Cat people

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I'm definitely a cat person and have slept in less than comfortable positions so I didn't disturb my kitties. What about you?

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 14

Today do:

14 walking lunges or 14 step ups.

Also do:
Brandy: 14 arm circles
Sarita: 14 sit ups and 14 arm circles
Melissa: 14 sit ups, 14 shoulder presses, 14 arm circles
Dru: 14 arm circles

Post to comments when you are

Exercise

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This is me exactly! I haven't felt like doing any exercise this week. Not sure I'll be up to it this weekend, either. I'm taking it real slow.

I'm so happy Dru has kept the Crossfit Challenge posts up to date, because that will make it easier for me to catch up on all the days. That will be nothing compared to our last challenge when we reached the 80s and beyond. Though shoulder presses might have to be dropped. I can't hold a barbell in my left hand!

This weekend is going to be hot and sunny. We've got a couple things on the schedule, but not much. That means a lot of writing time for me. I can't wait! Also, I wrote about my haircut in yesterday's comment section if you want to know how it turned out.

Any plans yourself?

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 13

Today do:

13 walking lunges or 13 step ups.

Also do:
Brandy: 13 arm circles
Sarita: 13 sit ups and 13 arm circles
Melissa: 13 sit ups, 13 shoulder presses, 13 arm circles
Dru: 13 arm circles only

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Yep

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These could be my furbabies if you substituted a dog face for one of the cats. Though they wouldn't be that close to each other. I've eaten a few of my meals in bed this week, and I normally eat lunch at my computer. No matter where I am, all four are usually nearby watching as I eat. Smalls will even go so far as to jump onto my lap or table. Must be her outdoor kitty survivor instincts kicking in!

I managed some pages last night after taking it easy most of the day. I realized how easy I can overdo it so am really trying to be careful.

Today I am going to get a haircut. I was letting it grow out (it's past my shoulders now) and wearing a ponytail, but that's not going to work now with only one hand. And I can't tell you how awful it looks down. Hubby tried to help with it, but that didn't go so well. This is the best option right now.

Not sure how short I'll go, but I have some highlights I've been growing out and hiding with the ponytail. Remember the hideous ones from last summer that I got for RWA conference. Well, after having to spend too much money to get a caramel toner put in every couple of months after that I said enough and stopped doing that. I never went back to the salon at all.

Needless to say the highlights are back to being very blonde, but now start halfway down my hair. Ick! That's why I was loving the ponytail. I really don't know if I'll ever highlight again after that experience, but I suppose I could put a rinse on it myself. Not sure if I'm that brave or not.

But I'm not a total coward. After the highlight fiasco, I'm not going back to the person who has cut and highlighted my hair for the last couple of years. No instead, I figured I'd be in just as good as hands with some random stylist at a place I've never been to. Maybe I do have a little bit of a daredevil streak after all! But it's not that big of a risk. Hair always grows back!

What are you doing today?

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 12

Today do:

12 walking lunges or 12 step ups.

Also do:
Brandy: 12 arm circles
Sarita: 12 sit ups and 12 arm circles
Melissa: 12 sit ups, 12 shoulder presses, 12 arm circles
Dru: 12 arm circles only

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Awwww!

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Aw sums up how I felt when I checked my email and found all the Crossfit Challenge posts done for me, including tomorrow's. Thanks, Dru! And be sure to check your mailbox next week. Something will be heading your way tomorrow!

And thanks to Brandy for offering, but Dru had them done before I could blink!

Love,
Melissa

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 11

Today do:

11 walking lunges or 11 step ups.

Also do:
Brandy: 11 arm circles
Sarita: 11 sit ups and 11 arm circles
Melissa: 11 sit ups, 11 shoulder presses, 11 arm circles
Dru: 11 arm circles only

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 10

Today do:

10 walking lunges or 10 step ups.

Also do:
Brandy: 10 arm circles
Sarita: 10 sit ups and 10 arm circles
Melissa: 10 sit ups, 10 shoulder presses, 10 arm circles
Dru: 10 arm circles only

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 9

Today do:

9 walking lunges or 9 step ups.

