Several Things

So, I am an inconsistent blogger at best. And I'm still mostly closeted! Welcome Jackie, who discovered that I was following her wonderful blog about her adorable little boy, John. Jackie was one of my students at Young Harris College during the short yet somehow very long 11 months I spent at Young Harris! And Jackie, I think you are the 3rd reader of my blog! Thanks for following along.

I have an observation to share. I am attempting to start the new year off right - eating healthy, exercising, taking care of myself, etc. I went to Kroger the other day and was walking down each aisle and noticed the most cruel of all things. The DIET food is on the same aisle as the CANDY BARS? I mean, really, is that absolutely necessary? It's like the diet/candy/grocery people got together and decided to just taunt all of us out there struggling to make healthy choices. As if there are not enough challenges out there everyday...

Next subject... I have a friend who is going through a break up. His (ex) girlfriend has a fairly popular blog. So, we were talking about her blogging subject matter (the break-up) and he said, "I can't believe I ever dated someone who BLOGS." Ok, I love this guy dearly, he's one of my favorite people, but I was a bit annoyed. Perhaps it triggered my insecurity as a blogger - Do I really have anything worthwhile to say? Do people really want to read what I have to say? I don't have any cute kids to photograph... the list of why not to blog goes on. Then I just thought it was kind of rude. What's the harm in expressing yourself and letting others read and give you feedback? Granted, I do have this almost insurmountable fear that a blog will come back to haunt me someday, but I still get something out of sharing my thoughts. I am a bit of a reserved blogger though; the majority of my friends know nothing about this blog and I'm fine with that. Then they'd want to TALK about the things I just want to WRITE about! :)

And onto the final subject in this stream of consciousness post: I am going SNOW SKIING next week!! At least two of you that read this know about the gimpish sports I've gotten involved in. I know, I know, that is not "pc" in the most remote way, but it.is.funny. There's an adaptive sports program here in Knoxville and I've had some incredible opportunities because of it. I went snow skiing last year and it was amazing. Amazing. I had the best teacher ever. I've attempted snow skiing before but couldn't quite make it all work. Bobby (aka best teacher ever) never gave me the option of NOT doing something or easing into things. He put me in skis, watched me for maybe 20 minutes, and then we hit the slopes! It was incredible.

While I am really looking forward to next week and skiiing, I am a bit annoyed. To say that the IRC is a little bit unorganized is an understatement. This has frustrated me from the beginning and I fully intended to offer to help, but I just got caught up in life. So, basically, I never received the info about the ski clinic, but knew it was happening. I just assumed it was the typical lack of organization so I emailed and said, "Hey, what's the name of that place where we stay?" The response was something like an "oh, no, I don't have you on my list. I've already done the schedule." My immediate response was tears. I have been looking forward to this week for a year and I can't even describe what it means to me. I was SO frustrated. Luckily, they were able to work me into the schedule, but I only have one lesson with Bobby (again, best teacher ever) so I'm a bit bummed by that.

The week will be good, I know it will. I just have high expectations after working with Bobby last year. I hope I'll be kind to my new instructor! :)

Here are some photos from last year:

Look Ma, I can ski!

Bobby-Wan Kanobi

Two steps forward, eight steps back

For years, something like 17 years maybe, I've had an ulcer on the bottom of my right foot. The result of cutting edge surgery is sometimes unknown since it's cutting edge and all. My lucky result was a persistent and pesky ulcer that comes and goes when it wants to. I've had multiple surgeries and now wear Ankle-Foot Orthotics (ie, gimpish braces as I like to call them). I've also had a bone infection - not something I would recommend.

There have been times when the ulcer has been really bad, so much so that I took a month of medical leave from my job just to try to get a handle on things and heal. When I quit my job in student activities, the ulcer healed within a month. How's that for a sign? So, for the past year and a half, it's been relatively smooth sailing with the foot. I still have to be careful and not walk in a 5k but overall, I've been doing pretty well.

The day after Thanksgiving, I noticed some blood under the skin where the ulcer is. And it wasn't a really small amount of blood. So, when I got back from South Carolina, I put myself in the lovely boot/walking cast, and called the doctor on Monday morning. Tuesday morning I went to see my doctor. She and I were both surprised to find that my foot is worse than it's been in a long time. The ulcer has gotten fairly deep (not like burrowing through the depth of my foot, but deep for a hole in your foot) and without any visible warning. Fantastic. And, now I'm on crutches.

