It's my anniversary today...

Six years. Time seems to have flown by, which I think is a pretty darn good indication that life is good. When a marriage struggles, the time tends to creep and sometimes even stall. But when things are rolling and a marriage is full of contented, secure, fun-filled days (and nights!), the time slips through your fingers before you have the chance to snatch it up. Then, you wake up one morning to find that its been six years. And if you're really lucky, you realize that you can hardly wait for the next six. And the next.

Too often folks take their marriages and each other for granted. They slip into a routine of simply going through the motions of marriage. They live in the same house, do the things that need to be done, and take care of the family's schedules and needs until the spouses finally lose track of their feelings for each other. They forget that a happy, fulfilling marriage requires attention and effort. That the partnership needs extra work and nourishment sometimes...and quite often that occurs when you least feel like providing it. Folks need to take the time to remember and recognize the power of a stolen kiss or a heartfelt hug, the impact of tender words or a simple "I love you" or "I need you." Husbands and wives need to take the time to remind each other and themselves just how important the marriage is and how dedicated they are to it.

This is not to say that marriage is always easy or that six years can fly by without disagreement or even a little angst. This is just to say that as long as the wonderful times far exceed the challenging times, then life is good and times are rolling. And you best try to keep up.

Devastation, heartbreak, and hope...

As we all have witnessed via the news reports, the earthquake in Haiti has caused heartbreaking devastation and ruin. There are injuries and death in numbers that are difficult to comprehend. The quake collapsed buildings, infrastructures, homes, and lives. The damage is astronimical, unfathomable, unthinkable. The profound sadness, loss, and desperation of the Haitian people are difficult to watch. I cry watching the clips of those who have lost loved ones and those who are desperately trying to find them. I weep uncontrollably at the stories of mothers losing children, because no matter how hard I try, I just can't imagine the anguish,the pain, and the heartbreak they are going through. I ache for the people who, through no fault or action of their own (and but by the Grace of God go we), have been dealt this cruel and vicious hand of fate.

And then there appears on the screen a shot of rescuers pulling a small, wimpering child from the rubble; and the story of a man who for 24 hours dug his wife out of the rubble with his own, now-bloody and bruised hands; and the joyful reunion of family members as they find each other or learn that a loved one is alive. And I watch the images of the brave men and women who are painstakenly working the recovery grids, the search teams meticulously hunting for life, and the miracle dogs who can sniff out or hear even the smallest signs of life in such a rotten, ugly, hell-hole. And I am enthused. Just a little. I watch the U.S. (and other countries') armed forces, medical personnel, and innumerable volunteers and missionaries who have traveled--at breakneck speed--to assist in any way they can. And I am proud. There is still such a long way to go...and much more heartache to suffer, but there are some good things happening there and around the world as we all, regardless of our heritage or beliefs, rally to assist this defenseless and humbled country.

So, don't just sit there, do something. Donate money to the Red Cross or another legitimate assistance organization. Send a care package via UPS (they are sending packages up to 30 lbs at no cost). Pray. And let's all hope that each day, regardless of what the day holds, brings Haiti closer and closer to recovery.

I don't like really cold weather...

I don't. I really don't. And the older I get, the less I like it or feel the need to tolerate it.

Hubby and I are in Canada visiting friends and family. We're having a wonderful time, but it's cold up here. Very cold. Current temp is a bone-chilling, teeth-chattering, for-the-love-of-God-someone-get-me-some-longjohns 5 degrees (farenheit not celsius!) with a corrected wind chill temp of -14. And it's still dropping.

Have mercy. And these crazy Canucks are out skiing, snowmobiling, snow-shoeing and acting all normal about it. For heavens sake...it's cold outside, people. Take you butts inside, start a fire, cuddle up with someone!

Well....other than the freezing temps and frollicking warm-blooded (yet still ass-freezing)natives, Ontario Canada is a beautiful winter wonderland at the moment. Friends and family are doing well and we're having nothing but fun. Hubby and I are now all snuggled up, warm and cozy, inside looking out. The weather folks are predicting that tomorrow will be another cold, blistery day.

I can hardly wait.

Getting ready for the new year...

Aww, another new year, another set of resolutions and best intentions. I'm no exception and as I review last year's list, I didn't do too badly.

• I'm healthier, although I need to get back to a disciplined exercise and running routine.
• I have been writing more, perhaps not here on the blog (sorry!), but I have been forging ahead and writing as much as possible. More about that later. :)
• I've gotten more organized...and that is an ever-moving target!

