Healthful Living/Weekly Workout Support Group - Week of March 18th

[Leslie Ferguson]

Over half way through March and winter is still upon us - snow across the country this weekend even though there were temperatures well above average most places earlier in the week. Life has been presenting us with roller coasters that some people like (not too many of us) and some dislike (many of us). But families are healthy and kids and parents are making all of us proud. Not that our successes are without consternation and a twist here and there, but that is what life is all about. For those who have been away for a while or for those who think they may want to join us I’ll try to recap the past weeks if anyone cares to read on:

Lily - confounded with energy levels and lack of energy; trying to figure out her system and what is causing her condition but without avail; still trying to work exercise in as best she can and trying to not overdo it; thoughts and prayers for continued strength head her way. :(
Karen - I hate to say the status quo for her but in her case that’s a good thing with the kids and room mom things; good time with FIL and his friend a week ago; kids doing well in school but not without a minor (no big issue) with DS#1 and his conveying school requirements (left something at home on purpose but didn’t tell parents); snow at the end of the week made for fun; scouts things on the horizon as well as summer camp for the kids (already :confused: ).
Kate - finishing up 10 days vacation around the house (no internet there) being handy-woman; look forward to hearing how Mack (her horse) is doing with all the attention he’s gotten while she’s been on vacation; Happy Birthday last week (since she’s been away the whole time).
Laura - anxiety at work surrounding finances and a busy schedule, hope they get better soon; DS in full swing swimming and being the high school kid; DD still away and getting involved with god groups in Europe; with work and DS having to work out at weird times but still getting them in regularly.
Me (Les) - Life continues to spiral mostly out of control; preparing to go off continent for about 2 weeks shortly; still in the search for FA for school; wrapping up my Seminary application still - things keep getting delayed outside my control; good race yesterday (just 8k) and feeling good about it.

Healthful living - I have no real complaints on the healthful living side. Stress runs in waves still but work isn’t the thing high on the list, rather it’s dealing with the financial aspect of going to school next year and the possibility of not having my house rented (not that we’ve tried to rent it yet - just a possibility). Then there’s 14 days away soon (not in my plan). Wish I could say I’m sleeping well but that’d be a lie - sleep has been cycling too. This week - continue down the road of striving for imperfection (hard to explain - doing away with unreasonable perfectionism).

Workout - New shoes have made the difference in my knees and I think that will be the plan - to run a few more times. Of course running or exercising at the end of the week will be problematic with travel but I’ll try to do something, even if only to reset my clock.

Need to get out to the gym for my weight lifting session but I’ll be back later to see how you all are doing.

Until later - peace,
Les

[karen w]

Les-Thanks for starting the week up once again. I know you have mentioned your trip abroad several times now. Perhaps I have not been paying attention lately:o , but refresh my memory. Where are you going?? And for what purpose??

A pretty good weekend here. I ellipticized yesterday; biked and did an ab and cardio workout today with weights. Did my usual "puttering" in the kitchen and got some things made to put in the freezer for when Mom comes to visit in April. I also got cooking orders from SIL for our Passover seder, so I'll have to figure out exactly what I am going to make in the next week and get geared up for that. The kids played in and outside all day yesterday. DS#1 had a friend sleepover last night....well, almost!:rolleyes: He decided at midnight he had a tummy-ache and called his mom to come get him! She did. I think it was really a case of "homesickness" or perhaps just being overtired. Today the kids went to religious school and got their awards from their chocolate sales along with all the chocolate which they sorted out(with alot of commotion....imagine three kids trying to sort out almost $400 worth of chocolate orders to deliver:eek: ). After they finally accomplished putting everyone's orders in bags, they did go around just our neighborhood to deliver the goods. Next weekend DH will drive them to the other neighborhoods.

Tomorrow I go back to the pool and boxing. DH has the day off(he is post call) so he'll help out tomorrow with taxi service in the PM. I have a progress test this Thursday night. No sparring this time!:) We will be working on board breaking skills.

Have a good week,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

It does sound like you've had a typical weekend with lots of preparations for the coming weeks. Cooking orders for Seder, something "old" or will you try something different? I bet you're looking forward to having mom out in a few weeks, please send her my regards (even though she's never seen me - I think she'll understand). Almost $400 of chocolate... :o that's a lot of chocloate! Congratulations to them and their class? You made it sound like the got Chocolate for selling so much chocolate -- sounds like a masterful plan in my book. :D Ah, the joys of sleepovers and at least DS#1's friend's mom came over to get him as opposed to you taking him home. And yes, it sounds like it may have been a little homesickness. Enjoy the extra taxi-driver tomorrow and good luck on your progress test on Thursday. Breaking boards??? Want to come down here and practice?

