But in other news:
~my Mom has been receiving some free facial reflexology...my massage therapist (and I use that term loosely since I've sadly only had ONE massage from her this year) recently went to a training on this fairly new technique,and wanted to practice on my Mom. I doubt that the results will amount to a hill of beans, but it is making Mom feel pampered and encouraged...that is good enough for me and we are thankful!~same said therapist informed me at my massage on Sat. (where I once again discovered how very beat up my poor body is...and how close to the surface my emotions are...) that I probably should NOT be doing push-ups....unbelievably, I had been doing them regularly....but they are working the wrong muscles. So I will start using 5lbs weights when I do the elliptical machine...in no time I will have Michelle Obama arms...just wait and see....(below is me with some bday flowers pre-exercised, quasi-MO arms:) 
~in pursuit of relaxation, I have been enjoying my eucalyptus-spearmint soothing sugar scrub...i love how it smells...between my buff arms and this pleasant aroma, I am a force to be reckoned with:) {the scrub was a gift from my friend Jen....mentioning her 2 posts in a row is a shameless attempt to get her blogging again...Jenny, we miss you!}
~I've had the best read recently: A Walk with Jane Austen by Lori Smith. This is a terrific book....esp. if you are an Austen fan...and if you happen to be a "single"...(both of which I am!)....stumbling on this book was a nice surprise...and perfect timing for my current ponderings...it has been a blessing for me, and I highly recommend it! Actually, I've been on somewhat of an Austen binge...reading....watching the dvds...so very fun. My favorite line from Smith: "If I could manage to fall in love without having to actually meet someone, that would be ideal." (see, that would just look so pathetic if I put it on fb!)
~another new quote that I'm loving comes from a book my cousin Rhonda sent me for my bday (Singular Existence by Leslie Talbot). I do not agree with all the views of this book, but this quote just kills me and (probably unfortunately) very much describes me: "I'm one of those people who are prone to "oversharing". Not in the spill your guts and pour your heart out to strangers kind of way, but more in the "this is how I feel; what do you mean you're offended by it?" kind of way." I'm, um, workin on this quality....
~I looked into my DSM-IV this evening...hadn't done that in awhile...so that was interesting, and made me realize how much I've forgotten....
~I've been listening to the old Steve Green Cd of Scripture songs for children..what a treasure. The sweetness of The Word truly shines a light of truth...drawing me into the comfort and pursuit of His will. I never want to let life's realities distract me from that path...i'm striving to pray more...and listen more.
~ I've also been listening alot to Brent V.'s "If You Seek Me".....very calming to me. The truth that God hears and heals us never fails to amaze me. But I've been asking myself..."Am I really seeking Him?"....times are exhausting....very many very real needs require just about all the energy I can muster....yet, how much more must I turn to truly seek Him for true wisdom and joy. But I want to balance that needed Self-focus with a very thorough Focus on the sufficiency of His Love...."For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38 (ASV)
