No One to Blame But Myself

I believe in living healthy and taking care of one's self.  The problem is I don't walk the walk!  So when I went for my yearly physical with Dr. E. today, I had no one to blame for the outcome but myself.  You see when I went last year  my cholesterol and blood pressure were borderline high.  I also was overweight.  He gave me 6 months to lower my weight and stats through exercise and diet.  I promised him I would and jumped off of the table and went on my way.  I had a vision in my head of what I would do and how I would do it.

Well, one year later, I am still overweight.  My cholesterol and blood pressure are still borderline high.  I still have the vision in head.  Now the good news is my weight was down by 5 pounds! I'm still 40 pounds over weight, but whatever!  Let's just enjoy the victories no matter how small they are.  So Dr. E asked what I've done to try to get healthier.  When I said I've eaten healthy the last two days, he didn't laugh!  I told him I can see myself eating great nutritious meals.  I can see myself working out and participating in warrior dashes.  I can see myself rocking a size 10 outfit.  The problem is I can't seem to  make my dreams a reality.  Dr. E asked me if I could see myself taking Liptor and suffering a stroke! Touche, Dr. E, touché!  (No, he didn't actually speak the words, but the look implied such!  I"m just taking creative license here!)

So I left the office feeling defeated and sorry for myself. I felt like I let Dr E down as well as myself.  Since turning 50, my body and my mind seem to be turning on me.  I have never had problems with my blood pressure and cholesterol.  I have never had problems accomplishing a goal when I put my mind to it.  I've never had trouble remembering things.  I was always smug when my friends were whining about the same health issues.  I would just laugh and say not me!  Well, yes me!  Apparently our choices eventually catch up with us, now don't they?

So, what's the game plan, you ask?  Well, may be you didn't ask, but I'm going to tell you anyways.  The plan was to go get fake nails put on!!!!!!!!  Go ahead and put close your mouth before you swallow a fly.  Let me explain myself.

I don't believe in making New Year's resolutions. I believe in focusing on setting a theme for the year and working towards it.  So my theme this year is to be nicer  to myself.  You see  I put others before me.  I always have and I always will.  It's my nature to nurture others.  In doing so, I forget myself.  So this year I'm trying to make more time for myself.  Some of the most enjoyable things for me to do is get a pedicure and a manicure.  I don't do it often because I don't have the time or the money.  Well, that's changing.  With the acrylic nails, I have to take care of them on a regular basis.  I know it sounds funny, but I will now be forced every two weeks to go to the nail salon and just sit and let someone pamper me for 45 minutes.  It also invested some money in some body oils.  Once again it sounds ridiculous, but I don't take the time to even put lotion on after the shower.  My skin is dry and flakey. Nothing worse than looking at my fat, white, dry calves every morning!     Tomorrow, I'm going to go and buy some new clothes.  All of my clothes are ill fitting due to the weight.  I always say I'm waiting to lose weight before I can buy new things.  Well girls, we all know how that works out!

So what's all this got to do with lowering blood pressure, cholesterol and obesity?  My thought is if I just take the time to love me for who I am right now, then  may be I will be motivated to improve on who I can be.  I have bucket list and I'm not ready to leave this world just yet.  I believe I still have a lot to offer my family, school and community.  I know that God has a plan for me, and he is in charge.  I just think I can carry out his plans better if I like who I am...fake nails and all!  Wish me luck!  It will be a fight, but I think I'm worth the fight.

Make Every Day Count...
Denise

Home Alone

I love being home alone on Saturdays.  It's like a vacation for me!  I have no one to answer to except for myself.  Well, may be the dog, but she's easy.  As long as she has food and water in her bowls and I let her out every couple of hours, she's good.  I  can do what I want, when I want, and how I want.  Want some examples?!?!?!? (Brb, Sophie wants out!)

1.  Bathroom:  I can go to the bathroom whenever I want. Crazy I know, but  five days a week my potty breaks are scheduled by prep periods and lunches!  After all you can't, or shouldn't, leave your classroom unattended because Mother Nature calls.  I could go between classes, but I don't like leaving my students with the opportunity to think of something! It doesn't take long for a 16 year old mind to come up with stunt!   So, Monday-Friday I pee at 9:52 and 12:52.  I'm not kidding!  So on Saturdays to have the luxury of pissing when I want is like having double cashews on your hot fudge sundae.

