Read today...

Our office gets a lot of solicitation magazines - you know the ones that sell random stuff? Well, in Potpourri they have a print with the following words:

"Life is not a race - but indeed a journey. Be honest. Work hard. Be choosy. Say 'thank you,' 'I love you,' and 'great job' to someone each day. Go to church, take time for prayer. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh. Let your handshake mean more than pan and paper. Love your life and what you've been given, it is not accidental - search for your purpose and do it as best you can. Dreaming does matter. It allows you to become what you aspire to be. Laugh often. Appreciate the little things in life and enjoy them. Some of the best things really are free. Do not worry, less wrinkles are more becoming. Forgive, it freese the soul. Take time for yourself - plan for longevity. Recognize the special people you've been blessed to know. Live for today, enjoy the moment." Bonnie Mohr

Today, the words struck me.

*Edit - I realized last night as I lay my head on the pillow that I didn't credit the quote - mea culpa...

Hot Topics of Late...

In the last week, there have been several interesting discussions around me and involving me. Or at least, interesting to me, and have made me want to write. They are...

1. Bullying

There have been lots of stories/reports/articles about bullying of late. When I got home one evening, I walked into this story. The video is compelling and worth a look if you have a chance. It's a Ft Worth City Councilmember speaking directly to kids who have been bullied. He lets them know that it gets better and his message should be heard.

My only hesitation with this is why they feel the need to focus solely on bullying as it relates to sexual orientation. I'm afraid by doing so they likely turn off some potential supporters who shut down over anything dealing with homosexuality. Additionally, I believe it ignores the "whole" of the issue. How about instead of focusing on one sector to stop being harrassed, we promote not harrassing people at all? Why is it worse to victimize someone for their sexual preferences than say someone who is overweight? Underweight? Freckled? Poor? Different race/religion/national origin/etc.

Secondly, the campaign needs to focus not only on bullying in schools and on the web as it relates to teens and kids, but also as it relates to adults. I've seen adults pick on other adults and in my opinion, that's worse because they really should know how to act better. I've been picked on several times in my life - for a variety of reasons - and have admittedly done some picking. There was a time (most of middle school) where it felt like it was survival of the fittest. And the only way to feel better about being the fat-four-eyed kid with few friends was to find someone else to make feel worse. I'm certainly not proud of it and would take it back if I could. Even as an adult, we've made jokes at another's expense. How is that better?

If we want to change how kids interact, we have to change how we interact as well.

2. Our local news station does a controversial question of the day. Last week's question was "should a gay man be allowed to lead a boy scout troup?"

When asked, my response was, if they can abide by the rules and lead well, then what business is it of mine who they go home to. Now, I don't have kids and maybe that would change my feelings. Though, I don't think they would. I'm not going to be the next advocate for gay rights and I believe their actions are wrong, but it doesn't make them worse than any of the rest of us sinners (and we're all sinners). Are they going to deny a man to be a leader who cheated on his wife? The sin is the same. Just because a man is gay does not make him a pedophile. And not every pedophile is gay.

I think there are lots of men (and women) who can teach the character building skills Boy Scouts instills in it's members who may not have home situations we'd want modeled. How often does one really know what goes on there anyway?

I'm not trying to stir up any sort of controversy - just lay out some thoughts. I look forward to any feedback - whether agreeing or disagreeing. I think there are lots of life experiences to consider and it will be interesting to see what anyone else thinks.

My 50th Post...

I should probably be doing something more fun for my 50th post (although 50 is not so impressive in the blogger groups I associate with - you girls post circles around me), but well, it's my blog, so my rules.

What are your thoughts on pet names? And I don't mean pets like the four legged, finned, or God-forbid slither variety. I mean pet names for other people.

When I was younger - especially in my previous job in the oil & gas industry - it was not uncommon for vendors to call me sweetie. Unless the tone was condescending, it didn't bother me too much from the men because most were old enough to be my dad. From some of the women, I was less than thrilled, but not offended. It happens a lot less now, but it rarely bothers me.

But as for my usage of them - eh, that's where I get weird (or perfectly normal - I'll judge by the feedback!).

When it comes to my niece and nephews, I'll throw out a "baby," "punkin'," or "sweetie" and not think twice about it. With some friends, I can easily use a sympathetic bless-your-heart style "oh, honey", or a version a little more feisty - as in, "honey, don't get me started" without a second thought.

So I ask you, ever faithful audience - am I a weirdo about this pet name stuff?

In other 7 news…

Today is Cooper’s 7th Birthday!

Dearest Mini Boy Cooper,

Happy Birthday!  I hope you enjoyed a day of guarding the house in peace. 

Seven years ago, I didn’t quite know you yet.  We will celebrate your “Gotcha” day in a couple of months.  Your parents, Little Boy Blue and your mom (whose name I don’t remember offhand) would be proud of the canine you have become.

You have the best non-Chihuahua disposition.  You do not yap, but bark if necessary.  Your worst habit is jumping at the back of our knees when you are excited we’re finally home.  With a welcome so genuine though, it’s hard to be mad at you.

I love that your favorite place to hang out is on the back of the couch – so you can see outside, or any available lap.  I love when you bury your head on my sternum and give good hugs with your paws on either side.  When someone is sick, you are quick to play nurse, never leaving our bedside until we are well. 

You are so very good with the kids.  You came home with me a week after A was born and have always adored her.  R looks for you immediately after coming in the house and K loves you so much, it’s gotta be uncomfortable, but you tolerate it with out a growl. 

I’m so glad we chose each other!

Love,

Me

Workaversary

Seven years ago, I walked into my first day of work wide-eyed, excited and thankful to have lucked into a job so quickly following my resignation/layoff from my previous employer. I was all set to learn the ropes of this new company in a totally different industry.

