Healthy Living - Again

I'm trying to get back on the wagon with taking care of myself.  This means, eating properly and exercising regularly.  Not to mention getting enough sleep, wearing sunscreen, and using sulfate free shampoos on my hair.  It's not easy to do on a regular basis while keeping up with the other demands of life, aka work and school.

6 years ago I lost over 40 pounds on weight watchers, in the last 3 years I've gained it all back.  2 years ago, I didn't lose any weight but I converted the fat into muscle and dropped several inches from my waistline.  The problems that led to ending up back where I started haven't gone away.  I have one year left of school and work is still a stressful environment.  But with only a year left of school and several special events coming up after that, I want to get back into my healthy habits.  Life only gets more difficult from here on out and I need to actually nail this down now so I can carry it through.

As you may have read, I lost my grandmother last month.  She had diabetes and other health problems that could have been avoided with simple steps in her youth.  I want to make sure that I am doing those things now and not taking my health for granted.  I'm already noticing parts of me deteriorating and I need to halt as much as I can for as long as I can.  This takes discipline and hard work.

I want to create healthy habits that will be passed down to my children, eventually, and I don't want them to struggle with this the way that I have.  I want to be a good example for them and show them how life can be lived to the fullest while not indulging in every single impulse that comes along.

The End of an Era

In May, my last grandparent passed away. We weren't exceptionally close, but she was still my grandmother.

It started with a call from my mother saying that Grandma had fallen and they were taking her to the hospital.  I didn't think much about it because she had fallen before and was able to recover.  But at 88 years old, there's always cause for concern.  It turns out that she had a heart attack the previous day and had ignored the warning signs.  She'd opted not to go to the hospital and went to bed instead. The damage to her heart was permanent by the time she fell and there was nothing to do but wait.

My sister and I arrived in Florida the same evening, but didn't get to see Grandma in the hospital until the following day.  She stayed in the ICU for 3 days and was then moved to Hospice care.  I have to say that the staff at Hospice of Marion County were fantastic.  They were very respectful to my grandmother and very helpful to the rest of the family.  We're also incredibly grateful to the help provided by the Salvation Army Center of Hope so that we didn't have to worry about ridiculous hotel fees.

When my father's parents died, it was sudden and we didn't have time to get there.  When my mother's father died, I was very young so it affected me differently.  For this grandparent, though, we were able to say goodbye and spend time with her at the very last of her days.  It was a surreal experience that I hope to never repeat, though I know that at some point I may have to.  With knowing that my parents are now orphans comes the realization that they're the next generation to go.

Certainly, there could be a terrible accident that could take another family member sooner, but for all intents and purposes they're the next on the list of possibilities.  This is a frightening realization for me and something on which I try not to dwell.  But it certainly makes me question a lot of things in my life and wonder what kind of story people will tell about me when they have to speak over my coffin.

Davy Jones - February 29th

I just learned that Davy Jones, of The Monkees fame, has died at age 66 and my day is a little bit darker because of it.  Just last Friday, Dad and I were driving to the airport, listening to Pool It in the car.

I became acquainted with them in 1986 when MTV re-ran episodes of The Monkees.  Even though I am a second generation fan, it still feels like a little piece of my childhood is gone.

Dad's 59th

My father's 59th birthday was this weekend and it amazes me how my parents seem so much younger than my grandparents did at the same age.  It could be because the pictures of my grandparents at that age were taken in the 80's, or it could be their behaviors.  Of course, I would never have seen the side of my grandparents that I see of my dad simply because of my age at the time.


Dad and his friend, Ona, circa Friday night



Mommom and Poppop, circa 1980's



Happy Birthday Annette!

In honor of her 69th birthday, Annette Funicello has launched annetteconnection.

