Traffic

It seems like everywhere I went today, the traffic was terrible. Just slow-moving, or crowded, or a combo of both. While driving in traffic doesn't terrify me, it certainly does bother me.

For one thing, I want to know why traffic is moving so slowly. No matter how slow traffic is moving, I can never seem to figure out why unless I see flashing lights. Then it makes sense - we have a side show and every one wants to get a gander. Other than that, unless Granny Methuselah is driving her Buick up ahead, there is usually no discernible reason for the slowness.

For another thing, I usually want to change lanes, and nobody wants to let me. I can't help it if I exited onto the interstate and need to cross over a zillion lanes to get to the Starbucks exit. Hey - stuff happens. Don't I look caffeine-deprived?

Then there's the inevitable wondering about why traffic is so heavy. Was there a news flash for everyone to get outta town? Is Julie Andrews in town? Why is everyone on the road the same time as me? Is there snow predicted and we all must go stock up on bread and milk?

Finally, I get all high and mighty and think about all those carbon emissions. Why aren't we all on city buses? Or riding bicycles? Or walking? Could this be why my butt is so large?

Sure, maybe I think too much while I'm waiting in traffic. But if there are no flashing lights, what else am I to do?

____________________________________________________________________

Today's blessings: another tough boot camp accomplished without passing out; Doik Daycare and strolling 3 miles with Lindley; checking on Rambo; nice lady at DMV who helped me register the Jeep and get a new tag; Molly picking me up and taking me home; reception locale picked

One Way To Spend A Monday Afternoon

Just lazin' back on your Boppy, drinking your preferred liquid.

I think Lindley has the right idea!

_________________________________________________________________________

Today's blessings: Tough butt camp (but I got through it); post-bc nap; day care pickup and afternoon with Lindley; collecting Rambo from nice neighborhood lady

Hurdles

Sometimes in boot camp, we do "circuits." Circuits are sets of different exercises that you do for a minute, then move on to the next. Some days it might be stairs, followed by jump ropes, followed by push ups, followed by - well, you get the picture. There are a variety of exercises Josh may decide to put us through. One of those exercises is the hurdles.

The hurdles are little green things that you're supposed to jump over with both feet (at the same time). Needless to say, I don't do it. Sometimes I step over them and sometimes I sort of sling one foot over at a time in a pretend jump, but most of the time I do a two-footed jump to the side. I've been trying to jump high enough to go over the hurdle, but have been too chicken to try. However, last week I tried, and I DID IT!!! Literally and figuratively, I got over a hurdle.

I'm hoping that this little action is the beginning of my overcoming many hurdles in my life. I hope that knowing that I could overcome this physical hurdle will spur me on to getting over those other hurdles in my life - the diet hurdle, the jogging hurdle, the quiet time hurdle, the let it go hurdle, and every other hurdle that is standing in my way.

But the thing about those hurdles in boot camp is that even though I jump over them once, I have to keep jumping over them again and again until my time for that part of the circuit is over. Just because I jumped over one the first time doesn't mean I'm done - I have to keep jumping over each one as it presents itself in my path. The only thing that is different is that now I know I can jump over it.

All those hurdles in my life will still be there, so I will keep jumping - partly because the hurdle is there in my way, but mostly because I know I can.

____________________________________________________________________________

Things that make today great: Sante Fe pancakes, waiting in line, and the people at Pancake Pantry with Steve, Sam, Lynnette, Lindley, and Molly; helping Molly put together the Ikea thing; an hour with Gina at Massage Envy; Sweet Cece's with Molly; Steve's burgers off the grill with Steve, Sam, Lynnette, Lindley, Molly, and Adam

Waiting on Trains

One thing I get to do is pick up Lindley from her day care. You must pick the munchkins up on time, or you have to pay exorbitant amounts to get the child out of day care detention, or they garnish your allowance, or they hold the family cat ransom, or something like that. Needless to say, my Type A personality makes sure I am on time.

