TGIF Photo Friday

Much has been going on administrative-wise, which basically means I've had a really boring office job lately. Luckily I have Gladys to break up the monotony. She had a dream the other night that one of the Workerbees told her she stunk. When she woke up, she thought it had really happened and was she ever upset. I consoled her and assured her it was a dream. Before she left the office, she got up close and whispered "Could you smell me, just to make sure?"

Running. I've run twice this week and plan to go 7 tomorrow. I'm finally back on the wagon.

Photo Friday. Today is the 15th anniversary of the closing of our house. We moved in the very next day...and have been working on it ever since! We've re-wired, re-plumbed, remodeled, knocked out walls, built a deck, put on new siding, fixed the roof, replaced every window, and have loved every minute. The photo is a picture of a painting of our happy house. I had a local artist paint it for Hubby as a Christmas gift a few years ago. The landscape has changed since then (it's much better), but I still love the painting.

And the house.

TGIF

Freddie just told me he liked it when I wear dresses. "You do?" I asked.

"Oh, yes. I can see your legs A LOT better. " Almost inaudibly and with an ornery twinkle in his eye he added, "And I like to look at them."

He has to be the horniest 97-year-old I've ever met.


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Running! I went twice so far this week, with a five-miler planned for tomorrow. Yippee!


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Photo Friday! A couple of goodies from our Circus Week celebration at the Ridge. Who has more fun than old people?

Happy Weekending!

TGIF

I'm really not too superstitious or into astrology...but I do have to admit that there is something to that full moon stuff. We've had a special kind of crazy going on the past few days. Like residents asking us to help them "get their bowels out," or confused residents talking about how confused other residents are, or the guy who showed up to supper soaking wet and acted like he didn't even notice. Oh, and how can I forget the potential resident whom I met for the first time this week? I knew her for five whole minutes when she proceeded to tell me all about the man she was married to for 20 years before he decided "he liked the boys," and continued to refer to him as "the queer" for the rest of the conversation. Oy.

Then we have Little Miss Chatterbox, who has taken to wearing the lab coat daily. I heard someone ask her if she was a pharmacist. (They were serious.) Gladys thinks Naomi has been taking her teabags while she's out of the apartment. 98-year-old Maude tripped and fell. Before I could even ask if she was alright she threw her cane and purse and yelled "Damn it all to hell." Apparently she was still mad later. She dumped her salad on the table at lunch because the man she was sitting with didn't want one. I guess she doesn't like eating alone? There's more, but I need to cut it short because I can hear Joseph coming (his walker wheel has a distinct squeak) and he's going to want to know about mass. Again.

Here's my Friday Photo! I'm eight years old, and on the left (as you look at the screen, Big Bro. Or the right, if you turn your back to it. Geez.)

I ran twice this week. Next week will be even better. Happy weekending!

TGIF Photo Friday & Ethnic Slurs

Gladys remarked (yet again) about how tan my arms are. Today, however, she added "You look like a little dago." HAHAHA!

Photo Friday isn't very exciting, but this is what I need to put out there this week. Maybe it will help me break out of some bad habits I've developed over the past few weeks.

Is that me? What? I'm a runner?? Interesting. Perhaps then maybe I should...oh, I don't know....run?

Friendly reminder to Self: This is what you look like when you eat whatever you want whenever you want (who eats a lobster roll at Fenway? Seriously?) and don't move much. Stop eating crappy food and start running. Chubbiness lurks...but it is 100% preventable.

Happy Weekending. Maybe I'll try to fit in a run....if I can remember how.

TGIF Photo Friday

Here are some shots from this year's circus, taken by a friend of mine who is both a photographer and a clown. Not many people can put both of those titles on a business card.

This is the only 7-person pyramid in the world comprised of all females. It was taken from the catwalk. It is an amazing feat, performed by young girls all under the age of 19.

I love this picture because it was always one of my favorite acts to perform. I wish I was still that bendy! The hoop is hanging by the neck of her upside-down partner.

This was also taken from the catwalk, and shows how big our circus band is. All volunteers, and all fun.

