Hl/wwsg - 11/9 - 11/22

[Leslie Ferguson]

Greetings one and all to the next installment of the Heathful Living/Weekly Workout Support Group as we enter the month of November. It’s been an off and on couple weeks over the past two weeks and there’s been all kinds of up and downs reported. My brain is failing a little but that’s not hard to imagine after the past couple weeks and the roller coaster I’ve been on at school and traveling - still I can’t complain about things as they stand because life really is good, not only here but for many of us (or so I seem to gather). So without any further ado I’ll try swing a recap of the last two weeks (or so):

Life successes/Good News include - Karen’s kids are doing well in school, in preparation for an upcoming Bar Mitzvah, and all of their extra-curricular activities, she’s also getting good workouts in, having good time with DH, and smoothly balancing a life that would make most of our heads spin; Nelum keeps finding peace in her bible study with DH, good stress relieving walks/runs with her dogs (including the 90 lbs puppy), and celebrating DH’s birthday; Kate basked in her engagement and some decent rides on Mack, planning a nice wedding sometime soon, and counting her blessings every day; Laura had a fabulous surprise from DD (mentioned last week), getting good workouts in at the pool (at a minimum); and I basked in a lot of successful meetings at my internship church and with my home church (in Norfolk), had a wonderful weekend both of the last two weekends with LW in the Shenandoah valley (last week) and in Norfolk with my running friends and church family.
Stressful living - Nelum is having stress at work and working too hard (and long); Karen is? - I’m sure there was something that stood out (besides her hectic schedule and the weird jacuzzi/pool things at the Y) but right now I can’t remember it; Kate had the election returns and reporting to deal with - not the easiest thing but kept going none the less, also had temperatures back in the middle 80s; and I had a little stress driving all over the place but in general it’s been a good couple of weeks even with all the writing and lack of working out.

Workouts: I’m up in the air, I’d like to get some rides/runs in and might have to put my bike back on the trainer so I can spin while I’m reading a few things here and there but I need to get back in the swing of things.
Healthful living: Sleep is coming along and that has been one of my long term things that I’ve tried to get my arms around in the past couple years.

It has been a very fruitful weekend for me. I had a great trip to Norfolk: I had a sushi dinner on Friday, ran 10 miles on Saturday, had dinner with the head pastor at my home church on Saturday, and hit a great sermon at my home parish today. One of the neatest comments I heard was that people were so pleased to see and hear the change in me in the past 15 months. They all talked about how I was smiling more, laughing more, and had a better and more confident delivery of my sermon today. I was feeling great to hear a lot of that, especially from my old (ex-) spiritual director. Now I have to put the next week into perspective and get two more sermons written and delivered between now and next Sunday (one on Wednesday and one on Sunday). I’m a little more anxious about the one on Wednesday because that one is for my classmates and they are good and probing critics. Regardless, it should be fun. And if you would like to see the manuscript for my current week’s sermon (the one delivered today) it is posted on my blog: lesreflections.blogspot.com.

That’s enough for now; I’ve got to get some work done tonight. Signing off and hoping everyone has a great week.

Peace to all,
Les

[karen w]

Les-Thanks for starting the new thread and WOO HOO to you for having what sounds like a spectacularly successful and fulfilling weekend both personally and professionally. And try not to fret too much about the sermon for your classmates as I am guessing they will be much more critical than those in the "real" world after you finish school. Have a good week.

