Working out seems to be working out

A month ago I joined a gym. I will be reimbursed $20 if I go at least 12 times in a month. I made it by the skin of my teeth having to go five days in a row at the end.

I've tried several of the classes and I love Yoga. I've tried a step class which I found out was advanced 3/4 of the way in. No wonder I couldn't lift my legs or arms anymore by that point! I took a Pilates class that I would like to continue taking as well.

I took my measurements at the beginning and took them again at the end. I plan on doing this every month.

So far I've lost:

Chest: 1/2"
Waist: 2"
Hips: 1/2"
Thigh: gained 1/2"
Arm: gained 1/2"

I'm assuming (hoping) the gain is muscle forming. Or inconsistancies in the measurements. At least that's what I'm telling myself.

Done. Finished. Completed. Gone.

I am so happy! So relived. Life is worth living again.

I resigned from the board. I could have just stepped down but I wanted out. I have been overloaded with making decisions I don't care about. Or, I want someone else to make because, really, I'm tired of people griping about the money spent but don't take the time to come to meetings and understand the whats and whys.

I'm tired of asking Former President to stop jingling her keys during the meetings. I LOVE that another board member told a woman she didn't appreciate her sarcasm. I'm tired of being grossed out by a particular board member's herniated bellybutton sticking out from his pregnant belly through his tight shirt. (gag!) I'm tired of wondering what shape Mary's mind will be in when she comes to a meeting. Will she be happy? Confused? Jolly? Irritated? Tell us how wonderful we all are? Or will she, like last time, say, "I know you're sitting up there in your princess chair but I'd like to see Former President back on the board". Then sit and glare at me. Really? Princess. I think Queen.

I'm tired of the politics, the babysitting, the scolding, and the decisions that directly make another person's life miserable.

I don't want to spend five minutes deciding what color a suggestion box should be and another five discussing if the clip board that holds the paper next to it should be pink, purple, green or blue.

Therefore, beginning December 1st I am no longer a board member but "simply" a homeowner. I can now stick out my tongue at Mary's back without getting in trouble.

Knitting

Since it's gotten cooler out I've started knitting more. This is a little blanket I knit for Ella.


I also knit a few hats. I'm practicing a few patterns. So far I'm not really happy with how they're turning out so I will keep on practicing.

Welcome Baby Ella

My step sister had her first child about seven weeks ago. She had a really rough pregnancy. Lots of sickness, early labor, bed rest, the whole sha-bang.

This is how it started(email sent by stepdad):

new grandchild last night, all of 4lbs 16oz's. both are doing fine. the baby's heart rate was getting low this past week, so they decided to do ahead with a cesarian. ella had a little trouble breathing at first, but last word was everything is ok now.

Then this (stepdad again):

I just talked to Carmen and both are doing fine. Ella has eaten twice so far but Carmen did not get to feed her. She has held her once. Ella is in an incubator until she is stable which might be by this afternoon. Carmen is really tired and can't believe how much better she feels now that she is not pregnant!

Then my mom sent me this:

A funny thing. Last night, while very doped up, she said she hadn't really seen her since she was cleaned up, so Glen kept showing her cell phone pictures.
Today, she said that Glen would be sitting talking to Carmen and then get up and say... well, I think I'm going to go hang out with Ella.

Now, everything is going well except Ella's days and nights are mixed up and Carmen is completely exhausted.

This is the lil' stinker causing all the fuss
.

Time to get tough with the fat

About two weeks about I and three of my coworkers joined LA Fitness. We chose LA because there is no lengthy contract to sign - it's month to month. Also, our health insurance will reimburse $20 a month if we go twelve times each month. That makes membership $10.

So far I've only gone five times this month.

I've tried three classes: Pilates, Step, and Yoga. I love Yoga! I will do Pilates at least once a month and Step I could take or leave. I have to get in there and do some weights though.

I've still maintained my 25 lb loss. It was just over a year ago that I started my weight loss. Most of it was due to being more active while I was unemployed and then starting a job where I was more active as well. Now I've hit a plateau and need to start with the diet and exercise. The fun stuff.

Burning the place down

I set some water on the stove to boil, went to the sink to rinse some dishes out. I smelled something... something burning. I look over and there was smoke pouring out of a box of instant oatmeal I had left on the stove. I had turned on the wrong burner.

One of the first lessons I learned in Home Ec. way back in 1st or 2nd grade was that you NEVER leave paper on your stove. I've always thought, really, why would you have paper on your stove? I have followed this lesson up until this very day.


Lesson #1 NEVER leave paper on your stove.
Lesson #2 Never buy a box of instant oatmeal that is too big to store in your cupboard.

Music Video

My sister is going to a college for the arts. She's a freshmen. She has a Media class once a week for five hours. She started out with some assignments taking digital pictures which she liked okay. This most recent assignment was to make a music video using any song but it had to be between a certain time length. She had three ideas right off the bat. She went with the one you see below and she had a blast working on it. She worked hard and I'm super proud of her!

Since getting the internet

I've got a lot of cathing up to do.

I've got 11 episodes of Lost to watch from last season. Project Runway was on my list but I can't get full episodes.

I've designed eight pairs of Converse.

Shopped for tall boots.

Watched part one of Pam and Jim's wedding on The Office.

Watched the trailer for "Precious" and "New Moon".

Played some game that requires finding hidden objects - for about two hours.

It's good to be back online!

Such a techie

Lookit me! I just got cable and internet! I installed my internet myself this evening including the modem and router. I'm officially wireless!

I will be able to catch up on all my internet surfing. Since getting my new job I have no time to get online. This is good because it means I'm busy but there is a ton that I miss doing.

Anyway, I'm up and at 'em!