Looking In The Mirror

I saw this little graphic on my friend Kat's fb page and thought, "Of course - she's a fast little runner.  Of course she sees a runner in her mirror."  And then I thought, "Why don't I see a runner in my mirror?"

Is it because all I see is someone old and overweight?  Is it because I see someone whose average running pace is slow?  Is it because I see someone that all those fast runners complain about (on their "I'm So Fast" running boards)?  Is it because I see a "back of the packer?"  Why can't I see a distance runner in my mirror?

I mean, I meet all the requirements on this little graphic.  I have the Garmin (and loooove it - again, thanks to the Valentine sisters' rec).  I have the $95 shoes - at least two pair in my closet at all times (can't run in wet shoes!).  I've paid the entry fees (some that were three times the $40 fee).  Why can't I see that distance runner?

I've put the miles in.  I've wogged at least 125 races, which include at least 66 5Ks, 37 half marathons, and 12 full marathons.  Exactly how many miles is it going to take for me to see a distance runner?  Am I going to have to run faster or run more races?  What is it going to take?

The answer is simple - it's not going to take anything.  The fact is that I am that distance runner.  She's in the mirror, looking at me - I just have to look back at her and say hello.

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Today's blessings:  working out with KB at the park; power afternoon nap; coupon saving at Staples; paper dude at McDonald's

Win, Place, Or Show

Last week, KB and I participated in the Rotary Red Carpet Run 5K.  I say participated, because our goal is usually always the same - finish still breathing and with a heartbeat.  I think that would be called a "show," since our goal is to just show up and start and finish.

However, this 5K ended up being a special one for us, since we placed 2nd and 3rd in our age division (we obviously moved up to "place").  I refuse to publish our times, since some of you people really run these things for PRs (and you know who you are!).  I also refuse to publish Susan Wenner (name appropriate, don't you think?) because she finished so far ahead of us that she was back home and in the shower by the time we crossed the finish line.  KB and I both actually had the exact same finish times, but I guess the "race officials" felt sorrier for the chubby grey-haired lady and placed me ahead of KB.  They also misspelled my name, but they also gave KB and another woman the same race number, so I guess you might say the whole race was sort of in our favor.  Anyhow, here are our "official" results along with an idea of how many actually participated in the event, which may give you another perspective on why we actually placed in our age group:  

Female 50-54
Place    Name 

1          Susan Wenner

2          Luann Davidson 

3          Karen Barnes

 

The good news is that we finished ahead of the man and his dog.  I guess the bad news is now the pressure is on us to win? Will winning The First Ever Karen and Luanne 5K count? 

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Today's blessings:  6 miles and Bongo Java with KB and Jo; post 6-mile nap on the couch; massage and facial at Massage Envy;

Today's Smart Decision

This decision was actually made several months ago when I decided against doing the Country Music Half Marathon.  It's a great race with live bands playing music every mile or so, but it's a little hilly after having done races the first few months of the year in flat Florida.  Today the weather was warm - too warm to be plodding 13.1 miles - or even worse - 26.2 miles!  So instead, KB and I waddled a few miles and then watched and cheered on the runners who thought that running today was a great idea.

I like it when I is smart!

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Today's blessings:  3 miles and marathoner-watching with KB; KB's birthday brunch made by Molly at her house with Kim, Maribeth, Everley and Steve; Steve's Bubba burger lunch with Sarah, Melvin, Lynnette, Lindley, Maribeth, Everley, and Molly

It's Simply Amazing ...

... how quickly I get behind on this blog.   One might think I could skip a day, even a few, especially when you read my "catch up' blog posts.  But then, one isn't really thinking is he/she is reading this blog, now is he/she?

Anyhoo, I thought I would write this useless post (and who knows when I'm really writing it) about why I cannot miss a day.  Although technically I am.  Missing a day, that is.  All that being said (and it is being said because all these words take up a lot of space and you think I am really writing about something, which goes back to you (the reader) and thinking (or not thinking)), here are the Top Five (because ten is too many and I have to write today's post which is actually tomorrow if you're paying attention to the date I finagled on this post) Reasons I Simply Cannot Skip A Day.

