December

Yes, I know December is going to go by in a blink. It's already December 4th and I don't know how that happened. December is the month that I can always think of a million and 1 things to do. (and at any given moment)  I try to do my Christmas cards early, but I get them started and then put them on hold for one reason or another. Yes, I have started them this week, but I'm already finding excuses for not finishing them. I really want to have them done before I leave to Idaho Falls on the 8th. I hope that can happen.

Baby Gwendolyn is having another lip surgery on the 9th - at Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake. I will stay and watch the other 3 kids(Weston, Analee and Kallista)  while Staci & Chad take Gwen to Salt Lake.
I'm so glad that I can help in some way.

I will get back on the 13th, but there will of course be plenty to do before we leave a week later to Las Vegas.  That's where the family is having Christmas this year.  Yes, it will be interesting! (to say the least)
We are all quite excited it about it.  We'll find plenty to do , I'm sure.

Anyways, about my Christmas cards. I've decided that I picked the most unflattering picture of Jay & I for the cards and it's just to late to change now.  I've already got over 60 copies. Yes, I'll post it here and you can be the judge. 
I just wanted to get it done, but now the more I look at it, the more I realize I shouldn't send pics of us at all.

          It looks like we are really squishing poor santa in this picture....:)

I'm thankful for........

Yes, I'm feeling in the thankful mood. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day!
I got my IPAD today and I can't put it down. I think I won't have time for anything else. There are a million apps you can get for just about anything you can think of - and free ones at that!! I just looked through all the magazine apps. I got the Seattle magazine for free, but there were a lot of free ones(mags) that I've never even heard of.  I guess I can waste enormous amounts of time on this, but, hey!
it's fun!
Anyways, back to being thankful........right now I'm thinking of how thankful I am to have a warm house.
It is sooooooo freeeeeeeeezzzzing cold outside.  We are having abnormally cold weather for November.
It is below zero outside right now. We just are NOT use to the below zero #'s. 

I know I take for granted all the luxuries that we have.  One is a nice car.  I have a good car that I can rely on. I'm so thankful for that.
We have electricity and running water (even hot water at that). We are so blessed.  Right now Jay has a nice fire going in the fire place.  It's so nice to have that on a cold, blustery day.
We have plenty of clothes and plenty of food.  I know we will glut ourselves on food tomorrow. It's so nice to have good food to eat. I realize that we really take this for granted.
I guess now that I got started  - I have to mention more - good music, good movies, technology.
We can call anybody at anytime that we want.  I can call my good friend in New Zealand and it's no big deal - because it doesn't cost an arm and a leg. (like it use to). Yes, I'm thankful for good friends, too.
But I know that the most important thing to be thankful for is:  FAMILY.  Yes, I'm so thankful for my loved ones.  Just what would we do with out each other??
We would be quite lonely.   I'm not one that minds being alone, but alone for too long.......that I do mind.

One last thought:  I'm thankful for just normal, ordinary days.
 Here's a thought I read by Jean Irion:
" Just a normal day.  A normal day! It is a jewel!  In time of war, in peril of death, people have dug their hands into the earth and remembered this.  In time of sickness and pain, people have buried their faces in pillows and wept for this.  In time of loneliness and separation, people have stretched themselves taut and waited for this.  In time of hunger, homelessness, want, people have raised bony hands to the skies and stayed alive for this.  Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are.  Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow.  Let me hold you while I may, for it will not always be so.  One day, I may dig my nails in the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want more than all the world -- your return.

The IPAD

Yes, that's right........I ordered a Christmas present for myself!! I'm in love w/my Iphone so when they came out with the IPAD - I kept thinking of ways that I could justify buying myself one.
Last year I had finally bought myself a laptop. And I've really enjoyed having a laptop. I can take it with me wherever I go and have all my stuff on it.
 Yes, I know I'm not the best at computers, but I'm okay.
 For not being raised with them, I feel like I do okay.  It's true that when ever I have a question with my computer - I have to ask one of my kids.
I have had a lot of st00pid questions, but 'hey!' that's the only way you learn, right??!!

So a couple weeks ago, my laptop gave off a loud crackling noise and displayed a big spark of light.
And after that, the screen would not work.  I looked up my warranty and of course, the warranty had expired a few weeks earlier.  So I really don't want to have to fix the screen - so I just hooked it up to a screen I have here at home.  Well, that means that I must keep my laptop at home now, right?!
 And yes,
I need another type of computer device to take on the road!!  YEAH!  I had my reason to order the IPAD!!
My husband thinks it's funny - that I have to rationalize somehow to buy myself the IPAD. 
He doesn't think I will use it that much.  But I know he's wrong. I will go crazy with it. I know there are a million apps out there for it and I can do pretty much anything w/it.   I heard that it has a greater GPS system then my Iphone.  I will love that.  And I can get on the internet anywhere, because I will have the 3G AT&T system IPAD. 
I can't help it. I'm excited.
I hope it gets here before Thanksgiving. Then I'll really have something to be thankful for.  (j/k)

Footprints

  Yesterday I walked around the Columbia River again in Wenatchee.  I thought that the day I went walking  last week was my last time for this year, but I was lucky.  Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day and it felt like it was warmer than last week.  I did more jogging yesterday - so I did feel better.
 But then last night I was up half the night coughing. Jay has had a bad cough for a week or so. I should have known that I would eventually get it.  I tried real hard this time not to kiss him and all that stuff, but darn!! I still got the cough.  Oh, well.............................................

Today I'm thinking about our footprints that we leave behind us. I saw some of my own footprints in the dirt outside today - as I was cleaning up around the house. (We had a terrible wind and it blew garbage all over the place.)  Anyways, after thinking about footprints that we leave behind.  I thought of the famous poem we've all read called "Foot prints'. I'm sure you've heard of it.
   It made me think. What kind of footprint will I leave behind to my posterity?  Hopefully, it's one that will make them smile. Hopefully, it's a loving, kind footprint. Hopefully, it's a unique and unforgettable footprint.

Here's another quote:   "  Some people come into our lives and quickly go.  Some stay for awhile and put footprints on our hearts.  And we are never, ever the same."

11 miles

 Here's a pic from yesterday.

Yes, it was great to be able to walk 11 miles around the river and it was a pretty good day for November.

I'm glad I got the chance to do it, because today was cloudy and cold all day.  I really did pick the right day.

I'm a little sore today, but I feel pretty good.

 

And here's a pic from the time I walked before yesterday. (A few weeks earlier).  The trees were beautiful and look at those red leaves. Well, yesterday they had almost all dropped. It's time we face it - winter is almost here.

Now here is my last pic for this post. It's Jay and I - a couple weeks ago or so.  This probably will be the pic that I put in our Christmas cards. I don't know. We don't have too many good pictures of us together. Maybe someday we'll do one of those professional ones.

Anyway, today is Veteran's Day. It really does make you reflect on how much our Veterans mean to us. We are so blessed to have so many Men and Women that have served our country so well. We owe them such a huge debt of gratitude. Thank you all you Veterans out there and all those that are serving our country now.

I thought I was going to quit.

Yes, I really had decided that I shouldn't blog anymore. I know that only a couple people read my blog and I've been wondering why I was still doing the blog.  Especially since I had accomplished my goal (last year) of doing the marathon. That was the reason I started this blog - to get to that goal.
  But then again, I also wanted to keep myself doing the walking/running thing.

