...why a sinus infection leaves you between two worlds. The first one is thinking that you're going to die. The second one is wishing that you would.
Honest to God, I've gone through some pretty tough things in my life, but none of them leaves me whimpering like a sinus infection. So that's where I've been the last 2 days. And, that's where I'm heading tonight. The antibiotics are starting to kick in so hopefully the person kicking my face will stop soon. In the meantime, I'm going to whimper my way to bed.
Back soon.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Weight A Minute!
One of the things that happened during my absence is that I became scale obsessed again. Had that problem many years ago. I could tell you my weight at just about any minute throughout the day. Knew how much I'd gain if I drank a can of Diet Pepsi, wore a certain outfit, washed me hair, etc.
Guess what? I have NO idea of what I weigh today. I didn't get weighed this morning. Or yesterday morning for that matter. I'll weigh at the end of the week. And I feel free! Just another symptom of my new attitude.
You see, I've learned that the closer I watch my weight, the more I step on the scale, the less happy I am. The scale has made a slow move downward over the past few months. But, my guess is that it will move down even more quickly now that I'm not freaking out over everything that goes into - or out of (TMI!) - my body.
How often do you weigh? Too much for it to be a motivational tool for you? Not enough to be able to celebrate the small victories?
Balance is the key. And it's a fine line. But when you learn to walk that line by yourself, for yourself, things start happening naturally.
My new plan for balance is a weight-a-week program. I'll let you know how it goes.
Guess what? I have NO idea of what I weigh today. I didn't get weighed this morning. Or yesterday morning for that matter. I'll weigh at the end of the week. And I feel free! Just another symptom of my new attitude.
You see, I've learned that the closer I watch my weight, the more I step on the scale, the less happy I am. The scale has made a slow move downward over the past few months. But, my guess is that it will move down even more quickly now that I'm not freaking out over everything that goes into - or out of (TMI!) - my body.
How often do you weigh? Too much for it to be a motivational tool for you? Not enough to be able to celebrate the small victories?
Balance is the key. And it's a fine line. But when you learn to walk that line by yourself, for yourself, things start happening naturally.
My new plan for balance is a weight-a-week program. I'll let you know how it goes.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Hey, y'all!
I'm ba-a-a-a-ck!
Seems I got lost somewhere over the last few months. But, this weekend, I found myself. And I found my mojo.
Have you ever gotten so deep in the real world that you've lost your way in life. I have. I did. And around noon on Saturday, I decided the hell with it. I turned my car around, drove home, turned on Buffett as loud as my stereo would go and cleared the clutter of life. Figuratively - from my brain. Literally - from my house.
The load is lighter and so is my spirit.
(Speaking of Buffett, he's giving a killer live concert from Gulf Shores right now. On CMT. Really. Turn it on. Find yourself!)
There's so much to cover. Writing. Weight. Oil. The hottest freakin' summer in the history of the planet. But today, it's about fun. And living a light life.
So...are you light? Have you danced today? Have you sung your favorite song out of tune? Why not? I promise you'll feel a thousand times better.
We all take life too seriously. We rush from one place to another. Speeding. Blowing through stop signs like they are meant for everyone else. The joy of the journey is lost.
Of course, there are the times we move too slowly because we are tied to all of our useless stuff. Can't take an impromptu drive to the beach (or the mountains or the local park) because we have to dust or cut the grass or run to the mall for a sale where we can buy more stuff we don't need. Here's an idea (okay, a few ideas) - get rid of some of those knick-knacks that are causing you more work. Or, pay the neighbor kid to cut the grass. Give him a little spending money so that he can start living his life and free up your time so you can get on with living yours. As for the mall...save yourself the trouble. Take the money you were going to spend in order to save 50% and spend it on groceries for the food bank next time you go to the store. You've just saved yourself wasted hours of looking through sale stuff, saved yourself the aggravation of driving, parking, etc, and those groceries will feed an elderly person who might not have eaten because they had to spend their money on medicine. That's a win all the way around. And, it's a light way of living.
In fact, I think it's something to sing about! How 'bout you?
As Jimmy Buffett says "According to my watch, the time is now". Happy life. Y'all!
Seems I got lost somewhere over the last few months. But, this weekend, I found myself. And I found my mojo.
Have you ever gotten so deep in the real world that you've lost your way in life. I have. I did. And around noon on Saturday, I decided the hell with it. I turned my car around, drove home, turned on Buffett as loud as my stereo would go and cleared the clutter of life. Figuratively - from my brain. Literally - from my house.
