Comfy Like My Favorite Sweats

List 5 things that bring you comfort courtesy of Mama Kat's Writing Challenge. I am presenting these comfy things to you in reverse order but they all do the trick.

5.  Believe it or not (but do), I find comfort in traveling. I settle into an environment extremely well. I eat at local spots all but shunning the “must dine” 5-star restaurants or “you just have to” places. That’s not me. I like to talk to the people who live where I’m visiting and ask them what I should do. So often my husband or friends have had to drag me on to the plane, out of a country or off an island as I tearfully say, “But I could live here!” They're used to it. My husband thinks I could live anywhere and I probably could. Home is inside of ME.

4.  So I may be one of the only ones who feels this way but I find comfort in exercise. Or maybe it’s discomfort. I don’t know. I get confused sometimes. And it has more to do with how exercise makes me feel more than anything. It makes me feel fantastic, more relaxed, mellowed out, fatigued, happy (though not always while doing so), and peaceful for the rest of my day. I find comfort in that feeling so I apply liberally.

3.  Reading a good book while sitting on my couch in my favorite fleece pants and sweater sipping tea on a snowy afternoon or a glass of wine on a peaceful evening with logs on the fire equals comfort to me. Actually, just being on couch or a chair anywhere reading is a comfort to me. Blissful.

2.  What I lack in quantity, I make up for in quality as far as friends. A call, letter or visit from one of my friends always warms my heart. It means they were thinking of me. I love a chat because I can hear their voice and picture them speaking their words to me. I love a letter because I can envision their hands moving over the paper with a pen and I can re-read it as many times as I want, which I do. I love a visit because I can hold their hand, touch their arm, and see their lips moving and face smiling.

1.  I tend to be a homebody. That’s not to say I don’t like going out, doing things, being around people. I do. I’d just rather have people over to my house for pizza, cook for them, or stay home with a fire and roast marshmallows and be with my family. To me, it’s the most comfortable place in the world but it’s not really about the four beautiful walls. It’s the feelings of safety, warmth, love and all things cozy that home gives me (And sweatpants always help perpetuate those feeling).

To top it off...the kids come home tomorrow for nine days. Woo Hoo! Can't wait!

Toes, Cement, A Car Wreak, Extreme Fitness, Brain Cramps And MORE!!!

Have you ever wanted to stick your toes or a hand or write something with a stick in freshly laid cement? It definitely brings out the child in me.

This is my village this morning. 

Who the heck thinks we need to keep beautifying this one block town? Look at it! That’s all there is. But it’s in a constant state of rearranging on our taxpayer dollars.

I bring this up because you can see my coffee shop in the forefront. This morning, right outside, the cement mason was putting his final touches on a decorative circle before my eyes. The ONLY thing I could think of was taking off my flip-flops and digging my toes in. Leaving my mark. Childish, right?

My sensibility kicked in. I thought about the bill we’d receive from the village and the ‘splaining I’d have to do…

Speaking of ‘splaining…

It came to my attention this weekend (from my daughter), and as clever as I thought I’d been, my husband knows about a fender bender I may or may not have gotten in with her car recently. I immediately took it to “my guy” for a cheap repair (doesn’t everyone have a guy on hand for such things?) and had it fixed fairly well for 50 bucks. The alternative was a much more costly replaced wheel well and quarter panel. Plus it wasn’t on the driver’s side which is the side mostly seen from our driveway. I thought I made a good decision here. Funny, my husband has never mentioned a thing to me even though he has seen it, inspected it (no doubt), mentioned it to my daughter and knows who the culprit was. And he knows I know he's seen it. Patient man.

It’s been one week to the day since my little monsters left for school. Need I say more? AHHHHHHHHHHH…..

