HL/WWSG - Week of Apr 16th

[Leslie Ferguson]

Happy Easter!!

It was a busy week for all of us, Passover and seder for Karen and all the Easter festivities and preparations for many of the rest of us. And it looks like spring/summer is finally trying to sink it’s teeth into the country. There have been lots things going on with families: parents, spouses, and children. We’ve just about had everyone drop back in, at least off line, to tell us how they are and how their spring is shaping up. We’re getting a little concerned about one of our regulars who hasn’t been heard from in a while - where, oh where are you Lisa? And I hope that we didn’t scare our most recent visitor Susan away.

I think I can come up with a decent summary of the past week or so, therefore, without further ado some of the things that have stood out have included:

Family life - Laura’s after-prom festivities didn’t materialize (the kids were too tired - DARN. ;) ) but DD still had a great prom. Leigh checked back after having been on the road for two weeks (except for 72 hours at home in that span) with a neat report about DS and how he’s dealing with his stuttering and how well DD is getting along, even with her run-away-from-home “threat”. Karen had a good seder with her in-laws and is headed to her home in Milwaukee for the week. Susan was supposed to be with her family this weekend so maybe that’s why she’s been away. We’ve been pretty quiet here and spending a quiet Easter at home because LW worked yesterday.
SUCCESSES! - I rested like I knew I should after beating my ankle a little bit and I think I feel much better for it. Karen is getting prepared for her brown-tip belt in kick boxing on the 24th - what a successful kick boxer she‘s become!
Stressful living - Leigh and familial issues with DD and DS - nothing they aren’t working through but still a bother. Nettie (aka generic) dropped me a line on regular e-mail. She’s been having a real bad time with the medical community and their inability to diagnose and/or treat her conditions in a manner that she feels is appropriate, so much so that she’s pretty much given up on the medical community there. Top her issues off with her mother’s conditions, mom is better but having medical and dental treatments -- oy vey!
Healthful living - Making our planned workouts and rest periods has become second nature (almost). I hope we keep it up for the remainder of the year.

This week will be a wild travel-wise week for me. I’m headed to Richmond (actually Bon Air) on Tuesday for an hour meeting to get the results of my psychological testing and evaluation - oh joy. :rolleyes: Then that evening I have a church meeting - it looks like the whole day may be shot but I might just have to take it as a rest day. Who knows? Except for Tuesday, it looks like workouts will go as typically scheduled this week.

Healthful living - continue recuperating; get my “spots” checked out (two patches on my upper back that might be some sort of fungus (YEW!!); sleep more and better; and just keep focused on those things that really matter in my day and not sweating the small stuff all over.

Easter was fairly hectic at church as I expected. But we've made a couple new friends, a couple (DUH). An interesting thing - he's into adventure racing and is looking for someone to train with and run them with him. When he said that there were shorter races (like 2 and 4 hours) I nibbled a little harder. So we may be looking for a race in the area sometime this year to do. I'll be ok with running and biking, even off road, but I've never kayaked (if we do that) but I'm willing to try just about anything once. It should be a lot of fun.

Easter dinner was fairly subdues here - but that's just fine. I wish we had gotten to my folks house in Appomattox but... not in the cards this year. We had a simple feast of turkey breast with basalmic-dijon vinaigrette and brussels sprouts (YUM!!!), salad, and a little veggie soup for me. A little nice red wine and things were just grand.

Pretty much sums up my week and what I remember of the past couple weeks for us. I pray everyone has a good week and that Karen is well (even though she won’t be checking in while she’s in Milwaukee.

Until later - peace,
Les

[Laura]

Les, I wanted to check in and not have you talking to yourself since Karen is gone. Easter was nice, quiet. I did my annual Easter basket hunt for the kids. For the past several years, I have written clues for them to take them to different places in the house until they find the easter basket. Of course, being a somewhat type-A personality, all of the clues have to rhyme :rolleyes:, it is crazy for me, and this year I was writing clues at 5:00 a.m., but the kids look forward to it each year. True to form, DS at all of his candy in one day :eek:, mind you it wasn't as much as past years, but clearly more chocolate than one person should be eating in a day. Then he wondered why I said he couldn't have a soda when we went to a friend's house for dinner.

