source

Six months or so ago the doctor told me I needed to lose weight, and have my knees replaced, as soon as possible, or I would be in a wheelchair. I came away from that determined to make some big changes. Unfortunately the stresses of life resulted in putting any significant change off for a while and here it is half a year gone and if anything I weigh more … and my arthritis is worse! (Plus we no longer have insurance so any surgery is solidly on the back burner!) My ankles, knees, hips, and lower spine have become so painful than I move no more than necessary.

I began a story (Allie’s Story) on which many of you have encouraged me to finish and pursue publishing. It sits, ignored, unresolved, unfinished, unpublished.

I sit down to write and my brain is just empty! Little wonder since I’m filling it with junk! Social media and reality TV does not mind stimulation make!

I was gifted a scholarship to participate in Soul Restoration 2 (through Brave Girls Club online) and though I love it and believe it can be life-changing … I have fallen way behind! Week 3 (we’re now in week 5) was about setting goals and I’ve just struggled to move on! Not because I don’t KNOW my goals! They popped into my consciousness like corn kernels in a hot pan! Health – Weight Loss, Mobility and Flexibility! Debt Reduction! Building, and Maintaining, Healthy Friendships! Writing for Publication! And the overarching one – JOY! I know what my goals are. I just didn’t want to face them in print and admit that I’m not working on achieving them and the fact that I do not have success in those areas is my own fault!

Besides that … I have been staying up late! Really late! I’m up til at least 1 or 2:00 a.m. and if I’m having a bout of insomnia that can stretch into 3 or 4:00 a.m. And staying up that late means that I sleep through a lot of the day.

I decided today that I have wasted enough of my life!

I will write more, in days to come, about exactly what changes I am making. But today I went to the YMCA and applied for a limited income family membership. (Hubby wants to go too.) My plan is to do water aerobics every weekday morning. MWF is at 8:00 a.m. TTh is at 8:30 a.m. Whoo Hoo! I suspect that getting up so early will take care of the messed up sleeping schedule. If not … I will schedule in a nap! But I WILL go to my Water Aerobics Class. There is also a class on Saturday mornings at 9:00. I may do that too! Sunday will be my day of rest. I want to work up to being able to do 2 hours of water exercise, and lose 50+ pounds, and then start using a recumbent bike again. I used to do that and loved it. And eventually I will add some light weights into my exercise routine. And hopefully losing weight will enable me to start walking so I can walk for a few minutes several times a day.

Josiah and Bert are both trying to eat a healthier diet (although neither is doing low carb) and Josiah will be in Haiti for the next 2 weeks so I am going to get my sizable butt back on the low carb trail! Yes again! It will require a HUGE dose of discipline! I will just have to remind myself that I am working towards a goal!

I also plan to work on creating a disciplined schedule which will include daily time working on writing, blogging, reading, etc. in addition to all the normal stuff of a healthy balanced life!

I know … I’ve said all this before …. but I’m trying really hard to believe that I will follow through this time! Thanks for being among my voices of accountability and encouragement!

Death to Procrastination is a post written by Beth . Please consider visiting the post on Beth: A Work in Progress to leave a comment and find similar content. Facebook Profile, Facebook Page, Twitter Thanks! Beth Beth: A Work in Progress - seeking and finding my bliss

Drake came to spend the night with us on Friday. He is such a sweet little guy. He seems to be doing remarkably well with the reality that his sister and mother are not going to be physically present in his life. It makes him sad, of course, but he has adjusted. I was planning to take him home about 5:00 on Saturday so I told him to start getting ready about 4:00. He looked at me with these huge sad eyes and shook his head. I laughed at him and told him to call his dad to see if he could stay til 8:00. Dad said okay so we had a few extra hours.

When Drake was little, one of his first full phrases was something about “Unky Joe” being his “best friend.” That hasn’t changed much. I really should have taken some pictures of them playing together. Made me laugh! Josiah stayed home Friday evening so he could spend time with Drake. Wrestling, video games, movies, pizza, happy laughter. It was a good thing!

