I was reading the monthly reflection in the book I use for a journal. It talks about nurturing relationships. It is easy to chat over facebook, text and email... but the monthly reflection said to spend time in person to person communication.
I would love to have the time and energy to do that and for the couple of close friends I have in Ames we do make a point to have a monthly lunch or ladies outing to catch up.
But alas, I have a network of people I care about that don't live in Ames and aren't close enough to see on a regular basis. I don't spend enough time catching up with my far away friends over the phone because it is just easier to use the digital media as a crutch. My monthly assignment is to pick four people I cherish to write a handwritten note to and write from the heart. I guess why stop at four... I will try to write four each week in the month of May.
I actually really enjoy writing letters. For years over my life I have had people I've written to regularly. My grandfather who passed away in November was one of my regular correspondences. We wrote letters and for years after my grandmother passed until I started having kids. I actually miss our letters because he would always write back with stories of his travels or even just the day to day activities. I do cherish the handwritten notes I have gotten from friends and family over the years. Those are the hardest things to let go of so they end up floating around my house or getting stacked in a box for another day.
Well... this month, the month of my birth (May that is) I am going to spend some time nurturing my cherished relationships. If I don't have your address email me with it and am happy to write you something from the heart. My best to you my friend.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Letter to friends and family on Thyroid Issues
I have posted this before on my Facebook Page. Thyroid disease is something I have struggled with for seven years now and did real well for three years before all heck broke loose. You can't always just fix things with a pill and this letter highlights some of the things I have struggled with over the years. I am posting it here because a friend of mine is fighting the fight now a little reminder never hurts for those watching at the sidelines.
Best to you all.
Shawn
Dear Friend/Family Member:
Someone you care about has thyroid disease. You may not know much about thyroid problems, but I imagine, like many of us, you've heard things here and there. If anything, you probably associate the thyroid with weight problems, or think it's an excuse people use for being overweight. Or, you may already know someone else who's taking thyroid medication -- usually Synthroid -- and they seem to be doing fine, so you assume thyroid disease will be similar for your friend/family member.
There's so much more to thyroid disease, and while I can't cover it all in this letter, I'm going to try, briefly, to give you a sense of what your loved one is facing. So can I ask that you set aside for a few moments the information you do have about thyroid disease, to open your mind and heart?
The thyroid is our master gland of metabolism and energy. Every single body function that requires oxygen and energy -- basically, everything that goes on in our bodies! -- requires thyroid hormone in proper amounts. That means we need the proper balance of thyroid hormone in order to feel and live well. We need thyroid hormone to think clearly and remember things, to maintain a good mood, to grow hair and nails, to have basic energy to get through the day, to see well, to digest our food, to burn calories, to be fertile, to get pregnant and have a healthy baby, to have a good sex drive, and much, much more. In some ways, you can think about thyroid hormone as the gasoline that makes the car go. No gas, and there's no way to move forward.
Typically, a thyroid problem comes in one of several forms. Your loved one may be hyperthyroid...that means that the thyroid gland is overactive, and producing too much thyroid hormone. When the thyroid becomes overactive, you can think of it a bit like the gas pedal on the car is stuck, and the engine is flooding. If your loved one is going through hyperthyroidism, he or she may be feeling extremely anxious and nervous, with a rapidly beating heart, higher blood pressure, and even palpitations. Some people describe the sensation as like their heart is beating so hard and loud everyone around them can even see it and hear it! They may be hungry and thirsty all the time, suffering from diarrhea even, and losing weight. Others may even be wondering, wrongly, if your loved one's rapid weight loss is due to an eating disorder or some sort of illness like cancer or AIDS. His or her eyes may be sore, sensitive, gritty and irritated, and vision can even become blurry. Sleep may be difficult or impossible, and lack of sleep combined with the body zooming along at 100 miles an hour can cause extreme exhaustion and muscle weakness. Frankly, people who are in the throes of hyperthyroidism have told me that they feel and look like someone who is strung out on drugs, or who has had 20 cups of coffee after not sleeping for a week. With heart pounding, and all body systems going full tilt, your jittery, stressed-out hyperthyroid loved one may even feel like he or she is losing it, ready to fall apart at any moment.
If your loved one is hypothyroid, they are facing different challenges. Hypothyroidism means the thyroid is underactive, and not producing enough of the energy and oxygen-delivering thyroid hormone. This is like trying to get somewhere with barely enough gas and feet that can't reach the gas pedal. If your loved one is hypothyroid, he or she may be feeling sluggish and tired, and exhausted all the time. Think about the worst flu you've ever had, and how tired, and achy and exhausted you felt. Now imagine waking up every day feeling like that, but having to get up, go to work/school and take care of yourself and others feeling that way. Depression -- or feeling blue -- is common, as are memory problems and being fuzzy-brained -- we patients call it "brain fog." Your loved one may look in a mirror and not recognize herself (and I say herself here, because the vast majority of thyroid patients in general are women -- thyroid problems do happen in men, but are seven to ten times more common in women.) Because when she looks in the mirror, she sees the outer half of her eyebrows are thin or missing, her hair is thin, dry, coarse and falling out, her face and eyelids are puffy, her face is bloated and puffy, and she may have gained weight, despite eating less and working out more than everyone else around her. With hypothyroidism, anything and everything can be slow, even digestion, which can cause constipation. For women, periods can be worse, and come more often than before. Menopause can be worse, and come earlier than for other women. And after pregnancy, hypothyroidism can worsen postpartum fatigue and depression, and make breastfeeding difficult or impossible. And then there's that issue of weight gain. Your loved one may be following the most rigorous and healthy diet and exercise program, and yet be unable to lose weight. He or she might even be gaining weight on that program.
If your loved one has thyroid cancer, they have an entirely different challenge. The majority of thyroid cancers are considered highly treatable and survivable, so doctors and others often cavalierly refer to thyroid cancer as "the good cancer." But the reality is, no cancer is "good," and someone who has thyroid cancer has cancer, "the big C." Cancer as a concept is frightening, and raises fears and concerns. Someone with thyroid cancer initially may have few, if any, symptoms. In some cases, however, they may have hypothyroid, hyperthyroid, or a combination of symptoms of a thyroid imbalance. Most thyroid cancer patients require surgery to remove the thyroid -- and this can be daunting, including the idea of a several-inch incision in the neck and resulting scar. After surgery, many thyroid cancer patients will need to have followup radioactive iodine treatment to ensure that all the cancerous tissue was removed, and it can be many weeks after surgery before a thyroid cancer patient -- who by that point is typically quite hypothyroid -- can start thyroid medication to again get lifesaving thyroid hormone they need. And the thyroid cancer patient in your life will require lifetime of medical treatment for the resulting hypothyroidism, along with periodic -- and sometimes physically challenging -- follow-ups and scans to monitor for a recurrence of the cancer.
These are just a few of the conditions that can affect thyroid patients. There are autoimmune diseases -- Graves' disease and Hashimoto's -- that can be at the root of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Sometimes people develop a goiter -- an enlarged thyroid -- or benign nodules that cause symptoms. Sometimes a temporary infection causes thyroiditis. And again, these problems can be difficult to pinpoint, misdiagnosed as everything under the sign, and even when diagnosed, poorly treated.
So what many thyroid patients have in common is living in a world that overlooks, downplays, poorly treats -- and sometimes even makes fun of -- their condition.
Magazine articles, books by doctors, patients brochures in doctors offices -- and doctors themselves -- insist simplistically that thyroid disease is "easy to diagnose, easy to treat" even though patients know that this is far from the truth. As for "easy to diagnose," your loved one may have even struggled to get diagnosed -- to get taken seriously -- in the first place. Doctors regularly misdiagnose hyperthyroid patients as having an eating or anxiety disorder, and hypothyroid patients as having stress, depression, PMS, or menopause.
Worse yet are the truly unsympathetic physicians that we all too frequently encounter in thyroid care. Like the marathon runner with hypothyroidism who was in training, on a strict diet, and still gaining weight and was told by her doctor that she had "fork in mouth disease." Or the endocrinologists who tell patients, "Well, you should be GLAD, you know, because you have the GOOD cancer!" Or the doctor who diagnosed a woman with hyperthyroidism by clapping his hands together loudly behind her head, chortling: "Oh, I can always tell you hypers, because you practically jump off the examining table when I do that!"