Well, I've been very lax this last month on doing any exercising at all.  I could blame it on a lot of things, but at the end of the day, I know it is because I just didn't make time for it.
So here I am today deciding that I will try hard to start again and keep myself at least doing the walking. I always feel so much better about myself when I'm in that groove. And I have been in that groove for a few years now, why quit??  I love being outside walking, but I will have to settle again for the treadmill this winter. I'm even thinking of getting an eliptical when my feet start to hurt (because of the treadmill).
So tomorrow I'm going to try my last walk around the river for this year. It's suppose to be okay weather tomorrow.
Okay...okay ...enough about that.

I have a long quote to put in here that explains how I feel today. Here goes:

" Stop censoring your actions.  Be you-- the only you there is. No one else is qualified for the job.  Have fun, have a sense of humor and have a million laughs. Be an optimist; be the person you were as a child.  Do something new, exciting and different.  Look at life from a different point of view.  Get curious; ask a trillion questions and experience the joy in looking for the answers.  Make new friends and cherish the old (some are silver and the others gold). Invite creativity to become as much a part of the fabric of your daily life as your everyday routines like making the bed, cooking meals, cleaning the house and caring for the people you love.  Look at these everyday, seemingly mundane tasks and see where you can infuse them with spirit, individuality and fun.
"This quote by Gilda Radner, the comedian who died too young, is a great reminder of the importance of being you: ' While we have the gift of life, it seems to me the only tragedy is to allow part of us to die, whether it is our spirit, our creativity or our glorious uniqueness."
"I believe that we each have the individual responsibility to bring forth ourselves into the world."

- Sandra Magsamen

'The Shrimp Fest'

Well, it's been a few days since the big "Shrimp Fest" that we went to at Gulf Shores, Alabama.
 But I must say something about it.  It was fabulous-oo!

It really wasn't all about shrimp.  It was about fried foods, crafts, fried foods, art, fried foods, the beach, fried foods, people, and did I say 'Fried Foods???
We kind of went a little crazy when we got there. We were hungry - so we felt like trying every kind of fried food that we could. The following are the fried foods that we tried:

1. Fried Shrimp, of course (even coconut at that)
2. Fried Green tomatoes (I liked them, but Rocky and Jay didn't much)
3. Fried Alligator (I'm serious)
4. Fried Donut stuff (of course) this was a huge one with cherries and chocolate on it!
5. Fried puff pastry stuff with delicious crab and sauce inside.
6. Fried oreos (and they weren't that bad)

Yes, by the time we ate all that stuff - we just couldn't take anymore. I wanted to try the fried pickles, but I just was feeling too weighed down by the time I saw them. (and I mean weighed down)  My poor stomach.
The fried Alligator was too chewy and fatty.  I don't think I'll try that again, but everything else was very good.  We had a fun time trying it all.
We were quite thirsty - so we tried the 'Homemade Rootbeer' and had some Lemonade, too.
You would get a big mug of the rootbeer and you could keep refilling it with different kinds of the rootbeer.
They had vanilla, cherry, and other flavorings, but I thought the ordinary rootbeer was the best.
Can't get better than that.
There was Jimmy Buffet like music playing in the background and it just felt very good to be there. I must say that I haven't been to an outdoor festival like that in awhile.  And the last one I was at - wasn't half as good. This  was better than a county fair to me.
http://www.alagulfcoastchamber.com/index.php?page_id=37&mod=Pages&LiveEdit=false
Well, it was a great way to end our trip to Alabama to see our son.  We had a good time with him, but all good times must come to an end. ( for awhile)  I sure hope there are many more good times like that.

We had a safe trip home yesterday and today it is back to work as usual. 
Here's a pic of Jay getting something fried at the 'Shrimp Fest' !

Savannah

Well, we've had a good trip so far. We made it to Mobile. Then Rocky had us on the road the next day! We've spent most of our time in Florida.We spent a night in Destin, St. Augustine, and 2 nights by Jacksonville. The guys have been doing some golfing. We stayed at the Sawgrass Marriott by Jacksonville and they golfed on the famous 'Players stadium golf course' there. That was a big deal to them, but my favorite thing was this morning when we went on a trolly tour of Savannah, Georgia.
What an old town with flavor! Big beautiful Oak trees lining the streets with tons of Spanish moss hanging off of them. The old town was planned in the late 1700's. They started with a town square- which was a square park with houses surrounding it. They eventually ended up with 24 squares and all of them had a beautiful park in the middle. Today there are 22 squares, but they are all wonderfully preserved. Most All of them have the originally built homes around them. But of course, a lot of them have been remodeled inside and re-painted outside.
I was so impressed. It was like going back in time. Then all of the old iron fences and iron work on the houses! A lot of it is 150 + years old !
There was soooo much history. I was also surprised to hear of all the movies that were filmed there. One that sticks out is ' Forrest Gump'
They showed us the spot in one of the park squares where he sat on that bench talking to people throughout the movie.
So now we are driving back to Mobile. One more day there with Rocky. He says we are going to 'the Shrimp fest' at gulf shores. Yea, I love it.

getting to the Airport early...

Yes, I have a very weird quirk about getting to the Airport extra early. I'm always afraid I'm going to miss my flight - so I make sure I'm there 2 hours early no matter what.  It's a psychological thing and since 9/11 - it's gotten worse.
   Right now we are sitting in the SEA/TAC airport and much to my husband's chagrin - we are two hours early.
I take care of all the flight, hotel, and other arrangements when we go on a trip - so it's my family members' own fault if they don't know the actual flight time that we take off, right??!!
Today we take off at 11:30 and I told Jay - around 11AM. (You think he would have figured it out by now!)
But I always say at least a half an hour earlier, because I'm afraid of running late.   Maybe it's because I have missed a plane before and once was enough for me!!
  We are going to Mobile, Alabama to see our son.  I'm excited, because this time it should be a more leisurely trip than last time - when we drove 5000 miles(round trip) to take him his stuff .
The guys plan to do some golfing in Florida and maybe we will get to see some places that we haven't before. Well, I am getting low on battery - so I'll sign off. 
But it's so nice to be here and so relaxed at the airport while we are waiting for our plane.  Just don't ask Jay how he feels about it.....:)

Bishop Jay

Yes, I've got to post about my husband, Jay.
Something happened on September 12th this year to us.  Jay was put in as Bishop of Ephrata 1st Ward in our town of Ephrata, Wa.
We are members of  ' The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' (Mormons). 
We both have grown up in the church and been members most of our lives. Our children were raised in the church, too. (of course).
Here's a link to our church website - if you are interested in knowing more.....:)
LDS.org
     I really never thought I would be a Bishop's wife, but now I am and I don't know what to think of it!!
I'm hoping I can just hide in the background and not have to say or do much.  But people are telling me that I can't do that.  I do keep busy at church with either playing the organ or the piano for our meetings. I am comfortable now in being in that role. And I have been in the presidency and as a teacher in different auxillary organizations in the church. (Primary, Young Womens, Relief Society)  I am thankful for all the experience that I've gained from being able to serve in these positions.  Right now I'm the 1st counselor in our ward Relief society, but I think that will change soon - since Jay is the new Bishop.

   About Jay being the Bishop, I have no doubt that he will do an excellent job. He is a great leader and has such a good, kind heart.  And he definitely does get things done.  It's amazing to me how he already has stepped right into the position and it seems to fit him.
He really cares about the kids and the young men and women. They all seem to like him, too.
I think it didn't hurt that for all these years he has been known as the Candy Man.  He always has something in his pocket for the kids after church. It's usually a wrapped candy, like a smartie or jolly rancher or pepperment, etc.  It will be interesting to see how he will handle this now with all of his other duties.

