Working On Things

So, a few weeks ago I cleaned out my back porch sewing room, finished the top of the sofa lap robe and started clearing out lots of fabric that I'd had since the dawn of time.

My husband and I put up all sorts of reindeer yesterday (by the time we went inside I couldn't feel my thighs, that's how cold it was.)

I've lost three pounds, which makes me happy. I am working on continuing that and I am trying to get back on the treadmill, but my surgery is Friday, so that will slow down for a while. I've also started working on re-learning and going over some older techniques with an eye for Third Degree Black Belt. Two more years for that, but it's better to start early.

I am working a lap robe for a co-workers mother and I am trying to clean up the house, get rid of clutter that I don't need any more. I also have to fix the downstairs bathroom sink. It's leaking. I have the parts, now I just have to do it. I also have to get the Christmas tree up, lol. There are not enough hours in a day sometimes. How are you all doing?

Back On Track

Well, after being sick for a week, I got back on the treadmill. I did 20 minutes. Listening to good music sure makes the time go by quicker. I want to do this at least three times a week.

I gave a whole bunch of fabric to my best friend. Cleaned a whole bunch out of my (very large) stash. I have to be a little more aggressive about getting rid of things I don't really use or love. I got too much stuff and I need to clean house! lol Don't we all say that?

What Makes Your Day Great?

This made my day great, a card from my instructor

I'm proud of you for sticking through the step exam and giving it your all.

I'll turn any color for a card like that!

:)

I Passed And Was Multi Colored

Well, I passed my step exam. Midway through my form I was having trouble breathing. I think the sound my son made describing it (a horrifying wheezing sound) was an exaggeration. Suffice to say that when the form was done, I was really, really glad.

Afterwards, I was told I was quite red. No, said another student, I was blue. Actually, said Miss B, I was purple. Several people were afraid I was going to pass out on the mat, either during or after the form. I wasn't worried about that. I didn't feel like I was going to pass out, just that I needed some really deep breaths. Which I eventually got. Sort of. PlusOne and I both passed and I spent yesterday afternoon parked in front of the TV eating chicken soup and watching TV. I plan on doing the same thing today. Have a great day.

Step Exam

With a cold! It figures I would catch a cold two days before my karate step exam. But I've been taking the Zycam and going to bed early. The good news is that it is at 9:45 am. After I'm done with that I can go back to bed. lol.

:)

My mom wants us to go help her outside Sunday and I want to clean my cellar. If I don't do either I won't be upset. My mom will get my husband and son, and maybe my nephew. That should be enough.

Working On Me - Part Two

So, I got on the treadmill again Tuesday night, after class, no less. My step exam is coming up this Saturday. It will be my third as a Second Degree. I will need six more after that to go for Third Degree. That should be in about two years. I'll be FIFTY. lol But the idea of quitting and sitting home after that doesn't appeal to me at all. So I guess I really am in this for the long haul. lol

Working On Me

Got on the treadmill Sunday night. Walked at 3.8 mph on a 2.5 incline for 20 minutes. It's a start. Was going to do it every night, but I figured I better start off slow, with every other night. I don't need shin splints or any other complications. I'll keep you posted.

Almost There

Need a little warm weather to finish up this painting. Need a little more paint as well.

Last bit of railing to finish. No brackets at the hardware store, so I will use a substitute until they come in next spring. ACK!

Next up, quilting, inside projects and me!

New Post

Crank up the roof with this cool jack

take out the old post (that was fun)

Install the new plate for the new post to go into

Uncrank the jack and

Voila! New post!. Needs a paint job and the railings, but it was going to rain, so I had to move quicker than I wanted to. Railings should be easy, paint and then I'm done! Woo Hoo.

Three Down

On the right of the photo you can see the 4x4 that I bought to replace the post at the top of the stairs. I will put that up later this week. Maybe Saturday. I need to borrow my neighbor's roof jack. Then I will finish the last stair railing and do the small straight railing. Touch up the steps and a few paint "holidays" and this will be done! Woo Hoo!

Hi Again!

Hi all,
I am back after a very long absence. We decided not to connect internet at home when we moved in more than a year ago because we were saving money for future plans. We thought we could get signal from the development's clubhouse wi-fi but it never worked well. It turns out that our house had a very weak signal and after several visits and phone calls we were lucky enough to finally get the problem fixed by a tech yesterday - a month after we signed up for the service with a cable company. So, here I am again!
I don't even remember what my goals where before I got pregnant. During my pregnancy one of my main concerns was to organize the house to be able to use our storage room as a nursery. We live in a very tight townhouse - or, to tell the truth, not TOO tight but it lacks of sufficient closet space and my husband likes to have everything in place - nothing lying around in the living room or dining room. That goal, I got it done by myself. Although I must say that whenever we do laundry I have trouble finding a place for our clean clothes. I like them better in the laundry basket. And there's baby's toys everywhere. Ok, we need a bigger house.
My other goal was not to gain too much weight. I dreaded to stay overweight after giving birth and that did not happen. I need to loose a few pounds still and I am working on it. I am sure I had more goals and ideals but... my baby was born, and then all changed. For the better. I find myself busier than ever, happy and at the same time exhausted. Maternity leave was like a dream. No rush, no schedules (only nursing schedule)... then I went back to work. In the past my thoughts were that "this" was something I would never be able to do. I was the kind of person that needed her good lot of hours of sleep. And then a nap. I was  very laid back, not very energetic and I could multitask only at work - never at home. For those reasons, reading this blog was like reading a superhero's story. Really. "How do they do this and that? and then have enough time to also do this other? and on top of that, run a marathon?" It's been very inspirational. And now it seems more real than ever! I realize that there's so many things I've never done because I didn't need to. I am proud to say that I have become a very organized person. I prepare a healthy lunch ahead of time, I wake up at the crack of dawn, leave home with enough time to be able to nurse my baby before leaving her in daycare, I work 9 hours, I get back home 12 hours after I left... I am always doing something to have it ready for the next day. And it feels good! I am exhausted but at the same time I am getting used to being productive more hours of the day. Emotionally I still feel confused about being a working mother but for now I think it is the best for all of us. It may be time to set new goals as I am adjusting to my new life well, so I will think about them and come back.

