While I was in Colorado, we celebrated a Merry Magra Christmas.  That enabled me to watch the girls open their gifts and they gave me mine.  Tomorrow we will travel to Calera to celebrate a Merry Christmas Eve with Lisa and fam.  We started this the year Greyson was born so this will be our fourth year ~ I call it a tradition now, don't you?  After worship on Sunday, we will gather at Mother's house to have a Merry Christmas Day with Kim and fam, Teresa and Jimmy and Mother.  She refuses to come to our house and says she just can't get in Kim's so we will cook and carry everything to her.  Then, BOOM ~ Christmas will be over.  Buck will have a gift to open from Jennifer but since I've already opened mine I won't have anything under our little tree here at the house.  

Hope you and yours enjoy Christmas together.

First day of winter and four days until Christmas ~ yea!  I am headed to Urgent Care this morning to try and get over this nagging cough and sore throat.  Buck doesn't need this ~ Mother doesn't need this ~ and for sure the grandchildren don't need this.  Who am I kidding??? I didn't NEED this.  Thought it was just laryngitis but yesterday the coughing started and now my throat is ACHY.  Time to go get some help.

My last day in Colorado and there are things to do today like grocery shopping and packing.  It had been a great two weeks and I would stay longer if there weren't obligations in Alabama.  

In Colorado for a couple of weeks.  Buck will see the neurologist after I get back to Alabama. He is doing PT with a young man named Shane, working muscles he hasn't been using.  

Looking forward to Christmas and Emma's birthday this month.  Still need to pick up a couple of things but mostly we are finished with shopping (we don't get each other anything anymore) I have a list with only two people with nothing by their names....

Jennifer is suffering with a cold that makes it hard for her to talk.  The older girls are in school and Emma is a bundle of energy.... hope I can keep up. 

It's 6:40 a.m.  Time for a little coffee booster....

Good morning ~ up at 4:30 again today.  I feel rested and ready for the day.  So, what happened last week?
On Monday Buck thought he was having a stroke.  We went to Princeton's ER and they did a MRI, CT, and chest X-ray before sending us home with a diagnosis of possible TIA and check in with your primary care.  On Tuesday we went to his primary care doctor and they suggested a carotid check and some physical therapy.  On Wednesday we waited.... a woman came to "register" him for PT.  Thursday we went to his cardiologist ~ heart is fine, they did an EKG and a carotid check ~ BUT ~  he wants him to see a neurologist to determine WHY he had the TIA in the first place AND why he had head pain (doesn't usual happen with stroke).  On Friday a man came to "assess" his need for PT.  He is not going to NEED physical therapy by the time they get TO the physical therapy.  
Saturday was our 45th anniversary and we went to visit Lisa.  Had a nice long visit, played with the boys, and stopped at Wintzell's for dinner. So there you have it.  We are still waiting for the neurologist to call.
How was YOUR week?

Good morning!
It's a Monday and I was up at 4:30 this morning ~ what's up with that???  I've been trying to stay up later so I will sleep a little later ~ so far, not happening.
Let's talk holidays today....
Our holiday plans go about the same as any other day.  We don't decorate and we don't celebrate.  Done.  Buck is NOT a "festive" person and it's come to the point that I just don't have the energy to get excited for both of us.  We will see Lisa and her fam on Christmas Eve ~ a tradition that we like and probably Kim and her fam on Christmas Day.  Jennifer and her fam live in Colorado and I can't remember the last time they came to us for a holiday ~ those are spent with Arie's family.  That's okay ~ it's their tradition.  When I'm there for Emma's birthday in December we do a gift opening so I get to watch the girls "in person" and that's nice.  Buck doesn't go for Emma's birthday because I fly for that one and he doesn't fly.  I could drive but he doesn't want me getting snow bound half way there.
Let's see.... New Year's Ever ~ party time, right??  Not at our house, not since there are no girls for me to toast the new year with that want to stay up with Mom until midnight.
Pretty boring stuff going on around here.... 'til next week

Good morning ~ whatever time this is?  Is Daylight Savings Time in the Fall or Spring?  Whichever this is it started today.... and so am I.
Today starts hopefully (but we all know not) my last attempt to get in shape.  I would like to run my next 5k.... i think i can i think i can i think i can....
It's Sunday so we will be picking Mother up for worship and then on to lunch with some of the fam.  I will do laundry and Buck will "rest" until time for evening worship.  
I'm hoping to write down a few goals for myself and work on those EVERY DAY.  Who's with me????

