I have no idea how long it has been, and don't care. I'm FREEEEEEEEEEEE! I seem to have gotten over the caffeine addiction and have actually waking up all right on my own, without needing several DDPs to just feel normal. I still need time to fully wake up, but I noticed I was starting the dishes in the morning, not the afternoon. And not because a blanket of fuzz was reaching out to caress my arm when I chanced by the sink. Improvement, eh?

I am currently wiped out by a head cold, and before that, I was knocked on my butt by something I ate. So I obviously need to work on my food intake and my body is reacting to all the changes, but it could be worse, a lot worse. I don't feel like my skin is crawling, like my hair is tickling me, or like I am about to just start screaming and never stop. I find it easier to handle the kids as the days have gone on. I actually gave Mower a mini-backrub on his pavement-like back last night, without him asking or me trying to get anything out of it.

The still-hard part is the direct opposite of what I used to think. Now I am wondering what, other than water, I can drink. I used to just get a soda and wonder when I would want or squeeze in the water I knew I needed, but didn't feel like ordering. Now I drink the water and wonder what I can have when I am sick of the water. Some tea, some juice, that's about it. Better problem to have, though.

I have read that it can take up to 60 days to get aspartame out of your system, so I am assuming by Christmas, it will be just me, without the asparatme affecting my moods and temperment and body issues. That's kinda a scary thought, to face myself without excuses. I hope I'm up for the challenge!