Busy or Just Plain Lazy?

I've been skipping the "intense" workouts since Christmas. Instead I've substituted playing games on the Wii with my family, walking instead of driving sometimes and a few hikes.
I bought a Wii Fit balance board with the Wii Fit Plus game and the Biggest Loser game just before Christmas. We were having a really good time playing the balance games but the workouts left me a bit Meh. I've only tried the Biggest Loser game once, it too left me a little cold. But my sweet man got me the EA Sports Active bundle for Christmas. THAT, I like. Since then I've purchased a second nunchuk and leg strap so we can do workouts together if we want. I thought the resistance band was way too weak so I used another one I had that was not as stretchy and got one with the new leg strap that is really good. I also bought a pair of 2 lb weighted gloves. That doesn't sound like much but I was trying to hold dumb bells during some of the upper body workouts but that prevented me from holding the remote and nunchuk in the proper position so it "yelled" at me to do it right, or else.  : ) Even 2lbs makes a difference, especially if it's a 20 rep exercise.
Thanks for the present J. Much better than all the cookies I made you. Merry New Year's Resolution!

Pedestal Rocks

On the way up to Eureka Springs we wanted to stop and stretch our legs while checking out a trail neither of us had been on before: Pedestal Rocks Scenic Area close to Pelsor, Ar. We were coming up on Hwy 7 from Russellville so we took a East turn on Hwy 16 to get there. There are 2 short loop trails here, the Kings Bluff 1.7 mi and the Pedestal Rocks 2.2 mi. J had his "big" camera equipment with him so I knew this hike would be all about the photo ops. It was a cold but luckily sunny day and we decided to try the Kings Bluff trail first.  After a few minutes of typical scenary we see the sign reminding parents to keep a close eye on kids. Danger Ahead.

The trail opens up to the bluffs and one of the first sights is a tall waterfall. The icicles were beautiful.This is an area that was hit very hard by the ice storm in Winter of 2009. Much of the damage to the woodlands is still visible. Next came the formations the area is named for- the pedestal rocks. So pretty, so many caves and breakaways and even in the dead of winter the color was magnificent with all the moss, lichen and weathering of the rocks.  It took us a ridiculous amount of time to finish that 1.7 miles. We were so caught up in the ice and rocks.

We spent so much time playing and taking pictures that we decided to eat our sandwiches and head on up to Eureka with plans to do Pedestal Rocks on the way home. The weather was still cold but it was also overcast so the light wasn't great for pictures. I expected fewer people to be there since it was a Tuesday at lunchtime but there were several cars including a large family gathering all bundled up to have a picnic. Much of the ice had melted away and there wasn't as much water flowing but we did find some cool "chimney" formations and a "natural bridge". All in all, a really cool place to stretch out your legs.

While the Kid's Away, the Parents...

Since the small one was 4 years old, her grandparents have taken her to Disney World sometime in December nearly every year. They've skipped a couple of years, I didn't go every time, and this year would be the first year that they would be there for a big holiday like New Year's. The day after Christmas off they went, the small one and one of her very good friends (the one she went to Minnesota with this summer) with Grandma and Mark. J and I decided it was a good time to go spend some quality time together. I insisted that it would not involve bikes. I got that part but lost out on "no hiking! sweetness only!".  Yes, we stopped on the way up and on the way home for a very short but beautiful hike at Pedestal Rocks near Pelsor, Arkansas off Hwy 16. I think I'll save those photos for a different post. But while in Eureka- it was pure non athletic bliss. Good food, good wine and spirits, good shopping and even better company.

We stayed at the Historic Crescent Hotel. This hotel is allegedly haunted. Ghost tours and TV shows love this place. I don't know how I feel about that but we took the Ghost tour once. The only thing that I found a little creepy was the area in the basement that used to be a morgue. Okay, creepy but cool, cause we're weird like that.  We actually attempted to make this trip in late December of last year but the area was hit with one of the worst ice storms in recent history the day before we were scheduled to leave and we had to cancel. We arrived at the hotel late in the afternoon and the staff I must say, was wonderful. We settled into our rooms, showered off the trail dirt and got dressed up for a night out. It was Sunday and it's winter so I have to say that there was not a lot going on as far as Nightlife. I hear the scene, if that's what you're looking for, is much better in warmer weather. Nonetheless...our room was just a few steps from the upstairs bar Dr. Baker's Extraordinary Bistro and Sky Bar which has a balcony looking out on the city. We spent exactly 0 minutes out there. We just watched others go out to smoke and come back in shivering. I'm sure it's wonderful in the spring and fall. We indulged ourselves in a few pre dinner cocktails before setting off to Rogue's Manor. I can't say enough good things about our experience at this lovely dining room. The food was excellent, the service was great and best of all, we had the dining area to ourselves that cold Sunday night and we LIKED it that way. I highly recommend a visit to this establishment if you are in Eureka, especially if you're staying downtown on Spring and can walk back to your hotel.

The next day we slept in (a real luxury as of late) and went for a late breakfast buffet in the Crystal Dining Room.  They did have eggs and omelets to order but we stuck to the fare already out: oatmeal, bacon and sausage, biscuits with white gravy. And lots of coffee.  The plan was to hit Spring Street on a walk from our hotel to shop and people watch. Years ago, J and I came to Eureka and wandered into a wonderful old antique store that specialized in Maps. We spent a lot of time in that store that day. Unfortunately we found that the shop has since closed but we continued to make our way down Spring Street, window shopping and enjoying the day together. We found some deals, had some lovely coffee at Eureka Daily Grind, and continued our walk back up the hill to the hotel. We decided to hang out for a while in our room relaxing then cleaned up to go back over to the bar where we ended up being seranaded for far too long by a woman yelling her life story across the room at people she'd just met at another table. Some really nice folks from Kansas and Michigan who spend every "after Christmas broohahah" together at the Crescent invited us in to their card game but we opted to go take pictures on the Charity Christmas tree competition lawn and watch TV. Yawn. It may not have been filled with excitement but that is a nice change of pace for us. No bikes, no races, no rush.

