1400 miles...And Then Some

During Spring Break, the Reid family, plus Granny Linda went on a long, long journey. This was a much anticipated, occasionally dreaded, long planned journey. We went to Disney World, or as Dan likes to call it, "that people trap that the mouse invented down in Florida." This was a first trip for the kids and me, and I was so nervous. (I must stop here and give huge shout-outs to the awesome Paige Kelly and Kimberly Reeder for helping me plan this trip, and listening to me panic weekly for months!) So, after 2 bouts of snow and ice  in two weeks, we left Tupelo at 5:00 on Friday afternoon, heading south.

Approximately 700 miles, 1 hotel, several fast food places, multiple rest stops, and a few cross words, we made it to Disney's Port Orleans. And it was beautiful! However, when planning this trip, it never really dawned on me that we would be changing time zones. That being said, pulling up at 8:00 their time, and still needing dinner, was a little taxing. It was 9:00 pm for us, and we were exhausted. Or so I thought. Because, if you remember, this was the weekend of the time change. Hello, Daylight Savings Time! As this began to dawn on me, I realized that we needed to be at breakfast at 7:00 am. Eastern Time. On the first day of DST. Which was really 5:00 am for us. Wow! 

On Day 1, we headed to Hollywood Studios. We got there a little later than I had planned, but we made it, and we were all fed. We started with some a few fun rides and shows, then headed to Sadie's favorite dining experience, the 50's Prime Time Diner. It was great! We all loved the food and atmosphere. Then, across the park we go to ride a roller coaster. Well, by this time it is early afternoon, and a little warm. The kids were getting ill, and I had not felt 100% all day. So, after only about 5 minutes in line, they start whining and want to leave the line (in retrospect, I will say "Thankfully.") So, as we walk back to Dan and Granny, I start feeling very strange. So, there we are, in the back of Hollywood Studios, on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, when I start vomiting. (I could hear little kids telling there moms to look, and the moms reprimanding them.) Can you say "Most Embarrassing Moment EVER?!?!?" I was mortified. But, my dear sweet Dan came to the rescue! He found a wheelchair, helped me clean up, and wheeled me to the entrance, where he got a taxi to take us all back to the hotel. (Fun times, right?) Boy, do I know how to do Disney! (FYI - I did tell you I was going to share it all on here- the good, the bad, and the ugly!)

Thankfully, whatever it was, went away quickly. I had Zofran in the room, which I took as soon as we got back, took a cold shower, and had a 3 hour nap. When I woke up, I was a new person! So, like the trooper I am, I gathered everyone BACK up, and off to Hollywood Studios we go again. It was a magical night! We didn't ride anything, just walked around and looked at it all, had dinner, then saw everyone's favorite, Fantasmic. I made it fine, and there were no more incidents that day!

That day is probably the most memorable to us all, because of what has become fondly known as "the incident." But that was just the beginning!

On Monday, we headed to Magic Kingdom after our breakfast reservation (at 5:00 am Tupelo time). It was wonderful. And guess what...This is the best part...JC wanted me to ride the Astro Orbiter with him, and I was able to. I actually fit comfortably into the car with him! Then, we moved on to other rides, and I fit in them as well! I was walking like a boss, leaving everyone else behind, and I fit into the rides. 

You see, this is what I think was causing a lot of anxiety about the trip. I couldn't imagine how I would feel if I couldn't ride a ride. Well, that wasn't the case! I rode, and rode, and rode. On this trip, I learned so much about myself, and my family! I learned that I really DO enjoy roller coasters at 40. Much more than I did when I was 18, actually. I learned that walking nearly 40 miles in a week will make you REALLY tired. I learned that Dan can't ride fun rides anymore, because he gets dizzy (BOO!!!). I learned that my sweet JC can be a leader, and that he has a little daredevil in him, as well. I learned that Sadie is not fond of roller coasters, or any ride that is fast or might have a drop, actually.  (It took 2 rides and a set of bruises that matched her grip on my arm to learn this). I learned that Granny has more stamina than I ever imagined. And I learned that Disney is the most magical place on Earth!

I could write pages and pages on that trip, recounting all of the joys and the difficulties. And I may revisit this in the future. But, tonight I wanted to focus on a few things:

1. The 5 of us made it 1400 miles in a car, and we all survived. Granted, there were some tense moments, we did it!

2. I was able to walk nearly 40 miles in the week we were gone.

3. I fit in all of the rides that I wanted! 

Yes, my journey continues, and while I am sure that there are many obstacles to come, right now, I am choosing to focus on my new list. I am making a list of things I never thought I would be able to do, that I am doing. Opportunities that I thought were long gone, that are back. Dreams that were laughable, that are now coming true...

