Gonna get fit.

After years of just talking about it, I'm finally going to work on my belly fat. The University of Texas has a program called "Fitness Institute of Texas". The program is 12 weeks of excercise and nutrition classes designed to help you lose fat while gaining muscle. Since it is being offered through the place where I work, I figured it was worth trying. If I successfully complete the course, my fees will be refunded to me in full, so all I've got to lose is the weight! We start next Tuesday, and I will be tracking my excercise and eating habits, so I've got to start being more disciplined as well. I'll keep the blog posted on my progress. I don't need to lose much, but I do want to gain strength. No sense in waiting till it's too late! Maybe if I'm brave enough, I'll post before and after photos.

iPhone

Well, at my son's insistance, I finally got an iPhone. I was skeptical at first, but he assured me that I would love it eventually. I have to admit, it is more fun than my old phone, and it is much easier to check e-mail and get messages. More time-wasters, too. I downloaded an app for a free mah jongg game, and I'm quite addicted. He also has me playing a Scrabble-type game called "Words With Friends" and I've got two games going at all times (one with him and one with his friend Jenna). I justify it by saying playing these games keeps my mind sharp. I've also downloaded an app that tells me when and where happy hours are occuring in Austin. Now that is handy information! I always said I just wanted a phone that lets me make and receive calls, but I must admit, I'm getting attached to my iPhone. Oh, and did I mention that I can check Facebook regularly. I'm never out of touch now!

Being a Grandma

I always thought I was too young to be a grandma, but now I have two adorable grandchildren, and I love it. Everyone I knew who had grandchildren said it was an incredible experience, and I totally agree. It's so much fun to rediscover your own childhood through the eyes of a child. You do that with your own children, but with grandchildren it's even better because you don't have to worry about the raising and discipline...that's their parents' job. Tierra, the 4-year old, is a total delight. She has a very active imagination, and it is so much fun to enter that world with her. She describes in great detail her "dream castle" where all the things she wants or wants to see live and play. Unicorns and sparkles are her favorite things, and she is very much the "girly-girl". Her favorite colors are pink and purple, and she loves to dress up. That's not to say she's afraid to get dirty. Oh, no! She's not afraid to try new things, and is quite the little daredevil. We went to Blanco State Park a couple of days ago to swim in the river, and she swims like a little fish. She would jump in the water and go under and swim to the nearest family member. I shouldn't have been surprised, though. She's spent most of her life near the water, most recently living in Puerto Escondido, Mexico, where she swam in the Pacific Ocean and even learned to body surf! Zeke, the two-year old, is quite the little charmer, and even though he's not talking much yet, has his own language and understands everything you say to him. He is fascinated by our three cats, and the cats grudgingly have accepted the kids. Zeke loves all things with a motor, and especially loves trucks and motorcycles. And sharks. He loves sharks.

I am having the best time with them, and it will be a sad day when we have to take them to the airport for their return trip home. However until then, I'm enjoying each and every minute. I want them to remember their time with grandma and grandpa as fondly as I remember my visits with my own grandparents. Life is an amazing journey, and you have to be open to each and every experience that comes your way.