Two Down

Two sections down. Two to go.

Of course, I will have to replace the wooden post at the top left. It's not supposed to be sitting directly on the cement, yet it is. And it's rotting. Figuring that I am doing the railings, I should finish the entire project and fix that as well. I am not sure if I want another wood post or a composite, like the railings.

As for the railings, all I can say is they are an absolute bear. I decided to toss the instructions out and build them in place. Install the top rail, the bottom lower rail, put the slats in and screw the last bracket in place. It went a whole lot faster than putting the railing together, then cutting it down to size then installing it all.

I will be glad when this is done!

The First Thing

The first thing my nephew said when I asked him what he thought of my new solar powered posts was: "Shouldn't there be railings there?"

Grrr.

The Backyard

The backyard is a whole lot cleaner. The woodpile (of the offending screw I stepped on) is gone and in it's place is 10 or so garbage bags filled with wood pieces.

I have all five posts up for the stairs. Next up is the railing. Then continue painting the foundation.

On the health front, there is a muscle (hamstring) that runs from my butt under my knee that is aching and makes sitting uncomfortable. I think it is also not helping my knee. Am working on getting that less tense. Always something to do.

Did You Know

That buying the posts for your new railings at the end of the summer means you save $4.00 per post? I didn't but I do now. Cool, huh?

I burned for Kearns three times last week, but the knee has been hurting a lot. I don't like being in pain, so I guess I will call the doctor Monday. I figure if it gets better in the two weeks it will take me to get an appointment then I am okay. But if not, I am not going through the winter eating 600mg of Advil a day for pain.

But Coach...

I was thinking of sending this photo to Coach Kearns telling him why I couldn't do my workout today. LOL. She was actually asleep on it until I moved for the camera.

Got the other half of the fence power washed and stained. My staining ended abruptly when I stepped on an upright screw. OUCH! I will be going to the doctor's tomorrow for a tetanus booster. Yuk!

Burns With Kearns

This is Coach Kevin Kearns. He came to the studio yesterday to spark us all up for a 90 Fitness Challenge. He said the average weight loss for his 90 day program is 18 pounds. I can live with that. So after a 2-1/2 hour workout, a 1/2 nutrition talk and a whole lot of fun (this guy is an absolute hoot) I limped home. (The recent weather change has made my knee ache a whole lot! That and 2-1/2 hours of lunging, squatting, and moving around.)

Some of the things I simply could not do, my knee would not allow it, but the rest was really fun. I needed something to get my butt in gear in regards to my weight and core strengthening and this is it. Ninja One and I are going to do his video this morning and then I have to continue to do it at least 3 times a week. Coach Kearns says "something is better than nothing" and since right now I am doing nothing, I better get going and do something.

I will keep you posted on my progress.

In house news, I stained the fence that was power washed (approximately 1/2 the fence). Now I have to power wash the other half and stain it. I would like to get that done this week.

I also went to Home Depot and investigated a new railing. I found a nice one that has solar powered post tops (how cool is that?) I can get it in white, black or gray. I am not sure if I want black with the gray steps and the white house? Or gray in gray with the white house. I am pretty sure I do not want white. I will need six posts and then the railings, so this is going to be a one side then the other side project. I will post photos as I finish each section. :)

Steps Painted

I should have taken a before photo, as the paint on the steps was coming off and the area around the posts was all rust colored. It looks a lot better now. They are a little darker than before.

You can see the difference in the bottom left of this photo. I purposely didn't paint it so I could see the difference.

And because I didn't want to pour more paint in the tray. I was getting tired. What can I say!

Shed Done

I may put a piece of metal on the bottom of the door so that the wood doesn't rot when it gets splashed from the rain. I haven't decided. It used to open from left to right (which makes no sense at all.) Next up, seal the foundation then paint it.

Before And After

Before...


After...
Now to work on the stairs, and the soffets.

Working Hard

I have been working on the door to the "shed" under the stairs, but I didn't get any photos taken before it got dark. I have also been working on the stairs and entryway. I wanted a little POP when you came up the stairs, so this is what I did.

I finished painting everything around the door, as well as the post. It is the same color as the trim but alas, I did not get a photo before dark. I guess you will have to wait until tomorrow for that.

What do you think of the blue?

Finishing Up

I fixed the warped boards on the front steps yesterday. Then I finished trimming behind the bushes so I could paint the outside of the steps. Today is supposed to be not too hot and dry, a perfect day for painting. If I get the steps all done that will make me feel really good.

How is everyone doing?

Getting Started

I got on the treadmill today. I only did 10 minutes, but it was at an incline of 2.0 and a speed of 3.5. I figured I have to start somewhere!

Week One

My Ninjas are going to be very happy today. Today is their first day in the Black Belt class. We will be using escrima sticks today. Those are wooden (often bamboo) sticks about 2-1/2 feet long. I don't think either Ninja has sticks (under ranks use foam) so my son and I will bring both our sets so we can share with them. Heh heh heh. Class is going to be so much fun today.

A Goal Achieved

So here they are, two of the newest Black Belts in our school. For both of them this is a long time coming and was a hard road. But they persevered and kept the faith and now they are both Black Belts. Woo hoo! Congrats Ninja Two and Ninja One! I am so incredibly proud of you both. You two are awesome!


