I think my body is trying to tell me something.  A heavy head and headache Saturday gave way to mild vertigo all day yesterday.  This morning I was still not feeling normal.  Who knows!  Something with my inner ear for sure and another day to add to the long list recently where I’m carrying a bowling ball on my shoulders.  So is it stress?  Possibly.  My hope is that all this will die down in a week when the move is over… but Dave and I were just talking about that being just the beginning.  We have to get window coverings and unpack everything and wait to move all our stuff from Mark’s until the basement’s finished… and on and on.  I got my pantyhose packed this morning, so I’m really making progress.  Ha, ha  Did I mention it was 7 years ago today Dave proposed to me and he’s out of town at a PE conference?  Packing boxes with a 2 and 4-year-old running loose around me!  Happy Valentine’s Day.

Next Level Extreme Fitness (NLXF):  Missed class today due to the vertigo… I hope Ryan and Creed don’t give up on me!  I did read the article about NLXF in Sunday’s Courier.  Does that count as a mental workout?  Ha, ha

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 32

Just found out a couple hours ago, officially, that the loan has been approved for the family buying our house.  So the closing with them and ours for the new home are a go next week.  We are thrilled.  Charlotte has already lined up a playdate with one of her classmates who lives in our new neighborhood.  Imagine that.  I have steadily been coordinating how all this is hopefully going to play out.  So many parties involved… the post office, moving company, bank, etc.  We will spend one night in a hotel, thereby clearing out our house for a professional carpet cleaning requested by the buyers.  Stopped by U-Haul this afternoon to get some bigger cardboard boxes that I will stuff my entire wardrobe in next week (preferably still on the hangars).  Dave and I will move some of the remaining items on our own, then leave the big stuff for movers.  Writing all this down helps me feel on top of things, but I know the coming week is bound to include a lot of what I like to call organized chaos.  Wish me well, I don’t believe in luck!

Next Level Extreme Fitness (NLXF):  Killer class today.  A lot of kickboxing drills with squats and planks thrown in.  I must admit the music really pumps you up… Eye of the Tiger (Survivor), Talk Dirty to Me (Poison) and Lose Yourself to name a few titles this week!

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 32

I no longer believe people who say you can be totally organized during a move.  Yesterday I ran out of checks just as I need some to give the movers and radon mitigator down payments.  Guess where the box of extra checks is located?  In some box at Mark’s house.  I went by the bank assuming temporary ones would be available, you know blanks checks you could fill in?  They aren’t.  So began my frantic afternoon search through bin after bin.  I thought we were being smart labeling each one.  And we were if what you’re looking for is even in there.  It wasn’t.  After twisting and turning, lifting and digging–all the while watched by one of Mark’s cats–it dawned on me that I had likely put the box of checks in a basket with stationery.  Of course that basket was in the other room in his basement, waiting for me on the first pile with the box of checks right on top.  I was relieved but so overheated I drove to work with my window cracked.  I had worked up a sweat.  A swing through the DQ drive-thru for a large cherry slush cooled me off.  The sugar rush actually made me feel better!

Next Level Extreme Fitness (NLXF):  Focus on upper body resistance today.  A lot of push-ups and ab work.  I love both because you get a break from cardio and get to lie on your back for some of it!  Sad how my nature is to look for ways to cut corners during a workout.

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 32

How it happened I became a news anchor is not easily explained when by birthright I was on track to be in education.  My maternal great grandma went to Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois–then a teacher’s college.  My paternal grandma also attended ISU as did my dad, mom and only sibling (my sister, Sara).  All became teachers.  At 28, my father left the classroom to become (at the time) the youngest superintendent in the state.  My mom waited 20 years, though, to move to administration.  It took getting her doctorate to land an elementary principalship in Peoria after two decades in the classroom.  My sister is years into her teaching career, also in Peoria.  And then there’s the veteran teacher I married five years ago who quickly gained my respect.  Once I saw how former students from the Indian reservation where he taught reacted upon running into him, I knew he was a good man.  Raised by teachers and now married to one, I can tell you the rumors are true.  They do spend a lot of their own money for other people’s kids and they do often find themselves in the role of counselor, babysitter and friend on top of mentor and peacemaker.  One of the first years Dave started teaching here, he was nominated for a Gold Star Award by a student’s parents.  Reading the nomination form meant a lot.  Here he was out of his element in special needs, having spent years as a PE and strength training teacher.  Yet their small effort to give him some recognition proved he was having an impact–a big one in the eyes of this girl’s family.  Nominate a deserving teacher in eastern Iowa for a Gold Star Award.  Deadline is March 1.

