Holding up weights

More projects.... I just love creating things. Not only do I love making things I love going to the store and talking to people about my projects. Home Depot is the place to be! (I really should have taken the job months ago when I could have- but the pay didn't seem worth the time)
I now go into my local Home Depot and several of the workers know "she's building a gym". That was the introduction I got among workers.
Last night I wanted to see how well weights would be mounted on the wall. So at the last minute, 7 o'clock at night I'm making a run to the store and this is what I "designed" and "created".

Nino

"Nino"

I'm not sure how old Nino was, he was my brother-in laws dog and we have had him for several years. He had become Stacey's dog. The dog just loved Stacey and she loved him. The dog was a good judge of character....he didn't like guys around....only the good guys. He would bark when he disapproved of a male visitor but would cling to those he liked. He was called the "Guy Detector". Stacey and her roommate Eileen begin to make male decisions based on how Nino responded to them.
I have to admit sometimes he did know more then we did.
The sad ending to this post is that Nino was getting old and we were carrying him up and down stairs.(which didn't bother us) Well yesterday Stacey took Nino to get his nails clipped and the Vet looked at the bony old man and preceded to say that he should be put down that he was probably suffering and that the way he was living was no quality of life.
That was a big blow to the three of us (Stevie, Stacey and I) as Nino was the only part of Steve and Mikie we had left.
Stacey remained strong as usual, Stevie dealt with it in his on way and I did something pathetic.....
I sat partially in the shed among the two Harleys and proceeded to drink a bottle of wine I had stored since January (the last time I had had a drink). I wanted Steve to be there. I wanted to be close to him and there isn't much left now that brings me close to him. His bike was his baby.... so for right now that was the closest thing I had to comfort another page being turned in my life.

Designed and Built!

I was inspired by the way someone made a pull up system in his rafters with piping and it made me think of how I could use pipes to make a free standing weight rack. Something to hold and organize all the weights that are on my front porch.
After drafting out a layout, making a list of supplies.....two trips to Home Depot and four hours later I am the proud creator of a 1/2 inch piping weight rack!

Early?!!!

Strength days are starting earlier and earlier in order to get it done. As the weights are getting heavier I'm doing longer warm-ups, more rest in-between sets and more time reviewing video to check on form. 4:30am was the start up time today. But all worth it! I spent two hours and 40mins devoted to training today.

Missing

Have you ever felt like there was a hole or this big empty spot inside you?

There is so many things missing.....
I'm missing a partner, I'm missing a trainer, I'm missing my MM friends, I'm missing my brothers, I'm missing running, I'm missing WOD's. These things "left" me breathless. These things "leave" me breathless.....

Americade

Americade
in Lake George

It has always been a tradition in my house to drive the Harley(s) out to Lake George every year, see the bikes, Steve liked to test drive the new bikes, get his Hog pin and then we all looked for that year's Americade t-shirt. Even if the rest of us didn't want to go a particular year Steve ALWAYS went.

Well this year was obviously different....Steve is no longer here and although I could still ride my Harley out - it isn't the same. BUT I did still go but I drove in a car... with my girl friend. It was a blast! The rain held off and we were able to walk around, get our t-shirts and have a very enjoyable (cheat) meal. A cheat meal I have not had in a very very long time. Not that I have missed them. I haven't. But today I had a cheeseburger on a 1/2 bun and potato chips! NOW I want ice cream. :(

Pros and Cons to the Americade

Pros
1. The heart throbbing sound of a Harley! Still to this day(after 15 years on the back of Steve's bike and 3 years with my own) the sound of a Harley thrills me to no end!!!
2.
3. People watching and bike watching is the best.

Cons
1. 80% of people smoke. I HATE smoke.
2. Alot of drinking and I don't care to drink.

Let's go back to the Pros
4. Lake George is beautiful!
5. Lots of things to do.
6. Great shopping
7. Many good restaurants right on the lake to sit out on the deck

and may I mention again...
1. The heart throbbing sound of a Harley! Still to this day(after 15 years on the back of Steve's bike and 3 years with my own) the sound of a Harley thrills me to no end!!!
2.
3. People watching and bike watching is the best.

Starting Strength

It's a start! Finishing up my second week. One day on one day off.
Lift one day next day do some stretching with Kelly Starrett.
I "think" this is going to work.... I LOVE IT!

After getting my strength back and hopefully stronger than before (6-12 weeks) I'd like to do some "Interval Training" to get back my conditioning. VERY excited about both of these training programs. Check back in 4-6 weeks to see how heavy I can go.

Today's back squat was 130lb.
My 1max rep (before surgery) was 160lb

Man of the House?

FIXED!!

Sick of being Sick

Have you ever been tired of being sick..so much so it could make you sick.

I had been sick for several months.... I had no clue what it was. I heard many, many people tell me it was stress. "It's all in my head" I didn't believe them. After going through weeks of tests they are still not sure what's up with me.....
MY conclusion is that "maybe" I held too much in this past year. "Maybe" I let things bother me too much, "maybe" I bottled up things, or "maybe" I just wouldn't let go of things I "thought" I needed to fix.

SO out of all of this I learned.
1. You can't "always" fix things
2. Don't worry about what your enemies think
3. You don't need to explain "everything" - your friends don't need it and your enemies won't believe you anyways.
4. Life is too short to worry about the "little" stuff
5. Don't waste your time trying to share, or give love to those who don't appreciate it.
6. Share with those who do love you and make them know how much you love them
7. Be thankful for everything, be gracious in what you have and love the Lord your God with all your heart. (for He is the one who is with you through eternity)

Today's Blessings

Material Girl

I never considered myself as materialistic.
BUT, there are possessions in my life that
I "love" and would miss if I didn't have them.
Top earthly possessions I am thankful for.


1. House - I completely and utterly appreciate a "home"
2. My Harley - I guess you would call it a thrill!
Unlike amusement rides which I am scared to death of.
Riding a motorcycle is a thrill and at the same point it is a peace.
Case in point was this mornings ride to work. Gorgeous, peaceful, quiet but loud with the sound of my pipes, feeling solitude but at the same time apart of the world around.
3. My Camera - I love documenting, see again and again, looking at the past, the moments that are now gone. If it wasn't for my camera I would have lost most memories of years gone by.
The good, the bad, the milestones, the events, and of course the people.
4. My weights - I have always had a thing about lifting heavy things! Maybe that's the tomboy in me. I grew up with three older brothers, playing all the "boys" sports. Baseball, street hockey, soccer, searched for insects, and climbed many many trees (even fell out of some).
Years of stiches and broken bones brought me to my later years of riding dirt bikes, fishing and playing pool for wages.
5. My computer - the computer a year ago was more at the top of my list now I have found it less of a "stronghold" Having to be on, reading blogs, writing emails, looking for emails and now it is used almost always for the main purpose of research.
6. My Ipod - music is not only peaceful but buildings me up, fills me with feelings.
I love music, I love to sing and I love to dance!
LAST but not least
7. My Truck - "I LOVE MY TRUCK" a 1996 GMC white pickup. I always wanted one and in 1999 I bought myself one. That truck as done a million things with me and for me.
I couldn't ask for a better friend.
http://littlefirebox.blogspot.com/2009/07/rain-rain.html