omg, I participated in religious debates to beat the band today.

To sum up: Organized religion? I am so not a fan.

Ugh, sorry about the car Hec. I hope the automotive fairies stop beating up on you.

Despite massive tape, I have a blister from my 6 miles. I think I just need new shoes. For 3 months, these shoes gave me no problems, then were blister zones from there on out.

Like I need to spend more.

Which I did anyway, getting two chairs and a table for my front porch. But for $50! [link] [link] I ate my dinner of spinach, strawberries, grape tomatoes, gorgonzola and chicken in Girard's chinese chicken salad dressing out there. I love that salad. I love it a WHOLE LOT.

Paging Sarameg and Brenda: what do you guys do with your hair while you swim? Can you recommend a great swim cap? I might be joining a pricey fitness club that is 5 minutes from my home. Primary reason to join is the pools; you both have inspired me.

javachick, I swear a lot? More seriously, I get the silicone caps, happier with Speedo than Tyr but that's due to shape. Even with my short hair, soak it thoroughly in the shower and pin it up as best I can and put the cap on. Truth be told, the hair at my nape is taking a beating, and even around my ears get a little bleached. I use a lot of heavy duty conditioner now (pre-swimming, I rarely used it.)

You might not have quite the same issues with swimcaps depending on your head shape; for a lot of my fellow female swimmers, nary a hair escapes. And there are some made for long hair.

Silicone is persnickity. Knick it wrong and it shreds. Latex is cheaper and a little more forgiving, but for me, doesn't stay put as well.(All my spares are latex, for when I tear the silicone.)

I've hear it recommended to apply conditioner before swim, but the slippery of that would slide my cap right off.

Nice table and chairs, sarameg. Also, can I just say, CV has one cute ass baby. Given how I'm crap at breeding, it's rare to see a newborn that makes me want one of my own, but DAMN. Luna makes me feel that way.

Just re-dyed my hair. I'm amused I missed at least one of the gray hair's I'm always trying to hide. Also, Clairol Natural Instincts = do not love. Back to Natural Match.

sara, thank you. I've marked your post. I have longish hair and mostly don't want to have to wash it every day that I swim. I will check out those caps and hope my head is shaped right for using them!

Luna is a very beautiful newborn, it's true.

I use feria. Yesterday. Kinda seems like a losing battle to dye my hair when the pool will bleach out pieces, but...hey, no pool for 48+ hours this weekend, that's prime time! Plus, covers my white bits.

java, depending on how much success you have with the cap, you might be able to get away with just conditioning it after a swim. You might also google chlorine-cancelling washes if you don't want to use shampoo. I've not done that, just resorting to shampoo after a swim.

Thanks sara, I really appreciate all of the info.