Concerts!

Greetings:

It's been a fun couple of weeks in terms of concert attendance.    Last week Dan and I attended the Theory of a Deadman concert.    It was at the Seven Flags Event Center which means no seating and standing on concrete.    My ankle and hip have been funny so it was a little tough to stand for so long.   The concert was actually a little short in length but I was OK with that with how worn out I felt.    They sounded great though and played a lot of their older songs so I was happy.  We recently saw Local H and The Toadies at Wooly's in Des Moines.   It was my first concert in that venue and it was really decent.    Both bands sounded great and played their hits.   I didn't feel so worn out afterwards either which was nice.    Our next concert is in December at Seven Flags Center and Gavin will attend it with Dan and me.    The band is Seether. 

Speaking of my ankle and hip, I am getting really sick of how they are affecting me on a daily basis.   Back in September my ankle started acting up with sharp pains.  If I sit for a long time and stand up, it would give out so I'm paranoid with standing now.     The ankle issues subsided a bit but still pop up.    Most of the pain moved into my hip so that feels like it gives out when I stand up.    It feels awful in the morning when I wake up and start walking around.     I had upped my physical activity so I wonder if that triggered something.   It's also my "bad" ankle and leg since it's the one that endured my canoe incident.   No I haven't gone to the doctor about it.    I keep thinking if I keep moving and working through it, the pain will subside.   I also wonder if the change of weather is affecting things too which also makes me feel old. 

Since I'm whining about body issues, I'm going to whine about my period too.   I don't know if it's because I'm getting older but the first days of my period are wiping me out so badly.    I could barely function on Sunday because I was so fatigued and lethargic.    Today was tough for me too, I did consider calling in sick.    I only was scheduled for a half day though so it seemed ridiculous to take a sick day.    I pushed through and taught my two classes.   I noticed how tired I feel over the summer each month when it was starting.  I also wonder if my calorie intake is affecting it too but you think that would have showed up soon after I had my surgery last year.   

I worked a half day today because we had a college visit scheduled for Gavin.   We spent some time at the Ankeny DMACC in the afternoon.    We met the lead person for the Building Trades program.   He seems like the kind of teacher Gavin would enjoy.    We saw the main lab used for construction classes and the guy explained how the class flows.    Yes he's taken many construction classes but it sounds like they would want him to take some again and Gavin agreed he would likely need a refresher in some aspects.    As part of the class, they build 5 houses in the local area and also go out to do remodels and fix-it jobs for local people too.   Gavin still wants to apply to ISU...just in case but it was nice to see the DMACC visit go so well too.    I get the feeling DMACC is the preferred choice right now.    No plan to visit ISU yet because he has no clue what he'd go there for or study. 

Work is super busy for ISU at least.   I am holding a meeting for my TAs tomorrow and prepping the lunch that goes with it.   I went with soup choices, salad, and rolls.   It's supposed to be a rainy cold day so I'm hoping the soup hits the spot.    It's getting harder and harder to feed them.    So many preferences and some just come by and don't eat.    Bleh.   Next week we have our Health Fair event at a local elementary school.    It's coming together nicely but always a lot of work to put together.    For once I really don't have to haul a million things to the school for students.   I also have to present at a faculty meeting on Friday which is a little nerve wracking but should only require one slide of information to share with my colleagues.    I'm on an outcomes assessment committee (not thrilling) and need to share the next research our committee is doing in the college.   I'm also behind in grading and with my low energy levels, it's been tough to work on that growing pile.   

Dan and I also made the realization that I likely cannot join him with Jude for Halloween this year.    Newton is celebrating it on the 31st and that is a Tuesday.   I couldn't get to Newton in time because I work late in Ames for Swim & Gym.    Ankeny has it on Monday but Dan couldn't get Jude here in time on that day.    The company that owns my apartment building is having a Trunk or Treat on October 26 but that doesn't work out with scheduling either.    Sadness.   

Guess that's enough of an update for now!   

October Updates

Warning....broken record...I've been meaning to blog for days.   I probably won't be as thorough as I prefer but hey, it's a blog entry.

Gavin recently had Homecoming and it was a great game.   My friend Tiffany joined me for the game along with her 5-year-old daughter.  I went to grad school with Tiffany and stayed close to her for awhile after as she lived in Ames for a bit.    She then moved to Maryland with her husband, back to Iowa but was hours away and now they live in Huxley.   I still haven't met their 3-year-old yet.    Gavin had a touchdown in the game which was fantastic to see.    They let him play more for once and it paid off.   He went to the dance with a lady friend on Saturday night and had a decent time. 

I got brave last Friday and had my hair cut short.    It was time.   I had been wanting it for years but finally felt my face was thin enough to pull off my look.    People seem to like it and it's been easy to style in the morning.    She thought I'd have to flat iron it often but I haven't had to do that yet.   My hair just lays the right way.    I may even go shorter some day but I'm content with this look for now.

Found out today that the ex's father passed way on Sunday.    I'll admit I have wondered about him and his wife for years.   He was never in great health so I actually was surprised he was still alive.   Sadly I doubt his quality of life had been great this year.   

I bit the bullet and bought an annual membership to the yoga studio I had been trying in Ankeny.    I am 90% pleased with the purchase and was happy to sign up for some upcoming classes.    I also have some regret as this membership lasts until next October 2018.   Yea, I won't be living in Ankeny then but I am willing to drive down here to participate.    Sigh. 

Works going well but is no longer low key.   Monday was quite the day of teaching in the morning and meeting after meeting in the afternoon.   I hadn't had a day like that in awhile.    A staff member actually questioned if I worked much that day because she couldn't find me in the building.    Umm...I was busting my butt all over campus attending meetings lady.    I am now officially buried in grading too.     The time has come.    I'll crank some out on Friday and Saturday.   It will take motivation but I'll make a good dent. 

I guess that's all I have for an update right now.   Here are some pics from Gavin's Homecoming Dance venture: