2012

I can't believe it has been 5 years since Tom and I came to Califon to take care of my mother.  Now they are both gone and I am alone..... but not lonely!

This new year, 2012, is mostly a mystery...but I wonder....will it be a prosperous year?  Will 2012 be a year full of happiness?  Will 2012 be the year I finally reach my goal of running a half-marathon?  Will 2012 be a year without loss?

I will probably have to go back to my old house in Wilson Boro, Pennsylvania for a while..but I do hope I wind up back at a home in the woods somewhere.... because I love the country!

I know that I am going to be a grandmother for the second time in early June. 

I am already running with renewed strength and energy.

I hiked for 3 1/2 miles today in the woods..it was so peaceful.  I love life uncomplicated, a life without drama. 

I crave a life surrounded by nature, adventure, good friends, good food and good health...yes, the very best!

I wish you all the very best in 2012 too!

Jane Fonda

I have previously written a post where I blast Jane Fonda for her plastic surgery and her past "Hanoi Jane" days. 

Well, I  saw a report on the Today Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda about her new exercise videos.  Jane is honest about what she can and cannot do at her age.  She does not try to be a 20 or 30 year old; she accepts her limitations while emphasizing her abilities.  She is so committed to inspiring people to exercise, to take care of their bodies!
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/45799563#45799563

I guess I am softening towards Jane...I kind of want to have her attitude when I am in my 70's.  I do not have the financial resources..or the desire..to have plastic surgery.  I do, however, have the desire to live my life to the fullest..the healthiest and most active I can be! 

I love life...life is constantly changing and evolving..our opinions evolve and change as well! 

I think Jane does too.  Here is the link to her official website:
http://janefonda.com/

Happy Solstice..and Happy "Days Will Get Longer"!

Happy Solstice!  Winter is here, but the days are getting longer...yeah!  Spring is only 3 months away!

I wish you a Happy Holiday...blessed New Year...and 365 days of Happy Running!

My gift to you is this beautiful song from Loreena McKennitt.....a bit long, but worth it (thank you Carole for sharing):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uATCp75ZnU&feature=share

Family?

I was once Alex's only "Grammie".

Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be a wife and mother. I wanted to be like Ozzie and Harriet; perfect parents with perfect children.  I never really thought about a career when I was a child, just love and babies.

Well, my life has been anything but an episode from Ozzie and Harriet. 

I was a single parent for most of my adult life.  I may have not been the most perfect mother, but I loved my children and wanted the best for them.  They have been a joy and a blessing.  All three were extremely intelligent and incredibly talented...all three beloved family members.  My oldest son Tommy's death devastated the family.

I recently found out that I am no longer the one and only Grammie...I have been replaced with a bedbug, another Grammie.  My daughter is engaged to a wonderful young man and his mother has showered love on Alex (he calls her his bed-bug).  Alex told me he has two gammies now.

I want my Grandson to be happy and I will always be grateful he has people who love him in his life.  But I feel sad that I am no longer his one and only Grammie.  I wish he would call her "Grandma" or "Nanna", but apparently this is not the case.

As sad as I feel, I rejoice that he has so many caring people in his life. 

This is all the more reason to move onward in my life and start training for my first half-marathon right after the holidays.  I want to run in my son, husband and mother's memories.  I was so blessed to have them in my life.  I know they would want me to take the higher road...the road that has the "half full" glass because life is full of opportunities!  We just have to grab those wonderful opportunities when they occur!

Turn lemons into lemonade!

Maybe I need to rethink the title of this blog...hmmmm..maybe Noelgetsalife?

Christmas Time

I hoped to run at least 10-16 miles this week...I have only run 2 miles so far.  

There are so many distractions...emergencies at work...emergencies at home...and a just plain 8 hour work day with a 4:30 pm sunset!

Soon..December 21st..the days will become longer...but not necessarily warmer. 

I will take longer sunlight over warmer temps!

I love to run in the early morning...by this time in January I will be able to run in the am without a problem as long as I am bundled up!  I love running even if there is snow (but I do not like ice or frozen snow running).  I dislike treadmill running, but I will run on the treadmill as the last resort.

I am trying to get back on track in my life.  I miss Tommy, Tom and mom, but I have no choice, I have to continue this life without them.  I intend to live this life to the fullest..without constraints!

I wish you all a Merry Christmas..and a year of Happy Running!

Snowstorm in October 2011...looks a lot like Christmas!



Rebirth!

I have been so devastated over the past 6 years.  I lost my oldest (and wonderful) son Tommy, I lost my husband (the love of my life) and my mother (how blessed I was to have such a special mom).

Today I realized that I am now going through a rebirth...a life without my mother and father...a life without my husband...a life without my precious first born child.

I feel that my mother's passing initiated this new phase of my life.

A month after mom died her Will was probated and I was officially established as her Executor.  I cried after leaving the Surrogate's office...it hurt so much to realize she was really gone from this life.

Mom's attorney will handle the negotiations with Medically Needy Program.  Other bills will need to be paid too...it is too early to know if there will be an inheritance.

I am developing...

I have to figure out where I will go...I wish I could stay at my family home, but due to complicated family matters I don't think it will be possible.  Other options are there..I just have to figure it out.

I am growing...







I will run my first half marathon 7 months after mom passes.  I will run in her honor...Tommy's honor and my Tom's honor.

I will continue to grow..to heal...to slowly blossom.

A beautiful rose blossoms.

I am ready for my new adventure!

A little baby is ready to be born!



Like a baby ready to be born, I am going to embrace this new phase of my life.  I am being reborn...there may be some things I cannot control, but there are more that I have complete control over!

Do you ever feel you have the power to make positive changes after painful experiences?  I would love to hear your story!