PrincessHeather Just Keeps Swimming

[PrincessHeather]

So... I have been AWOL since last week.... and it has been just one giant fail all around.

Our weekend trip to Colorado Springs was going fine until we were about 3 minutes (literally) from our friends' house when we ran over a light pole and a car bumper in the road. Yup, a light pole. Apparently, less than 5 minutes earlier, a drunk driver had slammed into the pole, knocking over and making it about another block before his car decided it was done running. This left all kinds of debris in the road, which we hit going about 55 mph. My husband and I were perfectly fine luckily, and were able to pull over safely. But we had a flat tire and a bent up wheel, and something was leaking, which turned out to be the punctured oil pan. This was 2am, and it took until nearly 4am to get a tow truck out and get a ride to our destination. In the meantime, it was FREEZING and misty, and we had to walk two blocks to the open gas station to use the bathroom while waiting. And of course, the mechanic the next day had to order parts and didn't get them in until Tuesday morning, so instead of leaving first thing Monday and making it back for work on Tuesday, we left in the afternoon on Tuesday, and got in after midnight and I had to be in early so I only slept for maybe 4 hours before work. I feel like I am still recovering. Oh, and our insurance will have to go after the drunk’s insurance in order to try to get our deductible back, so fingers crossed.

In addition to, and probably due to the car thing, we went into "eff it" mode and ate all the things, and drank all the drinks, and I didn't work out or follow paleo and barely skated by in my weekly discussion boards for school. We did however eat tons of delicious Brazilian bbq'd meat, I drank a cocktail out of a fishbowl, we wandered around downtown Denver (man I miss being in a city), and on our way back home we stopped at Casa Bonita (yes, like in South Park). So we made the best of things and enjoyed our time with our friends who we probably won't see again until/unless we visit them in Europe or they return to the states. So yeah. I'm back now, trying desperately to get back on track with food, work, fitness, school, and my budget, which were all thoroughly derailed. Missed it here, off to go find out what is going on with the Fall Frenzy now.

[Strawberry Squatcake]

Oh man, that sucks! What a bummer, and right before your vacation officially started. That definitely is stressful. And to think your insurance has to go after the drunk's insurance, which will probably turn into a whole "prove he/she did it" ordeal. No fun.

The good news food/exercise-wise is it was only a weekend. Probably not much damage done. I know the money part will be stressful if you weren't prepared to pay the deductible. And the battle with the insurance company will probably be worse.

As for school, meh. Haha. That's so horrible. But I bet you can catch back up!

[Hermione Gainser]

Sweet jesus! What a mess!! I'll keep the fingers crossed that the drunk's insurance pays up with the quickness. That's uber annoying!

We're glad you're back!

[Bean]

Glad everyone is OK and there were no injuries.

Only thing to do about the lousy week is to make like a dog - kick dirt over the droppings and walk on.

I am sure you will be back to your normal awesome self in no time.

[PrincessHeather]

Thanks all!!! Yes, as terribly unfun as dealing with it was, niether of us was even remotely injured, and we were in Colorado Springs (decent sized city) instead of having this kind of thing happen out in the middle of nowhere, which is what most of the drive had been. We don't get any cell signal or anything for about 2 hours of our trip, and it was snowing in some spots, so it most certainly could have been far worse.

Turns out the drunk driver has insurance (yay!) and it is through the same company as us (USAA, which means the dude was/is military also). Not sure how that might affect things, but lucky for us our side has already paid out everything but that deductible so we're not nearly as put out as before.

Yesterday after work, I went and bought a cheapy nylon jump rope, and tried it out in my living room for a bit. Only did 25 singles, and that took me like 3 tries. I will be sticking with level one, and it'll most likely be my only exercise until Monday. I have a lot of school stuff from now until Sunday, and our house is a disaster, so won't make it to the gym for lifting. I think my poor legs deserved a nice long break after all the squatting last week.

