Oxygen Mask Anyone?

Well, I am happy to say that we finally completed the move to Tennessee. The last couple of weeks have been spent unpacking and accustoming ourselves to the climate and slower lifestyle. We are ecstatic over the fact that it is the middle of February, and we have been able to wear short sleeves and keep the windows open to let in the scent of spring fresh air.

Of course, all this warm weather means I cannot push off my outdoor exercise regime anymore. So I decided to start back on a walking program. Two years ago, I was walking more than five miles a day and barely broke a sweat. In my mind, I saw myself picking up the program where I left off. I thought I would begin my regime yesterday, but first I wanted to put the outgoing mail in my mailbox down at the end of my driveway.

It is approximately one hundred yards from my house to the end of my driveway. From the road, the driveway slopes gently yet steadily upward to the top of the hill where our house is located. It felt great to walk down the drive, head in the air and deeply breathing in the mountain air. I put the mail out, then started walking back to the house to collect my honey so we could begin our walk together. I didn't count on the not so steep grade to our house knocking me for a loop! By the time I reached the top of the drive, I was ready to call in a Medic. I realized then and there just how out of shape I had let myself become. I felt like that cocky quarterback from high school; you know the one who 25 years later still thinks he is a Heisman Trophy candidate, but pulls a ham string getting out of his la-z-boy rocker.

I am nothing if not persistent. Last night, we managed to walk about a mile or so and navigated our way back to the top of our drive. It was small consolation that my fiance felt as winded as I felt. We are determined, however, to take at least one walk a day, slowly going a little farther each day. If anyone has any spare oxygen tanks, we are accepting donations at this time!

Happy trails!

So long, farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, goodnight!

So long, farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, goodnight!

Recently I gathered up my family members for a goodbye dinner to celebrate my impending move out of state. There is nothing my family loves more than a good party for ANY reason, so naturally they were all in attendance. We got together early on a Saturday afternoon, catching up on each other’s lives and chatting about what took place since we last seen each other for the holidays.

My oldest daughter was full of sun and fun having just returned from a week long Caribbean cruise with her boyfriend; her first vacation paid for by her own hand. My youngest daughter, on the brink of teenage bliss, showed off the tomboy she always had been is now blossoming into a young woman. And my only son just followed me around giving me all sorts of advice, as if I was a child moving away from home for the first time, instead of the other way around.   

My family was all around me; Brother, Sister, Mom, Brother in law, Sister in law, Nephew. And I cannot forget to mention Roxie, my mom’s German shepherd, as much a member of the family as anything walking on two legs. You could measure the noise level with a Geiger counter, which is not only normal at a Henry family gathering but also a requirement in our family by-laws.(Go ahead, look it up, I’ll wait..) Everyone was talking and laughing at once with hands reaching over hands to snatch up the last chip with dip or piggy in the blanket. Being the mom that I am I could tune into specific conversations to see if any food needed replenishing or any arguments needed a referee.

Instead, I heard a lot of reminiscing. This past year saw two of my children leave the nest and start lives of their own.  Many anecdotes started with “Remember when Mom did..…” and a few minutes later peals of laughter were ringing through the house. I stood apart from most of this and had the morbid thought that it was a little like being at a funeral. Think about it. A funeral is just another going away party where family and friends get together over a little food and drink and remember why they love you. It’s not often you get to hear with your own ears when you are being eulogized, but that is what it felt like, in a manner of speaking. Since moving away from my family feels like a little part of me is dying, I guess it felt good to know that I am leaving such wonderful memories behind me.

It will no longer be so easy to just swoop up the kids for an impromptu backyard cook out, or a matinee movie. No more Saturday afternoons playing Wii for hours on end.  I will certainly miss watching the same Pixar movies over and over again and seeing who can remember the most movie quotes.  Yet I take with me the same memories I have left with them. I leave for them my own living legacy; family love and joy. If they remember nothing else about me, I hope they remember how much I love them and how much joy they have brought to me. I hope they pass this legacy to their own children, however since I’m not ready to be a grandmother just yet they can hold it for the distant future.

As the night drew to an end I was reminded of one of my favorite musicals, The Sound of Music. So I will leave you with this refrain: “So long, farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, goodnight!! I hate to go and leave this pretty sight!” (Come on, you know the rest… go ahead, sing along with me!)

Love you guys!

Mom

xoxoxo



Road trip anyone??

It's been a little over two weeks since I decided to embark upon a journey to a healthier lifestyle. I've always loved road trips. The best part about them is, if you get lost it's okay. That is what road trips are for! If you are lucky you discover something fun, new and exciting. Sometimes, you find a crappy roadside motel with no hot water and a lumpy bed. This is where I fall in. I had thought these first two weeks would be a piece of cake for me. Life, however, is a fair weather friend.  The stress of coordinating an out of state move, losing my job and trying to say goodbye to family and friends was too much for my waistline to bear. I found out I am a stress eater, something I am not sure I knew about myself until now.

Suffice it to say, I am not pleased with my progress. I've tried to infuse healthier eating habits into my daily routine, but they keep getting lost among the salty snacks and bad food choices that pop up like giant pot holes in front of me. I can't seem to swerve out of the way and avoid them. That being said, I am still in the driver's seat on this journey. I've never been one to turn around and go home simply because I got lost trying to get somewhere. I'm not too proud to stop and ask for directions. I will just consider this a pit stop on my road trip to a healthier me. I may have picked up some souvenirs in the form of unwanted pounds but that is okay. I am getting back on the road today and soon those souvenirs are going to be in a box waiting for my next yard sale along with all the other trinkets I've picked up along my waistline.

Adios and Vaya Con Dios!