, actually. I walked. I excercised. But 15 minutes at a time on the treadmill doesn't really count. Crunches... don't really count. The epic sparring match I got into on Saturday really didn't count. And the turtle paced jaunt through Boston... yeah, that certainly didn't count.

Apparently, my goal is to be in as much pain as humanly possible come the actual event. You know, to make it more of a challange.

I did get some tenting practice in though. I set up that tent I've had in my trunk for the past two years (I'm an impulse buyer... it was $6 at Target) at the cookout I went to Saturday night. And by "set up" I mean Stacey and I unrolled it, unzipped it, got in and propped it up with our feet. Jeff was the brain that figured out where the poles went and set up that bad boy in the dark. The three of us hung out in there for at least 3 hours until it got too cold and we abandoned Monsieur Tent for the warmth and comfort of the house. Then it... blew away but that's another story entirely. Point being: I hung out in a tent and it wasn't that bad.

Now I just need practice using a Port-O-Potty....

*shudder*

That Much Closer

Thanks to Lisa for her generous donation!