The month began with difficulty. My amazing, 91-year old mother-in-law passed away. Yes, she had a long and beautiful life, but she left too soon. She was still getting around pretty well and was very mentally spry...we were all predicting triple digits. She took a bad fall that didn't seem so bad at first, but bleeding on the brain worsened and there wasn't much anyone could do. I definitely feel the loss. My life was richer for having known her. I think all who knew her feel the same.
My wedding anniversary (17 years!) followed immediately. We both completely forgot about it until the following day, so no one got in trouble. Within the week, two children's birthdays happened... someone turned 10 and the next day someone turned 6. The 10-year old had a laser tag party, but the 6-year old had a Frozen fairy pirate party WITH a bounce house AND a piñata. I fucking HATE piñatas. This was the first party in which I ever allowed one of my children to have a fucking piñata. I was also the last. What a fucking nightmare. First of all, I hate how the kids all shove each other out of the way and someone always gets hurt or feels gypped about FUCKING PENNY CANDY!!!! WTF? Grub-festing vultures. I hate it. And then there's always the potential for someone to get his/her head bashed in by the wildly, candy-crazed, bat-wielding piñata-striker. And yes, that almost happened several times at this party. My attempts at crowd-control were totally unsuccessful. The kids did a fair job of whacking the fucking thing, but grandpa really stole the show when he delivered a crushing blow that sent candy scattering into the open space across the yard and over the fence. Enough about the fucking piñata. Instagram has some party pictures, if you're interested...which you're probably not. And then my oldest stepson turned 30 and my parents had their wedding anniversary (which I am just now remembering...shit...I forgot to wish them a happy, happy).
I've been doing a lot of rowing. Uhhhhh...well...a couple of times a week anyway. I really only like to row when it's like this...
If I can see ripples, just forget it. Call me a pussy if you want, but I do this for FUN and windy chop isn't FUN.
I've been doing a lot of hiking. A 20-miler a few weeks ago and a 21.67-miler last week. The first was in 4 hours and 55 minutes, and the second was slower at 5 hours and 23 minutes. That is a LONG time to be walking alone all by one's lonesome. No, I don't listen to music or podcasts. Just all the voices in my head.
I've been lucking out with the weather for my hikes. We may be experiencing severe drought here in the State of California, but it is helping keep my training more enjoyable.
I've also been lifting on a regular basis. No pictures of that because by the end of my workouts I can hardly move let alone grab my phone and snap a photo. Also my coach would die laughing and banish me from the gym.
Then March ended and April began. The very first day marked my one year anniversary for my new hip. I celebrated by taking a selfie in silver lamé booty shorts while standing on the edge of my Lego-covered bathtub...
I am so glad I decided to have the surgery. It is like living a new life. Well, it's like actually LIVING. Hmmm...not like living. It IS living. Occasionally I get pangs of sadness when I realize how negatively affected every facet of my life was by the constant pain, but the pangs are fleeting. It's mostly happy, happy, joy, joy here :)
Maybe I should post more about my training? As a SAHM, I have the luxury of working out whenever I want...as long as it doesn't interfere with the 200 miles a day I need to drive while chauffeuring my children hither and yon. You think I'm kidding.
Do you drive a lot in your daily life? Do you LIKE to drive?
–I've put over 10K miles on my car since December in just regular daily life driving. Fortunately, I do like to drive. Maybe not this much though. *sigh*
What has been the best decision you've made in the past year?
–hands-down hip replacement.
Do you like piñatas?
I am reading your blog! I hate driving. I am not sure what I would do if I had kids who needed to be driven hither and yonder.
ReplyDeleteYay for reading!!!!!!! You probably wouldn't foolishly set them up with activities hither and yon. I need to scale back.
DeleteDrive a lot? Sadly yes. I have a horrendous 10 mile commute to my job. Don't laugh. It's all on a suburban arterial lined with strip malls. I pretend I'm in mile one of a crowded race and keep weaving in and out of cars. I make eye contact with no one. Today I let my son drive to Target on said arterial. We almost died. Ok, not quite but it was nerve-wracking.
ReplyDeleteYour legs look AMAZING.
Agreed on the legs! Color me jealous!
DeleteMy oldest will start learning to drive this summer. He's terrified. I'm seeing it as a light at the end of the tunnel. I'm sure once reality settles in, I'll be terrified too.
DeleteAnd thanks to both of you for the compliment :)
Congrats on that new hip! Love the shorts!
ReplyDeleteThe shorts are from the Halloween SuperStore. Everything is 75% off on November 1st :)
DeleteThe silver lame shorts really set off that scar - not that it's that visible any more. And what's with the green in the hiking photo? Aren't you in drought?!
ReplyDeleteCalifornia is ALWAYS in a drought. But yeah, things have been browning up since earlier this month.
DeleteI am sorry about your MIL! sad news. And how the Hell is it Apil already ...crap! The new hip is working out awesome. Not sure what my best decision was...packing up and going to a couple races that I couldn't really afford? haha. I need to work on that. I need to work on a few things...cause I too want to wear some silver lame shorts ...hawt mama! I am lucky. I can walk to to work. or run home and do an extra lap for fun. I don't mind a 2 hr drive to my parents...but I hate city driving!
ReplyDeleteCity driving blows.
DeleteI was here...read it...and as always I will be back.
ReplyDelete(didn't want to leave you hanging)
Your legs look amazing...
ReplyDeletewhat was the rest of the blog about?
Oh driving... I have a motorbike and travel 10 miles to work and then another 10 home every day, Oh and then there is another 10mile round trip to the club for running...
You legs are look good...
I don't like traffic and might just die if I was stuck in a car.
Oh and with legs like that you can wear silver lamé booty shorts!
Flattery will get you everywhere.
DeleteSorry about your MIL. I love pinatas! But my pinata experience has mostly been as an adult, so there's less danger of kids getting their heads bashed in...
ReplyDeleteNo doubt! You should go to a kid piñata party just for the adrenaline rush!
DeleteI really don't enjoy driving. Lucky for me I changed from a 13 mile commute to an 8 mile commute. My days are much better now. I definitely don't like pinatas either. It is pure chaos giving children something to hit with a long, dangerous stick.
ReplyDeleteAt least I refused to blindfold them or spin them around!
DeleteI went to a 40 year old's birthday party once. There was a piñata. It was filled with condoms, candy, vodka minis, and lube. I kid you not. My kind of party.
ReplyDelete