2039

Heavy workout  in today's RSB session--we started out at 5 minute stations. We did each station twice--doing jump roping, speed bags, and core work. We then did heavy bag work--alternating with gait work. We finished with Rolling Thunder--followed by a cool down.

My jump rope activity was better than it has been--repetition has helped but 5 minutes is a long time to keep bouncing. Rolling Thunder is my favorite activity--partly because I know it's the end of a session. I seem to pick up steam when we do it--and I feel strong when I'm hitting the bag.

We had a good group today--12 people. Not as many as yesterday--but starting to fill up as well.

I had a smoothie and cheese soufflé on the way to class--and grabbed a latte and sandwich on the way home. I napped for a couple of hours--and then gassed the car and had a Frap. BH is doing dinner--I believe ribs, potatoes, veggies, and such. Big food day--but it feels like I need the fuel.

Tomorrow will be dancing at EDH--light day compared to days with RSB. End of January--start of February!

2040

Gung Hay Fat Choy!--and other salutations! Made it to RSB session this morning--am now feeling the impact of the workout. We did a helter-skelter activity--where we drew a card and performed the task associated with the card. This activity lasted for about 30 minutes--and involved a collection of workout stations which got harder to do as the clock ticked down. Because of the luck of the draw--you could end up doing the same task over and over.

After that we did an extended set of bag work--doing a varying set of punches with a partner. We concluded with the Rolling Thunder exercise--which I really like and look forward to as the last bag activity before we do a cool down.

As always, I come away from the RSB session feeling grounded--but very tired. I just want to lay down for a couple of hours--which I didn't do today. Instead I downed a V8 Fusion energy drink--which puts a shot of caffeine into my system.

Daze without end--very quiet here since MD is out with caregiver, A. BH is also out with the grandson--so the only sound is the ticking of the clock. I should eat something--I did have a ham/cheese croissant and a latte before going to RSB. I drank a V8 Fusion with Vital Red--when I returned home. But I need more fuel--may try the Mexican Grill Monday special (enchiladas). And then take a nap--sounds like a plan.

2041

Went to FO dance today--2.5 hours of dancing. That makes 3 days in a row--where dancing has been the movement exercise mode. Had a goodly crowd at today's event--and I did well until near the end. After about 1.5 hours--I start to fade and my feet movements get sloppy and out of sync.

Tomorrow it's back to RSB--with an early class starting at 9:30am.

I bumped into two people from the PD support group today--one at SB's and the other at Raley's. Small world--after all!

I picked up a slice of pizza for dinner--and a couple of buffalo wings which were 50 cents each. They had been cooked in a vinegar marinade--and were very tasty.

I set up my calendar for February--shows all the sessions for dance, trader, boxing and such. Busy, busy--time flies by!

2042

Danced for almost 3 hours today--and did well with most dances. I was stiff and sore when I awoke--but I seemed to unkink quickly once I made it to class. I'm a bit tired right now--but I've had several caffeine drinks and that is keeping me alert. Will go to the monthly FO dance tomorrow--which will be another 2.5 hours of dancing. Dance the days away--that will make three days in a row of dance.

On Monday I'll do an RSB session--and another on Tuesday. Keep on moving--keep on grooving.

It's Chinese New Year--today is the start of festivities which go on for 15 days. There's an international store nearby--which should be overloaded with shoppers who are celebrating the new year. I'd like to check out the store--but I don't think going there this weekend would be much fun. I'll check it out after the festive days are over.

Quiet here today--once everyone got on the move. BH is working--daughter is at a kid's birthday party. I grabbed a Frap and sandwich from SB's on the way home--will have the remainder for dinner. I was hungry from all the dance activity--and still feel like I want more. I've got a slice of cake that will round out the dinner--and appease my sugar cravings.

All for now--Gung Hay Fat Choy! Year of the rooster--both in the yard and in the pan!

2043

Went to CH dance class today--and I found myself doing fine. There were several dances where I would usually have difficulties--that I did well even on the new dances. I had a caffeine drink before class--and a green tea latte when I awoke.

I unplugged the toilet this morning--letting rest overnight did the trick. I had to use a lot of force--but it worked and cleared the plug.

Talked to the insurance people about the access to a movement disorder specialist--and was told that I just needed to have my PCP make the referral. Will look into doing so--and perhaps choose a specialist closer to home (Roseville). There is a new doctor in Roseville--Dr. Byrd. She is with the Sutter Group--which puts her outside my network but who can be chosen by the PCP if there are no candidates within the network.

