Power of 10: Week 6 and 7

Power of 10 is still going strong. Last week I was home during the week, so I went to CBRC and did the exercises with my mom. She didn't partake, but helped cheer me along. That was nice. This week, was back at my gym with Jen again. It is much nicer to stick with the one you normally do it with.
We had a great week again. I really felt like I worked hard. I am at 190 lbs on the leg press. It was hard. I think I will stick with 190 again next week, just cuz I struggled with that one. I don't think I will even be able to lift 210 lbs (have to go up by 20 on that machine). Oh well. This weeks emphasis was arms, and I am hurting pretty bad today, but a good hurt.
Me and Jen both haven't lost any weight from it. She is thinking about stopping, but I may not have lost weight, but I am getting stronger. I really want to start running. I know I have said that so many times, but I do. I don't know why I haven't started (and kept it up). I think when Portland Fit starts up again in the spring, I will join, and train with them. I really want to get running again. I can meet lots new people there too.

On thin ice!

I forgot to mention one little fun ordeal I had while I was home!!

So, like I had said before, I made it home safely. But, it turns out, not only did I stretch making it home without traction tires/chains... I also made it home on bald tires.

I didn't realize they were bald. And they weren't that bad, just the outer parts...time for a rotation. But, well, I had already rotated them before and the insides were bald too.

Mom said I wasn't leaving to come back home till I bought new tires. So, I had to fork out $250 for new tires.

Man, maintenance is spendy!!

So went to Les Schwab for new tires. Tried Wal*mart, they would have to special order my size...didn't have time for that, I was headed back home the next day.
So, back at LS. They have a reputation for coming and greeting you at your car, working with you, getting a great deal on the tires you want/need, and servicing with a smile.

Not this time.

They were very rude, short, and didn't want to offer prices for different tires. I had to pull everything out of them. I was even speaking with the assistant manager!!
Bad news for Schwabby!

No more tires from them.

The reason I went to them, is because I know a gentleman that works there. Manager of the Fleet services (he doesn't know much about passenger tires-otherwise he would have helped me!), but he sent me to speak with "Andy" at the Kennewick store. He said he would help me out, and get me a good deal.

Andy wasn't so nice. He just said $599 it will be for studded tires (4 of them)...didn't even ask what I wanted, or needed. I wasn't there for studded tires, and certainly not 4 of them.

I asked what it would be for regualr tires...$525. Again, didn't ask if I needed all replaced. Just went on ringing it up, as igf that is what I was gonna get.

Most places will ask what you need, look at your tires, and then give you some choices, with some prices...not Andy. Apparently he was in a hurry.

Well...to make this long story short...I did get 2 tires from Andy, but they are regular tires, not special ones. Still set me back couple hundred, but hey...the price of safety, right??

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas!!
I am home now, had to work the last couple days, but I do have today off. I slept in, that was nice. Although my parents did call me and wake me up. But I am glad they did.

I am alone today. I don't even have my dog here with me. I only get today off, then I have to go back to work tomorrow and work for the next few days. I wish I would have had a few more days off around today so I could spend Christmas day with my family, but I didn't, so I am not.

I did get to spend a day with all my family together on Thursday. My family even got me some presents (even though I asked them not to, since I couldn't get them any), so I opened them on Thursday. Then, to my surprise, when I got back home Thursday night, my sister had left her present here for me...in my apartment. How nice!!

So, I was a good girl, I waited till Christmas morning to open it. Thank you Jen, I love it!!

Well, must be going now, I want to go see a movie today (by my lonesome, I must add, just for effect). I am not sure if I want to see Fun with Dick and Jane, or Rumor has it. Too many decisions, maybe both!!

Have a VERY Merry Christmas to you, and please (if I know you) tell your families I said hello!! Love you all!!

Home for the Holidays!

Happy Holidays to All!!

I made it home safe for all those worry-ers out there. It was very snowy/icy through the Gorge, but I drove slow and there weren't that many cars around.

Chains/traction tires were required from Troutdale to Hood River, but I didn't want to stop and get chains. I wouldn't know how to use them even if I did have them.

When I left Portland, it was rainy, and the roads were starting to melt, so I didn't think it would be that bad, but they were. It was a little scary for a while, with the high winds, but I made it safe and sound.

It took me about 4 1/2 hours to get home. Normal drive is about 3 1/4 - 3 1/2 hours.

So, I am home and will be here through Thursday. NOt a whole lot going on, but at least I get to spend some time with my family around Christmas time. Then I work 23rd, and 24th. I have Christmas day off, but I have to go back to work for three days after.

I don't have any plans for Christmas day. Since I am skipping Christmas this year, and asked everyone to not get me anything (since I couldn't buy them anything), I won't have any gifts to open...so I thought I might just sleep in, and watch movies all day. I will be home alone anyhow, so might as well just sleep all day!! Hehehe! I love sleeping!!

Well, I hope everyone has a great Christmas with their families, and they get everything they asked for!! Merry Christmas to all!!

Power of 10: Week 5

So, week 5 down, only forever more weeks to go!! I don't ever want to quit. I love it. I wish I was losing weight, but I love the soreness I feel after a good workout. Besides, I signed up for a gym membership, so I am definetely not quitting now.
So, back to the workout. It was a great one. Jen and I decided that we were doing to high of weights and weren't doing some of the exercises correct, that is why we felt, on some routines, we just didn't get the best workout. Abs was one of those. So, we decreased weights, and worked extra hard, and got a great workout this week. Lat raise is another, but we didn't do that exercise this week, so we will lower weights next time we do that one.
I did have some difficulty with the abduction, because my legs seem to cramp up when I move them out like that. If I lay on the bed and just try to abduct my leg like that, I get cramps. So I don't feel it was the exercise equipment or the weights, I think it is just faulty legs. I will keep working on that. I need to increase my flexibility with that range of motion. Jen said she cramped some too.
Adduction was great. I lifted 110 lbs. I was so proud of myself, and I even did like 10 reps. I had never done that exercise before so, I wasn't sure how much weight I would be able to do. Next time, I will be stronger, and I will know.
Arms, well, I did good this week, but I didn't feel I advanced much from the last week. I did a little better or at least was equal to what I did the previous week. So that is good, I didn't regress.
I am hurting already today. I know I did good. My abs hurt a lot, and my arms do too. My legs are starting to get worse, but they do hurt too.
Next week, I will be home, so I will be doing the routine with my mother as my support (hopefully, if the gym allows her to join me), and at CBRC. I have never been there before, but I am sure they have the same typical machines. I can't wait...I get to go home in just a couple days!! Yeah!!

Feels Good to be well again!

I am feeling much better. Went to work today. I was a bit tired, but I managed well. At the beginning I was wondering, but I did good. I am just a little sniffly, and feel great again! Thanks for all who wished me well, it really helped!!

I need to be an MD!

You Should Get a MD (Doctor of Medicine)

You're both compassionate and brilliant - a rare combination. You were born to be a doctor.

What Advanced Degree Should You Get?

To work or not to work...that is the question!!

So, I am starting to feel a little better, but I am still pretty stuffy. I am scheduled to work tomorrow, but I do not know if I should go to work. I think I would be able to hack the long day, but I am obviously still still stuffy, congested, and coughing/sneezing. I am not sure my pts will appreciate a sick nurse.
What do you think?
Should I stay home tomorrow?
I was thinking, if I stayed home for one more day, I could get more sleep and rest, and hopefully be recovered to go back to work by Wednesday. Then again, if I don't go in, I will have to use my PLH (paid leave hours). I have plenty in my bank, but I am not sure if I want to waste 12 hours on a day just so I can get more sleep/rest.
I am at a loss. I don't know what to do.
Of course, my mom would say... "If you aren't feeling up to it, then call in sick." But, that isn't her telling me what to do, that is her telling me to do what I want to do. I need someone to tell me what to do. You see, I just can't make up my mind. Anybody, please....help me decide!!

A first in Portland

I'm sick.

Yes. You heard right.

I am sick!

I am quite surprised I didn't get everything under the sun when I first moved here. Usually that happens. Just because you have never been exposed to the sicknesses here, so you get them all.

I didn't.

