Conversation

I just came back from picking Blaine up from work and taking him home.   I took a different route home, past the Jamestown Business Center. 

As we drove past, Blaine leans over and says "That's your old apartment."   I said, "Yep".  

He goes on to say "He wasn't very nice to you." 

Me: "John?"

Blaine:  "Yep.  He wasn't very nice to you."

Me:  "You didn't like John."

Blaine:  "Nope.   I didn't.  I wouldn't come around until he was gone."

Me:  "You remember John?"

Blaine:  "Yep.  Grandpa and Dad didn't like him."

Me:  "They were right....so were you...he wasn't a very nice man"

Blaine:  "I won't let anyone hurt you like that again"

Me:  "Thank you Blaine, that means the world to me"


Blaine was very, very young when I was married to John.   I do not know if his conversation tonight was a result of his own feelings, or the feelings or conversations he heard between Terry and my Dad.   But for him to spontaneously bring this up in conversation was a bit unnerving to me.

I haven't thought of John in a while.   But now that his name was brought up, my thoughts turn to him and our marriage, brief that it was.   

You're right Blaine...he wasn't a nice man.  

Chilly Sunday

Greetings Blog Stalkers!

I don't know about you all, but I could do with a little less wind these days!  Holy Smokes!  

I've just finished writing/addressing invitations to my niece (and Goddaughter) baby shower, which I am hosting (along with her other Godmother) in November - which is just around the corner.   I cannot wait to see her!  She'll be home for a bit around Thanksgiving  then I may not see her again until after the baby is  born in January.  I'm uber excited to welcome baby LarBeck in to our family!

Speaking of family, we had our annual Schulz Oktoberfest last weekend.  The usual suspects showed up and once again, life was busy for those that could not make it yet again this year: Randy, Dennis. Michael, Joan, Karen and Wendi.    I understand completely how life can be, but every year I hope that those who can make it, make it.

What's been going on with me since the last post?

Well, let's see.....  

1) Work has been busy due to the fact that a co-worker has been ill and in the hospital quite a bit since the end of September.   I hope and pray that she is able to kick whatever is wrong with her (Doctor's aren't quite sure yet).  In the meanwhile, it's double duty for me and my other office co-worker.  In one respect it's good as it makes the days fly by quickly.  In other respects, it adds another layer of work on top of  an already full workload.   I'll survive and will gladly handle the added work.  I just want MM to get better.

2)  T is still dealing with his brother who is in the hospital - ICU - and has been since Sept. 12th.  He's still on a trachea and cannot seem to understand that the only thing keeping him on the trachea is himself.  He gets agitated and disgruntled and wants to pull the thing out, his hearbeat rises, his bp rises  and his ventilation goes through the roof.  Then they sedate him with this one drug that knocks him out....and then he's back to square one.  Stubborn!!   (I have a stronger word to use but out of respect for the ill,   I wont use it here.).    This, of course, is putting great stress on T.  (I believe I said that in earlier posts).  I am an in-law and try to keep my opinions to myself, but its difficult when I see the stress that it puts on T.     

3)  I am looking at making some changes to my yoga classes.  I've been doing the same thing for 10-11 years now and it's time to shake things up.  I can't and won't say that I'm going to stop teaching yoga - but I will say that I   am in need of a change as much for myself as for others.  Two of my students have gone on to become yoga teachers.  I'm so proud of them and all that they have become.  They are truly amazing women....and I'm glad that I've had a part in sparking their yoga journey.   So, if you're one of my students reading this...stay tuned.  Details to come later.  ;)

4)      I've kicked it up in the gym.  Boy, have I kicked it up!  My trainer has me on the AF app that allows him to tap in to food diary, send me  3 personalized workouts a week as well as 3-5 motivational texts.  It's an awesome way for him to ride my ass.  LOL   All is good until he checks my food diary....oh boy!    On Thursday nights, after I finish training with him,  I stay for the H.I.I.T  and the Total Core classes.  Love them!   With winter coming up and the being driver for Blaine, I don't know how much longer I can attend them, but for now I'm enjoying them.

