Test Run

Test Run

This morning I was proud of myself for not waking up as early although it may have only been 15 minutes later. I got ready kind of in a hurry because I thought the window for the Comcast man was 7 to 12. About 10, I called Comcast and asked about the appointment. The window is actually 7 - 8 on a different day. The large window that I was remembering was for my wheelchair delivery which is already been done. I then decided to take my wheelchair for a test drive.

I went to the Flintridge Starbucks where I was able to see Bonnie and Ciamak, Sherry, a beautiful lady who is Japanese, and Mr. John. Bonnie and Ciamak same to me doing very well but today they didn't have any grandchildren or great-grandchildren with them. Sherry and I didn't really have time to top over worry about to say hi and she looked great! The beautiful Japanese lady was absolutely awesome! The first thing I asked her was if she was Asian. She what is born in Hawaii and along with a few other ethnicities, she was half Japanese. Talking to Mr. John was absolutely wonderful, I saw that he was busy but he did take the time to tell me that Matt has an absolute blast at my birthday party.

Then I decided to take off to Verizon on Austin Bluffs and find out about different Chargers and the problems that keep occurring. As I spent a good hour there, I learned that there is a new fast charger that doesn't become bent causing charging difficulties, but I do have one charger that works. I also learned that you get it $5 off of charger purchase if you turn in an old charger. After learning that I would have to purchase a new charger with my new phone and decided not to get a charger quite yet until this phone no longer works.

As I was letting my phone charge on their fast charger, I went to the bank to make sure things were in proper order. Afterward I went back to Verizon to retrieve my fully charged phone, 4 + absolutely unknown reason I began to cry when leaving Verizon and then headed home.

When I finally arrived home, my wheelchair battery had just reached the yellow. The wheelchair battery gauge goes from green to yellow to red.  When it's in red you better hope that a charger is near. I was reminded today that I need to charge it every night however I was told previously to make sure it was run down a little bit for charging it which only makes sense. After my adventures today I was very excited to realize that the battery was run down enough to charge. Thanksgiving break could not have come at a better time I get to take my hotrod on adventures!

Hot Rod Lessons

Hot Rod Lessons

I was really excited today to be able to go to work and know that we have the whole next week off. My dad came to take me to work and on the way we were discussing how he was going to wait at my house for the wheelchair delivery. Although I felt a bit guilty, I was very impressed that my dad was willing to hang out at my house for the three-hour window time they had given me for delivery.  All of this quickly changed moments after I arrived at work.
    Yesterday I learned that I get to tutor my cousin’s daughter (2nd cousin?) in reading and math. When I arrived early to work I went to the library to look at books for her to read.  No sooner had I described the tutoring situation to the librarians did I receive a call reminding me of the wheelchair delivery and strongly advising me to be home to learn about and test drive the new wheelchair. “What?!? This is my 3rd hot rod (electric wheelchair),” I thought. Then I remembered that this hot rod has additional, newer  and exciting features that I should be instructed on.

I quickly made arrangements to be picked up so I could be home at the start of the delivery window and tried very had to remain calm with this sudden change of plans. After a minor internal panic attack, I registered my absence and headed to class.  I was super excited about seeing the students one last time before Thanksgiving break and I did get to see most of them before I was headed home to learn how to drive my new hot rod. Here I sit...waiting to get a new hot rod and lessons!.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING BREAK!   

Not Just a Clap

Not just a clap

Last month, or perhaps it was last week, a co-worker was devastated because she explained that her legs clapped when she did jumping jacks. Completely perplexed, in my head I thought my legs have never clapped, how could your hands get to your legs when they're supposed to be in the air clapping in the air… how in the world does this happen? Much to my dismay when I got out of the shower this morning I propped myself in between the walls in the hallway so I could not fall and did a jumping jack. I am proud to announce that although I have lost a pound or two Oh, my legs did not only clap they gave me a round of applause! It might only be a clap if I have enough balance to complete a jumping jack at a normal speed however I don't. Much like my communication is Sean out... So are my claps.

Money - Saving Idea!

Money-saving Idea!

Trying to be my occasionally Frugal self, I had a great new idea about cereal. I thought the bag cereal was cheaper but I had some boxed cereal at home. I decided to eat all of the cereal I have but save the box and then go buy bagged cereal to refill the the box with a similar cereal... Pretty clever, right? Well so I went out on venture today to return the Fruit Loops (Tootie Fruities) that my fiance bought because I didn't want to pay for a brand name and to him off-brand Fruit Loops are  healthy :-). Tonight when I went back to the store to return the cereal, only basing nutritional value on the number of carbohydrates I found Oat Blenders and Cinnamon Tasters had the same number of carbohydrates . I was spending way too much time deciding which bag to get when I ran into a friend from Rocky Mountain Calvary that I have not seen in awhile which. She unknowingly convinced me to hurry up and I grabbed them both planning to exchange the Tootie Fruities. I ended up not exchanging any of them and going home with a bag Oat Blenders, Cinnamon Toasters, and yes the infamous Tootie Fruities.

Because I am so long-winded I almost stopped the store and was like why dad even like this? And then I looked on to my kitchen floor and totally realize what I'm writing about.

            I arrived home with the bags of cereal and finish the last little bit of the boxer that I wanted to refill with the cereal out of the bag. I thought that this cannot be hard so I opened the bag along the entire perforated line. I stuffed the opening of the bagged cereal Into the now empty bag of the boxed cereal and began to pour. Although I heard a few cereal pieces fall to the floor I didn't think it was March so I continued to pour. As the bag from the boxed cereal began to get full I'm pulled the bag cereal away. I was feeling pretty proud of myself when I heard cereal pieces fall like pouring rain to the floor. Apparently there was a little sliver of the bag cereal sticking out of the box cereal bag pouring onto the counter ( I was methodically using the counter as my other hand because this would have been a much worse story using my shaky hand to hold the box)

I'm really not sure that I saved much money if any. If I were to count be flakes of cereal in a bag giving them each a monetary value and adding that to the once cheaper price of bagged cereal. I really think that I have not saved anything although this did create a great storm in my opinion. Oh and I have not used the entire bag of cereal so actually it might be cheaper but is it worth it? While a picture is worth a thousand  can you put a price tag on laughter and joy?

A Shoebox

A Shoebox

As we are preparing to move into our house, Jason I have been discussing furniture that will be discarded of, furniture and that we have doubles of, and odds and ends throughout the house that we will no longer need. When I was over at his apartment there was a shoebox in the middle of the floor which has always been in the middle of his floor. Knowing that this is a shoebox for his cats, I brought up the idea of maybe we could decorate the box or make it look less boxy. Later on throughout the day Jason was talking in his “ I am the cat talking to Kimi” voice when saying "okay Broody tell her that you don't want your box decorated with stinking wrapping paper.” I eventually said okay maybe not wrap it but make it a little more presentable. Again in his cat voice he said, “tell her we don't need our box presentable.” this is the man who just told me he didn't want to go to an adult night at the zoo because he lives in the zoo himself, but I must say that he allows it to be a zoo. :-).

First Star Trek Convention '17

First Star Trek Convention '17

June 5th I received a text from my boyfriend:

“So...this is just a possibility to think about.  Instead of going to the Denver Comic Book Convention at the end of the month, how would you like to go on a real trip and go to the big Star Trek Convention in August in Las Vegas???”

