The Current Version of Fat Tuesday

After organizing a little pre-Super Bowl tailgate potluck at work I kinda alluded to a Fat Tuesday treat buffet. And halfway to work this morning while thinking about singing for Ash Wednesday service tomorrow evening, I realized... shucks. It's Fat Tuesday.

I failed everyone, ha.

What I did say a few times was "Hi, I'm fat and it's Tuesday so feel free to celebrate me!"

Got some chuckles, but no good food. 

I did get some goodies today after realizing Camp Crop-A-Lot is 3 sleeps away and I need to create a delicious trifle by Thursday night bedtime. So I stopped at Festival Foods in Stevens Point and now am down to two ingredients, I think.

But when I got home, I realized I better create a "staging area" for what I have ready for camp so I can figure out what else I have to organize the next 3 evenings.

This is only a fraction of what will be jammed into Black Betty, my compact Honda HRV. But it will all fit and there's a good chance not all of it will be used. Very realistic good chance. Still, that's how we roll in the scrapbooking world. The only thing we'll be giving up for Lent (mostly) is sleep this weekend! 

So happy flipping Fat Tuesday! 

That Fat Tuesday Thing

I'll have to defer to my late mother-in-law's favorite cat to observe Fat Tuesday (aka Mardi Gras). She loved Garfield and we can identify. In fact, Jim had lasagna for supper! And I just enjoyed Fat Tuesday treats at work!

They did have a Mardi Gras theme in the cafeteria and I honestly did not have to do anything to earn my purple and gold beads. I swear!

But someone brought in Fannie May chocolate bars and someone else made fruit pizza and still someone else had mini-cupcakes with the "good" frosting. So yep, I was full by the time I got home from work.

And even now, after a fun night shooting hockey pictures for Rapids, I'm still full.

But I have that little space for popcorn, as always.

As for tomorrow... are YOU dieting? I may give up some caloric things but I haven't committed quite yet. Sorry, Garfield, it's still Fat Tuesday in my books!

Maxine Monday

I feel like every day has a special name this week. We've got Super Bowl Sunday, Fat Tuesday, Fish Fry Friday, and the over-achiever Hump Day serving as both Ash Wednesday and Valentine's Day.

I didn't want Monday to feel left out so I went with Maxine. Only because I share her snarky attitude after not winning a dime off my Super Bowl "investments." Dang.

Still, you can't fault a close game with dramatic OT win. Well done, T-Swift's boyfriend and team!

Now... onto baseball season! Am I right? 

Family of the Month

OK, we didn't win a family award. Today was our monthly family game day-dinner at my oldest sister's house in Siren. 

We all can't make it every month, but we had Mom and 7 of the 8 R's there today. The 8th R was just landing after a warm vacay, so she was excused.

Jim and I couldn't believe that we traveled 4 hours NORTH and still didn't find winter. Obviously no ice fishing going on.

Lots of folks out enjoying another spring-like day.

Shared the road with three such vehicles between Neillsville and Osseo. Since it wasn't quite as spring-y as previous days this week, I was happy to be inside our heated vehicle!

Our hostess Rayna said we could dress for whatever occasion we wanted – red for Valentine's Day (or Super Bowl colors) and Mardi Gras colors. Since she's actually been to Fat Tuesday in New Orleans, she greeted us with her colorful self!

I tried on the Jester's hat and determined it had too much green for this purple and yellow loving gal.

After a delicious lunch, we tried our hand at Mexican Train Dominoes. Now the last time Mom and I played this was probably 10 years ago when Rayna and Paul lived in Texas. The others hadn't played it before at all. Took a bit to remember but I managed to win one round and Mom won two in a row. And one time she just had one tile left – to represent her 8 R's, I say.

"Mom, teach me your winning ways!"

Got to see my twin today, too, so that was a bonus, as always. Oh I see I'm wearing beads here. Trust me, I did nothing ontoward to earn them!

Here's the gang with Mom somewhat squeezed into the picture.

And just us kiddos. Jim and brother-in-law Rick were the plus-ones of the day. So fun!

We wanted half of our drive to be in daylight so we left late afternoon and got home at 7:30 p.m. That gives us time to rest up for church and the Super Bowl tomorrow (in that order).

Hope you're enjoying a good weekend and are blessed to have a family as amazing as mine!

Happy Fat Election Tip-Off Tuesday

Just an ordinary fluffy Tuesday around here today. Other than squeezing in multiple events that just happened to all fall on February 21 this year. 

