HL/WW Support Group - Week of Jan 20, So Now It’s Winter

[Leslie Ferguson]

Brrr! Greeting from the frigid lower 48 states and welcome to all our visitors, regulars, and lurkers wherever you may be. It looks like winter is fully involved, at least in the East and upper-Midwest this weekend. It was a good week that was punctuated by weather issues, snow was the biggest culprit this past week and a little wind in a couple places. This is only to top off the typically busy schedules around here including school, medical appointments, and exercise. Still it has been a good year so far and there’s lots of fun stuff planned for the next couple days I’d imagine. As always, I’ll start this week’s thread with a short recap of last week or so and even with the busy schedule it shouldn’t be too hard this week (I hope).

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day too!

Life successes include - Karen is still standing (that’s a joke too) after a busy week with kids schedules for three busy kids, got to the Y most days it was available, and got things resettled after her FIL’s visit; and I finished a great class this past week, got information about my summer internship at the Children’s National Medical Center, and made all my exercise events including my first run in the snow for 2008.
Stressful living - Laura was MIA again last week probably being swamped with new work, kids getting back into respective schools, and the fun weather in Colorado; Kate dropped by after a busy day and had her post eaten, dealt with a couple medical appointments, and trying to find balance in her life as career decisions pervade her days; Karen had a start from DS#1 - nothing terrible but never fun to have a child in need and not being able to be there immediately and had another dose of the Nor’easters and yucky New England weather; and I got over being sick but it took a while and had hip/knee/ankle issues (that appear to have subsided).

Workouts: I’m recovering today and hope to run Monday, Tuesday will likely be a spin since it’s supposed to be raining (don’t care for running in the rain, Wednesday and Thursday will be some sort of run or ride with Friday ??? and I’ll long run again on Saturday.
Healthful living: No major concerns except PT exercises - they aren’t holding me back too much but it will become critical soon I think.

I think this week will be occupied with getting quality time in with LW and setting up interviews for my coming couple years. As part of my degree program I have to work for at least 18 months at a church assisting and learning about ministry. It’s not a difficult process to interview but since I’ve only interviewed a couple times ever in my life (most recently to get into graduate school) I’m always a little anxious to do the interview thing. But I think I’ll be fine, just need to do it though.

I think that will have to do for now so until later... peace,
Les

[Laura]

Les, You are right I have been very busy. The week before last I worked 64 hours. This past week wasn't as bad, but still busy. But to be honest, I have not been able to find my workouts with it all. I did get to the Y yesterday, but I have been pretty tired up until this point so that when I get home exercising is not the top thing on my list.

I am watching the Charger game right now so I haven't read much about what was going on :o, but I will keep up after the game. :)

[karen w]

Les-Thanks for starting the week off. Sounds like you had a nice run yesterday. I hope LW is enjoying all the time together, too(I'm sure she is!;) ).

Laura-Yikes!! 64 hours of work. . . I'm tired just thinking about it! Reminds me of my residency days. That was before there were laws prohibiting residents from working "post call." I used to have alot of really long days and sometimes one would run right into the next. YUCK! Hang in there!

Nothing much new here. We have the winter chill in the air, but not as bad as the Midwest. Made some soup today for lunches and calzones for dinner. DS#2 had a friend over. DH has been working from home all weekend. Yesterday the kids cleaned out their drawers and closets(per DH's request). They collected a few things to throw out or give away. So overall, a quiet weekend. I ellipticized both yesterday and today along with weights and core exercises. Tomorrow DH has the day off and since the kids are off as well, I was planning on sleeping in with DH and hopping on the treadmill at home. DH may take the kids to the city(Natural History Museum). If he does that, then I may go to the pool after they are gone. One way or another, it will be one more relaxing day before the school whirlwind begins for another week.

Enjoy,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

I echo what Karen said Laura. 64 hours at work brings back way too many bad memories and makes me tired all over. With a new job I think your personal recovery, even if it doesn't include working out is important - what we call self-maintenance is important which includes not working out some times. I'll pray that you get a break from the busy times soon and get yourself back on center too.

