Checking in - Week 3

Even with Thanksgiving approaching, I still had a very good week. I knew that the desserts would not be a problem, but the rolls... my mom's homemade dinner rolls and cornbread... mmmm.

But, I was so reinforced by how good I was feeling, and how much healthier I felt, I decided that I would choose to abstain, and abstain I did! I went through the serving line, got a small piece of ham, a small piece of turkey, some corn, green beans, a bite of creamed spinach and squash casserole, and a small spoonful of my mom's broccoli and black-eyed pea salad. It was more than plenty and I did not feel deprived in the least. I ate slowly, savoring each and every bite. No rolls, no cornbread, and no dressing. Yea!

I was pleasantly full as I watched everyone else go back for seconds and even thirds, and was happy in the knowledge that I knew I would not be feeling absolutely stuffed later. I had coffee and we all visited, enjoying seeing one another and giving thanks for all we have.

I also did my 45 minutes of walking Sat/Sun/Tues/Thurs (yes, I walked Thanksgiving morning!), and put my gold stars on my calendar. And, the best part of the week? I was brave enough to attempt to put on my next smaller sized jeans, and not only could I pull them up, but was even able to button them, though with some effort. Yes, they are way too tight just yet, but another 5-8 pounds, and I'll be back into them. Glory hallelujah!

Follow the red patch

As I looked up into the tree, above where the Titmouse sat,
I saw movement along a limb. It wasn't until he turned
just right that I saw his flashy red nape.
He blended in quite well with the branch he was climbing.

One of my favorites

Yesterday, the birds were all very active and finally
visiting the feeders once again, which I promptly filled.

I saw this sweet little Tufted Titmouse in the hackberry
tree beside the driveway. I love their little tufts, and the
way they chitter back and forth to each other.

There is no amount of money

I am one of those odd souls who literally hates to shop. If I go shopping, I have something in mind, I gravitate towards it, pay, and leave the store. I am not a browser. I am not a bargain hunter. I especially hate shopping for clothing. So, this you can take to the bank... there is not enough money or bargains in the world that would make me want to go to the mall today. In all of my 47 years, I have NEVER shopped on Black Friday. The very thought of it makes me shiver. Yet, I know people who are plum giddy at the prospect. They'll line up at 3AM for a 5AM store opening. Seriously? I must be missing a gene of some sort is all I can figure. Most women adore shopping, and can spend all day at the mall wondering from store to store. I'd rather have a root canal.

So today, I will stay home sipping coffee, put up the new Christmas tree, catch up on laundry, and never get out of my lounge wear. And, I'll be so very happy to leave all the others to the massive crowds and frenzy. Ahhhh.... I love being me.

