Br-r-r...the water at the pool this morning was a chilly 79 degrees. Once I got used to it, it was okay, but I much prefer 84 degrees. Our regular instructor was out today, so a sub led us in our aerobics. She kept us moving, and I felt energized after a 45 minute workout.
Good thing, too, since we've been on the go most of the day. In the interest of saving fuel, Hubbie dropped Mother and me off at the beauty shop for our 1 p.m. appointment and then ran errands while we were getting haircuts.
Afterwards, we went to the greeting card shop so I could get birthday and Father's Day cards for Hubbie. It took forever to choose them, since the sentiments on most of them just didn't quite hit the mark. I finally settled on two, though, and moved on to the office supply store next door to get scrapbook supplies. Then we went to the worldwide discount chain store to put gas in the van and get sandwich makings for our trip south tomorrow to see the two new great-grandsons.
This evening, we swung by the everything's a dollar store to get helium balloons for the moms of the new great-grandsons, and then to a grocery store to pick up a bag of corn chips that we'd forgotten to get at the worldwide discount chain store.
From there, we went downtown to attend a reception for a fiber artist at the art gallery. Mother opted not to go this time. I really enjoyed seeing the work of this artist, who creates art quilts, wall hangings, and jewelry and even postcards from fabrics (some hand dyed), paper, yarn, and whatever else she can find. Her whimsical portraits are especially intriguing.
Afterwards, we attended ballroom dancing at the church fellowship hall, where only we, the pastor's wife, and an older fellow were on board. The four of us had a great time, using the whole floor to waltz and foxtrot. We ladies would have looked elegant whirling around in 1800s ball gowns. Hubbie and I danced every dance and by the end of the session, he was sweating. Since southern ladies are not supposed to sweat, I "glistened"...in fact, I "glistened" so much I headed straight for the shower when we got home.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Calm Thursday
Cardiac Rehab was first on the agenda this morning, as usual. I was wrong in thinking that I probably wouldn't increase speed on the treadmill, because the exercise physiologist popped it up to 3.6 mph this morning. I was able to handle it, but I certainly broke a sweat by the end of the session.
After I got home, Mother and I went for a walk around the college lake. If it hadn't been for a brisk breeze, we'd have had to cut our way through the heat and humidity with a machete. Other than a young mother and her two children, there was no one else at the lake today. Even the ducks were hunkered down in the shade, or standing on rocks in the water, splashing water on themselves and grooming. The turtles, snakes, and fish had wisely found some cooler place to hide.
Lunch was catch-as-catch-can. Since the season for Vidalia onions is coming to a close, I chose to have an onion and tomato sandwich on toast, with a little low-fat cottage cheese on the side. Mother opted for Ramen noodle soup and pimento cheese on crackers, and Hubbie went for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, with corn chips on the side. Hubbie and I had fresh strawberries, sweetened with sugar substitute and a dollop of fat free whipped topping for dessert. Mother nixed dessert. She's not the strawberry fan that we are.
We each went about our own projects after lunch. For supper we had new potatoes and yellow squash cooked in the steamer, low-salt canned pinto beans cooked in onions and spices, and sliced tomatoes. Since the veggies were steamed "au naturel," Mother mixed up a batch of low-fat margarine with fresh snipped chives to spread on them. The margarine, along with a sprinkling of mixed spices and seasoned pepper blend made the veggies yummy without salt.
After I got home, Mother and I went for a walk around the college lake. If it hadn't been for a brisk breeze, we'd have had to cut our way through the heat and humidity with a machete. Other than a young mother and her two children, there was no one else at the lake today. Even the ducks were hunkered down in the shade, or standing on rocks in the water, splashing water on themselves and grooming. The turtles, snakes, and fish had wisely found some cooler place to hide.
Lunch was catch-as-catch-can. Since the season for Vidalia onions is coming to a close, I chose to have an onion and tomato sandwich on toast, with a little low-fat cottage cheese on the side. Mother opted for Ramen noodle soup and pimento cheese on crackers, and Hubbie went for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, with corn chips on the side. Hubbie and I had fresh strawberries, sweetened with sugar substitute and a dollop of fat free whipped topping for dessert. Mother nixed dessert. She's not the strawberry fan that we are.