And yep. . . the drama of the forever problematic jacuzzi continues. This morning after a great swim in our typical Monday morning over crowded pool(swim team practice), I wanted to jacuzzi since DH had the day off and I have a sore shoulder(flu shot this past Saturday). The spa looked fresh and clean, but the thing would not even turn on at all. :mad: I think whatever was going on with it causing it to kick off after several minutes over the past few weeks has finally broken enough so that now maybe they will look into the problem.:rolleyes: Anyway, it was a good swim and later after breakfast I ellipticized and did weights. I would have loved to box but our financial advisor came this morning for our quarterly meeting. The good news is in spite of the awful economy we still manage to save money each month and are assets are higher. However, alot of stuff we do own is hurting, of course. I guess it was good to hear we are still doing OK in spite of things and living within our means. Anyway, later today I stopped for groceries and got my haircut. Tomorrow after a swim(and likely a bike ride), I will take the kids for their hair cuts in between the orthodontist and guitar class for DS#2. :eek: Oh yay, forgot to mention. . . we got DS#2 an electric guitar this weekend!!!:eek: His band teacher really wanted him to be able to play it in band at school and he has been campaigning for one from the get go. He really has shown alot of dedication to the instrument. The one we got him is a good name, but I am sure it is far from the top of the line. It was from Costco(Fender) and for a first one, it should suit DS#2 just fine. If he really excels, he can pick out a nicer one years down the line. For now, this is a VERY VERY VERY early b-day for him since Hanukkah presents have already been bought and hidden.(His b-day is July 1!!). He understand that. . .at least he says he does now. . . we'll see what happens next summer when his b-day rolls around. Since he will be at camp then, we may get off lucky.:cool: Anyway, he has been practicing alot and sounds pretty good, but mommy and daddy get to control the volume knob and he has to practice with the door closed!:rolleyes:

In other news, DH has just picked out his conference for next summer. Looks like while the kids are in camp next summer, we will be visiting Sarah in Alaska!!!:cool: Well, the Alaska part is cool, but I'll pass on the Sarah part.:p

That's it here. Have a good evening,
Karen

[nhonnold]

Les - Glad that you had a great weekend and about the rave reviews on you sermon. :D

Karen - I'd say that the lack of green water is a step up with the jacuzzi - but what's the point in having a pretty jacuzzi and not be able to use it! :rolleyes: Hehe, glad you are controlling the volume on the guitar! Although a guitar is a way cool gift!! :D

Well, I got up early today and went to work and left work at 3:30 to take Mikala to the dog park. :D Although I do need to work on my timing reaching the last leg and it being really dark out wasn't my brightest move. :o I thought I got there early enough to avoid that :rolleyes: Tomorrow is the first kickboxing class at the gym - so we will see how it goes. :cool:

Everyone have a great and blessed week!!

Nelum

[Leslie Ferguson]

Karen - As a PSA, I hope that you teach DS#2 about volume control and the necessity of hearing protection with amplified instruments. Now officially off my soap box. As Nelum said that's a neat present too. I hope taht he understands birthday present (early) when it comes to the guitar. Green jacuzzi - avoid! You're right too, my classmates are the most critical audience I'll ever face (besides the remainder of my school if I preach in Chapel) but I figure if I can preach to them I can preach to anyone.
Nelum - I hope you enjoyed kickboxing - now I've got two kickboxers on the thread... Maybe I'll have to rename the thread Healthful Living/Kickboxing thread. :cool: The darkness does impact runs these days doesn't it, and I'd imagine even more in your neighborhood.

I got out and ran today and it was glorious, 45 degrees, a light breeze, and dry pavement. Did about 50 minutes, I keep wondering why I don't run more...

Hope all are well, good seeing you all today, need to skid but I'll see you on the morrow. Peace,
Les

[karen w]

Could not access the board yesterday for some reason. Today is a drive by but I had a good swim and went to my cardio-boxing class. The kids busy schedules have been keeping me busy but so far still staying on top of things. Tonight's agenda includes helping DS#1 retype a paper that is due on Friday. Apparently his memory stick reset itself and all the contents were erased!!:eek: And of course, that included said paper. UGH! DH is with him now as it is freshest in his head since he just went over it with him Monday night. As I said to DS#1. . . we are not angry. . . this is one of those things that gets filed under the category of "SH*T HAPPENS!":rolleyes: Anyway, going to go check on things. Have a good night all.

Karen

[mackandme]

Hi all, have had a really hectic week at work doing 2-3 people's jobs each night, so no internet time. Finally had an easy one tonight and squeezed in some wedding planning, as DBF and i are apparently a bit behind the curve on that. I e-mailed some photographers and officiants. Not sure when we will ever have time to meet with these people tho, with DBF's school-and-working-2-jobs-schedule. We have set a date/s: May 16, or May 15 (a Friday) if all the vendors we want are already booked for the Saturday.

Have gotten in a couple rides on Mack. Still no chance to get to the gym. Someday....

Off for my "weekend." Hope everyone has a great and exercise-full rest of the week.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Glad to see that you two have been by.

