Lurker Invitations July Check-In

[janiejoey]

Janie you and I should have chatted on line last night as I wasn't sleeping either! I went to bed earlier than I have since I have been here and fell right to sleep, but I was woken up by another guest who is staying here at my In-laws house and couldn't go back to sleep until sometime after 5am. Yikes! Of course this morning my In-laws had a meeting early so I had to get up to make breakfast. I also have my girls and their cousin, my niece, to look after all day. We leave tomorrow so have lots of laundry to do, packing, and cleaning up the house from our stay. I am debating working out but don't think I will, feeling so run down from not sleeping that I am afraid I might over do it. If I get up early enough tomorrow I can sneak in a workout before I have to leave for the airport. Since I was planning on tomorrow being a rest day it would even itself out. Plus I am pretty happy with myself for working out as much as I have for being on vacation. I used to not workout at all so I guess it really has become a lifestyle shift for me. I haven't mentioned how many compliments I have gotten by everyone and the last time they saw me was in December so I really am making progress. Still have 20 more pounds to go though.

Power Yoga is great it is a hard DVD and I am surprised how sore my obliques are today! I have been doing all this kick boxing and that Turbo Sculpt and never had DOMS once and I do what I think is an easy day of Yoga and it wiped my out and now I have serious DOMS!! Makes me want to do a lot more Yoga that's for sure.

Laura, Sounds like a very busy time for you, that your body just couldn't keep up. Don't worry about working out until you feel like it, get some much needed rest, then get back in a routine. Your lifestyle shift is now ingrained/set in your brain. So an active rest week might be needed. Those compliments are priceless aren't they? Good for you! Truly, your body needed that yoga. We all need to stretch in some form to elongate them.

Hi all,

Have a very few minutes between meetings and - more meetings, and then dinner and then workout tonight. Maybe workout then dinner, actually. And yes, it is 6pm on the east coast

But I did want to say HI. I've skimmed a few posts, but will have to run before I can say much besides:

Janie, do take care of yourself and your breathing!!!

Oops, knock at the door - 'bye all!

Deborah, How do you do it all? Wow, is all I can say. You even have time for your friends here. You never seize to amaze me, so glad you are here. I will try to get an appt. to see what this breathing thing means, but first I leave tomorrow for a wedding in Tonaskit (a small town close to the boarder of Canada) then to visit my sipplings. I miss them so, want to talk to them one on one.


Today will be packing day, to go to a wedding and visit my siblings. Should be gone for 7-8 days. Don't know if I will have access to a computer or not. If you don't hear from me that will be why.

I'm going to miss you guys.

I'll be here today and will check on the thread later this evening. Take care and have a great week with all your exercises.

Janie

 

[MDolfiniReed]

Didn't have a chance to check-in yesterday. Did Rhythmic Step which is one of my favorites. Then was at Quantico all day, came home, packed up, and headed back to the boat for the next few days.

My hair came out fine. Color and cut--same thing, every 10 weeks. I've been going to the same hairstylist since the fall of 1984! She's just a few years older than I am but one of these days, she is going to retire and I'm going to be miserable. Every once in a while someone else in her salon has to do my hair and I hate it. When someone has been handling your head for 25 years, you really get used to them.

Janie and Laura: what's up with the sleeplessness? How strange. It's like your biorhythms are in sinc. Janie, it almost sounds like you had a panic attack. And Laura, it does sound like you are just too busy. I sleep like a log--my head hits the pillow and I'm asleep usually for 8 hours straight. I really think the exercise helps improve your sleep patterns.

Janie: hmmm, I know you're not feeling great but don't fall off the exercise wagon for too long. You've been doing so well.

Shadowpup: hope you had a good trip to the east coast. Where are you now?

Shoegal: hope things are stabilizing/getting better for your dad. Hugs to you.

