Here's the slide show! I am proud of it, I think I did a nice job. It really was a wonderful weekend and I am thankful and grateful I had the opportunity to participate.
Breast Cancer 3Day Seattle 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Breast Cancer 3Day
When I sit back and think about my 3Day experience I get a smile on my face. It was emotional, overwhelming, tiring and inspiring. I was thrilled to be part of something so much bigger than myself. I have been thinking a lot about what to write about my experience and I almost feel like I don't know where to begin. For now, here are 2 links - one to my facebook photos and the second to a post on a friends blog. I will, in time, write more.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=312759&id=663485004&l=e4d5746e46
http://j2sf.blogspot.com/2009/09/cathy-you-go-girl.html
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=312759&id=663485004&l=e4d5746e46
http://j2sf.blogspot.com/2009/09/cathy-you-go-girl.html
It's a good day
It's Saturday. The house is quite. Jim got up at 5 am to head to Snoqualmie Pass for a meeting today and hopefully return by 9 pm. Sarah is still sleeping. I have a fresh pot of coffee and am going to get going on my projects.
The word 'projects' make it sound like a fun thing. It's not really (sigh)...I need to compile a set of financial statements for home and office by the end of the month. Our 2 year loan renewal date is approaching and the bank requires all this paperwork...UGH. I don't keep on top of the details as well as I should during the year, which necessitates these Saturday morning hours in front of the computer. Most likely Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings as well. I really want to hire someone to do all this stuff for me. I just don't like doing it.
I want to focus on the things I do like doing. I want to bead and make purses and who knows? Maybe some day I can make money off it. The bracelet I made for our team on the 3day is really pretty. I wear mine almost daily and I just love it!
On another note, Sarah has swine flu. She actually is doing fairly well now that she has steroids and new inhalers for her asthma. And Tamiflu. Jake and Kristin both had da' swine and were miserable for a week. I am actually glad Sarah has it now and not during the district swim meet. She didn't have a meet today and her next meet isn't until Thursday so she has time to rest, rest and rest some more. I worry about the swine flu and actually glad all my kids have it so they can develop an immunity to it. I've read several articles about how it may mutate over the course of the winter/spring and come back very deadly similar to the flu of 1918.
Oh and there's the rat, Eloise. Get ready, get excited...pictures and story unlike any other...all for a rat. This story to come in future post.
The word 'projects' make it sound like a fun thing. It's not really (sigh)...I need to compile a set of financial statements for home and office by the end of the month. Our 2 year loan renewal date is approaching and the bank requires all this paperwork...UGH. I don't keep on top of the details as well as I should during the year, which necessitates these Saturday morning hours in front of the computer. Most likely Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings as well. I really want to hire someone to do all this stuff for me. I just don't like doing it.
I want to focus on the things I do like doing. I want to bead and make purses and who knows? Maybe some day I can make money off it. The bracelet I made for our team on the 3day is really pretty. I wear mine almost daily and I just love it!
On another note, Sarah has swine flu. She actually is doing fairly well now that she has steroids and new inhalers for her asthma. And Tamiflu. Jake and Kristin both had da' swine and were miserable for a week. I am actually glad Sarah has it now and not during the district swim meet. She didn't have a meet today and her next meet isn't until Thursday so she has time to rest, rest and rest some more. I worry about the swine flu and actually glad all my kids have it so they can develop an immunity to it. I've read several articles about how it may mutate over the course of the winter/spring and come back very deadly similar to the flu of 1918.
Oh and there's the rat, Eloise. Get ready, get excited...pictures and story unlike any other...all for a rat. This story to come in future post.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
family
Family is where it's at. I feel very blessed to have such wonderful people in my life. My mother, my sister, my husband, my children...are all amazing. I love spending time with them. Yesterday, I drove to Seattle with Sarah. She is a burst of energy, a true delight and I'm honored to be her mother. She talked about school, boys, friends, her dreams, her fears - all of things to me....wow. No greater gift than having your children share with you.
Today's agenda is a cupcake/coffee place. Sounds good. I am hungry right now and once my mom and sister get ready, we can go. Maybe we can even get in a game of scrabble too. Scrabble is lost on my kids though, it's not that they aren't smart, they just don't seem to like it. I truly enjoy the game and everyone in my family likes it, except my kids. I was pondering what it is I like about the game and it's really two fold. 1) the challenge and 2) talking/visiting while playing. The game evokes conversation just in the playing of words, especially new/strange and unknown words.
