Look out Weekend, cuz here I come....
because weekends are made for fun! Yes, they are! I have had a very busy week, in fact Thanksgiving feels about a month ago and my birthday- did it really already come and go? Yikes! Oh well. This weekend will start around 215pm tomorrow! I am excited because tomorrow I get to see BOTH World Series Trophies and get a picture with them! I received the invite last week from Giants management and signed up, then I asked Bill if he wanted/could go and he declined- so then I asked my brother and of course he was in. I then raffled off the remaining 2 spots to my ticket partners, picked the names and then actually out of all those who could go it ended up being just 1 person who really could, leaving one spot available. Hmmm, what to do.
I thought long and hard about this and decided to see if my mom would be interested. After all, regardless of what physical ailment she was battling this year, she was always tuned into KNBR to listen to every Giants game. Her radio was her best friend in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities this year. I asked her and of course she had her first initial concerns and I assured her that I could drop her off very close to the portwalk and then park the car. Told her if she got tired walking, that is what her walker seat was for and worst case, she could sit and we could push her. She laughed and said "that's been done before". Told her to sleep on it and let me know the next day. Well, the next day we were discussing wardrobe and looking at her "orange" sweaters. She did express a concern for rain and that she couldn't possibly hold an umbrella and push a walker- my answer- duct tape. She laughed. So she is going and I think she is pretty excited, especially knowing that this is an opportunity of a lifetime and I told her it was also something to give her bragging rights at the Terrace. Super excited! I'm just happy to give her the opportunity to have some fun - FINALLY!
Friday night we have plans to co-celebrate birthdays with my friend Kelli. Bocce Ball and dinner in Los Gatos with a small group of friends. Something different, something fun and it will no doubt be a night of laughs. Saturday is pretty open right now, but I'd like to see the downtown tree lighting if possible and who knows- maybe even go dancing Saturday night. Sunday I am taking mom to "REAL" bingo at the Veteran's Center. She's excited. In fact, she has been overall in pretty good spirits the past week and I think a lot of that has to do with purpose. She has been a busy bee working on my holiday cards. She's not as fast as my nephews, but she wants to help, she is happy to help and happy to have something useful to do. I'm happy that I could help!
It's going to be a great weekend and this is actually our last "low-key" weekend until next year. Seriously, we have at least 2 parties every weekend from now until 2013. But that is a huge reason why I get all my shopping, wrapping, decorating done by December 1st. Still not entirely done with shopping, almost there.
Have not been able to move forward with my fitness plan this week. Have not made it to any gym outside of my teaching. Hoping to get to Zumba tomorrow. That will require an early to bed tonight and get up early enough to work before going to class. I will do this, I have to because I am not a fan of my body these days - feeling very plump.
Remodel projects are somewhat underway. Cabinets have been ordered for both the garage and the Master Bath. I'm told that the cabinets for the garage will be hung in time for our Holiday party...hope so. I am not a fan of cutting things close, but I have a feeling I won't have a choice in this matter. I think demo starts next weekend on our bathroom..we have made decisions on wood grain, door style, tile..so think we just have to pick out fixtures, sink, counter tops and then we'll be all set. Exciting but not exactly what I wanted to have going on during the holidays. Oh well, beggars can't be choosers.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Another day, another year older!
Yikes! How did I get to be 47? Really?? Ok- I won't focus on the age. It has been quite a year though and ready for a new chapter! Anyway, it has been a wonderful birthday. I received over 200 birthday wishes via Facebook, emails, text, phone, snail mail- pretty wonderful stuff. The wishes started coming in before Thanksgiving! Bill took me to SF for a romantic dinner near Union Square. The restaurant left a bit to be desired- if you're going to charge those sort of prices, you better be damn good and it just wasn't! Tonight's dinner with Diane & Mike was about the same cost for 4 of us and much better! Lots of celebrating, but I'll be happy to get out of food coma mode! I did something today that I had not done in a long time- I spent time with my mother on my birthday! Usually the family celebration is on Thanksgiving, so when my actual birthday falls on Thanksgiving I'm with her, but now that she lives so close, I was able to spend a few hours with her and had fun helping her to decorate her apartment with Christmas decorations. I also had a massage, which was excellent- the only thing missing from today was a much needed nap- HA! I slept so minimally last night due to coffee consumption, but I plugged through the day and am looking forward to a good night sleep tonight!
Thanksgiving weekend was productive. I decorated and wrapped all the gifts. Still have just a few more gifts to purchase. Mom is working on my greeting cards- getting them stuffed, stamped, etc. She is being a huge help and it's keeping her busy and giving her a sense of purpose. It's a win-win, although today she used a bad word when talking about the stamps! Bill & I watched a few good movies and a funny stand up comedy show.
Michael was home from college for the week and went back on Friday night. It was so good to see him! He has grown up. Yep, 3 months living on his own at college and he's a different person. He is more social, he is more mature looking and his aura is more mature. I know when I left him at RIT, I was confident that he was in a good place and in good hands with the staff and that he had a good roommate from a good family. Right on target! Found out that he has been going to church back there, which amazes me. It says that something was done right with this kid. He got it. He has values and stays true to them. It's very cool that he goes to church with his roommate and roomie's best friend. They really are the three amigos and are planning on getting an apartment on campus for next year together. I'm so happy for him and this experience that college is proving to be for him. Also excited that he received another $5000 scholarship to cover "the gap"- money that his Aunt Charl & I have been covering- so yippee- we are off the hook for the most part this year!
