Dear May,

                            

You were a good month. 

But, now it's time to get on with June.  

Before I do that, I am going to 

make you an even better month

 by taking a little secret escape......  

Love, Judi

Did I ever mention that my husband works a lot?
Yes, even weekends.
I'm so used to it at this stage of the game that I am confused when he is home.   
Who are you and what do you want?
As I am sure I have told you before--when he has a little stretch of time off (as in--2 days!!), he wants to  ramp things up a bit and have some fun.   Especially after he's coming off of a long and super intense project. Unfortunately, there's never lots of notice of when the project will really end so it's not like we can make plans or anything.  Such is the case at the moment.  This past Tuesday, he  wrapped up a huge project and has a bit of a lull in the action so he's ready for some fun.  As in---"clear your schedule, make some reservations and let's blow this place...."
Yes, that was the plea he made late Tuesday night that sent me into full planning mode.
As it turns out--when I dug a little deeper--it became clear that our fun had to fit into a neat little package----from Friday night at 9 pm until Sunday evening at 6 pm.  
So, I had to put my creative hat on and come up with something.
And, I did.
As you knew I would.
But, it's a secret.  

 

Hint....Hint.....!

See you in June!!!

Naked or fully dressed?

 That is the question.....
 

Yum, yum, yum.....

 Yes, I'm talking burgers.  

Waiting on her burger????

Do you eat your burgers NAKED or FULLY DRESSED?

Okay then......

I am not sure if you know this but yesterday was National Burger Day.  
If I would have had the time yesterday morning, I would have reminded you so that you could celebrate by getting your burger on.  But, after the storms of Tuesday night into yesterday morning and that ice cream that I ate directly out of the carton on Tuesday night during those wicked storms, I was pretty wrecked come morning.   

The proof.....

I thought you might like to see what the storms in Pittsburgh looked like on Tuesday night!  

 

And, for the record...here's my spoon in the ice cream carton that I ate out of....yes, I put chocolate sauce on it...because it was thundering and lightning really bad! 

If truth be told---it seems like everyday is dedicated to something anymore.  If it's not National Burger Day then it's National Donut Day or National Licorice Day.  These National Days are getting pretty hard to follow let alone celebrate.   Plus...let's be honest....if we celebrated every National Whatever Day, the applications for being a contestant on Biggest Loser would certainly escalate big time. 
Yet, there are still some things...like burgers and wine and margaritas and cheese and martinis....that I truly believe deserve their own days of recognition.  So...when I can....I try to recognize them in some way....which usually includes consuming them.   My partiality to libations and their ease in getting them past my Lap Band makes those alchohol-infused National Days easy to celebrate.  It's usually the day after those National Days that causes me some problem.......ifyaknowwhatimean.
Burgers are another story.   I really, really love a good burger.  But, they prove to be quite the challenge with my Lap Band...trust me, I have tried!   I haven't had a real burger on a bun dripping in goodness for close to 7 years.  (I have, on occasion, been able to eat a little slider two-biter at a place near my house.)   For the most part, I am completely fine with that.  I can live without them.  However, if I really, really, really need to bite into one and take in it's deliciousness, it's gotta be a good one.  So, I arrange for us to visit a local gourmet burger joint like Burgatory (which takes no encouraging whatsoever with my family!) or I announce that I am making my famous grilled burgers (using this amazing seasoning with a little extra  Worcestershire sauce!) and then I beg for a bite of someone's burger.  That usually does the trick.  I get the taste that I crave and my Lap Band tells me that I have had enough....
But, let's face it.
I am human.
Sometimes I want what I can't have. No matter what the consequence!
And, usually, when that happens....my wanting is so strong, I am consumed by it.  
Enter National Burger Day.
And, all of a sudden....I want a burger on a bun dripping in everything....sharp cheese, ketchup, mayo, onions, lettuce, pickles, tomato.....YES, I want it fully dressed. 
So, being the courageous, brave girl that I am, I decided to pull out all the stops last night. I was going to celebrate National Burger Day in style.   I purposefully drove by the market on my way home, I ordered top notch ground angus beef at the butcher counter, I picked up a beautiful bun at the bakery counter and a lovely tomato in the produce section and I raced home to fire up the grill and bask in the glory of making my beautiful hamburger while sipping on a lovely Malbec. 
When it was perfectly done, I carefully dressed it with the utmost precision.   And, then, in a moment of weakness (or maybe it was that full glass of Malbec I drank as I grilled), I plunged that baby into my waiting mouth.  
For one fleeting moment, I was in hamburger heaven.
Things went to HELL after that.

