International Women's Day

Today in International Women's Day - a day to celebrate the achievements of women. This year's theme is Press for Progress. Women have already come so far, it's sad to think about how far we still need to go. But on this day of celebrating women, I'm called to think about the women that have made a difference in my life - and there have been so many.

My mom, of course, was a part of who I am. She left this earth far to soon, but I am thankful for her progressive way of thinking. She taught me that I can do anything I want if I'm willing to work for it. And as women, we often have to work harder, but nothing is beyond my reach.

My sister continues to cheer me on in everything I do. She's my best friend and my confidant. And she's one of the strongest women I know. She keeps my grounded but allows me soar.

And my best friend in California - my oldest friend (besides my sister). She pushes me to think harder and questions my ideas. Sometimes she frustrates me with it, but always stretches my thoughts. And always respects my choices.

My mother in law, for the short time I knew her, welcomed me as part of the family with open arms. She was a career woman by choice, long before it was an accepted practice. She was strength and love and compassion and joy all rolled into a small little bundle. I wish I could have known her longer.

And there are so many others - my college adviser, my thesis second reader, supervisors in several of my jobs...The list could go on and on.

And so to all of these women, mentioned and not, thank you. Thank you for setting the example of what a woman is. For encouraging me to be all that I can be.

It's my Birthday

Today is my 62cnd birthday. I could retire if I wanted to (except for the cost of medical insurance). I don't feel old, but I look at myself in the mirror and I see the signs of aging. When I sit for a long period of time then stand up, I feel the signs of aging. When I look at some of these young women, I remember when...

Happy February 14th

Valentine's Day. Who invented it? Well, supposedly it is based in the Roman Lupercalia, a huge festival with sacrificed goats and pairing of bachelors and bachelorettes. Crops and women were slapped with bloody goat skins to make them both fertile for the coming year. Cool, huh?

Old Pope Gelasius deemed the event "unChristian" and changed the day to St. Valentine's day (although no one quite know which Valentine it was named for). But how it became known at the day of love remains a mystery. There were some places in old Europe that believed it was the day that started the birds mating season. I had no idea birds used a calendar!

My Continuing Journey to Better Health

As I continue on my journey to better health, I find myself reflecting on where I've come. I've lost over 20 pounds in the last two years - but I've had to have a scare to get there. I've had some set backs, but I'm back on track now!

I started out a few years ago heavy and in poor health. I tried to lose weight and even on some of the weeks I followed the plan, I gained! I was getting pretty big - and feeling pretty lousy. Not just in how I looked but in how I felt!

The end of 2015

Mid 2016 I was diagnosed with an elevated A1C - not good. But the meds helped me lose some weight. Ten pounds. Problem with that is I didn't change my habits and when I went off the meds, some of that weight came back on!

A year ago I had a heart attack scare. I joined weight watchers for the accountability. I did fabulous for the first five months. I lost 15 pounds! But stresses (like losing my beloved cat) and holidays made me look the other way. Program? What program? I ate with reckless abandon. And I gained some weight back!

I face the music and went back to weight watchers in January, up 6 pounds. But the accountability is important. Own it. I did it and that's that. And so I work to get back on track. It's important to change those habits that put you in poor health to start with. And change is not easy.

We are now moving into the second month of the year and I am finally where I was in August before I went off the wagon. I look at my progress and, although it's slow, it's progress. In the last year and a half I've lost 20 pounds. Yes. It's been very slow progress. But so what? It's progress! I'm moving the direction I want to go and I'm proud of it.

I am now looking at my changing, aging body and dancing in the progress. I am moving in the right direction and that's all that counts.

It's National Spouse Day

A day dedicated to remembering our other half - to make time for that person that we have chosen to share our life with. It isn't necessarily just married people, it's a day for ANY two people who have chosen commitment to each other to celebrate. And I am blessed with a great man.

Is he perfect? Oh but no. Far from it. But he is a wonderful man that I am loving getting old with. We fight like cats and dogs from time to time, but we always make up. We always let the other one know that they matter.

Dennis and I met on April 24, 1982. A life time ago. We had our first date four days later and I moved in with him on January 15, 1983. I'm his third wife so he was in no hurry to marry, but we did. On May 12, 1984 we made it legal. Hard to believe we've been together more than 35 years! And we've had some hard times - and some amazing times. But we've always held on to each other through it all.

He is a proud grandpa of six grandkids - and has enjoyed being a dad to two amazing daughters and a son.

I've discovered that romance comes and goes - and the older we get it's more the latter. But he is always my best friend and confidant. He has a wonderful sense of humor and makes me laugh.

No one knows who came up with a national spouse day - but I'm glad they did. Mine is worth celebrating.

Working Hard for the Money

Here I am, right around the corner from 62.  If I had planned better, I could be looking at retirement now. But I didn't. So, late in the game, I'm making my plans.

If I work until I'm 65 I qualify for medicare. That's important because medical insurance as an individual is expensive! And if I work for three more years the difference in the amount I'll get from my work retirement and social security is pretty significant. So here I am. Trying to get ready.

I thought, how can I have another source of income while I'm still healthy? That's when I came up with the idea to train others in the field I've been in for over 35 years. So that's what I've been doing.

In the state of Oregon, you need to be certified to offer training to child care professionals that qualifies as continuing education. And that requires some work. Last year I became a certified Community Trainer. I can make up certificates and people can get credit for CE hours, but only for the very basics. To become a certified Master Trainer, you must have at least 60 hours of training to apply. And I finally did it!

I've been developing workshops and doing training for free to get those hours. As of last night, I have almost 70 hours! It's pretty exciting to have achieved this.

And through it all, I discovered something I never thought I'd do and that I really love doing. Every group is different and every group teaches me something - either from what they share or from what I observe that can make me a better trainer.

I look forward to building my new business - Early Learning Tools NW - and doing something in my retirement that I really love! Check out the blog and tell me what you think! I'd love to hear your opinion.

Fresh New Year of Adventure

So many people write resolutions on New Year's Day. Lofty plans to loose 50 pounds or read a book a week - and by the middle of February they have just about all gone by the way-side. At least that's what my experience is trying to have resolutions. One year I decided to "set goals". Trust me, that's just a New Year's Resolution with a different name!

Then, back in 2012, my friend Terri announced what her "word" for the year was going to be. I asked her what that meant? She chooses a word each year and that is her focus in the days to come. She reflects on that word and how it plays into her life.  Hmmm....