Hatches: Battened

Gustav has been upgraded to a Category 4 storm, but it continues to be projected heading west, smacking into Louisiana west of New Orleans.

Battening the Hatches

Gustav is looking menacing enough that a memo was sent around Husband's office with instructions on what to do in preparation; he works at a newspaper and their policy is for their staff to remain.

We're inland enough that we probably won't have to worry about flooding (knocking on wood) but we do have several trees within falling distance (not that it will stop any trees from being picked up in the wind). But we have no way to board up the windows; it's a rental and we can't go putting large holes in the edifice with impunity. I suppose if things get bad I can move the bookcases in front of the windows to put a little shield between us and the elements.

I need to start gathering things for the hurricane kit. In addition to supplies, I want to make sure all important documents are in one place and secured. Child and I are going to stay put. We have to- we only have one car.

Today is 3rd anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which means we moved to our current home three years ago. bah.

Restaurant Review

We tried a new restaurant over the weekend- a Greek pizza place. I had an appetizer of panakopita for the first time (yes, I'm a late bloomer) and it was delicious. Husband and I shared a Greek salad (the dressing was to die for!). We also had pizza; I think our eyes were bigger than our stomachs- we ended up taking most of the pizza home.

This place is right around the corner, and I'm a bit mad that it took us so long to try it out (we've been here nearly 3 years!) But we will definitely be going back!

Fernando Pando

The Olympics are over and I am very sad. =(( They were great Games- so many amazing feats of athleticism on one world stage! I had a great time watching them with the Husband (and the Child), and now I can't wait for the 2010 Winter Games! w00t!

So I was at the gym this morning, in the little "drying off" area between the locker room and the steam room/showers. A woman emerges from the steam room with her swim suit turned down to the waist (so she is topless.) We start chatting (me wrapped up in my giant towel) and the woman just sits there, half naked and ... chatting! I was like "OMG lady cover it up!!" and had to look either directly at her face or the wall above her head to avoid looking at her chest; not that I'm squicked out by nude bodies, but it's hard for me to concentrate on the cute stories of your grandkids when your mammaries are flapping around.

Rain From the Sky

So Fay is on her way, potentially bringing some nasty weather.

The thing that wigs me most about hurricanes (and tropical storms) is the wind- I'm afraid of trees falling on the house, or the roof being ripped off, but Fay seems to be lacking winds (knocks on wood, twice) so we're potentially looking at deluges of rain. Rain I can handle (though the mold afterward could be a problem). Too bad we don't have kayaks for potential flooding.

I know every place has it's weather-related risks, but after living in Florida for the last 10 years, I'm really tired of these damned storms.

Jump Up

I put in a 2-hour workout and I am utterly drained.

I am now doing interval training on the treadmill, and it's going well (as in, I haven't collapsed and died.) It's fun to play with the buttons on the treadmill though.

I've been swimming every day this week. It's amazing, so relaxing even though it's a workout. I need to work on my form; I know I can move more powerfully if I tighten up my strokes.

Let's Run

So who's been watching the Olympics?

Husband has recorded so much stuff that we've actually run out of space on the DVR. We've been following swimming (duh), gymnastics, fencing (me), and track and field (him). I found out there is a fencing club at the local university and I'm going to contact them and ask if you need to be a student to join, because I think it would be fascinating to learn.

Fitness Stats

I've been keeping stats for my workouts, and here's what I've got so far:

Treadmill:
Miles: 3.02
Minutes: 55.53
Total Miles: 132.78

Swimming
Total Laps (session): 25
Miles: 0.5675
Total Time (session): 50 minutes
Total Laps: 170
Total Miles: 3.859

These are all for this year- treadmill I started in April/May, and I've only just started swimming recently (last month or so.)

It's 82* Outside

And I am sooooooo ready for christmas! I'm even looking at old magazines for holiday craft ideas. Bring on the cold weather (and the presents!)

Restaurant Review

We went to a new "Thai fusion" restaurant tonight (literally new, they've only been open a few weeks.) I'm generally not a big fan of Thai food (I fear the unfamiliar!) but it was sooo tasty! I had a "Wok and Roll" stir fry with beef- in fact it was basically pepper steak, but with ginger. Husband had pad Thai with tofu and the child had a salad (she, too, fears the unfamiliar, even when it's proven to be tasty) and nibbled my brown rice. The portions were very generous, and they didn't skimp on either the meat or the veggies (though I wish they'd given me more rice.)

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