The Traditional Christmas Hike

Almost every year since we married, J and I have wandered off into the woods on Christmas morning or afternoon.It's time for  just the two of us to decompress after the excitement. This year we had a quick Christmas morning gift exchange and yummy breakfast with the small one, my mom and her husband before driving to Lake Catherine State Park for the afternoon. The plan was to hike the Dam Mountain Trail, but we didn't realize that it closes during hunting season. Better safe than sorry. We did a loop of 2 other trails to get in about 4.5 miles of hike.

The 23rd and 24th of December brought record rainfall to our neck of the woods. Unfortunately it was bad enough to flood several areas, strand a few folks and even displace a few for the Holiday. It also meant that the waterfalls were flowing and we saw some pretty magnificent ones. Beauty and Destruction. Water always wins, no matter what.

We've hiked most of this area before but it looks totally different with that much water.

We had a great time and we can still look forward to going back to finish that Dam Mountain Trail someday.

Christmas Eve Fun and Folly

Of all the gifts in the stockings, or perhaps even under the tree, the boxing Santa pens were a much bigger hit than we expected. The picture does no justice. The Santas not only had boxing arms like Rock Em Sock Em Robots, the eyes lit up red when the arms moved so it was kind of like Possessed Boxing Santa. Not exactly the Christmas Spirit we hoped for, but we take what we can get around here.

I was the recipient of a beautiful tiara and light up wand- to go with my tutu from my day as a Beer Fairy with Sweet Sarah Smiles.                                   

 Yes, I did do a little dance with my tutu and tiara on.

All 3 kids were there along with the fiancee tagging along. The mooch. I guess we have to get used to him being around now. I think he enjoyed his presents though I don't think he understood the purpose of the reusable bag we gave him. It isn't a hat. I don't think.

I had to kick them all off my Wii Fit balance board. Luckily the kids were playing the games as my Mii so now I hold the high score in about every single game!

I had to wait until Christmas Day to use my new EA sports Wii game that I got.

And there was good food. Lots of good, not traditional Christmas dinner, food.

MMMMM pork loin with cranberry chutney and garlic rosemary potatoes with brussels sprouts a la bacon and pine nuts. Dessert was a chocolate pecan pie made by the oldest kid and my molasses cookies that had to leave our house because we could not resist eating them one after another.

Merry Christmas Ya'll!!

I'm late, I'm late...

I feel like the white rabbit. It's been one busy week! I have workouts to log, cooking to do, kitchens to clean. I just got out of the kitchen at 9:40 p.m. I've been in there since I walked in from work at 5:30. And the raspberry pinwheels did NOT turn out! EERRRGGGHH

Monday 14th
4 rounds of
400 meter run (outside)
30 sec mountain climbers
25 kettlebell swings x 20lb
25 wall balls x 10lb

Tuesday
warm up = 60 pushups
5 sets of:
alternating dumbbell chest press on balance ball 10 ea arm x 20lb
chair pushups x 12
front plate raise 15 x 25lb
walking push up 10yd x 10lb dumbbells = OUCH

end with partner curls x 45lb bar rep 10..9..8..7..6..5......1

Wednesday- should have been something else but because people were late and confused, we got sprints and punishment. I don't even remember because I blocked it out. I know it hurt.

Thursday
3 rounds
hang clean x 10 x 65lb
treadmill run 1 min @ 7 mph
chain pushup x 10(feet on shoulders of person behind you, supporting person in front)
400 m run on one round, other rounds
25lb plate push until other person finishes running
tire press- lifted tractor tire overhead and did presses x 10

Friday- that's right I bugged out and regretted it later because...

Saturday- we were supposed to ride but crap got in the way
Sunday- we were supposed to ride but crap got in the way AND we decided to invite a few friends over for a Holiday gathering which explains why...
Monday(today)- GOT A NADA TOO!!! Lazy Lazy Lazy Lazy. But exhausted.

The Lumpy Saga

About 3 hours before the picture above was taken....

This picture was snapped...

It may not look so bad, in all honesty it didn't feel that bad either. Yet. But it was broken. The pain would come.  At the time, it seemed it might have been worthwhile but in retrospect, NOT.

For 8 long weeks I wrapped that little finger in tiny ace bandages and kept a hard plastic splint on it except for the 5-6 times a day I had to take it all off and exercise it lest I lose flexibility which is common with this injury apparently as I was warned by the Dr. , her nurse, and the physical therapist.

After 8 weeks the Dr. cleared me to stop wearing the splint but when I asked how much longer it would hurt she said "Oh, at least a year probably and especially when it's cold." That is not what you want to hear in October. I could handle the news that my knuckle would never be the same, it would always be bigger. But this pain thing...not so much. Good news is, I have great movement and flexibility but it hurts like the dickens. Especially in the cold. Arrrrggghhhh. It's going to be a long winter.

So the other day, J looks at my hand and says "That finger is kind of lumpy, we should just start calling it Lumpy." Thus, Lumpy was born. I expect she might even have her own stocking this year. It will be filled with coban wrap, ibuprofen and bengay.

Excuse me,Lumpy and I have to go sit out on the porch in a rocking chair and predict the weather by her pain.