Hl/wwsg - 4/27 - 5/10

[Leslie Ferguson]

Is May really just around the corner? It looks like it’s bearing down like a truck around here. We’ve heard from all corners of the states and it’s been pretty busy for most. The economy and lots of stuff are weighing heavily on lots of peoples minds as are job changes and family transitions. But it has been a pretty decent couple weeks for workouts - most people are getting them in and most are doing well to keep their lives pretty healthy and balanced amidst the din of life. Hopefully we can get through a couple weeks without too many distractions from the weather and get back to a healthful life and “normalcy” (if there is such a thing to be had). With that, a recap from the past two weeks may be in order:

Life successes/Good News include - Karen has been keeping all of us honest in the workout realm, balancing 5 busy schedules and a significant religious time in her family’s life, hosted or prepared 2 Seder suppers and still had time to corral kids on their spring break; Kate is becoming more accustomed to her current life situation with her new roommate - which is nice because that’s about all that is “normal” for her these days; and I successfully competed in an Ultimate Frisbee tournament without issue, made a bunch of progress with the end of the semester things (only two big things left and 2 weeks to do them).
Stressful living - Laura continues to be MIA but not unexpectedly with work being pretty ugly busy in the past couple months; Kate is having some stressful times as the economy takes a hit and people are being laid off in her current field (but she still has a job), and trying to keep Mack in shoes is exciting; Karen had a guest back out of a Seder supper so had the fixings for 2 , nursing her knee a little still; and I am just keeping my head above water as the end of the semester comes, finally coming around the corner on my allergies too.

Workouts: I’m not sure what will be in the cards these coming weeks. I’ll try to run some and ride outside when I can. I need to get a couple long runs in before my race on the 18th so that will probably be the coming couple weekends.
Healthful living: Keep up on my exercise because that helps me maintain balance with my life and a better outlook. I’m also trying to make the requirements and medical hoops for the coming trip to Children’s Hospital (lots of hoops to jump through).

It looks like we like the two week thread and at least until summer when I have fewer competing interests I’ll keep it running. So I’ll sign off and say until later - be good to yourselves, stay warm and dry and have a good week.

Peace to all,
Les

[karen w]

Les-Yep, the 2 week thread works for me, too. Thanks for getting the ball rolling again for us. I hope you DO manage to stay sane this week between school and exercise.

Another busy day today so I am pooped. I had a great swim this morning. After the kids were off to school, I did my grocery shopping(for the basics) and went to boxing. Pretty good class this morning. This afternoon I stuck around the house. It was a wet, cool day(and is still raining now) so I made a pot of chicken noodle soup and took care of some other stuff around the house. This evening DS#1 had religion. I think the kids have another 3 weeks or so and that will be finished for the year. I can't beleive things are winding down already!

Hope everyone has a good evening and an even better week!

Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Thank you for the confirmation Karen. I'm going to try and maintain sanity this week. The biggest issue might be my state income taxes - they are due by May 1 and I think I've got a lot more work to do on them -- I still haven't figured out my retirement income and I don't have the time to sit down and figure it out right now. So I guess I'll file an extension for VA.

It sounds like you had a good, if tiring day today. I hope you aren't coming down with something - it's not like you to be pooped on a Monday evening. ;) Still, it sounds like you had a good day - full as always. It sounds like you'll be done with school the same time I'll be done (more or less). Hopefully the summer goes well too.

I had a good day today around the torrential downpours. Classes are definitely wrapping up and I submitted the two big papers that I finished this past weekend. Then I came home and had a good spin - just over an hour. got some good reading in before I got derailed by trying to file my state taxes. Now more reading about evil and the problem of evil. YUCK!

Have a great day tomorrow and I'll be seeing you.
Peace,
Les

[karen w]

Les-Oooo, Evil. . . that's a bad thing!;) Glad to hear two papers are done and out of hand already. Taxes. . . now that's EVIL!!:p We owed ALOT this year, but I guess that is only because we made money. So in some ways that's not bad. Just does not feel so hot when you write out the checks to the gov't. Good luck on yours.

