Movin on....Piece by piece

Greetings from the south. Yes, we are still working on the renovation project. And, no, it is not going well. I actually should explain this.....



Fade to black....

To give you a bit of history, three years ago, we planned on breaking through a wall and extending the kitchen since I feel it is the heart and soul of the home. Check.


The the architect came in. His father has drawn up the plans for the house when it was built years ago. He was nice. He was friendly. He was sneaky too (in a good and bad way).


"Hey BP mom, would you like a bigger sitting area for the family to eat?"
Answer: Sure.


"Hey BP mom, looks like you would like to create a quiet room, so let's add a fireplace and close this room off."
Answer: Wonderful.

"Hey BP mom....want to add a loft with a spiral staircase for added guests?"
Answer: why not?

"Hey BP mom, let's move the master bedroom, add a balcony and french doors? Another bathroom?
Answer: yep.

"Another bedroom with a bathroom?"
Answer: absolutely.....


Then it happened...a water pipe burst and destroyed the first floor throwing all plans up in the air. Now we had to gut the first floor and begin from scratch. Everything on the first floor was destroyed. It was sad because there was so much history. yet, it was an opportunity to build in a way that would be conducive to gatherings and the modern lifestyle. So we slowly began the process with permits, plans, edits, lots of trips south with no where to stay, mold removal and remediation, bids for the builders, and so on and so on.....A few hurricanes hit, work stoppages, permit issues, tile problems (this will be an entire post).....


Now we are in year three. What has been done? Well, it is still unlivable despite a permit of occupancy. There is no room that can be used including the kitchen. The floors are not done. The painting had been started and not completed. The roof has a hole in it as does the master bedroom. The garage has visible mold and the builder is over budget by .....I won't give a figure per se, but if I was looking under the sofa for extra change to pay him, I would have to break into every house in the US for their sofa change and then take out a loan or five.


What if I go to the penny slots? I could try to win the difference at the casino...come on, my luck has got to change....or not...

In fact, I got no so great news yesterday to add to my mold issue. 

It seems I broke my wrist in October. yes, I got an Xray and it read 'no break.' No, it did not fully heal, so I spoke to Dr G about a month ago who ordered a MRI. Well, Thanksgiving and Christmas came and went. I was working and taking care of Pop. Had to sell the childhood house (sniff), so I ignored the pain...yes, I continued to work out but could not do planks or weights since it still hurt.

I finally acquiesced and got the MRI last week. Yep, non displaced scaphoid fracture. Yikes!
 OK, headed to hand and wrist doc on Monday when I return. This makes life even more interesting as I agreed to play tennis biweekly on a team that begins in March. Oh yeah, and Biggest Loser begins on Monday! I already told my weight loss partner about my woes and tried to release her from her commitment to be my buddy. But she is a loyal trooper and wants to stick it out with me. Oh boy, more pressure.


And so, I continue to thank the good Lord for His blessings and will handle one thing at a time. In the meantime, writing about this seems to be helpful....sorry to bore you.

OK, off to confront the builder about the expenses. As I would say to BP Grandmom, "This is another reason why I drink."



Peace

Movin' on....De-nial is not a river in Egypt

Good morning! It still feels like summer and I love it. Although, I have no idea how to dress for work....long pants, skirt, capris, shorts.....bathing suit? Because of labile temperatures in the classroom, I began to bring a portable fan that is powered by the computer to class. I stand in front of the little thing as it blows a breeze. I still perspire and want to use a Fieldcrest plush towel to wipe off the brow. It looks like I have run a marathon after a two hour class. Also, this group of students do not like to speak in class, so I am on my own as I deliver a monologue rather than an invigorating class discussion each Tuesday. Then.....they had a test in the afternoon after my class, so they chose to study while I spoke rather than listen to the "Stooge on the Stage".... Their eyes were looking at their notes and they appeared to be listening when they were actually reviewing their notes for the forthcoming  test.

Was I upset? Angry? Miffed? Hurt? They would rather study than listen to me pontificate about the virtues of the electronic health record?

Actually, I let them think that I did not know that they were studying and kept on with my monologue. It's their tuition money, not mine. If they want to sit in my class and paint, I don't care. However, there is something on the syllabus called "class participation." That gives them 15 points. Then there is a weekly quiz and a huge cumulative final exam which will focus on ....yep, you guessed it...the virtues and usability of the electronic health record.....And so....study away, my friends...it's your nickel....

How are things at home? Can anyone say "one day at a time? One breath at a time? One moment at a time?"

Here is my take on this crazy life......do not (and I do mean...do not) live in the past or future. Yesterday is over and done. Tomorrow is not guaranteed (sounds like a Hallmark card). We have this moment only. I am training myself to live one minute at a time, which means I do not dwell on the past. When I think about it, I stop myself and command: "Stop! This moment only!" It jars me back to the present and I stop lingering in a state where I should not be. Therefore, past events do not haunt me. Gone....finito!

Does this mean that I do not plan? Oh sure, I plan. However, once the plans are made, I leave it up to life being flexible enough to accomplish my goals and plans. If not, so be it.

