I managed to force myself out of bed for the early church service this morning as to ensure I could get on the road to mom's at a reasonable time.  We had a short visit before another aunt stopped in (it's hard to really talk once company arrives) and then had dinner.  As always mom made a ton of good food, including a yummy way to do eggplant (that I need to steal the recipe for), baked potato (which I had to take a small one of), steak (which I had to take a small piece of), sliced tomatoes, and broccoli.  Then she tried to bring out ice cream and raisin filled cookies, which I managed to turn away.

I headed home to get my run in - number 1 in week 5 which meant nearly 1.5 miles (I'm not quite on the 5 min 1/2 mile pace, so shy of that), but I still made it through the 5 min run, 3 min walk (repeat 3 times) cycle without too much strain - despite being too stupid to remember to double up my top before I headed out to the high school track.  I wanted to go up there to get a vibe for the distance covered in the 5 minutes, which ended up being shy of two laps (1/2 mile) thus my assessment.

I also need to report that two people in the past 24 hours noted how happy I am as of late - one being Kath and the other my Mithy.  They, of course, have their finger on the reason, and it makes me blush - but it speaks nothing but good things about the guy when one person who has only known me since returning to PA said they've NEVER seen me this happy and the other who knew me in my 'other life' said it's been a looong time since they've seen me this happy.    Don't have the nerve to give the Egg all of this info ... but maybe someday.

Three awesome ppl (ok technically 4) in one day.  After getting the oil changed this morning at the recommended replacement location, I headed home to workout and get cleaned up to head out for a long day of visiting.  First stop over the mountain (after a couple of shopping stops) was Kath (and Mark).  I haven't seen her in so long, but since I was headed out 'that way' it just made sense to try and connect.  I'm so glad I got to see them and chat.  I miss her.  Hopefully I'll see more of her this winter when she's working in the area.  Just remember Kath I have a spare bed if the winter weather makes travel home treacherous.

Then for the main driving event, to see the sweet Egg at camp with some friends.  I had a nice longer than expected but shorter than desired (as always) visit as he showed me around a place he's been to throughout his lifetime.

Since I didn't leave until it was getting dark I'm surprised I was able to get to see my Mithy, but I did!  It was a short sit down over a quick drink, but quality time is good.  This has been one of those Saturdays that feels like a full weekend's worth of activity.  Thank goodness I still have two more days to get even more stuff in.

The new phone is officially active.  I texted the Wild one, so she was my first there... who will my first call be?!  I think I'll wait and see how long it takes before that cherry is popped.  Couch to 5k app downloaded too, will give that a try tonight.

Oh NO!  I called to get the Tib in for an oil change (since I've been putting a lot of miles on as of late) and found out Wagner's is closing.  My heart is breaking a little.  It's way too hard to find a place you can trust to service your vehicle.

I received my new phone last night, but unlike in the past it did not come with the right telephone number to call to get the change over completed.  Since I didn't have a lot of time after my workout last night I just charged it up and figured I'd go the lazy route and stop at the AT&T store today after work and have them do the change over in their system.  One of my cases arrived too, so at least I don't feel awkward/worried carrying it.  She is slightly larger length-wise than my current phone.  I'm really glad I didn't get the full size, it's just too much phone.
 
I was already sore last night but got a full hour workout in, in addition to 20 minutes before work. Boy am I feeling it in my legs today, they really need rubbed (where's that cute, sweet guy when I need him?).  I skipped out on working out before work today since I have plans to hit the body sculpting class over lunch and need to run again this evening.  At least the scale budged again this morning, it's been a long plateau.

I'm to wait until the doctor reviews my test results and sends them back to my PCP but it's pretty clear there is asthma and a high likelihood of an inhaler to have on hand should I have another incident.  The thought of it makes me feel old, out of shape, and damaged even though I know that there are world class athletes with asthma.
 
I was feeling rather lazy yesterday after getting home, perhaps from the test, perhaps not, as I was too lazy to do a morning walk too.  I did take a nap w/ Saffy on the couch, but then forced myself to the elliptical, weight won't loose itself after all.  It really does make me feel better, it's just hard to get on there in the first place.  I didn't get up to walk this morning either, but tonight is another run night.  It will be necessary after having Mexican for lunch w/ magic hands and Beff. Of course, with a massage at the end of the day I may have even less motivation to get moving... but maybe it will loosen up my sore leg and shoulder.

