Walking into the gym yesterday was hard. I was worried; scared. I was afraid that it would be too busy and there would be no machines. I was nervous about going to the gym alone for the first time ever. I’m not sure what I thought would happen, since this was not a life-altering half hour. It was only 30 minutes on the elliptical. I’ll tell you what I was not expecting, though: The gym owner hollering at me as I was leaving, “Good to see you! It’s been a really long time!” Oh, yes he did.

Today, it was easier. Walking in the door was still hard. Butterflies are taking up residence in my stomach, but with a deep breath I went in anyway. I waved at the owner, found an empty machine and zoned out for half an hour. I didn’t die. My world didn’t end. My only regret is forgetting my water bottle. There’s always Thursday, right?

For my birthday, my fantastic mother-in-law (kinda? the boyfriend’s mom) gave me an hour long massage. As I laid on the table this past weekend, I was forced to stop and think. No TV in the background. No laundry to do. No half-done projects in my face. And, I realized something…I am too hard on myself. I worry that no one is reading my blog, so I don’t write. I worry that I won’t have time to finish a load of laundry tonight, so I don’t start. I worry that I will offend someone if I speak the truth of my feelings, so I let them believe I agree. I am a classic example of a first-born. I am a perfectionist and hate producing anything less. I have to do better. I have to give myself some credit.

My life right now is out of control. I am overwhelmed. And, that’s okay. I have a plan, a list, and an idea. I went back to the gym today after two months. I wrote a blog post even though no one may read it. I am going to put a load of laundry into the washing machine just in case I have time to put it in the dryer. I am going to bake banana muffins with those bananas that are going bad just because I can.

And so, I am taking my life back. I am taking control. Here is the start of something great

Seeing that a Pilot steers the ship in which we sail, who will never allow us to perish even in the midst of shipwrecks, there is no reason why our minds should be overwhelmed with fear and overcome with weariness. – John Calvin

Editor’s note: Ron Clark, author of “The End of Molasses Classes: Getting Our Kids Unstuck — 101 Extraordinary Solutions for Parents and Teachers,” has been named “American Teacher of the Year” by Disney and was Oprah Winfrey’s pick as her “Phenomenal Man.” He founded The Ron Clark Academy, which educators from around the world have visited to learn.

(CNN) — This summer, I met a principal who was recently named as the administrator of the year in her state. She was loved and adored by all, but she told me she was leaving the profession.

I screamed, “You can’t leave us,” and she quite bluntly replied, “Look, if I get an offer to lead a school system of orphans, I will be all over it, but I just can’t deal with parents anymore; they are killing us.”

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The other day a friend unexpectedly sent her teenage son over to pick up something. I had about 2.5 seconds notice, with no exaggeration. I had been in the throes of laundry and sewing a cushion cover for a chair that had been spray painted so was sitting in the middle of the living room. Those 2.5 seconds provided me with enough time to push a bra under the coffee table. The rest…well, I guess that poor 17 year old boy got an eyeful of what it’s like living as a single girl with a head full of projects and not enough time to finish cleaning up.

Needless to say, my apartment has never sparkled as much as it is now. It is clean with a capital C.

One thing that’s really been bothering me this week is the abundant use cell phones among the people in my life. Don’t get me wrong – I love my phone and I rely on it heavily. I suppose what concerns me is the constant stream of information and entertainment that they provide. My phone, for all my obsession with it, is not a smart phone and runs the slowest internet possible…sort of like dial-up.

There will be times that I’m with a friend (no one in particular, just any friend) having a great conversation in the car, a restaurant, or even one of our houses. Things will get quiet when I notice they’re checking Facebook on their phone. Is it that important? Are status updates that important that a face-to-face conversation can wait?

I worry that we’re all thinking a million miles a minute and are so busy with what everyone else has going on that we’re losing sight of our human, in person, real life relationships.

I am guilty, too. I place blame on no one. I am not calling anyone out. But in my heart, I worry a little.

The next door apartment has been empty for a few weeks, and I have been so curious as to who would move it. Lo and behold a single mother and her teenage daughter moved in this past weekend. As I was standing outside greeting them, I looked over onto my porch to see this:

And I realized…I’m no better than the crooked blind people. What an awful sight for this lady who is starting her life over next door to me.

Yesterday, I hightailed it over to Home Depot to find a handful of annuals that were on sale. Most of them claim to bloom well into the fall, so I’m hoping that they’ll last for a while. Longer than my first set of plants, at least.

After laying out the possibilities and fiddling with the arrangement, I have a brand-spankin’ new  flower pot.

Maybe this time I’ll remember to water them.

Here are a few home ideas I’m loving over on Pinterest:

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My bed has been decked out in blues and greens for years, but after seeing this beauty, I’m considering a change to something whiter and brighter. Maybe the addition of a white quilt would be enough?

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I just adore this sign for the front door! It’s also in my DIY folder because it looks so do-able. Either way, it’s definitely something I want for my home.

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And, finally… I’m not madly in love with the colors of this desk, but I am all over the set-up. I love the idea of using a table as a desk so long as it stays clutter-free. This picture sums up almost exactly what I’m looking to find and then put together for my apartment.

Make sure to link up to Pinnable Me with paw prints and pastry bags…I’d love to see what you’ve been pinning!

And speaking of delectable delights, I thought I’d share with you a website that I just love, that has unknowingly kept me on track when it comes to Weight Watchers. For all of my non-WW friends, don’t shy away from this site. I’m afraid I’d love it even if I were not on the plan!

Skinny Taste is the home of 90% of my favorite recipes, including the Pink Lemonade Confetti Cupcakes. I also adore the Strawberry Squares. Obviously I’m a fan of sweets.

I’ve also found great success with their supper recipes, even ones that please the not-on-a-diet boyfriend. The Lighter Chicken Saltimbocca and Corn Salsa with Lime are favorites that show up often in my meal plan.

Now it’s your turn: What websites are helping you lose or maintain weight?

Can you read what that jar is? It’s most definitely ComPOOst from the local zoo. From the elephant exhibit. So, yea… After seeing this beauty, I knew deep in my heart what a treat I was in for as I toured the rest of the Mast General Store.

I love all things Tervis Tumbler. I’m a hoarder of all things with a South Carolina flag on it. Thus, my loud squealing when I saw this cup. And, no, I did not buy it, but I will own it one of these days.

If I could sum up what I want my house to look like in one piece of fabric, it would be this napkin (the one on the right, although the other isn’t so bad). The blue and green are strikingly similar to my living room and bathroom paint colors, so I’m trying to see how I can build up the rest of my design around these colors. It’s my very own Sue the Napkin!

Hehehe…because every jar needs a bonnet. For a whopping $1.49, this could  be yours to top any jar (it’s elastic, you see). I do love the south, but maybe I’m missing some vital component to storing items in my pantry.

I want a biscuit bowl. Not a premade one like this, but a real-older than my grandma-used one. The end.

Since we’re talking about all things southern, how would you like your very own Confederate States of America tie? No?!? But, it’s an illustrated history of the Civil War!

I guess a Declaration of Independence tie will have to do. In case you ever forget the words, you can always just look at your tie. Perfect!

I want to leave you with this beauty. It was not found at the general store, but at the shop next door. I’ll admit that it was the shine that caught my attention first. But, oh my. Did you notice the details on the tips? That’s high quality right there!

Source: theblissfullycontentlife.blogspot.com via Maggie on Pinterest

Source: verypurpleperson.com via Maggie on Pinterest

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Have you found any great DIY projects lately?