On Thursday, I was stopped by a train that passes over the road to day care. I started to semi-panic because I was running exactly on time, and I began to fret that the train, although fast-moving, would make me late. What if the train took too long? How long was I going to be sitting waiting? Would Lindley be duct-taped to the light pole outside because Granny Lu was late? I decided to time the train, so I could make my excuses when I rushed in (or to the police officer who might stop me when I put the pedal to the medal to get to day care). As it turned out, the train took two minutes, and I picked up Lindley in plenty of time before the penalty phase began.

Friday became a repeat, although this time the train was travelling much slower. Again, I started getting anxious, because I already was a few minutes later than usual. Would the day care ladies give me dirty looks if I were late? Would they be sitting in their cars with the motors running, holding Lindley outside the windows? I thought of this while waiting again and decided to time the train. This time, the train took longer - two and a-half minutes. Again, I breezed in on time.

So what's the moral of this story? Maybe it's that sometimes the only reason things are big deals is because we only imagine them to be big deals. Maybe it's that sometimes time that seems interminable really isn't. Maybe it's that things happen for a reason - like being stuck by a train - and it's just to slow us down a bit. Maybe it's that the little stuff shouldn't be the big stuff. Maybe it's a reminder to chill out. Maybe it's none of these - it's just what happened to me this week.

But I will remember this - those trains only took a few minutes. I just had to wait them out.

_____________________________________________________________________

Things that make today great: J Alexanders lunch with Sam, Lynnette, and Lindley; making cootie catchers

I. Want. Real. Food.

What is this? Practice?

I sure hope the real stuff is better that this plastic stuff!

(I told you there would be a cute picture today!)

______________________________________________________________________________

Today's blessings: Karen back at Friday butt camp; collecting Rambo and fixing fence gaps; Amerigos dinner with Sam, Lynnette, Lindley, and Bier; picking up Lindley at day care; beautiful weather for opening the windows; Chic-Fil-A chicken salad sandwich for lunch via Molly

Cutest. Picture. Ever.

At least until tomorrow, when undoubtedly there will be another.

For now, enjoy this little picture of Thursday joy!

___________________________________________________________________________

Today's blessings: Thursday boot camp and post-bc nap; beautiful open-your-windows weather; picking up Lindley at day care; Molly's house remodel updates; telephone chats with Marilyn and Maribeth; Mary Poppins gift from Marilyn

Not for Senior Citizen Early Dining

I realize that at my age, I can pretty much do anything I want. I also realize that I am old enough predict and deal with the consequences of any such actions. However, my few remaining brain cells retain enough sense to know that I don't have to do something that might seem like a good idea, which would include eating anything on this website.

My 53-year-old gastrointestinal system thanks me.

____________________________________________________________________

Today's blessings: picking up Lindley at day care; M&M's wedding invite; telephone chat with Marilyn; Molly's house remodel progress

This Is What 53 Looks Like

I read "More" magazine, mostly because I got a free subscription. One of the features in the magazine is a piece where they have a picture of a woman at a certain age and say, "This Is What ___ (insert age over 40) Looks Like." In January, the subject was a 53-year-old. Let me just say that she's not quite the picture that I see when I look in my mirror!

So what do I see? Certainly the grey hair, the wrinkles, the sags and bags, and all the other stuff that the magazine lady seems to have avoided. But mostly I don't care - because for me, what I see in the mirror is just a picture. It has very little to do with what I believe 53 really looks like.

What does 53 look like for me? It looks like a grandmother who is absolutely entranced with her granddaughter. It looks like an overweight and out of shape lady who pants her way through morning butt camp. It looks like a mother with grown children, who still resists cutting the last remnants of the umbilical cord. It looks like a sister with a sister and brother who are friends as well as family, and whose families are extensions of her own family. It looks like a wife who's been married way over half her life. It looks like a woman who has been blessed with friends for 53 years, and through facebook has been able to reconnect with them. It looks like years of experiences and adventures, highs and lows, ups and downs, and blessings and gifts. In short, 53 looks like the richest woman in the world.

And it's only going to get better with every passing day and the gifts and blessings each day brings. On to 54!

