Ashley's Random Blog

Friday Fitness - Confessions

2013-05-24T03:00:00.000-05:00

I've been bad recently. I haven't really worked out like I should. I can blame it on stress or I could blame it on work. Really, no one to blame but me. I did work out some and I did monitor my food, I just haven't completed the challenges that Kat has put up for us to do. Bad me.

I did go for a physical recently and spoke with the doctor about a couple of issues I've had. I'm tired of them being issues, so I have more doctor appointments to see what we can do to fix them. The big one (and hard to admit) is that I have stress incontinence. What that means is that if I run (or sneeze), I leak. Sometimes big time, sometimes not so bad. I hate wearing the pads and I refuse to wear the undergarments. So, toward the end of next month I go see a urogynecologist to see what (if anything) can be done. Honestly, it's a condition I've had most of my life. As I've gotten older, though, it has definitely gotten worse. With my desire to do more 5Ks and fun runs (and another half marathon), it's just more than time to get a doctor's opinion.

I've also had trouble sleeping. I am constantly waking up at night and am generally ready to crash hard by 2p. It could be stress, it could be any number of things. I also have trouble falling asleep due to restless legs. It's like a leg cramp that doesn't hurt, but it makes my entire leg jump. I can even manage to keep my husband awake when it's bad. The doctor offered drugs, which I've turned down. Instead, I'm going in for a sleep study (appointment not yet made) to see if they can figure out what's going on.

Now that summer is starting, I'm hoping to make it over to the Y more to swim and work out. I also plan to pick back up on the challenges. So maybe this summer will be a year of physical fixes in more ways than one.

#WW exam humor

2013-05-22T03:00:00.000-05:00

Monday musings - School summary and hard choices

2013-05-20T03:00:00.000-05:00

With the struggles we've had this year with school, we finally completed the school year. This past year I've had to watch my honor roll students turn into students with Cs and Ds. My son will apparently have to attend summer school to move up to high school as well. It's disappointing and frustrating on my part to know that I failed to keep them on track and doing better.

I found out at the last minute that his science class actually qualified to receive Carnegie credits by taking an EOCT. It caught me off guard only in that respect, it didn't change the effort (or lack thereof) that had been put into the class during the year. Both that class and his accelerated algebra class had EOCTs instead of finals. He did very well in Science and acceptably well in Math. Unfortunately, his efforts at EOCT weren't enough to bring his average up to an good level, so we did not accept the Carnegie units associated with them. I can only hope that he'll complete summer school well and get a fresh start next year at high school and be able to pull things out the way I know he's capable of doing.

As to my daughter, I have a hard choice to make now. As in, where will she be attending? I can put her back in GCA (I preliminarily put her on the enrollment list), I can leave her at GOC (her preferred choice), or I can send her to brick and mortar. I guess what we'll have to do this week is figure out what the best option is for her and go from that. I haven't been impressed by the teaching (or lack of) when it comes to math especially. She adores her language arts teacher and is fine with her social studies teacher. Her science teacher she has mixed feelings about. Personal feelings aside, though, I'm going to have to make sure whichever choice we make will give her the support she needs in her classes.

So I cannot call this year successful by any stretch of the imagination. It's a veritable stew of factors that created a disaster of a meal. I can only pray that it all works out with the choices that we make from here on out.

Friday Furball (Mack from Snap-2It)

2013-05-16T03:00:00.001-05:00

This is supposed to be posted tomorrow, but I've decided to add it to today's list. Please share so that I can find this sweet boy a home of his own. I'll have him at the PetSmart in Buckhead Saturday from about 12-4.

Instead of fitness friday, I decided I'd update on my foster doggie Mack. He's showing definite improvement with toy sharing, though he still has a way to go. I introduced him to "red dot" (laser pointer) and he loves chasing after that. He still loves to dash around the yard with Brooklyn and wrestle, too. He has yet to meet another dog he doesn't like (same goes for cats). He's VERY interested in meeting the new kitties that are at the adoption events at PetSmart and doesn't understand why he's not allowed to check them out (some are too little, some don't want to meet him).