We have gale force winds around here today, so I am not sure what I am doing for a workout. I will probably to the Y later while the kids go to a FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) meeting.

Les, I hope the results from the testing go well. It's good to know, but I guess, I didn't realize that there is so much testing involved to go into the ministry.

Just wondering... any word from Lisa? She last posted on March 23. I pray things are going okay for her.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Thanks for checking in Laura, I wasn't looking forward to talkking to myself (answering either ;) ). I'm still amazed at how strong the wind blows there - gale force winds blowing out of the mountains sounds like no fun at all (I know it's no fun here so it must be worse there). I like your rhyming notes for where the eggs are and it's not surprising that DS inhaled his candy all in one day. I remember the day... I hope you found the workout you were looking for at the Y. What kind of things do the FCA do? I've followed them from afar since I was in college and give routinely to them through the Combined Federal Campaign (an annual fund raising effort for non-profits and charitable organizations)? It is quite sad that we have to go through so much testing but considering the ramifications for the church(s) and the profession - especially considering all the bad press over the past few years from the liturgical (Roman Catholic and Episcopal at a minimm) churches I fully understand why. It still isn't easy to go through the testing even with a long view.

I missed my run today but the weather here wouldn't support it, it rained like the Dickens so I ended up riding my bike for just over an hour tonight on the bike trainer. Tomorrow should be a run day but considering all the stuff going on, the drive to Bon Air (Richmond east) for a 1 pm meeting (surrounded by 2 hours driving each direction) and a meeting starting at 7 pm tomorrow may be a bust.

I haven't heard word one from Lisa - I've written her e-mail (actual e-mail) and PM and I haven't even heard a "I don't want to talk" from her. I will try a real snail mail card just because to get a reaction (hopefully). But like you, I'm getting worried - there has been NO contact what so ever.

That's about it - time to go to bed so I can be chipper for 4+ hours of driving and hours of sitting getting results.

Until tomorrow -- peace,
Les
Les

[Laura]

Hey Les, I hope your long trip and your test results went well. Not much of a work out for me other than a Pilates DVD. I could see myself really getting into this though.

You asked about FCA, from what I gather, most nights they have a worship time, a speaker, and then a prayer time, but some evenings it will just be worship and then games. At Paige's school (and soon to be Jack's as he will be in 9th grade next year :eek: ), they have an average of 50 kids each week. Both of them really seem to enjoy it. I have an early board meeting tomorrow, so I will be turning in early tonight. Have a good day tomorrow. :)

[Leslie Ferguson]

Diong a Pilates DVD is pretty impressive. I'm not that coordinated really. Not that I'm clumsy but I've always had problems coordinating movements and exercises - part of the reason I like simple things like running, swimming, and biking - everything goes in one direction. :D FCA sounds really cool - I'd have loved to do something like that when I was in school 50 kids in a night - that's great! I hope your meeting goes well tomorrow.

I only tried to drive off the road once - not bad considering the road and the conditions. There are trees that are just starting to leaf so the light plays through the new leaves and is kind of hypnotic... And the results of the testing were good. The psychologist didn't surprise me too much with her profile. I'll post a little of her comments tomorrow (since it is 2355 right now and I need to be able to work tomorrow). Suffice to say I am still an ESTJ (Myers-Briggs type), I like to be (thrive on being) around people, I like to be accepted. A little more that I feel I can share but composing it from my thoughts will be a little involved for tonight so I'll ask for a bye just now.

My workout was a little better today but I didn't get a full run in, time strapped. I did pull off a good Fartlek (speed work - one minute at high speed and one minute at slower speed) - the first one I've really done in a while. I only went for about 42 minutes but had a good envigorating run. And I couldn't ask for any better conditions either - light breeze, ~60 degrees, and little traffic (a bonus). And a bigger bonus - no ice tonight. WOO HOO!!!!

Time to hit it - work will come early in the morning. So until tomorrow - it looks like it's you and me Laura so...

