It was an ordinary Sunday for me...except that the incredible JayVee added a spin/body pump class to the schedule at the HRC so now I get to have a great workout on Sundays.
Remember, there is no rest for the wicked!
oh, that was a few blogs ago...
So back to JayVee...awesome class...45 minutes of spin, 45 of body pump...and she gave us some good music. It was just what a needed.
Last night I went to see "Black Swan" with my friend...oh, let's call her Twirler Girl because that is what she was back in high school. Some of you will know of who I speak. Anyway, she's my movie or museum date these days and so we thought we would give "Black Swan" a try.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....
Very dark and twisty.
I've have friends who were professional ballerinas. Not an easy life. This movie doesn't glamourize it at all. I'm glad that Ke$ha Barbie proved to be more athletic than flexible and lyrical...
After the movie we went to dinner...she's on a raw diet and I'm doing the no bread/pasta thing these days. So of course we choose to go to Red Robin...because there is nothing like temptation when you are trying to eat right. When I say she is on a raw diet, I mean she is eating nothing but raw fruits and veggies and nuts for the next 21 days. She's done it before, I don't know how...and I can't because I can't eat nuts and you pretty much have to on this diet for the protein and healthy fats. So she had a salad and I had a veggie burger patty with a lettuce leaf "bun"...and it was pretty darn good! She's training for the MS150 (she's done it before) and I'm so incredibly proud of her. That is something I really do not think I could do. But who knows...I never thought I would run (and I do) and I never thought I would be anythig but a plus-sized girl (not anymore) and I never thought I would like to work out (and I LOVE it) and I never thought I would write a blog and share it (and...well, here we are...)
I'm still putting together thoughts on restaurant food advice to put in a blog but I'll save it for another day. Two food blogs in one week are boring...
Writing this blog is an outlet for me. I have never been a journal keeper but doing this is more like storytelling or therapy. I like it.
Recently I discovered that I could see how many times my blogs are viewed. I can see it by number of times per day, week, month or in the history of the blog.
I have become obsessed with it...it appeals to my OCD...
My numbers are super small compared to most bloggers...but I don't care...I write for me and my friends who read this and...Oprah...
I can't tell WHO views my blog but I can tell what websites (like facebook) have referred it (but not by facebook user).
The most interesting thing is that it shows me where my blog readers live...not by state but by country.
So somewhere out in this world of ours, people are reading all this silly stuff I write.
People from Slovenia, Denmark, the Netherlands, the UK, Russia (yes, Russia), and others that I can't remember right now.
That fascinates me.
So, if you are from another country---PLEASE "friend" me on facebook (Anice Shelton Duytschaever---there I just totally lost my anonymity...maybe not such a good idea)so I can know who you are...or sign up to be a blog follower. I think it is so great to know people from other places...
I think it is totally cool that someone from Denmark reads anything I write...I love that...
But all of this got me thinking just how small our world is now with the internet. How it is possible to meet someone from another country without ever seeing them face-to-face. That Facebook can reconnect you with old friends and let you meet new ones...from Denmark!
Information is transferred in seconds. That I can write this blog and in seconds after posting someone can read it absolutely blows my mind.
To think that children that are growing up today will never know a world without the internet and this exchange of ideas is exceptionally cool.
When you consider that 30 years ago making a long distance call was still a big deal and that now you don't even call you just TEXT, well, how far have we come?
I could go on and on about this but it makes my head hurt to think about it all. I just know that our world is smaller and I pray that it leads to greater humanity and understanding and peace.
Now as for MY humanity and peace...well, I still am a little boggled that my way of dealing with stress now is with healthy food and exercise but a year ago it was something fried or Marble Slab ice cream (sweet cream flavor...all I ever want).
I cooked my husband and son ribeye steaks tonight. I made myself some salmon. A year ago I could not have imagined NOT digging into a nice big juicy (fatty) steak and preferring salmon (I still don't love it but I do love what it does for my body). But tonight I could have cared less...and I looked forward to my salmon.
I texted Dimples about my workouts this weekend...he was really proud of me. And proud that I kept the wine to a minimum (2 glasses Friday after a very stressful day, and one last night with Twirler Girl...oh, and a beer...).
I told him that as long as I behave I make BOTH of us look good...because I'm working to do what he suggests I do...and he plans my workouts.
And it is working...
And all it is is just eating healthy and clean and exercising. Just plain, ordinary, living healthy. That's all...good food in, hard workouts...
Anyone can do it...I'm living proof...
Inspiration Song: "Ordinary World" by...Duran Duran...I'll get off the Duran Duran kick soon...but for now it is fun to find a title to match my thoughts...
Bye Darlings...let me know where you live in this ordinary world of ours!
Showing posts with label Body Pump. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Body Pump. Show all posts
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Monday, November 8, 2010
Shake it Up
Well, it was time to try something different...because the weight loss has slowed down and I gave in to cheese the other night.
Not just any cheese...it was some amazing cheese...white cheddar with bits of apple and sage. If that cheese had been a man I would have made out with it. It was that good. I also had some really great chipotle cheddar and a fig goat cheese. Again, I would have made out with the cheese if they had been men...maybe I just have deprived myself of cheese for too long but that cheese was worth every calorie and every bite. And wow was it good with the wine...
