Hey Buddies - just a catch up bloggie thing. Been some busy weeks in the past few what with work, home, rehearsals, boot camp and a bit of bronchitis tossed in to boot!
Office: What can I say, I work for a great law firm with the focus on oil and gas and we stay pretty busy ... most of the time and with the price of oil/barrel these days - do we all know the price of oil today? If not, today it is right around $88.00/barrel and on its way up -- good in the aspect of what I do at work; but also impacts me at home in fuel costs -- so I’m always a bit mixed on my level of happiness when oil goes up!
Home: What can I say, it suffers :-) especially when I’m in rehearsals AND especially now that Neal is staying at home (with the five catties) some days when I get home, I’m really glad I am going to rehearsal :-) just say’in! However, my life is a bit easier mixing home with rehearsals - because Neal is at home and has started to offer “to do” ... which I didn’t push right at first because I wanted him to offer “to do” and me not just push it on him. So now, he is making grocery and supply runs. He is also real good at starting supper before I get home -- now I have to leave him explicit instructions, but he’s a good boy and can follow them -- woot!
Rehearsals: We’ve hit the stage and tonight is the first dress rehearsal - always an exciting time to move and dance in costume for the first time. Example: White Christmas in the dance for Blue Skies ... all things had been going well up to that point for me AND then all the sudden I found the skirt of the dress not only wrapped around my arm - holding my hand down - but it was also wrapped around my leg - holding my leg down ... needless to say, screwed up big time! But I learned where not to put my arm on that dance move - “ah dress rehearsals!” We add makeup and hair tomorrow night and then BOOM Weds, Thurs ... Opening! After rehearsing White Christmas for eight weeks (because of the dancing) a shortened rehearsal schedule of five weeks .. I hear everyone (including myself) saying, more or less “Holy Cow - its here!”
Boot Camp: Week 2 consisted of doing the same exercises we started out with and raising the repetitions - he also added a couple of new stations for us to accomplish. Week 3 he started mixing up the stations by taking some away and adding more cones or lowering the hurdles that we duck under -- one day we did mostly Yoga stretching and lunges *OUCH* ... sit ups appeared one day (and I was totally surprised to find I could do 15-20 sit ups at a time! AND I can now do 15 push ups, still “girl” style but my behinny is now staying in line with the rest of my body ... and I now can pull my arm up and make a fist and see a small bump starting to appear (and it feels firm too!) As a matter of fact, everything is feeling more firm, I actually am starting to “feel” thin -- then I look in the mirror :-)
I’ve also noticed that my clothing is starting to feel loose on the top -- of course! I say of course, because isn’t that always where it tones up first?! Neal and I have both lost right at 5 pounds in 3 weeks ... which is a good thing, I suspect we are both building muscle that burns more calories, so slowly but surely!
The start of Week 4 this morning, showed more changes using the weight bar, extending the cones and we stopped about half-way and he stretched us out with Yoga (I actually did a plank ... no freak’in way ... but I actually did them - incredible!) We then continued with the circuits - felt so good after being off for two days (well okay, sitting at the theatre and then running on stage -- wasn’t totally off ... no snickers a’cause I know I’m totally off most of the time!)
So, the goal this week is to stay healthy for opening night - always a challenge here in West Texas ... but today’s high is supposed to be 74-75F and tomorrow’s high 23F, with a low of 7-11F .. I just hope we get the moisture with it! BUT the most glorious thing I heard this morning was: “I’ll be here Weds, regardless of the weather.” (instructor’s mouth) ... soooo, you can believe we’ll be there too (I have 4 wheel drive!)
So not so much interesting ramblings this AM - but this too will change I’m sure, as my brain removes itself from rehearsal to performance mode, this weekend AND THEN, I also hope to get my Christmas forest down -- I’m now tired of looking at them!
Have a stellar day Buddies!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Pick Up Sticks
Yes, Pick Up Sticks ... you remember them, yes? As self-described: "Pick Up Sticks is a great yet simple game that helps kids learn to count when scoring and improves their manual dexterity. A typical Pick Up Sticks set contains 50 multi-colored sticks made of wood, plastic or metal." OR if you believe Wikipedia Pick Up Sticks is a game of "physical and mental skill" (it is okay, you can laugh right along with me on that one - except, I guess, in some way it is!
Okay, so from what I understand this game is called many things and there are varying versions all over the world ... but, yes, the burning question is: who was originally so bored that they said "Hey, let's get a bunch of sharpened sticks and play with them." ??????!!!!!!!!
Apparently Pick Up Sticks is also called jackstraws, or spillikins (now spillilkins makes sense!), and in the early 18th century sticks were made of ivory or bone; later they were made of wood or plastic. One source said "our" Native Americans played it with straw (now that would take patience!) and passed it on to the English -- after Googling around, it appears the origins are a little vague.
