#33 - BS

The first day of PT school was very memorable for me.  I got to campus early and went to the library to make a copy of my driver's license.  I have no idea why.  I then found the medical school auditorium and sat to wait for the welcome to begin. 

(Side note - at the time I had a fever blister on my bottom lip the size of a half-dollar.  Dr. D had given me some new medicine to apply to it that basically turned it black and crusty.  So now picture a black, crusty bottom lip, with bright pink lipstick all around the borders so that no one will notice...  OK... continue)

Anyway, this guy with a flat top walks in, and yells out my name.  Is MHT here?  (Well actually MH at the time)  I meekly raise me hand, "Here."  He walks up and sits next to me and starts this conversation like he knows me.  He starts talking  about Houma and he is the same age etc...  I am totally clueless, but trying to play along.  Then the presentation starts.  The entire time, I am trying to listen to the speaker, but I really am trying to figure out who this guy is and how he knows my name.  About halfway through, he leans over and presses something into my hand while whispering, "You forgot your license in the library copy machine."

And so my friendship with #33 began.  Turns out he was a fellow PT student from Luling.  He had attended Nicholls and he was my age (19 at the time).  About 2 weeks into school, he told us that just before PT school started, he had married his high school sweetheart and they had a 2 week old baby at home.  He called her "Rooster" because as soon as he tried to go to sleep, she would cry and wake him up.  After a few months, his wife returned to college to finish her teaching degree.  Let's just say, their life was very hectic.  Both new parents, newlyweds, and both trying to complete very demanding ciriculums.  Anyway, the best place for #33 to study was at school.  He rode to and from the city with his father in law who did not get off of work until 7:00 most nights, so 4 out of 5 days a week, #33 and I would go to the library after classes let out and study together.  He helped me pass physiology and I helped him pass anatomy.  We talked out case studies and quizzed each other with flash cards on the OINA.  (Which I can still pretty much spit out verbatum, like all good memorized material, at any time...Stands for the Origin, Insertion points, Nerve inervations, and actions of all of the muscles in the body)

We quickly became good friends.  PT school usually started around 8:00 AM and we usually were in class until 3:00 - 4:00.  Then, he and I would head to the library for the study sessions.  That means for 2 years, I probably was in his company for about 8-10 hours 5 days a week.  Since then, I have seen him once and talk to him every couple of years on the phone.  He now owns a couple of PT clinics in Luling.  His baby rooster is now in her twenties, and he has two other younger children.    When I look back at my PT school time, I know that having him as a friend and study partner made my life much easier.  He kept me studying when I really wanted to go home and crash.  He made me study during the week so that my weekends were free.  He helped me when I didn't understand while at the same time stealing all my notes!  He was definitely the listener and I was the note taker.

As I work my way through my 365 people, I am realizing that, outside of my family, many different friends have come and gone through the years.  I have many friends that I do not talk to often enough, but at the same time I know that I can pick up the phone any given day and it would be as if we last spoke yesterday.  I feel very blessed to have these friends even though our paths have veered in opposite directions.

So, I guess the moral of this story is, even when you do something stupid        (leaving license) and look like an aborigine (fever blister)  and are so nervous because you know no one (1st day of PT school), your path may lead you to a new friend. 

 

#32 - JA

Have you ever heard of Zero Balancing?

ZB is a technique that stems from both osteopathy and theories of Tradional Chinese medicine.  It works to release energy stored in the bones.  Energy released from the bones has a ripple effect throughout the rest of the body - tissues, organs, and meridians.

This is the definition of zero balancing...but, "What is it?" you may ask.  Well, I can tell you my experience with ZB.  At first it seems like a massage, but you stay fully clothed and just take off your shoes.  You lie face up on the therapists' table and breath deep and relax.  The therapist trained in ZB will then start at your head and work their way down and back up, pressing firmly but gently into your bones and joints at the head, neck, along the spine, and at the hips, legs, and feet.  They use their hands like a fulcrum and you can feel your body relaxing around their hands. 

To quote Dr. Fritz Smith who developed the ZB technique, "Experience has shown that people's lives feel smoother when they're getting regular body-mind therapy; it is an avenue toward discovering your true nature."

I was not really sure what to expect during my first ZB session.  My #32 is not only a licensed ZB practicioner, but also my uncle.  He offered me a free ZB session to help celebrate National Zero Balancing Week.  I did not go in having any specific aches or pains, but I can tell you when he was done (about 30 minutes later), I felt like I stood taller, walked straighter, and I felt looser and more flexible.  It decreased my stress and tension.  In short, it really felt good and was very, very relaxing!

#32 is one of only two licensed ZB practicioners in the state of Louisiana.  (If you would like to find out more about him or about Zero Balancing, click here.)   For several years, #32 was living in Maine practicing massage therapy and zero balancing.  When he could not stand another season of cold weather, he followed the birds back south for the winter and stayed.  After having gone many years without seeing him too often, I have enjoyed spending time with him both as a professional and as a part of my family since he has been back in town.  He has helped cultivate my oldest's love of gardening and they have been sharing tips and plant cuttings.

To quote MHT, "ZB = 30 minutes of focusing on yourself and total relaxation...try it, you deserve it!"

Peace, love, and ZB Uncle John!

#31 - PPD

#31 is my grandfather or Paw Paw Drew.  I can't say or type his name without a smile on my face.  It will be 4 years in March since he passed away.  Time has helped me to block out how hard the last year of his life was, and has helped me to reflect back on how much he loved me and how much I loved him.

When I was young, I can remember spending many Friday nights sleeping over at my grandparent's house.  Paw Paw Drew was always there, in his chair, ready to watch my dance performances.  When I was little, I sometimes was there when he came home on his lunch hour.  He always had a thick brown book with lots of tabs on it.  He was a salesman for Terrebonne Wholesale and the book contained listings of all of his customers and their grocery orders (I think).  He would spend some time after lunch, marking in his book with an ink pen.  I can remember him putting me up in the tree that use to be in the front of his house.  I remember the he loved to fish and to have the family over for BBQ.   I remember him planting his tomato plants.  Blake must have inherited his green thumb (how did that skip 2 generations?) and I wish he could see Blake's garden now.