1.  I am cray-cray.  If you do not know what that word means, then you are not the super-cool person that you should be.  But obviously you know how to use the internet, so Google it.  Why am I cray cray?  Because not only do I think people read this blog, but I also think that they would notice if I didn't post everyday and might be worried about me and send Olivia Benson to check on me.  I also am cray-cray qualified because I think any post is better than no post. 

2. Daily blogging is a habit that I am trying to keep going, hoping that it will explode into a billion other habits that I must frantically keep - like eating intelligently and working out.  So far the explosion has not happened, but hope springs eternal, or is that denial?

3.  Omigosh - have I got to come up with three more reasons??  Okay, how about blogging may be the only productive thing I got done that day.  Yes, I know some posts are pretty pathetic, but if one eats Milky Way Bars all day and hasn't taken a shower and watched the "Law and Order" marathon on TV, then even the lamest of posts looks Pulitzer worthy in comparison.

4.  If I keep my computer on my desk in my bedroom, then it's far away from all the contraband food in the kitchen (like that **&% box of Girl Scout cookies that SOMEBODY won't eat).  And if I sit at my desk long enough trying to put words together in a coherent fashion, then maybe I won't eat the box of Thin Mints.  So, it's like a diet of sorts. 

5.  Finally, the reason I write (or pseudo-write) every day is simple - it's just what I'm supposed to do.  Some days I eek out a good one and some days I just get by.  But in the end, I fulfilled a part of the life that I'm supposed to live.

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Today's blessings: not getting up to wog/workout (sorry KB, but it was GREAT!); getting birthday present project finished

My New Book

I have decided to write another book.  Here is my plan:

1. Come up with a title for the book (this tends to keep me on focus and keeps my cookbook from turning into a historical novel from morphing into a DIY book).
2. Learn to draw (cartoons will keep my readers interested and help explain the thoughts in my pea brain that made their way onto the paper).
3. Decide how many pages/chapters need to be in the book (so I have a carrot at the end of the stick that will tell me when I'm done).
4. Figure out how long this process will take (since I have the attention span of a gnat, I figure it needs to be done yesterday).
5. Choose an "author" photo to be printed on the back cover (this may be the hardest step in the process since I haven't had a good photo of myself since 1962).
6. Write the stupid book (my self-motivating affirmations need work).

So far, I have a title.  Only five more steps to go!!

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Today's blessings:  Disney gift card for survey; 4 miles with KB and Cindy; half of new project complete; catching up on stuff; breakfast for dinner thanks to Molly and Steve

People, Papers, and Perspective

Around town, individuals who are homeless sell "The Contributor" as a way to make money.  These people usually have a designated location where they sell the paper and are usually out several days a week selling these papers.  I admit that sometimes I get tired of having the paper waved at me as I pass by, and think insensitive thoughts wondering if there might be a better job for them.  In other words, I stopped looking at the people and just concentrated on the paper.

That all changed this morning as I was leaving my neighborhood McDonald's.  The usual paper seller was at the exit, holding up his paper for sale.  I started to cast my usual judgemental glance at him, and was blessed to witness the following exchange.  A man walked past the paper seller.  This man was obviously homeless and down on his luck.  He was unkempt and looked a little tired.  As he walked past, the paper seller pulled out a dollar bill and gave it to this man.  The man took it and headed into McDonald's.

I don't know if the two men knew each other.  But I did see a hard working man share some of what he made by giving it to someone who seemed worse off than himself. 

It wasn't the paper - it was the person.  It's amazing what you see when you have the right perspective.  

 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ "   Matthew 25:31

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Today's blessings:  working out with KB in the park; getting Everley's passport picture; picking up lunch with MB and E

Pep Talking

This morning I was in Walmart perusing the fabric selection.  After a few minutes of perusing, I noticed some of the clerks walking a few aisles over to meet up with some other clerks.  The next thing I heard was a group cheer - apparently it was time for the morning meeting of this section of Wal Mart.