I'll be headed out of town on work (no fun this time). I'll be headed WAY East (or West depending on how you look at it) with my ultimate destination in Korea. Not my ideal place to be going right now but work calls. Lots of other things I could be doing around these parts but I think I'll be able to make the best of my trip out there. I've got a lesson or two to put together for May so I might as well do that while I'm not sleeping anyway. :rolleyes: ;)

As for the remainder of my day... lifted and came home and whipped up a little chicken and couscous with my new saffron. :cool:

That's about it for now... see you tomorrow.

Peace,
Les

[karen w]

Les-Sounds like you had a typical AND good weekend, too. No, the boys did not get chocolate as a prize for selling chocolates!!! But that would be quite the prize. From the chocolate company they got to pick prizes from different categories depending on how much they sold. The picked an art set, a frisbee thing-a-ma-jig, a mini water cooler, and a lava lamp plus 50 mini hedgehog balls!!!:D From the synagogue they got a $25 mastercard gift card for selling the 2nd most dollar amt. in the temple. That has already been spent, of course, after a trip to Toys R' Us last weekend. DS#1 got a really cool glow in the dark ball that is collapsable and roller blades:eek: , DS#2 got a new chip for his nintendo, a carrying case for it, and the latest Tamagotchi. DD also got a nintendo chip, carrying case, and a Tamagotchi. I know that sounds like alot for $25, but they also had gotten money from poppa to spend when he was here a week ago. So they've been spoiled this past month, but sometimes that's a good thing!;)

As for our Passover seder meal, I'm probably making some new things this year as Nana is no longer around to cook for the meal. She usually makes the "kugels/sides" among other things, but I will be doing that this year along with a dessert(or two;) ). I've narrowed my list down to the final few contenders, so I should figure it out soon.:rolleyes:

I had a good day here. Swam this morning. Pool started out empty, but filled in rather quickly. Still no sign of my friend at the pool.:( I do hope he will be O.K. After the kids got off to school, DH(his day off) and I took advantage of a quiet house(no more details need be provided here:D ) and then I went off to boxing. For some reason it was a small class today. I think everyone is getting the latest "crud" that is going around. After lunch I did my grocery shopping while DH wreaked havoc in my food pantry. he installed a new shelf for me. Not that I needed more storage space in my already HUGE walk in pantry:rolleyes: . However, I'm guessing in time I will fill it!:D This afternoon was a bit of a run around, but fortunately DH was here to help. The boys had religion, DD jazz, and then DS#1 cub scouts. It was nice to have driving releif.

Tomorrow....same routine;different day!!;)

Good evening,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

That would have been too funny wouldn't it - to get chocolate for selling chocolate. I didn't realize they did that well - 2nd in the temple. :o That didn't sound like too much stuff for $25, I seem to remember my $$$ going farther when I went to the store too. I hope your friends is all right too - that's unnerving to have him gone that long. I'm interested in hearing what you end up with for Seder - I forget it's a new ballgame this year with all that has gone on. I hope everything turns out (and I know it will).

Pretty good day here, backed with a good night's (aided) rest. I needed the sleep so I did what I had to do. I think my bod is feeling the stress more than I care to imagine - but this too shall pass (no pun intended). But as for my workout today, I didn't run today but that was fine because it was pretty nice when I got home and I wanted to take the bike out for a spin in the wide open spaces. Did about 65 minutes out there. The only problem was it was a little windier than I anticipated. Not that I was under-dressed (and I wasn't) - I was wearing 2 long sleeves shirts and a wind breaker and cool weather pants. The problem was almost being blown over in the cross breeze. :o YIKES! I guess I'll have to start putting rocks in my pockets if it's going to be windy.

Peace and see you tomorrow afternoon.

Les

[karen w]

Les-We had some of your wind up here today, but at least it was bright and sunny. Sounds like a nice ride last night even with that wind, and good to hear that you got a good night's sleep.

I had a great day. Excellent swim and boxing was just as good, too. Accomplished a few shopping errands(but I do have to make one return....bought the wrong size for DS#2). I'll do that later this week. Since the store is right by the karate studio, it will be an easy exchange. Interesting tidbit...our local YMCA just replaced all of their cardio equipment. They previously owned their machines, but were having a hard time keeping things updated and maintained without shelling out alot of bucks. They decided they would be able to keep things in better working order and stay more current if they leased. So they are auctioning off the old stuff and just replaced all of it with....guess what???? Same brand as the elliptical we have!!!!:cool: And our new unit HAS been working very nicely since being completely replaced. AMEN!