P.S. Thus far, the "safe mode" restart on the iMac is working! Yippeeeee!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

~~~ A Very Happy Thanksgiving to One and All~~~

...and a very happy birthday

today to my wonderful sissy!

A little Apple rant

[RANT] I love my iMac, really I do. It initially took some getting used to years ago when we converted, but as with other Apple lovers, we were fully and totally smitten. So stable, so dependable, so reliable, no crashing, no billions of pop-ups... nirvana. I can literally still probably count the times on my hands I actually had to reboot due to being "stuck." A finer operating system has not yet been invented. I am loyal, and I am never, ever going back to a PC.

Having said that, their browser, Safari, is another story. It's not that it's not functional, but it's... well, it's boring. And, it can be wonky at times. We've used Firefox as our browser for years and years, and I love it. I have the Cool Iris feature installed as well, which makes browsing even more enjoyable with Firefox.

So, imagine my consternation when, after updating to Snow Leopard, my Firefox went wonky. All of a sudden, it was taking forever, if ever, for things to load. And pop-up windows, as in comment boxes on blogs I read? Forget about it. Sluggish does not even begin to describe how it now behaves on my updated iMac. Boo hoo hoo. It got to the point where I simply had to start using Safari once again in order to zip through the 70+ blogs on my Bloglines feed. But, as usual, Safari is wonky. If I compose on my blog using Safari, it is double spacing all my text. No, I did not do that on purpose. And, if I read blogs in Wordpress, their comment boxes do not even show up. I went to shop on Etsy, and tried to add something to my cart, and the "Add to Cart" button does not show up. AAAAUUUUGGGGHHHHH! What gives Apple????

I've Googled forum sites and yes, many people are having these issues. For many, Firefox crashes all together. I've tried certain tweaks and fixes to no avail, and so have had to resort to creating my posts in Firefox and reading blogs in Safari. One would think that Apple loves their loyal customers so much that they would keep things like this from happening, or at the very least, have a download to fix the wonkies. Apple? Are you listening? Pleeeeeease?? [/RANT]

-------------------

**Update**

Don't you just love how the universe works? After composing this rant above (last night), I again went to try and Google "issues with Firefox and Snow Leopard" when a particular site caught my eye. The person was also having issues, and gave instructions to restart the computer in "Safe Mode" and then, once it was up, to reboot and start normally. This apparently rebuilds the font cache. What the heck. So we did. And.... holding breath... it DID! I won't scream that loudly, for I'll have to see over the next few days how it does, but for now, all the issues seem to have been resolved. Could it really be that easy? I really do love my iMac, Steve.

Forgiveness

Recently, someone offered their sincere apology to me for their actions. Their exact words were, "Would you please accept my apology?" And, of course, I did. That exchange reminded me of this gem I've had tucked away in my email folder for years. I love the simple truth and power of its message:

You don't forgive someone merely for their sake; you do it for your sake so you can be free.
Your need to forgive isn't an issue between you and the offender;
it's between you and God.
Forgiveness is agreeing to live with consequences of another person's sin.
Forgiveness is costly; we pay the price of the evil we forgive.
Yet you're going to live with those consequences whether you want to or not;
your only choice is whether you will do so in the bitterness of not forgiving
or the freedom of forgiveness.
Forgiveness deals with your pain, not another's behavior.
--Neil T. Anderson

Checking in - Week 2

This past week, I worked Monday through Friday as one of the staff had surgery. I did not get home until 6-6:30 except for Friday night. It was a long week, and I was tired, but it was a happy tired. I knew I'd really have to plan in order to watch my eating and so I made sure that I grilled enough meat to portion into 3 oz servings. Each day, I took my lunch, and ate my meat with veggies, along with a piece of fruit. Several days, I was asked if I wanted to either go out to lunch, or have Chick-Fil-A, but I stayed strong and in control.

I also made sure that on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, I headed to the basement and for my 45 minutes with the treadmill and my Kindle. I also walked Saturday and Sunday. It's becoming a habit again, and one I find I am actually looking forward to on those days. I suppose I could up the number of days, but I don't want to get burned out or start to feel I can't keep up a schedule of more than four days per week.

