Hl/wwsg - 11/30 - 12/13

[Leslie Ferguson]

Greetings one and all to the next installment of the Heathful Living/Weekly Workout Support Group as November ends and December begins - quite the month for many of us with travels and family visits galore. We’ve kept a decent repartee between the 4 regular participants and would like to hear a peep from some long lost friends or maybe a chime in from some new friends. We’ve survived Thanksgiving with all the family meals, travels, and yucky weather and now it’s getting ready for the push to the end of the school year and the remainder of the stuff that goes on in December - Christmas and Hanukkah (although that’s later this year than last - 12/22). Because it was 3 weeks since our last kick off I’ll be dredging back a little but most likely just recapping to start anew. So without any further ado I’ll try swing a recap of the last three weeks (or so):

Life successes/Good News include - Nelum having a good vacation or at least a couple days off, finding some needed quilting fabric to add to her stash, and more time with her 90+ lbs. pup; Karen is getting good mid-term reports on the kids grades (if not end of term grades), successfully navigated Thanksgiving with mother and FIL in the house for the holiday - nothing terrible just two more people in the roost, working out to make up for my slacking off; Kate is getting along at work although having some busy days, having fun with DBF and all that is entailed with her pending wedding; and I got some sporadic runs in, did well in classes and preaching/sermonating (not a word but…), and had a grand time in Appomattox for Thanksgiving - a quiet day with my parents, I even got a run in while in Appomattox to go with cleaning out gutters and hauling boxes out of the attic (preparing for my parents move in January).
Stressful living - Laura has been MIA - I hope that she is still doingo well and the kids are doing well in school; Nelum is having stress at work off and on but for the most part coping rather well; Karen futzing around with the Y and the pending closure of the jacuzzi, ramping up for the end of the school year, and just balancing tasks for 5 people (and relatives); Kate had some medical issues with Mack, DBF had some difficulties at work, and just getting ready for a wedding (a blessing and a curse); and I not thrilled with my workout consistency but in general, not complaining too much, having upper back issues right now (for the past couple days), and staring at 3 big projects between now and the end of the semester - 2 tests the week of the 15th and a paper due the 19th.

Workouts: I’d like to get 3 or 4 solid workouts a week for the next couple weeks and may have to spin a couple times. Likewise I’d like to run a few more times if possible.
Healthful living: maintaining healthful stress levels as the semester wraps up - the three projects due the week of the 15th will be a doosey.

I had a great Thanksgiving in Appomattox, lugged a bunch of boxes for my folks, cooked a little and even ran once in the process. We also did a little celebrating of Kathy’s birthday (actually occurred on Friday). Now we’re getting ready for the 5-0 celebration that will happen this Saturday (12/6). Preaching for the last time in class tomorrow so there’s a little stress from that but in all, nothing I can’t get by

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 us off again. Uhmm. . . may I be so bold as to ask. . . who's 5-0 celebration is it?? As I recall your b-day was not that long ago, so I don't think that's the big event. Curious minds(mine) want to know!:o Sounds like you had a nice relaxing family holiday weekend. I hope it has re-fueled your batteries for the last push of the school term.

We have also had a nice family holiday weekend. Mom will return home tomorrow. I will take her to pick up her ride to the airport tomorrow in the early afternoon. Over the past weekend, DH and I were able to get out by ourselves last night for dinner and to the $1 movie(we live it up big!!!:p). We saw the latest Batman with H. Ledger as the Joker. It was good adventure, but those movies are never warm fuzzy ones with happy endings. Tonight we all went out together for dinner. I think DH and I may watch Wall-E as we rented it for the kids last night and we still have it for another night.

This morning had a good elliptical session and yesterday a great run on the treadmill. Tomorrow I will swim and I will be able to make it to boxing and home in time to clean up before taking Mom to her taxi. So that's it in a nutshell.

Have a good week.

Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Karen - 5-0 was for Kathy (11/28). Mine birthday is coming up shortly (12/8) and it was our anniversary (25) that occurred already (10/1).