But I did now.

It isn't that bad, but it has knocked me off my butt, and made me so tired. I got up at 1130 today, after going to bed about 9 or 10 last night. Then, at about 2 went back to bed for four more hours.

Would have slept longer, but Charlie whines. He hates his cage, and I have to put him in it or he will tair up the place.

What kind of sick? you ask...I just seem to have a head cold. I am stuffy, achy, tired, sneezy, that sort of thing. Sick, nonetheless.

It was nicer out today too. I took Charlie out at 1130 when I got up, and almost didn't need my coat. Don't get me worng, still winter out, but felt pretty good. Maybe it was because I was just out of a nice warm bed. I don't know.

I hope I feel better tomorrow. I would hate to waste all of my days off in bed. I only get three you know. And, I refuse to call in sick. I hate doing that, so I had better get better soon!!

Picture Updates

This is a pic of my new hair cut. Do you like it?? I love it. I like it when I straighten, and I like it when I leave it curly. really makes me feellike I have a style now vs. just plain jane!
Next...

This is me with Grason at home during Turkey break. He is such a good baby, and growing so fast. See below for some more pics of me and Grason.
Next...

This is Grason in his " I love my Aunt" outfit. He loves to do the superman!!
Next...

This is Ashley, she is about 5 months along in this pic. Isn't she cute??
Last, but not least...

This is a good pic of me and Ashley, so I thought I would post it!!
That is all for now. I hope you like all my updates. I have some good ones with Grason and his mother, but I will have to post those later, Jen has them still.
I haven't gotten any Christmas stuff up. Maybe I will do that today. Hope all is well with the world. I have to go back to work again tomorrow. Oh well, work is fun!!

Power of 10: Week 4

So I went to the gym today. I had to go today because I officially became a member of this gym. I decided, since I was only going to the gym once a week, to only pay for a memebership that allows me to go on alternating days. I can go three times a week, on Tues, Thurs, and Sat. It was only $19/month, so I went for it. Well, needless to say, I can't go the gym on Wednesdays anymore. So this week, I went on Tues. Next week Thurs because I work Tues.
So, on to the update. I am getting stronger. I feel great. I seem to be having some difficulty with the lat raise still. I think I am trying to lift too much. I don't know. I had been lifting 60 lbs, but I think I need to be at like 40 lbs to get a better workout. Before I just wasn't able to do the exercise right, and I don't seem to be improving on that one. I will keep trying though.
All the other exercises I am getting stronger at. I was pleasantly surprised with the bicep curl. The first week we did it, I struggled bad. My left could barely lift at all, and my right was weak too. This time, I started off with just increasing by 10 lbs, and it was surprisingly easy, so I increased by another 10 lbs, yeah!! I guess some of the other exercises work my bicceps too.
The legs are getting stronger, although, I can't see any definition. Of course, I got lots of fat layers, so I doubt I will see a difference any time soon. I did loose a couple lbs this week, but I increased in body fat. But, if the percent is of the lower weight, I will take it. Oh well, it is possible my scale is not accurate. It can be innaccurate with +/- amt of water consumed, different time of day, how much food was eaten for the day, excretion of waste products...point is, it can be skewed. So I will look at the trend and not just one number.
I am still really excited to keep doing it. Power of 10 is fun. I really believe inthis program. I know I am certainly getting stronger, even if I don't lose weight. It will make it that much easier to start running again, when I am good and ready to start increasing that.
When I go home in two weeks, I have to use the Tri-City Racquet Club as my gym. I emailed them and asked if they had a free trial that I could use. They do. And I am using it. I am hoping my mom will join me in a session, at the least for moral support. But, if I have to go alone, I will.
I will have to see if I hurt tomorrow, but I had a good workout, so I m thinking I will.

I really need to do homework sooner!

