HL/WWSG – Week of August 5th

[Leslie Ferguson]

Greetings one and all to the next installation of the healthful living and weekly workout support group as we start the merry month of August. July passed without too much consternation for most of the regulars and we’ve had some great things happen with our merry band in the last week but still some life changes in the works. Summer is really upon us, families are doing their summer routines, health issues still pop up here and there, and people return with decent reports after time off. Sanity has been tried these past weeks but everyone, for the most part, is still hanging in there. I guess we can claim another successful month as we move on to the dog days of summer (and that has special meaning since I’ve got a Chocolate Lab sitting on my feet) and start wrapping up vacation time. But where to start this week (never really a question is it)? I guess a recap would be good so in an attempt to catch up and remind folks about what’s down the pike here goes:

Life successes include - Miché came back from a trip to the beach with sis and twin nieces, having fun playing softball and all that entails as exercise, Laura has been having a good time with her visitor from France (from her DD’s summer trip) and swim stuff with DS; Cheryl 3 for 5 in the workout routine again this week, getting rid of an old couch and painting done at home; Karen CONGRATULATIONS to our newest Black belt! She passed with flying colors yesterday, made all preparations for a week away (not because of the black belt test either); and I’m starting to get all the things done I need to for retirement, 4 for 4 workouts (a first in forever), great farewell luncheon at work, and great things going on all around with family and friends in Norfolk.
Stressful living - Kate going in for surgery on Tuesday (our prayers being lifted for her); Miché getting ready for her parents 50th Anniversary celebration in September; Karen going on vacation with DH and DD, and getting DS#1 and DS#2 back from camp soon; Cheryl dealt with her DH and nephew painting, not making all her planned workouts; I’m trying to come to grips with retiring in 5 days, car problems again, LW being at an impasse moving in (but getting her down here sooner than expected), watching a running friend take a spill and break her knuckle/pinkie.

Workout plans: I’m going to try and run Monday morning, Tuesday (before LW gets to town), and Thursday before the rest of my family gets here; I’ll ride Wednesday and no idea about the rest of the week but don’t plan on a long run on Saturday.

Healthful living: I’ll work on stress issues surrounding retirement, moving out, being away from LW when she’s having stress from the move, and a poorly behaving car (172k miles and acting like it).

I skipped the gym today because I had to take my car to the shop (it’s finally put me over the edge). I’m getting ready to go to dinner with 4 friends who have been supporters for a long time. Not sure whether I’ll walk over (it is terribly hot) or bum a ride (not sure I want to do that either). Decisions, decisions… Until later - peace,

Les

[Laura]

Les, thanks for getting us started once again. It sounds like all in all you had a good week getting your workouts in amongst all the events and the emotions of the week. Sorry, both your and LW's cars are being disagreeable. How I wish I lived in an area that had decent public transportation so I wasn't so dependent on them.

Congratulations to Karen on her black belt!! That is amazing.

I have some exciting news for me in that I bit the bullet and bought a spin cycle yesterday. I have saved up some money for something, that I now don't have to pay for so I am treating myself. I bought 6 DVDs as well. I love spin classes, but the times generally don't work for me (unless I was to get up at 4:45 which really doesn't work for me), and will help during the winter, when I don't want to drive to the Y, which is 20 minute drive without winter conditions. It won't be here for 4-6 weeks, but I am really excited. The bike I got is middle of the road, but I think it will fit my uses just fine.

I know that many of you don't follow swimming like I do, but US Nationals was this past week and the National Champion for women in the 50 and 100 free is Dara Torres who is a 40 year old mom. She won her first National Championship at 14 and competed in the Barcelona and Athens Olympics I believe. Anyways, having just celebrated birthday number 45 yesterday, her achievements really hit home. I just want to be one of those people that continues to strive and pursue goals with respect to fitness. I am so inspired by what I read what you folks do on a weekly basis.

Anyway, I am rambling, but I want to get good enough on the spin cycle so I can someday be an instructor. I think 18 months is more than reasonable time frame, so I am hoping by January 2009, I will be teaching a few classes a week.

Well that is pretty much it from here. Our French visitor left today. She was a very sweet girl, but it will be nice to have the house back to ourselves.

Have a good week everyone!

[Leslie Ferguson]

Thank you for the story Laura, that is inspiring to know that someone who hits their middle 40s can still swim (or anything like that) with the best of them. Neat present to yourself - I hope you can get your cert by January 2009 too. I was a little misleading, obviously, because it's only my car (the chariot de day) that's causing problems right now. And that's plenty for me. I bet you are happy to have the house back to yourself considering you were solo with DS for a while. I hope you have a great week, it will be a whirlwind here I'm afraid.

