I realize it’s May 4th, and I have yet to publish my May Challenges but I promise to deliver that tomorrow.
In the meantime, May the Fourth be with you.

the hairy dude
Can’t believe I just did that, considering I have never watched ANY of the Star Wars movies.
Ever.
Sure I know the characters: Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, the hairy yeti-looking dude, but this knowledge has been gained through pop culture osmosis.
People think I’m a freak for never having experienced the Star Wars phenomenon, but I now consider it to be a personal streak.
It’s a streak I’m not planning to break. #Winning
Enough of that, Nanc, if you’re not going to write about May Challenges, what are you going to talk about in this post?
Well, bits and bobs, really. But first, the biggest news of all!!!
I’m so excited I can barely breathe. I’m in a tizzy!
Remember during the month of March how my friend, Andra Watkins, was destroying her feet by walking 15 miles per day in a journey to cover all 444 miles of the Natchez Trace?
Well, she was doing that in conjunction with the publication of her book, To Live Forever, An Afterlife Journey of Meriwether Lewis. If you recall, she was also running a contest for her readers, incentivizing them to help her promote her book.
I would have helped her promote this book with or without a contest, because a) she is fully awesome in every way; and b) her book is a wonderful read! (Have you read it yet??? Why not?? Buy this book! You won’t regret it!)
Anyway….
Andra just announced the winner of the contest on Friday.
YAY!!!!!!!!!
YAY!!!!!!!!!
YAY!!!!!!!!!
I am over-the-moon excited! Not only do I get to visit a beautiful part of the country that I’ve never seen before (my only South Carolina experience thus far is Myrtle Beach), but I also get to finally meet *in person* someone I have come to consider a friend! How lucky am I? #Winning
So, now, onto the other bits and bobs.
Hmm… I shouldn’t have led with the big news, now it’s all going to be a big let down. Humpphh.
I went shopping at Sail yesterday. Sail is to me in Toronto what REI is to me in Vegas. It’s my Mecca. It’s where I hunt for all manner of hiking supplies.
There was a moment, though, when I realized that shoe porn used to mean this to me:
And now it means this:
And I wondered…who is this person, and what have you done with the real Nancy??
Growth.
I’m growing.
And I managed to score a great pair of Salomon hiking shoes marked down to $74.99 from $124.99! #Winning
Finally, I think I’ve mentioned before how much I love Spark People. Their site offers great (and free!) exercise videos as well as nice tools for tracking both food and activities. What I recently discovered is that they also have a fabulous recipes site. Since I’m not always on my laptop, I was thrilled to find out that they offer it as a SparkRecipes app for the iPhone.
You can easily sort on recipes by category (breakfast, lunch, appetizer, dessert), by ingredient or by dietary requirement (gluten-free, sugar-free). I’ve already made a couple of their recipes, including a banana peanut butter oatmeal, which was delicious! #Winning
In other news, I spent 9 hours moving my youngest from one university house to another. He and his roommates were living in absolute filth.

I wish it looked this good
My son had an English cucumber, of undetermined age, in the mini fridge in his bedroom. It was nearly liquefied.
There may have been maggots. Okay, maybe not maggots. But other equally nasty things.
I can’t unsee that. The image has been permanently burned into my retinae.
It still haunts me. #Scarredforlife
And on that happy note, I bid you adieu.
Tomorrow brings the May challenges.
Keep moving!
xoxo nancy
“I have never watched ANY of the Star Wars movies.
Ever.”
Well, it was nice knowing ya, but we can’t be friends anymore, obviously…
Heh 😉 I wondered how you would react. 🙂
It’s not that against it, but now that it’s been 30+ years, it seems wrong to end the streak…
Its the PERFECT time to end the streak!
What fun would THAT be? Actually when was the first one released? Maybe I can watch it on a milestone anniversary.
1977, the same year I was born, coincidentally.
Okay, so in 2017, I will break the streak! 40 yr anniversary!!
Sigh….NO NO NO! You have to at least watch it before the new movie comes out next year….Geez.
I’ll think about it.
You’re so difficult…
Says the man who refused to push my over the 30,000 views mark. Thank god for Pakistan and Moldova.
Because YOU said it had to be someone from Pakistan. Like I’m not good enough. HARUMPH!
Yeah, yeah… what evs.
DO NOT DENY MY PAIN!
