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Week #2

I’m here still. We had some visitors this past weekend that I blogged about in my last post. We had a very nice time aside from dealing with a stomach bug that we were passing around. That type of thing makes for some funny memories, even if it’s gross going through it. They ended up staying an extra day because they weren’t feeling up to the drive. We enjoyed their company though. We had a really great time.

I’m going to make this post rather short because I have dinner to prepare and I’m feeling a tad emotional. Not that either of them have to do with each other. Oh well. Because I got sick and we had company these past few days, I did not end up working out. Our guests were sleeping in my workout space, so I decided to just start again when they left. I really hope to do better this week with it all. Sigh.

I think I need chocolate. That is, if my stomach is up for it. Maybe I’m getting that stomach bug now.

G’nite, folks.

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Checking In, Day #5

I’ll call it day #5 since I technically started Monday.

Well, I didn’t post yesterday about my progress obviously. I felt really miserable. I had to work, too, and was hoping for a slow day since it was a holiday. But actually, I ended up getting one of the highest line counts I’ve had in a long time. I guess that’s what an hour-long dictation will get you though. It took me three long hours to get through it, but I’m glad it’s done. And now, here I am, still sniffly, feeling a bit better, but tormented by sneezes that want to drive me nuts me. They are lurking in my nose, making me sniff, making my eyes water like crazy, hiding in the shadows. But they don’t actually want to come out. And so here I sit.

I didn’t work out yesterday or the day before because I haven’t felt well. Today, it seems I am on the mend. I can at least smell and taste my food now! That is saying something. We are expecting some visitors this weekend. I was going to have my house spic and span, lovely meals prepared, the whole bit. As it is, none of that has really happened. I went to the grocery store with not enough time to get all the things I needed and had to wait in line for the cashier as I watched the clock hands slowly climb toward 3p.m. (which is when I start work). When I got home, David had the dog outside and informed me that he (the doggy) had stepped in his (the doggy’s) doo-doo. So, I had to give him a bath because David had to go get a bookcase, and I was definitely late to work by then. My carpets desperately need to be vacuumed. What they actually need is to be shampooed, but that isn’t going to happen any time soon. The bathrooms, um, let’s not go there, and as far as food preparation, we have a couple bags of Jelly Belly’s hanging out on the counter. But, that could make for fun times had by all, so I guess we’re not doing too badly. Really, the only thing accomplished on my list was giving the dog a bath…three times in less than 24 hours. He needed one last night before I would let him jump on my bed. Then this morning, he stepped onto my wet garden patch and got muddy, and then the doody incident.  But, our visitors are very gracious and I know they won’t even notice a little dust here and there. After all, they don’t come visit us because we have a clean house. They come because they want to see us. I just need to remember that when I’m in the middle of stressing out.

Okay, now as far as working out, I plan on doing either the 20-minute Pilates workout or the Billy Blanks 8-minute workout, at least something. That is, of course, as long as I’m still feeling well by this evening. And I have SO much to do. Did I mention that already? SO much. And my dear fellow work-out buddies (I know of one! Hi Elissa!), how are you doing on your progress this week? Has it been a bad week for working out or pretty good? Do you feel under the weather too? That seems to be going around this time of year. So far, I know of at least six other people who have or have had the same creeping crud besides me.

Lastly, for a further clarification on the challenge (for me anyway). The idea is to work out Monday through Friday. I will leave Saturday up in the air as that is my catch up day for the week. Sunday is a day off.

And with that, I will bid you all adieu.

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A-F-R-I-N Spells Relief

At least to some extent. There is a tad bit of oxygen going through my nostrils at this point. Earlier, just my right side was stuffed up. Now, my left side decided to join in the fun. Joy. Okay, so here it is, a little past midnight and my dear, dear husband is off to the only store that is open in Topeka today to get me some NyQuil…Walgreen’s. What a sweetheart he is. Apparently, the place is really busy. I guess that’s not so weird, but I am surprised that there are that many people out so late shopping. ‘Tis the season, I guess. I took my temperature a few minutes ago, positive that I had a fever and I watched it slowly climb up to…98.0. Not that I want a fever, but for as lousy as I feel, I figured a fever would explain part of it. But, since I usually run at around 97.3, does that mean that I really do have a fever? Maybe not.

I don’t know why I felt compelled to blog at 12:15 am. Maybe it was that cup of coffee I had earlier this evening. Maybe I’m dreading getting into bed because I won’t be able to breathe. Maybe just now I’m realizing what a wimp I am because of a stinkin’ cold. Ack! I think I just need to go to bed.

G’nite, all.

P.S. You know, if I keep blogging so frequently, I just may build up my readership a little. A special thanks to those faithful few who have kept checking back at my blog in all of its sporadic-ness!

Okay, really now, good night. If you happen to be up this late reading my blog, go to bed already. Sheesh! It’s nearly 12:30 in the morning. 🙂

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The Rambler

I am just really having a hard time thinking up a creative title tonight. Oh well. You may just have to suffer through my writer’s block a little. I may get inspired as I go along.