Another busy one, but today mostly at home. I did have a good swim first thing in the morning as usual. The jacuzzi was a bit too hot for me so even though my bones said "yes", the internal thermostat only allowed me a quick 1-2 min. splurge. After breakfast I did hop on the treadmill for 45 min. I had a great run/walk and did my weights like a good girl(that is the only thing I really don't care for in my workout regimens, but I feel it is probably important overall so I dutifully try to do a little each week. It's probably not enough, but better than nothing in the grand scheme of things and more than most do, I'm sure. OK, enough of my over-rationalizations. . .) Let's get back to Tuesday. I ended up doing more stuff around the house today. Needed to accomplish some cleaning and cooking. Most is done(momentarily, of course:rolleyes:). Finally, the boys had their guitar lesson this evening.

Tomorrow DH is off, so after my swim I will likely guage my plans/morning activities with his schedule;).

That's it for Tuesday! Have a good one,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Hi Karen - Evil is great fun. ;) Of course, that's been the way things go in that class - all the fun stuff to talk about. I'm proud of you and your consistency with your workouts, maybe someday I'll get back to being consistent. Have fun tomorrow and good for you to get your weights in today. I definitely need to get back to that. Have fun in the morning too.

Today was busy and a little driving. I went to the site of my 2-year internship that begins in the fall to discuss what I had in mind for the tenure at least in broad brush strokes. Then back to school for work and then home - now reading about "Is There a God?" (book by a guy named Richard Swinburne) for the class that we were talking about evil. Not the best thing to do tonight but it's not getting read otherwise (and I need to read it). I wish I was getting money back from the state but that isn't the case. It looks like I may owe them a fair chunk of change but for some reason the federal government won't withhold state tax from my retired pay so... I'm stuck holding the bag.

To the grindstone and until tomorrow -- peace,
Les

[mackandme]

Just passing thru. I'm off work tomorrow so I can take a knife skills cooking class. Hoping to learn to chop veggies quicker! Also spend some time with DBF and get him to buy a suit as he is going to start looking for a new job, too. He needs shoes, too! He only has running shoes. His idea of dressing up is to wear black running shoes instead of white ones. Actually, we went on a date (well, more a pre-date before we admitted we were dating) and he wore khakis ... and black running shoes. To make it worse, he seems to think that he should wear blue socks with black shoes. So..... his shopping must be supervised!

Rode Mack briefly. He has been on new medicine that is making him crazy. Quite a handful lately.

Hope everyone is having a good week.

[karen w]

Les-You WILL let us know if there IS a God!! Right, Les???:p But seriously, good luck getting through that book. Sounds like it might be quite intense.

Kate-Your BF sounds a bit like my DH in terms of his style(or lack thereof:p). But in my DH's defense, he has improved a bit over the years. Not sure if I had anything to do with that or not(probably not!).

Watch those fingers at "knife skills" school!

Today I was feeling a bit burnt out from the usual routine, so I tried to change it up a bit and I think it helped me out this afternoon. I did have a good swim(that I never tire of). But after breakfast I decided to go to Cardio-boxing class for a change. Definetely, helped get me feeling back on groove. After lunch DH and I were going to go to Costco, but never made it that far . .uh hum. . . well. . . never mind. TMI! Then since I could not take a jacuzzi this morning(way too hot again) and the neck was a bit stiff, I indulged in a mid-afternoon tub/jacuzzi at home:). Since DH was going to assume religious school car pool duties this afternoon, I was lucky to be able to do this as normally I don't have such leisure.

Anyway, tomorrow I will swim and box. Also need to get my milk for the week and I guess I still have to get to Costco at some point.

Have a good evening,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Kate - I'm with Karen, watch those fingers with your knife handling skills class. Whenever I try to cut the "right way" I always end up nicking my finger. BF sounds like a trip. Almost like the guys I went to school with that played basketball - they had their dress Nike High tops to wear on dates and casual ones to lounge around in. As a guy, I'm not sure that blue socks with black shoes (dress shoes or loafers as opposed to runnign shoes) is a bad thing - that's what the fashion guys told me when I retired, black, blue, or blue-black (whatever color that is) goes with black shoes and dark trousers. With kahki what color socks I wear depends on what shoes and jacket/shirt I wear. If my Navy Blue blazer then it's normally black loafers and dark socks but if a brown, green, or red shirt then brown loafers or top-siders and brown-tone socks. Sorry - the fashion police have just left the building. :) Enjoy your day off tomorrow and I hope that Mack gets settled soon.

