Still Climbing (Even When Life Hurls Boulders)

Life is full of choices. Some we make, some are made for us—usually by chaos, nature, or some cosmic prankster with a dark sense of humor.

Me? I’m still climbing this mountain of life. Sure, I’ve had to duck a few pebbles and yesterday I straight-up got walloped by a boulder. But I’m still here, still climbing—grumbling the whole way, but climbing nonetheless.

Last Sunday? Rough. Hell’s personal space heater parked itself over our town and turned the dial to “broil.” I was already running hot on Friday, and the heat triggered one of my infamous migraines. I try to stay hydrated, I really do, but I think I sweated out my body weight and then some. Saturday was a bust—I tried to rest, but the headache would not budge.

If you’ve ever had a migraine, you know. It’s not a headache. It’s a full-body shutdown. I used to get them all the time when I was married… and, mysteriously, they vanished when I got divorced. Funny how that works. Cue knowing smirk.

I’ve tried every migraine remedy known to modern science and a few that were probably just wishful thinking. These days, the only thing that helps is sleep—the kind of sleep you get after being hit with tranquilizer darts. Deep, dark, silent, do-not-disturb-or-I’ll-haunt-you sleep. I’ve learned my triggers: lack of sleep, heat, and dehydration. Satan’s weather last weekend hit the trifecta.

Sunday was the worst. I truly thought I might not make it. My head was pounding, my blood pressure was sky-high, my brain had checked out, and my body wasn’t far behind. Oh, and did I mention I was babysitting five dogs while my daughter was off enjoying a beach vacation? Love that for me.

I ended up on Jack’s daybed with a bag of ice on my neck, praying I wouldn’t have to drive myself to the hospital. Thankfully, I finally passed out—probably looked like a sweaty corpse but hey, I got rest.

Monday? A whole new woman. I declared war on the outdoors and refused to step outside. It was so hot the dogs didn’t even want to go out unless I went first like some sacrificial heat scout. I hung a couple blankets on the line, came back inside, and had sweat rolling down my back like I’d just run a marathon through the Everglades.

Midweek, I got a burst of energy (or cabin fever—who knows) and started purging my craft room. I had to face the ultimate crafter's question: What do I actually want to make, and what am I just hoarding for “someday”? I made piles: sewing, paper crafts, vinyl, resin, decoupage, clay—you name it. Then I got so overwhelmed I had to stop and pivoted to cleaning out drawers instead.

That’s when I discovered 16 pairs of missing scissors.  Also five hammers, which seems excessive unless I’m planning to build an ark. I found Christmas gifts I’d hidden and forgotten about, plus enough candles to survive a month-long blackout—thankfully not the overly smelly kind. I even found my prized skeleton hands (don’t ask, just trust—they’re going to be epic as candle holders).

I set up a table in Jack’s playroom and began sorting all the random bits. Turns out I’ve been hoarding command hooks like a doomsday prepper. I buy them, stash them, forget I own them, then buy more. It’s a vicious cycle.

I made two full car trips to the dump—trunk, back seat, front seat—loaded. Today I dropped off six more garbage bags. And yet... somehow... it looks like I’ve cleaned nothing.

The craft room is still a disaster zone, but I’m tackling it one box at a time. I’ve already taken about a dozen boxes to the garage. Once I can bribe someone to help move a table to the carport, I’m going to start listing things for sale. Carport pickup only, darling—we’re classy like that.

Oh, and let’s not even talk about the three storage units. That’s a future-me problem. There may be a yard sale in my near future—stay tuned for that circus.

Tonight? I’m wiped. I took a nap after work until the kids got home. I do not miss their energy levels—those  humans are like wind-up toys on espresso. I managed to do some meal prep, take a hot shower, and now I’m crashing into bed.

Tomorrow, I’ll share more about my weight loss journey, so don’t wander off—this mountain climb has more chapters coming.