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/

I forget......

Yes, I'm feeling more and more forgetful, lately.
I hope this is a temporary thing, but it could be a sign that I'm getting old. I keep forgeting that I'm half a century old! When my parents turned this age - I really thought they were old. And now they are in their 70's - they are old!! ha..ha..

Anyways, I even forget sometimes that I have a blog and I can write what ever I want on it. And that I can read other people's blogs. I forget, because of all those years that I only had a journal to write whatever I wanted on it - boy! times have changed and I keep forgeting......
If you are young and reading this - you might not relate, but someday you will.(that's inevitable)

I keep forgeting that I come from the 70's generation, but every now and then I'm reminded. The other day I was listening to a radion station, oops I mean XM station (that's a satellite station not radio). My age is showing again.LOL.. Anyways, I was listening to all these old songs that I thought were so wonderful back in the day. And for some reason - I realized how strange sounding they must be to kids of today.
Some of them are downright stoo-pid!!
Case in point: 'Little Willy,Willy' by Sweet.
part of the lyrics: "Little Willy, Willy won't go home, but you can't ask Willy cause Willy won't go. Try telling everybody but, OH, NO! Little Willy, Willy won't go home."
I use to love that song. Don't ask me why. I forget.............

Beau

Well, my nephew Beau (my brother Rick's boy) had his farewell today. He is going on a mission to Sao Paulo, Brazil.
He gave a 20 minute talk in church today and we were sooooo amazed. Is this that same shy, boy that we knew growing up? Wasn't he just a little kid a year or so ago?? No, time keeps marching onward and these little kids grow up way too fast.
Only about a year and a half ago - Beau had a severe injury. He was in a football game and collapsed around the 3rd inning. He had a Brain aneurysm.
Luckily everyone around him acted quick - (there was a good friend of the family that was an ER nurse.) Anyways, to make a long story short. He was flown by Helicopter to the Spokane (Deaconess) Hospital and they did a quick surgery on him that saved his life.
We are so thankful to have Beau still with us.
He really is an amazing young man.

Quote for the day:
'If the only prayer that you ever give is: "Thank you" -
that will be enough.
-Eckhart Tolle

The sun will come out tomorrow.

Yes, today is tomorrow. The Sun did shine today. I walked 4 and 1/2 miles - I just couldn't jog or run it for the life of me. But that's okay - I did get to enjoy the sunshine.
I'm glad this week is over. My mother is doing better and will get out of the hospital soon.
For some reason (big reason) I have a hard time spending time in the hospital with my loved ones. It's something I should be use to by now - but I'm not. Every time - it brings back all those times before. (memories)
I've spent a lot of time with our son, Rocky - because of his health condition. He's had his fair share of surgeries already in his young life, because of his condition. He has Neurofibromotisis #2 - a very rare condition. It's condusive to having slow-growing benign tumors that form on your nerves.( Mostly growing on the Spinal column and the ear canal nerves.) We found out about his condition because of permanent hearing loss that he was having in College. Anyways, he has tumors on both of his main Ear nerves. He should have lost total hearing by now, but we were able to get gamma knife radiation treatments on both tumors which mostly killed and shrunk the tumors. So we are lucky that he can hear out of his left ear some at least. He had a surgery on his Right ear (decompression) - but it didn't work out well and most of his hearing is gone there. He's also had a very delicate surgery on his neck to remove a big tumor. (That was a tough one.) And he will have more in the future, because of other tumors on his spine. But we are so blessed that he has been able to manage all this throughout his Medical school and even now that he will be starting a Residency soon. There will always be those 4 hour MRI's that he has to endure every 6 months or so, but he is pretty positive about it all.
Well, I didn't mean to get into such detail about Rocky - because I was really going to explain about my great love (sarcasm) for hospitals.

