Today was a blah day.
You know. One of those days that just can't seem to go well, no matter what.
I have a sinus infection. Blah.
It was hard to get up and get going this morning. Blah.
Talking to students all day ran my throat ragged and now I have a 'sicky' voice. Blah.
Dealing with crying first graders and hyper/frustrated third graders. Double blah.
Really, it all boils down to not feeling well. If I could just flush away this crummy feeling cold with gallons of water, I'd drink every drop!
As it is, feeling blah brings on binge eating of the worst sort. I don't feel good, so I eat ice cream. even though I know that is the WORST possible thing to eat right now. (Dairy fats congest me, that's why I drink fat free milk) And since cold symptoms keep me from wanting to work out, too... it's a double whammy.
So, I have to pick myself up out of the proverbial gutter and give myself a good shaking. I'm going to have to have an iron will to make myself drink tons of water, eat my veggies, and avoid sugar if I want to heal quickly so I can stay on my plan.
Why is it so easy to give myself these little pep talks AFTER I've had the sugar? And so freakishly impossible during a craving?
Heavy sigh.
An Early Christmas
I didn't go Black Friday shopping this year. I didn't want to come down with pneumonia. Also, there was no need. These days you can do your critical shopping from home, so there is no need to go get all aggressive and scary out in the freezing pre-dawn cold. I really do hate the hype and frenzied feeling it brings to the holiday season. I had a calm day at home, instead.
Actually, I was supposed to go tailgating with Erik, Bill, and Will at the Utes game yesterday. Unfortunately, I came down with a sinus infection right after Helena's birthday and wasn't willing to spend an entire day out in cold weather. So I stayed home while the boys went.
Today we went to Doril's Thanksgiving party. Doril is my Mother-in-Law. Bill is the 10th of 11 children, all of whom live close by (meaning that none of them are out of state). Most of his siblings had 6 children each. You can image how big these gathering could get. However, there are a lot of no shows these days. Most of Doril's grandchildren are now married, too, with children of their own. That makes it difficult for everyone to come to an additional gathering when there are so many other pulls and commitments during the holidays. We have tried to convince Doril that it is time for her to rest on her laurels and just allow us to take turns hosting her as our guest... to no avail. She doesn't do 'guest' well.
When we got home from the party, Bill wanted to go out again. I asked him where he was going, and he said 'to the bike store'. I thought he was after more parts for his bike, so I asked "Why?", just to harass him. I certainly wasn't expecting the answer, "To look at bikes for you!"
"Oh! Can I come?!?" I replied.
We went to Bill's favorite local bike store, the Bike Barn. It is owned by friends of ours. We were just going to look, but then we discovered that they were selling last year's rental bikes! For less than Bill thought he'd have to pay for my bike, we were able to get one for me and one for him, too! Mine's 'nicer', apparently, which bemused Bill. He is used to having the best bike in the garage, after all. His mountain bike is still top dog, though, so I don't think he really minds.
Bill is working on them now, making sure everything is working just perfectly and is adjusted just right. I am very happy, because I knew I'd have to get one in order to do longer triathlons. I used my mountain bike for the sprint triathlon and discovered that I didn't have enough gears. I had maxed out the gears and still had more ability to go faster, if only the bike was capable of it! This bike will allow me to do that. That will be especially important in an Ironman, where I'll need to maintain at least 20 mph for most of it in order to finish in a timely fashion. After all at 20 mph, it would take about 5 1/2 hours to complete that portion of the race (112 mi.)! I try not to think things like that because it feels so incredibly overwhelming to me. I try not to use the word 'impossible'.
Of course, I am still thinking as positively as possible, since I am still way off on my training routine. I am hoping that this will keep me motivated in my physical therapy so I CAN get back on track. I keep telling myself that when the weather turns nice again in the spring, my back will be better, too, and I'll be able to ride and run!
Now, you might be asking "Why didn't Bill surprise you with it under the Christmas tree?"
Because we never make big purchases without talking it out, first. While these were deeply discounted, being rentals, they still qualify as a 'big' purchase around here.
So, an early Merry Christmas! I guess I'd better get the tree decorated, eh?
Actually, I was supposed to go tailgating with Erik, Bill, and Will at the Utes game yesterday. Unfortunately, I came down with a sinus infection right after Helena's birthday and wasn't willing to spend an entire day out in cold weather. So I stayed home while the boys went.
Today we went to Doril's Thanksgiving party. Doril is my Mother-in-Law. Bill is the 10th of 11 children, all of whom live close by (meaning that none of them are out of state). Most of his siblings had 6 children each. You can image how big these gathering could get. However, there are a lot of no shows these days. Most of Doril's grandchildren are now married, too, with children of their own. That makes it difficult for everyone to come to an additional gathering when there are so many other pulls and commitments during the holidays. We have tried to convince Doril that it is time for her to rest on her laurels and just allow us to take turns hosting her as our guest... to no avail. She doesn't do 'guest' well.
When we got home from the party, Bill wanted to go out again. I asked him where he was going, and he said 'to the bike store'. I thought he was after more parts for his bike, so I asked "Why?", just to harass him. I certainly wasn't expecting the answer, "To look at bikes for you!"
"Oh! Can I come?!?" I replied.
We went to Bill's favorite local bike store, the Bike Barn. It is owned by friends of ours. We were just going to look, but then we discovered that they were selling last year's rental bikes! For less than Bill thought he'd have to pay for my bike, we were able to get one for me and one for him, too! Mine's 'nicer', apparently, which bemused Bill. He is used to having the best bike in the garage, after all. His mountain bike is still top dog, though, so I don't think he really minds.
Bill is working on them now, making sure everything is working just perfectly and is adjusted just right. I am very happy, because I knew I'd have to get one in order to do longer triathlons. I used my mountain bike for the sprint triathlon and discovered that I didn't have enough gears. I had maxed out the gears and still had more ability to go faster, if only the bike was capable of it! This bike will allow me to do that. That will be especially important in an Ironman, where I'll need to maintain at least 20 mph for most of it in order to finish in a timely fashion. After all at 20 mph, it would take about 5 1/2 hours to complete that portion of the race (112 mi.)! I try not to think things like that because it feels so incredibly overwhelming to me. I try not to use the word 'impossible'.
Of course, I am still thinking as positively as possible, since I am still way off on my training routine. I am hoping that this will keep me motivated in my physical therapy so I CAN get back on track. I keep telling myself that when the weather turns nice again in the spring, my back will be better, too, and I'll be able to ride and run!
Now, you might be asking "Why didn't Bill surprise you with it under the Christmas tree?"
Because we never make big purchases without talking it out, first. While these were deeply discounted, being rentals, they still qualify as a 'big' purchase around here.
So, an early Merry Christmas! I guess I'd better get the tree decorated, eh?
Flashback Friday
So, I got to thinking about all those old journals. The bound book journals dating all the way back to 1979. In the event of a fire, all of them would be lost. While I was not a dedicated writer (in the earliest books, more than a year could go by between entries), there are thoughts and experiences in them that I have completely forgotten. That is the power of writing, of course. You can capture the moment and relive it years later, often with a chuckle.
So, I got to thinking, it might be fun to 'flash back' to some of those earlier versions of... well.. me!
And so, here is the birth of "Flashback Friday". I'll try to find an old journal entry from roughly the same date, but from a different year. I'll keep the original spellings, grammar, and punctuation. I may even have some commentary, too.
Here goes!
*****
Nov. 26, 1988
Thanksgiving was 2 days ago. We had invited Aunt Avis & John to join us for the day & they graciously accepted. They were to arrive at 1:00 pm, so we spent the morning finishing cleaning the house & getting ourselves ready. Mom put the finishing touches on the dinner preparations
They finally arrived at 2:00 pm. We visited until 4:00, then sat down to enjoy the meal. There was a huge turkey, squash, candied yams, peas, stuffing, bread (rolls that Avis made) & much more.
After dinner, we visited for a while longer & then had dessert. There was a choice of pumpkin pie, cherry pie, or chocolate cake, & you could have either ice-cream or whipped cream with it.
John is still dating Diana & he said he sees her about twice a week. He lives in Tacoma now, sharing an apartment with 2 other guys.
About Jim. He turned out to be a flake. His one & only love is computers. He also seems contemptuous about the "young" age of 18. He never puts me down, but he certainly derides others. You see, he's at the venerable old age of 26.
Jim is much better looking than John, in appearance. John, however, is a more beautiful person, inside. I wish things could be different.
However, I gave John my address & he promised he'd write. I won't get my hopes up too high, just in case.
*****
Wow. What a random blast from the past that was!
First off, "Aunt" Avis was NOT my aunt. She was the mother of my dad's best friend growing up. They lived near Poulsbo, WA at that time. My dad helped dig the hole for their swimming pool when he was a teen.
John was her youngest son. You may have gathered that I had a bit of a crush on him. Not long after this, he became my first official boyfriend... and my first kiss. That's right. I had "virgin lips" (a phrase coined by my daughter and her friend) until I was 18 years old. I wish I could tell you that my first kiss was magical. It was so far from that! He was a wet, sloppy kisser. Ugh! Our relationship was doomed to failure because he was a devout Lutheran and I was (and still am) a Mormon. He felt it was his duty to explain to me all of the reasons my religious views were faulty and every date turned into a religious argument (he called them 'debates'). I never wanted to talk religion, he just couldn't let it rest. I ended the relationship after only a few months. My parents were relieved. Dad always hated the idea of me dating John.
As for this Jim character, I don't even remember him at all. I have no idea what he looked like or how I knew him. I do know one thing, though, he was WAY TOO OLD! Twenty six?!? What was I thinking?!? I obviously thought that 18 was a mature and grown up age, even though I was living with my parents, had no responsibilities, and driving one of their cars around. Sheesh! What is it about the teenage brain that is in such a hurry to be an adult? Whoever Jim was, he had a right to be 'contemptuous'. I was barely legal and he was completely right to steer clear of me. So very creepy to realize that my daughter is the same age I was when I wrote this entry. I can't imagine her interested in a 26 year old! Ugh and double ugh!
There you go. What did you think of "Flashback Friday"? Is it worth a second go round next week?
So, I got to thinking, it might be fun to 'flash back' to some of those earlier versions of... well.. me!
And so, here is the birth of "Flashback Friday". I'll try to find an old journal entry from roughly the same date, but from a different year. I'll keep the original spellings, grammar, and punctuation. I may even have some commentary, too.
Here goes!
*****
Nov. 26, 1988
Thanksgiving was 2 days ago. We had invited Aunt Avis & John to join us for the day & they graciously accepted. They were to arrive at 1:00 pm, so we spent the morning finishing cleaning the house & getting ourselves ready. Mom put the finishing touches on the dinner preparations
They finally arrived at 2:00 pm. We visited until 4:00, then sat down to enjoy the meal. There was a huge turkey, squash, candied yams, peas, stuffing, bread (rolls that Avis made) & much more.
After dinner, we visited for a while longer & then had dessert. There was a choice of pumpkin pie, cherry pie, or chocolate cake, & you could have either ice-cream or whipped cream with it.
John is still dating Diana & he said he sees her about twice a week. He lives in Tacoma now, sharing an apartment with 2 other guys.
About Jim. He turned out to be a flake. His one & only love is computers. He also seems contemptuous about the "young" age of 18. He never puts me down, but he certainly derides others. You see, he's at the venerable old age of 26.
Jim is much better looking than John, in appearance. John, however, is a more beautiful person, inside. I wish things could be different.
However, I gave John my address & he promised he'd write. I won't get my hopes up too high, just in case.
*****
Wow. What a random blast from the past that was!
First off, "Aunt" Avis was NOT my aunt. She was the mother of my dad's best friend growing up. They lived near Poulsbo, WA at that time. My dad helped dig the hole for their swimming pool when he was a teen.
John was her youngest son. You may have gathered that I had a bit of a crush on him. Not long after this, he became my first official boyfriend... and my first kiss. That's right. I had "virgin lips" (a phrase coined by my daughter and her friend) until I was 18 years old. I wish I could tell you that my first kiss was magical. It was so far from that! He was a wet, sloppy kisser. Ugh! Our relationship was doomed to failure because he was a devout Lutheran and I was (and still am) a Mormon. He felt it was his duty to explain to me all of the reasons my religious views were faulty and every date turned into a religious argument (he called them 'debates'). I never wanted to talk religion, he just couldn't let it rest. I ended the relationship after only a few months. My parents were relieved. Dad always hated the idea of me dating John.
As for this Jim character, I don't even remember him at all. I have no idea what he looked like or how I knew him. I do know one thing, though, he was WAY TOO OLD! Twenty six?!? What was I thinking?!? I obviously thought that 18 was a mature and grown up age, even though I was living with my parents, had no responsibilities, and driving one of their cars around. Sheesh! What is it about the teenage brain that is in such a hurry to be an adult? Whoever Jim was, he had a right to be 'contemptuous'. I was barely legal and he was completely right to steer clear of me. So very creepy to realize that my daughter is the same age I was when I wrote this entry. I can't imagine her interested in a 26 year old! Ugh and double ugh!
There you go. What did you think of "Flashback Friday"? Is it worth a second go round next week?
Thanksgiving 2011
We had no special plans this Thanksgiving. We didn't travel anywhere. We didn't invite anyone over.
We just had a Thanksgiving with the kids.
In spite of the fact that it was so laid back, we did, in fact, cook the traditional Thanksgiving feast. Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, and a salad (the spinach/almond/cranberry kind). I set the table with the fine china, too.
Growing up, Bill and I had very different Thanksgiving experiences. His family was large and very informal. They ate off of paper to save on dishes. Those who were done eating left the table. It was more of a party atmosphere.
My family was (and still is) very European formal when it came to meals. Everyone sat together for the entire meal. You were not dismissed from the table until the meal was over. If you wanted to leave the table early, you asked permission. That was just for every day meals. Special occasion meals were even more formal. China and real silverware was used. The serving utensils were made of pewter and were from Norway. The table was set with every attention to proper etiquette. We were expected to follow proper etiquette. We dressed for dinner. Even if no one else was coming over.
I railed over that last one as a kid. I didn't see the need to put on a dress when it was just us. I whined and belly ached over it, but always ended up obeying, because Mom and Dad wouldn't take 'no' for an answer. However, once we were all sitting together around the table, our clothes seemed to match the table settings and I enjoyed the fancier feeling of the meal.
Now Bill and I sort of glom together our two experiences of Thanksgiving. We are more casual around the table, and we don't force everyone to dress up. But I do set the china, as a nod to my past. I will admit, though, that I miss the formal feeling that dressing up for dinner creates. The feeling that this meal is special and different.
Of course, the fact that we are all, in fact, sitting around the table together for a meal is special and different, since it happens so rarely these days.
This is my parents' old china set. It is called 'Greenleaf' and is from Japan. There are a few missing pieces and a broken creamer. I have it registered at an online china registry, so if they ever find any pieces, they'll contact me. It has been over 5 years now, and they still can't find any pieces.
When Mom and Dad got a new china set, I convinced Mom to give me this old set. I absolutely love it for all the memories it brings back! I have served Christmas and Thanksgiving feasts on it ever since it became mine, and I hope it brings fond memories to my children, as well. I even bought a china hutch just so I could store it safely.
I tried a new sweet potato recipe this year. It has marshmallows and pecans on top.
Bill and Will thought Helena and I had gone nuts because we kept taking pictures of the table settings and our food. I guess it is just the artist in each of us, or the journalist... or maybe a little of both!
A couple of years ago, Kirsten and Paul had everybody over for Thanksgiving and she served the most amazing soufflé! She was kind enough to give me the recipe and it has replace the traditional pies for us as a Thanksgiving dessert. It is a spiced pumpkin soufflé with whipped cream and caramel topping.
I'm pretty sure Helena's photos turned out better than mine!
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
We just had a Thanksgiving with the kids.
In spite of the fact that it was so laid back, we did, in fact, cook the traditional Thanksgiving feast. Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, and a salad (the spinach/almond/cranberry kind). I set the table with the fine china, too.
Growing up, Bill and I had very different Thanksgiving experiences. His family was large and very informal. They ate off of paper to save on dishes. Those who were done eating left the table. It was more of a party atmosphere.
My family was (and still is) very European formal when it came to meals. Everyone sat together for the entire meal. You were not dismissed from the table until the meal was over. If you wanted to leave the table early, you asked permission. That was just for every day meals. Special occasion meals were even more formal. China and real silverware was used. The serving utensils were made of pewter and were from Norway. The table was set with every attention to proper etiquette. We were expected to follow proper etiquette. We dressed for dinner. Even if no one else was coming over.
I railed over that last one as a kid. I didn't see the need to put on a dress when it was just us. I whined and belly ached over it, but always ended up obeying, because Mom and Dad wouldn't take 'no' for an answer. However, once we were all sitting together around the table, our clothes seemed to match the table settings and I enjoyed the fancier feeling of the meal.
Now Bill and I sort of glom together our two experiences of Thanksgiving. We are more casual around the table, and we don't force everyone to dress up. But I do set the china, as a nod to my past. I will admit, though, that I miss the formal feeling that dressing up for dinner creates. The feeling that this meal is special and different.
Of course, the fact that we are all, in fact, sitting around the table together for a meal is special and different, since it happens so rarely these days.
This is my parents' old china set. It is called 'Greenleaf' and is from Japan. There are a few missing pieces and a broken creamer. I have it registered at an online china registry, so if they ever find any pieces, they'll contact me. It has been over 5 years now, and they still can't find any pieces.
When Mom and Dad got a new china set, I convinced Mom to give me this old set. I absolutely love it for all the memories it brings back! I have served Christmas and Thanksgiving feasts on it ever since it became mine, and I hope it brings fond memories to my children, as well. I even bought a china hutch just so I could store it safely.
I tried a new sweet potato recipe this year. It has marshmallows and pecans on top.
Bill and Will thought Helena and I had gone nuts because we kept taking pictures of the table settings and our food. I guess it is just the artist in each of us, or the journalist... or maybe a little of both!
A couple of years ago, Kirsten and Paul had everybody over for Thanksgiving and she served the most amazing soufflé! She was kind enough to give me the recipe and it has replace the traditional pies for us as a Thanksgiving dessert. It is a spiced pumpkin soufflé with whipped cream and caramel topping.
I'm pretty sure Helena's photos turned out better than mine!
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
18 years
I searched all over the house until I finally found the journal I kept at the time my daughter, Helena, was born. I have always kept a journal my entire life. At least my entire life since I was 8 years old. This blog took over as my 'journal' in 2009 and I have not written in a formal paper bound book since. But I still have my old journals. In this case, I wanted to look up what I wrote when Helena was born.
I was hoping I had written some inspiring words of the love a new mom feels for her first born.
No such luck. Just a blow by blow of the labor and delivery. I'll spare you.
Phooey.
Looking back on those entries from her first months of life makes me realize just how YOUNG and inexperienced we were! We were just kids ourselves!
I remember a feeling of panic when I realized that the doctors and nurses at the hospital were just going to send this fragile little whiff of life home with me. ME! That I was suddenly responsible for the life of another human being.
I was terrified. To put it mildly.
Mom came to stay for a week. I remember her telling me I shouldn't be so quiet around the baby, or she would startle awake at the smallest sound. She needed to be used to a noisy environment. But, my life was a quiet one. I wasn't 'being quiet' for the baby... I was always quiet naturally. So, I went out of my way to make the house noisier for little Helena.
Did you know that, at first, Helena had a nickname?
We tried to call her "Hailey" for a couple of weeks. That's as long as it lasted. The name didn't stick. Weird as it sounds, she simply wasn't anything other than elegant and graceful "Helena". I can't explain it any better than that.
Here we are, 18 years later. Life's roller coaster has had many ups and downs since then. Helena was our guinea pig while we learned what it was to be parents. We are still learning. She is still the guinea pig. Sorry, sweetie.
But, I'll tell you one thing. I didn't know what it was to truly love another person until Helena was born.
Let me rephrase that. I didn't know what it was to love someone else MORE than life itself. To love so much that it is painful. To have a part of your own heart walking around outside of yourself, residing in the body of another.
I think the love of a mother for her child is the closest any mortal gets to understanding the divine love of God.
Such an exquisite agony.
And now, she is 18 years old and taking her first steps into the realms of adulthood. Thinking she is ready, feeling oh-so-grown up. But she is still my little girl, the one I would die for rather than see her suffer.
And I love her more than she will ever know...
... at least, until she becomes a mother.
Happy Birthday, my sweet Helena.
Preference 2011
Helena and Megan double dated for Preference this year. Megan took her boyfriend, Dalan, and Helena took Dalan's golfing buddy, Braxton. I don't have a picture of the group because the girls were in charge of this one and picked the boys up. They joined a larger Preference group and had the 'day date' on the Friday evening before the dance by going to someone's house to play games. They took the boys to the Pizza Factory for dinner, then to the dance. I don't really have much to say, other than I think they had fun. I just knew you'd like to see the pictures of their dresses!
The Changing of the Guard
Today we received a new Bishopric in church.
