Can You Touch Your Toes?

Flexibility

Extent to which a person can cope with change.

I am sitting outside a middle school waiting on the youngest. I’ve got a carline in front of me that extends further than what my eye can see and a marquee sign staring at my face. Every so often the school changes what they call their “character word” and gives all passersby a lesson on what we should expect in ourselves and other people, I suppose. All week long I’ve been staring at this word. Flexibility. And all week long I’ve been thinking unkind thoughts to myself.

Well, maybe not unkind thoughts, but definitely thoughts that make me go ewwww. Flexibility is good, I know, but it sure can hurt sometimes. In the physical sense, I’m not flexible at all. I don’t think I’ve ever been able to touch my toes without bending my knees. Ever. No matter the weight, no matter the age, that is just one thing I’ve never been able to do. I can’t even remember the last time I tried it. I must have given up on that a long time ago.

Flexibility of the mind, ahhhh… now that’s a whole other state of affairs, isn’t it? How flexible are we when it comes to things we don’t like? Do we easily shift to accommodate the needs of others, or do we stand unmoving no matter what? Are there times when flexibility is necessary and other times when making a stand is what's needed?

Oh, the thoughts I think while waiting in a carline. I forgot my nook at home or else I would be deep into George Orwell’s 1984 right now.  As it is, I’m watching other moms in minivans park illegally trying to cut into the carline and then get mad and rev up their four-cylinder motors when the parking police tell them to move. (Granted, I don’t know for sure that parking police exist, but someone ahead of me is playing the role well).

And to think all this is taking place right next to the flexibility sign.

I have a good friend that I use to teach with. She would always say she was fat and then go on to explain:  f = flexible;  a = adaptable;  t = teachable.  I think of her advice often. When you think about it, it’s a pretty positive way to approach life. It reminds us that we all have something to learn; we’re never quite as good as we like to convince ourselves that we are. I know that’s been my lesson the last year or so. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:  I thought I had everything figured out. Thank goodness the Lord loved me enough to show me I didn’t have a clue. He teaches me every day on what it means to be flexible. Some days I like it, some days I don’t, and some days I completely miss the boat.

I may not ever be flexible enough to touch my toes, but I intend to be flexible enough to finish this race and finish it well. Even if the mom in the minivan behind me is honking at me to move up a whole five feet. These carlines can be pretty intense.

Maybe next month’s character word will be patience.

The Cat's At The Top Of The List

The cat won't stop staring at me.
He has followed me around everywhere today.
I'm starting to think I'm his best friend.

The husband thinks I can do no wrong.
He absolutely, positively loved his supper tonight..
I even remembered to patch up his work pants.

The kids were glad to see me.
They love it when I greet them with carbonated joy.
I don't mind buying their affection every now and then.

And so was my day. Kinda funny (and potentially sad) when you read it that way. I'm wondering if it says too much about me that I put the cat first. Seeing that he is currently perched by my feet, lets me pet him most of the time, and never talks back... well, I think it's all in the right order. After all, he is the one I spend my days with. Me and the cat. We're like best buds.

As for supper, I successfully duplicated my husband's favorite restaurant meal. Oh, the rave reviews I received! Yep, he knows how to work me. A little pat on the back goes a long way around here. And the patching of the pants? Pretty remarkable considering I don't sew. That gene skipped me and went straight to my daughter. In fact, I think he did ask her to mend those pants. Oh well. Give me a store-bought patch, dust off the iron, and I can make it work, too.

And hey, is there any town that doesn't have a Sonic with half-price drinks at happy hour? That's right. I've got it figured out. Occasionally pick your kids up from school with a cherry dr. pepper or a strawberry slush ready to go. It'll put the most thankful of smiles on even the grumpiest teenager's face. Not that my kids are ever grumpy. Or moody. Nope. Not my kids. They are the next thing to perfection (you can hear the sarcasm, right?).

Don't worry. I'm not delusional. I'm just fine.
I've got my sleeping cat, my happy husband, and my satisfied kids.

At least until the sun comes up tomorrow.

Virtual Distractions

This virtual world is a funny thing. Things get said that make you wonder if the same words would be spoken face to face. People share details and forget their mothers are reading the same thing their BFF is... same thing with party pictures of the night before and that general rule of too much information.

 

Why am I sharing this? I don't know, but it's my virtual world. I guess I can.

 

I like Facebook. I really do. It keeps me in touch with my mom and dad and brother almost a thousand miles away. Yes, we use the phone, too, but sometimes (okay, all the time) it's fun to kick back in my recliner and chat with my mom online or make comments back and forth with my brother and nieces and cousins and long lost friends from my early days.

 

And I am pretty picky about my online friends. The ones that disappear or just never make their presence known, the ones the cuss and share locker room style jokes, the ones that are just plain rude and bossy; well, I tend to sort through them from time to time. I wonder if I'm the only one who does this. I look at my list of friends and think about all the pictures I share of my kids. I like to know who's looking at them.

