Wisdom

Back from a quick work trip in the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania (that earned me kudos and a big thank you that went all the way up to our division Vice President!), and already moving on to the next thing...like getting my wisdom teeth removed. The procedure went well, and fast, but I had to be numbed with Novocaine twice and that needle was not fun. Especially when your DDS accidentally pokes your tongue with it. 

So far, I'm in almost no pain and hope it stays that way. I'm medicating with Advil and Amoxicillin for now, and hoping to stay away from the heavier drugs prescribed. There's some slight swelling, but it's not very noticeable. I have to go out for some "soft-food" groceries at some point, but for now my life looks like that of an old man's nightstand...

Wisdom in a Bag

Glorious

Traveling for work has it's upsides at time, but over all it's not as glorious as it seems. Booking early morning flights that no normal human would book just in order to make it to your destination, in order to accommodate someone else, is just not a good thing. Up at 2 a.m. 4 a.m. Whatever hour before 6 a.m. It's just not acceptable unless you're a farmer. 

So, yeah. I get up earlier. Which means I'm hungry earlier. Which means my eating and umm... other body schedules are thrown off and it all makes for a very uncomfortable day of travel. Did I mention I get up earlier? Which means that I'm pretty much guaranteed to be tired all day in addition to feeling like I'm carrying a basketball in my stomach.

Sometimes in group travel there are perks like big (fun) dinners, or visiting somewhere you've never been. But on a day like today, it's the inside of a hotel for me. Cabs, planes, more lousy cab driving. Cabs that smell. Hotel beds that sink like you're in a taco. And best of all, a room with a view like this... 

Glorious

Lynnsanity

Last Saturday I got a text notification stating that a $19,000.00 transaction was declined on my debit card. I still haven't gotten to the bank to investigate it. I did shut the card down (again), but if the charge is from who/what I think it is the culprit added too many zeros to a processing fee of what should have been $190.00. Hopefully, I'll get to the bank this weekend for answers.

Although, this weekend I'm not sure how I'm accomplishing anything, much less getting to the bank. Things that are on my list? Kids stuff, friend stuff, pick up race stuff, run 5K, birthday party stuff, and oh yeah... breathe. I just don't know how to balance it all, deal with the logistics of distance and not let anyone down or feel guilty about how I spend my time. This on top of having to prep for more work travel next week is causing a lot of tension headaches and jaw pain. 

Oh, and did I mention I'm finally biting the bullet and getting two wisdom teeth removed? Yep, after putting it off for over 20+ years, the left side third molars have got to go. While there is no pain issue, the bottom molar has a lot of loose gum tissue around it (which is normal), but I cannot keep it clean despite any amount of brushing, rinsing and flossing. To avoid infection, the tooth has to be removed. And since you can't remove just one, the entire left side has to go. I'm really not looking forward to the surgery or the recovery period. 

Dealing with all this has left me with more roller coaster dreams (see Joker for reference). Only this time, I was trying to climb the track outside of any train car, and then somehow found myself magically in the train car of the ride as it went careening towards the ground. At least this time, I kept all hands and feet inside the ride.

Pictures

My weekend involved... 

with a little celebrating of...

while Monday night included...

 This morning looked something like...

while my afternoon included...

  

 and a ...

 

Sadly, my tomorrow looks like...

so I'm hoping my night looks a little like...

capped off with...

Yep.

No doubt at times I question my being. Why am I here and why are things so difficult at times? But I'm always reminded of the quote shown above and believe I'm exactly where I need to be. 

I consider myself a pretty tough chick, but I pick my battles. I know in picking my battles, therefore choosing to back down from some issues, others see this as a weakness. I personally see it as keeping my emotional and mental energy reserves in tact. Sometimes, I'm worn out and backing down is all I can do to allow for self, mental perseverance. 

I think it's pretty well known of me and my character, that if I'm backing down, it's not over something critical. Perhaps to you, but not to me. And that's what matters most. I will fight when needed because I am strong enough to do so. But I am smart enough to know when I don't have to. 

Dogs

After a few months hiatus, I will be heading back to the dog training arena next week! I'm looking forward to getting my random pup fix on and hopefully, having some fun along the way like this goofy guy...

Blur

The past few weeks seem like a blur. I won't go into all the details here because there's too many of them, some good and some not so good (hey, that's life) but it's almost Friday and that's a good thing to focus on. 

I try to plan fun "date nights" for me and the Hubs to keep things fresh and fun. Of course, they always seem like a great idea while I'm booking the event, but when the day arrives, sometimes I'd just rather go plop on the couch and veg out. Despite feeling tired from a long day and week, and dealing with grey and gloomy weather, we both made it to Cook, Cork and Fork for Pasta Night.

Since we received a pasta maker as one of our wedding gifts, I thought it would be great to refresh my spaghetti skills, and for us to take a "How to Make Pasta" class together. Making fresh pasta is actually not a hard thing. Mix some dry ingredients together with an egg, let the dough sit, and then roll it out. Yep, it's pretty much that easy. Thank goodness.  I can use "easy" in my life! Besides the great taste, fresh pasta cooks within seconds. Yep, seconds, not minutes! Can't wait to get rollin'!

