A quick peek back at 2008

A quick peek back at 2008 - The passing of my mother in February . . . the wedding of my daughter and son-in-law, the purchasing and remodeling of a house in Stillwater for my son, finally diagnosing the frozen shoulder . . . I'm not crazy after all . . . too many business trips dropping my best guy at the airport . . . nephew using alternative medicine to recover from reiter's sundrome . . . hurricane Ike . . . trips to California, Stillwater, Washington, Arizona, Stillwater, Stillwater, Stillwater, Washington, Washington, San Antonia, California, Oregon, California. Father-in-laws stoke in December and my cousins diagnosed terminal brain cancer in December . . . another journey. The whole new world of Bikram . . . rates right up there with running . . . I am thankful for all the blessings that God has given me especially my family and friends that are with me through the good times and the not so good times . . . and a little bit of running :)

15th Bikram - back to back ???

15th Bikram, December 30, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. Instructor Ana.

I got my 5 mile run in before heading off to Bikram. Met up with a couple of gals that have been doing 2 & 3 a days . . . catching up to get their 60 classes in 60 days. Is is really okay to do 2 to 3 practices a day, especially just 30 minutes in between practices? How does one hydrate enough? As tempting as that all sounds I need to reel myself in and keep a balance in my life and remember Bikram is only a piece of my whole puzzle of life.

I've just finished my first lesson card at the Houston Studio (10 + 1) lessoon and have been contemplating my next sign-up option. $180 a month unlimited, $1,800 ($150 per month) a year unlimited, 30 lessons/3 months - $300 ($10 per lesson), 10 lessons/1 month - $120 ($12 per lesson).

I know what I would do if I lived closer to the studio, but reality kicks in. I'm a 2-3 times a week Bikram girl so no unlimited lesson packages for me.

14th Bikram - Sleeping

Monday, December 29th, 2008 @ 6 a.m. with Cathy (with a C)

Can you sleep Bikram? I remember going into the studio, chatting with Cathy about my next sign-up option, laying on my mat, Cathy starting class, someone came in 5 minutes late, and someone came in 15 minutes late, lock your knee, lock your knee, maybe they ought to lock the door like they do in Eugene, Oregon . . . Nobody in and nobody out.

I remember Cathy talking about the 60 day challenge . . . if only I lived closer . . . hmm, maybe I could do 3 a days :) . . . I don't remember sweating . . . my clothes were soaked when I got home so I must have . . . I remember waking up . . . yes waking up after the last Savasana when Beth the next instructor came in to get set up for the next class . . . I think I need a nap . . .

Dead Rat

I had truly a disgusting experience today . . . It has to do with a BIG DEAD RAT and my two boys scampering off and leaving me to scoop the rat.

Yes, for fun on the holidays the Butler's crawl around in their attic (I think we are part bat or something). My son and husband have been up there the last two days, how they missed that smell and I picked it up is beyond me.

My guess they lured me into the attic knowing about the "smell" and knowing I would not come down until it was taken care of and disposed of.

It Made Her Cry

Did you ever give a gift to someone that you knew will make them cry? Well I did just that. I knit, my mother knitted, I got a few skeins of yarn from Mother's stash before it was all given away before she died.

My oldest sister is very sentimental and was extremely close to my mother . . . so I knitted some of that yarn up into a nice afgan to give to my sister for Christmas. I enclosed a little note to my sister informing her where the yarn came from . . . I must admit I shed a tear or two when I was packaging up the "gift".

I had just returned from the neighbors house from eating Christmas dinner . . . and the answering machine was blinking. It was the call, I knew it was the call . . . I hit the play button, yep the gift made her cry . . . now I have to plan for next year's gift.

Christmas Day running and 13th Bikram Yoga

Started the Christmas Day with a simple 4 mile run . . . then off to 13th Bikram Yoga in Houston with Cathy (with a C) instructing and my closest 72+ Bikram friends. Did I say something aobut close well we were close . . . there was to be no apolozing if we touched our neighbor and touching our neighbors we did. At one point in time a brief moment someone's fingers were in my arm pit . . . seriously it didn't bother me but felt a bit bad for the person on the other end . . . did I mention I switched to a more natural type of deoderant . . . okay not I'm getting diverted.