_________________________________________________________________________

Today's blessings: Birthday boot camp and wishes from fellow campers; BSC with Lindley; Facebook birthday greetings; CPK with Sam, Lynnette, Lindley, and Molly; Diet coke floats and new drywall with Molly; Grayson's early morning birthday visit

Senior Moments

It's not enough that I own enough reading glasses to stock Eye Masters - I can never find a pair when I need them. I can only find the six pair in a pile that I left in the same spot - nowhere near any of my reading spots.

It's not enough that I have a bright red wallet that anyone can spot a mile away. It's always somewhere it shouldn't be, namely anywhere I can't find it.

It's not enough that I have a fancy cell phone (for me, anyway). I can never find it either, and can't call myself to find it since we don't have a house phone. I just have to periodically wander around the house, hoping someone will call and thereby alert me to the whereabouts of my phone.

But today seemed to be the epitome of senior moments. I had finished business in the reading room (aka throne room, john, loo, toity), stood up, and proceeded to attempt to flush the toilet - by flipping the light switch.

At least there was a pair of readers in there.

___________________________________________________________________

Things that make today great: Monday boot camp and partner Shondra; hair trim with Allyson at CGs; chatting with the drywall and siding dudes at Molly's; picking up Lynnette at the airport; sliders and salad bar at Ruby Tuesdays

Okay, Fine

So today's quote from Vidal Sassoon goes like this:

"The only place where success comes before work is a dictionary."

So in thinking about yesterday's Plan 10,001, I guess that means I have to work really hard if I want to have diet success. Working hard was NOT a part of that plan, so I guess it's on to Plan 10,0002!

__________________________________________________________________

Things that make today great: Cheesecake Factory with Sam and Lindley; picking up Steve and Molly at the airport and Disney prizes

My Diet Philosophy

I think Thomas Edison said it best:

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."

On to #10,001!

____________________________________________________________________

Things that make today great: Waiting for Dee and seeing the large group of lady walkers; walking a few miles downtown with Sam and Lindley; getting a few things cleaned up; cleaning out Molly's attic and fireplace; McD's ice cream cone; watching "Hairspray" and "Enchanted" on tv; getting introduced to "The Gilmore Girls"

Impossible Ridiculous?

So here was the situation. Molly has just about all her household stuff in two storage units because her house is getting torn apart and remodeled. At some point, I decided that I wanted to use a desk that was in storage. The other day we went to the storage units to look for some DVDs, but couldn't find the box because it was behind the dresser that was stacked on top of the desired desk. I figured that I would not be able to get the desk until Molly's house was finished.

This weekend Steve and Molly are in Orlando, which means I have non-judgmental use of the Sequoia for my projects. I also have fewer people around who will tell me my plan is ridiculous/impossible - not that I would be sharing my intentions. So, of course I decide to go by myself and get the desk.

It wasn't too hard - just unload some boxes, pull the dresser off the desk, pull the desk out, put the dresser and boxes back inside the storage unit, put the desk in the car, take the desk out at home, and get the desk inside to its resting place in the living room. No problem.

The question is, what made this task ridiculous or impossible? The task or the opinion of anyone who had no desire or intention to be a part of the task? Would the task be ridiculous/impossible if I had not succeeded?

There are many things I want to do in my life. Many of them seem impossible. Many of them seem ridiculous. I guess the only way I'll ever know if they are, is if I get out there and try. For today, my desk adventure was neither - it was a success. Now what shall I tackle next?

_____________________________________________________________________

Things that make today great: BSC with Lindley; getting desk out of storage and into house; taking Steve and Molly to airport; Friday boot camp; checking on Rambo and Blackie

Jeggings? Really?

As usual, I am behind the fashion times. Apparently the new hot trend is "jeggings." For those of you who are not in the know, this item is what results when jeans and leggings mate. Last year, one would have to dole out nearly $400 for a pair (or set, or whatever), but this year you can go to your local Wal-Mart and get some for $14. Whew - guess I won't be needing that second mortgage after all!

