Daily Prompt | BulgingButtons

January 29, 2014
by BulgingButtons 19 Comments

Daily Prompt: Write Here, Write Now – Sick Day

I hear the nagging alarm at the usual time and hit the snooze button. Slowly it dawns on me that I don’t feel right. My head feels swollen and full and my body feels worn and ragged. I push myself to a sitting position and turn off the alarm, which is buzzing again. I remember now. I am in my clothes. I am fighting off sickness but I am losing the battle, even after a ten hour sleep. I shuffle to the bathroom to assess the damage. I hardly recognize myself. My only desire is to return to the warm nest I have recently vacated. This wish is impossible.

I wake my sleeping son with a croaking voice. He is puzzled. So am I. I turn on the computer, squinting at the blinding display. I fumble through a few different prompts and finally request a sub for my class. I am hopeful one will arrive. I immediately begin plans for the day. I write feverishly. Do I have a fever? I’m not sure, but I continue writing. Plans for the day complete I shuffle to my closet and dress. I do not look professional. I look horrible. Good.

I drop my son at his school and park at my own school. I choose my spot carefully. I walk into the office and apologize for not being superhuman. I am forgiven. My pallor, no doubt, is convincing. I make a set of copies and weave my way to my classroom. I shuffle a few things about and organize stacks of work for the day. Still, no sub has taken the job. The principal tells me another teacher will cover my class until a sub comes. If a sub comes. Should I feel guilty? I do not. I am sick.

I leave just as the bell rings. My strategic parking pays off. I back out without difficulty. I drive home. I survey my bed. At last. My wish comes true.

Write a post entirely in the present tense.

Trackbacks & Pingbacks

January 19, 2014
by BulgingButtons 10 Comments

Daily Prompt: Captive’s Choice

You’ve been kidnapped and given a choice: would you rather be stranded on an island, dropped into an unknown forest, or locked in a strange building?

Oh no! I’ve been kidnapped by a most unusual kidnapper. My kidnapper is giving me options. Where would I like to be delivered? This bizarre kidnapper is going to take me to said place and leave me, presumably to my own devices. Where, oh where, shall I go?

Option One: Island

Well, this depends a great deal upon the island, doesn’t it? If it’s Oahu or Hawai’i, then yes, please. But let’s assume they mean a deserted island. I’m thinking along the lines of Gilligan’s Island or Robinson Crusoe or the Swiss Family Robinson. That might not be so bad, at least for a while, but I think I would miss my family and I’m not much for a) boat building, or b) sailing away on a raft. Besides, they all had company, I’m assuming I wouldn’t, of if I did it would be more along the lines of Lord of the Flies. Jeez, in that case I hope I would be alone. Now I’m thinking Castaway and frankly, I don’t think I have it in me to live on bugs.

Option Two: Unknown Forest

This one might be a bit better. After all, presumably the forest is connected to some form of civilization somewhere, right? I could make a lean to and snare rabbits. I read My Side of the Mountain. Young Sam did it, so can I. I read Hatchet too, and the whole Hunger Games trilogy. People survive in the forest all the time, right? Or do they? And what about Big Foot? Or bears? Or worse? I saw The Blair Witch Project. And I wouldn’t even have a tent. Or a map. Or a sleeping bag. Ok, so maybe the woods aren’t the best choice either.

Option Three: Locked in a Strange Building

How locked are we talking? And what kind of building? Does it have working plumbing? Because that’s important to me. How about some sort of meal delivery system? At least out in the woods or on the island I assume there would be something to eat. In this locked building I’m not so sure. The whole food and water thing is really important to me. Even more important than the bathroom, and that’s saying a lot.

Ok, Mr. Kidnapper (not to be sexist, but that’s what I imagine in this scenario… a woman might have thought it out a bit better, just saying), I’m ready to pick. The building is out, too many variables. The island, while it might be great for a short vacation, is out too. Too far from civilization. So that leaves the forest. Can I least pack a sleeping bag and some granola bars? And if you don’t mind, would you please let my family and the police know where I am? Thanks bunches.

Trackbacks & Pingbacks

December 14, 2013
by BulgingButtons 21 Comments

Six Months of Blogging

I had no idea when I started what this blog would look like or feel like or how its very existence would impact my life. I just knew that I needed to make some positive changes in my life, and I felt that by documenting what I was doing through a blog I would be more accountable. I knew it wasn’t going to make me fit and fabulous, and in the back of my mind I figured that I might put up a few posts, get busy with life, and move on. I’m happy to report that hasn’t happened.

Before BulgingButtons was born I was involved in a writing project. We had the assignment of writing ourselves a letter. The letters were collected and I quickly forgot about mine. That is, until yesterday, when it arrived in my mailbox. I didn’t even recognize my own handwriting on the envelope. It wasn’t until I opened the letter that it clicked. Right there, in the letter, I outlined my idea about this blog. These were my thoughts before I had even the vaguest idea of how to create a blog.

I want to create a blog with a fabulous name that will inspire a sense of hope and use humor but will also show a serious side of how my weight affects me. I don’t want it to be the typical blog about how great veggies and exercise are, but more essays on what my life experience has been like and will be continue to be like, whether I get healthy or not.

That was my jumping off point, and a good place for me to start. It was only a start, though. A start of something much greater than I ever expected. Here are some of the things that blogging has accomplished for me:

1. I have gotten in a groove with my writing. I write far more, and, dare I say it? Yes, I dare. I write better because I’ve gotten into an almost daily habit.

2. I have written a novel. WTF?! I NEVER would have expected that, and it wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t been blogging. Sure, it’s still a rough draft, but c’mon, it’s a novel.

3. I have joined an international community of bloggers and have learned so much from them about so many topics, not the least of which is writing. So many intelligent, compassionate, interesting, and kind people are bloggers, and I’m humbled to be a part of their community.

4. My blog has been visited nearly 8,000 times, has 365 followers at last count (one for every day of the year!), and has been seen on every continent (minus Antarctica) in countries I didn’t know existed (New Caledonia, anyone?). How amazing is that?

5. I’ve received awards from other bloggers, which confirms that some of those people who are visiting are actually not only reading the content, but like it! Actually, the likes and comments give that feedback too, and for those who take the time to weigh in (pun, get it?) I thank you. Even if you don’t agree with me, I appreciate hearing from you. This is a nice blog with nice readers, we don’t get ugly here. I’m proud of that.

6. I’ve branched out to include all sorts of different posts, depending on what’s on my mind at the moment. A blog is a great ADD outlet (which I don’t think I have, but who knows?). I have written to many prompts, I’ve interviewed my dog, I’ve played with photo collages, I’ve flashed back to my youth, I’ve listed things that make me happy, and I’ve shared many essays on health, fashion, exercise, and life in general. And all along the way you’ve given me support and encouragement.

What I have not accomplished through this blog:

Getting fit. Dammit.

1. I still dislike exercise.

2. I still procrastinate.

3. I still overeat.

4. I still eat the wrong things.

5. UGH

Ah well, I’m not a quitter. I’m going to keep on keeping on, and I’m going to keep on blogging. Maybe 2014 will bring some unexpected surprises. 2013 certainly did. Thanks for reading, you have made my year.