Day 219

Our oldest and his wife have been home from Texas for the week, taking a long vacation to visit family. And you know what that means...

Gigi got to meet Kaden in person for the first time.

Yeah, he's still in the incubator, but there is something magical about being able to see your step-son's child growing. Even the 11-year was in awe. He mentioned after they left the house, "Mom her belly has gotten a lot bigger... Is Kaden really in there? That's so freaking cool".

Momma is doing great and over half-way to the finish line. Her feet were swollen like sausages after the long drive, but her mom came to the rescue with Epsom salts and they are much better now. Other than that, she is beautiful and radiant and happy. An, supposedly, drinking multiple gallons of milk per week...

We are doing a baby shower for them while they are home, although it is earlier than the usual affair at 8 months or so. But the next time they will be in town Kaden will have been out of his incubator for 2 months or so, and we want to shop for baby gifts NOW.

A baby shower means planning. And planning means lists. Yippee! So Kaden's family got together to discuss food, drinks, games, and decorations.

Soon after we all arrived, I noted that it was the first time all three grandmas were together since the pregnancy. We come from different backrounds, lifestyles, etc but that has never stopped us from loving these kids and getting along with each other. Being able to sit with these two women as a step-mom and not be a bit uncomfortable while laughing, drinking beer, and telling stories is a blessing I don't take lightly. They have always included me as an integral part of their children's lives, and I am so thankful for that. I know that everyone is not so lucky.

So today's picture represents...well, the coolest Grandmas ever of course. It represents how family, love, and acceptance don't necessarily have to be binded by blood, and that blended families truly can work if you want it to.

This baby is gonna be spoiled rotten. I can't wait!

Day 218

At the end of days like today, you just need a beer.

I don't have much to say today. Mostly because it's late and all I can think about is taking a shower and crawling into bed.

But this blog helps force me to end even days like today with something positive.

So today I am thankful for Corona Light. Ok, ok-- two Corona Lights... I am thankful to come home and be greeted by a loving family and slobbering dogs with their tails wagging. 

What are you thankful for? Doesn't have to be anything fancy. Just enough to let you lay your head on the pillow a little lighter than before. Because tomorrow is a new day. Thank goodness!

Day 217

Today was a long one at work. We have a regulatory survey going on, which is always a nerve wracking situation. Throw in an emergent open heart surgery late in the day- and there's no way I'm getting out of there on time.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining. I love my job and have no problem with the fact that some days you get out on time- and some days you don't. Taking care of patients and their families who are facing the scariest part of their lives keeps things in perspective pretty well.

That being said, I knew that a workout was going to be out of the question this evening. Again- not complaining, but there was definitely a part of me that was a bit grumpy about it. I headed out towards my car and got a text from one of my girlfriends:

"We walking tonight?" 

This from the woman who a year ago felt guilty not watching her kids' entire practice in order to exercise. Not anymore- she has lost a bunch of weight since last season and is actually giving advice to other mom's out on the field!

I responded that I was just now headed to practice, which had already started, and would have to bow out for tonight. Then I "harrumph"ed and got into my car.

Our kids practice at the local middle school, and the parking lot is literally probably a half-mile from the actual area where they practice. So I figured I'd at least get a little walk in, as I headed towards our boys in black. 

It took me at least twenty minutes to get there. Why? Because I stopped and got stopped along the way. My first interaction was with my husband, who was talking with friends from another team. When I asked him why he was over there, he responded that he had been running on the track and just stopped by. He also told me how far he had ran- "I'm getting better!" he proudly said.

Another mom on that team was one I had stopped to talk to yesterday, telling her I had noticed her out on the track and she was kicking butt. She grinned from ear to ear and announced she had run 2.9 miles- the longest she had ever done. She has a goal to run her first straight 5K in September.

I rounded the bend to our practice field and waved to one of the moms on our own sideline. She had asked me at the end of practice yesterday if I ran or walked every day and if she could join me. "Did you walk today? Sorry I totally jipped you- got stuck at work late."

Another grin- "I actually ran some!" she said. I gave her a high-five and promised to get out with her later this week. "You were my inspiration to go do it!" she said. 

Huh. I'll be damned.

When I was on the track yesterday, I got passed by a friend who is an avid walker, but I have never seen run. She jogged right past me, looking great in her pink outfit (and matching pink running shoes. Yes, I notice things like that...), and I let out a whoop- "Look at you! You go girl!!" She beamed despite the sweat rolling down her face, and kept on trucking.

So as I started to think about the last couple days, I realized that I got just about the same dopamine rush hearing, seeing, and thinking about these other women's successes as I did working out myself. Just with a lot less sweating. 

I finally made it to watch the last part of the 11-year old's practice, taking videos of him (much to his dismay) to review at home and learn from. When it was time to go home, I headed toward my car- still in my work uniform. I came across another mom who started towards me with- you guessed it- a grin on her face. She was in her workout gear, earbuds still in place. "I just ran my fastest 5K and mile ever!!!" she exclaimed. 

Another high five. We talked for a minute about how weight training has helped decrease her time, and the rush she felt when her phone app told her what her time was in her ear. You go girl.

Or make that girls...plural. I walked the rest of way to my car with my own grin on my face. 

I started out the evening upset about being late to football practice. It ended up being a much better evening than I anticipated. So today's pic represents what this project has been all about- finding the positive in the negative. It also represents the positive energy generated from boosting and encouraging each other to be healthier. Keep it up girls!

Day 216

We are only in our second week of football for the 11-year old, and I already feel like my world has been turned upside down.

