Felt like a long week. No holidays. Lots of hours at work, lots of work flexibility needed for changing schedules.

Also a good and satisfying week. Kept to my food plan (even with the unexpected pleasure of pizza for lunch during an office meeting). Lots of rewards to my work in training -- people "getting it" after teaching certain skills for 4 years. [Knowing it is part me and part the progress of technology. Only now have I found excellent methods to present the material. Only now do people really see a need for the technology. These two join together for an explosion of new users to this particular feature.]

Good personal growth. Stolen time for thought and prayer ... on waking, on bus (my favorite place), while walking. Reading good things, viewing good things (DVDs, my one really time-sucking major vice).

So where am I today? .6# lighter than last week. 1% less fat. Took first body measurements. Feeling encouraged about the continued possiblities for physical change.

Also recognizing limitations. Struggled with PAIN several days this week. ACL repair location has some swelling and hitching. Then hip in opposite leg must have been doing too much compensation. My stint of walking/belly dancing leaves me having a hard time walking. Ouch. I've asked my doctors about this pain in my hip for 20 years, no one has ever had an answer. I tell myself the docs have new tools to diagnose, maybe I should visit a doc about this issue again. Just hate going. Always before, regular exercise gives me a period of painful recovery, then I am strong and fine and wouldn't even know my hip has a "hitch in its giddyup." How much time do I allow before I make myself see a doc? I've had one month of regular, but not STRENUOUS, exercise this year. How about if I make it March 15. If there is not significant change for better by March 15, then make the appt.

Goals: Review exercise activities and food diaries since my start date (~month), look for patterns. Look to see that my exercise plan is balanced - strength, aerobic, flexibility - adjust accordingly. How about meals? Doing well with planning, and providing? Adjust accordingly.

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Tomorrow will be last sunday of Epiphany season. Tuesday=Shrove Tuesday; Wednesday=Ash Wednesday; here we are almost in the season of Lent. In my short tradition, Lent has been a time for deep reflection and change for me. What might this year bring, where will I hear the voice of my Lord? Will I (busy me) be paying attention?

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This week I lifted up many prayers of gratitude for a good husband. We've been laughing together a lot, learning better how to work together and care for one another. What idiots we were when we married 5 years ago. Idiots with good intentions but some rigid notions. Many times the anger and rigidity has threatened to drive us apart. Yet both of us felt, heard, saw clearly the touch of God to bring us together during our courtship, and we have been unwilling to mess with that too much. So here we are, living a 21st centry Dickensian sort of romance - loving and snarling, laughing and furious, tender and careless; maybe most of all committed to keep trying and remember it is a triangle we want in our marriage (me, he, and God - maybe not in that order!).

I imagine those very difficult times will come again, times when I think only "how fast can I pack a bag?" I pray for patience during those times, neutral corners, comfort in faith, fresh eyes with which to see our difficulties.

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Posting my favorite pick from our grandnephew's most recent visit. I call it "baby burrito." Out I go to enjoy the wet Saturday!