What a Difference a Smile Makes

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I went to the supermarket after my hairdresser’s today. What a difference to see all the shoppers smiling. At first I didn’t realize that being mask-less was the reason everything felt different. I think it is the first time in 2 1/2 years that I have been out in public and noticed that very few people were wearing masks.

I was not one of them.

I don’t know what to think anymore or who to ask about whether or not the CDC recommendations are worth anything these days. Did I really hear that there is supposed to be some kind of reorganization there? Did I make that up? No, I just researched it and it seems that a revamping of the 12,000 employee institution will take place soon.

My upbringing taught me to doubt the people in charge. I don’t think my parents were very vocal about it but one can always tell which way parents think by observing their behavior. My mother was not the type to buy us pills to ingest whenever we had a headache. She was the kind to offer a cup of unsweetened black tea and saltines as a remedy. Having that unpalatable cure made getting sick less enticing. I knew where she was going with that “reverse” psychology and I admit I did similar stuff to my kids so they wouldn’t depend on outside cures but instead try alternative solutions like breathing, resting or meditating. I am not sorry I did it; to this day my kids avoid taking anything for pain if they can stand it.

But I digress. Seeing the smiles and recognizing people was a very welcome event. I have not had my fourth shot yet but I think I will do it because if nothing else, I will feel psychologically protected as I go about my days. We are slowly returning to “normal” and “normal” in our town means smiling, greeting, sharing hopes and news. And that makes all the difference between a good day and a great day.

Another Good Week

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My second weigh-in on my fancy scale did not produce the same impressive results as the first but it was still a loss and I am happy. I have another 4 weeks left before Labor Day, the end of the current challenge I set for myself to lose 6 lbs. I have lost 3.8 so far. I think it is doable if I can stay the course. It has not been that hard, though I do miss the daily bit of whiskey I was having!

I followed the first two weeks of the Mayo Clinic Diet and surprisingly did not read ahead to see what the third week and beyond would require. It gives very little in terms of “guidelines” and is all about lifestyle change rather than diet. Too gentle for me but I am going to continue to be stricter in the hopes my loss will accelerate a bit and I can reach my goal.

When I was “normal” weight all those years ago, I was truly a happy and well-adjusted person. I am not saying that the same is not true today but I confess that I am frustrated by not being able to reach into the closet (yet) and pick out any outfit and be secure that it will fit. I did have some wonderful NSV this past week though. I was able to fit into slacks and blouses that I was ready to pass on to the donation pile. Some of them were favorites. When they actually fit me, I could feel my whole body get a little taller. That is very significant and a wonderful incentive.

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Follow Me for Accountability!

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I was that kid in English class who others loved to hate. I loved, loved, loved diagramming sentences. Yup, that’s how old I am! My thoughts these days when I edit another person’s work is to be silently shocked by the many errors and horrors that happen to the English language. It’s one thing to speak informally but when we are writing, it really doesn’t help (me at least) the story flow if I encounter mistakes that could have been avoided if the writer were not too lazy to be bothered.

Some years ago, I bought a book that was so filled with misspellings and other sins that no matter how interesting the story was, I could not finish it. The friend I bought it from ($16.95 plus tax) was the moderator of our “writers’ group” and very proud of his first creation. It was not the genre I read for pleasure (dystopian) but in order to encourage his efforts I did my part. When he enthusiastically asked me my opinion, I confessed I didn’t get far because of the editing I wanted to do…he was not amused.

Years passed and between his poor health and my many on-going projects, we lost contact. I later learned that he had so many complaints, he decided to edit and re-publish his book. I thought I should have heard from him, that he would give me a free copy since I had already paid full price but that didn’t happen. I look at the book from time to time, sitting unread on my bookshelf. He sadly passed away last year and I don’t know what to do with the book, to be honest, I don’t like to throw out books but I know that I won’t read it.

Life these days seems surreal. Every day some new event in the news will make me pause and thank the heavens I still have my sanity, if you will. I continue to pursue my goals but in the back of my mind I do often ask myself if all the things I am accomplishing (decluttering mainly) will really matter in the end. I just don’t want to leave complicated messes for my children to have to clean up. Maybe getting rid of some of these “I will never read” books is a good place to start. I continue with my “health” plan. I confess that I am a little hungrier this week than last week but I am looking forward to getting on the scale on Sunday and seeing some progress.

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