Over the past couple of days:

• butcher block cut and mounted to island
• end panels for island cut and installed
• various other end panels installed
• cement board installed behind range
• electrical cover installed behind range

ARK looked at the island and wants it moved further into the kitchen; currently it sticks out a couple of inches beyond the walls at the edge of the entrance. Would probably only need another end panel as the heat register had been cut into it and it would be in a different place is the island moved.

• biweekly meeting with D. MK was not there.

• sealed hood venting

• took apart island cabinets in prep for putting it in its final place

• prepped for island heating and electrical connections

• moved range into almost it’s final position

• more plaster or whatever they’re using to smooth out the walls where the tile will go

• a few more cabinet shelves installed

• cleanup of all the electrical detritus that had been left around

• mounted thermostat in proper place

• more trim

So the kitchen is still under construction. I’d like to blame the lack of updates on that, but my lameness is probably more to blame.

today the plumbers were here and they:

• installed faucet, disposal button and switch control, and soap dispenser

• installed disposal and requisite piping

• updated undercountet sink hot and cold water controls

• ran copper tubing behind cabinets for ice maker in fridge

• installed old dishwasher

• adjusted gas line to range as the old configuration want going to work with the new one

Who knew plumbers could also work on gas lines?

I’m sick with a hacking cough and general aches and pains. to sick to go to gym. I am hopeful I can make it tomorrow though.

the rest of the family went hiking. whilst I slept in a bit longer until the plumbers arrived. Amanda and LK later went swimming whilst I watched toddler J.

We had leftovers for dinner.

I am in bed sitting this entry on my phone. Amanda is sleeping beside me. Armando is laying on my feet.

It’s been a while since the last post. Been busy with life and have not been around home much recently as we are getting our kitchen renovated and have been spending a lot of time at my mother-in-laws.

Today I there was a special workout at the gym as it is its second anniversary. Tiring.

We went to ZV kid’s birthday party in Ravenna. That was fun.

We went back to the gym later for the second aniversary BBQ and party. I made a kale and brussel sprout salad and everyone loved. It was fun, too, although I did not get a chance to talk much with anyone since we had to watch the kiddies.

I need to write in the weblog more. I always say that tho. I have been tweeting more, though, but not much recently. Have to get that hooked up to the weblog again, too.

The month has turned, and I have started yet more life modifications (and not medications). I am counting daily calories again in order to lose weight, although I expect to hit another plateau at 180. Last year I almost lost my goal of 30 pounds, but fell a little short, and then stopped counting and bounced back to my historical normal of around 190.

I also started crossfit at the same place Amanda has gone for a while. Today I had the first session of the intro month. Basically, they go through the typical exercises that the normal classes use and how their place works. We went through one of their typical warm ups (2x 10 pullups, pushups, situps, supermans, 300m row) plus a “METCON” workout-of-day. METCON means metabolic conditioning, I think. That was basically a 200m run, 15-12-9 squats, pushups, and ring rows, and another 200m run for time. Of the eight people in the class this morning, I was last with a time of 7:28. Alas! Amanda said I did great as when she first did it she finished in 11 or 12 minutes. I would like to say that everyone else was rushing and not really doing the exercises with proper form, but the reality is I am not in great shape. Besides, you are not competing with other people, only yourself.

So, yes, I drank the kool aid joined the “veganism of fitness”. It was fun, although I felt like throwing up immediately after the WOD and it took me a while to feel normal again.

And maybe eight hours later, I could not lift my arms. I did not think the workout was all that bad strength-wise while doing it (as cardio seemed more the problem with me), but after thinking about it I did not a crazy (for regular people) amount of back exercises. Good thing the gym is closed for the fourth, so I will have more time to recover. I should do the pushups at least everyday anyway.