I would like to start my tirade by saying that obviously I will never be seen in public in jeggings, Wal-Mart or not. The only time I wear leggings of any sort is (a) under my big-old-lady jeans because it's freezing and my flab is no longer sufficient to warm me, (b) as part of a pajama outfit that consists of leggings and a faded and stretched-beyond-recognition t-shirt, (c) when I have lost all of the good sense the Lord gave me, or (d) I am the last person on Earth. Naturally, since I will not be participating in this fashion trend, I really don't know why any one else would either. Oh - that's right - there are skinny chicks out there on whom these would look fabulous. My bad.

Anyhow, I can't help but wonder what other fashions will not be permitted to mate, resulting in even newer and more expensive fashion possibilities. How about:

• Shocks - why bother putting on socks AND shoes - these will get both in one fell swoop
• Shoves - gloves attached to the ends of your shirt - perfect for cold weather
• Branties - a one-piece, do-it-all undergarment from upper to lower
• Birts - for the messy eater - a bib on the top of your top
• Skirdle - for those ladies who have neglected those sit-ups and crunches

I could go on, but why bother? I am an old lady who is content with the basics - shirt, pants, coat - and have them plenty loose and flowing. I don't have the body for new-fangled clothing that's form fitting. I need fabric, and lots of it. In fact, maybe I'll just start my own fashion trend - the Lumu - it'll cover it all.

__________________________________________________________________

Things that make today great: BSC with Lindley and 2-mile stroll

No, This One!

While channel surfing tonight, looking for something to veg on, I came across Npt. "Live From Lincoln Center" was presenting "South Pacific." I love the music, so I decided to watch. It has been a delight.

The show started with the overture. I'd hum along with the songs I remembered. Once the show started, I listened as each song was performed by the actors. I decided that whatever song was being sung, that one was my favorite - at least until the next song was sung. In short, I love them all, and my favorite is whichever one is currently being sung.

I guess that's the way it is with favorites. Favorites change, sometimes quite quickly. Does it mean that the current favorite is of any less value when replaced with the new current favorite? I don't think so - it just means you're living in the moment, and for this moment this one is your favorite.

___________________________________________________________________

Things that make today great: Chatting with Maribeth; rainy day

Me. Soon.

Until tomorrow ...

___________________________________________________________________

Things that make today great: walking back from the Nissan place; dinner with Lynnette, Lindley, Sarah, Melvin, Molly, Adam, and Steve; Molly's huckleberry cupcakes

You Asked For It

Well, actually you didn't, but until I start blogging earlier in the day when my brain cells are a little fresher, this is what you're going to get:

This was brought to you by all mothers of boys who are glad their sons are no longer teenage boys!

___________________________________________________________________
Things that make today great: Monday butt camp and chatting with Dee; chatting with dude at glass place; getting a few errands completed

Make Someone Laugh Tomorrow

Apparently tomorrow is "Tell A Joke Day." Since I don't know any really funny jokes, I thought I would offer this one. You now have a few hours to find a better one and share it. Happy Monday!

_____________________________________________________________________

Things that make today great: Family brunch with the Davidsons and Ogles; breakfast pizza and Molly's homemade cinnamon rolls; an hour with Jena at Massage Envy; shopping with Molly and finding treasures; phone chat with Kay; mattress moving with Sam

I'm a Barbie Girl

Once again, Barbie comes to my rescue. Today she is pretty much giving a visual display of how my head feels. Between all the stuff I have been meaning to do but haven't and all the stuff I need to do but haven't, I have a huge Haven't Done It headache.

Maybe if I take off my purple sparkly outfit, I'll feel better ...

____________________________________________________________________

Things that make today great: Dippin dots delivery via Steve and Molly; grocery shopping with Molly; fried chicken and veggies for dinner; Save the Date card for 10/10/10

Make Up Your Own Blog Friday

____________________________________________________________________

Things that make today great: Friday boot camp; Wal mart shopping; cupcake and coke float delivery from Molly; huckleberries delivered

Baby Stuff

This is a cute little elephant chair for toddlers. I thought it was adorable - until I found out it costs $290. I did find it on a website's "current hot deal." There is it on sale for $290 - and a listed savings of $0.