Sarah is with Kristin at AGD for the weekend. I hope they are having fun, although I am sure they are! My sister is my best friend, my confident and a grounding source for me. I remember fondly when she used to come visit me at Chi O and I hope that Sarah and Kristin's memories of time spent together will be as cherished as mine are.
The sun is shining and it makes me smile. Defnitely going to be a good day.
Today's agenda is a cupcake/coffee place. Sounds good. I am hungry right now and once my mom and sister get ready, we can go. Maybe we can even get in a game of scrabble too. Scrabble is lost on my kids though, it's not that they aren't smart, they just don't seem to like it. I truly enjoy the game and everyone in my family likes it, except my kids. I was pondering what it is I like about the game and it's really two fold. 1) the challenge and 2) talking/visiting while playing. The game evokes conversation just in the playing of words, especially new/strange and unknown words.
Sarah is with Kristin at AGD for the weekend. I hope they are having fun, although I am sure they are! My sister is my best friend, my confident and a grounding source for me. I remember fondly when she used to come visit me at Chi O and I hope that Sarah and Kristin's memories of time spent together will be as cherished as mine are.
The sun is shining and it makes me smile. Defnitely going to be a good day.
Monday, May 4, 2009
I walked 3.8 miles this morning. It feels good. Walked 6.2 miles on Saturday. The training is coming together for the 3Day 60 mile breast cancer walk. Now I just need to get the fund raising in order.
It's Jake and Kristin's 19th birthday today. Had a good weekend celebrating. Take out Chinese food and family fun game of PIT. I'm feeling a bit strange today thinking about them. Kristin is now in Seattle and it's the first birthday I've not spent with her. I miss her. Jake left early this morning to take a psych final (I am hoping he did well) and then headed back to his dorm to clean it up. We'll have dinner out tonight to celebrate (again).
I'm feeling off about a lot of things. I have so much to do, yet I end up doing very little of anything of substance. I'm having a hard time focusing and figuring out what's important and what's not.
I'm down 20 lbs now on WW. I'm pleased, but have a long way to go.
It's a bit cloudy, breezy today. I am hoping for a long, loud rain storm, complete with a thunderstorm or two. I have a thing for the rain. It is so comforting and soothing.
Back to my sorting of office receipts/categorizing/filing etc. Boring but necessary.
It's Jake and Kristin's 19th birthday today. Had a good weekend celebrating. Take out Chinese food and family fun game of PIT. I'm feeling a bit strange today thinking about them. Kristin is now in Seattle and it's the first birthday I've not spent with her. I miss her. Jake left early this morning to take a psych final (I am hoping he did well) and then headed back to his dorm to clean it up. We'll have dinner out tonight to celebrate (again).
I'm feeling off about a lot of things. I have so much to do, yet I end up doing very little of anything of substance. I'm having a hard time focusing and figuring out what's important and what's not.
I'm down 20 lbs now on WW. I'm pleased, but have a long way to go.
It's a bit cloudy, breezy today. I am hoping for a long, loud rain storm, complete with a thunderstorm or two. I have a thing for the rain. It is so comforting and soothing.
Back to my sorting of office receipts/categorizing/filing etc. Boring but necessary.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
a bundle of thoughts
I didn't sleep well last night, mainly because I am in a hotel. It's a great hotel, The Davenport, but strange sounds and a different bed prevent the deep slumber I am used to. We came up last night because of the weather. This morning the girls have doctor appointments and with the snow and ice we thought it was safer to arrive yesterday. And looking out the window right now, I think we made a good decision. It is snowing...Again.
Last night we rented a movie on the TV, Mama Mia, and all enjoyed it. But I cried, couldn't stop crying. When the daughter asked her mom to walk help her get ready on her wedding day and then walk her down the aisle it got me thinking - about everything. I was trying to hide my tears during the movie so the girls wouldn't see. I guess I felt silly crying, but then I wondered, why do I care if they see me cry? Sarah, the keen, observant one noticed. She hugged me and told me she loved me. It's weird though because I am wondering why I got so emotional over a movie, and a movie that was supposed to be a comedy.
I think it's because I want that kind of relationship with my own daughters and afraid it won't be that way. Things have definitely improved over the past year with all my children and for that I'm grateful. I am prayerful that things will continue even more.
