tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203242702024-03-13T08:56:32.487-05:00Four Crazy SistersMargarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631755417715020741noreply@blogger.comBlogger558125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20324270.post-23297606773898910602014-09-10T21:16:00.002-05:002014-09-10T21:16:33.707-05:00CricketsIt's pretty silent around here these days...here's to a little free time and being able to write a sentence or two. Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05919003753339813965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20324270.post-56943350233046303412013-12-31T21:43:00.001-06:002013-12-31T21:43:01.573-06:002013 Bonfire<strong>As far as I'm concerned, 2013 can suck it. Let's burn this year to the ground!</strong><br />
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<strong>In 2013, I gained </strong>a renewed appreciation for getting lost in a good book.<br />
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<strong>I stopped</strong> listening to bad excuses from people in my life.<br />
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<strong>I started</strong> cutting ties with people who had a negative impact on me.<br />
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<strong>I was hugely satisfied by</strong> how frequently I wore nail polish.<br />
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<strong>And frustrated by</strong> passive aggressive behavior.<br />
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<strong>I am so embarrassed that I</strong> made a really dumb comment during a meeting at work. Even though I didn't mean for it to sound dumb, it did. Everyone laughed. My face was bright red.<br />
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<strong>Once again I</strong> tolerated far more than should have been expected from anyone.<br />
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<strong>Once again I did not</strong> run.<br />
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<strong>The biggest physical difference between me last December and this December is </strong>that my forehead had a multiple pregnancy and gave birth to several new wrinkles.<br />
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<strong>The biggest psychological difference between me last December and this December is</strong> how I feel about myself and where I'm at in life right now.<br />
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<strong>I loved spending time</strong> reading and cuddling with my kiddo. And mindlessly looking at stuff on Pinterest.<br />
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<strong>Why did I spend even two minutes</strong> trying to salvage a friendship that wasn't really a friendship at all?<br />
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<strong>I should have spent more time</strong> with my kiddo.<br />
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<strong>I regret buying</strong> a bunch of rocks. No joke.<br />
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<strong>I will never regret buying</strong> that pretty brown sweater dress <strong>even though with that money I could have bought</strong> a week's worth of groceries.<br />
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<strong>I</strong> tried to explain myself <strong>way too much.</strong><br />
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<strong>I didn't</strong> relax <strong>enough.</strong><br />
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Drama <strong>drove me crazy.</strong><br />
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<strong>Was</strong> a family member who shall remain nameless <strong>crazier than ever last year? Or was it me?</strong><br />
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<strong>The most relaxing place I went was</strong> the beach! Always the beach!<br />
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<strong>I feel so</strong> excited to plan on going again <strong>when I write that down.</strong><br />
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<strong>Why did I go</strong> to that completely awkward lunch?<br />
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<strong>The best thing I did for someone else was</strong> groom a co-worker for a management position.<br />
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<strong>The best thing I did for myself was</strong> give myself permission to hurt and then move on.<br />
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<strong>The best thing someone did for me was</strong> say it was okay to hurt and then move on.<br />
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<strong>The one thing I'd like to do again but do it better is</strong> a particular meeting with my boss.Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05919003753339813965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20324270.post-89235438597320276062013-01-31T21:55:00.000-06:002013-01-31T21:55:03.393-06:00Under the wire...<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: inherit;"> I am barely squeezing this in under the wire since January is almost over already, but here are my belated reflections on 2012:<br style="font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">In 2012, I gained</b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> a new appreciation for some old friends.</span><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">I lost</b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> my goddamn mind.</span><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">I stopped</b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> washing my hair. Remember that?!</span><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">I started</b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> drinking water. It's not so bad with a little lemon.</span><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">I was hugely satisfied by</b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> my cooking -- especially exploring new recipes.</span><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">And frustrated by</b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> my lack of work-life balance.</span><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">I am so embarrassed that I</b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> couldn't act like a normal human being in front of a guy I like.</span><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">Once again, I</b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> spent too much money!</span><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">Once again, I did not</b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> commit to a plan for the future.</span><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">The biggest physical difference between me last December and this December is</b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> a tie between my gimpy knee and the fact that my left big toenail finally grew back.</span><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">The biggest psychological difference between me last December and this December is</b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> my willingness to try to let go of the "little things". Even if I still can't always actually let go, at least I am more willing to try it.</span><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">I loved spending time</b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> with Kristi and little Jordan.</span><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">Why did I spend even two minutes</b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> regretting things I did or said? (When I should have just moved on).</span><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">I should have spent more time</b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> having adventures</span><span style="font-size: 14px;">.</span><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">I regret buying</b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> shoes on ebay.</span><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">I will never regret buying</b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> my new white coat </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">even though with that money I could have bought</b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> a plane ticket home.</span><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">I</b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> cried in public </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">way too much</b><span style="font-size: 14px;">.</span><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">I</b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">didn't</b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> travel </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">enough.