Spring Thoughts (2015)

Spring has sprung!
The grass is getting green (sort of)!
The allergies are getting mean!

No blogs have been written for a while. I guess there just haven't been any Grammy Thoughts. Here are some random spring thoughts.

Health-wise we both remain pretty stable - with the stupid little boxes of pills that we set up on a weekly basis and try to remember to take on a daily basis. NEVER thought I'd see that day. The oral chemo keeps the GIST fairly stable for Vern. Along with his other meds he does OK. Betty's BP has been higher than it should be, even with meds, so we are trying new meds.

We lost our JazzPurr in November of 2013. Betty did not do very well without a puss in the house so after Thanksgiving she went to the Heartland Pet Connection and found Inky Miau, a gorgeous black kitty who reminds us so very much of Ollie. She is young and hence still has a lot of kitten behaviors, but we love her and she brings joy and smiles to our house.

Yesterday was World Down Syndrome Day. We give thanks for Cael in our lives - precious little guy! He has come so far. He now has a g-tube AND a Malone (appendicostomy for the bowel). He does fairly well with it all.He is such a love and has taught us all about unconditional love.

We need to travel - especially to California! We need to spend time with the granddaughters before they are all grown up and no longer want to be around Grammy and Grampy. Both of us have been so busy with work that the time has just not been there. It is getting harder and harder for both of us to travel - especially on someone else's timetable (airline, etc). We'll see what the summer brings.

This is Vern's last semester teaching - either lecture or online. He gave up on the lecture last fall (just too problematic with the health issues) and this spring is his last online class. It has been a nice 10 year plus run. The students frustrate him tremendously - can't read, can't write, can't think their way out of a paper bag! All very frustrating for a highly literate philosopher.

Cheese-moving time again! The ELS Office where I work is actually, really going to move permanently to new digs - off in the cow pasture...OK, so not quite that far, but to the southwest end of campus, no longer in the center of things. We will have a nice new office (a little small, but we'll make it do) and storage, and several classrooms. I actually am looking forward to the move and having everything new - and to getting rid of years of junk accumulation.

Hence spring cleaning time at work! I have been working on cleaning house since last summer - a file drawer here and there, consolidation of files, etc. This past week I worked on the desk stuff - file drawers and files put in some semblance of order and some even emptied in anticipation. The junk drawers (the ones with the pencils, pens, stampers, envelopes, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, paper clips, etc) really got cleaned with a lot of stuff being pitched! A 21 year accumulation can definitely be a mess! Really, I am getting ready to MOVE!

Monday, March 23, 2015 (tomorrow) is my 21st work anniversary at CCC. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be there this long. I fully intended to retire at 65 or so...but then I liked it and didn't have anything else to do, so I stayed. And now it is impossible to leave as we need the insurance for the meds Vern is taking (cost on Medicare Drug plan is still pretty prohibitive). I still like the job. The arrival of a new boss in December of 2013 was a positive. My brain still functions so that I can get the work accomplished. So I am working...who knows for how much longer.

Now I am looking forward to a renewal of spirit - spring, a new office, and so much more!

50 years in a Nutshell

50 years...memories fade but here are a few of mine.

A trip home to California in a 57 Dodge. A scary midnight drive between Flagstaff and Phoenix on AZ Hwy 89A through Jerome, me at the wheel and madder than a wet hen at the sleeping groom. Family traveling to California for the wedding and staying in friends of my parents’ homes. The Kooy family traveling across country in a new Buick station wagon from New Brunswick, NJ with Dad and Mom, Grandpa and Grandma Kooy (picked up in Lansing, IL), Craig, Daryl, Gwyn and Brian. Mother cooking steaks for everyone for the rehearsal dinner. Grandma Carlson going to Yucaipa from South Holland, IL to visit her brother and then coming for the wedding. Uncle Walter and Cousin Lucille coming from Portland, OR for the wedding (the last time I saw Uncle). Taking the family to Knott’s Berry Farm – watching the beautiful pink flamingos. Singing to each other at the wedding (groom with beautiful bass, bride with off-key contralto). Maid of Honor Phillis Wilson (Tiel) and Best Man Stephen Struikmans – friend of bride from high school, and college classmate of groom who was from CA. Organist Marguerite Cloo, friend of bride from grade school and college. Reception at Orange Hotel in Ontario, CA – 170 guests, prime rib dinner, Swiss band, table piled with gifts. Wedding night at Sleepy Inn (can’t remember the actual name – but on Euclid) in Ontario, CA. Opening gifts and trying to keep track of them (used many of them for years and always thought about the giver, especially the toaster that lasted for 35 years from Bill and Alice Vander Pol and the throw rugs the probably were used for 40 years from Fritz and Alice Thommen). Packing wedding gifts in trunk and back seat of the Dodge. Springs on the car breaking in Ashfork, AZ on the way back to Pella, IA. Calling Daddy to bail us out. Daddy getting springs in LA and bringing them to garage in Ashfork for the garage there to put on (they couldn’t get any for three days – quicker for Daddy to bring them from CA). Saying good-bye to parents once again. From there much of the next 50 years is a blur!

Finishing college (with groom trying to get GPA up to a graduating standard). Taking GREs. Both actually getting into graduate school (University of Nebraska of all places and University of California, Los Angeles – we took the latter). Renting a small ‘single’ apartment in Westwood, CA. Walking to and from campus daily. Traveling ‘home’ on weekends (sometimes fighting So Cal traffic, sometimes not) to Chino to parents. Transferring graduate schools – to Claremont Graduate School. Searching desperately for a teaching job – nobody would hire a female history teacher – what could she coach. Getting a job in Chino teaching 5^th grade – principal was Garland Mendenhall, father of HS classmate Sandy Mendenhall. Great graduate school experiences. Great teaching experiences – with students like Theresa Nyenhuis, Darlene Bothof, Steve Lanting, Marta Escanuelas, and so many more. Teaching part-time at Pasadena City College. The birth of Heidi Marie in 1969. Searching for full-time teaching job. Moving to Hastings, NE for a full-time job. The birth of Elizabeth Anne. The granting of the long-sought Ph.D. Learning the teaching job would not be there beyond two years. Fruitlessly searching for another teaching job. The birth of Jan Frederick. Seeking work – anything. Local school district didn’t like the odds on the mother of three small children. Working construction for the parent of a former student. Going into construction on our own. Building our own home. Substitute teaching. Any job to keep food on the table. Children becoming involved in swimming. Traveling to CA often when parents were in nursing home. Taking job as Executive Secretary for Midwestern Swimming. Working in a cabinet shop for a good friend. Becoming foreman of a mill shop in Grand Island. Working again in cabinet shop. Full-time job as administrative assistant at Central Community College – with insurance benefits! Janitor at First Presbyterian Church during construction project. Back to school at Central Community College for a certificate in Computer-Aided Drafting. Jobs in Omaha and commuting home on weekends. Retirement and coming home to an adjunct teaching job in Ethics at the local community college.

