Gratitude Challenge Day 20 :: Freedom

Today's challenge brought to you by... a pumpkin spice latte, of course! At least I didn't say eggnog something. I'm trying to stick with the current season! Although I do have the freedom to drink either whenever I want.

Day 20. Freedom.

Such a small word can encompass so much. I am so grateful for my freedom – from my freedom to vote to my freedom to pick fancy coffee drink flavors.

I can't even comprehend the amount of freedom I have compared to a lot of people in and outside our borders.

When I got up this morning, without needing permission, I had the freedom to drive a vehicle I own to a coffee shop, where we had the freedom to openly discuss a book. Unsupervised. We had the freedom to share opinions – on the book and other topics – without fear of persecution.

I had the freedom to stop into two local businesses – both owned by women, who are free to own property. I had the freedom to spend money I earned because I am free to pursue a career. By the way, I didn't exercise that freedom. But formed a wish list in my head.

I had the freedom today to enjoy nature by walking around the lake with a friend. No one charged us to use the path. No one told us which direction we had to go. Though we knew it would be counterclockwise since yesterday was a clockwise day.

Hubby and I did not participate in opening day of the gun-deer season, but we have the freedom to do so as law-abiding citizens.

While he is meeting with hunter buddies to hear their stories at a local establishment, I was free to watch a Hallmark movie or two. 

I also had the freedom to operate a broom and run my Dyson vacuum cleaner that I purchased with my own money years ago. But I passed on those. Not because I'm taking that freedom for granted. 

But I had the freedom to say "tomorrow."

Today, though, I'm really grateful for freedoms big and small. They sure add up to a good Saturday.

#gratitudemonth

Dyson: 1, Robyn: 0

I somehow missed the warning label that housework can be hazardous to your health. Yet, in the back of my mind, I must have known that since I have been known to avoid it all costs. On occasion.

Today should have been one of those occasions.

Carter was going to have a friend over this morning so I wanted to get some quick dusting and vacuuming done first. I was just about done with both when I remembered there were some crumbs or something on the top step going down to the basement.

Now normally when I vacuum the steps, I have the Dyson situated at the bottom of the steps and work my way up with the long hose. Today, since I was just reaching down a step, I kept it up top. Not a dangerous situation until I decided to move down and do "just one more." That was my undoing.

I was standing about 4 steps down and pulled on the hose so I could face the second step at a good angle. In a split second, before I had any awareness to stop it, the whole vacuum cleaner fell down the steps, landing at a sharp angle on my head. Holy crap did that hurt!

I was holding my head, yelling "Ow, ow, ow" and amazingly now swearing, just clutching the top of my head and thinking, "That's gonna leave a mark!" The guys had to grab the vacuum cleaner and turn it off. I just couldn't let go of my head. When Jim asked what happened, I pulled my hands away to show him where I got hit and my hands were filled with blood. Oh crap.

He had Carter grab a towel quick, then wisely got me to the dining room so I wouldn't drip any more blood on the carpet. Rather than faint, I figured I better voluntarily lay on the floor. Jim went to get a pillow so I wouldn't have to lay on the hard floor, but the by the time he got back, the blood was spreading on the floor. That's about the time Carter wisely left the room and sat on the couch a bit.

I just could not believe the blood. Amazingly, I didn't faint either. It took awhile to sit up. I pressed a towel firmly on the area I assumed had the gash. It was hard to tell at first. I thought the whole top of my head had split open. But after awhile, we were able to determine it was only about an inch-long cut and Dr. Austin said it shouldn't require stitches. Good thing I'm hard-headed.

I kept a towel on there a good 2 hours before it completely stopped bleeding. I also had an ice pack on the back of my neck so I wouldn't faint. (I know all the tricks now.) When Jim and Carter returned with Carter's friend, they also brought me an Eggnog Shake. Just what the doctor ordered.

My loving husband rinsed the blood out of my hair (even though he typically likes redheads). And I was ordered to take it easy just long enough to sneak in a Hallmark movie (like that's a surprise).

When I felt normal enough, I decided I better tackle another cleaning/de-cluttering project. I spent about 3 hours in the basement in the area where all my gift bags, bows, wrapping paper, candles and crap are stored in some fashion. At one point, I had to make friends with my Dyson again (You know what they say: Keep your friends close and your enemies closer). I used it without further incident.

