AbFlab.

So, I did it again - strained my back at the wildlife rescue, and spent the rest of Tuesday and most of yesterday hurting. Today it's a bit better, but still twinge-y.

I know exactly what's wrong with my back - my abdominals are absolutely disgraceful. I just don't enjoy "core strengthening" exercise as much as things like biking and walking, and I tend to neglect my abs. Lack of strength up front leads to pulling and straining the back doing ordinary things, because the back muscles are taking up the slack. And in my case, there's a hell of a lot of slack.

Today, I declare war on my abdominal muscles - I am going to whip them into shape. My back is feeling mostly better today, and I will have to be careful not to annoy it all over again, but my practice of benign neglect of core strengthening exercise, combined with a lot of hours sitting, even now, has led to this pathetic weakness and tendency to pull a muscle just doing NORMAL things I should be able to do with ease. Enough. Today, the program changes, and core strengthening becomes the top priority.

It's time to get back to the gym, because the heat and humidity have arrived with a vengeance. We had a brief thundershower last night, and this morning the air was so steamy by 8 a.m. while I walked the bossy one the sweat was pouring down my face, and Murphy wandered and sniffed and wandered until I threatened to drop-kick him, when he finally turned toward the house. He has a very good vocabulary and knew he'd stepped on my last nerve. :-)

Oh, cute Dudley story for his fans - he stayed here Monday night because the A/C was out and it was over 90 at his house. Girl picked him up on Tuesday afternoon. We were talking, I gave her the baked goods I'd made and then froze for them, and Dudley was dancing around by the front door, ready to go home, hurry up Mom! So she picked up her keys and his leash, and suddenly, he turned and raced to the back of the house - and came back with the big chewy bone I'd given him on his last visit. He went to get his toy so he could take it home with him, because he forgot it last time! I swear, these dogs are so much like kids it cracks us up.

Layla is growing like a weed and so smart, too - Girl said she was driving her crazy on Tuesday, because Girl was off work and doing housework. Layla sat by her, watching her load the dishwasher, then, as soon as it was done and started, got her ball and started barking at her to play. She waited while the bathroom was cleaned, then they had to play rope. After each chore, a game - dogs are smart. :-)

So, I've been spending too much time on the computer and not enough working out this week, but it's important time. I'm previewing potential relocation areas. I'm going to check out some apartment prospects in person next month, and the area, and narrow down a geographic radius for my job search. I plan to identify 3-6 target cities in the Balt/DC zone, as well as keep my eyes open in Asheville, but I can already see which way the job search is tilting. Anyway, I have a lot of prep work to do before my visit in June, and the rental car will get a workout. :-)