Karen - Sorry about DS#1's paper but it sounds like you were able to reconstruct it without too much effort. Good attitude too, he probably already felt terrible so going with the flow is a good idea.

Kate - May, that's a ways off but I guess in the wedding world that's right around the corner. I hope that everything works for your first choice of days. Enjoy your weekend and the rest it entails.

Kind of a drive by again tonight... the story of my life. But that happens when you decide to change sermons with 3 days before it is preached. :rolleyes:

Greeting all...

Ran today after school. I had hoped that the rain from this afternoon would have made things better to run -- no dice. Humidity - 98%, temp - 50 degrees, sun - down => run in long sleeves... leads to sweating up a storm. :( Still a run of 45+ minutes. It was during the run that I decided that I needed another tack with my sermon and even put together an outline that I need to fill in now so... until later, have a great Friday.

Peace,
Les

[nhonnold]

Hi all,

Drive by for me tonight.

I had a bit of a hectic week (got roped into many more tasks) - need to figure out how that happens... :rolleyes:

Kickboxing rocks!!! I've signed up for the class. :D So, I ran Mon and Wed, did kickboxing on Tuesday and beginning core class tonight! :D

I have a friend visiting for a few days too!!

Everyone have a great a blessed week[end]!!

Nelum

[karen w]

Nelum-Sounds like you really enjoyed the kickboxing. I have been doing Thai kickboxing for 4 1/2 years now! WOW! Has it been that long! I earned my black belt ~1 1/2 years ago. I decided not to pursue 2nd degree, but do still enjoy the classses. Now I mix in some cardio kick-boxing once a week for variety. Not sure I will continue after this summer, though. Right now I am using time that was already paid for on my boys contracts. That time is up next summer. I think then it might be time to try some new things!:D Enjoy it though as it really is a blast and a great workout.

Les-BUSY! BUSY! BUSY! That's all I have to say for you!!!:p

I had a fabulous swim this morning; then ran on the treadmill, lifted weights, and a few cores later in the morning. At noon I went to DD's class for their first "Author's Party" which also happened to be a "Let's Be Thankful Party." The kids all read a story that they published(on the computers at school) to the parents; then they had a festive lunch of dishes that people brought that were representative of their heritage. I brought a sweet noodle kugel and I think it was enjoyed(by the adults and the kids that were willing to try something new anyway:rolleyes:). My family certainly enjoyed the leftovers tonight with dinner! Stopped quick at Costco to pick up pizza dough on the way home. Normally, I make my own, but this is for all the kids in the temple youth group who will be at my house on Sunday to make their own pizza, watch a good (Jewish) movie(Frisco Kid with Gene Wilder who btw went to high school with my Mom!! he's a nice Jewish boy from Milwaukee! ;) Jerry Silberman was his birth name!). I figure I'll teach them how to make their own popcorn in brown paper bags in the microwave before the movie and if we have time after the pizza, I also have the fixings for Rice Krispies treats! That should get them all rolling out the door by 5 PM or so! :p

Tonight DS#2 has a friend sleeping over. He has to leave tomorrow morning. DS#1(who DID hand in his paper today on time, and his teacher got a kick out of the story about the 21st century dog that ate his homework as I e-mailed it to her per DS#1's request) wants to go help out in our town's annual Rake and Bake. That is when alot of the community organizes to rake the lawns of people who are unable to do it themselves(old, disabled....) Afterward, they meet for a huge hotdog picnic.

I plan on ellipticizing tomorrow/treadmill on Sunday. As an aside, I have to brag about my boxing class acheivement yesterday. The last drill of the class was to do 75 squat thrusts from standing and back up again. By 20-25 most people were already really hurting, so the instructor says that just one person has to finish. When that person finishes, then everyone else can stop. Guess who it was????!!!! YEP. . . .ME!!!!:cool::D I beat out students 20 years my junior and some 2nd degree black belts! I guess all that cardio. conditioning from swimming daily really came into play. OK, done bragging now!