As much as I like having him here, he really wants his own family. He'll curl up on the sofa with you to watch tv or movies, but is just as happy outside taking a walk or playing in the yard. He LOVES (read adores) squeaky toys, so be prepared to be squeaked out. Definitely house trained, he's good with crates too. He's not willing to pee/poop on a leash yet, so that's something that would have to be worked on if you don't have a fenced yard. His leash manners are better with the leash attached to his collar than his harness, but nothing that can't be fixed.

He's a really happy boy who's just happy to get whatever you'll give. You can find out more information about Snap-2it from their web site and you can fill out an application to adopt there too. His adoption fee is $150.

#MonthofMom Home

2013-05-16T03:00:00.000-05:00

Not my home, but definitely a home I enjoy having around.

It's my 20th Anniversary!

2013-05-15T03:00:00.000-05:00

#MonthofMom 1pm

2013-05-14T03:00:00.000-05:00

Technically tomorrow is 1pm, but I have something else in place there (you'll see what tomorrow). So I'm sharing tomorrow's Month of Mom challenge photo today. I had no idea what to do for comfort any way. :)

#MonthofMom Style

2013-05-13T03:00:00.000-05:00

These are my favorite accessories.. my fedoras, my Disney watches and my "bling" (Disney 1/2 marathon medals).

Friday Fitness Update @FitnessRebooted

2013-05-10T03:00:00.000-05:00

I'm going to break away from the Month of Mom challenge today as I really have no idea what I'd put for 'baby'. So, I thought I'd update what's going on here.

Kat has started a new 8 week challenge on Fitness Rebooted for us. It includes hanging leg raises. I'm apparently odd in that my hands/elbows hurt when hanging, so she recommended some straps to help me out. Remaining true to my odd self, I don't fit them right unless I'm holding on to the strap instead of the bar. Even then, if I'm not careful, I lose circulation in my arms. If you want to join us it's not too late (yet). The challenge will run through June 30.

As of the end of the last challenge, I had lost 3 pounds total (including the 1 I put on just before the start of the challenge). I fluctuate about .5 pound on any given day if I weigh myself. Having an intestine that doesn't always cooperate, I can pretty much guess what days I'm heavier than others. :/

I had a physical on Wednesday as well as a mammogram (my doc scheduled it for me when she saw I was due for one, thank you Kaiser).

Thursday was my last day of yoga, but I missed for a GSMM event. I've been trying various yoga videos from the library, not really caring for the ones I've found there. The exercise videos I've liked best has been Jillian Michael's 30 day shred or Billy Blanks Taebo. I like my daughter's Just Dance Wii games, too. ;)

Saturday (if it's not storming) I'll do the Electric Run with my family. They're not caring for my "costume" designs, but they'll wear my creations to make me happy. If they argue, I'll just pull the Mother's Day card on them. (So cruel).

#MonthofMom Power

2013-05-09T03:00:00.000-05:00

These shelves from my den display several forms of power: the books (knowledge), Ark & Nativity (faith) and picture (family).

#MonthOfMom Bright

2013-05-08T08:18:00.001-05:00

These are what the backs of the shirts for my kids & husband will look like for Saturday's Electric Run. My son's shirt says "cool" but the angle is off slightly. I have a glowing tutu to wear.

#MonthofMom Routine

2013-05-06T12:23:00.000-05:00

I borrowed this one from pinterest.. I couldn't find any good snapshots to take at home.

#MonthofMom Action

2013-05-03T03:00:00.000-05:00

All 3 dogs were running around the yard (unusual for my senior girl). I had to buy pine straw to help the mud pit that is my back yard.

#MonthofMom Fresh

2013-05-02T03:00:00.000-05:00

A Rose fresh in my garden. Love their scent.

#WW #MonthofMom Smile

2013-05-01T03:00:00.000-05:00

30 day #monthofmom challenge

2013-04-30T03:00:00.000-05:00

I'm going to give this a go next month (starting tomorrow). Maybe you can join me?

