About a week ago I was thinking that I was running out of blog topics as we have now mostly adjusted to life in Belgium and at the moment all of us are settled into our routines.
But then Allen happened. (It is almost always Allen who shakes things up)
It is winter which means cold season which means post nasal drip which means Allen's asthma kicks up. This time his asthma really kicked up, so much so that we made an early morning trip to the local emergency room.
Allen has no memory of the last time his asthma was this bad. In hindsight he was probably in what doctors would refer to as the "yellow zone" versus the "red zone." Red or yellow he still needed more assistance to breathe than what we could do for him at home. So off to the emergency room we went. He did have an audible wheeze to his breathing and the oxygen level in his blood was not what was optimal.
At the hospital he received a breathing treatment and was put on oral steroids. I now know the French word for steroid (but not how to spell it) - corticoid (core tea coe eed).
Most of last week was spent monitoring Allen's breathing and with him home from school.
When Allen feels well he is quite busy with school, friends, running, youth group, Bible study and worship band. When he is at home he is usually in his room and on his computer. It was a change of pace to have him around more and interact with him more than usual.
I have something more to note about Allen being around but I think I'll save that for tomorrow as this post is already long. So check back in tomorrow...
Monday, February 14, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Weight Loss by Theater
Since being cast in Tartuffe I'm down three pounds. Given that my weight has been within the same 5 pound range for years now and that I am now three pounds less than the lower end of that range, I find it to be remarkable.
My BMI is in the normal range, though at the high end of normal for my height. With this recent loss I am now trending toward the middle of that range.
I'm not a terribly healthy eater and I can't say that I've improved much in that category. I do exercise daily (thank you accountability partner) and attempt some strength training. I think this has helped me maintain a healthy weight.
What I believe is making this recent difference is rehearsal. I've forgotten how physically demanding it is to be on stage. One would think it is just a bunch of sitting, walking and talking but it is more. I spend a good amount of time leaning away from various characters and I can tell you my core muscles are getting work out to achieve a position and then hold it. By the end of the evening I am really tired.
I am being a bit more careful about what I am eating as well. My costume will have a tightly fitted bodice and vanity spurs me on to maintain the loss and strive for a trimmer torso. Time will tell if I can maintain this or not, but I'd like to. There's nothing wrong with a healthy BMI and really strong core muscles.
Thank you Tartuffe!
My BMI is in the normal range, though at the high end of normal for my height. With this recent loss I am now trending toward the middle of that range.
I'm not a terribly healthy eater and I can't say that I've improved much in that category. I do exercise daily (thank you accountability partner) and attempt some strength training. I think this has helped me maintain a healthy weight.
What I believe is making this recent difference is rehearsal. I've forgotten how physically demanding it is to be on stage. One would think it is just a bunch of sitting, walking and talking but it is more. I spend a good amount of time leaning away from various characters and I can tell you my core muscles are getting work out to achieve a position and then hold it. By the end of the evening I am really tired.
I am being a bit more careful about what I am eating as well. My costume will have a tightly fitted bodice and vanity spurs me on to maintain the loss and strive for a trimmer torso. Time will tell if I can maintain this or not, but I'd like to. There's nothing wrong with a healthy BMI and really strong core muscles.
Thank you Tartuffe!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Chandeleur
Today in the United States you will celebrate February 2nd by looking at a rodent.
In the French speaking parts of Europe, Europeans will celebrate by eating crepes. Guess which tradition we will be observing.
Today is Chandeleur or Candlemas or Crepe Day. Chandeleur is a French word for a large candle or taper (not the kind on a birthday cake). February 2nd started out as a pagan holiday marking the half way point through winter. The Catholic Church adopted it as a holy day - commemorating Mary's purification and Jesus' presentation at the temple. They achieved mixed success - people do go to mass but then they bring a candle home with them. They use the candle to light other candles and spread blessing through the house. Then they make crepes and the flipping of crepes is used to predict the future and/or the remaining length of winter.
Crepes have a tangental relationship to the concept of Chandeleur. Candles are a light source. We are getting a bit more light every day (hooray!) Crepes are in the shape of the sun. The sun gives light. See there is a connection.
Anyways, we will observe Crepe day in the Dunlap house. I've even found a vegan crepe recipe so that Allen can enjoy the celebration as well. I've got a raspberry filling planned and there is always that great standby crepe filling - Nutella.
In the French speaking parts of Europe, Europeans will celebrate by eating crepes. Guess which tradition we will be observing.
Today is Chandeleur or Candlemas or Crepe Day. Chandeleur is a French word for a large candle or taper (not the kind on a birthday cake). February 2nd started out as a pagan holiday marking the half way point through winter. The Catholic Church adopted it as a holy day - commemorating Mary's purification and Jesus' presentation at the temple. They achieved mixed success - people do go to mass but then they bring a candle home with them. They use the candle to light other candles and spread blessing through the house. Then they make crepes and the flipping of crepes is used to predict the future and/or the remaining length of winter.
Crepes have a tangental relationship to the concept of Chandeleur. Candles are a light source. We are getting a bit more light every day (hooray!) Crepes are in the shape of the sun. The sun gives light. See there is a connection.
Anyways, we will observe Crepe day in the Dunlap house. I've even found a vegan crepe recipe so that Allen can enjoy the celebration as well. I've got a raspberry filling planned and there is always that great standby crepe filling - Nutella.
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