Day 30: It could have been worse

This is for Day 30 of a challenge 30 Days of Writing started by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese. Today’s prompt was It could have been worse

Whew! 30 days! I can hardly believe I made it! As someone who in the past has not been a regular poster this WAS a challenge!!! 


Through this challenge I have met some really talented bloggers and for that Nicky & Mike I thank you! This has given me the opportunity to flex my blogging "muscles" and in some ways to find my voice. It has been frustrating at times, but it has been good for me as a learning experience.


So now I am going to take a well deserved rest and spend some quality time with my hubby...
Hugs & kisses to my new blogging friends!

Hey it could've been worse... it could've been 60 days! ;)

Day 29: Breaking the rules

This is for Day 29 of a challenge 30 Days of Writing started by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese. Today’s prompt was:  Breaking the rules

Be true to yourself!

Very true!

Wise!

I like these rules!

 Make your own rules!

Day 28: The turning point

This is for Day 28 of a challenge 30 Days of Writing started by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese. Today’s prompt was: The turning point.

At some point in your life you have to make a decision which will literally change the direction of your life. You can have many turning points within your lifetime. For me some of these included;
What do I major in in college?
Do I get married?
Do I have kids?
Do I take a chance and move cross country for a job?
Do I go back to work after having kids?

You get the idea-

Throughout my adult life after I had my kids I have packed on extra weight. Each baby added on weight.  About 75 extra/ unwanted/ unneeded pounds. When you carry around extra weight it makes everything you do harder.


Diets? I have tried them all: Weight watchers (both pre and post point systems), South Beach, Optifast, Medifast, the cabbage diet, working out with a trainer and trying so many carbs one day then so many another day and simply just not eating much at all.

At one point a few years back I was as high as 249 lbs!  I lost some weight and was maintaining at around 232- but I was still wearing a size 20... YUCK! I had no energy, I slept horribly and I HATED the way I looked! I would lose weight for awhile then would gain it all back. I developed Type 2 diabetes- my cholesterol was too high- I had acid reflux, irritable bowel as well- I was on five different meds...I had to do something.

Finally this past Feb. I had had ENOUGH!
It was my turning point- I decided to try this behavior mod group where you change your behaviors and count calories.

This is the one thing that for me, is finally working. I weighed in last night and have lost  33 lbs. so far!!!   I am about 5'6 1/2 so they want me to weigh in between 155- 164lbs. That is my "goal range".
Last night was a turning point for me because I weighed in @ 199 lbs. !!  I am finally under 200 lbs! I have not been under 200 lbs. in about 18 years!

Getting past this milestone for me is invigorating! I can barely believe it! I honestly never thought I would be able to do it. Hubby tells me how proud of me he is (as do all my immediate family) and that I have exceeded his expectations!

At the final weigh in of each month we have to give two words that express how we feel. Most people say things like "stay focused", try harder", "be accountable", "workout more"... etc.
When it was my turn I said "NEVER AGAIN".
Everyone looked at me not understanding. So I finally admitted, out loud (and now here on my blog) that I am finally under 200lbs.! They all applauded me- it was awesome!  And I told them as I am telling you- I will NEVER go over it AGAIN!

This is MY turning point- and I'm not looking back!

Day 27: Side of the road

This is for Day 27 of a challenge 30 Days of Writing started by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese. Today’s prompt was: Side of the road

Seriously? I don't think so...

 Unreadable text at bottom:

 "This sign paid for by the lower east side alligators".

Day 26: An intervention

This is for Day 26 of a challenge 30 Days of Writing started by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese. Today’s prompt was: An intervention

About two years ago my girls were not getting along very well. They are three years apart so sometimes they just didn't get along. They had a huge fight and were not speaking to each other...at all. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

They weren't communicating at all. I finally had it. So when their father and brother were away I sat them both down and told them they couldn't leave until they had worked out their problems.


About an hour and a half later after yelling, arguing, tears and me mediating they finally resolved their issues. 


I am happy to report that they are now much closer.
Sometimes you just have to intervene....