Also do:
Brandy: 9 arm circles
Sarita: 9 sit ups and 9 arm circles
Melissa: 9 sit ups, 9 shoulder presses, 9 arm circles
Dru: 9 arm circles only

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 8

Today do:

8 walking lunges or 8 step ups.

Also do:
Brandy: 8 arm circles
Sarita: 8 sit ups and 8 arm circles
Melissa: 8 sit ups, 8 shoulder presses, 8 arm circles
Dru: 8 arm circles only

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 7

Today do:

7 walking lunges or 7 step ups.

Also do:
Brandy: 7 arm circles
Sarita: 7 sit ups and 7 arm circles
Melissa: 7 sit ups, 7 shoulder presses, 7 arm circles
Dru: 7 arm circles only

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

A big thanks to Dru for doing these so I could get caught up!!!

A Pink Cast

The doctor thinks I might not have to have surgery on my hand. Yesterday, they took more X-rays, put my thumb into place and put a cast on my hand. I got to pick the color and choose pink for my two girls. Of course, my son would have preferred a different color.

I go back next week to see if my thumb is where it should be. Please say a prayer that it is. I'd like to a avoid surgery if possible!

Unfortunately, my hand is now hurting as bad as it did on Monday and my head isn't feeling so hot, either. I think I overdid it a little yesterday so I'm going to take it easy the rest of the day.

Is there anyone up there who would mind typing up the Crossfit Challenges for me to get it caught up? I can either add you as a contributor to the blog or you can just email them to me. Whatever works. Thanks!

Hi!

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Thanks for the comments and concern. Much appreciated!

My head is feeling better. I don't remember hitting it, but Finn says I did. Thank goodness for helmets!

My right arm is nasty looking where I think the top of my ski pole hit it, but the swelling is going down. The same with my face where my left hand and pole hit. I do remember that happening! My first thought when I was lying on the snow was "I broke my thumb!"

I called hubby who was hiking on a glacier with the dog and said I thought I broke it, told him to head to lodge and in the meanwhile we kept skiing. Bet you're thinking that's crazy, but I had no idea at that point anything else was hurt but my thumb and cheek since I didn't remember the complete fall. But a little while later, it was clear more was wrong.

My left hand is in a splint and sling. I'm typing with my right. My doc appt. was cancelled yesterday when they lost electricity. I'm hoping to get in today to figure out what what's. It's clear from the x-ray something's not right. I'm praying it'll be a quick and easy fix.

I'll try to get the Crossfit Challenge posts going again later. I'm looking forward to catching up on people's blogs. Not sure how much commenting I can manage though!

Thanks again!

Update on Melissa

This is Melissa's husband. I am sorry to report that Melissa is a bit out of commission due to a skiing accident today at Timberline. We're thankful that she was wearing a helmet because in the spill she hit her head. After an ambulance ride down the mountain and visit to the hospital Melissa is resting at home. She will see a specialist tomorrow to check out her left hand. Your prayers are appreciated. Thank you.

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 6

Today do:

6 walking lunges or 6 step ups.

Also do:
Brandy: 6 arm circles
Sarita: 6 sit ups and 6 arm circles
Melissa: 6 sit ups, 6 shoulder presses, 6 arm circles
Dru: 6 arm circles only

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Anyone else up for this? Please fill free to join in!

Imitating the dog...

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The attacks on Chaos continue. Just the other day, Rocket left his perch on the sill of a bathroom window to go after Chaos who lay at my feet in the bedroom. But the cat' keen observation of the enemy have led them to change how they get my attention.

When Chaos wants me, she nudges me with her nose. She'll push her nose under my hand or arm so that I'll rub her. It can be annoying at times, especially when she's relentless. It's amazing what she can move with that nose of hers. But it works, and she gets what she's after.

