For Renae and Patty

All the things that I said I was going to do in that post from way back in January were truly sincere intentions at that time.  They were more than resolutions.  I did intend to post more often and exercise more and lose weight and be in a healthier place come January of 2013!  I had a plan, and I was excited.

What, then, derailed me so quickly?  Life.  Always life.  :-)  My dear father went through a heart attack, open heart surgery (triple bypass), extra return to the hospital, and then an ICD placement.  Most of that happened in January.  And while one would think that that very thing would be fodder for lots and lots of cathartic blogging, I just couldn't.  I can't really explain why, but I just couldn't put out there all the things that my mind was working on and all the places to where my emotional state was traveling.  There were highs and lows of all sorts.  And there was so much I wanted to learn:  about the heart and its function and treatments and surgeries and medicines and psychological issues and physical issues.  The little bit of computer time that I had during the day was spent on those things and not sharing via this venue.

Oh, make no mistake, I was venting and talking and sharing and "dealing" every single day.  My God-sent husband was my source of comfort, rationality, advice, and encouragement.  He took off So Much Time from work, staying home with the kids, so that I could be at the hospital with Dad.  (I should clarify.  He didn't take off that time.  He simply worked until late in the night from home to keep all his balls in the air).  I don't even know how hard that was for him.  I have no idea how busy his office was during that time.  He said that they "weren't all that busy", but he would have said that had they been completely slammed.  He did what he did because he puts family first.  And, I can not tell you how grateful I am for that!

So, I was getting all the "stuff" out of me and I didn't need to come here to do any of that.  But life kept happening, nonetheless.  I ran the first day of the Couch to 5K program early in January, and then I didn't come back to it until March.  MARCH.  But, I came back to it!  I've had some hiccups, but I've made it to the 4th week of this 9 week program.  To be in full disclosure, I started week 4 last week, and had to stop.  So, I'll begin anew this week!

The kids got an extra January break from school, and, yes, we're a bit "behind".  The thing is, with homeschooling, there really isn't a true "behind".  The schooling happens at any time.  I think most any parent knows what I mean.  Their kids come home from school, and then begins homework.  All parents homeschool to varying degrees.

I haven't lost any weight, because I haven't really been adjusting what I've been eating.  I did lose a little bit of weight during the hospital days, but I've since gained those pounds back.  However, I feel so much better just because I've been moving!  The splits are getting there, and my arabesque has gotten a little higher!

There has been progress.  :-)

I've actually been asked in the past few weeks, by two sweet friends, about the blog.  So, Renae and Patty, this post is for you!  Thank you for still checking in.  We all depend so much on the miniaturized Facebook snapshots of everyone's lives, that I practically don't even know how to blog any more!  The exercise of just spitting out this little bit of stuff has already reminded me how much my brain needs this exercise.

By the way, I've started a blog for my photography pursuits.  While it seems as though I'm attempting to start a business, I haven't really.  It's truly a simple pursuit.  It's a creative, yet technical, activity that feeds some hungry parts of me.  While I am absolutely open to holding appointments, at the same time I'm well aware of my limitations.  But even a blind squirrel finds an acorn every now and then.  :-)  Since I'm still trying to maintain some anonymity on this blog (laughable endeavor, though it is), I won't list the address.  But, it's my first and last name then the word photography.blogspot.com.

If you're my FB friend, I'll eventually have the courage to put that address on there too.

I will not lie - the world rocked on its axis earlier this year.  But, the introspection that it caused has been valuable.  The deepening relationships that I've experienced have been nourishing to my heart and have taught me some necessary lessons about friendships.  There has been clarity, and there has been confusion, sometimes all at the same time.  But the Lord put the right people in my path to encourage and surround my entire family in prayer.

Daddy is improving a little bit every day.  If you were one of those prayer warriors, my heartfelt gratitude goes out to you.  And when you prayed for me?  You helped to carry me over the scary parts. I am uplifted by knowing the good that God does in those He chooses to use.  My desire for God and for Heaven has been strengthened during these past 4 months.  Praise Him that this world isn't all there is.