More later after I exercise today.
~michelle

 

[MDolfiniReed]

Just got the workout done: upper body scuplt, lower body sculpt, and stability ball abs from the BS/BF dvd. It's more of a muscle memory workout, but its good for on the boat. Doesn't take much room or equipment.

We've got beautiful weather here at Solomons, MD. I don't know if it will be a pool day or a dinghy day--maybe a little of both. Looking forward to doing not much of anything today but relaxing.

Hope everyone has a great day.
~michelle

 

[Shadowpup]

Good morning all - I'm back!

Didn't have a chance to check-in yesterday. Did Rhythmic Step which is one of my favorites. Then was at Quantico all day, came home, packed up, and headed back to the boat for the next few days.

My hair came out fine. Color and cut--same thing, every 10 weeks. I've been going to the same hairstylist since the fall of 1984! She's just a few years older than I am but one of these days, she is going to retire and I'm going to be miserable. Every once in a while someone else in her salon has to do my hair and I hate it. When someone has been handling your head for 25 years, you really get used to them.



Shadowpup: hope you had a good trip to the east coast. Where are you now?

~michelle

Michelle, it was a good trip east. Very productive. Also very hot. I Now I am in northern Idaho but my body isn't sure where it is. That was four different states and three time zones, including home, in six days. A little much. Did you end up boating or ... ?

Rhythmic step - people keep mentioning that one as being a lot of fun.

It's great you've found someone to trust with your hair. I'm both slow about going in, and never seem to be able to find a consistent person ... probably why I haven't attempted coloring ... Sounds like you have the ideal situation

Janie, if you're reading this, I hope you're having a terrific time with your sibs, and that the breathing situation has calmed down to normal, along with your sleep. Do you think there is any tie to the medication you are taking for GERD? Your doc might want to know.

Laura, Colorado was very pleasant while I was there. I enjoyed seeing that big blue mustang statue, too, though it's really something you only glimpse. Denver is a nice city: I felt very safe walking through it, and picked up a lovely glass artwork window picture for my husband in your downtown area.

Ironlady, I hope all is well.

And Shoegal - thinking of you, and your family, sending best wishes your way.

 

[ladubose]

So been out for a few days. Got off track the last few days of vacation, but overall I did ok. I got home late Thursday night and while we were greeting our Great Pyrenees puppy in the yard she started to bark and ran off after a GIANT bear that was in our yard!! We had not seen the bear before and we are lucky Maggie was there. She chased the bear back into the woods barking the whole way. Welcome back to Colorado!

Yesterday I did Push Pull from the Body Blast series as an easier whole body workout. And man did I feel the altitude! I was huffing and puffing on those leg presses way more than usual. It takes me a few days to get back up to speed up here at 9,600 feet.

I have Legs & Glutes on the calendar for today but I don't know if I will get time to do it. My DH made plans for us to go to Aspen for the weekend so I have a ton of things to do before we leave this afternoon. It will be a fun trip, we are visiting an old friend of ours, but it does put a kink in my workout plans!!

 

[Shadowpup]

It certainly was a nice weekend. Rather than harvesting hay, I focused on cherries and raspberries. There are gallons of cherries (literally) and the raspberries are coming on strong. It is much easier and much more fun to harvest fruit Next up, gooseberries. I need to figure out how to make a gooseberry pie with them.

I did mostly hiking yesterday as my active rest day. Back to STS Week 2 Legs, with some yoga thrown in today. Horse riding yesterday and today. We're having a gorgeous thunderstorm right now, which is making the temperatures much nicer than they've been.

So been out for a few days. Got off track the last few days of vacation, but overall I did ok. I got home late Thursday night and while we were greeting our Great Pyrenees puppy in the yard she started to bark and ran off after a GIANT bear that was in our yard!! We had not seen the bear before and we are lucky Maggie was there. She chased the bear back into the woods barking the whole way. Welcome back to Colorado!

