Sunday....

Roses from the Farmer's Market...they smelled wonderful!!

Oh boy...what a week...it began with car trouble....anyone that knows me, knows I am a freak about the truck. We got it all done....I questioned my sanity about repairing a 13 year old truck, but in the end...I do not think I would love a new car as much as I love the Suburban. Spending two days impatiently waiting for the repairs messed up my plans for the gym. Wednesday, I did make it to the gym....and felt great. Later that day, we had company...a Coast Guard family stopped by, I offered up my washer and dryer for them to do some laundry while on their camping trip. Before Wednesday, I had only known Erica online...we both frequent the same Coast Guard spouses forums online. It was fun though, and I am glad I put myself out there....which is not typically my style! Thursday....I could not have been more lazy...and blew off going to the gym. Friday, just as Lee (who had taken leave to have Friday off) and I are getting ready for the trek to the gym...he gets a call...they needed him at work....errr!!!! Saturday was spent getting his things together for his trip to Denver this week, and running errands. What a crappy week for the gym rat I had become.....I felt like crap mentally and physically.

This morning....up early...6:15 on a Sunday for goodness sake!! I get Lee dropped off at the airport to head off to Denver (he has a class there this week)....and I hit the gym on the way home. I am feeling better already....it amazes me how that hour spent on the treadmill or a little bit of time spent on the cycle and the weights, really affect my well being. I get an hour to focus on Jeanine.....and making Jeanine better. Let's hope I can keep it going this week....I am going to drag Elliott with me, so he can swim or work on weights.

Some cool things about last week...got a card from Christine, thank you...it pushed my ass to the gym this morning!! My Aunt Grace finally retired yesterday....I am excited for her...and I am hoping this means she and my Aunt Carole will come down for a visit!!

I don't know what to title this one....

My father in law....Lee

Five years ago, in the early, early morning...the phone rang. It was my mother in law, Judy. She had to tell me my father in law, Lee had slipped away. His heart could not keep up with his personality...and gave out. We had gotten home the week before, from spending two weeks down there with them. Dad (Lee) was sick and the doctors were concerned, so Judy had to call me and I had to call Lee, who's boat was pulled into Kodiak at the time. His boat sent him home on a plane to San Jose, and I loaded up the Suburban with the boys and drove all night to get there. When we left there Dad appeared to be on the mend, a pacemaker was put in to keep up with him...and on Father's Day (the last time we spoke to him) he sounded awesome...joking that he was gonna bribe a nurse to sneak him in a diet Coke and some M&M's.

The night he passed away, my Lee had duty. Which meant he was on the boat over night. I called the quarterdeck (where the phone is located on the boat) and they woke up Lee for me so I could tell him what had happened. Lee had his motorcycle there, it was also one in the morning, so I paced the floor....impatiently waiting for his safe arrival home. I looked out the windows of our home in Port Orchard, the sky was clear.....and from every window I swear I saw a big, bright full moon. Since then, every full moon is a whisper in my ear, Lee's Dad letting me know it is ok. My Lee made it home fine, we hugged and tried to sleep. Sleep did not come easily of course....as we had to tell Mason and Elliott that their Grandpa had passed. We knew it would be very hard on Mason. It was also the last day of school that day....we sent the boys to school...Mason was getting a wood working award that would have made his grandfather so proud and he would not have wanted Elliott to miss that end of the year party. We left to be with Judy as soon as school was out. The following days are blurry, because they were full of tears, laughter and memories that were shared by the many people who loved Lee as much as we did.

I find it interesting, that my Lee has been working diligently on the Corvette.....her black coat of paint has been waxed and buffed so that she feels like satin. Also, without thought, I noticed that goulash is on the calender for tonight's dinner. Goulash....a Temple family recipe....and a favorite, was the first recipe Lee taught me. Some of my best recipes and tricks in the kitchen came from him. He also taught me to love "guy" movies....old westerns, James Bond and military movies. He would be so proud of Mason, and thrilled that Elliott was still just like he was. I am grateful for the four years we had in Petaluma...we were only two hours away from Dad and Judy. A lot of those weekends were spent on the Delta....I am still amazed how we managed to sleep 6 people on Dad's boat. It was worth it...in the morning you got "crazy potatoes" as a reward. That is the only recipe I have not been able to duplicate.

Guess what...the moon is supposed to be pretty full tonight...hope fully the whisper in my ear will be the ingredient I am missing to make the perfect "crazy potatoes".

We love you Dad (Lee), there has not been a day that you have not been missed. I feel you with me in the Vette.....especially when George Thorogood's "Bad To The Bone" starts to play.

Some thoughts...

I sit here, at the auto repair shop....a little anxious, it is like waiting for a loved one to come out of surgery. I have been thinking to myself how lucky I am. Yesterday, when the truck was in here to see what was wrong, I called my dad in a panic. When I talked to him later in the day, he told me not to worry.

Maybe I should back track a little.....when my mom was alive, we never went to my dad with problems. I think it made my dad a little mad....I don't think he cared so much that my mom bailed us out from time to time..I think he just wanted to know what was going on. In my mind, my dad was unapproachable....that may carry over from my dad working such a weird work schedule when we were kids, he always worked graveyard. It took my mom passing away, for me to really get to know my dad....I hate that.

