Murphy's Law As Applied To Exercise

Hey Humble Readers...

I was so proud of myself. 

Two great days at the gym.  6.5km on the stationary bike, 3km on the treadmill, and the weight circuit. 

I was aching in places I haven't ached for several weeks , but it was a good kind of ache.  I was feeling good and thinking I might be on track to a new routine.  I even lost a pound since last Friday. 

Then I got a fever.  Then I got that tell tale back ache.  No gym yesterday or today.  I was able to get in to see Dr. B today, and low and behold I have a kidney infection.  I am not to do any real serious exercise for another three or four days.  Grrrr...

The kicker... the infection is most likely due to my time on the stationary bike. 

**facepalm**

Hobbit-ish Potpurri: Bits And Bobs

Hey Humble Readers...

Autumn has well and truly fallen on the Shire.  The trees are golden, and the leaves are crunching underfoot.  When they're not too soggy to crunch that is.  It's been raining a lot over the last few days, and with the rain has come some crazy cold weather.  Normally this time of year our daytime high is 16C... nice crisp fall weather.  Today's high is 5C (and it currently feels like it's 1C).  I am so close to turning on the furnace it isn't funny, but I'm trying to hold off for as long as I can. 

Oh, and we woke up to a skiff of that white poop on the ground this morning.  Yuck!

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One weather related complication that is rather unique to Canada is planning for Halloween.  I'm wracking my brain trying to come up with some cute costumes for the wee-lings, that are both weather and stroller friendly (for Pip at least).  I have an idea that would be super cute for Pippin, and would work over a winter coat, but it doesn't jive with him being in the stroller.  Maybe I'll hold it off for next year.  Ginny is another story entirely.  I have a good idea if the weather is warm-ish (above freezing), but if it's chilly (read: arctic) then I don't know what we'll do.  If it's super cold, then we'll probably just trick or treat around the mall (they give out candy at each store) rather than doing the neighbourhood. 

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I've been to the gym once so far.  I fully intended to go this morning, but Pip woke up screaming just as I was getting ready to go.  The other night I did 8km on the stationary bike, 3km on the treadmill, and the weight circuit.  It felt good, until the next morning.  LOL  It will be difficult to get back on the bike tomorrow morning (and yes, I WILL go). 

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We are planning to go to a Fall Festival at a local farm on Saturday.  I'm looking forward to it, just as a nice outing for all of us.  The weather is supposed to be nice, and I'm hoping to get some fun pictures of the wee-lings.  We are also going to be picking out our pumpkins, and maybe the last of the fresh local produce for the year. 

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I've been doing a lot more laundry the last few days... we have been having diaper leak after diaper leak.  With both wee-lings.  We haven't had a dry morning in days.  I'm not sure what's changed.  Maybe it's time to consider moving them up into the next size. 

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Pippin has become obsessed with the dishwasher.  He pushes buttons, turns the dial to start it, and takes dirty dishes out.  Silly boy.  We also may have gotten a word out of our not-so-talkative little boy.  I was waving at him the other day, saying bye-bye, and he looked at me, waved, and said buh-buh.  Haven't been able to get him to repeat it, but it was the first actual word we've had from him. 

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Ginny loves having "jobs to do".  She helps load the washer and dryer.  She sets the table (cutlery, salt and pepper, condiments), sweeps the floor under the table after lunch, sorts and folds laundry (granted it isn't neat), and helps take out the garbage. 

But most of all, she loves to help make dinner.  She does simple things, like transfer the diced potatoes to the pot or spread the broccoli out on the baking tray.  Last night she spread mustard on the roast with a little help.  The night before, she helped combine all the veggies for the casserole.  Tonight she'll be helping to make the buns to go along with the chili we're having.  It's fun having her help, and we get to talk about the colours of the food, about numbers (how many potatoes is Mummy peeling?), and about food groups.  I've noticed an increase in her willingness to eat more vegetables (yucky hasn't been in her vocabulary in quite a while).  And she's so proud when Daddy thanks her for helping. 

Hobbit-ish Potpurri: Oh My Aching...

Hey Humble Readers...

Thank you so much for your words of encouragement on my last post.  I managed to get out for my walk yesterday (bigger bandage on my blisters) and actually got 6km in, plus I did my squats and abs & arms workout.  And by bedtime last night I could hardly walk.  LOL.  My... well, my glutes were aching.  Still are today, so I skipped my walk this morning and did a bunch of housework and grocery shopping instead.  Didn't get all my steps in, but I'm okay with that.  I also found a tip for stretching my new shoes, which I did today.  Tomorrow will be the test. 

