I am learning, in my advanced maternal age, not to party TOO hard on Mardi Gras.
Madcap (and Made-up) Mardi Gras RevelersWhy? You know why.
Who wants to fast on a hangover?
Revelery (as edited by Angela) 
Plus no hair of the dog for this chica! I gave up alcohol for Lent because I’m starting to enjoy it a bit too much.
How’s that for an honest & humble admission?
Honest, maybe, but it stopped being humble the moment that I called it that.
Ash Wednesday was hard, regardless. I mentioned on Facebook that I “stink at fasting,” and I do. Food is my go-to, along with coffee and wine, so at the end of the day I felt depressed and crabby. I tried to put on a cheerful face–you know, tie a ribbon on my sackcloth and slap some make-up on the ashes–but it didn’t work. Not really.
Sometimes you just gotta shoulder your cross. I kept checking my emails and texts for a pick-me-up but got nothin’–nothin’!–in return. I felt lonely, despised, unfunny, unpopular; I felt like a depressed person because I was.
So you know I did? I drank a 5th of vodka!
Just kidding. I went to bed at 9:30; I got the rest my mind needed. In the morning, I woke up fresh and prayed. I prayed for people by name as I fingered my rosary and I thought, “Take that, you ol’ hairy legs.”
The fog soon lifted. I felt peace. I could eat.
(And having fasted successfully the day before, the scale was down a couple of points. Bonus!)
One thing that emails and texts have taught me is that I am an incredibly impatient person. And prideful! This is an area I need to work on. I shouldn’t place such demands on people, and I shouldn’t keep all my emotional “eggs” in one affirmation basket, because sometimes…most times…God wants to be enough.
He wants me to want Him more than those emails and texts.
Enough! Let’s move onto to the give-away winner. I mentioned that I prayed for you all by name and I have been, though I haven’t quite made it through the list. You will each get a Hail Mary, I promise! I prayed, too, for the winner of the give-away, that my gift might bless the winner with what she needs at this time.
I’m thinking chocolate?
And the winner is…
Your care package will soon be on its way! It includes (but is not limited to) something for mind, body and soul: an autographed copy of this book by Dale Ahlquist; an autographed copy of this book by Karen Edmisten; and chocolate.
Because chocolate.
You can eat it on Sunday with my blessing. : )
My dear Margaret, aren't you nursing? You are a stronger woman than I am lady! Oh and I need a big sign for my kitchen that says your line about "God wants to be enough". I am in that same affirmation craving boat and I need to stop. Say, are those books ones that you have read and recommend? They look good.
I definitely recommend these two books, Betsy. In fact, *anything* by those two authors is sure to be gold standard.
That entire fasting thing….you described me to a T. I love reading your posts š May the rest of your lenten journey be fruitful!!
Thank you, sweet Patty. You too! ā„
I laughed when I read your facebook status on Ash Wed. I just didn't have the guts to post the same status even though I could have if I was honest. It was true. And upon further discussion with hubby this AM I have decided that perhaps food isn't really the issue to be addressed this Lent.
As always, food for the soul and thoughts for the brain this Friday morning in Lent. Thank you.
Blessed Lenten season to you!
It's taken me a long, long time to figure this out, Sarah, but food (and comments) are NOT the issue. It goes much deeper than that.
Blessed Lent to you too, my friend! ā„
It's still a humble thing to say. You haven't crossed that pride line.
I always find after Ash Wednesday, I have to tweak the things I'd planned on doing/giving up.
I'm tweaked and hoping to do better each day.
(so yes, I failed even Ash Wednesday)
Love you!
Love you too, Jamie Jo. Still hoping to get up for a visit with you & Christine.
I love your humor, Margaret! And what a good point – that we shouldn't expect others to fill the 'affirmation' bucket. I struggle with that every.single.day. The affirmation I want is my kids doing their schoolwork exactly as it should be done and do every subject in a suitably quiet and reserved manner š When it doesn't go as I envision, well, let's just say it's hard on them and me. I am and will be working on that attitude.
And I did try to cut snacks on Ash Wednesday, but I'm still nursing so …
Hard to believe how 'adult' that oldest son looks (I know mine does, too).
That's actually my second oldest son, Suzie. Hasn't he gotten tall?
(Of course, standing next to me improves ANYONE'S odd of looking tall.)
see THIS