[Week 16: May 17th– 23th]
* For those of you who are NEW to this blog, or NEW to ‘Doing Things Differently™’ you can find out HOW and WHY “DTD” 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’. She momentarily took a break to ‘Visit With An Old Friend’ but she continued ‘Doing Things Differently™’ even after things became slightly ‘Boring.’
Meleah completed ‘The Second Month’ of ‘Doing Things Differently™’ but she felt like things were too ‘Mundane’. So, she started ‘Doing Things Differently™’ with a little more ‘Intensity’. And then she got ‘Injured’. As such, sadly, she was forced to take ‘Time Off’ from DTD.
Meleah was temporarily given ‘Medical Clearance’ and she was able to Proceed with ‘Doing Things Differently™’- So she started all over ‘Again’. And even though she was ‘Mad Crazy Busy’ she managed to Maintain DTD.
ONWARD!
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Monday, otherwise known as ‘Day Seventy-Five’ of ‘Doing Things Differently™’ or [D75/DTD] started sharply at 9am. Meleah had to get up that early because she had a lot of things to do!
But first, she put on her ‘Outfit’ and she went ‘Outside’. And she walked around the block SEVEN TIMES In A Row [otherwise known as ‘Two Miles’] for the first day, for the third 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 third week in a row.
She spent the afternoon ‘Food Shopping’ with her mother and ventured out to ‘Three Different Stores’, in search of finding all of the ‘Items’ on their ‘List’. At one point a ‘Frustrated’ Meleah felt as if she was on a ‘Scavenger Hunt’ and one that had ‘Gone Awry’. Thankfully, they made it home with everything in tact just before the sunset.
That evening Meleah made her famous ‘Internet Rounds’ while commenting/reading all of her ‘Favorite Blogs’.
* And then with one ‘Disturbing Phone Call’ everything in Meleah’s world changed. [But, more on that later in this post.]
Tuesday, otherwise known as ‘Day Seventy-Six’ of ‘Doing Things Differently™’ or [D76/DTD] also began at 9am. The weather was cold, rainy, windy and ‘Absolutely Miserable’. So, Meleah decided NOT to put on her ‘Outfit’ or go ‘Outside’.
Instead, she stayed ‘Inside’ to watch a ‘Law and Order Marathon’ while wearing her ‘Pajamas’. Meleah gave herself a facial and a pedicure, after she finished all of the laundry and cleaned her ‘Living Quarters’ to ‘Immaculate Conditions’ because even though Meleah is ‘Doing Things Differently’ she ‘Firmly Believes’ ‘Certain Things’ should ‘Never Change’.
Wednesday, otherwise known as ‘Day Seventy-Seven’ of ‘Doing Things Differently™’ or [D77/DTD] started at 4:45am.
Seriously.
4:45am.
Why?
Because Meleah was ‘Playing’ in her very first ‘Golf Outing’ with her BFF ‘Amy The Bartender’ and ‘The Mayor’s Wife’. [Well, not really ‘The Mayor’s Wife’. That’s just an inside joke. Sorry people.]
Unfortunately, the ‘Totally Super Amazing Golf Course’ was located very, very, very, far, far, far, away. And they all had to wake up that early just for ‘Traveling Time’. But Meleah will tell you ‘All About That’ on another day, and in another blog post.
* Sadly, after having ‘The Best Day Ever’, Meleah received even more ‘Troubling News’. [More later in this post.]
Thursday, otherwise known as ‘Day Seventy-Eight’ of ‘Doing Things Differently™’ or [D78/DTD] started at 8am. But, Meleah simply couldn’t put on her ‘Outfit’ and she definitely couldn’t go ‘Outside’. She was incredibly sore from the ‘Golf Outing’ the day before. She spent the day helping her mother ‘Take Care’ of ‘Elderly Family Members’ before climbing into bed to recover from ‘Crippling Exhaustion’.
Friday, otherwise known as ‘Day Seventy-Nine’ of ‘Doing Things Differently™’ or [D79/DTD] began at 8am. Meleah and her Mother spent the morning together discussing ‘Urgent Family Medical Issues’, scheduling ‘Doctors Appointments’ and having ‘Serious Conversations’ They never did find the time to put on their ‘Outfits’ or go ‘Outside’.
