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.