</b><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px;"> Boys </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">drove me crazy.</b><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">Was</b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> my workload </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">crazier than ever last year? Or was it me?</b><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">The most relaxing place I went was</b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> Poughkeepsie, NY.</span><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">I feel so</b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> peaceful </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">when I write that down.</b><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">Why did I go to</b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> sleep angry?</span><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">The best thing I did for someone else was</b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> take her to Mount Rushmore.</span><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">The best thing I did for myself was</b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> give myself permission to want something.</span><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">The best thing someone did for me was</b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> take me on a perfectly planned weekend in the country.</span><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span><b style="font-size: 14px;">The one thing I'd like to do again, but do it better, is</b><span style="font-size: 14px;"> go to my co-worker's party.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20324270.post-81497858910850837962013-01-02T17:49:00.001-06:002013-01-02T17:52:32.633-06:00Year in Review<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><strong style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">In 2012, I gained</strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> a full-time teaching position, and along with it my very own classroom filled with over sixty students each day and five awesome team members who let me ask them a hundred questions as they come to mind.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><strong style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I lost</strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> some old friends, but made some new ones in return. </span><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><strong style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I stopped</strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> running on a regular basis, and for no good reason either.</span><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><strong style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I started</strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> reading (and writing) again.</span><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><strong style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I was hugely satisfied by</strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> the comma in my first official paycheck, and each check after that for a matter of fact.</span><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><strong style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">And frustrated by</strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> not being able to do all of the things I wanted to do this past year.</span><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><strong style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I am so embarrassed that I</strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> didn't turn down that one dare.</span><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><strong style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Once again, I</strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> listened to my music just a little too loud.</span><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><strong style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Once again, I did not</strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> write as often as I promised I would.</span><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><strong style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The biggest physical difference between me last December and this December is</strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> a new pair of glasses with some hot pink on the arms.</span><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><strong style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The biggest psychological difference between me last December and this December is</strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> the extent to which my teacher mind wanders.... it's multiplied three fold.</span><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><strong style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I loved spending time</strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> getting my classroom ready, even though it <i>was</i> on short notice.</span><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><strong style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Why did I spend even two minutes</strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> thinking I could change the past<b>?</b></span><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><strong style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I should have spent more time</strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> taking pictures.</span></span><br />
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<strong style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I regret buying</strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> the sketchbook that I have yet to use.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #eeeeee;"><strong style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I will never regret buying</strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> my MacBook Pro </span><strong style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">even though with that money I could have bought</strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> any number of things, either for my classroom or for my new teacher wardrobe.</span><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><strong style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I </strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">gave in </span><strong style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">way too much</strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">.</span><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><strong style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I didn't</strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> dance </span><strong style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">enough</strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">.</span><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, Trebuchet MS, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Scheduling parent teacher conferences </span></span><strong style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">drove me crazy</strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">.</span><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><strong style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Were</strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> those crazy bitches I use to work with </span><strong style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">crazier than ever last year? Or was it me?</strong><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><strong style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The most relaxing place I went was</strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> the restaurant with an old friend.</span><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><strong style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I feel so</strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> at ease </span><strong style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">when I write that down</strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">.</span><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><strong style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Why did I go to</strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> bat for you<b>?</b></span><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><strong style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The best thing I did for someone else was</strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> offer my time, words, and thoughts.</span><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><strong style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The best thing I did for myself was</strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> actually make the decision to do things because <i>I</i> wanted to.</span><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><strong style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The best thing someone did for me was</strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> listen without judgment.</span><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><strong style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The one thing I'd like to do again, but do it better, is </strong><span style="font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">the Joshua Radin concert - -though I'm not sure how much better it could get.</span></span>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07091638171885430304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20324270.post-45708120766924797492013-01-01T14:09:00.002-06:002013-01-01T14:09:33.226-06:00Off With Your Head! (Farewell and good riddance, 2012!)<strong>In 2012, I gained </strong>a small, but much needed boost to my self-esteem.<br />