As an adult, I remember him trying to teach me to cook.  I sat through 2 lessons (spaghetti and roast) before giving up and just going to join them for lunch instead.  (Side note:  The only two dishes that I really know how to cook are spaghetti and roast, so they must have been good lessons!)  I really miss those 11:00 phone calls to my office to ask me if I wanted to come and eat lunch with them.   I remember his heart surgery and how many times I told him that the oxygen mask  had to stay over his nose and not over his throat.  He would look at me with love in his eyes and pat my hand and say, OK babe, only to try to remove it again a few minutes later.  

He was always Paw Paw Drew to me and it wasn't until his funeral that I realized how many people called him John.  I never knew why.  I thought that John was his real name since my dad's name is really John Harold.  Turns out, his name was Andrew, with no John involved.    As the story goes, when he was a teen, he drove a produce truck which had the company name on the side.  It read John something? Produce  and so when people saw him driving, they called out, " Hey John" and the name stuck...  Weird how the name stuck.

He loved my boys.  Here is a picture of him with Blake.  He loved to throw the ball back and forth with Zack, and he loved, loved, loved to play on the driveway with "Set"  I don't think he every really understood what Seth's name was.  :)

I could end this post and make everyone cry, because the truth of the matter is, the entire family misses him very, very much, but instead I will make everyone laugh.  When I was in high school, my dad took Paw Paw Drew to play golf at Southern Oaks and he let me tag along. (Whenever I drive over the Dularge bridge, I think of this story)  Anyway, I was bugging my dad to let me drive the cart.  He finally let me drive, and he was co-pilot.  Paw Paw Drew was standing up, hanging on to the back of the cart where the golf bags go.  After a few holes, they got comfortable with me driving and I got comfortable in the driver's seat.  I remember going down the fairway at a pretty good clip, and then deciding to hang a sharp left off the path.  All I heard was a thump, and when I turned around, there was Paw Paw Drew rolling backwards down the fairway.  I did not laugh ( little lie).  I do not still laugh (bigger lie) everytime I think of it.  He did not laugh either (total lie).  I love you Paw Paw Drew and I know you are in heaven laughing too!

#30 - DB

I have been very lucky in my practice to work with three extremely thorough and caring speech therapists.  #30 is the third one.  She is great with patients and really makes me laugh.  I could go on and on about all of her therapy skills, but what stands out the most when I think about her is a conversation I had with her while manning a booth at a health fair.

In my experience, most health fairs are very boring.  Lots of standing around, smiling, and introducing yourself.  People are really just there looking for the free stuff.  Anyway, #30 and I got to talking about life in general.  I started to gently ask her a little about herself as she is around my age, but I had never heard her mention a husband, boyfriend, or kids.  It was like opening a can of worms.  She immediately told me (and I quote):  "Monique, let me put it to you like this.  I got a lot to offer.  I am a strong, capable woman and I ain't settling.  If and when I get married, I need a man who is going to build me up and bring something to my life.  I don't need someone who is going to drag me down and make my life harder.  I have a lot to offer and I'm not looking for someone who needs me to take care of them.  I need a partner.  I need an equal.  If a man wants to be with me, he needs to be bringing something to the table."  Period. 

I knew from that point on, we would get along fine.  No whining.  No complaining.  Take care of yourself and make yourself happy.  I like her.  She now has a boyfriend and I have to admit, I am very curious.  I will try really hard when I meet him not to ask what it is he is bringing to the table.  You go #30!

#29 - CSC

Being accepted to PT school meant moving from Lafayette to New Orleans where I did not know a soul... or so I thought.  After I found out I was accepted, I remember being in Houma at a outdoor BBQ with a bunch of family friends.  My mom was talking about me moving, and one of the people there mentioned to her that #29 lived in N.O. and may be looking for a roommate.  Turns out she was about to kill her current roommate and she would be looking for a new one shortly.  I was so grateful.  I had known #29 most of my life, but we were not really friends in high school.  She was a few years older than me and was a cheerleader.  She was always the little one flipping off the top of the pyramid, and I can still see her on the sidelines leading the crowd in cheers like, "We got the wall! Yeah!Yeah!" 

Anyway, we moved in together in an apartment complex in Metairie.  At the time it was called Lincoln Court, but has since changed names a few times.  It was so much nicer than my apartment in Lafayette (sorry Lisa).  It was on the 3rd floor and we had a little red wagon we used to bring the groceries up.  #29 was in dental school so we both spent a lot of time studying.  Jeff and I became good friends with she and her boyfriend and we had a lot of laughs and good times.  She let me tag along with her to aerobics class at the French Riveria Spa and to home cooked dinners at friend's houses in the big city.  She definitely made my transition to New Orleans easy.

I remember one time we left the apt. to go work out.  At the time, the French Riveria was at the top of the Sheraton high rise office building on the lake.  We had to park in a parking garage and did not realize that the weather had gotten really bad when we were in there.  When we left, we had to go up Causeway and down Vets to get back to our apt.  We were in her little blue Honda Accord and when we were about 2 blocks from our house, we realized that we were in big trouble.  The rain had fallen so fast and so hard that the entire area was flooded.  We ended up getting stranded.  She got water in the interior of her car up to the seats and we had to wade back in waist high water to our apartment.  I mean really...how often does that happen?

As grown-ups, we are now both very busy in our own lives.  She has 3 beautiful children and a thriving orthodontic practice.  She recently brought her daughter in to see me for a gymnastics accident and I keep putting off bringing my kids to see her for some orthodontia.  Our oldest kids are classmates this year so hopefully we will find ourselves in the same place at the same time more often.

#28 - CEF

I have always called #28, Care Bear.  I have known her since she was born.  She is a friend of my sister's because they are the same age, and a friend of mine because I love her.  I watched her grow up next door and occasionally was called on to babysit.  This is what I know and love about her.  She has awesome red hair.  She is very athletic.  She played lots of soccer.  She recently tried snow-boarding.  She loves dogs.  She went to PT school in Galveston  before realizing that we needed her back in Houma.  She is an awesome PT who loves to treat children.   I think she is close to celebrating her wedding anniversay, so what a perfect time for her to make my list!  Happy Anniversary C and D!