I need to get this issue settled--before I run out of medications. I suddenly realized that I shouldn't let that happen--the medications, and the RSB and dancing, keep me balanced and relatively symptom free compared to any others.

Will probably head up to Rescue tomorrow--and go to the dance on Sunday.

2045-2044

It's been a somewhat turbulent couple of days--yesterday I went to dance class and today I did an RSB session. And I slept a lot over these two days--or spent a lot of time trying to unclog my bowels.  I ended up dealing with my clogged bowels today--and did not get to dance class at FO in the afternoon. I'm not sure what happened this week--but I didn't have a bowel movement for several days. So today, I had to spend a couple of hours trying get unclogged--which finally happened but was difficult and de-energizing.

Everyone else in the house is dealing with colds/flu--or something. I seem to avoid getting those disorders--but I have my bowels to deal with. I drink some prune juice every day--but it didn't prevent my episode this week.

And, oh yes, my physical clog in turn clogged up the toilet--I eliminated a large stool that plugged the plumbing. I'm letting it sit overnight--and will work to unplug it in the morning. I've done this before--and should take measures to not let it happen. It's enough work getting me unplugged--but having to then get the facility unplugged is not ideal.

Dance tomorrow which I should be able to attend--and now that I'm lighter dancing should be easier. Today's RSB session was challenging--at the end I was somewhat light headed and feeling dizzy. Not sure why that happened--other than I was feeling kind of wobbly from the RSB session.

2046

RSB today--and the workout felt good! I also did a good sweat--once we got warmed up. Only about 9 people there--but the workout was challenging. I also got a Trager session in the afternoon--that, the workout, and some food left me feeling drowsy right now. I did do an extra caffeine beverage about midday--a V8 Fusion. So I didn't get a nap in the afternoon--I worked a while on the wooden snake puzzle and suddenly it was time for the Trager.

I've noted that the days when I do an RSB session are better than days when I don't do a session--even on days when I dance. The RSB sessions seem to affect the symptoms more than anything--question is how many sessions can the body take per week. Based on the current schedules--I could do 6 per week. That's twice what I'm doing now--which is a logistical problem with dance classes. Also I'd have to plan on naps after RSB sessions--which I have to do now (or not do if time is short or  I do a caffeine drink to stay awake).

Too fuzzy right now to think clearly about all this--will finish this post and wrap myself around a movie. Watched two spy/terrorist films yesterday--one was aptly titled: Unthinkable. It was tough to watch--but hard to not watch (it was well done). The other was a throwaway--improbable plot that put a spy novice impossible situations where he would have been killed off immediately in the real world.

2048-2047

Went to RSB yesterday--and felt the better for it. Today went to PD support group--where the topic of DBS was presented. It was good to get the details regarding DBS--but it didn't make me want to run out and have it done. Unless my medications stop working all together--I'll just keep doing what I'm doing (RSB, dancing, medications, and so on). Let it be--let it be!

DBS appears to require a lot of effort and time--I'd rather put in that time on the heavy bags and other RSB stuff.

I came away from the support session today and it's focus on the illness--feeling like I didn't have fun and in fact felt sort of down after going. I went to the BBQ place--and had a huge chicken pasta dish (half of which I'll have for dinner). The support group ended early--and people jumped up and ran (or wobbled) out the door. It was good info--but not much fun as I've noted. There were several new people there today--but we didn't make introductions (too bad).

I'll do an RSB and a Trager session tomorrow--both will be nice.

Rainy, rainy--it keeps coming! Dampness and cold--winter keeps on coming in!

2051-2049

Missed two days of posting--been busy and been sleeping some. Did an RSB session and dance on Thursday--and a dance class on Friday and today. I was feeling a bit logy from everything--until I drank a V8 Fusion energy drink today. It totally leveled me out--and purged the logy sensations.

The caffeine in the Fusion drink seems to quench whatever is tweaking me--without adding to the problems and symptoms. I danced well today--which I didn't do well over the past two days. I signed up for an RSB in the morning--and will down a Fusion before I go there.

I got a notice from the outfit that deals with my medical stuff--they paid for my last visit to see my PD specialist but said they wouldn't do it again. I guess I'm not supposed to go outside the network--even if my PCP says it's OK. Have to stay in the network--or get approvals ahead of time.

I don't want to lose my PD specialist--unless I make a switch to KP and can get access to their specialist. I also guess that the referral my PCP made to the surgeon to remove the fatty lump on my neck (a lipoma)--will have to be rethought. I don't think the surgeon he sent me to is in the network--of course not!

