ChiefSmooth’s BodyBlog

Somehow, I’ve managed to get back in the gym.  Went to South GA to pick up my Mom the day before Thanksgiving, and helped my wife get things ready for our guests when I returned home late Wed. night.  I managed to get to bed at at 4 a.m. Joining me, my wife, our mothers and our younger daughter, were both my brothers, one’s wife, the others’ lady friend, three nephews and one of my Soldiers. We had a ball, but were beyond tired, so I waited til Saturday to return both mothers to South GA.  Spent the next week primarily getting ready for Annual Christmas concert.  Rehearsals, programs, narrator’s script, props, tickets.  BTW, my daughter and grandson, on leave in California from Sicily were supposed to fly into Atlanta Saturday night (the day before my big concert) and stay until Monday, but they missed the flight.  Ended up going to Atlanta to pick them up Sunday after the two concerts, and of course, the flight was delayed, so I’m at the ATL airport at an ungodly hour, picked them up, drove back to Phenix City and took them back to the airport the next day.  I HAD to get back to the gym yesterday, if nothing more than to relieve some stress. Oh, I had choir rehearsal after my workout.  Getting ready for our concert this Sunday.  Daughter and grandson made it back safely to Sicily yesterday.

So, you’ve gotten a little behind in answering correspondencies from your Bodybuilding buddies, huh?  You need to apologize and explain what’s going on with you.  You need to tell them that in addition to injuring your shoulder, you got this weird infection in your fingernail.  Ouch! These two things kept you away from your normal workouts, right? Well … maybe, but even without the injuries, you would have missed a lot of workouts due to the responsibilities you have as a military band commander and as a husband, son, dad and granddad.  Maybe your buddies will understand.  I just hope YOU DO! You can’t do it all, so do what you can and don’t worry about the rest.  Let’s recount your schedule. Here goes, from Chief! Friday night, 14 NOV, my wife, younger daughter and I went downtown Columbus to the Convention center to attend the Post Commanding General’s farewell dinner.  That’s not true, exactly.  They actually met me there…I was there earlier to run a sound check with the Band and time the music to the video presentation. Got up early the next morning to head down to South Georgia to pick up my Mom, and the 4 of us headed to ATL to attend a surprise birthday party for my sister-in-law. We all headed back to Columbus late that night, since I had to conduct the Band Sunday morning at the airfield (troops returning from deployed duty overseas). I took my Mom back home to South Georgia when I returned home, turned around and came back home, since there was a dress rehearsal for the Commanding General’s Change of Command ceremony Monday. I had to be in at 7:30 am.  Rehearsal took up most of Monday morning. Tuesday morning was the actual ceremony (outdoors) and the temperature took a nose-dive.  Wednesday was the German-Italian memorial day ceremony, and I actually had time to rehearse some of my Christmas concert literature Thursday and Friday between Basic Training graduation ceremonies. Friday after work, I was on my way back to South Georgia, this time to pick up my Mother-in-law, bring her home with us, and then get up the next day to head to the ATL airport to pick up my older daughter and grandson flying in from Sicily. They’re making a 3 day stop here in Georgia before joining my son-in-law, returning to San Diego from sea duty. We all made it to church yesterday, (Oh yeah … I sing in the choir - rehearsals every Tuesday night). Gotta get them back to the airport tomorrow evening, so I think I’ll end this blog for now, and go join them at home. What! You’re not going to the gym!!!! 

Ok I just purchased some N.O. Xplode for the 1st time, and now I’m scared to use it ’cause the fine print says "for healthy adults, ages 18-50".  I’m 53!  Any words of wisdom from the BB world on this product?  I know to check my tolerance by using only one scoop initially.