Is it really going to be 2010?

I'm sitting here realizing that this is the last day of the year. Wow....time really does fly by. As I reflect on this last year - I feel very grateful. I have many things to be thankful for.
 I have such  great family and friends that I love so much. I have my health and a wonderful husband and kids. I love my church and all the opportunities that being involved with it has provided me. And I'm able to keep my music talent up - playing the piano and organ.
 I've been able to travel a lot this year and I've been able to do a lot of walking/jogging.  I do hope this next year is as good for me or should I say - to me.
Yesterday I did 4 miles on the treadmill - I don't think I will do any today.  We are going to go over to Zillah to my Brother's house and have a nice New Year's Eve dinner and then play games for the rest of the night.
We always have such a good time with my brother Rock and his wife, Jackie.(and their family) And of course, my parents and Mindi will be there.  My brother Rick and his wife, JaLynne will have to go to Tacoma to be with her side of the family.  We sure enjoy Rick & JaLynne, also.  I have such a great family.
  Well, all is well!! I've also enjoyed re-connecting with a lot of old friends on Facebook this year. I forget how many people I've come in contact with throughout my life. It really humbles me and makes me thankful to know so many wonderful people. I'm feeling so thankful today.  I hope the feeling stays!!

Our trip to Seattle

I thought I'd put in a few pics from our trip to Seattle last week with our two boys - Rocky , Greg, and Greg's wife - Heidi.  The first one is from the top of the Space Needle in Seattle. The next one is with our 3-D glasses on before we watched the movie 'AVATAR'.

This one is me, Rocky, and Jay before we ate wonderful Crab at the Crab Pot there on the wharf.

We had 3 different types of crab - The Alaskan, Dungeness, and Snow.

Oh, it was so delicious, but we had to make quite a mess getting them out of the shell, of course.

 This last picture was taken by Heidi of the rest of us

walking away.   We sure had a good time.

On the walking note: I did 3 miles on the treadmill today.

Movies and books this month

I was just thinking of the movies I've seen this Holiday Season.
New Moon  -from the Stephanie Meyer books. I liked it - saw it twice.
The Blind Side - true story  and worth seeing twice!
Invictus - about Nelson Mandela and the Rugby league in South Africa. Wonderful movie.
Avatar - Amazing computer technology in this one!  I want to see this one again also.
In fact all 4 of these movies were worth seeing twice.
Now I'm wanting to see the new Sherlock Holmes movie.  I guess you could say that Jay & I are
definitely movie goers.  Rocky enjoys going with us to them, also. We tried going to the Sherlock Holmes
movie on Saturday night in Moses Lake, but the place was packed.  Way too many people - so I guess we'll
wait until this coming week - maybe even tomorrow night!

I've also read two books this month while I was on the trip back east with Rocky.
 First one was: 'Deception Point' - by Dan Brown.  He has written some amazing books (The DaVinci Code, Angels and Demons, and the Symbols one (I can't remember the name right now)  But he is an amazing story teller  that combines history and facts and technology and symbolic meanings, etc. etc.  You almost believe that everything he says is the absolute truth.
Then the second one was: ' Dear John ' by Nicholas Sparks.
Yes, I'm a girl and I like these romantic novels. Nicholas Sparks always throws in a twist at the end - that usually makes you sad, but you realize that it was the right thing to do for the character that he created.

Well, that's my movie and book review for today.  It was church day today - so no jogging on the treadmill, but tomorrow morning, most definitely.

Christmas Time

Yes, it's been 10 days since I last wrote. That's how long it's been since I've been on the treadmill.  :(

We've had Greg & Heidi here and Rocky, of course.  So we've been doing some fun things.  We went over to see the Winters' family in Yakima Valley.  Then we went to Seattle for a few days.  We had fun going to movies, shopping, eating, etc.  Then we came home and had a big Adams' family party.  After that we had Christmas Eve day - opened gifts and went to Don's Restaurant for dinner.  It was great, but then on Christmas Day - Heidi and Greg had to go back home.  So it's just Jay & I and Rocky.  I know Rocky would love to be somewhere else, but he's stuck here with Mom and Dad.  Jay took him on a little trip today (to Tri Cities) while I get my Christmas Cards done.  Yes, that's right.....they are soooooooooo late this year.  I'm still going to try and get them out.
But I did do 5 miles on the treadmill this morning!!  Yep,  I vow to not let it go that long again this year between walking/jogging times.  I know that it has been quite busy for us, but I feel the routine time coming back and I will get back in to it. :)

Pictures - Elvis's Graceland

These are some of the pics I took at Elvis's Graceland.  Yes, there's much more, but these are some of the ones that I like. His graveside, His mansion, His racquetball room full of memorablia, and the famous pink Cadie.  Of course there was much more - but I did have a good time looking at all his stuff - even tho I was by myself.  My son was interviewing for  his residency that day.

Now above is a pic of me on Beale St. in Memphis. It was freezing cold, but what a fun street to walk down.  Lot's of music playing and good food everywhere.  And here's the famous BB Kings!

SNOW

Yes we've got lots of snow today. We woke up to it this morning and it has been snowing on and off all day.
I must say that even though I'm not fond of driving in it -
 it really makes me feel like Christmas time is here.
I do like the music of Christmas and all the lights and decorations.  I also enjoy the presents - although, I get kind of stressed as to what to get everyone on my list.
Jay always packs up a lot of apples in boxes (and sometimes I help). Then we make up a list of all the neighbors and friends to give them too. Then we go deliver them. This year he is doing most of the delivering  - He did that yesterday and only has a few other deliveries.
I am kind of behind this year - I'm sure it is because I was gone for over a week with Rocky. But I'm also sure it is because I've put things off a little, too.  Oh, well....................:)
I need to do all my Christmas cards, but I think I will just do them later this year.  Who really cares??  Yes, I'm giving myself permission to wait on that.
   Anyways, today I did do 5 miles on the treadmill again. I watched most of the movie "Julie/Julia".  What a cute movie - I really like it.  Infact, it gave me inspiration to start this blog -  so that I could fulfill my goal of walking the Marathon.  I feel like it really helped and now I must keep it up - so that I can complete another one!  Yes, probably next fall.  I'm committed.
    Well, all is well - even if it is cold and snowing outside. I'm thankful to be alive.

