I slept great on the air mattress last night, but probably mostly because I used ear-plugs. G spent the night dozing and listening to the night sounds in SrK&J’s neighborhood. Apparently the parties start after midnight on Saturday night in Mexico too. Who knew?

We still slept in by dog-care standards. J had made caramel rolls for breakfast. And coffee. Praise Jesus.

We sat around talking over breakfast and around 9:30 we helped them move their old mattress and frame out to make room for the new bed they were getting from some friends that were moving back the US.

K and I walked the six blocks or so to their friends house while J & G drove their car. It’s warm here (yay!!) and I spent the morning walk with my hands swelling up. This happens at home too on the first few hot days. My body’s way of saying "Drink more water, would ya!"

After the moving of the beds we piled back in the car and drove over to the timeshare so we could maybe check in. It was our lucky day (ok. my lucky year, so far!) and the unit that belongs to JH was vacant and we could get in before the checking time of 4pm.

The condo is cozy but very nice. It’s right on the beach and all units are two floors. The living room/kitchen floor is the floor you enter on this level. Propping open the door and opening the window facing the ocean means you can get a beautiful cross breeze through the rooms. Downstairs is the bathroom and two bedrooms. Again, by opening the window facing the ocean (in the master bedroom) and the window facing the city (in the bedroom with two twin beds) and leaving the doors open a lovely cross breeze ventilates the room. No need for the AC even though some may have though tit was warm enough for it. As far as I’m concerned it’s a lovely change from -20F.

Errands are next.We hit up the Super Q where we had access to ATM, farmacia, lunch and groceries. Then SrK & J leave us for a bit of a siesta. I was completely content to shower and lay on the bed listening to the ocean. G was very happy to be able to see the Green Bay game. I did find it necessary to remind him that he didn’t have to have the sound up so high, since the announcers were shouting in Spanish.

Then to church with Sr K & J. Hey, I’m a church geek. I know. Plus they’re down here working for the church, so what are you going to do? It was very interesting anyway. Lots of singing (with out of tune guitars) lots of talking that I had to work pretty hard to understand but that’s my own fault for never having learned Spanish. But it was all good. I’m skipping too many details to really give it a good account. I was definately a cross-cultural experience that I want to process a bit.

Church started at 5 and ended around 7:30. And then there is the chatting. That seems to be universal. We still hadn’t eaten so we got to a retaurant after church around 8:15. The Mazatlan equivalent of Perkins is what Sr. K said, but I thought the food much better than that. And the bakery looked amazing. More like Wuolette’s meets the Longfellow Grill (Twin Cities’ references that will mean nothing to anyone that actually reads this!)

It’s just so good to be with Sr. K & J. It’s a little surreal, too.

We’re back at the condo now, the windows are open and the roar of the surf is filling the room. Almost overwhelming the TV news program. (btw – what in the world is going on up there in the North! Did they really show Alabama with Snow Drifts??!!)

It has been just a beautiful day spent with friends in a new place seeing new things and experiencing a new country. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings. 

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— — —
A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…

Lost Saturday 2009
This isn’t about you. 2008

January 10th, 2010 | Category: my crazy life | Comments (2)

I slept great on the air mattress last night, but probably mostly because I used ear-plugs. G spent the night dozing and listening to the night sounds in SrK&J’s neighborhood. Apparently the parties start after midnight on Saturday night in Mexico too. Who knew?

We still slept in by dog-care standards. J had made caramel rolls for breakfast. And coffee. Praise Jesus.

We sat around talking over breakfast and around 9:30 we helped them move their old mattress and frame out to make room for the new bed they were getting from some friends that were moving back the US.

K and I walked the six blocks or so to their friends house while J & G drove their car. It’s warm here (yay!!) and I spent the morning walk with my hands swelling up. This happens at home too on the first few hot days. My body’s way of saying "Drink more water, would ya!"

After the moving of the beds we piled back in the car and drove over to the timeshare so we could maybe check in. It was our lucky day (ok. my lucky year, so far!) and the unit that belongs to JH was vacant and we could get in before the checking time of 4pm.

