3/29/09 Health Secrets

For something a little different this week, I am doing a "self-interview" based on questions from "Health" magazine, page 176 - April 2009 that were asked of Daisy Fuentes.

Natural beauty: Let's the real you shine through and is more than skin-deep.

Natural beauty icon: Honestly, I don't know!!

Top skin saver: Cetaphil cleanser. I can buy it in bulk at Sam's and refill bottles in the shower and vanity plus it does not irritate my skin.

The runner-up: Concealer stick for those times when life gives me "bumps in the road". My favorite is from ELF that's only $1 (at least when I last bought it) that I get from Buehlers in Ashland. Reminds me that I need to go there and restock!

Top time-saving product: I'd have to say ponytail holders. I stick one in my pocket or bag plus I keep some in my desk at work should I forget to bring one from home. I can let my hair air dry in the car and pull it back after I get to work.

Best drop 5 pounds quick tip: Measure portions, drink only calorie free beverages, and get moving. Unfortunately, weight does not come off quick for me but it does come off if I do this!

Swimsuit season prep: None because I avoid swimming whenever possible. If my son begs me to go to the pool, I have my skirted slim-suit.

Natural energy booster: I love coffee and drink it straight up except for when I go to Starbucks. When I go there, I put nonfat milk in it to help cool it down. At home, I use water.

Most underrated feature: Brains. I really feel that intelligence is overlooked for external beauty. To prove my point, when have you ever seen a magazine cover with someone who looks like Velma from "Scooby Doo" unless the show was featured inside?

I still have to make peace with: My whole body! I started exercising again this month after a lengthy hiatus while I was in pain until my nerve issue was found in late January. The walking I do helps but I need to find time to get in strength training. I hate having to make Jon do the cat litter runs since the 40 pound bags are more cost effective and that he does the Sam's run when we need 40 or 80 pound bags of water softner salt. Mulching time is just around the corner and I'm hoping to be able to sling bags of mulch!

If you've read the article on Daisy in "Health", I regret that I do not have my own hair product line or tips to get you fit and gorgeous like was mentioned in her article!

Have a great week!

What is family?

I've been thinking a lot recently about "what is family" based on things my son has said, comments directed toward me, and comments about how our lives.

I went to dictionary.com this morning and the points below are only a few of 20 different ways the word "family" can be used. These are the ones pertinent to my article today:

"parents and their children, considered as a group, whether dwelling together or not."

"any group of persons closely related by blood, as parents, children, uncles, aunts, and cousins."

It has been questioned where Jon, Jonnie, and I are really a family. As you can see by the above definitions we most certainly are! With Jon and I being married and Jonnie being a creation of us through our blood and the fact that we dwell under the same roof, solidifies that we are a family.

The fact that we are a family is not erased because we often separate at holidays. The truth is that we generally have a limited amount of time around holidays because of work and we both want to see our families. Since 2006 after my Dad fell and broke his hip and the series of other medical issues that have befallen my parents, I have wanted to be closer with them. My parents are my family because I was created by their blood even though I am no longer dwelling in their house.

Jonnie talks about his cousins; most recent discussion was yesterday. He rattled off who he thought were his cousins. Given the definitions above, we had to correct him. Jonnie's cousins through blood lineage are Nicki, Shelly, Caemon, Hannah, Julianna, Angela, and Veronica. Nicki and Shelly are Jon's blood nieces (Jon & his brother Craig share the same mother) and they are my nieces through marriage. Hannah, Caemon, Julianna, Angela, and Veronica are Jonnie's cousins through being children of my husband's cousins who are children of his Aunts Nina & Lola. We did not go into this detail with Jonnie. We just gave him the names of who his cousins are and left it at that.

Our family unity is questioned because we take separate vacations. Jon and I did tons of things together during our first 5 years of marriage and we also did some things separately. Over the going on 13 years that we've been married, our interests have changed, our jobs have changed, and our lives changed with the birth of Jonnie almost 6 years ago. Jon became interested in shooting in 2003 and his love for shooting took off from there. He's now a competitive shooter and he his match director at Big Darby, he attends matches at Pickaway, he takes classes, and he goes to competitions. Jon will board airplanes or drive for hours to do these things because he loves it. This is not to say that he does not love Jonnie & I; he keeps in touch with his frequently by phone calls, text messages, and email. Jon's vacation is almost used up with classes and competitions with the except of days he reserves for use at Thanksgiving or Christmas depending on which holiday we have to go out of town.

However, I prefer quieter hobbies like walking, gardening, and reading. I've been shooting and still try to get out sometimes but I don't want to be like Jon. I drive to get where I need to go but don't like to drive for long periods of time. Frankly, the drive to my parents is about as much as I can truly tolerate. I absolutely hate flying. I understand the security but have often felt I've been treated unfairly during a couple of the security checks in my previous flying days. I quipped to Jon that he could get on a plane without hassle checking firearms but that I'd be held back because of my shampoo! I accrue vacation time and with my work, I definitely need to get away!! That is why I searched for bus trips this year for my summer vacation. I found the perfect vacation that allows me to get away without driving and gives me the chance to walk, see flowers & other sites, and possibly read even if it's in my hotel room. Jon has seen a lot of the US through trips he took with the Boy Scouts while growing up. My travel growing up was limited to Southern Ohio and South Dakota because that's where we have family.

