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

[Week 10: April 5^th – 11^th]

* For those of you who are NEW to ‘Doing Things Differently™’ 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’ and ‘Mundane’.

Onward.

Monday, otherwise known as ‘Day Fifty-Three’ of ‘Doing Things Differently’ or [D53/DTD] began at 930am. Meleah had her morning coffee while editing and uploading hundreds of photos to all of her multiple accounts. And before she knew it, it was 12:30pm.

In a panic, Meleah quickly put on her ‘Outfit’ and she went ‘Outside’. Only this time, she walked around the block SIX TIMES in a row, for the first day, for the tenth week in a row. And when she came home, rather than smoking a cigarette, she did 100 ‘Stomach Crunches’ and 50 ‘Push-Ups’ for the first day, for the sixth week in a row.

For. Real.

And here’s why.

All of the nice weather we’ve been having reminded Meleah that Summer is right around the corner and if she wants to be in ‘Bathing Suit Shape’ she’s just going to have to work much harder. Especially since she is not willing to give up her ‘Love Affair’ with Brownies, or Bacon, or Cheeseburgers, or Ice Cream!

Meleah spent the rest of the day totally sore from all that ‘Extra Exercise’. But that didn’t stop her from making her ‘Daily Internet Rounds’ reading and commenting on ‘Other People’s Blogs’ and catching up with friends on Facebook.

Tuesday, otherwise known as ‘Day Fifty-Four’ of ‘Doing Things Differently’ or [D54/DTD] began at 6:30am. And that’s ONLY because it was her son’s first day ‘Back To School’ post ‘Spring Break’ and she didn’t trust him to get UP and OUT of bed on time. Luckily, her ever-so-responsible child was already showered and dressed by 6:30 so Meleah went back to sleep until 9am.

When she woke up, she momentarily forgot what decade she was in because ‘The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air’ was on Television. And while she loves her some Will Smith, she is fairly certain that show hasn’t been on television since sometime in the 90’s.

After ‘Two Cups Of Coffee’ and ‘Three Loads Of Laundry’ Meleah put on her ‘Outfit’ and went ‘Outside.’ And for the first time all year, this particular ‘Outfit’ consisted of SHORTS and a TANK TOP rather than her usual ‘Sweatpants’ and ‘Hoodie’.

Once again, Meleah walked around the block SIX TIMES in a row, for the second day in a row, for the tenth week in a row. But somewhere around ‘The Third Lap’ Meleah felt a sudden sharp cramp on the ‘Right Side’ of her ‘Rib Cage’ and it was like nothing she’d ever felt before. She had to stop for a few moments to catch her breath before she continued her stride. While Meleah never did figure out ‘The Cause’ of such ‘Intense Pain’ she was just glad it subsided almost as quickly as it came.

When she came home, rather than smoking a cigarette, she did 100 ‘Stomach Crunches’ and 50 ‘Push-Ups’ for the second day in a row, for the sixth week in a row.  And then she finished ‘Twelve More Loads Of Laundry’.

Later that afternoon, Meleah begged her parents to “PLEASE PUT ON THE AIRCONDITIONING” because while ‘Record-Breaking-Warm-Weather’ is Meleah’s ‘Favorite Kind’ of ‘Unexpected Weather’, she is NOT A FAN when the thermostat in the house reaches well over 80 degrees. Because that means her upstairs bedroom is at least two degrees HOTTER than the actual SUN.

You see, Meleah’s bedroom receives excessive, direct, powerful, sunlight for 99% of the day and the only shades she has hanging in her room are a ‘Sheer Suggestion’ of what ‘Real Blinds’ are supposed to be. Therefore, there is absolutely nothing preventing ‘The Beaming Hot Rays’ from painting her room with sunshine. Thus she is faced with ‘Extremely Uncomfortable Temperatures’. Thankfully, her parents were merciful and the ‘Air Conditioning’ blasted ‘Icy Coolness’ throughout the house.

Wednesday, otherwise known as ‘Day Fifty-Five’ of ‘Doing Things Differently’ or [D55/DTD] began at exactly 930am. And OMFG it was already HOT outside. Like, ‘Africa Hot’. Meleah had some ‘Very Important Errands’ to take care of that simply couldn’t wait another day. And by ‘Very Important Errands’ Meleah really means she put on her ‘Bathing Suit’ and went to her backyard to ‘Get Her Tan On’ while soaking up as much ‘Vitamin D’ as possible.

That afternoon, Meleah took her son to his ‘Very First Guitar Lesson’ EVER. And it was awesome. Mind you, Meleah ONLY agreed to pay for these ‘Uber Expensive Guitar Lessons’ since her son has been diligently teaching himself via YouTube videos [every single day] for practically a year now. And because her son took the ‘Initiative’ and has remained ‘Persistent’ Meleah truly believes her son deserves to be ‘Rewarded’ for his ‘Efforts’.

