2010: 40...Fit & Fabulous

Back to reality...

It's Monday after a long week home with the kiddos.  It's back to carpool (3x's a day) and chores and work...but first, it's back to the gym.  Cardio today, upper body strength and cardio tomorrow...etc.  I'm actually looking forward to it, though I'd be more excited if my new shoes were here.  I wound up ordering them online since they closed the Runner's Roost up on University (that was an unpleasant suprise after driving all the way over there on Saturday morning).  I went through Zappos, which probably saved me $20 anyway.  I got runners...I'll be walking at first, but I'll need the extra stabalization for when I start running in a few weeks. 

Okay, Alana.  I'll bite.  I'll commit to training for an October marathon.  I need that much time to shed the weight and get my heart and lungs cooperating.  I can't believe I just wrote it in b&w.  Come do Chicago with me.  It's flat, at sea level, and I can have people cheer us on the whole way...It's been 10 years since I was running...I'm still finding it hard to believe I have it in me, but I'm putting myself out there.  All I have to say is they better have a Brighton 26.2 charm...I won't finish WITH you, but I'll finish, and that'll be good enough for me....

What am I getting myself into?

Enjoying the silence...

It's another Sabbath morning and I'm reworking the lesson I'm giving today.  Working out the kinks.  Truth is, this lesson is so geared towards the adults and I have to give it to my 15 year olds...not a lot of room to make it "fun" this time.  I really hate that.  Sometimes I wish we used a separate lesson book to share the messages from...

I'm also sitting here contemplating next year's theme...the last four years I've followed a theme in my life for the entire year.  Like a New Year's resolution that I really do stick to, for the most part.  And I like doing that.  It gives me focus.  This year I picked "Becoming a good steward".  Originally I meant it to be over money, but it wound up bleeding into every area of my life.  I won't go in to detail...I always save the summary for my last entries.  But I will say, at first I felt like I was failing, not sticking on point, but throughout the year have come to embrace the overall theme and how it impacted me and the changes I made because of it. 

This next year is a big year.  Big as I want to make it I guess.  I'm turning 40.  Right in the beginning of the year.  And my theme will have to do with that -- how can it not.  I"m already digging in starting to gear up for the year...so I have a good start...really because I didn't see the point in waiting.  The actions cross over from both this year's theme to next. 

I thought I would dread 40.  I certainly dreaded 30.  But I don't.  I feel more settled in who I am and what I'm doing with my life.  My family is good, my marriage is rock solid, my hobbies and careers have merged.  I am caring for myself and understanding myself in ways I really hadn't before.  40 will be good.  It's all unchartered territory and I'm an adventure girl at heart.

I realize so many of the things that will plague my other friends in their 40's have already happened to me.  Specifically the loss of parents.  More will begin to experience this sad happening.  I would rather have my parents here than anything in the world, but in some ways am glad to be through those experiences so I can embrace the lessons they left with me without so much of the pain anymore.  I can't imagine looking ahead to events such as that.  It's a strange perspective to have, I guess.

I can't believe November is nearing it's end already.  And December is all that's left of this year, and this decade.  A decade past already!  Which reminds me, Kenzie will be double digits this year.  I will have two kids in double digits.  Hmmm.  Time really does slip by quickly.

Super great day...

We had the nicest, low-key day at the Dougherty's for Thanksgiving yesterday.  We joined the Burris' Bunch at Mylynda and Dave's place and it was wonderful.  There were 19 of us gathered together under one roof and it was joyful.  Laughing, good conversations, and wonderful food, of course. 

Cal and few of us got to talking about Angels & Demons (I being the only one who read the book before the movie arrived) and that moved us into talking about science mixed with history mixed with truth and fantasy which lead Cal to give me a book that I'm sure most would find boring, but I'm totally stoked to dive in...it's called The Dancing Wu Li Masters, and hold on to your seats, it's about physics.  From a layman's point of view.  Yes, this is my nerd side showing.  I love physics, and philosophy and the mixing of the two, which is what Cal promised I'll learn from this book.  I'm having a really difficult time getting through I know this much is True, not that it's bad, I just don't love Wally Lamb's rhythm in writing...so this will be a welcome break...