Last weekend we celebrated this guy's grandma's 93rd birthday! I love this photo of the two of them. He looks like a little kid playing ball (I mean, he kinda is!) and she looks so happy and adoring of her first grandchild. I can only hope that if I live to be 93, that I am still this mentally clear and physically mobile! She may be a bit slower, but she's damn fine for her age. Happy 93rd G.G. Angel! So glad I can be a part of the family and your celebration! 

Tuesday found me awake at 2 a.m because, knowing my alarm was going to go off at 2:30, my brain somehow had to wake me before it went off to prevent waking up my Other Half. I left for the airport by 3:30 and was Boston bound for work by 6. Thanks to United for bumping my window seat to a middle one, I got little to no sleep on the plane but, from what I hear, still kicked ass with my presentation.  

The best non-work related thing about the Boston trip was getting to see a game at the historic Fenway Park. I can't say I was into the game much as I'm neither a Red Sox or Orioles fan, but the nostalgia of the park and sharing it with some old-time fans that I befriended was well worth the trip. Watching David Ortiz (aka Big Papi) hit a double during what is to be his last season was pretty cool, but viewing the Green Monster was the highlight of the night! Knowing that under the paint and cement lays a wooden wall dating back to 1912 was just too cool. I may not be the biggest or best baseball fan, but I appreciate the nostalgia of the park and find these oldies a bit of long lost American romance from yesteryear. 

Boston also provided a brief viewing of the Old North Church and some other historical stops along the way of the Freedom Trail. I've never seen a city such as Boston and can see why it is so admired. It is a young and fun place, but drowning in visible history. I can't wait to go back and absorb more of what it has to offer. Only, one note to self, don't wear heels - ever. If you've never been to Boston, most of the streets and/or sidewalks are brick and not conducive to walking in anything other than flats lest ye be called out as a tourist immediately (which I was!). I topped off the trip with a crab meat omelet and bid adieu to the fair city. Hopefully the next trip will be all leisure and include a crab-roll (sorry Bostonians, I just can't stand lob-stah!).

Wordless Wednesday

WW

It's sad when moving between I-pad, I-phone and laptop, that I somehow forget and think that my laptop has become a touchscreen device. Oh how quickly one gets spoiled by immediate satisfaction...

Tonight I find myself banished to my bedroom to avoid the men invading my house for the NFL draft fantasy league enjoying some much needed downtime this evening. Although, I'm not really "down", I suppose. I'm catching up on texts, Netflix and blogging. Even with all this technology, I can still hear the manly banter overflowing up the stairs. And dare I admit? I actually like it. 

I enjoy having a house full of people and cooking/making snacks for them (but don't tell my husband that - aw, hell he already knows). But the fact is, I like entertaining. I like people enjoying my hospitality and making them feel welcome. I'm a closet case wanna-be Martha Stewart (okay, the version of her that doesn't go to jail and has better hair). Of course, I'm not sure what I'm going to do with like, 50+ left over cocktail meatballs after tonight, but that's a story for a different day. Now the leftover beer bread (damn carbs) I'd have no problem polishing off all by myself - but I digress.

Women do a lot of thankless things and far more of them in a day then men do. Now this is not to say my hubby doesn't thank me - he just thanked and called me Wonder Woman today so this isn't a "my husband done me wrong" post. I'm just thinking about life and the gender roles in general. And I'm not even arguing that they're wrong. I'm just comparing.  

Today, I got up, showered, took care of the dog I'm dog sitting, grabbed breakfast, dropped off dry cleaning, got gas and went to work. My husband got up and went to work. I left work, grabbed groceries, baked bread, made fresh guacamole, prepped snacks, vacuumed, cleaned the bathroom, kitchen and dining room, took care of the dog I'm dog-sitting, volunteered at the kids' school, took care of the dog I'm dog-sitting, came home and chatted with the men. My husband arrived home, changed clothes, and connected to the internet waiting for his friends to come over. While perhaps not the same items day to day, I see this type of "task disparity" as a reoccurring theme. And not just for me.

So do men not take on more tasks because they simply can't multi-task, or do they just not care about the details? Or, have they learned they simply don't have to deal with the mundane, day to day tasks because their woman will? I don't know the answer to those questions but I do believe in general, that men are the simpler (and probably the more happier) of the sexes. Men don't (tend to) complicate things with over thinking or over tasking themselves. A lesson most women, including this one, could do well to learn. But, even with that said, taking on less would actually leave me feeling a bit unfulfilled. I like being able to cross things off the task list and take a certain sense of accomplishment and pride in doing so. 