Container Gardening

2013-04-29T03:00:00.000-05:00

My back yard is too shady for most plants to want to grow (or at least most plants I want to grow). So, this year I'm doing minimal work on the back garden. Instead, I'm taking over some of the space in the front yard. I don't have the money to build the raised beds I'd love to have, so instead I'm doing a bunch of container plants. I have several Tidy Cats tubs with plants (cucumbers currently), a kids' pool with lettuce, a small planter from Home Depot with Jalapenos in it and a container with Hutterite beans. I also have two strawberry planters out. One actually has strawberries in it, the other has some rosemary and lemon balm. Neither is totally filled, so I have room for some other herbs and such.

I want to get some more containers and try carrots, tomatoes, green beans and other stuff. The area I'm taking over is between the ivy island and the front walk. There's no grass growing there, so I'm not invading lawn space. It will, though, give me enough sun to actually grow stuff with. We'll see how that works out.

Fitness Friday

2013-04-26T07:10:00.001-05:00

Not a huge update this week. My weight is about the same, my measurements are about the same. My body seems to want to keep me at between 145-150 in weight, I'd like to seem me closer to 145. I fell off the "diet wagon" a little this past weekend, though not to any extreme. I'm still following a workout plan from Kat (Fitness Rebooted) and we're getting ready to start a new challenge. I'm supplementing with a few more videos I've checked out from the library. I'm not a single workout type, I really have to mix it up both to keep my body challenged and to not get bored.

For me a "diet" is simply watching what I eat, making sure it's a fairly balanced meal. I do watch the calories (if you're on myfitnesspal, my diet is publically viewable). Diet by itself will never be a way for me to lose pounds or inches. I'll always have to work out to keep it where I want it. This isn't a bad thing, I just have to make sure I put the effort in by setting goals. For now, my goals are the various runs I'm doing. In the future? Who knows, I'll come up with something.

Meet Mac (foster dog)

2013-04-25T03:00:00.000-05:00

He's a sweetheart of a boy, around 11 months old, shepherd mix. He's smaller than Brooklyn (around 50lbs), though very stout. I'm fostering him until he's adopted for Snap-2it. He's done very well here. He and Brooklyn run in the back yard, he's checked out the cats (and left them alone). Max confuses him to no end, he has no idea what to do with/about him and usually ends up barking when Max starts screaming.

He's learning to be polite on a leash. He did better for my daughter than he did for me, but he's doing very well. He's very bright and is catching on very quickly. Same with "sit". He loves the idea of treats, he hasn't figured out (yet) that if I say 'sit' and he sits, he gets a treat. I'm still having to guide him for now. He's also good with car rides. He had fun just riding in the car to pick up my kids from school this week.

He's a big people boy. He wants people, curl up with people, be loved by people. I'll have him out at the PetSmart in Buckhead (Howell Mill) Saturday if you want to swing by and meet him.

#WW Persevering through the Dirty Girl

2013-04-24T03:00:00.000-05:00

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My current items of inspiration.

It's CRCT week

2013-04-23T03:00:00.000-05:00

I hate CRCT week. I really do. Not only is it a big stress for the kids, it's a major stress for me. Luckily for my kids, they're confident enough in what they know to not worry half as much as I do. Then again, maybe they know I'll do enough worrying for all of us. With my son in 8th grade, this is a major year for him. The troubles he had earlier this year makes this even more stressful now. I so look forward to getting this school year over. It's been an experience that I really don't want to repeat.

Images from the Dirty Girl Mud Run @GoDirtyGirl

2013-04-22T03:00:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, I participated in the Dirty Girl Run at Lake Lanier. I did have my phone with me, but the mud clouded my camera at some point through the race. So, I'm sharing what is good or what is at least discernable.

Up by 6:30 to leave the house by 7a.

I didn't get any shots of the start line. I got there early and checked in quickly. The 90 minute warning was an excellent thing. I didn't care for the wait in the cold, but I'd have liked it less if I had to stand in line in the cold.

I took off with a group of fellow mom bloggers with the 9:45a wave.

The actual first wall we climbed was an inflatable wall, same look on both sides. I didn't get a photo of it, though I will say I was lucky on that one. It bounced when you moved and when other women on the wall moved. I bounced off at the same time someone else bounced. It forced my bad knee to bend farther than it does voluntarily which HURT.

The first wall I have a picture of.