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<strong>I stopped</strong> trying to figure out God's plan for me.<br />
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<strong>I started</strong> opening up a little bit more.<br />
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<strong>I was hugely satisfied by</strong> reducing how often I lose my temper.<br />
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<strong>And frustrated by</strong> the fact that there's still enough going on in my life that I feel like losing it anyway.<br />
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<strong>I am so embarrassed that I</strong> bought Super Hero undies.<br />
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<strong>Once again I</strong> thought about going back to school.<br />
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<strong>Once again I did not</strong> take a real vacation.<br />
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<strong>The biggest physical difference between me last December and this December is </strong>twenty pounds.<br />
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<strong>The biggest psychological difference between me last December and this December is</strong> how I feel since losing those twenty pounds.<br />
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<strong>I loved spending time</strong> reading and cuddling with my kiddo.<br />
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<strong>Why did I spend even two minutes</strong> wasting my time trying to get someone to see things from my point of view?<br />
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<strong>I should have spent more time</strong> with friends.<br />
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<strong>I regret buying</strong> that bright banana yellow sweater. What was I thinking?!<br />
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<strong>I will never regret buying</strong> those ridiculous patent leather stilettos <strong>even though with that money I could have bought</strong> two pairs of sensible work shoes.<br />
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<strong>I</strong> cried <strong>way too much.</strong><br />
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<strong>I didn't</strong> laugh <strong>enough.</strong><br />
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<strong>My best friend</strong> drove me crazy.<br />
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<strong>Was</strong> work drama <strong>crazier than ever last year? Or was it me?</strong><br />
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<strong>The most relaxing place I went was</strong> the beach!<br />
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<strong>I feel so</strong> excited to plan on going again <strong>when I write that down.</strong><br />
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<strong>Why did I go</strong> to that fancy luncheon?<br />
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<strong>The best thing I did for someone else was</strong> call that person out on a lot of bullshit.<br />
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<strong>The best thing I did for myself was</strong> take my stomach pains seriously and go to the doctor.<br />
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<strong>The best thing someone did for me was</strong> get me speakers for my office so I can listen to music all day!<br />
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<strong>The one thing I'd like to do again but do it better is</strong> summer vacation.<br />
<br />Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05919003753339813965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20324270.post-90323316918326497072012-12-31T14:00:00.000-06:002012-12-31T14:00:57.308-06:00Year in Review 2012<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #400058; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif;"><strong style="font-size: 14px;">In 2012, I gained</strong><span style="font-size: 14px;"> a slightly different perspective on life (translation: just expect people to be dumb and/or rude).</span><br /><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px;">I lost</strong><span style="font-size: 14px;"> my patience for some things.</span><br /><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px;">I stopped</strong><span style="font-size: 14px;"> actively gardening.</span><br /><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px;">I started</strong><span style="font-size: 14px;"> running the school book fair.</span><br /><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px;">I was hugely satisfied by</strong><span style="font-size: 14px;"> winning at Family Science Night (twice).</span><br /><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px;">And frustrated by</strong><span style="font-size: 14px;"> not being listened to.</span><br /><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px;">I am so embarrassed that I</strong><span style="font-size: 14px;"> lost my favorite sunglasses.</span><br /><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px;">Once again, I</strong><span style="font-size: 14px;"> long for more time at the beach.</span><br /><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px;">Once again, I did not</strong><span style="font-size: 14px;"> finish NaNoWriMo.</span><br /><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px;">The biggest physical difference between me last December and this December is</strong><span style="font-size: 14px;"> a few less pounds.</span><br /><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px;">The biggest psychological difference between me last December and this December is</strong><span style="font-size: 14px;"> my mental tripwire location.</span><br /><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px;">I loved spending time</strong><span style="font-size: 14px;"> shopping.</span><br /><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px;">Why did I spend even two minutes</strong><span style="font-size: 14px;"> worrying?</span><br /><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px;">I should have spent more time</strong><span style="font-size: 14px;"> organizing. And planning awesome gift packaging. And lounging around.</span><br /><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px;">I regret buying</strong><span style="font-size: 14px;"> nothing! Okay, maybe one pair of blue earrings that I've had for a month and not worn yet.</span><br /><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px;">I will never regret buying</strong><span style="font-size: 14px;"> new, properly fitted, undergarments </span><strong style="font-size: 14px;">even though with that money I could have bought</strong><span style="font-size: 14px;"> lots and lots of other clothes!</span><br /><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px;">I </strong><span style="font-size: 14px;"> waited </span><strong style="font-size: 14px;">way too much</strong><span style="font-size: 14px;">.</span><br /><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px;">I didn't</strong><span style="font-size: 14px;"> write </span><strong style="font-size: 14px;">enough</strong><span style="font-size: 14px;">.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 14px;">People I don't like </span><strong style="font-size: 14px;">drove me crazy</strong><span style="font-size: 14px;">.</span><br /><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px;">Was</strong><span style="font-size: 14px;"> everyone's schedule </span><strong style="font-size: 14px;">crazier than ever last year? Or was it me?</strong><br /><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px;">The most relaxing place I went was</strong><span style="font-size: 14px;"> the beach with Martha and Josie!</span><br /><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px;">I feel so</strong><span style="font-size: 14px;"> glad </span><strong style="font-size: 14px;">when I write that down</strong><span style="font-size: 14px;">.</span><br /><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px;">Why did I go to</strong><span style="font-size: 14px;"> Memphis when it was 105 degrees outside?</span><br /><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px;">The best thing I did for someone else was</strong><span style="font-size: 14px;"> offer some reassuring words and prayers.</span><br /><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px;">The best thing I did for myself was</strong><span style="font-size: 14px;"> exercise smarter.</span><br /><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px;">The best thing someone did for me was</strong><span style="font-size: 14px;"> listen.</span><br /><br /><strong style="font-size: 14px;">The one thing I'd like to do again, but do it better, is</strong><span style="font-size: 14px;"> prepare for Christmas!</span></span><br />
