I'm currently reading Lessons in Heartbreak by Cathy Kelley. Each chapter goes back and forth, person to person, and its not an easy flow. I'm going to continue to read at least half...it has to get better (doesn't it?). My sister told me The Shack was really good, her husband read it and so did she. She's not a reader. She would rather her husband read it, tell her about it, and she "knows" what the book is about. So I got the book. I'm going through some family drama right now, and I didn't feel I was in a place where I could read the book, so I picked up another book (the one I'm reading). Every time I talk to her, she asks me if I've read "her book". I told her why I decided NOT to read The Shack. She proceeded to tell me that is precisely why I should read it: its spiritual, gets you thinking, etc. I have learned to trust my instincts and when I picked up the book, it didn't feel right. I just know. She has been hounding me for the past two weeks why I should read the book. Ugh!
We got a Wii. Why? I don't know. Well, Alisha got one, and I've heard all the rave on the Wii Fit. I tried it yesterday, made my Mii (my profile person), and entered my personal data. I haven't actually "worked out". Alisha was doing the hula hoop and it got her breathing hard! It is an amazing system. What it can pick up, i.e., by standing on the "mat", it was able to measure my stance, whether I favor one side more than the other, which can cause posture problems, etc. Also, my balance, which according to Wii, I have a problem with. It even asked me if I fall down a lot. I don't any more, but I used to. Yes, even sober, I've been known to bite the dust! My son used to call me "twinkle toes"! Anyway, my Wii Fit age is 55. I am 50. Ok, so I have some work to do!
On Saturday we were supposed to do a hike in Pima Canyon. By Friday evening, Glen and I were both beat. As we were having dinner at BJ's Brewing Company, I knew we weren't going hiking. So I proposed to Glen, that Alisha and I would walk Sabino, then we'd hit the Farmer's Markets, which is exactly what we did! We went to two markets at different plaza's, each unique in its own way. Both are in more affluent areas of town, and most of the stuff they had were arts and crafts, very little produce or stuff we were looking for. I think these venues are more for tourist types as most stalls we stopped at asked where we were from. Hmm, we were in workout clothes! Anyway, we ended up at the real farmers market on 17th Street. Love that place. We got quite a bit of organic produce. Alisha got some green teas, several bags of rices (brown, saffron), some quinoa. I even got some beets that I pickled! Hope they're good :) Saturday ended up being an all day excursion! We hadn't done that in a long time, and just spending girl time, we gab a mile a minute. If people caught snippets of our conversation, I wonder what they'd think!
One of Glen's co-workers, who has had stomach cancer for about two years, passed away late Friday night. Tim has a wife and 2 teenage kids. This family has had a rough go. When Glen and I got married, I rented my house to them. They did really well until Tim got sick. They got behind on the rent, but we continued to let them live there for about a year until we were just unable to carry them any longer. We had a long talk with them and they understood our position. Anyway, would you believe Glen's boss has been paying his salary AND his medical insurance for the past two years even though he hasn't worked? It has been an emotional roller coaster, procedure after procedure, he'd get better then he'd get worse. The family will wait a month before doing a memorial service for him.
Gotta get ready for work...talk soon...
Monday, April 27, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Still working out!
Staying on the workout kick, and still interested. I hate when I get bored with just walking, and even though I continue with it, I'm not invested 100%. Walked on Monday (oh, and I saw a snake - about 3-4 ft long), boot camp on Tuesday, walked on Wednesday, pool workout today. Water is a great workout, the resistance it offers, and as long as you keep moving, my heart rate stayed pretty consistent. I was even Riverdancing in the water! Its not a lap pool, just an apartment complex size pool, water was chilly, but then we got in the hot tub after. I am so relaxed!
One of the things the trainer told us in boot camp is any chance you get, work out! Whether it is standing in line somewhere, lift a leg, balance, do squats - nothing major, but just some dips; heck, I've even heard women should do Kegel's every chance they get! At your desk, in line at the bank, waiting for the carpool! If you don't know what Kegel's are, you don't need or want to know.
My brother is in the hospital due to a viral infection caused by an unattended sore on his leg. He also broke out in a rash, kind of chicken-pox-ish, but mom said he's already had the pox. He just doesn't take care of himself. For heaven's sake, he is 46 years old, and my mom still has to tend to him. She makes his lunch in the morning, not just a sandwich, he prefers home cooked meals for lunch. She is retired and there is no reason for her to get up other than to make his lunch at 4:30 in the morning. She complains, but the answer is to say "no", but she won't. He's had this sore on his leg for a while, but because it would interfere with his partying, he never took care of it. My mom asked me to call him at the hospital. I haven't called him, and I really don't want to. If it was me in the hospital, he would NOT call me, I am positive - he is selfish beyond measure. I'll call him tomorrow.