As I read the message I thought, “Something to think about? Of course I want to go!” but then I thought about how school is starting and how it takes me 5 years to prepare for anything. I wasn't sure if I could do it for about .01 seconds. Then Jason explained that “this could possibly be the greatest people watching experience of your life” -- I was sold!

           I sat at Starbucks thinking why he want to take me to Star Trek convention. Shortly -- okay it wasn't that shortly, less than a week after receiving the invitation to Las Vegas I wrote this in my journal, “Got this crazy feeling that Jason will ask to marry me when we go to Las Vegas and it is 3:40 in the morning on Friday June 9th.” HE didn’t even know he was going to do it then. However between then and when we actually went to Las Vegas the idea and excitement dissipated; I had convinced myself and other people I'd shared the idea with agreed that I shouldn't get my hopes up and I should just plan on going and having fun.. Hopes up? I don't need no stinkin’ hope-- I'm going to the greatest people watching experience in my life! Not only would this be in an entirely new environment, cultural differences would abound. If I was doing an experiment, this would be an entirely new sample set than the one I see everyday- visitors of Starbucks. Days past, life happened and with my “stellar memory” I almost forgot about this wonderful suspicion until Friday.  

If was the Friday before we would be leaving and there was a family gathering of my step mom's family in Castle Rock. My cousin had very recently gotten engaged and everyone was sharing their engagement stories. Jason and I-- not so much. None of the stories were traditional or at least they weren’t like what I thought engagements were supposed to be.like - - at a restaurant, dressed nice, nice ring….. oh and I forgot to say planned. Grandpa Batt proposed sort of nonchalantly on my way to their typical date night. My dad and my brother-in-law both proposed with a beer bottle opener or a beer tab? Some sort of memory token of their night. I may not remember correctly but I think Aunt Renee and Uncle Ron had a somewhat traditional proposal and my cousin Richelle was proposed to in Hawaii on the beach. After the conversation topic came to a close The most recent engagement Adam and Randi happened during a hike...with a backpack. I felt the necessity to apologize to Jason for being put in a weird, or what I thought might have been a weird position. However it turns out that the information Jason learned at the family gathering ended up being very beneficial.

                We were supposed to go to a nice restaurant the first night we were there but events didn't go as planned. I was so excited to see how Jason adapted to my disability -- although I think of jumping on his back might have been a good idea  now, it didn't dawn on me then and I'm kind of glad it didn't - - It might have but I had on a dress and I am afraid I would have broken his back. I cried and felt bad and told him to go without me but he wouldn’t and we had dinner elsewhere.

The trip was packed with seeing amazing people in awesome costumes, listening to “behind the scenes” information about what it took to make Star Trek what it has been and what it is today (seeing the Enterprise in the making was awesome), and as I was warned there were a couple people in random costumes.  It was our last night there and Jason wanted to go change out of our costumes before dinner. Keeping my high school title of “Most Spirited,” I suggested that we go in our Star Trek costumes. Riding a special, hidden elevator to the 50th floor was not bad, but the family who was dressed very nicely who got on the secret elevator with us must have thought that we were lost because of a clothing.

The restaurant was a busy place and the delay of being served cut into our plans. Jason got up and reached into his backpack on the back of my wheelchair. He got on one knee (I thought he was falling between my wheelchair, the empty chair, and the glass window) and proposed.  But wait, there’s more! Jason put the ring over my purity/reminder ring and it fit-- OVER my purity ring! What? It is a Starfleet Academy ring!!! Jason is a jokester and I always have ask if he is serious and this was no different-- I asked if he was serious and he assured me that he was!

What to Wear Oh What to Wear..

What to Wear Oh What to Wear..

My mom likes to say that when I was younger I dressed with a sense of humor...well at least that's what I told her. As I got dressed today I put on a nice black dress with red flowers that was a bit low cut. To be my modest self, I wanted to wear a tank top underneath. In deciding what color to wear I thought, “Kimi, you could wear black but your leggings are black. You could wear red but the flowers on the dress are red and it is quite a dominating color of the dress.” Using my fashion sense that I insist came from my time at the Buckle with Dee Medlock, I pulled the smallest color in the dress - green. The leaves on the flowers are green and I have a green tank top! As I sit here with hair that is dripping wet, I am pleased that I have a variety of modesty tank tops to bring out the smallest color of my clothing :-) thank you for whoever taught me that.

I may not always look like I tried to dress decently, but I stress about getting dressed and most of the thoughts I post on here are honestly things that go through my head. It seems almost cliche already but the struggle is real.

For breakfast?

For breakfast?

I was once told that if you don't feel good about giving something to someone as a gift then you shouldn't give it to them or something along those lines. I wonder if the same principle goes for having a good conscience or doing good things.

This morning I needed this go pick up something to bring to a party I'm I'm going to this afternoon. I realized that I had given my money allotted food this month to my housekeeper. I also had a few personal items I needed to purchase and I only had a little bit of money left for this month. So I went to look at the things on clearance at the grocery store and I found an amazing pie that I was sure would be perfect! After I stood from My Hotrod (wheelchair) and grabbed it, I was heading for the checkout and I saw watermelon... Watermelon would be perfect! So I went to put the perfect pie back and as I stood up to reach and put the pie back where the pie belonged it fell out of my hand and on the floor totally messing up the presentation of the pie. Now I know I'm at the grocery store and they would take it back -- it be fine. I'm also pretty sure that somebody might purchase a discounted, totally  smushed pie, that would be money the the store lost and even though it's a huge corporation, I wouldn't want to do that. Even though it was discounted, which I ended up buying and the watermelon  which was not, purchasing both of them along with the personal items sucked up the whole week's money. Although I thought this was sad and I am trying to maintain a decent weight over the summer, I guess I'm forced to eat smashed special edition Peach apple cobbler for breakfast! So I cried after buying the smashed Apple Peach Cobbler because it's something I really didn't want to do even though my conscience told me to. Is that the same as giving someone a gift that you really don't want to give them?

Sunday 7/16/17 & Monday 7/17/17

Sunday 7/16/17 & Monday 7/17/17 ( sorry about the temporary possibly permanently unreative title)

As some of you may know, Sunday was National Ice Cream Day . Right next to my favorite Starbucks is McDonald's. I decided to go in McDonald's for going to Starbucks so I could stay in there and get free refills  until I had to leave for an appointment .  At McDonald's I met Lynn a very nice lady. She noticed that near my clavicle was a little red so she was telling me how to ease the burn - - put vinegar on washcloth and softly rub it-- oh how I love old-fashioned remedies! In addition to being a very nice lady,  she was from Florida  I've been Pensacola and Fort Lauderdale-- something about that good old southern hospitality. Instantly my house flashed in my mind and I was thinking of my former helper Heather who created a vinegar spray bottle in my bathroom. Remembering this I was super excited to get home and spray it on a washcloth and put it on my sunburn that didn't burn but looked pretty nasty. I had already got my free cream but I had them tip it over into a cup because it always melts before I can eat it all.  Then I had the genius idea of purchasing a Coke . Once I purchased anything I had the option of  getting a free McFlurry or free  Shake.  I got a free vanilla shake  and poured the Coke in the shake it made a Coke float! Boy was I excited :-).

