jackie_paige's Blog

I know when I am older that I am going to miss the craziness of my kids school activities, but lately, my life has been totally nuts...!!!

I have two boys, one in High School and the other in Elementary, and both of their schedules along with mine and my husbands', make for difficult quiet time, not to mention family time.  I, personally, find it unnerving that I don't get to spend as much time "together" as a family because of all the extracurricular activites that take up ALL of the downtime that, let's face it, all of us need.  Even more so, the weekends, which used to be "family time" when I was growing up, are now so completely filled with sports games, music recitals, birthday parties and playdates...that I sometimes find myself looking forward to Mondays!  Remember going for a Sunday afternoon drive to visit the grandparents??? Uh hum...not any more!

I'm not talking about this to complain, but instead to merely emphasize how important I think it is to make time for downtime, and especially family time.  I try to make it a requirement, that we eat dinner together at least one or two nights during the week. (we always, have Sunday dinner.)  So what does that mean?  It means, that I try to schedule a night where there is no soccer practice, or football practice, or football or soccer games, no baseball practice,  no piano, no scheduled "parent meetings" at either school, my husband is home by six, and I actually have the energy to prepare a nice healthy dinner...("not chicken again!!!"),...for my family.  WHEW!!

I know it's a lot, especially after working a full-time job (and waking up at 3am!), but I firmly believe it's worth it!  I love my family, and I love being together, and I feel better, when I have had that special time with them.  I also find it's a time when they tell me things about school or friends, that they might normally not, because they usually don't have the time to decompress and relax...but at dinner time, for some reason, they do.

I also have figured out a couple of easy, fresh, healthy and delicious meals, that really take no time in preparing, and I soon will share some of those with you here in the Ladies Room.  Let's face it, the more we can help each other out with keeping our families together, and our schedules less crazy...let's do it!

 

Hello all!
I see all of the folks who have posted who are struggling along with me, and to all of you I say thank you, so much for your words of encouragement!!!  You guys are awesome!So today, I went to the gym and did my thing...an hour workout on the treadmill.  The cool thing about this program that the workout involves walking on the treadmill at various inclines and speeds.  It doesn't get boring, and you really feel like your getting a good workout without pushing yourself to the absolute limit.  I'm sure many of you, just like me, feel like you have to be on the verge of "dying" in order for you to really feel like your accomplishing something. This program teaches you different;y..don't worry though...I'm still working my tail off, just in a different way!! As for the eating plan, i think drinking the water, like so many of you have said...has really helped!!  I still forget to do it when I'm on the air in the morning!!  To be honest, that's when I really want the coffee!!By the way, to Martha and Crystal...you guys look awesome!!!  Keep it up!!  And to Deena...you are the best!!  

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It's been a week since my last post, and here I sit on a break away from work. I was really worried that I might get off track while on vacation, but so far, that hasn't happened. The hardest time of day has always been dinner time. I'm usually tired, a little grouchy, and starving at 5pm!! I'm finding, though that staying on target with my excercise, helps me keep on track with watching what I eat. And, around 4pm, I try to eat a snack that has a little protein in it, so I'm not as hungry at 5. So far, that seems to be working.

I cannot tell you how much I appreciate all the support I have received from all of you who have seen the Diet Diaries story. I am still very nervous about this whole process, and I very much want to succeed, especially now that I know you guys are watching and cheering me on. I am so proud of so many of you who also have come forward and told me about your stories. I am so touched and inspired by so many of you!

I will try to keep you all up to speed on my prgress, please continue to tell me about yours!

Take care!!!

Ok..now you've sen Deena's story, I can't hide it anymore...now you know how hard I have struggled with my weight.  I have started a journey that, I hope, will continue for the rest of my life.  An ongoing healthy way of eating coupled with good cardiovascular exercise.  I am also hoping that my open dialogue about my weight and progress will help others who also struggle with their weight.  You are not alone.
Honestly, I have done so many different diets, and have had success with some of them, but it seems, the older I get, the harder it is to to keep it off and stay healthy.
So here I go, I will try, as often as I can to blog about my progress, I will be honest, and hopefully, I will have some success.  It will be hard work, and I'm not expecting miracles, but I would love some support and encouragement...every little bit helps!!!!
Wish me luck!

And so it begins...the 2008 construction year is now officially underway.  This time we're looking at construction on I-75 between Downtown and the Davison Freeway (M-8.)Beginning at 7am today, there will be double lane closures on both directions of I-75 between I-94 and I-375.  During the overnight hours and on the weekends MDOT plans on closing the freeway at times as well. 

Why is this happening now?  I-75 and the bridges over the freeway between Downtown and the Davison (M-8) are in definite need of repair, MDOT spokesperson Rob Morosi says they have to completely demolish the bridges and rebuild them, so they simply need to start the project now, so it can be completed before the end of the year.  

