Today, I'm getting a taste of my life to come. Jennifer is back at MSU and Carly is in Orlando on a school trip so here I am. The whole day ahead of me and looking forward to hours and hours of uninterrupted writing time.

I've got to say, as much as I love my girls, I think I'm going to like being an empty nester.

So in a few minutes, I'm getting up from here, packing up my computer, notes and pens, getting dressed and heading off to the local library. I don't know why but I get more done writing in that little study room than I ever could here at home. It's probably because I feel guilty, looking around at all the things that should be done. So off I go.

And when I come home, I feel so much better, like I've accomplished something huge with my day. It doesn't matter if I get 500 words or 2000 words down, I've done something creative, using the talents that the Lord has given me.

I don't know if it's the possiblity of having lupus or what but I slept until 9:30 this morning. This is out of the ordinary for me--I'm usually up and going by 7:30 or 8 on the weekends. But not today.

So after a quick breakfast, I got dressed and drove to the library for some writing time. The online classes and simply asking questions from people I respect have opened up the flood gates--last week, I wrote right at 4500 words, not a lot but more than I usually do in the average week. I'm excited about where the story in going--I may even get the first draft finished by the end of April.

I came home to get ready for Mikey's funeral service--he was a friend of Jennifer's who passed away last week after a five month struggle with Non-Hogkins Lympoma. Only Jennifer couldn't handle the thought of saying good-bye--Mikey had already been cremated and she just couldn't stand the thought of not 'seeing' him. I tried to talk her into going, told her about how she needed to mourn and have closure, but she said she didn't want closure. I don't think she feels good about it but it was her choice and she has to live with her decision.

So with no funeral to attend, I laid down on the couch and fell asleep for a couple of hours. Can't get over how tired I am but I guess that 's a normal part of this process. I woke up just in time for us to go to church with Dan. Busy day!

I got a bit of news today, information that I've been preparing myself for for the last twelve years. But even well prepared, I was caught off guard when I finally heard the words.

I may have lupus.

I've been half expecting it for years but getting the positive ANA test and being faced with the probabilty is very different than I imaged. From the research I've been doing, I have to change some things in my life--rest more, find ways to reduce my stress level, exercise and work with a specialist in getting my symptoms under control. The hardest thing for me will be the slowing down and reducing my stress--anyone who knows me knows that I plow full steam ahead. But I'm going to have to shake things up to get to feeling better.

And a different note, I can't help but wait to see how God uses this to His glory--I know he has a plan and I'm looking forward to what He has in store. Just keep me in your prayers as I travel along this new(and unexpected) road.