The addition of in-law children. The birth of five beautiful grandchildren.

The ups and downs of some serious health issues for both including a back surgery, artery grafts, hand joint replacement, GIST surgery, seriously broken leg, and return of the GIST with oral chemo.

50 years in a nutshell! What a ride. Mostly not envisioned 50 years ago!

50 Years Together

August 9, 1963

August 11, 2013

Can you believe it? Fifty years together? We are still amazed that so many years have passed by.
We spent a wonderful weekend in August celebrating with family and friends. We think it was the most amazing time we have had together in our entire married lives.

All three children and five grandchildren were home for the weekend. Vern's sister Gwyn (the only one in attendance who was actually at the wedding 50 years ago) and her son Micah were able to join us too. Family activities included eating together, enjoying the Hastings Waterpark, an early celebration of granddaughter Athena's 6th birthday, celebrating Kool Aid Days with the rest of Hastings, a prime rib buffet dinner at Taylor's with family and friends (our wedding reception was also a prime rib dinner for 170 people - only 30 at Taylor's), a family rocket-launch in celebration of 50 years courtesy of grandson Zane and his dad Adrian, a wonderful reception at First Presbyterian Church with at least 140 people in attendance (they just kept coming and coming), family dinner together, and one last trip to Amigos with all except Jan and family - just for old times' sake. We couldn't have asked for anything more! Great times together with beautiful week-end weather, surrounded by those whom we hold dear in our lives.

Thank you to all who came to celebrate with us. Thank you to those who sent wishes. Thank you to those who have supported us along our 50-year journey together. Thank you to the Lord of all Being who has given us these years together and wonderful memories to cherish.

Moving - AGAIN!

Once again we are packing up our office and moving temporarily while some areas of our building are being remodeled. Again, my cheese is being moved and I don’t like it – not one little bit.

The first 1/3 of 2013 has been a very difficult time in my life. Starting in January Vern was diagnosed with a recurrence of the cancer that he had starting in 2002. Yes, 9 years. Yes, scans were done for 5 years and everything was clear in March of 2009, and yes, now there is a large tumor again – GIST – and this one is in a spot that gives him a lot of digestive problems. Treatment has started – oral chemo. He has been pretty tired, so not much gets done except the necessities – like grading students’ work and finishing the semester, getting to doctor’s appointments, having blood tests, CT scans, and if he is able, a little grocery shopping and a few errands. That puts more of the monkey on my back.

Work has also been tough. Very unexpectedly my Dean resigned, effective immediately mid-March. That makes our office feel like a rudderless ship, although the person appointed to hold things together in the interim has been doing a fantastic job. Take that with upcoming workshops that I support that have been left hanging, and trying to pick up the pieces so that they all remain in place – well, daunting and stressful. I still intend to do my very best work to support all of this, but I am fearful something will slip through the cracks (notes, notes, notes and more notes). Add to this the fact that our production has been slipping BADLY for the last 5 or more years and that production no longer can justify three full-time administrative assistants, more stress has been added. My co-worker who has been loaned to another department half time for the last few months will be moving to that department permanently leaving us with one less full-time person. Guess who gets to pick up the slack? Guess I didn’t have enough on my plate. The hardest thing is that the two of us have sat side by side for 19 years. She taught me everything I know. She told me I had a year to learn everything. She’s given me 19 years – and I am still learning. We have grown so close we finish each other’s sentences. We know what each other is thinking. When one needs help, the other just automatically kicks in and lends a hand. I am not quite sure how I will deal without her to teach me some more. Thankfully, she is only an email or phone call away – if I need more teaching I will survive – but I am truly saddened by everything that has happened in the last few months.

And now we are moving this week to temporary quarters for the summer until we can get back in our office and then a planned permanent move for mid-2014. This old lady who never did like change even when she was young and fairly adaptable is now facing mountains of changes. I think I need to go buy a blood pressure device and begin checking the BP every day – before I blow sky high On a more serious note, I think I just need to walk away from the stress, literally! Walk 20 – 30 minutes every day. But with two jobs I always seem to find an excuse not to make the time to take care of myself.

Note to self: Walk, Walk, Walk! No excuses! Just DO IT!

Valentine's Day 2013

Fifty years ago today Vern proposed that we get married and spend the rest of our lives together. Fifty years ago today Betty accepted that proposal. There has been a lot of water under the bridge since 1963. There have been a lot of ups and downs. But while discussing the last 50 years, we both decided that the last 50 years have been pretty good to us.


We have three fantastic children, several fantastic in-law kids, and five of the most beautiful grandchildren on the planet. Vern earned a Ph.D. and has been able to weather several job changes over the years and now is able to do what he always wanted to do – teach – in his retirement years. Betty finally earned the M.A. (40 years to the day after graduating from college), although in a different area than she started with in 1965. She has had a teaching career and has spent many productive years as an Executive Secretary and Administrative Assistant.

Health-wise we have been very blessed for most of our married life. Living for 31 years without a health insurance net and raising three kids without insurance is pretty amazing. There were three caesareans, two tonsillectomies, one hernia surgery, one back surgery, and several MRIs to diagnose cluster headaches – all before we had any health insurance. We were able to pay every one of those bills ourselves. Of course we have aged a bit in the last 19 years (the years that we have had health insurance) and we have had artery grafts, joint replacement in one hand, removal of a GIST (with many CT scans and a gift of nine years), several biopsies, a broken leg (with surgery and steel) and now the return of the GIST. Even with all of that, we do think we have been blessed. Our special little grandson has had so very many health issues in his 5 ½ years, but we still feel blessed to have the little one in our lives (although we don’t get to see him very often).

We don’t think we realized what we were getting into 50 years ago. We thought we had a plan for our lives and never really planned for contingencies if those plans did not materialize. Even though most of the plans did not materialize, we just rolled with the punches, did the best we could under the circumstances and continued to learn what we had to learn to make life work. We have loved each other on most occasions and also really disliked each other on some occasions. We don’t think any marriage that involves two really strong-willed personalities can avoid that dislike on some occasions. Those who know us well know that it has been a rather volatile relationship as well as a very independent/dependent relationship. We have appreciated each other’s gifts and have learned to trust each other and use each other’s strengths to balance our own weaknesses.

