First, thank you to all who have offered condolences on the loss of my grandfather. I appreciate the friendships that we've developed in the recent months as we all weather the ups and downs of this roller coaster called "life".
I had a lovely walk today at noon with my friend Alyssa. It was sunny even though it was in the 30s. It wasn't too bad once we got going. I even had to take off my gloves after a while. We did the 4 mile loop that she laid out a couple weeks ago - her office to Dix Rd and back. She listened while I talked about my grandpa. We talked about other stuff too, but it was very nice to share some of my memories of him.
Unfortunately, I came home very hungry about 1:15, took care of some other things until nearly 2:00 and then was STARVING for lunch. Nothing much sounded good except mac-n-cheese. Yeah, umm, the whole box. Please don't judge me. There were no veggies nor fruit consumed. Only carbs. Now it is closing in on dinner time and I am not the least bit hungry. I think my husband is making pork chops for the kiddos so I'll cut up another few apples and put out some carrots for them to munch on and maybe I can get a produce point in there somewhere too.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
They called his name...
This morning my grandfather passed away. In October, he celebrated his 98th birthday with a quiet lunch with my aunt and uncle at the dining hall of the assisted living facility he has lived in for the last few years. I spoke with him on the phone that day. I know I told him I loved him, but I still regret not calling him last week when it crossed my mind at Thanksgiving. Truthfully, until early last spring - he hadn't had much "assistance". He was living in one of their "senior apartments" where the assistance was that he could ride his little scooter to the dining hall in the other wing and have one large meal a day (he ate breakfast cereal every morning in his apartment and just usually had a light snack in the evenings), some light housekeeping and they checked that he wasn't hurt or dead once a day (he had to hang a little green tag on his doorknob or they would check on him). A year ago in September, he finally sold his car because he didn't want to pay for the garage fee and he didn't drive much anyway. The girl at the DMV had teased him about not having to renew his license again when he got it renewed at 95.
He still took a few trips here and there up until the last 18 months or so when his walking just got too slow. For his 95th birthday, it was a Mexican cruise! He loved baseball more than anything and always bought the MLB package each spring and summer so he could watch as many games as were being played. I know he was just thrilled when the Cards won the series this year. He even managed to go to quite a few Cardinals games with his bank's travel club over the last decade or so (after my grandmother passed in 2000).
He had two children. One was my father. I know that burying him in 2010 broke his heart. My aunt was with him when he passed. She told my sister that last night he told her "they" were calling his name. But he couldn't tell her who "they" were. And he said that his name was written up there. I'd like to think it was my grandmother (his wife of nearly 65 years) and his other friends and family that have gone before him calling for him. And that it was St. Peter writing his name in his book that he saw. He had been deteriorating pretty quickly since a couple of falls this last spring had him move to a higher level of care. He went peacefully, but I will still miss him greatly.
He didn't want a service and he will be cremated with his remains placed in the cemetery with my grandmother's at a later date. I feel a little lost as I feel like I should be "doing" something. But there really isn't anything to do other than be grateful that he is at peace. He had a very blessed life. He lived through and saw a lot of incredible things. From dating my grandmother on horseback, to scraping by during the depression on my grandmother's teaching salary, to building airplanes during WWII, to raising two kids while selling washing machines and later TVs, to being a business owner (first filling station to offer a free car wash with fillup in Wichita, KS), to traveling the world with my grandmother (he once told me his favorite trip was to China), to enjoying the local dinner theatre in his more recent home of Raymore, MO - it was quite a 98 years on this planet and I am so blessed to have had him be my grandfather.
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| Me, my children and my Grandpa - Late Aug 2011 |
He had two children. One was my father. I know that burying him in 2010 broke his heart. My aunt was with him when he passed. She told my sister that last night he told her "they" were calling his name. But he couldn't tell her who "they" were. And he said that his name was written up there. I'd like to think it was my grandmother (his wife of nearly 65 years) and his other friends and family that have gone before him calling for him. And that it was St. Peter writing his name in his book that he saw. He had been deteriorating pretty quickly since a couple of falls this last spring had him move to a higher level of care. He went peacefully, but I will still miss him greatly.