Well, yesterday I wanted to take a quick nap. Just as I was falling asleep I felt something against my hand. I opened my eyes and saw Rocket nudging me with his head. He wanted rubs. In the past, he used to tap me with his paw. I gave him a pat, then rolled over. Suddenly I felt his head against my back. Over and over again! I rubbed him a little more, then tried to sleep. Emphasis on try. The cat wouldn't leave me alone.

Now I realize why Smalls started headbutting me when she wants love! She's imitating Chaos!

Spirit has joined in on the fun yet. She prefers to rely on her voice instead. I'm hoping it stays that way.

If you have animals, how do they get your attention?

Hope you have a happy Friday!

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 5

Today do:

5 walking lunges or 5 step ups.

Also do:
Brandy:5 arm circles
Sarita: 5 sit ups and 5 arm circles
Melissa: 5 sit ups, 5 shoulder presses, 5 arm circles
Dru: 5 arm circles only

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Anyone else up for this? Please fill free to join in!

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 4

Today do:

4 walking lunges or 4 step ups.

Also do:
Brandy:4 arm circles
Sarita: 4 sit ups and 4 arm circles
Melissa: 4 sit ups, 4 shoulder presses, 4 arm circles
Dru: 4 arm circles only

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Anyone else up for this? Please fill free to join in!

Yay!

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Enjoy the view!

I'm writing! Finally.

I spent as much time as I could yesterday revising the proposal that should have been revised a couple weeks ago. But I'm making a lot of progress and it feels really good. With a July first deadline, I don't have a lot of room for any more non-writing days. Anyway, I'm going back to it.

Hope you have a great day!

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 3

Today do:

3 walking lunges or 3 step ups.

Also do:
Brandy:3 arm circles
Sarita: 3 sit ups and 3 arm circles
Melissa: 3 sit ups, 3 shoulder presses, 3 arm circles
Dru: 3 arm circles only

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Anyone else up for this? Please fill free to join in!

Twitter

After reading Marianne's blog on tweeting, I decided to give it a trial shot. Not sure how much I'll actually do with it with a deadline, but I joined Facebook under the same circumstances last year and that worked out okay.

I found a couple of you who I know by your real name or pseudonym there, but if you have an account under some other name that I don't know, please let me know so I can add you. Thanks!

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 2

Today do:

2 walking lunges or 2 step ups.

Also do:
Brandy: 2 arm circles
Sarita: 2 sit ups and 2 arm circles
Melissa: 2 sit ups and 2 shoulder presses

This is the easy time to join in so please do if you're interested. Catching up the first couple of weeks is easy peasy so let me know if you want to do this next challenge. And even if you don't want to go to the end, that's fine. A lot of people didn't go all the way to 100 days last time.

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Big beds

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My youngest finally got a big girl bed. We separated my oldest's white bunks and gave her one of those. Now the two girls have decided they want to share a room. Mackenna told me that Rose sleeps in there anyway so she might as well be comfortable and have a bed instead of the floor.

There hasn't been time to make the move so that's given us time to mull over the idea. I think it's a good idea, but I just wonder how things will work such as closet sharing and dresser space. The room isn't that big to move all of Rose's furniture in there, too.

I had my own room growing up, but I think it's great to learn how to share early since in college and if you get married, you don't have your own room.

What about you? Did you have your own bedroom or have to share?

Crossfit Challenge #2 Day 1

Today do:

1 walking lunge (one means a lunge on each leg so either count each lunge (right leg would be one and left leg would be two) and divide by two or count one when you finish both legs) or 1 step up. If you want a harder workout add hand weights.

Optional: A few of you didn't want to do the shoulder presses so I'll leave the other exercise(s) up to you. If you just want to do lunges or step ups, that's fine. Or pick one or two things from the list below or add your own. (Tell me what you choose and I'll make sure to add it to the count!)

1 sit up
1 shoulder press
1 arm circle (both arms)
1 push up

Remember, you can see videos of various exercises on here.

Post to comments when you are done! Good luck!