I'll have to deal with that on Monday--after tomorrow's RSB session. There's a PD support group meeting on Monday--which is why I'm doing an RSB session tomorrow.

Onward and onward--let it flow, let it go!

2053-2052

RSB yesterday felt good--but I was weary by the early evening. I ended up trying to unravel the wooden snake puzzle--which I finally was able to get it untangled. But, it was then late--and I didn't want to spend the night trying to reassemble it.

Today we had a lot of rain and wind--the trip to the EDH dance class was like driving through heavy mists. Still had a goodly number of people who showed up--despite the inclement weather. I did all right in class--but I'm really looking forward to tomorrow's RSB session.

Tomorrow is a double day--RSB and FO dance class. I will have a short time between activities--usually can get an hour or so of rest between.

Feeling like things are out of control--feeling anxious and unquiet. Talked with woman in dance class--who has a friend who has been diagnosed with PD. Her friend is refusing to do anything--other than sleep. I can see the frustration that the woman is experiencing--at not being able to get her friend to do something, anything, to make her feel better. Her friend is going to do what she wants to do--but it's difficult to watch someone do nothing and continue to fade.

About time for dinner--I grabbed a bite after dance class and have the rest of that snack for dinner. Will probably watch a movie tonight--have a bunch of possibles lined up in my NF account.

2055-2054

Yesterday, I went to the gym--it was that or hunker down all day and keep feeling weary. The gym workout helped relieve some of the pent up energies--but I still went through the day on half-cylinders.

Today, did an early morning RSB--and it makes a lot of difference. It's not perfect--I'm still feeling a bit weary. But, I managed to do the class--and do my laundry. I'm ready for tomorrow's RSB session--even though it's early and I'm ready for the beddy.

Today's RSB was a lot of work--done at a plethora of stations. We did every station for 1.5 minutes--which was tough to maintain with the weaker body elements. But the time went by really quickly--it felt like we had just started to cook--and the session was over.

I came home and tried to sleep--I felt like I just wanted to collapse. It didn't end up that way--I couldn't close my eyes and drift away. Things kept popping into my brain--nothing of measure but lots of clutter and clatter.

So, I've done my laundry--and showered and shaved (in the opposite order, actually). I washed my bed linens--and put fresh items on everything. I feel steady right now--steady and ready for the next lap. Will read a while--and fall into the darkness until the morn. So it goes--goes and flows.

2056

Prancing and dancing--went to Rescue today and danced/moved for about 3 hours! My dancing seems to be getting better--stronger, more accurate. Legs, feet, muscles are cooperating--moving and grooving more like they once could do.

The lengthy session wore me out--I'm ready for a good night's sleep. Tomorrow I have nothing scheduled--can sleep in and restore. I could do an early RSB session--but right now that seems to be remote, a distant thought instead of an action plan.

Toward the end of today's session--I started to fade (especially when I stayed through the final dance).

I was craving pizza when I started thinking about dinner--so I ordered a personal-size combo from my favorite pizza place (Del's). They produced a wonderful combo pie--with just about everything on it. I shared it with MD--she made her way through 2 slices--although I thought the mix was too spicy for her.

I read about a new website (FamilyTreeNow.com)--that lets you search for anything and doesn't charge for access. It pops a lot of the information that most search engines only let you access for a fee--you can find most of a person's demographic data.

I was able to use the site to locate one of MD's granddaughters--one that was born to one of her sons but who got lost in the chain of divorces that he underwent. He stopped trying to deal with the daughter--and the obstacles the ex-wife put up to keep them apart. The daughter has Down's Syndrome--and has probably been under daily care for all of her life.

2057

Dance today--did OK even though I was somewhat stiff and achy from week's activities. Will probably do Rescue dance tomorrow--just to keep moving and to fill out the week. This week was the first full days of doing all of the program--RSB, dance, Trager, and such since about the end of November. The PT sessions filled in some of the blanks--but the PT didn't quite do what dancing does.

I stopped and had a big lunch after dance class--napped for a bit but I'm ready for a light dinner and a movie or early sleep.

World is revving up for the Inaugural activities--and the continuing build up of intense change overs that appear to be happening. Somehow, the 2016 election and all of its debris--has fostered a sense that everything that's being done has to be reported, looked at, disclosed, and examined in great detail.

I don't think I've ever heard so much about past transition activities--certainly not with the hourly bombardment of comments and disclosures. A new era--hopefully one we will survive.

2058

It was a double day--RSB and FO dance. Went well--RSB seemed to go quickly. Dancing was good--seemed to be more mobile and didn't start to have trouble with steps until we went into the last half hour. The regular group showed up--around 20 people.

