Damage Control

I didn't work out much this past week. Just busy at work. I did STS on M, Walk 3 miles on Tuesday, then nothing util Saturday. I did leg/cardio-I mean the cardio was weighted step ups. Then I walked 3 miles. Today was STS D22, CSB for the second time. I just need to do D24 for the second time and that will complete Meso 2-twice through. It's legs tomorrow and Back/Biceps on Tuesday. I'll start Meso 3 in December.

I'm going to Virginia to visit DS2 for Thanksgiving. The rest of the family is staying here and my SIL is hosting as usual. We all just bring whatever she assigns us and it works out great. I'm hoping to see some of the tourist spots in DC while I'm there.

Oh no, sorry to hear Dan is not well. My MIL has had both knees and both hips replaced. I'm sure he will do great with a hip replacement, as long as he takes his pain meds on schedule! That is great news about Aaron. AI is where you want to be right now. It sounds like he's settled in nicely in his environment and is making time for his hobbies.

ttyl
 
I haven't been able to do much. My youngest cat bit me last weekend and I had to have antibiotics. So my stomach was even more of a mess. I was nauseous and down for most of the week. I'm finally feeling a bit better this morning.

How was your trip to Virginia?! Is DS2 enjoying his life there? It's just 3 weeks until we see Aaron!

We saw the doctor and DH is going to have a guided imagery shot of cortisone put in his hip this Thursday. If it helps, then the hip is the issue. If it doesn't, then the back is the root cause of his pain/weakness. So we will see.

Otherwise, I've been home most of the week and just reading and watching the American Revolution on PBS. Today I'm doing wash, having lunch with a former coworker and her new grandson and might take a walk. Have a good week!

Beth
 
I'm home and back at work. I flew home on Tuesday. It was nice visiting with Zach. We went to the International Spy Museum. It was pretty amazing. I highly recommend visiting if you are ever in DC. He took me to the monument and the White House. It was very cold and the traffic is terrible. He is working from home now and would like to get back to Colorado if possible. We'll see what happens. I did workout in his gym twice while I was there. I did legs one day and bi's/tri's/shoulders and abs another day.
We also watched a lot of movies. It was just nice seeing him.

We got about 5 inches of snow over the last 2 days. I did shovel max yesterday as well as a full body circuit. I needed some cardio after being on such a long flight. Today I will start STS Meso 3 UB.

You two are not doing so well this past week. Hopefully the shot helps Dan and you are done with the antibiotics. Will you be CA for Christmas?

ttyl
 
Sounds like a real nice trip with Zach! I have never been to the International Spy Museum-didn't know there was one. I have read a lot of books about spies and if we do ever get to DC will check it out!

I feel like I'm finally getting back to some kind of balance. I've slept well the past two nights and the GI stuff is easing up. Dan got the shot and feels like it worked some. He's developed some new stiffness in his bad leg so it's day by day.

We are going to CA for Christmas! We leave the 24th (6 AM of course since we only have two flights a day from the local (hour away) airport. We get to CA at 3 PM their time...so it always takes 12 hours to get there. It will be great though. It's nice we can stay at Aaron's and spend our hotel money on food and activities with him. We're planning on a show, Disneyland, Christmas brunch, and games so far. One of our traditions is now taking a new game out to play. This year it's Ticket to Ride. Do you know it? Last year was Code Names-very fun-we played it with our niece one year at Thanksgiving and Aaron had played it before, but didn't have it at his place so now he does! I'm getting very excited!

Yesterday my cousin came to visit. She's my mom's sister's daughter and ironically was estranged from her mom for decades. We talked a lot about the two of them and I learned a lot of family lore. It's a lot to process. It felt good to talk about it all with her. We are going to keep in contact now and I feel like it's very easy to talk to her and am glad about it.

Workoutwise-I did do legs yesterday. I did 10 minutes of squats with the weight vest on to warm up. Then a 30 minute lower body ankle weight workout for my glutes and legs. I finished with 10 minutes of abs. Today is upper body and probably a 30 minute indoor bike or indoor walking workout from youtube. I always start with weights now and if I'm up to then I add on cardio. I figure that's better for my bones.

We got some snow on Tuesday as well. Not enough to really shovel, but it's still on the ground since it's been frigid here.

How is your weekend going? We are watching soccer and doing house chores in between.

Beth
 
Wow, I didn't know you were going for Christmas. That sounds wonderful! I'm not familiar with those games but will check them out. The girls like to play a lot games. I'm so glad to hear you can talk to your cousin. Interesting that her relationship with her mom is similar to yours. Glad you and Dan are starting to feel better.

