The New Year, Flu and You.

I don't think I've had the flu for about 5 years. Maybe longer, I can't really remember the last time I was hit with such a powerful virus. This flu really packs a punch. H3N2 or whatever its called has hit Ontario and Manitoba pretty hard. It is day 5 for me, my head still stuffed, coughing, etc. Now I consider myself in fairly good health. I'm 51 years old, work out fairly consistently, manage stress pretty good and eat healthy. If I indulge in a dessert it is a homemade paleo one, so a healthy lifestyle is important to me and my family.

Even with that said, this flu bug has taken  5 rounds out of me. I can only imagine what it is doing to people with a compromised immune system or a senior. Unfortunately the impact has filled our emergency rooms to the rafters. I also had the flu shot this year and what I've heard is that the flu may have been even worse if I hadn't had it. I also work in a hospital setting, constantly washing my hands or using hand sanitizer, for fear of passing along a virus.

Ironically my dad had the flu first and as I was over at his apartment bringing him Benylene and Fisherman's Friend I wasn't as diligent with hand washing away from work. My bad, as it came back to bite me!

This was just a great reminder for me to do my part and be super diligent with hand washing as well as staying healthy so if I do get a virus my body is capable to fight it off without heading to a hospital ER. What bothers me is the individual who doesn't take responsibility for their own health. Hand Washing, getting daily physical activity, eating healthy and managing life's stressors is your part.

The problem I run into in my work, are people that don't have an awareness of their own behaviour. They are blaming, denying, running away from, etc and not looking at their part. This lack of emotional awareness is not only visible at flu time, but all year around.

Don't get me wrong, I am very thankful for all the guys and gals who do work in our emergency rooms, quick care clinics and all the health care workers who give their all every day to keep people as healthy as possible. I just don't get why the government doesn't see illness prevention as a priority to keep people out of the ERs.

Maybe all of us need to be more emotionally aware of the part we play in keeping our community healthy. From government to teachers to parents to businesses, what are you willing to look at to make a change to a more healthy environment for 2015.

Finding Balance

The silence within oneself is often deafening to some. To sit in silence or clear your mind is such a re-energizing journey yet so hard for most people. Being okay with yourself and just your thoughts or  being mindful of the moment can be like chaos. Imagine being still in fast paced environment.

I worked with a group the other day, where life is fragile and stress is high. The majority felt it was chaos without hope,  yet one girl I spoke with said it was chaos within the calm. When I asked her to explain she said there is calmness I feel, a confidence, a strength within me and the challenge is how to keep me this way while working in others chaos.

It kinda reminded me of my recent visit to New York. The droves of people, the lights, the busyness 24-7. Sarah even commented at one point that she felt rushed and hectic because thats what she felt in others around her.

Yet as I watched the locals and fellow tourists scurrying around I felt a sense of calm, a sense of my place in the big chaotic picture. It truly is easy to get caught up in the moment, to feel the energy, see all the lights, hear all the sounds of the hustle and bustle of New York and the challenge is always finding the balance.

Its like a teeter totter that you are the only one on top of. You walk slowly to the middle and too much one way will slide down to the ground , too much weight the other way and bam the board hits the ground. I don't think its finding that perfect middle spot that is the answer as perfect doesn't exist. Its the fluidness of finding the back and forth balance that makes life fun.

So go find the peace within to help you sway to and fro to live , appreciate, love and be happy in your life whatever the chaos around you. Keep your body, mind and soul healthy.

Life is change!

Change after 53 Years.........

Imagine living in the same house for 53 years. For an 82 year old thats more than half his life. In today’s world most people will move approximately 10 times in their lives. For my dad move number 2 is the last move he’ll do....according to him!

After 53 years of the coffee pot being in the same spot, your shirts in the same closet and the ticking noise of the old kitchen clock are gone.

Would the change be hard? Would you be totally lost? Would you find everything you needed?

The answer for my dad was YES to all above. The move was hard for the first few days.  Why? Because patterns become so engrained it is hard to slowly dig new paths in your brain for the new patterns to flourish. It takes time, but learning new routines, hearing new noises and changing the closet arrangement is refreshing, renewing and as my dad put it, I feel alive again!

Change can be difficult or easy. It depends on how you approach it. We fear the unknown of change, whats on the other side but until we walk there, we don’t know how great it can feel.

So even though my dad has had a lot of changes in the past year, he has embraced them. Things are so different for him, yet you walk into his apartment and look around, so much has remained the same!

Summer fun...

The beginning of summer, temperatures weren’t great but by the time Neil and I were on summer holidays the temperatures were into the high 20’s and 30’s for 3 weeks  straight.

Couldn’t have asked for warmer temperatures at the end of August and beginning of September. We tried to take advantage of the heat with lazy days on the beach at Gimli, relaxing on our deck with a good book, lots of morning bike rides and afternoon naps, 

Packed up dad and moved him to his apartment, lunches at new restaurants, mini high school reunion and dinner parties. Summer vacation was a welcome and perfect break from the yearly routine we got ourself into.