Looking forward to Friday. We are going on a hike in Pima Canyon at 5 dark thirty on Saturday, although I think its dusk by then. Talk soon...
One of the things the trainer told us in boot camp is any chance you get, work out! Whether it is standing in line somewhere, lift a leg, balance, do squats - nothing major, but just some dips; heck, I've even heard women should do Kegel's every chance they get! At your desk, in line at the bank, waiting for the carpool! If you don't know what Kegel's are, you don't need or want to know.
My brother is in the hospital due to a viral infection caused by an unattended sore on his leg. He also broke out in a rash, kind of chicken-pox-ish, but mom said he's already had the pox. He just doesn't take care of himself. For heaven's sake, he is 46 years old, and my mom still has to tend to him. She makes his lunch in the morning, not just a sandwich, he prefers home cooked meals for lunch. She is retired and there is no reason for her to get up other than to make his lunch at 4:30 in the morning. She complains, but the answer is to say "no", but she won't. He's had this sore on his leg for a while, but because it would interfere with his partying, he never took care of it. My mom asked me to call him at the hospital. I haven't called him, and I really don't want to. If it was me in the hospital, he would NOT call me, I am positive - he is selfish beyond measure. I'll call him tomorrow.
Looking forward to Friday. We are going on a hike in Pima Canyon at 5 dark thirty on Saturday, although I think its dusk by then. Talk soon...
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Blink and spring has passed us by...
Alyssa is doing much better. She spent about 2 days in the hospital, went home with an enema, laxative, high fiber protocol. After a few days the pain was few and far between, but she still hadn't "moved". That came 2 weeks later!! Can you imagine the discomfort? Anyway, she was out of school for 2 weeks then had spring break. Her first day at school was Monday.
Work continues to be slow, though steady. We had an all hands meeting today, kind of a state of the business address, and we were told that, although times are tough, and we are offering deep discounts on stays, our customer satisfaction remains at a steady 97%, same as last year, and we continue to be profitable. At least we all still have jobs, and our benefits remain intact.
Alisha and I continue to work out 3 days a week at least. We had an opportunity to attend a "boot camp" style workout today. It is a 1/4 mile lap, a circuit of 10 exercises, 1 minute each, rest 5 minutes, repeat, cool down with some stretching, total 45 minutes. It was great!! I was able to complete everything except the 2nd circuit, I did about 1/3. I started feeling nauseous and my legs were wobbly! I sat for a bit, ate a Clif bar, then finished with the group. We are going to do this once a week (it is offered 2x per week). I have to say that I was the oldest one there...most everyone else is in their late 20's and early 30's, and way more fit than me. Although I heard one girl say she is a smoker, and she wants to quit.
It was hot today. I don't think we hit the century mark, officially, but it was in the upper 90's thats for sure. It is 84F right now and it is almost 10 pm! Tomorrow's high is supposed to be 94F! Oy vey...summer is right around the corner. What happened to spring??
Talk soon...
Work continues to be slow, though steady. We had an all hands meeting today, kind of a state of the business address, and we were told that, although times are tough, and we are offering deep discounts on stays, our customer satisfaction remains at a steady 97%, same as last year, and we continue to be profitable. At least we all still have jobs, and our benefits remain intact.
Alisha and I continue to work out 3 days a week at least. We had an opportunity to attend a "boot camp" style workout today. It is a 1/4 mile lap, a circuit of 10 exercises, 1 minute each, rest 5 minutes, repeat, cool down with some stretching, total 45 minutes. It was great!! I was able to complete everything except the 2nd circuit, I did about 1/3. I started feeling nauseous and my legs were wobbly! I sat for a bit, ate a Clif bar, then finished with the group. We are going to do this once a week (it is offered 2x per week). I have to say that I was the oldest one there...most everyone else is in their late 20's and early 30's, and way more fit than me. Although I heard one girl say she is a smoker, and she wants to quit.
It was hot today. I don't think we hit the century mark, officially, but it was in the upper 90's thats for sure. It is 84F right now and it is almost 10 pm! Tomorrow's high is supposed to be 94F! Oy vey...summer is right around the corner. What happened to spring??
Talk soon...
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Farmer's and books!