So what was the verdict for today Karen? DH and the kids to the city and the museum so you got the treadmill and swam or just the treadmill at home after... Regardless, I hope you had a good day of rest before the week kicks in for you and the kids. It must have been nice having DH home this past weekend too so he could referee with the kids from time to time (not like he doesn't already but still nice to have him there). And LW absolutely loves having me around as much as I'm here anymore - considering all the time away over the past 25 years. So time together is good. :)

And it was nice to have the day off today for MLK even though I'd have been off since I don't hae a class this week. As promised I spent time with LW and let the weather warm up a little. Then I went out for a good run with the temps at a balmy (compared to the rest of the gang) of 29 with 20 degree wind chill. It was by far the fastest run I've had in a while and felt so good that I made the second half into a Fartlek. I'm feeling great and even better my ankle and hip are happy with me - gotta love new scoots! :D

Snow and sleet and rain on tap for tomorrow so I'll probably spin and get ready for a volunteer stint at a nearby homeless shelter - they should be packed with the weather we've had recently.

Peace to all and happy Monday.
Les

[mackandme]

It's actually chilly here, as well (for us). This is Mack's kind of weather, though. I was at the barn today so he could get new shoes. Tomorrow, the goal is to bundle up and get a good ride in.

I had a pretty painful weekend. On Thursday the physical therapist did some massage to work on my scar tissue, and boy did it hurt - for days. Luckily the hormone replacement therapy is really helping with my Lupon moodswings, so i didn't have to deal with those, too. I sure hope the pt doesn't want to do more massage this Thursday....

Laura, that's a lot of hours. But I hope you enjoy the new job once the hours settle down.

Les, glad to hear your achey joints are feeling better.

Karen, a relaxing weekend sounds great. Is that the same museum that was in the Ben Stiller movie?

[karen w]

And the verdict was. . . the kids and DH went to the Natural History Museum on the train(and had a blast plus we have to go back now since we are now members of the museum) and I had a leisurely day at home yesterday. I worked out for about an hour between the treadmill, my weights, and core exercises and then got alot accomplished around the house and in the kitchen. The kids all came home with some neat souveniers from the museum, but did not even complete the whole thing. I guess that is a good thing since we are members now.

Kate-Yep, it is the same museum as the one from the Ben Stiller movie(Night at The Museum). Sorry you are still dealing with painful issues, but at least one aspect is a bit better. Enjoy your ride with Mack.

Les-Glad to hear the new scoots are working out and making all the joints(knees, hip etc...) happy campers. I still have to get to the store to look for a new pair myself.

Back to the grindstone today for DH, the kids and I. I had a good swim this morning, but for some strange reason the air in the pool area was real cool. Water was OK, but the cold air still puts a chill on things. Locker room was a bit chilly too, but fortunately, the jacuzzi temp. was perfect for a change. Later in the morning, I boxed as well. Very basic class and a bit quiet today, but good as usual. Tonight I was supposed to go to an aquasize water social with the temple sisterhood group, but it got canceled as we were SUPPOSED to have some snow tonight. The weather went south of us and we got 5 min. dusting of flurries. . . THAT'S IT!!:( They did say they would try to reschedule it(I hope).

The boys had guitar tonight and today I officially switched them over to the new school. They will start there in February.

Hope everyone has a pleasant evening,
Karen

[karen w]

Back to backs. . . Les must be a busy guy!;)

Anyway, here's a quick recap of my day. Good swim with better air temp. today, but the jacuzzi was way too hot! I JUST CAN'T WIN!:( Anyway, ran a few errands as usual after getting the kids off to school and then decided to do Cardio-boxing today instead of Thai. Just felt like I needed a change. The class was SUPER! I really enjoyed the change ALOT!!

This afternoon I started a (too big) re-organization project in the kitchen. . . getting rid of stuff collecting dust for way too long and switching a few things around to make life run more smoothly. That will have to be continued on another day(did not finish). Now I'll have to make a Good Will drop soon.

