Sometimes, it's great to escape from the stress and busyness of life.

I'm a dreamer. Ever since I was a little girl, I would daydream of places far away or imagine in detail the home in which I would one day live.

I love the beach, the sound of the surf and seagulls. Even now, this picture brings back memories of Santa Monica and Laguna Beach in California. If I close my eyes, I can imagine feeling the cool ocean breeze and the heat from the sun. Greg and I spent much time there on vacation.

For me, it's even an escape just to think about these places.

Sometimes, if I can't get away to escape, I can take some time to listen to soft music and take a bath. I don't do this very often.

But as I think of ways to escape the stress of daily life, it certainly sounds very inviting. My tub is so pretty and I have candles to light. It's a great escape even ...if only for a short time.

Victoria magazine had great photos of the cherry blossoms that are in bloom in our nation's capital. I was instantly transported back to trips I took to Washington DC with Greg and also with my nieces Kristin and Katie. Another sweet escape... Here's another beautiful photo from House Beautiful magazine. Can't you just see yourself sitting in one of these chairs enjoying the beautiful view? Another sweet escape...

Maybe you can't get away for a sweet escape. But you can always go for a walk, listen to music you enjoy, light a candle, sip an iced tea or a cup of hot tea. Pray, read your Bible and be still. Even a short break can be ...a sweet escape.

Kate AKA Jottin Mama left a comment asking me if I went for my hike. She's been a part of our Fitness Friday Fanatics blog.

My friend Georgann recently lost quite a bit of weight through Weight Watchers. When I asked her about keeping the weight off, she told me that her motivation was that she doesn't want to have to pay a monthly fee to continue to participate. I guess in Weight Watchers if you meet your goal you get free maintenance.

• The Daily Plate: They were recently acquired by the Lance Armstrong health website. But this is a free place where you can log all of the food you eat in a day, along with your activity. You can track your progress towards your weight loss goals. I used this for some time and found it quite helpful. You can also calculate how many calories you should be consuming depending on your goals.
• Fit Day: This is another free online site where you can keep a diet and weight loss journal.
• Nutridiary: A free site where you can keep an online food and exercise diary. You can track your weight loss, obtain information on calorie intake and energy expenditure for different exercises and group support.
• Diet Nation: This site has some handy weight loss tools including a calorie and activity calculator. A waist to hip ratio calculator helps you determine your body shape.
• Shape Up America: You will find tools that include a meal and snack calculator and a body mass index calculator. You will be able to track your progress to add some accountability.

One of the best ways to add accountability, especially if you don't like to track your progress with a log, is to have an exercise buddy. If you make a commitment with a friend, you're more likely to continue it so you don't let your friend down.

Several of my neighbors hike together three mornings a week. Kate tells me that there's pressure to join in because everyone's waiting for you. I'm sure there would be mornings when she'd rather stay in bed but knowing that her friends are outside waiting provides accountability.

So, how about it? What's your plan for acccountability? Do you have any stories to share of successes or failures?

If you'd like to join our Fitness Friday Fanatics group, be sure to link to Sandy's blog called God Speaks Today. Send her your email and she'll send you an invitation. It's a private blog so if you're a little shy about sharing your weight and struggles, this might be a good group to join and at the same time, have some accountability.

Speaking of Sandy, have your ever wondered about organics and natural foods? Well, Sandy's Fitness Friday post will provide you with all the information you need to make informed food choices when it comes to these foods. She'll help you decipher what's really healthy and the benefits they provide.

I'm glad this is Thankful Thursday. I think I need an attitude adjustment. Making the choice to focus on what I'm thankful for changes my perspective and my attitude.

So, thank you Lynn, of Spiritually Unequal Marriage for hosting this week's Thankful Thursday. You can link there to view other blog posts.

I'm thankful for the Internet! Helping my husband with his company has opened up a whole new world to me. I felt like a baby when I was first learning about blogging, social networks, twitter and all the other fun social media applications.

Spending most of my day in front of a computer can be difficult, especially when I'd rather be out having lunch with the girls. But I can always take a break and visit other blogs and find whatever I may need at that moment.

My bloggy friends have become such a source of comfort, encouragement, laughter and best of all ...friendship.

I can't wait until I can meet some of you in person.

I'm thankful for spring! Even though I live in Phoenix and we don't have a real winter, spring is a wonderful time to get outside and enjoy temperatures in the 70's.

It's a great time for hiking up the mountain behind my house. Hmm ... maybe I'll go for a hike after finishing this post?

I'm thankful for comments on Heart Choices! It can be a bit solitary writing almost every day. You don't always know if anyone reads the posts or has another opinion unless they add a comment. I really appreciate it when people share through their comments.

Gee, do you know something?

By making the choice to focus on being thankful ...my attitude has changed.

Isn't it interesting that the focus of Heart Choices is that "your day to day choices determine what your tomorrows will become"?

Will you choose to be thankful?