Another great, relaxing weekend on the road - this time with my favorite Egg.  I need more weekends.  Fortunately, I was in between diet bets, as the pasta all weekend was a bit of a carb bomb, but Saturday night's meal was a way awesome baked penne with meat and sauce and perfectly broiled cheese. I have leftovers in the fridge that I fought off eating tonight.  Tomorrow's lunch is going to be pretty friggin sweet.  I can also tell you the movie The Grand Budapest Hotel was rather entertaining with a ton of cameos.  Odd that it hadn't even crossed my radar prior.

Speaking of my diet bet, I didn't quite double my money last round, but I still earned more than I put in.  I joined another 4 week bet, then maybe I need to try out the long term one, which would take me to my target weight over 6 months.

Since my local AT&T store didn't have the phone I wanted to upgrade to I also checked out near the burgh and they too didn't have it, so I went to order it online.  Once you get to the cart it no longer had the option to just pay for the phone outright only to go with their 'next' plan or a two year contract.  Fortunately, I was able to get it ordered outright by calling their customer service, so I have a new phone on the way (this is so overdue).

I'm really looking forward to being able to grab other apps, like a stop watch or the actual couch to 5k app as tracking the time on the small media player clock while bouncing up and down is a bit of a challenge.  Now to buy the cases and screen protectors and all of that other junk.  Thank goodness the chargers have mostly normalized across phones.

As I type an email, Outlook didn't recognize the word connotate. It recommends connote. So I go look both up on dictionary.com thinking "really?  I know that's a word".  Turns out connotate is marked "obsolete; replaced by connote". Words in my vocabulary have become obsolete.  I'm definitely not feeling old right now.

In yet another demonstration that I've lost my mind I got up this morning and went running before work.  I forgot to stop for an allergy shot on the way home last night, so I had to stop at 8am this morning.  I also needed to stop and pay the chiropractor.  Between those two things and the fact that the evenings have been a bit warm and humid I decided to stay at the house a bit longer, which facilitated this morning run.  Either way, I never would have dreamt I'd be one of those people.  Core crusher over lunch today?  Maybe.

By some miracle I made my weigh in yesterday and won my second diet bet!  Of course, the fact that I dehydrated a little yesterday to make sure I crossed the finish line probably helped.  The only reason I think I did cross that line is because I thought I needed to drop one lb more than I did.  My big debate now is do I do another 4 week / 4% bet or do I go for the long term 6 month / 10% bet?  I'm giving myself a couple of days "off" to think about it and waiting to see how much I $ I get back from this current bet.  I feel like a slacker, but I think I'm skipping the lunch workout I should do and going for something yummy (Chinese or Mexican).
 
I did do my second run for week three last night with slight apprehension.  I did NOT have an issue this time, but perhaps it was because of how I was focusing to not huff/puff towards the end or maybe because of the treatment earlier in the day?

So my bank recently "upgraded" their bill pay system.  As I have for quite some time, I made a payment on payday towards my mortgage.  Normally this payment shows up in 24-48 hours on my mortgage account.  Since it's been 4 days I decided to call the bank and ask if there are known issues since the "upgrade".
 
Long story short - the address and zip code I entered in for that biller?  Pfft. No, we have a better one, we're just gonna go ahead and send it there.  Can you call your mortgage company and get us a fax number.  I already know they're painful to deal with, but I call anyhow.  Instead of a fax number I get a lecture about how I shouldn't have to enter a zip code for bill payment if it's coming electronically, blah blah.  Long story even shorter a case has been opened to contact the mortgage company to make sure the payment goes.  Unfortunately, that doesn't help me w/ correcting the info in the bill pay section if it's not going to route properly in the future.
 
Golly I'm glad I didn't just pay it off and instead decided to wait and let them make the insurance and tax payments that are due in the next month out of escrow.
 
On another note:  breathing test 1 done.  I did show marked improvement on the tests after a breathing treatment which is a likely indicator of lung problems (in the grand scheme of lung issues - hopefully asthma), but we'll know more after my second set of tests.

Well that was fast. The hospital called last night and after returning their call today I am scheduled for two tests, a complete pulmonary function test this afternoon, and a methacholine challenge on Monday.  At least I'm going to get answers pretty fast.

