The 25th Hour ~karenjcardoza.com~

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted but it’s because I’ve been so busy and was sick over the weekend. I’ve been able to get lots of reading done though which makes me happy. This past weekend, we had Carissa’s First Communion, Jake’s Confirmation and Ernie was in town for his son’s graduation so he stayed at Casa de Cardoza as usual.

My garden and flowers are coming along and I’ve only got a few more annual pots to plant and some pole beans seeds to purchase and get in the ground. I’m going to try diligently to stay on top of the weeds and do a bit each day but we can’t mulch until the neighbor’s HUGE tree drops all of it’s noses because if not, I’ll be pulling little trees out of my mulch for a good long time.

I’m very glad to report that I’ve been walking to work as much as I can. It usually depends upon the weather and whatever meetings or appointments that I may happen to have before or after school. While I haven’t lost any weight per se I know that I’m firming up and gaining muscle. Besides, I’m not only doing it for weight loss reasons, it’s mostly for health reasons. I need to go for my annual bloodwork soon and I’m determined not to have to take any medication, including cholesterol meds. It was borderline the last time I went and he knows that I don’t take anything unless I absolutely have no choice.

I’ve also been busy this week getting things ready for the primitive Rendezvous which we’ll be heading to this weekend in Sanbornton, NH. I’ve been busy sewing and packing and getting the clothes ready. I’m making a few wool shawls which may be needed at night or on cold days. Everything is completely period correct so there won’t be any parkas allowed that’s for sure. We’ll be huddling around the campfire in comfort!

We went last year for the first time with friends who are veterans of the vous. They go for the whole week and bring furniture and everything! This is our second time and while we now have our own lodge and clothing, we still don’t have much else but we’ll be setting up all together anyway so we’ll want for nothing. I’ll be posting pictures but it’s a completely unplugged weekend so no technology allowed (other than a camera, discreetly hidden.) Needless to say, there will be no Tweeting from the Vous!

Here’s a link to last year’s pictures. I can’t wait for this weekend!!

It’s funny how people perceive things differently. My daughter’s car has been in the shop quite a bit this week so I’ve taken to walking the 2.5 miles or so to and from school so she can use mine. I view it as a chance to get in some “free” exercise in a functional way. Perhaps it’s because I live in the world of special education where I strive to teach skills through functional activities that I completely have this point of view and it’s quite obvious to me.

I can’t tell you the number of people that have insisted that they give me a ride home from work. I know that they’re trying to be nice but my responses of “No, thank you, I’d rather walk” are met with incredulous looks. Then, assuming that I’m just being polite in not wanting them to go out of their way, they insist even more strongly. “No really.. I WANT the exercise.”

I view it as: Why would I want to take a ride home just so I can drive to the gym to go walk on a treadmill or use another cardio device for an hour when I could just walk home and get it over with in even less time? Not that I’m opposed to doing cardio at the gym if I’m already there lifting weights but honestly, I’d much rather be outside any day of the week. Walking to a destination is much more practical than just walking for walking’s sake. (Of course taking my dogs for walks can be filed under the functional category as well since they need the exercise too.)

So, thanks for offering but I’ll politely refuse and smile all the way home.

Here it is Sunday night and my vacation is just about over. I must say, the weather was great and although I didn’t accomplish everything on my list, I got a lot done and had a great week.

Here’s the initial list:

(Here’s the agenda for next week:

• Keeping my fingers crossed that my new gym will be open. It’s supposed to be ready this weekend and it’s perfect timing to hit the gym every day. DONE! The gym opened on Monday and I went 4 times this week. I’m very sore but that’s expected and it’s a good feeling.
• Take the dogs out every day for a walk in the woods. DONE! We walked either on the nature trails at the Monastery or around the pond at Lincoln Woods every day. The girls are getting much better dealing with cars, bikes, motorcycles, and other dogs since going to the state park.. especially on a busy, 70+ degree day.
• Pedicure and Manicure DONE!
  
• Yardwork and gardening, including clearing the backyard so I can start using my clothesline and shut off the dryer until October. DONE! Check it out. :-)
• Scrape and paint the bathroom. Not done… but I initially had plans only one day this week which turned into a commitment EVERY DAY since my original post.
• Continue the move to wordpress for as much of my website as possible. DONE! And changed over the landing spot for the personal pages on the website.
• Get caught up with Pats news, update site, and podcast.DONE! Website is up to date and podcast is posted.
• READ, READ, READ!) DONE! I ended up setting up my Book Nook and read 5 books this week.

Overall, I got lots of exercise, read lots of books and took lots of walks with my girls. I also had lunch with a friend, went to a demonstration, took my son driving and fishing , kept my house clean and went to two appointments.

I worked a few hours on my assessment and planned on working on it one hour a day but never anticipated all of the other things that I would be doing this week when I set that goal.

I’m happy with my decision to spend time outside taking care of my dogs and my own health and between the exercise and the hours of reading and relaxing, it served to recharge my batteries so that I’m ready to head into the homestretch with the assessment deadline coming up May 8th. It’s going to be an intense 3 weeks.

As for right now, I’m heading downstairs to watch John Adams and The Tudors which will round out my vacation nicely. Later kids!

Congrats to Ali of The Biggest Loser who lost 112 pounds and now weighs what I did on my wedding day! I watched the finale last night and I’m so happy that she gained the title but even more so for all of the contestants. They’re all winners in my book. They’ve all made some positive changes in their lives to get healthy.

Now that my back has healed I’ve made the commitment to get back to my workouts as well. My initial goal is to lose 10 pounds by Memorial Day Weekend when I go to this year’s Original Northeastern Primitive Rendezvous. It would be great to lose even more, but I’m taking one step at a time.. I always run the risk of overdoing it and ending up back at the doctor’s office because my back goes out. I’ve gotten off to a good start this week already and I’m thankful to be on vacation!
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