Keeping Up with the Joneses

Jay and I used to be avid board gamers. Long before we had Eli, we loved to play games, and would often go to events where the main focus was playing game for days on end.

One such event is Gulf Games. Named so, because it used to be always held some where around the Gulf of New Mexico. We have our buddy Ken to thank for introducing us to this family of gamers. Literally, a bunch of folks and their families gather, and play various styles of games for a long weekend.

Jay, Eli and I are at our first Gulf Games in almost five years. We haven’t been due to my work and having Eli. Let’s face it, there’s only so much gaming a three year old can take. So, Jay and I have been taking turns with Eli, and gaming.

I took Eli first this morning, and we went over to a local mall and found an arcade. Eli and I had a blast playing air hockey. Yea,I let him win. Then we had lunch and went to the park. After that Jay took him for a few hours and I got in my first game… Stone Age. I loved it. Would play it again can’t wait to do so. Jay and Eli came in as we were finishing up. Jay got in a game while Eli and I hung out at the room.

Tomorrow it’s going to rain, and this has me slightly concerned with Eli. But the hotel has an indoor pool, and I’m thinking it’s going to get used tomorrow.

The best part of this, is that it’s showed me we can now do gaming events. Rob hosts That Board Game Thing in Raleigh, and I’m thinking it may be our next gaming stop. I just hope that Eli gets into games too. If his love of Memory, Chutes and Ladders and Go Fish are any indication, he’ll be spending more time in the game room as he gets older too!

It’s been a long time since I said that, and truly meant it.

It seems like this past weekend was the culmination of things coming together. While my house still has clutter, I managed to de-clutter our pantry (through out items that were use by 2004!!). Jay de cluttered a couple of spots in our kitchen cabinets, opening up more storage. He and I got our bathrooms cleaned, along with all of the floors. The kitchen has remained manageable. So, house cleaning came together nicely.

I’ve had more energy in my walks. This is the last true week of my healing. After this week, I should be able to pick up Eli or have any other physical limitation. Now, I realize this is just a number, and caution still has to be used. Even during my chiropractor visit yesterday, he was able to move me fairly well, but one push on my back lead to the port spot on my stomach being more noticeable. I’ve been falling asleep earlier, but getting up earlier, so I guess it’s a good trade.

I’ve been CRAZY training this week so far, and it’s not going to let up any until Friday. That being said, had I tried to do this before December, I’m not sure I could have done it. I’m tired, but managing. I can’t help but to think my physical changes are playing in my favor here.

So, it feels good. With all of this “accomplishment” I also feel a very good energy. I’m not sure where it’s coming from, but like they say in Bull Durham, “you have to respect the streak.” So, that’s what I’m doing.

I’m feeling good and I’m gonna respect it.

I have to admit, that all in all, this weekend was good. Eli is still recovering from him stomach bug from earlier in the week. Sometimes he’d eat, sometimes not. I let him tell me when he was hungry and to what extend he was willing to eat. On a good note though, he managed to use the potty all weekend, with no major accidents. A major accomplishment, and a nice savings for the pocket book too! woohoo!

On Saturday, I made my first trip back to the gym since my surgery. I walked on the treadmill for 40 minutes, and experienced no back pain or knee discomfort. I decided to just get on and walk at a very slow pace. It seemed like the time flew by. After my shower, I could really tell that I had over done it. Too much too soon. My legs were sore, and my energy level dropped quickly. We had lunch, and then headed to Sams, where more walking around the store led to me still feeling very tired.

Saturday night, we took Eli to a little indoor putt-putt place. The weather was terrible, and he loves going there to play. One lap around the 18 holes and I was sooooo tired. Good grief. By the time we made it home at around 7:45pm ish, I was on the couch and out. Thank God Jay took Eli to his bath and bed time. Jay also managed to get me in the bed that evening.

On Sunday, I went back to the gym, but this time I only walked for 20 minutes, and then spent about 15 mins in the hot tub. The hot tub at the gym is HUGE and has jets that come from the floor, so hard to reach areas, like knees and ankles, can still get the benefits of the jets. It was AWESOME! I’m not allowed to do anything more strenuous than walking for two more weeks. After that, I plan to begin to incorporate (slowly) back into a lifting routine. I’m excited about this, because I think it’ll be a good way to get some muscle tone back. I hope to one day improve up to a pilates class, but I’m not sure how well that will work with the port on my belly. Time will tell.

The highlight of Sunday was seeing Avatar in 3D IMAX. Holy cow, that was just amazing. As for the story line, well, you can see it in the first 40 mins how it’s going to turn out, but the journey is worth it. I guess it’s a lot like Cameron’s Titanic… you know how it’s going to end, but the movie was still good. Yes, do it in IMAX if you can.

I’ve been in a bit of a funk lately. I realized the other night that it’s from my need to move again. I never thought I’d be this way. When we purchased our first house, I figured that would be the house I’d live in forever. But, life has a way of changing for ya, and you just have to go with it. We ended up only living there for less than two years, and it was off to a new City. Then three cities and and a year and a half later, we landed in Sugar Hill, and here we’ve been for almost six years.

I have a crazy wander lust. Maybe I just need to visit somewhere new. I’ll get that chance in February as we’re going to Gulf Games in Mobile, AL. I’ve never been there, and it’ll give me a chance to be back closer to water too. Ahhhh water. My healing nectar.

I was reminded on the ride to work this morning that we need to be happy with what we have in this world. It doesn’t hurt to want to aspire on to bigger and better. I have a job. A beautiful family, and the support of my friends. Wow, do I really *need* to move? So, after a few days of funk, I saw clarity. If only for a few moments.

I’m a very fortunate person. I have been on the receiving side of many blessings. And I still want to be closer to water.