Oink, Oink
Bad taste maybe but a common theme this week …..
All the news here is about the swine flu – which so far we have managed to avoid – I am scrubbing Ash’s hands constantly – poor angel. We managed to be late on Saturday night and we missed the baseball game we were trying to get to but in hindsight maybe a good thing as they are saying to avoid crowds. That said, I hope I am not speaking too soon. Mike has had another bad night and is very achey and painy – we will keep an eye on it but we will need to cancel todays Proj Walk session – they don’t seem to be too busy at the moment so hopefully we can get him there tomorrow for a make-up session instead. I am hoping he is just tired and has just a minor infection of some sort that we can fight off. Will keep you posted if anything changes.
Also on the pig front, Ash’s new favourite thing seems to be pigs – despite the train noise we are liking Oceanside a lot and Ash has found a little balloon man who is happy to make her pigs – which she insists on calling oinky and taking to bed — I am just waiting for the boom in the middle of the night. She is also in love with the pigs at one of the shows at SeaWorld (that she dragged us to again on Saturday). She even made a pig candle the other day — very strange, hopefully she is getting in good with the pig gods so that we can escape the ‘epidemic’ as they are labelling it over here.
And on to other things pig – I realised how remiss I had been to not include the latest update in “Mon’s Exercise Regime” – a part of the posts I am sure you are all desperate for! Well since I last included an update i had decided that I must have some kind of disease that causes weight gain ….. you know the ones that include in the symptoms ‘unexpected weight gain’ and then I thought that your average GP would not necessarily agree that 9 months of at best 1 hours exercise a week followed by 6 weeks of zero exercise, lots of peanut butter m&m’s, Easter and plenty of ‘supersize soda’s’ would consistitute ‘unexpected’! I decided to turn over a new leaf and we organised for Mike’s carer to come in 30 mins early 3 nights a week and help Mike out with Ash so that I could go for a walk – very nice to have some time by myself if nothing else! I did that 3 nights in the week 2 weeks ago and felt so great for the fresh air that I decided that if Ash wasn’t up when the morning carer arrived that I would go for a jog along the foreshore. Please note (important disclaimer): I use the word ‘jog’ very loosely! I managed that a couple of mornings in a row last week but thankfully I then hurt my knee carrying the groceries up the stairs so that has put an end to that stupid caper and let’s face it – who can get organised to go for a walk at 6:30 at night! That said, I do wish I had my bike over here …. for a number of reasons. Firstly, it seems very safe – every major and semi-major road has a big, wide bike lane and they are all no-parking (for the bike lane). It is brilliant. Secondly, there is some pretty scenery and some nice rolling hills that would possibly be fun to climb. Third, if I some exercise I would happily enjoy sampling a bit more of the food over here – actually, it has a very mexican influence and is mostly pretty good. Finally, they ride SO slowly over here for the most part that I might even look good! Mind you, we are not exactly out and about watching the packs at 6am so maybe the folks that head out later are just a bit more relaxed! Although, there is one disturbing thing about riding here – helmets are not compulsory – it is mind-boggling to see people riding along a road with a 55mph speed limit without a helmet – can’t even imagine it. Most of the more serious riders do seem to wear them and the 2 kids that we have seen out doing some exercise (ouch, that was nasty) have both had helmets on too so maybe that will change.
Anyway, best get back to the 10 flavours of ice-cream with whatever toppings you like – will keep you posted on Mike’s progress, particularly if he turns out to be really unwell. Keep safe.
April 29th, 2009 on 12:27 pm
Isn’t Old Town the best – my fav place over there and great mexican food, worth retraining Ash’s taste buds for.
Pigs….is there still enough room for bi bi in bed?
“Exercise” not a word that is used a lot in the states, let alone done – any you do is better than nothing though, good on you for making the time when you can, the peanut m&m’s will taste so much better afterwards.
Hope Mike is feeling better soon.
Loving your updates.
Lots of love – Jo xxx
April 29th, 2009 on 1:03 pm
Hi Crew,
April 29th, 2009 on 1:16 pm
Hi Crew,
Keep well Mike…. can’t miss a work out!
Just read a nutrition article. It had ten points. (1) Come back to earth (Choose the least processed food)
(2) Eat a rainbow often (Fruit and veg) (3) The fewer legs the better ( Fish first, four feet fourth) (4) Eat fats which give something back. (5) Three for three (carbs, proteins and fats every three hours) (6) Eat breakfast every day. (7) Hydrate.(2.7 l / day) (8) Don’t waste your work out(Carbs and protein for recovery) (9) Supplement wisely (10) Get back in the kitchen. Thought it might help.
See you all soon.
Love Dad and Poppy
April 29th, 2009 on 9:27 pm
Hi Mike, Ash and Mon, thanks for the postcard. Boys love helicopter… very jealous. Got some little baby piggies if you are wanting a new pet when you get home Ash- our 2 male guinea pigs have managed to breed and we have 3 little bubs!! Great to read your updates. Sorry been slack in reply but not in thought… take care xx
April 30th, 2009 on 9:14 pm
Hi Guys,
Well, I don’t know where you get your energy from. I’m amazed at how much you are doing! Mike, saw the videos and I am seriously impressed. Sorry to hear you’re not feeling well at the mo – get well and back on track soon. We are all thinking of you over here…
Maria, Dean, Mary, Siena and Tom
May 1st, 2009 on 9:22 am
Hi Mon, Mike and Ash,
Those videos are just amazing! Thrilled to see how hard Mike is working and great to read about some more sensation kicking in too. No idea where you get the energy from, but fitting in the family time sounds great too. We’re not managing much of that at the minute -I’m back at work and Justin is apparently working hard. I say “apparently” because he’s at the pub again tonight, so its a little difficult to ask! I’m pretty sure they’ve named a stool after him down there!
Keep up the inspirational work Mike.
Mon, that bucket of impossible has a hole in it, just dont tell the medics!
Thinking of you all and sending our best wishes,
Love Di, Josie, and Justin
May 3rd, 2009 on 7:41 pm
Hope you are all well. Thinking about you and missing you. Love Harriet, Ru, Fidel and Abel
May 3rd, 2009 on 9:53 pm
Hi guys
) and the females loved the shopping! And so far everyone I have spoken with had tears in their eyes! Even the boys!
I saw a few people today who went to the ‘Night with Mike’ and they couldn’t stop raving about how good it was. Everybody was impressed with the speakers (even you Bov
You guys are doing an amazing job.
Moni, I’m super impressed with your exercise regime. I think I might finally be able to keep up with you!
Counting down the sleeps ’til you all return!
Michelle xxxxx
May 3rd, 2009 on 10:03 pm
Hi – I just checked out the video footage finally. . .
oh
my
goodness
BOV – YOU ROCK. You are a freak!
in the nicest way possible. Amazing!