How Was Your 4th Of July ?

Around this Case household, the 4th of July has come to mean one set thing for the past five+ years: a day at the VGRA pool.  My wife has been the President of the Pool Board for this local community pool for most of that same time period, and has done a remarkable job leading the board and helping turn this pool around (but that's another story for another post).  On this day every year, the pool has a MASSIVE party, primarily for pool members.  The party has had a few elements change of the years, but one thing has been constant: it's just plain old good family fun!  There are relay and individual races (including watermelon pushing contests and wet t-shirt swimming [trust me, it's hard to swim in an over-sized wet t-shirt]).  There is also a series of "money dives" for different age groups (to make it more fair).  I'm grateful for the strong swimmers each of my kids are because they always do well in those money dives.  To be fair, almost always is the money re-invested in the pool itself by way of the snack bar, but the kids get to choose how to spend their money so it's all good.

There is also a very loosely facilitated water-balloon tossing "contest" which is depicted in the picture to the right.  Some people take it really seriously and get quite a great distance apart from one another before inevitably one of the pairing mishandles a catch and gets a balloon bath.  For others, that bath happens on the first toss.  No matter, as there are buckets full of water balloons to try again with.

As much of a challenge as it can be to watch over our 7 kids mostly by myself (remember Karen is busy running the grill or staffing the check in table or supporting the whole pool in some way), it always ends up being a very enjoyable way to spend most of our day.  I get a little swimming in and a little sun on my skin and usually a little time to read or just chat with other people.  We're usually too exhausted at day's end to go watch any fireworks, but the kids never seem to mind.


Song Of The Day:
I just love Brad Paisley's music and his song "Water" just fits nicely with the theme of this day's post.  One of the lyrics states "all you really need, this time of year ... is a place that's near: water"  Quite a bit of the fun at these pool parties involves things that aren't so much in the water as near the water.  Wise words song-writer, wise words.

...

Why Not Get A Bigger Cup ?

I have used the same tumbler (I guess that's the technical name for it) at work for a few years now.  I clean it regularly so don't get all germophobic or anything.  It holds about 12 ounces of whatever liquid you want in it.  My preference is ice cold water.  In fact, I don't think I have ever had anything else in it honestly.

Anyway, I have been asked on several occasions why I use such a small mug for my water.  This usually comes up because my immediate neighbors in the office notice the multiple trips I take each day to the "water cooler" for refills.  Surely this efficient Supervisor would want to that he could minimize his repeat trips by switching to a larger container which would also allow him constant liquid refreshment without the interruption of a decent walk to the break room area.  I imagine that some thought along those lines must enter these people's minds.

But I do not want to switch.  I will not switch.  I am actually fulfilling more important tasks by limiting the size of my water container.  Consider the following:
 - I refill my water about 4-5 times a day on average.
 - I need make water about 4-5 times a day on average.
 - I am in the office for 8-10 hours a day on average.
 - I need to stretch my legs and get the blood flowing at least every 2 hours.

So when you think about it, it really comes down to simple math.  My trip to refill my water every hour or two allows for a restroom break, a stop at the printer to pick up work items, and a chance to wake up from just sitting at a desk.  So thanks but no thanks.  I'll keep my 'small' water tumbler.

Song Of The Day:
Although the song is not one of my favorites from the group Nickel Creek, I think "Reasons Why" fits well with this post.  I have my reasons why I keep my small cup.  And that's enough.

...

Does It Get Any Easier ?

I haven't specifically written about my P90X experience in several weeks, and I thought it was worthy of a brief update (plus I'm short on time tonight so that works too!)

I'm in the 4th week of the program which is titled the "Recovery Week."  After three very grueling weeks of arms, chest, abs, back, shoulders, abs, quads, thighs, abs, calves, and of course abs, I was looking forward to this week.  And then, just two days into it, I realized it's not much of a "recovery" at all!

Oh sure, the Ab Ripper X workout is non-existant, but there's no shortage of "core" work ... especially the Core Synergystics workout, which was the inspiration for this blog post.  You see, that workout is done twice during this "recovery" week, and when I did it (for the first time ever) on Tuesday night, it darn near killed me!  BUT ... tonight, it was easier.  Not a lot easier, but it was noticeable (and appreciated for sure!)

In fact, I think it is that way with almost all of these workouts.  Don't get me wrong, they are still very hard and my muscles ache afterward and I have to towel off many times during the workouts.  But I can tell that my muscles have gotten stronger and my flexibility has improved greatly (although you wouldn't think so if you saw me ... LONG way to go on that part).

There is a second subject that the title of this blog post could easily be referring too ... eating healthier and drinking water instead of soda.
But that's another story for another time.

Song Of The Day:
I have more than a passing interest in jazz music.  I'm no traditionalist, but I do like the old stuff as well as more recent jazz music.  Harry Connick Jr has been one of my favorite jazz musicians for many years now.  In the 90's I was a very big fan.  Today's song is "Trouble" from his album titled "She" which has some great songs on it.  The tie-in to the post above is that some of these P90X workouts give me trouble to begin with, but "now trouble is all I need" (lyrics from the song).
BTW ... do NOT bother watching this youtube video linked above (it is horrible!) but the song is definitely worth listening to.

Why do they make 1% Chocolate Milk?!

Short blog tonight ... but that's my question ... why do they make 1% Chocolate milk water?!

I love chocolate milk.  I love milk as it is but when you add chocolate there is just something even better (except with pancakes .. trust me, Ben tried it one time and was not too happy with the results).  It is like eating steak wrapped in bacon.  Or when you put just a little sugar inside your strawberry before popping it into your mouth.  Now I'm getting hungry too ... grrrr.

So I return to my original query: why on earth would anyone ever consider adding chocolate flavoring to 1% milk water?!  I mean, we all know that 1% milk water isn't really milk at all ... it's water that they put some milk in to try and convince you that you're drinking milk.  But don't be fooled.  It's NOT MILK !!!  And just for the sake of argument this next sentence assumes that on some crazy planet that white-colored 1% water is considered milk ... if you're drinking 1% milk, it is likely because you should be laying off things that might make you gain weight (apologies if there is some other medical condition I am demonstrating insensitivity toward) ... don't ya think the chocolate syrup or flavoring is on that short list of things you should probably avoid too?!  Not to mention the bacon-wrapped steak and sugar filled strawberries.

I am just venting because Sams has starting carrying only 1% chocolate milk water and so now we have to get the "acceptable" 2% variety from another store instead of just getting all our milk in one place.

And when did they stop pre-mixing Whole Chocolate Milk?!  Let's get out and exercise people so I can enjoy a huge glass of the really good stuff without having to spend time mixing it myself (because we all know it tastes better when someone does it for you).  Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.