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Post by cindy on Feb 14, 2021 3:27:41 GMT
Welcome to our 2021 Alcohol Free All The Way Board!
If you have been struggling with your weight and have found this board, you undoubtedly have your own unique, complicated relationship with alcohol and food. Laying out the problem honestly can give you the extra push you need to succeed in getting it under control. A few questions for you to think about...do you wake up at 3 AM wondering what did you do? Do you sometimes have no recall of the evening before or do you try to recover your memory of the evening before you even get out of bed? Is your spouse angry with you? Or do you simply think that A is taking over too much of your life, affecting your weight loss? Did you finish the bag of chips? cookies? or just spend the evening grazing? These are hard questions but know that you will find understanding, love, encouragement and support on this thread. We are each in a different stage of this journey but you will find others have shared your experiences. There is no judgment, just an acknowledgment that we have been there, done that and know we need and get the support from this great group of women and men.
Whether you are choosing to be AF or find you can achieve AIM (maximum of one drink per day for women and maximum of two drinks per day for men), please join us if you feel this challenge meets your needs.
The main focus of this board is to be ALCOHOL FREE. The focus of our new challenge is to commit ourselves to success, one day at a time, one hour at a time....success breeds success! Follow a healthy food plan, exercise and stay AF.
As with all of our challenges, everyone is welcomed. For some making the commitment for the entire challenge is the way to go, but day by day is also a way to go. No one is cut from the challenge, and if you don't want to be part of the challenge, you are still welcome to post.
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Post by cindy on Feb 14, 2021 3:32:47 GMT
Labor of Love
NEW CHALLENGE
February 14 through April 4
The word labor implies a specific task or effort, many times painful or arduous. A labor of love is doing something because you really want to, not because of any monetary reward you might get for it even though it involves hard work.
This challenge is all about a labor of love, reminding yourself to love yourself so it becomes your norm.
How often do we do something for someone else because it makes them happy and in turn makes us happy. But as the saying goes “how can you love someone else if you can’t love yourself”.
There are many ways we don’t show ourselves love. We are harder on ourselves than on anyone else. We go over and over “why did I drink too much” and the ever popular "if I lost weight I would be so much happier”. We are not showing ourselves love by overeating and over drinking, we are doing the opposite. To start, forgive yourself, or tell yourself yesterday is done, tomorrow isn’t here, so let’s deal with the present.
We worry about so many things, things we have no control over. Resilience, happiness and freedom comes from knowing what to care about and what not to care about. Your health, your family’s health, doing what works for your corner of the world. Let go of the things that do not work for you, help you, or encourage you. It is hard! You want to be a good person but be good to yourself first. Send out positivity but give yourself positivity.
We all have bad days, nothing goes right, nasty people out and about, stress levels are over the top and you have no control. This can be true in many ways but your control is to step away, love yourself.
Journal it, put it down on paper, and then let it go.
So each morning give yourself an affirmation. Here are some suggestions:
#1. I am worthy.
#2. I am enough.
#3. I am beautiful inside and out.
#4. Even my “flaws” have good and helpful aspects.
#5. I love and approve of myself.
#6. I am delighted with who I am.
#7. I fully approve of who I am, even as I better myself.
#8. I approve of myself and love myself completely.
#9. I am happy in my own skin and in my own circumstances.
#10. I am surrounded by love.
#11. I am treasured for who I really am.
#12. I am worthy of happiness and love.
#13. I enjoy my own company as I get in touch with my true self.
#14. I am at peace and happy when I’m alone.
It may sound like Stuart Smiley but go with it!
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Post by cindy on Feb 14, 2021 3:38:01 GMT
Are you ready for this new challenge? If wavering, no matter, join in and take what works for you. Share, enjoy the bonding!
Options for loving yourself!
What are you doing for yourself this week?
What will you let go of?