I didn't finish my two-year degree in December, though, and it will be May before I do. I will earn an Associate's Degree in Business Management on the same day that my 25-year-old daughter, Ryan, gets her Bachelor's in Education. We are both excited about that. I won't be done with my education, however, but will be continuing on for my Bachelor's in Integrated Studies. It's very nice to have all my liberal education requirements out of the way and to know that the rest of the classes I take will be for my major--classes I actually want to take. I'm psyched!

So, I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday be it Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah or something else....and that the new year brings fun, good health, and wonderment to you and yours.

Sunday morning round up...

And here I am, three months later, posting my thoughts and opinions again. Did anyone miss me? :) Today's round up will be just a brief highlight of my world in the last three months and a couple additional thoughts.

1. My best and prettiest news: little granddaughter, Paisley Lace Taylor, was born on April 2 to my oldest son, Jeremy, and his fiance, Heidi. Absolutely gorgeous...complete with a head full of dark, wild hair. And she looks like her daddy. :)

2. I'm now entering the last year toward completion of my two-year Associates Degree...exactly 23 years after I took the first course (when Jeremy was just 5). I took a long break in there somewhere to raise a family, and to venture into a new life, but am now well on my way to the finish line. I won't be stopping with the Associates, though....which leads me to round up item #3.

3. After struggling to identify a bachelors degree that matched my career/business goals, I'm quite pleased to have found the answer: Miami's new BIS (Bachelor of Integrative Studies) degree. The degree requires a major in two disciplines (hence "integrative") and allowed me to design my own major. After much research, my two major concentrations will be: A) Strategic and Marketing Communications and B) Business and Technical Writing. I'm psyched.

4. I've become a runner. Oh, not the marathon type, but the just the 5K type. I've completed two 5K runs (one at Cincinnati's Pig Marathon events in May - a blast!) and have another one on June 26h. The goal is to run a 5K each month, and I'm training to run a 10K in the fall. I have to admit, this one even surprised ME! :)

5. In May, Glen and I spent a wonderful, warm, relaxing vacation in the Cayman Islands. We stayed at a resort on the East End of the island, the quieter and less traveled end. It was aboslutely perfect...in every way. It was tough to come back to the real world.

5. Our summer vacation plans include a trip to Montreal for the wedding of Glen's niece...and to spend time with his brothers and their families (who are wonderful, funny people!). Can hardly wait!

And now...till next time...hope everyone has a wonderful summer.

Sunday morning round up...and then some

Ok, this week's round up is actually being written on Sunday morning, as originally intended. I could get used to this. I'm not going to rant about the stimulus package, though, or the president's new multi-trillion dollar budget plan. Instead, since at this very moment I'm suffering from one mother of a hot flash, I'm going to focus on a couple of things happening in my life.

1. If menstration and being the gender responsible for childbirth isn't enough, women must also suffer through menopause...complete with memory lapses (now, what did I wear to work yesterday?), irritability (exCUSE me? oh REALly?), hot flashes (do you mind if I undress right here?), achey joints (ouch!), unreliable cycles (again? already?), weight gain (my metabolism has not just slowed down, it has passed away) and did I mention irritibility (could someone hand me that ball bat?).
2. Ok, I know I don't have the body of a 25 year old...I don't think I ever did...but why, oh why, doesn't my body cooperate every once in a while? I'm exercising. I really am. And I have precious little to show for it. My body is refusing to let go of that extra 15 pounds it has managed to sneak on and it's now come to a battle of wills. Mine against my body's. My body is winning. But I'm stubborn.
3. Running is fun. I joined an exercise group who is training to walk, run or combo walk/run a 5K race in mid-April. We meet once a week, get tips and work out together, then have a training program to follow the rest of the week. I'm planning to walk/run the 5K, and I'm hoping to do the 10K at Cincinnati's Flying Pig Marathon in May. Getting off those extra 15 pounds would certainly help. Did I mention I'm stubborn?
4. Health issues have become regular concerns now. Not only does it take my own body a while to recover from a simple cold or fall (my own recent experiences), and of course I always worry about my parents' health, but I now find myself also worrying over health concerns of my friends and co-workers. In just the last two weeks, three lovely women friends have found lumps in their breasts. All three are getting biopsies or having the lumps removed. It's just another reminder that age brings with it a lot more to worry about than just 15 extra pounds. (And Suzie, if you're reading this, I'm so relieved and happy that everything turned out just fine.)
5. Did I already mention hot flashes, and irritibility? Oh yes. I did. Ok then. 'Nuff said.