Trying to keep it up!

Today I did 5 miles on the treadmill while I watched a movie. I'm going to another Christmas party tonight - so I need to keep this up.  Last night was our church party and I ate way too much. Yes, I weigh too much right now. I'm really trying(to keep up my jogging) ....... it's just not so easy this time of year!!  I'm going to look for a 1/2 mara to do in January or February.  I know that will give me more incentive!

Also,I'm going to try and post a couple pictures of our trip back East- last week.

Oh, wait, I've gotta get going - I'll have to do that later.  :)

Whoa......it's been a whole week!

Yes, that's right a whole week. I did 5 miles last Wednesday in a Spokane Hotel the night before Rocky and I took off. And now today - (finally).......I was able to do 4 miles of jogging on the treadmill in a hotel in Hartford, Conneticut.
To refresh:.......I'm on a trip with my son, Rocky J.  He is interviewing for a Pathology Residency. He is an MD.  We stopped first in Memphis, TN.   While Rocky was interviewing there, I was able to go to Graceland and see the mansion and all the Elvis memorabilla. Boy, there was a lot of memorabilla. I enjoyed it, though.  Then that night - Rocky and I went into Memphis and walked down Beale Street. That was an experience- lots of music playing and we stopped at a nice restaurant for BarbQued ribs!  Wow, they were fantastic.    Then the next day we drove to Nashville and stayed overnight there.  We were able to see Opryland and take a tour of the city of Nashville. That was great - we saw the Reimen Theatre and the big Country Music Hall of fame (to just name a couple places).  We did get to see a show - The Radio Music City Rockettes Christmas Show.  So we had a good time in that town.
  Then the next day we went back to Memphis to fly out the next morning to Hartford, Conneticut.  And that is where we are now.  We spent yesterday looking around - finding out where the Hospital was that Rocky needed to Interview at.  Then this morning, we woke up to 6 inches (at least) of snow.  Rocky took the rental car to his interview and I'm here just reading and watching shows on TV, and of course, I ran on the treadmill!  I'm at a hotel by the Airport - Springhill suites.  All is well.  I'm thankful that I could go on this trip with my son.  But I do hope we make it home tomorrow in good time.  We will be flying across the country and the weather doesn't look to hot!!  Oh, well..........................

Dec. 1st..

Yes, we had a great Thanksgiving.  This is a picture of Jay with the kids one night. I didn't get any great pictures of us all, because Greg & Heidi didn't make it.  Oh, well..........

The thing I'm most upset about is that I didn't run all week and I can tell.  I got on the scales and I'm the heaviest I've ever been!!  What is going on??? I've tried hard this year to do more walking/running and I'm fatter than ever.  I've gotta find a way to cut back the calories, I guess.   No fun..........

Anyways, today I did 4 miles on the treadmill. I'm going to keep trying. 

Altho, Rocky & I are going on a trip back east - he is going to a couple interviews for his Pathology Residency.  One is in Memphis and the other is in Hartford, CT.  I'm going along for the fun of it. I'm sure I'll try and see Graceland and maybe even get over to Nashville (Opryland).  That will be fun. 

I will take my jogging clothes and try to keep up my exercising in the hotels.

Well, tonight we are going to the movie 2012. Not much else happening.

We will be leaving tomorrow night.

Breath of Heaven -

Today I'm thinking of the song:  'Breath of Heaven'  sung by Amy Grant. It's a beautiful song that reminds me of Christmas - talking about Mary the mother of Jesus. I'm sure it has more history that I don't know about and is sung by other artists - but that's the only version I've heard.
I feel the Christmas feeling coming on, because we had our first little sciff of snow on Sunday.  I know this week is Thanksgiving and I need to do a blog on that - because I have so much to be thankful for.  But for now I'm going to just talk about the past few days.  After my last blog, I did run on the treadmill between 3-4 miles.  But I had such a busy weekend - that I haven't done any other exercising.
   When I went down to Yakima for the funeral - my car was broken in to and the XM radio and Hands free phone kit were stolen.  That of course, causes a lot of bother.  I've had to call around to get a Car window ordered and installed.(which hasn't happened yet). I've had to talk to the insurance a few times to make my claims, talk to the police, Fax the police statement to the insurance, get a new insurance card and registration (since they were stolen out of my car, too), Call and get a new owner's manual for my vehicle. (yep, that was stolen, too.  And I know I haven't said everything, but it is very sad that other people can inflict such pain and sorrow on you - when it is no fault of your own.  Now I'm not saying that this was a lot of pain and sorrow, because it was things that could be replaced.   But it did make me think of all the injustices that people do to other people that cause a lot of pain and sorrow.  It's just not right.  I guess we just have to realize this and make sure that we don't cause pain and sorrow for others.  ( And be thankful that we are not is such despair that we feel we have to rob, plunder, or steal anything.)
Well, enough of that.
L. Judd Allsop's funeral was wonderful. What a good life and good man- who had a great family. This is the kind of celebration of life that you want to go to when you go to a funeral. I've been to some funerals of children and I've been to two where the persons took their own life.  Those were so heartbreaking.