Is there a named theory or philosophy that I subscribe to? Nope, it is called survival. I can't go into a path of darkness mulling, dwelling, commiserating. It is no way to conduct your life. A person has to look for the good in every situation. Stay present. And keep their spirits up. The only way to do it is either deny troubles or look at them as opportunity.

Sounds stupid. Maybe it is even naive. But my denial has helped me over the years to open my eyes and take care of the immediate and plan for the unknown.

one last thing, this life throws lots of curve balls at us. Do I swing away at them or run?



If you know me, you know the answer. I swing. I may miss but I won't go down looking (baseball metaphor for not taking a chance).
 
Two things....

1. Take care of yourself and eat right. Sure, we can say, get enough sleep, but ladies....we know better, right?

2. Give your angst, fears, concerns, and troubles to God. I love the line from the Carrie Underwood song: "Jesus, take the wheel."

Yep, I am asking...no, I am praying, Jesus, take the wheel....but first can you fill up the tank?

Peace!

BPM

Movin on...flagless

Good morning! This is a quickie since I am headed to spin class to work off the extra winter pounds. Then it is off to the honor society induction for work. Yep, it's a Sunday. Yep, I have to work. Didn't God tell us to rest on the 7th day?

Yesterday was my big volunteer day as I assisted with the Dash for Diabetes 5K. No! I did not run.....where would you get that idea? Instead, I signed up to line up the runners.

My shift was to begin at 2:45 and end at 4:30 leaving me a small window of time to make the 5p mass on the other end of town.

I was mentally prepared for the event as I parked the car and walked to the volunteer tent. The forecast called for 51 degrees with a slight breeze...not great, but not horrible. After thinking twice, I picked up my winter coat before leaving the house. At 51 degrees, there was no need for gloves or a hat, right?

On to the sign in...

BPM: I am here to volunteer

Ladies at the desk: OK, here is your chartreuse tee shirt with a sneaker on it and vest.

BPM: OK, what am I to do?

Ladies: You are one of the start concierges.

Start concierge? Moi? A start concierge? Is that a fancy term for the person who blows the whistle to line up the runners? Do I use my flag to direct traffic? Am I going to be on the microphone thanking runners for joining us for such a worthy cause? Wow! Me? Cool.....

BPM: Where's my flag?

Then it happened....a serious volunteer who is on the hospital board approached me....She was formidable and an expert in flag waving and lining people up. I was in trouble.

Big lady: You don't need a flag. I am the only one who has a flag. As long as I have one, you don't need it.


BPM: Gee, the directions said that I needed a flag.


Big lady: No. I have it. Follow me.


Crud,,,double crud...triple crud....no flag...but I did have a cool vest over my winter coat which sort of made me look kind of official.....

It was 2:45 and a winter breeze was turning into a frigid wind.

Big lady: Let's go. The race starts soon.

I followed Big lady to the start of the race. No one was there except a few cops standing on the corner.

Uh, Big lady...where is everyone? They don't expect me to run...do they?

Big lady: The children's race starts first then the 5K. It should begin any time now.

And so, I waited on the corner....the breezy wind was now howling.....I missed my hat and gloves but according to Big lady, we would be done soon....

Now it was three o'clock....it was getting chilly....

Looking again at my watch it was 3:15.....my fingers were going numb as I stood at my post with Big lady waiting for a runner...one runner...any runner....

3:25....I was shivering....flagless and now standing in the street. Finally runners showed up for a 4 pm start. Yep, Big lady with the flag was wrong. She made me stand out in the cold and wind for 90 minutes without a flag, gloves, hat or anything to do.

Finally the race was set to begin. Yes, there were runners....


Big lady then positioned my on the corner to stop traffic and people from interrupting the race.

Stopping traffic....no flag...just me in my yellow vest....That's rich.....which Mac truck is going to stop for me in my winter coat as my body shakes uncontrollably as I try to protect those crazy runners? I was hoping all of them would. 

The race began and I was set to drop my vest off and shake my way to my car.


Big lady: We're not done yet. They make another lap, then we wait for the stragglers and take down the traffic cones.

Traffic cones....do you mean that I am going out in traffic and pick up the orange cones and bring them to a truck? Uh Big lady, I do not think that a start concierge is supposed to play in traffic...especially if she does not have a flag with her nose running down her face and in the race.... Isn't there a stop concierge who can do that?

Finally....yes, finally, the last of the runners who were more like walk runners limped by and my job as start concierge was in the books for a year. A nice young man in a truck came by and picked up the cones. My big stop of the day was a woman with a stroller who was about to hit one of the runners. Yep, I saved the day....without a flag.

And so, we end yet another fantastically mundane moment in BP mom's odd life as I consider how I am going to take Big lady down next year and grab my own flag. After all, I am there to protect and serve. To do so, I need to be properly equipped. Right?

One last note...I am still cold 12 hours after the event. My blood has not defrosted and I am still shaking....fun, eh?


Off to spin....
Peace!