Sunday morning Josiah and I got up and went to church together. He sat with me, rather than with his friends, since it was Mother’s Day, and told me he planned to spend the whole afternoon hanging out with me too! (He usually spends Sunday afternoons with his friends.) So after church we went to lunch. Yummy fajitas! He offered to pick up a movie to watch with me but I told him I really wanted my usual Sunday nap and he should go hang out with his friends!

That far the weekend was mostly great, so I was totally unprepared for the wave of sadness that washed over me when I went in my room to get ready for my nap. Tears began to flow as I pulled my dress over my head. I sat down in my bedroom chair and called Bert. He asked what was wrong and I told him that Mother’s Day had just reminded me of how badly we are broken.  After I talked to him for a bit, and calmed down, I called my mom to wish her a happy Mother’s Day, and wound up crying on her shoulder too!

It has been 2 years now since we last heard from Dirk (except for one text message from his wife telling us Abbie is happy). When he told us that he no longer wanted anything to do with us … I don’t think we had any idea it was going to go on this long. I know that he has been spreading vicious lies about us and his childhood which makes it even harder for me. I understand that part of it is perspective and that he doesn’t see his childhood the same way I do anymore than I see mine the same way my parents do. I don’t blame him at all for those things. But … oh never mind … I need to let it go. It just hurts! And then there is Erica. I’m not sure exactly when we lost her but we see/hear very little from her now. In a way she too blames us for the path her life has taken. Where Dirk says he was abused, physically and emotionally, Erica says she was overprotected and therefore unprepared for the real world. The truth falls somewhere in the middle. Both extremes are hurtful. What’s most hurtful is that we have “lost” them. We don’t know where they are, what they’re doing, whether they are safe.

It hurts my heart even more that they have both abandoned their biological children. Honestly … I think Jaden is blessed by Dirk’s absence from his life. They have never seen each other. Jaden is being raised by a daddy who loves and raises him as his own. But some day he is going to know that he didn’t matter to his biological dad and it is going to hurt! And Drake and Mallory have already been hurt by the reality that Erica chose men, friends, and drugs, over them. How does a kid deal with that? Mallory has been whisked off to Hawaii and we haven’t seen her in almost a year or spoken to her in 6 months.

So I was sad! And Josiah, who tries so hard to be enough to make up for his siblings, felt bad that he couldn’t. He can’t fix it and there are days when the pain overwhelms me afresh. I tried to explain and I guess he got it but he thinks I should be able to just put it away since I can’t fix it.

I didn’t want to write this yesterday because I don’t want to be a downer on a happy day but … this is my reality … and some times it stinks!

My Broken Family is a post written by Beth . Please consider visiting the post on Beth: A Work in Progress to leave a comment and find similar content. Facebook Profile, Facebook Page, Twitter Thanks! Beth Beth: A Work in Progress - seeking and finding my bliss

As you probably know I do my own design around here because I enjoy working with digital images. At one point in time I considered running a blog design business. Decided against it because while I love the creative part … the html and css coding confuses me! Not that I couldn’t LEARN it but there are a lot of professionals (like my friend Margaret) already doing it! I didn’t think I needed to throw my hat into that ring. What I HAVE decided to do is to offer my creative *talents,* on a “pay what you want” basis. I can do blog headers, buttons, social media icons, Facebook cover photos, gravatars, profile images for FB, Twitter, etc. And I can install the images on your blog for you but I’m not volunteering to touch anything that might mess you up! Here’s how this would work … you can browse Etsy for digital clip art (you probably need to get more specific than that) and find an image set, or combination of sets, that you like. Or I can search for you if you prefer. Tell me your theme and color preferences and I will e-mail you a link when I find images that I think would work for your blog.  Buy the images from ETSY and e-mail me them to me along with a login name and password that will allow me to make changes on your blog. I will create a header and check with you to see if it’s what you want before I make coordinating items and then install them for you. If you like it, and want to pay me a small gratuity for my work, I will put the money in my blog-conference-dreams account (PayPal – beth {at} bethszimmerman {dot} com). If you are not able, or don’t want to pay anything, that’s fine too! Remember … I do this for fun and friendship! If you want a professional to design your blog I know several to whom I could refer you!

