3/6/19, Weird Wednesday! (Ash Wednesday)

If I am first today, something is off in our group's universe! I do hope everyone is okay and that y'all are just experiencing Fat Tuesday hangovers!

Weight is holding steady with my 4 pounds gone.

Today is Ash Wednesday. Lent begins. It is appropriately gray and rainy here.

I am doing two things for lent. The first is to fast from sugar. The second is to remember to lead with kindness.

Perhaps with Mardi Gras now a memory we will see Ann more often. Liz, hope you are well.

And the Lenten season begins....

Yoo Hoo,

Anybody out there? Peps thanks for starting. Must be something off when our west coast people are starting. Hope you easterners are traveling or doing something fun. Fat Tuesday hangovers indeed? I know some of you are so snowed in that getting out of bed is a monumental effort. Been there, done that. My sympathies.

I am so not with it on religious customs that I remember eating in a cafeteria in a medical office building near my work. I noticed one woman with a dark spot on her forehead and thought " oh that poor woman has skin cancer". Then I noticed a couple more such victims. Finally realized what it was. Duh.

So I am doing nothing for Lent other than my usual efforts to eat healthier and cut the wine.

Peps I sure wish you were near so I could hire you to groom my dog. Ardith came up yesterday and did it but you are truly an artist. Two class *****es at the weekend shows and one class dog - Ardiths. So hope to get some single points.

Doctor apt today. I forgot to do the lab work but hope to rush in ahead and do it. Non fasting - just a blood count I think.

Peps glad you are feeling better. Hope everyone out there is well. Diane S

Greetings! Maybe we're all in a conversational lull where every so often the crowd goes silent...

My routine is the same. Today is trainer and Pilates with some eyebrow shaping in an hour. My friend is coming back tonight to stay with me for a few more nights. My dog is wet from the rain and stinks, but is laying right beside me to share said stink.

Could I be more boring??

Regarding Lent, I am not Catholic but went to Catholic school for 15 years. So in school the nuns would discuss Lent and we'd all give something up (usually candy). I was pretty old before I realized, hey, I'm not religious, I don't have to do this! It's not a bad excuse for a reset, but my rebellious side says don't have to... Do other Christian religions do Lent to?

Maybe I should post some questions from the pack of conversation cards I bought? One of them was: what is one fantasy you would like to experience? That could go so many ways(!), but I spoke truth: I would like to live and teach abroad, preferably Portugal. Husband chimed right in, yes, and in my fantasy you support us, and I just hang out in Portugal. Maybe? ...

Ha! Good idea... I would like to own a baby goat that hops like a bunny and wears pajamas.

I did have a baby goat named Skipper. (She grew up to be an adult goat who thought she was a dog, so the dogs let her into their little group). I never thought of putting pajamas on her.

Behold! Baby goats in pajamas... I'm kind of obsessed. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LQhJqoRbaII

Oh my goodness, how delightful!! Perfect pre sleep video.

Indeed it is strange! Come out, come out wherever you are!

David we'd love to hear from you.

MissBonnie hope everything is going smoothly.

Stephanie-waving your way

Shel-we need some photo journalism!

Paula-I need to know more fun dates!

Liz-HOping you've had some fun days and Paul is handling them well.

DD-praying for an earlier spring than...actual spring. Gah at this point actual spring shouldn't be too much longer.

Ann-I for one am glad it's Lent and we don't have to "give up" Ann anymore!

Unknown weight.

Had to do the glucose test this morning (drink a sugary drink, test blood sugar, see if I have gestational diabetes). Last time I had ZERO issues with it and actually my blood sugars after the test were still on the low end of the range. This time I felt pretty good and did up to and including the 1 hr. blood draw, but now (2.5-3 hrs. later) I'm starting to feel crappy: shivery and tired. Blah.

Cecily-I'm Methodist and we do observe Lent, but it's not so "mandatory" (is it mandatory in the Catholic church). We even have an Ash Wednesday church service but it's not huge attendance. In my home church the main point that is stressed is simply to turn your focus to Christ's sacrifice during this season. So nothing really so set--I do know plenty of friends (religious and non-religious, actually) who do like to give up something but I'd say it's not terribly common. So I'd say the two parts of the church calendar that we celebrate are Advent and Lent. There wasn't a very big Catholic population around me growing up (mostly Southern Baptistis) and I'll never forget I mentioned something about Lent and the shock when someone exclaimed "oh you must be Catholic." Which was equally funny because no I wasn't, but I in turn assumed every religion celebrated Advent and Lent!

Today is Becca's last day at her beloved babysitter. I'm trying to be optimistic because I really don't have a choice. She'll start at a great daycare next Monday. And she'll probably have no problem with the transition. Mama, on the other hand...I'm just nervous that she won't get as much individualized attention. But perhaps that's exactly what she needs, especially since she'll soon be having to share with a sibling!

Tomorrow my MIL comes in for becca's birthday. Hopefully we can do some fun activities in preparation for the birthday party. I went a little all out but I'm trying to stick with the plan and enjoy and not feel guilty. I wanted it this way and I got it--now the key is to appreciate it!

I think I would love to be a guest at any party you plan. I hope you are able to appreciate it as you say yourself also.