Revenge

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We are attending an Irish dance feis this weekend. My parents and niece are staying with the dog and cats. Chaos will be thrilled to have new people to love and pet her. The cats are going to pretend they don't care that I'm gone, but when I get home I will pay the price.

Not sure they'll be plotting my demise, but they will surely be plotting their revenge. They do not like it when I go away even for a few hours. Overnight? They'll be very upset kitties. I know I'll be ignored or scratched or both when I return.

What have you got going on this weekend?

Couponing

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Each week, I'm learning how to use coupons better. What the various coupon blogs tell you is to use coupons to stock up then you just buy what you need to round out your meals, milk, bread, veggies and fruits. That's a little easier said than done when on a budget, but I'm getting better at it.

This past weekend, I spent $60 at another store where I'd purchased the bulk of our groceries, including meat, veggies, cheese, butter, etc. They were having a Founder's sale with some really great buys.

But I had two coupons called Catalinas (they come out with your bill when you pay) worth $12 that would be expiring so I wanted to make sure I used them this week, too. Yesterday, I pulled out the Safeway flyer and checked a couple of blogs as I wrote my grocery list and matched coupons to the items.

Here's what I bought:

1 16 oz package of slicked turkey breast
1 16 oz package of sliced ham ($1 off coupon)
1 loaf whole wheat bread
1 package hamburger buns
2 Kaiser rolls from the bakery
1 bottle of Heinz ketchup
4 bottles of Kraft BBQ sauce (3 $0.75 cent coupons, 1 $1 off coupons)
2 bottles of Sierra Mist Soda (Buy one get one free)
5 boxes of Kelloggs Cereal (Buy 5 save $5 plus 2 $1 off coupons)
1 Pedigree Dentastix ($2.50 coupon)
1 dozen eggs
1 gallon of lowfat milk
2 Del Monte Fruit Natural Peach cups ($1 coupon)
1 lb of strawberries (Free with coupon)
1 3 lb bag of red delicious apples

Add to that the following coupons: a coupon to double 4 manufacturers coupon (came out to an additional $2 off), a $10 Catalina from the recent Living Well promotion where you buy $30 get $10 for your next visit and a $2 Catalina from an Arrowhead water promotion.

Want to guess how much I spent?

Here's a hint: I saved 86% on my grocery bill.

My OOP (out of pocket) for all the above items was $9.61. I also came home with a $2 off Catalina for buying the Kraft BBQ sauces that I can use on my next visit. Not bad!

Of the above items, the only thing I normally don't buy is soda. But the Sierra Mist was on sale for $0.88 a bottle so I got two bottles for that price. The kidlets were thrilled to see that since soda is such a treat around here. And I only buy the refrigerated fruit cups (my girls love them) when they are on sale and have a coupon to couple with it.

I'm actually having fun shopping. It takes a little time to make the list, but worth it in the end.

And if you like chocolate, be sure to visit this website. Every Friday during the summer they will be giving away a free candy bar. I already got mine this morning!

Hope you have a great Friday!

Cat Yodeling

I spent yesterday with my son running from doctor's offices to the hospital. Our day went like this:

10:15 am - Call doctor's office after Finn complains of a new pain in eye
10:30 am - Speak to nurse at Pediatrician's office
10:40 am - Leave home
11:30 am - Pediatrician appt.
12:50 pm - X-ray at hospital
1:30 pm - Opthamologist appt.
2:45 pm - Back to hospital to wait for CT scan to be done
5:50 pm - Home

After that very long day, we learned Finn has no eye damage or fracture, though he has remnants of a sinus infection on his right side that will need to be treated once everything else heals. Good news! But we were both exhausted by the time we got home. There's also no baseball allowed until Monday, but if his face/eye doesn't hurt, he can dance. We'll see about that!

I woke up to the sun shining so I'm hoping today is a better day than yesterday. Here's a new video by the guys who put out the Engineer's Guide to Cats. Enjoy!

A New Challenge

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Here are the exercises that the Climbing Cutie suggested for the new 100 day Crossfit Challenge.

