Running Around the Maypole ~ the May Dingo Thread - Page 11

[Geofizz]

Originally Posted by Nickarolaberry 

And, as a thought -- i think they should market those blanket-warming-oven things they pull the hot blankets from to put over you to the mass market. Nothing felt as good as having those warm blankets being put on me when I had the post-anesthesia shakes.

OMG YES.  I'd totally buy one. That was the only thing I missed about having DS at home.  I had these horrible shakes after DD was born, and those blankets was heaven.  I kept asking about the shakes - never got a satisfying answer.  Everyone kept telling me that it was the epidural wearing off.  DD was born 20 minutes after I arrived at the hospital...  All I can figure was that adrenaline/lactic acid were part of the equation.

I'm so glad that it went well, and I really hope that this helps things for you.  How bittersweet, though. :hugs

I'm SICK SICK SICK SICK SICK of this weather.  48F in mid May?  I can take that.  Rain in May?  Goes with the territory.  48F and rain after May 15?  Not ok.  Of course, it means DD's soccer will be canceled yet again, which means I get to deal with Ms. Grumps-a-lot this evening on my own without a run (DH in VA).

For those looking for math practice with possibly reluctant kids:  check out khanacademy.org  It's gone from just videos to videos integrated into practice problems giving kids energy points and achievement badges.  DS and DD are both now begging to get on the computer, aiming for black hole badges.  DD has despised ALEKS.  It's been a fight all year to do her (required) hour a week.  Now I'm making deals like "you can get on KA once you've picked up your room..." 

[JayGee]

Nic ~ belated congratulations on your upcoming move!  Amherst is lovely (I almost went to Smith) and I know you'll enjoy being back in the northeast (except in February, of course!)  Glad your surgery went smoothly too.  Say, where will you be in July?  We'll be in NH then....

Geo ~ thanks for the website suggestion!  DS will surely love it.  And I'm so with you on this weather.  It was 40 this morning.  That's just wrong in May.

Does anyone else ever feel totally paralyzed by life's choices?  I'm realizing that I have a really hard time making a choice, or pulling the trigger on a decision, and in the end the opportunity is passed and I'm beating myself up about it.  Two examples:  1)  I really wanted DS and DD1 to do summer league swim team this summer and they were all psyched to do it too, but I waited too long to register them and now the roster is full; 2)  We moved into this house 5 months ago.  DH gave me a generous decorating budget for curtains/pictures/furniture/etc. to get it looking good.  I CANNOT seem to decide on anything. Still, I hate looking at the emplty walls and plain window blinds every day.  I have literally spent about 5% of the money allotted and am paralyzed by the decisions.  What the hell is my problem???

No RR, but hope to swim tonight. 

[Nickarolaberry]

JayGee, HUGS. I am exactly the same way about postponing decisions. Especially about spending money for things like decorating. I am overcome by paralysis when faced with making decisions like that, worrying that it won't be 'right' or that I'll regret it. My SIL had the same thing; in the end she hired this woman "decorator for a day" who helped her sketch out what her vision and how to get there and it helped them a LOT. It was a lot less expensive than a real decorator (full time one) but also a lot less expensive than feeling like she made the wrong decisions. So it's an idea. I think you can find them online.

We will be in NJ in July but traveling back and forth to look at places. Let me know where and when you'll be in NH and maybe we can arrange a meetup.

I am so, so tired. Also the percocet sort of stopped things up inside and I am not feeling good in the tummy dept. (sorry tmi). Drinking lots of water but still wicked dry mouth. May have to leave work early today.

I don't think I"m running most of this week but maybe I'll get some walks in.

[sparkletruck]

Nic - take it easy! Glad it went so well, and yes on the bittersweet. Does that end?