NUTRITION ACCOUNTABILITY
Ugly and good days
Drink more water Drink your height in water….68 inches tall equals 68 ounces of water….add 8 ounce every seven days
One or more fruit daily
One or more vegetable daily
Track nutritional intake
Grocery List
Share a healthy recipe
Low Sugar, limit added sugar to 24 grams or less
AF/AIM/AIE
EXERCISE SUGGESTIONS
Shelf push ups
Hoola hoops and jump ropes
Step block….okay, Jane Fonda days
Touch your toes
Sit ups!
Create your own and share your own plan
JUST JOURNAL!
What did you do for yourself today?
Motivational quote
HABIT ACCOUNTABILITY
We can be and will be accountable and supportive to each other. As always no judgement, just encouragement, and if needed, tough love though we are usually toughest on ourselves. Set your accountability goals and let's get to work. Let’s be healthier versions of ourselves come April 4.
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Post by cindy on Feb 14, 2021 3:41:09 GMT
What will you be accountable for today?
Move More Accountability
Sleep Accountability
Nutrition Accountability
Journal Accountability
Happiness Accountability
Habit Accountability
Check in Daily Accountability
Time Management Accountability
Labor of Loving yourself first!
February 14 - April 4
February 14 start weight:
February 21:
February 28:
March 7:
March 14:
March 21:
March 28:
April 4 final weigh in:
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Post by cindy on Feb 14, 2021 4:08:50 GMT
Good morning All!
Hope I didn't mess stuff up by posting too early. Apologies if I did Amy.
It has been a very cold day and my bedroom is one of the warmest in the house....and even with that, my bedroom still needs clean up.
Fed the birds and then hunkered down...getting steps in is a bit challenging. We do have wood but more three hour logs. I just know when I have fireplace fires, my electric bill goes way up. So hoping weather predictions do not happen. Thankful I had a new front door installed so there is no draft. Know I eventually need to add insulation to the attic but that is for another day.
So off to look for my RX cream for my shoulder...need to call for an appointment and get a shot in my shoulder and get an x-ray on my wrist. The wrist is swollen where the worse of the fracture was... so much fun.
Hugs to all, Cindy
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Post by cindy on Feb 14, 2021 4:10:07 GMT
And , I kinda thought that we are having better success with the accountability challenge so just did a tweak...as always, changes and commentary are welcome. Tweak what works for you!!
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Post by cathygeha on Feb 14, 2021 8:27:33 GMT
My word for 2021: FOCUS
My Visual/Mantra/whatever: Believe -> See
AFFIRMATION: I love feeling fit and strong.
LOVING MYSELF TODAY BY:
✔️ Tracking: tracked on WW Blue and was within points
✔️ Moving: walked 40 minutes yesterday ✔️ Sleep: almost 8 hours last night
✔️ GHGs
Fruit ❇️ Vegetables ❇️ Whole-grains ❇️ Dairy products-calcium. ❇️ Healthy oils ❇️ Protein (lean)❇️ Limit added sugar and alcohol. ❇️ Liquids-hydration❇️ Multiple vitamin-mineral supplements❇️
Labor of Loving yourself first! February 14 - April 4 February 14 start weight: 172.4 February 21: February 28: March 7: March 14: March 21: March 28: April 4 final weigh in:
🐢I would rather go slow, get there and stay at goal weight than hop there quickly then quickly return to the higher weight🐇
💙💌💙Happy Valentine's 💙💌💙
Talked to our daughter last night and it was cold in Missouri. I looked to see when I first saw the 170 decade and it was last September sometime but it was fleeting and did not "stick" till some time in October. So, since October I have been floating around in the 170's but with a general trend down. Four months (or more) to drop ten pounds could be frustrating BUT when I think about it...I would much rather be at THIS weight than the one I weighed this time last year. Last year on Feb 14 I weighed 202.4 SO exactly thirty pounds more than I weigh today. I'll take it!
The plan is to stick with the WW Blue plan for at least a month and if all goes well, perhaps forever. I will keep you posted.
I attended the Oprah-WW event yesterday and it was LONG, had a number of celebrities and talked about love, self-love, etc. I loved the james Corden section - he has already lost 16 pounds since January 2. I looked up how tall he is and he is 5'8" and started his journey with WW in January at 236 pounds. He seems like a genuinely nice person as did Ciara and Jennifer Garner.
