I did a spinning class the other day. My third one...EVER.
The lady that taught it was a sub for the regular teacher. She was about as fit as anyone I've ever seen. I'm not one to judge age - but I would guess she was mid-40's -- you know -- WAY older than me. Bike shorts and spandex t-shirts don't leave much to the imagination, however, so I can say with all confidence that she had not one single ounce of fat on her body.
(Just a sidenote: ALL of the instructors at the gym look this way. Rather than intimidating, I find it all very motivating. I keep thinking, "well, she obviously does this class and look at her. Maybe if I do this class...you get the idea. Of course, I'll never be 5'2" and 105 pounds.)
She began by saying, "My name is _____ and it's so good to be back." (She never did explain where she'd been, but after taking her class, I have my theories.) She continued with, "I recently completed a 16 hour training for BOOT CAMP. I really hope you'll join me on June 2nd."
And with that, she cranked the stereo and we were off. UP. (FASTER) UP. (FASTER) UP. (FASTER) A VERY LARGE MOUNTAIN. Apparently, Metallica blasting was not inspiring enough -- because she cranked the music louder and told us to "add more road." It didn't take long for me to be grateful, despite the HUGE fan that circulates around the room, that I had put on two or three layers of deoderant. Seriously. Who knew I could sweat so much?
It also didn't take long before I had to start visualizing the contestants from this season's BIGGEST LOSER. I looked at the ground by my bike and thought, "I have a created a literal pool of sweat -- just like Filipe did...and I am not 400 pounds." I do not exaggerate.
Whenever this rock-solid-not-even-breathing-hard-woman opened her mouth, I was SURE she would say, "ok, take a little off." But no - it was exactly the opposite. "Give me a quarter turn." "Give it a half-turn." "FEEL THE ROAD!" (Blast the music louder.)
Are you kidding? I could feel "the road"...as well as an extreme burning sensation from my toes, to my calves, to my quads and my hamstrings. Let's just say that if those body parts could talk, they would not have been calling me nice names.
I started in with my mantra of "What is 2 minutes out of my entire life? I can do anything for 60 seconds. If Tara (personally, the most inspiring player from Biggest Loser) can do it...so can I." Then my mantra became, "Only 20 more seconds. What is 15 seconds? I can do anything for 10 seconds." Over and over and over. AGAIN.
It's a wonder I didn't fall off the bike.
Imagine my dismay when I looked down and saw that I had created an even bigger pool of sweat. I was quite certain the poor woman next to me was quietly wishing that she had chosen a bike on the opposite side of the room. Seriously. Who wants to ride next to a purple-faced-mother-of-5-who-is-huffing-and-puffing-so-hard-she-puts-the-Big-Bad-Wolf-to-shame?
"ADD MORE ROAD! This should be starting to get difficult." Yeah - STARTING to get difficult. THAT is what it was.
And then, thankfully, yet sadly, 45 minutes of torture was over.
And I loved it.
So I went back today.
And, I took Greg with me.
It was a different teacher, but that didn't matter. She (who also had not a single ounce of anything 'extra') WORKED me. Greg didn't think it was as tough as I thought it was. But then, we both agreed that maybe he didn't add enough road.
That's got to be it, right?
I'm certain (although not as certain as I am about the fact that these instructors are super-ultra-fit) that my tension levels were cranked almost to the max. Really. I doubt it would have been possible to feel much more road.
Yeah...I'll keep telling myself that.
All I can say is, "Crazy lady...I'm following you to BOOT CAMP!"
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Gone, but not forgotten
Yesterday marked the 2 year anniversary of the death of Greg's friend and fellow police officer, Jason West. In honor of all those who sacrifice for the safety and freedom of others, I'm posting another essay I wrote in the weeks after Jason died. He might be gone, but he is not forgotten.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If you’ve never lived this life, it’s hard to understand.
And if you have lived this life, sometimes, it’s even harder to understand.
I never had the privilege of knowing Officer Wayne Leon or his family. A 32 year-old married father of three, Officer Leon was gunned down on the job June 25, 2000. It was just 4 weeks after my husband graduated from the Police Academy and was sworn in as a Cleveland Heights Police officer along with Jason West.
Upon hearing about Officer Leon, the thought came, “That could easily be us one day.” The news hit too close to home.
