I want to change the blog banner so that it includes CH. I don’t yoga as much as I used to, so I want to change that as well. Something with the three of us, and Bogey, too.
Help! I need ideas. I already told my designer that I want to change it, and she asked me what I was thinking of.
*crickets chirping*
Hit me with some suggestions, peeps!
We move this weekend. I hate packing for a move. I know I told HH he could handle the move, but honestly I wish we had hired movers. Just pray that this goes well.
I can only stand for so long, and then my plantar fasciitis starts to rear it’s ugly head. But the show must go on.
Tomorrow, I’ll tackle the third bedroom that was supposed to be my walk in closet, of sorts. But guess who’s manly stuff is all over the room? Sigh. LOL!
We also need more boxes. I never can get a good estimate of how many. I guess I’ll be back in Lowes.
Does anybody want to come pack up this house for me?!?
Now that the Ramblin’ Rose triathlon is complete, this question has come up a lot in the past 2 days.
If you’ve been reading the blog for the past few months, you know I’ve been battling a knee injury. There was a point – right after I got my MRI – where I thought they’d tell me I couldn’t do the race. I’ve been in physical therapy almost the whole time I’ve been training. Matter of fact, I’m still going. We hope to start tapering off.
As instructed, I am going to stop running. I don’t know if it’ll be forever, but clearly anything more than 2 miles is taxing on my knee. It is the trigger for all my pain and IT band issues. So, as much as I love hearing my TIFL sisters talk about their next 5Ks, 10Ks, and half marathons, I cannot join them. I can be a cheering squad for local races, though. 🙂
As for my next triathlon, I think know I can do one again, but it’ll have to be a sprint distance and involve a pool swim. I won’t be able to do much run training, but I’ve been given the green light to swim and bike all I want. I will see what’s coming up in the spring and go from there. I definitely want to do Ramblin’ Rose again next year, hopefully as a TIFL mentor! *insert sound bite of cheering crowd here*
My fitness plan involves continuing with the swimming, and getting back into the gym as well. While it’s still fairly nice out, I also want to continue my bike rides. One of my fellow athletes inboxed a group of us on Monday and said she missed us already. I was feeling the same way. We have a bike ride scheduled for Saturday morning, and we’ve all committed to getting together to work out and encourage each other to keep moving. After all, that’s the mission of Tri It For Life: “inspiring women of all ages, sizes, backgrounds, and abilities to develop healthy lifestyles through multi-sport training, mentorship and commitment.”
I plan to join Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics (where the race was held) so I can continue to swim. Maybe I’ll get that front crawl after all. 🙂 It will require some budgetary strictness on my part, but it’ll be worth it.
This weekend has been super duper emotional, in a good way. I think I was most surprised at how many women came up to me and said they loved my speech. I honestly don’t remember what I said. LOL! I never wrote it down, and just went off the cuff from a brief outline. Perhaps that’s why I ran over my 5 minute limit and got the Grammy’s “wrap it up” signal from the back. LOL! I’m relatively introverted (shocker, right?) when large groups are involved, but if you get me talking about something I love, I can talk for days.
I love Tri It For Life.
It was easy to talk about how I came to the organization, and what it’s done for me over the past 16 weeks. I mean, seriously? At swim assessments in May, I wouldn’t even dip a toe in the cold pool. The mentors were like, “don’t you even want to try?” Nope! Sure don’t! LOL! I think I spent the first three weeks of Bubble Blowers on the verge of tears. Every Sunday. EVERY. SUNDAY.
What a difference 16 weeks makes.
What a difference Tri It For Life makes.
(I wish I could upload some race footage here, but I refuse to pay for Video Press right now. Its $58. Seriously. I’m on a budget. Maybe if I save enough loose change I can buy a road bike next year. Just sayin’.)
So glad to have met these ladies! Let’s keep on moving! Whatever is next, we’re going to embrace it.
Last night was the last group training session with Tri It For Life. We went to Freedom Park and had an outdoor session of yoga, mostly deep stretch yoga. It was a bit chilly, but I enjoyed it.
A the end of the session, while we were in savasana, the instructor leading our session read a story about how we could learn from geese. They teach us valuable lessons about the benefits of working together and working in groups. I was able to Google and find the original, so I thought I’d share it with you all (original post found here.)
Lessons From Geese
Fascinated by the conduct of flying geese, Dr. Robert McNeish, wrote “Lessons From Geese” for a sermon in his church in 1972. Demonstrating the power of a good idea, his essay spread and has become a classic statement of the importance of teamwork.
Fact: As each goose flaps its wings, it creates “uplift” for the birds that follow. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock adds 71 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.
Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.
Fact: When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into formation and another goose flies to the point position.
Lesson: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on one another’s skills, capabilities and unique arrangements of gifts, talents or resources.
