STS 6 Month Alumni Feb 7--13

Sorry I wasn't around yesterday. Went to watch ds's hockey game, they lost 5-0 which was hard on the goalie (ds). Today was a busy day at work, double wave pyramid and then I spoke with my sisters' on the phone for about 1 hour each;) I had to update them on the house hunting.:rolleyes:

My family dr called me today with the results of my labwork. I have hypothyroidism and have been on thyroid meds for quite a few years. I guess it's got worse and so we're upping the dosage. So Cendrien, that's part of the reason that I've been having trouble losing this weight!! So hopefully getting my thryoid levels stabilized should help with the weight loss.

Rachael Enjoy your snow day!
Jo Let us know how DH is recovering?
Cendrine I was thinking that 400 museums in a smaller country is amazing. Just shows you the difference between Europe and the new countries of USA/Canada. I sure hope I get a chance to go to Europe one day.

Kim
 
Kim, I sure hope the medication is going to help you! There's nothing as frustrating as doing everything right and not seeing results, is there?
Sorry about ds's game, that's a discouraging thing to happen. I hope the next game will go better!
If you ever do get to go to Europe, I think you will really enjoy it! It's pricey though.... Don't plan on eating out too often or you will need to get a second mortgage...LOL! I will make sure to post lots of pictures when the time comes!

Rachel, that wood floor sounds wonderful! I am thinking of getting wood floor in our house when ever it is that we can muster up the energy to go through with it...LOL We have carpet except for in the kitchen, which is tile. I shampoo the carpet once a year with a machine and it is so nasty... and we wear house shoes in our house.... So when we replace the carpet, I don't want carpet because of how dirty it gets without even asking for it. Shampooing takes so much time I really don't want to do it more often, but woodfloor you just mop it and you're done. Gotta love it. It is a bit more cold and less cosy and more noisy though, isn't it?
 
Good Morning Yall!

I am enjoying the last few days I get to really wake up before my workout!. I get to get up and just relax for an hr or so instead of getting up and hurrying to get food in so it can digest a little before running in the work out room and getting started. It is definitely nice. I have to say too, that my calves are so sore I am going to be interested in how this leg work out is going to go!:eek:

No snow yet but I think the predictions change every hr. I think now they are saying the bulk of it will be in tonight. I really hope the major part misses us because I am always afraid of the power going out. I can't wait till we finish the mud room because we are going to put a nice little wood stove in there. At least then we will have heat!

Cendrine-It really depends on what kind of application you go with for the wood floor. They have a product now called quiet walk that goes under some of them that really makes a difference in the sound. I think it goes under a floating wood floor or a nail down. We do not do much wood professionally because we mainly do commercial but we have put the quiet walk down in DH's dads house.

Kim-Sorry about the hockey game...How did double wave pyramid go this time? I am hoping I improve each time on those...
Are yall getting any snow for the olympics yet?

Jo-Hows DH? Don't worry about those work outs, you will get back to it!

Well I think I have stalled enough...Legs meso 2 , here I come!

Have a great day!
Rachel
 
Ok the weather girl lied...It's snowing and it's still morning!
It is already sticking to the ground so I am hoping it does not keep it up all day!:eek:

I think I might need a quick grocery store trip.
BBL

Rachel
 
OK it's noon and still snowing. I did not make it to the grocery store. I mad it off my little back road that I live on but when I got to the MAIN road my car did not want to gain traction so I made a command decision and turned around and went my butt back home! haha...We have enough food in this house to feed us for a month probably but I am terrible about thinking we are going to run out:rolleyes:! Now they are saying snow into the night and clearing tomorrow. So I will wait and go tomorrow!

It is funny most of the country is in a blizzard and here in East TX if they say 2 to 4 inches the grocery store runs out of bread and water. :eek: It is really funny. I can not imagine what it must be to live up north!

OK well dh and I are having a movie marathon day so I will ttyl!