We each went about our own projects after lunch. For supper we had new potatoes and yellow squash cooked in the steamer, low-salt canned pinto beans cooked in onions and spices, and sliced tomatoes. Since the veggies were steamed "au naturel," Mother mixed up a batch of low-fat margarine with fresh snipped chives to spread on them. The margarine, along with a sprinkling of mixed spices and seasoned pepper blend made the veggies yummy without salt.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Water Aerobics and Babies
Yay! I went back to water aerobics this morning, after a three-week college break when the pool was closed. Actually, water aerobics started again Monday, but I was scheduled for Cardiac Rehab at the same hour, so I had to wait until today to swim. So now I'll be doing Cardiac Rehab three days a week and water aerobics two days.
The ladies (and two gentlemen) welcomed me with a cheer when I arrived. They are a sweet group of folks, and I enjoy being with them. The water felt wonderful, if a bit cool when I first got in. It was 84 degrees, but felt cooler, because the air in the gym was warm and humid.
When I got home, Mother said Granddaughter number two had called and was headed to the hospital, because her doctor said her water was ready to break. So I'm expecting to have TWO new great-grandsons some time today. It's a baby bounty!
We want to go see the babies...and granddaughters...as soon as possible, but it might be Saturday before we can, since they live in two different towns. By the time I finish Cardiac Rehab tomorrow morning and get ready for the day, it'll be 11 a.m., too late to make the few hours trip to the one town and then swing back to the other town. Friday is already tightly scheduled, too, but there is nothing on the calendar for Saturday, which means we could head out early and get to the first town in time to spend a few hours with one family, and then visit with the other family in the second town for a few hours in the afternoon.
These two granddaughters never do anything by halves. A few years ago, one of them had a wedding on the same weekend as the other's first baby decided to be born, which meant we made back-to-back trips south to be with each of them.
***********************************************************************************
Well...I got a call from Daughter around 3 p.m., telling me Granddaughter number one had her baby about 2:30 p.m. He weighs 9 lb., 2 oz. I talked to Granddaughter a little later, and she said she's doing fine and the baby is beautiful, of course. She said we should come see her and Baby Boy when it's convenient.
Got a call from Daughter-in-Law this evening...Baby Boy two has arrived, weighing in at 6 lb. Later, I talked with Granddaughter, who agreed that Saturday will be the best day for a visit. I'll finalize arrangements with Granddaughter number one tomorrow.
Can't wait to get my hands on those little guys and take tons of pictures of them!
The ladies (and two gentlemen) welcomed me with a cheer when I arrived. They are a sweet group of folks, and I enjoy being with them. The water felt wonderful, if a bit cool when I first got in. It was 84 degrees, but felt cooler, because the air in the gym was warm and humid.
When I got home, Mother said Granddaughter number two had called and was headed to the hospital, because her doctor said her water was ready to break. So I'm expecting to have TWO new great-grandsons some time today. It's a baby bounty!
We want to go see the babies...and granddaughters...as soon as possible, but it might be Saturday before we can, since they live in two different towns. By the time I finish Cardiac Rehab tomorrow morning and get ready for the day, it'll be 11 a.m., too late to make the few hours trip to the one town and then swing back to the other town. Friday is already tightly scheduled, too, but there is nothing on the calendar for Saturday, which means we could head out early and get to the first town in time to spend a few hours with one family, and then visit with the other family in the second town for a few hours in the afternoon.
These two granddaughters never do anything by halves. A few years ago, one of them had a wedding on the same weekend as the other's first baby decided to be born, which meant we made back-to-back trips south to be with each of them.
***********************************************************************************
Well...I got a call from Daughter around 3 p.m., telling me Granddaughter number one had her baby about 2:30 p.m. He weighs 9 lb., 2 oz. I talked to Granddaughter a little later, and she said she's doing fine and the baby is beautiful, of course. She said we should come see her and Baby Boy when it's convenient.
Got a call from Daughter-in-Law this evening...Baby Boy two has arrived, weighing in at 6 lb. Later, I talked with Granddaughter, who agreed that Saturday will be the best day for a visit. I'll finalize arrangements with Granddaughter number one tomorrow.
