Wednesday, November 25, 2015

The 90s are back

How strange is it that all the things from the 90s are cool again?
I'm sitting here re-watching Friends, the entire series from front to finish.
I giggle at some of the flowery outfits.  And I laugh because plaid and flannel are cool again.
And I still have a few of my favorite flannels.  I'm vintage now.
I just wanted to record this moment because what was old is new again, and what was cool in high school and college for me, which has become just comfortable, is now coming out cool again.
Now I'm off to go watch Friends, sit here in my flannel shirt, with my hair in a scrunchy, like the last 20 years haven't happened at all.

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

UB

My Uncle Bob passed away last weekend.  As everyone around me was bouncing with Joy because of Halloween, and a sugar high, I was eating my feelings, and wondering why the world continued to spin with him gone.  He was my favorite Uncle for a long long time.  He did not understand my side when I was having trouble with my Grandma and Mom, but that didn't make me love him any less.   I understood his Loyalty.  He was a loyal family man, one of his most outstanding qualities.  It was one of the things I loved most about him.  That I lost touch was my own doing.   Still, I got to see him, and laugh with him a bit in May at Grandma's funeral, and we saw him at Robbie's wedding.  Though, apparently, shortly after Robbie's wedding, he was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer.  It's a nasty one.  He'd felt bad in the days leading up to the wedding, but he attributed it to Stress.  But when he went in, they discovered otherwise.  He began chemo, but kept it a secret from me, because he didn't want me to "put it on facebook".   That hurt.  But it was what he wanted, and I respect that.  I didn't put it out there, I didn't ask my army of prayer warriors to pray for him with me.  Still, I kept praying.  Apparently, there were a number of folks who hadn't realized how sick he was.  That was heartbreaking, it seemed to sneak up on all of us.


The last time I saw him was at Robbie's wedding, that's him just on the other side of the aisle.  


And we got to have lunch with him and some other fam the next morning.  
That's how I prefer to remember him, happy and celebrating.  He was always one for a great time.  
His motto was "Never let the Truth get in the way of a good story."
He passed away in the wee small hours of Halloween morning.  But our family  waited until the following week.  We drove up on the 5th, the funeral was on the 6th, and we returned on the 7th.  


We stopped for lunch and a climbing break in Fort Wayne, at the old McD's that Li, Mommy, and I used to always stop at on our way north.  That made us smile.   


At the Viewing, the kids got to playing.  They always have a good time together.  That made us smile.  They are like Life, coming full circle.  I find having them at funerals to be a source of strength.  In other news, Sam's front tooth started getting Really loose.  


Back at the hotel, I managed to talk all three into baths at the same time instead of a bedtime swim.  Too crowded with crazy teens at the pool. 
It had been a long while since they'd done this, and honestly was probably the last one.  
They're getting a little tight to all fit in the same bathtub.  


My boyz clean up good.   
The kids actually did pretty well during the Service.  


After the Service, we went to one of Uncle Bob's favorite pubs, where the staff all knew him and loved him too, and we took over the spare room in back.  The kids were on pretty decent behavior.  
And they clean up pretty good.  This was the only shot I got the whole visit of all of them in the same place.  Moving Targets.  


Lisa and her Spartan socks.  
Uncle Bob was a huge MSU fan, and as it just happened, Lisa didn't bring socks, when I called and asked if anyone needed anything as I made a Meijer run, late Thursday night.   I found these at Meijer.  Only she could pull them off.  We found it to be the Perfect tribute.  
"Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion."

We went back to the hotel for naps after the service, we'd hoped to hook up with my extended family later that evening, but that didn't work out.   We popped over to Ikea for a fun break, and did some swimming at the hotel.  That destressed us.   I really hoped we'd get to spend time with them to sit around and tell tales, but the one who told the best tales was no longer with us.  I feel like this was the end.  I don't see us going back to Michigan anytime soon.


On a small plus side, Sam lost the last tooth on the way home.  
Looks like all this sweetie is going to want for Christmas is his Two Front Teeth. 

Monday, October 5, 2015

C25Kw1d2

I had the best coaching partner to help me do Day 2 of my run yesterday afternoon.  


Check out my sweetboy!