#27 - MS

Interesting because my #27's initials are the same as the disease that she has.  MS which stands for Multiple Sclerosis.  She has been a patient of mine on and off since she has been 21 years old.  She is now 26.  She was diagnosed with MS when she was 19 years old and has had several acute episodes followed by periods of remission.  When she has an episode, she regresses quickly from a walking functioning twenty-something to a wheelchair bound patient who often cannot lift her arms above her head.  She has had to have a pain pump surgically placed in her stomach to help her deal with chronic muscle pain.  She finished high school and use to work in food service.  She now cannot keep a job because of the chronic fatigue assosciated with her disease.  She lives with her parents because she does not have the strength to maintain a home on her own.  She continues to return to our office when she needs OT or PT because she knows that we will always treat her with respect and dignity.  She does not always get this courtsey.  If you do not know her and do not know all that she has to deal with on a daily basis, you might take one look at her and dismiss her as odd.  She has several body piercings and often dresses in old ratty jeans and shirts that say, "Chicks dig me!"  I think she just wants to be noticed.

I cannot imaging living my life not knowing if tomorrow I may wake up with another lesion on my brain, if I will be able to walk, or if I will have to stay in bed all day because I just cannot find the strength to get up.  My job is often a reminder of all the good things in my life...my health included.

To find out more about multiple sclerosis, click here.

#26 - SCO

I know a little girl who makes me laugh.

She use to love cute pretty little girl clothes, but now she loves awesome, hip, rockin big girl clothes.

 She can hang with "the boys" (aka her brother and the 3 Trahan boys) better than anyone else and even manages to boss the little one around.

She is really good in art just like her Uncle.  She swims like a fish and rocked the pool this summer on the swim team.

Sometimes she makes her mom's blood pressure go up and her dad's go down.  I'm sure when she is a teenager, this will be just the opposite.

She likes to include Ms. Mo on girls day (shopping and pedis) because she knows Ms. Mo is outnumbered by the boys at home.

  She designed an awesome ring for her mom for Mother's Day and won the contest that allowed it to be made into a real ring.

  She went to summer camp this year for the first time and did much better on the airplane than her mom does. 

Her name means "lady" or "princess."  I love her very much and look forward to watching her grow from a her daddy's princess to a lovely lady.

#25 - ???

OK, for my faithful followers of this blog, so far I have managed to be happy and funny and loving about most of my names.  You didn't really think my life was that happy did you?  #25 is the first name that makes my teeth clench and my brows knit together.  Good thing I do not encounter her too often or I would have to take my sister in law up on her constant offer of Botox injections to ease my frown lines.  She is the mother of one of my children's classmates.  She is not nice.  She has been ugly to me and to my son.  Her son is not nice either.  You may think that she has a reason for not being nice, but this is not so. 

The first time I met her was at a skating party for one of the kids in the class.  I listened to her go on and on about how much she hated Houma and how little the town had to offer.  She said that she moved here because of her husband's work, but hated it.  She was use to better.  She fussed about her new neighborhood because the neighbors didn't keep their yards up.  She fussed about the lack of nice public facilities including the recreational department.  She definitely was not on the I Love Houma committee.  Anyway, I listened to her complain, held my tongue, and kept my thoughts that she was a total wack-job to myself.  (side note -Draw whatever conclusions you want, but I found out later,  she is from Morgan City!)

Then the incident occurred!

It all started when her son invited my son to his 6 year old birthday party.  It was being held at 3:00 on a Saturday afternoon.  It just so happened that our family was invited to spend the weekend in Grand Isle with some friends that same weekend.  We gave our son the choice, and since he really wasn't close friends with this kid (and I knew his mom was a wack-job), he chose Grand Isle.  Anyway, we missed the party and had a great weekend in G.I.  On the following Monday, I told my son to go to #25 (she volunteered at the school daily) and to tell her that he was sorry that he missed the party and that he had a gift at home that we would drop off at their house.  And he did.  When he got home that night I asked him what she said and he said, "She didn't say anything, she just turned around and walked the other way."  "What?" I asked.  "She didn't even say ok or thank you?" I couldn't believe it!  "No, he said and her son wouldn't talk to me either." 

From that day forward, she would not make eye contact with me or talk to me.  We are talking 7 more years of school functions.  No talking.  No eye contact.  At first, I was oblivious to the fact that she was ignoring me, but after a few times of waving at her in the drop off car line and having her turn her head the other way...I caught on.  Once I realized that she was ignoring me, I made it a point to sit by her and talk to her all the time.  It didn't work.  She doesn't like me.  Our kids are now in high school together.  I sat by her at Open House.  She still doesn't talk to me.  She lives down the street from my sister in law and for Halloween we went trick or treating at her house, and she pretended that she didn't know me.  Wow!  An enemy!  For someone who usually goes above and beyond to be sure no one is mad at her... 

So there it is.  My story about my enemy!  I hope I don't lose any friends over this now that I have shown everyone my true colors.  Thanks a lot #25!  And Happy Halloween!  You Witch!

#24 - Kenny (aka lizard)

When I was accepted to PT school, I was under the false impression that everyone was going to be just like me.  Young (I was 19), interested in sports, and good in science.  Boy was I wrong!  I had 38 students in my class and they ran the gamut of ages and personalities.  One guy had long hair, an earring, and was in a band.  One guy was a steriod workout dude.  One girl was a sorority chick.  One was a biker chick.  I had a rico suave.  I had a couple of jocks, and a couple of nerds.  An ex-firefighter and an ex-artist.  All nice, all smart, and except for a few, I'm sure all successful PT's.  We spent 8-10 hours a day together for 2 1/2 years.  Everyone got to know everyone else pretty well.  There were a lot of times when the intensity of the volume of material they were throwing at us just got to us and we got a little stir crazy.  I remember on one of those days, a classmate said to one of our instructors, "Could we take a 15 minute break for stupid pet tricks?"  I guess the teacher was a little loopy too because he said yes.  One of the guys in my class named Kenny went up to the front of the class with a sheet of paper.  He tore off a small piece and wadded it up, kinda like a spit ball.  He asked the teacher to hold out his finger, and onto the tip, he placed that small wad of paper.  We were really not sure where this was going...  Then Kenny started to contort his mouth in odd shapes.  Once he had generated some excess spit in his mouth.  He said, "Everyone ready?"  He then proceeded to spit in the direction of the teachers hand, then right before the saliva hit his hand, Kenny sucked the spit back in.  He continued to do this faster and faster...Spit out, suck it back in.  Spit out, suck it back in.  We sat and watched in amazement/horrror as he gained enough distance and speed to finally, after about 6 cycles, knock the wad of paper off of the teachers fingertip!  Wow.  I mean what can you really say about such a talent?