Did I mention it was hot . . . I was warned about this type of over the top type of hot classes . . . the guy behind I noticed when I was upside down had a steady stream of water coming off of him . . . he was like the kitchen sink turned on . . . it was amazing. It think we all were delirious before the class was over . . . maybe I still am . . . we were treated with orange slices after class . . . seriously if it weren't for the orange slices I would still be in the studio passed out . . .

A Little running and 12th Bikram Yoga . . . slinging sweat

December 23, 2008 12 Bikram Yoga - 12:00 in Houston with Tony

I started the day with a 8.5 mile run in the rain with two friends, then off to Bikram. It has been 5 days since I did Bikram. A few times I had to catch my breath . . . it ran off somewhere . . . and my shoulders, hmm, very, very tight . . . somethings are good to be tight but not the shoulders . . . one time I lost my focus and was slinging alot of sweat on the mirror over at my neighbor . . . I just love sweat.

Tis the Season

We celebrated Christmas a bit early this year . . . Sunday, December 21st to be exact in Los Angeles. It was wonderful having my two kids I guess three now since I have a son-in-law, my husband, and myself together. We didn't cook, we didn't clean well maybe a little cleaning, we didn't decorate, we just spent time together as a family and it was nice.

11th Bikram Yoga - I blew a circuit breaker

11th Bikram Yoga - Thursday, December 18th, 2008 - Home afternoon

I bought a new heavy duty heater, got the heat cranked up to 90 (that is as far as it goes). Hit the play button on my Bikram CD and I blew a circuit. Went to the gargage and reset the circuit, ran an extension cord and I was back in business. I now realize why the Bikram studio is 105 degrees. 90 degrees barely enough to break a sweat . . . didn't ever think I would miss the dripping sweat but I do.

The Need to Run

Yesterday I knew I needed to run a bit longer on Thursday and one of my running buddies agreed to go some extra miles. Just received the news of my cousins that his brain tumor is termianl . . . with Chemo and Radiation he has benn given a timeline of 18-24 months I feel like I'm in a time warp . . . I was just over visiting my cousin at his house in Septemberr and 90 days later and I would have never imagined what life had in store for him. Sometimes life can really suck . . .

10th Bikram Yoga Class

10th Bikram Yoga Class - December 17th, 2008 - 10:50 - Location Home

Got my room all set up, cranked up the space heater, filled the tub with water for the humidity. Probably need a second space heater to get the temp. a bit higher. Cranked up the Bikram CD and it was great! Nice to know I have options for those days that a trip down the freeway was not going to happen.

She's Back or at least a glimps of her

A good friend of mine whose husband suffered a severe stroke 22 months ago is back, at least a glimps of her. The last couple of weeks I've seen moments of the "before" friend. I realize how so very much I miss her . . . her smile, her devious sense of humor . . .

9th Bikram Yoga Class - Moaning

I woke up in a sucky mood this morning so didn't know what to expect of this practice. Did my airport run, hit Lowe's for a mirror, Iyengar Yoga, go my Monday morning volunteer work done, and headed off to Bikram. I thought the 39+ minute drive would get old, but so far have been enjoying the time listening to tapes, radio, and just my thoughts . . . My thoughts can be very entertaining.

Beth instructed the practice, I enjoy her, was a bit stiff from three days off and a bit of running. After a few minutes joints, etc. got warmed up. The temp. in the class was a bit on the cool side, not saying it was cold, but just not as hot as normal. I did work up a dripping sweat. I would definitely classify this class as a moaning class and it wasn't just me . . . hmm, were else is it a good thing to moan??? Actualy reading the Bikram book, it is really okay to moan. We were all working hard and there was a positive focused/energy in the class. I did wear a different kind of pant to class which really helped iwth the saggingi dripping shorts syndrome.

Daniel 6 - Lion's Den

Daniels' witness was personal but not private

You seldom Get What you deserve from People

You Always Get What is best from God

Your Ability to handle both is directly related to the Consistency of your Walk with God

8th Bikram Yoga Class - 12:00 - Houston

I was a bit shaky in class today. Maybe the treadmill run a few hours before contributed. The instructor was okay, but seemed she was almost hesitante. I think I gain some of my stength/focus from the instructor. At 1:12 I felt a breeze/chill come through, hmm, I guess I was not suppose to look at the clock.

