Category Archives: Thoughts
Dinner with the Girls
Yesterday was my college roommates 60th birthday and four of us came to celebrate with her. It was a nice night. I have been friends Lynn since we were 4 & 5 and 40 to 42 years with the rest, from college to now. Virtually all of our lives! When I’m with them now we talk about children, grandchildren, our remaining parents (one Dad and two Moms left in the group) and of course about the good old days. We are an energetic group and even though the calendar says that we are all (except one) in our 60’s it’s hard for me to believe. You can’t tell by our activity levels or our attitudes. Age is really just a number!
Renee’s 60th me on the left , Jackie, Renee center, Lynn, Cynthia far right
Conquer the Pool
At first I was keeping track of the days that I went to the pool. Now I have months in and the individual days don’t seem to matter as much. I have a goal and that is to compete some way, some how in twelve months. Perhaps it will be the Danskin Triathlon or it may be a short course meet somewhere but that is my goal. We had our first team meeting yesterday moving towards registering our team with the State Master Swim organization. Some of us are planning to attend a meet in October so we can see what it’s like. They tell me that making the decision is the first step. So as far as I’m concerned, I’m on the way. I will need a large cheering section. I’ll keep you informed.
The Last Slip in America
Okay so I know that I am considered middle-aged by some and old by others and that may account for the reason that I wear a slip under my dresses. I have to ask you though, don’t you see what I see when I’m walking down the street in the summer? All of natures errors are out there for for the world to see. Hello! you do know that the dress you’re wearing is see through? And you do know that you don’t have the best shape? I’m not sure where the disconnect is. Unfortunately for me, finding slips is almost impossible. If I want to cut off my breathing, I can get some of that shapewear but I like to feel my extremities. A regular slip? Obviously I’m the only one looking for one.
What Does Fitness Look Like?
Today I went with my friend Terrell to see Roz compete in the Danskin Triathlon at Sandy Hook in New Jersey. Roz swims with us and she has trained in the pool to make sure that she could do the 1/2 mile open water swim. Of course she did fine and completed the 1/2 mile swim, 10 mile bike ride and 3 mile run. Not sure of her official time but it was around 2 hours. Wow! I was pumped and I was just a volunteer. I got to play with a road bike (OMG it is so light) and I talked to tons of athletes. Terrell and I asked them how it was, if they had done a tri before etc. Got lots of info and encouragement for competing next year. It’s a strong maybe.
So what does fitness look like? Today it was young we met some 14 year olds, it was 20 something, 30 something, 40 something, 50 something and yes there were the 60’s like me and I hear the oldest entrant was 82!. They were thin and athletic and short and stout. Just pick your typical workday crowd on the train and put them in workout clothes. That’s what I saw today. It was thrilling and who knows maybe this time next year I’ll be posting a picture of myself wearing that neat metal!!!
I’ve asked you not to call me Miss!!!
I know that it’s supposed to be a sign of respect but really I can’t stand being called Miss. I accept getting older. Other than a few aches and pains most days I’m good with it. Then somebody with grown kids will say hi Miss Karen and my whole day goes bad. Okay so I’m a little sensitive about it but for Pete’s sake when someone with gray hair is calling me the M word it sends me over the edge.
So listen carefully, there is no Miss on my birth certificate. Karen will do. Please and thank you!
VBS
VBS stands for Vacation Bible School. Somewhat of a mystery for someone raised in the Catholic Church of the 1950’s and 60’s. I am still fairly new to the Baptist tradition and this was my first Vacation Bible School. So let me give you some background. I now attend a church where the pastor and first lady are friends and have been for many years. They are an energetic couple who have made youth their personal ministries. They are two big kids and I mean this in the best way! We are a small congregation and sadly as happens in many religious experiences today we don’t have many kids attending church regularly. Pastor talked up VBS and we had between 25-30 people from 2 to mid-teens every night!
I mention this because it is not often that kids get to be kids any more. We played games, sang songs and I figure we will be cleaning up beads, paper and glue for months. My husband and two other church members cooked with them. The VBS theme was Heavens Kitchen. They laughed made pretzels, sandwich wraps and cupcakes and generally had a ball. I did very little but I was exhausted and I know that Pastor and First Lady had to be tired because they worked all day and did kid all evening!
We have to do more of these activities for our kids. Many of them are not getting what they need at home. Doesn’t make their families bad people, probably mostly overwhelmed. Any way I can’t wait until our next activity with the little ones.
I Have Not Abandoned You
I have been lost in my brain for weeks. Doing school work, swimming and occasionally picking up my knit or crochet projects. Time management is still a challenge for me and I have made some progress but I never seem to have enough time. I do still love this blog and I will attempt to be more faithful in the future.
I am often surprised by how much I still want to accomplish in year sixty. Finding time doesn’t seem to get easier even though I work far less than in the past. I am always busy! My friends are now trying to talk me into a mini-triathlon. Whew. What next? Actually I can’t wait!
Crazier by the Minute
For the first time probably thirty years I jumped off of the diving board. Notice I said jumped. Not very dignified but I gave it a shot. Making progress every day.
Jumping off the board. Not pretty but I did it
I don’t even remember holding my nose. LOL!
Patience and the Pool
So another valuable piece of information today. Mike told me today that the conventional wisdom is that it takes a year to learn a stroke well. Whew! I can slow down and take my time. Didn’t have my flippers today so I had to push without them. Well I did almost two laps freestyle. I am pumped and now I know that I will be working on it for a while. I have revised my schedule to swim a mile. Hmm maybe next summer? Who cares I’m not in a hurry. I love the pool!!!!
I Am Not A Groupie By Nature
After the Girl Scouts, I can’t remember having the desire to join a group. Didn’t pledge a sorority in college much to the disappointment of some, no ladies clubs (not me) bridge or other. So you get the picture. Anyway at this phase of my life I find myself affiliated with three groups that I couldn’t do without. My Bergen Crafters (they are as crazy as I am about crochet and my knitting love is gaining on some of them), my newest Brick City MasterSwim (they make me see possibilities I hadn’t considered) and my Willing Hearts Weight Watchers group ( cause they feel my pain and my victory). So here’s to groups!
First Steps the Hardest 