05 July 2008

Have you seen my mojo???

I've totally lost it. Because of my butt pain my training has been sporadic for the last two weeks. I'd have days that were good and days I just couldn't do it. Well, it seems I've now lost it completely. This morning I could have ridden my bike to weigh-in but I opted not to. Then I ended up taking a nap. I did clean the bird cages this afternoon and that is a workout in itself. I was just thinking that I should run in the morning and I have zero desire. What's happened??

The good news was I was down 1.2 lbs at weigh-in. In spite of myself I managed to lose some weight this week.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do but I have to get motivated and get moving again. I can not continue to slack like this. I have to shake it. Maybe I should plan some New York City travel, that should get me moving :)

04 July 2008

Happy Birthday America

232 years later, these are still some of the most powerful words ever written by man. These 56 signers created one of the greatest documents of all times. Do you realize that by them signing this document they were risking their lives? If this independence thing failed, these 56 men would have been hunted down by the British. They would have been hanged until almost dead, then put on a rack where their joints would be popped out. Finally, they would be eviscerated and their intestines removed while they were still alive. That was the punishment in those days for what they were doing. Yet they did it anyway. They had the conviction and bravery to literally put their lives, and the lives of their families, on the line for what they felt was right.

232 years later we have the greatest country on earth. The US does more to help the world than any country in history. We give more money, food, aid to the people of the world than anyone else. We have brought more advancements and technology to the world than any other country. Many of the things we take for granted wouldn't be here if the US didn't exist.

Because of the freedoms granted to us by those incredibly brave 56 men, we can go places and do things that many people of the world can't. We are free to say anything we want about anyone we want, even our government. Many, many people in other countries have died for speaking against their government. We are incredibly lucky to live here. I know how lucky I am, do you??

This country is not perfect. Nothing run by humans will ever be perfect. But of all the choices in the world, this is as close to perfect as you get. I have lots of issues with the people involved in running this country. But, in spite of them, America is the greatest country in the world and I'm proud to be an American. Are you??

Think about this, God is mentioned 4 times in the Declaration. Do you think that would get past the Supreme Court today??

Follow this:
June 7 - a resolution was presented to Congress urging a declaration of independence.
June 11 - a committee is formed to draft the declaration
June 12-27 - Jefferson drafts a declaration and it is reviewed by the committee
June 28 - a copy of the draft is read in Congress
July 1-4 - Congress debates the draft and makes revisions
July 2 - Congress declares Independence
July 4 - The Declaration of Independence is adopted by Congress.

In 27 days, Congress talked about it, wrote a draft, debated it, and passed it. That's amazing. The Congress we have now couldn't get a lunch order together in 27 days. This is what it's like when you have the confidence of your convictions. When you have a moral compass to guide you. And when you have faith and belief in something larger than yourself. These men knew they weren't acting just for themselves but for the future generations of Americans.

03 July 2008

Here come the weekend.....

I love long weekends, I think they all should be at least 3 days. Wait, isn't that in the Declaration of Independence? Life, liberty and the pursuit of 3 day weekends. Oh I get it, you have to pursue them :)

I'm in a cleaning mood so I have a feeling that's what I'll be doing most of the days. I cleaned and reorganized my computer/birdie room and I like it so much I want the rest of the house to look this nice. When I did this room, I found a ton of stuff I want to get rid of, workout tapes/DVD's, books, training stuff, it all goes. I think I'm going to list the stuff on eBay. I was going to do Craigslist but I'm not in the mood to be screwed with; I'll be by at 10; no, I'll be there at 11; can I come tomorrow. Screw that. I'll sell it on eBay, get payment, and ship the bugger out. That's what I'm thinking.

Training has been spotty. Lingering hip pain after the chiro hurt me, has slowed me down some. Also, I've been very, very tired. I'm going to run tomorrow, bike on Saturday, and run on Sunday. It's 2 weeks to Tinman. Woo Hoo!!!

I was looking in the mirror the other morning as I was getting ready for work. I don't wear makeup everyday so I don't always spend time looking in the mirror. I have a lot of wrinkles but I really like the way I look. Is that conceited?? I'm not beautiful, not by a long shot. But my face has lots of character. It gives indication that there's some interesting stories there. So I think I'll pass on the top wrinkle cream and let nature take it's course.

02 July 2008

My car is fixed, my car is fixed.......

{said in a sing-song voice as I do the happy dance} The saga of my car has finally come to an end and I couldn't be happier.