We made it ~ Greyson and I finished the 5k for Breast Cancer Awareness in a little over an hour!  Thanks, Greyson, for being my walking buddy!  Not bad for a Magra and a three year old??!!  Lisa stopped along the way with her friend, Dave, who had a nose bleed that wouldn't stop.  I will do another one ~ and hopefully be better prepared.

Today is Claire Ellen Willenbrecht's birthday.  She is ten!  Our second granddaughter and lovely inside and out.  Shout out of love to Claire!!

On Saturday October 29 I will be walking in my second Breast Cancer Awareness 5k.  I thought I would be doing it with Wanda this year.  She wasn't even alive at the time I did the one LAST year.  Something went terribly wrong and she didn't survive.  I want to finish strong in her memory.

We walk in the Breast Cancer Awareness 5k on October 29.  Hopefully two weeks from today I will have a glowing report of that event.  I just can't get myself motivated to get up and walk.  Need to do that EVERY day not just here and there.

Today is Sunday ~ worship this morning, laundry this afternoon, and worship again this evening.  That's it ~ nothing exciting ~ nothing earth shaking ~ just a regular Lord's Day.

Our walk two weeks ago did not go as planned.  I was in the wrong lane, Teresa complained.  I didn't park in the right spot, Teresa complained.  We got there too early, Teresa complained.  They didn't have shirts for sale so Teresa could buy Jimmy one, Teresa complained.  There were no port a potties at the finish line, Teresa complained.  It was hot, Teresa complained.  Wait.... maybe it DID go the way I expected!

In three weeks I will be doing the Breast Cancer Awareness 5k.  Lisa, Nicole, Kira, and Vicky are coming, also.  I'm sure they will bring the boys so maybe I can get Greyson to be my walking buddy.

Time to shower and get ready for Sunday.

Today is the day!!!  Walk to End Alzheimer's with Teresa and Greyson.  We have had Greyson with us since Friday and it has been great.  We watched Jakob run yesterday, I took him to visit Mother and Teresa, we watched movies, played outside, ate ice cream....  I'm pooped!

We are going to worship this morning then grab a burger and head to Birmingham for the walk.  I have a stroller for Greyson and plan to take snacks.  Lisa will meet us there to pick him up.

Tomorrow will be a new experience ~ Greyson's first tee ball game!! Whoop whoop!

More about the walk next week ~ I'll let you know how my knee held up.

One more week until we do the Walk to End Alzheimer's!!!

Watched Jakob run yesterday ~ I would like to run like him.  I think I can ~ I think I can!

Tomorrow I take Mother to see her cardiologist and Tuesday of this week I am having a MRI on my left knee.... Fun times, right?

The end of the week will bring us Greyson for a few days ~ always a real fun time.

That's it for today ~ enjoy the week ahead.

Two weeks until the Walk to End Alzheimer's!  Somewhere along the way I stopped.... Going to get on the treadmill today since it has been SO hot outside and we have the pool closed ~ don't want to have a heat stroke.

We took a little trip to Colorado for Labor Day.  It was a fun weekend with Jennifer and fam.  It was the Windsor Harvest Festival and we did a lot of activities (balloon launch, fireworks, parade, movie in the park, and art in the park). It was GREAT!!  Buck got sick and we cut our trip short but at least he went this trip.  Already looking forward to visiting them again in December for Emma's birthday.

How's your life going?

Just three weeks until the Walk to End Alzheimer's and I am beginning to think I may be the one holding us back.  My left knee has REALLY been hurting this week and I think I am going to have to break down and go to the doctor.  It will feel okay in the morning but as the day progresses and I'm on it more it starts to hurt.

Gotta do it this year ~ slow is better than not doing it so full steam ahead!!!

Here it is ~ four weeks until the Walk to End Alzheimer's.  I wish I could tell you I'm going to RUN the whole way but I will have Greyson in a stroller and Teresa with me so that's probably NOT going to happen.