Getting ready to ride Expedition Everest with my daredevil!

My view in the Tea Cup!

Happy New Year!

Happy 2014, friends! Another year has passed, lots of changes, both good and bad. But, that is life. No one wants to stagnate! I have refrained from making resolutions for many, many years, because I always felt like a failure when I couldn't complete them. Well, not anymore! I made changes in 2013 that I never thought were possible! Well, I say "I" made the changes, but I didn't do it alone. The BIGGEST difference in these lifestyle changes this time is this: this time I am asking God for help. And help He has! I pray that God will wake me up to get to exercise class or to go walking - Yeah, don't do that unless you are SERIOUS, because He will do it! I pray that God will decrease my cravings- Check! Ask for help in learning to change my tastes in food - Done! Ask for strength (physical and mental) to get through an exercise class without throwing up - Not a problem!

Before I start listing my resolutions, I want to say thank you to some special people who touched my life, especially during 2013.

1.  Dan, Sadie and Jon Carter - These guys have been great! Dan "allowed" me to stay home with the kids this summer, which gave me the much needed time to exercise, shop for healthy foods, and experiment. Sadie and Jon Carter - Well, they are the gym Nazis. "When are we going to the Wellness Center?" "Aren't you going to work-out today?" "You said we were going to the Wellness Center, now come on!" I definitely wouldn't be where I am without their support.
2. Victoria Derveloy. Waaaayyyy back at the beginning of this journey, she asked me to go to a Piyo class with her. I had never heard of such, nor dreamed of doing it. But I went, and I did it.  I didn't like Victoria very much during that first class, but I forgave her. And went back a few more times. This gave me the first boost of confidence that I had. I COULD do some of that stuff, with some modifications! 
3. Kelly Kenney - She too has been a great encourager throughout this. I just realized when our girls had their birthdays in December, that Kelly and I have been friends for almost 10 years. That's a lot of nursing homes, birthdays,  Chez Ami clothes, tween girls, and rowdy boys! We don't talk daily, or even weekly. But Kelly is one of those friends that I know I can count on in a time of need. She has proven that over and over. She is one of my "go-to" people about exercise. (We all KNOW that this stuff is new to me!). She has always been a cheerleader, and was one of the first people I told that I was considering this journey. And she has been an avid cheerleader every step of the way!
4. My "Sassy Seven Supper Club" girls! Wow! What can I say about you all! If you look at us, all in different stages in our life, with different hopes, dreams, and now jobs...We are an unlikely group. But I feel God has put us together for a reason! Y'all mean so much to me! God knew I needed a mentor, and he provided me with an entire group of them! Thank you all so much! I love you all, Sally Amos, Joannah Ballard, Victoria Derveloy, Teresa Gregory, Mitzi Nasce, and Krista Weems! FYI -I will still come to dinner, but my "order" will probably be a little altered, and quite possibly liquid/soft for a while!

There are many, many, many more people. These are just a few that have stood out in my mind recently, and that I am especially grateful for!

Now, on to the new. These are a few things I am looking forward to in 2014. Some are goals I want to achieve. Some are simple, piddling, trivial things that I want just because I've never been able to have them. (And some of these wants may continue into 2015...I am realistic!)

1. I want to read the Bible completely. I have taken the first steps, and started over on a You Version Bible reading already today.
2. I want to spend time daily studying God's word. I want to learn HOW to study the Bible, so that I may grow in the Lord!
3.  I want to be a better example of a Christian, especially to my family!
4. I want to learn some Bible verses. Now, I would love to memorize 1 a week for a year, but I am not "trusting" of my ability to do that. This is something I am going to have to work on/pray about!
5. I want to increase my health! I will "judge" my success with this in multiple ways - weight loss, cardiac endurance, blood pressure, cholesterol. Not JUST weight loss!
6. For some strange reason, I think I want to try to walk/run a 5K. Just to say I did it, once, for me.
7. I want a Northface jacket, some non-plus size jeans, and a Swatch. Yeah, I know. But I do want them! (I warned you some were trivial!)

I am sure I could go on and on...But I'll stop here. Thanks for taking the time to read this, and all of your support. I am so much more confident now that I know that you are all praying for me! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Oh - And guess what? I got a call from insurance, and IT IS OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL!!! THE SURGERY WAS APPROVED!
 HAPPY NEW YEAR!