There are advertisements and comedians who use "thyroid problem" as the not-so-secret code to describe someone who is fat. And there's a whole realm of scam artists out there trying to sell us cockamamie Thyro-this and Thyro-that "cures" for thyroid disease that in many cases can make things a whole lot worse -- or at best, not help at all.
Even Oprah admitted she had a thyroid problem, then claimed it went away, then said she had it but it wasn't an excuse for her weight gain, then decided not to get treatment, and continues to struggle with her health issues.
And perhaps saddest of all, there are friends and relatives who say "I don't buy this thyroid disease thing, it's just an excuse for not losing weight" or "Thyroid? Hah! She's just lazy!" Or, "Why can't he just get OVER it and get back to normal?"
Husbands criticize their wives for gaining weight. Teenagers whisper behind a friend's back about anorexia. Coworkers complain that their colleague is "lazy."
Once we're diagnosed, treatment is not an easy fix for many thyroid patients. Doctors try to rush hyperthyroid patients into permanently disabling the thyroid with a radioactive treatment that will make them hypothyroid for life. Many doctors believe there is only one medication to treat hypothyroidism -- a medication that does not resolve symptoms for all patients. When patients learn about other available options, doctors may stonewall, refuse additional treatments, or push antidepressants, cholesterol medications, weight loss pills and more, instead of addressing the thyroid issues. The conventional medical establishment believes that treatment for thyroid problems is one-size-fits-all. This cavalier attitude means that many thyroid patients struggle for years to live and feel well, despite being diagnosed and "treated."
I'm here to ask you -- in a world where thyroid patients are disregarded, overlooked, misdiagnosed, abused, exploited, mocked, and ignored -- to be the person who truly "gets it" for the thyroid patient in your life. Be the person who understands that while thyroid disease may not be visible, it is causing your friend or loved one to suffer. Be the person who understands that even though celebrities aren't talking about thyroid disease, and sports figures aren't wearing bracelets to promote thyroid awareness, that this is a genuine, difficult, and life-changing diagnosis.
Be the person who opens mind and heart to the thyroid patients in your life. Be the person who listens, and learns about the struggles and challenges. Be the person who empowers the thyroid patient in your life, by helping him or her do as much as possible to improve health. Be the person to help find doctors and practitioners who do not view your friend or relative as a cookie-cutter patient on a thyroid assembly line. Be the person who helps the thyroid patient in your life to maintain balance-- to help find time for rest, for exercise, for stress reduction, for self-care, for proper nutrition, for fun!
Live well,
Mary Shomon
Thyroid Patient Advocate
Best to you all.
Shawn
Dear Friend/Family Member:
Someone you care about has thyroid disease. You may not know much about thyroid problems, but I imagine, like many of us, you've heard things here and there. If anything, you probably associate the thyroid with weight problems, or think it's an excuse people use for being overweight. Or, you may already know someone else who's taking thyroid medication -- usually Synthroid -- and they seem to be doing fine, so you assume thyroid disease will be similar for your friend/family member.
There's so much more to thyroid disease, and while I can't cover it all in this letter, I'm going to try, briefly, to give you a sense of what your loved one is facing. So can I ask that you set aside for a few moments the information you do have about thyroid disease, to open your mind and heart?
The thyroid is our master gland of metabolism and energy. Every single body function that requires oxygen and energy -- basically, everything that goes on in our bodies! -- requires thyroid hormone in proper amounts. That means we need the proper balance of thyroid hormone in order to feel and live well. We need thyroid hormone to think clearly and remember things, to maintain a good mood, to grow hair and nails, to have basic energy to get through the day, to see well, to digest our food, to burn calories, to be fertile, to get pregnant and have a healthy baby, to have a good sex drive, and much, much more. In some ways, you can think about thyroid hormone as the gasoline that makes the car go. No gas, and there's no way to move forward.
Typically, a thyroid problem comes in one of several forms. Your loved one may be hyperthyroid...that means that the thyroid gland is overactive, and producing too much thyroid hormone. When the thyroid becomes overactive, you can think of it a bit like the gas pedal on the car is stuck, and the engine is flooding. If your loved one is going through hyperthyroidism, he or she may be feeling extremely anxious and nervous, with a rapidly beating heart, higher blood pressure, and even palpitations. Some people describe the sensation as like their heart is beating so hard and loud everyone around them can even see it and hear it! They may be hungry and thirsty all the time, suffering from diarrhea even, and losing weight. Others may even be wondering, wrongly, if your loved one's rapid weight loss is due to an eating disorder or some sort of illness like cancer or AIDS. His or her eyes may be sore, sensitive, gritty and irritated, and vision can even become blurry. Sleep may be difficult or impossible, and lack of sleep combined with the body zooming along at 100 miles an hour can cause extreme exhaustion and muscle weakness. Frankly, people who are in the throes of hyperthyroidism have told me that they feel and look like someone who is strung out on drugs, or who has had 20 cups of coffee after not sleeping for a week. With heart pounding, and all body systems going full tilt, your jittery, stressed-out hyperthyroid loved one may even feel like he or she is losing it, ready to fall apart at any moment.
If your loved one is hypothyroid, they are facing different challenges. Hypothyroidism means the thyroid is underactive, and not producing enough of the energy and oxygen-delivering thyroid hormone. This is like trying to get somewhere with barely enough gas and feet that can't reach the gas pedal. If your loved one is hypothyroid, he or she may be feeling sluggish and tired, and exhausted all the time. Think about the worst flu you've ever had, and how tired, and achy and exhausted you felt. Now imagine waking up every day feeling like that, but having to get up, go to work/school and take care of yourself and others feeling that way. Depression -- or feeling blue -- is common, as are memory problems and being fuzzy-brained -- we patients call it "brain fog." Your loved one may look in a mirror and not recognize herself (and I say herself here, because the vast majority of thyroid patients in general are women -- thyroid problems do happen in men, but are seven to ten times more common in women.) Because when she looks in the mirror, she sees the outer half of her eyebrows are thin or missing, her hair is thin, dry, coarse and falling out, her face and eyelids are puffy, her face is bloated and puffy, and she may have gained weight, despite eating less and working out more than everyone else around her. With hypothyroidism, anything and everything can be slow, even digestion, which can cause constipation. For women, periods can be worse, and come more often than before. Menopause can be worse, and come earlier than for other women. And after pregnancy, hypothyroidism can worsen postpartum fatigue and depression, and make breastfeeding difficult or impossible. And then there's that issue of weight gain. Your loved one may be following the most rigorous and healthy diet and exercise program, and yet be unable to lose weight. He or she might even be gaining weight on that program.
If your loved one has thyroid cancer, they have an entirely different challenge. The majority of thyroid cancers are considered highly treatable and survivable, so doctors and others often cavalierly refer to thyroid cancer as "the good cancer." But the reality is, no cancer is "good," and someone who has thyroid cancer has cancer, "the big C." Cancer as a concept is frightening, and raises fears and concerns. Someone with thyroid cancer initially may have few, if any, symptoms. In some cases, however, they may have hypothyroid, hyperthyroid, or a combination of symptoms of a thyroid imbalance. Most thyroid cancer patients require surgery to remove the thyroid -- and this can be daunting, including the idea of a several-inch incision in the neck and resulting scar. After surgery, many thyroid cancer patients will need to have followup radioactive iodine treatment to ensure that all the cancerous tissue was removed, and it can be many weeks after surgery before a thyroid cancer patient -- who by that point is typically quite hypothyroid -- can start thyroid medication to again get lifesaving thyroid hormone they need. And the thyroid cancer patient in your life will require lifetime of medical treatment for the resulting hypothyroidism, along with periodic -- and sometimes physically challenging -- follow-ups and scans to monitor for a recurrence of the cancer.
These are just a few of the conditions that can affect thyroid patients. There are autoimmune diseases -- Graves' disease and Hashimoto's -- that can be at the root of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Sometimes people develop a goiter -- an enlarged thyroid -- or benign nodules that cause symptoms. Sometimes a temporary infection causes thyroiditis. And again, these problems can be difficult to pinpoint, misdiagnosed as everything under the sign, and even when diagnosed, poorly treated.