Budget Friendly Blog Design is a post written by Beth . Please consider visiting the post on Beth: A Work in Progress to leave a comment and find similar content. Facebook Profile, Facebook Page, Twitter Thanks! Beth Beth: A Work in Progress - seeking and finding my bliss

First a couple of referrals:

I’ve entered for a Mother’s Day Birthstone Necklace Giveaway at http://wp.me/p97XK-3VM from @glockets! I had never heard of Glockets before tonight. Now I want one!  They’re a glass locket, shaped in a heart or a circle, that you can put birthstones, locks of baby hair, any tiny thing that’s precious to you, in the locket! Is that not the sweetest thing? I am so hoping I win one! But you can enter too! Just run right on over to meet Loni, at The Writing Canvas. Tell her Beth sent you!

Two of my blog buddies are officially published this week! I would throw them parties if I had that much energy! Since I don’t … I’ll tell you where to buy their books!

Donna McNicol, of My Write Spot, is one of the sweetest, most supportive, blog friends ever! Check her out on twitter and Facebook too. Anyway in addition to her romance novels, Donna writes in a style called #FlashFiction. (They are super short but incredibly creative stories. She even manages plot twists in the little critters!)

Her flash fiction, The Dance, was accepted for inclusion in the new e-book, “I Am Woman Anthology – Vol 1″. This book was published to help women in need. From the website:
“This collection features fictional stories and poems written by women from all over the world. It is a celebration of womanhood, of overcoming hard times and enjoying the good. Each story or poem, in its own way, illustrates the capacity every woman has for courage and strength, no matter what the circumstances.

The ‘I Am Woman’ campaign is about using our voices to help other women. To raise awareness of women across the planet who have in effect ‘lost their voice’ or had it taken away either through, fear, abuse, illness or war. We must speak for them until they can do it for themselves.

Proceeds from this book will be are shared equally between Women’s Aid, Breakthrough and Women for Women. No costs will be deducted.”

And my dear friend Katharine, who is one of the biggest reasons I HOPE God sends me to Allume this year after all, is releasing her first e-book TODAY! Katharine can be found at Just a Thought, on Facebook, and on Twitter. Her beautiful new e-book is called Grace And Fresh Ink: 52 Devotional Stories For The Seasons Of Faith. And believe you me … Katharine can write a devotional! God frequently uses her gift of words to convict me. He also uses her to make me laugh! This is going to be a great book! I hope you’ll get a copy! And pop onto Katharine’s blog, twitter, of FB this weekend and wish her a happy birthday! She turns 50 on Mother’s Day. (I don’t make a habit of revealing women’s ages on my blog but she’s been proclaiming her pending birthday for months. I don’t think she be upset!

While I’m in referral mode, here’s one more, my mom (who is 19 years older than me) has found great joy recently in photographing nature’s beauty (especially flowers) and posting them on her blog and on Facebook. Here blog is at http://mylivinglens.blogspot.com . Would you be so kind as to help me bless her this Mother’s Day by following her blog? She truly does take some beautiful photos! And they’re a super quick read! Thanks!

Hmmm … what other fragments should I disperse …

I went for a job interview this morning. I doubt that they will hire me but I would be delighted if they did! Sounds like a great job! I also decided that I had already wasted enough time working to get certified for a job that would almost certainly stress me out so I withdrew from my AT&T course. Felt like a huge load off my spirit when I finally made that choice! So I’m looking again. Really want to finding something that fits God’s plans for me!

I really want to be going to either the YMCA or YWCA for water aerobics in the mornings but we simply do not have the money for gym fees. I’m a little tempted to do it anyway. I really want to use this unemployment time to get my health back and that requires exercise. Every single doctor tells me that because of my arthitis I need to be doing water exercises!

Meds are kicking in and I’m getting foggy! More than usual!

See Mrs. 4444 to link up your own fragmentation!