Brother Allsop's life was a testimonial of love and service: he served his wife, children, and many grandchildren with selflessness over many decades; he was a loyal friend; he generously volunteered his time in his community and church.  
As I was sitting at this funeral and listening to his children talk.  I thought that this could be like a funeral for my own Dad. My dad is quite similar to this man.  Very kind, gentle and loving.  I'm so thankful for having these great men in my life - as such good examples of what a man should be.
  Well, that's my 2 cents worth today. 
Jay made it safely home from California yesterday - so I'm happy.  We are going to dinner and a movie tonight!!  This week we are driving to Utah to meet our daughter Staci's family for Thanksgiving.  Rocky is coming,too - but Greg & Heidi won't be able to make it - since they are moving in to their first purchased home (condo).

Trying my best....

Yes, I did 3 miles on the treadmill yesterday and tonight I'm making a vow to do 4 miles.  I'm trying to do better. I'm feeling that I'm not keeping up like I did most all this last summer. Anyways, that's why I'm doing this blog. My mantra...............I can do it......I can do it......(positive mental alignment..)
   I'm going to the funeral in Yakima tomorrow morning of my old Bishop - L. Judd Allsop. (I talked about it in the last blog). I'm sure I'll see a lot of old friends and I'll stay down there a night with my family. 

Jay is on his way in a big U-haul truck to get all of our son, Rocky's stuff.  Rocky has some good furniture and a bed now, so he doesn't want to sale it off and have to get new - like he has been doing the last ten years of his life.  Rocky is an MD......he plans to be a Pathologist.  He has been living in LA for the last year - doing research at 'The House Ear Institute'.  Now he is moving back home while he interviews at all these places for a Residency.  He has already interviewed in New Jersey, Sacramento, CA and next week will interview in Mobile, Alabama.  I'm going with him in December to interview in Memphis, TN and then
Hartford, Conneticut.  He has quite a few more to do in January.  That boy sure keeps Jay and I hopping.  We will be so happy when he finds a good place to do his Residency and maybe settles down for a few years!
He went to Medical School back east in Boston (Tufts) for 3-4 years.  So we went back there quite a bit to see him.  It's been an adventure.
 
Anyways, I have a little something to write today about 'Love'.  I'm pretty sure this quote is out of Marianne
Williamson's book "Return to Love".   I wrote it down one day and I've kept it in my journal - It's something that really resonates with me. Here goes:

There are two ways that love helps me, now and then, to see real people through the filter of my insecurities.
One of them is a growing power to love myself enough to be thankful for what I am, and to forgive myself for what I am not!  I feel this power intermittently, I admit, but I feel it enough to get my eyes off my anxieties about myself and get a focus on what is going on with other people.

Love also helps me to get outside of myself long enough to discover that the people whose favor I need so much are as weak and needy as I am.   They are trusting me to care about them while I am struggling to see them through the haze of my own anxieties.  If I discern them in their needs, I am getting the imagination to catch a moment of grace when it comes.  :)
  

Nov. 16th - not just another Monday

   Last night a great man and influence in my life passed away.  Pres. L. Judd Allsop.  He was my Bishop growing up and then a Stake President in our Church.  I grew up with most of his children.  I knew 4 of them pretty well.  The other 4 were older than me. 2 of them passed away before their time.
I will definitely go to his funeral which is at the end of this week in Yakima, Wash.   I feel a lot of changes around me at this time of my life. (especially Births and Deaths)
 Pres. Allsop's  passing away makes me reflect on a lot of things.
I realize how great it was to grow up where I grew up and had the friends that I had.  I'm so thankful for knowing all these wonderful people that shaped my life.  And I'm especially thankful for my wonderful family and extended family.  That's really what life is all about. Your loved ones around you.
   I had a good weekend - it's always great to go to Yakima Valley and see my family there.  My brother's football team didn't win, but my neice's volleyball team won the championship title.  So  there's always good and bad.....ying and yang.......happy and sad........etc, etc...
Then yesterday I was quite busy with church jobs.  This time of year (as I probably already said in another post) is a time that I'm asked to play the piano and organ quite a bit  for people. (special holiday #'s)
I'm actually getting use to it and enjoy being at the piano - rather than singing or something else.
I'm thankful I can use this talent - in a good way. 
On another note >>>>
    We had a good friend that was re-baptized last night. He had a lot of people there - from our community and Quincy.  It really was an out  pouring of love and forgiveness- especially on behalf of his own family.
It reminded me how powerful Christ's Atonement really is.  That we can really be forgiven for our mistakes.

Well, all the musical #'s and the talks were great.  But I do have one saying that I remember from one of the talks:
Sometimes God calms the Storm-
and sometimes he lets the storm rage....and calms his child.

P.S. I did 3 miles on the treadmill today.

Friday, the 13th....of November

I'm really embarrassed to say that I didn't walk yesterday or today.  I do hope next week is better than this week. It's been a crazy week for me, but I did get 2 - 1 hour sessions of pilates in this week.
I know that exercising is the first thing to go for me - when I get too busy.  That is why I started this blog - to make me feel more accountable to exercising.  I must say that it has helped me, because I did accompish the marathon this fall.  But I know I want to keep going and do more 1/2 marathons and maybe, another marathon. 
Anyways, last night - Jay & I went to see a movie 'The 4th kind'.  It was very eerriieeee... It made me have nightmares last night.  Not a movie that I would want to see again.  But it made you really wonder if it was true about some kind of alien abduction or if this Physiciatrist woman was totally insane.  Well, that's all I will say about that.  I'd really rather not think about all that. I'm so grateful for my life and I want to keep it that way!
Right now it is snowing outside and Jay hasn't finished harvesting the trees.  This will definitely put them behind.    I was planning to go to Yakima tomorrow to see my neice play in a State Volleyball Tournament
in the Sundome and then see my brother's football team from Zillah - play in the district play-offs.   But now I don't know.  I really hate driving in a lot of snow.  We shall see - maybe Jay will drive me, if the snow is still on the ground.
I found a great quote from Anne Morrow Lindbergh:
 'My life cannot impliment in action - the demands of all the people to whom my heart responds.'
That's how I feel.  I really have wonderful family and friends that I would love to spend more time with, but life doesn't really give you enough time for that..
Oh, well.........................