I was hosting a jewelry show with a friend when I succumbed to the lure of the cheese and the wine. It was jewelry made by Spinderella. She is multi-talented...she can train you AND decorate you! If you want a truly amazing necklace or cuff, call or email me and I can hook you up with Spinderella.
I feared the scale over the weekend but was surprised to find I was down 3 pounds. But today I got on and I was up again. Back to where I was...
What gives?
Damn...
I did Body Pump on Saturday and gave myself a spin class on Sunday. Today I did spin again and then a training session.
So I am glad I decided to shake things up...and I am glad I asked Coach Dimples to help me and be my trainer. And train me he did...
Last June I declared that I didn't want the cute young thing to train me but wanted Fitness Goddess who could relate to my age and situation. She is still a remarkable trainer. And so positive. So helpful. So supportive.
But I needed to shake it up...and Coach took me out to a park and shake, and lunge, and run, and push up I did!
Does it help you to understand if I tell you that I am sore just a mere 3 hours later?
The weather was great and it was fun getting out of the gym and doing something completely different. I only said "no" to jumping jacks.
I have birth to 2 babies over 8 lbs...I don't jump...and I'm sure you women understand why...
I did worry a bit about bugs...I consider ants to be bugs too...but the bugs (and ants) didn't bother us until the mosquitos decided we were a banquet as we went to our cars.
There is a small hill in the middle of the park. He made me lunge up to the top. If not for the fact that he did it with me I would have said "heck no" but I kept thinking "Heidi Klum legs" and kept going...and the dimples didn't hurt either...did I mention that he is really cute?
Yeah...
That doesn't hurt one bit...
but now my glutes do hurt...but it's a good hurt...
We are going to do it all again on Wednesday. And I will share him with you if you want to join our bootcamp class...but during my personal training sessions he and those dimples are all mine...and he is really good with the training...and the dimples. I wasn't bored or restless during the workout at all...and he even got me to jog...now that is a miracle...
I bought boots yesterday. I haven't purchased a pair of boots in over 10 years. I bought 2 pair...black and brown. I feel a little sexy and dangerous in them...high heels, tall boots to my (very short) knees. But Ke$ha Barbie convinced me that I can still rock them and that I have a few dresses to pair them up with. She wants me to throw out 90% of my wardrobe and feel better about how I look and not look like such a soccer mom. But I am a soccer mom...but I will be a rock-n-roll soccer mom and rock those boots.
Why am I sharing this with you...if not just to make you jealous that I have a hottie trainer? And some really good looking boots?
Because we ALL need to shake things up every once in a while.
Be it our diet, our workout routine, our meals we serve our families...change it...try something new and different.
Gonna shake it up with the wardrobe...
Gonna shake it up with the workout...
And usually I only like to shake things up in a cocktail shaker...it's called a martini...Vodka, please...or maybe a Cosmo...
Inspiration Song: "Shake it Up" by the Cars...when was the last time you had a little fun with them? Shake it up...shake it up...
bye darlings...shake it up!
Not just any cheese...it was some amazing cheese...white cheddar with bits of apple and sage. If that cheese had been a man I would have made out with it. It was that good. I also had some really great chipotle cheddar and a fig goat cheese. Again, I would have made out with the cheese if they had been men...maybe I just have deprived myself of cheese for too long but that cheese was worth every calorie and every bite. And wow was it good with the wine...
I was hosting a jewelry show with a friend when I succumbed to the lure of the cheese and the wine. It was jewelry made by Spinderella. She is multi-talented...she can train you AND decorate you! If you want a truly amazing necklace or cuff, call or email me and I can hook you up with Spinderella.
I feared the scale over the weekend but was surprised to find I was down 3 pounds. But today I got on and I was up again. Back to where I was...
What gives?
Damn...
I did Body Pump on Saturday and gave myself a spin class on Sunday. Today I did spin again and then a training session.
So I am glad I decided to shake things up...and I am glad I asked Coach Dimples to help me and be my trainer. And train me he did...
Last June I declared that I didn't want the cute young thing to train me but wanted Fitness Goddess who could relate to my age and situation. She is still a remarkable trainer. And so positive. So helpful. So supportive.
But I needed to shake it up...and Coach took me out to a park and shake, and lunge, and run, and push up I did!
Does it help you to understand if I tell you that I am sore just a mere 3 hours later?
The weather was great and it was fun getting out of the gym and doing something completely different. I only said "no" to jumping jacks.
I have birth to 2 babies over 8 lbs...I don't jump...and I'm sure you women understand why...
I did worry a bit about bugs...I consider ants to be bugs too...but the bugs (and ants) didn't bother us until the mosquitos decided we were a banquet as we went to our cars.
There is a small hill in the middle of the park. He made me lunge up to the top. If not for the fact that he did it with me I would have said "heck no" but I kept thinking "Heidi Klum legs" and kept going...and the dimples didn't hurt either...did I mention that he is really cute?
Yeah...
That doesn't hurt one bit...
but now my glutes do hurt...but it's a good hurt...
We are going to do it all again on Wednesday. And I will share him with you if you want to join our bootcamp class...but during my personal training sessions he and those dimples are all mine...and he is really good with the training...and the dimples. I wasn't bored or restless during the workout at all...and he even got me to jog...now that is a miracle...
