Alrighty then,  I've made the appointment for my knee replacement. Sure gonna be exciting for me. I am so sick of going up & worse, down the stairs, crackle when I do squats & lunges and lastly fake my dancing. This all came to a head for me last week when a young male co-worker said that another co-worker told him "yah, you should've seen her dance when she didn't have the knee pain." He said he was looking forward to seeing me dance full-out again. Made me feel horrible but in a good way. If that makes any sense to ya'll.

I can't wait to go to a dance class and have to take a break because I'm exhausted from lessened endurance rather than my knee hurting & swelling. I can get my endurance back. ....And I will.

I've got 2 months to kick-up my pre-hab work. I  got on the hydro-treadmill this last week and actually ran, yes, I said ran.  I was more amazed than anyone. I haven't run in years. I've not been a big supporter of underwater treadmills in the past but I must tell you, I completely changed my opinion. Now, I got on a newer high-end 1 and I believe that made a huge difference. I got my arms, legs, heartrate and lungs going. I took off the handrails and pumped my arms and after a little time, my biceps were screamin', along with my quads on the forward kick of the stride. The treadmill even has a jetstream available for more resistance. I'll be getting in there a lot more often throughout these 2 months (as well as after the procedure) to workout. Sure as heck beats that darn stationary bike I hate so much. I still say that if I'm not taken out for meal, there's absolutely no reason for my "cha-cha" to feel that badly. TMI!?!  

Anyways, it's gonna be a tough road ahead and a bit of a challenge. No driving for 2-4 weeks, my sis G. said she'd trade vehicles w/me 'cuz I drive a stick and hers is an automatic, being home for at least 2 weeks, no going in water for 2-3 weeks, crutches, cane, physical therapy first at home then at the clinic, ugh! But, in time I'll be running  (don't worry not for real) circles around everyone again. I'll be a basket-case from being locked in and bored but it'll be all worth it in the end.

I'm in the process of choreographing a bellydance for the May dance week recital. I have to get this going now since I'll be out 'til just before the time. It's the 10 year Anniversary of Dance Weeks at work so it's a biggie. It's gonna be a hoot, not the usual. I originally only wanted 3 people but it has morphed into 5. Yikes! Oh well, makes me glad that the ladies want to be in it. Already have the costumes decided on and they all seem to like them. So.....away we go. I figure we can skype if necessary although knowing me, they'll probably shut me off pretty quick. I can be a taskmaster.

The 3 ladies in my Bollywood piece in August also want to perform that 1 again too. That'll definitely be a skyping set of rehearsals. Again, they'll shut me off I think.  Gotta love me though.

I'm also in the process of putting a presentation together on the Burdenko Sports and Water Therapies for a wellness symposium at Saddlebrooke. Should be fun, I hope! If it's a well received as my posture & balance 1 was at the Arthritis Foundation. I'm hoping to get more comfortable speaking in front of people. I know it sounds crazy that I'm not 'cuz of teaching dance & fitness all these years but I really don't like just talking. However, I was so surprised by having enjoyed that last 1. The people listening do make it.

I guess I'm afraid someone will ask a question I don't have an answer for. I've finally realized that's it's "OK," to not have all of the answers. But it's not "OK," to fake them. Admitting I don't know everything is fine (even though I act like it, I really don't). I've learned to just admit I don't know but that I will try to follow up and get the answer for them if I can.

Keep working & stay healthy everyone.

Peace out

The fitness challenge is on. I'm doing pretty good with it. Just 1 flop  during the week. I'm not gonna beat myself up about it though. Whats done is done, right? I got back on track the next day. No biggie.

I've posted my current workout for my legs for you. As I said last post, I've gone back to some basics which, in my opinion, is a good thing to do occasionally. See where you are compared to where you were. Balance is a key component in this workout. When I'm on the 1/2 roller, (standing horizontally) I'm on the balls of my feet, not the middle of my feet like most folks. This is a Burdenko technique. Much harder than the middle but much better for the foot/ankle stability. Try it sometime, it changes everything. Anyways, I feel much better from toe-hip afterwards. Wakes up all of those muscles again.

I've still got to write in the descriptions of these exercises but I promise, I'll get to it for ya'll.

Well, I made my cream of broccoli soup, with my fresh, homemade veggie broth. Man oh man is it good if I do say so myself. I've got more to make too. So I'll get that done this weekend. Thinking about some cauliflower soup next week. Sounds good doesn't it?

I got into the whole cooking craze again. Bought some butternut squash & roasted that up, fired up the grill & made some B-B-Q'd chicken quarters. Of course I sprinkled on some of Buck & Judy's Dang Rubs on them. Yes, that was plural. I used both #12 & 23 together before grilling and adding some sauce. Wowzers! Is it ever yummy. It is legal to combine spices ya know. Yes, I added some of the rub/spice blend in my soup too. No. 23 to be exact. Gives it a little kick on the backside. Here's a little picture of the delectibles for the week.

