Day 198 of Chris Downie's 1,000 days of doing 10 minutes of exercise.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 Day 198
Chopping Wood 145 minutes 1743 calories burned
Raking Lawn 20 minutes 160 calories burned
Heavy Cleaning 11 minutes 99 calories burned Swept leaves out of basement entrance
Moving: carrying boxes 9 minutes 126 calories burned Carried wood in and stacked it
Total Exercise Minutes: 185

Today I worked on splitting wood by myself. I carried out the sledge hammer, an axe, an old axe head, a wedge and the wood maul. I took the splitter out and put it on the big log we use for it. I placed the wheelbarrow near by to throw the split logs into it. I did one full wheelbarrow.

Most of the logs are too big for me to lift off of the ground. I did the smaller ones I could get to, in the stacked wood.

I raked up debris off of a part of the yard and brought it in to be burned and swept leaves out of the basement entrance and put them in the wood stove.

I carried in the wood I had cut and stacked it on a pallet in the workshop.

I haven't been writing because I don't have anything to write about.

I went to see my Mom yesterday at the nursing home. Her bed was bare, no sheets or blanket on it, and there were soiled clothes in a bag in front of her armoire and one bag on the inside of the armoire. I gathered her dirty laundry and gave the bags to the staff to take care of. I doubt that I could have driven home with them in my van.

While I was there Mom needed to use the bathroom. She had soiled herself and I had her on the toilet and pressed the call button. Mom was complaining about her back hurting and that the seat was cutting into her rear end, she sat there so long. I heard that someone walked off the job.

I was there from 10 AM until 2 PM. I had a Care Plan meeting at 10:15 AM, but they were late, so I don't know how long the bed was stripped. I told someone I wanted it made before I left to go home. They asked if my Mom wanted to lie down. I said, "That is not the point, I have been here since 10 AM."

I straightened everything in the drawers of her hutch, armoire and chest of drawers. I sat with her while she had lunch and I got her to eat by telling her if she cleaned her plate, I would eat the slice of apple pie they gave her. I knew I wouldn't have to worry, but she did eat half of a hamburger with Swiss cheese and mustard, some French fries and ketchup, cole slaw and coffee. There have been times when I don't think she ate a 1/2 cup of all the food served to her.

This part is for caregivers or anyone that has to wash soiled clothing. I bought an OxiCleanŽ Max ForceŽ Gel Stick when I went shopping and it works great. Mom is in adult diapers, but sometimes when they are changing them, her clothing becomes soiled. They take her slacks off of her and put on clean , but I often get her clothing home and need to pre-treat stains. I recommend this stuff. It was $3.99. I had been using Oxi-clean laundry stain remover spray and a toothbrush. It was so time-consuming.

I am going to get into my pajamas and get ready for bed. This old woman is beat.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PATRICIAANN46 2/23/2012 6:35PM

You certainly are getting a lot of exercise keeping your wood supply up. It is true that using wood warms you twice! My Mom is 87 and is just starting to become a bit less independent. I do worry about her going into a nursing home situation when I hear stories like yours. I hope that things improve at your Mom's facility. Our elderly deserve good care. Bye for now. Report Inappropriate Comment

ROXYZMOM 2/23/2012 10:20AM

You sure are a hard worker! Your husband must have been impressed with all that you did! And your Mom must love your visits. Are you doing any of the stretching exercises when you are done working with the wood? It might help dice you are lifting so much. Report Inappropriate Comment

SENATOR9 2/23/2012 9:54AM

You had a great workout Report Inappropriate Comment

RAINBOWCHOC 2/23/2012 4:07AM

what a lot of exercise! I hope you slept well as a result. I'm sorry things are still not settled at the nursing home. Has that small child stopped "visiting"? good luck for a good weight loss this week hugs and good wishes, Sandra Report Inappropriate Comment

Day 197 of Chris Downie's 1,000 days of doing 10 minutes of exercise.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Saturday, February 18, 2012 Day 197
Chopping Wood 144 minutes 1731 calories burned
Total Exercise Minutes: 144

We got the wood splitter by UPS on Wednesday. We needed to drill a hole in a big log as a base to put the logs on to split them. Hubby charged his drill overnight last night and we picked a large, round log and began drilling. It took almost a half an hour to get a half-inch deep hole drilled.