5)  I'm doing good.  I still have issues with anxiety and letting my head (thoughts) get away from me from time to time.  But I believe that I've found healthy, constructive ways to deal with things....first and foremost being physical activity.   I have a wonderful group of friends who help to keep me focused and grounded.  I am not as worried about the winter S.A.D (Seasonal Affecttive Disorder) either as I have a plan for that too.  Snowshoeing!  I've come to realize it's not the lack of sunlight so much as the freedom of being outside.  In the summer , I'm outside as much as possible....winter, not so much.  So this year, that is going to change - at least that is the plan for now.  That  all might change when I get out there and do the actual snowshoeing!  LOL  Blaine, the Special Olympics Snowshoeing medalist, has even agreed to help me. (Hopefully he won't laugh too much!)

6)  Politics.  Anyone that knows me, knows that I don't talk much about politics or religion.  They're two subjects that I keep opinions to myself as I don't want to alienate anyone.  I'm even hesitant to write my opinions on my blog.  But what I will say is this.....this country is headed down a slippery slope and now more than ever, the people need to rise up and take control.  And if  President Trump leads us in to war with N. Korea.....God Help Us!

7)  Friends.  A alluded to friends earlier in #5.   I can't say enough about them.   Some I see often, some I see infrequently, but all are in my heart.   I don't know what I'd do without them...nor do I want to find out.  As one said to me last week, "together we can get through anything, as long as we have each other."  Yes,  Yes We Can!!!    

8)   In just a few short weeks, it'll mark the 1st year anniversary of my sister-in-law's (Pearl) passing.  My brother is living life, but he misses her tremendously.  Our Schulz Oktoberfest just wasn't the same without her.  And it was a stark reminder on how fast things can turn around in life.  All the more reason to live life large!

Well, so much for a just a quick post.  ;)     It's fall/winter....so I'll have more time to sit down and think about things to write about and actually have time to write.   Who knows what my mind will come up with.  

Until next time....

~Sherry~

So What's New?

I haven't written in quite a while, but that's OK...I've been living life.  :)

So what's new? 

Well, I turned 55 on September 9th.  On that day, I was traveling back from a trip to Nashville.  What an amazing time that was.   I managed to do some sightseeing, ate some wonderful food, attended the Grand Ol Opry (center stage, row 2!) and fell in love with Tennessee Teas!  (Yes, I got the recipe and will be trying them out!).   I met my friend, Rick and his wife Dara, for brunch and drinks.  That was perhaps the highlight of the trip....catching up with a good friend.  Of course, traveling with Georgia was a riot.  She always has me in stitches!  

Just this last weekend I, along with 3 other friends, spent the weekend at The Palmer House is Sauk Center, MN.  Oh my gosh!  What fun that was.  There was a group of about 15 of us - all either working at JRCC or affiliated with someone who works there.   We all experienced some sort of paranormal activity at one time or another.  It was an experience and one that I won't soon forget.   In fact, I'm looking forward to a repeat trip - if one is planned.  I'm not a ghost hunter, by any means, but I did enjoy the time away with friends.  

To say that I've fallen short of my 400 mile goal is an understatement.  I managed 200 miles prior to leaving for Nashville - and I haven't been on my bike since.  I'm disappointed, but I also know that it is  what it is.  I'll still get out few more times before the snow flies, hopefully.  Although I love summertime riding, fall is actually the best time.   Next year, I'll set another goal, and I will hit that one!

I've enjoyed my summer too much and it's showing on the scale.  I'm bumping up against that 5 lb weight gain.  I refuse to gain more.  So, I'm stepping up my gain in the gym.  I'm training hard with Nick and have started taking some additional classes at AF - HIIT and Total Core.   I've also started logging my food in MyFitnessPal and watching my macro nutrients.   It's all a process, but I'm determined to be a healthy 55 year old!  

On the home front, we're dealing with a bit of stress.  T's brother was hospitalized in ICU in Fargo three weeks ago.  He's been on a ventilator.  Without going on through all the sordid details, I'll just say that his hospitalization has put T in a bit of a tizzy.  My sister-in-law, whom I met for the first time 3 weeks ago, is a wonderful lady.  Wayne's daughter is here from Kentucky now, visiting her father.  I'm sure she's concerned for her father in her own special way.  They've had a very limited relationship throughout the years.  

So, I'm just hanging out, living each day as it happens...living life, being healthier, more focused and ..being me....or the best me I can be.