This morning I went to the gym before work. Did 5 minute warm-up on ellipitcal, then I did inside and outside thighs with ankle weights and with machine, windmills with ankle weights, some crunches with weights on tummy. Now that it's 12:30, it's time for me to go back down and do cardio. My plan is to do wight work 2 mornings a week, then cardio at lunch time. The other 3 days will be either full cardio or a combo of cardio/weights. Must do something to get this old metabolism working.
Closing date for the Legacy Stables show is today; hoping to get ride times by Thursday or earlier. Not sure why I torture myself. I did the dressage show a few weeks ago there, and didn't have any nervous problems. Already, I'm getting myself all pent up for the upcoming show. I'm always afraid I'll do poorly, then I do. Have to change that mode of thinking, that's for sure.
Not much else. Just trying to stay on track with eating, drinking water. And filing....
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Brookside Gardens, etc.
Saturday Dave and I went to Brookside Gardens to take photos of - you guessed it - flowers! I saw a large bee making the rounds of flowers called "violas" - bright yellow with black lines in the center. Anyway, I was obsessed with the bee and tried to follow him around; it wasn't easy, but I did manage to get a few shots of him. See......
The proverbial To Bee or Not to Bee; it is not a question.
More flower pictures of the day:
Blood Banana
Sunday Sara and I went cross country schooling in preparation for our show next week. Bella is in season and just loves Satchmo. Satchmo has no interest in Bella, but she keeps trying. We got the the cross country course, and it was all I could do to make Bella move. All she wanted to do was follow her man around the course. Good thing he won't be around she we're in the ring and in the field doing our courses. She was sooOOooo bad!
Dave and I found our Scotland pics and finished putting together our book from our trip in 2007. Fortunately, the company was having a sale, and we bought the book for only $28. What a steal. We have about 80 pictures in the album; can't wait to see it!
Back to work today, and now that I've gotten the important things done, it's time to do some work-related things. Chinese visa applications to the Chinese embassy, put some guests who are coming on Friday into the Workspeed, so the security people know they are coming, and the never-ending filing.....the bane of my existance.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Weekend Fun
Looks as if we may go to Brookside Gardens to take some photos this morning. It's chilly out now, so a jacket is in order. Fortunately, it is sunny out. Will make a report later of our adventure!
Had to rip out the new sweater I started - again. This much be rip-out month for me. I'm still staring at my "chunky" sweater debating when to pick it up again and finish the button bands. I'm almost done, but this "easy" sweater has given me more trouble. Every time the instructions say to increase stitches, it takes me three rows to do so. When I did the button band and put in all the increases, it looked like a ruffle, not a button band. I'm thinking I will increase what I think looks ok. Anyway, Yarn Harlot says it's ok to increase to what you think is appropriate for something like this. I've done it on other sweaters, why am I obsessing over this one? Don't answer that.
More later.
Had to rip out the new sweater I started - again. This much be rip-out month for me. I'm still staring at my "chunky" sweater debating when to pick it up again and finish the button bands. I'm almost done, but this "easy" sweater has given me more trouble. Every time the instructions say to increase stitches, it takes me three rows to do so. When I did the button band and put in all the increases, it looked like a ruffle, not a button band. I'm thinking I will increase what I think looks ok. Anyway, Yarn Harlot says it's ok to increase to what you think is appropriate for something like this. I've done it on other sweaters, why am I obsessing over this one? Don't answer that.
More later.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Still No Praise for the MARC Train
Last night Dave was coming home from Philly, but I still wanted to get on the early train so I could get to BWI Amtrak station and then go home and take Romeo out. What was I thinking? The train started out on its usual run, got past Riverdale, College Park, and Greenbelt. Just outside Muirkirk here comes the dreaded announcement, We are following a freight train and have to go slowly, if not stop at some point. WHAT? Are these people insane?
So, onward we go chugging along until we get to Savage. After that we pick up speed and I get to Dorsey when? 6:30 p.m. when the LATER train is supposed to get there! Unbelievable. I'm tired of taking the early train and getting to my destination at or later than the later-scheduled train is supposed to get there. I'm ready to retire.
If only Baltimore salaries were comparable to DC's. Alas.....not going to happen.