2.  Taking breaks: Nothing cheeses me off like having to clean house and do laundry.  I hate it.  If I could afford a cleaning lady and I knew Sophie would let her in, I'd have one.  Since I can't be sure of either, I do it myself.  I can go from 0-10 on the angry meter in about 10 seconds flat when I start cleaning house.  So, I learned many years ago a coping mechanism that helps immensely.  I make deals with myself.  I will determine what amount of work needs to be completed before I take a break.  During that break I do things  I like to do such as read, Facebook, blog, Twitter, sew, card, scrapbook, etc.  For example, I told myself I could start this post once the kitchen was cleaned.  So here I am blogging in a kitchen that has the dishes done, recycling outside, and floors swept.  I can now spend 15 minutes blogging before I go to the next chore.  In another 5 minutes, I will sweep the staircase.  Once that's done I'm going to sit down and read the next chapter in Janet Evanovich's book Notorious Nineteen.  Getting the picture?

3.  Bravo, E! and History Channel:  I can watch my shows without anyone flipping channels, rolling eyes, or sighing loudly because he doesn't like my choice of TV shows.  I'm sorry that I'm addicted to Housewives, Kardashians, Pawn Stars, Duck Dynasty, awards shows, etc.  So I can watch and/or listen to the shows while I'm cleaning house.  It gives me great pleasure to peep into other people's lives.  The best part is that it usually makes me feel good about my own life.  Timeout:  I have to go sweep the steps.  I'll be back!

4.  Electronics:  (Did you miss me?  I hope I didn't keep you waiting long.  But at least the bedroom is now cleaned!)  I love my electronics.  I willingly admit that I'm addicted.  It is commonplace to find me with my Mac in my lap, my iPhone in my hand and my Nook on the end table.  I tend to multitask.  I will read emails, blog, surf the net and Facebook while getting caught upon Words with Friends, Scramble and Dice with Buddies.  When my games are caught up, I'll read until I hear my phone ping informing me it's my turn! It drives Rick crazy.  He is constantly glaring at me, or rolling his eyes at me or sighing at me.  It drives him crazy.  So when I'm home alone, I can relax with a cup of Joe while indulging my addictions without any disapproving looks.

5.  Food:  On home alone Saturdays I can eat what I want and when I want!  This is the day I can indulge my culinary pleasures that Rick finds offensive...chinese, Chipotle,  Manhattan clam chowder, Weight Watcher frozen meals, and sushi.   Lunch is also another chance to take a break and do what I want to do.  So, WW mini pizzas, bloody mary and blogging!  Ugh...damn dog wants out again! Brb.

6. Girly stuff:  This is also the time to do girly stuff.  I can burn my smelly candles.  I can take an hour long shower.  I can call girlfriends and talk and laugh.  There is no one impatiently waiting for me to get off of the phone so that my loud, obnoxious voice will quit competing with the volume on the TV.  I can spend quality time with the above mentioned damn dog and cuddle .  She loves her belly rubbed and I love snuggling with her.  She takes away all of my cares and worries in the world.

Now before you all start bemoaning, "What about  poor Rick?  Don't you like to spend your Saturdays with him?"  Let me remind you that he has his home alone days as well.  It is usually on Wednesdays. It's his day without me.  He gets to do whatever he wants and whenever he wants.  He gets to watch MeTV all morning and afternoon in between naps.  He doesn't have someone (me) rolling their eyes, sighing heavily and  complaining about his activities.   Trust me, he savors each one of them.

So, there you have it.  My take on home alone days.  We all need them. Unfortunately, we don't always get as many as we want.  So, when we do have them, it's important to make the best of them!  Here's hoping you have a home alone day soon.

Make Every Day Count....
Denise

The Compromise

I am in the throes of menopause.   Rick is in the throes of...hmmm?  Not sure what to call it.   All I know is that I am constantly burning up and Rick is constantly shivering!  So temperature control in our house is a constant battle.  I'm always turning the thermostat down, and Rick is always turning it back up.  I think the dog gets dizzy watching us go back and forth.

Well yesterday I think we found our solution!  We bought an electric fireplace!   Isn't it pretty?

It is a corner fireplace.  So it is situated  directly across from Rick's recliner.  He can hunker down in his chair wrapped in a quilt with the heat blowing directly on him while he watches TV and/or naps in comfort.  If he gets cold, all he has to do is use the remote control and turn the temperature up!  He can also set the timer and adjust the flame.  It really is a new toy for him to play with!

 I, on the other hand, can turn the thermostat down a few degrees.  I can go upstairs, turn my fan on high and Facebook, tweet, blog, sew, quilt, scrapbook, read and/or game and be completely comfortable!  How awesome is that!   I no longer will I be forced the bowels of the basement anymore because the third floor is a towering inferno!