Bikram Observation

A few things I noticed in the Houston Bikram Studio -vs- the Eugene, Oregon Bikram Studio. In general the Eugene studio the studnets were dressed minimally. It did not matter what shape their body was in - speedo type for the guys, actually most were very trim built. The females also no extra fabric to weigh them down with sweat . . . even the 38 week pregnant female . . . a beautiful belly . . . talked to her after class she was just amazing.

In Oregon the directors from the instructor were followed. The arms did not come down or change positions until instructed to do so. I've noticed in the Houston Studio in general the students seem to anticiplate the next move before instructed.

There is so much to learn in these classes and I'm in my infancy. I am looking forward to visiting the Houston Body Works on my next free day. I think by getting a peek inside the human body again I will have a better appreciation for some of these postures.

7th Bikram Yoga Class - Houston

Cathy (with a C) instructing at the 4:30 p.m. class back in Houston.

Very focused, a bit stiff in the left shoulder and left hip, but loosened up during class. Hip was on fire on the drive home but seems okay now. I did run this morning after 4 days off so that could have had something to do with the hip. Not a god idea for me to take that many off from running. I have another full day tomorrow so no Bikram but will be back in class on Thursday. I have been reading the Bikram book and learning how to set up a spot in the house (space heater) for the days I cannot make it to class. I was the last to leave the class today, I just wanted to lay in the corpse pose for eternity . . .

Bikram Yoga - Sixth Class - Eugene, Oregon

December 7, 2008 - Sixth Bikram Yoga Class - 9:00 a.m. - Oregon

Very focused class, female in class 32 weeks pregnant. Rabbit pose could feel more flexibilty down the spine. Extremely hot/humid. Continues with the first 20 minutes extremely mentally challenging.

After class instructor Scott noted he trained with Joanie (from the Houston Bikram Studio) in Hawaii in 2007.

Bikram Yoga - Fifth Class - Eugene, Oregon

Fifth Bikram Yoga Class - December 6, 2008 - 9:00 class - Eugene, Oregon

The studio is set up the same as in Houston. I was a bit stiff from my travel day yesterday. My left shoulder was rather painful, I'm thinking it is part of the remainder of the adhesions being torn/released, which is a good thing.

The heat/humidity was perfect, just enough for a perfect sweat but not enough to have to rest.

When tucking the arms under the body while lying down the elbows were talking to me. I only had one major TWISTER experience when getting back up after the tree pose when squating to the ground, as I was coming up I came crashing down . . . in this class all embarrassment I have learned to just leave at the door.

During the standing poses I was a bit unfocused, not being able to hold all the poses, and having to reset myself several times. I guess some days are just like that.

Fourth Bikram Yoga Class - Beth

Fourth Bikram Yoga Class, December 4, 2008 at 4:30-6:00

I figured out this Bikram Yoga thing . . . one must simply embrace the dripping sweat. The classs reminded me growing up and sitting in the sauna in our pool house pouring water on the rocks to make it more humid/hot.

If the Bikram studio one must remain quiet. I must admit it took everything not to talk to the guy sitting next to me that was clearly very uncomfortable . . . he actually left the room for a bit after laying down in a coma state. Several people kept leaving the room . . . very distracting. The speedo/tatoo guy on the other side of me clearly drenched his towel early on and everytime he stepped down it made a loud soaked squishing sound.

Funny things cross my mind while in class . . . they ough to have a ladies only Topless Bikram class. I envy those guys going shirtless . . . there is absolutely no shirt I could wear that would wisk away that much sweat.

Noticed slight cramping in right calf and foot . . . neighbor fixed me up with some organic recharge to replace some of the electroyltes. Also noticed like an electrical current running through my lower left arm for a brief moment.

The first three classes I had Cathy as the instructor. Today was Beth. It is nice to change it up a bit . . . different instructors notice different things and make appropriate corrections. A simple thing as tree pose and hot to bend to come down in a squat sitting position . . . very cool . . . Ta-Da I did it :)

Showered after class . . . didn't seem to make much difference I kept sweating the whold ride home. I did remember to bring food with me in the car so didn't need to make any stops to find food.