It is still cute. I would just like know who can afford this chair AND a baby. If you can afford this chair, how much do you spend on a crib?

_____________________________________________________________________

Things that make today great: back to boot camp and nap afterwards; pottery painting party confirmed; looking for Rambo (he got found); Steve's chocolate chip cookies

When Lindley is Absent

This is what Maggie does:

__________________________________________________________________

Things that make today great: Sleeping in (not on purpose, but just 15 minutes more turned into an hour); eye checkup (only the dentist appointment left for my 2010 tuneups); Molly's new windows completed; Jeep fixed (wait, no it's not)

Shopping Buddies

Thankfully, I am not a member of this club, since I hate shopping. Guess that's another good things about granddaughters - taking up the slack with the daughters. I'll just have to keep an eye on the charge cards! __________________________________________________________________

Things that make today great: BSC with Lindley; Gparents Ogles arrive in town; Molly's new windows

She Also Serves Who Plods Along!

Today was the first day of another session of boot camp. I have been at this a year, and by all accounts should be participating in Ms. America Bodybuilding contests - that is, if I had really put my mind to it. Instead, I've been putting my mouth to it, or rather putting stuff in it. As a result, I am still at the "out of shape" status. I am ever hopeful that during one of these session, everything will kick in and I will get my physical self together. Hope springs eternal.

Anyhow, because today is the first day, there are many new butt-campers. Josh requests that they stay at the front of the class during certain exercises so that he can make sure they are executing the exercise correctly. (In contrast, he tries to avoid me, since I am either breathing so hard he has to contemplate calling 911, or I am modifying the exercise so weirdly that he can't even begin to offer advice, or I am laying on the floor trying to find a heartbeat).

One of the things that the newbies have to learn is our alternate torture chamber - the tennis courts - where we work out on some mornings. Today Josh asked me to take the newbies and jog them down to the tennis courts so they would know where to go when we take it outside. So, off I go, thud, thud, thud, with the novices behind me. For a moment, I felt in shape. For a moment, I felt like a leader. And maybe I was.

Even in boot camp, where I am lapped or passed by those more fit, it's good to know I can have a responsibility. Most of the time that responsibility is showing the other ladies that they're not the most out of shape, or that they can't do it. If I can lift that weight or heave my upper body into a quasi-crunch, then they can. But today I led the group. It just goes to show you that you can be the leader, even if you're usually the one at the end!
_________________________________________________________________

Things that make today great: Another butt camp begins; strolling two miles with Lindley; BSC; BYB dinner via Steve; chatting with MB; reserving laser tag for wedding weekend; Molly's new windows

Sunday Means ....

Another session of boot camp starts tomorrow!!

___________________________________________________________________

Things that make today great: Dunkin Donuts with Steve, Sam, Lynnette, and Lindley; Disney planning with Molly

Explaining the "Ifs" in Life

IF we had gone ahead and bought the patio set while we were at Ikea a month ago, Molly would have had patio furniture and we wouldn't have had to scour Nashville for her patio table.

IF we had looked a little harder and closer while we were in M'boro yesterday buying the patio table, we would have bought the four chairs that went so nicely with the table and we wouldn't have made the trek to purchase the two chairs that we didn't know existed, only to find that the other store had four this morning but had sold them.

However IF either of those two scenarios had happened, we would have missed all the fun shopping time we had getting the aforementioned table and chairs.

I guess that's why sometimes the "ifs" don't happen - there are better things out there to be had and experienced. And if we're smart, we'll realize it's those things, and not the "ifs" that make life so good.

____________________________________________________________________

Things that make today great: Molly's new grill and chairs; helpful sales people at World Market and Home Depot; icky consignment sale; Demos dinner with Steve, Sam, Lynnette, Lindley, and Molly; planning gift bags and razor blade lady

Date Night

I have two choices - yawn my self into a frenzy, or go to bed. Since I am anti-frenzy, I think I will go to bed. It's Friday, and I have a date with my pillow. Happy weekend!