That evening, after she ‘Fulfilled’ all of her ‘Obligations’ Meleah decided she needed to take a ‘Break From Reality’ so she went to KHCC to visit her best friend ‘ATB’ while uploading, editing, and captioning, over 300+ photos.
Saturday, otherwise known as ‘Day Eighty of ‘Doing Things Differently™’ or [D80/DTD] kicked off at 9am. Meleah couldn’t find the ‘Motivation’ to put on her ‘Outfit’, but she did spend the day ‘Outside’. Meleah enjoyed ‘Quality Family Time‘ with her brother Abercrombie, her nephew MDW, her son JCH, her father Tony Bennett, and her mother Pammie.
Sunday, otherwise known as ‘Day Eighty-One of ‘Doing Things Differently™’ or [D81/DTD] began at 9am. And Meleah decided to post this blog right away instead of doing anything else. She may or may not put on her ‘Outfit’ and go ‘Outside’ later in the day – because a really good walk just might be exactly what she needs.
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*** On a personal note:***
I haven’t been around online very much, nor was I focused on ‘Doing Things Differently’ because I was too busy helping my parents, and fighting off tears, since BOTH of my Grandparents suffered ‘Strokes’.
‘Gramma Ev’ [My Father’s Mother] had her Stroke, on Monday May 17th.
[Gramma Evelyn has since been moved to a ‘Rehab Facility’ and she has been diligently working on regaining her ‘Cognitive Skills’. I have ‘High Hopes’ and I am almost ‘Confident’ that ‘Gramma Evelyn’ will be cursing and telling people off in no time. But it’s just way too soon to tell.]
‘Poppa Sye’ [My Mother’s Father] had his Stroke not more than 24 hours later, somewhere between Tuesday & Wednesday.
[We still aren’t sure about the ‘Extent’ of the ‘Damage’ and ‘Further Testing’ is required. Honestly? I think Poppa Sye is getting worse with each passing day. And every time I hear him speak, a little piece of my heart breaks. The left side of his face is paralyzed, and his speech is incredibly slurred.]
Needless to say it’s been a ‘Tremendously Stressful’ and ‘Emotionally Draining’ time for my entire Family.
I need to ask all of YOU to please continue saying little prayers and sending healing energy out to both Poppa Sye and Gramma Ev because they could use all of the prayers they can get.
Thank you.
Oh no no no. I am so sad to hear this. I love Poppa Sye and Grandma Ev. I am going to be praying for them all the time from now on. I really really hope they both recover. Are you OK, Meleah? This is such terrible news. My thoughts are with you and your family XXX
What very sad news. You have had a horrible week and a good walk would help you with all that emotional stress and then some chocolate, man, I would be eating serious chocolate.
I will definitely have a talk with God about this, most likely in the shower, as long as I have no psycho moments (lol) but seriously I have already stopped to say a prayer for your grandparents and your family while reading your post. I hope you have some better news soon and a much better week. Hugs from Lucy!
Oh man. What a stressful week. I really hope things get better for you all very soon. I'm glad that you are able to be there for your parents as they deal with their own parental issues. But who's there for Meleah? Please be sure SOMEONE is.
I shall continue praying for your grandma and grandpa (who I have just recently gotten to know from your blog; they are incredibly awesome people) and will send all of the healing powers I have.
Hang in there, Mel!
Just prayed for Poppa Sye and Gramma Ev, Mel. Hang in there.
Mel,
I am very, very sorry to hear about Grandma Ev and Poppa Sye. Lord knows I am not a very religious soul but I am praying for them if that helps. I may not know them personally, but through your stories and pictures, you've made them a part of an extended family that you've shared with the rest of us. I will keep them in my thoughts and pray for their recovery. I am also keeping you in my throughts & prayers in this difficult time.
Don't worrry about the blog, Write when you can or are able. Take care of family first. We're here for you for any support you need. hugs
I'm so sorry about both your grandparents. They are very much in my thoughts and I am confident that they will both make full recoveries.
Thank you Selma. I feel like YOU kind of KNOW them having read countless blog posts and seeing so many videos of them. Thank you for your prayers. How am I? That's a tough questions. I think I am still in shock, and maybe I have a little bit of denial going on because this just seems so surreal to me.