Of course, it's only been day 1 of the new fireplace.  So the verdict isn't in yet if this is going to work.  What I do know is that I was able to sew for 3 hours today and not a single drop of sweat going down my back! Nor did I have to open my window and let winter's breath in.  I'm a happy girl!  

I do know that I look forward to the day when I can crawl up on the couch and huddle under several quilts and be toasty warm again.  It would be nice to be able to look into the fireplace and see a friend and not the flames of hell!  Now if only we can figure out how to keep snow year round for Sophie who is happiest laying in the snow on a cold winter's day.

Make Every Day Count.....
Denise

Ole, Ole!

Well, the suitcase is unpacked and the sewing room is back in order.  The laundry is piled high and the house is a mess.  The fridge is bare and the bills need paid.  But I don't care.  It can all wait until tomorrow.  What can't wait is snuggle time with Sophie and reflection of the weekend.  You see, I just got home from a 3 day quilting retreat with 79 of my closest guild friends!

I know, yawn, right?  How much fun can a bunch of old ladies have on a quilting weekend? Well, let me tell you, we know how to rock a retreat!  This year's theme...yes, we have themes...was South of the Border.  Well, actually that's not the name, but I forget the exact title.  Get you the point though it was a Mexican theme.  We had sombreros, margaritas, maracas, massages, and more!  Hence the picture: Meet Senor(a?) Edmunds! Isn't she a beaut?!?!?!  That's my own 'stache!  I have to shave it every night before bed!

Ole', Ole'!  Hot, Hot, Hot!

I don't want to bore you into a siesta with all of the details, but will outline the high points of the trip.  First and foremost, I am from Coshocton County. So going on this trip every year is like going home!  I usually spend more time with family and friends than I do actually quilting/sewing.  This year was no exception.

Highlight #1:   Saturday I spent the morning and afternoon with my beautiful 10 year old niece, Zayvia.  She is a budding crafter!  She got her first sewing machine for Christmas.  After her basketball game in the morning, we headed to the hotel to see what all of the women were making.  Zay was like a deer in the head lights!  The women were so nice to her.   They talked about sewing and gave her fabric!  The girl left with more fabric than I did.  Then we were off to lunch at the Yucatan...yes, a Mexican restaurant!  After lunch I took Zay to her first quilt store.  She was so excited.  Once again, the deer in the head light look!  While there, we learned to finger knit scarves!  By the time we left...2 hours later...she had 4 scarves made and 8 skeins of yarn!  Yep, a girl after my own heart!

Zayvia and Aunt Denise

Highlight #2:  I had the best roommate ever!  Rosie let me sleep with the air conditioner on even though it was 13 degrees outside.  The wind was howling and rattling the windows, but I had the thermostat set at 63 degrees.  It was the first 2 nights  of sleep in a LONG time that I didn't wake with hot flashes and night sweats!!!!  Since there is no school tomorrow, I was tempted to stay another night!

The Busy Bees splinter group!

Highlight #3:  Laughing until I snorted!  These girls are hysterical.  In honor of our theme, the hotel bar had $3 margarita specials!  Some of these women are a hoot when they've had a few libations!  You never know what they might do next!  I so wish I could get the video to upload right now!! But I can't!  So you will just have to look at the photo graph and imagine these lovely ladies singing Ole, Ole....They are the best!


Highlight #4:  Helping the Coshocton community.  Of course we boosted the economy with many trips to Wal-Mart, local restaurants, Roscoe shops and Mercantile on Main...the greatest quilt shop ever!  But  our group always supports the local food pantry.  Each year we are asked to bring $10 worth of food for the pantry.  In exchange you get your name put into a drawing for a wonderful prize.  There were approximately 17 boxes of food.  This year's group took it a step further.  In addition to the raffle, they staged a "drug bust" and jailed a couple of quilters.  They had to raise bail to get out.  Due to the generosity of the quilters and guests, we raised another $160 for Pastor Mark and his food pantry!  As the originator of the food pantry collection, I'm so excited to see the tradition continue and flourish!

Highlight #5:  Denise at Mercantile on Main is awesome.  She is always willing to share her love of crafting with anyone who asks.  She came to the retreat and gave a workshop on using jelly roll packets.  For you crafting impaired, those are 2 1/2 inch strips that we use to make luscious quilts!  Then on Saturday she did an impromptu class on finger knitting for 5 young girls.  Denise had a shop full of crazy, money spending quilters and she still had time to spread her crafting wealth!  And all of this with a broken wrist!  We won't go into HOW she broke it, but let's just say it's a good laugh!