There is no paid clergy in my church. Each congregation is lead by a Bishop, who is called from the congregation for a period of time (usually around 5 years) to act as the leader of the congregation. It is a huge sacrifice and commitment for the man serving, and to his family, too. The Bishop leads and directs the congregation, performs weddings, oversees funerals, directs the use of welfare funds for the poor, checks on the orphans and widows, and hears confessions of those who need church help in overcoming sins. All of this while still working at his normal job to support his family.
Our Bishop up until today has been Bishop Brailsford, a neighbor and friend of ours. We are roughly the same age and our children have grown up together. The new Bishop is Bishop Rowley, an older, retired gentleman in the congregation that we have known for years, though not well. He got up to speak for the first time as our Bishop and I was glad to hear that he has a sense of humor. I think that is important in a man of God. He told a story about his grandfather's old plow horse who had been retired from the traces, yet still walked out to the plow every day, waiting to be hitched up and work. Finally, the grandfather humored the old horse and hitched him to the plow and let him furrow a field. The horse died in the traces. Bishop Rowley joked that he hopefully wouldn't 'die in the traces'. It doesn't sound very funny in print, but it sounded cute and funny when he said it over the pulpit. He also said he thought he might make a list of his 22 worst character flaws, to save us the hassle of discovering them over the course of his service as the Bishop. Then he decided against it, saying it would be more entertaining for us to discover them along the way. He then bore testimony of the divinity of Christ.
There is no paid clergy in my church. Each congregation is lead by a Bishop, who is called from the congregation for a period of time (usually around 5 years) to act as the leader of the congregation. It is a huge sacrifice and commitment for the man serving, and to his family, too. The Bishop leads and directs the congregation, performs weddings, oversees funerals, directs the use of welfare funds for the poor, checks on the orphans and widows, and hears confessions of those who need church help in overcoming sins. All of this while still working at his normal job to support his family.
Our Bishop up until today has been Bishop Brailsford, a neighbor and friend of ours. We are roughly the same age and our children have grown up together. The new Bishop is Bishop Rowley, an older, retired gentleman in the congregation that we have known for years, though not well. He got up to speak for the first time as our Bishop and I was glad to hear that he has a sense of humor. I think that is important in a man of God. He told a story about his grandfather's old plow horse who had been retired from the traces, yet still walked out to the plow every day, waiting to be hitched up and work. Finally, the grandfather humored the old horse and hitched him to the plow and let him furrow a field. The horse died in the traces. Bishop Rowley joked that he hopefully wouldn't 'die in the traces'. It doesn't sound very funny in print, but it sounded cute and funny when he said it over the pulpit. He also said he thought he might make a list of his 22 worst character flaws, to save us the hassle of discovering them over the course of his service as the Bishop. Then he decided against it, saying it would be more entertaining for us to discover them along the way. He then bore testimony of the divinity of Christ.
Food Coma No. 2
Oh dear.
I am going to gain some weight this week.
It is inevitable.
Yesterday, I told you about my over stuffed gourmet shrimp tacos at Rubio's. That was food coma no. 1.
Today, I took Helena to Tucanos Brazilian Grill for her birthday dinner. Every person in our family is a member of the Tucano's birthday club. That means that we each get a birthday postcard inviting us in to the restaurant for a free meal during the month of our birth... with the purchase of another meal.
Tucanos is a $25-$35/person kind of place, so it isn't the type of place we would take the entire family. So, when taking one of the kids for their birthday meal, only one parent goes to save the budget a bit. Since Tucanos isn't very gluten-free friendly, that parent ends up being me.
Yup. I was a good soldier and took a bullet for the team.
Tucanos is SO YUMMY! It is a buffet style restaurant with a twist. The side dishes are on the buffet. The main 'dishes' are the various different cuts of meats that are brought around on skewers by servers. We had everything from teriyaki chicken wings, to battered cod in mango sauce, to chicken hearts, to fillet Mignon! OK, I did NOT have the chicken hearts, but Helena did. There is a wooden 'hour glass' on the table with two different colored sides. If you put the green side up, servers will keep coming around offering new items. If you put the red side up, you are telling the servers you want a break, or you're done.
I ate way too much! My stomach hurt. I have been watching portion control for so long that my body just about couldn't handle all that food. I thought I might be sick. But before the tummy ache, I started slipping into food coma no. 2.
The bad thing is, I expect there to be a food coma no. 3 event, a food coma no. 4 event, and possibly a food coma no. 5 event... all throughout this week. And I can't run it off.
I predict at least 10 lbs. gained. Oh, but they will be yummy pounds!
Here's to the Holidays!
I am going to gain some weight this week.
It is inevitable.
Yesterday, I told you about my over stuffed gourmet shrimp tacos at Rubio's. That was food coma no. 1.
Today, I took Helena to Tucanos Brazilian Grill for her birthday dinner. Every person in our family is a member of the Tucano's birthday club. That means that we each get a birthday postcard inviting us in to the restaurant for a free meal during the month of our birth... with the purchase of another meal.
Tucanos is a $25-$35/person kind of place, so it isn't the type of place we would take the entire family. So, when taking one of the kids for their birthday meal, only one parent goes to save the budget a bit. Since Tucanos isn't very gluten-free friendly, that parent ends up being me.
Yup. I was a good soldier and took a bullet for the team.