This Week’s Serving of Fragments is a post written by Beth . Please consider visiting the post on Beth: A Work in Progress to leave a comment and find similar content. Facebook Profile, Facebook Page, Twitter Thanks! Beth Beth: A Work in Progress - seeking and finding my bliss

Who am I? I struggle, still, at 53, to figure that out! The teenage girl, who thought she was fat even though she wasn’t, who battled acne scars on the outside and more painful scars on the inside, lives on! The 15-year-old who wandered deep into the woods and poured her hopes and fears out on the sun warmed boards of a wooden footbridge over a babbling brook … still hopes, still fears. The 17-year-old who sat under the Mexican moon, gazing at the stars, asking God if He was really there, she has learned that He is but her insecurities fight on. I am not who I was. Not exactly …

I am so much more! I am Beth, daughter of John and Sue, sister of Chip and Kim, wife of Bert, mother of Dirk, Erica, Naomi, Josiah, Oma to Joshua, Leleyna, Drake, Abbie, Mallory, and Jaden. I am a friend to many but life taught me young to hold friendships lightly lest they vanish and leave me hurt. It is probably the one lesson I would choose to unlearn.

I am a blogger, a writer, a weaver of words and teller of tales. I am a tweeter and a Facebook poster. I am a reader, a commenter, and when I’m particularly weary, I am a lurker!

I’m funny, sweet, genuine, honest, open, compassionate, loving and kind. I’m also short-tempered, undisciplined, lazy, and some times unkind … though never intentionally cruel.

I somehow grew into the chubby girl that I hated being before I was. I hope that makes sense. I still don’t like the physical me so much! And yet … I can’t seem to change her. Maybe I need to embrace her first. But I can’t quite get my arms around her.

I battle depression, chronic pain, and arthritis. Some days I battle with good cheer and certain victory. Other days I lie down and wait for imminent doom.

On ALL days I love Jesus … and He loves me … and He says I am …

from Freedom in Christ Ministries

Identity is a post written by Beth . Please consider visiting the post on Beth: A Work in Progress to leave a comment and find similar content. Facebook Profile, Facebook Page, Twitter Thanks! Beth Beth: A Work in Progress - seeking and finding my bliss

I am trying something new in an effort to force myself back into the photography habit and joining the #photoaday meme by @fatmumslim and also linking up with Barbie of A Fresh Brewed Life.

My sweet cat, Tigger, sleeping peacefully in front of the office window.

My son Josiah, on Mount Everest, in Nepal (2011)

Kind of self-explanatory, I suppose. LOL.

I really do enjoy the art journaling journey that I’m on … even if I’m not the most creative (visually) person on earth!

Okay … I didn’t take this photo, or the ones of Josiah, but they work for the theme, go with me here!

My beautiful boy … again!

Josiah has the biggest heart of anyone I know

and

he truly desires to follow God’s will,

be more like Jesus daily

and love people!

I’m a proud mama!

LOVE!

smart phone, iPad, computer, TV … any questions?

please forgive the obvious smudges on my iPad! They’re inevitable!

and in case you would like to play along … here are the May prompts

Photo A Day May 1 – 10 is a post written by Beth . Please consider visiting the post on Beth: A Work in Progress to leave a comment and find similar content. Facebook Profile, Facebook Page, Twitter Thanks! Beth Beth: A Work in Progress - seeking and finding my bliss

1. What is a pet peeve you have when vacationing?

This is going to sound really selfish because … well … it IS really selfish … I HATE crowds! So it totally annoys me when huge masses of humanity all decide to vacation in the same time and place as we do! I really need to find a (cheap) quiet, peaceful, non-tourist-town, place in which to vacation! It would be so much more relaxing!

2. Would you describe yourself as a light packer or do you need everything in your closet plus the kitchen sink?

Ahem … I live in Oklahoma where weather refuses to be predictable! The locals will tell you … “if you don’t like the weather … wait a minute!” And I like to be prepared for any and every eventuality. So I pack sufficiently to survive at least 3 or 4 seasons without going out to buy new clothes! I also pack enough snacks to feed a small army, candles, air freshener, laundry hampers, etc. just to make sure I have all my bases covered.