I bought boots yesterday. I haven't purchased a pair of boots in over 10 years. I bought 2 pair...black and brown. I feel a little sexy and dangerous in them...high heels, tall boots to my (very short) knees. But Ke$ha Barbie convinced me that I can still rock them and that I have a few dresses to pair them up with. She wants me to throw out 90% of my wardrobe and feel better about how I look and not look like such a soccer mom. But I am a soccer mom...but I will be a rock-n-roll soccer mom and rock those boots.
Why am I sharing this with you...if not just to make you jealous that I have a hottie trainer? And some really good looking boots?
Because we ALL need to shake things up every once in a while.
Be it our diet, our workout routine, our meals we serve our families...change it...try something new and different.
Gonna shake it up with the wardrobe...
Gonna shake it up with the workout...
And usually I only like to shake things up in a cocktail shaker...it's called a martini...Vodka, please...or maybe a Cosmo...
Inspiration Song: "Shake it Up" by the Cars...when was the last time you had a little fun with them? Shake it up...shake it up...
bye darlings...shake it up!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
I had some fun this past week as far as working out has gone. It has actually been an interesting experiment in just what I can handle...
Last Saturday two of my favorite spin instructors gave an "all 80's" spin class on Saturday at the gym. All 80's music. And they showed the movie "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" on the video screen.
That hour passed so quickly...
Poor Sarah Jessica Parker and Helen Hunt...they were the stars of the movie...SJP must be happy to have the stylist working for her now as her clothes in "Sex and the City" were way better.
Of course, maybe it was the 80's clothing...
Did any of that stuff ever really look good?
No way...like totally fer sure it was groddy to the max and like barf me out...
Bows on our butts? really?
Permed hair that was as high as Everest? really?
Dropped waist dresses? really?
Lets. Not. Go. There.
Not now anyway...
But the class was like totally awesome and I was like totally ohmygod...
We so have to do it again...I even wore my t-shirt ripped up like "Flashdance".
And a side ponytail...which drove me nuts the whole time...
spinning + side ponytail = annoying
So that was fun and then I took The Cutest Boy in the World (TCBITW) to Rockport so we could go out on the boat and not catch fish. At least I caught some rays and worked on my tan. No fish but it was still fun...and I sacrificed a few calories in favor of some ice cold Miller Lite while swimming in Little Bay. Because I wanted to have fun...
What was NOT fun was waiting in the rain while husband loaded the boat onto the trailer. I was dressed. Then I had to go and change. Not fun...
When we got home I took TCBITW to the gym with me. I had my hour love affair with my new favorite machine (ARC trainer by Cybex...yes, the one I have complained about...but I can burn 1/3 MORE calories on it than the elliptical so it now has my love and affection). TCBITW did the elliptical and ran on the treadmill and got all the cute young girl trainers to say "awwww...he is so cute!" (because he is).
Next day was Spinderella's class...she decided to bring along a Pussycat Dolls video for us to enjoy.
Now here is where I go back to the 80's clothing friends...because a big satin bow was perched on the backside of the lovely winner of last season's "Dancing With the Stars" (she is, after all, a Pussycat Doll)...perched right up there on her perfect butt. But I can tell you that not once did I ever see a big satin bow perched on the backside of myself or any of my friends during the 80's that looked that good. Bows on the butt are never attractive but I guess when you are built like the live version of Barbie it works...
Wednesday I was forced to do what I consider to be pure torture. I had to get up at 4:45 and hit the gym by 5:15 so I could be showered, dressed, and blow-dried and at school by 7:30. Then I had to repeat it the next 2 days.
So 3 days in a row I was at the gym by 5:15.
It's not a habit I want to make. It wasn't awful, but it didn't kill me. But it wasn't fun...the 4:45 was not fun, the 5:15 on a machine was not fun, the in the shower by 6:30 was not fun and rushing through my morning was not fun.
And I even managed to make it to Body Pump on Wednesday.
Now about that Body Pump. If they offer it at your gym, DO IT. I HATE HATE HATE to do weights in the gym. I am not disciplined enough. I can only do it if I have fitness goddess yelling at me or if I am working out with a friend. But Body Pump puts you through your paces in all the muscle groups (and even dreaded squats and lunges) in an hour (with music) with an instructor. It love it. It is now part of my routine....even if it means I have to go back up to the gym. And TCBITW took the class with me and enjoyed it so I think he will want to make it part of his routine.
So that was fun...
What was fun was putting on a couple of my new dresses and feeling pretty for the first time in a long time. Dresses that did not have bows on the butt. Grown-up dresses. With heels. I even pulled out the hot rollers and did the starlet thing with the blond locks.
Getting compliments. THAT was fun.
Training for the art history classes we give the kids at school...fun
Hearing a lecture from a Rice University Art History professor...fun
watching the 8th grade kids learn their music for the musical...fun
arguing with my friend Bacchus about geography during his parent night presentation...fun (any time I watch him do his thing it is fun...he is an awesome teacher)
hearing what my son's teachers have in store for him this year at parent night...fun (because they are an amazing group of teachers and TCBITW is blessed)
My son's team winning their football game 33-6...fun
drinking wine with my friends after the game...fun
sweating at the game while taking 1398 photos (yes, you read that right)...not so fun...but watching the game was fun and my photos are fun...
getting up this morning and hitting the gym at 8:00 for Body Pump after consuming about at least 1/2 bottle of chardonnay...notsofun...
and I could only manage about 35 minutes of the spin class that followed...
So, like our precious Lord, I think I will pronounce it all "good" and take tomorrow as my day of rest.
