Camping Trip!

I’m a week behind in posting about our camping trip (oh yeah, and I still haven’t posted about our trip to Branson, have I?? Yikes!). Last weekend, Steve and I took a nice long weekend—Friday through Tuesday—and planned a camping trip. Of course, we happened to choose the hottest weekend of the entire summer…no joke. We originally planned to camp at Greenleaf State Park in Eastern Oklahoma, but decided it would be dangerously hot there, so we toyed with the idea of moving our little vaca north…WAY north. Like “surprise my family in Minnesota” north. However, at midnight on Thursday, I was pretty stressed about driving that far for just a few days, so we ended up on a trek to the Lake of the Ozarks State Park in Missouri. What a beautiful campground! Look at our campsite…right on the lake! Not bad for $9 a night.



See this nice little set up of our chairs with a prime lake view?

Don’t let that fool you. We spent very little time there. I brought 3 books…could hardly even read, it was so hot. We had a heat index of 120. CRAZY. We tried to cool off in the lake, but it was actually quite shallow (no higher than thigh deep, even out to the middle), so the water was pretty toasty (probably at least in the 90’s). We did venture out in the lake with Norman, hoping to cool him down (he sure is a cute little swimmer, minus the “I hate my life” look that he kept giving us for putting him in the water). We were walking in ankle or knee-deep mud. We sure did make memories! Norman was our little trooper.

He got several cold showers under the water spigots. We also took several cold showers ourselves…turned out to be the highlights of our days. Haha. I don’t think either of us has ever sweat so much…but hey, we were camping…you are supposed to be dirty, right?

We (and by “we” I mean Steve) did manage to get a fire going, even with wood that was so wet from the humidity that it was sizzling instead of burning. And our screenhouse came in so handy for keeping out the bugs in that crazy humidity.

Even though the heat was oppressive, both Steve and I agreed that our first camping trip with just the 3 of us was a success. And we were the only tent campers brave (read: insane) enough to stay past Sunday in our campground area. Several other campsites had dates of Monday or Tuesday as their departure dates. However, after we got back from the store on Sunday (ok, I admit it, we went to the Petco in town so all three of us could have some a/c for a bit), the campground was all but deserted. We almost thought they were kicking people out because of the heat. Nope. People were bailing left and right. We actually did leave one day early, too, though. We left Monday morning. Later this fall, we are definitely taking another camping trip and we will be so excited to need a fire to stay warm, and to fight over who gets to have Norman cuddle up to them in the middle of the night for warmth. We now consider ourselves professionals.

RagamuffinTop Challenge...My Week 8

So I was going to post yesterday with the words "I'm at a loss" (and I didn't mean the weight...haha). I had still stayed the same! Man. That "late twenties metabolism shift" must have hit. However, I weighed in this morning (for fun) and was down to 128! I'll take that. I still want to track the weight, but I am so into this running thing now, that I am changing things up a bit. I will now track my weekly runs. I am trying for 3x per week on the weekdays, and at least once on the weekends. Since I have been rehearsing for "Annie Get Your Gun" in the evenings, and the fact that it's been in the 100's for a LONG time now (with no relief in sight), I am having to move my running time to the mornings. Seriously. 6:00 AM. Never thought I'd be one of THOSE people...haha.

On a sad note...remember that super cool Nike iPOD kit I have? Well, there are these special Nike shoes (of course, that's just good marketing) that have a special place for the sensor to go--inside the sole of the shoe. I have no desire to buy these special shoes (some may call me cheap, I like the words "wisely frugal" haha) when I have perfectly good tennis shoes already (actually, I do need new shoes now, but the stubbornness in me says I will still not be purchasing said Nike shoes). So anyhow, I had just been slipping the sensor under my laces, thinking it would stay in there. And it did. Until one day that it didn't. I have lost my sensor. I even retraced my run the very next day when I discovered it missing (and it was a long one!) and it was nowhere to be found. BUMMER! I need to purchase a new kit. A small pothole in my road to running success.

In light of this Ode to Running, I need to throw a huge shout out to my fabulous hubby Steve. He is basically amazing in every way. But since this post is based on my running, I'll stick to that aspect of his wonderfulness. Now Steve is not one to enjoy getting up early (neither am I). He is usually up late doing homework, or just winding down from his day, so when I leave for work in the morning, he is still dreaming away. Well, since I started this running thing and had to move to the morning slot, he will wake up and run with me! We live in a good neighborhood, but I still just feel safer when he's with me, so this means so much to me! Plus, that extra hour we have together in the morning is such a day-brightener for me. Honestly, it makes my whole day better (and those that know my work situation know that it's a huge blessing for my day to start off better). Steve could easily stick with his own schedule and sleep while he can (he is not one to be able to fall back asleep after he's started his day). But he gets up with me, supporting my goal of keeping with this running habit. I just love him. Speaking of my awesome husband, I still need to blog about our fun weekend away in Branson. Stay tuned...

