Hiking

Being in the Adirondacks for the weekend allows for many really nice hiking opportunities. We just picked wrong. Twice. The first park was a conservation park that would have been nice in the spring, unfortunately it is nearly fall and I was not in the mood for a garden walk to see plants. I wanted a hike. Also because it was near a marsh the mosquito’s were awful. They were eating us alive.

So after a very short walk around we decided to go to the trail that we tried last year. The beginning is very rough. Actually we have never done the whole thing. Between starting late (it’s a 5-6 mile hike) and being out of shape we just never made it. On the way over Pat was sure they would give up shortly into the hike and we wouldn’t have to go very far.

It turns out Pat was the first to want to turn around, though he did grin and bear it until they realized Sarah’s inhaler was back in the car and she really shouldn’t go on. I was a little sad because I had just caught up to Brandon and Doug and hit a fairly good flat spot.

Hopefully we will find a new/better one tomorrow.

Today’s steps; 7212

Things You Should Never Say

Being at the cabin is a time of outdoors, sleeping in, relaxing and drinking. To make sure they had plenty of drinks we stopped at the liquor store. I decided to go in and see if anything looked interesting. I selected a Peppermint schnopps (I am having a major sweet tooth this weekend.

Anyway The boys took longer to pick out their selections and I edged them out to the cashier. I took out my license and counted out the cash, as she was handing over the change by brother in law said ‘that’s not you’ (he’s such a smartass).

‘Nope it’s no it’s my twin sisters’ comes my retort. Um ya lets just tell the lady that it’s a fake licence. Even saying it's someone elses was pretty dumb.

I laughed and said, 'I gues I shouldn’t say that’. Luckly she just laughed and I went on my way.

Today’s steps; 11342

On The Road Again

And again. And again. And again.

This time we go someplace nice. We went to Pat’s parents cabin for the weekend. It’s now a 6 ½ hour drive. I’m glad we waited until today to leave. If we had left Thursday we would have got in approximately 1am.

As it we left at 8 am, much later then I would have liked. (I was up at 630) but we had to pack up the car and do some last minute cleaning around the apartment.

As we were leaving We stopped for breakfast on the way out (my favorite bagel shop). Anyway Pat always gets his bagel toasted. It makes the cream cheese all mushy and to him that is great! Anyway after we left the shop I handed him the bagel and went to town on my own (un toasted). As we pull up to a yellow light I hear Pat let out a swear word, seriously I thought it was all about the light. I turned to give him my best ‘well that was inappropriate’ look to see him wearing cream cheese. It matched his shirt nicely! Don’t worry we got him cleaned up before the light turned green and he did not spill again.

It is hard to get 10000 steps when driving so much. I had to walk up and down the street 2x and people speed down that narrow road! Lucky for me they give people walking even far off the road extra room.apparently they want to hit me as much as I want to get hit by them.

Today's steps; 10684

Swimming

Today is the first day I have actually missed swimming laps in a LONG time. While it is a great exercise, it makes one smell like pool chemicals. Gross. But today I read an article that made me miss swimming.

Was it an article on Felps who just won 8 golds? No. Was it on the Olympics in general? No. Maybe a article on swimming pools. nope. A blog entry from Angela detailing a swimming practice? No. And I have no desire to swim competitively in open water.

Those would make too much sense. So what was it that made me miss swimming so much?

Here is the article that made me miss swimming laps.http://www.slate.com/id/2197095/?GT1=38001

Sigh. (http://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/1151.htm) I really like the blue ones, but i'd go for the black too.

For those who do not feel like looking or if the links are not working; it is an article on swimmers goggles.

Today's steps; 11692

Regret

I'm beginning to regret not doing laundry on Sunday. We didn't do it today so that means tomorrow instead of going to the gym and relaxing; I will be doing laundry with pat and putting it away while packing. I am for the most part packed I just have some odds and ends from the wash to add to the bag. I should also find a dirty cloths bag so we can get that separated right away making unpacking go smoother (I normally use a trash bag and let pat fend for himself).