After that, I looked across the parking lot and saw Baskin Robbins - another ice cream store. Before I stopped at Starbucks I went to Baskin-Robbins and asked if they had anything going on for the ice cream day. They said that they didn't but I looked on my RetailMeNot app and saw that I had a free scoop of ice cream so I got it and spoke with an army chaplain and his family. The chaplain, Victor is from Puerto Rico. Having met chaplins of different sorts over the years I asked him what his job entailed. He described that he “serves our Service Members by offering religious services, counseling and advising the command about religion,  morale and morals.” when I finally made it to Starbucks I ran into a man who I had previously met as we were praying with a group of students who were camp counselors. Sadly I cannot find his name in my journal, so if you would please comment on this. Actually I have your name in my journal and it says Medrano... That does not seem right to me but it might be.

I had such a  Super Summertime Sunday and I ran into many awesome people with all of them not being named, I was in for a major turn around the next day.

The next day (Monday) I knew that I had an appointment at 1:30 in the afternoon but thought "hey I can work out and then go see my friends at Starbucks and be home in time to get to my appointment" that was my plan I was sticking to it! I wasn't feeling exactly normal but I just figured it was the Monday blues or something so I worked out and ran to Starbucks. I ordered a water because my head wasn't feeling quite up to par and the temperature outside was pretty hot even though once in the morning so I thought maybe I needed to hydrate. I only took a few sips of the water, rushed to the bathroom and the water and anything I had eaten that morning decided to visit the toilet. After that my body felt like I was back to normal but I was worried that something could be wrong so I notified the Baristas of what happened and then went home. Not much later I went to my appointment and found out that it was all cattywampus. Certain people were not communicating with other people and I needed to come back on a different day. All in all the past couple days have been adventurous. Today I worked out with  Sharon and her mother and although there were not many adventures today,
I did have an amazing visitor- - my mother who decided that I should change the location of my fans until we get my house rearranged to uncover the air conditioner. This is another sign of global warming because I have not used my air conditioner in the many years I have lived here I just open the windows and everything is awesome... Until now :-(.

Wise?

I am in an electric wheelchair When I visit with people at Starbucks so I am often told about many types of different vitamins, medicines, and therapies that people use or have heard great things about. I was recently told about Reliv and was heavily considering it. However waking up one morning I heard an ad for neurofeedback. That is something that I have considered before but for some unknown reason pushed it to the back burner.

Still wanting to try the other option at a different time, I surprised myself when I came up with a letter that sounded a little sophisticated:

“Well actually I think we should wait until after I've been doing this neurofeedback for a while because having two variables at one time create an extraneous variable or a confounding variable. Henceforth, you will not know which product is having an effect.
Smile 😁! Sincerely, Kimi”

This just made me think of Michael Reyes and Sandy Ho although I think they were before Research Methods.

Side note: This is what happens when I spend hours being quiet and doing what many call relaxing. Thanks Jason :-)!

Cow Appreciation Day!

Monday night I had it all planned out-- I would get up Tuesday morning at my normal 4:45 alarm and catch the first bus going north to Chic-fil-a so I didn't have to wait in a long line for the free chicken. I was sad that I was up all night fighting figments of my imagination and didn't wake up until 6 but luckily I showed the previous night so I could take off right after I scurried through the pertinent parts of the morning routine. When I finally made it to Chick-fil-a there was no line and I was served rapidly. When I received  my free entree I figured I would eat fast so it wouldn't be a problem that my hot rod protruded in the aisle- - I didn't want to rearrange Chick-fil-A’s dining room. I started chatting to a man who mentioned something about being in the military and I asked what his MOS was. He said you must be married to are related to someone in the military. I must have been unconsciously signing as I was talking because he said that it reminded him of his friend Fuji. I said sometimes my dad goes by Fuji. It was determined that we were referring to the same Fuji-- he knows my dad! He actually recalled knowing me when I was younger.

      Soon after Larry left I began talking to Jeff Hinson. I learned that he runs a nonprofit called Unite the Bride. Surprisingly this time pass romanization is somehow in connection with United Way Ivan where my mom works :-).

          Not only was I blessed by Mr. Larry and his wife helping me situate my seating at Chick-fil-A but later the crazy red bearded man was getting me a refill and put more money than I've ever put on a card on my Chick-fil-A card! I was really excited and after what we talked for awhile he left so I decided to go to another Chick-fil-A to get supper. I rode the bus to the other side of town and went to Starbucks where I had a meeting. Before my meeting I was sitting outside talking to a few regulars who I see often. I was blessed again with a Starbucks gift card. Minutes later had an absolutely amazing meeting and I pray that God  used my ears to hear the wonderful information this lady shared and used my mouth to declare His greatness. After the meeting, it was nearing mid-afternoon and I was sure I could hurry to the Garden of the Gods Chick-fil-A and get a free entree at the another Chick-fil-A. This was all in good conscience because I had called Chick-fil-A on the way to the first Chick-fil-A and asked if it was okay if I went to  different Chick-fil-A to get  different meals. They said it was absolutely fine if I wanted to travel to different locations.

Prior to going to the other Chick-fil-A I stopped by Starbucks. Shortly after arriving

a beautiful lady with lovely blonde locks came walking into Starbucks and said “Hi Kimi” and I was like who are you and she said Reid! Reid Biren,” I was like “oh my goodness!” Reid is my cousin! Not only do I never see her in the Springs, I totally forgot she lives in the Springs and is going to UCCS! She is getting  a Nursing degree with a minor in Psychology--I was so excited it's incredible :-) I wanted to do a dance but I will refrain.

          After visiting with Reid for little while and letting the rain pass, I took off to the other Chick-fil-A and got free lunch that hasn't even been eaten yet. I was feeling very successful as I made it to 2 Chick-fil-A locations and back home in time to have date night with Jason :-)! Praise God! Maybe next time I will try to make it to several locations.

Let's Hear it for the Golden Wave! Brain injury story #9652

Let's Hear it for the Golden Wave! Brain injury story #9652

Over the weekend I was on a mission to find accessories for my costume as well as sun dresses. Looking through dresses, I found this dress that reminded me of middle school. During my middle school years not only can I remember my mom wearing different colors of this particular style of dress, but I also remember that someone else wore one however, I could not remember exactly who it was.

With Colorado weather being very indecisive I didn't wear  all of the clothes that I picked out for last week and still had partial outfits hanging on my dresser. Even though the forecast said the temperature would be scorching, at Starbucks I sit right where the air blows and it's pretty cold at times. It was not a complete outfit still hanging on my dresser, it was a three-quarter length navy blue skirt and this morning a deep yellow colored shirt jumped out at me after having a dream about my middle school math teacher in Tupelo, Mississippi, Mrs. Susan Bounds.

... I arrived at Starbucks to write this story when I realized that I was sitting next to a paraprofessional and a former teacher. The teacher was a former chemistry teacher, Ray Coddington and the other educator is a paraprofessional in District 49, Robyn Tyboroski. Wait, there's more…

When I was younger I would look through singles magazine looking for somebody to “hook” my mom up with. We would be standing in the grocery store checkout line and I would say there's one mom… like I was reading off the details of an appliance or a house, I would read off a man's detailed characteristics… his height, age, and other disclosed information. I tell you this because It just so happens that Mr. Coddington was Ms. Tyboroski’s chemistry teacher when she was younger. Now however he is hurt stepfather! Talk about playing Matchmaker :-).