Rachel
 
Oh my goodness, Rachel, snow in Texas! We still don't have any, although the mountains look beautifully white! Good call turning around in the snow, there will be better conditions soon, so no worries!

Not much to tell here. I'm taking a break working out becaus my back is bugging me....:( I did a lot of standing yesterday, maybe that had something to do with it. I hope I do better quickly.

I hope all of you are doing well, it seems everyone around here is down with something!
 
Hi Girls! Okay, I'm back today! Things are calming down! Our visitors at work left last night and DH is settling in. So...I finally got to workout and just finished doing Disc 13. I'm going to have to take a look at my workout schedule and see what I can do to rearrange it as this throws off my whole workout plan with having done a Monday workout on Friday! (Okay, I know...no need to be obsessive about my Sunday start...:p)

DH is doing well. He actually went in and worked yesterday (not all day) and likewise today. But he was in pain last night and I think he needs to rest more (but that's just me!). He can only type with one-hand so that's hampering his email and other computer related chores. And, I have to help him with getting a belt on, tying his shoes, etc. But overall, I'd say he's doing better than most post-op. I have more to tell you about this but need to get in the shower.

Rachel, did you get a TON of snow? What's your weather update?

Hello Cendrine and Kim! I'll definitely be back later for personals and more update!!!
 
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Hello from snowy East TX!!!

Well I woke up this morning to no electricity (just as I thought) and about 8in of snow! This has not happened here since I was a kid. In fact I think this is the first time I can remember that we have had snow and no ice. It is all snow. The good kind too, that makes good snow balls and snow men! DH and I have already been out playing with the pups. Our wolfy dog really loves it. We road the four wheeler down some back roads and heard a dog howling and when we got to it, it was a husky. I guess he finally gets to pretend like he is in the "Call of the Wild"..haha He just kept right on howling. It was the strangest thing. Made me feel sorry for him really. But I love to hear a dog howl. As long as it is not from pain. I guess I should have lived in the mountains.
We have taken lots of pics and when the internet is not as slow, I will post some!
In true southern fashion though it is already starting to melt and soon we will have a real mess, as you northerners know, I am sure!

I was really proud that I came in from playing in the snow and got my work out in. The electricity went out again once during the warm up but came right back on and stayed on the rest of the time. I almost messed up and did Athletic step but I looked at my calendar (I probably wouldn't have this morning) and it was step moves. This one is fun but I still goof up a little here and there but it is one of those that when I get it all the way it will be a lot of fun I think.

Jo- I am glad dh is doing well. I had a feeling he would just from your description of him. I can hear you fretting a little about your workouts but I am glad you are keeping it to a minimum. :D I know just how you feel though. This morning I was trying to figure out how I was going to rearrange everything if the power did not come back on!

Cendrine-I am sorry your back is giving you issues again. Has your chiropractor given you any indication of what keeps making it flare up or is it all due to exercise?

Kim-Do you have to do much updating on your house before the sell?


Well I have to admit, I celebrated the snow yesterday and ate very poorly.:eek: But again it was a reminder of why I do not eat that stuff a lot. I had 2 pieces of pizza and my stomach was in terrible shape. DH and I used to almost split a pizza along time ago! That is terrible but at least I can look back and see the error of that!

I hope yall are all having a great day!

Rachel
 
wow, Rachel, so much snow! That sounds like so much fun if you don't have to go somewhere and be on time...LOL! I love Huskies, ds does too, he said when he is grown up he is going to get a husky. I am actually surprised to see some huskies around here, I would have thought the weather would be too warm for them but I guess they are doing ok.
I can put away a lot of pizza too! But I am also glad to say that I haven't had much pizza lately and when I do it's not that much.... Some friends are coming over with some good pizza tomorrow to celebrate dh's birthday which was today. I made him his favorite dish, a polenta dish that has olives, basil, garlic and cheese in it and then topped with tomato halves that have a basil, olive, garlic, cheese topping on it and baked in the oven. Now that's a hard one not to over eat!

