Here I go again!

Next week - on May 13th - I'm having surgery on my left foot - my third surgery on this foot in less than 8 months. I'm also having a surgery on my right foot at the same time...
I have a lot of anxiety about the whole process....
I've been living in constant pain for about a year though - and I'm praying for good results this time.
I'm scared.... and I'm sure not looking forward to the pain and the recovery.
My last surgery required a pin - and it was very painful.... I'll be pinned again - and I dread spending the month of June with my foot elevated on ice - as I'm bleary eyed from pain meds.
I'm praying the results are good and I'm able to get back to the activities I love... my biking, hiking, walking and YMCA work outs. I'm also hoping that while I'm dreading the summer in recovery....that at least the next Thanksgiving/Christmas holiday season will be pain free this year.
What a long, strange trip this has been.....

Friday's FIVE!

April 30, 2008 - at 3:15PM ... I am now a MeMe X 2!!!!

When Tyler was born 8 years ago - I learned quickly that being a Grandparent was truly one of the greatest joys ... and one of the best life rewards. In honor of both of my blessed grandsons,

TYLER AND TREVOR

This weeks Friday's FIVE! will focus on 5 wonderful things about being a MeMe!

1. Having Grandchildren to love - unconditionally... no expectations - just love....

Endless, endless love....that is also reciprocated by the grandchildren in the most precious... heartfilled way.

2. Watching your child become one of the greatest mothers of all time. What a testimony to motherhood ... to see my own child become a mother that I admire and respect.

3. Sharing the things I love to do with my Grandsons - like a bicycle event, a hike in the smokey mountains, a kayak tour...

4. Enjoying things with my Grandsons that I wouldn't do if it weren't for them... things like - watching animated videos, eating Lego waffles, shopping for dinosaurs and playing with nerf toys.

5. Spending wonderful, blessed time with my blessed Grandsons....having them spend the night - buying them junk and candy - watching the same Shrek movie over and over again instead of my favorite TV show - taking them to the movie - digging for worms and catching crawdads in the creek, packing picnics and playing outside - and sending them home to the capable hands of their parents as I enjoy the peacefulness of our empty nest!

Life is good - and Grandchildren are Gods way of saying 'Life goes on'...

When I married my daughters' father - my own grandmother gave me a little plaque with a prayer that said....

"Look down with favor, Oh Lord on these thine servants..... and bless them with the love of their children's children"...

Dear Lord - Thank you for hearing her prayer....and granting me the love of my own children's children!

TREVOR JAMES MORGAN!

I am now MeMe to two beautiful boys - TREVOR JAMES MORGAN joined his brother, Tyler today at 3:15PM - weighing in at 7 pounds, 13.2 ounces and 20 1/2 inches long.
He is beautiful... and we are delighted to finally meet him.
It was a tough delivery - and his mother and father both were amazing!
Babies are such a blessed gift - What a wonderful day it has been!!!!

Friday's FIVE!

April 22 Earth Day marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. I was just 12 years old when the first Earth Day occurred.... It was a time of focus on our earth - I remember vividly "Keep America Beautiful" and the commercial with the American Indian - that shed the tear when someone threw trash from a car window - I remember the commercials "Give a Hoot, Don't Pollute"... The focus was on the environment... and it had a huge effect on me. More than 35 years later- we are still focusing on the environment by reducing our carbon footprint and 'going green' - I did not plant a tree this year (yet) - but I have made an effort to focus on reducing plastic bags -buying reusable shopping bags. I have made an effort to reduce the amount of plastic water bottles that I buy. Spring is upon us - and I've started my flower shopping - while I've perused the nursery aisles this week, I've taken careful notice of trees in respect for "Earth Day" - and taken time to appreciate the trees around me. This weeks Friday Five - focuses on 5 of my favorite TREEs.

Keep America Beautiful...

if you can't plant a tree ... take some time to appreciate a tree near you.

1. Weeping Willow Trees -

The east side of the lake used to be completely lined with weeping willow trees... and they looked like a waterfall when the wind would blow. In 2003, Bruce and I planted a Weeping willow on the east corner of our lakefront - and in 2005 we planted another weeping willow on the West side. I love my willow trees and enjoy the shade they bring on a hot summer day.

