Back In The Saddle

As of March 15th it's been a full year since my femur injury, and I was just released from my surgeon to "go wild" -- him having declared of my once shattered thigh bone, "that's solid." I ♥ my surgeon...he did an amazing job and really gave his all despite me being "one of those" patients that he probably made little, if any, profit from. Now if we can just get me sitting straight in a better suited wheelchair, I'll be rip-roaring ready to go, but because (as anyone who knows me IRL will vouch to) I'm slightly hyperactive, while I hope and pray for my new chair, rather than letting too much time pass by, I'm going to go ahead and jump back into life with both wheels (or I guess that would be 4 wheels?) This means that April 14th - 16th I'll be competing in the bench press competition at the 2011 Southeastern Regional Wheelchair Games, and then on April 17th I'll be handcycling 11 miles in the 19th Annual Coastal Carolina University Triathlon. It's a team triathlon, where one of my friends will do a 300 yard swim, then I do 11 miles of cycling, and finally, another friend does the 5k run.
I adore the warm weather and all the fun opportunities it brings. I always say I'd rather have sweat pouring off of me than feel the slightest chill... my son is the complete opposite and dreams of one day escaping the Deep South for somewhere with snow and hats and mittens. Crazy kid!
So it's been back to the gym full force. I must admit, I was a wimp and was doing good if I made it to the gym twice a week in January and February -- did I say how much I dislike the cold...even if it's South Carolina "cold"...? I only teetered up about 4 pounds though, over the entire holiday/winter season, so I guess it could have been worse, no?
Good news is that I'm already back up to 3 sets of 7 with 150 pounds on the bench press machine. Sounds impressive, but 150 pounds is a lot easier to bench press on a machine than it is with a free weight bar...trust me!! Especially when you have balance issues, like most people with spinal cord injuries do...although most of my friends would testify that I'd be "unbalanced" even if I were able-bodied...but only "good" crazy, right? RIGHT? *looks around suspiciously*
Anyway, wish me luck as I jump back into sports & athletics, femur healed, *hopefully* a new wheelchair in the near future to help me sit right, and a fresh new outlook that the spring breeze blew into my soul. :)

~Day 8 of Challenge~

Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh.

So yeah, it's a terrible quality picture, but it still makes me laugh every time I see it. It's of two of my very best friends in the world...Kat, and my dear husband, Doug (or Dougy-Poo, Chesty, et. al.) -- This was at the end of last summer, before Kat's belly-button timer popped and 10-pound Braden entered the world... Kat and her other 3 kids had stopped by my house, and my husband and Kat decided to compare "pregnant" tummy's. Who's do you think looked bigger? Shhh...don't tell anyone, but I think my husband's may have actually been a food baby!
Obviously the belly comparison makes me laugh, but I also always end up laughing at this picture because in Kat's hand is her dog's collar (he was visiting, too!) but the way she's holding it up to be out of the way of her tummy, it looks like a tambourine, and since her eyes are half-closed in the pic, she comes across as a hippie chick shaking her tambourine and really digging the grooviness of the moment! Hahaha! You know I ♥ you, Kat! And seriously folks, she is GORGEOUS...this is a bad pic...so I want to share one where her (outer as well as inner) beauty is captured, too!


Anyway, Kat is such a great friend! For my birthday this past February 12th (which is also HER birthday) she gave me a handmade (by her) purse and matching kindle cover (the kindle was a gift from my dear sister (Hi Diane!).
Here they are:



You can check out more of her awesome stuff on facebook here: "Kat's Out o'the Bag"

~Day 7 of Challenge~

Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item.

Although I generally don't think we should lay up our treasures here on earth, I do cherish my wedding rings. The stories of where my husband and I came from would seem, to even me, one of those things that you see in a movie and think, 'hmph, that would never really happen, it's just too over the top' -- but nevertheless, it is what it is...and God still managed to turn so much bad into so much good.


HORACE & BONNIE

When my husband, Doug, was 4, he had two brothers, ages 9 and 11, named Jeffrey and Kenneth.