The load is lighter and so is my spirit.
(Speaking of Buffett, he's giving a killer live concert from Gulf Shores right now. On CMT. Really. Turn it on. Find yourself!)
There's so much to cover. Writing. Weight. Oil. The hottest freakin' summer in the history of the planet. But today, it's about fun. And living a light life.
So...are you light? Have you danced today? Have you sung your favorite song out of tune? Why not? I promise you'll feel a thousand times better.
We all take life too seriously. We rush from one place to another. Speeding. Blowing through stop signs like they are meant for everyone else. The joy of the journey is lost.
Of course, there are the times we move too slowly because we are tied to all of our useless stuff. Can't take an impromptu drive to the beach (or the mountains or the local park) because we have to dust or cut the grass or run to the mall for a sale where we can buy more stuff we don't need. Here's an idea (okay, a few ideas) - get rid of some of those knick-knacks that are causing you more work. Or, pay the neighbor kid to cut the grass. Give him a little spending money so that he can start living his life and free up your time so you can get on with living yours. As for the mall...save yourself the trouble. Take the money you were going to spend in order to save 50% and spend it on groceries for the food bank next time you go to the store. You've just saved yourself wasted hours of looking through sale stuff, saved yourself the aggravation of driving, parking, etc, and those groceries will feed an elderly person who might not have eaten because they had to spend their money on medicine. That's a win all the way around. And, it's a light way of living.
In fact, I think it's something to sing about! How 'bout you?
As Jimmy Buffett says "According to my watch, the time is now". Happy life. Y'all!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Lots To Say...
...but not time to say it tonight. I've been crazy busy. But I've got lots of things to say. Over the next couple days, I'll fill you in on what I've been up to, how much I'm down (the scale is my friend!), Biggest Loser, returning to the working life in a job I LOVE, resolutions, turning another year older and lots of other stuff.
See you soon!
See you soon!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Must-See TV
Did you see Meet the Natives last night? If not, find it on your TV schedule and watch it. Soon. (It is on the Travel Channel in the US, National Geographic in other countries.)
If you're caught up in the frenzy of holiday shopping...or keeping up with the Joneses...or just looking for an interesting way to spend an hour each week, this is absolute must-see TV.
Here's the premise: Five tribesmen from the South Pacific island of Vanna come to the US for five weeks. They are taken to a ranch in Montana, NYC, Peoria IL, Orange County CA, and Fort Stewart GA & Washington DC. The five men chosen from the tribe are the Chief, Head Dancer, Medicine Man, Happy Man, and the translator. Note that all five could be referred to as the "happy man" because these folks are all happy - and kind and thoughtful and thought-provoking.
To see their excitement at seeing and feeling snow for the first time, their confusion about how someone could be homeless in America, and their joy at celebrating with their American hosts is a definite delight. Their tribal wisdom and view of everyday life is eye-opening.
Watch this show and you will look at your life and your surroundings in a whole new light. Even stepping into a "moving metal box" will make you think as you head up to your chosen floor. And that kid riding the "wood on wheels"...well, it really is a pretty cool thing!
This show takes some concentration as you have to read the subtitles when all but the translator are speaking. But that only makes you more aware of the view you are getting. And, like the "natives" observation of a missing part of American society, it will slow your life down - if only for an hour. You won't be able to multi-task if you really want to "get" this show. And trust me, you should get it. We all should.
Tune in next Sunday. You'll be glad you did.
If you're caught up in the frenzy of holiday shopping...or keeping up with the Joneses...or just looking for an interesting way to spend an hour each week, this is absolute must-see TV.
Here's the premise: Five tribesmen from the South Pacific island of Vanna come to the US for five weeks. They are taken to a ranch in Montana, NYC, Peoria IL, Orange County CA, and Fort Stewart GA & Washington DC. The five men chosen from the tribe are the Chief, Head Dancer, Medicine Man, Happy Man, and the translator. Note that all five could be referred to as the "happy man" because these folks are all happy - and kind and thoughtful and thought-provoking.
To see their excitement at seeing and feeling snow for the first time, their confusion about how someone could be homeless in America, and their joy at celebrating with their American hosts is a definite delight. Their tribal wisdom and view of everyday life is eye-opening.
Watch this show and you will look at your life and your surroundings in a whole new light. Even stepping into a "moving metal box" will make you think as you head up to your chosen floor. And that kid riding the "wood on wheels"...well, it really is a pretty cool thing!
