Freedom of Voice

Typically, on the occasions, yes occasions, I have put my underwear on inside out, it is because I was rushing to get to school, practically dressing in the dark in the wee hours of early morning, stressing before my day even began. And, typically, I would flip them right side in when I noticed the faux pas. Today is different. I woke up at the hour I used to leave for work, walked and fed my pooch, headed to the gym for a productive 62-minute stint on the elliptical machine, did some household chores, checked Facebook, exchanged texts with a couple of friends, made breakfast, and got ready at a leisurely pace before rolling into the office--- my office---at 9 am. Yet, somehow, I still managed to put my panties on inside out.  Normally, inside-out skivvy days weren't good days. They were days when I had too much on my platter, not enough hours in the day or days in the week to take sizable bites out of the extra large servings.   But, today? Today is diffe...

You read the title correctly. On the day filled with salutations of "Happy New Year," I was in a crappy mood, spreading my bitchiness like smooth peanut butter on soft white bread. Way to go, Annmarie. It all started with a morning walk with John, a normal day off or weekend occurrence. My feet hurt only a few steps into the stroll (because I couldn't move any faster), and I knew I would pay later. Really? At 46, I had to worry that a walk would result in swelling and joint pain? Let the foul mood dance begin. Why not invite the pity party to come out to play? I am in this aggravating cycle of needing to lose weight, the weight put on since my feet decided not to cooperate with the activities I like to do to stay in some semblance of a shape, although my former doctor blames the arthritis on the weight gain. Trying to explain to him that I gained the weight after my diagnosis of arthritis in the joints on the tops of my feet was the most maddening one-way conversa...

      This year, I have ditched resolutions (see previous post) for what I call realizations. I've decided to stop making empty promises to myself. Period.       It's the first day of a new year, and I am ready. Well, as ready as I'll ever be.      I'm prepared to ring in 2016 with some serious self-reflection. Although I've always been a superstar at the reflecting piece, it's the follow-up I'm lacking.      Whoa!  Realization #1 just came to me effortlessly:       I realize that I let myself down when I fail to follow-up or follow through with things that I know I need to do.  If I want results---physically, mentally, emotionally, artistically, professionally---I must carry my actions through instead of just thinking how great it would be if things were different.       Sounds easy enough. Until I have to do the actual work.  Luckily for me, I have village...