Sooo… a cleansing diet doesn’t just clean up my eating habits.
It cleans ME out! Aaagh! This stuff should come with a warning! Don’t do this while at work! Maybe that extra tablespoon of flaxseed was too much. Or too heavy on the spinach? The color… Don’t think of it, Amy! You should go home. You should really GO HOME! But I can’t abandon Dr. McMahon. I’m the only dental hygienist here this afternoon. A sweaty, sickish dental hygienist… Am I imagining it or is my face a little green? Only a few more hours… You've got this, Amy. But do I?
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Good morning, world! I did it! I managed to drink the whole 8 ounces.
Spinach, lettuce, blueberries, flaxseed… At least it tastes better than it looks. My first cleansing diet. Three days of smoothies. No unhealthy food for me! Just clean, healthy goodness. I have to admit, my stomach feels a bit weird. It will probably take a day to adjust. “It’s not funny!”
My glare only makes Carmen and Samira giggle more. At least Mrs. Patel, who invited us for tea since we were all home this cold afternoon, looks somewhat sympathetic. “You’re the one describing yourself as a coat rack!” Carmen’s laughing so much that she actually has to set her cup of chai back onto the table. “Dear Amy, don’t let it worry you.” Mrs. Patel pats my hand. Her eyes are sparkling now. “I’m mortified. I didn’t even have any makeup on.” “Well, you were exercising, after all. They will forget by the next time they see you.” But I won’t. The way they looked at me, the way they looked at her... I might never look great in shorts, but I can have stronger, leaner legs. I already have more muscle than I did before I moved here. But lean? Ha! Time to enforce a New Year’s weight loss plan. Okay, so past time. Better late than never. “Amy, are you in there?”
“Simon?” Thomas? Why are they together? Thomas smiles. “Hi, Amy.” It’s okay, Amy. It’s cold. Freezing. So what if your sweats are finally a bit big on you and you’re walk-running in a puffer coat, gloves and scarf? Beanie with pompom is just a bonus. Would they believe me if I said I’m not Amy? “Um, hi, y’all. Out for…a run?” “Yeah. You?” Simon is grinning. Evil man! What to say… Suddenly, they both look beyond me. What are they… I turn just as my beautiful, angry neighbor runs by. Short shorts. How are her legs so tanned? Clear, blue sky, sunshine…
Freezing temps – as in 32 degrees… To walk or not to walk, that’s definitely the question. Try. Oh, wow! I don’t always hear that voice so clearly in my head. But it’s a bonus day off and it’s gorgeous outside. Can’t hurt to try. But I’m not going to be one of those girls who runs in short shorts no matter the weather. Or ever. “Yes, Daddy. I wrapped my pipes outside. Yes, I’ve left a faucet dripping. Mom? Yes, I have supplies, including water. Isn’t the freeze only going to be overnight? I… Sorry. Excuse me just for one sec..."
What’s that sound? Did I just hear…a cat? Nothing on the back patio. But I still hear it! It must be freezing! Front door… A kitten! A little tabby, by the looks of it, and oh-so-cute! “What are you doing out here?” Scooping it up to cradle against me. “Mom? Dad? I just found a kitten at my front door! Can I call you back? Yes, of course I won’t leave it outside to freeze. Okay. Love you! Stay warm.” I looove cats. We’ve always had several around the farm. But I don’t want the responsibility of a pet. Absolutely not. Sooo soft (rubbing cheek on kitty’s head). No collar, no tracking device… I’ll worry about finding the owner once the deep freeze is over. He…she… She’s purring now. Awww! “Let’s see what we can do about making you comfortable for the night.” Overwhelmed – that’s what’s I’m feeling.
Breathe, Amy.You have a lovely stone fireplace, a really cool diwan, an extra-luxe, cream-colored sofa, and a sturdy, wooden table with six chairs that have proved really useful. And your very own piano. Not to mention a basic but decent bedroom set. Seriously. You have your own house. It’s more, so much more, than a lot of people have, more even than most of the world’s population. Truth. But I’m not the other people. I’m me. And for me, here and now, in my current situation, I need some cozy touches in my home. There’s not a single thing on the walls. Two rooms are completely empty. Nowhere to sit – not a single chair -- in my backyard. Where – how – do I start? “Hi, Amy!”
“Simon? Good morning! Aren’t you out early?” He lives…around the corner? Nice guy, from up North somewhere, a little older than me. But he seems even older. Maybe because he’s raising two kids on his own? “Mind if I walk with you? I’m just a few blocks down. I just finished my last sprint.” “Of course I don’t mind. What do you mean, your ‘last sprint’”? Wry smile. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a full, happy smile from the man. “I’m getting there, Amy! Pretty soon, I’ll be running, not walking every morning.” “Good for you! But what does sprinting have to do with it?” “Well, there’s no way I could’ve run when I first started.” I certainly know that feeling! “So what did you do?” “What you’re doing. I think.” He does smile then, kindly. “I walked, then walked faster and further. One day, the fast walking became a slow run, and I ran a block. Then two blocks. I’ve been working on distance and speed ever since.” Huh. Sounds doable. Sideways peek. He’s actually in pretty good shape. He shrugs. “Sure, some days are better than others. But overall, it’s been good for me. Hey, Tom!” Tom? I glance towards where he’s waving. Thomas! Our eyes meet. He trips. One... T…two… Thr…
Arms shaking. Thr… Aaagh! Two pushups! FAT NOODLE ARMS! No napping on your yoga mat, Amy! You are NOT stopping here! How many modified pushups equal one regular one? Fab walk! What a gorgeous morning! The sky is blue, the sun is shining, and it’s just cold enough to refresh. And I don’t have to be at work until nine…
Maybe I should plant the gladiola bulbs my neighbors down the street just gave me. Is that… Wait. Could that be…my other neighbor? I’ve only seen her behind the tinted windows of her SUV, when she’s pulling out of her driveway. Always in a rush. Now she’s just standing in her driveway, glaring. At me? No, that wouldn't make sense. We've never even met. But woooow. Even frowning, she’s gorgeous. Blond ponytail. Big, brown eyes. Great body. Oh, to look like that in leggings! But angry – definitely angry -- about something. Should I introduce myself? Yes? No? She’s not waving back. I just got a chill. And it has nothing to do with the weather. |
She loves people, books, poetry, baking, and is currently obsessed with her new house!
Unfortunately, she's not so crazy about herself. That has to change. You've Got This, Amy Munro! Archives
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