First, I was working from home since they're rearranging our office at work this week. It works out well since the first of some 15 inches of predicted snow has fallen. No driving for this girl tomorrow. No school in the area either.

Today was also our spring election primary for state Supreme Court and area School Board. So I raced over to town hall at lunch and got that done. No lines, of course, since it's such a sparse ballot.

After work, hubby and I went to Assumption to watch the tip-off of the playoff season. Our #1 seed Lady Royals hosted Port Edwards tonight. I think they were winless this season. It's always so painful for the low seed in the bracket that first round.

But props to our girls for coming out strong. Yup, you read that final score correctly. Assumption 70, Port 13. Ouch.

It was good to see our whole bench play so they get more real-time practice. The depth of the bench is crucial when we get into foul trouble. That just seems to happen in the playoffs! Hoping we'll keep cruising down victory lane in the D5 bracket. I will out of town for Regional Rounds 2 and 3 this weekend (for Camp Crop-A-Lot) so they better keep winning so I can see them play again! 

I do have photos to edit yet, but I'm pretty exhausted observing all these special occasions today. Think I'll just head to my Mardi Gras King Cake, er king bed.

Happy Everything Tuesday! 

Well Shake My Fat... Tuesday

Cheers! It's Mardi Gras somewhere! I don't always observe Fat Tuesday, but when I do, you can bet I give it the same grand-scale effort as my Fat Monday and Fat Wednesday! 

Today, for example, I put on my Mardi Gras mask and beads for our morning staff meeting. After 347 days in the home office, you find ways to have fun with Zoom! Of course, I made it clear that I earned all those beads by 8:30 a.m. by showing people ... typos in their work. What were YOU thinking?

Rest of the day was comparatively boring. But after my trigger-point, deep-tissue shoulder and back therapy after work, I knew I had to take action.

A Shamrock Shake is one way to put the FAT in Fat Tuesday! Not as thick and tasty as I recalled. And no, it's not COVID-related loss of taste. It just wasn't the triple-thick mint magic of days gone by. And why was there no cherry on top? I mean I always threw it away, but keep something consistent from year to year.

Don't worry friends, I powered through it. Lent and pre-Lent is all about sacrifice.

I also sacrificed, er spent, two hours of time tonight in a church council meeting. I only gripe because it interferes with basketball playoffs. (Sorry, Jesus.)

I couldn't watch our Assumption boys play their first regional game – and last game of the season as it turns out – in person because my meeting was exactly the same time. I did sneak a peek on my phone and saw they were basically tied or close to it right up to the end. Port Edwards won by 3 points. Grr. Sorry, boys. 

So now I'll finish my second day in a row of fake holiday celebrating with a hot, epsom salt bath. Don't want my muscles waking up with any post-Mardi Gras regrets tomorrow. My tummy will have that covered.

Hope you all found a way to shake up your Fat Tuesday!

Fluffy Tuesday

I don't want to offend Tuesday by calling it fat, but... if that shoe fits and the pants don't...

It was a definitely Fat Tuesday today. I'm not sure what compelled me, but I orchestrated a gathering of sugar and empty calories at the office today. Probably just an excuse to make a trifle!

My Fat Tuesday Trifle! It's like my normal Carousel Cookie trifle, only more fattening.

Behind the outside border of cookies is a layer of cake. This time, the bottom layer isn't just chunks of white cake, it's frosted cake! My teeth hurt just typing this. Then it's a layer of sugar-free (to balance it out) white chocolate pudding colored pink with food coloring. Then a layer of crushed Carousels. And repeat, then top with some whipped cream.

Oh it was good! And there were other yummy treats. I am so full that I don't need to eat for the next month. Probably can't stretch it to 40 days, but 30 days is reasonable. I'm only half joking. I basically went from one sugar high and subsequent crash to the next. It's the Fat Tuesday cycle that will lead to Regretful Wednesday.

I had to laugh at the irony of an email at 3:30 from our health program provider at work. The subject line said, "Robyn, eat your way to better health." I replied: "Sorry, I'll get back to you. Right now I'm eating my way to bigger pants."

SWEET dreams!

Fluffy and Fat Tuesday

If you are feeling fat after over-indulging for Mardi Gras (aka Fat Tuesday), no worries. These pictures will make you feel like the svelte sinner you are. Or something.