CINDY: Thank you for starting our new challenge! I may tweak mine above but think it will be a good start for the next period of time. Sorry your wrist is bothersome. Why is the house colder and electricity bill higher if you use the fireplace...because the flue is open?
JAN: Good job with the weight during the last challenge! I have never been one to "plan" because my husband used to be the one to go out and buy and bring home whatever then I would create meals from what was in my kitchen. I wonder if he would be willing to make a plan? We still have chard, cauliflower, broccoli, zucchini, lettuce, cabbage, carrots...and we need to eat them before he orders MORE! I think there were some crazy people in our group when we were "young" but we didn't discuss our "crazy" as publicly as it seems youth do these days.
AMY: I sometimes wish I had a crockpot...well...I do...but it is 110 and the electricity is now 220 and the pot is in Beirut and hasn't been used since 1984...wonder if it even still works? Eggplant parmesan is SO good!
MURPHY: Loved your chatty newsy post! I was thinking you might want to double check the inside of those purses to make sure you didn't leave money or anything you might need in the future or slips or charge receipts...etc. Here's to a great challenge and consistency in positive changes for all of us.
CAROL: I hope Angel perks up! Will your journal only include words or will you embellish it with stickers, drawings, etc? Do you hope to go to the game in WV or hope that it is closed to fans/family? Sorry you are feeling a bit down BUT I think winter and the pandemic could have a bit to do with it.
LIZ: You almost make me want to move the TV and start watching a series or movie every once in awhile to get away from the reading. Watching would also encourage knitting and crocheting and I could use up some of the yarn I have.
GG: I am sorry your DSIL and his colleagues are in lockdown and the school on remote BUT glad they are taking precautions. It is good that your grandchildren were able to stay home and fend for themselves...a day of TV, fixing food for themselves, etc can be fun. I remember having a day like that on a weekend when I was miserable...opened up the sofa bed, put the peanut butter and jelly and snacks low enough for the children to reach them, turned the TV on and we huddled together till the next day when I took them to school, went to urgent care, was diagnosed with pneumonia, and went back home. I have heard that the covid-19 reaction, if experienced, is only "bad" for about 24 hours.
Glad you enjoyed the condom slogans...I thought some were better/funnier than others ;
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Post by murphy1288 on Feb 14, 2021 12:04:26 GMT
What will you be accountable for today?
Move More Accountability
Sleep Accountability
Nutrition Accountability
Journal Accountability
Happiness Accountability
Habit Accountability
Check in Daily Accountability
Time Management Accountability
Labor of Loving yourself first!
February 14 - April 4
February 14 start weight: 189
February 21:
February 28:
March 7:
March 14:
March 21:
March 28:
April 4 final weigh in:
Affirmation: I am happy in my own skin and my circumstances!
Good morning all! Just wanted to check in quickly. Thanks Cindy for another great challenge! I will tweak my stats later today but this is a great starting place! I had a good day yesterday. Went to lunch with my friends from church. Actually, one of them had back surgery earlier this week so we got take out and went to her house. Then I had a great zoom visit with my college pals. I had a hard time getting to sleep last night so it was a little hard dragging myself out of bed this morning. I'm going to get some breakfast before I head to church. Will check back after I get home. Have a great morning!