JEFFREY


KENNETH

Their mom and dad, Bonnie and Horace, were said to be incredibly in love. Bonnie was a person that would catch a bug in her house and release it outside rather than kill it...and Horace was the guy that everyone seemed to know and love. That same year, Bonnie died from cancer, and Horace was left with three boys to raise by himself until he met Peggy, and they married and had a little girl together, named Kathleen.


PEGGY


KATHLEEN

Sadly, when my husband was 6, Peggy was taking the boys to school and had Kathleen with them when there was a horrible car accident that killed everyone but my husband. Soon after that, his dad, Horace, had a massive heart attack and died.

See...? I told you it was so out there that it seems unbelievable. When Doug and I were first getting into a serious relationship, I actually had a moment where I questioned the truth of such an outrageously sad story.

So at 6, my husband was orphaned, not only losing his parents, but all of his siblings. But God was watching over him still, and his dad's brother and wife, who had a son and a daughter, took him home and called him their own. His "mom" (his Aunt Gail) put away his mom's wedding rings so that one day he would be able to give them to the woman he'd marry if he chose to, and he did, and those are the rings I wear to this day. I've actually had people ask me if I don't wonder about the rings being bad luck or something silly, but I don't look at them as cursed, but instead as blessed. They were given and worn in the presence of great love back then, and now still. I just hope that his mom, up in heaven, is happy with who Doug chose to give her rings to. ♥

~Day 6 of Challenge~

"Life isn't fair. It's just fairer than death, that's all." ~William Goldman (screenwriter for The Princess Bride)


Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day.

PRINCESS BUTTERCUP


Okay, so no one said it had to be a real person, and I'm a hopeless romantic who has watched "The Princess Bride" so many times I could probably recite most of the movie.

My hubby's cell phone ring for when I'm calling is a recording of me saying, "Farmboy, fetch that pitcher" -- in my best British accent, of course! (If this makes no sense to you, just go watch the movie, you'll love it!) Likewise, he'll often reply to things I say, "As you wish." *swoon*

Anyway, since I've loved this movie for 20+ years, I've come across some others just as crazy about it as myself, some even crazier...and a few with some awesome input about this seemingly simple little fairytale. I want to share with you this amazing list of 10 Life Lessons from The Princess Bride:

1. It's possible, with the right strategy, to best a giant.

2. Outsmarting the one who thinks he is smartest of all is not inconceivable. Pride creates vulnerability.

3. Don't believe everything you hear. It appears people can actually survive the fire-swamp.

4. The obvious bad guy isn't always the bad guy, but a reputation can be bigger than reality.

5. Reciting your name and life's purpose with passion to everyone you meet can gain you the resources you need to reach your goal. Plus win you a few lifelong friends along the way.

6. Good fighting is as much about style as it is about skill. Add style to your skills because style is more fun to watch.

7. The six fingered man was wicked then and he's wicked now. Pay attention to track records they tell a true story.

8. There is such a thing as true love if you are willing to fight to the death for it.

9. Having a great gift for rhyme can bring levity during a difficult time... I mean it. Anybody want a peanut? A sense of humor is priceless.

10. Fairy tales are a great reminder that happy endings are possible if you believe in them. We sacrifice for those things we believe in.

Blogging Buddies

~Tonight I'm taking a short break from my '30 Day Challenge' posts because I want to share a few great sites with you. I've encountered some really wonderful people through blogging that I want to highlight here...so if you've got a few minutes and would enjoy browsing through some FABULOUS blogs, here they are:


A Perfect Dose of Life -- Kristina is one of those people you just like from the word 'go' -- plus, how can you pass up checking out a recipe called "Pretzel Crusted Chicken with Spicy Mustard Sauce" -- seriously, my husband began salivating at the mere mention of it! LOL BUT, there's one condition...if you make this recipe, you have to promise to include the chopped pickles and onions, Kristina said it really makes the dish! :)

