Whoa, my legs are sore!!

It's amazes me sometimes how different activities use your muscles so differently!    I started off with those workout videos, and I was sore in the beginning.   The videos never got easy, but the soreness went away, even when I progressed from one level to the next.

Well, I mixed running in, and holy smokes, the soreness is at an entirely new level today!!   I thought my legs were in relatively good shape, but obviously running does something totally different with my muscles than those videos do!!

I ran 2.2 miles on Wednesday and 2.49 miles last night.    Then, about an hour after my run last night, hubby and I went for a 2.5 mile walk.  My legs are screaming today!!   It's soreness in a good way though since it reminds me that I'm really working myself!   

I remember now why I used to run so much back in the day before kids and full time jobs!!   The feeling I have after running a few miles is so awesome, it's addicting!    But, I'm taking tonight off to let the legs recover.  

Happy Friday.  Enjoy your weekend!

Run Forrest Run!

I did it.  I hit the pavement yesterday for 2.2 miles, and it was awesome!!

Yesterday was the youngest boy's first soccer practice.  As much as I love to watch him play, sitting for an hour watching a most-of-the-time disorganized practice is no fun!   Luckily, the park where they play has some walking/jogging trails, so I put my running shoes on!

There are 2 trails on the side where his practice was held.  One is 1.33 miles and the other is just under a mile (7/8 of a mile to be exact).   I started off on the longer trail with a goal of just finishing that one.  I got going and I felt pretty good.  Before I knew it, the trail was ending, so I decided to keep going on the shorter trail as far as I could make it.   I made it all the way to the end, and I was pretty proud of myself.   It's been years since I did any sort of consistent running, so I would have been happy with finishing 1 mile on my first run!

I stopped at the end of the shorter trail and walked for about half a mile before heading back over to catch the end of practice.   I honestly felt like I probably could have kept going, but I didn't want to overdo it, and I wanted to get back to practice before it was over!

The videos are getting boring, so now my plan is to try running for a while.  I used to love to run.  I love to put the IPOD on and just go.  I'll mix the videos back in at some point and on rainy days or days I don't run.   A part of me wants to see if there are any 10K runs in our areas in the next few months.  I could sign up for one, which would give me a specific goal to work toward...  We'll see.  I don't want to over commit myself, and I'm just getting started right?!?

My goal is to be able to run the longer trail twice during soccer practice next week, which would put me at 2.67 miles, definitely doable!

Finally, some motivation!

As I sit here and eat Jalapeno potato chips... yum!

I started back on this exercise kick around the 2nd week of January.   Unfortunately, I'm an extremely impatient person, and if I'm going to sweat like that, I want results!!   After almost a month, the scale wasn't moving, and I was getting pissed, but I stuck with it!

After 6 weeks of working out, on average, 5 days a week, the scale is finally starting to move.  Granted, it's slow, but it's better than nothing!!   I can finally see a difference when I look in the mirror, and I have some clothes that are becoming a bit looser.

I decided to check measurements:

• No change in my arms/legs.  I can see the muscle starting to peek through, but the actual measurement is the same...
• Chest: down 2 inches.  WTH?!   The one place where I'd be perfectly happy if it didn't get smaller, and it's the biggest change!!
• Hips: down 1.5 inches
• Stomach (measured at belly button): down 1 inch.

That's 4.5 inches lost.  Yay!!!

I have a total of 5 Jillian Michaels workout videos that I've been doing.  I haven't followed any of the "programs" like I should because after a week or so, I get bored with the same video.  So, I've been changing things up every so often and just cycling through them.

Now I'm getting the itch to start running again.  I have no idea where it's coming from or why, but I just want to.   I got new shoes this past weekend, so I may hit the pavement one day this week and see how that goes!

I'm not dieting (hence the jalapeno chips).   I know that if I really buckled down and watched what I was eating, I would see better and quicker results.  I do watch what I eat to an extent, which I've always done, but I just don't have much interest in really restricting myself.  I just have to be sure to only eat a few of these chips, then put the bag away!!

I'll continue to forge ahead with my videos and maybe some running and see how far that takes me!  If I'm not satisfied, maybe then I'll diet too.  Stay tuned...

