5w1d to pics--159#
Off
Slept 3.5 hours
...the 4th of July involves chopping wood for the family pit BBQ.
The hubbie and I celebrated our 4th with my family at the farm. My sister organized an enormous BBQ for which her husband very generously spent the night and day cooking. Aunts, uncles, siblings, nieces, nephews and family friends from as far away as New Mexico showed up and had a grand time. Entertainment for the afternoon included watching some of the guys chopping wood for the BBQ pit.
Here my dad tries to teach my nephew Sean the fine art of using a wedge and sledge to split wood. Obviously, Sean isn't quite getting the drift,and Daddy finally gave up trying to describe it, eventually taking the sledge away and giving it a few swings himself. For a second, I could see my dad 25 years ago, with arms that looked like tree trunks, going about his day on the farm. I remember seeing him push a fence post back and forth a few times, wrap his arms around it, and yank it out of the ground by hand. In his day, he was one strong d
ude.The hubby, born and bred a city boy, even gave it a try after seeing what a hard time the kid was having. Bless him for trying, he finally got it done but did it the hard way. Anybody can pick up some serious "good ol' boy" or girl points if they can tell me what all is wrong with this picture. :)
My brother-in-law is manning part of the spread here, chicken on the pit and ribs and butts in the cooker. He did a fantastic job.
If you've never had a chance to go to a real Southern BBQ, you should add it to your bucket list. There is truly nothing like it.
My dad was all too happy to have his picture made with me. LOL. I'm looking a bit rough here. You can tell this was not a "wear your hat and newest dress"/Steel Magnolias/Gone With the Wind BBQ. I'll guarantee, though, that it was a lot more fun.
My sister-in-law is SuperMom. Three of these four belong to her, and there is an 11-year-old you don't see whom she home schools. They are truly brilliant, beautiful children--mirrors of their parents. In moments of pure insanity that would cause anyone else to throw up her hands in dispair, this woman calmly manages the situation and moves on, completely nonplussed.
Most of the pictures I took were just mediocre, but I came out with a few that I really like. This one is my favorite.
I have the most amazing, wonderful family in the world, each member unique in his or her own way. Every time I think of them I am overwhelmed and humbled to realize that I have been granted such a precious gift. I could share a dozen more pictures, but I'll spare you.
WORKOUT: I drove to Nashville today to work with David and, as always, came away with arms and legs like noodles and endorphins to die for as reward. We did heavy work, double cleans and presses, double squats, double swings, all with 16's. And my PR for the day was double snatching the 16's...a few times! Doing it took me a couple of tries, and the end results weren't the prettiest snatches you've ever seen, but they counted, fully extended. BOOYAH! Then we did swings from hell starting with the 24 and moving around to various lower weights. Needless to say, in the end I was completely smoked, but it was great.
Great pictures Jen! I love it when kettlebellers post occasional photos of ono-kettlebell related activities.
ReplyDeleteChopping wood was punishment when I was a kid... I was scrawny and not very good at it. I never did use a wedge.
Nice job on the double snatch! I have managed the 12kgs, but never the 16kgs! I might have to give it a shot after Raw Nationals.
I'm not sure. The things I see wrong with the picture, 1) is it looks like he's swinging the axe with one hand, towards his legs. 2) he's using an axe to try and split the log (not enough weight in the back), 3) the log is on it's side.
ReplyDeleteBut I haven't split logs since boy scouts and I was never that good at it.
1. that log shouldnt be on its side. you can't split it like that. you CAN split logs with axes like that BUT not ones that big-you need a sledge and wedge or you have to be a monster of a man like John Henry was..
ReplyDelete2. you are looking great in the few pics you've posted. its only a face portrait but you can really tell the diff in your face. you should be proud.
3. i am sooo pissed b/c I can't do double snatches. its a mental block- cant do them, even with two 16's (i dont have 2 16's so i dont know for sure but i have 2 20's and i cant do those either). damn you!
Jen,
ReplyDeleteGreat work! I see a noticeable difference in your appearance - congrats! Looks like you had an excellent 4th with your family. BTW - don't know how you did that workout with David on only 3.5 hours of sleep! Hats off to achieving a PR! :-)
Keep in touch,
Nia
Nice PR! I imagine the double snatch is difficult to accommodate psychologically if it is pretty heavy. I never tried more than a 16 and a 20 myself.
ReplyDeleteThanks, y'all, for all the affirming comments. I was very proud of putting up the 16's. It is very much a psychological victory since most of my barriers are in my own mind and always have been. AS for doing it on 3.5 hours sleep, I've lived so much of my life sleep deprived I think sometimes i function better that way.
ReplyDeleteMany good ol' boy points to Anthony and Chris for the wood chopping comments. He was actually chopping with both hands, just standing contemplating in that pic. I kept cringing the whole time I was watching this. I wanted SO badly to tell him to stop it because I was off duty and not intending to sew toes back on any time on my holiday. I didn't, though. I just kept my mouth shut.
And, Anthony, I'll be sure to bring both of my 16's if I drive when I come to Houston. I'm sure you can double snatch them. The 20's are just monsters.
Double 16 snatches... RESPECT, Jen.
ReplyDeleteYour coach must be very proud. :)
Thank you, Nikki! Both for your compliment and for stopping by to check out my blog. :)
ReplyDelete