People who have been following me for the last 4-5 months know I get a bit wigged out over exercise. I always need to have a fitness goal or challenge dangling in front of me. If you live in the Chicago area, are going to be in the area OR want to be in the area and you like fitness challenges (Hey! Think along the lines of the writing challenges for which we are all so fond!), sign up for STORM THE STADIUM on September 22nd and do it with my friends and me!!! Check out the website. It should be a blast and I will be talking about it as it gets closer...A LOT! And it’s not about how fast you can do those 6000 stairs; it’s about just doing it. And who can resist a Survivor hunk or hunkette?

I love participating in Trifecta and Yeah Write writing challenges. However, I’m suffering from an extreme lack of ideas. Anyone out there have any suggestions for a writer’s brain cramp? Jack, I know you’ll say there is no such thing and to just keep writing and it takes practice and…

And I need sleep aids because I’m not doing it. Sleeping much. And I'm staying up way too late. And I’m thinking instead of sleeping. Counted back from 100 about 100 times last night and thought about Trifecta topic way too much. Sleep is overrated but I need just a little, pretty please!

I’ve been told the third book of The Hunger Games series isn’t as good as the first two. True? I should finish the series, don’t you think?

I always like to thank Stacy on Tuesdays for letting have a place to just be….Random!

And Seriously Shawn and Impulsive Addict for indulging our impulses to write whatever comes to mind.

And this is a train I’ve never been on before, Tuesday Train. I’m a nubee so I’m looking forward to an adventure.

LOOK GREAT NAKED!

Do you sometimes feel as if the world is conspiring against you? That it sends out the big guns, even Brooklyn Decker, to remind you of what you cannot do?

I swear she was placed in the changing room of the MRI department to taunt me. I didn’t even have to rearrange the magazines to see her. She was just there... perfectly airbrushed, beautiful curves and all!

 Burn Mega Calories – Would love to but can’t!

Build Lean Muscle- Had them and want them back!

Sculpt Sexy Curves- Love them and always a goal!

Yes, indeed! I’ve been complaining, A LOT, about not being able to move, exercise, burn off steam, and everything that’s awesome and true about intense exercise. It helps me tremendously but particularly with my attitude and state of mind. It chills me out and when those endorphins kick in, I’m the happiest girl in the world. Just ask my family!

If you’ve been reading here since I started or even a month ago, you know I tend to talk about exercise more than a little bit. I love it! I love activity of any kind; bike riding, boxing, running, cross training, swimming. I love rope workouts. I love doing it with my friends. I love the sense of accomplishment; being hot and sweaty from it’s intensity. But mostly, I love what it has given my body and my mind…a very healthy, fit look and loads of clarity.

I MISS IT!

And now SHE turns up to remind me of what I can’t do. Again, I’m not complaining but I'm certainly whining just short of pitching a fit. I want that part of my life back. My old life! And as Veruca Salt from “Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory” says, “I want it NOW!!!”

Here’s my biggest question. It is rhetorical! I know the answer but I’m refusing to let it make sense at the moment.

How can you go from being in arguably the best physical shape in recent memory, working out hard since the beginning of December, to completely out of shape in a mere three weeks? Something is definitely wrong with this equation.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying I was the skinniest I’ve ever been, because I wasn’t. I was very healthy and very fit. I was embracing my curves and my muscle tone. I was feeling great and clothes were slipping on smoothly. I worked hard for that!

Now, I just feel scrawny. I’m not a small person in stature but I feel little, or littler, physically and mentally. Pants are falling off of me and not in a “Hey, I look good” or “You can never be too skinny or rich”, kind of way. It doesn’t look healthy at all and I don’t like it one bit.

Seeing that magazine this afternoon reminded me of what I already knew. It’s about being healthy, strong and sturdy, and I can be that way again, just not today.

Tomorrow, I can begin to change that. Why? Because I love strength. I'm very attracted to it physically, mentally and emotionally; in myself and in others. 


