Biggest Loser

It's that time again... another Biggest Loser season starting tonight. I am addicted. An addiction which started two seasons ago. I couldn't wait to have the contestants start sweating off the poundage on my television again.

For whatever reason I find this inspirational.

I am not yet back at the Y working out myself. I'm starting slowly. I find that as I walk the pain in my foot is less and the ache in my hips, lower back and shins is increasing. To me it's a sign of normal again.

I want to get back on the treadmill - I want back to the Y for Yoga and deep water aerobics. I know if I head back this month I will not be alone. It will be standing room only. It will be crowded.

Instead I'm going to stick with walking outside - in the frigid cold with the dog - until everyone is ready to give up their New Years Resolutions - or February whichever comes first. Plus this will build up the strength in my foot which has had it way to easy, in it's little protective boot, riding on the scooter, for too many months.

Meanwhile I'll continue to channel my inner Jillian and SCREAM at myself... "Get up and Get out!"

Christmas...

We were fortunate to share the holidays with our family from Texas.

We are so thankful they made the trip.

Bling!

I forgot to tell you – because I’m still kind of not in reality mode here but very excited nonetheless…

Our daughter Erin is engaged!

Chris, her boyfriend, asked Mike and the boys, at Thanksgiving, if he had their blessings to ask Erin to marry him. She knew – they’ve been talking.

I guessed the ring would appear before the New Year.

They decided to go for a ride the other night to see the Lunar Eclipse. They used their camera to take a self portrait while it was happening. Chris checked the picture and set it up for another. This time he says to her “look at the camera” and she turns, he’s on his knees. Before she realizes what is happening, she squats down too and says “do we need to get lower for the picture?”. He managed to stand her back up and get back down to propose before the camera went off for a second picture.

She said yes. I’m anxious to talk with them – they are enroute home today!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

I am so Thankful...

1. Whoo-hooo... the upcoming holiday seasons. Thankful for the blessings we are given.

2. I am thankful to have a job I enjoy - most of the time...

3. I am very thankful for good health, family and friends.

4. I am thankful for the occasional day off work.

5. I am thankful for social networking- and the ability to reconnect with friends from years past. It's so much fun to stay in touch.

6. I'm thankful we are able to spend so many fun nights with our family.

7. I am thankful for a peaceful, relaxing day inside while it's raining and cold outside AND the extra sleep.

8. I am thankful to see our children growing into such fun, responsible adults. You all make me so proud.

9. I am thankful the wire pins have been removed from my foot, and I am on the mend. - two shoes can't be far behind!

10. I am very thankful for my husband who is patient with me even when I frustrate myself!

11. God bless the men and women who have served our country and protect our freedom daily. I am so thankful for our Veterans.

12. I am thankful to have spent my sister's birthday with her in Chicago this month.

13. I was able to see my nephew Joe play on his traveling volleyball team, and watch my talented nieces play piano at their recital. Thank you for sharing it all with me.

14. I am so thankful we are able to help our children in an economy of uncertainties. I'm grateful they don't take advantage of our willingness to help.

15. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to spend a long weekend this month with my parents, my sister, my brother-in-law and spend time with all of my nieces and nephews.

16. I am thankful for the special moments we are fortunate enough to spend with our youngest grandson.

17. I am thankful for our newly discovered Keurig apple cider cups - yum!

18. I am so thankful to have the ability to speak Spanish and translate for women who need assistance when getting their very important mammograms.

19. I am thankful Krieg and Karissa made it home safe and sound from U of I.

20. I am thankful to say the leaves are officially raked and bagged for the season - and thankful I had the stamina to get the job done - in the snow, in rain gear, with my booted foot and iPod!

21. I am grateful for our comfortable home and the ability to make improvements so we may share with our family and friends.

22. I am grateful for our very unique family tree. Each branch is separate yet connected. I'm thankful to have so many who care about our well-being.

23. Though many miles separate me from my family, I am so thankful for my parent's good health, my brother's ability to be there when I need, my sister's willingness to listen and share and all of their unending love and support.

24. I will be so excited and grateful to know Erin and Chris have arrived safely for our Holiday together.

25. I am thankful for family and friends gathering together to share our blessings. Happy Thanksgiving!

26. I'm thankful for discovering the "Black Friday" shopping last year with my kids and hope to continue the tradition this year. It was so much fun creating our plan of attack and executing it without a single glitch.

27. I am thankful to have two strong, tall sons who understand putting up Christmas decorations every year after Thanksgiving is a tradition - in Mom's mind at least.

28. Though our time together is short I am thankful for every moment we get to spend with our daughter Erin. She's a beautiful young women and truly special in our heart.

29. I am thankful to have the opportunity to share Thanksgiving with our children Erin, Matthew, Britnee & Krieg; and two 'special someones' Chris and Karissa, our grandson Taten, as well as dear friends Mike, Linda and Randy. We are so blessed!

30. I am thankful for the days that have passed and the days to come - for the holidays we gather with family and friends - for the special memories we have yet to create.

Veteran's Day...

Our family of veterans. Dad (Mike), sons (Michael Rihn & Matthew Robert), grandson Alexander, grandfather (Tom), and mom (Deb), as well as Krieg's godfather (Andy Otano).

Our daughter Erin put together this collage of family members who have served our country proudly. She wasn't able to locate a picture of our son-in-law Danny in uniform, who was in the National Guard but he too should be included. Mike's son Michael Rihn is married to Sharon, who is presently active duty.

We would be remiss if we forgot to mention our close family friends Mike & Linda Palomino and Flip turner as well as Erin's Godfather Lew Flitcraft. There are so many friends and family with whom we've been stationed, shared highs and lows and still remain in touch.

Thank you all for the sacrifices you've made so we may live a free life today.

Pizza and a Movie

Last weekend we enjoyed participating in one of Tate's favorite projects. He loves to make pizza. Gramma cheated a bit - bought ready-made pizza crust but had homemade sauce and all sort of fresh cut toppings. When he was done - he proudly showed off his own "happy face" pizza creation with a big "Ta-Da"!

Later, he donned his Dad's work boots and showed us what a hard worker he could be "just like Daddy".