I had my husband go to the neighbor that lives behind us to ask him for a brace and bit. I had talked with him last night and he said he had a lot of tools. He likes to work on old cars and trucks. My husband came back with a brace and bit and a heavy-duty electric drill. We ended up using the electric drill on the elm.

We split 4 full wheelbarrows loads of wood today. each log was split into quarters and some into smaller pieces and we sawed up some scrap wood for kindling with the Skill saw. We have been running the heat pump for almost a week and had the electric baseboard heat on last Friday and Saturday when we thought there was something wrong with the heat pump.

I am worn out. I had a back ache most of last week and bowel problems and missed Wednesday night church.

Using this wood splitter is a workout. I also used an old axe head and wedge hitting them with a sledge hammer because the elm is so stringy and even the stringy wood is still very hard to cut.

I hope I am able to move tomorrow without any major aches.

I made a beef stew with some meat our son bought. The meat was tough and stringy. There was another pack that I used in homemade vegetable soup. I have a small oval roaster and put the meat in there and poured brewed coffee in the roaster and turned the meat as it roasted. The coffee tenderized the meat and you couldn't taste the coffee, then we pulled it apart and put the pieces in the vegetable soup.


We ate the last of it tonight. I like having supper done and just having to put it in the microwave to warm it up.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TAMMIELAND 2/21/2012 7:37AM

That's a work out now! so how do you like the log splitter now that you've probably used it a couple of times by now? We've had a couple ground covering snows but it melts really fast. Lot's of 60+ mph winds though. Report Inappropriate Comment

RAINBOWCHOC 2/19/2012 4:02AM

Fantastic! I showed the youtube clip to our friends who have a wood burning stove. It costs about Ł80 here but they thought it would be worth spending the money. I'm glad you have made a healthy stew too, sounds like a small victory for good health in your house. I have to get back to basics because I have been off track for a few days with the visitors. Report Inappropriate Comment

PATRICIAANN46 2/18/2012 9:48PM

With all of the work you have been doing re: the preparation of the wood, you must be burning through a lot of calories........ I had NEVER heard of using coffee to tenderize meat either. I will definitely have to try it. Have a great Sunday. Report Inappropriate Comment

BOO-SHAY 2/18/2012 9:11PM

Man what a work out! Report Inappropriate Comment

APPLEPIEAPPLE 2/18/2012 8:10PM

Great workout! Did the splitter help reduce or ease the work? It has been a really nice day today good day for outdoor exercise. Report Inappropriate Comment

SENATOR9 2/18/2012 7:48PM

Good work out Report Inappropriate Comment

ROXYZMOM 2/18/2012 7:26PM

You are like wonder woman! Your neighbors must be in awe watching you work! And the calories you are burning -- wow! Great job! I like to use my crockpot. When I come home from work I can smell dinner all over the house - makes it so easy! Report Inappropriate Comment

0309COOKIE 2/18/2012 7:00PM

I never heard of coffee being used to tenderize meat. Learn something new every day.......... Report Inappropriate Comment

A bearing went out on my husband's truck.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Estimated cost: $1,100

We will be able to pay for it and he will get his truck back tonight, be the Lord Willing.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ROXYZMOM 2/14/2012 7:49PM

My goodness! I am glad the heatpump was 40 bucks - imagine if it was more?? Thank God!! Report Inappropriate Comment

INFLATED 2/14/2012 7:10PM

I have been having back pain and haven't wanted to sit at the computer. I am glad that I got our finances straightened out before this happened. Report Inappropriate Comment