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Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631755417715020741noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20324270.post-18463228732993934472012-09-03T17:31:00.002-05:002012-09-03T17:32:10.642-05:00Burning Sage<br />
Crazy stuff happening in my house lately. Have you (or anyone you know) ever burned sage in your house? I'm thinking at this point, a preventative clearing of my house is in order.<br />
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Just-in-case.<br />
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Time for some back-up, sisters! Any advice?Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631755417715020741noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20324270.post-55761672373673402382012-09-03T17:29:00.001-05:002012-09-03T17:31:23.938-05:00Daily Notes on Fasting<br />
Sorry for the delay! I meant to post this shortly after the last post, but life always gets in the way. Now this seems like ages ago, but here it is:<br />
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<b id="internal-source-marker_0.8265365725383162"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> First of all, I should clarify that I don’t recommend or endorse fasting as a way to cure or solve any problems, and I think it can be incredibly dangerous when done incorrectly or for the wrong reasons. I did a lot of careful planning and research on what to expect before embarking on this, but in an ideal world, I would have done it under medical supervision at a health spa of some kind. Alas, a luxury I did not have. Still, I found it was a safe and worthwhile option for me personally, and this is just an account of my own personal experience.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> So here are the basics. First, you should ease in to a fast. Luckily, because of the candida cleanse, I was mostly on a real food / live food diet, so that helped. For the day or two leading in, you should eat lighter foods like fruit or veggie smoothies (I wasn’t eating fruit on the candida cleanse, so I had to go the veggie way). </span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Then what do you do for the fast?</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Well, I did a hybrid that felt right for me and my situation. It was a cross between what is commonly referred to as the Master Cleanse and a water fast. Every morning, the first thing I consumed (post-toilet flushing) was a glass of water with half a squeezed lemon, a tiny bit of Grade B maple syrup, and some cayenne pepper. Drink that all down! I found it surprising delicious. Then, for the rest of the day I either drank plain water or water with lemon squeezed into it. I definitely got tired of the taste of lemon water, let me tell you. I continued to take my antifungal supplement (from the candida cleanse) and a probiotic, but I stopped all my other supplements like my daily multivitamin, my B-complex vitamin and my fish oil supplement. You’re supposed to take those with food and since I wasn’t eating anything, it didn’t seem safe. Post-fast, I think I will probably only take a multivitamin and some fish oil a few times a week to give me an extra boost. I might even add in some Biotin, but I haven’t decided yet.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> So that’s it. For 8 whole days. I’ll talk later about easing out of the fast, but here is my daily account of what it was like to fast.</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">DAY ONE: <span style="font-weight: normal;">I am so mentally ready for this. I was mentally ready yesterday, but I 1) didn’t want to jump the gun – I had set a Sunday start date and starting two days early seemed a bit much; and 2) there were some things in my refrigerator I wanted to eat, mostly a smoothie I made in preparation for my ease-in and some eggs whipped together with my delicious (and spicy) homemade mustard. But today I was SO. TOTALLY. READY. The tough part comes in when you take into account that I have two events tonight, both of which involve food: a wonderful reunion with my Brussels friends at Guapos, the greatest of Mexican restaurants, and my friend’s birthday party on her roof where there is bound to be booze and sweets. Heck, I’m bringing her a giant bag of M&Ms. Alas, no M&Ms for me. Just water and maybe a bit of lemon all day today. But that's okay!</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">DAY TWO: <span style="font-weight: normal;">So, because I’ve been on a cleanse for three weeks, it doesn’t really bother me to be around food I can’t eat. However, there were plenty of foods at Guapos that I could have eaten, which was a bummer. I’m just resolved to reconvene the group next month for more Mexican. The birthday party was great because it was light on food and I don’t mind giving up alcohol. I still refereed a flip cup tournament (I thought we were too old for that…) and I even served the cake. A delicious chocolate cake with chocolate butter cream frosting. Mmmm… And I don’t even like cake! Still, not that big of a deal. This afternoon, I met a bunch of the girls for brunch and still, no big deal. If anything, what I’ve learned is that waiters are really concerned when you don’t order anything. Your friends kind of forget about it because you’re all laughing and telling stories and not really paying attention to what you are (or aren’t) eating. But wait staff think you’re some kind of monster. When you ask them for lemon for your water, they will definitely bring you a whole plate. So day 2? Still a breeze.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">DAY THREE:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-weight: normal; white-space: pre;"> </span> <span style="font-weight: normal;">First work day on the fast! I started off strong, if a bit fatigued. The gross part of the fast is, ahem, flushing your digestive system. Let’s just say that I haven’t eaten food in three days, but there is still poop for some reason. Like I said: GROSS. But just think – if I wasn’t flushing it out and down the toilet, it would still just be sitting inside of me, hanging out, setting up a permanent homestead. Better to have it out, I’d say. Toward the end of the day, things got a little worse, but I expected this. Most people claim the third day is the hump you have to get over as your body readjusts to what it can consume and where that happens in your body. So let’s just say I fantasized a lot about food and clicked “like” on a lot of recipes I found on Pinterest. All in all, it could have been worse. The key is distraction. I took a shampoo-free shower and got into bed to watch a movie and forgot all about it.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">DAY FOUR:</span><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The food longing from day 3 kind of carried over into the morning. I felt extra tired, but that might also be because I was up too late watching the movie. Once I put on some dance tunes and did my make-up, I felt like a more normal me. Due to needing to get to work early, I skipped flushing my system. I feel like missing one day of this isn’t the worst thing in the world. Still just drinking water with a few squeezes of lemon juice, so go me! Halfway through! Thinking of it as being “halfway” is definitely helping my morale. I mean, I’ve made it this far, why stop? By afternoon, the annoyances of work distracted me enough that I didn’t even have time to think about food. Although I am peeing a lot. A LOT. More than I’ve ever peed in my whole life. Do most people pee this much? Jesus. I used to pee about once a day at work, but I’m probably at five or six times a day at this point. The only nice thing is that it further breaks up my day and separates me briefly from annoyances. Since I’m still experiencing general fatigue, I’m going to go to bed early tonight, skipping a movie in favor of dreams.