So, I’m going to walk down the road and hand deliver a thank you note for starters. I’m thinking there’s nothing wrong with holding some straight armed planks and doing push ups if my shoulder can handle it. I can throw in some stationary lunges if I’m feeling chipper. And that's how I’ll start building my strength back, beginning tomorrow. 

And yes, I did lift the magazine from the waiting room table. I have to go back for results at the end of the week, so I’ll have the opportunity to return it!

But first I want to learn how to “Be Happier Every Day”, “Flat Belly Secrets” and “Healthy, Yummy Bikini Friendly Ideas”.

Right now, I’ve had as much of this day as I can handle. I’m placing Brooklyn Decker on the pillow next to me and we are going to take a nap together. In a platonic way, of course ;-)

2.) Tell us about the last thing you complained about. How was the issue resolved?

Only Read If You're Bored!

I don’t know if anyone else out there is feeling like me today.

* Easily distracted with random thoughts streaming through the brain.

* Don’t feel like working.

* Not feeling like writing (but actually do feel like it just don’t know what)

* Annoyed to be stranded at home with a surly electronics technician with a huge  attitude who expects to be here all (insert preferred swear word) day.

* Developing a huge attitude in response to his (arrow pointing up) stomping around

*Disappointed to be stuck inside on a gorgeous day (If you know me, you know how I get!)

* Eating everything that's not nailed down due to stuck state.

Possibly? Maybe?

I see this post going one of two ways; maybe three ways. Yes, I’m in a sassy/saucy mood too, which isn’t helping matters much over on this side of the screen.

I can tell you about fun stuff from my morning like an awesome rope workout (I’m partial to these even though my arms would like to fall off at the shoulders) with my favorite partner in the whole wide world, Big Dave. Foo Fighters and Kid Rock blaring on the stereo;

OR…

I can explain why I shouldn’t be left home with the “Geek Squad” while they hook up an elaborate TV/entertainment thingy someone took the time to explain to me last night so I could relate to said “Geeks” exactly how things should be set up. I apologize. I really wasn’t listening. My bad.

OR…

I can purge all the sassiness going through my brain at the moment. Just maybe, that should be an entirely different, stand-alone post for some other day. But I could write it, since I have time, then file under the folder “Totally Inappro-pro”!

I don’t believe I’ll write a post about any of those things, or anything at all!

Instead…

I’m checking to see what concerts are coming to Chicago this summer. Kenny Chesney, No. Keith Urban, Definitely Not. Drake, Nope. Who is One Direction? Enrique and JLO, Jimmy Buffett, No, No and No!

If only my guy, Bob Richie, was swinging through. Sadly, it’s not the case. He’s not coming :-( If he were, I’d be all over him…errrr, that (Not entirely kidding, however, I do try to maintain a soft “R” rating over here!)

AND if my girl Pink were coming, I’d be all over her too. I'm not one to discriminate. I'm an equal opportunity "all over you" concert enthusiast! Next year, I hear!

Hey! We all need/have guilty pleasures, right?

I essentially wrote about nothing. Sorry, my friends.

I PROMISE to be more engaging tomorrow!

Since this is so random, I’ll add two of my favorite pictures from the weekend.

I've Never Seen A Swan "Piggy Back" Ride Before, Have You?

Start of Sunday's E-Scow Race (boat smack in center is first all girls racing crew in 25 years...so proud)

What do you write about on a day you don’t feel like putting fingertips to keys?

Oh, and I just got Sir Crabby Pants “Geek Squad” guy to crack a smile. I’m making progress!!!

It’s Just “Caddy Shack” To Me

 Decisions. Decisions!

This was my fourth, and possibly last, week smacking that little white sucker all over freaking place, then back again. Plain and simple, I stink at golf. Maybe I’d be a little better if I tried harder, but I don’t believe I have the desire (or the skill?).

Let’s weigh it out, shall we?