I find cooking to be a great relaxer. Don't you? You get to chopping & stirring creating a wonderful rhythm. Much like gardening. In the winter, although it doesn't feel like winter past 7:00am here in Tucson this year, the crock-pot is my best friend. For making my soups, curry's, stews & pot roasts. Plus, all of those meals can be frozen if you can't eat it all right away. I always give some of my foods away to friends & family though.

Speaking of gardening, I need to amend the soil in my garden and prepare to plant in a month. Gonna try some lettuce and broccoli again. Still have some squash seeds left too so maybe a row of them as well. I've got a better feel for this now so maybe I'll get better results. Cross your fingers for me, ok?

Hey, use the Coupon Code: HGA45 to receive a 10% discount on all Henry G Dance products!

Made a wonderful batch of roasted brussel sprouts last week. So freakin' easy. I throw 'em on a pan covered with tin foil, sprayed  some evoo (extra virgin olive oil), a little splashing of balsamic vinegar, sprinkled some Buck & Judy's Dang Rub #39 (the espresso 1), kosher salt & fresh ground pepper. Popped 'em in the oven at 375 for 30 min.'s & yum-yum-yum! So good & flavorful. My sis, G., adds crispy bacon pieces to hers but since I'm on a fitness challenge I decided not to add that. But it is yummy if you do. The spice rub added alot of that smokey flavor to the sprouts though and I didn't miss the bacon at all. Give 'em a try people. You might fall in love with brussel sprouts.

Yes, my friend & co-worker M. gave us all a fitness challenge for 60 days. It's all on a point system. It might be a bit of a terror for me to keep track of everything on this thing but I'll give it a go. I'm checking portion size and getting back to dance classes. Hoping my knee doesn't screw this up for me. I'll do my best & try to rid myself of the lb.'s I added to my frame during my vacation and more hopefully.

The challenge is based on lifestyle, performance & body composition. Eeeeeekkkkkkkkkkkkk! Oh well, group support is worth a fortune. Here goes.

The first part of the challenge, performance, is to do a round of exercises for time. then on the last day of the challenge you do it again and the most improved times win that category. Needless to say, that with my injuries & issues I had to modify most of them. These exercises are as follows;

500m row - surprisingly I did this great.
40 squats - in my case, sit down-stand ups
30 V-sits or full sit-ups - I did full sit-ups on a bench
20 push-ups - here is when I finally went & got the sheet with all of these on it. Like an idiot, I did 40 push-ups which took forever. I knew this had to be wrong. Oh well...!
10 pull-ups - I did supine rows instead. Easier on my shoulder.

I figure, my times were so bad with all of my do-do that I'll ace this category. But I did it. I really can't go anywhere but up! So there. I must say, I'm so sick of hurting.

This week we remembered the victims, and the city of Tucson,of the shootings 3 years ago. 6 dead, 13 injured including, now former, Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. I can't help it, but in what world are multi-round machine guns a valid form of home or hunting necessity? Doesn't make sense to me. Let alone the NRA's fight against making it a bit tougher for people to obtain them. There it is, I'm done on this.

I wish all of these people peace, they deserve it.

I've made my appointment with my surgeon to discuss my future knee replacement. I see him in 2 weeks. I'm figuring March or April. I finally told my boss C. that it was comin'. It feels so much better when I'm off of work but as soon as I go back WOW. It's not the work so much that hurts, it's all of the stairs & the number of times we run up & down 'em that kills. You really can't get around them there. And, frankly, it's the going down thats the worst. Man oh man. Plus, I'm tired of looking like an old lady navigating the stupid stairs. Time for bionics.

I also think it could be responsible for my left foot pain that I've been experiencing for the last few months too. I'm tellin' ya, when it rains, it pours.

I've made a veggie broth to make my broccoli soup this week. Yum. Also got some butternut squash to roast up too. Ahhhhhhhhh, I love to cook. By the way....How's about my 49er's?!?! Going against Seattle next week which means I'm going against 1 of my oldest & dearest friends. Love ya, K.

Stay healthy & happy. On we go!

I'm back! What a wonderful vacation. G & I put down a deposit for a future cruise sometime within the next 2 years. Possibly the Caribbean. She asked where I wanted to go & I said I really don't care, I haven't been anywhere to tell the truth. Something to look forward to for us.
Neither 1 of us is much on picture taking, unfortunately. Probably sounds weird for someone who used to model a bit in S.F. but we don't. Sorry. I will try to share some of what I did take though.