I know there are people who love Walmart (me and a few select others) and those who don't (several members of my family).  After eavesdropping on this staff meeting, I have to say I like Walmart even more.

After the group cheer, the person in charge went over the previous day's monetary report.  Then she proceeded to call out different clerks for their reports.  Before each clerk began, the whole group gave a cheer-greeting for that particular person.  Then the person would speak, and the next person with a report would get his/her cheer-greeting and then give his/her report.  After every one spoke who needed to, the person in charge had a few remarks (no birthdays today, for one) and then the meeting was over, with a closing cheer, of course.

Maybe it was a little cheesy, but I liked it.  I liked the feeling of encouraging team members, no matter how cheesy the chant.  I liked the idea of welcoming each person with a report by a personalized cheer.  I liked the idea of starting off a work day on a positive note and disseminating information in such an upbeat way.

Wouldn't it be great if we started off our days with such enthusiasm - both at home and at work?  Wouldn't that be a terrific start to the day?  And maybe if we could get past our "cheesiness" bias, we would see a difference in our day.  I know I left feeling uplifted and happy - and I was just an eavesdropper.

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Today's blessings:  Seeing Marilyn and Eddie off on their U-Haul adventure; Wal Mart meeting and fabric department; getting started on a new project

Think Time Goes By Too Slowly?

Makes you want to cherish each moment, doesn't it?!

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Today's blessings:  working out and therapy session with KB; house looking like it might be clean; beef tips and potatoes for supper; Marilyn and Eddie visit; Molly running drink errands

Friends Are Great, Especially If They Own A Truck

In the past few years, each one of my grown children has renovated his or her house.  Factor that in with Davidson Moving and Exchange Company (where we periodically switch furniture between homes), and the result is one very messy house - mine.  Lately my house has become overwhelming due to the excess junk and furniture.  As much as I've wanted to attempt to clean, it's been discouraging due to all the extra stuff.

Saturday I decided to take the plunge and do what I said I would never do again - rent a storage unit in which to store all my excess junk (although I have rented every size of unit, I believe in the theory that if you have to rent a storage space to store stuff because you don't have room in your house, then you have too much stuff.   Notice I said that I believe in the theory - not necessarily adhere to it.).  Anyhow, after the 5K I went to my usual storage facility and basically said, "Yo, I'm here for my rental unit - again!"

Once this first step had been achieved, it was time for the real fun to begin - hauling stuff to the unit (this is usually accomplished with much prayer, since it usually involves things being hauled that logistically cannot be put into the moving vehicle).  I was adamant about not renting a U-Haul - I just couldn't justify paying for a truck to move stuff that I shouldn't have to a place that I shouldn't have to rent. I put what I could in my car and made a few trips, but there were still a few large pieces that needed to go.

Luckily my friend KB has a little red truck and volunteered to come over and haul stuff.  This was after we walked four miles (with no Bongo Java stop).  Sam put the chairs in the back, we stuffed them in the unit, and once again I can walk through the house without bumping into something.

Now what shall I use as an excuse for not cleaning?

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Today's blessings:  4 miles with the girls; moving furniture with KB and Sam; Lindley and Everley time; CPK lunch via Sam

A Little Rain, A Little Crowd, A Little Thor

This morning, Karen and I did the Rotary Red Carpet Run 5K.  Of course, we decided to do it at the last minute, hoping for good weather - so much for that.  It was raining a little and a little chilly, but meeting Thor made our hearts warm (you could dress up like your favorite movie character, but we opted out of that).  Anyhow, soon it was time to start, and everyone gathered at the start line - all 50 or so of us.  It was one of my fears - a small group and me ending up at the rear.  But, we persevered through the steep hills of Green Hills and finished - still managing to finish in front of a few people.  Somehow I'm getting over my 5K phobias - now if I could just get the legs moving a little quicker, I might have to wear my own Thor costume!

