Healthful Living and Weekly Workout Support Group - Week of Feb 17

[Leslie Ferguson]

Hey gang, it’s been a couple weeks since we’ve had a new thread and last week was good for most of the regulars here but I promise that I’ll post a new thread today and start afresh. February has been a mixed month for us, at least in the weather world with rain, snow, ice, heat (~70), and generally unsettled weather across the country. But we’ve tried to keep the unsettled weather from affecting us too much. So in an attempt to get started again and send us out on our new week I’ll try to recap the past couple weeks.

Life successes include - Kate had a couple good weeks and is off her meds that were whacking a week out of each month, rode Mack a couple times and is planning to ride more, made plans to have a minor change of living arrangements in the near future - hope it goes well; Karen has kept her sanity with the kids home a couple days this past week, still getting her workouts in and moving her boxing around (different classes) to keep it interesting, made it through a bunch of rain with a dry basement (YEAH!!!); and I had a couple good interviews for an internship, had a blast participating in a conference for potential students this weekend and even worked out a couple times the past couple weeks. :eek:
Stressful living - Laura continues to be missing but I bet it’s because of work and trying to find balance with a new job; Kate is getting ready to make a minor change of living arrangements which may be a little stressful but I know she can handle it; Karen is running the taxi service and had to put up with snow, rain, and ice a couple days (not all the same time if I remember correctly), had a visit from her financial advisor but nothing too terrible all things considered; and I had one of the worst emotional two weeks in a long time, had to deal with my cousin’s death, lack of motivation at school (longer discussion in last week’s thread), and getting my motivation re-started.

Workouts: I’m going to try to run tomorrow, maybe my long run that got overtaken by events from this weekend, I’ll try to spin on Tuesday between classes and work, I’m not sure about Wednesday because I’m meeting with my spiritual advisor then and working 7-9, Thursday and Friday will depend on Wednesday, and I’m planning on a long run on Saturday.
Healthful living: dealing with the mass of stressors that have piled up over the past 6 months or so and trying to reset myself to an even keel - that should be plenty.

I had a good day, albeit somewhat disjointed. I claim a victory on an hour spinning and reading. What was most disjointed about it was I made two trips to the airport - the first planned and the second unplanned. Dropped off two of the school's guests from this weekend then got a call from one of them stating that the airport in KC was closed and he needed someplace to stay - maybe at school? So picked him up, got him settled in and will take him to the airport tomorrow. Quite the diversion but didn't derail the rest of the day - a good thing. :D Tomorrow, after dropping my charge off at the airport I'll try to get that long run in since I'm off school tomorrow (lucky me with President's Day).

Peace to all,
Les

[karen w]

Les-Sounds like your running your own taxi service there! But seriously, that is quite generous of you to do that shuttling. Hope this week will let you get some loose ends squared away and on the road to de-stressing a bit.

We had even MORE rain yesterday and today. Again...KNOCK WOOD...the basement remains dry. We had a good weekend. DH spent Friday bowling with the kids and Saturday back to the city for another trip to the Natural History museum. I had a few good and varied workouts with the treadmill and swim Friday, bike ride Saturday, elliptical Sunday, and again a swim and treadmill today as well as my usual cores/weights. Tomorrow when the kids head back to school, I'll get out to boxing. Nothing else too major on the agenda this week. Wednesday we are having a TV picked up for service. It is a big screen(I think rear projection) and one of the bulbs is not converging properly in the back. They estimate it will take up to a week to repair. Meanwhile DH and I have had movie night in the basement which is actually nice and cozy! We may also head to the coast that same day depending on when the TV guys get in and out of here(if it is not too late). We never made it down there last week for our shopping. Other than that it is business as usual.

Have a good week,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Thanks Karen, it was a good thing that I was the guy's driver and I gave him my card before I dropped him off at the airport. Luckily I was able to draw on some of my Navy hosting and decision making skills to get him taken care of - of course there is a rub (that I'll talk about below). It sounds like a great weekend for your family with the trip to the museum etc. I hope the TV repair isn't too arduous and it comes back without issue. Hopefully your week shapes up as well as you have planned and you get to the coast too. And I'm pretty certain you'll keep that dry basement now - that is plenty of water flowing into the drain without issue - good job. I think I'm going to make good progress on the de-stressing now that I'm aware of what's going on, now it's just working through it over time.

Score one for our team too, I ran today. It was good and I ran in some new parts of town and I know after I'm done why I haven't run on them before (STEEP up hill - a 2nd gear standing on my road bike hill). It was an hour's worth of running that was capped by a little drizzle/rain. The weather is a little weird here today. It was 65 and a light drizzle when I left and when I got home it was a steady rain and 55 degrees. Not a lot of fun but I'll take it.

It looks like I may have picked up something from someone this weekend - the guy I was driving around had the sniffles and I think he had to pick up some cold medication on Sunday and the couple I sponsored this weekend have a kid who was sick at the beginning of the week - needless to say I've got a tickly throat and I'm feeling a little achy and getting really congested. Luckily I've got some killer otc cold stuff that I'm gonig to take and hit the hay. Hopefully I nip it in the bud before it gets ugly.