So what many thyroid patients have in common is living in a world that overlooks, downplays, poorly treats -- and sometimes even makes fun of -- their condition.
Magazine articles, books by doctors, patients brochures in doctors offices -- and doctors themselves -- insist simplistically that thyroid disease is "easy to diagnose, easy to treat" even though patients know that this is far from the truth. As for "easy to diagnose," your loved one may have even struggled to get diagnosed -- to get taken seriously -- in the first place. Doctors regularly misdiagnose hyperthyroid patients as having an eating or anxiety disorder, and hypothyroid patients as having stress, depression, PMS, or menopause.
Worse yet are the truly unsympathetic physicians that we all too frequently encounter in thyroid care. Like the marathon runner with hypothyroidism who was in training, on a strict diet, and still gaining weight and was told by her doctor that she had "fork in mouth disease." Or the endocrinologists who tell patients, "Well, you should be GLAD, you know, because you have the GOOD cancer!" Or the doctor who diagnosed a woman with hyperthyroidism by clapping his hands together loudly behind her head, chortling: "Oh, I can always tell you hypers, because you practically jump off the examining table when I do that!"
There are advertisements and comedians who use "thyroid problem" as the not-so-secret code to describe someone who is fat. And there's a whole realm of scam artists out there trying to sell us cockamamie Thyro-this and Thyro-that "cures" for thyroid disease that in many cases can make things a whole lot worse -- or at best, not help at all.
Even Oprah admitted she had a thyroid problem, then claimed it went away, then said she had it but it wasn't an excuse for her weight gain, then decided not to get treatment, and continues to struggle with her health issues.
And perhaps saddest of all, there are friends and relatives who say "I don't buy this thyroid disease thing, it's just an excuse for not losing weight" or "Thyroid? Hah! She's just lazy!" Or, "Why can't he just get OVER it and get back to normal?"
Husbands criticize their wives for gaining weight. Teenagers whisper behind a friend's back about anorexia. Coworkers complain that their colleague is "lazy."
Once we're diagnosed, treatment is not an easy fix for many thyroid patients. Doctors try to rush hyperthyroid patients into permanently disabling the thyroid with a radioactive treatment that will make them hypothyroid for life. Many doctors believe there is only one medication to treat hypothyroidism -- a medication that does not resolve symptoms for all patients. When patients learn about other available options, doctors may stonewall, refuse additional treatments, or push antidepressants, cholesterol medications, weight loss pills and more, instead of addressing the thyroid issues. The conventional medical establishment believes that treatment for thyroid problems is one-size-fits-all. This cavalier attitude means that many thyroid patients struggle for years to live and feel well, despite being diagnosed and "treated."
I'm here to ask you -- in a world where thyroid patients are disregarded, overlooked, misdiagnosed, abused, exploited, mocked, and ignored -- to be the person who truly "gets it" for the thyroid patient in your life. Be the person who understands that while thyroid disease may not be visible, it is causing your friend or loved one to suffer. Be the person who understands that even though celebrities aren't talking about thyroid disease, and sports figures aren't wearing bracelets to promote thyroid awareness, that this is a genuine, difficult, and life-changing diagnosis.
Be the person who opens mind and heart to the thyroid patients in your life. Be the person who listens, and learns about the struggles and challenges. Be the person who empowers the thyroid patient in your life, by helping him or her do as much as possible to improve health. Be the person to help find doctors and practitioners who do not view your friend or relative as a cookie-cutter patient on a thyroid assembly line. Be the person who helps the thyroid patient in your life to maintain balance-- to help find time for rest, for exercise, for stress reduction, for self-care, for proper nutrition, for fun!
Live well,
Mary Shomon
Thyroid Patient Advocate
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
30 Day Challenge - Day 27
•Day 27 — This month, in great detail - Ok... finally done with the 30 day challenge. It took me 50 days but I got it done in typical Shawn fashion.
Quote for the blog....
In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.
-- John Muir
Ok, going a little free form here... looking at months... A friend once told me the key to a good marriage is separate vacations. Honestly I think there is some truth to that idea. Having been a couple for fourteen years my hubby and I have completely different ideas of vacation. If we did a cruise I would want to go north to Alaska and he would go to the Carribean. We went to Las Vegas and I wanted to go hiking and visit the Dam and he wants to hang out at the sports book and have a few drinks.
We find it easier to pick family vacation destinations usually something around a baseball stadium and water park. So a few years ago I started going on ladies weekends into the woods to go hiking, skiing, cycling. The hubby gets his mancation with his buddy usually to Las Vegas. Joe just got back from his biennial Vegas outing so now it is my turn to look forward to the months ahead.
I love spending time outdoors especially in the mountains so I am gearing up and looking for places to go. I've got things narrowed down to late July early August for the date. My hiking buddies from college are going to NM for a long weekend hike so I may tag along on that trip. Other options are a road trip to Colorado or Northern Michigan to spend some time in the woods. Looking for good places to hike in these areas if you know some and a buddy or two to keep me company.
Already breathing deeply just thinking about the sounds of Mother Earth and blue skies on the horizon. :)
Quote for the blog....
In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.
-- John Muir
Ok, going a little free form here... looking at months... A friend once told me the key to a good marriage is separate vacations. Honestly I think there is some truth to that idea. Having been a couple for fourteen years my hubby and I have completely different ideas of vacation. If we did a cruise I would want to go north to Alaska and he would go to the Carribean. We went to Las Vegas and I wanted to go hiking and visit the Dam and he wants to hang out at the sports book and have a few drinks.
We find it easier to pick family vacation destinations usually something around a baseball stadium and water park. So a few years ago I started going on ladies weekends into the woods to go hiking, skiing, cycling. The hubby gets his mancation with his buddy usually to Las Vegas. Joe just got back from his biennial Vegas outing so now it is my turn to look forward to the months ahead.
I love spending time outdoors especially in the mountains so I am gearing up and looking for places to go. I've got things narrowed down to late July early August for the date. My hiking buddies from college are going to NM for a long weekend hike so I may tag along on that trip. Other options are a road trip to Colorado or Northern Michigan to spend some time in the woods. Looking for good places to hike in these areas if you know some and a buddy or two to keep me company.
Already breathing deeply just thinking about the sounds of Mother Earth and blue skies on the horizon. :)
30 Day Challenge - Day 28
•Day 28 — This year, in great detail
The 30 Day Challenge Blog goes on....
Another quote for the day… “If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t step forward you are always in the same place. If you don’t have a dream, you’ll never succeed.” Nora Roberts
Just two more days left to cover after almost two months.
So as usual I am taking my topic idea and conforming it to fit my thoughts. So my year in great detail is pretty boring in the grand scheme of things so I will talk about some of the highlights that I am looking forward to over the next year.
April… time with my mom’s family at our first gathering since my uncle passed away. My daughter so enjoys playing with her cousins and I genuinely love time with my extended family. Oh and then there is that ½ marathon which honestly if you had asked me two years ago if I thought I would ever do one I would have laughed in your face. But I have busted my hinny getting ready for this and am excited to see how it goes.
May… Going horse back riding with my daughter’s GS troop. Abby loves horses so much and it will be awesome to see her eyes light up and how she does with actual real live horses. Road trip… off to LA for an Association for Women Geoscientists Excom meeting. I get to visit with my old camping buddy while I am out there and hopefully continue to make a difference for AWG. I have my first Olympic Triathlon race of the year… I have to put the garden in and oh yeah… there is the matter of another year getting added to my tally bringing me to 37.
June… Looking forward a family reunion with all the crazy relatives on my Dad’s mom’s side. The first one since my grandfather passed away. May do a triathlon in Madison with my cousin and teammates.
July… 4th of July weekend at the lake with my family is always great… please don’t rain or blow because last summer’s weather was crummy. Ok, time to get my butt signed up for that darn ½ Ironman. I REALLY want to do it so I just need to get it on the schedule once and for all. Then time for a road trip to the wilderness … maybe Colorado or Isle Royal, MI??