And on the gossip front....FIL e-mailed DH today to tell him that he just broke it off with his new friend!!:rolleyes: Apparently, she was pressuring him into making a committment(she's been dating for ~3 yrs) and he is just not ready for that yet(he just started playing the field!). I kinda felt that this is what would happen after listening to her comments during her visit. I do hope he finds the "right one" eventually as we all just want him to be happy.

Hope everyone else had a good day, too.

Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

It looks like it's just us two for a while - at least there's two of us. :D That is too funny about the Y and their new equipment. Sounds like you really did purchase a good piece of workout gear. It sounds like you had a great day, which is a benefit, and I hope the remainder of your week is as good. Plus, I'm sorry to hear about FIL but you're probably right, he needs to be "unencumbered" for a while (IMO). Have a great day tomorrow...

I skipped my run tonight -- congested so badly that I can't breathe through my nose at all. I can't wait for the decongestant to kick in and I'll hit the skids. I don't miss the run though, I was spending time on the last part of my application for school in the Fall. YIKES! It is getting close isnt' it (deadline is May 1st). BTW - the meds are kicking in so...

Off to never never land so see you in the morning...

Les

[mackandme]

Hi all! I'm back. Got a lot done on the house, sometimes working days as long as 14 hours, but still a lot to get done. Every project turns into something bigger than i thought it was going to be. It will be worth it in the long run, b/c i really think the house is going to look great and hopefully sell fast. It's been really rewarding to see the results (esp my gorgeously painted front doors! yes, i have 2 of them), new plants, etc. BUT have been really discouraged while looking into apartments, and not finding anywhere i want to live that doesn't have a) horrible traffic, b) insanely high rent, or c) unacceptable crime levels.

No trips to the gym, ab workouts, etc at all. But was getting a super good workout with the house. And did take a day off to take Mack to a state park to go riding, which turned into a 15-mile trail ride! it was beautiful, but we were both pretty sore afterward. Other than that, however, poor Mack has been pretty much neglected.

Had the displeasure of running into the ex-bf while out with friends friday night. I pretty much ignored him, so of course he called Sunday and left a message. Which was actually a really good thing, b/c i realized that despite all the nasty and degrading things he said to me (just your classic bully) he always wanted me around more than i wanted him around. liberating! of course i did not call him back! good riddance!

anyhow, work has been busy the 2 days i've been back and will probably get busier.... it may be a bit before i get back to the gym b/c of the house. am really hoping to get those 17 cans of paint out of my laundry room ASAP!

karen, your hubby would be in heaven. i've made 3 or more trips each to Lowes, Home Depot, and the friendly neighborhood ferretaria.

les, if you ever need some recommendations on vegetarian dishes, let me know. i've been a veg for 11 or so years.

[karen w]

Kate-Welcome back. Glad vacation was a success and the house "clean up" continues to progress nicely. Never heard of "ferretaria." Is that some sort of local version of a Home Depot or Lowes?? And I don't know about Les, but I would not mind any recommendations you have for good veggie meals. Although we aren't vegetarian, DH and I(and the kids by default;) ) eat quite a bit of veggie meals and very little meat. Tonight was a BB recipe for Red Lentil-Chickpea Burgers with a Spicy Peanut Sauce(YUM!).

Les-Sending some decongesting thoughts your way!! Poor big guy.... hope the crud does not dwell long for you.

Another decent productive day here starting with a good swim, made my returns at the store, bought my milk and veggies for the week, and then had a great boxing class. After lunch I made those veggie burgers that I mentioned above along with a few other things at home.

Tomorrow swim in the morning; progress test at night(#9 of 10:) ).

Hope everyone had a good hump day,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Drive by...
Kate - Good to see you back. It does sound like you have an older house. Every time I start a project things just pop up, one of the blessings of a house built in 1937 in a hot and humid place. Termites... bugs... and dry rot. Hope getting back to work isn't too bad and I'll remember that you're a veg for longer that I've been a closet veg. :D Love veggie meals but my problem is I try to make stuff at home that I've eaten elsewhere so I'm deconstructing and that isn't always the best place for me to be.
Karen - Good luck to you tomorrow. The worst thing about getting a head cold right now is 18 hours in an airplane tomorrow. :( BTW - I googled ferretaria and it looks like the Dominican equivalent of a Home Depot.

I missed/skipped my workout entirely unless you count packing for my trip. Tried to put enough stuff in a bag (a big one but still one) for a 2 week trip leaving in the morning. Didn't get started until this evening and was trying to do that around getting ready for my father's arrival when I'm out - he'll be here for an overnight visit on Friday. But considering I'm still stopped up I'll "allow" myself an out this evening.