Karen - If I find out that there isn't a God I may head your direction since I'll be dropping out of school. :p But seriously, the book isn't that bad - definitely not the hardest thing I've read in the past couple weeks (St. Augustine makes my head hurt). Variety is the spice of life and it sounds like you had plenty of spice in your life today (in more ways than one). I hope that you had a nice respite from religious school shuttle service tonight.

I had a pretty decent day today. Completed my book that will be the genesis of a 5-7 page paper (that would be the one about Is there a God) as well as my readings for a couple classes in the next two weeks. After that I got a short spin in - only 30 minutes but better than 0 minutes. Now I'm busy at work and just finished dinner and will be settling in to finish the things for this week.

Off to the books so until tomorrow -- peace,
Les

[karen w]

Les-Sounds like you had quite a productive day yesterday as well. Way to go!

I had my usual relaxing swim this morning and the jacuzzi was back down to "Karen" temperature this morning so I indulged for 5 minutes. After the kids were off to school, I went for my weekly milk etc.... before boxing class. Very good class today. Not too much new to report for the rest of the day. Same routine. . . different day.

DS#1 HAD to remind me this morning that EXACTLY one year from tomorrow is his Bar Mitzvah!:eek::eek::eek: I guess this means I better get my butt in gear and figure out how this is all going to go down!

Have a good evening,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

I'd love to have a routine day right now. But I bet I won't have one until the middle of May - sometime around the 19th since that's my last final. Just in time to start work at the hospital. :rolleyes: Just a year until the Bar Mitzvah - it seems like yesterday that it was 2 years away - my how time flies. Have a great Friday and a peaceful weekend.

I decided to take a ride outside tonight after classes so got about 50 mintues in then came home and had dinner and studied. Books call again so I'm off. This weekend will be packed - at least on Saturday with an end-of-the-year picnic and a volunteer job to clean out a thrift closet on campus.

See you all tomorrow and peace,
Les

[karen w]

A bit of down time in the middle of the day so I thought I'd stop on by for a few moments.

Les-Enjoy that picnic on Saturday. BTW, May 19th is a very important day for DH and I. It is the anniversary of the day we met!:)

I had a great swim this morning. It was kind of eerie though as I was the only one in the pool for the first 15-20 min. and its not like it was a holiday or anything. Go figure. Anyway, after the kids got off I biked and did my upper body weights this morning. The rest of the morning I've been taking care of odd jobs around the house including sewing pants for DD, made a batch of muffins, and a pot of beans among other things. This afternoon both DS#1 and #2 have play dates. I'll have to pick up DS#1 at school after his student council/Save the Rainforest mtg. and take him to his friends. The mom said she'd bring him home(yeah!). DS#2 is going home with his friend on their bus and who knows when I am supposed to get him! I'm sure I'll get the call!;) That leaves just DD and I this evening. Should be nice and quiet.;)

This weekend will be my usual routine, continue the search for a new bike for DD, Sunday is religion and an informational mtg. at the temple for the Bar/bat Mitzvah kids in the next year!:eek: Yep, Les, the time has flown by quickly. . . too quickly!

Hope everyone has a good weekend,
Karen

[mackandme]

Karen, you make clothes, too? How on earth do you do all these things? :D

I finally made it to the gym! Was just in the foulest mood Thursday (I really haven't been feeling well. Maybe I'm coming down with a sinus something-or-other. It's been leaving me exhausted.) so i made myself take a break from work and hustled to the gym for 20 minutes on the bike before they closed.

Wednesday night i took a knife skills class at the gourmet grocery store. It was great. Ended up buying a new knife b/c i found out why i could never get that rolling motion going - my original is waaayyy too long. And too heavy. I actually looked forward to making a salad today so i could use my new knife and knife skills.