And these little piggies....well, I like to play my flute barefoot. What can I say? At least the red polish covers the dark purple toes, still courtesy of Grandma's Marathon. (and I have no idea why he snapped pictures of my feet, but like I said, the guy is a clown.)

Photographer credit: Thank, C U Smile!

TGIF Photo Friday

I wish I had to time to find and scan some old circus pictures, but all I have right now is this group picture taken in 1989. Trust me, I'm in there. You can't miss the hair.

This was a few years ago in the "back lot," which is where all the kids hang out waiting for their act to go on. We have a big circus family! Hubby was the back lot door nazi, my sister (in purple) was a rigger, my niece was a performer, I played in the band, and my mom was an usher. My dad was just along for the show in this picture, but he used to rig when my sibs and I performed. Fun stuff.

Happy Weekending! I'll be at the circus!

TGIF Photo Friday

Apparently a really important piece of equipment our maintenance man calls the "poop pump" has broken down. All I know is that it smells like shit in here. My eyes are watering and I'm distracted, so here's my quick post of the day.


My best girls, my best friend, my best cousin (carrying my godson!), and a really cute niece...in that order. Happy weekending!

TGIF Photo Friday

Since the employee issue has left me exhausted and I'd really, really, really like to leave work early today...I don't have much to say! Good thing it's Photo Friday.

Ha! I'd forgotten all about this picture! It was taken when I graduated with my masters in 2006. That look on my face? Me trying to wake up from the catotonic state caused by my thesis. I didn't even know this picture existed until last year, when someone sent me a brochure they had received from the university. That's right...I'm in the brochure! Me, a model!? I was feeling pretty good about myself until I realized the brochure is targeted toward returning adult students, or the mature student, if you will. Ouch.

(I've got them fooled.)

Happy Fourth!

TGIF Photo Friday

It's hot. I don't know if the weather is keeping everyone quiet around the Ridge or not, but there hasn't been too much going on this week. Gladys did tell me this morning that she liked my tan (which I can thank Grandma's for), and when I put my arm up against her lily-white one, she mock-gasped and said "Good grief, I'm dead and don't even know it!" She makes me belly laugh every single day.

I don't have much time (why do I schedule meetings for Fridays?) so here's all I have today, a pic of Hubby and I getting ready for some seriously good food after the marathon last weekend. Just thinking about my steaming plate of wild mushroom risotto with crab sauce and buttered asparagus makes my mouth water. If I ever decide to write another blog I think it will be about food. And eating food. And maybe wine. Mmmmm.....

Oh, and if you want to see what Nic calls the Grandma Death March face, click here. Oy. On the running front: I haven't ran this week. My feet still don't look so great--I actually have one toe that is entirely purple. It is so weird! There is a Firecracker 5K here next weekend...so hopefully the fat toes will fit into a pair of running shoes by then.

Happy Weekending!

TGIF Photo Friday

Happy Friday! We've had the Regional Director here at the Ridge all week, so not much happening but meetings. She's still here, but how could I miss Photo Friday? Here is the first thing I found this morning: a picture of "all us grandkids," or at least those who had been born by 1975 or 76. There are 15 of us total, so there were still a few more yet to come. Any idea which one I am? (Hint: the goofiest looking one!)

This little jewel showed up on Facebook a few weeks ago. That's me when I was 15 or 16 years old, hanging by my partner's neck and touching my foot to my head. Crazy, huh?

Fast forward to June 2009. Guess what's in a week!?!?!? I've had a very easy week of running, since I've been coming to the office early and staying late it would have been hard to fit it in, but I think the rest is good. 10 miles tomorrow, a couple of short runs next week and then we're off to the races. Happy Weekending!

Foto Friday

Where did the week go!? I can hardly believe it's Friday already. This week at the Ridge has been annoyingly busy, but unfortunately (or maybe fortunately?) it's been busy in a mundane kind of way, rather than a someone-put-poop-in-the-garbage-disposal kind of way.

