I'M IN THE MIDDLE

Can I get an "Amen"!?

GET READY FOR THE PAIN

Definite "to do" this year: Get back to my fighting weight. After being sick through the holidays and just kinda "off" ever since...it's finally starting.

Next week I get to start beating the *^%# out of a bag with Ang.

Color me excited!

I'M OUTTA MY LEAGUE HERE

Today, someone referred to me as a "Wordsmith: Master Class". To which I laughed, but responded, "I'll take that!".

I suppose when sitting down to write an email or a marketing piece, I can have a way with words. For some reason, I do NOT have the same talent when it comes to writing about myself. Seriously. I am horrible when it comes to writing about me. Thankfully, this blog is a hobby so I don't have to sell it. Ah yes...hobby. We'll get to that.

Other people seem to have a certain knack when it comes to writing about themselves, it seems. I met someone recently and in getting to know this person, we've exchanged some emails. Yes...in 2013, life is busy and during the hours of 8-6, I'm working and don't have time to talk. I am, however, able to send out a quick email/text here and there. So, unfortunately...or fortunately, as the case may be...sometimes you are left to get to know someone in the beginning stages in this way. So be it.

This type of communication can always be a little tricky. You can read into things. Apply inflection to words the author had no intention of receiving such attention. Basically, put your foot in your mouth. Embarrass yourself. Your iPhone auto-corrects words, or letters are too close to other letters which cause unfortunate errors. Such as changing "sick" to "suck". "Paid" to "laid". But you laugh about it and move on.

Now, I'm a sarcastic person. No doubt about it. I enjoy someone who can joke, but I have to admit...I was one-upped today.

It went a little something like this (I have to put the entire email because, as usual, it started off completely normal!):

Hey Terri,
So how is Rosie doing with all this rain? My dog is going nuts.
Talking about places to eat...you had me at queso! I actually had a new place (Pluckers) queso for the 1st time last night which was really good.
Have you been to Kellys there in Allen next to the convention center?
That is awesome that you have worked in media and college athletics also. I am finally catching my breath this week. It was a great season but for the 2nd year in a row kind of got a dud for the title game.
Ok..my unusual hobby?? Hint: It is one of these two: a) I juggle flaming nude circus midgets while humming Justin Bieber tunes; or, b) I participate in a nude sports/fitness group...
Kolby


Ummmmmm...so what to do? This person who has been extremely normal (would like to point out that he even referred to himself as 'normal' at first introduction) has completely thrown me a wicked curve. So what do you do? Do you ignore? Do you run the other way? Do you think, 'I think I'm being played and will not be one-upped'?

Did I mention I'm sarcastic?


Hi Kolby,
Let's see here...I could make some small talk about the Shops at Allen (yes, I've been there...great places) and how my dog, too is not loving the rain. But, I'm gonna have to go straight to the hobby comment (surprised?!) and say, "Whhhhaaaaaa???"!
While both are confusing, I'm going to have to guess the second only because I can't imagine the physical and mental tenacity it would require to juggle small people...while they are (very unfortunately)on fire...not to MENTION while humming Justin Bieber tunes. The music choice definitely takes it up a notch in the degree of difficulty.
Which leads to: what in the world is a nude sports/fitness group?! Is this the politically-correct term for 'porn' these days?! That being said, what is the politically-correct term for 'way-outta-my-league-and-interest'? Now seems like as good of a time as any to mention you lead with the word "Normal" when we met. Just sayin'...
Terri


Folks, I can't make this stuff up.

Next...please.

YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME

pla·gia·rism

/ˈplājəˌrizəm/

Noun The practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own versus giving credit to the author. hate·ful /ˈhātfəl/   Adjective Arousing, deserving of, or filled with hatred: "hateful letters of abuse". Very unpleasant: "this hateful place".         If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. At some point, ask yourself, "What good can come from this?".     And FYI, you might want to take a look back at the post, because the very first line (in italics at that!) gave credit to the author. This little journalism degree, not to mention ethics instilled in me, comes in handy.

Finally, posting a comment with "Anonymous" doesn't display your name to readers. But a little thing called Google Analytics tells me who you are.

I'll wait for your apology...

LESSONS FROM A {SMART} 90 YEAR OLD

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer Newspaper, Cleveland, Ohio.



To ...celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.

 My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step..

3. Life is too short - enjoy it..

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's okay to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's okay to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to be happy. But it's all up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23 Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

 27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive, but don't forget.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does..

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab our's back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have not what you need.