  He was in a Bishopric about 10 or so years ago (as a counselor)  with Dave Hammond.  Dave lives by us and he and his wife and family have been good friends.  Jay learned a lot of good stuff from Dave and will always be grateful for that time to work with him.  Dave was the reason our boys got their Eagle Scout Awards.  I know they wouldn't have been able to receive that honor without all of Dave's help. So we are eternally grateful for that and so are our sons.  It really does take a village to raise a child.  And I'm glad the Hammonds are in our Village!

Yesterday

Yesterday.....all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as if there here to stay.....Oh, I believe in Yesterday.......
Sorry... after I wrote that title. It made me think of the song "Yesterday".  Not a bad song. But it's not exactly how I feel right now.  I feel pretty lucky and don't feel like I have a lot of troubles right now. (knock, knock, knock on wood). 

I just thought I'd blog about the great walk around the river that I had.....Yesterday. Here's a pic that I took. Doesn't the river look so peaceful?? In fact, it looks like a lake in this picture. The water doesn't look like it is moving at all.  But I promise you - it is the Columbia River in Wenatchee. There was one place that I walked by that was so stagnant that the algae smell was very, very strong.  This is not how the River usually is - so that's why I took the pic.

On this walk, I also had my first encounter with a deer as I walked aound a bend in the path. I don't remember ever coming face to face with a deer on this walk.  I was a little startled, because I about ran right into her, but she seemed calm and just moved very slowly away.  Wierd, usually the animal is more startled than the human.

Well, it was a nice day and today was great, too.  I can't complain.
I was able to go in to work (Columbia Basin PT) one day this week and I felt like I worked hard that day. It always makes me happy that I don't have to go to work every day.  But I do enjoy the socialization of it all.
 I see a lot of old friends and meet new ones every time. It's good for me.

Blog name change

Yes, all day  today - I've been thinking of changing the name of my blog. 
I guess I can't change the Url of it, but I can change it on my heading, anyways.

I walked the 11 miles around the river today. (I just saw a sign today that said it was 11 miles not 10.
Wow.  that makes me feel better.) I guess I could clock it and find out, but who cares.

Well, Anyway, I thought of a lot of different names like:  Trying to be realistic... or Smile..... or Marie's
blog...(real original). But nothing seemed to fit.  So towards the end of my walk, I was listening to my tunes and Jimmy Buffet's song came on " Trip Around the Sun".  It just seemed to be my answer......:)
  If you get the chance, listen to that song.   I was trying to copy out the lyrics on-line, but they asked for my cell# and I think they were trying to charge me something or make me sign up for something.  So I decided to forget that.
So the reason why I'm changing the name is that I notice that more and more -I'm not talking about my walking/running goals. I'm talking about whatever.....anything and everything else.  So it really shouldn't be called Marie's Walking/Running Blog.   Let's face it, I'm no pro at that,  but at least I tried.
And I will continue to keep trying....walking that is ....maybe not as much running anymore.
Today was a different day on my big walk. It looked like it would rain the whole time, but it didn't.
Then the minute I got into my car - it started to rain a little.  I still don't know what happened to the summer.

I can't believe this is September 8th.  Well, I'm doing my best to hang on while on this trip around the sun.

I'm still here.

August 2010 Gwendalyn

Well, I just can't seem to keep up with my blog the last few months.
I guess because it's a walking/running blog and I'm not doing my walking/running as much as I use to. (that's probably it - except today I walked 4 miles......:)

Above is a picture I took of our latest grandaughter Gwen. She had a cleft lip, but the surgery in July really changed that.  I'm so glad that she doesn't have to wear the apparatus on her face and the arm restraints anymore.  Her next surgery will be in December.  The Dr. said that she needed more time to heal.  But hopefully, this next surgery will be her last.  They will look at it when she is 5 years old and decide if she needs another surgery.  I'm so glad that they have the technology now to easily fix a child's smile.
I have an uncle that had a cleft lip and was born in the early 50's and he had many, many surgeries for many years.  I've always felt bad about hearing how much he had to go through.

Well, I don't know where to begin in posting about all that has gone on this last month. It's been a busy and fun month. I had the best 51st Birthday.  I went to three lunch parties that week. Two with friends here in Ephrata and one with my parents in Zillah.  I really felt loved and on top of that - my husband gave me the most beautiful flower arrangement and said the sweetest thing ever in a card.  Okay, I guess I'll share it, because I think it's something anyone would appreciate hearing.  It said,   " Everyday I'm thankful for the day that you were born".  wow.....pretty good, huh?!

I also had a great trip to see Staci & Chad's family and then go to Utah BYU Education week for a few days. I loved it. I try to go whenever I can.  I've gone on and off for the last 20 years to it. I have a lot of good memories of going to that and I have lots of notes from all the different classes that I've been to.
Every hour of every day this one week in August - they offer tons of classes.  And the subjects are so diverse.  This year I was into some of the financial classes on Retirement.
 I guess Jay & I need to think of preparing for Retirement.  Yes, we are getting old.  We need to prepare.

I also, took an organizing class and went crazy when I got home with organizing my house.  I'm kind of an OCD type -cleaner person anyways, but I realize that I really love to organize so I'm getting my(our) house into better shape.  Although, it has lead from one thing to another. I'll explain.
We moved the big entertainment system in the living room to another wall and that lead me to clean out everything in that entertainment system and organize it.  Then I decided that all the photo albums need to be in one place (which they weren't) and all the DVD's, CD's and videos need to be organized and it one place.(which they weren't either)..  Well, you can see what I'm saying.  Then I noticed the wall that we took the big mirror off - needed painting. Yep, that's leading to me painting the living room.  And then I decided to put all my piano music (which is a lot) into one place.  So we bought some files for the computer room and I decided to change the whole computer room around.  Oh, you are probably getting bored .....if you are reading this.  I'd better just stop, because you certainly have gotten my point by now.  But to make a long story short........I've just about organized and cleaned every room in our home here.  There's always more to do, but I feel good that I've been able to get a lot done.

Now if I can get back in to my walking/running routine again.  Hopefully, this week!!

Oh! Another reason I was inspired to organize and clean things around here - is that my parents moved to Zillah, Wa. from Toppenish, WA this summer.      I don't know if I've said anything about that.
I was able to go visit them and help with the moving a little bit. They really did clean out and give away a lot of things. They moved into a smaller place, but it is perfect for them and they are closer to my brother and sister that live there.  Which is great.
So it really has been a busy summer.

Never Ever Give Up - Meridian Magazine

Never Ever Give Up - Meridian Magazine

Should I be scared??

I had another great walk around the river today. Saw a lot of people on bikes. I'm noticing that more and more -people are riding bikes - instead of walking these days. I guess it's the thing to do, but I really don't want to get into it. For one thing, you have to buy an expensive bike. Then you need a helmet, and then you need biking pants and then a biking backpack and then gloves(I've seen a number of people wearing these weird gloves).  Well, you get my point.

I've had a couple people tell me in the last month - that it's not good that I walk by myself on that walk around the river.  That something could happen to me. You know I've been doing it for at least 4 years now - (sporadically) and I've never felt scared.  I don't walk at night and I always have my cell phone in my hand (ready to call 911) if I have to!  I use to carry mace, but  I've stopped that.  I really have decided that I'm old enough now - that I don't think anyone would want to mess w/me.  And if they did - well, I've had a good life.  ummmmm. I guess I should not sound so non-chalant about it.  But when you are walking in a public place w/lots of other people running and biking - you feel pretty safe.

