52 Things/Week 6: Volunteer at WCNY

Every couple days I take a look at my list of 52 Things and wonder where I can prepare for something that will take more than one week to complete.  For example, I'm not getting the rest of the ink done on my sleeve in one week - let alone for the cost, but the physical pain alone for that many hours of work...  Another example is completing a triathlon - that is going to take some training and research to make it happen.  Well, I thought the same thing about volunteering at WCNY.  I would read over the information online, submit an application, and when they needed me they would contact me.  Surely I wouldn't be volunteering before the end of the week...  But I was wrong!  I was asked if I'd like to help answer phones for the travel auction on the 18th or 19th.  Well, sure!  I signed up to work the Saturday night 8:30-midnight shift and carpooled with my friend Abby, who was also volunteering to help out. 

We get there about a half hour early and snag some dinner of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans provided by the Gardenview Diner (yummy food there) and then went through a quick training session about what information to take and what to give and how to hand in bids and such things.  A simple training, but it answered questions we would inevitably have.  We were all ushered out to the studio holding three cameras, some bleachers with phones (the phone bank where I was stationed), and some large screens projecting the current boards of information.  We replaced some of those who were leaving for the night and the hours began rolling by... Abby and I chatted and we each took 10-20 phone calls for bids, questions about the trips, and such.  It was fun, aside from my apparent stage fright when it comes to having the camera on me...

I am glad I signed up to help out.  I expect I'll help answer phones again for the TelAuc and hopefully I'll help with their Readout program as well.  I a glad I took this step and it was very simple.  I would suggest to anyone to give back to programs that personally touch you by volunteering. 

52 Things/Week 5: Buy an Unusual Color of Eye Make-Up

$3 at Five Below

Week 5 is a twofer!  Since I failed to read through a whole book during the week of Christmas (next time I know to choose a less busy week) I needed to double up on a week.  This wasn't expected now, but it's working out nicely!  On to the blogging! 

Why did I even put this on my list of 52 Things?  I ask myself this, actually.  I think I wanted to do this because it was a small way to step outside my comfort zone.  And, oddly, it might be one of the scariest things on my list.  At least, one of the most uncomfortable.  I say this because I could always imagine having more tattoos, skydiving, rock climbing kick boxing,...  This is one of the few things that I truly feel uncomfortable about.  I have a certain identity about myself.  A way I really look and a way I want to look.  Well, I'm comfortable with what I wear for make-up.  I have a certain color to smear on my lids...  Usually neutrals.  Never sparkles.

Well, Friday night I picked up a 10-pack of eye make up - bright colors and sparkles.  On Saturday, all day, I wore it.  Now, you might not think this is no biggie, but it make all the difference in my day.  Oddly, the little bit of red and orange sparkle on my lids made me realize how many other things, physically, that I've been complacent with.  I went to lunch with a friend then when I left I didn't feel quite like going home.  I wanted a haircut... Nothing drastic, just a little bit of something to smooth things out.  I still wanted to enjoy the day and decided that I needed new dress pants for work... So I went clothes shopping.  That trip brought me such joy.

You see, I've been living in a world where I weigh 245 lbs; not in reality where I am 60 lbs lighter.  On that trip to lunch, and the subsequent trips for a hair cut and shopping, I realized...  I was just then wearing size 18 jeans cinched up with a white camouflage belt I borrowed from my son.  During the week I would wear size 16 pants to work and allow them ride on my hips a bit (I have plenty of hip for that).  I realized that I'm not dressing my size, I'm dressing bigger.  I feel bigger and mentally think I'm still 245 lbs.  When I went shopping, I didn't allow myself to try on any pants bigger than a 14 or shirts bigger than a large.  I ended up with a blouse, vest, two sweaters, 3 casual shirts, five pairs of dress pants, and a pair of shoes.  I felt amazing.  Everything smaller.  The start to a new work wardrobe and the feeling of truly being the 185 lb Cindy that I am.  It was so liberating that when I got home, I started to weed out the clothing that no longer fit me, that I didn't particularly love, and that was no longer "gently" worn (I beat the hell outta my clothes).  It was time to purge these things and I am continuing to do so this week... All because of a bit of sparkle on my eyelids.

It's amazing what one step outside of your comfort zone can create.

52 Things/Week 5: Not Log Into Facebook for a Whole Week!

Well, I really never expected this to be so difficult, actually. The first half of the week, I was jonesin' to find out what was happening. To look at silly pictures. To post what was happening with me. To update a get together my friends and I are having tomorrow. But no. I was steadfast. As resolute as I could be.

What made it even more difficult, I was updated with my Facebook Messenger app that a friend who I hadn't heard from in... a year?... messaged me. Of course. Thank the Fates for doing that! Friday I wanted to tag my son and myself at the mall. We were having a good time shopping, playing video games, and eating at TGIFridays (which, we will not do again).

I found that, know what?, I *can* love without Facebook! Who'dda thunk it? I do plan to wean myself off it more. I don't check often now, but obviously it became part of my routine and a way to communicate with certain people. I will, of course, respond to my friend... Sunday. Until then, I will enjoy the peace brought on by a lack of social networking. Time to read!