We will cherish the rest of the years we are given together. If it be God’s will, we will spend more together. We will cherish the good memories and let the bad go. And we will continue to love each other – even more each passing day.

Cheese Moved – Again – Well, Maybe Not Very Far

I hate my cheese being moved. After a year of relatively good health for both of us, 2013 has begun with some serious issues for Vern – which, of course, entails ‘my’ cheese being moved.

Nine years ago in March a very large (size of a small football) Gastro Intestinal Stromal Tumor was removed from Vern’s abdomen along with a section of colon. At that point we felt very blessed – no chemo, no radiation, just CT scans every 3 months, then every 6 months, then annually for five years. We have taken each additional year as a gift.

Last fall the gastro-intestinal discomfort became a little more intense than usual, but antacids seemed to keep him somewhat comfortable. A January physical showed anemia – that is what was so bad 9 years ago that triggered a colonoscopy and then a CT scan that eventually revealed the tumor. Immediately after the physical the family doctor scheduled a CT scan which showed ‘several’ tumors this time resembling the GIST from 9 years ago. A visit to the surgeon in Omaha who did the operation 9 years ago was disappointing – ‘surgery is not an option this time, my friend’. The main tumor in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen was already larger than the one that was removed 9 years ago. At that point a treatment plan was outlined – a CT-guided needle biopsy to confirm the GIST and an appointment with an oncologist at the St Francis clinic in Hastings to get treatment started.

The treatment will now consist of a pill a day chemo regimen. The drug is Gleevec. We are told that GISTs respond fairly well to the drug and the tumors do shrink. Therefore we have added this wonder drug to the rest of Vern’s medications.

OK…my cheese didn’t get moved very far. I thought we would be facing surgery in Omaha (no apartment there this time as Vern has retired), and a lot of travel and time off from work. We feel truly blessed – again. Treatment can be done here in Hastings for now. Tests can be done locally. Insurance will cover most of the expenses. The drugs are not cheap – I nearly choked when I saw the co-pay, let along the actual price of the drug. I do not know how anyone without insurance can handle this type of expense. I guess that is why so many people have to file bankruptcy after serious illnesses.

We will take one day at a time. We will try not to whine about the moved cheese. We will be thankful for the gift of each new day and hopefully celebrate the major milestones/anniversaries that 2013 will bring. We will pray that the medication gives Vern some comfort and that the tumors begin to shrink.

With a thankful heart that we can still see some humor and blessings in the ‘moved cheese’!

(Next ‘moved cheese’ – having to move work office – AGAIN – temporarily – for building remodel.)

Spirit, Move Me!

Written December 26, 2012

When I was a lot younger, the days and weeks before Christmas were filled with a frenetic burst of energy – for shopping, baking, wrapping, decorating, cleaning, cooking, letter writing...and more. Nowadays, the spirit has to move me before I do anything remotely connected to those previously enjoyed activities.

Last week I did bake cinnamon rolls – well I had to – to go with the chili I planned for Saturday evening supper. Ah, left-over rolls will be fine for Christmas – no need to bake any more for Christmas morning. What, no cinnamon ring with cherries and nuts on top of the frosting? NO. Spirit didn’t move me.

Presents? What are those? We do not need one more ‘thing’ in this house! Besides, we got a new refrigerator after Thanksgiving and a new microwave a week later (OK – so the 36 yr old microwave gave up the ghost, and the 26 yr old refrigerator did the same). Those were just early presents, right? And so Santa came early with a new dress coat and several shirts for Vern – mail order comes when it comes, not necessarily on Christmas Eve. And so Vern got a new jacket, pants, shirt and tie early – OK, he had to have something to wear to church in Sioux Center after we left the Sunday clothes hanging in the closet at home. More presents needed? NO!

And office staff? Love my co-workers but I do not need one more Tchotchke in my house! A box of Lipton teabags from one co-worker for my birthday? Now that is the best present she can give me! Last year I tried to disengage from the Christmas giving in the office but did not get the job done – but did accomplish that this year. Instead, the money I would have spent on gifts went to the Open Door Mission, Crossroads, a Giving Tree for seniors, and the Joy Offering at church. OK, so my own children did get checks...and they could buy what was needed for the little ones. Athena thanked us for the new sheets for her new bed.

I hate shopping! Yes, I went to Wal-Mart on my way home from work on Friday and thought maybe...but, the Spirit did NOT move me. I waltzed out of that store into the melting mess in the parking lot with nary a purchased item in my hand!

And Christmas decorations? If they get put up, they just have to be put away. OK...I procrastinated and procrastinated and procrastinated. Finally on Christmas Eve morning somebody (NOT ME) went downstairs and brought up the very tiny tree that we have and set it up on the lamp table in front of the window. But guess who had to go find the ornaments for that tree – among the mess of boxes in the storage area that were still in disarray after a sewer disaster last year. OK, I found them and brought them upstairs...and that is as far as *I* went. It was up to somebody else to decorate the tree – and yes, it looks very sweet and festive in our front window – not quite so Scroogie!

And baking! Was I going to do any more? OK...we had a package of raw peanuts in the ‘horse’. On Monday morning before Christmas I did make the famous peanut brittle – used the recipe on the package...but it still is just as fabulous as ever. It is a little smaller batch. Perhaps the husband will not keel over in a diabetic coma if I can keep it out of sight. And yes, I did find a new recipe for gingerbread – so a small batch was made on Monday. BUT...the spirit still has not moved me to frost the darn things.

And cooking...OK, a turkey breast, fresh sweet potatoes, canned corn, some stuffing, canned cranberry sauce (Spirit didn’t move me to make my own...left-overs from last Thanksgiving had to do), and a bought pecan pie. No, we are not going to over-do it. Not for two people. And yes, we have some very nice left-overs for several meals of turkey sandwiches, turkey soup, turkey hash...whatever we can make from left-over turkey. The smells of Chex Mix are now wafting through the house – the Spirit did move me once again.

A long time ago I was somewhat upset with my mother for not doing anything for Christmas. She didn’t put out any decorations or put up a tree. I think I found a recipe for Gingerbread Men – the last one she used and the last time she made them, probably early to mid 70s. I don’t know if she was even 70 at the time. I did not understand what was going on – why she did not continue the giving traditions that had been such a part of her life. I think I remember her saying ‘the spirit didn’t move me’. Hmmmm...like mother, like daughter?