Food Floozie -- Seriously, how could you not visit a blog named "Food Floozie"?? Mary is a fabulous friend to many, including me, and an A-MAZ-ING cook, whom I happen to think needs to be right up there with Martha Stewart and The Barefoot Contessa, only Mary is much more entertaining...imagine Barefoot Contessa and Erma Bombeck had a baby...that would be Food Floozie! If you make her "Chocolate Shortbread Cookies" please send a couple in the mail to me! :)

I Made It Through The Rain -- This is a journaling blog by Karen, who was my first (and best) blog friend! I love her "Wordless Wednesday" post pictures...they always bring a smile into my day.

Rise Above Your Limits
-- Becky Jane really blew my mind when she saw me (a stranger out here in blogger land) with my current need for a new wheelchair and no insurance coverage, and took it upon herself to post a blog about my need, and ask for people to consider helping me out. Because of her, I'm on my way to being able to get my new chair. Best of all, I've made a great new friend. I love this post she had back in February about loving ourselves just the way we are: "Tuesday Tutorial - Love Yourself"


I hope you've enjoyed these few of my favorites. I'm going to try to feature 4 favorites once a week. There're so many great bloggers out there!

~Day 5 of Challenge~

Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory.

Now, this is certainly not my most favorite memory, but I have so many that could qualify as such - like the birth of my son, marrying my best friend, etc...so I went with one of my favorite lighthearted memories. This is a photograph I took of the band "Blue October" at the House of Blues here in North Myrtle Beach, SC.
Blue October is my very favorite band, and they always put on such an amazing show.
Here's my favorite song from them. The lyrics in this song are great, and I especially like these few lines:
"I need a fresh start on the roller coaster made for coasting-
It's time to wake up, time to make up,
Time to shake these memories.
It's time to leave the past in the past
And lace up a new set of shoestrings..."

~Day 4 of Challenge~

A picture of your night.

Wish I could post up some exciting photo of something amazing I did tonight, but I was working, so here's the logo from the company I'm working with right now. It's most assuredly a FUN company, though! Sunday was the kick-off for the college spring break season in Myrtle Beach. We locals still think it's quite chilly with daytime temps in the high 60's/low 70's -- but some of these kids are visiting from PA, OH, NY, etc...and I suppose it seems right balmy to them! Hahaha!


Now here's where things get really exciting [are you sensing the sarcasm here?] LOL...
After work, I still hadn't had supper, so I ran up to the store and grabbed some chicken breasts and salad fixins, and now at 10pm, I've just now finished eating!
I apologize for rubbing your noses in my uber-exciting life in the fast lane, but hey, someone has to be fabulous, and it may just as well be moi! ;)

~Day 3 of Challenge~

A picture of the cast from your favorite show.

My favorite show is "Chopped" - but the cast is not really set in stone, but is always shifting. If you've never watched it, you should check it out, because it's awesome! Tonight (Sunday) is a big deal for the show...it's the kick-off of "Chopped - All Stars" where famous chefs will be competing against one another in the fun, quick rounds, instead of the younger, up & coming chefs that the show usually features. It begins at 9pm eastern/8pm central, on the Food Network show.

Here's a quick little video snippet of "Chopped" just so you can get an idea of how fun it is:


For a really interesting, engaging, and entertaining family night, you can do a home version of "Chopped." One person provides 3 to 4 strange ingredients and the other has to come up with a decent tasting meal, featuring each of the ingredients, in 30 minutes.
You can imagine the laughs! If you're not feeling super confident in your family members cooking abilities, you can always just stick to the dessert round.

Anyway, consider checking out my favorite TV show...I bet you'll be hooked!

~Day 2 of Challenge~

Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been close with for the longest.

