Good morning !

I am disgustingly cheerful this a.m. considering that I didn't get out of the office until 7 last night then came home and logged into the office desktop remotely and worked until 10. I still was up and at 'em at 4:30 and actually at the gym by 4:50. The 'extra' time at the gym gave me a chance to do part of a 3rd circuit this morning. I did the full circuit twice, then did selective pieces (probably 1/2 of them) a third time before I figured it was time to get moving home to get ready for work. I've got this project looming that I need to get finished. I am going to try closing my door today and see if people will leave me alone so I can get it done. Tonight is going to be another late one . I've already got a 'date' on my calendar for 4:30 to work with a vendor to do a software upgrade on the phone system that can only be done after hours anyway. I'm sure I'll peek during the day, but in case I don't .. yall have a good day and stay warm! Hugs, Mo

Hey Moie - Well, better to be disgustingly cheerful than digusting!!! Wow!! The exercise must be revving up your brain, too, if you can get to the gym after a day like you had!!! I'm in AWE! So we had a snow day yesterday; I saved KB from Mom & Dad and vice versa by taking off with them. Dad stayed with them until about 9:30 a.m., and then I was with them until 8:30 last night. We went to Target, where I let them each spend $20 to celebrate potentially good report cards (today) and an early VD gift, Fashion Bug (presents for Tia!), lunch, and a couple other errands. Then I took them to my house so they could sled down our "hill." Fortunately, we don't get much sun on our side of the street, so we still had some sleddable snow. They loved it!!! I sat in the house, drank tea, and read "Cross" by James Patterson. Once I took them home and fed them dinner, I did some laundry and then Gary came home, ate and we started working on the dreaded science project. Not sure how this is going to pan out, K has to submit her idea for approval tomorrow, so we'll see. I slept like the dead last night, but man, do I have some weird dreams - makes me wonder what drugs I'm on!!! Today, I'm leaving the office at 1:30 for a dental appt. at 2:30, for a workup, and a mental workout. I hate the dentist, I'd rather have 10 gyn appts.!!!!! I need two crowns and possibly one or more root canals! I take really good care of my teeth, but have always had soft, easily breakable ones! I'm doing everything I can to save them, but boy, does it get 'spensive! Then I'm supposed to have dinner with a girlfriend at Olive Garden, but I keep blowing everyone off because I'm SO tired. I really do think that because of the stressors of work and home, my stress has segued into depression - I don't want to do anything except sleep!! Not good, but I hope it'll improve once Gary puts my treadmill together! It's gotten to the point where I don't want to see or really talk to anyone or go anywhere, and as you can see from my usual days, that's not really possible!! My therapist oughta have a ball with me next week!!! Other than that, not much going on. At HQ tomorrow, not Annapolis, and am getting a much needed haircut on Saturday, then KB, and then I have MOUNTAINS of transcriptions to do!! On Sunday, Mom & I are taking her youngest sister out to lunch in Little Italy and going back to her house for chockie cake (the highlight of MY week!!!) I'll bet that closing your door will inspire people to knock just to see if you're okay!! Ugh! Co-workers! Hope your day is productive!! Tia

Hi Tia, I am sure your "talk" with K will go well. I have done it twice and it really isn't that bad. I think that it might be worse for them. I had little moments all the time with my girls because they were with me all the time. Literally followed me into the bathroom all the time. They still do. Of course when they were younger I had questions about things they saw so when it came time for the talk they knew quite a bit already. Still it's always nerve wracking for us parents (and you are definitely a parent to KB). As for the being tired, I know what you mean. I am so tired all the time. I sleep well at night but I am ready for a nap or bed at any moment of the day. I don't know if its cuz I cut calories again or what. This time of the year I struggle with exhaustion. Maybe its part of that Seasonal Affective Disorder. However, it's not gloomy around here. The sun shines nearly every day and I love that. I dont' get to see it much but I know it's there. Right now I am very sleepy and cold. I am ready to leave the office. I am trying to leave early today but not to sleep. I need to go grocery shopping & then run errands to get things done for the coltillion this weekend. We are all excited about the event. I am nervous about my dress fitting. I haven't gained any weight (haven't lost any either but that's okay). But I am really worried that my dress won't fit. I keep having these images of me trying to put it on and the thing won't come down over my head. I know this stems back to many many years of clothes not fitting because of my uncontrolled weight gain. I am sure it will be fine but until I put the darn thing on again I will be worried. I am trying it on again this evening. My emotions can't wait until Sunday. You should really push yourself to go out with your friend. I am doing the same thing. We should not stay couped up and avoid people. They will hopefully make us feel better. It's just like exercise, getting there is the hardest part. Doing it and the after effects are so worth it! Hang in there. Hugs, Robin