So, you may be asking yourself -- along about now "why"? Well, it is just another thought my brain had this evening when I was cooking supper took out a package of spaghetti that I thought was unopened -- totally wrong in that assumption and much to my misfortune was holding the open in towards the floor (Murphy's Law).
Come on ... tell me you don't see the similarity!!
PS. No photos were harmed (or actually taken by me) internet assisted! Have a great weekend Buddies!
So, you may be asking yourself -- along about now "why"? Well, it is just another thought my brain had this evening when I was cooking supper took out a package of spaghetti that I thought was unopened -- totally wrong in that assumption and much to my misfortune was holding the open in towards the floor (Murphy's Law).
PS. No photos were harmed (or actually taken by me) internet assisted! Have a great weekend Buddies!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Biscotti Wonderings
Okay, this past Friday, as Neal and I hung out for 1 hour between an x-ray and the Dr. visit - we hit up the Starbucks joint in the hospital (I know, I know - you’re shocked!) Neal had a hot chocolate AND a cheese strudel muffin ... he was surprised when I told him he could have a “bad” snack :-) and I had a bold coffee and a chocolate chip biscotti (and I believe there was actually ONE chocolate chip in the entire biscotti - let’s face it every now and then ya just gotta!)
As I was dunking the biscotti into the coffee and enjoying the wonderful combination ... “nom, nom, nom, nom” ... the thought occurred to me: “Okay, who was the first person who had a stale piece of bread and decided to dunk it in a beverage in order to eat it?”
Then it occurred to me, I knew nothing of the history of the biscotti! So, yes -- to Google I went, well after I got home and “oh” a day later :-)!
According to Wikipedia -- which sometimes gets information correct :-)
..... and this is just ... well -- would you bite into this biscuit?! Oldest Ship Bisquit
Seems like whoever first came up with the idea, it spread to other countries, who also had forms of “biscotti” ... hardtack is a staple “we” as American recognize.
So next time you dip a yummy little hardened “stick” into your coffee/tea/wine and enjoy it -- think of the Roman Legions -- bet you never thought you would have much in common with them!
Great Recipe Page Joy of Baking -- definitely, I’m going to give baking biscotti a go at the ‘ole homestead, I mean okay ... if they last for centuries, I figure make more than a few batches and I’ll be good to go for supper at least ‘til the end of 2011!!!
(BTW - I'm sad the green Starbucks Coffee circle is going away -- but, I guess everyone has to "evolve"!)
Then it occurred to me, I knew nothing of the history of the biscotti! So, yes -- to Google I went, well after I got home and “oh” a day later :-)!
According to Wikipedia -- which sometimes gets information correct :-)
- “Biscotti” is the only traditional name, which in the Italian language is the plural form of biscotto. The word originates from the medieval Latin word biscoctus, meaning “twice-cooked/baked. It defined oven baked goods that were baked twice, so they were very dry and could be stored for long periods of time. Pliny the Elder boasted that such goods would be edible for centuries. Such nonperishable food was particularly useful during journeys and wars, and twice baked breads were a staple food of the Roman Legions.
..... and this is just ... well -- would you bite into this biscuit?! Oldest Ship Bisquit
Seems like whoever first came up with the idea, it spread to other countries, who also had forms of “biscotti” ... hardtack is a staple “we” as American recognize.
So next time you dip a yummy little hardened “stick” into your coffee/tea/wine and enjoy it -- think of the Roman Legions -- bet you never thought you would have much in common with them!
Great Recipe Page Joy of Baking -- definitely, I’m going to give baking biscotti a go at the ‘ole homestead, I mean okay ... if they last for centuries, I figure make more than a few batches and I’ll be good to go for supper at least ‘til the end of 2011!!!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Week 1: Boot Camp Assessment
*turned over to get out of bed* ..... some body parts said “Hey lady - stop it, don’t move!”
*raises arm to return a file to file cabinet* ..... pectoral muscles just requested “Hey lady, would you not do that!”
*cough, cough* ..... the lower abs just requested “Hey lady, stop it, don’t do that again!”
Information on Boot Camp: Offered by the Midland Parks and Recreation Department and is free (can't beat that cost!) two sessions 6:20 AM - 7:20 AM and 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM - started Jan 10 and runs for six weeks. They are trying to encourage people to get out of their recliners and get "outdoors" and more active!
Yes, I’ve been to “boot camp” and I’m very glad -- by “today’s sore” -- that I have gauged my beginnings and not acted like a Super Woman! The little bit-o-sore is not unbearable (or even that bad) but it lets me know that what is being done at boot camp is targeting the areas that I wanted to improve -- so WOOT!