I love that this has become our annual tradition, sharing this day with these wonderful friends.  I think holidays should always be shared with those closest to you.

And another added highlight was my 8:30pm phone call from Nadezda who invited Kenzie and I to join she and her girls in seeing 3-D A Christmas Carol.  Kenzie was about out of her skin!  We jumped in Nadezda's car and off we went.  It was 3-D magic.  Really beautifully done, I have to say.  But not for little kids...the ghost of Christmas future will scare the bejeezes outta them!

All in all a great holiday...restful and relaxing, time with my family, fun with friends, yummy food, and a movie to boot!  What more could I ask for?

PS...it was super great to not be "going green" this year!

26 notes of thanks...2009

Since it's the 26th...and Thanksgiving, I thought I would give it in list form...

1. My husband.  You never really know what you're getting when you say "I do"...I got a best friend, a lover, a confidant, a great sense of humor and someone who loves me inside and out...warts and all.
2. My children...the gifts that keep on giving.  They give me cause to smile every day...even on the rough days.
3. Our home.  Humble as it is, it keeps us warm, is filled with love and is a place of respite for us all.
4. Friends...especially those who kept their mouths shut about my suprise party this year...that was quite a feat!  Good friends that have come to mean so much to me through the years.  They are my family, my support, my strength and my reason so often...thanks guys!
5. Meds and the doctors who give them...this year has been quite the adventure in stewardship...and I love that I have begun to take care of myself...and part of that has been the meds.  I haven't been perfect, but I have become a better friend, wife and mother, that's for sure.
6. This blog...over the years it has given me a place to stretch my wings, share my views, empty my head and keep my sanity!
7. Teachers...who keep my kids and open the world to them in ways I don't know if I could.
8. My camera...the one thing that has opened a whole new world to me! 
9. Frank's new job...the old one was a sinking ship...it's nice to have a sense of security in these troubled times.
10. My sense of humor...it keeps me from getting too dark.
11. Flowers...this one is simple because they just make me happy.
12. My Testimony...without it nothing else matters.
13. My mom...I could go on and on, but the thing I am most thankful for is her example on how to love but let go at the same time.  What an art.
14. My dad...for his love of learning...he inspired the same in me.
15. Siblings...though we're not close...it gives me comfort to know that I'm not alone in the world even with my parents gone.
16. Time away...alone, with others...I'm thankful for the change of pace and how refreshed I am when I return.
17. Living here...this is an odd one since I'm always hoping to leave Colorado, but we have been so blessed through living here.  Frank found his Testimony here, we've gained such good, GOOD friends living here, I love the community, my kids have great friends and good schools.  We have gained far more than we lost in moving here.
18. Temples...and being sealed to my family.
19. A giving spirit...I am thankful that I have a giving spirit and that I have people around me to share it with.
20. For Natalie...for helping me reground myself in my love for my art this year...
21. For Tim...giving me hours of his ear early this year setting me on a course that has changed my world.
22. For Cal and his endless hours in my bathroom this year.
23. Cars that work and friends who fix them when they don't!
24. My calling...through it I learn so much more than I teach...
25. My dog...he's getting up there in years, but I am thankful to have had him so many years.  He's a comfort to come home to, is unendingly faithful and one of the family.
26. For a life that I love living.  I am blessed that my early decisions didn't cut it short.  I had no idea how many amazing and wonderful things lay ahead in my future!  I am thankful for every one of my 39 years.

Thanks to friends...

Yesterday was a difficult day.  I think because I've had such a full and busy past two or so weeks that the last two days, being couped up in the house made me stir crazy.  I had a few good breaks in my day.  I have to say, it's nice to have a seventh grader at home who can do a little babysitting here and there.  First Mel rescued me for a few hours early in the day.  Alana rescued me for a half-hour in the evening and then Nadezda asked for my decorating eye for 10 minutes in the evening.  In between I hung out with the kiddos, played some games, nursed their illnesses and made sure everyone was good.  I felt guilty a bit needing to get away, but I got over it.  It's my nature.  It doesn't mean I don't love my kiddos.  It doesn't mean I'd trade being a mom.  It means I know what I need and I do the best I can to fill that need so I have more to give to others...and I have no apologies for that.