Murphy
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Post by tatermom on Feb 14, 2021 14:20:16 GMT
Word of 2021: Imagine.......the possibilities, the changes, what I can do and taking care of me. Labor of Love NEW CHALLENGE. February 14 through April 4 AF 47 Started Christmas Day My gift to me for 2021! Feeling Good!! AIM 2 ANIM 2 Move More Accountability: 4 Get my AP bar each day, Fitpoints goal is 84 for the week, get to 90 by end of the challenge. 10,000+ steps yesterday, 12AP, some stretching before bed. Sleep Accountability: 4 8+ hours, feeling rested Nutrition Accountability: 4 Ate my packed lunch, planned my day, have menus planned for the week, keep drinking water less sugar. Take my vitamins each day. Journal Accountability: 5. Write every morning before any screens, record challenges, gratitudes and daily plans. Happiness Accountability 4. Just be responsible for my own happiness. Been feeling good, letting some frustrations with DS slide off, do things I enjoy, craft, read, knit, puzzles, chat with friends. Habit Accountability: Make 80+ oz of water a habit, plan for treats, walk daily, take time for quiet reflection each day, less screen time Check in Daily Accountability 5. I'm here. I come here first after journaling, then e mail, FB and Connect. Then need to check out. Time Management Accountability 4. Morning routine is pretty set, afternoon hours need more structure after work. February 14 start weight: 196.8 February 21: February 28: March 7: March 14: March 21: March 28: April 4 final weigh in: "A year from now you may wish you started today!" "I am happiest when I take care of myself first" Good morning all. Happy Valentine's Day. The sun is shining even tho it's really cold. At some point we'll have to go out to shovel but it's dry light snow. They let me leave work yesterday around noon so I got the the grocery and then home to hunker down. Was a bit slippery and messy driving, I just go really slow and glad it's not too far to drive. May have to make a run today to Target or Walmart for cat food and a few other things, guess my grocery list wasn't as complete as I thought  . The kitties have become so picky, (whose fault is that) and only want a certain kind of canned food that my grocery doesn't carry. I'll see if I'm feeling a drive later or not, wouldn't kill them to eat some dry food for a day. I'm going to make up a big pot of red beans and rice today, then we'll have some leftovers for the week. Also have stir fry on the menu for tomorrow, our nod to both Lunar New Year and Fat Tuesday I guess. Nick may be coming later this morning to keep working in the basement, almost all the drywall is up and it looks great. Now it's the finishing work and then chose a floor. Nick did go get his first covid shot yesterday so told him if he was feeling off today to not worry about coming. Will be a good project for DH when the walls are done because then he can get down there to paint before we add floors! No other big news. Will decide in the morning if the roads look good enough to drive to Appleton at 8 to do my fasting blood work, otherwise will reschedule for a drier road day! Supposed to warm up to the 30's by next weekend, wowee. Have a great day all. Jan Cindy. Thanks for getting the challenge up. I just need to keep my momentum going and stick to my plan. Hope you stayed warm enough, such crazy weather and so many down there are not prepared for it. Guess you'll be walking circles in the house like me . When it's this cold it's really hard to get our fire started as the cold air is pressing down in the chimney and forces the smoke back in the house. The insert guys said to use a heat gun to warm up the chimney before lighting the paper on fire to help it draw. I'm sure the pioneers didn't have these problems. Cathy. Good focus for the challenge, I'm happy to be feeling more fit and healthy too, now to build on that. This week I"m going to eat more of my weeklies and see what that does, as long as it's healthy food and not just sweets, we'll see what changes. Sounds like you may be making some vegetable soup, or I want to try the recipe for the egg roll in a bowl, sounds like some of your ingredients. Have you been able to walk outside? Yay for talking to your daughter and being down 30#. I saw the Oprah thing was going to be on but was at work. I like Jame Corden too, would have liked to hear what he had to say. Maybe they'll replay it or on You Tube. Murphy Have a good morning at church, are you singing today? You sound really happy and so glad you are good with your decision to retire. What day of the AE are you on? I was amazed to hear a lot of the science about what A does to your body etc. I "knew" it but it's pretty scary to hear it all laid out. Also how the advertising world and society pushes it so hard because it's a money maker!! GG. Sorry the kids felt "down" but glad the GKs could fend for themselves and all are better now. Yum, share your low pint recipes please . Did you make some for the WW bake off they were doing on Connect or just for Valentine's treats? I'm going to make some breakfast pastries this morning, just a recipe using roll out pie dough, cream cheese and jam, not quite so WW friendly but still going to enjoy!! Track and make other adjustments to my day, that's why I love the program. Carole. Hope Angel is OK while you're gone. Do you still have the other dog? was it Brody? Does DH care that you're going to WV? Guess he wouldn't have much say if he's going to Vegas. Hope the journaling will help, it is for sure partly the weather, the Covid, the stress. Keep taking care of you and count those blessings. Liz. How are you feeling today? What knitting projects are you working on? I just can't get back too it right now, not sure what to start? I did have an e mail from the senior center that they may try to start up our group again in late March or April. We'll see. I like to go for the chat and then it forces me to be productive too! How was DH first shot? Amy. Hope you're sleeping in. Maybe we're posting at the same time. Hugs. Hi to all. Time to make goodies for breakfast. |
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Post by amyj on Feb 14, 2021 14:38:05 GMT
What will you be accountable for today?