August… rest and stay cool… try to keep the garden alive… family vacation to Kansas City for a little baseball and fun. Then maybe hit the State Fair and send the kids back to school.
September… Labor day weekend at the lake to run the boat down on gas for the winter. My last Olympic Triathlon of the season in my childhood stomping grounds.
October… maybe another ½ marathon or if things get really crazy a marathon?? Just another step on the road to someday, maybe before I turn 40 doing an Ironman. Up to MN for the AWG Board meeting and the ever so fun Halloween.
November… the month of plentiful holidays and birthdays. Traveling to the in-laws for Turkey Day.
December… CHAOS … celebrate the birth of my daughter – eight years. Spend a week off with my family hanging out.
January… ramping up my training for the new Triathlon season. Ramping up the program for the next GIS-T conference.
February… Snowshoeing and Cross Country skiing galore assuming mother nature cooperates with us. Leap year bonus day.
March… CHAOS… St Patrick’s day is on a Saturday. YEAH! Road Trip to Connecticut for Vacation and AWG board meeting, AWG conference and trip to New York City
April… Road Trip to GIS-T in Colorado for a little work and play…. Which brings us back to May May May May… whew… took in a little Sound of Music there.
The 30 Day Challenge Blog goes on....
Another quote for the day… “If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t step forward you are always in the same place. If you don’t have a dream, you’ll never succeed.” Nora Roberts
Just two more days left to cover after almost two months.
So as usual I am taking my topic idea and conforming it to fit my thoughts. So my year in great detail is pretty boring in the grand scheme of things so I will talk about some of the highlights that I am looking forward to over the next year.
April… time with my mom’s family at our first gathering since my uncle passed away. My daughter so enjoys playing with her cousins and I genuinely love time with my extended family. Oh and then there is that ½ marathon which honestly if you had asked me two years ago if I thought I would ever do one I would have laughed in your face. But I have busted my hinny getting ready for this and am excited to see how it goes.
May… Going horse back riding with my daughter’s GS troop. Abby loves horses so much and it will be awesome to see her eyes light up and how she does with actual real live horses. Road trip… off to LA for an Association for Women Geoscientists Excom meeting. I get to visit with my old camping buddy while I am out there and hopefully continue to make a difference for AWG. I have my first Olympic Triathlon race of the year… I have to put the garden in and oh yeah… there is the matter of another year getting added to my tally bringing me to 37.
June… Looking forward a family reunion with all the crazy relatives on my Dad’s mom’s side. The first one since my grandfather passed away. May do a triathlon in Madison with my cousin and teammates.
July… 4th of July weekend at the lake with my family is always great… please don’t rain or blow because last summer’s weather was crummy. Ok, time to get my butt signed up for that darn ½ Ironman. I REALLY want to do it so I just need to get it on the schedule once and for all. Then time for a road trip to the wilderness … maybe Colorado or Isle Royal, MI??
August… rest and stay cool… try to keep the garden alive… family vacation to Kansas City for a little baseball and fun. Then maybe hit the State Fair and send the kids back to school.
September… Labor day weekend at the lake to run the boat down on gas for the winter. My last Olympic Triathlon of the season in my childhood stomping grounds.
October… maybe another ½ marathon or if things get really crazy a marathon?? Just another step on the road to someday, maybe before I turn 40 doing an Ironman. Up to MN for the AWG Board meeting and the ever so fun Halloween.
November… the month of plentiful holidays and birthdays. Traveling to the in-laws for Turkey Day.
December… CHAOS … celebrate the birth of my daughter – eight years. Spend a week off with my family hanging out.
January… ramping up my training for the new Triathlon season. Ramping up the program for the next GIS-T conference.
February… Snowshoeing and Cross Country skiing galore assuming mother nature cooperates with us. Leap year bonus day.
March… CHAOS… St Patrick’s day is on a Saturday. YEAH! Road Trip to Connecticut for Vacation and AWG board meeting, AWG conference and trip to New York City
April… Road Trip to GIS-T in Colorado for a little work and play…. Which brings us back to May May May May… whew… took in a little Sound of Music there.
30 Day Challenge - Day 29
•Day 29 — Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
The 30 Day Challenge Blog goes on…. Here are a few quotes that seem fitting today that are taped into the front cover of my health journal.
“Happiness is not the absence of problems but the ability to deal with them.” Reverend Run
“Balance is the place to which we must return.”
“What a feeling it is to accept and own my life and not beat myself up for the mistakes I have made!”
365 Days… what I wish for myself
1. To continue to grow as a person, a friend, a mother, a daughter, a wife and a colleague.
Well, yesterday I was just stepping on the treadmill at the gym because it was snowing in April. I took one last look at my email on my phone for some reason and got a message from a friend I have known professionally for five years or so. I had sent a note or two over the last few weeks since we saw each other at a conference and hadn’t heard from him. Well his response made me do a double take because something I said had knocked our friendship off track. I immediately felt horrible for inadvertently hurting him which is not something I would ever do intentionally.
I was overly critical (me just saying thing things as I see them without thinking first) and without knowing any of the back story I took an experience that is clearly painful and emotional for him and essentially slapped him across the face with it. I have had a long row with health problems myself and I should have been more sensitive and spent more time getting to know what was going on. And so I learned a little through this process and I try hard every day not to judge people because we all have a back story that we carry with us that defines who we are. I am still waiting to see if he will forgive me and let me prove I can be the kind of friend/supportive ear that won’t judge but will be there when he needs me.
2. Continue to balance my health/fitness with my life.
Jeez… five years ago now (time files … ) I went through a period of pretty intense soul searching about myself that lead to more soul searching about my marriage that lead to a serious illness due to the stress of the things I found about myself and my partnership along with overextending myself and having a stressful job/workplace.
I learned a lot throughout those couple of years because I had lost myself somewhere along the way getting married, having a child and trying to fit a mold that most little girls grow up buying into that conflicted with who I really am…. Anyway a story for another day… Through those years and a health scare that literally knocked me on my butt for almost a year I have learned to listen to my body. Our bodies talk to us if we listen… they tell us when to rest, when to eat, when they like something and we just have to listen. So I continue to learn how to balance my family, work, kids activities, professional activities and all the stuff I just like to do that isn’t relevant to everything else… With eating what my body needs, exercising, continuing to learn how to deal with my lingering health junk and focusing on positive mental health.
3. To cross at least one thing off my bucket list each year.
I have a yearly book of days that I mind dump into about once a week (old school with pen and paper) and in the back of my book I have my short list of resolutions for the year (I usually do pretty good) and my bucket list of things I want to experience in my life. The list has standard things like places I want to travel, things I want to learn… but did you know I want to visit all the Major League Baseball stadiums or ride the train through the Rockies to the PNW… if you are paying attention you know get a tattoo is on the list. There are other things but I won’t bore you with the list today… I will let you know when I cross them off complete though.
4. Make a difference…
Pretty broad topic I know but this idea of making an impact has been niggling in the back of my mind for the last couple of years. I am naturally drawn to reach out to people. I enjoy being positive, sharing ideas, working towards a goal. How do I roll that into making a different for someone/something else? On some level we all want to be needed and gain approval from others for a task well done. But this idea really goes beyond that… I want to make a difference not because someone will pat me on the back, but because a difference needs to be made.
So for now here are two of the things I am working at to make a difference... easing into being a Girl Scout leader for my daughter’s soon to be Brownie troop. I have had a lot of experiences in life and for some reason seem to know a little bit about a lot of things so I want to help these girls have positive experiences in their lives in the same way that being a Girl Scout 30 years ago had on mine. I am also on a conference planning committee with a remarkable group of people who every year put on a conference that makes the attendees feel like family. Where we all come away with new connections and ideas so we can all go forth and make a difference at our jobs. I hope that a tiny bit of what I have to offer make things even better.
So those are some of the hopes, goals, and thoughts banging around in my head for how I want to live the next 365 days of my life. Best to you all. Shawn
The 30 Day Challenge Blog goes on…. Here are a few quotes that seem fitting today that are taped into the front cover of my health journal.
“Happiness is not the absence of problems but the ability to deal with them.” Reverend Run
“Balance is the place to which we must return.”
“What a feeling it is to accept and own my life and not beat myself up for the mistakes I have made!”