 

Then again, there is this blog. I post pictures on here and sometimes (okay, all the time) intimate details about what goes on in my mind. Unlike Facebook, there really is very little control regarding who has access to my life... at least the part I intentionally share. I know that in addition to the United States, I have regular visitors from Poland and Malaysia, Russia and Germany, and as of today, the Netherlands. The countries that pop up always make me laugh to myself. I wonder about the people who are reading about my grandma and my brother and my pink bike.

 

Maybe they find the same distraction I find in other blogs. I've got favorites in Missouri and Connecticut, California and New Mexico, and of all places, the Middle East. All women. All different walks of life. All very entertaining and surprisingly refreshing. All reminders that we basically share the same joys, the same sorrows; the same sunshine and the same rain. I like that. It makes me feel less alone and more a part of something bigger.

 

I guess I've just been spending some time reflecting about why I started this series of writings. Like most people, I think, I just wanted to be heard. By whom? Well, I have no idea. I tend to leave things like that to the Lord. It has yet to ever work out the way I think I should. So today I was thinking about three particular entries I made last year. And it was good to remember.

 

• Remembering the beginning.
• Remembering to laugh.
• Remembering it's okay to just sit and think.

 

And yes, most of my reflecting and laughing and thinking takes place on my front porch swing. And when the sun goes down? Well, that's when I've got my feet up in the recliner (typically with the cat sprawled out over them), a cup of coffee at my side, and my laptop open waiting for my mom to leave her virtual farm and come knocking on my virtual door. It's my little slice of the virtual world.

My Valentine Bike

I'm typically not one to get too excited over Valentine's Day. My husband and I have never really done anything special for it; after all, we're usually still paying for Christmas during this time and our anniversary is just a month away. So Valentine's Day usually comes and goes with a few hastily bought cards and a modest-size box of chocolates.

This year was a pleasant surprise and completely unexpected. Sometime last year, a certain bike caught my eye at our local Walmart. A bike that we didn't have the money for and was certainly not needed. It's not like we ride bikes a lot, but on occasion we head to the beach with a bike rack or just pick a path somewhere close to the house.

As it happened, my husband had the day off. After mysteriously disappearing for an hour or so with the boys yesterday, I was called into the living room last night. My girl said, I bet he got you that pink bike. I shrugged her off saying, That pink bike is long forgotten; besides, you know we don't really get each other stuff. So I can honestly say I was completely caught off guard.

This morning after dropping the kids off at school, we loaded up the bikes and went for a ride. I couldn't stop smiling when he told me to take it for a test drive and checked to see if the seat was all right. He couldn't stop smiling when he said the only thing missing was streamers. I have a feeling that by the time we do make it the beach, I will definitely have pink and white streamers.

The morning was beautiful and the company was even better. We took every bench we saw along the way as an opportunity to sit and talk and think. We looked on the bright side of the place in which we now live instead of looking sadly at all we left behind. We said hello to people young and old we passed along the way and wondered what the future would bring.

He laughed when I took pictures while trying to pedal, but was quick to point out this perfect shot along the way. We sat very still for a while here. It's amazing what all you can see and hear of the world when you take the time to shut the world out (if that makes any sense). It's amazing how quickly you can forget when times are bad how special the person is sitting next you.

I'm so thankful he thought I was worth the time to remind to me that life really is what we make of it. It doesn't always have to revolve around what's-for-dinner and homework and chauffeuring kids around. Sometimes it just needs to revolve around the two people that started it all. Two people and one pink bike. We just might have started a new tradition.

Don't Bring Me Down

I'm sitting here thinking about the assignments I am currently working on. I spent all of last week making and perfecting a powerpoint presentation regarding the English peasantry during the Middle Ages and let me tell you, it was perfect. I stayed faithful to the task, didn't go off track too many times, and had it all done by Friday. Along with that, I had two other papers (one I have yet to start) and as I was getting ready this evening to submit the powerpoint and a separate essay, I noticed what the project was worth.

Four points.

I thought, you have got to be kidding me. I worked hard on that. Heck, I can write a 2,000-word paper in a couple of hours and still walk away with an A (I'm not bragging here, so stay with me). That powerpoint was a pain in the backside to me. I kept losing stuff and moving things to places that I could not find. Keep in mind that it was my children who first introduced me to the concept of powerpoints. They are the ones I go to for help. I was proud that I had completed this one all on my own and yes, I did make everyone look at it whether they cared or not.

Big whoop, right?

That did bring me down a notch, though. I had to pause a moment to blog my thoughts. Afterall, are the points important or just the fact that I finished it, and finished it well. I can hear myself talking to my kids. Be proud of your work. If you did your best, who cares what it was worth. Blah, blah, blah. I sure better get those full four points.

Oh, but what a great day this has been. I am sorry to say my latest Facebook post was one of those that I usually roll my eyes at: Today has been a day that makes your heart smile. I am usually not that sappy. I'm the one who waits for it all to fall apart.

But today? Coffee. Cini-minis. Church. Lunch. Mall. Coffee. Front Porch Swing. In that order. And the fact that I even dared to include the mall testifies to the fact that it was indeed a very good day.

Even if the words four points threatened to bring it all crashing to the ground. There are worse things in life. Like an F. Now that would be sad.