He didn't want a service and he will be cremated with his remains placed in the cemetery with my grandmother's at a later date. I feel a little lost as I feel like I should be "doing" something. But there really isn't anything to do other than be grateful that he is at peace. He had a very blessed life. He lived through and saw a lot of incredible things. From dating my grandmother on horseback, to scraping by during the depression on my grandmother's teaching salary, to building airplanes during WWII, to raising two kids while selling washing machines and later TVs, to being a business owner (first filling station to offer a free car wash with fillup in Wichita, KS), to traveling the world with my grandmother (he once told me his favorite trip was to China), to enjoying the local dinner theatre in his more recent home of Raymore, MO - it was quite a 98 years on this planet and I am so blessed to have had him be my grandfather.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Produce, Exercise and Friends
Breakfast was homemade granola. Lunch was a big apple and carrots with hummus with a can of chicken noodle soup. Dinner was less stellar - husband cooked up home cured bacon and we made sandwiches out of it (although I stopped at one instead of the additional half that I usually have). I served apples and carrots with it. I had a little more hummus with my carrots. Then I took a 2+ mile walk with my husband even though it was kind of cold and already dark.
BDD - You've commented a couple times about how awesome my friends have been to help kick me in the ass and get off the couch more. Both are wives of guys that my husband grew up with. They know each other from high school, but they are about 6-8 years younger than me. They both go to our church and have kids in our kids' school. I got together with them a couple times last spring, but then over the spring and summer they didn't usually include me. I thought maybe they didn't want to. I basically trained completely alone for my first sprint tri (and my 2nd). Not sure why they started calling more this fall, but I am very grateful. I tend to feel a little bad about working out with Stacy because she is so much more fit than me that I feel like I slow her down, but as long as she calls - I will agree to do whatever she is game for. Alyssa is much closer to my fitness level, but still a damn fast walker. Now another mom (another mom from our school and wife of a guy I went to HS with, Susan) has expressed interest in going for a walk or jog. She is a pediatrician with kind of crazy hours, but maybe one day a week we can do it. It sucks less to work out with a friend for sure! I'm so blessed and grateful for their supportive friendships.
Just won some winter cycling tights on Ebay. Still bidding on some other fun tri items. Got the tights for $24.51. Same seller had some good deals on some jerseys so I am going to try to score on those too. Trying to save Santa some coin! :) Better stop bidding soon though or my husband will repeat his mantra "You aren't saving money when you are spending it."
BDD - You've commented a couple times about how awesome my friends have been to help kick me in the ass and get off the couch more. Both are wives of guys that my husband grew up with. They know each other from high school, but they are about 6-8 years younger than me. They both go to our church and have kids in our kids' school. I got together with them a couple times last spring, but then over the spring and summer they didn't usually include me. I thought maybe they didn't want to. I basically trained completely alone for my first sprint tri (and my 2nd). Not sure why they started calling more this fall, but I am very grateful. I tend to feel a little bad about working out with Stacy because she is so much more fit than me that I feel like I slow her down, but as long as she calls - I will agree to do whatever she is game for. Alyssa is much closer to my fitness level, but still a damn fast walker. Now another mom (another mom from our school and wife of a guy I went to HS with, Susan) has expressed interest in going for a walk or jog. She is a pediatrician with kind of crazy hours, but maybe one day a week we can do it. It sucks less to work out with a friend for sure! I'm so blessed and grateful for their supportive friendships.
Just won some winter cycling tights on Ebay. Still bidding on some other fun tri items. Got the tights for $24.51. Same seller had some good deals on some jerseys so I am going to try to score on those too. Trying to save Santa some coin! :) Better stop bidding soon though or my husband will repeat his mantra "You aren't saving money when you are spending it."
Monday, November 28, 2011
Cold walk + Painful Abs
I had a meeting tonight where I had to talk about stormwater ordinances I wrote with a bunch of aldermen who didn't understand nor particularly care about what I had to say. So I was stoked I didn't pull my usual long winded move and managed to get out of there just before 8 and home by 8:10. Saw I missed a call from Stacy (she is an animal!). Called her back and we agreed to go for a 3+ mile walk (with some jogging - though I had a hard time keeping up with her walk - and my knees have been hurting - so we didn't jog much - she is FAST). It was 35 and mildly windy in some spots. A little cold for my taste (moreso for Stacy), but still better to be outside in my book. Not sure she was convinced. Got back home and did 20 min Windsor Pilates Ab Workout - will be feeling that tomorrow! Yikes!