It began months ago with a funny noise under the dash, a hissing if you will. I took it to my local Ford dealership because I really am of the opinion that no one knows your car better than the manufacturer, and up until this point I've had very positive experiences with them. This time was different. I was told that I needed basically an entire new brake system; master cylinder, booster, rear cylinders, pads; to a tune of $1500. Plus, my engine was running a little rough and I needed a tune up for $1100. That's what caught my attention. I might have bought the brake system thing, but a tune up for $1100?!?!?!?! I told them never mind, I'd think about it and picked up the car. Which cost me $400 to tell me I needed $2600 worth of work. Huh!?!??!

Shortly after this I developed a leak in my engine. I took it to my local Midas shop and they were great, fixed the leak and it only cost me $100. I was thrilled. A couple of weeks later I took it back there for a brake inspection. I didn't tell them what Ford had said just asked them to inspect my brakes. Low and behold, nothing was wrong with my brakes. Hmmm.... I don't need new cylinders and pads and everything??? Midas does not do tune up but they recommended a mechanic around the corner. I finally got in to see him today.

I told him I needed a tune-up and he quoted me a price of $250. Huh?!?!?!?! When I dropped it off this morning I made him listen to the hissing noise. He listened and immediately told me what was wrong, I had an air leak in my brake booster. He said he'd check it out and let me know for sure. He also told me I might need a timing chain. When he called me, like 1/2 an hour later, he told me I didn't need a timing chain (yeah) and he could do everything for $700. What?!?!?! I believe, if I'm doing the math right, that's $1900 less then Ford wanted to charge me.

I picked my car up this afternoon and it runs like a top. The hissing noise is gone and it feels like new again. Too bad you can't get term insurance for auto repairs. You have no idea how much I love my car and it's nice to be happy with it again. So I'm doing the happy dance and smiling at my car :)

01 July 2008

The stars are malign......

I really felt like the gods were against me this morning. My alarm went off and I had been sleeping so good I did not want to get up. But after a few minutes I did get up. I made coffee and started getting things together. I had an easy bike ride on the schedule. As I'm putzing around it starts raining. Not sprinkling, a downpour so load I could hardly heard anything. It rained, and rained, and rained. I was a little ticked off because if it had started 5 minutes earlier I could have stayed in bed. As it was I couldn't bike or run and swimming was looking not so good because I didn't want to walk in this downpour outside to the pool. So, against my better judgement, I jumped on the stationary bike. I only rode for 40 minutes as my back was starting to twinge. I really was bummed.

I finally got in to see my chiro today and he worked on my periformis and some other muscle that's further up in the buttock area. He hurt me. He hurt me bad. I really thought I was going to cry. That's the thing about ART. It's unbelievably painful but it really helps in a pretty short amount of time. Definitely worth the pain. I may have to go back again to have it done one more time. I'm looking forward to the :p

Well, I'm off to bed. I'm getting my car tuned up tomorrow so that means dropping the car off at the mechanic and riding my mountain bike to work. That's always fun.

29 June 2008

The good thing about a gain

is that it usually inspires me to really lose the next week. And that is just what's happening. I just got back from grocery shopping and standing in the produce section I looked around and said, 'God, I love summer.' There were so many fruits to chose from I was in heaven. I spent a lot of money on fruit and healthy stuff. I am all ready for next week, I will show a big lose. My goal is 2 lbs and I know I can do it. Exercise, stay within my points, I'll do it. Okay, just had to share.

Seriously, what is wrong with me???

First, yesterday. I ended up riding my bike to WW. I only rode there and back as I wasn't sure how my hip would be. Turns out it was fine and actually felt better then it had in 2 days. I probably could have rode some more but I'm glad I didn't push it.

Weigh in was not great. The scale said I was up a pound. I am not quite buying into it's lies and twisting of the truth though. There are a number of possible reasons why that pound showed up not the least of which the high humidity here that doesn't let my wicking work out clothes wick like they should. Usually after riding there I feel sticky but not sweaty. Yesterday I was sweaty wet. The humidity does allow anything to dry off. So I'm not worried about that pound, it's not real.

Sunday is my run day and I'm up by 6 because of the birds. I know how hot it was yesterday and I know how hot it's supposed to get today. Yet still I sit around till 8 before going on my run. I do this every week. Seriously, what is wrong with me?? If I left earlier it'd be a lot cooler and I wouldn't feel like dying when I got home. I wouldn't end up walking as much because I just can't breath. I can be so slow sometimes (I mean mentally not physically :) I mean it's not like I need a futures broker to see the weather. Or is that a psychic, whatever....

But I did get my run in, about 4.5 miles, with 6 intervals in there. Woo Hoo..... I got the house cleaned and soon a friend and I are supposed to go to see Bodies, the Exhibition. I can't wait.

Conversation with Hubby

 So yesterday morning I presented my idea of working out at home to the Hubby. Once I presented it to him, he said he was in. I told him I h...