Making Progress

As you can tell from my last post, I got hit w/ the flu. I tried to go back to work on Tues., but ended up going home w/ a fever and an ear infection. Managed to go to work on Thurs. but thought my head was going to explode and went home early. Yesterday, I was finally going to make it thru a full day of work, but was then sent home early due to the weather. Worst part is that my ear has yet to unclog, even with only 1 pill left of my antibiotics. Sigh. I have managed to watch just about every program on my DVR. It wasn't until about 2 days ago that I could deal w/ knitting again. Because of that, I have not exercised since, well, in over 10 days. So much for starting my tri training, huh?

We did, however, get our first "lasting" snow in Philly. I say lasting, b/c it's been on the ground for about 24 hours. Doubt it will last much longer. So much for winter in the northeast! Here's a "winter" picture from my apartment.

I mentioned before that I have been making things for my new niece, who will be born a week from Tues. Right now I'm working on something for her to wear on the way home from the hospital. I had picked a really cute color yarn, but it was striped and too confusing. Now it's a boring cream. Not so thrilled w/ it, but since I'm now crunched for time and have 3/4 of it finished, I'm not starting over again.

I also made these cute little hand mitts and matching hat for the baby:

They really are cute. I am also working on a pair of booties. Sad thing is I have now found a ton of patterns for both the baby and for Alex and want to make more stuff for them. Guess that means I'm feeling better if I want to start knitting again.

I hate being sick!

For someone who rarely gets sick and even more rarely gets a fever, this has been one heck of a flu season. I don't know what happened but that brick wall smacked me down hard yesterday. I was achy and prickly and cold and hot and had a fever of up to 100.8. Um, I dont' remember the last time I had a fever that high. I usually only go up to 99 and that's probably b/c my normal body temp is about 97. Let's just say that last night sucked. Good thing is that by 11pm I was sweating it all out and now my temp is mostly back down to normal. I was so yucky last night that I couldn't even deal w/ knitting in front of the tv. I have a doctor's appt for later to deal with the nasty sore throat I have, before the long weekend.


I was so excited to get my triathlon training revved up, but now it looks like that will be on hold for a few days. If I feel better tomorrow, I may just meet up with the group practice before heading off to DC - something I am not doing today. Still I managed to get in a run (ok, a walk), spinning, and swim workout this week. The swim was tough b/c I forgot everythign I learned last spring. I think I'll take a lesson since I'm missing the swim practices with TNT.


On the crafty front, I've been going a bit crazy making things for my niece who is due in 2 weeks. I'm now working on a baby bunting and hat for the baby to wear home from the hospital. I did, however, finish the cutest hat for Alex who will be 3 next month.





It will match her jacket perfectly. Too bad winter is almost over . . . This was the first time I attempted to do any sort of color work so I'm pleased with how it came out.

I think I am losing my mind!

I say this because I just faxed a deposit to Amazing Journeys to go on their trip to China in November. Yup, that's right. I plan to continue my world travels later this year. I'll be gone for 2 weeks and will see Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, and Hong Kong. I would extend my stay further, but AJ has negotiated a group flight that it would be stupid not to tag along on. Plus, the cost of the trip is about half of what I paid to go to South America. My wallet is very happy about that!

Robin's somewhat annual fundraising appeal for a great cause!

As many of you already know, I have signed up to do another event with Team in Training. However, this time I have chosen to challenge myself and do an olympic-distance triathlon. I happened upon TNT about 4 years ago after I had recently moved to Philly. I knew that I wanted to get involved with charity organization and what better way than to walk a marathon for a cause. TNT raises money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Over the years, I have met many blood cancer survivors and have been amazed at their strength and determination to fight the disease. These are just a few of the survivors I've met. I have also met folks who at young ages, have lost their battle. I do these events in honor of those that I have met over the years, but also in memory of my uncle, Edwin Eiseman, who lost his battle with Hodgkins at the age of 23. There weren't many option back in 1969, but now, after years of research and development, Hodgkins is considered one of the most curable forms of cancer out there. Every time I can't go on, I think of my personal heroes and know that my pain is nothing compared to what they have gone through.

I hope that you will join me and make a contribution toward TNT. Seventy-five percent of your contribution goes directly to patient services and research. By clicking on the link below, you can make a secure, online contribution to the cause.

http://www.active.com/donate/tntepa/robintri

If you prefer to make a contribution "old school" by mailing me a check, drop me an email and I will send you my address. Of course, all contributions are tax deductible. Also, if your employer has a matching gift program, let me know. I have forms that I can send you.

Thanks so much for your support! I will keep folks posted with my training progress and for those of you in the area, please come cheer me on!!!!

Back in the groove

Well, I just finished my first full 5-day work week since I've been back and let's just say that I'm wiped! Forget the fact that it is drearier than hell out there today w/ the cold and the rain. YUCK! I've been working hard all week and out just about every night for one thing or another. I had a great time in NYC last weekend with Eric and then w/ Lynn and Debby from the cruise. I am now headed back to NYC again tomorrow to celebrate Lynn's 40th and catch up w/ more folks from the trip.

A day or so after my last post, I finished that hat. At first I hated it, but now I really like it. Much more stylish than the watch cap w/ the pom pom. What do you think? My favorite part is the button. I really disliked the hat until I add that button.

On another note, although I will miss the kickoff and the first 3 group practices, I actually signed up to race in the Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon on Sunday June 22. I will be participating in the Olympic Distance event which is a .9 mile swim (think ~70 lengths of the pool), a 25 mile bike ride (RT from my apartment to NW Ave. near Valley Green), and a 10K (6.2 miles). I can already do each one of them separately, not necessarily fast, so I will now need to work on building my endurance to do all 3 at once. Seriously, if I can walk a marathon, I can do just about anything. Ok, maybe not anything.

For now, have a great weekend!