I'm not ashamed

You may or may not already know that I am riding in the Stars and Stripes Challenge at the USA Cycling Professional Championships in May. This event raises money for cancer research and advocacy, something which I now know about firsthand.

I've sent out a lot of emails and letters asking for donations. Initial response has been great, and I'm already close to my goal. I'm hoping I'll have to readjust that goal and move up to the next tier of incentives. I'd really love to ride the Pro Time Trial course before the race. But often, donations fly in right away, then taper off. A little reminder starts the cycle over again.

Please don't be offended if you recieve multiple messages. I understand that people are busy, or they just don't have a lot of extra cash right now. Those messages are just "friendly reminders" from me.

So if you'd like to donate on my behalf, go to www.P3ride.org . Click DONATE, then find my name on the drop down menu - Rebecca Baumeister. I would really appreciate it.

I survived

Despite the snow and the protests at the capitol, we had a good crowd for our gig last night. We had a really last minute sub in the trumpet section (so last minute, I didn't get the email until I was home again), and she was great. I hope she can play with us again. The trumpets did have a little boo-boo in the last few measures of In The Mood, but nobody got hurt and we laughed about it.

We had a great time at the Field Museum on Friday.

We saw big dinosaur bones

We got to be pesky barnacles

We saw multicultural butt cracks

And the girls got worn out!

I got my beef sandwich at Portillos, but to save room, I skipped the fries and shake - I have finally graduated to the "Big Beef," and I ate all but about 3 bites. It's probably a good thing we live 2 1/2 hours from Portillos, or there would be a whole lot more of me to love!

Breathe now, while I still can!

It's going to be another crazy few days. No school thursday or friday, so I have the kid to contend with - that always makes things interesting.

Thursday is the easy day, just a doctor's appointment in the afternoon and band practice at night. Mom and Dad are coming over; mom's cooking dinner and I'm making dessert. What should I make? Chocolate cake usually wins.

Friday is Katrina's birthday trip. Instead of buying her something that a) she doesn't need and b) I'll end up picking up all the time, we take her to the museum of her choice. This year, once again we'll be visiting Chicago, and the Field Museum - her favorite. On the way home, we'll stop for dinner at Portillo's. I have finally graduated to the "Big Beef" and I can taste it already!

Saturday is the craziest of the weekend. I have to work the first half of the day, then will be playing with Ladies Must Swing at our "Dance Party Extravaganza" in Madison. I missed the last couple of gigs with the Ladies because of my surgery. I'm looking forward to getting back in to the swing of things (pun intended).

Turning The Corner

I've reached a bit of a turning point in my recovery. I guess you could say I'm recovered. I'm back to doing my normal things, although people keep telling me I shouldn't be doing some of it. I feel back to normal. I'm starting to exercise regularly, and at a higher intensity than I thought I could. I guess the blog is at a turning point too; no longer about my cancer battle. Now it's about the fitness battle.

I rode my bike today - in the basement, while watching the Pee Wee Herman Show from 1981 (Yeah, I'm a dork. I know). Indoor riding is tough because it gets boring so quickly. And because I can look around and see all the things that need to be done. I start to feel guilty about it, so I cut my ride short. That is my biggest battle: getting everything done and still having time to exercise. But I do have a goal, and that's a big step. I'll be riding a charity ride in May, and I want to ride at a respectable pace, and not feel guilty about holding Karl back (well, he usually drops me and I'm left to fend for myself anyway)

Let's talk about guilt.

The green monster made an appearance at our house recently, and it was not pretty. No, I don't feel guilty for neglecting the housework on a regular basis to knit. I'm not feeling guilty for having impure thoughts about men in spandex, that will continue guilt-free. Maybe I feel a little guilty when I reach for that third scone, but it is whole grain, and it is home-made! No, this was Katrina's first big-time guilt. She got in trouble at school, and didn't tell us. She hid the evidence, and it was eating her up! She finally fessed up last night at bedtime. That explains why she's been having trouble sleeping the past couple of weeks. We got it all cleared up, she is getting punished (no iPod until friday), and what do you know? She slept like a baby after that (thank goodness, because I was exhausted!)

So, now it's about guilt-free exercise. Think I can do it? I'll need a BIG cheering section!

What a weird day!

