Some Conversational Bits - I think tonight's wrap up is really just a wind-down, head-to-bed conversation for you all. A nice treat, hmm?

I actually got home at what I would call a "reasonable hour" meaning my roomie was still awake, though many of you might think it was "late" for coming home. Regardless, I was just a bundle of "must clean house!" energy, and I'm happy to say the kitchen is finally clean! I did several sink's worth of dishes, scrubbed the counters, cleaned out the coffee pot, washed and put away the gift dishes from Lynn and Bill that I received in mid-March, emptied the trash and the recycling, washed and put away the box of tourney dishes that's been on the table for three weeks, scrubbed out three small coolers, scrubbed the stove, accidentally dumped a large herb/spices mix on the (clean) counter and floor [then cleaned that all up again], and flipped all the calendars in the kitchen. Oh, "Happy Flip the Calendar Day" everyone. I cannot believe it's May already.

Now that the kitchen is spotless again, it's on to the living room and the bedroom. My room was cleaned up just weeks ago when I had house-guests, but Pentathlon was between then and now, so there's a stack of books on the floor, some fiber tools on the couch, and I definitely need to do some laundry. And the living room is still filled with the boxes of Coffee Bar that came home from Gulf Wars. Yes, I think I've been neglecting my home for too long. But I wanted not only a clean house again, but some stars for my week's progress on my "two year plan in 24 easy-to-manage monthly portions" ... and it's been one week of the first month.

So how am I doing? I've spent some significant planning time on my Pentathlon 2011 categories and topics, and I've even narrowed several categories down to the *exact* project I'm going to pursue. Now I need to map these out on a 24-month calendar, to ensure I have some hard deadlines to meet. Our team is going to be working with one another, for encouragement and better time management. And there are several other sets of friends, making plans for support and deadlines and encouragement.

I ate marginally better at probably 50% or more of my meals this week, although I didn't exercise or even go walking yet. I need to see if my tennies are still in my car, for those at-work walks I *could* be doing.

I got to chat over IM with one of my cousins this evening, which was *fantastic* -- and probably the longest conversation she and I have ever had with one another. She's wrapping up college AND raising two boys (2 and 4), so it was really a treat to connect with her and establish a better friendship. I love when technology helps with that kind of thing!

Tomorrow a co-worker and I have plans to go out over lunch, then I'm helping a friend move on Saturday, and going to another cousin's baby shower on Sunday. It's a non-SCA, friends and family kind of weekend planned. I'm looking forward to all of it.

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Today's Blessing That I'm Thankful For: Lavinia (and Isaac and Owen)