Peace,
Les

[Laura]

Hey Les, I guess we will be hanging out this week. It has been a long day as I had a board meeting at 6:00 a.m. and a swim meet committee meeting at 7:00 p.m. Somewhere in between I tried to work. I did get a run/walk, in but I have decided that I need to see a doc about my back. It just isn't getting any better. Actually, I hope to see a PT, but I need a doc to prescribe it so it is covered. Hope the nice weather conditions stuck around for you today.

Till tomrrow...

[Leslie Ferguson]

Yep, Laura it looks like it's you and me this week. It sounds like you've had a busy, busy day. And your back doesn't help at all. I hope you can get to a PT (covered of course) and get it checked out soon. Never any fun to deal with back pain (voice of experience).

It was a very pleasant day and evening. I think it was about 67 when I left to run (warm but still in the reasonable range). My run wasn't quite as long as I'd hoped for but a decent 47 minute run. Came back a little faster than I went out. Not that I was really trying to push it, especially considering I did a Fartlek yesterday and 2 weekends ago I couldn't run 10 miles (shoot, I couldn't run 7.5 miles without stopping). My guitar playing went splendidly at church and we had a good service - definitely more "upbeat" than the end of last week (before Easter - Good Friday and Maundy Thursday are always distressing). Still quite happy with the whole run, recovery, and night at church.

I hope everyone else who is dropping in on us has a great week and how about a little "peep" to let us know who you are. Still wondering about Lisa too - getting more than a little concerned.

Oh well, nothing I can do until later so time for bed... thus for all my friends and lurkers, I wish you peace,
Les

[Laura]

Well Les, I guess we scared everyone off this week. :p. I had a walk this evening and then the Pilates DVD. I am going to do weights and a walk in the a.m. and then I have massage at 12:00!!! SO gave me a gift certificate in hopes that it will help my back. I think the Pilates will help eventually, but right now I have to modify a lot of the exercises and the stretches so that they do not cause pain. The weather has been nice, but I am ready for slightly warmer weather. Actually we are supposed to get it this weekend, of course DS has his first long course meet of the year this weekend. It will be interesting to see how he does. He is actually a better short course swimmer. He is really good off the walls so he makes up time there where other people lose it. He is doing the 400 IM for the first time at this meet which should be interesting. He has avoided it because he is such a bad breaststroker, but his coach is requiring him to swim each event at least once so he can move up to the Senior training group. Should be interesting. Hope you got a good bike or run in this evening.

Sounds like your guitar playing was just what you needed. DS plays the guitar (or dabbles in it), but he plays electric. So I keep hearing the bridge to Smoke on the Water over and over... and over. :D

[Leslie Ferguson]

Well Laura, it's new this week because it's typically me and Karen but thanks to you it's us and I'm not alone. :o PHEW! That was so thoughtful of SO to give you a massage. It's been such a long time since I've been to the massage therapist or the chiropractor I'm not sure what my back would do (oh yes I do - it would smile BIG! :D ). DS and I sound a lot alike - Iwas/am a terrible breaststroker and every time I did IM I really had to concentrate to not split my kick. I never tried 400m IM - 200 was plenty. I agree, short course is much better than long course, but then I made a lot of distance on my turns (football player legs help). Regardless, I hope he does well and you had a good massage and get into the PT soon.

Playing guitar is so recharging for me, I'm not sure why I don't play more often (because I'd have to give something up to play - that's why) but it always makes me feel better when I play. They are trying to "press me" into service as the leader of the "guitar band" at church for Sunday services too. Not so much a band as a group of guitar players who can lead "other" music (not out of the Episcopal Hymnal). I ran this evening and was successful in keeping it to a dull roar after the last two speedy runs. It was pushing warm tonight - almost 80 degrees. But in my favor - it was only 30% humidity or else it would have been a tough trek. I did a lot of cajoling to keep my pace down (but it didn't take too much because I'm trying to nurse my ankle a little so...). I'm not sure I'm ready for the heat that I expect this summer - probably into the upper 90s quite often. And with gas prices going over $3 soon (only $2.91 today) I may be riding and running to work more (only 4-5.5 miles depending on which roads I take) which wouldn't be that great if it's terribly hot.

