Pretty Tired

Sunday February 22, 2009 Phase Two Day 307:
I have not gotten to the computer since I have been home. I haven’t even updated our family blog. Most of the time I have been either working, or, at some exercise class with someone, or working on the house. We are really on a time crunch to get things finished before next Saturday when Sonnet is to move back in. The room/furniture storage/ remodel situation is a real domino effect with the room for Sonnet to occupy being the last domino. We are working hard every night to complete the project.

Meanwhile, getting to my eating journal is way down on the totem pole. I did hear something at conference today that made me instantly think of my eating pattern. It was when Elder Ballard said, quoting the main character in the novel War and Peace. “Why when I know what is right do I do what is wrong”. Ouch! Another thing I have been thinking of is the goal setting program my friends are involved with including the weekly accounting. They have inspired me to do a little better job of recording. They actually commit to writing down everything they eat and they do it. So, with those things fresh in my mind I decided to record today even though it is not a pretty picture.

I cooked breakfast for Stephen & I today – what a treat for a Sunday morning. I usually am alone on Sunday mornings but this Sunday being stake conference we were together. When Stephen was taking a shower I went down to fix breakfast. I thought I’d scramble some eggs. I checked for sausage in the freezer but when I was cooking them they smelled funny to me and sure enough they had freezer burn. So – no sausages. That is probably a good thing. Not really sure what made me think of it in the first place except I thought Stephen would appreciate a good sausage. I sliced some mixed berries to serve along with the eggs then did something very unexpected. I reached for the pancake mix and made some pancakes. I never make pancakes! Stephen usually makes pancakes if he is making breakfast but not me. I think I just am having a real sweet tooth. After conference we made some visits then went to Cindy Moyes for lunch. Yummmm. She served ham and scalloped potatoes. It doesn’t get better than that. Oh, but wait it does, I had some chocolate chip cookies that were sitting out and a piece of cheesecake with raspberries for dessert. Oink!

I think in addition to our busy schedule, I have not wanted to write because of what I would have to admit. Just as an example last night following the evening session of conference, some friends went to the Campbell’s for ice cream with all the trimmings – Oink! Friday night we were at the Nichol’s for a High Priests social and sampled many soups from the soup bar and sopped them with heavenly bread. Follow that delicious meal with a peppermint ice cream/hot fudge topped brownie and you really have something I don’t want to write home about.

So here I sit, feeling full yet relieved to be recording. I guess it is like repenting – as hard as it is to admit things and however painful and embarassing the process is – it is a liberating free feeling to be taking a step in the right direction.

Monday February 23, 2009 Phase Two Day 308:
Best laid plans – I had big plans for our Walkie Talkies this morning. I was going to have them stop in when they walked by the house and help me carry things from the balcony to the dump trailer in the driveway. I figured ten trips up and down the stairs for four people beats forty trips up and down for me. When Stephen opened the door and announced, “It’s raining” my hopes were dashed. I went to the church anyway just on the off chance someone would show up. Lucky for me but not necessarily her Rinez was there and together we drove to my house and got it done. Great! After taking her back to the church I hurried and ate a bowl of cereal and left to pick up Mom for swimming.

I thought I see what I could get done before leaving for work. About 9:00 I was kind of hungry so I cooked eggs, bacon and one piece of toast. I am glad I did because I have been working all morning. The balcony is completely cleared off and ready to receive our bedroom furniture. For lunch I think it will be tuna.

Tuna and crackers it was, and an apple. I worked at the house all day today. My bedroom is completely cleared out. The walls are wiped down and all the holes patched over. Hopefully Stephen will be able to prime tonight and paint tomorrow. Sonnet had a dentist appointment so we canceled gym class. I am really glad too, because I had too much work to do. Sara called yesterday to say she was coming for a visit. She and Jacob arrived around 5:00 just in time for dinner. I fixed a ‘Macaroni Grill’ pasta mix. It was very good – pasta with a marinara sauce. I added ground beef to it. We coupled that with a yummy salad. Later that night we ate a cup of mixed berries and hot chocolate while we watched a movie together. Big day, I am tired.

Tuesday February 24, 2009 Phase Two Day 309:
Up and out for step class. I will eat cereal before driving across town for my hair appointment this morning. I better go straight to work or I will never get there, just like yesterday. Well, I did make it to work. I ate an apple mid morning. I got really munchie around 11:30 so I went to the lunch room and scrounged a few saltine crackers. Later at home, I reached for a granola bar. For lunch Sara & I made egg, bacon and lettuce sandwiches.

I worked on the house for a while and ran to Lowe’s to pick up paint. When I got back I asked Sara if she wanted to go for a walk. Wow, we ended up walking to Green Frog Market. Let me tell you, pushing my old funky stroller along the streets was a bit of a struggle. We shopped for a few things and a few things turned into a lot of things. I do not know what I was thinking, I mean how did I think we were going to get all that stuff home. Luckily I saw Margie Taylor in the store and we ended up checking out at the same time. I asked her if she would drop off my groceries at the house for us. She was very obliging which really helped us out. We walked home (up hill I want you to know) and I was wet with sweet when we arrived. I had a bowl of cereal as a snack. Sara made chicken stir fry that was delicious.

Sonnet came by and now we are settling in for a movie together. I think we will have a cup of mixed fruit and hot chocolate later.

Thursday February 26, 2009 Phase Two Day 311:
Wednesday got away from me. I walked with friends then came home and ate cereal. Between breakfast and the time I needed to leave to pick up Mom for swimming I was able to do some cleaning on the landing. We have carpet guys coming today and I wanted to get things cleaned up and ready. After swimming I went into work. Sara is being so patient with all our going and coming. I feel bad to be running off here or there but that is our life and she understands. At the office I ate an orange and granola bar. On my way home around 1:30 I picked up Subway for Sara and I. A nice chicken sandwich on whole wheat. I did pick up cookies to go with it. The carpet guys were working away so Sara and I played a few games then I needed to run and get more carpet. When that was done Stephen was home and Sonnet was over. We left Jacob with Grandpa and the three of us girls went out for pedicures. Somewhere in there I had a bowl of cereal – not sure why, just wanted it.

