Thursday, October 16, 2008

Drawing a Blank


"Being a writer is like having homework every night for the rest of your life".
— Lawrence Kasdan

21 comments:

Rachel Nye said...

Pat everyday I think gosh how does she come up with great things every day! You deserve a break!!!!!! Thanks for such a great blog!!!

MelissaR said...

Good morning. Pat, thanks for a great blog...I agree, you deserve a break today.

Amyhoo, not too much to chat about at the moment. Today was weigh in day. That's all I'll say about that.

I'll check back later. Hope everyone has a great day!

Pat said...

Good morning, all. I'm looking forward to the weekend and a rest. I need time to relax and get refocused. I've had a busy week with work; my routine has been out the window; I'm not sleeping well--not sleeping much at all really. I've always been a great sleeper. But that has changed. Insomnia is a common symptom associated with menopause, and Im definitely experiencing that symptom. And anytime I'm out of sorts, it shows up in my eating...which has been pretty messy this week despite my best intentions. So I'm looking forward to retreating to the cabin for the weekend for some R&R.

MelissaR said...

Pat, sorry you are having a hard week. Where is your cabin at? I bet the fall foliage is beautiful. That must be a great place to relax and unwind.

MelissaR said...

Oh, have you rtied taking Black Cohoch? It's an herbal supplement, supposed to help with Menopause. My mom takes it. She's kind of later than you though. She just turned 60 in July and is still going through the "Hot Flash" stage. As far as I know though, she doesn't have trouble sleeping though.

MelissaR said...

Jeez, I need spell check. THat was, " Have you TRIED taking Black Cohosh?"

Pat said...

I haven't tried it, but I've read about it. As for the hot flashes, interestingly enough, for me they are helped most by a low-sugar diet. When I'm eating well, the hot flashes are not as severe. They contribute to the sleep problem because you finely get to sleep only to be awakened by a hot flash.

My cabin is in Madison County, just 85 miles north, up I-85. It's not in the mountains...just in the middle of the woods. I have 10 acres of land that adjoins my parents' property on the back, and I built this teeny weeny cabin pretty much in the middle of the 10-acres. When I stay at the cabin, I can literally walk thru the woods, over the creek, and up the hill to my Mom's house. The cabin is still very rustic. I have electricity but no running water. So I carry in bottled water, take sponge baths (or take a shower at my mom's), and use an inside port-a-pottie at night, a tree during the day. I was planning to have a well dug and plumb the cabin this fall, but due to the economic down-turn, I have decided to hold-off on that for now. A well is very expensive, and I don't want to spend the cash right now. But I don't mind roughing it...it's kind of fun. I have a TV with DVD player so I usually take some movies to watch at night. I can listen to the UGA football game on the radio. I have a stove so I can cook if I want. It's really a cute place, and it's just very restful there...early morning is my favorite time...drinking my coffee and sitting on the porch.

The Orkins said...

Your cabin sounds wonderful. So nice to be able to get away and relex - and not have to travel too far to do it.

I almost have a full plank chest to the floor pushup. I practiced for a little bit after the WOD. Miguel was giving me a hard time - asking why I was afraid to get full range of motion - I would only drop to the floor and had no weight overhead, etc. He was so right. WHo cares if I can't get back up from the bottom - I just need to get all the way down and will eventually be able to make it back up!

Erica said...

Wow - I missed a great day of compliments...how awesome. Complimenting ourselves and each other is so empowering. I had a long travel day yesterday and just didn't have the energy to get on the computer. Thank you all for the sincere things you said - it is surprising to hear how people see you! And thanks for making me feel better about getting my grief out there. Sheryl,you are right on that it is haunting. And Shana, thanks for letting me off the "obligatory grief" hook.

AND I forgot I gave many of you a preview of my goofiness during by little-black-dress burpie!

Pat, your cabin sounds like an absolute dream. I love Madison county, and I love the idea that you can be so isolated, but still walk through the woods to see your parents. Sounds like the perfect remedy for an "off" week.

Since I missed my opportunity yesterday, I want to put a few things out there.

Sheryl: Very warm...shows through your beautiful smile. And those muscles...they rock. You handle so much with such a positive attitude.