 

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Today's blessings:  5K and Noshville with KB; getting storage unit and Sam helping move stuff into it; Lindley and Everley time; watching "We Bought A Zoo" with Maribeth

Life Is Good

Baby is sleeping.  New mommy headed off to go to bed.  Caught up on blog.  Cluttered house slightly less messy than earlier today (in other words, the four folded up wet disposable diapers have been removed from the coffee table and tossed in trash can).  Laundry started with hopes of finishing tomorrow.  Teeth brushed and looks like sleep is on the horizon.

Life is indeed good!

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Today's blessings:  Everley's 4oz weight gain; glider shopping with Everley and Maribeth; Cracker Barrel lunch; Molly coming over and renting cars and picking up dinner and rocking the baby;

Sometimes Thinking Helps

Today's adventure involved two car seats, one recovering mommy, and apparently no brain cells.  Here's what happened:

I was to pick up Lindley from day care.  Steve was out of town, and usually Lindley's car seat is in his car, so I transferred it to mine, which also had Everley's car seat in it.  My car is a Highlander, which has a 3rd row of seats that you can fold down or up for 3rd row seating - this will be an important factor later on.

Anyhow, Maribeth and Everley decided to accompany me to pick up Lindley, perhaps going on another park outing.  We put Everley into her car seat, whereupon she decided to have a meltdown - we were unsure as to whether she objected to the car seat, the thought of picking up Lindley, or the outfit she was dressed in, but she was one unhappy two-week-old.  Maribeth decided that perhaps Everley was hungry and needed a bottle of mom juice.  Here's where it got interesting.

Because we are basically law-abiding citizens (and were late in picking up Lindley), Maribeth said she would give Everley the bottle in the car.  However, Lindley's car seat was firmly planted in the seat next to Everley's.  So, Maribeth would need to sit in the 3rd row seats, since it would be difficult to give a bottle  from the front seat to a baby in the back (soon to be middle) seats.

So, we pulled up one of the back seats, which would have been fine, except there was no way to get in the aforementioned seat since the back-now-middle seats had car seats strapped in them and couldn't be flipped up to allow access to the backest of the seats.  Which meant Maribeth was going to have to climb in from the back of the car, which was going to require some maneuvering like this woman is demonstrating to the right, which might have been a challenge for most people, but made even more interesting when you just had a c-section two weeks before.

Anyhow, we picked up Lindley and took her home, where Maribeth commandeered the recliner and blanket and wondered where somebody's brain cells went.  We needn't discuss whose brain cells those were ...

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Today's blessings:  4 miles with KB; Udderly Pink meeting at Molly's; Molly's dinner; MB and Everley spending the night; Babies R Us field trip with MB and E; picking up Lindley at day care and going to her house

And Time Goes On ...

You may be reading this and think, "Wait - when did this come up?  When did she write this?  Did I miss something?"  And you would probably be right.  Not surprised, based on my recent blogging record, but perhaps still a bit confused.  Welcome to my Time Machine Black Hole.

It seems that the older I get, the more time seems to fly by.  In this blog's case, Wednesday quickly became Friday, seemingly in the space of a few minutes.  It seems that as soon as I turn around, it's another day, usually another day of things that I haven't done.  But that's not the only extent of my Time Machine Black Holes.   Here are a few others:

"Where Did My Baby Go and Who Is This Adult?" Black Hole.  This is what happens when yesterday you gave birth and today that baby morphed into an adult.  It's really confusing because it seems this adult that is your child is older than you seem to think you are.  In other words, you still feel sort of 23, but this guy says he's 31 and he's your son.

"How Did My Grandchild Get So Smart?" Black Hole  This is when that tiny baby that was born yesterday (seemingly at the same time as your own child) is now carrying on a conversation with you.  And usually making more sense than you do.

"Today is When?" Black Hole.  This is when you don't go to a 9-5 type job everyday, and some weeks the days just kind of blend into each other.  The only way you really know the day is whether it's "The Little Couple," or "Modern Family," or "The Office" day.  Unfortunately you may not figure it out until nighttime, which means you'll have to figure it all out again tomorrow.