Ninja One told me that the best part of this was actually being able to invite me to her Black Belt ceremony. When I told her I wouldn't have missed it for the world, she told me I was missing the point. Five years ago the idea of inviting me to this ceremony would have been unthinkable, laughable even. Four years ago it was dream. Three years ago it was a possibility. One year ago a probability. Two weeks ago a certainty.

She also told me that she couldn't have done it without the support of myself and my nephew (Mr. Karate). As the studio owner said, "no one achieves a goal without help. It just doesn't happen." He was right. I got help to get to my black belt and 2nd degree. I have passed it on and continue to pass it on with my teaching.

Sometimes the help does not have to be a big thing, it may even be something you might consider inconsequential. But to the person receiving it, it might be the exact thing they needed at that moment. It might have been the catalyst for a life changing event. Remember that, when you are looking at someone trying to achieve something difficult, learn something new, change something bad. Our words can be like nails, leaving permanent damage, or like the helping hand, giving a much needed boost to someone in need.

Projects Getting Done

Painted. Needs a second coat in places and the warped boards repaired.

Giving the house a space between it and the dirt.

Cleaned out the BIG pile of dirt and yard waste as well as putting down the first layer of cement. Getting stuff done. It feels good.

Thank You

You know you've done a good job as a teacher when your students pass their tests and will be receiving their black belts in two weeks. You know you've done a really wonderful job when they bring you two dozen roses and a heartfelt, wonderful "Thank You" card for being there support team for the last five years.

I really don't know how I managed to stumble into this position, but I love the fact that I can help people achieve their goals. It makes me so happy. I never want to lose the ability to help my students. It really is what keeps me going.

Ninja One's Last Test

Today is Ninja One's last test. I'm not worried. I know Ninja One will nail it and soon be in the Black Belt class with me. I'm just worried that once Ninja One gets in the Black Belt class she's going to nail me! lol

You Know...

You know, with temperatures above 90 degrees and lots of humidity, it makes it hard to do any outside work. I did give it a go today, though. I have a section of the house that does not have a 12" border of cement. This section corners into the garage and that doesn't have the border of cement either.

I have been meaning to dig it up and put in a cement border, especially since the water pools there when it rains really hard. Luckily for me, it is in the shade. So I dug it up and started the cementing. When I was done I went next door for a dip in the neighbor's pool. Neighbor has been playing Age of Mythology with PlusOne lately and he loves my berries so we have a good arrangement. It really is great to have nice neighbors.

It was awesome just floating in the nice cold water. The sun was filtering down through the trees and I just floated along, relaxing all the muscles and enjoying the cold. I did have to get out after a while, though but I felt a lot better.

Test Day

Today is test day for Ninja One and Ninja Two. They will have to take their physical exam and then the written exam. If Ninja Two passes both tests, then she is all done testing. Ninja One still has to make up the first exam. I am confident they both will do well, and will be attempting to pummel me when they get into the Black Belt class in August. Isn't that awesome?

A Compliment

I covered another teacher's class last night. Normally I teach only on Monday night, Black Belt Prep, Adult Beginner and Adult Intermediate. Mondays are Techniques days and Wednesday are Forms days. I don't teach on Wednesdays. My teacher told me that at the beginning of the next five week cycle, I would be teaching Long Form Three from scratch, to the new students in the Black Belt Prep class. Now, this is a big deal. Normally he teaches them the form. The assistant teachers (like myself) might review it, but not teach it from scratch.

The fact that he wants me to teach it from scratch means he is showing incredible confidence in me. I have to live up to that. I cannot show any doubt or hesitation teaching this Form. I am going to OWN this Form. I am going to write it out and also use my nephew and son as human test subjects for teaching. I have three weeks to do this. I will OWN this Form. You can bet on that!

Happy Birthday Ninja One!

Happy Birthday Ninja One. Hope it's the BEST day EVER!

Trim Is Done!

All three sides are done. I will have to wait to put up the decorative trim. It's $2.85/linear foot and I need about 40 feet. I also have to put up the "J" channel for the soffet covering. That's why I don't need to paint the underside of the eaves. Woo Hoo to that!

But we're having a heat wave here (it was 99 degrees yesterday as I finished this) so I am not rushing anything. I just wanted this DONE so the birds couldn't get in anymore. Now they can't.
:)

Vacation

This nest week is one of the two weeks of the year that the karate studio is closed. My son is going to overnight camp on Sunday until next Friday and I found out yesterday that I have Monday off.

So what am I going to do with all my spare time? Fix the trim on the house and paint it. It looks terrible and it has been bothering me for a while. As you can see in the photo below, there used to be a bird's nest in the trim. I yanked off the trim to the left of the ladder and started pulling the trim off to the right of the ladder. The birds aren't really happy with me, but they really do need to find another place to live. There are plenty of trees nearby for them.

I replaced one piece of trim and painted it. It is a nice silver gray color. I have to put a piece of decorative molding up, install the "J" channel for the vinyl siding of the soffet (so I don't continually have to paint that and then this side will be done.

I don't know if you can see the color. It's hard when the sun is shining so bright but I think it will look nice. I am going to try and get as much trim fixed and painted as I can.

I also bought a darker shade of gray for the cement foundation and the stairs. I plan on using my spare time to get a lot of stuff done. Of course we are supposed to be going into a heat wave, so we'll see how much I actually accomplish.

Passed!

My Ninjas passed their test. One more for Ninja Two and two more for Ninja One. If all goes as planned, I will be celebrating their getting their black belts on August 4th. Woo Hoo!