Fellow Mommy Bloggers Climbing

Conquering

Descending

The first mud obstacle. Fairly simple, a good way to get your feet wet (ha!)

Another easy wall

Kind of a tire obstacle. Those that tried to "run" through ended up on their bottoms.

Another mud obstacle. This one you had to get down and dirty with. My hair kept getting caught in the netting, so I had to get low to get through.

Coming out I was dripping wet and muddy

A very tall rope wall. Very tiring to get over, but very doable.

The top of the mud slide. A tall inflatable slide with a nice mud pit at the bottom. I know of several women who had to do the slide multiple times. This was the last "big" obstacle. At this point, you couldn't really see through the bag I had my phone in and I didn't have a way to dry it off (or clean it), so I made do until the end of the race.

I made it! Dirty, wet and slightly cold, but I made it through the 5K with obstacles.

Overall, I had a blast. I didn't get pictures of even half of the obstacles. Which is a shame because they were all fun (well mostly) and challenging.

I took a change of clothes and a towel with me. I checked those into the bag check area for the end of the race. They had a "rinse and change" tent for us to go use. I did a basic rinse with a garden hose, then dried most of me off and changed. I made sure to have underwear too. I think it's definitely a race I will try again next year. I did it in my Vibrams this time, I think next time I'll use old sneakers. There were several areas that sneakers would have been better than the vibrams, though the vibrams were definitely easy to rinse out.

Friday's Fitness Update #Fitfluential @FitnessRebooted

2013-04-19T03:00:00.000-05:00

I'm excited to be getting ready for the Dirty Girl Mud Run tomorrow. Looking forward to getting dirty with my fellow mom bloggers.

Just a general update today. I'm still at 2 pounds down (that fluctuates on a regular basis, so I may have a pound back by next week). HOWEVER, I'm down about 2 inches in the waist and 3 in the hips. I'm not complaining there. I feel stronger too, which is a wonderful thing. I'm still not to the point where I'll be comfortable in a swim suit yet, though. I still have until June for that one, so if I stay on target I'll get there.

As to exercise, cardio is usually walking/running with the dog (as long as she isn't attacking my feet while I run), Choi and one of the various DVDs I borrowed from the library. For reference, I borrowed Jillian Michael's 30 day shred and Billy Blanks TaeBo AMPED Cardio. For strength I'm following Kat's suggestions on FitnessRebooted. I'm also doing Yoga once a week through Kaiser and am trying to follow up with that at home. I really need the flexibility to help me with my kicks in Choi.

Thoughts for Thursday - Gwinnett education

2013-04-18T08:32:00.002-05:00

I attended the District V meeting for the Gwinnett Board of Education this past Tuesday. For the most part it seemed to be testimonies to how good Gwinnett is for public education. I'll admit that I appreciated the boys that spoke, especially the young man from GIVE West and his mom. I was not, though, expecting that. I'm not sure what I *did* expect, it just wasn't that.

At any rate, I did come away with a little bit of use. Mr. Wilbanks spoke with a presentation about the initiatives that Gwinnett has in place. IE: Core Curriculum (put into terms I could understand), eClass (which my son won't benefit from while he's in HS), and the teacher evaluations. Most of the audience were faculty/staff from the area, so I'm certain they're primary interest was in the last item.

Mixed in there, though, was information about changes coming to CRCT testing. Similar to Gateway, instead of straight out multiple choice, the kids will have essays and short answer. This will allow the kids to show that they know the material even if they get the answers incorrect. As much as I don't care for over testing students, I do prefer this type of testing to the other.

I was also able to view the preliminary budget that was approved by the board. Not a lot of big changes there, as a parent I don't see anything that I will complain about. They're dropping the furlough days, though teachers won't get a cost of living increase. I'm sure that there will be a lot of words about that.

That was effectively my take away from the meeting. Not a lot for 2 hours of time, but I won't call it a waste of time either. I'd rather have gone and come away with what I did, then to have not gone.

#WW Spring Break @SixFlagsOverGA

2013-04-17T03:00:00.000-05:00

The only down side of the day was being turned away from getting our member passes 2x's due to an over large line and not enough staff to process everyone.