Overdoing it!

Like I do with many things, I jumped into the walking just rarin' to go and to ever increase the distance.  I think I've overdone it a bit, so I'm going to slow down.  It helps that I have Jeannie & Ara to work out with, so I can walk a shorter distance and then do a workout approx. 3 times a week.  I don't want to be such an old lady but I have to face facts.

Ara has a job but they told her upfront it seems to take forever to get all the clearances and things they require.  I'm enjoying having her nearby and besides going to the gym together, we often just sit and talk.  She seems to be settling in finally, after being away from Sacramento through college and two or three years after.

I walked 57-1/2 miles for the month of January, a little short of the 2 miles a day goal.  It doesn't matter because I'm going to cut back anyway, and I think the workouts will be as important to my health as the walking.

Jeannie is now driving.  I told her it's like watching my baby take her first steps, sort of bittersweet because from then on they move further and further away from you.  I'm glad to see her able to be independent though, as I know how I would feel in her position.  Now when I go someplace in my car with Ara I hand her the keys first thing.  It's so nice to not have to drive and watch the traffic.

I'm still waiting for my house to warm up.  We are in for some more rainy weather, but I swore I wouldn't complain about rain.  I wouldn't mind a warm rain once in a while!  

 

A short one tonight

I will try to keep it short, but when I get started ....  I saw my own chiropractor this morning and did nothing else until Ara and I went to the gym this evening.  I'm going to be a few tenths of a mile short of my 2-mile a day goal for January, but that's okay.  Jeannie is going tomorrow night to sign up.

We thought Monday night was pizza night, but it turns out it is the first Monday of the month; and the bagels are the first Tuesday of the month.  So next week we will probably be fighting the crowds to even get in.  It was more crowded this evening than I've seen it, but I normally go in the morning.  Ara and I have both decided that we do our treadmill/elliptical work best in the morning, so we will head over there early and then go back later with Jeannie for her sign-up and a workout.

I have a long list of vegetables to buy at the market this coming Saturday.  At the chiro's office I picked up a recipe for Slow Cooker Tortellini Soup that looks really good.  I have never cared for cooking in a slow cooker but I suppose I can make an exception one time.  I don't see why I couldn't adapt it to the stove top - I make soups a lot and there is no problem to it.  Most things I cook don't take a long time and I doubt this one will either.  The more I think about it the more likely I am to cook it on the stove.  I love not following directions!  (At least most of the time.)

Took advantage of the sun!

But the sun just wasn't hot enough today to dry my towels on the line, so  I had to put them into a dryer for 10 minutes.  I did get another load of clothes washed and dried (in the dryer), so I don't feel like I wasted the day.  

My first order of business was to head out to my new gym and walk 2.25 miles.  I'm trying to make up the day I didn't walk at all, and another day I only walked 1 mile, but I might be a bit short this month.  I went by myself this morning as Ara is out of town - she went to Napa yesterday afternoon to stay with Liam and Quinn while Steve & Meg attended a party connected with Steve's work.  I don't mind walking by myself even though it's just nicer to go with someone.  I wonder if she will bring some good wine back.  I haven't had a glass of wine for ages  (nor have I really wanted one).

The depression that was beginning to settle on me a week or two ago when it was raining so constantly and heavily, is starting to lift now and I feel the joy and hope that comes with spring which is my favorite season.   Winter hasn't shown us its final insults yet, though, and I'm sure we'll have a few rainy days before it's all over. 

I got my rent bill yesterday which included the utilities for the past month.  As I expected I'm going to pay dearly for the extra electric and gas I've used.  I have turned on the furnace way more than I have in past years, but I just can't deal with the cold when it goes below a certain point.  Today has been a beautiful day, but not as warm as it looks.   I don't want to complain about the rain because it was desperately needed, but I could have done without the wind.  From some of the blogs I've read, there may be folks who had worse winds than we experienced here.  I'd hate to be in an RV of any kind during those heavy driving winds.

I am definitely not a car buff and never have been, but I saw a car parked next to mine when I came out of the gym this morning that really impressed me for some reason.  It was a Fiat, very small, with sort of an updated WW-II look.  Remember the old movies with scenes of Paris streets?  Well this car reminds me of something like that although probably smaller and much smarter looking.  It was gorgeous to be exact!  I want one.  I'm usually more likely to lust over Ford trucks - I saw an F-250 with dually wheels yesterday that made me do a double take.  I'm lucky to have the car I own, but every now and then I dream of driving something new and different.