As I grow older, I don’t see the point – if I cook/bake it I have to eat it – and my hips are far too wide now (secretary’s spread). If I don’t want to eat it and give it away, I have to deliver it – and at this time of the year with the ice and snow that can be treacherous – I don’t need a broken leg or hip; we’ve had enough of that with Vern. If I put up the decorations, I have to take them down and put them away – too much work.

So I will just go on my merry way, waiting for the spirit to move me. Oh, by the way, the spirit did move me fairly early to ‘write’ the annual Christmas letter – but the spirit still has not moved me to get the address list out, print the letters, and get them mailed. Maybe this week? Before New Year? Maybe just posting it on Facebook will suffice for 2012! Nah, the Spirit will eventually move me!

November Thankfulness - 2012

Rather than post these thoughts daily on Facebook, I just kept a document adding to it every day. Here are my thoughts of thankfulness for November 2012.

November Days of Thanks!
1 Thankful for a beautiful, glorious day in Nebraska!
2 Thankful for great Halloween pictures on FB of grandchildren far away!
3 Thankful for a conversation with daughter and granddaughter!
4 Thankful for a newly painted ramp and clean gutters courtesy of friend extraordinaire Marvin Fast!
5 Thankful for a vehicle that comfortably gets me where I need to go – even if it is 11 years old.
6 Thankful for another birthday and a healthy beginning to my 70th year!
7 Thankful for the end of another election cycle with some good and some not so good results.
8 Thankful for the friendship of my friend Cindy on her 70th birthday – she has been gone almost 13 years.
9 Thankful for the ability to multi-task (sometimes) – even at my advanced age.
10 Thankful for the skill of knitting and the ‘fixed’ hands that can still knit.
11 Thankful for the men and women who serve so that we may remain a free nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.
12 Thankful for my eclectic taste in music – classical, easy listening, folk, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s…whatever.
13 Thankful for the privilege to serve on several church committees and thankful my term is almost up.
14 Thankful for dinner-date with husband – a belated birthday dinner.
15 Thankful for another glorious fall day in Nebraska!
16 Thankful for another CCC ELS ‘tabloid’ (brochure) in the can (finished) – and on time even!
17 Thankful for yet another Y meet (with too many swimmers) in the can and celebration dinner with the Waltemaths. Here’s to another 49 years of wedded bliss for Rick and Phyl.
18 Thankful for the spiritual gifts of Kylie Wenburg as she begins a new phase in her spiritual directions ministry.
19 Thankful for husband who does the grocery shopping – with the assistance of good lists.
20 Thankful for $.01 books from Amazon that keep me reading through the night when I can’t sleep.
21 Thankful for a ‘spirit’ that moved me to clean my work desk – so much nicer to work off of a clean desk!
22 Thankful for family and friends – all who have been part of my life – I have been enriched by each and every one!
23 Thankful for Robin Koozer and his wonderful gifts and talents shared with FPC and Hastings for so many years.
24 Thankful for a half-way clean office.
25 Thankful for my friend Diana who celebrates her birthday today and thankful for my freedom to worship or not to worship if I need the time at home to get work done.
26 Thankful for being able to buy a needed new refrigerator without having to borrow from Peter to pay Paul.
27 Thankful for feeling better today than I felt yesterday.
28 Thankful for hair stylist extraordinaire Jerry Benker – always makes my hair look fabulous!
29 Thankful for a long, fruitful day – work, workshop, swim meet, session meeting.
30 Thankful for old computer that still runs swim meet software with sufficient ease.

Joy

Our precious grandson and his family were able to make a Make-a-Wish trip to Disney World in April. From the pictures taken, I think the trip was worth every penny that was spent. I have never seen such smiles on Caelie’s face. I just want to see these smiles in person – and hopefully I will get that opportunity in early July when his mommy comes to Omaha to swim at the Masters Nationals (his brothers are coming too).

Thoughts on Cael

Grammy spent five days in Dallas while Caelie was in the hospital (as of this writing he is still there). Grammy does not know what to think. Cael is not a normal child. Nothing about him is normal. He has Down Syndrome. He also has Hirschsprung’s Disease. And failure to thrive. And… And… And… the list goes on. He is a precious little boy who is very good most of the time – until he is stressed.

At this point I think the whole medical profession has gone crazy. The docs do not listen to the mom. They order ‘goofy’ tests as the mommy puts it. They diagnose something that is totally inappropriate for his condition. He needs to go home and be with his family and get back to a normal routine to be able to do what he normally does, but until he is able to eat and drink he will not be going home. And they say he has ‘forgotten’ how to crawl and how to eat. Sure. Who are these nut cases, anyway?

Before this hospital stay is over, I am afraid my daughter may kill somebody. The strain and stress on a family of a medically fragile child is unbelievable. And with the medical profession batting in the dark for diagnoses, the stress is doubled.

Continued later…
The strain and stress got worse as the hospital forced an airlift transfer (with daddy) half-way across the country, necessitating a travel trip for mom and brothers, a trip for grandpa and grandma, several more air trips for the daddy, a hotel stay and a Ronald McDonald House stay for family members, and an air trip for auntie and cousin to try to help this family through a very trying and stressful time.

From a not-too-objective perspective, this could and should have been avoided if a hospital staff had been willing to listen to the parents rather than thinking they knew what was wrong and trying to play god in the process. A child with Hirschsprung’s induced enterocolitis should not have to wait 48 hours for medical staff to determine that this was not just the ‘flu’ but rather a very life-threatening infection. A child should not have to stay in the hospital 20 days with inappropriate treatment for his condition because the medical staff cannot understand that the parents have been trained to take care of the Hirschsprung’s related problems in very specific ways by world-renowned specialists in that area. A child should not have to be airlifted half-way across the country because hospital staff cannot get around to contacting previous medical providers regarding appropriate treatment for the current manifestations of the condition. No parent should have to be questioned so harshly regarding treatment requests when they have been through the same thing more than once and know what treatments have worked in the past.

We are grateful to the hospital staff in Cincinnati for listening to the parents, for understanding the needs of this special child, and for treating appropriately. We are grateful to the Ronald McDonald House for a very pleasant stay, albeit we all would have rather been home for Christmas. (Three full Christmas dinners was a pretty nice perk.) We are grateful for healing for our precious grandson.