My son-in-law, Chad had a motor bike accident in 2004 and that was probably one of the most trying hospital experiences I've ever had.
#1- it was in an Idaho Falls hospital that we've had a bad experience with before.(son Greg & friends)(1998)
#2 -Chad was in there for almost a full month.
#3 -His Dr. and others made some big mistakes - which could have been fatal.
We'll I will just mention those 3 things - but our daughter, Staci had our 1st grandchild through it all. That added some stress (for her especially).
Also, Chad was suppose to graduate that month - and he was so stressed about being able to complete all his classes and still be a certified Seminary Teacher.
So - I do have one thing that I have to say about that experience that bothered me a lot about his Doctor.
I tried to talk to the Dr. and I was trying to sincerely compliment him on doing something right with the first surgery. I said ' how do you get through a 7 hour surgery in the middle of the night, when you've just done a 10 hour surgery before that?? That's so amazing".
And he looked at me and said, "Drugs, that's how I get through it".
(note: he wasn't smiling - he was dead serious)

I've thought about that many times and I think he thought I was being cynical or something. Who knows.
But it was so different then this Dr. was with my Mom this last week. He (Mom's Dr.)really was sincere and kept apologizing to us for the mistake. He even asked to say a prayer for my Mom a couple times. (And they were great prayers.)I know he isn't of our religon, but he is definitely of some Christian faith and it was very, very comforting.
I think it helps a lot (emotionally and spiritually) to have that kind of a physician. And I don't care what any one tells me - I believe that our emotional and spiritual condition effects our physical condition.
Okay, I guess I've said enough for today.

Yesterday was tough, but today is better

Well, I've never tried posting from my I-phone- but I'm trying it today. Hopefully, this will work. Right now I'm in a hospital in Yakima watching my Mom trying to sleep, but getting woke up every few minutes for something or other. Anyone that has spent any time at all in a hospital- knows what I'm talking about. As I'm writing this-a nurse is telling me that mom's potassium is too low and she needs to swallow these big horse pills.
Well, I can't possibly explain the last twenty four hours or so in here.
I just have to tell you that she had to have a second surgery yesterday- because they(the Doc)
put in the wrong screw! So they re-did the surgery and put in different screws!!
My Dad is usually mild mannered, but he has had enough of all the mistakes that have been made. I haven't seen him this upset in years.
Anyways, I can't go into details now. But I do hope the worst is over for Mom now.

I have to also say- this is the first time ( in all of the times I've been in hospitals, which has been a lot) that I've seen a Dr. Apologize over & over for his big mistake. My son (the dr.) says that they are taught to not do that. But I like this new approach- where they are more honest w/you. But we'll see how it all turns out.

Another day....

I did walk 6 - 7 miles at least today.  I really felt the need to.(since I haven't walked that far for a couple weeks).
It was a beautiful day out side, but turned a little cold when I decided to go out in the afternoon.(of course).
Anyways, I'm glad I did, but I realize how quickly you can feel out of shape. It's hard for me to believe right now that I did a Marathon last fall.  I have a long ways to go to feel ready to do another one. I hope I have the time this year to train like I did last year. We'll see........

On another note......my mother had a hip replacement surgery today. She told me not to come over until tomorrow to see her.  So that is what I will do, but my Dad called and sounded a little shook up.  I guess Mom was in a lot of pain right after the surgery - for some reason they didn't give her the right meds (or any meds for that matter) to help w/the pain.  I guess they (the Dr's or nurses) apologized (after hearing some crying) and got her on something to ease the pain.  
Yes, it's hard to see your parents' lives change and see them age.  I really wish we could freeze ourselves at a certain age (when we look & feel our best, of course).  But that's not the way it goes.
Life goes on - that's the only thing that is a constant.

My quote for today:

Life is not easy for any of us, but what of that?? We must have perseverance and, above all, confidence in ourselves.  We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.

- Marie Curie'

Tahoe

We've had a great week this week with the boys & Heidi - in South Lake Tahoe. We took the opportunity to drive down and meet up with Greg & Heidi and then Rocky came up from LA.  I will have to post pics later when I get home.  We are staying at a hotel in Klamath Falls, Oregon tonight, but should be home tomorrow. 
Anyways, I did something that I haven't done in a few years.  I went skiing. It was a big deal for me to get back in that saddle again, because I was a little afraid.  I had a bad experience the last time I went - I was out of control at one point and ran into a fellow skier.  Neither one of us got hurt, but I hated the fact that I was weaker and couldn't control my skiing.
 When I was a young, college student - I went very often. Infact, I took a ski class and we skiied up at Sundance ski Resort ( Utah ) - every Tuesday and Thursday.  It was heaven - until it all ended.(after 3 months)  And I had to give my rented skis back and pay full price whenever I went skiing.  So of course, I didn't ski much for the next......ah......30 years.  Yes, Jay & I would go every once in awhile, but we were raising a family and it was too indulgent to go very much.  Well, now that our kids can pay for themselves and they have learned to ski on their own  -things are different.  Yes, Jay and I are older and not so limber!!
But I have to say that all this walking/jogging has helped my legs get stronger and I felt better than I have in years on that ski slope.  It was amazing to feel good about skiing again and Jay was amazed that I did as well as I did.  We were both very tired and sore after 4 hours of it, but it was such a gorgeous place and such a great feeling that we did as well as all as the other baby boomers around us.  It was worth it all.