Dinner was nice and I had a lot of fun - at least until I got home and talked to LW then I found out the move-f-h continues; tomorrow will be the third call to Comcast, third maintenance call to the office about the washer/dryer and shelf brackets in the kitchen.I think I made the right call and took care of the stressors I really needed to do like getting my car to the shop and a bunch of other things done and lifting would have been stressful and counter-productive. So I worked on my retirement speach then walked to my friend's house (~2.3 miles - that counts) then came home and talked to LW. Hopefully the rain has the desired effect and brings a heat reduction (not likely but one can hope).

I'll base my run tomorrow on the status and cost of my car in the shop. Maybe a run, maybe a ride, maybe nothing except working on my retirement.

Peace to all and be safe out there,
Les

[karen w]

This is going to be an extremely quick drive by as it is 10 pm Santa Fe time but my body says it is midnight. I will have some internet access here so I will try to stop by but it might not be daily. We arrived safely with only one suitcase lost in Dallas. Finally got it off the next flight a few hours later so it has made for a very long day. Thanks for all the congratulations. I am a bit sore and bruised today so tylenol is my friend, but right now I am more tired than anything. On that note hope everyone has a good week and GOODNIGHT!

Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Karen - Glad to hear you're feeling a little better and I'm sorry to hear that you lost one bag in Dallas. But, at least it sounds like it caught up with you soon enough. Have a great vacation.

Today was awash - no workout but there's a good reason (as always). With 3 1/2 hours of teleconference at work finally finishing at 6:15 (on my last week of work none the less), no car (still in the shop), no hot water at work (to shower even if I could get out and run), AND 100+ heat index (climbing to 110 by late afternoon) I think it was best to avoid running today. Top that off with my "fixed" flat tire on my road bike wasn't fixed. Good thing I didn't ride it back from the shop yesterday isn't it?

Maybe tomorrow - before LW gets here... one can only hope.

Peace all and I hope we hear from Kate this week,
Les

[cher48603]

Les - You may just be putting on a good front but it sounds like you are becoming a little less stressed each day.

If you weren't sure about retiring, a 3 1/2 teleconference could make up your mind real fast. A 60 minute teleconference is about all I can handle.

Laura - Getting up at 4:45 should be illegal. ;) Congrats on ordering your spin cycle. Your goal of being an instructor by 2009 sound very attainable.

That's so cool about Dara Torres. What's the old saying? We're not getting older, we're getting better. I firmly believe it.

Karen - Glad to hear you arrived safely and now have all of your luggage. Enjoy your vacation.

No workout today, had an appointment this AM, a luncheon at noon and went to a minor league ball game at 3:00. Managed to avoid the hot dogs, elephant ears, and popcorn but came home and ordered pizza.

We ordered the tickets for the game about a month ago. It was still relatively cool then. Today it was in the high 80's and our seats were in the sun for the first 2 hours of the game. Yikes, it was hot.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Les - You may just be putting on a good front but it sounds like you are becoming a little less stressed each day.

If you weren't sure about retiring, a 3 1/2 teleconference could make up your mind real fast. A 60 minute teleconference is about all I can handle.
Less stressed - overall, yes. Frazzled by the amount of things I think (that may be the operative word too - think) I need to do. Right now the only thing, besides my speech, is ordering a cake for Friday. I've purchased flowers for Mom, Sister, and LW. Might (and I only might) get something for Dad and Brother but I can't find what I want for Dad and not sure what to get my brother anyway.
You aren't kidding. The first portion of the teleconference was 2 hours with one group and it ended up with 3 different participants bickering on the phone. I wanted to hang up - luckily there's mute on the speakerphone.
No workout today, had an appointment this AM, a luncheon at noon and went to a minor league ball game at 3:00. Managed to avoid the hot dogs, elephant ears, and popcorn but came home and ordered pizza.

We ordered the tickets for the game about a month ago. It was still relatively cool then. Today it was in the high 80's and our seats were in the sun for the first 2 hours of the game. Yikes, it was hot.
Ah, the joys of a day at the park. I loved sitting in the bleachers (but I was 15 at the time). Anymore, under the first deck is great - breeze and shade. Woo hoo! Hope you stayed cool enough and definitely hydrated.

I'm losing the battle with my eyelids. But of course I'm sitting on a bed and I've gor a warm laptop computer on my legs.

