Well lets see, it's Wednesday. To some people that's hump day, middle of the work week. Only 2 more days to work. For me & Wayne it's bowling night.
When I was 7, my parents and I moved back to Hamilton. At that time there used to be a small amusement park on the beach strip. One of the attractions there that was open year round was a 5 pin bowling alley. This was 1962 and back then there were no automatic pinsetters, no computer scoring, no bumpers in the gutters and the game was slightly more challenging. My parents and I would go bowling sometimes and I was taught to bowl. Back then in order for your score to count, you had to get the left hand 2 pin. If that corner pin was left standing, you didn't count any of your other pins.
From the age of 7 I have loved bowling. I have bowled on both 5 and 10 pin leagues over the years. I even bowled on a league when I was 8 months pregnant with not one but two of my children. Unfortunately, I have never been a truly good bowler. My usual average is about 145 in 10 pin.
After not bowing on a league for over 20 years, I was invited to join a fun league with friends from church. This was 5 years ago. I was still under 50. By the middle of the 2nd game I could hardley walk. When I finally got home, Wayne figured that I would say 'no more bowling'. Wrong! I figured that if I was this out of shape, I better do something about it. I went back the next week and dragged Wayne along with me.
I have toughed it out, through stiffness and sprains, for good games (I finally broke a 200) and gutter balls, on big teams and small, till the end of the season at the banquet with prizes. I even bowled the winter I had carpal tunnel surgery not once but twice. This meant that for 6 weeks, I bowled left handed.
One of the things that keeps me going back for more punishment every week are the seniors. A large number of our bowlers are retired. We have at least 2 bowlers who are over 80, one of whom had hip surgery last summer and was back bowling by Christmas.
I want to be like them! My mother has willed herself into old age. At 82, this April, I agree that she's no spring chicken, but her get up and go left about 5 years ago. She used to be a reasonalby active person. She liked to go out shopping, camped in her Conversion Van in the summer, and liked to get out. Once she had to give up driving, she convinced herself that she was old and couldn't do any of the things that she used to.
I refuse to give in to aging. Sure, I know that I'm getting older, but that doesn't mean that I have to be old. For 1 1/2 years I worked 2 jobs, my office job and a part-time retail job at a luggage store. Yes I was tired, but I lost 25 pounds. When I quit this past Christmas I vowed that I would not put that weight back on. I let myself enjoy some down time until February. Then I joined Curves. I try to get out 3 nights a week, but most weeks its only twice.
I'm looking forward to aging gracefully, but I have no plans on being old. I want to be active both mentally and physically, busy doing the things that I don't have the time to do now.
I have 2 coasters that state my feelings on aging. One says "You are only young once. But you can stay immature indefinitely". The other one says "Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional". I keep them where I can see them often and remind myself of the sayings whenever I start to feel old.
Thinking Young Helps You To Stay Young.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Saturday, March 24, 2007
The Superest Saturday Ever!
Yay Laidlaw Bantam Bruins!!! Congratulations on winning the championship today. I am so glad that I could be there to see Yoshi (Josh to most of you) and his team come in #1.
After raising my kids in a hockey rink, or so it seemed, I haven't spent much time in the last 12 or 13 years at the rink. Actually, I can probably count the hours spent on my 2 hands. I admit I'm a bad grandma, who doesn't go to all the games, like some of my friends do. I have good intentions at the start of the season, but time slips away from me and I just don't seem to make it out to games. The same holds true in the summer for soccer.
Anyway last Tuesday evening I went to see what would probably be Josh's last game for the year. In order to continue on to Super Saturday, they needed to win by 6 goals. They did it with just over 1 minute left in the game. I honestly think that if I hadn't been there cheering them on (who am I kidding, I was screaming my fool head off) they never would have done it.
Being the teams new good luck charm, I had to go out to today's game. Picture me holding Colin on my lap while jumping up and down to be able to see and screaming in my loudest voice 'Lets Go Bruins' along with assorted bits of advice like 'dig, dig, dig', 'get that puck out of there', stop him' and other bits of wisdom that only an experienced hockey mom would know. Poor Colin. He is by no means a light weight, but he nearly became airborne a few times during my leaps to see what was happening in the corner. He is definately a trusting child though, because by the third period he was sound asleep in my arms even though I was still leaping and screaming.
