I've Now Lived in Utah as Long as I Lived in California

It's happened.

I'm at a midpoint.

That conundrum of how do I answer when asked, "Where are you from?"

California or Utah?

19 years in both.

California was my youth.  My growing up years.  That's important, right?  

And Utah is my young adult years. Navigating life post primary education.  Equally important.

My family moved to Utah several months before the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.  We were not expecting on moving at all.  I was attending College of the Sequoias in Visalia California.  Honestly, I loved that school.  They had just finished building a multi-million dollar music building.  Started several new music associate degrees.  And I LOVED that choir.  Having a music degree I've been in a lot of choirs, but that choir from a junior college was my favorite.  Great musical literature.  And we sounded awesome.  Plus the choir director gave me challenging parts.  I mainly sang alto, but also got to sing tenor and second soprano, and it was just so much fun.

I didn't want to move to Utah. At all.  I didn't want to go live where the "Utah Mormons," as we called them then (we call ourselves Latter-Day Saints), lived. There was a stigma that I just didn't want to be apart of.  When I was a kid I vowed never to move to Utah. No joke. I really did.

But my family needed a change, and my Dad decided to put out word in possibly wanting to move to Utah in a couple years.  Putting out the feelers.  That very day his boss was talking to the SLC boss, who said they just had an opening and needed someone.  My Dad asked, two hours later he had a job offer.  When God wants you to move somewhere, the doors flood open.

I could have stayed in California.  Live with my Grandparents and finish my associates.  A good financially responsible choice.  But I prayed, and knew.  I just knew I needed to follow my family to Utah and put my education on hold, which ended up being a 1 1/2 year pause so education was at an affordably manageable rate again.  

Years later it was the right choice.  I'm where I'm meant to be. I love it here.  

And now I'm at that cross road, the further down this road I go my Utah years overshadow my California.  I guess, now, I'm an official Utahn.

But, just so you know, I say the "T" in Mountain.  So my Cali-ness still shows...

Are Movie Theaters Going to Survive?

This afternoon I heard that the next Wonder Woman movie was skipping the theaters and heading towards streaming.  A quick search later and it looks like that may actually happen, though Patty Jenkins', Wonder Woman's director, is sending this warning: "If we shut this down, this will not be a reversible process.  We could lose movie theater-going forever."

3 days ago it was announced that Regal theater will be shutting down 536 theaters, affecting 40,000 employees.  AMC has been suffering as well.  Cineworld is closing theaters across the US and UK.

And all this while major blockbusters are getting pushed back: James Bond, Black Widow, etc.  I appreciate the fact that TENET came to the theaters that are open, but I guess its box office gross (either $150 million-$200 million global, depending on the source) is scaring other movies from being released.

Problem is, if you hold back a movie hoping for more money, but the holding back causes movie theaters to close because they can't survive, then will blockbusters ever make the money they once did?  You have to have theaters for that, unless streaming really is a goldmine.  I find that questionable.  Besides, the whole multiple streaming services has become fatiguing, and I canceled Netfix last month over moral reasons concerning a certain French film.  You can't release a movie to a theater if there are no theaters left to release movies into.

I've been to the movies a few times now, and there isn't anything to fear, if there are people holding back for that reason.  The theaters are clean, and much care is being taken to ensure safety for those that are worried.  I don't like to see anyone lose their jobs, especially in this market, and when it comes to the movies there are a lot of people, from all walks of life and situation, that keep the film industry going.

Time will tell.  I love entertainment and stories, and I would be sad if theaters go away.  I also have a huge imagination and love different forms of storytelling.  Times are tough, true, but we're all suffering.  And we have priorities.  But also, I do hope large screen storytelling survives, but the industry needs to wake up before it's too late.

A Nice Little Midweek Thought: A New Perspective on Perfection

Last weekend was General Conference for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  It's like the Super Bowl of the Latter-Day Saint world, only we get it twice a year with 10 hours of broadcasted talks.  It's a chance to renew my spirit, and I always look forward to conference with great anticipation.  Though, funny enough, a year ago I missed conference because my Mom and I were at Disneyland.  (Yeah, I need to pull those talks up on the app and have a listen).  Heh, but all during conference this year I was like, "a year ago to the day I was at Disneyland..." and then I'd sigh and drown in withdrawals. -_-;; ... :P

I have a lot of thoughts over conference, but they're more of a personal sacred nature.  More a feeling of all the ways I need to improve.  But there were many talks that filled my spirit with hope and peace as well.  The Women's session Saturday night was extremely powerful.