Highlight #6: Spending time with my friends!  I look forward to this weekend every year.  It's a time to just unwind and not thinking about the world around me.  I spend quality time with friends and family who for whatever reason love me too!  Mucho Gracias to the retreat committee for a wonderful time!  You're awesome!

Make every day count...
Denise

What I'm Thinking Now

Last night I went to Friday Night Free For All, aka FFA.  It's a gathering of women with a common interest...... quilting.  We meet the first and third Friday of each month.  We get together to sew, eat, and talk.  But the group is more than a good time.  It also is a support group.  I can't tell you how many times I've gone on a Friday night looking for an outlet to lay my burdens on.  They are always a great sounding  board and help me figure out life's dilemmas.

Of course last night was no exception. I found myself in need of  good company and good sound advice.  My fellow FFA members were there for me as well as each other.  We had a good old cackling hen party.  We laid all of our burdens on the table and worked through each problem.  We gave each other good advice, unsolicited observations, and common conclusions.  I love a group of girls who will tell you like it is!  Some times it's easy to hear and some times it's not.  Either way, we know that all of it comes from the heart.

One of the observations  we made had to do with social media.  It is amazing to us how people use Facebook, Twitter and blogging as a way to air grievances, disappointments, and general discord.  They will say whatever they are feeling or thinking and to hell with you if you don't like it. From there we talked about what we feel is appropriate and what is not.  I made the comment that there so many things I find funny that others post and I would love to share.  However, I stop myself.  I have a sarcastic sense of humor which many find offensive, and the last thing I would want to do is offend someone who doesn't know me well.  Let's face it, there are some things that can only or should only be said in the company of your dearest friends and family.  Things that should never be made public to the world wide web.

As teacher, I try to filter myself.  I must admit that I fail sometimes.  I hope I filter more than I don't!  My husband gets upset with me at times because he says I'm an adult and I can say and feel what I want.  He is right up to a point.  But as a public servant, I am forced to be politically correct.  Whether I like it or not, I have to lead by example.  I just can't go around spouting off everything that is running around in my head.  Trust me,  as much as I would like to, I don't.

Barb, a retired English teacher, and I dissected this very thought.  We are both Facebookers and bloggers.  We agree that we both have so many ideas, thoughts, pet peeves, concerns and other ramblings running around in our heads.  We are often tempted to blog about it.  But we both agree that we would never blog something that would intentionally hurt someone's feelings.  I can't pour out my thoughts or complaints that may not be appropriate.  In fact I have 24 hour rule.  I don't post anything until I've thought about it for at least 24 hours.  What you feel in the moment usually isn't what you feel after some considerable thought.

So here's the point I'm trying to make.  I want all of my readers to know that I am sorry if I have ever hurt your feelings with one of my posts.  It is never my intention to hurt you personally.  I know that I may offend with my inappropriate topics on occasion.  But I hope everything is seen with humor and laughter, and never from mean spiritness!

Make Every Day Count....
Denise

Hhhhhhmmmmmmm? What Kind of Readers Do I Have?

Hhhmmmm?  I am starting to wonder, if ever so slightly, about my reading audience. What kind of people are flocking to my site whenever I post?!?!?!?!?   You see the website I use is Blogspot.  One of the features is to keep stats of my viewers.  Some of the things it tracks are the number of hits each post gets and the various countries readers live in.  I can also learn what traffic sources you are using and what sites are referring my blog.

So indulge me.  I am going somewhere with this.  A few stats you might be interested in....

1.  I have 17 faithful followers.  (You all are obviously misled!)
2.  I have had 4, 055 hits.
3.  Facebook is the biggest traffic source.
4.  I have made a total of 78 posts since Jan. 2011.
5.  The four countries with the most views are the US (3668), Russia (110), Germany (50), and Great Britain (28).

So you're like who cares, right?  What's the point, correct?  Well, let's get to another stat, shall we?  I can also tell what posts are the most viewed!  Let's look at the top five, shall we?

1.  Laters, Baby (201)
2. My Love Affair With Chris Spielman (54)
3.  Good Night Sweet Stormy (49)
4.  The Quilting Slut (41)
5.  Fat Girl Woes (41)

Do you see a trend here anyone?  That's right my post about the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy had over 200 hits!  My Love Affair with Chris Spielman garnered 54!  The Quilting Slut was right there with Christian Gray and Chris Spielman.  Where are the minds of my readers at anyways?!?!?!  It appears to be in the gutter!  The really only saving grace here is that my tribute to my dead Stormy was 3rd on the list!!!  I don't know...may be you all thought there was some sort of double meaning there, or something!  Apparently I grab your attention with the ever so slight possibility that I may write about some torrid, bodice-ripping love affair!  Just call me E.L. James.  (yes that's the author of 50 Shades!)

