HL/WWSG - 16 - 29 March - Happy St. Patrick’s Day and Happy Easter!

[Leslie Ferguson]

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! and Happy Easter!

Greetings friends and neighbors this is going to be a busy week as we pass through Passover on our way to Easter. And to top it off we’ve passed the Ides of March and will hit St. Patty’s Day too - what a week for celebrations. Maybe the remainder of the month will be more like the lamb than the lion but I’m not holding my breath. These past weeks were quite productive for some of us and we even had a return of a past member as well as reports from all the regulars in the group, even if they weren’t always the most positive reports (sorry Laura). Midterms, Spring Break (maybe) and a bunch of family time in the cards for the weeks but I’ll hold off a little and catch up with the previous couple weeks.

Life successes include - foodfiend dropped back by and told us that she was doing well and found out what was causing her lack of energy a year ago, she’s been doing well and has been able to do more things that she ever imagined she would be able to do including dancing, also changed her diet a little and has dropped some weight so a good report all around; Kate said that things were well with her and she’s getting used to her new living arrangements which are especially nice when she has tough days at work (like during campaign season); Laura came by and said she’s been crazy busy at work trying to find balance and workout time; Karen had a couple busy weeks with kids schedules and a plethora of weather (rain and snow) but in general had a good time, hosted FIL and his companion this past weekend (and probably had a good weekend all around); and I had a good workout week and got my first of three exams done yesterday, looking forward to a productive week and maybe a trip to my folks house in the coming week.
Stressful living - Laura has been sick and struggling to get over the fluu that’s been going around, and has been overworked (three big capital cases at work); Kate had her possible new job fall through or at least go on hold due to a hiring freeze :( ; Karen had problem with DS#1 and school and honesty issues which we all hope will be solved in an appropriate way and by his learning about the right thing; and I making a last push for classes with two tests remaining and the remainder of Holy Week before a week off school.

Workouts: I’ll try to run on Monday, Wednesday and maybe Thursday, if anything I’ll spin on Tuesday (after my test and while studying for my test on Wednesday), and I may practice with our Ultimate Frisbee team on Wednesday instead of running if my timing works. Then there’s Saturday and whatever comes from that.
Healthful living: Balance is the key with sleep, studies, and exercise.

I think a two week thread seems to work well and it didn’t get too big in the last two weeks did it? I think I’ll try to keep it sane the coming couple of weeks - especially since I’ll be busy with Easter next Sunday (wherever I will be residing)

It’s time work on dinner and preparing for the remainder of the week so I’ll sign off and say until later - be good to yourselves, stay warm and dry and have a good week.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day and peace to all,
Les

[karen w]

Les-Good evening and thanks for getting the ball rolling once again. I have to post and run(DH is calling me for something:rolleyes: ), but I'll try to get back as usual tomorrow night.

We had a good visit with FIL and companion tonight and now just cleaning up and getting the kids ready for school tomorrow. FYI-Passover is next month(April), so it has not "passed over" yet! Purim is coming up within the next week. As a matter of fact, we had hamantaschen for dessert tonight! Also got in a nice run/walk on the treadmill today and an excellent elliptical session yesterday along with some weights. Tomorrow it's back in the pool and to boxing.

Have a good week,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

We had a good visit with FIL and companion tonight and now just cleaning up and getting the kids ready for school tomorrow. FYI-Passover is next month(April), so it has not "passed over" yet! Purim is coming up within the next week. As a matter of fact, we had hamantaschen for dessert tonight! Also got in a nice run/walk on the treadmill today and an excellent elliptical session yesterday along with some weights. Tomorrow it's back in the pool and to boxing.

Duh! How did I forget that Passover is next month because we're having Seder Supper at school on the 5th. Sponsored by the Biblical Hebrew Instructor and his TA (she's a Reformed Jew). I shoud have remembered also because you were talking about the hamantaschen in the past couple days. Oh well, just goes to show you that I don't remember everything.

Nothing more for the night except have a great week.
Peace,
Les

[mackandme]

Thanks for getting us started, Les.

Not much to report here. Went riding Saturday. I'm starting to look/apply for jobs, which is stressful and time consuming (as if i had any free time to begin with!). Having a peaceful night at work for a change!

Hopefully I'll get to the gym once or twice this week. My last physical therapy appointment is Friday.

[karen w]

Kate-Hi! Hope you make it to the gym this week.