Now of course, Rocky & Greg skiied circles around us and they stayed up there a few more hours - but they were even impressed that we handled as well as we did.  Okay....okay....I guess I'm bragging here -I'd better stop. I have to take and hold on to these good experiences, right?!   And I hope all that high-altitude skiing will make up for not working out/walking much this week.  We have the Canal Caper in two weeks. I gotta get walking........:)

Okay, here's the pics. Can you see how beautiful Lake Tahoe looks down below?! Awww..I love it. And Yes, that person in the background that looks like they have a ghost mask on is me. :)

Great walk today.

Yes, I had a nice 4-5 mile walk in the sun this morning. It was wonderful. I didn't run or jog - I just walked and listened to my tunes.  We don't have Church until 1 pm on Sundays this year, so that gives me plenty of time in the morning. Yes,  I'm ready to start walking outside more.
On my walk today - I thought a lot about how much I love this beautiful Earth that God created for us. I think I love almost every kind of terrain it offers.  I love the ocean.  I love the mountains (especially the ones with trees on them). I even see beauty in this desert area that we live in.  I love looking up at that beautiful blue sky and seeing the sun, the clouds, and sometimes even the moon in the daytime. I feel blessed to be able to get out and walk on this land.  Thank you. Thank you for this wonderful abundant feeling that I feel today, Lord.
I've been blessed to be able to see a lot of the earth out there. We've been to Europe a few times, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Canada, Mexico, The Carribbean, and many places in the USA.  I think I remember every trip and how in awe I was at the land and the people and the history and the food and.....and...... 

I've learned a lot from each trip. I do love to travel.  
The above pic is of Jay and I on some amazing round rocks in New Zealand. (January 2007)

I'm back....

Yes, it's been a week or so since I last blogged...
And it's because I haven't been doing my walking/running.  I finally did 3 1/2 miles on the treadmill this morning and a few miles on a stationery bike here in a  hotel in So Cal.  I'm down here for a few days with my son, Rocky. He is doing his last part of the "Boards'. It's a 2 day test - so I thought I'd come and be a support for him. (Pay for hotels, meals, etc.)  Isn't that what parents do??  He really needs the help.
 Me on the other hand - I like a vacation.  I don't mind having time to myself and doing what I want.  Yesterday I spent 8-9 hours in a fantastic mall down here.  I just took my time shopping,(but I only bought a couple blouses).  And I watched a movie, walked around looking at everyboday and everything. Then I just sat outside on a patio and enjoyed the beautiful LA sunshine.  I enjoyed all the green plants, the palm trees, the beautiful little flowers everywhere.  Oh, I love to get out of the winter weather.  Okay, okay, I'll stop bragging.......if anyone at home happens to read this......I don't want them to feel bad. :)
I am so thankful to get this break. I have a good book to read. No,I never really get bored anymore.  You can always find something to do or someone to talk to.......if you try.

sick..

Your life comes to a screeching halt when you are sick. (No brilliant insight there)      :-)
Yes, after that 10 mile walk in the cold on Monday - I got sicker than a dog.  My coughing cold came back with a vengeance.  (Although, it's been more than a coughing cold.)
I feel like I've had about every sympton that comes with flus and colds: Sore throat, ear ache, sinus headaches, fever, coughing all night, sweats, chills, runny nose, stuffed nose ,etc.
Let's see did I name them all??? 
I've always had sinus and ear problems, but I thought I was on a wellness streak for long while. (and I was)  Especially, because I have been very careful to take better care of myself. 
I exercise more - eat better (I think)- sleep better  and I don't have that much stress. I've learned over the years how to take care of myself. I know that I'm more suseptable (sp?) to sinus and ear problems - but come on do I have to be like the bubble boy!!  I can't live like that.
Well, I know that complaining isn't going to get me anywhere.  I've just got to get over it and go on!
Yesterday I went to the Dr. and got some strong stuff. (Antibiotics, inhaler, cough syrup, etc)
So I really am feeling better today.  But I had been hacking and felt like I was dying for 3 nights before that.     I could kick myself for not going to the Dr. clear back when I got the first cold a few weeks ago.  But then I remembered why I don't go to the Dr. as soon as I should -   I remembered this as I was sitting and waiting in his office for 2 hours and then spent another hour waiting for the perscriptions!
Oh, well.............life goes on, but life feels like crap today!

