BulgingButtons

Not bad for a fat girl

Category Archives: Daily Prompt


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Daily Prompt: Groundhog Day

Today’s daily prompt explores an intriguing idea. What if, like in the movie Groundhog Day, you had the chance to relive a day over and over until you got it “right?” What day would you choose? This prompt made me take a quick mental inventory of the standout days of my life. Would I choose to replay any of them? I don’t think I would. I don’t feel like I have any days that I monumentally messed up. Sure, I’ve made some bad decisions along the way, but none that stand out so glaringly that I would jump at the chance to relive their circumstances in an attempt to change the outcome. For that I’m grateful.

If I were in a Groundhog Day type situation, I think I would choose a typical weekday. Since these are the most common days of my life, I think it would be a great benefit to figure out, once and for all, how to make them as pleasant and productive as possible.  What I would hope to accomplish, after several attempts I’m sure, would be a model day that I would strive to emulate. Here’s how it goes in my mind.

First, the alarm goes off after a restful night’s sleep. I happily get out of bed and begin my morning routine. Ideally, it includes some type of exercise that I find stimulating and enjoyable (this is an ideal, remember?). Then I shower, dress, and join my happy family at the breakfast table for a nutritious and delicious meal that someone (anyone?) has prepared. We have plenty of time to eat and enjoy each other’s company before leaving for school and work with equally nutritious and delicious lunches in hand.

AAAADAInGbUAAAAAAVM-SANaturally I leave the house with plenty of time to spare, and the freeways are clear making the drive quick and safe. We listen to some of our favorite music and sing along as we happily banter during the trip. Soon after, I deliver my sweet son to school, and impart some loving words of wisdom, which he takes to heart, as he starts his day.

I make my way to my work, and arrive early enough to calmly go about my business before the students arrive. Of course the classroom is neat and orderly, all of the materials for the day are ready and organized, and the calendar and boards are updated with the day’s pertinent information.  The computer is up and running and the day’s lessons are polished and ready to go. I greet the students warmly as they enter, and I teach my heart out all day. Every question I ask is thought provoking, every assignment is met with enthusiasm and carefully completed, and every possible need of the students has been anticipated and met. The happy children give hugs and high fives as they leave for the day, excited to return the following day for more of the same.

After dismissal, I meet with colleagues briefly as we review our successes and any potential challenges, and we create some dynamic plans for upcoming instruction. Then I quickly grade some student work, enter it into the gradebook (yes, on the same day), and leave the room ready for the following day.

Now the rest of the afternoon is mine. I pick up my son and he regales me of his triumphs both in and out of the classroom that day. Again our drive is easy, with a soundtrack that we both enjoy. At home our darling puppy greets us, and she hasn’t chewed a single thing aside from her collection of chew toys. My son get right to work on chores and homework, and I read and review the mail and take a few minutes for myself. I may even read a book, or write, or sew.

My sweetheart comes home, and the three of us enjoy a perfect evening with a nutritious dinner and time to enjoy each other’s company. Somehow the cooking and cleaning up get done without anyone really noticing how, and we decide to do something fun together, since all homework has been carefully completed and there are no chores hanging over anyone’s head. Maybe we go to the dog park or the movies. Maybe it’s miniature golf or a video game tournament. Whatever it is, we all enjoy it together.

Finally, after a long day, it’s time to unwind and go to bed. We let each other know how much we appreciate and love one another, and we settle in for a restful night’s sleep.

Yes, I think I could handle that day. In fact, I’ve been working on practicing it already. Maybe someday I’ll nail it, but for now I’ll cherish the parts of it that I do get right. Then the next day, I’ll try again.  After all, I’m the eternal optimist. It could happen.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/09/01/daily-prompt-repetition/


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Daily Prompt: I Pledge Allegiance

DSC00061 2Today’s daily prompt asked, “Are you patriotic? What does being patriotic mean to you?” My gut reaction is to answer, “Of course I am.” To me, patriotism is an admirable trait.  It is the commitment to one’s nation and the belief that one lives in a country that may not be perfect, but is still a good place to live. I am proud to be an American, and each school day I recite the Pledge of Allegiance with my hand over my heart right along with my students. Well, most of my students. I have students who do not recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Their parents have instructed them not to, as they feel that it conflicts with their religious beliefs. One of these students is from a military family. I don’t doubt their patriotism.

What patriotism is not, at least in my eyes, is a cloak under which people can claim superiority over others. Yes, I’m glad I live in a country that has a fee market economy and a democratic government. I’m grateful for due process and the right to a fair trial. I’m thankful that as a woman I have more or less equal rights as men, and I’m delighted that our citizenry has access to free public education.  I don’t regret paying taxes because I know that these things have a price, and given the choice of paying taxes or living in a nation where I cannot have a voice, cannot practice my religion, and cannot work at my chosen profession, I will happily pay my taxes.

What worries me about the term patriotism, however, is its misuse. Vigilante style “justice” in the name of patriotism is lawlessness, and to me the antithesis of patriotism. I don’t wish to be a “patriot” of the type that seeks to oppress others. Similarly, I don’t wish to be the type of “patriot” that is unable to comprehend that most of the world’s population is not American, and does not do things the way that we do. Patriotism does not equal elitism. Our way is not the only way, and people the world over are proud of their own nations. One need only watch the Olympic opening ceremonies to understand that being a patriot does not require a person to be an American.

So yes, I am a patriot. I am proud of my nation and seek to represent it well, both at home and abroad. But please, don’t ask me to sign your hateful petition in the name of patriotism. You may have the right under the law, but you just don’t understand the spirit of it.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/08/31/daily-prompt-country/


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Oh Those Jeans

Today I wore jeans to work. It’s Friday, and it’s ok to wear them where I work, in fact many of my colleagues wear jeans regularly. For me, it’s more of a special occasion kind of thing.

I was actually excited to wear them, since a few months back I had surgery that totally shifted my bulk around. After my surgery, even my biggest pants were a no go. I could only fit into elastic waists, which, like any fat girl, I already owned. I was less than thrilled with this prospect, but until the end of June I just accepted it. After all, the surgery was early in March, and it took a while to recover. In fact it took a long while. Longer than I expected.

jeans-clean-airDuring that recovery period I started to feel really discouraged. Sure, the surgery fixed the original problem, but now I had a gaping surgical wound (ew, I know), a new weird body shape (to replace the old, weird body shape), and limited ability to do even simple tasks.  I was fortunate though; I was surrounded by people who genuinely cared about me. A dear friend (who happens to be a  nurse) was actually excited about assisting me with my wound care, and my other friends at work insisted on aiding me with all sorts of tasks. They barely let me lift a finger. The children I taught were sweet and cooperative too, making my job as easy as possible.

Eventually, I healed, but it was  June before I finally got fed up. I was physically able to move more, and I had the time to devote to finally repairing more than just a belly scar. This blog was born, and I shouted to the world that it was time for me to move forward.

At the start of this process I could hardly button my biggest jeans. They are in the banner picture. Yes, that is really me. Well, today I wore those jeans to work. And it was awful.

You see, those jeans just don’t fit me. They have become too large. They sag and droop and all day long I felt like they were in danger of plummeting to my ankles. I was adjusting them and hiking them up all day long. Down they would droop again, hems dragging across the floor. They had turned into a great big annoyance. I couldn’t wait to get home and take them off. They dropped right to the floor, to be quickly and happily replaced by their next size smaller counterpart. Ok, maybe they squeeze a little more at the waist than I would like, but they don’t sag, droop, or fall down. I think next Friday they may make their work debut.