Monstro had a birthday this weekend, which meant that Sunday was a conflagration of birthday brunch at our local swanky hotel, followed by our weekly D&D bout, which was at our friend's house while other friends watched the Super Bowl in the other room. Birthday cake, prime rib, and chicken wings in the same day. Ugh. My intestines are still churning. Pepto, take me away!

Just got a verbal and email agreement from a repeat client to revamp and update three Web sites for them by Feb. 22! These are wonderful people doing great things in the eldercare realm. I'm so happy — this is a great way to end the week.

Fringes, I'm sending good karma your way right freakin' now.

Know how when you leave a pen in your pocket and then it goes through the washer and the dryer and everything that was in that dryer load ends up covered in ink? Guess what happens when you put a shirt covered in stuck-on spangles through the washer and dryer?

Give up? Check the title.

If you want to feel better, go do something nice for someone who's feeling even crappier than you. I put this into practice today and yes, it worked. Just a tip.

I invite you all to attend the unveiling of the new version of Coaching Caregivers LLC. Jim Ferry has been my client for five years now and it's always a pleasure to work with him. Our first project together was when I did a redesign of his site and now I've done another redesign for him. I love working with repeat clients — first, he's a joy, and second, it's a great affirmation of my work — and Jim's one of the best. Would love to know what you think of his new site. Enjoy!

The good news is, my belt's too big. The bad news is, my belt is too big. Time to re-think my outfit for church.

Yeah, it's -7 degrees around here so we're housebound today. Tomorrow I'm taking Lex to go do his favorite thing: candlepin bowling. I don't know if candlepin is just a New England thing — I'd never heard of it before moving here, but to be honest, I never followed much along the bowling circuit — but it's great for little kids. We're going with his little friend Aaron, my mom, and Grandma Sherry. A couple other children might come along, too. Should be fun. Let's hope the weather warms up at least a little bit.

Part of what had me lagging was the fact that I've had this client's press release hanging over my head. I'd already done all the research and just had to write the thing, but I had SO much information I wasn't sure where to start. Happily, right before I fell asleep last night, the headline came to me. Viola, I just finished writing it (ahead of schedule, natch) and have sent it along for comments. Very nice.

You know those days when you wake up and spring out of bed, ready to face the morning with an enthusiastic smile on your face?

Yeah, I haven't had one of those days in a long time.

Couldn't settle down after my run-in with the Masshole (see below), so I went for a run. Did wonders for my mile time, which is down to about 12 minutes/per. And that's on a hilly road route! Three miles today. Did about 40 minutes of Wii step-aerobics yesterday. I am LOVING Wii Fit — it's perfect for inclement weather days. Highly recommended.