So here’s the skinny (I wish)! The instructor said to gauge your efforts on a scale of 1 to 10 ... 1 being standing completely still :-) and 10 being you are winded while exercising and can’t speak at the same time. Taking that into consideration he said to aim for a 6 and to pay attention to any “unusual feelings” while doing the exercises -- I really like this fellow, straight way!
This boot camp is being held at a church’s gym (a very nice gym, might I add!) and while the instructor set up the circuit we walked the parameter of the bball court to warm up -- we had the option of using some weights if we wanted and I grabbed 3 lb weights, since that is what I use at home ... well I did a turn around with them and put ‘em back in the “holder” -- it was all too obvious they’d been in the truck overnight BURRRRRRR, can we say frostbite on the hands?!
As we walked, he set up the circuits (Yippie ... so we don’t all stand in the middle of the court and do jumping jacks until we drop :-) !!!) It seems the circuits we are supposed to do 5 times around with 10 reps at each station -- I will say I was cautious (not only for me, but for Neal - who is doing this with me - WOOT!) and set my number at 5 reps at each station AND am totally glad I did! We’d gotten to 3 times around the circuit and I made a call that it would be too much for me to do a 4th and 5th time around ... this week ... even at only 5 reps. So we stopped and walked to cool down a bit and in about 5 more minutes anyway, we all got mats and sat on the floor and the instructor led us into a nice cool down stretch.
Then ... I drove like a mad woman back to the house (well not really we live under 5 minutes away from this church), showered, dressed, grabbed food to take to the office and booked to the office .. easy peasy -- still was there 10 mins early.
Okay FYI -- the Circuit was such a simple set up and the instructor encouraged us to teach others, here goes:
Equipment Items Needed: Mat (or I’ve even used towel at home), exercise band, hand weights (I have 1 lb and 3 lb at home and when I want more, I simply use both weights in one hand ... so I can have 2 lbs and 6 lbs ... okay, you’re probably smart enough to figure that out! OR as Dr. Oz is always encouraging you can even use cans of food!) and/or weight bar.
Station 1: Push up station (10 reps, if you can - less and work up, if you’re like me!). He had those little sets of push up bars, which I tried to use - but found I was more successful on the floor - I think the handles are actually harder. I also modified the push up to do the “from the knee” version. Push ups are my weakest - I will say it, I hate them, never have liked them -- therefore my pectorals are weak!
Station 2: Over the head press using resistance (he had many bands with different resistance). This is done with an exercise band under one foot and you pull both hand up and over your head at the same time - he said stopping at the shoulders is not the goal but pulling smooth all the way up over the head is -- I suppose if you don’t have an exercise band, you could use normal weights -- or food!
Station 3: Arm curls and boat rows. Once again done with the exercise band - a shorter version, but you can also use the long one .... once again under the foot and then pull up doing an arm curl (both arms are done). Then grab with both hands “over” and pull up to shoulder height - boat row.
Station 4: Abs - using the little rollers (or he also had two bigger rollers that were a bit easier to use) ... his word of wisdom -- don’t roll out so far that you can’t roll back up :-) seems that is counterproductive!
Station 5: “Tire Jumps” He had orange circles that he put down (probably 25-30 of them) and there were several modifications of going through them one foot at a time, two footed jump, alternating one foot jumps OR the “DEVIL” one footed jumps all the way down and then repeat on the other foot -- needless to say, I did not do that one; since my legs are relatively strong I did the two foot jump from circle to circle.
Station 6: Quick Shuffles ... he set up about 10 cones and the point was to shuffle (or run with little steps) as quickly as you could.
Station 7: Bar lift ... which could be done with regular weights, he had different weights of weighted bars (I used the 10 lb to start) ... stand up straight with arms straight and an overgrip on bar, bend down as far as you can go and then stand back up (the arms do no work, except to hold the bar) ... this is working all the good stuff in the “back” :-)
....go through 5 times (okay, I repeat myself ... LOL, hee, hee ... I said "repeat" -- okay, I probably only crack myself up sometimes!)
Then stretch to cool down :-) He said that as we progress into Week 6, he will be making things a little harder -- my goal is simply to be able to do 5 circuits with 10 reps at each station AND my gauge is the push up -- which will be a real miracle, if I can work up to 10 push ups at one time!
Okay one more day this week of Boot Camp - so I hope my assessment isn't too soon and I wake up Saturday AM with the inability to get out of bed BECAUSE I have a date with the Windlands "training grounds" this weekend! Sorry, this has been a bit long, but I suppose makes up for my not rambling on for a while :-)
PS All images are internet finds stating they were royalty free - so, how's that for a legal? :-)
*raises arm to return a file to file cabinet* ..... pectoral muscles just requested “Hey lady, would you not do that!”
*cough, cough* ..... the lower abs just requested “Hey lady, stop it, don’t do that again!”
