Sicky McSick Sick

Well... the nasty flu bug that seems to be blanketing Oklahoma finally got me. To be honest, I don't think I've been sympathetic enough with friends who have had the flu in the past. Had I only known. I'm pretty much a suck-it-up and keep rolling kind of gal when it comes to illness. However, this one did me in. I was out of work for 5 straight days (I don't think I've ever taken that many days off for illness - EVER)... and then had to take another day when I just couldn't get over the tail end of the stuff! The first two days, I don't even think I knew who I was. After my fever finally broke - which by the way is a pretty gross experience in itself - I felt a lot better, but I was so ridiculously weak. I've never experienced anything like it. It is some bad, bad stuff.

The only bright spot was that I lost 18 pounds in about a week and half. So, I pretty much lost all the extra weight I gained over the holidays... but I'm sure all that will jump right back on as soon as I start eating regularly again! So hey... if you are looking to loose some weight fast - I recommend the flu diet. Very effective.

I'm still a little foggy and haven't quite gotten my appetite back yet, but I am craving some Mexican food today - so that is always a good sign.

So, for all of you out there who have received little or no sympathy from me when you've had the flu...I offer an apology. For the rest of you... get back to work - fakers!

Week 1 down - and I want my MTV!

So, it has almost been a week, and my TV fast is going well. I really don't want my MTV...I just thought that would be a clever title.

The best news - I AM READING AGAIN!!!! Woo Hoo! I've been going through my stacks of Newsweek magazines like CRAZY...ok, so I'm a little behind on the news... but at least I am reading up on what's been happening in the world. Also, I read a book on Saturday. It was total entertainment (The choice, by Nicolas Sparks - not his best work)... but I'm starting out slow. You didn't expect me to start with War & Peace, did you?

I love reading until I fall asleep. And I mean this literally. I read until I just can't keep my little eyes open, and my book or magazine is falling out of my hands onto the bed. Well, sometimes it falls on the floor which totally wakes me up and gives me a few more minutes of reading time until my eyes are once again heavy. Love it. My brain really loves it. I feel smarter already.

I did "celebrate" on the sabbath by watching a bit of TV...well, I watched the Grammy's. A bit disappointing this year I have to say. No real show stoppers. I also watched several episodes of 24 - Season 6. I've finished the first two disks and I'm well on my way to being totally caught up when and if the new season begins. I heard it won't begin until next fall. I'm not sure I can sit and watch a regular showing of 24, with commercials, seeing as I have watched all 6 Seasons on DVD.

So, I encourage you to turn off that TV and pick up a book. It will do your mind some good.

Have a good day babydoll.

Today someone called me "babydoll" and "sweetheart" within a matter of a few seconds. I don't know why this bothers me so much, but my skin crawls and my eyes instantly roll at such ridiculousness. Maybe because people who use these fluffy phrases are usually the last people on the planet that I want to be calling me by these names.

Now, deep down, I know they are usually just trying to be nice...or build some emotional connection with me...but why does it feel so condescending?

Thoughts?

40 Days without TV

As you may have read in an earlier post...I really do feel like TV is killing my brain. I don't really watch that much TV, because I'm not really home that much. However, when I am home...usually late at night and on weekends...the TV is usually on. When you live alone, it is nice to have the noise of TV, especially now that I no longer have a dog.

So, I decided that I would give up TV for Lent. I'm kind of excited. I've given up my TV before...not for Lent, but for extended periods of time. It is always hard at first. Even when you don't watch a lot of TV...it is amazing to find out that you do waste much more time than you think in front of the television. (Now some of you glass half empty, negative nellies out there might be saying...sure, she gives up TV when there really are no good options anyway due to the writer's strike. Way to go out there on a limb for self-denial. But, I look at it as a win-win. )

Of course, the whole intent of "giving up" something during Lent is that you would draw closer to God. And it would stand to reason that any time freed up from the dumb television would allow for more time spent with God, listening for his voice, and just simply being silent...something we in the western world value all too little.

I think I've also mentioned in a previous e-mail that I haven't been reading much lately...so I'm looking forward to that desire to creep back in as well. Weird how I really want to be reading, I totally miss that in my life...but every time I pick something up, I just can't focus or retain the info. Hmmm.

I might even...dare I say it...start to exercise! What???? You never know what craziness might come as a result of this deprivation.

Stay tuned to see how it goes. It is only 40 days.

Semi-Super Tuesday

I just realized that I can not vote in today's primary elections... and I'm so bummed. I am registered as an independent voter... and Oklahoma's elections are closed, meaning you have to be registered as a dem to vote for the dem candidates...and likewise for the repub candidates.

Dang.

Oh well...I'm still encouraging everyone else to get out there and vote.

Tuesday is now only Semi-Super for me.

Who's Excited for Super Tuesday????

Get out there and vote people!

Can't wait for the late night channel surfing...Fox, CNN, MSNBC...to hear all the pundits calling the results.

LOVE this Presidential Election!