What’s up next!

<p>Thank you so much friends for all your advice & support!! It really helped me a lot get things turned around to get me going in the right direction again!</p> <p>After posting last week about my broken record I thought back to what kept me motived when I originally lost 45+ lbs and a big part of it was  having and plan & working towards that next race. Guess what I did…..??? Yep, I signed up for a 5K that takes place on March 31st right here in my town!! That means in less than 3 weeks I’ll be running (probably walk/running) 3.1 miles!!</p> <p>I haven’t ran a <a href="http://weightloss-stories.blogspot.com/2010/10/applefest-5k.html">5K race since I was just 4-5 weeks pregnant in October 2010</a>. Seems like such a long time ago! I have to admit I got those “pre race jitters” after I signed up…don’t ask why, the race is still a ways off! </p> <p>Time to get to work!</p>

What’s up next!

Thank you so much friends for all your advice & support!! It really helped me a lot get things turned around to get me going in the righ...

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Vernalpalooza! The Crazy World that Lies Beneath!

 <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0ok5lHolb6lnQPpGrWO_68H99pvJW8xpA8f1bU2PJBwn0cQ8HiH9JMgGWM-zOK2vXknu2vIIwsKdYx2Fk_GvwQXtG2zzmHJAcS_5z5116Bq9VoxDjcQH-mB6sBvFr8fE4Eql3JB8d4HL/s1600/IMG_9672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0ok5lHolb6lnQPpGrWO_68H99pvJW8xpA8f1bU2PJBwn0cQ8HiH9JMgGWM-zOK2vXknu2vIIwsKdYx2Fk_GvwQXtG2zzmHJAcS_5z5116Bq9VoxDjcQH-mB6sBvFr8fE4Eql3JB8d4HL/s320/IMG_9672.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted Salamander--Photo by Kipp Brown</td></tr></tbody></table> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Most days, I think I have one of the coolest jobs in the world.  I get to help people learn about wild animals.  It's fun, rewarding and I thoroughly enjoy it.  But once in awhile, even I get amazed at how cool my job is.  </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I had the good fortune to host a workshop about vernal pools a couple weeks ago down at Shawnee State Park Lodge called Vernalpalooza.  We invited around 40 educators from across Ohio to come down for three days to learn about and experience the facinating world that is one of our most unique and, unfortunately, declining habitats in the state.  </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">For those that don't know, vernal pools are small, pocket wetlands that are usually found within woodland areas and only hold water in the spring and early summer, hence the term <em>vernal</em>.  They are free of fish, can be ground water or surface water fed, and are the nurseries to dozens of species of frogs, salamanders, aquatic invertebrates, and more.  On warm, early spring nights, especially if it's raining, you can find salamanders migrating en mass to these pools to breed.  In some parts of the state, roads are closed to traffic to minimize damage to these populations from vehicle traffic.</div><br /> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The objective of the workshop was for the participants to not only learn about vernal pools, but how to construct them in areas that could be used for educational purposes.  We had some outstanding and extremely knowledgeable instructors on topics such as vernal pool construction, vernal pool ecology, vernal pool monitoring, funding, collection and monitoring permits, and linkages to state education standards.  Overall, I think the participants learned a lot about these fragile and critical habitats and how to use them for education in a safe and ethical manner.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HM3XpI24c7-4JwtNw9xhbLxbAGNzglAS369aYjhcvJFLlfCaRXp45fepL15Z6acspAQITC1LYyr2dBlL2U6rqQQRqmhGUpRvJh1ndMWj3o0eUVmSQJRrr6HD94oJV10JJEiIrr83t8Hl/s1600/Vernalpalooza,+GE+Facility,+Adams+Co.,+OH+March+1,+2012+(16).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3HM3XpI24c7-4JwtNw9xhbLxbAGNzglAS369aYjhcvJFLlfCaRXp45fepL15Z6acspAQITC1LYyr2dBlL2U6rqQQRqmhGUpRvJh1ndMWj3o0eUVmSQJRrr6HD94oJV10JJEiIrr83t8Hl/s320/Vernalpalooza,+GE+Facility,+Adams+Co.,+OH+March+1,+2012+(16).