Doing Things Differently™ – My Week In Review [Part Nine]

[Week 9: March 29^th – April 4^th ]

* For those of you who are NEW to ‘Doing Things Differently™’ or NEW to reading this blog, may I suggest you click on, and read, the links provided in the first two paragraphs of this post? I think that might clear up any confusion! Or, if you don’t have that kid of time, because seriously who does? You can find out HOW and WHY ‘Doing Things Different’ all began simply by clicking HERE. *

‘Once Upon A Time’ A Girl Named Meleah wanted to improve the ‘Quality Of Her Life’ so she started ‘Doing Things Differently™’. And then she noticed the ‘Little Changes’ she made every day had a huge impact on her life. And even though Meleah had a few ‘Setbacks‘ she kept on forging ‘Ahead’.

After completing the first four weeks of ‘Doing Things Differently™’ Meleah stepped up her game by taking things to the ‘Next Level‘.  Meleah momentarily took a break to ‘Visit With An Old Friend’ but she continued ‘Doing Things Differently™’ even after things became slightly ‘Boring’.

Side Bar:

Okay people. It’s been over ‘Two Months’ since I began my quest to ‘Get Healthy’ and that’s probably the longest amount of time I’ve ever taken on a ‘Life Altering Challenge’ and ‘Stuck With It’. Other than writing this blog, and being a Mother, I have a tendency to become bored quickly. And, I think some of you might be growing pretty tired of reading about how I put on my ‘Outfit’ and go ‘Outside’ to take a walk every morning? It’s not all that easy to turn the mundane details of my life into a ‘Riveting Read’.

I held a ‘Great Debate’ when I posed the question, ‘How Many Days In A Row’ will I have to continue ‘Doing Things Differently’ before it becomes ‘Doing Things The Same’? To which I received multiple and conflicting answers – from all of you my dear readers and friends.

At first, I thought after 30 consecutive days I could consider ‘Doing Things Differently’ as ‘Doing Things The Same’. But I was wrong. And I say that because getting up, and going on my walks nearly every day STILL FEELS very different to me. Therefore, I have decided to CONTINUE writing these kind of blog posts [once a week, every week] AT LEAST until I reach the 60 Day Mark. [Which really isn’t that far off.] So, I hope you will all bear with me, while I document the rest of this journey. Yes? Of course, to break up the monotony, I will also be posting ‘regular’ blogs and in ‘The First Person’ at least once a week every week too. M’Kay?

Onward.

Monday, otherwise known as ‘Day Forty-Six’ of ‘Doing Things Differently’ or [D46/DTD] started off at 10am when my Meleah was awoken by the sound of pelting rain hitting her bedroom window. It was the kind of ‘Dreary Day’ that practically justifies ‘Staying In Bed’.

However, since she is ‘Doing Things Differently’ Meleah agreed to ‘Rise and Shine’ if only to drive her son JCH to one of his friend’s houses. After all, he is on ‘Spring Break’ and she really wants her son to enjoy his ‘Vacation Time’. Of course, Meleah committed to this BEFORE she had any idea WHERE this friend’s house was located.

As some of you may already know Meleah is slightly ‘Driving Impaired’. And by ‘Driving Impaired’ she really means, she has a tendency for getting LOST, even within the confines of her own town. And she does not like attempting to drive in ‘Uncharted Territories’ and on ‘Unfamiliar Terrain’ especially when it’s coupled with ‘Craptastic Weather Conditions.’

Judging by the ‘Directions’ Meleah received from ‘MapQuest’, she was fairly certain she WOULD get lost, considering she had never heard of any of the street names. And, she was willing to bet money on the fact that it was probably going to take her at least 30 minutes to travel all of two miles.

And she was right.

It also probably didn’t help matters that the  ‘Defrost’ in her car isn’t working properly and therefore Meleah spent most of her time driving, while wiping the windshield with the sleeve of her sweatshirt, rather than reading the street signs.

Fortunately, for everyone in the car, Meleah’s son CAN read a map. Because during their travels it became ‘Painfully Obvious’ she definitely CANNOT read a map.

[Seriously people. To Meleah? A map just looks like a really bad drawing done by a 5 year old.]

Meleah would like to take a moment to thank her co-pilots for helping her to reach the ‘Proper Destination’. However, it was a rather ‘Unsettling Experience’ to discover two 13 year old boys have a better sense of direction than she does.

Later that afternoon, Meleah made her ‘Daily Internet Rounds’ and commented on her favorite blogs, while cleaning her room, doing the laundry, checking her emails, and scheduling doctor appointments. Just like she always does. And that’s because Meleah firmly believes in ‘Doing Things Consistently’ even if she is ‘Doing Things Differently’.

Tuesday, otherwise known as ‘Day Forty-Seven’ of ‘Doing Things Differently’ or [D47/DTD] started off around 9am.  And once again, it was pouring outside. Meleah really wished ‘The Weather’ would start ‘Doing Things Differently’ because it seems as if it’s been raining and miserable EVERY Monday and Tuesday for the last month. And, it’s enough already.

Meleah washed her face, brushed her teeth, had a cup of coffee, and proceeded to help her mother finish getting ready for a ‘Family Function’ otherwise known as ‘Passover’.  And even though it was the ‘Second Night’ and even though everyone who was supposed to come cancelled at the last minute – except for the ‘Two People’ in her family whom are often referred to as ‘The Howells’ from ‘Gilligan’s Island’, there was still a lot of work to be done.

