You've been warned!

I recently realized the Lenten season is quickly approaching. Lent always proves to be fraught with drama (at least initially) as I try to figure out what I'm going to give up. The theory is that you need to make a sacrifice to honor the sacrifice Jesus made for you. I'm not super religious, in fact, I've probably been excommunicated from the church at this point, but I'm nothing if not steeped in tradition, and this year is no exception.

My goals for Lent are this:
1. No chocolate until Easter (hence the "You've been warned!"). This is especially painful (insert eye twitch here) as it's Girl Scout cookie season and I have stocked up on the Tagalongs. In fact, I think my Tagalong order alone has caused a peanut butter shortage for the entire East Coast (assuming that's where the Girl Scout cookie factory is). But as the hymn states, "We shall overcome." I don't recommend trying to engage me in a meaningful conversation on Easter as I am sure I will be blissed out from my Tagalong overload ("How many Tagalongs can Kelly eat in one day? A-one, a-two....wow! That box went FAST!").
2. No new animals. This one will also be awful hard. My bleeding heart goes out to any animal in need, but I probably am approaching animal gluttony at this point (if there is such a thing. If there isn't, well, I've probably just invented it). I had someone say to me today that it seemed as if I were light on cats right now. I won't publish the actual number here, but I was thinking "If (insert number here) is light on cats, what would be too many???" And here's where I say, I don't know, nor do I want to find out.
3. Do good deeds daily. Whether it's being honest, whether it's being tactful, polite, sincere, or helping an old lady across the street, I plan to perform one random act of kindness daily. Not to say that I'm not already kind, but there's always room for improvement.

The funny thing about Lent and my Lenten promises is that I always find myself enforcing them well after Lent. And then I realize it's okay to have that piece of chocolate and it's like a dam breaks and the chocolate longings run through! My wonderful, sweet husband says if I'm craving it, I must need it and I feel that those are words to live by. I guess I crave peace and enlightenment and hope that one day, by denying myself chocolate, I will find what it is I crave. Who am I kidding?? Bring on the Tastykake Kandy Kakes!!!! At least until the 17th. After that, cyberfriends, you have been warned!!