Laura, I like wildlife as much as most people - but I would draw the line at a GIANT BEAR in the yard!!! It's no wonder you chose a Great Pyranees. Maggie is a good, brave girl. And you are also brave, to stick around! I did enjoy seeing Colorado but Denver didn't have any bears

Janie, I hope you're enjoying your siblings Drop in if you can, but mainly this is your family time. You deserve a rest - it has been very stressful lately, with one thing or another.

Ironlady, Michelle, hope you're having a great weekend!

 

[MDolfiniReed]

Hi everybody. Had a nice weekend. Took a break from exercising. I just can't get as motivated to exercise when we start getting into the hot and humid days here in the mid-atlantic.

Today, we came back home from the boat; did slow and heavy legs and shoulders. I've gone up on most of my weights for this routine as well, but those shoulder presses at the end are hard. I started with 10 pound dumb bells for the first set, went up to 12 pounds, and then back down to 10. I probably should try the first set with 12 and then use 10 pounders on the second. Live and learn.

Tomorrow is a cardio day and then Chelsea and I and one of my lady friends and her son are going up to Arlington National Cemetary, then over to the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial. We'll see if our legs can go much further after that.

Shadowpup: good to have you back. All that fresh fruit. My husband would be in 7th heaven.

Laura: I'm not sure I'd be too happy about a big black bear in my backyard. That would be a little too much nature for me.

Janie: hope you are enjoying your visit with your family.

Shoegal: best wishes to you and your family. Hang in there.

~michelle

 

[ironlady]

Oh goodness, where does the time go? A week has gone by and I haven't checked in!

Shoe gal, prayers still for you and your family! (((((HUGS)))))

Michelle, the official rotation calls for much higher intensity cardio than I feel I can do without totally wearing myself out!!! So, I do what I can handle when I don't feel I can handle any of the I-Max workouts. Or any 70+ minute ones. Am in my rest week between Meso's now so will be upping the cardio.

Janie, hope you are feeling 100% now and had a really great time!

Shadowpup, I am one of the one that loves Rythmic Step!!! Wow, 4 states, 3 time zones in 6 days! That would be rough! Glad your trip was a success!

Laura, you sure make me want to get some Yoga DVD's! Great job on working out on vacation!!!!

Seems like everyone is just busy, busy these days!

One of the ladies at work brought me flowers today....she almost cried when she gave them to me.... just couldn't believe I would pray for her and her family after the way she treated me when I came to work. On Friday, she received a call... her brother who is in a wheelchair had fallen down a flight of stairs chair and all! Quite upsetting for her and her family. Just didn't hesitate... prayer is my first answer when someone is hurting. Anyway, I thought it was very nice of her to think of me!

Hello to everyone else!

 

[Shadowpup]

Hi all,

Shoegal, hope you're hanging in there. Many hugs and prayers to you ...

Ironlady, nice to have you checking in! All of this talk about Rhythmic step is getting my buy-it-now trigger feeling antsy ... BTW, clearly your coworkers and family are lucky to have you. It's amazing how many punches you're able to roll with, and still act in such positive ways. Enjoy those flowers: symbols of life and beauty as they are. It's neat that your coworker valued your support. Her poor brother ...

Michelle, you will have Chelsea in such good shape, her parents won't recognize her! What a wonderful trip. I'll be in DC on - I think it's Thursday. I'll think of you both as I pass the monuments. The Vietnam Memorial always gets me, as does Lincoln. And, I hear you on the humidity. But don't you think it is also going up in weights? I also find that tires me, even more than an intense cardio. Must be the need to rebuild muscle. We're both doing about the same on shoulders. I find them quite challenging, and go up only in small increments, using gloves and plate mates.

Janie, Hi to you with your family if you pop in.

Laura, hope you're enjoying the day!



Good workouts yesterday and today. STS Meso 2 Week 2 Legs yesterday, to finish off the one I postponed during hay season. And, Week 3 Chest Shoulders Triceps today. I *absolutely love* my new bench. It makes a huge difference - so easy to go to an incline, the seat is comfortable and easy to shift, and it just feels so much more stable.

