weeeeeee!

Pounds lost in eight months: 32

And for what it’s worth: 5 pounds to BMI 30.

Now, more than ever, yes.

I was emptying drawers yesterday afternoon. I know I haven’t given you the novel I promised on why things with the genius are falling apart. It will still come, just not before I interject: I’m moving back to my home town. I do not wish to pay another month’s rent here, so I’ve got the rest of April to put all the pieces together. 

Six months of intense soul-searching has brought me to this strange precipice. I’ve known it was coming, this life-altering decision I would have to make. I was afraid that there wouldn’t be any sign-posts along the way and that I would just have to leap, terrified, into the unknown. Clinging to the hope that I wouldn’t have to go so blindly, I was bouyed and I’ve been rewarded.

When I finally started to do something about all the mess I’m in, puzzle pieces came into view. I don’t want to say I’m jaded, but with each little step I have to keep questioning and doubting and hoping. It’s a new life. I don’t want to lose the urgency to live wide open. There is much to do. There is much to hope for.

I raised a sport purse out of a deep drawer, and when I opened the purse, a fortune cookie fortune greeted me from a clear pocket: “Your dearest wish will come true.” It’s not really one wish in particular. It’s a schema of wishes. At a time when everything seems ripe, I want to say yes to life. I still waver with uncertainty, but I’m now taking steps, no matter the measure, instead of lying stagnant in fear and confusion.

(The link to “yes” in the previous paragraph is one of the best stories ever. Read it. It’s worth it.)

No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

For some reason, this post is giving me fits to republish from the old blog, so I’m re-entering the whole shebang:

This is my favorite cookie recipe from childhood. It brings to memory the dark brown kitchen cabinets of the house of my youth. The yellow linoleum and its golden glow reflecting under the light of the over-the-stove vent. The warm, cocoa-rich aroma and the fun of helping mom cook. It’s a very good memory, and so are the cookies.

No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients 
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup milk
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
3 to 4 tablespoons peanut butter, optional
3 cups quick oats (or old-fashioned)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation
Combine chocolate chips, peanut butter (if used), oats, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Combine the margarine, milk, and sugar in a saucepan; bring to a rolling boil. Boil for 1 minute. Combine the hot mixture with the oatmeal and chocolate chip mixture; stir well. Drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper; let cool. Voila. Disperse as desired.

Note: quantities of this recipe’s ingredients can be tweaked, and other complementary ingredients can be added to taste. Love it!

Blog Trip

Haven’t had your daily dose of happy? Go now and read this post. Take the time; you’ll be glad you did.

Shauna, the Gluten-Free Girl, is a fantabulous writer. Whatever the subject is that she chooses to blog about, the reader always comes away with residual joy. In addition to excellent advice and guidance about living gluten-free, you will find that time spent reading what Shauna has to say is time you’ll spend feeding your soul. This woman is alive to the fullest. Shauna says YES to life.

If you haven’t already followed the above link to read her nominated post, GO!