Third Bikram Yoga Class

3rd Bikram Yoga Class @ 4:30 . . . arrived 40 minutes before class, noted the previous class had left the carpets drenched . . . later learned a friend of mine was in that class and it was crazy hot/humid.

Talked with a fellow student before class regarding the different class times. He recommended the 6 a.m. or the 4:30 p.m. Gives the air time to recirculate and be the freshest made sense. Also discussed the different mat options, the towel to go on the top. *Need to either purchase 2' width towels or just serge a couple of towels down.

Had done a track workout and Iyengar Yoga class earlier in the day but still felt I had more than enough staminia to get through the class. I am quickly learning it takes more energy to moan my way through the class then to breathe my way through the class. It was by far the hardest of the 3 . . . I believe due to becoming more familiar with the poses and can actually work harder on the poses.

After class showered, hit the Whole Food Market to buy dinner for the trip home.

Second Bikram Yoga Class

Second Bikram Yoga Class, 12/2/2008, 6-7:30 a.m., arrived in parking lot at 5:38 only took 38 minutes to get there. A bit tired with approx. 4 hours of sleep, did not set my alarm but thought if I wake up I should go tot he 6 a.m. class.

Front desk group commented on the early hour. Got mat set up, had two bottles of water ready, front row which turned out to be a good spot for focusing. Had the same instructor as the day before Cathy (with a C) which was nice.

Need to key into instructors verbal instructions, first and second class I did not step to the left of the mat when first instructed. During class instructor said to let them know if you needed to leave early before the class started. I like the level of order of the class. The room did not seem as warm as the day before, maybe because of the first class of the day, less bodies in the room, three occassions it felt like a cool breeze coming through . . . maybe I was just hallucinating. Showered and drove home dry!

First Bikram Yoga Class

First Bikram Yoga Class 2/1/2008, 4:30-6:00 p.m., staff very friendly and helpful. I believe it was over 100 degrees, instructor Cathy (with a C) did gentle corrections, note to myself bring an extra bottle of water to next class . . . 30 minutes to go ran out of water, I was soaking wet, drank 4 bottles of water that evening and through the night, woke up several times throughout the night, very tired, hmm, very bad/halitosis, is that why they have those mints on the way out of class? *Need to check on that. Also noted the last 15 minutes could feel my heart/deep/strongly beating. Left hip/ sore/burning which had been my tight hip on the way home from class, but fine the next morning. After class noticed two planets Venus and Mercury lining up with Crescent moon.

Note:

*Drinking plenty of water daily will help to control bad breath. Dehydration will attempt to conserve moisture by reducing the salivary flow, which minimizes the saliva's cleansing effects on bacteria which is a cause of bad breath.

Bikram Yoga - Very First Class

I attended my first Bikram Class on December 1, 2008 at 4:30 with Cathy instructing. I started Bikram to help with my running . . .

In a blink of an eye

In makes me think. One second someone can be happy, healthy and full of life, and in a blink of an eye it can all change. Currently I'm following the progress of Jerry Ekkelkamp. On October 27 @ 3:00 he was on a 7 foot ladder, he went one way the the ladder went the other . . . ICU, fractured skull, fractured sternum, bleeding in the brain . . . after 3 weeks moved to a rehabilitation to relearn to walk, talk, swallow . . . One second someone can be happy, health and full of life and in a blink of an eye it can all change. It makes me think.

Expectations

I don't care what people think of me anymore.

I no longer believe it is important to keep up with others expectations of me, it is their expectations not mine.

Things to Remember for Next Race

1. Pack charger for GPS/Pace- so when it gets turned on somehow in the suitcase and it reads low battery you can charge it before the race starts.

2. Leave 30 minutes earlier than you think so you won't be adding those extra miles when you bail out of the car on the freeway due to stopped traffic and run some extra mileage to the start line.

3. When checking out the course the day ahead, check out the whole course or you might be surprised with a half amile to go with a nice hill at the end.

