sheri carlstrom...slices of an ordinary life

The Grocery Store

I've been off task all week. There's been a lot on my mind, I've had issues focusing, and I've been harsh as I talk to myself about being so off task. Today I finally found myself at the grocery store - a place I typically find myself on Mondays.

As I headed to the u-scan lines after a rushed trip through the isles, I found myself behind an older woman who clearly was highly frustrated ~ with her day or just the u-scan process, I wasn't sure.  She reminded me of my husband's grandmother in her earlier days (as in her 70's). Her stature, her hair, the way she was throwing stuff into her cart and huffing. (I speak in love; I loved Kevin's grandmother as if she were mine, and she loved me in a way only a grandmother could. She had a hard time using her "new-fangled bread-maker", I was imagining her trying to use this self-check-out and the frustration level she would probably experience!)

Feeling her frustration (bordering on anger) I felt strongly to say something encouraging, but wondered if she would yell at me. (I'm not kidding.) Then, suddenly, I knew I would be disappointed if I didn't say something. The thought What if you had it within you to re-direct her day and didnt? floated through my mind. So I moved closer to her as she continued throwing things in her cart.

What to say....hmmmm....ah......"Isn't it frustrating trying to bag your stuff?" I threw out there cheerfully as I reached to help her. "These things are so frustrating! Especially when there are lines!!"  I assured her I was in no hurry (remember...off task all week) and helped her. She smiled and her entire spirit softened. I almost cried. (I'm not kidding.) We talked about the warm weather today and the colder weather that was soon to come.

As she walked away this floated through my mind....Sweet girl, you aren't off task at all, you are exactly where I wanted you at exactly the right time. I almost cried. (Really. Tears welled up, a lump formed and I felt loved even as I am lacking.)

I hadn't seen Edna or Ray when I had come into the store, and because I am always testing the Holy Spirit, I said, If that was you speaking into my heart, could I see Edna and Ray? As I exited the store, Edna was sweeping out leaves that were rushing back in, and we laughed about that. Then as I made my way through the parking lot, there was Ray walking towards me with collected carts, we made eye contact and exchanged a few words.

What is the point of this post? I think it goes back to the Proverbs 3:27 Do not withhold good...when it is within your power to act.When we act for the good of others, God seems to bless us just as deeply; such a good multi-tasker, our God.

Hmmmmm....multi-task. Maybe I should try that the rest of the week.

First Ever 5K

Zach was the one to say that he and Erin should run in the 5K that he saw  advertised.  Hmmmmm....thought this mom, that sounds like a great experience for them to have together. Then I realized it was a weekend Courtney would be home from college. So I threw the idea of joining them out to her. I looked at the brochure again; 10K or 5K Run/Walk. Hmmmmm....I could certainly "run" part of a 5K and walk part of it.

So I registered all of us for our first ever 5K. Zach in all his ambition wanted to run the 10K. I suggested that since he had never even run a 5K, he should run that instead. (Way to speak belief into him!!)  The three older kids started together - with Zach high stepping, running backwards, talking, falling back and then sprinting the whole way. (Note to self:  he could have done the 10K)

Kevin and I alternated jogging and walking, with Kyler hanging with us. (Kevin was gracious to be at my side as he could have finished much ahead of me!) It was a fun experience; the energy of the people was engaging, there were even a few people along the course cheering. I didn't care at all how I finished, I just thought it was fun to be a part of it.

They were posting results as quickly as people were finishing the race; at the point where we last checked, I had finished 8th out of 9th in my age group  (with more people still  to come in) and had a 13.87 mile time (hey, you gotta start somewhere). Since I'm not really very competitive, I was surprised that I immediately was thinking, I should do this again and work to beat my time! In the end, Erin came in 1st in her age group and Zach is now looking at a 10K!

I'm not sure everyone initially thought it was such a great idea to spend our family entertainment budget on registration fees for the race, but in the end I think we would all agree it was a good and fun family experience. Right kids?

with a 13.87 time and

Losing with a Friend

I am a friend of Weight Watchers. I partnered with them in January of 2009, lost 25 pounds and have been  able to maintain that weight loss...more or less. I gain 3 or 4 (sometimes 5 or 7) and then I lose it again. (I call those stupid pounds...having to lose those pounds more than twice is just...well...stupid) But I am also a friend of stupid, so I say hello and good-bye to those pounds as often as  needed to really cut the cord. (I still have some weight to lose to hit my target weight, so I'm what you call a success story in progress.)

After a summer of ice-cream runs, excellent grilling and many restaurant outings, I logged back into my on-line Weight Watchers account. I decided it was time to officially log in the stupid weight so I could be accountable to lose it again. When I registered my weight, a box popped up and said it was going to re-calculate my daily point allowance. I was so excited, clearly my friend could see I was unable to stay within my point allowance, so I was going to be granted a few more daily points...

Imagine my incredible dismay (anger) when I was actually given less daily points! Ummmm...could you not see I could not stay within what I already had? What makes you think I can hit that mark?

But I try. I log my daily points and go to the Y so I can have more points (exercise = activity points, which are added to my weekly points, which  = dessert). I don't often hit the lower mark, but I'm closer than I thought I could be. Hmmmm....maybe my friend knew something I did not.

Today I weighed myself to obtain the weekly number my friend requests. Imagine my  incredible happiness when I was congratulated on a 4.4 lb weight loss! Then I was told I could "Click Here" to re-calculate my points. Yeah, right. I clicked the "Close" button instead and enjoyed a Skinny Cow.

Love ya Weight Watchers, but I'm keeping my points for now.

Running in the Right Direction

 
Cross Country - a sport new to our family this season because of Erin. In sixth and seventh grades she ran the 800 meter in track so that she could run in meets (she wasn't fast enough in the shorter distances), but by her own admission running long distance was not her thing. So imagine my surprise when she chose to join the cross country team this, her 8th grade, year. She ran with the team all summer, displaying a motivation and work ethic that I admired in the early mornings that were sometimes hot and humid.

Her goal the whole season was to improve her time, if even by a few seconds. She did that. At one meet she shaved 30 seconds off of her time, I asked how she did that and she replied that she ran the whole way. Apparently she had been walking some segments of the race, but this time she had run the whole course. Serioulsy, I am so proud of her. Today, at her last meet, she set a new time goal and she met it - to the second!

The way Erin looks at things is inspiring. She wants to be involved, she wants to work to be better, she wants to learn new things. She sets goals, she meets goals, she sets new goals, she is encouraging to others. I'm glad Erin is my daughter, her presence is uplifting and her efforts are inspiring. Good job, baby girl.