DAY 89 - WHEN LIFE HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING

I know I've not posted in a week. We got home  from a wonderful time at Auburn with Charlie and It was (of course) super busy catching up at work. We then went for an overnight retreat with some people from church and the Internet connection was terrible. Upon arriving home Saturday from that, I found out that my stepson from my first marriage - Derek - was killed in a motorcycle accident Friday night. He was 28 and a father to a young son. His family - all in shock. Just heart breaking. Part of this life is death...and it never asks permission to happen. 

I had not seen Derek for about 15 years except on Facebook and he was very very little when I was his stepmom. He was always so tender hearted and from what I could see, he seemed the same in the photos with his son. I think in my mind I had just imagined he would have a long and full life. I realized when I got the news that I'd also held on to a hope that one day I would see him in person again. As I sit here I can't even imagine the depth of grief his family is struggling to come to terms with. 

I will just ask of anyone that might read this - (if you pray) - to please pray for his parents, siblings and his son. His funeral is Tuesday. Rest in peace Derek...

DAY 82 - ON THE ROAD AGAIN! (PHOTOS and VIDEOS!!)

I came across the above motivational statement on Google+ and REALLY liked it. I thought, "That is SO true! No matter WHAT happens in this life, success comes in WHO we are, NOT what our circumstances dictate!"

So I've not posted in FIVE days - OMG! I have wanted to SO badly, but I didn't have internet access to be able to post, so I will now. We left on Thursday from West Palm Beach to Auburn to visit our sweet Charlie.  A few hours into our ride, Larry Wayne and I began getting restless...and so of course...things got silly with some AC/DC "Back in Black"! haha!

We stopped over in Gainesville, FL for the night and then began the last leg arriving in Auburn, AL (aka - God's country!), around noon Friday and couldn't get to Charlie fast enough! 

The very first thing I began doing was taking pictures and video clips to give Charlie a blow by blow of our approach.

Things got rather comical once we arrived to Auburn University because it had changed a LOT since Larry Wayne was last there. What he found was that there were no longer roads that allowed driving up to the dorms in the way he had remembered. To say he got frustrated would be putting it mildly! Ha!

Right about the time he thought he had it figured out...he got frustrated again! bahahahahaha!!!!

Finally though, we DID make it and it was just great! Charlie came out and we loaded up and headed to Mama Goldberg's for a delicious lunch. 

It was my first time at Mama Goldberg's and there was a REALLY big selection of what ALL looked like delicious food choices. Ultimately I went with the Reuben and I have to say that it was AWESOME!

 From there we went to Walmart to get Charlie set up with enough supplies that it will hopefully hold her for a couple weeks or more to come. It was SO MUCH fun just being able to be there and do that with her. We took her back to her dorm and then headed to see our friends Dick and Pat Cobb who graciously offered to open their home to us while we were in town. We had a delicious Chicken Casserole for dinner that hit the spot.
Oh! I don't want to forget to mention here, the other member of the Cobb household that was SUCH an entertainer and a big ole baby - PETE! He REALLY is just pitiful when he wants the good love from mama Pat! 

The next day we met up with Charlie  and went walking ALL over campus looking at buildings that were being updated, the places that Larry Wayne went when he was in school at Auburn and places where Charlie goes to regularly. 

One really cool moment was when Larry and Charlie realized that she was taking a History class in the VERY classroom that her daddy took accounting in 22 years ago when the building had FIRST opened! So I got them to each hold a handle to the doors that opened into that classroom.

From there we proceeded on to take some funny pictures -- this is a MUST when Balko's do ANYTHING, if I get to have my way at all! hahaha!

Larry Wayne and his photo bombs - haha! 

After all that walking we got hungry and had lunch at the Mellow Mushroom...

...and of course a funny picture together. Charlie is so sweet to go along with me! haha!

My in-laws arrived from Louisiana and we all went to walk a bit more around campus and get some pictures together by the stadium.

 From there we all loaded up and headed back to the Cobb's home for an UNBELIEVABLE dinner of chicken, beef roast, green beans, squash and more! Oh my goodness it was good! I will also say that we had apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream...I'm going to rationalize my shortcoming with the walking! 
Charlie and I spent time playing with Pete who REALLY had fun with her!

On the other hand...I liked getting Pete riled up just a little, so that he would be a bit more vocal!