"I Need To Make An Appointment" Black Hole.  It may be medical, dental, emotional, plumbing - whatever - but you need to call and schedule a meeting.  Two months later you still haven't done it, because you forgot about it - many times.  And now your tooth is rotting out and your basement is flooded.

"I'm Going To Lose Weight" Black Hole.  Three months later you're still eating Ding Dongs and wondering why the Bermuda shorts you bought at Costco don't fit.

Anyhow, I would keep going, but I need to figure out which day it is, because I'm pretending it's Wednesday when it's really Friday and if I don't hurry up, it's going to be Saturday. I must be having fun, because time sure is flying!

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Today's blessings:  working out with the Karens; drinks and dinner with Michelle, the Karens, ad Kelsey to say good bye to Kelsey; Maribeth and Everley's visit with the lac ladies

Yas'm - We Be Here for the Baby's Checkit

I like to make a good impression. I would also like to be rich and thin and all things wonderful.  I'm thinking maybe I need to develop other likes.  Let me explain ...

Today Maribeth was going to take Everley for her two-week check (Everley, not Maribeth).  I have been spending the nights at their house, helping with the night feedings.  The plan was that I would leave early in the morning to go walk with KB, then go home and shower, then return to Maribeth's to pick them up for the 9:45 am appointment.  Good plan, right?

I left Maribeth's wearing the same clothes I had slept in - sweat pants and t-shirt - and walked with Karen.  I went home and ate a bit of breakfast, then took a call from Maribeth saying that Crocs the Handyman was at her house fixing her trash cabinet, and could I come watch Everley while she got ready?  Of course I said sure, and went over.  Without changing clothes, showering, brushing my teeth, or any of those pesky little details that might help with that good impression thing.

I watched Everley and soon it was time for the pediatrician field trip.  And I went in the same outfit that I wore to walk in.  Which was the same outfit that I had slept in.  Of course, I went into the appointment with Maribeth and Everley.  While the picture to the left isn't me, it might give you the general idea.  Just add frizzled hair pulled back with an assortment of barrettes, glasses because I hadn't put in my contact lens, a thin layer of sweat instead of any scrap of makeup, a clean t-shirt with un-Tide-removable stains, and a pair of ample sweatpants to hide my ever-increasing hind regions.  And a sweatshirt that I grabbed on the way out in case I got cold - who knows the last time it was washed.  Thank goodness the pediatrician, AKA Dr. Barbie (really - you should see her) was there to see Everley - otherwise she might have referred me to the psychiatrist down the hall.

Good impression?  I think not.   Maybe I should have brought in a chicken to offer as payment. 

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Today's blessings:  running errands and getting lunch with Maribeth and Everley; 4 miles with KB; Steve getting MB's TV fixed up; chatting with Marilyn on the phone

Tax Day - Or The Day For Whom The Bell Tolls

Today is Tax Day, which is a happy or sad day, based on whether you owe $$ or will receive $$.  For me, today marks the middle of April, three and one-half months into the year, or the day when I should have lost about 8 gazillion pounds, provided I had stuck with a diet and exercise plan.  In other words, like those who owe the IRS a check, it's not a happy day.

I could go into all the excuses of why I haven't lost any weight, but the excuses are nothing new.  It's just what it is.  And I will try again - hoping that one day something will stick and I will be a reformed person.  And thinner.

I don't know what it will take, but I think I've found a new graphic that will maybe keep in all in perspective. 

Here's to less complaining and excuses and more effort and results.  And maybe, just like the happy people today, soon I'll be one of those who gets some good news!!

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Today's blessings:  spending the night with Everley and her mom at their house; starting some projects; spring rain

It Is Sunday, and I'm Posting on Sunday!!

Probably only because I have a cute picture to post ...

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Today's blessings:  remembering my pin number for my debit card; ordering online with Molly; Lindley and Everley time; an hour at Massage Envy; beautiful spring day; a mile with KB before Bongo Java

Will Things Ever Get Back To Normal??

No, because I think you had to be there to begin with ...

I figure as long as I eventually get in a blog post within the 24 hours

that it was supposed to be posted, then I'm doing okay.