Hope everyone is doing well. Take care,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Sorry to leave you in a lurch yesterday Karen and Kate - it was really busy and discombobulated but I'll get back to that.

Kate - I'm glad Mack is happy with the weather and is getting new shoes, from my perspective new shoes are the greatest thing! I hope you got a good ride in today. It's good to hear that you are getting some relief in the medical realm finally even if the PT is inflicting pain to beat the band. I hope you have a good remainder of the week.
Karen - A busy couple days or so it appears. I love museums and especially history and science (go figure). It sounds like a good day trip for DH and the kids. Sorry about the jacuzzi and the yucky temperature today. Hopefully the kids guitar lessons are better, at least from a teacher standpoint. Sometimes you wonder about forecasters but they are only human and fallible (don't tell them that though). As my dear aunt said (and many other people) variety is the spice of life and it sounds like you spiced up your life with some new boxing classes. Hope you can keep things fresh with changes every once in a while.

My story, it was busy but not specifically for the normal reason. Last night we (the Seminary) man an auxilliary homeless shelter (auxilliary only insofar as we get people if the main shelter is over capacity). The shift runs from 7:00 pm to 6:30 am so I was there last night and spent the greater portion of yesterday finishing my final for my class from last week (final is not due until Friday this week). My story for today goes something like... I didn't sleep well/at all last night. My shift was until 2 am (lights out at 10 pm and my counterpart hit the hay at 10:45) so I didn't sleep until 2 and it took a little effort to not fall asleep. Well, as you might imagine, by the time I laid down on my mat (about 1/4 inch when compressed) on the carpet over concrete floor I didn't fall asleep readily - I was totally beat. Anyway, I woke up for good with a terrible pain in my shoulder and hip from the floor (go figure - no padding). But it was a rewarding night all things considered. But then for today - I had my first interview for my 18 month field education (internship) parish that starts in August this year later this afternoon (over lunch) so I fought to stay awake and interviewed (my second interview ever so I was a little nervous) with my potential supervisor. It was nice and went without a hitch. Then to home and with no sleep I decided that exercise, even my spinning bike, would have been a bad idea so I held off. Tired to go bowling with my sister but the lane was full (they told her yesterday that there was open bowling at 7 tonight :mad: ). So now I'm back on the up-swing but will probably die off fairly fast.

Tomorrow, after sleeping in I'm going to run or ride depending on the weather. Then for Friday and another off day - probably spent with LW having fun around town/around the house.

Hope all are well and I'll see you tomorrow.

Peace,
Les

[karen w]

Yikes Les-What a tiring yet rewarding night. I can't blame you for not wanting to exercise after that. I hope you got a good one in today to make up for things. Nice to hear the interview went well, too.

Logged another decent swim this morning and back to Thai boxing today. Class was quiet so we all got our own bags to beat up this morning. A lot of new white belts so the instructor kept things a bit more basic, but always a good workout anyway. This afternoon I made two treats for DH to take to work tomorrow. It is his b-day. He was informed by his co-workers that if he wants a b-day treat, then he must bring it! I made a pan of smores bars and chocolate toffee squares. I think his dept. will get a nice sugar buzz and chocolate high from those! And hopefully DH will have a sweet b-day, too.

And speaking of tomorrow, aside from my usual exercise routine, I hope to make it to the mall to check out some new scooters in the afternoon and use a gift card that is burning a hole in my purse already!!:D

Have a good evening,
Karen

[mackandme]

Wow Les, that sounds like a tiring night. But worth it, I'm sure.

Karen, those were some yummy sounding goodies you made for DH's birthday.

I did get a nice ride in Wednesday. Today I had physical therapy, and we did some work on a stability ball with the point of getting pelvic floor muscles to relax. I do feel better this evening than I've felt in a while. I'm going to get some this weekend, and try to use one as a chair at work, since sitting is one of the more painful things for me.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Thanks ladies, it was a very tiring yet rewarding night on Tuesday. Still a little out of it but feeling better today.

