Hello everyone!
What a week! My boss is on vacation this week and next, and I am substituting for him. Of course, the s*** hit the fan this week. My boss's boss's boss is a real nasty guy -- a verbal bully. He is trying to turn over a new leaf (we have new owners and his approach to management won't work with their management philosophy), but when it comes to our business, he just can't help himself. He was so derogatory about one of our projects in a meeting that I just about asked him if we should just cancel it (after investing several million $ already). Fortuntately, I managed to keep my mouth shut
. Then, the next day, he yelled at me again in another meeting. About 1/2 of my work week was spent in meetings with this guy -- even if he's not being nasty, I'm on edge wondering when it is going to hit. My boss is a great guy to work for and he shields me (and the rest of our product line) from most of this stuff, but it takes a toll on him -- he had a heart attack a couple of years ago and he's not that old -- early 50's.
School has suffered due to work stress. We have 5 weeks left in the program -- last class is September 5th. I am glad I've been in this program, but my gosh it is a lot of work. A full-time MBA takes 2 years of full-time study. I believe we have done the same amount of work as that, but doing it part time while working. The longest break we've had is 2 weeks in the past 2 years, and for the most part, we just go from one term to another with no break whatsoever. However, I've been exposed to a lot of new ideas, and I'm seriously thinking about entering graduate school as a PhD candidate in a couple of years (not next fall, but the fall thereafter). It takes about 5 years to get a PhD, so I would be in my mid-50's when I finished, but with all the healthy stuff I'm doing, I'll be able to have a long career
.
This weekend is another outdoors weekend -- I'm going on a 7 mile day hike today with some new folks I've never met (I'm trying to make more RL friends
). Tomorrow, I might get out on my bike. Right after I get out of school, I'm taking 2 weeks of vacation and going down to California. I'll visit my folks and kids for a few days and then head up to the Sierras for some backpacking. I love the Sierras and I have not been backpacking up there since I was in college (the first time
). I first planned to take one long trip, but then I realized I would make it easier on myself and be able to visit more spots if I broke it up into 2 or 3 trips. I've got at least two of them identified -- one is a 4 day trip and one is a 2 day trip with maybe a layover day. Both are in places that I have wanted to visit since I was in high school. In between trips, I plan to get a motel room, hit the shower
, and repack. This way, I don't have to carry as much on my back at one time.
The snow starts flying up in the mountains here around October or November. Another thing I love is skiing -- I haven't been downhill skiing since the early 90's. I did do some cross-country skiing a couple of years ago and loved it. My plan this winter is to take my 5 y/o downhill skiing and go xc skiing with my outdoor pals. Being able to physically be out in the woods and do stuff is what motivates me to lose weight and exercise. I love being outdoors.
Lilion -- Glad to hear you had a good weekend and good for you for getting back on track with your eating. That is one of the hardest things for me to do -- to pick myself up after falling and get back to doing what I know is best for me.
Valerie -- Congratulations on your girls' accomplishments at the fair. What is a morab? I'm guessing a breed of horse, but perhaps not...
Ammi -- So glad you are back! I think that DIY projects count as exercise. I know that I sure am sore after some of them
-- so I must be moving some muscles
. As far as being resentful about dieting, I don't know if this will help or not, but as I've come back to 3FC (not all that long before you
) and dieting and exercising, I am thinking about this as my way of life now. Just like when I quit smoking and quit drinking, I didn't just look at it as a "break" from cigarettes or alcohol but rather a change in how I was living.
Annie -- I know what you mean about not being able to do stuff. The good thing about being so active so early in my weight loss this time around is that I can really see progress in what I'm able to do on the weekends. I'm glad that quake wasn't worse. I grew up in CA and never was in one of the bad quakes, but my folks were in the Loma Prieta quake (my dad's workplace was right next to the 880 fwy that collapsed) -- fortunately they were not hurt.
Sue -- Good to see you and congratulations on the pants fitting better! I am sending healing thoughts and prayers your way so your body can finish off that infection.
Patti -- Congrats on your 10 lb loss!
Ruth -- Glad to hear that dh is better and a fall road trip sounds like a great thing to look forward to!
Terri -- Seems that if you can maintain in August and keep your activity level up, that would be a good goal to shoot for. It seems that maintaining is as hard as losing weight -- so perhaps a "practice month" isn't a bad idea
. You are undergoing a lot of stress right now -- for me, sometimes the not knowing is worse than anything else that can happen. If you need to take some time off from 3FC, know that you will not be forgotten and we will be sending good thoughts and prayers your way!
Valerie -- Good for you for visualizing success on riding Gabe! Having the self-confidence to try things is so important, I think, and seeing yourself being successful is a piece of that.
Heather -- Nice to hear from you and glad that you're enjoying your vacation!
Rene -- Welcome and I think it is never too late to get healthy. This is a really supportive crowd.
Ok, gals, I think that is everyone
. Hope you have a good weekend all!!!
to all! Be good and hold down the fort!