Been busy this week ~ closed the pool, mowed the lawn, and vacuumed.  I don't like vacuuming because Buck is in the recliner and I don't want to disturb him.  Decided it has to be done and he'll just have to listen for a bit to the sounds of his house being cleaned.

Today is a Sunday so we will be going to worship ~ lunch ~ worship.  Picking Mother up this morning and gotta cut two dozen doughnuts in half.... How does one do that?  I'm thinking scissors??

'Till next week ....

Five weeks until the Walk to End Alzheimer's!!  We have reached our fundraising goal!!  Teresa seems to be getting a little more excited, which is a good thing,

We are planning to hit the road in September on a road trip.  We will go to Jennifer's and then on to Gillette, Wyoming where we use to live (happy times) Not sure when we will be back.
(Probably the week after we leave ~ Buck is not much for staying away)

Five weeks until the Walk to End Alzheimer's!!  We have reached our fundraising goal!!  Teresa seems to be getting a little more excited, which is a good thing,

Today I an going to start on the treadmill ~ and hopefully a little outside so I don't faint when the day gets here.

On a side note ~ we are planning to hit the road in September on a road trip.  We will go to Jennifer's and then on to Gillette, Wyoming where we use to live (happy times) Not sure when we will be back.
(Probably the week after we leave ~ Buck is not much for staying away)

Six weeks until the Walk to End Alzheimer's!!  Before then I need to get my knee in shape so that starts today.  Going to shoot for a mile on the treadmill ~ I know that's not much but gotta start somewhere.

It is Sunday so we will be going to worship this morning and lunch with whatever family members are available.  Buck will probably work in his shop this afternoon and I will work in the house (laundry not going to do itself)

Hope you have a blessed Sunday....

Well, here's the news ~ I did not go to the doctor with my knee.  I DID sit with it elevated and iced on Sunday (something I should have done the first day) and the swelling went down.  Why go see a doctor if there is nothing to show him, right? Right!

Here it is seven weeks until the Walk to End Alzheimer's and I have hurt my left knee!  It "popped" on Thursday but it has done that before, I limped around on Friday, on Saturday I mowed part of the grass (sitting on the mower for three hours with that knee bent probably wasn't my best idea) and this morning I could hardly walk.  I have iced it, warmed it, massaged it, and am thinking I MAY have to go see a doctor tomorrow.

So, anyway, seven weeks to be ready to walk two miles with Teresa and Greyson.  I can do that EASY PEASY, unless I'm on crutches then there MAY be a problem.

Keep ya posted.

Fridays are beauty shop days for my mother ~ age 86.  I can remember when she would scoff at those ladies who went to the beauty shop to have their hair done.  Now she goes every week and has been for a very long time.  Occasionally I remind her of her earlier derisive attitude.

Here is my confession of the week.  I don't like retirement.  There, I've said it!  I have been putting off projects waiting for Buck to go back to work and HE ISN'T GOING!!!  I've got to rethink my weekly schedule ~ what is important? what do I REALLY want to accomplish? 

On Sunday it will be nine weeks until the Walk to End Alzheimer's ~ I am trying to prepare.  I've lost three pounds this month which means next month I will need to lose seven if I am going to lose five a month.  Can I????

My days are a series of things to do ~ isn't everyone's?  I was "getting ready" for Jennifer and her daughters, then they were here and the house was FULL.  They left us with a quiet QUIET house and I was cleaning and getting ready for the next thing.

I painted some for the VBS coming up this week and did my usual Monday, Wednesday, Friday routine with Mother.

Turns out the next thing was Greyson coming for a couple of days.  Lisa called and asked if he could come for a night ~ we kept him two.  We took him back on Friday and once again the house is QUIET.

What will the next thing be?  Well, in ten weeks we do the Walk to End Alzheimer's so I will be getting ready for that.  What's your next thing??

Eleven weeks and counting....

Last week I walked/swam in the pool as my exercise.  It helps that it is outside and I have to breathe in the humidity.  I would like to lose five pounds this month and so far I'm down three!!

On Saturday of this week, I have a date with Greyson to go to the zoo's Dino Night.  He likes dinosaurs (who doesn't) and they have a special area set up with them ~ YEA!  That should be a workout right there!!