On another note, and I won't be blogging much about this for a while, but I was inspired by Nadezda over our weekend away.  She is on the South Beach diet and has lost nearly 10 pounds in a week.  It's not the rapid weight loss that impressed me, it was the solid plan.  The variety of foods.  The way she was so knowledgeable.  So, I bought the book and cookbooks.  Fell in love with the program and started it yesterday.  I started yesterday.  First day was a success.  I was stuffed yet I had far less calories than I'm used to.  Phase 1 is a lot like atkins, pretty restrictive on the carbs, but carbs come back in at week 3/phase 2 and I welcome that in small doses.  Water or whatnot from day one to day 2 I was down 3.5 pounds.  Like I said, I'm under no delusion, it's water weight, and it will fluctuate, and I'm not a daily weigher, but I felt really...clean...this morning and wanted to see what that equated to on the scale. 

Frank went shopping to make sure I had all the tools I needed in place to be successful.  I should sail through the next two weeks.  And on the advice of my friend, I won't make excuses about tomorrow.  I'm not sad about my choice.  I don't desire the fluffy foods of tradition right now.  Things might be a little different when I'm confronted with everything face to face, but for now, I feel strong, like I'll make it through tomorrow with flying colors.  I guess I'll let you know.  

I am keeping a separate blog about my journey.  I'll reveal it as an addenda to this blog in January.  There's good reason for that - it's my 2010 theme...it goes hand in hand with my 2009 theme, which is nice.  But it's not time to reveal it just yet.  I just wanted to acknowledge what's going on so that as I build on my success people aren't left wondering what in the world...? 

Pedi's...

So, being home with sick kids going on day 6 gets me a little batty.  Though Jake is feeling better, Kenzie is now just starting...Mel called this morning -- she has a standing babysitter for her grocery shopping on Tuesdays but since she didn't have much to shop for (they're going out of town for the holiday) she decided the time would better be spent getting pedi's!  I'm so IN!  So off we raced with our 2-hour window, pedi's and waxing...we feel like new women!  So glad for friends who do things on the drop of a dime!

Nada...

Nothing interesting to report.  Kids are still sick, thinking we might be doing Thanksgiving solo this year...bummer.  I so enjoy holidays with others.  I know Frank prefers them to be a quiet, sedate event, but you know me.  I like traditions.  So I'm feeling bummed about it.  Ah well, can't plan their sick times.  And I'm starting to feel a little under the weather myself.

I started reading Wally Lamb's "I Know This Much is True" yesterday...long chapters, but so far it's okay.  Just okay...we're taking a long time getting where we're going.  Not my favorite kind of book to read.  I'll let you know what I think overall when I'm done.  I know I'm a year overdue, if not more, for giving a book review on this one, but I'm catching up on the things I've missed out on reading...

Like I've said, "nada" on everything else...just nothing much interesting to report!

White Monday...

Snow again here in the Rockies.  And I woke to not one, but TWO sick kids.  Nice.  Jake's been rocking a virus since last Wednesday night.  I'm wondering if it isn't his second bought of the flu.  Kenzie woke this morning just like Jake.  Closed sinuses and a sore throat.  Awesome.  The week before Turkey Day.  A 2-day school week.  They have both missed so much school this year.  I feel like I'm wearing an A on my chest for absent kids...

Other than that, things are good.  I'm slowly recovering.  I overslept today, somehow.  I set my alarm for an hour later than it should be and I didn't check it when I turned it on last night.  So, I guess in the end, maybe it's a blessing that Kenzie is sick.  It was my week to carpool.  A week where I would have only had two days...now I'll get to trade out for all 5 next week... :(  .  Enough whining yet.  Boy...I'm in a mood today! 

