Jumpin' Off the Edge

Was it just a week ago on Sunday I got out of the shower, looked in the mirror, and threw up a little in my mouth totally disgusted by the big, blob of a stomach that was attached to me? Looking down, there was no sign of a belly button. Just a big, round mass of fat. Ewww! The self-talk continued. "Fat is gross!" "What did you do to yourself?" "You will never be able to keep weight off." "25 pounds?! You gained 25 pounds in nine months?!" "This is who you will always be - FAT!" "SHUT UP!" With those two words, I woke up and thought back to the words of a wise friend. "It is time to change your self talk, Mandie." I experimented with it a bit on Sunday, with Monday being the day that I became conscientious of the things I said to myself. I wrote about running up hills using the mantra, "I am loving me!" It worked! There was no stopping me now. No diet for me. I am on the 'Love Yourself' way of

I crossed many items off my bucket list in 2012. From sky diving to running a half marathon to getting my motorcycle license, it was a good year to experience life. There were struggles as well. My son went to war. The death of a student. Revelations too painful to write of publicly. My transition from 2012 to 2013 was spent not at home with my family, but rather on a journey of self-discovery which took me to Atlanta, Panama City, and Savannah. So what did I discover? 1. The Importance of Girlfriends As I age, the friendships I make with other women become more important. Regardless of whether we are dancing, pouring our hearts out to one another, or laughing during a cab ride, the sisterhood is  vital to all that we are. I hope all the many wonderful women I met along the way will join me for a celebration of girlfriends as I climb over the hill. (Be watching for details sometime this year.)   2. You are never too old to enjoy your child's coloring. Seventeen years old