Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Cows on the Freeway

OK. I'm trying something new - sort of prepping for the future and I'm dragging my rear end out of bed at 4:00 AM to head to the gym. I'm not going alone as I'm dragging my sister along with me. We've been at this for a few weeks now with hiccups along the way but this morning I was glad I was up to hear a breaking news report.

"State Police have closed the Northbound and Southbound lanes of US 131 between 14 Mile Rd and 10 Mile Rd. A semi carrying cattle on Southbound US 131 flipped inbetween 13 & 14 Mile Rds and cattle are wandering all over the freeway. This is a dangerous situation because of the darkness. Please exercise caution on surface roads near the area as cattle have dispersed in many different directions."

Cows on the freeway. Good Lord - we have a huge problem with deer now we need to look out for cows. I can only imagine if you hit one in a car what sort of damage would occur. Then it struck me funny - if you hit a cow - do you get to keep the meat? I wondered as I drove down 13 Mile if I would encounter a cow but it didn't happen. Then on my way home - the freeway was still closed and I replayed the scenerio of a few years ago in my head when a peacock wandered into our yard. The peacock had my kids all excited - yelling, screaming, jumping up and down. Dan was home and documented the fact. I could only wonder what would happen if I drove up the driveway and saw a cow in the front yard. I'd be yelling and screaming "Can I keep it?"

It is now 6 hours since the accident and no cow has been spotted in our yard. Darn

So. While at the gym we encounter many different people. One man there in particular has earned the nickname "Hulk" by my sister. He is a short squatty man with huge and I mean huge arms, legs and a huge neck. But there are times when he lifts weights in the area my sister and I frequent.

If I can create a picture - or at least equate the weight area into two sections - big kid pool and wading pool - my sister and I always walk by the big kid pool. It is on the first floor and has numerous free weights and weight machines - it is an intimidating area as there is a lot of grunting and strutting that takes place on the first floor. So - we head upstairs to the family area - where there are cute weight machines in bright red paint with signs on them that say "This equipment was designed for use by children." See how we have big kid pool and kiddie pool distinctions.

Well - we are working out on the machines designed for children and the Hulk comes upstairs and starts playing in our pool. Is this man just trying to show off? Not only that - he will lift and then leave the machine with his pin still in place on the equipment. I'm sorry but I don't enjoy taking the pin out from the very bottom plate (which is about 300 lbs and I am exaggerating here but you get the point) and moving it up to the second plate (which is 40 lbs). It is embarassing and I think the Hulk should go back to his pool and stop peeing in ours.

I've enjoyed my morning workouts at the Y - it is my time with my sister and we have fun and I should go home and shower and become productive but I get sidetracked by walking past the bed. I promise myself I'll only lay down for a few minutes and then instead it is hours later. Yet, the redeaming part of this is the fact I am getting up at my normal time BUT I've also got a workout out of the way. I'm just going to have to learn to function and stay awake...baby steps you know - baby steps.

So - from cows to Hulk like men in the kiddie pool I wonder what else will come our way today - maybe a flying pig? I'd bank on a flying pig.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

We just blew by the 4th

Yep. I said it in the previous post - summer is slipping away and goodness it is. We had a fantastic Fourth of July in mid-Michigan with perfect weather. Great food and wonderful family - kids and babies - it was wonderful. So - not wanting to let go of those moments we headed back "north" for a few more days and the kids swam their hearts out.

Back to reality, I checked my email this morning and had a message that brought me to tears. A former co-worker, no a friend, passed away on Tuesday leaving behind a wife and children and some grandkids too. I never knew my mother's parents and it has left a void in my life - a part which I cannot touch or connect with and I wonder how many grandkids in his family will wonder what grandpa was like. It saddens me so. It also makes me thankful I was able to make amends and move beyond the past and look to the future. How important it truly is to be able to forgive. I hope no one wishes otherwise in this case - he was such a good man.

So - from death I look to the promise of life. I follow a blog online of a woman that is journaling her emotional journey toward motherhood. I keep her in my thoughts and prayers each day as I know how much she really, really, really wants to become a mother. I never wanted to be a mom, that was until I met my sister's daughters and I couldn't imagine not having kids of my own.

The kids fill my life - with much joy and frustration - but I would not change it for anything. I love my kids and love their imagination and sense of adventure. I love hearing about my son's first "love" and his passion to do great things and I love to see my daughter jump down the stairs and sing her sassy songs. My chef and artist - both want jobs where they find fulfillment in what they can give to others. I know that feeling and as I embark on my adventure of serving others I only hope I can do my job - beyond well - I want to excel and make a difference. I want to make a change.

On that note - I will close with a thought about the man that passed away. He touched many, many lives and truly made lives change. He made a difference and he made me feel welcome and special. I will miss you my friend, I suppose God needs someone to help him run his show.