3. What’s the best lesson a child ever taught you?

Play anyway! Have you ever seen children at a formal gathering? Funerals come to mind! They find each other and play anyway … and the adults watching them find themselves smiling! … Not that I think we should start playing at funerals but I think adults tend to take life far too seriously!

4. Share one piece of advice you’d give a recent graduate as they attempt to enter the job market?

The job market is not good right now but there is still a place for people who are willing to serve others! Find something that needs to be done, that you love doing, that isn’t being done … and do it! You just might create your own career!  And pray for guidance. God has a good plan for your life and He wants to share it with you!

5. What’s your favorite lemon something?

I adored the new lemon Girl Scout Cookies. Savannah Smiles? They’re like a cross between a lemon bar and a Mexican Wedding Cake. Yumm-OH! I’m also very fond of Raspberry Lemonade!

6. Flat sandal, wedge, heel…your favorite footwear?

Crocs! I’m an addict! I think I currently own over a dozen pairs. 2 lined (winter), 3 scutes (open toe), 2 flip-flops, 1 dress sandal, 3 classic, and I must be forgetting something. I love them all and really need to unsubscribe for their e-mails because the temptation is almost more than I can bear!

7. What do you like best about a beach holiday? If you’re not a beach lover (GASP!!) what do you dislike the least?

I LOVE being by the ocean! Just not with crowds of holiday-crazed, underclad, people! What I love best? The ocean itself! It’s beyond awesome!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Between money issues and contractual obligations (new work-at-home-position is tying me to home through the middle of October) we are not going to manage a family vacation this summer. I’m still hoping I can make the Allume Conference work in late October but right now that seems like a pipe dream!  I asked Bert if he might want to take a driving vacation to the northeast in October and he sounded like he’d rather put me back on the train! Which is okay with me … I just have to figure out how to finance it! Probably NOT going to happen this year because I have discovered that indebtedness does not agree with me and I am determined to get out of it a.s.a.p. But … a girl can dream! And if God wants me to go … He can afford to arrange it!

Vacation Hodgepodge is a post written by Beth . Please consider visiting the post on Beth: A Work in Progress to leave a comment and find similar content. Facebook Profile, Facebook Page, Twitter Thanks! Beth Beth: A Work in Progress - seeking and finding my bliss

We had picked our grandchildren up that morning in San Angelo, Texas to bring them home to Tulsa with us. My husband had driven over halfway but now he was tired and wanted me to drive. We pulled over at a McDonalds nestled between the east and west bound lanes on 44 to switch drivers. As I pulled the car back onto the highway the kids were playing happily in the back seat and Bert wedged a pillow between his shoulder and the window so he could catch a quick nap. When our speed reached the 75 mph speed limit, I flicked on the cruise control and settled back for a boring ride.

A moment later rain came out of nowhere, as it frequently does on these southwestern plains. I was reaching to turn on the windshield wipers when the car began to spin. We were hydroplaning and there was nothing I could do to stop it. The kids began screaming in the back seat. My husband sat bolt upright and began yelling at me to do something but I couldn’t understand what. The car flew in quick circles between the cement walls of an overpass and down a grassy embankment. We finally came to shaky rest against an old barbed wire fence at the bottom of a hill, pointed the opposite of the direction we had been traveling.

We all sat there, sobbing, praying, thanking the Lord for our lives, looking out at the pouring rain and the greenest grass ever. It seemed to me that angels must have kept our car from flipping. No one disagreed with me. As the rain faded gently away my husband and I got out of the car, into the wet grass, to trade seats again. There was just enough room between the driver’s door and the fence for us to squeeze through. Looking back up the hill we were amazed to see no tire tracks. We had flown, upright, in crazy circles, from a usually busy highway, without hitting anything. Other cars. Cement walls. Barbed wire fence. The rain had more impact on our surroundings than we did.

