Bitter-Sweet

We took Mom to Dad's grave and then visited Randy's grave. My Iris (yellow and purple) were blooming and the Peonies were about to bloom. The bouquet was quite pretty and looked really nice on the grave sites.

Mom had knee surgery and is doing good with that knee, but her other knee is bothering her and also her heels. Charlie-Marie and I had to hold both arms and she leaned heavy on us to make it back to the car. She was looking at the front of the headstone and said in surprise "oh look they even put my name on it." I reminded her that she had them do it when daddy died. Then she remembered.

Mom was pretty shaky and a little emotional. Michael my tender heart was very emotional,When we went to Randy's grave, he didn't want to go because he would cry, and stayed in the car with Grandma. Ryan, as always was reverent, being so careful where to step.



When we got to Randy's grave they haven't been able to get the headstone yet, but we were pretty sure where he was buried. We located the outline of the cut grass and were able to place the flowers there. It was a tough moment for Clint, loosing his brother so recently. Charlie-Marie and Ryan immediately went to hug and console their dad. It really touched my heart. I remember Clint giving the dedicatory prayer and the spirit that was with him.

Some people may think me irreverent of the dead, but I truly believe that the body is just there, what makes them them, is their spirit. Having been blessed to feel the spirit of the 'dearly departed'(which I call them because that is what they are, dear and not with us for the moment)makes me know there is life beyond the mortal body. When Sister Herring(Charlie-Marie's piano teacher) and her husband died, Charlie was playing the piano and we both felt Sister Herring in our living room, telling us all was well and keep playing the piano. When Grandma Chapman died, we were standing in the cemetery around the casket. It was very clear and very cold. I felt a warmth encircle us. I knew it was Grandma giving us one last hug.
Michael and I went up to the cabin last year and were the only ones there for the night. As we were sitting on the front porch Dad visited us. Michael came and sat on my lap and both of us were crying. Dad was almost tangible.

The Perfectly Executed Summersault

Wait, I didn't think PT was teaching me to tumble, but tumble I did...Remember a couple of posts back when the upside down hook your feet over thinger was my current hate? Well no medicine ball this time but crunches. By the by I learned it was really called the 'incline bench'! Well when we were done, I had something in the way and couldn't quite make a full sit up to grab the handle thingie that is supposed to help you up, so I got one leg untangled from the roller things, and and started sliding backwards. So I thought (first mistake) "Well I'll just be in the circus and do a perfect backwards somersault." Ok so fat ol' ladies shouldn't EVEN think that way! The perfectly executed somersault turned into a tumble off the side of the 'incline bench', ending up in tangled mess on the floor. I was laughing so hard as was PT. I gathered up my tangled mess and 'gracefully' got up from the floor. I tell you it is a good thing my face gets red when I exercise! Do you think anyone noticed how embarassed I was?

OH GOOD NEWS.. Lost 1 lb but the BEST!!!! I had to pull up my pants! (Ok figure that one out!)

Learning - Curves

The first thing PT said to me was...Is your face getting thinner? What a nice way to start a workout. I told her I didn't know but pulled up my shirtsleeve and made her feel the roundness that is taking shape...then I flexed (yes I can officially call them guns)my guns. Even with the wings underneath they are looking pretty great. Cap sleeves here I come...almost.....wings and all!

I learned how to use the pull up machine. It's not scary anymore. It's amazing what you can do when you learn the right way. PT is so good. Her blog is http://fiteats.wordpress.com/ And although I haven't tried any of her recipes yet someday when my arms quit hurting from the learning I might be able to lift them to make good stuff.

Dusty Twilight

Did you that just before the sun goes down it is dusty? Well according to Michael it's not dusk, it's dusty, then the sun goes down!...Wonder what Webster would have to say about that.

New Torture

Ok Planks aren't so bad but...how do I describe this upside down sitting up holding a medicine ball and twisting side to side while your legs are holding you upside down while you are sitting up, kinda like a sit up but without going down! I know makes no sense, but my legs sure didn't like it..and I almost had to use my one wuss out, but PT had me drop the medicine ball and I was able to complete the reps! Yipee

I really like the sit on my butt and pull (kinda like rowing but with one hand)It was fun and NOTHING HURT!

Mother Dear

I love my Mother.

But...I didn't realize it until I was in my late 30's. To Bad I wasted so much time.

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

This picture is in memory to the camera that sniff sniff had to go to the big camera in the sky.!

Jump Roping - invisable style

Pyrmiad work out today! No pom poms, no cute boys to catch you when you fall, no screaming bleacher people to ohh ahh when you get to the top! Just a lot of huffing - puffing- sweating - red faced - huff/puff/what's next, do I have to do the invisable jump rope...again.... Ahhh though the 30 seconds of rest. Seconds of bliss. One thing with the invisable jump rope, the tricks I did with that rope and never missed a beat or tripped over the rope, even on Hot Peppers. But alas 24 Robbers were not able to come knocking on my door.

The Emptyness of the Nest

My oldest is working, my 2 year old just got a job and I left my baby home alone.



I got to work and actually couldn't figure out why I was feeling so melancholy. I had to come to grips! Ryan was only 2 ...just yesterday...how could he be all grown up, how was I going to watch over him out in the big bad world. Michael is 12 but really he is about 6 months old! Charlie will always be my little scrunched up nose brand new baby. Oh and who is that man....wait I knew him once...I think his name was, maybe still is, Clint. Oh yeah the father of these cute little babies, my husband, MY man. Maybe we'll have to get reacquainted.

PT made me do the dreaded PLANKS again...but wait it wasn't just the side ones, it was a whole routine of them! Ok well sorta but (dare I say it) the plank, pushup,side plank, (huff puff)turn (huff puff)side plank routine was kinda well not really fun, but rewarding to know I could do it, even after everything else. Some day I'll be able to look in the mirror while lifting weights and only see the bulges that should be there..tee hee hee. or maybe I could just wear bigger shirts?!?

Great day I got there about 15 min early and decided to try the stationary bike (what else would it be in a gym!) I was able to do 15 min and my bursitis didn't hurt! So after my workout, I'll do the stationary bike and see how it goes.

PT made be breath HARD and my face was even REDder than normal. It was a good work out. PT figured out a routine that got my heart rate up and kept it up! Did I mention that I hate, here let me say it louder, HATE any exercise with the word PLANK in it. PT agreed, well I made her agree to one 'wuss out'. Guess which one I wussed out on. But I tried. It will only get better......
.5 lbs this week!...Next week will be better.