Go soothe yourself with some R2D2. 😛
Shhhh….I’m mad at you.
Shall I bake you a C3P0 shaped cake to make you feel better? 🙂
Ohhhhhh……that’s a good….NOOO!! You will NOT trick me!
snicker.
Sigh…
I found a green, hairy egg in the fridge of one of the apartments I lived in here. I also had an apartment so damp (in Dublin) that when I came back from a long weekend away, my shoes had turned green and furry.
But enough about green furry things! Congratulations on your win! How exciting!
Oh GROSS on the egg!! That tops Nick’s liquified cuke.
I can usually top most things for disgustingness 😉
Well, living where you do, no doubt!
True dat 😉
Leave this place!!
I did! I went to Daugavpils 😉 First post is up by the way!
Where the heck is that? If it’s still in that godforsaken country, you didn’t go far enough.
It’s closer to Belarus than it is to Riga if that’s any help 😉
Please go to Germany already!
Soon, soon 😉 Make the most of the stories in the meantime! I’ll survive it – I wouldn’t give Latvia the satisfaction of dying here 😉
God forbid.
So happy for you Nancy! You were a real cheerleader for Andra!
Is this Debra from Breathe Lighter?? If so, yay!! I’m so happy! I knew you’d be excited for me too!!
No, I’m just a reader of Andra’s blog and I met her through Rotary. I heard of you through her blog.
Ahh! Well thank you so much for the well wishes! I can’t wait to visit your area!!
And I’ve been reading you blog for about a year now. You are motivating me!
Thank you so much! I am humbled every time I hear that my craziness has touched or motivated someone. Cheers to you and your wellness journey, Debbie!
Your feet will thank you for your shift in shoe porn…
Ha! Always looking at the bright side, Carrie! 🙂
Congrats on the trip to Charleston! Most envious!!!
… and I learned a long time ago that it’s best not to go into any living space occupied by only young men. Ewwwww. A stack of pizza boxes almost as tall as me – doesn’t anyone take out the garbage? … and that was the least most offense thing….
Joanne, the first thing that greeted me as I entered his room: every piece of clothing he owns strewn all over the floor. And he is a worse clothes horse than I am, so believe me when I say it was a LOT of clothes. I filled 5 jumbo garbage bags with dirty clothes.
Maybe we have the same son? – tall lanky guy, green eyes, very curly hair?
My youngest claims it is easier to find his stuff on the floor than hanging up or in a drawer. Seriously.
I’m glad to know it’s not just because I was a bad mother 🙂
Tall, lanky, brown eyes, straight hair. 🙂
He does it because he can. He knows mom and avoa (Portuguese grandmother) will take care of everything. I’m at fault, really. 🙂
Read this earlier but my dumb iPad wouldn’t let me comment.
That cucumber looks familiar… I (recently) allowed a bag of baby carrots to congeal into paste and then powder in the corner of my office. Also- this reminds me to check my mini fridge because I’m pretty sure I bought some fundraiser cookie dough last December and its stiiiiiill in there.
Get the boyfran to do it. Do not go in alone. Learn from my mistake, Aussa.
I’ve never watched a Star wars movie either, and can’t see why I would in the future either. Nice to know there is somebody else out there too!
I think we are the only two in the world. 🙂
At least there is two of us! 🙂
NOT SEEN THE STAR WARS MOVIES!
Why is this true!!
Why!!
WHY!!
Ok…now that is out if my system…yeay shoes! I love hiking shoes! I found my best ever walking boots that fit my odd shaped feet, and wouldn’t let the paramedics cut them off my feet when I broke my leg…no matter how much it hurt they were not hurting my shoes!!
I just bought some new (to me) dancing boot shoes 😀
On Star Wars… I know, I know…
I knew I’d take some major heat in blog land because of my clear faux pas. 🙂
Hehe it is true…but I’ll let you off…it is not like you haven’t seen The Lord of the rings movies…
Oops… (Hangs head in shame…)
O_O
but…but…but…..
O_O
Ok…
Hmmm
It is a good thing there is more to life than watching films 😀
One of these days I’ll eventually cave in. That day is not today, mind you. 😉
😀 that seems fair…
If you ever come visit me, I promise to watch every Star Warms movie and every Lord of the Rings one too. 🙂
😀 I will come one day so get watching 🙂
I will acquire the DVDs when you acquire the tickets! 😉
That is fair 🙂
Hey Nancy! CONGRATULATIONS on winning the trip! How wonderful to go and meet a friend you admire and appreciate. We all know you will have a wonderful time AND be writing about it so we can all follow along.