I saw these guys (and gals?) on my way over to wrestling in Almond-Bancroft on Saturday. I made sure to stop on the way home to "round up" some photos. I don't know if this is a farm, a park or what. I hadn't "herd" of it or seen it before. It's right on County Road D between I-39 and Almond.

Might be worth a drive to take the kiddos. Try a warm day. Though it is cool to see their big, bad, breath!

I may not eat "buffalo chips" again!

Is that salad on Fat Tuesday? That looks like salad!

You like what I did with my hair?

Where's my warm, furry blanket? Oh wait. I'm wearing it.

Does this hump make my butt look big?

When you eat so much on Fat Tuesday, your body doubles in size. One head, two bodies! Just the right timing, I guess.

Now do you feel better about what you ate and drank today? Or did I give you a new fluff goal? Enjoy what's left of it!

Fat Tuesday :: The Real One

After my self-imposed Fat Tuesday the day before Weight Watchers began and Carter's German class Fat Tuesday (aka Fasching), we are on our third and finally "real" Fat Tuesday.

Unfortunately, mine was a big of a Flat Tuesday.

Got up for kickboxing class. Went to work. Was fine. But about 10:30 a.m. I just felt like I was hit by a bus – or perhaps a float in the Mardi Gras parade. Just didn't feel well. Actually went home, which is rare for me, and laid down... 'til hubby woke me at 5 p.m.

Feel a bit better but will be going back to bed soon. Really whoopin' it up here! It stinks to feel like crap when you did nothing fun to get you there. Hope you had a lot more fun and have the beads to show it!

Happy Fat Tuesday!

Supper Star

Nope, the blog title is not a typo. I am not a super star, but rather a supper star, hoping to lose enough of the supper to turn it into super.

After 2 weeks on Weight Watchers I received my 5-pound star sticker! Who knew a simple sticker – not even a glittery one like this one – could motivate someone? I'm not known for being the sharpest knife in the drawer. More like the biggest spoon for eating ice cream!

But whatever the motivation, I am keeping on track. So far.

What have a I learned so far? The program is easy to follow, especially with an app on my phone. Just so easy. I don't have to labor over a handwritten journal (because we know that's hard work). Instead I can just punch a button or two or even scan the bar code on the product to determine its Smart Points value.

Secondly, I've learned that I don't feel deprived. I don't feel hungry. I can eat just about anything. Just have to be mindful of the points so I don't overindulge all day that way or at least all weekend. We do have "cushion points" that can be spread out over the week. I am trying not to use ALL of them, but just in time for the real Fat Tuesday next week, it's about to get tempting.

Dairy Queen in Wisconsin Rapids opens back up for the season tomorrow. Did they have to email a buy one-get one coupon today? I'd hate to see that expire.

Then I saw these in Walmart tonight. You know I absolutely love carrot cake. I have it so rarely that it is a huge treat when I do.

I just wanted to buy a package and lick out the frosting center on the spot. But, for the record, I walked away from them.

This time.

Temptations are everywhere. I just need to stay strong and choose my treats wisely. If I completely deny myself I will be that shopper eating her way through a container of Carrot Cake Sandwich Cookies on the way out to the parking lot. Too much denial equals a binge for me.

I need to stay focused on the end goal. I want to change the supper to super. And I sure as heck don't want a binge video of me going viral on the Internet!

Just keeping it real, one day, er meal, at at time.

Fat Tuesday :: Take 2

According to the real 2016 American calendar of events, Fat Tuesday will fall on Feb. 9. By then it will be the third one we've celebrated around here. First we had MY Fat Tuesday the day before my come-to-Jesus meeting with the scale at Weight Watchers.

Today they had the German version of Mardi Gras at Assumption. The middle and high school German classes made doughnuts for the students, teachers and staff to celebrate Fasching. That's their word for it. While they have carnivals on a large scale over in Europe, the kids settled on deep frying little biscuits then injecting them with sweet jelly. Probably rolled them in sugar, too. I don't know. Carter informed me there were absolutely no leftovers!

I guess they were good then! Probably best I am not tempted anyway.

As for me, I thought it was called Fashion day – not Fasching – so I fashioned up a Fat Tuesday outfit. See how good I am at Weight Watchers already? I no longer eat ice cream. I wear it. Though it was almost tempting to lick my shirt.

No, it really wasn't. If I wanted that dry taste, I'd have another bowl of Fiber One cereal. Whoo-hoo!  No one parties like me – on either side of the ocean.