Now walking out here alone around the farms - maybe that's what I should be scared about!

Sunday morning I was doing my usual 4 mile walk out here by our place - and on the last 1/2 mile ( coming down Rd. 5 )- I spotted a couple walking towards me on the road.  They had a gas can - so I asked them if they had trouble and needed some gas.  Well, yes, that was true.  So I walked them back to our house and had Jay help me get them some gas.  Now their story had some holes in it, but I won't tell all the details here.  Just that I was surprised that at 9am on a Sunday morning - I would encounter a questionable looking young couple on the road outside of my house. You never know, but I still don't think we should walk around being scared all the time.  It takes so much joy out of our lives.

Do I have anything to say??

  Well, I did walk the river this week!! It sure was hot, tho.  I had to sit down and cool off -( half way through the walk.) I even went early, but it's just a hot week - what can I say.  I don't mind the heat as much as I do the cold, so I won't complain.
Oh, wait, I already did complain! lol.
Anyways, something about walking around a big river of flowing water just makes me happy.
I'm okay with walking around the farms here when I can, but it's just much more fun being around the river.
So I will continue to try to walk that 10 mile walk at least once a week -for as long as possible.

I still work now and then as a sub at the Physical Therapist's in our town. They called me in for tomorrow - so I'm happy to do it.  I like to be around people and at least feel like I'm doing something to help them.
But I just didn't like to work this job everyday.  I guess it's cause I like my freedom too much.
Yes, I'm spoiled.
My husband has been the bread winner all of our married life and it has worked out great for us!! I'm thankful to have a sugar daddy!  There I said it.  I don't care what anyone thinks of it.
I try and do what I can to contribute to our happy life and it has worked for us.  I know that most people don't have this luxury, but I'm so thankful that I do.  Whoa.......I don't know how I got off on this subject.
I really thought I had nothing to say today.......other than the fact that I did walk the river this week.
But I guess I do have a thing or two to say.....:)
I've tried working over the years of raising our kids ....and it just hasn't worked out too well for me.  I love taking care of the home, cooking ,being there for my family, having time to walk and do volunteer church work.
I am in awe of women that can do it all and I have many friends that seem to be able to. That is: to work full time and still take care of their family pretty well.(plus all the extra stuff)  
My hat's off to them, but I don't like the fact that we sometimes criticize each other.  We should be supporting each other - not tearing each other down.
What works for one - might not work for the other.  That's all I want to say!

Still trying to keep up the walking....

Yes, this is a pic of one of the spots around the Columbia River where I try to walk at least once a week in the summer.  I just haven't been keeping it up as good this summer as I have the last two.
(Well, I guess there's still August left.....)
   I did walk at least 3 - 4 miles around the farm these last two days, but hopefully, sometime this week -
I will walk the 10 miles around the river.
  Life always gets in the way and the first thing I tend to do is: stop my walking.  They say it takes 21 days to do something and make it stick as a habit.  I don't think that applies to walking/jogging.  I can be very diligent at doing it for a long time and then all of a sudden something happens and a week goes by, then another week and then....... I'm all out of shape again.
I started this blog about a year ago. And I started it so I could keep up the walking/jogging thing and report about it.  I thought that being accountable to a blog might keep me going.  Well, it did for quite awhile and I did accomplish finally doing a full marathon.  But it really has been hard to keep myself motivated to continue. I suppose I should try for another marathon, but I can't get myself to commit to that again.
I think it's okay if I try and just keep doing the 1/2's, but they aren't easy to find  and plan out either.
Oh, well............
This has got me thinking.....
I need to just plan the next 1/2 mara and have something to look forward to that will keep me going.  I guess it's time to start doing some research on 1/2 maras for this fall. Back to browsing on the internet again!

Way behind

Wow.  Since I've started this blog, I've never had such a lapse in updating it.

All I can say is that it is July and we were on the road for about 3 weeks.  I did take my laptop, but never seemed to have the time to do any posting.  
I don't know where to begin on explaining  what has happened this month.  But it was quite an experience and we did make it down to Mobile, Alabama and back in one piece.  We took Jay's truck and trailer.
 Talk about guzzeling gas! It seemed like we were stopping every couple of hours to get it!
 But we did get all of Rocky's stuff safely delivered to him - so he is happy.
 I had one bout of heatstroke that has never happened to me before, but I lived through it. (so I shouldn't complain)

And we had a good time babysitting the grandkids for 3 days while Chad & Staci took baby Gwen to Salt Lake for her surgery.  It all turned out well, but poor baby Gwen has to wear arm restraints and all this face apparatus for 6 weeks, then she will have another surgery and do it all again.  I guess it is best to get it done now so that she won't remember it.  But it has been tough for Staci & Chad - the feeding thing has especially been tough for Staci.

 The picture above is Gwen after the Surgery.

Well, I have felt like a slug, because I haven't been walking much at all.  So I'm trying to get back into it.

I did the walk around the river yesterday and Man! I'm feeling a little sore today.

But I am glad to be back home and getting into the swing of things.

Hopefully, I can do better at posting on this blog now!

What kind of a Grandma...am I???

  I just realized that I haven't put up any pics of our newest grandchild and it has been over a month!
So here are some pics of the baby and her mom and the rest of the kids! Aren't they adorable! (I'm not biased or anything)

I know I haven't been posting to this blog - like I usually do. I couldn't believe that it's been 2 weeks since my last post!  Summer hits and daylight is longer - so you spend more time outside....or I do anyways.
 I have to report that I have been walking a lot.....not doing much running since the last race. But I have been doing my 10 mile walk at least once a week and then a 3 or 4 miler everyother day.
I don't have any big races coming up on the horizon, but I have talked to some buddies about doing the Leavenworth 1/2 mara in October.......we'll see.....:)

    But now to go back to the pictures that I posted above.  I realized that I hadn't posted any pics of the grandkids, lately and especially baby Gwen!  Yeah, what kind of Grandma.......am I?!
I really adore these kids and of course, their parents.
Isn't our daughter Staci ....so beautiful?!  She is an amazing mom to these kids.  I just wish they lived closer - so I could see them more often. But I have to take what I can get.......:(

   We are going to go on a trip here soon to take Rocky (our son)'s stuff in a u-haul like trailer to Mobile, Alabama. (Yep, that's a lot of driving) But he is already down there - working and waiting for his stuff.
This will be an interesting adventure, I'm sure.....:)
 On the way back, we will stop in Idaho Falls, ID and watch the other 3 grandchildren (Weston, Analee, and Kallista) while Chad & Staci take baby Gwen to the hospital in SLC to have the operation on her lip.
  I feel so glad that we can help them in this way.
I'll have my laptop w/me, so I'll try to post an update.  

Well, that's all for now.

Sage and Sun - 5 miler

Yep, I did do the Ephrata Sage and Sun fun run. I chose the 5 miler, because I had done it in the past and thought I would have no problemo. But I was wrong - everyone else that ran the thing - ran the whole thing!  I know that I'm a walker/runner - I can not run the whole way. 

Well, for some reason this time - there were no walker/runners - just runner/runners.

That's okay, I guess.

It's just that my name will be last in the Ephrata newspaper - which is a little humilating. It brings back all those memories that I think I told here in my blog awhile back. 

