SurvivingSara

Category: Uncategorized

  • Pooped

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    Sara Z
    in

    Woke up worn out My get up & go got up and went. Exhausted Fatigue is one of the most difficult fibromyalgia symptoms to deal with for me personally. It affects every fiber of my being when it makes itself at home, whether that’s around lunchtime or even first thing in the morning. Today, I…

  • Lil’ Old Ladies

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    Sara Z
    in

    You’ve seen a senior woman and thought, “Did she look in the mirror when she put on that makeup? Does she know what she looks like? Can’t she see the clumpy mascara, messy bright blue eyeshadow, and too thick eyeliner? Why is her lipstick covering more face than her lips?” I am here to explain…

  • Color Me Pleasant

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    Sara Z
    in

    Having received a brief litany of my current state of fibromyalgia (frustratingly reluctant to improve), my husband grew quiet and then began, “It’s so weird. It seemed like when you had a broken leg…” his voice fading. “What? When I had a broken leg, what?” “I don’t know how to describe it. When it was…

  • Hook, Line, & Sinker

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    Sara Z
    in

    A little neighborhood in the Mojave desert called Lake L.A. had no lake and was a two hour drive north from Los Angeles. It, nevertheless, saw an explosion in population mid 80’s as people were priced out of the Greater L.A. market, and that drew an interesting mix of people recruited to serve the rapidly…

  • Overdone

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    Sara Z
    in

    Do you overdo it sometimes? What do you overdo? Drinking alcohol, weed, or food? Time in your own imagined life, away from the daily grind? Running, biking, or tennis? Makeup, shopping, or handbags with their own bags? Writing? Gaming? My physical therapist fears I’ll overdo activities on my newly surgically-repaired ankle. It’s healed but I…

  • Deep in the Lilacs

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    Sara Z
    in

    My hometown is known as the Lilac City. The pretty bushes can be spotted all around the area in purples, pinks, and white. Each year in May, the main event of the Lilac Festival is the nighttime Armed Forces Torchlight parade. It really is beautiful with floats and bands lit up in creative ways. Another…

  • Parent is Also a Verb

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    Sara Z
    in

    My 14-year-old son was in for a difficult conversation. I brought him into my room, shut the door, and we sat on the bed. Me: Unfortunately, I’m going to have to share with you something I was hoping I’d never have to say. Son: My younger brother (name withheld) really is retarded? M: No. He’s…

  • With Everything, Turn, Turn, Turn

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    Sara Z
    in

    I sense change coming. From this side of nearly six decades, a most profound lesson I’ve internalized is that we will always face new challenges. Sometimes the current season feels like trouble that’s here to stay. When you have a two or three-year-old throwing a fit as they work out exactly what they can control…

  • Fair to Middling, Cinderella to the Ball

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    Sara Z
    in

    Oh, where do I begin? Here we go, I survived! My husband and I had an interesting weekend, and you know when someone describes an event or a weekend as interesting the undertone is, “Get a load of this.” So, get a load of this. After weeks of planning and prep for our weekend staycation…

  • Goodbye Maybe

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    Sara Z
    in

    Why write? I’ve accidentally become woven into a writer’s community on twitter and I feel illegitimate. As they discuss WIP (work in progress), MC (main character), plot lines, unplanned turns of events, perspctives, querying, getting agents, publishing the latest book, etc., I’m thinking blog, blogger, topics, followers, and likes or comments. These two worlds do…

  • Party Time

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    Sara Z
    in

    My husband did a great job at work in 2021, reaching heightened goals, and he is being recognized at a party Friday night, two days from now. The company provides everyone who makes “The President’s Club” a room at a very nice resort not far from where we live. Check-in will be followed by appetizers…

  • In My Lifetime

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    Sara Z
    in

    It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten a sudden urge to write, to communicate about something unfolding. right now. It’s been a long time coming. I had a pit in my stomach during confirmation hearings for justices appointed by the last holder of the Oval Office. They said under oath, though, they would uphold…

  • One Step Forward

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    Sara Z
    in

    I’m proud to announce that I’m able to walk! It’s been a long road since breaking my ankle in January, a long road I had to scooter. Don’t get me wrong; the scooter saved me from crutches. I’m less agile than some, e.g. broken ankle, and had difficulty using the scooter without injuring my good…

  • Here, Birdie Birdie

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    Sara Z
    in

    A new hobby is bringing me joy! Earlier this spring, I ordered a small birdbath and a birdfeeder for my backyard. Birdsong seems louder and brighter this year, which says more about me than the population of birds in this area. I’ve long enjoyed watching all manner of hawks circling above my neighborhood, riding thermals…

  • 1982

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    Sara Z
    in

    Travel with me, if you will, to 1982. Those were days of big hair, bright clothes, and the Sony Walkman. 40 years ago June, I graduated from high school. I attended the 10, 20, and 30 year reunions but I’m sitting out the 40th, if it even happens. Ronald Reagan was president and announced the…

  • Parent is Also a Verb 4/23/22

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    Sara Z
    in

    In the beginning, if you have any sense, you’re nervous about bringing that tiny, completely dependent, bundle of snuggles home. Now, you’re a parent. Some folks continue living life as they did before and add this new member as an aside. Others adopt the new role of mom or dad studiously, committed to doing everything…

  • Rambling Rows

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    Sara Z
    in

    Yes, I know they’re tulips. Following are some more of the stand alone thoughts that are in my head, not one worthy of a full post on its own. Good news! I am walking. It’s going pretty well. Of course, I want it to happen quickly, but I can feel that I overdid things yesterday.…

  • WALK

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    Sara Z
    in

    After nearly three months off my feet, actually one foot, the surgeon who inserted a rod and a bunch of staples into my left ankle gave me the go-ahead to begin bearing weight on that side! This is very exciting! I’ve banished the knee scooter and, in its place, now there are a cane, a…

  • Stress Be Gone

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    Sara Z
    in

    Apparently, my new mantra, “no need for flight or fight,” is only as powerful as the time and energy I give it. As usual, when I get new information or choose a new strategy to improve my condition, I’m so excited and sure this will be the “thing” that makes a difference. The first day…

  • Diddy Fin Frips

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    Sara Z
    in

    My dad has been gone three years today. As a provider, he built a wonderful life for our family. He wasn’t perfect as a father but who is? He had outpatient surgery, coded, and never came home. He was 83. He grew up in a Pacific Northwest farming community with his parents and two brothers.…