iGoogle

Don't know if anyone out there also uses iGoogle, but they just made same layout changes that really suck. Tabs used to be on the top -- now they're on the left side, totally screwing up my gadgets. And it's not an option, they're just there.

If you use iGoogle and are also unhappy with the changes, a petition has been started and can be accessed here http://www.petitiononline.com/igoogle/petition.html
Can't be certain Google will pay attention, but I would think that the more people who complain, the more likely they are to pay heed and hopefully make the requested changes.

Just for the record...

I hate squats. Really hate them.

With the new gym membership there was a free evaluation. During said evaluation, I was asked to do 2 sets of 15 squats, no weights. Had to work at it, but got them done, none the worse for wear -- or so I thought.

Tuesday I felt fine until late morning, when I started to feel some stiffness and soreness in my thighs. It got worse as the day went on, 'til it was painful to stand, walk, or lower myself to sitting (stairs and bathroom the worst).

And now it's Thursday, and while slightly better, I am still sore and walking with an odd gait.

So, I repeat, I HATE SQUATS!!!!

On the bright side, I have been getting to the gym, doing cardio only right now (gotta wait for the thighs to heal). An hour on the treadmill Thursday and Friday last week. Then Monday a half hour. Tuesday was end of month so I didn't leave work until almost 7 -- too late to hit the gym. And last night, pain and all, another hour on the treadmill. Walking actually helps with the stiffness and pain, and I don't feel like I overdid it. I started using a pedometer and my Polar fitness monitor yesterday. Almost hit 10,000 steps (9562) and kept my heart in the target range during the exercising.

Plan to go again today. I'm really trying hard to get my work schedule back under control. There is no way I can work the gym and family in together if I keep working long ridiculous hours at work.

I keep repeating to myself -- I can do this, I can do this...
:)

Back to the Gym

Well, it has happened...

DH took me to a gym and had me sign up for a membership. It's been a couple of years I think since I've actually been to a gym. I've worked out at home, sporadically, so I haven't been a complete slug.

But, it's been a crazy year, what with the emotional upheaval in February/March, the vacation in May and then all the extra long and stressful work days starting in June, that my exercise routine up and died.

And while I haven't packed on the pounds, I have lost what little toning and definition I did have -- and DH keeps commenting on it...

So, back to the gym I go, starting tonight. I'll get some baseline measurements taken and do a little working out.

Added incentive -- I'm meeting my sibs in 6 weeks for a long weekend and I'd like to be a little slimmer when I see them (it's been 2 years). Plus DH has promised some special rewards for weight lost and kept off :D

Wish me luck ;)

Testing...

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Just testing to see if this Blogger publishing tool really works....

Rain, Rain, Go Away....

... and it finally did, after 3 days.

But not before leading to some flooding. Nowhere near what Ike did down south, but exciting for us nevertheless. We've lived here for 6 years now and never seen anything like this. Usually storms blow in, dump some rain, then blow right out. This was pretty darn near constant rain, from mere misting to incredible downpour, since Friday morning.

Here's a local park, just down the road from our house. Normally it's wide fields, commonly used for sports activities and picnics. As you can see, we weren't the only ones out checking the river.

Later, we went to downtown. Unfortunately it was getting dark, so most of the pictures didn't come out too well, but here are a couple of one the many bridges in downtown. The river runs right through the middle of town and usually there's a lovely walkway on either side and several feet of clearance between the river and the bottom of the bridges -- not today.

There were hundreds of people out this evening checking out the river. There were barriers and warning tape everywhere -- and most of it was ignored (we ignored some, too).

And to top it off, whoever programmed the carillon this evening had a sense of humor. The first 3 songs, in order, were:

• Raindrops keep fallin' on my head
• Old Man River
• Somewhere over the rainbow

It was too funny. Especially since I don't think I've ever actually been downtown before when the carillon is playing.

When I was growing up, we did the same thing -- checking out the flooding when the rivers flooded, as soon as it was safe checking out the fire damage from forest fires, when Mt. St. Helens blew we didn't stay home but headed out to the basin where there was more ashfall. We were always completely safe, but in awe of mother nature. I guess I've instilled that in my children now.

I am incredibly glad the rain has stopped. It wouldn't have taken too much more to cause some real damage in the area.

Crazy life

I haven't been posting here much, not because my brain has gone dead and I have nothing to talk about, just that work has been so crazy, with no end in sight, that after spending 9-10 hours working on the computer, it's hard to drag up any enthusiasm to log more time, even in personal pursuits.

I've taken hundreds of pictures since getting the new camera in April, but even that has fallen to the side -- no new pics since August 20th (that's when I took the pic of the butterfly). And I haven't managed to edit anything to make them postable.

\ (my cat just attacked my keyboard). He's going a little stir crazy -- 2 days of almost constant rain have kept him holed up inside.

Ugh. some I'm just too exhausted to do much of anything, besides work, eat, watch TV and sleep. Did cook with DH today, brunch and dinner. Tomorrow is groceries and laundry, plus I need to vacuum our bedroom. Haven't even been doing a lot of reading... Exciting.

Set myself up with Google reader. Allows me to take little breaks to keep up with who's posting what without actually going to the blogs. It's a nice tool.

It's late and I need to shower before bed... too icky to even sleep with myself LOL.

The Trouble with Charlie

This is my cat, Charlie. I am a cat person (so are the kids), my husband is a dog person... but guess who chose the cat. Yep, my husband. Guess who has to take care of the cat and spend money on the cat. Right again -- me.

He is a beautiful cat, half Siamese and half orange tabby, long haired with blue eyes. The cream coat with the orange points is gorgeous. Very loving, sometime excessively so. A wonderful pet...

Except for one thing...

Long hair snarls, knots, mats horribly. Last summer we had him shaved. This summer I should have, but money being especially tight, it didn't happen. So now every chance I get, I go at him with scissors and comb. I've gotten him knot free back to just behind his front legs. He's patient for only a very short while every few days so this is an extremely long, drawn out process.

Charlie is the first long haired cat I've had. And beautiful as he looks, I don't think I'll ever choose to have a long haired ever again -- unless I'm unemployed and can spend plenty of time every day to groom it.