Next Level Extreme Fitness (NLXF):  Class was better today.  I like how the instructors mix it up so much every time, you never know what to expect and you really can’t get bored.  And I am back into a smaller size!

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 32

I like big babies.  Perhaps because I was one (born just under 10 pounds) and I had two (Charlotte and Thomas were both over 9 pounds).  So when an email came into the newsroom in-box yesterday, I thought it was one to share.  Here it is along with the photos.  My reply to the father who sent it, in addition to congratulations, was Amen for C-sections!

Hello,

At 1:01 PM today, at Covenant Medical center in Waterloo, we welcomed Caitlin Marie Korczak into the world.  She weighed in at a very healthy 13lbs 4 oz.  She is 21.5” long.  Baby and Mom are doing well. 

 Dad David Korczak and Mom Shannon Korczak are very happy.  Big brother Brennan (6) and big sister Allison (2) are anxious to meet little sister tonight.

 Thanks,

David L. Korczak

Next Level Extreme Fitness (NLXF):  No surprise I was dragging in class this morning, having been off for 5 days!  It did feel so good to work out again and to realize I am still much stronger than when this journey began, despite being weakened by illness.

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 32

You know how you think you’re not stressed, then you get sick and you realize stress was probably a factor?  That’s what more than one person has told me in regard to my latest now week-long illness.  I was worse Saturday, went back to Urgent Care and was put on another 3-day antibiotic for sinus infection.  So today I am better, but not at my best.  And here is the not-so-good part… this Friday is the deadline for the financing on the sale of our house to be finalized.  Things look good but, as many of you know having experienced this, we won’t feel good about it until all the papers are signed and the check is in our hand.  Not to mention, most of our stuff has been moved out and the house is in no condition to go back on the market.  Please let this all go through!  As for me, I just want to get healthy physcially AND emotionally and hold there for a bit.

Next Level Extreme Fitness (NLXF):  Had to skip class again today, as I am too dizzy from the medication.  I will be back tomorrow!  The excellent news, though, I weighed-in Saturday and I have lost 5 pounds, an inch off my thighs and an inch and a 1/4 off my arms!  So in just 4 weeks (keep in mind, I only made it to class one day of Week 5) I have slimmed down and toned up.  I can’t wait for the results of these last 5 weeks.  This program totally works.

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 32

I’ve heard people who go through tragedy talk about how unsettling it was to realize that while their lives were in chaos the rest of the world got on with life without them.  And in a minuscule way, I can relate.  Away from work and social interaction since Monday night, I checked out while everyone else still had to show up.  And that’s how it goes.  The news still happens, the mail still comes and like clockwork there was the garbage truck out my window this morning.  So no matter what brings you down, physically or emotionally or both, you can take comfort or be irritated by the fact that time will not stand still.  I can tell already my co-workers are bored with the details of my illness.  They’ve been toiling in crappy weather all week and to hear me expound on my symptoms gets old fast.  So I went from feeling sorry for myself to feeling like a total, selfish brat when I discovered going through emails that Kate McRae (the little girl battling brain cancer) has new spots that don’t look good on a recent scan.  My heart sank and my eyes teared up and now I’m chugging orange juice and mentally powering through.  Prayers to her and to all the people who really know what illness is all about.

Next Level Extreme Fitness (NLXF):  Again too sick to attend class.  Weigh-in and measurements at the halfway point are today and tomorrow.  Plan to stop in and will let you know the results!

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 32

Day 3 of the flu or whatever horrible illness has taken hold of me.  I have not been outside since Tuesday morning when I went to Urgent Care right when it opened.  Yesterday I was worse, so a call to the doctor led to Tamiflu which may or may not be helping.  Not sure.  It’s like my head has a big weight around it and my cough leads to hacking to gagging and then screwing up my throat so much I am unrecognizable when I answer the phone.  Two friends thought they had the wrong number when they heard my voice.  So three sick days from work is not good, especially when I have a job that requires a clear voice and physical presence–neither of which I have been able to provide since Monday night.  I told my boss this experience has reminded me how much we take being healthy for granted. 

Next Level Extreme Fitness (NLXF):  I hope my instructors know I am still alive.  I have been unable to walk up and down stairs without getting dizzy, so exercise has been out completely.  Will be thrilled to return to work tomorrow and be able to sit up at my desk.  It sucks.

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 32

I always tell people I can’t sing but I can rap.  They think I’m kidding.  Click here to check out my performance from Saturday’s KWWL party, posted on You Tube by a co-worker.  Thought you’d find it amusing!

Next Level Extreme Fitness (NLXF):  Missed class this morning to go to Urgent Care.  Strep test was negative so doctor thinks I have an influenza strain my flu shot didn’t cover.  In bed all day and off work tonight! 

Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 32