On Thursday night, I didn't have the wherewithal to document Kathleen and I starting up the Couch to 5K program again after Book Club.  Though hard, we did a good job.  I think though, running this Day 2 was actually harder than doing Day 1.  My body objected.  About halfway through Chris and I had technical difficulties with the ipod. I downloaded a podcast (check me out, so 21st century!) to tell us when to start and stop running.  We had a little trouble with it.  Plus we were sharing headphones, one ear for me and one for Chris, so that kept us close and hopping.  And I sweated.  It had gotten back up to 75 degrees yesterday, and I was in long sleeves and pants for running.  It had been different weather when I had left for church at 8 in the morning for my Vendor Blender event, chilly.  And I'd slept since then.  We worked it.  But Chris wanted to come with me, and he is already talking about when we're going to run again.  He doesn't have any fat to make angry by sweating, but he was an enthusiastic partner, and just what I needed.  I'm so Thankful!

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Sweat once a day!

This week I've made huge strides in taking back my health.  Kathleen and I started the Couch 2 5K.  I've been tired of being a lump, a couch potato.  And as much as I hate running, it does the trick, it gets me healthier, and helps me loose weight.   Time to get serious!

I started a support group last month and lost 8 pounds.  We did a study of Colossians, and I drank a gallon of water day, and walked at least a mile for about 2/3 of the day.  I lost a week there at the end due to allergies gone wild.   But I still felt good, and realized sweating once a day was working for me.  My friend Karin used to say Sweat Once A Day.  That was her key to good health.   And I can see why.   This month I started a different group, but it's small business based, so it's a little harder to do it without purchasing a bunch of products.  I've been using Young Living Products instead.  There's a protein drink mix I'd like to order, but don't have yet.  Maybe I'll get there next month.  This round, I'm drinking my Ningxia daily, and Eric and I just started the Cleansing Trio on the 1st.   So far so good, it's pretty gentle, I was worried about being on the pot all day, and it's not like that.  

 So I wanted to kick up my exercise regimen, and so did Kathleen.  So we're doing it.  We're running again.  Just like old times!  Too bad we don't have this to think about while we run.


 Running the 5K under the ball was our focus point when we trained in 2011/12.   This time we're simply running for our health.  Perhaps there's a Thanksgiving 5K I may be up for... maybe.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

A college song come true

It's been a while, I haven't been blogging much.  I'm thinking about getting a boob job for Christmas.
Back in college, some friends sang a song "I'm getting a boob job for Christmas."  I don't remember the tune, but it's become a running gag.  Until now.  Now it's coming true.

I've tried to take back my health this year, since turning 40.   We joined the Y.  Since joining I've made it down there at least once a week.  This month, I joined a support group that has me drinking almost a gallon of water a day, walking at least a mile, and studying Colossians.  I've lost 5 pounds!   I'm so excited!   This exercising business isn't hurting me as much as I thought it would.

But something else has been gnawing at me.  When I turned 40, I made doctor's appts for myself.  I got into the OB in May, but my GP couldn't see me until August. In July, they changed the appt to a different doctor, because my usual guy wasn't available.   It had been years since I'd had a physical.  I didn't mind seeing a new person.  So I did.  I got a fasting blood sugar, and liver check, and some other vials of blood taken.  I weighed in and that was disappointing.  I weighed as much as I did when I was 9 months pregnant.  Time to do something more!  The weight wasn't bothering me, because as long as I was moving my body periodically I wasn't having as much back pain.   But I want to get on a steady downward streak.  It's time to take back my health!

While I was in there, I mentioned to her that now that Jacob was practically weaned, but not quite.   And I wanted to know what the next steps would be towards getting a Breast Reduction surgery.  I have been telling myself for years that when I'm 40 I'm getting a Boob Job.  I realized that we would be done having our family by the time I was 40.  Turned out it was 38 since I got so sick with Jacob.  But since he is such a boobaholic, I didn't expect to be still nursing at 40.   Just the same, it was time.  She told me it wouldn't be a problem.  Great!  And 2 hours after I got home, I had a phone call from a surgeon's office telling me I needed to sign a release to get my records sent, and all this stuff was tremendously overwhelming.  I hadn't expected it to move so quickly.  So I took no actions.
Did I really even want this surgery?

In the mean time, it looks like we're done.  Jacob nursed for the last time Friday afternoon, the 11th.  28 1/2 months of nursing!  That's gotta be a record.  It's sad to be done.  So I'm trying to look forward to happier thoughts, like being able to button my shirts again, or being able to buy a bra in a regular store like Victoria's Secret, or even Walmart.  I've never been able to buy a cheap bra.  I've always been hard to fit.  What if, having this actually means a reduction of pain in my neck, shoulders, and spine?!  That blows my mind the biggest of all.  I hesitate to get too hopeful about that perk.  But it might be nice to actually have my boobs be up back up where they belong.