Not so incredibly sad anymore

Start here for the full story....

Even though we did receive some alternate options from our season ticket rep for cheaper seats, I'm honestly not feeling inclined to move.    It seems like there more time I "sleep on it", the more annoyed I get.

We went to the Toyota Center on Saturday night for the Cirque de Soleil Michael Jackson show, and we sat in section 115.  That is one of the sections we were given for a cheaper alternative.  Granted the TC wasn't set up for a hockey game, but from where those seats are, it looks like we'd be watching part of the game through the netting and part of the game through the glass.  Who knows, that may not even be an issue, but it seems like it might be annoying.   We'll have to double check at the next game.

The other seats are across the ice, in the defensive zone.   They are almost identical seats to where we are now, just on the opposite end.  That seems like a good option.  It would still be a price increase, just not 50%.

We have definitely nixed our current seats, at a 50% price hike, off the list.  No way, no how.   I'm not paying that.   Even if I win the lottery.   Like I told Mr. Burke, it's not about the money.  We can afford it, but I cannot and will not support a 50% price increase.  I think that's terrible customer service, and absolutely unfair.

I think at this point, it's more about standing up for what I believe is fair/unfair.  I know my 2 seats won't really make much of a difference to Mr. Burke or the Houston Aeros, but it's about principle.

Aside from that, there are other factors we needed to consider.
 
Our oldest boy is heading off to Texas Tech in August.   We are planning a few weekend trips to Lubbock for football games and visits with the boy.   I know that'll add up to be more money than what we'd pay for Aeros tickets, but when you mix in the time we'll get with our boy, the money isn't an issue.  The Aeros don't offer me anything aside from the game on the ice and some goofy giveaways that mostly go in the trash.

Also, hubby has a race truck, which he likes to take to the race track on some Fridays and Sundays.   During the hockey season, we obviously go to the Aeros games because we've already paid for that.   If we don't already have our weekend committed to the Aeros, he'll get more time for his racing.  It's something he does with his brother and with our boys, so it's good family fun.   He is building memories with the kids.  The Aeros don't offer us that either.

Hubby and I also want to attend at least one hockey game in every NHL arena over the next few years.  When we're trying to plan that around the Aeros schedule, the kids activities, and racing, we don't have many spare weekends!!   In fact, we've only made it to 2 so far!

When I look at all of this, I wonder if maybe Mr. Burke did us a favor.   He has pushed us out of being season ticket holders for the Aeros, but now we'll have time for so much more.  

Next year's activities will shape up a little more like this:

• A few Texas Tech football games and visits with the boy in Lubbock
• Racing, Racing, and Racing
• NHL action, cities TBD
• Hockey in Cedar Park and San Antonio
• A few Aeros games here and there, if there's time.

You can tell I'm annoyed with the Aeros when it went from tops of my list to the very bottom.

I'm sure when next season rolls around, I'll probably really really miss it.   It's not like I'll miss out on any "long-time season ticket holder" benefits or price breaks, so I can always go back if I want to.  However, I'm also sure we'll keep ourselves fairly busy with all the other things that we'll have time for now that our weekends won't be mostly committed to the Houston Aeros.

ADHD Suggestions

I've had a couple of people ask me for suggestions on working with teachers/principals on dealing with ADHD behaviour issues.    We've been there.

In my experience, it almost seems like the mentality of schools is that parents should medicate their ADHD kids.  I know it probably makes life easier on teachers, but I honestly don't believe that's always the best answer.   There are things to consider, such as:  other health problems, grades, severity of behaviour problems, other treatment options, etc.   My suggestion is to make sure you are doing what you feel is right for your child, for your situation.  Don't let teachers pressure you one way or the other.

When looking at our ADHD boy, he generally makes good grades.   He "gets it" with his school work for the most part.   His biggest problem with school is conduct - talking too much, not sitting still, etc.   So, in our minds, we would be medicating simply to make him "sit down and shut up".    We've always said that we would reconsider if his grades were suffering, as long as we have explored all options first.

