Favorite Dress

This is in response to Becky's tag. I had many a favorite dress growing up. The one I am posting a picture of was made by my mom. My little dance group (I was in second grade) put on a performance of The Nutcracker. I was one of the friends dancing around with a present. I LOVED this dress! (Belle doesn't seem to share my enthusiasm, she won't wear it for dress-ups!)
My next favorite dress was a little pink number I wore for about a year straight. I still remember my mom telling me that I could not wear the same dress to church every week! It was light pink, had a lace collar and was pleated all the way around the skirt so that it would swirl up as I turned. I would wear it with my pink leg warmers and my roller skates. I was channelling Olivia Newton-John in Xanadu (only one of the best shows ever made! ha ha) I can't tell you how much I wanted to be like her skating around to disco-like music. I thought she was so beautiful! I still remember the first time I saw Xanadu (just to show what an impression it made on my eight year old brain). My poor family! I know I had either Xanadu or Grease on every day. Oh the good old days pretending to be Olivia, skating around the neighborhood in my Xanadu dress and leg warmers. Some of the best summer memories of my life!

Books

Do you ever go through stages where you just don't feel like reading? I had one of those stages a recently. However, it has been broken by the force of some captivating trilogies. The first was the series about Josephine Bonaparte by Cullen. These were historical fiction. I loved them! Any learning I can do that is fun is great! The next series was the vampire series by Stephanie Meyer. I know, I know, I may be one of the last females in Utah to read this series. I, like some others I know, thought the subject matter wasn't something I'd be interested in. And still, if you recommended a book on pretty much any supernatural subject, I would decline. (but I'm a sucker for a good romance) I finally gave into these, only because of the many rave reviews. Okay, let me just say....hook, line, sinker. This rivals any book I have ever read as far as captivation (and obsession) goes. I have been reading like a maniac! My poor family and home have been suffering in the neglect area. Its funny how little spare time I seem to have, until I'm engrossed in a book. (I get very ingenious at cutting corners and skipping the unnecessary.)
I am about a third of the way through Eclipse. Although I have thoroughly enjoyed reading these books, I would have to say they are not my favorite books. I have read other books that I like more. However they haven't turned me into a captivated, addicted maniac reader. So my question is, what is it about these books that makes it so hard to put them down? Is it the characters, the story or the style of writing?
I've put a lot of thought into this. For me its a little of all three. I do want to see what is going to happen. She (the writer) is good at pulling you along. But, I think that what has me obsessed is the underlying theme of self discipline. I am in awe of people who have strong self discipline. The intense love, control and discipline some of the characters have is what has pulled me into this story.(and kept me thinking about them after I put the book down) What is it that captivated you? If not in these books, any other book that you have torn through in record time!
P.S. It is also nice to read a book without foul language and sex!

Life is Good!

I don't have much to say, except: Life is Good! Can one help feeling this way at the beginning of Spring? I feel like the gloom has been lifted off of me. The cold darkness of winter is giving way to light and new life. Walks to the park, watching the flowers bloom and once again feeling the warmth of the sun on my face. These simple things make me happy! A fresh new season awaits! Glorious Spring!

The Results

I'm done! I officially finished my cleanse yesterday! I am so glad that I don't need to take 12 pills a day anymore. I feel for people who have a lot medications to take daily, it sucks! Especially if the pills are the size of my big toe! OK, I'm exaggerating a little.
Now to the results. I have to say, I think it was worth it! I did not get all that I was promised. Did my skin clear up? NO. Did my immune system get strengthened? No (I am currently on the brink of a cold). Did I lose weight? No. Is my tummy flatter? No. So you may be asking, "what good did it do?" I'll tell you. I think that I feel better. I don't feel as groggy or low energy as I did before. I also have noticed an improvement in my workouts. My heart rate seems to be lower for the energy that I am exerting. In other words it feels like I got faster all of a sudden. For any of you who know me and how I like to race, this is HUGE!!! My skepticisms were: 1) Do I feel more energetic due to warmer weather or the cleanse?(absolutely beautiful last week). 2) Do I feel better because I ate better for two weeks (although, I didn't eat all that great).
Conclusion. I think that I will do it again in a few months. I think I will try another system. (Tara, I'll be in touch) I also think that I will try to eat a more cleanse friendly diet. Hopefully in the mean time I will be better about what I eat. I saw Dr Oz on Oprah today. He was talking about cleanse diets and whether they are a hoax. He said that they won't do all they promise in one to two weeks. But they are a good jump start to kicking bad eating habits and cravings so you will be less toxic over time.
I know how much better I feel, how much more energy I have and how much faster I am when I eat well. So why is it so hard? Why can't my appetite get on page with the rest of my body? Why is sugar soooo good? If anyone has an answer, you'll make millions! Maybe with long term healthy eating and biannual cleanses one will obtain all of the cleanse's promised results. As for me, I guess only time and discipline will tell!