Practice five nights a week from 6-8. Which is fine and absolutely needed, but hectic as all hell.

I work Monday thru Friday. So that means I get up in the morning and rush to work so that I can get off a little early for football practice. Then I rush from work to get the 11-year old at summer camp. Rush home only to feed him an unhealthy dinner and change clothes, then rush back out to the football field.

Even after practice, it's rush home and shower, get ready for bed, pack lunches and find clean clothes for the next day.

Now find time to fit in a 1-2 hour workout, laundry, dishes, walking the dogs, etc and what do you get?

Microwaveable macaroni and cheese for dinner. That's what you get.

My son asked me today why there was only a sandwich and pretzels in his lunch today. I reminded him that his father packed his lunch today, but the truth is we were out of water bottles, fruit, and cookies anyway so I can't really give him too much grief.

So, I added one more section of rushing to my evening. After dropping him off and walking him to the field, I rushed back to my car and drove to the grocery. I raced around the store, grabbing supplies for lunches and toilet paper. Because let's face it- that's the one thing you don't want to run out of at home and at this rate there was a good chance we were running low....

After practice, we rushed home. And as he took a shower, I started to put the groceries away. I know it may sound stupid, but putting away those groceries and knowing that I at least had a good healthy lunch for him the rest of the week decreased my stress level quite a bit. Plus I got to make a list when I went- that always makes me feel better...

Today's pic represents the chaos of kid-raising, and how bread and bananas, and knowing that you aren't going to run out of toilet paper, can calm the storm. Now I'm off to run the dishwasher so that we actually have clean dishes to eat from tomorrow. Hey- there's nothing wrong with rinsing out a cereal bowl and using it twice....

Day 215

Today I got brave and rode my bike on the road instead of the bike path. With no particular destination in mind, I set off north towards the outskirts of town.

Now, you would think that the "outskirts of town" wouldn't have much traffic. At least that's what I thought.

I thought wrong.

Admittedly, I did decide to ride just as church was letting out, and I passed by at least one emptying it;s parking lot in the first leg of my journey. But jeez, you'd think people who just went to church would be more patient and understanding to someone trying her darndest to stay as far over on the road as possible...

I took a right turn heading east, hoping to steer away from the bulk of drivers. And although I hadn't been out that way in quite a while, I was fairly certain I knew where I was going.

Wrong again.

I had enjoyed this leg of the ride, the weather being perfect and the farms I passed were in all their glory. But then suddenly I was at a juncture I recognized and knew was definitely not anywhere close to where I thought I had been  headed...

Ten years ago, this would have been a panic moment. There I was, in the middle of the country, and of course now there wasn't a freaking car to be seen. But all I had to do was pull my phone from my pack and hit the "maps" app.

How did we survive before this? I bet my 11-year old doesn't have a clue how to read a real, paper map. I don't even know if we own one anymore. But my phone was able to not only tell me exactly where I was through it's built in GPS- it could also show me how to get home.

I took advantage of the pit stop and fueled up with my power gel, then hit the road again for the ride home. It was full of more beautiful countryside, and the time really did seem to speed by. I could get used to that.

Today's pic celebrates GPS and how modern technology has helped so many of us who struggle with maps and sense of direction.

Day 214

The weather this summer has just been crazy. But I'm not really complaining. I think we have only had our air conditioner on a total of 7 days all summer.

Warm days and cool nights. Awesome sleeping weather. 

Not so awesome swimming weather.

Tonight the 11-year old had his annual football swimming party. Which is great fun, except it is freezing outside. I am wearing a sweatshirt and have a towel over my legs.

But not the children. Oh no. They may be blue-lipped and shivering, but they are not getting out of the pool. 

And there have been some entertaining moments. Like when the life guards changed duty and the cute, tan girl lifeguard replaced the guy. Suddenly all movement from a group of 6th graders ceased. Then they started elbowing each other and looking over while giggling. It wasn't noticeable at all...

Hilarious. Reminded us moms of the scene in the movie Sandlot where the little boy fakes drowning so he can get "mouth to mouth" from the lifeguard...

Tonight's pic represents a child's ability to tolerate frigid waters in the name of fun, and the awkwardness of pre-teen hormones.

Day 213

If you haven't noticed by now, clutter stresses me out. 

At home, I am constantly moving from room to room, picking up what everyone else has laid down somewhere it doesn't belong. My husband is the worst about leaving stuff everywhere. I will come home from work and can tell what he has done all day simply by the clutter.

I call it "The Trail of Jim"...

It starts in the laundry room by the garage, where he takes off his work clothes or workout tshirt. Sometimes it makes it to the laundry basket...

Then on to the counter of the bar, where his keys, loose change, wallet, and anything he purchased that day lies.

The kitchen shows remnants of lunch and/or dinner- although I can't complain much about that because he does cook...

And on and on from the back hallway to the bathroom to the bedroom. I've learned to pick my battles though, and realize that although clutter bothers me it doesn't necessarily bother everyone else.

Although, of course, it should.

I fully admit though that my desk at work is a constant battle to get clutter-free. I keep my immediate work space very clean, and my piles of papers out of eyesight. Or else I would be stressing out about the clutter all the time and never get anything done.

My paper piles are relatively organized, with each having a purpose or destination. 

But they are still piles.

Today, I eliminated one. Most of it was filing, which is something my personality should enjoy but doesn't. 

It was ridiculous how happy I was to see my desk at last. But it is Friday, and I had told myself I could not go home until the job was done.

So today's pic celebrates a clean space on your desk that isn't from just pushing stuff around. Not that I've ever done t

hat....