Went to the gym this a.m. since I went out to lunch with a friend. I decided I wanted to do the exercise that would burn the most calories, and that was running. Started out with a 2-3 minute walk, ran at a 10:40 mile, kept bumping it up until I was at a 10:10 mile and then to a 10:00 mile. I did have to walk a little bit in between, but then I bumped the speed up to a 10-minute mile speed for the duration. It was hard, granted, but I need to push myself in order to burn more calories. Hitting the 60 mark has not been kind to me. It takes longer to burn few calories, so my plan is to run faster, use heavier weights and make the most of what I'm doing. It's the only way. Otherwise, it will be downhill fast.
Work has been a big run around and put out fires all day. I'm exhausted, and I'm not sure what I've actually accomplished except annoying myself.
Tomorrow Dave and I may venture in DC for the Japanese Celebration that is happening. I think the Cherry Blossom 10-mile race is tomorrow, too. Could be too many people to even try. That's the problem with going to events that the entire world comes too. Having to fight the crowds which makes the trip less than enjoyable.
So, onward we go chugging along until we get to Savage. After that we pick up speed and I get to Dorsey when? 6:30 p.m. when the LATER train is supposed to get there! Unbelievable. I'm tired of taking the early train and getting to my destination at or later than the later-scheduled train is supposed to get there. I'm ready to retire.
If only Baltimore salaries were comparable to DC's. Alas.....not going to happen.
Went to the gym this a.m. since I went out to lunch with a friend. I decided I wanted to do the exercise that would burn the most calories, and that was running. Started out with a 2-3 minute walk, ran at a 10:40 mile, kept bumping it up until I was at a 10:10 mile and then to a 10:00 mile. I did have to walk a little bit in between, but then I bumped the speed up to a 10-minute mile speed for the duration. It was hard, granted, but I need to push myself in order to burn more calories. Hitting the 60 mark has not been kind to me. It takes longer to burn few calories, so my plan is to run faster, use heavier weights and make the most of what I'm doing. It's the only way. Otherwise, it will be downhill fast.
Work has been a big run around and put out fires all day. I'm exhausted, and I'm not sure what I've actually accomplished except annoying myself.
Tomorrow Dave and I may venture in DC for the Japanese Celebration that is happening. I think the Cherry Blossom 10-mile race is tomorrow, too. Could be too many people to even try. That's the problem with going to events that the entire world comes too. Having to fight the crowds which makes the trip less than enjoyable.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
No Praise for MARC Train
So, yesterday I decided to leave early to catch an earlier (ha!) train to get home and take Romeo outside for a walk. Dave is out of town, so I wanted to get home so the poor puppy wouldn't burst! Here's the story: I leave the office, get to Union Station, the 5:16 train track is not posted; finally posted, but when we get to the train, the doors are all shut, we see no lights on in the cars. The conductors finally open the doors, still no lights. We sit and sit and sit and when the announcement is made (whatever it was), the car I'm in has no loudspeaker capability! Well, that's very smart. So, we sit some more. Finally, I see people leaving the train, but as MARC protocol usually is, the later trains (even if the earlier one is not going anywhere) do not leave until the earlier train does. Duh!!! Makes sense to me. Not.
While sitting on the 5:16, I called Sara and asked her to take Romeo out for a piddle since he's been by himself since 5:00 a.m. Hence, the reason I wanted to leave early!!!
Finally, I got off the train and asked the conduct what was going on. He told me that the Express Train at 5:51 will be leaving on time on Track 15. I'm on Track 7 - far north end. (Those of you who do ride MARC know that far north end means "South Riverdale"). I make the trek practially back into the station, walk fast (no running allowed on the platforms) to the 5:51, which is getting more crowded by the minute. The only saving grace is the 5:51 is an express and the people who get off at Riverdale, College Park and Greenbelt can't take that train.
I get on the train, and lo and behold, car 7793, which has been stiflingly hot for the past month has cool air running! I'm so surprised! I guess they finally listened to other people's emails, too. I told many people to send emails to MARC so they get the message that something is wrong. I must send a strongly worded email to MARC today about yesterday's fisaco, but I digress.
