Motivation

Harley44

I'm healing pretty well, except.... the one spot, on my right knee... it was the spot that was hurt worst, anyway....  I ran out of square band aids, so I put a square of gauze on it, and taped it.  As you all know, the gauze STUCK to the wound, and OUCH!  I had to RIP it off, and the wound didn't heal...  so I got some more bandaids and it seems to be doing better, but it DOES seem to be taking just WAY TOO LONG to heal!!! 

I went for a run on Easter, but today... I had a dr. appt., just a pcp appt., and then I went to my MILs house to help her spread fertilizer on her lawn.  So I guess that is my exercise for today.

Tomorrow... will probably be another no exercise day for me... gotta work again...  UGH...  

No I don't get a good deal on the produce, but sometimes, if they get a little bruised, they will keep them aside, and I can get some tomatoes or potatoes for FREE....    I don't make much $$  either... minimum wage...  so that is another reason that I'm looking for another job. 
Yes, I still want to find a job as a social worker, and I was thinking about going back to school, but...

I don't have enough $$$  to go to school now.  So... I applied for grants/scholarships, but if I don't get anything, I won't be going to college....   so much for 'dreams'.

I'm working every other day, and then probably Friday or Saturday...again...   

Hope everyone has a great week!
Harley

kfinnigan

Fly by!  I haven't checked in since Friday!  Been busy and headed to San Francisco in awhile, leaving for Cancun in the morning!!  DD is getting married Saturday!  Love to all!  Be good, be careful and be strong!  Keep moving!!  

smooches 

ktym

Have a good trip and a good time Kari,

Just finished a power yoga routine that totally kicked my rear end.  My arms and legs are still shaking.  Think I'll pick up a book now...

dlb823

Have a great trip, Kari!  Can't wait to see pictures!

I walked 2.83 miles yesterday and 3.29 today.  I've decided for now that pushing myself as I have been to do more significant numbers may be preventing me from having the time or energy to do aerobic & weight bearing stuff as well.  So I bought a yoga mat & beginner DVD, and hope to give that a try.  I also recently bought some new Adidas running shoes, and have noticed that my knees don't hurt as much now when I run. I guess my old Adidas' had logged so many miles that they weren't giving me much support.

Brenda, Dr. Hardy didn't mention Tai Chi, but they do offer Tai Chi classes @ UCLA.  In fact, one of my favorite mental images from my many trips there is the noontime class of 20 or so people (including several docs) doing Tai Chi on the plaza outside the medical center.  Our local hospital also offers a class in it that had appealed but just sounded too hard shortly after I finished chemo.  Maybe I should look into it now.  Have you ever tried it?

Diane, I'm glad you knew where you son was during the earthquake, and I'm glad he's okay.  I can only imagine how strong it must have been in San Diego! 

Have a great evening, everyone ~  Deanna

Brendatrue

Harley, Don't give up on your dream! Would you by any chance be a first generation college student? I am assuming that you have an experienced financial aid counselor already working with you to find all the grants/scholarships possible; however, I was just thinking about that possible grant source since I knew of someone who went to a local university and had to ask about that particular possible funding source. When I went to graduate school, I did it entirely through grants and student loans (thankfully more so the grants than the loans), and I would have borrowed more if needed. Does your state possibly have financial help for students who will commit to being a social worker in the state for a certain number of years (assuming you are planning to remain in that state for a while)? Some states are experiencing shortages of social workers and, at least before the economic meltdown, some were offering incentives.

Kari, I hope you have a blast!

kmmd, The shakes! Goodness! Sometimes when I push myself pretty hard with yard work, I get the shakes. I try to tell myself, "I am not a wimp, I am not a wimp!" Actually, I realize that I have come very far in regaining strength and endurance, and unfortunately, I also realize that at 53 my body is just going to need more effort to be strong and stable.

Deanna, I think I mentioned that I once practiced tai chi every day. I first learned it in a class, with a very patient teacher, which I really enjoyed. After I moved away from the area where I learned it, I continued to do it on my own. Since then I have not lived in an area where there are classes. From time to time, I still practice. If there were a class nearby, I would definitely go again.

dlb823

Made a liar out of myself this a.m. by just completing 5.7 miles.  I didn't start out planning to do that, but I really needed the alone time after a huge ugly scene I started last night with a family member that ended up in an unbelievable mess.  I guess I still have a lot of anger and emotional healing to do from the past 2 years, as well as some other stressful things going on right now, but I was shocked at how this rage surfaced over something fairly trivial.  I feel so bad about it today... just kind of numb and sad.   Deanna 

Harley44

Thanks, Brenda.  I just applied on the NC website for grants/scholarships, but I don't know whether there may be others that I don't know about that are not listed there.  It needed to be submitted by April 1st, and I submitted it a couple of weeks before 4/1.   No, I don't have a financial aid counselor, but I wish I did...   I guess I'll just wait and see what happens.