Me and My Ninjas

Ninja One, me and Ninja Two after their test Saturday. They were hot and sweaty and I got great big hugs from the both of them. It's going to be a long week waiting for the results.

Testing Saturday

Ninja One and Ninja Two are taking their second test today. Ninja Two passed her first test, but Ninja One had to reschedule hers due to circumstances that if mom has to repeat will make steam come out of her ears. Honestly, if mom ever meets the guy responsible for Ninja One missing the first test it won't be pretty and you'll all see it on TV. Mom will be the one in leg and handcuffs, surrounded by ten policemen with automatic weapons and freaked out expressions.

Mom has faith in both her Ninjas. And since Ninja One always gives me treats, I want her to pass as well.

The Knee

I have condromalchia in my right knee. It is the roughening of the cartilage under the knee cap. What it feels like is the knee just won't support me. If you think about your body, when everything is working well you don't feel any particular part of it. Everything works and it is very natural. But I feel my knee. I feel the lack of strength in it. Going up stairs produces sharp pain. The doctor gave me an exercise to strengthen the muscles on the side of the knee but they weren't doing anything. My knee still hurt. In frustration and a little bit of anger, I added the ankle weights, and boy, has there been a difference in how my knee feels. And that's after only one week!

Running Form Five (which is all up and down on the knees) was a painful, depressing process. But Thursday night it wasn't. It's amazing how you feel when something you are doing finally feels good, but I finally feel optimistic about my knee. That makes me happy and happy is good. Very good!

Checking Off The List

I had been wanting to re-seal the edge of the tub for a while now. When I did it the last time, it turned yellow and funny and parts of it shrunk and cracked. Which didn't happen the first time I did it. So after I did all my garden stuff (and there was a lot of garden stuff, rototilling and planting and raking and filling leave bags) I started the arduous task of removing the old caulking and installing the new.

I finally finished around 9:30 pm and even though the caulk say it dries in 3 hours, we didn't use the shower until a full 24 hours went by.

I was good to have a slower day yesterday, if you can call cleaning out the breezeway slower. I filled three or four garbage bags, rearranged stuff and suddenly had lots more room in there. And I can open the door to the back yard without having to shove stuff out of the way. WIN!

And I wonder why I sleep really well? lol

Gardening

I did a lot of yard work this weekend. And I spent a lot of time in my bubble jet tub each night. lol
We started edging the grass that is overflowing the private sidewalk that runs down the yard. The grass is growing over by 6 - 8" each side. It's gonna take a while, as it's about 20 - 30 feet long. But it's getting done. Another to do task getting taking care of. Woo hoo.

Leading

If you cannot master yourself, or lead yourself to your goal, how can you ever lead anyone else to their goal?

Leading yourself is also known as following. Following is not a bad thing, as long as you follow the right person.

This And That

I had a yard sale yesterday. I cleaned out a bunch of things and what didn't sell is being donated. I got my nephew to go through a box on the back porch that has been sitting there for a while. He finally dealt with it and now it is going away.

I raked and cleaned up the dirt that my neighbor roto tilled for my sunflowers. I think I will wait another week before transplanting them. I am sure they will love to have some deeper dirt to stick their roots in. Now I have to so the section in the backyard where all the vegies are going. My sister commented on how well my green beans and peas are doing. I bought some different types of broccoli as my neighbor's is shaping up a lot better than mine.

And I talked to Ninja Two about her test and she said she feels confident and worried, but now she knows what a test is like so she is not so anxious. They will find out how they did this Saturday. I am not worried. I have faith.

First Test

Ninja One and Ninja Two's first test for their black belt is this Saturday. They have both been working really hard. Running has been difficult for both of them. Ninja One hasn't really run before, and Ninja Two has knees troubles (boy, don't I know what THAT'S like) but they have both been real troopers. They are both totally determined to achieve this goal and I have been doing the best I can to help them. (Except right now I am fighting a cold and I am really looking forward to bed.)

If determination alone will get you there, then these two have it made!

Outdoor Work

Well, I didn't do any of the numbers on my list, but I did rake the side of the driveway that needed it most, picked up all the branches that had come down in the wind storm, edged the grass on the side of the driveway and filled 5 or 6 yard waste bags. I also moved a ton of boxes onto the platform in the garage. Now I can walk in my basement again. I also moved all the junk in front of the breezeway door so I can actually use it.

I started exercises for my knee and I did my shoulder exercises.

I need to buy two hooks so I can hang my nephew's extra bicycle in the garage (and get it out of the way).

The sewing machine is unhappy so I am not certain if this one is going to get repaired or replaced. Such a hard decision. Trying to find the right sewing machine is not as easy as it used to be. Of course, if I used any of the 97 million other stitches than forward and backwards it might make a really big difference, but I don't. So it really ought to be easy. Then why isn't it?

Bravery and Fear

"Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death." This was in my husband's fortune cookie. I think it is true. I think people forget what being brave really means. They think it means "no fear" and it doesn't. It means doing it even though you are afraid.

Also, some people are afraid of success more than they are afraid of failure. That is an interesting concept and sort of alien to me, I must admit. But I think that it is true and real. Only you can figure out if you are afraid of success, or failure, but remember this. If you don't like what happens after you succeed in something, you can always do something about it and change. I mean, you succeed right? So you can succeed in something else. Why are we so afraid that the path in front of us is carved in stone, when it really isn't and it really is all about the journey and what we learn on the way.

:)

Another One Bites The Dust

From my Outdoor To Do List:

6) Get a better trellis for the far left boysenberry bush. The streamers on that bush travel so much a lot of the berries end up in the dirt. - DONE!

Of course, I ended up staking and tying up the rest of the boysenberries and raspberry bushes. It all looks so much neater and my husband will be able to mow the lawn around them without mowing them!