42. The best is yet to come...

43. No matter how you feel... get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

CAMEL-SIZED MELTDOWN COMING

I know one thing that needs to change in 2013...I need to get more sleep!

I have got to figure out a way to turn off my brain and catch some zzzz's. The last time I looked at the clock before falling asleep it said 5:58 a.m.

I started going through my Twitter account only to find messages that had been sent to me and I had no idea about. Those messages only led to some frustrating realizations about people I didn't know were on Twitter or I felt bad because I didn't get back to their messages to me...or I regretted seeing some things said on Twitter. Really?

Back to the sleep part...Granted, I can operate on 4-5 hours of sleep. It's actually about the norm for me. Probably more like five. But I have always been a girl who needs 8 hours to be at my best. My current sleeping regime isn't healthy!

Of course, last night my brain kept circling around a few central subject matters.

Subject One: A family member who has almost died twice in the past two weeks and if she doesn't change her way of life, seems both destined and hell-bent to exit this world. How do you convince someone they're making horrible choices? How do you get through to them when they refuse to believe they even have a problem?

Subject Two: My kids and how my lack of a social life with the parents of their friends inadvertently has an impact on things they are included in on. More so with Shelby since she's younger. Seventh graders don't really do 'playdates', ya know! :) Unfortunately, I can't host play dates after school since I work. She is fortunately invited to play with a couple friends whom I LOVE. Sweet girls and as long as she's with quality vs. quantity...that's all that is important.

Subject Three: Why do I feel the need to be liked and friends with everyone? When I know I have done all I can do in a particular situation...regardless of what the other person thinks...and I've gone over my words, actions, everything with a fine tooth comb and have prayerfully and carefully made decisions...why can't I just let it go? I'm a good person, dammit! I try to never hurt anyone on purpose and for someone to think otherwise either doesn't know me or just may be someone who is going to say the opposite just to try and hurt me for making a decision they don't agree with. I hate it, but I don't know what else to do. I pray this person loses what seems to be a very hateful heart toward me, but I just may have to say, "I tried my best" and let it go.

Subject Four: For someone who enjoys being with other people, I sure seem to have a knack at putting on the breaks when it comes to meeting certain new people. I asked a friend the other day, "What is wrong with me? Why am I doing this?" and he said, "I don't know what's wrong with you...get it together." Typical male response.

Subject Five: I don't think I'm ever going to get it through my head that Rosie is not mine to keep and I'm going to have to give her to her furever home. Folks...this may actually be the straw that breaks the camel's back.

Prepare for a meltdown....

2013 TO DO LIST...TBA

2013. Wow.

So traditionally, today is the day we start our resolutions for the upcoming new year. And while any day is technically a good day to make a new start, this day on the calendar seems to all but scream "let's make a change!!!!".

I say...why not?

I have specific things in my head I want to do differently this year. Specific. Make that very specific.

And because they are still floating around like an imaginary list of "Things To Do", I don't know if they have an order of importance. At least not yet.

The first thing I did prior to writing this was design a new graphic for the top of my blog. The old one said "November" for awhile. And while changing that graphic is definitely not a resolution, the pictures I'm going to start putting on it are part of one.

On Facebook, there is this amazing page called "Beautiful Amazing World" I follow. The pictures are taken in different parts of the world (hence the name!) and they are enough to make you gasp sometimes. My reactions are constantly in line with, "Are you kidding me? This is a real place?!".

It's like I tell my kids all the time...we learn something new every day and it really is true.

The pictures remind me there is so much out there I still have seen. Haven't experienced. Haven't heard and haven't felt. Traditionally, I'm pretty reserved. While I don't want to be someone who is all the sudden throwing caution to the wind, I do want to come out of my shell a little.

So I'm doing a few things differently and it actually DID start today. I took a little leap of faith and maybe (maybe!) I will end up writing about it, but I'm not sure yet. It's still so new that I'm trying to figure it all out. Changes can be scary. But sometimes they are necessary in order to have new experiences and a chance at real happiness.

As far as my mental "To Do" list...Once I get these items swirling around in my head about what I'd like to do differently this year, I will write about them. In order to remind myself, if nothing else!

I'm looking forward to this year. It's been a very rocky end to 2012 and I am unfortunately, partially expecting a few more bumps in the coming weeks. Some people's choices will have a direct impact on my life and I know it's coming. I am also acutely aware there is nothing I can do about the decisions of others.

I started today with my Jesus Calling daily devotional. The first line read, "Come to me with a teachable spirit, eager to be changed."

Consider me eager...