The fun all started for us in first grade.   Hubby didn't get a very good vibe from the first grade teacher when we went for Meet The Teacher night, and he was right.   All year, it seemed like a power struggle between our boy and the teacher.  At one point, she actually said to me, "he won't break me".  WTF is that supposed to mean?!   He's not trying to break you.   He's only 6 years old!   We had a few parent/teacher conferences, but nothing seemed to make a difference.  She wasn't very willing to work with us because she "can't do the same for all 20 kids in the classroom".   We pretty much wrote that year off because nothing we did seemed to matter!   Know that you will run into these teachers.  If they aren't willing to move an inch, you won't find much relief, no matter how hard you try.

Second grade was an absolute nightmare!   Phone calls or notes home at least once a week, many times more.  This was the year that we got fed up with constant badgering from his teachers, so we took him to a behaviour therapist and ended up with his ADHD diagnosis.   (More on that here, if you're interested)

I sat in the classroom with his teachers for a conference one day listening to this teacher tell me how awful my son is.  At one point, I flat out asked her, "do you sit in your chair all day while you teach?", fully knowing that her answer was no.   My point was, as an adult, we still need to get up and move around, stretch our legs, and even sometimes refocus ourselves.  Why are we so surprised that kids need to do it too?

One thing that I really like to stress with my boy's teachers is that we need to focus our energy on the positives.   Rather than continually changing his conduct color or giving him a sad face on the progress report for the day, give him happy faces when he does well, give him a pat on the back when he's doing a good job or keeping quiet, give him tasks that make him feel like he is helping.    I'm not asking that we totally ignore when he gets out of line.  Correct him, redirect him, and move on.  Don't make it a huge deal.   You'll find that after months of always being in trouble or feeling like always being in trouble, it becomes a matter of when, not if.   As soon as that first bad mark comes, the day is ruined, there's no reason to try hard to do well anymore.  It all goes downhill from there.

Another thing that will help is "chores" in the classroom.  We've found that when the work is finished and the kids have to remain quiet is when we find trouble!   ADHD kids need to be busy.   We've suggested things like straightening the bookshelf (if he can do it quietly), watering the plants, doing a puzzle at his desk, etc.  Anything that will keep him occupied.   Now, obviously with classrooms of 20+ kids, you can't expect your child to get the extra chores everyday just because he/she is ADHD.  We have to take turns with the rest of the class!!

We've even had one of his teachers let him lay down in the back of the classroom to take his tests.   We've had a teacher that puts him in the hallway to take his tests because his can stand up there or even pace if he needs to without disrupting the rest of the class.

Trust me, there are things you will find to ease the pain.  It will never be a perfect world, but it doesn't have to be a nightmare either.  Work with the teachers and principals to find out what works for you.   Take our experiences as suggestions of where to get started. 

Be an advocate for your child.  You know him/her best and what makes them work!  One of the most important things I've learned through all of this is that our boy is not a bad kid.  There have been times when we've felt that way.  I sometimes get on my soapbox a little too easily, but if I don't stand up for him, or hubby doesn't stand up for him, who will?

Our boy is in 6th grade now.  I guess middle school is more his speed because we don't get nearly as many calls and emails now (knocking on wood).

So incredibly sad, a follow-up

Read this post first...  This situation wasn't over when I hit publish on that post!! 

After I posted that, David Burke and I continued to exchange emails for most of the day on Monday.    On Monday night, he replied to one of my emails asking if we could set up a time to have a phone conversation.

This morning, David and I talked.  I didn't expect him to change his stance, and I'm sure he didn't expect me to change mine.   However, I felt like it was an open and honest conversation, giving each of us an opportunity to explain ourselves.

Aside from me being incredibly annoyed at this astronomical increase in my prices, I really do understand and appreciate what he is trying to accomplish.  I'm just not sure I like the way he's doing it.   To me, 50% is not a fair increase, no matter what. 

However, what I think is really awesome is how responsive he has been and how accessible he is.  Most of the time, getting the president of any company on the telephone or to reply to an email seems to take an act of Congress!