Now that Jake and Kristin are in college, things are different - in a good way. I talk to Kristin on average once a week and Jake about the same, maybe a bit more. I am thoroughly enjoying time with Sarah. She has never had Jim or I one-on-one before and it's nice for all of us. Kristin says she spoiled because of it....I'm not sure that's the right word. But as parents we are somewhat more lax with Sarah, I think because we are stronger in our beliefs as to what matters and what doesn't and what rules we want to enforce. With Jake and Kristin - things were very much trial and error...typical of many parents when parenting their eldest. Also, they are different individual people and to be the best parent I can be things may be different from one child to another. I don't think that's bad at all, I think it's positive because they are each different, with different needs and challenges as they mature.
Even though Mama Mia made me cry and think for a long time about the relationship I have with my kids, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although Pierce Brosnan CAN NOT sing, he was awful! But so awful it was entertaining!
I like movies that make me cry because they make me think and reflect about my life. And how I can be an even better parent. I feel I am a great parent and I will not let anyone tell me otherwise. Although no one has told me I'm not so I'm not worrying. Quite the contrary, I have had several friends all comment as to how good a job Jim and I have done. It's a nice compliment because I take my parenting seriously. I am lucky that Jim has a good job that allows me to stay home - that was something VERY important to both of us, that ONE of us stay home and raise the kids. I did start working part time (during tax season) when Sarah was in 1st grade. I was home when they come home from school and only worked 4 months a year. It was a great situation. I don't take all the credit for their upbringing. Jim was my partner and then relatives played a very important roll as well. Jim's parents, my parents, my sister and her family and my grandparents and the many close friends we have. It truly does take a village.
I am proud to say that they are doing well so far at the ages of 18, 18 and 16. They all have different personalities, different learning styles, different aspirations and goals - and I wouldn't want it any other way! I know that much of their temperament is innate, but I know that Jim and I have done a good job showing them and being role models for things that are important to us. We both volunteer and spend a great deal of time helping others, whether it be for the school, church or state organizations. We are only a small piece of the big puzzle, the world is such a greater place and I want the them to know that.
This year for Christmas we really scaled back and it was wonderful! We selected a family from Pullman Child Welfare and purchased gifts for them. We did not know the family or even if all the recipients we had were from the same family. We went shopping for the gifts as a family and had a lot of fun. Kristin had a 5 year old girl - and purchased some nice clothes at Old Navy. Sarah selected some pretty tops at Pac Sun for her 16 year old girl. Jake had a 12 year old boy who wanted a sweat outfit and shirts, Jake found success at Old Navy. The parents we had wanted a gas gift card and a pancake griddle. We supplemented it with a mixing bowl, whisk, spatula, pancake mix and syrup! It feels so good to give, especially to those who need it! We then went out to lunch and stomped around a Christmas tree farm to select a tree for our family. This past Saturday Jim helped distribute the gifts at the Whelan Grange. So many appreciative families!!! The original intent was for our entire family to distribute gifts but Kristin and Jake were recuperating from surgeries (Jake - shoulder repair, Kristin - bone spur removal on foot) and I was home taking care of them. Sarah was sleeping, feigning exhaustion from all her activities of being a high school junior. Jim wasn't thrilled with being the only one to go, but he went and as I said previously, so many families were appreciative of his help!
Our family gets their needs met and that's ample. I am grateful we had clothes, food and shelter. It's an eye opener how many people don't have these things. This was the start of a new tradition for us, we are already thinking of other ways we can help next year. Christmas is about Jesus birth and to celebrate his birth I do not need to receive gifts to acknowledge it. Jesus died for us and because of him we have salvation. That is what is to be celebrated. Helping others is how I want to celebrate Jesus Christ! Christmas is a blessed time of year and I am truly humbled to be part of a great family and a Christian.
Last night we rented a movie on the TV, Mama Mia, and all enjoyed it. But I cried, couldn't stop crying. When the daughter asked her mom to walk help her get ready on her wedding day and then walk her down the aisle it got me thinking - about everything. I was trying to hide my tears during the movie so the girls wouldn't see. I guess I felt silly crying, but then I wondered, why do I care if they see me cry? Sarah, the keen, observant one noticed. She hugged me and told me she loved me. It's weird though because I am wondering why I got so emotional over a movie, and a movie that was supposed to be a comedy.
I think it's because I want that kind of relationship with my own daughters and afraid it won't be that way. Things have definitely improved over the past year with all my children and for that I'm grateful. I am prayerful that things will continue even more.