I'm glad that you and DH did get some time together and saw some movies. i've been told that Wall-E is something that LW and I should watch (one of the patients in the hospital this summer watched it and recommended it - can't go against a kid's recommendation for quality movies :p ). I think I've recharged enough to get throuhg the final push - the number of outstanding things is dwindlining so that's a good thing.

Off to take care of some studying and prepping for tomorrow's stuff.

Peace to all,
Les

[karen w]

Hit and run tonight as it has been a busy day and I have a touch of a headache, but I did have a fantastic swim this AM and a good elliptical run. That and time with DH plus stripped 4 beds and did lots of laundry. . . it's no wonder I am a bit burnt out tonight! No burning the midnight oil tonight for me.;)

Good evening,
Karen

[mackandme]

Another quick message here, as i have very little to report. Gotten a couple short rides in on Mack, but had to skip one because it was so crazy windy out my ears hurt, even wearing a heavy knit hat! Tomorrow i don't work tho, so i should be able to get a nice ride in. Then on Thursday, we head off to Florida to visit DBF's parents (and gulf coast beaches!).

Karen, sounds like you guys had a nice Thanksgiving!
Les, I hear you on the end of semester stuff. DBF has been researching and writing papers pretty much every waking hour that he's not at work. Eight more days until his semester is over!

On my end, we have booked a venue, booked the restaurant, booked the photographer, booked the officiant and chosen (though not yet booked) the florist. So that's most of it, right, considering i already have the dress? Phew.

I had the great misfortune of meeting the new boyfriend of a good friend of mine Friday night, and I really strongly dislike him. He strikes me as both a lush and a loser. She had told me he spends the entire weekend, every weekend, drunk, and he was true to form Friday. By the time I left at 10:30, he'd had about 10 drinks and they were going to another bar to have more! Yuck! What she sees in him, I don't know. Can you tell a friend that her boyfriend is a total loser?

[Leslie Ferguson]

Good seeing you both tonight. No problem with a drive by Karen - you burn enough energy for all of us and then some.

Kate - I hope your DBF makes it through this semester without too many issues. Hopefully you get him back soon - 8 days is something you can do standing on your head. Congrats on your plans for your wedding - it sounds like you're well on your way. Yes you can tactfully tell your friend that you don't get good vibes about her boyfriend.

I've had a couple decent days and even got a workout in today - more later. I finished my last sermon in class yesterday, a nail-biter because I tried to do it without notes. I made the mistake of writing out a sermon then trying to do the sermon without notes -- not a good thing for me. Still, got through it though. I spun this evening for an hour and even got some core work in too.

Off to read some more theology stuff and hit the hay. Long day in class tomorrow.

Peace all,
Les

[karen w]

Kate-nice to see you! Enjoy your time in Florida with DF and family. Have you met them before?

Les-Congrats on finishing your sermon, even if it was a nail biter. That's one more weight off the shoulders for the semester. And getting in some workouts as well this week.

I, too, have maintained my workouts with a swim and cardio. kickboxing today. Energy level is a bit low for me the past few days, but fortunately there is an explanation(I hate that time of the month!:o). Again, fortunately, that only lasts a little while. Otherwise, it is the "routine" as usual. Tomorrow I will swim and I think I might bike as I have not done that in awhile.

Good evening everyone,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Sorry I've been scarce - good to hear that there is a reason for your lack of energy Karen and I bet your energy will pick up soon. Love to chat but more things to do this evening. However...

I ended up laying a little low today - not because of illness or pain just putting the finishing touches on a presentation I'm giving to 12 of my classmates in the morning. Our study group (and study groups are not only ok they are encouraged) is briefing all the theologians we've covered this year I'm responsible for a week's worth of lectures that talked about something called Liberation Theology. I was finishing up a distillation of ~225-250 pages and ~4.5 hours of lecture into about 5 pages of notes. But it was good for me to go through it and I think it will be appreciated in the morning. Sometimes life takes front seat doesn't it? ;)

Hope everyone has a good Friday and I'll see you on the 'morrow.