My legs hurt and I ache all over.  I think that's an indication the exercise is doing me some good.

Three generations

Ara and I took her mom (Jeannie) to the gym with us this morning and I think we have her convinced to switch to the one we signed up at.  She can go with an individual membership which is really inexpensive; Donald really only went to play basketball and this one doesn't have a court; the kids got tired of the "Kids Club" and didn't want to go any more, so I think it will just be "the girls".  

We went to Costco today and when we got in the car to return home Jeannie told Donald she wanted to drive.  She did fine as far as my house, and I'm sure she made it home okay.  I think it's been 10 weeks since her surgery and she is glad to see the end of having to rely on others to take her anywhere.  I'm worried, of course, being a mother.  I'll be glad to take her from her work to the downtown chiropractor anytime she wants me to, but I can see how it is difficult for an independent person to have to rely on others for everything.

Donald sent me a photo of his last cake, which was for a two year old and is a farm scene.  (Click on photo to enlarge it)

He said the child was excited when he saw it. 

The afternoon sun shining  in makes the windows look as bad as they actually are.  I believe we are getting more rain next week so I won't wash them yet.  At least the temps are forcasted to be in the 60's, which is perfect weather to me - 65-78F being ideal!  Over 80 is getting hot.

I went into the grocery this afternoon to buy some lemons, and the guys in back of me in the line were talking about what kind of beer they like to drink when the weather gets hot.  I realized it doesn't make any difference to me - hot weather or cold, I drink the same beer - but I don't think I've  had a beer in a couple of weeks.  I sleep so much better when I don't drink one in the evening, but maybe while the sun is still shining ????   I may as well wait until I really want a beer, which I don't right now.

I hope all of you in blogland have had as good a day as I have.  It seems that I have met nothing but kind and patient and friendly people today!

 

New Gym

I signed Ara and me up for the new gym this morning.  It took a while getting everything into their system but we finally received our membership cards and began a workout with walking (me) and elliptical (Ara).  We then checked out the various exercise machines and I worked on things like triceps, upper back etc.    We didn't spend too much time on these - I definitely need to get back into it gradually.  I expect a few sore muscles but will be back at those machines in two days.  I plan to continue my walking every day.

The treat was the hydromassage table.  You lie on your back and something moves up and down slowly from your ankles to your neck, and then back again.  The table is set for 6 minutes, and I think it may be heated slightly as well.  It is really relaxing.

From there we tried a much touted thing that you step into - it looks sort of like a shower stall.  They warn you of the intense light and give you something to put over your eyes if you don't have dark sunglasses with you.  I got into the device and immediately dropped and lost one of the eye protectors.  They were right about the intense light though.  So I stood there the whole time with my hands covering my closed eyes, and could still see the light!  I waited for something else to happen, and the light kept getting warmer.  If I had been able to open my eyes I would have realized I needed to punch some keys on a device that activates the vibrations, so I didn't get any of that.  It is supposed to break down and get rid build-up of lactic acid in your muscles.

I may try that vibrational/heat lamp/shower stall next time if I remember to wear my sunglasses.  I had my eyes so tightly shut I couldn't see a damn thing!   It's not like I don't have enough problems with my eyes!

I am going to love this place, and we have already agreed to go in the evening on Monday.    Monday nights are pizza nights - the gym orders in a bunch of pizzas for everyone's enjoyment; Tuesday mornings are bagel mornings, so you know where I will be on Tuesday morning!

Thanks to Phil for the info about Silver Sneakers (or whatever it's called).  I called my insurance program (BCBS) as well as checked with Medicare online.  It looks like Medicare is the one that might pay for a portion of gym membership, but it looks like you need "Medicare Advantage".  I don't know what that is all about and I just have a Medicare card - no Advantages that I know of.  The cost per person at this gym is only $20 a month  because we got in on a special that ends Jan. 31.  I was paying $53 a month at the old gym, so I'm getting a membership for Ara and me for less than what I paid for myself only.   I think we will encourage each other to exercise on a regular basis, and I certainly will benefit from that.  I loved exercising with Jeannie and Donald, but when they had to suspend their membership I quit doing anything but walking on the treadmill.

I am really fighting a nap right now because it will mess up my sleep patterns, but I don't know how I can avoid it.  I like to get up early on Saturday mornings, drive over to the market and  back, all within 20-30 minutes.  I know exactly what I'm looking for and which stalls I like to buy from.