Pros:

-       Breathtaking mornings spent outside walking hills

-       3 hours knocking around with two very close friends talking all kinds of crazy s#$t

-       Swearing slides right by

-       Bar Cheese on Ritz Crackers at the Halfway House plus hot coffee ALWAYS equals a breakfast of champions

-       Using my clubs to practice the baton twirling learned at summer camp when young

-       Working on the tan albeit causing strange lines

-       Easy to say, “Hole over! Give me a 10.”

-       Cute caddies

Cons:

-       Don’t really care for the sport

-       Friends give me sad puppy dog eyes when I say “but I just don’t wanna.”

-       Sucks to suck

-       Clothes are not attractive, AND no one looks really good in them except “Cookie” who’s a size 2 and wears short skirts (she looks good)

-       And don’t get me started on the U-G-L-Y SHOES

-       Takes up way too much time

-       Diminishes my math skills. I can subtract 5 from 9 yet “How many more holes?”

-       Makes people crabby and whine or maybe just me

-       IT IS NOT EXERCISE

-       Elicits an unfocused feeling when in reality focus is just fine

-       Not a beach but too much water and sand

-       Balls act as water seeking missiles, see above

Did I already mention I totally suck?

And if you love this sport, more power to you. I do not share your view.

The Couple That Works Out Together Stays Together?

I'm not sure this is a true statement...

Some people really enjoy sweating with their significant other…I mean working out together. They say it’s a bonding experience, fun and motivating. Couples who work out together, stay together is a saying we joke about when we see fit couples together at the gym. Of course, we also feel the need to razz them and comment. They’re friends so they usually just roll their eyes.

(This is a picture of my husband, isn't he hot?

That's me below)

Slightly distracted...I personally find it to be none of the things mentioned above and it doesn’t work out for us at all.

We’ve really only formally worked out twice together over the course of a gazillion years. While vacationing, we’ll workout in the same hotel gym doing our own thing, arrive and leave together but that’s about all the interaction that takes place.

The very first time, I surprised him on a Saturday several years ago and had a workout scheduled in advance with our friend, Jen. I said, “Come work out with me. It’ll be really fun!” Jen is a kick your ass kind of trainer and creative when it comes to exercise.

The first problem… it was an hour, he bitched the whole time and said he would never work out with me again. In all fairness, he wasn’t in the shape he’s in now. It definitely became a joke at the gym, as we were never seen there at the same time ever again. “They don’t work out together, ever!” We agreed that he would, again, do his thing and I would do mine, and never our paths should cross.

By the way, he does work out with Jen on his own in the evening and I affectionately call it “his time”. He’s an ex-athlete with all sorts of aches and pains (errrr, excuses), so she tailors the time to his likes and needs. Works out pretty smoothly.

So, this leads into the second time we’ve worked out with Jen together more than 7 years later. It was yesterday afternoon…

Actually, I was the one who encroached on his personal time with Jen. I asked if he would mind if I joined them. What else was he going to say but “sure”? I suppose I didn’t leave him much choice in the matter other than looking like a meanie if he said no.

Unbeknownst to him, I texted Jen to check it out; was it okay with her plans? Her response, “Are you sure it’s okay with Rusty?” She fully remembers last time. I told her he said it was fine but I had a big question and I asked him the same one…”Is it going to be a weenie workout?” What I mean by that is he does a lot of exercises to supplement his golf game and it’s too passive for me. Both he and Jen said it wouldn’t be weenie.

Text from Jen right before we arrive…”This is going to be a really fun one!” I anticipate a problem from the minute I see these words. We have different definitions of what’s fun as it pertains to fitness. I choose not to tell him.

(Cameron Diaz and A-Rod pretending they're us!) 

Yesterday officially became the last day we will work out together. One of us liked it because it was challenging and exhausting. The other one didn’t for the same reasons. I’m sure you can guess who is who.

However, I'm afraid this is the reality of us...

And just because I love this....

How Dare He Cancel The Best Part Of My Week?

