Stretching ourselves.

Thanks to an early morning phonecall (Dan!), I am blogging again. Really, it wasn't that early, and sometimes I forget how much I love the quiet in my house before the kids all awake and life starts happening in my house. I feel much more centered after some time with God, my thoughts and focusing on my tasks for the day. Including this!
I think it's funny that some of you have checked back here the last couple of days and have actually "missed me". You don't even know me, and yet a part of you cares about what I do and say. I do it too. I've been away from the computer a bit more than usual and now I'm looking forward to catching up on some of my usual reads. Chip says, "people aren't clicking on your blog wondering where you are or what you're doing". I say, "Yes they are...they're my regulars". So, if you're a "regular Nitty.Gritty. reader", tell Chip "hi" in my comments today and he can see for himself that I'm right and he's wrong on this one. =) He thinks I simply have an inflated ego. I'd like to dispell that myth here today.
I ended up not get too many pictures while my sister, nephew and Mom were here, because we decided to throw together a last minute garage sale. How's that for a fun vacation?! They did most of the work and I made a couple hundred dollars cash, and got rid of some things that have taken up space for a few years. We actually had a good time doing the sale, and the kids had a blast playing with all the toys and kid stuff that we set out on display. I don't think any of them even missed not going to the beach. I've got a good 50 cent gargage sale lesson that I plan on putting into words here in a day or two, and I'll probably make a scrap page of it too. Don't let me forget.
The pictures posted today don't really go together when you look at them, but one is the visual for stretching your mind, and the other for stretching your waistline. One we can never do enough of, and the other it seems we overdo more often than we should. I made that cake last night when we had some friends over for ribs. Chip's the master of fine ribs, I must say. He may not totally get blogging, but he makes up for it with his culinary skills. I love this cake...simple and delicious. The biggest problem with this cake is that you can eat two pieces of it in one sitting. It's that good. Sometimes it's called "Turtle Cake" and in other circles it's referred to as "Better-than-sex cake". Since that last title is actually a debatable topic, I'll just leave it at that. I don't want to cause any unnecessary controversy here. But it is really good!
The other picture is of Wyndham just before she headed out to therapy the other morning. She was signing "train", because she was getting ready to go on a field trip to a train. I just thought she looked so grown up and I realized how much of what she is learning each day is something I must learn too. She is doing very well with sign language, although we still aren't giving up on her speaking at some point in her life. She makes lots of different sounds, she can say a few words- very occasionally when she is prompted, and she expresses herself in lots of ways that we understand. Still, we are working with her at home and in therapy to learn sign language and she does wonderful with it. In fact, I am getting behind in all the words she can sign and understand. I am a busy mom, as you know, and learning a new language can be a challenge even when a person has the desire, interest and good reason to learn it.
I was thinking about all the things I have had to learn or force myself to do since Wyndham received her closed-head injury. I never dreamed I'd give her a shot every night. I never dreamed I'd learn so much about brain functions and medicine. I never dreamed I have to learn sign language and use it in my life everyday. If I had dreamed my future five years ago, I'm certain I would have laughed or been overwhelmed. I would have fought it every step of the way. Instead, I look back and can't believe all that has transpired. We've all come a long way, and although it's been rough at times, it's been managable. Without really realizing it somedays, we were stretching ourselves and growing and learning together.
What is something you have dreamed about or want so badly in your future? Does it seem totally ridiculous to you when you imagine it coming true? Do other people support you or laugh at you when you share your ideas with them about your far-fetched dreams? Have you put some of your crazy ideas on hold because they seem too crazy for you? If so, I challenge you to take one tiny, bitty step toward your silly dream. And then another one after that. Just see what happens for a little while. A little bit of reaching and stretching every single day will bring you closer to your goal, and it's likely you'll hardly feel the effects of your efforts along the way.
I believe that more of us need to stretch ourselves more than we do. Maybe not with praline chocolate cake so much, but in other really beneficial areas of our lives. I just might start waking up a little earlier each day for starters. On my own- not from an unexpected phonecall. =)