Dewey's Read-a-thon: Hour 4

Title of book(s) read since last update: A Murderous Yarn by Monica Ferris
Number of books read since you started: 1
Pages read since last update: 66
Running total of pages read since you started: 273
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 40 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 172 minutes

Dewey's Read-a-thon: Hour 3

Title of book(s) read since last update: A Murderous Yarn by Monica Ferris
Number of books read since you started: 1
Pages read since last update: 70
Running total of pages read since you started: 207
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 40 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 132 minutes

Dewey's Read-a-thon: Hour 2

Title of book(s) read since last update: Juniper by Monica Furlong
Number of books read since you started: 1
Pages read since last update: 61
Running total of pages read since you started: 137
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 30 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 92 minutes
Mini-challenges completed: 2

Hour 1 Meme

Where are you reading from today?
Suburb of Minneapolis, couch with canine reading companion in my lap

3 facts about me
I read 200+ books a year, currently going to online school for an Associates in Accounting, married 20 years

How many books do you have in your pile for the next 24 hours?
Twelve:

Juniper by Monica Furlong
A Murderous Yarn by Monica Ferris
My Antonia by Willa Cather
Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Sleeping with the Fishes by MaryJanice Davidson
Rattlesnake Crossing by J. A. Jance
Rebellious Desire by Julie Garwood
The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
Shakepeare's Trollop by Charlaine Harris
Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich
True Seeker by C. E. Murphy
Mister Monday by Garth Nix

Do you have any goals for the read-a-thon (i.e. number of books, number of pages, number of hours, or number of comments on blogs)?
No, no need to stress myself out. This is my fourth read-a-thon and I've learned to just take it easy.


If you’re a veteran read-a-thoner, any advice for people doing this for the first time?
Start with an easy book. Keep some easy books aside for the last couple of hours as well. If you are going for a high number of books stick with easy genres like mysteries and YA and stay away from nonfiction and most classics; they slow you down. Don't try to compete, just enjoy yourself.

Dewey's Read-a-thon: Hour 1

Current title: Juniper by Monica Furlong
Pages read since last update: 137
Running total of pages read since you started: 137
Amount of time spent reading since last update: 62 minutes
Running total of time spent reading since you started: 62 minutes

Co-worker and Confrontation

A former co-worker committed suicide. I wasn't particularly close to her, but we were acquaintances. It seems she took a jet ski to the middle of the lake and shot herself in the head. She was just a few years younger than I am. I understand being in that dark place. I've been there a half-dozen times myself. Fortunately, I got the help I needed and now have the skills to cope if I start to feel that way again. I say fortunately because I needed those skills yesterday. I believe that there are studies that suicide is "contagious" and I certainly agree. I found myself going down well worn pathways of "There is no hope." and "I might as well give up." So, I called up a friend to talk about it and after about a forty-five minute conversation of sympathy and laughter, I felt so much better.

At least until I talked with my mother. After "suicide is selfish" and various questions about my weight and what I am "doing about it" and comments like she worries "they'll have to blow up doors or walls to get you out of the house," I was very upset. So I cried on my husband's shoulder and felt a bit better.

Does anyone honestly think that I don't worry about the same things myself? Does anyone honestly believe that it isn't constantly on my mind? Don't you know how hard I am working NO real life support? Insurance won't cover "weight loss programs" unless you are willing to do bariatric surgery. Which I am not. I don't know ANYONE who hasn't gained the weight back and/or has not had serious side effects. It is not worth it, not for me. And you have to make food and exercise changes that I am struggling with anyway. I would gain it all back! What use is that?

I need a personal REAL LIFE coach. I need medical support - both physical and mental. And I have no idea how to get it. The programs my insurance will cover (binge eating) don't support weight loss. And I can't afford to pay it on my own. My husband is a temp and I'm on disability. I'm to the point where I'm going to write to Oprah and the local news. Perhaps someone would be willing to help me out from the goodness of their heart. Universe, can you hear me? I NEED HELP!

Weigh In - 606, Up 2 Pounds

Well, heck. I guess it's not entirely unexpected. I've had a cold the last few days and I've been doing a little comfort eating. Nothing terrible, mostly chicken ramen, but I've been craving warm and soft foods. I'm also very tired which lessens my ability to make the best food choices. Lastly, my activity has gone from minimal to none. My plan today is to just journal my food. Nothing more, nothing less. No matter what. I've also gotten a load of dishes done which got me on my feet for a few minutes anyway.

One of the hardest things to battle is the sense of hopelessness. There is very little success out there in losing weight and keeping it off, especially when talking about hundreds of pounds to lose. There are a few people who have done it without surgery, and they are mostly men. I'm not sure what that means exactly other than I know I have a very hard road ahead and I simply don't know if I'm up for it.