However, okay is a relative term ....

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Today's blessings:  mani/pedi with Molly; Lindley and Everley time; Steve's Bubba Burgers on the grill

Finally, On Time On the Correct Day With A New Hard Drive

... now if only I had an interesting blog post ....

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Today's blessings:  3 miles with KB; Steve bringing lunch; lazy Friday; Steve taking care of my computer and resulting issues; Molly downloading needed programs on my computer

And That Was My Thursday

As usual, at least what seems normal these days, today's post is actually yesterday's post.  That's what I get for waiting until nighttime to post and then rock a baby instead.  Of course, it doesn't help when my hard drive decided to die and my laptop was incapacitated until it went to go to the computer hospital for a transplant this morning.  We needn't even discuss how much I had failed to back up onto the external hard drive (did I learn nothing from Carrie Bradshaw and all those hours of Sex and the City?!).

Anyhow, instead of discussing all that, I shall instead leave you with a sample of my fun last night.  The Karens, Molly, and I went out to Merchants in downtown Nashville where we ordered nearly all the appetizers (my fave was the pimento cheese grits) and then enjoyed a performance of "Cinderella," a fundraiser for Show Hope, an orphan ministry of Steven Curtis Chapman.    It was a great night of food, laughs, good music, and good friends!

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Today's blessings:  working out with KB at the park; dinner and Cinderella with the Karens and Molly; not getting creamed by the taxi in downtown traffic

Plans

Okay, so I know my posts lately have been somewhat erratic and all about Everley.  I would write about the economy and the upcoming election and global warming, but some other things (or at least one little precious thing) just seem to be taking precedence.  Today would be no exception.  So, boys and girls, today's topic is planning.

I'm a firm believer in plans - especially when they come with Plan A through Plan ZZZ, meaning if the first one does't work, there's always its cousin waiting in the wings.  This is especially true in the case of babies.

Maribeth was the queen of planning before giving birth.  She not only outfitted her house with the most up-to-date baby doodads, but she also managed to update the baby stash at my house.  She read all the materials and information and made sure that she had everything she and the baby would need.  She had a plan and followed it, right up until delivery.

That's when, after laboring all day and pushing for three hours, Everley decided she would not turn her head in a proper position to be born (even after the OB stuck his arm way up the wazoo to try and convince her).  Enter Plan B, which was a Cesarean after midnight on April 2.  The result was a healthy baby girl.  However, while they were slicing and dicing Maribeth, something got "nicked" (reports vary on exactly what that was) thus resulting in Plan C, which for Maribeth meant one thing - r-e-c-o-v-e-r-y.

While this new plan involved receiving two units of blood and having dye injected for a cat scan, it did not necessarily involve the pre-planned breast feeding plan.  Which would have been fine, except for the 912 nurses that came through her room with their own breast feeding plan, all of which contradicted the precious nurse's plan.

Anyhow, all of this is to say that while plans are great, they're always open for revision and chucking to make way for a new plan.  Which is where Everley is now.  The breast feeding, the sleeping, the pooping - it's all a day by day plan.  The good thing is that for whatever doesn't work, there's always a new plan just a thought away.  Sometimes even a minute away.

Somethings things don't go as we had planned.  Sometimes it's a huge disappointment for things not to work out.  Sometimes we want to give up and take the easier route.  But sometimes our plans don't go the way we want because there's something else around the corner that we need to experience.  Sometimes there might actually even be a better plan that we wouldn't know about unless the first one didn't work. Sometimes it's not about the plan - it's about us and what we need to do and where we need to go.

And apparently learning about planning starts early - even when you refuse to turn your head on your birth day!!