Fast walked twice last week, only did the shoulder exercises once. Have to improve on that this week.

Did You Know

That you cannot cry if you are looking up? Try it next time tears threaten. Look up. See what happens, and prepare to be amazed.

Did you also know that you can't be in the doldrums if someone needs you? Yup, that's right, because someone needs you to be YOU, the you they adore, you can't mess it up by being grumpy. I mean, you could, but you don't want to. Being needed is a great feeling. I wonder how many people would feel better if they knew, really knew, how much they meant to someone and if they were really, really, needed by someone. I bet a lot. What do you think?

Did you also know that it IS possible to coach someone on the best running program while you, yourself can't run, but you can walk very, very fast? Yes, that's true, too. And did you also know that the first 5 - 10 minutes of running your body is screaming at you to stop but if you ignore it then you will realize that you really AREN'T dying and it could actually be good for you? Amazing isn't it?

Working Hard To Be Strong

So yesterday I restarted my shoulder exercises. I had stopped when I twinged my shoulder something fierce. Turns out the uneven push ups we were doing were not very shoulder friendly, for my shoulder at least. So now that it doesn't hurt, and now that I have gotten back on the treadmill, I figured I should get the shoulder stronger. I have to do this three times a week, at least. Here's one.

In other news, I told NinjaOne and NinjaTwo their new names. They asked if that was like ThingOne and ThingTwo. When I said yes, NinjaTwo said she would rather be called ThingTwo. NinjaOne said I had better look out, because they were going to be trouble like ThingOne and ThingTwo. I better be careful. Although I am a 2nd degree, the two of them might be able to take me by teaming up. Another reason to hit the treadmill and the weights. :)

Fast Walking

I went to the gym yesterday with NinjaOne. That is what I have decided to call my two students. NinjaOne and NinjaTwo. NinjaOne once told me that if I wasn't on the mat she would have turned around and walked out the door and not come to class. Since I was always on the mat (they were my scheduled teaching days) she came to class.

NinjaTwo (who is no less than one) told me a few weeks ago that if it hadn't been for me she would have quit years ago. That floored me. I told her I never knew I was that important to her. She seemed surprised that I didn't know this. I still have a hard time believing that I am so important to some people who are not related to me by blood. Anyway, NinjaTwo was sick yesterday, so she could not come to the gym with us. But she had worked out after class Saturday with another student (who I led to black belt when I went for my second) so I wasn't too concerned. I knew she'd had a good workout.

NinjaOne has to loosen up her back before she starts running, so we discussed the best way to do that. Walking to class may be the best solution. NinjaTwo can give her a ride home after. NinjaOne has lost 245 pounds, so running for 20 minutes straight is a big deal. She can't do it yet, but I helped her formulate a better plan. She runs for 5 minutes straight (at 4.3 and an incline of 1), walks (at 3.5) for 3 minutes, runs for 5 minutes walks for 3 minutes. After a week of this, she should drop the second two walking breaks to 2 minutes and then try to increase the run time. Through all of this, I walked fast at 4.0 (on an incline of 1). Trying to jog any faster put too much unpleasant pressure on my knee (what with all this stupid rain, snow and cold weather it's back to hurting again). I did 30 minutes and felt good afterwards. If I do this a couple times a week (with NinjaOne and Two) I will start strengthing my legs and increase my stamina.

I really didn't like the running when I did it, but I liked the results. So I am annoyed that my knee has decided it really doesn't like running. I figure I am going to push up to the point where I know I can't go and sooner or later that point will move. And since that's what I believe, that's what's going to happen.

Pneumonia sucks

I'm a bit depressed. I had the Worst. Cold. Ever. for a week which has now turned into pneumonia. I was really looking forward to walking in the Big Sur 9 mile this Sunday... but under Dr.'s orders - no walking for me :(

I'll have to look forward to the Komen 5K on May 8th and the Bay to Breakers just after.

Stupid pneumonia.

Karate Time

Today starts the beginning of a new karate cycle, Karate cycles run fifteen weeks for Black belts and candidates. Five weeks for all the under ranks. I have two students in this candidate cycle. I taught them both from white belts. They are both very special to me. One of them feels intimidated by the running so I have offered to run with her. We are going to the gym Sunday morning to run (I may be doing fast walking). We will be doing at least 30 minutes of it). I figure it will be good for both of us. We are trying to get her partner to come along, so they will have each other for support. I will be the cheerleader, the taskmaster and the support. It is a good role to have.

I am down 7 pounds, yes, I was down more, but I hit some bumps. I am not looking backwards, but forwards to the new cycle and the fifteen weeks ahead of me. I am planning on losing at least 8 pounds in this next cycle. At least.

If anyone needs to start something, today is a good day to do it.

Achieving A Goal

Yesterday a student of mine achieved her goal of becoming a candidate for the black belt testing cycle, starting this Saturday. It is a powerful feeling to know that I have helped her to this point in her life. There were many times when she said that if I hadn't been on the mat she would not have come to class. She would have turned around and walked out the door. But since I was always there, she came to class. She has had a hard road. She had already lost over 100 pounds when she started and was still a big lady, but she didn't let anything stop her. She just did what she could and each day she could do more.

Last week she let me know that she did 60 sit ups. That was a huge moment for her, matched only by this moment, passing this test. Now she wants to find the candidate belt that my son, nephew and I all had. She wants to wear it as a good luck charm and a focus for what she can achieve. I can't tell you what this feels like, except that when I go to sleep thinking about this, I will fall asleep with a smile on my face.

