Rambling… | - Part 2

Sleep Training

Posted by Amy on Jul 26, 2010 | 12 comments

Inspiration comes in many forms around here. How does the saying go? Necessity is the mother of invention? Invention is the mother of necessity? Or is it the mother is the necessity of invention?

Daily our dog, Jake, takes an imaginary trek in doggie dreamland, where he romps, runs and galavants about, feet jerking, tail waggin’ and even a growl every now and then. That, along with the accompanying posture, is a sight for sore eyes.

I got to thinking, what if we could do that? What if we could exercise in our sleep? Some kind of virtual exercise while sleeping at the same time?

Because honestly people, I don’t enjoy exercising for exercise sake. Gardening, mopping, painting a room, snorkeling, chopping wood, hauling rocks, digging a ditch, herding sheep, or any activity that involves a task or purpose? Fine.

But exercise, just to exercise? Not a fan. Sweating, cramping, rashes (oh lawd), dizziness, sweating, incontinence, all the jiggling, sweating… And people, I’ve come to realize that I just don’t know how to run and breathe at the same time. And, like I’ve said before, I would have a big problem if I had to run from a lion.

And no arguing here, strong, healthy bodies are important. But what if you could get conditioned while you slept? What if you sweat but you just didn’t know about it? What if those leg cramps or shin splints were just a dream in a far away land?

Sleep training, yeah, that’s what we’ll call it. Sleep training. It has a good ring to it.

So all of you genius rocket scientist computer people out there, I implore you to make a virtual exercise while sleeping thingamajig so I can snooze my way through all of the sweating and everything, especially the incontinence. That’s really a stinker.

Please? Purty please?

But until then I guess I’ll keep on sweating and trying to learn how to not pass out, because one day that lion is gonna come a calling and I’ll need to give it my best shot.

Heading to the treadmill now. Again.

Not just any day.

Posted by Amy on Jul 13, 2010 | 20 comments

I love my husband. Have you ever met my husband, Randy?

Maybe you’ve read his post about a memory from his younger years as a boy growing up on a farm.

Possibly you’ve marveled at his talent as the Singing Muffin Man, or when he accompanied our daughter, a pickin’ and a grinnin’.

Were you aware that he’s the hand behind Slocum the singing dog?

And, oh yeah, you may have seen him in a commercial. Lawd, that commercial. Don’t get me started.

His abilities never cease to amaze.

Please oblige me while I brag on Randy today, because today is not just any day. Today, July 13th, is Randy’s birthday. And for his birthday I wanted to share some of the reasons why I’m glad Randy was born:

– Randy is a funny guy. He makes me laugh.

– He serenades our family at the drop of a hat.

– Randy never meets a stranger.

– Randy cooks pancakes and egg sandwiches when I don’t feel like it.

– A world without Slocum would be a very boring place indeed.

– Randy is passionate about the truth.

– He’s a fabulous story teller. We’re never bored. Ever.

– Randy is a better father than I am a mother to our children. Thank goodness for their sakes.

– Randy makes me laugh. Yes, I know it’s a repeat, but it’s worth mentioning twice.

– Randy is my best friend.

Randy has been a blessing to me in so many ways. I’d hate to think what life would be like if he had never been born. Happy Birthday Randy!

As part of celebrating Randy’s life today, I bring you a new number by Slocum. Enjoy!

Wishing you a very happy day too!

A prayerful reminder.

Posted by Amy on Jul 6, 2010 | 19 comments

This little green friend has met me at my back door more than once this past week. I’m happy to see him still there. The bees have returned, life is bustling by, and it seems I need another reminder.

Whether I like it or not, I tend to get stuck in that cycle of getting caught up in the whirlwind of life. I forget to take the time to stop to think.

To pray.

To contemplate.

To back up and regroup.

It’s something we all need. When the bumps of life hit, some bigger than others, if we’re not in the habit of being regular and intentional with our time, those bumps can throw us for a loop. We may react inappropriately, or retreat if not emotionally and spiritually healthy.

Funny how I keep getting reminders and learning lessons from itty bitty insects when I’m surrounded by such big things.

Funny how that is.

How are you intentional with your time? What can you do differently to manage the whirlwind of life so you can have the time for prayer, introspection and spiritual health?

Flying, it ain’t natural.

Posted by Amy on Jun 16, 2010 | 13 comments

Flying isn’t natural. As much as I try to accept the physics of it all, I just can’t wrap my brain around it. How a kazillion ton thing, loaded with people, and my big behonkus, and our luggage (I know I’ve overpacked) can move through the air is beyond me.

I’ve shared my flying anxiety with you before. It’s nothing new. But I’ve realized that if I didn’t fly, if I stayed in the same routine, never pushing the boundaries of my comfort zone, I’d miss out on so much in this beautiful world.

I’d miss these awe inspiring cloud tops over crystal blue waters.

I’d miss out on a different perspective.

I’d miss out on challenging myself.

I’d miss out on spreading my wings and learning about something new.

I’d just miss out.

I don’t want to miss out.

Do you?

How do you spread your wings? How do you push yourself out of your comfort zone?

A solution.

Posted by Amy on Jun 9, 2010 | 21 comments

The BP Gulf oil spill is terribly sad on so many levels. I’ve been hopeful, watching and waiting for a fix to the problem. It’s tricky, I know. And only magnified by the fact that it’s so deep in the ocean, some 5,000 feet. Just shy of a mile.

That’s crazy.

That’s like trying to thread a needle in a tornado. Or shave your legs while riding a roller coaster. Or have all of my laundry washed, dried, folded and put away at the same time.

Why drill at such depths? One reason that I’ve heard is for aesthetics, which I can understand. I’m all about the aesthetics. Who wants to sit on a beach, soaking up the rays and see an ugly oil rig on the horizon? Not me.

But who wants to encounter another problem like this one, another oil leak at ocean depths that make it almost impossible to reach in order to address any problems that may arise. And they will arise. Malfunctions and faulty equipment leading to disasters will happen. There’s no way to totally avoid it. Problems should be expected, with a plan in place ready to fix them.

I’m no engineer, but I do have a reasonable solution to future drilling at such deep depths. Don’t do it. Instead, if we are to continue offshore drilling, I’d like to present the Oil Rig Beautification Program (ORBP).

(Before moving along, please let me state that this: in no way whatsoever is this a political site. Any hateful comments will be deleted. Just like that.)

The Oil Rig Beautification Program (ORBP) would allow oil rigs to be built closer to land and not be an eye sore, which enables them to be accessed and repaired with greater ease and speed. Here you have an average ugly ol’ oil rig.

Here is the same rig beautified under the Oil Rig Beautification Program.