Now if we could only get through to his brother. I am very much at a loss. He is so disrespectful not only to his father to but Bill & I. I don't get it. We have done nothing wrong to him, we help to take care of him - offer him food if we're making something for ourselves, we try to talk to him..he just doesn't interact at all and when cornered, it's like pulling teeth to get any answers to questions. Yet, when talking to his instructors at school, they all say he is very respectful and courteous to them- so why do we rate such inferior treatment? I'm sure it's a reflection of his anger with his dad- but dad is simply being a disciplinarian, trying to make sure this kid does what he's supposed to do- his homework. It's that simple- just do your school work. But he doesn't and then his video game time gets adjusted to fewer hours and then he gets even pissier. I'm sure we're to blame because Bill controls the internet in this house and can set up rules that turn his computer on and off of the internet- this is something that his dad was never able to achieve. So hence we are the bad guys. He is addicted to his computer video games and can and has played them for hours on end- he has stayed up all night long (this is when the internet was unlimited on weekends)- then sleep all day. Of course, when the schedule has to change for the school week, he gets even nastier with any of us around.
It really makes me sad, it also pisses me off. Like I said- Bill & I have done nothing wrong. We've been loving and kind. We've tried to lend support. We don't deserve this treatment, but what do you do when someone doesn't talk to you or to anyone you know? How do you get through? I realize that part of this behavior is just plain "teenager" behavior, but I also know that he is very troubled by things that have happened in his life and he uses these situations as excuses to not try. Every once in awhile I see him laugh and/or exhibit some behavior that makes him appear to be happy, but that is very few and far between.
Yikes! How did I get to be 47? Really?? Ok- I won't focus on the age. It has been quite a year though and ready for a new chapter! Anyway, it has been a wonderful birthday. I received over 200 birthday wishes via Facebook, emails, text, phone, snail mail- pretty wonderful stuff. The wishes started coming in before Thanksgiving! Bill took me to SF for a romantic dinner near Union Square. The restaurant left a bit to be desired- if you're going to charge those sort of prices, you better be damn good and it just wasn't! Tonight's dinner with Diane & Mike was about the same cost for 4 of us and much better! Lots of celebrating, but I'll be happy to get out of food coma mode! I did something today that I had not done in a long time- I spent time with my mother on my birthday! Usually the family celebration is on Thanksgiving, so when my actual birthday falls on Thanksgiving I'm with her, but now that she lives so close, I was able to spend a few hours with her and had fun helping her to decorate her apartment with Christmas decorations. I also had a massage, which was excellent- the only thing missing from today was a much needed nap- HA! I slept so minimally last night due to coffee consumption, but I plugged through the day and am looking forward to a good night sleep tonight!
Thanksgiving weekend was productive. I decorated and wrapped all the gifts. Still have just a few more gifts to purchase. Mom is working on my greeting cards- getting them stuffed, stamped, etc. She is being a huge help and it's keeping her busy and giving her a sense of purpose. It's a win-win, although today she used a bad word when talking about the stamps! Bill & I watched a few good movies and a funny stand up comedy show.
Michael was home from college for the week and went back on Friday night. It was so good to see him! He has grown up. Yep, 3 months living on his own at college and he's a different person. He is more social, he is more mature looking and his aura is more mature. I know when I left him at RIT, I was confident that he was in a good place and in good hands with the staff and that he had a good roommate from a good family. Right on target! Found out that he has been going to church back there, which amazes me. It says that something was done right with this kid. He got it. He has values and stays true to them. It's very cool that he goes to church with his roommate and roomie's best friend. They really are the three amigos and are planning on getting an apartment on campus for next year together. I'm so happy for him and this experience that college is proving to be for him. Also excited that he received another $5000 scholarship to cover "the gap"- money that his Aunt Charl & I have been covering- so yippee- we are off the hook for the most part this year!
Now if we could only get through to his brother. I am very much at a loss. He is so disrespectful not only to his father to but Bill & I. I don't get it. We have done nothing wrong to him, we help to take care of him - offer him food if we're making something for ourselves, we try to talk to him..he just doesn't interact at all and when cornered, it's like pulling teeth to get any answers to questions. Yet, when talking to his instructors at school, they all say he is very respectful and courteous to them- so why do we rate such inferior treatment? I'm sure it's a reflection of his anger with his dad- but dad is simply being a disciplinarian, trying to make sure this kid does what he's supposed to do- his homework. It's that simple- just do your school work. But he doesn't and then his video game time gets adjusted to fewer hours and then he gets even pissier. I'm sure we're to blame because Bill controls the internet in this house and can set up rules that turn his computer on and off of the internet- this is something that his dad was never able to achieve. So hence we are the bad guys. He is addicted to his computer video games and can and has played them for hours on end- he has stayed up all night long (this is when the internet was unlimited on weekends)- then sleep all day. Of course, when the schedule has to change for the school week, he gets even nastier with any of us around.
It really makes me sad, it also pisses me off. Like I said- Bill & I have done nothing wrong. We've been loving and kind. We've tried to lend support. We don't deserve this treatment, but what do you do when someone doesn't talk to you or to anyone you know? How do you get through? I realize that part of this behavior is just plain "teenager" behavior, but I also know that he is very troubled by things that have happened in his life and he uses these situations as excuses to not try. Every once in awhile I see him laugh and/or exhibit some behavior that makes him appear to be happy, but that is very few and far between.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Not a GREAT weekend, but a decent one...
The only reason this wasn't a great weekend was the fact that mom ended up needing to go to the ER again today. Gosh, what else can go wrong? She was concerned that she had some bloody stools and although we didn't really get an answer at the ER about this particular symptom, we did get the results from Friday's urine test (something her PCP requested to help try to determine why she has been getting up numerous times in the night to pee for over a month now)- well turns out she has a UTI, let's add that to the "bucket list" of things she's had this year. The cure? Yep, antibiotics. Only 5 days and the ER Doctor said that he and her PCP discussed and both agree that a short dose like this runs a very minimal risk of aggravating C-diff. While I am usually a very optimistic person, I remain guarded on this one because she has been hit by that friggin relentless infection over and over again. It's just NOT FAIR! I told her that we are going to boost her immune system in any way that we can so that the nasty c-diff can't attack her system. She starts the 5 day treatment tomorrow after I pick up the prescription. As for the GI bleed, well we need to follow up with the GI doctor and I'm sure that will involve some no so nice tests. Based on my research (ain't Google grand?), I am guessing that the symptoms are related to the Colitis or else she now has something else like Hemmoroids, Diverticulitis...who knows! But the bottom line, we can be thankful that she did not get admitted into the hospital- she went home and she was very excited to go home.