Strange

Saturday I tested for my first stripe on my 2nd degree belt. Just a progress check for my journey to 3rd degree. Funny thing is, I wasn't nervous, or frantic, and I didn't feel like hurling. I have no idea why. I was concerned about my knee and whether or not it would really hurt during the test, but the weather changed (again) and the knee felt good, (until the very end). But I wasn't nervous. I was nervous about the tests for 2nd degree, but not yesterday. I knew everything I needed to know, I was confident I knew everything I needed to know, and I felt good.

I guess I am finally beginning to feel really comfortable with being a black belt. It's only been two years. lol.

More Planting And Some Shopping

Well, I planted some more broccoli and some beets. I also did a little shopping on the sale racks for some new sweaters. The current batch all needs to go away. It has been rainy and windy, otherwise I would be outside putting up new trellis' for the berry bushes. And raking and edging the driveway.

I did expand my computer tray so that it holds the keyboard and the mouse, taking pressure off my shoulder. I also re-did my husband's keyboard tray, as two family members kicked it and bent the pieces so it wouldn't slide out easily or it slid out to far and fell out.

The checkbook is all done and I had the lady who comes to work to help out with your 401K's and all that jazz check into a couple of issues that needed dealing with. That was a nice one to get off my plate.

Have to do a little more shopping tomorrow, for necessities and new pants and sneakers for my son. I've got a list for that as well.

How are we all doing?

Planting

I planted sugar snap peas, contender green beans, Italian bush green beans, sunflowers, broccoli, and organic green beans. I have to plant some beets and more sunflowers and broccoli. I may have my own farmer's market this summer!

Indoor To Do List

1) Re-glue the bottom edge of the bathroom border, which is curling up a little.

2) Finish painting the baseboard trim in the bathroom.

3) Paint the windows and trim of the eight front porch windows.

4) Paint the window and trim in the playroom.

5) Install the shade in the playroom.

6) Paint the windows and trim in the breakfast nook.

I think that's enough to get started, don't you?

One Check Off The Outdoor To Do List

Outdoor To Do List

1) Move lilies and iris out from the berry plant garden and into the flower garden. Check!

2)Re-shingle the little roof above the cellar door.

3) Fix the door to the space under the steps where the lawnmower is. (I have made a new door and need to finish painting it and re-hang it on the opposite side so it's easier and smarter to open.)

4) Plant all my seeds and put a fence around the broccoli and green beans so a certain little black dog does not get into them.

5) Weed the other half of the flower garden and get some of that weed block mulch on all of it.

6) Get a better trellis for the far left boysenberry bush. The streamers on that bush travel so hard a lot of the berries end up in the dirt

7)Dry-lock paint the outside of the foundation.

Next) Make a gazebo so that I can sit in the shade in the backyard and not bake out in the sun. Which is only fun some of the time.

That's a start to my outdoors to do list. Tomorrow I will give you my indoors to do list.

Nice weather sure is motivation, isn't it?

Absent

Sorry about being absent, but with three days of rain and then water in the cellar, thinking up positive things to discuss was just not at the top of the list. :)

However, that being said, my instructor said something very interesting that I think a lot of you might like. When you go for a goal and you don't succeed, it doesn't mean FOREVER. Start over again, evaluate what you did wrong and what you did right. Do more of the right and try to skip what you did wrong.

Too often I think that people try to lose weight at the beginning of the year, hit a bump and just give up, completely. Do you want to lose weight or not? Do you want to be healthy or not? Then start over. No one is perfect and there is nothing that says you can't ever try again and this time succeed. Just remember to learn from your mistakes, don't keep repeating them over and over. Then you're not really learning what you need to learn.

:)

8 1/2 miles!

Hiked a 3 hour 8 1/2 mile on Sunday... boy did it feel great but I am so tired! http://dkm3day.wordpress.com/

A New Week

It's the start of a new week, so for anyone deciding on whether or not to set a goal, or try a reach one, today would be a great time to start. Remember to pick a reachable goal, something that you want really, really badly, and that you have to give it your ALL if you really, really want it.

:)

Courage

I saw this quote on one of the Inspirational/Motivational Posters page and I like it very much. I believe it to be very, very true. Let me know what you think.

"Courage does not always roar. Sometimes, it is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow.'" - Mary Anne Radmacher

Spring Cleaning

I started cleaning the back porch/swing area Friday night. That is my nephew's bicycle. That will be relegated to the garage soon.

In the winter, the back porch becomes a catch all for everything that I can't deal with because it's too cold. Well, I have dealt with almost everything. The boxes under the window are my nephew's and he will be dealing with them soon, though he may not know it yet.


The warmer weather has me really tossing things I just don't want and don't use, I had some fabric samples that I wasn't sure about and I looked through them all and decided which ones I was keeping and which ones I wasn't. It felt really good.

I also picked up some stuff in the back yard and bagged it all up, ready to go to the curb on garbage day AND I cleaned out the stuff on the floor of the garage and swept it all. I'm tired, but satisfied. Just another thing done on the list. :)

Huge goal coming up!

Well... I needed a new challenge to re-boot myself. So - I signed up for the Komen 3day walk in San Francisco October 1-3. I'll be walking 60 miles in 3 days and raising $2300 for breast cancer research.

I've started a training blog - http://dkm3day.wordpress.com/ if you care to follow my path.

I'm excited, scared and up for the challenge!

Chelle (DKM)

You Know

You may all think that I am totally self confident and have no worries about my abilities karate wise, but you would be mistaken. One of the other instructors just passed her Beginner Level Instructors Certification. One of the new requirements for that is that you have to be able to lead a group. My instructor told her that he told the studio owner that yes, she could lead a group.