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">DAY FIVE:</span><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I can say with absolute certainty that I have crossed the hump. I woke up this morning feeling better than I have ever felt in my life. I wanted to leap out of bed and sing songs. I wanted to run a million miles (or at least to work). I felt invincible! People at work noticed the difference. There was a definite bounce in my step and everything seemed clearer around me – the world a little brighter. I think my skin even had a bit of a glow to it. A good night’s rest certainly helped bring this about, but it’s also more than that. I went to the movies and out to “dinner” (of course, I didn’t eat) with a friend tonight, and even though I watched her eat a delicious dish of crab & artichoke dip with french bread crostini, it didn’t even register with me. Probably because we were too busy being all chatty. But over all, day 5 has been the best yet.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">DAY SIX:</span><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> And still going strong! I wasn’t as energetic as I was yesterday, but that was partially the late night. I still feel good and strong and am generally unafflicted by hunger pangs. Toward the evening, I got sucked into staring at food on Pinterest again, but I’ve planned out my breaking of the fast next week and I think that helps. I know what I have to look forward too, and while it certainly isn’t glamorous, I am looking forward to eating food again. The taste, the texture, all of it except it actually being in my body...weird, I know. I’ve gotten used to this incredible empty feeling though. I feel like a bird, like I could almost fly. As much as I want to eat food again, and of course will, I sort of cringe thinking about the way it feels sitting in your stomach, like a rock. Even if you eat the right foods in the right amounts. Another problem today was just boredom. It’s good to be occupied on a fast, and today I was occupied mostly with pinning recipes on Pinterest. Fun, to be sure, but not as helpful as say, seeing the movie was last night. To make up for lack of sleep and to get away from food pins though, I am showering and going to bed early. Tomorrow is the long awaited day 7. (I say long awaited, but it seems like it got here fast!) Now the question is...can I go 8?</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">DAY SEVEN:</span><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Mission accomplished! Although I am going for day 8. That may prove tricky as the current plan for tomorrow includes more strenuous activity than I’ve undertaken on the fast. I still feel like I’ll be fine though. Today was a good day. And not that you were wondering, but the fast has not stopped me from getting a visit from Aunt Flow. I know! You totally don’t want to know! But the thing is, for the first time in...ever...I don’t have any cramps. It’s amazing and the reason is a mystery. I can’t link it directly to the fast, or the candida cleanse, but my hope is that both have worked to balance my wacky hormones. So back to day 7 – not much to say. A day like any other. Woke up, dreaded flushing my body like normal, but felt great afterward. Went to work, drank water, took a walk at lunchtime (I’ve been loving my lunchtime walks!) and then back to the computer. I left at a reasonable hour, headed home and got ready for my day out with my girlfriends tomorrow. I also got ready to do my first grocery shopping in over a week. It’s a short list since I’ll be easing out of the fast at a snail’s pace, but it all sounds delicious, especially the fruit, which I haven’t eaten in almost five weeks.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">DAY EIGHT:</span><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I was up even earlier than a work day to get out to Maryland to meet up with the girls, but of course, it was totally worth it. We met for breakfast at a cute little place and I forced some more lemon water down my throat while admiring the smell of coffee (something I’ve never really had a taste for). I still don’t feel very tempted by the food of others, or at least I didn’t until our hiking plans turned into berry picking plans. Under sunny, clear blue skies, it is very difficult to pick berries and not taste one or two now and then. I found myself thinking, “Well, technically today is a bonus day...” but I stayed strong. Even after we went back to Angela’s house and she made fresh whipped cream and I sliced up some cheese and we laid out crackers and hummus. That is a post-berry-picking feast for queens, let me tell you. But again, I prevailed. When I got home later that night, I walked to the grocery store in the rain and bought my 10 items without much enthusiasm. I honestly am not looking that forward to eating again. I am...but I’m also not. So that’s it, I guess. Tomorrow’s the start of my new eating life and it all begins with fresh orange juice! </span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> More to come on my “day 9” and the plan for easing out...</span></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20324270.post-5997662949656712522012-08-18T13:05:00.001-05:002012-08-18T13:06:24.967-05:00Confession<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.7478888069745153" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I am about to share something pretty controversial with you. More controversial than my “no poo” lifestyle. Brace yourself and keep an open mind when I say:</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I recently completed an 8-day fast.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> That’s right. Eight whole days without consuming any food.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> So let’s go ahead and get the basics out of the way. No, I’m not anorexic. Seriously, I love food more than air. If I could I would trade air for food any day!</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> No, I wasn’t trying to lose weight. Unfortunately (or fortunately for those who fast for reasons that weren’t mine), weight loss is an inevitability when you fast. I can’t say how much weight I lost, but I will say that I’m looking forward to getting it back. Not just because it means I get to eat food again, but because I don’t actually want to be gross skinny. And I’m small enough as it is, so gross skinny is a real danger for me.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> So why did I do it?</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Well, let me back up. It all started with a candida cleanse. Which, by the way, I had great success with. I needed to clear some (or a whole lot) of yeast from my body which were messing with all kinds of things, but most especially my skin and my hoo-ha (sorry, but it’s true). I explained the cleanse to some of my friends as they commented on me not drinking alcohol and not eating certain things at parties or events or what have you. (And by the way, apparently when you are my age and live in this city and politely tell someone you’re not drinking, they will, without fail, ask you if you’re pregnant. I was tempted on several occasions to answer ‘yes,’ but alas, I never did).</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> One of my friends was particularly excited about the cleanse and told me how she and her boyfriend had read an article in <i>Harper’s Weekly</i> about fasting and had really been wanting to try it. It turns out there’s a fascinating medical history to fasting and the benefits it can have for the human body – from alleviating diabetes or stopping seizures, to even some tests on rats showing that it increases longevity.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> If you think about it as I did, this makes a certain amount of sense. Humans are the only species that have the option to eat every day of the year. True, not all human are able to due to a variety of circumstances, but if you’re a working American, you probably eat three to four square meals a day every day of the year. Well, back just a couple of centuries ago, this wasn’t the case. Sometimes you were between harvests and had eaten your winter store of food and that was that. It was some dried roots or nothing at all for a couple of weeks. This alone didn’t really kill anyone as far as science can tell. It’s the same for all other animal species – none of them eat every day of the year. Sometimes there just isn’t a gazelle or some plankton or whatever. You just keep a lookout until there is and then it’s party time in your belly.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> So of course it made sense to me that fasting wouldn’t kill you and was maybe even part of the natural course of living your life. The health benefits were the most interesting to me though, namely 1) detoxing and 2) repair.