Now, Meleah is really only a ‘Half-Jew’ or what some people might consider to be a ‘Fake-Jew’ but, she always enjoys ‘Celebrating’ the ‘Tradition’ even if she is not into ‘Religion’

Sadly, because of the ‘Festivities’ Meleah didn’t have any time that morning to put on her ‘Outfit’ and go ‘Outside’. Therefore, instead of ‘Doing Things Differently’ Meleah decided on ‘Doing Things Drastically’. Meleah got ‘Dressed-Up’ in her ‘Big Girl Clothes’ that included ‘Slacks’ as opposed to ‘Jeans’, and she even wore ‘High-Heels’. [And by ‘High-Heels’ she really means her favorite Slippers.] Meleah implemented the use of ‘Accessories’ by adding a ‘Belt’ and a ‘Necklace’. Heck, she even went as far as to apply ‘Make-Up’ complete with ‘Lipstick’. [And by ‘Lipstick’ she really just means Blistex.]

Meleah was very proud of herself for making it through the entire Sedar while dressed in her ‘Real Clothes’. Because any one who knows Meleah knows that she usually attends ‘Family Functions’ and/or ‘Holidays’ while wearing ‘Sweat Pants’.

Meleah enjoyed a wonderful evening celebrating Passover 2010 with some of her family members, and her son’s two friends who were invited at the last minute to fill the empty seats. Of course, by the end of dinner, Meleah could not get into her ‘Pajamas’ fast enough.

Before going to bed that night, Meleah felt that all too ‘Familiar Rumble’ in her stomach. After her second trip to the bathroom she realized she probably shouldn’t have eaten that ‘Third Plate’ full of Brisket.

‘Day Forty-Eight’ of ‘Doing Things Differently’ or [D48/DTD] otherwise known as Wednesday, began at 8am with the annoying sound of Meleah’s alarm clock. But, since she was up most of the night editing photos and writing, she didn’t fall asleep until after 4am. So, she reset her clock and went back to bed. Meleah woke up AGAIN around 10am. And even though she was still very groggy, she got up and out of bed. After she washed her face, and drank some coffee, she was pleasantly surprised to see that it had finally stopped raining.

Meleah was never so happy to put on her ‘Outfit’ and go ‘Outside’. She walked around the block, five times in a row, for the first day, for the ninth week in a row. And when she came home, rather than smoking a cigarette, she did 50 ‘Stomach Crunches’ and 10 ‘Push-Ups’ for the first day, for the fifth week in a row.

Meleah spent the rest of her day enjoying a good read. She found herself laughing out loud. A lot.  Because this is one very funny book, and it just so happens to be written by one of her favorite authors.

Thursday, otherwise known as ‘Day Forty-Nine’ of ‘Doing Things Differently’ or [D49/DTD] began at 10am. And oh what a beautiful day it was. The weather had finally changed from ‘Miserable Rain’ to ‘Glorious Sunshine’ and Meleah couldn’t wait to take full advantage of it.

Meleah put on her ‘Outfit’ and went ‘Outside’ and she walked around the block, five times in a row, for the second day in a row, for the ninth week in a row. And when she came home, rather than smoking a cigarette, she did 50 ‘Stomach Crunches’ and 10 ‘Push-Ups’ for the second day in a row, for the fifth week in a row.

And then she spent the ‘Rest Of The Day’ [and Night] with her Best Friend ‘Amy The Bartender’ at her favorite local Country Club otherwise known as KHCC, laughing, joking, and stuffing her face full of food.

Friday, otherwise known as ‘Day Fifty’ of ‘Doing Things Differently’ or [D50/DTD] started at 10am and once again, Meleah put on her ‘Outfit’ and went ‘Outside’ and she walked around the block, five times in a row, for the third day in a row, for the ninth week in a row. And when she came home, rather than smoking a cigarette, she did 50 ‘Stomach Crunches’ and 10 ‘Push-Ups’ for the third day in a row, for the fifth week in a row.

And then her ‘Seasonal Allergies’ wreaked havoc. Meleah couldn’t stop sneezing, sniffling, or coughing. Meleah felt so sick and so exhausted from all the medication she couldn’t even enjoy the day. She spent her time indoors watching back-to-back movies all the while wanting to rip her face off.

Later that evening, Meleah spent ‘Quality Time’ with her 13-year-old-son, and for THE FIRST TIME EVER? SHE BEAT HIM AT VIDEO GAMES!

Saturday, SHOULD HAVE BEEN ‘Day Fifty-One’ of ‘Doing Things Differently’ or [D51/DTD]. But Meleah still didn’t feel too good. So, she decided to ‘Take The Day Off’. That is until that evening, when her brother Abercrombie came down for his weekly visit. Meleah, and her brother, and her son, embarked on a miniature ‘Shopping Spree’ at the local mall. And that was very much ‘Doing Things Differently’ for Meleah because she would rather SET HERSELF ON FIRE than set foot inside of THE MALL!

Seriously.

When they returned home, the three of them, along with Meleah’s Mother, watched ‘The Stupidest Movie’ of All Time, otherwise known as ‘Team America World Police’. But, even though it was an awful movie, Meleah never laughed so hard in her entire life. Watching her brother and her son have such a good time together literally made her heart sing.

Sunday, otherwise known as ‘Day Fifty-Two’ of ‘Doing Things Differently’ or [D52/DTD] started precisely at 930am. And while Meleah did NOT get dressed in her ‘Regular Outfit’, she did get dressed up in her new ‘Golfing Attire’.

Meleah spent her time enjoying another ‘Day Of Golf’ [for the third week in a row] with her brother ‘Abecrombie’, her Best Friend  ‘Amy The Bartender’, her pretend Sister In Law ‘Suzy Mazz’, and a surprise ‘Guest Appearance’ was made by the one and only ‘Crazy-Eyed-Shady-Ninja’, otherwise known as ‘Nightingale’.

Meleah is happy to report that she played better than she had the previous two weeks and she is finally starting to LOOK THE PART of Golfer. But more on that another day!

And, that’s a wrap.