2. Sycamore Trees -

I grew up in Marion, Indiana... and during the 1970's ... Western Avenue/South bypass area was lined with Sycamore trees - and there was a big one in our front yard. Sadly, most of those trees have now been cut down - but I still remember the huge leaves that would blow around the yard - and I can still hear David Gates/Bread on my radio as I sat under that Sycamore tree writing teenage poetry.

3. Gingko Trees -

Easily recognized and always a part of our high school leaf collection as the Mississinewa High School parking lot was lined with Gingko trees. Everytime I see a gingko tree - I am taken back to the early 1970's and my high school days.

4. Oak Trees -

My grandparents had a huge oak tree in the front yard of their wildwood home in Marion - I can remember gathering with my cousins at Grandma and Grandpa's home and raking leaves all around that huge Oak Tree in Marion. There are also several tall oak trees behind our cottage at the road - and I can remember many fall weekends raking leaves at the lake when my daughters were young. Good memories of a hot pot of chili on a cold fall day ... and tall oak trees that have been standing for more than 5 generations.

5. Tree Tunnel on Tree Road -

There is a road in Kosciusko county - just a few miles from our cottage. Tree road is legendary to all of us that have traveled these roads. The excitement in my belly as we would travel to the lake when I was a little girl would only escalate as we drove down 'Tree Road' and I know my daughters share the same experience.... The Tree Tunnel on Tree Road was (and still is) a gateway to fun and sun and good times - before "I spying" and smelling the lake!

PURPLE MARTINS!

Several years ago, my brother gave us a Purple Martin house. We put it up - and kept it cleaned... year after year - only to attract invasive - infidels - English Sparrows. Last year - I was thrilled to see that after about 5 years, the Martins finally decided to take up residence.
We paddled the paddled boat last night and saw several in the Martin houses at the church camp....and we saw several flocks flying over the lake... I was sad to think they had arrived but were not in our Martin house. While I was working at home today - I hear the familiar 'summer' chatter of the Martins!!!! WWWWHHhhooo HHHHHoooooo...
They came back!!!
We heard the Loon last night - but I bet he heads north pretty soon.
His departure and the arrival of the Martins - is another clear indicator that summer is officially on the way!!!!!

Friday's FIVE!

Trilogy Health Services met in Nashville, TN for our annual Spring Meeting this week. I'm so fortunate to work for the Best healthcare company in the Midwest - and the Best Place to work in KY!!! http://bestplacestoworkky.com/downloads/NewsRelease-BPWK08Rankings-MEDIA.pdf . During our trip - we walked Broadway and visited several of the local "Honky Tonks" . We walked past the Ryman Auditorium ... the orginal home of the Grand Ole Opry - and we saw Gibson guitars, CMT, Coyote Ugly, Tootsie's and many other legedary Nashville locations. We also went to the Friday night show at The Grand Ole Opry. It was a thrilling experience to witness an American icon - and to be entertained by legends and new artists making thier Opry debut. Tonight's Friday Five - feature five of the artists that I saw singing tonight at the Grand Ole Opry!
1. Little Jimmy Dickens - http://www.opry.com/MeetTheOpry/Members.aspx?id=66 87 year old Little Jimmy Dickens took the stage - decked in his sparkling country duds - his 4'11" frame took the stage telling jokes and singing a few of his hits.

2. The Whites - http://www.opry.com/MeetTheOpry/Members.aspx?id=657 The sisters that recorded the soundtrack for "Oh Brother Where Art Though" - The harmony between the sisters is captivating.

3. Bill Anderson - http://www.opry.com/MeetTheOpry/Members.aspx?id=57 Another Legend... so exciting to see him sing!

4. Diamond Rio - http://www.opry.com/MeetTheOpry/Members.aspx?id=652 One of my favorite country groups - Diamond Rio was celebrating their 10th Anniversary as members of the Opry. They sang "Meet in the Middle" and "One More Day" = the highlight for me!