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I meant to post this yesterday, but the day got away from me.  The winner in my giveaway associated with my interview with J.R. Vikse is Good Timing!  (Had my Beloved do the 'pick a number' thing.)  I'll be in touch soon GT, to arrange for you to get your copy of The Lazy Postman.  The second part of my interview with J.R. will be posted during September's ICLW. 

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So, other than a to do list a mile long for tomorrow morning (including packing), I'm feeling very ready for this trip.  I know it's just a couple of hours down the highway and only for the weekend, but I'm almost as excited as I was when we went to NYC.  Almost.  We agreed that we are only going to eat at restaurants that we don't have at home... little local places mostly.  Actually, most of the ones we've chosen have been featured on You Gotta Eat Here (the Canadian version of Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives).  And we have a few fun adventures planned that I'm looking forward to telling you all about next week.  My MIL will get here in the early afternoon tomorrow and then we are off!  Hooray!

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Pinterest find of the week:  Ok, actually I found this one a while ago, but I only implemented it about a month ago.  Instead of using shaving foam or soap when you shave your legs, use baby oil.  This is genius!  My legs feel so soft!  I add a step, using a sugar scrub on my legs first, then the baby oil.  I find that I don't have to shave as often, and the baby oil is also supposed to make your blade last longer. 

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Tomorrow, Friday, is my Beloved's birthday.  I am so very blessed to have him in my life.  He's a wonderful husband, an amazing father, and my best friend.  This trip is partly to celebrate his birthday, and I also have a big dinner planned for next week, the menu for which is a surprise for him so I'll have to tell you all about it later, just in case he pops on here. 

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Well, I'm off to bed.  I want to get a walk in tomorrow morning, and it's going to be a busy day.  Have a great long weekend everyone!

Kick In The Butt Required

Hey Humble Readers... 

Okay, I need some external motivation. I obviously am not doing well at motivating myself. 

August has been an almost complete write off exercise-wise.  The prolonged crud, and then shoe issues prevented me from my usual walks. 

I 100% acknowledge that I could have been doing workout videos in the house once I was finally healthy again, but I chose to use the lack of walking footwear as an excuse.  I went out on the weekend and bought myself new shoes, and I have gone for walks, albeit shorter than before (only 4.7km) the last two days, but have not done my post-walk workout (squats and weights). 

And you guessed it, I have an excuse. 

The new shoes are, well, new.  The need to be broken in.  Hence I got a blister on my baby toe yesterday.  Not unusual.  I got up this morning at 5 and slapped a Band-Aid on my blister and headed out for my walk. 

Again, I only made it four laps of the neighbourhood because of pain in my baby toe.  I got home, stretched and that was it.  I discovered that somehow, the Band-Aid that I wore this morning had managed, in co-operation with my new shoes, to create a blood blister on the tip of my toe. 

Ask me how motivated I am to go for my walk tomorrow morning.  I dare you. 

Please, can someone give me a pep talk?  I need a serious kick in my still-substantial posterior to get myself back in gear. 

Hobbit-ish Potpurri: A Tale Of Two Dressers

Howdy Humble Readers...

First and foremost, if you're here from ICLW, check out my introductory post here.  And if you are looking for my interview with up & coming author, J.R. Vikse, check it out here.  Don't forget to enter for the giveaway of J.R.'s debut novel The Lazy Postman (and don't forget to check back next month for the second part of my interview with him about his new book, The Keeper Chronicles: Playing With Fire). 

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I'm taking a break from my prep for the painting I'm going to be doing this weekend (sooooo sick of plaster dust from filling dings and holes), just so I can come chat with you fine folks.  The hallway is completely prepped now... holes filled, sanded, and trim/doorframes are taped.  Bathroom is almost ready to go.  I need to tape the trim and take down the medicine cabinet (I hate the thing.  It's going into the dumpster).  Other than just painting, I'm completely reorganizing our little bathroom, so I stocked up on storage containers for under the sink at the dollar store.  I also bought hooks for our towels (not enough room for towel bars for all four of us), a new towel ring for the hand towel, and a shelving unit for over the toilet.  My Beloved and the wee-lings are heading down south to my MIL's place for the day, so that I can have the hobbit-hole to myself.  Yay!