Day 25: Worst Christmas ever

This is for Day 25 of a challenge 30 Days of Writing started by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese. Today’s prompt was: Worst Christmas ever.

This was easy....it was either 1994 or 95- I can't remember which... but I remember it vividly...

Everything was decorated, cookies made, presents from Santa under the tree... pretty darned idyllic-

and then...

all three kids (ages then approximately 2, 5 & 8) AND hubby all woke up around 5 AM with the stomach flu- all feverish, vomiting and all with the runs.

Trust me it wasn't pretty!

Having a couple of kids sick with the flu is generally bad enough but with both hubby and I we could tag team. But this time- my goodness it was absolutely awful- hubby and the kids were all sicker than dogs. I spent all day cleaning up vomit, poop and washing sheets etc. They were all so sick that they couldn't even come down and open their presents!

Finally by evening they were all finally keeping soup and crackers down and I was exhausted! They opened their presents that night but it was very subdued.

Luckily it was a 24 hr. variety flu and they all bounced back the next day... lucky me- a week later on New Year's Eve I got it! 

Day 24: Roast or toast another blogger- Skippy

This is for Day 24 of a challenge 30 Days of Writing started by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese. Today’s prompt was:  Roast or toast another blogger

Skippy...

Skippy runs a blog over at I make Soap.
Skippy is an absolutely wonderful woman. She is quite simply a lovely person- she is also one of the reasons I keep coming back to blogging. She was my first follower and always seems to have a positive comment for everyone she encounters in this blogosphere.

Skippy is the type of blogger friend we all need- she is encouraging, funny, sympathetic and wise.

She also is going through some tough times personally as her health is not good right now and she is tackling some serious/scarey heath issues. She does not speak specifics but terms like oncologist make me worry about her.

Yet through it all she remains upbeat and always sounds like she has a smile on her face.

Coincidentally enough our daughters go to the same college so we jokingly refer to each other as Duke Dog Moms #1 & #2. :D

She hasn't been able to post as often as she'd like as she is in pain these days but I look for her every time I log on to the pc. She is well worth your time to go over and read...

So Skippy, Duke Dog Mom #2, my dear friend- this is my toast to you... I am proud to be one of your tadpoles and on your list of inspirations because you my friend are such an inspiration to me.

Hugs & kisses my friend! Keep fighting the good fight!

Duke Dog Mom #1

Day 23: Stiletto heels

This is for Day 23 of a challenge 30 Days of Writing started by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese. Today’s prompt was: Stiletto heels

I love stiletto heels. I think they are awesome... the look of a classy pair of stilettos with a nice skirt/ dress.... is a beautiful thing.

That being said, I do not wear stilettos much anymore...

They are simply too uncomfortable. I have noticed that now that I have lost some weight that they do not bother me as much as they did before, but after about an hour or so on them- forget it- they're off.

Day 22: Like there’s no tomorrow

This is for Day 22 of a challenge 30 Days of Writing started by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese. Today’s prompt was: Like there’s no tomorrow

I would have to say that I hope I live each day like there is no tomorrow. These days I make a conscious effort to appreciate more and worry less. Unfortunately there is no way to know when your time here on Earth is up- you could be killed at any moment in a car accident etc.

Morbid thoughts aside- I try and make sure that my loved ones know they are loved.  

My son once told me that one of his friends commented that he thought it was nice that whenever they leave to go somewhere that I usually tell my kids & hubby that I love them. He said he cannot remember his parents ever saying that they love him. 

I found that very sad. 

While this young man says he knows that his parents love him- they never ever say it to him. This family also sounds somewhat dysfunctional to me in other ways, but I digress.

I know my children and hubby know they are loved but I believe it is important to actually say the words. I would hate to think that one day something might happen to one of us- but if it did at least my last words to them would be that they are LOVED. 

Make every day count- like there's no tomorrow!

Day 21: Favors I’d ask of Satan

This is for Day 21 of a challenge 30 Days of Writing started by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese. 