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Today's blessings:  early morning with Everley; post office clerks; MB's good med report; Steve's dinner

Things Newborns Need

Mainly, a set of gauges, since they lack vocal ability.  For instance:

• Fuel tank gauge.  Do they need to be fed?  If so, how much?  
• Diaper gauge.  Is it full?  If so, what is it full of?
• Temperature gauge.  Do they have a fever?  Are their footsies cold?  Is the sleeper warm enough/too warm?
• Sleepy gauge. Are they tired? Do they need more sleep?  Have they had enough sleep?  How many hours of sleep do they currently need?
• Temperament gauge.  Are they mad because they're hungry, or tired, or bored, or sick, or just plain ticked off?
• Symptom gauge.  Is that bump a pimple or a bug bite or a Amazon disease indicator?  Is that rash a simple diaper rash or a reaction to the detergent?
• Allover Systems Check gauge.  How are things?  What needs to be addressed?  

Can you tell it's been awhile since we've had a newborn in the house?

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Today's blessings:  Everley's doctor appointment and weight gain; picking up Lindley at day care and going to Pinkberry; hostess at Demos'

It's Monday

... and that's all I'm gonna say about that...

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Today's blessings:  Fantastic night's sleep; getting things accomplished; beef tips and potatoes dinner with Steve and Maribeth; Minnie gnome delivery; beautiful spring day

Happy Easter!

Easter.

A day for celebrating new life, new beginnings, and new hope.

A day for bright colors and a bright outlook on life.

A day for believing in all things good and for thanking The One who gives us all good things.

A day for looking forward because even as good as this gets, it's not all there is, and the best is yet to come.

Hope you've had a blessed Easter!!

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Today's blessings:  early morning with Everley; Easter lunch with the entire family; Mathieu's birthday; Lindley sleeping in her new big girl bed at Lala's house

Just In Time for the Easter Bunny

This Easter egg sold for $10,000.

Since I did not win the lottery, I did not purchase it.

Just in case you were wondering ...

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Today's blessings:  Everley time; 1 mile and Bongo Java with KB

Me. Tomorrow Morning.

You have been warned ...

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Today's blessings:  visits by Everley and Lindley; Molly's chicken dinner with the family

Just So You Know ... Awesome Is Just A Word

First of all, if you tuned back in to read some awesomeness, then you really do have a sad little life.  There's this big building called a library, which has all kinds of written awesome.  Perhaps you should seek awesome elsewhere.  While I realize that would seem to make me yesterday's liar (about an awesome update), being yesterday's liar is only one of several things that I am, than can be published.  Anyhoo, on to today's yesterday update.

Having spent two nights in the hospital with Maribeth and Everley, I thought I would discuss everything I know pregnancy/childbirth and the aftermath.  It's going to be a short blog.

We'll start with pregnancy.  I was in that predicament - three times.  Each time I gained enough weight to give birth to a 9-year-old instead of an infant.  Every pound I lost via the miracle of birth was promptly regained, without benefit of shooting a baby through the v-j-j (think about it) a few months later.  I like to think of it as giving birth to a teenager, whose birth is usually much more traumatic than when that teenager was a newborn (just ask any mom whose sweet child suddenly turned sullen and moody overnight).  Luckily I had OBs who didn't seem too concerned about my weight gains - they also didn't seem too concerned about epidurals, but that comes later.

I mostly spent each pregnancy worried about how my life was affecting my unborn baby.  Was eating chocolate going to result in lifelong acne for the kid?  Was whatever whiff I was smelling (even the non-vomit inducing ones, which were few) going to cause a third ear to appear?  Was everything I was doing considered wrong, in spite of the books that said I was doing it right (which were the books I preferred to read)?  Of course we now know that everything I was doing was wrong and harmful, at least according to the current literature.  It's amazing that I have such beautiful, intelligent children, unless you figure in genetics, which we should probably just leave alone, and not bring up the crazy limbs of the family tree.  Let's just say while pregnancy was a blessing, it was also nerve wracking.  I was glad when I was done and could move on to delivery, which all the books said was going to be glorious, if I just Lamaze-ed my way through it.  They lied.