The funniest part of the story is when Jeff and I were sitting on the couch in my apartment a few days later and I was telling him the story and we were laughing about it.  About 10 minutes after I finished the story, we were still sitting there, watching TV, and all of a sudden, Jeff cleared his throat, and spit on my leg.  Totally gross!  It obviously it takes practice!  I hope #24, Kenny is doing well in his PT practice and can still do "the lizard."

#23 - Dr. MD

When I was growing up, my whole family went to a dentist that was a family friend.  His wife was his dental hygenist.  I remember him being very nice, very calm, and very gentle.  He and his wife made trips to the dentist painless.  I'm not exactly sure when, but somewhere around the time that I was in high school, #23 was killed in a car accident.  Everytime I am coming home from New Orleans and exit at the first Houma exit that takes you on old 90, I think of him because this is where his wreck occurred.  I have never not stopped, looked both ways, and then looked again, all because of him.  After he died, his wife continued to work as a hygenist for the dentist that took over his practice.  Then, several years ago, she too died of cancer.  Two lives cut short.  I hope everyone who reads this post will call their loved ones today and tell them that they are loved.  We do not know what is in store for us or when our time will come.  We should live each day to the fullest and never let anger linger.  In today's busy world, we need to remember to slow down and appreciate the people around us.

Quote to remember:  “You never know when you're making a memory.” (by Rickie Lee Jones)

 

#22 - Guy From 1st Wreck

When I was 15 years old, I got my driver's license and a new car!

Well, not exactly a new car, but it was new to me.  It was a 1970 Impala.  All of my high school friends remember it fondly because of the following:

1.  You had to give the dashboard a hard whack! to get the radio to come on.
2.  Every time we went over the RR tracks, the windshield wipers came on!
3.  The passenger seat edge had a small, but lethal wire poking out of it.  (Note:  If someone ever claims they were my friend in H.S., look on the back of their thigh to see if they have the wire scar to prove it)
4.  The gas tank was located hiding behind the license plate (I had to call my dad from a pay phone at the Quick Cajun in Summerfield Plaza to get this information the first time I ran out of gas!)
5.  I had a cool 8-track converter that allowed me to play all of my jammin cassette tapes.
6.  The back seat was big enough to fit my entire 9th grade class.
7.  It was the color of split pea soup.

Nevertheless, I loved my car and was very proud to have my own set of wheels.  Anyway, it seems like all of the wrecks that I have gotten into have a story.  The one that features #22 goes this way:
 
I was going straight.  I was following a guy in a car that was also going straight.  We were in a neighborhood.  All of a sudden, he did a U-turn.  I stopped, waited, and then slowly continued on straight, when all of a sudden, he backed into my drivers side door!!!!  What!  He dented my whole side!!!  OMG!  What to do???  No cell phones!  By myself!!!  Anyway, he got out of the car.  I got out.  He said, "Are you ok?"  I said I was.  He said, "I am so sorry, that was totally my fault.  Look, I want to be absolutely sure that I pay for all the damages.  Don't even worry about calling the police.  Let me give you my insurance information, my name, address, and home phone.  Just call me with the cost and I'll pay for everything."
And I said.......................................................................................................................  You guessed it, "ok,"  in a small scared voice.  I took his information and headed home thinking, "Whew!  What a nice guy!  I'm so glad he admitted it was his fault!" 

You can probably guess the rest.  When I got home and told my dad, he gave me the look.  Not a mad look, because you know, I'm the favorite, but he was definitely thinking maybe he had misjudged me and I didn't have quite as much going on upstairs as he thought.  Anyway, to make a long story long... fake name, fake address, fake insurance info...FAKE EVERTHING!

Thanks for teaching me a valuable lesson #22 - before I got a car that cost more than $300.

#21 - VD

I never met #20, but think about her whenever I am in my boys bedrooms. She is the lady who made my kids bedspreads for our new home.  I did not really get into the whole decorating thing.  I let someone else or lots of someone elses pick out most of the "stuff" for me. (stuff being defined as :  wall colors, furniture, light fixtures, knobs etc.)  I just really couldn't make myself care enough about knobs.  But...I actually was really excited about my kids bedrooms  (could possibly by because these were the only rooms that have color...but that is another post for another day).  #20 came highly recommended by my mom and my sister.  Her work was flawless and her prices were more than reasonable.  She had great ideas and I love the finished products.  See below:

Blake's room

Zachary's room

Seth's room

Thank you #20!

#20 - WSK

We interrupt our regularly scheduled post to present to you my newly inserted #20. 

My new nephew, William Scott Kelley!

Born Saturday, October 17th

Somewhere around 6:00 - 6:15 pm

Weighing in at 7 lbs. 5 oz

and 20 inches long!

Big Sister said she loves her Sista-Bruder

Mom looks awesome and is sporting some awesome new bling!

Dad is proud as a peacock and did good as the birthing coach

(although to hear him tell it, he had to pull the doctor away from the Arkansas-Florida game to seal the deal)

Thank God LSU wasn't playing!

Welcome Baby Scott!  Can't wait until you get home!

#19 - PB

I was born and raised Catholic.  I attended Catholic schools until college.  Almost everyone around me was raised the same way.  To say that I lived in a relgious bubble would be fair.  I never was interested in other religions and never really thought that much about them.  Until I met #19.  She was my 11th grade Religion teacher and her job was to take her sheltered Catholic school students and educate them about other religions that were out there.  And she did.

First semester we kinda breezed through the Baptists, Epsicopals, and the Methodists.  I mean other than a few differences...  It was the second semester that really got interesting.  I remember learning about The Watchtower, that Mormans don't drink coffee, and about the Torah.  We also touched on the Wiccan religion and about atheists.  I pretty much remember sitting there and just listening and thinking...hmmm, who knew?  Really?  What does coffee have to do with religion?   I also remember some really heated conversations with some of our more passionate students and #19.  All in all, out of the 13 years of Religion classes that I sat through, her's might be the only one that I remember.  She was not the most organized, but she got her points across.  That makes her a great teacher in my book.