[PrincessHeather]

WEEK THREE RECAP

Fitness/Diet Goals:

•Running: Continued…: Nothing, and some sad tries at the jumprump

•Bench Like a Boss : No time for lifting

•Slay the Soul Crushing Stress Demon:0/2 hours of "me time"

Life Goal:

•Grad School Focus: 12/8 hours of studying completed (had to write a 9 page paper... sort feels like cheating haha)

[HeathBar]

WEEK THREE RECAP

Fitness/Diet Goals:

•Running: Continued…: Nothing, and some sad tries at the jumprump

•Bench Like a Boss : No time for lifting

•Slay the Soul Crushing Stress Demon:0/2 hours of "me time"

Life Goal:

•Grad School Focus: 12/8 hours of studying completed (had to write a 9 page paper... sort feels like cheating haha)

Rough week, school is tough sometimes but at least you were productive with your 9 page paper. Make sure to take some extra "me time" when you have a lull in school activities

[PrincessHeather]

Workout 10/16

Deadlifts

2x5x65, 2x5x85, 2x5x105

Front Squats

3x5x45

Got back into the gym tonight, did a short warmup on the elliptical (it was raining and I didn't want to run on the track with slippery shoes), and then did a little lifting. I felt weak, not sure if I was just tired from work or if the week and a half off realyl made that big of an impact, but the lifts sucked. On top of that, I was wearing long sleeves, and was starting to overheat so I called it a day and went home to make dinner. Also, during the last set of the front squats, I started feeling a twinge of some sort in my back, and was feeling a bit lopsided in the hips, despite my best efforts at form. Still feels a little off, on my right side just around the edge of the ribcage. So yeah... I've been meaning to see a chiropractor for awhile and now seems like a good time.

[Strawberry Squatcake]

Oh no. I hope your back gets to feeling better post-chiro.

You know, sometimes I go in to lift and feel like I have super-human strength and can't explain it. And likewise, I feel the opposite sometimes, where there's no real reason but I feel weak. I want to start recording stuff (moods, feeling of strength, energy, cravings, appetite) on a 28 day calendar and see if I can start to see any trends. Then maybe I will cut myself some slack if I know, "Oh normally these three days suck for lifting" or "I generally feel starving for these three days then back to normal." Or whatever. I think it might make things less frustrating. Or, you know, MORE if I don't see a trend! Not exactly sure how or what to track, though. And whether simply knowing would help.

I think stress also impacts my strength, FWIW. Like mental exhaustion leads to faster exhaustion working out (strength AND endurance).

[PrincessHeather]

Thanks Kelly, and I think keep tracking of moods etc would be a useful tour, particularly if you're fairly regular in the lady sense... there *should* be at least a light semblance of a trend, but I hadn't really thought of it in terms of strength as well as emotions. I might add those things to my own charting efforts (extension of the discussion we had in your thread, trying to get a good picture of my cycles).

Thos who have seen a chiro, any tips on what to expect or good questions to ask? I just made an appointment with someone recommended by my military spouse contacts, but I've never seen one before.

[Hermione Gainser]

Oy I hate it when that happens! But hey, any workout is better than none!

I get super weak around lady times.. it's a pain...

[Strawberry Squatcake]

Thanks Kelly, and I think keep tracking of moods etc would be a useful tour, particularly if you're fairly regular in the lady sense... there *should* be at least a light semblance of a trend, but I hadn't really thought of it in terms of strength as well as emotions. I might add those things to my own charting efforts (extension of the discussion we had in your thread, trying to get a good picture of my cycles).

Thos who have seen a chiro, any tips on what to expect or good questions to ask? I just made an appointment with someone recommended by my military spouse contacts, but I've never seen one before.

I chose my chiro based on my boss, who knows me really well. I was really concerned a chiro would make my only-sorta problems (meaning I could live with them and they coudl definitely be worse) into big problems. I told my boss, "I don't want to do any weird stuff. I don't want to have to go three times a week. Or month. Or even year. I want to go when I have problems, and that's it." And he assured me that's how it would be. And this guy has never pressured me. Since then I've found six or seven coworkers go to him (they have their accounts with us, so it's one of those tit for tat things). I've even heard there are employees he'll occasaionlly give free visits to because we give them so much business. Anyway...

I'd be wary of any doc that says you need to come back all the time, especially if your problems are pretty mild. I'd be wary of a doc who wants to do a bunch of stuff to you your first visit - sometimes I think they're trying to rack up a bill. My aunt goes to a doc three times a week and he does all kinds of stuff to her. She's not down syndrome, but she also can't really take care of herself 100%, but is "independent" (which is short for she's like a teenager my mom checks on almost daily, takes to her other doc visits, sometimes follows up on her finances, etc.). So I think she's an easy target. But she's liek a teenager, so she hates my mom telling her she's getting taken. Anyway, I do think it can take a few adjustments to feel better. If your body's out of kilter, and it's been that way awhile, I think it has a tendency to go back. But I don't think long-term you should be going in a ton unless you're really injured or in a lot of pain, etc. And in that case, I'd probably still get feedback from a primary care doc before committing to that.