17th Street Farmers Market - Tucson, AZ, 85719 - Citysearch
Yesterday, while I was out and about, I made a trip to the 17th Street Farmer's Market. I live closer to Oro Valley, way north of the city, and the market is way inner city. I used to go there a lot in my previous life as there was a bread outlet store across the store, and I used to buy bread and snack cakes for the kids' lunches back in the day. The bread store isn't there anymore, but I've heard advertised that the market has expanded. A co-worker lives in the area, and I asked her about the fish at the market. She said it is probably the freshest in town as they are a distributor to many area restaurants. Oh my...what a selection of fresh fish, and the produce...stuff I'd only heard of but didn't know what it was!! I bought a pound of wild salmon, 3 scallops, and a fillet of snapper. They even packed my purchase in ice!! They have the most extensive array of international foods I've ever seen...when I entered the produce section...I saw some fresh bean sprouts and snow peas that I just had to get. We're having stir fry for dinner tonight. Glen grilled the salmon, asparagus, zuccini, mushrooms, white sweet onions for last night's dinner...it was yummy!! We have several farmer's markets in the area, but most are on Saturday mornings, condensed hours, and usually in the courtyard of a plaza. This is a brick and mortar store that has normal business hours, and starting at the end of the month, will be open on Sunday's too. They had a reggae group playing in the CD/music area of the store.
I made a trip to Borders this morning - like I need another book! I have been really good about finishing the current read before starting another one. I am reading Quentin's, by Maeve Binchy...entertaining, and twists and turns, but a poignant tale about a restaurant in Dublin, and the people who have frequented it. The language is very Irish and some of the words they use just make me smile! I actually got 3 books, and I ordered two more through amazon.com last night...yikes! Guess I'll be reading through the summer!
I am feeling much better today. I am taking Mucinex (thanks, Beth!), when I feel congested, and it has really helped with that. My nose is really dry though. The DJ's on the radio were talking about a netti pot last week, as one of them has really bad allergies, and says this device helps her...she uses it twice a day!
It is a beautiful day today, lower 70's, with a slight breeze. Much too beautiful to be in the house, so I will take my book and sit on the porch to read!
Yesterday, while I was out and about, I made a trip to the 17th Street Farmer's Market. I live closer to Oro Valley, way north of the city, and the market is way inner city. I used to go there a lot in my previous life as there was a bread outlet store across the store, and I used to buy bread and snack cakes for the kids' lunches back in the day. The bread store isn't there anymore, but I've heard advertised that the market has expanded. A co-worker lives in the area, and I asked her about the fish at the market. She said it is probably the freshest in town as they are a distributor to many area restaurants. Oh my...what a selection of fresh fish, and the produce...stuff I'd only heard of but didn't know what it was!! I bought a pound of wild salmon, 3 scallops, and a fillet of snapper. They even packed my purchase in ice!! They have the most extensive array of international foods I've ever seen...when I entered the produce section...I saw some fresh bean sprouts and snow peas that I just had to get. We're having stir fry for dinner tonight. Glen grilled the salmon, asparagus, zuccini, mushrooms, white sweet onions for last night's dinner...it was yummy!! We have several farmer's markets in the area, but most are on Saturday mornings, condensed hours, and usually in the courtyard of a plaza. This is a brick and mortar store that has normal business hours, and starting at the end of the month, will be open on Sunday's too. They had a reggae group playing in the CD/music area of the store.
I made a trip to Borders this morning - like I need another book! I have been really good about finishing the current read before starting another one. I am reading Quentin's, by Maeve Binchy...entertaining, and twists and turns, but a poignant tale about a restaurant in Dublin, and the people who have frequented it. The language is very Irish and some of the words they use just make me smile! I actually got 3 books, and I ordered two more through amazon.com last night...yikes! Guess I'll be reading through the summer!
I am feeling much better today. I am taking Mucinex (thanks, Beth!), when I feel congested, and it has really helped with that. My nose is really dry though. The DJ's on the radio were talking about a netti pot last week, as one of them has really bad allergies, and says this device helps her...she uses it twice a day!
It is a beautiful day today, lower 70's, with a slight breeze. Much too beautiful to be in the house, so I will take my book and sit on the porch to read!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Sickness...