At least I got a good workout in today. I seem to have gotten into a habit of going to bed late (10PM is late for me, how embarrassing). And waking up around 4am and taking my time going back to sleep. This has left me tired. Though as if to prove how valuable workouts are, somehow during the workout I would wake up and start to feel great. Also getting all that energy out usually helps me fall asleep faster and more soundly.

Today's Steps; 13003

Date Night

Pat and I had a rare weekday date night. It was nice. I skipped the gym, he cooked dinner and we spent more time then normal together. I definitely missed the gym but it was worth it tonight. Tomorrow it's back to business as usual!

Today's steps; 4112

Traitor

There is a traitor in the midst, I won't name names.

Hell yes I will. Annibel, my best friend from High school-Middle school. It's unbelevable what she did. First the back story.

Our family is full if University of Illinois Graduates, Almost everyone. Then I came along, I actully valued my education and elected to go to a great school. I went to Purdue. My older brother and all the cousins on that side went to U of I. I luckly brought home 2 husbands, one for me and one for Liz. The score in the immediate family is Illini Graduates 3 Purdue Graduates 3 . So this baby is going to go to the better school, Purdue. We will take over the family!

Back to the trechery. Anne got a job with the U of I. (a few months ago) she never attended school there and if she's smart (which she is) she never will. Anyway. My niece is on the way (expected in November) and Ann sent along a 'gift'. She gave my niece a U of I onsie!!!! So much for the long standing friendship! It's on girl! The U of I is going down! You had better be there next year when U of I plays Purdue on the field. Purdue will win and I'll laugh at the U of I grads as well as you, Anne the traitor.

Today's steps; 16012

Contrast

Last Sunday we got up early, we got everything done fairly early. Today? Pat slept in, I wish I could have. I got my workout in at 9. Laundry? Skipped entirely. Grocery shopping? We finally did that around 4PM! WOW That even contrasts Saturday. After the upstairs rodent woke me up I did get some cleaning done, including cleaning my own rodents cage. Today one lap of additional walking to get some fresh air. Maybe it was that air that made me LAZY! I did on the other hand start packing for the weekend at the Adarondacks. I am very much looking forward to going up there for a long weekend. My packing skills are on the fritz (I forgot lots of stuff when I went home for sean's wedding). I just don't want to test them, or give them the chance to fail.

Today's Steps; 18070

What Time Is It Mr. Squirrel

6AM what a great time for a Party! How about a race? Don't mind us, you know the ones who pay rent to keep you warm in the winter and cooler in the summer.

I figure it's a boyfriend otherwise you would be waking us up every day. So thank you for not having him over everyday. But can you cut it out on the weekends? I really would like to sleep in, which almost never happens and will never happen with you making all that racket. So please keep it down.

Today's steps; 21583

Fire Drill

Today went fairly quickly.

Pat wanted to take me to a Portugese BBQ that is near his work, so we decided to go today. I skipped the Gym so we could get there before the Friday night rush. Pat was riving to the resteraunt when I decided that I should be driving, (he had 1 beer before we left I had 0) anyway pat said he was going to find somewhere to pull over. I told him not to bother as it was only one beer.

I noticed a Red light up ahead. A Chinese fire drill seemed to be more then appropriate. besides I don't think I have had the pleasure before. I suggested it to pat and surprisingly he was up for it. So today I had my first chinese fire drill.

The resteraunt was good but if Pat wants to go again he can bring it home to me.

Today's steps; 6177

Bla Bla Bla

I got a raise today! YEA! It will be reflected on my next paycheck.

Today's steps; 14684

Steps

Today's Steps; 15085

Where's The Love?

I went shopping to day to spend the gift card Lillie gave me after the shower. I used to love shopping. I used to be able to find great deals! While the store was having a sale which helped nothing was a 'steal'. I found a skirt i kind of liked but in the end $10 for a clearance item proved to be more then I wanted to spend on a skirt that was a like.

