Wednesday Reads - 41: A Portrait of My Father by George W. Bush

Everyone knows I'm addicted to political biographies and memoirs and that I have a pretty extensive collection about all of the presidents, so I was pretty excited when Dennis got me the new book about George H.W. Bush - 41: A Portrait of My Father by George W. Bush.

The book is a beautifully written portrait of W.'s father. There are so many wonderful anecdotes that are not present in other biographies of H.W. and there is so much love and respect present for this great man that are really only present in books written by family.

At the beginning of the book, W. talks about how he got the idea for the book from David McCullough's daughter. The Bushes are only the second father and later son presidency. John Quincy Addams didn't write about his father, so W. is the only one to take on the challenge.

I thought it would be an interesting to see a role reversal in the last thought as well, if H.W. wrote a book about his son after the 43rd presidency. It was also interesting to see W.'s painting of this father, read about H.W.'s sky dives (even at 90!) and hear W.'s take on Barbara's quips.

For those who are not into political biographies or memoirs because of the length, I would definitely recommend this book. It's short with clear sections of each of the main points. There are so many great stories that the books moves quickly.

Spinning is the New Running

Last night I attended my second spinning class at LA Fitness. The free spinning classes was one of the reasons I wanted to join there among other amenities. This was my first time spinning after all of my knee problems in December.

During grad school, I did spinning classes at the Kent State Recreation Center but was unable to afford classes until I found ones included in a gym membership. I hadn't realized how much I missed it until I got back on the bike.

It is such a great workout. It's low impact. There is awesome music. And it's just fun. I love it.

I've decided spinning will replace running in my life.

Originally, I was going to do one spinning class a week but I'm enjoying it so much, I'm going to try two sessions a week. The instructor I had last night was great. She had us visualizing that we were actually on the road. It was a little weird though doing it with your eyes closed, which she wanted.

I'm still having knee problems but the spinning helps. I rode the bike in physical therapy every week. Yesterday my knee slid out mid spin but I was able to get it back in place in a few minutes and finished the workout pain free. I guess that's just what will happen from now on.

Here's to my new workout of choice and a year of low impact exercise!

Wednesday Reads: Bloom

A few years ago, I wrote a book title down on one of my many to-read lists and did not really think more of it. That book was Bloom: Finding Beauty in the Unexpected, a memoir by Kelle Hampton. Last week I downloaded it on my tablet and from the moment I started reading, I couldn't put it down. Two days later I was finished and so happy that I read this touching story.

Bloom is the the unforgettable story of the author's daughter, Nella and her first year of life. Through a combination of poignant words and stunning photographs, Hampton shares with readers the surprise at realizing that after seeing your newborn daughter for the first time that she has Down syndrome; the range of emotions experienced when coming to terms with the diagnosis; and most importantly how beautiful life is even with extra chromosomes.

This book is a must read! I loved the beautiful pictures of Nella and her family. The reviews on GoodReads are relatively split and people seem to either love or hate this book. I can only imagine what it must be like to experience having a child with Down syndrome but I thought this memoir was brutally honest about what the author felt during that first year.

Next Week's Review: 41

These are a Few of My Favorite Gifts

I got so many wonderful gifts from family and friends - new clothes, books, fun notebooks for work and an awesome Christmas quilt from my mom and so many other fabulous presents. One of my favorite gifts fuels my 2014 TV obsession - Dennis gave me all three seasons of Blue Bloods. I had checked the first two seasons out from the library but had never seen the third season. That was one good reason about being sick during the holidays because I had plenty of time to rest and catch up on the Reagan family.

 

 

What did everyone get for Christmas?



Simplify Sunday: Old Christmas Cards

Today, I was taking down the Christmas cards that were hanging in my kitchen. Don't worry! It's the only piece of Christmas that I'm taking down, especially considering that I didn't get my decorations up until late. I'm just trying to organize the kitchen and they needed to go.

What do you normally do with your old Christmas cards?

I absolutely love receiving and sending Christmas cards but once January comes around its hard to part with those that have been received yet it is also hard to come up with a good plan on why they should be kept year after year.

In the past, I think I either donated the cards to the library for projects with my teens or recycled them. Sometimes I even used them for my only DIY projects, which I didn't really get to do this year. What to do then?

I was searching around online and found that you could donate old Christmas cards. There is an organization called St. Jude's Ranch for Children, which uses the front of the cards to make new ones that are sold to raise money for the organization. Learn more here.

I decided to send them a stack. I didn't really have that many to send once I weeded out the picture cards and ones with sentimental value that I either hang on the refrigerator or use as bookmarks. They also don't take American Greetings, Disney or Hallmark so that dwindled the stack.

Just an option that I found interesting, especially since many don't know what to do with those old cards. Don't want to throw them away or spend the money to send them away...donate them to the local library!

Goodbye Running, I'll Miss You

Today was the first official training run led by the Pittsburgh Marathon. Today should have been my first official training run as well - a chilly three-mile run through the streets of Morningside and around the Highland Park Reservoir.

That was not the case however, because according to my surgeon (who did not even operate on my knee but provided a consultation of non-surgical treatments) I will never complete a training run again, let alone a half-marathon.