Thanks for the mental hug, Robin! I can always use one! I'm not too worried about my talk with K, like your girls, I'm with her all the time, and always take the opportunity to talk with her about a myriad of things. I just want her to be informed and aware. I always feel like knowledge is power. Of course, I know girls at school talk, but I want Kaity to have the real facts. Oh, I'm so excited for all of you about the cotillion. You're going to knock 'em dead and I can't WAIT to see pictures. I hope you have a wonderful time, I know it's something the girls will have beautiful memories of!!! I totally get the clothes thing. In fact, this weekend, I'm going to pull out a pair of jean shorts from last summer, just to remind me that summer's right around the corner. You're absolutely right, I should push myself to go out, I just don't know if I will. I've got to find another PCP, my therapist can't prescribe meds, and it may be a simple med adjustment is all I need. That, and the right man and a week away!!! That's not too much to ask is it? Okay, so have a great day - let us know tomorrow how the dress looks!!! Tia

I just had to let you know that my dress still fits! I tried it on last night and again this morning. Yay! I knew, way back in the dark corners of my mind, that it would fit. I mean, I haven't gained weight at all so why wouldn't it. Still, I was worried...not anymore. Hugs, Robin

I can't believe I forgot the most funnest part of my upcoming weekend - I have to have THE TALK with Kaity!!! She's going through some tell-tale changes, pimples, hairs, boobs, etc., and I know we're on a fast-track to Aunt Flo!!! I want to get a hold of her before MOTY, whom I know will use slang terms. This should be sooo much fun!! She knows a lot of the basics, and I made her a care package to keep at the school nurse's office, but still....I don't wanna!! I skeered!! Wish me luck that God lets me speak intelligently and intelligibly about this!!! Tia

Hey! You're the greatest "non-mom aunt" in the world according to one wise little guy - it'll be fine! At least if you get a book, you won't have to draw pictures! I know it may seem like I'm making a joke out of it, and I'm really not. I'm sure your talk will go fine, Katie's fairly level headed and mature and I'm sure she'll give the subject matter the right attention. BTW, when I was last at the Dr's office, I complained about being tired and my Dr. told me to take 400mg of magnesium in the evening. I've been doing that for about 2 weeks now and it does seem to be working. Although if I have too many nights like Tuesday, magnesium is not gonna help. I got home from my date around 1:00am and was here at work by 6:00am. The date was great, had a really good time. He's a good talker/listener and we have ALOT in common. I'm just trying to keep the feet on the ground for now. Have a Great Day! T

Thanks, T! Yep, I'm gonna get a book, too, and like I said, she knows SOME stuff, so it should go okay. I remember about a year and a half ago, I asked her if she knew where babies came from and she said, "Yes, eggs," and I said, "Do you know what the egg is fertilized with?" and she said, "Milk?" So I knew I had some time!! We were laughing about that the other day and she said, "Don't worry, Tia, I know what fertilizes eggs now," and I said, "What?" and she said, "Sex!" So I kind of expounded upon that, but still need to talk. Go****'s gonna be FUN!!! But not NEARLY as much fun as you seem to be having!!! I trust I don't need to have THE TALK with you? Thanks again, Tia the Non-Mom

Hey girl, You are such a wondereful Tia or (Titi) I wish my tias years ago was so sweet as you. I know you are so loved and what a blessing that is. Everytime I read your post I sit here chuckling. Have a great time explaining to your niece because my Mom or Tias never did and I had a very scary moment at 9 years old home alone with my Dad. I ran to him showing him my undies in hand crying I thought I was dying or something. My dad gave rolled a whole bunch tissue and told me to put in on until Mom gets home. (They never prepared me for anything.) lol I go to my room and I hear him calling someone telling them that I got my period. I was mortified! lol Anyway now that I have dug up this horrible memory....... I better scoot! lol Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Cira

Thanks, Cira! I surely LOVE my little guys!!! They test my patience sometimes, but life without them wouldn't be any kind of life!! I remember knowing about my period, but it still caught me by surprise at the age of 11!! 29 years later, I'm still wondering what fool decided to call it a women's "friend!!!!" Sorry to dredge that up for you!!! Have a great day! Tia