I physically feel so much lighter and stronger. The sluggishness I once felt, along with the feeling of being uncomfortable in my clothes is leaving as well. I can tell the difference in how my pants fit, and even though there were stressful moments in my week, just the fact that I feel so much better helped me to navigate the stress and not reach for something to eat or a glass of wine at the end of the day.

I also am sleeping like a rock now. I know that is directly related to the walking and eating well, and giving my body what it needs to be healthy. My tummy has even calmed down much more now that I am no longer stuffing it with carb laden foods. So, overall, another really great week of being aware and in control. There is simply no feeling like it for me.

Make a joyful noise

I saw this sweatshirt in the new Signals Catalog, and smiled.
I so look forward to Sunday mornings and being able to go
to church, head to the choir area, and sing my little heart out.

There is just something about lifting your voice in praise that
simply takes you to another place. And, it does not seem to matter
if there are 6 of us or 18 of us... the sound is magically magnified.

I can't imagine not having music in my life, and my being able
to be a part of a group that adds a special element to the
worship is a blessing beyond compare.

Mr. Attitude

"What are you looking at?" he looks as if to say.

"I will now mesmerize you with my singing

as I am the master of song!"

Where are the birds?

Just the other day, I was commenting to my husband that I've seen fewer and fewer birds at the feeders. I filled them up a week ago, and it's as if they've not been touched. It became the exception rather than the rule to look out the window and see any birds visiting. What the heck? Then, I found this post on the Stokes Birding Blog addressing just this very issue, which apparently many are seeing now. There is abundant natural food right now, and the birds are, well, being birds, and partaking of what nature has provided. This point was further evidenced when I was outside on Saturday and looked up towards the sky at the large pines in the tree line. Just look at all those cones this year! But, don't stop feeding, as once the weather gets colder, our friends will surely appreciate our offerings so much more.

Read Between the Lines

There are various and sundry reasons why we all started to blog.

I initially thought I wanted to somehow share my journey, my life

with Sam, and how grace has enveloped me in so many ways.

My blogging then took a curvy road towards my love of birds as well.

Along the way, I've made the acquaintance of so many wonderful

people, and my life is so much bigger and richer.

We all have "life" to deal with, and that too becomes part of our

blogging. But, just suppose you woke up one day, and at the end

of that day, life, as you knew it, was irreparably changed. Just

suppose in that one day, you lost both your husband and your mother.

That seems to me to be the very definition of the rug being pulled

out from under you.

Well, that's what happened this past spring to a new lady I've come to know.

A strong, courageous lady named Donna. She and her husband raised

AKC German Shepherds, and her animals have been such

a comfort to her. But, I know that you all can be as well.

Go visit Donna at Between the Lines and show her some

of that famous Blogger community love and support.

Oh, the Jays!

There has been, it seems, an explosion of Blue Jays

recently! I see them everywhere. Three, four, and five together.

They can sometimes be bullies when they swoop in, but for the

most part, they get what they want and then depart to the tall trees.

Weekend visitor

Saturday morning, I was sitting on the deck watching the bird

activity, when I heard the male Bluebird sounding his alarm chitter.

He quickly flew over my head and away from the yard.

Within a minute or so, this Red-shouldered Hawk flew over me

in the opposite direction and landed in the tree line next door.

The Crows and Jays were screaming at him the entire time he was

perched high up in this tree, and he politely ignored them.

If you look just above his outstretched wing below, you can see the Jay!

Patient as he was, with all the commotion, he finally decided

to depart and look for breakfast elsewhere.

Checking in

Well, it's been one week since I posted about my coming clean to myself (and you) regarding my eating being out of control. It's been a really good week. The one thing that really struck me in getting my eating on track again, was just how good the food I was eating tasted and how well satisfied I have been. For breakfast, I've eaten what I've eaten for the past ten years... seriously... I am not kidding... a cup of Original Fiber One cereal, sprinkled with Splenda, topped with Silk Vanilla Soy Milk and a banana on the side. I have given up topping it with raisins (too much sugar). For lunch and dinner, I've been eating 3-4 oz of grilled lean meat (chicken, fish, beef), a starchy vegetable (1/2 cup at lunch/1 cup at dinner), along with 1/2 cup of a non-starchy vegetable and a spinach salad. It's a LOT of food my friends. A lot of good, filling, nutritious food. Plus, after lunch and dinner, I usually have some fruit as well if I want something sweet. I feel SO much better, I can't tell you.

