Just when I think I've conquered the sweet demon in myself, I see that they now have Philadelphia Indulgence in dark chocolate flavor. Can you just imagine that on a fresh strawberry? Yikes.

And yeah, your DH has NO idea what he's in for! LOL

Allison, so, so sorry to hear of Chico's diagnosis, my heart goes out to you.

Haven't been here in quite a while, so I'm popping in to say hello.

Allison - Sorry to hear about Chico—here's to hope it's the lesser of the two, and something can be done.

The tough mudder thingy? That looks awesome. Hard, but awesome.

Hey Kery! How is the teaching going?

Dagmar

Back home after birthday celebrations for two DS. Food , lotsa food but tried to practice portion control but did eat cheesecake....so far scale hasn't noticed that indiscretion.

Teaching going o-kay, but I hope I won't be assigned to junior high school level for all my careers, because the programs are boring. (Of course they only have from 1 to 3 years of English in their heads, so you can't do really complicated texts... and most of the pupils aren't mature enough for, well, heavier themes anyway. )

In other news, I've also found a new way of dieting: the "I don't have any teeth left" diet. More seriously, I've been dragging some heavy tooth work to be done since about March 21st or something, complete with infections and other inflammations of the gums, not to mention that I can only eat on one side of my mouth... These past days, I've come to realize that it does *a lot* to make you suddenly not so interested in snacking anymore. (The whole thing is going better now, but I'm still being careful about those stupid temporary fillings that fall for no reason sometimes.)

I am about to try the "sewing my lips shut" diet myself.

I hope your teeth are better soon and your brain retains the "less interested in snacking" mindset.

Dagmar

Michele, do you realize what's in these consecutive posts of yours? I want to call it evidence of incredible personal growth. Just look at how your life is changing and how you are stretching out and reaching toward new goals. I hope you are able to spend a moment savoring this before moving on with the new business.

Well, I'm back from Lancaster, very tired today, but with brilliant sunshine and chilly air prying open my eyes. We had another frost last night, though it ought to have melted from my windshield already before I head out to the gym this morning.

And back to a vague feeling of disappointment: Oh, yeah, I have to pick up my life again where I left it off. Right, yes, I was on my vigil, waiting for further updates from the contractor.

In the meantime, this is sitting in the back of my mother's van. We'll have to lift it out & set it in the garage with the other furniture.



This is a so-called low chest -- it's hip-high, instead of up at eye level. It's also more romantically known as a bachelor chest. You'd keep this in a smaller bedroom, perhaps one with a slanting roof right under the eaves of the house. It was made in the 1840s, maybe late 1830s. The drawer fronts are mahogany, the top is a really big, thick cherry board. Boards like that are one of the glories of antique furniture. (You can't see it from here but there's an age crack running across the top of the cherry board.) I've seen that style of carved column on other pieces made in Pennsylvania, but I don't know that much more about it.

That is a lovely chest, Saef! Now I feel like I need to have someone identify the guest bedroom furniture we bought at a garage sale which the owners said had been in their family for three generations.

saef, the chest is beautiful. Your "new" home is going to be so beautiful. I am looking forward to lots of pictures .

Saef-- that is beautiful! Your new home is coming together. I hope you can almost visualize it.

Thank you for pointing out my strengths to me. As you and I both know, we can be harder on ourselves than anyone around us. It helps to reflect.

Oh Saef, that is gorgeous! I'm also looking forward to pictures when everything is finished.

Michele - you'll enjoy the Tough Mudder, I'm sure.

Kery - ouch, lots of dental work never makes for a good time. I hope you get all of it taken care of soon.

I signed up for a race series that starts the week after my birthday, 5k in May, 10k in July, 15k in September and half marathon in Feb 2013. I'm also registered for another local 5k in May. I just realized that the two 5ks are back to back weekends, and I turn 40 right in between them. So on 5/12 I'll do my last in one age bracket and on 5/20 I'll do my first in the "Master Class". LOL - the 40-45 bracket around me is actually faster than the 35-39, so I think I'll place lower rather than higher in the older bracket. Just means I have to get faster!

Shannon, that sounds like a training program as well as a race series. And a series of tangible goals, which for me are always motivational: I hope they serve you similarly well. I know you're a runner but I'm trying to remember whether I've seen you post about completing marathons or half-marathons. Probably you have & it's just been a long winter & I don't remember as far back as race season.

I'm back at work today, in a half-hearted way, just trying to get through each hour until the day is over. And feeling wary of my mother, who had a meltdown last night over balsamic vinegar that I accidentally spilled and that splashed the wall & the counters. She is one of those people who blows up, says really nasty things and then, a short time later, it's all forgotten and it's like it never happened. With me, though, such incidents have a sort of half-life and a continued effect, and I regard her warily for a long while afterward. And she can't understand why.

saef, my suggestion , stay away from the balsamic vinegar. L O L !!!!