Tuesday, December 26, 2017

We have so many turkeys in our area it is ridiculous. Just before Thanksgiving we had a flock of about 15-20 on our roof. It was funny to see them fly off the roof into the lower yard by the creek. Graceful they are not!

There are about 20 turkeys who hang out in our neighborhood and aren't afraid of anyone or anything. They were standing in the middle of an intersection the other day when I approached in my car and just stared at me without moving until I started driving slowly through their group. They barely parted to let me through staring at me for my rudeness (it felt like that). The ONLY time they look somewhat graceful is when they fly into the trees just prior to dusk to sleep for the night (they roost in the trees on our backyard).

Weight: 180.4

Christmas was mostly good. My sister had to get nasty and my parents always take her side (the baby). I tend to always be the one apologizing and that gets tiring. But I did anyway. Shame that has to come out at Christmas.

Christmas Eve Dinner was at my mom's. She pulled out all the stops--china and silver. We nibbled on nuts and shrimp ****tail. Mom and my sister made the main, a roasted beef tenderloin. It was INCREDIBLE. We've done rib roast the past several years, but because you need so much less of this, this was actually more economical. Also, side note, we did not get prime, merely choice. But I read awhile back that the distinction between prime and choice was much more important for marbled meats, such as ribeye/rib roast. But because tenderloin is such a lean meat anyway, it's not so important. Well idk the truth behind that but I can tell you the choice tenderloin was far better than the prime ribeye. (I mention this because it's very irritating to spend that much money on a Christmas roast and just be *meh*). I contributed cauliflower and brussels sprouts au gratin, my aunt brought mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce, my other aunt brought glazed carrots and roasted brussels sprouts, and a friend had bought us a buche de noel. It was definitely the most relaxing Christmas Eve I've had--with the exception of sister drama. The sides were good, but honestly with such a star main, all we really needed were potatoes and maybe one roasted veggie (or just salad).

Stepkids went to their mom's Christmas Eve. I feel bad that they put up with a lot of petty drama, but we still encourage them to go (DSD didn't even want to go!). And they go...and ended up eating nothing and having to pick up gas station dinner on their way back :(

But our Christmas morning was great! There were donuts during present opening. And Santa still visits our house! Brunch was a sausage casserole and scrambled eggs. Then we lazed around watching movies and decorating cookies until my family came over to my house. We played a movie trivia game and then had a dinner of ham, baked macaroni and cheese, leftover cauli/brussels sprouts gratin, sweet and sour green beans, ambrosia, and pumpkin pie.

Not light, but hey it's Christmas!

I like JFDI. I, too, had to look it up. But I had to laugh, DH and I have a chant "GSD" Getting stuff done.

I'm definitely craving some major GSD time. This is maybe the first year I've ever been ready for Christmas to be over and to begin to put the house back together and organize and get excited for a fresh new year. I think this is some sort of mega nesting-new year syndrome. :)

Have a wonderful day full of JFDI!!

Paula, hope you arrived safe and sound!

Puppy Pee - Atlas is far too young to be truly housebroken anyway. Pee pads for now are a great idea. Costco has them the absolute cheapest of anywhere and the pads are extremely high quality! Believe me, after 17 puppes this summer, I know of what I speak!

JFDI today started off by staying in bed for just about 10 hours! I am sure I am simply recharging for I do not feel ill. However, staying in bed so many hours goes against the New England Puritan that lives in my father's genes and has travelled down to me. My mother's bohemian Berliner, on the other hand, sees nothing but delight in spending the entire morning luxuriating under a down coverlet. I have often commented that I feel as if my mother and father live inside of me and are in constant opposition learning to compromise!

My cure for kicking that little bit of mild depression from Christmas Eve and Christmas morning was getting out yesterday and seeing extended family and step family (my brother's wife's side is one of those happily divorced and remarried families that gets along much better since morphing into a complex web of step this and that!). I had a lot of fun visiting with family I don't see very often. Had a great conversation with my SIL's SM (Oh, gee, hope that was right... sister in law's step mother...LOL).

Interesting to note that my SIL's family all borders on obese - primarily the women. It is a female dominated family, too. Of the 4 genetically related men, 2 are obese ( a 12 year old and a 19 year old) and two are of "normal" weight (a 16 year old and his dad, by SIL's brother).

In Ron's family, not a single overweight person. Ron is the heaviest with his belly, but that's not really saying much. I am continually fascinated to see how genetic influence plays such a major role in obesity.

I decided to make a protein forward breakfast for the two of us this morning. I am hoping that plying myself with eggs, lean ham and some cheese sprinkled over the top, followed by a little bit of Fage with blueberries and strawberries and chopped pecans will keep me out of the sugar long enough to sort it and discard what Ron does not want. But first, I must get into the closet and PURGE! Oh, I hope that will feel marvelous!

Last night I created the description for my blog. Now it's a matter of finding the right hosting site that is both user friendly and affordable. Here is the description. I am more than willing to take critiques. Please feel free to comment.

A Fat Man's Journey is a blog dedicated to the musings, ramblings, awkward honesty and self deprecating humor of a 50+ year old guy who has spent decades at odds with himself. This is blog is about being real. Since childhood I've navigated some roiling and murky waters, but have found the humor in most of it along the way. Obesity, sexuality, addiction, ever present insecurities, good friends, strong family bonds, the unconditional love of my dogs and a few true friends are the drivers behind who I am today.

Happy Boxing Day, my friends!

You're a terrific writer. I bet your blog will be wonderful!

Can't wait to read it !!

Very late check in. We made it to WV around 6 last night, made the trip in 11 hours which is extremely good time. Helped to have 4 drivers and no restaurants own to eat at. There actually was a gas station Mc Donalds that we got some good at but ate it in the car.

Lots of sitting around today. Will have a "pizza party" with all of the relatives tomorrow night and then go to Ben's old church.

Hope you all had great celebrations, sounds like you did for the most part!