Tuesday, March 6, 2007
New Orleans Wedding
At Jake and Sophia's wedding reception, with the French Quarter in the background.
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Polar Doubles
Steve and I participated in the Polar Doubles tennis tournament this weekend at the lovely Cary Tennis Park and had an absolute blast, despite the cold temperatures and bitter winds. As there were no other 5.0 mixed teams signed up, we were bumped up into the 6.0 category, so we knew going in we were going to be at a definite disadvantage, but were excited just to be playing and there was certainly no pressure! With three other teams in our division, we played in a round-robin format which gave us three matches, two on Saturday and one today. We did maintain our perfect loss record throughout the tournament, falling to each of our respective opposing teams, but met some great new friends and had a wonderful weekend together. Besides, I was able to celebrate vicariously through my friends, Sherri and Julie, who ended up winning their division! Also, I'm happy to report that my knee actually felt pretty good with the new Shields type brace. I have been diligent with the brutally painful exercises prescribed for me by my physical therapist, and even though I lie on the floor and cry every evening while forcing myself through the pain, I believe it has been effective, as my range of motion is definitely increasing with each passing day. As an added bonus, after our third and final match this afternoon, my opponent actually invited me to join her USTA league team! So it looks like I'll be participating for the first time in some women's league tennis coming up in the next few weeks, something about which I'm very excited! I'm really looking forward to meeting my new teammates and getting back out on the courts in the coming weeks, but now it's physical therapy exercise time...
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Photo Album Updated
My photo album has been updated finally! Andy continues to love playing in boxes, particularly those that are almost too small to accommodate him! Meanwhile, Spyder still enjoys showing off and making us laugh. More pictures of Andy and Spyder are now available HERE - enjoy!
Falling behind
Wow - I can't believe it's been so many weeks since my last entry. I really don't like to fall behind like that but sometimes life has its own agenda and we have to follow it. In the interim since I last wrote, quite a bit has happened. I turned 45 last month, which I like to view as the transition into my "second adulthood", with the opportunity before me to start over as a grown-up, hopefully learning from mistakes made during my "first adulthood". With this aging process, I've had many changes in my belief system and ethical values as well, including adopting a completely vegetarian lifestyle with which just feels "right" to me.
I've also been continuing with my knee exercise program, although the progress has been very slow and frustrating much of the time. In fact, due to apparently trying to compensate for the weakness in my knee and thigh, I've over-stressed my low back for which I'm currently in physical therapy as well, so now additionally am doing back strengthening exercises along with my knee regimen. I know there has to be a light at the end of this muscle and joint tunnel somewhere, but I have to admit that it's rather difficult to find it sometimes. I am continuing my walk/jog program as well as playing tennis regularly, although I still need the knee brace for those activities. However, I can bicycle without the brace; I just continue to be unable to stand while pedaling. The surgeon assures me that within several more months - argh - that should improve dramatically. I certainly hope so! Steve and I are signing up for a mixed doubles tennis tournament in a couple of weeks, and I just hope that I can be at least a somewhat productive and supportive partner for him in that; and ideally I'll be ready for some singles tennis matches again as well by this summer.
On the animal front, Spyder has now turned seven, although he certainly doesn't act his age. He still seems like a puppy to me, with the only indication of his advancing years being the overwhelming grey on his muzzle now. Zoe, at eleven, is beginning to definitely slow down due to her arthritis, but still appears happy and contented, just not quite as zippy as in years past. Andy, however, is as wild and silly as ever. He's barely a year old and already over fifteen pounds, yet still lean and trim - he's going to be a long tall kitty when he grows up. His personality is also really starting to define itself. He's the most affectionate cat I think I've ever known, and seems very intuitive as far as "reading" the people and animals around him. He and Spyder love to nap curled up on either side of me, which is very sweet, but getting a bit crowded as neither of them is a small baby any more. Of course I adore them both and wouldn't want things any other way!
I've also been continuing with my knee exercise program, although the progress has been very slow and frustrating much of the time. In fact, due to apparently trying to compensate for the weakness in my knee and thigh, I've over-stressed my low back for which I'm currently in physical therapy as well, so now additionally am doing back strengthening exercises along with my knee regimen. I know there has to be a light at the end of this muscle and joint tunnel somewhere, but I have to admit that it's rather difficult to find it sometimes. I am continuing my walk/jog program as well as playing tennis regularly, although I still need the knee brace for those activities. However, I can bicycle without the brace; I just continue to be unable to stand while pedaling. The surgeon assures me that within several more months - argh - that should improve dramatically. I certainly hope so! Steve and I are signing up for a mixed doubles tennis tournament in a couple of weeks, and I just hope that I can be at least a somewhat productive and supportive partner for him in that; and ideally I'll be ready for some singles tennis matches again as well by this summer.
On the animal front, Spyder has now turned seven, although he certainly doesn't act his age. He still seems like a puppy to me, with the only indication of his advancing years being the overwhelming grey on his muzzle now. Zoe, at eleven, is beginning to definitely slow down due to her arthritis, but still appears happy and contented, just not quite as zippy as in years past. Andy, however, is as wild and silly as ever. He's barely a year old and already over fifteen pounds, yet still lean and trim - he's going to be a long tall kitty when he grows up. His personality is also really starting to define itself. He's the most affectionate cat I think I've ever known, and seems very intuitive as far as "reading" the people and animals around him. He and Spyder love to nap curled up on either side of me, which is very sweet, but getting a bit crowded as neither of them is a small baby any more. Of course I adore them both and wouldn't want things any other way!
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