Karen - A double dose of sugar for DH's office tomorrow... you're too mean. ;) Happy birthday to him from me. Sometimes it is nice to step back and do a simple but testing workout and it sounds like you've had a couple in the past few days that's great. I hope you find some new scooters that suit you tomorrow - that's one of the greatest things for a person who exercises a lot.

Kate - I would have never thought about sitting on an stability ball but it makes all kinds of sense, especially if sitting is hard for you. When I see the trend starting I'll remember that you were the one...

As I said, I'm still a little out of it but 7+ solid hours of sleep does a good job for the brain and the karma. I'm finally done with both of my classes I took this week - e-mailed my final and study guides to the instructor today so I'm off the hook until classes start next Wednesday. I also took advantage of the day off and ran this afternoon after helping our school get a guest to the airport (at Baltimore Washington International). It was a great trip because she is a Ph.D. student at Hartford Seminary and she was in town for a discussion about US/Muslim dialogues that have been going on - an interesting person to chat with for an hour between here and there. As for my run, just over an hour in a little bit of chilly wind but nothing terrible. Then made some CL chili again and now it's time for bed. Loking forward to my last couple days of no classes so sleeping in is in the cards.

Talk to you tomorrow and have a great weekend!
Peace,
Les

[karen w]

Les-Sounds like you had a great day yesterday. I hope today was just as grand.

Kate-Glad you're feeling better.

Well, no new scooters for me today. It was still a decent day, nonetheless. I had a nice swim even though it was a bit hard waking up. My alarm went off in the midst of a dream. Coincidentally, the dream was about my dad who passed away exactly a year ago today(according to the Jewish calender) so we have a yartzeit lamp plugged in today. Anyway, perhaps my subconscious was focused on Dad so that is why I dreamt about him?? It was a weird one, too. :p I also made it to boxing class after a quick trip to Target for a b-day present for one of DD's friends and a new gymnastics leotard for DD. This afternoon I did try very hard to spend money and use my gift cards at the mall, but I just did not find anything to light my fire. I guess I'll have to save them for another rainy day, so to speak. Never did make it to look for scooters as I had to get home since DS#1 would be getting off the bus soon. That will have to wait for another day, too.

Nothing new and unusal for the weekend here. I hope it's a good one for all.

Take care,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Today was great but for different reasons - but first for you. I don't think it was coincidence (honestly I don't believe in coincidence anyway) that you dreamed about your father - especially considering what today is. My Jungian Psychiatrist friend would have plenty to say I'm sure but that's his line of work so he has to crave figuring out dreams. Still sorry it got in the way of your day today - even if it wasn't too troubling. Saving your gift card is always fine - better to buy something you need as opposed to spending your card to spend it. I hope you have a sane and calm weekend.

Today was another rest-type day for me. I did some puttering around the house, went looking for a present for a friend but couldn't find what I was looking for - I'm bummed and I might have to order it online (and shipping will be more than buying one here in person). After that I had a spin on my bike trainer for an hour - it's been a while but it felt good to sit in the basement on the stand and read and ride. Then I put together a shelf for the bathroom and cooked dinner (stir fry).

Tomorrow and the remainder of the weekend should be fairly tame for me - nothing out of the ordinary planned.

Have a good weekend and peace,
Les

[Leslie Ferguson]

Back-to-back to close out the week. I had a good 10+ miler today (almost 10.5 I'd bet but I'm not sure). I took a late start and ran on the C&O Canal towpath. It's a beautiful run but the better part of today's run was in the open (no wind blocks to speak of). I ran from about the 3 mile post to the starting point near the Kennedy center (actually ran to the Kennedy Center) then turned around and ran out to the 5 mile post and back to where I started. Running down wind was nice but into the wind was a tad brisk. Still a good run and I'm thrilled with 3 runs this week - keeping up with my goal finally.

It may snow overnight (no run though because I'll be busy until noon tomorrow) but it should melt off and it should be a nice week. I'm going to try and take advantage of the last little bit before classes restart on Wednesday.

Hope everyone has a good Sunday and I'll see you tomorrow.

Peace,
Les