Yes, I’ve been to “boot camp” and I’m very glad -- by “today’s sore” -- that I have gauged my beginnings and not acted like a Super Woman! The little bit-o-sore is not unbearable (or even that bad) but it lets me know that what is being done at boot camp is targeting the areas that I wanted to improve -- so WOOT!
So here’s the skinny (I wish)! The instructor said to gauge your efforts on a scale of 1 to 10 ... 1 being standing completely still :-) and 10 being you are winded while exercising and can’t speak at the same time. Taking that into consideration he said to aim for a 6 and to pay attention to any “unusual feelings” while doing the exercises -- I really like this fellow, straight way!
As we walked, he set up the circuits (Yippie ... so we don’t all stand in the middle of the court and do jumping jacks until we drop :-) !!!) It seems the circuits we are supposed to do 5 times around with 10 reps at each station -- I will say I was cautious (not only for me, but for Neal - who is doing this with me - WOOT!) and set my number at 5 reps at each station AND am totally glad I did! We’d gotten to 3 times around the circuit and I made a call that it would be too much for me to do a 4th and 5th time around ... this week ... even at only 5 reps. So we stopped and walked to cool down a bit and in about 5 more minutes anyway, we all got mats and sat on the floor and the instructor led us into a nice cool down stretch.
Then ... I drove like a mad woman back to the house (well not really we live under 5 minutes away from this church), showered, dressed, grabbed food to take to the office and booked to the office .. easy peasy -- still was there 10 mins early.
Okay FYI -- the Circuit was such a simple set up and the instructor encouraged us to teach others, here goes:
Equipment Items Needed: Mat (or I’ve even used towel at home), exercise band, hand weights (I have 1 lb and 3 lb at home and when I want more, I simply use both weights in one hand ... so I can have 2 lbs and 6 lbs ... okay, you’re probably smart enough to figure that out! OR as Dr. Oz is always encouraging you can even use cans of food!) and/or weight bar.
Station 1: Push up station (10 reps, if you can - less and work up, if you’re like me!). He had those little sets of push up bars, which I tried to use - but found I was more successful on the floor - I think the handles are actually harder. I also modified the push up to do the “from the knee” version. Push ups are my weakest - I will say it, I hate them, never have liked them -- therefore my pectorals are weak!
(Okay, I believe he did meant canned food
as this food would be a bit difficult to use!)
as this food would be a bit difficult to use!)
Station 4: Abs - using the little rollers (or he also had two bigger rollers that were a bit easier to use) ... his word of wisdom -- don’t roll out so far that you can’t roll back up :-) seems that is counterproductive!
....go through 5 times (okay, I repeat myself ... LOL, hee, hee ... I said "repeat" -- okay, I probably only crack myself up sometimes!)
Then stretch to cool down :-) He said that as we progress into Week 6, he will be making things a little harder -- my goal is simply to be able to do 5 circuits with 10 reps at each station AND my gauge is the push up -- which will be a real miracle, if I can work up to 10 push ups at one time!
Okay one more day this week of Boot Camp - so I hope my assessment isn't too soon and I wake up Saturday AM with the inability to get out of bed BECAUSE I have a date with the Windlands "training grounds" this weekend! Sorry, this has been a bit long, but I suppose makes up for my not rambling on for a while :-)
Good Day to ya Buddies -- get active!
PS All images are internet finds stating they were royalty free - so, how's that for a legal? :-)
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Warrior Dash 2011
I just signed up for Central Texas event held on the weekend of November 19 and 20 -- I picked Nov. 20 and the 1:00 PM wave. I believe letting it warm up a bit before participating in the water and mud is a good idea :-) ... of course, we can always hope for rain! (Of course, it also allows for not having to get up SUPER early to get to the race at 8:00 AM ... and since Neal will be with me - not as a participant! - he thanks me!)
So, I actually "sort of" started my training, but now I will go with full fury .. well I'll start off in slow fury mode! I've been needing motivation to redevelop my core, as I know I've lost some of its value over the years ... so motivation for upper body exercise is now HIGH! :-)
I'm going to try to keep up with some training blogs .. just for the fun of it - so join me on my journey and tell me this doesn't look fun! (I'm also plotting my Warrior costume, but it has to "NOT" impede my progress when it gets wet ... so that let's out the bunny suit!)
So, I actually "sort of" started my training, but now I will go with full fury .. well I'll start off in slow fury mode! I've been needing motivation to redevelop my core, as I know I've lost some of its value over the years ... so motivation for upper body exercise is now HIGH! :-)
I'm going to try to keep up with some training blogs .. just for the fun of it - so join me on my journey and tell me this doesn't look fun! (I'm also plotting my Warrior costume, but it has to "NOT" impede my progress when it gets wet ... so that let's out the bunny suit!)
So, let the Adventure Running phase of my life begin!
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