This weekend I took to the road once again, this time heading South to visit my Mithy and Addie.  The weather held for most all of my driving save a little shower, despite predictions otherwise on weather.com and my only complaint about the traffic was the turnpike, which I promptly avoided on the way back home.
 
We had a great visit.  It's hard to get quality time in when she comes home due to the demands on her schedule, so we were overdue to sit and chat.  We also ate a lot of delightful food, which puts me in a spot at the moment.  There was brisket, an amazing chicken parm, banana bread, ice cream, and home made 50/50.  Since I managed two days of that it's time for two days of high water, low calories, and major workouts to try to still hit my number for final weigh in on Tuesday.
 
I did head out on my first week three run last night.  It was 90 seconds running, 90 seconds walking, 3 minutes running, 3 minutes walking - times two, but I stepped it up and repeated three times.  I made it without too much difficulty at the time and my legs don't feel like rubber today, but an hour or so after I was home and showered I felt it - in my lungs.  Slight difficulty breathing, cough, and coppery taste in my mouth.  Yay.  This is something I often experienced in my major out of shape moments when I had to vigorously chase after a dog, but it has me concerned.  There are much larger workouts on the horizon.  So the question is, do I contact the doctor to get assessed for exercise induced asthma.  I have to wonder if this is another great gift received from being the child raised in a home w/ two smoking parents.

A very happy birthday to my Danika, who is turning 9 today, after spending just over 7 years with me.  She's a good kid, with an often wagging tail, who is ever willing to give (stinky) kisses.  It makes me think about Satin a bit, not only has it been THAT LONG since she has been gone, but I lost her before her 10th birthday, so I want to officially call Danika an old lady now too.
 
We ventured out last night to Petco for her requisite trip where she selected some bagged treats to share and darn near scarfed down a bone in the one aisle.  She was not thrilled when I took it from her and made her wait until we paid.  One change, as a result of my current diet, is that we did not go for ice cream - my poor neglected child.

Quantum is floating out!  Hello pretty lady.  They'll be continuing work on her to add the structures that wouldn't fit in the building like the North Star and stacks.  I see she doesn't have her life vessels attached yet, but I they were talking about them coming into the shipyard a week or so ago.
 
I can't wait, I can't wait!!!

Headed out early yesterday to go to the Chevelle concert in Pittsburgh at Stage AE with my favorite Egg.  Neither of us had high expectations for the opening act, Dayshell, after listening a bit on Amazon.  The vocals were just drowned out and they were rather unentertaining.  Chevelle on the other hand, at least in my opinion, sounded pretty good.  They interacted a bit but nothing will ever be like a Type O show again.  I miss the corny humor, dodging wine bottles, the requisite toilet paper fight, and the fake snow falling.
 
I remain incredibly puzzled as to how anyone lives/works in the burgh.  It took me 2 1/2 hours to get to the venue thanks to being stopped for quite a while just trying to get on the last 5 mile stretch.  Fortunately, the one thing that makes the burgh better than New Jersey, it was easy to get out.  I made it home in 1 1/2 hours, that's an epic speed run thanks to the weather, traffic, and lights cooperating.  I did hit one patch of heavy rain on the way in, just before 376.  Since it was suppose to rain all afternoon and evening, I'm content.

I'm not much for camping without a building and running water, but I think I need to add Cherry Springs State park to my to do list.  Go ahead and check out the photos people are getting of the night sky:  https://www.google.com/search?q=cherry+springs+state+park

Saturday morning I was eager to hit the pavement, how messed up is that?  Yes, I should have waited until Sunday, but I need to shift this week's workouts by a day due to other commitments that would hinder a Sun/Tues/Thurs routine.  I think I was only eager because I was curious if I could hang with the week 2 workout.  It was definitely more of a challenge, but I did it - shorting the last run only by a few seconds due to a major stitch in my side.

I have a week left on this diet bet, so I indulged a bit in my eating this weekend.  After all, I do tend to get stuck and eating some bad things often can get me kick started again - or so I'm telling myself.  Ok, I admit, I'm also using the want and need to feed Eggs to make some of the more yummy grub selections.  I made some of smores brownies and Alton's mac and cheese yesterday, and mashed potatoes today (w/ pork and kraut).  I have to note that I did meet one of my own milestones, weighing in less than Eggs today.  As it should be IMHO.

