E.T. and Me

I can't believe I am one of thirty chosen participants in the Ellwood Thompson's Get Well Challenge 2012. The very thought of spending three months devoting a lot of concentrated time to myself, surrounded by teams of people who want to make me feel better is completely novel. This will require a total reversal of my priorities, by adding to my busy life pre-scheduled selfish escapes from my demanding job, my semi-dependent adult children and my 92-year-old mother. Also, I am divorced and can't pass my "honey do" list on to anyone except high-priced sub-contractors. I owe this chance to a friend who knew I needed to self-indulge. My friend, to whom I am most grateful, discovered the contest on the Ellwood Thompson's website and encouraged me to apply. Of course, she had to remind me to apply five days before the application deadline, since the thought of self-indulgence didn't click the first time she mentioned the contest to me. You see, I am a hopeless pleaser, a burned-out co-dependent on my children, ex-husband and co-workers. It is very hard for the enabler in me to say this, but wish me luck. I hope that on the end date December 24th, the E.T. Get Well Challenge will be my best Christmas gift ever.