August | 2017 | BulgingButtons

August 23, 2017
by BulgingButtons 2 Comments

Going Down

Not that kind of going down, sheesh!

Nope, this is the kind of going down that’s the result of making some positive behavior changes, and oh yeah, taking a little bit of medicine too.

You see, I got some unhappy news back in June when I went to the doctor, so I had to make some changes. More veggies, lean protein, and most important of all, a lot fewer sweets have passed my lips since that day. I’ve also upped my exercise game. Well, I move a lot more, anyway.

A couple of weeks ago I had my physical, and today was the day I went in to review the results with my health care provider (he’s a PA, and I’m a big fan of his). Well, the results were good. Really, really good. We did a happy dance in the office, and my visit ended with a hug (seriously, he was as thrilled as I was). I’m not sure I’ve ever felt that happy leaving the doctor’s office.

Weight is down.

Cholesterol is down.

Blood sugar is down.

Risk factor for a cardiac “event” is down.

I’ve never felt so up about being down.

So yes, I can do this, and yes, it’s worth it. I feel better, I look better, and I have more energy. I’m also doing myself a big favor by making these choices. Some days it’s easier than others, and yes, I still mess up, but overall I’m doing pretty well. I hope you are too.

The things that have helped the most are:

doling out my medicine into one of those pill sorter thingies… I used to think they were for doddering old fools, until I needed one
jogging in my pool… this is still the only exercise that I truly enjoy and I plan to keep doing it as long as the water stays warm
mostly switching from Starbucks frappucinos to the coffee at work (with some delicious flavored creamer, but hey, it’s still way better than a frappucino).
cooking at home more…this way I have control over the ingredients
weekly fitbit challenges with my friend… he regularly kills me, but it does keep me moving

What keeps you on the right track? I’d love to know.

August 21, 2017
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Hiding From the Sun

So today is the big eclipse. I remember the last one, sort of. I remember my father frightening me about going blind, then creating a pin-hole viewer of some sort. Do I remember what I actually saw? No.

I thought maybe this time around it would make more of a lasting impression. My older colleagues and I all recalled the hoopla surrounding the eclipse of our childhood, and we wanted our students to participate in this scientific phenomenon. We put out the call for cereal boxes so we could make our own viewers. Then we got the edict. No eclipse viewing.

Well, I was hardly surprised. After all, we have many kids who can’t (or won’t) follow a direction as simple as pick up your pencil, so why would they follow the direction of “don’t look at this remarkable thing that you’ve never seen before and will never see again?” Cardboard boxes and dark glasses are no match for the curiosity of a kid. They might peek around those pinhole viewers and slide off those shades to get a better look, in spite of warnings of the potential danger. I might even be tempted to do those things, and I know better.

So today we’ll stay indoors for most of the day. Recess will be pushed back, PE classes will stay indoors (where they’ve been due to the heat anyway) and the entire lunch schedule will be adjusted, since our cafeteria is only accessible by going outdoors. We’ll still learn about the eclipse, and thanks to modern technology we’ll get to view it, just not in person.

If you get a chance to see if for yourself, be safe, and don’t let those funky glasses slip.

August 13, 2017
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Back to the Dorm

Year two of college is starting for my kid, and today is his move-in day. Some observations about this event:

I know what to expect this year, so I have far fewer nerves (yes, it’s all about me!).
He knows what to expect, so he packed less stuff (not that he had much last year).
His father and I are taking him together, just like last year, in spite of being divorced for many years. I believe this is a good thing for all of us. He’s still our son and we’re still his parents. This transition, even if it isn’t the first time, is still kind of a big deal, and experiencing it all together validates that fact.
I’m hopeful that I’ll handle year two of him being away better than year one. Year one found me a bit down in the dumps, teetering on the edge of depression. I don’t want to go back there. Yes, I know he’s close by, and yes, he’s been great about staying in touch (weekly dinners and everything) but something about him being out of the house just unsettled me. I’m hopeful that I react better this time around.
I’m excited for him. He’s got this. He’s ready to go back and he’s ready for classes to begin and he’s ready to be more independent again. I’m happy for him.

The building he’s moving into is brand new. It’s built to house 1,600 students. Wow. I’m looking forward to seeing it in person, so far I’ve only gotten a sneak peek from the local news station. The kitchens on the floors are nicer than the one in my house, but I don’t see him using it much. There’s a fitness center in the building and 3-d printers and all sorts of other amenities. It’s a far cry from Gilbert 105, my first cinderblock-walled dorm room. Still, that old building was a wonderful place to make memories; I hope his new home is too.