BTW - I'm still waiting on a notification for my internship starting in September. Offers were supposed to go out on Friday but I (and lots in my class so I'm not alone) didn't hear anything from any of the four places I interviewed. Hopefully tomorrow now that the holiday is over.

I've got a couple projects to complete for the next couple days in class so I'll sign off and see you all in the funnies.

Peace all,
Les

[karen w]

Les-Yay, on yesterdays run, but BOO on some new crud in the development. Hope whatever it is it passes you by or remains at bay. I'll send up a few prayers that you hear some good words this week from your interviews.

We had a bit of a stressful night last night so I did not sleep much. DH got home very late from work(is that pay back for having vacation last week??!:( ). Anyway, he had a rotten day(long story which I can't get into here) but needless to say it weighed heavily on both of us. Fortuantely, I cleared the cobwebs this morning with a great swim and boxing class as well. Getting back to routine after the kids break from school, does make you start to feel human again. This afternoon DS#2's guitar teacher was ill so his class was canceled, but still had to take DS#1. Next week DS#2 will get a double lesson back to back to make up for this missed one. Only other noteworthy news is not about someone I really know directly, but it still sends a chill down my spine when I think about it. DD and DS#2 came home from school today with tragic news. Apparently, the DH of one of the teachers at the school(Phys. Ed), died suddenly and unexpectedly late last week. This is a woman(and her now deceased DH) who are only in their 30's! How awful! Life is so precious and so unpredictable. Hug someone close to you tonight!

Good evening,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Wow, that story is tragic - only in his 30s is really young. I'm sorry that DH's work yesterday put the whammy on your night - hopefully tonight is better for you and it sounds like this morning wasn't too badly impacted all things considered. Sorry about DS#2's lesson but it's good that the teacher is going to make up next week. Thank you for the prayers and wishes too - I hope I hear something soon about interning.

I'm making some progress on the crud but not much. I've still got a little scratchy throat and I'm taking some OTC stuff to help keep my cough down so the jury is still out. I'm afraid my body may revolt very soon if I'm not careful. With everything I'm trying to do with school I'm afraid that I may be headed for a forced sleep session and I can ill afford that right now. I took today off for all those reasons and I may take it easy tomorrow too. With the bug I picked up this past weekend from someone (visitors from KC and NJ in close proximity) so I'm pushing liquids and trying to eat well and keep my stress as low as possible (if that's possible as mid-term comes along with its papers etc.).

I had a productive time at work and I've still got a little writing to do but I'm going to try to go to bed earlier tonight.

Take care and I'll see you tomorrow. Peace, hug someone you love and let them know you love them,
Les

[karen w]

Les-Glad to hear your listening to your body and resting when needed. Maybe(I hope) you'll scare the crud away.

Today did not really hash out as planned, but overall not a bad day. And I did get in my exercise, a great swim and an elliptical/core abs/weight session at home while we were waiting for the TV people to come pick up our set. Unfortunately, that never did happen. They are coming on Saturday now(so they say:rolleyes: ). Just got unforseeably back-logged this morning(yay, right!:rolleyes: ). Anyway, at the last minute DH and I decided to also bag our coastal shopping trip for another day since we really did not need much at the stores down there right now(Penzey's, Whole Foods ...). To top it off, our sick computers(at the computer hospital which is on the way down to the coast) were not ready for pick-up yet(even though they were supposed to be:rolleyes: ) so it just was not worth the trip. Instead, I did my vegetable/fruit and milk shopping and spent a good deal of the afternoon enjoying myself at the bookstore browsing through a few things. I was looking for a book DS#1 wants, but it is not out in publication yet. BUT. . . since I was there, I wondered through a few that were more interesting to me.;)

Tomorrow I will swim and box. DD has gymnastics. That's the big stuff.

Have a good evening. Go watch a lunar eclipse!!:)

Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

I'm sorry that today was kind of a bust but it sounds like you made the best of it - probably a good call to not go to the coast - there really wasn't enough to do to warrant the trip (at least by your recounting). Likely story too - had to shop for a book for yourself didn't you? ;) Sometimes (often) I'm amazed how mush you do on a "quiet" day. These days, I'm plenty happy with the couple things I do each day and I'm kept plenty busy with only a couple things.

It was snowing today and the 4 year old was anxious to get out and romp but the sick 45 year old thought better of it, so I rested again. Now all it has to do is behave and it's not being the best yet but I'm not feeling much worse today than yesterday - hopefully I can come around the corner soon. Still waiting for a reply from my internship sites too - it's hard to sit and wait but that's the story of my life these days... give me patience (and I get it in spades :rolleyes: ).

Peace to all,
Les

[karen w]

Les-Sounds like you are behaving and doing a good job keeping the crud at bay. Your 4 y.o. alter ego may want to take a road trip up here tomorrow for our forecasted snow. I have an inkling tomorrow is going to be a snow day for us. . . some reports are saying 3-6" while others say 5-8". Either way it is predicted to begin at 4-5 am, so the whole day will be a wash(for school anyway). To top it off, a notice came home with DD and DS#2 who are supposed to have a half day tomorrow anyway because of conferences. If school is canceled, conferences take place next Friday and that will become their half day.

