StoryCorps

My friend Courtney and I did a really cool thing on Sunday - a StoryCorps interview! I heard that StoryCorps was in town and started thinking about how cool it would be to do an interview so I went online and signed up for one of the very few spots left. I am so very glad I did.

Courtney is one of the first people I met in Knoxville outside of work. We were both renting apartments in this older house that had been converted to apartments. Courtney has a great spirit and a contagious love of life and we became instant friends. We also came to bond over having a disability.

Courtney is one of those people with whom you are able to have really intense meaningful conversations and then the next minute fall out of your chair laughing at something. I love the time spent with her and my life is better because she has been in it. She has often said that we are old souls. That term definitely describes Courtney. She has a depth that most of us do not and a compassion for others that is unparalleled.

Since Courtney and I have been friends (since 2001!), we've both had to face our individual disability and limitations. She is one of the first people that I really felt I could talk to openly and honestly about my disability. I have a lot of people in my life that I can talk to about spina bifida, but there is something about knowing that the person you are talking to has been there. Maybe it's not spina bifida that she has experienced firsthand, but she knows what it is like to have your body fail you. And the fact that we share that feeling means that we can connect on a different level.

So, with the help of another friend, I came up with some questions to guide our StoryCorps interview. And it was really cool. Courtney has a great story and I'm glad some of it has been recorded.

Bitter, Party of One

Well, I haven't posted in, seriously, 5 months, so why not jump back in by being bitter...

I have a good life, a really good life. In the scheme of all the things that could be going on in my life, I have to say I'm pretty happy with what I have. Today, however, I'm BITTER. Well, maybe not BITTER, just bitter.

There's a singer/songwriter Ellis Paul that I love and he's actually playing in town this weekend! I was so excited to find out about the concert!! I even had a date with this guy (TWO dates in one weekend!!) a few weeks ago and I knew he would love my boy Ellis. Really - we had a super fun couple of dates and compared our love of James Taylor, which is a big deal if someone comes close to loving JT as much as I do. What was even more exciting was that the guy could PLAY James Taylor songs on his guitar. And sing! WHAT? All of these things and he was nice? Clearly, it was too much to ask for. Really, it was. Turned out to be a loser. But, I digress.

Anyway, I was all kinds of excited about introducing someone to Ellis Paul's music. And the possibility of having a date for the concert, not just begging my friends in the hopes that one of them would take pity on my obscure musical taste and agree to go with me. Alas, no stupid boy to go with me to the concert and no friends who have given into my pleading. Of course, I haven't really pleaded with many because I'm just bitter.

There's one person I know would go - the ex-boyfriend. But, given that he needs to stay the ex, I think it's best that I not ask him to go with me.

So. There you go. Bitter, Party of One. Ellis Paul, one ticket please. Yes, just one, thanks.

Real Simple

Real Simple's quote of the day:

The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art.
―Leonardo da Vinci


REALLY??

Remembering

When you remember me,

it means that you have carried something of who I am with you,

that I have left some mark of who I am on who you are.

It means that you can summon me back to your mind

even though countless years and miles may stand between us.

It means that if we meet again,

You will know me.

It means that even after I die,

you can still see my face and hear my voice

and speak to me in your heart.

-Frederick Buechner

For my dear friend Chip. His birthday was April 19. He died November 4, 2006. He was one of the most amazing people I've ever met and he left me with so many gifts. And I will always remember him.

Some perspective

If you didn't see Oprah this week (which I didn't, but have a friend who did), you should definitely acquaint yourself with this blog. It's a heartbreaking story, but the author is fantastic and there's a lot of hope there too. And some sarcasm. And perhaps it's a bit irreverent at times. All in all, I think it sums up what life is about - birth, death, and a lot of stuff in between. Really, go here now. I'm only on July 2008, but it's so worth the read. And you may want to get a box of kleenex out too....

A Whole Lotta Nuthin'

I have become borderline obsessed with blogs. I have several that I follow and I get slightly irritated when there are no new posts each day for me to read! I mean, really, people? Don't you know that your blogs are the only things that save me from boredom at work? They are also what gives me a break from studying, or maybe I should say that I take a break from reading blogs and facebook to study. At any rate, many of you are regular posters so I thank you. The irony of my need to get regular blog updates is that I am not a daily blogger.

Lately, I've got nothing to blog about. I could revisit procrastination, because that seems to be what I am best at when it comes to school, but I already have too many posts about that subject.
So, in the absence of something funny or meaningful to say, you should go here. You can thank me later.

This little guy needs your help!

I read about this little guy, Jonah, here.



I think the amazing thing about this blogging world is that you really can touch a lot of people. I'm a sucker for anything about people, relationships, life, etc. I've always been fascinated by well, people. So when I see a post about a little newborn who needs prayers and healing thoughts, I get sucked in and read the whole blog. And now I'm passing this on to you all. Read about Jonah and send your healing thoughts to him and his family!