More and more people get on; the train is packed out, but we do leave somewhat on time. As we are chugging along, we get an announcement (the loudspeakers actually work on this car) that there is a switch problem at Riverdale, so we slow down to a crawl and to a stop,the conductor gets off, has to switch manually, then after we pass, switch it back or something equally ridiculous!
We crawl and crawl and crawl some more. As we pass the people at College Park, they look incredulous as we just pass them by. I'm sure that they have no idea what is happening because there is no way to find out unless you happen to have a Blackberry. Which I don't. Finally, after Greenbelt the train picks up speed; we make all the stops, which take much longer because of the large amount of people packed onto the train.
The train pulls into Dorsey at 7:00 p.m. I started my trip home at 4:45 p.m. and I still haven't made it home! I get home, take poor Romeo for a much-needed walk and make dinner for us both. Fortunaly, there was some leftover Chinese chicken and rice from the night before. I did make some eggplant and asparagus and had some sherbet for dessert. By now, it's after 8:00.
That's my wonderful trip home, once again, on the MARC Rail System.
Since I was still suffering from this cold/pollen thing, I fell asleep just as AI came on. Good thing I recorded it! Woke up at 9:30 p.m., went to the bedroom to fix my clothes and took another Benedryl. Right now, I feel ok, but I know I still have the effects of the Benedryl in my system. Once it wears off, we'll see.
Exercise: I did get on the elliptical yesterday for 30 minutes at a very light level. Better than nothing, and I hope it helped move this cold thing out of my system.
If I feel ok, I will go outside and do some running/walking before it starts to rain. Tomorrow I will have to go to the gym before work since I'm going out to lunch with a friend of mine.
Riding: Must send in my application for Legacy Stables HT on the 18th. However, we are going XC Schooling on Sunday at Loch Moy. Have printed out two sets of the documents they want, plus coggins for the horses. This training is getting expensive. Looking at it realistically, though, no training, no improvement. It's only money, right?
Knitting: For some reason these past few days, every knitting project I've touched has turned to crap. I was working on my bulky sweater, was increasing for the button band, it looked like a ruffle instead; tore it out. Started working on a really cute blue/white sweater with "dancing ladies" on it; the pattern is all screwy - will rip that out. So, OK, started working on another pair of mittens (white with the very brightly hand painted sock yarn); had to rip that out; so decided that I should make the same design that I already made (since I kind of know what I'm doing there). Success! I'm on the ribbing and so far, it's looking nice. Whew! About time, already.
While sitting on the 5:16, I called Sara and asked her to take Romeo out for a piddle since he's been by himself since 5:00 a.m. Hence, the reason I wanted to leave early!!!
Finally, I got off the train and asked the conduct what was going on. He told me that the Express Train at 5:51 will be leaving on time on Track 15. I'm on Track 7 - far north end. (Those of you who do ride MARC know that far north end means "South Riverdale"). I make the trek practially back into the station, walk fast (no running allowed on the platforms) to the 5:51, which is getting more crowded by the minute. The only saving grace is the 5:51 is an express and the people who get off at Riverdale, College Park and Greenbelt can't take that train.
I get on the train, and lo and behold, car 7793, which has been stiflingly hot for the past month has cool air running! I'm so surprised! I guess they finally listened to other people's emails, too. I told many people to send emails to MARC so they get the message that something is wrong. I must send a strongly worded email to MARC today about yesterday's fisaco, but I digress.
More and more people get on; the train is packed out, but we do leave somewhat on time. As we are chugging along, we get an announcement (the loudspeakers actually work on this car) that there is a switch problem at Riverdale, so we slow down to a crawl and to a stop,the conductor gets off, has to switch manually, then after we pass, switch it back or something equally ridiculous!
We crawl and crawl and crawl some more. As we pass the people at College Park, they look incredulous as we just pass them by. I'm sure that they have no idea what is happening because there is no way to find out unless you happen to have a Blackberry. Which I don't. Finally, after Greenbelt the train picks up speed; we make all the stops, which take much longer because of the large amount of people packed onto the train.
The train pulls into Dorsey at 7:00 p.m. I started my trip home at 4:45 p.m. and I still haven't made it home! I get home, take poor Romeo for a much-needed walk and make dinner for us both. Fortunaly, there was some leftover Chinese chicken and rice from the night before. I did make some eggplant and asparagus and had some sherbet for dessert. By now, it's after 8:00.