APPLEPIEAPPLE 2/14/2012 8:42AM

Ouch! I am glad you found the funds. I hope you have a great Valentine's Day! Report Inappropriate Comment

KISSFAN1 2/13/2012 8:40PM

That really stinks, I hate when expensive car repairs come up like that. I'm glad you guys are able to pay for it, way to go! Report Inappropriate Comment

SENATOR9 2/13/2012 7:05PM

I hate car repair Report Inappropriate Comment

PATRICIAANN46 2/13/2012 5:47PM

I am wishing you the best......... Report Inappropriate Comment

Update on the heat pump.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

I stayed awake and tended the wood stove. Hubby had turned on the electric baseboard in our bedroom, but the rest of the house was 64 degrees. I woke him up at 7:30 AM and he went downstairs to listen to the outside unit while I turned it on at the thermostat. It was making a whining noise so he hollered to shut it off.

We called the company that installed the heat pump in 2009. A man called me back within five minutes and told me to turn the thermostat to emergency heat and that it would not run the outside unit but it would keep us warm. Gee! Had I known that, I could have gone to bed and slept. He said he would be here by 9 AM.

We are to have a temperature of 18 degrees tonight with very windy conditions. He came and looked at the thermostat. He switched it to heat and went outside to look at the unit. No noise and I thought it had made a liar out of me. Then it began to make the noise.

WELL GUESS WHAT?

It turns out there is a defrost mode on the outside unit and that was what I was hearing. I just happened to put Princess outside when it was running and heard it for the first time since the heat pump was installed in 2009. He asked if that was what I had heard and I told him it was and that I made my husband get up this morning and listen while I switched the thermostat on to "Heat."

He said, "Well, this is going to be an easy fix." Then he told us about the defrost mode and he said, "See there is even steam coming off the top of it as it defrosts the ice on the outside." I said, "Well, it's a good thing I didn't see that last night because I would have called the Fire Department!"

I said, " I bet you get into your truck and say to yourself, 'Stupid woman!'"

So it cost us $40 for a service call which is cheap. We got it for that price because we wanted a yearly service contract and my husband had talked to his secretary about one in 2009, but we were never signed up for it. The first year would have been free and then $40 a year instead of $120 for a service call.

We both learned about our Lennox heat pump today. My husband told him that he didn't know those things either. We didn't receive any manuals when it was put in. So now we know, and knowing is half the battle. (That's one of my husband's expressions.)

I really think the service man got a kick out of it. I will be warm tonight, be the Lord Willing!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LINDA! 2/11/2012 10:38PM

Glad you have it fixed now!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

PATRICIAANN46 2/11/2012 8:47PM

I am so glad that everything worked out well for you. Report Inappropriate Comment

ROXYZMOM 2/11/2012 2:24PM

Well, that worked out really good for you! I would rather be a little bit embarassed then shell out hundreds of dollars; and you didn't know so don't feel bad. We had a heat pump in one of our houses and hated it. When it goes to emergency heat is costs more to run. Our house never felt evenly warm. The house we live in now uses propane. We spend about 2100 a year for it. The bills come in from November through March. We keep the house at 65 when we are not home, 68 when we are here. My husband has programmed thermostats on both floors. It is 63 while we sleep. Report Inappropriate Comment

SUGARSMOM2 2/11/2012 1:20PM

can i ask you question ? do they work well in the summer also . I like the fact that they heat for cold weather but wondered about hot weather . see i am a dreamer and think i want to get one but want the cool of an air conditioner . . seems we do have to look at many different ways to look at a product . Report Inappropriate Comment

SENATOR9 2/11/2012 11:33AM

When it's only minor that's good Report Inappropriate Comment

APPLEPIEAPPLE 2/11/2012 11:12AM

My heat pumps had that as well. They would occasionally freeze up. I learned later that heat pumps really were not recommended for our area. They were meant for warmer climates. Figures.. Report Inappropriate Comment

My husband's truck broke down.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Friday, February 10, 2012 Day 196 of Chris Downie's 1,000 days
Elliptical Trainer 20 minutes 361 calories burned
This is the most minutes I have ever done without stopping on my elliptical. Heart rate was 168 when I was done.