The weather was perfect. 80's for most of the trip, except for 1 day at sea on the way back. Big deal, right?!? Even then I found a spot on the back of the ship and stayed for a couple of hours. The ship had a couple of pools that were just for adults which was nice. Not that I don't like kids but, I was being selfish, so that's where I would go.

We went on a couple of ports of call trips, 1 in Ensenada where I'd been once before in college many moons ago. Not the greatest of spots but we did have a good time. We went to a winery and did some tasting. I liked 1 alot, 1 was ok and 2 were blagh! Can't win 'em all. Then we toured a place in town that used to be a pretty famous casino way back in the day. Wow, it was gorgeous. The woodwork in the ceilings and the tile work on the floors were so amazing. The bar in the place was so huge we thought it was the check-in for the hotel! Next we stopped in town for an hour to shop but G. & I went for fish tacos & a margarita instead. Then, back to the ship. Just before boarding we saw some beautiful sequined shawls and we each bought 1. On to Cabo San Lucas.

We decided to just go on our own in Cabo. Of course we got lost but came out ok. We found this beautiful garden and just sat for a moment before asking where we were. As we were walking up the street to go, of course, to Sammy Haggars' Cabo Waba, I spotted "the smallest bar in the world," it was the size of a large vanity, the place had 2, maybe 3 barstools in it and a window, when I suddenly went down. Yup, I found the hole in the sidewalk. Broke my sandal, sprained my ankle along with my ego and who knows what else on my right foot. Great, so now the only non-injured joint on my right side is my hip! I've always said I rarely injure myself in a dance class, or even an exercise class for that matter, but Lord help me walking down a sidewalk. I'm seriously dangerous there.

After having to buy a cutesy new pair of sandals, we made our way up the stairs to Cabo Wabo upon which we're informed that since we weren't planning on eating we needed to go back down another set of stairs to the bar. Oh dear lord! We got a bag of ice for my foot and 2 Waboritas made from blue agave tequila. Yes, they were blue, and yummy I might add.

Since I really couldn't walk back to the boats for the ship, we decided to take a pedi-cab. Poor guy. Oh well, we did tip him well. Then we stopped at Senor Frogs for ceviche but they didn't have it. We had a beer and moved nest door so G. could get some & I got another fish taco. Boy, I love those things. Did a little shopping but didn't find anything to knock my socks off and back to the ship.

As we were sitting down for dinner that night we listened to a message from the Captain stating that due to a medical emergency, we were heading back to Cabo and would have to miss Puerto Villarta. Bummer, but more for the passenger than us. I had to drag G. kicking & screaming off the ship where we took a small boat to go whale watching as well as see some of the natural landmarks such as where the Sea of Cortez & the Pacific Ocean meet, seal rock and the like.

We wound up following 2 whales swimming in tandem together. Just magnificent. I must tell you, they, the guys driving the boats, get really close to the poor whales. You could practically touch them. I kept trying to take a picture but every time I did this guy who was about 6'3" would get up to take 1 right in the way. Oh well, I have it in my mind forever.

G. & I got off the boat at lover's beach, thats the place where 1 side is Sea of Cortez and the other is Pacific Ocean. It was a little tough for me 'cuz of my foot but the cool water did feel good on it but the rip tide hurt some. It was pretty cool to walk to both sea's though. Then we got back on the boat with the help of some locals. 2 lifted me onto the boat but only 1 went to help my sis and she was kinda rolled onto the boat like a marlin. I almost pee'd my shorts laughing. It was hysterical. But the greatest moment was when G. said she was glad we went, that she had a great time out there. Yay for me!

We then spent 2 days at sea coming home. It was so lovely. If you ever get the chance to cruise, I say do it. I will say that for me & G. about 7 days is plenty. But who knows.

Well, the new year has arrived. Sadly 1 death already in Tucson to kick it off. I hope everyone else finds this new year a healthy, happy & peaceful 1. Hopefully finances are getting a bit better for you, stresses are lower and we can all get back to our goals and normal health ways of living.
Forget what been done over the holidays. Don't beat yourself up for excesses and focus now on what is going to happen this year. We can't change the past so agonizing over will do no good at all. Be good to yourself this year and send it on to others. The happier we are with ourselves, the happier we can help others to be. Make sense? I hope so.

I'm glad to be back home with my boys, friends & family. I always take New Year's Day off of work to kick start a calm and centered year, at least in my mind. And I have done so again this year. Letting go of negatives and looking forward to the brightness of life. I'm so grateful for all of the people who have entered my life and the lessons I've learned from them. Keep 'em coming! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

P.S. Just for you, use code
HGA45 for a 10% discount on Henry G. dance supplies!