And ... tomorrow, more travel. At least it is all within the same time zone and only three days with no airports. I'm finding that I'd really rather drive for three and a half hours than take a plane *anywhere*. Back very late Thursday night, and home until oh-dark-hundred on Sunday, when I get another two timezone trip. But, it is not three time zones

 

[ladubose]

Hi everyone, I have been MIA again!!! My husband told me on Thursday of last week when he picked me up from my 11 day trip to Atlanta that he made plans for us to to Aspen on Saturday morning for 4 days to help an old friend of ours move! So quick turn around, basically enough time to unpack and repack and off to Aspen we went. What a total mess the place was! I really can't believe the way some people live, the time was not very productive because they were in no shape or form ready to move! I ended up watching my kids and their kids most the time,but still couldn't help pitching in with the cleaning. I just can't sit still when a place is a disaster, so the time was frustrating for me because I wanted to be at home cleaning my own home and secondly because I couldn't really get my workouts in and I was so ready to get back at it. I did manage to squeeze in 2 short 30 minute jogs and one Pilates DVD but that was it!


Anyway I just finished Cardio & Weights and loved getting back to Cathe!!! I really felt that workout, and sweat bucks! It was exactly what I have been missing!

Nice to hear from you Iron Lady! That is so nice of your co-worker and so sad about her brother!

Welcome home Shadowpup! You really are on the move, do you ever have trouble sleeping with changing time zones so frequently? Sounds like some great workouts!

Michelle: I hear you about the humidity! I get so lethargic when it is really hot and sticky! Shoulders are tough for me to and it is hard to jump up 5 lbs all at once. I like the idea of adding those magnets I still haven't bought any, but like the idea of them none-the-less/

Hi Janie! Hope you are enjoying your family!

Shoegal thinking of you and hope things are ok.

 

[MDolfiniReed]

Good morning everybody. Been kind of busy and didn't get a chance to check in yesterday. I did S&H triceps and biceps yesterday and I'm feeling my triceps pretty good today. Triceps and biceps seem to be just as hard for me as shoulders, particularly those biceps. I went up small weight amounts from triceps and I pushed to do my first set of bicep curls using 12 pound dumb bells then went down to 10. Next week, my plan is to do the first set of bicep curls and hammer curls using 12 pounds and see how that goes. I really need to invest in some of those magnets to help increase the weight amounts more slowly.

Chelsea went back home yesterday so we are back to normal in our household: Just me, Joe and Ripken. And it's back to work for me which is fine too.

Laura: nice of you guys to help your friends with their move. Too bad not much was accomplished. But at least you got to visit with them, right?

Shadowpup: so it's me and Ironlady who are RS fans. It really is a fun workout. Reminds me of Step Blast, if you have that one.

Ironlady: I think that as long as you are working out and doing something it is okay. Better than doing nothing at all, that's for sure. It sounds like you and your coworker have moved on to a better place in your relationship. Good for you taking that first step of compassion.

Hope everyone has a great day.
~michelle

 

[ladubose]

Hi! Just checking in, I taught my Pilates class this morning which was nice to get back to work. Then I came home and cleaned my house and continued to get things back to order from being gone for so long. I just finished the GS Back, Shoulders., & Biceps. Man it was tough! I feel like I have lost some of my strength from my break from heavy weight lifting, but hopefully it will come back quickly. I had set up a rotation for when I got back that is a GS rotation from one of the rotations on the workout manager, and it had 30 minutes of cardio scheduled today as well. I almost did not do it, still tired from travels, but decided to stick to the plan. Especially since I missed to scheduled workouts from the trip to Aspen. So I ended up doing the cardio only premix from Cardio & Weights. Mostly because I did that workout yesterday so the step choreography would still be fresh in my mind. It was fun. It is another great 30 minute step routine that I should reach for more often in addition to the 2 on the 4DS series. I like having shorter step routines to do from time to time. The only complaint I have for that premix is that is absolutely no cool down.

