Weight the Issue

I don't know about anyone else but I have gotten so tired of seeing and hearing about people and how much they should weigh. You can't pick up a paper or watch a program without at least one story about how "this one has put on weight" or "wow that person looks anorexic". Believe me I do know it is hard to maintain my weight. My lowest was at 110 and truthfully my highest was 183. Let's just say the highest for a person of 5'2" was not good. And I do actually know how I got that way. Living a sedentary life and not exercising and not watching what I ate. Let's just say also for alot of people where I live exercise is a seasonal thing. It's not an excuse just a reality. Bottom line. Simple..No butts and mine was not small..

Today's issue with weight runs the range. People who are morbidly obese have a long road ahead if they want to change. People who are anorexic too have a tough one. It's something that each individual person must stop and think if they want to change and how to go about it. Also I have thrown the word "diet" out of my vocabulary. I like to say "lifestyle change". I still eat what I want just not as much. I can't cut sweets, my downfall out it wouldn't be fair to myself or those around me when I can't have them. I am not nice..

I think it is utterly sick how they are making an issue about Jessica Simpson being a size 8! Yes she has put on weight put she is still someone who looks great. Also if it is acceptable to her and not hurting her health and she is "Happy" people leave her alone. People it's not necessary for everyone to be a size 0. No matter how I wish my body would never be a size 0. It's just not in my genealogy. Truthfully I probably would have to eat lettuce and drink water to get that size.

I also feel that the federal standards are out of wack also and not realistic. I was always active my first 36 years. Skating, skating and more skating. Now its walk, walking and walking some more.

I have to admit I do get a little inspiration from watching "The Biggest Loser". I watched it the first season and then stopped for a while. The last two season I have faithfully followed and feel inspired by each person. Although their program is not realistic while they are on set (sorry no real person can put 6 hours with of exercise in a day) and sometimes I really don't feel that the massive weekly weight loss helps in the end but hey if it gets them to the goal and then are able to main (which many have not) so be it.

So....for those people who have started the New Year with the resolution of being healthy and losing weight..Good for you...For those coach potatoes who only can criticize those of us who are getting out and doing something, well what can I say

It's Always Nice to Get A Hug

No matter where you are everyone has been having some degree of hard times. So many people have lost their jobs, homes and in some cases their will to go one. I can remember stories my grandparents told of how it was in the Depression and during World War II. At the time those stories seemed like unbelievable situations. Of course when your a kid everything seems not to affect you. But when you mature into adulthood reality is staring you in the face.

Right now my immediate family has it pretty well. We have our health, (MIL is still plugging along with skin cancer but hanging in their), we have our business and our kids have jobs, we have our homes and thank goodness for friends.

Today I took a day filled with errands and business and went to lunch with my BPW group. We have a weekly luncheon or "friendship" lunch is the actual name. We discuss anything and everything under the sun, family, work, activities and pretty much each lunch always catches us up on who is under the weather and also who has passed. Guess you can't really get away from that unfortunately.

One of my "special" friends you no who you are) came and although we were sitting across from each other we really didn't get to much of a chance to talk. But her warm and always smiling, happy face across the table made the lunch that more enjoyable. She is someone you don't mind dropping what you are doing and giving her a helping hand.

Since moving almost 13 years ago, it has been a little difficult making close friends in town. Although the last several years I have been more involved in activities it's been slightly easier. Lets face it those who have known me for years I have never really been a person who makes friends easily. I think it's harder as I get older sometimes.

For my friends who are across the country that I keep in touch with usually through e-mail or MySpace or Facebook, it is nice to be able to keep your finger on the pulse of news whether it's good or bad.

I received an e-mail today from a friend I went to h.s. with who has went through a life crisis for at this point half of her life. There isn't an incredible amount of things I can help her with across the country, but if an e-mail hug helps, or a note just saying I am thinking about her I think that's an accomplishment. I hope we can continue being long-distance friends for a very long time.

Oh after our lunch today my "special" friend as she was leaving came around the table and gave me a hug. It wasn't necessary but wow was it nice.

Thanks for being my friends everyone, be it in town or far away. I cherish all of you more than you will ever imagine.

