I get stressed when I "get myself" too busy. School starting has been a little stressful this year. I've had several criers on different days and a runner. We volunteered to work at the volleyball concession stand this week. We volunteered to sell "Yard Markers" for After Prom fund raiser and it's Viking Football season. Plus there's always housework, lesson plans, and the list goes on . . . .

When I get myself too busy, I get grouchy. It always feels like I don't do anything well. Like I'm not giving my full attention to any one thing. I also think where's "my time".

This week on Thursday Bill and I worked at the concession stand for volleyball, I had a rough day at school, and it rained so I couldn't walk in the morning. I ate a chicken sandwich at the concession stand for supper with water. After we were done working, I had worn my walking clothes so I went for a walk around Avoca in the dark. That was all I needed to calm me down so I didn't feel so stressed.

Friday I sold yard markers at the football game with my good friends Jean and Paula. The Vikings won another good game over West Monona. They played on the brand new football field for the first time. I think they broke it in very well. At the tailgate I ate a plain hamburger, sun chips (only 140mg sodium), and water.

I'm no busier than anyone else, but I don't handle it very well at times. Ever since I've had cancer I have become more "outspoken". I'm not afraid to say what I think or have other people help when I can't. I've always been one to volunteer to help with things in our community from coaching youth soccer, school board, after prom committee, and the list goes on. But what I did learn from my experience is it's OK to say no or let others do the work sometimes.

I'm a worrier! Lots of things go through my head when I'm stressed and I have trouble sleeping, etc. I try to always live one day at a time but when I'm stressed it seems to all get jumbled up. Friday night after the football game we went up to the Avoca Clubhouse after the game and I had my one Bacardi Raz with no food which is a switch for me. But when I got home I was still wound up from the football game and I had to make Gabe two pans of brownies. He's going to a Christian Rock Concert in Sioux Falls, South Dakota this weekend. I started thinking about making the football dinner which isn't until Sept. 24Th and I ended up cleaning up the bowl of brownie mix after I had them in the oven. I did this almost without realizing I was doing it because I was thinking about something else.

So this morning I went for an extra long walk in Avoca, hopefully that will help. At least now I don't feel like I blew the whole thing by this one transgression, because I have the rest of my life to figure this out. But this is why I'm an emotional eater. I can be mad, sad, happy, or whatever other feeling there is and worrying and I eat.

It's all in how I view things. I need to look at things through new eyes and a new heart at times because this changes everything.

"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." Albert Einstein

Blessings,
Laurie