Did I Ask For Your Opinion?

  I'm watching my Sunday Morning tv as I sip my tea, trying not to think about how my decaf tea isn't the same as fully caffeinated coffee. There will be no energy surge once the caffeine hits my bloodstream. And I am coming to accept that this is okay. After making it through almost a week of caffeine withdrawal, headaches and lack of focus, I am now appreciating the lack of tightness in my chest (anxiety) if I decided to have that one extra cup. Or sometimes the stomach upset. Baby steps, hopefully leading to big changes. Still working on the no sugar and gluten free part. This morning I rolled out of bed, pulled on leggings and a sweater, put wood in the stove, and let the chickens out on the way to the car with Freddi. 8:00 a.m. at the Jaquith to meet Stephany for a walk. And we were ON TIME!! I'm working on being more punctual. Because it feels so much better to be on time than it does to be late! Anywho............. It was a nice short walk and I'm glad that that ...

  It has been a difficult week in many ways. The weather has been its usual mercurial March self. On again off again rain or snow showers. Muddy roads (and how), frost heaved roads. The occasional burst of sunshine and blue sky with temperatures ranging from the teens to the 50s.   Yesterday I was struggling mentally. Carried on nonetheless. Laundry, dishes, ingredients thrown into the crockpot for dinner. Quick shower, dressed in normal clothes.  Parent/teacher meeting at noon. I made Youngest Child's teacher cry. But in a good way. I think. I was thanking her for making such a good connection with YC and "getting" him. Because it is definitely something I have learned not to take for granted. So that was a much needed feel good moment. Did some more decluttering work upstairs just before Freddi and I headed to the bike path for a pre-dinner walk. Looking for signs of Spring as we sniff and walk our way through the world. Pussy Willows!! Just before we left for our walk ...

 I woke up with a headache this morning. Not debilitating, just annoying. I popped two ibuprofen, swigged some water and put Freddi Dog's leash and harness on. Because we had plans this morning.  First stop to pick up my friend's daughter. She needed a ride to the Bus Stop this morning, which happens to be right next to a walking path by the river. I used to go on this path all the time many years ago. When my Eldest was still in his rock picking phase and Youngest was either on my back or in the jogging stroller. The bus pulled in moments after I had parked the car, so we said good-bye to my friend's daughter and hopped out of the car to hit the trail. It was a typical March morning. Sunny but chilly and very windy. I had my gloves on and my hood pulled up and Freddi had her little red plaid jacket on. We were good to go. Right off the bat we met another person walking his dog. We paused long enough to exchange hellos and sniff some butts and then continued on our way. It ...