But the rest of the weekend....Friday I hit a Zumba class to continue with my revived fitness goals and it was go great to see Angie and dance with her! Such a great instructor and I love her class! Hard to not smile while sweating up a storm! Took mom to 3 Doctor appointments and they all went very well. Heart Doctor was happy to see her doing so well, Vascular said the leg is still healing at a good pace and then the ENT said that her loss of hearing is probably related to her weight loss and it should come back with some weight gain. But she probably has some level of hearing loss that is common with age - we have a hearing test scheduled for next month.
Saturday I had a great Body Pump class, brought back an old release and it was a tough class. We had a full house with several new members. I always love getting new participants, but this close to the holidays, I just love them even more. After class, ran some errands and relaxed until it was time to head to our first holiday party of the season at Molly & Andy's house. A fun time with a bunch of crazy, fun-loving people! Really had a fun time, except my foot didn't allow me to dance as much as I would have loved. Maybe my boots are out of the question for awhile. Next modification.
Today, slept in and then Bill & I had massages and although our afternoon date of Mexican lunch and a movie was canceled due to the trip to the ER, we did go out to Mexican dinner once mom was back at home. Highlight of the day though is that Michael is home from college for Thanksgiving break! He brought with him a mustache and gotee... he looks so much older. But it's great to have him home, my brother is beyond excited to have his first born back and it was very heart warming to see both brothers sitting at the dining room table "geeking" out together over computer stuff.
Time now to get to sleep as this is going to be a short, but busy week. At the moment we don't have any Doctor appointments, but I suspect that will change since we need to follow up with mom's PCP and the GI doc. I have housecleaning and carpet cleaning scheduled for this week and then decorating commences on Friday. Almost done Christmas shopping- just 5 people to "finish up"- they are somewhat done, but final touches are needed. YAY!
The only reason this wasn't a great weekend was the fact that mom ended up needing to go to the ER again today. Gosh, what else can go wrong? She was concerned that she had some bloody stools and although we didn't really get an answer at the ER about this particular symptom, we did get the results from Friday's urine test (something her PCP requested to help try to determine why she has been getting up numerous times in the night to pee for over a month now)- well turns out she has a UTI, let's add that to the "bucket list" of things she's had this year. The cure? Yep, antibiotics. Only 5 days and the ER Doctor said that he and her PCP discussed and both agree that a short dose like this runs a very minimal risk of aggravating C-diff. While I am usually a very optimistic person, I remain guarded on this one because she has been hit by that friggin relentless infection over and over again. It's just NOT FAIR! I told her that we are going to boost her immune system in any way that we can so that the nasty c-diff can't attack her system. She starts the 5 day treatment tomorrow after I pick up the prescription. As for the GI bleed, well we need to follow up with the GI doctor and I'm sure that will involve some no so nice tests. Based on my research (ain't Google grand?), I am guessing that the symptoms are related to the Colitis or else she now has something else like Hemmoroids, Diverticulitis...who knows! But the bottom line, we can be thankful that she did not get admitted into the hospital- she went home and she was very excited to go home.
But the rest of the weekend....Friday I hit a Zumba class to continue with my revived fitness goals and it was go great to see Angie and dance with her! Such a great instructor and I love her class! Hard to not smile while sweating up a storm! Took mom to 3 Doctor appointments and they all went very well. Heart Doctor was happy to see her doing so well, Vascular said the leg is still healing at a good pace and then the ENT said that her loss of hearing is probably related to her weight loss and it should come back with some weight gain. But she probably has some level of hearing loss that is common with age - we have a hearing test scheduled for next month.
Saturday I had a great Body Pump class, brought back an old release and it was a tough class. We had a full house with several new members. I always love getting new participants, but this close to the holidays, I just love them even more. After class, ran some errands and relaxed until it was time to head to our first holiday party of the season at Molly & Andy's house. A fun time with a bunch of crazy, fun-loving people! Really had a fun time, except my foot didn't allow me to dance as much as I would have loved. Maybe my boots are out of the question for awhile. Next modification.
Today, slept in and then Bill & I had massages and although our afternoon date of Mexican lunch and a movie was canceled due to the trip to the ER, we did go out to Mexican dinner once mom was back at home. Highlight of the day though is that Michael is home from college for Thanksgiving break! He brought with him a mustache and gotee... he looks so much older. But it's great to have him home, my brother is beyond excited to have his first born back and it was very heart warming to see both brothers sitting at the dining room table "geeking" out together over computer stuff.
Time now to get to sleep as this is going to be a short, but busy week. At the moment we don't have any Doctor appointments, but I suspect that will change since we need to follow up with mom's PCP and the GI doc. I have housecleaning and carpet cleaning scheduled for this week and then decorating commences on Friday. Almost done Christmas shopping- just 5 people to "finish up"- they are somewhat done, but final touches are needed. YAY!
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Back to Basics....
Long overdue, but it's time once again to start taking care of me. I had a really fun day with my mom today, took her out shopping. We found a chair at Hoot Judkins for her dining table- one with arms so that getting out of it is easier for her. Then we went to Kohl's to look for new chair pads (maybe) but found that they didn't carry them, but mom felt cheated since that was the purpose of our trip and insisted that we still "shop"...she wasn't sure what, but she wanted to buy something. So she ended up with 4 sweaters (like she needs any to add to the 50+ that she already has) a new kitchen towel and two bathroom washcloths. LOL. Well, of course I started "shopping"- I did pick up the bra that I intended on buying, but then came home with potentially 4 very cute "holiday" appropriate sparkly tops. I am keeping 2 for sure, returning 1 for sure an might gift the other. I may be inclined to buy another color of one of the ones I'm keeping, we'll see. After Kohl's we went to Safeway and then finally back to mom's apartment with all the goods to unpack.