Tomorrow Hubby runs what will hopefully be his Boston Qualifier (send good running vibes!) I'm taking my bike and plan to cheer him on at as many mile markers as possible. He's awesome, and because I think so, today's pics are all about how much fun we have.

This is us having a picnic at a park last summer. I set the timer on the camera, put it on the picnic basket, and here we are! We're such dorks, we take pictures of ourselves all the time.

A few years ago we took a bicycle trip through North Carolina, which was fantastic! I think we were on Ocracoke in this picture.

We have been going to Boston for the marathon for the past eight years. Hubby's birthday is on April 19th, which means we are always in Boston for his birthday. (Once the marathon was even ON his birthday.) Three years ago for his birthday, this wonderfully awesome and thoughtful wife actually scored some Sox tickets. The reason I'm so wonderfully awesome is because they were playing the STINKIN' YANKEES....which happens to be Hubby's favorite team (his only flaw I've found so far). I even let him wear his STINKIN' YANKEES shirt!!! (Luckily it was cold and he had to wear his jacket. Hee!) Anyway, here we are with the Green Monster.

Here we are in Chicago in 2003, the morning before my first marathon. His sister is on his left and that is a friend of ours on the far right....he had helped the three of us train and get through that first marathon. Our time was 5:55!!! His was something like 3:20. See why I think he's so awesome?

And speaking of running! My 21 miler went well. Slow, but well. Knees are feeling better and I'm starting to feel the anxiety of knowing I'm running a marathon in two weeks. 13.6 on the books for tomorrow, after Hubby qualifies of course!

Peace and happy running!

BQ Foto Friday

I love this picture. It was taken at the finish line of the Chicago Marathon the first time Hubby qualified for Boston (maybe 2001?). He ran something like 20 marathons before he hit his qualifying time, so it was an awesome moment. Next week, he is hopefully going to qualify for next year's Boston at the Sunburst Marathon. (He missed re-qualifying in Boston last month by four minutes). Please send fast running vibes, as I'm not quite sure what I'll do with him if he misses by four minutes again.




And this....THIS....is the cutest Halloween costume EVER! (the wee one is pretty darn cute, too)

Running update: The 17.6 last weekend sucked. My knees have been killing me and it's so disappointing to actually be in shape cardiovascular-wise, but have so many aches and pains that it isn't even fun. I've been doing yoga, massage therapy, icing and anything else I can think of this week. Two slow runs this week showed definite improvement with the knee pain, so I'm hopeful I can get through the 21-miler scheduled for tomorrow. Then it's TAPER TIME!

Happy Weekend!

TGIF Photo Friday

I found an extra special gift for all you Gladys Groupies out there! I had completely forgotten this picture I took last summer, so what serendipity to find it this morning. Gladys is the redhead, and sitting beside her is Lois, who died this past December.

Lois is the resident who answered the door wearing underwear on her head and once called Maude an old bitch. Man, I miss her.

Speaking of Maude.... Little Miss Chatterbox followed Maude to her apartment after lunch yesterday, of course talking all the way. Apparently, Little Miss Chatterbox was trying to tell Maude she thinks her hair is a pretty color of white (it really is). Maude got to her apartment, turned around and looked Little Miss Chatterbox right in the eye... and slammed the door. Seriously, who has more fun at work than me?

Yay for the long weekend! My plans include running 17.6, playing in the garden, and drinking some wine. Have a happy!

Foto Friday

Our internet access has been down at Rock Ridge (how do they expect me to get any blogging, er, uh work done!?), so today's photos are sponsored by my home computer. Sarah, these are for you!

















I live in a town that has an amateur circus, in which I began performing at the age of eight. It is an annual thing, with one week of shows every summer. I performed in various acts every summer until I was 19. I, being from a tiny midwestern town, was so worldy at the age of 19 I thought it would be a great idea to "go professional," as us amateur circus kids call performing in a "real" circus and actually being paid for putting ourselves in peril 35 feet in the air. I layed off a year from college. I performed for awhile at Knott's Berry Farm in California, and then moved to Florida and performed at Cypress Gardens. After the show in Florida folded, I performed one summer with a tent show that toured Indiana. As glamorous as that sounds, one night as I took off my elephant-stinking fishnets in the front seat of my Ford EXP as the old fryer oil from the corndog stand hung in the thick summer air I decided it would probably be a better idea to finish college. So I did. End of glamorous circus career.