MDOT will divide the project into two separate phases.  Phase 1, starts today on I-75 between I-375 and I-94 scheduled to end in mid-June.  Phase 2, I-75 between I-94 and the Davison Fwy (M-8,) begins in June/July and is scheduled to be completed in November.  The Lodge Fwy (M-10) and the I-96 Jeffries Fwy are good alternates to get around the closures, but we'll see delays on those as well until we all get used to commuting around the barrels.

Keep checking in here for updates on this project, and sound off too!!!  We'd like to know what you're thinking.

Local drivers who use I-75 have a new headache beginning today.

A major construction project will have you hitting the brakes and looking for detours. MDOT is preparing to give two dozen bridges a much-needed overhaul beginning on I-75 between I-94 and I-375.

So, if you travel downtown for work, we want to hear from you. Tell us how your commute is going and maybe you could share a shortcut or two with fellow motorists.

Ever since I began studying French in high school, I've wanted to go to France.  When my husband and I were married nine years ago, we had hoped to go to Paris...but it didn't happen....it just wasn't the right time.   We put it off until we could find the time.

Well, I just celebrated a big birthday, and my sneaky husband surprised me with...guess what...a trip to Paris!  Incredible!

We left on a Saturday night, and you should know...I'm not a big fan of flying...but I was okay....I mean this was Paris, my dream come true, right?  Well, wouldn't ya know halfway into the flight, Northwest said we have to go back to Detroit because of mechanical problems!!!  Oh my!  A six hour flight to nowhere...yes, of course it's always better to be safe than sorry, but the way Northwest handled everything was awful!  But, I'll save that for another blog!!!

Moving on...so we finally left for Paris the following afternoon.  The flight was uneventful, and our trip was underway.  We arrived in Paris Monday morning and began our first day, after we cleared customs, checked into the hotel...we were off....!!

Our first stop, the Louvre....spectacular!  From that point forward, it was an absolute onslaught of history to the likes of which I had never experienced.  We saw Versailles, La Musee D'Orsay,  The Eiffel Tower, Opera Garnier, the Champs Elysee from Place De La Concorde to L'arc de Triumph.  All the sights were fantastic!

The city itself is also incredible.  It is so clean and the architecture is unlike anything I have ever seen.  Many of the buildings that are still used today were built in the 17, 18, and early 1900's.  And at night, the city is incredibly romantic.  My husband and I took a cruise down the River Seine to see all the sights at night.  If you ever go to Paris.....that is an absolute must!

Fortunately, our flight home was safe, and our trip to Paris was over.  It was a 20 year long dream that actually came true!  Thank you to my husband...the greatest guy on the planet!

 

P.S. Photos to be posted soon!

 

Well, actually the cameras aren't new...but, now you can see almost all of the cameras MDOT has on our website, myfoxdetroit.com.  

Thanks to our awesome web guys who have been working around the clock to get the latest and greatest updates, you can now click on cameras placed on our new interactive map and see how the traffic is moving...each camera shot is updated every 15 seconds.

Here's what you do; got to the traffic page, there you'll see the "Interactive Incident Map," that has all the latest updates on accidents and construction projects, then look on the right margin, there you'll see the icon for "Live Interactive Traffic Cameras," click there to see if the problems listed on the incident map are causing delays on the freeway.  It is very cool. 

I hope you like our new digs, but, if there is anything else you think we need,  let us know by writing about it here in the blog.   We can chat over some suggestions...as always, we love to hear from you!

Have a great day!

 

There are places that you visit that give you a special feeling.  That one place where you go to where your heart finds a connection.  Minneapolis is that place for me.  It's my home away from home.  I can think of so many reasons why, but I'll limit it to just two: my Mother and Father-in-law.  They live there. 

I met my husband here in Michigan, in high school, we were high school sweethearts.  We dated for about two years, then I graduated and he and his family moved to Minneapolis. It wasn't until about fifteen years later (and a family tragedy that I won't go into here) that we were reunited and married.  Since that time, we have been to the Twin Cities frequently for wonderful family vacations with my in-laws.  Mom and Dad always make the greatest plans for the kids and they are always so warm, loving and just darn happy to see us!  I'm lucky.  So, as you can imagine, when yesterday's events began unfolding with the 35W bridge in Minneapolis, my husband and I were terrified.  Dad takes 35W to and from work EVERY day.  We heard about the collapse at about 7:30ET, we looked at each other, didn't say a word, and immediately began calling every number we could think of to try and reach Mom and Dad.  When news began to spread, WE began receiving calls from OUR friends and family to see if we had heard anything.  At that point, we called some friends to have them call Minneapolis for us, the lines were all jammed and we thought maybe they could get through even if we couldn't. 