The condo is cozy but very nice. It’s right on the beach and all units are two floors. The living room/kitchen floor is the floor you enter on this level. Propping open the door and opening the window facing the ocean means you can get a beautiful cross breeze through the rooms. Downstairs is the bathroom and two bedrooms. Again, by opening the window facing the ocean (in the master bedroom) and the window facing the city (in the bedroom with two twin beds) and leaving the doors open a lovely cross breeze ventilates the room. No need for the AC even though some may have though tit was warm enough for it. As far as I’m concerned it’s a lovely change from -20F.

Errands are next.We hit up the Super Q where we had access to ATM, farmacia, lunch and groceries. Then SrK & J leave us for a bit of a siesta. I was completely content to shower and lay on the bed listening to the ocean. G was very happy to be able to see the Green Bay game. I did find it necessary to remind him that he didn’t have to have the sound up so high, since the announcers were shouting in Spanish.

Then to church with Sr K & J. Hey, I’m a church geek. I know. Plus they’re down here working for the church, so what are you going to do? It was very interesting anyway. Lots of singing (with out of tune guitars) lots of talking that I had to work pretty hard to understand but that’s my own fault for never having learned Spanish. But it was all good. I’m skipping too many details to really give it a good account. I was definately a cross-cultural experience that I want to process a bit.

Church started at 5 and ended around 7:30. And then there is the chatting. That seems to be universal. We still hadn’t eaten so we got to a retaurant after church around 8:15. The Mazatlan equivalent of Perkins is what Sr. K said, but I thought the food much better than that. And the bakery looked amazing. More like Wuolette’s meets the Longfellow Grill (Twin Cities’ references that will mean nothing to anyone that actually reads this!)

It’s just so good to be with Sr. K & J. It’s a little surreal, too.

We’re back at the condo now, the windows are open and the roar of the surf is filling the room. Almost overwhelming the TV news program. (btw – what in the world is going on up there in the North! Did they really show Alabama with Snow Drifts??!!)

It has been just a beautiful day spent with friends in a new place seeing new things and experiencing a new country. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings. 

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— — —
A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…

Lost Saturday 2009
This isn’t about you. 2008

January 10th, 2010 | Category: my crazy life | Leave a comment

This is a bonus week for blessings, friends.

Not only did G ask me to marry him on Sunday, but I also received a job offer yesterday!

And tomorrow? I get to be warm again. In Mexico on a vacation for a week.

I’m bringing the laptop with me with the intent to post pics and reflect here on various topics.

But I’m not making any promises about frequency. Or quality.

peace out.
— — —
A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…

The weirdness continues 2009
Primarily 2008
Is it just me? 2007
Already?! 2007

January 8th, 2010 | Category: my crazy life | Comments (2)

I called my mom last Sunday to tell her the news about G. She monopolized the conversation to the point where the boys came in the house before I’d had a chance to tell her. Since I didn’t want the boys to hear the news by overhearing me telling her I rang off.

I talked with my sister on Tuesday and told her. She was congratulatory and offered to help with event planning or driving down to get DS1 if we pick a weekend before he’s done with school. Not overly effusive but on the familiar side of polite.

My mom and sister work together at my mother’s tax service office. So they talk frequently. Some might say the situation is enmeshed, but I might be overstating it. (I’m not.) I specifically told sis that I had not been able to tell mom and that she was free to tell her when she spoke with her that evening.

By 2:30 this afternoon I still had not heard a peep from my mom. So I called her. I couldn’t connect with either her or my sister at any of the six different phone numbers I have for them all afternoon. I left casual, light sounding voicemails. “Hi! Just wondering how things are going with the bed delivery and wanted to touch base one more time before I left for Mexico. Hope things are going ok. please give me a call.”

Nothing.

At 8:30 pm I called my mom again. I had completely forgotten that they were attending a tax seminar today.

I did my best to not be passive-aggressive: “Have you talked with Sis?”

“Yes, I’ve talked with her. We were at the seminar together all day today. I understand you don’t have a date yet.”

“No we are checking the kids’ calendars before we decide on a date. I expected I would have heard from you. Or maybe you don’t approve?” I dared to challenge her.