And maybe on Monday I will get to the gym at 5:00 again...but maybe I'll wait and go later...but I will go...and I will go back that night for Body Pump...
The pounds are starting to slide off again and my body is reshaping itself. I am down 5 dress sizes (yes, that is a lot...I was very big) and I am trying to get used to it. I am almost halfway to my goal weight.
It has been a hard 6 1/2 months...and it hasn't always been fun.
But it has been worth it...
Because putting on a dress and having someone tell you that you look pretty IS fun.
But putting on a dress and having your daughter say "Mom, you look gorgeous and your hair is awesome" is PRICELESS...and fun...
Inspiration music: "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" by Cindy Lauper...because it is FUN...
bye darlings...
Last Saturday two of my favorite spin instructors gave an "all 80's" spin class on Saturday at the gym. All 80's music. And they showed the movie "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" on the video screen.
That hour passed so quickly...
Poor Sarah Jessica Parker and Helen Hunt...they were the stars of the movie...SJP must be happy to have the stylist working for her now as her clothes in "Sex and the City" were way better.
Of course, maybe it was the 80's clothing...
Did any of that stuff ever really look good?
No way...like totally fer sure it was groddy to the max and like barf me out...
Bows on our butts? really?
Permed hair that was as high as Everest? really?
Dropped waist dresses? really?
Lets. Not. Go. There.
Not now anyway...
But the class was like totally awesome and I was like totally ohmygod...
We so have to do it again...I even wore my t-shirt ripped up like "Flashdance".
And a side ponytail...which drove me nuts the whole time...
spinning + side ponytail = annoying
So that was fun and then I took The Cutest Boy in the World (TCBITW) to Rockport so we could go out on the boat and not catch fish. At least I caught some rays and worked on my tan. No fish but it was still fun...and I sacrificed a few calories in favor of some ice cold Miller Lite while swimming in Little Bay. Because I wanted to have fun...
What was NOT fun was waiting in the rain while husband loaded the boat onto the trailer. I was dressed. Then I had to go and change. Not fun...
When we got home I took TCBITW to the gym with me. I had my hour love affair with my new favorite machine (ARC trainer by Cybex...yes, the one I have complained about...but I can burn 1/3 MORE calories on it than the elliptical so it now has my love and affection). TCBITW did the elliptical and ran on the treadmill and got all the cute young girl trainers to say "awwww...he is so cute!" (because he is).
Next day was Spinderella's class...she decided to bring along a Pussycat Dolls video for us to enjoy.
Now here is where I go back to the 80's clothing friends...because a big satin bow was perched on the backside of the lovely winner of last season's "Dancing With the Stars" (she is, after all, a Pussycat Doll)...perched right up there on her perfect butt. But I can tell you that not once did I ever see a big satin bow perched on the backside of myself or any of my friends during the 80's that looked that good. Bows on the butt are never attractive but I guess when you are built like the live version of Barbie it works...
Wednesday I was forced to do what I consider to be pure torture. I had to get up at 4:45 and hit the gym by 5:15 so I could be showered, dressed, and blow-dried and at school by 7:30. Then I had to repeat it the next 2 days.
So 3 days in a row I was at the gym by 5:15.
It's not a habit I want to make. It wasn't awful, but it didn't kill me. But it wasn't fun...the 4:45 was not fun, the 5:15 on a machine was not fun, the in the shower by 6:30 was not fun and rushing through my morning was not fun.
And I even managed to make it to Body Pump on Wednesday.
Now about that Body Pump. If they offer it at your gym, DO IT. I HATE HATE HATE to do weights in the gym. I am not disciplined enough. I can only do it if I have fitness goddess yelling at me or if I am working out with a friend. But Body Pump puts you through your paces in all the muscle groups (and even dreaded squats and lunges) in an hour (with music) with an instructor. It love it. It is now part of my routine....even if it means I have to go back up to the gym. And TCBITW took the class with me and enjoyed it so I think he will want to make it part of his routine.
So that was fun...
What was fun was putting on a couple of my new dresses and feeling pretty for the first time in a long time. Dresses that did not have bows on the butt. Grown-up dresses. With heels. I even pulled out the hot rollers and did the starlet thing with the blond locks.
Getting compliments. THAT was fun.
Training for the art history classes we give the kids at school...fun
Hearing a lecture from a Rice University Art History professor...fun
watching the 8th grade kids learn their music for the musical...fun
arguing with my friend Bacchus about geography during his parent night presentation...fun (any time I watch him do his thing it is fun...he is an awesome teacher)
hearing what my son's teachers have in store for him this year at parent night...fun (because they are an amazing group of teachers and TCBITW is blessed)
My son's team winning their football game 33-6...fun
drinking wine with my friends after the game...fun
sweating at the game while taking 1398 photos (yes, you read that right)...not so fun...but watching the game was fun and my photos are fun...
getting up this morning and hitting the gym at 8:00 for Body Pump after consuming about at least 1/2 bottle of chardonnay...notsofun...
and I could only manage about 35 minutes of the spin class that followed...
So, like our precious Lord, I think I will pronounce it all "good" and take tomorrow as my day of rest.
And maybe on Monday I will get to the gym at 5:00 again...but maybe I'll wait and go later...but I will go...and I will go back that night for Body Pump...