I was able to load up her walker to get everything up to her apartment, I carried the new chair. Got everything unpacked, put away and then got her meds updated for the week in the little "days of the week" containers. We sat and relaxed for a bit and then I had to get back to work and also had my own groceries to unload.
All day long, my back had been bothering me. In fact, it was bothering me for the last two days and I can only guess that I either tweaked it doing God knows what or my Monday adjustment just didn't cut it for me. My adjustment was by Dr. John and I usually go to Dr Matteo and while they are both excellent chiropractors- my body is just used to Dr. Matteo. I may need to go see him tomorrow to get me back in gear. But that also got me to thinking about the extra weight I've been carrying around for months. I'm not proud, but I've gained back almost all of the 30 pounds that I lost last year. Without a doubt, I have been pre-occupied taking care of others and living a less than ideal lifestyle for losing weight. Eating on the run, not getting in any workouts outside of the 3 classes I teach, attacking any and all sweets that find their way into the house and yes I help some of them into the house as well. Much of it = stress eating. I am a stress eater, always have been and probably always will be, but ever since I initially lost all my "unhappy" weight back in 1999-2000, even if I stress ate, I was working out like a crazy woman so it did not impact my overall appearance.
However, I am not 35 anymore and the 40's are not kind to women going through "the change". I can't tell you how much I HATE when my mom tries to be nice and tells me "you're going through the change" - I know that I am, but I am also in denial that it will impact me in horrible weight ways. I know that she is just trying to be supportive and nice and give me an explanation. Oye.
I love chocolate, I love wine, I love pastas, I love sweets (cookies, cakes, donuts - you name it)...so any weight loss plan is very hard and challenging for me. But I have been successful in the past, so I know with the right set of circumstances, I CAN do this again. I just have to get over myself and realize that I do have to do this again. I need to work out. I'm not even going to say I need to increase my workouts-- I'm not working out. I am teaching 3 classes a week, this does not equal working out. Yes, I get a workout and damn Tuesday night I thought I was going to die. Today I took the first step. I saw a Facebook post by a fitness colleague who was teaching RPM tonight at the Y. Well, for the first time I was actually available on a Thursday and decided to go take her class. I can't even tell you the last time I've taken a class. RPM kicked my butt, I was so winded at the end that I thought I was going to barf. I worked out so much harder than I do when I teach. With the intensity with which I was working tonight, I couldn't talk. It felt good to be a student, to get in the zone, to not care about the other people in class, to engage one on one with the instructor with body language and facial gestures and not be the one who "matters". I mean instructors matter- but I wasn't in the spot light, I could just enjoy getting my workout on.
So here is the plan. I am going to get in 3-4 workouts per week, starting now. I'm going to start going to Angie's Zumba class on Fridays and Mondays. I think I'm going to try to get to Rosa's RPM regularly on Thursays, but may also try to get to Darlene's Spin at the OFJCC on Mondays and/or Fridays. I need to find some yoga classes that fit my schedule. I'd love to go take BodyFlow, but it's not offered at any of the gyms where I teach (aka - have access). Not sure if I can get into classes as an instructor guest, but will try. (Hint, Hint- if you are a BodyFlow instructor reading this blog, let me know if you can get me into your class). AND long overdue, but it's time to get back to dancing! My foot has not been bothering me at all lately, so perhaps it is heeled. There is only one way to find out - I need to dance, dance, dance! I am going to reduce my intake of my beloved foods. I can't cut them out completely and it would be sabotage to say "NO" wine, chocolate, sweets, etc. Hell, the holidays are here and I don't want to be deprived, but I will exercise "moderation".
Timeline of my goals. Goal #1 - lose 5 pounds by the end of the year. I'd love 10, but trying to keep it real, we have birthdays, parties, holidays.. OH MY! Goal #2 - lose another 5-10 pounds by Maui which is January 23rd. I would prefer to look at whales in the ocean on a boat vs. looking into the mirror and feeling like a whale! Goal #3 - A total loss of 15-20 pounds by March 21st- I just signed up for the Les Mills Super Quarterly in Vegas. A weekend of fitness bliss and I want to feel comfortable in my skin, I will be meeting some instructors who I am only friends with via Facebook and will be side by side with instructors from my area who I rarely see and I don't want to be the "fat instructor"- screw my Doctor and her comment last year that I will always be a "fit person with weight struggles" - I am determined to be the person I was 8 years ago when I met Bill. I was fit, I was skinny (size 6) and I had abs...YES, I did! I still do, but they are hibernating. :-0 So it is time, I'm ready to find that person that I once was. Things are much better with mom now, she is back to being at her apartment and although there are Doctor visits to tend to, it's just much easier having her "out" of institutions.
Time for me to go to bed and get up to work in the morning, then get to 930am Zumba class, work a bit more and then pick up mom for her trifecta of Doctor appointments!
Long overdue, but it's time once again to start taking care of me. I had a really fun day with my mom today, took her out shopping. We found a chair at Hoot Judkins for her dining table- one with arms so that getting out of it is easier for her. Then we went to Kohl's to look for new chair pads (maybe) but found that they didn't carry them, but mom felt cheated since that was the purpose of our trip and insisted that we still "shop"...she wasn't sure what, but she wanted to buy something. So she ended up with 4 sweaters (like she needs any to add to the 50+ that she already has) a new kitchen towel and two bathroom washcloths. LOL. Well, of course I started "shopping"- I did pick up the bra that I intended on buying, but then came home with potentially 4 very cute "holiday" appropriate sparkly tops. I am keeping 2 for sure, returning 1 for sure an might gift the other. I may be inclined to buy another color of one of the ones I'm keeping, we'll see. After Kohl's we went to Safeway and then finally back to mom's apartment with all the goods to unpack.