Anyone want to know how difficult it is to be on crutches and live by yourself? It's fairly impossible if you want to do things like, oh, I don't know, cook, wash clothes, take a glass of water to bed, etc. I've been on crutches before and lived by myself, but it was always in a one bedroom apartment - much easier to navigate. A two story house? Not so much. And yes, I know, I could move into the bedroom downstairs, but that's such a PAIN. I'd have to move my clothes. There's no TV in that bedroom. Yes, I am whining.

So, at any rate, I'm "cheating" at home and not using the crutches much. Before you people reading get mad at me for cheating, I've stayed home from work for 2 days so I can stay off of the foot and hopefully jump start the healing process. And I know it will heal, it's just frustrating to be at this point again.

Incognito

Some friends of mine went to a bachelorette party with a twist a few months ago. They had such a great time that they re-created it this past weekend. We have several November birthdays in our group and we decided to wig it up for the celebration. It was absolutely hysterical and we all had such a great time.

Yes, it's definitely going to be a tradition!!

From the mouths of babes

Two and a half year old to me: "Where's Mr. Eddie?"

Mother of two and a half year old & me: "Who? Mr. Terry?"

Two and a half year old: "Yeah. Mr. Terry."

Me: "I think he's probably at his house."

Two and a half year old: "Yeah, he's your man. For ALL the time."

Mother: "Hahahahahahahahahaha. If you want salt poured in your wounds, just come to our house."

Nothing like having a toddler remind you of your failed relationship and how Mr. Terry actually isn't your man for ALL the time anymore!!

Called out

My good friend Sharon made a very astute observation of my blogging subject matter: In just one month, I had two posts about my wonderful ability to procrastinate. I truly have a problem.

One of my co-workers suggested a "life coach" to help me through the dissertation process. Apparently, those folks can help you get things organized in such a way that you actually make progress instead of staring at a semi-blank computer screen praying for divine inspiration in APA 5th edition format.

WHEN I have a full-time job again, I have several priorities for my paycheck: 1. Get out of debt (this includes significant student loan debt, yikes). 2. Get a housekeeper. I am a horrible housekeeper and I'm OK with that, but I do like to have a clean house. 3. Pay someone to spend one week with me going through every little piece of paper I have, including the boxes in the garage that haven't been opened in at least the last 2, if not 3 moves.

I am a pack rat. I come by it honestly, through my father's side of the family. I simply do not know what to do with paper. I keep all kinds of things that are of no use whatsoever because I can't figure out what the heck to do with it. I should take a picture of my desk and post it. But not yet. So, I need help. My good friend Amorette came down a few years ago and we tackled my spare bedroom with great success. Unfortunately, I've had some time to undo all the work we did. Sigh. Amorette would be so sad to see what I've done since she was here.

I really try to not obsess about material things - i.e., my next paycheck and how much (hopefully) having a Ph.D. will influence that amount - but I really do want some extra cash to pay for someone to help me be organized. And so I pay for today's shopping spree here.

And, of course, I'd like to do my part to end world hunger and work for world peace. Wouldn't want to seem to materialistic after I just encouraged everyone to help end world poverty on my last post.

Blog Action Day

According to Cool People Care today is Blog Action Day and bloggers all over are talking about poverty and I feel compelled to do my part.

Anyone who knows me knows I'm not big on research (again, WHY am I getting a PhD?) so I'd encourage you to do some of your own research locally on places that are tackling poverty on a daily basis. With the upcoming election, now is the time to figure out what the candidates are saying about poverty and how to deal with it.

And in the meantime, if you want to improve your vocabulary, go to Free Rice, learn some words, and give free rice to those who need it.

Working Under Pressure

Tomorrow is the day when idlers work, and fools reform.

~Edward Young

I am simply amazed at my ability to procrastinate, despite knowing all of the reasons not to. Perhaps going back to grad school for a doctorate wasn't such a good idea. And, when someone asks you what you do well, it is bad that the first thing that comes to mind is your ability to procrastinate?

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