Monthly Archives: February 2012

80 Degree Days

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Four and a half years ago I had an 80 degree day that changed my life.

Sitting in my humble office that August afternoon with the afternoon sun beating through the window and beads of sweat forming in all kinds of places, I knew it was time for a change.

I can’t possibly work under these conditions.

Why can’t they just fix the air conditioning already?

The repairman had visited {in vain} yet again, and I could hear the fan blowing – yet no relief.

I can’t possibly work under these conditions.

There’s gotta be something else for me. Right?

I mean, I’ve been at this for five years now. What was it I had heard? Stay three to five years, then move along?

It’s decided.

I applied just once. That was enough.

Three months later I was plenty cold. A chilly December of newness.

Yes, it seems to always take an uncomfortable, icky 80 degree day to get me on board with change.

As I’ve mentioned, I don’t like change. But there comes a time – an 80 degree day – when I know a change is drawing near.

It’s been an unseasonably warm February.

How about you? Can you remember an 80 degree day that changed the course of your life?

Maybe it came in the form of a conversation that’s seared into your memory.

Or an image that broke your heart.

Or news that you stopped hearing before they stopped talking.

When the heat becomes unbearable and my breath becomes stifled? I’ll look for the shade, the cold glass of water.

And if the heat is still too intense?

Well, then maybe it’s time for a change.

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:1-3 NIV)

Five Postpardum Tidbits

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Five things I discovered after having bigSIS and lilBRO…

1. Getting back to your pre-pregnancy weight does not also mean your pre-pregnancy pants will fit. Things shift. If you’re lucky, they’ll shift back within 9 months or so.

2. At about 12 weeks postpartum, your hair may start falling out. Like, a lot.

3. The first few days home with your new baby you may get sad over the most random stuff. And I do mean random. R-A-N-D-O-M.

4. Just because you carried a baby for nine (long) months and then delivered that baby does not mean you know what to do with it when it arrives. Read lots and ask questions. All babies are different, so you never know whose advice will be what you need to hear. Four different people told me random tidbits that I needed to know. I didn’t realize I needed to know when they told me, so just soak it all in. When you need to remember, you will.

5. If you’re anything like me, your perspective on life will do a 180. You’ll see everything differently. I could go on and on about how being a mom has changed me. I won’t tonight because I’m too tired, but I could.

Are you a mom with something to add to my list? I’d love to hear what you learned after having your baby.