Today's food was a mixed bag. Breakfast was homemade granola and some grapes. Lunch was spaghetti (PMS carb craving). The sauce is a beef/venison marinara that isn't too awful calorie-wise. And given it was the bottom of the leftover bowl, I only had the one portion instead of another bowl. Dinner was the last of my mushrooms, onion, red and green pepper (already used up the zuchinni). It was probably only a cup or so total. I need to restock. It wasn't quite enough so I had some reduced fat wheat thins with a couple small slices of sharp cheddar. Love that stuff. I didn't sneak any of the kids' Halloween candy (why can't they just eat it already!?).
Getting kind of late. Better go hit the sack.
Today's food was a mixed bag. Breakfast was homemade granola and some grapes. Lunch was spaghetti (PMS carb craving). The sauce is a beef/venison marinara that isn't too awful calorie-wise. And given it was the bottom of the leftover bowl, I only had the one portion instead of another bowl. Dinner was the last of my mushrooms, onion, red and green pepper (already used up the zuchinni). It was probably only a cup or so total. I need to restock. It wasn't quite enough so I had some reduced fat wheat thins with a couple small slices of sharp cheddar. Love that stuff. I didn't sneak any of the kids' Halloween candy (why can't they just eat it already!?).
Getting kind of late. Better go hit the sack.
Late Sun Exercise + MMNW
Of course after I posted last night, Stacy called and asked if I wanted to work out. Ugh - no, not really. But I had vowed when we started getting together not to turn her down unless I had a really good reason and I didn't, so I said OK. She brought Alyssa with her and we got in a little over an hour of cardio last night just before I tucked kiddos into bed. We did a workout DVD for about half the time and then Just Dance 2 the other half. I was sweating! Always nice to get some unexpected HBBC points. Also kept me from really eating much else as I was just too busy. I did drink a fair bit of water though.
And because I brought it up yesterday, I did the Monday Morning Naked Weight (MMNW). I've never been ashamed to admit this before, but I am a little now. It was 181.4. Gotta face the truth! It is still way better than the 213 I was on 1/1/11. But still so far from the 165 I'm shooting for by April. It is only about a pound up since last Wednesday so I guess I should be happy that Thanksgiving and going out for my husband's birthday didn't derail me more. But I have seen 179 recently and I liked that "7". Going to see if next MMNW can have a "7" again.
Lots of work to do today. Better suck it up and get going on it. Long day with a 7 PM Board of Aldermen meeting tonight where all that is on the agenda is my work for this client.
And because I brought it up yesterday, I did the Monday Morning Naked Weight (MMNW). I've never been ashamed to admit this before, but I am a little now. It was 181.4. Gotta face the truth! It is still way better than the 213 I was on 1/1/11. But still so far from the 165 I'm shooting for by April. It is only about a pound up since last Wednesday so I guess I should be happy that Thanksgiving and going out for my husband's birthday didn't derail me more. But I have seen 179 recently and I liked that "7". Going to see if next MMNW can have a "7" again.
Lots of work to do today. Better suck it up and get going on it. Long day with a 7 PM Board of Aldermen meeting tonight where all that is on the agenda is my work for this client.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Indulgent Saturday + Minor Redemption Sunday
Yesterday was a lazy day. It rained and turned pretty cold nearly all day. It was also my husband's 39th birthday (first one). We got up and puttered around the house, doing some laundry and the like. Husband got donuts - I had one, but then a banana to keep from having another. For lunch, he wanted a DQ Blizzard. I resisted, but had a cheeseburger so I'm not sure it mattered (though I skipped soda and fries so it could have been worse). He napped over the afternoon while I lazed looking through blogs and watching a worthless movie on Netflix (for the record, how do you get a bunch of talented actors to do such a lousy script?).
