I will never underestimate the power of endorphins again. Like a lot of people, I've heard the yadda-yadda about how exercise can improve mood, and I accepted it but never really put it to the test. It's true. It has been many weeks since I had the energy to exercise at ALL; I was just too tired, stressed and sad - and many months since my schedule permitted a long walk, a bike ride, or anything outdoors in the fresh air. I forced myself to get onto my exercise bike on Friday, and I'm so glad I did. A few days of daily exercise has done more to improve my energy and sleep than any drug could have - minus any side effects. I am a born-again exerciser now. Sorority Girl is bunking in with me because SIL is using her room, so I didn't get on my exercise bike this morning - instead I took the Wee Bossy One for a brisk walk around the lake. He always wears out halfway through and is a 7 lb. arm weight for the rest of the walk. We met other dogs, saw lots of ducks and a flock of something new I'll have to look up later, and came back sweaty (me) panting (him) and pleasantly tired (both of us). It's a good walk, it takes about 40 minutes at a reasonable pace (I try to think of it as interval training - brisk walk, pause for doggy sniffing, hiking a leg, and socializing - then pick up the pace again). I'm going to do that every morning, weather permitting, it's been years since I've been able to - I used to walk every day, and it's now on the list of things I'm glad to be able to do again. Murphy was ecstatic - I remember when we brought in crisis nursing help for my husband, weeks ago, Murphy dragged me toward the lake for his walk. He had missed it too.


So my stress level is much lower this morning. This is good because I still have things to do, like go drop off a check at the funeral home for the church and other misc. costs, and figure out how to entertain my SIL today. I also must call my husband's best friend and retract whatever brainstorms I agreed to in my half-asleep state the other night - I don't think he'll be too offended, he's not that way, but if he is, oh well, I'm sorry but that's how it's gonna be. I conferred with the kids and they were in complete agreement that there is no way we want to be transported to an event at his house, and therefore trapped there, dependent on somebody giving us a ride home. We'll come back to our house and get our own cars and meet y'all up there, thanks. Also negative on the eulogy at the funeral - that, too, would be more appropriate at the after-funeral gathering, a eulogy is not typically part of a Catholic funeral, let's not start monkeying with it. Oh, the decisions one gets to make about these things. I am determined to keep this as simple and basic as I can, because that was my husband's wish and also what the kids and I want, and I am Licensed to Bitch.


Knitting content - a little progress on that Sitcom Chic sleeve. I think I'll take a shower and sit down and finish it while waiting for the rest of the household to stir. I can't wait to get that thing done - white is less than visually stimulating.