Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Ten on Tuesday

  1. I'm grateful. As I said to Patrick last night, I don't have much, but I have great people. My "posse" is made up of the family I was born to and the family I have hijacked, and I wouldn't trade a single person for anything. Even the ones who annoy me from time to time. And in times when I feel like I don't have enough of something - money to wash my clothes, food to nourish my belly, courage to face the day - there is always someone (and oftentimes many someones) to pick up the slack. To say that I appreciate it is a monumental understatement, but I'm not sure how else to put it into words.
  2. My sister is in Philadelphia working for the law firm on a case involving secondary insurance. It doesn't sound like too much fun - 17 hour days, big rainstorms in Philly, rowdy baseball fans keeping her up at night. But I might put up with it if I got turndown service and chocolates on my pillow at night.
  3. That being said, the case was supposed to be tried in Barbados, but somehow it wound up in Philly. Bummer.
  4. Alice Ruth is two years old! It was awesome to spend birthday time with her and the Clan Rice Carlson Bathje. Between catching up with my CharlieDad, bonding with the girls, forgetting my knitting and annoying Ryan, it was a pretty full visit. So awesome to see Chunk, even though I did have to withstand a great deal of Big Head jokes as he provided a suitable stand-in for Mike. It's funny how being together makes me miss those who weren't there even more.
  5. Speaking of which, Alice's birthday means Kaylee's is right around the corner. I can't help feeling nostalgic because last year Clan Rice Tucson was with me on her birthday. I miss that little peanut so much. Trust me, I am saving my pennies for February.
  6. My Halloween costume is coming together quite nicely. Hopefully by next Ten on Tuesday I'll have pictures to post.
  7. It's lunchtime and I really want beer.
  8. I voted. Those who know me probably already know for whom. However, in case you don't ... it was for the NOT CHEESEDOODLE.
  9. I am out of Rumpleminze. I cannot survive winter until the stash has been replenished. Right now it's 41 degrees here in Chicagoland. Overnight, we'll get down to 30. Thank heaven for the heated mattress pad.
  10. I have a cape. No, not the "I think I'm a super hero" kind. I have two winter coats, but neither one of them fit. Really, I look like a refugee in them. So when my sister Jenn and I were down in the cedar closet at Dad's a few weeks back, looking to clear out anything in there that wasn't any good anymore, Jenn came across her old cape. (Now, on what planet does someone just have an old spare cape laying around?) And she says to me, "You should take this," knowing that I have nothing to keep me warm that doesn't look like I stole it off of someone three sizes larger than I. At first I thought she was joking, and then I remembered ... Jenn doesn't really joke. See, she knew a new coat wasn't in the budget. She's also a little proud of me for taking better care of myself. And she doesn't want me to be cold. The cape is kind of special, because Jenn and our mom went in on it together many years ago. Neither of them could justify the cost for just one of them. But it's been hanging in the cedar closet for years, and now, it's being worn. It's a little dramatic, a lot warm, and sort of like getting a hug from Jenn and Mom. It might be a bit much for every day, but then again, so am I.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

DEAR MAGGIE:

This is my one on Tuesday.
I was asked by 2 friends to join an exercise class with them. I know I should but (there is always a but) I am worried I won't be able to keep up. In my heart I want to try but in my head I don't want to be embarrassed because I can't keep up. What do you think I should do??
signed, Worried

Anonymous said...

Dear Worried ...

Does the class sound like fun, like something you will enjoy? Then join.

If there is one thing I have learned in the year I've been going to the gym, it's that no one is looking at you. Do not project how you feel about your current fitness level onto the rest of the class, because they all have their own baggage. Everyone is there trying to improve themselves, so every person in class has that in common.

Here's a little secret: Sometimes in class, I can't keep up. I take salsa dancing, and hip hop, and kickboxing, and spinning ... and it's all so much fun! At first I put off trying because I wanted to wait until I was "fit" ... I wanted to look like I belonged in class. And then a friend of mine told me to just try it, and I did, and I haven't stopped trying things since then. At the end of class, it's not about whether or not you were perfect. It's about appreciating your body for everything it just let you do! So in those moments when you can't keep up with the rest of the class, just keep one foot on the floor and keep moving. Trust me, no one notices! They just think it's cool that you're there with them, sharing in a common goal.

The human body has a remarkable ability to forgive us for not taking care of it. Your body will appreciate your willingness to test its limits, and very soon you will see that you are better able to keep up. And then you'll realize you never really had anything to worry about at all.

I don't know who you are, but I know this: I love you, and I know you can do it.

Anonymous said...

DEAR MAGGIE:

Thanks! I will let you know how it goes over the next 8 weeks.

(not as) WORRIED

p.s. you do know who I am, and you spoke to my heart...

Anonymous said...

Dear Worried ...

I'm so glad you're just gonna DO IT! I think there is a distinct possibility that you will have fun! Good for you!

Please keep me posted. I'm excited for you!