Memes start floating around social media during conference each year, and it's always fun to collect them and save them to my phone for later readings and inspiration.  So I'm ending this post with a quote, which I don't really know if it's from conference this year as the print version of the talks aren't available, only the videos are up on www.churchofjesuschrist.org.  

"The commandment to be like Him is not intended to make you feel guilty, unworthy or unloved.  Our entire mortal experience is about progression, trying, failing, and succeeding." ~ Scott D. Whiting

Ha! I take it back.  It is up on the website, from the Saturday morning session: Elder Scott D. Whiting "Becoming Like Him".  Along with this theme, Book of Mormon Central did an incredible lesson on Becoming Perfect.  Puts things in wonderful perspective.

Visiting Places That Suddenly Feel Like Home, Part 1

Since the worldwide pandemic started I haven't ventured further then a county passed where I live.  Needless to say I've been romanticizing past travels.  Reliving memories.  Looking over photos.  Heh, and going stir crazy.

What's always interesting when traveling is how some places, even after just a few hours, suddenly feel homie.  Familiar, even when those places are drastically different from everything I know here in the States.

While there are other places that don't really click.  It was a nice visit.  Glad I went.  But I'm ready to see something new.

Whereas the homie places I want to visit again and again.

(These recollections are from a pre-pandemic world)

Bath, England

I love this city so much.  It's very tourist friendly, since it's easy to get there by train or bus, and there's so much to see and do.  There's the historical stuff like the Roman Baths and the Assembly Rooms.  Seeing Pulteney Bridge from a distance is a must, and it's fun to walk across.  There's a hop on/hop off bus that goes on two different routes, which will hopefully be operational after the pandemic, going around the historic city and country.  So many charming shops with buildings spanning various styles and history.  Dining in The Pump Room is elegant and charming.  There's the Jane Austen Center for those who love Jane Austen.  Nice parks.  Views.  History.  Just so much to do.

The first time I stayed it was at the Apsley House Hotel in Bath, a Georgian House built in 1830 by the Duke of Wellington.  It's a Bed and Breakfast, about 1 1/2 miles from City Center.  Close to the hotel is a charming pub/restaurant with the best fish and chips next to the river.  The second time I stayed in Bath it was at the Apex City of Bath Hotel.  Reasonable prices.  Right in City Center.  Across the street is the Green Park Brasserie, which, simply, is the best food I've had on any trip.  So, so good.  And in the evenings there's jazz music.

Another nice thing about Bath is that you can easily visit Cardiff, Bristol, the Cotswold's, Cheddar Gorge, and the Stonehenge.

Cardiff, Wales

On my third trip to the British Isles my Mom and I wanted to visit Wales.  Cardiff is just a little over an hour train ride from Bath, and there's a lot of trains and buses going back and forth.  Easily accessible. 

Heh, okay.  So while in Bath the waiter at TGIF said he used to live in Cardiff and wondered what on Earth we were planning on doing, because there's nothing to do in Cardiff.  I started getting worried.  Were my Mom and I making a mistake in visiting!!??  I did research and it seemed like we would have no problem finding something to do.

So we get there, visit the castle after checking into the Holiday Inn, and really enjoyed the castle and the little tour.  The tour is worth it, and wasn't that much money.

But that night.  Oh, My, Goodness!!!  

Heh, so the Holiday Inn is next to the Rugby stadium, which is kinda a big deal there.  And there was a game.  That night there was a party going on in the room next to our room.  People coming in and out.  Door opening and shutting.  Loud music with beats.  Talking.  Etc.  Couldn't sleep, and I was still jet lagged.  At 2 am it quieted a little, only for the room on the other side of us to get a new occupant.  Must have been a single older guy, because he was drunk singing.  Loud.  Various swear words here and there.  After he fell asleep, around 4 am, the party guys came back to their room and cranked up the music.  My Mom and I didn't get any sleep that night.  I was really worried about our choice in visiting Cardiff.  Thankfully we got a new hotel room with less shared walls, right next to the elevator.  But I'll take elevator sounds over drunk singing and partying any day... and night!! 