After some ups, downs and lots of learning experiences, I am in a job that matches my degree. I answer a lot of hard questions - mostly no, but sometimes, I get to help make things better. Those days are the best. I'm grateful for my job stability, autonomy and that I have a voice that matters in the company.

My supervisor toasted (with our 7Up), "Here's to another 7 years!" and I asked for it in writing...

Now, if I could only accomplish as much in my personal life as I have professionally...

A Tale of Two Eyes…

The Lasik Post

My appointment was at 11:00 Tuesday, August 10.  I got there about fifteen minutes early for good measure.  I had to fill out a few forms and they administered my valium and some eye drops.  Dr. S got there and did a few measurements.  He made marks on my eyes to also correct the slight astigmatism I’d developed in the last few years.

From there, I went into the laser room.  The part you lie on resembles a dental chair – something very familiar to me.  It’s inclined such that your head is a little lower than your feet.  They handed me a stuffed dog to hold onto. 

Dr. S applied the suction to my right eye, then swung me to the left so the laser could cut the flap in my lens.  He then did the same with my right eye.  The suction was probably the most uncomfortable part of the whole experience, and it wasn’t too bad.  It’s mostly a feeling of pressure and I’m pretty sure I could feel my brain move (not really, but that’s what I equated it to).  After the flaps were cut, you can see a sort of white veil over your eyes.  These are bubbles and fluid trapped under the flap. 

Then, Dr. S applied a speculum (not at all like the kind at the other Dr’s office) to keep my eyes opened.  He had to tape my lashes back and commented that I was great at following directions.  I told him I was a little Type A.  Haha.  After rigging my right open, he swung me under the actual laser.  Aside from friends and relatives having a great experience with this particular Dr., I chose the eye center I used because their Lasik laser is so smart.  It knows if your eye is where it needs to be or not and if it gets out of range, the whole machine shuts down to avoid risking damage to the eye.

The right eye was harder for me to keep focused than the left.  You’re supposed to stare at a blinking red light, which was obviously hard to see because of my already poor vision, but also because of the white veil.  Add to that, my left eye kept looking towards the Dr and techs who were talking, and of course my right wanted to follow.  About 45 seconds in, my eye was out of range and the machine stopped.  The tech realized my left eye was part of the problem, so she covered it with gauze and we finished without an issue.  They rigged my left, and put me under the laser again.  We made it through the full minute of lasering without an issue.

Within about 10 minutes of completing the left eye, they had removed all the rigging, applied all my drops and I was walking out the door.  Everything was fuzzy, but visible.  Dr. S double checked the flappage called it good and gave me all my post-op instructions.

While my eyes were still anesthetized, my mom and I headed to one of my favorite local spots for lunch, The Potpourri House.  This place has an incredible salad bar and some of the best French Onion Soup I’ve ever had.  I know that doesn’t sound too unique – but their salad bar isn’t salad fixings (that’s only a small portion), it’s a bar filled with already made salads.  Greatness!  And quite a tangent…

(her name badge reads Dr. Feelgood – which is oogy b/c it’s my mom and b/c it came in the doctor play set we got the kiddos)

I fell asleep on the drive home (the valium finally kicked in).  At the house, my mom administered more drops (I was a little nervous that first 24 hours), I took some ibuprofen PM and went back to sleep for as long as I could.  My Dr. said that would really help ease the swelling faster.  I think that resulted in me experiencing no pain or discomfort.  I never felt like I had an eyelash in my eye or any of the other negatives they warned me against.  When I went to bed that night, my mom taped the shields on (to prevent me from accidentally rubbing/tearing the flap) and I took more PM meds. 

Wednesday morning, I got up, scrubbed the tape adhesive off as best as I could and we headed in for my follow-up.  They had me read the testing sign,  I measured 20/25 in each eye, 20/20 combined.  I had missed two letters, so I’m not sure how that worked, but that’s what he Dr. said.  He gave me a few follow-up instructions regarding my drops and told my mom to back off the tape.  You could almost hear my cheeks peel away from the microscope! 

We ran some errands, then came home and I took another nap for good measure.  Thursday night, I engineered the shields with a sleeping mask (I was not going to be so sticky at work!). 

I still have a little peripheral blurriness and I seem to get tired of the computer a little faster.  All of that is pretty normal and should be temporary. I have my next appointment on Thursday and then another in a month.  The whole thing has been pretty amazing.  If I ever win the lottery, I’d totally pay for my family and friends to have Lasik.  Life changing doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Sight and Speed...

So, if you read any of my FB posts, you know I've been contemplating Lasik. I've worn corrective lenses since I was 9. A week ago Friday, I had all my testing done and scheduled my surgery. As I sat waiting for the tech to go over some information with me, I confess that I got pretty teary-eyed. It's been 22+ years since I've been able to see clearly without something on my face or stuck in my eye. The realization that within just a few days, this won't be the case any more is a little overwhelming.

I'm excited to report that my procedure is tomorrow at 11-ish. If you happen to read this before then, I would appreciate a prayer that all goes well. I'm a little nervous because, obviously sight is a pretty big deal. I'm confident in the skills of my surgeon though and look forward to being lens free!

Another exciting thing this week - Wednesday is my last day on deferred adjudication. I got a ticket in Februray 2009 - and took nearly the full 90 days allotted to do defensive driving.
Then, just a few days shy of completing those 12 months, I got another ticket. In order to prevent it from being on my record, I opted to request deferred adjudication. Through court processes - that didn't start until almost a month after the ticket. So that 90 days probation was closer to 120, and it's been an anxiety filled time.

I'm soooo excited that come Thursday, I can see and speed!