I was able to load up her walker to get everything up to her apartment, I carried the new chair. Got everything unpacked, put away and then got her meds updated for the week in the little "days of the week" containers. We sat and relaxed for a bit and then I had to get back to work and also had my own groceries to unload.
All day long, my back had been bothering me. In fact, it was bothering me for the last two days and I can only guess that I either tweaked it doing God knows what or my Monday adjustment just didn't cut it for me. My adjustment was by Dr. John and I usually go to Dr Matteo and while they are both excellent chiropractors- my body is just used to Dr. Matteo. I may need to go see him tomorrow to get me back in gear. But that also got me to thinking about the extra weight I've been carrying around for months. I'm not proud, but I've gained back almost all of the 30 pounds that I lost last year. Without a doubt, I have been pre-occupied taking care of others and living a less than ideal lifestyle for losing weight. Eating on the run, not getting in any workouts outside of the 3 classes I teach, attacking any and all sweets that find their way into the house and yes I help some of them into the house as well. Much of it = stress eating. I am a stress eater, always have been and probably always will be, but ever since I initially lost all my "unhappy" weight back in 1999-2000, even if I stress ate, I was working out like a crazy woman so it did not impact my overall appearance.
However, I am not 35 anymore and the 40's are not kind to women going through "the change". I can't tell you how much I HATE when my mom tries to be nice and tells me "you're going through the change" - I know that I am, but I am also in denial that it will impact me in horrible weight ways. I know that she is just trying to be supportive and nice and give me an explanation. Oye.
I love chocolate, I love wine, I love pastas, I love sweets (cookies, cakes, donuts - you name it)...so any weight loss plan is very hard and challenging for me. But I have been successful in the past, so I know with the right set of circumstances, I CAN do this again. I just have to get over myself and realize that I do have to do this again. I need to work out. I'm not even going to say I need to increase my workouts-- I'm not working out. I am teaching 3 classes a week, this does not equal working out. Yes, I get a workout and damn Tuesday night I thought I was going to die. Today I took the first step. I saw a Facebook post by a fitness colleague who was teaching RPM tonight at the Y. Well, for the first time I was actually available on a Thursday and decided to go take her class. I can't even tell you the last time I've taken a class. RPM kicked my butt, I was so winded at the end that I thought I was going to barf. I worked out so much harder than I do when I teach. With the intensity with which I was working tonight, I couldn't talk. It felt good to be a student, to get in the zone, to not care about the other people in class, to engage one on one with the instructor with body language and facial gestures and not be the one who "matters". I mean instructors matter- but I wasn't in the spot light, I could just enjoy getting my workout on.
So here is the plan. I am going to get in 3-4 workouts per week, starting now. I'm going to start going to Angie's Zumba class on Fridays and Mondays. I think I'm going to try to get to Rosa's RPM regularly on Thursays, but may also try to get to Darlene's Spin at the OFJCC on Mondays and/or Fridays. I need to find some yoga classes that fit my schedule. I'd love to go take BodyFlow, but it's not offered at any of the gyms where I teach (aka - have access). Not sure if I can get into classes as an instructor guest, but will try. (Hint, Hint- if you are a BodyFlow instructor reading this blog, let me know if you can get me into your class). AND long overdue, but it's time to get back to dancing! My foot has not been bothering me at all lately, so perhaps it is heeled. There is only one way to find out - I need to dance, dance, dance! I am going to reduce my intake of my beloved foods. I can't cut them out completely and it would be sabotage to say "NO" wine, chocolate, sweets, etc. Hell, the holidays are here and I don't want to be deprived, but I will exercise "moderation".
Timeline of my goals. Goal #1 - lose 5 pounds by the end of the year. I'd love 10, but trying to keep it real, we have birthdays, parties, holidays.. OH MY! Goal #2 - lose another 5-10 pounds by Maui which is January 23rd. I would prefer to look at whales in the ocean on a boat vs. looking into the mirror and feeling like a whale! Goal #3 - A total loss of 15-20 pounds by March 21st- I just signed up for the Les Mills Super Quarterly in Vegas. A weekend of fitness bliss and I want to feel comfortable in my skin, I will be meeting some instructors who I am only friends with via Facebook and will be side by side with instructors from my area who I rarely see and I don't want to be the "fat instructor"- screw my Doctor and her comment last year that I will always be a "fit person with weight struggles" - I am determined to be the person I was 8 years ago when I met Bill. I was fit, I was skinny (size 6) and I had abs...YES, I did! I still do, but they are hibernating. :-0 So it is time, I'm ready to find that person that I once was. Things are much better with mom now, she is back to being at her apartment and although there are Doctor visits to tend to, it's just much easier having her "out" of institutions.
Home Sweet Home!
Well, mom was released last Friday back to her apartment. YAY! She was a little nervous going back to her apartment and hoping that she'd be ok living on her own once again and I was confident, just needed to get her to believe she could do it. It's so cliche, but so true- if you believe it, it can happen - but as soon as you implement negative thoughts and words, you are setting yourself up to fail. Once she was all settled, I went home, but I have been over to see her everyday to take care of bandage changes and each day she does a little bit more.
She has had very warm welcomes from other residents and workers who missed her and that really lifted her spirits. Part of returning "home" was hoping that people would remember her. Things have been going pretty well for her so far. The Physical Therapist came on Monday and basically said if all her patients were like mom, she's be out of a job. She was very impressed with everything mom was able to do for herself.