David replied to every one of my emails within a few hours, sometimes much quicker.   I honestly didn't even expect a reply last night after sending my reply to his reply.   Although I felt the need to reply to him, I was sure he would be finished with it, and I wouldn't hear anything else from him.   I'm so happy to say, I was wrong.

Customer service is a big deal to me.  If I'm going to spend money on something year after year, I want a good product and reliable customer service.   I thought it was only fair to post a follow-up to give kudos to David for being so responsive.

I'm not sure where we go from here.   We are getting some additional information from our season ticket rep on different seats at different prices.  We can compare that to where we currently sit and decide if it's worth it to make a change.   We may even look at cutting back to a partial season.   Or, we may go forward with getting some Stars tickets.  However, at least I'm not of the mindset that the Aeros won't get any more of my money.   Small victory for David Burke, well done!!

Stay tuned....

UPDATE: What we decided

So incredibly sad

You probably know, I'm a huge hockey fan and have been a Houston Aeros season ticket holder for I don't remember how many years....

On February 1st, all season ticket holders got an email about tickets for the 2012-2013 season.   In that email, it says "...proud to tell you that our season ticket prices are going down..." (italics and underlined just like in the email).    Yay!!   I love when ticket prices go down.

A few days later, we got our statement in the mail... a 50%, yes FIFTY, INCREASE.  WTF?   In the games over the weekend, the in game ops people are pushing season ticket packages for next year.

On twitter, David Burke, the Houston Aeros President, posts this:   "I love hearing in-game season ticket renewal drops in February #startearly #bestpractices".

I replied with this the following morning: "I thought 'our season ticket prices are going down'.. Mine went up 50%, yes FIFTY.  WTH?".    To which I got a direct message asking me to email him.   So, I sent him an email.

Here's my beef.

#1.  You can't slap a 50% increase on people and expect them to be OK with it.   I get that it's a business, and they need to make money.   I expected an increase, especially after the Aeros made it to the Calder Cup finals last season.  But 50%? 

#2.  Don't send me an email telling me that the prices went down when I'm getting an invoice with a 50% increase.    You would think they'd be smart enough to only send that email to those that are positively affected by the so called decrease, not the others.   What a way to cause an uproar with your long time season ticket holders!!

Bad business!!

I did get a reply from him, that basically says "F you.  Take it or leave it.".  Or, more specifically:

"...We have made a commitment that all season ticket holders will be paying the same amount and that because of their commitment, will be paying the lowest possible price. All of our season ticket pricing has been decreased. In fact, one area has decreased over 12 percent in comparison to this season’s posted pricing.

There are situations, such as yours, where people were given a “deal” on their tickets. I will never question why decisions were made in the past, but instead move forward with what we can control now..."

Again, I get it.  It's a business.  But is it really necessary to hit us with 50% all at one time?    Can't we get there a little more gradually and a lot less painfully?    We are talking about season ticket holders who have been around for years...  Why the hell would you just want to piss them all off and take the risk of losing their business.   It's not like the Toyota Center is a sell out every night and people are waiting in line for seats to open up!

For those of you who go to the games, you'll know there's a chant after every goal the Aeros score:  "1.2.3. He shoots.  He scores.  Hey <goalie name>, you suck".  Well, on Sunday, that chant was "1.2.3 Hey David Burke, you suck."   I don't lead the chant.  I don't have anything to do with the chant.  The point is, there are several season ticket holders who are pissed.  The question is how many will actually do something about it?

I'm one.  We are 2 seats who will not be renewed next season.  I know it won't hit David Burke's pockets, but if I don't stand up for what I believe, I can't bitch about it either!   I'm so incredibly sad that I won't be going to Aeros games next season.   It sucks.

So, I got to looking and calling around, and guess who has reasonable prices for hockey... the TEXAS STARS!   Yes, it's a drive.  Yes, I'll spend more money in gas.   We have family and friends who live in Austin, so we won't have to worry about hotel expense.   We are probably going to get a partial season for the stars next year, and we'll make a couple trips to Dallas for some NHL action.   I guess this way, it will be a whole lot easier to follow the prospects!


I'm so sad.  I feel like a traitor!