The year, my son has #19 for 8th grade Earth Science, and guess what?  He is coming home talking about wind speed and landforms as if it is a new discovery.  I think that whatever #19 teaches, she does it with a passion that pulls you right in and makes you want to learn!  What would school be like if all teachers were this way?  When Jeff and I went to open house for our son this year, we sat in her classroom again as she pushed her ever-falling glasses up her nose, looked frantically around her messy, cluttered, full desk for the notes she wanted to tell parents about, and tried to fit in all she wanted to say before the bell rang...  We just looked at each other and smiled :)

#18 - CW

Top 5 Reasons to be a Jack of All Trades:
1.  A Jack of all Trades recognizes the 20% / 80% rule.  (i.e. You only need to know 20% of a language to understand 80% of it.  You only need to know 20%of the tango to be able to be a novice as compared to 80% to be a pro.  In sports, you only need to know 20% of the moves to play the game, but need to master 80% to be a professional.)
2.  A Jack of Trades is also known as a Generalist and if you look around you, it is the Generalists who wind up running the show.
3.  Boredom is failure.
4.  Diversity of intellectual playgrounds breeds confidence instead of fear of the unknown.
5.  It’s more fun, in the most serious existential sense.

Da Vinci was a jack of all trades.  So was Ben Franklin.  So is my #18.  He is a high school friend.  He graduated the same year as I did.  He was on the Student Council and in the Honor Society.  He did not play sports, but he did join Renaissance one year to get strong.  He has a great family and spends a lot of quality time with them.  He has a sister with special needs that he has always helped take care of.  After high school, he actually became better friends with my husband.  They love to talk hunting, business, and
money.  We use to travel together.  I remember a 24 hour drive to Colorado to go snow skiing (and sleeping in the car on the railroad tracks).  I remember the long trip to California to stand in another friend's wedding followed by bouncing around between San Francisco and Lake Tahoe for a week trying to avoid the worst storm in CA history.  I remember trips to Last Island.  I remember helping him lay down tile in his first house...and then in his second house.  I lost count of how many houses/camps he built or re-built  at about 20.  I remember he and Jeff in the attic of our first house, wiring for an alarm system to save us some money (so what that it really didn't call the police when it was set off.)  He helped us get started planning our retirement.  He helped us get started in banking, once we actually started making money.  He now has a beautiful family of his own.  I love his wife, especially when she pulls him out of his comfort zone (like at our 20 year class reunion).  He has two boys who are spitting images of him. (except I usually see them on the ball field?!?)  He serves on the Church finance committee.  He loves to fish.  He love to go camping.  He is a friend who I do not talk to often enough, but at any time of the day or night, I could call for anything (unless blood was involved) and he would be there.  Truly a friend of all trades!

key words:  hunting, fishing, camping, building, lists, medical

#17 - JFR

My #17 brings me back to the cancer thing.  She is the daughter of one of my dad's good friends from high school.  She spent part of her childhood in the same town that I grew up in, but later moved to Houston.  She is a few years younger than me, but we always got along really well.  I loved when they came to town to visit and I loved the times we visited her family in Texas.  (I remember being at her house in Houston and watching Mary Lou Retton nail that vault in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, and then setting up pillows in the hallway to start our training!!!)

 As we grew up, we drifted apart as childhood friends sometimes do.  She got married and moved away and didn't make those trips back home as much anymore.  Then, several years ago, I got the news from her dad that she had been diagnosed with cancer.  I always knew that she was kind, smart, and funny, but I felt like I got to know her all over again when she decided to keep people updated with her own website, blogging about her up and down rollercoaster ride with cancer.  Every day I read about what she and her husband, and her two small children were struggling with.  Even in all of her pain (physical and emotional) she was still able to find humor, courage, and the strength to do everyday tasks.  She is a wonderful writer.  As of her last post and the last update that I have heard from her dad, she is in remission.  What a wonderful word. 

The official definition says that, "Remission is the disappearance of the signs and symptoms of cancer or other disease. When this happens, the disease is said to be "in remission." A remission can be temporary or permanent."  I hope and pray that in her case it is the latter.

A few years ago, she and her family came into town for a visit.  They came to our house for a party and I got to really catch up with her and meet her family.  They are great.  Her husband has written a book that has opened many doors for them.  The book is called ScreamFree Parenting and can be viewed here.  He has been on the Today show, and has launched a radio talk show called ScreamFree Radio which can be heard in Atlanta.

I am so happy that she is healthy! I am proud of my childhood friend!  I hope only good things happen to her from here on out!

key words:  friend, houston, teacher, cancer, scream-free (hard to imagine) parenting

#16 RPC

I am the oldest grandchild on both my mom's and my dad's side of the family.  The next closest cousins are both my brother's age, which makes them 3 years younger than me.  They are both male.  I never had any girl cousins my age, but I always wanted one.  My sister on the other hand had a cousin that was only a few months older than she was.  I always thought that was so lucky!

#16 is said cousin...  She and my sister are both 8 years younger than me which put us in slightly different age groups but I love her just the same.  She is the daughter of my nanny, aka #11.  She is a grown woman now and has a family of her own, but I'll tell you what makes her special in my eyes.

She is very smart and could have done anything and been anything.
She was a National Merit Scholar finalist.
She went to college at Notre Dame on scholarship. 

She went to LSU Medical School. 

She decided to specialize in family medicine.
She moved to Kentucky and works in a small town family practice.

She is married and has an adorable baby boy who looks just like her husband.

The last time that I got to visit with her was at my other cousin's wedding (her brother) and she looks very happy and has a wonderful family.  I keep up with her on her blog, and I see that she also loves knitting (who knew).  Maybe MaMa Gladys' lessons with her went better than mine.  Or maybe she is just smarter than me....  Yeah. :)

key words:  Kentucky, Fighting Irish Tigers ?!?, medicine, curls

#15 MBC

Do any of you remember someone that you looked up to when you were a child?  An older teenager/adult that you thought was so cool?  Mine is #15.  She was my babysitter.  She was not the babysitter that just watched TV and left us to our own devices.  I really think she prepared for each babysitting job like a teacher prepares a lesson plan.  At least that is how I remember it.  She would sit us on the floor in a circle and play "Going On a Bear Hunt".  I also remeber a lot of hide and go seek.  Coloring. Play-Doh.  Webbles wobbling, but not falling down!  If we named it, she let us play it.