I didn’t meet Officer Ryan Nagy, or his wife Barb, until after the accident that resulted in Ryan being pinned between two vehicles during a traffic stop. To save his life, Barb gave doctor’s permission to amputate Ryan’s leg. I cried as I read the Plain Dealer series, which gave the outside world a brief glimpse as to how drastically, and dramatically the Nagy’s lives changed in a matter of minutes. What was supposed to be ‘routine,’ was anything but. There is nothing routine about this job and again, the news hit too close to home.
It was just minutes after 10 o’clock Friday night when the phone rang. Tired from having had only 3 days off in the past 16 days, and knowing the next full day off wouldn’t come until June 3rd, Greg was a bit irritable and ready for bed.
The call was brief and the look on his face was disbelief.
“What’s wrong?” I asked as he snapped the phone shut.
“Jason West was shot over on Altamont. His prognosis isn’t good. I’m going to the hospital. I’ll call you later.”
Around 11 he called and said, “It’s not good. Jason’s mom just got here.”
Shortly after midnight we spoke again. With a catch in his voice he said, “Jason didn’t make it.”
“I’m so sorry,” was all I could manage before the tears started streaming and emotion took over.
This time the news hit home.
Greg got home around 1 am and he told me what the scene at the hospital had been like, how Jason had looked and what he had learned about the circumstances. It was all so senseless. Jason didn’t stand a chance. He was shot multiple times from close range as he exited his police cruiser. Greg said he was likely dead before he hit the ground, his gun still in its holster. Not one to show emotion, I could see how upset he was. Jason wasn’t just a police officer, he was a colleague and more importantly, he was a friend.
Some might consider it odd that while we talked about a friend who had just been murdered; a friend he had passed on the road just 5 short hours before, Greg methodically ironed the creases into his Shaker Heights Police uniform.
He was back at work by 6am.
We’ve lived this life for 7 years yet it still strikes me when I sit at home, reading “Goodnight Moon,” to our four young children, knowing that my husband, their dad, could be running through quiet backyards, chasing down violent criminals by the light of the moon.
Or when I think back to the first time his SWAT pager started beeping in the middle of the night. I was certain I would never fall back asleep. How do you sleep knowing that the person you love is heading directly into harm’s way? Imagine my surprise when I woke several hours later as Greg was quietly coming back in the door.
I still feel guilty about that.
And now, what was already scheduled to be a busy week for so many, is going to be filled with memorials, parades, ceremonies and bittersweet reunions of family, friends and comrades. New relationships will be formed from this tragedy and old ties will be strengthened. The bond among thousands of strangers will be solidified. Tears will be shed, and I dare say, even a few laughs will be shared.
If you’ve never lived this life, it’s hard to understand.
And if you have lived this life: If you do live this life, sometimes, it’s even harder to understand.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If you’ve never lived this life, it’s hard to understand.
And if you have lived this life, sometimes, it’s even harder to understand.
I never had the privilege of knowing Officer Wayne Leon or his family. A 32 year-old married father of three, Officer Leon was gunned down on the job June 25, 2000. It was just 4 weeks after my husband graduated from the Police Academy and was sworn in as a Cleveland Heights Police officer along with Jason West.
Upon hearing about Officer Leon, the thought came, “That could easily be us one day.” The news hit too close to home.
I didn’t meet Officer Ryan Nagy, or his wife Barb, until after the accident that resulted in Ryan being pinned between two vehicles during a traffic stop. To save his life, Barb gave doctor’s permission to amputate Ryan’s leg. I cried as I read the Plain Dealer series, which gave the outside world a brief glimpse as to how drastically, and dramatically the Nagy’s lives changed in a matter of minutes. What was supposed to be ‘routine,’ was anything but. There is nothing routine about this job and again, the news hit too close to home.
It was just minutes after 10 o’clock Friday night when the phone rang. Tired from having had only 3 days off in the past 16 days, and knowing the next full day off wouldn’t come until June 3rd, Greg was a bit irritable and ready for bed.
The call was brief and the look on his face was disbelief.
“What’s wrong?” I asked as he snapped the phone shut.
“Jason West was shot over on Altamont. His prognosis isn’t good. I’m going to the hospital. I’ll call you later.”
Around 11 he called and said, “It’s not good. Jason’s mom just got here.”
Shortly after midnight we spoke again. With a catch in his voice he said, “Jason didn’t make it.”
“I’m so sorry,” was all I could manage before the tears started streaming and emotion took over.
This time the news hit home.