Alyssa has been sick. Last Sunday she was rushed to the hospital ER with severe stomach pains. Pain so bad, she was doubled over. I dropped her and her mom off at the entrance of the ER while I went to park the car. When I started walking toward the entrance, I saw a man shad picked her up and carried her in. By the time I walked in, she was in a wheelchair. We checked in, and proceeded to the Children's ER. There must have been 30 kids in front of us...the place was packed! Alyssa was in so much pain, she was crying, and holding our hands, squeezing when the pain peaked. Her mom took her back to the nurse station, and it was obvious that her pain was severe. She was bumped up in the queue, and her vitals were taken, and she was put in a room for her turn to be seen. They put an IV in her arm in case she needed meds, and she was wheeled to x-ray. The x-ray came back with a back up in her bowel. She was given something for the pain, and it worked very quickly. She was also given an enema, which didn't really work, and was sent home with instructions to see her primary care physician. By Monday afternoon, after seeing her PCP, she was sent to the hospital immediately. She was released on Tuesday night, still no "results", but there wasn't anything more they could do at the hospital that couldn't be done at home. As of today, she has moved very little, however she has changed her diet, high fiber, no dairy, no beef, and her pain has subsided somewhat. Her tummy isn't as distended and it isn't sensitive to the touch. I have been praying, praying, praying. She is 10 years old. Needless to say, I have been occupied with thoughts of Alyssa, just hoping she will get better.
Work has been so slow, and the buzz is that further cuts will be made. Summer is our slow season, but so far occupancy has been very low since last September! Guests are starting to notice and bring it to the attention of the management. Our guests do not hesitate to tell us what we are doing wrong that is for sure. We have been around for almost 30 years, and it is our return guests and their loyalty that is keeping us afloat. There are other hotels and spas i the area that are not faring as well, as they do not have the following that we do.
I am seriously considering changing occupation. I attended a workshop at a local massage school, and I have an appointment with the admissions rep on Wednesday. The workshop was 2 hours long, and we were asked to bring a flat sheet, a pillowcase and a hand towel with us to the class. After the 1 hour presentation, we received instruction on some Swedish massage strokes, and actually gave and received a mini massage! I have thought about a career in this modality before, but I thought touching other people would gross me out. I did pretty good, and I didn't freak out! Maybe now is the time, and it wasn't then? I also thought that I am mature (read: old) to change careers, but I was by no means the oldest person there! The curriculum at this particular school satisfies the requirements by the state of AZ, so that when you complete the classes, you only pay to be certified, and a state test is not required! My son went to a different school and he had to take the state test to be certified. I asked his opinion about whether I would be a good fit for this career, and he said emphatically, YES!
I got sick on 3/9, cold, chest congestion, cough...and I still have a cough and congestion!! I am just so done with this...I just want to feel well again. My energy level is sapped. I just started sleeping through the night about a week ago. I should buy stock in Hall's cough drops! My nose hurts from blowing it so much!! UGH...
It has been so windy for the last couple of days, which doesn't help the dryness in my nose and throat, but it'll be summer before you can say "ahhh-choo"...
Talk soon...
Work has been so slow, and the buzz is that further cuts will be made. Summer is our slow season, but so far occupancy has been very low since last September! Guests are starting to notice and bring it to the attention of the management. Our guests do not hesitate to tell us what we are doing wrong that is for sure. We have been around for almost 30 years, and it is our return guests and their loyalty that is keeping us afloat. There are other hotels and spas i the area that are not faring as well, as they do not have the following that we do.
I am seriously considering changing occupation. I attended a workshop at a local massage school, and I have an appointment with the admissions rep on Wednesday. The workshop was 2 hours long, and we were asked to bring a flat sheet, a pillowcase and a hand towel with us to the class. After the 1 hour presentation, we received instruction on some Swedish massage strokes, and actually gave and received a mini massage! I have thought about a career in this modality before, but I thought touching other people would gross me out. I did pretty good, and I didn't freak out! Maybe now is the time, and it wasn't then? I also thought that I am mature (read: old) to change careers, but I was by no means the oldest person there! The curriculum at this particular school satisfies the requirements by the state of AZ, so that when you complete the classes, you only pay to be certified, and a state test is not required! My son went to a different school and he had to take the state test to be certified. I asked his opinion about whether I would be a good fit for this career, and he said emphatically, YES!
I got sick on 3/9, cold, chest congestion, cough...and I still have a cough and congestion!! I am just so done with this...I just want to feel well again. My energy level is sapped. I just started sleeping through the night about a week ago. I should buy stock in Hall's cough drops! My nose hurts from blowing it so much!! UGH...
It has been so windy for the last couple of days, which doesn't help the dryness in my nose and throat, but it'll be summer before you can say "ahhh-choo"...
Talk soon...
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