I guess celebrating National Burger Day for one amazing moment is better than nothing.....
 









 

Go big or stay home!

That's exactly what I opted to do this Memorial Day.....

We decided to forgo the fan fare of parades and picnics and parties and outings......  
Instead, we chose to have a quiet but lovely day consisting of a little early morning shopping and a little mid day relaxing and  a little evening dinner on the little bistro-deck with our wonderful fashionista daughter and her fun beau. 

Dinner for 4....the perfect way to usher out a holiday weekend and welcome the summer.....

 After all the hoopla of Friday's concert (more on that later)  and with  all the work of readying the yards and the gardens and the decks and the porch for the summer, I was in the mood to take things down a notch and  leisurely plan a menu, set a simple table and just enjoy the first moments of summer relaxing with a few special people.
And, that's exactly what I did. 
Luckily, I didn't need much to pull it off since I had almost everything I needed at my finger tips--including a few bottles of my newest summer wine love.  And, I was just dying to use my new outdoor summer dishes, flatware and wine goblets that I bought on a cold, snowy January day for next-to-nothing when Pier One was dumping merchandise!  Don't they look pretty?  I just had to show them off...
Yes, it was all good-- I had a beautiful whole salmon and some gorgeous jumbo shrimp just waiting for me to dress them up.  And,  I had picked up some fresh corn-on-the-cob on a whim early Saturday morning.  And, as always--my fridge was stocked with all the fixings for a lovely salad of butter lettuce, goat cheese and candied pecans and I had enough cheeses, cured meats and crusty breads to open a charcuterie.  The only things I had to pick up were a few of the items for the Italian potato salad that I had been craving.
Yes...I am going to share all of the recipes I used....because I know you'll want to make this same exact meal this summer....haha!

Salad  (I left out the cranberries this time. FYI--I really love this salad combo and  I always seem to forget how easy this dressing is)
Grilled salmon  (this is AMAZING...the longer you marinate it, the better it is!)
Grilled shrimp on a plank  (perfection... The Proud Italian Cook can be counted on every time!)
Roasted Onions (make these now...HURRY!)
Italian Potato Salad (I added fresh blanched-crisp green beans, extra garlic and some strips of jarred roasted red peppers...oh yum!...the longer it sits in fridge, the better!!)
Grilled corn with 3 compound butters (yummy, yummy, yummy...my fav was the parmesean herb butter of course!)
Root beer floats using Trader Joe's French Vanilla Ice Cream and Trader Joe's Vintage root beer

And, because I'm sure you want to know about other happenings......

Yes, I know you know that we kicked off Memorial Day weekend with an amazing Bruce Springsteen concert (that's the review from Thursday night....I was there Friday!).
But, I just have to gush about it..... just a wee bit....
It was truly one of the highlights of my almost 40 year adventure with my favorite rocker. 
Although I always love a Bruce concert...this was different.  This was personal.  This touched my soul......this was a purely religious experience.  I feel different.  

The intimate setting, my 17th row seats, being with the guy I share a  deep Bruce love with (btw...I am talking about my husband!), being surrounded by die-hard Bruce fans like myself (only die hard Bruce fans would pay the amount we paid for those tickets to hear his obscure tracks!), hearing songs that I only heard on albums.....just being there.....it was LOVE.

What more can I say?

Thank you for letting me have that moment.

In other news....

 

-Today, my Lap Band surgeon's office called me to schedule my 7 year (SEVEN!!!) follow up appointment.   That call reminded me once again that there is no ending to my journey.  It is forever.....

-I resumed my walking regimen.  However, my walking shoes must be pretty angry with me.  They hurt like hell!  They are the same shoes I always wore.  Do I have to go shoe shopping?

-The other night, I overheard two women talking about a new program they were both using called Shakeology. They both said they were losing inches off their bodies and how their energy levels increased dramatically.  Having never heard of Shakeology and being that they were discussing "inches lost" and "increased energy", I assumed they were talking about some new exercise plan where you "shake".    Hey, I could shake.  Just as I was about to bust into their conversation, I got a phone call that diverted my attention.  Since my daughter is quite an avid exerciser, I asked her---"have you ever heard of this new exercise program called Shakeology....I think you shake or something??"  She looked at me like I had two heads.   "Google it!" she said.  So, I did.  Here's what I found.     I was disappointed for 2 reasons---#1-How could there be a new weight loss thing that I know nothing about?  and #2-I would have preferred to find out there really is an exercise program where you lose inches and gain energy just by shaking.    I like to shake and rattle and roll....