Yesterday was a Johnston family picnic in the park, a beautiful sunny day and best way to end off the summer!

xo

FOURE

A few weeks ago, my husband and I decided to trek over to the golf dome and hit some balls, take in a mini golf game and hang out watching the hackers and smackers and some really good golfers.

I asked my dad if he wanted to go with us and let him know we were bringing a few clubs too as I was dying to see if my back would take the twisting motion. He thought it would be a good idea if he tried too. He enjoyed the drive to the golf dome, noticing the new buildings and amount of traffic. It was a Saturday afternoon, but to him it was just another day.

We pulled up and decided to leave our clubs in the car while we scouted out the place and practiced our putting. My dad was nervous, so I pointed out the washrooms upon entering just to be on the safe side (hey he is 81 and nervous). We entered, payed for our game, picked our color of ball and started playing. 

My dad did pretty well. Of course there is no real talent needed on the putting course as my husband found out, scoring not one but two hole in ones! The putting eased my dad back into a place he used to frequent often and enjoyed the challenge and chatter of the old guys afterwards.

My husband ran back to the car and grabbed our clubs as dad and I made our way to the hitting area. We all stretched and twisted with our clubs and took a few practice swings. My husband and I hit a few balls first then my dad stepped up placed a ball on the tee and proceeded to tell us he was going to take it easy.

After the first swing connected on a 200yd straight hit, there was no stopping my dad. I didn’t see his face as I was still staring at his hit, jaw dropped as this guy just hit his first tee shot in 4 years with ease. My husband said the smile on my dads face, holding back tears of joy were priceless. 

Just like riding a bike, says dad. Sometimes you have to just keep remembering how fun the ride was and take that risk to get back on! One more experience that was so good for my body, mind and soul!

All Sides of Spring

The upside, downside, right side and wrong side, all sides are showing, it only depends on how you see it.

Spring is in the area, temperatures still cool, snow almost gone. Babies being born, lots of new bunnies too, new relationships forming, springtime is love, tree buds are starting to show their side.

My husband said he feels a transition, an awakening, feels in limbo until his next move. Spring of energy and its hard to harness. Running more to keep it in check.

My dad is cleaning and packing and can’t wait to move. His defiance of old, one more spring to show.

Me, I feel calm and at peace. Much more right now than in a long time. Spring brings new hope, new dreams, new intentions. Slowly warming to new ways of old. Smiling at coworkers, we’ve uncovered the next, whatever it looks like is still a long spring away.

Whatever your spring feels and looks like, its right for this time. if you want change, know why, be wise, seek thought, focus and act because..................

Summer is just around the corner.

Ask the Expert?

Have you seen the commercials “ask the expert” where someone really messes up a home project? I’m sure the commercial is way more funnier than that of my life but there are times........

So last weekend my husband and I decided to replace the old bifold closest doors in our bedroom with modern, mirrored, sliding glass doors. Now this wasn’t a spur of the moment idea, as we had talked about making this change for years. I think 12 years to be exact. The bifold doors opened up into the room and took up so much space the matching night stands to our bed couldn’t be used and the small closet bifold when opened blocked the entrance door to the room.  Yup so finally we were going to make a change.

With measurements in hand Neil and I trudge down to Rona in the middle of a February snow storm to get our doors. Yes I know its already April! As I was saying with measurements in hand we pick out the doors we both agreed on, well compromised on. But they are nice and sound easy to install, thats the key right. 

So as we hunt for the doors we realize the size we need is not on the floor. We ask the clerk, who checks the computer, goes to a back room then comes back and says they are out of that size, they would order them for us. 

Well why not, we’ve waited 12 years whats 6-8 weeks longer going to do. So the clerk fills out the necessary 45 copies of whatever ordering slip he needs and we pay in full of course and will now wait patiently for our doors.

Two weeks ago we pick up a phone message that our doors were in, Yippee!!! 12 years and 8 weeks later we are getting new closet doors. So last weekend bright and early Saturday morning we rip out the old doors, well it was like unclick them and angle them out and unscrew the old tracks, but RIP them out sounds soooo much more weekend reno warrior like! Besides we had on old clothes, Neil had his tool belt on, my hair tired back, CSA approved shoes on and ready. Maybe the title should have been Nerd and Nerdier?

It took all of ten minutes to RIP out the old doors, sand down the frames and prep them for primer. With the coat of primer on both closet door frames we’re ready to unwrap the new doors.

Neil is standing in the larger closet opening and says, this isn’t going to work. What’s not going to work I ask. The way the sliding doors sit on the track we won’t be able to open the drawers to the old built in closet unit. Oh crap!!! Well we always said one day we’d put a new closet storage system in the large closet. I guess this is the time!

With a few good whacks with a hammer, the original closet organizer is history. Yeah new closet doors and a new organizer! So off to Ikea we go and left Ikea empty handed, yes people actually looked at us because we weren’t buying anything! Try exiting Ikea without paying for anything! Go ahead try!

So back to good old Rona, where we found all the components to a new closet system that looked good, was functional and we weren’t taking out a 2nd mortgage to buy it. Of course by this time its lunch and coffee time so since we’re out.....