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It's a hazy warm day here in the Shire, I think from the wild fires burning south of the border.  We've actually had a really nice stretch of weather the last week or so.  Warm but not too humid, and cool at night so we can sleep.  A nice change from the majority of the summer, which has either been soggy or muggy.

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I'm in a quandary, Humble Readers.  My Beloved and I decided that for our birthdays (his at the end of the month, mine is the middle of next month) we are going to buy new dressers for our bedroom.  Since before Ginny was born, my Beloved has been using a laundry basket for clothes storage, because we stole his dresser and painted it for the nursery.  The dresser I have is a cheapo-pressboard-piece-of-junk that's falling apart.  For quite a long time I have been fixated on a dresser from Ik.ea...

Hemnes 3 drawer dresser - $149.99
image courtesy www.ikea.com

I actually really like the bigger version, the one with 5 drawers, but two of those is not an option budget-wise.  While I was on their website, I came across this...

Tarva 5 drawer dresser - $139.99
image courtesy www.ikea.com

It's bigger and actually cheaper than the three drawer unit above.  I like the general style of it, but it's natural pine, which means I would have to stain it or paint it.  I have never stained anything before, so I'm not sure how good I would be at that.  Painting would probably be a better option because I have done that in the past... but then the issue of where I would paint them, and keep the wee-lings away from them while they dry. 

Any thoughts?  Suggestions?

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I have to report that the lack of exercise over the last several weeks due to the lingering crud has taken its toll.  I have gained back a few pounds (of course, I'm too pathetic to record that on my tickers).  Gah!  And to add insult to injury, the new walking shoes I bought  back in June are already headed to the trash.  The insoles are shredded and there are already holes in the toes.  Grrr... I spent a decent amount of money on them.  And the only other shoes I have to walk in are my Sha.pe Up.s, which hurt my toes.  Not exactly motivating.  I am going to have to get a new pair of shoes, it's just dang frustrating. 

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Pippin just got his one year vaccinations on Wednesday, only three months late.  He's doing pretty well with them, only a bit of a fever yesterday and some general grumpiness.  He's over 25lbs now, and 32.5 inches tall.  He's catching up to Ginny so fast.  Too fast.  I talked to the nurse about his lack of talking, and she told me not to be concerned just yet.  Because he's a second child, and a boy, it's very common that speech can be a bit delayed.  She gave me some suggestions to help him strengthen the muscles in his face and how to encourage him to talk.  It's apparent that he understands much of what we are saying.  He responds to most directions and comments directed at him.  He dances to music, and he likes to laugh, squeal, make lots of little boy noises.  I guess I just need to be patient.  The nurses also suggested that we hound Dr. B to get Pippin in to an allergist, given the extent of his eczema.  Most doctors around here like to wait until the little ones are closer to two years old before they go the allergist route. 

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Well, I should get back to work on the prep for painting.  Pippin has just crashed in his playpen, and Ginny is snoozing in the nursery, which means I have about an hour of uninterrupted work time.  Woohooo!

These Are The People In My Neghbourhood

Good Evening Humble Readers...

It's a quiet night in the hobbit hole.  The wee-lings are in bed, and my Beloved has gone back to work (he always has to put in overtime the first week of the month).  I'm enjoying a peaceful evening to myself, getting to watch the "Little Couple" (am I the only one thrilled that they now have their little boy?). 

By now you all know that I'm walking a lot more than I used to.  As in, almost 100% more than I was two months ago.  I'm up to walking 6.8km every morning.  If you would have told me back in April that I would be measuring my daily walks in kilometers, I would have laughed my a$$ off at you.  Every morning, my alarm goes off at 5am, and I try to be out of the house by 5:15.  Me, in my yoga pants, New York Yankees hoodie and ball cap, with my walking poles. 

I've gotten familiar with the early morning routines of those in my neighbourhood.  We live just a few blocks from the hospital, so there are a lot of hospital staff who park down our street, and when I'm out walking many are changing shifts.  Many will smile and trade "good morning"s with me when we pass on the street. 

Here are just some of the people in my neighbourhood...