The girls were finished with their feet before me so I sent them two stores down to pick up a small pizza treat to take home to Stephen. He liked it. Sara and I made lemon chicken over brown rice and grilled cauliflower. The cauliflower was so great. I heated some olive oil in a frying pan. Put the broken up cauliflower in it, added minced garlic and sprinkled it all with lemon pepper. I put a lid on and periodically shook the contents around to get it all grilled. After a few minutes of that I added some water to steam it a little. The lemon chicken was excellent as well.

Now it is Thursday morning and I ate cereal. I stayed in bed with Stephen instead of going to step class. He did not leave at the crack of dawn because he had to be in Bakersfield this morning. I know how he loves to sleep in with me. Besides today I meet Sonnet for 24Camp class and that is enough of a killer workout for one day.

Sunday March 1, 2009 Phase Two Day 314:
Wow, look at the date. I really must make myself get to this computer every day. Our closet project takes most of our time and energy. I remember Thursday was a good eating day, although I ended up not meeting Sonnet for class. She called to say she was a judge at the county Oral Language competition that evening and did not have time to go. I remember being so happy because I was working late and trying to squeeze in a few errands.

Friday started off right with the Walkie Talkies. We walked to my house and they all made their accounting. I had cereal then went in to work for a short while. We had movie day at Shannon’s at 11:00 which meant it would be a lunch. Before it was all said and done and three hours later, I had eaten 2 bowls of Jami’s tortilla soup, about 5 of Rinez’s rolls (one even had yummy jam), a bowl of salad and a few strawberries. It was a wonderful lunch but I noticed a shocking lack of chocolate. I asked Shannon where her stash was and she brought out some Skinny Cows however, I passed them by and went straight for the hard stuff. I finished off her mint chip ice cream. I went back into work all afternoon then came home to work on the remodel. That night I had leftover salad.

Saturday was busy from dawn until dusk. We got up and had cereal then worked moving furniture all morning. By noon the closet and Blake’s room were looking more normal. Sonnet was here and was nice enough to fix Stephen & I a sandwich and salad for lunch. We kept working until 4:30 when we needed to stop for showers. We had a ward party to attend. It was a partial/potluck dinner so we stopped by Marie Callendar’s to pick up a couple pies for our assignment of dessert. I ate a sampling of this and that casseroles. I also had a piece of the German chocolate pie I brought. I did have a piece of a coconut cake that was very good. When we got home, it was back to work. By 10:00 we turned in with a beautiful closet full of clothes.

Now it is Sunday – fast Sunday, which means up and out the door fasting. To break my fast I had a bowl of cereal. Stephen came home and had a piece of toast. It looked so good I had one with butter and jam. We both had a banana. Don’t ask me why but I felt like cooking. I boiled some steaks from the freezer. While they were cooking I mixed frozen chopped spinach, shredded mozzarella cheese, Worcestershire sauce and minced garlic in a bowl. On the stove I sautéed an onion in some olive oil and when the meat was done I shredded it with a fork and added it to the onions. Just for fun I poured some A-1 sauce on the meat mixture then when the onions looked tender, emptied the frying pan into the spinach mix. I thought it might taste good all wrapped up in some dough and baked so that’s what I did. It is cooked now and I’ll let you know if it was any good……Well, it was a valiant effort. Actually, it was good except I put too much A-1 sauce in it. I do not really know how much I put in of everything – just what I had and what I thought looked good. I think it was a good idea just not quite the right amounts. Stephen had a second helping so at least the dish filled the measure of its creation. I served it with brussel sprouts. Boy was that a mistake, those things are a little bitter. I had a bowl of cereal.

Monday March 2, 2009 Phase Two Day 315:
I better be good today – weigh in is tomorrow. Sonnet & I have not weighed in in two weeks and I know how easily things can sneak up on you. This morning I am off to walk with friends and I hope to get in a good walk. I think we have slowed down lately........Yes, we had a nice brisk walk! I came home and ate cereal. Off to work. I was busy all morning and I got a lot accomplished at work. Wanda is leaving for nursing conference so we went out to lunch at the Sugar Mill. I had the steak salad and couldn’t even finish it. Sonnet & I met for weight lift class. It is a good class that combines weights and aerobics. I am tired and will be sore tomorrow I’m sure. This evening I had a bowl of cereal for dinner. About 8:30 I had some sugar free hot chocolate and a granola bar.

Tuesday March 3, 2009 Phase Two Day 316:
OK – it was touch and go at 4:50 this morning when I woke up and thought, “I don’t want to go to Step class”. Luckily, I laid there and reminded myself how much I would enjoy it and how happy I would be with myself if I went. Also, I won’t be going swimming with Mom tomorrow so unless I go I will miss a good workout for a couple days. Yea! I went and it was a great class. Before I left I weighed myself and was happy with the results. Now back home I will have some cereal before heading out. I have a full day today. Lots to do at work so I think I’ll take some tuna for a sandwich at lunch. I hope I have an apple, which sounds good.

So I did eat my tuna, apple, yogurt and granola bar throughout the day. I also had two peppermint patties. At work I was passing out Almonds snacks and I ate one myself. Tonight I had to be across town at Pam’s at 6:00 for a candle party, then race over to the church for a visiting teaching conference at 7:00. Pam served artichoke dip & crackers, some Oriental chicken salad and fruit. I had some of each. At the VT conference I ate several cupcakes for dessert.