What springs to mind...

I cannot get motivated. Here it is Saturday, the end of February and I have an errand list as long as my arm; I need to clean the house in preparation for yet another house guest; the dog is begging for a walk; I need to do my income tax returns; and yet here I sit, blogging. Meanwhile this morning, my 88 year old neighbor, who is totally motivated apparently, and his 50+ nephew have cut down two dead dogwood trees in my yard. Well, that's embarrassing! My guilt level rose enough that I put on my coat and went outside to "help". That consisted of unlocking the gate so Mr. A. didn't have to scale the fence at least and then raking off some Spanish moss from the Japanese magnolia (what an International garden I have!). The reason for this inertia? The miserable weather! It's been too cold for too long.This wasn't in the brochure. This is, after all, the South. Yes, we have seasons but freezing temps for anything over a day? Come on. I am so ready for spring.

What's in a name?

What with a special electing convention, then the consecration of the new bishop (and my new boss), followed in ten days by our annual convention, I feel that "almost a life" is very apt. I've been putting in 14 hour days, 7 days a week, without even a lunch break. I haven't seen my father in the nursing home for over a week and I'm, to be frank, exhausted. One bright moment is my coming home to notes saying, "Dinner's in the fridge; animals fed." Thanks, S.K.! It's been a Godsend.

Whining over? Never!

After two weeks of very little wine - two glasses - or carbs and no fresh fruit, I have dropped 8 pounds and am definitely ready to start adding those lovely low glycemic, high fibre fruits and starches back into my diet. In reality, my weight fluctuates regularly by 10 lbs due to, who else, George, who believes that I'm his personal lap cushion. Perhaps I should take him to my annual check-up and have them weigh us together!

Don't forget to drip your pipes!

Yeah, but see what happens! My friend, Carol Melton, took this photo of icicles on the Forsyth Park fountain in Savannah. This is the longest cold spell I've experienced in Savannah and I've been here 30 years! But this week it'll be in the mid-sixties (Fahrenheit)

Whining & Dining, one week out - rant #1

It's somewhat of a disconnect that in a nation (when did we stop saying "country") of obesity we are a people obsessed with our weight. Of course, it's big business. It only makes sense for manufacturers of diet pills and programs to keep us overweight, that way no customer is lost. And don't get me started on clothing. Too late, I'm on a rant...I have stayed about the same size now for 25 years yet incredulously I dropped THREE dress sizes! It's a miracle. And now I know people who wear a size zero, yet they look clothed. Another miracle. Ladies, remember when we were teenagers and a few extra pounds meant that no way were we going to try on let alone buy a new swimsuit? But if I need a size 10 this year whereas last year I was a 12, I must look fab in that bikini, right? And those bulges and overhang must be due to something being wrong with the dressing room mirror.

Now, don't get me wrong, I believe it's my responsibility not "them others" to maintain a healthy lifestyle for myself, it's just that sometimes I feel as though I have to deflect those weighty bullets, sort of like Wonder Woman, well except without the long flowing auburn hair, long legs and cinched waste.

Whining and Dining, Day 6

Confession being good for the soul, I thought I'd post that I cheated yesterday (Day 6) and had a glass of cabernet. I had planned a dinner with friends before deciding to get back on track and didn't want to cancel. I know, I know, I could have had dinner without wine but it wouldn't have been the same. I savored every sip - and I did sip it - and stuck to one glass. So no damage done, I think.

PS The Sisters in Haiti are safe and uninjured. Their living quarters right now is a football field, along with countless other people.

Haiti

In the light of the horrendous plight of Haitians, continuing to document my losing weight seems not only trivial but totally inappropriate.

We don't even know the full extent of loss of life or the number of injuried.  The Episcopal Church has around 180,000 members in Haiti. The Society of St. Margaret - an Order dear to my heart - has lost its convent and its two schools (one for the handicapped), the cathedral is gone as is the bishop's house. No one has heard from the sisters; the bishop & his wife are okay (she slightly injured), but we have no news of students. One of our Order of Preachers - an RN - is headed to Haiti next week with the Red Cross. This is where the US military are at their best, dealing with the aftermath of disasters.They can have mobile hospitals up and running in a matter of hours. I am so grateful to our President for responding quickly. Doctors Without Borders are already established in Haiti, only without a hospital standing and with little supplies. Rescue dogs are on the ground.

It's estimated that 3 million are in need of assistance. It must seem a daunting task for everyone. I remember years ago a poster for hunger relief said, "How do you feed 10 million hungry children? One at a time." I guess the same is true in this case, but it can't be easy when you're trying to unearth family, friends and neighbors from the rumble.

For most of us, the best we can do is donate monetarily. I'm doing so through Episcopal Relief & Development.