I am not sure why my back is acting up, can't be the exercise since I am being very careful. I have to remember to stretch out the tight side to help it not pull everything esle out of alignment, but why it is tight in the first place I don't know. It's a little frustrating.

Jo, I am so glad dh is doing well and that he can do some work even if not as fast as he's used to. I'm sure you will figure out how to rearrange your workouts to get back on track, you are good at that!

I was kind of feeling in a slump since getting sick and I needed a little boost, and nothing gives me a boost like shopping....LOL! So I decided to shop for what I was going to use eventually anyway, so now I have ds's and dd's whole curriculum for next year sorted out and it should be here in a day or two... It's funny, it's not for me and yet it feels like Christmas when I open the boxes and get things all organized and lined up! :rolleyes::rolleyes:

So if you don't hear much from me from here on in, it's because my nose is stuck in the new books that I am prereading....LOL!
 
Hello Girlie Girls!!!!

I'm sitting here watching the opening ceremonies of the Olympics - oh how I love them!

Kim, I wanted to mention to you that I think Seattle is as excited about the Olympics nearby as the Canadians are! Lots and lots of excitement here! I hope they get you regulated on your thyroid medicine! My mom has hypothyrodism like you and my sister has hyperthyrodism (and I guess I'm in the middle with nothing)! I know every once in a while she has to have her medicine adjusted and it seems like it just happens for no reason! Are you having any other symptoms making you not feel well? (Other than house hunting stress? ;)) Sorry about ds hockey!

Cendrine, oh my goodness girl! You do not need these back problems! I'll bet you're frustrated! But yes, there's nothing like a little retail therapy to put a girl back in line! :D When my SS was growing up I always liked reading his books so I'll bet it's fun to read the curriculums! I hope your back issues get resolved soon! Just keep with the stretching though. Maybe some of what you're experiencing is actually healing sensations. :confused: Glad you're over being sick though! Oh and I'm so HAPPY for you that you're going to Switzerland!!! What fun what fun what fun!!!!

Rachel and the snowman! So our roommate and wife are in Dallas today and were not appropriately attired for snow! But coming from MT they have plenty of snow clothes...just didn't take them with them! Who'd a thought? Don't worry about eating bad yesterday...you'll burn it off! Remember it's only a problem when you do it every day! Well enjoy that snow while it lasts and yes, we expect some pictures! Oh and I forgot to tell you; when I saw on the news this morning that you guys had all this snow in TX, my first thought was: Hmmmm I wonder if Rachel has electricity!!! I have ESP!~ I love animal noises too as long as they aren't keeping me awake! Yeah, last night we heard the first coyote pups of the season. That was about midnight. They run the trail by us and we usually just hear them for a few minutes and then they move on. Spring is coming!
 
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Okay, I just wanted to save that last post so I didn't lose it. I just wanted to give you a little more update on DH.

I don't remember if I told you this but his Dr is an orthopedic surgeon in the Sports Medicine group so the building where his office is and where the surgery was done is all Sports Medicine. I took him to his appt with the Dr on Wednesday and then he had 1st PT appt. I was really impressed with their physical therapy space - it was huge! We could get a pretty good workout in there! Anyway, they took out the catheter in his neck and then the Dr came by. Dr said that what they did was repair both the old tear and the new tear and were able to successfully reattach both. They use these little rings with rope looking things that anchor the cuff back into the bone. The Dr said for this surgery it usually takes 3 or 4 anchors but for DH it took 9! (That's the part where I said it was worse than they thought!) Apparently because of severity, he's expecting it to take about 3 months for it to reattach (during which time DH can't use arm) but it will take about a year for it to be right. We're keeping fingers crossed he will get most of his range of motion back but not likely it will be 100%. DH is not one to be waited on, so though I have to help him with lots of stuff right now, he's already wanting to do everything himself. That's the general update. He's doing really well in my opinion...he's been on the phone non stop working...so what does that tell you?
 