I'm on the last day of a 3 day juice cleanse. I feel pretty good. I wasn't able to start STS Meso 3 yet. I did go down to start it and got my weights and squat rack all set up but then my sister called. I shouldn't have taken the call. Anyway, I talked to her for way too long and didn't have time for my workout-that was on Wednesday. Thursday I shoveled snow, oh and also ended up working until 3am on Friday morning. I did have to work 1/2 day on Friday. I finally did a cardio/legs on Saturday and another cardio/weight circuit today. My weights are set up for meso 3 Chest and Back for tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes.

I did the grocery shopping yesterday, so just paying bills and filing going on today. DH's cousin is here for the Bronco game. The girls are just lazing in their rooms. Overall it's been a pretty relaxing weekend.

ttyl
 
Where did the week go?! How are you? Have you gotten more snow? We're doing fine. The shot did not work in DH's hip. So we go back to the doctor early January to see what's next. What a runaround the system has become. So many specialists. January at work will be interesting to see what happens with health care. I think a lot of our population will just forego paying for insurance and use the emergency room. There's a lot of people living on social security around here.

I've been mostly doing weights and some indoor cardio. I found some indoor walking type workouts that at least get the blood moving. Have you started Meso 3? I don't think I could do such long workouts anymore. Maybe when I retire!

Today is finish Christmas shopping and my office party.

Off to the pool first though-I need to stretch out and sit in the sauna for a while.

Have a great week!

Beth
 
No more snow here. It's been dry, windy and in the 60's. They are actually doing power outages due to the winds. Thankfully where I live our power lines are buried.

I hear ya on the medical front. I'm still trying to get an appt with an ENT for my chronic ear pressure and stuffy nose. Everything is just becoming more expensive. The stock market is not doing well. It seems we are in a pay more and get less time. I hope it passes quickly.

I finally started Meso 3 and have completed the first week twice. I had forgotten how long the workouts were in Meso 3. Today should be glutes, but I got pellets yesterday and have to wait a few days before I can do that. We don't want the pellets shifting and want the incision to heal. I've been going pretty heavy on legs/glutes using the other platform. Using my weights as written from STS log. Doing pretty well overall. Not sure I mentioned I started taking creatine a couple months ago.

If we are keeping active, that is all that matters. I don't think we need the intense cardio and killing ourselves with our workouts. Weight training, yoga, meditation, walking should be our primary exercise at our stage of life-IMO.

My last day of work is Dec 22nd, then we have Holiday Shutdown until January. I'm so excited to have all this time off.

I'm heading out to get a hydra-facial!

ttyl
 
Have a great extended vacation! We're heading to California tomorrow so have been busy getting ready. DH is super anxious about the trip-his limp/pain from his back/leg is not good. He's signed up for an MRI of his back in mid December which will hopefully show what the trouble is and we can figure out what to do about it.

Talk to you next week!

Merry Christmas!

Beth
 
I am enjoying my time off. I haven't logged into work or even my work cell phone. It is so nice. I'm probably not being as productive as I should be.

My workouts have been pretty consistent. There are 4 discs left for me to finish this mesocycle. Since I do them twice through, it's 8 workouts. It's likely I may have one or two more workouts to get done after I go back to work. I'll take it. I can't remember the last time I did STS all the way through.

It's nice and quiet here with the girls in Oregon. It makes me look forward to having some quiet time when they are off to college. Although it sounds like one of them has changed her mind and may be looking into getting her real estate license instead. Who really knows what they want to do when they get out of high school. The other is definitely going into nursing. She will be getting her CNA this next semester.

Hopefully Dan is doing okay and not in too much pain. Hope you are enjoying time with your son.

ttyl
 
Well I think not being productive at work is just what you need for a bit. Glad you can unplug and relax with Meso 3! Congrats on finishing it!

I haven't worked out since last Tuesday. We had a great visit with Aaron. The best part was just hanging out with him. We played some games, watched soccer and Bobby Flay, experienced Disneyland and saw a play.

Travel home was arduous, but we made it. There was a lot of wind and snow and lots of delays. Yesterday was the first time I was able to take off the day after we got back off and I slept until noon! Today is back to work. I'm planning on a total body tomorrow to get back in the swing of working out as opposed to just stretching.

Happy New Year!

Beth
 
I'm glad you had this time with Aaron. Traveling during the holidays is always challenging. I remember going to Disneyland when we lived in CA. My Dad's company picnics etc were at Disney.

It's nice and quiet here and I'm really enjoying it. We don't do anything special for NYE. We just watched a movie and went to bed at our normal time. Of course we woke up to all the fireworks, but that's okay. I'm dreading going back to work on Monday. I'm trying to plan a few trips this year to help me stay motivated. I already have our trip to Sedona, and our week in the mountains. I would like to take the girls on a trip after their graduation.

