Coming Up Daisies

So it's been a little while longer than I expected.  I've had both computers down for seemingly incessant updates and I'm still not finished updating my personal computer.  Since I last wrote, I've adopted a pair of parakeets, my evil hamster murdered another one of her sisters, and was finally able to plant roses in one of the gardens outside.  Granted, they're fake, but they still look beautiful where they are.  I found some amazing trellis roses, but my mother is allergic to all roses, so I can't have any.  I'll eventually find something to grow in the planters by the driveway that mom's not allergic to and that will survive living in the planters.  I have also used the time offline to continue to rebuild my life and make more serious changes that I know I have to for my own mental health.  There aren't many people left I would consider friends, fewer I would proudly call family, and some I just won't admit knowing at all.  I've learned in the past few years that not only are some people just not worth the pain and stress over, but it's one thing to help someone with their problems, another to take care of them.  I'm no longer taking care of other peoples' problems while my own plate is overflowing.  That's not to say I have intentions of not helping anyone out.  I've learned the hard way that I HAVE to take a step back from being referee, babysitter, negotiator, shrink, and especially doormat.  It's an easy philosophy, but a difficult follow through.  Hurt me, use me, or anything else negative, you can find another punching bag.  I'm done dealing with liars, hypocrites, and other lowlife traits.  It doesn't mean, however, that I don't forgive people for the things they've done.  I have and I do, but there's no place in my life for negative or fake people.  

     I have also started a new workout regime.  I would admit that this current round of Lyme Disease is kicking my arse, but I'm doing as much as I can to improve myself without further compromising my body.  My goal is to start running again by the end of the summer.  The first goal is to use the tools I was given in physical therapy to strengthen my knees and back and go from there.  Now that I'm finally back on the losing side of the weight battle, it will no doubt become a bit easier as time goes on.  It's a small start, but it's still a step in the right direction.  And I will gladly take it.