I had a great swim this morning and for a change the air was not so cold in the pool and the water temp. was perfect. It's nice when everything comes together. I just wish it would more often at the YMCA. Anyway, ran off to Target after getting the kids off to school to pick up a few extra "gym/shower" supplies etc... and then to boxing.

This afternoon attempted to do my grocery shopping for staples, but the store was out of many of the "leader" items on special this week.:mad: I only accomplished half my list so I'll have to go back later this week. How frustrating.

That's all to report here. Happy St. Patrick's day!

Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Kate - Sending good thoughts and grace to you as you reopen your job search. I know that something will be out there that is exactly what you're looking for and need.
Karen - Frosts me too when the store is out of the big things - especially when it's for no apparent reason. Glad that the Y had all the cylinders firing on time today - that's probably the first time that's happened in forever (if memory serves me correctly). Hope you all had a happy St. Patrick's Day too.

It was a nice day - spent most of it studying and think I have a good handle on tomorrow's test. Still a little more review of the big topics and then a good night's sleep. I rewarded myself with an hour afoot and although it was a little brisk when I was stopped (overcast and 50 is just a bit nippy when you're wearing a tank top and shorts). I also found out that my run from the other day was a tad bit longer than I had expected - nothing terrible but now I know why I was so tired after the run.

Hope all are well and I'm off to study a little more.

Peace,
Les

[karen w]

Les-Bet it felt good to get out yesterday. I hope today is just as good for you.

I had a bit of a "funky" day, but overall it turned out well. . . just not as planned. The problem being that I woke up this morning with a bad one sided(left) headache. I trudged out for my swim anyway as that USUALLY helps clear things up. This time it really did not improve the situation. My swim was still pretty decent and despite it being a touch too hot for me, I decided to "cook" in the jacuzzi to see if that helped. Maybe a bit? Anyway, back at home, eating some breakfast with some tylenol/advil chasers seemed to help it considerably. Unfortunately, by this point it had really wiped me out and I just did not feel up to boxing. DH was able to go into work late today since he is "on-call" tonight, so we snuggled together after the kids got off to school(and got in another workout!;) ). After getting up(for the second time today), I really was feeling almost 100%, so I rode the elliptical for my best ride in a long time and did about 15 min. of upper body weights and core abs. By then it was noon, so I had lunch and hung out at home doing a bit of "puttering" in the kitchen. I am making a treat for DH's work for a party next week and got that (mostly) finished and in the freezer. Also made a double batch of pizza dough for the freezer since my current supply is almost gone. So the day was productive after a rough start and I still managed to get in my workout(s). I guess I really have to be dying to skip a workout!!:p This evening the boys had guitar.

Tomorrow DH is off for the day. I DO plan on swimming and boxing; then DH is going to help me with my weekly Costco shopping(if i can trust him in that place!:p )

Good evening,
Karen

[mackandme]

I did manage to leave work for a bit tonight and get some time in on the bike. Luckily the rain has let up so i didn't get soaked walking over there. It poured today! Not a great day for a trip to Lowes, but it was the day i had so we still went. Didn't accomplish much, though. They never seem to have what I need! None of their doorknobs will work for my 80-year-old front door.

Tommorow hopefully it will dry out, as I plan to get to the barn and go riding.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Drive by... sounds like a good day for the most part. Too many medical things going on though.

I took a day off today, not originally planned but worthwhile. You may ask why am I taking the day off? Because one of our classmates goes to a massage therapist and in January during Comps the therapist came by to give people massages. She's back to give massages today and tomorrow (10 minutes in the chair) and I've been fighting a knot since I fell during Ultimate two weeks ago so I partook in the massage. Needless to say I don't want to mess up what she's done so far so I'm laying off this afternoon.

Done studying now to bed before my last midterm tomorrow morning - then 10 days off!

Peace,
Les

[Leslie Ferguson]

Back to back but... Quick check in for the morning... I'm now done with mid-terms. The last test took very little time (it started at 8:55 and I'm already done it's 9:30). A few little things to wrap up the day having to do with school and some of our expected community participation events (going to noon worship service on Wednesday as opposed to just morning worship service every day). I bet I'll pick up a run too - we're looking at temps near 70 today (if the clouds break).

Good to be done and good to have a couple days off.

Peace,
Les

[karen w]

Les-Ye hah!! Yay for exams being over, and quickly at that today(that could either be a good thing . . . or NOT i.e. you knew it cold or did not know a thing!) Since you sound happy about things, I'll take it to mean that all went well.;) Hope you had a nice run and I envy you on those massages. A fantastic reason to take the day off IMHO!