ANd I think you want a general level of comfort. These guys are in your biznatch. So I have to feel comfy around who does it. I actually have a male doc. But I never feel like he's trying to cop a feel, and he's very vocal about what he's doing, where he's going to touch me, etc. So find that comfort level.

And I have also seen docs that have reviews online. You could check that out. People are pretty vocal when they ahve a bad experience. So if someone's had a bad time, you'll be able to find it!

[PrincessHeather]

So, fun stuff... my beloved (har har) South Dakota is currently experiencing winds of 52 mph, gusts up to 69 mph. HOLY CRAP... all my windows in my house are rattling like they're about to break, and trash is flying everyone from people not moving thier cans inside or tying them down, and our base gas station has metal panels flying off the canopy above the gas pumps. Its bloody scary! They might actually close base for non-essential personnel.

ETA: Also, apparently the winds are disrupting cell phone service. Boo.

[PrincessHeather]

Sigh... work is being especially frustrating today. I feel bad for people sometimes, like the single mom I couldn't hire cause she wasn't going to be available for the shift we needed. Other times, I'm just boggled, like people who have a lengthy criminal record and don't even disclose one item on the application, I get to be surprised when the background check comes back with a big red flag for felony intentional damage to property. WTF?! Also, I don't know how many times today I've used the phrase "I don't have access to that information." I'm not being lazy, I'm not avoiding helping you, I literally don't have any ability to look at what you want, but YOU do. Grrr.... I really dislike repeating myself when someone is just plain not listening.

Reading this article has helped a little. Can't wait to go home.

[Strawberry Squatcake]

It's windy here, too. I think we're 30-40 regular, gusts around 55-60. But... It's Kansas so we're used to it, and don' thave anything exciting like metal roofs that blow off. I think I'd throw myself in front of a large piece of gas station roof right now, though. Seriously though, stay safe. And hopefully it blows all the trash way away from you! Gross. I hate that.

I was hopeful when I first read your thread that YOUR work would be canceled. I guess not.

And i hate repeating myself, too. Mostly I've found people do that when they want someone else to do their work. I've had a lot of that today.

I can't wait for you to get home, too!

PS- They probably hope it magically won't show up. It's surprising how people think stuff like the Internet is random magic.

[msuroo]

Reading this article has helped a little. Can't wait to go home.

Sorry to hear you're having a frustrating day, but this was quality.

[PrincessHeather]

It's windy here, too. I think we're 30-40 regular, gusts around 55-60. But... It's Kansas so we're used to it, and don' thave anything exciting like metal roofs that blow off. I think I'd throw myself in front of a large piece of gas station roof right now, though. Seriously though, stay safe. And hopefully it blows all the trash way away from you! Gross. I hate that.

I was hopeful when I first read your thread that YOUR work would be canceled. I guess not.

And i hate repeating myself, too. Mostly I've found people do that when they want someone else to do their work. I've had a lot of that today.

I can't wait for you to get home, too!

PS- They probably hope it magically won't show up. It's surprising how people think stuff like the Internet is random magic.

The internet is magic, and so is my ability to see into the depths of people's souls and know how they filled out their W-4!!! I'm sure you have things like this too... you do have more access to many systems than the average person at the company, but that doesn't mean you can see everything or solve all possible problems! I'm considering bringing in my wizard Mickey hat (like from Fantasia) and putting it on when people ask me for ridiculous things, since I am apparently a wizard!

Have they been cancelling stuff by you? Turns out the schools lost power and kids got sent home, but everything here on the base is still working, so no such luck for me.

Also, the trash thing... be responsible people! We knew the day beforehand (at least) that we were expecting crazy high winds, so put the trash away somehow. My next door neighbor always has their garage open, and they have almost nothing in there except a couple boxes and they never put their car in there. Yet, their trash can was outside all night and blew over, throwing pringles cans and egg shells into my yard. YUCK.

The colonel on base doesn't appreciate this either... he's been posting on facebook for people to shred their mail, BY NAME, since he now has their credit card statements and such in his yard. People are whining about it, but I think that's pretty funny

Sorry to hear you're having a frustrating day, but this was quality.

Laughter is the best medicine, and this was like that delicious pink liquid amoxicillian we got as kids, for this HR rep. I even read the first page of comments, and this in particular was gold:

Here's a true story: a kid filled out an application at a local restaurant, and under "address" where it says "street name" this kid wrote "Little T." Think about that for a couple of seconds.