I didn't see any dresses which was my original want (or none that i liked). so I wondered over to the work cloths. My work cloths are getting very old and some not so nice looking. I have gotten rid of a few pants in recent months for various reasons leaving me in need of a few good pair. While there were some nice pants (one of which ended up going home with) they were all $25 after the sale! Even a few years ago I remember finding nice pairs of pants on sale for $10-15. The sad thing is that these purchases need to be made, I would rather spend my money on fun things.

I'm not sure why the $10 price tag seems so cheap for me but buying allot of Gym/workout cloths in recent months didn't bother me nearly as much as it was all around the 10$ range. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I enjoy the workout more and feel that it's not too much to pay. I think it is more the former because when the tops were $15 I was not so crazy about buying them (though I still really liked them and wanted to purchase them. I decided to wait until they were on sale then I purchased like Crazy!

Today's steps; 15805

Getting My Grove Back

It was my 2nd consecutive day at the gym today and it felt pretty good. I could definitely feel how much the week off set me back! Though motivation was not a factor in my week off, tonights workout will keep me motivated to keep going!

I did very much miss the ice cream today. It was a great distraction and i was sad to leave the office with the piddly but average 3,000 steps. Though my steps have been way off the average is still over 12000 which is good I'll just have to work to keep it that way!

Today's steps; 13243

Sunday Fun!

Today is unofficially laundry day at our house. This Sunday we got off to a very early start, this made for a great day. the laundry was clean and hung up (to prevent wrinkles) by 1000. I snuck my workout in then a quick shower, then it was off grocery shopping. We were home by 2 with only folding and sorting to do for the rest of the day! This allowed us to go for a nice long walk and enjoy the rest of the day together.

Today's steps; 18441

Charmed

I have been on a charmed kick as of late and it's driving Pat crazy! I was happy to hear that he would be going to PA for a rock show today (sort of). Anyway, he left while I was at the gym, though he had to come back for his directions (which were in his office, HA). Anyway he was off and I had the apartment to myself for the day. After a very brief expedition to the bank and Taco bell I settled in to start my marathon.

I watched back to back episodes while setting the desktop up how I wanted it and getting the lap top networked in. after that I varied between watching and cleaning though I must have been doing allot more watching then cleaning because it never got really clean. Normally when I celebrate a pat free day I get allot more done. I'll just blame it on the minor hangover and leave it at that!

The day was particularly enjoyable and I got the rest I wanted/needed.

Today's steps; 13620

Friday!!

Finally the day I have been waiting for all week.

I had a Lemon Ice a well as a little ice cream left over which made my steps during the day once again higher then normal, this time around 6000 steps. The gym was open so I did a workout. It was nice to get on the treadmill again!

Pat is almost back to normal.

Today 's steps; 15199

Ice Cream Can Be Good For Your Figure!

Who would have thought that ice cream would be good for the figure?

I brought Ice cream Sundaes in for the insurance company. They were delicious! The vanilla was very soft but got eaten quickly. I had plenty of toppings to go on the ice cream, Hot Fudge of course, sprinkles, many Oreo flavors, peanuts, peanut butter cups, whipped cream and cherries. Oh ya and the mini m & m’s yum! Any way the Sunday’s were a hit again this year I wish I could do it more often ( I probably could get away with it).

I did so much running around serving and getting the Sundae stuff ready I left the office with a record 7000 steps, too bad the gym was closed I could have had a really good day.

Today's steps; 7845

Long Week

This week is going by slowly despite the promise of Ice cream sundaes. The gym was closed when I went by so I once again went for a walk. This week is turning out to be a wash in the gym/workout arena. Probably partially due to the lack of workouts this week. I can't wait for the weekend I need a nice relaxing sleeping in kind of day.