All kidding aside, thanks to all of my readers out there.  I appreciate the time you take out of your lives to  read about my ramblings, observations, pet-peeves, social discord and other nonsense!  And yes, the  occasional foray into inappropriateness and all things a hot mess!  You're the best.  I hope you will all be with me for the next 78 posts!

Make Every Day Count...
Denise

Denise Goes to Marine Boot Camp!

Last week I had the opportunity to go on an adventure of a lifetime.  I went to Parris Island, South Carolina for four days of Marine boot camp! Now I didn't enlist and then get dishonorably discharge!  No, I was a part of the Marine Educator Workshop, RS Louisville/RS Cleveland.  (That's Marine lingo for recruiting stations Louisville and Cleveland).  I spent four days learning what the Marine Corp is, what their philosophies are, how a recruit becomes a Marine, and more.  I was not prepared for what I was about to face!

Let me give you a brief account of my week.  After flying all day and waiting for everyone to arrive, we were then taken on base for dinner and a briefing of the week.  Then it was back to the Holiday Inn in Beaufort for a good night's sleep. Not so bad, right?   Wednesday morning the 4: 00 a.m. wake up call came!  Ouch!!!  Chow was at 5:00 a.m. and on the bus by 5:30!  What happened next was not on the introductory film the night before.  We pulled up to the recruit processing building and were greeted with a sergeant SCREAMING  at us to get off the bus and line up on the yellow footprints!  This is exactly what the recruits go through when they arrive in the middle of the night on Parris Island.   I'll be honest, I was scared shitless!  I didn't know what they were saying or what they wanted me to do.  They just kept screaming!  We were then "ushered" into processing where we met with our drill instructors for the week.  Our DI was Sergeant Wasserman.  What sweetheart?!?!?!?!?!?!?  Oh man, he had worked us over for at least an hour on formations, ditties, and commands.  But in all honesty, he was a good guy.  We even nicknamed him Sergeant McDreamy!  (View the video below.  It is a brief look at Day 1.   And yes, that's me, in the pink not knowing what to do!  I was scared!)

For the next 3 days we were ensconced in Marine recruit life.  We moved everywhere in formation to the barking orders of Sgt. Wasserman.  We visited the musesum, pool facilities, the crucible, and flight hangar.   We participated in various activities such as the rifle range, rappelling wall, leatherneck square, confidence course, and  mixed martial arts. (No, I did not get to rappel!  There were 90 people and only 16 got to do it.  I wish I had though.)  We watched colors and graduation.  We really got to see what it is like to live the life of a Marine recruit.

While we were "treated" as Marines, I have say that the everyone we met and talked with were so nice and accommodating to our needs and questions. They really wanted us to learn about the Marines and what they stand for.  I knew going in that we would have lunch each day with recruits.  So on Tuesday night I asked the commanding officer if it would be possible to have lunch with one of my National Honor Society students who was a current recruit.  They couldn't make me any promises, but they made it happen.  When got to the chow hall on Wednesday, there he was!  He had no idea why he was there!  In fact, he didn't even recognize me because he wasn't expecting it at all.  We weren't sure if we were allowed to take pictures, so with the help of my table mates, we went on a covert operation!  The result was this picture of Tyler and myself.  I was able to send it to his girlfriend and family!  They were shocked to receive that text message!I want to thank the Marine Corp for making it happen.


When people ask me questions, the most frequently question asked is what did I learn?  This  is hard to answer because I learned so much! The most important thing I learned was respect.  I grew up respecting the armed forces, the flag and the Constitution of the United States.  Before my week of boot camp, I had surface respect.  It was what I was taught.  Now I have heart respect.  I get it now.  I have seen it, "lived"it, and breathed it.  I have a deeper understanding that doesn't come without such an experience.  Veteran's Day is now something I get.

I want to thank the US Marine Corp and General Lori Reynolds, and all of the personnel who made this trip possible. I want to thank all of the Marines who spent time with us throughout the week for teaching me what it is to be a Marine. I want to thank Captain Maurer, Sgt. Hollis, Sgt. Stewman, Sgt. Lemasters for being our escorts from Cleveland to Parris Island and back.  Thank you to Sgt. Bragg, our LV recruiter, for driving me to and from Cleveland.  And to Sgt. Wasserman,  aka Sgt. McDreamy, thank you for making our week so enjoyable.  You knew the perfect combination of  being drill instructor and teacher with a lot of gentleman thrown in!  Oorah!

View Day 2-3 here!






Make Every Day Count......
Denise