rise and...shine? that can't be right.
March 23, 2006, 3:47 P.M.

Well--an entire seven hours of sleep can do wonders. I feel hugely better today, even though I still woke up at 3:30 and couldn't get back to sleep (what else is new). My secret? Pass out at 8:30 the night before.

Another contributing factor* is this: I may have to wake up at 3:30, but I do not have to lay there and wallow in misery, a prisoner of my racing mind.

I did the usual ultimatum. At 3:45, I told myself that if I was still awake at 4:00, I would get up, put on my workout sweats, sort a load of wash, and head for the basement.

And since my busy buzzing brain didn't want to believe me, I had to follow through on the threat.

End result? I did a brisk thirty minute workout, worked up a righteous sweat, and got a large load of lights through the wash and into the dryer.

Then I walked the dog. Get me pumped, and lookout world.

*Also? give yourself a three-day weekend by burning some of that bogus bonus (extra personal time) they gave you. I'm claiming tomorrow for me.

I was in a semi-pigout state, as well. I managed to get my three servings of fruit, but I was way under on my water, and also managed to consume a large bowl of Mediterranean chicken soup (I literally consumed the bowl of soup--it was a bread bowl). And a two-ounce bag of Cheezits. And a Nestl� Crunch bar. And two Burger King Cheeseburgers. And Spouse's dinner. And an entire pack of 12 gumballs. And a Mounds candy Easter egg.

This is a day in the life of an out-of-control, compulsive overeater. If I hadn't been so tired and zonked out, I probably would have eaten more.

Of course, the dope did buy ten boxes of Rice-A-Roni when he went to the store, as well as the wrong brand of half and half.

I lightened up a little when we had dinner, though. He barbecued again--pork loin chops this time. Served with some of the aforementioned Rice-A-Roni and Green Giant baby peas (boil-in-bag style)it was quite a respectable dinner from the Spouse. His cooking skill are limited, but he rarely screws it up completely. He did just fine.

To my credit, I did let him know I enjoyed dinner, and I was pleased that he'd added more stuff to the food drive pile (Boy Scouts are collecting on Saturday).

I wasn't energetic enough to do much more than rinse and stack the dishes, water the dog, and set up the coffee pot. I tried my damndest to stay awake, but by eight, I gave up and went to bed. I worked a crossword for 20-30 minutes, but fell asleep with pen in hand. Good thing it fell on the floor, or I'd probably Lydia the Tattooed Lady today.

I really should have gotten more done, but I have to say frankly that I'm not feeling very motivated these days. Still, I performed a couple of my new duties, made some revisions to a document as part of my old duties, and spent some time studying up on a project that's barreling down on me. So it's not like I totally slacked.

I have the doctor tomorrow, and I'll probably do laundry and clean up the house, just to get it out of the way. And Spouse need to get some new work-grade tees for his new job. His old ones (from two jobs ago) have lasted for years, but they are pretty much shot. I need to find a source for the same high-quality. Maybe we'll hit the Penneys and Sears outlests in Gurnee.

Saturday, my plans extend no farther that my front porch, where I will place the food donation. Spouse may have a plan that appeals, but if not, it's going to be a peaceful day of beading for this kid.

And I'm hoping that my mom gets her package tomorrow or Saturday. I checked the USPS tracking site, but apparently they only scan on delivery. So I wouldn't exactly call it a tracking site, Post Office. Delivery Confirmation Site, possibly. But not tracking.

And I'm really glad I ordered her foot stuff when I did--when I went to avon.com to look it up and recommend it to a friend, it came up "not currently available". I must have gotten some of the last in stock.

But there's plenty to be had on ebay, I see.

I think I'll get this done and go help him with dinner.

That'll show me not to fuck with me.