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I was on the candida cleanse because I needed to detox my body of some of the gross things it had built up over the years from frequent antibiotic use, especially in my youth, as well as several years of a processed, Western diet. (Can you say high fructose corn syrup and partially hydrogenated oils for a solid 20 years?) The detox was my number one priority. Well, a fast is like a detox on steroids. Because you’re not taking in anything new really, you just are continually flushing the bad things out. –In theory anyway, I’m not a doctor, just an internet article reader.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Related to that is the idea of repair. Because your body isn’t spending energy digesting food, it can redirect that energy elsewhere. Say, to repairing cells. Repairing your digestive system. Finally fighting all those stupid yeasts that have been crowding out your good bacteria and making you break out and have athletes foot and yeast infections and tons of other really un-fun things. I definitely came a long way fighting the yeast on the candida cleanse, but the fast seemed like a nice way to top it off.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> So basically, fasting is a total body reset. I fasted for 8 days, although generally speaking people recommend 10 days to get the full benefits. Given my size, I thought I’d be just fine doing 7 instead (the 8th day was a bonus). I also wasn’t committed to carrying it through no matter what since I didn’t feel I had to do it, it was just a nice add-on to what I was doing. So from the start I felt no pressure. One day? Fine. Three days? Hey, way to go! Five days? ROCKING IT! And then seven days would make me the ballingest of all ballers. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Not having the pressure to continue no matter what definitely helped. I also did a lot of research to distinguish between normal detox symptoms (many of which I experienced on the cleanse like breaking out, general fatigue, etc.) and indications that I should break the fast (e.g. dizziness, disrupted vision, fainting, serious shit like that). I knew I would stop if any of my detox symptoms crossed the line. Luckily, none of that happened to me. I was able to carry through and I’m so proud. This was also an incredible test of endurance for me, pushing my willpower and helping me to see food differently in a good way.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> How’s that? Well, I proved that you can bypass cravings if you want to, for one. Just let those cravings walk on by, or, in my new eating life, replace the craving with something else (hopefully better).</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> So there you have it. I didn’t eat food for 8 days and I didn’t die, didn’t even really feel all that bad, and am now on my way to eating normal foods again. I was going to post my reactions/descriptions of each day, but since I waxed on so long already, I’ll save that for my next post, and then I’ll do another post about how I am following up. How do you break an 8-day fast anyway? What kinds of foods am I going to eat from now on? These were all questions I had to answer for myself, and I think I’ve settled on some reasonable ways forward. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> So, as with the “no poo” saga, stay tuned for the next installment.</span></span></b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20324270.post-42964560868234340112012-08-15T14:51:00.000-05:002012-08-15T14:51:24.184-05:00Two Weeks Sans Poo<br />
So. Hello again. It’s the dirty-haired girl! And this time my hair is actually probably a little dirty because it has been over a week since I washed it with anything except water. Just plain. old. water. Some observations: <br />
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<b>1. Color </b><br />
I was worried my hair would get significantly darker. I had previously been using John Frieda’s “Go Blonder” shampoo and conditioner, which made me a sunflower blonde, but I noticed some darkening after week one along with the oily-straw phenomenon. Happily, I’ve seen that dialed back since. My hair is a bit darker, but still wonderfully blond, except at the roots where it’s a) always been darker and b) is probably the dirtiest right now. <br />
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<b>2. Texture </b><br />
The oily-straw sensation is gone. My hair feels...kind of like Barbie hair. It’s smooth, but not necessarily soft. You can run your fingers through it, but it kind of holds its shape unnaturally...like hair play-doh. I wouldn’t say it has the most pleasant texture right now, but it’s not unbearable. If anything, I’m not sure what to do next. To keep not washing it or to give it a bit of baking soda/vinegar treatment. <br />
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<b>3. Attention </b><br />
People continue not to notice. I’ve been told several times that my hair looks great, including this weekend while berry picking. There’s no smell, nothing all that different, really, unless you touch it, and even if someone did touch my hair, I’m sure they probably wouldn’t notice the difference like I do. <br />
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In conclusion, my hair is fine. I will probably wash with baking soda tomorrow night and see how that goes in terms of cleaning the oils generated on my scalp. For the longer term, I haven’t decided how to move forward. I don’t have a great way of storing the baking soda mixture in my shower as the baking soda is more volatile than I’d like. I’m considering going “poo-light” with a shampoo bar or organic liquid shampoo in the future, but I think I need to stick this particular process out for a few more weeks before making a final decision. <br />
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Until then: onward! And no poo! <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20324270.post-49008010183756297362012-08-08T09:05:00.000-05:002012-08-08T10:52:59.009-05:00Get rid of all the poo!<br />
It’s been a week since I last shampooed my hair.<br />
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This is not a joke. Google “no poo” and the internet will give you a host of information on the movement wherein people stop washing their hair – at least with commercial products.<br />
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In some ways, I’m still washing my hair. But it’s a bit touch-and-go still as to whether the results approach “clean.” I’m not too concerned about it as at this stage in the process, clean is not as important as it might otherwise be.<br />
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So what am I "washing" my hair with exactly? I’m following the standard "no poo" formula of water and baking soda for the wash and then water and apple cider vinegar for the rinse/condition. The thing is I don’t think I’ve gotten the proportions right yet, hence my sort-of-clean feeling. Is it possible for your hair to feel like straw but oily at the same time? Oh, is it ever, my friend!<br />
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So why am I not that concerned about my hair being clean? Well, because the point of "no poo" is to get your hair off its nasty commercial shampoo and conditioner drug habit so it can return to its theoretically natural and beautiful state. This means being able to regulate scalp oils all on its own without being stripped by sodium lauryl sulfates. THAT’S RIGHT. I SAID IT. SODIUM LAURYL SULFATES.<br />
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The good news is that nobody has really noticed the changes in my hair the way I have. Since it’s so long (which I think is part of what’s complicating my baking soda and vinegar ratios) I wear it up quite a bit – especially since it’s been such a hot summer. At that point, you’re really just getting roots, and although mine feel greasy, they don’t really look it. (Again, the straw-oily paradox).<br />
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The internet mostly claims that people have a two to four week adjustment period for their hair – some are even longer. I’m hopeful that I’ll get balanced by the fourth week because I have a birthday bonanza weekend coming up and I’d like my head to not feel crazy, but we’ll see. Either way I’m sticking it out.<br />
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More updates to come!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20324270.post-36073935485835027652012-07-29T12:55:00.002-05:002012-07-29T12:55:38.919-05:00Epic FailThere are some things that never get old...
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WepcqccPPZo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05919003753339813965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20324270.post-42323759146691773512012-07-22T11:49:00.002-05:002012-07-22T11:50:02.846-05:00Curvy Girl Problems<ol>
<li>Being tall with wide hips and a wider butt make jeans shopping difficult. And can someone please explain why there are tapered leg pants for those of us that are pear shaped? That's as bad as maternity shirts with horizontal stripes. Designers just like messing with people.</li>
