Dentures and dieting…

Well, I am proud to announce I am down two pounds. Down from what you might ask?  Just a general weight amount.  My down-ness is sort of a celebration, but sort of not.  I may or may not have had a few up days, making my down days a success in the sense of not  being more “up”.  Overall, some success as slow as it may seem.  As you can tell, I love dieting as much as I did before, not that much.  But I am doing it, even if I have to mentally think about it all day.  At breakfast I am already thinking-self coaching myself inside my head-about how I will not have 2 plates of leftovers for lunch, but instead, a salad.  And at dinner, I am thinking about how I will have sparkling water after instead of a snack.  It really takes that much preparation on my part to make sure I do good.  Another assist is my dear friend. (who will remain nameless) When I go for that handful of chocolate chips, I think of her face and how I will have to text her my weight in the morning and instead clench my fist full of “empty” and chew a piece of gum instead.  We are cracking ourselves up!  Things I have/we have discovered this first week of “dieting”:  You weigh way less naked, than with clothes on.  Always pee in the morning before weighing, and if you are concerned, floss, shave and shower first too.  Every little bit adds up 🙂 Celery really is satisfying and takes a while to eat.  You get used to eating less and feel way better than you thought you would.  Results are not always obvious, but you must persevere!!! My thought today, when thinking of going to Bible study tonight, and also thinking of the table of goodies was this; “If I had dentures, I could simply leave my teeth at home prior to going, and wouldn’t be able to eat.”  Pathetic I know, but such is the internal workings of my mind while on this weight loss journey.

This week has been a roller coaster.  An internship David applied for this summer, that we felt confident he would get, announced via e-mail that he was not selected.  It was deflating to say the least.  Mostly because, it was so unexpected.  You know when you have that sense of surety from the Lord, you almost don’t even have a second thought?  Well, that was how we were in regards to this.  We got the news on Friday night, right when our Sabbath started.  Needless to say our weekend had a bit of a damper on it.  Now, after a few days, we have perspective and know God has something else for us.  Of course he does. I read in Proverbs the other day, “Man’s steps are ordered by the Lord, how then can a man understand his way?”.  That perfectly describes us this week.  We don’t understand, but know He does.  We’ll rest in that.

On a happiest not of all…Bonte’ and Lee are coming this weekend. We couldn’t be more excited!  And then spring break is upon us and Esam is coming.  I’m ready for some fun and relaxation!!! I can almost assure you that I will be “up” before I am “down” sometime over break.  But that is what life is about, and heck, David has a week off.  That calls for some celebrations!!!!

Hope your week is going well,

Bep

My wreath has a new home as a faux chandelier!

 

 

Those were the days….and so are these!

Well friend, I got a card in the mail last week, the front of the card said, “Those were the days…”, and the inside of the card said, “and so are these.”  I had tears streaming by the time I finished the last phrase.  Why did it hit the middle of my heart like a bullseye? Because it’s true. Also, because I probably tend to live on the side of the phrase, “those were the days” more than the “so are these” side.  I can’t stop thinking about that phrase.  It’s like it got tattooed on my arm.  I am not sure who said it first, but I am adopting it as my motto for life.  It’s a great reminder for my soul.  In regards to the “those are the days side” (as if I need more of a chance to be more reminiscent than I already am) I am thinking today about Valentines Days from long ago. We really went all out.  And by all out, I mean ALL OUT!  I could so use me a party like that right now.  I want some pink leggings, red shoes, heart shirts, and larger than life heart posters, not to forget our awesome heart headbands made my us, truely!!! I could definitely use a heart sugar cookie, or two or three, and really want to dance my rear-end off with no care in the world. Those really were the days.  Note quite as long ago, I surprised my love with a surprise show-up-at-his-school-unannounced, surprise in Portland, OR.  That was where I learned just  how much David doesn’t like surprises.  Since his birthday falls on the 12th, and of course Valentines is on the 14th, it was a kill two birds with one stone surprise trip.  I was so proud of myself, being terrible at things like that.  I had to do so much detective work to know, what time to show up, at which building, on a campus I knew nothing about.  Those were the days.  Young love, hearts pounding, smittenly head over heels in love, on Valentines Day, days.

