My dog knew something was up - after trolling the back bushes in vain hope that she would poop there, getting mosquito-bitten, I screamed at her to poop, and took her inside while I endeavored to cool off (both emotionally and physically). While I was on the phone with a friend, my husband tried to walk her out back, but no luck.

So, I was forced to take her out of the subdivision (can't poop in other people's yards!), where she finally did her business. Anal-retentive, control freak dog!

I was already annoyed and worn out from lugging our new Oriental carpet up the stairs and placing it in the living room. It really annoys me that I get out of breath so easily. Just one flight of stairs and I was huffing and puffing! I just didn't feel like taking a walk, and was hoping the dog would cooperate!

I purchased a copy of The Illustrated Discovery Journal : Creating a Visual Autobiography of Your Authentic Self by Sarah Ban Breathnach, and did some more work on it. It is a collage journal, and I had already worked on the collage about body stereotypes.

Yesterday, I finished the one on Exercise. I looked through magazines and cut out pictures of exercises that I loved. Well, since I don't love to exercise, except for horseback riding, I cut out pictures of exercises I would like to try, and thought I might like. It was divided into two sections.

The first section, on the left side of the page, was a "relaxing" theme. I put pictures of horseback riding, yoga, and flamenco dancing, along with key words to that theme. In the past, I have tried all three, but am not doing any of them. I would like to resume horseback riding in the fall, but haven't found an instructor yet. I tried flameco dancing, but couldn't bear to look at my clumsy, heavier body in the mirror. I have purchased a beginning yoga tape, but don't like it so much, as it just gives you a demo of the positions, and then you are supposed to make your own routine. But I do see the need to find something to de-stress.

On the other side, I have the words "How to Love Exercise", or some such nonsense, and I do have pictures of walking and hiking there. I do walk, but probably not enough, and I don't progress - say, in going faster. I found a picture of Oprah and Bob Greene, her personal trainer, because having a personal trainer is something I would love to be able to try and afford. I did some research on that months ago, but feel guilty spending that much money on myself. Perhaps I'll start with that, and later, use that money for riding lessons. I can't do both.

I couldn't find pictures of other dance-like exercises I could try - such as belly dancing, Jazzercise, or aerobics, but those are possibilities. I probably should try weight training as well. I purchased a set of videos made by The Firm at Costco, but have only watched them, not tried them.

As a joke, but one that may be serious, I cut out a picture of a woman in boxing gloves. Maybe that would help me release some frustration!