I don't often lead groups, so I was feeling very insecure about my abilities, and since I have passed in my Intermediate Level Instructors Certification, I was wondering what other requirements I would need to pass. And whether or not my instructor felt I could lead a group well.

Tonight he asked if I could take one or all three of his classes next Wednesday night. (I normally assist him in the same three classes on Monday night, so I know the classes and the students.) As you can imagine, that made me feel really good. It means he thinks I can lead a group, and maybe even the entire class. WOO HOO

Weather

You know, my knee really liked the warmer weather. So did the rest of me for that matter. The last two days have been raw, rainy and windy and my knee doesn't like it at all. I can't wait for spring. How about the rest of you?

Helped focus my son and his friend on their science project. The friend is very unfocused and unmotivated. I think he really doesn't care what grade he gets, even though his mother is angry with his progress report and wants a good grade on it. I worked on my quilt while they worked on researching and writing about North American earthquakes and volcanoes. Fun! NOT!

Back On Track

Well, I am back on track with my weight, which makes me happy. My shoulder is improving and I think I can start my exercises either Sunday or Monday. We are not supposed to have nice weather this weekend, so I think I may be doing quilting and cleaning or cleaning and focusing my son's efforts for his science project. I think I will also sleep late Sunday morning, as I have been reading late and woke up VERY late for work this morning. Oh well. My son did get to school almost on time.

:)

Have a great weekend everyone.

My Scale

My scale is only one pound off. Which isn't bad. I put a 12 pound weight on it and it came up as 13 pounds and I put a 25 pound weight on it and it came up as 26 pounds. Now to get myself more focused on not eating the chippies when I get home from work.

Grrr.

Wednesday

I think I might need a new scale. My current scale has a lithium battery. but it says I lost 4.5 pounds in one day. I don't think so. lol

My shoulder is getting better, have not restarted the shoulder exercises, don't want to push it. But the pain has really subsided and I think that I will be ready to start back up next week.

Cool.

How is everyone doing?

Mission Accomplished

Well, I got all the atm's and checks into Quicken and then balanced the checkbook and every other statement I had to balance. It actually felt good. I went through the mail, shredded a bunch of stuff, tossed a bunch of stuff and recycled a bunch of stuff.

I forgot to make granola, but that was because it was so gorgeous out I took my son and the dogs for a nice walk. The last two very spring like days have made me itching to clean up, toss out and generally organize. I hope this weather lasts, but being born and raised here, I am not holding my breath.

Another One Bites The Dust

I have completed another of my "To Do" projects. This is the gate to the back yard. As you can see by the holes above the latch, that is where the old latch was. Before it broke. Now, mind you, it was winter when it broke, so I wasn't going out there with tools to fix it in the winter. I bungee corded it together and left it for another day.

Yesterday was a lovely, sunny, in the mid 50's day. A perfect day for fixing this. Of course, when I bought the new latch, I made sure it was extra heavy duty. I also needed to put it in a new location because the wood where it was was split. It took me a few minutes to figure out how to work around that but I did and we now have a latch that works well. And should last longer than the previous one. Or the one before that.

I also swept the driveway and picked up all the excess sand and rocks and chunks of whatnot that collect in a driveway over the winter. It looks a lot neater now, and I am very happy about that.

Today is checkbook day. I will accomplish this. I will.

Extra Incentive

The assistant teachers got new uniforms this week. My nephew and I both have the same one, as we both have our Beginner Level Instructor Certification. I have passed in my Intermediate Level Certification and am just waiting on the grading of it. Anyway, we received the new uniforms and they are really cool. Mine is just a little tight in the butt and upper thighs. So I have a little extra incentive to get back on track and lose weight, especially as I know that 5 pounds or more will make a definite difference in how the gi pants fit.

I haven't been good with my checkbook :( but I am promising myself to do it Saturday afternoon or Sunday. I have to really focus on being better with that. Can't let myself slide. I realize why I don't want to do it, with money being tight ignoring it sometimes feels good but it never turns out ending well.

I did not do staggered push-ups in the second degree class. I did regular ones. We'll see how my shoulder feels tomorrow.

Take care and hope everyone is doing well.

I Figured It Out

I figured out why my shoulder hurts. I have been doing the staggered push-ups in the second degree class, one hand high to the side and the other low close to the side. Well, needless to say, high to the side on the right side is more than my shoulder feels good with so.... Ouch!

I am resting it a couple days and then back to the physical therapy exercises.

As for the food, back on track with that, writing everything I eat down. I can do this, yes I can!

:)

Feeling Blah

I am feeling a little blah right now. I twinged my right shoulder (on the back side) so my exercises didn't feel good, which is never a good thing. I did not do them yesterday. I hope it feels better to do them today. I am getting back on track with my eating. Vacation can be a good or bad thing and I sort of fell of the wagon in a big way, so I need to get myself re-focused on my goal. I know I can do it. Just got to put the nose to the grindstone.

It actually felt good to get back to work. I am a routine person and yesterday was a good example of how a routine can make things a lot easier. We had a very good weekend and I was busy all day, no time to be bored, which I can't stand. It wasn't a bad day, just a little tiring. Hopefully tomorrow will be a little less blah.

Take care everyone.

Destiny

The choices we make, not the chances we take, determine our destiny.

Rain, Rain, and More Rain

Tonight I was partnered up with two other students who had knee issues. I called us the Gimpy Knee Group. My instructor called us tough, because we were on the mat while everyone else would be at home. I had to laugh. I am the eldest, the youngest is a senior in high school. The middle student is in her 30's. We still kicked butt though. LOL.

Better today on the diet. I hate that "monthly" time because there are days I feel I could eat several steaks and mashed potatoes and still need more. Oh well.