We got photos while everyone was together. In the one below you will see Pat and Dick Cobb (far left and far right); Larry Wayne and Charlie (center left); Bob and Laura Balko (center right)

Another mention here is that Larry's daddy, (who we all call Pops), just turned 87 and is just an amazing man, who is STILL working full time running a painting business with well over SIXTY years of experience! 

After all was said and done we took Charlie back to her dorm and watched as she walked away...let me just say here that it is a view I will NEVER be able to have without a tear. We are just so incredibly proud of her and the amazing young woman she is.

So this brings us to today. We awoke and had a lovely breakfast and good time visiting with the Cobb's and OF COURSE with baby Pete! We said our goodbyes, loaded the car and went to meet Charlie for lunch. After that we drove back to her dorm and said our final goodbyes for this trip. For anyone that is a parent, I'm sure I don't have to tell you about the feeling this causes, when you know you won't be with them again for a time. We watched her leave, then said our goodbyes to Larry's parents and hit the road once again. It has been a lovely couple of days and God blessed us in making them feel much longer. I will be posting again tomorrow with an update of our trip home and my "Getting back on course" plan - though I will say that although I wouldn't call this a healthy few days...it wasn't to to bad. 

WAR EAGLE!!!

DAY 77 - KEEP ON KEEPING ON!!!

I love to read the things that Dr. Martin Luther King said. I've yet to read one word he ever spoke that was not truth, convicting and motivational. I have a habit of searching out quotes, and my favorites are motivational ones. So today, in my search for one that adequately spoke to that desire to stay the course to fitness, in the face of set backs - THIS one spoke volumes!

 I can tell you that it is taking everything in me to "follow doctor's orders" and not exert myself. Even as I'm typing this, my Larry Wayne is out riding his bike and Ohhhhhhh how I would love to be with him. I've found that while it is frustrating to not being doing the things I would like to be...it is amazing and EXCITING to realize that "I" am actually struggling with my urge to find a way to exercise that won't be risky, beyond just walking s l o w l y...UGH! Seriously...a couple months ago doing "nothing" would have been a breeze and wouldn't have bothered me one bit! ha! So I'm going to say the positive that I'm taking away from this today, is the progress of: DESIRE!

http://en.paperblog.com/what-is-my-race-pace-cycling-workouts-for-all-ages-705294/ 

So being that I can't actually "DO" the cycling, I have been pretty obsessive about reading all sorts of things about it, because it at least allows me to "feel" like I'm riding! I thought that there might be someone else reading this blog who is new to cycling and might like to have some information about it regardless of your age, experience or lack thereof. Above is an excellent link I found on Pinterest on this very topic!

http://www.health.com/health/m/gallery/0,,20743007,00.html

In addition to this, I'm including another great link called "Six Secrets for a Faster Metabolism", and let me tell you...it is a good one! I had a naturally high metabolism until about 45 and then it was like my body said, "BOOM - PEACE- We OUT!" It had spoiled me with a belief it would always be that way ...ummm... NOPE! So I've come to accept that this truly IS a new phase of living and am learning how to grow healthy in it! I hope this link will be as beneficial to you as it is to me.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/carolynkylstra/food-prep-for-easy-healthy-eating#.ci0po90Y1R

Along with this is of course - healthy eating. Now I don't think I'm the only one that has very little time for cooking in addition to having added exercise. (That is...when I'm exercising!) Generally I'm home from work and ready to cycle around 6pm...our ride is generally around 1 to 1.5hr and then shower...so it's 8pm before cooking. So this particular link had some GREAT ideas on how to better prepare - be healthy - and NOT be stressed!

http://skinnyfiberresults.tumblr.com/post/94487300062/fat-flush-water-detox

Last but not least, I wanted to be sure and include this link from a Tumbler post called "Skinny Fiber Results - Fat Flush Water Detox" - which is a VERY easy recipe for a detoxifying water can help in the physical fitness process and is an energizing and delicious mix!

I'm SO SO excited to going to see our sweet Charlie very very soon! It's going to be an AWESOME time!!

DAY 75 - CELEBRATION!!

http://www.write2recovery.com/recovery/amazing-grace/

Today has been a WONDERFUL day! First and foremost, because today is the Anniversary of a MAJOR change in my life that happened 27 years ago. It was on that day that I surrendered my stubborn will to God and was the beginning of a life beyond anything I could have ever hoped for. I was a chronic alcoholic and drug addict with a host of other problems and had tried all my best solutions, but without long term results. While I early on had gained an understanding of the solution to my problems...I still did not have a complete understanding of the problem. When there is no understanding of a problem, the solution has no lasting sticking power. Above is a link to a story I wrote about the very beginning of that journey.

