Things Could Get Ugly

Lent begins today and, as usual, I have chosen to give up chocolate. This means that, for six weeks, I will abstain from my regular diet of Milk Duds, Junior Mints, Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies, Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food ice cream, chocolate chip cookies and Little Debbie’s Star Crunch snacks in an effort to cleanse my immortal soul.

My family dreads this time of year since, the unfortunate by-product of soul cleansing is a really foul temper. Also, since Lent ends on Easter Sunday, the children always have to physically restrain me from Hoovering every last chocolate egg left for them by the Easter Bunny.

I happen to think that is a small price to pay for their mother’s immortal soul, however, so they will just have to suck it up and deal.

In other news, Hugh’s brother and his family arrived yesterday and we spent a lovely evening together. The ambience may have been slightly less than ideal considering we were in a rank smelling wrestling gym but, the Cub had practice and the boys were interested in watching, so... never let it be said that we don’t know how to entertain our guests.

Today, the kids are ditching school to go sledding with their cousins and they could not be more excited. I attended Parent-Teacher conferences last night and, since they are both doing well in their classes and, since neither of their teachers disapproved of them taking the day off; I feel only a smidgen of guilt in letting them do so.

I have no doubt they will have a fabulous time and I wish that I could join them but, I am scheduled to appear on an economic development panel this afternoon and I just don’t think that sledding with my family is sufficient excuse for my absence and, lying would be wrong.

See? Twelve hours without chocolate and my immortal soul is cleaner, already.

Now, where did I put the notes for that mother-&$%*&%#! panel?