Here it is July 3rd ~ and I need to start walking again.  I've been having leg cramps in the middle of the night... Not good!!  Twelve weeks from today Greyson, Teresa, and I will be doing the Walk to End Alzheimer's.  Teresa is NOT a walker and Greyson will be in a stroller so I won't be reporting a fabulous time, but that's okay at least they are going to be with me.

Greyson and Lisa did not do the Tallulah due to sister intervention ~ it was ugly and we may never recover from it.  Not trying to ignore the situation just don't feel the need to say any more about it.

Hope everyone has a great Fourth of July and that you don't (like I did) find any frogs in your swimming pool.

On June 11th I am going to be doing a 5k with all of the grandchildren and Lisa. Jennifer and Kim will be our cheering section.  So I am getting on the treadmill today at 3mph and at a one tilt for 30 minutes.  We have to finish in an hour and a half (easy) but I don't want to be the reason we have to slow down.
Retirement is a hateful process ~ so much to do that we haven't been doing ~ catch up on things we have let slide for WAY to long.  Can you retire from retirement?

Day three of retirement....

Buck decided to work outside on Saturday (day one) and fell ~ hit the ground pretty hard.  Yesterday was spent in the recliner and today looks like most of the day will be the same.

I am at the library taking care of a couple of things that needed to be printed then off to Mother's for our usual Monday.  What use to be shopping and lunch has turned into LUNCH.  Today I plan to encourage her to go for a drive at least before we eat.  

I got back on the treadmill this morning ~ 30 minutes ~ whoop whoop.  Need to be more vigilant on my diet.

Later....

On hold with the Social Security Office....WHY do they have their hold music SO LOUD???  Is it to discourage people from holding?  Is it because they think everyone that calls is OLD and HARD of HEARING???  After a 35 minute hold, I may be!!!!

Doctor appointment today ~ weight NOT GOOD ~ back to the salad, walking, "happy thoughts".  Seems I eat more when I'm sad or stressed.

On the up side ~ got to spend a week with Jennifer and fam.  Fun was had by ALL!

Not quite over that trip before I headed to Mississippi with Buck for a two night excursion.  Had to be on the road at 5 a.m. yesterday in order to be back in Jasper in time to drive Mother to the doctor ~ won't do THAT again ~ I'm still tired!

Till next time ~ ta

Well, the weigh in was not BAD but not GREAT either.   I have about three more weeks until my doctor appointment so NO CHEATING on the eating or exercise.

Today I am meeting Mother and Teresa for lunch ~ I will not have dessert I will not have dessert!!!

A week from Thursday I am heading to Colorado for a week with Jennifer and fam.  Sarah and Claire will be out for Spring Break.  I'm hoping I can convince myself to get up and moving early ~ go for a walk at least EVERY day.

I'll be back ~

It is Friday ~ beauty shop day!!  Afterward we will go to Chick Filet for nuggets ~ not a bad way to spend Friday ~ right?  
This afternoon is a baseball game at Lupton.  Topher still can't pitch because of his shoulder issues but I love to watch him hit and field as well.
Yesterday was track meet with Jakob at Corner High School. My first time there but very impressive campus.  Love watching him run ~ AND he didn't pass out or throw up ~ BONUS!!
I will be traveling to Colorado in a couple of weeks to visit Jennifer and fam.  The girls will be on Spring Break so I'm thinking I'd better pack a swimsuit and some shorts ~ just to be prepared for whatever.
Tomorrow is weigh in day . . . .

Good morning!

Sitting in the library waiting for time to go to Mother's.  We (Mother, Teresa, and I) are going to lunch at Cracker Barrel.  The BIG question is will I or won't I eat dessert?????  I hope I will NOT.  They tend to be insistent about that ~ if they are eating dessert....I should also.  I am working in a time frame of ONE MONTH UNTIL I GO TO THE DOCTOR.  Hoping to be smaller by then.

I am excited that we got a new car yesterday.  It is a PriusV.  Buck says it will be my last one ~ WHAT!?!?!?