Cardiff was a lot of fun, and there's tons to do!!  Silly TGIF waiter.   There's the castle.  All those shopping arcades which are a lot of fun to wander around.  Parks.  You can take a bus by water and land to the bay area where there's lots of restaurants and things to see.

We took a day trip to the Brecon Beacons which included Caerphilly Castle, seeing the countryside of south and central Wales.  We were suppose to do a day trip to the Gower Peninsula, but Cardiff city center was doing a no car day, so the tour was canceled.  I hope to return again to see the beautiful coast.

Bowness-on-Windermere, Lake District, England

The land of Beatrix Potter.  But also a beautiful lake and cute little village.  I've been here twice, but with both visits I was on a tour and the stop was really quick.  The first time was about an hour, and all I really experienced was walking where the lake is and visiting places along the waterfront.  The second time was an excursion while doing a Disney Cruise around the British Isles, which included a boat trip across Windermere and 90 minutes in the town.  It was also a lunch stop, but my Mom and I decided to forgo eating and see as much as we could.  I want so badly to go back and just experience this area.

Orvieto, Italy

Orvieto was such a surprise.  On my Italy tour I was looking forward to Rome and Verona, but Orvieto stole my heart.  It's one of those Medieval rock cliff towns, perched up high.  The streets were so charming.  The homes quaint.  It was fun looking through the gift shops at all the ceramics, which Orvieto is known.  This little town is the sort of place I would love to spend a weekend, just enjoying the ambiance.  

Venice, Italy

What is there not to love about Venice!!??  Before the visit I've seen pictures and watched movies, but nothing prepares you for actually being there.  Venice is amazing.  All the tiny islands connected by bridges.  The atmosphere.  History.  My only regret was not being able to truly explore and wander around.  We were there for the day, but mainly stayed in St. Marks square, and there's so much more to see than that.  We saw Murano Glass being made.  Went on a Gondola ride, which is a must.  It seems touristy and cliché, but you have to see Venice from the water.  I would love to spend a week in Venice.  It was the last stop on the Italy tour, and the perfect way to end. 

*  *  *

This blog post got long, so I need to do a part two.

Until next time!  Salut

 

Searching For Peace and Purpose

This will be a quickie because I'm not feeling the greatest.  Woke up yesterday morning with a crazy hunger feeling I couldn't quash, took me an hour to eat steal cut oats and cottage cheese, and then threw it up.  Heh, -_-;;  Needless to say I've been resting and didn't walk my planned miles.  Oh, life...

But this has been a crazy week, not to be redundant.  Just a real wrestling with my spirit.  I considered once again serving a mission, which I haven't contemplated in years, but ultimately realized how much I want to get back to working on the arts, and that's okay.

Even so, my insecurities were running miles high.  I called up my brother Michael and asked if we could postpone recording the episode we were working on.  Goodness, he's amazing.  I suppress a lot of emotion, because I don't like burdening people, and prefer to work on things alone, but as I talked with him my emotional gates opened up on things I was contemplating and other things I was battling, and he was completely understanding a patient. 

And I don't have the opening song composed for the podcast, and it only has to be a few seconds!  But I turned on the computer, opened the program, and discovered some of the instruments need to be re-authorized, which I can't do, so my brother Steven will come over next week to help me with that, because I can't figure it out.  I was just really being hard on myself, because I got my degree in Music, and I've forgotten sooooo much.  It's embarrassing.  So I just need to humble myself and get back to the basics.  Face my fears.

So that's some of the things I was dealing with last week.  It's a process.  But this I do know, I do love music.  I'm singing again, and it feels nice.  And I want to be a creative.  I want to tell stories.  Next month is Nanowrimo, and I'm totally doing it.  We all fight our demons.  I fought with one this last week, and survived with a renewed purpose of heart.  No matter what, I will remain hopeful for the future.

"Don't get overwhelmed.  Just do the small things as perfectly as you can, and the big things will fall into place." Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf 

October Health Goals: Just Keep Moving

Keeping this short and sweet.

Last week I declared my intention of going 101 days with no sugary treats.  Guess what!  I'm still at it.  Haven't had one yet.  And trust me, it's not easy.  Both Tuesday and Thursday of this last week has been tough.  Tuesday was an especially hard day, but I didn't give in.  I was like, "Body, I love you.  I don't hate you.  But I won't let you control me."  On the back of my door I have taped the written words "Spirit Over Body," so that's my focus.  