That's my wonderful trip home, once again, on the MARC Rail System.
Since I was still suffering from this cold/pollen thing, I fell asleep just as AI came on. Good thing I recorded it! Woke up at 9:30 p.m., went to the bedroom to fix my clothes and took another Benedryl. Right now, I feel ok, but I know I still have the effects of the Benedryl in my system. Once it wears off, we'll see.
Exercise: I did get on the elliptical yesterday for 30 minutes at a very light level. Better than nothing, and I hope it helped move this cold thing out of my system.
If I feel ok, I will go outside and do some running/walking before it starts to rain. Tomorrow I will have to go to the gym before work since I'm going out to lunch with a friend of mine.
Riding: Must send in my application for Legacy Stables HT on the 18th. However, we are going XC Schooling on Sunday at Loch Moy. Have printed out two sets of the documents they want, plus coggins for the horses. This training is getting expensive. Looking at it realistically, though, no training, no improvement. It's only money, right?
Knitting: For some reason these past few days, every knitting project I've touched has turned to crap. I was working on my bulky sweater, was increasing for the button band, it looked like a ruffle instead; tore it out. Started working on a really cute blue/white sweater with "dancing ladies" on it; the pattern is all screwy - will rip that out. So, OK, started working on another pair of mittens (white with the very brightly hand painted sock yarn); had to rip that out; so decided that I should make the same design that I already made (since I kind of know what I'm doing there). Success! I'm on the ribbing and so far, it's looking nice. Whew! About time, already.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Pollen is our Enemy.
Let's see.......Weekend summary.....
Saturday Dave and I met Sara and her friends to watch them rock climb. We met them in Ellicott City, then walked a short way to an area for climbing. Unfortunately, the rock face was too big for their ropes, so after deliberations, they decided to go somewhere else. Dave and I opted to go to the grocery store to stock up and get food for Easter dinner. What a thrill that was. The rest of the day was quiet.
Sunday Dave came with Sara and me to go cross country schooling at a new place. It is fairly new; the wood still has that "new" wood smell to it. The field was huge, the jumps were good (although not enough smaller jumps for beginners like me). Sara and Satchmo had a great time; Bella spent her time looking around and seeing if there was any grass she could eat. What else is new?
Sara made the announcement that since Satchmo was such a good boy, she had no excuse not to do the Legacy show on April 18. I have been looking for a place to go schooling this weekend, but it isn't looking too well. Many of the places are having shows or clinics or are too far away since Cathy has to be somewhere after our lesson. Thinking it might not work; will have a lesson at her place.
If you want to see determination, look at this picture. Never give up! Never surrender! Ok, it's not the best picture, but I certainly was not giving up.
After the schooling we went home, Sara came over later and cooked her meals - dumplings and BBQ chicken. She bribed Dave with dumplings as payment to use the grill. It worked! Promise Dave food and you are ok.
I had a half a leg of lamb, which turned out to be the best buy since it was only the three of us at dinner. We had lamb, scalloped potatoes, salad, asparagus, and apple pie for dessert. Not too much food, although I did have my share of the dumplings!
Went t the oral surgeon yesterday, and unfortunately, I have a tooth that has to come out. Bummer. Can't think about it now because I have things to do until the end of April. It will have to wait until May before I can make an appointment.
I am feeling really lousy; must be the pollen or I have a bad cold. I've never been affected like this with the pollen before. Stayed home yesterday since I had to go to the dentist, but decided to stay home, again, today to see how it goes. For someone who hardly takes time off, I think I'm due a day or two off. As a result, no exercising because just walking from the living room to the kitchen is enough to wear me out! Climbing up the stairs to the loft is like running a marathon these day!
Saturday Dave and I met Sara and her friends to watch them rock climb. We met them in Ellicott City, then walked a short way to an area for climbing. Unfortunately, the rock face was too big for their ropes, so after deliberations, they decided to go somewhere else. Dave and I opted to go to the grocery store to stock up and get food for Easter dinner. What a thrill that was. The rest of the day was quiet.