 

….Back to the story of my warm clothing because Starbucks is cold. Although I wasn't wearing  the dress I purchased the other day that reminded me of  middle school, I happened to be wearing a blue and gold outfit... the school colors for Tupelo Middle School! As I was reminiscing about Middle School years and Mrs. Bounds, I remembered that Mrs. Bounds and my mom used to wear the type of dress I had purchased!

Subconsciously  I picked out a gold shirt to go with my blue skirt and was wearing my middle school colors - Gold and blue. Although I already said today was a Wonderful Wacky Wednesday, I hereby change it and say it's a Golden Wave Wednesday: I suppose it could be a Wonderful Wacky Golden Wave Wednesday (just don’t expect that much alliteration to continue)!!  Even though my middle school years were 20 years ago, at times my brain injury enables me to recall memories from 20+ years ago better than events from last week or even yesterday!

Swoll?

I was able to deliver Starbucks to Kirsty and she gave me a tip that was more than the price of the coffee itself! I could really handle this job. I was going to stop by the firehouse (10s) and see if they wanted anything but I forgot to. And I'm not even sure what shift is today :-( I might have to depart when it gets a little warmer outside.

Not even 10 minute after I got back to Starbucks I decided to go to the firehouse. And it was a complete heart break as I did not know anyone at the firehouse and was looked at like I was crazy. They said that they were all new and I couldn't think of anyone's name but Jayme McConnellogue, but I suppose if I bring treats and visit more often I'll get to know them sometime.

I got to Starbucks and there were 2 lovely women sitting in the comfy chairs, Liz and Marsha. one lady works at Rampart High School and  the other educated me about Lyme's disease. They were only in there for a few minutes and they we're discussing  a Bible study before they could not resist the beautiful weather outside.

I also ran into Mr. Rich, the  helicopter pilot,  Ms. Sherry who always checks on my diet to make sure I'm staying healthy :-), Mr. Bob who always teaches me information and gifts me updates on local exciting events. And of course I cannot forget seeing of my favorite barista’s! While at Starbucks I managed to write this- - - a crazy, but true, story--

Swoll?

A long long time ago, I can still remember when I used to think that milk was oh so gross. After my brain injury, when life changed, I decided that I moved milk. Milk was next best thing to sliced bread. However all of this relation came to a sudden halt when I learned during a prayer meeting that I'm lactose intolerant. Let me tell you that this mirror food intolerance did not change the fact that I love milk. Now that I have discovered lactose-free milk, I just buy it. I get Lactaid hoping that this will cure the issue.

A few days ago I went to Safeway and grabbed a quart of Lactaid milk. I woke up yesterday morning and decided because I was going to my mom's house for a Fourth of July picnic and there's always enormous amounts of wonderful food, that I would eat a small breakfast. Knowing that cereal never fills me up I decided to eat cereal. This would be a double positive because I was just told by my doctor that I needed to eat cereal. I poured this ginormous bowl of Cheerios and then grabbed the milk out of my refrigerator. Although the half gallon box felt a little swollen or is my nephew would say swoll, I decided it was okay when I looked at the date and it said July 18th.  I poured the milk into my huge bowl of Cheerios and I took one great big bite. It tasted like sour pickles-- not sour like they're supposed to be but bad bad bad. I immediately looked at the date printed on top of the milk was JUL 18 17. In utter confusion I was like are you sure it is only the first day of July? Since I am known to be very wrong about the day of the week much less the day of the month, I looked on my cell phone and it was July 2nd. To make sure that date was correct I looked on my computer and it was 7/2/2017. It was still July and it was not yet the 18th. Very quickly I called Safeway and told them of my major mishap. I asked them if I could get new milk if I brought my milk in even though I had no clue where the receipt had gone. I was told it would be no problem so I threw the swollen carton of milk in a bag on my wheelchair and raced to Safeway- to show them the milk and get a replacement. I almost wanted to ask Safeway- if I could get Cheerios as well because I used almost the last little bit of Cheerios on that bowl with bad milk, but I didn't :-) go Kimi! Hold your applause Jason, hold your applause :-) I arrived home, ate cereal with some fresh milk, and was soon visited by Jason.

Just in Time!

Just in Time!

I tossed and turned all night in tears thinking that Jason was terribly mad when I told him to send me a picture of the receipt from Barnes & Noble. I could perfectly remember reading the periodic table of elements book at my dining room table. It is just dawning on me now that what I was remembering might have been a dream because I never had the book to begin with :-).

         I was so nervous this morning and I had mentally prepared myself not to get the wonderful morning greeting that I receive from Jason most mornings. I was thinking that he was going to be rushing for work because he had to go out his vehicle last night. However I did preface my asking with “the next time you go out to your vehicle will you please text me a picture of the receipt from Barnes & Noble.” I am in tears just thinking about what I thought was going to happen because it has before although probably not with Jason

           Needless to say I still got a wonderful message this morning and he did not say a thing about me requesting proof :-). I don't know if it was purposely or if it just happened, but I've been telling him that because I'm not at work I don't realize what day of the week it is so his message this morning reminded me that it was Tuesday :-). As I was on my way to my office

I ran into Mrs. Victoria. Who told me about Spruce Hill Community Church being available on the internet. I had looked for it before but was unable to find it. However hearing this re-energized me to search the Church’s website and hopefully be able to access the sermons. She also reminded me about potluck Sundays and told invited me to return some time. We also talked about Jason and I could not even put into words how amazing he is. Having this story at the front of my mind I wanted to spit it all out, however I knew time did not allow; I mean my goodness we met in the parking lot of a store :-).

         Arriving at the office when I looked up Spruce Hill Community Church and found how I can listen to the sermons. Looking at the very first podcast available, it was a sermon about the Super 8... I have those notes! I attended at least the first sermon of that series so I can listen to that entire series! This discovery has totally made my day!

            I now realize that when I was trying to find please sermons online I was not looking to the right far enough on the screen. I was sure that they would be under a different tab and I gave up searching when I did not find them. Oh my goodness, God is exclamation point Miss would swear you have no idea how exciting this is :-)! I think now would be a good time arriving so I can listen to as many sermons as possible before it's time to leave the office.

Someone’s Trash is Someone else's Treasure!

Someone’s Trash is Someone else's Treasurer

I decided that I had to rush to Starbucks to get some water and macha to calm down before I embarked on a journey to a far away in land with Jason. As I was coming home from Starbucks I saw a woman walking up the stairs who was obviously struggling using coaches that seemed oversized.

Remembering that recently I found a perfectly good walker outside my apartment that someone was throwing away, I decided to keep it and prayed that God would put somebody at my doorstep that might need it. When I prayed that I didn't think that God would literally put someone on my doorstep but you know God works in mysterious ways. I invited the injured lady to stop by my apartment so I could give her the walker. As the lady, Chelsea, was wobbling into my apartment, she saw my recumbent trike. She became very excited and explained that she volunteers for a man who sells those kind of bikes. What!?! There is no way that she would know Kelvin, Al, or Allen. But sure enough as I was shaking with excitement trying to recall names of the cycling group she spit out the names of the people she knew and Allen was one of them. I was beyond excited that she knows and is volunteering with one of the men who sold me my trike- Mr. Allen!

Mrs. Juli Walker I totally thought of you while writing this because every time I would dictate the word walker it would capitalize the word. I thought of the many times I wrote in my journal about how amazing you are.

But wait..  there's more!