See what time it is...
yeah 2:18 am.
That is because homework was due at midnight (EST)...yeah I know I am late...and i procrastinated to the very last minute, and i mean the very last minute.
My homework is due by 9pm my time, and i didn't even start till then. I didn't get it done on my days off this week, and I had to work Sat and Sun, so I waited till I got off on Sunday night to even start.
I should know better too, my statistics homework usually takes me 4-6 hours in itself. But I also had to do a nursing paper. So I did my stats first tonight, got done at about 12 or so on that, then worte 7 pages for a nursing paper.
Man, I really need to start sooner. I just hate papers. I got my posting that was required done earlier in the week, I just left this damn paper to do.
Then I get it done, and now I have to start a new week of stuff to do. Well, I am headed to bed for sure, and i get the next three days off, so i am sleeping in tomorrow as well!!
Nothing else to exciting here in P-Town. I did get my hair cut the other day. It needed a trim, and I was in need of something other that plain Jane. So I cut it. It looks good, and I really like it! i hope you do too!! Oh yeah...you haven't seen it yet! Ha!
Well, good excuse to come visit me????
For all to know...I am coming home Dec 19-22. i am very excited I get 4 full days off. Unfortunately, I have to work the 23, and 24th so I won't be able to spend Christmas at home. Oh well. I do have that day off, but I dfon't know what I will be working after that. If I have Monday off too, I might come home Christmas Eve, and stay till the 26th night. I might hink about that, but I won't know for sure until later in this month!!
Happy December, I am off to bed!!

Nailed that one...

You Have a Choleric Temperament

You are a person of great enthusiasm - easily excited by many things. Unsatisfied by the ordinary, you are reaching for an epic, extraordinary life. You want the best. The best life. The best love. The best reputation. You posses a sharp and keen intellect. Your mind is your primary weapon. Strong willed, nothing can keep you down. Your energy can break down any wall. You're an instantly passionate person - and this passion gives you an intoxicating power over others. At your worst, you are a narcissist. Full of yourself and even proud of your faults. Stubborn and opinionated, you know what you think is right. End of discussion. A bit of a misanthrope, you often see others as weak, ignorant, and inferior.

What Temperment Are You?

One more quiz...

What Harry Potter character do I most want?


Harry Potter
You crave your own knight in shining armour: the
guy who will swoop in and save you, and manage
to be a sweet lover and good dad all at the
same time. You are the girl he's fighting for!


Who is your Harry Potter love match? (for girls)
brought to you by Quizilla

I guess I go for the main characters!! I love Harry Potter!!

Power of 10: Week 3

So, I went to the gym last night. It was great. I actually had to sign up though, since my free two week trial ended today. I decided to go with alternating days (T, T, Sat) and it is $19 per month. Not bad. I only had to pay $19 to start too, and that included my first month. If I had went with a full gym membership, any gym, any day, I would have to put down $179 and pay about 20 a month. That is rediculous. I don't have 180 dollars lying around, if I did....I could pay off my credit cards faster! Hehehe
So, my workout...the only one I struggled with was the triceps. The minimum weight is 20 lbs. i started to pull it down, and my first rep was my threshold. I couldn't believe how weak I was. Oh well, I will work on those, and get stronger. I increased in weights on almost all the machines this time, except the shoulder press, but I did do one more rep than last time. Last time I could only do 3, this time I did 4. I feel I am getting stronger. I only wish I would lose weight instead of gain it. That is hard to look at each week, especially since I already am 60 lbs overweight. But, I have lost 5% in body fat (as long as my sclae is accurate). So, that makes up for it a little. I am sure in a week or two, the weight will start melting off. I am gonna try to run at least once in between workouts. I ran about 2 1/2 weeks ago, but my schedule along with my sore days, and holidays, doesn't always work out for me to run. Since I can go to the gym now, maybe I can try (I really hate gyms, so I say try) to run on the treadmills.
Next week, we do 7 exercises. I am really looking forward to the week we do adduction and abduction. I don't think I will be able to lift much weights, but I really want to do that exercise. I think it is week 5 maybe 6. I already have my workout days planned for week 4 and 5, but week 6 is smack dab in the middle of me going home, so I don't know what to do about that week. I might have to do it on Sat, even though I work and it is Christmas Eve. I don't know if the gym will be open at 8pm. i will have to see, or I can go to the gym at home, pay the onetime workout fee, and do it then. That is a thought. Maybe I can get my friend or mom to go with me for support.
Well, I guess I have rambled enough.