Now that Jake and Kristin are in college, things are different - in a good way. I talk to Kristin on average once a week and Jake about the same, maybe a bit more. I am thoroughly enjoying time with Sarah. She has never had Jim or I one-on-one before and it's nice for all of us. Kristin says she spoiled because of it....I'm not sure that's the right word. But as parents we are somewhat more lax with Sarah, I think because we are stronger in our beliefs as to what matters and what doesn't and what rules we want to enforce. With Jake and Kristin - things were very much trial and error...typical of many parents when parenting their eldest. Also, they are different individual people and to be the best parent I can be things may be different from one child to another. I don't think that's bad at all, I think it's positive because they are each different, with different needs and challenges as they mature.
Even though Mama Mia made me cry and think for a long time about the relationship I have with my kids, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although Pierce Brosnan CAN NOT sing, he was awful! But so awful it was entertaining!
I like movies that make me cry because they make me think and reflect about my life. And how I can be an even better parent. I feel I am a great parent and I will not let anyone tell me otherwise. Although no one has told me I'm not so I'm not worrying. Quite the contrary, I have had several friends all comment as to how good a job Jim and I have done. It's a nice compliment because I take my parenting seriously. I am lucky that Jim has a good job that allows me to stay home - that was something VERY important to both of us, that ONE of us stay home and raise the kids. I did start working part time (during tax season) when Sarah was in 1st grade. I was home when they come home from school and only worked 4 months a year. It was a great situation. I don't take all the credit for their upbringing. Jim was my partner and then relatives played a very important roll as well. Jim's parents, my parents, my sister and her family and my grandparents and the many close friends we have. It truly does take a village.
I am proud to say that they are doing well so far at the ages of 18, 18 and 16. They all have different personalities, different learning styles, different aspirations and goals - and I wouldn't want it any other way! I know that much of their temperament is innate, but I know that Jim and I have done a good job showing them and being role models for things that are important to us. We both volunteer and spend a great deal of time helping others, whether it be for the school, church or state organizations. We are only a small piece of the big puzzle, the world is such a greater place and I want the them to know that.
This year for Christmas we really scaled back and it was wonderful! We selected a family from Pullman Child Welfare and purchased gifts for them. We did not know the family or even if all the recipients we had were from the same family. We went shopping for the gifts as a family and had a lot of fun. Kristin had a 5 year old girl - and purchased some nice clothes at Old Navy. Sarah selected some pretty tops at Pac Sun for her 16 year old girl. Jake had a 12 year old boy who wanted a sweat outfit and shirts, Jake found success at Old Navy. The parents we had wanted a gas gift card and a pancake griddle. We supplemented it with a mixing bowl, whisk, spatula, pancake mix and syrup! It feels so good to give, especially to those who need it! We then went out to lunch and stomped around a Christmas tree farm to select a tree for our family. This past Saturday Jim helped distribute the gifts at the Whelan Grange. So many appreciative families!!! The original intent was for our entire family to distribute gifts but Kristin and Jake were recuperating from surgeries (Jake - shoulder repair, Kristin - bone spur removal on foot) and I was home taking care of them. Sarah was sleeping, feigning exhaustion from all her activities of being a high school junior. Jim wasn't thrilled with being the only one to go, but he went and as I said previously, so many families were appreciative of his help!
Our family gets their needs met and that's ample. I am grateful we had clothes, food and shelter. It's an eye opener how many people don't have these things. This was the start of a new tradition for us, we are already thinking of other ways we can help next year. Christmas is about Jesus birth and to celebrate his birth I do not need to receive gifts to acknowledge it. Jesus died for us and because of him we have salvation. That is what is to be celebrated. Helping others is how I want to celebrate Jesus Christ! Christmas is a blessed time of year and I am truly humbled to be part of a great family and a Christian.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
wonder, worry and wait
The past few weeks have been somewhat hectic around our house. Jake is getting ready to head off to college, actually I should say "thinking" about getting ready to head off to college. He is able to officially move in on Sunday 8/17. He WILL NOT BE READY and I WORRY!
When we were at the lake at the end of July we had a good (at least at the time I thought it was good) talk with Jake about what he needed to do to get ready/organized for college. He had some lists, some prepare for college guidebooks so we thought he was going to take charge and get things done. He told us he handled everything and asked if he could go to his girlfriends cabin for the rest of the week. I should have realized he couldn't have possibly done all his planning and organizing in 1 1/2 days. But being the nice mother I am, I took his word for it and he dashed off to be with his girlfriend. He comes home to work one day, fiddle with his new computer and then goes back up to her cabin for 3 more days. Other than folding and refolding a few of his t-shirts, he has done nothing by this point. I WONDER what is he thinking?