Finally, after 2 and a half hours Dad called to let us know that both he and Mom were alright.  An afternoon dental appointment had Dad on his way home before the collapse.  So, we took a huge breath, had a huge sigh of relief and felt elated to know that Mom and Dad were alive and healthy.  Our joy is bittersweet though knowing that there are some who were not so lucky.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to those families. 

You can be sure the next time I see my in-laws and my own parents too, I'll hug them a little longer.

Here is the latest Road Crew Alert, per MDOT.

These ramp closures are significant if you need to get to Henry Ford or if you work in the New Center Area.

Lodge Freeway (M-10) Update:

Beginning at 7 a.m. on Monday, April 30 through 5 a.m. on Monday, May 7.  Northbound M-10 exit to Milwaukee/West Grand Blvd. West Grand Blvd entrance to northbound M-10 Southbound M-10 exit to West Grand Blvd. West Grand/Milwaukee entrance to southbound M-10 Detours will be posted, directing traffic to Woodward Avenue to access West Grand and the New Center area. Drivers using southbound M-10 heading to Henry Ford Hospital or the New Center Area can exit at Pallister. Northbound M-10 motorists can exit at Warren, or onto eastbound I-94, the exit at Woodward, and head north to the Boulevard.

The following is the latest Road Crew Alert. All of the information below has been provided by the Michigan Department of Transportation.



Thursday, April 19, weather permitting:

Crews will close M-1 over I-75 from 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Detours will be posted in each direction.

The southbound Woodward Service Drive to westbound 8 Mile Road will close at 9 a.m. and remain closed until 5 p.m. on 4/27.

Weekend construction 4/20-4/23

I-75 in Wayne County:

Beginning at 9 p.m. on Friday 4/20 and ending at 9 a.m. on Saturday 4/21, northbound I-75 will be closed from Fort Street (exit 28 in Flat Rock) to Sibley Road (exit 34 in Huron Township) while southbound I-75 will be closed from Schaefer (exit 43 in Detroit) to West Road (exit 32 in Woodhaven) Southbound I-75 will be reduced to a single lane at King Road from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., while northbound I-75 will be reduced to as single lane from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. If all the work isn't accomplished on Friday night, the same closure will be implemented from 9 p.m. on Saturday 4/21 until 8 a.m. on Sunday 4/22.During the closure, all traffic will be directed to M-85 (Fort Street).

Dodge the Lodge:

Beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday 4/20, crews will close northbound and southbound M-10 between Lahser and M-39. Currently, the freeway is closed between M-39 and M-8 (Davison Freeway). The section between Lahser Road and 8 Mile Road is scheduled to open to traffic in early Aug. For the weekend, both directions of M-10 will be closed between Lahser and I-94. The closure begins at 9 p.m. on Friday 4/20 and ends at 5 a.m. on Monday 4/23. At 5 a.m. on Monday, a single lane will open on northbound and southbound M-10 between I-94 and M-8, and the freeway remains closed between M-8 and Lahser Road.

I-94 in Wayne County:

Westbound I-94 will be reduced to a single lane from Beech Daly in Taylor to Merriman Road in Romulus beginning 7 p.m. on Friday 4/20 and ends at 5 a.m. on Monday 4/23.

I-94 in Macomb County:

Eastbound and westbound I-94 will be reduced to a single lane between

North River Road in Mt. Clemens and 23 Mile Road in Chesterfield

beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday 4/20 and ending at 5 a.m. on Monday 4/23.

5 a.m. on Monday, both directions of I-94 will have two lanes open between North

River Road and 23 Mile.

I-96 in Oakland County:

Between 6 a.m. and Noon on Saturday 4/21 and Sunday 4/22, eastbound I-96 will be reduced to a single lane from Beck Road to Novi Road.

I-275 in Wayne County:
Detailed bridge inspections will result in intermittent single and double lane closures on northbound and southbound I-275 between 8 Mile Road and I-94 beginning at 6 a.m. and ending at 8 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

Here is your Road Crew Alert for Friday, March 16, 2007:

Now is the time when construction projects get underway for the spring. We have quite a few working this weekend. Here are the anticipated closures per MDOT in Southfield:

(Beginning Friday) A one mile section of 11 Mile Road in Southfield will be closed between Franklin Road and Center Road for reconstruction/widening. The closure will begin at 9 a.m. on Friday, March 16 and remain closed until early June 07. Watch for detours will be posted in each direction.

Weekend closures for 3/16-3/19:

In Detroit:

M-10 (Lodge Freeway) in both directions between I-94 and M-8 (Davison Freeway), the freeway will be CLOSED from 9 p.m. on Friday until 5 a.m. Monday. Detours to I-75 will be posted in each direction. (Bridge demolition and re-build at Tuller and Glendale)At 5 a.m. on Monday, March 19, a single lane will open between I-94 and M-8 in each direction.