Rebecca - I think most parks have those climbing walls. I dont know exactly why the Boulder team bugs me. I think, in fact, that dd1 would really get off on being pushed more. Would I like her to be in a program like that - I dont know. I'm finding it hard to restrain my own competitive impulses when it comes to my kids. She is "naturally" athletic, and was a good climber right away, but (or is it so) I think she could use more push, and maybe a serious training thing would be good. But the other side of me thinks; they are kids! How hard is too hard to push? Is "having fun" the guiding principle? I think the Boulder girls are having fun. I think I was annoyed b/c they just reminded me of Bela Karoli and Mary-Lou Henner in the 1980 Olympics, and its *just* 8 year olds. The coaches were so serious and the kids were so buff. It was a little much for a *fun* competition, but I guess they want to kick ass too, so we need to bring it or shut up. Bleh

RR: Weights till I quaked, now composing a cover letter for a job I'm not sure I want (well, its been almost 9 years, I'm freaked out by the idea of a job, period)

[sparkletruck]

omg, i just read a profile of Boulder's coach (curious): I didnt really appreciate what a different level they are on until I read that

[Geofizz]

What, you give us that and don't give us a link?!?

I'm in a fog, ladies.  Sugar and caffeine aren't touching it.  Next to try:  more running and some sleep.

[kerc]

Originally Posted by Geofizz 

I'm in a fog, ladies.  Sugar and caffeine aren't touching it.  Next to try:  more running and some sleep.

Indeed. Funny what a solid 8 hours will do for you.

Forward motion report here:
breakfast meeting

jury duty (sitting on my butt for 3.5 hrs to be sent home!)

30 minute bike ride with where neither yelled at the other (this is progress).

5 yo asks to ride in the jogger. walk her up to the playground.

yes, indeed. turns out we all feel better when we get a little vitamin d and forward motion into our lives.

[memiles]

Originally Posted by Realrellim 

Originally Posted by memiles 

instead of 13 mpg, we are now getting 40+.

Tell me more. Does it have good power? Use regular gas? We'd like to get a station wagon for extra space, but decided we'd hold off until we can get something that's both extra fuel-efficient and that has good power for going up the mountains. (Our Buick has a 6-cylinder engine and that makes all the difference.)
 

good power, yes.  Regular gas, no.  It's a diesel, but don't let that freak you out.  A bit on the engine is here if you are feeling especially curious or suffering from insomnia.  We did all kinds of math on the mileage vs. increased costs for diesel and such and kept coming back to this.  I like the fact that, emissions wise, it's as good as your average hybrid for quite a bit less money.
 

Originally Posted by Geofizz 

OMG YES.  I'd totally buy one. That was the only thing I missed about having DS at home.  I had these horrible shakes after DD was born, and those blankets was heaven.  I kept asking about the shakes - never got a satisfying answer.  Everyone kept telling me that it was the epidural wearing off.  DD was born 20 minutes after I arrived at the hospital...  All I can figure was that adrenaline/lactic acid were part of the equation.

The shakes:  big hormone shifts.  They can also happen in conjunction with an epidural (and are usually more severe ime), but we do see them with vaginal births, especially fast ones.  I'd love to have a portable blanket warmer, but when it's really needed, I throw some towels in the dryer on high and pile them on mom, or use a heating blanket if it's available.

FM:  just did an hour of cardio at the gym as my sciatic nerve is acting up and I didn't want to get out into a run if it was going to get worse.  It didn't, and now I feel like I wasted the first beautiful day in who knows how long.

 

[tjsmama]

So, ND's post last night? Could totally be me right now. DS is in his room screaming at me, because I picked him up and carried him there after his horrible behavior at the dinner table. I'm so sick of it.

We were having a pretty decent day up until then. Spin class and a quick treadmill brick at the Y this morning before DS's swim lesson. Trip to the garden store so we could plant our balcony garden. A couple of hours of digging in the dirt. And now, major meltdown.

[Penelope]

Hey, mamas. My big FM accomplishment was a quick bike ride to the store with dd for eggs and butter and flour.  I do a lot of baking at the end of the semester.

I'm kind of wrung out. Dh confirmed today that he quit his job, no severence, no unemployment benefits. I yelled at him, and am just trying not to give in to the anxiety and despair. I'm so tired of this. I have to call my mom from work tomorrow so we can talk privately, and then have to go around getting health insurance, etc. from work again. The HR guy is super nice about it, but seriously, it's so humiliating to have to lay out to someone how not in control of my life I am. I'm just really sad at the prospect of living (possibly for months) with this kind of anxiety.

Meh. Plus, a million hours of grading to do.

[LaLaLaLa]

Penelope--I'm so sorry about DH's job. I don't know what I'd do about that situation, since I tend to freak out about money and security even when there's no valid reason to do so.

