Dunzo

NaNoBloMo, I have completed you!!! Total domination!

Sure, I phoned it in some days, but November is a TERRIBLE month to create this little pastime.

With my four-day weekend, I said I'd be productive, and I've definitely made the effort. No going out, rying to not spend money, and getting stuff done that has been on my to-do list forever, so that I can enjoy the month of December and its holidays. Today I have to motor through a LOT of stuff, but I know it will feel good when it's all done, so off I go.

Wish me luck.

Past Lives

I got to have dinner tonight with some friends from high school, ones that I have run into occasionally since high school but not been able, for one reason or another, to spend much time with.

It was really nice to catch up with people that I feel like are an important part of my "past life"--so much time has passed--but we grew up together. It's a long way from borrowing Mom's car, and going to tennis matches or band practice. We have lives! Husbands! One has children! And I feel like even though it's natural to drift some, I wish I'd been there for their important days.

Still, like my Lillies, we pick up and talk, and they are some very kind, wonderful women who have evolved as my friends throughout the years.


Must sleep. Post for day: done! Nablopomo, you ain't got nothin' on me this year.

Sicko

It's been a long few days.

I want to respect my dad's privacy, but suffice it to say that we have had a few bumps along the way to recovery...including the need for a blood transfusion, lots of medication, and something called superventricular tachycardia, which would be really fun to say if it didn't mean something rather icky—really high heartbeat rates that just aren't good for anyone.

He seems perkier tonight, but he has been feeling pretty yucko. which in turn leaves me feeling pretty yucko, too.

We continue progress toward recovery, but it's a little slower than we'd all like. Your continued good thoughts and encouragement would really help!

My exhaustion continues, so I'm needing to keep this short. More posts to come tomorrow.

Snowflakes

Happy Friday, y'all. Wanted to make sure I got my post in for NaBloPoMo...

Heading back to the hospital to see my dad and have Jimmy John's with him. Will probably be there most of the day.

Snowflakes! Crazy.

Celebrating the Blues

I hope I'm celebrating the blues tonight!!!!

Story about voting to come...busy night though, and it might get late, and wanted to make sure I posted for NaBloPoMo.

I just have to say that I'm thrilled to be a part of the process today. There is an energy today that hasn't been there for the last elections (that I was also thrilled to participate in those, too).

It's like Christmas!!!

Let's Dance

So...it's NaBloPoMo again, and I'm going to attempt a perfect record...We'll see how this goes!

As part of an ongoing improve-Kat program, and to help manage my symptoms of IBS, of course one of things I could improve or do to help myself that doesn't involve taking a pill is to exercise. I hate exercise. Seriously. It's very hard for me to get motivated. I have never been an athletic person. I am not flexible or even very coordinated. And the idea of running on a treadmill makes me only want to run far, far away from it. I hate playing team sports for the most part. (I am actually a decent tennis player.) I can't even really throw a ball that well when I play fetch with Molly (see: Incident Wherein I Tossed a Tennis Ball into My Wine Glass, which I Couldn't Have Done if I Tried.)

BUT. My sister and I had been talking about how we just aren't...metabolizing the way we used to. (We have been blessed with fairly slim genes, thank you God.) And we don't want to be unhealthy or not take care of ourselves. And you can be thin and still be out of shape or lack muscle tone completely (see exhibit A: Kat.)

So we decided on a lark to take some community education classes (ponying up for a gym membership? We are SO NOT THERE yet.) After a glass or two of wine, we ended up signing up for a yoga class and a belly-dancing class. (My mom also signed up for the yoga class.)

It's now been six weeks of exercise, twice a week, for an hour and hour-and-a-half, respectively.

I'm feeling better. I enjoy going to class. I laugh at my foolish attempts to look flexible and coordinated and centered. One class is right after work, so I'm already out and about, so I don't dread going. The other is in the morning on Saturdays, but not so dreadfully early that I can't get out of bed. After both classes, I feel better. I feel less stressed out. I am in a better mood overall. I like learning the new skills.

I have seen improvement—more muscle tone in my core muscles, and some slightly more flexibility. I can almost touch the floor when I'm bending over in half. I have never even come remotely close to that before. I can do more without getting tired in class. I'm standing up a little straighter (I have TERRIBLE posture). I feel like my body is something useful. I get to spend some time with my sister and my mom. I get a kick out of the look on people's faces when I tell them I'm belly dancing.

It's one way in which I'm trying to take my stomach parts, which keep revolting against my body's permission, and make them behave. Letting my body know that I do care about it.

I guess maybe I took some of the best advice out there: find something you enjoy that also happens to make your heart beat a little faster and your muscles work a little harder. The class, and paying for it, motivates me to go every week, especially since I know people will be counting on me to be there. And maybe, just maybe, I'll exercise once more on my own during the week, moving it up to every other day.

Hm. I might get somewhat fit after all. I didn't want to jinx myself by writing about my plan, but now that I survived the first session, it's time to give myself a little pat on the back—and keep going.

Tonight: off to a belly-dancing performance at the famed Cassandra school, complete with champagne and snacks!

so, i'm crazy

i really want to get on this nanopoloblomocrosomo month that everyone's on, and i know i'm nuts since i can barely post these days, but i think it will help me make more of a habit of it.
i have more stories, but again, crazy day and it's not over yet. the things i want to write about take time and thought, not just something hastily typed. lots of things on my mind.
anyway, so, i'll be blogging every day the month of november and hopefully meet new bloggers (although i love my blog love, as you know), and get some good writing experience in.
today i worked, visited a spa (for work), got stuck in traffic eleventy million times, picked up my mo, and came home to have dinner. then i'm off for "grey's and girls" night, to watch grey's and see friends. even just an hour makes a difference in my mood.
tomorrow night: KELLY Clarkson! hooray! i have been waiting so long, so long.
saturday: haircut and halloween party.
sunday: wedding shower for a friend (i'm a bridesmaid)
i don't have a costume or present yet. eek!so now you see why i'm running around like mad.
ok. promise, better posts for the month of november!