5. The Avett Brothers - http://www.theavettbrothers.com/site.php The debut of the evening...and a wonderful fresh, new country group. It was an interesting and fresh take on contry music.... sort of a 'Barenaked Ladies' approach to country music. If you haven't heard them....I encourage you to listen to them - it is a GREAT sound! One of the songs was "Shame" I loved it! It's now on my iPod!!! http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=217771714

Bon Voyage Captain Canada!

My Uncle has set sail for his final cruise....

Captain Canada...Uncle Jim -
Jim Pence passed away this morning ... and I know tonight that he is able to take a much deserved deep breath as he sinks a hook in a big one with his favorite fishing buddy at his side....
I know my Daddy was happy to see his little brother today.

I'm sure that tonight there is a back slappin', poker playing, boat of fun filled fisherman in heaven including Ed Gasper, My Daddy and Captain Canada aboard!

He will be missed - and I'm thankful for the lessons of living life to the fullest -
just last week I recieved an email from him that said.....
"have fun, after all - none of us are getting out of here alive!"

Happy Sailing Captain!

Friday's FIVE!

I admit it... I'm a reality TV show junkie - well, not really a junkie - but I am a huge (no pun intended) fan of The Biggest Loser ... and I follow American Idol. I have been watching Biggest Loser since the very first season. I've struggled all my life with wieght - and I share so many of the issues that many of the contestants face. The finale is this week - and Alli and Kelly are two women in the finals!!! I have appreciated this special edition - Biggest Loser Couples because this is such a close knit group and they are so supportive of each other. There has been very little knit-picking, back biting and traditional reality TV drama.

It has been very motivating to watch this group support each other - and to watch the amazing transformations.

http://www.nbc.com/The_Biggest_Loser_5/

Betsy lives in Chicago - right downtown, in the city...and she works in northern Chicago and has about an hour commute to and from work each day. Often she will call to chat on her way home. I love this time with her. I love catching up with the things that are happening in her life - and just sharing a laugh with her. We both love Biggest Loser and it has been a topic of discussion for us many evenings....and we discuss our diets and our work outs - and how we are trying to lose weight.

So - while I still struggle with my weight - and would love to be back down to a size 4 again, the real priority for me is to be healthy so that I can enjoy a fit and healthy life.

This week I am focusing on Five of my personal favorite Get Fit tips - as a motivator to myself ... to remind me, I've done this before - I can do it again!

1. Water - lots and lots of water

2. Cardio and weight training - at least 5 days a week

3. Oatmeal every day for breakfast

4. Beer - no more than 2X a week :( (Damn - this is the hardest!!)

5. 40/30/30 Daily Diet Composition

Belly Cast!!

It won't be long before my new Grandson, Trevor arrives... Bruce and I are both so excited about our new grandson. Katie and Tyler came up this weekend - and we had a such a wonderful weekend. Katie and I went to local bulk/bakery/organic stores while Tyler and Bruce did 'boy stuff'.... I casted Katie's pregnant 'belly' - and we watched movies and enjoyed bakery treats. Saturday morning we had Steel Cut Oats that cooked all night in the crock pot.
I love these visits so much... I can't wait for Trevor to join us!!

Friday's FIVE!

I am so thankful to have a wonderful career and a position with the best company in the midwest, TRS Rehab http://trsrehab.com/ - a division of TRILOGY Health Services http://www.trilogyhs.com/. This week - I was in Goshen, IN - Michigan City, IN - and Lebanon, IN. I made a quick trip to the lake while I was in Michigan City - and the lighthouse view is beautiful!

Next week I'll travel to Jackson, MI - and hopefully get to have dinner with one of my dear friends that I wouldn't have the opportunity to see if it weren't for my traveling opportunities with my career. Because I'm so grateful for this career that I love - today's Friday Five will focus on five things I truly love about my job!

1. My co-workers, my team-mates.... my friends and mentors that make my job a fun place to be!

2. The opportunity to travel all over the midwest and see some wonderful places in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Michigan.

3. A company that values education and has a very generous continuing education plan.

4. A flexible schedule that allows me to work from my own home office.

5. The opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people....