With all of this Master Cleanse talk, I'm wondering if you forget I like to talk about OTHER THINGS, too. So back to regularly-scheduled programming today, with an update at the end on that other thing. (p.s. - I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER, in case you are wondering.)
Some Things I Love:
- PRESENTS! I have no shame! I LOVE PRESENTS!
- I LOVE THE FOOD. I get excited about finger food and things you dip, and this is prime season for the snacky-snacks.
- A good (not disgustingly strong) pine-scented candle.
- Putting the jingle bell collar on Shiloh. He prances around and thinks he's The Ladies' Man.
- Some Things Friday Hottie: Harry. Singing Christmas music to me. And Harry. With his floppy hair. And the lips. And Harry. ...Oh, hi, I forgot we weren't alone for a minute.

Some Things I Hate:
- The Lines Suck. For instance, tonight I waited for about 20 minutes to just check out at Meijer. About 10 lanes were open, and they all were at least 7 carts long. People looked a wee bit unhappy. Aaand, wouldn't you know it? Just as in any uncomfortable public situation, a kid started screaming. (Actual photo from said line.)

- Come on, let's say it together: The Lawn Inflatables.
- Being all restrained when offered leftovers as if "Oh, no! We will NEVER be able to eat all of that!" because we are stuffed to the gills and then being very, very mad when you open the refrigerator to find that The Husband ate all the cheesy potatoes and is all, "Oh, sorry! Did you want some?". Grrrr...
- Cleaning up all that ripped wrapping paper afterward. Where is my butler when I need him? Who gave him the day off?
- Kenny Rogers on the radio. I'm sorry, I just can't.
Some Things I Just Don't Get:
- Light-up Christmas sweatshirts worn with the utmost sincerity.
- Where are all the Christmas movies on television right now? All I see is multiple runs of John Tucker Must Die, Monster-In-Law, Snakes On a Plane, etc. Where is Bing??? Where is Jimmy Stewart??? Charlie Brown??? I'll even take Macaulay Culkin, folks.
- Christmas trees left up until February. Come on, even I can get around to it before then. Put it to bed, m'kay?
- Turducken. That, my friends, is just too much...something. Layers 'o meat, maybe? Excuse me for a moment (*heave*).

- Why can't we just stretch the feasting, presents and lounging around together for about three weeks? That sounds divine.
S - - - S - - - S - - - S - - - S - - - S - - - S - - - S
Okay, now for the update.
The Master Cleanse, Day 6:
- Wow. Talk about breakthrough. Late last night, after typing the last update, I had what you may say a pretty thorough session of "detoxing" thanks to the mild partial-senna tea you're supposed to drink each night. More than any other day. And immediately afterward, I felt amazingly better. It was as if I not only purged some of my negative feelings and thoughts yesterday, but some toxins as well.
- I think a major cleansing I've had has been in my lungs. Yesterday, when I felt so terrible, it seemed like someone was sitting on my chest; it was just SO HEAVY-feeling. Then after last night, as I laid down to try to go to sleep, I literally had a moment where I felt my lungs opening up and I suddenly was breathing easier. I also had some phlegm move up and out today, and I'm feeling like I'm breathing better than I have possibly in years. I know in general (aside from my caffeine habit), I'm fairly healthy. But one area that I've had struggles with is fluid in my lungs and congestion in my throat. That is almost completely gone now.
- Today has been BY FAR the most amazing day on this yet. I have felt energetic and happy the entire day, and almost euphoric. It's strange. I feel as if I got a coffee injection.
- I've felt SO good that it got me all excited to see the end of the tunnel. Honestly, it's made me very anxious to start back with eating again. I don't want to cheat myself, but if I continue to feel this great tomorrow I'm considering breaking the cleanse early. I don't know... I want to do as much good for myself as I can, so if I can resist the anticipation I will. But we're supposed to possibly get snowed in here for the next few days ("blizzard-like conditions"), and The Husband is coming home tomorrow (if his plane gets delayed or canceled I will stomp my foot very hard), and I don't know...something about being snowed in and all cozy makes me really want to get going on the vegetable soup and other foods and get ready for Christmas. I'm torn. Now it's not a matter so much of misery as excitement. One day at a time, I guess. At this moment, I'm very happy with it and am so glad I didn't break last night. So I'll try to push through and delay the gratification.