I also got up at 5 AM and walked 45 minutes on Monday and Thursday, then walked 45 minutes on Saturday and Sunday as well. I somehow pulled my back on Monday, and had to wait until Thursday to walk again (with the help of Ibuprofen and ThermaCare heat wraps). On those mornings I walked, I felt like I was FULL of extra energy! I took my Kindle with me, and just walked and read, which made the time pass by so quickly.

There is no feeling in the world like knowing you are again in control and you can choose not to put things in your body which cause you to start making excuses to justify your need for food to make you feel better. It was all about the carbs for me. Relax my guard for too long around them, and well... 20 pounds later, I know where it ends up. Oh, I tried to justify it by eating Weight Watchers stuff, but found more than not, I was choosing to eat the mini-pizzas and the quesadillas, and the flatbreads, which in turn, loosened my eating of everything else not good for me (crackers/chips/noodles/pasta).

I also gave up having the glass (or two) of wine several times a week in the evenings, as it did not take much convincing after that to decide that some potato chips would be really satisfying. My numbed mind was allowing me to make those decisions without much thought.... how convenient. Oh, of course the next day I'd chide myself and be disgusted that I was actually eating Cheddar and Sour Cream Ruffles by the handfuls. But, the behavior did not change, and therefore, neither did the bad choices.

So, all in all, it's been a really wonderful week. It's not about "being on a diet" but rather about feeding your body the foods it needs to effectively fuel itself and in turn, make you feel much more healthy and energetic. A great start for me to get back to a place I need to be. Trust me when I say that when this aspect of my life is in control, everything, and I mean everything else seems so much easier. It was time, and I am happy to say, I made good choices this week.

Share the love

Kim is sharing the love!

Want to join in?

Saturday one liners

-- Yesterday, it felt like Friday the 13th at work.

-- I am quite looking forward to moving towards electronic medical records.

-- WW Chicken Marsala dinners have a piece of chicken the size of a silver dollar.

-- I've not had a glass of wine in over a week.

-- My tummy is so much better with the Prilosec, but it's still not A-OK.

-- My gas light came on in my car for the first time yesterday.

-- My house needs a good cleaning something awful.

-- I don't think my mailbox can hold one more Christmas catalog.

-- I hate black hairs growing out of my chin.

-- I've not taken any good photos in such a long time.

-- I am so enjoying reading the Outlander series again.

-- I have five or so loads of laundry to do today.

-- Sam's being able to be home by himself has changed our lives so much.

-- I adore Honeycrisp apples lately.

-- I gave blood this week and actually let the gal stick me twice to get it.

-- There are dead ladybug carcasses everywhere.

-- I hate cleaning the grill.

-- I need to discern whether or not to become a parish nurse.

-- I have piles of papers I need to rummage through.

-- I still love my new job, though there are interesting facets continually revealed.

-- We disassembled a chair in Sam's room, and a ton of Goldfish and crumbs fell out of it.

-- Dyson vacuums ROCK!

Until next season...

I can't believe this was just a bit over two weeks ago.

The rain and winds have pretty much taken all the leaves

down to the ground, and now there is a magic carpet which

will disintegrate and nourish all growing things...

And we'll wait, and anticipate the season when the

trees are once again all ablaze in their glory.

Good night.

Sleep tight.

Amazing force of nature

On Tuesday, our area received upwards of 3-5" of rain from the remnants of tropical storm Ida.There was a small rock slide on Hwy 64 Northeast of here, along the Ocoee River near Cleveland, TN. The local CBS affiliate, WDEF, was there covering the story of a how a large chunk of the rock plate of a section of wall along side the highway had crumbled into the road. During the filming, they were awaiting the arrival of a geologist from Nashville to come assess the situation. Once she arrived, it was not long before they heard some popping noises. She immediately ordered the road (and camera) crews to move back.

Bill Mitchell and his photographer moved further back and continued to film, when all of a sudden, the upper ledge gave way. Wow! Just look at the force of the slide as it came down the hill, bringing large pine trees with it!