RSB was sparse--only 7 people in today's class. Should be a goodly number of people in tomorrow's class at RP--the proposed dance list will make for a hefty session.

Rain still happening--on and off, but still a lot of moisture. Heavy snowfall in the mountains--downhill advocates are queueing up and are ready to go.

Today was a full day--8:30am or earlier until 4:45pm. I only managed to get a short nap--after lunch and before going to FO dance class.

Glad that dancing is still viable--I was worried that I'd have to cut back on the more advanced classes. But the combination of RSB and dancing--seems to still be working. Along with the other activities--Trager, food, support groups, and so on.

Keep on moving--and see where it takes me. Down the yellow brick road--down the yellow brick road.

2060-2059

Did an RSB session yesterday--and a Trager session in the afternoon. The RSB session led to a nap after some lunch--and I came back after the Trager session and had dinner with the Tuesday dinner group (daughter, her spouse, C a friend of BH, and the grandson B). Dinner was a homemade dish--scallop carbonara (tasty).

I was tired after finishing up the dinner--and I hit the bed early. Slept well--and went to EDH dance class today (although I was stiff and achy from yesterday's activities). Made it through 2+ hours of dancing--and am ready for some dinner and relaxation. Have a double day tomorrow--FO dance class begins and there is an RSB session in the morning.

Deluge of rain has backed off somewhat--but there probably will be some more before it's over. The river is churning--lots of water coming from the runoff in the upstream areas.

Stopped by AAA today--got the lowdown on the truck transfer. We will do that Saturday--one way or the other.

First month on the new year--and Friday is the first Friday the 13th of 2017. Omens and omens--2017 is a prime number and it seems to be odd in some way. An oddly numbered year--MD will be 100 this year since she was born in 1917 which is not a prime number.

2061

Did an RSB session this morning--had lunch and slept for several hours. Went out like a light--the RSB session was tough but felt good. I just came away from it feeling tired--so when I hit the bed, I went out.

The rains stopped today--although there were some ominous clouds in the late afternoon. The foothills are probably going to take a hit--the clouds looked dark and stormy.

Had a pasta dish at the BBQ place--tasty but too much pasta. I left a pile of uneaten noodles in the bowl--I ate all of the chicken in the dish.

Have an RSB session tomorrow--and a Trager session in the afternoon. I will probably grab a nap after RSB--and then head to the Trager session.

Watched an infomercial about the FedCoin possibilities--free book if you sign up for a newsletter. The speaker was a guy who has predicted many of the financial ups and downs--he thinks the Fed will launch FedCoins in order to moderate the currency crisis facing the entire globe. He's probably correct in his concern--we will all have to be chipped when the ultimate versions are put to practice.

2063-2062

Rain upon rain--a deluge of water. I spent yesterday doing not much of anything--I didn't go to Rescue for dancing. Partly because of the rain--mostly because I just didn't want to go.

Today was much the same--rain and time passing. I had lunch at the India buffet--and had a strange thing happen. I usually sit in the same place when I go there--but today the waiter took me to the other dining area. As I was leaving, the ceiling above my regular table collapsed from a leak in the roof--and fell across the table and chair that I usually take.

It reminded me of a ceiling collapse that happened in my childhood--the plaster came loose from a roof leak and crashed onto the beds in our bedrooms just after we had left those rooms.

The ex and her partner returned the granddaughter--and made a lunch for MD and the group. I had just ate a huge lunch--so I didn't have to sit with them as they ate. I was feeling a bit blurry anyway--since I hadn't had my morning latte. I just now downed a V8 Fusion--to boost my energy level and wake me up a bit before I do some dinner.

It's not all that cold today--but the moisture and such is helping keep things feeling chilly.

Tomorrow will do an early morning RSB session--and kick off a full week of movement and exercising. Will feel good to be back in the groove--too much downtime over the past few months.

2065-2064

Did a RSB session yesterday--and was tired afterward but OK. Watched a film on Netflix, IT--about a rogue IT guy who was a psychopath. It was a tense film--that kept me on the edge throughout. When it ended, I was ready for sleep--so did not post anything yesterday.

Today, I ran errands and picked up some workout clothes--got two more pair of workout pants and a couple of long-sleeved shirts. Weather was cold all day--supposedly in the high 20s in the early morning. I would have liked to have taken a walk today--but walking in the cold air isn't something that seems exciting. Much rain is predicted over the next week--so walking plans may have to sit for a while.