365 Days… what I wish for myself
1. To continue to grow as a person, a friend, a mother, a daughter, a wife and a colleague.
Well, yesterday I was just stepping on the treadmill at the gym because it was snowing in April. I took one last look at my email on my phone for some reason and got a message from a friend I have known professionally for five years or so. I had sent a note or two over the last few weeks since we saw each other at a conference and hadn’t heard from him. Well his response made me do a double take because something I said had knocked our friendship off track. I immediately felt horrible for inadvertently hurting him which is not something I would ever do intentionally.
I was overly critical (me just saying thing things as I see them without thinking first) and without knowing any of the back story I took an experience that is clearly painful and emotional for him and essentially slapped him across the face with it. I have had a long row with health problems myself and I should have been more sensitive and spent more time getting to know what was going on. And so I learned a little through this process and I try hard every day not to judge people because we all have a back story that we carry with us that defines who we are. I am still waiting to see if he will forgive me and let me prove I can be the kind of friend/supportive ear that won’t judge but will be there when he needs me.
2. Continue to balance my health/fitness with my life.
Jeez… five years ago now (time files … ) I went through a period of pretty intense soul searching about myself that lead to more soul searching about my marriage that lead to a serious illness due to the stress of the things I found about myself and my partnership along with overextending myself and having a stressful job/workplace.
I learned a lot throughout those couple of years because I had lost myself somewhere along the way getting married, having a child and trying to fit a mold that most little girls grow up buying into that conflicted with who I really am…. Anyway a story for another day… Through those years and a health scare that literally knocked me on my butt for almost a year I have learned to listen to my body. Our bodies talk to us if we listen… they tell us when to rest, when to eat, when they like something and we just have to listen. So I continue to learn how to balance my family, work, kids activities, professional activities and all the stuff I just like to do that isn’t relevant to everything else… With eating what my body needs, exercising, continuing to learn how to deal with my lingering health junk and focusing on positive mental health.
3. To cross at least one thing off my bucket list each year.
I have a yearly book of days that I mind dump into about once a week (old school with pen and paper) and in the back of my book I have my short list of resolutions for the year (I usually do pretty good) and my bucket list of things I want to experience in my life. The list has standard things like places I want to travel, things I want to learn… but did you know I want to visit all the Major League Baseball stadiums or ride the train through the Rockies to the PNW… if you are paying attention you know get a tattoo is on the list. There are other things but I won’t bore you with the list today… I will let you know when I cross them off complete though.
4. Make a difference…
Pretty broad topic I know but this idea of making an impact has been niggling in the back of my mind for the last couple of years. I am naturally drawn to reach out to people. I enjoy being positive, sharing ideas, working towards a goal. How do I roll that into making a different for someone/something else? On some level we all want to be needed and gain approval from others for a task well done. But this idea really goes beyond that… I want to make a difference not because someone will pat me on the back, but because a difference needs to be made.
So for now here are two of the things I am working at to make a difference... easing into being a Girl Scout leader for my daughter’s soon to be Brownie troop. I have had a lot of experiences in life and for some reason seem to know a little bit about a lot of things so I want to help these girls have positive experiences in their lives in the same way that being a Girl Scout 30 years ago had on mine. I am also on a conference planning committee with a remarkable group of people who every year put on a conference that makes the attendees feel like family. Where we all come away with new connections and ideas so we can all go forth and make a difference at our jobs. I hope that a tiny bit of what I have to offer make things even better.
So those are some of the hopes, goals, and thoughts banging around in my head for how I want to live the next 365 days of my life. Best to you all. Shawn
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Wanting some Ink....
So for a long time I have though it would be interesting to get a tattoo. My husband has a lion's head on his chest. Lately have seen a handful of tattoos that friends have and now two of my cousins have recently gotten tattoos.
I have decided I really want one so I have officially started thinking about what my design will be. I have an idea but I am not going to share just yet. I want to work through it some before I do. I also need to decide where I want to put it... thinking 3-4 inches in size... anyone have ideas ... recommendations?
As I get to training for a half Ironman I am thinking maybe a couple of years down the road I may do an Ironman and then when I finish I would definitely get the customary inside the bicep Ironman logo.
So I just need to pick a time line.. maybe I get the first one that I design when I finish my half Ironman this summer. Love to hear what you think... shoot me an email. :)
I have decided I really want one so I have officially started thinking about what my design will be. I have an idea but I am not going to share just yet. I want to work through it some before I do. I also need to decide where I want to put it... thinking 3-4 inches in size... anyone have ideas ... recommendations?
As I get to training for a half Ironman I am thinking maybe a couple of years down the road I may do an Ironman and then when I finish I would definitely get the customary inside the bicep Ironman logo.
So I just need to pick a time line.. maybe I get the first one that I design when I finish my half Ironman this summer. Love to hear what you think... shoot me an email. :)
Monday, April 11, 2011
30 Day Challenge - Day 26
•Day 26 — Your week, in great detail
Lately my weeks haven't been consistent from one to the next. So I will just chatter here about the last two weeks. Two weeks ago I drove to Des Moines with the kiddos to go out to dinner with my folks and honey to celebrate my Dad's 60th birthday. Sadly it was the second birthday in six months overwhelmed by the news of a death in the family.
Then I was up to catch a flight to Hershey PA for the annual GIS-T conference. I missed the last two conferences due to lack of commitment to a DOT and lack of funding. But this group of people is like coming home to family. I look forward to travels for work (nothing like a little time away from the hectic day to day) and I especially look forward to this conference. I enjoy my visits with friends and learning what others are doing that I can take back to my office.
I felt some of my fire coming back at work. I had been in a bit of a holding pattern since winter started... I tend to be one who stirs the pot at work and pushes for change. I look at the big picture and try to figure out how to get folks pointed in a better direction. I had been lying low the last few months so it was good to get some new wind, new ideas, and new energy.
After five days it was back home and into shuttling kids to soccer practices and doctor appointments. I haven't stopped running since... literally and figuratively considering I am just three weeks out from my first 1/2 marathon.
A couple of days after I got back I was off on a single parenting adventure while Joe took a five day mancation with his old Air Force buddy. It is weird because when I am the only adult in the house, at least for this past week, I rocked the single parenting adventure. The kids were great... mostly doing what I asked. We were pretty much on time all week to daycare, work, the gym, soccer practice, appointments. there weren't even any major melt downs... I think we all brought our A games.
But alas... it was not to be. Joe came back and we are now falling into our old patterns. Juggling Joe doing a long day in field and me feeding kids and running to practices. The me off for two days to an in state conference with an overnight. I get back and the next day Abby and I go to Girl Scout camp for her first overnight Girl Scout camping experience. Then to squeeze in a Palm Sunday Mass and then another long training run before we start all over again in a new week.
So I guess for me each week is different and the same. I try to just take it all in and go with the flow most of the time. But alas.. it is after 10pm yet again and I have to get kids moving in the morning and have a full day so I am signing off. I think I only have three more of the 30 day challenge blogs left but I am already thinking up new things to share since the blog habit is forming.
Take care my friends and good night.
Lately my weeks haven't been consistent from one to the next. So I will just chatter here about the last two weeks. Two weeks ago I drove to Des Moines with the kiddos to go out to dinner with my folks and honey to celebrate my Dad's 60th birthday. Sadly it was the second birthday in six months overwhelmed by the news of a death in the family.
Then I was up to catch a flight to Hershey PA for the annual GIS-T conference. I missed the last two conferences due to lack of commitment to a DOT and lack of funding. But this group of people is like coming home to family. I look forward to travels for work (nothing like a little time away from the hectic day to day) and I especially look forward to this conference. I enjoy my visits with friends and learning what others are doing that I can take back to my office.
I felt some of my fire coming back at work. I had been in a bit of a holding pattern since winter started... I tend to be one who stirs the pot at work and pushes for change. I look at the big picture and try to figure out how to get folks pointed in a better direction. I had been lying low the last few months so it was good to get some new wind, new ideas, and new energy.
After five days it was back home and into shuttling kids to soccer practices and doctor appointments. I haven't stopped running since... literally and figuratively considering I am just three weeks out from my first 1/2 marathon.
