Today is a good day!

In the midst of listening to the book, Women, Food and God, which is narrated by its soft-voiced author, Geneen Roth, I realized that part of my eating issue was my failure to feed my writing hunger. I love writing. I love doing the research and then laying out the fantasy in a world of fiction. I have a finished manuscript that has enough story concept to spawn at least two sequels and one prequil. When I retire (hopefully taking early retirement in four years) I'll be able to devote my days to writing those manuscripts.

I've led a life-long love-hate relationship with my body. In July of 1969 I wore a size 8 dress. By December that year I was wearing a size 10. When I had gastric by-pass in July 2010 I was wearing a size 28 (3x). Today, 90 pounds lighter, I now wear a size 16-18 (large). I hope to lose yet another 60 pounds. I'm confidant I will, especially now that the weather has broken and I'll be able to get out and walk more.

As an employee of New York State, who has just under ten years in service, I worry about the pending lay-off, but am planning for it, in case it happens to me. I believe it's better to plan for it and not have to put any plan into action than not plan for it and feel devastated. Bad things happen to everyone at some point in their lives. I have had so many blessings that this will only seem like a small blip (I hope) before better things happen (maybe like finally getting published and embarking on a new career).

I am firmly convinced that grandchildren are the real rewards in life. I have none of my own, but my husband shares his with me and they bring me more joy than I ever imagined children could. My husband, Ray, along with his first wife, raised three wonderful children. Between us, Ray and I have five children, all of whom are leading successful lives and making us proud, even if we wonder at times, given our parenting shortfalls, we could have produced such intelligent, warm, successful individuals who seem happy in their lives and pleased to still call us Dad or Mom. We are expecting to welcome a new grandchild into the family in October and we couldn't be happier.

Today, life is good!