Day 7, 1/7/13 – Eat, oh my, the holiday sweets and treats! How long does banana bread keep in the freezer? I think I still have a loaf from 2012. I kept telling myself that it was OK to enjoy these tasty treats during the holidays. Holidays are over and once again I must pack up the holiday decorations and dishes. If you visit my home during January you will receive a goodie bag filled with Christmas treats. Come on over! Pray, my prayer today is for continued healing and rejuvenation of my various body parts injured in the 2011 auto accident. I will venture to the gym for the first time since the accident and surgery. It’s time, wish me luck! Love/Joy, my friend, Blake brought me joy today. We speak often and today he called for no other reason than to see how I was doing. He was my inspiration for venturing into the world of Blogging and continues to support me in all that I do. All should have a friend like him. Thank you, Blake, for your unconditional love and support!

Day 6, 1/6/13 – Eat, a lazy day, so no going out to dine. There are, however, leftovers from a recent outing; enjoyed for the second time a Brie, Apple, Turkey, and Chutney sandwich. I do love Brie! Pray, my prayer today is for myself that I continue to enjoy good food this year while keeping in mind my overall goal to lose weight and get into better physical condition. Joy, I experienced joy today just by being by myself and doing whatever I liked. I have discovered that being alone does not mean that I am lonely. 

Day 5, 1/5/13 – Eat, ah, the quest for excellent Mac & Cheese continues. An excellent sample was found at Grand Lux Cafe today and shared with Linda, Rick and Marilyn, good food with good friends. Pray, my prayer today is for all those affected by the recent gun violence in Connecticut and peace as the families move through their grief. Joy, I loved the weather today, sunny and in the fifties, gorgeous! A warm, sunny day in January brought me joy.

Day 4, 1/4/13 – Eat, if prepared well, snow crab is the best and it was great. Pray, I pray that I will be a positive influence on those that matter most in my life. Joy, I loved seeing my boys today and having dinner together.

Day 3, 1/3/13 – Ever ordered from a shirt menu? I now have, we had Jambalaya and Mac & Cheese. Not bad! Pray, I prayed that daughter, Sarah & friend, Blake have safe travels home from holiday travels. Joy, I love shopping with a friend & people watching, priceless entertainment and joy!

Day 2, 1/2/13 – Eat, went to one of my favorite neighborhood places, Main Street Bistro with Sarah; and introduced her & the bartender to my new favorite drink with St. Germain, Hendrick’s  & Champagne. Marilyn, we need to give it a name, we will brainstorm later. Pray, I pray for safe travels to Melanie & son, Kelsey as they travel England to USA on 1/3/13. Love, I love being able to catch up with long time friends, like Cheryl as if no time has passed at all. Thank you for welcoming Sarah and I, it was great to see you. 

Day 1, 1/1/13 – I made & ate a great pot of black-eyed peas with good friends. I pray that friends, Fredda & Michelle experience peace as they grieve their recent loss. I love my 3 children; they are a blessing and bring me great joy!

Similar to the popular book "Eat Pray Love" I recently divorced and feel a need to rediscover or reinvent myself. Unlike the book, I do not have unlimited funds. Yes, I will do some traveling, but mostly in the United States, maybe other points from time to time. Eat, I love to eat  and experience new tastes, check on point #1. Pray, I was raised and remain grounded in traditional religion and desire a more spiritual/prayerful connection, check on point #2. Point 3, Love, is where my journal will differ. In my effort to reinvent myself, I choose to find and experience Joy in every day, you see I feel that love and joy can be synonymous with one another. Until I can truly have joy from within, I do not feel I can love another fully. This all said, I began my simple journal of Eat, Pray, Love/Joy on January 1, 2013. I will attempt to record and post my daily observations every couple of days if not daily. Remember to Eat, Pray and experience Joy in every day!