I'll take those four points and be proud and happy and fulfilled and celebrate with another cup of coffee. There's not enough points in the world right now to bring me down from today. We'll hang on to it as long as we can.

Tony's Journey: Volume One

I've been giving this entry some thought for quite a little while now and for once, it has nothing to do about me, my kids or husband, my unemployment status or my financial woes. It does, however, having everything to do with someone that I happen to think a lot about.

Yes, I realized that for something that has nothing to do with me, maybe my picture should not be included. But you know, I've got a mom who will love stuff like this.

Allow me to introduce you to my brother. I have another photo identical to the one above with the exception of the fact he is holding bunny ears up behind my head, bridal veil and all. I've got that one safely tucked away in my wedding album.

I've talked about him before and that same bunny ear picture. You can read here all about him becoming a new grandpa. He's been through quite a lot in his life and has got one remarkable testimony, in my opinion. One day I might try to talk him into sharing that. For now, though, I asked him for permission to share the current journey that he's about to embark on. He readily agreed, but I gotta warn you ~ he doesn't mince words. He says exactly what he thinks and doesn't hold anything back. That's one of the things that makes him... well, him.

Through Facebook, he has been sharing bits and pieces of a surgery he has been preparing for since last year, I believe. I thought it would be interesting to sort of document everything on here as well. I really think this is a story others will find to be informative; maybe there are those out there who are thinking about having the same kind of procedure done. He thinks that same way. In fact, he said that's why he has been sharing on Facebook and why he is so thorough in his details (and another disclaimer here, these accounts can be pretty detailed; he is my brother after all).

Anyway, I am not sure how often I will update via this blog. If he keeps me supplied with enough material, it could very well be a weekly thing. There is no plan here, just an opportunity to talk about someone I happen to love very much and am very proud of. And by the way, his name is Tony.

Here's a recent picture of him with his new grandbaby. He likes to call her his little buddy.

And here is a mini-journal of sorts about what is going on in his life (copied with his approval, although the grammar teacher in me cannot avoid correcting mechanical errors... Sorry! I've been without a red pen for far too long. The words, though, are definitely his).

January 25, 2011

Well, today is my 44th Birthday, And everyone that has called or text me, are SHOCKED that I am at work. I haven't worked on my birthday since 1991 and I was in the desert during the gulf war. In fact that night we were being bombed by Saddam. Oh what a fun birthday that was. For the record, I am getting ready to have my weight loss surgery so I didn't want to miss too much work. I am dedicated like that. LOL

Well, I got back from the Doctor, and the countdown is on. My Surgery date will be the 21st of Feb. My last really good meal is going to be on the 9th of Feb. And TRUST me it won't be a TV dinner. Oh, for those that don't know I am going to have Gastric Sleeve Bypass, they are going to remove 80% of my stomach. Hope they let me keep it in a Pickle Jar on the shelf. LOL

February 11, 2011

Well, the countdown is on for this really, really fat guy to have the “let’s make you skinny” surgery. I had a busy day today, EKG, blood work, X-rays, and the class on learning how to shrink up your organs so they can cut 80% of your stomach out.

For the next 7 days, my eating habits are going to really get hammered on. I get a protein shake in the morning, a protein bar for a snack, 4 oz. of meat, chicken, fish I get to pick one, and I get 1 oz. of stupid veggies. then I get another... protein bar for afternoon snack, the for supper it will be the 4 oz of meat, fish, chicken and 1 oz. of veggies. on my 8,9,10 day I will be on a liquid diet of 3 protein shakes and 3 protein drinks. That is it, nothing else. On my 11th day I go under the knife. From Sunday (20th) to Tuesday morning (22nd) I will have NOTHING to drink or eat. Tuesday morning I get 1, yes, I said one piece of ice every 30 minutes. This goes on all day. The ice has a blue dye in it. This way they can see if my new stomach is leaking. There is more to the story but I'll stop now. THIS SHOULD BE FUN

Today is the official start of my 10 day diet before my surgery on the 21st. I weighed in at a tip-toeing 385.0. It was 4:30 a.m. I was wearing just my drawers with about 4 inch of crack showing. I want you to feel like you was right there at the weigh in. LOL For breakfast was 7oz of 1% milk mixed with strawberry flavored protein mix (made by Chike).

So now you can see where this is going. If you're interested, look for the entries with this same title. If you're not, well, just move on to another cup of coffee and cozy up with this one about my two grandmas. If you have any questions and/or encouragement about the surgery (and notice I said questions and/or encouragement... this is not the time for opinions or doomsday predictions), ask away in the comment section. I happen to know my brother visits my blog often and has made a few comments of his own from time to time. He said he would answer any questions he doesn't cover in his Facebook updates.

And with that, my dad is calling me.

And a girl's got to go when her dad is calling.

This Was My Thursday

Today I spent a lot of time trying to stay busy

 and not really getting a lot done.

I worked on school papers and listened to internet

 radio and was just generally distracted.

I played with the cat.

So let's recap.

 School work.

Internet radio.



Distractions.

Did I mention I played with the cat?