I was very excited to see this on my Facebook feed today as Annette was always one of my role models growing up.  How could she possibly be one of my role models you say? Seeing as she was famous in the 60's & 70's and I was born in 1981 I can understand how you would be confused.  But you fail to take into account that my sister and I grew up watching the Beach Party and Disney movies of the 60's and 70's.  We used to think that mom was like DeeDee and dad was like Frankie.  Then they divorced and no matter how many times you hear Annette sing the Parent Trap, it just isn't going to work out.  Of course, seeing as my father and my mom are still friends to this day, I guess my parents really did turn out like Frankie and Annette, IRL.

What made me even more excited than the launch of her website was the discovery of this gem in the news section:

Annette's new Fan Mail Address:

 

Annette Funicello

c/o Postmaster

Shafter, CA 93263

OMFG!!  I can write to Annette and tell her how much I adored her in the Beach Party movies.  (And when I adore someone, they stay adored.)  I can tell her about the life lessons I learned from watching her other films and how I strive to live my life in a manner that she would find pleasing.  Because that's not creepy at all.  Seriously though if I could go back in time and be best friends with any celebrity, it would be her.

A Surprise 55th Wedding Anniversary

Attended my Stepdad's Parent's 55th wedding anniversary today.  The real anniversary is in December so he completely surprised them by holding it in July.  I know he wanted to do something special for them since their 50th was around the same time his sister passed away so it went uncelebrated.

It amazes me that they've been together that long.  I just look at my last 30 years and realize that there are completely different periods in my life.  I refer to them as lifetimes and I would say I've had about 5 of them so far.  Something comes along to drastically change your way of thinking or behaving and thus a new lifetime is born.  I read journal entries from ten years ago and I can't even remember being that person.  So, I can't imagine being with someone through that many life changes. 

How do you stay with someone for that length of time and still be in love with each other?  I know they had dark times.  And I know they had brilliant time.  So how did they get from one to the other for 55 years?

59 Years Ago Today

Today is my mother's birthday.  It was 59 years ago that her mother and father smiled down at their newborn.  I called her a little bit ago and she dropped major hints about gifts that she wants. (The rest of the Agatha Christie series on BBC) However, I was able to inform her that Danielle and I had already gone ahead and purchased the plane ticket as her gift.  She was excited, though a little disappointed at the loss of Agatha Christie, and we talked about what she'll do when she's up here next month.

I haven't seen my mother in over a year and I feel that that is far too long.  I hate that she is in Florida, though I admit it is the best thing for everyone concerned.  She gets to spend time with her mother and sister as well as become more involved in church and community.  She'd become very isolated up here and I think was very lonely most of the time.  I hope that being in Florida has helped with that.  She said she's always busy taking grandma to this or that appointment, helping with the church, volunteering at the retirement home, etc.  So I at least feel that she is living a healthier life than she was here.

Though I have other concerns about her.  The house they live in is in serious disrepair and I don't think it will get better.  Once my grandmother passes, I don't see my mother living there by herself.  It would be the best financial thing for her to not have to pay rent, but it's a terrible place to live.  Of course, in Florida, the rent is not as bad as it is here so she might be able to work something out.  Also, with the longevity my grandmother seems to possess my mother could be well into her later 60's before that happens.  Then she would qualify for all kinds of senior discounts and credits, not to mention she could live in the church retirement community.  For now, I am not so concerned about my mother specifically.  She takes care of her own mother and therefore has a sense of purpose.  My maternal aunt also lives in Florida and she sees her quite often so there is an outside perspective of things.

One of the guys at work just had to put his mother into a nursing home.  She's in her 70's, but up until about 6 months ago was able to live perfectly well on her own.  It wasn't until her neighbors started calling that he even knew something was wrong.  (He lives here and she lives in Texas)  Apparently she had suffered several mini-strokes and it's almost like Alzheimer's.  She has good days and bad, but mostly she forgets to eat and pay her bills.  He said it was one of the hardest decisions he's ever had to make and all I could think about was my own mother.  It will get to that one day and I don't know if I will be prepared for it.