In fact, all was well until I was getting ready to go the Assumption girls basketball game this evening. When I slipped a sweatshirt over my head, I must have nicked the scab and my head started bleeding again. There was no way I was going to sit home. So I held a tissue to it for 3o minutes, got it to stop, then wore a baseball hat so no one would get grossed out. That worked.

Of course, it didn't prevent me from telling my story. Hey, I was just doing some public service. It's important people know the dangers of housekeeping. As my brother pointed out, getting attacked by a vacuum cleaner sucks! (Pun intended.)

Or it could be I would do just about anything for ice cream. Trust me when I say, this is not one of those things!

Be careful out there!

Personal Foul :: Taunting

Yesterday's Pro Bowl marked the official end of the NFL football season. That's a good thing because I may have to hire one of the referees for Lent.

Would you like to know why? Let me tell you a little bit about taunting:

According to NFL rules, any flagrant acts or remarks that deride, mock, bait or embarrass an opponent are considered taunting. Taunting of an opponent is a foul under NFL playing rules and will be called by the game officials -- a 15-yard penalty -- plus the taunting player will be fined.

In our house, the new game in town is Mommy's Curse Board and Mr. Austin is guilty of taunting. I am trying to give up swearing for Lent. I am actually keeping a tally at home and at work so I can pay the "fine" in the end. Dollars for serious infractions and dimes for lesser ones. Apparently, I should have laid out the ground rules of fair play and sportsmanship when it comes to the other members of the household. Since I have been doing relatively well (if you consider $2.80 in 5 days doing well), Jim has decided to test me. Press my buttons. Bait me. Taunt me.

For example, if we had an in-house referee, he would have thrown a serious flag on hubby while I was vacuuming this weekend. My super-reliable Dyson quit on me a few times for no reason. Oh, I mean there was a real reason, Jim was unplugging it and plugging it back in (out of sight, down the hall) to see how I'd react! Thankfully, I kept my cool ... until I found out what he was up to. Then I used sign language to demonstrate my displeasure at his flagrant foul. Now he says that "sign" should cost me a buck.

What do ya think, ref?

Woe is me

Welcome to my pity party!

In the past week, I've had immunizations for tetanus, whooping cough and the flu -- and now I've been sick all week. Coincidence? Probably, but I like looking for any excuse not to go near needles again!

Not sure if it's allergies or what, but I've gone through a couple of boxes of tissues this week, along with some cough drops, allergy pills and Nyquil. It feels like my head has been floating above my body like a helium balloon!

There are some cases of the croup going around one of the daycares in Iola. Someone suggested perhaps, I've got it, too! I had to look it up, but it does specify it's a childhood illness. Hmmmm .... Either I need to grow up or I just need some rest!

I came home to an empty house tonight. Carter abandoned me for the girls in the neighborhood and Jim must be hanging out with the "boys." I had hoped to go out to eat but instead I went grocery shopping so we'd have milk for breakfast. How's that for excitement? Here's me bragging I couldn't wait to have nothing to do. How incredibly boring that makes things!

I suppose I could get some decent rest tonight. Maybe I can sleep away this nasty head cold so I can do something exciting tomorrow like dust and vacuum! I know, you wish you could trade places with me, don't you? Sorry, only one coughing, whining, undomestic goddess per household allowed!

Love at first ...

Don't tell Jim, but I've fallen in love while he's been out of town. And I'm not completely surprised by it, either.

A group of us girls at work have been talking about "him" for months. Karen met him first and fell in love. Then Jana met him and wanted him for herself, but Sandy beat her to the punch. It seems like it took forever to arrange a meeting, but it was well worth the wait.

Yesterday, I spent the afternoon with him and I experienced firsthand what all the fuss is about. Yes, it was love at first vroom ...

Vroom? Oh, did I mention I was talking about a vacuum cleaner? His name is Dyson -- and I must have him!

Just to illustrate how pathetic my life is ... I took the afternoon off yesterday to "test drive" Karen's Dyson. She's got the animal control model and has been raving about its suction power. She was right. I think I sucked up 8 cats worth of cat hair yesterday.

As impressive as that is, it's also disgusting to think we were walking on what I thought was clean carpet. That darn cat! Since we're on speaking terms these days, I scolded her about shedding so much. But she offered no apology. Typical.

So I guess if we're going to keep her, I'll have to get me one of those incredibly high-priced Dysons. I'm sure I'm - I mean SHE's -- worth it!