            I'm sure you've read Jason’s version of what occurred this weekend; while his version might be a little more accurate as this weekend was experienced through his eyes, let me tell you how I saw this weekend--

Jason came to pick me up and ended up assisting my neighbor to her apartment after recovering much needed items from her car - - making it through the night without one’s cell phone? This woman is downright amazing!    

That was only the beginning... The beginning I tell you.

The events overlapped but only by a few  minutes. So Jason arrived assisted my neighbor and then we were off - - Jason and I went to Castle Rock Adventist Hospital where we saw many people dressed in church clothes. Somewhere between Jason mentioning that Saturday is their Sabbath and me simultaneously thinking that Saturday is their Sabbath, I started thinking about Katherine and wondering if she had gone to Church that day yet or it or if she goes in the evening. We even went into the hospital and Jason showed me his office.

       His office was super exciting ( although this is a place that action figures still supersede pictures of me :-(. Hahaha I crack myself up! After touring his office, we went to Manna-- a restaurant in the hospital and it was so amazing! If Only they would deliver :-).

           After having an amazing meal we went to a pretty extensive comic book store. At this comic book store  I watched a little girl come in and ask the extremely knowledgeable salesmen about the reviews of certain comic books and neither of the salesman could give her a direct answer (perhaps they aren't as abreast on all comic books as I thought, but only the ones that are of Interest to them. Or as Jason would say,  I only read serious comic books. I had to wonder what the little girl's comic book room looked like. In the interim between the comic book store and he next stop, I needed a five-minute nap so I said “I wish there were hotels that you could pay for by the hour.” This was when I learned that those type of hotels actually exist. There are even some in Colorado Springs! I was so excited to learn this although Jason quickly removed my rose colored glasses by telling me a little more about those type of hotels. We later went Glacier Ice Cream which has amazing gelato and is pretty hidden but Jason the master navigator found it :-). While I was eating my milkshake I reminisced on the very first speech therapy I had after my injury. The therapist discussed how drinking thick liquids through a straw would help in my speech recovery.

Jason and I then found herself in Barnes & Noble. I was gifted with amazing books-- one about how do brain works and another about the periodic of elements. Again I thought of High School although this time the teacher I was thinking of was Mrs. Stowers. She had a periodic table that hung on the board to the right of the students.

             Although having memories of high school resurface doesn't really blow my mind as I've spent so many years with a brain injury thus this happening  -- having a better long term memory most of the time and my short-term- memory being almost non-existent. This will become oh so very clear by the end of this story. My memories of high school chemistry class are pretty vivid. I can still picture Mrs. Stowers standing in front of the periodic table explaining details, but for some odd reason with it being 15 years later, her voice just wouldn't come through my memories. So I did what I do at my favorite Starbucks, I observed others, although not as in-depth as I normally do and asked a man who had on some sort of name tag  I'm moving to him being some sort of an employee.

Not being at my home Starbucks I was a little worried about asking a stranger however having Jason there made me feel a whole lot better. So I turned around and asked him about the periodic a table. Is was amazing! Even though he wasn't 100% sure of and answer, he offered justification for the conclusion huge drawing. I was super excited to relearn the information offered during his justification and now I cannot wait to research further information when I am  able.

Wow! That much excitement and I haven't even begun to tell you about the experience of the play.

The play was at CU - Boulder. I have never been to Boulder (okay I did once when I was much younger to participate in the BolderBoulder)  nor have I ever been to a college campus of that size. I went to UCCS, the Colorado Springs branch of CU.  At UCCS I could ride my wheelchair around the campus from one class to another not having to travel through terrain that was too uneven or mountainous.  That was then and this is now.

             The great idea I had the other day to bring my manual wheelchair had completely slipped my mind as complete excitement had taken over every thought and bit of rational thinking I might have had. Arriving at the campus we began looking for correct building I was thinking oh no! Using a trusty navigation device, we neared what we thought was where we were supposed to be although it did not look very packed. The navigation device told us that we needed to walk a little way. We really thought it was only a little way however it was over the river and through the woods. Let me remind you that Kimi is Wobbly Woman on flat ground and now she is walking on uneven unstable terrain with only her cane and Jason's hand… bless Jason's hand as I'm sure I was putting my entire body weight on his hand through the woods. When we finally arrived at a building we basically ran into another couple with a navigating device out trying to find the Shakespeare play. Absolutely unintentionally I collapsed actually it was not collapsing I was just was standing by myself and thought the world was spinning. Parents, fear not, it wasn't that serious...or maybe it was :-). Jason spoke with the other couple (Matt and Amber) and indeed they were looking for the same thing hyphen hyphen the Shakespeare play! There was some discussion however it was across the street from me. All I know is that Matt and Amber offered to give us a ride because somehow he managed to figure out that the play was quite a distance from our current location. There were many interesting details about the play like a female Hamlet?

As the play was nearing the end, Jason and I began discussing how we were going to get back to his vehicle. He was dressed very nicely and I had on a dress. As I have stated before although not in this blog, A girl's got to do what a girl’s got to do. I do recall that I did wear leggings underneath my skirt or dress just in case a situation such as this arose. However I am on medicine that is causing weight gain and I did not want to throw myself on Jason's back :-(. I was stressing however as we were nearing the door to exit the auditorium Matt and Amber could not be found. There were quite a few people there it was like playing where's Waldo although Waldo wasn't standing still. Out of complete shock they were waiting for us by the door offering a ride back to Jason's vehicle! Sometimes I think my mom is right, I am God’s favorite :-)!

It was very late on our way home and we still had to travel through Denver.

Finally made it home and overall I'd say it was a totally exciting trip!

The following week I was reminiscing about the books Jason had purchased for me and when I went to locate them I was only able to find the Brain book. Although Jason says that we only got the Brain book, I am pretty sure I was just looking at the periodic table book at my table yesterday. Bus am unable to locate it today. I called Starbucks to make sure I did not misplace it or forget it there and Jason says that we only got the Brain book. I however I'm sure that I was looking at the periodic table book at my kitchen table just the other day.

Jason kept telling me that he only bought one book; however I can remember sitting at my table looking at the periodic table book. My helper had come tonight and she looked for it as well. Where could this book be? I can imagine ways that I would have talked myself out of getting a book as I do with most things, but the memory of reading it at my kitchen table was so vivid. Finally I asked Jason to send me a picture of the receipt. He said he would later that the receipt was out in the car, I began to play the waiting game although I had no clue how long it would be. Still thinking of places that the book might be comma I received a picture text from Jason of the receipt. The receipt showed only one book purchased-- the Brain book!

Wow! Jason had no idea how much weight that he had taken off my shoulders.

So there you go - an example of how my short-term memory is in a constant state of… well the memory is a human ability that is very personalized.

Through this most recent incident I've learned important things about Jason and myself. Jason will do what it takes to prove his point (at my request...hahaha), and I have learned that to me words are cheap-- I need solid evidence.

To have or not to have...

It has been shown to me time and time again that a brain injury is not the only reason for forgetting. As I try to rationalize what makes others forget I think about how I fail to remember things. If an activity is not that important to me even if I want it to be- - I forget, not on purpose but it just happens. If I have a thousand things going on - - I forget. Because I am human- - I forget. So everybody else  has  most of the same reasons I do and probably even more reasons that may cause them to forget.