TTFN and peace,
Les

[karen w]

Hi folks,

I have about a half hour of down time right now after fishing DD, the prune, out of the pool and DH's last meeting for today. Vacation has been very relaxing so far and the weather is absolutely gorgeous here. I have been doing some workouts as well, but a bit lower key than my usual. The hotel has a very small fitness room. Yesterday I used their elliptical for 30 min., then tread water in the pool for 15 min. before swimming a bit and enjoying a wonderful jacuzzi. Today I used the treadmill and did some weights for about 45 min. all together. Then DD and I enjoyed the pool and jacuzzi again. That along with alot of walking around town has made for alot of exercise and some pretty decent sleep when its time to hit the pillow at night. Today DH finishes at noon so we are going to try to go to a museum and around town more. Tomorrow he has another longer day, so DD and I are going to go to a paint your own pottery store in the PM. Then Thurs. and Friday are shorter again so we will do some more sight-seeing. Saturday is all day sight seeing. Then we will take a drive and visit some sights further out of town. Hope everyone is hanging in there and having a good week.

Catch you later,
Karen

[mackandme]

Hi all, just wanted to check in and let you know i'm still kicking. Surgery went well but i'm not recovering as quickly as i'd like, but DBF ran me into work so we could photocopy/fax my short-term disability paperwork b/c those idiots seem to assume i can photocopy and fax at home! Anyhow, i'm going to hold off on going back to work until Sunday. By then i will be totally bored out of my goard!

Hope everyone is having a great week.

[cher48603]

Les - We actually left our seats for about 3 innings as I felt like I was melting. We stood at the shaded railing and watched.

This is a brand new ballpark and new team to the area. They won yesterday but haven't played well most of the year. It's a treat to have them.

Sorry I don't have any real ideas for gifts for your father or brother. How about a letter letting them know what they've meant to you, or "a walk down memory lane".

Karen - Sounds like you're having a great time.

How hot is it there? Really humid here and they're forecasting the temps to rise again tomorrow.

Kate - Glad to hear surgery went well. Sounds like you may be expecting too much of yourself too soon.

It looks like I'm not going to make it to the gym much this week. My new dining room table was delivered last week and there were some issues. They delivered the new one today, same problem. We'll try another delivery Thursday. It is a great looking but inexpensive set. We'll see what happens.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Thanks for checking in Kate and I'm with Cheryl - give yourself a chance to recover not like some folks I know. :rolleyes: holding mirror up to look at self I'm glad and will give thanks for your successful surgery.

Cheryl - I think I'm just going to thank them in public and letters of appreciation from the Admiral. In private over dinner on Thursday I think I'll give a little something to Dad and I'll try to come up with something for Mike. Dad should be pretty easy since I still have one of his Ensign bars from when he was one back in 1960 that he gave to me when I was commissioned. Sorry about your hot and steamy weather and for the furniture woes. Hopefully you get a good set of furniture the next go around.

Beastly temperatures abounded in Tidewater - Heat Index in the neighborhood of 110 today and between 105 and 110 tomorrow. Excuse today -- too many things to do to wrap up business and had o get my chariot out of the shop. That and I had to see LW. :cool: :D Didn't run or ride but had a great time laughing with LW and our hosts. Plus there was dinner - tuna burgers (chopped tuna with spices grilled like hamburgers), fresh corn and green beans, tomato salad with feta and basalmic dressing w/pound cake and strawberries for dessert. I can't take too many days like this - at least after the stress wears off.

Tomorrow - the heat will be here. LW will be in town but I need to get out and do something, even if it's only ride.

Until tomorrow, keep hydrated and cool,
Les

[Laura]

Hello from Minneapolis. I am sitting in the airport with a 5 hours layover :eek: before I head out to Charlotte. I will be there until Monday night. I guess I have tempted the weather gods too much with my recent visits to the East Coast as the temperature in Charlotte today is supposed to be 102 and 103 tomorrow. That doesn't even factor in the heat index!!!!

Kate, glad you are on the mend, but taking your time getting back to work.

Les, your dinner sounded fabulous. I am glad that you and LW had a nice time with your hosts.

Cheryl, I hope the furniture issues work themselves out. I am sure that is frustrating.

Karen, enjoy your time in New Mexico. It sound like a great time!

I bought a new swimsuit for swimming so if nothing else I will be jumping in the pool for exercise (it helps that SO's office is attached to the 50 meter pool that his club owns). I will actually be working on this vacation so will chat later.

Stay cool everyone!