Tucanos is SO YUMMY! It is a buffet style restaurant with a twist. The side dishes are on the buffet. The main 'dishes' are the various different cuts of meats that are brought around on skewers by servers. We had everything from teriyaki chicken wings, to battered cod in mango sauce, to chicken hearts, to fillet Mignon! OK, I did NOT have the chicken hearts, but Helena did. There is a wooden 'hour glass' on the table with two different colored sides. If you put the green side up, servers will keep coming around offering new items. If you put the red side up, you are telling the servers you want a break, or you're done.
I ate way too much! My stomach hurt. I have been watching portion control for so long that my body just about couldn't handle all that food. I thought I might be sick. But before the tummy ache, I started slipping into food coma no. 2.
The bad thing is, I expect there to be a food coma no. 3 event, a food coma no. 4 event, and possibly a food coma no. 5 event... all throughout this week. And I can't run it off.
I predict at least 10 lbs. gained. Oh, but they will be yummy pounds!
Here's to the Holidays!
For the Love of Avocados
Friday night is date night. So I waited for Bill to get home. And waited. And waited.
He arrived home from work at 9:15 pm.
Poor guy!
It was a cold, snowy, miserable, frustrating, and never ending work day for him. He quickly showered and we headed out to find some dinner for our date. We weren't optimistic, though. It was just after 9:30 ... closing time for our favorite, Rubio's.
When we got there, the doors were locked. They were closed. We walked back to the car to leave and try to find an option B that was still open.
That's when it happened.
The manager, Luis, came hurrying out of the restaurant to invite us inside for dinner.
I tried to tell him it was OK, that they had already started their clean up and they didn't need to go to any extra effort for us, but he wouldn't hear of it. He insisted.
So we did.
That was the best dinner!
They brought us out a plate full of chips, pico, and guacamole. I mean it was loaded! We hadn't ordered it, they just felt we'd like to have it while we waited for our food. Luis said they'd just have to throw it out anyways, so we might as well enjoy it.
My tacos were so overloaded that I couldn't finish them, but, OH! They were fabulous! And an extra side for our chips? A bowl full of guacamole. Not a cup... a BOWL.
We love avocados. I mean, really LOVE AVOCADOS! We buy 8-10 of them every week and usually run out before the end of the week.
So here's another shout out to Rubio's Fresh Beach Mex! They really are the best!
Training setbacks
You know I completed two half marathons last spring/summer. And a sprint triathlon in the summer.
I wanted to springboard off of those and work really hard this fall/winter to push my running to a new level (aka, actually RUNNING instead of some jog/walk mutation). I was even planning to switch my training back to runner only style workouts instead of the swim/run/bike stuff I did all summer. After all, I'm scheduled to run a full marathon in June, so I need to focus my energy on technique and stamina.
There is just one problem.
I can't run.
I can't even jog. My back is so tight! I tried a treadmill workout and failed pretty bad. I ended up walking and gave up 20 minutes into it. I can't even do a 5K.
I thought whiplash was a neck thing. You always see whiplash victims in those goofy looking neck braces in the TV shows. No neck brace for me. Just a messed up back. There is a spot midway down my spine that feels like someone punched it. Hard. All the muscles in my back complain when I fill my lungs with air (so the rib cage expands), but that 'punch spot' complains most of all. Can you imagine what that is like when trying to run? Can't do it.
So I'm not allowed to run or jog. Doctors orders. Just non-impact stuff, like swimming and spin class.
Great. Instead of a running only training schedule, I'm down to swim/bike. Except spin class was hard on my lower back and my knee, even though I took it easy. I've never had knee problems before. I tried swimming tonight. I'll see how my back feels in the morning. I usually swim a mile. Today I didn't even do half of that. I don't dare do too much for fear of preventing healing.
Boy, that is a fine line. I'm supposed to stretch and do as much exercise as my body will allow, while being careful not to over extend and cause more damage. This is really messing up my training.
I wanted to springboard off of those and work really hard this fall/winter to push my running to a new level (aka, actually RUNNING instead of some jog/walk mutation). I was even planning to switch my training back to runner only style workouts instead of the swim/run/bike stuff I did all summer. After all, I'm scheduled to run a full marathon in June, so I need to focus my energy on technique and stamina.
There is just one problem.
I can't run.
I can't even jog. My back is so tight! I tried a treadmill workout and failed pretty bad. I ended up walking and gave up 20 minutes into it. I can't even do a 5K.
I thought whiplash was a neck thing. You always see whiplash victims in those goofy looking neck braces in the TV shows. No neck brace for me. Just a messed up back. There is a spot midway down my spine that feels like someone punched it. Hard. All the muscles in my back complain when I fill my lungs with air (so the rib cage expands), but that 'punch spot' complains most of all. Can you imagine what that is like when trying to run? Can't do it.
So I'm not allowed to run or jog. Doctors orders. Just non-impact stuff, like swimming and spin class.
Great. Instead of a running only training schedule, I'm down to swim/bike. Except spin class was hard on my lower back and my knee, even though I took it easy. I've never had knee problems before. I tried swimming tonight. I'll see how my back feels in the morning. I usually swim a mile. Today I didn't even do half of that. I don't dare do too much for fear of preventing healing.
Boy, that is a fine line. I'm supposed to stretch and do as much exercise as my body will allow, while being careful not to over extend and cause more damage. This is really messing up my training.
Back on the Wagon
Or, at least, struggling to be.
I took a doctor ordered holiday from my exercise routine. Now I have to get myself motivated to get back in the rhythm again. That is so hard to do!
