OK, maybe that is not a fair assessment. It is what it is! Offering the opportunity for all swimmers to swim a championship meet and participate as a team is the goal of the Nebraska Y Swim League. BUT...it makes for a very long, difficult day for the club hosting the meet. More than 375 swimmers, most of them 'novice', 8-lane facility, not much seating room for spectators, parents who don't understand how swim meets work, or how timing differences are reconciled and no amount of explanation will get them to understand, inexperienced officials, and a 'gray' day.
This is the second year in a row that Hastings has hosted the meet. (No one else wants to host it because it is such a marathon/nightmare.) We have designed it so that it runs as well as it possibly can. We seed like events together and score them separately by age group. We put the long session in the morning (8:30 a.m. - 1:10 p.m. - should have been done at 12:30 p.m. but...). If we get through that, we are home free.
I backed up the meet at 5:10 p.m. yesterday. I only had a couple of timing corrections and only one parent-from-h...! I consider that a HUGE success!
The concessions income was tremendous but a HUGE amount of work. We think we will let someone else handle it next year!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Sunday, February 1, 2009
A One Year Journey
One year ago on February 1, 2008, I began a journey to lose some weight and get healthy. I don't know what expectations I had, but I had put on 40 lbs in 20 years and at 4'9 3/4" I looked pretty awful - a short, fat, toad was my description. Over the 20 years I had tried on a few occasions to get it all under control, but life got in the way. Always excuses. So I found myself with very bad numbers - high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high weight. Besides all of that, everything hurt.
I joined a team at work through N-Lighten Nebraska. I weighed myself - or rather had a co-worker weigh me and refused to look - and I began to follow some of the guidelines of the plans. I journaled what I was eating. I tried to eat what I was supposed to eat. I tried to get some more sleep. I tried to relax. And I tried to get some exercise. I had the co-worker weigh me weekly, still not looking - until I lost 10 lbs. Then I began to wonder where I actually was. By that time I was around 132 lbs.
On March 17, 2008, I found The Daily Plate and since that time have been logging in everything that I put in my mouth - almost daily. By the end of October I weighed 117 lbs. I have put on a couple of pounds since then and today I am starting another N-Lighten Nebraska journey, hopefully to get a few more pounds off and remain healthy.
Over the last year there are several things that I have decided work well for me and things that I need to do to maintain my health for the rest of my life.
1. Journal everything that I eat. When I don't, I am wont to put more in my mouth than I should, and also probably putting in some wrong things.
2. Portion control is most important. I really need to measure because sometimes my eyes are bigger than my stomach. OK, that is an old expression of my mother's.
3. Be extremely vigilant and be aware of what I am actually eating, when I am eating, how much I am eating, and where I am eating.
4. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
5. Get some exercise at least 5 days a week. I have been mostly walking, even walking the treadmill. I still use the age and time excuses for not doing more.
6. Find a support system. The co-worker who helped me begin this journey is still encouraging me. Another co-worker is walking with me. The groups on TDP have been great encouragement. Even oldman is joining me on my journey now.
7. Cook my own meals. Pack my own lunch. This way I know what I am eating and can make good decisions. If I must eat out, I try to make reasonable decisions on both the choice and the portion.
Thank you to all who have supported me along the way. Here's to another year of good health!
I joined a team at work through N-Lighten Nebraska. I weighed myself - or rather had a co-worker weigh me and refused to look - and I began to follow some of the guidelines of the plans. I journaled what I was eating. I tried to eat what I was supposed to eat. I tried to get some more sleep. I tried to relax. And I tried to get some exercise. I had the co-worker weigh me weekly, still not looking - until I lost 10 lbs. Then I began to wonder where I actually was. By that time I was around 132 lbs.
On March 17, 2008, I found The Daily Plate and since that time have been logging in everything that I put in my mouth - almost daily. By the end of October I weighed 117 lbs. I have put on a couple of pounds since then and today I am starting another N-Lighten Nebraska journey, hopefully to get a few more pounds off and remain healthy.
Over the last year there are several things that I have decided work well for me and things that I need to do to maintain my health for the rest of my life.
1. Journal everything that I eat. When I don't, I am wont to put more in my mouth than I should, and also probably putting in some wrong things.
2. Portion control is most important. I really need to measure because sometimes my eyes are bigger than my stomach. OK, that is an old expression of my mother's.
3. Be extremely vigilant and be aware of what I am actually eating, when I am eating, how much I am eating, and where I am eating.
4. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
5. Get some exercise at least 5 days a week. I have been mostly walking, even walking the treadmill. I still use the age and time excuses for not doing more.
6. Find a support system. The co-worker who helped me begin this journey is still encouraging me. Another co-worker is walking with me. The groups on TDP have been great encouragement. Even oldman is joining me on my journey now.
7. Cook my own meals. Pack my own lunch. This way I know what I am eating and can make good decisions. If I must eat out, I try to make reasonable decisions on both the choice and the portion.
Thank you to all who have supported me along the way. Here's to another year of good health!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Fast Food - Ugh!
