Since a number of us talk about yard work as a form of exercise, I thought I'd post a few pictures of what passes for yard work around here. We live on 5 1/2 acres in a 200 year old house. The property is overgrown in a number of places, and part of my efforts are directed toward taming that and maybe someday bringing it under control.

I like my machines, and if I can do something for myself, that is a plus. Last year I had opportunity to buy an old used chipper/shredder at a great price from a friend of mine. It runs off the PTO on my '63 Fordson and will allegedly handle a 5" log. I've tested it up to 3". Anything bigger gets cut for firewood.

For most people, mulching a flower bed means purchasing some mulch, and then spreading it out. Maybe you need to cart it to its new location in a wheelbarrow, etc. That's all good exercise. For me, mulching starts with a chainsaw and a copse of weed trees. For this particular episode I spent about half a day or so chopping down trees and sectioning them up to be more manageable. Then I had to move about five carts worth to the flower bed. Normally I'll run the chipper right where the trees come down, but this hill is too steep to safely park the tractor in its aged condition.

It was most of another day to grind the stuff up and spread it around. There's probably about two cubic yards of chips there. And I've got lots more to do - lots more weed trees and bushes, and plenty of places to put free mulch. It ain't quite as pretty as the stuff from the home center, but I like the color green that stays in my pocket. And doing all this stuff burns some serious calories in the process. There is no danger of finding my home featured in Better Homes and Gardens any time soon though.

Start of 6 month pre-op diet (2/14): 320 lbs.

5/7: 290 lbs.

5/14: 292 lbs.

Food: C

Water: C

Vitamins: A

Exercise: A+ Got back to the gym 4 days last week and hit my step goal 6 out of 7 days. + I ran my first ever 5K on Saturday. No way I could have done it when I was 320.

Weight as of current is 265.5

Kudos to your folks! Smart getting married on your Mom's birthday. Dad would have been in double trouble if he ever forgot!

Last week: 188.8

This week: 189.2

Blest to still have my mother too. Brother, GF and I took her out to eat at preferred local sea food restaurant last night. Obviously we were not the only ones trying to duck the anticipated crowds today.

Work schedule still twisted around this week. New guy not ready to go on his own yet. May be replacing a second officer soon depending on his interview on the 23rd. Good officer and a good man to begin with. Will hate to lose him.

Turn off the computer, go outside and play!