When Did This Happen?

Earlier this year before the mercury blew out the top of the thermometer here in the south, I was attending a business meeting. During the break while washing my hands and performing the "once over" in the ladies room mirror; it hit me...

I looked at the blond in the chocolate brown Tahari business suit and realized that if someone were to describe me to another they would probably say "you know, that older blond lady in the brown suit" WHAT THE?!? REALLY??? I used to be "that tall girl with long blond hair" then "that tall heavy set blond with a pretty face" (code for packing pounds)and now? Am I really "that older blond lady in the brown suit?" I felt a pang of regret for my lost youth until I asked myself...

When did this happen?
Sometime after I had obtained an education;
married the love of my life;
earned several promotions;
lost a lot of weight;
gained the confidence to try new things;
developed the self esteem to meet new people;
and finally became my own very best friend - I began rockin' this older blond lady gig.

And you know what? I THINK I KINDA LIKE IT!

Consistently Inconsistent

Today marks the fifth day in a row I have gotten out of bed and walked first thing in the morning. I have tried walking before; then a late night, rainy morning, or some other impediment would cause a missed day and I would stop. But, I figure there is some value in starting again because as my Dad would say "it just might take" eventually. When I quit smoking four and a half years ago it was a "quit" in a long series of "quits." I just didn't stop quitting and eventually "it took."

If you are like me; it might help to remember to move toward your goal every chance you get; even if you're consistently inconsistent keep moving; eventually it just might take.

"Mergency" preparedness...

My very favorite job ever was when I taught a three-year-old preschool class. Each morning I welcomed 25 bright-eyed angels and each afternoon I slipped out during nap time leaving their sleepy little heads full of new letters, colors, numbers, etc.

One day after teaching my angels about 9-1-1, Brittany, the pony-tailed class informant came running toward me on the playground yelling at the top of her lungs "Miss Dee! Miss Dee! Ashley fell it's a mergency call 1-9-1!!"

Little kids take what they learn and are ready to use it as soon as possible. They don't analyze, theorize, then disregard in frustration. They trust, absorb and utilize; saving a little time to watch a butterfly or chase a bug along the way. Instead of waiting until I can make everything perfect I need to be a little more like Brittany and run with my new information the first "mergency" I get!

A Lesson from the Dyson

In our house we have the Dyson Animal which is convenient because we also have the Callie animal (our furry child). I am not sure how she can possibly require grooming; based on the fur deposited throughout the house, she should be hairless.

I love my Dyson now, though I was ready to throw it in the trash when we got it 5 years ago. After vacuuming a few times I complained to the Hubs that I wasn't even filling the super duper cyclonic chamber thingy anymore. Being the logical but understanding guy he is, the hubs chose to take a closer look at the Dyson rather than toss it like I suggested. After a few moments, mystery solved. I had not checked any of the connection points you are supposed clean out or at least look at after every few uses. He proceeded to pull junk from every curve, nook and cranny of the machine. Once he finished retrieving Callie's winter coat and half the flower bed, the Dyson's cyclonic thing-a-ma-jig was operating in overdrive again.

When somebody seems different than I would expect - I hope I remember the Dyson's little lesson and look before I toss; because they might be dealing with the junk I put in their path!