Mixed Monday Musings

Now how's that for a title? :) I was thinking all morning how I could name this post, and I'm quite proud of what I came up with.

Okay, seriously...

I'd offer a "short story" but there is none, so just grab a drink and settle in...I'm trying to stay immobile to heal, so I've got lots of time to blog this afternoon. *giggle*

First off, I want to thank you for your kind words and encouragement on Friday's post. I am definitely my own worst critic and just didn't want to sound like making excuses for my gain again.

Of course, the more I think about it the more I have to make myself realize that last week wasn't a week of excuses as much as it was a week of learning, so maybe I was a bit too hard on myself on Friday.

I seriously did not think this surgery was going to have the effect it's had on my body. The cramping and pain are not horrible, but I expected to be back to normal within a day or so. I did not expect to have any pain almost a week later. The doctor said there would be cramping and minimal spotting, which is exactly what I've had.

After a millionth moment of frustration at having to stay still my husband explained it like this to me:

Husband: "I'm very sore in my legs from playing at the park Saturday and I need to suck it up and deal with it, but if I had a sprained ankle and was sore I would need to stay off it until it heals. You're menstrual cramps are something you just had to deal with and keep going, but this is cramping due to a wound healing and you have to rest or it won't heal."

My hero. :)

So, I have to repeat this to myself almost every day and then fend off the tears when I feel useless. Or, like I did in church yesterday, I make myself be thankful that this isn't a permanent disability and that I have a family who is so helpful and pitching in around the house.

When I really thought about all this I also came to the realization that I still need to remember that food is not going to take away the frustrations. Unfortunately I think that is how I reacted last week..."My life is out of norm, I'm sitting a majority of the day, so why not eat like I used to when all I did was sit around all day?" hhmmm... no. Not good.

So, that's enough of that. The week is over, and today is a new day.

And on this new day I received a text that brightened my morning. It was from my brother and went like this:

Brother: Thought you'd find this interesting: I changed my diet a month ago and I've already lost 20 lbs. :-)

Me: **** that's great! Are you doing any specific plan?

Brother: No name for it. Just cut back significantly on calorie intake and started eating healthier calories. Lots of fruit and nuts. Also started a food journal.

We went on for a few more texts and he shared some neat

things with me about what he has changed. We shared numbers of where we started and where we hope to be and agreed to keep in touch on the subject.

Folks, loving people for who they are is something I'm very proud to say my family has always done. My brother wasn't heavy growing up, but I was always a little chunky and home was a safe haven of love and acceptance. In adulthood both my brother and I put on weight, but we never treated each other any differently for it; neither have either of our spouses. This is something I've always been grateful for.

That being said there are certain health issues we have to be honest about, like Type 2 Diabetes running in our mother's family. For that reason I'm so glad to hear he is taking care of himself, and I'm looking forward to sharing more of this journey with him.

I think that's it for now. I really am a blessed woman and so grateful for the hope of real change that I see in my future. It may be put on hold for a bit while I recoup, but it will happen. I'm confident of that.

I hope your week is off to a good start! Mine sure is. :)