Saturday, September 5, 2015

STEPtember

A couple weeks ago a friend of mine mentioned on FB that she was going to be doing an online challenge with her church, 1 mile a day during the month of September, STEPtember.  I signed up, and found that on top of 1 mile a day, and a study of Colossians, we were going to drink a lot of water.  What a wonderful opportunity for me to take back my health.  I'd been working on it slowly since the boys went back to school.  Through August, I've been getting over the Y about twice a week.  That has been feeling great.  But it hasn't made enough of a difference for my weight loss, and I'm weighing what I weighed when I was 9 months pregnant with Jacob!
Forget that!  
So, this week, I started getting out to exercise once a day, and drink 1/3-1/2 my body weight in ounces of water.  For me, that's about a Gallon!  It's a lot of water.  I've been using my old Ningxia red bottles and downing about 25 ounces at a time, so 5 of those in a day gets me my gallon.  I'm good with 4 of them, plus other cups all over the house.  I have to pee all  the time.  I've also noticed my back doesn't hurt as much as usual. Huh.   And the best compliment of all, my friend Cindi saw my Thursday afternoon, and asked me if I could be Pregnant.  Not to doubt the powers of God, but that would be a pretty huge Miracle. So, No.  But she said I glowed.  I didn't walk Thursday, but according to the rules, I'm allowed a day of rest, so I guess that was it.  Apparently, the triple cocktail, of getting into the Word daily, drinking lots of water, and moving my butt everyday is quite good for me.  I kind of love it.

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Star Wars: The Crazy Wars

Since our return from Disney, the boys have been extra crazy.  They've made up their own battling game.  They call it, "Star Wars: The Crazy Wars".  I can't make this stuff up.  They practice during the day, and have 'shows' for me.  Just like back in the day when Lisa and I used to do similar things.


When they were crazy in the house, I sent them outside. 


They've even got the baby in on this insanity. 


Front yard, back yard, it doesn't matter. 


They have to practice and coordinate their moves. 


Pretty fierce. 
That's no moon.

50 X 50

Within the next year, Eric and I both will be turning 40.  So since 30x30, and 40x40s are all the rage.  I think I'm going to start a 50X50.

1. Travel to all 50 states
2. Boob Job
3. 50 pieces of Vintage Pyrex!
4. Read 50 books
5. Go to the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island and spend the night
6. See the Lilac Festival on Mackinac Island
7.  Take the kids fishing
8. Take my 3 boys to Disney World
9.  Have my 3 boys all swim in the ocean.
10.  See my kids at the beach with their cousins
11.  Go skiing (even if it's just cross country)
12. Visit 50 National Parks... or maybe half of them... or maybe 50 National Parks, Monuments, Seashores, and Forests.
13.  Take the boys to Washington D.C.
14.  Take the boys to San Diego Zoo
15.  Let the boys see some real live Pandas
16.  Meet Captain Barnacles!
17.  Go away from the boys for more than 24 hours
18.  Leave the country!
19.  Take all three boys to Niagara Falls.
20.  Do well enough with Young Living, to get invited to one of the out of country trips. Maybe make Diamond!

I think I might need some more planning.

Disney - The Flora, the Fauna, and the Merry Weather

Well, you know me.  It wouldn't be a Vacation without me taking pictures of Flowers and Wildlife.  So here's some Fabulous pics from that portion of our Epic Adventure.


Thie beautiful blooming hibiscus was next to the pool at the Legoland hotel.  


These fun hostas greeted us as we entered the Grand Floridian.  
I thought to myself, even the hostas are pink!  There's a lot of pink in that place.  I love it. 

In the shade of this fruit tree we got to meet Snow White.  It looked like Limes from below, but could have also been early Oranges, most likely, but hard to tell. 

Someday I hope to go to WDW during the Flower and Garden season, because there are fabulous topiaries everywhere.   But I enjoyed this Alice in Wonderland topiary located right by the Teacup ride.  

This looks so Natural.  But it's a man made waterfall just outside of Beast's Castle. 
We passed by on our way to have lunch at Be Our Guest.  


Jacob found these jasmine relatives in Hollywood Studios.
The boys had taken the stroller and rushed ahead to get in line for Padawan training while Jake and I moseyed behind.  If we'd been dashing we never would have seen or smelled them.    
The whole area smelled Wonderfully!  

Turns out it's called Angelwing Jasmine. 
Beautiful. 


I love this giant palm tree at Hollywood Studios.  
They are so pretty.  We were parked in the shade underneath them waiting for the Star Wars Parade to start.   The sun shone on the tree, but not on me!  


Saturday morning, we got an early start in Animal Kingdom.  
Eric and I went to the Rainforest Cafe on our honeymoon.  Chris took this photo of us at the entrance.  At the time, it was brand new, and easy to spot, and we ate there twice during our 5 day trip.  It's a little harder to find with all the foliage filled in.  


