Getting Paul

While Kerry was home we went to Towne Center Mall in Boca Raton and it was great. Kerry wanted to go back to the Apple store and return an Ipad case that she had bought so I stood in line waiting to get in gazing at the 6 foot cardboard image of Paul in the late 60's drooling. It occurred to me that this store was probably going to throw that fabulous Paul in the garbage. I realized my reason for being in that store at that time.

As we left the store I found Mark and asked him if I could have that picture of Paul. He grabbed his manager Matt and introduced us as "his favorite customers". Kerry jumped in telling him how many Apple products she had and how she just bought her new Ipad the other day. Then Mark said "she really is a huge fan. She has Paul McCartney's driver's license with her". Matt whipped around and said to me "lets see it". I dug into my pocketbook and handed him Paul McCartney's drivers license and smiled. "Can I have it? PLLLEEEAAASSSEEE!!! He asked for a business card which I whipped out at record speed. He said that yes I could have it after it comes down around December 13. Yay me!!!

I'm not exactly sure where I'm going to put Paul but I'll have him in about two weeks. It's a perfect Christmas present for me!!! :) :)

It's a Mom Thing-Kerry's Birthday

I have to wake the kid up in a few minutes. We have to get to the airport on time for her to catch her flight back to Notre Dame. Crap!!!! She's leaving again. Just when I get really used to having her around she leaves again. I hate it!

It was a great Thanksgiving/Kerry's birthday visit. I picked her up at the airport last Wednesday and her boyfriend, Frank came over within an hour of her landing. They seem extremely happy together and he is a very nice guy. Pat and I were able to get to know him a little better this trip and we like him very much. I'm all about Kerry's happiness. If she's happy then I am too. It's hard for her to be living so far away from him. He's finishing up his PhD at UF in Florida while she is working on her PhD at Notre Dame in Indiana.

Kerry and Frank

Jon and Cousin Stevie came over for Thanksgiving dinner and we ate way more than we should have. Kerry wanted Frank to meet the family and I think it went well. I made Kerry's holiday favorite Tofurky. Dinner was served early so the kids could pack up and go to Frank's parents house for their second dinner. His parents live about an hour north of us so Kerry and Frank stayed there on Thanksgiving night.

Black Friday came and Kerry and I went shopping. So what else is new? :) I should have known that she was plotting a purchase but I was in my own world and I didn't pick up on it. Unfortunately while we were in the mall Kerry got a really bad migraine but refused to leave the mall. We went out to my car which has very dark tinted windows and she closed her eyes for a while and started to feel better so we went back into the mall. That was when I realized that she was on a mission.

After lots of pouting and making me feel guilty because it was her birthday and I only got her earrings (yep, only) she squeezed me for an Ipad. She said she would split the cost with me but I know I will never see that money. It didn't matter because she was so happy with her new acquisition that nothing else mattered...even the migraine. Amazingly it went away. :)

Frank met us back at the house and they hung out with her old boyfriend and friend Scott who I call Nerdly. LOL. He came by and it was great to see him. Just like the old days. Pat and I hit the sack early because I was whipped and the kids went to see Harry Potter.

Frank left to go back to UF on Sunday morning and Kerry was very upset knowing she would not be seeing him for a while. With tears being shed at the thought of being without Frank she looked up at me all pathetic and said "Do you want to go to the mall?" LOL. Needless to say we went to the mall.

It's amazing how easy it is to fall back into the old patterns. I do realize that she is no longer "a kid" but now I get what my mom was trying to tell me when I was Kerry's age. She used to say " You can't just stop. It's the "Mom thing". Now I understand what she was trying to tell me because now it's my "Mom thing".

A Good Exercise Day

Early this morning I was sitting on my butt in front of my laptop computer and I came across a video clip of none other than my bud Richard Simmons. He was talking about losing weight over the holidays instead of gaining weight. He was talking about portion control, exercise and loving yourself. It was good to see him and I knew what he was saying was true so I got off my butt, got into my walking clothes and went to the track. I had forgotten what a peaceful and special place it is.