Last post for the night. Here's a quick meal that a girl at work passed on to me. Here's the original recipe and see below for the changes I made. I made it last night and it was delicious!

1 Package of chicken sausage (take out of the casing)
1 red pepper
1 large shallot (you can use any onion)
1 16 oz can diced tomatoes with jalapeños
1 bag baby spinach
cayenne pepper to taste

Brown sausage, pepper and shallot. Add tomatoes and cayenne to taste. Let simmer for about 15 min. Take off heat. Wilt the entire bag of spinach into the other ingredients. Serve with a topping of parmesan if you like. I also think it will be great over your favorite pasta or spaghetti squash.

Here's the changes I made:

I used Jenni-O Italian Turkey sausage instead of Chicken sausage
I added 2 cans of Great Northern beans
I added orange pepper too

I did not serve over anything which is why I added the beans and did not top with parmesan.

I haven't had any kind of sausage in FOREVER and this tasted really good! The Jenni-O sausage is low fat, low calorie. DH and SS LOVED this! The sausage was kind of a cheat for me since I rarely eat meat like this but better than a chocolate bar! LOL!

Speaking of which...Kim, this is the sausage they advertise on TBL when they're cooking in the kitchen.
 
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Good Morning ladies!

Well it is still snowy here but alot has melted so there is none left on the trees so not nearly as beautiful as it was yesterday morning. I do have a hair appointment today so I have to get out in the slush.

This morning it was disc15...I think...back and bi's and I really was feeling this one. I actually dropped some weight on the bi's but I am not fretting because it was really intense and if I didn't drop weight I would have never even gotten close to all those reps. So I am just going with it! I felt it and am still feeling it!

Cendrine-Happy one day birthday to ds. That dish sounds yummy. That is one I would have a hard time not overeating too. I think it is great that your ds's faves are something very healthy! I love that! Keep us updated on all the fun stuff your kiddos are going to be doing next year. It is so cool that you are that involved. I think some parents hope that the computer will do most of the work.

Jo-I would love to hear the coyote pups. I am sure my neighbors up the road wouldn't though since they have chickens! I know we have them all around us though but haven't had any in the yard, that I know of. Your dish sounds equally yummy and was wondering how it would freeze. I would add the beans too. My MIL had to come over last night to see the starting ceremonies too because they still did not have electricity! She had to at least see Norway since that is where she is from. She reall y roots for them. I imagine it her tie to home!
Wow dh's surgery was really involved. I am glad he is a do it hisselfer! THat makes things easier because you can still help but you are not relied upon every second.

Kim-Do you have olympic fever?

OK better go...I want to take it east to town.

Have a great day

Rachel
 
Goodness life just goes by so fast and before I blink I realize that I haven't been by in a couple of days. I went into work yesterday (I don't usually work Fridays) it's been just crazy busy, I don't know where all these patients come from sometimes. Many of our new patients this week had mental health issues on top of their surgeries and so needed lots of extra TLC.:rolleyes::rolleyes:

I left work early yesterday and went for my preop appointment for my laser eye surgery:confused::confused: Everything looks good and I'm schedule for next Friday. My biggest concern is that I can't workout for a few days:rolleyes: Our insurance is paying 100% coverage so DH says if my surgery goes well then he'll get his eyes done as well.

Such an emotional start to the Olympics! SO so sad about the Georgia athlete. Oh my goodness what a terrible thing. The Georgian team looked like they were all on the verge of tears when they marched in last night, how brave of them. What did you all think of the opening ceremonies? I think Canada did a nice job!:D Everyone was very excited that it was Gretzky lighting the torch! What a mob scene following him in the streets afterwards. I switched back and forth between the Canadian and American coverage as it was interesting listening to the American views of Canada. NBC did a very nice piece on the close relationship between the 2 countries. Later they were talking about how important it was for us to win the men's hockey gold and our love of curling. So they seem to know us well! This country will come to an absolute standstill if our men's hockey plays for gold. :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

I've been keeping up with my workouts even though it's been often late at night!