Since I was a huge slug yesterday, I owed it to my brain and blog to write twice today (January’s goal was writing 6 times a week; Sunday, day of rest). Actually, I wasn’t completely doing nothing; it was just one of those days where I was obligated to sit around for 8 hours without anything but my iPad and phone for company. So…. I read, a lot, instead of writing. I’m okay with that. I love to read and the material was rather interesting………

I belong to a small, neighborhood gym; used to get a paycheck there but that was a looong time ago. What I like about this place is it’s fun. We're constantly trying new and different ways to exercise. Everyone knows each other, people are working out at all different levels, anyone can stick their iPod in the stereo for the listening pleasure of all and, the best part, no one is paying one lick of attention to what anyone else is doing. The place kind of smells, probably because of Big Dave or maybe me, I don’t know. Everyone’s pretty sweaty so it's hard to point fingers.

I’ve mentioned before, a huge highlight of my week is Thursday mornings when I get after it with Big Dave. Dave is tall, dark, good looking, funny, 9 years younger than me and just as annoying as a little brother. He also swears a lot which is funny and I sort of like it; I’m strange! He knows my music and puts together great play lists just for us.

*Dave, you will never see this but if you ever do, there’s no need for any of this to go to your head because, remember, you annoy me!*

On a typical Thursday morning, I get to hit Dave, HARD, for an entire 40 minutes and I just love it but today, that didn’t go down. Talk about being disappointed...B.D. gave me the excuse that his back hurt and he couldn’t box. Poor baby. However, I figured out pretty quickly that his intention all along was to kick my ass around like a cat playing with a ball of yarn.

My fault… I let him do whatever he wants and he can be pretty demanding. Often, I’m the passive one in this relationship and he enjoys these little moments when he gets to push me around. It’s all in the name of physical exertion and a pounding heartbeat, isn't it? He says this is his 40 minutes.

This is what we did and it was a total B$@ch.

 Battling Rope Conditioning Exercises

(I still don’t know how to upload a YouTube video to the blog so just click on the link)

Thank God we're always alone in the exercise studio so we can blare my playlist and swear…A LOT because I just have to do it. I’m proud of myself; I only used the F-bomb four times but once I yelled it pretty loud. Big Dave… probably 20 times but he's in charge…

”Give it everything you F’n got”, “Leave everything on the F’in floor”, “Beat that F’in rope”, “Cheers to the F’in weekend”, I can’t even remember the rest of his Dave-isms because there are too many and I was far too exhausted to care anymore.

Today was an open the windows and prop the doors morning, for sure! I left flushed, hungry and pumped to start my day.

Focus and Motivation...Lacking in Both!

Tabata high-intensity strength/cardio interval training- 1 hour (568 calories burned)
Tabata training is a form of cardiovascular exercise which is beneficial to burning fat. This method uses 20 seconds of ultra-intense exercise done as quickly as one can (ex. squat w/ shoulder press) followed by 10 seconds of rest, repeated continuously for 4 minutes (8 cycles) with 30 seconds rest after all 8 cycles are finished. This is done with 10-12 total exercises for an hour workout. I'm pooped!


Now to address my focus and motivation issues...


It must be that Christmas is virtually here because I am not feeling either of the above today in the least, wasn't yesterday and probably won't tomorrow! I'm feeling like the calm before the storm. I'm ready for the weekend but that's when my mind plays tricks and tries to convince me that I've forgotten something really big.  Calgon...take me away or to "Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"!!!! However, I'm not one to panic so I'm thinking of just rolling with the rest of the week and see what happens, marinating in my shortcomings. My kids are older so there is no terror of blowing the beard off Santa, hiding all the presents above the pulldown steps to the attic, or secret midnight wrapping...Thank God! 


The only two things I've done today are workout and make a gigantic batch of cinnamon roasted pecans. Is that enough? Wait...I'm writing so that's something too. And I've answered the door when Fed Ex guy came. I've done four things!!!