I plugged in my Ipod (Paul, of course) and took off for a three mile walk. It felt really good to be there. I think I could have gone more if I wasn't wearing brand new sneakers that need to be broken in. I developed a blister on the back of my right foot but other than that I felt good. I even cooled down with some yoga on my towel. I'm thinking of offering a free yoga class at the park to drum up some business. A little Karma yoga is good for the soul. :) :)

A good exercise day!! Go me!!!

Thoughts on the upcoming holidays

I've been feeling good lately although I know some stressful times are coming. Thanksgiving is a stressful time for me as it's always at my house. I am so glad that Kerry is coming home for the holiday this year. Last year Pat and I packed up Rigby and went up to Gainesville to spend Thanksgiving up there with Kerry up at UF. We cooked Thanksgiving dinner for the 4 of us (Rigby included) and then went to the UF/FSU game. We had such a great time and it was good to get away from the stress of having Thanksgiving dinner at my house.

Kerry will be arriving on her birthday Wednesday in the morning and then Frank will be coming in later on in the day. They are planning to spend the holiday split between us and Frank's parents who live about an hour away. I don't mind sharing. I'm just happy to have them here. Jon and Cousin Stevie will be coming over for dinner and to meet Frank. It'll be Turkey for the carnivores, Tofurkey for the vegetarians and birthday cake for everyone. :)

Frank and Kerry

Kerry is going to spend Friday with me. We will be going shopping!!!!! Yay!!!!! It's been way too long since we have combed the malls for bargains. I'm sure we will be getting a very early start. There is nothing better in the whole world then Black Friday with the kid. :)

On Saturday we will be going to an engagement party in the morning and then I'm sure she will want to spend time with Frank before he goes back to Gainesville on Sunday. Kerry is flying out on Monday but she will be back in a few weeks to spend some more time with us during her winter break from Notre Dame.

The Grotto at Notre Dame

The three of us at Notre Dame Football Stadium

The golden dome at Notre Dame

I miss her. I can't help it. I just miss her and I'm so looking forward to spending some time with her.

Yoga Journal Conference 2010

Last Saturday Ruth and I went to the Yoga Journal Conference at the Diplomat Hotel in Hallendale Beach and it was truly a wonderful time. I am feeling sore now but I am so glad that I went. If I didn't have Ruth I never would have gone. Never in a million years. I am very lucky to have such a good friend to share all things yoga with.

Ruth and I so happy to be at the conference

Ruth picked me up at 5:45 am and we set off on our adventure. When we arrived at the hotel I was totally blown away by the beauty of the Westin Diplomat. We walked around for a while checking the place out and scouting out the room where our first class was going to be. Then we to the Cafe and had some coffee in this gorgeous hotel.

Arriving at the hotel

Hips and Twists with Rodney Yee was going to be our first class and we were extremely excited about it. We were the first ones to put our mats down and we made sure we had a good spot. I have been doing Rodney's DVDs for years and I was sooo psyched not only to see him in person but to take class with him. All of a sudden the door opened and there he was. The famous and fabulous Rodney Yee sat on the stage in front of us with his wife Colleen Saidman Yee.

Ruth waiting for Rodney Yee

I was waiting for Rodney too!!!

Rodney and Colleen

We worked hard in the two hour class that focused on hip opening and twisting. Rodney and Colleen took turns teaching and adjusting students in poses. When they brought us into downward facing dog with a twist Rodney came over and grabbed my extended let and helped me go further into the twist. I felt like I was just touched by......well....the Yoga God. LOL I was surprised by how down to earth and friendly he was. He taught us with a sense of purpose but also a sense of humor. It was an honor to be in the in same room with this amazing teacher.

Rodney in Side Angle

When class was over we met him and Colleen and he was nice enough to sit and pose for picture with both Ruth and myself. Both he and Colleen were very friendly. Ruthie and I were like groupies. LOL It was the perfect beginning to a wonderful day.

Rodney with my hand on his knee. Yeah, I had to touch him. :)

Rodney and Ruth

After taking pictures we ran to our second class which was a fun class about unstacking or decomposing postures. The teacher was Cindi Lee and she really taught us a lot about starting in simple poses and working up to more difficult postures. It really gave me food for thought.