Not Me! Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to http://www.mycharmingkids.net to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I stumbled upon this hilarious little concept of being totally honest on your blog. You should read this post because I'm sure she's much funnier than I am. I didn't lose one of my children after all. Of course I don't have any children to lose.

Anyway, I digress... I did not watch the entire season finale of The Bachelor when I seriously can't stand these types of shows. Oh the drama. Nope, it wasn't me who now has several hours of my life gone, never to be reclaimed.

It's a scary world out there

I have a very good friend, we'll call her Molly, and she's one of those friends who you can go months without talking to and pick up where you left off. I met her years ago through her now ex-husband. Her ex-husband had told me for years that Molly and I would get along great. When we met, we were instant friends. We've never lived in the same city, and most likely never will. We might see each other once a year, sometimes much less. We play phone tag a lot. We went a long time without talking until about 6 months ago. Since then, we've both been better about talking and keeping up with each other. Some of that is thanks to facebook, some of it is thanks to us being more diligent friends.

So, last Friday, Molly and I caught up on the phone. I knew that something bad had happened with the guy she had been dating. He is a friend of hers from college, a guy she's know for 15 years, and just recently reconnected with. Well, on Friday, February 13, they had gone to a concert and were driving home when he started hitting her. He beat the crap out of her, broke her nose, some ribs, and a couple of other bones in her face. He told her he was going to kill her and that no one would ever find her. It was completely out of nowhere. And it is terrifying.

Molly is doing ok, as ok as you can be when someone you love beats you to a pulp. She has good and bad moments. Physically, she's healing really well. I saw her a week after it happened and she looks so much better than I thought she would. I was so nervous to see her, and to react, in front of her, but she has taken good care of herself and you can tell. There are two court dates this week and I know they will be hard on her. I hope that the judicial system works and that he has some kind of punishment and/or rehabilitation. It's just not right that you can hurt someone that you care about in that way.

I've never doubted that domestic violence is a real thing. But, like everything else in life, it is all a different story when it happens to someone you know. It has a face that I know now. And it is so very frightening. Maybe Molly can look back on her relationship and piece together some warning signs. But how the heck do you know what to look for? How do you see the signs and get out before it's too late? I mean, he could have killer her. And it was completely out of nowhere. It's a really scary world out there and it makes me want to take all of the people I care about and crawl into a big hole away from the scariness.

I almost forgot!

It's a bit of a milestone, really, and I can't believe I almost forgot to post about this! My friend Jackie, who I've gotten back in touch with thanks to facebook, gave me some kind of blogging recognition! I think this is pretty spectacular since she is one of three that reads my blog!

So, from Jackie, here's the deal...

"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

Jackie wrote a great post about this award. You should read it AND look at the pictures of her beautiful family. Courtney - it's another adoption wonder story and you'll cry so be forewarned. And you two should get to know each other anyway, specifically in the spirit of this post.

I'm passing on Jackie's tagging to my other two readers: Courtney and Sharon. And it requires that I tag 6 more (for a total of 8) so I guess I'll tag those blogs I secretly follow. This now means it won't be a secret and I'll have to let them know they've been tagged. Big day in my blog world.
Here's the other six: Jennie; her sister Julie; Buffy; her sister-in-law Leslie (whom I have never met but I love her blog!); Anna; and Amanda.

Thanks, Jackie! I'm so glad I found you on facebook! :)

It's been awhile...

Not that I am a regular post-er, but it has been awhile! My former boss used to walk around the office singing that song "It's been awhile...." I can't remember who it's by, but it reminds me of good times before the boss became a total schmuck. But, I digress.

A few things first. I should be working on a presentation for class tomorrow - I even got a week's reprieve and I'm still not finished with it. Last week's snow answered my one completely selfish and ridiculous prayer - cancelled class on Wednesday night! Such is my life - I will always wait until the last minute to get something done.

I am cooking tonight, which I don't do enough. My cousin Donna has a blog she started for her kids when they went away to college and called home for their favorite recipes. I decided tonight, one of my rare weeknights home, that I would try this and this, freeze what's leftover and not have to worry about some meals for awhile. Of course, on the Rigatoni - what was I thinking?? I'm not Italian, I never make pasta, and I find tomato sauce to be a bit overpowering at times. There were several substitutions because my pantry/fridge is mine and not the Barefoot Contessa's (impressed that I know of her, aren't you?). My mother has always said that Donna's the best thing that happened to our family - she married my cousin and brought some SPICE into my dad's side of the family. Nothing like a firey red-haired Italian from New York to liven up the brothers four from small town South Carolina! Donna is a fabulous person and a great cook so feel free to try out her recipes. The cheese grits are my FAVORITE!!

And now onto a recap - the Adaptive Ski Clinic was incredible. Awesome. Indescribable. Seriously one of the best weeks of my life. The people are amazing. The instructors come from all over - California, New Mexico, Colorado, even some from North Carolina. And the volunteers, most of whom work in some type of physical therapy or adaptive sports/recreation field spend their week helping out. One of my favorite volunteers, John, flew up from Tampa for the week. These people are the best you'll meet. And the participants are pretty darn spectacular too.