“Oh sweetie. I don’t remember if she told me yesterday or today.” And then she launched into an explanation of the computer troubles they had at the office yesterday, how she can’t afford to buy new computers but might be able to upgrade the computers if that would fix it; and the trouble she’s having getting her new bed delivered and then today she has been up since 5:30 in the morning because of the dogs and then spent the whole day at the seminar today, and now, she’s in bed at 9:15 at night because she thinks she’s coming down with a cold.

Translation: me and my news are not important enough to her to make the gargantuan effort to call and say “Congratulations! I’m so happy for you.”

And you wonder why I’m an overachiever.
— — —
A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…

everybody’s trying to get going 2009
Impeachment 2008
overheard at Chez Journey #2 2008
Junk Mail 2007

January 7th, 2010 | Category: my crazy life | Comments (5)

Not that I have a routine yet. I do have new running shoes as of yesterday (thanks to Beth at The Running Room on Hennepin Ave for putting up with me!!) I didn’t get to try them out today because my card key didn’t work on the building’s gym door.

And it’s all the talking on the phone.

If I was really smart I guess I’d take my cell phone to the gym and talk while walking but I’m a big fan of the “heavy breather” routine on a cell phone.

It has been really great to talk with so many people who are so happy for us (and thanks to all y’all here too!)

A couple of FAQs:

Where’s the jewelry? Don’t have any yet. There’s talk (and time) and when it comes down to it I’m not much of a jewelry person anyway so I’m a little stumped about what I would “pick.” Mostly it gets in my way but after a couple of days now I’m leaning toward thinking a “lil’ sumpin’” would be OK

Do you have a date? Not yet. Trying to gather calendar information for DS1 and DS2 and G’s kids/family not to mention a few friends who Cannot Be Absent.

Are you going to change your name? Probably not but again, haven’t talked about it yet. I figure I spent 22 years with my father’s name and 25 years (my entire adult life/career) with X’s name. Do I really want to spend the next 25 years with yet a different name?

Where are you going to live? This we have talked about. DS2 still has two years of high school left so G will be moving in to my house. No big rush to sell his and the process of what moves over and what doesn’t will take some time. Although that could all change if J2 & M find work here in the cities and want to take over his place. We’d have to move much quicker to clean it out and get it ready for them.

Were you surprised? Yup. Obviously we’d been talking about “it” but I had no idea that Sunday was the day.

On another happy note: 3 more sleeps until we’re in Mexico visiting Sr.K (and enjoying an 70/80 degree improvement in the weather!!!)

Blessings and light, my friends.
— — —
A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…

Journey of the Magi – Epiphany 2009
Saturday Photo Scanvenger: “New” 2008
IDK – more from the creator of “wax monkey” 2007
Wax Monkey 2007

January 6th, 2010 | Category: my crazy life | Comments (4)

Welcome to the new decade! My intention is to continue my pattern of counting a few of my blessings in Sunday posts. So here is a list of a few of the things I’m grateful for this week:

• Extra PTO that required me to work only one (1) day this past week. While I’d like to think that I would have a pristine house I’m happier to report that I used the time to chillax more than obsess about cleaning.
• Low-key new year’s eve with G which included a neck massage to relieve a lingering migraine
• Great cooking (chicken chili and salmon were a couple of highlights
• Ending the old year by playing music with S and B
• G made a point of talking with the boys on Friday about his “intentions”
• Starting the new year by going to the movies and dinner with the boys and G on new year’s day (we saw Sherlock Holmes since Avatar was sold out)
• Walking on Jan 2 to kick off my marathon training
• All the support (and laughter) from friends here (and in person) who hear I’m going to run a half marathon
• Taking time to read a novel (“U is for Undertow” – I heart Kinsey Millhone!)
• A great interview/audition for a potential new church music job
• Serving as assisting minister this week at church
• G popped the question this morning after church (fwiw, I said yes!)

— — —
A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…

Power Tools are a girl’s best friend – UPDATED 2009
caucus night 2008
One more thing: More on the execution of Saddam Hussein 2007

January 3rd, 2010 | Category: my crazy life | Comments (7)

Happy New Year and Happy New Decade.