A big HUG to all

U.S. Figure Skating Nationals-Cleveland,OH

Well its the beginning of the competitive year for figure skating and as usually I am watching all the coverage on the television.

It brings alot of wonderful competitive skating memories back to mind that I had the joy of having.

The difference is each year it's someone new that comes on the line of history makers. Since it is not an Olympic year the hype isn't what it usually is it's a little like politicians its a "get in and get your work done" season.

I am not sure who the winner's will be. I hear alot of the top competitors are "out with injuries" which is always a bad thing. Knock on wood in the 25+ years I skated I never had a "major injury". Most were surface injuries, bumps, bruises and the time I poked my rear with my blade--don't ask it was stupid.

Although my National competitive experience was with a synchronized group, it still was the most wonderful time in that period of my life. I competitive with them for four years. The traveling and stories were the best friendships in my life. I am so happy to still keep in touch with my room buddy,hairstylist,shopping assistant, Pam. She still keeps me informed on what the west coast skating world is doing although alot of them have "retired". I hope to hit the ice with her, not literally, when I am out in August.

As I am watching now I remember the excitement, sweaty hands, the knot in your stomach, but as soon as the music started and you took that first step the adrenalin pump was something that still is hard to explain. I still hear a piece of music and sometimes catch myself dancing in the privacy of my living room as I do my routine. I hear alot of music today that I think "wow that would be great to skate too".

Well I will sit back, relax in my nice warm chair and watch and remember.

A Dog's Story

Our Biscon Snookie is not yet 7 years old so he is still considered a youngster in dog/human years but he has had alot packed into those seven years. This week I had a scare because he had a tumor that just kinda popped up on his backside that seemed to grow rather rapidly. With pushing from the groomer/breeder that we got him from I made the dreaded appointment to have it checked out.

Now mind you years ago we had a rough go at it with our Cocker Spaniel Lady who had a rough two years with mammary tumors, I new that wasn't what Snookie had since he is a boy and they don't get that type of tumor but just the word didn't set well with me. After having to go through the usually exam, one not very pleasant for either me or Snookie the veterinarian felt it was best to have to removed. So the appoint was set for Friday. Of course the first thing through my "cup half empty" mind was it's more than likely cancer since I fell like we live in the cancer capital anyway.

Early Friday morning we marched into the office both with apprehension on our faces I don't know who had Snookie or me. As I handed him over I couldn't help know I was doing the right thing and with tears in my eyes I walked out and waited the long 5 years until they called and said he had made it through fine.

When I went to pick him up the vet had more great news..He proceeded to show me the tumor the size of a golf ball, dissect it and said. It's just a fatty tumor.. Hurrah. After the ordeal Jennifer and I just laughed and said Snookie had lipo.

I am a cup half empty kinda girl but am so glad things have seemed to come through great and it wasn't alot worse. But I am not surprised at anything this dog makes it through I truly believe he has my granma Edith as his guardian angel.

Starting with he was named after her favorite dog, then back in 2004 he decided to see if the grass was greener on the other side of home and escaped on his own personal escapades for a week and a half. He eventually was tracked about a half mile away in a field by a local attorney and Matthew and I went and picked him up. I think that probably taught him a lesson you don't want to run away in early December. He has always kept us on our toes and don't know what our world would be without him, thanks God for not taking him yet we want him around a little longer.

Terrific,Terrible Tuesday

This was a day for the books. It seemed like I was all over the place with an unbelievable schedule. Got my hour walk in the morning that helped to at least pump me up for the day. It's amazing how much better it makes me feel.

Then it was on for a hair trim and conversation with one of my many therapists (just kidding). I told him that he wears many hats having an occupation of hairdresser. I try to spare him a lot of my issues because I know he hears many throughout the day.

Mid afternoon it was off to Meals on Wheels board meeting. I cross my fingers that we will get more people involved that can have staying power. It seems we lose alot to age, health--you get the idea. I am the youngest involved in the board, where the average age is 60+. Nothing against experience but it just makes it more difficult to move into the future with what we need to do to help more people. Can only hope that things will get better with time.

