Steppin' Out

This is new for me.  I keep hearing everyone talk about their blogs or online journals and I think, why would anyone want to share the intimacies of their life with perfect strangers.  But, now, as I go about making a bunch of little changes in my life as I turn 50 this year (who knew I'd live this long!), Shine caught my attention as a good as any forum to reach out and bore someone.

I've always thought it a good idea to journal and I like to write so I decided to do this as if I'm the only one reading it.  If someone gets something out of what I write, then all the better.

So, what's going on ...

Well, first and foremost, my marriage has never been better.  We just celebrated 9 years of marriage, following 4 years of dating/living together (with a year off for bad behavior).  Most of those years were fraught (strange word) with fighting and general unhappiness.  Then, at the end of 2007, out of the blue, we agreed to treat each other better.  It's not like we hadn't agreed to do this many times over the years but it never stuck before.  Since our "moment of clarity" we have actually been very good to each other ... respectful, kind, considerate and supportive.  It's wonderful.

Pat retired a year ago and has now found his niche in the retirement community ... on the golf course.  As he gets with most things he takes and interest in, he's become addicted (I should talk).  It's not an inexpensive hobby, although it's cheaper than some of the things he could have gotten hooked on.  Nevertheless, I am all for it ... as long as he protects himself from the sun.  His brother died of melanoma in December so that's a very real concern.  But, what are you gonna do ... FORE!

I've packed on some extra flesh this year in the middle ... another first for me.  As a result, I have felt slow and uncomfortable, at the same time knowing it's not going away by itself.  So, it's been back to Curves and writing down what I eat.  I've been doing pretty good ... haven't lost a lot of weight but I feel better and have more energy.  In the meantime, I'm trying to maintain a good balance between work, family and self.

That's all for now.  It will be interesting to see if I keep up with this.  My M.O. is to start a journal, write a couple of entries, never to be heard from again.  Let's hope I do better with this one.

ttfn,
T