Have a good weekend,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Les-BUSY! BUSY! BUSY! That's all I have to say for you!!!:p

As an aside, I have to brag about my boxing class acheivement yesterday. The last drill of the class was to do 75 squat thrusts from standing and back up again. By 20-25 most people were already really hurting, so the instructor says that just one person has to finish. When that person finishes, then everyone else can stop. Guess who it was????!!!! YEP. . . .ME!!!!:cool::D I beat out students 20 years my junior and some 2nd degree black belts! I guess all that cardio. conditioning from swimming daily really came into play. OK, done bragging now!

Have a good weekend,
Karen

From the queen of busy. ;) I take that as a compliment.

And you should brag - that's great that you're in such good shape.

Laying low - writing, went to an engagment party for a friend from school at the Ritz Calrton. I could live like that (in my wildest fantasies). Also found out that a Prince Saudi Arabia was in the hotel for the financial summit - explained all the guys with earpieces and buttoned jackets.

One more round before I sleep - pray that you all are well and have a fine weekend.

Peace,
Les

[karen w]

Gotta bump us back up into existence again, here. I guess we must be all very busy with the holidays fast approaching. It is so hard to beleive. Anyway, we had a good weekend. I ended up ellipticizing both days as the left knee(previously operated on) knee was bugging me just a tad so I opted for something less stressful than the treadmill on my joints. The knee is status quo today, and I had two of the better elliptical sessions that I have had in a long while, so go figure!:rolleyes: Saturday was warm here, but it poured all day long; then it turned sharply colder on Sunday. Sunday I had 8 kids at the house for my first youth group meeting for the temple. I had them all make homemade pizzas, rice krispies treats that they dipped in chocolate and decorations, and taught them how to make their own microwave popcorn with a lunch bag. They watched a cute old Jewish movie(Frisco Kid. . .very dated, but funny) while eating their popcorn and when the movie was over, the pizzas were all baked and ready to eat. I think it was all a success based on the fact that they all sat through the movie and nobody left a crumb over on their plates! In December I am taking them bowling. And to think. . . they pay me for this!:D Not much, mind you, but geesh! After the kids left, my kids took their baths/showers and settled in for the night with pizza in their tummies so DH and I went out for an hour by ourselves for a "date night" for dinner and ice cream. It sure is nice having 2 kids that are red cross certified babysitters now!;)

This morning I had a great swim, but the locker room was very arctic-like with no heat. And still no functioning jacuzzi to warm the bones up in after either. GRRRRR!:mad: I did lots of shopping today to try to get a head start on the holiday groceries and do a few things in advance. Usually we travel for Thanksgiving so having to deal with holiday food shoppers is a new one for me. I did earn my free turkey today at the store. I'll probably pick it up later this month and may opt for one of the free alternatives since we aren't turkey fans here(except the kids). Either I'll get a free turkey breast for the kids or a free kosher roasting chicken. Anyway, did manage to make it to boxing class in between my errands.

Rest of the week are half days for the kids due to conferences. Tomorrow I have DD's conference in the afternoon. I am expecting that to be the usual terrific news. She just brought home her report card today and it was wonderful(as usual). The boys also had very decent report cards this quarter so no complaints here.

Have a good week everyone,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Thanks for the note Karen... Drive by... one project down that's due tomorrow, one still to go (the one pending is just 2-4 pages long double spaced, a midrash on a biblical text). Better than the 10 pager that I'm printing right now.

I'd love to leave personal notes but time is of the essence so until later...

Peace to all,
Les

[karen w]

A quickie for me tonight. I had a great swim and did my Wednesday Cardio. class. It was really good today. We moved and grooved to ABBA and it definetely got the heart pumping and the body moving!:p Ran around trying to get some Pre-Thanksgiving shopping done(as much as I can this far out anyway) and then dealt with the kiddoes in the afternoon as they have half days all week. Youth committee meeting tonight was canceled which pleases me to punch as I am beat and could think of quite a few better things to do with my evening.;)

Have a good one,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Ok, I won't be a drive by tonight - no need to have 3 in a row.
Karen - ABBA sounds like a blast in class - they can definitely get your blood pumping. 8 kids for youth meeting from temple watching the Frisco Kid (I remember that movie), popcorn and rice krispie treats (among other things) sounds like fun. Too bad about the jacuzzi too - never any fun to not be able to warm up after swimming. You dont' like turkey, I guess I remember that but I forget since we don't talk about it but once a year. I hope the remainder of your week goes as smoothly as possible.

