Tuesday, August 21, 2012

We Work Out!

Yesterday marked Day 1 of my return to the gym! Those are my gorgeous girls, Morgan in the foreground & Maegan in the background. 
Can I just say that walking into a gym with your almost 16 & 20 year olds can be just a tad intimidating. Neither of them "needs" the gym, and then my middle-aged bod is walking in between them. Getting old sucks a little, that's all.

The last time I set foot in a gym, other than to watch a daughter participate in gymnastics, was over a decade ago. I've done lots of child-lifting, dog-walking, a little running, and lots of general yard/house work since then, but I've noticed a difference in muscle tone these last few years. (Again, the years piling up)

We joined together because generally speaking we travel as a pack. Besides, working out with someone is more fun & more motivating than doing it all by yourself. The plan is to hit the gym twice a week. I figure that's manageable in light of trying to work part time while also homeschooling my 10th grader. Outside of gym time, we're planning to start running regularly.

Maybe putting it down in writing here will make me more accountable? Generally speaking I enjoy exercising. Unfortunately, I'm prone to losing momentum once I hit a speed-bump & feel lazy, like when I get sick or some other unforeseen issues crop up, like my house flooding, or injuring my back, or I woke too late, slept wrong, it's sleeting, to much to do...

On the upside, my bod feels amazingly normal after what probably felt like cruel & unusual punishment to my under-exercised muscles! 

How do you all make time in your busy schedules to do what's good for your bodies? Do you exercise before work, after work, late at night? Our middle-of-the-day plans are unconventional, but since it seems to be what will work for all three of us, we're going with it!





Friday, August 17, 2012

I Blog When the Dog Won't Let Me Sleep...

Poor Smokey has been up four nights in a row needing to "go out" multiple times. But really you all should be saying "poor Denise". There I said it. I'd like a little freakin' sympathy!!

Really I'd like it even better if someone else would occasionally take care of the dang dog's needs! 

To bring the dog "out", I have to navigate through my dark bedroom, through Montie's dark bedroom, down the dimly lit back staircase, use the bathroom, get a drink, pet the cats. traverse the same dark path back up the stairs & through the rooms to deposit Smoke back in his crate in Morgan's room, then go wash my hands from the slobbery lips that just accepted a treat. 

Basically he gets rewarded for waking me up.

The utterly impossible thing about it too is that I'm already prone to insomnia. 




These tendencies only went away while I had three younger kiddos & I was literally up over night for years on end (NO I'm not exaggerating!)

Pile upon my mind's natural inclination to not want to sleep enough for the rest of my bod with some major sadness over losing Montie, and I'd gotten myself into a depressive rut. 

Unisom helped with that... and at least I sleep now. Not a full 7 or 8 hours worth, but enough that I'm not walking around a weepy wreck or like some mega-beotch on a hormonal tirade.

My  natural instinct is to be a night-lurker. I've enjoyed feeling the cool morning seeping through my open back door, hearing nothing but the chirping birds & some underlying insect noise, but I especially like the total quiet of 2am. I speculate this has something to do with my hermit-like, anti-social tendencies, welcoming the hours when no one at all expects me to "do" anything for them. (Dang, that sounds a tad selfish & neurotic??)

Last night, Smokey had me up at 1:30, 5:15, and then at 6am I grabbed a pillow & blanket, threw the back door open & laid down on the couch. I figured I'd sleep with the door hanging open so he could come & go as needed. Not only was the sun was peeking out by then, but no one was going to creep in past my protector. 

To no avail... the birds' songs too exquisite, the unnatural quiet of the house (our bedroom sounds like a wind tunnel between the a/c AND the fan going), the cats going ballistic on the other side of the family room door, and/or my utter irritation at how once I'd come downstairs, Smokey fell asleep on a cushy chair & hasn't moved in 90 minutes have all conspired against me once again & no sleeping has occurred. 


Sunday, August 12, 2012

Quilting the Days Away

Bright Rectangle Top; QUILTED with Maze Meander (freehand)


Red Stars & Blocks Top; QUILTED with Loopy Stars (freehand)

Embroidered Snow People Top; QUILTED SID around blocks and freehand Snowflakes in the border


 Blue, Orange & White Around the World Top; QUILTED with (new pattern) Bubble Meander (freehand)



We're having the most beautiful day here in Lancaster County. The weather couldn't be any better! It's lovely having the backdoor hanging open listening to the birds...