Dolores

My beautiful mother-in-law, Dolores passed away Monday, December 21st. It will take me awhile to be able to keep up the writing. Please forgive me.

-Jill

Good Friday!

We both got on the scale this morning. Aaron lost 5 pounds this week. YES! I lost 1/2 pound. YES! It's working again. That just makes my weekend.

I haven't eaten any of the sweets that have arrived to the office this time. My snack at work is either a South Beach peanut butter flavored bar or whole grain Goldfish crackers. Sweet and salty depending on the mood. I'm sure the not drinking helps too.

Have a good weekend everyone. If I don't write for a few days you can assume I am having a great time with my family this weekend.

Stuffing Down The Bad Thoughts

I decided to take a break from drinking alcohol. I didn't think it was doing any good for my Diabetes. I'm totally fine with not drinking. In fact I'm truly enjoying it. I'm even happier at work, with more energy.

We had egg and bacon sandwiches on whole grain bread with tomato and spinach tonight. Aaron had some low fat potato chips but I had a small salad instead. We each had a diet decaf Pepsi. It feels so great to eat right and do the right thing. What a relief.

My Christmas shopping and wrapping are done. The presents are stacked all around the house. As I sit in my beautiful chocolate La-Z-Boy, it makes me think of how blessed we truly are. Financially blessed but also spiritually blessed. I'm looking forward to celebrating Christmas this year with renewed joy for many reasons. As many of you know, I've had a truly wonderful year getting to know all of my new family members in person, via e-mail, Facebook, letters, phone calls, etc. It's absolutely fulfilling to find my real family - both sides!

Food For Thought:

I've also had a difficult relationship with my adoptive mom and this has taken it's toll on me this year. I think it's one of the reasons why I've been struggling with my weight. I just want to eat to stuff down the bad memories and feelings. But I really just need to deal with these things instead of pushing them down and being weighed down by them. I'm not afraid of the truth, the struggle, the bad feelings. It is what it is (that statement's getting old) so acceptance is what I need to concentrate on. What a liberating thought. It's not a new thought but a re-affirmation of recognizing that people make their own choices and then must learn to deal with the consequences. Bring it on!

Lightening It Up

So I'm back in the swing of things. Thank God for the beginning of a new day. With 2 more weeks to go in this year - both a difficult and happy year - I feel blessed.

Last night Aaron and I ate some steak, green beans and salad. For the starch, since I need it for my Diabetes, I bought a loaf of old world Italian bread made from rye flour and wheat flour with flax seed and other whole grains. It was great. I sliced off a piece, toasted it and then let the steak rest on the bread so all the juices would soak in to the bread. Mmmm.

Today we had a sub sandwich on thin French bread with lots of lettuce and vegetables. We skipped the low fat potato chips tonight (a first) and just had some diet soda.

I feel so much better than being weighed down by heavier foods. What a relief. I'm lighter both in body and in my thinking. It's amazing how the two go hand in hand.

"In The Bleak Midwinter"

"In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Heaven cannot hold Him, nor the earth sustain;
heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
but His mother only, in her maiden bliss,
worshiped the Beloved with a kiss.

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
yet what I can I give Him: give my heart."

Food For Thought:

Today was a hard day...long. Realizing in the midst of chaotic circumstances that I have a problem that needs to be dealt with. I've decided to deal with it. Telling yourself the truth is always the best thing to do even though it's not always the easiest.

In my own bleak midwinter I praise God that he loves me despite my faults and that he gave his only Son to die for me to redeem my soul to heaven.

Today I gather up all my troubles and woes and give them over to God as I think, "Christ was born for this, Christ was born for this!"

It will truly be a happy Christmas Day for me this year. I hope for all of you too.

Back To Ground Zero

Old habits die hard. I must renew my commitment so again tomorrow...

That's all I want to say tonight because I'm disappointed in myself. Having a hard time.

Snow Storm

So last night we stayed in a hotel 5 minutes from work due to the snow storm. We normally have over an hour drive both ways and with a snow storm, it has historically been at least 2 1/2 hours to get home.