Then it was time for lunch and shopping!!! We had so much fun walking around the yoga marketplace buying new shirts, mugs and of course, a shirt for Ruth's granddaughter, Emily. I managed to spend all the money I had allocated to this shopping spree. It wasn't hard to do. :)

We had an hour or so to relax and hang out so we walked around and went out to the pool area to find a place to sit and regroup. The weather was beautiful as was the pool at the hotel.

Ruth and I by the pool

We were pretty tired by this time but we managed to find a way to have fun and laugh. Boy, did we laugh.

Gangsta Yoginis

Our last class turned out to be a bit of a surprise. We thought we would be taking a class on how to teach beginner students but it turned out to be a beginner student class. We had a totally fun time in this class just being together. There was a lot more laughter in this class.

Then it was time to go home. We were both very tired but so happy we had gone to this conference. It was a time that neither one of us will ever forget.

Waiting for the car

I don't know about you Ruth but I am looking forward to next year's conference. If it is half as much fun and inspiring as this was it will be fantastic. :)

Where Does Self Confidence Come From?

It's the question of the day for me. Where does self confidence come from? Why don't I have any? Like today, for example. I am teaching at Juliana's which is always a wonderful experience. The students are always very complimentary when class is over. I've never heard one bad thing about my teaching but right now I'm sitting here nervous about teaching. Why don't I ever believe my own good press?

After class today, my best yoga bud in the entire world, Ruth is taking me over to LA Fitness to talk to the person who hires the yoga teachers for all the clubs in this area. I am totally nervous about this meeting. Now, not only am I a Registered Yoga Teacher certified by the Yoga Alliance and CPR certified but I also worked at Curves for a year and a half. I've lost 95 pounds in my life. I'M FRIENDS WITH RICHARD SIMMONS!!!! It seems to me that I would be a great fit for them but still I am nervous. What if they don't like me? What if they do like me? The idea of walking up in front of 30 or 40 people and teaching is making me sick to my stomach. Why am I even doing this? Yeah, I need to find my self confidence. Where is it?

Our Anniversary-Today or Tomorrow?

Ok, well there has been quite a lot of drama around me lately but I am happy to say that I have managed to come out the other side with my most important relationships intact. I am happy and peaceful again. It's how I need to be.

Today is a my 34th anniversary. Yep! I've been married to Pat for 34 years now. To top that off we had been together for 7 years before we got married. If you add it all up we have been together 41 years. Man, that's a long time.

I remember the day I got married. I remember thinking that it was funny that I woke up in the morning and said "See ya at the wedding". There was no-oh, don't see the bride before the wedding. It's bad luck-crap. That's pretty much how our marriage has been. Very laid back and very happy. Of course there have been some tough times but not many looking at the whole picture.

Even after all these years, I never know when we are going to turn off the lights to go to sleep and have something strike us really funny. It happened last night. My sides were hurting laughing over someone's last name on the PGA tour. It was Afabarnrat, which struck us hilarious sounding like half a barn rat. I know it's stupid but it's just the way it was. I was crying from laughter. He makes me very happy.

Pat and happy me

Scotty, Stevie's son, got married today in Chicago. Kerry was supposed to go but she got the first case of the swine flu at Notre Dame. I guess God struck her down with the Swine Flu for being the only Jewish student there. :) I'm glad that I got to speak to Scotty today and wish him well. It's a good luck day.

Kerry and Scotty

I miss Kerry very much today. She was the perfect addition to our family when she came. She ended up growing up with with Pat's and my sense of humor. I have so many wonderful memories of her growing up here, with me. Now, she's all grown up and living her own life at Notre Dame. I'm so proud of her but so sad that she is so far away. How did she grow up so fast? Where did the time go?

My baby Kerry

I was very happy to teach my Saturday yoga class today at Etro Salon. It was a small class with only two people but they seemed very happy when they left. Pat's nephew Johnny and his girlfriend Sherry are in town and we will be having dinner at Pat's favorite restaurant, Tijuana Flats. Not the most romantic day or evening but Pat has to work early tomorrow anyway. I think we will just make believe that our anniversary is really tomorrow. :)