I wonder if anyone else is out there???

I had a very successful day - delivered my 10+ page paper to the professor (10 pages was the limit and mine was about 10 1/2 - he wasn't too hard over about it). Got the shorter paper done and presented in class. I also found out that I have 7 things to do before the end of the semester - and 2 of them are final exams. There's one big paper that's due 12/19 and two finals that same week. The other 4 things are in my preaching class - one is a sermon (without notes) on the 7th and three shorter projects (a haiku, a word-study/poem, and a metaphor of myself) between now and the 9th. So the end is in sight - even though it looks easy the paper and one of the finals are in a class that has to be one of the hardest classes in the school.

Oh yeah, I ran this evening too. :eek: About 40 minutes in glorious weather... 37 degrees (31 wind chill) wearing too many clothes for my own good. Not sure of distance or speed but just running was enough for me. Then I came home and cooked - broiled salmon for LW and her friend and seared yellowfin for me, topped off with fresh asparagus ($1.49/lb at HT) and salad. I'm so happy and it looks like I got 4 home runs today!

Back to the books - reading never ceases.

Peace,
Les

[karen w]

Les-Yippee on quite a few accounts....a good run yesterday, turning in your paper, a lucsious dinner, and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel as far as the semester is concerned. And speaking of school, you may be able to see the end, but it sounds like you are going to be REALLY busy between now and then. Good luck!

Today was a double bonus and more for me too. First off, there was heat in the locker room at the Y. Plus. . . are you sitting down. . . the jacuzzi was operational and did not kick off after 5 min. Woo Hoo! Of course, that could be dangerous in case I lose track of time in there, but today I was a good girl and kept it to ~5 min. After my swim and getting all the kids off, I ellipticized but our machine seemed to have a mind of its own this morning. For some reason it did not remember my program so I had to punch it in manually. Then it would not stop at the end. . .again, until I had to do it manually. Nonetheless, I had a great ride. I'll just have to see if it is still possessed the next time I ride. Took care of alot of business around the house the rest of the day.

Tomorrow I plan on swimming and may do cardio for a second time this week if I end up going out in the later morning. Either that or I'll check on the above mentioned possessed machine and give it a piece of my mind!:p In the afternoon I am going to try to get to the middle school to meet with some of DS#1 and DS#2's teachers for conferences. DS#2 made the honor roll so I have no major issues with him. He got straight A's(one A+!) except math which has always been a struggle for him. He got a B there, but I am happy with that as he really puts all his effort into his work. He seems to be adjusting to middle school well. I may meet with his homeroom teacher who also happens to be his math teacher just to touch bases with her. I also plan on meeting with 2 or 3 of DS#1's teachers. He did not do too badly either(B's), but he really does not give it 100% effort so in his case I know there is potential for better. To be fair, however, he has shown a big improvement in effort and organization over last year. Baby steps! Can't excpect miracles overnight or perfection, can I?!;)

That's it here. Good evening,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Karen - That's great news about the boy's grades! Good job with your swim and warm jacuzzi too. That's too bad about the elliptical being possessed. ;) I hope the remainder of your week went well and that the weekend isn't too nasty up there.

Focus is the key at school and even though I'm on ethe down side there's still a lot to do. But the end is in sight.

As for today, I skipped my run. It was quite chilly (for DC) but I did go out and participated in a homeless walk (5K) in DC around the Mall. It was pretty windy and I think the wind chill was something around 18-20 degrees. Had 75 people from school walking in the walk and probably 100,000 people all total (at least that's what it looked like). We didnt' cross the "starting" line until 21 minutes after the start and there was a long line of people all around the Tidal Basin (between the Jefferson Memorial and the Memorial Bridge). Nice to walk with friends but got terrible chapped lips in the process.

Need to get ready for the remainder of the day. We're heading over to my internship Parish for a wine tasting and dinner/auction to raise money for a Dental Missionary in Liberia. It should be a fun time - just may end up being a long night.

Have a great weekend and stay warm. Peace all,
Les

[nhonnold]

Hello everyone!!! All I've got to say is "aaaahhhh, weekend!!"