Later we headed out for dinner toward the end of the MU-KU game (Way To Go Mizzou!). As the Tigers finished off the Jayhawks, we sat down in Colton's and ordered dinner. I had another burger (only ate half) and a side salad (instead of fries - although with the dressing it may have been a wash). I did eat my share of pre-meal peanuts (throwing the shells on the floor = good fun), a few bites of the onion straw appetizer my husband ordered, two of those decadent rolls and drank a Wild West Fling that was so fruity and yummy!
Needless to say, my "Sunday morning naked weight" was up. Oh, did I mention the non-existence of exercise on Saturday? So I vowed to drink some water (not hard with a little cotton mouth) and eat a little better today. After mass, breakfast was a leftover roll and an apple. Lunch was really just a snack (rice krispy treat - oops). Dinner was another batch of that awesome stir fry (red onion, mushrooms, red and green peppers, zuchinni). I'm still a little hungry so I'll probably have something else small and then a big glass of water. My husband and I went for our usual 2 mile+ walk tonight even though it was in the 30's and a little windy. I really need some long underwear! But my core and hands were warm by the end so it wasn't that bad. Nice to get out and spend some quiet time with him. And good to get moving when it was another pretty lazy day. We'll see if any of this was "redemption" for the overindulgence of the previous days and what my "Monday morning naked weight" is tomorrow.
Later we headed out for dinner toward the end of the MU-KU game (Way To Go Mizzou!). As the Tigers finished off the Jayhawks, we sat down in Colton's and ordered dinner. I had another burger (only ate half) and a side salad (instead of fries - although with the dressing it may have been a wash). I did eat my share of pre-meal peanuts (throwing the shells on the floor = good fun), a few bites of the onion straw appetizer my husband ordered, two of those decadent rolls and drank a Wild West Fling that was so fruity and yummy!
Needless to say, my "Sunday morning naked weight" was up. Oh, did I mention the non-existence of exercise on Saturday? So I vowed to drink some water (not hard with a little cotton mouth) and eat a little better today. After mass, breakfast was a leftover roll and an apple. Lunch was really just a snack (rice krispy treat - oops). Dinner was another batch of that awesome stir fry (red onion, mushrooms, red and green peppers, zuchinni). I'm still a little hungry so I'll probably have something else small and then a big glass of water. My husband and I went for our usual 2 mile+ walk tonight even though it was in the 30's and a little windy. I really need some long underwear! But my core and hands were warm by the end so it wasn't that bad. Nice to get out and spend some quiet time with him. And good to get moving when it was another pretty lazy day. We'll see if any of this was "redemption" for the overindulgence of the previous days and what my "Monday morning naked weight" is tomorrow.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Official Results + Gratitude
They just posted the chip and gun time results for the Pie Run. I did PR! My chip time was 40:44 so I didn't shave a lot off, but every little bit counts. I might have run a little more without my friend, but I may have walked the walking portions slower, as she is a fast walker. Made me 49/56 in the 30-39 Females and 368/396 of those that marked their sheet as "5K Run" (not 10K or Walk). Lots of room for improvement. Never mind that they guy that won could have lapped me nearly 3 times. Or than 21 of the 10K'ers finished before I finished half that distance. Really, it isn't demoralizing at all! (note sarcasm)
OK, don't wallow Christina. Time to remember how very blessed you are. Today I am grateful for:
- Working for myself so that when I hit a "wall", I can skip out and go shopping
- Little girls sleeping over at someone else's house
- My creative husband that has quite the Christmas display in our backyard
- My son who loves to watch movies with me as long as there is minimal kissing (and a movie with only one)
- My blogger friends and their Friday Funnies
- Chip timing that allows for quick upload of results
- Fast stir fry
OK, don't wallow Christina. Time to remember how very blessed you are. Today I am grateful for:
- Working for myself so that when I hit a "wall", I can skip out and go shopping
- Little girls sleeping over at someone else's house
- My creative husband that has quite the Christmas display in our backyard
- My son who loves to watch movies with me as long as there is minimal kissing (and a movie with only one)
- My blogger friends and their Friday Funnies
- Chip timing that allows for quick upload of results
- Fast stir fry
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