Michelle: I wish I could do the slow & heavy series just once to check it out. You seem to like that series and rotate through it often. I don't think I will actually get it, because I am still hoping for STS for Christmas. That plus the Shock Cardio and the Insanity series will pretty much break the bank for awhile! Isn't it nice to be home? I am enjoying it immensely.

Hi to everyone else, check in when things settle down! We miss you...

 

[Shadowpup]

Hi all!

I came back late yesterday, and don't head out again til Sunday. Laura, I agree - it's wonderful to spend time at home! This is another of those intense travel periods, but at least next week it is only two states. I'll be in California and then very briefly in DC. There will be a little extra time in CA so as to visit family, though, which is nice. I'll be able to have dinner with both my mom and my dad (divorced, remarried, so that means two dinners different days).

Laura, I bet your students missed you! GS is one terrific workout. I used to do the GS upper body pair plus Meaner Legs and maybe BG as my strength workout for non-travel weeks - and then do pyramids if I was only home for the weekend. Love those shorter and intense options. I don't think Cardio/Weights is in my library ... Did you end up getting Insanity? I keep looking at it, then realizing I have P90X and CLX to do before starting another series. And my own fitness budget needs to build back up anyway

Michelle, I don't think I have Step Blast either!!!! My step library is not as complete as the weight side. Something to do with having two left feet

I've got a pair of those little magnets, and I use them - but they are not secure enough for the neoprene weights I use for shoulders and such. They are terrific on my hex dumbbells, though! In the middle of Meso 2, Cathe does a series of triple pyramids (she doesn't call it that but I've forgotten her phrase). The magnets let me go up from 20 to 22 to 25, and then 22/25/27 very easily, so it's worth having them. But there are other ways to get the same effect for far less money. Once I wrapped ankle weights around the neoprene handles of my pair of 8s - that worked pretty well, and was a nice increment for the shoulders. Also, I love using weighted gloves for one pound increments! Between a weighted glove and the ankle weight, I can add one, two, or three pounds to almost anything. It's really helping my shoulder work.

 

[MDolfiniReed]

Hi ladies,
First, the good news: I don't have breast cancer. Had to go back for a second mammo last week and they decided that they wanted to do a biopsy on one set of microcalcifications. Had that done on Wednesday morning of this week. I knew I wouldn't be able to exercise for a couple of days, particularly weights, so that was why I did S&H triceps and biceps on Wednesday morning.

Got the results today and it is good news. Everything is normal. Not being able to do any cardio or weights for a couple of days has been the only down-side. But I'm thinking I can give a light workout a try tomorrow--maybe Step Jam. Nothing too intensely bouncy if you know what I mean.

DH and I also managed to forget our anniversary yesterday--17 years. We'll do something to celebrate this weekend. We're actually staying home this weekend. Joe is driving back from attending his uncle's funeral in WVA today. We feel like we just need a few days to chill out at home.

Shadowpup: do you recall where you purchased your weight magnets. Online or at a store? No Insanity here--yet. C&W is fun too. Love that Buttercup song.

Laura: last month I did the GS workouts, this month is S&H. And I'm thinking August might be 4 Day Split month for me. Cathe seems to do some pretty intense weight work on those. I'm trying to work up to being ready to take on STS on January 1st.

Hi to Janie, Shoegal, and Ironlady. Shoegal--sending good thoughts and prayers your way.
~michelle

 

[Shoegal]

Hello Ladies -

Finally checking in

My Father passed away on July 10, 2009 - at 7pm. After a time the doctors said that he was about as good as he was going to get. He was completely on the respirator - we had started dialysis and my Mother had decided that she did not want to put my Dad through the operation. The surgeons weren't sure he would even make it through. So we all were there - my 2 brothers and my 2 sisters and my mother, my uncle - (My Father's Brother) and my Aunt Paulette (My Mother's Sister), my DH and my sister in law and brother in law and we turned off all of the artificial life support. He went quickly and with all of us around. It was very intense - it was enlightening actually - a million thoughts raced through my head and I realized some things. I will miss him very very much - I know now that he did the very best that he could for his family - he always put that first - and I loved him for it.

