It’s been ages since I’ve written anything here. A lot has happened in my life since my last post, and writing hasn’t really been an option or high priority. I’ve had several procedures done to address intense back pain and couldn’t type easily for quite awhile. I got myself into a cycle of resting and then scrambling to play catch up. I felt frustrated and deadlocked for quite awhile. Knowing that I needed to make some permanent changes, I bought a couple of books on time management to see if I could create a system that would actually help me get things done. Some of the books I read were a basic recitation of do it faster and work smart, not hard. This drove me nuts since it wasn’t addressing my situation at all. The book that made a difference for me is called Time Management From The Inside Out. It’s by Julie Morgenstern and is available in both audio and print formats. She didn’t ask me to change my personality or make folders with elaborate filing schemes. She helped me pinpoint what was working well and what was actually going wrong and then helped me to create my own unique strategy for handling my goals and my stuff. Her book Organizing From The Inside Out was also a lot of help in finding ways to get rid of the seemingly endless clutter I had around me.

These days, I’m getting more done without getting overwhelmed or feeling like I’m scrambling. I’m finding time to do things I like and still have time to rest and recharge too.

I’m still dating the same guy that I’ve written about here in earlier posts. I refer to him as MG which stands for my guy. I want to protect his privacy here. We’ve made it through settling some of the issues that any dating couple faces and are still moving forward together.

My daughter is 12 years old now and has discovered boys. Please send Aspirin if you have any. She is also playing basketball and is about to start the seventh grade. Her favorite bands right now are Relient K and Switchfoot. She wants to be a fashion designer and/or cosmetologist when she grows up.

As for me, it has been a year of some big changes and accomplishments. I was able to make hero status on Medievia, the MUD I like to play. I was told that a blind woman can’t do that. MG introduced me to the world of bluegrass music, and I have found that something in it heals my soul. I still like other kinds of music. This is just another piece in my puzzle I guess. I’ve renewed my interest in sound production and have been learning to use several editing tools and effects packages. I’ve worked harder than ever on overcoming my shyness, forcing myself to go and talk to people I don’t know or go out to dinner alone. My friends convinced me to try Skype, and I’m having fun with it. We bought a new recumbant bike, and I love how I can change my workouts each day. I’ve been learning both Yoga and Pilates exercises and have found that they improve how I feel and reduce the pain level so I can get out of the house and do things again. I’m well enough now to join both a book club and a computer users’ group. I plan to make a trip to visit friends in Texas soon as well. Most important of all, I feel closer to God than I have ever been and am enjoying sharing that with my daughter and the people around me.

Well, that’s enough writing for now. It’s time for me to go and jump on our bike and get my heart pumping. Catch you later.