Nic--Hooray for Massachusetts! I hope you'll like the Amherst area. I'm across the state, which is not so far away when your state is Massachusetts.

sparkle--Sorry about the climbing competition. It's tough to see our kids in an unfair situation like that.

Jo--Hooray on your new home! It sounds like a lovely welcome from your DH, and I hope you settle in quickly. I can't wait to hear all of the details!

ND--Ah, my five-year-old often doesn't truly understand the consequences of his actions until he is right in the midst of them. He's a master of shrieking tantrums, too. I'm hoping he will grow out of this nonsense.

Hello, everyone! I'm back to running again. Yesterday I wimped out in the cold and rain and did five miles on the treadmill at 9-minute-mile pace. The treadmill is tough in some ways, but I do like it for pushing myself a bit in a measurable way. Today I braved the chill and rain to do my 12-miler outside. It gets easier by the week, although my legs are sore tonight. Tomorrow I'm skipping running in order to have breakfast with my mom, so I wanted to get in a nice tiring run while I could.

In non-running news, I had the most lovely weekend away! A high-school friend of mine got married, and since she's 33 and has been working in a glamorous job in LA since graduation from college and probably has piles of money, she was able to throw an excellent party. The important part for me, though, was that this was the first time in seven years (!) that DH and I have been away without the kids. Hooray!

You know that game where you plan out your perfect day? I lived mine on Saturday. After arriving at the hotel around midnight Friday night, DH and I got some enjoyment out of our hotel room, then went to sleep in a huge cushy bed BY OURSELVES. On Saturday I slept as late as I wanted which, sadly, was 9:00. Then I took a scalding hot shower with tons of water pressure. I brought my book down to the hotel lobby, curled up on a comfy couch, and drank an excellent cup of coffee while reading for two hours straight. My only interruptions were a chat with the bride and the groom, and some eavesdropping on the other wedding guests milling around and passing through.

A little after noontime I woke DH who, unlike me, has not at all lost the knack for sleeping all day, and we went out for lunch. After which I took a nap back at the hotel room before waking up to take another awesome shower and get dressed all fancy for the wedding. At the wedding I sat with a couple of other high-school friends whom I haven't seen in years, and thoroughly enjoyed the conversation, the venue, and the music. We drank some wine and did some dancing and I gawked at the famous person there (the woman who plays Alex Eames on Law and Order: Criminal Intent).

It really does take so little these days to make me happy. And I was so, so happy this weekend.

Now, back to reality. Boo.

[1jooj]

Ugh, Penelope. I am so sorry. While it might feel humiliating, I don't think most people (who matter, anyway) would rightly attach judgment to you for your dh's questionable choice. I mean, after all, who is now running around doing the responsible things that need to be done? Hugs to you.

And to all the rest of us, with anxiety and fatigue and parenting challenges and job searches and moves. Life is just extreme sometimes.

I was feeling melancholy this AM. Did manage 20min on an elliptical in the gym, and then some weights and abs and stretching, but still really quite ill most of the time with (apparently) jet lag. I am hydrating as best I can, but really nauseated. Hoping to get over it soon. It's also hard to accomplish much when the kids are so fatigued and off schedule. It will pass. Lots to do today.

[MelW]

Originally Posted by memiles 

The shakes:  big hormone shifts.  They can also happen in conjunction with an epidural (and are usually more severe ime), but we do see them with vaginal births, especially fast ones.  I'd love to have a portable blanket warmer, but when it's really needed, I throw some towels in the dryer on high and pile them on mom, or use a heating blanket if it's available.>

We did the dryer trick after my births. Great for a warm first outfit and diaper for baby, too

Nic, wishing you a smooth recovery.

Geo: sleep, what a novel idea!!

Saw the new chiro this morning and she was amazed that I'm functioning as well as I have been on my very twisted pelvis. I promised not to run for a few days, and she wants me to bring my shoes to another visit so she can assess the wear. Hips were pretty achy after the adjustment, but not too bad.

I followed up the visit with my most active day in ages- blew off course prep in favor of almost 4 hours of pretty serious gardening (hauling soil & building a new veggie bed), a bike ride for school pick-up and a hour of bootcamp tonight. Now for a bath and some stretching...