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exploring the pools-Photos by Jim McCormac</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0vIZ_ToOb6h0C83ep-YHbgdP0rw7KLMdKJAd8yYS0nnf-0B5Gxl4818i50_i-ki8wHC7o_o68MTjEUQW-u5Wl6rzJ5tWZK5vUznOCNz2OMNRwQGvd3zX8RSaUxI3jwutgTwE9SeCnWWd/s1600/Vernalpalooza,+GE+Facility,+Adams+Co.,+OH+March+1,+2012+(111).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0vIZ_ToOb6h0C83ep-YHbgdP0rw7KLMdKJAd8yYS0nnf-0B5Gxl4818i50_i-ki8wHC7o_o68MTjEUQW-u5Wl6rzJ5tWZK5vUznOCNz2OMNRwQGvd3zX8RSaUxI3jwutgTwE9SeCnWWd/s320/Vernalpalooza,+GE+Facility,+Adams+Co.,+OH+March+1,+2012+(111).JPG" width="320" /></a>But, the best part for me was the field trip! We were very fortunate to have the opportunity to access the General Electric Jet Engine Testing Grounds in Adams County.  This 7,000 acre property is literally out in the middle of nowhere.  And, fortunately, it has been left alone for the most part on the areas that are not used by GE.  So, there are some phenomenal examples of vernal pools that we were able to explore.  We first went to a natural pool that was absolutely amazing.  You couldn't move without seeing spotted salamanders and their egg masses, some lingering Jefferson's and their egg masses, wood frogs and egg masses, fairy shrimp, and we were even fortunate to find a fairly rare four-toed salamander hiding under the moss.  The second pool was a constructed pool and it was just as interesting, although not as productive.  It was significantly younger in age than the first pool, but you could tell it was well on its way to becoming prime habitat for the area.  It was a tremendous exploration and you could hear everyone's excitement in their voices as they walked around and found all these treasures.  Some squealed with delight, others laughed with pure joy.  As a coordinator, it was so amazing to watch the sheer joy on the participant's faces.  For me, that was the best part.  Check that, I have <u><strong>THE</strong></u> coolest job in the world! <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Here are some photos from the workshop.  If you'd like more information about our upcoming workshops, sign up for our E-Newsletter online at <a href="http://www.wildohio.com/">http://www.wildohio.com/</a>  Be sure to select the Educator Edition.  </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQA1tZZ6Ys5GH33TfUGyre8UYCu9ZEWTIYN7BsF-50mHncayF_DTq2n5mnhyphenhyphenD05aZgktRZBrB9qKC6lycnEC1f97PJ6ofEkg9fCrQKD412dqVCqgTw6AqLcLWFcoHPBCY1DNzXgQAfdxz/s1600/Wood+Frog+eggs,+Vernalpalooza,+GE+Facility,+Adams+Co.,+OH+March+1,+2012+(101).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQA1tZZ6Ys5GH33TfUGyre8UYCu9ZEWTIYN7BsF-50mHncayF_DTq2n5mnhyphenhyphenD05aZgktRZBrB9qKC6lycnEC1f97PJ6ofEkg9fCrQKD412dqVCqgTw6AqLcLWFcoHPBCY1DNzXgQAfdxz/s320/Wood+Frog+eggs,+Vernalpalooza,+GE+Facility,+Adams+Co.,+OH+March+1,+2012+(101).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood Frog eggs<br />Photo by Jim McCormac</td></tr></tbody></table> <br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibyLKmM0GpXex2_sgoqzzPh87psF5OE6ZyttUfqXDk5LFqdvXcq3rckZO1wfp3u-luJui9eSNsVqw-dnmjNmFtZdNKB_oiop3Qe_UKgJ65WZbTAjKpBFDQDrwcPIwTJSrSuOJcNCx1GBej/s1600/IMG_9860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibyLKmM0GpXex2_sgoqzzPh87psF5OE6ZyttUfqXDk5LFqdvXcq3rckZO1wfp3u-luJui9eSNsVqw-dnmjNmFtZdNKB_oiop3Qe_UKgJ65WZbTAjKpBFDQDrwcPIwTJSrSuOJcNCx1GBej/s320/IMG_9860.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Entire Crew<br />Photo by Kipp Brown</td></tr></tbody></table> <div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7sm18FtQg99VsyK8CKtQWFqo6F1dwZYePuGL7bj3ffZG_N8Zx9qo1RZM2GbIVeK80T3g_r23ogqG1SsxZzPWqQl4I9xcE6N8chkfWpbpduHXD3b1E-aAE-bZa4KI83hQePYhD-MayoVa/s1600/Spotted+Salamander,+Vernalpalooza,+GE+Facility,+Adams+Co.,+OH+March+1,+2012+(54).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7sm18FtQg99VsyK8CKtQWFqo6F1dwZYePuGL7bj3ffZG_N8Zx9qo1RZM2GbIVeK80T3g_r23ogqG1SsxZzPWqQl4I9xcE6N8chkfWpbpduHXD3b1E-aAE-bZa4KI83hQePYhD-MayoVa/s320/Spotted+Salamander,+Vernalpalooza,+GE+Facility,+Adams+Co.,+OH+March+1,+2012+(54).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted Salamander--Photo by Jim McCormac</td></tr></tbody></table>

Vernalpalooza! The Crazy World that Lies Beneath!

