Salem, at last!

I traveled 1000 miles to the Northeast and spent my 37th birthday in Salem, MA. I have wanted to go to Salem ever since I saw the Bewitched episode when Samantha, Dum Dum, and Endora went; that bed warmer that followed Samantha because it was really a warlock under a spell -cast by Serena of course, really stuck in my head.

The desire was cemented when Hocus Pocus came out in 1993. I just knew Salem would seem to be tailor made for little ol' me, if I could ever just get there! In my fertile imagination, I have made up alternative identities for myself in which I live in Salem, have a shop selling my magickal crafty wares and live above the shop. I have decorated the shop and my loft above it in my head many many times. I actually found the EXACT place I had been imagining while I was there. It carried a different name than the one in my head, but there it was!

It was very important to me to take this trip all by myself. I just wanted to be ME for those 5 days. Yes, I talked and texted those I love, but my time was my own. I slept when I wanted, ate when and what I wanted, strolled where I wanted and sat on park benches in the Salem Common listening to my iPod and stitching on a Celtic Knot when I wanted. It was absolute bliss.

In Sickness and in Health, but I much prefer health

Chris called me from work tonight to tell me his blood pressure was 200/119!!!!! Fortunately, he works at a hospital and they have been monitoring him and giving meds. His boss came in to work for him, so he has been on a cot most of the night. It's down to 170/95 now, which is better, but still nothing to sing about.

I'd noticed he had been acting a little off (headache etc..) but didn't really think anything about it. Damn.

Blessings

This has been the most beautiful October in my recent memory. The temperatures have been really mild with only a couple of hot days, and the leaves have been more vibrant than I have seen in years, probably because of all the rain we've had. Most people around here have been miserable because of this sogginess. I am not one to complain about the rain; I love and praise it.

I work in a beautiful quaint North Alabama town with gigantic old houses, huge trees and Autumn street festivals in the antebellum courthouse square. I love to take walks when I am on my breaks. It's wonderful to get away from my little cubicle and go and stretch my legs in the fresh cool air. On my walks today I swear there were recently carved jack o lanterns on nearly every porch! There were carpets of bright yellow leaves to swish through with plenty left in the canopies over my head.

My most poignant form of worship is to just say "Thank You" and mean it to the depths of my soul. I had "church" on the sidewalks of this little town today. This gratitude invariably spills out of my eyes in the form of tears and out of my solar plexus in the form of exuberant laughter.

Blessed Samhain

Another from Work Toni to Home Toni

Dear Home Toni,
I did very well at lunch today dutifully ignoring the red velvet cake and deep fried chicken fingers available, instead choosing corn on the cob (with no butter) carrots, mashed potatoes, and white beans, with skim milk and a multivitamin to wash it all down I even took a lunch break 3/4 mile stroll!

I'm thinking since we managed to walk 17 miles last week and felt fabulous, we should do 20 miles this week. This is certainly attainable, since the mornings and evenings are cool.

Now, we have to come to Jesus. Lay off the chips. This is non negotiable. You can exercise like a demon and still not be healthy if you gorge on Doritos 3 or 4 times per week. Switch to Baked Scoops with salsa for your fix. You can even eat them for supper.

PS, please order the kids' Halloween costumes so that they will come in the mail on time.

Work Toni's quick message to Home Toni

Dear Home Toni,

By the time you read this I will have righteously walked 2 miles, worked abs, arms, and inner and outer thighs.

Please make a note that I need contact solution here at work. I also need some healthy snacks and some milk to keep me away from the vending machines. Q tips would be nice as well.

Sincerely,
Work Toni