Date: 2014-03-24
From: mailbox

To: the gym
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

The trail is fresh on my mind because Subaru just stopped by for a visit. It was so refreshing to talk AT. The girls and I weren't sure we'd recognize him. When we saw him in Vermont he had a beard and wild crazy man hair. He cleaned up good, both of the girls declaring him "cute", that being their highest physical comment. We had a very chatty breakfast. We were so thankful to talk to another hiker. Thanks Subaru!Honestly I think about the trail everyday and more often am day dreaming than focusing on my current situation. I especially think about it when I get on the scale. I lost 20 lbs on the trail but have gained 30 (!!!!!!!!!) back. I now weigh more than I ever have in my entire life. My family says I look okay so maybe it's some muscle weight. Nice to have blind family members...blinded by love that is! I was absolutely sure I wouldn't keep my hiker diet when I got back because I was so sick of eating so much. Apparently my stomach didn't get the memo. I am always hungry and never feel full. I keep eating candy and cookies but also lots of salads, which I missed. The girls look great. Cub just sprouted upwards. Badonk is gaining so has decided to start swimming again. It is truly amazing that after all that work it goes away so fast. My excuse was that I wanted to give my feet a rest before I started working out again. I also had to pay the bills and hit the hospital floor as soon as I got back. And that floor is hard and the work physical. I'm a Child Life Specialist. I love my job but I really was hoping for a rest break. Unfortunately my husband, Blueberry, got laid off soon after we got home. It's sad, scar but mostly disappointing. If his company had only laid him off earlier he could have joined us on the trail. Sigh! Guess I'll have to do it again with him. Truly it would be a blessing if I could hike the AT with him. In addition to my disappointment with myself in the weight gaining area I also have failed myself in remember the lessons I learned out there and the vows I made for a more simple, outdoor, traveling kind of life. I was so sure I could keep the stress and chaos of every day life at bay. I know I'm better than before but still not where I want to be. One of the beauties of the trail is the stripped down life. You focus on food, where you're going that day and what fun you will have. When I got home I cannot indulge in a single thought that isn't interrupted. I have obligations to fulfill, places I have to be. With kids there are school events and sports, piano lessons and homework,etc. The girls are actually very happy to be home. Cub seamlessly reentered school and Badonk continued her online school classes. We have stripped the house down and cleaned out all excess stuff. Cubs room is looking more and more like the AT. I just finished painting The Whites on her wall. Tomorrow I hope to turn her bunk bed into a shelter. I'll post a photo when it's done. We've been giving lectures, which we love. In fact if you are in Tampa this Sunday we will be talking about our adventure at Kol Ami (3919 Moran Rd, Tampa) at 9:45am. There will even be a light breakfast. We will show some slides and tell some stories. Please feel free to come by and say hello. The book is slow going but maybe one day we will pull it together and actually complete it. I would like to do it with the girls just to show them that once again they can do anything they set their minds to, not just physical but mental too. Maybe I will hole up in a tent somewhere and just write. Any excuse to get outside! The other day I got mad at Blueberry and I yelled,"Don't make me mad because I know where the PCT is!" The triple crown is just taunting me. I've never been much for tiaras but I'd proudly take that crown. Ta TA for now!