I hope you have a good day tomorrow, we're supposed to have rain in the afternoon and we're also planting flowers at work in honor of Earth Day. Someone said 100 plants were purchased to be planted - that could be fun and something to do besides sitting inside for the morning (there are about 400 people in the command so even if 1/4 of them plant flowers it still will go quickly).

Prayers for peace and pleasant dreams are offered as well as health and safe returns for our friends.

Until tomorrow - peace,
Les

[tmsl]

Hi Laura and Les! Whew, it has been a rough couple of weeks around here. Dang pollen!!! It kicked my allergies into sinus infection and bronchitis over Easter and the first med didn't like me. I am much better now that the second med is working. I had bloodwork taken this morning in preparation for a checkup in a couple of weeks. I plan to ask the doc if I am ready for allergy shots. I had them as a child and am not allergic to the things I had shots for. Now I have new allergies, :rolleyes: mostly to trees. It has made it hard to be outside and I so want to get out there and ride my bike, run, etc. Oh well, I'll work on getting that fixed, can't stay inside forever.

Laura~Massage huh? I think my back is starting to hurt, too. ;) Just kidding, back pain is no fun as you don't realize how those muscles help in everything you do. Good luck to DS on his meet this weekend.

Les~Planting flowers at work??? And you work for the government?? Just kidding, sounds like a good way to start the day. Your guitar playing sounds relaxing like knitting is for me. And I hope to start a shawl ministry at our church so we are both using our talents for higher purposes. It's so cool when something that simple can be used in that way.

Well, I'm sure Karen is having a blast on vacation. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Laura K.

[Leslie Ferguson]

Laura K - A shawl ministry is a great thing. We've got one at the church I go to here in Norfolk. They have shawls and scarves that they make throughout the year and everyone appreciates them. They even put them in silent auctions and the shawls make good money. Sorry about your allergies. Did you get a chance to read the article about allergies in the most recent National Geographic. Most of the things I'd heard before but the article was put together well and had a couple that "shook me up." Part of our allergy problems (as a society) could be caused by our "improper cleaning" - taking out the good bugs with the bad. Go figure.

Isn't it weird that we, the Navy, spend time making our facilities look better. Of course, it is in the name of Green Day. The Secretary of the Navy sent out his "Earth Day" message reemphasizing the efforts we are undertaking to be more earth-friendly. I'll admit that we are much better today than 21 years ago when I was commissioned - don't ask about some of the things that were done back then, you don't want to know and i'm sure I don't know the worst of the things that went on.

We did get our flowers in before the rain hit this morning. It was trying to sprinkle a little but nothing that I couldn't avoid in the process. :) And it was a double bonus day - I got good, clean dirt all over my hands. :cool: :D

Now back to real work so have a good and dry Friday all...

Les

[karen w]

Hi everyone!!!! I'm home!!!! :) And it's good to see Les had some good company this week, too. We had a really nice trip to Milwaukee and a good visit with my family. The flights to and from went without a hitch. Dad looks REALLY good! You would not even know he had surgery in December. He is going to rehab. twice a week, and he just got himself a Nordic trac treadmill for the house, so he uses that on his non rehab days. He is back doing his stained glass work and playing bridge with Mom. Mom also looked really good. Mom and Dad entertained the kids two days by taking them to the zoo on one and the museum on the other so DH and I could have some private time. DH and I took the kids up to Spring Green, WI on one of the days and visited the House on The Rock. On the way home, we drove through Madison for dinner and ALOT of nostalgia for me(my alma mater of 8 yrs.! for under grad. and med. school). We walked up and down State Street. Alot looked the same;alot had changed, too. Of course, I had to buy a sweatshirt at the University Bookstore. ;) Oh yes, I almost forgot...I had a bit of excitement of my own. I got to see Giada DeLaurentiis at a book signing at Williams' Sonoma. I waited 1 1/2hrs. in line to get my copy signed. My family thinks I'm nuts! :p I don't!!! :D She is more beautiful in person than on TV, if you can beleive it!

