Love my Czech friend . . .

do you remember quite a while ago when I mentioned that my lovely Czech friend was the one who told me "you have a beautiful color . . ." in reference to my unwanted tan?
Well, today she struck again.

In mid April I finally decided to join weight watchers. I'm not sure what my final motivation was, and it really doesn't matter . . . regardless, I've been faithful and thus far have lost 21.8 pounds. I still have a bit to go, but so far, so good. My blood pressure is fantastic, lipid levels fantastic, glucose great . . . HEALTHY!

In the past several weeks I've heard many different things. First it was, "did you get a new haircut?" second "you look so tan" third, and this the most ridiculous "you look taller". But today, my lovely friend Helena (of you have beautiful color fame) said to me . . ."you look fantastic, you have lost weight" I could have kissed her.

It hasn't been hard. No sacrifices at all. Healthy eating and healthy results.
I really don't want to become one of those "come to Jesus" ladies extolling the value of weight watchers but . . . I'm off all prescriptive meds now and I'm feeling healthy. Appearance isn't a goal, it's a side affect.

Wednesday, what's on my mind

I have a couple of things on my mind this evening and I'll start with the easiest. Do you remember just a bit ago my complaining about having "pediatric illnesses"? Well, again, I've been struck with the problems of a typical two year old. Over the weekend, while Travis was home, I started feeling quite punk. My head hurt- my ear hurt- I was nauseated and dizzy. When I swam I was shaky and tired. Yesterday I felt so crummy I didn't even go out for my regular swim . . . that was when Randy knew for sure something was wrong. (that, and I looked like shit) Regardless- I went to work today feeling crummy. I went downstairs to visit with my friend Marcie- to commiserate with her after yesterday's supreme court decision (her marriage stands) anyhow . . . during our visit she commented that with all due respect, "you look terrible" I told her my pain problems and she looked into my ear- Yupp, as expected. Left ear is infected with a ruptured ear drum. So upstairs I run to make an appointment to be seen by a "grown up" MD. I made an appointment and then found my manager to explain the situation. "you can leave early, but why no have one of our pedi's examine and treat you?" Since I didn't want to get Marcie in trouble I agreed to her plan and the chief of the department examined me- Yupp same as before. Now I have one week of oral antibiotics to take, and a nice ear drop that numbs the pain- Tomorrow I'm hoping to feel much better.

In the meantime, I have something to keep me feeling a bit better.
Remember before I told you about my Czech friends who comment on my "beautiful coloring" and now whenever someone tells me "you are really tan" in that snarky tone I substitute (in my mind) "you have beautiful coloring"? I have a new such thing going on.
THREE time today I got complements on my new hair cut and or hair style. THREE times, three different people. Strange, because I haven't done a single thing different with my hair.
Here is the rub. I've been diligently "working the program" of weight watchers for the past 7 weeks. So far I've lost 14 pounds (one stone in the British measurement system) and not one SINGLE person has noticed. I've been around people who haven't noticed, but don't see me frequently- and, I have to say, it's been a little discouraging. Well today I realized, they don't know what is different, it MUST be my hair. Finally, to one of my work friends I said, "nope, my hair is exactly the same, there is just a little less of me" She looked at me and then said "okay, yes, that's it"

At the pool one of my friends Carl says, "I like your hair, it's different, isn't it?"
to him I replied "Carl, when do you see my hair? it's always in a cap!" He said, "I don't know, your hair just looks different"

I didn't tell him what was really going on.

so, from now on- you say "you are so tan" I hear "You have beautiful coloring"
you say, "Did you do something new with your hair?" I hear, "Damn you look fine with that weight loss"

so, one stone down- two more to drop

Lesson learned last year

If you remember the tale of last years triathlon you will recall the enormous transition times I endured trying to get the appropriate gear on for each leg of the race.

I went totally old school- one piece bathing suit for the swim, donning a tank top and bike shorts for the cycling and then just changing into sneakers for the run. Of course fretting about going to the bathroom between legs didn't help either.

This year I decided I was going to shave at least 5 minutes off of last years time in transition only. I'm also hoping to shave another 5 minutes off in the course of the three events. Step one, which I have easy control over, change my "outfit" for the day.

Consequently I ordered (and have received) a "tri suit" this one piece wonder will take me from swim to run with no changing. My only obligation will be to change into appropriate footwear. This year I'll forgo all the bathroom fussing as well.

so, in anticipation of "tri season" I'm beginning my cross training in June determined to be more succesful this year. Anyone out there care to join me?

Happy Birthday Travis!

Happy 22nd Birthday Travis!

After a weekend of record breaking heat yesterday we had clouds and a couple of raindrops. I said to Randy, "the weather was exactly like this 22 years ago when I had Travis!"

Wow, that time has flown.

In less than a month Travis will graduate from UCSB.