• The two burly construction workers who carpool in a rusted out Tercel.  They wave and smile at me every morning.  I do wonder how they shoe-horn themselves into that car. 
• The baker at the little grocery store across the back lane from us usually takes his smoke break when I'm on my second lap of the neighbourhood.  The amazing aroma that comes from the vicinity of that grocery store is torture for a diabetic.
• The 50-something man who walks his little shi'tzu-cross (looks identical to my mom's dog) while wearing his bathrobe.  Why doesn't he pick up his dog's poop?
• The young man at the bus stop who bathes in cologne. 
• The elderly woman out watering her flower boxes before sunrise.  A couple of weeks ago I saw her trying to chase a couple of deer out of her yard, waving a broom at them. 
• The nurse who drives a mini-van with a Ravenclaw banner hanging from her rear view mirror.
• The weary-looking mom (I'm assuming she's a mom), making her way from the Ronald McDonald House to the hospital.  I pray for her and her ill child as I walk. 
• The little old man, who drives a pretty nice pick up truck, who goes through all the big dumpsters at the apartment/condo buildings in the neighbourhood looking for bottles and cans.  He waves at me every day too. 
• And while I've never seen the owner, I find myself wondering about the person who drives the little red pick up truck with the "Danger Ranger" decal across the top of his windshield.  How much of a danger ranger can they be with their little pick up? 

Like I said, there's a lot of other people that I've come to know by sight.  We smile at each other and maybe say "good morning".  I still get some funny looks with my walking poles, but the regulars are used to me.  There seems to be a camaraderie between those of us who are up and out of the house before 6am. 

I've found I actually like the early morning.  I still don't consider myself a morning person, but it isn't torture. 

Are you a morning person?  When is your best time of day?

Hobbit-ish Potpurri: Spring in the Shire

Howdy Humble Readers...

I'm hoping that you're all doing well, wherever you are.  I haven't been commenting much lately, but I do promise to improve that, and please know that I am reading and following what's up in your parts of the world!

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Spring has sprung in the Shire.  Finally!!  Warmer temps are here most days, and it feels good to be able to have the windows and doors open on the hobbit-hole.  I confess, I did have to turn the furnace back on yesterday (if it had just been me, I would have just put on a couple of sweaters and sucked it up, but the wee-lings were cold and that changes everything).  Another sign of spring... my snow mold allergy has kicked in.  Oh well.  It means that summer will get here eventually. 

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I have had a miniscule interlude of single parenting.  My Beloved had to go out of town for work (to be on-site at the part of the company that he does the accounting for... does that make sense?).  He has been gone one night, but I sure do miss him.  He should be home in the next hour or so, and I'm very glad.  I really don't know how the multitude of single parents out there do it, and do it well. 

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For the last couple of days, my morning workout has consisted of doing workout videos (can't go for my walk and leave the wee-lings at home alone, and if I don't do it early in the morning, it just doesn't happen).  I've realized just what it is about workout videos that I don't like.  The host/trainer.  The fake cheerleading/encouragement/patronizing commentary.  It gets on my nerves and makes me want to spew a string of expletives at the screen.  I'm going to have to get past it, though.  Because once there's snow on the ground again in the fall, I'm not going to be able to go for walks.  Any good recommendations?

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INPUT NEEDED: Plans for wee little Pip's birthday party are coming together.  I'm struggling with the menu though.  We are doing a beach/surf's up theme party, and for the life of me I can't decide on what to serve.  I have the cake figured out, but other than that, I'm hooped.  I've been toying with the idea of shrimp or fish mini-tacos, but I'm not sure.  It's an afternoon party, so it doesn't need to be too much in the way of food, but I still want something yummy and beachy.  Any thoughts?

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Something I'm pondering today... can diabetes have an affect on my cycle?  And vice-versa?  For the last few months, AF has been, well, odd.  I start getting cramps about 3 days before she actually shows up.  I was fully expecting her to show up on Sunday, because I had wicked cramps for a few hours (needed my heating pad).  The cramps died down a bit, but she didn't actually make an appearance until today.  Odd.  And my sugars, which had been going in the right direction, yesterday jumped up for no apparent reason.  Hmmmm...

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Well, I have to go get to work on supper.  Crock pot beef with broccoli on brown rice, with broccoli slaw.  Yummy!

Hobbit-ish Potpurri: Heritage Day Edition

Howdy Humble Readers...

I hope you're all having a great Monday. 

It's Heritage Day here in Alberta, and it's kind of an odd holiday.  Most provinces have a holiday in August, but they all celebrate different things.  Basically, it's just so that every month in the summer has a long weekend. 