Today's steps; 9278

Beware of Drugs

Pat thinks he took an ambitious dose of pain killers last night as he had a dizzy spell. I wish that he had woken me up to make sure he was ok. It’s not that he took too many pills as the bottle said 1-2, he took 2, a few hours apart from each other. A mistake he will not likely make again. The bleeding is subsiding and the pain is too. We went for another walk today though I told him that tomorrow it would have to be back to the gym. I really need that good workout that walking just does not give! Besides now that I am jogging faster and longer I need to keep with it as to not back track. And I have steps to make up for as this was not a good stepping weekend!

Today's step's; 11501

Dental Issue

Pat’s tooth dilemma came to an end today with an emergency extraction. I’m glad they got him in! I know it will hurt a few days but then it will be almost over. He will have to go back for the impacted tooth at a later time. For now I’ll do the best I can nursing him back to normal. Oddly enough after I came home with the goods (aka gauze and pain pills). Pat and I went for a walk, I was happily surprised that he was up for it!

Today's steps; 8017

On The Road Again

I woke up early as usual so instead of waking everyone up (as I can’t seem to be quiet, I think I get that from mom) I went for a nice walk. I figured that i would need the steps as We were driving home and would be too tired to walk when we got home. Every one was awake an ready for a nice waffle breakfast! Which I happily provided after dad did a grocery run to get the needed eggs (we do allot of last minute grocery runs when I am around, hrm). I really like the tradition of my making waffles on Sundays when I a home. I would get a waffle iron for Jersey but Pat’s not big on waffles and I really don’t need another thing (well not that anyway).

We stopped by to see my eldest nephew before heading out, He is getting very tall, he may give dad a run for his money. He’s really too cute though he may be shy as he did not say much. OK I know he’s not even 2 yet at some point he will not stop talking and drive us crazy. It was great to spend time with him and we left just in time (a dirty diaper was involved).

The drive home was riddled with traffic. Apparently the construction that is causing all of our problems will be going on until September 2009. we really need to go home less or take an alternate route. We got home around 7 and unpacked the car (I think we got everything anyway!).

Today's steps; 7481

The Shower

The shower ended up very nice. It was almost too easy/stress free. We cleaned a little in the morning. Then I got to take Lillie to Wegmans my all time favorite grocery sore for the cakes. After that we got to relax and set up the food table Mrs. Kulp, Devan and Ms. Price were kind enough to bring food to help out so after all the planning headaches it was really too easy.

Amanda came early (I’m pretty sure on accident) but I think that helped Lillie waiting another hour with only family around to distract her may have driven her batty. We took an hour to eat and chat before playing “guess how big Lillie’s belly is” I was very surprised at how accurate some of the guesses were. The Winner was Aunt Susan her guess was with in an inch!

Gifts came next and they were too cute! I love all the baby clothing. And this baby will start out smart as she already has a decent library going!

After the shower we had a family dinner and after lillie went home Mom Susan ans I went for a walk.

Today's steps; 14044

To Rochester We Go. . . Again

Because Pat's wisdom teeth are coming in we got to leave when i got home at 2:30. Unfortunately we could not find a dentist to fix pat's teeth so he has to wait until next week. The ride up was very wet and rainy. I only lasted 2 hours in the drivers seat (I had an hours drive home!!). We have all sorts of weather and traffic. But it was great to get back to the Rodman's house early.

I took the go-cart/death trap (Smart car) to walmart for shower necessities. It's not so bad driving the car though you can feel the car shift gears, as long as you are driving it's quite comfortable. but walking up to the small car especially next to a big SUV makes you realize that you are definitely taking you life into your hands in that thing!

I did go out of my way for a slice, Marks is always worth the trip.

Today's steps; 5430 too bad the 250+ miles we drove today don't count for anything.

Plan ?

So I leave tomorrow. Pat does not have to go to NY and we will go together. I'm glad I waited to go with Pat. It would suck to drive separately, the gas alone was worth waiting. though I would love more time with the whole family. Lillie's shower seems to be all put together we shall see how it goes.

Today's steps; 14458

Plan C

Pat Changed plans AGAIN! He will be in NY state on Friday so instead of driving al the way back down to get me he will drive up to Rochester solo. This leaves me able to leave early Thursday if I can get the time off. It has never been a problem before, so I'm hopeful.

