Rest and Recovery

I know it's hard to believe but my silence has been due to a hijacking of the holiday kind. For the first time I went under. I wish I could say that I fought valiantly, that I slayed Christmas cards and Christmas lists alike with an attitude of cheeriness, but that would be a complete and total lie. No, I went under in a BIG way. If it hadn't been for Braveheart and Songbird putting up the tree, we wouldn't have had one. It's cute because the lights only go up as far as Songbird can reach.

I think Leo the cat enjoyed the holidays the most. His daily frolicking in the tree branches and chewing of the lights were never completely deterred. His shenanigans added to visitors, parties and online shopping made every day a full throttle experience. And now, all I want is a little rest and recovery.

Ah, yes, rest and recovery after the disaster zone recovery effort that has been scheduled for tomorrow, all hands on deck, all family members present and accounted for. We will take back the garage, the house, the refrigerator and all semblance of normalcy! Just in time for New Years.

Now Serving Crazy

I'm sitting at the kitchen table. This will probably become my new perch. Why, you ask? Well, let's just say that in order to keep Prince Lawn Gnome and Braveheart from killing one another during homeschool, they need a little extra mommy supervision. All I wanted was a shower, just a shower and to blowdry my hair, because when I wait too long then it's done for for the remainder of the day. What do I hear three rooms away? "MMMMMOOOMMMM!" Settle the first dispute, lay down the law, remind children of their current responsibilities and return to hairdryer. What do I hear three rooms away? "MMMMMOOOMMMM! Prince Lawn Gnome stuck the calculator down his pants!" (I loath 15 year old boy humor.)

Prince Lawn Gnome appears with squirted water dripping from his forehead, no doubt from the spray bottle meant for Leo the cat to keep him out of the Christmas tree. Oh, yeah, you know Braveheart isn't all innocent in this one. But, since I also need to use said calculator from time to time, I must do something. "Would you like it if I stuck the calculator down my pants and then made you use it?, I ask." Obviously, I'm not above coming down to his level, but the shock value of even thinking about your mom's underwear and the pure gross out factor should work, right?

"You always take her side, you're just sexist!" Prince Lawn Gnome asserts. "It's sexist!" Now, let's review... I've had one cup of coffee this morning not my usual, required two. I've had an interrupted shower time, and guess what, no schoolwork is getting done. Now, I'm being called a sexist in MY OWN HOME, the one I allow Prince Lawn Gnome to dwell in! Seriously, are we serving crazy today? Because, I can serve crazy!

And, for the topper, today's lesson, poetry! Lord, please help me.

Obsessed??

So, last night, my hubby spent a little time here catching up on my blog. He says to me, "you crack me up, but it's like you're obsessed," (Meaning with the whole food, Weight Watchers thing.) Obsessed? Well, maybe I am. I mean I've always been an all or nothing personality type so why would this be any different? When I had a baby, I immediately decided to have another... in for a penny... in for a pound right? When I decided to be a stay-at-home mom, it lasted for seven years. When I do go shopping, I GO shopping.

That's not to say that being an all or nothing person hasn't bit me in the butt, exhibit A the aforementioned having kids one right after the other. When you're in the habit of jumping feet first into the pool, you often look around and wonder why no one less is totally exhausted from all this wading around? Often times, others are on the side, with looks of pity in their eyes, asking, "what was she thinking? Poor, poor woman."

Obsessed? I bet if we were talking about sex and not food then my hubby wouldn't think I was obsessed. I'd be dedicated! Triumphant! Eye on the prize kinda stuff! Obsessed... plllease.... it sounds so negative. I'm not about to embrace that as my identity, even if there is a grain of truth to it, no let's just agree to say (what's the politically correct phrase I'm looking for here) oh, yes, conscientious! Consistently conscious, yes, that will do.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

You won't find me listening to the forecast. You won't see me all bothered by the "impending doom" coming our way. I'm looking forward to the snow and I almost never say that. But, now I have a secret weapon, one that I will wield with full power!

You see, my hubby purchased a Christmas gift for me. And, this time it's a REAL gift not one with fringe benefits! This is a REAL gift, because I know that if it were just up to him, he wouldn't want it. He would kick it to the curb. But, he loves me and so, the gift. I have it early because while he went to special lengths to pick it out, he didn't really hide it very well. Not that I was snooping or anything, after all, it was in my very own closet.

I am the new, proud owner of my very own electric blanket!!!! Twin sized, so that I don't have to share with anyone. So while others may be dreading the snow, I say, "bring it on!" I will snuggle in all cozy and warm and crank that baby. I see a day of nothing but old Christmas movies and coffee in my very near future. So, thank you hubby! I absolutely LOVE it!