These pictures are from July of 2007, when our amateur circus hosted an Alumni Show in which past (aka OLD!) performers put on the show. This is me doing Spanish Web in that show.

I'll have to see if I can find some old pics from the tent show, because that would be highly entertaining some Friday. Ah, the circus life.

Hmmm...I just contemplated this irony: my current job could be considered a circus, too...only now I'm the Ringmaster and most of my performers are sideshows! :)

Foto Friday

A little late for Cinco de Mayo, but how ironic that this picture would be the 8th one in the 5th folder. This is my little bro and I celebrating some past Cinco de Mayo, although by my apparel one might surmise I thought it was Aloha de Mayo... or something. At least I was being festive with the uber-cool lid, but I think really I was just pissed that P.J.'s is bigger. (He has *always* been mom's favorite!!)

The folks at the Ridge have been unusually quiet this week, unless you count the lady who insists rainwater is getting underneath her house...which is causing high humidity on the inside...which is making her nose "run like a faucet," and no matter how long I talked to her she still can't seem to understand her home is built on a SLAB and there is no freaking basement, and even if there were why doesn't she just buy a dehumidifier already?

***

Gladys is having trouble with that pesky Naomi again (reminder: Naomi and Gladys were roomies, until Naomi died last year...which Gladys can't seem to remember). Gladys was in the lobby, overwrought and upset, telling Assistant and I that Naomi has been sneaking into her room while she's at lunch, laying down in Gladys' bed and having the nerve to leave withouth re-making the bed!! She is seriously worked up about this... so upset I think she might make herself stroke out, or at least vomit.

Well, this same day I had a procedure on my eye that left it really swollen and red, so Assistant teasingly tells Gladys that she'll take care of Naomi, makes a fist and punches it into her other hand. "Just look what I did to Carrie when she made me mad," Assistant said to Gladys as she pointed at my puffy eye. Instantly, Gladys goes from totally upset and wringing her hands in despair to the quick-witted little love with Alzheimer's that makes me want to take her home, and says "Hon, you better stay away from her. She beat me three times just today."

I'm continually amazed how sharp and witty Gladys can be when she can't remember Naomi is dead, has no idea what year it is, and thinks she is on vacation at a resort rather than living at an Assisted Living. She's the best.

Not my Jovial Self

I have a confession to make. While the occasional flying fork makes pretty funny dinner conversation, and knowing and loving Gladys is one of my life's greatest pleasures....the Alfer Life isn't always shits and giggles.

Sometimes it flat out sucks.

It flat out sucks when someone has rheumatoid arthritis so crippling that all she can do is moan...or even worse....cry if someone tries to move her. It flat out sucks when my 102 year old has to stay at the nursing home because the heart attack that should have killed her didn't (and trust me, she's pissed about it).

And selfishly....did I mention SELFISHLY? It flat out sucks when someone falls in the middle of the night and I'm the only one who can go help. I like to sleep!! And when the phone rings at 3:54 a.m.....well, as I said, it flat out sucks. The ugly self-talk that follows my poor reaction pretty much sucks, too. No one is meaner to me than me. After I spent an hour holding the hand of an 88 -year old resident with the worst skin tear I've ever seen (I could actually see the fat under the skin, and it ended up taking 17 stitches to put her back together) all I could do is berate myself for being annoyed that my slumber had been interrupted. What could have been more important than being with and comforting someone in pain? NOTHING. Yet, I was annoyed that I had to drag my selfish ass out of bed and drive the 2.2 miles from my cozy, warm bed to Rock Ridge at the ungodly hour of 4am.

Current Status:
The bad:
I'm exhausted. (Did I mention the phone rang at 3:54 in the freaking morning?)
I'm racing tomorrow.
The weather forecast is lousy.
My IT band is killing me.
I wish I wasn't going.