FOOD FIGHT????

Dealing with picnic and summer party season?
YEP.....me too!   

Last week as I sat down with the calendar to mark all of the events that are happening these next few months....instead of thinking about the events themselves---I had visions of creamy potato salad and yummy ice cream and gooey dips bouncing about my head.  Part of me felt that familiar spark of excitement while the other part of me felt the pang of defeat.   
Defeated before I even started?
YES!!!  How will I handle the picnics and all of the other summer outings without succumbing to the pleasures of  eating and eating and eating those wonderful summer foods?

THEREIN LIES THE PROBLEM!  

It's all about what's in my head. 
While I think it's perfectly okay to get excited about and look forward to the food at a particular event, it's probably best to put the food in it's place.   As in--eat a bit of it, enjoy it...even savor it....then move on to what's really important--being with  friends and family or soaking in the ambiance or just taking the time to relax--or all of the above. 
What I don't think is helpful is feeling defeated before it all starts!
Although I know there are times when it's inevitable--it's important to put those feelings in their rightful place.   Why am I allowing myself to be defeated by food?
Food is our friend.
Food in not our enemy.
Repeat after me, Judi.....
FOOD IS MY FRIEND.
FOOD IS NOT MY ENEMY.
The problem is all inside my head.....


If you think about it, I write this same exact post every few months.....if it's not about dealing with turkey and pumpkin pie then it's about Christmas cookies and Christmas parties.  If it's not about those things then it's about the cold winter months laying on the couch eating mindlessly.  And, if it's not about that, it's about chocolate covered eggs and Italian cheesecakes.....
Yes, it's always something with me. 
I'm always looking at what's looming and I turn it into a food fight. 
A food fight inside my head.  

Remember this lady who said STOP THE INSANITY?
Now, I think I get it.

GLORY DAYS......again!

Yes, my man BRUCE is  back in Pittsburgh  and tonight I'm going to be there.....

There really is a component of Bruce that is supernatural. 

Bruce is Moses! 

He led the people out of the land of disco!” 

(Jake Clemons, The New Yorker, August 2012)

 

It's the little things in life that make me happy.  

Those little things that wipe away the tears and the trials and tribulations of life.

The lyrics and the music that bring me back.....

The first notes of a song that carry me to another time...that bring me to my feet....

The feelings that come from a beat, a word, a roar, a strum, a melody, a tune.

Sharing the experience...remembering all the times...all the memories that flood my mind.  

 Holding an album in my hand.

Touching the tickets that sit on the shelf.....awaiting the big night.

Sitting in the still darkness, listening only to the music and the stories...

Dancing in the aisles carefree.... swept up in the thrill and excitement of the sounds.

Feeding my soul.

Filling my heart.

Reminding me that the only thing that matters is that moment in time.  

 

It's Bruce.

It's Rock and Roll.

It's TONIGHT!  

 

The good, the bad and the not-so-pretty.......

I have returned from my  trip to Chicago!

This was the view of Chicago from the Ladies' Room on the 95th floor (The Signature Room) of the John Hancock Building!  This city even looks good from a bathroom!!! 

 So...let's start with the GOOD.....
 This trip was nothing short of wonderful.   I am not sure if it was because I needed a little trip like this or if everything we did was fun or if it was because my companions were just fabulous or  if I had some great cocktails and wine and good food or if it was because I bought some amazing shoes (or all the above!) but damn.....it was a fabulous trip!!! 
I am in love with Chicago....completely and utterly in love and smitten, smitten, smitten! Even the little snow and rain on Friday and the other cold and windy days can't dampen my love for that city!
I might even love it more than I love New York City.....shhhhhhh
My smart and gorgeous niece was a fabulous host....she knows her town and she knows what her aunt loves and thankfully--she got the DIRECTIONAL genes of the family.   With her trusty phone in hand to serve as our GPS and our transportation checker, she knew just where to go and how to get us there!  She led us on every adventure with the utmost of ease. And, we happily followed along!  If it were up to my fashionista daughter and I, we would still be sitting on the train trying to get to a good shoe store.....
Just so I don't bore you with chit chat and idle details on everything we jam packed into this trip.....I'll just give it to you in pictures.....in no particular order!

