Merry Christmas everyone! It was too cold to run outside this morning, so we worked out on the bike and the elliptical, and we did some strength training prior. It may be Christmas, but we could still get our workout in. We had our kids and families over last weekend to celebrate as that is when we could get everyone together. We had a ball! Time together, games, and great food!
After our meal, we had a great dessert, provided by my nurse Chris! It was to die for! The greatest cake (after the famous M & M cakes though!). We were so full we had to spend more time working out that weekend just to make up the difference!
We played lots of different games with everyone, and Connor was right in the thick of everything too!
The money scooping game was one of the best. You were blindfolded and had to use a spatula to scoop up the money onto the cutting board. Lots of one-dollar bills, and some scattered $5, $10, and rare $20. As you can see here Megan did a great job of scooping everything right off of the cupboard, but she did manage to get quite a few on the cutting board too!
Even Connor had to play hide and seek! Here he is hiding in the dog’s kennel! “Can you find me?”
My daughters had to have matching pajamas for their clan!
Even Dobby got a set of pajamas!
We had a lot of fun! Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas, and you have the opportunity to make lots of memories with those close to you! Keep moving everybody!
If I/we have ever had a philosophy, it has been to “do things on our terms…to go our own way”. This hit with me after listening to a song recently of a group I just love: Fleetwood Mac! They have a great song “Go Your Own Way”. It actually is about a relationship between two of the band members, but every listener can interpret it their own way. I looked up the definition of the term “go your own way”, or to go (one’s) (own) way. It stated: “To proceed, act, or do things in a direction or manner as one so chooses or desires, especially as is distinct, separate, or different from that of others.” With the Reiffenberger’s, what you see is what you get! No sugarcoating, and no sucking up to anybody. We care about each other and taking care of our patients with truly everything we have. And most important, just doing what is right! As my mom always drilled into us kids growing up: Do unto others as you would want done unto you! The great “golden rule”.
Running has always been a part of our life, and something we still do all of the time. We work together, but we are still “going our own way”.
We had traveled more, at least prior to COVID. We will again. We have these last couple years taken many trips out to the Hills, to go hike, and go on adventures. No plans. Just go…”go our own way!”
There are always adventures to do, and sights to see. No sunrise or sunset is ever the same! And at least for me, when I have the opportunity to go take pictures, I truly go my own way! Go out and just enjoy nature, and the scenery, and the quiet! No stress. No worries. No problems. Just go…my own way!
These are just some pictures from the last few days. Even in Winter, you can see something enjoyable. Take it all in. Do your thing. “Go your own way!”
We could all learn a lot from my grandson Connor. He is now 1 1/2 and is now running everywhere. He is definitely going his own way, on his terms! So, my take on that song is to live your life the best way you can. Spend time with those closest to you, but truly “go your own way”. Do things you want to do. Do things you enjoy. I don’t mean that to be that the only thing you focus on is just yourself. Life is about compromise, and compromise with others too. But march to your own beat. Do things that are important to you. Enjoy life to the fullest. No regrets. Stay true to yourself. If you can’t depend on yourself, who can you depend on? Keep moving everybody! I am going to go listen again to that song by Fleetwood Mac!
Family! What would we do without them? There is an old saying that sometimes you can live with them, other times you can’t. There are always moments that can put tension on things, but the bottom line though, when it comes to family, if you can’t count on them, who can you count on?
Sarah and I strive for this all of the time with our kids. But it started up higher than us. Our parents and grandparents instilled this in us a long time ago. We just keep things going. Our kids will always be our kids, just like we will always be our parent’s kids. We have to look out for them too. My mom just celebrated her 89th Birthday in the Nursing Home last weekend, and we were all there to eat cake and celebrate with her.
I hate to admit it, but we are all getting older. I was just remembering somebody the other day, like it was yesterday, and their funeral was 14 years ago. I can’t believe time really does go by fast. Spend time with your family. Keep traditions going. Be there for each other.
If you blink, you may just miss the time you had with them. Connor is already 1 1/2. He is running through the house now. Before too long he will be driving!!!! We are looking forward to spending Christmas with our kids, and the rest of the family. We are celebrating our Christmas the week before. That is when we can get everybody together at the same time! Take it when you can! We will at least be together. There are too many times when families get together only at funerals. It is kind of late then. Family wants to know you care about them while they are still here. I hear too many stories from patients about how they rarely see their kids. That should never be. We all need to make an effort to work on that.
You can’t always keep looking down the path without looking right in front of you first. If we spend too much time doing this, we miss out on a lot of important things. Pay attention to today, not down the road. Don’t let life pass you by. No regrets. Whatever you need to do to spend time together.
It makes working out a whole lot easier, and more fun, as well. Compromise to make things happen. You have time now to figure things out a little more before this upcoming Christmas. What are your plans? Who are you going to spend it with? Is there anybody in your family you have not talked to for a while? Should you talk to them? Who is going to make the first step? Do it now. It is better than having regrets later.
