Spring is coming!

Today has been another warmer day, with some early Spring sunshine. I heard a few birds singing in the still-bare trees and the sound of garden machinery could be heard in the distance. For the first time in months there is only the merest trace of the snow and ice that's been covering everything and soon the rest of nature will wake up to the change in weather. It's really a nice time of year in New England, especially after a long snowy winter. The air feels warmer, the birds are nesting and in the house it's time for Spring-Cleaning. I don't actually do a thorough srping cleaning in the old-fashioned, traditional sense, but I do try to create a cleaner, brighter, airy environment. I change the heavy red curtains in the living room for greens ones, wash down the paintwork, shop for flowers and try to clear away some of the clutter.

This year, I'm going to get out the paint and rollers and whiten the ceilings, freshen up the walls, paint where I've never painted before and get everything ready for a new carpet. I need to see a change here. I need to get rid of some of the stuff I've been storing away for years and the Spring is the time to do it. If I can achieve all of that by the end of May, I'm sure the summer will be all the more enjoyable. Perhaps I can enlist the services of the kids this time! It's time to brush away the cobwebs (literally!).

Sometimes it takes a kind person to point out that something is wrong and it's been suggested that I've seemed to be a bit down in my blog postings recently and for that I apologise. Life really isn't all bad, but I have a tendency to be somewhat melancholy when I'm alone and in quiet moments when I'm free to write, my thoughts wander and dwell in places that should be left alone. I thrive when I'm around people and there's nothing I enjoy more than to be with friends and have a good laugh but sometimes it's hard for me not to get bogged down in all the drudgery and dwell on what's wrong. I need to stop all the self-analysis!

I'm going to check in at Weight Watchers this morning for the first time in two weeks. Not so much to see whether I've lost or gained, but to remind myself of why I joined last October. I'm so pleased with the progress I've made so far. My clothes are getting baggy and those which were tight, now fit. I don't want to return to that size again, and even though my current weight is still considered "obese", I feel so much better and those are twenty-eight extra pounds that I don't want to carry again and as we all know, positive thoughts and positive thinking get us all a long way.*

Tomorrow night hubby and I are going to a local theatre to see a performance of Capitol Steps, a satirical political comedy group which originated in 1981. They became famous after their performance was broadcast on NPR (National Public Radio) and they've continued to perform ever since. I was introduced to them back when I was first married and hubby played a one of their early recordings for me. I'm sure it was funny at the time, but humour based on current events, requires the audience to know what is/was in the news at the time to appreciate it. This time, having been listening to the news, I'll know what they're talking about.
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Finally, I want to remind myself to count my blessings and remember that the squabbles, disagreements and tribulations of family life are not so important when faced with the sudden death of a loved one. I can only imagine the devastation and loss which Natasha Richardson's family are feeling. When someone close to you dies, the first thing you do is recall the last time you spoke to them and what was said. With luck the words were pleasant and kind; often they're ordinary, throwaway phrases like "see you later", "have a good day" or "don't forget the milk". Sadly, some final words are spoken in anger and the last thing heard is the slamming of a door amid shouts and tears. No matter what one's life throws up in the way of challenges, it's better to be loving and forgiving and savour all that is good. Happy memories are the best and to have no regrets is better. Take care to make each day and each action as positive as it can be.
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*11:50am - WW update: Total weight loss now stands at 31lbs. Big smile!