He had a wonderful funeral. He was a paratropper and he always wanted to be buried in his uniform. He looked wonderful in it - very handsome. So many people came - so many people we hadn't seen in forever - my Dad would have absolutely loved that. He had a military funeral and was buried at the National Cementary of the Alleghenies. My nephew, Daniel - played taps on his trumput - they presented my Mother with the flag that was draped on his casket and fired 3 shots from 3 M16s - it was so beautiful - everything - again my Father would have adored it. So now he is at peace and finally at rest.

I think now - I will be able to return to my normal routine - and there will be some comfort in that. I haven't worked out in forever - and gave myself the freedom to eat whatever - you would not believe the amount of food people give you at a time like this and they don't have my personal diet in mind either. So there were plenty of cookies - and I ate them - cake - sure, ate that too. Decided that today - I should step on the scale and face the music. I actually lost 2 pounds - I stepped on the scale a second time because - I thought that couldn't be right. Again - 2 lbs down. Wow. So now I'm trying to get back to normal. My DH has been patient - and we really haven't seen too much of each other and I miss him too.

Thank you - all of you - for keeping me & my family in mind. All of the good thought and prayers - I am very appreciative. I haven't read all the posts all the way through - so I need to catch up but hello out there to everyone.

 

[ladubose]

Oh Shoegal I am so very very sorry for your loss. I lost my father several years ago and it is still so hard for me, I still miss him so much....reading your post brought tears to my eyes. The funeral did sound so lovely, and I am glad that so many of your father's loved ones could be with him at the very end. That is special and sad and beautiful...my thoughts are still with you and remember to continue to be gentle with your self. The grief stages come in waves and often triggered by unexpected things.


It seems trite to post my workout after such profound loss....I rode my Mtn bike for an hour today in Boulder while the girls were tutored. I than checked the workout manager and saw that GS C&T was scheduled today. I warred with myself again about wether or not to do it and finally dragged my lazy butt up to the yurt and got through it. I was not peppy at all but did manage to do all of it all though I was half hearted about it. I really do want to do this rotation as closely as I can. It is the GS and Muscle Max rotation by Laughing Water.

Shadowpup: I forgot to tell you that my girls love that blue mustang at DIA! They always comment about it when we travel. Denver is a nice city, it does have a very safe feeling about it. I really like the GS and the Pyramids to, they are my favorite weight work as well, but I don't have STS. I have NOT gotten Insanity yet. I want to get STS first. Money is super tight here lately. So no purchase in sight. I will ask for STS for X-mas and maybe join in with Michelle and her sister for a January start.

Michelle: Thank goodness you don't have cancer. That is such GOOD GOOD news. I just found out that my DH 90 year old Grandmother does have Breast cancer. I don't know how they would even treat someone at that late age. It is so sad she is the most elegant and graceful women I have ever know. A true "Southern Steel Magnolia". I am so happy for you that you are healthy. Take it easy for a few days and then go at it!!!

 

[Shadowpup]

Hello Ladies -

Finally checking in

My Father passed away on July 10, 2009 - at 7pm. After a time the doctors said that he was about as good as he was going to get. He was completely on the respirator - we had started dialysis and my Mother had decided that she did not want to put my Dad through the operation. The surgeons weren't sure he would even make it through. So we all were there - my 2 brothers and my 2 sisters and my mother, my uncle - (My Father's Brother) and my Aunt Paulette (My Mother's Sister), my DH and my sister in law and brother in law and we turned off all of the artificial life support. He went quickly and with all of us around. It was very intense - it was enlightening actually - a million thoughts raced through my head and I realized some things. I will miss him very very much - I know now that he did the very best that he could for his family - he always put that first - and I loved him for it.