Several of my friends have mentioned that they’re happy to shake the dust of that decade off their sandals and move on. I know what they mean. The last decade has had some definite rough patches, both personally and corporately. To-wit:

• the attacks of 9/11/2001
• being laid off on 9/10/2001
• nervous breakdown of 2002-2003
• the whole Iraq war and the debacle that was W.’s presidency
• being laid off in March of 2003
• almost going bankrupt but “saving” the situation by getting what turned out to be one of those evil “interest only” second mortgages
• the final breakdown of my marriage
• the whole divorce process
• losing so many friends in that divorce process
• not having a music/choir job the last two and a half years
• learning to be alone and what that means both for me as a person – and for me as a homeowner (read: unplugging toilets and killing mice and spiders)
• the heartache that was on-line dating
• being notified that I’ll be laid off again (although technically the lay-off is in 2010 and the new decade so…) (still, three lay-offs in one decade is a bit much, don’t you think?)

On the other-hand, there were some really good things that happened during this decade as well:

• going to graduate school (I loved seminary. L.O.V.E.D. it!)
• rebuilding my support circles – I have some seriously awesome people in my life right now!
• going to Italy – by myself
• learning more about who I am through that whole divorce process
• turning my financial situation around (at least for a while) by myself (well, without the help of a spouse or partner… I did have the help of LN, Evil Corporate Job and my mom who loaned me money over the early rough spots) (because NOT ONE of us is really a “self-made” man/woman)
• starting this blog and all the wonderful people I’ve met through it
• watching and helping my two Darling Sons navigate this whole crazy decade and seeing them come through well
• Meeting G and the beginning of that relationship

I think when it comes down to it you can take any ten-year period and make similar lists of pro’s and con’s. That’s what life is all about, isn’t it? And I think it’s also probably human nature to be just a little arrogant and think that this is the best/worst time in the history of all humankind.

But really, people have been going through this sort of roller-coaster forever and ever. Maybe some of the details change – there’s an actual Black Plague or a Hundred Year’s War, but even during the worst I’ll be that there were still Good Things. People fell in love, babies were born, fortunes made, creativity made cool stuff happen, hope was fostered, good food was made and eaten, jokes were told and people laughed, communities made it easier for their people to get water or food to market or something. Because that’s the thing about life on this planet, life in this plane of existence: it’s never all bad and it’s never all good. It’s both/and.

Just like we are: both crappy, base, petty people and at the very same time we’re forgiven for all that and able to be altruistic, helpful, hopeful, and reliable.

In churchy language we call that being both a sinner and a saint at the same time. We’ll never , none of us, be free of the crappy part – no matter how hard we try. And (here’s the hard part when you think about the people that really push your buttons) we are always, no matter what capable of repentance and change. (repent=to turn around) We’re all redeemable. Forgivable. That doesn’t mean that Mrs. Woods and her children need to put up with the way they have been treated – but it also means that Mr. Woods has the potential to turn his life around and stop acting like a jerk-and that he could one day have a good relationship with a woman again.

But it’s all a mix. Always was and always will be.

So, am I looking forward to a new year and a new decade? You bet. Because as crappy as this last decade has been, it has had it’s up sides too. And I’m interested to see what upsides this decade will bring even as I’m not as eager to see what valleys (or “learning opportunities”) I have to go through to get there.

I’m wishing a new year for you that is filled with blessings, happiness and hope. And may the “learning opportunities” be as gentle with your spirit as they can be.

Pax.
— — —
A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…

January 1, 2009 2009
2008 – another new start 2008
Pretty clear 2007
Happy 2007 2007

January 1st, 2010 | Category: my crazy life | Leave a comment

How about Bob?

Because, here’s the scoop sports fans: I’ve begun training for a half-marathon.

Are you OK? Finished laughing yourself silly yet? No? Ok. I’ll wait.

By “begun” I mean I’ve done a couple of little workouts this week and realized how out of shape I’ve gotten again. And bought a book and talked a lot about it.

Better now? So the deal is this is JH’s brainchild. She wants to put in for the Grandma’s Marathon half-marathon lottery. Or whatever it’s called. And thinks that I should train with her for this thing. She’s a runner. I’m pretty certain that I could walk the thing with no trouble at all. The idea of running for 13.3 miles is fairly inconceivable to me. I’m not sure I can run a whole mile without 1) DYING or 2) slowing down to a gasping-for-air-like-a-grounded-carp walk.