Greg got home around 1 am and he told me what the scene at the hospital had been like, how Jason had looked and what he had learned about the circumstances. It was all so senseless. Jason didn’t stand a chance. He was shot multiple times from close range as he exited his police cruiser. Greg said he was likely dead before he hit the ground, his gun still in its holster. Not one to show emotion, I could see how upset he was. Jason wasn’t just a police officer, he was a colleague and more importantly, he was a friend.
Some might consider it odd that while we talked about a friend who had just been murdered; a friend he had passed on the road just 5 short hours before, Greg methodically ironed the creases into his Shaker Heights Police uniform.
He was back at work by 6am.
We’ve lived this life for 7 years yet it still strikes me when I sit at home, reading “Goodnight Moon,” to our four young children, knowing that my husband, their dad, could be running through quiet backyards, chasing down violent criminals by the light of the moon.
Or when I think back to the first time his SWAT pager started beeping in the middle of the night. I was certain I would never fall back asleep. How do you sleep knowing that the person you love is heading directly into harm’s way? Imagine my surprise when I woke several hours later as Greg was quietly coming back in the door.
I still feel guilty about that.
And now, what was already scheduled to be a busy week for so many, is going to be filled with memorials, parades, ceremonies and bittersweet reunions of family, friends and comrades. New relationships will be formed from this tragedy and old ties will be strengthened. The bond among thousands of strangers will be solidified. Tears will be shed, and I dare say, even a few laughs will be shared.
If you’ve never lived this life, it’s hard to understand.
And if you have lived this life: If you do live this life, sometimes, it’s even harder to understand.
Friday, May 22, 2009
I know I shouldn't be happy...but I'm not upset either
This was in yesterday's paper. Remember my "Landlord Chronicles" from last February? Well, this was "The Landlord Chronicles" part 145,999,366,006,555. Suffice it to say that this was our former tenant. I'll spare you the details (unless you really want to know -- and then I'll give you more than you bargained for.) I've moved on...but I won't lie...this article didn't break my heart.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Emil Katrinak steals elderly man's life savings, gets 4 years in prison
Posted by Michael Sangiacomo/Plain Dealer Reporter May 20, 2009 09:12AM
Categories: Breaking News, Crime
Summit County JailEmil Katrinak
AKRON — Emil Katrinak, 41, of North Ridgeville was sentenced to four years in prison Tuesday for taking an 80-year-old man's life's savings in a Florida property development scam.
Katrinak pleaded guilty to theft from the elderly and grand theft on Sept. 2. He persuaded Armand Thierfelder of Stow, who uses a wheelchair and an oxygen machine, and the elderly man's family members to give him more than $140,000 for property investments.
Katrinak told the victim that he was using the money to build premium real estate in Florida and invited them to invest in the property development.
"This person scammed an 80-year-old out of his life savings," said Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh in a news release. "He went to great lengths to impress the victims into believing his scam by flying them to St. Louis, picking them up in a helicopter he claimed was his own, putting them up in a posh hotel and claiming he was part owner of the St. Louis
Rams and multiple properties in Cleveland, Los Angeles, Erie and Tampa."
Walsh said the victim thought he was investing in properties that the defendant was building. In the end, he received nothing.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Emil Katrinak steals elderly man's life savings, gets 4 years in prison
Posted by Michael Sangiacomo/Plain Dealer Reporter May 20, 2009 09:12AM
Categories: Breaking News, Crime
Summit County JailEmil Katrinak
AKRON — Emil Katrinak, 41, of North Ridgeville was sentenced to four years in prison Tuesday for taking an 80-year-old man's life's savings in a Florida property development scam.
Katrinak pleaded guilty to theft from the elderly and grand theft on Sept. 2. He persuaded Armand Thierfelder of Stow, who uses a wheelchair and an oxygen machine, and the elderly man's family members to give him more than $140,000 for property investments.
Katrinak told the victim that he was using the money to build premium real estate in Florida and invited them to invest in the property development.
"This person scammed an 80-year-old out of his life savings," said Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh in a news release. "He went to great lengths to impress the victims into believing his scam by flying them to St. Louis, picking them up in a helicopter he claimed was his own, putting them up in a posh hotel and claiming he was part owner of the St. Louis
Rams and multiple properties in Cleveland, Los Angeles, Erie and Tampa."
Walsh said the victim thought he was investing in properties that the defendant was building. In the end, he received nothing.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
You've got that right
Thankfully, the month of May is almost over. And with that comes...not as many simultaneous-events-to-be-at-all-at-the-same-time-with-5-children-right-at-dinnertime-at-opposite-ends-of-the-city-or-better-yet, in-two-different-cities-while-my-spouse-is-at-work. That sentence pretty much sums up how I feel. Like I've been running on...and on....and on...and on.....
