Running Red Momma

I went to an exercise class which involved mats and balance balls.  I learned a few things.  We did all sorts of maneuvers on the ball.  Not only was it hard,  the act of balancing made me giggle.   I felt so released to just concentrate on trying to stay on the ball in the oddest of positions.  What fun!  I laughed out loud during some of the routines.  I wondered what other activities would cause me to laugh out loud. Maybe it isn't so hard to find that inner child.  Heaven knows we (I) could use a good giggle more often. After the class, I was hurrying to throw some clothes on so I could get my youngest ones.  The instructor popped out of the shower.  She was so chatty.  As she talked about the class and her personal life,  I was a few feet from her.  I looked at my shoes, looked at her eyes, the floor or my bag.  She showed no sign of discomfort or hurry.   This woman was middle-aged and obviously comf...

It has been a while and the nature of our life has not altered.  Lately, our life has had a theme of waiting.  Waiting for a house to finish, waiting to be pick-up a spouse from a business trip, waiting to see if one likes a job better, waiting for an injury to heal, waiting to have some time alone with a spouse,  waiting for a much needed income tax return, waiting to see changes in child-parent dynamics, waiting to be more patient (the irony?) or waiting to know what my new life direction should be.   As I thought about these themes,  I realized, duh!, how much of our life centers around waiting.  It is a life skill I think should be more directly addressed in education and life.  It seems so simple.  Yet, the act of creating a moment which requires waiting is not merely enough.  The question is, how do we/I handle the waiting?  As I look back on the last nine months, sometimes it has been merely sitting and holding my breath....

My nose is large and from my dad.  I did not get his wonderful straight teeth, I got my mom's mess and an orthodontist's dream.  As you grow up, you start sorting what comes from whom.  After a while, you think you have it all divided.  However, the aging process can reintroduce one to their gene pool.  Years ago, my dad was giving a public speech (talk if you're LDS).  He felt strongly about the subject and became teary.  All I remember was watching his nose create the biggest line of mucus I had ever seen.  He was so concentrated upon his message, that the use of a hanky did not occur.  I was transfixed. Would the snot drop?  If so, when and where?  Eventually, it became as exciting as waiting for the New Year ball to drop.  Yes, it did drop.  And instead of saying the AMEN to the preacher, I let out a snorty giggle because it splashed down.  I have a brother more than a decade older than myself.  I used to gig...

An entire month went by--whoosh, I know where it went....food, fun and frolicking.  I really wanted the ah of an entry in December, I will have to settle for January 1st, which is almost as cool.  So, how was your year?  If I were to look back at this year, I would say some awesome parts and some not pretty parts.  The notes are: My hip injury became so difficult to manage, I was not even able to swim in February.  I did not know how much change I would experience later in the year.  This lack of outlet became more difficult as the year went on.  Oh, how I would have liked to do some glorious trail runs this year.  Sigh, not to be.  My second was diagnosed with autism.  Not a total shocker.  He is high functioning enough, that his peers will just think of him as the odd kid.  He has a poor sense of reading emotions and people.  So, he can be very fatiguing.  He had been having problems at school and I just felt su...

Maybe you are just sitting there wondering what is that house doing?  Well, here is your chance to say nope I would never do that or, hmmm that looks like a lot of fun. A mess of years of wiring and junk Old houses have old wiring?  Yes they do!  We were told it was pretty good.  It wasn't.  We (not me, but people I know)  have pulled and reinstalled wire.   That is part of the mess from the adventure.  The utility box has been moved downstairs as well. Basement framed and new plumbing! oooh shiny new duct work--only exciting if you live in a 100 year-old house Yes, the downstairs you wonder.  That giant dirt mess , has allowed us access to do all sorts of great stuff.  We do have four walls now.  We also have a floor.  That happened a month ago.  It also gave us the ability to update plumbing and duct work.  We had no vents under windows, which made all sorts of cold spots.  Of course, ...

I finally faced my fears and got a mammogram.  I believe in being proactive about health. However, I feared the pain of the test.  I walked in and was shown my gown and locker for the exam.  Minutes later, I was ready to show the girls.  There is no uncomfortableness with the disrobing.  Instead,  I faced the steel and glass machine and thought, "I fear you more than a dentist's drill."  My fears were actually truth based.  The attendant efficiently grabbed my breast and began smashing/pressing my breast trying to get enough tissue to fit in the machine.  I thought, this would be a good time to have a nice rack.  Instead, she mashed and squeezed them with the machine (COLD, COLD!).   Phewww,  I thought I was done until required to do another angle.  It was over quickly.  I looked down to see red lines engraved from SHOULDER to MID-CHEST!  I was an x-man for breast health.   So,  go face your f...

I had been getting a sense it was time for the THE TALK with my daughter. I wanted it to be super natural and normal. So, we cozied up on the outside couch and I just went straight to it. I presented it as a simple science update. Yet, I tried to keep it basic. First question, "Ugg, does the man pee on you?" Me, "No, unless you think that is awesome!" Just kidding... I just explained a few more details. She was disheartened by the fact her body will change. She likes it the way it is. This launched me into my lecture of we are all changing ALL the time and we can't stop it. I wanted her to not feel alone. So, it trickled to the everyones' body changes constantly why didn't anyone warn me talk. The puberty, growing, adult, pregnant, after-pregnant and getting older changes were listed. Suddenly, my oldest became animated. You mean that is why your eye-balls are going into your sockets? That is why your cheeks look sharp and bony? And th...