This has been a crazy week. My friend was in town we went everywhere: Red Rocks, Rocky Mountain National Park, dog park, 6th street mall, etc. So, my feet are officially tired! (Oh, and my friend discovered my fabric addiction - something about having to stop at every quilt shop we drove by...)

Then I had to get back to work and returned to 200 e-mail sitting in my inbox and a frantic team. :( So, all the fires are out now and it's the weekend! (I have never been so glad to see the weekend come!)

I did go for a 5.5 mile run with a small break in the middle to train Mikala. :D

Oh, and all my Thanksgiving shopping is done - now it's cooking time :rolleyes:

Karen - Kickboxing is a blast - I love the fast pace. I've done various forms of martial arts myself of the years. The longest with one style has been Isshynryu which was for 7 years. I do believe I enjoy kickboxing the best though!! Congrats to your son being on the honor roll!! And awesome on the squats!!!

Les - Glad you got those papers done. (That is one thing I don't miss about school - I avoided writing papers like the plague. (Part of the reason I went into Engineering - minimal paper writing needed!) I hope you enjoy the wine tasting!!

Well, tonight is going to be a game night at a friends house :D

Everyone have a great and blessed weekend!!!
Nelum

[karen w]

Les-A long night tasting wines can't be all that bad! As long as you like the stuff. DH and I are't much for wines or the like unless they are sweet!:D Hope you had a good time and a good finish to the weekend.

Nelum-Sounds like you and your friend had a blast and got in some quality exercise. Way to go!

I had a great swim this morning, shopped for the last of my holiday things(so I can avoid the stores in the next few days) and then went to boxing. Class was small today and it was very cold in the studio which made it hard to get going. The temp.(inside) was 54 degrees. The owner turns the heat off overnight and on weekends. . . god forbid he should have to pay a bit more on the heating(or A/C) bill and sell one of his 7 cars!!!!:eek: Mercy. . . that would be a travesty!:rolleyes: Anyway, after class I went home and took care of "house stuff." Gotta start getting ready for visitors (my Mom arrives on Wed. and Poppa[FIL] on Thursday). He will likely spend the night and drive home Friday. Mom stays until the following Monday. I did roast my free turkey breast from the store today for the kids as they wanted turkey. They're a bit happier now!;)

Tomorrow is the kids last day of school until next Monday. Yowza! DS#2 still has his guitar lessons in the evening and then the boys may go to teen movie night at the library(Hancock is the feature film). So it will likely just be DD and I since DH has a dinner meeting.

Have a good evening,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Thanks Karen and all. Sorry I didn't get a new thread started yesterday. Can I request an extension until after Thanksgiving for this one?

Nelum - You definitely need to mee my wife - you and she would be in quilter heaven. Fabric addiction story, she had over 2000 pounds of fabric during our last move from Norfolk to Alexandria. :rolleyes: I'm a math and stats kind of guy and spent my undergrad life living the life of as few papers as necessary, and that all changed as I got older and the Navy and other graduate institutions expected me to write comprehensible things. It sounds like you had a good time off and got back into things without too many difficulties. I hope you have a good Thanksgiving - besides your hubby, any others coming by for the day?

Karen - That's tough that the studio is so cold but must be motivational to get out and do something. How was "girls night in" without the boys around? I hope that Thanksgiving isn't too weird for you with your Mom and FIL in the house (on top of the rest of you). I've got the remainder of the week off from school too - I hope I have as much fun as your kids will during my break (not likely).

I had a good day today at school and with a workout. I presented my first poem in forever today (first one written since I was in high school). It was a bit nerve wracking because I'm not very familiar with poems. The second time around was better than the first (got rid of the butterflies). I came home and took a spin on my bike that is now firmly planted on the trainer. Not a moment too soon either, it was drizzling today and I may be fighting something because I have a scratchy throat - probably hanging on from walking in 15 degree wind chills. Good news from LW and her quilt at the auction on Saturday - it sold for $300. :D That was great!

Off to do a little reading and head to bed so I can lick this scratchy throat. See you all in the funnies.
Peace,
Les

[Leslie Ferguson]

Bumping up... I had a good day in classes and even got a run in tonight - it was 45/38 in failing light. Ran for about 65 minutes and felt pretty good. I love running in the cold - makes you feel like you're really alive. :cool: Definitely like cold better than hot anymore.