I've been dealing with stomach pain for the past 3 days or so and have started taking that nasty medication. I do have a follow up the first week of January with the gastroenterologist. I'm hoping it's just lingering effects from having my gallbladder removed. I didn't workout on Tuesday because I felt so sick. I cancelled my hair appt and also a lunch date planned for Thursday with a former coworker. It's starting to feel better, but not yet 100%. I go between worrying there is something really bad wrong with me to just thinking this pain/sickness will pass soon.

I'm still finishing up STS and am enjoying the results. I've been lifting weights mid morning, having a protein snack/lunch and then go walk around the lakes. The temps have been in mid 50's to mid 60's here and it is perfect for walking. I need to figure out what I want to do when this is over.

I listened to an audiobook called Your family doesn't want your shit. The narrator is pretty funny. It's basically about swedish death cleaning and why you should take care of all your stuff now. I'm guilty of having an over-abundance of stuff.

I will be cleaning my office today. It has gotten out of hand and it needs to be dealt with. It's the catch all room and mostly I don't mind. Clear the clutter, clear the mind!

ttyl
 
Well I was feeling pretty horrible so I didn't workout yesterday. Today I did heavy legs, and I can tell. My legs are already sore and will probably be much worse tomorrow. Tomorrow is back to STS, hope to finish that up this week.

Tomorrow is back to work for me. I've enjoyed my almost 2 weeks off. It will be a rude awakening waking up to an alarm again. DH and I are usually up between 5 and 7 anyway. It has been nice sleeping in a bit and just waking up naturally.

How was your weekend?

ttyl
 
I finally got back to working out! Thursday I did total body and am still feeling the after effects in my legs. Saturday I did a heavy upper body and Sunday was cardio and abs. Today I plan on a lower body and then maybe pool. I've got to start doing something on either Tuesday or Wednesday to get 5 days a week in. I might take a walk today. The high is supposed to be 32. We just have lingering snow and more expected today. I read where walking in cold weather makes you shiver and helps burn brown fat. I'm sure I have plenty of that in my abdomen so might try incorporating 20 minute walks in the streets.

DH is still sick. He's nervous about what we will find out at the MRI on the 15th. We played cards, watched a lot of soccer, and worked around the house this weekend.

Hope you have a decent first day back to work. Keep working out for your stress!

Beth
 
I had a dr. appt Tuesday and Dentist on Thursday. These appointments interfere with my workouts. I did workout Monday and Friday and walked on Wednesday. Yesterday was STS D33, Shoulders/bi's/tris. Tomorrow will be disc 34 C&B. Honestly, the chest and back workout is a struggle to get through with the long rest periods etc. I know they are needed, just wanting to be done with this rotation. Today I did a cardio/legs workout. I've been trying to add a few minutes of abs to each workout. I need to figure out what I want to do next.

Today I met an old coworker for lunch. It was nice to get out. Then I walked around Target and picked up our prescriptions. It's pretty low key day.

The big new here is that DS1 has a contract on a Townhouse for him and the girls. DH and I are helping with the downpayment. If all goes well, he should close next month. The price has dropped 75K since last summer and it is now in his price range. I foresee our grocery bill going down a fair amount!

I'm hoping this is a great year for the stock market. Work is a real struggle and I'm trying to hold on as long as possible.

How was your week? Anything exciting going on?
 
I did disc 34, Chest & Back this morning. Feeling pretty accomplished.
85# for bench press, incline bench press, underhand rows and deadlifts
38# for bench fly, incline fly
40# for both single arm row variations.

After lunch I went for a 3 mile walk. We started ordering our groceries online and having them delivered. I usually enjoy going to the grocery story, but I earn more travel points for grocery shopping online. The order I put in today will be delivered tomorrow morning between 6-7 am.

I'm charging my work cell. I'm on call starting at midnight.

Hope everything is okay with you and your family.

Take care.
 
Hi! I feel like the last two weeks have flown by. I can not get a grip on things. I haven't worked out since Monday in the pool. You are rocking those heavy upper body weights! I'm lucky to use two 20's for chest press.

DH is making the rounds for his leg weakness. He had an MRI Thursday and even though it is moderate to severe stenosis in one area of his back his doctor wants him to see pain management because surgeons like to try shots before surgery. What a run around. He's going to talk to out physical therapist and see what he recommends. We have an appointment anyway with Pain Management to see what they say. So Thursday was just travel and cards.

I've been a bit down from the cold. This is the first year I can not get warm unless I'm in bed. Even at work it's cold. I just feel worn out. I've been going to bed early and not wanting to get up until the last minute for work.