Thursday

Well, yesterday was a very busy day. Chiropractor (boy don't I love him), haircuts and dentist for my son, whose need for braces on a scale of 1 - 10 is a 4. Woo hoo! No orthodontics here!

Shoulder exercises and getting back on track with my eating are top of my list. Vacation is fun, but not so regimented as I need to continue to lose weight. So, must smack my hand and put my nose back to the grindstone and remember how much I WANT this. :)

Hope you are all well and not getting tons of snow or rain.

Shoulder Exercises

I did my shoulder exercises three times last week. That makes me very happy. I did them last night and I will do them again tomorrow and Friday. I just need 7 weeks of doing them three times a week and I should have my habit created. That thought makes me happy. I notice that things don't ache as much when I do the exercises, which is funny. Who would have thought that working out means the pain goes away.

An Interesting Talk

My karate instructor and I had a very interesting talk this morning. Basically, in the second degree black belt class, I am 12 years older than him, 17 years older than my nephew, 25 & 26 years older than then next two students and 31 years older than my partner and buddy who I went for black belt and 2nd black belt with.

And he said I should be proud of the fact that I am still on the mat messing it up with all of them. You know what, I am. I am not stopping until I at least get to 3rd degree, when I turn 50. Then maybe (and then again maybe not) I might think about slowing down.

Too many people give up on things too early in life. I wanted to do karate since I was 16 years old. And once I got on the mat and started down that path, there was NOTHING and NO ONE who was going to stop me. When I was running (and dying) all I could think of was that black belt. When things hurt and I wasn't understanding techniques or forms, I thought of that black belt.

Let me tell you that if each and every one of you had that focus, you would achieve whatever it is you want. But you have to WANT it. And not be willing to quit. I wanted it and there was no way in heck I was quitting.

:)

And Now A Word From Your Sponsor

My husband calls me Mrs. Spock, which is why I think this is so funny. And true. :)

Shoulder Exercises

Well, last week I did my shoulder exercises two times. I forgot to do them Saturday and Sunday, I totally spaced them as well. So I made sure to do them Monday. Yesterday I did them before supper, so I wouldn't get caught up in stuff and forget AGAIN. I want to do them three to four times a week. I am getting there. It also helps if I do them at 5:15 pm, what I call my PT (physical therapy) time.

I have also been making my son do them as well, to help his push-ups. They are getting much better, but I want to make certain he passes his tests (for 2nd degree black). The second test is this Saturday. We ran through his forms, techniques and all the other techniques just in case he is thrown a curve ball, like our group was. He is also running three times a week, as well as doing 80 sit-ups and 50 push-ups three times a week. Actually four times a week, because that's what they do in their Saturday morning class.

And I wonder why we both sleep well.

Look Ma, The Door Shuts!

So, I told you I need a right hand door knob guts? Guess what I found upstairs? (waiting to be installed in my son's closet door) Yup, that's right, a right hand door guts. His closet door will take the left hand one that didn't work in the bathroom. Didn't that work out well?

As you can see, the one on the left (the new one) is bigger than the one on the right (the old one). So I had my work cut out for me making the hole bigger. But, we're talking about me here, so of course I got it done.

The new door knob guts and new face plates. And voila, the door shuts and stays shut. No more pulling out the sink drawer to keep the door closed.

Another To Do item DONE!

The Box Part Two

My husband wanted to make some ice cubes, but he couldn't find the ice cube trays. So I went hunting for them. And found all NINE of them. Yes, nine of them. A quick inquiry to said husband and then seven of the ice cube trays went into the box. As well as all sorts of cookie cutters (dinosaurs, reindeer, rabbits, etc) a small cookie jar that was a gift, but it's brown (dark brown) and I hate brown (especially in a blue kitchen) and now I can say I have one kitchen cabinet that has been cleaned out of STUFF! I am very happy about that.

I have already filled the box with all sorts of books that I do not want and am looking forward to the cabinet over the closet in the bathroom. My attempt to fix the door knob didn't work because, believe it or not, it's for a left hand opening door, not a right hand. Since I can't just flip it upside down, I will have to see if I can get one for a right hand opening door. What a drag!

Oh well, gotta go do my shoulder exercises and then clean up my notes for my form. I ran it (slowly) with my nephew (Mr. Karate) and I have all the angles and directions CORRECT. I don't know if I can explain how happy that makes me. I really want to do this form well on my next step exam in 9 weeks and having the angles and directions down makes it SO much easier to practice.

Keep the faith!

The Box

My mother informed me a couple of weeks ago that she was having a yard sale this spring. Either at my house or my sister's house. Since my house is just as well traveled as hers, but a little yard sale safe, the yard sale will be here. That actually made me very happy, because then all the stuff I was collecting to get rid of now has another purpose. To be sold in a yard sale.

So, here is the box that I plan on putting yard sale items in. I realize it may only be the first of many, but the fact that I now have something to collect all the miscellaneous stuff I do not want makes me very happy.

Here are some of the books that will be going in the box. I have decided that while I may like the book, or may have liked it while I read it, if I am not going to read it again, then it can go away.

I cleared out one or two shelves with this bunch. And if you know how many shelves of books I have, you would know that I may have more to clean out. I also have some VCR tapes to get rid of and maybe even some old Christmas ornaments. Anything that I haven't touched in several years will be going in this yard sale. And it will not be until the really nice weather so I can clean out the cellar and garage. (Though my garage is pretty clean for a garage.)

I also have to fix the bathroom door knob and the door knob to my son's bedroom closet. Those will be a little messy, as the "guts" of the door knob (there is a lock in it) is a different shape than the ones I originally put in. So I will have to do some drilling and scraping and generally make a mess.

I will keep you posted on my progress.

Anyone else have some boxes they need to fill?