This is a photo of me (in the wheelchair) and my sister, Diane. She's the person I've been closest to the longest...she's my "safe place." When I had the accident in 1987 that left me a paraplegic, you'd think I would have first called out for my mother or father...but I asked the hospital staff for my sister, and then my dad. She's the one who stood at my bedside twisting the briars filled with poison oak out of my matted and bloody hair...and when I came to a few days later, the first face I saw was hers, smeared with patches of a pale pink substance which turned out to be calamine lotion. She'd ended up covered with poison oak.
We all laugh about it now, that I was thrown into the woods from the accident, and to top it all off, landed in a patch of briars and poison oak! If it weren't for bad luck... you know the rest, right? haha!
Back to Diane...throughout my life she's been a mother to me, my best friend, my confidant, and the best sister anyone could ever ask for.
We talk almost daily, and she knows me better than I know myself. Currently I'm struggling through something that I'm not ready to blog about, and I even attempted to shut her out, to save her from having to worry about me -- but she refuses to go away! haha! (If you're reading this, Diane...that's meant to be funny!) She wants to make sure I'm "ok" and it's just another example of how deep our love for one another is...we truly want the other to be happy, and will do whatever we can to make it happen. Our connection is so real that we actually "feel" it when the other is struggling -- there's no facade to hide behind.
On a lighter note, many people have trouble telling us apart on the phone. We both have the voice of a 12 year old! haha!
Also, she's an amazing cook and just in case you ever end up at her table, let me give you a hint.

If you just want a little more, tell her you're stuffed and couldn't eat another bite: BAM, a smallish portion will appear on your plate.

If you want a generous helping, tell her "just a teeny bit" and: BAM, a HUGE helping will appear on your plate.

If you're truly full and can't eat anything, be prepared to slip it to the dog, because she doesn't understand that.

A Borrowed 30 Day Challenge

My beautiful friend, Rona, had this awesome looking challenge up on her facebook wall, and I thought it would be neat to give it a shot myself. If nothing else, it would force me to devote at least a few minutes to my blog, daily, for one month.

Here's the challenge in overview, it's basically 30 days of posting photographs, but not just randomly, with specific purposes/thoughts/prompts, etc... associated with them. Not only does it seem like it will be fun, but also insightful...so without further ado, my 1st entry will follow the 30 day list...

30 day challenge:
Day 01 - A picture of yourself with fifteen facts.
Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been close with for the longest.
Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show.
Day 04 - A picture of your night.
Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory.
Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day.
Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item.
Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh.
Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most.
Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with.
Day 11 - A picture of something you hate.
Day 12 - A picture of something you love.
Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist.
Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without.
Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die.
Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you.
Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently.
Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity.
Day 19 - A picture of you when you were little.
Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel.
Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget.
Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at.
Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book.
Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change.
Day 25 - A picture of your day.
Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you.
Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member.
Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of.
Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile.
Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Day 1:



15 Facts:

1. I was 12, almost 13 in this photo.
2. Growing up I was asked a lot if I was Italian.
3. That I know of, I have not a single ounce of Italian heritage.
4. My background is German/Jewish on my dad's side, and my mom's family has been in the American South for many generations.
5. I was a straight "A" student until my mom left about the time this photo was taken. I almost immediately plummeted to straight "F's" -- hey, at least I was consistent! LOL
6. My favorite food going back as far as I can remember, has been donuts. I allow myself to eat them no more than twice in one year, because of insulin resistance troubles. (Did you know that 1 Blueberry Crumb Donut from Dunkin' has 84 carbs?!?!?)
7. I eat a mostly paleo diet.
8. Despite the fact that my diet consists of mostly meat, my cholesterol level stays about 115 TOTAL.
9. I'm shy, but no one seems to believe me! LOL
10. I have 2 modes: ON & OFF
11. My favorite flowers are Gerbera Daisies and Hydrangea.
12. My favorite tree is the Weeping Willow.
13. I'm fascinated by lizards, snakes, frogs, mice and rats. I think they're cute.
14. I feel naked without my gold hoops in my ears, and have been known to turn around to go home and get them if I forget to put them in.
15. My husband and I really are best friends...no one in my entire life has ever been kinder to me, so consistently - so unconditionally. I am truly blessed to have him as my other half.