Here's a pic of  my side of the family 'The Winters family' this last July in Newport, Oregon.  We all had on the shirts that Greg (our son) gave us from his job. (A Sports novelty company)

Nov. 9th, Monday

Yes, I did my 4 miles this morning.  I will try and do it - every other day this week.  So I should be writing in here again on Wednesday.

All is well.   Thought I'd post a sideways pic of a breakfast I had a long time a go.   It just was something I had on my Iphone.  I don't normally eat a big breakfast - just cereal.  But I sure eat well for dinner. I'm always plenty hungry at dinner time.
Tonight is Pilates - so hopefully, I won't eat as much.  When I have pilates in the evening, I don't usually eat so much.  Good idea......I should probably do pilates every evening - but I'm always too tired.
ce la vie...

Nov. 7th - TAPS

I did jog 4 miles on the treadmill, but it took me all morning.  I kept getting phone calls that interrupted me. But that's okay. Jay is working in the tree harvest and I have some time today.
My song for the day is the famous bugle song "TAPS"
I've never known the words before but a friend e-mailed them to me.  So here they are:

Day is done
Gone the sun.
From the lakes
From the hills.
From the sky
All is well.
Safely rest
God is nigh.
Fading light
Dims the sight.
And a star
Gems the sky.
Gleaming bright
From afar.
Drawing nigh.
Falls the night.
Thanks and praise
For our days.
Neath the sun
Neath the stars
Neath the sky
As we go.
This we know
God is nigh.

End of the Week, already!

Yes, today is Friday and the last time I wrote on here was Monday. It's been a busy week for me. I've been going to a lot of different things and doing some Christmas shopping. It always speeds up this time of year for me. Especially with Church functions.  I play the Organ and piano for things in church.  And our Choir has special #'s that we are working on for the Holidays.  We have special Christmas parties and functions that we plan for and put on, too.  There's always something!

   Anyways, I haven't been doing a lot of walking this week.  I plan on 4-5 miles tomorrow morning. But that's it.
The above is a picture of our oldest son - Rocky. He was Hulk Hogan for Halloween this year. This picture really surprised me - because he's our Dr. and not at all like this in real life!

These are the good ole' days...

Yep, that's the song on my mind today. 'These are the good 'ole days'  by Carly Simon...
I really need to be thinking of my blessings - this is the season to reflect and be grateful.
For some reason we always think it's going to get better later -or better after something happens.
I like to listen to Marianne Williamson a lot and she speaks a lot of truth to me.
She has a great perspective on life.  She preaches from some books titled " A Course in Miracles".  Last year she had a thought every day from "A course in Miracles" and I loved most all of them.  They basically preach the way Jesus taught  in the Bible. Very good stuff.  I may have to get ahold of those books some day.
But I have been blessed to be able to read a lot of good books and belong to a church that generates a lot of good reading.  #1 being ' the Book of Mormon'.   I'm so thankful to belong to this church - I've learned so much from being a member and growing up in the church.  I've had lots of wonderful friends and still do have from being a part of  this church.  I really couldn't see my life any better without it.  In fact,  I know it would be worse.
I'm also thankful for all my friends from other faiths and denomonations. I feel that we are very loving and accepting of each other - even if we disagree on some things.
       Well, I've gotta get ready for Pilates.  I did get a chance to walk 4 miles today.  It was a beautiful sunny day - so I got to go outside!   It was fabulous......:)
 Today is the 1st day of harvesting the trees (for my husband)  He is a tree nurseryman ( mainly fruit trees).  He is out there on a big tree digger right now.  I do hope harvest goes well this year.  It usually takes 2 weeks or so.

Halloween!

This is a picture of Jay,me, and Rocky Jay. It was in 1979 - our 1st Halloween with our 1st child. He was suppose to be a Cat.  We put black wiskers on his cute chubby cheeks. :)
  Oh, My!  How the time has flown since that 1st Halloween for our little family.  I still can't believe how old my children are now and that I'm a Grandmother of three.  I sure wish we could have seen them tonight (like we did last year) in their Halloween costumes.  But I'm sure they will send us some pictures.
   I was able to do 4 miles on the treadmill this morning.  But I feel like I've been eating all day - to make up for that good jogging.  What a pig I have been today!  I think also, because of all the candy around for Halloween.....Yes, I've had my fair share of Chocolate, lately. Oh,well.................................
Jay and I went on a drive and to a movie in Wenatchee this afternoon.
  Just because we weren't up to any Halloween parties tonight.  That's okay....we can be different now.  We can do what we want, right!  We are empty nesters!

A Good day....

Feeling pretty good today....no real reason , but I'm not walking or doing any exercising today. Mainly, because I feel a tickle in my throat- like the beginning of a cold. (sore throat).  I'm going to pamper myself so that it won't become a full blown cold or flu.  There has been a lot of talk about this 'Swine Flu'.  So many people have had it and yes, there have been some deaths.  It's definitely the flu of the season.
   So I've got my Sunday School lesson ready and I'm finishing some other odds and ends.  I'm on the last chapter of the book 'The Undaunted'.  Good book.  It's about a group (a little known group) of early LDS pioneers that were called to go settle 'The San Juan Valley' in southern Utah - near the 4 corners area.  They were nicknamed ' The hole in the wall group'  - because they went through a nearly impassable area that looked like a hole in the wall.  They went through a lot of areas that looked 'impassable'.  People today are trying to figure out how they got through some of those stone areas with all their wagons and livestock.
It makes you think of how amazing this people were - they wouldn't let anything stop them - even Indians and even if they were half-starving to death.  And they did reach their goal in the end. (truly 'Undaunted' people)

Tomorrow is "Halloween".  I don't think Jay & I will do much for it, because we don't have our grandchildren around.  But I will post some pics from last years Halloween - just to relive those memories. It was fun... .....   The above pic is of Analee and Weston ( the princess & Optimus Prime)

This one is Heidi and Greg ( the basketball star and the Arabian Prince!)