[Leslie Ferguson]

Laura - Welcome to the sweat box. Sorry you're headed to the heat and humidity right now. Yes, it's been pretty rotten these past few days. Enjoy your swimming, that will be refreshing.
Karen - thanks for checking in, it sounds like you're having fun while DH is working. :cool: Too bad for him.

Speaking of the sweat box it was just 103 (dry bulb) with about 85% humidity and heat indices in excess of 110 again today. Oy Vey! I'm not sure I'm ready to have a retirement on Friday but obviously a moment of sanity caused me to bring the retirement inside instead of having it on the river.

Regardless, I had a good day today. I rode for about 45-50 minutes, nothing stellar but realized at the first stop for traffic that the asphalt was EXTREMELY HOT! As long as I kept moving it was bearable. Still worthwhile to get inside.

Oddity of the day, it has really started to settle in that retirement is really coming very soon. I signed all 8 copies of my discharge certificate today (that will still have to be attested and delivered on the first day of September). But sitting there - it put a pit in my stomach that it was true.

I'm going to try and not think about that though - it's going to be a real celebration. Dinner with most of my family tomorrow (for those in the know, the Lynnhaven Fish House) and then the big day.

Take care and stay cool and hydrated out there. Peace friends,
Les

[karen w]

Another quickie. . .

Good day here. Today was DH's long one so it was mostly DD and I. i worked out early this AM on treadmill and weights; then swimming and jacuzzi until noon. DH met us for lunch. DD and I spent the remainder of the afternoon at a neat paint your own pottery gallery. I made a big square bowl with wavy edges; DD a star piggy bank. Hopefully they turn out pretty. They will fire them tomorrow and we will pick them up Friday. Had dinner at a great Southwestern place. I had some yummy red snapper fish tacos with a tropical pico de gallo and calabacitas.

Sorry you guys are suffering with the 3H's. Not to rub it in or anything, but. . . the weather is absolutely spectacular here.

Tomorrow we will explore some art galleries in the afternoon after DH's meetings. Friday he only has one lecture so we are going to take the car to Toas where there is a ceremonial festival going on that day and the Rio Grande. Then Saturday Bandalier and more exploring before we conclude our trip and head home Sunday.

Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

On a drive by... Still working on my speech but will have to let it go soon. Today at work... things like this aren't supposed to happen on your last day at work... I'll post tomorrow whenever I get the chance.

Peace to all and thank you for your support.
Les

[Laura]

Les, sorry that your last day of work with your career at the Navy is causing havoc. Not what you need I am sure when you have all these emotions on top of it all.

Karen, I am imagining that Santa Fe's weather is somewhat similar to Colorado Springs where I live. I always say that if you like a bit of all four seasons, we have some of the best weather around. I must admit that despite the incredible heat, the humidity has not been as bad here as I thought it might be. Exercise has generally been a bust however as the pool has been worked on for maintenance the two days I have been here. Possibly tomorrow??????

[cher48603]

Les - Congrats!! If I'm not mistaken, today was the big day. Hope everything went as planned, or at least close to it. :D Within a few days you will probably feel a huge sense of relief.

Laura - Sorry to hear you haven't been able to use the pool.

The furniture issue has finally been resolved. When the table was delivered, again, I told the guys it looked good. One of them said, "Yeah, I looked it over." I almost said if anyone would have taken two minutes to do that before now they wouldn't have had to make 3 trips. All's well that ends well and my table looks great.

Karen - How did your pottery turn out? What fun.

I've seen very little gym time this week. :o

I'm a happy camper, we sold the piano tonight. Looks like I'll have another wall to buy furniture for. ;)

[Leslie Ferguson]

Laura - I'm also sorry that your pool is unusable now too. Maybe soon, it is a little upsetting to not be able to use a piece of equipment (pool) when you really want to. How was your trip to SC this week?
cheryl - Today was the day. furinture disposals appear to be going well, which is great. Have a good time trying to replace your piano. Sorry you didn't get to the gym much this week, I'll join your band this week. Hopefully next week.

Thank you for remembering and it was a great and VERY EMOTIONAL day. I'm emotionally spent but it feels good to be over the ceremony. I had a good night's sleep once I turned in and a good morning leading up to everything. I tried to tell a story about me and my career not just recount places/things/sights. Suffice to say a lot of people were moved and not that I was trying but there were lots (military included) in tears. But it was beautiful and everyone appreciated and commented on the ceremony and how professionally and well done it was.

Need to go pack a little more for the trip up north tomorrow so I'll see you all later. BTW besides being hot and rainy I had no run today.

Peace to all,
Les