On our local news tonight, they said the debris would fill over 1,000 dump trucks.

What a force of nature!

Share your feelings

I love the Sonic commercials with this couple.
This current commercial makes me laugh out loud every time I see it!
This is SO my hubby....lolololol! Can anyone else relate??

Winter Snowbirds

The winter Dark-eyed Juncos have arrived.

They are such sweet little birds.

I welcomed them with lots of fresh seed scattered on the ground.

Looking in the mirror... and in dreams

Those who have been reading this blog for some time know that I once was quite the hefty girl as evidenced by these photos. That's me with Sam on the beach when he was around 3 or so, and the other is with my then sis-in-law laughing because we showed up for my in-law's anniversary dinner in practically the same dress (well except hers was a size 2 and mine, probably an 18 -20). I am 5'2" and at my heaviest, weighed 200 pounds. When I delivered Sam in 1992, I weighed in at 227 pounds. Yes, on my 5'2" frame. I, like millions of others, had tried every diet in the world. I was an intelligent, educated health professional, but for the life of me, could not figure out why I could not get a grip on my weight issues.

Then, one day I saw an Oprah show with Gary Zukav and he was talking about addictions. He was mostly addressing alcohol, drugs, sex, and work, but as Oprah was asking questions, he then turned the topic towards food, as it is something she struggled with as well. I got his book, Seat of the Soul, and the chapter on addiction spoke to me. Or rather, maybe I was finally able to "hear" it. I had never ever looked at my issues with food as an addiction. I went to Amazon and typed in "food addiction" and one book, in particular, caught my eye. It was called Chocolate is My Kryptonite by Matthew Keane. It was in reading this book that I finally came to the realization that food was my drug of choice. That was why I could have control for a while, but never sustain it.... I never addressed how I used the food. It was my friend, my balm, my nurturer, my comfort, and my way to exert control over my life. It was a major light bulb moment for me. I started following a healthy eating plan outlined in the book, quit getting on the scale, and started addressing my issues which food so nicely medicated. I was the "go along to get along" girl. I never wanted anyone angry, disappointed, or upset with me and consequently frequently said 'yes' when I wanted to say 'no.' I so needed the world's approval. I didn't know who Jayne was at her core. My opinion was pretty much whatever everyone else said or thought. I voluntarily relinquished all control to the world around me and then medicated the pain, anger, and hopelessness with food. It made me feel better about everything. In the book, he writes about how for some people, there is a true physical response to sugary, highly processed carbohydrates and it truly does give you a sense of calm and well being as it raises serotonin levels. The problem is... one cookie is too many, and a hundred is not enough. It will never fill the deep, dark hole you are in. And so, the cycle continues. So it really does not matter if you do Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Atkins, NutriSystem... whatever... because it's not about the food (it never was), it's all about what the food is doing for you psychologically. When you can key in on that aspect of it and regain control over the addiction it is, you can rid yourself of this forever.

That was in 2000, and once I dropped the weight, my entire life changed. But, the fact that I am a recovering addict has not. I used to say that I am not smug enough to say that one Little Debbie Swiss Roll would not be my undoing, as I know there is a slippery slope where the food starts talking to you again, and you start listening. Then you are no longer in control. "Go ahead, you deserve it... you've worked hard today... you're tired.... you need to celebrate!" I am sure you've all heard it, right? Deep in the evening, as you stand there looking in the frig or the pantry? I see you shaking your heads.

Well, I have fully been sober from sugar. No problem for me at all. And, I am fully sober from fatty, fried foods and fast food as well. But... the bread, oh the bread. And the crackers... oh, the crackers (yes, especially those devilish Snyder's of Hanover creations). Bit by bit, I've relaxed my guard over the years (especially the past two), and now, I am at a critical juncture. I had a dream Saturday night that I was at church and went to put on my choir robe, but it would not zip. Now, that robe is roomy, but I was so big, it would not zip up! Mind trying to tell me something? I've eased slowly from the size I was at my lowest weight, to the next, and now, even the next size. I look in the mirror and I see the relaxed skin and muscle from not working out regularly since 2007. I feel the extra 18-20 pounds that have crept back since 2000, and it does not feel good. The eating of the chips and crackers has started to become a bit mindless. I feel sluggish and tired, and like I am on the verge of spiraling. It's humbling really. I have marveled over the past 10 years at how easy it was to say goodbye to sweets and fast food, and maybe got a bit overconfident in my ability to stay in control. As I've aged, it's been even harder to lose even when cutting back, and after my hysterectomy... well.

