Hello Beach Beauties!!
I've been away for a little while, but I'm back now! I took some time away from the computer, to try to get caught up with work, life, and sleep. I thought that I was spending just too much time on the computer, and I thought I needed to be more productive.
What I learned while I was away.....
--> No matter what I do, I'll never get caught up with work. Life is just to darn short to spend most of my waking hours thinking about or working on "work". I need to just do what I can do, do my best, and that will have to be good enough. I have promised myself that I am going to stop bringing work home with me, and that work will stay at work and home will mean ME time.
--> Family is so important, and it is not OK to let work interfere with time spent with family. I've done that too many times in my life, but that has to stop now. There may be a rare occasion where work will need to take priority, but that will happen only rarely, and only if I have the chance to "make it up" somehow.
--> Life is too short to eliminate those things that I enjoy doing (like reading and posting on this board) in order to just focus on "obligations", such as trying to keep a perfectly clean house, organized desk, manicured lawn, etc, etc. Of course certain obligations need to be met, but life is meant to be enjoyed too. I need to be able to do work both fun and obligations into my life in a better balance.
--> The support and friendships that I find here are very powerful forces in my life as I strive to make this new WOE a permanent WOL. When I don't come here for support and comraderie, I tend to feel alone and just kind of wander through the days, forgetting why I'm making these changes and slipping more and more often. Over the past two weeks, I've strayed from the plan, and even though I haven't really gained any pounds, I haven't lost either (I see the scale go up one pound one day, then down the next, then up again the next....I've been playing with a pound or two and not going anywhere). I really value the friendships that I've made on this forum, we have a special "kinship" when we're all facing the same struggles, and it means a lot to me to be able to share my struggle with you all. Besides, coming here keeps me honest (with you, and therefore with myself!).
So, I'm back! I may not post every single day, but I'm not going to wander away for such a long time again. I have to get back to work (I'm posting this on my lunch break), but I'll be back to get caught up with everyone later.
We've missed you. I LOVE your "lessons learned". You are one smart girl. 
better to learn late than never 
Welcome back 2dog we sure missed you.
That's one of the things I like about this place!!