It made me very proud to see my number one grandson out there skating his heart out on a team that all gave 150% today. His coaches must be congratulated on their ability to lead their team onto victory and still teach them to be good sportsmanlike players at the same time. Everyboy was out there playing, no matter what their ability. I've seen many team sports over the years when the 'best' players played the most time and the lesser players kept the bench warm. Team sports are for everyone, not just the chosen few.
Anyway, if you happen to read this Yoshi, remember that no matter how many games I might miss, I'm your number 1 fan. Maybe I'll see you at soccer this year.
After raising my kids in a hockey rink, or so it seemed, I haven't spent much time in the last 12 or 13 years at the rink. Actually, I can probably count the hours spent on my 2 hands. I admit I'm a bad grandma, who doesn't go to all the games, like some of my friends do. I have good intentions at the start of the season, but time slips away from me and I just don't seem to make it out to games. The same holds true in the summer for soccer.
Anyway last Tuesday evening I went to see what would probably be Josh's last game for the year. In order to continue on to Super Saturday, they needed to win by 6 goals. They did it with just over 1 minute left in the game. I honestly think that if I hadn't been there cheering them on (who am I kidding, I was screaming my fool head off) they never would have done it.
Being the teams new good luck charm, I had to go out to today's game. Picture me holding Colin on my lap while jumping up and down to be able to see and screaming in my loudest voice 'Lets Go Bruins' along with assorted bits of advice like 'dig, dig, dig', 'get that puck out of there', stop him' and other bits of wisdom that only an experienced hockey mom would know. Poor Colin. He is by no means a light weight, but he nearly became airborne a few times during my leaps to see what was happening in the corner. He is definately a trusting child though, because by the third period he was sound asleep in my arms even though I was still leaping and screaming.
It made me very proud to see my number one grandson out there skating his heart out on a team that all gave 150% today. His coaches must be congratulated on their ability to lead their team onto victory and still teach them to be good sportsmanlike players at the same time. Everyboy was out there playing, no matter what their ability. I've seen many team sports over the years when the 'best' players played the most time and the lesser players kept the bench warm. Team sports are for everyone, not just the chosen few.
Anyway, if you happen to read this Yoshi, remember that no matter how many games I might miss, I'm your number 1 fan. Maybe I'll see you at soccer this year.
Happy 1st Birthday Madelainie
My youngest granddaughter turns 1 today. Madelyne Sarah was born one year ago to my youngest daughter Carrie and her husband Craig. She was welcomed into her family by her big sister Emzee (her real name is Emily, but I've always called her Emzee).
When I was creating my own population explosion, it seemed to happen so very quickly and even though for years I thought my five would never grow up, they did. I missed having little ones around and even toyed with the idea of having just one more after Wayne and I married in 1988. Carrie being the baby objected loudly to the idea and after some soul searching, I knew it just wouldn't be practical.
I was lucky enough to be a stay at home mom (for the most part) up until Carrie was 7 years old. When I did work, it was for short periods - usually long enough to save up enough to pay for Christmas! I had so many different jobs it wasn't funny. Waitressing, busing tables, printer's devil, short order cook, selling encyclopedias door to door, sales clerk and cashier.
After my first husband and I went our separate ways, I no longer had the option of being 'just mom'. I needed an income, which meant that I had to work. Funny how they won't pay you to stay at home and work 16 hour days 7 days a week, with no sick days.
Once Wayne and I married, I knew that I still needed to work full-time. Supporting a family of 7 on one income is next to impossible, and seeing as how I had brought the 5 kids into our marriage, I felt that I was responsible for providing some of their support. So I knew that if I was to have another baby, I would have to return to work and cover the expenses associated with being a working mom. Daycare does not come cheap! I honestly don't know how young family's do it!
Anyway, after saying good-bye to the chance of any more babies, I was blessed with my first grandchild in 1993. Joshua was grandma's pet right from day one. I got to be Laurel's labour coach and let me tell you, it's a lot easier watching than pushing. Within a few years we were over run with grandkids and Grandpa (or Grumpa on a bad day) and I have had a ball. We now have an even dozen, which includes 4 steps and I love them all.
Laurel has provided us with 3 boys, Josh who will be 14 this year, Aidan who will be 7 and Colin the youngest will be one in April.
Krystal has a millionaires family with a daughter Areal who will be 8 and a son Aaron who turns 5 in June.