Finally back home. Now the old closet system is gone, but the wall behind the system was never painted. So back to the primer on the wall, the first coat of paint on the door frames and both of us sitting on the bed looking at the hole in the flooring where the old unit sat. 

Hmmmm well I guess we’ll just have to cut extra pieces of flooring and place them in the hole. Well if we had extra flooring pieces to fill the hole that would have been a good idea. So Neil cuts mdf to fit the hole and I pull out the primer one more time, wait an hour and paint the wood to sort of match the floor color, if you close one eye and stand more than 3 feet away with the lights off. Yup it kinda matches.

No more work for today, time to shower, eat and head off to a par-tay! There is always Sunday to finish. 

Sunday morning we sleep in, have a nice breakfast, fresh ground coffee and catch up on the news. I do manage to get a second coat of paint on the closet wall and floor before our noon hour yoga class. Boy we could really use a good stretch. Out for lunch then back home to start assembling the new closest system.

Without giving all the details of putting the IKEA like furniture together, cutting the new hanger bar to make it fit and wondering what the extra screws were for, it was 9:30pm and a new closet organizer was built and installed, the wall in the closet painted, the hole in the floor fixed and painted and the door frames almost finished.

Okay the closet doors, well they never left the box! Maybe when Neil and I said weekend reno warriors we should have added, “one weekend may not be suitable for the Johnston reno projects”.

The good news as of today, Thursday, all painting is done, the closet doors installed, baskets bought for the closet system, all clothes returned to the closet and the weekend reno warriors learned a lot. We didn’t swear or get mad when we realized all of the faux pas. We laughed and teased each other and shopped and shared food all during the project. When done with love any project can be good for the body, mind and soul. 

Hmmm what to tackle next weekend?

ps--- when you take the wrapping off new doors and there is a little package of screws attached to the wrapping, its not a good idea to throw them out, cause it could take you about 20 minutes to find them................. 

With peace, love and lots of luck of your next reno project;

Cathy and Neil

Moving On....

Last Thursday I took my dad to a seniors assisted living apartment complex to check out what he thought of the place. My dad is still living in the same house that he and my mom bought in 1960.  The house isn’t that big and I still wonder how 7 people managed to live together under one roof. 

My dad has a lot of memories from that house but its time to move on. Of course the decision to move out of the house had to be my dads. We knew when he was ready he would let us know and boy he let us know loud and clear. He is ready to sell and start a new adventure!

Hence the journey begins, helping my dad find a new place. He wanted to stay in the general area of the city that he knows very well. That comfort level of being near “his” bank, grocery store and shopping center is so important. 

So off to Dakota House we went.  From the moment we walked in the door (after I figured out how the intercom system worked doh!) my dad felt a wave of comfort.

The lady we met with and toured us around was informative, friendly and said all the right things! The dining room was huge, menu looked delicious and the special touches around the amenities and taking care of the owners and guests needs were terrific.

The multi purpose room was in use as a local high school drama club practiced their play to a very appreciative audience. The social calendar was filled with trips and events that made me exhausted just looking at it.

The apartments were a perfect size with all the amenities my dad would ever need. The front desk staff offered a few more tidbits, the solariums at the end of the halls filled with exercise equipment or puzzles or books or just a place to sit and reflect were perfect!

I have to admit I’m not used to being around so many seniors at one time, I was having a seniors overload! My dad, well he was in his glory. He said he felt like the place had a hotel atmosphere, loved all the social aspects and couldn’t wait to put his name on the waiting list. So we did!

My dad does want to look at another place he is familiar with so this week we take another trip to check out a second option, but if Dakota House called next week with a vacancy my dad would jump at it! 

When I called my dad last night to chat and ask what he was doing, he told me cleaning up. After all you never know when he might get that call to move. So the sorting, giving away, throwing out, cleaning getting the house ready to sell has begun. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen my dad so excited about something. He is like a kid waiting for Santa. 

One thing is for sure, the anticipation of moving, leaving the past and walking into the unknown future has awakened his body, mind and soul! 

Let the next chapter begin! 

A Long Winter.......

....and it doesn't seem to have an end in sight yet. A winter storm watch is on for Winnipeg as of today.

Everywhere you turn someone is still sick, hospitals closing wards asking visitors to stay home, coughing, sneezing, sore throats and headaches. And then there is the Norwalk type virus’ making there way around the workplaces, or all inclusive resorts as my sister found out recently. These outbreaks seem to be more often and clinging on longer this winter in Winnipeg. With the temperatures still around minus 20 celsius peeps are hanging around indoors longer this year, hence the increase in the spread of germs.

And whats the best way to prevent the spread of bacteria? hand washing, hand washing and more hand washing. Properly washing that is, not the quick under the tap rinse but an A-Z scrubbing of those digits.

A couple of the other things you can do is get enough sleep and reduce stress levels. When your body’s immune system is already compromised, then has to fight off a bug, lookout!

Weak immune function, including susceptibility to colds and other infections, can  be a  sign of vitamin C deficiency. 