I'm really not sure what Jay is in this one.  But he has a fake Mustache on!

And this is me with little Kallista. Our youngest grandchild.

Staci, I'm sorry, I couldn't find a pic of you then. I know that Chad wasn't there, but how could I forget you! so sorry...

6 1/2 miles!

Yes, I went longer on the treadmill today than I thought I would.  YAY!  6 and 1/2 miles. It's because I got involved in a good movie. It was called, 'New in Town' with Harry Connick Jr. and Renee Zellweger. I really liked it. When Jay came in for lunch - I saw the ending of it with him.  And I could tell he liked it, too!


   I'm not going to dwell on that one, because I've gotta say more about the show we saw last night.  It was Michael Jackson's "This is it".  Now I really, really liked that one.  It was basically showing all that he went through to get ready for his big concert that he was going to put on in London. Of course, we all know that he died before it happened, but they had all this rehearsal footage and it was marvelous.  It made me appreciate him and his talent even more.  He really went through a lot in his later years and lost a lot of his fame.  But now I remember why we liked him so much  in the 80's.  That boy was so impressive. And he was just a loving, kind person, too.  I know he got quite eccentric and was looking pretty scary at the end.  But this movie erased all that for me.  I want to see it again.  I loved the music and wanted to dance right there in the movie theater.  Jay said my head was swaying and that I needed to stop and just tap my foot. (which I was already doing!!)  

Anyways, I'll stop now.  But I'm sure glad I went and that my husband even went with me!
     The pic above is just another random picture - it is from our Carribean trip in December '06.
My the time has flown.     Staci and her family couldn't be with us that year.

Definitely colder

Yes, it's the end of October and everyday seems definitely colder to me. I haven't been walking as much, because I'm in that limbo land of wanting to still walk outside (but it's too cold) and not quite ready to stay inside on the treadmill. (cause it's too warm :)
Oh, I'll try and get use to my treadmill again.....   I do like watching TV while I'm doing it. 
Today I go to Pilates again.  I think it helps, because it gives me some stretching and cross-training, too.
I walked 3 miles yesterday and tomorrow I will do 5.  So I still have something going, okay!

Here's a pic of

me before Greg & Heidi's wedding last year. It was in Oakland, CA.  What a great day for all of us!

I 've had a great day so far today.  A good friend of mine (growing up)- sent a note of some really kind words to me today.  That always makes you feel good. :)

Okay,

I'm posting some more pics of us in Russia this year. That's me standing by 'Putin' .    (j/k)

The others are of Jay & I in Red Square and a separate one of Heidi & Greg.

The reason why I published the one with the Monkey in the last blog - was because it was the only one I could find that had all of us together on our trip.

I got an e-mail from a guy called 'The Crap blogger' - who went on about how disgusting it was that I put up that picture of me & my friends(family) with a doped up monkey. It sounds like he was an animal rights activist. 

 Well, I really didn't mean to get anyone upset over that.  It did kind of shock me that anyone is even reading my blog.   I'm really doing it as a journal - so maybe I'd better put up some kind of privacy settings or something.  That's what happens when you are a baby boomer and not quite use to all this technology that we have.  And I do forget that -  anybody could be reading this.  Oh, well.....................

I really don't feel that I have anything to be ashamed of -or to hide.

We just happened to be at the circus and a nice person took a picture of us with that monkey. I don't feel that we were making any type of statement with that picture.           (okay, okay. - enough said.)

Today has been quite rainy here - so I procrastinated walking - I need to just get on the treadmill. But... I'm going to Pilates in a few hours so maybe the treadmill will wait  'til  tomorrow morning.

I'm just not that ambitious today..

I heard a beautiful song sung by Carly Simon on Good Morning America this morning.  It was called :

'The New Jerusalem.' I'm going to have to find that on itunes and buy it..  :)

This is just a random picture of  Jay & I, Greg & Heidi and the real live monkey at the circus -

in Moscow, Russia.  We went on a 17 day trip with Greg & Heidi this last June to Russia. It was actually a really good trip, but we learned that it is not easy to travel in Russia.  Greg went there for 2 years on a LDS Church mission (1999-2001). So he was our interpreter. There is no way we could have done that trip without him.  We were so reliant upon him for everything. Nobody around could speak a lick of English.  In all the other countries that we've traveled - we usually can find someone that speaks English to help us out.

Anyways,  we  learned a lot about Russia and I don't think we will be traveling back there anytime soon. (maybe never)  I was glad we had that experience, tho.  And Greg & Heidi are so fun and easy to travel with.  Next time we will go to a warm Beach!!

Well, I've had a really great weekend so far.  I just haven't done much walking or jogging. I'll have to get up early tomorrow and do something.  Yesterday I went to a funeral of a dear older  friend in Toppenish, WA.

Some of my favorite friends that I grew up with were there.  I hadn't seen some of them in years.  It was wonderful.  We had a great time visiting.  On the drive home, I realized what a wonderful group of friends I had growing up in Toppenish. I really didn't know how good I had it at the time.  But there are some deep bonds of friendship there.  And I have a superbly wonderful family, too. I'm so happy.