The pounds are starting to slide off again and my body is reshaping itself. I am down 5 dress sizes (yes, that is a lot...I was very big) and I am trying to get used to it. I am almost halfway to my goal weight.
It has been a hard 6 1/2 months...and it hasn't always been fun.
But it has been worth it...
Because putting on a dress and having someone tell you that you look pretty IS fun.
But putting on a dress and having your daughter say "Mom, you look gorgeous and your hair is awesome" is PRICELESS...and fun...
Inspiration music: "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" by Cindy Lauper...because it is FUN...
bye darlings...
Monday, August 16, 2010
Help!
I finished a book the other day and found myself sobbing as I came to the end.
I'm pretty emotional, as you all well know...I cry at the drop of a hat or a kleenex commercial. I cry at plays, I cry during tv shows (Glee gets me all the time), I cry at movies (my son was nonplussed that I was sobbing at the end of Toy Story 3), I cry during choir concerts, I have even been known to cry when admiring art...heck, I even cried a few times during the latest "So You Think You Can Dance" competition during some of the beautifully choreographed dances. When a friend called to tell me her daughter just pledged Pi Phi and I cried because now that beautiful child will be my "sister"...I cry a lot...
But I don't cry a lot when I read...a few books have moved me to tears..."Pillars of the Earth" did. I cried when I read "Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood" because I saw a lot of my life there. "The Lovely Bones"..."Auntie Mame"...and I laugh until I cry when I read the Sweet Potato Queen books...
But the other day, when I got to the end of "The Help", I found myself sobbing...just sobbing. It really is a beautiful book...and it was a very very very satisfactory read. I highly recommend it.
It is a book about a young white woman and 2 black maids and their lives in the 60's at the time when segregation was still going strong in the south. It is a very frank and honest book and I don't doubt for a minute that the horrible forms of prejudice portrayed and talked about in the book existed at that time.
What got me sobbing?
2 things:
1) I will never never never understand prejudice. I don't get it. I do not understand how one human being can think they are better or superior to another because of the color of their skin...or because of their religion...or because of their sex...and yes, we have been down this road before---because of who they chose to love.
and
2)I was reminded of the women and men who helped raise me and how lucky I was to be loved by them...Matilda...Chale..Nick...Ginje...Tommy...and N (he is still alive, so no real names) and L (she is still alive...same rules)and how much I missed the ones who died and how I am so happy that L and N are still around and I am always so glad to see them and hear them call me "Nicie" and what I wouldn't give right now for any one of them to tell me what to do...
Matilda and Chale were married. They were never able to have a family of their own so we were their kids. Chale grew up with my father...he liked to joke that since he and Daddy practically shared a birthday that they had bee switched at birth. There isn't a person in this world who knew us as a family that wouldn't absolutely agree that Tilda (Matilda) and Chale were family. Every holiday they were at the house to watch us unwrap gifts, or have some turkey, or help us dye eggs before we headed off to Premont. Chale would make an excuse to come but my dad caught on to the ruse early on and told him to just come. We were family.
I spent most of my younger years in Chale's truck. I would ride sitting on the door armrest of the truck and my sister would stand next to him---so close that he really drove with his arm around her legs. We went everywhere in Chale's truck...Tejano music blaring as we went down the road...
Chale drove the carpool. He knew all the moms at school. They all loved him. How could you not love him...he was amazing...
Tilda, his wife, taught me to cook. She taught me to sew. She taught me that warm Campho-phenique can cure almost anything. She taught me to drink lemon and honey tea when I felt bad...no matter what ailed me from menstrual cramps to a sore throat to a tummy ache. She taught me to be a better person.
Ginje and Tommy took care of me when I was little. I have precious pictures of me in their arms. I can still feel their kisses...
N and L were married when I was younger. N worked as my dad's right hand man...they were partners in crime and in all things good and evil and my dad didn't get through many days without N at his side. They rode together in the car and on horses. They worked cattle together. They drank coffee and had breakfast together. They won championships together.
I still remember the first time I met N...he started working for my dad just as we came home from a ski trip---where I had hurt myself and was on crutches. I was expecting Nick (who until then had been my dad's right hand) but instead this devestatingly handsome guy comes climbing onto the plane to get me and carry me out and into the car. I said "you're not Nick" and he said "No, I am N" and from that point on I was "Nicie" and it was love forever...and still is...his son was my brother's best friend...his daughter like a sister and playmate...younger than me so she was like a beautiful doll to play with...
L woke me up every morning...she would throw off my covers and holler at me to get up and get going. She was the best alarm clock in the world. As I grew up she became my confidante and keeper of my secrets. She dried a lot of tears...lots and lots of tears...
I cannot imagine my life without these people. Tilda's passing crippled me...and Chale's passing this past year sent me into my bed with hours of tears...still can't talk about it...so I won't...
My parents were good parents, but it was Chale, Tilda, N, and L who raised me. I give them more credit than my own folks in some ways because they carted me around and taught me things.
I am a lucky woman...I was loved by some of the best people in the world...
And everyone who knows them feels the same way...
So as I read this book and read about how some people treated "the help" in their lives, it killed me.
I remember once I decided to get high handed with Chale. My father had instructed him to only speak Spanish to us so we would be bilingual. My daddy's first and primary language was Spanish so he wanted us to speak it as well. That plan backfired because he didn't realize that his oldest child (me) was as stubborn as a mule...and him (the stubbornest man ever born). I didn't want to speak Spanish (boy was I stupid).
