My Birthday - April 28

My daughters and I met for dinner tonight.  Great food and a wonderful dessert.

I received flowers from Bill in my favorite sunny color.

I arrived home to a phone message from my granddaughters. Sorry I missed their call but it was great to hear their cheery voices.
I also received a beautiful video from their mommy so I can hear and SEE the girls singing over and over.
You too can watch the video for yourself HERE.

My friend Kathy took me to lunch for my birthday at Olive Gardens and we shared a huge piece of chocolate cake for dessert. Yes - my diet starts on Saturday.

Birthday's eve was spent with friends at our monthly craft gathering and I was showered with gifts, projects and even a candled birthday cupcake. Thanks everyone.

I am taking a three day weekend so the celebration can continue. But actually I think I am about partied out.
FOCUS TIME AGAIN:
Back to my fitness focus once again which means exercise, exercise, exercise and eating healthy. More news and my plan soon.

Saturday Fun in Minnesota

It is finally beginning to look like Spring will actually arrive here in our cold state. We have had 5 months of winter and now the outside temperature is almost reaching the 50s.  We may see a few days here without winter coats and mittens required.
Bill and I took advantage of the warm weather and sunshine on Saturday to do some cleaning and have lunch at a familiar place near and dear to our hearts in M's old neighborhood. 

I think the new design on the cup is so cute.  We love the macaroni and cheese.  Bill had their new ADULT Version Mac and Cheese.

Goodby March

Just where did this month go?  March came and went and it's almost April but still not much Spring weather here.  They are predicting snow for tomorrow.  But maybe it will be sunny and nice this weekend.

On the office front, there has been lots of re-modeling on our floor this month with new staff moving in just last Monday.  And with the new employees came the completion of the nice new modern kitchen too.  There's coffee, soft drinks, with table and chairs.

Back in the Gym Again

After a month of little gym time, I was back at LA Fitness Saturday morning with my trainer. I love boxing, even though the left, right, left form is taking some extra learning time for a directionally challenged person like me. It is definitely a good workout. I spent 30 minutes boxing and then 30 minutes on the cycle. It's fun to be back.

Getting Fit

I did it - I signed up at the Fitness Club this weekend, had my introduction class Sunday evening and even signed up for a personal trainer.
What have I done?
I meet with my trainer again Monday evening and then I'm taking an aerobic class too.
I decided that I wouldn't do this without a lot of support.  They have a special until November 15th  for training so I went for it. Melissa and Sarah, I'm counting on you as my cheering crowd.

 Yes, I'm happy now because I just finished that set of exercises.  But will I feel the same tomorrow?

Getting Mail

We've got mail:
Our oldest granddaughter is studying the letters of the alphabet this year in her Pre-K class. 
Recently they studied the letter "L" and she sent a letter to her favorite grandparents in Minnesota.
M and a friend are mailing their letters:

Here is the result:

I taped it to the PC so Grandpa won't miss it when he got home from work on Friday!
Thanks, M for brightening our world.

What I Learned From My Dad

My dad, Bob Eide, July 2008 at Emily's wedding in Colorado.

My dad passed away a year ago.   My daughter and I traveled to Colorado for his memorial service.
We left  Minnesota ahead of the snow and we were greeted in Colorado with sunshine and beautiful warm fall weather.
October 2009
Beautiful fall day - a perfect day to celebrate my Dad and a smile from M.

What my dad taught me:
Keep walking, and walking and walking.
Take pictures and capture the everyday moments to share.
Invite the family to eat - pancake breakfasts and spaghetti dinners were his specialty.
Keep in touch - type and send a letter every week to family and friends.
Read, read, read - it keeps the mind active and your knowledge current in a changing world.
Attend the family celebrations - he never missed a grandchild's graduation (high school or college) or a family wedding.
Joy in traveling - there's so much to see and so much rich history to enjoy along the way.
Travel the back roads.  The people are friendly and home-cooked meals are the best.
And much, much more. 
Thanks Dad for being a big part of my life.




That's me in the middle - several years ago.  The handsome one is my dad!