September snuck up on me!

I am so terribly embarrassed!! My last post was in April?? seriously??? Well, that is craziness.
.
Updates:
.
Through September 1 I have walked 261 miles towards my goal. Pretty darn good, I'd say!! I have made exercise a regular part of my week and while I do feel it's time to step it up a bit, I feel good about my success here.
.
I have not actually lost much weight... but that could be the result of all the EATING I do. I am in both the walking challenge (which I am succeeding in!) AND a diet swap... which I am failing miserably... but to be honest the diet swap is the only reason I have not ADDED weight this summer. So maybe that's not a total failure.
.
My Dad's diabetes is causing some circulation and swelling problems in his legs, and also serious kidney problems. And I won't even go into my Mom's physical problems (not that they are any less important... it just gets to be too much!) They are both doing okay, but not great, spending most of their time now focused on their physical issues, which is no fun. So, any prayers going in their direction would be truly lovely! They are, however, going on a wonderful trip to the midwest to visit all of their friends and family again. It is my Mom's 60th high school reunion, and she will be the belle of the ball. (She looks very young) AND is determined not to wear orthopedic shoes, which made me laugh. I am not sure why, as I would be determined not to wear them, either!! Go, Mom! The heels will be awesome! They are all thinking it will be too much for them to travel out again to all meet, so are anticipating in a bittersweet way, with lots of excitement AND some small amount of sadness, too.
.
And finally some big happy news-es about myself... I will be walking in a walk against Diabetes Saturday October 9th. I'd love it if any of you would be willing to support my walk financially. Every single gift counts, whether it is $100 or $1. I will add the link as soon as I figure out how. ;) I think if you click on the title of this blog it will take you to my walk page. I am really looking forward to making this small contribution to help defeat something several members of my family are struggling with. My goal is only $300, but I am hoping to collect even more than that. Next year hopefully I will start planning sooner!
.
And... (prepare yourself for some giant green feelings of jealousy)... On Saturday one of my 'old' high school friends (and I use the term 'old' to describe our friendship, not HER) flies in from the other side of the world (figuratively) and Sunday we drive down to North Carolina for a full WEEK on the beach with two other high school friends. (also OLD friends but certainly none of us is actually OLD!!) SO MUCH excitement between the four of us. We have tried to get several other ladies from school to join us (the house is all paid for, after all, no matter who comes or doesn't!!) but things just don't seem to work out for them. Hopefully one or two will at least be joining us for a couple of days.
.
But a FULL WEEK... on the BEACH... just so fun. We have been anticipating this week for 12 months. I will try to tell you about it later.
.
I am going to include a poem I wrote about our beach weekend last year (did I mention it's a full week this year???) because I don't really think anybody will read this anyway, and I just love it. It is exactly how I felt while we sat under the shooting stars eating chocolate someone in Germany had sent me, and making wishes. I hope you guys have a great day today.
.
Glitter tossed across a darkened sky; stars, reflected in the ocean,
seem to give the notion they are waiting for reply from man or moon.
They shimmer fully bright, no city lights to dim them,
and listen to the water's music crashing on the shore.
Do they know that there is more than this, or is this all the world tonight,
this darkened shiny bit of coastline where we sit?
Friends sigh and think and breathe beneath this sparkled velvet sky;
count shooting stars that fly and burn away the worries of the back-home-day;
chocolate bars are broken into bits of creamy dreamy bliss
And shared between the whispered wishes and the silliness that comes to mind.
When we look back, we'll find a perfect moment, framed in memory;
a snapshot of my friends and me that we can save inside,
to pull out when the smiles have nearly died away; to brighten up a future night
where stars are dimmer, with more space between, and wishes nearly wished away.
We'll save one wish for that long day,
that we can soon be back beneath the glitter scattered night.