I’ve found my second career. Not as difficult as my first career which was teaching 2nd grade. That was rewarding, but a lot of work. This job is one that I could do, leave, and not bring my work home with me.
I want to paint the lines on crosswalks and the arrows for turn lanes. I saw guys doing that today, and I thought, “THAT is the ultimate stenciling project!” I wonder if MODOT hires people specifically for that job. I look great in safety yellow.
That is what my body is saying today.
This weekend was so wonderful and surprisingly filled with events that could be considered “exercise.” I KNOW! I can’t believe it myself! And, I know my body is in shock.
Thursday night, I walked two miles up to the free movie that Wildwood has once a month. Karen and Tom were already there, so I met them. The movie was “Journey to the Center of the Earth 3-D.” Pretty funny, even though it wasn’t supposed to be. But, hey, it was free.
Friday, I walked another two miles. I have found my motivation. I got a book from the library for my .mp3 player, and I won’t let myself listen unless I’m exercising. I love the book and I love the exercise. (Especially since it is unseasonably cool here.)
On Saturday, the family went on a walk up to the Farmer’s Market at Wildwood Town Center, then hit Dierberg’s, then walked to Mobil on the Run for quarter drinks. (Thanks, Cardinals!) This had to be at least a 7 mile trek. (Those of you that run marathons are probably laughing your heads off. But, for me, it was a big deal.) It felt soooo good! Tom even said, “Man, you were bookin’ it!” I laughed and said, “I only know one speed. If you are going faster than me, I can’t catch up. If you are going slower, I’m thinking, “C’mon! Hurry up!” At least that’s how I am with longer distances. Not a stroll around the park. I can go slower. 🙂
On Sunday, after church there was a BBQ planned at a member’s farm. They planned a bike ride on the Katy Trail beforehand. And, no, I did not ride my bike. My bike has a nasty, hard, misshaped seat. I can’t ride it for long at all. But, I did go to the farm, had a nice meal, then played volleyball. I was sweating, I was playing so hard! Again, it felt soooo good. (Especially since all but one serve went over the net, thank you very much.) I have a bruise on my wrist from playing, but it was worth it. A war wound, I guess.
Monday, I went for a walk. Today, I’ll go for another walk. I’m hoping that soon not only will my body be thinking, “Seriously. Who ARE you?” but, I will be able to look at my body and think the same thing.
At the risk of cursing myself, I think I have finally found the mixture of drugs that works for me.
I made it through 6 weeks of Willy Wonka practices and rehearsals and lived to tell about it. My family still loves me. They don’t regret agreeing to my doing the show. And, just as importantly, I am back to my old self! My mother-in-law was visiting and asked how I was feeling. She said, “I haven’t seen you as happy and energetic as you were the other night in a long time!” She used to always say I looked tired. And, I usually was.
We are headed to Dallas on Friday to visit our dear friends and my brother-in-law. When we originally planned this, I thought I might be pushing it after doing the show and then turning around and leaving 5 days later. But, it seems to be working out just fine! The laundry is done. The clothes are laid out. We are ready to go!
What a wonderful feeling it is to have the energy and mental calmness 90% of the time! WOW! Is this how the rest of you feel all the time? Don’t take it for granted. Please!
No, I’m not a fan of Nellie, but that song came into my head when I decided to write this entry.
After being in Willy Wonka all weekend long, doing a total of five shows, you can imagine what my clothes could have smelled like. I sweat like a pig. And, my blouse was red, so I knew that the sweat stains would show up nice and dark when we ended the show with our hands in the air. Not really the lasting impression I was hoping to make.
So, I went online to research what to do, and found out there were disposable garment shields out there. 
These things are the greatest thing since sliced bread. (Is sliced bread really that great? I’m pretty sure I can cut a loaf of bread.) Did they stay put? Not perfectly in place, but they sure did the trick and didn’t come loose. I looked and felt fresh throughout each show. Threw them away, and then put a new set in for the next show. Awesome!
Run, don’t walk to your nearest fabric store and get these if you have even the slightest issue with sweating. I know you can buy them online as well, but I didn’t have time for that. They come in black and in white. They also make ones that you can sew into your clothing and wash along with the outfit. But, this served the purpose for me, plus, I don’t sew. 😉 And, they are affordable. Less than $5.
Just another handy tip from me to you. I loved them, and I’m pretty sure my fellow cast members appreciated my having them as well!
It’s a pop culture reference, not an ailment. Well, in a way it is an ailment.
An “ear worm” is a song you can’t get out of your head. Dancing Queen is often cited as an ear worm. Well, it is no surprise to me that my ear worms have been the songs from Willy Wonka, the musical I am in this weekend. The weird part is that the songs that are stuck in my head are not the songs that I sing. Never. It’s always someone else’s song.
It is so bad that in order to get to sleep, I have to listen to the radio or my MP3 player, or I am doomed for a sleepless night. Not good. But, at least I found a treatment. I just hope this goes away in about a week. I’m really tired of these keeping me awake.
Oompa Loompa Doompty Doo, now I have given the ear worm to you! 😉
Zuzu's Petals 