I breathed and counted and concentrated on my focal point.  IT STILL HURT LIKE HECKFIRE!!   I won't even mention pitocin, AKA "pit drip", AKA (my terminology) liquid hell.  Basically, it turns your guts into squeeze machines in an attempt to expel your uterine squatter.  During my first pregnancy, my sister suggested I ask my doctor about epidurals.  I did and he replied that there was no point talking about it, because it would be decided when I was in delivery (which I later found out that the only way Dr. Jerk was going to give me an epidural was for a Cesarean delivery, which didn't happen).  He was also the doctor that told me I needed to be quiet when I was trying to push the baby out and that I should quick jumping when he was sewing up the necessary shreds that happen when you give birth to a nine pound baby, even though I could feel every prick of the needle.  I should have suggested that he give ME the needle and thread and not jump when I sewed his balls together sans anesthesia, but I am a sweet Southern girl and wouldn't have said such things.

Then came infancy where I worried about crib death ("Please God, let him sleep an hour," and then 5 minutes into his nap, "OH NO!! IS HE BREATHING?" at which point I needed to touch him to see if he was breathing which in turn woke him up, since he was done with his 5-minute nap).  Then came toddlerhood, where it's a miracle they survived, considering I allowed them to play with the regular old-style Little People and watch "The Simpsons."  Then came teenagerism, when I REALLY wanted an epidural to get through the door slamming and general discussion about how I ruined their lives, because I chose to have a baby (that would be them).

Anyhow, somehow I managed to get through it al and eventually they grew up.  As my reward for all that,  I now have two beautiful genius granddaughters, for whom I just had to wait for a phone call.  And I didn't even need to request an epidural.

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Today's blessings:  Maribeth and Everley being discharged from the hospital; Molly making a spagetti dinner for Maribeth, Mathieu, and Everley; Target shopping and seeing Nan; Steve making a Wal-Mart run; slarty over at the Davidson-Perry home

Sssh! Babies are Sleeping!!

We'll chat tomorrow ...

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Today's blessings:  Maribeth feeling better; time with Everley; reading Camille's blog; Elmo video; 

Everley's First Slarty

Slarty = slumber party with the Davidson girls

Tonight I got to spend the night with Maribeth and Everley.  And no, Everely wasn't the snack, even though her mom had to have a taste.  It's hard to believe that almost 28 years ago, Maribeth and I were having our first slarty.

Time flies when you're having fun.  And it certainly keeps getting better, especially when slarties are involved!!
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Today's blessings:  spending time with Maribeth and Everley; Sam and Lindley's visit to see Everley; Molly's toe getting attention

And Then There Was Everley

Officially, she was due last Thursday.  But Thursday came and went with no baby, even after her daddy flew into town.

On Friday, her accommodations started giving eviction notices.  But either she didn't give them any credence, or she just didn't believe them, because she stayed put.  Apparently a window of 1-2 cm wasn't big enough window for her to bother with.

On Saturday, her accommodations started applying a little more pressure.  But being somewhat strong-willed, she refused to succumb to the pressure and stayed put.

By Sunday, the pressure was getting just a little too real for her landlord.  The good news was that at 5am, there was a 4-5 cm window.  The bad news was that six hours later, the window had not been enlarged.  An epidural was welcomed, hopefully to lull her into easing her way out into the world.  The window enlarged to its max, a full 10 cm.  Yet still, it was not a large enough window for someone to choose to leave the comfy confines she was used to.

Soon, it was time to forcefully evict the little freeloader.  But after three hours of trying to literally push her out that window, she still refused to leave, turning her face in the wrong direction to successfully get out.  Besides, it was still April Fool's Day, and she was no fool, nor intended to ever be called one.  So she stayed her ground.

By 1am the next morning, the powers that be came up with a new plan, to create a new escape hatch and remove the little squatter by force.  There was a little damage to the surroundings, but she was finally evicted, all 8 pounds, 4 ounces of her.  A little behind schedule and on her own terms, but she was certainly worth the wait !!

 

Everley Mac Perry

Formerly of Maribeth's uterus

Newest resident at her parents' home and in Lala's heart

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Today's blessings:  Everley's arrival and life!!

April Fool's Day

More tomorrow - that's all for now ...

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Today's blessings:  3 miles and Bongo Java with KB; Lindley time; bed assembly with Steve