It is interesting, because with all the emotions I've been dealing with this week, I wanted to eat sugar to calm and mask those emotions.  Side step and avoid them a little with giving into tasty pleasures.  This is something I've known about me, this tendency to eat sweets when I'm depressed, sad, overwhelmed, or feeling anxiety.  Sugar is my go to distraction.  I was feeling all these emotions and couldn't satisfy the cravings.  Instead I sat there and dealt with the emotions.  Just felt them.  There was also a really nice drive, twice, to Sundance and back, which helped lift my mood.

Also, I believe I said I was going to aim for 5 miles of walking a day.  I realized by the end of last week my body was in serious need of a rest, so I amended my goal to 25 miles a week, which works out to 100 miles a month.  I did my 25 miles last week, and I have 2.5 miles left for this week.

What are the results?  A few weeks ago I hit my highest weight of all time for a third time, which scared me into action, and I'm down 4 1/2 pounds, plus I'm down an inch around my waist.  It's working.  I'm still only eating two meals a day, as I just don't seem to want to eat before 11 am, and that's with walking 5 miles every morning.  My two meals I do eat are normal.

A tiny bit of why I've been sad this week was because my Mom and I planned a trip for Hawaii to visit Kauai.  We planned and scheduled everything last May, getting good prices and ocean view rooms.  I've never been to Hawaii, and was hoping it would work out.  At the end of June my Mom and I searched news sites and realized we would probably still be dealing with this "stuff" in September/October, so we canceled and was able to get a refund.  If the trip was still on we would have left at the end of last week, returning next week.  I know it's a silly thing to be sad about, there's so many terrible things happening all over, but I'm still a little sad.  Someday?  Hopefully.

Anywho, I'm just going to keep doing what I'm doing.  Establishing a habit.  Then when I'm in the groove with no sugary treats and tons of walking, I'll throw in strength training and other stuff.

One step at a time. Literally.

The Songs That Marked My Childhood

It's amazing how powerful a song can be.  Just a simple tune over the airways, while at the store, through your mind, etc, can take you back in time. Music is the closest to time travel we've got (And, no... I haven't seen that new Bill and Ted movie... heh).  Here are a few songs that remind me of my childhood.

Our House · Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.  It's a 1970's song, but it was played a lot when I was a kid.  There is this vague memory of it playing before a television show.  This song was a favorite of mine, simply because it gives me the warm fuzzies.  It's just a really sweet song.  How can you not be happy while listening to it?

Kokomo · The Beach Boys, 1988.  This was my favorite song!  Oh my goodness.  Every time I heard it I was instantly happy.  There's this random memory I have when I was in a grocery store and it came on, and I just started dancing around.  Oh, this song takes me back.  And now I want to visit the beach.

We Built This City · Starship, 1985.  I actually remember the first time I heard this song.  It was before I was five, and I was visiting my Aunt and Cousin's in an apartment house complex my Grandpa owned in Riverside CA.  I was in the kitchen and my Aunt was playing it off a cassette tape.  It was love at first listen.  Whenever I hear this song I remember living in So. Cal pre Porterville days, living close to Disneyland, with warm afternoons and scattered happy memories visiting the park and feeding ducks. 

Sara · Starship, 1985.  Oh, this song takes me back.  It's the song that haunted me.  It's the song that people would sing to me whenever they heard my name.  Thankfully by the 2000's people stopped doing this, but dang, it lasted just a little too long.  But seriously, when you listen to the lyrics it's a seriously depressing song!!  It's so sad.

Manic Monday · The Bangles, 1986.  This is just one of those songs I would sing whenever I got the Monday blues.  It's just a fun song.

I'm So Excited · The Pointer Sisters, 1982.  I loved this song so much.  Every time it came on the radio or elsewhere I would get excited and dance around. Once, as a kid I was dancing randomly in a parking lot singing the chorus to this song as loud as I could, and my Mom was like, "Do you even know what that song is about?"  And I was like, "... being excited?"  Now that I'm older I get it, and I'm like, "oh".

Grandma's Feather Bed · John Denver, 1974.  Come on, it's a fun song.  'nuff said.  I have always wondered what sleeping on a feather bed was like thanks to this song.

Ballerina Girl · Lionel Richie, 1986. I think the reason I loved this song so much was because I was obsessed with dance growing up, and this song sang to my soul.  Every time it came on I had to turn and practice the simple moves I learned in class.