A couple of days after I got back I was off on a single parenting adventure while Joe took a five day mancation with his old Air Force buddy. It is weird because when I am the only adult in the house, at least for this past week, I rocked the single parenting adventure. The kids were great... mostly doing what I asked. We were pretty much on time all week to daycare, work, the gym, soccer practice, appointments. there weren't even any major melt downs... I think we all brought our A games.
But alas... it was not to be. Joe came back and we are now falling into our old patterns. Juggling Joe doing a long day in field and me feeding kids and running to practices. The me off for two days to an in state conference with an overnight. I get back and the next day Abby and I go to Girl Scout camp for her first overnight Girl Scout camping experience. Then to squeeze in a Palm Sunday Mass and then another long training run before we start all over again in a new week.
So I guess for me each week is different and the same. I try to just take it all in and go with the flow most of the time. But alas.. it is after 10pm yet again and I have to get kids moving in the morning and have a full day so I am signing off. I think I only have three more of the 30 day challenge blogs left but I am already thinking up new things to share since the blog habit is forming.
Take care my friends and good night.
30 Day Challenge - Day 23
•Day 23 — A YouTube video
Ok, so the funny thing is I work with technology all day long. At work we push to try to keep up with the most progressive options... but outside of the office I have to say I am a bit of a slow adopter. It took me a couple of years and plenty of nagging from friends before I got a Facebook account. Of course now I am on FB almost every day and love to chat with my friend and family that way.
I don't really watch YouTube unless my hubby shows me some random "double rainbow" clip of this or that. I don't have a twitter account because I don't have time to follow anyone and I suspect that the 2 or 3 of you who read my blog is about all the followers I would have. :)
Well, in following of the spirit of the 30 (45) day challenge I did pick a YouTube video to share... My kids and I have been fascinated by the Eagle family. Tonight all three baby birds were flopping around in the nest while one of the parents fed the babies from the critters lying around the edges of the nest. I shared the link in an earlier blog, but here is the footage of the baby birds popping out of their eggs.
http://www.youtube.com/user/ries96
Ok, so the funny thing is I work with technology all day long. At work we push to try to keep up with the most progressive options... but outside of the office I have to say I am a bit of a slow adopter. It took me a couple of years and plenty of nagging from friends before I got a Facebook account. Of course now I am on FB almost every day and love to chat with my friend and family that way.
I don't really watch YouTube unless my hubby shows me some random "double rainbow" clip of this or that. I don't have a twitter account because I don't have time to follow anyone and I suspect that the 2 or 3 of you who read my blog is about all the followers I would have. :)
Well, in following of the spirit of the 30 (45) day challenge I did pick a YouTube video to share... My kids and I have been fascinated by the Eagle family. Tonight all three baby birds were flopping around in the nest while one of the parents fed the babies from the critters lying around the edges of the nest. I shared the link in an earlier blog, but here is the footage of the baby birds popping out of their eggs.
http://www.youtube.com/user/ries96
Saturday, April 9, 2011
30 Day Challenge - Day 30
•Day 30 — Whatever tickles your fancy - The wolf in me... I have always had a passion for wolves and done a careful study of Native American Culture. I was poking around today and found this story I thought I would share. May we all have the strength to feed our good wolf...
The Cherokee Legend
An old Grandfather said to his grandson, who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice, "Let me tell you a story.
I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do.
But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times." He continued, "It is as if there are two wolves inside me. One is good... he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, faith and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him, and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way.
But the other wolf, ah! He is full of anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger,for his anger will change nothing.
Sometimes, it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit."
The boy looked intently into his Grandfather's eyes and asked, "Which one wins, Grandfather?"
The Grandfather smiled and quietly said, "The one I feed."
The Cherokee Legend
An old Grandfather said to his grandson, who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice, "Let me tell you a story.
I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do.
But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times." He continued, "It is as if there are two wolves inside me. One is good... he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, faith and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him, and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way.
But the other wolf, ah! He is full of anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger,for his anger will change nothing.
Sometimes, it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit."
The boy looked intently into his Grandfather's eyes and asked, "Which one wins, Grandfather?"
The Grandfather smiled and quietly said, "The one I feed."
30 Day Challenge - Day 24
•Day 24 — Whatever tickles your fancy
Well, now I am seven days behind finishing my 30 days of blog. I will persist and finish the list one of these days. Guess I just have to stay up past 10pm more often... tired tonight but with the mind working overdrive and a movie I haven't seen on the TV so here I am still up at midnight.
I know tomorrow I need to go take Abby to buy a soccer jersey at 9am because for some reason I am the only one who knows where anything is at in the house...and yet this one thing eludes me. Where did I put Abby's soccer jersey at the end of the fall season? I haven't a clue. I guess I have been a wee distracted ...
Hard to know where to spend my time and energy... keeping house and tracking on random laundry is certainly not very high up on my list.
How does one decide where to put their energy... for me the list of choices can be overwhelming. My family and my job draw from the bulk of my reserves but I wouldn't trade for either of them. All my other choices are just offshoots from those... kids - PTO, Girl Scouts, soccer Practice, Daycare schedules ... work - executive committees, conference planning, work groups... fighting the good fight... trying to make the world better or at least my small part of it.
Occasionally I factor in time for my hobbies (see past blogs for that list) and other activities. Finding the balance between everything/one else and what I need isn't always easy and some days I feel like I am about to tip over, fall off, throw my hands up in the air... but then balance is restored and I plod along with my day again.
May we all know what is most important to us, may we take the time to fill our reserves so we can be the best parent, employee, friend and most important be true to ourselves. Now off to bed with me and may we all continue to learn and grow and be better than we were yesterday.
Well, now I am seven days behind finishing my 30 days of blog. I will persist and finish the list one of these days. Guess I just have to stay up past 10pm more often... tired tonight but with the mind working overdrive and a movie I haven't seen on the TV so here I am still up at midnight.
I know tomorrow I need to go take Abby to buy a soccer jersey at 9am because for some reason I am the only one who knows where anything is at in the house...and yet this one thing eludes me. Where did I put Abby's soccer jersey at the end of the fall season? I haven't a clue. I guess I have been a wee distracted ...
Hard to know where to spend my time and energy... keeping house and tracking on random laundry is certainly not very high up on my list.
How does one decide where to put their energy... for me the list of choices can be overwhelming. My family and my job draw from the bulk of my reserves but I wouldn't trade for either of them. All my other choices are just offshoots from those... kids - PTO, Girl Scouts, soccer Practice, Daycare schedules ... work - executive committees, conference planning, work groups... fighting the good fight... trying to make the world better or at least my small part of it.
Occasionally I factor in time for my hobbies (see past blogs for that list) and other activities. Finding the balance between everything/one else and what I need isn't always easy and some days I feel like I am about to tip over, fall off, throw my hands up in the air... but then balance is restored and I plod along with my day again.
May we all know what is most important to us, may we take the time to fill our reserves so we can be the best parent, employee, friend and most important be true to ourselves. Now off to bed with me and may we all continue to learn and grow and be better than we were yesterday.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
One last good-bye to a good man...
Two weeks ago we lost a great man. A man with an huge smile, a big heart and unwavering faith. He spent this last year in the fight of his life trying to beat back melanoma cancer, but despite being in the fight he still managed to have a full year.
Travels kept me from his visitation so I missed the wonderful stories and wasn't there to support my family for his last goodbye. We did get to spend time together a few weeks ago quietly watching a basketball game and I had the time to say goodbye while he could still hear me say it.
I just spent the last 20 minutes solo quietly watching the amazing CD that was put together for viewing at his visitation. Though there were tears I mostly smiled with an overwhelming feeling of joy for having been so lucky to have had him in my life.
The world was a better place with him in it and our family will feel the loss for many years to come. I am so proud of my family and their strength through all of this. This week they announced the creation of the Jim White Foundation to help raise funds for research and education about Melanoma cancer. I am hoping to be able to fund raise for the foundation as part of one of my races this summer so when the time comes I hope you will help support an amazing cause.
Christmas 2010 holding his beautiful granddaughter.
Spending time with all the family at a wedding in Chicago October 2010 sitting here next to his beautiful wife my Aunt Nancy holding baby Haley.