I took next Friday off and a Friday in February and March to try to get a grip on the house and everything. DH is not able to do what he used to as much so things are slowly building up that need to be done. I started with one area and cleaned it well on Monday and hope to do just one area every day I'm off. Today my goal is a corner cupboard.

Otherwise, just wash and the usual weekend activities-soccer of course!

I am so looking forward to our vacation! I really hope it's warm!

Have a relaxing weekend. A lot of people at work do the grocery store pick up/delivery too. I have never tried it. Maybe some day!

Beth
 
I really enjoy my workouts, but working is getting old. I feel you on that front. I actually bought myself a heated blanket to use when I'm watching tv in my recliner. Have you considered getting one of those? Also, with Dan being under the weather/injured you might want to splurge on having someone clean your house monthly or get you son to do it or at least help out with it. You may find it to be worth it. Have you run the numbers, is it possible for you to consider retiring? We only have such a short time, it shouldn't be stressful all the time.

Today was D3 C&B the 2nd time through. Only disc 36 to go and I can call this STS rotation complete. I'm only this strong from months of STS and only doing 6-8 reps in Meso 3. Not sure what rotation or w/o's I'll do next. The other platform has a new challenge starting on the 20th I think. I'll have to see if I'm interested in it.

This is my third time ordering and having groceries delivered. Honestly, I'm saving money by doing this. I could save the $3 delivery fee if I went and picked it up. If I have to drive there, I may as well do my own shopping.

Off to go for a walk while it's nice out. It's a bit breezy and I may need my ear muffs, but the sun is shining!

ttyl
 
Well, there's been turmoil because DH wants to go on Medicare so he has more options for providers. I am really against paying for his Part B,C and D for the next year while he is also paying for them for Medicare. I have him waiting until at least we see Pain Management on the 30th. So I told him I could just retire now so we wouldn't have to pay for both. We'll see.

I've been majorly decluttering the past few days. It feels so good! I've been listening to Simple Happy Zen on you tube and she has tons of decluttering videos. She has some good thoughts about reasoning how to part with things. I've been using: is this object part of my real life or some fantasy version of myself? So gone is the Sake and tumbler set we have had forever and never used. It's a fantasy version of sitting around having Sake with people-never happening and I don't even know if I would like Sake. I can't drink much now with my GERD anyway.

It's going to take a while to go through things, but it's got me motivated to do something. I also did heavy legs Saturday, heavy upper Sunday, and pool today. I've decided to just pack my pool bag Wednesday and take it with me to work. After work, I'll go to the pool! Then Thursday I can do a total body and just repeat until I get tired of this schedule or we have to go somewhere and I get thrown off track. I really need to do more since I'm not able to walk to work.

Off to get my wash away and figure out dinner.

Have a great week!

Beth
 
I think going on medicare is considered a qualifying event. This usually means you can remove him from your insurance so you are not double paying. It may be worthwhile talking to your benefits folks. Perhaps the savings from carrying him on your insurance will offset the premium cost for his medicare. Something to think about. What would you use for insurance if you retire? That is one reason I keep working is to max out my 401k, HSA, and cover our health care expenses. It's just not in our budget for me to retire this early. Some days I wish it was though.

Thanks for the youtube recommendation. I've been listening to Gabe Bult on spotify, he also has a youtube channel. He also has some good tips on living minimalist, saving money, growing wealth, doing things you actually enjoy doing. Of course he's young and started his journey with house hacking and now has rentals. I need someone sho takes on this lifestyle on at our age.

Are you selling things or just donating them? Sometimes I wish I could get some money back for some of the things we have, other times I just donate to get rid of stuff. We have a neighborhood facebook group called Buy Nothing. There may be one in your area. I use it to donate household stuff that somebody else could use. I feel good about giving things to someone who can use it.

I've did a full body circuit yesterday and this morning. It is a lot more cardio than I've been doing the past few months with STS. I still have one more disc to finish up STS. CSB is planned for Friday. I'll probably stick with this circuit rotation for a couple weeks while I figure out what to do next. It's nice getting in some cardio. It's been too cold here to walk this past week.

The builders in the new section of my development are having a grand opening this weekend. The girls and I plan on walking through all the models. They have single homes, duplexes and townhomes. They are smaller and cost more than what we paid. I'm glad I'm not in the market for a new house. I'm still keeping my eye out for a piece of land to build on though.

ttyl
 
I just finished STS! I've had great results but am ready to move on to other workouts.

We are just staying home this weekend with this crazy storm. We are only expecting 2" to 5" of snow, nothing what the east is expecting. Stay safe and warm.

ttyl
 
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