Peace,
Les

[karen w]

Uh Oh!! gotta bump us back up so we don't fade from the page. I guess everyone's life has gotten hectic(including mine) this time of year. I think mine just keeps getting more and more hectic all year long as the kids get older and busier.

Anyway, I had a good swim this morning. The pool was nice and warm, but everything else was cold along with the great frigid outdoors! Later in the morning(after the kids were off and groceries done) I went to cardio. class. I know I usually only do that on Wednesday's, but after last Friday's Thai class of a whopping 5 people which was totally uninspiring, I needed to get in a real satisfying workout. Mission accomplished!

This afternoon I wrapped all the kids Hannukkah presents. . . SSHHHH, don't tell them!!!!:D

Good evening,
Karen

[mackandme]

Back from beautiful gulf coast florida! we had a pretty mellow trip, which was needed. lots of sitting around on the sofa. but we did go to busch gardens, which i hadn't been to before. saw lots of animals, and i even got to feed/pet a flamingo. what a great color they are! we went to a couple beaches. and it struck me that i'm going to get to go back there - no, be obligated to go back there! - once a year. oh, the burden of it. :D the only bad part is that DBF's parents listen to "elevator music" 24/7!

did lots of walking in florida and will make a trip to the barn tuesday. two days left in DBF's semester, so maybe we'll get to the gym some the rest of december/january. he is taking off work saturday to be my official dish-washer while i bake cookies. then we'll hit a movie he wants to see. i still have to figure out which cookies i'm making.

karen, i bet that come january you'll get much better turnout at your workouts!

les, hope your end-of-semester stuff is almost wrapped up.

[karen w]

Kate-Glad to see you and hear of a nice relaxing trip to the Gulf coast. What a burden to endure. . . having to return there every year. Well, if it's any consolation. . . someone has to do it, right!?:p Unfortunately, I don't think the new year will change much at the martial arts studio as this has been an ongoing trend over the last 1-2 years and with the economic climate currently. . .well, people are finding cheaper alternatives to stay fit. The only reason that I am still going is because my contract was all paid for over a year ago since I am using my kids leftover time. When their time finally runs out(next summer some time, I think?), I will likely hang up the martial arts towel and try something new. I will still miss it, though.

Well, for me two nights of unrestful sleep and being a few days shy of TOM had me dragging today but I did have a great swim and a somewhat re-energizing elliptical workout(brief as it was. . . the re-energizing part, anyway:rolleyes:). Later I did get to the mall and finished the remainder of my holiday shopping for my niece and nephew except getting one more gift card. I even got everything(for everybody) all wrapped. After lunch I just needed to put my feet up, however, and ended up napping for an hour.:o

Tomorrow DH is off so he will help me with my Costco shopping in the afternoon. In the morning it will be a swim and cardio. class for me in between a few other errands as usual. :rolleyes:

Good evening,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Hey ladies - sorry I've been MIA, it's been a busy couple days.

Thanks Karen for keeping the thread on the first page - it would have been terrible ;) to fall off after all this time. Yep, it's busy out there these days isn't it. I bet your days are pretty packed as the school semester winds down. Good that you have DH off tomorrow for help (of any and all kinds) to remove some of your around the house burdens. Hope it's productive and that you keep warm (it should be warmer tomorrow in you neighborhood if it is like it was here today).

Kate - Welcome back from the coast too. Tough job having to go to Florida a couple times a year. ;) I hope that your baking and time well spent with DBF is good. I hope that you cherish the time off with DBF and enjoy the movie (whatever that is).