A typical pose with his wonderful smile from December 2007.
JAMES WHITE Obituary
MUSCATINE, Iowa – James A. White, 63, of Muscatine, died on Wednesday, March 23, 2011, at his home, after a courageous battle against melanoma cancer.
Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 28, 2011, at the St. Mathias Church, 215 West Eighth Street. The Reverend Jason Crossen will officiate the service. Honorary bearers will be Dick Berghefer and Harold Loos. Casket bearers will be Jeff Hayes, Mike Graves, Dustin Ziegenhorn, Harry Church, Neil Bachman, Gary Wieskamp and John Peters. Burial will take place in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by the Durant American Legion Post #430. A funeral luncheon will be held at Gannon Hall following the committal service.
Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 27, 2011, at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the family in care of Nancy White to be used for Melanoma Research.
Jim was born on August 18, 1947, in Muscatine, the son of Joseph J. and Edna Margaret Schlipf White. He was a graduate of Hayes High School, class of 1965. He was also a graduate of the University of Iowa, class of 1969.
He was a US Army veteran serving from 1969 to 1971. He was stationed in Vietnam for one year, where he received the Bronze Star.
He married Nancy J. Wilson on February 26, 1972, in Muscatine, at the St. Mathias Church.
He owned and operated Wilson Shoe Store from 1978 until 2005, and later sold cars for Muskie Motors.
He was a member of the Ss. Mary and Mathias Parish; the Knights of Columbus; Muscatine Elks Lodge; and the Durant American Legion Post #430. He had been active with the St. Mary Parish Council for four years, where he had served as president. He served for 12 years on the Little League Board of Directors and coached Senior League Baseball for many years. He had been a member of the Muscatine Chamber of Commerce, and served on the Board of Directors; he also served as past president of the Muscatine Quarterback Club and the Greater Downtown Merchants Association. He had also served on the Main Street Muscatine Board of Directors, and the Shoe Partners of Iowa Retail Board of Directors.
He especially loved spending time with his beloved wife, children and grandchildren, and enjoyed watching them in sports events. He also enjoyed playing golf, watching sports with his friends, attending Iowa Hawkeye football games and traveling to Las Vegas.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Nancy J. White of Muscatine; two sons, Jay A. White and wife, Cyndy, of McFarland, Wisconsin, and Andrew James White of Muscatine; one daughter, Amy Jo Gorham and husband, Phil, of North Liberty; four grandchildren, Tyler and Jaden White and Dylan and Hailey Gorham; and one brother, Wayne J. White and wife, Bev, of Muscatine.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Travels kept me from his visitation so I missed the wonderful stories and wasn't there to support my family for his last goodbye. We did get to spend time together a few weeks ago quietly watching a basketball game and I had the time to say goodbye while he could still hear me say it.
I just spent the last 20 minutes solo quietly watching the amazing CD that was put together for viewing at his visitation. Though there were tears I mostly smiled with an overwhelming feeling of joy for having been so lucky to have had him in my life.
The world was a better place with him in it and our family will feel the loss for many years to come. I am so proud of my family and their strength through all of this. This week they announced the creation of the Jim White Foundation to help raise funds for research and education about Melanoma cancer. I am hoping to be able to fund raise for the foundation as part of one of my races this summer so when the time comes I hope you will help support an amazing cause.
Christmas 2010 holding his beautiful granddaughter.
Spending time with all the family at a wedding in Chicago October 2010 sitting here next to his beautiful wife my Aunt Nancy holding baby Haley.
JAMES WHITE Obituary
MUSCATINE, Iowa – James A. White, 63, of Muscatine, died on Wednesday, March 23, 2011, at his home, after a courageous battle against melanoma cancer.
Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 28, 2011, at the St. Mathias Church, 215 West Eighth Street. The Reverend Jason Crossen will officiate the service. Honorary bearers will be Dick Berghefer and Harold Loos. Casket bearers will be Jeff Hayes, Mike Graves, Dustin Ziegenhorn, Harry Church, Neil Bachman, Gary Wieskamp and John Peters. Burial will take place in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by the Durant American Legion Post #430. A funeral luncheon will be held at Gannon Hall following the committal service.
Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 27, 2011, at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the family in care of Nancy White to be used for Melanoma Research.
Jim was born on August 18, 1947, in Muscatine, the son of Joseph J. and Edna Margaret Schlipf White. He was a graduate of Hayes High School, class of 1965. He was also a graduate of the University of Iowa, class of 1969.
He was a US Army veteran serving from 1969 to 1971. He was stationed in Vietnam for one year, where he received the Bronze Star.
He married Nancy J. Wilson on February 26, 1972, in Muscatine, at the St. Mathias Church.
He owned and operated Wilson Shoe Store from 1978 until 2005, and later sold cars for Muskie Motors.
He was a member of the Ss. Mary and Mathias Parish; the Knights of Columbus; Muscatine Elks Lodge; and the Durant American Legion Post #430. He had been active with the St. Mary Parish Council for four years, where he had served as president. He served for 12 years on the Little League Board of Directors and coached Senior League Baseball for many years. He had been a member of the Muscatine Chamber of Commerce, and served on the Board of Directors; he also served as past president of the Muscatine Quarterback Club and the Greater Downtown Merchants Association. He had also served on the Main Street Muscatine Board of Directors, and the Shoe Partners of Iowa Retail Board of Directors.
He especially loved spending time with his beloved wife, children and grandchildren, and enjoyed watching them in sports events. He also enjoyed playing golf, watching sports with his friends, attending Iowa Hawkeye football games and traveling to Las Vegas.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Nancy J. White of Muscatine; two sons, Jay A. White and wife, Cyndy, of McFarland, Wisconsin, and Andrew James White of Muscatine; one daughter, Amy Jo Gorham and husband, Phil, of North Liberty; four grandchildren, Tyler and Jaden White and Dylan and Hailey Gorham; and one brother, Wayne J. White and wife, Bev, of Muscatine.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Monday, April 4, 2011
30 Day Challenge - Day 22
•Day 22 — A website
Not sure where to go with this one... but must catch up with my 30 day challenge and this seems to keep me up and delaying another fitful night of sleep. darn time changes and travels days crammed full yet not enough gets done.
Well, anyway to websites...
The one we are addicted to in our house right now is the Eagles of course.
http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles
Lately I am loving the Groupon website because who doesn't love a great deal on something you planned to spend money on anyway.
I spend a lot of time on http://www.care2.com/greenliving/ reading articles and reading through causes.
Something I don't get enough time to actually do regularly but do like to check out the new ones of...
http://www.geocaching.com/
And when I need a little environmental motivation I like to visit
http://www.grist.org/ or http://www.motherearthnews.com
For a little work time fun I like to recon pages from other DOTs successes. This is a cool one... http://maps.modot.mo.gov/timi/ or this one... http://dashboard.virginiadot.org/
That is probably enough random web pages... now back to my real addictions... gmail and facebook. :)
Not sure where to go with this one... but must catch up with my 30 day challenge and this seems to keep me up and delaying another fitful night of sleep. darn time changes and travels days crammed full yet not enough gets done.
Well, anyway to websites...
The one we are addicted to in our house right now is the Eagles of course.
http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles
Lately I am loving the Groupon website because who doesn't love a great deal on something you planned to spend money on anyway.
I spend a lot of time on http://www.care2.com/greenliving/ reading articles and reading through causes.
Something I don't get enough time to actually do regularly but do like to check out the new ones of...
http://www.geocaching.com/
And when I need a little environmental motivation I like to visit
http://www.grist.org/ or http://www.motherearthnews.com
For a little work time fun I like to recon pages from other DOTs successes. This is a cool one... http://maps.modot.mo.gov/timi/ or this one... http://dashboard.virginiadot.org/
That is probably enough random web pages... now back to my real addictions... gmail and facebook. :)
30 Day Challenge - Day 25
•Day 25 — Your day, in great detail
Skipping a couple of days in an effort to finally finish this round of blogs.
My day in great detail... hmmm
A typical week day...
5AM - Joe escapes to the gym and van pool to Des Moines
5:00 am - 6:30am get up early and workout in the basement a couple mornings a week.