So one day I wanted an Icee. I asked Chale if we could go get an Icee. I must have been about 4. He told me to ask him in Spanish...I understood the Spanish, just didn't want to speak it...
From what I was told, because I don't fully remember the incident, I then answered him with the following:
"Shut up you stupid Mexican and get me an Icee"
(as I write this I am shuddering at the thought I ever ever ever spoke to him or anyone else that way)
Now, I don't remember saying that, but if Chale says I did...well, then I did...
What I do remember is the beating with the belt I got from my dad for saying that to Chale and how I never did it again...and am horrified that I even tried it once.
I still cannot believe those words left my mouth...but apparently they did...and it rocks me to my core that I ever said anything that awful to him. Even if I was 4.
I learned early on that the men and women who worked for us were not the lucky ones...we were the lucky ones that they worked for us because we were lucky to have them in our lives. They didn't deserve us...and we certainly didn't deserve their love and grace and teaching but were blessed to get it.
Tilda and Chale lived in a tiny one bedroom house when I was little. It was the best house in the world. And Tilda made the best food in the world. No one's empanadas, carne guisada, pollo con calabasas, tamales, 7 Up Cake, hummingbird cake, or pan de polvo (except I do recall that L makes some really good pan de polvo too) can compare. Chale made the best frijole beans, jerky, and pan de campo (camp bread). None better.
L would watch me burn up things in the kitchen and then teach me how to clean up the pans and she would cover up the devestation (hide it from my parents) for me. My mom also taught me to cook but Tilda and L were instrumental in my culinary education. I am a good cook because of those women...and Chale...
They weren't "the help"...they are family...
So just to overload on social injustice I have started to read "Same Kind of Different as Me"...what an awesome book. Also about what ignorance and prejudice can do to a life...
I just don't get prejudice...I cannot believe anyone ever thought it was ok to make someone use a seperate restroom, or not be able to eat in a restaurant, or drink from a water fountain. It makes me crazy to think about it...and ashamed of the human race for ever allowing it to happen.
Skin color is only a color...just like hair color...
Like I said before I would hate for someone to discount me as a person because I am blonde...
The "Help" in my life has been enormous. And I'm not just talking about the people who loved, cared for, and raised me.
Lately I have had a lot of help in my weight loss journey.
Fitness Goddess motivates me every time she sees me. She is amazing in her support and care. I highly recommend having a fitness goddess of your own in your corner...and it helps if she/he is a trainer.
Spinderella and Spingirl (my other favorite spin teacher) are my reason for getting out of bed some mornings...
GOTT and TTG are big helpers...maybe because I help them...but it never hurts to have 2 incredibly good looking sweet men who are literally like brothers to you to cheer you on...remember my motto of "I am like Tinkerbell...I need applause to live"? Well, their hands must be soooo tired from all the clapping I have demanded of them but they keep going...I love them as much as any woman can love two men who are not related to her or her husband...
JayVee, a name that will only make sense to HRC members, is the group fitness director at the gym. She is gorgeousness and been in the fitness business long enough to laugh with me when we remember Body Rock Houston and doing donkey kicks while wearing thong leotards. Of course she was only 2 when she was teaching there... JayVee has been cheering me on and supporting me and today gave me an ultra compliment when she asked my opinion on some class times BECAUSE SHE IS ADDING SOME MORE SPIN CLASSES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woo-hoo! I might get to spin 4 days a week now!!!!!! I like my elliptical and my arc trainer but the spin bike is truly my happy place so that is mega good news.
JayVee is teaching a class tomorrow that I am going to try...body pump...I'll let you know how it goes...
Sistah has been so supportive I don't even know how to express it. I know she loves me and prays for me (Sistah is a good one to have in your prayer corner) and comes with me to classes and motivates me so much. I was so deeply touched when I heard from friends that she was bragging on me that I cried. Now if I could only get her gorgeous long legs on my stubby frame...and her ability to play sports...Sistah reads this so I can give her a shout-out and tell her I love her...like a Sistah...
And some of the greatest help of all has been you...my friends and readers of this blog. Your support and words of encouragement have meant the world to me. Everytime one of you becomes an official "follower" of this blog or you tell me via facebook or when I see you that you read this and are following me on this journey to become half of myself, I am deeply deeply deeply touched.
The fact that any of you want to read the ravings of a mad fat woman is a mystery to me but as long as you want to read, I will write...because it is way cheaper to do this than to pay a therapist...and this is therapy for me.
So thank you for the help...I truly love and appreciate it...
Inspiration song: "Help" by the one, the only...the BEATLES...
The lyrics pretty much sum up how I feel...although when I was younger I DID need the help I got...and right now I am not down but I have been down in the past and again you all have helped me get through it...
Here are the words...thank you Lennon & McCartney
Help, I need somebody,
Help, not just anybody,
Help, you know I need someone, help.
When I was younger, so much younger than today,
I never needed anybody's help in any way.
But now these days are gone, I'm not so self assured,
Now I find I've changed my mind and opened up the doors.
Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being round.
Help me, get my feet back on the ground,
Won't you please, please help me?
And now my life has changed in oh so many ways,
My independence seems to vanish in the haze.
But every now and then I feel so insecure,
I know that I just need you like I've never done before.
Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being round.
Help me, get my feet back on the ground,
Won't you please, please help me.