So, it's time to face the music and heed the dreams and the mirror. I am fooling no one but myself if I don't act, and act now to get this under control before I am back down at the bottom of the hill. So, starting today, the minute my feet hit the floor out of the bed, I am heading to the treadmill. Wanting to exercise at the end of long days has been difficult to say the least, so if I do it in the morning, there is no excuse that I am tired. I normally have 45 minutes of blogging time in the mornings, but I can just as easily do that in the afternoons. It's time. It's time to put me on the front burner again and to quit pretending I am doing OK. I am not. I am a few months away from the next size, and then the next size, all the while wondering how on earth after 10 years I am back in the same boat.

Now that I've come clean, I've decided to report to you here. That should keep me honest. I'll be blogging my progress each Monday. No, I won't get on a scale, as it is just a number, but I'll know. I 'll know if I have been mindful of what I put into my mouth, and I'll know if I got my 3-4 days/week of exercise in. Once an addict, always an addict, and I am proud today to say that I am here and I am owning it.

Just so you can see... here I was, oh, 15-20 pounds ago

in the fall of 2006. I want to feel like her again. :c)

Ubi Caritas

Today, we will be singing this gorgeous anthem (in Latin).
The music dates back to sometime between the fourth and tenth century.
The sound of a capella voices coming together on this is something to behold.
Of course, we are not the Cambridge Singers, but we'll do our best.

For those interested, here is the English translation:

Where charity and love are, God is there.
Christ's love has gathered us into one.
Let us rejoice and be pleased in Him.
Let us fear, and let us love the living God.
And may we love each other with a sincere heart.
Where charity and love are, God is there. Amen.

New snack find

Oh my. Well, I've loved Snyder's of Hanover in the snack aisle for as long as I can remember. Those Honey Mustard Pretzel Nibblers could be my full undoing if I let them!

But, now they have a new snack out. Cheddar Cheese Pretzel Sandwiches. Typically things like this don't appeal to me as there is a real "tang" with the cheese, and it just tastes oddly artificial. But, not these! The cheese is really creamy and adds just enough to the little pretzels which sandwich it so that as soon as you pop one of these lovelies into your mouth, you're hooked!

Again, don't say I didn't warn you!

Oh, the anticipation

There was a time, not that long ago, that I was one of those people who thought that planting spring bulbs was sort of a waste. Earlier in my life, I can even recall saying, "Why on earth plant something that comes up and is there only for a few short weeks, and then is gone?" I considered it little bang for the buck, and therefore, though I would admire large areas planted with spring daffodils, I never had planted any in my own yard.

But, with age, we gain wisdom. And we realize that time is fleeting. Each day that you can feast your eyes on something beautiful is a gift. If it makes you smile, it's a blessing. Beauty can be found in oh, so many places. One day. Just one day of having something to see which makes you marvel at life and feel alive is worth the effort to see it. I love life. I truly do. And, I love that I am at a place in my life where the simple act of bringing in top soil just so I can plant something which will come up at a time when all seems dead and dreary has brought me such great joy. I love anticipation. Give me something to look forward too and I can feel the glee of a child at Christmas.

So yesterday, with a smile on my face and a prayer of joy in my heart, I got on my knees with my bulb planter and I placed 80 bulbs in the ground. Mixed daffodils, mixed hyacinths, and muscari. As I held each one in my hand, I talked to it, and told it to bide its time in the cold earth, because eventually the earth would start to warm, and it could bring forth a burst of beauty which would be blinding. I lovingly watered those bulbs, then covered them with a thick layer of mulch to help them sleep tight until it is time. Time for rebirth, time to be reminded that the cycle of life and the seasons will come as sure as the sunrise and sunset each day. When that time comes, my joy in seeing them will be so complete... and I'll have weeks... not one day, but weeks to bask in the wonder. Imagine that.

