a stroke of luck!

Stress is harmful. Duh, right. Somehow i ended up back in the er one night after work. They admitted me. I couldn't or wouldn't believe i had suffered a mini-stroke. I could logically brush off most of the symptoms, except the face. Half of my face went numb, like as in Novocain numb. If i hadn't been with myself all day i would have thought i had been at the dentist. Now that was hard to brush under the rug. Okay so where do we go from here.

1. We stay on course. I have lost 51 pounds so far. Spring, garden plans, hiking trails and general spring fever is around the corner. So staying active won't be a problem and staying active leaves little time to worry. If i have come this far with my health and let that area of my life slip, other thing will come crashing down as well.

2. Stand up, raise your right hand and repeat after me, "So what! Oh well! NO! Whatever (with a smile)!, It's no big deal!" Now children anoint your backs with olive oil. From now on whenever crap, stuff, sneak attacks and stress, come at you, apply one of the previous phrases and watch it roll off your back!!!

3. I've opened my eyes to the beautiful friends/family i have at church and work. Thanks for the spa/nature walk day. It was just the best, girls! I am not in this alone, nor am i going through anything new. This is a well worn path that many have walked before me and many will come after me. Our money related stress isn't necessarily new to us, or anyone else for that matter, it just seems like right now the stakes are higher. Ed will find work and we will get back on track. We have been through a lot in 20 years. This to shall pass.

4. PRAYER!! not just the sitting down and chatting with Daddy prayers. I mean the knees on the rug facing West, nose to the floor, dressed in burlap kind of prayers!

5. Laugh dammit! Thanks to Tammy and Rachel at work my sides are in constant pain and i nearly need depends, but i feel so much better! Well until we get into trouble with Pam that is!! Meg helps me be silly, again. Tell dumb jokes that are so dumb they are funny. Blow straw papers at the pastor on Wednesday night church suppers. Cut a big cheese around any boy age eight to eighteen (or Rachel) ! Sneak attack any available family member with a belly fart! Race to the house! Life really is too short... If dad is right and reincarnation is real then i am coming back as a house cat! I know my dogs are completely spoiled but you have to admit the cats live longer and have that " i really don't give shit, now just where is my dinner!" attitude.

I think that i am lucky i got a break to stop and reevaluate. It could have turned out worse. Doc Bill said this is just a warning that my body was giving me. Slow down and change things or ...
i will and i am changing.