So here I am, debating (if even with just myself) why do women feel compelled to take on so much more than a man/most men? Control? Of course I like things a certain way, but as mentioned in my last post, there is no such thing as control. Just the illusion of it. So what gives? Again, another answer I don't know. I just know that in a day, if 100 things need to get done, I'm part of the team that has to help them get accomplished. If I take on the majority, I see that as strength and power. I see that as being "Wonder Woman" and that's a title I don't mind. I'd just like to be able to take a nap now and again. 

Joker

I was tired on Sunday, and exhausted on Monday. I couldn't wait to go to bed last night, but it was all for not. Despite turning in early (for me) I had trouble falling asleep, and then couldn't stay asleep, and then woke myself up having some pretty vivid dreams. 

My dreams ranged from waiting for a massage, watching someone get a really weird looking soup for lunch, being in some type of school setting, having a mere acquaintance (in real life) join me in my dream to tell me of her Facebook drama all to be topped off with me falling off a roller-coaster. That dream (or part of a dream) did me in. That dream insured I wasn't going back to bed. Thanks ya dickhead.

In the roller coaster dream I was heading up hill on the new "Joker" ride that is coming to Great America, Gurnee in 2017. I awoke in a panic and was literally kicking in bed (which, may have been what actually woke me up), because dream-land had showed me I was falling out of the ride. Nothing like waking up in a full panic. Now wide awake, I figured it was probably time to get up, so hey, I might as well start my day. It was 4am. I am not a farmer. I do not wake this early on purpose. I tried to go back to sleep but found myself then watching the clock every so often until it really was time to wake up. Two hours later I got in the shower.

What causes dreams like this? Dreams that appear to make no sense just baffle me. I've seen perhaps a 30 second clip of the Joker roller coaster ride twice. Twice. And here I am, dreaming about it? I wouldn't call myself a roller-coaster junkie, or even a theme-park enthusiast, so what gives? Looking for some logic I of course turn to the all-knowing Google machine.

According to dream dictionaries, falling off a roller coaster symbolizes that I "...have lost control of a difficult situation or that once pleasant situations in your waking life have become threatening.". Okay, now that I understand. There is no such thing as control. It's actually hurtful to know and understand that. Despite how "good" you are, you have no control over how someone treats you.  Whether it's personal or business, "they" will do whatever they want to fill their own needs with no regards to yours. Yep. I get it. I didn't need a damn freak-roller coaster dream and insomnia to get that. Who does?

Hoping tonight's dreams allow for sleep and are filled with nothing but fluffy kittens and magical rainbows. Although, maybe I should look that up in the dream-dictionary before wishing it upon myself! *whines* I need a nap!

Sorry

I'm probably going to regret this. And hopefully I just ignore it. But I did it. I signed up for a Pinterest  account. All in hopes of getting a better view of the project below. Although by the visual, it's seems a simple concept and execution, I wanted details. Exact directions. Detailed know how. Yeah, there are none. Just the picture. Damn you Pinterest and your foolery! And like seriously, just how damn big is this map? Ugh.

Fox 5K

"If you don't take the time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?”
Michael J. Fox

Being the optimist I am, I recently began reading Michael J. Fox's book, "Always Looking Up". I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the "Back to the Future" movie icon, but his words resonated with me. In his book he talks of his life and more so, how he's dealing with Parkinson's Disease (PD).

I don't currently, personally, know anyone who has been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease but the fact is, I may in my lifetime. Parkinson's is one of many horrid diseases that seems to have no known cause and currently, has no known cure. While symptoms of Parkinson's can vary from person to person, common problems include involuntary body movements. Quite simply, the body is out of the victim's control at any given time. Without permission, the body can shake and tremor, freeze up, or even accelerate in running-like steps causing every day life and routine to come to a screeching halt. Imagine not being able to physically do the things you wish, being trapped in your own body. Imagine knowing there is no stopping the disease or onset of further symptoms. Imagine that physical decline is just the beginning, while knowing that cognitive impairment such as dementia can follow. This disease scares me.

I live my life to the best of my ability and cherish the freedom to move and be active. I am not restricted by disease, yet so many others are. So many other people can't do the things I take for granted every day. So, do I need to know someone who has PD in order to help out? Absolutely not. I don't want to wait until someone I know has this disease to be a part of the solution.With that said...

Everyone can help end Parkinson’s disease. An estimated five million people worldwide live with Parkinson's today. It is the second most common neurological disorder. In the United States, approximately 60,000 new cases will be diagnosed this year alone. Again, there is no known cure. Together, we can change this.

On September 25th, I will be running the 5K portion of the Chicago Marathon/5K as a Team Fox member. That's me, doing my part. I need your help however, as I've been tasked to raise $300 to benefit Team Fox. Team Fox is the grassroots community fundraising program at The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF). MJFF accelerates high-impact science through smart risk taking and problem solving with a commitment to urgency and efficiency. I’m one of thousands of people around the globe who are turning their passions into Team Fox fundraisers to help them speed a cure for Parkinson’s. When you give today, 100 percent of Team Fox proceeds go straight to MJFF research programs.

Thank you for your consideration, donation and being a part of my team!

- Lynn