12/26/18, Wednesday

Shel, your musings on diet (as in, way of eating to accommodate health and lifestyle) and not just the narrow question of how much and how many calories, lets me know that I am not alone in figuring out how to make peace and happiness with body, mind and food. Seems like we all are on that quest, one way or another with our ever changing life situations and goals. I have been thinking that not yet having any solid and Permanent answers to my issues is a sign of un-wellness when maybe in reality being able to figure out and make adjustments is just part of our ever changing and evolving selves.

Everything changes as we change no matter if it is because of desire, new goals, inner harmony or physical necessity. Figuring it all out is indeed liberating. Guess I'll pick up that deck of cards again, reshuffle again, re-deal again, and see what kind of hand shows up.

135.0

Diane, I think sometimes life's experiences suck a bit and so then can suck the joy out of life. Not abnormal to feel down when the situation is not the best. Trying to feel happy seems to me to deny the reality of the time. That said, I love-love your response to the occasion- take an inventory- see what can be done to change future situations--knowing we can "navigate challenging charted and uncharted waters, and stay the course" So empowering- so good.

I have been playing around with my latest kitchen toy- an insta-pot. I say latest as though my kitchen is stocked with new and innovative gadgets- ha. The newest thingymabob, if I remember right, was the Kitchen Aide mixer from 10 years ago. I'm kind of an old fashioned cook, but this pot is so much fun! I cannot wait to try the yogurt feature.

I'm off like a heard of turtles- still in jammies, and time to get dressed- which these days is sweats and sweaters - if there is one thing I just might be looking forward to in returning to work, it will be that I'll have a reason to dress.

I love my Instant Pot! I made yogurt once but I don't eat a lot of it generally. However I eat a ton of cottage cheese and I use part of the yogurt setting to make it. I made Italian Chicken from the site below the other day and chicken soup a couple of weeks ago. So good and fast!

http://www.thecreativebite.com/10-healthy-chicken-recipes-in -a-pressure-cooker-or-crock-pot/

Happy Boxing Day/St. Stephen's Day...

Diane O, I'm sorry for your Christmas blues. I understand. I don't have children, but I can imagine that it must be so difficult for a dedicated mama bear to not be close to her girls on special days - especially those that are filled with a lifetime of joyful memories.

Ann, I am so impressed by your ability to climb out of your hole with precision and positive mindset.

I am glad we were all able to find our "Christmas Spirit" this year. It is so true that we all go about how holiday season differently. No way is right or wrong. Though, I must admit, I do sort of idolize those of you who are such thoughtful planners and get things done in a timely manner and seem so well prepared. Maybe someday!

Ron is completely wiped out. The last 5 days have been physically too much for him. He is off his sleep again and staying up way too late. The normal physical exertion of decorating, cleaning, etc... is too much for his body still. As he heals it is becoming more and more clear how terribly sick he really was this past year. His body has pretty much been depleted of all reserves and is using every spare bit of energy for healing. Sort of scary in a way. It's especially hard for me to see him falling back into his patterns of sporadic rest and sleep. I know it's part of his ADHD disorder, but still I worry that he won't get better without proper rest and nutrition, both of which seem to have gone by the wayside. I drew the curtains in the bedroom early this morning and he is still sleeping. It is almost noon.

Did my due diligence and scaled up today. I actually lost 2 pounds over Christmas. The last time that happened was 7 years ago. I'd just had my VSG on 12/07. So, even though I ate what I felt like eating without worry of macros and nutritional value, I did not once over eat. I had no discomfort, no feelings of too much sugar, but I did have feelings of satisfaction.

Yesterday, I did eat a lot of treat foods. I had cookies here and there throughout the day and a slab of ice cream cake. I know I shouldn't have the sweets regularly and they do call to me. I KNOW I have a problem with sweets and admit it publicly. So, why is it that some people feel compelled to comment on my sweet intake? "Should you be eating that?" or "Do you REALLY need that?" Yet, everyone of those people sees nothing wrong with drinking 3,4, or even 5 glasses of wine over the course of a long evening. I jokingly say on occasion (though it comes from a sincere and highly addict driven place) "I no longer drink nor smoke! Sugar is all I have left!" Isn't it queer how the addict mind finds it logical that I should be left with at least one vice to aid in the enjoyment of life?

