I've always been a quote collector. Each year in high school I wrote down all of the senior quotes in a notebook. I think I occasionally looked back at them. I had a gigantic book of quotes at one point, too, and I'm pretty sure I went through it with a highlighter. (Oh, wait. Looking over my shoulder at my bookcase I see I still have "Words of Wisdom.")

While I've since trashed that notebook, I am still a connoisseur of quotes. I think for the entire seven years we lived in that little town in Missouri, I had a quote (I think by Kenny Rogers) on a post-it note (that interestingly never lost its stickiness) attached to a kitchen cabinet: Don't be afraid to give up the good for the great.

  (READ MORE)

For the first time ever I've created a list of things I want to accomplish in a year. Not New Year's resolutions, though the list was created with the New Year in mind, and not lifestyle changes, though there are some behaviors I'd like to change that are on the list.

No, these are really a bona fide list of things I want to do in 2010 -- with a sprinkling of lifestyle adjustments.

I felt good about making the list. I felt good about writing down the things I want to do this year. I felt good about creating a plan for the things I want to do. For example, instead of just writing "Clean Garage" and then waiting until the 11th hour to do it so I can say I marked it off the list, I wrote "Clean Garage -- January." (And Go Me! for getting that done this weekend!)

  (READ MORE)

Do you ever have a song stuck in your head that you want to get out and you try to sing a different song to yourself in hopes that the first song will get lost? But the first song is so strong that it's hard to get a new song stuck in your head?

Yeah, that's what happened to me last night except instead of a song I was chanting to myself I will walk in the morning I will walk in the morning I will walk in the morning. But there was this ridiculous nagging voice that kept chuckling and saying no you won't.

There was a day last week when I said I would give my back one more day to heal before getting back to walking. I haven't walked consistently since before Thanksgiving. And I miss it. I don't miss getting up so early in the morning (I've been wicked tired lately), but I really do miss how I feel after a good walk. Not to mention the rockin' blood sugars.

  (READ MORE)

Now that the cold weather is here in full swing, getting out and about is as much a struggle of the mind against the elements as it is of the body. Part of it is a matter of peripheral circulation issues; part of it is a matter of equipment and gear. Since the Dolce is a lot more serious a vehicle than the old Excelle was, I need more "technical" apparel to ride it comfortably. In addition to my new headlight and a replacement helmet, my December purchases included a winter cycling jacket, hat and balaclava, a couple of long-sleeved jerseys, a second pair of tights, and some better-fitting shorts.

  (READ MORE)

There was a time I couldn't imagine taking my morning walk without a canine companion.

No. 2 was only a month or so old when we got Tanner from a shelter. He was timid and fearful of The Mr. but he and I got along great and he loved a walk. There were times when he'd get out of our fenced yard, but he always came back. Until the day he didn't.

Somehow I managed to find a rhythm without Tanner. We had a string of foster and stray dogs after Tanner left and I made sure to walk each of them. None of them as good on the leash as Tanner, though.

  (READ MORE)

I chanted: Iwillgetupinthemorning. Iwillgetupinthemorning. Iwillgetupinthemorning.

I got up on time.

I did not go back to sleep. (Monday is easy, surprisingly.)

I left on time.

I did not freeze in the 45 degrees.

I pushed.

I coached.

I encouraged.

I praised.

I wondered where the Drill Sergeant was.

I looked for the coyote I've seen three times.

I was surprised my muscles didn't ache.

I praised.

I encouraged.

I walked for the first time in two weeks.

I breathed the cold air in deeply.

  (READ MORE)