Do I sometimes wish we were "normal" where we all piled into the family station wagon....errrrr...minivan with a clam shell on top and drove somewhere for a week? At times, yes. There may come a time when Jonnie gets older that Jon & I adjust our personal vacations by taking shorter trips so we can take a long weekend trip as a family unit somewhere. Unlike the Griswalds, I don't see us using our vacation time to take a two-week trek somewhere. Although we are a family, each of us has separate interests and for the livelihood of our family, it's important that we pursue those so we do not lose sight of who we are as individuals.

Bullets or Lilacs? A Tale of our vacations

My husband Jon has been planning his trip to Las Vegas, Nevada for a competitive shooting course at the Front Sight Academy for quite a while. He's flying out and sharing a room & rental car with his shooting friends Steve & Judy. He's gotten plane tickets and has been buying up ammo whenever he can find it since there is no ammo to be found in Nevada.

Last week I was reviewing our Remedy Service Desk project and started thinking about taking my own vacation. I picked a week and started looking for Catholic Mission projects. I could never get a response from the one place in contacted and the trip dates don't mesh with my schedule for trips that local churches are taking to Katrina ravaged areas. I began looking for women's only vacations but some of the lodging only prices I was finding was more than I wanted to spend and that did not include getting there & back or food! I started looking for bus tours since I don't like flying. I found one that went through the Dakotas and into Montana and stopped at Yellowstone for two days. The price was reasonable except that the trip left from Minnesota so I would have to get there on top of the price of the bus trip. Jon was searching and found a local company called Croswell. Jon and I were looking at their trips on our computers. The trip to Cape Cod at the end of May sounded wonderful but it conflicts with Jon's "Richard Petty Driving Experience" day on May 30th. "No, honey, you are not putting Jonnie's booster seat in a race car traveling 180 mph!". The trip to the Canadian Rockies also sounded nice but 16 days was longer than I wanted. I finally decided on the trip to the Lilac Festival on Mackinac Island. Yes, I am going to Michigan. I still bleed scarlet & gray, love Jim & Thad, and shout OH-IO frequently in my home. I submitted my reservation last night, requested my vacation, and have my deposit going in the mail. The caveat is that the trip is a week earlier than my original plan and I am leaving on our 13th Wedding Anniversary. Jon had no issue with this especially since his Las Vegas trip has him missing Palm Sunday.

What's Jonnie doing this summer? He's attending AM & PM summer camps through Camp Recky through OSU Recreation. He will get to go swimming and play sports; he should be tired out when he gets home!

As you can see we are not a typical family that vacations together. Jon uses his vacation time to attend shooting courses or competitions. He always invites me but his trips sound about as fun as watching paint dry to me. I use my vacation time and do something else. Last year it was Katrina rebuilding in New Orleans, this year it's Lilacs!

Bullets or Lilacs - which would you choose?

Sunday March 15th Dayboook

I missed posting my Daybook last week since we had family in from out of town and I didn't spend as much time on the computer as normal. By Sunday night last weekend, everyone was ready to pull their hair out and I couldn't wait to get back to work. The little 4 year old girl visiting was making us all nuts to the point where our son wanted her to leave and doesn't want her to come back. Anyhow, the daybook!

Outside: Dark - can't see past the black cat sitting on the corner of my desk to observe anything else!

Kitchen: Disaster area! I swept and mopped yesterday which was much needed. The dishwasher is unloaded but Jon hasn't loaded it yet. It's better than it was but still a disaster.

Tasks: After mass we need to go to the grocery store. We also need to go to Sam's and Petsmart. I'm inclined to ask Jon that we go 2 directions rather than dragging everyone around. Since I can't lift 40 pound bags of cat litter, guess where he gets to go? ;-) We also talked about going to the rec center. I need the exercise but would rather curl up and sleep on a mat than walk!

Nose Inserted: I'm 5 days behind but plugging away at "The Daily Bible". I had several days last week where I collapsed into bed without reading or fell asleep in bed while watching TV with Jon & missed reading. I've read pages from the magazine "Catholic Digest" that I carry in my work bag. I caught up a little on my Lenten Journal. I finished reading "The Culprit & The Cure" for my last research study session Tuesday. I've also read "Sola Scriptura" and "Streetwise Spirituality". Let's day stealing a second hour of Adoration on Wednesday while my son was at PSR was wonderful. Maybe I'll do it again if Jon has fish fry stuff to unload!

Hands Folded, Head Bowed: At Adoration on Monday of last week I prayed the Divine Mercy Chaplet with the intention of Gerard Tracy, Jr who lost his battle with cancer. Otherwise, it's been prayers here and there as you've seen on my prayers box on Facebook.

In my Ears: I found some really cool workout music FREE from iTunes. I worked out on the Gazelle to zippy little number. Other than this, the iPod has been silent.