Last night we also hit the Silver Drive In too and got to see Guardians of the Galaxy, which was pretty decent, and Into the Storm which was at least laughable.  I found it entertaining that Merle (from Walking Dead) was in in Guardians of the Galaxy basically playing the same character and Lori (also from Walking Dead) was in Into the Storm.  Needless to say, one of them seems to be garnering better roles.  I'm glad it's him, because while I know it's just a character and acting is involved I can't help but see a terrible mother when I see the gal who plays Lori.


Yes, I should workout tonight... but maybe Little Sprinkles with Rex instead - pay for it tomorrow.  I gotta go dish.  After an extended period of time, didn't I get another text from the DBK tonight.  Seriously.  Are you mental?

They are breeding.  There is now FOUR of those stupid little yellow slow signs on my way to work.

Tonight left work a bit early since I had my time in and a serious need for a nap, which I did get after getting a little more cleaning done around here.  The one thing I didn't do was work out, but that's just too bad, I'll try to find the motivation to make up for it tomorrow morning.

I also took a trip into Jtown and checked out the Flood City Cafe.  Their menu looked interesting and I had heard they had an open mic night on Fridays where quite a few people went to sing.  Well the sammie that caught my eye was quite tasty and the music entertaining enough.  The coffee was a bit weak to my tastes, nothing to write home about.  ...and I finished a book I've been in the middle of for an extended period of time.  We'll call that a Friday night win, but it seemed like a good place to play a game and I don't mean solitaire.

Tell me I'm not the only person who hates these effing things:
http://canadiandad.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Street-Sign.jpg
 
On my drive to work in recent weeks three of these awful little things appeared.  No, I don't take the back roads to work.  If you live along a road with a 35 MPH speed limit, don't tell me to slow down.  Your options:  Purchase a home on a less busy street or, preferably, and a more immediate solution, tell your sped children to not play on or near the street.  I'm not someone who is prone to mischief but I admit these inspire a desire (one I will not execute mind you) to take a baseball bat to them from the side of a moving vehicle.  Oh Darwin!

When it started to look like rain was going to roll in I headed out for my run/walk.  It never did rain, but it did cool off a bit and I made it through w/o an issue.  I got a burr up my butt too to move the living room furniture around, but not until after I had already done a few other cleaning tasks around the house.  Since it turned into more work than anticipated it was a bit of a busy evening.  I guess I was overdue to run the rug scrubber in the main seating area, at least that is done now... and the tub drain is flowing better again.  Of course both of these tasks meant that things in the bathroom needed cleaned from grungy water or chunks of clog.  I'll sleep well tonight.

It is very very wrong that I am all eager to get outside for my second run/workout in the couch to 5k regime tonight.  Maybe I just want to get it over with?  Regardless, it doesn't look like we'll be down to 70 degrees until around 9pm, so it might be time to pull out the reflective gear.

It's always pretty quiet around here anymore, but it's extra lonely when just one person is away on vaca.  Friday I was missing two of the people I normally can take the 30 second mental break with.  At least we're just down to one out for this week, but rest assured not having someone to take 5 with to grab a drink or to talk though my current work stuff is going to slow me down and drain me a bit.  It probably doesn't help that my connection to the network I need to be on has been down since mid-afternoon on Friday.  Fix assigned as a "low priority" - go figure.  *shakes head*

Saturday I was able to catch a quick lunch w/ Magic Hands before heading to visit mom and have dinner with her.  I also stopped by Kohl's trying to find a top that says rock concert since I previously purged the ones I would have used to go to a show.  I keep saying I need to get to shows, but I either miss noting when performers are coming around that I want to see or I punk out on the drive to/from the venue.  Motivation is good.

Today was church, dodging some rain showers to take the last photos at St Anthony's cemetery I needed (600+ of them), and going to see The Purge:  Anarchy.  Not as good as the first one, but still just what I needed to add a bit of relaxation to my weekend.  The big news for this weekend is that this morning I finally got myself in gear and completed my first workout following the Couch to 5k regime.  26 more to go.

From one of my favorite movies - High Fidelity.  Amen.
"Well, I've been listening to my gut since I was 14 years old, and frankly speaking, I've come to the conclusion that my guts have sh*t for brains."