And…6 weeks after being home Cael is gaining weight. Yes, weight. He may be a chunky monkey yet;-)

Zane thought his brother needed a welcome-home party, so the family got the bouncy house and had friends over to enjoy an afternoon of fun. Below the three brothers are pictured enjoying the fun.

Thoughts on a High School Class Reunion

I was privileged to be able to attend my 50th high school class reunion – Chino High School, Chino, CA, class of 1961 (the one year where our class rings could be turned either way and the year still reads the same). Everybody seemed to recognize me (no one else in my class was any shorter) but I seemed to need the name tags to put the names with the faces. Most of us have aged (with a few exceptions), but what should one expect after 50 years. We were a class of 204 in 1961 – we have lost 42 of our classmates. To hear of some of their tragic deaths made me very sad – murder, suicide, traffic accidents, cancer, heart disease, stroke, and more – and even more sad especially for those deaths that would not be considered ‘natural’ causes. The number of classmates who chose not to join us also made me sad. Some of us did not feel very much a part of the whole in 1961, but in 2011 we were all one whole, enjoying each other’s company even though we had been apart for so very many years. All of the petty stuff of the teenage years was gone. An afternoon social hour, a dinner and more socializing, and a late morning brunch at our class president’s home made the weekend very special.

Going home after so many years where there is no home to go to and no family in the area is a tough one. I decided to spend some time with a former neighbor. We had tea together. Her son and wife joined us (I babysat for him when he was a little kid). We had lunch together. We reminisced and talked of everything – family, friends, church, school, neighbors and anything else we could think of. This visit really helped bridge the lack of family as we had so many friends in common. I can never catch up with the last 50 years that I have been away, but I do know a little more about old friends than I did before I made the trip.

Again, I spent a little time driving around the area, trying to find old haunts, homes, and landmarks. As with everyplace, this little place in the sun has definitely changed – a LOT – since 1961. It has even changed a lot since my parents passed away and changed since I was home in 2001 for my 40th HS reunion. Life was simpler 50 years ago. People weren’t in such a hurry. We took more time to just be with friends and visit. Everyone has someplace to go and something to do today and there is no time for just ‘being’. My few days at ‘home’ gave me some for just ‘being’ – being with friends, renewing old acquaintances, and just relaxing without the daily pressures of my convoluted life.

Thank you to all my classmates who joined us for a great weekend. Thank you to my friends who made time for me to just visit and relax and be with them and catch up on everything. Thank you to my husband who again let me go and ‘be’. There are plans for another reunion – perhaps earlier than five years. I don’t know whether I will go or not, but I do know this 50th reunion will be a very good memory for a very long time.

Lenten Thoughts

I was asked to give a 'testimony' during the worship service on March 20, 2011. As one who is NOT comfortable at all with demonstrative effusions on my faith, the following is what I ultimately stated.

Thoughts on God’s Presence in my life:

Some of us can stand on the street corner and proclaim our faith. Others of us can pray with confidence in public. And others of us can put our faith in erudite words as a verbal testimony. I don’t feel comfortable doing any of those things.

I come from a Dutch Reformed background and generations of psalm singers. I attended a Christian elementary school and a Christian college. I learned early and throughout my formative years to SING my faith. The words of the hymns and psalms of my youth are firmly imprinted on my brain. I feel closest to God and most uplifted either when singing or listening to the glorious music of the church. In times of joy and in times of sorrow, in times of stress or in times of relaxed pleasure, I chose to sing my faith.

One hymn speaks my faith loudly and clearly – even to the point that I had it sung at the memorial services for both of my parents and will request that it be sung at mine too – Our God Our Help in Ages Past.

I invite you to join me in a testament to my faith and yours as we lift our voices in praise to the Almighty singing together Psalm 90, Hymn #210, Our God Our Help in Ages Past. Hear the words. Let them speak to you as they speak to me. May you feel God’s eternal love and eternal presence in your life – our guide while life shall last and our eternal home.

Lenten Testimony
March 20, 2011
Betty Kooy

1. O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.
2. Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.
3. A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.
4. Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly, forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the op’ning day.
5. O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while life shall last,
And our eternal home.

QUIT Moving My Cheese!!!!!

Alright, already! Enough is enough. I don’t want any more changes in my life!
January 2011 – life seemed pretty normal other than rotten computer problems at work, but at least we dealt with it. BUT, on February 5 everything seemed to fly apart. Vern broke his right leg in several places slipping down the front steps early in the morning. A call to friends and the recommendation to call 911 got him to the hospital. At 2pm on a Saturday afternoon he was in surgery and was plated, screwed, wired and casted together with the lovely words ‘ absolutely no weight-bearing on that leg for 6-8 weeks’. UGH! He got a lovely room in the hospital, but by Tuesday, February 8, he was moved to the Acute Rehab Unit – to try to get strong enough and used to hopping on one leg and dealing with everything that comes with an unusable limb. In the meantime Grandson Soeren Aberdeen Kooy Codel was born on Monday, February 7. Grammy had promised Liz that she would come to Chicago and help with the family for a week. So she left Vern in the hospital to be taken care of by an excellent staff and made her way on the train to Chicago.

In the meantime, we are being asked how are you going to get Vern home and keep him safe? How do you get him into the house? First solution – a ramp. Bless the swim team friends who volunteered to build the ramp. Next solution – room in the house to maneuver a wheel chair and walker. Again, bless the ramp builders. Next solution – a cleaner house. Bless the new hired help who is absolutely FABULOUS! So…ramp up to house, bunches of stuff thrown out to make room for the rehab stuff, other stuff moved or put in place to make mobility safe. Check! So as of March 1, Vern is home. But who knows where the majority of my cheese is? I am so much a creature of habit that things just don’t feel right.

The work cheese is getting moved big time too – not yet, but soon. I am not anticipating any of the changes. It is not that I can’t change. I just don’t think we need to change just because someone thinks they have to make changes just because…! Nobody who has been dealing with the new changes is liking the changes and they are not going smoothly. I am frustrated already listening to the grousing. How am I going to deal when NOTHING in my workspace works like it is supposed to and I have to constantly figure out how to make things work. I already am making work-arounds for a lot of ordinary daily tasks. What will I do when everything is changed and will require a whole new set of skills/work habits?

Things changed/or caused problems since February 1:
Vern’s broken leg
Whole house rearranged
New Grandson in Chicago
Flash drive (Betty’s Brain) fails (backed-up Feb 1 but…)
Betty’s car died in hospital parking lot (luckily only a battery)

Guess I still have much to be thankful for. I have my health and my brain (what is left when I don’t feel fried). I can still get around and take care of business. But I miss having a honey-doer! It will be a while before he can honey-do again.