Monday, May 18, 2009
Doin' a little 'Hoe Down, Throw Down'
Boom boom clap, boom de clap de clap.Boom boom clap, boom de clap de clap.
One, two, three...
Everybody come on, off your seats,
I'm gonna tell you about a beat
That's gonna make you move your feet.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
And that, my friends, is exactly what they did.
See me grow
As of last week, I weigh just over 18 pounds (yes, you read that correctly), am 25" long, and I am rolling....look at me go!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Something to consider
"Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace.
God is awake."
-- Victor Hugo
God is awake."
-- Victor Hugo
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Happy Mother's Day
Dear Mom:
I'm too young for shopping
And can't make a card,
So I thought and I thought,
And I thought really hard.
What can I do
To make this day just right?
Then I slept and I slept
And I slept through the night.
I'm too young for shopping
And can't make a card,
So I thought and I thought,
And I thought really hard.
What can I do
To make this day just right?
Then I slept and I slept
And I slept through the night.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Every so often, there is a perk
Greg's line of work doesn't come with a ton of perks. I mean, say a "corporate client" offers to take you for a spin in his "new ride." Can you really rest assured that the ride is truly his? Oh sure, he gets to see inside some pretty impressive abodes on occasion -- but that is only because their burglar alarms are going off. That really doesn't do much for the rest of the family, however.
But, every so often, there is a perk -- like the one we had Thursday night. Greg is a member of the Honor Guard, and they got called down to do the flag ceremony of Game 2 of the NBA playoffs -- Cleveland CAVS vs. Atlanta Hawks.
Cambrie and I got to go down to center court to take pictures. Unfortunately, the pictures didn't turn out, but we sure had lots of fun. (I did anyway. Cambrie just kept looking around in utter amazement with what Kenzie and Brynnley call her "freak eyes.")
In case you missed the game, the CAVS gave the Hawks quite a pounding...leading by 30 points at one point allowed for some pretty impressive dunks and ball handling. Cambrie was an angel (**following in Kenzie's footsteps as a WITNESS to greatness.) We are grateful to Greg's parents for being so willing to watch the 4 other kids, on a school night, so we could go and play. Ooops - I mean work. Greg was working.
But, every so often, there is a perk -- like the one we had Thursday night. Greg is a member of the Honor Guard, and they got called down to do the flag ceremony of Game 2 of the NBA playoffs -- Cleveland CAVS vs. Atlanta Hawks.
Cambrie and I got to go down to center court to take pictures. Unfortunately, the pictures didn't turn out, but we sure had lots of fun. (I did anyway. Cambrie just kept looking around in utter amazement with what Kenzie and Brynnley call her "freak eyes.")
In case you missed the game, the CAVS gave the Hawks quite a pounding...leading by 30 points at one point allowed for some pretty impressive dunks and ball handling. Cambrie was an angel (**following in Kenzie's footsteps as a WITNESS to greatness.) We are grateful to Greg's parents for being so willing to watch the 4 other kids, on a school night, so we could go and play. Ooops - I mean work. Greg was working.
'WITNESS' THE MVP(Lebron's not bad either!)
Trying to balance Cambrie in my left arm, dodge the media and camera chords, while taking pictures with the wrong lense...well, you can see the results.
Normally, I wouldn't be snapping photos during the National Anthem...but, it's not like I could have put my hand over my heart anyway...my hands were full. So, I did the next best thing - -photographing the honor guard, and taking pictures of Anderson Varejo and Lebron James.
YES. I see you Lebron. If this cameraman would just move his head...I could take a much better picture.
Don't mind the hair matted to my face. The combination of rain, heat in the Q and the workout I got carrying Cambrie took it's toll on my usually-oh-so-lovely appearance.
Go Moondog. Go Moondog. Go Moondog. GO.** When Kenzie was two months old, the honor guard performed at the playoffs as well. If I can find those pictures, I will post them.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
FOR RENT
3839 Mayfield Road, Cleveland Heights, OH* 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath
* living/dining with wood floors and fireplace
* eat-in kitchen with ceramic tile
* ceiling fans throughout
* large, fully-fenced yard
* driveway and garage parking
* ample storage in basement and on the third floor
* conveniently located near shopping, RTA line, CWRU, JCU, hospitals and so much more
* balcony, covered back porch
* credit check and deposit required
* AVAILABLE June 1st
* Want more info? Call 440-453-9291
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