Concerts!

It's been a great end to May.    Mom and the sistas came down this way last weekend and we had a decent women's weekend.    Highlight was the Neil Diamond concert.    Gavin's football meeting caused us to leave Ankeny a bit later than I wanted but thankfully Mr. Diamond didn't start his concert on time.    I was surprised by how high our seats were but it was still a good concert.  I don't think I've ever been to a concert or event in Wells Fargo with so many people in attendance.    Neil's voice is still pretty solid for it being used for 50 or so years.    I believe the only song he didn't sing that I missed was "Kentucky Woman".

Dan and I attended a concert last night.    The night started with Fastball.    They had some hits in the 90s but weren't my favorite band.    I just kind of waited for them to be done but the crowd overall liked them.     Next up was Vertical Horizon and they were fabulous.    Very good set.    The headliner was Everclear.     It is their 20th anniversary of the CD "So Much for the Afterglow".    They showed up dressed in suits just like they did for the album.    I was also very impressed by their sound and the lead singer's voice was great.   They played all their hits and even some extra songs I didn't expect.    I encountered a pretty solid contact high from all the marijuana being used at the show.   I felt bad for Dan.     I'm surprised security and the cops weren't cracking down on it.  

Dan and I are starting our new schedule with Jude this weekend.     Today was his last day of school and it is Dan's weekend to have the boy.     We now have Jude some weekends but primarily Sunday nights-Thursday evenings.     The living situation isn't ideal in the apartment as Jude has to sleep on a loveseat.  We have clothes here for him and I did some grocery shopping to ensure we had some of his preferred food in the house.      His grandma is helping with him a bit this upcoming week since I have trainings and meetings at ISU that require no child to be in attendance with me.

Speaking of which, I have my orientation meetings for SYF employees on Thursday.   I'm offering it at 1pm and 6pm.    I'm also doing CPR training for employees on Wednesday.    I have one more life guard to hire on Tuesday assuming the interview goes well.    Still have other tasks to complete too to prep for June 5th but for the most part, everything is going well.    My summer course is turning into a piece of cake too since I only have three students.    I need to write up some quizzes this weekend though.    

Gavin is finished with school on Wednesday but started finals today.     His schedule is all weird with late starts and/or early dismissals.     He has started working more for Hy-Vee and football will pick-up soon too.     Speaking of Gavin....I got my personalized plates today!      Great picture to end with...

6 Month Check-Up

Monday was my sixth month check-up for my post surgery progress.   I met with the nurse practitioner instead of the surgeon.   Apparently I don't see him again until November at my year appointment unless something goes horribly wrong.     I haven't lost much weight in the last 4-6 weeks but they said it's normal to plateau at this stage and I should have another major weight loss later in the summer.    My body composition is still changing nicely though which is a comfort.    I'm still dropping sizes in clothes so I could tell something was still going on even though the scale wasn't changing much.  

My blood work was good too and my Vitamin D is elevated again.    I forgot to get a copy of my bloodwork results so I need to ask for one to be mailed.   I was in a rush to leave after meeting with the dietician because they were running WAY behind.    I had to teach at ISU at 9:50am and got to my classroom at 9:53am.    I was supposed to see the nurse practitioner at 8:00am and didn't see her until 8:45am.    I had to wait a bit after her to see the dietician too and didn't drive out of West Des Moines until 9:15am.  

Dan and I are trying to play tennis more often in addition to going on walks and biking.    It didn't work out for tonight because we had Gavin's track banquet.   He has a cardiac consultation tomorrow due to his recent cholesterol readings so I'm sure they are going to encourage more exercise too.    We are making more plans for the July venture to Milwaukee.    I reserved a hotel for the first night there so it's located close to the concert location.   We'll get a different (cheaper) one for the second night.   We haven't decided what we are doing yet on Friday or Saturday when we are in the city.    I've had a lot of people suggest brewery tours but I hate beer and Dan can't drink it.    Doesn't seem like a great idea.  

