Critter Alley

Critter Alley

Monday, May 20, 2013

Farewell to Norrie










My small home office has been dominated by an enormous treadmill. It's one of those fancy-smancy Nordic Track models. My son joined a gym a few years back and decided he no longer needed it. He took a good look at me and decided I really needed it. So, I inherited the Nordic Track.

I climbed on board and used that hunk of hardware and metal every single day. It kept me on my toes (in more ways than one) as it would speed up, rise to dizzying heights, and then slow down at the most unpredictable intervals. But it was all good. Norrie and I managed to make our relationship work.

Slowly things began to change. I stopped walking on Norrie. I was too tired, too busy, too anything but motivated enough to exercise. Things went from bad to worse. I tried not to look at Norrie whenever I sat at my desk eating chips. I could feel him burning an accusing image in my back. I considered moving Norrie to the basement (out of sight, out of mind), but knew I'd never get him downstairs.

Yesterday, Son asked if he could retrieve the Nordic Track. His new bride plans to put her skinny cute self on a daily treadmill regimen. While I'm not sure about her need for such measures, at least I don't have to feel guilty anymore. Norrie is gone.

You know how things go with break-ups...how a person can agonize over what could have been done differently to make things work. However, I'm handling our break-up fairly well. The only thing that really bothers me now is I no longer have a place to hang my clothes.

11 comments:

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

BaaaaaWaaaah now THIS was FUNNY!!!

Debora said...

LOL...guess you'll have to go back to using the closet! My doggie sees to it that I get enough walks. Maybe I should get a Norrie for him...

Unknown said...

LOL we can well imagine the guilt trip with the crisps. At least you can eat those now in peace. Have a terrific Tuesday.
Best wishes Molly

Linda O'Connell said...

I know exactly how you feel. This also happened to us. I would rather walk outdoors anyway than havr an affair with Norrie.

Ryker said...

Ha ha, exercise bikes make good clothes hangers too!

Sketching with Dogs said...

Haha, that's why I never got one.
Lynne x

Two French Bulldogs said...

BOL mom dusted her machine
Benny & Lily

Lisa Ricard Claro said...

Haha! My treadmill hunkers in a little used room where I can't see it mocking me. My use of it is sporadic. I'll walk daily for months and then my knee or back will ache and then--boom--the habit breaks and it takes forever to get back into it. I'm currently in the trying-to-get-motivated mode. *sigh*

BECKY said...

Very cute story, Pat!! I'm SO glad you don't have to go through the guilt trips now!! LOL

Donna Volkenannt said...

Love this post, Pat.

Ann Summerville said...

You have such a way with words and we can all relate. I think this is worthy of a Chicken Soup entry. I know you have some wonderful stories in their collection already.
Hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day week-end.
ann