The good:
I spent an hour this morning learning things about a resident I never would have known had I not had the opportunity to sit with her.
I've had two glasses of wine.
My TrueLove (aka hubby) is making me cheese crackers as I type.
It's Friday.
I'm racing tomorrow.

Oh, and this Foto Friday picture:

This is my "Grammie D," Ellie D'Ambrosio. This picture was taken last December in Boston. She died in January.

I do miss her...but I visited her faithfully at least once a year from the time I was able to scratch together enough dough for a plane ticket, up until she was diagnosed with the lung disease.

We were all good.

What more could you ask for?

TGIF

YAHOOOOOO, it's Friday!

So far in the hour I have been here today, I've been asked to fix broken dentures (uh, gross!), the slippers have shown back up (she's still trying to figure out the holes three months later!), Joseph is desperately searching for his wife (who died ten years ago), and Gladys is mad as hell at the "quack" who sold her the new glasses that makes everything look blurry. She thinks I'm crazy when I tell her it takes a couple days to get used to new lenses and claims she is going to get her old glasses back "if I have to walk to the junction and get them myself!" It's shaping up to be another awesome day here at the Ridge! :)

Onto Foto Friday! Copying the logic of so many other great bloggers, here is my third folder, 20th picture:

I took this picture out the front door of Rock Ridge about a month ago. A rainbow in February is a pretty unusual site around here, and this was probably the brightest rainbow I've ever seen. It was such a random moment of joy for all of us...residents and staff...young and old alike. It was fun to stand in the door and marvel nature together. As we were standing there beholding, a second, much lighter rainbow started to appear. If you look really close you can see it to the left of (or above) the bright one in this picture. Awesome!

(And isn't that little white jeep the cutest? I can hardly wait to take the top off.)

Enjoy Friday!

TGIF Foto Fun

Adventure Seeker has declared a theme for this week's T.G.I.F. Foto Friday. Her instructions:

America's Next Top Runner

Be creative, think outside the box, go crazy.

So in the spirit of "going crazy" here is the difference between a 163- pound run/walker/hacker and a 132-pound "real" runner. Viewer discretion advised.


January 2007, during the marathon portion of the Goofy Challenge at Disney World. Chubba Chubba!


(Don't I look about ready to POP? I'm not sure how I even did that marathon. This is more embarrasing than I imagined.)

In May 2008, I PR'd at the Sunburst half marathon, finishing in Notre Dame Stadium. It was really awesome to run that fast (for me) and not start a fire by my thighs rubbing together.


Peace and smaller thighs, all.

TGIF and Why I'm MIA

This week at the Ridge we've had pneumonia, suspended employees, stinky residents, stolen coats (that damn Naomi), the police, a resident thrown out of the courthouse, phone calls waking me up at midnight, a confused resident walking into the wrong apartments, and a power surge resulting in about 15K worth of damaged electrical equipment. I'm exhausted. And so ready for a drink. Or ten.

On to Friday Foto Fun. No science was used in the choosing of this photograph. I opened a file and clicked wherever the cursor already was. So here I am! That's me with a full belly of awesome sushi. Shino's is a tiny sushi bar (really tiny...I think there were like eight or ten seats in there) on Newbury Street in Boston. I am holding a Marathon Sports bag...I did a little shopping before the sushi treat! I love Boston, and we go often because my family is there. We also go every April because my husband rocks and qualifies to run the marathon. I've gotten quite adept at being the ultimate Boston Marathon fan using the T (Boston's subway system) and some leg power, so if anyone ever needs advice on how to maximize the number of spectating spots, just let me know!

Peace, all.

I'm Alive

Barely. It took four days to get over whatever ugly bug decided to take up residence in my digestive system. Bright side: 3.5 pound weight loss. Down side: I've never been that sick. Ever. But I'm better. Thank goodness.

Now I have out of town company, so not much time to post. Gladys was in fine form this week, so I'll be back soon. In the meantime, here's my TGIF foto fun. Late, as usual. This is what I look like upon finishing the hardest marathon I've ever run, which isn't unlike how I look after four days of gastric distress. Not. Good.