My respiratory therapist husband explained that since the lining of our respiratory tract also depends heavily on vitamin C for protection, respiratory infection and other lung-related conditions can also be symptomatic of vitamin C deficiency.

So even though hand washing is your best defense against virus’s, enhancing your body’s immune system is a good offense.

Thank you to www.healthaliciousness.com Here is a list of foods loaded with vitamin C.

#1: Red and Green Hot Chili Peppers

An excellent way to spice up soups, curries, and sauces, green chillies provide the most vitamin C than any other food with 242.5mg (404% DV) per 100 gram serving, 181.88mg (303% DV) in a half cup chopped, and 109.13mg (182% DV) in a single green chili pepper. Red chillies provide 144mg (240% DV) of vitamin C per 100g serving, 108mg (180% DV) per half cup chopped, and 65mg (108% DV) per pepper. 

#2: Guavas

 Depending on variety, guavas can provide as much as 228mg (381% DV) of vitamin C per 100g serving, 377mg (628% DV) per cup, and 126mg (209% DV) per fruit.

#3: Bell Peppers

 

A staple of pasta sauce and pizza the sweet bell pepper packs a high vitamin C punch. The amount of vitamin C depends on color. Yellow peppers provide the most vitamin C with 184mg (206% DV) per 100 gram serving, 341mg (569% DV) per pepper, and 95mg (159% DV) in 10 sliced strips. Green peppers provide the least vitamin C with 132mg (220% DV) per pepper. 

#4: Fresh Herbs (Thyme and Parsley)

Fresh and dried herbs are packed with vitamins and health benefits, they can be used in almost any soup, stew, or as the main ingredient to a salad like tabouleh. Thyme provides the most vitamin C of any herb with 160mg (267% DV) per 100 gram serving, 1.6mg (3% DV) in a single teaspoon. Parsley provides 133mg (222% DV) per 100 gram serving, 79mg (133% DV) per cup, 5mg (9% DV) per tablespoon, 13.3mg (22% DV) in 10 sprigs. 

#5: Dark Leafy Greens (Kale, Mustard Greens, Garden Cress)

Dark leafy greens are more than just a source of calcium, and are packed with other vitamins including vitamin C. Raw kale provides the most vitamin C with 120mg (200% DV) per 100 gram serving, 80mg (134% DV) per cup chopped. It is followed by mustard greens which provide 70mg (117% DV) per 100 gram serving, and 29mg (65% DV) per cup chopped. Garden cress provides 69mg (115% DV) per 100 gram serving, or 35mg (58% DV) per cup. 

#6: Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts

Broccoli provides 89mg (149% DV) of vitamin C in a 100g serving, 81mg (135% DV) per cup chopped, 28mg (46% DV) per piece. Raw cauliflower provides much less with 46mg (77% DV) per cup, raw brussles sprouts provide 75mg (125% DV) per cup, 16mg (27% DV) per sprout.

#7: Kiwi Fruits (Chinese Gooseberries)

Kiwi fruits are tart as well as decorative, they make a great addition to any fruit salad or dessert. A 100g serving will provide 93mg (155% DV) of vitamin C, that is 164 mg (273% DV) per cup, 84mg (141% DV) per fruit.

#8: Papayas (aka: Lechoza, Mamão, Pawpaw)

In addition to vitamin C, papaya is also a great source of vitamin A and folate (vitamin B9). Papaya provides 62mg (103% DV) per 100 gram serving, that is 87mg (144% DV) per cup cubed, and 188mg (313% DV) in a medium sized papaya.

#9: Oranges and Clementines (Tangerines)

Oranges, citrus fruits, and their zest (the shavings of their peel) are all high in vitamin C. Oranges provide 59mg (99% DV) per 100 gram serving, 98mg (163% DV) per cup, and 83mg (138% DV) per orange. Clementines, or tangerines, provide 49mg (81% DV) per 100 gram serving, or 36mg (60% DV) per fruit.

#10: Strawberries

Strawberries are delicious and make a great addition to desserts or drinks. Strawberries provide 59mg (98% DV) per 100 gram serving, 98mg (163 % DV) per cup slices, and 11mg (18% DV) in a single large strawberry.

Read more at http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/vitamin-C.php#BlvutUYSo2rQvPJw.99 

So to help me be stronger in body, mind and soul, I try to have a balanced life that includes  proper nutrition- including a ton of vitamin C! 

Shades of 50

Shades of 50

Feeling good, happy, contented, warm and secure.

47 not so happy, 48 a year of change, 49 ups and downs but back up and healthy, pain free and happy.

50 in two!! No struggle, no fear. Welcome and come on in.

The tea is brewing, books on the table, good friends and family close by.

Moving in the right direction on the journey, goals in mind, forever learning, taking action, no judgement. Aiming high, see the goal, set new goals. Set intentions, make plans.

Bucket list, vision board make me smile. Life is precious, changing fast. Never regret, never get the moment back. Let go, no ropes holding you back. Climb on.