And now I'm off to a broomball game. I'm the goalie. Woo hooo! Enjoy life, everyone. Even the hot moments.

Infinite Ways to Wellness

It seems that every person I know...both in my professional and personal life..is incredily stressed, super busy, exhausted, and pushed to the limit. While all the magazines and professionals tell us to slow down, relax, and take care of ourselves, we continue to forge ahead at break-neck speed and with break-back loads. But what's a person to do when life is coming at them from every direction? An economic crisis hangs over our heads. Work and family responsibilities increase. Stresses mount. And there simply aren't enough hours in the day any more. Well I've recently joined a program via my employer's Health and Well-Being (HWB) initiative titled "Infinite Ways to Wellness" which encourages participants to focus on improving six key areas of personal wellness: Intellectual, Emotional, Physical, Spiritual, Occupational and Social. I've just started the program, and thus my weekly log of activities.

It's interesting (and quite an eye opener) to realize just how much (or how little) I do for my own wellness in some of those areas. The program asks us to list what we do each week for our emotional wellness? physical wellness? social or intellectual wellness? As a part-time student, my coursework each week helps me to work on my intellectual health . And I'm also (through the same group) training to run/walk a 5K marathon in April so that motivates me to work on my physical health. But what about the others? The HWB group has provided lots of examples of things we can do under each category and they've encouraged us to come up with our own. The ultimate goal at the end of the12-week program, of course, is a more well-balanced, healthy (and happy) life. And I'm all for that. Aren't we all? I'll keep you posted as to how it goes. But for now, let's just say that I need to work on my emotional, occupational, social, and spiritual wellness.

So, take time to think about what you can do each day this week for your own personal wellness. How about a 10-minute stroll, or perhaps it's 10 minutes to yourself for quiet reflection, or maybe it's 10 minutes listening to your favorite blues songs? Whatever it is, try to shoot for 10 minutes each day...ok maybe just 5 minutes to start out...of your own personal wellness time. And fill that time with something you really enjoy. Good luck!

Super Bowl Sunday round up....

Go Big Ben and the Steelers!! The hubby and I just returned a few hours ago from an anniversary weekend away, it's half-time and the Steelers are winning. Life is good. Real good. It would be better if my Bengals were playing the Cardinals instead, but alas, they are not. And sadly, it looks like it may be a while before we make the Superbowl. So...Go Steelers!

And here's the round up for this week...

1. Last year's Tom Petty performance was infinitely better than this year's Bruce Springsteen. Tom rocked! Bruce sounds like he is just barely going to make it through the current song. Someone get that man some oxygen...STAT! He probably should have skipped trying to climb atop that piano.
2. I laughed out loud at the commercial where the office worker suggests eliminating BudLight at meetings to cut costs and his colleagues promptly throw him out the window..chair and all! Now that's funny stuff.
3. Jennifer Hudson looked and sounded amazing singing the National Anthem. She nailed it beautifully...her voice is just glorious.
4. Being married five years feels good. It doesn't hurt that my hubby is a sweetheart of a guy, and the years are flying by. It certainly doesn't seem like five years. Did I mention this already? Life is good.
5. The older I get and the more winters I spend in Ohio, the more I understand having a seasonal home in Florida. I really do.
6. And finally, just a bit about this mind-boggling $900 billion stimulus package that's working it's way through our government. I'm worried. Really worried. I'm concerned that these bail-out and stimulus packages are going to help but a scant few. It's sure to create bigger government and loads of "projects" but it will do very little to fix the actual problems. Bail-outs and stimulus packages cannot do what should be one....and that's to make absolutely certain that people at all levels of the economic puzzle learn their lessons. Save more, spend less. Don't bite off more than you can chew (or pay back). Reform loaning practices. If you loan to people who can't pay you back, then you must suffer the consequences. If you bought more house than you can afford, you deserve to lose it. If you have amassed large credit card debt, well guess what, you are responsible for paying it back. If that means you have to scale back your lifestyle, then do it. I think the economy, businesses, and our individual lifestyles need to suffer the consequences of our actions and then our economy will then rebuild strength on its own. Without government interference and "stimulus." Strong companies will survive, weak companies will not. As it should be. If we don't do it that way, if instead we are all rescued, bailed out, and stimulated, then none of us will learn anything. None of us and nothing will really change. And that's not going to help us. At all.

And on that note, I'm headed off to work on my taxes. :) Happy February everyone!