Exercise and Me

I started this post the other day, but got interrupted, so I'll try again.  

Exercise:  for those who know me, it's a word not much in my vocabulary.  Take my PE teacher back in 9th grade.  She was a formidable sight as she joined in our games, running over us and plowing in for a goal.  True, she was only a few years older than we were, but there was an unfortunate spirit within her that made her ridicule any students who weren't, shall we say, athletically gifted.  She did not make a lover of sports out of me.  

In my sophomore year, my family began to ski.  I was not a speedy learner, but after weeks and years of practice, I did become a fairly good intermediate skier, good enough to enjoy winter weekends throughout high school and college.  And even into married life.  

So I got some exercise, not the least of which was my walking to school every day, including walking home for lunch every day, which equated to about thirty-two (or more) blocks of walking each day, mostly in a hurry, especially at lunch time because we only had a forty minute lunch break.  And college?  Our campus was know for its hills.

In other words, organized exercise was not in the picture.  Fast forward to now, and as you know, I've been NordicTracking for almost two years.  And it's gotten old.  Reeaaallly old.  Boring.  Which equates to finding all kinds of reasons for not doing it.  Guilt set in. (Really, I think guilt is one thing I do well!)

When I signed up for my Medicare supplemental insurance, it turned out that the insurance I chose came with a free (to me) program called Silver Sneakers (where do they come up with these names?!?) which gives me access to gyms across the country.  And there was even a participating one right here in our town!!  I finally decided I'd have to avail myself of this perk or I was going to fall off the exercise bandwagon and I didn't want to do that.  

Guess what?!?  I LIKE it!  No one could be more amazed than I am.  I'm going three times a week (MWF), and working out for an hour or so. I come home thankful and energized.  The cardio machines have TVs on them, so I plug in my iPod headphones and watch NCIS or HGTV and work away.  I wanted to work on strength training, too, so I make the rounds of about 8-10 weight machines that work different muscles, do my sets and move on to the next one.  

Here's to my Silver Sneakers card!!  ♥

Just For You, Bruder Bear

Hey, Bruder Bear.  Remember the basement guest bath? The one you've been forced to endure using for a number of years? The one with the unbelievably green fixtures?  Take a look now!

Just look at that bee-u-ti-ful sink!  Gorgeous new faucets!  And a lovely new toidy which sits higher! Yes, the counter is the same, and unfortunately for now the tub is the same, but no more will you have to endure shaving over an ugly green sink.  Dan has been hard at work, with more planned. Come visit and see!!  ♥

Note to those who have not visited this bath:  The fixtures were bright green.  For those of you who would know, Washington Water Power green.  With gold faucets.  I know.  It doesn't even bear thinking about. Why we waited this long is a mystery that will never be solved.  

Dinner and A Movie

Our town has two old movie theaters that are still in operation--of sorts.  They are both used for special events and the occasional movie showing.  A week or so ago we were driving down Main Street on a Friday afternoon and noticed one of them had a free showing of Casablanca that night.  It's one of Dan's favorite movies and he was super excited at the prospect of seeing it on the big screen so we decided it was a "must see."  

We always usually have a date on Friday nights; it's a longstanding tradition and we both look forward to it. Mexican is our usual food of choice and we have several great places to choose from. (When we both worked and had kids at home, our date was Saturday morning breakfast out.  "Hi!  I remember you from last Saturday morning!  How was your week?")

We managed to remember our movie plans once we got home and went out for dinner early enough to have plenty of time to eat, take our leftovers back home and get to the theater.  A small crowd assembled and we settled in to watch a video favorite in all its big screen glory. We mouthed the famous phrases and enjoyed the entire evening.  Ahhh, the classics, where you leave satisfied, not horrified.  ♥

Fall is Definitely Here!

Of course fall is here--it's November!!  And apparently it's been some time since I've posted.  Ah well, I'm back.  

Dan is off to the woods today, daylight savings time is over (big yay to that!), and I was actually up before seven, thanks to the end of the aforementioned DST. It's a dampish, cloudy day and here I sit in my jammies, enjoying a cup of coffee deliciously flavored with raspberry white chocolate creamer.  (I think I drink coffee just for the creamers, but that's another story.)  

Since Dan was off early, I made myself a bowl of my favorite cool weather breakfast--oatmeal.  (Dan is not a fan.) I use old-fashioned oats, cook it long and slow, stir in a tablespoon of peanut butter, add a drizzle of pure maple syrup, and top it off with vanilla almond milk. Yum!!!

The peanut butter adds protein and it only takes a little maple syrup to sweeten a bowl compared to the amount of brown sugar I used to use.  

Saturday was spent at an out-of-town soccer tournament watching Cameron's school compete.  Dan, Ann and Daniel went up on Friday and were thrilled to watch the team win two games including defeating the number one seed.  Cameron scored eight goals between the two games!!  Saturday was the final playoff for the top spot, and while they didn't win, Cameron scored both goals in the 3-2 heart breaker.  He also received a trophy for being one of the top league players.  And the second place trophy the school won is pretty impressive, too.  It was a very cold, windy and damp day, but we all huddled together, kept warm and had a great time! (And a little chocolate didn't hurt, either.)

Hope you're all staying warm and cozy--  ♥