And we wonder why Americans are obese.
After a trip to the barber in GI and before a 6pm bell rehearsal, we decided to grab a quick bite in GI on the way home. Neither of us had eaten at Long John Silvers in a very long time, and the $1.99 Fish and Chips special sounded good for a change. Oldman ordered the dinner - two pieces of battered fish, two hush puppies, coleslaw, and fries (no drink, just water), and I ordered the $1.99 special (just water). OK, it all tasted wonderful - for a change.
Fast forward...time to log in the meals on TDP for the day. We thought we would start with oldman's meal. Fries, 1 3/4 pieces of fish (I ate the rest), 1/2 coleslaw (I ate the other half), two hush puppies (he didn't save me one of those), and minimal tartar sauce. Eeeeekkkkk! Calories - 900. Not that bad. BUT...percentage of fat and the amount of sodium were just outrageous!
Now I know why Americans are obese and why we have not eaten fast food and definitely not eaten at Long John Silvers in a very long time!
After a trip to the barber in GI and before a 6pm bell rehearsal, we decided to grab a quick bite in GI on the way home. Neither of us had eaten at Long John Silvers in a very long time, and the $1.99 Fish and Chips special sounded good for a change. Oldman ordered the dinner - two pieces of battered fish, two hush puppies, coleslaw, and fries (no drink, just water), and I ordered the $1.99 special (just water). OK, it all tasted wonderful - for a change.
Fast forward...time to log in the meals on TDP for the day. We thought we would start with oldman's meal. Fries, 1 3/4 pieces of fish (I ate the rest), 1/2 coleslaw (I ate the other half), two hush puppies (he didn't save me one of those), and minimal tartar sauce. Eeeeekkkkk! Calories - 900. Not that bad. BUT...percentage of fat and the amount of sodium were just outrageous!
Now I know why Americans are obese and why we have not eaten fast food and definitely not eaten at Long John Silvers in a very long time!
Friday, January 2, 2009
New Year Thoughts
What does one think when someone writes so very persuasively and yet their behavior is so contrary to what has been written? Disappointment. What makes us able to talk the talk but not able to walk the walk? Being human! We are all capable of giving advice based on our vast experiences, but often we are not able to live up to the advice that we give.
And why does this fault so often come to light when dealing with weight issues? Are our body images so much a part of our psyche that we cannot separate what we want to be from what we actually are? Perhaps the failures of others in this regard just exacerbate our own failures?
What to do about it?
*Quit thinking I can eat whatever I want to and that I am in control!
OK, that was negative. Let's try the positive approach.
*Control the portions of what I eat and control the food itself.
*Drink 8 glasses of water a day. Just have a glass on the sink and fill it!
*Walk at least 1/2 hour a day 5 days a week. NO excuses.
*Log in everything I put in my mouth.
*Take a positive approach to life!
I don't normally make resolutions and I don't know that these are really 'resolutions', but they are just some small things that are doable in my real world.
And why does this fault so often come to light when dealing with weight issues? Are our body images so much a part of our psyche that we cannot separate what we want to be from what we actually are? Perhaps the failures of others in this regard just exacerbate our own failures?
What to do about it?
*Quit thinking I can eat whatever I want to and that I am in control!
OK, that was negative. Let's try the positive approach.
*Control the portions of what I eat and control the food itself.
*Drink 8 glasses of water a day. Just have a glass on the sink and fill it!
*Walk at least 1/2 hour a day 5 days a week. NO excuses.
*Log in everything I put in my mouth.
*Take a positive approach to life!
I don't normally make resolutions and I don't know that these are really 'resolutions', but they are just some small things that are doable in my real world.
Monday, December 29, 2008
The Cat Lady
Yes, the cat lady. That is what people coming into my office call me because of the cat pictures, cat figures, cat calendars, cat everything. I have always been a cat person, from my earliest cat that I can remember (a black cat named Nancy - when I was a very young child living on a dairy in California) to my latest JazzPurr.
In between there have been many others - all with special places yet in my heart. Ming Toy, Thomas Cat, KikiKat, Moedi, Ollie, Bow Wow, Mausli, Izi, Zowie, and now Jazz. Most lived very long lives (Kiki was 19, Ollie was 18, Bow Wow 17 and Zowie 15). Each had a personality to be remembered.
Ming moped profusely when I left for college. Thomas Cat loved to roam. Kiki was my cat and alway slept between my legs. Moedi just came and stayed - he was well fed. Ollie was the black cat Heidi had to have, the one with the softest fur ever who lived his last years with FIV. Bow Wow - well, one minute he could be purring in my lap and the next minute my hand was toast. Mausli loved to look out the front window - or in the front window when he wanted in. The best Mausli story is the time he followed Dale Higgins to the grocery store, let Dale pick him up and carry him through the store because as Dale said 'he came along to pick out his own food.' What a puss!