On Tuesday night we had a good discussion (or so I thought) about getting organized, packed and ready for college. Wednesday started off well, with Jake and I spending almost 5 hours together...bank (new account), Wal-Mart (supplies), Staples (supplies), Bed Bath & Beyond (more stuff), WSU Fiscal Services (tuition information/website help), Crimson & Grey (books), Bookie (more books), CUB (activate Cougar Card).....if I hadn't insisted we do this stuff...would it have EVER gotten done? Yes, I could have taken the tough love approach and said "you are now an adult...you do this on your own or pay the consequences", but I would rather help him, empower him and help guide him with what needs to be done. But it's as frustrating as hell, because I thought he got this message the first time we talked about things 3 weeks ago. Does he not give a damn?
So, now I guess I just have to WAIT and see if he will learn from this and how he will handle things in the future. We will take him to the dorm on Sunday morning so he can pick out his bed and assess the room for space as to what else he will need/not need (aside from typical college stuff that he will hopefully pack). He works on Sunday afternoon and on Monday morning we'll move him in.
The drawback of living so close to campus is that he will undoubtedly call for me to bring him something that he forgot. I will do so, however, not at his convenience, but at mine. He needs to learn to be better organized and accountable. He is 18 after all.
Yes, this is a bit of a rant, but it's how I feel now. I am tired of the procrastination and laziness. Someone recently told me it's because 'he is a guy'...that's total crap. I'm not going to rationalize this type of behavior based on one's gender.
Oh well. He will learn, perhaps the hard way. I have given him the tools the past 18 years and I know he's a good kid and CAN DO WELL and SUCCEED...but he has to make the choice to do so.
Once he gets settled in his dorm, I will most likely wonder and worry if he'll even set his alarm for class....
When we were at the lake at the end of July we had a good (at least at the time I thought it was good) talk with Jake about what he needed to do to get ready/organized for college. He had some lists, some prepare for college guidebooks so we thought he was going to take charge and get things done. He told us he handled everything and asked if he could go to his girlfriends cabin for the rest of the week. I should have realized he couldn't have possibly done all his planning and organizing in 1 1/2 days. But being the nice mother I am, I took his word for it and he dashed off to be with his girlfriend. He comes home to work one day, fiddle with his new computer and then goes back up to her cabin for 3 more days. Other than folding and refolding a few of his t-shirts, he has done nothing by this point. I WONDER what is he thinking?
On Tuesday night we had a good discussion (or so I thought) about getting organized, packed and ready for college. Wednesday started off well, with Jake and I spending almost 5 hours together...bank (new account), Wal-Mart (supplies), Staples (supplies), Bed Bath & Beyond (more stuff), WSU Fiscal Services (tuition information/website help), Crimson & Grey (books), Bookie (more books), CUB (activate Cougar Card).....if I hadn't insisted we do this stuff...would it have EVER gotten done? Yes, I could have taken the tough love approach and said "you are now an adult...you do this on your own or pay the consequences", but I would rather help him, empower him and help guide him with what needs to be done. But it's as frustrating as hell, because I thought he got this message the first time we talked about things 3 weeks ago. Does he not give a damn?
So, now I guess I just have to WAIT and see if he will learn from this and how he will handle things in the future. We will take him to the dorm on Sunday morning so he can pick out his bed and assess the room for space as to what else he will need/not need (aside from typical college stuff that he will hopefully pack). He works on Sunday afternoon and on Monday morning we'll move him in.
The drawback of living so close to campus is that he will undoubtedly call for me to bring him something that he forgot. I will do so, however, not at his convenience, but at mine. He needs to learn to be better organized and accountable. He is 18 after all.
Yes, this is a bit of a rant, but it's how I feel now. I am tired of the procrastination and laziness. Someone recently told me it's because 'he is a guy'...that's total crap. I'm not going to rationalize this type of behavior based on one's gender.
Oh well. He will learn, perhaps the hard way. I have given him the tools the past 18 years and I know he's a good kid and CAN DO WELL and SUCCEED...but he has to make the choice to do so.
Once he gets settled in his dorm, I will most likely wonder and worry if he'll even set his alarm for class....
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