[PrincessHeather]

I just had the most gloriously ripe avocado in my guacomole for lunch, and transported into my mouth via these delicious "chips".

If it wasn't for awesome food and lunch breaks, I would be sending angry messages to our HQ Security Office, who lost my fingerprints card that I send them in April, and let me know today that I need to send them new originals no later than this past Wednesday. Good grief.

[PrincessHeather]

Well, I had my first chiropractor appointment yesterday. The doctor was very nice, very informative, and open to answering all questions, and no pressure. So I explained the odd feeling of lopsided-ness that I was feeling, and the back pain I have off and on, and also was very frank that I lift weights and that won't change no matter what advice he might give me. He surprised me by actually being enthusiastic about women lifting weights and strength training, and that most functional movements are fine when you keep a neutral back and don't try to lift more than you're ready for.

So turns out that I had a misalignment in my pelvis, and it was actually making one leg slightly shorter as a result. I also has a few misalignments in my mid back. So he did adjustments to those, and also to my neck (PS, this part made me super nervous). Overall, I feel much better, though I still have a bit of a twinge mid back around my right ribs. But the hip/pelvis thing is way better. I have been popping a little more throughout my back since, but no soreness or anything. Went to the gym today to try out squats, and they felt pretty good. I didn't push the weight up, just focused on good form and paying attention to how they felt compared to earlier in the week when I was feeling so off kilter. Big improvement. I have a follow up scheduled for Monday, and with their military discount it'll be pretty reasonable to go back as needed after that.

WORKOUT

RDL/Rows

1x10x45

1x5x55

1x5x60

1x5x65

3x5x70

OHP

1x10x35

1x5x45

2x5x50

1x5x55

Squats

1x10x45

1x10x65

6x5x85 (Intended to do 5, but "No Easy Way Out" from Rocky popped up on shuffle so I did an extra set )

[weirdquark]

Yay, good that you're feeling better!

[Bean]

Rocky inspiration ftw.

[PrincessHeather]

WEEK FOUR RECAP

Fitness/Diet Goals:

•Running: Continued…: Again, nothing. No time.

•Bench Like a Boss : During my only lifting session, I did OHP but not bench, no idea where I am on this

•Slay the Soul Crushing Stress Demon: 2/2 hours of "me time" (Chiropractor and took myself out to breakfast)

Life Goal:

•Grad School Focus: 8/8 hours of studying completed. Actually accomplished all of my discussion boards and a pretty decent amount of the reading.

[PrincessHeather]

Blah. Feeling super craptastic... I'm feeling really really restless with life right now, and just could not get any sleep last night at all. Finally passed out around 4:30, only to wake up for work at 7. I'm worried about my parents (its amazing that even at 25, I can be so worried about their marriage), and my brother is causing them all kinds of problems, and my husband was working all weekend so I had two very boring days all alone of cleaning the house and doing school work. I really really hope we get orders to a new base soon, I'm really not enjoying being here and I want a fresh start to look forward to. Sigh.

[weirdquark]

Blah. Is there any area of your life that you could make more fun and interesting? It always sucks to have things that you're worrying about that you don't really have much or any control over fixing.

[Strawberry Squatcake]

I'm sorry to hear about your parents' marriage and your brother causing stress, which I'm sure also carries over to you. That's no good.

You've been talking about base changes. I do't have a lot of friends in the military, but those who do generally know when their changes are coming, or they request them. Does he have a change coming and you're just waiting? Or can he request it? Or has he already made the request? I feel a little restless, too, so I've been trying to take on small projects. Like making my Halloween costume. No reason really to sew it, but I thought, "What the heck?" If it's an epic fail, I can always sub something else at the last minute. I also admittedly spend a lot of time on Netflix, but try to do it while I'm doign other stuff (like cleaning, cooking, organizing, etc.). Of course, sometimes "other stuff" means wallowing in the pity of my own life. I figure it's better to watch TV than to drink myself into a stupor.

I've also been doing some decorating - but I know that's not realistic for a temporary house. But I've also done some stuff like mounting a large picture on a canvass. It's definitely something you have to spend some time on to perfect. So things like that that aren't hard, but are a lot of trial and error are fun and relaxing for me.

Pinterest is mostly evil, but I have a lot of friends who find fun crafts to work on there. Like holiday-related stuff (like cards, or decorations). And lots of clothes upcycling (is that what it's called?). I'm not hugely active on Pinterest, but that's an idea for a little hobby that's not too consuming. I know you're in school, but also know you also need a break.