Friends,
Valentines Day – Let’s share our love
Tomorrow is Valentines Day. Is it MS that draws us all together? Or is it the love we all have for someone with MS and each other that draws us all together? I truly believe it’s the love we have for someone with MS and the love we have for each other that draws us all together. I have to give God some credit for this as well as I believe it’s His love for all of us that keeps us all going.
Let’s do our part to share our love this Valentines Day. I love you all…Happy Valentines Day!
Dianne Post update
Speaking of love, we know how much Dianne loved coming to the gym and being with all of us. We loved Dianne coming as well. She always had her big smile and a huge amount of determination with her no matter how challenging her MS is or her day is.
Last week, I made an announcement at the gym and asked everyone to keep Dianne and her family in our prayers. Dianne had a UTI that turned into pneumonia. Dianne is out of the hospital now but unfortunataely is at home with hospice care and the care of her kind and loving husband Phil. She’s still eating a little and drinking but doesn’t have enough strength to talk much. She’s alert and knows who is there and what’s going on.
Phil says Dianne would appreciate visitors, he just asks to call or text him before you come so he can let the dogs out. If anyone wants to check on Dianne or text her a message, you can text or call Phil and he will get her the message. Phil would also welcome visitors. Here’s Phil’s contact info:
Phil Post
1425 Plainfield
Mount Pleasant, WI 53403
Cell: 262-498-5173
If you want to send Dianne a card, you can send it to that address as well. Let’s all keep Dianne and her family in our prayers. Thanks so much!
Tom Holtackers presentation
Tom has been through a lot and continues to make the best of each day. Tom shared many words of wisdom last Friday.
I’m amazed at how he does not let what he used to be able to do in the past (the rear view mirror) get him down and how he keeps looking out the front windshield for the blessings in his life and makes the best of each day despite the challenges of living with MS and lifes challenges. Thanks so much for sharing Tom! I hope your Day of Endurance journey goes well in 2024.
Day of Endurance 2024 – August 24, 2024
Please turn your weekly progress notes in to Kate and pick up another sheet for the next two week period which will be turned in 2-23-2024. We will be using your progress sheets to help you make progress as well as share with others with MS that may benefit from what we are doing as a journey.
It’s really important that we’re active and we enjoy the journey of training for the Day of Endurance…preferably together. I hope you can find some workout friends to enjoy this journey with. It can be others with MS, neighbors, family members, movie stars, it doesn’t matter. It really only takes one other person to have show up and do whatever you’re going to do each day together. You can pick different people different days.
Let’s make this a recreational adventure. A social adventure. A rewarding experience. And… “share” it. So, let’s start inviting friends and family members to join us on this journey and have some fun with it.
Please share your progress with Kate. Kate and Mike are working together to come up with a way to share our progress all year this year. I hope you’ll engage in the journey and make progress yourself.
Bowling Tournament – We still need bowlers!
Our bowling tournament is less than two weeks away. That’s exciting!
Our first annual MS-Just Keep Moving, Inc. bowling tournament will be on February 24 / 25th. It’s going to be fun! The Sunday lanes are full! We still need bowlers for some of the Saturday lanes.
Please consider bowling with us and inviting your family and friends. THANK YOU to all who are bowling and volunteering!
For more information, please contact Bob Brandemuehl @ bandebeagles@wi.rr.com
Cardio and Balance Programs
These classes are aimed to get everyone exercising together. I like that word “together” 😊. We’ll need help from volunteers before and after the cardio class on Wednesday to get members on and off equipment. All are welcome and encouraged to join.
Wednesdays 10-10:30am: Cardio exercise
Location: in the big room using aerobic equipment in front of big TV
Pick your favorite piece of equipment to use, bring a water bottle, and arrive a few minutes early to get the equipment set up to your height.
10:30 – 11:45am Tai Chi led by Ricky
Fridays: Balance training & Core strengthening and Spin Classes
9:30am – 10:00am: Spin Class in front room led by Mike Beiermeister. Bikes are limited so this will be first come first served.
10-10:30 am: seated balance class
10:30 – 11am: standing balance class
Pick the class / classes you feel most able and comfortable participating in. We will have chairs set up to sit on and/or use for balance support.
Email Kate at kborn1234@gmail.com with any questions.
Friday Morning Bike Ride
It’s going to be too cold this Friday…no ride. Let’s work hard indoors all winter so we’re ready to ride again in the spring.
Educational Sessions
Friday, February 16th 11:00am – noon. Becky Thomas and Gayle Caya will be doing a presentation on safe transfers.
