Getting back to the gym

I decided this week that it was time to look into gyms in this area. I have been running some, but I don't seem able to make myself run more than two or three times per week, and I don't generally look forward to those times. For me, gyms are a different story -- I actually enjoy going.

So, Monday I decided to start a week-long trial membership at the local Gold's Gym. I'd checked their web site and their prices were great, and they even have my favorite exercise classes.

True to form, I wanted to get the most out of the week-long opportunity. Monday evening had a Body Pump class, so I went to it. If you've never done Body Pump, it's great -- 45-60 minutes of weight lifting, light weights and many reps. I was pretty proud of myself for being able to keep up since I haven't really lifted since living in England last fall.

As the class was finishing up, I heard that there was a cycling class happening next. I love cycling (although I haven't done that since England either), and since I was in the gym anyway thought I should get some cardio in.

Again, I was pretty proud of myself for being able to keep up and really enjoyed it. I bounced home all excited and proud of my fitness.

That is, I was proud until I could barely get out of bed the next morning.

EVERYTHING hurt. A lot! As I was wining, my dad told me I probably should stretch. Good idea. But when I tried to touch my toes (which I can usually do) my hands only made it to two feet above the ground. Oh no!

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. - Proverbs 16:18

I wish I could learn that lesson once and for all!!!

Berea Guest House

I just want to say I love my parents...

My last post says a lot about life around here. By the way, I really appreciate your comments and am very glad that many of you thought my life becoming like Tula's is as funny as I do!

The three of us are working together every day and (occasionally) have fun relaxing together as well. I believe that God has made a way for us to have this time together as a gift, and I'm thankful.

So a few of the big projects we've been doing have actually been getting done over the last few weeks (which makes me so happy).

One of our  main projects was turning this student housing...

Living room, dorm style.

Master bedroom, dorm style.

Into a guest house:

Guest house living room.

Guest house master.

and of course making a web site about it.

The story here is that this is one of six units my parents invested in several years ago to house undergraduate students in partnership with a local school. This year the school wasn't able to fill the houses -- they are actually only half-full, which we didn't know for sure was going to happen for sure until school started in the end of August. We've been working to find a way to cover the costs of the houses... and this is what we chose to do with one of them. It's the only thing like it in this city, so we're hopeful that it'll be mutually beneficial for us and the community!

It was a lot more work than I anticipated, but we're pretty happy with the finished result and look forward to welcoming our first guest tonight.

See Below...

Does anyone remember the scene from My Big Fat Greek Wedding where Tula is sitting on the plastic-covered couch between her parents and watching TV?

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Since coming to my parents' house, I have been finding myself in positions like these regularly. Take tonight for example:

Watching America's Got Talent.