Speaking of Dan, we went to Adventureland on Saturday.   It was a gorgeous day.    It was odd to be there without children.    The good news is that my butt fit on every ride.     I will admit the Outlaw was a tight squeeze but that was the case back in the day when I rode it years ago too.    The new Monster roller coaster was very fun but did mess with my stomach and head.    I only rode it once.    I noticed other rides were kind of getting to me too but was wise and took breaks to make sure I didn't get sick.    Hoping to go there again later in the summer for another go at things.  

My ISU summer class started and I only have three students showing up.     Being there is an attendance requirement, I'm assuming the others will be dropping the course.     I'll admit I'm kind of winging it this week and need to get more structured with things for the remaining weeks.    I know all three students well so the casual setting is working out just fine.   My DMACC summer class was canceled due to low enrollment.    I'm not shocked but it does suck as that is good money.    I'll still teach the coaching class periodically in June and July.    

I'm working part time now until the week before ISU starts up in August for the fall semester.   It's been odd only working a few hours each day.    My general schedule is to work from 9:00am-1pm on Mondays-Thursdays.     I usually take some work home with me though and do things at home for work on Fridays too.    It's nice not having to drive up to Ames on Fridays though.   I'm all about saving the gas money.  

I guess that's enough of an update for now.    I'm excited for some girl time this weekend too.     I wish the weather forecast was better though!  

Not so Much Grading

Greetings:

It's almost 2am.    First day back to work after a fun weekend and I already screwed up my sleep schedule.     I was wiped out when I got home from work around 5pm and I think I made it until about 6pm before I had to lay down.    I woke up at 11pm.   Good news is that I basically finished grading for two more classes.   I only have one more class to finish grading tomorrow.    I still have all of their unit plans to review so I'll do that all day tomorrow.  

The weekend was quite fun.   I took off earlier than I expected from work on Friday and stopped in Cedar Falls for a few hours.   Saw Alissa's new home.    Celebrated Cinco de Mayo.    Got my 2nd wind when we got to Waukon and went on a walk with Mom at night.   We got up on Saturday and went to Decorah.    I admit I was a bit nervous as I was afraid I'd feel as awful as I did a few years ago after completing a 5K in Waukon.    It was enjoyable and I finished it in an hour.   It's nice to have a completion time in mind so I can shave time off the next one.   And I want to start jogging 5Ks in the future too so that'll help my time.    We played tennis afterwards and that was fun.   That is becoming easier for me too in terms of moving around more quickly.  

We went to a couple graduation parties.    I felt a bit out of place at the first one as I barely know Andy's wife and his step kids.   The party in New Albin was fun though since there was quite a bit of family at it.    I got more compliments than I was expecting and apparently I look a bit different.  

So speaking of the weight loss...my weight has been stable for about a month and that worries me for my upcoming appointment.   My body is still changing though and I've dropped quite a few clothing sizes recently.    So hopefully my body composition readings keep me in good standing with the doctor.    My extra skin in my abdominal area is making the attempt to job unpleasant though.    I need to find some garments that hold all that still when I'm moving a bunch.  

I was supposed to get my blood drawn today since I chickened out last Thursday.   I left work too late and didn't get to the lab in time.   I thought they were open until 5pm but nope, they closed at 4pm.  I got there at 4:10pm.   I'll be honest that part of me wasn't too sad about it but I have to get it done tomorrow or it won't be ready for my doctor's appointment next week.  

Yesterday (Sunday), Dan and I went on our first bike ride together.   It was fun but shorter than I anticipated.    We went a total of 5 miles.    I could tell he was getting pretty tired so gave him the option for us to turn around and he took it.    The bike path by my apartment is really nice and we went west on it for the little trip.     Not sure when we'll do it again since he's currently not feeling well.   My bike rode amazingly.   His bike needs some work and his tires need to be inflated better.  

I supposed I should try to sleep so I get up at a decent time in the morning so I can start working on time.   I am going to work from home to save gas money.     I am technically "off" from ISU this week so it shouldn't matter that I don't come into the actual office.    Plus I'll be more likely to get to my blood draw in the appropriate time frame.

Until next time!