misc thoughts

We have had house guests for a few days and have enjoyed showing them the sights of our unique area whi*****ludes the local eats. One of my visitors has a lap band though its not very tight and she is able to eat pretty normally. She has not lost much weight. Long story.

I did a lot of preparation having normal foods for my guests such as a loaf of whole grain bread. They loved our local goat cheeses so i had to get those twice. Got local fresh albacore right from the boat and that was a fun treat. Also local smoked salmon and tastings at too wineries.

Stopped at a famous local candy shop with fabulous handmade treats. I had an amaretto truffle and a choc dipped cherry. The truffle wasn't that good and i at half (ate the rest later) but the cherry was to die for. also got just the insides of a crab sandwich which was a treat. who needs the bread. could barely eat the filling. Had a picnic by the ocean in a beautiful park with hummus, veggies, cheeses, grapes, some olive oil herbed flatbread and other goodies. 

I learned the whole thing with guests was doable, I could feed them well but healthy and still keep to my needs and the needs of my still in weight loss mode husband, and have a good time. They are wine nuts and i learned some things about local wines and we all came home with some cases.

One thing I didn't do is talk to my banded friend about getting sleeved. I know she would do so much better with it and her weight is really interfering with her mobility and activities. I thought about bringing it up more than once but didn't. She is no fool and could see how much it has done for me and hubby. We have been friends since high school and we were the two fat girls in our clique who always struggled with weight. Would like to see her win like i did.

But the good news is that I dropped the couple of extra pounds that had crept on and that I had been whining about. Turns out that I hadn't been properly counting the extra half and half i had been having with increased starbucks and other coffee shop coffees. I now measure it more carefully and have to leave out something else to do it but its ok.

Anyway, thats how it went with guests. Next week is hubby's class reunion. Should be good.    Diane

 Diane, thanks for this post.  What it makes me know is that any situation we are put into, we can do fine.  We have the choice on how we want to handle situations.  My WW leader is great. He reminds me that everything from food to exercise is a choice I get to make.  My brain isn't addled yet, so whatever I do, I do because some part of me wants to.  Nobody has ever tied me up and forced me to eat, though in the right situation it might be fun!  You did great with your friends.  I will not be surprised if your friend calls in the near future to ask about your sleeve.

This summer I started drinking more coffee. Loved that second decaf before my morning hike. I know I was using more half and half than I cared to admit to myself, thus putting on 1-2 pounds over he summer. I knew it was those additional calories which add up so quickly!  I'm in mexico having some  plastic revisions.   I'm going to leave the coffee for occasional treats. I've switched back to decaf tea.

Have a great time at the reunion!

Great post.  Now, how do I get invited to your house?  It sounds idyllic.  What a great life you have build for yourself there.  I really couldn't help but smile all the way through your post.  (Except for your friends situation of course). 

 If you get invited, I'd like to be your plus 1!

Hey, you guys are welcome up here any time. we love visitors. all you gotta do is drive all the way up here which is a hike but loads of fun once you get here. and fun abounds..  i feel so fortunate to have found what is a near perfect life for me. and the big buggaboo was the weight and now that's history too. life is good but you gotta work at it.   diane

Diane, you better be careful with all those invitations, some of us might actually take you up on it.  Seriously, you have done good.

 Yes, what Elina said!

Diane,

I am learning the same thing right now.  I have a house full of people right now - family flocking in to help take care of me for my surgery Wednesday.   I am cooking a lot for them - but there is also going to be some out to eat stuff as well!

My sister is coming in now - I know we will be having to make some humboldt fog runs!

Sounds like a wonderful time!  You also sound like a terrific and thoughtful host!

Thanks for sharing the experience. It sounds so-o-o-o good.
I always love reading your posts.