Rachael Sounds like you enjoy the snow. Kind of fun when you only get the occasional snow fall. You guys got quite a bit of snow! I had to giggle at everyone running to the grocery store. LOL Oh we have lots of snow here, my front yard is probably 3-5 feet high. Higher where we dump the snow from the driveway. It's out Jo's way that there is a lack of snow, the west coast has had a warm winter hopefully the Olympics will manage okay.

Jo It's going to be a long rehab for your DH! I'm sure he will get frustrated by the length of time. So many of my patients have no idea how like it will take and get frustrated at the slow speed. So much of healing is time. He might want to look at some assistive devices for one handed use so that he can be more independent for the next few months. Lots of little gadgets that would help him get dressed, brush teeth, open cans/ jars, cut meat, tie shoelaces etc one handed. His therapist would know what I was talking about. The recipe you posted looks good! I will have to look at that as I have lots of sausage in my freezer from when it was on sale. I don't have the sausage you mentioned as it's an American brand.

Cendrien I'm so sorry that you back is giving you more trouble! What does the chiro have to say? Have you had your family doctor have a look at it? Hope your enjoying your time with all the new homeschooling supplies? Were the kids excited to see all of it too? I did lose another lb, so 4 down. Very slow and steady with this bad thyroid of mine.

Well today is hockey, swimming and piano. But will get legs in and abs since I skipped it yesterday. Saturday is always busy for us but it's a long weekend for us!!! Monday is Louis Riel day so it's a holiday for everyone. I wouldn't mind going back to some of the show homes over the weekend but they might be close some of the days due to the holiday. We're meeting again with the real estate agent (about selling our house) on Tuesday evening. He'll give us some advice on what things we should do on our house before we sell it.
 
I LOVED the opening ceremonies!!! Kim, I agree with you, I think our coverage was wonderful about emphasizing the relationship between the US and Canada and the beautiful landscapes and rich Canadian history! I thought it was just wonderful! Besides, I just get so inspired by the athletes and strong support from everyone! It was so tragic about the Georgian athlete but I think they did a nice job of honoring him and his spirit! DH and I were also speculating that Gretzky would be the one! It gave me goose bumps!

Rachel, isn't that just IT about the snow? Here today gone tomorrow! LOL! Yeah, for hair day! I had to drop my weights on biceps for Meso 1 and am wondering how I'll do later when I do Disc 15.

Okay, I'm off to do CCC. I spent forever during the ceremonies trying to adjust changes in the workout manager last night. As much as I like the feature, it doesn't always cooperate!

Hello Cendrine! Hope your're feeling better today!
 
Kim, sounds like dh is using you for a guinea pig:D..I am hoping you have great luck with the eye surgery.

I just popped in to say a quick hello. I found an interesting recipe from cooking light...chili cheese chowder! It sounds delicious. I will let y'all know if it is worth sharing. I also got some of the ingredients for your recipe too jo...I did not find the right sausage but I also forgot apples at the grocery store so I will try another one tomorrow. I am thinking about making some brown rice and putting it over that and trying to freeze some.

Cendrine-I hope the b-day party is going grand!

TTYL

Rachel
 
Hi Girls,

I made a cute Valentine's day treat for my family: use raspberry juice and gelatin to make rasperry jello and coconut milk and gelatin to make coconut jello, then layer the jellos one layer at a time and let set for 30 min before adding next layer, alternating until five layers are achieved, then cut out with heart shaped cookie cutters and serve. Very cute and jummy....:)

Jo your recipe is almost exactly like one I make and I add the beans too and it is so delish! I'm glad dh is doing well so far. I hope recovery is quicker for him so he can be back to normal sooner. We don't realize how much we use the shoulder for until we can't use it anymore!

Kim, the swiss must be so happy abou the medal! Sorry to say, I don't follow the olympics...:eek: But I'm happy when things go well! I hope your surgery goes well on Friday. My mom has surgery in March, she keeps hoping there will be an opening sooner.