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I did my first Zu.mba workout dvd today.  It totally kicked my a$$.  I only made it through 30 minutes of the 45 minute workout before I had to stop.  I also have to spend some more time watching the "Learn the Steps" dvd that came with the set, because I was terrible!  My Beloved was kind enough to vacate the premesis with the baby girl for a while so that I could embarass myself in privacy. 

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Killer bonus after my workout... the bathtub drain decided to completely crap out (it's been slow for a few days) while my Beloved was in the shower, and so I wasn't able to take a shower.  Gross!  We finally got the drain unclogged this afternoon (yay us!).  The joys of home-ownership.

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Ginny's new targets are my el-cheapo cork ikea coasters.  Apparently they make great teething toys.  Who knew?  (Yes, they're hidden away now)

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We have baby proofed the house, as much as we're going to.  I have a baby gate in the hall for when I need to corral her for longer than a few minutes (she HATES the playpen now).  I put locks on the bathroom and kitchen cabinets, the dangerous ones anyway.  And we moved my Beloved's computer tower from the floor up to the desk.  The only thing I need to figure out is how to prevent her from opening the pocket door on our storage room off the kitchen.  Any suggestions?

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I finally, FINALLY got around to updating the menu board on the right.  Tonight's dinner was great, and I'm looking forward to sharing the recipes with you all on Friday. 

Hobbit-ish Potpurri: Total Randomness

Good Evening Humble Readers!

Ok, you all have been so busy posting today, that now that I've gotten caught up, I'm pooped and ready to hit the sack. I'll give you just a little run down, potpurri-style.

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Sock It To Me - Yay! I missed out on this last year and I am so stoked that Kym is going to run it twice this year! Really, who doesn't love the idea of getting socks in the mail? Especially from my bloggy friends! Stop by I'm A Smart One and check it out...

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I've been exercising every day. A couple of my friends from work and I have agreed to hold each other accountable for increasing our activity levels. It's only been a few days, but I'm proud of myself. I'm really feeling it in my joints tho. Getting old, I guess.

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I've decided that my lady parts are suffering from some sort of multiple personality disorder... First, the screwy late O the last couple of months, now on CD12 I'm feeling like AF is just around the corner again... backache, cramping. Just weird.

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I made a purchase the other day that makes me smile all the time. It's stupid... are you ready? I found these ice cube trays that make long skinny ice cubes, so they can fit in a water bottle. How cool is that?

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I love the Winter Olympics! I am so excited that they are going to be in Vancouver (even if I don't get to go). Canada may struggle at the Summer Games, but winter... now that's our time to shine. There is a new Ni.ke commercial that I saw for the first time last week. I LOVE this commercial...

Eh! Oh! Canada Go! (yeah I'm just lame enough to jump on that bandwagon too) Having one of the few relatively cute professional hockey players in the commercial is definitely a bonus. Iggy is easy on the eyes.

Oh My Aching Feet... or You-Know-You've-Had-Too-Much-Vacation-When..

Ok... first day back at work in ten days.

It was a good day. Spent an hour getting caught up on staffing changes, events missed, and new computer protocols. My desk was a mess (I left it tidy and clear), but that's to be expected. Got to check back in with my staff and it was fun hearing everything I had missed.

It was a rough day. I'm out of shape... ok, that's the understatement of the year, but it's true. I can tell that I have spent too much time lazing around in recent weeks. At first I was trying to 'take it easy' and not do anything overly strenuous that might hurt the baby. Let me tell you, unless you are told by your doctor to sit on your butt, don't! (My great-grandmother had 21 kids and never spent a day resting because she was pregnant) Then, I allowed myself to wallow. Sitting on the couch, up to my eyes in grief, staying active was the last thing on my mind. And now I have just spent a week playing too many video games! Argh!

I felt it all today when I spent several hours on my feet, moving product from this display to that display, trying to make room for the six skids of product we are scheduled to receive in addition to our usual shipments before the weekend. I have until Sunday to get my body back into work mode... we have a major merchandising change-over and I have to be able to pull my own (considerable) weight.

I am aching. My feet, my back, my shoulders... my whole body hurts. But at the same time, it feels good to actually be feeling a bit more like me. I know that I've been in a daze since the beginning of December. Maybe the fog is lifting... maybe.