I had a good day, but the weather is certainly dreary. It rained all day here(and still is now). Good swim this morning and went to boxing after my weekly produce/dairy store stop. I had a tiny sample of CAFFEINATED coffee while there(it was some sort of chocolate flavored thing, so I was curious to try it and it really was not that bad) and by the time I got to boxing my heart was beating out of my chest and I was climbing the walls. Finally, half way through class I think I must have sweated some of those "jitters" out of me!!!:p Made for a good(and interesting) class, though. After lunch DH and I did our Costco shopping. We did come across one really good "find" while there. We have been looking for the Wii guitar hero game for DS#2 for his b-day all over and have only been able to find it on-line so far. We have seen it for x-box and PSP at Costco, but never Wii. Today they had it for Wii(saves us the shipping now), so we bought it and hid it(in the Attic!!:p ) for DS#2's b-day(and DS#1, I suppose, even though he does not practice much still). Since his b-day is in July when he is at camp, we will likely give it to him around DS#1's b-day in May.

That's about it for me here today. Have a good evening,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Hey Karen it sounds like you had an interesting day and from the looks of it you aren't the dedicated caffeine drinker like yours truly. LW has the same issue when she drinks full caffeine coffee too - I bet it made for an interesting boxing class too. Maybe you can hit the coffee before you swim on the cold mornings :p because the twitches would keep you warm. :rolleyes: Great find at Costco and it's good that your kids don't go snooping around in the attic - or you'd be out a storage place for presents etc. Hope the rain stops soon or at least it tapers down enough that you get plenty of sleep tonight.

I'll take the latter - knowing the info cold - on the test. The test was comprehensive and most of it is intuitive or at least builds on information we've learned in other classes. After a great morning and a quick jaunt to the store with LW (actually she was picking up a prescription and I was shopping) headed back to campus for the afternoon and a meeting with my spiritual advisor - always a great meeting as we focus on my spirituality and how I'm growing in ways besides the academics. Helps keep me in touch with a little bit of reality. By the time I got done it was raining pretty steadily and I wasn't willing to head out in the rain so I went home and spun for about 45 minutes. Got a little bit more workout and I'm getting ready to head to the shed and sleep in tomorrow - it's been a long week and I need a break.

Have a great Thursday and I'll see you all later. Peace,
Les

[karen w]

Drive by tonight as I am going to a "ladies affair" tonight.:D Had a good swim this morning and boxing as well. Got all of the remaining items on my grocery list this morning that the store was out of stock on the other day. Did that between swimming and boxing. Not much else new to report in my neck of the woods. Rain has cleared, but it is VERY windy today and a bit cooler.

Tomorrow I will swim and exercise at home later in the morning since the kids are off for Good Friday. DH is also working this weekend, so he gets to go in late tomorrow.

Have a good evening,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

I hope you have a good ladies night out tonight Karen. Don't do anything too wild or else your boys will have to hold court. ;) Sorry it was windy up there but at least the rain let up. I hope that the remainder of your week is a little calmer weather-wise.

Things didn't unfold quite like I wanted them to but that's ok. I didn't get to my run, but my excuse is there was a high wind advisory and a cold front blowing through so back on the trainer for an hours spin. It could be another late night tonight - not studying but leading a worship service starting at 10 pm then sitting for the first hour of an overnight vigil until 11 pm. Nothing terrible but it will make for a weird night or at least disjointed.

Peace all,
Les

[Leslie Ferguson]

Quiet day around these parts but winter is back. I'll claim a good day today after a long night last night at chapel and an early morning at chapel.

As for the remainder of my day, it was a bit blustery but nothing like the rest of the country. I think it's about 50 or 51 but there's a nice stiff breeze from the WNW at about 15-20 mph. Still, took an normal run (60 minutes) and will finish my cool down as I get ready to make some dinner for one of my classmates whose wife had a baby Wednesday. I'm up to make dinner and I'm going to make something easy: Oven-fried chicken, mac&cheese, and green beans. They were doing the happy dance when I walked up with the food.

I'll be traveling in the morning so I'll be a little scarce this weekend and will probably just push this one on to next week.

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

Peace to you all and happy Easter,
Les

[karen w]

Les-Sounds like you made a really yummy, "comfort food" dinner. It's no wonder everyone was so pleased. Glad it turned out well and hope your traveling went as well, too.