This pretty tree is called the Purple Glory.  
It's Gorgeous!  


Loving the purple flowers against the sky.  
This was a little tricky, as my camera kept fogging up in the humidity.  Ha Ha!


What a Beautiful Bouganvilla.  
These beautiful pinkish purple petals aren't actually the flowers, they are actually leaves.  They are papery spring leaves, almost like a dogwood's bracts.  The flowers themselves are tiny inside.  Of course, this one was climbing too high for me to actually capture the centers.  Still, they look pretty. d


One last Puple Bouganvilla against the sky. 

And all these pretties were even before we made it into the main area of Animal Kingdom! 



It's not real, and there was a lot of construction going on, but I have to smile every time I see the Tree of life in Animal Kingdom.  

Javanese Glorybower
Yeah, I had to look that up, I didn't just Know that one.   Pretty invasive wee beastie. 


Not sure if this fella was local, or a legitimate guest from Africa on our adventure.  


The Zebra just waltzed right past our truck. 


This ostrich was in snippy nesting mode, and made us sit there for 20 minutes, just staring down our vehicle.  She would not let us pass.  The CM didn't want to do anything to scare her, and recommended we do the same, so we pretty much had to wait her out.   Obstinate thing.   And her nest was huge! 


That's a proper stork.  We have one of these in Indy, I think, though they are both pretty shy.  Maybe just Pretty and Shy.


Looking down on the welcome garden at the Polynesian. 



While glancing around from the monorail, we noticed this wasp nest in a banana tree leaf.  Ew!


Gardens in Epcot. 

Canna Lilly!

I love this garden.  It's the Victoria Gardens, right next to the Canada pavilion in Epcot. 

Getting ready to go to dinner in Morocco, we find ourselves in France in Epcot.  
I found myself with some time to look around while the boys had an Agent P adventure. 
The smells of the Perfumeries were toxic, I was happier outside with nature. 


Beautiful gardens in France (well the Floridian version of France! 


Our last day.  Farewell beautiful palm trees at the beach by the Grand Floridian. 

All three boys taking off towards the pool, through the gardens on our last day, before we check out.  

The view from the marina on the way to our room.  If our necks had been a little longer, we could have seen the fireworks every night from our own balcony.  But we were either there, or trying to sleep.  Still, it's pretty neat to see the castle from across the lake.  


The rosebush just outside our building at the Grand Floridian.  


This rose was on our table at our last meal at the Grand Floridian Cafe.  
We ate there a bunch on our honeymoon, but only once this trip.  I do so love that place.  Every time we walked in, they said Welcome Home.  It was true.  Disney World is my second home.  Someday I'd love to belong to the Vacation Club, and really be a part of it, sort of live there for a while.  But we've got to be a lot more financially set.  I cried when we left.  I always do.  It really is the Happiest Place on Earth.  






Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Epic Vacation, Day 16 - Going Home

We weren't in an enormous rush.  We actually took our sweet time getting ready in the morning.   We slept in until 9.  We barely made it to breakfast in time.   Then we moseyed back to the room.  Man, that Ramada was nice!

We let the boys go back downstairs for one last swim before we packed up.
Packing up didn't take long.  We were not in a hurry to get back home.  
But we needed to.  Lunch was Subway, and I was getting excited to see my little dog.  


I love driving at naptime.  It's quiet.  I listened to my Book on playaway, Paper Towns, it's a nifty young adult book about a Florida and Road Trip, and I had no idea when I picked it up from Book Club how perfect it would be to be listening to it on this trip. But I got a big kick out of it.  


They are building a new bridge as we cross the Ohio, going Back Home Again in Indiana.  
I had to take some pictures.  Because it's going to be completely different the next time we travel to Florida.  This trip was so huge, so epic, it will be a long while before we tackle another one like it.   

But it was so good to get home. Jacob ran around the house, chasing Princess, yelling "Isa Daw!"  He missed her.  Initially I don't think she missed us, she was skitchy about all our noise.  But then she came around let Jake do all his mischief, and she didn't leave.  She may have been happy to see us come home too.   It was evident she got a little spoiled, she looks a little thicker than when we left 2 weeks ago.  But she was good while we were gone for Miss Macey, so it's ok if she got a little spoiled.   Then the boys didn't want to go to bed at a reasonable hour, or go in their own beds.  They were crazy, they may have been spoiled too.  School Starting may be a rough adjustment for them!   But I'm happy to be back and sleeping in our own beds.  After 2 weeks of varying levels of good and bad and horrible beds, I find there really is no place like Home.