Anyone who has done even the slightest amount of networking with me knows that this past year has been a banner one for me personally. The changes going on in my life are huge, to say the least, and all of them are meant to prolong my life, if it's God's will, and to find some happiness that has been eluding me for too long.
Nine weeks ago, I had bariatric surgery and as of yesterday, I have lost 45 pounds since that surgery and 75 pounds in the past year total. I'm so grateful for this new tool I have now to lose the weight that has been hindering my health and lifestyle for so many years. I am more health-conscious now than I have ever been in my life, and as I continue to improve my health, it is also important for me to get my head and heart right as well, in an emotional sense.
That said, Bill and I have decided to separate and I am making plans to move home to Superior later this summer. After 24 years in Davenport, I can honestly say that I have never really felt totally at home here. Superior is my home and it's where I want to be for the time being. I look forward to spending more time with my brother, Bill, and son, Matt, along with my friends who I hold close to my heart.
Our separation is amicable, so you will not be hearing me tell stories of how I've been wronged or hurt. I have been married to this man for 32 years and whatever has gone on between us personally is no one's business but ours. I will say this, however... We had some good years together and that, along with the fact that he stepped up and was as good a dad as he could be to our children, will always deserve my respect.
As much as I look forward to returning to Superior, leaving here will be very difficult for me. My son, Mark and daughter, Amanda, and her family... my grandchildren, Adrianna, Brandon and Erik, will no longer be quite so much a physical part of my life. Thank heaven I know well the road that will lead me back to them now and then and I hope they will use that road as well.
It's a big step for a 60 year old woman to take on her own, but I'm ready for it. I'm hoping to become involved in promoting my hometown, possibly getting back to bowling and working on my family genealogy again. Most importantly, I want to spend as much time as I can with my brother. A few days just wasn't enough for me when I was there a couple of weeks ago.
So, start inboxing me on Facebook with your phone numbers if you'd like to get in touch when I'm back home. I truly cannot wait to see every one of you and catch up on everything I've missed all this time. I'll let you all know when I've settled in!
xxxJBDxxx
Friday, June 12, 2015
Saturday, June 6, 2015
Time Flies
If there's only one thing we learn as we grow older, it's that time flies. One year ago, on June 3rd, 2014, I made the decision that food was not going to rule my life any longer. I sought out information on low carb, sugar-free, healthy eating plans and never looked back.
If someone had told me, one year ago today, that I would not only be going to the gym twice a day to workout, but actually looking forward to it, I would have laughed in their face. I'm beginning to understand now how some people actually become addicted to exercise and though I doubt I will ever achieve that, (and quite honestly, it's not one of my goals), I do love the rush I get when I finish my abs routine or step off of the treadmill.
This path has been the most difficult labor of love I have ever walked in my entire life. Were it not for my children, grandchildren, brothers and friends, I would not be writing this now. They (you) have lifted me up when I didn't have the willpower to move forward myself.
It's been a momentous year, with many steps forward on my path and a few that went backwards, but without each and every one of those steps, I don't believe I would have the confidence to do all that I am able to do now.
I have several more goals to work on, and I'm excited about achieving each one. Only hard work and the will to move forward will get me there. Oh, and staying happy... that is something I simply have to do everyday..
xxxJBDxxx
Monday, June 1, 2015
5 Days of Bliss
I haven't ventured outside of my current living situation for several years, but last week I traveled, with my granddaughter, back to God's Country and my true home. On Tuesday, Adrianna and I packed up the car and hit the road for Superior. My mission was to spend some quality time with Adrianna, my brother Bill, my son Matthew, my nephew Mike and my uncle Bill Holmes. I also had the chance to connect with an old high school friend. Thanks Paulie for the fun afternoon. You owe me a rematch in cribbage, Mister! LOL
There's nothing that smells so good as Lake Superior, especially when you haven't been near her in many years. Adrianna and I drove out Mocassin Mike road to Wisconsin Point one afternoon. It was cold outside, the wind was bitter and it was drizzling out. I didn't care. I was home. We took some pictures as I reminisced about the days when my kids were young, having bonfires right there on the beach. They were wonderful times.
