Update. Namaste style.

Today was very nearly a total loss, unless you count a voracious pursuit of Snapchat filters and comical voice changers, which I don't.

I worked out at the gym this morning for rather a long time. In fact, I enticed two of my friends to attempt a Yoga class with me. This was an endeavor for which we were entirely ill equipped. Hilarious. Are you aware that there are adults capable of free-standing headstands? I am not among them, but I was agog to witness the phenomenon firsthand. They even did this balancing act requiring the human body to precariously perch upon two hands with legs off to one side, in mid-air. For several breaths. Who counts activity in currency of breaths? Truly, I have seldom felt myself such an abysmal failure as in the presence of these freaks of nature. I am absolutely going back! This is a discipline I am intrigued to keep trying, despite the ridiculous feel-good quotes from historical figures regarding smarmy peace loving crap. That stuff was just silly.

After this morning's athletic excitement, I found myself entirely devoid of either motivation or necessary energy reserves to apply to the remainder of my day. Instead of adulting, I played on Snapchat until my phone required a recharging, and I followed suit by retiring for a nap.

This is not the normal routine around here, I assure you. Such frivolous inactivity is hardly usual for me. The working out, though, that's pretty normal. It's become more than a coping mechanism for me as I deal with the normal stressors in my life. It's very empowering, quite honestly. I like that I can "buffet my body, and make it my slave," to quote the apostle Paul. It's one of the few things in life that is fully within my power to control. Keeping a grip on those things that are mine to control helps me to keep my hands off of those things which are not mine to control. This is a hard-won skill in my life, and far more beneficial overall than any of the physical benefits of my athletic pursuits.

So much as changed since I last wrote here, yet most things are about the same. The grand scope is not unlike a classic soap opera, since no main character is terribly far from where we left them. However, there is a great deal of wonder in the minutia of the days, which I regret not capturing here in this ongoing documentation of my story.

My husband remains a solid source of strength for me; a calming certainty to ground me. My children are amazing and delightful, and challenge me to grow in ways I never ever expected.
Michael is serving a prison sentence and dating a most delightful young woman.
Don is wrapping up the last of his jail time while contemplating a cross-country move.
Faline is juggling college and work and social life and honing her skills as an artist.
Aaron is embracing high school with all the new friends and adventures typical to that experience.
......which, come to think of it, is sounding very much like a foundation for the annual Christmas letter.

So, you see? Same sort of stuff going on around here. I am going to go practice my headstand.