Today’s prompt was: Favors I’d ask of Satan

1. Allow me to win the lottery- a BIG one like $500 million.

2. Allow me to be a size 6 and be able to eat as much as I want and not gain a pound.

3. Make cancer go away.

4. Also get rid of: pedophiles, murderers, rapists, terrorists, wife beaters, abusers, corrupt politicians- policemen- or anyone else corrupt, any type of fanatics who harm anyone, also anyone who harms in any way shape or form animals or children....

5. Clean up our environment and stop global warming

6.  Cure debilitating diseases...

7. Allow me to go back in time and fix some mistakes I've made.

8. Stop my aging... NOW!

9. Keep my family & friends happy, healthy & safe.

I wonder what those favors would cost me?

Day 20: Going solo

This is for Day 20 of a challenge 30 Days of Writing started by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese. 

Today’s prompt was: Going solo

I have decided that I am going to twist this topic a bit.

To most people going solo means being alone, and that is about to happen to hubby and I soon.

With our oldest now married, we have two kids left... cheergirlie who heads back to JMU in early August (she cheers there hence the nickname), and QB1 our son who just graduated from high school and who also leaves in early August for football at St Francis University.

So after 28 years of marriage and 24 years together with our kids- hubby and I will be "going solo" once again.

Amazing... and kind of weird.

But also something that we are both looking forward to.

Don't get me wrong- we LOVE our kids to death! But we will finally get back to "US"!

That is both exciting and anxiety ridden at the same time! I know we are both a little anxious that the house will seem too quiet...but I think we are gonna be just fine! We will finally be able to eat what/when we want, watch what we want on tv, will not get pissed off because of messes left in the house, can go away for a weekend without worrying about the kids, and so much more. It is finally going to be our time again!

Day 19: Camels

This is for Day 19 of a challenge 30 Days of Writing started by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese. 

Today’s prompt was: Camels

When I was about 14 years old I went to a pool near our house during the summer. Those were idyllic days of swimming, tanning, hanging out and learning how to smoke.

I never really cared much for smoking but of course I wanted to appear cool.
I never tried camels however... they had no filters and seemed so bad ass....


In retrospect I'm glad I never kept up smoking- especially now that we know so much more about the health problems related to smoking. 


Plus like camels... it just stinks!

Day 18: Setting sail

This is for Day 18 of a challenge 30 Days of Writing started by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese. 

Today’s prompt was: Setting sail

Cloud Nine looked very similar to this

When I was a kid my grandparents owned a sailboat. A 38 ft. long Morgan. We spent many weekends down on the Chesapeake Bay sailing with them and staying on "the boat" It's name was "Cloud Nine". 

Looking back now as an adult I realize how very fortunate I was to be able to do this. It not only was fun, but it allowed me to bond with my grandparents. 

They took it down to the Florida Keys each winter for many years and lived on the boat throughout the winter.


My grandparents have both been gone for many years now and I wish I had just one more day with them to sail and talk. I miss them.

Day 17: The awkwardness of the common banana

This is for Day 17 of a challenge 30 Days of Writing started by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese. 

Today’s prompt was: The awkwardness of the common banana

Banana

Banana tree

Banana hanger

Banana Bread

Banana boat

Banana Boat logo

Banana Boat sunscreen

Banana Hammock

Day 16: Hanging out in the cemetery

This is for Day 16 of a challenge 30 Days of Writing started by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese. Today’s prompt was: Hanging out in the cemetery

Gone but never forgotten....

First place

This is for Day 15 of a challenge 30 Days of Writing started by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese in which several other bloggers and I are participating for the month of June. Today’s prompt was: First place

I have never won first place in anything.
I can remember in elementary school- field day... a third, a second, but never the first place ribbon.

But you know what? That's okay... because
it forced me to work harder and as long as I did my best that was okay. 


To strive for first place means that you've cared about something. You've tried to win, to compete.
And isn't that the important thing?

The short hairs.

This is for Day 14 of a challenge 30 Days of Writing started by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese in which several other bloggers and I are participating for the month of June. Today’s prompt was: The short hairs.

Remember these two? Two of my best friends?

Cali (l), Buffy (r)

If you have ever owned a lab you can commiserate with how they shed. Labs have short dense coats. And they shed year round...24/7...