I must get on with the day. Lucky and Dottie have check ups this afternoon at 1:00 and I have a post Christmas workout scheduled at 4:00 with my trainer.

Best to everyone!

Greetings Recovering Elves

Still at a wavering 153 today. I managed to do reasonably well at Christmas dinner with friends. Sleeve won't let me pig out but I did have a small portion of this fabulous pumpkin cake with a flan for icing. Stupendous.

But the real issue of Christmas this year is that EVERYONE gave us candy and baked stuff. All excect the diabetic hostess who knitted scarves. Thank you Pat. But I have boxes of chocolates, truffles and all manner of issues. And DH even got me some boxes of Andes mints! So I have some up with a plan. I will take some of the unopened boxes of candy over to the senior center where they play games and always have sweets. I will take some to the art studio where there are always offerings on the main table. I will take Andes mints to the art gallery where they can be tastefully offered to visitors. I will keep one box of Andes mints so as not to hurt DH and I can get away with eating two or three per day. There is a church near here that opens up to homeless people for a couple of hours certain afternoons so maybe I can figure that out and take stuff there.

Even with all that I have been nibbling on the homemade stuff the neighbor lady brought over.

OceanDiane I am sorry you had a blue Christmas. But I admire your resolve to finish the year well. So grateful that your burn is responding and that DC bag days are nearing an end. Sorry your happiness blip fell on a holiday but that's how it goes sometimes. Happiness does not know the calendar and we all have to find it when we can. Blessings.

BB your Christmas sounds fabulous. Everyone finds a balance of how much to fuss and work but sounds like you enjoy it so go for it. The kids will always remember the fun of it. Traditions evolve as years go by and thats part of the fun with little kids around. Enjoy this time of life!

Se we had a lovely time at our friends house. Kind of funny as most everyone is older and half of us can't hear and makes for interesting conversations. Pate was a big hit and I made extra for those who love the stuff. I wore my one holiday sweater (not of the ugly kind) and sparkly slippers. We had a great time.

On to 2019. Can it really be so? Wishing everyone the best. Diane S

Sorry to have been absent for so long. Sounds like I am not the only one fighting a bad mood. I normally at least, read the post but this time was a doozie and I spent days in bed watching comedy trying to cheer up. I will need to catch up on recent events. I did not want to post and bring everybody down. I am better today. Thank God.

We have been to the house for a week. Adalyn was just starting to feel better and she had to get her 1 yr old shots. So she enjoyed being held under the iPad holder. She got way too much screen time as I did too. And if I never hear the wheels on the bus go round and round the rest of my life it will be fine with me. I marvel at the new stuff she does every day. She plays with her toys and talks, jabbers really, to them. She likes to hear herself squeal / scream. She has learned what waving hello and bye bye is all about. Even on FaceTime. She will roll the ball. She doesn't talk much but I swear she said I love you, pop pop. I don't know if she really did or not but she has certainly heard it enough to be able to repeat it. She meows like a cat, quacks like a duck. She melts my heart like no other child.

My back is much better. I frequently skip a pain pill and I quit alcohol intake shortly after surgery. I go on the 8th to the surgeon. Hope he releases my weight restrictions. I feel the need to build something over 8 lbs. But in reality I do not want to lift anything too soon.

More later, David

So glad you are feeling better and that little Adalyn brings you so much joy! Rock on Pop Pop!

I'm glad you are feeling better mentally and physically. And how wonderful Adalyn is!

David, I'm smiling to hear your voice here. I'm glad your surgery has proven so successful. That's wonderful news.

Re our respective "holes" and holiday blues, as a brother-in-law says every year after the winter solstice, "Spring is coming!"

And it better bloody come this year! I'm ready.

Ann

More Greetings Elves

Well I got my mission accomplished - getting rid of much of the candy. Sr. Center was closed to I took it to this one Methodist Church that does a lot of homeless and other outreach. I think I am going to make it my pet charity this year. Truffles be-gone! diane s