Ordering chaos

I have a low tolerance for chaos. Over time I have come to realize that I react to situations because of this truth about myself. Through my studies of how the brain learns, I know that the brain is constantly trying to make sense of the world, to detect patterns. When the brain receives new information, it needs to have some place to put it.

Just like pain receptors, maybe people have more or less visual/auditory stimulus receptors. Perhaps people with a lot of stimulus receptors get overwhelmed with visual and auditory input. I've decided that this is why I have such a problem with situations where there is no discernable pattern, especially visually.

At the moment we're living in chaos. As we finish painting one room, we move things into it from another room and proceed to tear the new room apart. At this point, the entire upstairs is torn apart. I have to take deep breaths and tell myself that this is GOOD!!! When it is complete, I will LOVE IT!!!

Breathe.

******************

My blog is a friend of diversity!

I am excited that I have a new follower to my blog...and she is a different species. Hopefully this trend will continue. Perhaps an aquatic species will follow? In the spirit of this inclusiveness, I will try to include information that is interesting to all.

Falling Stars

We had to take the stars down.

Stars used to decorate the ceiling of our exercise room, which used to be Kate's bedroom. Repainting the ceiling necessitated this action but it left me feeling a little melancholy. Kate put them up in her room years ago so she could look at stars before she fell asleep. It seems like such a short time ago. Now she's married and gone, having taken her treasured possessions long ago. But this last demolition seemed a little heartbreaking.

I guess that's how it goes. You spend hours, days, years - at the time it seems that the time will go forever - raising two human beings. They become a part of you - joined seamlessly to your heart and soul. A part of you. How ironic that if you've done it well, they somehow separate and leave.

I decide that a little melancholy is ok - as long as I don't stay there too long. After a little while I pull my thoughts to the positives of the new reality: two warm, intelligent, funny adult children who are living full lives that fortunately still include us in a new capacity. That seam? Maybe there's a little scar, but it's ok. I'm blessed as a result of it.

Nose Update:

Saw the doctor today. She reassured me that all was well, commenting that after all, I had several broken bones in my head that will hurt more and take longer to heal than a bone that can be splinted or casted. As contrary as it sounds, this pronouncement made me feel better.

Here's to discovering new stars.

Heavy Lifting

Yesterday was my first lower body workout with my new weights. I discovered that my quadricep muscles are WEAK!!!! What a wimp I had to be. I had to change my plan and dramatically lower the weights. Maybe this explains why my hamstrings are sore a lot. I thought THEY were weak. Turns out that they are pretty strong, probably due to running, but the quads are incredibly weak.

By the time I was done, my legs felt like jello.

We're making progress on our projects. The art room has been repainted. Today we work on the exercise room. When that's done, it will be time for the big project upstairs: our bedroom.

Wasn't it amazing to watch men walk on the moon again? Watched some great programming yesterday to make the anniversary of our first trip to the moon.

Happy Tuesday!

Weighty Matters

Well, I've begun a new fitness program that centers around...weight training!

Yes!!! The cardio queen has traded her running shoes for dumbells. I'm even going to take a "before" picture in my two piece suit that I only wore during my slimmest days.

Don't worry. That picture will not be shown here, or anywhere else on God's planet. I would not want to be reponsible for burning your eyeballs out of their sockets.

Here's a substitute:

I've given this a lot of thought. I must find a fitness routine that I can sustain throughout the year, not just in the summer. While running is fun for me, it takes a huge chunck of time and requires (at least for me), nice weather.

That lets out three fourths of the year (mostly because of school, not weather).

After doing some research, I found a program that I and Norm are committed to where you weight train for three days, and do 20 minutes of aerobics for three days, with one day off.

Wow, 20 minutes of aerobics instead of an hour? HA!!!!!

Believe it or not, the way we're going it on this program, it kicks butt (and I've got a lot to kick as seen in the picture above). During the 20 minutes you vary intense levels with less intense levels of effort (pretty much interval training). Tough stuff but strangely satisfying.

Of course, we're also following a healthier eating program too. This is such a great time of year to do that with all the gorgeous fresh produce! (For those of us who live on the west coast, that is. "Go west, young man" should say "Come west, dear sister!!!". I'll share some of my more successful recipes. Here's one that I made up:

White Bean, Clams, and Spinach Saute

Take 1/2 of an onion (give or take), and 1 tablespoon of minced garlic (give or take) . Saute in a pan with 1 tsp. of olive oil (give or take) for about a minute or so. Add 1 can of drained white beans and 1 can of drained clams (save the juice).

Saute for about 2 minutes or so. Add several handfuls of baby spinach (I add as much as will fit in my 12" saute pan because I love spinach). If you need to, add some of the clam juice to keep things going). Saute until spinach is wilted. Season with salt and pepper and serve. (Serves 2)

Fast, easy, and yummy.

Speaking of yummy, Kashi has come out with a Heart to Heart whole grain cracker that is fabulous. I love the roasted garlic version.



NOSE UPDATE
Bruising is a little better, but still waking up with what I think are nose related headaches EVERY STINKING MORNING!!!! I think I'm a little congested and the sinus pressure hurts my nose which then radiates throughout my face.
Oh well. After taking a lot of Advil which doesn't help, I've decided to ignore it.


Good to be home, but miss you all!!!

Nosing Around

Well, I decided that I would not get the surgery.



After all, how bad can my unswollen nose possibly look?


OK, maybe bad.

Maybe my new nose will have character:

This guy didn't do so bad with his nose.

Well, if worse comes to worse, I can just decorate my new nose.

Today is my unofficial Nose Appreciation Day in honor of Karl Malden's passing and my broken nose. Take time to notice and appreciate the variety of noses in the world around you...including your own!

From Out of Left Field

Well, actually the ball that hit me was a foul ball from behind the plate.

But I feel like I've been sucker-punched. I was feeling better: starting my fitness routine, working on the house, resting and relaxing and then.......wham!!!

Now I'm in a Vicodin induced haze. Apparently I can't run for at least four weeks or until I can run without jarring discomfort.

What a pain in the nose.

Here is the evil ball.

We went to our first post accident game last night. I was very nervous whenever a ball remotely came our way. Norm was my protector, throwing himself in front of me whenever needed. Sometimes even when not needed, he he. I wouldn't let him go to the bathroom. The Indians' staff were so kind. They gave me an Indians shirt, $10 in Indians Bucks, and a red K card (I didn't like the new green ones).

Today I visited the ENT (ear, nose, and throat doctor) and he told me I should get surgery....tomorrow! What about my vacation? Do I let everyone down just so my nose can be straight?

Well, what's the verdict? Does it look that crooked?