Hopefully I'll sleep again tonight - meds are kicking in so I'll see you sometime later, maybe on a layover.

Peace,
Les

[foodfiend]

Have a safe trip, Les. Best wishes.

[mackandme]

Karen, hope your test went well. Ferretaria is spanish for hardware store.

Les, hope you feel better and have a good trip.

Still no workouts for me, unless you count painting the remaining two walls in my kitchen. Which really is a pretty decent workout. My shoulders and upper back have about had enough of this, tho my legs are holding up well climbing up and down the ladder.

I've pared it down to three more full weekends of work left on the house, which keeps me on schedule to list April 9. So i'm hoping to get some riding and trips to the gym in on weekdays over the next few weeks.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Thanks Lily, I had a good but long flight. It was quite the trip from Atlanta to Seoul - about 16 hours in the air. It's so funny, I'm looking at my watch (set to Korean time) and it's 10:26 pm Friday and my computer (set to Norfolk time) says 9:26 am. :o

Les, hope you feel better and have a good trip.

Still no workouts for me, unless you count painting the remaining two walls in my kitchen. Which really is a pretty decent workout. My shoulders and upper back have about had enough of this, tho my legs are holding up well climbing up and down the ladder.

I've pared it down to three more full weekends of work left on the house, which keeps me on schedule to list April 9. So i'm hoping to get some riding and trips to the gym in on weekdays over the next few weeks.
I'm feeling better now, not having to take decongestants every 6 hours and may actually wean myself off them very soon. I could painting doing house work like that as a workout.

I hope you had a good test too Karen.

Still trying to figure out if I'm coming or going right now - exhausted but had to send my family a note to let them know I'm here ok.

Workouts will happen sometime but sleep first.

Peace to all,
Les

[karen w]

Les-Forget the workouts right now. Work on trying to figure out which end of the day it is....sun-up or sun-down! Glad you made it there safely and I hope the rest of the trip goes smoothly.

Testing last night was pretty basic stuff. We worked on board breaking skills. The only really difficult one that I will need to work on more intensively is the spinning back kick. Woke up today for my swim and I did go to boxing afterall as my "breakfast date" had to cancel. I was supposed to get together with a friend for coffee this morning, but she broke a tooth the other day and had a dentist appt. this morning. :( We are going to try to arrange another date sometime soon. I did relax a bit this afternoon at the bookstore browsing through books etc... This evening DD had gymnastics. I caught the last 30 min. of her class. She is really improving. It is obvious the owner thinks she has potential to be on team. She would love to see her go twice a week. DD also wants to add an extra day, so we'll see what I can arrange for the next session which starts late April. Today they were learning handstands on the balance beam.:eek: DH is now leaving with the boys to go get their Pinewood derby cars officially weighed in for the races tomorrow night.

And for the weekend....elliptical and biking for me along with some Passover baking etc... to freeze for our upcoming Seder. Pinewood Derby for the boys as well as distributing the rest of their candy from the sales. Aside from that and Sunday religion as well as a playdate DD has planned Sunday afternoon, it's a leisurely weekend.

Have a good one everybody,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Darn it, lost a portion of the post (I had saved some of it but not all). Reconstructing...

Karen - Good job on Thursday - it sounds like you are getting more comfrotable doing your kickboxing stuff. You'll be ready for the Black Belt test in no time. :) I hope your kids have fun at the Pinewood Derby tonight (it is Saturday here at least). It's hard to believe that DD is doing those kinds of things in her gymnastics class... it seems like just yesterday that she was just a novice. I'll have one true confession - your Passover Card won't get there on time. I meant to drop it in the mailbox in Atlanta but didn't remember to do it at the time. Since it would take forever to get from here to there I'll wait until my return to the US to send it. Sorry. :(

As I said, I had a good run today and I'll admit that there are a lot of hills on the southern part of downtown Seoul. Ran up and down the road on a 3km measured path and probably another 2 km up a constant incline (11 minutes up the hill and 9:30 down). But it was a great run, and I saw the oddest thing - there were groups of blind people walking on the road (it is closed off at both ends). And the intriguing thing was all the members of the group (up to 3 in some groups) were blind. I'm not sure what that tells me but I feel a story coming on in the future about that. I'll have to parse that one off a little and see where it takes me.

I may or may not start a thread tomorrow - each day of Internet connection here costs $22+ and I'm not sure I'll sign up for Sunday just to chit chat. I think there will be more days when I have to sign up for the connection for work but since I don't think there will be any specific work tomorrow I'll probably forgo.

I hope you all know I'm thinking of you and hope you all are well. I'll chat again soon and have a great day.

Peace,
Les