Friday

[susandennis]

This morning's swim was different. I tried more new stuff - kicks only and sprints. I love doing the same thing the same way every single day which is not good for exercise. I need to break it up and do different stuff. I'm getting more comfortable with that. There is a woman who comes into my lane and does backstroke only in the middle of the lane. She is slow and difficult to swim around and, of course, doing backstroke, does nothing to ensure she stays out of the way. She's been a problem at the pool for a while. One of the lifeguards told me once that 'she is difficult on the deck as well'. I didn't ask for details. She doesn't come very often so it's not a huge deal. Today she showed up about halfway into my swim.

My pool has two abutting sections. One is 6 lanes of 25 yards with descending depth. The other is 15 yards squared and goes from about 2 feet to 3.5 feet. So today when the backstroker slapped my head for the second time, I just got out and moved to the smaller pool. I had it to myself. If I do laps diagonally, it's not too bad at all. I did some kicks and some sprints there, as well. It was fine. And, now an hour or so later, I feel fine so all is good good good.

My early dinner last night also worked well. I did not get hungry before bed which was my fear. This could work.

Today is probably laundry day. If only because the dirty clothe hamper is getting too full. I could use a trip to Costco but I think I might wait until Tuesday when Anita is here. I usually go swimming but the pool will be closed due to Veteran's Day. So Costco would give me an excuse to get out of her hair and I can wait.

I finally finished a crochet project and I'm delighted with the soft snuggly goodness of it. Now I need to get some bears in the chair. I don't want to be caught short when the bear lady comes to get the next batch.

Comments

Good Morning Susan

[patricia earl huff (from livejournal.com)]

I'm glad your swim was good today. I have been out and about this morning. First I got my hair cut. I go to my hairdresser once a month for a shampoo and cut & style. I wear it very short now and use a gel to spike it nicely. I love it short and since my hair came back in it came back with sweet little curls so I don't have to dry it or do anything but let it dry on it's own . LOVING IT!
Then I went to my Doctor and got my shots for the month. They were so sweet to me. My hubby, Gary, went in to let them know I was there and that He was getting me into the electric chair and they told him to let me stay in the truck, they would come out and give me my shots. They had a waiting room full of sicko's ! BOY WAS I A HAPPY GIRL! I also have Paraneoplastic Syndrome and almost no immune system, so going into that office is a BIG NO NO!
I saw where you decided to do the two meals a day and having your last meal by 4PM. That is a good thing. I always eat a snack around 8 or 9 PM too, Usually oatmeal or dry cereal or a muffin and hot tea. I sleep better if I don't eat heavy past 5 PM.
I am reading some of your archived blogs and I am just amazed at how similar our lives are. We actually lived in Akien SC for three years ! My hubby was the Air Force Recruiter there. We had an office in the same building as Senator Strom Thurmond and were great friends with his Secretary there. We lived across the street from Millbrook Baptist Church and the Elementry School was right next to our Front Yard. I loved it there. The Alzaleas were just beautiful in the Spring. We used to drive to Georgia to the Base Hospital at Ft. Gordon.
I just baked some good cornbread to have with our Beef Stew for our main meal today. A couple of days a month I do what Anita does for you. I make meals for us and freeze them for days I don't feel like cooking. Like Beef stew, baked spaghetti , baked chicken breasts, casseroles, etc. It sure helps to just reach in the freezer and take two meals out and pop them in the microwave. Gary helps me to do the cooking on the days I bake and cook. We love broiled Mahi Mahi too so we have that once a week. Easy, Peasy!
I sit in my Sunroom most of the time at the computer desk where my birds are. I have three very large cages that sit at the windows. I have a cage with 4 Budgies, Riley, Oreo, Gracie and Angel, and a cage with one African LoveBird , SugarBaby , and One cage with a Cockatiel, Pika . He Talks all the time! By-the-way, my sunroom is all windows and wood flooring and the windows were made with a special glass ceramic coating that does not allow the sun's damaging rays to come through in winter or summer, so we can have the birds and me right at the windows. They are not dark at all, but it is very difficult for someone to see inside in the day time, but I can see perfectly well through them. I have a deck right outside the door too. Gary calls this my cave so I stay in here so much. He is in the great room right next to me so we still see each other all the time and can easily talk back and forth .I also keep all my crafting supplies in here.
I used to love to shop and take care of my home, but now I can't do that much and can't be around many people . so I throw myself into the computer and crafts and my birds and puppy and hubby. I'm happy and take my life one day at a time. I am a born again Christian , but I don't push that on people , they make their own decisions in life. If they want to know more and ask , I answer. As for being sick, I don't let it get in the way of my happiness. It can be a pain at times and I know my life will be shorter, but , I really don't care. My children are raised and I know where I'm going and I am not angry about MS. I keep busy and do what I want to do and ignore people that think they know better, because they don't, They are in this life trying to figure things out too . I figure if they think they can figure my life out , they must think they are God , AND THEY AIN'T GOD.
SO Susan, I keep mostly to myself at home like a hermit with my hubby and birds and my sweet little dog. Like you, I do have a sweet sibling that I chat with over the computer.
My life is good and I am enjoying sharing yours.
Have a wonderful day Susan!
Patricia

Re: Good Morning Susan

[susandennis]

It sounds like you have carved out a lovely life for yourself. I so admire that. I can appreciate how people aspire to things but it seems such a shame when people never seem to be able to find peace - if not joy - with what they have.

I do appreciate your mentioning about how you guys handle meals. I honestly had never thought about breaking out of my very vestigial schedule. I'm now finally giving it a try and I'm quite jazzed about it.

Your day is half gone already but I hope it is, in total, a great one.

[solteronita.livejournal.com]

Sharing lanes is the worst part of swimming. I'd love it if I could always have my own lane. :D

[susandennis]

Sometimes, especially if it's a friend, I don't mind. Sometimes wanting to not hold up someone pushes me to do better, faster, more consistently. But mostly, I'm with you. It's my lane, dammit. Also, I am ALWAYS the first one in so by all rights, it's my lane and you play by my rules.

This Backstroke Bitch just needs to go do yoga or something.

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

As someone who used to race backstroke, I can say it is hard to keep track where others are when you're doing it.
I'm not saying she shouldn't watch out, only that there is an extra level of difficulty...

[susandennis]

But if you are going to do nothing but backstroke for 30 mins or more (slowly) don't you also take on more responsibility to ensure others can also use that lane? Or are my expectations too much? I'm really asking for your swimmer's expertise here. Not being facetious.

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

I certainly tried. At practice there would be several of us in the lane and I had to do my best not to hit anyone or be hit.
But, you really can't see where you're going and need to use something else as reference. I used the ceiling tiles over the pool. And, I tried to keep close to the lane markers. That backfired once as I cut my arm open on a loose wire on one.

I'm not saying she should be trying harder. I'm just saying it is the hardest stroke I know of to watch where you're going.