My husband just called, his truck broke down in a parking lot in Rockville, Maryland. He will have to have it towed. Thankfully, it happened on pay day and we have AAA to tow it. Also it happened on Friday and he will not need transportation until Monday. Bad weather is headed our way with temperatures below freezing. I pray my husband won't get sick as he deals with getting the truck fixed and back here to the house. I am hoping it is nothing major, but it has been making a clunking noise and it feels like the brakes are on when the cruise control is used. I'm asking for prayer. We just renewed AAA last week. God is good that the truck lasted until these things were in place-pay day, Triple A paid, today being Friday. Counting our blessings.

Oh and one more major one, he is off the roads and won't be hit by other vehicles.

Our son is supposed to pick him up and bring him home, but he didn't know if they will let him off work to go and get my husband. I don't know when they will be home.

They got home a little after 7 PM. Snow was on the ground. Nobody will be working on the truck until at least Monday. He will have to run my van until the truck is fixed. I am sure since it is close to Washington, D. C., the repairs will be expensive.

I made beef stew for supper. I thought the guys would be cold and hungry. Our son heated some canned soup in the microwave and he was off to spend time with his girlfriend.

When I went to the basement tonight to exercise, Princess wanted to go outside. I had started the dishwasher and heard a grinding noise and thought it was the dishwasher. It was the heat pump. I turned it off and the unit outside thumped after I had it turned off. We have electric baseboard heat and the wood stove. My son looked up the tracking number for the wood splitter, it should be here Wednesday, be the Lord Willing.

I cleaned the wood stove today and have a fire laid and ready to be lit in it. Tomorrow it is not supposed to reach freezing. I told my husband the truck was making noises and he said it was the muffler. I wanted him to take it to a local mechanic that we trust and use my van to go to work. I also told him to do the wood when he had days off and the weather was warmer. I am not going to complain to him, he has to do things his way. God sometimes touches your wallet to teach you not to procrastinate and to do preventive maintenance. He was told when they put in the heat pump in 2009 to clean it every year of leaves and any debris that might get under the cover. He never did it at our old house and he hasn't here either. I am afraid of electricity and so is he, but if we aren't going to do the maintenance, we should save and pay someone else to do it.

I have long underwear and microfleece pjs and four blankets but I can't do that man's thinking for him.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SENATOR9 2/11/2012 11:30AM

Hope the truck is fix soon Report Inappropriate Comment

APPLEPIEAPPLE 2/11/2012 11:19AM

When it rain it pours.. I hope the truck repair is cost effective and manageable. Hopefully your splitter will be there very soon. Report Inappropriate Comment

ROXYZMOM 2/11/2012 9:25AM

You are doing great letting your husband deal with it in his own way. Men don't like to feel that they are not doing a good job taking care of their family and it will work out in the end - he's just taking a different path to get there! Thank God he wasn't injured and got home ok - that's the most important thing! It's also great that you have another car for him to use until his truck is fixed. Report Inappropriate Comment

RAINBOWCHOC 2/11/2012 3:33AM

you summed it up nicely, you cannot do his thinking for him....he has to learn the hard way but it's not fair you suffer as a result. Let's hope he spends the weekend doing something useful as he cannot run away in his truck! best wishes for that! Congratulations on the eliptical marathon. Do you do backwards as well as forwards? I find that quite scary and would send my heart rate up too! Report Inappropriate Comment

PATRICIAANN46 2/10/2012 9:37PM

I hope that your husband and son get home safe and am glad that all was in place so that you didn't have excessive expense. I hope your weekend is a good one. Report Inappropriate Comment

0309COOKIE 2/10/2012 6:55PM

Thank God that everything worked out well, all things considered. Report Inappropriate Comment