First Lesson of the New Year - Know your limitations

Had a lovely New Year's Eve. Got gussied up and went out with friends to watch some bands I'd never heard of at Radio Radio. Lucky for me, they were all awesome! I even danced a little. This is the first time I'd attempted 'concert dancing' since breaking the kneecap 3 months ago. I did a couple merengues and bachattas for the first time last Wednesday. Every step hurt, but I was happy to have tried it out. Dancing to the bands on New Year's Eve served to be less painful, so I was pleased. After band watching and ringing in the new year, the crew made way to another bar to meet a friend and enjoy the DJ. Around 2:30am, I noticed a $2 bill laying next to the bar. I got it in my mind that I would pick it up and place it in the tip jar. I was going to walk over, squat down in a lady-like manner and pick up the bill. I was wearing a short dress, bending over just wasn't an option. [Of course I needn't actually think these steps through. Instinct developed from many trials and successes of this same procedure is what informed this chain of action.] For the normally functioning individual, this would have been a simple feat, however, I forgot I'm not quite to that point yet. Oops... So, I proceed to drop down into said squatting position only to have the breaks thrown on by Mr. 118 degree bending knee joint and was basically rubber banded backwards. I stumbled a few steps back, frightening some poor girl walking behind me. I must have looked like a drunken idiot, when in fact, I was just not physically able to do the task at hand in the manner I had originally planned. To be perfectly honest, I was pretty embarrassed and felt the physical ramifications the next day. Ouch.

If I had recalled my current limitations, this wouldn't have been an issue. I could have very easily modified how I reached the money on the floor, but I hadn't planned for that. I might not have dropped myself down in such a bouncy and carefree manner. Instead, I could have eased down, adjusted the positioning of my legs, and/or grabbed a hold of the bar or a stool to help support myself. So many options. And thus, first lesson of the New Year is to know my limitations. This can translate to any arena. Know what I can manage physically, emotionally, time-wise...everything, and plan accordingly, so as not to suffer unpleasant, unnecessary recoils. Happy New Year!

All I want for Christmas is a Volunteer Post

My parents just moved back to Indy in September. They had been living out of state for the greater part of the past 9 years. I have spent a few Christmases with them, visiting their homes in Kentucky, Washington and once meeting them in FL for a mini vacation. Of course I'm looking forward to spending time with them this holiday, but it just dawned on me a few days ago that I'd really like to volunteer somewhere on Christmas Day. People put so much weight on the holidays and it would be pretty darned cool to be able to help brighten that day for someone or potentially multiple someones who need it. My parents are cool cats; I'm sure they'd more than understand and likely encourage me to seek a way to go out and spend time with people who need company this holiday if they knew that's what I was looking to do. We can always spend Christmas Eve together and it would be just the same. They know they have me; I'm not going anywhere. Just might like to alter the day we get together. Anyway, we've tended to lean towards starting the celebration on Christmas Eve most years. We're an odd lot. Or perhaps, just impatient. ;)

So, I have started my search. I don't know why I had it in my head that I would be able to find something last minute, but it appears that many if not all organizations are booked. It really is a wonderful thing for these organizations and the people with whom they will be working. But, I still have my Christmas wish....hmmm...what to do?

Happy Holidays! See......I'm kinda festive.

Behold, my first Christmas tree in at least several years. It looks quite diminutive as I chose a downward angle so that Rudolph was in good view. But, I assure you, it's a good 4 feet tall! Amazing! The cool thing about it though, is that I used Christmas ornaments that I've collected from my family over the span of my youth. These ornaments were given to myself and my brother every year. I think my brother made the Rudolph topper when he was 7 years old. It was neat to unwrap the decorations and see dates like 1985, '87, etc. I don't think these ornaments have been used since I was a kid. They've been kept in a box collecting dust.

As a kid, I also loved buying my family ornaments every year. They might have been cheap, as I wasn't exactly pulling in the dough as a little person, but I always found something about the ornament that spoke to me and made it feel especially appropriate for the receiver. That fell off as I got older and family Christmas decorations became a thing of the past. I wouldn't mind revisiting that tradition someday with a friend or loved one who'll actually put up a tree and enjoy reminiscing about the memories the ornaments represent.

I didn't put this tree up until a couple of days ago, about a week before Christmas, but I suppose, that's a step in the 'festive' direction. Maybe next year, since I am now in possession of my 4 ft wonder, I'll be able to whip it out the day after Thanksgiving like all the other cool folks. Who knows, maybe by then, I'll have a special someone to buy an ornament for? :-D Yes, I'm a mush-ball.

At present, the tree is cute, gives me a little smile, and provides a source of fun for the cats...I've picked up and reset the tree about 4 times already. Fun for everyone.

Happy Holidays. :)

A house in progress - who knew homes could be hydrophilic?

I purchased a home built in the 50's a little over 2 years ago. There are some benefits to home ownership....space, privacy, autonomy, and a garage. :) But, with a house this age comes many-a-problem. Turns out this December, my house has turned hydrophilic [water-loving]. First off, the sump pump failed which led to a nice underground pool. That was fixed with a few purchases from Lowe's and a very handy buddy who was able to get under the house and hook that sucker up. Second issue arose when I came home to find water dripping from my kitchen ceiling. Turns out a pipe joist in the attic crawl-space had come loose and water was leaking around it. Sounds simple enough, however, this includes not only a new joist, but also insulation, cutting out the damaged drywall, re-instillation and repainting the whole lot of drywall so it matches. Fun. Third issue was the water heater pooping out leaking water from the top, bottom, everywhere it appeared. By this week's end, fixes will be complete for all three of these Hydro-issues and my bank account will have cried its own tears of sorrow. My house is apparently thirsty. I am anxiously hoping it has gotten its fill...

I'm reminded by all of these incidences that I'm not handy around the house at all. Nor do I really want to be. It's funny how we get these ideas in our heads of what we should do with our lives...what things we should own and the logical next steps in our progression. I thought to myself a couple of years ago that it was time to settle down and get a place of my own. Why continue to rent, when I could buy a house? I had worked in an industry for 5 years, made a liveable wage, and didn't seem to be on my way out of Indy anytime in the foreseeable future. I had moved nearly every year to two as an adult from apartment to apartment and it just seemed like time to stop and plant roots.

What I've learned from this experience so far is that a house is not for everyone and timing is everything. For myself, I didn't realize when I purchased my home that I would decide to return to school full-time within the year which led to a huge reduction in income, making each house issue far more stressful than it would have been otherwise. Perhaps several years from now when I am gainfully employed in my new career and marry Mr. Fix-It, or at least someone with a second income to join with mine, home-maintenance will feel like a breeze. At this point in my life, no dice. Oops. Can I retract my offer? I was just kidding when I signed those documents....really. ;)

When people say internships or job-shadowing are wise before entering a field, perhaps that same idea should translate to those planning on transitioning from renting to buying. Find friends who own homes and have a heart-to-heart with them on what they enjoy about their living situation but also what struggles they face, and what amounts of time and cost are involved in maintaining their home. Also, if you buy, find a trusted handy man who won't take advantage of home repair ignorance and charge you an arm and a leg for simple issues. [I have yet to find one of these.]

I am going to try to enjoy all of the positives that home ownership does afford until I can get the heck out of dodge. I'm crossing my fingers that other big issues are at least spaced out enough to allow for a bit of financial recoup. For now, it's not THAT bad, just a lesson learned that, for me, it's not exactly where I want to be.