Happy Fasching!

Shaking and Sandbagging

Sandbagging: A tactic used to hide or limit expectations of a company's or individual's strength in order to produce greater than anticipated results. Sandbagging, in business, is most often seen when company managers temper the expectations of superiors or shareholders by giving guidance below what they know will be achieved. Once the better than expected results are presented, the firm looks all the better.

I read somewhere that "to get something you've never had, you have to do something you've never done."

So I thought for some quick weight loss I would try one of those "shake diets." Went out to Arby's at lunch to get the St. Patrick's edition Andes Mint-Chocolate Shake. It was as good as it looks! I can see how people can stick to these shake diets without any problem!

What do you mean this is the wrong kind of shake? I am sure there is some protein in there. A little, maybe?

Yep, I'm as pathetic as they come. But that's only a temporary status. I hope.

I declared today my Fat Tuesday. Three weeks early, yes, but as my plan goes, today an Andes Shake, tomorrow, Weight Watchers. Get it while I can, right? Some may call it sandbagging. I prefer to think of it as my final fluff-up, my last hurrah... for awhile.

Because I am pathetic and not right in the head, I have this notion that the extra, last-minute fluff will come off first and fast and easy. Anybody else ever think like that or do I truly need to be institutionalized? I'm sure at least one of you has thought, well I might as "well eat this now because I'm going on a diet starting Monday" or "I can be lazy now because I'm starting a new workout routine come New Year's."

Please, please, say I'm not the only one!

Naturally, thinking along those same dysfunctional lines, I had to finish off a few potential pitfalls in the kitchen. Don't want any dietary distractions after the clock strikes 12 tonight!

For now I have 3 more hours of My Fat Tuesday. I better stay focused. Find those treats, er traps!

Wish me luck.

Post-Mardi Gross

Hubby texted me this photo today during his cab ride to the airport in New Orleans. I hope it was a quick ride. Ewww.

Sometimes no blog words are needed when a picture can do the same.

The sign had to be prompted by previous bodily malfunctions, you know? Just imagine the inside of cabs during Mardi Gras and, well, frankly, anytime anyone is leaving Bourbon Street. Jim says it's pretty insane.

Not that he checked it out.

Honestly. Not this trip but on a previous one he did and, even as a word-smith himself, struggled to describe the debauchery.

So nice to have him home! Not that I need to keep an eye on him. But I don't need him picking up any more germs from taxi cabs... Or airplanes... Or anywhere but Wisconsin, where it's too cold for germs to live!

Fatted Calves

I was going for Mom of the Year when I got up at 5 a.m. and noticed that Carter's homework project was in the computer printer queue, waiting for a yellow cartridge to be installed.

I didn't have a yellow cartridge. But, I hoped that before sunrise, somebody would!

If you see my photo on the People of Wal-Mart website, just skip to the next one, please. I did not look pretty for my homework "emergency printer cartridge" run. Immediately after 5:30 a.m. kickboxing class, I strolled (well, almost trotted) through the aisles, vulnerable to the public eye... unshowered, "glistening" from class, and my face – au naturale.

Thank the Lord they had my yellow cartridge AND special appreciation that for once I did not run into anyone I knew! I guess that makes up for the fact I didn't get a "Thanks, Mom" from the frazzled teenager.

That also was my cue that I deserved a Freakishly Fat Tuesday!

OK, I didn't go too far. After working out first thing and trying to reduce my fatted calves, I kind of was guilted into behaving all day. That and I was too busy at work after 3 days out of the office. I stayed late to wrap up a video-editing project and rejoiced that it was a success.

And that's when Fat Tuesday just got fatter.

It dawned on me that if I went home via the Stevens Point route, I would drive right past Arby's and could get one of their Andes Mint And Chocolate Swirl Shakes. Oh yes I did!

It was too much, though. And now I know why it can be easy to proclaim a sacrifice for Lent. With all our gluttonous behavior on Tuesday, come Ash Wednesday morning we vow never to eat or drink "that" again. I won't go so far as to say that about anything mint-related, but I can enjoy in moderation, right?

(Note to self: Arby's size Medium is not moderation. Uff da.)

My unimpressive Fat Tuesday has come to this... My stomach has no more room for any more Mardi Gras goodness. And since hubby is gone bowling, there will be no beads coming my way. Perhaps I'll just sink my teeth into a big FAT book and go crazy.

Just keep me off the Wal-Mart website!