Izi was the wanderer. We never knew what prize she would bring in the door in the middle of the night. She would waltz down the hallway and we could hear her 'mrrrrrttt' and we knew she had something to show for her night stalkings. Zowie became 'my' cat. She slept on the bed with me - always! Her 4am alarm clock mode was a very strong head-butt aimed at shoving me out of bed and feeding her. It was a very sad day when she had to go to the big mousefield in the sky (she had necrotizing pancreatitis and it sure took her quickly).
Jazz is just a huge furball. He leaves fur on every piece of furniture in the house! He has a good personality. Sometimes he is a lap cat. Sometimes not. He is one of the few cats we have had who has attempted to be a lap cat to Vern.
For now we'll fondly remember our wonderful feline friends and hope they have found many mice in that big mousefield in the sky.
In between there have been many others - all with special places yet in my heart. Ming Toy, Thomas Cat, KikiKat, Moedi, Ollie, Bow Wow, Mausli, Izi, Zowie, and now Jazz. Most lived very long lives (Kiki was 19, Ollie was 18, Bow Wow 17 and Zowie 15). Each had a personality to be remembered.
Ming moped profusely when I left for college. Thomas Cat loved to roam. Kiki was my cat and alway slept between my legs. Moedi just came and stayed - he was well fed. Ollie was the black cat Heidi had to have, the one with the softest fur ever who lived his last years with FIV. Bow Wow - well, one minute he could be purring in my lap and the next minute my hand was toast. Mausli loved to look out the front window - or in the front window when he wanted in. The best Mausli story is the time he followed Dale Higgins to the grocery store, let Dale pick him up and carry him through the store because as Dale said 'he came along to pick out his own food.' What a puss!
Izi was the wanderer. We never knew what prize she would bring in the door in the middle of the night. She would waltz down the hallway and we could hear her 'mrrrrrttt' and we knew she had something to show for her night stalkings. Zowie became 'my' cat. She slept on the bed with me - always! Her 4am alarm clock mode was a very strong head-butt aimed at shoving me out of bed and feeding her. It was a very sad day when she had to go to the big mousefield in the sky (she had necrotizing pancreatitis and it sure took her quickly).
Jazz is just a huge furball. He leaves fur on every piece of furniture in the house! He has a good personality. Sometimes he is a lap cat. Sometimes not. He is one of the few cats we have had who has attempted to be a lap cat to Vern.
For now we'll fondly remember our wonderful feline friends and hope they have found many mice in that big mousefield in the sky.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Holidays
Quiet holidays. That is what I really love. Nothing to do except cook, eat, read, sleep, and enjoy my own home.
We have enjoyed getting together with the kids this fall. A wonderful trip to San Francisco and spending time with the little granddaughters was the best. Walking to school with Ute and pushing Athena around the museum - it doesn't get much better.
The train trip to Chicago was uneventful and the time spent with Zane and Cael was very special. Walking with Zane through the mall holding his hand and watching the delight in his eyes at all of the sights and sounds of the holiday season was wonderful. Cuddling with Cael was the best. Life doesn't seem to get any easier for that little one. At this point we pray that something in his digestive system will start working normally - soon.
Weight...well...still OK, but we have to get serious again after New Year. Holidays are really difficult as there is so much good stuff around and I just can't leave it alone. So as long as the new wardrobe still fits we will not get too discouraged - but we will definitely get back on the proverbial wagon *after* the holidays!
We have enjoyed getting together with the kids this fall. A wonderful trip to San Francisco and spending time with the little granddaughters was the best. Walking to school with Ute and pushing Athena around the museum - it doesn't get much better.
The train trip to Chicago was uneventful and the time spent with Zane and Cael was very special. Walking with Zane through the mall holding his hand and watching the delight in his eyes at all of the sights and sounds of the holiday season was wonderful. Cuddling with Cael was the best. Life doesn't seem to get any easier for that little one. At this point we pray that something in his digestive system will start working normally - soon.
Weight...well...still OK, but we have to get serious again after New Year. Holidays are really difficult as there is so much good stuff around and I just can't leave it alone. So as long as the new wardrobe still fits we will not get too discouraged - but we will definitely get back on the proverbial wagon *after* the holidays!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Difficult Thoughts
One is reminded of the brevity of life when one learns of a young mother about to pull the life support on a 3-week old premature infant. As we have traversed a difficult year with a baby grandson one's heart can only ache for the loss that this family will feel. How is one supposed to feel when we see life slipping away but when we also realize that there is no hope? We pray that we can let go with love and compassion. We can put forth all of the right words and polite platitudes but until we face the situation directly we do not know how we will feel or react. My 60+ years on this earth have taught me that much. I try not to be too assertive as to what I would do or how I would feel because I know my mind can tell me one thing and my heart can tell me something entirely different. Been there. Done that.
Weight loss...good days and bad days. A lot of work! A lot of planning! Watching everything I put in my mouth. Feeling better. Looking better. But a bit discouraged today, knowing any of the 'good' stuff can be very detrimental to the process very quickly!
Weight loss...good days and bad days. A lot of work! A lot of planning! Watching everything I put in my mouth. Feeling better. Looking better. But a bit discouraged today, knowing any of the 'good' stuff can be very detrimental to the process very quickly!
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