This show takes some concentration as you have to read the subtitles when all but the translator are speaking. But that only makes you more aware of the view you are getting. And, like the "natives" observation of a missing part of American society, it will slow your life down - if only for an hour. You won't be able to multi-task if you really want to "get" this show. And trust me, you should get it. We all should.
Tune in next Sunday. You'll be glad you did.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
And The Answer Is...
Waiting for an answer from someone? On anything? This is a great post to read!
From agents to editors to potential employers, the idea that no response is okay seems to have taken over the country. I don't know when we began accepting such rude and disrespectful behavior - or when folks determined it was okay to be rude and disrespectful - but we have obviously crossed that line...and kept on running.
That noise you apparently don't hear, that's me yelling down the canyon. I will not be ignored...ignored...ignored! Well, at least I won't be beaten down, dissuaded, or not-responded-to into giving up. And don't worry, all the rabbits are safe, too!
From agents to editors to potential employers, the idea that no response is okay seems to have taken over the country. I don't know when we began accepting such rude and disrespectful behavior - or when folks determined it was okay to be rude and disrespectful - but we have obviously crossed that line...and kept on running.
That noise you apparently don't hear, that's me yelling down the canyon. I will not be ignored...ignored...ignored! Well, at least I won't be beaten down, dissuaded, or not-responded-to into giving up. And don't worry, all the rabbits are safe, too!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
I'm Alive...and Well
Love, love, love Kenny Chesney's and Dave Matthews' new release "I'm Alive". What a FABULOUS song.
And it is the perfect song for me today - November 17. You see, November 17 always surprises me. This morning, I started a new job. After 18 months and 1 week as one of the millions of unemployed workers in this country, imagine my surprise that when I finally found a job (not just any job either, a job I wanted with a great company!) and was given a start date of November 17. On a Tuesday. Not a Monday. A Tuesday. The 17th...of November.
Five years ago today - on November 17th - I suffered a stroke. In fact, 5 years ago at this very moment, I was laying in the critical care unit of the ER. Among other things, my right hand would not move. Here I am, 5 years later, typing with that hand. And, if you didn't know to look for subtle cues, you probably wouldn't be able to tell that I ever had a stroke. Five years ago at this time, I kept thinking "I'm alive!".
Four years ago today - on November 17th - I had emergency surgery. In fact, 4 years ago at this very moment, I was laying in recovery. But, the results came back with good news and two weeks later, I was as good as new. Four years ago at this time, I kept thinking "I'm well!".
You might thing that for the last 3 November 17ths I hid under my covers. Nope. Didn't do that. Instead, I celebrated. If the date fell on a work day, I took it off as a holiday. My personal day of celebration of life. Nothing particularly fabulous happened on those November 17th...but then again, I didn't spend of any of them in a hospital so I was waaaaaay ahead of the game.
Then there's this year. A new job. Another new journey to take. Another celebration!
It's November 17th...and I'm alive...and well!
And it is the perfect song for me today - November 17. You see, November 17 always surprises me. This morning, I started a new job. After 18 months and 1 week as one of the millions of unemployed workers in this country, imagine my surprise that when I finally found a job (not just any job either, a job I wanted with a great company!) and was given a start date of November 17. On a Tuesday. Not a Monday. A Tuesday. The 17th...of November.
Five years ago today - on November 17th - I suffered a stroke. In fact, 5 years ago at this very moment, I was laying in the critical care unit of the ER. Among other things, my right hand would not move. Here I am, 5 years later, typing with that hand. And, if you didn't know to look for subtle cues, you probably wouldn't be able to tell that I ever had a stroke. Five years ago at this time, I kept thinking "I'm alive!".
Four years ago today - on November 17th - I had emergency surgery. In fact, 4 years ago at this very moment, I was laying in recovery. But, the results came back with good news and two weeks later, I was as good as new. Four years ago at this time, I kept thinking "I'm well!".
You might thing that for the last 3 November 17ths I hid under my covers. Nope. Didn't do that. Instead, I celebrated. If the date fell on a work day, I took it off as a holiday. My personal day of celebration of life. Nothing particularly fabulous happened on those November 17th...but then again, I didn't spend of any of them in a hospital so I was waaaaaay ahead of the game.
Then there's this year. A new job. Another new journey to take. Another celebration!
It's November 17th...and I'm alive...and well!
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