musings...

well, since it seems like noone else has published a new blog in ages, I will do so, and hope that others follow suit.

today, i was up very early to take Anthony to work (Yes, on a Saturday....yay for overtime pay!), and as i was walking towards the door to put my shoes on, IT happened. And my life has not been the same since.

IT was a huge muscle spasm involving all the muscles in my lower back/hips....IT doubled me over in excruciating pain for about 30 seconds, which seemed like an eternity. And now I am dealing with the aftermath of my muscles being so strongly contracted.

I cannot stand up straight, sitting hurts, and lying down is comfortable only as long as I don't think about the fact that i haven't moved in a while. I have been applying heat to the area over and over, and have been popping back the robaxacet every couple hours, AND have been getting light massage in the area to help loosen things up and hopefully ease the pain. I look funny when I walk (b'c i'm slightly hunched over - just ask Karen!!), i need help with the simplest things, like rolling over, or getting up, and every time i think it's starting to feel better, IT acts up again.

Ok, before this turns into what sounds like a big whine-fest (which it already may appear to be), I will tell you what I have learned from this. I have learned that the core muscles (around your torso) are involved in SO many bodily functions, so to say, that it is remarkable to realize. Not only do they have to support your upper body, they are involved in pretty much every movement conceivable. Even the unconscious bracing we do when in the car - balancing your body around corners and when starting/stopping so you don't fall over! It really is remarkable, the things we don't even notice when everything is working fine. And the things we do notice when it's not.....

So, if i'm not in church tomorrow, just think of me, trying to find a comfortable position, but relatively helpless to move my own body without sharp pain in order to find that position. And feel free to bring over more drugs, or more massage, or maybe just comfort and company! I'll be here, seeing as I really can't go anywhere else!!!

So with that, I will sign off, perhaps have more drugs and more heat, and pray for a good nite sleep. And pray that my back is gonna be fine, that there's not permanent damage or a more serious issue going on here...

lesson learned - now to put it into practise!

I learned something today in church.

something simple, but something that has the ability to change so much about me.

the preacher was talking about simon the Pharisee having Jesus at his house, and the prostitute who came in and annointed him, etc. And he said this:

when we look at someone and dislike them (as in dislike them as a person, not just dislike what they do), we are putting ourselves in a position where we think and act like we are better than them.

i admit, i have this attitude much more than i should.....

BUT....then he said, "If we recognize that we ourselves are just as wretched as they are (no more, no less, but their equals), and that our sins are just as bad as theirs, then we lose this attitude of contempt, and it can be replaced by one of compassion"

I tend to think of myself as someone who likes to help people out. But I realized today that I like to help out people that I like, not just any person.

In relation to sin, he said "Most sins are the same, when you really get down to it. They can be traced back to selfishness, greed, apathy, ...." (there's a list in Ezekiel, i think 26:19 maybe)

So who am I to think that that person is so horrible because they've done X, Y, and Z, and I only do the "little" sins....A, B, and C.......because at the root of all of them, is selfishness...putting ME in the center....doing what makes ME happy. That is common to us both.....so that makes us equals, when it comes to who's better than the other.

And, he also talked about how getting rid of the "better than you" attitude is crucial to having Jesus' heart for people and seeing them through God's eyes.....which is something that I've always prayed for but never really had any faint idea of how to work towards in everyday life.

So now that I have this knowledge, that I need to start consciously challenging my thoughts and attitudes about others.... I need to put it into practise....

what i am not....

ok. so we have established that i am a pessimist.

But now we can know for sure that i am neither a weather forecaster nor a prophetess.

so much for spring and the end of all snow!

Good days....

Well, the past few days have been a string of good days....productive days.....i will spare you many of the details, but i did find that $ that I misplaced before Christmas. So now I think it will go towards our trip to Calgary, the land of no pst and really good stores! Like Old navy (Regina does not count!) and of course, IKEA.

And now I think that spring is coming. Yes, Lynette, the eternal pessimist thinks we're done with the snowfalls and that the melting will continue from now until we have green! Funny how the world looks so much brighter when you have hope that something better is around the corner.

Now if only I could find an inexpensive shamrock cookie cutter....I have the urge to bake for St. Patty's day, and round cookies with green on top just don't cut it. And I have to celebrate somehow, right? I'm just not the green beer type, or the beer type at all.

It's funny, but I've spent the whole winter with numerous days off each week, mostly just passing the time....dawdling it away. But now that spring is here, and more importantly, now that the impending reality of working full time is approaching, I feel so motivated to get stuff done. And do new stuff too. I even went to the public library last night, and got some books for knitting, etc. And I actually WANT to clean my house! But it's funny how being motivated and having projects to work on changes your whole attitude towards life and towards being home so much. I remember when I first got married, I was home all summer....and it was such a drag. I sat and watched TV and was lonely and bored all the time. But now I think I've gotten the hang of this being home thing. Only to have to give it up soon. *Sigh* Ah well.....I'm sure I'll get another crack at this when I have kids. Only then, there will be much more to deal with. I guess we'll see.....

reality?

