Hi all,

I must admit that I am sure glad this is a three day weekend. I am exhausted physically and mentally. It was really nice to get to WW last evening, I lost a pound. I haven't recorded it here and I'm not sure I recorded that big four pound gain from two weeks ago. I should get my records updated. I have noticed that SP doesn't give you recognition for losing weight that was weight you gained recently anyway, but I do like my records to be correct. Somehow they quit showing my earliest weight loss records here anyway. Maybe it's because I have been around for so long.

Our Ash Wednesday Service had some moving readings in it. It included a collection of poetry and short pieces of prose about the life of Christ and there was a litany that started with "Feast" and "Fast." I took it to school with me to have to help me through difficult times, so I cannot share it word for word right now--it was kind of long for that any way. It had phrases like "Fast on complaining. Feast on finding the good around you." There were around 20-25 of these phrases and each one was touching and thought-provoking, dealing with how we treat others and approach life in a positive way. I want to make copies of it and have it around me--I think it might be one of those wonderful "words to live by" quotes that I want in my presence all of the time.

I think the example I gave, which isn't a direct quote, but is certainly the essence of one of the pairs of phrases is on my mind because I have been so whiny and difficult lately. I am sure that the tone of my blogs along with my conversations with my family and friends have been pretty down and I need to get my thoughts in a new place. It will not be easy because constant, chronic pain is difficult. I have lived with it for years and years and years. However, maybe it will help me to try and hold it at bay some. I think it can't hurt to try in any case--if I'm not successful, I can at least feel good about the fact that I gave it my best effort. It also won't be easy when it hurts to keyboard and it hurts to move in almost any direction with most of my body parts, but I think I can let work on this might help me with my other goals. It's my plan as I work on my body and wait for some help with my physical needs.

I think my pain doc had his shoulder surgery and I am going to wait for him to return to work before i go for an appointment. I am going to call on Monday and find out when he will be available. One of the other docs in his office is not so good and once you have had the kind of care my doc gives, it is not right or at least easy to settle for that. I have an appointment with my rheumy on Monday and he certainly may have some insight on my issues. He often finds fibromyalgia to be a big culprit when I hurt all over--I hope that he looks deeper into all of this as well.

It must be time for some rest. I just held my daughter accountable for some things she was saying and an unpleasant confrontation occurred. She always reads that as I am picking on her and nobody else. She doesn't seem to be here or pay attention when I am somebody else's mother around here and have to do the more unpleasant tasks of parenting. I am sorry that she feels that way right now, but I am not going to allow any of my children to engage in unfairly picking on another. That is my job. Great ending to a less than desirable week. The coming week will be new and improved. Starting with a holiday after our first Sunday with our new pastor will get it off on the right foot.

Take care my friends!
Gentle hugs,
Sylvia