I hope everyone is enjoying the warmer weather.  I think I better go out for a short walk/run, since today is the only day I will get a chance to exercise... I'm working tomorrow AND Friday, too...  UGH!

Deanna,

wow!  5.7 miles!!  You go, girl!  whohoo!  Sorry about the argument with your family member.  These things happen.  Sometimes, I realize that I still have some issues with anger toward my loved ones, who weren't always there for me when I needed them.  This may be something else entirely, but I just want you to know that I understand... 

Harley

sobx

I have always lived around water. No sunscreen when I was growing up thus the spots now. I mowed the yard, grocery store and anything else I thought needed to be done before I get cut tomorrow. They will burn the other two on the 23rd. I'm tired now. I do have someone to walk my Dd for a few days. I cleaned out and refilled the pp (puppy pool). So I go at 10 am and work at 3 pm. And I have to drive 1 hour to the Dr. I have exercised this week and went to yoga today.

Harley how are your knees? Use bacitarin instead of neosporin. Dermatologist says it is better. I'll drop by later. Kari have a wonderful trip and take pictures.

sobx

Fly by! I have 12 stitches and suppose to keep my leg elevted. Working tonight so I'll check in again in the am.

Mandy1313

Hey Joy!

Take care of yourself!  Hope you aren't suffering too much with the 12 stitches!  Feel good. 

Hugs from, 

Mandy

dianenv

Joy, I hope you feel better tomorrow!

Walked 4 miles the last couple of days.  Today the weather was so beautiful, hard to come inside.  I think I'll go out and read a book.  Enjoy your Thursday everyone. diane

Springtime

I have walked 2 miles every day for a long time now! And Yoga once a week. I have started being more careful about how much I eat, and I think I am a bit trimmer. Spring is here!  

Sending love lov elove to you all.... Ouch Joy! Hope you are doing better... 

Harley44

Joy

Hope you are feeling better.

Spring,

I'm jealous... now that the weather has warmed up, I can't go out for my walks or runs every day, because I have to work again....  

I'm looking for another job, but it's not easy.  Here in Carolina Shores/Calabash resort area, there just aren't many jobs, and the ones that ARE available are all in retail, or resort areas.   I always worked in an office, and there just aren't any clerical jobs around here.  I would have to go to Wilmington or maybe, Myrtle Beach.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Harley

P.S.  I went for a run this morning.  It was still chilly, but I warmed up fast! 

sobx

I'm envious!!! Sitting here doing nothing - YUCK. Had to change bandage before bed last night. Will wash and clean it it today as instructed. I wanna but know better and will just sit. I'll catch up again.  Dd and I drove to the bank this morning. It hurts to even hit the brake so stay out of my way or I better stay home. Work tonight and then off on Saturday. Later

Brendatrue

I made it to Friday evening! This was a challenging work week for me, and I am so relieved to have a couple of days for rest and rejuvenation. I did not work out yesterday, slept in for an extra hour and a half this morning, will now try to stretch & move for at least 15 minutes. That's about all I can manage today.

Harley, Good luck with the grants, scholarships, etc. Have you already decided which school you would attend if you had the funds? I guess I was thinking that if you had chosen a school there would be a financial aid department or person to help.

Joy, I hope you heal well. I used polysporin the last time I had an area removed, but I also have used bacitracin. Take it easy, and give your mind some fun things to do; do you have a hard time relaxing?

Spring, Diane, and Deanna, you guys are such walkers! I am hopeful about getting out tomorrow and Sunday mornings and walking at least 45 minutes. I'll let you know how well you have motivated me!

Deanna, With almost 6 miles, it sounds like you were using walking for working through some challenging emotions and experiences! I think anger can be a "useful" emotion, unless we channel it in harmful ways, because there is usually something to be learned about the experience. I often find that "under" any anger I experience is a "world of hurt," a sense of being wronged (or witnessing others being wronged) in some way, or fear. Have you been able to come to terms and a greater understanding about how this intense anger occurred? Perhaps you will be able to find some peace within yourself and also with your family member. I am thinking of you.