Without further ado, my quick summary for Week 8.
Starting weight: 132.0 lbs
Current weight: 128.0 lbs
Goal weight: 120.0 lbs (or less...)

Now, go cheer the other RagamuffinToppers on...

RagamuffinTop Challenge...My Week 7

So...um, I'm not exactly sure what the deal is, but I seem to be gaining weight as I exercise more. I have run 4 times each week and am feeling great about that. I do hope the weight starts to fall off, but I am really happy about the new exercise habit I am forming!

Here are my stats as of this morning:
Starting weight: 132.0 lbs
Current weight: 131.0 lbs
Goal weight: 120.0 lbs (or less...)

Not much else to report. I start rehearsals for "Annie Get Your Gun" this week, so I might need to start running in the mornings (yikes!), since I will be going straight from work to rehearsal. I really want to keep up with my running, though, so I'll do what I gotta do, right? :)

Some More Funny SOM Pics

Got these from a fellow nun. See what happens when you are only in 3 scenes for a total of about 17 minutes? LOTS of free time for these crazy antics. Haha...enjoy!

Next up? I just found out I made it into the cast of "Annie Get Your Gun" at the Jewel Box Theatre in Oklahoma City. Rehearsals start Monday...show opens mid-August. More fun theater adventures to be had!

RagamuffinTop Challenge...My Week 5

I hopped on the scale today and, although I did lose 1/2 pound, I was a tad bit disappointed. Only because I was keeping tabs throughout the week and Sunday morning I weighed in at 128...so today's 130 was no fun. BUT...the bigger reason I'm doing this is to keep myself accountable for what should lead to the natural weight loss, which is my goal to work out more. I did achieve this! Here's a quick run-down of my week:

Goal was to walk/run 3 times last week. GOAL ACHIEVED! I actually walked and/or ran 4 times!
Goal was to walk/run 1 time over the weekend. GOAL ACHIEVED! Saturday morning, my hubby and I went running and then came back and picked up the dog to walk him. Lots o' exercise that day! Then, on Sunday, I woke up early for church and went for a run/walk with Norman.

So...a pic and a quick rundown of my progress so far:


Quick summary:
Starting weight: 132.0 lbs
Current weight: 130.0 lbs
Goal weight: 120.0 lbs (or less...)

This week will be more of the same, in terms of exercising goals. However, we will have a change of venue! Hubby and I head to Branson on Wednesday for a mini-vaca (thanks to FIL and MIL) until Sunday, while Norman will be spoiled by Grandpa and Grandma Irwin at home. Our plans include a Waterpark, a Pizza Cruise on a Riverboat, and a trip to the Winery. Can it get any better?! I will be sure to take some pics so you can all enjoy our trip vicariously through us.

In the meantime, please go and offer some encouragement to my fellow ragamuffins.

The Sound of Music

Well...it was a fabulous run. Though I got very little sleep the last couple weeks, it was sure great to be on stage again. And to be in a show of this caliber...AMAZING. We ended with two great performances on Saturday (matinee and evening) and ended up performing for huge crowds (opening night on Tuesday was 1700, and I think the rest of the shows were comparable). I am now even more excited to audition for another show next week! The theater bug is one that bites you and hangs on...I love it...and have missed it. I made some wonderful new friends! Here are some pictures--my first attempt at a slide show. Enjoy! Some crazy stuff happens when you get a bunch of Nuns together :o)

RagamuffinTop Challenge...My Week 4

I'm having a hard time uploading images for my week 4 post, but it's okay because I was basically stagnant this week. I didn't lose, but didn't gain either. It was a busy week of performances, but I was able to walk at work twice (my goal was 3 times) and walked/ran BOTH days this weekend (my goal was once). So though I didn't really move weight-wise, I am pleased with the physical activity. Now that our performances are done, I hope to walk/run at least 3 times this week after work and at least once this weekend. Morning walks/runs on Saturdays with my hubby are my favorite.

Sorry for the lack luster post, but I wanted to be sure to at least get something down for the record. Please go check this out to see how everyone else is doing this week...