I think we managed to hit nearly every restaurant in town. Breakfasts at Kitches and the Billings Park Café, lunches at Appleby's and Aces on 29th, dinners at Grizzly's, VIP Pizza and Barker's Island. We also stopped in to the new candy store, Sweeden Sweets. Thank heaven I no longer eat candy. I would have bought out the place!
We traveled the streets of Superior everyday, memories flooding back of days gone by. Adrianna had her history lesson in living color, that's for sure. She saw the places her mom grew up, the spots where the schools use to stand and the gravestones of her ancestors. We took a guided tour of Cathedral Church. I grew up going to church there 6 days a week from grades 1 - 9. The restorations they have done are stunning, but it broke my heart just a little to find out they no longer use the choir loft. Oh my word, the hours and hours that Ann Kimmes and I spent up there, singing for masses and funerals. Extraordinary memories.
Spending time with my family was the best part of our trip. I had missed my brother so much that I didn't want to leave. I promised him that I would be back much sooner next time. We got lucky one night, as the weather turned nice for a moment, so we had a bonfire in my brother's backyard. At dusk, as usual, the mosquitoes came out in droves, so we bid each other good night and retreated to the hotel. Seeing son Matt and nephew Michael was sweet. Hopefully next time, Mark will be with us, too. My Uncle Bill turned 90 years old on Thursday and I swear he just doesn't age. I'm so grateful for the close relationship he and I have forged over the past 20 years or so.
It was tough packing up and leaving on Saturday. For me, there's no place on earth I love more than my hometown. I shed a few tears as we drove out of town and vowed that I would be back again soon. After all, I have a mountain of friends there to spend time with, as well. I know they all understand that I needed this past week mainly for family time.
So, this was my amazing, awesome week. One last note... my granddaughter, Adrianna, was one of the best traveling companions I've ever had. Thanks for the good time, laughs and talks, Punkin. Love you all the way up to the sky!
xxxJBDxxx
There's nothing that smells so good as Lake Superior, especially when you haven't been near her in many years. Adrianna and I drove out Mocassin Mike road to Wisconsin Point one afternoon. It was cold outside, the wind was bitter and it was drizzling out. I didn't care. I was home. We took some pictures as I reminisced about the days when my kids were young, having bonfires right there on the beach. They were wonderful times.
I think we managed to hit nearly every restaurant in town. Breakfasts at Kitches and the Billings Park Café, lunches at Appleby's and Aces on 29th, dinners at Grizzly's, VIP Pizza and Barker's Island. We also stopped in to the new candy store, Sweeden Sweets. Thank heaven I no longer eat candy. I would have bought out the place!
We traveled the streets of Superior everyday, memories flooding back of days gone by. Adrianna had her history lesson in living color, that's for sure. She saw the places her mom grew up, the spots where the schools use to stand and the gravestones of her ancestors. We took a guided tour of Cathedral Church. I grew up going to church there 6 days a week from grades 1 - 9. The restorations they have done are stunning, but it broke my heart just a little to find out they no longer use the choir loft. Oh my word, the hours and hours that Ann Kimmes and I spent up there, singing for masses and funerals. Extraordinary memories.
Spending time with my family was the best part of our trip. I had missed my brother so much that I didn't want to leave. I promised him that I would be back much sooner next time. We got lucky one night, as the weather turned nice for a moment, so we had a bonfire in my brother's backyard. At dusk, as usual, the mosquitoes came out in droves, so we bid each other good night and retreated to the hotel. Seeing son Matt and nephew Michael was sweet. Hopefully next time, Mark will be with us, too. My Uncle Bill turned 90 years old on Thursday and I swear he just doesn't age. I'm so grateful for the close relationship he and I have forged over the past 20 years or so.
It was tough packing up and leaving on Saturday. For me, there's no place on earth I love more than my hometown. I shed a few tears as we drove out of town and vowed that I would be back again soon. After all, I have a mountain of friends there to spend time with, as well. I know they all understand that I needed this past week mainly for family time.
So, this was my amazing, awesome week. One last note... my granddaughter, Adrianna, was one of the best traveling companions I've ever had. Thanks for the good time, laughs and talks, Punkin. Love you all the way up to the sky!
xxxJBDxxx
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