This post won't make any sense to those of you who have lived an active lifestyle your entire lives. Nor will it make much sense to those of you who have been lifelong couch potatoes, either. But if you are like me, a reformed couch potato who has known what it feels like to be 'in shape', but also what it feels like to enjoy being lazy on the couch, you can probably relate.
I know I need to exercise daily. I know it. I know it. I know it! At least, my brain knows it. Or rather, a part of my brain. We'll call that part Kate, because the new me (with the new nickname... I've only had that nickname for 6 years now) wants to be healthier. The other part of my brain we'll call Kathy, because that is the old nickname from childhood, and the old me was a couch potato with bad exercise habits. So, here is a typical argument that takes place inside my head on a pretty regular basis.
(BTW, if you don't talk to yourself inside your head, then you must be the weird one, because I am certainly NOT weird!)
Kathy: "It has been a long and slightly frustrating day at work. The couch is warm and soft, and there is lots to entertain on the computer."
Kate: "You are signed up for a marathon."
Kathy: "Yeah, but that is a long time away. June. That's, like, forever. I'll have plenty of time to train for that... later."
Kate: "Later has a scary way of turning into 'Never'. You need to get to the gym."
Kathy: "The computer makes a nice heater. And it's is cold out there."
Kate: "Fat makes a nice heater, too. You keep sitting there and you'll have plenty of fat to keep you warm. Stop being a wimp, put on a jacket and get out the door."
Kathy: "Phttt. One day. So what if I just skip one day. You can't tell me that skipping one day with make me fat."
Kate: "Oh, yes I can. It'll just make it harder to go tomorrow if you skip today. You need to go."
Kathy: "You need to go, you need to go (said in an annoying sing-song voice). You are SUCH broken record!"
Kate: "Let's try to be mature, here. You always feel so much happier afterwards..."
Kathy: "Yeah, I know. But I just don't want to get up. And I'm watching Lost right now..."
Kate: "ON NETFLIX! You can watch that anytime! I need to sweat. I like it when it beads up on my shoulders."
Kathy: "K. Now you're just weird."
Kate:
Kathy: "Ew. Now you're being rude."
Kate: "No. I'm being a realist. Get to the gym."
Kathy: "Gah!!! OK! Geez. That is so gross! I'm going."
Kate:
Kathy: "OK. I'm with you, now."
And so, I go. But not without that same battle every time...
You don't want to hear the internal arguments about food. Especially since Kathy is winning those, for now.
I took a doctor ordered holiday from my exercise routine. Now I have to get myself motivated to get back in the rhythm again. That is so hard to do!
This post won't make any sense to those of you who have lived an active lifestyle your entire lives. Nor will it make much sense to those of you who have been lifelong couch potatoes, either. But if you are like me, a reformed couch potato who has known what it feels like to be 'in shape', but also what it feels like to enjoy being lazy on the couch, you can probably relate.
I know I need to exercise daily. I know it. I know it. I know it! At least, my brain knows it. Or rather, a part of my brain. We'll call that part Kate, because the new me (with the new nickname... I've only had that nickname for 6 years now) wants to be healthier. The other part of my brain we'll call Kathy, because that is the old nickname from childhood, and the old me was a couch potato with bad exercise habits. So, here is a typical argument that takes place inside my head on a pretty regular basis.
(BTW, if you don't talk to yourself inside your head, then you must be the weird one, because I am certainly NOT weird!)
Kathy: "It has been a long and slightly frustrating day at work. The couch is warm and soft, and there is lots to entertain on the computer."
Kate: "You are signed up for a marathon."
Kathy: "Yeah, but that is a long time away. June. That's, like, forever. I'll have plenty of time to train for that... later."
Kate: "Later has a scary way of turning into 'Never'. You need to get to the gym."
Kathy: "The computer makes a nice heater. And it's is cold out there."
Kate: "Fat makes a nice heater, too. You keep sitting there and you'll have plenty of fat to keep you warm. Stop being a wimp, put on a jacket and get out the door."
Kathy: "Phttt. One day. So what if I just skip one day. You can't tell me that skipping one day with make me fat."
Kate: "Oh, yes I can. It'll just make it harder to go tomorrow if you skip today. You need to go."
Kathy: "You need to go, you need to go (said in an annoying sing-song voice). You are SUCH broken record!"
Kate: "Let's try to be mature, here. You always feel so much happier afterwards..."
Kathy: "Yeah, I know. But I just don't want to get up. And I'm watching Lost right now..."
Kate: "ON NETFLIX! You can watch that anytime! I need to sweat. I like it when it beads up on my shoulders."
Kathy: "K. Now you're just weird."
Kate:
Kathy: "Ew. Now you're being rude."
Kate: "No. I'm being a realist. Get to the gym."
Kathy: "Gah!!! OK! Geez. That is so gross! I'm going."
Kate:
Kathy: "OK. I'm with you, now."
And so, I go. But not without that same battle every time...
You don't want to hear the internal arguments about food. Especially since Kathy is winning those, for now.
Car Accident Update
I don't always have a lot to say. There are gaps in my writing. I am sorry. There are just some days that aren't that interesting to write about. I am not egotistical enough to think that the world wants a blow-by-blow of my daily life, so if I am not inspired on any particular day, I won't write.
