Building a better community ... literally!

A mere 6 miles from my house, the nucleus of a volunteer effort to give a family that gives much to our community a new home is underway. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition has come to Houston, and The Junior League of Houston, Inc. was asked to provide dozens of volunteers each day to help keep things moving smoothly on site.

I couldn't pass up the opportunity to be a part of such a unique opportunity. Our League was asked to help with the Katrina rebuild in New Orleans in 2006, and I had to miss that due to work obligations. With shifts morning, noon and night, I made sure to snag something that would fit into my schedule and do what I could to help. 7:30-11:30 p.m. might seem crazy late, but you know I'm a night owl!!

The main volunteer check-in is a tent in the Rodeo's stockyards off 288 and Airport. This is where we spent a lot of our time at the beginning of the shift. We checked in general volunteers that signed up on the HHN Homes site, as well as tradesmen showing up to do their thing.

My first hour or so was spent with our team running the check-in (thanks Perry Ann for asking me to lead!), which mainly consisted of me sending any troubleshooting or tough questions via walkie to Stathis, the man with the plan. He seemed to have an answer for everything, was super calm, and thanked everyone a million times for helping. A perfect volunteer coordinator!!

Once the rush of help was sent to the site, we were able to send some of our JLHers over. I went in the second wave about 9ish. When we arrived, framing was in full swing. Once the crane and such cleared some of their tasks, we followed behind the skilled workers disposing of scrap wood and then even moving some not needed wood planks to the side for later use. My favorite part was when Phoebe and I impressed the safety guys after we carried a pile over. They gave us big high fives, and I seem to recall making a quip about Junior Leaguers can do more than have lunch, or something like that. They loved our can-do attitude and how we were willing to jump in and get our hands (and jeans!) dirty. I love dispelling myths! (And bonus...free workout!)

About 10:30, the last of our League group headed back to the tent to straighten up and ready it for the next volunteer wave coming at midnight. The transition of how to run the tent was key, so super thanks to Nancy Jane and Cassandra for staying late to make sure that happened. Stathis was so impressed by how organized and thorough our crew was, plus how genuinely nice we all were. Thanks to all the ladies who came out and made such a great impression!

So I may be a bit zonked if you see me Wednesday. But it was totally worth it knowing the little things I did, even if mostly "behind the scenes," will help make a better life for a family in our community.

My name is Lisa, and I'm a volunteer junkie. And I like it that way.

My Photos from the Adventure

You deserve a break...

It seems after several great weeks, my body is rebelling against my fitness routine. For the past 4 weeks, I've hit or surpassed that 200 minute mark twice (including an impressive 244 last week), and got in the 160-170s range the other two. I have steadily lost at least a pound a week, and even saw another disappear yesterday (which I hope stays gone for the weekend weigh in).

But since Friday, it has been a challenge. Started that morning with my ankles feeling wonky on my run, so cut it short. Saturday was so packed that it was day 37 off (only 2nd in July). Sunday I could only stand cardiovascular and skipped weights. Monday's short tae bo and Tuesday's short run brought much soreness the following days.

So what gives? Why such drag and pain? I can only guess it is my body craving recovery. Just like we have to give ourselves breaks from being on the right side of nutrition or we will blow it, it is not a bad thing to cool the exercise jets now and then too.

So I still walked tonight, but just briefly. I will do something tomorrow, possibly just a walk or light yoga or pilates. I probably won't even make 150 mins this week but that is ok. I will hit it strong again this weekend.

Now, it's time for another sliver of fudge, right? ;)