Life is a Series of Hellos and Goodbyes

Oh, the things that are Rattling Around. So very many things. I've even been kicking around a "big" idea for several months now... I have been trying to find the motivation to type it all up with flourishes and frills. But you know what?

It isn't worth it.

I have, for a very long time now, found this blogging thing wholly unsatisfying. Even disappointing. I could elaborate, but I don't think it matters. The bottom line is, I'm not enjoying it anymore. So, I am leaving the blogosphere and focusing my energy elsewhere. Thanks to all of you lovelies who have commented here, lurked here, encouraged me privately, or written your own blogs for me to enjoy. I bet if we lived closer I'd count many of you as good friends.

I'd still love to chat with you, if you'd like to drop me an e-mail now and again. But when we meet in real life, we'll sit down for a long chat over hot coffee.

Until then - keep it real.

I'm afraid it's time for goodbye again.
-Billy Joel, Say Goodbye to Hollywood

Look At ME!

I'm taking a break. I am posting just because I can!

Things here on the official day 2 of school are going okay. I did two loads of laundry today. Served lunch without too much chaos. Cleaned the bathroom sink. Got Ms. Boo a shower (I still wash her hair.) Made butternut squash soup. Completed all of Boo's lessons with her. Built a fort (several times.) And - this is the kicker - all the kids had their teeth brushed today.

Maybe, and I do mean maybe, I can settle in with this schedule. Much of it depends on how willing the Boo is to do her work. Today was better than yesterday. But we've had lots of breaks (read: snacks) worked into the day, so maybe it will be doable.

Ms. Bao has been a little bit difficult. She's still very impatient and can't wait for us to finish part of a lesson if she has decided that she needs me for something. But we are working on it. And she is only getting older, so I take comfort in that. (And any of you out there who want to tell me that the threes are worse than the twos, please don't.)

In the mean time, I'd like to ask you all to pray for Ms. Bao. She has been getting various itchy welts all over her body for over a month now. It calmed down considerably about a week ago, but the last two days have been bad. Huge welts. Her lip has swollen a few times. She scratches so hard that she bleeds.

The initial blood test for all the "regular" allergies came back clear. We are scheduled to see the pediatric allergist on Friday of next week - and she can't have any allergy medication for five days before the testing. If the reaction doesn't calm down soon, it will be a very difficult five days.

Anyway, that's all for now. If any of you have been praying for me as this school year has started, I appreciate it.

Busy

I am busy, and HELLO, losing weight takes up a lot of time! Homeschooling and some laundry are just about all I am able to accomplish of late during an average day. Today I actually got dinner in the crock pot before noon. It's like a banner day, I tell ya.

Not that my weight is going to mean a doggone thing in the near future, because I will be DEAD over the stress of getting just the basics done around here, but here is the weight update:

Lost one pound this week. Down to 138. Total lost since beginning the challenge, 10.5 pounds.

Go encourage some other folks who have also taken on the weight loss challenge.

Improving His Record

"I think for ten years I have struggled against Tiger. My record was pathetic."
- Phil Mickelson

What fun watching him go head-to-head with Tiger today and beating him outright. Of course he wasn't satisfied with beating Tiger by five strokes so, in true Mickelson fashion, he had to make us all squirm a bit as he whittled it to a more comfortable two.

Great fun, Phil. Thanks for the show.

And, by the way, I don't know much about PGA politics or what kind of discussions are going on behind closed doors, but I do know this: If you give up your shot at the $10 million FedEx Cup Title just so you can be home with your kids when they start school this week, you will be the permanent all-time "number one" on my list of favorite golfers.

I'm guessing there is a little more to it than just your desire to see the kids off, but I'd be giddy if you did it.

Do it, Phil. DO IT!