Life Is Full Of Surprises

Life is often full of surprises and most of the time they are good ones. Last weekend Markus and I drove to California to see Jaana, Paul and Jake, mainly to get a few things for Jake's new apartment (which by the say looks wonderful!) and help welcome him to his new home. It was such a fun thing to do and support Jake in his new adventure and step into adulthood! He surprises me - just a year ago he had very different ideas about life and now having been around his sister and brogher-in-law, he has mustered a lot of courage and hope for his future. Thanks Jaana and Paul for being there for Jake and helping him move forward. And thanks for putting us up again in your beautiful home. All the improvements you have made look amazing!

While in California, I had a chance to enjoy dinner together with Paul's parents and his sister and it was fun to catch up with them. I had not seen Paul's dad since Jaana and Paul got married so it was a good little "reunion". It always is interesting to visit Barkev and Sonya since they have so much to share about their heritage and homeland. I always learn something new when I am around them. Another pleasant surprise!

Monday I hit the road running to get ready for all the upcoming seminars at work and it seems I have not had a chance to take a breath all week. However, I still had a chance to do some special baking staying up late both on Tuesday and Wednesday nights working on my kitchen creations. I baked some Finnish Rye bread for a friend of ours, Beaver, who has decided he wants to learn to bake it. I also made my very first New York Cheese Cake on Wednesday to give to our Computer Guy at work. Vin has helped us on several occasions with our home computer without pay so I found out he likes cheese cake and... Surprise - New York Cheese Cake takes five packages of cream cheese (8oz. each)!! I had no idea, and being on a diet I didn't get to taste it. Vin says it was good, but he could just be nice. (?)

Krista and Jorel came home on Tuesday from Indiana and another surprise - JOREL IS WALKING already! He had sort of started a week ago, but now he waddles around everywhere. He reminds me of ET, but is working hard to keep his balance and smoothing out his step! Such a fun surprise!

All these little things happening around me are helping me as I create memories and legacy of who I am. As I remember to seize the day and remember that every moment has something to offer, I am finding myself happier and more content. Even at work. (Another surprise!)

This is just wrong!

This year I have been working on my health and habits to live a longer life. That includes losing some extra pounds and continuing to excersice daily. Since April of this year I actually have dropped 15 lbs, but I have literally worked my butt off to get there. Ron on the other hand has not been on any kind of diet or excersice program at all. However, we both started a special VERY LOW calorie diet last week and guess what! He lost 14 lbs the first week. I lost five. NOW THAT IS JUST WRONG!!

What is it with us women that we first grow up taking care of our little brothers, then we go through monthly misery, then carry and deliver babies, take care of them and see that they all get a decent start on life, and to top it off - we can't lose weight in any easy manner?!? God must have had something special in mind when he created woman. I realize the world could not go around without us, but couldn't it be a little easier and less work to look good?

Don't get me wrong. I appreciate my life, my health and my family. Everything else really is secondary. I, however, got my vane gene from my Mom Ritva. She at 75 still looks amazing and has a great positive outlook on life. I want to be just like her when I am 75. So I better just keep on working so I will get there and be proud and confident in who I am - no matter what the outer core may look like!