Since I can't control the future, I'll briefly re-hash the past. Had a great swim today and boxed. In between picked up a gift for a party DD is SUPPOSED to go to tomorrow night. If the weather is lousy, not sure if she will go at all. Right now she is at gymnastics and DH is picking her up on his way home from work.

Tomorrow I HOPE to get in my swim and then will likely end up doing something else at home with our weather forecast, but if the snow starts as early as predicted and begins with a bang, I may end up staying in to exercise. Either way, I'll get something in so it's no "biggy." Glad we have our home gym now.;)

Have a good evening,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Yikes, that could be a lot of snow - sounds like the remnants of what we had down here. Hopefully the kids get to school but I wouldn't count on it. You really are reaping the benefits of your home gym aren't you? ;) Great buys all around. If only I wasn't a poor college student and we didn't live in a small-ish town house. Hopefully your day is sane - I know you'll do your best.

I really am being a good boy - resting as much as I can and pumping fluids to beat the band (of course...). There was good news and not so good news today - nothing bad on the second account. Good: I spun tonight before seeing the guy from the Church of England speak. I did 60 minutes and it felt good to purge a little of the junk inside my body through my pores. Not so good: I called my first choice for internships and the head pastor is out of town (has been for most of the past 2 weeks and will be until late next week). His assistant sent him a note and hopefully he will call or at least tell me that he's waiting to call until he gets back. So, fingers crossed for something tomorrow.

Peace and pleasant dreams,
Les

[karen w]

Les-I would not say that the second piece of news of yours was "bad" as it was not a "NO" but simply more "hurry up and wait." I know the waiting can be frustrating and stressful, but it is better than a "NO." Hang in there. I'm rooting for you and a "YES."

SNOW DAY!!!! When I woke up this morning the ground already had a good coating on it so I decided to sleep in and exercise later in the morning at home. Good thing as the YMCA ended up closing today. It has just finally seemed to have stopped snowing this evening here. I am not sure what the official total is yet, but we must have at least 8+ inches on the ledges on our back porch. The kids have been out a few times on and off today romping in the snow. I even made them homemade snow cones tonight after dinner with some of my Torani sugar free flavored syrups.:) They enjoyed those alot. DD's b-day party tonight was also canceled and re-scheduled for next Friday at the same time so that is good for both DD and the b-day girl.

I ended up having a fairly decent bike ride in the morning and then did some upper body weights and core abs. Made the kids a chocolate chip pancake brunch and did a bit of cleaning in the kitchen. Cleaned out/re-organized the pantry a bit and got rid of a few things hiding behind the scenes, if you know what I mean. Things that were likely too old to safely want to consume or smelled kind of funky.:p My bi-monthly cleaning help also did not make it today, but she will come on Monday instead.

Quiet weekend planned since DH is on call. Hope everyone else has a pleasant weekend as well.

Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

I know it's not a NO and you're right, it really is hurry up and wait - which wouldn't really bother me. What has a little tension is I may end up having to go to other sites to observe and then interview which is just more unneeded stress.

8+ inches on the porch sounds like a bit of snow. Glad you made a good decision to stay home and not try out getting to the Y - especially since they wouldn't have been open. I bet the kids had a lot of fun in the snow and I hope that the weekend isn't too packed with snow because it looks like there may be more snow tonight and tomorrow up your way. :D Chocolate chip pancakes for brunch - sounds decedant and yummy. I'm glad that DD will be able to get to the party next week because of it being cancelled today.

We had our share of winter stuff here but ours was freezing rain/ice. Nothing terrible in fact it was rather neat. In the span of about 30 minutes it went from drizzling nicely (could see the windows on the car and they were clear) to a nice 1/4 inch patina of ice all over the place. Luckily it was about freezing so it didn't take much to get rid of the ice. I rested again today - still a little lingering crud and there was freezing rain/ice all around. Nothing terrible but it would have been bad enough to cause serious breathing problems. Tomorrow I'll try a run if my lungs clear out a little or else I'll do a long spin.

and for the internship question. I got a "turn down" but I found out that the site wasn't going to have any interns for the coming year so I wasn't personally turned down - the site took itself out of the internship puzzle for the coming year. Still have 3 possibles out there -- hopefully something soon.

Have a happy weekend and peace,
Les

[Leslie Ferguson]

Back to backs - no run today or probably any day in the near future. The crud I've been fighting has turned into a full blown case of Influenza. After a trip to the ER this morning I got the disgnosis and the direction to rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take a med that should help the flu run it's course faster. Alas, that means no runs or anything except sleep and eat and study when possible for the next couple days.

Hope folks are having a better weekend than I am. Off for a blanket, more water, and a rest - the shivers are headed in.

Peace to all,
Les

[karen w]

{{{LES}}}

Take care,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Thank you Karen. And my nursemaid isn't in town (in Norfolk this weekend). Hopefully that keeps her from getting the flu. Feeling a little tired and I think it's time to go back to sleep and cuddle up - maybe feed a little more so I don't get wigged out in the middle of the night.

See you later (limping along),
Les