Today we had the Primary Children's program in church. I played the piano for it and for some reason I felt like crying the whole time. The kids all sang out so loud and beautifully. It really was heart-warming. And I wasn't the only one that felt that way.  Then I taught the Class for Relief Society (Us - older women).

I felt like it went well, it was one of those times where you really feel like you've connected with the other women there.  At least that was my feeling on it, so I'm basking in some really great feelings today!

  In an hour or so - I've gotta go back in to Church to play for the Choir Practice.  I hope I can keep those good feelings going!  Well, 'till  tomorrow........ta...ta...

Each Life That Touches Ours for Good

Today I've been thinking about 'Hymns'  (Yes, church hymns.) 
My Hymn for today is called, 'Each Life that touches ours for good'.

Here's the words:
Each life that touches ours for good.
Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;
Thou sendest blessings from above
Thru words and deeds of those who love.

What greater gift dost thou bestow,
What greater goodness can we know
Than Christ-like friends, whose gentle ways
Strengthen our faith, enrich our days

When such a friend from us departs,
We hold forever in our hearts,
A sweet and hallowed memory,
Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.

For worthy friends whose lives proclaim
Devotion to the Savior's name
Who bless our days with peace and love,
We praise thy goodness, Lord, above.

Yes, I like that song.  I was able to hear some beautiful hymn singing in Utah - the first part of this month.
I went to our church's General Conference that is held twice a year in Salt Lake City.  You probably have heard of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  Yes, they are fabulous.  I will put in a couple pics that I took while I was in the Conference center there before the meetings began. The big Tabernacle Organ's pipes are what you see behind all the seats of the Choir.  It's really a beautiful building - it holds around 23,000 people.
I felt so blessed to be there.

When a Child is born....Il Divo - Song of the day - Oct. 22nd

A ray of hope.....flickers in the sky.  A tiny star....lights up way up high. 
All across the land......dawns a brand new morn.....
this comes to pass.......when a child is born...
A silent wish sails the seven seas....the winds of change whisper in the trees......
And the walls of doubt....crumble.....tossed and torn.
This comes to pass......when a Child is born.

Yes, that's a good song.  It just seemed to be the right song to pick today for some reason.
I was able to walk at least 5 miles today, it may have been 6.  But it was a great way to start
the day and this is going to be a great day.   I can feel it!!

Didn't exercise today. No good excuse......so I will talk to you about my beliefs. :-)

Here's a sunset pic that I took while I was walking on the farm behind our house - sometime this summer.
I was trying to get outside and take a walk today, but it didn't happen.  I let the day go by and I went to a church ladies luncheon and I ate way too much.  Then I missed going to Pilates class tonight.  Just one of those days.  It still was a good day, tho. And I feel like I got some things done around the house.  Still I wasn't that productive.  Oh, well.............I've been doing a lot of reading and thinking for a lesson I have to give at church.  So I'm going to write here a little about what I've been thinking and somewhat of what I think about often.
Here goes:
I believe in God. I believe in Love.  And I believe our God is a very loving God.
When I die, I hope that those who know me- will  remember me as a loving,
kind soul that made them feel good about themselves.  That is very important to me.

Knowledge is good.  Working hard is good. (working for ourselves and others)
But the way we use our knowledge that we have and the talents, energy, time, etc. that we have-
 is  what matters most.
I feel like I have spent my whole life- learning the same lessons over and over again. When will I finally
 get it??  When will I have the emotional integrity that I want to have?  I keep making the same mistakes
and I notice that those around me are doing it, too!  We all have  a hard time expressing ourselves -
the way we want to or should.
I have learned so much from watching others and so then I think - what are they learning from watching me? I've got to be better.  I have had many blessings in my life.  I have had the time to think and see what I've done wrong and what others have done wrong in personal relationships.  Now if I can only apply what I have learned and  bring forth - love (in the right way) to heal my relationships with others.
This is what I'm here for - I know.
I know that we are all here for a reason. 
I do need to know how to use my time and energy in the best possible way for my life here on this earth.
I know that physically and mentally I can only handle so much.  And I do get frustrated at that, because I want to be able to handle so much more.  But this is my dilema and I must just work on it daily. (one day at a time)
Okay, now that I have talked about some deep stuff - on a lighter note - I plan to go on a long walk/jog tomorrow.  So now that I have written it down here - I know I will do it!!  Talk to ya tomorrow.

Better Days - GooGoo Dolls

Yep, that's the song for today.  'Better days by The Goo Goo Dolls' 

  'You ask me what I want I this year, I'll try to make this kind and clear,
    Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days'.........

   ' So take these words and sing out loud -'cause everyone's forgiven now!"
   ' Cause tonight's the night the world begins again.

Those are some of the words in the song.  Yes, I hope this planet has some better days.

I felt like today was one of those better days for me - just because I got the chance to walk part way around the river again in Wenatchee. It was a beautiful Fall day. I'm posting some of the pictures that I took on my I -phone. I know they don't do it justice, but you get the idea...

 This is a little stream that I walk by that flows into the river. Isn't it lovely?!

I just can't tell you how wonderful I feel on this walk.  Or wait! Yes, I guess I always do say how wonderful it is, don't I??  Jay, my husband, gets tired of hearing it. But I do feel like a more peaceful person - just because I'm able to do this. I will miss it this winter. The days are getting colder and I know I don't have many more chances left -on going to Wenatchee for my walk.