DH worked through this weekend so it was fairly quiet. I got in a nice elliptical ride yesterday along with weights and a great run/power walk on the tread mill today. I spent a lot of time(as usual) in the kitchen getting a jump start on the week. I made up a soup yesterday to use up some odds and ends in the refrigerator and freezer. I tasted it today for lunch and it was so delicious. Now I just have to make up a name for it and write it down so I can repeat it the next time! I had a few leftover sweet potatoes in the house so I roasted those along with some carrots, parsnips, onions, garlic, S & P, olive oil, rosemary, and thyme. When they were nice and carmelized and tender, I chopped a portion of them and reserved it. The other portion I pureed with some homemade turkey stock that I had in the freezer. Then I simmered the stock/puree with a bay leaf and added short grain brown rice. When that was almost tender, I added back the reserved veggies, some beans from the freezer, frozen peas since I thought it needed some green:D and some diced turkey from the freezer. I finished it off with a squeeze of lemon juice and ate it with a bit of parmesan. It was a nice mix of sweet and savory, hearty and filling. YUM! Maybe "Roasted Root Vegetable Soup with Turkey and Rice."

The kids occupied themselves for the most part, DD with her friend next door, and DS#1 and #2 with things in and outside. Fortunately, the weather was nice this weekend so they played outside a bit. They had the Purim carnival at religion this morning. DS#1 really did not participate as he is getting a bit old for this already, but the younger two had fun. They all received their prize for coming in second place this year for our synagogues annual Passover chocolate sales fundraiser. They won a $30 gift card to the mall. We figure we will get them something that they can all enjoy like a Wii game. And we finally got the last of the chocolates delivered today! Hmm. . . kosher chocolate for Easter! Works for me and I'm sure for most. . . after all, chocolate is chocolate!;)

DH is off tomorrow since he worked all weekend. I still plan on a swim and boxing. Hope everyone has a great week.

Karen

[Laura]

I got married on Friday!!!!!!!!!

It was not really planned, yet the right thing to do.

DH (wow that seems weird to say --his name is Scott), and I have been together a loonngggg time and have been talking about getting married. Neither of us wanted to have a wedding per se, and now that I work for the chief judge, we knew that having the judge marry us would be an option. To make a long story short. After having the judge tell us on Friday afternoon that the place to get the marriage license was only 2 miles away (as opposed to the 20 like I thought), and the judge offering to marry us that afternoon, (when I asked him when he could do it), we decided to get married then and there. It was actually a very nice ceremony, and we are happy to have completed it.

Now we have to figure out merging households, etc. but everyone is very happy for us and most have said (in a polite way) "It is about time!"

Anyway, now I have even more motivation to get back in shape as we are going to Hilton Head in July.

So that is my story! Laura

[mackandme]

Wow Laura, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't boast nearly as exciting a Friday, but a friend did come out to the barn and ride Mack. She hadn't been on a horse in 20 years and he could tell, so the only way we could get him to go was if i walked around and he followed me. But we had fun. Also i had my last PT appointment on Friday.

Other than that, just did my cooking and some work around the house. I've spent some time looking at jobs and have found a few more I want to apply for. Have to fit that in sometime this week. Also have to fit in a couple trips to the barn and to the gym. And even more work on the lawn/house. That doesn't leave any time for sleep!

Hope everyone had a nice Easter.

[Leslie Ferguson]

CONGRATULATIONS LAURA and SCOTT!!!!! I'm happy for the both of you! It sounds like it really was "planned" even if it wasn't (you were both ready and it was the right time so it was planned in general). Hope that the consolidation of two households goes well.

Kate - That sounds like a fun time with Mack. Isn't it funny how animals sense things like unease in a rider. I hope that your job search is fruitful and doesn't take too much out of you.

Karen - Sounds like a neat soup and good luck finding a name for it. Kosher chocolate is still (the operative word) chocolate! :) Your kids are chocolate selling folks aren't they? I seem to remember that they sold a bunch of chocolate last year too. I hope you have a productive day tomorrow with DH off and that your week goes well.

I had a good trip down south and will head back home tomorrow morning. Came down with Sis and will go back with LW (long story). It was a very relaxing weekend and I got to do my favorite things at home, not the least of which was cooking our "traditional" Easter dinner today which has become curry (don't ask, I'm not sure how that has become our Easter meal for the past 3 years but...). My sister and I did most of the preparation - she precooked and chopped the chicken yesterday and made a big fruit salad today and I did most of the chopping and cooking of rice and curry - quite tasty and quite a hit. It was a new recipe for me, one of my Mom's new recipes from a book that is supposed to help build brain power starting with food (she turns 70 in May).