My busy weekend started on Friday with lessons and carols at school, a meeting at church on Saturday morning, the final tidbits for LW's birthday (belated) party on Saturday evening, 7+ hours (3 services - 9 am, 11:15, and 5:00 pm) at Church on Sunday including a sermon at 5:00 pm, the Church Christmas party and potluck, and then school (and my Birthday) yesterday. Every day is a day closer to the end of finals - next week (the 19th) is the last day of finals. I had a reasonably productive weekend for workouts all thigns considered with a spin on Saturday and a run today. It was "warm enough" (49 degrees and no wind) that I ran in short sleeves and shorts after dark. Plugged out an hour and felt pretty good. Now I'm trying to get the last few tidbits for my paper - definitions for (1) humans being created in the image of God, (2) humans can be in a personal relationship with God, and (3) God wants to be in relationship with humans.

Time to get back at it but good to hear from everyone and I'll be in touch when I can.

Peace,
Les

[karen w]

Kicking us back up again. Boy! even the page is getting shorter!!!:eek:

I had both an awesome swim and Thai(boxing) class today. Perhaps, I'll have to go to boxing on Thursday more often. That has typically been one of my "off" days when I do a "home" routine and take care of the house etc... but the instructor on Thursday always gives a really good workout.

Anyway, gotta go put away some groceries, but I wanted to check in since I was AWOL yesterday and tonight is the band concert at the middle school for DS#2. So far I have not heard anything about it being canceled as we are expecting ice tonight(it's rain now). DS#2 went to school in his band t-shirt and is really excited. He has been doing really well with his lessons and his new electric guitar. He even learned a few Beatles songs this past week and he sounds really good playing them, too. His band teacher at school wanted him to play with the 6th graders. She felt he was too good for his grade's(5th) band group. He declined as he wants to stay with all of his friends and I think that is completely understandable. He has also been asked by the cantor of our temple to play in services some time in the future. I guess he is our budding musician. I'm glad he has really run with this one. It is a great outlet for him, too.


Anyway, that's it for now, BUT. . . . HAPPY ANNIVERSAARY TO ME AND DH!!!!:) #14 today!:cool:

Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Happy belated Anniversary to Karen and her DH! 14 years and still moving on... that's the ticket. Sorry I've been AWOL for the past couple days - end of semester things being what they are. It sounds like you are normal busy there Karen and I hope that the concert went well yesterday. Way to go for DS#2 - it does sound like a good musician is on your hands and that he has a decent head on his shoulders sticking things out with his friends. Thai boxing? Sounds like you've found something that tweaks your attention - good for you.

It has been a busy week for me and I'm just about done with my paper. All the material is close at hand and mostly written. I hope to have it all on paper tonight so I can edit it over the weekend and turn it in on Monday. But I need to get back at it if I want to have fun tonight at the school Christmas Party and not have paper-anxiety.

Peace to all,
Les

[karen w]

Quick pre-weekend check in here.

Les-Thanks for your update. I have assumed that you have been keeping busy with school. As I always tell my kids. . . school comes first! After you turn in the paper Monday, that will be one less stressor for you. Thai boxing is nothing new for me. . . that is what I have my black belt in and have been doing for the past 5 yrs. I was just distinguishing it from cardio boxing which I have more recently started doing once a week. I like that alot.

DS#2's concert last night was very nice and I was a beaming proud parent. Today I had another great swim and biked. I got a pot of chicken stock made later in the day for some soup I will be making this weekend, but spent alot of time on the phone this morning dealing with a situation at the religious school. Fortunately, none of my kids are implicated but one of them witnessed the incident so they need to talk to him. Oh joy! we will be there when they do so and I think this will all blow over. The instigator was a child with known "issues" who is on meds. but I think they don't want to point fingers or offend parents without having all the facts. Anyway, that will be some of our fun for Sunday!:rolleyes: As for the rest of the weekend. . . DH and I are going to dinner and a show tomorrow night for our anniversary celebration. He gave me a pretty pair of earrings yesterday.:) Sunday he and DS#1 have an Odyssey of the Mind meeting here at the house after Sunday school while I have a "get together" for the religious school youth group for an afternoon of bowling. As for my exercise routine. . .elliptical on Saturday; treadmill on Sunday.

That's the rough plan so far. Have a good weekend.

Karen

[mackandme]

Happy anniversary, Karen!

