The Southern Way

I lived above the "frost line" for most of my life. In almost 20 years of winters in New Hampshire, I can never (NEVER) recall doing anything to protect the outside water spigots from freezing, despite sub-zero temperatures for weeks at a time. Yet my wife feels the need to put a styrofoam insulator cover over our hose-tap when it might get below freezing.

The plumber came, snaked, billed. Nothing major, just old pipes building up debris and rust that dropped and blocked the pipe. Now I can shower again without fear of anything I don't usually fear in the shower.

The family went, en masse, to get our family membership at the YMCA. Photo IDs all around. Girls are excited by the prospect of swimming, and maybe some classes. Tuesdays are beginning Karate (something I have done, as a beginner, at least 3 times before) which I recall as being excellent stretching and exercise, plus bruises. But the machinery is all good, the pool is nice, once I get in enough shape to use it. 15 minutes of treadmill and 15 of recumbent bike today, plus stretching. Starting to feel like I am toning up, although due to water all over the bathroom (plus the added weight of not being able to use the bathroom) I didn't do a Jan 1 weigh in, for benchmarking purposes. Pretty sure I am over 200, though. Which means my 6 week goal is about 20 pounds.

So far, I have resisted the temptation of donuts and cinnamon rolls (discounted!), and today had oatmeal for breakfast, and some nice celery with peanut butter with my lunch. Vegetables are not in as much variety or quality as New York, which makes it harder, but I will just have to adjust my habits and swing by Easy Way (the local vegetable store, which is pretty nice and reasonably priced) every day or two.

Super Mario Galaxy is a lot of fun, especially with an encouraging daughter on one arm. And we continue to spread the Guitar Hero virus to anybody willing to strap on a guitar controller and go through the tutorial.