Move More Accountability: 2, no outside walk, walked around Walmart, laps in the basement, over 7,000 steps, 5 AP, push ups and wall stretches
Sleep Accountability: 4, slept well
Nutrition Accountability: 2, 45/23, French toast casserole for breakfast, paczki, frozen pizza for dinner
Journal Accountability: 4, continuing online journal
Happiness Accountability: 4, enjoyed being lazy, watched a movie, read before bed
Habit Accountability: 5, drinking more water than Diet Coke
Check in Daily Accountability: 5, I'm here!
Time Management Accountability: 3, errands at Walmart
Number Of Days AF (mostly alcohol free since August 16, 2006): 5293; ANIM: 1
Labor of Loving yourself first!
February 14 - April 4
February 14 start weight: 176.2
February 21:
February 28:
March 7:
March 14:
March 21:
March 28:
April 4 final weigh in:
Happy Valentine's Day! It drizzled most of the day yesterday, never did get out to walk. I usually take two acetaminophen first thing in the morning, but didn't yesterday since they are saying you should not prior to the vaccine.
I had a lot of achiness in my hands, knees, arms and thighs. DS went home after breakfast, I headed out for my 2nd Covid vaccine around 12:15. It went quicker this time, there were less patients and staff. Took two acetaminophen afterwards and went on to Walmart. They had lots of flowers and other Valentine's gifts and someone was custom decorating large cookies just inside the door. I picked up three tops off the clearance rack (my Valentine gift to myself). After I got home, put the groceries away, tried on the tops, emptied the dishwasher, then settled on the couch. Fell asleep, woke up to the sound of DH "making" frozen pizza for dinner. Slept well despite the nap and feel pretty good today, other than a sore arm.
It's gloomy today, but we're not supposed to get much rain. Looking forward to getting out for a walk. I'm going to have to hustle to catch Cindy and Jan! I've been enjoying older DS's pics of the snow they got in Olympia, looks to be at least 6 inches from the picture. Even though he lives that far north, they don't really get much snow. We're going to celebrate Valentine's day at home with a fondue and seafood meal.
Cindy- Thanks for the new challenge! I like having the accountability section. Sorry about your shoulder and wrist hurting. Hope you did not lose your power and the wrist fracture doesn't require any intervention.
Cathy- WTG tracking, OP, walking, being 30# lighter than this time last year! Glad you enjoyed James Corden and others on the Oprah event.
Murphy- Glad you enjoyed the lunch with your friends from church and taking Linda for her appointment wasn't too cumbersome. WTG getting your snowmen packed away and purses ready to go for the Motel Ministry and committing to do AE for 30 days. I don't feel like I'm hiding my slip from DH, I just didn't feel the need to talk about it.
Carole- WTG going to kickboxing, getting chores done, buying a journal. Sorry about your liver enzymes, think of it as another why to not drink. Sorry about Angel not eating. I don't know if it applies to dogs, but a vet once prescribed a tranquilizer for one of my cats that got her eating again. I forget which one it was, but we called it "Kitty Valium". It really did give her the munchies.
Liz- Sorry I have you craving lead sinkers.
GG- So sorry that DS & DDIL are having side effects from the vaccine. Did they get the Moderna? I've heard the side effects are worse from my friends at my hospital in Florida. Glad the kids are able to fend for themselves. Also sorry that DSIL is in quarantine.
Jan- We were posting at the same time again. WTG AF47, steps, AP. Annie is picky about her cat food too, Bill and Sookie will eat anything, although some days Bill just walks away from the wet food. You've done really well this year, keep that focus!
