Monday, November 5, 2012

Monday Listicles: Memories I Can Actually Remember



So this week we are sharing 10 Amazing Memories from a Not So Distant Past over at Stasha's, The Good Life. This topic was suggested by the one and only Ducky.

Did I happen to mention that my short-term memory is kind of iffy since my accident in June? I guess hitting your head does that.

So if we spoke, in person or on the phone, or wrote in July and I don’t have some sort of physical evidence documenting it happened...Then it didn’t because I don’t really remember a thing from most of that month.

But I do have so many amazing memories from this past year that I DO remember (because I have some pictures):

1.    My very favorite people in the whole wide world (expect my kids and my parents) came along on my birthday trip to the Amalfi Coast and Rome this past year. AND one of those friends, translated approximately 2,000 pictures of our 12 days together, into a two volume, fully captioned memory for all of us! So many inside jokes, too many antics, but never too much fun, captured for life.


2.    Same friends, same trip, I received a CD collection of songs they personally chose for every year of my life. That’s a heck of a lot of songs, by the way. It took us three nights to dance through them all! Can't find the picture of the custom made Rolling Stones Bikini that they had made for me (have to frame that or something!).


3.    My kids are getting along at school (they attend the same midwest university). This may not seem like a big deal but it really is. They are polar opposites and argue ad nauseum (I’ve mentioned this before!). They send me pictures when they see each other. Or call me and ask for reimbursement for the dinner date they had which I said I would if they shared a meal together (bonding maybe?) Didn't know they had slip-n-slides at college.



4.    Speaking of college, Matt was actually asked back for his sophomore year. Well, he wasn’t asked back. He just wasn’t asked NOT to come back (or put on academic probation or some silly thing like that). Considering his relationship with school, this was one of the best things to come out of the last 12 months!

5.    We celebrated the life of the best dog in the whole world. Even though we lost her on June 11th, she will remain a part of our family and in our hearts forever! Tears!!!



6.    I discovered who's really there for me when I need them. I don’t often ask for help and when I couldn’t, I didn’t have to; they were there.

(A Koozie cup present for beverages)

("No more doing your own stunts")

These are my nurses (they're nurses, too, really). They made the “touchdown” signal with their arms when I vomited chocolate malt across the hospital room and hit a wall 12 feet away. We laughed. It was funny considering...

7.    Something good came out of this, believe it or not, and I’m actually smiling (because I'm really "high" on meds) even though I don’t remember this (June 28th, day after the “you know what”) or the next month for that matter. I think I'm having fun?


8.    I did my first ever triathlon. And I finished. That’s all there is to say about that one! Note to self: Train next time. It’s easier that way!

9.    My kids both had fulltime jobs for the summer and while this doesn’t seem like a big thing, it was to me. It made me feel like a success as a parent; that they felt the need and desire to become participants in this world, begin taking care of some of their own wants and needs, and exerting their independence. They finally understood the concept of work ethic outside of the academic environment. And they stayed out of my pocket for the most part. Nothing says "growing up" or being responsible like getting your butt up for a job EVERY DAY.

10.                  I started my blog on December 15th last year. Nothing has seemed the same since. I have met wonderful, talented, and exciting people. Wouldn’t change that for the world!


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     This is also Day 5 of NaBloPoMo and I'm participating through one of my very favorite sites Yeah Write. Come check out what every crazy (like me) yet intensely talented bloggers is writing each and every day of November!

     Note to rowmies and columnies: I'm also challenging myself to workout before I'm allowed to write anything. So new material will only come AFTER I've moved in some form or fashion which means late morning!

16 comments:

Jamie Miles said...

Wow. What a ride. Very highs and scary lows. Those gifts were too thoughtful. I'll have to remember that CD idea, so creative and fun. You are one very blessed lady of a certain age. So glad you were okay. And maybe we can meet up for the 2nd triathlon -- the one you decide to train for?

Gina said...

I cried when I opened the package of cd's at my birthday dinner across the big pond. To imagine the time and thought that went into it (they even asked my mom fr pics of me as a kid forthe cover of one).

Yes, lucky and know it! I've started training...biking and running. Now I need to get in a pool (brrrrrrrr!). I think we may do some indoor ones in the winter but then a few next summer. Let's do one together! But sprint distance, please!

Unknown said...

I enjoyed reading all of this, but am such a dog lover, so that is where my focus fell. I'm sorry for your loss. They do remain forever in our hearts. And, I totally weighed in today and am doing this thing --- with you in spirit!

Jack said...

Nicely done. This was fun to read.

Unknown said...

Great list Gina. A few things. Your kids are gorgeous. Your puppy looks like such a good ole girl, so sorry :( , the whole puke thing is really gross, and you look incredibly uncomfortable with that head thingie on but I'm so grateful your ok and that your my bloggy friend!!

Gina said...

Thank, Angela! She was a sweet old girl. We still have her naughty 4 year old sister around to keep us company!

Yea! Me, too. And I had Chinese food, not light, last night so I came in right about where I expected! We will do this! I'll let you know how it's going!

Ginny Marie said...

What wonderful friends you have, your kids are adorable, and there's no way you are 50! You look great! (Even with that medical thingy on your head...that must have been a serious accident!)

Yay for YeahWrite! I'm so glad I found you.

Arnebya said...

Your kids are gorgeous, Gina! And smiling with a broken neck. You were most definitely high. (And although it's disgusting, I did laugh rather hard at projectile vomit. Cool).

William Dameron said...

Those are all awesome things! But the most awesomest (is that a word?) is the way that you view life as half full instead of half empty.

Gina said...

Thanks, Jen! They look like they like each other, right? Rare! Ellie was soooo sweet but she's with some of her best friends now and we still have naughty dog! That puke thing was the highlight of that day. We actually laughed pretty hard...had to. That day sucked big time but I included it as a great memory because I've never felt as awful mentally, emotionally or physically as I did that day. Only up from there!!!

But the best part is that you're my bloggy friend too! Have to go check out your new blog! Woo Hoo!

Gina said...

Those two are the bomb! I have three others that were my angels as well plus my mom! You are so nice to say that about 50+ but it is true!!! I'm so glad to have found you too! Yes! Yay for Yeah Write. It's such a great community!

Gina said...

Arnebya, I was flying sky high! It made things seem really, really good! Fake good but still awesome! I knew you'd get a kick out of my projectile. It was pretty amazing, if I may say so myself. Okay, so maybe a few people were grossed out. So what!

Gina said...

Thanks, Bill! No choice but to think/feel that way! It doesn't help throwing yourself a pity party. Okay...it does sometimes and I've done it but I don't let them last long! I like happy and fun parties better!

Gina said...

Thank, Jack!

DEZMOND said...

ooh, you are rocking that black dress on that picture, sister Gina :)

Gina said...

Well THANKS, Dez! I like that dress and the shoes that go with it!