When you miss more than a week of blogging it’s hard to remember every workout you’ve done. The kids were out of town, and I had a bunch of doctor’s appts, and there was a lot of yoga.

First I had my physical and my doctor said my blood test results showed a high bilirubin level. I’m not a drug addict or alcoholic, and I don’t have hepatitis or any kidney problems, so they did an ultrasound of my gall bladder. The precursor to gall stones is “sludge” and the ultrasound showed none of that. Bilirubin levels can be high after an intense workout, and my appt was 10am, right after an 8am workout, so perhaps that is what caused it. I have a feeling my doctor will be keeping an eye on that for the next few appts though. My mom had her gall bladder out at 40, and they said she fit the bill for the perfect patient – fat, fair skinned, female, forty – the 4 F’s. So they want to be sure I am not following in her footsteps.

Along those same lines, I had my annual mammogram last week too. My mom and her sister both had premenopausal breast cancer before turning 50. I’m sort of high risk – my mom was negative for the gene but I’ve already had one biopsy and we’re of askenazi Jewish descent (Russia/Poland ~ think Fiddler on the Roof.) It’s so common in our geneaology that the Breast Center has even added “Are you  of askenazi Jewish descent” to the questionairre they give you before your exam.

Brian and I also took a day of playing hooky before the kids came back in town. We spent it boating with friends and I had a bit too much sun exposure despite purchasing SPF70 with helioplex. A knee, my forehead, little spots like that which I’m sure will be peeling quite a bit in a few days. But we had a great time, and I’m now determined to visit the Ringling museum in Sarasota for my bday next June.

Friday I drove to Ft Lauderdale to pick up my daughters. They are tall and happy with lots of new clothes. They have been enjoying Camp Grandma, and Wendy even made her own copy of my mom’s sweet and sour meatball recipe so she can make them for everyone at home. And they baked chocolate chip Challah which was unbelievable!

Sunday we went with my parents to see the Mikado. We enjoyed the show and the cast. It’s a funny Gilbert & Sullivan operetta - possibly the most frequently played musical theater piece outside of The Fantastiks. And SOOO much better than The Fantastiks!! The Mikado tells a tale of colorful characters in the mythical Japanese village of Titipu. A romantic triangle takes the usual course of thwarted romance and complications. We saw it when I was about 7 years old, and I think I enjoyed it just as much then as I did now because my father explained it all to me. (It’s in English, but moves very quickly and with adult humor.)

Even Alvin and the Chipmunks have done it! Skip to 1:29

Today we drive back home (4 hours) and then we have lots of prep before school starts over the next 2 weeks. Morning workouts will be what keeps me sane, and I really need to add more running back in because I’m feeling a little tummy coming on. My clothes fit comfortably but I’ve gained about 4 pounds. I’m so sad they moved my weekly Fri core class to while I’m at work, and I need to start using all those exercises after each workout the way I used to when they were fresh in my mind. Luckily I have this blog to look back on to remember most of them.

Last week I did a series with a 6 lb med ball. It’s 3 different exercises all on your butt on the mat. 1) Balance on your sit bones with feet off mat and tap med ball from one side of your waist to the other. Your upper body/torso/shoulders have to turn with you. 2) While still balancing with your legs up in front of you, pass the ball from one hand to the other under one knee, then under the other knee so the ball makes a Figure 8 around and between your legs. 3) Keep your knees up at a 90 degree angle, but lay on your back. Bring the ball over head, and sit up using your abs, bringing the ball to your knees. Start at one set of 12 of each of those. When you can do one set of 20 of each in a row, then start 2 sets of 12. You can also work your way up from a 4 lb ball to an 8 lb ball.

Power Yoga Question:
When you advance from up-dog to down-dog, do you choose to add a pushup in between?