 Spotted Salamander--Photo by Kipp Brown  Most days, I think I have one of the coolest jobs in the world.  I get to help people learn ...

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Two Upcoming 5K's

For those of you who read The Big Weight in a Reader, you may not have noticed that I added two new “widgets” to the sidebar recently.  If you're able, please click through now to see them :).<br /><br />The two new widgets are for the <a href="http://www.marchofdimes.com/" target="_blank">March of Dimes</a> – <a href="http://www.marchforbabies.org/hilaryjp248" target="_blank">March for Babies</a> benefit walk and the <a href="http://www.cff.org/" target="_blank">Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s</a> <a href="http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/dsp_DonationPage.cfm?walkid=7701&idUser=464368" target="_blank">Great Strides 5K</a>.  I did both of these walks last year and was definitely inspired to make them part of my annual routine.  <br /><br />The March of Dimes is near and dear to my heart, as this was a foundation that the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) heavily supported.  I was a very active member of FBLA in high school and learned the mission of the March of Dimes then.  The mission, by the way, is simple:<br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq" style="color: #674ea7;"><b><i>We help moms have full-term pregnancies and research the problems that threaten the health of babies.</i></b></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohokAq7gDBBVVMLrIJtkcL2Nz-O1LQnCPy1TGx6HwNeYP_a959yTE1QmWUxYy1deT91UozQH3tgF1KJgVJu9Y5VHrfY-O7PRqzUDlGyEd5Fc82Gor0JQNyEa1IzzpvyUMY1CS5hVgrrY/s1600/dimesmarch2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjohokAq7gDBBVVMLrIJtkcL2Nz-O1LQnCPy1TGx6HwNeYP_a959yTE1QmWUxYy1deT91UozQH3tgF1KJgVJu9Y5VHrfY-O7PRqzUDlGyEd5Fc82Gor0JQNyEa1IzzpvyUMY1CS5hVgrrY/s400/dimesmarch2.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/05/march-of-dimes-march-for-babies-5k.html" target="_blank">Last year’s walk</a> provided some very emotional moments.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpevr9P7aXKDBHUoLpxzEMWxlHeIcSWMYzbej7Hn6uGBlT4KVYI049f9UWgINpE1f8UFOWXXsoXNT40aaSZuDTqGfTqEBlZ4XBAF-l4oZPiel4zNGeoGHlNtkpS6cnYiK_RF7-Rs5h0U/s1600/dimesmarch4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpevr9P7aXKDBHUoLpxzEMWxlHeIcSWMYzbej7Hn6uGBlT4KVYI049f9UWgINpE1f8UFOWXXsoXNT40aaSZuDTqGfTqEBlZ4XBAF-l4oZPiel4zNGeoGHlNtkpS6cnYiK_RF7-Rs5h0U/s400/dimesmarch4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2011/05/great-strides-5k.html" target="_blank">Last year</a>, I chose to walk for the CFF for no other reason than I wanted another 5K to enroll in.  However, when you go to events like that, you quickly realize how it’s more than just a walk.   You see firsthand how your money benefits those affected by cystic fibrosis.  In high school I worked at a locally owned pharmacy.  We had a customer who had CF.  He was just a child and was such a joyful little kid everytime he came in with his mom to pick up his prescriptions.  At the time I didn’t even realize the magnitude of his disease.  As an adult, and someone who is pursuing a nursing degree, I have started to understand and appreciate the challenges involved with such illnesses. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3goM43505i5XzO2w3ZFHHptDIRr0wjirOTXjcM6DT3OfFxNNjqE7551jmkkyQy7DO_BugccED1C-N_oaZI1W8p7WBdlwquzqhvg1jzfyF2xAVGBd9nbHWquMnwab16E9rVxN3PeShEMs/s1600/CFF+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3goM43505i5XzO2w3ZFHHptDIRr0wjirOTXjcM6DT3OfFxNNjqE7551jmkkyQy7DO_BugccED1C-N_oaZI1W8p7WBdlwquzqhvg1jzfyF2xAVGBd9nbHWquMnwab16E9rVxN3PeShEMs/s400/CFF+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />If you can find it in your heart to make a donation to one of these organizations, know that it will be put to good use.  There are plenty of children/parents out there who really need the help that each of these organizations provide, and even $5 can make a difference.  <br /><br /><span style="color: #999999;">{Clicking on the widgets will take you to my campaign page where you can make a secure online donation.}  </span><br /><br />Thank you in advance on behalf of the March of Dimes and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for those of you who are able to contribute!

5K Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Great Strides March for Babies March of Dimes Two Upcoming 5K's

For those of you who read The Big Weight in a Reader, you may not have noticed that I added two new “widgets” to the sidebar recently.  If y...

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