For the rest of the fun I had enough time to go out for an hour run and loved every minute of it. It was ~50 and a gentle breeze in my face on the road out. The hills here are a little different than the ones at home, a lot more rolling, so it made for a different run and still probably had much of the same elevation gain and loss along the way just spread out over a longer distance.

Driving home tomorrow and it's time to head to bed - long day with all the festivities.

Take care all and peace,
Les

[karen w]

CONGRATIONS LAURA AND SCOTT!!! I know you have been with him for awhile, so as everyone has politely(I hope) already alluded to. . .It was about time and the right time!;) Are you going to have to move to S.C.? As I recall he was down there alot for business. Or perhaps, this issue has not yet been addressed and it is none of my d@mn business. In that case. . . .NEVER MIND!:p Enjoy your new DH!

Kate-Sounds like Mack still behaved himself with an unexperienced rider on board. Continued good luck with the job hunting, but it is good that there are some prospects out there.

Les-Sounds like an enjoyable Easter Sunday and a delicious tradition. Curry sounds good to me. I guess it's along the same lines as Jewish people going out for Chinese on Christmas?! Sorta??!:p

Had a great swim this morning, but was surprised to put on my cap this morning only to find it had a hole in it. Hmm. . . .must remember to check for mice in my gym bag!:p Fortunately, I keep a spare in my bag as one day I was the guilty culprit that put the hole right through the cap when putting it on. Not this time though, so not sure how it got there. Oh well. Anyway, back at home DH and I got the kids off to school and then rendevoused:D before I jumped on the elliptical at home and did some weights. I'm getting better at consistently incorporating some weights into my "at home" routine(as much as I hate them). After lunch I got my haircut at a new place. I was getting tired of the old and in a rut. I think they gave me a decent cut. We'll see how it goes after I was it in the morning. Then I did my grocery shopping.

Tomorrow is a busy one. I will swim and box. I need to pick up 7(50 ct.) boxes of munchkins and drop them off at DS#1's school in the morning for his school social(part of his student council responsibilities). In the afternoon is my bi-annual dental cleaning, DH has an office party(I baked for it) and a dinner mtg. tomorrow night, and boys have guitar.

Have a good one,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Hey Karen, it's good to see you tonight and it sounds like a productive day with a few work outs. Hair cut? I'd ask if you could get one for me but I just got one on Friday so I don't need one (for about a month or 6 weeks - not like before when it was every 2 weeks). 350 munchkins tomorrow? That's lot of little critters for DS#1's school/social. Losing DH for the evening probably doesn't help get you to and from all the events for the evening but it's probably something that he has to do so... another day at the office.

I had a good trip back from Appomattox and a very relaxing weekend. It was snowing when we left but warm enough that it wasn't sticking. It looks like we picked up a few more "kids" for the menagarie (plush that is) as Mom is down-sizing her "brood." After I got home I took a spin, not because I really wanted to spin but it was getting a little late and it was looking a little blustery. 60+ on the trainer and I'm happy as a clam. Off again tomorrow so I'll try to be productive, ;) or not. Hope all are well and congratulations to the newly weds again.

Peace,
Les

[karen w]

Les-Glad to hear your travels went smoothly and the visit was a nice one.

I am going to be brief tonight as I am nursing a bit of a headache which I got after my teeth cleaning this afternoon. I think between the dentist and driving home in a warm car into the sun triggered this one for me. It is better after 2 rounds of tylenol and some dinner, but it can really wipe a person out!:( Anyway, had an excellent swim, a trip to Target was very successful(for the kids who got gift cards yesterday from a neighbor who we gave their old bikes and a few other things to last year). I found DD a white shirt she needs for her spring concert and the boys are into "Magic" cards. These are not abracadabra cards, but a dueling card game with dragons, war-lords etc... Target has been out of them for awhile, but had a bunch today. Each boy got 2 new decks. Now DD and I have to find something to use her gift card. Also picked up the munchkins and ended up with a free drink out of the deal as they did not have enough of the kind I had ordered since the AM truck was late coming to the store. I was obviously upset but understanding. As it turns out while she was trying to fill the order with something else, the truck arrives! So the school got the munchkins they wanted and she did not charge me for my drink since I was so understanding. Darn. . . I knew I should have gotten a large!:D After had an absolutely fantasimal boxing class. Not only was the instructor good and his class interesting today with a few new moves, I paired up on a bag with probably one of the best black belt students in the school(also a good looking one. . . shhhh. . . .DH might hear!!!:D). Anyway, nothing like somebody better than you to keep you going. . .and I kept up pretty darn well, too, I might add. After lunch had my teeth cleaned and you know the rest from there. Tonight the boys had guitar. We have to renew their rental so I gave DS#1 until Friday to prove to me he wants to continue(i.e. practice). So far he really has not, but still says he wants to do it. Not sure what to do when Friday rolls around as the renewal will basically mean purchasing the guitars. For DS#2 this is not an issue. He is continuing to improve and practices.

