OBAMAMANIA

I am not sure why everyone is so starry-eyed and treating Obama as if he is some sort of demi-god.  Not sure what all the adulation is about.  Up until a few months ago I had never even heard of him and when I did, my first thought was that no one with 'Hussein' as part of their name would ever get elected as US president.  Obviously I misjudged the American voters on that point.

That aside, the guy doesn't have much of a track record.  He voted 'present' over 130 times as Senator; you can't effect change if you aren't willing to stand up and vote yes or no.  He has no experience in the area of foreign policy.  He is a gifted orator [although we know that writing your own speeches in Washington just isn't done], he has charisma, intelligence, is energetic and optimistic but he has yet to prove if he can lead.

I fully realize this is not a popular or even welcomed opinion to have, but I have never been much of a follower or let others opinions of me change the fundamentals of who I am or what I believe.  I think outside the box and sheep mentality drives me crazy.  So I am sitting back with eyes wide open to watch and wait before I jump on this bandwagon.  

Show us what you can do, President Obama.

MUST GET INTO THE DRESS

Ok I have a confession. I never made it to the Fort to Fort trail. I can't recall why I didn't go on the day I said I would but I didn't go. I have, however, paid for a month's pas (thank you Visa) to the local rec center and have gone about 10 times in the past three weeks. I would have gone more but Christmas was in the middle and ... well you know how that goes.

I spend the first 30 minutes on the treadmill. My first few visits, I couldn't get past effort level 3.4, which is basically a step above meandering. Now that is my low setting and I get up to 4.6 which is a slow jog. Yep... jog. Me. Who'da thunk it. I only manage about 45 seconds to a minute at that speed and then drop down to the high 3's but I consider that progress. I then do a round of weight machines and free weights which takes about an hour - 3 sets of 15 reps (I sound like I know what I am talking about, don't I?) on about 6 machines... all but one for the arms and chest. Must get rid of that awful flapping flab that has the nasty trait of appearing on my upper arms whenever I raise them above my waist.

So here is the shocker - I am already seeing (more like feeling) the effects. I have biceps. I can feel the muscle, rock hard, where there used to just be soft flabby bits. And when I lift my arms, the flapping flab seems a little less flappy. I hope it isn't just wishful thinking.

I haven't tried the dress on yet. I am afraid of it not fitting still. I haven't seen much improvement on the scales. In fact, despite keeping my Ferrero Rocher consumption down to 2 over the entire holiday season (and this is no small feat, I love them so much that one Christmas my rather large stocking was crammed full of only those lovely golden orbs. My kids know me SO well) and eating almost no baking (well, except for my home made orange chocolate biscotti and lemon tarts) I gained three pounds. Not good.

I have 42 days to get into this dress. I HAVE to do it. It is my only New Years resolution - which I never make because I never keep them and then I am full of guilt and shame and who needs that? The shoes I ordered online to match (mocha) the dress arrived yesterday and they are GORGEOUS. They fit perfectly. I now have a complete outfit. I just need the body to go with it.

Help.