Actually, the weirdness started last night. The phone rang at about 10:15. As usual, I was in bed, 3/4 of the way asleep. So, I made Karl answer the phone (I didn't want to get cold!), and it was the automated call system from school - no school thursday. Then the cell phone rang (we knew who it was, so we didn't answer), the the land line rang again and it was the auto-call again! So, then all 3 of us were wide awake. Katrina didn't get back to sleep until almost midnight (which translates in to me not getting to sleep either because she keeps coming in to tell me she can't sleep!) Then I thought: "aaahh, I can sleep in because there's no school." So, of course, Katrina woke up at 5 and climbed in to be with me, promptly kneed me in the kidney, then fell asleep. I never did get back to sleep.

That isn't the weirdest part. The reason school was cancelled was due to so many teachers calling in "sick" so they can attend the protest rallys at the Capitol. There had better be school tomorrow, or else we're getting in to adding extra days of school in June territory.

So, Katrina had to accompany me to my doctor's appointment - no big deal, she just stayed in the waiting room and read. My portion went smoothly: 50cc bigger

and I have noticeable boobs again. Same routine next week. And, what do you know? No school next thursday.

Then we had to take the car in for an oil change and investigate the "clunk, clunk" noise. She wasn't thrilled about that, so I sweetened the deal with a trip to Arbys for lunch. It turned out good because they have free WiFi at the car dealer's, so Katrina got to watch some You Tube and I emailed Karl about the "Clunk" diagnosis while we waited.

Home in plenty of time to get the soup started for dinner.

Sore butts and cats

OK, yes, I'm sore in the backside region. And the hamstrings. I did stretch before and after my run on Sunday. I expected to be a bit sore. But, wow. I was in some difficulties yesterday going up and down the stairs. I even did more stretching yesterday. It helped for a while.

Then, last night, it occurred to me, it's not from my running. On saturday, I gave the cat her first bath since my surgery. I used to lean on the bathtub while I washed her. Now I can't rest my upper body on the tub, so I had to squat the whole time. That's why my butt hurts! And yes, I said I gave the cat a bath. She gets regular baths because she's "special" - she's a hairless breed, and she needs regular bathing to remove the oil that builds up. I call her "Sally the Naked Wonder Cat." Needless to say, wintertime is a challenge for her to stay warm. She'll snuggle with her buddy directly in front of the heat vent. And if the furnace kicks on and she's elsewhere in the house, she'll immediately run to her spot! Sally also spends a lot of time under the blankets - you have to check before you sit anywhere. I made her a sweater (yes, I'm a crazy cat lady), but she won't wear it - I guess she doesn't like argyle.

Another holiday birthday

It's Valentine's Day, a "holiday" that doesn't have much meaning for our family. Instead we celebrate something else: ten years ago, Katrina was born at 2:14 on 2/14.

Wow, double digits. I could get all sappy and say how time flies, it seems like only yesterday, etc. But it doesn't really. It just makes me feel old.

Since tonight is her piano lesson, we celebrated last night with dinner out (her choice - Chinese!) and then a trip to Culver's for ice cream. We had birthday cake last Thursday when my Mom and Dad were here. Katrina's birthday cake choice? Cheesecake! She opted out of a party this year (thank goodness!). Instead we're taking her annual trip to a museum, and she gets to bring a friend. She chose the Field Museum in Chicago (again). She absolutely loves that place. Then it's my favorite part - on the way home, we'll stop for dinner at Portillo's (Mmmm, a Big Beef with sweet peppers!). Now, I just have to wait the 11 days until we go.

Spring??

Well, since Jimmy the Groundhog was snowed in for Groundhog's Day, I have no idea if this spring-like weather we're having is an actual spring, or just a teaser. Either way, I'm taking full advantage.

Karl has agreed to be my fitness coach, and so far, has put more effort into the project than past years when he's agreed to be my fitness coach. He made me a fitness log and a schedule. The schedule does include indoor spinning, but the bike hasn't made it in from the garage yet. I'm trying a new approach: intervals. I'm starting small - I did just have major surgery, ya' know - 10 minutes of slow walking/fast walking. I did that 3 times in the last week after dropping Katrina off at the bus. I'm not sure of my time for those days though because Karl's watch got waterlogged and so he's wearing mine. I did go half a mile each time.