Now about that Star Wars business–or lack thereof. Hmmmmm…. I happen to think you are pretty amazing so I can only wonder how AWESOME you could have been hahahaha! Who know? One day when you’re about 105 and nothing else is happening you might change your mind. Gotta keep changing just like you gotta keep moving! ~Kathy
My biggest worry is that one day I’m stuck on a really long flight, with no entertainment, no books, no magazines and the only movie playing is Star Wars. I might actually cave… 🙂
Congrats on you win! Woohoo!! And, I must confess, I love both versions of your shoe porn equally 🙂
We can be BFFs now Laurel!
Haha! Okay 🙂
Oh dear, Charleston? As in Charleston, SC?? Yes, bring some sensible footwear, Nancy, but also bring some fat pants. You cannot escape this fantastic destination with nothing less than an extra ten pounds on your person. You must eat your way through the city. And it will be worth it.
But perhaps it’s Charleston, WV, in which case I’ve heard the Charleston Board of Zoning Appeals committee puts on a pretty good meeting. Fingers crossed for SC.
🙂
SC, indeed, Shelley. And the prize includes two amazing dinners at fantastic restaurants. I’m SO excited!!
Can’t wait to see your next search results post with all these “key” search terms It sould be really “interesting”. Glad you won the trip! Should make for a fun time. Yes, I read the book and throughly enjoyed it. I discovered Keen hiking shoes and boots several years back and will wear nothing else now when out with Maggie exploring. Even wore them to church this morning (now that should really throw your stats).
Oh Pat, you should see some of the creepy search terms I’ve seen in my stats the past few weeks. They’ve grossed me out!
Keen are awesome – and I love them for the high-cut boots. Lowa are the gold standard. I almost bought a low-cut pair yesterday. Except they were $199 for a low cut shoe. 😦 Common sense prevailed. 🙂 I’m pretty happy with the Salomon’s I got. They’ll do just find for local hikes. When I get to Vegas I need to buy heavier duty ones for the challenging hikes I’m planning in the southwest! 🙂
Makes one wonder about the people in this world?
Indeed.
My stats are stuck on the killing of rats.
That’s only because I’ve been kind. I could go over and make some comment about camel toe yoga pants or pure barre vaginal noises. (these were both actual search terms on my blog…)
Congratulations on all the #wins.
I haven’t seen any of the Star Wars films either even though there is at least one on TV every bank holiday. In fact, I think I scrolled through the tv this evening to find one on and immediately dismissed it to watch something else, as background noise.
I love SparkPeople too. I’ve used it on and off since 2008 and love it. I only use it to log my exercise most of the time but will also log my food when I want to concentrate of weight loss. I love Coach Nicole’s exercise videos and find some of them really hard! They can be very deceptive. 😀
Couldn’t agree more on Coach Nicole’s videos!
Gosh, with all that winning going on, I sure hope you have a trip to Vegas planned soon. Congrats on all….well, except that cucumber. Were they making their own antibiotics 🙂
Oh Ingrid…if only I could do justice to the horror that was that cucumber…
shudder.
I was originally shocked by the Star Wars revelation. But I think im more concerned about the cucumber.
Not how it looked mind you. But the fact that you referred to it as English. I thought cucumbers were the same everywhere?
Hmm….interesting. Here in North America, we refer to the long, skinny cucumbers with a matte skin as English cucumbers. The short, fat one (like in that rancid picture) are regular cucumbers.
Well how about that… Im going to ask someone the next time I’m in the supermarket.
Maybe you guys refer to the long skinny ones as regular cukes and the short, fat ones with the shiny skin as “American” cucumbers. 🙂
Thanks for sharing the cucumber. Now it’s seared on my brain as well. You haven’t been watching the Big Bang Theory have you?
Oh Carol, that cucumber has NOTHING on the disease that was in my boy’s mini fridge. Trust me. This was a gift. If I really wanted to scar you, I would have taken photo evidence of that monstrosity.
Glad you’ve moved him to a safe haven.
It’s only a matter of time. Boys are so gross.