When I was younger, so much younger than today,
I never needed anybody's help in any way.
But now these days are gone, I'm not so self assured,
Now I find I've changed my mind and opened up the doors.
Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being round.
Help me, get my feet back on the ground,
Won't you please, please help me, help me, help me, oh.
Bye Darlings...
I'm pretty emotional, as you all well know...I cry at the drop of a hat or a kleenex commercial. I cry at plays, I cry during tv shows (Glee gets me all the time), I cry at movies (my son was nonplussed that I was sobbing at the end of Toy Story 3), I cry during choir concerts, I have even been known to cry when admiring art...heck, I even cried a few times during the latest "So You Think You Can Dance" competition during some of the beautifully choreographed dances. When a friend called to tell me her daughter just pledged Pi Phi and I cried because now that beautiful child will be my "sister"...I cry a lot...
But I don't cry a lot when I read...a few books have moved me to tears..."Pillars of the Earth" did. I cried when I read "Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood" because I saw a lot of my life there. "The Lovely Bones"..."Auntie Mame"...and I laugh until I cry when I read the Sweet Potato Queen books...
But the other day, when I got to the end of "The Help", I found myself sobbing...just sobbing. It really is a beautiful book...and it was a very very very satisfactory read. I highly recommend it.
It is a book about a young white woman and 2 black maids and their lives in the 60's at the time when segregation was still going strong in the south. It is a very frank and honest book and I don't doubt for a minute that the horrible forms of prejudice portrayed and talked about in the book existed at that time.
What got me sobbing?
2 things:
1) I will never never never understand prejudice. I don't get it. I do not understand how one human being can think they are better or superior to another because of the color of their skin...or because of their religion...or because of their sex...and yes, we have been down this road before---because of who they chose to love.
and
2)I was reminded of the women and men who helped raise me and how lucky I was to be loved by them...Matilda...Chale..Nick...Ginje...Tommy...and N (he is still alive, so no real names) and L (she is still alive...same rules)and how much I missed the ones who died and how I am so happy that L and N are still around and I am always so glad to see them and hear them call me "Nicie" and what I wouldn't give right now for any one of them to tell me what to do...
Matilda and Chale were married. They were never able to have a family of their own so we were their kids. Chale grew up with my father...he liked to joke that since he and Daddy practically shared a birthday that they had bee switched at birth. There isn't a person in this world who knew us as a family that wouldn't absolutely agree that Tilda (Matilda) and Chale were family. Every holiday they were at the house to watch us unwrap gifts, or have some turkey, or help us dye eggs before we headed off to Premont. Chale would make an excuse to come but my dad caught on to the ruse early on and told him to just come. We were family.
I spent most of my younger years in Chale's truck. I would ride sitting on the door armrest of the truck and my sister would stand next to him---so close that he really drove with his arm around her legs. We went everywhere in Chale's truck...Tejano music blaring as we went down the road...
Chale drove the carpool. He knew all the moms at school. They all loved him. How could you not love him...he was amazing...
Tilda, his wife, taught me to cook. She taught me to sew. She taught me that warm Campho-phenique can cure almost anything. She taught me to drink lemon and honey tea when I felt bad...no matter what ailed me from menstrual cramps to a sore throat to a tummy ache. She taught me to be a better person.
Ginje and Tommy took care of me when I was little. I have precious pictures of me in their arms. I can still feel their kisses...
N and L were married when I was younger. N worked as my dad's right hand man...they were partners in crime and in all things good and evil and my dad didn't get through many days without N at his side. They rode together in the car and on horses. They worked cattle together. They drank coffee and had breakfast together. They won championships together.
I still remember the first time I met N...he started working for my dad just as we came home from a ski trip---where I had hurt myself and was on crutches. I was expecting Nick (who until then had been my dad's right hand) but instead this devestatingly handsome guy comes climbing onto the plane to get me and carry me out and into the car. I said "you're not Nick" and he said "No, I am N" and from that point on I was "Nicie" and it was love forever...and still is...his son was my brother's best friend...his daughter like a sister and playmate...younger than me so she was like a beautiful doll to play with...
L woke me up every morning...she would throw off my covers and holler at me to get up and get going. She was the best alarm clock in the world. As I grew up she became my confidante and keeper of my secrets. She dried a lot of tears...lots and lots of tears...
I cannot imagine my life without these people. Tilda's passing crippled me...and Chale's passing this past year sent me into my bed with hours of tears...still can't talk about it...so I won't...
My parents were good parents, but it was Chale, Tilda, N, and L who raised me. I give them more credit than my own folks in some ways because they carted me around and taught me things.
I am a lucky woman...I was loved by some of the best people in the world...
And everyone who knows them feels the same way...
So as I read this book and read about how some people treated "the help" in their lives, it killed me.
I remember once I decided to get high handed with Chale. My father had instructed him to only speak Spanish to us so we would be bilingual. My daddy's first and primary language was Spanish so he wanted us to speak it as well. That plan backfired because he didn't realize that his oldest child (me) was as stubborn as a mule...and him (the stubbornest man ever born). I didn't want to speak Spanish (boy was I stupid).
So one day I wanted an Icee. I asked Chale if we could go get an Icee. I must have been about 4. He told me to ask him in Spanish...I understood the Spanish, just didn't want to speak it...
