x17star17x's Friends

I am here to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving.

I have been away from the computer yesterday.

Sorry I missed you all.

Computer problems, so Wish you all a great Holiday.

If you're reading this, your are as addicted to CC; as I am.   LOL.

Take care and GOD BLESS>

I really WANT to think about Christmas with just me and Joel being nice and romantic and unstressful, and not be sad to be away from family, so I will give that a shot.

Last night in a desperate attempt to avoid snacking I did some baking and cooking and planning. I made soup, a yummy chicken-apple sausage, quinoa, and spinach dealie, sort of a (very) modified Italian Wedding soup. I had some for lunch today, it's awesome and comforting. Also made the no-knead bread I started the night before, it has to rise for 21+ hours, man did it turn out great. I left enough calories in my day to be allowed a sample and it was fantastic. It has no added sugar or fat so is even on the lower-cal side, for bread. Also pulled out some chicken legs and bought the ingredients for Carribean Braised Chicken, after researching whcih crock-pot recipe I want to try. Technically it's not a crockpot recipe but that's where it's going anyway. I have a date with some chicken legs to pull their skin off right after work.

I find it highly ironic that the way I avoid eating is by cooking. Hey whatever works. And, when I spend a lot of time cooking, I actually have food for lunches instead of buying them. I plan to bring the chicken to Vancouver tomorrow, if I am going then...still don't know if my Friday meeting is cancelled. If it is, I am off to Van, and J and I will have dinner all ready instead of eating out. We've gotten into the bad habit of going for dinner on the way back to town after he picks me up from the ferry, I understand it's late and we are hungry and the idea of stopping for groceries, driving home, and cooking before being able to eat by maybe 9 pm if lucky is not at all appealing, especially after and long gruelling day, but I would rather have a little snack on the ferry and do just that. When we eat out, it seems to set a bad precedent for the rest of the weekend or something. I want to feel more in control of my food choices and that means less eating out. Difficult to do, especially with holiday season approaching, today alone I got two invites to xmas potluck and going-away luncheon. Frig. My November eating out expenses are SO out of control it's not funny. I can't do it anymore. Stop the madness!!

So, into the kitchen with me. I am happy in there. I feel creative and content and purposeful. It's good times.

I posted the recipe for the no-knead bread on my food blog if you are interested :)

Hope everyone has a great T-day.

I dont' really have any plans, other than to enjoy not having to work. I'm saving my plans for my vacation in December. I was invited to an "un-Thanksgiving" party on Friday (some of my fellow Veg group members), but its at 5pm, which is when I get off work, after which I need to cash my paycheck.

Laying off the coffee seems to be helping, although yesterday I did have the afternoon slumps, at least until I was able to get up and move around. Today I haven't had any slumps, but I have been craving sugar-even when I'm not hungry.  Confession time: I did break down and have a mostly decaf coffee, but I dont' have to get up or go anywhere tommorrow. Hopefully I won't go home and continue to eat like I'm never gonna eat again.

I could have went outside for a walk, but its kind of gray and blustery today. (Did I mention it SNOWED this morning. I realize it is the end of November and I live in ND, so this is quite far from unusual (actually its unusual to not have snow on the ground at this time) but it still not something I'm liking, even if it was just barely enough to whiten the grass.

Blistery boots seem to be fitting better after I let my heels heal (gotta love the Englis language), and used large bandages. I still prefer my hiking boots, but I can make the other work, once I get used to the fact that they are much heavier than I a used to . 

"These boots are made for walking, and that's just what they'll do.. One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you"

For once there isn't much going on. I still need to get up the courage to weigh myself again. For the life of me, it seems like this was easier the first time. I was feeling so good, and looking it too. I still felt I was chubby especially in pictures, but now I look at the clothes I wore (not that long ago) and I can't believe I fit into something that small. Now it seems so futile like herding cats or something. I know I can do it, I've already done it. But I can't seem to get that mojo back. I can do it for a day or so, and I haven't stopped eating healthy. I just can't seem to get those portions under control, or my snacks between meals. 

I've been working on reducing my meals, but I still feel hungry all the time, even when I'm not hungry. I haven't had TTOM for years thanks to the depo, but it could still be other hormones. I think it might also have to due with my current lack of activity. I have no excuses (or should I more appropriately say I have no VALID excuses) for not getting off my duff, I just can't seem to be motivated anymore.

