Blessings in Disguise

Yep, I'm reflecting.

This time, it's about events over the past year that seemed like curses, but ended up being blessings.

1. The hubby getting laid off at the company where we both worked -- that was really rough. Especially since I had to get up and go to that place, sit in meetings with those people, and maintain a professional stature. It ultimately resulted in us selling the house, packing up our belongings and moving to another state. But today, we get to have dinner together almost every night, at a decent time, and I get to be at home when my kids walk in the door after school.

2. A company-wide re-org. The first round of layoffs meant there was more work to do for everyone who was left, and new roles for just about everyone at work. It was a pain in the arse, but somehow the people who were shuffled into my day-to-day happenings turned out to be some of the very best girlfriends I've ever had.

3. 'Initiatives'. There were so many pointless, go-nowhere initiatives that ended in disaster, but it also prompted The Margarita Sisters to create a 'Q2' initiative of our own. Thank God for those Thursday margaritas -- I'm totally convinced they're what got me through the darkest days. They're also what made me thankful to have the job I had.

4. Backaches. I've douched my lower back so many times over the past few months that I finally got off my keyster and joined the gym. I'm still a gob of goo, but I feel so much happier, more content, and healthy -- and I'll never take for granted having a body that works.

5. Clumsiness. It's a hereditary trait that has plagued me for my entire life. The most recent incident involved accidentally slicing my finger clear to the bone, spending Sunday night in the emergency room, and wearing a splint to prevent me from bending while the stitches heal. It has 'inspired' the rest of the family to pitch in on Thanksgiving with their own homemade dishes. It has also gotten me out of any duties that involve cutting things with a knife. This year I'm the one drinking beer and watching the football game....and it feels very nice.

I'm sure if I thought about it longer, I'd be able to come up with at least another five things for which to be grateful. But my red-headed son wants to get on the computer so he can watch YouTube and play Runescape. Thank goodness for red-headed sons.

Good Pain

Bri has been dancing around the house --- she's so happy now that she's in a new school, and her transformation over the last three days has been amazing. Tomorrow she'll get braces put on...another milestone.

So. Now that the fam has found their stride, I'm going to spend the next 8 weeks putting my all into my own transformation. I've signed up with a personal trainer, joined the gym, and ready to start feeling that good pain again.

Reminds me of the saying, "Change is good." It's painful, but almost every big change I've made has been for the better. It's true for this move -- I missed my old life like crazy, but I'm starting to get the hang of this one. And liking it.

Success!

She loves her new school! It's full of her "peeps"! We still have some paperwork and testing to complete this week, but it looks like she's going to be happy there. I'm thrilled. And now I can look into schooling for myself.

This week has been a major milestone -- I'm feeling like we're finally starting to settle in. TJ told me he loves having a "home momma" this morning. I met with a chiropractor yesterday, and my back is feeling a bit better.

Hope is on the horizon....I hope we can say the same once the election results are in.

New School, Take 2

I've been shopping around for private schools for several weeks now, and as a public school kid, I have to say I've learned an awful lot about how difficult it can be to make the right choice.

Hopefully, the one we've selected for Bri will suit her learning and social style. It's a small school -- 85 students total (from k-12th grade), and only 8 students in her grade. She's not nearly as nervous as she was the first time around. She just seems relieved to be making a change.

Tomorrow will be the first day of a two-day trial -- the instructors and other students will be evaluating her to make sure she'll be a good fit for the school. If she makes the cut, she'll be riding in every day with Ryan -- his job is just two blocks away.

Crossing fingers. Please stand by.

Ode to Meesh

In the span of two days, I've discovered my first gray hair, thrown out my back and sprained my knee. I thought this sort of thing was supposed to start happening in my 40's, but it looks like I'm just "lucky."

It probably doesn't help that I told my kids I don't feel like dressing up for Halloween. I am SO not following in the footsteps of my girlfriend, Meesh. I don't know her exact age (and I really don't care), but she's by far the youngest soul I know. She's the most energetic cheerleader at her kids' high school performances, she takes regular tap dancing lessons every week, and she shops for sexy lingerie with her co-workers. She's a risk-taker and an adventurer, and she's every bit as youthful as my 20-something friends.

She's an inspiration for so many reasons -- this is just one that's particularly meaningful to me right now. She's going through a rough patch right now with both work and family, yet she manages to push herself through even the worst of times. I'm not sure what she'd say her secret is, but I've noticed she's a stickler for going out on a limb. Trying new things, even when it's uncomfortable. Just being around her makes me feel a bit braver and a whole lot better. Since the first day I met her more than five years ago, she's become a dear friend and a mentor.

On second thought, maybe I'll don the Halloween costume after all.

Lazy

My butt has been stuck to the couch for a while. I've been an Internet addict since I discovered two sites that scan the rest of the web and then share the day's best sales, discounts, etc. I'm a sucker for a good deal, and now I'm hooked.

Yesterday, though, I did something different.

A friend invited me to go for a 7-mile hike in her favorite "forest." The leaves are so beautiful here, the birds are still chirping -- it was absolutely blissful. We were walking at a good clip -- enough to make it uncomfortable to talk. And there were lots of hills. My face was purple at the end of the trip.

And I feel victorious! It was so energizing just to get out into nature -- when I'm walking (or, in the old days, running) and not talking, the creative thoughts and ideas start flowing again. So that's why I've been so creatively constipated -- body and mind need to work together to make great things happen.

Peace out -- I'm off for another hike.

Pee Tee Ayy

I attended my first PTA meeting this week. I figured since I'm not working right now, it was my duty.

Now I know why I avoided it in the past....and I've got to find a way to get out of this.

The President likes to run things in military fashion -- no one is allowed to speak unless spoken to, and he makes sure that if someone drops the ball, they'll be punished.

The first meeting lasted 3 1/2 hours. 45 minutes of that was spend discussing whether or not the school needed a new popcorn machine. I seriously considered grabbing the pen out of his hand and stabbing myself in the eye with it, just so I could excuse myself from the meeting.

It finally ended at 10:30 p.m. (hello, don't any other parents have kids to put to bed on a school night?), and I darted out of there as fast as my legs could carry me.

The next morning, the deluge of emails began....and it hasn't stopped. The subject? PTA Prez's son has had diarrhea for three days straight, so he won't be able to fulfill his own assignments. Umm...just wondering if he'll get after himself for dropping the ball or not. And his poor kid -- can you imagine knowing that dozens of adults know every detail of your bowel movements? Dontcha think they might make some comments around their kids, and that it might get back to the poor diarrhea-havin' kid? Sheesh. Sometimes parents are so stupid -- even if they are 'community leaders'. I think I liked it better when I was irresponsible and ignorant about the daily happenings at school.