I did eat a whole tray of brownies. What is it about chocolate? Please have that chat with G-d in the shower while your imagining a psycho killer in your house. Thank you so much for your prayers Lucy.
Thank you very much Terry. I am fortunate enough to have good friends to talk to to help me get through this. It's just very hard to see/hear my grandfather the way he is. But, I think helping my mom is also helping me deal with things a little better.
🙂
Thank you Agg. Just like I said to Selma, so many of you have been reading my blog for so many years, I feel like you guys DO known my family. Your prayers mean a lot to me right now. I am not a religious person either – but somehow praying is coming very natural to me right now.
Thank you Nik. xoxo
TONS of Love and Hugs for you and your family my friend. I will pray for your grandparents speedy and full recovery. Keep your chin up dear, they count on you as their piece of sunshine everyday when they see you! <3 ya girly.
Im doing my best!
Thanks PeeDee.
xoxoxo
First, I want to send you a HUGE hug…………
(((((((((( X Meleah X ))))))))))
OMG, I immediately got tears in my eyes reading about Grandma Ev and Poppa Sye. Even though I've only been reading your blog for a short time, I feel like I KNOW these two people, as if they were my OWN family members.
Please know that I am sending MUCH prayers, good energy, and lots of LOVE their way.
Take care of yourself, my Libra friend.
XO
P.S. whenever you have the time, please keep us posted.
Sending you big hugs. So sorry about the difficult news.
Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear about your grandparents. My father had a stroke this winter and I know the worry is just all consuming. My thoughts are with you and them and your entire family.
Thank you Ronnie C.
You DO know them. And I have loved sharing them with you.
xoxoxo
Thank you Jayne.
The worry IS all consuming. But, I am doing my best to stay focused on helping as much as I can because then at least I feel like I am contributing.
Wow, so sorry to hear about your grandparents, Meleah. I will be thinking positive thoughts for both of them and I hope you and your family are getting through this the best you can. Hang in there.
Thank you Marty. Have some brew-ha-ha's for me on your 365 Bar Crawl. Okay?
Oh sweetie! *Hugs* I'm definitely sending positive thoughts and wishes out into the universe for your grandparents. Wish I could do more…
xoxox xoxox xoxoxo
xoxox xoxox xoxoxo
I'm so sorry about your grandparents. I will definitely say prayers for them.
Hug – hug – hug!
Thank you Teri. xoxo
Oh, Meleah, I am so sorry. I will definitely pray for you during this challenging time. Love to your parents as well. I can imagine how difficult it is for all of you.
Thank you for your prayers Anne.
always in my prayers….xoxoxo!!!
The GUYS and I are definitely sending out positive, healing energy.
I'm sorry you're going through such a stressful time.
Hope you took it out on the golf course. Take care of yourself.
You have my prayers upon prayers upon prayers. Before I even left a comment I talked to the Man Upstairs. I hope and pray they will recover quickly and become even stronger than they were before!!!
I know that every case is different, but just so you realize what is possible, I'll tell you of my mum's stroke(s)
She had a stroke and was rushed to hospital where she had another. We were told that they were expecting a massive stroke, which she had the next night. She was no more than a vegetable after that one. Didn't recognize anybody, couldn't speak at all, and appeared to be virtually paralyzed.
Soon after, she was released from hospital walking and talking. She slowly regained full strength in her leg, and her hand almost full strength. Her speech was very slightly effected, as in a little stutter at times, but no more than that. She continued a more or less normal life.
A full recovery is very possible 🙂
All my love to yo Shawn.
Thank you.
🙂
Oh Babs! Thank you for giving me HOPE. xoxoxo
WOW I love the DTD concept and must say, there is a lot of reading I must catch up on. I do know that there will always be setbacks to plans, like allergies and alike. But you have a GREAT attitude and it is infectious. I am going to think about doing DTD each day myself now. Your awesome 🙂 Of course the key word is think 😉
Yay! Thank you!
facial and a pedicure. will you do mine. yes my feet and my face. they are both in need of repairs.
hugs.
Well, I felt you should know that sometimes stroke patience seem hopeless, but they can bounce right back. I pray that both of your grandparents bounce right back 🙂
Of course I will!
Gramma Ev is doing great. Thank you!
Poppa Sye? Not so much.
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