Have been keeping busy with holiday stuff and finally getting DBF back now that the semester is over. We went shopping Friday (phew, I'm done) and Saturday I managed to make all my cookies, thanks to DBF's hard work doing ALL the dishes - for four different types of cookies. We managed to take a break to go to lunch with a friend, and went to a late movie.

Getting ready for some winter weather that may mess up my plans for the week. It was 70 degrees at 8 p.m. today, and 45 at 9:30 p.m. We may be getting some ice, so it may be a bit before I get to the barn. But i have gotten in some rides (though not as long as I would have liked). Hope Mack got his blanket put on tonight, as he has had his annual buzzcut! (We have so many warm days in the winter here that I have a lot of his winter hair shaved off so he doesn't overheat. He has lots of blankets to keep him warm on the cold days.)

Les, hope your semester has ended and you're catching your breath.

[Leslie Ferguson]

A shout out to Karen and the rest of the gang in New England - I hope that she's not without electricity right now.

Hey gang - I hope you don't mind that I push this thread a little longer. Finals kind of do that to me right now.

Karen - Somehow I should have known that about the kickboxing. I hope that you had a good weekend all things considered and that the Odessy of the Mind thing actaully went yesterday. I hope that things aren't too socked in for you either.

Kate - Good hearing from you. Does Mack like getting his buzzcut since I've never heard of a horse getting shorn (but then most of the horses I've seen lived outside in Eastern Oregon). It sounds like you're getting good quality time in with DBF - when does he head back to school.

This has been a busy weekend and couple weeks for me. We had a school Christmas party and had a fantastic time. There were a ton of folks and it was a formal affair (although Kathy and I didn't go formal). You can tell from some of the pictures just how formal it was last night. The 6 presentable pictures from yesterday are posted on Facebook in my Christmas party album (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=54542&l=a7d17&id=654239289).

I'm making a lot of progress on my final stuff too. I turned in my paper that was due no later than the 19th this morning. :cool: I also knocked out one of the two finals (this one was a take home) this afternoon. Definitely could have waited but there was no way I could have studied more so I just hopped in and took the test. Just under 3 hours later it was over and that class is in the books. Now just one more - noon Thursday and I'm done for the semester. I know that I'll get a run in tomorrow and maybe on Wednesday - there's no way I can study all the way from here to midday on Thursday.

Take care all and peace to you,
Les

[karen w]

Les-Continued good luck with the "finals" home stretch. Sounds like you are in good shape. Those pictures look fantastic. I especially like the one with Kathy dancing and that you made sure to put the one with the "girls" first in the series!!;) (Just teasing you, of course). Not socked in at all. . . yet! We got nothing but rain the other day(3 inches worth! And, yes, the basement is dry!) Tonight they are predicting a mess, however, of snow and freezing rain. They say it has begun in the city, but as of yet we have nothing. It would be nice if it stays that way.

Kate-At least we are not the only ones here on the East coast dealing with winter weather woes. Glad to hear DF helped and the cookies got baked. Can I come over now. . . they do have to be taste tested, don't they!?:D

Great day with a wonderful swim and a great home workout(elliptical, cores, and weights). Also accomplished quite a bit. Shopped for some Hannukkah decorations and paper goods for the family brunch on Sunday and did Costco in the afternoon. Tonight when I took DS#2 to his guitar lesson, I also managed to quick scurry away while he was at his lesson and got gas(don't like running on fumes).

That's all to report at this end.

Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Karen - Glad to hear that you aren't socked in and I pray that it stays rain for you because the snow in Baltimore is nasty right now (none here thank you). I was going to comment about the other pictures but decided against it. Funny how many 20-somethings are at school - but not really since ministers are supposed to be a slice of life and there are plenty of 20s out there (don't I know that too). Sounds like all things normal for you and things are going reasonably well for me with classes (more below). When are your kids out (if I haven't already asked that)? Regardless, have a great remainder of the week

A shout out to the rest of the gang. I'm getting ready for the final that happens in about 36 hours. I'm feeling pretty good about the test in general but it's going to be a tough row to hoe. Still got a spin in this evening - 60+ on the trainer made for a nice evening - now all I need to do is summarize my notes on the theologians and I'm set.