Mom has had three Doctor Appointments in the last week. First to meet her new primary care Physician and we both really like him. He seems pretty real and very thorough. It was a nice long "getting to know you" first visit. Thursday we saw her Vascular Doctor and she is very pleased with the progress on the leg wounds- so that is coming along very nicely. Monday we saw her eye Doctor and everything remained status quo. So a few great visits. We have three appointments for Friday: check up with the cardiologist, weekly appointment with the Vascular Doctor and then an appointment with her new ENT to try to figure out why her hearing has been impaired the last 6 weeks. In doing a bit of research online today, by mom's request- it could very well be a side effect to the vancomycin medication she's been taking. She has had this hearing issue several times this year and we attributed it to "white noise" in hospitals and rehab facilities, but now maybe it has to do with the constant antibiotic she's been on and off of. It'll be nice to get to the bottom of that issue and put it behind us. I don't believe her hearing is lost, I do believe this is a temporary thing.
I have received so many compliments from the Doctors and the PT this past week about how wonderfully organized I am with regard to mom's medical history and health care. Her PCP asked me if I was an Engineer because of my attention to detail and lists and spreadsheets. Of course, I told him I was a Travel Engineer! HA! It's very flattering, but on the other side of things- do they really not come into contact with people like me who actually take care of their parents that often? It makes me sad. My mom has often talked about being a burden, but I reassure her that she is not a burden and that she raised me right- I wouldn't be her daughter if I didn't do this. She raised me and now is my time to payback to her for everything she has done for me. We remain the best of friends.
We have a fun day planned tomorrow. She wants to buy some new seat cushions for her kitchen chairs to make them a bit safer and would also like to find a new chair with arms for a bit of ease in getting out of the chair she sits in most of the time. So we're going to shop for that and then stop by Safeway to get the groceries on her list. It'll be nice to get her out for something other than a Doctor appointment.
She is enjoying her view from her apartment. She has mentioned multiple times that she is very happy her trees are still green and have leaves. I have no idea which trees shed their leaves and which keep them, but I think if her trees outside her window were going to shed, they would have by now. It's really a pretty view. She also now has her holiday windsocks hanging, so she gets a kick out of her Turkey windsock blowing around.
It's funny how it's so much easier to visit her at her apartment than it is at a hospital or rehab facility. I guess it's the comfort level, it's being in a colorful, happy place with happy things all around. Facilities are all white and bland and boring. They are not comfortable. Now to just keep her "home"...
Yesterday she said to me, "you're right, I need to overcome my fear." Something I've told her over and over again because I truly believe that once she had her fall at Lytton Gardens she was gun shy to do things. Then she says to me, "I used the toilet". I looked at her with a smile and said "ummm ok- well you do that all the time" and then she says, "no, I used THE toilet" - the one that she was unable to get up from on 10/3- the day she was then taken to the ER. She has been afraid of getting stuck on the toilet seat ever since and I think she finally realized that it wasn't that the seat is lower than she's like- it was that she was sick, she was weak, she was dehydrated and was unable to pull herself up. She is much stronger now, stronger again.
I have always said that what she has needed most from me and the family is for us to be her "cheerleaders" and reassure her that she can do this, that she can have a fulfilling life, that she can enjoy her new home and people that surround her. Hoping to get her out into her new city soon so that we can scope out coffee shops that she will feel comfortable "hanging out" in a few times a week so she can meet and socialize with non-senior citizens.
I can say that she sounds so much better now that she is home. Just a level of happiness in her voice that I have not heard in weeks...now we just have to keep this momentum going in the positive, upward direction!
Well, mom was released last Friday back to her apartment. YAY! She was a little nervous going back to her apartment and hoping that she'd be ok living on her own once again and I was confident, just needed to get her to believe she could do it. It's so cliche, but so true- if you believe it, it can happen - but as soon as you implement negative thoughts and words, you are setting yourself up to fail. Once she was all settled, I went home, but I have been over to see her everyday to take care of bandage changes and each day she does a little bit more.
She has had very warm welcomes from other residents and workers who missed her and that really lifted her spirits. Part of returning "home" was hoping that people would remember her. Things have been going pretty well for her so far. The Physical Therapist came on Monday and basically said if all her patients were like mom, she's be out of a job. She was very impressed with everything mom was able to do for herself.
Mom has had three Doctor Appointments in the last week. First to meet her new primary care Physician and we both really like him. He seems pretty real and very thorough. It was a nice long "getting to know you" first visit. Thursday we saw her Vascular Doctor and she is very pleased with the progress on the leg wounds- so that is coming along very nicely. Monday we saw her eye Doctor and everything remained status quo. So a few great visits. We have three appointments for Friday: check up with the cardiologist, weekly appointment with the Vascular Doctor and then an appointment with her new ENT to try to figure out why her hearing has been impaired the last 6 weeks. In doing a bit of research online today, by mom's request- it could very well be a side effect to the vancomycin medication she's been taking. She has had this hearing issue several times this year and we attributed it to "white noise" in hospitals and rehab facilities, but now maybe it has to do with the constant antibiotic she's been on and off of. It'll be nice to get to the bottom of that issue and put it behind us. I don't believe her hearing is lost, I do believe this is a temporary thing.
I have received so many compliments from the Doctors and the PT this past week about how wonderfully organized I am with regard to mom's medical history and health care. Her PCP asked me if I was an Engineer because of my attention to detail and lists and spreadsheets. Of course, I told him I was a Travel Engineer! HA! It's very flattering, but on the other side of things- do they really not come into contact with people like me who actually take care of their parents that often? It makes me sad. My mom has often talked about being a burden, but I reassure her that she is not a burden and that she raised me right- I wouldn't be her daughter if I didn't do this. She raised me and now is my time to payback to her for everything she has done for me. We remain the best of friends.