Rae: Gorgeous. And rocking body. I remember meeting you for the first time at Scott's party, and you were so genuine and interested in getting to know me. That is such a nice quality.

Melissa: One of the most determined people I have ever met. You are both passionate AND compassionate. Great combination.

PatC: SO self-aware. Calming. Beautiful inside and out. And I know I've mentioned it before, an incredibly talented writer.

Gnomes: Hilarious and quick-witted. Really pretty and natural. Very mentally balanced. You WILL get that pushup!

Shana: Smart, crazy strong, silly. A real fireball. Amazingly talented musician with a beautiful singing voice. An inspiration to so many.

Sheryl McCalla said...

Pat the cabin sounds amazing. Very restful, but close enough to love and comfort (mom's place) if you want it. Who needs running water? If you think of it, take some pictures. I'd love to see it.

Rae won't believe this after our conversation at the beginning of yesterday's workout. (I didn't say "can't," just expressed some concern.) My challenge goal is 5 consecutive ring dips. Before yesterday I could only get one. I got 4 consecutive ring dips after yesterday's workout! So to Rae, Gnomes, Pat and anyone else who may have had flashes of doubt about the goals, Shana is so right. Stay focused and keep practicing. I swear it was like magic and I am sure the change was in my brain rather than my strength. And I don't mean that I was psyching myself out with doubt. I really mean that by practicing the move there's an alteration to the brain that allows you to do the thing you're training your body to do.

Erica said...

That's aweseome Sheryl! Congrats. I need to start putting some goals out there!

MelissaR said...

Yay Sheryl!! That is fantastic!!

The Orkins said...

Anything I can do to make my bladder bigger? I am sick of having to get up and go tinkle every 45 minutes...and I won't stop drinking water. I like it too much. (of course I am kidding, well, sort of).

The Orkins said...

and no, I don't have a problem like in those gotta-go, gotta-go, gotta-go right now commercials....

MelissaR said...

Gnomes~ I go about every 20 to 30 minutes or so. I've even counted throughout the day and I've gone between 11 and 13 times while at work alone.

I feel your pain.

Erica said...

I'm with you too gnomes. Wish I could offer a solution besides drinking less water, which you know I don't recommend!

Who is going to be at CFED at 6:30 am? I am going to drop in for a visit. Thought I'd be back for real..but had a relapse.

The Orkins said...

I have to work early on Friday's, so I won't be there tomorrow - but I will see you next week.

Hope everyone enjoys their workout tonight. Snatches are fun!

Rachel Nye said...

Sheryl!!!! I am so happy for you, we were just talking about that! Congratulations!!!!! Thank you, Erica, such sweet comments!!!
Pat I was thinking I don't want you stressing about topics for your blog, maybe we can submit some ideas to you or you can pick someone each week to develop a topic... just an idea!

Meeks said...

Pat C- thanks for the compliments last night I wasn't up for participating in the blog yesterday when I got home and read the topic. It was the first time since CFED's box opened that I was so far off I wanted to quit,cry or both. I struggled with wallballs(normally one of my best) did 75 pushups 1 or 2 at a time. IT STUNK!! Don't know what was wrong. Don't feel that much more energetic tonight. Hopefully I will feel better in the AM when I try again.

Pat said...

Rae, I welcome suggestions for topics. Shana has twice given me great ideas--"Discovering Hilda" and "Toot Your Own Horn" were both inspired by Shana. And Erica helped me with the SugarFree Challenge. So if you have ideas, email them to me. I'm happy to report that tomorrow's topic is already written and scheduled to post at 12:01 am. I also keep a little notebook handy for when ideas pop in my head. I have a couple of things in the works that just aren't ready to be posted yet.

I'm not stressing over the blog though...I didn't have anything last night, so I just decided to find a funny picture and admit it. I promise not to let the blog become a burden.

Meeks, it's good to hear from you today. I'm glad you are feeling better today.

Sheryl McCalla said...

Meeks, glad you posted. I can relate, I'm sure we all can. Check out this article: http://www.fitnessfixation.com/?p=840 It won't provide answers, but will remind you you're not alone.

P.S. LOVIN' Ezekiel bread. Not diggin' on natural peanut butter.