It's a story about when I was young and in a long distance race and was the last one. My Dad loves to tell it and has told it in church a few times. He says, and I quote,"Marie was way behind everyone else and should have just quit the race, but no she did finish it and was given a standing ovation - just because she finished!"

I know he is emphasizing that I didn't quit and that's what is important - but much to my chagrin - I still feel the pangs of being the last one and everyone thinking I should have just dropped out of the race - because I was sooooooooooo far behind.

Well, I will get over it now, because I am 50 and I feel like I don't care about the ego thing anymore. There are plenty of people like me in the 1/2 maras that walk and run - and do it for their health.  I will just have to stick to those kind of races!  Because I'm not last in those kind of races!! (knock on wood)

I do have to say that is was nice of Roger Pugh.(who had a shirt on - that on the back said, "Don't let the fat guy beat ya!")  Anyways, Roger did run back after he finished the race and both him and his daughter ran to the finish line (again) with me!  They were nice to think of me........:)

Discombobulated....

DISCOMBOBULATED - having self-possession upset - thrown into confusion.

   I heard this word on the radio the other day and it really intrigued me.  I kept saying it over and over - I'm trying to add it to my vocabulary, but I never seem to find the right time to throw it in.  Oh, well...........
I thought of it again today on my walk and decided that when I get home - I will look up the definition.
Well, that's the definition (above).  But why don't they just say: confused, or bewildered, or disconcerted??
That's what I thought it meant.
 I guess I'm pretty close.

I'm really not feeling discombobulated, but then again, I'm sure I should be. There are so many things we should be feeling discombobulated about these days, right?!   The Oil still pouring out in the Gulf,  the War on terror still going on over seas, the uncertainty with the immigration problem, the mess with our Healthcare system, and........just give me another minute and I'll think of more............you get my point.

   Well, I really don't want to talk about all that stuff.  I just wanted to present the word ..'DISCOMBOBULATED'  to you.   I think it's a cool word. :)

Here's a pic of a pretty tree on my walk/jog. What a beautiful day it was today and I can say that I went 10 miles. I'm feeling it tonight, but it's not that bad.   I just felt like I was in heaven today.  Everything looked so beautiful to me.  Everything looked so green and the sky blue and the sun shining and............

need I say more?  I felt so blessed to just have the time to be able to do this today.

I listened to my wonderful tunes and it seemed that all my favorites just happened to play today.  Okay maybe I'm laying it on to thick, but I want to just enjoy how wonderful it all was.  Because we all know that life goes on and in order to have these wonderful moments - we have to have the ugly, sad and not-so wonderful moments. 

You've gotta take the good with the bad or you don't deserve the good.(what my Dad always says.)

The critters......

Well, I had a great walk yesterday - even though I got rained on a little bit. But I was surprised at all the critters that I encountered on my walk.
The first picture is of some ducks (or geese??) and their little ones following behind.  I couldn't get them all in the picture, but there was quite a bunch of them and all out floating on the river.  It was a beautiful sight, but for some reason doesn't look as good to me in this picture.
  Then when I was walking across the footbridge over to Confluence Park - I looked below me and saw at least 20 (I counted) big fat gophers or muskrats or whatever you call them.  You can't see them very well in this picture....but they were there.   I was surprised to see so many of them hanging together. It looked like they were having a family reunion or something.

  And I think you can tell by this last pic - Yes, it's a big snake - but it's just a bull snake.  I was close enough to see that it didn't have any rattlers on the tail.  I'm also surprised that I saw a snake this early- usually it's toward the end of the summer - when it's really hot.  Oh, well....................
    And the other day I saw a huge Eagle fly right over my head.
 Oh, and while I'm mentioning wildlife - I saw the cutest little owl on my walk around the farm here.  I thought it was a baby owl, but Jay says there are small owl species around here.
   So you never know what you will see if you just get out and walk.  Sometimes it is hard for me to get out there, but I'm always happy that I did and I always feel better afterwards.

Now I have another pic to post.  It is of Rocky Jay and me.  We took this before the Elma, WA 1/2 mara (that we didn't end up doing) a couple weeks ago. When we went to the race start - there was hardly anyone there and we realized that this was a very, very  small town race.  In fact we were worried that we were the only ones in it, because the other people that were there - were in the bike race part.  I've never been to a race that looked that badly organized - they even gave us a shirt from another race.  They didn't have their own shirts!  So we decided to go up the road and the guys could go golfing.

 That's okay - I'll learn to check out the reviews on the races next time I sign up.  This one didn't have any reviews - I should have known.

Couldn't help it either....

This is from one of the blogs I follow - The Neologist - (Sarah)
I got a kick out of it - so I thought I'd repost it.  :)

Stay motivated?

Wow.....I'm really finding it hard to stay motivated on this walking/jogging thing ,lately. 
You would think that I've been doing it long enough - that it would just be second nature
and I wouldn't have to keep struggling to make myself find time to do my 3 - 4 mile walks
every other day.(at least)
   But no, it's still hard to keep myself doing it.  I haven't felt the energy in me.
Yesterday I did go 3 miles on the treadmill - cause it rained all day.  And today I did get
up and go 4 miles around the farms.  But I'm in a gloom.......I've gotta shake it off.
  
I just read something good that I would like to put as a thought here today:

Life can be legitimately seen as a painful tragedy or a purposeful triumph.  Each of us must
choose.  I choose to see God at work blessing His children in wise and loving ways.  The
very fact that God has created a world in which everything can be seen in gloomy or glorious
ways seems to be evidence that He honors our agency.
-H.Wallace Goddard

So Yes, it's all in my attitude..........I can shake off the gloom.............

My black remote automobile key thingy.......

Yes, today started out so wonderful, but as we all know- things can change in a heartbeat.

I was finally getting the chance to take my long walk around the Columbia river that I try to do
at least once every 2 weeks.  And I was feeling much better than usual today - I just felt so happy
to be out in nature and enjoying the beautiful scenery all around me.
I think part of it was because I had been  babysitting for the week before and now I was free!
Free to do what I want!
I had walked for at least 3miles - (listening to my tunes and jogging every now and then)-
When I touched my right pocket and realized that it wasn't bulging w/my black remote automobile key thingy.   Usually I put my key in a special compartment in my jogging pants - where it doesn't come out.  But today I put it in the right pocket of the windbreaker that I was wearing.  I even covered it with some kleenix - thinking that there was no way it could come out.  I know......I know......I should never change my procedures when it comes to my walks/runs.
Well, all of a sudden everything changed - I was in a panic.  I retraced my steps (3 miles worth) and I asked everyone that I encountered on the path "did you see a black auto key remote thingy anywhere??"
No one had..........so then my mind automatically thought the worst - what if that shady-looking guy that I saw earlier - found it and went to the parking lot and stole my car!!
I do believe that if you think of the worst that could happen - then what happens isn't usually as bad as you thought.   Well, that did work for me today.
 I got back to my car (which is new and I've only had for a month BTW)  and I realized that I have this thing called  ONSTAR  that came free w/the vehicle for a year!
Talk about amazing......that's one benefit about living in this day and age.   I was able to call onstar on my phone and they just asked me a couple questions and 'Whoooola'!  I heard a click. :)   My car was unlocked.
 Oh, and I forgot to say that my other ring of keys was in my purse that was locked in the car.

I still am waiting for the right moment to tell Jay , since he is fixing our broken oven at the moment.  Maybe sometime when we can both laugh about it.  I feel like it is just too fresh of an incident to laugh about right now and I am still feeling guilty about losing the key remote.
  Isn't it funny how an incident like that can change the mood of your whole day?! 
No, I guess it's not that funny.