Bert looked around and said he doubted that it was possible to just drive out of this but he would try. And he did. Even after a sudden soaking rainfall the ground was firm enough for us to make a u-turn, drive up the hill, and re-enter the stream of traffic heading east.

My Rainy Day Angels is a post written by Beth . Please consider visiting the post on Beth: A Work in Progress to leave a comment and find similar content. Facebook Profile, Facebook Page, Twitter Thanks! Beth Beth: A Work in Progress - seeking and finding my bliss

Short Mission Statement
Beth Zimmerman
May 4, 2012

I will remember in all things that I do, that I want to guide my life and my decisions with these qualities that I value most:
I will love the Lord with all my heart, all my soul, and all my strength!
I will seek to please Him first in all things!
I will endeavor to love unconditionally, to practice kindness towards all people, and to treat others with gentleness and compassion.
In every choice I will remember that I want to be motivated by faith, hope, and most of all LOVE!

Long Mission Statement
Beth Zimmerman
May 4, 2012

I know that I am my very best self when:
I am my very best self when I seek God first, striving to serve and please Him with my life, my time, and my words. I am more at peace, within and without, when I make time with Him, and in His Word, a priority.
I am my very best self when I choose to listen to the right voices – God & those who love me. When I remember the truth of who God says I am – loved, chosen, precious, and forgiven.
I am my very best self when I spend quality time with my family and friends, when I invest time and energy in loving relationships, when I actively love my husband and children in word and deed.
I am my very best self when I spend time and energy creating with words through blogging or other creative writing. It is not good for me to bottle that creativity up and keep all of the words and ideas trapped in my head.
I am my very best self when I am being 100% genuine, when I am being completely honest with myself and others, when I remove all my masks and protective layers and just be absolutely ME.

I know that because I have unique weaknesses, I need to avoid times when I:
I need to avoid times when I feel unsafe or threatened, times when I feel crowded, judged, or in any way defined by the expectations of other people.
I also need to avoid situations where I feel unable to exert my own will and choices, situations where I am forced to comply with plans, schedules, or desires of other people and any situation that compels me into a defensive emotional position.
I need to get adequate rest so that I am not prey to the emotions that are too fragile when I am exhausted.
I need to work towards debt reduction in order to avoid the pain of financial stress.
I need to remember that I am prone to depression and take steps to control it before I am trapped in that very dark place.
I need to control my own appetites rather than surrendering to addictions, temptations and emotions. I must make choices that lead to loving myself, and feeling good, physically and mentally.
I need to avoid trying too hard to please people and remember that the only one I need to please is God.

I will be most at peace, and happiest, when I spend my personal life:
I will be happiest, and most at peace, when I seek God first and remember that He is worthy of my trust and that His plans for me are GOOD.
I will be happiest, and most at peace, when I am surrounded by family and close friends, when I make quality time with other people a priority.
I will be happiest, and most at peace when my home is clean, organized, and beautiful, when I am surrounded by praise music, beauty, inspiration and order.
I will be happiest, and most at peace, when I am getting adequate rest, eating healthy whole foods, and drinking plenty of fresh water. I will be at my best when I am avoiding sugars, caffeine, and processed foods. I will be happiest, and healthiest, when I am exercising daily.
I will be happiest, and most at peace, when I choose discipline over addictions, urges, temptations, and laziness. I will be my best when I focus on who and what God says I am.
I will be more at peace, and happier, when I make time to create with words every day and when I interact with other creative people.
I will be most at peace, and happiest, when I spend daily time in disciplined gratitude and praise.

I will be most at peace, and happiest, when I spend my work life: where I feel appreciated and have positive feedback, where I feel at peace. I will be happiest working in a clean, organized, beautiful space filled with inspirational music, words, and images.

I will seek out times when I can use my inborn gifts to: share my faith, communicate hope, inspire joy, and express love, through words. I will also use my natural gifts and talents to create beauty, inspiration and order.

