midwife's muse

Walking

Today I bought a pedometer. Sometimes when I'm walking back from the shops carrying too many bags, and my arms feel like they are going to come out of their sockets, to keep myself walking I count my steps. Then I saw the MacDonalds advert where they were giving pedometers away. I wanted one, not enough to buy a Happy Meal, but enough to canvass everyone to buy an obesity aid so that I could be the proud possessor of an instrument that would count my steps for me. I have to report that no one came up with the goods. Once the idea was in my head though it would not go away, and then I saw one. Why the urge? Well, I'm really competative, against myself. I set myself tasks and then set out to keep going. I see the acquisition of this little counter as a way to encourage myself to walk. Everyday I shall see how far I've walked, and then I shall attempt to beat it the following day. I've already got little ploys worked out, instead of parking outside a patients house I shall park slightly down the road, I won't park in the car park infront of the maternity unit, I'll park in one further away. It's going to be easy on Sunday, we've got Jack for the day, and if he's anything like last time I shall be roaming the streets for about 12 hours pushing him in his stroller. Since I purchased the pedometer, about 5 hours ago, I have taken 398 steps, not bad when all I've done is cook dinner. It's going to go up shortly though as I take my Thursday night ramble to meet Hubby from the pub, I can't wait to check it when I get back. How sad am I?

 Following my sleepless nights of Monday & Tuesday, Wednesday night went much the same way. Initially, it was due to the reverberations emanating from Hubby's mouth and nose (he snores) but once awake I realized I could hear metal clanging and drills whirring. Pulling on my joggers I went to the top of the drive, righteous indignation took control, who was so unsociable that they would be undertaking DIY at 2am? I strode off down the road (shame I hadn't yet got my pedometer) in search of the meanie. As I marched the noise got louder, and I became more indignant, boy would they be in for it. The arc lights  made me suspicious that this may not be some errant householder demolishing a wall, and when I turned a corner I became contrite. It was a burst water main and the water board were there fixing it. Smiling sweetly I strolled past them, commiserating with them on the chill in the air and the fact they were toiling through the night. I like to think that I brightened up their night, flip-flops, jogging pants, a fleece, and a nightie must have given them a few laughs. I returned home, got back into bed, put my ear-plugs in and settled down. Hubby hadn't stirred. I could get up to anything in the night, I could lead a double life, if I had the energy.

16.9.04 22:49