With boundless pride, admiration and love- Happy Birthday Travis!

Watch out world- here he comes.

been gone, haven't forgotten

where exactly does time go?
I have every intention of updating this thing on a regular basis but the day slip away and no update!
Currently I have nothing important on my mind . . . so, this is a quick hello and a promise for more than monthly updates in the future.

scouts honor.

some observations

I'm a little mad with myself that I don't have the cord to my phone to upload pictures.

I haven't commented on my recent trip to NYC and had a couple of cute shots to share, oh well.

This was my first visit to Ashley's new apartment. The observation here: If you watch any TV set in NYC you are bound to believe that everyone has spacious apartments. Seinfeld, Will and Grace, Mad about You, How I met your Mother, scenes from CSI NY or any other show would lead you to believe that living space in the city is relatively the same as here in California. NOT!

Ashley has a darling new apartment, in a fantastic location but her bedroom is roughly the size of Randy's truck (maybe a teeny tiny bit bigger). The living room/kitchen combined are about the size of my bathroom (granted I have a huge bathroom). We take big space for granted here, the average New Yorker does not.

The other observation: in NY a scarf is not a accessory, it is a necessity. Living in California I'm always amused by coats and scarves. It really isn't that cold here. I packed two coats and two scarves for the trip. Glad I did, it is cold there . . and when the wind kicked up YIKKES.

My daughter loves her new city, and I love my daughter.

I will enjoy visiting her as much as time permits, but I know that I could not be an Urban dweller at this point in my life.

Big spaces and the ability to drive wherever I want, buy enough groceries for a few days and DRIVE them home, now that's what I'm all about!

Fantastic!

I'm so cross at myself for not posting this a couple days back when I first heard it . . . better late than never.

go to this you-tube link for a treat.

Lesson: NEVER judge a book by it's cover.

It's all in the presentation

You've heard this before right?
For good food to be considered great, it's in the presentation.
A great screenplay is only as good as it's presented.
A compliment, is only that when presented correctly.

As you may or may not know I ABHOR being called tan. To my ears this translates to "oh dear, you should take better care of your skin" or " you will look old before your time" etc. I know people don't all mean that, but it's the hanging pause . . . "you are soooooo tan..........." how do you respond to that?

This evening, after my swim, I was headed to the comfort of the hot hot shower. My pool friend Helena, a lovely Czech woman said to me, "you have the most beautiful beautiful skin color"

It was all in the presentation.
A compliment which I received, and didn't doubt.
I will continue to use my 70 sunscreen, but the next time someone gives me the "you are soooo tan . . . . " I will instead hear, " you have the most beautiful beautiful skin color"

A fond farewell

It will be a long time before I will be able to look at this, or any other picture of Murray without spontaneously breaking into tears.

Last Wednesday we had to say goodbye to our dear Murray. He has been slowing down recently, but heck at over 10 1/2 years old- that is allowed. Randy commented on Tuesday night that he would walk Murray on Wednesday when he got home from work. He attempted that walk but found him too weak to even return home and subsequently took him to the vet. I just "knew" that there would be something wrong. I called Kyle at school who left his class and met Randy at the vet. I left work early and drove as quickly as I could to the vet. When I entered the room about 45 minutes later the vet had made her diagnosis and recommendations. It appears that Murray had one or several tumors in his abdomen. Of particular concern was one in his liver, wrapping around organs and compressing the bowels. He was uncomfortable and we knew what we had to do. The cancer was inoperable and the most humane thing to do was to let him go. Fortunately we were with him, hugged him, reassured him and loved him as he passed.

I don't know what your belief system is, and I don't really care. I am sure Murray is in heaven now, chasing squirrels and waiting for the rest of us to join him.

I love you Murray.

The best dog . . . ever.

Second post of the day

De Quervain's tenosynovitis. Can you say this? It's my latest "issue" Also known as "washerwoman sprain" (clearly not me) or "Mother's wrist" which new mom's get from the repetitive motion of picking up a baby (who's weight increases daily).

from the Mayo clinic website:
In de Quervain's tenosynovitis, the sheath of the tendons on the thumb side of your wrist becomes inflamed or swollen, restricting the tendons' movement. The result with de Quervain's tenosynovitis is discomfort and pain every time you turn your wrist, grasp anything or make a fist.
Treatment for de Quervain's tenosynovitis may range from immobilizing your wrist and taking medications to surgery in more serious cases. If you start treatment early on, your symptoms of de Quervain's tenosynovitis should generally improve within four to six weeks.

From personal experience I can tell you that it also interferes with sleep.
I haven't had an uninterrupted night of sleep since Saturday when this flared.
Today I was fitted with a large splint, and a smaller wrist splint. So NYC here I come, splints and all.

Looks like my knitting will have to wait for now!