Baby Gwen

Yes, little baby Gwen did come! What a long day it was for my poor daughter.  She was induced (early, early in the morning) and had contractions on and off all day, but nothing big was happening. 
Then I guess all of a sudden at 4:30pm the baby started coming and she came within a 1/2 an hour. I guess when the baby comes that fast - they tend to get really bruised.  Yes, she looks bruised and she has a cleft lip.  Not a cleft palate, but a cleft lip - which did scare Staci at first, but I think she now realizes that it's not that bad.  The baby seems to be healthy in every other way.  She (the baby) will have to have surgery to fix the lip within the next couple of months, but the Dr. seems to think it's not that big a deal.
It's true that it is such a miracle that all things come in to play - so well orchestrated - to put together this little person.  So as I tell my daughter that it is not something that she did and she can't blame herself (as most of us tend to do) - I do understand why she is so emotional about it. Hey, it's a big event.  It's soooooo emotional anyway.
What a wonderful thing it is - to see your daughter and son-in-law  - be such great parents. They really are amazing and they show much love to each other.  What more could a Mother and Grandmother ask for??
I am faring okay with tending the other three, but of course, I won't be doing any walking/running until I go home.  That's okay - I feel good that I could help out. 
My 6 year old grandson is quite a funny little boy. Yesterday when his 2 sisters were bugging him - he said,
" Hummmmmmmmmmmm.......this makes me wonder how I'm going to handle another one."
I tried hard not to laugh, but it was so funny the way he said it.  Out of the mouth of babes..........:)

baby tomorrow??

Our daughter, Staci is getting induced tomorrow morning. She will be having a baby girl.

I just realized that it will be May 18th tomorrow - the anniversary of Mt St. Helen's blowing
it's top! And the 30th Anniversary at that!
Well, I just told her about it and of course, it doesn't really mean that much to her. She wasn't
even alive when that happened. 
But I can vividly remember that day. I was 8 months pregnant with her brother, Greg.
It was a Sunday and we were in church.  I remember the whole congregation walking outside
to look at the big black cloud that was climbing into the sky. 
We lived only 40 miles to the west of Mt. St. Helen's at the time and most of our family lived
at least 180 miles or so to the East of it.  It was funny that it didn't affect us as much as our family
and friends that lived in the Columbia Basin and the Yakima Valley. I guess the wind was blowing
it over their way.   Most of the ash came down on
them. Their day turned into night.  So they thought that if they were getting so much of this ash coming
down on them - we must be wiped off the map!!  My parents and other family members tried calling us
- but the lines were down.  At the end of the day, my mother finally got through to me and she was crying.
We didn't even think that it would have affected them that badly.  What a crazy time!

We did get  some ash come our way - two weeks later. It was enough for us to realize how bad it must
have been for all of our family and friends on the other side of the mountain.  What a pain it was to wash
that stuff off of everything.  I will never forget that time  and the years following. Even 2 to 3 years later -
we would see carloads of people (tourists) come through our little town of Toledo, Washington  with surgical masks on their faces.  And here we were walking around in this contaminated area with nothing over our faces!  How funny.......

The Be's..........

Be Grateful.
Be Smart.
Be Involved.
Be Clean.
Be True.
Be Positive.
Be Humble.
Be Still.
Be Prayerful.
(Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley)

I've always liked the above mentioned 'Be's. President Hinckley gave a Conference talk on them years ago and it was something quite witty that we all liked and remembered.
 He said that these 'B's will bring purpose into your life and give you direction to your energies. 
I have a little plaque in my bedroom with these Be's on it (that my sis-in-law gave me). 
It always makes me smile.
Well, I've tried to live by them, but I know I faulter daily.  It's a constant struggle. I guess that's what life is, huh?! 
Anyways, today I'm thinking of getting ready to go to Idaho Falls this weekend to be with my daughter and her family.  She is due and they will induce her  (this weekend) - because she has had a lot of false labor and is already dilated.  I love being a Grandma and sure enjoy being around those grandkids. (just wish I had more energy).

Today I walked 4 miles as I did yesterday and the day before.  I'm trying to keep it going, but I'm sure feeling slow and tired.  I haven't been doing much running or jogging.  I guess I'm kind of in a slump.
But now with the change of such beautiful weather - I intend to get out as much as possible.
( I don't know if that will work while I'm in Idaho Falls, tho).

"A person's a person - no matter how small" (- from Horton Hears a Who)

I read an article about Kids and how hard should we push them on learning a talent, sport, activity, etc.???
Many people responded with their ideas and what parents should do.

It made me immediately go back to my memories of trying to get my kids to play the piano. One child in particular who made my life miserable for that one year that I made him take piano lessons! I realize now that I really shouldn't have even forced him to take that one year.  But many parents will disagree with me. I was surprised to read from these parents that they thought it was the right thing to do - to force the children to do these things and they(our kids) will thank us later.  It didn't sound right to me.

 Here are a couple quotes that I wrote down from the parents' ideas that I liked:

"Respect a child's humanity and individualism, do not force anything that isn't required for their safety or health."
"We can try to help and direct them onto the right path for them.  They need the opportunity to explore activities and find what suits their likes and dislikes."

I know my daughter wishes that I taught her to sew, but she is taking a sewing class now and enjoying it very much.  So it's never too late.
Speaking of my daughter, she is due with our 4th grandchild (a girl) in a week or so.  But she is already having some false labor, so I'm thinking I may be going to Idaho Falls soon.

Rocky and I did the run around the river yesterday - and he did about 4 miles more than me, but I'm not as sore as he is today! yay!

Mobile,Alabama

Well, from what I have seen of Mobile, Alabama area the last few days - it's not that bad. We've been to almost every Apartment complex there is in this area and let me tell you! - there are quite a few.  I've lost track of how many we've seen and I'm definitely getting them all mixed up in my mind as to who said what and how much this and that cost and.....and........
Luckily, my son has a much better and younger mind and can remember more of the details. We've finally settled on one that is new and gives you much more bang for your bucks.  I really thought at first that he should stay closer to the university and medical center that he is working at , but I could quickly see that I was wrong.  Most all of the complexes around -made me think of the projects in bigger cities. I won't say what cities,but I'm sure you get the picture.  There was one really nice one, but of course, it was way too expensive.  So we narrowed it down to 3 places, but kept going back to the one and finally - after much debate - we agreed on the best place that had the best deal (in our minds).
 I really haven't had to go apartment hunting much in my life and I can tell you that I'm so thankful for that. I'm so glad that I haven't had to do that as much as our son has.  He really has lived in almost every type of place that you can imagine and he's had a couple of nice ones, too.
But I'm sure he will be so happy to one day have a home of his own - instead of  renting an apartment.
I hope that he will get that opportunity some day. 
We have one last day (tomorrow) and we hope to drive down to Pensacola, Florida. It's only a 45 minute drive from here.  I tell you - I could live in a place that is warm all year round and has palm trees. I know they have to worry about hurricanes, but I think I could deal.  Rocky is that way, too.  He lived in Boston during his medical school years and was tired of the very,very cold winters.

And I finally did get to go on the treadmill (4 miles) this morning.  Rocky is on it now. 

Thinking...