Toni and Alexa shopping on Michigan Avenue....it was so cold that we had to buy new coats!!! So, off to Nordstrom we went......

Marathon Day......6:30 am...Chai Latte in hand, wearing my new Chicago coat and my Pittsburgh Pirate hat...ready  to send off our runners! 

Chicago style pizza at Giordano's....it was yummy!  Much different than I thought...it was perfect for a Lapbander!!!

My 2 children and I at Navy Pier....what a great day, what a fun place! Thank goodness we bought new coats....it is the windy city, after all!

AMAZING meal at RPM Chicago.  I made these reservations in February....so worth the wait! Even though we had to eat dinner at 3 pm because they get booked so fast....it didn't matter!  Their polenta was to die for. And, the cocktails were just so creative and fun....I had a Negroni Bianco...made with Letherbee gin, Cocchi Americano and Amaro Nonio.   OMG.....just wonderful!  Can't wait to try to recreate it at home!! 

Toni, Alexa and I at Eataly....what a wonderful, wonderful place!  We ended up going  there twice.  And, I can't wait to go back!  It was MY KIND OF PLACE.  And, I fell in deep love with Falanghina....it will be my new summer wine!  Yes, we got lots of use out of those new coats!!

FLY LONDON HEAVEN at Hanig's  in Chicago!  Yes, I own the red ones now.....and another great pair too!

After the race!  Our runners.....born and bred Pittsburghers in Chicago!

My Grand Nephew Buckeye and my Grand Dog Bandit posing with the medals! They are just so darn cute! They had a great time in Chicago together!  What good boys! 

Toni, Alexa and I at The Signature Room for Happy Hour.  Happy. Happy. Happy.

Alexa, Toni and I on the Architectural Boat Tour of Chicago....yes, we were a little cold!! Those coats sure came in handy! I highly recommend anyone going to Chicago to book themselves on this tour.

And, now for the BAD.....

First, it's hard to come back from any trip....especially one that was so wonderful.  But, it's even harder to come back from one and then go straight into a work retreat.   Even as I sat at the airport in Chicago waiting for my flight back to Pittsburgh....the realities of what awaited me started to set in.   Soon, I found myself in a reflective mode.....trying to figure out the next steps of my work life journey.  Now that the craziness of the academic year is behind us, we are embarking on many changes that come with the changes in leadership that have touched the campus over the past year.  Although I've weathered many leadership changes and many changes in general in my almost-34 years on the job, sometimes a girl just gets tired.  And, that's BAD.....

And, the NOT-SO-PRETTY.....

Going forward into summer, I am usually energized and excited.   At the moment, I am neither.  The weight of what has to happen over the next few months at work and the things that truly matter to me in my worklife are zapping those feelings.  Plus, I'm pretty sure that I won't be taking a lot of days off to enjoy the sun and fun.
  And, that's NOT SO PRETTY....

But, I had a great trip to Chicago.
So, that's GOOD. 

Balancing the boat......

 while still ROCKING it a little.....my REALITY! 

I am sure MLK wasn't talking about weight maintenance but still....

From the outpouring of emails (and one public comment) that I received after yesterday's post, I feel so needed.....Thank YOU!!!  

WE ARE ALL IN THIS BOAT TOGETHER!  

Thank you all for providing me with a framework to compose this blog post.  Now that I know that #1--I am not alone adrift at sea on my journey and #2--my maintenance soul mates are looking for my thoughts and strategies going forward---I feel energized and focused.
Whew.
No wonder I LOVE my blog readers.....

Before I dive into my deep banter, I want to say is that I do not strive for perfection.  Being perfect is not a Judi thing.   I strive for BALANCE and REALITY.  I'm not sure if it's my age or me being gentle with myself or it's just who I am but those are the two things that I am always striving for in every area of my life.....sometimes I do a good job of it....other times...notsomuch. 
But, I continue to STRIVE.....
It's no different in how I need to approach living with my LapBand.
It's what made me successful in the beginning and what can and will keep me on track. 
First and foremost---my Lapband journey is now going into it's 7th year. 
That's a pretty long time.
My longevity on this journey is what I am most proud of.
Sure, the weight loss itself is a super prideful thing.
But, if truth be told....I am not a patient girl and I lose interest easily if things aren't going exactly as I think they should be going. Failure cripples me. 
Especially when it comes to all things weight related.
So, the fact that I am still within 12 pounds of my initial goal weight and I am not completely crushed to the point of giving up  because I'm not at my goal weight or below is a pretty great thing.
I try really hard to remember that when I'm beating myself up over the fact that my belly and my hips have collected all 12 of those pounds....