I also enjoyed a great service at: South Palm Community Church - http://www.southpalm.org/ - this morning on our new series called "TRANSFORMED" that will continue over the next 50 days. What great timing - since that is EXACTLY the path I'm on right now!

My husband and I went to see "The Martian"and it was AWESOME! If you've never seen it, here is the movie trailer!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ej3ioOneTy8

I just want to share on a personal note that if you or someone you love has a problem with addiction, depression, eating disorders or other issues - there IS hope! If you have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. As I've stated before - my blog is about overall fitness - physical, emotional and spiritual. For me this day signifies the spiritual start - without which I would likely not be on the planet today to even have a blog. I love this life and m SO PUMPED for what comes next!

DAY 72 - PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE

Dr. Jeffrey L. Wisnicki

http://drwisnicki.com

Today I had my stitches removed and OH MY GOSH do things feel better! I arrived to my surgeon's office, (that's him above), early before they were open. I just have a knack for pretty much always being early.

 So I decided to have a seat and think about the things I wanted to be sure and ask him. The truth is though, that there was really only one question dominating my mind...."WHEN can I ride my bicycle?" To say I miss riding my bike would be putting it SO mildly. It has been the dominate thought in my mind for the last 14 days. I have literally found myself daydreaming of ways to be able to do it. As I waited to see the doctor I had just about convinced myself that he would surely say I could ride as long as I took it easy...BUT it was not to be. The verdict? I will see him in 3 weeks and the only thing I can do is light walking. I had really not understood fully the problem with it until he explained to me that doing anything that raised my blood pressure could actually cause bleeding inside until it heals. I was like, "OHHhhhhh".

So where do things stand now? I'll tell ya, "It's the Eye of the Tiger...It's the Thrill of the Fight!"

I've shared in my early blog posts when I first began, that my track record when attempting to get fit has been having injuries, getting distracted, frustrated or just plain losing motivation and ending up not accomplishing or maintaining my goals. In the last few days since the surgery I found my brain playing old tapes in my head. Things like, "Your not going to be able to EVER get healthy because every time you do something happens. All the work you've done will be lost by the time you are riding again. It's not worth even trying." Now that may sound bizarre, but I have fallen for it plenty of times in the past. But you know what? I REFUSE to walk down this same path EVER again! I don't care how long it takes or how many obstacles come my way, I will have patience and continue to stay the path!

Pot of Deliciousness

You see that BEAUTIFUL pot of deliciousness? Let me tell you, "It's so good you will want to slap yo mama!" What do I mean by that? I mean: IT IS GOOD!!! This is called Taco Soup and not only is it wonderfully delicious, but it is BEYOND simple to make! All you need is:

Supplies

A good size pot

Any meat you like...
I used ground chicken

To make you will simply: Get your meat cooked and drained. (If you don't want meat, you don't need it at all - still very delicious) While the meat is cooking you will take the following ingredients and put them ALL in a pot. (This INCLUDES all liquid in the canned vegetables) Contents include, but don't have to be limited to:

2 pounds of ground chicken; 1 can Shoepeg Corn; 1 can yellow corn; 1 large can of crushed tomatoes; 2 cans of diced tomatoes; 1 can Rotel (I use mild); 2 cans black beans; 2 cans northern beans; 1 1/2 packs of taco seasoning (I use mild); 1 1/2 packs of ranch seasoning; ALL of these contents go into the pot and get stirred together. Once the chicken (meat) is cooked and drained add to the pot. (You can have a large container of Sour Cream and bag of Mexican Cheddar Cheese - I use some as I cook) -- Add 1/3 sour cream to pot and 1/3 shredded cheese to pot. Slow heat everything until HOT and then DIG IN! Additional sour cream and cheese can be used to top if desired. 

You can also use a "cooler" version of this with "scoop chips" and it is quite fabulous that way also! The degree of "healthiness" is really up to you.

Not Good! 

The last thing I want to say, is how on the one hand I'm thankful that Hurricane Joaquin is not predicted to hit Florida, it is currently causing great damage in the Bahamas and surrounding territories and is predicted to create damage on the east coast. My thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by this dangerous storm.

DAY 69 - MIRACLES STILL HAPPEN!!!

Well hello there! This is a picture of me on Saturday, the day after my surgery. I had hoped to blog by Sunday, but that just wasn't in the cards. Let me bring things up to date. If you read my previous blog post(s) you are aware the my saline implant ruptured last week and this past Tuesday I saw the plastic surgeon who let me know that I would have to have surgery by Friday or Monday. (I opted for Friday) but I also needed to fly to Houston for work THAT DAY and thankfully made it there.