If you could choose (or were required to choose) one reality TV show on which you had to appear, which one would you pick? For what reasons?

I think i'd go for Amazing Race....would be fun to see all those places, even for such a short time. And i'm sure you'd lose lots of weight on that one! And of course, I'd take Anthony...I promise we would try our best not to bicker! (lest we annoy those of you watching from home).

awake

can't sleep. too windy. too many thoughts in my mind.

my new boss is shorter than me.

spring is not yet here - it is supposed to be -17 and snowing again by next week.

mcdonald's salads have more fat in them than the cheeseburger does.

my living room clock and my office clock tick at the exact same time. But the bathroom clock is off....why can't it be like the rest. Every second, i hear "tick-tick" "tick-tick" Except when the wind gusts and drowns it all out.

and noone is on msn right now....funny thing....i wonder where they all are.....not even Arleen, and it is 2:30 in the afternoon there! Oh wait, she's prolly at work. That's weird to think about.

these are not the thoughts that are keeping me up, wouldn't that be pathetic if they were!

mostly thoughts about the future...i'm much more comfortable when i know what's coming. Don't like this "wait and see" thing at all.

Well, if you haven't heard, I got the job. Don't know when I start, but it's all mine. The interview on Thursday went well, and Dr. Hall told me he'd check with my references, and get back to me within a couple weeks. So i was talking all evening with people, telling them I thot it went pretty well, etc. Then around 11pm, I checked my email, and lo and behold, he had emailed me an hour after my interview to offer me the job! So much for two weeks! So the whole time I was being cautiously optimistic, I could have known for sure! Ah well, I know now.

And i had a WONDERFUL idea for a blog while I was in the shower the other day, but do you think I can remember it now? Nope.

So this is all you get for now. Hopefully the coming week will be interesting enough to inspire a humourous, inspiring and insightful blog for all of you to read. Or maybe just boring, bland, and trivial! I guess you'll have to wait and see!

a conversation

As many of you know, i enjoy playing pool online...and sometimes you can meet some very interesting people. Like the lady i played with this evening. Here is our conversation....


melikepool2004: I like pool
nelliebird88: yah, it’s good
melikepool2004: yes, it’s good
melikepool2004: I like pool
nelliebird88: that’s good
melikepool2004: pool is good
melikepool2004: I like pooll
nelliebird88: yes, you said that
melikepool2004: did I say I like pool?
nelliebird88: really? you don’t say
melikepool2004: ok
melikepool2004: I’m sorry
nelliebird88: no it’s fine
melikepool2004: but I do like pool
nelliebird88: where are you from?
melikepool2004: sunny side nursing home
nelliebird88: where’s that?
melikepool2004: the corner of elmway and fortner
nelliebird88: what city? what state
melikepool2004: oh
melikepool2004: indpls in
nelliebird88: how long have you lived there?
melikepool2004: you won
melikepool2004: yeah
nelliebird88: it was a good game
melikepool2004: two years
melikepool2004: my son put me here
melikepool2004: he thinks I’m crazy
nelliebird88: why?
melikepool2004: is it my turn to win?
nelliebird88: I guess we’ll see
nelliebird88: why does he think you’re crazy?
nelliebird88: and how old is he?
melikepool2004: 48
melikepool2004: do you want his number?
nelliebird88: no thanks, I’m only 24, and I’m married, and I live in Canada
melikepool2004: what part of Canada?
nelliebird88: saskatchewan
melikepool2004: does your mom know?
nelliebird88: about what?
melikepool2004: about you being married?
nelliebird88: yes, she was at the wedding.
melikepool2004: well how would I know if you didn’t invite me?
nelliebird88: I’m sorry. I didn’t know you when we got married.
melikepool2004:
nelliebird88:
melikepool2004: well if you get married again can we come?

melikepool2004: are you gonna let me win again?
melikepool2004: I have beat you all ten games
nelliebird88: we have only played two, and I won both.
melikepool2004: you did?
nelliebird88: yes.
melikepool2004: do you have children?
nelliebird88: no I do not have any kids yet.
melikepool2004: I have children
nelliebird88: how many do you have?
melikepool2004: I have seven
nelliebird88: wow that’s a lot

melikepool2004: who taught you to play pool your daddy?
nelliebird88: no, I taught myself
melikepool2004: my daddy passed away already
nelliebird88: I’m sorry to hear that. when did he pass away?
melikepool2004: in 39
nelliebird88: how old were you then?
melikepool2004: oh my I don’t know