Let's face it.....some days are easier than others.
One of the key elements that I truly believe I am not doing a really good job of is EXERCISE.
It's become an UGLY  8 letter word in my life....
My excuse to myself has been that the brutality of  this past winter just railroaded my walking regimen.  And, I have not recovered from it.  I fell out of the habit and now I'm into the habit of not doing it.
Not good.
Whether I want to admit to it or not.....not walking daily has had a huge impact on my body and my maintenance.....as well as my spirit and my energy. 
Pulling the covers over my head when the alarm goes off at 4:30 am feels better than crawling out of bed at that godforsaken hour to fumble around for my shoes and my socks and my walking clothes. 
Throwing laundry in or doing the dishes or  making lunch or preparing for dinner or reading blogs and emails or sitting comatose drinking tea feels more necessary in the morning than walking in the darkness. 
Add that to the fact that I'm not as planful with foods and snacks as I once was and havoc is wreaking.
My days can get very long and I reward myself in ways that make me feel good....a great piece of candy, a glass of wine, going to happy hour, watching reality TV, meeting friends for just a few drinks and appetizers, having late night date night dinners with my husband....to name just a few of my indulgences....
Those are not bad things.  They are part of my life.  But, I could make better choices.....
When I am completely exhausted or  utterly frustrated or kinda cranky (or all of above!)....making better choices is the furthest thing from my mind.
The reality of it all is that I am not trying to SOLVE any of those things.  I am trying to ACCEPT those things as a part of life and trying to figure out a way to BALANCE it all.
When I reflect on where I am and how I got here....I find myself smack dab face-to-face with one thing---the exercise.   
At this point of my journey.....EXERCISE has to be the key.
And, I am not talking about spending hours at the gym.
I am talking about returning to a reasonable walking regimen
Once I accomplish that, I believe that other things will fall into place. 
I won't make bad choices as much.
I'll be more inclined to not want to undo the good results that exercise has done for me.
Just as importantly--I don't want to give up the things I love....the little indulgences that make me smile.
But, I have to focus on if the particular indulgence will make me smile.
Case in point---sitting down and eating 20 raspberry Easter eggs makes me NOT SMILE.
Meeting a friend for cocktails MAKES ME SMILE.
Late night dinner dates with my husband MAKES ME SMILE.
Mindlessly eating a bowl full of stale tortilla chips followed by a bowl of ice cream slathered in chocolate makes me NOT SMILE. 

It's the REALITY and the BALANCE that have to take center stage....not the 12 pounds.
That's how I am planning to go forward......
That is....as soon as I return from a little jaunt to Chicago with my favorite shopping partner.....my fashionista daughter.....
Although the real reason for this trip is to cheer on my beautiful, smart niece and my son the doctor run in their first race together---The Chicago Spring Half Marathon--we are also sneaking in some major shopping, sight seeing and lots of  other things (restaurants, bars.....to name a few....). 
Sure, there might be lots of wine flowing, cocktails shaken and amazing food eaten but all that shopping requires lots of WALKING.
And, of course....I am sure I will be inspired by all the runners.....
It's all about the BALANCE.  

Stay in the boat friends.......we need each other!!!  

We'll talk more when I get back!

 

 







 

It's all good........

but, damn I am tired.  
We've had several weeks of things like.....(in random order, of course)

Painting margaritas and drinking margaritas.....

Cocktails and girlfriends.....

Hanging with the girls at the Bruce bar....

Drinking margaritas with silly glasses on, wearing a painting apron....

Racing for the cure with my man in pink....

Eating the most amazing crab cakes in all the land....

More margaritas....and snacks....

Several of these wonderful concoctions....