Fact: The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
Lesson: We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement, the production is much greater. The power of encouragement (to stand by one’s heart or core values and encourage the heart and core of others) is the quality of honking we seek.
Fact: When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it to help and protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then they launch out with another formation or catch up with the flock.
Lesson: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by one another in difficult times as well as when we are strong.
Fact: When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it.
Lesson: If we have as much sense as a goose, we stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others.
I don’t know about everyone else, but I don’t think I would’ve had 12 weeks of SUCCESSFUL training without the ladies from TIFL. There’s nothing like having a group of people to provide support; whether it be a hand to hold when you are frightened, or that cheer of encouragement when you do something you’ve never done before.
How has the TIFL “flock” helped me?
I could probably list even more things, but suffice it to say, this experience has been invaluable.
Thank you to all the mentors, athletes, loved ones, and friends who have supported me along the way!
Today is the start of week 11 of training with Tri It For Life. I can’t believe it. 11 weeks ago, if you had told me I’d be in love with biking or that I’d be swimming in the 17 foot end of the pool, I would’ve thought you were crazy. 15 weeks ago, I hadn’t been on a bike in 18 years. I tried to get on after purchasing it and could barely mount the dang thing.
Yesterday was my last brick training with the ladies. I’ll be in NY for my sister-in-law’s wedding this upcoming weekend. Today was my last 2 hour Sunday swim session, for the same reason. Week 12 is pretty much a taper week. There are no scheduled group training sessions. We do get a restorative yoga class on the 19th, and then on the 21st we have our celebratory dinner. I am looking forward to that! It was kind of sad to have these “lasts” this weekend, but now that I’ve befriended some of these ladies on FB, they can’t get rid of me. LOL! I hope that we will continue to hit each other up for bike rides and swim sessions.
HFFA offers a discounted membership to TIFL members, in exchange for us giving some volunteer hours at some of their meets. I can definitely do that. I am thinking about signing up, even though we have our Anytime Fitness membership, just so I can have the pool access. When AF expires, we are dropping them like hot cakes. We can do everything we need at HFFA.
I am also winding down on my studies for my first CPCU exam. On Friday I’ll be taking the 85 question exam for CPCU 500 – Foundations of Risk Management and Insurance. My company gives me the day off for the test. I thought I was done with Prometric testing centers after I got my adjuster’s license, but I guess not! I’ve been taking review quizzes this week, and performing as I expected. The chapters I read weeks ago, I need to go back and review. I wrote down the subjects of the questions I got wrong so that I’ll have something to focus on. The study guide comes with a code for me to complete a free practice exam, so I’ll do that Wednesday or Thursday.
These quizzes remind me of why I hate tests. Those “all of the following are true EXCEPT” or best-answer type questions drive me bananas. I have to remind myself to slow down. A couple of times I picked the wrong answer because I skimmed through the question too fast. How they are going to squeeze 8 chapters of info into 85 questions, I do not know.
Once I finish this test, and we get back from the wedding, we’ve got to dive head first into packing for the move. This should be interesting, because HH wants to handle the move himself and not hire movers. I’ve stepped back and let him be in charge of this project. Pray for us. LOL
The scale went down a couple of pounds the other day, and now I’m uber-paranoid about it going back up the other way. If I had to guess, I’d say the increased swimming is responsible, because I know I could’ve done much better on my food choices. I tell ya, if I had a chef I’d be svelte.
I am so looking forward to October! I have my tickets to the Panthers/Cowboys game on 10/21. We’ll be moved to the new house and CH will be moved to his new school. I’ll be done with Tri training and taking a small study break before my next CPCU test. Basically, October will be one big WOOSAH.
What’s new with you?
I came home today and was greeted with a few surprises when I walked through the door. First and foremost was a package on the table from my BFF. She always sends me stuff when I’m least expecting it! The contents:
A blue, cream and orange maxi dress. Her note said she saw it and thought immediately of me. What’s funny about this is that I saw this dress in the store and said to myself, “self – do you really need another maxi dress?” My logical self said no, so I walked away from it. But I loved the colors. She knows me well! 😀
She also enclosed some coupons. Last week before I went to NY she called to check on me and I unloaded a huge rant/vent, including lamentation on our increased grocery bills because the two men were eating us out of house and home! And the fact that I was just still adjusting to having two more people in the house, when for years it’s been me, myself and I. So, she sent me these coupons that she got from her mom; they were extra and she wasn’t going to use them. I definitely appreciate it, because BJs takes coupons. #winning
The second thing I saw was this:
HH and I had discussed getting an extra deep freezer so that we could buy more food in bulk. We talked about getting it after we move to the new rental at the end of the month. I said I wanted to wait to see how much room we’ll have, but there’s actually a space in the kitchen where it may fit perfectly.
