How about those Steelers, huh? I love football season, and tried to work on my paper while watching the game tonight.  Not so successful, but it was good to watch the boys.  Did I mention that I love football?  

            Cira didn’t get a walk until really late today since I was completing my assignment, but she got one.  Thank goodness I live in a safe neighborhood.  I did my crunches, too.  I brought my weights upstairs and got them ready for use tomorrow.  There were no headaches today, either, so the elimination of caffeine from my diet is settling in, finally.  I am setting and meeting goals, which is an awesome feeling. 

            I didn’t feel as hungry today, either.  I have been working on my PhD assignment since I rolled out of bed, and drinking decaf, shakes, and water.  I have had a few servings of Jello, too.  That dull ache that was in my stomach is going away. . .maybe it’s just because that lovely week that I look forward to every month is almost over. . . .or maybe it’s due to my body adjusting to the liquid diet.  Not the best week to begin a liquid diet, LOL, but is there ever a best time for that week to occur? :-)

            I think my motivation is a bit stronger because I am down another three pounds.  Woot!! And, I realized that my size 22 jeans no longer fit me. THEY ARE TOO BIG!!! I am going to start the donation pile soon. That was such a great feeling, and just the bit of reward I needed to push through the next week and a half.  When a major event starts to get nearer and nearer to occurring, my anxiety level increases two-fold.  I start to obsess over it and endlessly prepare for it.  In this case, my anxiety level is increasing in leaps and bounds.  I am not worried about the surgery at all, outside of normal concerns related to any kind of medical procedure, but I have so much left on my to-do list that I wanted to accomplish before the 29^th. Doors still need to be primed and painted, a fire pit still needs to be purchased and readied for the fall, I wanted to get new garbage cans and a “shield” to hide them from the view of the yard, cornices must be made for the living room and office windows, and I still have a ton of things to accomplish so that my classroom and materials will be ready for my fantabulous friend Katie who is going to be my substitute while I recover.  Plus, I am beginning my clinical internship for my PhD by designing two online courses for my school district.  Logically, I know that none of this really HAS to be completely done by the surgery date.  I know that - really I do.  But it’s all stuff that I want to be completed so that I don’t feel as overwhelmed with my PhD work after surgery.  I still have classes until September 14^th.  

            I feel like that guy in the famous painting The Scream, LOL. My mind is going like crazy, but my body is telling me to try and get some sleep.  So, until tomorrow. . . 

The Scream by Edvard Munch