Tick Tock Time

Tonight I met up with a chum for coffee and girl gab at Starbucks. The cool thing was, her daughter is manager of this said Starbucks so we got free stuff. Free is good.

Had one of my "Want to write a book in a night" itching. Even tho, I know I have to do alot in my new class, it doesn't seem as crammed as the last couple. So I'm going all back to time management, so I can do a "write some of a book in an hour."

On the whole time management thing, I remember when I recuperated from my little adventure of open heart surgery--I had to regain more strength than I realized. So I had my schedule of I'd get up, try to put on some clothes, then take a 10 minute walk which could have been more like 10 hours. I'd have to stop-and wondered if I'd ever be able to talk farther (well I did). I'd go back to my apartment and do what I could, then after I watched my shows, eat and such, I laid down from 2-3:30. Then eventually I gained enough strength to READ. So I'd read a book for an hour.

What I'm getting at: everything had its own time to shine. It worked for me. And I"m trying to get back to this. I can't add time to the clock, yet I can use the time I have.

Like my chum and I talked about business ideas and she said she 'just didn't have the time." I told her we sat in Starbucks for TWO hours! We both laughed.

Yet, two hours do the best with.

Make the most with it, because ya ain't gonna get it back...time.

Then

As I drove home, after pretty much planted in my work seat all day today, I knew needed to do something. I recalled my visit to my cardiologist a week ago, this very day, for my six month check up. After the pesky open-heart surgery, in 2006, things I never thought would ever be in my repertoire are now life long routines. I'll talk about all that, as the anniversary grows closer--not today.

My Heart Doc, is great. Love her. She's just a couple years younger than me, and has a 21 year old cat. Yes, we've bonded. Even if she's about a size 8, and looks like a young Susan Lucci.

I digress. So anyway, first thing Heart Doc tells me is, "You need to exercise more." I stare at her. How did SHE know I'd not being as religious to my exercise as I once was?

My ECHO (ultrasound of my heart), Heart Doc says, "It told on you." Went on to say, we need to make sure my heart muscle is as strong as it can be. I sat there, on the bench/bed thing, just furious at myself. Being the sweet person she is, Heart Doc tried to encourage me. God bless her.

I can only blame me for not walking the at least 5 days out 7, or the not biking, and let's not even mention racquetball or the dance classes I desire to take. Now, I've been doing my 74 ounces of water, however there's not been enough motion to eat up the calories, some good and not so good, I chow per day. I know better. I remember those IV's stuck in my hand. Can't blame anybody--'cept me.

So back to the main thought of this tale, hey, I know I get a bit long winded--it's the writer in me..:) And if anything I write makes you chuckle--I'm glad, because it's suppose to. OKOKOK, So as I drove home, before I even got home, I pulled into the park up the street from my house and parked.

Got out and walked around the park. No excuse since I had on my tennyshoes, and it is a nice path--inclines, flat, ducks, pond and trees-nice. Kinda chilly, so had my gloves on too. Scooted around the path. Felt good to do it. Needed to do it.

Already set tomorrow's date to do it again.

My heart deserves it.

Stay tuned.

October 10, 1974 was Thursday

And I day I was pretty sad. You see, a man, an older man at that, was about to finish student teaching at my high school the very next day. I was so downtrodden, as I'm sure alot of other girls were, but I didn't really care about them. Heck, I was 16 and was so sure my crush on the Substitute Teacher surpassed all others. He was 22, with blond hair, Paul Newman blue eyes, and held every high school girl's heart, including mine.

All pretty innocent. Even by today's standards: -nothing happened, except the silliness of a 16 year old girl attempts to flirt--which I yet to read the "How To" manual. My flirt skills kicked into gear one earlier Friday night, during a HS football game. I stood with my chums on the bleachers, while he stood with some others kids, but they disappeared. I guess it could have been half time. I just remember he stood by himself and I inched over to him. Made some crack if he's the student teacher. Of course, he said yes, then he asked my name.

I was hooked. None of my high school mates were as polite or as cute. For the next couple of weeks, until the night he was to say good by, I did my best to flirt and chat with him. I didn't have any class he taught, so I'd hang outside his door. And my day was made when he waved while standing in front of the class he was teaching.

Bittersweet high school memory. I figured my quality of life would suffer so after I saw him for the final time the next day. So hard to fathom he would be gone after just a few weeks in my life. Hey, I was dramatic, even then for a 16 year old. :)

Flash forward to today in 2009. I was possessed to walk around the park where I'd trek so much during my recuperation time, back in 2006. The park right by my old apartment. Was a chilled and dreary day, and driving over to that park was on my mind since last night. I just figured I'd head to the rec center before I did all my errands.

Wrong. I had to go around that park, like I use to and sit on my bench. Felt right. Felt good. I know I need to make more memories at the park, just a few blocks from my house, but today...I wanted to be in that park. I was the only there. Just like it was then. The wind brushed through the leaves and kissed my face. I always felt God was telling me all was OK. More memories and dreams of tomorrow as I sent on my bench.

Just like the day back in 1974.

As much as something changes all stays the same.

To Drift

Magnificent Dallas! Sun, just a bit of breeze, yet not too hot, not to cool. This is when I love Dallas. And love it more since the afternoon is not spent at work. Took a half day of vacation. Just so nice.

I like being home during the day--OK--who doesn't? Yet, I recall through my recuperation from open-heart surgery, I dreamt of a job at home. One that would sustain me and what feels like the neighborhood of cats who live with me (they still need get a job!). I liked the feel of doing what I needed to get done. The cluttered comfort of my own home. I called the shots. That feeling was in 2006.

Still strong on this day in 2009.

As I drove home from work to get changed, chow some lunch and get on with the rest of the day, a 70's classic song burst forth from the radio. Got me to smile. Got me to nod to the beat. Got me to dream about the things that are still possible.

Got me to want to cue up Dobie Gray. See, he's gonna tell us to free our soul, get lost in some rock n' roll and Drift Away.

Listen.