As I was reading over this I was thinking that I must not be that important in others lives--that's why people forget things concerning me. If you're thinking, okay I never want to make plans with her again because she will announce if anything goes wrong. Fear not because this has nothing to do with anyone in particular. I'm just throwing around thoughts.

Also I think this medicine I'm on is effecting me in crazy ways. I've also gathered from writing this that maybe I don't need to get so excited about things before they occur. I'm filled with childlike excitement anticipating what I think should occur. When the anticipated event doesn't occur I am heartbroken to the same degree that I was filled with excitement. Recently I was reminded that I should not have expectations. While in some areas that may be good not having expectations, it's fun for me to have many days of excitement before an event occurs. That way if the event is not what you anticipated, you can leave saying you had -- number of days being super excited about the event. Partially reading over this story, I realize that I have that outlook about excitement pertaining to most things. Yay!

The adventures of the Wobbly Woman and the Pigeon Toed Man - starring Kimi R. Burton and Jason Madwell by Jason Madwell

The adventures of the Wobbly Woman and the Pigeon Toed Man - starring Kimi R. Burton and Jason Madwell
By Jason Madwell

Yesterday (June 24, 2017) I went to pick up Kimi for our day's event. Kimi was entertaining her new friend who said she tore a leg muscle wrestling. She was going to get her keys from her car when Kimi met her. Kimi had found an abandoned walker several days earlier and gave it to the woman to replace her ill sized crutches. Kimi says she smelled alcohol on the woman's breath (my sniffer is not as in tune as Kimi's). I did not notice any swelling or bruising on the woman's leg but as I helped her carry stuff back to her apartment, she was in noticeable pain.  Why her able bodies roommate did not go get her keys from the car is a mystery.

Kimi and I then went to my work where Kimi took over my office. We had lunch in the hospital restaurant which is fabulous.

We then drove to Boulder CO. I talked Kimi out of calling Starbucks to complain about a expired coupon she has. I know this is only temporary and Kimi will soon get that expired coupon reinstated.

Kimi is super excited about our trip to Las Vegas and staying in a hotel. She expressed her wish hotels to offer rooms for 5 minute naps. I told her there were hotels you could use by the hour. She was shocked and could not believe that such things were in Colorado Springs.

We stopped in Boulder at the local Comic Book store which is a fabulous store. When then went ti a local Ice Cream shop and had milkshakes. This is where I googled cheap hotels and proved to her that hourly rate hotels exist.

We then went to the local Barnes & Nobles. Right when we walked in there was a section of books on the brain, math, and the periodic table - Kimi's favorite subjects. We picked out three books and Kimi sat at a table and decided which on she wanted while I wandered the store. It was during this time that Kimi found out that the B&N Starbucks would not accept her regular Starbucks card causing great sadness.

Once I rejoined her, a periodic table question came into her head and danced around. She was debating ask anybody in the store the question which I begged her not to do.  I was overruled an she ask a random store employee her science question and SURPRISE - he new the answer. Kimi was stoked and I was humbled doubting her social butterfly ways to get answers.

We then went to go to the UC Boulder Shakespeare festival production of Hamlet. The problem was that the Apple Iphone map was wrong and there were no signs pointing us in the right direction. The parking garage the instructions told us to park at looked to be closed for construction.

I parked at the closest spot I could find to where I thought the theatre was at. We had to walk about a mile. I did not think to bring Kimi's wheel chair. It was a slow rough walk. When we got to the spot where the map said to go, there was nothing there. Thankfully, another couple was lost as well. Kimi crashed on the ground to help our cause and the couple gave us ride and we were able to find the theatre. It was still a hike from the street to the building.

We watched the show and it was a great production. They mixed it up and had Hamlet be a woman. Before the show, the couple next to us told us the under construction parking garage was actually open for use. I was fooled again!

I thought that to get back to my car, I was going to have to put Kimi on my back and hike back to my vehicle. Thankfully, the couple that gave us a ride to the place, waited for us after the show and gave us a ride back to our car. While leaving the theatre we were all doused by the sprinkler system and left soaking wet. I realized on the way back that my hiking plan would have been a disaster. It was probably two plus miles back to the car. It would have took forever in the dark with Kimi on my back to make that trip.

Back on the road, we had to stop to find a restroom. It was around 11pm which made things difficult. The first gas station I stopped at was closed. Then I had to drive thru Denver. I think not want to stop there for having a fear of being attacked by hooligans. We finally found a place in Castle Pines. 

We made it back to my apartment around 1230am. We had to walk through a mini flood to get to the building door. Water does not drain well at my place and even the sprinklers can flood the walkup area. Once inside, Sleep soon was obtained and thus ended another exciting adventure of the Wobbly Woman and the Pigeon Toed Man.

A Sombrero?

Being super excited to wear my DaBrim visor on my trike helmet I pretty forcefully slipped it on the helmet and thought, “I'm not sure how it's supposed to stay attached to my helmet but here I go.” I stopped by grandpa's house and grab a sip of his amazing water and he took post, ready to time of my laps. During the first lap my magical visor fell off so I took a 2nd to find the visor. I was really excited to do some riding today but didn't start my laps early enough so I was facing a lot of traffic in the parking lot. I guess there goes my exercise for this morning…. but wait there's more!

            I got home and as I was putting away my trike, finding my other sorts of trike gadgets, and rearranging my schedule I realized that there are velcro straps that will firmly fastened DaBrim to a helmet! Dur to my previous trike crash, the part of the helmet that holds. The helmet firmly to your head is broken and was completely tangled in my hair. After I finally got the helmet removed from my head I figured that I will figure out how to secure the DaBrim to my helmet once it gets dark outside and I must stay put; now it's time to write.

            I sent this wonderful photo to my boyfriend thinking that he would know what it was. However he sent an emoji laughing and rolling on its side. Besides  who made it was worse in the morning and  I looked pretty crazy, I was a little sad. He later texted me and told me that he thought it was a sombrero! A sombrero? Well I suppose if he's never been supposed to DaBrim, I’d think it was a sombrero also. Now I'm laughing and rolling on my side!

....more excitement!

The next day, oh my goodness the next day I was super duper excited! My friend, Mr. Dave that I see pretty often and my other friend, Mr. Jim who works at Compassion were both ay Starbucks at the same time.  They were chatting when a firefighter, John Aker came in and they were all buddy-buddy I found out that Mr. John and Mr. Dave used to be police officers! This made  super excited-- I wondered if they know Mr. Bob, the security guard at West who also used to be a police officer?!?

As I was sitting at Starbucks, a former coworker came up and explained her current situation and how her pastor was out of town. I felt the Holy Spirit nudge  me and I just started praying for her. After some time passed  I ran into her  at work as I was picking up a few things. Although I'm sure that difficulties will come and go, Jesus Christ is in the midst of every trouble we just need to be sure and focus on what is good in the midst of every trouble.

