Monday. July 11. Where is the time going?

Another Summer Monday....

I am sort of looking forward to this upcoming week. I have purposely scheduled NO dogs Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. That will give me a nice little break. Spent several hours completing the USDA exportation paperwork for little Ruby. They do make it difficult to understand what to fill out. Then Wednesday I have to schlep to the USDA APHIS (animal plant health inspection services) office in South San Francisco so they can have their veterinarian approve the paperwork and pay them $40 to sign off on it. 

Yesterday was a HUNGRY day. That is how I'd like to describe it, but that's not 100% accurate. Yesterday, if I'm going to be honest, was filled with an ongoing desire to eat. I wanted sugar carbs. I did not succumb, but I ate more than I needed. I found myself seeking food when I wasn't hungry. I'm wondering if it was the stress of the day (not having much time for myself) and getting that blasted paperwork filled out. Whatever the cause I really need to convince myself that staying on a weight loss path is important on a daily basis! So today to help me do this I will log my food. Booooooooooooo! But, clearly, it must be done. 

Lesa, I hear you on the vacation eating issues. I'm faced with 9 days of travel beginning July 30th. I will be traveling alone from CA to Boston/Cape Ann, MA then to Connecticut and then down to Baltimore. I'm supposing I will rent a car rather than do the train so I can sightsee along the way. All that time traveling alone "for pleasure" is sort of making me feel anxious, too. I'm afraid I might feel melancholy doing the trip by myself. Plus, I will visit my aunts (which is not really vacation, but rather a chore), so I'm guessing I will undoubtably be drawn to FOOD along the way. Just thinking about it makes me a bit uneasy. I guess I would very much like Ron to come with me, but he chose to stay at home. Another big BOOOOOOOOO! 

Shrink and gym planned today. That's it. Nice. Oh, will be doing some gardening, too. Enjoy your day everyone. I will miss the vacation pics from Alaska and Hawaii. That means it is up to Linda to post adventure shots so we may all live vicariously! 

113 this morning. No sweets or popcorn last night but did have two glasses of wine. Still trying to find the right balance for me but I trust it will come if I stay purposeful about change. 

Kitty sees vet tomorrow afternoon. He's really scratching so he will have more raw skin by then but we're at the clinic's mercy in this small town. To use Kairk's expression BOOOOO!

Quiet day today - now that we have real directions, will ride out to our friend's race track development and then get some of the road grime off the bikes. 

On another front, we've been watching our brilliant 20 year old nephew struggle through a serious cocaine addiction these past few months.  Was studying to become a physician but started going off the rails last year.  He was arrested on trafficking and possession charges in the spring and is out on bail awaiting trial. Living at home with DH sister who has been addicted to and in denial about prescription drug addiction for about 15 years, so we've got the pot calling the kettle black, so to speak. Nephew contacted us early this morning looking for money which of course we won't give him, but it's really tough to watch him throwing his life away. For those of you so inclined, please send energy or prayers his way.  

Greetings skinny soujourners

131 today. Looked back at my 6 year anniversary post and I was 127 then last November.  So I gotta get serious about this bit of regain. I am considering the veggie cleanse but it means no coffee or wine and not sure I can handle that. But I have decided we have to get more veggies in our meals so i made a stir fry of good beef, green beans and mushrooms.  Tonight it will be spinach and chicken and cherry tomatoes. 

So what is it about night eating?  Dr. C says everybody does it, but why can we do so well all day and then get the 10 pm monster.  I think its because we don't always get enough protein breakfast plus its a time of rest and self solace and feeding your inner self somehow. Still doesn't help me fix it.  There was that one doctor that would go on tv and sell those "Full Bars" to fill your belly to keep you from eating.  We should be able to find a similar concept like eating a hard boiled egg at 10 pm or a tuna packet. 

Have fun all you travelers. Kairk, sorry you are obligated to see the cranky aunties. I know what thats like. 

well, kiln unloads this morning. Always fun to see what comes out. 

Best to Diane O, Lorna and those of you facing rough times. We are pulling for you.  High voltage Tesla gets a leash walk today. Diane S.

Full travel day again. Two legs of the plane travel done now just have to do the drive home from Chicago.

Anxious to see the dogs and boys (in that order) LOL!

Didn't get much sleep on the plane so it will be an early to bed night or perhaps a nap once we get home. It is 9:10 am Hawaii time and 2:10 WI time. I feel somewhere between the two.

Wonder what my scale is going to say?

Hi Everyone!  Thanks to all of you for your welcome backs.  It was so nice to feel supported and cared about.  I do so appreciate all of you!

Glad to read all of your posts.  So many of you travelling, and sharing good ideas for getting through without having to gain lots of weight.  Kairk, you're travelling to my neck of the woods - I grew up just north of Boston.  It's a beautiful part of the country  

Linda, sorry about your nephew, I do hope he's able to turn his life around.  I'll keep him and your family in my prayers.

Food was ok today until supper, and then I ate several oven fries.  A late afternoon meeting with the bosses was horrible, and only served to solidify my plan to find a job elsewhere.  One of them was trying to be supportive, and listened to what I had to say, and agreed more with my opinion of what to do next, but to no avail.  It's their agency, not mine, but I can't continue to stay in that environment for much longer.  Trying to get all of my ducks in a row so I can leave feeling that my program is in order.

My dear husband, Jay, had to listen to me rant and cry over the phone as I drove home.  He was very supportive, and I realize just how blessed I am, despite the stuff going on at work.  I need to try to focus on the positive, in order to get through this time, but it's not always easy.

Anyway, I've rambled enough.  Thanks again for such wonderful support!

Hugs, Mary

I'm going to give you such a pinch - filled with love - but still I'm calling you on your all or nothing thinking. 

Food was ok today until supper, and then I ate several oven fries. Ummm..... why are a few oven fries not okay? Of all the foods you could have turned to after such a stressful day, oven fries are pretty far down the list of damaging foods. 

If you think that was a mess up, think again. You made a choice (conscious or not) to have a few fries. No harm, no foul. Don't let that choice mess with your head. Look at all the positive choices you made today, especially in the face of so much stress and negativity. I bet you made many more positive choices in your eating than you realize. 

Cheer session over. 

Thanks for the reminder Devon!  The pinch didn't hurt at all - felt more like a love tap, as my mom used to call it!  :)  I guess I was looking at the cup as half empty and not half full.  I've been telling myself that in he face of what's happening at work, I need to keep a positive attitude, or otherwise I'll drown.  I need to take my own advice, don't I?