<li>Quad boob. Since having my kiddo, my chest hasn't gone back to its normal size. Weight loss makes them shrink some, but I don't think I'm going to be a B-cup again. Mostly, I'm okay with that. But so many pretty bras result in the dreaded quad boob look. And pretty full coverage bras are so darn expensive.</li>
<li>Runner's boob. I'm making that up. But my point is that since I've taken up running, I haven't found a really good sports bra that supports me. I hate bouncing when I run. The only springing should be the spring in my step.</li>
<li>Double belly. Not to be confused with double chin. Tee hee! What I mean is that some ladies are lucky enough for their bodies to go back to their previous shapes. I wasn't one of those lucky ladies. Seven years later and the skin on my belly is still saggy and badly stretched. My natural waistline can be seen, but the skin above and below is...well, truth is, it's ugly. No regrets because my kiddo was (and is!) totally worth it, but even she points out that my belly looks funny. Talked to the doctor and she said that because it's skin and not fat, the only real way to correct it is cosmetic surgery. No thanks.</li>
<li>When I lose weight, my wrists and ankles get thinner first, which just makes the rest of me look bigger. So annoying. Although, one of my co-workers did mention that I was looking trimmer around my mid-section. Now, I just have to patiently work on my hips, thighs and butt to get them looking trimmer. Maybe I'll get there before I'm 40. Maybe? </li>
</ol>Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05919003753339813965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20324270.post-48291214800687891982012-06-23T18:42:00.001-05:002012-06-23T18:43:13.336-05:00Hey Girl, I Can Bust a Move.<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dJQvXCoNDzM?fs=1" width="459"></iframe>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07091638171885430304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20324270.post-29992131628852863252012-06-11T22:46:00.000-05:002012-06-11T22:46:01.883-05:00But It Was Mine!<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Y-6EwdDiopQ" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I get grumpy
when there’s a song that I adore and I feel like it’s “mine” because nobody
else has ever heard of it, for months or even years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then it ends up on some goofy TV show and
everyone is all, “Oh, what a great song!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And I’m all like, “Bitches, that song is MINE.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I adore this
song.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The music, the lyrics, the
message.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It’s one of
those songs that I listen to at 2am when the world is silent…torn-apart
silent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I’m torn-apart silent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the crushing weight of secrets that are
too dark to share are suddenly on the verge of spilling out of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s one of those songs that even when I’m
lying on my bed quietly contemplating my life and having no idea what to do
next…when I feel like I’m free falling from some incredible height and not sure
if I’m going to crash and burn or build a new set of wings to take me to
unknown heights…when the picture in my head of what my life was supposed to be
is nowhere close to what my life actually is…when I know what’s best but don’t
do it…when my head gets in the way of my heart…when I need to reflect on the past
in order to face the future…when I’ve spent so much time making myself into the
person I need to be for everyone else that I don’t remember the truth of who I
really am…when I’m not sure if I’m hurting more over what I thought I had or
what I actually lost…when I realize that there will always be unfinished
business…when I’m holding a match and getting ready to burn a bridge, just
praying that the flames will light my way…when I shut my eyes to avoid facing
everything ahead of me…but a few lonely tears manage to slip out even though my
eyes are closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That kind of song.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">And it ended
up on some goofy TV show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boooo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05919003753339813965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20324270.post-9247323054137560802012-05-26T07:12:00.000-05:002012-05-26T07:12:52.717-05:00I'm Not A Runner, But I Play One On TVI'm not on TV, but whatever.<br />
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I've been using the C25K program to get ready for a 5k that's coming up in a week. With a history of knee problems, and frankly, not being the kind of person who enjoys running, I gave myself extra time to complete the 8 week program. Here's where I've been:<br />
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1. The first two weeks of the program are pretty easy. So easy, in fact, that I thought, "Hey, I can do this daily instead of every other day!" The result, of course, was painful shin splints that sidelined me for a week. Ouch.<br />
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2. Inevitably, one will get sick while trying out a new fitness routine. And if one is coughing and hacking and wheezing, expect to be sidelined for at least a few days.<br />
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3. It's okay to start the running program over again. Fair enough. Those first two weeks still felt easy, but in order to avoid shin splints, I followed the plan of every other day.<br />
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4. The next few weeks will go okay, with some repeat days in between to build up endurance. I've always had trouble regulating my breathing while running and I found that week 5 was difficult for me.<br />
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5. Inevitably, because I'm clumsy, I'll end up with an injury that I choose to ignore. I've learned that running on two broken toes is not the smartest thing I've ever done. They will hurt. They will not heal properly. And by the time I figure this out, I'll end up having to take a little time off to let the bones set. When I start running again, I found that I'd lost some of my endurance and in an effort to get back to where I needed to be, tried to run daily. Result? Shin splints. Again. Ouch. <br />
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6. To speed the shin splint recovery process, I buy cushioned insoles for my running shoes to absorb some of the shock during running. It helps. But. Problem? My shoes have already shaped to my feet. So, the shoes are now rubbing in weird places and I end up with blisters. Solution? Lots of first aid ointment and bandaids--covered with duct tape. Yes, the duct tape stays in place over the bandaids and no more blister pain.<br />
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7. Taking it easy and going back to week 4. I'm okay with this. If I do this right, I'll be right on target to finish the program and run 3 miles ON race day. Scary, but I believe I can do it. Proud that I'm gradually building distance and speed. It's beyond awesome to be jogging along when the program's voice says, "Start walking," and I think, "Wow, I feel like I could keep going for a while!"<br />
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8. Husband's post-car accident neck pain will (conveniently...ahem) flare up the week before the kiddo's birthday party and he just CAN'T help with any cleaning or organizing in preparation for the party. So I take a few days off. Okay, fine, I take 6 days off because I got totally lazy.<br />
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9. Day after the party, I decide I need to get into gear because I'm getting short on time. I'll be a few days behind the training program's targets, but I'm still feeling pretty confident. I get up to go running and feel yucky. Worn out and fatigued. Dull throbbing in my kidneys. Go back to bed. Later (okay, a day later) discover that UTI that has migrated upward toward my kidneys. Gross. And given the bladder surgery I had to remove cancer a few years ago, well, my bladder is not the strongest organ in my body. Seriously felt like I was going to wet my pants. Told Sister #1 that I could probably pee on myself if I was hot and sweaty and nobody would notice. I didn't. I end up taking another 5 days off.<br />
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10. Last night, moved back to week 4 in the training program and could only run for a few minutes at a time. Booooo.<br />
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So...I'm okay with walking/jogging this 5k. Did I want to run the whole thing? Heck yeah! But I'll be the person not in great shape who walks more than half of it and irritates the serious runners blowing by me. But I'll cross the finish line...slowly, but it will be crossed.<br />
