Tis the Season

Friends,

I sit here, in my bed, alone (the Mr. is traveling with his kids this week) and wee bit tipsy (blame Costco and the Bailey's Irish Cream at the front door!), so very grateful for all that enriches my life. My sons, my amazing husband, my friends and family, and the vast history of experience that inhabit me. My job, our relative financial security and the good health and happiness I get to enjoy every day.

As I prepare to serve chili, sub sandwiches, spiked cider and cookies to many of my nearest and dearest local friends and family, I want to take this moment to say "Thank you" for being in my life.

From the most sincere and loving place in my heart --

J.

holiday hustle

The past few weeks have been beyond busy. Since the surreal (but wonderfully relaxing) Thanksgiving, both of my cars have been totaled. Happily, all people are fine, but the cars are kaput. One was an older minivan my kids drove, the other was my nicer and newer sedan. Both are gone, baby, gone. So, I've been playing phone tag with various insurance agents, testing new vehicles and girding to lay out some big bucks for new rides. Oy. Not surprisingly, the Mr. has been supportive and wonderful in helping me coordinate all the various moving parts.

And, tensions are running high as we wait for college acceptances. So far, one boy is 2/5, the other has one bird in the hand and is awaiting word from several others.

Winter break is around the corner - yeehaw. Taking my guys skiing/snowboarding for what I hope will be some real quality time together. Yes, I'll miss the Mr., but it's important for me and my dudes to share some alone time, too (plus, the Mr. doesn't ski).

If I don't get back to the blog before the holidays hit, best wishes to everyone! Hope you find lots of happy this season.

Just call me Eeyore

That's right, the gloomy, down-trodden donkey best describes me these past few days. After a wonderfully restful and thoroughly enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday, I came home to an avalanche of crap. Sorry to be so crass, but there's no other way to put it.

Upside, the anxiety has resulted in a few extra lost lbs. And yes, the kids are fine. But between the lousy weather, a car wreck (again, all are ok) and general nastiness, lies and negativity being hurled around and about me by my own personal Voldemort, we're otherwise healthy and lovable.

Trying to go with the flow but not doing too well. Fingers crossed that karma will work it's magic quickly and that tomorrow will be a happier day.

My 'Plan' for Thanksgiving

Three weeks after starting on Lyn-Genet Recitas' "The Plan," I am seven pounds lighter. I haven't had a slice of bread or any dairy in that time, and ate red meat only once. It's been primarily veggies, veggies and seafood.

BUT, I've enjoyed dark chocolate, vino, goat cheese and feta (love my cheeses!). And I haven't had to exercise like a maniac to see progress.

All in all, I'd say that 'The Plan' is a way of eating that I can stick to. Sure, I miss enjoying the savory chili with cheese my family had for dinner last night, but I don't miss the depressing flab that gathered around my middle. I'd love to indulge in a big ol' bowl of mashed potatoes, but I also love being able to easily button my jeans and once again wear clothes that had been gathering dust in my closet.

So, with Thanksgiving upon us, I am thankful for learning how to eat to manage my weight at this point in life. I am so thankful for my wonderful Mr., my beautiful boys and my stepkids. My friends, of course, and my supportive, loving family. I am endlessly grateful that those nearest and dearest to me are healthy and financially secure.

And to those of you who read my blog, thank you. It's so nice knowing that you're out there.

Taking off for a few days, so until next time ... choose happy.

Designer Duds and Diet Dilemmas

I love the idea of a great bargain. So, whenever I hear about one of those discount designer shopping websites, I sign up. Everyday, Designer Apparel.com (www.designerapparel.com) sends me alerts about beautiful clothes and accessories that are marked down. But here's the thing, I have no idea how I would actually look in any of these clothes. I don't try on designer apparel at the store which I suppose would be pretty critical to knowing what size I should order and whether or not I even like how the designer's clothes look on me.

Maybe it's just the idea that those things are somehow within reach. Thoughts?

Re: The Plan, I'm still sticking with it. I've hit a pretty significant plateau and am thinking it might be time to just induge in a big ol' plate of nachos and throw back a few beers. One day at a time....

Until next time, choose happy.

The Food Burglars

For a change, this post is not about me and my issues/struggles with food. Nope, it's about how, after a nutritionally balanced and usually hearty meal, the five boys (plus one lovable husband) in my house still gorge themselves on evening chow.

Example: last night's dinner was poached chicken on pasta with parmesan and roasted butternut squash. We finished eating at about 7:30ish. I came downstairs this morning and found:

- 2 empty salsa jars in recycling
- 1 empty bag of corn chips
- empty cookie jar (had just been re-filled with an entire box)
- empty 1/2 gallon ice cream container

And that's just the stuff that made it to the garbage/recycling. I'm afraid to see what got left behind in the basement.

However, I can report that the Honey Crisp apples, cut-up strawberries and baby carrots were exactly where I left them. :)

So it goes, and we choose happy.....

A brief pause

After another raucus dinner (pulled pork - yum), I needed to get away from my 6 men. I asked for 15 minutes to myself. Within 5 minutes there was a knock at the door.

Son: Mom, Mom are you in there?
Me: no answer
Son: Mom are you in there? Can you just answer a quick question?
Me: Yes.
Son: Do ketchup and mustard mixed together make relish?

My answer was "No" but what I was thinking was "Are you kidding me?"

Ah, parenthood.