____________________________________________________________________

Things that make today great: Sonic with Sam and Lindley; BSC with Lindley; table and chair shopping and Bobbie's Dairy Dip with Molly and Steve; Lindley's new tooth (two now); Molly's non-flat

Just Another Thursday

Let me see ... had Sante Fe pancakes with Gloria, strolled two miles in the neighborhood with Lindley, took more pictures of Lindley, officially became the mother-of-the-bride-to-be, and had a fish burrito with Molly.

Isn't that what everyone does on Thursday?

__________________________________________________________________

Things that make today great: BSC and stroll with Lindley; Pancake Pantry with Gloria; GDiz's new car; Baha Burrito with Molly

And Now A Word From The Front

Today, in the battle of woman vs chocolate chip cookie dough, the woman won - finally. Here's what happened:

Steve bought some cookie dough a few days ago. I usually purchase the kind that is pre-made into little round circles, so all you have to do is pick them off and slap them on the cookie sheet. This time, Steve bought the sausage roll type - where you have to cut off a hunk and put them on the cookie sheet.

He made some cookies, but there was some dough leftover, so he naturally put it back in the frig. This is where the war began. Every time I opened the frig door, that cookie dough challenged me to a fight. And I tried my best.

My first plan of attack was to eat just a smidgen. However, this only infuriated the cookie dough, which then started mocking me. Really. So I continued my attack by eating more smidgens, followed by full-fledged slices. The cookie dough was clearly getting the upper hand, until I dropped the gastronomic a-bomb on it - I tossed the entire remainder into the trash can.

Yes, Steve gets no more cookies. But there are casualties in every war. Better Steve's cookie dream than my enlarging rear end.

__________________________________________________________________

Things that make today great: BSC with Lindley; delivery of Molly's new windows

Motivation - For All The Wrong Things

This morning I got up a little after 5, with the intention of jogging. In the current Nashville heat wave, it seemed like the best time for such an effort. Unfortunately, my brain came up with enough reasons not to do it, so I didn't.

I have an exercise sheet that our boot camp coach gave us. It's a workout for the week we don't have boot camp, supposedly to keep our muscles in shape. Every time I return for a new session of boot camp, I wish I had worked out. I read over the sheet with the intention of actually trying to do the routine. But I haven't gotten past the "reading" part.

Instead this is all I can think about:

I'm sure there's a connection between these things, but I am blissfully ignoring it. Wonder how many calories are burned when you exercise your brain?

___________________________________________________________________

Things that make today great: BSC with Lindley; 3 hot miles with Lindley in her stroller; e-chatting with Maribeth; spaghetti dinner with Sam, Lynnette, Lindley, Steve, and Molly

Day 2 of a New Month

Yeah, well let's just look at a pretty picture instead:

There's always Day 3 on the horizon!

___________________________________________________________________

Things that make today great: BSC with Lindley; g-chatting with Maribeth; telephone chatting with Marilyn

Happy August 1

Today is yet another first day of the month. Another month to try and get my stuff together. Another month to make wise fiscal decisions. Another month to complete all those projects that are half-complete. Another month to read more books. Another month to jog on a regular basis, to eat sensibly, to clean up/out my house, to cure cancer, to solve our nation's problems, and to achieve world peace. It's good that August has 31 days in it!!

On the first day of a new month, I am both enthusiastic and trepidatious. I imagine all that I can do and fear all that I won't do. I have plans and ideas that sometimes weigh me down and tire me out. I want a big dose of motivation and no dose of lethargy. I want to see change, not inertia. I want the last day of the month to be a big celebration of accomplishment and results. I want, I want, I want - and it's scary because then it becomes a matter of I will, I will, I will.

And that's where the rubber hits the road, the tough get going, and a fire needs to be lit under me. In other words, talk is cheap and actions speak louder than words. Today's the day I start over - again.

Maybe this is the month my life changes - for the better. If it is, we'll have a big party on the 31st - my treat.

____________________________________________________________________

Things that make today great: Noshville with Sam, Lynnette, and Lindley; Molly's new frig purchase; Gina and my shoulders at Massage Envy; Charity's treat and chat at Sonic