         I was then taken to lunch by Bid and then we went to play at Bass Pro Shop -- boy was it fun. Unexpectedly I ran into Missy Call whom I haven't seen in a very long time and I was super excited  just seeing her was such a blessing. Lord , I pray that I'm a blessing to people- that the Holy Spirit’s Presence radiates from me two others much like it did from Missy to me today. At Bass Pro Shop sing a friend in the parking lot was only the beginning of this Great Adventure. Even though we went in and almost immediately found what we're looking for, on the way to locate the desired item we passed some huge fish. Would not think these huge stuffed fish have any significance, although I do not completely recollect when I am told, the story goes like this - - over 11 years ago prior to my rack I found this huge stuffed fish at Walmart. For no particular reason I grabbed the fish and ran around pleading my mother to purchase the stuffed fish for me. I really don't want none why I need a fish, but seeing those fish at that store today totally brought back the story that I've been told of the fish and perhaps I might even have a slight memory of the fish itself. Thinking about it, the stuffed fish could have fit in the cooler that we purchased today. I'm pretty sure my cousin or my nephew would fit in the cooler better or at least be more funny as we discussed after my dad was given his present. So thankful for the awesome adventure that Bid and I went on today!

The excitement had only begun....

Today (yesterday) has only begun and it's already the absolute best!  I worked out and then headed to Starbucks in my workout clothes so I did not look very professional at all. then I decided to run some errands and ran into a co-worker, Mrs. Teresa. Then I insisted on stopping by to see Kirsty. I was lucky enough to be given a Starbucks card. Insisting on using the card for her, I took her order and it was scheduled for later delivery. I was excited to actually had an agenda when I went into Starbucks. I rolled into Starbucks and there is a slew of firefighters from Monument with only one to whom I knew, Mike Smaldino! Why oh why does that name sounds familiar besides the fact that I know him…Oh yeah, his wife Sunny helps determine if the fire regulations are passing West!

First I saw a coworker and then I was reminded about West’s fire inspector! Just a couple connections so far.

Later Jason came over to watch Big Bang Theory and we had some awesome desert. For some odd reason I forgot that I had not eaten dinner yet so I simultaneously ate dinner and several bites of Jason's carrot cake :-).

Relying on technology is pretty sad- - all of the memories of yesterday I thought I had recorded were not in the document this morning so I'm not sure what else happened :-( Oh! I delivered Kirsy’s Starbucks and it was so much fun, I may have unintentionally volunteered for a summer volunteer job of Starbucks delivery. Again, please excuse to very incoherent writing I just speak this into my cell phone and proof read it once I've posted it.
But wait, there's more...

Complete Chaos!

Complete Chaos!

I went to Starbucks and when I was right in front of Starbucks on the sidewalk my wheelchair quit and had a configuration error. I called Major Medical Supply but that was the wrong company and they said to call NuMotion. I called them and left a message but I didn't know what to do, I was actually stuck in Starbucks - - it was quite an adventure. Sitting there, I began to think. Anyone that knows me realizes how dangerous this can be. Although I will try to put this in a coherent format, I'm pretty sure it will not come out that way.

            I get more excited every day and if this continues, I am going to be crazy full of excitement by the time event actually arrives. I'm almost positive if my excitement continues increasing on a slope at the same rate, it will go through the roof and thus having an undefined slope! Oh no I just didn't- - randomly nonsense terms come to my mind.

         Naturally they're not nonsense terms at all, they're  tidbits of math that I get to relearn every year. While many people would consider this a mundane and boring job, even though I try to retain the information and maybe I do, the information is presented in such astonishing ways that it seems like a completely new concept each time it is presented. Henceforth, I am once again filled with childlike excitement :-). My mind wanders back to high school days and reminisce on lessons from Mrs. Spearman's geometry class, Mrs. Simmons’ Algebra 2 class, Mrs. Ratliff’s trigonometry and pre-calculus classes, and my wonderful classmate Natalie Austin  who came to my house and attempted to teach me calculus after I came out of a coma and was released from hospital. That wasn't the best mixture (learning calculus simultaneously with learning how to function as a human again) needless to say I don't think I successfully completed that class :-).

Back to my excitement… not only was my disability taken into consideration when choosing the location of the hotel, but so was my love for spending time at Starbucks: the hotel has 2 Starbucks in it as well as many other exciting amenities. This post sounds kind of like one I've already posted, but I'm sure there will be quite a few more similar posts so bear with me.

         Continuing with the events of yesterday, once my wheelchair was finally repaired I went to King Soopers and then Wal-Mart. Much to my delighted surprise I ran into Ms. Camill and if that wasn't exciting enough, she had much of her crew with her: My Abby, Hannah, Logan... I think that's it. Talk about overstimulation city!

But wait! There's more - - I managed to get on a bus where I ran into my favorite Chris. Although I was pretty sure he was moving to Denver quite a while ago, I keep running into him and it is so awesome!

Excuse my random writing that do not flow at all but I think they're exciting :-) although I may be a little biased.

Mentally Actioned Packed Day!!

Mentally Actioned Packed Day!!

Going into Starbucks I saw a few of the normals and it was awesome to see Mr. Dave  who is a normal bnt I finally remembered his name! I also met a family with three little children under the age of five who were originally from the South. I heard them talking about Florida (being the South, that opened a door) but she has lived in several States. Feeling a little more standoffish today even though I was dressed in normal clothes and not in my workout clothes, I did not strike out and start conversations. I actually had many other things on my mind and I knew I needed to catch up on posting devotions.

     Much to my surprise a very professionally dressed lady, Renie, came over talk to me! Could it be true? A random stranger coming to start a conversation with me? Whether she sensed that I had a brain injury or knew I was a Christian, she first invited me to Church and then we talked about her job. She works for two different neurologists!
My day could not get any more exciting….BUT WAIT!!!

         Ms. Renee showed up at Starbucks and I was super super happy to see her because it has been a super long time :-).

While I was sitting in my rearranged office, a beautiful lady and her precious baby came over after I asked if I needed to move my wheelchair. She said I didn't need to move it but that I looked familiar while I simultaneously was thinking the same thing. Her name is Princess and she remembered me from Pikes Peak Community College! Pikes Peak Community College? That was over a decade ago!

I met also Ghost writer Mary Ann Herring.  After learning a little bit about what a Ghost Writer does, it looked like it might start raining so I decided it was about time to try and find necessary shoes for a certain costume I had in my head. I knew they had the shoes earlier in the year but I didn't want to pay that price for another pair of shoes. With high hopes I decided that I would go look for a pair of that may pass for the costume. When I got in the store and I talked to the worker about my needs and was shown a pair of shoes, Not only was the aisle crowded but I thought that I should look for something else as all of the sandals on sale :-). Then I had to hypothetically shake my head and wake up and realize that the first shoes I was shown were the boots that I wanted during the school but I did not realize that they were the boots that I had wanted. They didn't have a heel and I could walk at work, these boots were absolutely perfect for the costume!  But that still is not all...My mom told me she had exciting news too. After I share my excitement about the shoes my mom showed me her new truck!

Summertime, summertime!

          As school was coming to a close three people were discussing their vacation plans. Not everyone was taking a trip, but many people were.  The past trips I've been on I've been on absolutely exciting and I would love to go on another one.

         After being reminded that I love to fly  when I went to my cousin's wedding in Virginia, I wasn't sure what the next trip would be. Up until this point, my only summer plans were going to Starbucks and writing and going to  a college for a couple Shakespeare plays. To many, this may not sound exciting but I manage to make most things at least exciting if not intellectually stimulating.

         Yesterday I received text from my boyfriend asking me if going to a Star Trek convention in Las Vegas sounded better than going to Comic Con in Denver. Being that I have never been to either of them, and I’m always up for an adventure,  I said that it sounded wonderful!  I love Adventures but what many people fail to realize is that although it may not seem like it bothers me, I hate being the reason that others can't do what they hoped to do on their vacation because of my limitations. So to solve this I express lack of Interest in many things that I would love to do.  This is to avoid being told that I would have no fun-- people know that everyone else deals with difficulties in the exact same way I do.