I love my girls dearly but if there was one thing about them I could change it would be how much they shed. I could vacuum every stinking day and still miss some!   Even cheergirlie finds their hair when she is back @ JMU! 

I have tried those special brushes, taken them to the groomers, etc to no avail- they still shed -all the time!  :)

But... I guess that's a small price to pay for all the love & devotion they show me!

The other one/In the kitchen

This is for Day 13 12 of a challenge 30 Days of Writing started by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese in which several other bloggers and I are participating for the month of June. Today’s prompt was: The other one In the kitchen

OK I messed up- I missed a day... so sue me.. but if you know me the fact that I have posted most days so far is a major feat! 

The other one... I've got nothing.... so let's go with....
In the kitchen...!
I love my kitchen... I really do. 

We redid it the summer of 2006 and added stainless appliances and granite counter tops. I enjoy cooking and really like baking so when I have the time to cook and am not rushed (like during the workweek) it is a good thing.

A sense of accomplishment

This is for Day 11 of a challenge 30 Days of Writing started by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese in which several other bloggers and I are participating for the month of June. Today’s prompt was: A sense of accomplishment

I work as a speech therapist in a public high school and I would have to say that for the most part I feel a sense of accomplishment when I work with the kids on my caseload. I have a varied caseload of students with disabilities such as Down's Syndrome, Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, and various forms of mental disabilities. 

Once a student gets to the high school level they often begin to plateau and progress becomes slower, so you have to be patient and wait for the small achievements and breakthroughs.

Example: I had a former autistic student who refused to make eye contact or even acknowledge me for over a year. I was patient... I noticed that he liked it when I wore different dangly earrings... so I made sure on the days I was going to see him I changed out my earrings. He would come up to me and look at them for a minute or so and I would talk to him. Over time he began to respond to me and after another 3 mos. or so would finally sit at a table and work with me.

My autistic students have taught me patience... and with the small gains they do make I feel a real sense of accomplishment.

My former boss told me before he retired that he hesitated to put me full time at the high school level because the progress is so slow that many teachers burn out-and he didn't want that to happen to me.  I explained that the progress is still there but I just had to re evaluate my criteria and definition of success. Slow & steady won the race with these kids. :)

The babysitter

This is for Day 10 of a challenge 30 Days of Writing started by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese in which several other bloggers and I are participating for the month of June. Today’s prompt was “The babysitter".

I remember my first babysitting job. It was for neighbors of ours and I was 13. It was the easiest job in the world. They had a small infant- around 5-6 mos. old and they wanted to go out for dinner. I arrived around 7PM and the baby was already asleep in her bed. Her parents came home around 11PM and she never woke up once. All I did was sit and watch t.v. 

I babysat through my teenaged years and most of the time the kids were pretty good- they basically just wanted someone's undivided attention- a captive audience so to speak.   :)

Magic carpet/Best friend

This is for Day 9 of a challenge 30 Days of Writing started by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese in which several other bloggers and I are participating for the month of June. Today’s prompt was “Magic Carpet". 
I missed yesterday's prompt of Best friend because of something that happened RL to me @ work. So since there are no rules... I am going to combine the two prompts.

Magic carpet- to me elicits a carpet which will magically whisk you away from your problems. Something I could really use right now.  

Because it happened again.... I was verbally harassed at work by a male coworker for the second time this year. 

I will not go into any details but will say that this time I reported it. 

So now I have to deal with all of the fall out associated when you make a complaint and I left work early on Thurs. and was off yesterday as well. It is too uncomfortable for me to be there right now. 
Luckily the school year is over and Monday is our last day- but I don't honestly feel up to going in. Fortunately all of my final reports etc. are complete and there is no actual reason other than turning in room keys for me to be there. I can do that another day when the staff is all gone.


Best Friend

 

My best friend is my hubby of 28 years. I have known him since I was 15 years old. We were high school sweethearts. He knows me better than anyone else in the world and yet he still loves me. :)   


He is my rock, my better half, my soul mate. 
The one who can put a smile on my face every single day.

