Notes on a self improvement project

I received an e-mail today from an old friend.  Most of the time, these are a wonderful and welcome change from the e-mails I usually get - typically, I get feed from library job listserves, Monster.com and Realtor.com.  Today, though, the e-mail from my old friend contained the sad, sad news of the passing of Ted Warshafsky. Ted was the founder of the first law firm I worked for.  He was a truly a force of nature.  He was a gifted attorney and a true advocate for the rights of injured people.  He was passionate about the law and beyond dedicated.  He was inspiring.  And a little scary.  But I have truly fond memories of working with him - I loved Ted - in a completely work appropriate sense. One of my favorite memories of Ted is this:  I was engaged to Pete and we were planning our wedding when I started working there.  We ended up inviting him, along with several others at the firm, to the wedding.  On the day he received the ...

The dogs and I just got back from a walk.  That goal, at least, is still pretty much on track.  We walked for about 3 miles today and about 2 yesterday, and we are still walking every morning.  Admittedly, we probably could have walked more this weekend, but it was cold and wet and I couldn't bring myself to do it.  We also have had some issues with neighborhood dogs - and their humans - which have been somewhat discouraging.  In fact, yesterday, we were on track for the full 3 mile walk when we walked past the house with the rottie who is sometimes loose.  I thought we would be good to go, since it was raining and cold, but the rottie was out and running around.  His human saw us, and instead of trying to call the rottie, she yelled at us to turn around and go back.  This was odd, because t he rottie people are usually a little better - they usually at least try to call their dog instead of yelling at me.  This was  on top of a confront...

I haven't posted for awhile, mostly because there is little to report.  The shingles are better, but I haven't done much to get back on track with my goals.  I have felt generally uninspired and I have had a hard time finding the energy or enthusiasm for much at all, and for a self improvement project in particular.   It isn't hard for me to figure out why.  There are a few obvious reasons for my lack of motivation, it doesn't take  a rocket scientist to figure them out.  The trick will be to find ways to get past them and get back on track.    So, I am paid twice monthly, at the middle of the month and the last day of the month.  The check at the middle of the moth ends up paying the mortgage and the car payment, and that leaves enough for gas for the car and groceries and that is pretty much it.  That means the check at the end of the month has to cover literally everything else that costs money - all bills and expenses that AREN'T...