Well, I guess that's all I have to say about that. (Forrest Gump)

Saturday. Oct. 17th

Saturday....... in the Park........you'd think it was the 4th of July. (Chicago).  Okay, kind of corny.
But that's the only Saturday song I can think of right now. Oh, except the one the kids sing at church.......
Saturday is a special day....it's the day we get ready for Sunnnnnnnnday.
Yes, I've had a good morning. I was able to walk 5 miles on the treadmill. And while I was walking ...I watched a movie called, 'Ghosts of girlfriends past' (with Matthew McConaughy and  Jennifer Garner). It actually was a cute movie. It had the 'Scrooge" movie infiltered in it.  I've always loved that movie. There are so many different versions of it now......but each one is fun to watch. Even though you know how the movie will turn out.    Well, I'm kind of going off on tangents today!  It's a good Saturday and I feel so much better now that I was able to do 5 miles on the treadmill.  I hope to do a longer walk/run this week - maybe even outside.  It is suppose to warm up a little bit.

The above picture is just a random one I picked from my picture folder. It is of Jay and I in Bar Harbor, Maine. (July 2007).  One of our trips back east when our son, Rocky was there going to Medical school.

Oct. 14th

Well, I haven't been feeling real great, lately. I don't know if it's the weather change, but I feel so tired and no energy. I hope I'm not getting the flu. A lot of people are sick with the swine flu right now. (Don't want that!!)

I have been going to my pilates classes, though.  I just haven't walked in a few days. (not good)
I will be working at Columbia Basin Physical Therapy for the next two days - so I probably won't walk/jog
until Saturday. Oh, well.............. Life goes on. 
I just think I need a goal. (a race to look forward to) 
But the Holidays are coming and it is colder..... and......and.......  I know........excuses, excuses. 

Just thought I'd add a couple pictures of my grandkids. This one is from last Christmas and the other one was in April of this year.  Aren't they the best lookin' kids you ever saw!!  I just adore them. 

Weston is the oldest (5), then Analee (3), then Kallista (1).

Oct. 10th

Whoaaa....I can't believe it has been so long since I last posted. I was doing well in August and September, but now I'm starting to lag - I guess that's life, huh?? (ce la vie)
I've been gone for a whole week.  So that is my excuse.  Yes, I had a great time being with family in Utah and then going to Idaho Falls and being with Staci and Chad's family. I just love being a grandma - soooo much!  It was hard to leave.
I did walk a little bit - once with Staci - once with my Dad -and then once 4 miles on the treadmill.  So I'm trying, but I know I need to get in a better routine now.  I'm going to start up Pilates w/my friend LouAnn on Monday and Wednesdays.  And then I hope to do 4 miles - every other day - at least. 
Today, I did 5 miles outside.  It was cold, but I wore my warmer clothes and got through it!

I'm starting the song of the day thing again -  Today it is by Chris Daugherty - September.
The last sentence in the song is:  'It's worth it all in the end"  Yep, it's a good song.  Well, I've gotta get going and get some things done today. Austa la Vista........

Fall is really here.

Yes, I did my walk in Wenatchee yesterday. But when I got 1/2 way - I found the foot bridge was closed! They never usually close that until Winter!  That made me realize that I won't be walking over there much for awhile........boo..hooo....
And this is the first time in months that I had to wear a jacket, so I do realize that all good things must end.  But there still is the thought in my mind that - it's really not ending - it's only for a few months, and hopefully, in February, I will be able to start up again. I feel very lucky this year - that I was able to go over there so much. It was almost once a week for most of the summer.  I just loved it.  I've never felt so much peace as I have when I could go on  those walks around the river. I need to try to find a way to keep that going through the winter. For some reason, the treadmill just doesn't do it for me. :-)
  Anyway, right now I'm in a hotel room in Boise, Idaho. I'm going to Utah tomorrow. I will meet my parents for a couple days down there in Salt Lake city and then I will drive up to Idaho Falls, ID. to see Staci and Chad & my grandkids!  I'm very blessed to be able to take these kind of trips and Jay doesn't mind.  He will stay home and work!  But then he does get his Golf vacations with the boys!!

So I'm still going to try and walk my 4 miles -every other day or so.  I've gotta keep it going! right?

Still on a high from Rocky Mountain High... vacation....

Here's a couple pix from our trip to Colorado. These were taken at Mesa Verde National Park. The Old Indian Cliff dwellings were amazing!  We especially enjoyed this Park - it was so interesting.:-)

  Well, I did jog about 4 miles today. I feel that I can run/jog more now, just because of doing the Marathon.
It really gave me a boost of confidence in that area. I still can't believe I did a Marathon a couple weeks ago!
Yes, life goes on and nobody cares but me.  But still it was a good thing for me - both mentally and physically.  Now I just need to keep up my exercising so I will be ready for the next marathon or most likely - 1/2 mara.   I hope to do one in a month or so.  This Wednesday I'm planning to do my walk/jog around the Columbia River again.  It may be one of the last ones I'll be able to do there for this year.  It seems that in October/Nov.  is when it gets cold and snows  there.  And then I have to wait until Spring for the trail to be open again and ready to use.  But come to think of it,  last year I walked clear into late November.  I hope that can happen this year.

September 25th

Well, it's been well over a week since I last posted. A lot has happened. Last Friday, they named the Toppenish High School Football Field after my Dad - Bob Winters.  I went over to Toppenish for a couple days to help out. They had a Barbeque before the game that my Mom spearheaded - so I felt I should help with that.  It really was a nice event and lots of people came. It was really wonderful for our family. I  was able to  listen to a lot of praise from old friends and football players of Dad's. He really did a lot to help many Young Men on the path of life. I'm so proud of my siblings and my parents -who all have done a lot in serving the public by being teachers, coaches, administrators, etc.

