I had a very productive week last week. I had a paying gig everyday except Thurs and Sun. I even started one today but was rained out. This week I can only work on Tues. Wed. we are leaving for Indiana. Not a pleasure trip by any stretch of the imagination. My phone rings Sun. night, the screen showed me it was my good friend calling me. On the other end was a womans voice. My blood turned cold because I knew something bad happened. It was his mom letting me know my buddy had passed away. I was in utter shock. I feel guilty for not being a better friend. I should have called more often. I could have visited. Gilley was an awesome guy and I hate knowing I will never get to talk to him again. We served in Iraq together. He was always there for me, even when guys in my platoon were not. He pushed me to get to the gym. He helped me lose 45 pounds in 2005. He would have stepped in front of a bullet that was meant for any of us. He is going to be missed. I will forever be touched by the generousity of Corey Gilley.

Today was very productive. I had another yard that needed to be cut. This one the client wanted the lawn taken care of with a mower with a bagger attachment. That meant I had to use the push mower. I was in luck, the mower is self propelled, and the lawn was only .4 acres. I worked up a huge sweat while doing it. To give you a visual, the sweat eventually started dripping off the brim of my hat. The lawn looks fantastic when I was through. I left the professional looking lines and every thing. Something I do not do out at the Shepherd Ranch. I mow my lawn using the rabbit method. If something catches my eye, I take off that way. I am all over the place. I got some work done and then hung out with the FAM. Good day today. Tonight I have struggled though. My left shoulder is killing me. I have some fluid built up around my shoulder socket and a tendon impigment that gives me dull pain pretty much all the time, but this pain is kicking it into high gear tonight. Hopefully it goes away soon. I have a busy week ahead of me.

SHEP

It feels like it has been a month since I have posted last.

I have been busy busy busy. This week I have done several odd jobs to make some money since the job out look is kinda grim. I am doing some lawn care/lawn clean up with a friend of mine from school. We have been busy. I have a yard to take care of tomorrow if this rain will hold off. I am searching Craig's List for any potential lead. I am asking friends. I am going to make some fliers and post them around town and see what kind of response I can get.

I have not been able to reduce my carbs much this week. I have been lazy and have not been preparing and planning ahead. I need to kick this lazy shadow that has been following me for the past few weeks. On a positive note, my water in take is up.

No idea what tomorrow holds, but it will be good.

SHEP

Today was a good physical pounding on the body. I helped a friend do a landscaping job for about 5 hours this morning. Lots of hard work. We weeded a flower bed and replaced the million weeds with several loads of mulch. After that, more mulch. And more mulch.

I then went this evening and played basketball. I probably played for an hour and a half straight. I really got in a good work out. I was drenched by the time I left.

Still looking for work. Keep praying I get the last position I interviewed for. We are trying to form a basketball league around Oconee, SC as well. If you have a gym or know someone who could let us use their gym, we would be estatic.

WORE OUT and headed to la la land.

SHEP

The Foothills 5K was a big success today. The race raised just over ten thousand dollars for the Foothills Pregnancy Center. I am very glad the center will now have an ultrasound machine. This machine will be used to show pregnant women seeking an abortion their unborn baby. 90% of the time once the mother sees the unborn baby they choose life for they baby. I am pumped up about the success of the race.

As far as my running is concerned, I finished. I had a very reachable goal of finishing the race. The lack of training kept me from making any other goals for this race. I did not want to have a certain time goal because I had no idea how well I would have done. I did plan on starting off much stronger than I normally do hoping to improve my time. No such luck. I finished. I ran a 32:16 or so. Overall I am happy, but vow to train harder so I can yet faster.

SHEP

Trevor and I went swimming today. I swam 150 meters. WOW! Swimming is tough. I do not know how people swim laps. I enjoyed it, but cannot do too many laps right now. I hope to change that though. When I eventually get a job I am going to get us a family membership at the gym. I am looking forward to tomorrows race. It is for a great cause. I am hoping to do well. I am going to start toward the front and really push myself. I would love to place in the top 3 in my age group. Overall I am just hoping to run well and enjoy myself.
SHEP

Today has been a pretty good day. I took Trevor to his graduation practice. While he was practicing with his friends I hit up the golden arches for some breakfast burritos. It is hard to not get the standard two steak and cheese biscuits. I am doing well with it for the most part.

I have been snacking and eating later in the evening than I have been in the most recent months of my journey. I really think I am eating later in the evening because I am sleeping in and skipping breakfast. By the time the evening rolls around I am hungry and end up eating more than I intended to.

I met with the dietitian today. He was concerned that my uric acid count was high from the last time I had my blood work done. He told me I needed to be drinking more milk. Seriously? Dude, do you not know milk is gross unless it consists of ice cream or cheese. He also suggested that I switch to a LOW CARB diet. The carb heavy foods turn into insulin and cause you to be hungry again quicker than if you had protein and veggies. I am going to do my best to limit the amount of carbs and sugars I consume, especially after lunch.

I went to play basketball tonight. I had a great time. Not only did I get to hang out with some great people but I got to work out. Awesome cardio night tonight. I am getting better each week. I am looking forward to our season this winter. I am in the process of tracking down a gym that we can use to start a summer league. I am hoping to get this league rolling soon.

I am looking forward to the 5K on Saturday. I am going to try and push myself to see if I cannot break the 30 minute mark this time. Hope to see you there.

Glad I got some exercise in today.

SHEP