Almost Spring, well for the next week

The temps have really warmed up with 70s for the next week or so. This usually fires me up and has me jump the gun on gardening. I do know the cold will return for more than a month. I do want to get the Oakleaf hydrangeas potted up for the plant sale. This has been my best sale plant for the last several years. Folks come to the sale and ask for them. Hope to have around 20-25 of them ready for the sale. Cold weather will not harm them.

Master Gardener's meeting today. This will cause me to begin workouts early. Mondays are hard but like the routine and class. Activities of last week shortened my training to only 4 days. This was the first time since I began the routine. Week nine starts today. I can see and feel progress which keeps me going.
Smokeless day 25 today. They seen to be easy now but know the real test will come later down the line. Many changes to the body and mind.

The Keep Jacksonville Beautiful clean up day was Saturday and went well. Not many but more than expected showed up and we picked up a good bit of trash. There was a Valentine activity at the Norman center that night. Hate to see the litter that the event produced. Almost seems like a win less battle. Guess this is like gardening, workouts and not smoking, one day at a time.

Success is NOT an event, it is a journey.

I am very proud of the 3 weeks of smoke free milestone but realize that is just a step to success. My struggle with when to go to step 1 patch was solved. ( Thanks JameO ) I got the 2 weeks box of step 2 and 2 weeks box of step 3. This should put me at Non Smoker in mid-March. This also happens to be the average last frost day for my zone 8 gardening area. With the temps in the teens for the last 2 mornings, I so look forward to warmer weather and the title of Non Smoker.
Smoking class yesterday went well and I am glad that it came around when it did. Zerk will have surgery in 2 weeks so he is on a fast track. He can not have any nicotine in his body so the patches must go soon for him. I was tempted but know the full plan is best for me. I will not have my partner in class so will plan for that. The program talked about rewarding yourself for successes. I am thinking about some new gym gear.
I look forward to workout today. I enjoyed and kicked butt in the class on Wednesday. I pumped out the push-ups which surprised the coach and class members. The M-W-F workouts are longer and tougher but also give me better results. I started the elliptical yesterday and see a long journey to get where I want to be with it. This may spice up my Tues.-Thursday sessions. A milestone of 2 months in workouts comes Monday. I have managed to keep the 5 days a week plan.
Tomorrow Keep Jacksonville Beautiful has a clean up day. Hope for warmer weather. Master Gardeners meets Monday. Still no real answers about life in the greenhouse. Need to start thinking about the plants in my Spring Plant Sale booth. I have been top seller for several years now so do not want to give that title up.

Good luck James on your run in New Orleans this weekend. Take no chances as you have Boston coming up sooner than you think. I would think that Boston would be a big event.
Thanks to all for encouraging words, it helps.

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

Yesterday was a good day at workouts. The Express class has just become my additional routine three days a week. Like it and the others in the sessions.
My look around the greenhouse did not look so good. Most plants have dropped the leaves and I will know later if they can be saved. Not much hope.

Today several meetings prevented me from getting to the fitness center. Missed that but hope that some good Master Gardener activities were worked out with other groups. Maybe it was worth my time and missed training.

Tomorrow the weather man comes again. Rain, sleet and snow mix will start around midnight with freezing temps until Friday afternoon. May not be as much snow but the icy roads are a problem around these parts. I hope to get to the center tomorrow, will know more by morning and keep you posted.

Another smoke free day. Hope the class is not canceled on Thursday afternoon and the roads are clear for travel.

Good Morning Sunshine...

The warmer temps and sunshine on Saturday melted most of the snow with only patches in shady area. Beautiful sunny morning today should get the rest of it. The snow was beautiful in the woods around the house but I have had enough. I am so ready for warmer temps and spring. Weatherman thinks we may get a little more snow this coming week.
Friday was a bust as far as getting exercise. The gym is a must for me if I am going to make improvements. Saturday was great as I made up for the missed day. I was so ready to get to the gym. Pushed hard and hit my goals on the machines even with the added extra weights. Cardio is easier for me and seems like I add incline, speed and time every few days. I am eyeing the elliptical but know it is a kick in the butt. I will start making progress on it and make that a new goal. It is hard to remember where I was back on start up date, December 14.
Still smoke free and wearing the Step 2 patch. Look forward to the Cessation meeting this week and reminder of sticking to the plan. The triggers for smoking still come around but seem to last only seconds. I can really see the difference now in many areas. Taste, smell, breathing, energy, appetite...and still eating mostly good things like fruits, nuts and veggies.
I will check on the greenhouse and see what the damage is to my tropical plants. Really hope the Cajun Hibiscus made it through the cold. Other things can be replaced but those are a bit harder to get. Maybe the snow on the roof acted as an insulation, we'll see.
Super Bowl today, I will watch but really do not care who might win.

Winter Wonderland

The view from my office is beautiful. As forecast, the over night snow came and continues this morning. Maybe 3-4 ", but for east Texas, that brings things to a standstill. Most schools and some other businesses have closed for the day. With an ice base for the snow and 22 degree temps, we may have some issues. Above freezing temps will not come before noon tomorrow. I guess this made my decision from excuse to reason for not venturing out today. Exercise with Fran or just some cal for today. May even try the Burpee (with push ups). Hope to get two half hour sessions but it is not the fitness center.
I am 2 weeks smoke free which should be a big deal. This is just a milestone and not the goal and could easily be a trap. Not sure why I am struggling with wearing the patch. I am still wearing the Step 2 and have another weeks supply. Why do I think that I am smarter than the Cooper-Clayton plan, which calls for several more weeks of Step 2 ? I am thinking that I do not need it and am ready to just be a Non-Smoker. All research states that following the plan give much greater success rates. Maybe the meeting that was canceled yesterday was more important than I thought. What is another month in the big picture ?
Follow the plan.

Snow Days

FORECAST:

TODAY: Mostly cloudy. High 30. Winds N 10-15 mph.

TONIGHT: Cloudy with snow developing and moving in by early morning hours. Low 20.

TOMORROW: Snow lasts through the morning, but will end with a few flurries for midday. Accumulations 1-3" expected, with heavier amounts south of Tyler-Longview. High 32.

Made it to workouts this morning but not many were there. Colby out with sick baby so the Smoking Cessation class canceled. Did my plan and headed back home. It was still 24 degrees in my truck. Light snow around but more coming later today.

Still no smoking, about 2 weeks now.

Really cold

The temps fell fast and almost 30 degree in lest than an hour this morning.
The week looks like 37-15 today,29-16 tomorrow, 30-18 Thursday and 34-23 on Friday. Winds 25-40 mph so wind chill in near zero. We could get some moisture with the cold.
Lots of places closed or late opening for the next few days.
Greenhouse door frozen shut so can not get in to fix the heater. Oh well, time to thin some things out anyway.

I did make it to workout this morning and kicked the exercises. Made up for slacking yesterday.
It did feel good to get back to the plan.
No smokes again today.
Fire in the fireplace and hope to stay warm for the next few days.

Not sure if the temps will be an excuse or reason to not get out tomorrow, but dang it is cold.