NWMM Day 17-30.

So.  Here I sit on the on the morning of the eve of the last day of no-Walmart-month. We have done pretty well so far, only going to Wegmans, Sav-a-lot, Tops, and a lot of local establishments.  We have had a trip or two to Target, and a couple of trips to the Savers Thrift store in Henrietta.  All in all, and interesting month.  Here are some little things I (we) learned...

- Tops doesn't (regularly) carry prepackaged balloons.  If they do, no one in the store knew where, and so I ended up buying them (un-blown up) from the flower station.

- It is possible to get most of what you need with out going to Wal-Mart.  You may end up spending the same when it comes to gas driving to different places, but I think if it had been summer, we would have biked a bit more, and saved there too.

- Sav-a-lot on a Friday night is just as bad as Wal-Mart, in terms of crowd and attitude.  I did the shameful "excuse me, sorry..." when I almost bumped into someone's cart coming around a corner, and I got a death look.  Scary.

- I see different people,  a different clientele, at other places.

- I take different routes, obviously, but that I also means I notice other things, and get to know my town better.

- There is no "right" place to shop.  We started frequenting Felt Frish Amish store, and it's funny - some  stuff is definitely more "natural," but some items I assume are just bought in bulk and repackaged.  It's funny to see 100 packets of Splenda (not that I buy it) in little plastic containers instead of a box.  I don't presume to know much about the Amish way, but it's...interesting.

Conclusions?  I don't know if I have any.  Will we go back to Wal-Mart?  Probably.  There are some things you just can't get somewhere else, and it doesn't make sense to.  I mean - if I need paper, I'm not necessarily going to expect to see it at the farmers market, but if I want truly fresh produce and meat, I am going to look locally first.

From left: Tom, Tom, Mickey, Melanie, Matt, Sheryl, Brian, Me, and Randy (I mean Jack...)

In other news - the Mighty Niagara Half Marathon went well.  I took it easy, and had a good time, and enjoyed myself.  I still went faster than I originally intended, but I felt good.  Everyone in our group finished, and finished well (That's me in the bright orange calf sleeves.  I am told that you can't miss 'em.).  I am very proud of them, even though I know that it wasn't necessarily me that got them through it.  Our Run for God ministry is doing some great things for people, and God has put us in a great place to keep going!

The finishers medal.  It took someone else saying
it to make me realize it's a guitar pick.  The bands
on the course were GREAT!

Adam and Mrs. Wadhams

Personally, I am thinking about where to race next, now that I a not doing the Empire State Marathon.  Where can I put my training to use?  I am looking at the Dirt Cheap Stage Race, a 2-day event with 3 different race lengths, and exclusive goodies for people who register and do all 3 parts - a time trial 3 miler, a 5.5 run with an "infamous" stair climb, and an 11 mile trail race.  Should be interesting...

AND...on Tuesday I will be 35.  Halfway to 70, Lord willing.  Today, we are celebrating jointly with my sister in law, whose special day was a few days ago, and is NOT turning 35.




Lastly - ADAM LOVES KINDERGARTEN!  Here he is with his teacher Mrs. Wadhams.  Last night we were "reminiscing" about when he was born, and the heartache I had for him in the hospital, and I am sitting here thinking of how far he has come, and how he has grown into a God-loving, responsible, young man.  I love him more than just about anything on earth.  Wow.