Todays beautiful weather was just calling me, so I donned my cold-weather tights (and my watch!), and was able to run/walk for 13 minutes - a whole mile! I could have gone more, but I didn't want to overdo it. I think I was even a little overdressed, my jacket was hanging open after only a few blocks! I think this will be my routine for at least a week - temps will be about the same as today for at least that long (I hope).

I haven't done any running since last summer, and it was amazing how comfortable it was to run without "the girls" flopping up and down! I'll be doing much more running, I'm sure of it. I just need to steal my own watch back.

Back at it

I went back to work today for just half a day. I should have done the full day. There's less to do at work than at home.

This time of year is always slow at the store - kids are still enjoying their Christmas toys. But wow, four hours, and only one person crosses the threshhold. That person is looking for a gift for their daughter's boyfriend. "I think he likes games." So, I show them some great games: Killer Bunnies, Luck of the Draw, etc. "Oh, I don't know if he likes games that much." AARGH! Just give him cash and let me get back to my knittng then.

I did get a knitting project finished, though. A quick trip on the blocking board, and it will be ready to send to the recipient.

The cold weather has everyone in a tizzy. Yeah, we won't hit double digits again until friday. But it's February in Wisconsin! It gets cold. Put on a sweater (or two) and quit your whining.

Another doctor's appointment tomorrow. I think we're going to start "re-inflating." That will be interesting.

Disappointed

So, the hair dye experiment was a disappointment. We wanted purple, so we used grape Kool-Aid. Followed the instructions I found on the internet.

And, we got barely visible blue-green! Next time I'm trying a darker color, and liquid food coloring.

Am I creating a monster?

Holy cow. In 10 days, Katrina will turn 10 years old. Every parent says how time flies, and it seems like yesterday when the kids were born. It's sort of true, although it doesn't seem like yesterday, maybe last week.

Kids nowadays must just mature faster than we did. She'll be 10, she's in 4th grade. She wants makeup for her birthday, and she wants to color a green streak in her hair. Thinking back on when I was in 4th grade, I had no interest in makeup (still don't), and I didn't color my hair until high school. She's definitely different than I was, but she's also a lot like me.

She really is a great kid, and I wouldn't want it any other way.

I'll let you know how the hair dye comes out - on both of us.

Whew!

Well, we made it through the blizzard with everything intact. Now it's the deep freeze for a few days. As much as I love winter, I'm glad I don't have to go out for a few days. Well, unless you count walking Katrina to the bus, which I am doing again, and I don't really count that because I'm still wearing my jammies under my snow pants.

Hopefully, I'll get my remaining 4 stitches out tomorrow, then I can legally shower. (I've had a few illicit showers in the last week). These "tissue expanders" are not as comfortable as I had imagined. The injection ports stick out like freaky tumors. I think I start getting "re-inflated" next week - 100ml per week until I'm the size I want. That won't take too long, since I'm going small. I just want to be over and done with this whole thing.

It is the first Thursday in February, so that means City Band rehearsals start up again. I'm going to see how I do tonight. I need a roadie to carry my stuff, and I don't think I'll be able to hold up my horn for very long. It's also difficult to get a good, deep breath, so I hope I can get a good sound, or any sound at all. I still have a few more weeks before I play with Ladies Must Swing at the High Noon Saloon. I'll have to work on my endurance, there's no room on that stage for a chair for me.

Snug and Cozy

The Snowpocalypse has come. The wind is whipping at about 32 mph, and it's snowing. They've already cancelled school tomorrow, and Karl doesn't have to go in to work. I was "on call" for the store, but I got the call about that too ("Stay home - nobody's going to be shopping.") We're stocked up on groceries and cat food (because that 3/4 mile to the store would be treacherous).

There was a little excitement today: First of all, I walked Katrina to the bus and felt pretty good. Then around midday, our new computer was delivered! I almost didn't answer the door, good thing I did. Then, I picked up Katrina and the cello from school. I made her carry the cello, I know she can. The wind was aleady starting to get bad after school, luckily, I broke the rule and parked in the bus lane when I picked up Katrina (I played handicapped - but NOT in the handicapped spot, don't worry)

I made some fabulous chicken a'la king and cherry cobbler for dinner, going to cast on a new knitting project for February (a sweater for Katrina), we're all tucked in, and all 3 of us are clad in polar fleece and handknits (OK, well, I'm wearing the handknits), so let's hope the power doesn't go out.