Lasagna plans are also on hold--BH is doing  several dinner dishes in a row. Lasagna can wait for a lull in his productions--tonight he's planning on some sort of French Toast treat.

If there's not too much rain tomorrow--I'll head up to Rescue and do a bit of dancing. My legs are still and wobbly--mostly from yesterday's RSB session and the cold weather. I got my insurance card for the Silver and Fit program--I can register at a local gym and use the facilities for free. I can use that facility to bridge the downtimes in my regular activities--fill in the gaps with targeted exercise so I don't have days where I just don't move a lot.

2066

Did a double today--PT in the morning and dance in the afternoon. FitBit says I did almost 10,000 steps today--closest I've come to hitting that target. I realized today that a 2017 goal might be just that--to hit 10,000 steps every day. I could do that by doubling the RSB and dance activities--or doing something else such as walking/hiking/running some distances.

I did today's exercises (PT and dance) back to back--with a little boost in my SBs drink (peppermint mocha instead of green tea latte). The tiny bit of extra caffeine is noticeable--it levels out the PD symptoms and manifestations.

I did better with the dancing than I thought I would do--I was thinking that the long break, and the increase in movement difficulties, would make it more difficult to dance. It turned out that the PT sessions helped with the dancing--they strengthened my legs and I could feel that strength being translated into better movements. I will need to continue working with the PT exercises--to maintain, and/or increase, my balance and strength. Dancing felt good--moving to the music felt great.

I awoke this morning thinking about cooking--I saw myself starting to cook one or two dishes each week. I would cook something not to complex--items that could be cooked in a single pot. My first thought is that I would do a lasagna--a tasty dish that is hearty and flavorful. I use to make killer versions of this entree--and it's a great comfort dish that everyone would enjoy.

Today, my energy levels were up and steady--one of the ladies in the dance class remarked that I seemed to have good energy. Doing a full dance class after doing a PT session did require energy--and I definitely did appear to have some.

Have a RSB session in the morning--third one in the first four days in this week. Will look at doing a lasagna either tomorrow or Friday--Friday is an open day but will see how I feel after RSB tomorrow. I will most likely go to Rescue dance class on Saturday--which will help ready me for the restart of all of next week's dance classes.

2067

Two days in a row of RSB in the new facility--and the workouts are tougher. More room seems to promote more movement--and more movement fosters more energy on everybody's part.

Today's PT session was shifted to tomorrow--will do before heading to EDH dance session. Or possibly not--if the PT is too much without dancing. Although, I do want to see what I can do--it's been a long while without dance.

I came home today and slept for 2 hours--had a hefty lunch at the BBQ place after the RSB session. They haven't restarted their weekly lunch specials--so I had a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich with fries. Sandwich is big enough for me to have half for dinner--although BH is preparing a Tuesday evening dish (kielbasa) in a sweet sauce.

Rain keeps coming down--has been steady now for a couple of days or more.

And the cool weather persists--almost the same temperatures during the day and the night.

Still taking a daily dose of Vital Reds--not sure in my energy levels are better with this supplement. But I've ordered a big supply--so will continue using daily. Considering getting some fish oil--supposed to be especially helpful with keeping the system in balance.

2069-2068

Somehow, I lost the 1st day of the new year--2017 got started but I didn't. I hibernated for that entire day--did my laundry but lost track of everything else.

I worked a lot on the star wooden puzzle--I've been obsessing about solving it the "neat" way. The not so neat way does work--I did it once in all of the many hours I spent on it (that's where 1/1/17 went).

Went to RSB today--first time in the space. Having a lot more room feels good--and the workout kick started my being. I came home and zoned out--but I feel good and look forward to more sessions.

Tomorrow will be a bit of a test--do an RSB in the morning--and a PT session in the afternoon (almost right after the RSB). Wednesday, I'll give dancing a try--see if my body (feet, system) are still functioning. It will be a good test--given the long hiatus that dancing took over the holidays.

Weather is still strange--today the temperature range was 48 to 41. That's a 7 degree change from day to night--it feels cold all around the clock. The new RSB place doesn't have a heater yet--so it was chilly until we got warmed up.

Feeling sleepy after today's workout and zone out--but will still read a bit before shutting the lights down for the night. Have to leave about 8:30 in the morning--RSB starts at 10 but I discovered that it's about 30 minutes from house to gym. So, will defrost the windshield (it's been icy in the mornings)--and make my trek to Roseville. Then back to Fair Oaks--and a trip to Folsom for the PT work. Onward and onward--into 2017!