The Daily Mom On The Run

Respecting our Elders....

So it goes without saying, that we need to love, respect and cherish all of our elderly friends and family. But how often, do we get going in our days and forget that maybe one phone call, a quick note or popping by if you live close enough for a cup of tea would truly make an aging loved ones day. At 91, my grandfather is just as amazing as ever, but having lost the love of his life three years ago, time seems to stand still for him. We went to visit him over Thanksgiving and to see him light up at the sound of my daughters laugh, eat a big meal which has become a chore since he's often to lonely to partake and somehow find the strength to hike up a hill and down a trail to the river by his house so he could throw rocks into the water with his great-granddaughter, is something that I'll never forget.  I am in awe of this former Air Force Lt. Colonel, who served three wars, raised two kids and was in love with his wife in a way most women will never know. He tells stories that make you want to jump back in time and live them and he advises in a way that makes you want to follow. I only hope that I some day will have an impact on my future grandchildren the way this amazing man has had on me. If you haven't lately, pay a visit to one of your "Senior" friends or family, you may be surprised what you'll learn.

The Getaway

This weekend my husband and I are embarking on a journey that all parents day dream about especially in those moments when nothing we do is right for our little "angels." Oh yeah, it's Vegas baby. We are literally counting the seconds until we hear the sweet sound of the slot machines and those magical words that make everything okay, "Cocktails!"  

Now, as touched as I was when my daughter told me she didn't want me to go because I'm her best friend, I can't lie, my eyes had already glazed over with images of me sleeping in uninterrupted, staying up past ten o'clock wearing something besides sweats and shopping without having to fish my child out from between the clothes racks. Is it so wrong? I think not, I say all parents need a flashback to the glory days (yes, all you people who can't imagine life without kids, I agree, it's much better with) but you do get a glimmer every now and then of the old days and their fun to have back even for a weekend. Admit it.

120 days until the LA Marathon. Last week did my first 15 mile run...I survived and even walked the next day. Hopefully this Saturday's long run will be just as kind.

A "Me" Goal

 Personal goals are something we all have the best intentions of fulfilling, but why is it we let them slip away as quickly as they came to mind. I know work, family and life in general gets in the way. But admit it whether it's something as minor as cleaning out your closet, starting to exercise or even taking a cooking class you've always wanted to try, you feel so much better about yourself when you do it. 

As I previously wrote, in a matter of a week my family thought our life was in for major chaos and then we had a wonderful turn around. But in that week, my husband and I talked a lot about why we've let ourselves down in some of our personal goals and dreams. We tried our usual "go to" excuses, "we don't have time," "I'll get to it eventually" etc.  But guess what "eventually" seems to never come. So we are challenging each other to pick something we've been gabbing about and not doing and go for it. My hubby has hit the gym three times this week (his goal) and I have officially begun training for the LA Marathon. It will be my first in ten years. We'll see how the old girl does at 36. Minor goals yes, but it's a start for us.  What will you do this week? You deserve it...just try.

Twist Of Fate

Once in awhile in life we are reminded that there are individuals who truly deserve to be called a "friend". These are the people, who stand up for you when no one else will, believe in you and without any self intentions, absolutely want the best for you. What's even rarer is to find this in the workplace. Let's just say that someone who could have turned and looked the other way, waged a fight on my husbands behalf and has removed him from "The Unemployed" club. This persons kindness and support will not be forgotten in our family ever. It was a great reminder to me that whether it be work, family, friends or even a great cause...don't be a wallflower. Stand up and support those who deserve and need it. It's karma my friends.

The Bribe...

It was another chaotic Monday morning filled with the usual "I don't want to get dressed," "I don't want to eat breakfast" and of course my personal favorite "I want to stay home and watch Diego." It's a weekly and sometimes daily tango I share with my 4-year-old. Monday's however, seem to bring out the best in my little ones determined stance. So, I admit it, I sold out. I promised that in turn for her getting dressed and eating a somewhat nutritious breakfast, she could have Halloween Candy on the car ride to school. I've never seen someone strip down so quickly in my life. The payoff of course was pulling up to her "nut free" "nutrition is our goal" day care with my child bounding to the front door with a sucker in hand, since I couldn't wrestle it free before she got away. Oh well there's always tomorrow...

The Mom Click

Okay, so I know in writing this I will upset some of you stay home moms, but please know that I actually respect you beyond belief, but  there are a few of your peers who drive me crazy. So for weeks now, I've been attending my daughter's gymnastics class on Saturday Mornings. And well let's just say the mixing in process that I thought only applied to children, went to not her at all, but to me the working mom, who has a brief window of time on the weekend to be involved. I walked into a group of ladies who are fortunate enough to be with their children seven days a week and "LOVE IT".  I in my weekend warrior mom mode, try desperately to be engaged  in conversation, but can't keep up with the talk about organized play dates, pre-planned snacks, stimulated college path activities and the ways they keep their children operating in movie perfect form.  Really?! Are you ladies serious? I have to wrestle my child into her clothes daily, promise a cookie if she will actually eat a vegetable and can't even tell you the last time she hasn't slept in my bed with me and my husband. Hell, the closest contact he and I have had in bed has been a tug of war over the covers. I hate all of you for saying you have it under control and perfect. So, yes I'm jealous, envious, but slightly suspicious of your so called "truths". Be honest ladies, we are all on this voyage known as "Needy Children" and they are winning. So please stop shining it on, you know your in as deep as us crazy "working moms" that wish some days we could escape just for an hour...for that''s all we'd survive without those amazing, yet needy little ones.

A New Chapter!

So as we know, life presents us with the toughest challenges when we least and quite frankly really don't want them to happen. So what do you do? Get mad, cry, have a pity party? Or maybe down a glass of wine or two. Hell, do them all I say. My husband like so many hardworking people who've dedicated blood, sweat and years to a company, has just been named a member of the club we all hope not to be part of "Unemployed".  I know, I know, so have thousands of others...but as much as I thought I was sympathizing with all of you hitting the pavement in search of a new job, it didn't hit home until I saw one extremely deflated amazing guy.

My pledge, I am not going to write about how angry we are or unfair this is (even though we all know it is), I'm going to write about the upside of this journey as we get ready to depart on it. So far it's been pretty much a shock-fest for us and we haven't broke the news to our daughter who's only 4. I know, cowards, but since Dad is technically still going into the office until the 1st of January, it's not withholding the truth yet, right?! Although, I have to be a mom and share one story. As my husband has been noticeably teary eyed the past couple of days, I've explained to our very perceptive and inquisitive little girl, that Dad is just not feeling so well. Today, as we're getting ready to leave for our morning hell commute to daycare and work, she opens her bag and pulls a mentos candy out and tells her daddy to chew this and she promises everything will be better. It was for a moment.