Project Simplify: These Are the Drawers of my Life

Posted by Melissa Baumgart

In my kitchen

It has been so great going back to water aerobics.  After the fearsome cramps of Monday evening, Tuesday's noon class at Medgar Evers pool was an energetic relief.  I had no cramps, I worked super hard and I felt like I really had a good workout.  The instructor was awesome, very enthusiastic and with great attention to form and technique.  These last two weeks of March are going to be filled with pool time, since today is my last final of the quarter,  Yay!

In the bathroom

The last two weeks of March are also going to be filled with more Spring Cleaning with inspiration and guidance from Simple Mom.  This week's challenge, or "hot spot" for Project Simplify is "Closets, Countertops and Drawers."  I think I mentioned earlier this week, how I am super excited, given the state of the junk drawer in my kitchen.  This is my week to really shine and make some progress.

One step forward, two steps back, three steps forward, one step back...and so on.

I recall the analogy of my life being a junk drawer.  How I can be so on top of my life, internally and externally.  And then, things start unravelling; my inner joy is replaced by a mess of darkness and my outer fitness begins to shake like a bowl full of jello if I attempt any quick motion.  The thing is, it's all OK.  It's all good.  We are not perfect.  I mean, maybe ya'll are, but I certainly am not.  I want to be the kind of person that can let herself unravel, and have the courage to untangle that mess of yarn as soon as it starts becoming a problem.

In my desk

You can't ignore it forever.  Someday you are going to have to clean out that junk drawer, start eating healthy again and get your butt outside for some activity.  It might not be today.  But the day will come.  And if not, then where are you?  You're hidden in the mess of pens and screws, Nag Champa, old birthday candles and barrettes in some junk drawer...and before you know it you're lost.

Right now, it is my time to tackle that drawer, again.  And maybe a lot more along the way.

Here's to life!
Melissa

What to do if you get a foot cramp.

Posted by Melissa Baumgart
Believe it or not, Lily, my 12 year old, did join us for the trip to our water aerobics class last night.  And then, once in the confines of the dressing room, her face reddened and her voice nervously uttered, "I don't want to do it, Mama."  I had a moment of wanting to tell her, "Well, you agreed to come, so you better get in the water.  Plus, I paid for you already!"  Then I recalled it was only $3.50 and that if she didn't get in the water, we could maybe get some good photos.  No, really, I just decided not to push it.  She seemed really adamant about not joining the class.

It was probably my worst class yet.  My foot started cramping up after only 10 minutes in the water, and it didn't help that I had gorged on tortilla ships only a hour or so before class.  By the end of the 45 minutes workout (if you can call it that) I could no nothing besides hold onto my right foot and massage it, thankful for the floatation belt I had around my waist.  Then, when I tried to climb up the ladder to get out, both of my feet seized into a painful cramp, and I nearly panicked.

Somehow I made it down the length of the pool, holding onto the edge with one hand and massaging my foot with the other.  The fear that you will not be able to manage relieving the cramp is overwhelming.  The possibility of the muscles tightening beyond your control is truly something that can only be experienced and not explained.  I wish it on no one.

But, if you are to get a foot cramp, here are some tips from myself and the internet on what to do.  Most of them are intuitive, but in the panic of the moment, intuition can be hard to find.

1. Take the cramped foot in your hands. Slowly, but firmly, move it in the opposite direction of the cramped position.
2. Keep the foot in this position until the cramp disappears.
3. Gently massage it for 5 to 10 minutes.
4. Take a pain reliever, if desired and repeat the dose after 4 hours.
5. Drink lots of water, and add in some electrolytes.  I use NUUN tablets.  Some people swear by eating a banana, because of the high potassium level.
6. Elevate your foot on a pillow to the level of your waist.  Or, if you're in the pool, with a floatation belt, keep your leg up as you tilt your body backwards.
7. Apply an ice pack. Place the ice pack around the cramp, not directly on it.
8. Use moist heat on the cramping muscle 3 times a day if cramping is chronic and persists longer than 24 hours. A warm foot soak may be beneficial.
9. Consider wrapping the foot with an elasticized cloth bandage or sports wrap. Be careful when wrapping under the arch--too much pressure against it can cause pain.
10. Rest and stay off your foot. Give the muscle, tendon or nerve mass time to heal.

Armed with "what to do if you get a foot cramp", I am going to go back today.  A little apprehensive and missing my other class a lot.  The other pool has more light.  And more smiling, old people.  I can't wait until Green Lake's pool re-opens next week!

-Melissa

Will she go?

Posted by Melissa Baumgart
I was trying to talk my 12 year old into coming with me to water aerobics tonight.  She requested a video, you know, to see what she might be getting herself into.

This is what we found:

I am still not sure if she is a YES or a NO.  What do you think she'll choose after watching this?

-Melissa