The reality is that even training to walk a half-marathon would give me a focus and that key ingredient I seem to be missing in my workouts: not wanting to disappoint someone else.

The fact is my most successful and regular exercising was 2008 (on Friday that will be TWO YEARS AGO) when I was going to the YWCA and meeting with a personal trainer. But the economic truth is that I can’t afford to meet with a trainer anymore. And as a result I haven’t gone to the YWCA more than a handful of times all of 2009 because no one was expecting me to show up- even though I continue to pay the $60 a month.

I’m canceling the membership and hoping that JH can really step up to be my workout buddy. I’m also checking in with a bunch of other friends who seem to “like” running. Both for advice and encouragement. (Churlita – I’m looking at you!) Because when it comes down to it, I’m not sure one little running buddy is going to be enough to keep me motivated to keep going with this. Especially if there’s actual pain involved, which I hear there can be. Not to mention Rashes and Chafing. And I’m pretty sure I’m going to have at least one panic attack a month getting into or out of my sports bras. Not to mention being just a little worried that all that, uh, bouncing  will not be an anti-gravity formula for the girls. And given my maternal assets and age combination an anti-gravity formula would be a good thing. Or at least not a bad thing.

So JH and I bought a couple of different books with training plans in them. Plans for running and something called “run/walk.” We’re each reading one and next week we’ll switch. Still haven’t found one for “walk/run” or “mostly walk with an occasional burst of faster pace that sort of looks like running if you squint.”

I’m reading this one: The author seems realistic – and humorous, which is important to get through this I think. And honest. And this is where I’ve learned about the Rashes.

So why do this if it only sounds painful and filled with rashes? It’s not like I don’t have enough to do.

Well, some reasons in the “Do It” column include:

1. I want to see if I can
2. More exercise, especially weight bearing exercise (and let me tell you this will definitely be weight bearing) is good for your bones
3. Because cardio exercise like this is good for my blood pressure and my cholesterol, hopefully keeping me off drugs a little longer
4. Because I liked the way my butt was starting to look in 2008
5. Because I liked the way my abs were starting to look in 2008
6. Because I liked the way I felt in my own skin at the end of 2008
7. Because even if I walk the whole damn thing I still will have dropped weight, improved my health and accomplished something
8. Because the author of that book says that when she was training she could eat whatever she wanted and didn’t gain weight – and we all know how I like to cook and eat
9. Because now that I’ve written this here and have started to talk with meat-world friends, I don’t really want to explain why I gave up.

JH and I also tossed around the idea of registering for the Susan G. Komen 3-day walk too. That’s in August in the Twin Cities here. Don’t worry. If we decide to do that there will be a way on this little piece of cyber real-estate for you to pledge as I hear you can’t walk unless you raise some serious cash.
— — —
A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…

2008 Review; 2009 Preview 2008
hoosgot 2007
2007 Wrap-up; 2008 Preview 2007
Hello world! 2006

December 31st, 2009 | Category: Marathon, exercise, my crazy life | Comments (2)

On the First Day of Christmas…

I woke up with Libby the Wonder Poodle on Christmas morning and made a pot of coffee. The boys got up around 9:00 and we ate our traditional breakfast of “sort of homemade” cinnamon rolls, scrambled eggs (no bacon this year) and orange juice. Then we opened presents. The boys got me a very cool steroptican book with some historical pictures of Minneapolis and ST. Paul. Some of the steroviews were taken by my great grandfather. I think it was very cool that they 1) remembered that I liked historical photos, 2) that my great grandfather took photos like that AND 3) some of those photos were included in the book.

After the boys shoveled (and by shoveled I mean “waved the shovel over the sticky wet ice/snow mess on the sidewalks and steps”) they went off with their dad and I started getting ready for G and his kids to come over for Christmas dinner.

G arrived just a little before his boys so basically wasn’t much help. Oh well. By the time he showed up I was out on the front sidewalk crying and swearing and shoveling slush in an attempt to avoid claims on my homeowners’ insurance when these people left and the temperature had dropped below freezing.

G picked up a shovel and when his boys came they helped too. He even insisted that they move things around in my garage so that I could pull the car in and get it off the street for the snow emergency.