Fat Tuesday (the Tamed Version)

The scale reminded me this morning that it was Fat Tuesday. Not to be confused with Fat Monday, of course. That goes without saying.

Typically, the purpose of Fat Tuesday is to fatten up on all our guilty pleasures before we deny ourselves for the 40 days of Lent. Since I didn't want to start out too far in the Mardi Gras hole, I had a tame day.

In fact, the only thing Fat about my Tuesday was the margin of victory our Assumption girls basketball team had over Granton in round one of the regional playoffs. In all fairness, the matchup wasn't exactly fair, but they always pit the #1 and #8 seeds against each other in the first round. Logically, it would have been more honorable to just give our Lady Royals a bye instead of putting Granton through the pain of a 65-14 loss.

I took some video tonight of the Pep Band playing as the girls start their warmups. I apologize for the shaky camera work. In the first seconds I do want to point out that as our team enters the gym, they are jumping up to touch the retired #22 jersey of Kiley (Flugaur) Hackl for luck.

Kiley, a member of the AHS winning state team in 1998 (and former babysitter for our big boys), died a year ago this week.

Here is the video:



Since the game was so lopsided, there wasn't much to stop the clock in the second half. It was basically done in an hour. That's good since we could come home and give Carter a few extra minutes to do homework.

And give me too many minutes to contemplate something really fattening on Fat Tuesday.

Think we'll stick with hot tea and a warm bed.

(I know. I won't earn any beads THAT way!)

We Got The Bead, er, Beat!

I screwed up. I guess I was under the impression that Fat Tuesday was automatically followed by Skinny Wednesday. Are you telling me that is NOT the case?!

Dang.

I still don't think that would have stopped me from indulging in what I believed to be a bead-free, sin-free, guilt-free slice of Vanilla Bean Caramel Pretzel Cream Pie!

I mean I really had to have a piece. I brought it to work after all. I certainly didn't want anyone to think it was no good. If anything, I guess we'll have to blame the Schwan's man. (Though I honestly can't, at heart, because, well, he really is my best enabler.)

I did try to run it off on the treadmill at lunchtime. However, I doubt burning 300 calories was enough to cover that sinfully delightful dessert! And no, I refuse to look at the nutritional -- or in this case, non-nutritional -- info on the box.

Nope. I will just work it off for the next 40 days.

Most likely I'll skip any other attempts to get Fat or earn Mardi Gras beads. Especially with hubby out of town. One would guess that he is dancing -- well, grooving anyway -- his extra Fat Tuesday calories off tonight to an extremely loud beat.

Yup, just 3 days after receiving his AARP membership information packet in the mail, Jim is in Denver to see The Who, whom he saw 30 years ago on their "farewell" tour. The irony.

This probably will be their farewell tour, with 2 of 4 original members gone to that Classic Rock Station in the Sky. I know they still can rock it, though. And I'm so glad Jim got to fly out to visit his high school friend Pete, who went to that concert with him 3 decades ago. What a neat thing for them to do. Plus he gets to visit and sight-see a bit, too.

Maybe we should all start living like it's Fat Tuesday and live on the edge a bit. Or at least cross something fun off our Bucket Lists. A great concert or whatever.

Of course, next year at this time, Jim and I could do something together .... and cheaply with his AARP discount!

Fat Tuesday

It is my fervent hope that this year Fat Tuesday will be followed by Slim Wednesday. But you know what they say about wishing... you can wish in one hand and put chocolate in the other -- and which is going to fill up first?

Or is that empty first?

I really could have gone all out for the "holiday" today and no one would have been the wiser. Hubby left for the airport at 3:30 a.m. Carter went to school at 7 a.m. And it was just me and one final tub of Peppermint ice cream. Tempting, yes. But since it wasn't my Schwan's brand Peppermint Stick ice cream, the temptation passed.

Due to an appointment first thing this morning, I opted to work at home so I wouldn't waste precious time on the commute. When I was eating my usual "10 o'clock banana," I thought, "Wait a minute, why am I eating healthy on Fat Tuesday?" But I didn't stray.

Honest.

I actually had hoped to get out for a walk. But it was snowing and I had too much work to do. That's a good thing. Bad for exercise, but good for snacking. I didn't get too far from the computer until Carter came home.

For our "fat" treat, we made smoothies with fruit and frozen yogurt. We both could really go for a Shamrock Shake, and that still is in the realm of possibility. We are going to town, after all. Our girls basketball team is ranked #2 in the state and we've got two important home games this week. So I'm going to go earn some beads!