After said ‘Guitar Lessons’, Meleah and her son went ‘Grocery Shopping’. And because she is ‘Doing Things Differently’ she opted to try a ‘New Store’ as opposed to going to her usual ‘FoodTown’. Meleah was ‘Immediately Thrilled’ when she was able to find a ‘Parking Space’ RIGHT IN FRONT of the store! And, she was ‘Pleasantly Surprised’ with the ‘Wide Aisles’ and ‘Splendid Selection’ of ‘Interesting’ and ‘Gormet Items’ that were very ‘Reasonably Priced.’  And that’s exactly when Meleah ‘Became A Fan’ of ‘Top Tomato’.

That evening Meleah decided to ‘Cook Dinner’ for her family. And that does not mean she ordered a Pizza. In fact, Meleah went all out and baked her famous ‘Pork Chops’ with a side of ‘Mashed Potatoes’ and ‘Fresh Steamed Sweet Peas’. And even though that’s more of a Fall/Winter kind of dish, it’s really the only meal Meleah can cook very well!

Meleah knows that cooking ‘The Same Meal’ all the time is not exactly ‘Doing Things Differently’ and during the ‘Dinner Preparations’ Meleah realized she never put on her ‘Outfit’. And that’s when it dawned on her.  She could do BOTH at the same time, and that WOULD very much be ‘Doing Things Differently’.

Meleah ‘Marinated’ and ‘Seasoned’ the said ‘Pork Chops’ full well knowing that it takes exactly 20 minutes on ‘Each Side’ of ‘The Meat’ to cook properly. And she was going to use that time wisely.

Meleah slid dinner into the oven, put on her ‘Outfit’ and raced ‘Outside’.  And, she walked around the block ‘Three Times’ in a row, for the third day in a row, for the tenth week in a row, AS FAST AS SHE POSSIBLY COULD. After all, she only had 20 minutes.

Meleah made it back home just in ‘The Knick Of Time’ to hear the timer buzzing. Meleah quickly ‘Flipped The Chops’, stirred the Mashed Potatoes’, and took a deep breath.  Then she reset the timer before sprinting back ‘Outside’.

And, she walked around the block ‘Three Times’ in a row, for the third day in a row, for the tenth week in a row – as fast as she possibly could – AGAIN.

And when she came home she thought she was going to collapse. But instead, she finished cooking dinner. [Which just happened to come out perfectly!]

Meleah spent the ‘Rest Of The Night’ making her ‘Daily Internet Rounds’ reading and commenting on ‘Other People’s Blogs’ and catching up with friends on Facebook.

Thursday, otherwise known as ‘Day Fifty-Six’ of ‘Doing Things Differently’ or [D56/DTD] started at 9am.  And it was yet another BEAUTIFUL day. [YAY!] Meleah put on her ‘Outfit’ and went ‘Outside’. And she walked around the block SIX TIMES in a row, for the fourth day in a row, for the tenth week in a row. And when she came home, rather than smoking a cigarette, she did 100 ‘Stomach Crunches’ and 50 ‘Push-Ups’ for the third day, for the sixth week in a row.

And then she rewarded herself by getting her hair done!

Meleah considering adding some ‘Summery Highlights’ but she’s never really been able to pull off ‘Blondness’. However, she really wanted to try something new. So she traded in her raggedy-long-mop of hair for a shorter-cleaner look. And she’s very happy with the results. Maybe next month she’ll be willing to reconsider the idea of ‘Summery Highlights’.

Later that afternoon/evening Meleah spent the rest of her Thursday with Amy The Bartender, much like the author Mitch Albom spent Tuesdays With Maurie.

Friday, otherwise known as ‘Day Fifty-Seven’ of ‘Doing Things Differently’ or [D57/DTD] started at 10am. And then Meleah wondered what happened to all that nice weather? It was rainy and cold which always makes Meleah feel a little ‘Melancholy’.

Nevertheless, Meleah put on her ‘Outfit’ and went ‘Outside’. And she walked around the block SIX TIMES in a row, for the fifth day in a row, for the tenth week in a row. And when she came home, rather than smoking a cigarette, she did 100 ‘Stomach Crunches’ and 50 ‘Push-Ups’ for the fourth day, for the sixth week in a row.

And then she congratulated herself for a job well done, by going on an all out CSV ‘Shopping Extravaganza’ wherein she spent an absurd amount of ‘Coin’ on all of the ‘Luxurious Supplies’ her heart desired. And by ‘Luxurious Supplies’ she really means the ‘Basic Essentials’ such as toilet paper, fabreeze, swiffer, shampoo, toothpaste, baby wipes and a carton of Newport 100 cigarettes.

That afternoon, Meleah went to KHCC for a late lunch and made her ‘Daily Internet Rounds’ by reading and commenting on ‘Other People’s Blogs’ while catching up with friends on Facebook.

But by Friday night, Meleah stared feeling ‘Under The Weather’.

And by Saturday morning? She felt like she was at ‘Deaths Door’.

Meleah spent The WHOLE DAY Saturday & Sunday IN BED.  Sleeping.

In fact, she’s still not feeling very well.