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Sunday, June 20, 2010

Honor Thy Father


I spent a long time trying to come up with a title for this blog. Searching for quotes and songs about Dads and Fathers, I found there are not near as many as for Mothers. As one quote goes by an unknown author,"Fathers Day is just like Mothers Day, only we don't spend as much."

It's a fact that we usually let our Dad's do what ever they want on their day and we put our Mothers on pedestals and shower them with gifts and brunch and phone calls. I remember that all my Dad ever wanted from his kids was a visit on his special day. He was short changed due to the fact that his Birthday, June 18, usually fell on or around Fathers Day. It was easy to cover both days with one visit.

Over the years, the role of Fathers in the family has evolved. Rumor has it, my Dad never changed a diaper. Not that hard to believe. His role in the family was clear, he worked two to three jobs a day, came home, ate dinner with us (most of the time) and then wanted to be left alone. Occasionally he would help us with out homework. Over the last 20 years Fathers have been much more participatory in both child rearing and household responsibilities. They often don't get their due, because the fact is usually ignored that they are still performing their outside chores in the lawn, etc. . But let me be clear that the majority of the household/child care is still provided by Momma.

It does my heart good to see Fathers enjoying their Children's company much more these days than when I was growing up.

June 29th my Dad will be gone four years. I still miss him like crazy. Over the years we had many disagreements about how things should be done. I on how he should fit the mold created for him in my mind, and he on how I should be fiscally responsible. Very rarely do our expectations meet the reality of it all.

For those who still have their Fathers, enjoy each day with them, because they may not be around tomorrow. For those of us who have lost our Dads, know that they are with us in spirit and still letting us know (in subtle ways) the right thing to do.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

The Not So Incredible Shrinking Woman Goes To The Fitness Center


So here I am, back at Mayo Clinic with my Husband. This trip we are again staying at the Kahler Grand Hotel. It's an old hotel located right in the center of the Mayo complex. When making the reservation this time, I asked the front desk if they had a fitness center. "Yes", she replied, "it's on the 11th floor." That made me happy, as I had been neglecting my workouts due to not knowing what was available.

You really have to be motivated to use this facility. First you have to use the center elevators to get to the 10th floor. Didn't they say it was on the 11th floor? Oh yes, but you take the elevators to 10 and then walk up the stairs to 11. Oooookay. If you want to use the gym before 7:00 a.m., you have to use your room key to take the elevator up. Monday morning my key didn't work so I was going up and down and finally landed in lobby where a nice desk clerk used his key to get me to the 10h floor. All this in my gym clothes. (How embarrassing).

This morning I waited until a few minutes after 7:00 a.m., meeting a guy who mentioned how hard it is to find the place. I concurred. Upon entering the gym, I noticed there were more people than usual. Where to go I wondered. Aha, over there, by the old guy on the treadmill. My slow running will not be apparent next to him. So I meandered over and set my speed at 3.3 mph and incline at 4. Ready for my 2 miles. Started out with Lady Ga-Ga Bad Romance, I was movin'. I glance over at the old man and noticed he was walking at a pretty good clip. Hmmm, 3.2 mph, okay, but I was running, he was walking, it still looked like I was going faster. Then I glanced at his incline setting. It was set at 7! The guy wasn't even breaking a sweat. He had to be 85 if he was a day. That was humbling.

As I headed back up to our room, (that has a heating and cooling system that is possessed) I was only more determined to keep up my routine. There have been no stops at the Dairy Queen for a Buster Bar Blizzard this trip and am thinking of initiating the Flat Belly Diet as soon as I can be in one place for a 32 day period. Will keep you posted on how that goes....