Yes, it's been all good.
BUT, still....
I come here to my blog this morning red-faced.  I should be blogging MORE.
Blogging is what I need to do to keep me focused and away from the ugliness of going off course. 
And, I know I've been teetering off course more than ever.  Why am I eating chocolate daily?
But, I am oh so tired.  Tired like never before.  Chocolate helps. 
And, I'm drained.  Drained more than ever before. I need more chocolate. 
I'm caught in this votex--I'm pretty sure I'm so tired and drained because I have been veering off course.
But, I'm so tired and drained that everything feels heavy and overwhelming.  Even writing my blog.
The world is spinning so fast and I'm holding on so tight....it's zapping my energy.
This. is. not. good.
Last night as I dragged myself into the kitchen to muster up the energy to #1--come up with something to make for dinner and #2--actually make something for dinner, I found myself heading to the snack cupboard instead of the fridge or freezer--oh yes, chips with salsa and melted cheese would be much easier to make, maybe I'll just follow it up with some chocolate-raspberry Easter eggs, is there anymore of that yummy Malbec in the wine cabinet? ----I realized just how far off course I had let myself travel. 
As I watched my hand search through the maze of snacks in the cupboard, I was struck by my complete lack of awareness----it was as if my hand was connected to another person's body.  My head was saying there's salmon in the fridge, Judi but my hand had other ideas.  
If that was an out of body experience, I gotta tell you---it was powerful. 
Very powerful. 
It was frightening.
The voices in my head were yelling at my hand but my hand just couldn't connect.  It took everything in me to pull myself away from the snack cupboard and drag myself over to the fridge to grab the salmon.
It was then and there--standing in my kitchen holding my salmon tightly in my hands--- that I decided that I can't let my hand control me.
My head has to be in charge.
This morning, I awoke with a plan.
Well, the first step of the plan.
That first step is......write about it all on Stories from the Road.
 And, so, I am. 

Hello again Mom......

 

Your Mother is always with you.

She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street.

The little town where I grew up...where I walked hand in hand with my dear mother so many times

She's the smell of certain foods you remember,flowers you pick and perfume that she wore.

I try to recreate the smells  and tastes of my childhood......

This pretty bottle always sat on her dresser...she used it only for the most special occasions

She's the cool hand on your brow when you're not feeling well.

There was nothing like my mother's love to cure me....

 

She's your breath in the air on a cold winter's day.

She is in every breath I take......

She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep, the colors of a
rainbow.

She helped me to always see the beauty even on rainy days.....

She is Christmas morning.

Her pictures adorn my dining room tree so that she can be with us as we sit down to share the holidays....

Your Mother lives inside your laughter.
She's crystallized in every teardrop.
A mother shows every emotion .......... happiness, sadness, fear,
jealousy, love, hate, anger, helplessness, excitement, joy,
sorrow... and all the while, hoping and praying you will only know the good
feelings in life. She's the place you came from, your first home, and she's
the map you follow with every step you take.
She's your first love; your first friend, even your first enemy, but
nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not space...not
even death!

Author: unknown

Happy Mother's Day.....

In the merry, merry month of May........

It's taken me 24  hours to accept that we are in the 5th month of the year.
Now that I have fully accepted it, I am going to make the best of it. 

I'm going to make it MERRY.....

A Hendricks Gin Gimlet is oh so merry!

 

May is a hopeful month. 
The promise of sunshine and warm breezes and the coming of summer.....there's something lovely about that.  Especially after 5 months of nothing even resembling sunshine and warm breezes. 
Winter was especially harsh this year.  And, I know I am not alone in feeling that way. 
But, it's behind us now.  It's over.  It's in our past. 
It's time to get on with cute cropped pants and sassy sandals and lookatme sunglasses!
 

 

 LET'S DRINK TO THE VERY HOPEFUL 

VERY MERRY MERRY MONTH OF MAY!!

(and cute cropped pants, sassy sandals and lookatme sunglasses!)

 

May Day! May Day!

I wish I had time to wash in the dew........

Don't even ask me how we arrived at May.  I'm still somewhere back in February if you really want to know the truth.   Yes, I'm two months behind on life.....
But, I'm determined NOT to be gone for too long from Stories From the Road.
No matter how absolutely crazybusy things get around here and how many directions I feel pulled in, I know that I need to be here not just to keep this blog going but to keep me going.....
We all need something to keep us connected to our journeys....no matter what those journeys may be.
This blog is a vital piece of what I need to keep me connected to my Lap Band journey.
Yes, even 6 years and 9 months out, I still need to work at it every step of the way. 
There's no magic bullets for the challenges in life. 
And, for that, I must say I am thankful. 
Because if there were magic bullets to deal with challenges, I would have about 20,0000 bullet holes in me now.......

I'll be back soon. Maybe even tomorrow.
Ya just never know....