On Monday, I started "doing the stairs" with a few of my co-workers.  This simply entails walking up and down the stairs of our office building several times.  We are all at different abilities on how far we can go, and since I just started, I'm not getting very far yet.  I do two stories twice, and hope to add a half-story each week until I can do the full six stories three times.   My first day I was so winded, and when I woke up Tuesday, my calves were killing me.  They still hurt Wednesday, but they have been fine the last two days and my breathing and heartrate are returning to normal a little faster each day.

I've also cut way back on the sweets, and plan to start doing some extra walking and eventually some jogging as long as it isn't icy or extremely cold.  Once spring is here, I'm getting my bike fixed and will start riding it again, as well as taking more hikes at Dawes (when I am in Newark) and at the state park near me.  I never thought exercising could be fun.  I would like to join Curves again too, but that will have to wait until I can afford it - until then, I will have to stick with free activities.

OK, here's an update with me for the past week or so:

1.  The laptop is still being wonky.  Avast did find a Trojan, which I got rid of, and it is currently undergoing a thorough scan, so we'll see if that helps.  I also have a friend who is very knowledgeable about computers who will take a look at it later this week.  Keep your fingers crossed.

2.  I'm going to a job fair tomorrow!  It's being held in Columbus, and seems to be fairly large.  I already printed up a bunch of resumes and business cards to take down.  I'm being optimistic that I'll find my dream job (I need to find something soon - only four weeks of unemployment left - eek!)

3.  Costumes: Thanks to selling lots of things on eBay, I purchased my rust beaded trim and my gold trim at Joanns last week, and located my Mary Janes that had disappeared in my room for my Scottish lass.  The tartan should be arriving in the next week or so from the UK.  I won the combat boots on eBay for Tonks and they just shipped - now hopefully they will fit!  I also ordered my dupioni - a beautiful olive green.  A seamstress friend of mine is going to help me with the Tonks coat - I will be seeing her Thursday for fabric hunting and construction assistance.  I finally did find a very high-res picture of the coat - it is more intricate that I thought, but I am still going to try to pull it off.

4.  Photography:  I finally got around to printing off some business cards, as well as pricing lists, order forms, and samples of the frames/borders and color spaces I can use on the photos.  Now I just need to start getting the word out there.  I am also looking into submitting a few photos into our local county fair in late August.

5.  Now that summer temperatures are returning to normal, I am finding it harder to get out and do things.  Heat and humidity have never agreed with me - I find even 80's hot!  I am planning on getting my bike tire fixed this week, so maybe I will go biking on the trails in Newark.  If I didn't have so much to do this week, I would drive up to the state park and take a hike in the coolness of the trees.  I really need to get out and about - that will be the great thing when I move and have roomies; I am much more motivated to do things when I am not alone.  I think I will take a nice walk at Dawes on Sunday! 

6.  And finally, I'll be starting to go apartment hunting this weekend!  Kelly and I are scoping out places Friday morning, and then Andy and I will go back to the places that we liked to see what he thinks.  Just a few months (it appears)!