Oh wait. I just re-read the memo and it says show your spirit.

My bad.

Go Royals!

Fatter Tuesday

I've never been to New Orleans so I have never been to the "real" Mardi Gras either. The downside, I suppose, is that I have no beads to show for it. The upside, without question, is that I still can participate in Fat Tuesday... no matter where I live!

Whoever thought of calling the day before Lent starts "fat" anything was a genius. If you're thinking of giving up anything for Lent -- especially anything related to food or beverage -- it's the last chance to load up before denying yourself the calorie-filled pleasure until Easter.

You down that last Hershey bar. You take a deep last drag from that cigarette. You swig your last beer. You enjoy the last feelings of caffeine-inspired alertness. You lick the last bit of mint ice cream off the spoon.

What? Wait. That might be going too far.

I got a special treat today. Last night I was digging around the chest freezer out in the garage and lo and behold, I clamped my hands on a neglected carton of Schwan's Peppermint Stick ice cream! How did I overlook this? I think it was hiding from me! Too late now. This just made my Fat Tuesday fatter!

So while I am licking the last bit of mint ice cream off my spoon, I am contemplating if I can put this once abandoned carton back into the freezer, only to purposely avoid it for some 40 days. Can I? I always wimp out and "give up" something I really can live without. Like broccoli. OK, not that obvious. But really, I don't challenge myself in a way that would constitute a "sacrifice."

Until this year.

OK, I'm only going to say this once. I'm giving up ice cream for Lent.

Well, that was tough to type.

But when I held the spoon in my mouth and used both hands, I could type way better.

Fast Tuesday

The day went so quickly I feel like I need to type fast and keep it short, quick, to the point.

Felt better. Went to work. Everyone was blessed because I only had half a voice most of the day. Lucky them.

Had our weekly weigh-in to prove we are "engaging" in healthy activities. My weight went up and that's when I remembered today is Fat Tuesday. What? No one brought fat treats? What the heck? Does no one celebrate anything any more?

Although I was congested, I felt guilted into working out over my lunch hour. I survived OK except when my faucet turned on and I had to use my shirt as a Kleenex. (Hey, no one forces you to read this stuff.)

After work, we went to Assumption for the boys' last home game. The poor JV team got smoked but it was fun watching Colin for one more game. The varsity boys kept it close until halftime. They were down by 3 against the undefeated Marathon Red Raiders. But the second half... yikes. AHS only scored 9 points and lost by 19. I wonder if Marathon will meet my red-hot Luck Cardinals down the road... Hmm.

Home after 9 so it's time for bed. I noticed the Olympic men in sparkly spandex are skating tonight so I may have to stay up late.... Plus I haven't had anything really FAT yet. I'm guessing I have Peppermint Stick ice cream left.

Nope, I'm not giving that up for Lent!

Fat Tuesday

Today is Fat Tuesday. The epitome of Mardi Gras madness. The day some of us indulge in whatever we can legally get away with before we start 40 days of sacrificing for Lent.

We just used it as an excuse for an all-day grazing festival at work. We've got food (fat and fat-free) and we've got beads! I brought in an Andes mint creme pie and a cheesecake -- both are items I knew I'd come across when I cleaned out my freezer (and knew I couldn't resist when I did) so I'm sharing the guilt.

Although many people do give up something for Lent, I'm not sure I'll be doing that. Remember, my New Year's resolution was not to give up things necessarily, but add them instead (like water and exercise).

If I am going to give up something, I want to have a fighting chance of actually being able to succeed (read: forget caffeine or chocolate). I also have to keep in mind I'll be going on spring break the week before Lent is over. I'd hate to have to deprive myself of any Texas treats on that trip. Whoa. Sorry, God. I guess that's the point, isn't it?

Wow, I better put my thinking cap on. If I approach this honestly, all thoughts of food and beverage aside, probably the hardest things for me to stop doing are swearing (you'd think a writer's vocabulary would be large enough to find alternative curses) and beating myself up (as in putting myself down or blaming myself for everything that goes wrong in the world).

If I could actually set aside those behaviors for 40 days, I bet my husband would buy me caffeine or chocolate every day for the rest of the year. Yes, it would be that big of a deal. And yes, just like everything challenging in life, I can only do it with God's help.

How about you? Is there something you should change or give up? Are you willing to go to any length to accomplish that?