Thoughts on a Gorgeous Fall Day

Life...what can I say. Sometimes it is as glorious as the weather; other times it sucks. This last weekend put both of those extremes in my life. We have been having some spectacular fall weather – cool nights, nippy mornings, and perfect days. I can’t ask for anything better – only maybe give me a few more days of it so I can enjoy being in the Windy City and taking the little boys out for long walks to Chicago’s parks and around the neighborhood. We will spend the rest of the week in Chicago being a grammy and loving every minute of it.

Back to the weekend. We lost a very special young man last week – a former swimmer, classmate of our children, son of good friends, teacher and mentor to his students, and only 40 years old. He left us far too early, but the impact he had on his students in his short life was tremendous. Would that I could have had that kind of impact on young people. We attended both the visitation and the funeral. At both his parents and brother were given an inkling of the positive role model he was for the youth of Grand Island. He will not be forgotten and his absence will leave a huge hole for family, friends, students, and co-workers. By being in attendance Friday evening and Saturday morning, we were able to see friends – parents and swimmers of the HYAC community from the 80s. What a joy to see friends and what a blessing their presence was to a grieving family and community.

Saturday evening we had the pleasure of seeing two former HYAC swimmers joined in marriage. Another gathering of the HYAC community from a different era – the 90s and later. That’s what happens when you stick around too long. You know too many people. We had a wonderful time visiting with friends and swimmers and catching up. And we got a chance to see the joy of a young couple beginning their life together. It was a beautiful wedding on a gorgeous fall day, the beauty of the wedding matching the day.

Life goes on. Children are born. Some of us die. We all die eventually. And tomorrow is another day. We will rejoice in seeing the grandchildren!

A Year of Thoughts

Thoughts flit in and out of my head. It has been almost a year since posting any GrammyThoughts. So what have those thoughts been about?

Getting Older: The aches and pains that come with getting older are for the birds. And then when you have to take stupid medications for the problems that come with aging, they make the joints hurt even more. The meds have taken care of the high cholesterol for now so we’ll try half-dosage and see if the numbers still stay down. Mama had a stroke at a rather ‘young’ age and the high cholesterol seems to be familial on that side of the family so we will watch ourselves for now.

Grandchildren: They are such a JOY! Spending some time in San Francisco with the family and taking the little girls out to dinner showed me that little ones can behave very well, even in fancy restaurants (with the help of a ‘dress the Barbie’ app on Nef’s IPhone!). Helping Ute with her homework and watching Athena at her gym class playing with her mommy and daddy brought much joy to my heart! Spending time in Chicago with the little boys brings smiles to our faces. Zane knows where all the states are and tells us where he is going this month – a new state, Arizona. And Cael has never been there either so he will have to color in Arizona for both himself and for Cael. Cael is so very precious, but life just doesn’t get any easier for him. Grammy worries about him and about his family. There is never a day that is not stress-free or a day that does not bring another challenge for him. For a grammy that likes to live stress-free, watching the family, even from afar, really causes stress.

Retirement: Every time I get a few days off, or do something fun like traveling to Chicago or San Francisco but sandwiching everything in between work and more work, I wonder why I shouldn’t retire. Then I think about the insurance game and health issues, and I know why I am still working – it’s called bennies! But then when I am home with nothing to do, I get really lazy and do less than nothing, so maybe retirement isn’t a good option for me right now.

Reading: I have been keeping track of the books I have read so far this year – 36. I think I am trying to read everything I can get my hands on before the eyes give out on me;-) The books run the gamut from historical fiction to mystery to inspirational. What am I to say...this is part of my laziness. I have always loved to read, but it goes in spurts. And my taste changes from year to year too. What I like this year may not strike my fancy at all next year.

Swimming: OK, I still enjoy doing the work. When I no longer enjoy it, I will quit. I just wish things wouldn’t pile up all at the same time. And I wish others would learn to do their jobs so that I didn’t always have to clean up after the messes;-) Too many meets this summer. Big meets that cause anxiety. Big outdoor meets that cause real anxiety because I can’t control the weather. Anyone ever guess that I am a control-freak? I want control over my own life. I know the other people in my life like to control their own lives too. I tell them they can control all they want until the train starts to run off the track, and then I take over!

Volunteer stuff: Getting rid of it...one thing at a time. Gone are the PW books. Gone are the HYAC books. Two big responsibilities that I really didn’t want anymore! Relief! But then I volunteer for Session when asked and that adds more responsibility. I like to use my strengths, and by letting people know what those strengths are, I can use them, and not be bothered with doing things that I am not good at or do not like to do!

How’s that for a year’s worth of thoughts?

Where does time go?

It doesn’t seem all that long ago that we were planning for millennial computer problems. Now we are marching toward 2010 – ten years later. Yesterday I was setting up the March short course meet. Today I am setting up the long course meet and August 1 is here at the end of the week. Yesterday we were getting stuff out for summer session. Now we are getting stuff for Fall and getting advertising out for fall workshops.

When I was little I used to practice writing the new year so that I wouldn’t make a mistake. The way time is flying, I maybe need to practice writing the new year – oh, maybe 100 times at least;-) I still catch myself putting 2008 on a check every now and then – and soon it will be 2010 and I haven’t even mastered 2009 yet.

Yesterday I was planning for family being home for a few days – today I am saying goodbye to 2/3 of that family and holding on for a few more days to the 1/3 that is still here. Yesterday I was anxiously waiting for winter to be over. Now summer is almost gone and the joy of having the family home for a few days is only in my heart.

Picture is of the extended Kooy family minus Esteban. (We missed him.) From left to right, Liz, Cael, Zane, Adrian, Betty, Heidi, Ute, Nef, Athena, Jan and Vern.

Ute and Zane

Liz, Heidi, and Ute

Liz, Adrian, and Jan at Liz's 20th HS class reunion

Athena

Why is it that when one is a child time seems to pass so very slowly? One is able to savor the year – all the special holidays, enjoy the time of anticipation, enjoy the days, and then enjoy savoring the memories. When one gets older, everything is just so jam-packed together that we can’t smell the coffee, let alone the roses.

I will try to savor the wonderful memories of having kids and grandkids home. I will try to enjoy working each day – even though every minute brings me closer to tomorrow. I will relish each sunny day, each star-lit night, and even each rainy day and cloudy night. I will cherish the times spent with family and friends and try to disencumber myself from so many ‘jobs’ that suck all of the time and pleasure out of life.