Last night, he told me that a friend of ours was moving to FL and she asked him to come and help her pack up the moving truck. Well, actually she asked him to help her drive, and I was like, uh, NO. LOL! He couldn’t anyway, he has to work.
He went over this morning and helper her get everything into the truck, and apparently she either didn’t want to take this, or didn’t have room to take it…not really sure, and he’s not home to give me the scoop. She gifted it to us (it even had some food in it!) and now we don’t have to buy one.
I tell ya, people are in your life for a reason. They are the true gifts!
Because Mecklenburg County has decided to join the new millennium, I went online and completed our application for the marriage license. First step complete!
Now we just have to hit up the register of deeds in the next 30 days to provide ID and SSNs, and to pay our fee. Then once it’s issued, we have 60 days to get married.
I’m so glad to be moving forward with our plans to just elope and party later. It feels like the focus is back on us and our needs. 🙂
I got back from NY earlier today, and had a chance to reflect on the past couple of days. I really enjoyed Rashad & Neene’s wedding immensely. Not just because they’re my friends, but because it really was a life lesson on love and friendships.
I arrived on Saturday and they came and scooped me from LaGuardia. I haven’t seen them in person since 2007, but it was like picking up where we left off! Big hugs and smiles. I met Neene’s little brother, a med school student. He had me in stitches all afternoon.
We rode to the bank and then to check on the flowers for the ceremony. Our bouquets and the center pieces were beautiful! Shades of lavender and purple flowers, mixed with cream and green. The flower vendor was efficient and professional.
After that, we headed to the hotel. Luckily, our rooms were ready for early check in. I had a huge king sized bed. And that shower? If I coulda fit that shower head in my suitcase…it was perfect for washing my locs! LOL! When I buy a house I MUST get one of those.
Last year, I became friends with the matron of honor on FB, but I’d never met her in person before Saturday. But you know what? I wasn’t worried about meeting anyone. The bride and groom are two of the nicest people I know. I mean, seriously. Loyal friends who aren’t dramatic and don’t invite drama into their lives. They are giving and honest, and as the best man said, they both got your back, as long as its not a WWE night. LOL!
Not only did the bride treat us to manis and pedis, she also gave us individual tote bags with customized gifts. I almost wish I had checked a bag, because the shower gel and lotion were too big for me to bring back. She took the time to give us presents based on what she knows about us. I loved everything. The argan oil mixture smells divine.
On the day of the wedding, I decided that if I had a wedding, I might want the matron of honor, Maggie, to be my wing man. She squelched all dramatic flare ups (including an evil petticoat), and I felt like if somebody needed punching in the face, she woulda handled that too. That’s the kind of friend you need on your wedding day! (I have no doubt my BFF would be the same way, lol)
The groom has been my ace since college. We met freshman year and have been keeping each other in stitches since we first watched Beavis and Butthead together. He also was the only one who supported my insatiable Dairy Queen habit…which is a whole other blog. I was excited to meet the best man because I’ve heard about him for years…I can totally see why they have been friends.
The best man is a bit of a jokester, but his speech at the wedding as really moving. He talked about how Rashad’s mom and grandmother did such a good job with raising him into the man and friend he’s become, and how he just wanted to thank them.
I think I cried at least 3 times during the ceremony and the reception. The bride and groom wrote their own vows. Usually when that happens, the bride has no problems writing them out and the groom is usually the one struggling, but I don’t get the sense that Rashad struggled at all. He talked about when he first met Neene and how he thought she was out of his league, but the part that really got me was when he recalled a conversation with his mom (who I LOVE by the way). He said she asked him if he wanted to settle down and get into a serious relationship, and he said yes.
SO THEY PRAYED ON IT. TOGETHER. And then he met his future wife.
I had no tissue with me. None. Totally unprepared for the tears that were streaming down my face. I tried to be incog-negro and wipe them away but they just kept coming. I realllly hope the photographer and videographer were otherwise occupied.
At the reception, I was going to be seated at a table with two of our old college buddies and their wives. Before we were announced, I checked the place card table and neither of them had picked up their cards. I was kinda bummed. I came out of the bridal suite and was talking to other members of the bridal party, when all of a sudden I heard that familiar voice – Mike! I ran over and he grabbed me up in a big bear hug. I haven’t seen him since 1997. We refer to each other as cousins since we have the same last name. It was just so great to see him and meet his beautiful wife.
I won’t bore you with any more details, but suffice it to say, I just felt my heart bursting with joy the entire day, even when my feet hurt (they still hurt. Stupid – but gorgeous – 4.5 inch heels). LOL! Old friends. New friends. Family. You could tell that this couple has an awesome support system and that will go a long way. Everyone there loved them and was so happy for them. It’s really hard to put into words. It’s honestly one of the best weddings I’ve ever been to.
You need love. You need friends. If you don’t have either one of those things, run out and get some. Stat.
Cohabitation Chronicles 