Around the House: The furnace is running, the new couch & love seat are here, the TV room carpet has been steam cleaned. We donated our old furniture to a church in Marysville. We had 24 hours from the time the old was picked up until the new was being delivered to clean the TV room carpet. Jon did an awesome job. It was long overdue for a cleaning since it's a very high traffic area.

Rest of the Week: I planned a stop at NAPA on Monday for a bulb Jon needs for the van but Jon "doesn't want to waste the time" since he has 2 other brake lights. I have Adoration on Monday (yeah!). I need to bake a cake for the fish fry. Books still need to go to Half-Price. Should start looking for gray sweat shirt material for Jonnie's elephant costume. He told me yesterday that the school play is the "Sleeping Sloth" and he is the gray elephant. I'm determined to make the costume rather than buy one since they are starting at $25. Gray sweats, a gray t-shirt, and an old ball cap covered with gray material with ears & a trunk should do the trick.

Time is flying and I need to have breakfast and fit in some reading before my shower, dragging Jon out of bed, and dressing Jonnie while dragging him out of bed.

Blessings for a great week!

Answers from a Fitness Book

Last night, I had 2 hours of Adoration. The Adorers after me could not be at their hour so I volunteered to take the extra hour. With the roller coaster I'd been on, my husband & I agreed the hour would be good. I also had lots of reading to do.

I need to rewind to before Adoration. Some of you know that I sought help from AA shortly before my 36th birthday. I was utilizing some on-line groups and bought AA books to help me. Yesterday, my family & were publicly humiliated on one of the on-line groups. The group did not understand or respect my situation, or at least a few did not. I prayed before I sent a response to the group further explaining that I'd not drank since 1/26/09 and that I sought help after a one-month drinking binge. That made things worse. The responses went from I was lying to that I really am not an alcoholic. I prayed and decided to unsubcribe from the groups. I received an email from one kind lady who supported how I felt. It appears that people are still bashing me & my family after I left.

During Adoration, I read a book that I normally would not read but I needed to catch up before my research study this afternoon. "The Culprit & the Cure" is a book about health & wellness with information about what to eat and exercise. The two chapters I had to get read last night focused on exercise. I used to exercise somewhat regularly before my 7-month pain issue. I tried a few times during those 7-months to fit in work outs but ended up sitting on my duff instead. I thought back through the time that we've lived in Plain City. I recalled the "Pedal for Pete" ride my family did and several 5Ks that I did including one where I placed 9th in my division. Exercise helps you mind, body, and soul.

I realized that it was during my one-month drinking binge that I had where I should not gotten off my duff and tried exercise and increased prayer rather than downing bottles of wine and feeling sorry for myself.

There are plenty of times in my life where I chose not to drink or if I did drink, I had one of two glasses and was done. Self-control is there; in December-January, self-pity overtook me and a well-stocked wine rack caused me to take the wrong road.

Thanks for reading.

Sunday March 1st Daybook

I can't believe it is March already. I feel like I blinked my eyes and February went by especially after my birthday. Now on to the real order of business, my daybook for the week.

Outside: Dark, cold. I can faintly see the trellis and dormant rose of Sharon through the window nearest my desk.

Kitchen: Absolutely sparkingly! Jon spent hours yesterday cleaning the deep, dark crevices of the kitchen. I'm half afraid to cook in there again! He did an outstanding job.

Tasks: I have 3 bags of stuff to sell at Half Price Books. Per Jon's advice, I'm going in separate trips in hopes of getting more money by not overwhelming the buyer with too much stuff at once. I need to run to Kroger today to pick up a few things to get us through this week. I should start the list of foods that I need for a party we're having a week from today.

Nose Inserted: I read "Sola Scriptura" at Adoration on Monday. I fell behind in reading the daily readings in my Daily Bible and caught up to February 28th last night. I've been reading the AA Big Book and doing quizzes and work sheets to help me further learn the material. I read a professional development PDF on Friday and work and took the related quiz to get 2 continuing ed hours; only 10 more to go before January!

Folded Hands, Head Bowed: For my son & husband who are mending from illnesses. For PD & her family; her husband's job is safe for now. For me and the pain that started to creep back last week that I only irritated the nerve due to lack of rest. For the Lord's forgiveness that I did not attend Stations and Evening prayer like I promised to do during 5 of 6 weeks of Lent.

In my Ears: My iPod is sitting here staring at me. I have AA testimonials on my iPod and some professional development video podcasts that I want to listen to on my computer. I've listened to neither.

Around the House: The furnace is on and taking the chill off. Midnight just walked in the office. We have Legos everywhere. Still lots to do to make the place acceptable for family coming in at the end of the week and guests coming to watch the race a week from today.

Rest of the Week: Adoration on Monday, PSR & K of C 4th degree on Wednesday, trips to Half Price Books, a stop at Huntington Bank, Fish Fry on Friday with family from out of town. AA meeting in Dublin at 8 AM on Saturday morning to replace the one I can't attend in Plain City since it's the group anniversary party from 5 PM to 9 PM. A trip to Yutzy's market for meats & cheese to make meat & cheese trays for our party. A trip to Kroger today and one on Saturday to get other foods.

I hope everyone has a safe, Blessed week. Happy Lent!