Tomorrow swim and the rest I'll decide as the day unwinds. My right knee is acting up a bit the last day or so which might be a factor in determining my workouts in the next few days. We'll see. I guess this was longer than I thought it would be. On that note. . . have a good night.

Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Gee Karen I'd hate to see it when you were verbose after that check in. ;) It sounds like a tough visit to the dentist (thanks for the reminder too) hopefully the pain passes quickly. I'd guess that DS#1 isn't really interested in the guitar and it'll probably be more than a promise to practice (from my experience) but something more substantial (something else that he wants to do too). Take it easy with your knee too - we need all the healthy people we can get around here. ;) But seriously, I hope that your knee feels better soon.

I'll admit it, it's nice being off this week. Slept in, did some puttering around the house and hacked around with a scholarship application and had to relook at my taxes (long story about a retroactive VA disability payment during last year). After lunch I got out in a pretty stiff breeze (19 gusting to 25) but hit up an hour. I'm feeling a lot better about the race in about 6 weeks - which is good because a couple weeks ago I wasn't. Tomorrow I'll be later getting out because I've got to take LW's car to the muffler place (first one since 1999).

Tomorrows another day and closing in on me so... Peace to all and good evening,
Les

[karen w]

Les-Glad you are enjoying some well earned vacation time this week. I think you hit the nail on the head with DS#1 and his guitar, but I have to make a decision soon about purchasing the guitar or returning it and it is so hard to cut him off when he keeps saying that he wants to continue(even though he has yet to show me that). And then if I do stop him and let DS#2 continue. . . oy. . .the jealousy/sibling rivalry issues!:eek: I guess that is a bridge we will just have to cross and real soon(just discovered the rental receipts which were due in Jan., so we are quite late!!:eek:)

Well, my headache from yesterday(not dental related;more likely sinuses) persisted today, but fortunately a bit milder. However events that unfolded this morning led me to have a very laid back day which was good for a change. I had a good swim first thing this morning. When I got home, I noticed DS#1 really looked lousy(he has a cold). I was tempted to keep him home, but he had no fever and DH thought he'd be OK once he got to school. Apparently, that was not the case. He made it as far as the door to the nurses office after he got to school before throwing up. DH picked him up, so he stayed home for the day. He was fine after that, but I figured a day of rest to help get over this head cold was not going to hurt him. Of course, this evening he wants to go out and play, but I am going to make him take a bath and lay low. And because DD is getting over a cold as well and I had this sinus headache, I called our car-pool and canceled religion for the kids tonight. I think "mom" just needed a day's break from the taxi routine as well. :o Anyway, I stuck around the house for the rest of the day to get some things accomplished and give my knee a break from the boxing as well. I did do a lighter 30 min. workout on the treadmill and 15-20 min. on the bike. I spent a good chunk of the afternoon doing a lot of various paper work that I have been putting off, foremost being filling out all of the forms for the kids for camp as well as scheduling their physicals. Necessary evils and I am glad most of it is done now.

Tomorrow DS#1 should be good to ship back off to school, but I have to pick up all three kids early. DS #1 gets his bottom braces on and DD has her orthodontist appt. as well as gymnastics. I will definetely swim and box plus a trip for milk and veggies in the morning.

