by Paula | Oct 30, 2014 | Uncategorized
This past Monday, I played a USTA doubles match and our opponents made the extremely bad choice of pissing off my no-nonsense partner during warm-ups. Ignoring the usual warm-up etiquette, they tried to rush us; but my partner wasn’t having any of it. In addition to being a terrific tennis player, she is a stately physician with a proper English accent, reflecting her sophisticated international roots; and she suffers fools with even less patience than I do. She and I proceeded to take EXTRA practice serves to reset the pace of an otherwise rushed warm-up.
A little fire in the belly served us well and we won easily. My partner curtsied when I made a good shot (VERY classy). While I would like to return the favor, my bad knee and natural clumsiness do not allow for a graceful curtsy, so I simply applauded her many good shots with my racquet.
There are times in sport and in life when we are ‘in the flow’, when our mojo is cooking; we are feeling good about what we are doing and are performing well. Sometimes the mojo disappears and we have no choice but to slog through until it shows up again. Personally, I think we can make ourselves ‘available’ for those moments, but the more we try to force it, the more elusive it becomes.
May the universe rain good mojo upon you.
by Paula | Oct 27, 2014 | Uncategorized
While wasting time scrolling through Facebook, one does occasionally encounter a pithy saying worth reading. “Fall down seven times and get up Eight” is one such gem. Persistence in the face of adversity is an under-rated ability.
I was recently recounting the highlights and lowlights of the last year (or so) to a friend. As I gave her the Reader’s Digest account, it occurred to me why I might have been feeling a bit overwhelmed and ‘peckish’ at various times throughout the year.
My personal motto is “You can VISIT Pity City, but you cannot LIVE there“; However, this post is a foray to the outskirts of Pity City; so feel free to move on if you’ve already had enough of my whining.
In one remarkable 13 month period:
I Became a grandma of twin girls (JOY, JOY and more JOY!). In addition to being absolutely besotted with the little urchins; it has been amazing to watch this new family emerge. My daughter and her husband are incredible parents.
I had an emergency appendectomy — I can no longer brag that I still have all of my original parts! Bummer.
My youngest daughter was diagnosed with Anorexia. She is hospitalized several times and her treatment is all absorbing for roughly 8 months. (See Eating Disorders SUCK for more details). The good news is that as of this writing, she is doing very well.
My mother’s Alzheimer’s advances and she is placed into a memory care facility. Her lucid moments dwindle rapidly; and the mother we knew only exists in memory. (See ‘Alzheimer’s Sucks’ for more information) My birth family works together in unison to assist our father in making this decision. What a caring group of people–I love them all.
My Father-in-law passes away. Ed was 87 and had not been in good health; however, his passing was unexpected. The ceremony is beautiful and touching, complete with a 21 gun salute in honor of his service to the country. I sing a song at the funeral and everyone is very polite about it.
I am downsized from my job without cause (kind of a weird coincidence that I took extensive FMLA prior to this event… *I’m just sayin*). The good news is that I am in a high demand profession and I had another job in three weeks; however, the bitterness lingers.
My husband’s employer has cash flow issues and ceases to pay him on a regular basis. This poses a bit of a problem. The good news is that it doesn’t materially affect our lifestyle, although we won’t be going back to Hawaii any time real soon.
As I write this, I can’t help but notice the silver linings in even the darkest clouds. The last year has changed me–for the better. I am ever-so-slightly more patient and less judgmental. I try a bit harder to enjoy each day /moment as it comes without obsessing over the future.
And – I am standing up … for at least the eight time.
by Paula | Oct 25, 2014 | Anorexia sucks
Oh, the stories. Stories that break your heart; stories that lift you up. Stories of lost years, suffering and sacrifice; but above all: Stories of Hope and Inspiration.
Breakfast at the National Eating Disorder conference: A table full of beautiful and compassionate young women from all over the US; all of whom have recovered from a devastating eating disorder and are commited to sharing their stories and energies to help others. Stories of misery, hospitalizations, therapies, treatments, interventions. (more…)
by Paula | Oct 21, 2014 | Uncategorized
I got back home about 1:00 am on Monday morning; although my luggage did not appear until the next day. Travel days are surprisingly tiring and it wasn’t until today that I felt caught up with my sleep. One of the joys of travel is the comfort of returning home.
The relative glow of a few days off from work has worn thin, and I’m already fully re-immersed into the busy-ness of it all. Dan has been working from home quite a bit and tackled several domestic chores while I was gone–there’s nothing sexier than a man fixing a dryer! (And I can get used to coming home to someone else making supper.)
The last time my luggage was lost was a work trip to do some training several years ago. While I usually traveled to larger cities, this time I went to some inaccessible smallish town several states away requiring 3 different flights. This particular trip was in August and my final flight arrived late on a Sunday evening. Class was scheduled to start 10 hours later and my student handouts were still circling the Midwest along with my clothes, and I was wearing shorts.
Upon arriving at the hotel, I rousted the lone sleepy teenage desk clerk (did I mention this was a small town?) and asked him to make 20 copies of the single student handbook that I had fortunately stuck into my carry-on briefcase. I had to repeat myself a couple times before he comprehended that I was serious.
Very early the next morning I got in touch with my (thankfully female) contact who had helped arrange the training. We had never met in person and had a brief awkward discussion about wardrobe and sizes. She is tall and I am short… which certainly worked out better than the other way around! I actually looked more stylish than usual in her clothes; but dammit if she didn’t want them back after my baggage actually arrived.
I often hand trinkets during classes to encourage participation and general wakefulness. This time instead of little games and trinkets, the fabulous prizes consisted of airline toothbrushes and hotel soaps. Overall, it turned into a kind of fun improvisational experience, and made the trip memorable.
by Paula | Oct 18, 2014 | Anorexia sucks
My brain is absolutely spinning – so much information and so many wonderful people! The level of dedication and compassion among family members, NEDA staff and practitioners is awe-inspiring. People are very open with their stories, there have been tears and laughter.
Will share just one insight from an insightful day: Self-care comes out of Self-Love. One of the practitioners shared her AHA moment that ED sufferers do know intellectually what they need to do to get better; however, that knowledge alone does not translate into change. If you don’t like your body you are not motiviated sufficiently to care for yourself.
Right now I am going to care for myself by taking a stroll in the balmy Texas evening in search of some wine and pasta.
Postscript: My plans switched to Mexican food with a large, potent margarita.