Late in the day it was a trip to the veterinarian for my little white Biscon Snookie. We found a lump on his backside a couple of months ago and needed to make the decision that it needed to be looked at. He is scheduled for surgery on Friday to have it removed. He has no clue but truthfully I am scared to death. We won't really know until pathology report comes back so have a feeling my weekend and early next week will be nerve racking until the verdict is in. He is special to our family and he is still a young guy of 6 1/2 so pray and keeping fingers crossed that it's nothing.

The end of my day consisted of a kick off for my second year in the fitness makeover. It's small scale compared to Biggest Loser but a good motivator. There are 7 on our team and we are all ready to get moving. After receiving all our information a couple of us went to a Women's Wine Tasting Night at a local establishment that has recently opened up with good reviews (yes I know drinking wine probably isn't on most diet plans but somedays you just have to splurg) I am by no means a wine aficionado but it was interesting. They mixed a wine (don't remember the name but it was an Austrian wine) with a sample of salmon. My take on it was that the first taste wasn't impressive but after the third the two did compliment each other fairly well. They do this every Tuesday evening and I hope to be able to attend more and maybe get a little more educated about wine and what to buy. I usually just buy it for the taste, price, and the pretty label. Not exactly what you are suppose to do but it usually works for me.

I ended the evening by finishing my most recent book "A Redbird Christmas" by Fannie Flagg. I had read a short review on this on another blog and when I saw it was in at the library I snatched it up. It's a very quick read and was truly a great ending to my day. In a nutshell the book is about hope, believing, and a wishes do come true. I am surprised it hasn't been made as a movie for the holidays by Lifetime or Hallmark Channel. I would definitely recommend it. It brought a couple tears to my eyes, but hey it doesn't take much for me to turn on the water works....

I'm More Tech Savvy Than You Would Think

I know lately I have complained about how things aren't what they used to be but one thing I will have to say I feel like I have tried to keep up with pretty well is things related to computers. Now you have to remember my first experience with a computer was in the late 1980's while working for the State of CA. Back in the dark ages they didn't train alot outside of the workplace so over the years a good percentage of my computer experience has been "do it yourself" for me. And actually I have to say I think that I do pretty well.

The reason for this epiphany is last night at our monthly Business and Professional Woman's Meeting we had a 20 something speaker who is president of one of the other clubs in our area. Her presentation was on membership and how all groups and organizations including ours is going through some rough times in retaining membership.

The XYZ generation categories always come into play here due to changing times. I hate to be labeled but most people in my age group grew up in an age of not really being tech oriented. For the last several years I have prided myself in doing pretty well. Our business has had cell phones for over 10 years, (no I don't text message and probably won't because I am too cheap to add to our plan).

Computer experience is such that I can do pretty much everything I want except program and usually fix big problems. I would rather go to a technical person for that and thank goodness I haven't had too many issues with the 3 computers we have had over the years.

I just recently learned to blog late last year thanks to a good friend of mine, and I really enjoy it and find that it works for us. I also started a blog for the company that has worked great to get information to clients new and current and hey it's free!!!

I have a myspace and facebook page (I prefer myspace) and have gotten a few "friends" on both. I instant message a few people in CA occasionally to catch up and e-mail what seems like every minute of the day. It almost sounds like the computer has become another appendage to my body, ok it probably has but I don't mind. I still haven't gotten David and probably never will experienced on the computer, he played games for a while but that got boring for him so he leaves the computer to me. I always chuckle when people as me if he has an e-mail. He doesn't even open up his snail mail.

I do occasional write a note the old fashioned way with a pen and paper for those who rebel against technology and I do enjoy it. So even though it isn't with ink and a feather I haven't totally given up the good ole things and don't believe anyone should.

"They Don't Do That Anymore"

Yes as with everything it seems times have changed and how we do things seems to change on a daily basis. I know when I began skating as a child, amateur skaters couldn't get paid one red cent, today they can rack in the money, the outfit requirements were pretty basic, a pair of tights, a leotard with a skirt and you were set. Leggings, butt pads high dollar costumes are now a part of the whole skating package. I guess its just a sign that I am getting older and don't adjust to the changes as easily as I should be. But I can't help but think that some changes are just unnecessary and if we just don't things the old fashion way, the world might be in a different situation even now.