She ended up teaching my husband 7th grade Math.  Guess what...she was as good a 7th grade teacher as she was a babysitter.  I remember running in to her years ago when we were first married.  Jeff said, "How do you know MBC?" and I said, "What?  How do you know MBC?"  Obviously we both wanted to claim her as our friend first.

Several years ago, I got a flyer home from school with my oldest son, advertising etiquette lessons after school.  And guess what...#15.  Blake took the class and guess what...she was as good an etiquette teacher as she was a babysitter and teacher.  She eventually went on the open her own etiquette center.  Check out her website here.  She is also doing some work now with the Vandebilt alumni.  Seeing her makes me remember my happy childhood and smile.

A truly great person, babysitter, teacher, role-model, friend!

#14 - Dr. SM

This is a professional post.  Many of you may not know this, but Physical Therapists treat TMJ dysfunction.  The tempromandibular joint (TMJ) is a joint just like any other joint in the body and it can flare-up and become aggrevated just like a knee or a shoulder.  The tricky part is that no one can really stop using this joint.  If a shoulder is aggrevated, you may wear a sling... If your ankle is sprained, you may walk with crutches...  But if your TMJ is aggrevated...stop talking???  stop eating???  stop yawning???  Impossible!

My #14 is a doctor at the dental school in New Orleans.  I have never met him.  I have never spoken to him.  I have no idea how he got my name, but he refers patients to me all of the time and tells them that I am THE TMJ specialist in the tri-parish area.  What a compliment!  He started referring patients to me my second or third year of practicing and I guess I got some good results, because he sends patients far and wide to my office for treatment to this joint.  Last week I had a man from Chackbay.  Last month from Thibodaux... and so on.  I even get calls from time to time from his residents asking about my protocols for  treatment.  What an honor!

If I am being honest, I will admit that I don't get all of them symptom-free.  It is a tricky and challenging joint to rehab...but, I appreciate his confidence in me and I will always try my best to get these patients some relief.   Thanks to #14 for trusting me with his patients!

If anyone is interested in finding out more about TMJ dysfunction, click here.

key words:  dentist, referrals, tmj, pain-relief

#13 - FF

My family has always attended Maria Immacolata Church.  I grew up going to mass every weekend and my parents were always close to our parish priests.  The first priest that I can remember was Father Fleming.  He presided over the masses both on the weekends, and during the school weekday mass.  I remember him as being a large man with glasses and thinning hair that was brown and curly.  I remember that his masses were short.  They use to be held in the school cafeteria on Estate Drive which was converted to a Church on Sunday's by picking up the lunch tables and putting out chairs.  A few years ago, I was working on a Church history page for the school website, and I discovered that Father Fleming was not only the first priest that I remember, but he was the first priest in Maria Immacolata parish.  If anyone is interested in the history of the church, here is the link. 

In 1980, Father Fleming was transfered from Maria Immacolata parish to the parish of Grand Isle, which was fine with me because we got to see him each summer when we vacationed there.  His ability to make the masses short was really appreciated on the island, because we really wanted to get back to the skiing/swimming/sunning.  I'm not sure if he was the priest who baptized me (Mom? Dad?), but I'm sure he presided over the sacraments of First Communion and Reconciliation.  When I think about my elementary school years, I remember him fondly.

key words:  priest, friend, spiritual advisor, grand isle, church/cafeteria

#12 BL

My #12 is a very good friend and co-worker.  She is like a sister to me.  In fact, she is very much like my sister.  I have know her since high-school and have worked with her for the past 9 years.  Here are some of the things that endear her to me:

1.  She got me back into exercising after I finished having my kids.  I really cannot believe it, but from 1995 - 2002, I did not exercise at all.  I was very athletic and active in high school.  In college and PT school, I was a regular at Bourgeois Hall, the French Riveria Spa, and often times you could catch me running near the lake with a running group.  But...I'm not sure what happened when I got pregnant.  It was almost like, what's the use since I'm just going to gain it again.  Anyway, after I had Seth, #12 convinced me to start running again with her.  We trained from February until November and then ran the Cajun Country half marathon in Lafayette.  That's 13.1 big ones.  If anyone is interested, here are the results.  She was a much more experienced runner than me and had already run a full marathon earlier that year.  Despite this, she promised that she would stay with me the entire time during the 1/2.   And she did...  She finished 158th in 2 hours 12 minutes and 16.8 seconds and I finished 159 in 2 hours 12 minutes and 33.2 seconds. (And I'm not telling you out of how many)   Awesome motivator and exercise partner! (Note to #12 - I miss our lunch workouts.  Quit working so hard and come back to exercise with me!)

2.  She is an awesome OT, but an even better person.  I honestly don't think that I have ever seen her be mean to anyone.  Nothing is too much to ask, even if sometimes it should be.  I remember one hurricaine evacuation where she not only stayed home, but she invited 3-4 patients and their extended families to stay at her house.  And they did...  May have even brought pets?!?  She also has built a small apartment in her backyard for her mom to live so that she can be near if her mom needs anything, while still allowing her mom some independence.  Only two examples of many truly selfless acts!

3.  I've said that she reminds me of my sister.  Let me just put it this way...creative people cannot be neat! (Sorry Sarah!)  #12 is very creative.  Her patients love her, especially the kids.  They call her the "activity lady" because she is always going the extra mile to come up with fun ideas that can be converted to therapeutic gains.  I have seen her plant a garden with a child who has deficits from "shaken baby syndrome."  She helped me set up a volunteer gymnastic program for children with disabilities at GDC, and vounteered her time on weeknights to help teach the group.  One year, we trained 2 handicapped kids in track and field events and then went with them to compete at the GUMBO games.  Occasionally, my organized self and her messy, cluttered non-organized self have to find a balance, but just like my sister...I appreciate her and love her all the same!

key words:  OT, runner, friend, silly, makes me laugh, creative

#11 - My Nanny

A Godmother Poem

Like stars that shine in the heavens

A godmother’s endless love

Lights the way for her godchild,

As the lord gives a nod from above

She was chosen because of her goodness

And too, for her gentle side

But also because her godchild,

Could view her with love and pride

For she is a perfect example

Of all that a person should be

A kind and a caring guardian

Standing by for eternity!