I know stress and anxiety have a lot to do with it. Where other people choose to self medicate with booze, drugs, gambling sex..etc.. I tend to self medicate with food. I have different foods for every mood. Crunchy when I'm pissed, starchy when I am anxious, Sweet when I'm sad, salty and sweet when I'm stressing, savory when I'm melancholy, elaborate dishes when I am manic. I could go on... It goes all the way back to my childhood. In my teens I would save up junk food just so I could pig out on Friday nights while watching Star Trek reruns and other tv late at night.  As a child food was often a means of dealing with emotions, and I've never been able to fully shake it.

One day at a time. That's what I keep telling myself.

"We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails" Dolly Parton

I need to remember that.

ok so the picture is something to see!  Just me clowning a bit on my anniversary... the kids like to take these pics lately with their lips twisted up and giving the peace sign... don't know what it is, but thats what they do... So I sent this one to my baby girl on FB to give her a chuckle...

Not being at all productive today - just waiting on the day to end - and prayerfully it will be soon.  I have LOTS of cooking to do yet, and whips to crack at home... *SIGH*

I will post pics of the spread on tomorrow just because....

HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL!!!

Yippers, I went back to bed after breakfast this morning and lo . . . just got up. Total of 3 extra hours of sleep and I still be feel Blah. That is ok, have lots to do and hopefully that will keep me going for the day until I totally exhaust out.

Weigh-in today 262.4, I see my legs are swollen because my socks are tight. Yeah, this old lady sleeps with socks. Any how, pretty much for today.  Going to eat something give Beauty her medicine and start the major picking up of things today, again.  I hope I don't get any mail that are bills.

Take care and God Bless.

Last day of work for the week. I leave for H-Town today! Yay!

And yes, I found my phone. I was just really stressed yesterday. Almost had a meltdown cause I made the mistake of thinking about everything I had to do. But it turned out to be a day of accomplishments:

1.) Ate decently

2.) Got most of my packing done. My room looks way better. I can finish up Sunday night when I get back, and move my stuff Monday after work.

3.) Found my phone (Thanks Sarah)

4.) Got all packed for my trip today

5.) I am registered for 2 classes in January!

I can't wait to leave this town and relax! I am cooking tonight.

I thank God for all of my wonderful friends like my buddy DZ who called me last night who are like family to me in so many ways.

My weight today is 185#.  This is so frustrating.  Yesterday it was 183.  I ate 1900 calories.

I haven't been exercising much, but I shouldn't be gaining on less than 2000 a day.

Starting Sunday I will deligently weigh all food, record all food and exercise at least 30 minutes a day.  Will also try to limit wine to 3 glasses one day a week.  We'll see.

Art of the Season:  American Primitive Folk Art

Getting in the Winter Wood ~ Queena Stovall

Getting through each day is the only thing I'm doing right now.  Tuesday the visiting nurse was here.  My lungs are clear and my feet are swollen.  Now I have to spend at least 1 hour out of every three with my feet elevated above the level of my heart.  It did seem to help.  She was pleased that I'm gradually losing all that water weight. 

Plan for today:  I have an important phone call before lunch, then at 2:30 must take all my paperwork to the office for rent re-evaluation.  That has to be done each year, but my lease isn't up until February so this is kind of a pain.  There is still only one person in the office.  The office manager who has been gone for over a month signed everything they sent me, so I assume she'll be back sooner or later.  Meanwhile, the tennants are short changed.

Menu for today:  Breakfast - oatmeal with raisins & milk.  Lunch - half a chicken sandwich and salad.  Supper - pork chop, apples, cabbage and potato.  Snacks - tangerines, yogurt and triscuits.

It's another dreary, rainy day, but not quite as cold.  Right now it's 50 F, 10 C.  I'll avoid going out.  The nurse drew my blood for my weekly test, so at least I didn't have to go out yesterday.  I do have to pick up some prescriptions, but it can wait. 

Today:  All I want to do is sleep like an old bear in a cave. 

So I have been searching anxiously to figure out the right gift for my secret santa and suddenly I realize that I haven't given any hints.

I love candles in soft food smells (Vanilla, cranberry, pumpkin, ginger) I don't care for perfummy things.  I love to read, especially light romances ie: Debbie Macomber, Nora Roberts, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Susan Wiggs.  I love cookbooks, especially homemade ones or church cookbooks.

Love Coffee and chocolate, the darker the better.  And I love my kitties and grandchildren.

Thanks

Leslie