The sun is shining so brightly it seems awful to think about sleeping through the light!  I hope everyone has a good weekend - I certainly plan to.

New Gym

I walked at the gym this morning and then cancelled my membership.  It turns out I can use the facilities until some time in March, so I guess I was paid up in advance.

Ara and I went to tour the gym on Folsom Blvd.  It is in an old familiar shopping center that has really been spiffed up, repainted in southwest colors, etc.  I go there once in a while and have never felt the least qualms about my safety.  It was in its heyday when Mather AFB was at its peak, but the area deteriorated in the years after the closure of the Base.  Are there any readers who were stationed at Mather, and I'd love to hear your feelings about it.

The gym is an absolute jewel.  Very modern equipment and we even got to sample the hydromassage bed and chairs while we were there.   Jesse, who showed us around the facilities, is as wonderful as the reviews say about him.  The premise of this place is that everyone is welcome and no judgements are made about anyone, no matter what their weight, body shape, etc.  We looked over all the machines and work out areas, and I love the place.

Jesse gave us passes to come back and see for ourselves how everything works before committing to a year's membership.  Even at that, I can buy two memberships, one for me and one for Ara, for less than my monthly fee at the current gym I belong to.  I think I will enjoy working out with Ara, and I can always go on my own especially to continue my 2 mile a day walks.  I'm really jazzed about this place, and there is no feeling of being pushed or coerced into anything.

The two-piece outdoor furniture set I gave to Ara looks so nice, and I can't believe how immaculate it still looks after sitting outside for a week or more.  If I had it in my driveway, porch, or anywhere else on this lot, it would have been covered in dirt and dust within a day or two.  I suppose she doesn't have the same problems I have here, and I don't know if it's the traffic on Sunrise Blvd, on the nearby Freeway 50, or just in this mobile home park, but it's the filthiest place I've ever lived in!  

This evening is Arianna's "ancestor dinner"; I'm not sure what Jeannie is contributing, but I think they are making something that originated in the Canary Islands, where Donald's Mom's family came from to move to San Antonio.   It should be an interesting gathering.  I wish I knew what I was going to wear, but I'll keep it simple.  After all, I'm one of the "ancestors".

Big Difference

What a difference it makes in a person's mood when the sun is shining.  Today has been a beautiful day and should be so for the rest of the week.   I love it, but we take what we get!

I looked at my checking account this morning and found that my gym membership had gone up by a few dollars.  I asked at the desk and was told the notice went out, and she gave me a copy of it.  I don't know how I missed that one.

That set me to looking at other less expensive gyms nearby.  There are two, one on Folsom Blvd although not the nicest part of Folsom but the ratings for the gym and personnel are excellent.  It is about 2 miles from me.  There is another one maybe a mile and a half to two miles, but across the bridge in the opposite direction.  Compared to that, I could actually walk to my current gym although I probably wouldn't because of having to cross 6 lanes of Sunrise Blvd. and waiting  an interminably long time for the Walk light to come on.  

So I will think about it for a while.  I always enjoyed going with Jeannie & her family, but I don't think she is going to be going for a while yet.  Also to meet them at the gym near their house is about a 5 or 6 mile drive, and since she goes after work and is usually late, I end up driving home in the dark even in summer.    I think I'm going to make a visit to both gyms in the next few days and ask some questions, especially the one on Folsom Blvd about the safety of their parking lot.   Everything else about that one has the highest ratings except for location.  I think it might be the least expensive if I sign up during a promotion.  I'm in the habit of going every day but I don't have to drive far; will I drive a mile or so out of my way every single day?

 Arianna's class recently had to verbally present a report  to their class, together with their ancestor charts and info.   From being so shy she could hardly speak in front of anyone, she has blossomed and could be heard in the back of the room.  She hated every minute of it although she gave an excellent report!  Tomorrow evening the school is having an "ancestor dinner" for the families of her class.  I remember going to it when Autumn had to do the same report.   I wonder how dressed up the parents get for this - I would probably be out of place in my "Grandma" t-shirt, although I don't normally worry about being out of place.  I've reached the age where it's okay to be eccentric, and I play it to the hilt sometimes!

I'm leaving in about half an hour for the drive downtown, so I'd better get myself together.  I ate an early dinner (or late lunch, whatever) and am almost too comfortable to move.  I chopped up a hard-boiled egg and added it to my mashed potatoes for extra nutrition, and it is really good that way.