Have a good evening,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

I think you hit the nail on the head with DS#1 and his guitar, but I have to make a decision soon about purchasing the guitar or returning it and it is so hard to cut him off when he keeps saying that he wants to continue(even though he has yet to show me that). And then if I do stop him and let DS#2 continue. . . oy. . .the jealousy/sibling rivalry issues!:eek: I guess that is a bridge we will just have to cross and real soon(just discovered the rental receipts which were due in Jan., so we are quite late!!:eek:)
Yep, that wouldn't be the best of plans would it? By the time I got there (wanting to play the guitar) my older brother wanted nothing to do with it so there was no rivalry. I don't envy your decision and probably, at least at this point in time, it may be less bothersome to have both boys with guitars - who knows, DS#2 may become a fantastic guitarist (that wouldn't surprise me) then you could trade one in on another guitar or have DD take lessons when it comes the time (if she's interested that is).
Well, my headache from yesterday(not dental related;more likely sinuses) persisted today, but fortunately a bit milder... When I got home, I noticed DS#1 really looked lousy(he has a cold). I was tempted to keep him home, but he had no fever and DH thought he'd be OK once he got to school. Apparently, that was not the case. He made it as far as the door to the nurses office after he got to school before throwing up... He was fine after that, but I figured a day of rest to help get over this head cold was not going to hurt him. Of course, this evening he wants to go out and play, but I am going to make him take a bath and lay low. And because DD is getting over a cold as well and I had this sinus headache, I called our car-pool and canceled religion for the kids tonight. I think "mom" just needed a day's break from the taxi routine as well. :o ... Tomorrow DS#1 should be good to ship back off to school, but I have to pick up all three kids early. DS #1 gets his bottom braces on and DD has her orthodontist appt. as well as gymnastics. I will definetely swim and box plus a trip for milk and veggies in the morning.
It sounds like a busy day and eventful to say the least. Yuck about DS#1 and it isn't surprising that he wanted to play this evening - boys will be boys. Hopefully everyone is back at it tomorrow and you can get back to your routine after a day off (more or less).

I'm really enjoying the time off even if this morning was busy with the car. Less than an hour and $300+ poorer the car sounds like a car again as opposed to a dump truck. After all that I decided to take a ride outside and had about 17 or 18 miles up and down the hills on the mountain bike. Nice to take a break from a run today and get a bunch of stuff taken care of. The remainder of the night will probably include installing my DSL (I'm finally getting to the late 20th century) so I can get off dial-up.

Tomorrow, I'll try to finalize my dental needs and get a run before the rain comes over the weekend.

Hope all are well and I'll be in touch. Peace to all,
Les

[karen w]

Les-Hope you missed any rain drops today and had a good run. We are expecting rain(and possibly a slushy mix:eek:) tonight and tomorrow as well, but it has not gotten here yet.

All was back to normal today. Took a decongestant last night since all of the tylenols/ASA did not touch my headache. After a bit of "wooziness" from the effects of the pseudophed. wore off. . . voila! Headache was gone and still is today. AMEN! DS#1 looked much better today and was back in school. I had a good swim, went for my milk and veggies today(instead of yesterday, my usual day) and had a good boxing class. I took it easy with my right knee and I do think it is doing a bit better today. Key thing is there is no effusion nor any locking which were the big tell tale signs that I needed an operation on my other side. So I am sticking with my theory that it is just a minor bump in the road from something I did that I was not even aware of at the time. This afternoon picked up DD and DS#1 from school early for their orthodontia appts. DS#1 got his bottom braces on so he is really wired now!:p He's still trying to get used to them, but did OK getting down dinner. I treated the kids to Panera and made them a good thick creamy smoothy in my Vita-mix.:)

Tomorrow I plan on swimming and again remaining at home in the morning to get some stuff done, so I will likely bike and/or treadmill. I have a dermatology appt. in the afternoon(more freezing of the plantar wart:rolleyes:). DD is being picked up after school by one of her friends' aunts(long story, but mom is single and the daughter's second home is at the aunt's house in NY where she has her own bedroom and spends ALOT of time since mom works long hours). She will sleep over at their house until Saturday afternoon sometime. Speaking of Saturday, apparently(I was the last to learn) DH told the boys he'd take them to the Natural History Museum in the city again for a special exhibit/show they are having. DS#1 is bringing along a friend, so I think I will let the 4 boys go by themselves(Oh No!! that could be dangereous!!!!:p:p) DH and I will get our turn alone this summer when the kids are away at camp. And now speaking of camp, finished filling out the applications except the health forms since their physical is not scheduled until early June. Tomorrow I'll have to stop at the post ofice to mail everything.