4. 37 degrees is really not that cold . . . do not overdress

5. Always be prepared for your running partner not to show up at the desinated corral . . .

6. The day after the race do not overschedule yourself leaving absolutely no time to stretch out.

7. Just remember stairs and curbs are not your best friend after a race.

8. Do those people running those clothing optional races get chaffing, not that this is an optin for me I'm just curious?

Trying to Say Good-bye to the Pin Ball Machine

Last week my brain was compared to that of a Pin Ball Machine. The linear thinkers aka rifle brains are clearly frustrated trying to even follow my thought process. I can understand their frustration my oldest sister's brain in a Pin Ball Machine on steroids, father and sister 3 Pin Ball Machine brains. Sister 2 linear thinker.

For the most part I enjoy my brain most of the time, I can be very self entertaining. Maybe it is time I start to embrace some linear thinking and say good-bye tot he Pin Ball Machine . . . Can this be done? Do I want this to be done?

The Process

As a friend of mine just lost her father, we had both compared notes when our mother's died. I cannot imagine what it would be like losing my father.

My mother passed away, died, went to the other side 262 days ago. I have learned so much about my mother since she died. Why she did some of the things she did or did not do. I may not agree with everything she did and said but at least now I understand.

The Wait is Over

Between classes this morning a few of us went to coffee or for some a bottle of H2O. We are of the age when our parents are getting a bit older. Today we needed Debbie to download her brain to give us the update on what Pam is going through, her father had just passed away yesterday. The doctors had given them hope of a long transplant and as the lungs became available their hope had been taken away by the anestheologist who said he would not be strong enough for the surgery. By the afternoon he was gone.

Waiting for a Transplant

A friend of mine flew up north to be with her father as he is in dire health. He was on the top of the list for a lung transplant, but when the lungs became available last night he was determined to be too weak and would not survive the surgery. So now what do they just sit and wait?

I Love the Airport Calls

My son is travelling to Washington DC for a job interview. He called me when he left OKC to tell me he had to pay $15 to check his bag. He called me in Detroit as he was dashing through the airport to catch his next flight. He told me he was hungry because he hadn't eaten since the morning. I ask him didn't he get a snack on his last flight? He said the airlines offered to sell him a bag of trail mix for $3 he turned it down. I did not ask him to call, but he did, and I'm glad he did.

Back in Time

Today was my Thursday run, one of the gals I run with was heading out of town so I was on my own. Though I enjoy running with people I do cherish those times when I'm solo. Today instead of doing the standard "Moni Loop" I decided to head down to East End Park trusting not to get too lost, my mind was clear and calm. I noted the guys finishing "Ike" repairs, and yes I did chat with them but only for a few seconds . . . and all the trails had been cleared of fallen trees.

I was taken back to my childhood . . . we lived in a house surrounded by "The Woods", we would spend hours hiking around, building forst, seeing wooden wagons from years before. Today was the day I did not care what my pace was, I just wanted to take it all in and so I did.

I get a bit nostolgic

This evening I went out looking for people, and ended up at an athletic club. It felt like a time warp. It had been years since I had taken a spin class at this place with this particular instructor. I just love this guy he trained me for my first marathon. I get a bit nostagic thinking about running, it has gotten me through alot. I am definately not the fastest runner nor am I the slowest. I have found do not talk to people about running that do not share the same compassion, they just don't get it.

The Human Touch

My husband took a travelling job 3 years ago, he cleared it with me before he accepted the postion. I was thinking I can handle this I'm pretty independent. The piece I did not add into the equation was the lack of human touch. Now, by no means am I an extremely affectionate person.

I soon learned how important the simple human touch was, it is extremely painful without it. I remember one night vividly lying in bed with my arms wrapped around myself asking God to just take me into his arms and just hug me and he did.

I do a bit of volunteer work up at the church I chatted with some of the gals about my situation and they understood. Yesterday I went by the church during lunch to find Terri to get my hug (her husband also is a traveller). I not only got a hug from Terri I also got one from Lynn. Now I am good to go until I see my husband on Friday. Life is Good, Life is Very Good!

3 Kinds of People

There are 3 kinds of people in the world . . . those who want things to happen, those that make things happen, and those who just wonder what the hell happen!