To all you others out there, check in from time to time! We need to keep each other motivated!

ktym

Hi everyone.  Busy week.  Looked back, and except for one week when I knew I had done too much and my legs needed a couple of days rest, I can't remember the last time I didn't get at least something in 6 days a week.  Sometimes it means using the 10 minute rule, but I've gotten it done.  Trying to be a little better about weightlifting more often.  I've been letting myself do whatever sounds good that day, but need to keep some weight bearing going on those upper body bones.  So, that's my goal the next few weeks, keep up the 6 days a week and get weightlifing in the mix more often.

pk0199

Aloha, we are back. Had a great time in Hawaii, although so far Maui is still my favorite island, We went to the big island this time. Anyway came back very relaxed and happy, that lasted about 10 min. Seems the young fellow who house/dog sat for us, had a friend over who brought a friend and yup, robbed us! Some stuff we got back, the rest his dad paid us for, but what an invasion of privacy. So we have been very busy with that all week. It takes time to find out how much stuff was worth, had to take in my vehicle because he stole my keys, doesn't remember it because he was "drunk" but had to go get more keys cause who knows where mine are. He stole DS's grad ring, DS left it at home in case he lost it in Hawaii, should have brought it with us I guess. Stole about $230 of DS's money too. Good lesson for DS and our house sitter though. The little thief is 18 so we can really screw up his life and charge him, we have that option for up to a year. Wanted to get our money back from Daddy first. His parents are very devestated! So anyway that is what we have been up to this week, so again no exercise. Now I can't exercise again because I have my blood work on Tuesday again, can't exercise for 3 days prior to that. Will be glad when that is done, it is my last one then I can get back to it!

Joy take it easy, heal up!

Everyone else seems to be doing very well with the exercise.

 Is this not the weekend Kari's DD gets married? hope all goes well.

Well, gotta run, got lots to do today, still trying to get laundry and all that stuff done from our trip, that little A (that is what we call our little thief, little a$$hole, but a girl at work got offended, so we just say little A) interupted me from doing. Man that took a lot of emotional energy to get through. Have a great day all.

Penny 

Harley44

Penny,

Geez, I'm so sorry that you had to come home from your Hawaii vacation to find that the house/pet sitter had robbed you!!  Even more than the loss of your valuables and money, the feeling of being violated stays with you long after you have replaced the 'things' that you can. 

HUGS

Harley

I went for a run today...  still only about 2 miles...  I can't seem to get into a groove...

ktym

Penny, sorry to hear that.  I'm left going, that sucks to deal with, and how stupid of them to do when it would be so easy for you to figure out who did it.

Beautiful day yesterday, nicest 3 mile walk with DH.  Back to work today

dianenv

Happy Sunday all!  I am so excited, Army Wives starts up tonight.  too bad I'll have to watch it tomorrow after work, I do not do 10 at night ery well.  I am hoping to walk today, very tired. My DH and I drove to San Diego to watch my son play ball, and then drove back.  Left at 7:30 in the moring and walked back into the door at 11:30 last night.  Long day, but fun to see him play.  I'll post if I actually do anything but sit in from the tv.

Penny I am sorry your vacation had to be ruined in that way.

diane

jrgolomb

Hello everyone.  Just checking in to say hi and let you know I have been slowly but surely ramping up the exercise since March 17 exchange.  Feels good and finally we have a nice day here in Michigan.  Hope everyone has a nice Sunday.

Ainm

Goodie - walking weather!!!

Penny - how is your MIL?? Sorry to hear about the A who left the other A into your home to rob your stuff!!!

Harley - did I miss your birthday??

Joy - I hope you are healing up well - don't rush it!!

Kmmd - hope work went ok.

Jess - Like I said to joy - don't rush it!! But I have to admit I really don't know what exchange surgery entails, sorry!!

Diane - I hope Army Wives was worth the wait!

Brenda, Spring and Deanna - hope everything is going well for you all.

I had a lovely day today - temp got to 70 - DH took me for a picnic (healthy chicken salad and fruit!!), wow - some of the scenery was magnificent - I must try to work out how to get photos from my phone onto here!!! Oh some nice weather would be soooooo welcome.  Oh and I got my 'new' hair styled and coloured on Friday and I really like it!!!

Hope everyone is doing well - keep moving as much as possible!!

Harley44

Brenda,

I was just planning to go to the local community college...  nothing special, but... when I went to the school, and met with the financial aid person, she just gave me a brochure and told me to apply online.  I did... but haven't heard anything.  I guess I didn't qualify for anything.  So... I guess I won't be going back to school.

