Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Mid-Week Update

It is weird how as an adult all the days blur.  Anyway, it is Wednesday and I started my goals on Sunday (which I didn't state, but that was the start, because that is the beginning of the week).

How am I doing? Meh, pretty good. Here is the round-up

1. Finish curtains - nope

2. Eat breakfast at home - WOO on schedule, though today was my last container of pre-made steel cut oats, so tomorrow is going to be hard.  Oh wait, I have yogurt.  Still on track!

3. Pack a lunch for work four times  So when I wrote this I forgot to look at my schedule, I had a lunch meeting Monday and another tomorrow...BUT other than that  (so you know yesterday and today...), I have been doing awesome!

4. Keep the table clean for the whole week - I should have made the goal to get the table clean...nothing has been added, but it is still chaos.  I did start working on the piles last night (medical and mortgage stuff mostly), but then I got shooting pain down my leg and I figured it was time for bed. So this is changing to Clean off table and yes, I can change my goal midweek.

5. Walk Nova 5 times - I am at 2, so on schedule.

6. Vacuum and dust - nope, but I think about it everyday...

7. Spray weeds - Saturday is my day for this!

8. Do my pt exercises daily - Woo, rocking this one!

9. Track all food - Again, WOO! Totally doing this.

I feel that I am making good progress or at least trying hard.  I have been having later nights at work lately (to make-up for pt) so it is hard, but I am plugging along.  As for my back, the longer days at work are no fun.  The sitting is bringing back the pain.  And I try to remember to get up and walk, but I am at deadline point, so I need to get stuff done. Ugh, why can't someone just give me an endless supply of money?? or just pay all my bills, I don't need a lot, I just got my mortgage refinanced.... Anyone?

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Goals and a shot

<p>I have found I do best if I am working towards something. Even if I fail, I still do better than if I wasn't trying at all. Wow, that is a "duh" statement...</p>
<p>Anyway, I think I'm going to do weekly goals for a bit. So here we go.</p>
<p>1. Finish curtains<br>
2. Eat breakfast at home everyday<br>
3. Pack a lunch for work four times<br>
4. Keep table clean for the whole week (Does not mean moving the mail pile to a new surface)<br>
5. Walk Nova 5 times<br>
6. Vacuum and dust<br>
7. Spray weeds (sadly pulling isn't working)<br>
8. Do my pt exercises daily<br>
9. Track all food</p>
<p>Hmm, I think 9 is enough. I have been slacking big time because it hurt to move, but I got a cortisone shot in my back and it seems to have helped. And this list is really more of a To Do list, but it is what I need this week. :)</p>
<p>Which getting the shot was interesting. I didn't realize I'd have my whole butt exposed or that it would send a crazy electrical pulse throughout my body when they put the needle in the wrong place (totally scared me and made me cry.)</p> <p>However, the Drs and Nurses were awesome. They were so nice, funny, caring and young (like my age, ha ha). And my dad was so great for coming up to drive me to and from AND getting me a delicious Vietnamese sandwich for lunch! </p>
<p> So that my life right now. I will check in later to report on my progress and give goals for next week. </p>

Monday, August 20, 2012

Humidifier

Pie loves the humidifier. When I turn it on, she runs in the room to stick her face in the moisture. She sleeps in front of it. She drinks out of it (by reaching her paw in and licking it off). And of course, she sits on it.

I think it beats even the fish tank as her favorite water source. She is a funny kitty.

We shall see if she likes the warm mist in the winter or if her love is only for the cold mist. And yes, I own a cool mist humidifier AND a warm mist humidifier! What can I say? I'm greedy!



Thursday, August 16, 2012

Stretching

Back in the beginning of July, I competed in, errr, ran/walked/hiked in a 10k trail run up in PC. It was brutal. I had done a 5k trail run a couple weeks before and it wasn't horrible, but doubling the length meant the introduction of "technical" areas.

Well, I don't really do hills, must less technical hills, so this run was a challenge for me. I stumbled a lot, but I finished. On the drive home, I was talking about it with my friend and remember saying that it was not a good run and that I wasn't sure if I was going to compete the race series, because it was so bad. (there were a 15k and half marathon left, now just the half is left.)

Well, the next day I hurt, and I figured it was just being more sore than anything since I pushed so hard. It kept getting worse. I would stretch, foam roll and pop some ibuprofen and call it good, but it wasn't. The following Sunday, I got a massage..it was the worse massage ever. It smelled like acetone in the room (she is in a salon). And instead of massaging, she did this weird petting thing. But I did feel slightly better the following day, so I decided to work out. Well, that was a mistake. I happen to go to a class that all we did was twisting with weights and jumping. By that Thursday, I could not go from sitting to standing, standing to sitting, laying to sitting, sitting to laying, etc without tears coming to my eyes. So I went to the Dr, she prescribed a steroid, lortab and physical therapy. Totally got roid rage and learned that lortab gives me insomnia and doesn't kill pain, but it does kill my brain power. Yea drugs...

Anyway, the point of my post, my physical therapist gave me some exercises to do at home. They are basic things, but all require me to be on the floor, which means Nova either stands over me or lays right next to me.  And I mean RIGHT next to me, she must be touching me with her whole body . She is funny, especially when she does cobra when I am doing cobra :)

As for my back, I have two bulging discs and some arthritis between the bulging, woo hoo for me! I'm seeing a specialist this coming Monday...

Oh, other good (?) news, after Tuesday's pt session, I will have met my deductible of my high deductible health plan. Good thing, I still have 7.5 months left of the plan year! Because I'm going to live it up! Dermatologist here I come! What other medical things can I get done before April?? Suggestions?


Monday, August 13, 2012

The Birds

I think it is pretty well-known that I am terrified of birds. However, I also love birds. Basically, I want to look at them, but I don't want them close enough that they could possibly touch me or swoop at my head.
In fact, I loved them so much as a child, I wanted to be one when I grew up. My Mom crushed that dream pretty quick with logic. Damn you, logic! You always ruin all the fun!
So when I saw these robins I knew they needed to come live at my house. I bought them off etsy, but the girl actually only lives about 6 blocks from me, quite convenient.
I think it is one of my better purchases of the year. Right up there with my orange chair. Ok, that was free, but I would have paid for it, just don't tell the guy I got it from that!

Monday, August 6, 2012

Thirty-two?

Thirty-two? Really?

When I was younger, I never understood "old" people that didn't "feel" their age. Now that I am that "old"person, I totally understand.

I'm actually quite content with 32. Whatever, another year. Though once when I was 19, I had a 32 year old ask me out and I freaked. 32? That is so old! Though it may have been his horrible mustache that freaked me out more - nah, it was his age. :)

This last year was good. I tried new things like pilates and kickball (which I'm playing again this season). I pushed my body harder in running and biking, even if I did gain 10 pounds back...  And I learned that I do have limits, hence the MRI tomorrow... But overall, a very good year.

My actual birthday was probably one of my most chill birthdays ever and it was lovely. Seriously, I was content all day, even when I did my dishes. But more and more, I am content with my life. Sure, there are areas I could improve/change, but I've found I really like me. That may sound silly, but when you have had years of doubt, it is nice to find that you are, in fact, a good person.

So here's to another year! And please no surgery!