My dad is really funny and his humor is similar to mine. He loves cook books like I do.....his collection is bigger than mine too. He loves silly British humor like I do. He loves to read the newspaper....so do I. We both love getting a good deal. He always looks at the new car in front of Costco like I do. When something great (and sometimes not so great) happens my dad is who I call. His support has meant the world to me. I found out that I truly am a daddy's girl.

My dad bought me my first dozen red roses, for my 13th birthday. I still have the dried buds tucked in a small box tied with ribbon. I keep a ton of memories stashed in my heart for safe keeping.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!! I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!!!

A little personal...

First race, in May

Second race, in June

When you finish a race...either walking or running...there is someone there to take your picture as you cross the finish line. I never looked up the one for my first walk....until I did the second one. Neither are very flattering at all. Yet, I see a huge difference...I see confidence, in the second picture. In the first race, I wore street clothes, a jacket and my hair is down...I did not care that we practically came in last. My excuse was that I was distracted, by being in a place I had never been. In the second race, my hair is pulled up, I am wearing my favorite workout pants (no...my belly is not hanging out, that pair of pants has a grey band that folds down and that it hat you see) and the t-shirt for the race. That t-shirt was the type of shirt every chubby girl hates...a fitted baby doll t-shirt. That day though....I was feeling good and excited about the race. I knocked two minutes off my time from the last race. When I look in the mirror, I am not grossed out by the body that looks back. I know it is a work in progress, and the fact that it took me 17 years to decide to lose some of this baby weight and whatever else I added, means it will take a while. I do not get discouraged, Lee is awesome at letting me know I am doing a great job, and my Dad is an fantastic cheer leader.

I know there will be days when I want to eat nothing but crap....like today, when I had a little date with Ben and Jerry. The one thing about that though, is my body lets me know right away...with a huge grumble, that it does not appreciate what I indulged in. I never thought this would be such a life changing thing. Many aspects of my life are different now. I sleep like a baby, whereas before (in the last couple years) my sleep patterns have been awful. My energy level is higher, I want to do more than hold down the couch. My marriage, which has always been pretty great, is amazing right now. I cannot put my finger on why...could be that we are actually in the same place at the same time....but in my heart, I think it may be a renewed commitment to each other and ourselves.

Ok, enough rambling for this afternoon. It is actually sunny outside....I think I will take Key out for a walk around housing.

Much love.

Furry Members of the Family....

Key

Lil' Kitty...who acts more like a dog than a cat!

Texas...sweet Texas, the prettiest cat ever!

My Second Race....

The finish line!!!

Cirrus and I

My neighbor and buddy, Cirrus, and I walked in Saturday's Atalanta Walk/Run For Women in Arcata. I was a short two mile walk through the bottoms (the flat area) in Arcata. Next year, I want to be brave and walk in the 5 mile race...maybe even run a little. It was fun though, a women only event and that was kind of different...Cirrus pushed her stroller with her daughter, Keira on board. The three of us were able to hit the farmer's market as well. I am sure the guys will be terrified tonight when I saute' the carrots I bought there...they are three different colors!!!

It was a pretty busy week...I joined Cirrus and her kids on a quick trip to Redding. I watched the kids while she had a doctor appointment. We also did a little shopping...we hit Wal-Mart, Trader Joe's and Cost Plus World Market. Thankfully, I did not barf in her car!!! I have a tendency to get really car sick...thank goodness for Dramamine! I spent lots of time at the gym....I had a great session with the trainer (thanks SO MUCH Dad!!). Her name is Jaime.....she is very petite, but once was quite round like me. She keeps me inspired and helps me push myself harder.

Not much else going on....Elliott is counting down the days until school is over! Only 9 left! He gets out of school on my Dad's birthday!

Oh...here are a couple Birthday shout outs....Happy Birthday Judy, Christine and Brandi!! Also, my Aunt Carole, who has a birthday coming up this week!!!

Memorial Day Weekend

What a great weekend!!! It started on Friday with Christine and Jonathan coming up from Aromas (CA) to visit us! We ate our way through Eureka...we had Mexican, Italian and found a yummy breakfast place! Christine's mission was to see our beloved Sex And The City girls in their second movie...it was really good...even Lee liked it! We were able to catch up, as the men hung out and watched movies at our place. We got our toes done up all nice and pretty. It was really nice to see them again and I had a wonderful time...I hope they did to! HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTINE!!!!!

Sunday, after a great breakfast with Jonathan and Chris, I dropped Lee and Elliott at home, and I headed to the grocery store. What was I thinking...braving Winco on a holiday weekend. Then, I figured what was the worst that could happen...I braved Winco, why not try Costco too. I loaded up on groceries and came home...only to have Lee tell me we were having dinner across the street with the Sydnes family. Eric is a grill master....and he rocked some delicious chicken Sunday night.

Monday, Lee and I hit the gym...which was packed since they were only open a couple hours yesterday. We got our workout in and I headed over to Susan's for the rest of the day. Lee has his motorcycle all torn up and needed to get that back together and Elliott finished some home work. So, it ended up just being Susan, Emily and I. Susan and I sat on the porch (one of my favorite places) and chatted. We relaxed and farted around with the dogs and ate a delicious meal.....did you know that whipped cream makes everything taste better??? Here is another Jeanine fact...I do not like strawberries, but I do like them with Susan's whipped cream on them! I came home to a sink empty of the dishes I had left in there, and Lee offering to make me some tea. It was a great weekend....and I hope yours was too!!!