Every day is special. No matter how much of a routine kept, there are extraordinary moments of every single day. If we allow ourselves to notice them. :)

Saturday (yesterday) gave out inklings of spring. The freshness of the air, wonderful sunshine here in NH. Less than 30 days until the official first day of spring. The vernal equinox is on March 20th 2004 this year.

Pssttt...while reading the Vegetarian Times today, I discovered March 20th is ALSO the 20th annual observance of "The Great Meatout" when you "kick the meat habit (at least for this day) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains." Why does this description remind me of that bad vegetarian joke: "Q: How do you make a vegetarian crazy? A: You squeeze a carrot til it screams." Yes I am a vegetarian, but not a left-wing "meat is evil" sort of person...

Took my mother out shopping for some spring clothes. It's a big deal for her as she's in a wheelchair, and most of the winter in NH it is almost impossible for her to go outside anywhere. We also had to stop at a toy store for some jigsaw puzzles which are her passion. I find that most of NH is NOT very disabled-person-friendly. As a habit I try to go to places first to scope out if she can even get inside *and* if the bathroom is accomodating. 

For lunch she insisted on her favorite chinese place, which has a huge buffet. No tofu dishes for me, so I ate vegetables and a salad. Mom is on this new low fat diet due to some gallbladder problems, so in order to get me to agree to take her here, she had to promise to only eat items I approved for her, and if I said "no", not to argue with me. Of course she has to test me often even after she promises. How does the saying go? "Living long enough to drive your kids crazy." I swear this is boomerang karma for me being such a nudge-y little kid.  So picture we are going through this buffet line, I am carrying her plate as she is pushing the wheelchair and she is pointing to foods she wants and I'm am saying "nope, no, can't have that, ok on that one, yes the veggies are fine" etc. as she is saying "Oh please can't I have a LITTLE of that? etc". I did notice there was a very large man sort of behind us in the line. At the very end Mom points to some lasagne that looked soaked in oil and I said "no way, that's it, don't you dare ask me about that lasagna"... and the large man behind us booms out "Oh don't worry I won't!!! (very emphatically). Mom and I both started laughing. I'm sure he was quite relieved to know I was not HIS food Nazi.

Purchased a Bodum coffee press and had the satisfaction of making my first delicious and strong cup of coffee in it. Reminds me of the hearty brew I used to drink alot in Tampa, cafe con leche.

Went to the gym and had a nice workout. Resistance training plus aerobics. Spread the time over the stationary bicycle, some treadmill and some elliptical. No I am *not* a jock. This is just my New Years resolution to get in healthy shape for 2004... and I'm sticking with the plan. :)

Then watched a movie called "Diastole y Sistole"... but sorry you have to wait for my official critique for another day. I have one more movie to watch, then I'll make my comments on all three at one time.

So this is the end of my mini-blog for the moment. Now I'm just hanging out on the Internet, talking to a few friends via IM, right now my adopted "Sis"... she's a hellion I tell ya. LOL!!!!!