Can't wait to get my hands on those little guys and take tons of pictures of them!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Cardiac Tuesday
It's been a busy Tuesday so far. Cardiac Rehab was first on the agenda, of course, the first 30 minutes of which was devoted to learning about cholesterol and how to control it.
Some of the men attending voiced displeasure at having to give up high fat foods like marbled beef and French fries, and the nutritionist advised that it is okay to have small amounts of those foods occasionally, because to never indulge our food desires would make us feel deprived and would derail our attempts at healthy eating. I gave up French fries and potato chips a couple of years ago in favor of more rib-sticking baked potatoes, and when I have beef, or any other meat, it's always very lean. Beef is not my favorite meat anyway, but we serve it from time to time because Hubbie likes it. I prefer chicken, and ground turkey for burgers.
I like fish, too, but not three times a week as recommended, so I take fish oil gel supplements to increase omega-3 intake. The nutritionist discussed several varieties and strengths of fish oil supplements.
After the educational session, I had a good workout, as usual, which ended around 10:30 a.m. Afterwards, I met an 11 a.m. appointment with my cardiologist. He is very pleased with my progress, and commented that I am a cardiology poster child. "If everyone was as diligent as you are at taking care of yourself after a heart episode, I'd be out of a job," he said. I told him I am willing to do whatever it takes to keep from having another episode. That just wasn't any fun at all.
I got home about noon, in time to make myself one of my famous chef's salads. Mother opted for leftover macaroni and cheese, and Hubbie had a deli turkey sandwich and potato salad. After lunch, Mother put color in my hair, in anticipation of haircut appointments later this week. She does an excellent job of applying the color evenly throughout my hair. Even our hairdressers have commented on it.
Later in the afternoon, I got a call from Daughter saying that Granddaughter is in the hospital and will be there overnight. Her doctor will induce labor tomorrow morning, so I expect to have a new great-grandson sometime tomorrow.
Last evening, my other granddaughter called to say she has an appointment with her doctor tomorrow to determine if she will go into the hospital to have her baby (also a boy).
We're on pins and needles.
Some of the men attending voiced displeasure at having to give up high fat foods like marbled beef and French fries, and the nutritionist advised that it is okay to have small amounts of those foods occasionally, because to never indulge our food desires would make us feel deprived and would derail our attempts at healthy eating. I gave up French fries and potato chips a couple of years ago in favor of more rib-sticking baked potatoes, and when I have beef, or any other meat, it's always very lean. Beef is not my favorite meat anyway, but we serve it from time to time because Hubbie likes it. I prefer chicken, and ground turkey for burgers.
I like fish, too, but not three times a week as recommended, so I take fish oil gel supplements to increase omega-3 intake. The nutritionist discussed several varieties and strengths of fish oil supplements.
After the educational session, I had a good workout, as usual, which ended around 10:30 a.m. Afterwards, I met an 11 a.m. appointment with my cardiologist. He is very pleased with my progress, and commented that I am a cardiology poster child. "If everyone was as diligent as you are at taking care of yourself after a heart episode, I'd be out of a job," he said. I told him I am willing to do whatever it takes to keep from having another episode. That just wasn't any fun at all.
I got home about noon, in time to make myself one of my famous chef's salads. Mother opted for leftover macaroni and cheese, and Hubbie had a deli turkey sandwich and potato salad. After lunch, Mother put color in my hair, in anticipation of haircut appointments later this week. She does an excellent job of applying the color evenly throughout my hair. Even our hairdressers have commented on it.
Later in the afternoon, I got a call from Daughter saying that Granddaughter is in the hospital and will be there overnight. Her doctor will induce labor tomorrow morning, so I expect to have a new great-grandson sometime tomorrow.
Last evening, my other granddaughter called to say she has an appointment with her doctor tomorrow to determine if she will go into the hospital to have her baby (also a boy).
We're on pins and needles.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Lilies
The lilies are taking their turn at putting on a show in our yard. The three pictured above are a few of the colors in bloom. There are also orange and bright yellow ones, and others, like pure white ones, are getting ready to burst forth.
Besides the lilies, the peonies, impatiens, and marigolds are blooming, as well as a few roses, the tiny flowers of the hot pink rose campion, the freckled pink foxglove, and the clematis.