Break starts tomorrow but I have a meeting with my professor in my Sermon (Homiletics) class at 9 am. Then it's off to the hinterlands of Southern Virginia in Appomattox.

Check you all later and have a great Thanksgiving.
Les

[mackandme]

Just dropping in quickly. Have had a crazy couple of weeks. Mack colicked (which he has never done before) and my trainer stayed with him until 10 p.m. to make sure he was OK. So he got some time off after that. Then he got more time off b/c DBF was having a rough week at work, which took its toll on me as well. Luckily that is all resolved. The good news is the vet said Mack's lungs sound better than they have sounded in years! Also, took kitty to the vet b/c he is awfully big and i've been worrying about diabetes. Vet said kitty really is not that big after all, and that he is healthy, healthy healthy! Phew. The vet said i'm right on track with what i'm feeding to get the cats to lose weight. Oh, plus DBF had a birthday, so I made a cake. He took the day off and we did dinner and a movie. (The new James Bond = drool!)

So just a few rides on Mack, still not getting to the gym. Does walking around the mall count as exercise? I've done some of that....

Actually have three days off at T-day, so for the first time in maybe a decade will celebrate an honest-to-goodness T-day, with DBF's brother and SIL. Really looking forward to it. Hope everyone has a great holiday.

[nhonnold]

Hello All!!!

Well, this week has been full of adventures!!! I went for a 5.5 mile run on Sunday and did the core workout class at the gym and that was it workout wise but I have a good reason!

Monday I discovered that I had fuel leak in my truck :eek: and had to spend all day (well almost all day) at the mechanic's. Then today I found a coolant leak - there are some days where you just wish you didn't look. :(

Karen - Thanks - walking tourist idea worked really well I thought. :D I can totally empathize with the cold gym! When I was doing martial arts on a regular basis the dojo was always freezing - I think it was seinsei's way of making us move more so that we'd stay warm!!

Les - Yes, we'd be in quilter heaven. :D I haven't had to move since I became an avid quilt - and I hope my husband never finds out how much my material weighs! I'd never hear the end of it!! You can never have too much material!! :D We are having our friends over to Thanksgiving. She's a quilter so I'll be spending the day going between the kitchen and the sew room!!!

Kate - Oh no, Mack colicked??!!! that's not good but glad that his lungs are better now than they ever were!! That rocks!

Everyone have a great and blessed Thanksgiving!!!

Nelum

[karen w]

Hi All,

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. We have been very busy here, but it has quieted down a bit now. I picked up my Mom Wednesday night. She has had a bad cold that has hung on for almost a month now and almost canceled. DH got her some antibiotics on his way home from work and lo and behold she's much better now.:) We all had a very nice day yesterday and a good evening meal with lots of yummy dishes(I'll pat myself on the back for all of those!!:)). FIL spent the night and left this morning after a mid-morning brunch. Then DH went into work and should be home early this evening at which point we are all planning on going to temple for services.

I was able to get to the YMCA for a swim both yesterday morning and this morning. Yesterday it was open for holiday hours from 7AM-noon and today it was open regular hours, but I was able to go in a bit later since Mom and FIL were at the house, DH did not have to go into work until late morning and the kids had no school. So I slept in until 6:30 AM!!;) New jacuzzi news to relate as well. . .seems there are some new state laws/statutes regarding hot tubs/saunas/jacuzzis etc... and the YMCA's does not comply with these. They have tried exploring various ways around the laws as well as various alternatives, but it seems that none are plausible. Bottom line is that unless they can come up with something reasonable by December 18, the jacuzzi has to be removed altogether from the Health Center locker room. I think the law may have something to do with the fact that it is in an area not covered by a lifeguard and may also involve their insurance coverage if there should ever be an accident involving the jacuzzi etc... They apparently had contractors come in to give them estimates for putting one in on the pool deck, but they just don't have enough space by law on the deck. So no more complaining about the malfunctioning jacuzzi soon as it will cease to function altogether soon.:(

Finally got out today briefly to battle the crowds(weren't too bad) and got DS#2 his black pants and white shirt for his upcoming band concert at school and made a quick stop at Costco for more bananas etc...

Have a good weekend everyone,

Karen