I guess I'm kind of depressed about all this.....    so much for dreams....

I also want to try to find another job.  This one is becoming too much for me.  I can't work an entire 8 hour day, and I'm now being required to work 9 1/2 hours!   That is a VERY long day!!

Ainm

How did you find my birthday??   lol   Yes, it's coming up soon!   April 21st...  

Today, I feel ANCIENT!!!   I was outside, planting flowers in our flower bed, and knock out roses... they are SO beautiful!!  But, am I feeling kinda sore!!  OUCH! 

I went for a run today.  Tomorrow will be another LONG work day, so no exercise for me....

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Harley

Brendatrue

Drat! I hit submit and my reply just disappeared. I'll try one more time.

Hi to all. Tired today so replying again will probably use up all my energy. I walked for about 30 minutes on Saturday, then did classical stretch for 45 minutes followed by 2+ hours of yardwork on Sunday. I am going to feel gratified if I hit a full 15 minutes tonight.

kmmd, Great to hear from you! 6 days a week is inspiring. We can't overestimate the importance of doing even 10-15 minutes (sometimes I stop at 15, sometimes I keep on going).

pk, Sorry you had such a stressful end to your vacation, but I am happy for you that you had a good one. I hope you will be able to get back on track with exercise after your labs. Are you going back to the intense stuff (how's that for a bad memory?)?

Harley, Hey, a 2 mile run sounds like a good groove to me! What is your goal with running?

Diane--I am not a big tv watcher--wait, I do watch movies from netflix fairly often--but I have learned to do a wrist/hand workout then an ankle/foot workout when I am so tired I can hardly do anything else on the sofa. Try it!

Jess, Glad to hear that you are feeling better with revved up exercise--what are you doing these days? Glad to hear about the improved weather your way.

Ainm--Good weather. A picnic with your man. And a new hairstyle. Ah, life is good.

Springtime

Joy! I went to a Pink Ribbon Yoga retreat planning meeting and saw your name on the list! woot!!!

I keep doing my 30 minute or more walk every day.  work is a pain. I could exercise more if I had more free time. Wahhhhhhhhh.

Harley44

Brenda,

No real goal for running....  I think I walk faster than I run, but... it just seems to take too long when I try to go on LONG walks... so now I just try to run the 2 miles or so....   but, I guess the goal is for me to actually be able to RUN the whole course!!   lol   I always have to end up walking on and off... 

Well, I should go now...   I think I'll go to bed soon.  Gotta get up EARLY, so I can get ready for work.  Don't know if I'll make it thru the whole day... 

Harley

dianenv

Harley, you can do it!  hang in there. diane

Harley44

Diane,

Thanks!! 

Hope everyone has a great day tomorrow.

sobx

A friend has been nice enough to walk my Dd and after 4 days she is worn out. My friend not the Dd.So when I don't feel like I've done much it must mean I do. Start nights on tues. I am going to attempt to walk a little each day now. Feeling okay but don't want to screw up the stitches.

Hope you can get your things back. After I was robbed i didn't get anything back.

How about a pic of your new do Ainm. I am so glad to have warm weather again. Now we can fuss about the heat. after the winter we have had I think we all better be quiet!

Watched Army Wives tonight too. It was good.

Everyone have a great week. I have Thurs/Fri off and plan on doing nothing again.

Someone asked earlier about me relaxing. I walk and exercise to relax. Now I can't even run the vacuum. But I am working on a puzzle, reading and trying to catch up on the computer.

dlb823

Yes, ainm, I second the request for a new avatar with your new hairstyle! 

Harley, have you ever looked into any of the on-line universities, like Phoenix or Kaplan?  I don't know much about them, but my DH recently commented that degrees from them have become just as acceptable in many fields as degrees from brick & mortar universities.  Just a thought...

(((Penny))), OMG, that must have been such a letdown after the holiday you had so looked forward to and enjoyed.  I hope things are getting back to normal for you.

Diane, boy, I'll bet your son is thrilled that you show up at his games -- even when you have to turn around and drive home the same day!  That must be close to 400 miles one way!

Glad you've been able to lay low a bit and nurse that leg, Joy! 

Big HI to everyone else, including Spring, kmmd, Brenda, Jess, Brenda, Kari -- and anyone I might have unintentionally skipped.  I walked 4.4 miles this a.m. after 4 days of not having any motivation.  Sure hope I can turn it around this week because I swear my pants are already feeling tighter!         Deanna