Exactly! Keep moving everybody, and Happy Holidays coming!
Every family has traditions. Our families’ tradition is working out on special occasions. Our kids work out on a regular basis, but now it is time to get the son-in-law, and significant others into the picture. This Thanksgiving was no different. We started out with the Annual Turkey Trot run here in Watertown. Megan ran with her boyfriend Dan. We all had to work up an appetite.
It is a tradition for many of us in the Watertown Area Run Club. Many of us were there to start off the holiday with a run!
Afterall, the rest of the day, and for several days after, are about eating…and spending time together. The food was incredible!
Sarah once again did a great job! At least when we work out before hand, we don’t feel as guilty when we are eating the rest of the day. There are two good things about the holidays: There is lots of food, and I love to eat! What a great combination!
The prizes for the race were Turkeys, and then a pumpkin pie for those who got 2nd place for their age groups. Sarah, Megan, and I all got 2nd place for our age groups! No way we were going to eat 3 pies, so we gave one away to another run club member. We can all enjoy good food! What traditions do you have? What traditions can you start making? Definitely something to think about!
One thing is for sure, in this family, we run 5k’s!!! Time to show how tough you are!
Always ready for a workout! Always ready to push it! There is lots of food out there to eat, and at least I can enjoy it more by burning if off. What are you waiting for? Make changes on those special holidays, or events, or moments. Make them become a tradition! Keep moving everybody!
With Thanksgiving coming up this Thursday, it is time to think about what you are thankful for. We get in a rush, we are all busy, but sometimes you need to slow down and be thankful for what you have. Point #1: I am starting off my first picture with my grandson Connor.
I love my kids, but this grandchild thing is such a cool gig! I will get to see him later this week and can’t wait. Like I tell my kids, grandkids are like potato chips…you can’t have just one. I can’t wait for more, and I will treat them all the same way!!
#2–my Sarah. Where do I start with her? She is my everything. I would be totally lost without her.
We have been married now for 32 years, and it just keeps getting better. All the adventures we have had together. Running, traveling, working, raising kids, and on and on and on! You are the best!
I can’t wait for the next adventure! Because of you, I am thankful for my point #3: my kids!
You guys are all grown up, but that does not mean I still don’t worry about you. Years ago, Dr. Tracy told me that when your kids are little, the problems are little. When they get big, the problems get bigger. How true! Just know that I am always there for all of you to help where I can. We are a family!
We still always have a lot of new adventures to do, and projects to work on, and life to spend together. We need to take advantage of them all for as long as possible. Bring it on!
#4: My running family! Where do I begin with them. I have had so many different running partners over the years. You have all meant a lot to me. We go through runs together, which helps go through life together. Tom Beaudry and Steve Hauck especially. We have logged many a mile in with our marathon training over the years. But once again, it may have been the running that brought us together, but it was the conversations on those run that meant everything. Those times will always be special memories. All of the new people in our run group…the same thing is developing with them. Always an adventure, and always something to learn from somebody else!
To Jill and Paula…the trail run at the end of October was a ton of fun! I don’t get to see Paula as much now that she is living in Sioux Falls, so it made this run even more special. Run on guys! Always a friend whenever you need someone!
#5: My health. It is safe to say I am not where I want to be after my health issue in the past (coming up on 4 years in March). I am still trying to stay motivated to keep going. I am trying to find new things to do besides just running. Running is still my passion, but I am finding a lot of fun in other types of exercise as well. The reason I need to keep working on my health is so that I keep can appreciating all of the other reasons I have listed above. We all need to keep working on our health to keep making memories with those people close to us.
#6: Appreciating nature. This is a direct tie into reason #5. Since my health issues, I have grown to appreciate the beauty of nature more and more. “Taking the time to smell the roses!” I truly did not take advantage of what was in front of me before. It is too bad it had a take a major life altering event to change. I guess I used being too busy as an excuse. I love the line from one of my favorite movies, “Shawshank Redemption”: “Get busy living, or get busy dying!”
So many similarities, yet all so different. I love my time when I can go take pictures. It just lets me unwind and relax, and take it all in. I have truly come to appreciate these times more and more!
#7: Work, and the people I work with. I have been at Brown Clinic now going on 29 years. My nurse Chris has been with me the whole time. She opted not to retire and keep working with me, even after working there for 45 years! My partners and I over the years have gone through many changes navigating medicine over the years. Those people have all created special memories for a lifetime.
These are some of my things to be thankful for this coming Thanksgiving. What are yours? Are you too busy to appreciate those things that mean the most to you? Slow down and take the time. Time goes way too fast already. My mom is going to turn 89 shortly after Thanksgiving. We are all planning to go to SF to celebrate with her. She is so excited as well!
Happy early birthday mom! So, what are you waiting for? What are you thankful for?
Spread your wings and be adventurous. Take a chance. Be bold. Be appreciative. Be thankful for what you have!! Keep moving everybody!