Peace to all and I'll see you later,
Les

[karen w]

Les-thanks for stopping by in spite of your busy school schedule. Good luck on the exam. FYI. . .my kids get out next week. Tuesday is a half day of school for them. BUT. . . based on our weather forecasts here, there is a chance school may not happen this Friday as well. They are predicting a yucky mess of snow and ice with a possibility of over 6" here!!!:eek: Our family Hanukkah party may also be canceled for this upcoming Sunday(now that I have bought all the groceries:rolleyes:) as more snow is forecast for Sunday. Ahhhh. . . the joys of winter in New England! At least the groceries won't go to waste in this household!;)

My day in a nutshell. . . excellent swim and cardio. boxing class. Rest of the day was business as usual.

Good evening,
Karen

[Leslie Ferguson]

Karen - Thanks for checking in. It sounds like you all may be getting a lot of nasty weather up there - I hope there aren't 6" or at least not 6" that stick to the roads. The 5 year old in me would love to have 6" on the grass to sled etc. Thanks for the test wishes too - I'm about as ready as I can get so I'm going to review a little tonight, try to go to bed early and be well rested for the test tomorrow morning. Let's face it though (by the time a lot of folks read this) in just over a 12 hours I'll be starting the test and in ~15 hours it will be nothing but a memory. How has the time gotten away from me? I knew Hanukkah was coming up "towards the end of December" but just realized that we were there - towards the end of December. :eek: YIKES! I hope that your Hanukkah party doesn't get cancelled.

Spent most of the day distilling tons of notes into cards with salient points for tomorrow's test. Back to the stone to study a little more and do some core work. Tomorrow afternoon, if the weather behaves, I'll do a celebratory run!

Peace to all,
Les

[Leslie Ferguson]

Back to backs... I'm finally done today and it's hard to believe that I'm already half way done with school. :rolleyes: I'm looking forward to a little R&R - more or less. Still need to take care of some things that have been hanging out for a couple weeks (like Christmas presents) before heading south next week for Chritmas. Life will defintely be packed though over the break, even considering that I'm "off" until the end of January.

Whoppee!!! I ran tonight too. It was grand and just about the right temp although a little one direction or the other would have been fine. A touch too warm for long sleeves (except when I was waiting for a light) and a little too cool for short sleeves. Got out for about 65 minutes and can tell that my mileage hasn't been what it has been in the past - about 4 or 5 minutes more tonight to cover a standard route. But at this point I wouldn't trade a few runs for my sanity (which I would have sacrificed if I hadn't kept up on my studies).

Calling for rain tomorrow so I may be inside for a spin. See you all in the funnies tomorrow.

A free man (again),
Les

[karen w]

Les-Congratulations with putting another semester successfully behind you and enjoy your freedom while you can.

For us today it was . . . A SNOW DAY!! Fortunately the white stuff did not start falling until around noon, so even though all the schools in the area were canceled, I was still able to get to the YMCA for my swim. And it was a good one at that! Later in the morning, I biked before tackling cooking/chores around the house. My bi-monthly cleaning help was also able to make it this morning so I was able to get the bathrooms/floors etc... done and give her the christmas present/bonus I had for her. :)

Weekend plans are up in the air big time with the weather. There is another storm forecast for Sunday. If the weather does cooperate, DH may go into the city tomorrow with DS#1 and meet up with one of his camp buddies at the Natural History Museum. Also the family from Long Island is scheduled to come on Sunday for a Hannukkah brunch. But again, this is all weather dependent and right now it ain't looking to good!:( Anyway, I have alot of stuff to do around the house to keep me busy in addition to my workouts one way or another. And if the weather gets in the way, we will just have to reschedule for another day. It would not be the first time we did the family thing as late as even Jan.:rolleyes:

Have a good weekend,
Karen