Tomorrow is another day...one day closer to January 1, 2010...whatever that day and year will bring. I will greet the morn with joy!

Thoughts on Education - Five Years + Later

If I had wanted to find an excuse to quit the MAEd program I started in the Fall of 2003 I could have found a thousand excuses – and very legitimate excuses at that. After working in Distance Education for 15 years, I think I have heard every excuse in the book for late work, incomplete work, non-completion, etc, and every reason imaginable for an extension. I guess this will be a somewhat rambling group of thoughts on such issues.


In the fall of 2003 I decided to pursue an MA program in Distance Education through the University of Phoenix. I chose that program because I knew UOP did online education very well, because I had been involved in DE for quite a few years, and because I thought I could finally accomplish the MA while still living in the middle of Nebraska – on my own time and in my own way.

Students at CCC who seek to do ‘individualized’ courses at a distance have a lot of flexibility regarding due dates, how they turn in their work, and when and where they complete that work – perhaps way too much flexibility. The UOP program that I completed had some flexibility, but not too much. I chose to take the degree as recommended – six weeks of class, one week off, six more weeks of class, until all 33 hours (12 courses) were completed in about 19 months. Each class had a syllabus, a list of assignments and deliverables, and due dates for each of the deliverables. In the 19 months I only missed one deadline (by about 13 hours) because of an eye injury. And I completed the work with a 4.0 GPA.

Now…what was going on in my life while I took that program. I was home by myself during the week (Vern was working in Omaha), working two jobs, traveling on occasion to see the kids (new grandbaby), doing my usual swim meets both locally and in Lincoln and Omaha, and dealing with Vern’s illness, surgeries, and his cancer diagnosis. There were many times when I could have said, “I just can’t do this!” There were many times when it was not convenient to get my assignment done on time. There were many times that I had to go through extreme measures to find connectivity to be able to either enter the required discussions, upload my work, or collaborate with my assigned team on a particular project. I tried the local library (to make sure I had that option if my connection broke down); I made sure Vern’s laptop was ready to interface with the classroom; I had my PC set up at work to interface with the class; and of course my PC at home was set up as my main classroom access. Vern’s laptop went to California, Chicago, Atlanta, swimming conventions, etc with me (although he was not terribly happy about losing his window to the world). But I did it.

When Vern got sick in the fall of 2003 we knew things weren’t right, but little did we know how very wrong they were. We went to San Francisco to meet Ute and there I used the Macs of the kids for my classroom connection. Vern was very sick – very tired and very lethargic, and slept a lot. I still got my work done. He continued to go to work that fall and early winter, but not without a lot of effort. I continued my classes and signed up for the 2nd and 3rd course in the program. After Christmas local doctors decided it was time to do some serious checking. CT scans showed a large mass in the abdomen. Exploratory surgery done locally revealed a tumor too large and involved for the local surgeons to deal with. I continued with my work, my swimming job, and my class work. It was decided that UNMC was the best place with the best doctors to try to deal with the issue. I continued with my course work, ran my swim meets (including one in Omaha staying at Vern’s apartment), and got ready to stay in Omaha and camp at UNMC hospital for a week or so, continuing my studies. While Vern was in surgery I read. While he was hospitalized I sat in his room, curled up in a recliner, and read. I used his laptop at his apartment to upload my work. I never missed an assignment or a due date.

When Vern had healed somewhat, we traveled to Atlanta for a family wedding. I had hotel connectivity, but not much time. I didn’t miss any assignments, but I didn’t respond to the discussions like I usually did. I did get docked at bit in that class for that. But we also had a ‘green’ instructor and he really didn’t know what he was doing, so I didn’t get too concerned.

By the fall of 2004 work, swimming, online classes, and normal every-day stuff all were just a part of my life. I was able to download the textbooks at least three weeks prior to the start of each class. By the time the last class rolled around I was an old pro. In the spring of 2005 I scratched my eye. I couldn’t function. One assignment just had to be late…using an excuse the instructor understood as she had recently had eye surgery. When I finished the program I was ready to be finished, but I also knew I would miss the intellectual interaction with my fellow students.

My degree was granted 40 years to the day after my BA had been granted. I felt I had accomplished a worthy goal. I had completed an advanced degree. I had completed it in the prescribed time. I had never been late or missed an assignment (with one exception). I had a 4.0 GPA. As an Adult Education professional I knew that this was quite an accomplishment. None of the roadblocks thrown in my path had caused me to stumble or change direction. I have tried to process reasons for my success. I don’t quit when I start something. I am a true adult learner. I need to succeed for my own internal reasons. I had a point to prove – that despite the obstacles we as adult learners encounter, we can succeed and achieve IF we put our minds to it and IF we persevere. We chose our successes or our failures. If we chose to find excuses, we can find those excuses. If we chose to get the job done, we can get it done despite normal inconveniences or not-so-normal life-altering events. It is a choice. And my choice was to succeed!

Going Home...When Home Isn't There

The little old lady grew up in Southern California. In the late 40s and 50s and even into the 60s it was an exciting place for a kid - always something to do. But as the years passed it became more crowded and seemed a bit inhospitable to the lady who had become accustomed to the pace of life in Nebraska. While Mama and Papa were in Inland Home I made MANY trips and became a bit more accustomed to the So Cal pace but since 1994 I have made very few trips 'home', particularly since 'home' isn't there in the sense that one has a parent home to go to.

A fast six day trip with so much crammed into it that I can't remember half! I rented a small car and traveled south out of the Ontario Airport on Haven and headed for dairy country - home! I was totally astonished at how many houses had tarps on roofs (no one is going to fix anything that is going to be bulldozed for new construction - when the economy picks up in So Cal). I saw that 'our house' was still there - but it looks so different from the clean white with dark green trim that Papa kept up. My neighbors' houses are still there too...but definitely not the clean, neat dairy country of my youth. After driving around a bit I headed to Inland Home. I made a quick visit with the mother of a first grade classmate. She still recognized me (my stature is pretty much a give-away)! I visited with a dear friend who was my rock and support when Mama and Papa were in Inland - she is now in the Alzheimer's wing and she is only 65. We sang some hymns together. The words are embedded in the brain - both hers and mine. I drove to Ontario and stopped to see a high school classmate and had dinner with her - what a joy to visit with her. I stayed with Evelyn in her lovely Upland home, we visited, and remembered the past together...especially Case.