So far, the true highlight of my Wednesday was seeing the 16 year old neighborhood Bassett Hound, Buddy, taking his 1 of 3 walks down the block today (you'll never know when you've seen his the last one). Imagine Tim Conway walking Tim Conway. That's how fast Buddy and his, younger than me, owner walk. It's a riot, especially when I see them somewhere unexpected like in town which is three blocks away. I wonder how long it took them to get there and how many hours do they spend walking each day...Buddy in his coat and Owner in his trapper hat? For the longest time, we thought Owner (sorry I don't remember your name but I smile and wave to you every day!) was smoking weed in order to be willing and able to walk that slowly. (Actually, we truly did wonder about the weed!) Owner of Buddy, do you have a job and it's okay if you don't? Now, we just think they both enjoy their time together everyday as they meander the streets of our town!


I don't think I'm going to accomplish anymore today. I am going to chalk up this day, lacking in focus and motivation, to my wine hangover and call it! No pressure! I wonder what time the movie is playing this afternoon!

I Must Exercise!

Since no one reads my blog yet, I have decided to start all my posts with the type of exercise I have accomplished for the day. It will be just a few words unless it was hard as hell then I will complain as well. ...One hour Spin class has made me very hungry... This is for me and not related to anything other than keeping my lazy ass moving. Therefore, I will only sit down to write if I have vigorously moved my bod. If I haven't, I suppose I will still write but  hopefully be embarrassed to admit to the blog, and web, that I failed for the day.

I get one day off, though, and it will usually be Sunday. On Winter Sundays, I slowly read the Chicago Tribune with coffee, eat a late breakfast, watch football (or a movie), read, nap, then drink wine while making dinner. It could be the perfect day, particularly in the winter! Summer Sundays involve very different activities and a vibe all it's own. Love them both but am in love with Sundays in general!

Ok...I must stay focused on this goal of strenuous daily exercise because I have something very fun and important to do in mid-January. These last few weeks have been a kick start to an increased fitness level. The beaches of Tulum are calling my name and I have to debut a recent birthday gift from my best friends at that time...a custom made Rolling Stones bikini! Yikes!!!

Woo Hoo! Freedom to Write Anything!

There is a certain freedom to writing when you believe no one is reading what you have put down on paper, or screen, as I am here. I get to write about what I feel like and right now I feel like writing about things that get easier over time and things that don't. I will leave food and wine out of this since those are no brainers and never difficult!

In my life, the easy stuff is usually a cyclical thing.

For instance, marriage is generally easy but at certain times in my life has become challenging...like now...during the holidays! Or when you both have a different idea about a decision you're making. Or when the in-laws overstay their welcome. This list could go on forever but marriage is pretty easy if you are married to the right one or you can get your way on a regular basis.

It's the same with kids. They are physically challenging to raise, then mentally challenging, then easy, then mentally challenging again. I am currently at the "mentally challenging again" stage with my college freshman. Work hard, play hard is the mantra we are trying to instill in him. He has mastered part two (play hard). If he doesn't balance this he will intrude on my empty nest and that's not acceptable right now!

Exercise even gets easier when you commit to doing it regularly. You get over the hump with weight training so you can walk the next day as opposed to not being able to sit on the toilet for days because your ass or thighs are too sore. Cycling gets easier as does running, walking and boxing.

Two things aren't getting any easier for me so far.

The first thing that never gets easier are the Palos toboggan stairs. They are 125 steps of pure hell every single time! What the hell! My legs are so fatigued and shaking right now that I had to sit down. Tomorrow, I won't be able to walk very well.

The second thing that isn't getting easier for me is writing. Just writing is easy but the challenge is finding something interesting to write about every day. No one really cares what I write or is reading this but today I'm boring myself. I feel sorry for me because it's making me want to take a nap...the Palos toboggan stairs and my writing!!! If anyone needs to nap, read this first and you will go right to sleep!