Powering Through It

First of all...thank you all for your comments and suggestions regarding my back issue! I decided my first course of action is going to be powering through it. I'm beginning a SLOW stretching routine every morning and night, followed by walking the dog with my husband again nightly. I've got to tell ya, some days are better than others and our walks may be a little slower than my hubby or dog would like...but I'm not going to let this back thing keep me down!

I also decided if it doesn't get better soon with the things I'm doing, I'm going to try the acupuncturist that cured my sons 3rd degree ankle sprain (a complete tear of the ligaments) in two days! Seriously...TWO DAYS of treatment! It was crazy, he was even able to play in the State Semi-Final football game without re-injuring it. He obviously wasn't able to run as fast and play both ways, but he played and made some key tackles. It was truly my first experience with going to one after a suggestion from a friend who's son plays linebacker for UCLA. This was after the Orthopedic Doctor told him it will take months of healing and rehabilitation and he absolutely wouldn't be able to play in that HUGE game...he wasn't even able to put weight on it!!

Pic on left taken at Orthopedic Dr's visit~Pic on right after Acupuncture & cupping (notice the marks)

Pic on left- Dec 5th leaving the Dr's office~Pic on right was game day~Dec 8th, 2012 (my Birthday;D)

So I figure, if it can work for a torn ligament, it should do wonders for scar tissue right?! Well it definitely can't make it worse...so if I go that route I'll let you know how it goes.

Her Goal Was To Walk

So many times in my life, I have felt sorry for myself if things aren't going my way. You all know what I'm talking about, the little pity parties we all sink into at one time or another.

On Thursday, at Dillon's graduation, I received a much needed slap upside my head, or you can call it an eye opener. A tear jerking, lump in the throat moment that screamed out..."What do you have to complain about?"

Back on December 29, 2007, I posted about my son's friend Natalie Buchoz, who went on a Christmas vacation ski trip. On the day of the accident I wrote on my Minti parenting site asking for prayers. Here was the post:

My sons very good friend Natalie (15) was just in a very serious ski accident. This was her second time skiing, she was going full speed and could not stop. She headed into the dip where the ski lift poles are and was launched approximately 25 ft. in the air. She landed on her back and was unable to feel her legs. She was flown to the hospital where she is currently undergoing a 4 hour surgery. I would like to ask everyone to pray for her. Her sister will be calling my son when she gets out of surgery. Thank you for your prayers.

Two and a half years later, this strong, courageous, willful, young girl set a goal to walk up & get her High School Diploma. I'm happy to say that I was there to witness & take pictures of this AMAZING accomplishment.

Throughout her intense daily therapy & workouts, she pushed through the pain using her "NATTITUDE!" This was a description given to Natalie by all those who have watched her sheer determination to beat all the odds and walk, with her, "Never quit, Life is what YOU make it", Nattitude.

Here's a quote from her CaringBridge Website "Everyone wants happiness nobody wants pain, but you can't have a rainbow without a little rain."

NOW FOR THE TEAR JERKER...NATALIE DISPLAYING HER NATTITUDE!"

This young girl is an inspiration to all of us!

CONGRATULATIONS NATALIE BUCHOZ...YOU'RE "NATTITUDE" IS INSPIRING!!!!!

STOP AND ASK

As I left my step sons football banquet at about 6:30 p.m. (it was over earlier than usual), I started to go my usual route home but then the light turned green so I took a different way. It was already very dark outside...I hate the time change. I pulled up to a light and was waiting for it to change, when all of a sudden I see an elderly woman walking across the street. She had a walker that had a seat on it, which currently carried her purse and a bag of groceries. She was very hunched over and slowly making her way across the street. The light turned green but people had to wait for her to finish crossing. I looked around to see if anyone was with her and just lagging a little bit behind...nope, she was all alone. I consider my town pretty safe, however I don't even walk alone at night. I drove through the light and then decided to turn around and see if she needed a ride. I thought she would probably be a little scared and not accept...but I decided to stop and ask.

I pulled up along side of her, rolled down my window, "Do you need a ride somewhere?" She pushed her walker closer to the curb, leaned forward, trying to get a better look at who was offering and if she thought it would be safe. "Oh, God bless you, I had to walk all the way to Walmart and now I'm still only halfway home." I said, "Well, I'm more than happy to give you a ride." I got out and started to load her things into my car. She told me where she lived and I was shocked that she had walked that far (about 2 miles each way)!

Then she proceeded to tell me that she was 93 years old! My 13 and 14 year old kids wouldn't even walk that far! She said that her husband had died three years ago and he drove her everywhere. Now she rely's on her nephew who lives with her for free. He unfortunately had to go by some parts to spruce up his car and told her he couldn't take her (nice, huh).

She was so sweet and spry...she even knew how to get in the back way to her house when I missed the turn. We pulled up to her house and she said, "Oh look, he was nice enough to leave the porch light on for me." I wanted to get out of the car and go smack her nephew in the face! But since I've gotten so much better at holding my temper, I helped her out, set up her walker, put her things in, and gave her a hug. I also handed her my business card and told her what time I got off work and to please call me if she ever needed a ride because I'm always out and about running errands. She thanked me again and told me how much the Lord has blessed her. I told her, he definitely loves you! She smiled and said, "I know"! With that she slowly headed up the driveway.

I wanted to share this story with you, not to have you think..."Oh look how nice Lisa is!" I hope to try to inspire EVERYONE to NOTICE the needs of others around you and STOP AND ASK if you can help them. Let me know who you find to help today...I would love to hear other peoples inspiring stories, no matter how small or insignificant...PLEASE SHARE!!

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Matthew 22:39

Okay...You Win!

Okay everyone...you win! I got the message and I went. I didn't do lunges today, only ran two times around (my knees hurt...can you say OLD LADY!) BUT I did walk very fast two whole miles...WOO HOO!!

I'm still in agony but I'm going to keep trying. I'm hoping to recruit a few of my friends who are in worse shape than me so I'm not always last! Yep it's like that - I'm still very competitive even when I'm old, rickety and out of shape. Wish you were all here to join me, well not ALL of you, just the out of shape one's. LOL!

Bet you'd never guess that I was the only girl on the boys varsity soccer team in high school! AWWWWE youth...those were the days!!!