Update.....General Stuff

I know it's been a while.....here's what I know:

February is probably the worst month of the year for me, both physically and mentally. The change in weather is tough on my body--my RA is in full flare. Things hurt now that I don't even remember in the summer when the weather's warm.

My body is telling me to slow down and take a break. That's hard for me, but I'm trying. I still am not able to run. I think I'm compensating by doing too much other stuff. I now have new aches and pains.

Our family is really struggling financially. J's two part-time jobs have no work now; one of the jobs owes him a bunch of money. Hopefully, things will pick up by April. Until then, he's been looking with no luck for other work. We're trying to hang in there.

Due to finances, I'm not signed up for any races yet. Which is probably a good thing since I haven't run in about six weeks. We'll see how things go.

I'm not optimistic about the "stimulus" plan. I'm not really that optimistic about the new administration and all the hope so many people have placed in it. That's all I'll say on that subject.

I'm SOOOOO tired of baseball, steroids, Alex Rodriguez, and all that big giant mess. Let's just agree that professional athletes, like actors, politicians, and others in our society have their own sets of rules. I don't like the rules, I don't agree with them, but that's just how it is. We live in a democracy, but life is rarely, if ever, fair.

Gymnastics, even at the level my daughter is in, is so totally subjective and unfair. At her last meet, Peanut got the lowest score she ever received on the uneven bars--7.45. At that same meet, she won the floor, finished seventh in the all around, and placed in the top ten or better on the beam and vault. Her team won their level. This past weekend, the team went to Indianapolis to compete. The competition was much tougher than at the last meet. Doing the same routine on the bars, she received a 9.125 and finished third. HUH?! The team finished in second place. Peanut finished 5th in the all around. Can you see how crazy this sport is? The good thing is she's not upset by it and realizes that's how it is. Me, I think it's absolutely INSANE!

I'm still trying to figure out Facebook. I joined a little after I started this blog, but I'm still trying to figure out how it works. It seems a little complicated to me. I would like to master it, because I think it's less work than posting a blog. Anyone out there an expert?

Sometimes it's hard to read blogs of people who are really good triathletes. What they consider success or failure doesn't even register with people like me. I like to enjoy my training and racing, see some improvement, and stay healthy. Sometimes I'm really happy with my performances, other times not so much. But for me it's all about the fun in the journey. I'm never going to be a fast swimmer or runner. I love doing both, but speed will never be the basis of how I judge my enjoyment in this sport. When I read what the 20 and 30-something women write about their triathlon experiences and goals, I wonder where they will be in the sport when they're my age. Interesting, huh?

R-man received an excellent report card for his first semester in high school. 4.0 average, ranked 50 out of 1148 freshmen. Except for Algebra, he has all new teachers this semester. He really liked his first Biology teacher, and doesn't like the one he has now so much. However, he just received his progress reports and he's doing great in all his subjects.

Last night was the Bowling teams' award banquet. It was held in the high school cafeteria--very low key, not fancy. Compared to what the football and basketball teams get, I'm sure it was a total joke. But, the teams did well, and R-man is hoping to improve over the summer and make the team next year as a sophomore.

It's raining, supposed to turn to snow later today and tomorrow more snow and colder. My body is already protesting. I'm going to go in my warm basement and ride and strength/core train. Maybe I'll go for a short swim later if I feel like leaving the house--or maybe not!

Caught a glimpse of Moose and Iron Snoopy at the fitness center Saturday. I was on the rowing machine, they were doing some serious weight lifting. Didn't get a chance to say "hey"!

That's it for now. Hoping I'll have some good news to post soon. Until then, hope everyone else is surviving this short but oh so long month of February!

Until next time--God bless!