I am so excited you won the trip!!! Are there really this many people who have never seen the Star Wars films though? I saw the first three “back in the day” and thanks to Ryan have had to listen to the second three over and over and over for years… yes, he is wearing his t-shirt today. 🙂 Thanks for the link to Spark People, it sounds like a great page to visit!
I honestly thought I was alone in my boycott of the franchise. 🙂 Who knew that two other bloggers would be in the same boat. That said, I believe they’re both from the UK, and maybe the phenomenon wasn’t quite as huge over there?
I’m not sure how I went unscathed during my kids younger years. Maybe there was a dark period in the early to mid 90’s when they didn’t produce any new films? That could be it. After that, they could watch on their own and I wouldn’t have to participate. 🙂
I was wondering how you kept your streak alive with a house full of kids. 🙂 I’ll admit I’ve never seen Titanic and sometimes wonder if I’m the only one!
That one I will own up to. It may have even been in the theatre. Don’t judge me.
No judging here. 🙂
🙂
Congrats on winning – that’s awesome! p.s. I have never seen Star Wars either.
Thanks Nik! And that makes you super cool, in my book. 🙂
So happy for you for winning!!! Yippee!!!!!!! Love that Andra and am jealous that you get to meet her!! I’m with you on the Star Wars thing, #nothappening! My condolences on the cucumber scarring you for life.
Maria, I am over the moon!! Cannot wait to make it happen!
And yay on the Star Wars thing, my sister from another mister. 🙂
My brother had a real twisted thing for Star Wars when we were growing up. I gave him my Princess Leia barbie doll when he was, like, twenty-seven, AND HE PROBABLY HAD SEX WITH IT. I only watch Star Wars to lust over Harrison Ford. I watch any movie he’s in, no matter how ridiculous, to lust over him to this day.
I’m really glad you’re excited about the trip. 🙂 🙂 🙂
People tend to be VERY passionate about that movie series. I wondered how many I would piss off by admitting I’ve never watched a single scene. 🙂
Need to get an email out to you today to figure out timing for the trip! YAY!!!
How exciting that you will be traveling to Charleston AND spending some time with dear Andra. Hooray!!
I couldn’t be more excited, Debra! Can’t wait!!
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Congrats on the win!! That’s awesome! Her book is on my list to read. And you’ve gotta watch Star Wars one day….they’re great!
One day… 😉
Congrats on the win! I only hope the police are ready for the combustion that will be you and Andra meeting.
I had a pair of Salomon ski boots way back when that I still use. Didn’t know they made hiking shoes.
I only ever knew them for their ski gear, too, Guap – but apparently they are very respecting in hiking boots/shoes now, too.
And, yes, Charleston will never be the same. 🙂
Congrats on the win! I need to put her book on my to-read list. Was the walking part of the actual book or??
The characters in the book walked some of the Trace, and of course the real Lewis & Clarke travelled the Trace, too. Andra is, apparently, the only person of either sex to walk the full 444 miles in modern times! Pretty incredible!
Wow! That is really cool! How brilliant of her!
She should write a book on the art of book promotion. She was truly genius at developing such a holistic and strategic marketing plan for her book launch.
Yayayayay! Congrats on the big win. As always you are a great resource for all this health and fitness. Will def check out Sparks. X
Thanks Rach! I’m stoked about the trip and meeting up with Andra!
Still miss you like crazy. Hoping you start writing again soon! xoxo
Congratulations on your trip! And the shift in shoe porn. Now you’ll be able to walk when you reach my age. As to your findings at your sons place, I think I win in that department….I (stupidly) entered a house where my son lived with 3 other college guys…the place was full of such liquidified treasures. Not only the kitchen…
I should have taken pictures. There is no way I could do it justice through words alone. These 4 were prolific in their destruction of this house…
Let’s say we’re even 🙂 I remember the guys needed to replace the garbage disposal after grinding beer capsules and other such stuff in it…
The house mine was in was such a dilapidated piece of crap that – in fairness to them – they didn’t leave it in much worse state than when they moved in 2 years ago. But the filth… the food, the booze, the junk…everywhere. I’m getting itchy just thinking about it.
Congrats on the win, Nancy! You get to meet another blogger face to face AND experience Charleston too! Charleston is one of my favorite cities and I know you will enjoy it. You can spend hours walking and burn off all that awesome food! 😀
I am with you on Star Wars…I did see the first one a million years ago, and that was plenty.
I cannot wait!!
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