50 this week, exercise always, love, laugh. Lift weights, eat clean, stay healthy. 

Mind, body and spirit. I feel the energy, feel the love, only me sitting quietly. Strong, soft, feel deeply, see brightly. 

Celebrate life, new and old. Be change. Choices only I can make. Celebrate me, celebrate 50.

Don’t know what it means, how to act, what to feel, doesn’t matter. No rules.

Me as I am.  

50

Welcome

Come with me, 

A Caribbean beach

Watching the sunset on 49.

Me

50

Love it.

Full Throttle

When I was young playing on my backyard swing set  or skating on the backyard rink my dad made I never played slowly. The swing set wasn't just a swing set but a jungle gym. My speed was fast or faster. I loved swinging as high as I could , hanging upside down or skating as fast as I could.

Feeling the breeze in my hair or the cold crisp air on skates was fun. I loved being outdoors and I loved movement. As a kid I never thought about hurting myself, about helmets or padding. You just did. 

Even as I get older the adventurous side of me still burns. I’ve just had to learn to recover and heal before the next adventure, and I’ve had to learn to throttle down the activity a bit otherwise too much time is needed for the knees to recoup before the next whatever.

So I’ve had to give up a bit of speed, a bit of intensity for more consistency. I’m good with that, cause I know I will still compete, still push myself to the end goals of a ride, or workout or whatever.

I just read a great book called, The New Rules of Lifting... for middle age. We know physiological changes occur in our bodies as we age, but the key is to not to let the changes turn off the motor. The changes just might make you shift gears a bit thats all.

Movement is medicine, so as I approach 50 I’ll try to throttle down a bit. Cause when I’m 100 I’m still gonna lift the weights, maybe a two pound dumb bell but a weight never the less.

I’ll let you know when I get there how much weight it is. Until then, lets just consistently enjoy the ride!!!!!!!!

Find your Passion

I went to a funeral yesterday, to pay last respects to a brilliant music teach, singer and pianist. A well put together lady in all aspects. She was 81 and I had never met her. 

My husband and I went to the funeral to show our love and support for her daughter and son in law who we adore as our friends. 

Most people don’t like going to funerals but I find them rather cathartic. I love listening to families share stories of the talents, love, accomplishments and so may wonderful memories they have. The celebration of the life, of the soul that filled the body on earth. The end, yet new beginning.

Don’t leave this world with regrets, at any age if there is that one thing, that one thing that aches in your soul to do, that you really want to do before your body or mind can’t, then do it.

Live each day with purpose. It doesn’t matter if that purpose is active or passive, each day has purpose.

I’ve been surrounded by elderly sickness and death lately and by knowing of 3 births to occur shortly. The circle of life. Fill your days on this earth with purpose and when we meet again, tell me your wonderful memories of this life.

Peace

Age and Metabolic Whaaaat?

So your trying to loose weight and your over the age of 25 and you have crappy nutritional habits. Welcome to the world of thousands.

Well don’t despair there are a few things you have control over to change. No- one of those things isn’t that you can stop time. No -there isn’t a magic fountain of youth and no- you aren’t immortal. Now that we cleared that up, lets take a look at whats really happening. According to a study in the Journal of Applied Physiology, 1998, after the age of 25, your RMR declines 2-4% with each passing decade. Oh and one more monkey wrench just for shit and giggles, you’ll loose about 5 lbs of lean muscle mass each decade from age 25-65. Sounds kinda glum ha?

I know what your thinking, holy cow my RMR is declining!!!! Whaaat the heck does that mean, cause I don’t know what part of my body is my RMR! And muscle mass loss - geez what next, aging really does suck! Well hold your horses, lets not panic here. If we break down whats happening in our bodies it looks like this. First, your RMR refers to your “resting metabolic rate”. This refers to the number of units of energy that your body uses to process all of the chemical actions during rest time.

So an average 25 year old female may have an RMR of 1500 kcal, then at 35 yrs her RMR is at 1400 kcal, at 45 yrs her RMR is at 1300 kcals and so on. In addition she’ll lose 5 lbs of muscle mass by 35 yrs, 10 lbs by 45 yrs, 15 lbs by 55 yrs and 20 lbs by 65 yrs. This chick has declined about 300 kcal of metabolic burning and 20 lbs of lean muscle by age 65. Great your thinking this is all bad news, so whats the silver lining in all this?

Since you can’t change your age, then change your lifestyle!!!  Lean muscle is responsible for a huge amount of metabolic activity, so a loss of lean muscle is most likely responsible for a huge amount of decline in metabolic activity. Increase your muscle mass to increase your RMR. How do I increase muscle mass- contract your skeletal muscles. Run, jump, cycle, skip, lift weights- all use energy and build muscle. The more intense the activity the more calories burned and the more lean muscle built.

Now there is one more glitch. You can have the best exercise program ever, but if you have poor nutrient consumption (your diet is crappy) it may lead to the inability to build and preserve muscle mass.

Lessons learned: just because you may be aging that doesn’t mean you can’t impact your metabolic rate or ability to build muscle. High intensity exercise burns more calories during and after increasing your RMR. Proper nutrition plays a HUGE roll in your metabolic rate and ability to build and keep muscle. 

