I'm not a big fan of traveling on holiday weekends. I'd much rather travel when there is less traffic. However, we wanted to come see my great aunt and I had Monday off, so here we are in southwest Georgia. Driving through Atlanta was a pain (lots of traffic!), but no accidents and we made it through okay.
No real plans - taking Alma to get her hair cut, going out to eat, buying her a few necessities. After we got here, we ran over to Pine Mountain so we could go to the Humane Society thrift shop. I bought a couple of toys for the dogs and some of those nice absorbent stone coasters. Anyway, we are relaxing at the hotel before we go out to eat. I plan to have fish and veggies.
I love seafood! I eat a lot of chicken, but also eat seafood at least once a week. We are going to a bbq place for dinner, but they have really excellent catfish. But its really all about hanging out with my great aunt.
I hope you enjoy your weekend.
Take care!
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Waiting
I really don't like the feeling that I am waiting. Waiting until we can buy a house, waiting until I've lost 20 pounds, like life is somehow "on hold".
It's not a good attitude, because it takes focus away from the here and now. I have one of those personalities where I tend to focus on "once I've accomplished X, then Y". I'm working on it.
Right now I'm focused on today. Trying to make every day a good day. Not just in terms of diet & exercise, but appreciating things: talking to my son, the weather, my dogs.
Today has been a good day. Work went well, I took a short nap, I'm heading to water aerobics.
Take care.
It's not a good attitude, because it takes focus away from the here and now. I have one of those personalities where I tend to focus on "once I've accomplished X, then Y". I'm working on it.
Right now I'm focused on today. Trying to make every day a good day. Not just in terms of diet & exercise, but appreciating things: talking to my son, the weather, my dogs.
Today has been a good day. Work went well, I took a short nap, I'm heading to water aerobics.
Take care.
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Sharing an article from CNN
This is an article that includes some information and pictures about where I used to work in Berlin (Teufelsberg): http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/25/travel/berlin-spy-tour/index.html?hpt=hp_c4
Pretty cool!
Ate healthy again, off for a walk. Tomorrow it gets hot again, so I am enjoying the cool while I can!
Pretty cool!
Ate healthy again, off for a walk. Tomorrow it gets hot again, so I am enjoying the cool while I can!
Monday, August 25, 2014
Monday
So, work was pretty good today. I'm definitely coming up the learning curve, although I still ask questions. Every project is just a little bit different.
Tonight I am going to take a walk in the park. The weather is nice and mild and it's a great evening to be outside. So that's my plan.
Right now I still feel like I am settling in to life with much less stress. I feel like I sound like a baby when I write stuff like that, but I honestly thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown. Seriously. Or a heart attack.
Anyway, I haven't gotten back into any of my hobbies other than reading. I've connected with some friends (which has been great!). Hub and I did quite a bit in the Society for Creative Anachronism (a historical society), but haven't done much since before we moved to Florida. There is an event at the end of September I think I'd like to go to. It would be nice to have more interests beyond the narrow confines of the house & work and the occasional friend, you know?
Anyway, focusing on taking things one day at a time right now. Today was a good day. Healthy food, heading out to exercise and enjoy the weather.
Tonight I am going to take a walk in the park. The weather is nice and mild and it's a great evening to be outside. So that's my plan.
Right now I still feel like I am settling in to life with much less stress. I feel like I sound like a baby when I write stuff like that, but I honestly thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown. Seriously. Or a heart attack.
Anyway, I haven't gotten back into any of my hobbies other than reading. I've connected with some friends (which has been great!). Hub and I did quite a bit in the Society for Creative Anachronism (a historical society), but haven't done much since before we moved to Florida. There is an event at the end of September I think I'd like to go to. It would be nice to have more interests beyond the narrow confines of the house & work and the occasional friend, you know?
Anyway, focusing on taking things one day at a time right now. Today was a good day. Healthy food, heading out to exercise and enjoy the weather.
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Disposable kids
I think women's lib was a good thing. I appreciate being able to work in virtually any field I want with few limitations. I am glad I can't be fired for getting pregnant, that I can get a credit card, that I get paid as much as my male counterparts.
The down side of 70s (and beyond) is that people got divorced at a rapid rate, leaving kids to be raised by single parents. And of course women may get pregnant and the man may not be involved at all.
I'm not saying people should have stayed in bad marriages. And plenty of parents who divorce do a good job of co-parenting. This isn't to criticize anyone else's family or life choices - this is about my experience.
When my dad left, he treated the whole experience as a "starter marriage" - a college mistake. Then he got married and built his dream house and had 3 kids with another woman. (And got divorced again.) Sure he said he loved me and I saw him most weekends, but let's face it: I became a baby sitter for when they wanted to go out.
When I needed anything (like medical care), he cried poor to my mom. She was a teacher - he had a good government job. He paid $100 a month in child support.
But it wasn't about the money - it was about the attitude. I once went through a pretty big depressive period as I entered puberty and my mom wanted to take me to counseling - he told her he couldn't afford to help pay for it. (He'd just built a big new house & had a baby).