Friday, February 23 11:00am – noon. Meg Walker who is a physical therapist specializing in pelvic floor exercises which help our core strength, bladder issues, etc. Meg will be here to teach us some of these exercises
Friday, March 8th 11:00 – noon. Rob Multerer, President of the National MS Society – Wisconsin Chapter will be here with a couple of board members to discuss the National MS Society.
Future topics could include: emotional health, nutrition, yoga, tai chi, wellness topics, safe use of gym equipment for your body, best exercise for you and more. What topics would you like to see? Please let Kate, Joan, Traci, Ricky or Dan know
Let’s get together!
We’ll be getting together from 9:00am – noon on Wednesday and Friday mornings at the gym. I hope you’ll join us!
Wisconsin Metal Parts – Westmound Building
MS-Just Keep Moving, Inc.
W228N791 Westmound Drive
Waukesha, WI 53186
Prayer Group We’ll be having our prayer group Wednesday @ 11:00am.
I just love the way we share, pray and laugh together while we witness prayers being answered weekly. It’s truly amazing!
Thanks goes to God and to everyone that joins us. Let’s get together to share, listen, talk, give thanks, and pray however God leads us.
MS-Just Keep Caring – Our Caregivers support group will be the first and third Friday of each month from 10:00 – 10:30am. The next one will be this Friday, February 16, 2024. If you’re a caregiver of someone you love with MS, please join us and share your experience of caring for your loved one. This has been very helpful for many. Thanks to all who participate!
Our Facebook page is private. That means you’ll need to join if you want access to all our fun and progress. We’re now up to 475 members. That’s awesome! https://www.facebook.com/groups/2639832389489709
Our Facebook page is very active and fun. Lots of people are doing more and sharing their journey on Facebook. Feel free to join, post and share your experiences and comments.
There were some awesome pictures, videos and comments shared again this past week. Thank you to all who are sharing!
Thai Massage with Ricky Heldt
Ricky will be here Wednesday and Friday doing Thai Massage.
Many continue making great progress with chronic pain relief, range of motion, walking better and a new sense of hope when Ricky works with them. Please keep in mind that consistency is key. Not only with Ricky…with exercise too. We need consistency to realize the benefits long term. We want you to have long term benefits and relief.
Ricky has a sign up board based on first come first serve. You can pick the time slot that works for you. I highly encourage you to take advantage of Ricky’s Thai Massages each day and sign up for your time slot as soon as you get there.
Reiki with Linda Linda will be here on Fridays doing Reiki. Many people say Linda’s Reiki work is “magical”. We’re thankful for Linda sharing her gifts and talents with us. Feel free to let Linda know you’d like to do Reiki with her. She also has a sign up sheet.
Inspirational Humor with Adam Wollert
We’ll be having our inspirational humor zoom call with Adam again next Tuesday. Adam is a gift to all of us. Thanks to all who joined us today!
Please join us if you can.
Tuesdays @ 1:30PM
Here’s the link to join us…I hope you do!
Join Zoom Meeting with this link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9431389152?pwd=bWlYbFNaazVnM1M1cWxWMitlODdXUT09
Meeting ID: 943 138 9152
Passcode: 3qP2hu
Phone: 1-312-626-6799
Let’s reach out
I encourage you to share a smile and encouragement with someone. Perhaps you could call someone that you have not talked with for a while just to say hi and see how they are doing. We all could use a little extra love and encouragement.
MS is tough. Let’s have faith, remain calm, be flexible, help each other and learn as much as we can about the challenges of each day as we make good choices.
Let’s keep moving, loving and smiling 😊
In God We Trust…we are in good hands.
Dan
P.S. As I was out in nature this past week, I knew Valentine’s Day was coming up so I was looking for signs of love in nature. These two ducks were getting along pretty well.
So were these geese.
I was driving along the country side and saw some nice-looking round hay bales. I thought I would stop and take a picture of them. As I was taking the pictures, these pigeons thought they would fly by and add a little to it.
I always like to see how close I can get to the critters in nature. I got pretty close to this duck. I was standing on the bank and I don’t think he saw me. He swam right under me.
I got lucky and found a nice pair of sheds this weekend. This deer must have been a fighter because some of his tines are broke off. It was fun finding them.
I was able to enjoy a nice sunset Saturday evening
And another one last night in our backyard.
For those who can’t get out and enjoy nature due your challenges with MS…my heart is with you. You are with me every time I’m out there. I enjoy being out there and I also enjoy sharing with you. I know how hard it is not to be able to get out and enjoy nature. Let’s enjoy nature and God’s beauty together this way.