Aging is natural but to stop moving your body is not! Proper posture, musculoskeletal alignment, correct nutrition and lots of movement--- the keys to keeping my body, mind and soul young!

A Thousand Words

A picture is worth a thousand words. We have all heard that phrase a million times. It really is amazing how a picture can evoke so much from our minds. Smell, taste, touch and much more. 

My mom’s passing brought out many picture albums, old wonderfully discolored boxes and cardboard picture covers. From the 50, 60 etc. Pictures of my dad as a little boy in Flin Flon from the 30s, Piney and Vassar from the 40’s and Winnipeg of the 50s.

My dad wasn’t one to sit and reflect, look at pictures or watch videos but lately we’ve done a lot of it. New albums with old memories keep emerging from the closet.

In todays world, Instagram and the electronic files of pictures is rampant. If you want to look at a picture turn your phone on or Ipad or laptop. Where is the rough texture of old print paper, the look of wrinkled covers and torn cracked edges of a page in an album.

There just isn’t anything, anything that compares to holding onto and looking through old pictures. Create an album today and put it away. The smiles it will bring when 10,20,30 years from now, you pull it out and touch the past, priceless.

my mom and dad circa 1954

Feel Your Breath

Yesterday was about looking and calling for brother Miko in heaven, looking for her husband behind a locked door, not knowing who is there.

Yesterday was about wanting to go home because she is needed, why can’t I go, why don’t you listen. Yesterday was about finding her voice, when nutrient deprivation won’t let her. Smell, taste, nothing. 

Yesterday was about going to South America, so we went where it was warm. The sun was bright. Where are my glasses.

Mom struggled to make sense of our world. It was so different from what we saw. What was she thinking, what did she see. We struggled to make sense of her world, what did we see. 

Don’t struggle, release, let it go. Find peace with what you see in front of you, in front of me. See the moment, it changed, see the new moment, it changed. Go with the flow of what you see.

Love, peace, freedom to live or die. Go find Miko and watch our moments change from the sky. Rest and comfort, no pain only time. but what is time? 

Friday was about leaving this plane of existence. Of finding her brother and mother once again. Peaceful she sleeps until we see her again.

Friday was about letting go. Finding new moments to live. Family, friends, coping, celebrating life. 

Feel the sun, feel the rain, feel your heartbeat. Breathe deep, breathe deep again, be free, happy. let the doves fly free.

life goes on.....

Advice

I came to see my mom this morning, expecting her to be as sleepy and incoherent as she was on Saturday. Much to my surprise she was sitting up in her hospital bed and having a conversation, with herself mind you, but still words were flowing from her lips. Her dry cracked 86 year old lips. When she saw me she said oh my another visitor. Oh how many visitors did you have already today. At least 5 she said.

Later I figured out it was the nurses and healthcare aids, lab techs and visitors for the lady in the next bed.  Mom thought they were all coming to see her. It was a bit overwhelming since she couldn’t figure out who was who.

I sit beside my mom as she tells me what a funny day it is. I read her an email from my brother Larry. She doesn’t quite grasp that my brother is in Calgary. I put vaseline on her lips and she holds my hand. Looks me square in the eye and says who are you? Who am I, I ask back to her, my little Cathy she replies. I’m still her child and she is still my mom.

My mother keeps saying this is a funny day. The conversation flowed from taking a train to Chicago, to asking me who’s house we were in, to Andrew Jackson and Bridget Bardot. Clipping finger nails to sipping orange juice, to putting hand lotion on, to singing about a rose garden. Blood work taken, to moving into a chair.

Lunch was about eating soup, back scratches, making my dad sing “Pop goes the Weasle” when he couldn’t remember the words, not wanting to take meds, to eating caramel pudding.

The 4 hours went by quickly for me but for my mom time has no meaning. It was just a morning of asking questions, singing songs, saying you’re funny and smiling. As my mom got tucked into bed for an afternoon nap and I said my goodbyes, she said we should just all love each other, since we’re all eating soup anyway today.

Mom is right soup is always good any day, no matter where you are or who you’re with and we should just all love each other!  Words to live by.

Live, Laugh, Love

and listen and feel and talk and see and be and do and smell etc etc etc. Sometimes it just seems like there is too much for me to be aware of. I try to live in the moment, try to be present and focused from minute to minute. 

Try it, take typing a blog for instance. I’m sitting in an office chair which feels to low, so I readjust. Feet firmly on floor, shoulders rolled back and down, head down, chin in, tummy tight. Whew I haven’t even gotten to my arm height, keyboard ergonomics etc.

Then to focus on the words, uh don’t let your shoulders sag, have you eaten recently, where is my glass of water, I also hydrate while I write, have no idea why, guess cause its in the morning and sipping on a smokey port at this time may not be a healthy option.

Shit forgot to sign up for the gym class, be right back!

