I have been in a two week pity party.  It lasted until my daughter said that’s enough and you’re beginning to be pathetic.  That stopped me in my tracks and I quickly reevaluated my attitude.  I’m going through all the firsts after a divorce – birthdays, Thanksgiving, decorating the house for Christmas, and oh, what will I do on New Year’s Eve.  And, where the hell did these five pounds come from and how did I gain them in two weeks.  (Ok, it was probably the decadent gluten free birthday carrot cake!) It seemed like everyone was in a happy relationship, everyone looked prettier, had better hair days and I was a frumpadinka.  I know, it sounds so pitiful.

Then, I realized because of scheduling conflicts, I hadn’t consistently walked during those two weeks. I can’t believe how much exercise helps with mood control. I was addicted to those walking endorphins and was going through withdrawal and feeling mightily sorry for myself.

It was clear I was sabotaging myself and needed to WALK and be with friends.  God bless Jennifer Buckler who volunteered, for the mere cost of a glass of wine, to come over and help me decorate the house.  What a thoughtful thing to do and suddenly I felt better and not so alone this holiday season.  

Here’s what I learned during my Plentiful Pity Party.  I don’t have to do it alone because I have incredible friends and I’m so blessed to have an honest and loving daughter. I really am beautiful inside and out (the psychic told me so – LOL).  Another lesson became apparent when I was talking with a woman at work sharing how the walking club supported me when I was lost.  This wonderful person, who has suffered an incredible personal loss, shared that she was lost right now.  I asked her to join our walks, which she said she would and even bought a t-shirt.  My hope for her is that she’ll find her way like I did one step at a time.

 My wish for you is that you find all your gifts on clearance, that you take time to have a glass of wine and list everything you’re grateful for, and you reach out to someone who may be lost and help them find their way one step at a time.
 Love to you all,
Teri

So, this has been quite the week filled with adventures. I signed the first step of the divorce filing documents and did so with a mix of sadness and relief.  I had the honor to spend Veteran's Day with my daughter - pedicures and shopping - doesn't get better than that.  And, our website statistics are way more than I could have ever imagined.  In the month the website has been live there has been over 800 visitors.  That’s amazing, incredible, and I couldn’t be any more thrilled.  Many thanks go to all of you!

We added another night for walking so there's another night for those who couldn't make the Tues/Thurs schedule. So we are walking at Jenison Field House at Michigan State University on Wednesday night’s at 6:15.  We also tried the area around Granger Meadows in Lansing, MI and that is a nice three mile walk and is fairly well lit for after sunset walks.  I would only recommend that area for groups of two or more if walking after sunset and bring a flashlight.

I visited with a psychic who channels a spirit guide.  It was fun and friends were waiting their turn and heard me laughing out loud during the reading.  The spirit guide was definitely on a roll.  I bring this up only for the fact the message to me was something every woman should hear and that’s to look in the mirror and say to yourself – I am beautiful and I am perfect just the way I am.  So, there it is, a spirit guide's advice to all of you.  You are beautiful and perfect just the way you are.

May you walk many steps this week, may you believe you are beautiful, may you have a good hair day, and may you find the most awesome shoes on clearance.

Please feel free to leave a comment or send me an email using the Contact Us page.

Much affection to all of you!,
Teri Sime McCowan

I can thank everyone enough for their support.  This website has had more "hits" than I ever imagined and generated lots of interest.  My work also did an article for our employee newsletter and we have women who have never walked before interested in beginning to move.  YAY!!! 

Please note our Winter Schedule.  With the time change we were able to find a place to walk indoors during the week.  We are going to try walking at our favorite parks in the winter until below zero temps drive us away.  Maybe this will be a warm Michigan winter and by warm I mean anything above 10 degrees.

We are starting to train for a September eight mile walk on Mackinac Island and would love to have a huge group go.  The racing company said they would work with us on the ferry cost if we volunteered to help organize and communicate on the day of the race.

I'm ordering short sleeve t-shirts and sweatshirts soon, so if interested, please leave a comment or send me an email and I'll be happy to order you one.