A Snapshot into my Life

First off, if you know me, skip this paragraph.  If you don't know me, here's a bit about me: Search Jewish Federation Shooting Seattle, and an article on my thoughts One Year Later (Seattle PI).  Of course, now its been almost 6 years from that fateful day when I was shot.  But, both physical and emotional repair continues even now, though some scars will last me a lifetime.  I'll truly never run again.  I won't be able to stand all day.  I have constant nerve pain.  Those things, unfortunately, won't change that much.  But, other things, like my outlook towards life and both physical and mental fitness are things that can be adjusted.  I'm hoping to talk about that here.  Maybe.  Assuming I keep up with the blogging :).

Anyways, today is a beautiful day here in Seattle.  High 60s, sunny, everything is bright green and happy and alive.  With an average of only a few months a year of nice weather, its necessary to appreciate the warmth every chance you get.  Started out my day with food, facebook and fitness.  Gotta eat breakfast while checking facebook and playing facebook games (my guilty pleasure).  Then it was time for my fitness routine.

GOAL: Be able to consistently push myself in the wheelchair as needed, without assistance, even on inclines.  **When writing on this goal, I'll use the color purple!

I can walk for a short distance, but doing so, especially on a daily basis, tends to make my knees really start to bother me.  My chance of falling increases the more fatigued I become from walking or whatever.  So, I am trying to use the wheelchair more, which allows me to appreciate the good weather and maybe take the dog on longer walks (not that she would enjoy that!!).  It would just be empowering to 'know' that I could get around as much as I needed in my wheelchair.  


So, with that in mind, I've been using the one hundred pushups program as sort of a basis for a whole exercise program.  The idea is that you do relatively low reps but a high number of sets until you are exhausted.  For example, for Week 2, day 1, in the 3rd tier (I think I'm high tier because I do girly pushups!) I'll do 5 sets, with a 60 second break between each set.  

• 14
• 14
• 10
• 10
• (at least) 15

I used this as an example to do the same with several other exercises, like situps, curls, tricep extensions, wrist exercises, deltoid exercises, etc.  I haven't actually kept count with any of these yet, I just do about 3-5 sets and exhaust myself in each set.  I'm also doing this some with my legs, even though my main goal is to increase the strength and endurance of my shoulders and upper body.  

I have an awesome camera on my phone, which I used to document some of the rest of my day.  First, Nick (my wonderful hubby) and I went to the dog park to let our dog Hesse blow off some steam while the weather was nice.

Next stop on our way home was at Chuck's 85th (Chuck's Hop Shop), which is where Nick works.  Monday is tip day, and now that the credit card machine works they are making the big bucks!  We have shared videos of the store in the past, but here is a more recent update since we have been expanding the beer selection.

Finally, we arrived back at home and my friend Dillinger came over to borrow my fax machine and printer.  While he was working on that, and Nick was cooking, I decided to do a quick video tour of the apartment, including a description of the sky chair.

Played a little Diablo II with Dillinger and Nick after that.  Diablo II is a simple point and click, co-op, role playing game where you level up your character and customize your skills to best kill enemies and get awesome loot from them.  Probably a bad description, but its all I can come up with.  It's a good game to play on co-op :).

Now Nick is off at work and Dillinger has left. Just me and the critters at the house.  Probably a chill afternoon, with a little tidying, but mostly sedentary work/games.  My to do list includes showering, eating dinner, relaxing, stretching, reading... hrmm, and I think that's really it.

Hesse on the couch after a long day at the dog park.  Take special note of her foot propped up into what seems to be her 'comfy' position!

Biggles in one of his preferred nap spots.  In the late afternoon the sun will shine down on him as he sleeps.  

Me in my comfy sweater as I type this right now.  Right this moment!  

Cripple Extraordinaire signing off!