I was going to mow the front lawn today. The weather was gorgeous, the grass is getting green, but my hay fever is also in high gear, so I thought I would just have dinner and then walk the dog afterward, instead.

So I put my headphones on, leashed up Belle, and we took off. I had some of Peri’s play list on, and the first song, “Feels So Good” by Steven Tyler had me bouncing down the street. I thought, “Ok, this isn’t so bad…”

We did one lap around the cul de sac. I thought my heart was going to pound right out of my chest. Hmmm…am I that out of shape?  Surely not.

So we kept walking. I could feel my thighs. (And not because they were rubbing together, thank you very much.) They were starting to burn!  Hmmm…am I that out of shape? Surely not.

And we kept walking. We were going at a pretty good clip, especially when Belle saw her feline nemesis, Elvis, in the grass down at the end.

Both of my knees started to talk to me, but I ignored them.  Even when the left one started singing along with Amy Lee of Evanescence.

We made it 20 minutes. TWENTY!  I’m not sure whether I should be proud of myself, or ashamed. I remember nights when I could walk 45 minutes to an hour and not break a sweat. On the other hand, I have put on some weight, I haven’t moved a lot, given the double knee injuries in December.

I got home, and told Johnny, “Man, I’m out of shape.”

Him: You need to get up and move.

Me: DUH!  What did I just do for 20 minutes?

Him: You could always go back to the Y.

Me: Like I am going to get up at 4:00 to be there when the doors open.

Him: So go after work.

Me: Easy for YOU to say.

I hobbled in to my studio a few minutes ago to get an oil free eye makeup remover for Cindy, and thought I would never make it up the two little steps. My legs feel like cooked noodles.

So I sat down at the computer instead and thought about Suzie Ivy, the Bad Luck Detective, because she overcame some extra weight AND a messed up hip and went on to be Small Town, Arizona’s first ever woman cop. 🙂

That in mind, I’m coming home from the day job tomorrow, changing clothes and going out to mow that front lawn, even if it kills me (and it probably will).

So, Suzie, if you are out there reading this tonight?  Thank  you!  You have inspired more than just my desire to write.

Has anyone else overcome some physical bother and worked through it in order to be a better (and maybe even lighter) you?  Hope to hear from you!

Till next time!