Making the Most of Memories

 The people who can remember even the smallest details of their childhood have always amazed me; I have never been one of those people. 

As I have spent time organizing and scanning old family photos, I have come across so many pictures of special events in my life; dance recitals, pool parties in the backyard, my first communion, but the truth is that I have very little memory of the actual events.  

I am so grateful for the pictures that show these moments. As I look through the pictures, it sparks some recognition, a special outfit for the dance recital, the special doll my sister had, but my memories are limited; they are more like bits and pieces, rather than a whole story.  

That’s why it has been so amazing to scan old family photos and share them with my siblings, they help fill in the blank spaces and add even more to the story. 

Sharing the photos on social media can be really fun too.  There are literally thousands of groups on Facebook dedicated to sharing memories.  

My sister found a group for folks who grew up in Commack NY in the 60’s and 70’s.  The whole purpose of the group is to share memories.  

I also have memories from Tucson, and I belong to groups for alumni of not only my high school, but also my junior high.  Sharing photos and swapping stories connects us across the years and the miles. 

A Visit to Bikini Bottom

There is a magical land where everyone lives in a bathing suit and everyone is happy.  I love Spongebob and his friends, but that is not the Bikini bottom I am talking about. 

Do you remember when you were little and wearing a bathing suit meant a day filled with joy and happiness?  Somehow in the process of getting older, bathing suits began to lose their joy.  I began to worry about how I looked in a bathing suit.  Shopping for a bathing suit became a torturous chore, filled with harsh lighting from the dressing room showing off every bump and bulge. 

I realized that I did not always feel that way.  I used to swim and laugh and play, wearing my bathing suit all day long and not wanting to take it off.   I can also remember my girls wearing their bathing suits with that same joie de vivre.  They charged fearlessly into the water, they easily strolled along a beach, focusing on the sand and water, and searching for seashells, they did not obsess over how they looked in their bikini, but rather what exciting thing they would do next while wearing it. 

I am a fairly confident person, so I don’t let my weight issues affect my ability to go and have fun, but I do have to admit, those dressing room lights can still instill fear in me, thankfully once I am out doors I embrace my bikini bottom and the opportunities for fun that it brings.

I love to kayak

Or float down the Salt River on an inner tube

Or swim in the ocean

Or scuba dive with my hubby

I know that I don’t have the body of a super model (not even a plus size one) but that hasn’t stopped me from swimming with dolphins

…or holding a stingray

or just enjoying a day at the beach.

I can’t imagine missing out on all the wonderful activities I love to do in and near water simply because I don’t like how I look in my bathing suit.

Yes, I would love to have a slimmer body, and I am working on increasing my exercise so I can lose weight and be healthier, but I refuse to be a hostage to fear about how I look in a bathing suit – so even though I don’t have a ‘bikini bottom’ I will still go out in my bathing suit and enjoy myself.

The Art of Procrastination

As an author I have developed a finely tuned skill for procrastination and avoidance.  Whenever I sit at my computer to work on my novel I miraculously remember that:

·     The laundry needs to be folded

·     The floors look like they could use a good cleaning

·     I have to get those bills paid

·     I’m hungry

·     I’m thirsty

·     I haven’t called my Dad in a few days

…well you get the idea. 

I know I am not alone in this, I have read numerous blog posts and Facebook posts from other authors who seem to do exactly the same thing. 

I seem to do better at writing when I feel pressure to get it done, I was able to write more than 50,000 words in one month during the national Novel Writing month challenge (NaNo for short) which occurs in November each year.  My success at NaNo shows that I CAN get the writing done, it is just a matter or making myself sit down and stick to it. 

I am somewhat embarrassed to admit that I have two partially completed novels and the outline for a third, but my procrastination has kept me from finishing these projects.  My personal goal is to finish both of my partially completed books by the end of the summer.  I know I can do it – so with that in mind, it time to get busy writing.