UPDATE:  A follow up

Management Training Course

Lesson 1:

A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her shower, when the doorbell rings.  The wife quickly wraps herself in a towel and runs downstairs. When she opens the door, there stands Bob, the next-door neighbor.

Before she says a word, Bob says, "I'll give you $800 to drop that towel."
 
After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands naked in front of Bob, after a few seconds, Bob hands her $800 and leaves. The woman wraps back up in the towel and goes back upstairs.

When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, "Who was that?"

"It was Bob the next door neighbor" she replies.

"Great," the husband says, "did he say anything about the $800 he owes me?"
 
Moral of the story:   If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with your shareholders, in time, you may be in a position to prevent avoidable exposure


Lesson 2:
 
A priest offered a Nun a lift. She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg.

The priest nearly had an accident.   After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg.

The nun said, "Father, remember Psalm 129?"

The priest removed his hand. But, changing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg again. The nun once again said, "Father, remember Psalm 129?"

The priest apologized "Sorry sister but the flesh is weak."

Arriving at the convent, the nun sighed heavily and went on her way.

On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129. It said, "Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory."

Moral of the story:  If you are not well  informed in your job, you might miss a great opportunity.


Lesson 3:

A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp. They rub it and a Genie comes out.

The Genie says, "I'll give each of you just one wish."

"Me first! Me first!" says the admin clerk. "I want to be in the Bahamas , driving a speedboat, without a care in the world." Puff! She's gone.

"Me next! Me next!" says the sales rep. "I want to be in Hawaii , relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life..."  Puff! He's gone.

"OK, you're up," the Genie says to the manager.

The manager says, "I want those two back in the office after lunch."

Moral of the story:   Always let your boss have the first say.


Lesson 4:
 
An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing.

A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, "Can I also sit like you and do nothing?"

The eagle answered: "Sure, why not."

So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.

Moral of the story:   To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.


Lesson 5:

A turkey was chatting with a bull.

"I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree" sighed the turkey, "but I haven't got the energy."

"Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?" replied the bull. "They're packed with nutrients."

The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree.   The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch.  Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree.

He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.
 
Moral of the story:   Bull Shit might get you to the top, but it won't keep you  there..


Lesson 6:
 
A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field.  While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him. As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was. The dung was actually thawing him out!

He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy.  A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered  the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.
 
Morals of the story:
(1) Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy.

(2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your
friend.

(3) And when you're in deep shit, it's best to keep
your mouth shut!
 

Working out... again!

I needed this today!

It's been a while since I was religiously doing some sort of exercise.  I was just starting to feel lazy.   I started a new workout a couple weeks ago, in fact, today is exactly 2 weeks.   I'm not trying to lose pounds, I want to tone muscle.  This time around, I'm trying out the Jillian Michaels 30-day Shred videos.   I also got her 6-week 6-pack video, but I haven't even opened that one yet.   Let's get through these 30 days first!!

The problem is, there's nothing worse than feeling like you are working your tail off and seeing no results.   I know, I know, it's only been 2 weeks, but I'm not exactly patient!   I'm sure hubby will even tell you I've probably mentioned it a million times over the last couple weeks.  He can go for a walk and lose 2 pounds.  I can work my ass off and gain 2 pounds.

I'm doing the video 5-6 days a week, and on most days, hubby and I are going for a walk.   I was sore as ever on about day 3... holy crap, my entire body hurt!   In fact, I didn't do the video on day 3 because I could hardly move!!    Day 4 was much, much better!    I did level 1 for a week, then moved on to level 2.   I've done all sorts of workout videos, and even though these are short, they definitely work the muscles!!

I stopped looking at the scale because honestly, it was pissing me off!   My ultimate goal is muscle tone, so I decided the scale doesn't really matter as much as the inches and how the clothes fit!   I measured myself before this all started, but I'm waiting for 30 days to be finished before I measure again.   I'm afraid if I measure too soon, that'll just piss me off too!!

Feb 7th is the 30th day calendar wise.  I'm not sure if I'll keep going till I've done the workout for 30 days or if I'll move on to the next one.  

Story of my life...