Tides of Change

I don't know what it is lately, but things feel different. The things I am referring to are not tactile, but rather internal "feelings". I can't physically touch these things to know they are different. Work, friendships, me. It's not a bad thing, but it's interesting and has plagued my brain for a bit now. And then while reading my current book the protagonist (who is going through a life transition) stated this random fact: "Every 7 years we change, we readjust, we reinvent." As part of this statement he also talked about the shelf-life of a friendship and that because of the 7-year change, we lose friendships. That actually brought a tear to my eye. My life is practically made up of people that I met 7 years ago. I cannot imagine those friendships with a shelf-life. They are my sounding board, my giggle-buddy, they are "favorites". The protagonist in this book tends to be a pessimist and I have had some serious eye rolls while reading, but this struck a cord with me. Most likely because of the above-mentioned feelings that have been plaguing my brain. And while I want to disregard the statement, it has been several days and it is still with me. The more I think about it, the more the eternal optimist in me is trying to rationalize and find a new theory. And I believe I have found at least a thought-- While thinking on this, I started to think about tides of change (who knows why!), but that made me think of oceans and tide pools. (Now bear with me). Tides are a new phenomenon to me. I grew up with big water that did not ebb and flow with the stages of the moon. The water level was the same, unless there was a drought, serious rain or snowfall, but it didn't readjust itself 4X a day! So, moving to a place with oceans has opened a new door of learning to me. I am fascinated by tides and more specifically tide pools. These "pools" are the areas leftover once the tide goes out. You can find incredible treasures in these pools-- starfish, sand-dollars, clams, and array of other random, wonderful creatures. You can also find junk- from humans or just ocean waste. Everything is revealed for a short amount of time. And then the tide comes back. It fills the pools completely so they are now part of the bigger ocean rather than their own little world. The creatures can catch a wave and move to another tide pool area, the garbage is washed away. And then the tide goes back out again. That tide pool may not even be in the same place again, the creatures are different or have moved on. The garbage is gone. The optimist in me would like to think this is what the 7-year change is doing--- washing away the garbage, bringing in new creatures, or allowing me to find another pool. So, instead of fearing these tides, I am going to embrace them and hope that the new high tide will bring a hidden treasure.

Travel fun...

After a few months away from the airport, I am back to my normal travel adventures!

On a recent flight from Detroit to Seattle, I made an observation about people seated at Gates. If you really look at the group of people seated at a Gate, I think you can tell exactly where they are headed.

Here are the people that helped inspire this post--

Check them out-- it cannot get MORE classic Seattle than these two. Totally granola! And the more I looked, the better it got. Do you see her boots? How about his socks and sandals? These are the sterotypical Seattle residents. It would be unfair to say that the majority of the Seattle population looks like this, but this is what springs to mind when I think of traditional Seattle of old. These folks along with the others at the gate made it VERY evident where we were all headed. Since my flight was delayed for an addtional hour, I decided to talk a walk and make a game out of it. So, I wandered the terminal and looked at the gate people and then at where the people were flying. And 3 out of 3 times I was right! Florida was a little easy--- people in Disney apparel, shorts, flip-flops, and sun hats. New York---suit-clad people, laptops, everyone on their phones with cups of coffee in their hands. And my favorite-- New Jersey. No joke- 9 of the 10 people seated there had on sweatpants. The ladies had BIG hair and BIG make-up and fancy shoes with sweatpants. It was awesome!

I do realize this game was completely based on sterotypes and probably not very nice, but it was a fun game to play while I waited for a plane. And it didn't hurt anyone. I know I fit into the Seattle group with my fleece and Merrills. And I embrace it!

As for the rest of this travel experience, I think Karma had it out for me after my "mean" game! Once we finally got on the place, we were further delayed in the air (I didn't even know that could happen). By the time we landed, it was 2am EST and my body was ready for bed, but I needed some drama instead. It took Delta over an hour to get us our bags (I wish I was kidding!!). By the time I got my bag, I was convinced the worst flight should be over. Sadly, I was wrong. As I was getting in the cab, the cabbie almost drove off with me halfway in the cab. Seriously.

Santa is that you?

I have said this before and I will say it again, I am one of the luckiest ladies ever! Really. Throughout the last 2 and 1/2 months, I have received more love and more support than any one person deserves. In preparation for my surgery and the recovery, I got a piece of mail, an email, or some little keepsake EVERY SINGLE DAY. It was like Christmas around this place! I cannot believe the love, kindness, and support from so many of the people I love. Thank you doesn't seem to cover it. Two little words that are supposed to say so much. But that is all there is-- THANK YOU!

I truly believe the positive thoughts sent my way have made my recovery one of the best ones my surgeon has ever seen (and that is a direct quote). The only way I can say thank you will be to repay the kindness and love shown to me by doing for others what has been done for me.

THANK YOU!

Have you seen my oil can?

First, let me preface by saying--Damn, it's been awhile and I'm sorry! I follow other blogs and get annoyed when there are HUGE lapses between posts. (I know I shouldn't, but I totally do. Reading them is my favorite part of my morning "news" updates.) Anyways, sorry it's been so long--there was a surgery, the recovery, and then a work trip. And here we are. So, onto today's post**

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Do you remember the scene in the Wizard of Oz where Dorothy has seen the Tin Man in the field and realizes he is trying to speak to her? Then she finds that uber convenient basket of Tin Man supplies (maybe it's just the oil can...I am not sure). Well the magic is that as soon as she oils him, he can hold a conversation normally. I am jealous. You may ask why I am jealous of the Tin Man...I want a conveniently located basket of Jessica supplies.

It's officially been 5 weeks since my jaw suregery and I am growing impatient with this recovery period. Right now, I SO wish there was an oil can to grease my jaw joints and restore them back to normal! Although the recovery is going "beautifully", I am ready to be back to normal. As others have pointed out, it's only been 5 weeks since I had a MAJOR surgery. I mean, I look like a different person (well, really a different version of myself). That kind of change requires some time to heal. And patience when it comes to my health is definately not a strength I possess. You would think it would be with all the random ailments I have due to the autoimmune disease, but alas no. I am as impatient with illness as a supreme athlete! (I don't know why but I have to assume super athletes get really annoyed when they're ill since the illness keeps them from their athletic event).

So I am going to put it out there-- if you somehow come across a basket of Jessica supplies, please send it my way. I mean, who knows, maybe my supply basket just got misplaced at or near an old address...

And if it isn't found, then good old-fashioned chewing will have to do all the "greasing" for me. Sigh.

**I have some backdated posts that I need to post in the coming days. I promise I'll get it together and post them very soon