I had a lovely ride home and sat next to an awesome guy named Jeff, who made the trip go by so fast and comfortably. Without him I would have likely been dwelling on the surgery that was awaiting me just a few hours from then. He has no idea of what he did for me, but THANK YOU JEFF!

We went through some magnificent clouds as we flew back into Ft. Lauderdale that I managed to make some cool pictures of....also another nice distraction from what was dominating my thoughts. Just prior to the last leg of the flight I was made aware that my surgery time had been moved up from arriving for prep at 9am to 6am. I was thankful to get off the plane and find the driver who was taking me back home right there. I was equally happy to find that he was a great guy and made the long ride fly by, with a lot of laughs.

Thankfully my flight home had been bumped up to an earlier time - the previous flight would have had me arriving home after midnight. So instead I was able to shower, relax and had a good amount of sleep. The next morning my husband took me to the Palm's West Surgical Center. Now the biggest concern I had,was the same as EVERY time I've had surgery. I am a recovered alcoholic/addict of 26 years and in that time I have had surgery 2x prior to this one. Pain medication is something I have no interest in having in my body at all if it can be avoided. In the past two surgeries there was minimal exposure, but that is exactly why my memory of this surgery was so bad, "because I FELT every moment of it" last time. This is the best picture to describe my feelings about what was coming.

 Now this is where things got interesting. As for the surgery...I remember ZERO and SO thankful for that! ha! After surgery everything appeared as if it was going to be a repeat of my bad memories of the first one. (i.e. - I was dizzy leaving and on the way home got "very sick" in the car - THANK GOODNESS for plastic bags!) I don't really recall how I got in the house or much about the first few hours at all. But towards the evening my husband said, "Do you need pain medicine?" and I realized.... I HAD NO PAIN!  Now when I say "no pain", what I mean by that is NO PAIN!

To refresh on exactly what was done: The surgeon had cut below my breasts on both sides through the pectoral muscle, removed the ruptured implant and the non ruptured one on the other side, pretty sure he cut away 20 years worth of scar tissue, put in new implants...yet I had NO PAIN. (...and I hadn't received any kind of block for surgery either). Before bed my husband thought that perhaps the pain might come during the night, so I took 1 Tramadol...but upon waking the next morning...no pain. Rising up, laying down, arms up, bending over....no matter what I did..NO PAIN. From that point to now, I've not even needed even Ibuprofen. I'm telling you, as far as I'm concerned, it is my feeling that God just stood between me and that pain and continues to do so.

Today I went to my first follow up and was thrilled to tell my surgeon, who's name is Dr. Jeffrey L. Wisnicki at Palms West Hospital, about what happened. I think he was equally pleased that it had been such a good experience for me. I can't say enough about him - if ANYONE needs the help of a plastic surgeon, I would most definitely recommend him - he was very kind, gentle and honest with me. His staff was the very same - really good people! So I will go back Thursday to get my stitches out AND I get to go back to work tomorrow - YAY!!!

http://www.write2recovery.com/alumni/in-the-blink-of-an-eye-dui-car-accident

I have one more miraculous story to share with you regarding my husband Larry Wayne. Today is the 3 year "Life Day" Anniversary from the day he was hit by a DUI driver in 2012. Above is a link to a blog post I wrote (and also an audio recording of it) about what happened that day. Below are photos from that morning when he was in his car (Honda Civic) and was struck by a DUI driver in an F-150 Truck that came from the "on coming traffic" side across and into his driver's side - knocking him unconscious. His car then went across two lanes and went directly into and under a parked Jeep.

Also in the car was our little toy fox terrier "Zeke", who just prior to impact had crawled behind a towel draped over the front seat - when the car went into the parked Jeep the towel had wrapped around Zeke as he was thrown into the dashboard. Long story short...Zeke walked away with a concussion.

My husband, though believed by the the ER doctor, to have a severed Liver...walked out of that ER 5 hours later!! He was injured greatly...but it was undeniable to him and everyone involved that a miracle had happened.




So I am overrun today with feelings of hope and motivation. I know that I'm facing about 4-6 weeks before I can get back into my cycling...but I'm already making fitness plans to get me through until I can get back in the saddle again! No worries - my posts are going to be back on track with this FABULOUS journey! Life is good! God is good!...and I am PUMPED!!!!