Well, to get on with what I've been doing all this week. Jay and I flew into Denver on Monday and we will be flying out tomorrow.  We had a glorious week = traveling -practically- the whole state of Colorado.  I can't even touch on all the beautiful scenery that we have seen. But we've always wanted to see Colorado and now we finally have!  Monday - we went up to Estes Park area and stayed overnight. Then Tuesday, we went through the Rocky Mountain National Park.  We saw a lot of Elk, but it was a cold day. I couldn't believe that it had snowed the night before.  We drove down through the Vail Ski Area and then further south to Aspen.  We drove through the rain and snow that day ,but saw some beautiful mountain area and took a lot of dramatic pictures on the pass south of Aspen. Then we stayed the night in Gunnison, Co.  We had the best dinner of our lives there in Gunnison! The name of the place was 'The Trough'.  Oh!  The Prime Rib just melted in my mouth. I've never tasted meat that was that good.
Then the next day- we went through Montrose and down to Cortez. We spent time at Mesa Verde National Park.  We walked through all kinds of old Indian "Pueblo' dwellings.  One area was called 'Cliff Palace' - we had a tour take us down to that and tell us all about it. AMAZING!  Then we drove over to Durango and spent the night there.   Durango is a really nice touristy town. We walked all over downtown area and found an Italian place and had a good dinner.
Well, the next day was a gorgeous drive through Silverton. 
Oh!  I just realized that I skipped the most beautiful area of all!!  Telluride area...after going through Aspen area...we had the most beautiful day in Telluride and we rode the Tram up the Mountain and then down into another village area.  It was gorgeous.  Oh, brother, I guess I'm not good at re-telling a trip.  I left out some things.  But I'm sure that this is just a journal for myself, so hopefully, no one will critique this!
One other thing, we were able to spend some time around Colorado Springs area yesterday. We saw 'The Royal Gorge' - 'The Garden of the Gods' -'The WoodlandPark area'   So I guess that about sums it up- I know I have skipped some things.  But as I sit here in a hotel close to the Denver Airport tonight......I'm so thankful to have had this experience with my Husband.  What a blessing to be able to do this.
I didn't get to do much exercising, as we were in a vehicle most of the time.  But this morning, I did get up early and ran 4 miles on the treadmill.  I'm going back home ......:-)

The HIGH - After the 1st Marathon

Yes, the last few days, I feel like I've been on a high. I guess it's because I've had such a mental block about doing a full marathon.  I really didn't think I could do it - now I know that I can. I'm just so happy that I could actually do it.  I've been wanting to do this for years. It just took a little push from my daughter and a little encouragement from other members of my family.
And I did know others that have done it - and lived to tell about it.  So I am elated that I could finish and not feel so horrible (as I thought I might).
.......  Now ....what to do now........I know I need to continue my walking......as much as possible.
I can see that it will be a hard thing to do for the next couple weeks. I did walk 3 miles last night, but today I worked at the Physical Therapist's (in Ephrata). - It's a job that I sub at ...every now and then.
And this weekend is full with things going on with my family (The Winters' in Toppenish).  Then Jay & I are going on a trip to Colorado for a week.  Then after that I will be going over to Staci & Chad's to spend a little time with the Grandkids and then there goes 2 -3 weeks of not much exercise.
NO, I'm going to have to throw in my exercise clothes and do what I can on the road.  I'll let you know if that works.  I probably should plan a 1/2 mara for the end of October - just to keep me motivated.
It's a continual thing....I realize........:)
And I guess I'm going to take a break from the 'Song of the day'  thing that I was doing. I'll probably start that back up in October.  For some reason things in my life have been speeding up a bit , lately....

More Marathon Pictures.....

Yes, I thought I'd post a few more pics of before and after the Salmon Marathon.  The one of Jay and I running - is at the very end of the Marathon.  Jay ran the last 2 miles with me. That helped. :-)

The Salmon, Idaho Marathon

Yep, I actually went through with it on September 12, 2009.  My first Marathon.  Here's a couple pics of Staci (my daughter) and I before and after the race. Staci did it in 4-1/2 hours and I did it in 5 hours 39 minutes.  Yes, I was a whole hour behind her, but I'm just so elated that I actually finished it and I was expecting to do it in 6 - 7 hours.  This is a major thing for me. I'll never forget it and I will be forever glad that I did do it.  But doing another one??? At this point (especially today as I feel all the sore muscles) I think I will stick to the 1/2 marathons.  I still plan to keep up my jogging around the Wenatchee river and at home, but I don't know if I'll ever do another marathon.  That's okay for now.  I'm so glad it's over and I will tell you more about it later. I'm still thinking about it a lot.  What an experience.......it makes me even more amazed at the people that do these marathons over and over.  This is an elite group of people.

Point of Grace- How you live (Turn up the Music)

(Chorus)    Turn up the Music...Turn it up Loud.....Take a few chances......let it all out.....cause you won't regret it.......looking back from where you have been........Cause it's not who you knew........it's not what you did........
it's how you lived........
Go to the ballgames........go to the Ballet........go see your folks more than just on the Holidays..........kiss all your children.......dance w/ your wife.........tell your husband you love him everynight........don't run from the truth.....cause you can't get away.........just face it and you'll be okay........(chorus)
Now is the time to begin..........give to the needy......pray for the greiving......cause all that you do is bound to come back to you.......so think of your fellowmen.......make peace with God and make peace with yourself....because in the end......there's nobody else........(Chorus)

Below is a picture of one of the bridges that I walk over  - on my Wenatchee walk. Then the next one is of me yesterday - I went up to Ohme Gardens  - they  look over the Wenatchee Valley.  They are beautiful gardens that a family started years ago and have kept up for the public.  They have all kinds of wonderful  little spots to stop and sit and enjoy.  (The wishing well, many ponds, and beautiful views of the valley down below.) The next couple of  pictures below are of that.  Also,  they must have put in years and years of labor on all the Rock trails and the Rock fountains, etc.  It is really  unbelievable......

The song of the day  - it explains itself.  Not much more I can say.   :-)