Gone in a Flicker

I heard his ki-ki-ki-ki as he flew in high up in the pines,
and was able to aim my lens towards the sky to find him
and get one or two shots before he flew away to find some
breakfast on the ground. They are such stunning birds!

Good to be Alive.... indeed

I was sent this link by a friend...
Watch Jack and be inspired.
If you don't want to sit for the entire thing, please do watch from the 7:41 mark until the end...
God is good all the time... all the time, God is good.

Goldfinch Glory

This past weekend, I was out early as the sun was rising

to see what visitors were coming to the feeders

when I saw this lovely little Goldfinch perched on some

branches that seemed to be on fire with the rising sun....

A.A.A.D.D.

Got this in an email from my mom. Sound familiar? Actually, it was my day yesterday...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Recently, I was diagnosed with A.A.A.D..D. - Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder.

This is how it manifests:

I decide to water my garden. As I turn on the hose in the driveway, I look over at my car and decide it needs washing.

As I start toward the garage, I notice mail on the porch table that I brought up from the mail box earlier. I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car.

I lay my car keys on the table, put the junk mail in the garbage can under the table, and notice that the can is full. So, I decide to put the bills back on the table and take out the garbage first.

But then I think, since I'm going to be near the mailbox when I take out the garbage anyway, I may as well pay the bills first.

I take my check book off the table, and see that there is only one check left. My extra checks are in my desk in the study, so I go inside the house to my desk where I find the can of Pepsi I'd been drinking.

I'm going to look for my checks, but first I need to push the Pepsi aside so that I don't accidentally knock it over. The Pepsi is getting warm, and I decide to put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold.

As I head toward the kitchen with the Pepsi, a vase of flowers on the counter catches my eye--they need water. I put the Pepsi on the counter and discover my reading glasses that I've been searching for all morning.

I decide I better put them back on my desk, but first I'm going to water the flowers. I set the glasses back down on the counter, fill a container with water and suddenly spot the TV remote. Someone left it on the kitchen table.

I realize that tonight when we go to watch TV, I'll be looking for the remote, but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs,but first I'll water the flowers.

I pour some water in the flowers, but quite a bit of it spills on the floor. So, I set the remote back on the table, get some towels and wipe up the spill.

Then, I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do.

At the end of the day:
the car isn't washed
the bills aren't paid
there is a warm can of Pepsi sitting on the counter
the flowers don't have enough water,
there is still only 1 check in my check book,
I can't find the remote,
I can't find my glasses,
and I don't remember what I did with the car keys.

Then, when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day, and I'm really tired.

I realize this is a serious problem, and I'll try to get some help for it, but first I'll check my e-mail....

Don't laugh -- if this isn't you yet, your day is coming!

That's my boy

Each Sunday, for some time now, Sam has planned a visit with his Nana and Papa. As a matter of fact, he'll call them on Saturday evening from his room to make sure he can come visit "while mom is at church." So, each Sunday, I leave a few minutes early to run him by their home which is just off the highway I travel on the way to church. He loves this time with them, and looks forward to the Red Lobster Biscuits he knows his Nana has in the freezer for him.

This morning however, he awoke with a sore throat. I am hoping it's only allergies, but my dad is prone to pick up anything and keep it for weeks, and so he was quite crestfallen when I told him that we could not go to Papa and Nana's house because if it is a virus, we don't want to get Papa sick. He expressed his disappointment, then went into his room. A few minutes later, he came out and said, "Uh, mom.... I was thinking.... maybe a vanilla frosty from Wendy's would help my throat?" I smiled to myself and said, "Sure Sam, maybe it would. I'll stop by on the way home, OK?" A few minutes later, he came out again. "Uh, mom... maybe some fries would be really good with that Frosty?" Uh-huh. I again smiled and told him I'd see what I could do. Sure enough, a few minutes later, out he came again, the brain wheels turning. "Uh, mom... what if my throat is sore tomorrow?" (Translated: Maybe I can stay home from school!) I just smiled. That's my boy, always thinking about the next opportunity. :c)