I will take care of my body and soul, in ways that are personal to me, including:
I will resist the temptation to indulge in refined carbohydrates, processed foods, sugar, and caffeine.
I will commit to living a low carb lifestyle because I know that it is best for my body.
I will make exercise a priority and do what I can, where I am, every day.
I will spend quality time every day seeking God’s heart and His will for me.
I will spend time in the fresh air enjoying and appreciating creation.
I will write every day … on my blogs, towards my book, in my journal.

I know that I am meant to:
I was created to love, serve and trust the Lord, and to follow His will for my life. His primary commands are that I love Him and love people.
I am meant to love and bless my family, speak encouragement, share faith, hope and love through the written word, pursue joy passionately, be beautiful – inside and out, and to live a brave life.

I will work hard to be known as someone who:
I will work hard to be known as someone who follows Christ, trusts God, and loves people. I will fight daily to believe that I am everything that God says I am. I will work to choose joy in spite of my circumstances, to be a testimony of grace, to live out my faith, to use my voice for good, to be an overcomer, and to BE BRAVE.

My Mission Statements is a post written by Beth . Please consider visiting the post on Beth: A Work in Progress to leave a comment and find similar content. Facebook Profile, Facebook Page, Twitter Thanks! Beth Beth: A Work in Progress - seeking and finding my bliss

The assignment yesterday from Allume was this: Write a normal blog post from the first person.  Then go back and change it to the third person.  Be sure to add in any details that a bystander might not know. I kept struggling to figure out HOW I was going to do that. I finally decided that I will change it a little to suit me. Enjoy!

1st Person – I did the dishes. (short post, huh)

3rd Person -

Just looking at the dirty dishes piled on the counter by the sink made Beth feel tired. She was tempted to just leave them in hopes that someone else would do them. But when she resigned her job she had told her husband that she wanted to take back over some of the household chores that he had been covering, knowing she was exhausted. So cleaning the kitchen was now on her to-do list!

She slowly organized the dishes to make them easier for her to grab. She emptied the dish drainer where the last load of dishes had sat to dry. It would be a blessing to have a dishwasher but having lost over $1000 in their monthly income last month, she knew it was NOT in the budget! Carrying the stack of plates to the cabinet in the dining room reminder her of the arthritis creeping up her back. She set the plates in the cupboard and then pressed her hands firmly against the small of her back while she took the few steps to the kitchen.

Once the clean dishes had all been put away she pulled a chair in from the dining room and set it in front of the sink. The arthritis in her legs, hips, and lower spine had made it nearly impossible for her to stand long enough to wash a batch of dishes. She had already stood too long doing the work of getting ready to wash dishes.She eased carefully into the hard wooden chair and sighed in relief as the pain in her back retreated a bit. Leaning forward she placed the plates in the sink first and then added bowls and flatware. She reached for the bottle of dish soap and squirted a liberal amount into the sink. She then started the hot water. Suds began to climb up the sides of the sink. She laughed as her kitten came running to see the running water, jumped into the rinse sink, and swatted at the billowing bubbles. She picked the cat up and lowered him gently to the floor. Grabbing the spray hose she rinsed the sink down to wash away all traces of it’s feline visitor.

Leaning into the sink to wash the dishes she splashed water into her lap and across the front of her shirt. It reminded her of people of small stature and people in wheel chairs who were forced in so many ways, to function in a world designed for taller people. She was glad, even handicapped as she is, that she is able to do this small chore to bless her family. She finishes the dishes, admiring the rainbow colors that rise on the bubbles along the way. Finally all of the dishes are in the drainer and she stands slowly. After a luxurious stretch she drags the chair back to the dining room. She then wipes down the stove and all the counter tops. Finally done she grabs a glass of water and turns off the light.

It’s time for a rest so she returns to her office and drops into her chair. Trying to avoid unnecessary pain medicines she decides today’s pain only merits Advil. She shakes 3 into her hand and swallows them with her glass of water. One chore done. In an hour or so she would need to tackle the laundry.

Me, Myself, & Her is a post written by Beth . Please consider visiting the post on Beth: A Work in Progress to leave a comment and find similar content. Facebook Profile, Facebook Page, Twitter Thanks! Beth Beth: A Work in Progress - seeking and finding my bliss