From what I was told, because I don't fully remember the incident, I then answered him with the following:
"Shut up you stupid Mexican and get me an Icee"
(as I write this I am shuddering at the thought I ever ever ever spoke to him or anyone else that way)
Now, I don't remember saying that, but if Chale says I did...well, then I did...
What I do remember is the beating with the belt I got from my dad for saying that to Chale and how I never did it again...and am horrified that I even tried it once.
I still cannot believe those words left my mouth...but apparently they did...and it rocks me to my core that I ever said anything that awful to him. Even if I was 4.
I learned early on that the men and women who worked for us were not the lucky ones...we were the lucky ones that they worked for us because we were lucky to have them in our lives. They didn't deserve us...and we certainly didn't deserve their love and grace and teaching but were blessed to get it.
Tilda and Chale lived in a tiny one bedroom house when I was little. It was the best house in the world. And Tilda made the best food in the world. No one's empanadas, carne guisada, pollo con calabasas, tamales, 7 Up Cake, hummingbird cake, or pan de polvo (except I do recall that L makes some really good pan de polvo too) can compare. Chale made the best frijole beans, jerky, and pan de campo (camp bread). None better.
L would watch me burn up things in the kitchen and then teach me how to clean up the pans and she would cover up the devestation (hide it from my parents) for me. My mom also taught me to cook but Tilda and L were instrumental in my culinary education. I am a good cook because of those women...and Chale...
They weren't "the help"...they are family...
So just to overload on social injustice I have started to read "Same Kind of Different as Me"...what an awesome book. Also about what ignorance and prejudice can do to a life...
I just don't get prejudice...I cannot believe anyone ever thought it was ok to make someone use a seperate restroom, or not be able to eat in a restaurant, or drink from a water fountain. It makes me crazy to think about it...and ashamed of the human race for ever allowing it to happen.
Skin color is only a color...just like hair color...
Like I said before I would hate for someone to discount me as a person because I am blonde...
The "Help" in my life has been enormous. And I'm not just talking about the people who loved, cared for, and raised me.
Lately I have had a lot of help in my weight loss journey.
Fitness Goddess motivates me every time she sees me. She is amazing in her support and care. I highly recommend having a fitness goddess of your own in your corner...and it helps if she/he is a trainer.
Spinderella and Spingirl (my other favorite spin teacher) are my reason for getting out of bed some mornings...
GOTT and TTG are big helpers...maybe because I help them...but it never hurts to have 2 incredibly good looking sweet men who are literally like brothers to you to cheer you on...remember my motto of "I am like Tinkerbell...I need applause to live"? Well, their hands must be soooo tired from all the clapping I have demanded of them but they keep going...I love them as much as any woman can love two men who are not related to her or her husband...
JayVee, a name that will only make sense to HRC members, is the group fitness director at the gym. She is gorgeousness and been in the fitness business long enough to laugh with me when we remember Body Rock Houston and doing donkey kicks while wearing thong leotards. Of course she was only 2 when she was teaching there... JayVee has been cheering me on and supporting me and today gave me an ultra compliment when she asked my opinion on some class times BECAUSE SHE IS ADDING SOME MORE SPIN CLASSES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woo-hoo! I might get to spin 4 days a week now!!!!!! I like my elliptical and my arc trainer but the spin bike is truly my happy place so that is mega good news.
JayVee is teaching a class tomorrow that I am going to try...body pump...I'll let you know how it goes...
Sistah has been so supportive I don't even know how to express it. I know she loves me and prays for me (Sistah is a good one to have in your prayer corner) and comes with me to classes and motivates me so much. I was so deeply touched when I heard from friends that she was bragging on me that I cried. Now if I could only get her gorgeous long legs on my stubby frame...and her ability to play sports...Sistah reads this so I can give her a shout-out and tell her I love her...like a Sistah...
And some of the greatest help of all has been you...my friends and readers of this blog. Your support and words of encouragement have meant the world to me. Everytime one of you becomes an official "follower" of this blog or you tell me via facebook or when I see you that you read this and are following me on this journey to become half of myself, I am deeply deeply deeply touched.
The fact that any of you want to read the ravings of a mad fat woman is a mystery to me but as long as you want to read, I will write...because it is way cheaper to do this than to pay a therapist...and this is therapy for me.
So thank you for the help...I truly love and appreciate it...
Inspiration song: "Help" by the one, the only...the BEATLES...
The lyrics pretty much sum up how I feel...although when I was younger I DID need the help I got...and right now I am not down but I have been down in the past and again you all have helped me get through it...
Here are the words...thank you Lennon & McCartney
Help, I need somebody,
Help, not just anybody,
Help, you know I need someone, help.
When I was younger, so much younger than today,
I never needed anybody's help in any way.
But now these days are gone, I'm not so self assured,
Now I find I've changed my mind and opened up the doors.
Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being round.
Help me, get my feet back on the ground,
Won't you please, please help me?
And now my life has changed in oh so many ways,
My independence seems to vanish in the haze.
But every now and then I feel so insecure,
I know that I just need you like I've never done before.
Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being round.
Help me, get my feet back on the ground,
Won't you please, please help me.
When I was younger, so much younger than today,
I never needed anybody's help in any way.
But now these days are gone, I'm not so self assured,
Now I find I've changed my mind and opened up the doors.
Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being round.
Help me, get my feet back on the ground,
Won't you please, please help me, help me, help me, oh.
Bye Darlings...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)