Sunday Dave came with Sara and me to go cross country schooling at a new place. It is fairly new; the wood still has that "new" wood smell to it. The field was huge, the jumps were good (although not enough smaller jumps for beginners like me). Sara and Satchmo had a great time; Bella spent her time looking around and seeing if there was any grass she could eat. What else is new?
Sara made the announcement that since Satchmo was such a good boy, she had no excuse not to do the Legacy show on April 18. I have been looking for a place to go schooling this weekend, but it isn't looking too well. Many of the places are having shows or clinics or are too far away since Cathy has to be somewhere after our lesson. Thinking it might not work; will have a lesson at her place.
If you want to see determination, look at this picture. Never give up! Never surrender! Ok, it's not the best picture, but I certainly was not giving up.
After the schooling we went home, Sara came over later and cooked her meals - dumplings and BBQ chicken. She bribed Dave with dumplings as payment to use the grill. It worked! Promise Dave food and you are ok.
I had a half a leg of lamb, which turned out to be the best buy since it was only the three of us at dinner. We had lamb, scalloped potatoes, salad, asparagus, and apple pie for dessert. Not too much food, although I did have my share of the dumplings!
Went t the oral surgeon yesterday, and unfortunately, I have a tooth that has to come out. Bummer. Can't think about it now because I have things to do until the end of April. It will have to wait until May before I can make an appointment.
I am feeling really lousy; must be the pollen or I have a bad cold. I've never been affected like this with the pollen before. Stayed home yesterday since I had to go to the dentist, but decided to stay home, again, today to see how it goes. For someone who hardly takes time off, I think I'm due a day or two off. As a result, no exercising because just walking from the living room to the kitchen is enough to wear me out! Climbing up the stairs to the loft is like running a marathon these day!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Ha! More Yarn Delivered
Last night when Dave picked me up, he told me I had a box delivered and muttered something like, It's probably more of that damned wool! And, he was right. Beautiful bisque and navy blue to make a sweater with "dancing ladies" around the bottom of the sweater. My list of projects includes: mittens with a white/brilliant colored sock yarn; mittens with alpaca butter/light grey; and this new one, dancing ladies on a sweater. I am almost finished with a sweater from "Fitted Knits". When I looked for the yarn, I found out it was waay to expensive for me, but I did find some cheaper bulky yarn, which isn't perfect for the size 15 needles I'm using for the body of the sweater, but I am making it a size larger so everything, so far, is working out perfectly. I am on the second sleeve ribbing and after that I have button bands (left and right) and a ribbed collar to add to the top of the neckline.
I decided to test out my knee and went outside to run. The day was gorgeous, but dodging all the people visiting DC to see the cherry blossoms was not so gorgeous. I got into my pace, trying not to knock down all the tourists who decided at a moment's notice, it's time for a photo op! Not when I'm running, please. Just get out of my way! Thank you.
Ran to the Lincoln Memorial, around the top circle, back up 17th Street and right into Subway to get a Veggie Delight - 6" with honey oat bread. It was very good or I was really hungry because I wolfed that baby down.
I'm sorry to say today is only Thursday and I have to go back to work tomorrow. Rats!
Sara and I are going cross country schooling and Dave is coming to take photos. I would like to see what I look like when I do jump - position, etc. Of course, the jumping is on a horse; I'm not out there running around like a lunatic jumping over fences! ha ha ha ha.... I slay myself.
I decided to test out my knee and went outside to run. The day was gorgeous, but dodging all the people visiting DC to see the cherry blossoms was not so gorgeous. I got into my pace, trying not to knock down all the tourists who decided at a moment's notice, it's time for a photo op! Not when I'm running, please. Just get out of my way! Thank you.
Ran to the Lincoln Memorial, around the top circle, back up 17th Street and right into Subway to get a Veggie Delight - 6" with honey oat bread. It was very good or I was really hungry because I wolfed that baby down.
I'm sorry to say today is only Thursday and I have to go back to work tomorrow. Rats!
Sara and I are going cross country schooling and Dave is coming to take photos. I would like to see what I look like when I do jump - position, etc. Of course, the jumping is on a horse; I'm not out there running around like a lunatic jumping over fences! ha ha ha ha.... I slay myself.
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