I took an unplanned hiatus last week for so many reasons. Opa arrived last Monday for his annual visit. We have been having lots and lots of fun. Swimming, fishing, going to the SuperEx, hanging out on Parliament Hill, going to Museums, birthday dinners and walks in parks. Packing it all into ten days. He leaves tomorrow morning, we are sad to see him go and only wish that he would make Ottawa his home again or at the very least a semi-annual home.
I also had a crazy pumpkin hat order. My biggest one yet. I had an order for twelve hats and they were to be delivered in two weeks. It was a challenge so I knit my way through the last two weeks, every spare moment I had including driving in the car to all these awesome places. As much as I enjoy knitting, it was a bit much. So I may not do another order quite that big, but we will see I am always up for a challenge.
I have also been busy photographing fabulous families. I do love my job and am happy that I am getting busier and able to share with others.
Although I am not looking forward to J returning to school it will mean that we will have a return to some normalcy around here. Our summer has been chalk full of visiting and mini-vacations with those visitors. We need to get back to eating right, proper bedtimes and organization. My house feels like it is a mess and everything is upside down. What I would really love is a two week extension on summer vacation just to hang out with my kids and do nothing. What are my chances?
Sometimes when I arrive she is disoriented and confused. I start by getting her up from bed, telling her about the weather, sharing a story of my children. I get her to the bathroom to start her morning routine.
As we move through our routine she is sometimes concerned that she will be late for class. You see thirty years ago she taught English at High School. She was always prompt and expected the same from her students. These days are hard, I talk to her about her retirement, how she now can enjoy the quiet life. I remind her that she is 86 years old.
She is always a little shocked at her age. She still feels like she is 21, despite the fact that she can no longer drive or go out alone. Always 21.
By this time we are getting into the shower. As the warm water washes over her you can see a transformation starting. She picks up her soap and carries through her routine, the same routine she did several times a day after swimming practice. She was a Mermaid after all. Synchronized swimming kept her agile and graceful for many years.
As we continue along I get out the shampoo and wash her hair. As she tilts her head back into the water for a rinse the transformation is almost complete. I won’t say for a minute that she remembers everything, but she is no longer disoriented, no longer confused. It is like the water washing over her brings her back to today or almost today at the very least.
By the time we are finished and into fresh pyjamas we are chatting easily about her former students or my children and how they too love to swim. Brushing out her hair she thanks me again and again for helping her with her shower so she could be ready for breakfast.
And every time I take her down to breakfast I am thankful for the warm water that washes over her and brings her back to us for another day.
How awful that I am rolling two posts into one! But the truth is I am barely squeaking this by. I am exhausted and running on empty, but I can’t let today pass without acknowledging my son’s 7th Birthday and offering up a challenge.
Seven years ago I was weeping with Joy because this little guy came into my life. I still relish the days we spend together and try not to suffer the days when he is gone from me at school. He is half of my team where I am the coach, he is my everything. What I wouldn’t do for this little guy. I love you J.
And not to shrug my new dedication to Workout Wednesdays, I have to say that this week was a good slap in the face. Last night at an event a lady approached me to offer her Doula services. Needless to say I am not pregnant and it took all I had in me not to scream at her, but it was certainly the slap I needed to wake up my abs and get them into shape.
So, this week I am offering up a challenge should you wish to join me. In addition to my running, I am going to do a set of hundreds each day. Hundreds is a Pilates move that works out your abs and if I wasn’t already in my pj’s I would show them to you, but check out “hundreds pilates” on the web and you will find some great suggestions. Will you join me?
**disclaimer: I am in no way a Doctor or Physical Trainer. I am going to share with you my thoughts and ideas about how to get into shape again. I strongly advise consulting a medical professional prior to starting any workout routine as well as a professional trainer. I am in no way responsible for any injury you may sustain from trying any of my suggestions.