I cooked prime rib (for the first time) and roasted potatoes with garlic and rosemary and made a nice little salad with pears, walnuts, feta cheese and a balsamic vinegar dressing. Delicious.

M (the DIL) and I started with wine while the boys (all three of them) started with beer. After dinner, J1 made white russians while we played Perudo and laughed ourselves silly. We also all had a go at “Just Dance” which G and I had given to J2 and M.

On the 2nd Day of Christmas…

I woke up early with both Libby the Wonder Poodle and Snowball the Rat-in-a-dog-suit. And G.

After the dogs were fed and “watered” and we had some breakfast I had to put on warm clothes and go out and help G move his car out of my driveway. Thankfully, the city plows had NOT closed off the end of the alley with large immovable chunks of ice and road gunk and he was easily able to pull the car around.

He headed out for Milwaukee and visiting his mom and brothers by about 11:00.

I went back in the house and watched movies, read books, cleaned a little teeny tiny bit and napped. And let the dogs in and out.

On the 3rd Day of Christmas…

I got up with the dogs, ate a leisurely breakfast and then realized I needed to get a move on to make it in time to the one 10:00 service. Teh Hurrying is not to be done after or mid blizzard because that only encourages Teh Falling On One’s Pride. Or in my case on my left knee.

There is a rant in here somewhere about the wisdom (or lack of same) of the Business Management Committee that thought that hiring a custodial contracting firm would be an equal exchange for a staff custodian. You know, someone who takes ownership in making sure the sidewalks are cleared and salted so that the grandmas and other infirm doofuses (read: Me) don’t fall and break anything.

Luckily I’m not brittle yet, but I can tell you that my leg from the knee on down is going to scare small children in Mexico in January when I walk with it exposed on the beach.

After church I stopped at Target and picked up a couple of essentials: dishwasher detergent, dog food, “U is for Undertow,” and “Your Shape with Jenny McCarthy” and an exercise ball for short people (aka “small” for people 5′ to 5′5″)

Then I spent the afternoon watching movies and napping. And letting the dogs in and out.

On the 4th Day of Christmas…

I was still on PTO. Libby let me sleep in until about 8:00 then DS2 got up and we went to the mall so that he could spend his saved up money on an iPod touch. That little trip took all of 15 minutes. Then we went home and I had him bring up all the laundry from Mount Washmore. I decided we were going to do a “laundry reset” where I throw money (that I shouldn’t spend) at the problem to make it go away. This time it was over 100 pounds and that didn’t count the towels or jeans. How do I get so far behind???

I woke DS1 up around 10:30 so that he could shower and we could leave to drop the laundry before heading over to the oral surgeon. You see, DS1 got his wisdom teeth out this day! He sailed through the surgery and seems to be recovering even faster than DS2 did last June.

G came over for dinner and thought that he might talk with the boys but I waived him off. DS1 is under the influence of pain killers; he doesn’t really need to try to process this right now. There’ll be a chance later this week.

On the 5th Day of Christmas…

I re-entered the working mothers’ conundrum: stay home and take care of a recuperating kid or go in to the office? Luckily, I have a job that gives me some flexibility so I decided to go in for the morning and come home in the afternoon – figuring DS1 would sleep most of the morning anyway.

I was partly right. He slept until after noon. But of course I didn’t get out all that early and then I went over and picked up all tht nice freshly cleaned, folded and hung on hangers laundry.

In the evening I had an interview/audition for a 20hr/week music director position at Sr.N’s church. The interview went very well but I’m not immediately convinced it is a good match. We’ll see.

On the 6th day of Christmas…

Turned out I had more PTO to “use or lose” by the end of the year so I’m out of the office again today. In fact for the rest of the year. My “big plan” is to organize some dresser drawers and closets to put away all this nice clean laundry. I also need to pick up some more dog food and other groceries to get us through the weekend.

Not to mention some writing on my mobility papers and haranguing DS2 to shovel and chop out a path at the curb. But mostly being cozily domestic is the order of the day.
— — —
A year ago (or longer) on This Journey…

So very tired 2008
why? 2007
updated 2007

December 30th, 2009 | Category: my crazy life | Comments (1)