When I first heard about the adaptive sports program, I was nervous for many reasons. The most obvious being the actual skill required to be athletic in some way, but the other main reason was the fact that I was going to face my disability. Yes, I know I have a physical disability, but most of the time I'm around people who don't. And, believe it or not, you can sometimes kind of forget what makes you different. Until, that is, you're in a group of people who are all physically disabled. And there are so many differences within that group of people as well. Many are in wheelchairs; I can walk. Some of the people are profoundly disabled - unable to speak, to feed themselves, to express their feelings. There are people of all ages. My two favorites from this year are a little boy named Jack and an older gentleman whose name I don't even know. The older gentleman is in a wheelchair and didn't interact with many people other than his aide that travels with him. One of the instructors, Gene, took this man down the slopes that week and Gene is great. I've never skiied with him but I like him a lot. Gene came in one afternoon and said that the man had sung every verse to Amazing Grace on the way down the slopes. How great is that?? Of course, it could have been a serious attempt at prayer since Gene was at the helm... :) And then Jack. He and his older sister both have Spinal Muscular Atrophy, which I don't know much about, but these kids were the cutest brother and sister team ever. They're 4 and 6 I think and so stinkin' cute! And they were rockstars on the slopes!! Colleen, one of the absolutely amazing instructors, took both of them down the slopes in a seated ski, took them over small jumps, and helped them have a great time. I saw Jack at the ski lift at one point and I'm not sure I've ever seen a happier child. It is simply AMAZING what this program does for people and I feel like one of the luckiest people in the world for finding out about it and becoming part of it. I am blessed.

As for my skiing attempts - it was a great week! I only got to ski with Bobby Wan Knobi a couple of times, but in his place, I worked with two incredible women - Tara and Colleen. Colleen advanced me on the first day and I spent the rest of the week trying to perfect what they were teaching me. I'm getting closer to independence on the slopes and that is awesome!! I WILL get to the point where if my friends say, "Let's go skiing for the weekend," I will actually be able to go. It may involve purchasing some special equipment, but I will still be able to go. How cool is that??

We also had some fun during the week. There's an awards banquet the last night and I didn't go last year, but went this year. My parents spent the week with me at the clinic, but opted out of the awards banquet. I have a substitute family for the ski clinic. Some friends of mine from Chattanooga participate in the clinic with their son Jason, who has Down's Syndrome. I usally hitch a ride with them everyday and hang out with them between ski lessons. They are a great family and I love spending the week with them! My parents, who are great as well, aren't snow bunnies so they usually hang out at the condo or see the sights in Banner Elk. Anway, my parents skipped out on the dinner the last night and I hung out with my "other family." I got to sit with Bobby and Jason at the dinner. I told Jason he was my date and he politely asked me to stop telling everyone that. Ha-larious!! A group of us went out to one of the local watering holes (I believe it was called the Corner Pub) after the banquet and played pool, drank beer and had a great time. It probably wasn't the best way to spend the night before going out on the slopes again, but it was great fun. And I can't wait for next year.

Switching gears... I got a call from a college friend while I was at the ski clinic and I had spotty cell service at best. The message was short and I was immediately terrified that something horrible was wrong, that someone had a terminal illness or had died. Luckily, I was wrong. So completely wrong. Two of my very good friends from college got a call about a baby girl who wanted them to be her parents!! These friends have had the worst, seriously, the worst experience trying to make their family. They've fostered children who have ended up with some distant relative. They were matched with a completely worthless couple (yes, I am being that harsh) who took their money, took them to doctor's appointments, and then again, took their money, only to give the little boy to a couple who paid more. Yep, that really did happen, even though they went through a legitimate adoption agency. I think they have experienced heartbreak in the worst kind of way, but now, there's a little girl named Ella who will learn to call them Mama and Daddy and the three of them are so lucky to have found each other. They are still in SC waiting on all of the court proceedings and all of those necessary but long and drawn out things that have to happen. Hopefully, they'll be home in NC soon and one big happy family. I can't think of a better thing in this world.

I feel like I've written a novella here. I guess that teaches me not to go so long without posting.

If you're looking for a crafty valentine idea, visit my friend Amanda's blog. She's amazing!

By the way, Rigatoni = YUM!!! I may go a little lighter on the garlic next time though...

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?

Funny Motivational Posters

Unsorted Mail

I discovered a blog that is fantastic - Unsorted Mail. Here's my favorite one so far:


Dear Dignity,
Where were you last night? Missed having you around. Don't worry though, Common Sense wasn't able to make it either.
Love,Dee

It would only be funnier if I had written it.

Pirate name

Dread Pirate Bonnie

"Like the famous Dread Pirate Roberts, you have a keen head for how to make a profit. You can be a little bit unpredictable, but a pirate's life is far from full of certainties, so that fits in pretty well."

Speaking of pirates - has anyone discovered the Pirate language option on Facebook? It's fantastic. Check it out and then scrawl on my plank, matey!