Can anyone here do chin-ups? I am the worst chin-upper at bootcamp, and I don't even know how to get started. My upper body strength isn't terrific, buy I've steadily been building on pushups, etc. Since I can't even do ONE proper chin up I don't really have anything to build on. I'm also among the shortest there, and have to get a boost up to the bar- so I don't have jumping momentum going into it. My husband has been thinking about buying a chinup bar, so maybe I can practice less self-consciously at home. I'm competitive enough to hate failing at it in front of everyone!!

[Realrellim]

Nick--glad it went well. Also, I agree--those warm blankets are lovely. It was freezing in the OR when I had my c-sec (and tubal, which is also a weird juxtaposition, I suppose), and they kept piling them on because I was shivering. Mmmm, warmth.

JayGee--I often feel paralyzed, and especially about things that aren't really that big of a deal. Maybe our brains are on overload? Though in my case, a lot of it is that I don't want to spend the money unless it's just right, especially because in the current economic climate I'm beginning to think that this is as much $ as we're ever going to make, and we're going to need every penny down the road.

Penelope--that's so awful about your DH. I'm so sorry.

1jooj--hope the nausea and jet lag pass soon. I've heard that melatonin can help with jet lag (at least the falling asleep at the new normal time), fwiw.

MelW--I can do chin-ups. I think it's because I still hoist myself up to my counter to reach things on high shelves in the cabinet.

RR: ran 3 with the jogger while R was in kindergarten, and then after dinner, went and joined a gym so I can swim for the summer. After the tour and paperwork, I jumped in the pool and learned that my freestyle stinks. Seriously. I'm slow, not graceful at all, and worst, I'm having trouble getting enough breath (and I'm breathing every other stroke as it is). I switched to breaststroke and managed to do a couple of laps as quickly (more quickly?) than I had freestyle, and I could breathe and be graceful too. Ack. So, I managed 14 laps (10 freestyle) in about 15 minutes. I think that's 350 yards, but I'm not sure. I've definitely got my work cut out for me. Oh, and I need different goggles because mine kept letting water in. Maybe I'll buy a new pair this week and try another swim on Saturday.

NRR: took R to the talent show rehearsal after school and was thrilled to learn the other rehearsal on Thursday is actually during afternoon kindergarten. I'd been thinking the 1:30 was a misprint and I'd have to bring her in the morning and entertain J throughout until it was time to bring her home. Awesome! And in more awesomeness, it's a half-day tomorrow so R doesn't have school. I think we're going to try to head to the zoo, preferably in late morning before everyone else gets out.

[Nemesis]

Dingos!!  

Nic- good luck with the move!  It sounds lovely!

Jo- glad you are there safely.  I hope you're feeling better in no time!  

Sparkle, I'm glad to see you around again!  How are you feeling?

Mel, when do you think you'll be running again?  Hips seem to be a problem for lots of women.  I am motivated to look into some preventative exercises/stretches.  I hope you're feeling good. :)

RR- I've been running pretty regularly for the past month.  Did 2.5 miles this morning, RP and I were both exhausted and called it in early.  Thank goodness!  We've been doing run/walk around 3-4miles.  Last week we only took 1 walk break (about a minute) on two of our runs, so that's progress!  My knee is doing great.  I can't even believe it, and I am just not talking about it mostly.  I don't want to jinx it!

The garden is started.  I am debating putting out my tomatoes.  They are a little weak yet, I did a pretty sad job this year.  Slightly sunburned and leggy, they are a sad sight to behold.  I might put them out and be done with it.  Survival of the fittest and all. 

[sparkletruck]

MelW - for the chiro and progress! As for the chin-ups, I too have always been unable to do pull-ups, even when I have been in very good shape (like, training 3 hours/day 6 days a week for crew) . But, when I work at it I get there. You can start with "negatives", which is where you jump up to full chin-up position, and then lower yourself s.l.o.w.l.y. down (to a count of ten), then jump right back up. Do this until failure, i.e. you cant do anymore. Eventually you will be able to do 1-2 chin-ups, and then do the rest as negatives until failure, and so on.