It wasn't until I had children of my own that I realized the importance of a godmother.  When Jeff and I went to our first-born's baptismal preparation, I remember the deacon asking us if we had chosen godparents.  We had.  He then asked us if our child's godparents attended mass every week.  Of course we said yes, but then had to think about it.  (side note:  Jonie and Darren, you passed).  The deacon went on the say that in the event that something would happen to us, we needed to be certain that said godparents would raise this child in the Catholic faith, the same as we intended to.

My godmother has always been "Nanny."  She is "Nanny" to me and to my brother and sister.  She has always been a constant in my life.  I can remember being very small and going to visit her in Baton Rouge.   I remember thinking how cool it was that she converted the front porch in one house into a sunroom and the garage in her next home into a playroom.  And, I remember that she made my wedding dress.  I mean really made it...front scratch!  (See below)

As an adult, she continues to support me.  She never forgets a birthday or holiday.  This past Easter season, she stopped by my office to drop off a prayer book with daily devotionals and she emailed me this website, which I have started checking and I love!  Thank you Nanny for always looking after me.

Key words:  teacher, aunt, support, hard-worker, no favor is too much to ask

#10 - OT

I always amazes me that I meet people who live in Houma who do not know how to swim.  We are practically living in the Gulf of Mexico and are surrounded by water on almost all sides.  I cannot remember a time that I did not know how to swim.  I was on the swim team.  I was a lifeguard.  I spent lots of summers at the beach.  I never remember being scared of water or not knowing how to swim.

I guess that is why as soon as my kids could walk, I started looking for someone to teach them swimming lessons.  My #10 is the lady who taught all three of my kids to swim.  She plays a mean game of tennis, and in the summer months, she teaches swimming lessons in her backyard pool.  When my oldest, Blake was 3, he went to take lessons at her house.  They were either taught by OT or her son who was helping out for the summer.  I remember that when I called to register, she only scheduled five 30 minute lessons.  I remember thinking...no way will this be enough.  "Did you not hear me?  I want him to learn how to swim!"  But...at the end of one week, I had a fish on my hands. (Score 1 for swim instructor and 0 for the new mom)  Specific strokes were not quite as good as Michael Phelps, but he could definately swim underwater, get out of the pool if he fell in, and float on his back long enough to yell for help.   Success! 

Same thing for Zachary and then Seth. We all enjoy swimming in our pool, tubing behind the boat and playing at the beach every summer and even into fall! Enjoy the pictures and thanks #10.

(Kinda looks like me, doesn't he!)

Key words:  swimming, hold your breath, put your face in the water, mean tennis slice

#9 - Todd (I don't even know his last name)

OK, OK...it's not what you are thinking.  It's definately not this. 

I have to call my #9 by his first name, because honestly, I don't know his last name.  Let me set the scene for you.  When I first started working at PTRC, the world was a different place.  They still had ashtrays in the treatment rooms.  The billing was handwritten each day on a ledger card which was then filed away by hand.  Progress notes for patients were handwritten on pieces of loose-leaf paper and stapled together... if we decided to write a note at all. 

To say a lot has changed since then is an understatement.  Not to sound all important, but a lot of the changes that have happened at PTRC were because of yours truly...and Todd.

Todd was my first computer guy.  Even before PTRC had computers.  He stopped by the office one day to drop off business cards for his new computer business.  He helped me sell Mr. Ken on the idea of buying one computer for the office.  I think it looked like this. 

It was 1992 and Microsoft had just introduced Windows 3.1.  Windows???  What the heck was that???  Up until that point, my computer background included a class at USL on how to write a computer program using Fortran.  So anyway, Mr. Ken bought a computer for the office and since he was the boss, it went on his desk, in his office.  Great...except...he did not know how to use it.  So Todd and I spent a lot of time in Mr. Ken's office setting up programs for billing, computer generated forms, and in general, record keeping.

As anyone who fights with, babies, cusses at, works with computers knows, the value of a good technical support person is key.  You spend a lot of time with them on the phone troubleshooting.  You watch them do things on your computer that you did not know could be done.  You Watch, You Listen, You Learn.  Part of this process is engaging in small talk while you are either 1. on the phone with another computer support person or 2. waiting and waiting and waiting for something to update.  Suffice it to say, you get to know them well. 

Years passed...Mr. Ken's business became my business...Todd's business grew...I got married, He got married.  I had kids, he had kids.  He sold me lots more computers...and printers...and scanners...and routers.  I remember one time he had to crawl underneath our old building on Gabasse Street because he could not run computer cable through the fire wall the ran the length of the old house (and I'm not talking about computer firewall).  After several years of running his own business and holding my hand as I learned all about computers, he eventually took a job running the computer sales and service division at Office Depot when the Houma store opened.  I still see him from time to time when I go there to get more computers...and printers...and scanners...and routers.  He probably doesn't remember me, but I will always remember him as one of my great teachers, and I will always remember his name (because it is printed on his Office Depot name tag!)

#8 B.M., Esq.

OK, this is a really funny story...Now.  At the time I did not think it was funny at all.
My #8 is an attorney.  I hope he doesn't remember me.  From time to time I see him around town and he gives me a smile and a "hello" but I REALLY hope he doesn't remember me.

He has the privledge and distinction of being the first attorney to depose me.  You know...deposition, aka conversations from H-E- double hockey sticks!  I'm sure many of you don't share my fear of depositions, but I Really, Really, Really hate them!

The very first time I had to give one, I went to #8's office.  I was shaking on my way there and by the time I got to his waiting room, I probably looked like I was having a seizure.  Knees shaking, teeth chattering...  Receptionist asks me if I am cold..."Umm, yes, a little,"  I answer.

I don't even remember who the patient was that I was answering questions about.  All I remember is that #8 spoke to me as if I was either

1. a very small child about to cry
or
2. a psychotic person about to jump.

Sigh...I know I had tears in my eyes the whole time.  Why???  I have no idea.  I wasn't on trial.  I think basically they just wanted me to say...on the record...that the guy had actually attended physical therapy 10 times and that he said that his back hurt.  The way that I prepared for this deposition you would have thought that I was O.J. about to be cross-examined by Johnnie Cochran.

I memorized all of my treatments that I had done on the patient!
I researched in my old school notes the reasons that I had chosen those particular treatments!
I wore a dress, stockings, and high heels to the deposition!

Sigh!    I do remember that he asked me if I minded if he recorded it.
:( 
He probably replays it and laughs from time to time. 