I got a ride in on Mack on Friday. Not too much of one, because a girl who used to have a horse at our barn was back from college for a few weeks, and she rode Mack and jumped him Thursday. He doesn't get to jump too often, so i was pretty sure he was pooped. So we took it easy. I'm hoping she rides him again this week.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Kate - Glad to hear you had a good class and came out unscthed. :D It must be nice to have a better feel for knife skills and more confidence in the kitchen. It also sounds like Mack may be a little happy -tired but happy. I hope you have a great week coming up.

As for me, I had a good weekend so and hope to have a good week. I got a little studying in (important) and had a school picnic (end of the year - two weeks before the end of classes), then cleaned out our thrift closet on Saturday. But the best thing of the weekend was a couple rides that morphed into almost 20 miles of riding - 15 in one sitting and 5 in the second. Although I won't have logged enough miles before my race in two weeks 15 miles on the bike at once tells me that I'll be fine.

I'm down to 6 more class days so this week could be a press. I hope everyone has a great week and peace,
Les

[karen w]

Les-So glad to hear you had a pleasant weekend with a few good rides.

Kate-Also very glad to hear that your class went well and all your digits are still attached and accounted for!;)

I had an EXCELLENT swim this morning. Perhaps, it was the change of scenery as we had 2 "non-regulars" in this morning and they stole my lane before I got to it!! The nerve!! The life guard re-assured me that if they try it again, he'd take them out!;) I also had to swim with the flailer, but he stayed to his side(phew!) and kept the waves to a few tolerable swells.:rolleyes: After a grocery store trek, I went to boxing. I may try to cut that back a bit in the next few weeks and I kept things a bit "toned down"(for me anyway) as my right knee is flairing again. I'm beginning to think it is starting to go like my left one did as there have been alot of frequent flairs lately. But as I told DH, I am not going to stop doing what I love as we know what is wrong with it and we know it will eventually go. I'll try to be gentler with it, but I am not going to sit at home and stare at 4 walls either. As for the rest of the day. . . a few errands, DS#1 had religion, picked up flowers to send with the kids to school tomorrow for teacher appreciation week, returned a case of rock hard kiwis(Costco) that have been sitting in a bowl in our kitchen for almost a month now and are still not ripe! Well, you get the picture. . . alot of little stuff all afternoon.;)

Have a good evening,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Drive by and probably will be scarce around the BB until Friday.

I may try to cut that back a bit in the next few weeks and I kept things a bit "toned down"(for me anyway) as my right knee is flairing again. I'm beginning to think it is starting to go like my left one did as there have been alot of frequent flairs lately. But as I told DH, I am not going to stop doing what I love as we know what is wrong with it and we know it will eventually go. I'll try to be gentler with it, but I am not going to sit at home and stare at 4 walls either.

It sounds like a normal day and I'm sorry about the flailer. And I hope that you last a while longer before the knife - regardless, take care of yourself. (I know you will) How much longer until the kids are out of school? I don't think they had too many snow days this year did they? Hopefully not too soon. Have a great week ok.

I'm getting overtaken by my last two papers - not that they are that hard but I figured out I needed a little more work on my bibliography for one of them so spent 2 hours at the Library gathering data. I'm ont sure if I'll be able to run or ride for the rest of the week with everything that is converging on Friday. To top it off I think my 15 year old car gave up the ghost this past weekend. the shop is talking at least $2,500 and probably closer to $6,000 to repair the car. :( It really sounds like it's time to think about putting the car out to pasture. Just not something that I need to deal with right now. Oh well - it's never a good time I guess.

Gotta go - writing waits so until sometime... peace,
Les

[karen w]

Les-Sorry to hear about your ailing car. I know it is up there in years and you have had it serviced often in the past. I agree that maybe it is time for a proper burial, but. . .WOW. . . with this economy, I can understand how it is just not the right time. Hope it works out. Hang in there with those papers, too.

My kids have until the middle of June(3rd week, I think???). They have 3 snow days to make up, so they were supposed to end on a Friday, but now go until the following Wednesday. Good news is religion is over in 2 1/2 weeks. We will also end guitar at the end of this month, and then resume it in fall after the kids get back from camp. So things should settle down shortly(YAY!). Temporarily, I know, but the reprieve is always nice.

