I AM!!!





NO! Not THAT kind (and, no offense, but... ewwww!)!



...or this kind (but I wanna be... thanks for the reminder RANDOM00B)...






THIS kind!





Tonight I experienced my favourite NSV (non-scale victory) to date... I went swinging, with abandon, on a regular playground swing and nowhere on my body did the swing saddle dig into my flesh, or pinch or restrict my movement.

I was comfortable.
I felt FREE.
My daughter yelled across the playground, "MOM! Look at YOU!"
My husband sat on a bench across from me and adored me with his eyes... sharing my delight.
I felt strong.
I felt successful.
I felt joyous and alive.
I felt almost like a girl again... invincible and daring (though not enough to do my usual flying jump dismount... I can't afford an injury just now).


You see, swinging has always been a favourite activity of mine. When I mount a swing and start pumping I leave all of my cares on the ground below me. Nobody can touch me. The wind in my hair obliterates the rasping howls of criticism and derision. I believe I can move beyond my troubles because I am STRONG... my arms and legs tell me so. For a short time life is simple, straightforward and exhilarating... and within my control.

As a child/teen, sometimes, late at night when everyone was asleep, I'd sneak out of the house and go to the playground and swing.

At University, when the pressure would get to me, I'd search out the nearest empty playground after bedtime, and swing 'til I was worn out and my mind would have stopped racing.

In the throes of therapy, hot scalding tears streaming down my face, unable to envision ever again being whole, I'd swing.

Before I met my husband, I'd swing, and pray, and dream of him.

I haven't been able to seat a regular swing for at least six years now. Saucer swings have their own charm (cuddling while swinging is lovely), but they couldn't replace the feeling a regular swing gives me.

Tonight I got that back. I swang and giggled for nearly 20 minutes. I even pulled that upside down move the girls above are doing (but I extend my legs straight out and point my toes like a ballerina, using my arms and thighs to keep my body on the swing), my hair dangling and caressing my face, and I revelled in that delicious queasiness in the pit of my stomach. I swang so I could see over the top cross bar of the set, pushing limits as I have always done.

Tonight I was quintessential 'Ramona'... I can't think of a better note upon which to end my summer. It almost felt as though the fireworks down by the river afterward were just for me...





...and for us as a family... we walked out of Mass tonight, and the evening was SO mellow, and fresh and inviting... we took an impromptu walk... sometimes holding hands, sometimes playing chase... for about an hour we walked, and ended up at the river where we had forgotten there would be fireworks... and then we walked back to our car, so we could get home, LOL!

We do a lot more of this now... without thought or hesitation... and every time it feels like a celebration of everything good...






...My goal for September... MORE of the same!!!

I hope your summer, too, is winding down to a victorious close... and that today and every day brings to you a ridiculous abundance of whatever you need. May all your concerns, struggles, anxieties and fears fall like ashes as you rise on eagle's wings, SOARING above all that would hinder you along this tremendous adventure of being and becoming all you are created to be. May the grace of God simply "overtake" you moment by moment. May the joy and victory of the risen Lord be yours in a very personal way... may you always be overwhelmed by the grace of God, rather than by the cares of life!

{{{{{{{{{ HUGS }}}}}}}}}
Ramona



P.S. I found somethng really cool and new-to-me here at SparkPeople:
The SparkPeople Fuel For Improvement® System
www.sparkpeople.com/syst
em/index.asp?

"The SparkPeople Fuel For Improvement® System is a program of personal improvement that helps you achieve goals in any area of your life. It focuses on creating good habits, breaking bad ones and getting a little closer to your goals every day. Four Cornerstones of the System work together to take your development to new heights:

Focus - is the ability to set priorities, live a life according to your values, and get clear about your vision and goals.

Fitness - is a physical and mental springboard that gives you the energy to reach goals and trains you to think on your feet.

Fire - is the passion that creates action and momentum. When you live with Fire, you see possibilities, not problems.

Positive Force - is what happens when you share your energy and success with others. The more you give, the more you get in return."

CHECK IT OUT!!!

From 'Fire':
THE BEST TIME TO ACT LIKE A KID IS AS AN ADULT

"When you were a child, you were full of energy, dreams, imagination and the joy of discovery. The days and weeks seemed to last forever.

"But you couldn't just do whatever you wanted to do. You had to ask permission for everything. You survived on a few pennies or dollars each week. You had to go to bed early. "If only I didn't have to do those things," you thought, "I could have some real fun." Well, now you can.

"Playing hasn't changed. You can dream just as big, play just as hard. Except now, you have the clout to do it right.

"You have the freedom. You have the resources. And you can stay up as long as you want.


BLOG: Hey, Fat Girl!
flintland.blogspot.ca/20
12/05/hey-fat-girl.html

BLOG (maybe one of the best I've ever read): I Am a Super Hero! (duh!) =)
www.sparkpeople.com/mypa
ge_public_journal_individu
al.asp?blog_id=5040439




(quote by CHRISTINE MASON MILLER)


...Because YOU are only as limited as you choose to be!

JUST DO IT.

UNTIL.



'BEFORE' Pictures (May 31, 2009 - September, 2011) & Continuing PROGRESS (February 2012)! Next pictures OCTOBER 1, 2012!
(I should have known better than to have set a September 1st deadline... I don't have time for posing and snapping... too many other things need immediate attention to get our Fall off and RUNNING, LOL!)
www.sparkpeople.com/mypa
ge_public_journal_individu
al.asp?blog_id=2108514
(I'm now keeping these right under my nose... in addition to being part of every blog I post, they are printed off and taped to my bedroom mirror)


Measurements, Musings & Motivation to MOVE!
www.sparkpeople.com/mypa
ge_public_journal_individu
al.asp?blog_id=2108455
(UPDATED/rewritten: JUNE, 2012)


I've Reached My Goal Weight!!!!!!!
www.sparkpeople.com/mypa
ge_public_journal_individu
al.asp?blog_id=2108522
NOTE: My weight tracker is NOT a truthful representation of my weight. Instead, I am using it as a tool to help me visualize my goal as though it's already been achieved!
(Tom Venuto)


UNTIL. (My 'Just Do It' blog)
www.sparkpeople.com/mypa
ge_public_journal_individu
al.asp?blog_id=3541059


DONE Girl Love...
www.sparkpeople.com/mypa
ge_public_journal_individu
al.asp?blog_id=3694266
(the footsteps into which I place my own feet)


Leaving NORMAL
www.sparkpeople.com/mypa
ge_public_journal_individu
al.asp?blog_id=2232914


Why I'm STILL here... my SparkJourney Saga
www.sparkpeople.com/mypa
ge_public_journal_individu
al.asp?blog_id=1656330






Words CAN Be Enough... page 3
www.sparkpeople.com/mypa
ge_public_journal_individu
al.asp?blog_id=4932741


Paleo... Do you really know what you're talking about?
www.sparkpeople.com/mypa
ge_public_journal_individu
al.asp?blog_id=4964697


Breakfast is Served! (RECIPES)
www.sparkpeople.com/mypa
ge_public_journal_individu
al.asp?blog_id=5018597