OR 6:00am - 6:30am Get up and partake in a few minutes of quiet time before the kid wrangling begins.
6:30 am (usually earlier) JJ is up and demanding a banana and some juice and I am crawling up into a loft bed to drag my 7 year old out of bed. why couldn't she be a morning person.
Crawl into the shower and hope by some miracle Abigail actually gets herself dressed the first time I ask her... that is a RARE thing. Get out of the shower more awake and continue the crazy hustling of children into clothes, lunches made, dogs in and to their kennels and off to the daycare.
7:30pm race to work and begin what is usually a mix of meetings, working on documents, and actually GIS and database work.
noonish... A couple days a week I run to the gym to either swim or do my yoga/pilates class. Helps break up my day.
1:00 - 4:00 or 4:30 more of the same as the morning.
Some days I am out the door at 4pm for a run before I race to pick up the kids by 5pm.
5:00pm masterfully rummage in the kitchen for wonderfully healthy meals to make and feed my family.
6:30 hang out with the kids, playing and watching programs together on the DVR.
8:00pm wrangling kids into pajamas and story time.
8:36pm kids in bed and time for an hour to myself... today blogging, sometimes knitting, journalling, surfing...
10:00- 10:30 crawl into bed... maybe read or head straight to sleep.
Weekends
Would love to say I get to sleep in... JJ unfortunately stays on the same schedule every day so Joe and I take turns being the one who gets to sleep in until 7:30pm when the decibel level rises.
Joe and I negotiate to see who goes to the gym and who stays to pry Abby off the couch from the TV. Now it is soccer season so Saturday mornings we ride the sidelines. Triathlon season is coming so at least one morning is usually spent doing a long ride and running.
Somewhere in there laundry is done and parts of the house get clean, usually a team effort, dogs might get walked, the kids get played with, naps are had (that is an extra special day when I take the time for a nap) Then we start over again with Mondays.
Most of it I wouldn't change at all but sometimes I need a vacation.
Skipping a couple of days in an effort to finally finish this round of blogs.
My day in great detail... hmmm
A typical week day...
5AM - Joe escapes to the gym and van pool to Des Moines
5:00 am - 6:30am get up early and workout in the basement a couple mornings a week.
OR 6:00am - 6:30am Get up and partake in a few minutes of quiet time before the kid wrangling begins.
6:30 am (usually earlier) JJ is up and demanding a banana and some juice and I am crawling up into a loft bed to drag my 7 year old out of bed. why couldn't she be a morning person.
Crawl into the shower and hope by some miracle Abigail actually gets herself dressed the first time I ask her... that is a RARE thing. Get out of the shower more awake and continue the crazy hustling of children into clothes, lunches made, dogs in and to their kennels and off to the daycare.
7:30pm race to work and begin what is usually a mix of meetings, working on documents, and actually GIS and database work.
noonish... A couple days a week I run to the gym to either swim or do my yoga/pilates class. Helps break up my day.
1:00 - 4:00 or 4:30 more of the same as the morning.
Some days I am out the door at 4pm for a run before I race to pick up the kids by 5pm.
5:00pm masterfully rummage in the kitchen for wonderfully healthy meals to make and feed my family.
6:30 hang out with the kids, playing and watching programs together on the DVR.
8:00pm wrangling kids into pajamas and story time.
8:36pm kids in bed and time for an hour to myself... today blogging, sometimes knitting, journalling, surfing...
10:00- 10:30 crawl into bed... maybe read or head straight to sleep.
Weekends
Would love to say I get to sleep in... JJ unfortunately stays on the same schedule every day so Joe and I take turns being the one who gets to sleep in until 7:30pm when the decibel level rises.
Joe and I negotiate to see who goes to the gym and who stays to pry Abby off the couch from the TV. Now it is soccer season so Saturday mornings we ride the sidelines. Triathlon season is coming so at least one morning is usually spent doing a long ride and running.
Somewhere in there laundry is done and parts of the house get clean, usually a team effort, dogs might get walked, the kids get played with, naps are had (that is an extra special day when I take the time for a nap) Then we start over again with Mondays.
Most of it I wouldn't change at all but sometimes I need a vacation.
Friday, April 1, 2011
30 Day Challenge - Day 20
•Day 20 — A hobby of yours
I have way too many hobbies... So in no particular order...
Photography... I love taking nature shots and photos of friends and family. Lately I have been trying to find good shots to capture while on my runs... My cell does an ok job outside.
Reading... love a good biography, mystery, and any recommendation that gets me thinking.
Flying... Most people don't know this but I love to fly and am good at it but haven't had the funds to finish my license.
Earth Science... I love the study of science and since I don't use much science in my job from my Earth Science and Soils degrees I spend a fair bit of time trying to keep up with current Earth related research and news. I especially love rocks and pick up a small one from every trip to bring home.
Maps... I love collecting old maps, looking at current maps and have a bunch from across the country... plus obviously I love making maps too. I enjoy anything spatial and hate driving in cars with maps on the dash... way too distracting. :)
Fitness... I learned to swim really young and can work through a lot of mental gymnastics in the pool. Today I was told I am a runner too because I did 17 miles this week so far but it is funny I don't think of myself that way... just a person training for a 1/2 Ironman (yes I plan to sign up tomorrow... freaking out a little. :) I make fitness a priority for me and try to be a good example for my kids too.
Hiking, Kayaking, Snowshoeing... I love anything outdoors and never seem to have enough time to 'convene with the Earth' as I like to say. Listening to the wind and creatures...hmmm just can't get enough outside time.
Whew this list is getting long... Like I said too many hobbies
Music... I love listening to music and making music... I have played a lot of instruments in my time but really only mastered one. Need to dust off my guitar soon and see if I can master that too.
Gardening... I love to work in the yard mowing with the electric mower, tending my flower gardens, and growing veggies in my raised beds. I love being able to feed my family what we grow. I already have a herd of tomato starts growing in the basement.
Arts and Crafts... Besides fitness related activities this is probably next in line. I love making homemade cards, I quilt when I have time, I make jewelry mostly as gifts, and my special craft is knitting. Right now I am finishing off a sweater and gearing up to do several sets of socks which are my specialty. You know I care about you if you get socks from me. :)
I have way too many hobbies... So in no particular order...
Photography... I love taking nature shots and photos of friends and family. Lately I have been trying to find good shots to capture while on my runs... My cell does an ok job outside.
Reading... love a good biography, mystery, and any recommendation that gets me thinking.
Flying... Most people don't know this but I love to fly and am good at it but haven't had the funds to finish my license.
Earth Science... I love the study of science and since I don't use much science in my job from my Earth Science and Soils degrees I spend a fair bit of time trying to keep up with current Earth related research and news. I especially love rocks and pick up a small one from every trip to bring home.
Maps... I love collecting old maps, looking at current maps and have a bunch from across the country... plus obviously I love making maps too. I enjoy anything spatial and hate driving in cars with maps on the dash... way too distracting. :)
Fitness... I learned to swim really young and can work through a lot of mental gymnastics in the pool. Today I was told I am a runner too because I did 17 miles this week so far but it is funny I don't think of myself that way... just a person training for a 1/2 Ironman (yes I plan to sign up tomorrow... freaking out a little. :) I make fitness a priority for me and try to be a good example for my kids too.
Hiking, Kayaking, Snowshoeing... I love anything outdoors and never seem to have enough time to 'convene with the Earth' as I like to say. Listening to the wind and creatures...hmmm just can't get enough outside time.
Whew this list is getting long... Like I said too many hobbies
Music... I love listening to music and making music... I have played a lot of instruments in my time but really only mastered one. Need to dust off my guitar soon and see if I can master that too.
Gardening... I love to work in the yard mowing with the electric mower, tending my flower gardens, and growing veggies in my raised beds. I love being able to feed my family what we grow. I already have a herd of tomato starts growing in the basement.
Arts and Crafts... Besides fitness related activities this is probably next in line. I love making homemade cards, I quilt when I have time, I make jewelry mostly as gifts, and my special craft is knitting. Right now I am finishing off a sweater and gearing up to do several sets of socks which are my specialty. You know I care about you if you get socks from me. :)