Monday, January 19, 2009

Staying the course

Well, it's January 19, and I am STILL going strong with my Resolution to get fit and lose weight!  I have lost a total of 5.5 lbs since January 4 (yes, I started late, after the Kirby Family Christmas party January 3!)  Thought I sabotaged myself in Sag Harbor during Grandma's services, but started back full blast when I got home.

Luckily, got LOTS of workout time in the driveway, shoveling snow.  Baby's been sick, so doing most of my workouts at home, mainly Jillian Michaels DVDs.  It WORKS!  Of course, been on the Weight Watcher core program, which really fills you up.

Okay, just wanted to brag a bit!  Hope your resolutions are still strong!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Tribute to my Grandma Kirby..courtesy of her youngest child Frank

As most of you know, my grandmother passed away January 7. I am still struggling with my grief.  I thought it would be "cut and dry": she's in a better place, this is a good thing, rejoice in the fact she is finally back with Grandpa.  There was so much I didn't and still don't know about her.  I spent so much energy, worrying about getting my mom to places she "had " to be, the wake, the house, etc.  In that time, I forgot to do my own grieving and remembering.  So, now it is catching up with me.

I have been struggling this past week since my return from Sag Harbor.  We said farewell to my grandmother.  I could spend 5 days typing all the stuff that is going on in my head, but I will share the eulogy by my uncle Frank, a gifted writer who knew Grandma better than I, and summed up her "essence" in a mere 5  pages (double spaced...sorry for the formatting!).

Oops, again, not able to cut and paste in the blog...please see comments for the story of my grandma.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

What a week.... Grandma 10/19/1915 - 01/07/2009

We have had quite a week.  We finally realized how bad the economy is affecting us.  We are having extended family conflicts.  And, to top it off, my Grandma passed away early this morning.

This actually, is a blessing.  My grandma has been declining for some time.  Her struggle is over, she is, Praise God, finally, back with her beloved husband of 63 years.  I pray my mother, her oldest, deals with this loss in a peaceful resolution to a relationship that wasn't always loving or of admiration.

Grandma was not a "warm fuzzy".  She was not the extrovert Grandpa was.  See my post from a few months ago.  My mom is a type of person who needs constant positive reinforcement.  Grandma, mother of 7, was not always able to openly praise all her children all the time.  My mother grew to resent this, especially in later years, as she went through a divorce.  Growing up, at times, I resented this lack of warmth as well, but, in the opposite direction, realized Grandma always loved me, even if she did not demonstrate it directly, or even indirectly.  She did the best she could.  I pray, that in the next few trying days of the wake and funeral, my Mom can realize that. 

Please keep my grandma, Agnes Kirby, as well as my mom, Mary McFeeley in your prayers.  Thank you, God, for bringing my grandma to you and Grandpa, and please give my mom peace, make her realize she WAS cherished by her mother, always.

Monday, January 5, 2009

Kicking butt!

Okay, got my workout in before 9 am!  If you want to sweat your a$$ off,  go to jillianmichaels.com, order her DVDs.  Ouch!  My quads are killing me!!!  Now, to stick to Weight Watchers Core....

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Resolutions...


Happy New Year!


My resolutions?  One: To gain more followers!  My 11 year old has more fans reading her blog than I do mine!

Two: To lose 50 pounds.  Or at least start towards that.  The picture to the right being my "before" shot.  I'll look hot in anything but that "Ugly Betty/Michelin Man" down jacket!

Three: Help my stepson lose 15 pounds.  He's my guinea pig.  In my next life, I want to be a personal trainer, however, must get buff myself.  And if I can do it, I want to help others do it too.

Four: To be more patient with people, especially my kids and my mother.

Five:  to get a job!!! Well, I do have a per diem job, to do home care for pregnant ladies.  Does that count?  I guess I should say: "get a hospital job; part time or per diem".

Six: pay down my credit card debt.

Seven: Take my mother on a vacation.  A real one.  One that involves getting on a jet.  She's never been on one (A jet, or a vacation involving a jet).  To achieve this:

Eight: Sell my mom's condo.

And finally,
Nine: Move into  a bigger house.   Better work on numbers 5, 6, and, if we build an in-law for mom (that's a BIG if), number 8.

Wish me luck!  Hold me accountable if you see me at Hometown Buffet! Happy New Year!