melikepool2004: you are a very nice girl
melikepool2004: are you married?
nelliebird88: yes
melikepool2004: how long have you been married?
nelliebird88: almost 2 years
melikepool2004: I was married almost 40 years
melikepool2004: then Rupert passed away
nelliebird88: that’s a very long time…what is the secret to being married that long?
melikepool2004: I kept my husband happy
melikepool2004: I made him breakfast every morning
melikepool2004: and dinner every night
melikepool2004: do you make him breakfast?
nelliebird88: no, he gets up very early to get to work….
melikepool2004: oh I see
melikepool2004: do you have any children?
nelliebird88: on weekends, we cook breakfast for each other, we take turns
nelliebird88: no I don’t
melikepool2004: are u barren?
nelliebird88: no, I just finished university, so we decided to postpone having children until my husband is done school too

nelliebird88: so how old are you really, and how many of your friends are reading this and laughing?
melikepool2004: well
melikepool2004: all of them
nelliebird88: I figured from the start…
nelliebird88: but I thought I’d humour you.
melikepool2004: what do you mean?
nelliebird88: I mean, I played along to give you guys a good laugh
melikepool2004: no it’s just me
nelliebird88: sure….
melikepool2004: would u rather I talked about sex or something disgusting?
nelliebird88: no, actually, it’s quite humourous

nelliebird88: where are you actually from?
melikepool2004: indpls in
nelliebird88: and what do you actually do?
melikepool2004: I am a foreman at a construction company
nelliebird88: and how old are you really?
melikepool2004: 37
nelliebird88: and do you do this often, pass yourself off as a senile old woman?
melikepool2004: survey says yes when I’m bored
nelliebird88: very creative.
melikepool2004: lol
melikepool2004: I’m sorry
melikepool2004: that was wrong

nelliebird88: oh, no worries…there was enough in there that you gave yourself away
melikepool2004: I was just having fun
nelliebird88: no hard feelings
*****

yah. shows ya how little you can trust what people say on the internet. did you guys figure it out while reading it (like before you got to the end?)? what gives people away? for me, this one was stuff like not spelling out "you", and not knowing when your dad died....anyone would remember that.....but mostly, it was just a sense....something out of sorts.....too crazy to be true.

s/he also mentioned her 81 year old boyfriend, and how her dear rupert died while they were making whoopy..

anyways, today's postings are getting a little long (a record-breaking 3!!!) so i will sign off now. hope this gave you a chucke like it did for me.

shaving

ok. i don't know about you (girls) out there, but in winter, I typically do not shave my legs all that often, definitely not as often as Anthony wishes I did.

So today, I had shorts on for my walk (see below), and i decided that it was definitely time for a shave. Now normally, I am the type of person who lathers up my body wash good and frothy, and smothers that on my legs for my shave. But today, as I was getting out a new razor to cut through the rainforest of my legs, I saw a shiny new can of Anthony's shaving gel foamy stuff. So I thought to myself "Self, I wonder how that would work."

Now, when I was younger (around 12ish), I used shaving cream a couple times, but that was before the days of the "gel turns foamy" type....back when it was just like a lousy mousse that "evaporated" much too fast. So i abandoned that in favour of the body wash.

But today, I fell in love with shave gel. It was so smooth, so easy....I even went above and beyond my normal "middle-of-winter-half-a-leg-will-be-enough" shaving pattern..... And it was wonderful! Never mind the fact that my legs smell like a guy now.

So, does anyone have a brand/scent of FEMALE shaving gel stuff that they would recommend? This is all so new to me, I wouldn't know which one to pick. Like the Gillette "cool rain" stuff was ok, but maybe something with a gentler scent would be good....

Life....as I see it today

Well, here I am, a bit warm and sweaty from my nice long walk, right in my own living room! Thank goodness Robyn loaned me her treadmill - I sure wouldn't be walking outside in this weather! HA! to all of you who thought spring was here. Being the eternal pessimist, I knew it was just too good to be true.

Anyways, the past couple days have been a bit of a rollercoaster. Anthony and I just recently have figured out the action plan for the next couple years, but then everything threatened to fall apart. That was hard, just when you think you've finally seen the next step God has for you, and then it might not happen. BUT, now things seem to be back on track. And one big part of that is my job interview tomorrow. The plan is for Anthony to go to school this fall, but for that to happen, I need to be the moneyearner. And this job would allow for that. It's a full-time position in the Psych dept. at the Univeristy - similar to what I'm currently doing 2 days/week, but more responsibility in terms of being in charge of a lab and its members, not just being a member. So we'll see...it seems promising, depending on which other desparate Psych graduates with no job have applied. But at least I have a year of experience : )

So, if you think to pray tomorrow (Thurs) at 2:30 pm, that would be greatly appreciated. And I'm sure another blog will follow shortly after then to let you all know how it went. And if anyone ever wants to come walk with me, I'm sure we could work something out....although I don't know how well "doubling" on a treadmill would go. We'd have to use the safety cord for sure.....Maybe we'd better wait until spring REALLY arrives!