Recently I was talking about workplace etiquette and what we did: things like courtesy, documentation and follow-ups with clients. I was told "they just don't do that anymore, bottom line is the key" I think if businesses today were more concerned about the basics maybe things would be different. Train your employees well and there productivity might bring about a happier clientele. You think!!

I spent three days on the phone trying to clear up a duplicate payment that was made by myself and a consultant we use for filing purposes. I did it the old fashioned way I paid by check, sent my completed form in an envelope and pasted postage stamp on the front. Wow imagine that. The consultant did everything "on-line". Needless to say my transaction was posted but hers wasn't because the state didn't catch the duplicate payment. After calls, transfers etc. we finally got it-I think- resolved and the refund is "in the mail". It is amazing to me how it took so long to take care of this but not recently this same agency bugged me for a 27 cent payment.

They just don't do things the old fashion way..What a pity...

Butterflies are Free

Many years ago I started a sort of fascination with butterflies. I have never entirely figured out why but several things during my life have seemed to parallel butterflies and there existence.

I remember when I was in elementary school we had trees that were always filled with caterpillars which then became butterflies. It was always a wonderful science lesson during my time there.

Fast forward to when Matthew was in Boy Scouts. One Saturday we took a hike up in the local Los Angeles mountains for a project. And half way through the hike we came upon an area that literally millions of butterflies were in the trees. I so wish I would have had a camera because the picture would have been magnificent I am sure.

I was once told by a friend that when you see a butterfly it is a loved one who is watching out for you that has passed. I know that I saw alot of butterflies not long after my biological mom passed away, I like to think this could be true.

When Jennifer was away in Massachuetts at school we went out exploring one day and came upon a butterfly sanctuary that runs year round. It was climate controlled and the variety of species was endless.

I have acquired several pins that I wear and I guess one of the reasons I appreciate them so much is the evolution of a butterfly I feel relates to my life. And like me they just pop up anywhere, they start out one thing and end up something completely different. I have evolved several times in my life so far and will probably continue to change.

Life Returns to Reality

After dealing with all the usual holiday activities I have now got David back on the road and now it is time for me to get the house and my schedule back on track. The house always looks so bare after having all the holiday decorations up and I just don't get why it always looks so different after you put the exact same things back where you had them before the holidays. I have been tearing each room apart, purging away things I am sure the trash collectors will just love me this week. It has to be done and might as well get a start on 2009 right.

When I get in these moods of Mrs. Clean it always makes me feel that I have made a bigger accomplishment in organizing my life but probably in reality I have just opened up myself to acquiring more stuff.

It always leads me to think back to several of my family members who were raised in a time where what little they had they kept in either a small box or packed away in a small area.

I remember a story my mother in law relates about what they got for Christmas. Usually it was some fruit, nuts, candy (if they were lucky) and maybe if they were even luckier a toy. Year after year their excitement for these blessings never changed. I think that was why she has always enjoyed Christmas as she got older because she gave until she had nothing left to give. This year we told her just keep it for the young kids don't buy for the grown ups and she actually stayed to that. Unfortunately because of her lack of funds due to healthcare expenses. But the memories linger on...

Also one thing that always stuck out about my biological granma Edith was how she kept practically everything in her life. Everything had some form of emotional meaning. She was the youngest of 9 and inherited alot of her sister's items after they passed. Including an old Chrysler that she kept in her driveway for years, even when it didn't run. She kept a pink, yes pink washer and dryer in her garage that belonged to one of her sister's here in MO. Granted all these belongs were shipped out to CA after they had passed and stayed in her garage or home for over years time. But God love her she kept things that I will never throw away that I was blessed to receive after she died a few years ago. I didn't have the opportunity to be around her until about the last 10 or so years of her life but what little mementos I do have those will get passed on to our children.

So I guess the moral to this story is, as you are purging one year and stepping into another, take a little time (not to long of course) relive fond memories and enjoy the times to come.