Our days are filled with hundreds of thoughts and things to do. Make lists, write out things you want to get done today, this week, this month. When you do something from the list don’t just check it off take a pen and make a thick line through it. Its really done, don’t think about it, move on. And boy does it feel good. 

Here is important thing number 1, be flexible. Sometimes things happen around you that you can’t control. Yes as silly as that sounds to some of you Type A people, go with the flow. Maybe I find it easier to do because I’m a Pisces, we morph and change with the environment. 

Important thing number 2, don’t wait, life goes on without you, people move on, things happen and if you just keep going through your mundane life without goals, without dreams, without motivation to try new things, eat new foods, meet new people, your stagnation will lead to illness and an early demise. 

Important thing number 3, laugh. A sense of humor about yourself and others can sure make life a lot more bearable especially through the tough times. There is definitely laughing space in my life.

Important thing number 4, love. Find someone to share your thoughts, dreams, life with. Find someone who truly loves you because you are who you are. The goofy, smart, sensitive, beautiful person they see in their eyes when they look at you. They want to be with you.

Life is simple, we make it complicated. Each day I truly live, laugh and love for my body, mind and soul. 

The Art of Dying

As a child I always thought of my parents as so old. Not just mine, but all parents were old to me. I thought I was very lucky though because I had two parents, some kids I went to school with weren’t so lucky I thought, they only have 1 parent. Each year I looked forward to my birthday, anxious to grow up become a teen, then graduate from high school. Work, university, marriage, babies, travel, whatever the next years bring, I didn’t really think too much about my parents aging.

If your parents are fairly healthy, you don’t think about them dying. I remember my grandmother dying, she was really old, 94 years to be exact. She was also overweight and had many health concerns. I was thankful then my parents were active, fairly healthy and somehow not that old to me.

However over the years, I came to terms with my parents becoming less active, less healthy and older. With age came, heart attacks, angioplasty, stents and joint replacement surgery.

With age also came, many miles of travel throughout the US and Canada. Many beautiful and memorable moments with grandchildren, many more laughs, big family get togethers that were loud and crazy. And at each one, my dad always blessed the meal and thanked the lord that we were all here together one more time.

Nine years ago my mom was diagnosed with cancer. Nine years of borrowed time as my brother put it. My mom was always a fighter, never believing in medical intervention, never doubting that when it was her time to go, it was her time to go, end of story. This was truly the first time my mom and dad talked openly about dying. They went and purchased all their funeral arrangements so not to burden the children. They let each of us know of their wishes and had their wills re-written. Death isn't something I wanted to dwell on, but looking back these conversations were important and part of my aging parents reality. Looking back I'm glad my parents and I had an open, honest chat about life and death.

Last Tuesday at 86 yrs old, my mom was taken by ambulance to the hospital, after 4 days of not keeping food in her stomach. For my mom to agree to go to a hospital, you know she wasn’t well. I looked at my mom and saw for the first time a tired, old women. Even though her body was giving out, my mom managed to joke around with medical staff and spoke philosophically about life and death. Friday was the family meeting with the doc to tell us how bad the cancer had spread and asked my mom what her wishes were.

She decided on a dnr on her chart, no interventions except for pain and chatted with me about all the things she has accomplished in life. She has accepted her fate gracefully and now it is our turn to do the same. Life is about living it to the fullest, being happy with the path you choose, staying healthy and accepting when the two ends of the spectrum meet to complete the circle of life.

Now we wait, sharing stories, laughing, crying and comforting each other as my mom prepares herself for the next phase of her journey and I prepare as well. I have longevity in my genes, so I will do everything I can to stay healthy until I become an old, tired women and my daughter and I will have many chats about life and death.

We can't prevent death. We can't prevent aging from occurring but we can slow the process. I will exercise, eat nutrient dense meals, reduce stress, sleep well and live life to the fullest. I want to live til I'm 86 (at least) and be healthy in body, mind and soul. 

Its Not Always About Physical Health

I read Psychology Today magazine religiously, it seriously is like a bible to me. My husband Neil is taking his masters degree and one of his courses was on eating disorders. He was reading an article in PT and when finished popped the magazine in the recycling bin. It was garbage day and I was taking the trash out and noticed the bright front cover of PT so I picked it out of the recycling bin.

The article Neil read was on behavior change. Not only did I read that article I read every one in that issue and continue to read PT on a regular basis. The latest article I read that resonated with me was on Relational Values and its importance for our mental health.

There is so much written by so many people on what we should do to keep our bodies physically fit, to prevent disease, to live longer, to live healthier from a physical perspective. But there is not a lot written by many people on the emotional/mental aspect of health.

Many people know they lack self confidence, self esteem, feel anger, depressed etc. but  they many not know why they feel that way or how to get themselves out of feeling that way. So their mental health is one of the spokes not lined up in the wheel of life. (I love riding and every time I see a balanced wheel spin - it is my analogy for a healthy life). We all know how important relationships are to our mental health and the PT article explained how the value we place on these relationships correlates to positive mental health.

The article in PT goes on to talk about the importance of relationships in ones life and of a concept called relational value. This is the value we self impose on the relationship with important people in our lives. If we don’t feel we have any relationships or we don’t value those relationships we have a huge void in becoming a healthy human.