He had a wonderful funeral. He was a paratropper and he always wanted to be buried in his uniform. He looked wonderful in it - very handsome. So many people came - so many people we hadn't seen in forever - my Dad would have absolutely loved that. He had a military funeral and was buried at the National Cementary of the Alleghenies. My nephew, Daniel - played taps on his trumput - they presented my Mother with the flag that was draped on his casket and fired 3 shots from 3 M16s - it was so beautiful - everything - again my Father would have adored it. So now he is at peace and finally at rest.

Shoegal, what a moving description of your father's death and funeral. I only hope my own family will be brave enough to make the same decisions for me that yours made for him, should it become necessary. Too often we tend to push the human body beyond what's fair. How wonderful and special that all of you could be together at that moment. And, how marvelous that he was remembered in his prime! A paratrooper - someone who puts his life on the line for his country, and his family - deserves every recognition our nation can give. Your mom and family lent him to the nation for a little while, and the rest of us are grateful, and proud to be part of the same country.

And now he that he is at peace, I will continue to keep you and your family in thoughts and prayers: you have said goodbye for awhile to someone you love, and who loves you - my wish for you is that that even in the low sad moments when the pangs of loss come, you'll feel even more strongly the glow of all of the love and strength that your dad gave you throughout his entire life, and be comforted.

 

[Shadowpup]

Hi ladies,
First, the good news: I don't have breast cancer. Had to go back for a second mammo last week and they decided that they wanted to do a biopsy on one set of microcalcifications. Had that done on Wednesday morning of this week. I knew I wouldn't be able to exercise for a couple of days, particularly weights, so that was why I did S&H triceps and biceps on Wednesday morning.

Got the results today and it is good news. Everything is normal. Not being able to do any cardio or weights for a couple of days has been the only down-side. But I'm thinking I can give a light workout a try tomorrow--maybe Step Jam. Nothing too intensely bouncy if you know what I mean.

DH and I also managed to forget our anniversary yesterday--17 years. We'll do something to celebrate this weekend. We're actually staying home this weekend. Joe is driving back from attending his uncle's funeral in WVA today. We feel like we just need a few days to chill out at home.

Shadowpup: do you recall where you purchased your weight magnets. Online or at a store? No Insanity here--yet. C&W is fun too. Love that Buttercup song.


~michelle

Michelle, what a week you have had! As a breast cancer survivor, I can really resonate with the strain of waiting. Even when you're pretty sure that the recheck is just for safety's sake, it's stressful.

Congrats on the anniversary! 17 years, that's terrific. Oops that you forgot Under the circumstances, it's easy to be distracted. But now you can make it up to one another on the weekend

I ended up with platemates and the best price I could find was on Amazon. They had a used set, which they don't often have for weights. I really like them! There are many kinds. I went with the donut style to start (there is also a brick and a hex end style). My pair works so well I'm going to get more sizes, something aimed at my barbell. The two other varieties people also seem to like are Pace Mates and fractional/thin weights for the barbell.

http://www.theplatemate.com/

http://paceweights.com/

http://www.ironwoodyfitness.com/fractionals.php

 

[MDolfiniReed]

Shoegal: I am so sorry to hear that your dad passed away. It sounds like your family really did act like a family which is really quite wonderful and amazing. You all put your dad first--what a great testament to him. The military knows how to approach death and funerals: reverance, respect, and honor. Your pride and love for your dad is apparent in your post. God bless you and your family.

~michelle

 

[ironlady]

Shoegal, I am so very sorry for your loss! Of course, I will continue to pray for you and your family. So wonderful you and your family were all there at the end!

Michelle, so glad that you got a good report! What a weight off your mind! Enjoy celebrating your anniversary! You deserve it!