Update

It's 3:30 in the morning, in the oceangypsy house and I'm wide awake. Of course, I have company, Leo the cat. He is a little miffed that I've interrupted his playing with the Christmas tree and has since decided to retaliate by clawing my furniture. Oh, but Leo of little brain, you forgot we declawed you months ago for just such reasons. Proof that I am a higher life form!

Thanksgiving was amazing, great food and great visit with relatives. I was pretty good diet wise but the proof will be in the pudding at my weigh in this Thursday night. I'm dreading it slightly. My temptation was tempered a bit when on the day before Thanksgiving I went clothes shopping. I highly recommend this as a yearly ritual. I was ecstatic to get into a smaller size and didn't want to jeopardize that and conversely if you went up a size then perhaps the reality would also be a motivating factor.

Here's the crazy thing. I was actually glad when Thanksgiving was over so that I could get back on plan. It's like I stepped out into the big, bad, real world and just knew if I spent too much time there then I'd crack for good. I was actually thankful to be back in the safety net of point counting. Isn't that crazy?

I do miss my family though. It was so fun to spend time together, when you live far apart you forget all the quirkiness that goes on. Granny was true to form when she tried to convince me that you can get a bladder infection by walking barefoot on the concrete. My sister, always the chronic late one, inspired a pool for which we took bets on what time she'd roll into town. Her arrival has never been so closely anticipated. My mom and stepdad had the usual, yearly argument on how to correctly position and set the table. My brother and his girlfriend interacted like an old married couple, the dogs worked up over all the visitors. Ahhh, to be home.

So, now on to the next holiday season. The season for which I am feeling anxious and unprepared. So much so, that Braveheart and Songbird actually set the tree up for me. They did a pretty good job, and I'm pretty picky about the tree. But, alas, I'm learning that as a working mom, I'm just going to have to let some things go. It's not really necessary that I bring out all the ornaments that they forgot. After all, Leo the cat would probably just bat them around anyway! Do I really need to bring out the rest of the decorations for the house for just a couple of weeks? For the first time, I just don't want the hassle. It feels overwhelming.

And as an extra emotional bonus, Braveheart turns 17 this month! How is it possible that she has gotten so big? Wasn't it just yesterday that she was playing dress up and tea party? Wasn't it just yesterday when she crawled up in my lap for a story and her artwork covered the refrigerator door? Now, she spends her time trying to convince me to let her work the night shift (ain't no way), driving all over town and planning out her future as a rockstar. I am excited for her, and at the same time, a little sad that she's not little anymore.

4 am now. Still wide awake...even Leo the cat has given up and curled up into a ball on the couch going to go and try to follow his example.

Pumpkin Pie!!!

T minus 4 days and counting till Turkey day!!! And, only T minus 1 1/2 days till we head to Grandma's house for the blessed occasion. Blessed occasion, indeed, all occasions that include pumpkin pie with Cool Whip, pecan pie, Grandma Rosie's rolls, and all the fixin's is high on my priority list right now. Maybe it's because since I started Weight Watchers my thoughts are obsessed with food.

I can hardly watch television without salivating over the commercials. Someone walked by me at work today with a bag of McDonald's fries and I nearly grabbed it out of their hands. Another group sent out for Starbucks! I was good, I didn't cave and actually it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. But, mostly because I'm telling myself, just look forward to the pumpkin pie. It better be good. You know how you can work up a thing in your mind to near perfection... at this point, I can settle for no less.

Don't get me wrong, I have no intention of undoing the work that's been done (8.8 lbs in one month), but I plan on enjoying every bite to the fullest. I can't undo the work, because that would mean I would actually break down and cry in front of a group of complete strangers and then I'd have to change meetings. Yes, there is an ample amount of vulnerability there. I'm feeling FRAGILE. There should be a sign on my forehead "Explosives: Handle with Care."

So, here's looking forward to the food and the family, the fun and the not-s0-fun, the same ol' and the brand new (New Moon). Hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Blah

I knew it was coming, the Winter Blah. The Blah that you have to push through in order to get anything accomplished. The Blah that just lulls you into bed and a marathon of bad t.v. Yes, the Blah that seeps into your soul and robs you of any desire, joy or ambition. Oh, I hate winter.
I need sunshine! I need birds chirping and welcoming me into a great day outside. Instead, there is a drizzle out there, a cold damp that you can't quite shake. It's going to be a long season.

It's scary because it is at times like this when I think, "maybe, a vibrant shade of red on my hair would perk me up?" Or, "maybe a little shopping would help?" It's scary because this time of year puts me on the edge, the very edge. Where it doesn't take much to push me off into a bad haircut and sweats. I'm already teetering from the changes I've been forced to make over Weight Watchers. Last night I came home from work to a pan full of brownies WITH NUTS. Major temptation! I cut the smallest piece known to man. It tasted so good it scared me straight out of the kitchen. I can't go back in there. Obviously, chocolate is my crack.

Just how am I supposed to combat the Blah if chocolate is taken out of my arsenal?