Like many girls who grew up without any positive reinforcement from a father, I used my looks to get attention and approval from boys/men to make up for that. Which can become a vicious cycle of feeling like guys are only interested in your looks, not you, and down the path to very poor self esteem.
This wasn't 100% circumstance - my dad was one of those people that seems to feel that if he constantly criticizes he is "challenging" his child to do better. The irony is of course that he hated his father for that mode of parenting and they had a terrible relationship, but of course he parented the same way his father had modeled for him.
The reality is I am very uncomfortable at a healthy body weight due to years of unwanted and inappropriate attention from men. I feel safe overweight.
I know what to do to lose weight. I've spent most of my life at a healthy weight. I don't like being overweight, but I feel emotionally secure here.
For me, losing a few pounds is a hellula lot more than cutting out carbs or hitting the gym more often. I have to lean to navigate a world in which I am not comfortable.
The down side of 70s (and beyond) is that people got divorced at a rapid rate, leaving kids to be raised by single parents. And of course women may get pregnant and the man may not be involved at all.
I'm not saying people should have stayed in bad marriages. And plenty of parents who divorce do a good job of co-parenting. This isn't to criticize anyone else's family or life choices - this is about my experience.
When my dad left, he treated the whole experience as a "starter marriage" - a college mistake. Then he got married and built his dream house and had 3 kids with another woman. (And got divorced again.) Sure he said he loved me and I saw him most weekends, but let's face it: I became a baby sitter for when they wanted to go out.
When I needed anything (like medical care), he cried poor to my mom. She was a teacher - he had a good government job. He paid $100 a month in child support.
But it wasn't about the money - it was about the attitude. I once went through a pretty big depressive period as I entered puberty and my mom wanted to take me to counseling - he told her he couldn't afford to help pay for it. (He'd just built a big new house & had a baby).
Like many girls who grew up without any positive reinforcement from a father, I used my looks to get attention and approval from boys/men to make up for that. Which can become a vicious cycle of feeling like guys are only interested in your looks, not you, and down the path to very poor self esteem.
This wasn't 100% circumstance - my dad was one of those people that seems to feel that if he constantly criticizes he is "challenging" his child to do better. The irony is of course that he hated his father for that mode of parenting and they had a terrible relationship, but of course he parented the same way his father had modeled for him.
The reality is I am very uncomfortable at a healthy body weight due to years of unwanted and inappropriate attention from men. I feel safe overweight.
I know what to do to lose weight. I've spent most of my life at a healthy weight. I don't like being overweight, but I feel emotionally secure here.
For me, losing a few pounds is a hellula lot more than cutting out carbs or hitting the gym more often. I have to lean to navigate a world in which I am not comfortable.
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
This is home
I have some more deep thoughts to post (or navel gazing rubbish - depends on your POV I guess).
But this post isn't deep, just heartfelt.
I am so glad to be home. I am thankful I had the opportunity to live as many places as I have. Despite the bad bits, I am glad for the 8 years I spent in the Army - it made me a better, more well rounded person. It gave me the chance to get out and see more of the world.
But after those years living other places, it was nice to come home. And until I left for 3 years, I didn't realize how important being here was to me.
I grew up in the South. To me, summer is about heat, the sound of cicadas, the smell of tomato plants (and tomatoes), and the prickly feel of fresh okra.
It's about moving slow, speaking kindly, and smiling more.
The older I get, the more I appreciate the wonderful family I was given, my friends, and my sense of belonging in this place.
I am not a perfect person. My continued struggle with consuming more than I need indicates that I still have work to do. But I feel so much better being in a place where I feel I belong.
But this post isn't deep, just heartfelt.
I am so glad to be home. I am thankful I had the opportunity to live as many places as I have. Despite the bad bits, I am glad for the 8 years I spent in the Army - it made me a better, more well rounded person. It gave me the chance to get out and see more of the world.
But after those years living other places, it was nice to come home. And until I left for 3 years, I didn't realize how important being here was to me.
I grew up in the South. To me, summer is about heat, the sound of cicadas, the smell of tomato plants (and tomatoes), and the prickly feel of fresh okra.
It's about moving slow, speaking kindly, and smiling more.
The older I get, the more I appreciate the wonderful family I was given, my friends, and my sense of belonging in this place.
I am not a perfect person. My continued struggle with consuming more than I need indicates that I still have work to do. But I feel so much better being in a place where I feel I belong.
Monday, August 18, 2014
Today
Tracked food and exercised. We had a storm this evening, so I did a 30 minute walking video here at home.
After such a fabulous weekend spent on fun activities with friends, work seemed so ... blah. :-) But it was a fine, busy day.
I got on the scale this morning (it was in the guest room so I waited until today to weigh) - I had lost 1.6 pounds. Yay! :-)
Today was a good day.
After such a fabulous weekend spent on fun activities with friends, work seemed so ... blah. :-) But it was a fine, busy day.
I got on the scale this morning (it was in the guest room so I waited until today to weigh) - I had lost 1.6 pounds. Yay! :-)
Today was a good day.
Why do you overeat?
Many people who blog about losing weight have always been overweight. A few will talk about slowly gaining weight after having children, but never really seemed to have necessarily overeaten before.
