DAY 18 -- September Fitness Challenge

I couldn't work out today. But, instead of candy, I had first fruit salad and now yogurt. In the past ten days, I have had official "sweets" twice: Twizzlers at the movies and a sliver of chocolate brownie (with chocolate chips) on Tuesday. I have a sweet tooth, no two ways around it. But I'm trying to substitute a lot of empty sugary calories with fewer, nutrionally-laden calories. So far, I'm doing fine.

Oh, me of little faith!

How could I not believe that the Cubs would get 4 runs in the 9th to tie … that Kerry Wood would kick Brewer ass in extra innings … and that in the bottom of the 12th with two outs, D Lee would come through with an RBI single to center? Shame on me!

I believe we just saw what our skipper, Lou Piniella, would call, "A Cubbie Occurrence."

Magic Number: 2

Xanax, carnations and Paul

I am in a mood as I write this. That would be a BAD mood. Let's see now -- my DVD player is broken and replacing it is not an expenditure I planned for, I didn't get to work out today, but I do get to revise perfectly lovely copy that I don't think requires revision (but my boss does), my best friend is incommunicado because his clients are financial firms and they're freaking out and making all kinds of demands on him (which means I can't), and the Cubs are losing.

But I am determined to take control of my emotions and turn this day around. I popped a Xanax, I am listening to the always comforting Sir Paul McCartney (who right now is filling my office with "Silly Love Songs") and best of all, I got fresh flowers. 8 stems of very deep purple carnations. Get this: the florist gave them to me for FREE, a thank you for being such a regular client! It's not the $10 (though the $10 is good), it's the gesture that's so nice.