Aubrey has a step-daughter Jessica who will be 16 and a son Zachary who will be 10. Their birthdays are December 23rd and 24th.
Shawn who is getting married in June will have 3 step-children Kayla turning 15, Alicia turning 14 and Tyler who will be 11.
Carrie has her 2 girls Emily who will be 9 and Madelyne who turns 1 today.
I grew up with my children and enjoyed being able to play and be silly with them. Being a grandmother of 12 at 52, means I can grow up with my grandkids too.
Happy Birthday Madelainie and thanks for being my baby doll.
When I was creating my own population explosion, it seemed to happen so very quickly and even though for years I thought my five would never grow up, they did. I missed having little ones around and even toyed with the idea of having just one more after Wayne and I married in 1988. Carrie being the baby objected loudly to the idea and after some soul searching, I knew it just wouldn't be practical.
I was lucky enough to be a stay at home mom (for the most part) up until Carrie was 7 years old. When I did work, it was for short periods - usually long enough to save up enough to pay for Christmas! I had so many different jobs it wasn't funny. Waitressing, busing tables, printer's devil, short order cook, selling encyclopedias door to door, sales clerk and cashier.
After my first husband and I went our separate ways, I no longer had the option of being 'just mom'. I needed an income, which meant that I had to work. Funny how they won't pay you to stay at home and work 16 hour days 7 days a week, with no sick days.
Once Wayne and I married, I knew that I still needed to work full-time. Supporting a family of 7 on one income is next to impossible, and seeing as how I had brought the 5 kids into our marriage, I felt that I was responsible for providing some of their support. So I knew that if I was to have another baby, I would have to return to work and cover the expenses associated with being a working mom. Daycare does not come cheap! I honestly don't know how young family's do it!
Anyway, after saying good-bye to the chance of any more babies, I was blessed with my first grandchild in 1993. Joshua was grandma's pet right from day one. I got to be Laurel's labour coach and let me tell you, it's a lot easier watching than pushing. Within a few years we were over run with grandkids and Grandpa (or Grumpa on a bad day) and I have had a ball. We now have an even dozen, which includes 4 steps and I love them all.
Laurel has provided us with 3 boys, Josh who will be 14 this year, Aidan who will be 7 and Colin the youngest will be one in April.
Krystal has a millionaires family with a daughter Areal who will be 8 and a son Aaron who turns 5 in June.
Aubrey has a step-daughter Jessica who will be 16 and a son Zachary who will be 10. Their birthdays are December 23rd and 24th.
Shawn who is getting married in June will have 3 step-children Kayla turning 15, Alicia turning 14 and Tyler who will be 11.
Carrie has her 2 girls Emily who will be 9 and Madelyne who turns 1 today.
I grew up with my children and enjoyed being able to play and be silly with them. Being a grandmother of 12 at 52, means I can grow up with my grandkids too.
Happy Birthday Madelainie and thanks for being my baby doll.
The First Post!!!
This is it. I've procrastinated enough. I'm going live with this post. Now I just have to figure out how to do it!
Blogging is new to me. Not as a reader. My daughter Laurel started hers last fall and I thought it was the greatest thing around. Shortly after I thought I would set up my own blog. After choosing a template and starting to set it up, I chickened out. A few months later my youngest daughter Carrie set up her own blog. After visiting both of their blogs daily and promising myself that I would do this too, here I am.
As you can see by my profile, I tend to have run on. Fortunately I have a very quiet husband, 'cause when I get going he couldn't get a word in if he wanted to.
I take great pride in my family, home and work and would like to share some of it with the great world out there. Hopefully I can get the hang of this fairly soon and can put my creativity to good use.
Please feel free to comment on any of my posts. I look forward to hearing from all of you.
Anne
Blogging is new to me. Not as a reader. My daughter Laurel started hers last fall and I thought it was the greatest thing around. Shortly after I thought I would set up my own blog. After choosing a template and starting to set it up, I chickened out. A few months later my youngest daughter Carrie set up her own blog. After visiting both of their blogs daily and promising myself that I would do this too, here I am.
As you can see by my profile, I tend to have run on. Fortunately I have a very quiet husband, 'cause when I get going he couldn't get a word in if he wanted to.
I take great pride in my family, home and work and would like to share some of it with the great world out there. Hopefully I can get the hang of this fairly soon and can put my creativity to good use.
Please feel free to comment on any of my posts. I look forward to hearing from all of you.
Anne
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