I really hope he doesn't remember me!

key words:  deposition, fear, panic, dramatic (thanks, Mom)

Addition to #7

With her permission, check out her story here.

It was posted on Jillian Michael's website in May.  To date, she has lost 135 lbs. and is still working hard
6 out of 7 days a week!  Go girl!!!!!!!  :)

#7 - TT

Many of you already know my #7 because I know that she is a regular to the blogging and facebook world.  She is very inspirational to me.  One of the hardest things in this world to do (in my humble opinion) is to lose weight.  People throughout the U.S. are getting bigger and bigger and making more and more excuses to avoid exercise.

Quick stat check: 
In 1960 - 10% of men and 15.5% of women were classified as overweight or obese
In 2004 - 30% of men and 34% of women were classified as overweight or obese

You can find thousands of websites that echo this data.  What is harder to find however, are the success stories.  #7 on my list is truly a success story. Without getting too much up in her business, let me just say that what started as a challenge to win some money has led her to a new way of life.  She has lost over 100# and looks great!  She lost weight, but gained a lot more...self-confidence, pride, knowledge that she is a strong person who can do great things!  She did it the old-fashioned way...she worked her butt off!  No medicine, no excuses!  Eat less and move more!  The formula for success!  Great job #7 - Keep up the good work!  You motivate me when I am trying to decide between LaCasa or Subway! Treadmill or TV!  Ice-cream or Ice water!

And while we are on the subject of weight...

Just a little FYI for the readers:  BMI is a measure of your body mass index or body fat.  This is what scientists use to determine if a person is overweight or not.  To determine your BMI:  multiply your body weight by 703.1 and divide it by your height in inches.  Divide by your height in inches a second time to get your BMI.  A good BMI should fall between 18.5 - 24.9.

Inspirational thought (stolen from a friend):  "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels!" 

Doesn't this really say it all!

#6 - MR

Cancer scares me!  I just finished reading The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch.  I just finished reading my new People magazine about Patrick Swayze.  I just bought some new Oakley sunglasses and the salesman talked me into white and pink ones because they supported breast cancer.  All 3 scare me!

I know I am extremely lucky that no one in my immediate family has been diagnosed with cancer.  It seems as if it is all around us.  My #6 person is the wife of a friend.  She has battled cancer and cancer scares.  She still goes back for check ups regularly and I can only imagine how her stomach knots, waiting to hear her latest results.  I inquired about her health recently and I got an "all clear."  Whew!  I hope and pray that she gets the same news next time.  I also pray that if this terrible disease ever affects me or any of my family members that we all can handle it with the same grace and support that she and her husband have shown each other.

Catholic Prayer For Cancer

O Saint Peregrine, you who have been called "The Wonder-Worker" because of the numerous miracles which you have obtained from God for those who have had recourse to you, who for so many years bore in your own flesh this cancerous disease that destroys the very fiber of our being, and who had recourse to the source of all grace when the power of man could do no more: you who were favored with the vision of Jesus coming down from His Cross to heal your affliction, ask of God and Our Lady the cure of these sick persons whom we entrust to you (names of those for whom you are praying, including yourself if need be). Aided in this way by your powerful intercession, we shall sing praise to God for His great goodness and mercy. Amen.

#5 DEK

My #5 is a friend from high school.  She now lives in the Woodlands, TX with her husband and three kids.  The last time I saw her was at the ballpark in Houma.  She and her family were home for a visit and she was watching her nephews play baseball.  When I think about #5  I think about playing tennis, student council, an 8th grade dance at the YMCA, boy-crushes, homecoming, and driving back and forth to Mary Hughes Drive.  In college, we went our separate ways.  I headed to USL in Lafayette, and she did the whole sorority thing at LSU.  After a few years however, we met back up at LSUMC in New Orleans where she was getting a degree in Nursing and I was getting a degree in Physical Therapy.  She got me hooked up with a hair salon in New Orleans that I still visit every 6 weeks.  She is one of those friends that never changes and one that I can pick up the phone and call at any time and it would be like I just talked to her yesterday.  The miles and our respective families keep us busy, but we do manage an annual Christmas card at the very least.

You know old friends are the best and the ones who will laugh at your old pictures!

(I know this image is kinda dark, but I think the flash from all of our braces altered the lighting!)

key words:  student council president, homecoming queen, nurse, tennis, friend

#4 - DOB

When I was growing up, every summer my family would go to Grand Isle for an entire week with several other families and all of their children. Depending on the year, the count was somewhere around
Adults = 10  Kids = 17.

One of the families that we went with was the Bourgs.  Dr. Otis is my eye doctor and a friend of my dad's. He always made sure the kids had a... hmmm... how can I say it?  An interesting time.  Let me explain...

Everyone had jobs to do to make the week run smoothly.  Some cooked, some did laundry, and some cleaned.  One year, Dr. Otis was on cleaning detail.  Just to make us all laugh, he got a partner in crime to get a video camera and staged a scene where he was cleaning up the bathroom.  In the middle of cleaning, he reached into the toilet, pulled out a snickers bar, and proceeded to eat it on camera.  Cue the sound effects...  He was Ashton Kutcher and "Punk'd" before his time.

Another year, Dr. Otis decided that he was going to get all of the kids together...At night...In the bay.  The plan was to all hold hands and make a giant chain.  Our only instructions were...Don't let go!  So Dr. Otis and I think one other adult (Mom and Dad - WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!?) and about 15 kids took off...In the dark...At night...With no lights...It was only us, I'm sure some drunk boaters, and I'm sure lots of sharks. In retrospect, we probably didn't really get very far, but it felt like we walked for at least 2 hours of so.  Oh, and did I mention that he told spooky ghost stories while we trudged through the dark, dirty water?

I'm pretty sure that Dr. Otis is also the reason that I HATE, HATE, HATE, horror movies.  I have nightmares about the movie that he let us watch at his daughter JoEllen's 8 year old slumber party, The Legacy.  All I remember is a girl drowning when she dives down in a pool and the top of the pool turns to glass and she is trapped beneath the water.  Enough said.

On the upside, everytime I go to see him for an eye exam, I get a free pair of Prada or Gucci sunglasses.  And he is responsible for talking me into wearing these gems!

He assured me that they made me look smart! 

Thanks Dr. O

key words: eyes, horror-movie, funny, one of my favorite people