I had a kinda funky day(my own doing). I started with a very nice swim and decided to lay low at home and do a lighter workout. I did the elliptical with a knee brace. I felt OK doing it, but I guess my funk is I am a bit down about my knee. I knew it would eventually cause me problems, but I do hope it gives me more time. The good signs are that I don't have any significant effusion or locking like I did when my right one completely gave out. So maybe this will pass again this time. I think tomorrow I will do a lighter workout at home. Depending on how I feel, I may try boxing Thursday and just take it easier at class. Anyway, also did my Costco shopping and the boys had their guitar lessons.

Not much else to report. Have a good evening,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Driving by... sorry you had a funky day today but good relatively positive news about your knee. 3rd week of June for school - that's pretty late but I guess that's not bad up north. I hope the remainder of your week is good.

Productive day here - 80% done with one paper and I learned that I may actually have a couple extra days for the second but it will be good to get it done after I get the one that really is due on Friday done. I'll figure out what to do with the car and depending on what I get for it I may be able to pick up a relatively new certified Honda that will definitely make it through the next couple years - but that's a ways off. Classes still lurk so I'm back at it. Have a great day.

Peace,
Les

[karen w]

Les-Yay!! Glad to hear you accomplished so much school work already. way to go!

My day was a bit better today(in terms of my spirits). Mainly because my knee really felt much better. Maybe it is not going to "go" on me just yet(I hope). Anyway, had a good swim(with the flailer again!) this morning. After breakfast and getting the kids on their way, DH and I had a chance to spend some time together:D. He did not have to go into work until noon today. Anyway, after I did the elliptical and some abs/weights and felt good. So tomorrow I will do a lighter boxing class and see how that goes.

That's it for now. Have a good one,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Hey Karen, nothing like a morning with the flailer isn't it? I'm glad that your knee is on the mend and I hope it keeps heading that way. Isn't it amazing (not really) how your aches and pains effect your spirits? Good that you corralled them and got the good ones back.

I had another productive day today and even snuck out between school and dinner for a short (30 minute) ride outside. I couldn't take a ride in the basement and I didn't have anything to read so to the streets for a short one.

At work (in the computer lab) and getting ready to whack away at a couple last things for the end of the week. See you in passing a little later. But it's good to say that the end is nearer.

Peace,
Les

[karen w]

HAPPY B-DAY to MY DS#1!!!! Can't beleive he is 12 years old already. I think he enjoyed his day and there is a bit more to come. He already received a new bike, his guitar, and the lessons for his b-day. You'd think he'd made out great, but there was more! So he made out like a bandit this year. This morning we gave him the alarm clock he has been eyeing(Clocky) that is on wheels so when it goes off it can roll off your night stand and you have to physically get up and chase it to turn it off. That's the part that wakes you up(getting out of bed!). Then I got him a silly little nerf basketball hoop for his bedroom door as he won a different hoop in a fundraiser he was involved with and it was so dinky, it was pathetic. He was so dissapointed and the bigger nerf one was a whopping $2-3, so mom splurged!:cool: also got him a Wii game he requested, a book he wanted(he is a voracious reader:)), and he got a gift card from SIL, and a deck of Magic cards from his brother and sister. What a haul!!!! Tonight he chose a place for dinner out and this weekend I will make him his requested meal(turkey cheese burgers). Also bought a watermelon which the kids love and a special ice cream treat. This weekend we also plan on doing a bit of a celebration for DS#2 and DD since their b-day's will be over the summer while they are at camp. Sp they will get their presents this weekend since a few of theirs are also for all of them(wii games) and we want them to have a bit of fun with them before they leave for camp. DS#2 is getting Wii Guitar hero and a microscope(he has wanted for awhile). I've got a few little things for DD, but we are still on the lookout for a new bike now that she has become a biking maniac:cool:.

Anyway in other kid related news, we received a letter today about DS#1. Apparently, the teacher in charge of student council(DS#1 has been on it the last few years) nominated him for some sort of peer leadership organization based in Washington D.C. The letter was just a congratulatory note and said that he will be getting an invite in the near future for some sort of peer leadership forum to be held in D.C. in 2009 with students from all over the country who have also excelled in academic leadership. WOW! He's a tough cookie, but then there are those times that they make you so proud!