This is a man who upon receiving my very emotional phone call on Thurs. morning dropped everything, left work and came to school and sat with me until I was able to leave at lunchtime. 

He makes me calm while it is storming- both literally and figuratively. 

We have been through a lot of ups and downs in the 35 years I have known him.

When I look at him I still see the handsome young man in his 20's, I don't see the graying hair, the slight limp he has when he walks, or the fine lines of experience which look so good on his face.

I see my love- a man who is the type of person you want by your side when you have a problem. A man who is unerringly generous and who supports you no matter what.

I thank God every day that he is in my life.

My other best friend (besides my husband) is my college room mate Tobie.

We joke that we will always be best friends because we know too much dirt on each other ;)

Ours is a friendship that has spanned 35 years. We made it through college together, through each of our weddings, the birth of our children, the teen-aged years with said children (4 of the 5 combined being girls *shudder*- but the solo boy (mine) who is giving me a run for my $ these days), the death of her dad, the ups & downs within both of our marriages, our kids high school & college graduations, the marriage of my oldest, and our parents and our changing roles with them.

I love Tobie dearly and her kids are like my own-

I don't know what I'd do without her!

Cali (l), Buffy (r)

Finally I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge my other two best friends... my dogs Buffy & Cali. ...dogs offer unconditional love. They never judge you, are always happy to see you, never tell you you have bad breath and can be such a comfort without needing words...

Buffy

Cali

Excess

This is for Day 7 of a challenge 30 Days of Writing started by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese in which several other bloggers and I are participating for the month of June. Today’s prompt was “ Excess".

Excess: An overabundance of something.

Dependent upon what you have in excess, you can make an argument that excess can be either good or bad.

Examples: 

Good excess... love, friends, family, happy times, having "enough" (which will be different for every person).

Bad excess...having too much to drink, addictions to things like food, smoking, gambling, the amount of $ spent on Kim Kardashian's wedding.

In 1995 a movie Seven came out which was about a serial killer who planned murders corresponding to the seven deadly sins: gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, pride, lust, and envy. It was a powerful movie about a twisted sociopathic killer. The killer in the movie (played so well by Kevin Spacey) determined that the excesses needed to be punished.

In today's society we live for excesses, but often we consider them conveniences. Let's face it, no matter how much we have... we always want more.

I am sure every generation has felt that younger generations have had it easier especially with the advances we have had in technology. 

When I was a kid I would've never imagined cell phones or that I would one day own one. I got my first when I was 40. The closest thing we had to compare were the  communicators you saw on Star Trek. 

But excess can be a motivator...if you desire something that is not a necessity, you know you will need to work hard to attain it. Or if you  determine that you need to lose excess weight,  quit smoking etc.- these types of excesses can motivate you to change.

It is when we get bogged down with excesses that we go wrong. We all know that if we overindulge there is always a price to be paid.

Case in point weddings. My oldest recently got married. The amount of excess available and  associated with a wedding is unbelievable. We had to make a conscious effort to keep a handle on the expenses. Even doing so, we went over budget. Was the wedding excessive? No I don't think so, but again my frame of reference might be different than yours. 

All that being said... I sure would love the chance to hit a mega millions jackpot and see if an excess of money is all bad.

Pressure

This is for Day 6 of a challenge 30 Days of Writing started by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese in which several other bloggers and I are participating for the month of June. 

Today’s prompt was: Pressure. You can find the meaning from World Dictionary here.

I don't claim to know anything about any of the scientific meanings of pressure- but as for the those which pertain to daily life- I can relate.

Many people find that in their professional life they work well under pressure- I am one of them. Give me a work deadline and I've got it- I will move heaven and earth to get whatever it is completed on time- early even...

I have through the years also experienced pressure within my personal life. (Who hasn't?) The 2 year period of time when hubby & our son lived in another state defined pressure for me. I went from a bustling household of five down to just me and our oldest living at home and working opposite hours. Those were tough times...

But pressure can be a good thing- it forces us to move out of our comfort zone. It forces us to adapt & change... To grow. 

" That which does not kill us makes us stronger."
Friedrich Nietzsche

I have learned over the years that Nietzche was right.

