Lent.

Not really a Catholic, but like most of you know, I will celebrate almost any holiday (hanukkah, kwanza, christmas, MLK day, Presidents day, Flag Day, April Fools Day, etc...), I also celebrate Lent. What can I say, its all about the celebration! Not every year am I successful, but I definitely give it my best shot.

When I was a child, our family had a very close bond with a lovely woman, who has since passed, but she always gave up 12 Oaks wine for lent. This woman, could put back some serious wine, and year after year she always gave it up for lent. I am not even sure she was a practicing catholic, but none the less she gave it up. She was successful every year, but man those 40 days were definitely a challenge for her. So in memory of Rachel, I have decided that I need to participate in Lent. This year I am going to give up two things. One, I know will be an extreme challenge and the other is just good for my health and my sanity...probably my mother's sanity as well.

The first thing I am giving up is COFFEE. I absolutely love COFFEE. I could drink it all day everyday. My love for coffee isn't even about the caffeine (that certainly helps), but the taste, the warmth, the aroma of the coffee as it brews. Oh my mouth is watering, as I type. I don't know how I will survive, but I am going to give it my best shot. One day down and 39 nine to go. I will keep you posted as I start to go through the withdrawal symptoms and also how I do with the next 39 coffee free days.

The other thing I am giving up is binge drinking. Today the generally accepted definition of binge drinking in the United States is the consumption of five or more drinks in a row by men — or four or more drinks in a row by women — at least once in the previous 2 weeks. Heavy binge drinking includes three or more such episodes in 2 weeks. I have been known to put back my share of shots and drinks in one setting. Unfortunately, this past weekend I would be considered a serial binge drinker. Since my liver, normal health, sanity and the sanity of my mother are important to me, I have decided that binge drinking is another good thing to give up. I will still be having a glass or two of wine with dinner, but no more crazy drunken nights that might leave me sleeping on the tile floors. :)

I will keep you posted on my progress in the next 39 days. Good luck to the rest of you who are trying to give up something for lent. May we all be successful. :)

Make it a fabulous day.