We have a fun day planned tomorrow. She wants to buy some new seat cushions for her kitchen chairs to make them a bit safer and would also like to find a new chair with arms for a bit of ease in getting out of the chair she sits in most of the time. So we're going to shop for that and then stop by Safeway to get the groceries on her list. It'll be nice to get her out for something other than a Doctor appointment.
She is enjoying her view from her apartment. She has mentioned multiple times that she is very happy her trees are still green and have leaves. I have no idea which trees shed their leaves and which keep them, but I think if her trees outside her window were going to shed, they would have by now. It's really a pretty view. She also now has her holiday windsocks hanging, so she gets a kick out of her Turkey windsock blowing around.
It's funny how it's so much easier to visit her at her apartment than it is at a hospital or rehab facility. I guess it's the comfort level, it's being in a colorful, happy place with happy things all around. Facilities are all white and bland and boring. They are not comfortable. Now to just keep her "home"...
Yesterday she said to me, "you're right, I need to overcome my fear." Something I've told her over and over again because I truly believe that once she had her fall at Lytton Gardens she was gun shy to do things. Then she says to me, "I used the toilet". I looked at her with a smile and said "ummm ok- well you do that all the time" and then she says, "no, I used THE toilet" - the one that she was unable to get up from on 10/3- the day she was then taken to the ER. She has been afraid of getting stuck on the toilet seat ever since and I think she finally realized that it wasn't that the seat is lower than she's like- it was that she was sick, she was weak, she was dehydrated and was unable to pull herself up. She is much stronger now, stronger again.
I have always said that what she has needed most from me and the family is for us to be her "cheerleaders" and reassure her that she can do this, that she can have a fulfilling life, that she can enjoy her new home and people that surround her. Hoping to get her out into her new city soon so that we can scope out coffee shops that she will feel comfortable "hanging out" in a few times a week so she can meet and socialize with non-senior citizens.
I can say that she sounds so much better now that she is home. Just a level of happiness in her voice that I have not heard in weeks...now we just have to keep this momentum going in the positive, upward direction!
Friday, November 09, 2012
It's going to be a GREAT weekend!
I am so ready for this weekend and excited to make it a productive weekend. We don't have much planned, which is on purpose. We declined two party invitations and I have lots of stuff on my "to do" list. I have photobooks to make, I have my website to update, I have my client list to get ready for holiday greeting cards, I need to make those cards and get ready to order them. I am going to get completely caught up with all trip quotes.
I plan to clean out the master bathroom and get ready for demolition, which I think will probably be next weekend. We have to pick out the cabinet wood and order the tiles and then it's project underway. I'm getting excited, but so hard to pick these things out. It's not my strength. Time is flying by way too quickly these days and I am a bit hesitant that things will get done "in time". The garage is so messy right now and it's going to take a miracle to get it ready for our annual holiday party. I am thankful that we have an extra Saturday in December and that I pushed the party to the 3rd Saturday- more time to get things ready!
The very good news is that mom gets to go home tomorrow. I think she is pretty excited to get back "home". Her leg wounds are healing very nicely and she still has about 2 weeks left on the vancomycin regimen. Although that is being given for the C-diff, it is also helping with the leg wounds too- so that is good. Now I just pray that nothing else goes wrong...she deserves a break and needs to start having fun! Going to stop working early tomorrow to get her transferred to her apartment and then going to the movies with my BFF and the two older kiddos! Great way to start off the weekend. I may even go dancing tomorrow night, although I'm also ok with staying home and continuing with my productiveness. We'll see.
I am so ready for this weekend and excited to make it a productive weekend. We don't have much planned, which is on purpose. We declined two party invitations and I have lots of stuff on my "to do" list. I have photobooks to make, I have my website to update, I have my client list to get ready for holiday greeting cards, I need to make those cards and get ready to order them. I am going to get completely caught up with all trip quotes.
I plan to clean out the master bathroom and get ready for demolition, which I think will probably be next weekend. We have to pick out the cabinet wood and order the tiles and then it's project underway. I'm getting excited, but so hard to pick these things out. It's not my strength. Time is flying by way too quickly these days and I am a bit hesitant that things will get done "in time". The garage is so messy right now and it's going to take a miracle to get it ready for our annual holiday party. I am thankful that we have an extra Saturday in December and that I pushed the party to the 3rd Saturday- more time to get things ready!
The very good news is that mom gets to go home tomorrow. I think she is pretty excited to get back "home". Her leg wounds are healing very nicely and she still has about 2 weeks left on the vancomycin regimen. Although that is being given for the C-diff, it is also helping with the leg wounds too- so that is good. Now I just pray that nothing else goes wrong...she deserves a break and needs to start having fun! Going to stop working early tomorrow to get her transferred to her apartment and then going to the movies with my BFF and the two older kiddos! Great way to start off the weekend. I may even go dancing tomorrow night, although I'm also ok with staying home and continuing with my productiveness. We'll see.
Wednesday, November 07, 2012
Slowing Down...
It has been a crazy year and I am ready to slow down. Yes, you heard it right here from the Horst's mouth. Last week ended the baseball season and I had not realized just how much baseball had consumed my life- well certainly my October. What a fantabulous ride, but I look back on the month and I was seriously unproductive! But I do have lots of memories to last me a lifetime. Of course, the missing link to the season was the fact that I could not attend the Victory Parade on 10/31, but I did the next best thing. We arrived at the airport with plenty of time to get set up on the laptop to watch the parade online. I did get to see all of it and hear the speeches in front of City Hall. So very proud of my GIANTS.
It has taken me a week, but I finally changed my Facebook profile picture and cover photo and took down my "Orange". I also had my nails done and no longer done the orange & black nail color. A bit depressing, but then again I have 49er football to occupy my time and fortunately that is just about 4 hours per week! I need that to slow down.