My last post was pretty depressing. That was a truly rough day. It seemed as though life was trying to beat me down with wave after wave of bad news and conflict. But, as with most dark days, it couldn't last. The next day was better. The bad news didn't go away, of course, and we're still faced with it, but it is not in my nature to brood, mope, or hold a grudge. Ah. My redeeming qualities. I knew I'd figure them out someday.
First of all, an update on the car situation seems to be in order.
Bill, Steven, and Erik all looked at the car and thought it would be a total loss. My insurance company came out to my school the day after the accident to take pictures and assess the damage, but I didn't hear from the insurance of the girl that hit me. That got me wondering, so I ended up calling her insurance to report the accident myself. She had never called them.
Throughout the week, I got multiple phone calls from her insurance, my insurance, and a tow company. Every call ratcheted up my stress level because I felt like I needed to act NOW and I didn't know what to do. About mid-week, her insurance sent someone out to my school to take pictures and assess the damage. He sent me a text to tell me that he was coming, then another to tell me that he had LEFT A CHECK ON MY WINDSHIELD for the cost of the damages! A check for over $2,400.00 left in the open in a public parking lot?!?
Excuse me?
I called him back and asked him what in the world I was supposed to do with the check?!? He gave me some garbage about being told that I didn't want to repair the car and just wanted the money for damages. I gave him an earful and told him I had no intention of cashing that check.
My insurance company has decided the car is a total loss. They want a towing company to pick it up and take it directly to an inspection yard. Her insurance company wants me to choose a repair shop and have it repaired, though they admit that once the shop begins to work, they will probably reassess and claim total loss, too.
I have stressed all week about what to do. Do I go with my insurance or hers? Option A or option B?
We're going to do option C.
We're going to keep the car, after all. The insurance will give us a salvage $ amount (which will be more than the amount on the check the moron left on my windshield). It isn't as much money as the total loss $ amount. It seems crazy not to go with the biggest payout amount, but bear with me. The total loss amount requires that we give them the car and find a replacement for it. The amount will not be enough to buy something decent. At least, not without a whole lot of looking and luck. We don't want to end up with a car payment on a car that we intend to send with Helena to college. We know the Alero. We know that we've taken good care of the engine and that it should last a good long while, still. We can pull the rear end of the car back into shape without worrying about cosmetic details for not a lot of money. I can put the rest into a 6 month CD and sit on it until spring. Then I'll use it as a down payment on a car for me. I don't want to get a car for me in the middle of the holiday season, because then its renewal will hit at the holidays every year.
So, there you have it. Helena will end up with a knock about salvage title for college and I have 6 months to work out exactly what I want to get for myself to drive. I really want a sports car, but it will probably end up being an SUV or crossover of some kind with 4WD and room for a bike and/or skis. I live in Utah, after all.
My last post was pretty depressing. That was a truly rough day. It seemed as though life was trying to beat me down with wave after wave of bad news and conflict. But, as with most dark days, it couldn't last. The next day was better. The bad news didn't go away, of course, and we're still faced with it, but it is not in my nature to brood, mope, or hold a grudge. Ah. My redeeming qualities. I knew I'd figure them out someday.
First of all, an update on the car situation seems to be in order.
Bill, Steven, and Erik all looked at the car and thought it would be a total loss. My insurance company came out to my school the day after the accident to take pictures and assess the damage, but I didn't hear from the insurance of the girl that hit me. That got me wondering, so I ended up calling her insurance to report the accident myself. She had never called them.
Throughout the week, I got multiple phone calls from her insurance, my insurance, and a tow company. Every call ratcheted up my stress level because I felt like I needed to act NOW and I didn't know what to do. About mid-week, her insurance sent someone out to my school to take pictures and assess the damage. He sent me a text to tell me that he was coming, then another to tell me that he had LEFT A CHECK ON MY WINDSHIELD for the cost of the damages! A check for over $2,400.00 left in the open in a public parking lot?!?
Excuse me?
I called him back and asked him what in the world I was supposed to do with the check?!? He gave me some garbage about being told that I didn't want to repair the car and just wanted the money for damages. I gave him an earful and told him I had no intention of cashing that check.
My insurance company has decided the car is a total loss. They want a towing company to pick it up and take it directly to an inspection yard. Her insurance company wants me to choose a repair shop and have it repaired, though they admit that once the shop begins to work, they will probably reassess and claim total loss, too.
I have stressed all week about what to do. Do I go with my insurance or hers? Option A or option B?
We're going to do option C.
We're going to keep the car, after all. The insurance will give us a salvage $ amount (which will be more than the amount on the check the moron left on my windshield). It isn't as much money as the total loss $ amount. It seems crazy not to go with the biggest payout amount, but bear with me. The total loss amount requires that we give them the car and find a replacement for it. The amount will not be enough to buy something decent. At least, not without a whole lot of looking and luck. We don't want to end up with a car payment on a car that we intend to send with Helena to college. We know the Alero. We know that we've taken good care of the engine and that it should last a good long while, still. We can pull the rear end of the car back into shape without worrying about cosmetic details for not a lot of money. I can put the rest into a 6 month CD and sit on it until spring. Then I'll use it as a down payment on a car for me. I don't want to get a car for me in the middle of the holiday season, because then its renewal will hit at the holidays every year.
So, there you have it. Helena will end up with a knock about salvage title for college and I have 6 months to work out exactly what I want to get for myself to drive. I really want a sports car, but it will probably end up being an SUV or crossover of some kind with 4WD and room for a bike and/or skis. I live in Utah, after all.
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