It's been a while since we had a recap & I know you love my lists

Note: I was already formulating the mental list for this blog post when I read Emily Howard's list over at "a chick's view." So while I didn't steal her idea (regulars will recognize the format from blogs gone by,) it's possible hers is more interesting. Still I'll plug on. But you'll prolly want to read hers too.

During the Past Week:

• I spent a few hours with part of my family on Thursday, which included my Granddaddy who just turned 90. Ninety. As in 10 away from a hundred. He makes a lot of jokes about it. Sis and I wholeheartedly agreed while driving back from Greenville SC, that he doesn't look a day over 75. My Granddaddy is one of the coolest people you'll ever meet. I wish he didn't insist on living in Alabama. We could have a lot more fun together. He's the one I inherited my wanderlust from. He makes a lot of jokes about that too.
• That iPhone I told you about two posts back? The one I bought a week ago Monday? It's changing my life. In the way finding Squarespace changed my life. I have a long way to go to get all my contacts efficiently synced and updated, and the organized life management system in place the way I'm headed, but in spite of the fact that I know this phone isn't for everyone, it's most definitely for those ENFP Creative Attention-Challenged Visual Learner Types.
• I learned that the origin of "cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey" has not a thing in the world to do with the testicles of primates. (Although in finding a link for you, I've now learned that this supposed origin is likely unfounded, too. Is there such a thing as too much information? On a Tuesday morning in Greensboro... probably.)
• I got a tummy bug. Possibly the same one my nephew, brother-in-law, Granddaddy, and Dad have had. In that order, with me showing symptoms just before Dad's. I'm not sure it's completely gone. Most days it's good to work from home. Some days it's really good to work from home.
• My friend Dena Harris had such a brilliant run in the Chicago Marathon on Sunday that she qualified for Boston, coming in 6,836 overall out of 45,000 runners. Since our mutual friend, Kim Williams, sent me her results, I've been so proud of her (no, actually I've been proud of her since always - I mean, she runs marathons, people!) but this morning when I read her blog post I actually cried. Probably something's wrong with me. But her writing so well encapsulated the essence of what this must have been like that I was completely moved. Your determination amazes and inspires me, Dena.
• Somewhat tangentially-related, I got completely fed up with my own sedentary lifestyle, and joined SparkPeople online. This is an enormous online community that has helped thousands reach their health and weightloss goals. It's only been a few days but tracking my food and water consumption, plus that tiny bit of exercise, has been so easy, (and yes, there's an iPhone app, too!) and their articles and blogs are motivating me. Because of my distractability alone, I decided to finally join just so I could try out something that would help motivate me more than "I should do something about improving my health" ever did. Putting my habits right in front of me instead of ignoring them has been a sobering first step (the first of millions, I'm reminding myself, gently,) to finally becoming healthy. But don't expect to show up here one day and read that I'm running with Dena. Running does not appeal. One day I'll be brave enough to tell you what does. But for now, let's just be happy I've gone so far as to tell you this much, mmmmkay?
• My best pal from my first college, whose dorm room was just across the hall from mine, found me on Facebook. We haven't talked in 15 years, since we discovered that we no longer really had that much in common. In spite of that discovery (never discussed between us,) I was happy to hear from her and have recognized some evidence of nostalgia as long-buried memories have surprised me. One of the most beautiful girls I ever knew, Susan's current photos look remarkably unchanged. (Except for the less big hair, of course.)
• I met a new client, also named Susan, whom I really, really like. I'm enjoying the drafting phase of our work together.
• Even when it rained, I remembered just how much I like fall. My favorite season, ever, it pleases me so much, with its crispy air and chilly breezes. Amazing that October is nearly halfway over.
• The working title for my novel, that I'd been mentally playing with for a couple of weeks, became so comfortable for me that I decided to buy the domain. For less than $8 I have locked in beforenextsaturday.com. Even if I change the title one day - completely possible - that was a small price to pay for the potential that I'll need it one day. To promote my novel. (Sorry. I just like saying it, and find that it's important to write on occasion. It helps with the momentum.) Buying a domain is a lot easier than writing the novel. But I'm still loving the process.

How 'bout I wrap it up there? Best to leave something for later. I hope your own week has pleased you as much as my own has. Now I need to figure out whether it's safe to take this tummy of mine out into the world, or if the more generous thing would be to keep to myself for another day. Cheers!

Comments

[Dena]

I truly love your lists. Beautiful insight into your life. Thank you for all your encouragement with my running - always. I tend to take a myopic view of the world while training and suspect my company can get a bit tedious. Thanks for never letting on. =) And I've had several people recommend SparkPeople. Keep us update on what you like/dislike about it, yes?

[Dad]

Interesting post. Made me think about some things myself.

We went to Alabama for your Granddad's (my Dad's) birthday. Had lots of fun; saw relatives I seldom see, and even had a surprise visit with some old classmates I haven't seen since the eighth grade! That's much longer than when you last saw Susan, although I'm glad the two of you heard from each other. It seemed strange, people who, for the most part, are at least a few months older than I (I think I vaguely remember that two of those who were present are a little younger than I--make that three, I think). And I am very thankful that my Dad has lived this long.

As for the bug, I'm on my second day off from work. I might have gone in, but 1) I want to keep it to myself, not spread it among patients and staff, and 2) Scheduling can be delicate. I chose to make the decision early so that someone else could work my shift. And, once in a while it's good to take a little time off when I have an excuse not to do anything!

How about the iphone! I gather that you like it. I notice that two other people in the family have gotten Blackberrys. I don't know how these devices compare, but a colleague of miine just got a new Blackberry. I think it has come a long way since the original. When I tried it out the other day, it had some features that made me sort of want one, except that I'm not willing to pay out that much money yet, no more than I might use the added features. Have fun with it.

Have a good day!

Dad

[Melody]

Thank you Dena! Your running really is inspiring. Meanwhile, several days in, SparkPeople continues to work for me, and has become one piece in my accelerated recent activities toward "getting my stuff together." Which includes my health. Yea, I suspect there will be much more to share, in time.

[Melody]

Dad, seeing people from long, long ago always seems to trigger unexpected emotions, doesn't it?

I was glad to hear you're finally doing better. That one seemed to come out of nowhere! And for everyone (not Mom though, right?) to get it was a wonky surprise, too! Glad it's past.

The iPhone continues to delight, and frankly I don't know if there's going to be a way to convey just how big a deal it's becoming to me, without sounding hokey. We'll just say it's been great, I continue to find more ways to use it to create more efficiency, and it makes phone calls too! :)

Hope your day is great too!