My orthopedic doctor at UPMC Sports Medicine was confident that I would run in May but her colleague, my knee surgeon, unfortunately did not share those opinions.

And so for the moment, as I would normally be posting my first half-marathon training post, I am writing to announce my retirement from a sport that I have grown to love so much in the last few years.

I was never fast but I loved running in Highland Park and at Lakeside and around the Navy Stadium in Annapolis. I loved those last 1-2 miles of adrenaline that pulled you through the Great Race or the half-marathon. I loved that amazing feeling of accomplishment at the finish line.

There is always the chance that I may run around the reservoir but I'll never see that finish line again. My surgeon said that running would only further irritate my knee injury and result in more treatments or possibly surgery in the future.

Right now my knee is almost pain-free after a cortisone shot and another draining. The surgeon said I did not need to return to physical therapy and am finally without my brace after almost five months. He also wanted me to receive shots to lubricate my knee joint but my orthopedic doctor and some friends with knee problems said that was not a good solution.

So, its just a waiting game right now. How long will the cortisone shot last? Will a workout routine of low-impact exercises (swimming, cycling, elliptical, etc). combined with weight training help strengthen the work done in physical therapy? If the problems persist, do I see a third doctor?

Those questions remain unanswered right now. It has taken a few weeks for me to grasp the realization that I won't be running in my fourth half-marathon in May or that I won't be spending the majority of my afternoons this summer running at the park.

It hasn't been easy but I'm young and healthy (other than my knee and my sinuses) and I want to preserve my knee as much as can so that I can still play tennis, walk another Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and live my life knee pain free and without the brace.

Life goes on and even though running has been such a presence in my life these last few years, I'll find a new hobby, a new workout to replace it. I already have one in mind...swim to Kelley's Island!!! I've wanted to do it since I was little. Who's with me?

And one last thing, save your knees! They aren't as strong as you think!

My DIY Planner

Not to pat myself on the back but I have to admit that I absolutely love my new planner and you know what, I made it myself! Yes, I was so sick of buying overpriced planners that didn't fit my needs. During the last few months I pinned a number of photos and ideas for making your own planner but wasn't quite sure if I could do it. Then my intern showed me her homemade planner and I decided I definitely needed one.

I went to Target and bought a notebook. I wanted one that was medium-size (bigger for my large printing but small enough to fit in my purse). It also has a great clear envelope in the front for notes, coupons, etc. This one is spiral bound with perforated pages, which don't work very well because I'm always taping pages back in. My notebook for the planner I will have to start in May or June is bound, so it will work much better.

Then I went back and looked at all of those pins again. I designed a template for each page that fit my needs. I wanted space for my appointments, items I do every day, to-do list, preparation for the next day list, how many cups of water I drank, fitness routine, meal plan, goals/thankful for and blog post. Sometimes I don't fill everything in but it helps to have a clear view of my day and what needs done. It also helps me be better prepared for the next day. At first I made a stencil for this template but that was taking forever when I had to do about 30 pages, so I started free handing it. It's not perfect but its just for lists, so I let my perfection go for the moment.

I also made a calendar at the beginning of the month with a monthly to-do list. My Google calendar has everything listed but this one just includes everything outside of work. I highlighted events that were for Dennis, date nights and to-do items. 

I love my new planner! It helps me be more organized with my to-do list but also keep track of my fitness goals and meal plan, as well do some minor journaling with the three goals and thankful for section. So far, I've been using this method for almost two months and its been working great. I think every one should just make there own planner. It's so much more personal and cheaper!

Let me know if you want to see mine. Happy planning in 2015!

In 2015, I will...

Honestly, I'm happy to say goodbye to 2014. Yes, I went on an absolutely fabulous honeymoon cruise and got an amazing new job but everything was overshadowed by the almost five months I spent wearing a knee brace, receiving physical therapy and other treatments and visiting UPMC Sports Medicine too many times. My knee and further treatment are in limbo right now but that's another post for another day. So, 2015 I'm more than happy to welcome you today!

Here's to 2015 and some accomplishable goals (a few repeats from 2014):

Do a weekly RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS.

Sometimes I feel like I get to caught up in myself and I forget to think about others. In 2015, I want to be a better person and do simple random acts of kindness for others.

Get back in shape with LOW IMPACT EXERCISE

Due to my knee injury, I haven't been able to do much the last few weeks. In the New Year, I have developed a work out schedule to get back in shape by doing all low impact workouts - swimming, cycling, roller blading, ellipitcal, etc.

(Pinterest)

READ.

I've already made a list of 28 books that I want to read this year, in addition to the book club titles. I met my goal last year, so I'm confident I can get some great reads in this year.

SIMPLIFY.

TRAVEL.
This year, we are hoping to take a trip to Williamsburg in the spring, New York City in the summer and Montreal in the fall.

BLOG.

Obviously I never make this goal and my blog goes neglected for months. That's changing today.

ORGANIZE the apartment.
This was one of my goals two years ago. Well, we are still in the same apartment, so it needs done again and I want to be prepared to move easier.

Save money and BUY A HOUSE.

Be HEALTHY.

Spend more time with FRIENDS and FAMILY.

Well, goodbye 2014. Take the knee brace with you! Looking forward to a happy and healthy (sinus infection free) 2015!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!