At the Staybridge in Glenview, we took advantage of their employee snow rate. The rooms have a sitting room with a TV, couch, chairs, coffee tables. A full kitchen with refrigerater, stove, microwave, dish washer, cupboards stocked with dishes, glasses, silverware, and a kitchen table and chairs. Also, a separate bathroom and sink area, closets, and the most comfortable bed and pillows I've ever known. We enjoyed their happy hour - free beer, wine, nachos, salad bar and then this morning, we enjoyed their free breakfast - eggs, Canadian bacon, bagels and cream cheese, fresh fruit, juice, coffee, etc. Very nice. We went to bed at 8:30pm and woke up at 7am. It was the best night's sleep we've had in a long time. Well worth the $49 snow day rate. Yes, that's right, only $49.00!!!

Food for Thought:

I haven't been on the scale for awhile, but even if the number isn't lower on Friday, my pants are sagging a little bit and I know I'm making healthier choices and I'm feeling better, getting more exercise and my back pain is slowly going away. So, I'm happy.

Old Friends

I reconnected with one of my best friends, Marie, on Saturday and we talked and talked just like the old days. We hadn't seen each other in 5 years and we just picked up where we left off. What a great friendship!

Dolores made mandel bread on Saturday and the whole house smelled fantastic. It was comforting and at the same time driving me crazy because I couldn't wait to try some. It is traditionally a Jewish cookie that is slightly softer than biscotti. We are not Jewish, but it was a tradition in Aaron's family growing up. His Dad loved it so Dolores made it all the time for him. I wanted to try it so she made some for me. She made it with both chocolate chips and walnuts and then rolled the dough in cinnamon. I know there's more to it and I've requested the recipe from her. I'll have to continue the tradition because it was just delicious.

Our work holiday party on Friday was really fun. Instead of a plated dinner, they chose to have food stations this year. A beef and ham carving station, a mashed potato bar, a pasta station, salad bar, and a dessert table. The wait staff walked around with trays of hot appetizers and also huge cold shrimp. We danced a little and laughed a lot. Aaron won a raffle prize - $100 gift certificate for Lettuce Entertain You restaurants. That was so nice. Our doctors and management really make us feel appreciated and valued.

Food For Thought:

Oh, yes. The benefits of getting enough sleep. I keep reading articles in magazines, newspapers, etc., about the horrible health problems of being sleep deprived. This worries me because I am a night owl. I wait until Aaron is in bed to start my projects and sometimes I lose track of time and it's already midnight. I have to get up at 6:30am during the week so this pattern has to stop. I'll renew my commitment for better sleep starting now.

"...Zzzzzzzzzzzz....."

First Day of Snow

I'm so looking forward to our work holiday party tomorrow night. We're having an appetizer meal, which will be unusual. Lots of different flavors. I'll be able to dance off whatever appetizers I decide to sample too!

Tonight we had grilled chicken breast sandwiches on warm french bread with mayo, cheese, lettuce and tomato. We enjoyed that with a garden salad with bleu cheese dressing and we shared some fried mushrooms. It was truly very good. Aaron is not one for a salad, but he really enjoyed it. Light, healthy, flavorful.

It was hard to bounce back from Thanksgiving, but I do have to say these past few days we've been doing very good. I was able to get some exercise today walking around outside. I wasn't ready for the snow though. Cold.

You probably won't hear from me for a few days due to my social calendar, so please have a great weekend - I sure will!

Egg Fritatta

If you like eggs, try making an egg fritatta. It's an Italian omelet and you can put anything in it you want. I made one tonight. In my cast iron frying pan, I sauteed some onion, spinach leaves, asparagas, tomato slices, mushrooms, and fat free bologna in olive oil. I then added 12 eggs and scrambled everything together. When it was almost set, I added some low fat cheese and mixed it again. Then I finished it in the oven at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes until the sides were a little brown. Cut it into 6 pieces and serve hot. Lots of good protein and vegetables.

Food For Thought:

Just thinking about grazing the holiday party tables this year. It's really going to be difficult but I know I can keep in control. I have to keep thinking of my goal and using my plan to get there. I also have to allow a little fun too or else I just won't do it and I'll quit.

"A goal without a plan is just a wish." ~Larry Elder

New Month - Fresh Start

Much better today. My boss took me out to lunch and gave me my annual review, glowing, of course! Ha ha. Seriously, it was all positive.

But for lunch, we went to Egg Harbor. I ordered a chicken salad sandwich on multigrain toast. The chicken salad was mixed with chopped apple, walnuts and dried cranberries. I also had a small salad and hot tea. Very tasty and healthy.

New month, new mindset, re-newed motivation. The best thing about having another day is the fresh start that comes with it.

Thanks for lifting me up with your support!