It's just not fair to climb these stairs!

Can you see the door to my gym? I think I heard you say, "No." That's because there are three (Yes! T-H-R-E-E) flights of stairs to get to the actual entrance of the gym! Why do I even bother paying for a membership here when I have to workout just to go workout? It would be hilarious if I wasn't a member and all I did was run up and down the stairs as my form of exercise. No one would really know because I would be dressed up in workout clothes! Oh well, I guess I could consider the stairs as my warmup, but sadly I'm panting and begging for air by the time I get to the main door! Why don't they just put my gym at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro! Damn those New Years Resolutions (which I have to admit, this one shows up on the list year after year)!

Here's a quote that really gets me motivated:

"Whenever I feel like exercise,
I lie down until the feeling passes."

-Robert Hutchins

Are you there God? It's me, Margaret. Actually it's me, Almay!

When I headed into my office this morning, I was greeted by grey skies, a force of wind, and a lot of white stuff dropping to the ground. All I could do was look up at the sky and ask, "Why?" There was a moment when the clouds started to dance and a glimmer of light found it's way to earth. Just moments before the clouds closed in again, I grabbed my camera to take this quick shot outside my office window. When I downloaded the picture, I was reminded of Judy Blume's book, "Are you there God, It's me Margaret." If you've read this great hilarious book about adolescence, the only difference between me and Margaret is that I'm not looking for answers in my training bra! I've come a long way Baby, from my size A cup days (not by much though!)

The way the sky was changing today, which is the last day of 2008 tells me that despite the housing issues, job losses, and slowing economy that there is still light behind those ugly grey clouds. I'm almost sure some of these forced situations have helped you learn more about yourself and how much we can all shine! I know it has for me!

"Are you there God? It's me, Almay! I want to thank you for a year filled with losses and surprises! I'm so glad that you gave me an opportunity to find my creative outlet which has allowed me to make new friends and reconnect with others! Thank you for the engineering projects you gave me this year that has paid for my love of paper supplies! Thank you for my trip overseas to see my grandfather before he left this earth to be with you. Since he loved journaling as I'm doing here, I thank you for giving him that gift which he then passed on to me. As oddly as this may sound, thank you for placing me in situations where all I can do is laugh and blog about it! A big fat thank you for blessing me with the best family and friends I could ask for! Most of all, thank you for being a listening ear when I'm babbling away."