So, it’s a day after my new challenge started. I guess it would technically be day #2, but I really started exercising Monday so then would this be day #3? It’s all so confusing. Anyways, today I am not feeling very well. I tend to take everyday things for granted, you know, like being able to breathe out of my nose. Now, though, I appreciate it until next time when I forgot again. 🙂 As a result of me being sick, I have not yet worked out. I would like to at least do something short (like the 20-minute one or maybe the 8-minute Billy Blanks tape) but I am not going to beat myself up if I don’t have the energy to turn the TV on today. I just feel crummy.

On a good note, David has had today off and tomorrow and Friday! And, to top it all off, in spite of feeling lousy, I curled my hair, a major feat even when I am well. So there you have it. That’s been my day in a nutshell. I also spent a large part of the day in my bathrobe that David got for me for our anniversary (it’s really soft and cozy). For dinner, I fixed a crockpot full of chicken noodle soup. At Dillons, I got the Kroger brand of this seasoning called zesty Italian herb. I added that to the broth and it tasted so yummy. It seemed pretty fitting for a cold day. I love making chicken noodle soup. It’s so easy. Here’s what I put in mine:

  • 4-5 chicken thighs, frozen
  • 5 smallish carrots
  • 1 medium onion
  • salt to taste
  • zesty Italian herb seasoning
  • water (I just kind of eyeball it)
  • a little cream
  • some linguine noodles (again, I just kind of eyeball it)

I put the chicken thighs in the crockpot with some water on high for a few hours. Then I added more water, the carrots, onion, and seasoning. After that has cooked for a couple hours, take the chicken out and take the meat off the bone. Then return it to the crockpot. Cook the noodles on the stove top until done and add to the crockpot along with a little bit of cream, if desired. Cook on low for a few minutes and then voila! Soup! And it tastes soooo good, especially with the little bit of cream. It does make it a little richer, but you don’t have to add it if you don’t want to.

This post has ended up being kind of rambling. I better call it quits for now. My kitchen is a mess and my laundry is calling me to fold it before it gets wrinkled. Of all the chores I have to do, ironing is my least favorite.

Adios, amigos. My nose is starting to run. I better go catch it.

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Get Yer Running Shoes on Because…

It’s time to sweat. But I guess as a woman, I would be glowing instead. I was thinking lately, because that is something I do, and decided to blog about a new challenge. You may remember our Great Dinner Challenge a few months ago (which we were successful at! Yay!) in which we decided not to go out to eat at all (unless something came up suddenly, we traveled, etc.) until David was done with school. Since blogging about it kept me accountable in a way, I decided this time I would post about my new challenge. It’s an exercise challenge this time. I don’t know that I have a set time period like last time, but I can play it by ear. As far as requirements, I figured I would exercise at least once a day unless one or more of the following happens:

  • I get sick (I think I feel a cold coming on. No, seriously!).
  • We travel.
  • Some other unforeseen event.
  • Hmmm…come on, there have to be other excuses!

Okay, since this is all kind of being worked out (ha ha!!!) as I type, I’m open for suggestions. I figured my blog can be my work out buddy of sorts. Last year, I had some ladies over to our house promptly (for the most part) at 8am. It gave me a reason to exercise, tired or not, because I knew they were coming over and I got it out of the way first thing in the morning (after my cup of coffee of course). Since I’m not doing that anymore, I figured it would just be me and my blog. But, my blog has it easy. It just kind of sits here until I decide to do something with it. My blog doesn’t have to count calories or even break out into a glow. I’ll try not to be bitter… 🙂

Now, as far as what I’ll be doing with my workouts, I figured I would just do my exercise videos. I have several of them, a couple of which I borrowed. And I have to admit it: I have work-out-video ADHD. 🙂 What that really boils down to is…I need variety, people. Here is a list of the videos (borrowed and owned) that are in my possession right now:

  1. Denise Austin’s Boot Camp – A funny story about this one. The first time I did this, I thought it was THE hardest thing I’ve ever done and was sure I was going to die after the first 20 minutes. That is until I bought…
  2. Billy’s (as in Billy Blanks) Ultimate Boot Camp – Not exactly a walk in the park. In fact, by the time you’re done, you’ll be lucky if you can even walk. After I did this the first time, I was sore for nearly a week (I’m really not exaggerating here). It. Is. intense.
  3. Yoga Mama – a pregnancy workout video
  4. Winsor Pilates Accelerated Body Sculpting
  5. Winsor Pilates 20-minute workout
  6. Turbo Jam 5 Rockin’ Workouts (comes with Learn ‘N Burn, 20-minute workout, Turbo Sculpt, Cardio Party Mix 1, and Ab Jam)
  7. Bun Shaper by Tony Horton
  8. Slim in 6
  9. Denise Austin Pregnancy workout
  10. The Firm Low-Impact Aerobics (I didn’t think this was really all that low-impact)
  11. And lastly, Tae Bo Live (four workout VHS cassettes – an instructional video, 8-minute video, basic workout, and advanced)

Yesterday, I did the 20-minute Pilates workout and my 20-minute Turbo Jam workout. Today, I did the 20-minute workout again and the first 20 minutes of Denise Austin’s Boot Camp (it’s broken up into three segments, the first one being cardio). Tomorrow, I’m not sure what I’ll do. But, I’ll probably keep you informed, if not tomorrow then soon. And just to clarify, this is strictly (for now) an exercise challenge. I’ll be striving to keep an eye on my portion sizes but I don’t want to worry too much about that. I am interested in getting back into the habit of exercising.

So, who’s with me?