Here's a video to show you how to do a walking lunge or you can watch this one:



Feel free to add weight as they do on the video I linked to if you want more of a workout. You'll need to do a lunge on both right and left for it to count as one. If you can't do a lunge, then you can do step ups. Here are a couple step up instructional videos:





The other exercise would be a shoulder press. Start with a lower weight and work your way up to a heavier one as you get stronger. There's no need to buy hand weights. Just use something you have around the house. The Climbing Cutie suggested filling water bottles (or anything else with a lid you can tighten) with sand. Two cans of food would work, too. And if you want more of a workout with the lunges or step ups, you could hold onto the weights while you do those!

Here are three shoulder press videos. The first two are seated, the third is a standing dumbbell shoulder press. The third way is how I learned from Nichole at Crossfit, but the first two suggest keeping your elbows up. I'm going to ask the Climbing Cutie about the differences, and I'll let you know!







So what do you think? Anything you want to add or not do?

A Shiner

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The climbing cutie gave me an idea for a new Crossfit Challenge. What do you guys think about doing lunges (or step ups if you can't do lunges) and presses (you can use hand weights or fill plastic water bottles with sand or even canned food work)? I'll post some links tomorrow so you can see what I'm talking about. We could start next week!

My son got hit in the face with a ball at practice last night. He was running from second base to third. Ouch. It is so nasty looking. There's a cut on his cheekbone where the ball hit. His eye will probably be swollen shut when he wakes up. We spoke to the doctor and had to wake him up last night to make sure he was okay. I can't imagine what he'll look like Irish Dancing on Saturday. Rocky Balboa meets Michael Flatley. Needless to say my day will be spent making sure he's comfortable (well, as comfortable as possible) and feeling okay.

What are you up to?

Crossfit Challenge Day 100

Today do:

100 sit ups, 100 push ups (or sub exercise) and 100 air squats (or step ups.)

Post to comments when you've done it! Remember to break up the reps if you need to!

Woo-hoo! Day 100! The final day of the challenge. Thanks for doing this with me!

WTG to every one who gave the Crossfit challenge a shot and BIG CONGRATS to catslady, Jane and Sarita who stuck with it the entire time. I'm so proud of you three! Enjoy a day of rest tomorrow, but you might want to lower the reps but keep up the exercises!

I still have a few more days to catch up so my challenge is not over yet. I'm trying to think of another one we could do. Anyone have any ideas?

Happy Mother's Day!

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I hope all the moms out there have a great day! We're having a family brunch with my parents and sister's family. It should be fun.

We've been so busy the past few days since Rose is finally feeling more like herself. Thursday, Mackenna performed in the play The Princess Bride. It was great and so funny. She played the mother of the sick boy, a screeching eel and a ROUS (rodent of unusual size) and a villager. Friday was one of those hectic days with tons of stuffed crammed in. Yesterday was the same with a garden fair and Finn's Little League game.

I'm ready for a nice, quiet afternoon just to myself so I can write when it's still daylight outside.

What are your plans for today?

Crossfit Challenge Day 99

Today do:

99 sit ups, 99 push ups (or sub exercise) and 99 air squats (or step ups.)

Post to comments when you've done it! Remember to break up the reps if you need to!

Only one more day! Can you believe tomorrow is day 100! I can't though I think my abs can!

Crossfit Challenge Day 98

Today do:

98 sit ups, 98 push ups (or sub exercise) and 98 air squats (or step ups.)

Post to comments when you've done it! Remember to break up the reps if you need to!

We're almost at 100! Woo-hoo!!!!

Crossfit Challenge Day 97

Today do:

97 sit ups, 97 push ups (or sub exercise) and 97 air squats (or step ups.)

Post to comments when you've done it! Remember to break up the reps if you need to!

We're almost at 100! Woo-hoo!!!!

Revisions

I didn't get a letter about my latest proposal needing revisions, but an email. I've been going back and forth with editorial for the past couple of days (not an easy thing to do when running on fumes due to a sick kidlet!), but it seems as if we're all okay now with what needs to be done (and not done!)