Finally, YEP. . . .I AM A SUCKER!!! DS#2's science class is doing some studies with "anoles" which are chamelion like little lizards. The classroom has 10 of them and at the end of the unit, they will give them to students who have a signed permission slip by drawing names out of hats. At first I was very resistant, but I caved and signed the slip. We find out next Wednesday whether we will be the proud parent of a new anole. If so then I have to pick it up next Friday. SIGH!:eek:

As for the more boring part of my day. . . nice swim and boxing class. I kept it light. The knee still is reminding me it is attached, but overall not as bad as it was a few days ago. Tomorrow I will do a light workout at home again. I think I may need to space out my boxing a bit to keep it happier. Accomplish a bunch of errand(gift purchases etc...) at Target, Toys R' Us(my nephew) and did some TJ's shopping this afternoon.

That's all,

Karen

[Laura]

Hi folks, I am so sorry to be MIA, but have not been able to post from work and evenings have been crazy between DS Swimming, work being crazy and newly married.

All is well here though. DS has been swimming up a storm and has three state qualifying times 50, 100 and 200 free. He is only now .5 seconds off his sectional cut (which is still a lot), but he finally broke the 23 second barrier in his 50 and almost broke the 50 second barrier in his hundred (missed it by .12). Those are mental milestones more than anything, but pretty good for a sophomore as sprinters are usually much more muscled than he.

I have slowly started running again (ran 25 minutes straight last week) and have been getting workouts in about 4 days a week on average.

It sounds l like you all are doing well. Congratulations on being close to the end with classes Les! Karen your life sounds as busy as ever! Kate -- I am glad you are getting to ride Mack. I hope his medications level out soon.

We have the city championships this weekend and state championships next weekend. DS should finish in the top 5 if he swims his best times at city, but will probably be lucky to make it back to consols at state. Still it has been a great season, I am just ready for it to be over. :)

[karen w]

Laura-Hi! As always nice to hear from you. Don't feel bad about being MIA. You have the best excuse in the book. . . being a newlywed and everything not to mention DS, work etc.... Congratulations to DS. Sounds like he's a fish! And only a sophmore, too!

we have a busy household tonight. Sorta. DS#1 had a friend over for a few hours. He just left. DD's friend came home with her on the bus. She will be sleeping at our house tonight. Meanwhile DS#2 is over at his friend's house, but he should be home in an hour. At least they are all busy in a good way.

I had a good swim today. Then I did a shorter walk(no runs for me right now) on the treadmill for just 15-20 min. before I had to take the younger two kids to their bus. After they got off, I biked and did weights/abs. Knee is still not great, but not horrible either. This may be the new status quo until it finally gives out.:( Meanwhile, I will take things a bit lighter, but as I said I am not going to stop the things I enjoy either. Rest of the day I had a "kitchen" day since it was so wet and rainy out. Made a big pot of meat sauce(gravy:)) for some lasagna I will put together tomorrow and a few other things.

DH is working this weekend, so no formal plans. There is a special Mother's day recognition ceremony at religious school on Sunday. As far as I am concerned this is my day to sleep in since DH usually takes the kids to religion Sunday's. This may mean I have to get up early:(. UGH! Oh well. Other than that, have a good weekend and a nice Mother's day to any mothers out there lurking or otherwise.

Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Drive by again tonight...

Hi Laura - understand your scarcity and like Karen, it's always good to hear from you because you are terribly busy with new hubby, DS in school and work. Congrats to your son too - even if he's that far off to be close enough for sectionals is a big deal.

Karen - it does sound like your knee is reaching the status quo and I hope it hangs on for a long while in all honesty. Hang in there this weekend. And I look forward to hearing about the anole. :D Name him "after me". ;)

Well, as much as I thought I'd put it off I'm now the proud owner of a new (used) 2005 Civic. It's being detailed on Monday (a couple dimples from stones on the hood) but it's mine when I go out and get it.

To bed - still a couple little things to go before finals. See you on the morrow.
Les