Five on Friday

Well today marks one week from my hip surgery and I think that justifies having two Five on Friday lists.  I guess that's technically Ten on Friday.  But it's 2 separate lists, so I think it still counts.

List 1: Can we just take a minute to acknowledge all of the relationships I've been blessed with through this process?

  1. My parents.  They have waited on me hand and foot.  They bring me food, water, coffee, and ice-cream.  They make sure my electronics are charged.  They remind me to take my pain killers and use an icepack.  They help me close my recliner and put on my shoes.  My mom even makes sure I don't slip and fall while getting into the shower.  Their constant presence may drive me crazy at moments, but if that's not unconditional love, I don't know what is.  Thanks, Mom and Dad!

  2. My daughter.  She has been really gentle and for a 4-year-old kid full of energy, that is saying a lot.  She also asks me if I want my crutches every time she sees me sitting down. Seriously.  Every time.  She's precious and makes me smile and a hug from her makes everything ok.  Thanks, Skylar!

  3. My sister, her fiancé, and all my random friends.  They texted me and made me laugh.  They wanted to visit even though they couldn't.  They always make me feel special and important.  Thanks, Katie, Matt, Bekah, Lori, Sarah, and all!

  4. My CR (Celebrate Recovery) family.  They prayed for me the night before my surgery during large group.  They texted me at 6 am the day of my surgery to encourage me.  They supported me in preparing for my teaching.  They gave me hugs and a refuge; a place to go besides my house this week.  They let me teach from a stool and read from my script.  They accept me as I am while encouraging me to become more.  Thanks, Jim, Mark, Jenny, Christine, Andrea, George, Glenn, and crew!

  5. My employer.  As a part-time employee at the college, I don't get vacation or sick time.  My boss told me to take as much time as I needed to recover and my co-worker agreed to pick up the slack (even though I had already taken time off for a vacation this summer).  I like to think that my excellent work ethic makes them more willing to do this, but I know that I am far from entitled to their kindness.  I am so grateful for this job; I love the people and I love the environment.  It's been almost a year since I interviewed and lost the opportunity, then found it lying in my lap a month later.  God is so good!  Thanks, CCC, Margo, and Pat!

List 2: How should you spend your week off of work while recovering from hip surgery?

  1. Blogging.  This doesn't mean writing blog entries non-stop.  It means learning the art of blogging.  There's a lot of reading blogs about blogging involved, if you know what I mean.  Learning what a Blog Hop is and bookmarking the best ones.  Exploring other blogs, then editing your own to reflect the best and worst of what you found.  Figuring out what blogging networks you want to join and taking steps in that direction.  Spending more time on other people's blogs than you do on your own.

  2. Social Media.  This doesn't mean Facebook stalking (although there's been a bit of that, too).  It means intentionally finding people to follow.  Learning that COMMENTS ARE KING.  Don't just like or follow.  Communicate.  Familiarize yourself with Twitter etiquette (Yes, there is such a thing.  It's a serious business.).  This week I think I started out with 10 followers on Twitter.  I'm now 12 away from 400!  Yes, this meant spending a fair amount of time on Twitter, but doing so let me learn a few tricks along the way so that I won't have to spend quite so much time there in the future.  Make friends, follow people who know more than you do, open their links, learn something, and then act on it!

  3. House, MD.  Or whatever TV series you happen to be addicted to on Netflix.  But be careful.  This is dangerous stuff, guys.  If it gets too bad, you can come talk about it at CR on Thursday nights :)

  4. Movies that no one else will watch.  I know you have a pile of movies that you love to watch but never do because no one else you know will watch them with you.  Well here's your chance.  While everyone else is at work or playing, you get to wipe the dust off the discs and go to your happy place.

  5. Paint your nails.  Basically, this is your chance to take care of YOU.  So paint your nails, take a nap, or look up new hairstyles on Pinterest.  And don't feel guilty about it.  Maybe this was God's way of telling you to take a break and regroup.  So do it.

I think some people feel sorry for me.  "Gosh, Brittany.  Another hip surgery?  That's gotta be rough."  And it is rough at times.  I hate being dependent on other people, but then I remember how blessed I am to have people I can depend on.  I also view it is an opportunity.  I had a whole week to check things off my to-do list.  I kind of view it as a vacation in itself; a good excuse to do nothing but the things I want to do.  The things I rarely take time to do for myself on a regular basis.  So it's not all bad.  I'm sort of sad to see it end.  Sort of.

If you had a week off of work while recovering from surgery, what would YOU do?

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