Anyway, I laughed when I saw this YouTube clip. Thanks to my fellow Blinddatebrides.com trilogy author Fiona Harper for the linky!

Crossfit Challenge Day 96

Today do:

96 sit ups, 96 push ups (or sub exercise) and 96 air squats (or step ups.)

Post to comments when you've done it! Remember to break up the reps if you need to!

We're almost at 100! Woo-hoo!!!!

Crossfit Challenge Day 95

Today do:

95 sit ups, 95 push ups (or sub exercise) and 95 air squats (or step ups.)

Post to comments when you've done it! Remember to break up the reps if you need to!

Picky Cats

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My three kitties have been so patient while Rose has been sick. Oh, they all still want their attention, but they seem to realize other stuff has been going on.

Until last night.

We ran out of cat food. I couldn't get to the store, but no problem. I had a couple of bags of another food I'd gotten really cheap during the latest Living Well promotion that I coupled with a big coupon at Safeway (4 lbs for $1.49.) I bought the new food because I figured I'd mix their bag of the food they normally eat (3 lbs for $6) with the sale food and extend the expensive stuff a little.

A good plan, except last night the only thing I had to feed them was the new cat food.

Guess what? They wouldn't eat it. Not a bite.

Talk about picky cats!

Luckily Rose was feeling a little better, so I bundled her up, and I got their normal cat food. I just filled their bowl and mixed the two together. Time will tell what happens, but I blame hubby for buying the expensive brand in the first place!

If they won't eat the new food I'll donate the unopened bag to the Humane Society and see if I can find someone who wants the opened bag. It's supposed to be good food so I have no idea why my furbabies are so darn picky.

I actually found a few minutes to write today which felt so good. I'm hoping in another day or two things will be totally back to normal. How are things with you?

Crossfit Challenge Day 94, 93, 92

Sorry for not posting. Rose started doing better, then relapsed. I haven't been on the computer much. She's feeling better today so I'm hoping we're through the worst of it.

Today do:

94 sit ups, 94 push ups (or sub exercise) and 94 air squats (or step ups.)

Post to comments when you've done it! Remember to break up the reps if you need to!

Monday do:

93 sit ups, 93 push ups (or sub exercise) and 93 air squats (or step ups.)

Post to comments when you've done it! Remember to break up the reps if you need to!

Sunday do:

92 sit ups, 92 push ups (or sub exercise) and 92 air squats (or step ups.)

Post to comments when you've done it! Remember to break up the reps if you need to!

Crossfit Challenge Day 91

Sorry for the delay in posting. I spent last night at the ER with Rose. She's doing better, but I didn't get much sleep. I grabbed a couple hours of shuteye before heading to our church to help with First Communion. Needless to say, I'm running on fumes and totally forgot about the blog. Anyway, here you go...

Today do:

91 sit ups, 91 push ups (or sub exercise) and 91 air squats (or step ups.)

Post to comments when you've done it! Remember to break up the reps if you need to!

Oh happy day!

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Today marks a very special day for my oldest. It's the day she moves into the preliminary championship class at Irish dance. She is so excited. There's only one level above this one, open championship, so it's a big deal for a little girl (okay, eleven is not that little, but you know what I mean) who jigs and reels about the house and wherever else she might be.

I remember at our first Irish dance school, the instructor told me Mackenna would be a champion dancer one day. I figured with what I was paying her, she said that to everyone, but it's nice to see it finally happen.

I received a note from her current teacher about the class change. She ended it with, "Oh happy day!" And for Mackenna, it sure is!

Hope you're having a happy Friday yourself!

Crossfit Challenge Day 90

Today do:

90 sit ups, 90 push ups (or sub exercise) and 90 air squats (or step ups.)

Post to comments when you've done it! Remember to break up the reps if you need to!

Ten more days and we reach 100! I may have to go an extra day or two to catch up. I want to see this through to the end. If you're up for another challenge, let me know. I can figure out another 100 day challenge for us to do!