Anyway, looking forward to a quiet lazy Saturday afternoon with the kids and DH away to do some mad science in the kitchen!!:p

Have a good evening and weekend,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Rain and slush? :confused: At least it was only drizzling here today. Still it didn't feel like it got all the way to the upper 50s like they said it did. Glad that decongestants got rid of the nasty headache too, something that hangs on more than a day is something that I would attribute to something besides a normal headache. DS#1 is all wired up now, what stations does he get? ;) Please give him my best as he struggles with his braces - never any fun but better than when my Mom had hers (about 12 years ago). 4 guys going to the city for a trip to the museum - you will be well served having a quiet day at home until DD gets back. I'm also glad that your knee isn't really tweaked, just a little persnickety. Isn't it funny how we can do "something" to a joint and not know how or when? Almost like when I try to tell LW that I really don't know where the bruise on my shin that really must have hurt came from.

It was a good day today, time around the house, time fiddling with the new connection and I think I've got most of it solved now - just a little more tweaking and making sure that mail is going where it should be going. After that I took a long-ish run without any rain but a kind of wicked breeze a couple times. Just wrapping up for the night and might try to bank some sleep before the last 6 weeks of school starts next week.

See you tomorrow and peace friends,
Les

[mackandme]

Karen, glad you finally kicked that headache. Allergies, maybe? I don't consider myself to have allergies, but i sure have had a lot of headaches and sneezing lately. It was 85 degrees today!

Les, sounds like you're having a good break from school.

The other day I got out to the barn, but only had about 15 minutes to ride. Hopefully Friday I'll have more time. And Saturday weeding will keep me busy. I'm hoping I last longer than earlier this week - i made it about 15 minutes before I was exhausted and DBF had to finish off the rest of the raking (still have leaves from fall!).

Next week i'm taking off Tues-Weds to do some more lawn work and stuff around the house. Plus, those are DBF's days off (coincidence? i think not!), so we're going to get to go on a couple dates for once!

hope everyone has a great weekend.

[karen w]

Kate-Enjoy your days off next week and your time with DBF.

Les-Didn't get any snow or slush today afterall. PHEW! Just some rain and not even that much either. Yay! And DS#1 is discovering that not only can he tune into many radio stations, he can eat his meals all over again with what sticks to the tracks. YUCK! I guess this just means he'll have to be that much better about keeping his pearly whites clean.;)

A good swim this morning followed by a split workout between the bike and elliptical along with weights and abs. Then out for some errands in the morning and my dermatology appt. this afternoon. This time the doctor froze the living daylight out of the wart and felt that should do it. He said not to make another appt. unless I think it is not gone. I told him fondly that I hope not to have to see him again in his office. I hope he is right!

DD's at her friends now. She called to let me know she made it there safely and is alive. DS#2 came home with some maple syrup(the final product) from all their sap gathering etc... earlier this spring. They had their maple syrup and ice cream party today and he said he did not have any because he tasted a bit and it gave him a tummy ache.:( I think that was just a fluke. When he got home, I told him to go to the bathroom to see if that might help. All I know is that he spent quite a while there(flushed twice!!) and when he was done, came out and polished off a big bowl of chili, rice, and cheese for dinner along with some challah and goldfish crackers; then a gingersnap for dessert. So I'm guessing the syrup is just fine. Maybe Sunday evening I will give the kids breakfast for dinner and make pancakes or French toast for them with the fresh syrup.

No other news to be had here. Hope everyone has a good weekend. I know my Saturday is going to be nice, lazy, and quiet(but I will get in my exercise, of course!!;)).

Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Karen - Never a dull moment at your house isn't it? ;) Glad that DS#2 wasn't stricken by something terrible in the syrup. It sounds like you had a decent day and good news from the dermatologist - hopefully you don't have to go back for the wart. DS#1 sounds oh so familiar - experienced that kind of stuff with my friends. Hopefully you have a good day tomorrow without the guys around for most of it. Have a good lazy day (somehow I don't think so but...)
Kate - Nice job getting concurrent days of with DBF. Darn the bad luck - you'll have to spend time together on those days. ;) Have fun this weekend, I hope that your leaf raking isn't too bad.

Today wasn't too bad today after all and the rain hasn't show up (yet). It was nearly 70 but mostly cloudy. I took off for the road on my bike and rode on some new side streets and trails and came up with about 18 miles again. The gusts were pretty tough though - there were a couple times when I thought I might have to get off and walk because I was making no progress against the wind. Luckily that didn't happen.

Tomorrow will bring a run of probably 12 or 13 miles (I hope). Then again, I may make one last foray into the fun world and head to the National Zoo tomorrow afternoon with a classmate. Decisions decisions...

Peace,
Les