Whatever else may be going on in the world, or in our lives, the flowers of the yard never fail to lift our spirits.
It's Monday
As is usual on Monday mornings, I started with Cardiac Rehab. I gained a pound again, indicating that though I tried to be careful at camp this past weekend, I probably still got too much salt...and I ate too much. The RN and the exercise physiologist seemed unconcerned about the gain, and I'll of course try to watch myself until I can lose it. My blood pressure was good, registering 98/56 at the end of the session, and my oxygen saturation started at 100% and ended at 99%.
The exercise physiologist increased the resistance on the cardio-stepper to level 6. I was getting too comfortable at level 5, he thought. I'm walking at 3.5 MPH at a 3% incline on the treadmill. One of the guys who has been exercising for several weeks is walking at 3.7 MPH at a 4% incline, so I don't feel that I'm too far behind. If I walk much faster than 3.5, though, I'm afraid I'll sail right off the back of the treadmill. I'll probably have to increase the incline, rather than the speed.
When I got home, I found a message on the phone reminding me of an appointment that I don't remember making with my cardiologist in the morning. It was scheduled for 9:30 a.m., and my rehab is at 9 a.m. So I called and arranged to re-schedule the cardiologist appointment for 11 a.m. Since tomorrow is education day at Cardiac Rehab, it'll certainly be 11 before I can get to the cardiologist's office.
Since there wasn't anything pressing on the calendar today, I spent most of my time uploading photos from the camping trip to the worldwide discount chain store, to be picked up the next time we are in town, and writing blogs about the trip.
The exercise physiologist increased the resistance on the cardio-stepper to level 6. I was getting too comfortable at level 5, he thought. I'm walking at 3.5 MPH at a 3% incline on the treadmill. One of the guys who has been exercising for several weeks is walking at 3.7 MPH at a 4% incline, so I don't feel that I'm too far behind. If I walk much faster than 3.5, though, I'm afraid I'll sail right off the back of the treadmill. I'll probably have to increase the incline, rather than the speed.
When I got home, I found a message on the phone reminding me of an appointment that I don't remember making with my cardiologist in the morning. It was scheduled for 9:30 a.m., and my rehab is at 9 a.m. So I called and arranged to re-schedule the cardiologist appointment for 11 a.m. Since tomorrow is education day at Cardiac Rehab, it'll certainly be 11 before I can get to the cardiologist's office.
Since there wasn't anything pressing on the calendar today, I spent most of my time uploading photos from the camping trip to the worldwide discount chain store, to be picked up the next time we are in town, and writing blogs about the trip.
Camp, Sunday - Time to Leave
After a breakfast of bagels and cream cheese, Hubbie and I rode bikes around the campground. Today as we rode, we saw a tugboat slowly pushing double barges into the river lock beside the dam. The river is still very high after frequent flooding this spring. Hubbie asked a park staff member how high the river had gotten, and he said water had covered the campsites on the river bank, as well as the playgrounds, and would have gotten the registration building if they had not raised it up on concrete blocks.
Except for one frog and one turtle, we didn't see much wildlife today beyond the usual squirrels and birds. The cottonwood trees, though, were sending their fuzz into the air to land in drifts alongside the campsite road, where Shih Tzu could sniff it and cough and sneeze.
Daughter, Great-Granddaughter, and Great-Grandson dropped by this morning after our bike ride and had a breakfast of cold cereals. They visited while Hubbie hooked up the camper. We were ready to hit the road home by 10:30 a.m.
A day that started cool, windy, and with threats of storms, turned hot and humid by the time we arrived home in the afternoon.
Except for one frog and one turtle, we didn't see much wildlife today beyond the usual squirrels and birds. The cottonwood trees, though, were sending their fuzz into the air to land in drifts alongside the campsite road, where Shih Tzu could sniff it and cough and sneeze.
Daughter, Great-Granddaughter, and Great-Grandson dropped by this morning after our bike ride and had a breakfast of cold cereals. They visited while Hubbie hooked up the camper. We were ready to hit the road home by 10:30 a.m.
A day that started cool, windy, and with threats of storms, turned hot and humid by the time we arrived home in the afternoon.
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