Being Happier

"There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy."
-Robert Louis Stevenson

I'm still thinking of the 'Happiness Project' Book that I read.
 It is really harder for me to feel happy when it looks so gloomy outside. 
Yesterday I walked the 10 miles around the river, but it was one of the hardest times for me to walk the whole 10 miles.  It was so foggy and cold out and everything looked dead and dreary.  So I tried to think of good things and how I could feel happier.
I re-read a couple things that Gretchen Rubin wrote in her book and here is her 12 personal commandments for  being happy:

1. BE Gretchen (yourself)
2. Let it go.
3. Act the way you want to feel.
4. Do it now.
5. Be polite and fair.
6. Enjoy the process.
7. Spend out.
8. Identify the problem.
9. Lighten up.
10. Do what ought to be done.
11. No calculation.
12. There is only love

That's pretty good. And I would add - think of your blessings.( Have an attitude of gratitude.)

Being a Grandparent.

I've been thinking a lot about 'being a grandparent'. It's so hard for me to really explain all the feelings I have when I think about these beautiful grandchildren.

I can't even begin to explain the feelings of unconditional love that I feel for them.

When my children were young  I feared that they would remain toddlers eternally and that I would never sleep through the night, would always feel slightly stupid, and would permanently smell like sour milk and be forever changing poopy diapers.  But now I know that life with children defies logic; the days are unbearably long, but the years fly by. One moment your little guy is teething and then suddenly, he's graduating from college. That kind of perspective would have helped me so much as a parent.

Now that I finally see the light - I can sit with my grandchildren very patiently and watch cartoons. I can walk with them or stroll them around the block repetitively, because I know how precious and fleeting childhood is.  If only I was that patient as a parent!  Oh, well..........I get a second chance with my grandchildren. I feel so wise!

BTW, I did start up my walking again. I went 3 miles yesterday. Now back to the every other day routine.

Cold is gone!

Finally, the coughing cold is behind me. Last night I slept without coughing. But my poor husband did not. Now he is coughing a lot and he has me to Thank for it. Oh, well.............
So I don't have any walking/jogging to report. I hope to get started on it early tomorrow morning. :)

I've been working on a Relief Society lesson that I have to give in Church on Sunday. It's on Spiritual Preparedness. I feel like we hear a lot about being materially (temporally) prepared for disasters, but not as much about being Spiritually prepared.  This has caused me to think about it a lot.
If you had a year's supply of food and whatever else you needed on hand - and there was a big disaster and you needed all this stuff - would you share it with your neighbor or friend that needed it, too???
If we were really Christ-like, we should.  Is that part of being Spiritually prepared?? 

Here's a quote from one of our leaders, Elder Robert D. Hale:

As we live providently and increase our gifts and talents, we become more self-reliant.  Self-reliance is taking responsibility for our own spiritual and temporal welfare and for those whom Heavenly Father has entrusted to our care.  Only when we are self-reliant can we truly emulate the Savior in serving and blessing others.

Julie Beck explains self-reliance:

"How do we become self-reliant?  We become self-reliant through obtaining sufficient knowledge, education, and literacy; by managing money and resources wisely, being spiritually strong, preparing for emergencies and eventualities; and by having physical health and social and emotional well-being."


Something to always be working on...................:)

Not much to say

'There's nothing wrong with having nothing to say, unless you say it.'
(That's another Dorothy Bair quote.)

I'm not feeling much like blogging these days - I'm wondering if it's because the sky is so gray and I can't get out and walk!  Oh, well....... I did do 3 miles on the treadmill yesterday.  But the coughing cold is still hanging on and now I've given it to the two males that live in this house. (Jay and Rocky J.)  They aren't real happy with me.
What can I say?? (mais ce la vie')