In reagards to the “and so are these” half, I have realized I wouldn’t want to not have this half.  Though, especially in this season, I yearn for some of the “those were the days” moments, I would be missing so much with out this half of the equation.  With out the these,  I wouldn’t be cleaning up poopy underware and throw up, checking temperatures, or administering various meds and popsicles for sickness.  Not sad about that, but it would also mean, I wouldn’t have my two boys who I ADORE with all my heart.  That would be sad.  I wouldn’t like pink grapefruit Perrier.  That would be sad.  I wouldn’t have become a wine and food snob.  That would be sad.  I wouldn’t know what older than “young love” is like.  It’s wonderful.  I wouldn’t be sharing my Hubs with the law school paper that is due, while sitting alone in Virginia Beach eating Harris Teeter Chipoltle Tortilla Soup and writing you. But, we wouldn’t be living this great adventure that we were destined to live either.  I miss my man tonight.  But, I am glad we have the “and so are these” things in life.  I rented a, (probably horrible) chick flick to watch and take many a deep breaths after such a long day of treachery!  It will be good.  And, we are scheming for a V-day when we will do something insanely romantic in the near future.  I am glad I have a Valentine, and that I have our life right now.  Those really were the days, and, so are these.

Hope your day is panning out like you planned,
Love, Bep

First messy hair day ever, possible because he has enough hair!!!

Happy Valentines.

Cutest Buns in the entire world. He'll hate me when he's older!

Toots hat from uncle duncle.

While Mom and Rach were here.

 

I’ll have water with my water…

I am about as good at dieting as I am at gardening.  Good at being terrible at it.  I hate dieting!  I also hate that after 2 babies none of my clothes fit like I want them too, and I like the clothes I have. I decide I am going to eat healthy, not eat after dinner, eat smaller portions and that I will swear off sweets, and also, that I will start tomorrow.  I then decide that today, I should eat everything in sight since I won’t be eating like this again for a while.  It’s seems the moment I decide that I should focus on being healthy and trying to shave off these post baby pounds that seem to hang on like a stuck booger on a toddler’s face, that I then have this ravenous desire to drink a carton of half and half.  If only I could have the mentality that each choice in every situation leads to a healthier me I would be in much better shape, both mentally, and physically.  Who else is supposed to finish Leon’s pop tart? Exactly, I am the only option.  The people that smile and say, “I’ll have a water, with my half a salad” are a mystery to me. You may as well just drink water by itself.  I am the category that want’s a whole-milk mocha to start, then I will have the dish swimming in butter, with a basket of rustic breads and European butter, and I will also have the half a salad, but why don’t you make it a whole salad.  I will also have a bit of your dessert after.  I just love food, and not just regular food, but good food.  If I didn’t have a husband, I would just stock my fridge with things I hate and I am sure I would drop the pounds in no time.  Unfortunately, I have trained my husband in the love of fine foods as well.  I had a revelation the other day though.  All of us will get old, saggy, more plump and tubby in areas, wrinkly and more beautiful with time.  So, while we try to maintain our image of beauty, we should hold it lightly and remember as well, that it is temporary, and fleeting.  Also I would take my 2 children 1000 times over my old self.  They have made me a better, slightly altered me.  I am thankful for that.  They are also giving me the chance to work on my self discipline and giving me the chance to go at loosing weight the good ol’ fashioned way of hard work and self control.  What’s not to love about that.  If at first I don’t succeed, I will realize that I do in fact love delicious things more than fitting my pants well.  That friend is the bottom line. I challenged a friend to a weight loss competition.  Who ever looses it first get’s a prize.  So dear,  I write you on day one, it’s going well so far, but it is only 11:49 am.  And with that, I will go drink a glass of water 🙂  Miss you friend. 

 

Bep