I've been thinking a lot today, because I've been crossing the country on Airplanes all day. I'm at the Memphis Airport right now waiting for my final flight to Mobile, Alabama.  I've never been there, but that's where our son, Rocky is going to live for the next 4 years.  He will be doing his Pathology residency there. So I'm going down to meet Rocky and help him find a place to live.  I'm sure he could do it on his own, but it's nice to have family support, right?!  And it's a fun trip for me - I think.....we'll see....:)

Well, I started this blog yesterday while I was traveling- but I got interrupted by a couple calls I got from my husband and son.
 All the thoughts that I was at the time thinking about have kind of lost their zip, but I hope I can articulate some of those thoughts here now.  I was at 4 airports yesterday and did a lot of people watching. Most everyone I smiled at - for some reason or another - didn't smile back. It just seemed like a grouchy day for all the people that I bumped into.(not literally bumped)
 Maybe I scare people with my smile, I don't know.
Anyways, I saw the news on a TV at the Memphis airport that showed a video of a man that helped a woman from getting stabbed and then got stabbed himself and nobody would help him.  One guy even took a picture of him and could clearly see that he was bleeding.(this was in NY) It took a long, long time before he got any help. He just lay there on the street bleeding. (Lots of people walking by.)
 Are we really getting so de-sensitized that we won't even stop and help anyone anymore?? Are people just afraid to get involved anymore? It's sad.
 I myself am afraid to pass by a bum in the street that wants money from me.  I have usually tried to give them some money, but then- others have told me that it just goes to the purchase of liquor and does them no good.  So then I have walked right by and tried to avoid eye contact - but I don't feel very good about that either. I think the mob mentality (of not caring about the little guy) is too alive and well out there.
We will never progress and prosper (like we should) if that's how we live our life. 
Well, that's my 2 cents for today.
 I know that realistically - all I can do is just try to be better myself.
I will continue to smile and be optimistic as much as possible - even if I meet a lot of sour pickle suckers out there!
And after thinking about it, I think I should try to keep giving that bum a few dollars whenever I can -  after all, we are all God's children.

Wenatchee 1/2 mara

Well,

here I am after the 1/2 mara in Wenatchee on Saturday. I feel like I did ok. My time was 2 hours 42 minutes.

I know it isn't my best, but I realized (after I started running) that I wasn't in as good a shape this time. I guess I haven't been training as good as I thought. It's one thing to walk/jog around on your own all the time, but when you get with actual competition - that's a whole other ballgame!!  I'm not as sore as I have been before, but on my walk today - I sure couldn't do any jogging/running! 

I ran into an old friend from High School (Toppenish). He and his wife had become avid runners. They were good and very experienced. He thought this was my first 1/2 mara and when I said it was my 8th - he seemed a little surprised. I know I don't look like a runner and there were plenty of serious runners at this marathon ( I noticed.)

He did give me some tips that helped when he passed me on the route. I know I hunch over a little when I run and he said something about that. I consciously tried to straighten up more and I'm sure that helped. Yes, thank - you , Joe, if you ever read this! Also, my breathing is kind of erratic - he showed me a way to breath out slowly and more rhythmatically as I'm running.  Anyways, they were good pointers - I'm always learning.

I noticed at this marathon - they had a couple of massage therapists working on people right after the race.  Boy, I was tempted. I might try that one of these times.  My friend Janene says that she usually schedules a massage after her races. Very interesting.......sounds good.

Well, life goes on and I know I need to find another race - to keep me going and motivated here this summer.

Spring

I think it's really here - Spring. Here's a picture of the little purple flowers on my walk today around the farm.
Even though we live in the desert and it's not that pretty (compared to my walk around the river in Wenatchee) - you still can find some beauty. This picture doesn't really do it justice.
 I just felt that great feeling this morning swell inside me that I haven't felt this year until today.  The feeling was 'YEA!'  it really feels like spring now.  It still was chilly on my walk, but not so bad and I know the weather is suppose to get warmer every day this week.  The 1/2 mara in Wenatchee this Saturday should be on a really nice day.  They say it's suppose to be in the 70's and sunny.  YAHOOOO!
   So I walked around the farm and some other farms in the area (twice). The distance was about 7 miles and on Sunday I did 4.  So I think that I'm feeling ready for Saturday. I don't know why I'm getting nervous about it - I've done this before.  I guess it's because I haven't been in a race since last fall. (and I've gained a few lbs. since then).  Oh, well.............

Humor

Yes, I'm thinking of Humor today. I'm thankful for the humor in my life.  I have a husband that always looks at the light side of things and tends to cheer me up quite a bit. (most the time)
My sons and daughter are always teasing and trying to be funny. (and most of the time they are funny).
   Sometimes they can go overboad - like some of Greg's April Fools Day jokes. (huh, Greg?!)

Anyways, today I'm going to think about all the funny stuff in my life.  We love a lot of silly shows.
The movie 'What about Bob' (with Bill Murray) comes to mind.  I don't know how many times we've watched that show. Then there's 'Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (with Steve Martin & John Candy)  and Back to School (Rodney Dangerfield). Oh, I guess I shouldn't start naming them all, but of course I just thought of Mel Brooks' 'Young Frankenstein' and 'Blazing Saddles' from the 70's. 
Also, we get a kick out of 'The Office'  and we are still watching (over and over) 'Seinfeld'  reruns.
 Does this prove that we like humor in our house?  I think so......

On a different note....I did walk 4 miles yesterday (in the howling wind) and 3 miles today (on the treadmill).

humor quote of the day:
    Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes.  That way, when you criticize them you're a mile away and you have their shoes...  - Author unknown

11 and 1/2 miles

Yes, I did 11 and 1/2 miles today. I know because I have a new app on my I-phone called Runkeeper. It's pretty cool, but I'm not sure I like that it tells me every 5 minutes how fast I'm going and how far I've gone and what time it is. Oh, well............ This is helping me get ready for the 1/2 mara next week. It was a pretty day outside and I really loved feeling the sunshine on my face.
I think I'll add a recent picture of Jay and I - just for the fun of it.
This was at my nephew (Beau's) farewell.
This isn't one of our better photos - maybe it's because we are just getting older. (Boo...hoo...)
But it's also because I'm standing on a step above Jay and looking down.
Anyways,
I have a good quote by Eckhart Tolle that I'd like to add today:

People believe themselves to be dependent on what happens for their happiness. They don't realize that what happens is the most unstable thing in the universe. It changes constantly.  They look upon the present moment as either marred by something that has happened and shouldn't have or as deficient because of something that has not happened but should have.  And so they miss the deeper perfection that is inherent in life itself,
a perfection that lies beyond what is happening or not happening.  Accept the present moment and find the perfection that is untouched by time.

Happy Easter

What a beautiful Easter Sunday. I walked 4 miles this morning and even though it was cold - it wasn't as windy as it has been all week and the sun was shining.
I've been trying to walk at least 4 miles everyday. I have done it 3 days in a row now and I want to do it for the next 2 weeks. On April 17th I will be in the 1/2 marathon race in Wenatchee - so I want to be ready for that.
(Usually I walk every other day - maybe this change will help. (we'll see)

I want to mention my friend - Sylvia's blog here today. The link is:
http://sylvia-subjecttochangewithoutnotice.blogspot.com/
She speaks about Mary and Martha in the Bible. I've always loved this story-
Probably because I can relate to it so much. So many many times I have felt like Martha, too. But I know I have some Mary in me. I just have to remind myself of this often. I can easily get caught up in all the little things that don't matter as much.
Anyways, I'm sitting here listening to General Conference on TV and trying to make myself sit still. So many times I have had a hard time just sitting and listening - I usually hop up and do something(there is always something to do.) So I'm trying to make myself sit and listen. I guess I'd better get off this computer and put my full attention to what is being said. :)
Have a Happy Easter.

