Exercising

I am going to tell you a little story. 

There was once 5 coworkers/friends who made a bet about exercising.  The person who exercised the least number of days in a certain period would buy lunch for the person who exercised the most.  The goal was 5 days a week.  It was a fun bet, and everyone enjoyed the lunch out. 

After that was over, they rearranged the bet.  Another person was added, giving a nice even number, perfect for teams.  The group split in to teams of 3, Team Kick Ass (KA to keep it work appropriate) and Team Bad Ass Buddies (BAB).  The new terms were that the team who exercised the least would buy lunch for the team that exercised the most.  Seemed fairly straightforward. 

After the first week the teams were tied.  After the second week, the teams were tied again.  And finally, after the third week, yep, still tied.

People were getting tired.  Instead of doing 5 days a week, like originally planned, everyone was trying to do 7 days, just to keep their team in the running.  Missing a day felt like letting your whole team down. 

There is still 1.5 weeks to go.  Who knows if anyone will win, but we are all sure trying not to lose. 

I am sad to say I am almost tired of yoga.  5 days a week was fun and refreshing.  7 days a week is burning me out.  Sure I throw in the exercise bike occasionally, or some Wii boxing, but I am getting bored.  I had to give up running due to shin splints.  I would love to swim but don't have $100 a month to spend on membership to the places that have indoor pools.  Spring needs to get here.  I have a hankering for tennis and hiking.  These short, windy/cold days are just not cutting it for me. 

What do you do for exercise?  How often do you exercise?  Why do you do it?

Dreams

I have a few dreams that I would like to accomplish.  Some of them are rather outrageous (I would love to move to Slovenia and then just travel around Europe), but I think most are realistic with a little planning.  The big one right now is a family vacation.  I want to go somewhere, do something.  And I think I know what and where.

We have never done a true, just us, family vacation.  Sure, we will go on little one day/weekend trips, but we have never have gone anywhere else.

My dream right now is to go to Santa Cruz.  Flying seems out of the question, so I was thinking about a road trip, camping along the way.  We don't have tons of money, so driving and camping seems like a good way to save money.  I was thinking about doing it on 4th of July weekend.  I could take the whole week off (only 4 days when you count the holiday).

So that is the basic plan, to drive to Santa Cruz.  We'll leave on July 1 as soon as I get off work.  I figure we can make Bend before Spud gets too upset about being stuck in a car all evening.  We could either make it all the way to the coast the next day, or stop somewhere else along the way.  After a few days in SC, we'll drive back, probably up I-5 this time.  Back in time for work on the 11th. 

Only a couple catches to this plan:
1) If Scott doesn't have a job, will he end up with an interview that week sometime?
2) If he does get a job, will we have the money to do it (if he gets a job in the area, he won't be eligible for unemployment anymore)?
3) Will I be able to take 4 days off from work without two of my coworkers completely losing their minds?

Only time will tell.

(Side note:  If you followed Spud's movie blog, be sure to update the URL.  It's now http://lifeaccordingtospud.blogspot.com/)

The New Questions, Comments, Expressions of Outrage

As you can see all the posts are gone.  They aren't actually gone, they have just been moved somewhere else.  If you really care to see them, let me know and I will give you permission to view the blog.  There was too much negativity associated with that last journal, so I closed it down and am starting anew.  This will be less about the family (though I have a feeling that the boys will still sneak in from time to time) and more to do with the title: my questions, comments, and an occasional expression of outrage.  :)

What is with that title?  I've used it for a bunch of blogs, this being the most recent incarnation.  My political philosophy professor used to start every class with that:  "Any questions?  Comments?  Expressions of outrage?"  It is one of the few things I took out of that class which was a major requirement as opposed to something I was truly interested in. 

So that is where it stands.  I will try to be better about updating, but no promises.  But here are some promises, more to myself than you, but still, maybe you will find my New Year's Resolutions interesting.

1) Bake a pie every month of 2011.  I love pie, but I have never made one completely from scratch.  I hope to have that change this year.  Here is the current schedule:
     Jan- Cherry
     Feb- Coconut Cream
     March- Pot pie AND Berry (it is Pi day afterall)
     April- Banana Cream
     May- Strawberry Rhubarb
     June- S'mores
     July- Blueberry
     August- Peach
     September- Apple
     October- Pecan
     November- Pumpkin
     December- Lemon Meringue

2) Read 45 books.  In 2010, I managed 42.  I think I can outdo that this year!

3) Exercise for 100 minutes a week.  That isn't much, but it's more than I do now.  Since shin splints have basically sidelined me from running, I'll have to get more creative. 

4) Save money.  Our money situation is tight.  I would like to be able to cut back in areas where we probably overspend, and build up a cushon in case something unforeseen happens.

5) Move.  Whether it is across town, across the state, or down the coast, I would like to be out of this house be Halloween.

Welcome to the new QCEoO.  Make yourself at home and let's see where I take this.  LOL