Good morning!
The first Saturday of March ~ almost spring!  We have buttercups blooming in the yard and yesterday I mowed a little.  Of course, this morning I am paying for that pleasure with weepy eyes and stuffy nose.  I should have started my allergy regimen sooner (or waited to mow)
My weight battle continues but I am happy to report I've lost seven pounds since my trip to Florida ~ yea me!?  I have a doctor's appointment next month and have a number in mind that I would like to reach before then.... wish me luck.

Monday ~ rainy day today.  I did my 50 minutes on the treadmill before showering and heading down to Mother's.  She doesn't get out much in the rain....or the cold....or the heat.  I am sitting at the library where it is quiet and peaceful.  When I leave here, I will go pick up something for the both of us for lunch and go back to her house to eat with her.

How is your day??

I finished a goal on Saturday ~ I finished a 5k in 49.48 minutes.  My goal was to do it in under an hour.  Next I am shooting for 45 minutes.

I must confess ~ on Saturday we went to Krispie Kreme and I had a creme filled doughnut with a coke!!  Then we went to dinner with Lisa for her birthday (which is today) at Olive Garden and I had dessert!!  THEN, yesterday I ate with Mother and Teresa and had yet another dessert!!!!!

ALSO, I did not get on the treadmill Sunday or Monday!!

Got back to it today with 45 minutes ~ 10 of those were in program mode.  When the incline hit 7 I decided it was time to back it down a bit. Whew!

I plan to do a half marathon ~ there ~ I said it NOW to do it!

I'll keep you posted :-)    

The second day of February ~ Groundhog Day! Did he see his shadow?

Time to rethink my goals ~
I need to work harder, whine less, be braver, and eat better.  Now, how to accomplish these:

Set a goal of  working out and post it somewhere so I SEE it everyday.

Don't let "people" bother me so much and when they do DON'T tell anyone.

Stand up for what I believe and say it out loud.

Use that app I have on my phone to log calories and exercise.  Hydrate hydrate hydrate.

Til next time ~ 

Tuesday ~ grocery shopping, library, misc. errands.

Started walking on the treadmill again on Saturday.  After being at Disney and Sea World with Greyson, I had to keep it up.  I would LOVE to do a marathon just to prove I can and that's not going to happen if I'm sitting in the recliner now is it???  Going to try and do a couple of 5k run/walks, work my way up to a half - marathon, and then go for it!!!!

While we were in Florida I didn't count calories but I didn't do TOO BAD.  I did gain some weight so it was back to it on Saturday.  I have motivations on my phone and "the brain" that I carry with me everywhere.

Traveling with a two year old was different but quite enjoyable.  Seeing Disney and Sea World through Greyson's eyes was amazing.  I am so glad they invited me.

Friday
Like any other Friday I drove Mother to the beauty shop this morning.  She gave me her shopping list and I picked up what she needed.  Now I'm at the library waiting until time to pick her up.  We will be going to Chick Filet for lunch ~ it's a Friday thing.

Next week I will be traveling with Lisa and Greyson to Orlando, Florida.  I found a list of "Things You Need for Your Visit to Disney World" on Pinterest ~ crazy long!!!  I have a much abbreviated list ~ three jeans, six shirts, underwear, camera, phone, toiletries.  Oh, and money because Disney World is built around money and how much they can charge for a bottle of water.  I should say that is my thinking pre ~ visit and based on previous visits when our children were....well, children.  Nicole will be there already and will be driving back with us on Friday of next week.

Not worrying about exercise until after I return ~ going to be walking walking walking on this trip.

Ta!

No social media on my phone has been difficult but doable.  I have also decided to be totally free on Sundays ~ no social media.  It was nice just reading a book, watching a little TV, and not worrying that I may have missed something.


Here's my new dilemma....how to "inspire" myself to get up and moving EVERY day in an effort to be healthier and in better physical shape. 


Any suggestions???

Today I am at the library using their internet service.  Very handy and FREE!!

It's a new year and I am trying not to make "resolutions".  Instead, I am going to address my goals each month.  Sometimes they will change, sometimes they may stay the same.

I received a very cool journal for Christmas that gives a prompt each day on what the day's entry should be.  I think that will be helpful and fun.  It will give me a thought to think about.

I have decided to try going "social media" free on my cell phone.  I will check my accounts when I am on wi-fi but not constantly during the day.  I will keep you posted on that venture.

Til next time.....