A highlight of the week is Thanksgiving.  We'll be joining our friends/family for the day.  Mylynda will be hosting us and the Burris' bunch this year.  I'm pretty excited about that.  One more social engagement and it will make November one of the best month's I've had this year.  So many fun things to record and remember.  And Christmas, my favorite holiday, is right around the corner...Cannot wait.

Suprise...

 

Frank got me.  Seriously.  It's November.  My birthday is in January.  The END of January, but last night was my suprise party held with a very intimate group of our closest friends.  Three weeks ago he told me we were going on a blind date with Denise and Cal.  I was so excited.  It's been forever since we went out.  And we were "going" to PF Changs.  Double excitement.

Yesterday morning, Frank and Lexi were set to do baptisms at the Temple.  Fibbers.  He even left dressed in his Sunday best.  He came home 5 hours later (mind you, baptisms take what, an hour?!) with his hair mussed from the "water", riiiiiight.  The best is that Kenzie got her ears pierced and wanted to show her daddy before Kenzie went to her sleep over at Mel's house and it was going on 2'ish.  So, I called him and left a snooty message..."I find it hard to believe that you're still at the Temple...when are you coming home?"  Seriously, I'm such a goober.  Turns out they were shopping for my party, decorations, food, etc.  And Mel - she was busy making me a beautiful dairy-free cake -- Which is priceless because I NEVER get cake!  It was both stunning AND scrumptious. 

Everyone was supposed to bring me 40 of something...Alana brought me 40 nerds, because I'm her favorite Twi-nerd...very clever.  Dee gave me 40 pink and 40 white Good & Plenties b/c they are my favorite, and Frank brought me 40 needles, because I once dropped, and then kicked a needle lodging it in my foot so far they had to surgically remove it.  Niiiice. 

But the best part was the laughter.  I've lauged so so much in the last two weeks my lungs actually hurt.  First Breckenridge, then Bunko, now this.  Gosh we laughed.  We played games, ate good food, and laughed.  It was a night to remember.  Today I am thankful for good friends....and very very sneaky husbands.  Thank you mi esposo.  Saga po.

41.5...and a sex talk...

41.5 hours...not quite my record for no sleep, but pretty dang close.  I was so riled up from all the caffeine to stay awake for New Moon that I never really could fall back asleep.  And then last night was Bunko, which was great fun so not too hard to stay awake through. 

I tried to nap a little yesterday, but mostly laid awake in bed.  I was in and out for a few hours.  When I got home from Bunko my face was tingly and my body tired, but my brain was ON which is never a good thing.  I came in, chatted with Frank for a bit and relaxed on the couch...then I started feeling tired.  I popped 2 Tylenol PM's just in case they decided to work and I slept from midnight'ish to now, 8:30a...better!

Today's a big day for Kenzie.  Ear piercing day.  She's finally ready.  I thought she would be ready at 8, but she was terrified.  She's been working her way up using magnetic earings (which are painful after a while), clip ons (about the same) and going without.  Her vanity has finally won out over her fear of pain...that's my girl.  So, today we'll go. 

And the sex talk...last night Kenzie played at her friends house.  There was another little 7 year old over playing with one of her friend's sisters as well.  Somehow they all started talking about sex.  How you have sex.  Not an inaccurate description, mind you...just not something you use to educate a 7 year old with.  It reminded me of the time Kimmy's brother asked me what a Virgin was and I made him go look it up and write down the definition and bring it to me.  Boy was I suprised when I opened my front door to find Mikey there with his dad holding him arm with one hand and a piece of paper with the definition on the other...whooops.  ;) . 

Frank tried to pry the story from Kenzie this morning, gently, but the tears.  Kenzie still cries at the drop of a hat.  He couldn't get out of her who started it by asking THE question or who gave the description, but through the tears, Frank was a little suprised to get the feeling that it was our angel who did the talking...so, I am now left with the unpleasant task of opening the wound again until I get the details...girl-to-girl I think I may have better luck!