Until I get reacquainted with Blogger, this will be a work in progress. I'm rusty with blogging. Much like an old boom box forgotten on the back shelf at a sketchy Goodwill (not knocking Goodwill, but have you been to my nearest location lately?).
What's this blog about? I'm not exactly sure, which is why it's labeled a 'Mix Tape' (Wiki definition of Mixtape for those going 'huh?') and obviously, I'm in Midlife. I'm good with that. What are the current focuses in my life?
~Transitioning from a house full of children to almost empty nesters. We have 1 married, 1 almost married and 1 college student. We've all heard the stories of how spouses are suddenly looking across the dinner table with nothing to talk about once the kids are gone. I'm knocking on wood as I say I'm happy to report that we still have a lot to talk about: bills, college bills, medical bills, business trips, crazy pets our kids left behind, lively political debate...oh wait, there's the good stuff too like, well, that's private, you naughty kittens!
~Transitioning with ageing parents. My father in law is in the advance stages of Alzheimer's. Hubby family is intensely private, so I try to tread lightly, but I'm also a believer in the thought that we should bear one another's burdens. When to help? How to help? When to back off?
Also, my mother's health is quickly degenerated. While most of my friends her age are lively and young at heart, my mom seems to be on an accelerated track to aged helplessness.
~A couple of years ago, I started a weight loss journey. I started at a generous size 18 and bottomed out at a size 4. Now I'm a snug size 6. I'd like to be a loose, comfy size 6. What are some things that have caused the slight regain? The usual that we all struggle with: I eat when I'm sad, I eat when I'm happy, I eat when I'm stressed, the holidays, a vicious sugar addition, I enjoy my wine and well, I just like to eat! Plus, in the past few months I've been injured which meant limited physical exercise. I still had the rungrys (runner's hunger pains), but couldn't burn off the calories in the way I'm used to.
~Somewhere along the way when I started trying to lose weight, I got the crazy idea to run a 5K, so I started the Couch to 5K program. After running a few 5Ks, I roped hubby into running a 10 miler, then a 1/2 marathon. Since then, I've run several 1/2s and hubby & daughter have even gone on to run a marathon.
~This past winter here styled itself after a frozen tundra. While walking a very excited dog through 12 inches of snow and ice, I had a spectacular fall which resulted in a pelvic fracture, then another pelvic stress fracture and screwed up muscles (because I stupidly ran a race on the original fracture). Thus, the past few months have been all about resting, stretching, strengthening and balancing. I've just been cleared to start running again and I have a LONG road to get anywhere I was before with regards to speed, endurance and lung capacity. A LONG road baby!
~Plus, I keep hearing that once women pass 40, they start to become invisible to society. Store clerks don't acknowledge them (or their disposable income). Men start shopping for newer, younger, firmer models. People dismiss their collective experience and wisdom.
Those folks are missing out on women who are really beginning to hit a powerful stride in life. I've got a strong group of friends from all walks of life who prove everyday that the (older) girls are alright.