Last week was very unproductive since our stay in CT was extended thanks to Hurricane Sandy, and then I came down with a very brief cold- enough to knock me down for a day. I do think that I was smart and instantly slowed down and was able to nip the cold in the bud. The weekend was not super busy, so that also helped and I realized that I am in need of some down time. Bill asked me what we had planned for this coming weekend and we had two "maybe" replies to parties and he said he'd rather stay at home and I concurred. He's been super busy at work and put in two back to back 14 hour days when we finally got back from CT. He also worked all weekend.
This week is my normal, lots of things to get done sort of week and add into that 2 Doctor appointments for mom and hopefully a discharge/move back to her apartment type of week. But I am really looking forward to a weekend of staying home- oh but wait, this might be demo weekend on bathroom #1, that might just change the "feel" of the weekend from relaxed to stressed. Hmmm.
Checked another thing off my bucket list last night, went to see Barbra Streisand in concert. Can't believe she is 70 years old! So happy that I got to see her in concert. She was amazing and played a good portion of songs that I wanted to hear. From "Memories" to "Happy Days" to "Lost Inside of You" to "Evergreen" and so much more. My only complaint was that I wish she would have done more upbeat songs, but she is 70 and I'm sure those upbeat songs take so much more to pull off. What a legend.
I'm absolutely stunned that we are in November already. Where the hell has this year gone? Oh yes, I've been a bit preoccupied taking care of mom. What a year. I just pray that the worst is over for her and that upon this discharge she can go home to her apartment and start living again. The leg wounds are almost healed, think the pneumonia has taken care of itself, she has been exercising a lot and getting stronger. It's just about time that she has an easy go of things. That she has fun.
I am not ready for the holidays and should be starting to freak out anytime now. I am not anywhere close in finishing up shopping for gifts, but I need to. I have bought Bill a gift even though we said "no gifts" this year in lieu of our remodel projects. I just couldn't resist. While I am not ready for the holidays, I am ready for 2013. A fresh start, a new year, a good year. Although this year has not been particularly bad, it has just been very challenging and I just want my family and friends who I care about to have a good year, productive, happy, easy year.
Now that I will be slowing down...I will also start to ramp up my fitness. It's time. I have rested my foot for quite a bit now and it feels pretty good. I'm ready to put it to the test and see how I fair with dancing and walking. Just walking to/from the car last night for the concert (about 15 minutes each way) seemed to be good and I wasn't wearing walking shoes. I need to get back on track and start to lose the same 50 pounds that I started to lose last year. Time to take care of me. Slowing down will be good.
It has been a crazy year and I am ready to slow down. Yes, you heard it right here from the Horst's mouth. Last week ended the baseball season and I had not realized just how much baseball had consumed my life- well certainly my October. What a fantabulous ride, but I look back on the month and I was seriously unproductive! But I do have lots of memories to last me a lifetime. Of course, the missing link to the season was the fact that I could not attend the Victory Parade on 10/31, but I did the next best thing. We arrived at the airport with plenty of time to get set up on the laptop to watch the parade online. I did get to see all of it and hear the speeches in front of City Hall. So very proud of my GIANTS.
It has taken me a week, but I finally changed my Facebook profile picture and cover photo and took down my "Orange". I also had my nails done and no longer done the orange & black nail color. A bit depressing, but then again I have 49er football to occupy my time and fortunately that is just about 4 hours per week! I need that to slow down.
Last week was very unproductive since our stay in CT was extended thanks to Hurricane Sandy, and then I came down with a very brief cold- enough to knock me down for a day. I do think that I was smart and instantly slowed down and was able to nip the cold in the bud. The weekend was not super busy, so that also helped and I realized that I am in need of some down time. Bill asked me what we had planned for this coming weekend and we had two "maybe" replies to parties and he said he'd rather stay at home and I concurred. He's been super busy at work and put in two back to back 14 hour days when we finally got back from CT. He also worked all weekend.
This week is my normal, lots of things to get done sort of week and add into that 2 Doctor appointments for mom and hopefully a discharge/move back to her apartment type of week. But I am really looking forward to a weekend of staying home- oh but wait, this might be demo weekend on bathroom #1, that might just change the "feel" of the weekend from relaxed to stressed. Hmmm.
Checked another thing off my bucket list last night, went to see Barbra Streisand in concert. Can't believe she is 70 years old! So happy that I got to see her in concert. She was amazing and played a good portion of songs that I wanted to hear. From "Memories" to "Happy Days" to "Lost Inside of You" to "Evergreen" and so much more. My only complaint was that I wish she would have done more upbeat songs, but she is 70 and I'm sure those upbeat songs take so much more to pull off. What a legend.
I'm absolutely stunned that we are in November already. Where the hell has this year gone? Oh yes, I've been a bit preoccupied taking care of mom. What a year. I just pray that the worst is over for her and that upon this discharge she can go home to her apartment and start living again. The leg wounds are almost healed, think the pneumonia has taken care of itself, she has been exercising a lot and getting stronger. It's just about time that she has an easy go of things. That she has fun.
I am not ready for the holidays and should be starting to freak out anytime now. I am not anywhere close in finishing up shopping for gifts, but I need to. I have bought Bill a gift even though we said "no gifts" this year in lieu of our remodel projects. I just couldn't resist. While I am not ready for the holidays, I am ready for 2013. A fresh start, a new year, a good year. Although this year has not been particularly bad, it has just been very challenging and I just want my family and friends who I care about to have a good year, productive, happy, easy year.
Now that I will be slowing down...I will also start to ramp up my fitness. It's time. I have rested my foot for quite a bit now and it feels pretty good. I'm ready to put it to the test and see how I fair with dancing and walking. Just walking to/from the car last night for the concert (about 15 minutes each way) seemed to be good and I wasn't wearing walking shoes. I need to get back on track and start to lose the same 50 pounds that I started to lose last year. Time to take care of me. Slowing down will be good.
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