Dancing On The Ceiling · Lionel Richie, 1986.  My Dad had a home video camcorder, and he would have my siblings and I get on a long table and have us dance, and then flip the camera upside down so that when we watched it back it looked like we were literally dancing on the ceiling.  It was great.

The two records I remember my Dad owning pre-five years old: The Muppet Movie and the Christmas Chipmunk Album.  Somewhere Over the Rainbow is one of my favorites.  All the music from the Muppet album is amazing.  But my absolute favorite is "I'm Going to Go Back There Someday."  Whenever I hear it I get chills.  See, as a Latter-Day Saint I believe in a pre-mortality, and I think of that when I here this song.  Pretty sure it's a song about Gonzo being an alien, but there are really poignant lines.

And to finish it off, the song from the 90's that always takes me back in time. I Love You Always Forever · Donna Lewis.  I don't know what it is about this song that gives me all kinds of nostalgia, but it does.  I do have a memory visiting my Grandpa in Ventura and Star Trek First Contact was in theaters.  We went to go see it, goodness, where was it? Santa Barbara?  Oh, I can't remember where it was playing.  But I remember distinctly this song coming on the radio as we went, and I just started singing along.  Good times.  There are the Backstreet Boys.  BBMak.  Disney songs I would play on the cassette player I carried around (side B of Pocahontas was so good).  And I was obsessed with soft rock radio stations.  Chicago.  My Mom liked playing the Eagles and the Monkees.  Bad Day by Daniel Powter got me through the end of my college days. But this song, it transports me.

 

Enjoying the Beginning of Mountain Autumn Hues

A couple days ago I went up the mountain.

Autumn colors are beginning to spring forth, creating a bridge between Summer and Winter.  Sometimes it seems this season, filled with chilly nights and warm scents, doesn't last long enough.  If only Spring and Autumn demanded from us the same amount of time Summer and Winter does.  Those last two can be a little loud.

Provo Canyon Rd. has some construction causing double lanes to narrow to single.  Cars bunching up as a result.  If you're in a hurry this could be annoying, but I found it quite nice.  Instead of racing up to Deer Creek we were allowed to enjoy the scenery.  With windows down and a warm breeze tussling my hair, it was nice slowing down to take in waterfalls and magnificent rocks.  Mountain foliage is starting to turn from woody light greens to splashes of fruity bright hues.  Hopefully the turning of colors will last many weeks for all to enjoy.

“Dear old world', she murmured, 'you are very lovely, and I am glad to be alive in you.”
― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables 

 

Accessories from American Girl's Newest Historical Character: Courtney from 1986

 Courtney is American Girl's latest historical doll, coming to us from 1986.  She's a gamer, loving to spend time at the arcade in the mall, has seen Star Wars dozens of times, loves The Goonies, and is sad when she can't go over to her friends house to play the new Super Mario Brother's game.

With the release of every new character comes the doll, countless clothes, and accessories.  I didn't get the doll or clothes, but I did get four accessory sets and book.

 

The book, front and back.  There's only one book, though there will be a second book, yet to be announced.  Courtney Changes the Game only has 120 pages, which is short compared to Nanea's, Melody, and Maryellen's original first book.  Nanea's first book originally had 216 pages, though there were no pictures, but it was shortened to 144 pages with pictures for a re-release.  That seems the direction American Girl wants to take the books.  I do like the pictures in Courtney Changes the Game, it's just a shame that fleshed out stories will suffer because of it.  There's so much more material in the original American Girl books.

Courtney's Care Bears Sleeping Bag Set: $36

I was quite the Care Bear fan girl growing up.  I had the pajamas, bed comforter, bears, and other odds and ends.  And this sleeping bag looks really, really familiar.  I don't know if it's based off of an actual item from the past, but I swear I had this as a kid.  Such a flashback.

Comparing American Girls Bedtime Bear to World's Smallest Tenderheart Bear, as I've seen many people online mention that they have the World's Smallest Care Bears.  Just showing that there is a size difference between the two, though Care Bears come in many sizes, so it's all good, and World's Smallest has a nice variety.