I'm looking forward to the shower and now that have heard from everyone (directly or indirectly), I'm feeling more organized.I just need to get one more prize for the party games (i'm giving away 2 movie tickets). I hope everyone likes the prize!

Today's steps; 12019

Plan B

So I'm now not sure at all when I am going to Rochester. I may be leaving tomorrow or maybe Friday. Pat's work plans may have changed again. My departure depends on weather or not Pat is going to Nyac NY. While the project sounds interesting and it would be nice to get to Rochester early, I would prefer that we drive together.

On the other hand I have heard from or about all of the shower guests and feel allot better about the planning. Now that we know how many people are coming everything else is falling into place. the cakes are ordered, food is (mostly) planned and i have plates and napkins. I'm a little disappointed that I got plain pink plates (I really wanted teddy bears) but the shower ones were expensive and not all that cute. Maybe I'll check walmart when I get home.

Today's steps; 6125

Situps

I was extra ambitious yesterday at the gym, I decided to add sit-ups into my routine. They have a bench that will incline to make the situps harder. I chose a fairly ambishous yet not insane incline (so I thought). Today my abs are sore apparently I need to do situps more often. I think I will work them in more often.

At work They had a lunch to celebrate the official Merger of Palisades and Proformance. Palisades had Daves BBQ cater a nice lunch for everyone, and of course I happily tagged along. Yes, I was invited. It was delish! Happy Merger Palisades.

Today's Steps; 15599

Brownies

I have had a craving for brownies lately, I'm not sure what that's all about. Maybe sympathy cravings for the pregnant females in my family. After measuring out all of the ingredients I went to chop up the chocolate and realized I did not have enough. Normally I would let that deter me and I would have waited on the brownies but everything was already measured out and ready to go. After pondering the fate of my chocolate brownies I realized I did not have a choice. I went to the store.

They came out GREAT!

It's a good thing I moved allot today and even managed to do some sit-ups. I think I may add them to my routine.

Today's Steps; 19830

Lesson Learned

Lately I have taken to drinking wine with my dinner on Friday night. If we have a dish that will go with a nice strong red wine that is. I love a nice strong flavored wine. Anyway the last few weeks I have pushed it a little and had 2-3 glasses. That is ALLOT for me, I'm not sure if they had a lower alcohol content the last few weeks but last night was a 2 glass night. Unfortunately I had a bit of an alcohol headache/icky feeling. It has been a long time since I have been that careless, but I do wonder if it was the wine as well as the amount.

Anyway I decided to do the elliptical machine today instead of the treadmill as I just could not face running and could get a better workout on the elliptical machine. It's amazing how a workout and a good shower can make you feel better. I have to admit I took the excuse and though I did a few errands I stuck pretty close to home. It was a nice day.

Today's steps; 13653

Rochester

Next weekend is the shower. Pat originally said he was going to stay home as we were just there a few weekends in a row. This was good news for me because I have extra time off and hoped to use a day to spend more time with Aunt Susan, Grandma and Grandpa. This morning I let Pat know I was leaving a day early only to be informed he had changed his mind and would like to go with me. He is thinking of taking a day off, but he has less vacation time then me. It will be interesting to see how this works itself out (or how we make it work really).

On another note I have been shopping like crazy lately and have to decide if I want to continue to work out in tee-shirts (for some reason I have not been liking this option) or spend 10-15$ on a bunch of shirts to work out in. I had the perfect solution by purchasing men's tank tops but they don't fit right and probably look funny. Back they will go then I will have to decide what I want to do. I'll probably just continue to wear tee-shirts. I should be shopping for work wear instead of Gym wear, but the only cloths I really like are way too cold for 90% of the offices that I have been in.

Lastly the Merger was final as of today, it promises to be a busy week this next week. But not only is it a short week for me (maybe) the following week I get to bring Ice-cream Sundaes in for the office. I seriously love my job.

Today's steps; 16102