I drove to Hemet and couldn't figure out where my cousins live because I printed out the Mapquest map with the wrong address. Thank goodness for cell phones - but Donald must think I am a complete idiot. We had a great time catching up quickly. We did take a quick trip to the hospital to see Cousin Joyce as her husband was in surgery. Elaine put on a great spread for lunch. I called friend Joyce (another high school classmate and long time friend) and got directions from cousins' to her new home...and I found that easily. Joyce and I played catch-up in all too short a time - I had seen her last in San Diego at least 5 or 6 years ago. Very quickly it was time to head south to San Diego and the Swimming Workshop...which was the purpose of the trip anyway.

Picture is of Betty, Cousin Joyce (the little ones in the family) and Cousin Donald and his wife Elaine. I'm the kid in the group. The three of them are 80ish.


San Diego was beautiful at this time of the year. Everything was in bloom. We stayed in a beautiful hotel that overlooks the bay and ocean. We socialized with USA Swimming friends and attended a workshop. Saturday we were bussed downtown to a training center. It was a very good workshop and training. Two friends and I were dropped off at the harbor area and decided to tour the USS Midway. Although we arrived rather late in the afternoon we were still able to see most of the carrier. The audio tour gave us lots of historical information. The evening meal at the Red Marlin was superb. Watching the sunset over the water was magnificent. An early morning walk to Belmont Park brought back memories of a high school band trip that included time in Belmont Park. After a couple hours of unstructured workshop I was on my way to La Quinta.


It has been MANY years since I have been in the California desert and I was looking forward to both the drive and the visit. Neither disappointed. The drive through San Gorgonio pass was incredible...watching 3200+ windmills churning and generating electricity for 1000s of people. Why can't Nebraska harness all of our wind? Trying to find Julia in La Quinta took a few phone calls and directions. Again I had a wrong address and printed out wrong maps. But we found her in a lovely home in a gated community in La Quinta. We spent lots of time catching up. She took me to a great spot for a quick, reasonable meal - the Cliff House at the bar! Best fries ever! We relaxed, walked, did a little shopping, enjoyed the wonderful warm weather (not too hot yet). We enjoyed another meal together at the Cliff House and I got on the road heading back to Upland and Evelyn.

Now I knew where I was going...right! Julia mentioned taking the 210 (I have normally traveled the 60) and which exit I should get off and I heard Carnelian and Campus. I thought Carnelian as I needed gas. I got off, got gas, and headed 'east' as I thought I was 'west' of Euclid and Evelyn's home and pretty soon I was at Archibald. WHAAAAT! Where the h... am I? OK, stupid. Remember that you used to take Carnelian to get to Joyce's when she lived in Alta Loma? Carnelian is EAST of Euclid! Am I lost? Not really. Just delayed a bit and at Evelyn's a little later than I wanted to be. We visited a bit and both headed to bed as I had a very early flight (0 dark 30), and E was facing surgery on Thursday.

Trip home was uneventful...early flight left on time, arrived on time in Denver. I made my connections and arrived in Omaha on time. The drive home was uneventful - but long. I was very glad to be home.

I have a love-hate relationship with traveling. I love to go and visit with friends and family and see new places and things. I hate to be away from home. My psyche is much more grounded when I am within the confines of home.

But going 'home' after being away most of the last 50 years is still a wonderful experience, especially when one can rekindle past close relationships with family and friends.

The Swim Meet from H...

OK, maybe that is not a fair assessment. It is what it is! Offering the opportunity for all swimmers to swim a championship meet and participate as a team is the goal of the Nebraska Y Swim League. BUT...it makes for a very long, difficult day for the club hosting the meet. More than 375 swimmers, most of them 'novice', 8-lane facility, not much seating room for spectators, parents who don't understand how swim meets work, or how timing differences are reconciled and no amount of explanation will get them to understand, inexperienced officials, and a 'gray' day.

This is the second year in a row that Hastings has hosted the meet. (No one else wants to host it because it is such a marathon/nightmare.) We have designed it so that it runs as well as it possibly can. We seed like events together and score them separately by age group. We put the long session in the morning (8:30 a.m. - 1:10 p.m. - should have been done at 12:30 p.m. but...). If we get through that, we are home free.

I backed up the meet at 5:10 p.m. yesterday. I only had a couple of timing corrections and only one parent-from-h...! I consider that a HUGE success!

The concessions income was tremendous but a HUGE amount of work. We think we will let someone else handle it next year!

A One Year Journey

One year ago on February 1, 2008, I began a journey to lose some weight and get healthy. I don't know what expectations I had, but I had put on 40 lbs in 20 years and at 4'9 3/4" I looked pretty awful - a short, fat, toad was my description. Over the 20 years I had tried on a few occasions to get it all under control, but life got in the way. Always excuses. So I found myself with very bad numbers - high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high weight. Besides all of that, everything hurt.

I joined a team at work through N-Lighten Nebraska. I weighed myself - or rather had a co-worker weigh me and refused to look - and I began to follow some of the guidelines of the plans. I journaled what I was eating. I tried to eat what I was supposed to eat. I tried to get some more sleep. I tried to relax. And I tried to get some exercise. I had the co-worker weigh me weekly, still not looking - until I lost 10 lbs. Then I began to wonder where I actually was. By that time I was around 132 lbs.

On March 17, 2008, I found The Daily Plate and since that time have been logging in everything that I put in my mouth - almost daily. By the end of October I weighed 117 lbs. I have put on a couple of pounds since then and today I am starting another N-Lighten Nebraska journey, hopefully to get a few more pounds off and remain healthy.

Over the last year there are several things that I have decided work well for me and things that I need to do to maintain my health for the rest of my life.

1. Journal everything that I eat. When I don't, I am wont to put more in my mouth than I should, and also probably putting in some wrong things.

2. Portion control is most important. I really need to measure because sometimes my eyes are bigger than my stomach. OK, that is an old expression of my mother's.

3. Be extremely vigilant and be aware of what I am actually eating, when I am eating, how much I am eating, and where I am eating.

4. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.

5. Get some exercise at least 5 days a week. I have been mostly walking, even walking the treadmill. I still use the age and time excuses for not doing more.

6. Find a support system. The co-worker who helped me begin this journey is still encouraging me. Another co-worker is walking with me. The groups on TDP have been great encouragement. Even oldman is joining me on my journey now.

7. Cook my own meals. Pack my own lunch. This way I know what I am eating and can make good decisions. If I must eat out, I try to make reasonable decisions on both the choice and the portion.

Thank you to all who have supported me along the way. Here's to another year of good health!