Courtney's School Supplies: $30

No, these aren't Lisa Frank--that would have been cool--though these seem to be modeled after the popular stationary line.  This comes with a binder, 2 folders, paper, erasers, sticker sheet, pencil case, and pencil's.  I loved me some Lisa Frank in the day, and was obsessed with her dolphin line.  That would have been amazing, but licensing and all that.  I love the pencil case, as I loved this style of case when I was younger.  Brings back so many memories.  Be careful when opening it as the connecting plastic seems fragile and thin.

 Courtney's PAC-MAN Lunch Set: $25.

I love this so much!  On my first day of school, Kindergarten, I had a plastic lunchbox.  Don't remember the character, but light blue box color comes to mind.  And on the first day of school my Mom took me to a corner gas station store and bought me chocolate milk, and then poured it into my thermos.  It's such a nice memory, and I felt super special.

This set comes with a thermos where the lid twists off.  Unfortunately you can't put the food items and thermos in the lunch box at the same time.  Then there's a ham and cheese sandwich, wrapped brownie, cheese puffs, and apple slices.

This was literally my lunch, though with a peanut butter sandwich instead, from elementary through college.  PB sandwich, a Sara Lee snack, Apple or other fruit, and some form of chips (cheese puffs did make it in the lunch a few times).  Our family couldn't afford the hot lunch, so everyday, except for when the cafeteria did that square size pizza, I was a cold lunch girl.  And I can't eat peanut butter sandwiches anymore because of it, except on certain occasions, but it saved me so much money in high school and college.

So much fun!

 

Courtney's Sleepover Accessory Set: $50

This is my favorite set.  The boombox requires 3 AAA batteries.  You can turn the dial and it makes radio sounds.  It comes with 4 mini cassette tapes, and each side plays a song when it's in the machine.  They're original songs, a mix of vocal and instrumental, with an 80's flare.  Think Tiffany not Chicago.  Unfortunately there isn't an AUX hole to connect it with a device, like Nanea's 1940's radio has.  It's fun playing swing music on it.  So I was hoping there was a way to connect a device to the boombox, but there isn't.  Am I the only one who keeps an aux cable at the ready?

There's also a bowl of tortilla chips, a couple fruit punch cans, a doodle book with drawings on every page plus a pen, and a cootie catcher.  The back side of the cootie catcher had the instructions, but I still got confused.  I forgot how to make them!!!!  So I had to look it up on YouTube. -_-;; Heh.

(I somehow got on a YouTube channel that's playing random 80's songs, and Glory of Love from Karate Kid II is playing.  Memories!!  You know, I never saw that movie, but this song got SO MUCH airplay.  We Built This City just came on!  Gah!  I'm losing it!  How can I not dance around!!!??? Best. Song. Ever.)

So tiny.

And just the little pamphlet that came with the sets.

 

Definitely a trip down memory lane.

 

101 Day No Sugary Treat Challenge

Heh, I'm serious about this.  I'm really doing it.  101 days of no sugary sweets and treats.  I'm already 2 days down.  Two whole days.  That's a lot.  I've just got 99 more days to go...

And now my life has turned into "99 bottles of beer on the wall, 99 bottles of..." 

Why 101 days?  It's just a good solid number.  Just over 3 months, which I've done before, so this time I want to go just a little bit further.  It also takes me through December 31st, which is my last day.  New Years Day I go to one treat a week.

Along with this I'm walking 5 miles a day.  Last Monday I walked 6 miles, yesterday I walked 5 miles, and it really does help me mentally.  I keep wanting to throw in strength training, which is important, but at the moment this is enough, though ... I'll most likely incorporate a program soon.

This year has been a process of changing my brain.  Finding what works and what doesn't.  Making myself mentally stronger.  Changing my viewpoint.  I'm much stronger now then I was a few months back.

I'm nervous of failing, but I already passed my first trial of temptation, and on day one, too.  Heh, only a couple days ago.  We took my Grandma to Dairy Queen, because it's her favorite, and I REALLY wanted to try the caramel apple pie shake.  I had the pumpkin pie shake a week back, and it was dang good.  Ahh!  But I passed.  I didn't cave!  Though, admittedly, I was a little sad for a few minutes while everyone in the car ate their treats.

Once we get to the holidays I'm going to struggle.  But one day at a time.  Spirit over body.  Focus on how I feel, and how I don't always like how I feel when I eat sugar.  I'm developing inner strength.  Mental fortitude.  I'm getting healthy and overcoming cravings and desires.  But really, I'm going to accomplish something that for me is really, really difficult, and I'll come out stronger on the other side.