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Post by amyj on Feb 14, 2021 14:39:15 GMT
Ready to step up your vocabulary?
WORD OF THE DAY
Impecunious
PRONUNCIATION: [ im-pi-kyoo-nee-uhs ]
ORIGIN: Late 16th century; Latin
ETYMOLOGY: from in-1 ‘not’ + obsolete pecunious ‘having money, wealthy’ (from Latin pecuniosus, from pecunia ‘money’)
DEFINITION:
1. (adjective) having little or no money; penniless; poor
Synonym(s): destitute, impoverished, poor
Antonym(s): rich, wealthy
EXAMPLE: The impecunious neighborhoods suffered the worst in the aftermath of the hurricane.
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Post by amyj on Feb 14, 2021 14:51:48 GMT
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Post by murphy1288 on Feb 14, 2021 17:47:13 GMT
What will you be accountable for today? Staying A Free and to stay engaged with those around me!
Move More Accountability - I am going to get on my bike for at least 10 minutes!
Sleep Accountability - slept pretty well last night. Why is it that 6 days a week, I can wake up before dawn but on Sundays, I could sleep till noon! LOL
Nutrition Accountability - I have a little steak thawed to fix for my Valentine's dinner!
Journal Accountability - keeping up with the AE journaling
Happiness Accountability - I'm feeling a peace in my soul!
Habit Accountability - drink more water!
Check in Daily Accountability - I'm here!
Time Management Accountability - I have a list of things to get done!
Labor of Loving yourself first!
February 14 - April 4
February 14 start weight: 189
February 21:
February 28:
March 7:
March 14:
March 21:
March 28:
April 4 final weigh in:
Affirmation: I am happy in my own skin and my circumstances!
Back from church. Another long 2nd service so I've got my feet up for a bit. I'll go back over to church for Motel Ministry this afternoon. Makes for a busy Sunday but it's ok.
Amy - hope you aren't having any ill effects from the vaccine. It's really grey here today as well. And I think it's supposed to rain all day tomorrow and then be really cold on Tuesday.
Jan - I guess I'm "officially on day 3" of the AE. I haven't listened to today's video yet. I didn't have enough time to devote to it this morning before church. I know what you mean about being so shocked about the physiological effects of A on the body and brain. That is making an impact on me for sure!
I hope all of you have a great Sunday!
Murphy
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Post by flower on Feb 14, 2021 21:34:38 GMT
Hello friends —very sad day here. We’ve decided to put Angel down. She’s not eating anything so we can’t even give her her antibiotic. Her walking is so sad. We had Tyler come home so he can say goodbye. My brother was kind of an as&@“$hole, i don’t know if my dad said something but he came around. I’ll have to go tomorrow, I just feel so bad leaving Alexis. Hopefully her bf can come over. Cathy, great idea about stickers for my journal—I love stickers!
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Post by murphy1288 on Feb 14, 2021 22:48:33 GMT
Oh Carole I am so very sorry! The very most painful thing is when we have to let our fur babies cross the rainbow bridge. My heart breaks with you. Give Angel love from all of us. Sending you many hugs!
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. The kitties have become so picky, (whose fault is that) and only want a certain kind of canned food that my grocery doesn't carry. I'll see if I'm feeling a drive later or not, wouldn't kill them to eat some dry food for a day. I'm going to make up a big pot of red beans and rice today, then we'll have some leftovers for the week. Also have stir fry on the menu for tomorrow, our nod to both Lunar New Year and Fat Tuesday I guess. Nick may be coming later this morning to keep working in the basement, almost all the drywall is up and it looks great. Now it's the finishing work and then chose a floor. Nick did go get his first covid shot yesterday so told him if he was feeling off today to not worry about coming. Will be a good project for DH when the walls are done because then he can get down there to paint before we add floors! No other big news. Will decide in the morning if the roads look good enough to drive to Appleton at 8 to do my fasting blood work, otherwise will reschedule for a drier road day! Supposed to warm up to the 30's by next weekend, wowee. Have a great day all. Jan