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My toes are healing. The antibiotics are working.<br />
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And there's another 5k in September! Brookfield Zoo Run anyone??Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05919003753339813965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20324270.post-84189212463617112152012-05-13T08:06:00.001-05:002012-05-13T08:06:22.527-05:00Happy DayHappy Birthday to the birthday buddies and Happy Mother's Day to coolest, craziest moms ever!Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05919003753339813965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20324270.post-12864999918407977062012-04-01T11:37:00.001-05:002012-04-01T11:37:11.945-05:00They just look like..... dirty socks.<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/TUl67fDBWz8?fs=1" width="480"></iframe>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07091638171885430304noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20324270.post-8622808585477249122012-03-26T00:06:00.003-05:002012-03-26T00:24:28.854-05:00Because we never turn down a challengeAnd because we've survived everything from stupid exes to insane in-laws, backstabbing best friends to drive-me-crazy bosses and beyond, I'm relatively certain that there isn't anything we couldn't handle with elegance and grace - -or some duct tape and rope if we so choose.<br /><br />So, that being said, I pose (yet another) writing challenge.<br /><br />April is <a href="http://scriptfrenzy.org/">Script Frenzy</a> month, sisters! One hundred pages, thirty days.<br /><br />We all took on NaNoWriMo this past November, so why not get Script Frenzy under our belts too? Any hey, if you're not up to writing a script completely from scratch, we all have some novels stored away on our computers, so turn them into a screenplay!<br /><br /><br />So what do you say sisters.... Are you up for a challenge?Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07091638171885430304noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20324270.post-41725624917335566392012-03-07T12:55:00.001-06:002012-03-07T12:57:17.745-06:00Another Sign of Pending Apocolypse<div><br /></div>I can't find Peppermint Baby Lips anywhere. SOLD OUT!<div><br /></div>Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631755417715020741noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20324270.post-39674693920340935482012-02-11T16:24:00.003-06:002012-02-11T16:25:59.422-06:00Virtues<P><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLh8OTT9GRSNcfpWs1Za0av8-Ut6AfLek-Q3e1dwGVDwMWC1g47pUtFbdBciND5w18YnbBQoob-1E7BdkddPQQWI42mFlJrqxAIoWpism6oAW8t55mMo3P8GeUDOtKYLgIPxln/s1600/66709638199915169_Y287aGEW_c.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLh8OTT9GRSNcfpWs1Za0av8-Ut6AfLek-Q3e1dwGVDwMWC1g47pUtFbdBciND5w18YnbBQoob-1E7BdkddPQQWI42mFlJrqxAIoWpism6oAW8t55mMo3P8GeUDOtKYLgIPxln/s400/66709638199915169_Y287aGEW_c.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708007629717661426" /></a><br /><br /><br /></P>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20324270.post-32018093374711748782012-02-09T17:25:00.000-06:002012-02-09T17:25:54.996-06:00WE SHOULD DO THIS!!!Come on, you know you want to!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.signmeup.com/6D2VNJ7#.TzRV3yXPdv8.blogger">United Run for the Zoo 2012</a>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07091638171885430304noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20324270.post-45129584127444026872012-01-27T18:35:00.003-06:002012-01-27T18:49:02.707-06:00Margaret's Action Items 2012Not resolutions nor goals, more along the lines of a serious "to do" list:<div><br /></div><div><ul><li>buy a bedskirt</li><li>write a page-a-day for 30 days straight</li><li>publish a novel</li><li>buy a new wool winter coat</li><li>wear eyeshadow more often</li><li>try a recipe for something new</li><li>pick a new language to learn (not actually learn it yet)</li><li>jog three miles in 30 minutes at least once </li></ul></div>Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10631755417715020741noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20324270.post-3621292439113014962012-01-11T18:09:00.000-06:002012-01-11T18:09:34.624-06:00The Words of a ChildLast night, I was digging through a storage bin when I stumbled across a journal I kept as part of the requirements for my high school senior year Honors English class.<br />
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I didn't even remember keeping the journal and had to laugh at some of what was in there, especially the sample tabloid article I wrote on Hester Prynne (from The Scarlet Letter) admitting that Satan was the father of her child...and in the next issue, Satan himself would be offering advice on how to fan the flames of passion in relationships.<br />
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I feel like Fozzie Bear should be letting loose with a "Wocka, wocka, wocka!"<br />
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Crazy. <br />
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But among some of the silly assignments were some intriguing words of wisdom and I began one of my journal entries with:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>I think that if I knew what conformity would do to me, </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>I never would have tried it.</strong></span></div><br />
I was so intrigued by those words and the insight of the 17 year old girl that I used to be. Sitting here now reading them as an adult, I was sure it must have been a quote that I pulled from somewhere, but I looked on the internet for a match and...nothing.<br />
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I keep reading those words over and over..."If I knew what conformity would do to me, I never would have tried it."<br />
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So true. So very, very true.Marthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05919003753339813965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20324270.post-53608980193507681032012-01-08T06:33:00.001-06:002012-01-08T17:25:38.190-06:002011 -- Two Legs Walking Straight Out of my Life<B>And a brand new year walking in the door.</B><br /><br /><center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Fw08Xq_ctac" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br /><br /><br /><B>In 2011, I gained</B> a healthier diet.<br /><br /><B>I lost</B> a very dear friend who I still think about every day.<br /><br /><B>I stopped</B> going to New York as much as I used to.<br /><br /><B>I started</B> thinking more seriously about what I want to do next. <br /><br /><B>I was hugely satisfied by</B> my personal relationships.<br /><br /><B>And frustrated by</B> my October Board meeting.<br /><br /><B>I am so embarrassed that I</B> lost my cool in front of my boss.<br /><br /><B>Once again, I</B> barely squeezed past the finish line for NaNoWriMo.<br /><br /><B>Once again, I did not</B> buy a new pair of brown pants. Maybe this year.<br /><br /><B>The biggest physical difference between me last December and this December is</B> half a missing toenail! (But it’s growing back, thank goodness).<br /><br /><B>The biggest psychological difference between me last December and this December is</B> I’m less afraid of...well, everything.<br /><br /><B>I loved spending time</B> in Georgia.<br /><br /><B>Why did I spend even two minutes</B> wishing he’d love me the same way I loved him?<br /><br /><B>I should have spent more time</B> lying on the grass outside in the sun.<br /><br /><B>I regret buying</B> that black pencil skirt without noticing it didn’t have back vents. Who makes a pencil skirt without back vents?!<br /><br /><B>I will never regret buying</B> my Nine West blush pumps <B>even though with that money I could have bought</B> two months worth of bus/metro fare.<br /><br /><B>I</B> shopped <B>way too much.</B><br /><br /><B>I didn't</B> write letters <B>enough.</B><br /><br />Home repairs <B>drove me crazy.</B><br /><br /><B>Was</B> the political scandal reporting <B>crazier than ever last year? Or was it me?</B><br /><br /><B>The most relaxing place I went was</B> The Marshall House hotel in Savannah, GA.<br /><br /><B>I feel so</B> happy <B>when I write that down.</B><br /><br /><B>Why did I go to</B> Vermont?<br /><br /><B>The best thing I did for someone else was</B> help organize their wedding.<br /><br /><B>The best thing I did for myself was</B> sing along with the radio, driving fast on the back roads with the windows down.<br /><br /><B>The best thing someone did for me was</B> remind me I can do anything and that “anything” can begin at any time.<br /><br /><B>The one thing I'd like to do again, but do it better, is</B> my last dinner with Joe.<br /><br /><br /></P>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0