I have also learned that worrying serves absolutely no purpose. 

The pressure of everyday life is not worth my sleepless nights, high blood pressure, acid reflux, weight gain & irritable bowel. 

Pressure in the past few years forced me to reevaluate my own coping mechanisms. I decided to make an effort to take some form of control. I  made a conscious effort to become physically healthier & have lost 28 lbs (so far -yay me!) and as a result have been able to drop some meds. 

I also have tried to relinquish control to a higher being and have become more spiritual. I have  learned to accept that I am doing the best I can and I forgive myself if I screw up. I try to take time to be thankful more often and accept that there are some things that I simply cannot change.

None of these things would've happened had I not had pressure. Pressure forces you at some point to find a balance within your life. 

If you learn to "not sweat the small stuff"- you'll find that pretty much most of life is "small stuff". If you are able to do this you will find that pressure can be controlled and used in a positive way.

The Rat Race Trap offers the following suggestions which I believe are helpful:

• Be Present

• Surrender to The Chaos

• Meditate

• Avoid Snowball thinking

• Let Others Be Right

• Accept That Life Isn’t Fair

• Everything Is Not an Emergency

• Pick Your Battles

• Stuff Happens

• Stop Driving Aggressively

• Single Task

• Be Flexible – Things Change

• Accept That Everything Is Temporary

Lesson learned for me? Embrace life's pressures, just do not let them control you.

      


(*Blatant reference to Queen/David Bowie for xtra points)

Spiders

This is for Day 5 of a challenge 30 Days of Writing started by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese in which several other bloggers and I are participating for the month of June. Today’s prompt was “Spiders”.

This guy looks nasty!

Well according to this site most spiders are supposedly good for our environment. They eat a lot of other insects that we do not want. We had a run in last fall when my hubby was bitten by a brown recluse which I talked about here. They are nasty little guys and you don't want to fool around with them.
I generally am not a huge fan of spiders but I am not super freaked out about them like my son is. Yes my 6'1 18 y/o son is a wuss when it comes to spiders and has to have his mommy kill them for him because he is so skeeved out by them! However I also am not the type to just let one live if it is in my house- if I see one I either suck it up with my vacuum (Take that spider!) or I kill' em with whatever is handy.
I once saw a video which said that over the course of our life time we unknowingly swallow several spiders in our sleep- I didn't particularly like that idea but *shrug* I guess you could consider it added protein.
So what is it about spiders that scares so many people?  Is it the multiple legs? The creepiness of how they move? The webs they spin?

In looking for pics of spiderwebs I had to admit that their webs can really be a thing of beauty.

Look at the detail- how delicate they are, you have to respect something that can make something like these!

Does my new found respect mean I will change and set them free? 

That I will find a more humane way to get rid of the ones in my house? 

Heck no!-
If I find them- I'll still kill'em-  spiders are so creepy...

Behind the wheel.

So I happened upon a blog which challenged you to write daily for 30 days.... here 
There are no real rules and I've decided that since today is the 4th I will begin with number 4....


Day 1: Cheese
Day 2: A roadblock
Day 3: They played my song
Day 4: Behind the wheel



Today's theme is behind the wheel.


Wheels.... to me means my new car... I call her sweetie... she is new- a 2012 Chrysler 200 .

She is black like in the pic and has a creamy beige interior- so pretty! She also is loaded! We purchased her @ the end of April b/c my old Jeep Cherokee was getting up there in miles and we needed a car which would be better on gas mileage and would also be more comfortable for long drives. Since it was the end of the month and they needed to make their quota we got a REALLY good deal on her!!! She has a sunroof , blue tooth and Sirius radio!


I feel like I finally have a grown up car-one for me- not for hauling kids around etc.
She is fun to drive and I LOVE her!


My son gave her the ultimate compliment when he said she is "sick" - hubby says since I've lost weight and am now driving a hot car I look even hotter *giggle*- amazing the little things which make you happy!


This is for Day 4 of a challenge 30 Days of Writing started by Nicky and Mike of We Work For Cheese in which several other bloggers and I are participating for the month of June. Today’s prompt was “Behind The Wheel.”