Watch That Last Step - It's A Doozy!

Especially if you miss it altogether.

This morning as I was walking down the stairs in my house, carrying a glass of juice and other assorted items, I somehow bypassed the last step, sending myself sprawling to the ground. It was a lovely experience and sight.

After five minutes of writhing on the floor, I managed to get up, clean up the juice that had flown across the room, and pick up the assorted items that had landed here and there. I did get an xray which revealed nothing broken. But I really twisted the boo-jeebers out if it.

So, what's the lesson learned here? Watch when you think you're taking the final step - you may miss one that will really mess up your journey. Use a sippy cup - when you do fall, at least the juice will be still in the cup. Have a one-level house - or an elevator. Don't decide to give up playing computer games the day before you sprain your ankle and have to sit around all day - otherwise you'll be google-ing more stuff than you ever imagined.

In the end, I survived the fall, I played no computer games, and my ankle is turning lovely shades of purple (magnified due to the swelling). I guess we can call it a good day!

What Would You Give Up For 30 Days?

Today over brunch, Lynnette told us that she had to choose to give up something for 30 days as part of one of her graduate classes. She is giving up internet (with the exception of classwork and email). One of her classmates decided to give up television, and others have chosen other things. It's part of their study about addictions.

It led me to think what I would give up. If I were in the class, what would I choose? What takes up too much of my time that could be used for something better?

I decided to audit the class in absentia and participate in this experiment. While there are many things that I could certainly do without, I think I will give up playing solitaire/spider solitaire/hearts on my computer. These are three simple games that I play waiting for the big, old computer to warm up, or when I'm waiting for a page to load, or when I'm waiting for the next great thought to form in my brain. But maybe the minutes spent playing can be used in more constructive ways. We'll see.

I'm not sure when the thirty days starts, since I'm not actually in the class, which also means I won't get a grade. But maybe no external reward gives me a self-motivation that an addict needs in order to stop a habit and keep it at bay.

So, for the next thirty days, beginning now, my virtual card playing days are over. I may not get a report card, but I think I'm going to get something even better - practice on overcoming a habit and finding positive and constructive activities to replace those habits. If I can learn to develop this skill and carry it over to other parts of my life, I will have earned an "A" in my book.
Class has begun!

Things To Do When You Have Other Stuff To Do

1. Wander around the house, mentally making notes of more things to do and buy

2. Search for paper and pencil to physically write lists

3. Several hours later, after eventually locating necessary writing equipment, sit and try to remember previously made mental notes

4. Flip through television channels to find Law & Order/Friends/Mad About You marathon to occupy you while you try to remember mental notes

5. Take a nap from all mental work

6. Make a snack to replenish brain cells

7. Work on solitaire/spider solitaire/hearts skills on computer

8. Stare at wall and contemplate whether wall color from two years ago was the right choice.

9. Check weather report on internet, on television, and by sticking your head out the window

10. Walk by writing equipment and wonder what the heck that's doing there

So that was my day - how was yours?

Marilyn Doris Lewis Graves

She has known me all of my life and has been my friend longer than anyone else. We've shared a room, a brother, parents, and a life. She is my sister, and today is her birthday.

A family story is that when I was born, she stayed right by my crib. It was early training for all the times she has been beside me for the tough times, for the fun times, and for the life-changing times. We've lived in different cities, different states, and different countries, but distance has never severed the bond that we share.

We married a year apart, and we each had a son first (who have brought us our daughters-in-law) and then we each had two daughters. We share a love of Disney, and consider it often-needed therapy. We tend to get lost when traveling together (it's hard to watch for the right exit when you're talking), manage to dress alike when on vacation (unintentionally - really), and have more adventures than we need to tell. We have different tastes and lives, but it's those differences that bind us even closer.

The thing about sisters is that it's a relationship that changes over time, but never goes away. It's the constant in life that grounds us, inspires us, and gives us life. It's your past, present, and future all rolled up together. It's the love that makes us who we are because sisters are ingrained as part of each other. And if you're lucky, your sister is the one thing in your life that you'll never have to do without.

Sisters - one of the best gifts God can give a girl. I should know - I have a Marilyn to prove it!

Belly Jiggles

While watching television lately, I have noticed that the advertisement of choice is anything having to do with whittling your belly. You can purchase belly balls of differing sizes, various mechanical belly-exercising contraptions, belly pills and potions, and belly massagers and belts. It's just a belly busting bonanza.

One would think I would be extremely interested, since the last time I had anything resembling a reasonable belly was before the area was inhabited by fetuses - probably even 15 years before that. Nevertheless, I watch, hoping that just the right solution will appear before my very eyes.

Maybe one day I will have control over that part of my body. Maybe I'll be able to slide on a pair of jeans without the dance, or cinch a itsy-bitsy belt, or laugh without channeling Santa. Then again, maybe not.

Life is full of things to work on or cure or quit or enhance or reduce. It's all about choosing what's important to work on for now. The belly-busting industry will have to do without me for now - I need something to prop my dinner tray on!