While that is true to me as well (a slow weight gain that began in my late 30s), I also distinctly recall when and why I began to overeat.
I really began to turn to food when I was around 15, pushed in that direction by my dad and stepmother.
By the time I entered high school, I was 5'2" and weighed around 100 pounds, wearing around a size 4/6 (no idea what size that would be today). My dad and stepmother began criticizing my eating habits (I had a healthy appetite), telling me that I would get fat if I kept eating that way, Needless to say, that only made me want to eat all the more.
God knows there wasn't much to enjoy at their house on the weekends (eventually I refused to go, then I left for school and didn't have to go) - food was something to enjoy. That was the point that I consciously turned to food.
While that is true to me as well (a slow weight gain that began in my late 30s), I also distinctly recall when and why I began to overeat.
I really began to turn to food when I was around 15, pushed in that direction by my dad and stepmother.
By the time I entered high school, I was 5'2" and weighed around 100 pounds, wearing around a size 4/6 (no idea what size that would be today). My dad and stepmother began criticizing my eating habits (I had a healthy appetite), telling me that I would get fat if I kept eating that way, Needless to say, that only made me want to eat all the more.
God knows there wasn't much to enjoy at their house on the weekends (eventually I refused to go, then I left for school and didn't have to go) - food was something to enjoy. That was the point that I consciously turned to food.
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Whirlwind
I'd say good morning, but its already afternoon! :-)
So, last weekend I drove up to Hagerstown Md for a long weekend to visit a good friend. She used to live nearby and we got together regularly to sew (she is an amazing seamstress), but she & her husband split up and she moved to Md.
I hadn't seen her in quite some time, so it was a real joy to have a weekend of hanging out together. It was great!
I'm sure I've mentioned that due to moving and new jobs, we skipped our annual camping trip up in PA with friends. It was HARD.
The good news was that dear friends of ours decided to drive down to NC for a few days before driving back to Cali. They arrived Thursday night and left this morning. It was wonderful! I can't tell you how nice it is to be in the company of good friends after feeling so cut off. It was an amazing visit.
I am so blessed!
Today hub and I are hanging out & doing errands. He is headed back tomorrow, but I feel like we've had such an amazing weekend.
Tomorrow I am driving to Durham to hang out with another good friend. Going out for lunch (Korean) and then watching "Sharknado 2" together.
I feel like my happiness battery has been recharged! :-)
So, last weekend I drove up to Hagerstown Md for a long weekend to visit a good friend. She used to live nearby and we got together regularly to sew (she is an amazing seamstress), but she & her husband split up and she moved to Md.
I hadn't seen her in quite some time, so it was a real joy to have a weekend of hanging out together. It was great!
I'm sure I've mentioned that due to moving and new jobs, we skipped our annual camping trip up in PA with friends. It was HARD.
The good news was that dear friends of ours decided to drive down to NC for a few days before driving back to Cali. They arrived Thursday night and left this morning. It was wonderful! I can't tell you how nice it is to be in the company of good friends after feeling so cut off. It was an amazing visit.
I am so blessed!
Today hub and I are hanging out & doing errands. He is headed back tomorrow, but I feel like we've had such an amazing weekend.
Tomorrow I am driving to Durham to hang out with another good friend. Going out for lunch (Korean) and then watching "Sharknado 2" together.
I feel like my happiness battery has been recharged! :-)
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Eh
I've been feeling bummed. I've been busy, and frazzled.
Today I was feeling a bit sad. When I went to Costco, I picked up a package of dog toys. Because the joy of a dog is a cure for many things.
Anyway, been busy and out of town. Catch up soon!
Today I was feeling a bit sad. When I went to Costco, I picked up a package of dog toys. Because the joy of a dog is a cure for many things.
Anyway, been busy and out of town. Catch up soon!
Sunday, August 03, 2014
Tweaking the schedule - again!
Hello!
One thing about hub heading back Sunday morning is that I need to have all my food prep done Saturday. That made for a pretty long day yesterday. On the plus side, it means Sunday afternoons are free!
Today I went to the farmers market and bought about 3 pounds of okra to pickle. (I love pickled okra). So I am excited about doing that.
My chores are done and I can just chillax.
It's been a tough weekend. My stepdad is in the hospital with sepsis, that's not good. The chemo has just knocked out his immune system. I've been stressed. about that.
But hub and I had a nice weekend together. Next weekend we are going our separate ways to visit friends, so I'm glad we had a nice weekend together.
Anyway, take care and I hope you have a nice day!
One thing about hub heading back Sunday morning is that I need to have all my food prep done Saturday. That made for a pretty long day yesterday. On the plus side, it means Sunday afternoons are free!
Today I went to the farmers market and bought about 3 pounds of okra to pickle. (I love pickled okra). So I am excited about doing that.
My chores are done and I can just chillax.
It's been a tough weekend. My stepdad is in the hospital with sepsis, that's not good. The chemo has just knocked out his immune system. I've been stressed. about that.
But hub and I had a nice weekend together. Next weekend we are going our separate ways to visit friends, so I'm glad we had a nice weekend together.
Anyway, take care and I hope you have a nice day!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)