 In East Dearborn:

Eastbound and westbound Ford Road will be CLOSED at Greenfield for bridge work. The full closure begins at 6 a.m. on Saturday and ends at 11 p.m. on Sunday. Traffic, in each direction, will be routed up the Greenfield exit ramps, and down the Greenfield entrance ramps during the full closure.

 I-96 Jeffries Fwy:

In Wayne County, westbound I-96 at Beech Daly, a double lane closure will be in effectfrom 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. on Saturday. Weather permitting.

 Downriver:

The traffic shift is expected to be put in place on Saturday morning placing northbound I-75 traffic on the southbound side of the freeway from Gibraltar Road to Sibley Road. Weather permitting.

 

 

 

 

Here is the latest Road Crew Alert. Pay attention Downriver area commuters...unfortunately, there is more work scheduled for your area!

Lodge Fwy (M-10) Update-

DAVISON AVE WESTBOUND RAMP TO M 10 SOUTHBOUND IS CLOSED UNTIL THE END OF APRIL.
ENTER THE LODGE SOUTH FROM DAVISON EAST.

Downriver / I-275, I-75

I-275 BETWEEN TELEGRAPH RD AND WILL CARLETON DR, LANE CLOSURES WILL BE IN EFFECT
FROM TUESDAY (3-13) THROUGH MEMORIAL DAY. (BRIDGE WORK)

I-75 IN BOTH DIRECTIONS BETWEEN GIBRALTAR ROAD AND SIBLEY
CONSTRUCTION HAS THE FREEWAY DOWN TO TWO LANES. (LONG TERM LANE SHIFT)

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It isn't official, yet, but if you were to believe that spring arrives when the construction barrels come out, then, SPRING IS HERE!!
Here is the latest Road Crew Alert with upcoming weekend construction projects per MDOT.Don't forget to sign up to receive e-mail alerts for Traffic problems in your commute. Sign up and become a member of Jackie's Road Crew. Click Here.


I-75 Downriver - Southbound I-75 from Eureka Road to West Road will be down to one lane on Saturday from 5 a.m. until 5 p.m. The ramp from southbound Telegraph to southbound I-75 will be closed as well. After 5 p.m. on Saturday, two lanes will be open on southbound I-75 from Sibley to Gibraltar, and the entrance ramp from Dix-Toledo to southbound I-75 will be closed through sometime in November.

I-94 - I-94 east and westbound at Lonyo will have both single and double lane closures from 9 p.m. on Friday until 5 a.m. on Monday.
Dodge the Lodge update - The westbound Davison Freeway (M-8) ramp to southbound M-10 will close at 10 p.m. on Saturday and remain closed until the end of April. Traffic will be diverted on to southbound Woodward Avenue. At 5 a.m. on Monday, the ramp from eastbound Davison to southbound M-10 is scheduled to re-open.

Woodward (M-1) and 8 Mile (M-102)update - Westbound 8 Mile (mainline) will be closed under Woodward Ave. beginning at 9 p.m. on Friday until 6 a.m. on Monday. Traffic will be diverted to the westbound Service Drive during the closure. Also, 8 Mile eastbound (mainline) will be reduced to one lane under Woodward.


Also per MDOT: In Ferndale: "A permit filed by the city of Ferndale has been approved to close two lanes of southbound Woodward from 9 Mile Road to about 8 ½ Mile. Traffic will be maintained on the left two lanes southbound in that area. This is for the city's St. Patrick's Day Parade which will take place from 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Saturday." (Thanks for the info Rob Morosi!!)

Well, if you are to believe that the Michigan roads are steadily improving, then you would have to believe that all of the construction that we are experiencing is changing things for the better. I keep wondering when it’s going to stop, but now I think maybe it isn’t ever going to. It certainly doesn’t seem that there are fewer projects…it fact, I’m pretty sure the opposite is true.
Last year for example, we saw the huge I-94 construction project from Metro Airport to Detroit wrap up in time for the Super Bowl, then as soon as that was over, they began re-working the Lodge interchange at I-696. Major headache, yes, but certainly, it needed to be done!
I remember about three or four years ago, that massive I-94 construction project from (roughly) I-696 to M-59…well…don’t be surprised when barrels appear in that area again this summer.
I think we obviously are getting used to construction projects in and around Metro Detroit, I just wonder if we should accept them as a permanent fixture, instead of continuously and anxiously waiting for them to go away. I think we might save ourselves a lot of stress (not to mention high blood pressure) if we just realized that…road construction is here to stay.


What do you think? Should we just accept construction as part of our daily commute? I’d love to hear from you!