         I really didn't believe Jason when he told me about a Star Trek convention although my hopes were pretty sparked. When he came over tonight unexplained more of the details, it got a little more real.  As he explained what we would be doing to make it easier to get around (many people are very patient as I do not move super swiftly), Jason took many and perhaps all of the possible situations into consideration before making the plans including our lodging to decrease travel necessity and increase  my freedom and nap ability (Perhaps the later is dually beneficial -- for himself and me). It was absolutely adorable when Jason said that I would be in people-watching heaven. he was really thinking about me!

To Boldly Go Where No One Has Gone Before

Good morning friends! Okay it's not morning anymore but writing is a process.

         I had it all planned out last night ... I’d wake up early in the morning and go workout with Grandpa and then go to Starbucks early enough to run into everybody else that had just finished working out and stops by Starbucks in their workout clothes. If I happened to be lucky, I would stumble upon awesome writing prompts and write. I even had several topics to write about so I was really excited. Those were my plans and that's what I thought was going to happen, and so it goes.

         I did not get out of bed in time to work out with Grandpa. That is what I get for going back to sleep after getting up at 4 a.m. and not going to work out immediately.  When I finally woke up and headed to the workout room without my workout buddy, clearly a company was there doing maintenance on the pool. Because of this, my normal route to get into the workout room was locked so I was flexible and asked if the other ways were blocked also and he said that they were. So I put a smile on face “skipped” off and did my hallway workout in the apartment.

         I am usually not that concerned about getting my workout in, but leading up to today a couple things have happened that encouraged me to work out: Jason bought me this awesome “Wonder Woman in training” workout tank top, and I went saw Wonder Woman last night, so as I did my hallway workout I felt a little stronger and a little more energized, kind of like I could conquer anything:-) But after almost breaking my nose collapsing after the nth push up I realized​ that I'm not Wonder Woman:-(

          Before I go into writing my stories I just want those who jokingly tease me about my memory (or lack of) to know that I saw a little boy outside and asked him if he had seen the Wonder Woman movie. I was super excited when he said that he had and more excited when I asked him about the movie and he said “I don't remember. :-),” in case you didn't read the post from last night, right after I saw the movie I wanted to write something important about it but I had no clue of anything that occurred during movie. I was focused​ on looking for other details and caught in the total suspense of the movie. Forgetting about the details of the movie, I am so glad to know that I am not alone.

           My favorite niece was in town and she mentioned how I always wear my headband down very low covering my eyes. And although I know she's completely correct, it is because I have a weird shaped head and the headband will not stay on my head. After seeing​ Wonder Woman, that is how I wear my headband (although only one of them has jewels)!  So this is just one more piece of evidence that I am Wonder Woman.

      I feel weird about coming later in my workout clothes because when I don't go early in the morning, I tend to run into business people although I did Sherry later in the and she had just got done with her work out and was still in workout clothes. This did make me happy however right after she left two men were at the table behind me talking about autism. My excitement skyrocketed and forgetting I was in my workout clothes, I turned​ around and introduced myself. I mentioned a few topics they had discussed that led to my invading their meeting, we discussed the autism conferences, they handed me their business cards and why? What do I have a business meeting random people in Starbucks? Then they encouraged me to  further our conversation via e-mail.

        In the midst of this I was told some important information by my boyfriend but being so excited about the possibilities of what man in regards to  the gentleman's meaning I interrupted, I didn't have time to let the first round of excitement separate from the second round of excitement. People may be reading this and think ….. she's too hopeful and sets her hopes too high.  Ir all started when I was a tutor at Aspen Pointe, although I tutored math, I was asked to speak at a drug and alcohol recovery class. I quickly asked the director what would I have to talk to them about? That's when he expanded my horizon and showed me that my accident isn't just talking about a car accident and how I have overcome the difficulties, this man showed me how the possibilities are endless.

Staying Focused on the Positive!

It was so heartbreaking this afternoon when I was having my clothes for Monday ironed by the best Grandpa T ever and the lever on my ironing board broke. Having been recently fixed by the amazing Kayla, I thought it was back together. Even though Kayla now knew how to fix it,  I'm sure she would be very relieved because it was very clear that  this did not need to be fixed again. Grandpa was mentioning how the board was no longer flat. He said that if I wanted my clothes to be ironed to be flat that board would not be much help. Although I was overly elated when it was fixed when and was glad my clothes were ironed last week (some coworkers might want to argue that) I was sad that it was only fixed momentarily.

All the previously explained chaos happened before I even made it to Church. I headed out to catch the bus to Church which is right next to Wal-mart (where I was planning to get a new ironing board) when I realize that it was too cold to go to Church. Then I was hit with the wonderful idea of watching the service on the internet and then going to Walmart. Genius…. right here, I know :-)!! The service was absolutely amazing hitting home at every re-focus moment (ah-ha moment)!

During the service it dawned on me that it would not be safe to take the ironing board home from Wal-mart so I called my sister. Side Note: This is where the genius in me stops and the genius and my sister takes over. She mentioned that we could just go to Target which is less than a mile from both of us and she would take the ironing board to my house while I went to work on the presentation for next Monday.  SISTER’S GENIUS MOMENT! After spending much needed quality time with my sister, she was super excited that she finally got to use her Ravens key  and that made me excited also.

With it being a Sunday, the bus only runs every hour and it was really chilly so I was pretty sure I should take the bus to  Starbucks. When I arrived there it was nice and quiet-- I was very glad so I could really get to work.

Yes! In was my thinking place and there was only one other person in the lobby and it was my amazing friend Sherry who is Japanese! We had to chat only for a few and after she left I was going to focus and practice. All the sudden Lee my friend who is 6’7” excitedly told me how we have a mutual friend, Camil! :-)!

I'm sure no more than a couple minutes past before I looked up and noticed a young man sitting in the comfy chairs with his family. When it seemed like a good time to interrupt, I rolled over to the chair and I asked the young man who was sitting with his family what grade he was in and if I could go over what I thought I was going talk about who a 5th grade class even though he is is in 6th grade. He agreed to listen and both he and his mother gave valuable feedback. When I made it back to my phone to record information, I learned that Mrs. Malhiko also wants me to share with her teammates’ classes. Oh my goodness I am  SO HONORED!! It so wonderful thing that I have a week to let all of this excitement calm down and that I have a week to prepare for this because at Starbucks amazing events just kept on happening :-)

I'm not even sure how, but a conversation started but two beautiful women who were obviously athletic came in and we started talking. When asked what I was doing, not at all in a rude way, but as she observed my table full of complete chaos, I gave a quick rundown of what I was doing :-). I soon learned that one of the ladies, Kendall, works at Ponderosa with special needs and of course my excitement skyrocketed.

Before leaving I decided to talk to the lady in the comfy chairs who was obviously studying. I found out that Megan goes to UCCS and is studying to be a medical assistant. She was studying A&P and refreshed my memory about brain terminology and we had a very exciting conversation about the brain :-)!

    Overall this was a very unexpectedly excitement filled Sunday!!I am so super excited about this week and the events that may happen! Arriving home to a fabulous new ironing board nicely collapsed near to my ironing board that is locked open was a marvelous way to end the night! Thanks sister!