Songs

Well, I did 4 miles today and it was quite gloomy out. Infact, it looks like it's going to snow. But at least I had my tunes and I had a great walk because of that. I've downloaded a few new ones and I think I'll mention them - just because they are songs that make you smile. :
Hey, Soul Sister! (by Train)
Mockingbird (Carly Simon & James Taylor)
In My Life (The Beatles)
The Sound of Silence (Simon & Garfunkel)
Your're So Vain (Carly Simon)
Better Days (Goo Goo Dolls)
Trip around the Sun (Jimmy Buffet)
Okay, that's probably enough to mention. But I'm sure glad I have my I-phone to brighten up these gloomy days. Years ago when I use to walk - all I had was a radio-walkman type thing and you couldn't get the channels very good - then I graduated to a Tape-player walkman. Oh! those things are dinosaurs now. The quality and the availability of any song you want is so amazing to me. See it doesn't take much to make me happy. :)

Do it Anyway...

Today I walked about 8 miles around the river. It was a beautiful Spring day.(just fabulous)
I listened to Martina McBride's song about doing it anyway. Quote: "You can spend your whole life building - something from nothing and one storm can come and blow it all away......build it anyway.....build it anyway.
Yep, that's how I feel about a lot of things. Many times I've said to myself "Why did I worry and put so much time and effort in to this and it really didn't matter that much anyway." Well, maybe it does matter - even a little bit.(to somebody)
I guess I won't go in to details about what things I'm thinking about.(that require a lot of time and effort). But I've finally (after all these years) figured out that it all depends on my attitude. When I do something with an attitude of acceptance that whatever happens....happens -then I'm fine and not re-living the experience over and over.(and getting upset over and over) I should not expect to get kuddos and should not expect everything to be how I want it to be. This is just life. And life goes on.
So that's my pep talk to myself today. I'm sure I will give it to myself again. But I think I'm growing up......a little bit. :)

Walking and Music.........my two favorites.

Today I was able to walk for an hour and a half. (My toe is much better.)
I didn't walk very fast in that amount of time - maybe about 4 miles.
But I did get to listen to some great music on my Ipod.
I'm not too good at sitting still and meditating, but I'm pretty good at walking and meditating. Today I just wanted to listen to music, tho, and think of nothing else. Music can be so soothing and inspiring. I get a lot of pleasure from listening to music. Sometimes I forget that. That's why I like to walk, because then I remember to bring my tunes and listen to music. I suppose that's why I like to walk alone a lot.
Anyways, I've been able to enjoy many kinds of music in my life. I'm very thankful for that. I guess I'm even thankful for my old piano teacher (Mrs. Busby) who taught me so much. Although, she use to use a ruler to kind of slap my fingers when I played wrong notes. I don't think anyone would put up with that nowdays!
Mrs. Busby did expose me to some beautiful classical music and even some modern day music.(at the time) Because of her - I'm able to play about anything in the Hymnbook at church and I've been able to accompany many people singing other music. I do know I'm not as good as a lot of people that are diehard musicians. But I'm okay and I've played the Organ for our Church for many years. I'm really glad that I've been able to do that. (now) I use to feel a little put upon in years past, but it's just because I had a lot more on my plate back then.
So now I think of many times that my mood has been changed for the better, because of music that I have listened to. Over the years I've been endeared to many wonderful songs. I have a lot of favorites that bring back good times and memories.

Also, Jay & I have been able to go to a lot of Broadway Plays that have some great music. I guess I'll name a few that come to mind:

Les Miserables
Phantom of the Opera
Westside Story
Evita
Beauty & the Beast
Lion King
Aidia
Cats
Grease
Singing in the Rain
The Sound of Music
Fiddler on the Roof
Jekyll & Hyde
Damn Yankees
Miss Siagon
Ragtime
Chicago
Annie Get your Gun
Me and My Gal
Hello Dolly
Joseph & the Amazing Technocolor Dreamcoat

Wow, As I started remembering - I just couldn't stop. I really am glad that we've been able to see all these shows and there are more that I can't think of right now. We've also been to some great concerts.
But I'll spare you and not list all those that I'm thinking of right now.
My point is that it's great for us to have all these things available to us. Sometimes we take it for granted. I just can't imagine our world without these finer things and music is pretty much it.(in my book)

Canal Caper

I can't believe I missed the Ephrata Canal Caper(10k race)today.
I feel bad.
I've done that race for at least the last five years. Oh, well.....

I couldn't because of my toe, but I'm still signed up for the Wenatchee 1/2
Marathon next month - so I've gotta get out walking/running soon!
My toe is doing much better - so I will.
My friend Janene called(at least) and said they missed me. That was nice.
Last year Jay did the race with me and he said he would this year. But I noticed that he wasn't sad at all about missing it because of my toe! Ha.Ha.
He really doesn't like to do that kind of thing - so I won't make him. :)

On another note: Rocky Jay (our son) got accepted to a program in Mobile, Alabama for his Pathology Residency! He is so excited about that. It's far away, but it's a much warmer place than Boston was and more laid back.
We really wanted him closer (Sacramento), but that's okay. Whatever works..
This will give us a reason to visit Alabama via Florida and all the beaches,towns, etc. around that area. I think New Orleans isn't that far away either - I've always wanted to go there! Well, Rocky will have to be down there in June -so Jay and I need to plan a trip sometime around then to take all his furniture and stuff down in the trailer. I don't mind. :) We both enjoy road trips.

Redheads...

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Okay, I tried to put a link in here that is to another blog entitled: Redheads are a Pain!!
I'll try again at the end of this blog..
It claims that Redheads feel more pain and make greater attempts to avoid pain then everyone else. I don't know - but this author may be right.
I'm a Redhead and I really, really hate pain. But I thought everybody else did,too!!:)
I do try to avoid pain at all costs.
Today was one of those days that I didn't know what I was in for.
I've had an ingrown toe-nail that has been bothering me for awhile, but I thought that it would just go away if I just dug at it now and then. I even had a pedicure last week and thought that the lady had taken care of it. But it did come back this week with a vengeance - so I decided to have it looked at by a Podiatrist.
Well, He looked at it and said "We need to take care of that today!"
I said, "Today??" He said, " Yep, today, it's just a quick simple little surgery. It's really easy to take care of". I said, "Okay".....

Then he brings out all kinds of instruments and a big long needle filled with anesthetic. (I guessed).
The nurse cleans my toe and the Doc says," This will just pinch a little, maybe even burn some".....
I said," OUUUUUUCCCCCCCH! Yep, it burns"
The Doc says, " just a couple more pokes "
I didn't say much after that, but my hands were dug into the armrests and I was holding back a scream or should I say....some screams!
Well, after what seemed like a long time of pinching and burning - my toe was finally dead. Then the Doc just started clipping and digging and digging somemore. He showed me two big long, ugly, bloody, toenail clippings that he said were what was causing my pain.
So to make a long enough story short - I am sitting here with a toe that is still a little numb, but is starting to tingle and I'm very worried that it's going to start throbbing. Yes, I have a long night ahead of me. Maybe I'm being a little dramatic, but hey!! I'm a Redhead! I have every right!!:)
I still can't believe the Doc didn't give me something strong for any pain tonight. He just said to take Advil........oh, brother, I mean, Oh, Doctor!
http://writersforensicsblog.wordpress.com/2009/10/04/redheads-are-a-pain/