NRR: today is a day off, so I will take a walk with dd2 or something while my sore muscles get a break. I'm feeling much better, because my progesterone dropped about a week ago and I started af yesterday. I the estrogen phase, so I should be happy for the next two weeks

BUT, here's a weird thing: I think I might be starting perimenopause!!!!!!!! Jaygee, didnt you think this at some point? Not only was the progesterone phase unusually hellish (its always bad but this month was ridiculous) but I have been having .... NIGHT SWEATS .... regularly. Its gross. I have had them about 4 times in the past 2-3 weeks, but two of those were the past two nights. It happens once per night, where I wake up soaked, and then go back to sleep after awhile and its all fine when I wake up. Could this be? I mean, I guess it could (I'm 41 but have had VERY unusual cycles my whole life ... i.e. ammenorhea for most of my life until two years ago, and now I am textbook, with raging emotions.) Time for google ....... or a PCP. Blork

[Geofizz]

Penelope   Sorry this came to pass.  Take care of yourself as best you can.  And indeed, yesterday my FM was to get baking powder and chocolate chips. 

Interesting on the chin ups.  I'd love to be able to do them, but I can't even jump up and do those negatives you talk about.  Yet oddly I can do 10 "boy" push ups without much strain.

10 hours in bed and I feel sooooooo much better.  Did DD's now annual academic progress meeting with the whole administration, teachers, councilor, yadayada.  We only kinda sorta got what DD needed, but it's probably the least bad solution.  Thankfully we've got the overwhelming support of all involved.  I kinda wish they would tap next year's classroom teacher to come to these meetings though.  Seems like an obvious piece.  <Sigh>

[kerc]

Penelope: That sucks about your dh's job. It is so hard to not have any control over anyone else's actions, even when those actions have impacts on you and your well being.

Originally Posted by MelW 

Can anyone here do chin-ups? I am the worst chin-upper at bootcamp, and I don't even know how to get started. My upper body strength isn't terrific, buy I've steadily been building on pushups, etc. Since I can't even do ONE proper chin up I don't really have anything to build on. I'm also among the shortest there, and have to get a boost up to the bar- so I don't have jumping momentum going into it. My husband has been thinking about buying a chinup bar, so maybe I can practice less self-consciously at home. I'm competitive enough to hate failing at it in front of everyone!!

No, but I have been able to in the past. Three ideas:

1. the weight room at my Y has an assisted chin up machine. I can do a pull up with about 60 lbs of assist. How it works is I have my knees on the machine, arms up. During the pull up, it gives me a boost or supports my weight (err, about 1/2 to 1/3 of my weight). Ideally I'll work up to less and less support.
2. Your partners can spot you -- you hang on the bar with your knees bent at about 90 degrees and they support you beneath your shins, assisting as you go up. I've seen people talk about spotting with only holding one ankle (vs. two) -- more work for the person doing the exercise. You can also spot at the waist, but you need a pretty strong person to be able to spot someone that way, not your average citizen.
3. Have them help you get "up" in the up position and you slowly lower yourself down. Then they help you get up again. You won't be able to do as many, but you will get stronger.

Originally Posted by Geofizz 

Interesting on the chin ups.  I'd love to be able to do them, but I can't even jump up and do those negatives you talk about.  Yet oddly I can do 10 "boy" push ups without much strain.

Different sets of muscles Geofizz. Some overlap, obviously, but chin ups is more lats and push ups is triceps and delts.

Final exam proctoring is more fun with wireless internet. What should I do for workout today? hmm. I'll report back.

[mommajb]

I have so little time but I wanted to send to penelope and echo the idea that what I see is you holding it together w/o the assistance of your dh.

I am in SD 'looking around' - we meet with the agent shortly. Oddly, the hills have thrown me.

jo - you made it?! I hope you feel better soon.

chin up:s if you need assistance look at doing them with an exercise band so that the resistance is the same 'curve' as it will be when you are stronger. The machines do not get this quite correct. I think if you look at crossfit this is what will be suggested.

I hope I can report something other than rain next time I am on here.

[Nickarolaberry]

Penelope,   I can totally relate to self-sabotaging behavior being so incredibly frustrating, maddening, etc.

I am not having a good day Dingoes. My body isn't feeling very in 'sync' and I seem to be having some emotional fallout, not to mention residual exhaustion. And not fun times at work.

Bleh.

Hoping for a better one tomorrow.