Rachel, I was thinking what you were thinking, that Kim's dh is using Kim as a guinea pig....LOL! Luckily, that procedure has been done successfully many times!

My school books did not make it here today. Sometimes the box comes late in the day, like 6pm or so, so here's still hoping.... LOL!
I found an amazing piano program for ds for next year that dd can use as well, it is set up to work like a computer game to learn to read sheet music, so it is very motivating and has endless song opitons to add. I'm kind of excited to check it out myself and maybe I'll learn some too...LOL! I also found a great typing instructor for kids that is also like a game. So I am definitely using different media to balance out all the great book we are going to get. I personally do think ds will like learning the piano and keyboard with games much more than with me drilling him.... This way he can get angry at the program for making him do lessons over if he didn't reach the required percentage.... LOL! In P.E. among other things I will be teaching ds how to juggle. He got juggling balls from a friend for Christmas and I happen to know how to juggle and he keeps being fascinated watching it and want to learn but I know I would probably not break it down well enough for him, so I found this book that teaches how to teach kids how to juggle, so that should be fun too! Speaking of which, I do have the P.E. Curriculum so I think i am going to start reading that and figure out how to break it up into lessons. I love being ahead of myeslf, in case you couldn't tell...LOL!
 
Cendrine...Everyday you become more and more my HERO...and you juggle too! Gosh I am impressed. I swear with all the dinners and jello concoctions...The more I stay home the less inspired I am and here you are filling your day full of interesting things. So cool!

Well I think my chowder was good but I did have to add some more seasoning and I think it could have even taken more.I think it might be the first time I have made a chowder so I really am not sure what to expect. Mine was a little grainy and I am not sure if that was from the potato or the ww flour..hmmm Oh well..haha I am terrible about doing things again but I just know I could improve this.lol Maybe I will try again.

Nothing really to report here, yet. I am not sure if I told yall but dh joined a short film group in town and they had their second meeting today. He was not to thrilled after the first one but I think they are getting better organized now and he called on the way home and sounded more excited. So who knows...he might be putting music or doing something in something soon...Was that vague enough...haha

Well I better go get into my pj's ...It's already after 6pm..:eek: lol

Have a great night...

Rachel
 
Hi Girls! Well after doing my workout, I've been cleaning the house all day, just finally took a shower (it's 4:30) and we have friends coming over for dinner. They're bringing dinner so I suspect it'll be pizza!

Kim, I meant to tell you, I know of at least a dozen people that have had laser surgery and have all been very pleased with the outcome! I agree with Cendrine and Rachel, DH is using you as guinea pig! LOL! :p But even my mom last year had to have some laser surgery following cataract surgery and she had immediate improvements!

Cendrine, oh my gosh! You have so many hidden talents! Juggling!! And you never told us before! They also teach juggling at the circus school!
I love your jello creation - I've decided you need to have a cooking/craft/homeschool/something show. You have so many creative ideas and I think people would love you! I think you're spot on with the idea for the piano program. It's amazing what's available for teaching tools now isn't it?

Rachel, I'm very interested in your chowder - it sounds very enticing! Let us know how DH progresses with his film group. That sounds like a fun interest for him. PJ's already? Oh I guess I should talk...lots of times I change into my PJ's when I get home from work! HA!

So I wanted to ask you all...am I the only one that struggles with some of the plyometric moves? I can do most, but I'm sure if I saw myself in a mirror it would be pathetic. But some moves I do have to modify as my body JUST WON'T DO THEM! And, oh my gosh, on CCC, did you guys see how HIGH Lorraine gets on the air jacks? She's even higher and legs out further than Cathe! I was thinking if we were all able to work out together that I would be the worst (not that I'm competing) but I'm just wondering if you guys struggle too. I always try to do everything even if I have to modify a little but sometimes it annoys me I can't do something.
 

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