Humans are social creatures. I live in Winnipeg where per capita we have more restaurants then anywhere in Canada. We socialize in places like coffee shops, restaurants etc. Look at the social media revolution. It is easier to link up with people all over the world than ever before. We wouldn’t think anyone would have a problem finding a relationship.

But its not just finding people to socialize with its about the value you place on that relationship. Its about the feelings you and the other person express, the thoughtfulness, sacrifices made, etc show the value that is placed on that relationship. It  is also about how we respond to changes in a relational value. 

The PT article tells how a positive change sparks happiness, pride, love, joy etc and how a negative change may spark hurt, anger, resentment etc. It is how we learn, grow and move forward in our relational changes that helps create who we are. But it is how we value ourselves that is of huge importance. We need the balance between self focused and community focused to be healthy. Our self confidence, self reliance, achievement, power balanced with giving, loving, compassion, self sacrifice will bring about healthy relationships.

Sometimes people know they lack relationship value but don’t know what to do about it and sometimes people deny, or put up a wall that doesn’t allow them to have relationships and doesn’t allow others in that may see the relationship with you as value.

The author Gregg Henriques, Ph.D. of the PT article goes on to say he believes the “high paced, economically driven, highly complex society, we have inadvertently created a society that has many, many cracks for people to fall through. People who feel devalued and who don’t know how to change and who don’t know what to do with their feelings that result”. 

Dr. Henriques goes on to ask whether as a society we should be looking at ways to measure relational value. 

Perhaps we need to work toward developing a society that utilizes relational value to increase positive mental health. As someone who works at keeping all the spokes balanced in my wheel of life I know the importance of relationships and the value I place on them has such a positive impact on my body, mind and soul.

                                      

I AM AN OLYMPIAN!!!!

Okay those who really know me, know that I am not an athlete that actually competed at the 2012 London Games. However, lets think about this carefully, is 2016 out of the question? Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro! How cool would that be!  

I just watched Clara Hughes compete in road cycling at age 39! There is a member of the Canadian women’s rowing team who is 53!!! Okay she doesn’t actually row but sits in the bow and barks out the tempo and hey I’m between 39 and 53 soooo maybe?

My point is age has only a part to do with your chances of being on an Olympic team. Your will power, skill and bodies ability to endure plays a role. Of course there are some sports that younger athletes do better in, so I just have to choose my sport wisely! 

Archery for example in London 2012, Karen Hultzer (RSA) was the oldest woman on the archery field at 46. Remarkably, she had never picked up a bow before five years ago. I tried it once in high school and liked it, although the bow string hit my forearm and left a welt as big as a softball and I couldn’t hit the target.

What about fencing? I think it looks cool, the shiny armour dress and headgear and those gloves, oooh I’m all over that! I’ve never actually poked a sabre at anyone, but practiced with broom sticks jousting with my daughter Sarah. One of us usually got smacked on the hand and then ended up tickling the other into submission. I guess tickling your fencing opponent might be frowned on? Just a guess but not sure the Queen would approve, all that giggling would send her into a tizzy. 

There is shooting then. I shot a gun once in Piney Manitoba at the gravel pit. My dad and uncle would line up old cans and bottles and we tried to shoot them off a fence post. I can’t remember actually hitting a target and I think I hurt my shoulder once.  Hmmmm this is getting harder. 

What about horse jumping? Ian Miller on team Canada is 65 years old and competed in London 2012.  I like horses and I rode a few times, never fell off either. Not sure I want my horse to jump while I’m on its back. Yeah I think I just dropped horse jumping from my list and I’m way too young!

Is knitting, crocheting, basket weaving or bracelet making (I only use those small plastic beads that my nieces share with me) Olympic events yet! 

Alright maybe Olympic blogging, tweeting or messaging athletes IS the way to go. 

Wow, all those sports I played in high school. Basketball, softball, volleyball, soccer, even women’s ice hockey when women’s ice hockey wasn’t cool yet! I was super athletic growing up. Tennis, badminton, golf, curling (a lot of curling- on ice and off, poker straight hair) just to name a few. Played field hockey in university for one term, but that ball was sooo hard and those sticks whacking against my legs—oooh that hurt!

And come on I lift weights, do TRX, crossfit, road ride, trail ride, toss a basketball now and again, swat at a birdie when I can find someone to play with, fling a frissbe err I mean disk, and throw a football.  All athletic feats in my mind! 

So I guess that’s it, I missed my opportunity to participate in the Olympics. So at 49 calendar years (even though my mind is telling me I’m only 29 yrs), I’ll stick to my own Olympic prowess and my own gold medal standings!  My own competitions and pushing myself to my limits. That is my personal growth for awakening my body, my mind and my soul! I am an Olympian!

And you, be the best athlete you can be! Get back on track no matter what sport you play, no matter what your athleticism level, you know- “Play Safe and Have Fun”, it is the participation that matters.  “Just Do It” stop talking about starting an exercise program, And .....“Go”!