We got back last night so today was "regrouping" day so to speak. I slept in a bit this morning, and went to the pool at 7 am. From there I hit the grocery store, and after lunch I made my way through Costco. So the house is restocked...now I just have to do something with all the stuff I bought. That'll be the project(one of them) for the weekend as we are supposed to have a cool, wet weekend. I'll plan on doing my biking over the weekend, and on Monday return to boxing. I also test on Monday! DH and I have also been looking for either an elliptical and/or treadmill for the house. We did some "research" shopping in Milw. and did find one elliptical that pleased both of us, but we need to check things out here a bit more. If anyone has any advice about these, feel free to chime in with your 2 cents.

Hope everyone has a good weekend. It's good to be home! :)

Karen

[Laura]

Karen, glad you had a great time and made it back safe and sound. Good to hear how well your father is doing also.

The massage was great; okay it hurt a little, but it was a good hurt. I came home this evening and did my Pilates DVD and I felt much better than I did yesteday doing it. Like my back was already stronger.

Laura K. I am sorry you are having such allergy issues. SO developed them again when he moved to CO. He was miserable before he got the prescription meds.

Les, glad the flower planting went well. I am off and probably won't check in until Sunday p.m., so have a great weekend everyone!

[Leslie Ferguson]

Hi everyone!!!! I'm home!!!! :)
Hi back - good to see that you made it home safely and brought the kids home too. ;)
And it's good to see Les had some good company this week, too... The flights to and from went without a hitch. Dad looks REALLY good! You would not even know he had surgery in December... Mom and Dad entertained the kids two days... On the way home, we drove through Madison for dinner and ALOT of nostalgia for me (my alma mater of 8 yrs.! for under grad. and med. school)...
It sounds like you had a great vacation. I too am glad to hear that your father and mother are doing so well. Was it only December when he had surgery - that's great that he's back doing all those things he wants to do. And it's great that grandma and grandpa took the kids so you and DH could have a couple quiet days. I know what you mean about your old college town changing - it's the same way when LW and I go back through Corvallis. A lot of stuff is still the same (the same nasty house colors on the college apartments) but how much of the stuff has changed in the 20+ years since graduation. :eek:
I got to see Giada DeLaurentiis at a book signing at Williams' Sonoma. I waited 1 1/2hrs. in line to get my copy signed. My family thinks I'm nuts! :p I don't!!! :D She is more beautiful in person than on TV, if you can beleive it!
I understand why you would wait to get your cookbook signed. I also find it hard to believe that Giada could be more beautiful than on TV (she looks pretty darned good on the tube).
We got back last night so today was "regrouping" day so to speak... on Monday return to boxing. I also test on Monday! DH and I have also been looking for either an elliptical and/or treadmill for the house... Hope everyone has a good weekend. It's good to be home! :)

Karen
After being away for a week I can understand a day to regroup. It still sounds like you're going to have a busy weekend. Rest up so you do well on Monday. We need to have a new brown tip around here. If it were me, I'd probably lean towards the elliptical - less moving parts (motor and belt mostly) to have to worry about maintaining. But a treadmill is a little more useful and multi-taskable (if that's a word) and you can walk and/or run while an elliptical pretty much limits you to that type of base exercise. But I also prefer elliptical to treadmilling because it is lower impact on my getting-old joints.

It's good to have you home too.

Laura - Have a good weekend and I hope that DS has a good meet this weekend. See you Sunday.

Not much more for me this evening. Did a little fiddling around the house after the flower planting. Now it's time to get ready for the morning's extravaganza - may there be a little mud, I can use the slogging. :cool: Tomorrow night, we'll have dinner with a Navy Chaplain friend and his wife before they depart the area for a new posting - it should be a lot of fun.

Anyway, I hope everyone has a good weekend and I'll be in touch.

Peace,
Les

[Leslie Ferguson]

Darn it! No mud at all this week! And not even a decent puddle to play in either. My trail is failing me these days. ;) But even with all that I had a successful day today. ~14.25-14.5 miles this morning; home before the rain; successful dinner with my friend and his wife - talked story about our ministires and where we are heading; safely home without flailing around in the rain (it helps that we spent about 2 hours at dinner). What a great day.

Just thought I'd let you all know how things went today and close out the thread (and hope to hear from someone else this week... alas and alack).

Peace,
Les